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INTOLERANCE
A short story set in the 31st Century





By

Darden Coulthard


25th July 2003.

Deep Space 50 years ago.

A beautiful blue green planet hangs against the black velvet of a perfect star filled sky. All is peaceful, all is quiet. Suddenly a space ship screams out of Faster than Light drive, smoke is billowing from its starboard engine and the ship appears out of control. Going far to fast, it races towards the planet. A few scant seconds later another, much larger, ship drops out of FTL drive and starts chasing the smaller vessel.

On the bridge of the smaller ship, all is chaos as flames burn from control surfaces. The captain, bleeding badly from a cut on his head, is unconscious. Around him the dead bodies of his crew lie twisted, bleeding, burning dead. An automated distress call is calmly and relentlessly repeating its message "Mayday, Mayday. This is Earth survey ship Hope, Mayday Mayday. Co-ordinates are Azimuth 227 Core Ref Able Charlie 9, Request assistance" the message pauses and then starts again in a cold dead monotone.

On the second ship there is a much more different scene. All here is calm, busy, efficiency. From a position near one of the two large view screens at the front of the bridge an officer turns to where his Captain is standing.

"Lord Commander, we have the vessel within range, Shall I open fire again?" he asks.

Lord Commander Vort of the Khundian battle cruiser Devastation, thought for a few moments. These stupid Earthers had refused to turn back when offered the choice and now he had to decide whether to destroy them, and risk an all out war with the Earth Alliance, or leave it and risk the Earthers finding out about, "them". Plus he was inside "their" planetary system; He could almost feel "their" eyes boring into him. Coming to a decision he turned to his weapons officer, "destroy them, and quickly" he snarled.

Four high intensity energy weapon beams shot out from the battle cruiser, for a milli second the Earth ship, caught in a classic cross fire pattern was illuminated in the glow of a thousands suns, then, its shields and hull hopelessly overwhelmed the ship exploded into the silent bright yellow flower of oblivion.

Lord Vort turned to his crew, "Good shooting men, now lets us get out of here and return to the blockade fleet as soon as we can"

The cruiser turned on its own axis, an amazing feat for such a large ship and a trick which had won many a battle for the Khundian Empire, especially in its current war with the Dominion. Its FTL engines warmed up and then with the characteristic blue red and gold warp effects, coruscating along the side of the ship, the IKS Devastation left.

All is as it was before. The planet still sat there serenely, nestled snugly amongst its bed of brilliant white stars. All that remained behind of the events we have just witnessed, was a small black box, no more than 6 inches square, inside a simple but effective homing beacon tapped out its message. "Ship destroyed, recovery requested"

Deep Space 40 years ago

The Earth survey ship Wai Chang, dropped out of FTL drive and the powerful realspace engines glowed red as it drove inwards towards a green planet orbiting a blue star.
"Captain Singh" said the navigation officer, "we are picking up the automated distress signal, shall I dispatch a recovery drone"?

Please do" replied the Captain. He sat staring at the monitors before him. Why had the Khunds destroyed the Hope, Why had they declared this system off limits? It wasn’t as if they had colonized here or even started to strip material from the planets. They had simply said keep away and left the place alone. Now however as the Khunds fought their damnable war with the Dominion there was a chance for Earth to investigate this place. Some thought it must be a vast store of wealth that the Khunds wanted to keep for themselves. It was Singh’s job to find out.

After a few uneventful hours the Wai Chang was making its final approach to the large green planet which sensors indicated was the only inhabited one in the system. Investigation of the recovered distress signal had not added much to their knowledge of the events of ten years previous. Still what they had discovered had been coded and sent back to Earthforce. Now they were about to make first contact with a pre interstellar society.

"Captain, language, societal and historical datalinks are complete shall we instigate first stage downlink"? asked the young science officer.

"Yes" responded the Captain, "lets show them a bit of what EarthGov can offer them if they stay friendly"

This was the boring bit, the establishment of the necessary protocols, that preceded the limited diplomacy he would undertake before the Government could decide which Ambassador to send out.

