Introduction

Chapter One • Chapter Two • Chapter Three • Chapter Four • Chapter Five • Chapter Six • Chapter Seven • Chapter Eight • Chapter Nine • Chapter Ten • Chapter Eleven • Chapter Twelve • Chapter Thirteen • Chapter Fourteen • Chapter Fifteen • Chapter Sixteen • Chapter Seventeen • Chapter Eighteen • Chapter Nineteen • Chapter Twenty • Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Books by Saxon Andrew

About Saxon Andrew

Introduction

The aliens have invaded six planets in the colonies. Their giant warships are too well armed to allow the Colony Fleet to get close enough to attack and, once they take position above a colony, it will fall under their control. Earth has avoided using a stardrive and the aliens are unaware of their fleet’s capabilities and don’t feel threatened. Earth’s scientists are working at a fever pitch to develop advanced weapon technologies to take them on.

It will take years for Earth to modernize their fleet and they can do nothing to prevent the aliens attacking the colonies. The President of the Colonial Council has ordered the remaining colonies to start sending millions of their inhabitants out to habitable planets in the Andromeda Galaxy to insure the survival of humanity and the process is picking up speed. Unfortunately, for the invaded colonies, there’s nothing that can currently be done to stop the alien’s invasions.

However, there are thousands of trained assassins on the invaded planets and the Assassin’s Guild has issued a contract to pay them for every alien killed. The assassins are the only thing standing between total conquest by the aliens and, on the surface, it looks bad for the colonies. But never underestimate a trained assassin…it could get you killed.

Chapter One

Tal walked into Admiral Montana’s office and closed the door behind him. Duncan looked up, “Tal, are you, all right?”

“No, Duncan, I’m not! The aliens killed my wife and I’m done with weeping and crying all day. I’m getting back in the fight.”

Duncan shook his head, “Tal, I’m not sure you’re up to this; you’ve suffered an immense loss. Getting over losing Sha is not something you can just decide in a moment to do. Take some time off.”

Tal’s expression turned dour, “It’s been over two months since she died, Duncan. I’ve taken all the time I intend to take. You need to worry about modernizing the fleet and build me what I need to buy you the time to do it.” Duncan’s expression tightened, and Tal leaned forward and looked him in the eyes, “What have you done to insure the aliens believe my wife’s ship was another alien civilization scouting them?”

“I’m not sure what you mean, Tal.”

Tal sat back, “You’ve learned the aliens stopped their major invasion against the colonies to find an alien civilization they believe is scouting them. Sha’s ship looked nothing like any ship they’ve ever seen on Earth or the colonies causing them to think they were being scouted, just like they’ve been scouting Earth and the colonies for years. What happens when they go flying out to the Large Magellanic Cloud and don’t find anything. How long do you think they’ll keep searching before they deduce that the odd-looking ship they destroyed must have come from Earth? They will figure out that Earth does have a stardrive and they’ll turn their attention to attacking us here. They will focus on Earth instead of the colonies because Sha was able to destroy one of their largest warships when she died. Another ship like Epy must be sent out to harass them in the LMC.”

Duncan’s eyes grew wider with each word Tal spoke. He started nodding his head, “You’re right!”

“How long will it take for you to build another ship?”

Duncan picked up his desk communicator and began speaking. Tal listened for a few moments and grew impatient, “I’ll be in the lab.” Duncan kept talking, as Tal left his office. He headed toward the giant lab deep in the building, went through the three-electronic-gates, and looked around as he walked into the lab. He spotted Ka talking with Dr. Meier across the lab and headed toward them. Dr. Meier saw him coming and stopped talking. Ka’s brow furrowed as she turned to see Tal approaching, her expression turned neutral and Tal knew she hated him for the death of her daughter. “Dr. Meier, do you have a moment,” he asked.

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

Tal saw Ka lean back in her chair and he quickly started speaking, “I’m not a physicist and I’ve been having difficulty with understanding an issue. I can use some help.”

“Fire away,” Fire away and I’ll see if I can help,” Dr. Meier responded.

“I’ve been reading in the history files about Nordstrum Haliday and it says he developed the phase field in his laboratory in Boston. It’s my understanding that a phase field won’t function inside a planet’s gravity well. How was it then possible for him to produce one in a lab on Earth’s surface?”

“A phase field can be produced within a planet’s gravity, but it will degrade rapidly,” Dr. Meier answered.

“How rapidly?”

Chris shrugged, “Depending on the power used to produce it, anywhere from one to two seconds.”

Tal thought a moment and then asked, “How much power does it take to produce a phase field?”

“Very little,” Ka interrupted.

Tal turned to her, “How much is ‘very little’?”

Ka shrugged, “A normal household current can create a phase field. However, it will degrade within a second.”

“Would increasing the power extend the time before it degrades?” Tal asked.

Dr. Meier looked at Ka and saw her thinking about the question. He turned back to Tal and tilted his head, “If you raise the voltage to 1,200 volts, it might add another half-second.” Tal’s jerked his head back in surprise. “Tal, the energy needed to raise the power of a phase field is logarithmic inside an intense gravity field. If we used all the energy available on Earth, it would probably only last ten seconds before it degraded.”

Tal nodded, and his eyes revealed he was thinking furiously about what Dr. Meier had just stated. Ka watched him and then asked, “Why are you interested in this?”

Tal considered her question and then turned back to Dr. Meier, “Just one more question. If a ship was inside a phase field that only lasted two seconds, and it fired its thrusters the moment it formed, what speed would it be moving when the field degraded and disappeared?”

Dr. Meier stared at Tal with a blank expression before answering, “I have no idea, but I suspect it would be moving at its maximum-normal-speed, once the phase field disappeared.”

“It would depend on the power used by the thrusters, Tal,” Ka interjected. “However, once the phase field degraded, the ship would be moving at the speed the thrusters would be pushing it at if it were in normal space, even if it was moving much faster than the speed of light inside the phase field.”

“What would happen to the ship if it were moving a lot faster than lightspeed and the phase field degraded?” Tal asked her.

“The ship would instantly decelerate to the speed the thrusters would be pushing at it without the phase field,” Ka replied.

“Would the deceleration be dangerous, Ka?”

“No. I’ve read stories in the colonies where a ship’s phase field shutdown; the ship was traveling hundreds of times the speed-of-light when it happened, and neither the occupants not the ship were harmed. There is no inertia or gravity operating on the ship inside the phase field and, as the field degrades, inertia and gravity smoothly takes over as the field disappears, or relatively smooth. That is to say, that what little inertia that is experienced would, however, cause anyone not buckled in to be thrown off their feet. Again, why are you asking this?”

“I’ve been thinking about our current missile technology.”

“What does that have to do with your questions?” she pressed.

Tal smiled, “Does E equal MC squared still apply to moving objects?”

Ka stared at him with raised eyebrows, “It applies to conversion of mass to Energy,” Ka answered.”

“Then what formula applies to mass moving at high speeds hitting another object.”

“You’re talking about the kinetic energy produced when one moving object hits another,” Dr. Meier responded. “That is a form of mechanical energy. The faster the impacting object, the higher kinetic energy produced. The formula is mass times velocity.”

“That’s what I’m talking about, Doctor.”

“Why?”

Tal looked around and saw an empty chair at the table next to them. He walked over, picked it up, and walked back to them. As he took a seat and said, “I’ve read about a giant crater in what was once called Arizona. It’s nearly a mile in diameter and more than five hundred feet deep. Scientists say that crater was caused by a meteor that was about sixty-yards wide traveling at 40 miles-per-second.”

“That meteor produced a huge amount of kinetic energy, Tal.”

“I agree. Let’s say the meteor weighed ten tons and was moving 40 miles-per-second. Is that reasonable?”

Meier shrugged, “Give or take a few tons, it is.”

“Now, for comparison’s sake; what about an object that weighs one ton traveling at four-hundred-miles-per-second. Would it strike with the same force?”

Dr. Meier thought about the question in silence and Ka said, “No, it wouldn’t be close.” Tal’s frown was instant until Ka added, “It would hit with more than a hundred times the energy.”

Tal’s frown turned upside down, “That’s what this has to do with my questions. If our missiles could hit their target moving that fast, I suspect the destruction would be rather catastrophic.” Ka and Dr. Meier stared at Tal and their expressions showed their shock. “What’s wrong?” Tal asked.

“Where do I begin?” Ka asked. “If you accelerate a missile inside a phase field to 400-miles a second, it would hit faster than you could imagine. Most phase fields are only thirty or forty-miles wide and I suspect if you were within fifty or sixty miles of the target, the blast’s shockwave would probably vaporize the ship that fired it.” Ka paused for a moment, and then continued, “Tal, think about it for a moment. What is the range of our missile’s tracking system?”

“They can lock on at a hundred miles”

Ka tipped her head to him, “And once they left the phase field, they would hit the target in less than a half-a-second. Even at two-hundred-miles-per-second they would hit in less than a second. There would be no time to maneuver and if the missile’s tracking was off a tiny margin, it would blow right by the target.”

“You also have to consider that if the target’s phase field is still active, the missile would just pass through it and not hit it,” Chris added.

Tal listened and turned toward Dr. Meer, “So we experiment with the thrust level used by the missile inside the phase field and have it leave the field at a-hundred-miles-a-second. It would take one second to hit and that would allow the missile time to use its thrusters to correct its course. Would a ton moving at that speed make a large impact, Ka?”

Ka began pressing keys on her computer and commented, “You still haven’t answered the issue of the target’s phase field.” She continued entering data and, after a moment, she looked up, “Tal, I don’t believe fifty feet of chronide would survive that impact. No ship could stand up to that much kinetic force. It may just blow through the ship and leave a hole behind it.”

“Not if it has an explosive warhead, Ka.” Tal quipped.

“Why are you so focused on a phase field inside a gravity well?” Dr. Meier inquired.

“That’s where the alien’s giant warships are located, Doctor. They surround a planet and getting close enough to attack them is a real problem. Their beam weapons and missiles will take out most warships long before they can move into range to take a shot. The missiles we’re discussing can be fired outside the range of their weapons, drop the phase field a hundred miles out and hit before the aliens could even start to track it.”

“Better not miss!” Ka added to the conversation.

Tal turned to her, “What?”

“If one of those missiles miss the target, what do you think it will do to the planet’s surface if it hits?”

Tal’s eyes widened, “I didn’t think about that.”

Dr. Meier raised his shoulders, “A couple of them hitting could be real planet killers!”

Tal thought a moment and shook his head, “They’ll just have to be fired at an angle to where the planet isn’t behind the target. Besides, when we find where the alien civilization is located, these missiles will be a good tool to take them out.”

“You’re talking about mass genocide!” Dr. Meier exclaimed.

“Is there any other kind?” Tal asked. “If someone has a gun at your head, would you hesitate to do anything possible to defend yourself?”

Ka sat up straight, “So what you’re really looking for is a way to accelerate our missiles to their maximum-speed, where they can be launched from a safe distance?” The corner of Tal’s mouth pulled to the side and, after a moment, he nodded. “You know these missiles won’t work against a ship inside a phase field,” Ka added.

“We’ll just have to come up with a way where they can. I think the method used currently is for the warship to hit an enemy’s phase field with a pulse cannon degrading it and then fire missiles to finish the job.”

“How close would you have to be to fire a pulse cannon to remove a phase field?” Dr. Meier asked.

“I don’t know,” Tal answered with a shrug.

“Could you possibly have to be inside the alien’s warship’s firing range to open fire?”

“I don’t know, Ka.”

“Would the missile be too close to control at that range?” Dr. Meier added.

Tal looked at them and pursed his lips as he answered, “If these missiles only take out the giant alien warships surrounding the colonies, then they’re worth building. Using them for other purposes will have to be figured out. Can you develop a low-power phase field that a missile can use to instantly accelerate to a hundred, three-hundred, or four-hundred-miles-a-second while inside it?”

Dr. Meier and Ka looked at each other and then turned back to Tal. Ka raised her hands and spread her fingers, “I believe we can. Do you want it installed inside our current missile?”

“Yes, if that’s doable.”

“We’ll take a look and see,” Dr. Meier replied. “Get back to us in a couple of weeks.”

Tal nodded, stood up, took the chair back to the table and turned to leave.

Ka stopped him, “Jee and Jan are working here in the lab. I think you should stop by and say hello.”

Tal’s head dropped, as he sighed and turned around, “Where are they?”

“Jee is at Allison Ander’s cubicle learning how to input data. Jan is working with the force field project scientists.”

Tal looked across the lab and saw Jee inputting data as Allison stood looking over his shoulder. “Do you think this is a good idea, Ka.”

“Ste told me to take care of his children and I intend to do just that; they need closure. Go talk to them.” Tal turned and headed toward Allison’s cubicle. He glanced at the force field scientists and saw Jan watching him and he motioned her over to join him. She stood up and walked quickly across the lab to catch up.

Tal was impressed with Ste’s son and daughter. Jee was a younger version of Ste, tall, dark, and handsome; Tal was jealous of his appearance. Jan was a blonde and was six inches shorter than her brother…but she was also a looker! Not on the same level as Ka or Sha, but she held her own with anyone. Her blue eyes looked right through you. She caught up to him before he arrived at Allison’s desk and put her arms around his waist, “Thank you for saving us, Tal.”

Tal stopped walking, “I didn’t. Your father is the one that removed you from Have in time to save you.”

Jan hugged him tightly and smiled, “Dad told us that you had to warn the colonies of the aliens, but you told him to go and pick us up first. You didn’t have to do that and I’m thankful you did.”

Jee saw them and rushed over to them. He embraced Tal and Tal held up his hands, “Hey, hey, hey! I don’t deserve this!”

Jee smiled, “Why don’t you let us decide about that.”

Tal lowered his head, “I’m so sorry about the loss of your father. I might have been able to…”

Jan quickly interrupted, “Woulda, shoda, or couldas are not responsible for what happened to Sha and our Father, Tal. If ten warships were sent with him, they might have prevented his death. But that couldn’t happen without revealing Earth has a stardrive.”

Tal stared at them and smiled slightly, “You remind me so much of your father. Do you have time to take a break?”

Allison walked up and smiled, “I believe a General can command us to do pretty much anything, Sir.”

Tal looked at Allison and she rushed in and hugged him. His eyes widened, and she quickly said before he could speak, “I’ve never thanked you for saving my son and me from the Colony Assassin. Thank you, Sir.”

Tal gave her a hug, “Is he doing ok?”

“Yes. I think JJ witnessing his torturer die helped a lot.”

Tal looked at Jee and Jan “Well, let’s take a break and go to the cafeteria.”

Jee quickly asked, “Is it all right if Allison joins us?”

Tal looked at Allison and saw her face turn red. “Sure. I’ll let Colonel Sato know I’m taking you out for a while.” Tal led them across the lab, informed Col. Sato of what was going on, and walked through the security gate with them.

As they walked through the checkpoints Jee asked, “What are you up to now, Tal?”

“I’m having another ship built and I’m going out to let some aliens know I don’t appreciate them killing your father and my wife.”

Jee looked at Tal and said in a flat tone, “I’m going with you.”

Tal stopped dead in his tracks and heard Jan say behind him, “So am I!”

“Whoa!! Hold on a minute!! Neither of you are trained to operate a warship and Ka would kill me if I even thought about taking you out with me, which I am not doing.”

Jee smiled, “Let’s discuss it in the cafeteria.”

“There’s nothing to discuss!!” he insisted.

“Tal, you aren’t the only one to lose someone on the Epy.” Tal turned and saw Jan’s determined look. Jee quickly said, “Why do you have to do it, Tal?”

Tal stared at him in silence and finally said, “You know why I must do it.”

“Then quit being an ass and recognize that we share the same reason,” Jan retorted.

Tal looked at Allison, “What do you think about this?”

“We’ve discussed it and I don’t want him to do it. He intends to join the navy if he must to get revenge against the aliens. He doesn’t sleep well, Tal. I suspect you don’t either. If he must go out, I’d prefer he do it with you. Ste and Sha would still be alive if you had been there.”

