The Adventures of Deacon Coombs (47 page)

“As I said, the creature must be annihilated by a plan yet to be conceived. Call it ego, call it foolish bravery, but I believe that with more information about Urzel, the team can concoct a plan that will defeat him. I will admit to you now that I don’t know what that plan is. But my group and I will find it and brief you. I would ask all of you to please attend and invite Dithropolis, if that is possible. Having faced the enemy twice, I will summon the courage to face him a third time.”

Deacon paced around the room. During their silence, he sensed their respect in him and their willingness to hear him out. “I personally have seen the results of the experiment for which Landrew now suffers. It is my opinion that you in this room must enter the history books of our beloved Alliance and approve a decision for the good of us all!”

Landrew looked at him in bewilderment; he didn’t comprehend. Deacon spoke loudly. “Members of the High Council of the Alliance, when sympathetic Medullans deceived the Alliance and disobeyed Landrew and placed the child Urzel Lok outside the forces that encompass Medulla, on a planet named Nix, they laid unknowingly the first step for Medullan spirits to interface with us, to come into our worlds.

“I am trying very hard not to be a fatalist. It is logical for me, in every case I am engaged in, to believe that there is a solution and I can find it. Why do I believe this? Because there is no perfect crime. Just keep looking for the mistake that the villain has made. In this case, I must insist that this Council consider”—he stared at Schlegar, leaning over a chair from across the table—“abandoning the research efforts for the Medullans that are being conducted at Brebouillis.”

Schlegar predictably countered. “You have not the comprehension of the breadth of research that has transpired there. This motion should receive equal time from both sides for a debate in front of the High Council. We just cannot consider a whimsical recommendation from you.”

“Let Coombs continue, Schlegar,” said Xudur. “I, for one, want to hear his reasoning.”

“I am not blinded by the scientific and medical research at Brebouillis and where the results can take us or how it can benefit the Medullans. I have examined the evidence firsthand without bias. The Medullans are mentally superior to all of us, some light-years ahead in their evolution. We are, in my opinion, mental midgets to them. You all must confess that some of the most difficult problems in mathematics and medicine that the Alliance has faced have been solved by the Medullans’ intelligence since their entry. You all know this, and I confirmed this in the records at Brebouillis.

“So what will happen to us when we solve their problem to render them corporeal—to finally interface with us as inferior corporeal beings? I have read about the intelligence quotients of Medullans to understand that they are exponentially out of reach from us. And in a thousand years, when we have given them bodies, where will the Medullans be? What will they want? Will they be satisfied to let inferior beings lead the Alliance? Let inferior beings make all decisions which affect their universe? Will 100 percent of the Medullans be law-abiding citizens once they become corporeal? Or will one or two or three, or three hundred, decide to become criminal elements, or rebels, and try to capture power in the Alliance because they know they can—because they judge us as inferior beings and resent us, despise us?

“Urzel is but one misguided Medullan, and a child at that! A child! But look at the damage he has inflicted into our universe and the havoc he has brought to this Council! Will history record that he will be the singular, sole Medullan who tried to conquer the Alliance? Will history record Urzel Lok as the singular instance of a Medullan criminal?”

Schlegar started to object, but Deacon spoke over him with a louder voice. “They will tire of us in less than a hundred years. We will all be a bore. We will all be lower than them, both in class structure and on the evolutionary ladder. Then they will look to new challenges in the Alliance. Perhaps, Schlegar, they will want to replace Aralians as our most trusted advisors as head of the traders’ union. Why should this race accept the laws that you, the High Council, construct for them?

“When Earth first joined the Alliance, we were not afforded all the rights of the Alliance until we had proven our intentions to cooperate, listen, and learn to coexist in the Alliance. Landrew is the first High Ruler from Earth after many hundreds of years of testing our commitment.”

At this point, Eggu-Nitron interrupted. “Are you finished, Earthman?”

“Yes, Eggu-Nitron.”

“There is merit to what you speak, Coombs. I trust you because you speak the truth and it hurts. The Council should debate this issue later, when we have established peace. We engaged you, and I for one want to be recorded as having said that you have outperformed my expectations. Your help is still needed, and I pray that you will not delay. However, as I listen to you, it frightens me that Urzel is not even a purebred Medullan, and look at the power he wields. I support all that Deacon Coombs has asked for, and I ask the rest of you to do similarly. Barnard’s Planet is firmly behind you, Coombs.”