"Captain" the voice broke through his reverie, it was the science officer again. "I have the Exarch on the com link she wants to talk. And so it begins¦

A few weeks later and every thing was going like clock work. The contact robots have finished sampling the soil and atmosphere; there was nothing of obvious danger. Instructions from Earthforce had been received confirming that they could move to stage three and land to set up an embassy ready to receive a permanent Ambassador.

"Ah Captain, how nice it is to see you face to face at last rather than via those viewscreens, so impersonal don’t you think" beamed the Exarch as Singh entered the audience chamber. Together the two walked to the end of the room through a lane left by the hundreds of dignitaries gathered for the occasion. Reaching a small dais the Exarch turned and motioned Singh to a small chair. "Please be seated" she said. Then she turned to the room and, the Captain knew, the waiting millions throughout the planet watching on comm links and started her speech.
"We are gathered here at the start of a new epoch in our world’s existence, at last we have an answer to one of the most oft asked questions. We now know we are not alone in the universe" Turning to Captain Singh and smiling the Exarch continued, "On behalf of the entire world I would like to formally welcome our friends from Earth to Somahtur" and so it went on, speech after speech, reception after reception.
For a number of days the Captain allowed his crew shore leave to take in some of the planets wonders then they settled down to the hard work of building the infrastructure need to help this world reach out to interstellar space.

A few days later and Captain Singh was visiting two members of his crew who had fallen ill. As he was talking to one, a young crewman from Xanthu his comm. Link crackled into life. "Captain we have a problem" it was his executive officer still based in the orbiting ship. " I think you had better get back up hear as quick as you can"

"Well fill me in on the emergency Thom" said Singh settling him self into the command chair on the Wai Chang.

"It’s that, that’s the problem" said the exec punching up an image on the view screen.

"Shit" swore the Captain and the viewer revealed a Khundian Battle cruiser and 4 smaller escorts heading purposefully towards them. "get a message of to Earth and ask them for help, then get me the captain of that Battle cruiser"

"I cant sir as soon as the Khundian came out of FTL drive she started to jam all communication links to outside the system. She’s also not responding to our hails"

"What do they want here, the war is still on how and why are they wasting resources here" mused the Captain. It was a question to which he would never know the answer as silently and purposefully the heavy weapons on the battle cruiser turned onto the Wai Chang and coldly, calmly and terribly efficiently obliterated the small craft completely.

Another great story, Darden, with nice touches - Hope for the Earth ship (were there a Faith and Charity as well?), Destruction for the Khunds.

A Xanthian Thom - a relative? Grandfather?

Was anyone from the Wai Chang left on Somahtur? - were they able to survive among the illnesses? Will the story continue? (Good lord, I almost called it the Wang Chung.)

Why won't the Khunds tell the Earth Alliance about Somahtur? Will they try to obliterate the whole planet or use it for their own ends?

Better keep going...lots of questions here!

And finally, "coruscate" - what a delicious word! Had to look it up, what a delight.

Yeah, I was thinking "Wang Chung" as the name of the ship also.

I'm really enjoying this... can't wait to see what happens next!

thanks guys. i hope to get the next instalment up in the next few days.

FC, yes a few people were left on planet, but unfortunately they didnt survive long. Thom is not a releative, at least i dont think so, I just wanted to use a common name, just like the Earth version Tom i suppose.

as for the name Wai Chang, I chose this a long time ago, and as I say on the thread, I have never heard of the group so I have to say this is pure coincidence

An enthralling story. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Near Earth Space 35 years ago.

“Gentlemen, welcome to Medicus One Earths newest and finest medical facility” said the tall striking Doctor to a group of government officials as they left the arrivals lounge. “if you’d care to follow me I’ll take you directly to the director”

A few short minutes later and the group were sitting in comfortable chairs listening to Dr M’lath Director of xeno biology. As they listened they realized that the situation was much much worse than they had in fact realized.

“Gentlemen” said Dr M’lath “As you are aware there has been a spate of serious diseases breaking out in very many planets in the Somahtur sector of space. At first we had no idea what was causing it. And there seemed to be no possible linkages or connections between the outbreaks. There was Rigellian pain plague on alkon, Rimborian SLD on Bettendorf, even cholera on Wesinerger”

“Doctor we know all this and the authorities have instigated some quite strict quarantine procedures on the infected planets, is this all you have to tell us” interjected one of the listening group.