Tal’s eyes moistened, “How do you know that?”

“I know you.”

Tal lowered his eyes and wiped them with his sleeve, “Ka will never…”

“We’ll handle Ka, Tal,” Jan interrupted. “Leave that to us.”

Tal blew out a breath, “Let’s talk about this in the cafeteria.” He turned and headed toward the elevator.

• • •

After going through the serving line. They sat down at a table off to itself and Jee looked at Tal, “Jan and I will take my father’s and Sha’s place as your crew.”

“You’re assuming I’m going to do this, Jee. I haven’t made that decision…yet. What benefit would there be in taking you instead of two-trained sailors?”

“Because we’re incredibly intelligent, talented, and good-looking to boot,” Jan said beside him.

He turned to look at Jan and Jee said, “We learn quickly, and we’ve watched the Epy in action. We’re ahead of any sailors you might choose!” Jee said on his other side.

Tal turned to him as Jan said, “And Jee is one of the best software scientists in the colonies. He might make the Epy Better.”

Tal turned back to her just as Jee said, “And Jan was the head of the electrical generator development in one of the Colonies biggest industries.”

Tal threw up his hands, “ENOUGH!! The two of you are going to give me whiplash. Jan move and sit beside Jee!” Jan picked up her tray and moved around the table beside Jee. Tal stared at Jee and said, “I do remember you telling your father that you had recently been promoted. What was that about?”

“I was promoted to write the software for self-flying air-transports.”

Tal’s eyebrows came down, “Say what?”

“The current self-flying air-transports in the colonies are fast but can’t come close to the speed of air-transports controlled by the drivers. I was developing software to increase the speed of self-flying air-transports to better than ten-thousand-miles-an-hour.”

Tal stared at him and thought about a missile’s guidance system. Was Jee someone he could use? Tal began telling them about the new missile he envisioned, and they listened quietly, occasionally asking questions. At the end, Jan looked at Jee, “The missile he’s describing would only work against an alien warship in orbit above a planet. Using it in conjunction with the ship taking out the alien’s phase field in open space would be dangerous.”

Jee nodded, “How would you do it?”

Jan thought a moment and then said, “I’d install a pulse cannon in the nose of the missile and have it take out the phase field before arriving at the target.”

“WHOA!” Tal exclaimed. “Our missiles don’t have room for a pulse cannon and the reactor needed to power it. It’d have to be three times larger than its current size.”

Jan smiled, “I’m not so sure about that, Tal.”

Tal stared at her with a surprised expression and managed to say, “Do tell?”

Chapter Two

Tal entered the lab the next morning and quickly glanced around. Jee and Jan were at their normal places, but he didn’t see Ka; he breathed a sigh of relief. Jee told him the previous day that they would discuss their plans with Ka that evening. He turned toward Colonel Sato’s desk and then glanced at Dr. Meier’s desk; Ka was standing up and headed his way. Dr. Meier was blocking his view of her when he entered the lab, but by her expression, he knew he was in for a rough time. She stormed up to him and Tal said with a smile, “Good morning, Ka.”

“DON’T GOOD MORNING ME, ADAM TALENT! KILLING MY DAUGHTER WASN’T ENOUGH FOR YOU; NOW YOU WANT TO KILL MY OTHER CHILDREN!!”

Tal’s expression turned angry, “You need to back off, Ka!! I told them that if you say no, then no it is!”

“Why would you even consider doing this after Sha’s death!! You know how dangerous it is!!” Tal looked over Ka’s shoulder and saw Jee and Jan walk up but remain at a safe distance. Ka saw him looking and turned around. Their expressions said everything that needed to be said, “You’ve come between me and my children!”

“Your children?” Tal asked.

“You heard Ste tell me to take care of them. They’ve been living in my quarters and I consider them my family!!”

“Then tell them no, Ka! That will put an end to this.”

“Why have you put me in a situation where I have to do that?!”

“I didn’t.”

Ka put her hands on her hips, “YES, YOU DID!”

“Ka, they told me they were going with me and wouldn’t accept no for an answer. I told them I wouldn’t allow it without your permission, did they tell you that?”

“So, you put the onus on me to turn them down. Why didn’t you do it?”

“Because I happen to believe it would be better if they did go with me.”

‘How can you stand there and say that?! Look at what happened to Sha!”

Tal’s eyes revealed his hurt and then anger at her comment, “If you care to think about it for a moment, without saying something to cause me sorrow, you’ll realize I wasn’t with Sha when she died. If I were, she’d still be alive. Did they tell you they’ve been planning to join the Navy?”

“Last night was the first I heard about it!”

“That’s because they know you’ll do everything in your power to prevent it happening.”

“Damn right, I will!”

“Ok. You need to resign from your position here in the lab and spend your time raising your new children.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! They’re fully grown adults.”

“Who you won’t allow to make decisions about the direction of their lives. You told me that you are going to develop the tools to kill the aliens; you said that was your mission in life, were you lying?”

“What do you think?!”

“Ka, you and I aren’t the only ones that lost someone we loved on Epy. They lost their father and they are driven to make the killers pay. Are their feelings less true than your own? In the short discussion I had with them, I saw they will join the Navy and if you try to stop them, you’ll lose them. Don’t tell me you don’t see that.”

Ka glanced at Jee and Jan and saw the determination on their faces and the tension in their bodies. “Tal…”

Tal interrupted, “Ka, would they be safer on one of Earth’s warships or on my ship?”

“You’re getting another ship?”

“You told me to get off my backside and get into the fight. Of course, I’m getting another ship. We must make the aliens believe it was another civilization that was scouting them. If they don’t see any more ships like Epy, they’ll figure out Earth built it. This has to be done.”

“They don’t know anything about operating a warship.”

“Neither did I before we took the Epy out,” Tal responded. “One thing I know, they are extremely smart, and it won’t take them long to learn. However, tell them no, so I can stop hearing you yelling at me. The entire lab is staring at us and I’m over this, you are embarrassing me and them!!” Ka looked around and saw he was right. Tal continued, “Do you think I want them to go with me? I didn’t, because I knew how you’d feel about it. Will they be safer with me than in a large warship? Yes, they will! I’m not as stupid as you think!”

“I know you’re not stupid!” Ka quickly replied.

“Then freaking start acting like it and think about what’s best for them, instead of yourself!”

Ka lowered her head, “You could have told them no.”

“That would only delay the inevitable, Ka. Then you’d have to tell them no, to joining the Navy. Of the two choices, being with me is the better one. I was hoping you’d see their determination and think it through.”

‘I’m not thinking anything through, Tal!”

Tal sighed, “I understand why, Ka. I miss her so much, too.”

Ka looked in Tal’s eyes, “Will you promise to keep them safe?”

“I can’t do that, Ka; war is never safe. But I will promise to protect them; I won’t make the same mistake again.”

“Mistake?”

“I should have never allowed Sha to go out without me. That won’t happen again.”

“You’ll protect them?” Ka asked.

“With my life. Ste deserves it and so do you.”

Ka turned from Tal and looked at Jee and Jan, waving them over. They walked up, and Ka put her arms around them, “Is there any way I can persuade you to not do this?”

Jee shook his head, “No, Mom. We’re determined to make the aliens pay for killing our father.”

“Then I won’t stop you from going with Tal.”

Their smiles were instant, and they hugged Ka tightly. She held on to them and looked at Tal, “Please…keep them safe.”

“I’ll do everything within my power, Ka.” Ka nodded and walked away.

Jee turned to Tal, “What do we do now?”

“Let’s go have a discussion with Admiral Montana, you’re not on my ship yet.” Tal led them out of the lab and through the security gates.

• • •

Duncan’s noticed the three of them walk into his office and waved them forward as he was speaking on the communicator. They heard him say, “This takes priority over every other project! Get it moving and don’t give me any excuses!!” Duncan ended the contact and turned to Tal, “We’ll have your ship built within six weeks.”

Tal’s head jerked back, “How is that possible?! Epy took two years to complete.”

“The first ship always takes longer to get things sorted out. Once the first ship rolls off the line, the next one is much faster. I’m hoping three Epy-Class warships will be ready in ten weeks. Yours will be the first one completed.”

“That’s great, Duncan. I want to talk to you about the missiles we’re going to carry with us.”

“What about them?”

“Has Ka or Dr. Meier told you about putting a phase field in them to accelerate them.”

“They have.”

“And?”

“There’s no way we can change the assembly lines in time before you shove off.”

“Then could you hand modify some missiles.”

“Tal, those missiles would only be effective with an alien warship in normal space. They wouldn’t affect one inside a phase field. They’d just pass right through it.”

“Admiral.” Duncan turned to Jan. “I believe that it’s possible to modify the missile to take out the phase field before impact.”

Duncan stared at Jan, glanced at Tal and saw him shrug before turning back to Jan, “I just said we couldn’t modify the missile assembly line. If you’re suggesting putting a pulse cannon in a missile, it can’t be done.”

“Admiral, how large is the power system used by the missiles?” Jan asked.

Duncan raised his left shoulder, “It takes up most of the space. There’s certainly not enough room for a reactor to power a pulse cannon. Why do you ask?”

“I think I can show you a lot better than telling you. Will you go with me to the lab?”

Duncan looked at Tal, “Couldn’t hurt, Duncan.” Duncan stood up and followed them back to the lab. Ka saw them enter and stood up, what were they doing back? She walked over and looked at Tal with raised eyebrows. Tal raised his hands, “I have no idea. Jan wants to show Duncan something.” They followed Jan past the force field scientists as she led them to a storage room, where they saw a large plastic covered box on a table.

Looking down at the box, Jan started to explain, “I’ve been here more than a month and I’ve been bored to tears. To pass some time, I started a little project and finished it about a week ago.”

‘What is it?” Ka asked.

“It’s the newest generator development in the colonies. I was working on it when Dad came and picked us up. Jee help me uncover it.” Jee and Jan pulled the plastic cover off and Jan used a packing blade to cut the box from around a small machine. Jan stepped back and held her hands out toward the machine, “Ta-da!”

“What exactly is it?” Duncan asked.

Ka examined the machine and looked up, “Jan, there’s no electrical conduit to power it.”

Jan nodded, “Mom, don’t you have some small gravity units stored around here.”

“Yes, but why do you need one?”

“Pease, have one brought here.” Ka’s eyebrows were down but she lifted her communicator and began speaking. Jan looked at the others and smiled, “Admiral, how are our warships powered.”

Duncan snorted slightly before answering, “The tried and proven method of using nuclear reactors to heat an expansion fluid to turn the turbines in multiple generators. Those generators power everything from the ships internal systems to the pulse cannons.”

“So, the heat from the reactors force the heated fluid through conduits to turn the turbines in a generator, thus producing the power needed to operate the ship. Right?”

“That’s what I just said!” Duncan replied testily. “Is there a point here?”

Jan saw a cart roll up with a gravity unit and she said, “Excuse me a moment while I get this hooked up.”

Duncan turned to Tal, “What’s this all about?”

“I don’t know. But this generator is one-tenth the size of the generators used on the Epy. Let’s give her room and see what she has. You know the colonies are far ahead of us technologically.”

Jee went over and helped Jan move the cart as she moved the gravity tube into an opening on one end of the generator. She got it in place and looked around at numerous scientists that had gathered around them, “Does anyone have the instruments to measure high electrical output?”

Dr. Meier spoke out, “I do. I’ll bring it over.” Dr. Meier walked away and quickly returned with a large suitcase. He opened it and took out two cables. Where do you want these?”

“Connect the positive cable to the orange lead and the ground to the black lead,” Jan instructed. Dr. Meier made the connections and turned on the power scanner in the suitcase. Jan looked around, “What is the maximum power a generator on a warship can make?”

Duncan answered, “More than a hundred-thousand-volts.”

Jan looked at Jee standing beside the gravity unit, “Turn it on, Jee.” Jee flipped the switch and everyone heard a loud whine that turned into a high frequency squeal. Jan shouted, “Give it a moment to catch up.” Everyone had their hands over their ears. After about twenty seconds, the loud squeal disappeared. Jan turned to Dr. Meier, “What’s does the scanner have on it.”

Duncan walked over and looked at the dial. His head went back slightly, “This isn’t possible!”

Ka walked over and studied the display. The power needle was moving past two-hundred-thousand-volts and was still climbing. She jerked her head around to Jan, as she turned to Jee, “Reduce the gravity push.”

Jee turned a rheostat and the power reading began leveling off at three-hundred-thousand-volts.”

Duncan stared at the reading and turned slowly to Jan, “How is this possible?”

“In the generators you’re currently using, an extremely hot fluid rushes through the turbine housing under pressure. It exits and begins the cooling process before it’s routed back to the reactor to be reheated. There is a tremendous amount of friction in a fluid system. In this generator, the turbine is anchored in a frictionless coupling and is exposed only to the push from the gravity unit. The turbine turns at speeds thought theoretically impossible and isn’t degraded over time by the hot fluid used in current generators.”

“What’s the upper limit on this generator, Ka asked.

Jan shrugged, “This generator could generate more than half-a-million volts. And please note that it’s being powered by a gravity unit using a hundred and twenty volts.”

“This defies about every law about conservation of energy!” Dr. Meier said firmly.

“Those laws were written with friction and electrical resistance as part of them, Doctor,” Jan responded. “This generator doesn’t use electricity to power it and the turbine operates without friction. Gravity turns the turbine and that force is immune to friction.”

Tal stared at the small generator and thought aloud, “This will easily fit inside a missile. And it could power a pulse cannon to more than five times the power it currently fires.”

Duncan nodded, “It could also power your new ship. The ship would only need one reactor to power the generators instead of six it currently uses.”

“Which will make room for more missiles to kill aliens!” Jan added brightly.

Ka spoke up, “We don’t have any of these generators.”

Jan was still smiling, “Mom! I built this one from spare parts in the lab. Just duplicate it and you’ll have all you need. This generator isn’t rocket science? You can use frictionless parts for the moving elements inside the generator, including the turbine wheel. I couldn’t find a frictionless wheel in the spare parts but the parts list in the computer say you have some available.”

Dr. Meier turned to Jan and asked, “How much power would a larger generator make?”

Jan smiled, “A lot more than you’ll ever need, Doctor!”

Tal turned to Duncan, “I want enough missiles for my ship made using this technology, Duncan. Build them by hand if you must but I want them ready before we ship out.”

Duncan nodded, “I’ll bring the engineers in to study this generator and have them include it in your vessel. We might be delayed a week or so, but it’ll be worth it.”

Tal looked at Jan, “Good job!”

Ka said quickly, “We should consider that she’s too important to allow to go out in a warship. We need her expertise in building this.”

Jan laughed, “Mom, there’s nothing else for me to show you. You have a working copy and I don’t have any more information than what you see right here in front of you. Your engineers are fully capable of building it.” Ka rolled her eyes and Jan smiled, “That was a nice try though.”

Duncan said forcefully, “Dr. Meier, I want this generator tested and then duplicated. Start the process of producing them in large numbers immediately.”

“Will do, Admiral.”

Ka walked over and stood beside Tal. Both were staring at the scientists gathered around the generator and Tal said quietly out of the side of his mouth, “I think you and I have it wrong.” Ka looked up at him, and he continued, “I think they will be protecting me.” Ka turned back to the gathering and nodded. “I also want you to do something for me.”

Ka turned back to him. “I want you to teach Jan everything there is to know about the current state of our scanning systems.”

Ka nodded, “I’ll put her with Dr. Mercid; he’s forgotten more about scanners than anyone here ever knew. What about Jee?’

“I’m assigning him to take part in the production of the missiles we’re taking with us. I’ll let Duncan handle getting him set up with the team doing it. He’s the one that will have to use them.”

“What about you, Tal? What are you going to do?”

“I’ve asked Duncan to assign his best warship commander to teach me space battle maneuvers. We have about four-weeks before we start training on the new Epy-Class Warship and we must make the most of that time.” Ka nodded and turned back to watch Dr. Meier start getting the team set up to duplicate the new generator. She fought her tears. Ste’s children were as brilliant as their father.