Schlegar posed his concern. “What if we discontinue this research and later the Medullans discover how to reverse this evolution by themselves or by the assistance of some other species? Or even more frightening, what if they find out how to come out of this… this… so-called other dimension and come after us and force us to work on this research? They may not forgive our aborted efforts so easily. They could retaliate. I say we continue to minimize these risks. I vote to continue the research at Brebouillis.”

Raal addressed Schlegar. “We could explain our lack of success by our scientists. They may decide themselves to abort the efforts.”

Xudur snapped her thick lips. “Raal, we do not answer to Medullans. We are not accountable to them. Coombs has made his case. I believe it has merit that we should discuss at some other meeting. As for your concern, Schlegar, the Medullans might be smart, but courage will have to complement their abilities to conquer Zentaur. We submit to no one, not even to this Urzel. If Zentaur should be conquered, it will only be at the death of the last Zentaurian. We pledge our lives to the cause of extinguishing Urzel Lok and will fight him to the death through Deacon Coombs’s plan.”

“Xudur,” Eggu-Nitron said annoyedly, “we do tire of your endless bouts of shows of strength.”

“You insult me, little one?”

“I call order to this meeting!” Landrew shouted. “The motion that Mister Coombs has tabled is for our next debate in private chambers. Your comments, Mister Coombs, and yours, Schlegar, are dually noted.”

“But, Landrew,” Schlegar said, “this motion comes from a detective, not a scientist. Surely you must hear from all the other researchers at Brebouillis.” Schlegar disappointedly acknowledged that Lyanna’s silence indicated she would be siding with Coombs.

Landrew motioned to draw attention. “Tonight is a night of catastrophic events. My most pious deed has metamorphosed into a nightmare that has materialized a monster. My trusted advisor, Rande, has been exposed to be an aide of Urzel Lok. Then we heard Coombs’s plea to discontinue the research at Brebouillis. Earlier, I received devastating news from Jabu, one of the closest planets to Nix.” Landrew peered at Quobit as he spoke. “The reason for Dithropolis’s absence will be obvious to you. It has begun. Catastrophe has struck.”

The war begins

Landrew’s voice was growing raspy. “Let me read you a communication received from Dithropolis. I had intended to share this with you earlier, but Coombs’s agenda prohibited me from finding the ideal time for intervention.” Landrew opened his handheld device and read from the screen.

“‘From Dithropolis. Landrew, the dark force army of Lord Urzel Lok attacked planet Jabu. Crazed, fierce, armed Nicosians, hundreds of thousands of savages, landed in spaceships and mercilessly stormed the capital city of Obm. Twelve spaceships mysteriously materialized at the Vesper station and proceeded directly to the port at Obm, where the savages were unleashed under the command of other aliens. They have commenced an onslaught of murdering, pillaging, butchering, and storming the planet’s capital grounds, overwhelming the guards by numbers in complete surprise. The events occurred so swiftly, so quickly, Landrew, that we were caught unprepared. As you know, the Jabu are a peaceful race, and we are not equipped or mentally prepared to fight such a brutal army.’”

Quobit was stunned. Deacon moved beside her as he recognized the consternation rising into her gaze.

Landrew took a deep breath. “The Jabu are easy prey for this monster. I will now conclude Dithropolis’s message. ‘In order to put an end to the slaughter of his dear people, Supreme Donn Vet Ginighties publicly surrendered to Lord Urzel Lok on Lok’s terms. At this time, these terms have not been made public. I am privy to one term—that the surrender of the Jabunese army to Lord Urzel Lok has been completed and the Jabu have laid down their arms; I am assured that this was partially done as Jabu commanders succumbed to his mental powers. I will try to dispatch further secretive communiques.’”

The room was eerily silent as Landrew shook and Quobit sobbed. Landrew scanned the room with his eyes. “I support whatever steps Coombs believes we have to take to defeat this monster.”

“We will dispense troops from Zentaur immediately to set Jabu free!” said Xudur.