“No its not” said the doctor quietly,. “for years now since we first became aware of the problem we have never been able to predict where or indeed what disease might strike next. Until now.” With that she leaned over to a comm. Link lying on the desk “Andrea, pleas bring in our guest”

The group turned and gasped in surprise as a very large Khund walked into the office.

“Gentlemen allow me to introduce Chief Science Adept Crugge. She has some interesting information which I feel will throw some light in our current problems”

Adept Crugge looked at the humans sat before her, “Damm them and there interference” she thought, “if only they had left that thrice cursed planet alone I would not be in this dishonourable position”

She cleared her through and started to explain.

Calling up a holo map of the sector she pointed out the apparently random pattern of infection and the fact that the diseases themselves did not follow any normal pattern of infection. “however” she continued “the Khundian Empire believes it has identified the cause of this infection. It emanates form here” and she jabbed a large finger at a small green planet which the map named as Somahtur.

“What is it with that sector of space and you Khunds” said General Sommers form the back of the room, “don’t think we have forgotten or forgiven what you did to our two survey ships”

“Yes it is your survey ships that have caused this problem in the first place. The Inhabitants of this planet are possibly the most frightening you will ever meet”

“What! But we have records form the contacts made before you forced us to pull back, the people on that world were friendly and helpful and humanoid” said a man form the front row.

“Yes President Clark they are” continued Adept Crugge, ”but they have one unique property about them that makes them dangerous. They are the most infectious race we have ever met. Somehow, we don’t know how these people are able to take our own immune systems and trigger them to produce all sorts of diseases. Our research cost us many lives including an entire colony world killed by these people”

“But why” asked President Clark “what do they think they can gain from this”

“that, perhaps, is the ultimate irony” replied Crugge,, “we don’t think they are doing this deliberately, it seems to be a totally natural by product of there physiology. Fortunately they had not discovered interstellar flight and once we had discovered this fact we placed a strict quarantine around the planet to make sure they never left”

“So if they can’t travel between the stars, what makes you think they are responsible for this” asked a Presidential Aide

“Fool” snapped Crugge, once your survey ship landed they were able to examine it, study it and the records you so generously offered them. They are not a stupid people they were able to quickly copy your designs and extrapolate a few ideas and the rest is an easy guess. According to our ships in the sector Somahturians are trading on all these worlds. And they are spreading out faster than we can stop them.

[slaps forehead] Oh, that Somahtur!

The story's even better now that I know what it's about. Keep up the good work.

Good job Faraway! Interesting to see the Khunds doing something beneficial. Looking forward to more.

Planet Kathoon

A young girl runs in panic down the dark moon lit streets, behind her she could hear the sound of the mob, screaming, smashing the windows of her fathers shop. She was frightened and didn’t know what to do. Turning left she ran down the street trying to put the noise as far behind her as she could. Looking behind her to see if she was being followed she didn’t see the stout man standing in the road in front of her. There was a crash, a confusion of arms and legs and then she felt her self being lifted up by a strong powerful set of arms.

“Now what have we got here” said a voice, “you OK boss”

“Yes I’m fine Marla, don’t hurt her she looks terrified. What’s you name little one?”

“Arla Sehpt old man what’s yours, and tell your monkey to put me down”

For a few moments the man looked at her, his gaze was piercing and Arla felt as if he was reading the very depth of her soul. Arla looked more closely at the man, his hair was starting to go white and he was a little overweight and when she looked at his eyes Arla felt instinctively that here was a good man, a man she could trust. She stopped struggling and the other one, the one called Marla let he down to the ground.

“well Arla Sehpt, what’s a gerfuggit youngster like you doing running so fast in the street” and he smiled

“RJ” said Marla, “look she’s from Somahtur”

“Ah” said RJ Brande, “ I heard there was some trouble”

“My fathers shop” sobbed Arla, “why cant they just leave us alone”

“you in the street” came the amplified voice of a police man, looking up they saw a squad of men clad in containment suites, “Put the infector down and step away”

“what are you going to do with her” asked RJ

“All her sort are to be repatriated as soon as possible we need to get them off planet before society tears its self apart” said the officer as he led Arla to a waiting car.