Tal watched the proceedings and saw Sha’s face in his mind. Oh, Sha! The universe is not as beautiful without you in it. He missed her smile most of all.

Chapter Three

Tee sat in his chronide shielded room under a tall parking garage and watched the wall-monitor. He kept his hand on the dial beside him on a table and listened to the news channel. He was surprised any of the stations were still on the air, most of those in the larger cities had been shut down by the aliens. But there were thousands of small communities that were still broadcasting. The aliens must have better things to do than take the time to shut them down.

He turned up the volume and heard a news announcer, “The aliens’ landing operations have continued on Australia and thousands of large troop carriers are still landing in the largest cities. We’ve estimated that more than a hundred thousand of their troops are now taking control and are instituting curfews allowing no one on the streets from an hour before dark until an hour after sunrise.” Tee shrugged, the curfew would be enforced by the alien warships in orbit and anyone seen on the streets would be hit with a blaster beam from space. It didn’t take long before the streets were deserted at night.

The aliens had forbidden all air-traffic the moment they arrived above the planet, and they shot down any aerial traffic with no warning. This caused the streets and roads to be clogged with ground transportation during daylight hours. The aliens ordered that everyone on Australia continue with their normal day-to-day activities and anyone not following the directive would be punished. No one had a clue on what was going on. The aliens weren’t telling and stories about what they planned were too numerous to count. At least the Aliens hadn’t started wholesale killing of the citizens. That could change at any minute.

Tee thought about what would happen if he went out and killed some of the aliens. It could lead to wholesale reprisals, but that wasn’t his problem. The Guild Master promised 50 thousand credits for each alien killed by the assassins and that was his only concern. Ric, the highest ranked assassin on Australia, had sent out a message over the guild’s frequency before the aliens shut down all communication channels in the larger cities. No one would be authorized to attack the aliens until today. Tee was glad Ric made the restriction; the aliens needed time to settle down and lower their guard.

Tee turned off the power to the antenna on top of the tall parking structure. It had been installed when the building was under construction and the shielded cable was hidden in the poured concrete structure. The power to the antenna was miniscule and detecting it would be next to impossible. It was the advanced receiver that allowed Tee to listen in on what was happening around Australia.

Australia was one of the last colonies established before Earth stopped supporting the colonies and left them to fend for themselves. It started late but rapidly became one of the most prosperous colonies rather quickly because of the abundance of metals and rare ores. Tee suspected that was the reason the Aliens attacked it first.

He looked at the camera feed from the top of the building and saw it was getting dark. He stared at the monitor until the power grids under the streets that powered the ground transports were shut down. That was a dumb move on their part. By shutting down the power grids, they also shut down all the street lights. There were internal lights in the buildings, but the streets were pitch-black; just right for an assassin. He already had his legs in his insulated-black-suit and he inserted his arms and wiggled his fingers into the gloves that were part of the sleeves. He folded the front flap and sealed the suit.

He immediately stood up and started walking around the room getting his muscles to start the dynamic cooling system operating. His muscles pumped the cooling fluid through the suit and prevented him from overheating. The black suit was invisible to infrared scanners and was virtually impossible to visually see in shadows or dark places. He began running in place to get the cooling system operating at its maximum and stopped after a few minutes. Ahhh…that was better!

He went to a drawer in a cabinet against the wall and took out his audio-ear-inserts, pushed them in his ears, and closed the drawer. He took the night vision goggles off a wall hook and put them over his head. The state-of-the-art glasses built on New Asia would not be detectable underneath his head covering. Night-vision goggles were known as assassin’s eyewear. Every assassin learned how to use them from the first day of training and didn’t even notice them most of the time when they were used; the night was the assassin’s day.

Tee looked around, went to the gun cabinet, and took out the Cyclone Air Rifle. He took a high-powered air container and slammed it into the stock of the rifle and pulled the black covering over it. Next, he slammed a dart-magazine into the rifle’s receiver and pulled the black cover over the magazine.

Tee raised the rifle and held it snugly against his shoulder; it was light and felt like an extension of his body. The arms manufacturers on Deutschland were the absolute best at building small arms. The Air Rifle’s scope was a part of the frame and was sighted in at the factory. You could throw the rifle against the wall and the scope would not be affected; it would maintain its accuracy. It was incredibly expensive but was well worth the price. It was silent, accurate, and deadly.

Tee slung the rifle over his shoulder and walked quickly over to the back of the room. He bent over and turned a wheel on the floor several times and lifted a metal cover off the floor. He pulled his night goggles over his eyes and then pulled his head covering over his head. There were no openings in the headcover for eyes, nose, or mouth. Where his eyes were located, the head covering had thousands of tiny holes, which allowed him to see out without difficulty, but prevented anyone for seeing through it. He sucked the mouthpiece into his mouth and began breathing normally. The Black Suit was designed to pump air through tiny holes scattered around his body to the mouthpiece. No power was used, his muscles provided the pumping action.

Tee moved the rifle over his back and put his feet on the first rung of a ladder just below the metal covering. He climbed down, pushed a button just below the cover to turn off the lights, closed the cover, and moved quickly down the ladder. Forty feet later, he reached the bottom rung and held on to it with his right arm before dropping the final three-feet into the pipe below him. He looked in both directions and saw nothing in the pipe. He turned to his left and started walking. The pipe was six feet in diameter, but he still had to stoop slightly to move through it. He kept the Air Rifle slung over his shoulder as he continued moving through the pipe for a mile. He came to an intersection where the pipe joined a much larger pipe. He slipped into it and stood up straight. He was in great shape, but it still felt much better to stand fully erect.

Tee had spent years studying the underground pipes that were once a vital part of the city. Waste, used water, and excess rainfall once flowed through the pipes long ago before the colonies developed on-site processors that could turn the waste into materials the colony could use. Even the excess water was rerouted to surface stations where it was converted into purified drinking water. This eliminated the need to transport the water and waste over great distances to be purified.

The pipes were no longer used and abandoned after a hundred years, then they were forgotten. Tee found one that was exposed near a former collection point and he began exploring them. He took more than two years to map them and another year to mark them with identifying numbers.

He purchased the necessary equipment to cut through them to the surface and install exits around the city. Most of the heavy lifting had to be done robotically but it was worth the price. He had an undetectable means of moving around the city. The robots were programmed to install pipes to the surface where they would not be detected. They made some initial mistakes, like putting an opening inside a building, but they grew better over time. He eventually shut them down and left them in one of the larger pipes. Tonight, he was going to use one of their mistakes.

He walked a mile north in the larger pipe and then moved into another pipe at another junction and headed Northeast. He walked two miles and pulled himself up into another six-foot pipe. He walked five hundred yards and kept his eyes on the top of the pipe. He suddenly saw the dark hole slightly ahead and above him. He walked under the hole, tightened the sling on the rifle, and jumped. He gripped the lower rungs of the ladder and pulled himself up. He climbed to the top of the ladder and stopped just below the cutout cover made in the surface by the robots. He turned up the gain on his audio earplugs and listened intently. He heard nothing for five minutes, reached over his head, and pulled a handle on the cover to the left.

He snapped a can of lubricant off the underside of the cover and sprayed the two cables attached to it on each side. He snapped the can back in place and used one hand to push lightly on the cutout until there was a small space between it and the ground. It rose easily, and he shook his head at the skill of the robots. A large stainless-steel beam was attached to the cables and suspended below it in the pipe; it was the exact weight of the cover making it weightless. The other ends of the cables were attached to the bottom of two stainless pipes with teeth running down opposite sides that fit into two sets of cogs that held them upright. The cables were attached to the free end of the pipes and through a pulley attached next to where the tubs were attached to the cover. The counter weight of the beam hoisted the pipes upward when pushed. He stared out of the small opening and didn’t hear or see anything. He pushed the cutout and it rose five feet above the surface. He swung a bar out, from within the length-wise vertical indention at the top of the pipe, about 10 degrees that held the cutout cover in place to prevent it from closing. If that happened, he’d be trapped. The cut in the concrete surface was so exact that it could be examined by a precision scope and still not be seen. If it fell back in place, there was no way he could get a grip on it to raise it again. He left the cutout and walked over to a wall five feet to his left.

He put his right ear to the wall and listened. He turned the gain up on his earplugs and still didn’t hear anything but a flying insect outside the wall as it flew by. He began doing squats and, after four minutes, the cooling system in his black suit almost chilled him. He wasn’t going to be able to move much in a few moments and he didn’t want to get overheated. He listened to the wall again, moved a piece of metal sticking out of it next to the ground, and pushed on it lightly. A section of wall swung out slightly and he stared through the opening.

Tee had spent the previous week moving around the city on the transit system scouting out the locations of the alien landing forces. He prioritized them according to the degree of danger they represented, and this was the least dangerous of all the sites he scouted. Outside the wall, it was pitch-black, but his night-goggles made it look like day. He saw a large alien-armored-track parked in the middle of an intersection about two hundred yards away. The long blaster barrel on the vehicle was pointed down one of the main thoroughfares and the three alien operators of the track were standing outside it discussing something. He had no idea what they were saying but he could hear them in his earplugs.

He took the Air Rifle off his shoulder, removed the two-black-caps from the scope, and stuck the barrel out of the opening. The night goggles were designed to work with the scope and he pressed a button on the side of it and the aliens grew instantly in size, as the scope started recording. He wouldn’t have much time to hit all three, so he moved the scope from one alien to the other choosing the order of his targets. One of the aliens walked away from the other two and leaned against the side of the track. That was a lucky break. He was behind the other two and would be the first target. The alien was looking in his direction and his face was clear for a shot.

He moved the scope to the other two and shook his head. They were standing next to each other and the one further away was blocked. Tee waited and felt the temperature start rising in his suit. He took a breath and exhaled slowly. One of the two aliens stepped forward and pointed. Tee swept the scope back to the alien leaning against the track, placed the red-dot in the scope on the center of his face, and gently squeezed the trigger.

He swept the scope to the alien furthest from him and stopped the red-dot on his upper leg. He squeezed the trigger and the alien’s scream deafened him. No time to turn the earplugs down! He swung the rifle to the third alien, as he was frozen in place by the screaming alien next to him falling to the pavement. Tee sighted quickly and fired a third time. The third alien moved just before he fired, and the dart missed. He had to fire again, as the alien ran toward the track. The alien stopped to climb the track and Tee shot him in the back of the neck.”

Tee kept the scope on the three aliens and they stopped moving a minute later. The information given to him by the Guild Master said that a hit in the alien’s upper leg would be fatal; large numbers of arteries flowed through it and a clean hit would kill them.

Tee pulled the rifle out of the opening and closed the wall. He pushed the metal back in place and rushed to the cutout. Push9ing the bar back in place, he climbed down the ladder and pulled down on the cover. It closed, and he pulled the bar under it to the right, locking it. He rushed down the ladder to start his suit cooling and dropped into the pipe. He turned down his earplugs, snapped the scope’s caps back into place, and slung the rifle over his shoulder, as he started walking back the way he had come. He wondered if the aliens’ scanners could penetrate forty feet of surface to see him; he doubted they could. If they could…oh well. That was the perils of being an assassin. He walked for a while and turned up his earplugs. He suddenly heard the loud sounds of alarms ringing out into the night above him. Looks like he wasn’t the only assassin out tonight. He turned the plugs down and continued to walk back to his hideout. He arrived two hours later and took off his black-suit. He took a shower, leaned back in his recliner, and turned on the wall-monitor. He flipped the switch turning on the roof antenna and turned the dial on the table next to him. A screen that appeared on the monitor had a large sentence emblazed across it, ALIENS UNDER ATTACK BY ASSASSINS!!

Tee rolled his eyes. The news channels could have gone all year without turning them in! If he got the opportunity, he was going to personally take out that newscaster screaming about the assassins endangering the colony. Tee turned the monitor off and decided to wait until the morning, when hopefully cooler heads would prevail. He lifted some headphones, turned on the music, and closed his eyes. 150,000 credits earned tonight. Not a bad haul, he thought before going to sleep.

• • •

The President of Australia’s government was staring at the Commander of the alien fleet on a monitor and it was clear he was not one to be challenged. The aliens had translated the language used by the colonies decades ago and had the means to communicate without problems, “President, more than forty thousand of my landing force have been killed under your watch tonight. Do you have anything to say before I vaporize the building you’re in?”

“The ones that attacked your landing forces tonight kill more of us each year that that, Commander!” The Commander’s head jerked slightly. The President quickly added, “You’ve taken all of our records and news casts and can see that there is a secret society of assassins on every colony that kills millions of our citizens every year. We have no control over them and my citizens are in as much danger from them as your landing forces! You could vaporize half the planet and we still couldn’t stop them from attacking you.”

“THAT’S INSANE!!” The Commander shouted.

“Evidently, the President of the Colonies has offered a reward after you invaded us for them to kill your landing forces.” The Planetary President paused and then continued, “Please, just look at our history texts and news casts; you’ll see I’m being honest. If killing me will prevent you from killing millions of other citizens that had nothing to do with this, then do so!”

The Alien Commander glared at the President and the monitor went dark. The President fell back in his chair and waited to die.

• • •

The Commander looked at his Alien Liaison with an expression that was dangerous, “Is what this idiot just said true?”

The AL smoothly said, “Please allow me a few moments to see, Commander.” The AL began querying his console and data flashed across his display at an incredible speed. The AL’s expression changed from being relaxed to concerned and then to shock. He finally looked away from his console to the commander. The Commander watched him and finally asked, “WELL?”

“It’s worse than he said, Commander.”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!”

“Commander, more than three or four million of the aliens on this planet we’ve invaded are murdered each year by this Assassins Guild.”

The Commander sat down in his command chair, “You can’t be serious?!”

“I wish I was wrong about this, but it appears this guild is estimated to kill more than forty million of them every year on the planets they inhabit. The average citizen has no idea who among them are assassins and have no control over them. They are protected by the central government and no one can prosecute them.”

“WHY WASN’T I TOLD ABOUT THIS BEFORE I INVADED THIS PLANET?!” the Commander yelled, as he pulled a hand blaster and went over to the AL’s console.

The AL’s expression showed no fear, “Commander, before you do something stupid and get yourself executed for threatening me, you need only remember that we didn’t have this information before you invaded. We only collected it after we arrived and we’re still going through it. The information about the assassins is hidden in millions of secret government documents. I only found it after we were told that assassins killed our troops.”

The Commander stared at the AL, then turned and went back to his chair. “I’m going to vaporize the largest city.” The AL stared at him with a dour expression. “What? You don’t think I should do it?” the Commander sneered.

“I don’t think you can, Commander. At least not without the consent of the Law Enforcer. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”

The Commander glared at the AL and wished for the hundredth time that the AL was under his command…but he wasn’t. He was a civilian put there by the Central Rulers. He glared at the AL and tried to decide what to do. His options weren’t good; all of them could lead to his execution.

Chapter Four

The Commander sat in his conference room and waited for the Law Enforcer to contact him. He sent his plans to vaporize any area where his landing forces were attacked to the Enforcer and thought about how he would justify it. He rehearsed his words several times before the wall-monitor activated, showing the Supreme Law Enforcer. The Commander quickly said, “Thank you for agreeing to hear my request.”

“I’ve looked at your request and have ordered the Alien Liaison to send me the data he has uncovered concerning your request. The data appears to indicate that this Assassin’ Guild is not part of the local military forces but is an independent organization operating outside the control of the local government. Do you see it differently?”

“They are resisting my invasion, Enforcer.”

“Are the military forces on the planet you’ve invaded still resisting your invasion?”

“No, Enforcer. We quickly defeated them. They surrendered, laying down their arms, and were immediately moved to internment camps.”

“Who on that planet can order these assassins to cease their actions?” The Commander was silent. “I asked you a question, Commander!”

“I’ve not found anyone with that authority, yet, Enforcer,”

“Do you believe there is someone on the planet that can make that happen?”

“I believe there must be someone that could do it.”

“Link the Alien Liaison in to this conversation.”