Deacon responded instantly. “No, Xudur. That would be a mistake. We are not prepared to confront him yet. Listen to me. Please.” Deacon stood to lecture his audience. “Urzel Lok has conquered Jabu. He has made an example of them, and he knows that fear and panic will follow throughout the Alliance as word of his victory spreads. But as I stated before”—he raised his voice—“he will not be able to hold it without allies and forces as he moves from Jabu to his next quest. We need to formulate our plan to defeat him quickly, and thus I will do so. Any troops you send to Jabu will fall victim to his mental powers and come under his spell and just increase the number of needless deaths. I urge all of you, and you, Landrew, to command all Alliance forces to hold their positions. Do not send troops to Jabu, where their sacrifices will fuel Urzel’s honor further. An admirable gesture, Xudur, but please, Jabu was an easy victory for him; we now must surprisingly run interference in his next plans.”

Landrew’s face was flush with grief. Eggu-Nitron continued to bow his head in his lap. Raal trembled as she spoke. “Mendalgon could be next. We are not prepared for a surprise savage attack, especially if this demon hits with waves of fierce Nicosians who are prepared to die for Urzel’s cause.”

Landrew said, “I have already ordered Alliance troops to Jabu, Deacon. In light of your comments, I shall retract them.”

“I pray that they have not arrived, Landrew, to be influenced by Urzel and then turned against us.”

“I will move the timetable up. We will meet in two nights to discuss a united plan. I ask each of you to exercise discipline in the interim. I know it will be difficult, Raal. Discipline will save us.”

“Is there anything gained by traveling to Jabu to seek him out,” said Raal, “to try to reach a compromise? To buy some time in false negotiations?”

Deacon shook his head. “You are no match for him. I urge the members of the High Council to remain here, where we can meet at a moment’s notice, where you should seek secret refuge. Do not travel home. Stay within the force field limits of Earth. I warn you! The Council must remain united. Reach out for Dithropolis, but if he cannot attend, then I understand.”

Xudur stood and approached Deacon, and with great intimidation in her tone, she spat her words at him. “So you believe that you are a match for him?”

“I informed you before, Xudur, that he fears me and I have to discover why. I have to find out from Nedilli. I have a hope, a plan; it has to be executed immediately in light of the drastic news from Jabu.”

Eggu-Nitron then asked Deacon, “Why does he want to conquer our worlds? What motivates him to do so?”

“Children are programmed early in life by their environment. Urzel was programmed to hate the world around him because as an insane child he was left to fend for himself on Nix with savages, and he found that his superior mental skills were the weapons of defense and offense. He has learned to react only from the environment around him on Nix. And what was that environment? Cruelty. War against your neighbor. No respect for anything, for anyone. His high intelligence combined with his cruel environment has led him on a course of fighting to survive and exacting revenge against all who dishonor him. I suspect that when he found out the instability he could create in our world, he feasted on it and now grows stronger.”

Quobit used her experience on Nix to elaborate. “Urzel Lok has decided to make an example of all of us because he knows he can do this! Understand. Urzel was born insane. The entire life cycles on Nix revolve around a struggle for life and death each day. Imagine what this child experienced every single day on Nix, a daily fight to survive. I witnessed this firsthand. As on Nix, Urzel uses his mental powers to conquer any and all beings. With his intelligence, he must have known that an army of savage Nicosians invading Jabu could lead to only one conclusion—victory for Lord Urzel!”

Lyanna agreed and said, “Urzel is spreading fear throughout the Alliance as we speak.”

Deacon nodded. “The only life he knows is that of the Nicosians—how to wage battles daily. Therefore, he practices exactly what he has learned and lived.”

“You are starting to draw my sympathies,” Eggu-Nitron said with sincerity.

“I shall quote Xudur,” said Deacon, “who said that compliance to my plan must include the death of this creature. Any weakness by us will cause future regret. We shall all lose our lives if we are not careful.”

Xudur looked at Eggu-Nitron. “This savage shall not extract an ounce of sympathy from me. I shall gladly volunteer to partake in its death scene!”

“Since Urzel is on Jabu, trying to strengthen his grasp there, it is time to journey to Medulla. Time grows short. I shall brief you before we depart, as we previously agreed.”