Dammit, I don’t like this Marla, I don’t like the way people treat them, it’s not their fault they make other ill”

Marla Latham looked at his employer with a knowing smile. He had seen his boss like this before and knew that one-day, maybe not today, nor next week or even next year but someday R J Brande would be in a position to do something about this intolerance and hatred.

The Present, Last Month:- The Somahtur Quarrantine Fleet

“Admiral Allon” said the communications officer on the United Planets Light Cruiser Andes. “Signal from the Khundian War Destroyer Zaryn seeking permission to break orbit and head back for home”

“Lucky so an d so’s “ growled Admiral Allon, “they are finished their tour of duty in this boring back water. Do we know who the replacement ship is yet”? he asked

“Negative sir. And sir, the Zaryans departure will leave a gap in our quarantine screen until the replacement shows up”

“I know boy, I know. Ask the Lycidian cruiser to move into the space vacated by that Khund, and then send a message to the Tsuron battleship to despatch two patrol ships to cover the gap between them and the Lycidian”

“Sir” shouted another younger more excited voice, “we may have a problem”

“well spit it out boy”

Scientific ships from Alkor, Medicus One and Colu have all come through the stargates together, they are blocking the Khundians departure and all want to talk to you about landing rights”

Admiral Allon sighed yet again. The UP should have put a diplomat in charge of this quarantine blockade not him. Forcing a smile onto his face he turned to ace the babble of noise coming from his comm screen.

“Now now gentlemen” he said “if we all calm down I’m sure…

Suddenly alarms sounded strident and horse. The Cruiser’s battle lights flicked on. Ignoring the cries of outrage from the other ships Admiral Allon cut all contact. Swinging around he started barking orders, bringing the ship to full fighting ability. His mouth tightened as he read form the computer screens the news all officers of the blockade fleet dreaded. Eight small sleek fast space ships had risen from the surface and were heading at breakneck speed for the stargate.

“emergency shutdown” Allon bellowed , “I want that gate deactivated”

“we cant sir” replied a tech officer, The Khundian Ship is in final stage manoeuvres, Shutting the gate down now would destroy that ship”

“Damn” swore Allon punching the console, the Somahturians had timed this break out well.

“open me a channel to those ships” he said “get the science vessels clear. And somebody turn off that bloody noise”

“As the face of the first Somaturian pilot came through on the view screen , Allon felt a moment of pity for this friendly, kind people. It wasn’t there fault they carried within themselves huge colonies of micro organisms which made everyone else ill. But until the UP scientists could find a way to prevent infection every single Somaturian was a walking living talking chemical/bacteriological weapons factory. They had to be quarantined on their home world for the good of the rest of the galaxy. And, for there own safety. Allon had been a captain during some of the Plague Riots, and had seen innocent Somaturians killed by fearful mobs. He did not want to see that again.

“listen” he found himself saying “I know how trapped you feel but attempts to escape like this have been outlawed by the UP, its for you own protection as much as for ours, turn back before I have to open fire”

He glanced at his officers

“Still heading for the Stargate at top speed” said one, “time to entry 10 seconds”

“turn back” shouted Allon

“Sorry but we can’t do that” said the captain of one of the ships “better to die free than a slave and prisoner on my own planet”

“eight seconds to entry” said the officer. “Admiral I have them locked in target I need the order to fire”

Five seconds. Ships are now level with the Khundian ship”

Allon swore to himself, Bloody Nass was this what it came to destroying innocent civilians?

He raised his hands to give the signal to fire

There was a flash of light, so bright it took the Cruisers computers a few seconds to compensate.

“sir” said his tactical officer “that was the Zaryan, it opened fire. Sensors indicate no survivors”

Allon slowly collapsed into his seat. Sprokk it this was a nasty job. How many civilians had died in that fruitless escape attempt? Part of him was relived the Khunds had opened fire saving him from making that terrible decision. But. In his heart he despised himself because he knew he would have given the order to fire.
with a sigh he turned once again to the process of dealing with the waiting science ships.

Through the Stargate the Khundian warship flew on. Inside its warlord received the congratulations of his crew on a clean kill and joined with them in cursing the weakness of the human who had nearly allowed a terrible plague to be unleashed upon the galaxy again.