All the Commanders words to persuade the Enforcer flew out the viewport. He pressed a button and the AL’s image appeared beside the Enforcer’s on the wall-monitor. “I’ve just asked the Commander of the Invasion if there was anyone on the invaded planet that could order these assassins to cease their attacks. He hasn’t provided an adequate answer and I ask you the same question.”

The Commander had to admit the AL’s expression showed he was reluctant to answer but had no choice but to comply with the Enforcer’s question. “Enforcer, I’ve began examining all the secret government documents on this assassin’s organization and it appears there is no connection between it and the government. They probably represent just as large a danger to the citizens on this planet as they do to our forces, Enforcer.”

The Enforcer’s eyes showed his shock, “That is insane!”

The AL nodded his agreement, “If the data I’ve uncovered is accurate, this organization kills more than four million citizens on this planet every year.” This number stunned the Commander. This was new information he hadn’t heard before this moment.

“Why do they allow this?” the Enforcer asked.

“It appears that anyone, who can pay the huge fees required to take out an agreement to have someone killed, is legally able to do so, Enforcer. The extremely wealthy citizens on this planet can pay to have someone they don’t like killed. The relatives of the one that is killed can then take out a contract to kill the one that had their relative killed. This secret organization is an entity unto itself and no one controls it. Even the Central Government that governs all the planets in this group would be at risk if it tried to remove them. It is very much like an inoperable cancer in the body of the people that live here.”

“Are you suggesting the inhabitants want this organization removed?”

“Enforcer, I’ve had some of my agents interview numerous beings on this planet and they all agree that they really hope we can do just that. There is universal agreement that removal of these assassins is something the population wants done.”

The Enforcers eyes opened wider, “That just sounds like this society is being held captive by both our landing forces and these assassins.”

“That’s how they view it, Enforcer. They see that our invasion hasn’t led to massive numbers of death among them and they’re wondering what we’re here to accomplish.” The AL paused and then added, “The President has informed me that since we arrived, the murder rate on the planet has all but stopped. I don’t understand the purpose of this guild, but it must serve a purpose I’ve not been able to determine.”

“In your opinion, what would happen if the Commander started vaporizing large areas on the planet?”

The AL hesitated, and the Commander quickly interjected, “Tell the truth. You’ve reported things I was not aware was happening.”

“Commander, I intend no disrespect, but I would have to answer honestly even without your approval.” The Commander bowed his head and nodded he understood before the AL continued, “Under normal circumstances, if members of the local population were attacking our forces, the others would turn them in to avoid massive loss of life. But that is not the situation here. The ones attacking our forces are unknown to the population and would continue attacking us despite the harm being done to them. They would be forced to join the assassins in attacking our forces to survive; they have no other option. It would lead to the Commander being forced to destroy the planet to protect our landing forces.”

The Law Enforcer contemplated the information the AL provided in silence and then turned back to the Commander, “Are you aware why it is forbidden to kill large numbers of the local population when we invade, Commander?”

“It’s not a good economic decision, Enforcer. We would be unable to use the population to carry out the tasks we need done to accrue the wealth on the planet,” the Commander answered confidently.

“That is not the reason, Commander. That’s what you believe is true, but your answer has nothing to do with the real truth.” The Commander’s eyes widened in surprise as the Enforcer continued, “The Central Rulers are responsible for all the civilizations under their rule. If one day we invade an advanced civilization that is technologically superior to us and we bombard their planets, they will in turn do the same to us if they retaliate one day in the future. If we treat them fairly and avoid massive loss of life, it is hoped they would do the same to us. The Rulers accountability is to the welfare of the entire civilization, not to the economic Lords out to make profits, Commander.”

The Enforcer paused for a moment, “Even if all of this weren’t the situation, you would not be allowed to bombard a planet. It appears you and your company have made a bad decision to invade these planets and I would encourage you to inform the other Lords of what they’re going to encounter when they invade. You will follow the laws governing invasions and if any of you violate them, the Governing Rulers will take appropriate action against your company. Is that clear?!”

The Commander lowered his head, “It is, Enforcer.” The Enforcer’s image disappeared from the wall-monitor and the Commander raised his head and asked, “AL, what do you see I can do to make this invasion pay off?”

“If it weren’t for this guild, this planet would be perfect. You have all the high-skilled works needed to mine the metals here and you would make an extraordinary profit without harming the population. However, these guild members are the most highly trained killers I’ve ever seen data on. They’re better than most of the military we’ve encountered on any other planet ever invaded. They are uncontrollable, and I don’t see how you can operate here within the invasion laws and make a profit. The death benefits from the troops already lost will cut deeply into anything you could make.”

The Commander stared at the AL for a few moments and then ordered, “Make a report to the Prince Royal detailing all that’s happened to date. Include the conversation with the Law Enforcer, all the data you’ve collected, and the observations you just mentioned. Send it out in a priority message and copy it to the five fleets that landed and tell them to anticipate attacks from this Assassin’s Guild. It’s clear that these assassins delay their attacks until enough of our forces are in position on the planet’s surface.”

“I’ll send it momentarily, Commander. I’m sorry it appears I’m working against you, but my motive is to make sure you don’t do something that would lead to you being placed in danger,” the AL responded.

“I see that, now. We need to work together to try and get out of this with a profit.” The AL nodded and disappeared from the monitor. The Commander sat back in his chair and wondered how he was going to manage to pull this off.

• • •

Tal was on board the Earth Warship New York and was observing the war maneuvers taking place between two fleets. He had a chair beside Captain Gregory Ward and listened to his running commentary as he fought his ship. Tal considered himself to be an intelligent person, but a lot of the maneuvers didn’t make sense to him. “Captain, why are you chasing an enemy, firing practice pulses at it, then slowly stopping to chase it at a slower speed?”

Greg smiled, “We’re trying to duplicate a space battle where the participants are using phase fields. If our practice shots hit the ship, it will go to a slower speed to mimic what happens when a ship loses its phase field.”

“What happens when a ship loses its phase field, Captain?”

“It slows down instantly to the speed its thrusters are pushing inside the phase field, which is normally its maximum speed, and then changes course. By firing our pulse cannons at a ship inside a phase field, both ships are ejected from their phase fields. If they’re not moving on the same course, one will flash away at high-speed in a different direction.”

“What happens if you miss?”

Greg smiled at Tal, “Then the enemy ship will blow past us at a speed impossible to chase. Firing our pulse cannons inside our phase field will instantly degrade it and we’ll immediately slow to our maximum normal speed, while the other ship flashed past several-thousand-times-lightspeed.”

“So, you’ll lose it?” Tal stated.

“Depends.”

“On what, Captain?”

“Which ship is faster inside their phase field, General. If my warship is faster in its phase field, we can give chase and try again.”

“Does that hold true with the new Phase Metal our scientists discovered?”

“Well, yes and no. The pulse cannons on our modified ships are fired outside the phase metal hulls we’re installing on our ships, so they don’t come out of their phase drive. However, if we hit an enemy ship, our ship will blow past them as the enemy ship loses its phase field. We’ll be forced to come about radically to hopefully fire on it before their phase field reactivates.”

“It sounds like space battles are next to impossible with phase technology,” Tal commented.

“They’re certainly not easy, General.”

“I guess I thought of the old space battles where long lines of warships lined up and blasted a long line of their enemy’s ships.”

“That still happens, General. If the battle is taking place inside the gravity field of a planet or star, then the battle takes place outside phase fields. The winner of those battles will be the ships with the most powerful offensive and defensive weapon systems. That’s why the colonies’ fleets have been helpless against the alien major warships. The range of the alien’s blasters are much longer than the colony ships. They can’t get close enough to hit the alien vessels without being destroyed. Those huge alien warships are covered in defensive blasters and anti-missile defenses. The colony ships haven’t gotten close enough for us to see how good the alien’s missiles are; they’ve not had to fire any at our warships to hold them off.”

“So, the aliens got it right.”

Captain Ward tilted his head, “What are you saying?”

“Captain, the aliens have built their fleets to have maximum power outside of a phase field. They purposely built them to fight close to a planet and all they need do is get their ships inside the planet’s gravity field to take on an enemy. Or do you see it differently?”

Greg thought about it and shrugged, “No, I guess you’re right. They would be vulnerable if they were knocked out of their phase fields in open space.”

“How?” Tal responded. Greg’ eyes narrowed at Tal’s remark. “Captain, if their ship’s weapons have a longer range, they could still hit our ships before we could get close enough to attack. You can’t use a phase field to rush them; you’d blow past them in less than an instant. You’d still have come at them from a distance.”

“That’s not entirely true, General. Ships can’t go at full speed at a ship above a planet.”

“Why not?” Tal asked.

“You have to be moving at a speed where you’re able to change course quickly enough to avoid hitting the planet. That’s not true in open space; you could approach them at close to lightspeed, drop the phase field, and get inside their weapons before they could lock on. If you blow past them, no problem.”

Tal nodded and looked away from the monitor. He thought about what Greg was telling him and knew that Captain Ward was the best ship commander in Earth’s fleets. He was silent and finally Greg interrupted his thoughts, “You appear to be thinking about something, General. Do you mind if I ask what it is?”

Tal turned to him, “What if you could control the speed down to one-mile-per-hour inside a phase field?”

“That’s not possible, General.”

“I’ve seen it done, Captain. I’ve personally braked a ship inside a phase field from full speed to full stop in less than a couple of seconds.”

“I’ve not heard about that technology!”

Tal nodded slightly, “I’ll mention it to Admiral Montana and make sure it’s installed on the warships being modified. Do you think that would make a difference in getting close enough to get off a shot?”

“Can the speed be controlled in small increments?” Greg asked.

Tal smiled, “From full stop all the way up to full-speed, Captain.”

Greg smiled, “That would revolutionize space warfare.”

“Mention it to Admiral Montana and tell him why it would. It’s been a long time since he was commander of a warship.”

“I’ll be sure to do that, General.”

Tal turned back to the monitor and witnessed the frustration of trying to attack another ship inside a phase field.

• • •

The President looked at Earth’s Chancellor on his display and smiled, “It’s been a long time, John.”

“Probably too long, Ed. We should have been communicating long before now.”

“I sent you a couple of intercepted alien communications, have you had time to read them?” the President asked.

“I have.”

“What’s your opinion of them?”

The Chancellor smiled slightly, “I guess if one must be invaded, then these aliens aren’t the worst that could come. It appears they’re very much like the original colony traders that came here and basically stole our crops.”

“I also saw the similarity. We were wrong to do that, and I guess it’s far too late to say I’m sorry for the way we treated you.”

“It is. And offering it now looks like you’re only saying it to get our help.”

“I do want your help, John, but I am sorry for what’s happened. This alien invasion has made me realize that humanity should not be adversaries. We are brothers and should never be a threat to each other.”

“We’ve always felt that way, Ed. That’s why we accepted what your traders did. We abandoned the colonies early on and we should have never done that. Both of us are at fault and it’s time we put that behind us and work together.”

“So, knowing what we now know, how do you want to handle these invasions?”

“I believe we need to put off removing them until I can get all of my warships updated with new technology we’ve developed. That is several years away,” the Chancellor responded.

“I can accept that. However, if they start bombarding the colonies they’ve invaded…”

“We won’t delay, Ed! We’ll act immediately.”

“Thank you, John. There is one thing I need you to do.”

“What is that?”

“Keep this new information to yourself and not tell anyone about it.”

“Why?” The Chancellor asked.

“You are aware that the colonies were headed to ruin, aren’t you?” John hesitated and then nodded. “You didn’t need to attack us, John. We would have fallen into civil war in less than eighty or ninety years.”

“Our data suggested it would take more than three hundred years before that happened!”

“Your data isn’t complete, John. The growth of the population in the colonies has grown at a faster rate than we anticipated. If this invasion hadn’t taken place, the dangerous effects would have started to appear within a decade. As it stands, I’m spreading disinformation that millions are dying every day on the invaded colonies. The fear in the remaining colonies is palatable and billions are doing all they can to move to a habitable planet in the Andromeda Galaxy. The mass exodus of our populations has delayed the ultimate fall of the colonies for more than a hundred years. I need for the exodus to continue and if this knowledge gets out that the aliens aren’t that dangerous, it would slow it down. I need this fear to continue.”

“What about the assassins, Ed.”

“That’s an issue that will have to be handled, eventually. At the moment, they are the only thing standing between the colonies and a massive alien invasion.”

“John, are you aware that millions of your citizens are asking for asylum on Earth.”

“I am. Do you have room for them?”

“I don’t want those that used assassins, Ed. The only way to avoid that is to not allow anyone to immigrate.”

“John, can I count on you to defend all of humanity?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t answer lightly, John! I’m going to do something that will hurt the colonies, but I believe it’s the right thing to do. But doing it depends on your agreement to defend all mankind from attack.”

“Ed, Earth will never attack a planet with humans on it.”

“Do you give me your sacred word on that?!”

“I do but I won’t always be in this position.”

“Will you get a law passed that guarantees it and can’t be revoked, John?”

“What are you considering, Ed?”

“I’m going to start transferring all of our best scientists, engineers, and physicists to Earth using the cruise line; I will insure that no assassins are on those cruises. Sending our best and brightest to Earth will make your planet the most powerful planet of all those inhabited by humanity.”

“Why would you do this?”

“Because the home of humanity should be the place that protects the species. I do caution you to never extend the life spans of humanity on Earth longer than a hundred years; that would only lead to destruction if you do. You see how extended lives has worked out for us!”

“But if the science is available to do it…”

“Only allow people willing to go out and colonize another world to have it done!”

John stared at Ed on the monitor and said softly, “I can see you’ve done all you can to keep humanity safe. That’s why you allowed the existence of the Assassin’s Guild.”

“It was the only way to delay the fall.”

“I’ll get the law passed and I’ll keep this information confidential. You have my promise that Earth will be humanity’s defender,” John said with conviction.

“Thank you, John. I’ll be sending the first shipment of our best immediately.”

The monitor went dark and the Chancellor pressed a button on his desk, “Greta, call for a special session immediately!”

“What reason do I give for the session, Sir.”

“Survival,” the Chancellor answered. He sat back and sighed heavily. He didn’t know where this was leading but he knew it had to be for the betterment of the species. It was up to him to make sure it happened.

• • •

The Commander looked at his message panel, then looked up at the AL, “Did you receive this message from the Prince Royal?”

“I did.”

“What do you glean from it?”

“He’s ordered the landing forces at all five colonies that have been invaded to be moved back into their ships. Once on board, they will be given a choice of accepting hazard-duty-pay or be shipped back.” The AL looked up from his monitor, “Troops on higher hazard-duty-pay do not receive death benefits. The Prince is cutting his losses. He’s sending the Elite Division to join the invasions.” The Commander’s expression showed he didn’t like that decision. The AL nodded, “Commander, I’m reasonably certain the Commander of the Elite Division will assume overall command of the invasions.”

“The Elite Division are known for their brutality,” the Commander stated.”

“They don’t cause massive loss of life, but they do alienate the local inhabitants. I’ll report this to the Law Enforcer.”

“It’s been reported in the past and the Elite Division is still being used.” The Commander replied. This wasn’t a good development.

Chapter Five

Jee watched Dr. Meservey inspecting the nose of a missile as a pulse cannon’s barrel was extended into the small precision opening. It moved slightly, and Charles said, “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” He took a flat card and held it up against the barrel and missile’s frame. “Just tap it slightly,” he said to the engineer pushing the pulse cannon. “BE GENTLE!” The engineer tapped the pulse cannon with a rubber mallet and Charles shouted, “THAT’S IT!!” He held the card against the barrel and smiled, “Anchor it in place!” Charles stood up and walked to the rear of the missile, “Start running the electrical conduits to the pulse cannon.”

He turned to another engineer and raised his eyebrows. The engineer working in the rear of the missile quickly said, “The generator and gravity unit are anchored in place, but the high-capacity-battery is still not connected, though it has been anchored in place.”

“How long will the battery operate, Doctor?” Jee asked.

