This post started off as a one-off response to a writing prompt in the Freewriters Community. Then I wrote a part 2 (with the outcome literally determined by a coin toss).
But that naturally leads to a part 3, which is where this short series comes in. I felt that doing it in just one post really wouldn't give enough time to build up a bit of suspense 😀 Enjoy !
Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio
"For those who don't know me, I am Doctor Helen Thwaites. I have a message for you all from the Spineders."
The room erupted into chaos as Admiral Maraz, BrownASP-Brigadier Garrad, Kailen Hamatre and self-appointed Governor Garnes all started talking at once. The only ones not speaking were Wardek and Dafang.
Everyone subsided when Garrad banged his fist on the table next to him. Garnes was especially startled; it was his desk Garrad slapped. The action also made clear who was really in charge, no matter what the notional chain of command was.
"So, Doctor Thwaites, I have a number of questions, as I am sure you can imagine. Let's start with this one. Who or what are the Spineders ?"
Helen turned to face the Brigadier. She seemed utterly unperturbed by his assumption of control. Her expression was calm, almost an absence of expression. Her voice when she spoke was likewise serene and devoid of emotion.
"The Spineders are the apex mind-shape of the lifeform native to this world you call Meranda IV. They will not tolerate an Imperial presence on this world, and therefore all Imperial personnel will leave. This is how it will be."
The way she said it was in the form of a purely factual statement, that what would happen had already been decided.
Garnes was on his feet, his face deep grey with rage. "How dare you ! This is my world, I am governor, and I won't be told by some... some.... scientist to give it up !"
Garrad turned and spoke to the Givan with a very abrupt tone, "Silence, Garnes. Another outburst like that and I'll take you out and shoot you. Understood ?"
Not used to being spoken to like that, even in his days as a functionary, Garnes mouth snapped open a couple of times and he collapsed back into his seat. Garrad's tone had made clear that his threat was real, although Garnes didn't know the ASP Brigadier had done exactly that on his last assignment.
Then Garrad switched his attention back to Helen and carried on as if the interruption had never happened.
"What happens if we don't leave, Doctor Thwaites, or if we decide to leave and drop a planet-cracker bomb as we depart ? What could these Spineders do if that happens ?"
Helen tilted her head slightly, as if she was listening to a voice. After a couple of seconds delay, she replied, "The Spineders' have this one world. The Empire has many. They do not need this one. The Imperial presence will be removed and the Spineders will live here as they have always done. It is the choice of the Empire how the Imperial presence will be removed."
"You haven't answered my question," Garrad countered. "What can the Spineders do if we decide to stay ? What can they do if we drop a nova bomb into Meranda's star ?"
Helen's response was a few seconds longer in coming this time. "If you decide to stay, the Spineders will remove the Imperial presence. Making the star go nova would be an unwise decision. You lack information. Governor Dafang will accompany me to meet with Spineder representatives. Give him a communicator and he will convey to you what he is shown."
Again, it was all stated as if Helen was just a mouthpiece conveying what had already been decided upon.
Shrugging, Garrad signalled to one of the guards to remove Dafang's restraints. He passed over a communicator. "Well Governor, see what you can find out. We'll keep the channel open and with any luck we can negotiate that way. Perhaps you'll have more success getting through the stonewall they're giving us than I've had so far."
Dafang felt like a weight had been lifted off him; strange as the situation was, he felt he was gaining information and the prospect of freedom. He grinned at Helen.
"Lead on, Doctor Thwaites, let's go and meet these Spineders of yours !"
Previous posts in this series;
- @alonicus/24-january-2025-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2626-mother-love - the post that started it all, and introduced the spine-spiders
- @alonicus/escape-from-the-caves-of-meranda-iv - the sequel, where the science team escapes back to base and recommends the planet not be colonised. They were too late.
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-1 - we meet the Governor Dafang and get the first hints that the colony isn't going to plan
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-2 - Governor Dafang takes a trip to the Greenfields settlement, only to find it is not there any more
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-3 - a fractious meeting of the co0lony's government, and a worrying foreshadow
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-4 - this is where things start to really go sideways for the colony
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-5 - Doctor Helen Thwaites returns to Meranda to reveal the cover-up
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-6 - Garnes tries to arrest Helen, and gets told to go away
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-7 - Meranda Base finds itself surrounded by a broad band of patterns
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-8 - Mr Garnes makes his move
@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-9 - Mr Garnes' juniors aren't impressed by his self-promotion
@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-10 - Wardek breaks Dafang out of prison, but Doctor Thwaites is swallowed up by the ground. - @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-11 - The fugitives use micro-drones to find out what Garnes is up to.
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-12 - Dafang finds out that Wardek was actually a senior NCO in one of the toughest units the Empire has
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-13 - Captured by Imperial Marines
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-14 - A whole battlecruiser goes missing
- @alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-15 - Helen Thwaites makes a re-appearance