Outside the Zaryan, attached to the hull and hidden from all sensors, invisible to all but the naked eye sat a small sleek spacecraft. Inside its sole occupant wept as she thought of the sacrifice those seven other ships had made to get her so far. She was unique amongst all her people. She had control over the colonies that grew and seethed inside her body. She, or rather her mother, had friends amongst the humans who would help. Friends who would help her to show the galaxy that Somahtur was not someplace to be afraid of.

This is getting tense. I can't wait for the next part.

Earth, Last Week, A small inconspicuous side street.

Marla looked at the small young girl standing nervously in front of him. He looked around no one was insight and he knew the drones were monitoring all avenues of approach. Yet he still felt nervous. If anyone were to see him here talking to this girl they could be in serious trouble. Still RJ had insisted that this was the only way to start the rehabilitation.

“Here” he said passing a parcel to the girl “this face makeup and costume should do enough to hide your true identity. Are you sure you want to go through with it?”
“absolutely” she replied “too many good people gave there lives creating a diversion for me for me to turn back now. I believe Mr Brande. The Legion is the only way forward. Let the world see my membership as a force for good and they may stop hating and fearing my people”

Marla looked at the youngster with pride and admiration. For some one so young to have so much determination, so much character, was rare, he hoped she was right.

“my mother sends on her regards to Mr Brande” said the girl “she is doing well on homeworld”

“I’ll pass on Arla’s message to RJ” Marla smiled, “Now you must go Drura and may all the gods grant you good fortune”

Earth Legion Headquarters Two Hours Ago

Drura Sehpt sat nervously in the Green Room, a chamber in the vast, well fortified, Legion headquarters . Getting through the initial battery of tests had been easy for her, she had after all received training from the men who had bankrolled the legion. Now she was through to the final stage test. One of the three people in this room could be the next legionnaire. She looked across at the others. Pete Dursin of Earth was the strangest looking of the three. His body was covered in a thick mat of spikes that looked like porcupine quills. Despite his grotesque appearance, Pete had a warm and friendly personality with a wicked sense of humour. Drura had warmed to him from the moment they met and hoped that, whatever happened in the next hour, she and Pete could become firm friends. It was typical of Pete’s sense of humour that when asked for his code name he called himself Porcupine Pete. The second applicant was a handsome youth in a jet black costume. He was however cold and aloof. When Drura had asked his name he had simply said “call me the Molecule Master.”

Before Drura could question him more the door to the green room opened and in walked Timber Wolf.

“OK you squaj’s” he said, the smile on his face belying the harshness of his words, “As one of the newest Legionnaires they thought I should get the honour of escorting you through Legion World to the final tryout room. So follow me close and don’t get lost”

The three quickly rose and followed Timber Wolf out to the Platform hovering in a vast empty hallway.

“Hop on Cubs and don’t fall off” said Timber Wolf, “this is the quickest and safest way to get around this place” and with that he operated a control on the front of the platform which then rose into the air before turning and heading off at a fast pace down the corridor. Later when asked what it was like Drura had only fleeting memories of half glimpsed rooms and corridors.

“Level 26b” said Timber Wolf at one stage, “down below us you got Braininac 5’s labs, some wild experiments going on in there. Stay out unless you really need to go in”

After a few more minutes the platform arrived at its destination.

“OK” said Timber Wolf, “Everyone off, Oh… good luck and think fast” he smiled

The three now found themselves in another waiting room.

“Oh boy this is it” said Pete barely able to contain his excitement. They didn’t have long to wait as soon a door opened in the far end of the room and in walked Gates and Shikari.
“All of you come this way” said Gates and turned and went back out of the room. As they passed by Shikari who stood guard at the door she said to each in turn, “May the spirits guide you on the true path”

The three applicants now found themselves in a large chamber. To the left were three seats, at the other end of the room a large table was set and behind this were Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Star Boy, M’onel, Braininac 5, Triad and Kid Quantum. It was quite an intimidating sight. There was a long silence during which Drura felt herself becoming nervous. “What if I’m not good enough” she thought.