“Call me Charlie. The battery will power the gravity unit on the generator for thirty minutes. If the missile hasn’t hit a target by then, the software will cause it to self-destruct to prevent it falling into enemy hands, or claws, or flippers; whatever they use to manipulate things.”

“What about the brain of the missile, Charlie?”

“It’s being programed at the table over there.”

“Do you mind if I go watch?”

“Not at all.”

Jee walked away from the missile and joined two scientists studying a large screen, which displayed the programming written into the missile. Jee smiled and one of them waved him to an empty chair. He heard one scientist saying, “This software is designed to only lock on a ship in normal space.”

The second shrugged, “It would be a waste to fire a missile at a ship inside a phase field. This is the first missile that will be armed to take out a phase field. Do you have the frequencies used by a phase field?”

“I do. We’ll replace the current frequencies with phase frequencies.”

Jee quickly asked, “What if a ship isn’t inside a phase field?” The two scientists turned to Jee and stared at him. Jee raised his shoulders, “I mean, isn’t it possible that the missile might need to be fired at a ship without a phase field?”

One of the scientists held out his hand, “I’m James and this is Murdock. We were told this missile would be used against ships inside a phase field.”

“I’m going to be on the ship using them and it’s quite possible that we might have to face off against a ship outside of a phase field,” Jee replied. The two scientists looked at each other and Jee quickly added, “Wouldn’t it be possible to allow the missile to scan the target and use that scan to determine its attack profile? If it detects phase field frequencies, it will follow one program and another if it detects the target in normal space?”

“That would require two subroutines and we don’t have the time to write both,” Murdock answered.

Jee raised his hands in front of him, “You already have one of them to attack ships out of a phase field. All you need do is program in the pulse cannon firing as it approaches the target.”

James looked at Murdoch, “The lad does make a good point. We can set the software to use the scanner’s information to choose which subroutine to follow.” James turned to Jee, “You sound like you know a lot about writing code.”

“Not really. I know a little but nowhere near as much as you.” Jee paused and thought, “It just occurred to me that you might not need to use the missile to make the determination.”

James stared at Jee and with a furrowed brow and said, “Go on.”

“You can allow the ship to make the determination. It could include both of the programs needed in the launch codes when the missile is launched.”

James turned to Murdock, “That would be easier and remove the need for the missile to use its scanner to determine the attack profile.” James turned to Jee, “Those are good suggestions. If you think of anything else, let us know.”

Jee smiled and nodded. He had to be careful. Jan escaped having to stay behind but if Ka suspected he knew as much as he did about software, she could stop him from going with Tal. He already saw several changes that had to be made in the missile’s software and wasn’t sure how he was going to pull off making them without being caught doing it. And forty missiles were going to be hand built. He didn’t see any way he could modify all of them. He smiled as he heard James said to Murdock, “At least we’ll only have to do this once. The board is going to be duplicated for the other missiles.”

Murdock nodded, “Let’s get moving.”

• • •

Two weeks later, Jee was typing in code for the engineers. James watched him and said, “You’re pretty good at this.”

“I learned how to type code in my first class. I don’t understand what it means but I can type it in accurately. I’m surprised that your system sends the code wirelessly.”

“It’s much faster and not subject to spikes in electrical currents.” James replied. “Keep up the good work. I’m going to help Murdock with an issue.”

Jee nodded and continued to enter the software. After James walked away, Jee quickly typed in a line of code not included in the software and then continued typing. The trial of the software was scheduled in two days and he had to be ready.

• • •

The day of the trial had Dr. Meier, Ka, Tal, Duncan, and General Lein were present. James gave a presentation on the software and then turned it over to Murdock. “I’m going to send various signals to the software simulating an attack on an enemy warship. The response of the software will appear on the main monitor.” James began sending data to the missile’s computer and the results were outstanding.

At the end, Tal asked, “I notice that the missile is programed to either attack an enemy warship inside or outside a phase field; what happens if a ship inside a phase field exits it before the missile launches?”

James looked at Murdock and then turned to Tal, “Sir, we didn’t have enough time to program the missile to change attack profiles. We’ll work on that from this point forward, but the missiles for your vessel had a deadline of six weeks to be ready.”

Tal nodded, “I guess we’ll just have to do with what we have to work with. Thank you for your hard work. I’m impressed.”

Dr. Meier nodded, “Are you ready to send the boards and chips to be duplicated?”

“If they meet your approval, we are, Doctor.”

Meier looked around, “Does anyone have something to add before we start the duplication?” Jee saw Jan staring at him with a concerned expression and he shook his head slightly. She looked away and he put his hand in his pocket. Dr. Meier smiled, “You have approval to duplicate the system and install it in the other missiles.”

The group started clapping and Jee pressed a button on a wireless sender in his pocket. He stood up and before Murdock could press the duplicate button, he said, “I’d like to say a few words.” Everyone turned to him, including Murdock. “From the moment I arrived I was greeted by these two-fine-scientists with open arms and made to feel at home. They’ve put up with my stupid questions and answered them with professionalism and genuine compassion. I know I asked some stupid things about what they were doing. But they made me feel special and I can’t express how thankful I am for all they taught me…”

Jan listened to Jee and wondered what was going on. After a few minutes, she realized he was delaying. Jee was running down on things to say and Jan quickly interrupted, “While we’re being appreciative, I want to thank those that took the time to teach me how to operate a modern warship’s scanner…”

Jee looked over at her and took a deep breath. Jan picked up on what was going on. He felt a vibration in his pocket and knew the new software for the missiles had finished downloading. He had worked on it four hours every night to get it done and he was suffering from a lack of sleep. But now the software James and Murdock wrote had been replaced. Jee nodded to Jan and she smiled, “I’m getting long winded. Thank you for all you’ve done for both of us.” The gathering clapped, as Murdock pressed the duplicate button. Ka stared at Jan and Jee and wondered what they were up to. She wished she had her daughter’s ability to see if someone was being honest…but she didn’t. She looked at Tal and could see he was also suspicious. Getting out of Jee and Jan what was up was not going to happen; they wouldn’t give it up. She’d have to leave it up to Tal to figure it out. The next day, Tal, Jee, and Jan left to train on their new ship. The missiles would arrive the following day and Jee hoped his subterfuge wouldn’t be discovered before they shipped out.

• • •

The three arrived at the underground construction facility in the Sahara Desert and Duncan greeted them. Tal smiled as Duncan walked up and said, “We had to construct them here, Tal. The aliens have another warship out at Neptune and the Chancellor didn’t want to risk them discovering these ships being built.”

“That’s good planning, Duncan. I see you have two additional ships nearly completed.”

“I do, and the crew of the second one to be finished will watch you go over your ship’s systems. They’ll then work with the third crew after you leave.”

Tal heard over his shoulder, “It’s good to see you again, General!” Tal turned and saw Captain Ward and two other sailors walking toward him. Greg smiled, “I insisted Admiral Montana teach me about that joy stick and he chose me to pilot the second ship.”

“Call me, Tal, Greg. It’s good to have you on the team.”

“What is the team going to do, Sir.”

Tal quickly glanced at Duncan and he said, “You are in overall command of the three-Epy-Class-Warships. I trust you will use them effectively.”

Tal turned to Greg, “We’re going out to convince the Aliens that there are thousands of these ships in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We have to convince them that an alien civilization is out there scouting their civilization.”

Greg’s expression didn’t change, “That sounds interesting.” He turned and pointed to the woman standing beside him, “This is Commander Margaret Orlando and she was the commander of the weapon crews on my Alpha.”

“Call me, Mo,” the woman requested.

Greg pointed to the man standing behind him, “This is Commander Jose Hernandez, and he was in command of the ship’s scanner team.”

The man smiled, “Call me, Joe.”

Tal smiled, “This is Jee and Jan.”

Jee quickly spoke up, “My name is Jeremy Stevens-Albritton. However, you can call me Jee.”

Jan smiled, “My name is Janet Stevens-Albritton and Jee is my brother. You can call me Jan.”

Tal’s head tilted, and Jan turned to him, “Our father’s name was Ste which was shorted from Stevens. Albritton is my mother’s name.”

Tal’s eyes moistened slightly, and he smiled, “Your parents are the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.” He turned to Greg, “Let’s go to my ship and start going over the systems.” He looked at Duncan and said over the subvocal communicator, “Did you record the introductions?”

“I did, Tal.”

“Please send a copy to Ka. I think she’ll appreciate it…a lot!”

Duncan nodded as he felt the loss of Sha and Ste all over again.

• • •

Ka was sitting at her desk in the lab when she heard subvocally, “Ka.”

“Yes, Duncan.”

“Tal requested I send you a recording from the construction site. It will arrive on your computer momentarily.”

Ka saw a light illuminate on her monitor and she entered her computer. She watched the two crews introduce themselves and her heart went into her throat as she heard Jee and Jan introduce themselves as Stevens-Albritton. Her tears were immediate, and she lowered her head into her hands as she heard them take her name as their own. She wept and finally managed to say to Tal over her subvocal communicator, “Thank you for that!”

“I’ll take care of your family, Ka. I love them, too!”

The contact ended, and Ka left the lab to be alone with her sorrow and joy. Tal was right; allowing them to go made them family. If she had prevented them from going, she would have lost them. Tal was seldom wrong…be honest…he was never wrong when he made a decision. The only bad decision he ever made was choosing her. She didn’t want to admit it but the worse decision she ever made was rejecting him. She closed her eyes and saw Sha in her mind. She missed her daughter so much.

• • •

Covering the new crew on the ship’s systems went smoothly and he showed Greg how to operate the various systems needed to fly the ship and talked in detail about using the joy stick. “If you use the joy stick, you can control the ship’s speed like nothing you’ve ever flown Greg. You can stop the ship inside a phase field from full speed and then go to any speed you choose. You can avoid overrunning an enemy warship when you take out its phase field. I’ll share some recordings I made on our first trip out in one of these ships. Jan, why don’t you bring Mo up-to-date on the scanners?”

Tal noticed that Jee was nervous and wondered what had him bothered. He turned back to Jan and was impressed. She did an excellent job of going over the minute details of operating the new scanning system. She finished, and Tal turned to Greg, “I’ve had the missiles we’re carrying hand built and they are programmed to either attack a ship inside a phase field or a ship outside of a phase field. Unfortunately, they can’t do both. Jee, why don’t you go over the weapon systems with Joe.”

Jee stared at Tal and he suddenly saw that Tal realized that Jan was just as nervous as him. The new crew saw it as well and Tal’s brow furrowed, “Jee, what’s going on?” Tal asked.

“I’d really rather not say right now, Sir.”

“Jee, whatever it is, this crew needs to hear how their new ship is going to perform.”

“Can I wait to tell them, Sir.”

“Until when?” Tal asked.

“After we leave.”

“Jee, what’s going on?!” Tal repeated.

‘If I tell you, I might be prevented from going with you, Sir.”

Tal stared at Jee and turned to Greg, “I need your crew to keep what he says secret; will they do that?”

“Tal, that is not something I can agree to if it involves the safety of my crew.” Greg responded.

Tal struggled and made a decision, “Jee, you have to tell us what’s going on. Their lives are more important than your going on this mission.”

“Tal, they’re safer, not in more danger,” Jee blurted out.

Greg turned to Jee reassuring him, “If that is true, we will keep it to ourselves.”

Jee raised his shoulders, “I sort of…well…erased the software the two scientists installed in the missiles’ programming.”

The bridge was silent, you could hear Duncan yelling a hundred-yards away outside the ship from the open landing bay door. Tal asked, “Why would you do that, Jee.”

“Because it’s stupid to program a missile that can’t attack a ship regardless of being in or out of a phase field!” Tal stared at him waiting for the rest of the explanation and Jee sighed, “I rewrote the software and installed it in the board before it was duplicated.”

Jan jumped in defending her brother, “Jee is the most talented programmer in the colonies. If he wrote the software, it’s far superior to the one developed by the scientists.”

Tal turned to Jee, “Is it?”

Jee started taking at high-speed, “Tal, those missiles are now killing machines and if they’re fired at an alien warship, it is going to die.” Jee turned to Joe, “Just choose the target from your attack display, and send the target to a missile. That’s all you have to do! Fire it and forget it. You can then use your time looking for another target instead of trying to determine if the missile hits the target.”

Greg stared at Jee, “That good, huh?”

“Better than you can imagine, Sir.”

Greg turned to Tal. Tal exhaled slowly before saying, “Greg, the computer experts in the colonies are far more advanced than the engineers on Earth.” He turned to Jee, “Why did you do this?”

“Because if I showed them my talents, they would have told Dr. Meier and he would have told Mom. She would have insisted I was too important to risk sending out on this mission. I wasn’t going to take that risk. My place is here on this ship with you and my sister.”

“Are you certain about your programming, Jee.”

Jee snorted, “You can take it to the bank.”

Tal turned to Greg and saw him shrug before saying, “If you trust him, then I will as well. We’ll not discuss this with anyone until the third crew arrives and we have to cover them on their new ship.”

Tal looked at Jee, “We’ll be long gone by then.”

Jee’s smile was huge, “Let’s go over your console, Joe. You’re going to like this!”

Joe smiled, “Teach me, Master.”

Jee waved his hand toward him, “You’ll probably be better than I am. You’ve been on an actual warship and have a lot more experience that me.” After five minutes, everyone on the bridge doubted anyone was better at weapons use that Jee.

Chapter Six

Tee was walking next to a building where he had taken out his first aliens; things had changed quite a bit. A few weeks earlier, every alien on the planet was picked up in transports and moved off Australia’s surface. There was widespread panic that the aliens were preparing to bombard the planet in retaliation for the deaths caused by the assassins. The President of Australia made an announcement that there was no need to panic; the aliens were bringing in new forces and to remain calm, but that didn’t help much. The new landing forces began arriving in the cities and everyone on Australia knew these aliens were very different from the ones that landed earlier. Their equipment was clearly more modern and lethal. The armored blasters were incredibly fast, and it was clear the armor was made from an entirely different substance than the earlier units. They were also air-conditioned and the troops inside them wouldn’t have to get out in the hot, sweltering nights. During the daylight hours, the aliens stood outside watching the intersections they controlled. One of them always remained inside the blaster vehicle.

The new warriors were also armored from head to foot. They looked menacing and made the earlier troops look tame and friendly in comparison. These soldiers took pleasure in inflicting pain on the local populace and soon, everyone avoided the intersections where their tracks were located. The businesses located at those intersections were empty of traffic but weren’t allowed to close by the aliens. The planet began enduring hardship and fear began growing that the worst was yet to come.

Tee didn’t go near the alien mobile blaster but walked against the wall and tried to go unnoticed. He studied the armored track for any weaknesses and didn’t see any. This was going to be a tough nut to crack. Perhaps he had earned enough and should just settle in for the long haul and wait to collect his bounty on the forty aliens he had already killed. He was walking with a small group of pedestrians that were quickly moving around the corner of the intersection when one of the aliens raised a strange looking rifle, aimed, and fired hitting Tee with a powerful electrical field.

Tee collapsed to the pavement screaming as the other pedestrians sprinted away screaming. Tee suddenly felt every muscle in his body spasming and every nerve in his body felt like it was on fire. The alien that shot him sauntered over and bent down to look in Tee’s face. Tee could see the alien’s face through his clear face-cover and he was smiling malevolently. Tee’s body violently jerked completely off the ground and fell back for what seemed like an eternity, but the shock finally wore off and he fell on his side leaving him facing the alien’s tracked vehicle. The alien that shot him turned to the other four aliens at the track, raised his weapon above his head, and cheered himself on the great shot; the other aliens cheered with him. Tee kept his eyes on the alien as it walked away and saw a strange symbol on the side of his helmet. He switched his focus to the other aliens and saw all of them had different symbols on their helmets. It had to be some kind of identification. He remained on the sidewalk for hours recovering as other pedestrians saw him and turned away. He was finally able to get to his feet and stumble away. The same alien raised his rifle again, as one of the other aliens snorted and laughed. Tee knew he would die if the alien hit him again, but the obvious commander of the group put his hand on the rifle and pushed it down. Tee could see that killing was frowned on but inflicting severe pain was acceptable. He managed to move away and fell into an alley several blocks away. He crawled to the center of the alley and waited until nightfall. Every muscle in his body was screaming as he pushed the section of wall back and crawled through. He pressed a device in his pocket and a cutout rose slightly. It took him weeks to install small wireless devices to slightly raise the cutouts scattered around the city. It was too dangerous to get trapped outside and not be able to raise them.

He raised the cutout higher and crawled down to the ladder. It took all his effort to lower the cover and pull the cutout back in place. He managed to move down the ladder but fell the last-three-feet into the pipe. He rolled over on his back and closed his eyes. The last thing he saw in his mind before he passed out was the alien’s face laughing at him.

When Tee regained consciousness, he felt like eight miles of bad highway, although he was able to stand and walk. He bent down and touched his toes numerous times as he moved toward his hidden quarters and after a mile, some of the aches began to disappear. By the time he arrived at the ladder leading to his lair, the only lingering pain was a headache. He climbed into the main room, fell into his recliner, and injected himself with a pain reducer just before closing his eyes. He laid there and thought about the alien that shot him. He finally turned on the monitor and saw images of many people lying in the streets of the city where aliens had shot them for no reason. Tee’s eyes narrowed into slits, things had just turned personal; that alien was going to die.

• • •

The AL looked up from his console to see the Division Commander staring at him, “You have something to say?”

The AL remained calm, as he replied, “Your deliberate brutality on the population is not called for, Commander. This behavior is going to cause more harm than good and you’re punishing inhabitants that had nothing to do with the deaths of our landing forces.”

“Save your sympathy! You’re nothing more than a weakling.”

“Before your arrival, the population was willing to work with us. Now they’re going to have to be forced to assist us. The price of your sadism is going to cut deeply into the profits we could have made here.” The Commander’s expression turned angry, as the AL said calmly, “I’ve informed the Law Enforcer of your brutality and sent a report to the Prince Royal that ninety-percent of the inhabitants that originally agreed to work with us have withdrawn their agreements. You can explain why that happened when you report in to him.” The Commander’s expression immediately changed from anger, to concern, and quickly back to rage. The Prince is only driven by greed and this AL had just poked him in the place that would cause him problems. He pulled his hand blaster out of the holster and pointed it at the AL. The AL smiled, “This conversation is being recorded, Commander. Please, pull the stud!”

The Commander was shaking due to his rage; his hand trembled as he kept the blaster pointed at the AL. He raised his head and roared at the ceiling before storming off the bridge. The Fleet Commander watched the confrontation calmly and observed, “I’ve always felt ALs were pretty much weaklings; you’ve just changed my mind. I don’t think I could have done what you just pulled off.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not going to change anything. He’ll continue to brutalize the population,” The AL replied.

“The assassins have not been active since they’ve arrived, AL. I suspect they may have something to say about what’s going on.”

“They care nothing about what happens to the citizens on the planet.”

“No, but they probably don’t like the new troops thumbing their faces at them daring them to act. Even the most terrible of beings have pride. The Division Commander is an idiot and his arrogance and sadism will lead to things he’s not anticipating.”

“What do you mean, Commander?” the AL pressed.

“Have you really looked at this planet’s technology? It’s becoming clear to me that they are more advanced technologically than our civilization and it’s only a matter of time until they develop the means of destroying our warships. We’re stuck on six of their planets while the rest of our forces are out chasing another alien civilization. If we don’t invade the other planets quickly, we’re going to lose this fight.”

The AL watched as the commander took out a small-electronic unit from his pocket. “This small device allows me to listen in on everything being said between our ground forces and our fleet” the commander explained. “I purchased it in a store for next to nothing. It’s programable and detects any frequencies around it. Even our best scanners aren’t as good as this small unit and it’s just a toy on this planet.” The Commander handed it to the AL, “What the Enforcer said about treating invaded planets fairly keeps running through my mind. I only hope this civilization doesn’t have their own Elite Divisions.” The AL examined the small-hand-unit and then began typing on his console.

• • •

Tee exercised every day getting his muscles back in tone and his strength back to what it was before the alien shot him. He heard a ping and stood up from doing pushups. He pressed a button on his computer and saw a message from Ric. Ummm…he was saying that any assassin that had the necessary tools and guts to take on the new invaders should plan to use them in six days.”

Tee though about why Ric wanted it done within six days. He let the idea run around in his head and then smiled; the aliens must have shot Ric just like him, while he was scouting their positions. He was ticked off! He had already planned to attack the aliens that shot him in five days. The aliens relieved the units stationed in the cities every two weeks and he didn’t want the crew of that track to get away before he made them pay for what they had done to him. If numerous alien positions were hit, it might help reduce the time the aliens could respond to his attack. He decided to wait an additional day. He smiled and went back to his pushups.

• • •

Tee made two trips to the cutout to get the equipment he needed to pull off his attack. The MH-R Launcher had to be carried alone, it weighted fifty lbs. without the two rockets. He pulled his most prized possession out of the gun cabinet and slammed an air-canister into the stock. He loaded it with two-special magazines and checked out the switch to insure it smoothly changed from one magazine to the other.

The darts in the two magazines cost a thousand credits each and were manufactured to exacting tolerances. The darts were made from a metal that would penetrate the armor of anything up to chronide; those aliens weren’t wearing chronide armor. Getting them out of their armored track was the main issue he’d have to deal with. The MH-R would have to make that happen.

• • •

He sat in his recliner rocking back and forth, as he picked up a glass of water from the table and noticed his hand trembling. He took a slow sip and closed his eyes. Tee always prided himself on his control and patience, never taking a shot unless he was certain of the conditions around him. Now, he saw that he didn’t care and wasn’t even worried about losing his life in this attack, this had become personal. He took several long, deep, slow, breaths and centered his mind. He had made it personal and he was losing the tight control of his body as a result. With the shakes he was having, he’d be lucky to hit the track much less the aliens. He had to come to terms with what was happening. Was he frightened? Yes, he was. Why? He could die. So?

Tee looked at possibly dying and decided it was something he had long ago came to terms with. He didn’t care about what he would be paid for what would happen tonight. He visualized the other people lying in the street around him twitching from the alien’s shots as he staggered away. They didn’t have a place to run and hide and he knew they were killed later that night when they were caught violating curfew. He could have very easily been one of them but for his close by cutout.

Tee had never considered anyone else but himself…but now he felt kindred spirits and sense of loss for those that were suffering like he did that day. He stopped rocking and was still. He was going to do this tonight for those that would die from these alien’s brutality. He sensed a peace fill him and he opened his yes, picked up the glass of water, and held it in front of him. The water was perfectly still, and he took a sip. He set an alarm, closed his eyes, and slept soundly for the first time since the alien shot him. This was worth giving up his life.

• • •

The alarm sounded, and he turned it off. He walked to a small cabinet and took five small-round-balls out of a plastic container. He opened the cover on an electronic machine in the cabinet and placed the five balls in a row of indentations. He set one dial to fifty-percent and the other to eight. He closed the lid and pressed a green button; it turned red and he went to put on his black suit. When he returned, the button was green again. He lifted the cover and took the balls out, closed the cover and cabinet, then put the balls in his leg pouch. Slinging the rifle over his shoulder, he looked around the room for possibly the last time, then climbed down the ladder.

• • •

Ric had suggested the attacks be launched at mid-night and Tee arrived at the cutout at 11 pm. He began carrying his equipment up the ladder at eleven thirty and had the MH-R and an extra rocket at the wall within fifteen minutes. He went back down and carried the rifle up to the wall as he turned on his audio plugs…the street outside the wall was silent. At one minute before midnight, he pushed the wall open and sighted the shoulder mounted MH-R. The rocket had a two-foot-long chronide point extending out of it that would penetrate any known substance, including chronide. Once the point penetrated, the body of the hardened rocket would start generating extreme heat through the chronide point. Tee smiled, MH-R stood for Maximum Heat Rocket. He was curious about how the rocket would perform, he had never used it before tonight. Tee smiled as he sighted through the scope and counted it down mentally; at one second before midnight, he pulled the trigger on the MH-R.

The rocket left the launcher silently on its high-powered compressed air charge and hit the track in the armored wall outside the track’s interior compartment. He dropped the launcher, immediately grabbed the rife, and sighted in on the hatch located on the top of the track. Within moments, the hatch was thrown open and the first alien appeared. Tee squeezed off a shot and saw the alien flinch as it moved across the track and jumped down to the ground, where it collapsed. The dart he was using was a paralyzing dart that activated after eight seconds. He kept the scope sighted on the hatch and shot the remaining four aliens as they came out of the track as fast as they could move. He then rushed out of the wall toward the alien vehicle. He arrived to find the aliens scattered around the track and began searching for the one that shot him.

He recognized the symbol on his helmet and rolled him over. Snatching off his headcover, he looked into the alien’s paralyzed face. He sat down on his chest and glared into his faceplate, as he sneered, “I don’t see you smiling now! Let’s see how you like electricity!” Tee took a ball out of his leg pouch, pressed a small button on top of it, and forced it into the alien’s mouth under his face plate. He pulled his headcover back on, stood up, rushed to the other aliens, forcing a ball into their mouths.

He stopped at the commander of the aliens and paused. This one had saved his life. He hesitated, then put the ball back in his pouch. He rushed back over to the first alien and saw the ball activate. The alien’s body literally leapt off the ground as the ball’s electric current hit him. Tee turned and sprinted back to the wall. He remained there as the four-alien’s twisted, turned, and came off the ground with the electrical current running through them. He heard a sound overhead and slammed the wall shut. He threw the MH-R launcher into the cutout and grabbed the rocket. He rushed to the ladder and closed the cutout, as an alien attack craft moved in at high-speed overhead. He left the rocket launcher at the base of the ladder and pressed a button on an explosive charge attached to the wall. He turned and ran down the pipe expecting to be hit by a blaster bolt from the warships overhead. After thirty minutes, he slowed down. He bent over gasping for air and sat down next to the pipe’s wall. After catching his breath, he finally stood up and headed back to his lair.

• • •

The next morning, Tee tapped in to the cameras on top of the parking garage and saw the city was covered by smoke plumes rising from as far as the camera could see. My, my but the assassins had been busy the night before. He had no idea how many attacks had taken place, but the aliens must have taken a huge hit on their landing forces. A day later, he knew he had made a mistake.

The camera on top of the garage showed a small alien aircraft moving slowly over the city, obviously scanning the citizens. Who were they looking to find. He sat back and contemplated on what he had done. He sat up straight, when he realized, they were certainly searching for him. Maybe Ric as well. The alien that shot him must have been recorded by the scanner inside the tracked vehicle. That scan would have shown his face in the recording and the track probably recorded him sitting on that alien’s chest as he removed his headcover. He was stupid. The commander of the aliens would probably verify the recording after he regained control of his muscles and they had an image to chase of a known assassin.

Tee knew it was certain death if he went out in public again. His image would be in every scanner being used by the aliens. With the four he killed, that brought his total bounty to over two million credits. He could just wait out the war in his room and be rich. But…the idea of doing that didn’t appeal to him at all. The excitement of the previous night was the most exhilaration he had felt in decades. So, he couldn’t go out in public…but he had his pipes under the city and fifty more MH-R rockets. He’d just use the killing darts next time and make a fast escape. Even if he died, this was worth doing. As he watched the news broadcasts over the following days, he even began to like the news caster he promised to kill earlier. A week later, he sent a squeal message to Ric, “Did you make it?” Two weeks later, he was still waiting on a response.

• • •

The Elite Division Commander sat on his chair in the Fleet Command’s Vessel staring at the wall-monitor as the casualty reports continued to come in. The AL watched with him and said quietly, “It appears you’ve lost about eighty-percent of your troops, Commander. It also appears that the inhabitants are all out in the streets cheering their deaths.”

“I WILL MAKE THEM PAY!!” The Commander roared.

“Did you happen to notice that the locations of the former landing forces were not attacked?”

The Elite Commander leapt out of his chair and reached for his hand blaster, “YOU WILL STOP NOW!!” The former commander shouted with a raised blaster in his hand.

The Elite Commander froze, and the AL turned to the former commander, “I assume you’ve received new orders.” The Commander nodded. The AL turned to the Elite Commander, “The Central Governors have intervened and have issued directives to the Prince Royal. The pitiful few survivors of your division are being removed from the planet and will face an inquiry upon their return to their base. The recordings from their scanners will be used to determine their fate. However, your fate has been decided. Commander, if you please.” The former commander shot the Elite Division Commander in the face with his blaster. The Al turned to him, “You are now in command and will determine what is to be done next.”

The Commander turned to a crew member, “Clean up this mess!” He turned back to the AL, “This is a lost venture. There’s nothing that can be done to make a profit from this.”

“Perhaps.”

“This planet is a death trap. As soon as we land more troops, the killing will continue. Right now, all of my remaining troops on the surface of the planet are demanding to be removed and sent home.”

“I believe that you need to talk to the inhabitants in terms they understand and that includes the assassins.”

“What are you talking about?!”

The AL started telling him and, after a few minutes, the Commander started nodding. At the end he sat back in his chair, took a deep breath, and began speaking, “The Prince won’t accept this, and you know it.”

“He will if it appears he will lose a fortune in this venture,” The AL responded.

The Commander thought about it and mumbled, “This plan will require more deaths of our landing forces before he caves in.”

The Al nodded, “Unfortunately, that is true. But it does give us a way out of this mess without breaking the invasion laws.”

The Commander looked up at the Al and shrugged.

Chapter Seven

Duncan entered the bridge of Tal’s new warship, followed by two sailors carrying four chairs. He looked around and ordered, “Everyone sit down. We need to cover some information, and this is going to take some time.” Greg’s crew took the chairs and Duncan sat down with them. Duncan turned to Tal, “This new ship is very similar to your previous vessel, but its capabilities have been greatly improved. It is for all intents and purposes a gravity-ship.” Duncan nodded toward Jan and continued, “Thanks to Jan’s new generator, the power of the vessel has been increased dramatically. However, the new gravity systems still require two reactors to power the gravity units spinning the generators. But that removes four reactors that were previously needed and allows more room for the missiles this ship will carry. You already know about the missiles’ capabilities and how they’ll be used in different situations.” The room was silent, and no one moved. Duncan hesitated and continued, “The most important change is that each of the pulse cannons have their own generator and have increased in power and range. We won’t know until we trial it, but we believe they will be able to hit the alien’s major warships from long range. The ship is also faster…much faster. The new generators will be replacing the thruster systems currently being used on our warships and the saving space from the removal of fuel and fuel lines is dramatic. I’ve included six helmets for all of you to learn your consoles and you need to get busy learning your systems. Once you compete the tutorials, Tal you can leave and start harassing the alien fleets in the Large Magellanic Cloud. I also need the callsigns for your two vessels.”

“Callsigns?” Tal asked.

“You need to name your ships; the name will be your call sign.” Tal was silent, and Duncan quickly added, “You can’t use the former name, Tal. Epy is now the name of this class of warship.”

Tal took a breath, blew it out slowly, and said, “Her name will be ShaKa.” Tal glanced at Jee and Jan, saw them smile, and then nod.

“ShaKa it is!” Duncan turned to Greg, “What about your vessel, Captain?”

Greg was thinking furiously and said out loud as he thought, “Major Warships usually use the name of a city on Earth. Smaller vessels use a famous person’s name or a feature on the planet. I think we’ll call her Blue.”

Duncan’s brow furrowed for a moment, as he asked, “Blue?”

“Yeah. You know, like the color of the oceans as seen from space; or the color of the skies above Earth.” He glanced at Jan and added, “Or the color of her eyes. Blue reminds me of home.”

Mo looked at Joe and he shrugged. Then she spoke up, “Sounds like a good name to me, short and sweet it is.”

Duncan nodded, “All right, Blue it is.”

• • •

Duncan spent the next hour discussing their mission and at the end, he asked if there were any more questions. Tal replied, “Duncan, don’t you have training consoles in the building?”