Finally the silence was broken by Kid Quantum’s voice, with a start Drura realised she had missed most of what had been said. In a panic she turned quickly to the Molecule Master,
“what did she say” Drura whispered.
“A Legionnaire should pay attention, I hardly think I need worry about you” said the tall handsome man, and he pointedly turned away from Drura.
“Basically” whisper Pete who had overheard, “We get two minutes to demonstrate our powers to see if they can be used in the Legion, then we get our final results”

“Pete Dursin of Earth, our random chance selector has given you the first slot” said Braininac 5 “ step forward and use your time wisely”

“Well” said Pete as he stepped forward, “they call me Porcupine Pete, for pretty obvious reasons” He smiled as he pointed to the quills sticking up from all over his body. “but unlike a normal earth porcupine which can only use its quills defensively I can use mine to attack, like so” and with that Pete lifted his arms and thousands of small needle sharp quills flew out of his body in all directions. For a few seconds all was pandemonium as the legionnaires and the other applicants dived for cover. Slowly the Legionnaires rose to their feet and started to put their chairs upright. Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy were tending to each other trying to stem the blood flowing from a number of tiny needle holes. Braininac 5 dropped his force shield and said, “such a devastating attack would damage your allies as much as your enemies not to speak of the danger you would cause to members of the public if you did that in a crowded street. Have you more control than that?”

Crestfallen Pete hung his head, “no that’s it, its all or nothing”

“I’m sorry” said M’onel but that power is not one the legion can use right now, I’m afraid we have to reject you at this time”

The doors opened and Shikari led Pete out of the room. Drura reached up to touch Pete, “I'm so sorry” she whispered

“Next to take the challenge is Drura Sehpt of Alkor” said Braininac 5

So this was it. The next two minutes would decide not only her fate but the fate of her world. Drura coughed nervously and then stepped into the centre of the world. “In order to successfully demonstrate my powers, I’ll need a volunteer from amongst the panel” She had practised this moment over and over again. She had to judge it just right, too little and she would not incapacitate, too much and she could kill.

“I’ll do it” said Star Boy and he stood up and moved around the table.

“Now said Drura, I call my self Infectious Lass, and my power is the ability to make anyone ill with any disease in the Galaxy.

Star Boy grinned , “and just how is a bout of measles going to stop me from flattening you” he said as he started to walk towards Drura. As he did so Drura was scared to see Saturn Girl give a sudden start and look very closely at Drura then Imra lent over to whisper in Cosmic Boys ear. This momentary distraction meant the Star Boy was almost upon her. No! what to do, Drura had intended to hit him with a mild version of Venusian stomach cramps and then ratchet up the power until he had to stop, thus demonstrating her power and the control she had over it. But with the distraction and the fact that Thom was nearly upon her she panicked a little and instead hit him with a full strength dose of Earth flu and Venusian Stomach Cramps. Star Boy collapsed immediately, as did Triad and Kid Quantum.

“Oh” cried Drura, “I’m sorry I hit you all with a strong dose, but you’ll all be alright soon, I promise”

“Maybe so” replied M’onel “but we can't accept a power that would put all of us on the sick list”

“Plus” said Saturn Girl “ we can't accept as a Legionnaire someone who lies to us”

“What do you mean, I haven’t I wouldn’t…” stammered Drura as her worst fears started to come true.

“Drura Sehpt” said Braininac “it is quite obvious from your powers and your other test results that you do not come from Alkor. Part of this test was to see if you would at any time tell us that you are in fact here illegally from Somathur. Cosmic Boy please escort Miss Sepht back to the Green room, whilst we examine the final contestant.”


And so, quietly sobbing as her dreams collapsed, Drura left the test room with Cosmic Boy. As she climbed aboard the platform she turned to see Molecule Master demonstrate his powers. She had to admit the huge atomic energy sphere he was creating looked impressive, even if she had not made such a mess of her tryout he might still have won.

“Why did you lie to us like that” asked Rokk as he flew the platform back through Legion World “ you were doing very well in our previous tests” As she looked up into his eyes expecting to see the hate all her race had seen in everyone’s eyes for decades, Drura was surprised to see nothing but concern. Suddenly she found herself blurting out the whole story. Including the involvement of R J Brande.

This is the first time I realised the story was set in the post-boot universe. Like I said before, I can't wait for more.