“I do; why do you ask?”

“We’re ready to go.”

“Tal, you’ve not completed the tutorials.”

Duncan, Jan wrote the tutorial for the scanning console and Jee wrote the one on the weapons console. The only way I’m going to get a feel for how the ship flies is to take it out. The pilot controls are the same as the ones that were used on Epy and I flew her for numerous hours on my last mission. We need to get moving and make an appearance in the LMC.”

Duncan sensed something was wrong but asked, “Are you sure about this?”

“I am, Duncan!”

Duncan sensed the serious tone in Tal’s voice and stood up, “Then get the ship fired up. It’s already provisioned, and the missiles will be in place in another hour. Good luck and stay in touch.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Tal replied and stood up.

Duncan looked at Greg, “If you’ll carry your chairs out, I’ll take you to the tutorial consoles.”

Duncan exited, as Greg glanced toward Tal. Tal said quietly, “Thank you for staying mum on Jee.”

“I don’t blame you for wanting him with you. He’s going to be commanding his own ship one day soon.” Tal nodded, and Greg left the ship with his crew.

• • •

An hour later, Tal moved the ShaKa across the huge facility and into the elevator. It was lifted to the surface and Tal used the joystick to lift it above the elevator; he turned the nose toward the sky. The ship leapt forward at an unbelievable velocity and Tal pulled back slightly on the joy stick, “Duncan was right, this ship is a lot faster than Epy.” He glanced at Jan, “Shut down communications.” Jan’s brow furrowed, and Tal said louder, “SHUT IT DOWN, NOW!” Jan pressed a button on her console, as the ShaKa accelerated out of Earth’s atmosphere and disappeared toward the sun.

• • •

Two hours later, Duncan was standing at the training consoles, when he saw Ka and two men exit the elevator. She started walking quickly toward Duncan and it was clear by her expression that something was wrong. She rushed up and said loudly, as she looked around, “WHERE IS JEE?”

“What’s going on?” Duncan asked.

Ka turned to one of the men and said, “TELL HIM!”

The older man turned to Duncan and started talking, “Admiral, it appears all the software we wrote for the new missiles has been erased and replaced by new programming.” Duncan’s head went back in surprise.

Ka quickly added, “TELL HIM ALL OF IT!”

The man continued, “We ran the new software through the computer and it appears that the new software far surpasses anything we’ve ever seen. The missile’s capability has been improved to where it is now capable of acting independently and its destructiveness is unimaginable. The new software is…is…incredible! The only one that could have changed it was that young whippersnapper that was working with us.”

Ka said impatiently, “That young whippersnapper is my son, Jee. Where is he?”’

Duncan stared at Ka, then glanced at Greg, who quickly looked away. Duncan turned his eyes to Ka and then started chuckling. After a moment, he started laughing. Ka’s expression turned deadly and she yelled, “THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER, ADMIRAL! HE CANNOT BE RISKED ON THIS MISSION!!!”

Duncan lifted his communicator and brought his laughter under control, “Contact General Talent.”

Duncan waited, and they heard over his communicator, “Sir, it appears General Talent has shut down his communications.”

Duncan was fighting a smile but wasn’t successful. Ka’s eyebrows came down, “What’s going on, Admiral.”

“Ka, Tal left two hours ago for the LMC and is probably outside the Milky Way by now. I wondered why he insisted on leaving so quickly but now I can see why he did.”

“You’ve got to recall him!”

“Ka, he’s not accepting calls; I imagine he suspected you’d be showing up to pull a member of his crew, thus delaying this mission. I have no way to stop him.”

“Duncan, you don’t know the importance that Jee holds for Earth and the Colonies!”

Duncan turned to the two men and asked, “Do you have a copy of that software that can be used on the massed produced missiles we’re going to build?”

James glanced at Duncan and replied, “Yes. It can be used in any future missiles we build.”

“And you have a duplicate board that other chips can be made from?”

Murdock raised his shoulders, “We do, Sir.”

Duncan turned to Ka and saw her rage building, “Before you go off and say something you’ll regret later, Ka. What do you think would happen if you pulled Jee off this mission! How do you think he’d take it?”

“He’d understand his importance to the survival of humanity, Duncan!!” Ka snapped back at him. Duncan remained silent and stared at her with his head cocked to the side. After a moment, Ka’s rage vanished, and her head fell to her chest, as she softly said, “He’d never forgive me.”

“No, he wouldn’t, Ka. I imagine that’s why he made the changes in secret.”

Ka’s communicator vibrated, and she lifted it. She spoke for a few moments and then ended the call. She took a deep breath and exhaled sharply, “It appears the targeting boards for the pulse cannons have also been changed.”

Duncan’s eyes twinkled, “For the better?”

Ka sighed, “Yes…for the better.”

“Your son has been a busy boy.”

“It appears he has, Duncan.”

Duncan’s smile returned, “He did what he could before he left on this mission and he pulled it off in a remarkable fashion. He is driven to avenge the death of his father and he won’t be able to focus on anything else until he satisfies that craving, Ka. He’s not alone in that, the same urge also drives Tal and Jan. Even if you managed to get him back, he would be lost to you.” Ka lowered her eyes and Duncan took her in his arms, “He’s where he needs to be, Ka. Let him find his destiny.” Ka looked up at the ceiling and wished fervently that she was with him.

• • •

Tal flew the ship far outside the Milky Way and looked at Jan, “Don’t turn on communications but run a check on connecting with the new receiver. Jan acknowledged his order and turned to her console. Tal turned to Jee, “You may fire a few shots out of the pulse cannons to align the targeting program.”

“Don’t need to do it, Tal.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“I changed the pulse cannon targeting software before I changed the software in the missiles. Whatever the cannons are directed to hit, they will hit it.”

“You’ve been a busy boy, haven’t you?”

“It wasn’t easy.”

“I imagine it wasn’t.” Tal turned to Jan and she could only shrug. Tal turned back to Jee, “Are you ready to face the music?” Jee’s eyebrows came together, as Tal ordered Jan, “Activate communications.”

Jan pressed a button and said with a chuckle, “I have a priority communication from Admiral Montana.”

Tal smirked, “Put it on the wall-speaker.” Jan pressed another button and Tal spoke out, “Duncan, how’s it going?”

“I’ve just had Ka and two rather distraught software scientists show up here at the construction site.”

“Do tell!”

“Don’t be flippant, Tal. I understand now why you beat a hasty retreat.”

Tal glanced at Jee and saw a guilty expression on his face and his head lowered into his shoulders, “I knew it wouldn’t take long before Jee would be found out, Duncan. I couldn’t risk having the mission delayed training a new weapons operator.”

“Be honest, Tal. You did this for Jee and you also knew anyone that replaced him wouldn’t be near as good.”

“You know me too well, Duncan.”

“Ka was rather hot about the whole thing, but I believe she left understanding why he had to go.”

“Thank you for that, Duncan. She’s been through enough.”

“Stay safe and keep me informed on what’s going on.”

“I will, Sir. Thanks for everything.” Tal ran his hand across his throat and Jan ended the call. Tal turned to Jee, “Was that so hard?”

“I’m glad it was him and not Mom.”

“You realize you do need to call her before we leave for the LMC?” Jee nodded, as he lowered his eyes. Tal smiled, “We’re going to take a couple of days to really learn our controls and then we’re headed to the LMC galaxy. Make good use of the time. Both of you will learn how to pilot the ship and that starts now. Jee come over here and watch how I use the controls. We’re starting with the joy stick. Jee you will also learn how to use Jan’s console.”

‘Why?”

“Because all of us are going to have to get some sleep sometime!” Tal replied. “We will cross train on each other’s systems until we know them in and out. You’re first, Jee.”

• • •

Tal and Jee were sitting on the bridge the next day staring out of the viewport at the distant Milky Way and the smaller Large Magellanic Cloud close by it. The LMC looked tiny next to the giant Milky Way. Jan entered the bridge with wet hair and sat down at her console. She joined them in silence and stared at the galaxies with them. Jee sighed and turned to Tal, “What do you think about Allison, Tal?”

Tal continued staring at the viewport, as he asked, “Do you have a thing for her?” Jee nodded. Tal blew out a heavy breath before turning to Jee and saying, “I think she’s a remarkable woman who’s been through a lot.” Jee smiled. After a moment, Tal turned back to the viewport and added, “However, you need to think long and hard about having a long-term relationship with her.”

Jee sat up straight in his chair, “And why is that?!”

Tal shook his head slightly before answering, “Don’t get defensive, Jee. You need to think it through before you decide to do that.”

“What do you mean?” Jan asked.

Tal looked at both and then answered Jan’s question, “Because he’d be setting himself up for a huge heartbreak if he goes through with it.” They were silent, and Tal shrugged slightly as he said softly to Jan, “So would you Jan, if you decided to pair up with someone on Earth.”

“Why do you say that, Tal,” Jee asked.

Tal hesitated and asked, “How long are the two of you going to live?”

“About three hundred years,” Jan quickly answered.

Tal nodded, turning to Jee, “Allison’s life expectancy, if she takes good care of herself, is about a hundred years. You’ll have to watch her grow old and die of old age right in front of your eyes. There’s nothing you can do to stop it and she’ll grow to hate you for staying young and handsome long before she dies.”

Jee’s expression showed his surprise, as Jan asked, “Tal, you’re one of the colonies top geneticists, couldn’t you extend her life?”

“I could but I’d never do it,” he replied slowly.

“WHY NOT!” Jee asked impatiently.

Tall shook his head, “The worse thing the colonies ever did was to extend humanity’s life span. Before the aliens invaded, the colonies were headed toward total collapse in a few hundred years and their civilization would have fallen into civil war.”

“Why?” Jan asked.

“Jan, the colonies were headed toward over population and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. The Assassins Guild was created to slow the coming fall by killing millions of people, and it did just that for a century, but it’s not enough now. The extended life spans and the wealthy and better off citizens that want large families make it a certainty. Both of you are smart enough to look at the last census and make the same determination I did. I will not start extending the life span of anyone on Earth. I will not start the long fall on Earth that was happening on the colonies.”

“But you could do it just for Allison, Tal!” Jee interjected into the conversation.

Tal turned to him, “And what about her baby, Jee? Is Allison willing to watch him die of old age? And if I do him, where does it stop. Do I extend Duncan’s life and then the Chancellor? Besides, you have a rather fickle heart, Jee, and you need to slow down choosing anyone for a while.”

Jee’s expression turned dour, “Why do you say that, Tal!!”

“If I’m not mistaken, didn’t you ask your father to bring along a girlfriend with you? What happened to her?”

Jee sighed, “She didn’t want to come, and, after the fact, I really wasn’t that close to her. But I’m very close to Allison.”

Tal rolled his eyes, “If you weren’t that close, why did you ask to bring her with you? Trust me on this, Jee; you’ll always be close to the woman you’re currently interested in.” Tal turned to Jan, “What about you Jan? Did you leave anyone in the colonies?”

Jan’s eyes closed slightly, “I left someone that I didn’t have the strength to leave if I had stayed. Dad taking us to Earth was the best thing that could have happened to me.”

“He was a real slug!” Jee added.

Jan sighed, “I know. I just didn’t have a good opinion of myself and couldn’t bring myself to walk away.”

Tal smiled slightly, “Both of you have plenty of time before you need to make a life decision on anyone. Besides, how old are you?”

“Twenty-five,” Jee answered.

“How old are you, Jan?”

“Twenty-five.”

Tal’s head went back in surprise, “Are you twins!?”

Jan nodded, “Yes, we are.”

“But the two of you look nothing alike!”

“We’re fraternal-twins, Tal. The genes of most people in the colonies have been manipulated so much over time that even identical twins no longer look alike.” Jan replied.

“But you two are nowhere close in appearance! Your eye color, hair color, even your height is completely different! Fraternal twins still share common genes.”

Jan rolled her eyes, “No they don’t, Tal. I look like my mother and Jee looks like our father. You’re a geneticist, you should know that the old rules of dominant and recessive traits have been overturned by all the genetic manipulation taking place in the colonies. That’s why Jee and I did not take the genetic modification shots; we didn’t want our DNA messed up any more than it currently is. We’ve kept our normal appearance for the most part. When we were younger, we used hair dye to change color if we chose.”

“I wondered why you were using your normal genetic forms when we picked you up at Haven. I’ve been out of the lab too long,” Tal responded. “I can see why you wanted to do this together.”

Jan nodded, “Jee is the last member of my immediate family. I don’t want to be separated from him.”

“What about your mother?”

‘She turned down the wrong man a few years ago and an assassin ended her life,” Jee answered softly.

Tal sat back in his chair, “And now you’re on a mission with a high-ranking assassin. What do you think about that?”

“Tal, you and Mom are the finest people I’ve ever known. I’ll never see you as an assassin,” Jan answered.

“Thank you, Jan.” Tal paused and added, “Jee, if you’re determined to be with Allison, you can take her and her son with you to the colonies and have her life extended there. A lot of doctors will do it for a minimal fee.”

“If I do that, are there any consequences?” Jee asked.

Tal shrugged and hated sharing his thoughts with Jee but decided he deserved to know, “I suspect Earth is not going to allow any more extended-life humans to immigrate to Earth. Thousands of scientists, engineers, and special-talented colonists have moved to Earth and the government knows the danger of having too many of them on the planet. You and Allison would probably have to stay in the colonies if you chose to do that.”

“I don’t know if Allison will like that. She has a large extended family and wouldn’t want to leave them.”

Tal saw his concern and turned to the viewport, “Well, we’re going to be out here for a while. Worry about it when we get back, Jee.” Jee nodded at Tal and turned to his console, before asking them, “Are you ready to start making a nuisance of ourselves with the aliens?”

Jan laughed, “Am I ever!” Tal looked at Jee, saw him smile at his sister, then nodded himself. Tal reached for the steering wheel and pushed the thruster handle forward. The ShaKa moved forward and then leapt away at a speed that seemed to tell them that the ship was just as impatient to use its talents as the crew. Tal smiled and hoped to find the redemption he so needed in order to find peace. He gripped the steering wheel and pushed the thruster-handle fully forward. The stars became streaks and Tal saw Sha’s face in his mind again. He smiled slightly and thought, this is for you, my love.

Chapter Eight

Tee was weary and sat down in the pipe to rest for a few minutes. Since the Alien’s had captured his face in every scanner, he couldn’t go out into the city without being caught. So, he walked through the underground pipes looking for his targets. Today marked his hundredth-kill and he decided that was going to be it. He was forced to walk twenty miles to make his attack today and it was just too far to keep it up. The Aliens had stopped sending their landing forces into the center of the city and that forced him to walk too far to continue his attacks on the aliens.

With a heavy sigh, he wished he hadn’t been stupid and took his headcover off when he killed the alien that shot him with a stunner rifle. But…even if he didn’t, they’d have his image from being shot by the alien. Either way, his days above ground were gone. He stood up, slung the compressed-air-rifle over his shoulder and continued the long walk; only eight miles to go.

He finally arrived at the pipe leading to his lair and had to rest for five minutes before he could climb the ladder. He tied a rope to the Air Rifle and climbed up without it. Once he was inside, he pulled the rifle up and stumbled across the room to put it in the gun cabinet. He undressed and went to the shower and took a long, hot, bath.

He finally, dried off and went to his chair. He opened a bag of chips and a bottled water, before falling back and turning on the monitor. The screen was filled with an announcement saying the aliens were going to address the planet in an hour. Tee sighed before setting his alarm clock for a quick nap. He didn’t want to miss it and wondered what they were going to say. He took a few bites of chips, washed it down, and chuckled to himself, if they’re going to ask for me to stop attacking their troops, they’re a day late and a credit short. He made his last march today. A moment later, he was asleep.

Fifty minutes later, the alarm went off and Tee nearly jumped out of his chair before reaching over and shutting it off. He stood up, stretched, and twisted his shoulders a few times before sitting back down. He started eating the chips again and thought that if he hadn’t hustled back, he probably would have missed the announcement. He looked at the monitor and saw an alien’s face appear. Here we go.

• • •

The Fleet Commander began his announcement with, “I know that we’ve not spoke to you before now because it was our intent to handle everything without having to use you to accomplish our goals in coming to your planet. However, it appears that our original intentions are not going to come to pass. With that in mind, I am offering a proposal that I hope you will accept. We came here to mine and process the metals that are on this planet. We intended to do the work but the savagery of the attacks on my landing forces have made that impossible. So, I’ve told your elected leaders that if they will mine the ores, and refine them into high-grade metals, we will move them to our ships in orbit and leave your planet in peace and never return. Your president has agreed that the weight of metals I require is reasonable and has agreed to produce what we require.”

The Alien paused for a moment, and then continued, “As part of this proposal, we have also demanded that your government collect one trillion of what you call credits and place them in an account to be held until this transfer is complete. Once we have the metals on board my ships, and we’ve left your planet, that fund will be sent to the party responsible for paying the ones that have been attacking my forces. Provided no more attacks take place, then that fund will be sent to be divided evenly among the attackers on the planet. If the attacks continue, the funds will not be sent, and we will be forced to resort to other actions that I assure you won’t be beneficial to your population. I hope your planet accepts this offer and, if so, we will abide by the set conditions.”

• • •

The monitor went dark in the Government Center and one of the Representatives turned to the President, “YOU AGREED TO THIS?!”

“I did. It appears the aliens don’t know about the metal deposits recently discovered under the Melbourne Continent. There’s more metals there than we’ve taken out of the planet since the colony was first settled. What the alien wants represents less than five-percent of our total.”

“What about the trillion credits?” the Vice-President asked.

“We’re not going to impose a tax. We have enough on hand to fund the account and we’ll recoup it from the wealthy citizens after the aliens leave. The faster we can get this done, the sooner they will be gone.”

“Do you think the Assassins will lay off them?”

The President shrugged, “I think they’ll all receive more than five million credits if they do; they’re only attacking because they’re getting paid; I think they’re greedy enough to back off.”

“What if we keep the fund?”

The President turned to the Representative who made the suggestion, “Do you want to face them if we don’t abide by the agreement? I suspect there won’t be anyone in this room left alive if we keep it.”

Everyone looked around and knew the President was right.

• • •

After listening to the Alien Commander, Tee started shaking his head, “That sneaky SOB!” He quickly reached for his communicator and instantly shut it off, other assassins could home in on its signal if it was left on. The alien was right that the assassins wouldn’t attack his forces anymore…but…every one of them just figured out that the fewer assassins on the planet when the aliens left, the more they would be paid. That alien knew it as well! He just kicked off a war among the assassins and no one was safe.

Tee leaned back in his chair and thought, who knew about his location? Tee thought hard and only knew five assassins that had ever been here. Tee knew that they would be coming to take his lair and remove him as quickly as possible. No place on Australia was as safe as the lair he had built. There was only one way to get in…they’d have to come through the pipes. The lair was buried under more than a hundred feet of concrete in the parking garage’s foundation; even a nuclear blast wouldn’t get to him. He jumped to his feet with a low moan at sore muscles screaming at him. He activated his computer to begin turning on the cameras at all the cutouts within six miles of his location. He set the computer to give a warning alarm if any motion was detected, as he began getting the guns ready. It wouldn’t be long.

• • •

He had his black suit on and pointed a small handheld remote at the computer. The computer pinged as he pressed the link button, telling him the connection had been made. He slipped the device into his leg pouch, picked up a high-powered dart handgun, along with the Double-Dart-Rifle, which he slung over his shoulder, before starting down the ladder to the pipe forty feet below. He had brought the five assassins to his lair from the exposed pipe in the ravine outside the city. That would be the probable path they’d take to get to his lair now. There was no way they could tunnel down to the ancient pipes with the alien warships in orbit scanning the planet. They’d be forced to find an open pipe on the surface.

He wondered if there were other exposed pipes around the city but decided to worry about that was a waste of energy. If there were, he’d have to depend on the cameras he’d placed in the pipes to give him advanced warning. That alien was a pretty smart cookie; he had to know what his proposition would lead to. Tee had no doubt assassins were dying all over the planet; he just had to make sure he wasn’t one of them. He laid down against the pipe, took out the remote, activated it, placed it inside the chest flap of his suit, before closing his eyes. It would vibrate if anything was detected moving his way and he needed the rest.

Tee was jerked out of a deep sleep by the remote vibrating against his chest. He shook his head and looked at the small screen on the remote. It appeared Cha wasn’t wasting any time coming after him. He was in full camo-mode and was carrying an automatic dart thrower. Tee stood up, stretched, did deep knee bends, and forty pushups to get his circulation moving. He pulled his headcover over his head and moved toward the approaching assassin. He knew Cha had the best monitoring electronics available and Tee wasn’t sure his black suit would prevent Cha from detecting him. He moved quickly up the pipe and jumped into a small six foot-pipe that intersected the main pipe about four feet off the floor. He pulled himself feet first into the pipe and pulled out the hand-launcher. He settled in and waited, Cha was about five minutes out from his current position.

The pipe Tee had entered sloped down toward the larger pipe from the surface enabling Tee to extend the hand-launcher. He focused on the pipe in front of him and held his breath. Cha suddenly appeared directly below him and he squeezed the hand-launcher’s trigger. Cha screamed as he instantly fell to his knees. Tee was out of the smaller pipe in an instant and leaned down over Cha, “You shouldn’t have done it, Cha.” Cha’s expression was frozen in fear as Tee pulled a small tube out of his black suit and fired a dart into Cha’s arm. The dart from the handgun would have eventually killed him but this made it quicker. Cha instantly died, as Tee grabbed him by the collar of his camosuit and dragged him up the pipe to where another large pipe intersected from below. He threw the body into the pipe that came up from the floor and stood beside the pipe and he listened intently. He finally heard the body hit bottom four seconds later.

Almost immediately, his remote began vibrating again and he jerked his headcover off to look at the remote’s small screen. He exhaled sharply, pulled the rifle off his shoulder, and dropped to a prone position in the pipe.

A woman was moving slowly inside the pipe calling out about every ten yards, “Tee, are you here?” Tee rolled his eyes and almost pulled the trigger…almost…but he answered instead, “Mer, you’ve made a big mistake coming here.”

“TEE, PLEASE!” Tee was silent and kept the red dot in the scope focused on her heart. “I have nowhere else to go, Tee! I’ve been attacked four times getting out of the city and I’m out of darts. You’re the only one that can hide me.” She took a breath and continued, “I didn’t bring any weapons with me other than this dart gun.” Tee knew he should kill her and toss her body away with Cha’s, but he just couldn’t make himself pull the trigger. “Tee, just hide me until the aliens leave, I’ll give you half of what I’m paid!” she yelled.

Tee started to pull the trigger but yelled out instead, “Get undressed Mer.”

“What?”

“Take your clothes off and turn completely around. If I scan any weapons on you, you’re dead!” Mer hesitated a moment before she began taking her clothes off. When she finished, she cautiously started turning around. Tee used the scope to scan her and nothing showed up. Tee sighed because he hated what he was about to do. He said where she could hear, “Mer, turn your back to me.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked with fear in her voice.

“I’m going to hit you with a paralyzing dart.”

“WHY?”

“There are others moving this way and I can’t deal with them and leave you conscious. Turn around!” Mer turned around and Tee shot her in the back. She instantly collapsed, as Tee rushed forward, picked her up, and slid her in the pipe he had hidden in earlier. She was filthy from the accumulated dirt in the pipe but that was too bad. He threw her clothes in on top of her and then looked down at the remote again. Seven assassins were moving through the pipe toward him, less than half-a-mile away. Six of them were wearing armor and the seventh was holding a scanner in front of him as he led the others through the pipe.

Tee pressed buttons on the remote and activated a camera behind the seven approaching assassins, there were four more following about a hundred yards behind them. Well, that should be all of them, Tee thought. He enlarged the image on the remote and exhaled softly, the other three assassins that had been to his lair were in the group. The group called themselves the Downtown Eleven, and they had been working together for some time to handle their contracts. They were lower-ranked assassins and lacked the skills to be successful on their own, but as a group, they were formidable. However, the pipes erased most of their advantage in numbers.

Tee turned up his audio plugs and heard one of them ask, “Do you see the woman?”

“No! She must have heard us and ran ahead.”

“Listen for a dart! How did she know about this place?”

“She and Tee had a thing years ago. He brought her here then.” Tee shook his head and knew with certainty that Jam was with them; Mer had brought him the night she came and told him goodbye to assist her in carrying her belongings out.

Tee stood up and rushed down to the intersection of the pipe the seven assassins were moving through and went to the floor. He raised the rifle, activated the scope, and watched the pipe closely. He pulled the rifle into his shoulder and held it still; any movement would be picked up by the scanner being used by the lead assassin.

“Are you sure you know where you’re going, Jam?”

“YES!”

“And there’s enough food for us to survive until the aliens leave?”

“WILL YOU SHUT-UP! I NEED TO HEAR MY SCANNER!”

Tee kept the rifle trained down the pipe and then he saw them enter sixty yards away. The seven assassins entered the pipe in single file with their weapons raised and then fanned out as much as the pipe would allow. Tee gently pushed the selector on the receiver from semi to auto and remained motionless. He had already changed the magazine to killing darts after shooting Mer. He waited until they were twenty yards away and pulled the trigger and sweeping it across the seven-assassins, hitting all seven multiple times. The assassins dropped like a bad transmission and Tee yelled out, “WE GOT HIM!! HE’S DOWN!!” Tee raised the rifle and sighted on the end of the pipe. The remaining four assassins came running around the end of the pipe stopping as they saw the seven lying in the pipe. Tee dropped them with four-well-placed darts. He remained in place keeping the rifle trained down the pipe. An hour later, he used the scope to sight in on each of them and shot them again. One of the bodies jumped slightly and he knew the assassin was still alive when the dart hit. He waited and increased the scope’s magnification. He looked at each of them in detail and saw they were all dead. He walked down the pipe and shot them again. Then he started the hard work of pulling them to the pipe he has disposed of Cha’s body and dropped them in behind him. He heard Mer moaning in the pipe, but he ignored her until he completed the grisly work. After the eleven were disposed of, he went to the pipe Mer was in and said, “Give me your arm.” Mer extended her arm and Tee pulled her slowly out of the pipe. She cried out several times as the pipe’s corrugated surface abraded her skin. She fell out of the pipe into his arms and he helped her to her feet, as she leaned against the side wall, “Are you able to walk?” he asked.

“Not yet.” Tee reached back into the pipe and pulled her clothes out. She looked at them and shook her head; they were covered in mud and silt. Tee held her up and put his arm under her shoulder. He selected the cleanest piece of clothing, put it on the floor, and lowered her down to it. She sat there with her back against the pipe and rubbed her head. He sat down next to her and offered his water container to her. She took a few sips and fell against his shoulder. He had a poisoned blade in his left hand and watched for her to try something…but she didn’t. He sighed and waited for her to recover. His remote remained silent with no other intrusions detected.

• • •

An hour later, Mer struggled to her feet and raised her eyes to him standing beside her, “I think I can walk.” Tee took her arm and assisted her as she began stumbling up the pipe. Mer’s energy grew with each step and soon she was able to walk without assistance. She held the piece of clothing she sat on over her chest and asked, “You said there were other assassins coming.”

“Jam led the Downtown Eleven here.”

“What happened, Tee?” Tee was silent, and Mer lowered her eyes, “They were stupid to come here.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I told Jam that if he ever came back, he wouldn’t walk out. He apparently didn’t believe me.”

“Why weren’t you with him?”

“Leaving you for him was the worst decision I ever made; we didn’t last a month.”

“Why did you leave me, Mer?”

“Living in this dark underworld of your pipes was more than I could take, Tee. I missed daylight and open air and thought I was more than I was. Now it’s the darkness that I hope will allow me to live another day. It’s so brutal what’s happening out there, Tee.”

Tee removed his headcover and exhaled a long breath before saying, “Mer, part of me is screaming to kill you now. How can I trust you after what you’ve done?”

“You can’t. I understand your feelings and my word or promises means nothing now. If you want, you can have all my payment if you’ll just let me stay with you until this is over.”

“I have a better idea, Mer.”

“What is that?”

“You keep everything you’re owed and promise you’ll not betray me.”

“I give you my solemn promise that I will defend you to the best of my ability and will never betray you again. You know I’ve never lied to you even though I could have when I left.”

Tee kept his eyes on her face and then turned to lead her down the pipe toward home. He assisted her up the ladder and led her to the shower, when they entered his quarters. She started her shower and Tee took her a large tee-shirt to wear when she finished. He took off his black suit and put all his weapons under lock. He knew that trust is earned not given.

Mer came out of the shower and Tee motioned to a chair he had pulled up from the kitchen table next to his. He went to a knee in front of her and started spraying the abrasions on her arms and legs with an antibiotic spray. “Raise your shirt and let me sterilize the others.” Mer leaned forward and pulled the shirt up off her shoulders. He sprayed five cuts and abrasions on her back and she leaned back. He sprayed her chest and she lowered the shirt.” Thank you.”

“We’ll need to do this again tomorrow.” Mer nodded as Tee put a soft sheet on his recliner and lifted her to her feet, “Use my chair until some of these cuts heal.” Mer stumbled to his chair and sat down cautiously with Tee’s assistance. He turned on the monitor and Mer was surprised at the images coming from around the planet. Tee motioned toward it, “I didn’t have this when you were here. It’s not so dark anymore.”

Mer’s eyes softened and looked toward the single bed in the corner of the room, “Do you mind if we share that, Tee?”

“Don’t really have a choice, Mer. We’ll find a way to come to terms with this.” Mer’s eyes lowered before she nodded and turned back to the monitor. The newscaster was reporting thousands of dead bodies being found all over the planet. It looked like the final payout was increasing by the minute. Later, Tee carried Mer to the bed and went back to his recliner to sleep. Some things aren’t easily forgotten.

Chapter Nine

The Alien Fleet Commander sat in his large chair listening to the reports coming up from the planet and turned to the Alien Liaison, “It’s happening just like you predicted. Those assassins are attacking each other and tens of thousands of them have been killed. It almost makes me want to call off the proposal. If this killing continues, I believe we could do this without the agreement.”

“You can’t call it off?” The AL replied.

“Oh, why not?” he replied smugly.

“The Prince Royal had to run the proposal by the Central Governors and they approved it, with the stipulation that if it failed, the fleet was required to leave.”

“I didn’t know that. That sheds a new light on what’s happening.”

The AL looked up from his panel, “We’d have been forced to leave any way if things had remained the same, so the outcome is pretty much identical. However, at least this way, we’ll make a profit when we get out of here.”

“But not being able to come back and take more metals is troublesome.”

“I suspect if anyone ever comes back they’ll be greeted with warships that will make the price much heavier.”

The Commander looked at the wall monitor and said quietly, I suspect you’re right about that.”

• • •

The ShaKa was flying at maximum-speed toward the Large Magellanic Cloud and Tal glanced at Jan, “Do you have a current star map of the LMC?”

“I have most of them plotted in my system; we won’t get lost,” Jan answered.

“Jan, I need you to find an alien warship to attack. Are you able to do that?”

“When we get close, I’ll be able to track in on their communications using our phase scanner.”

“How close?”

“I’m not sure, Tal. Just fly into the galaxy and I’ll keep my scanner set to maximum-range.”

Tal acknowledged her plan and turned to Jee, “You should activate the ShaKa’s weapons when we move into the galaxy.”

“They’re ready now, Sir. We won’t be taken by surprise, I can promise you that.”

Tal smiled at the youthful enthusiasm being displayed by his crew and knew that surprises could never be completely avoided. He looked at his panel with a big smile and announced, “By the way, both of you have been inducted into the Navy and are now Captains in Earth’s fleet.”

Jan’s eyes narrowed, “Why did they make us Captains?”

“The consensus is that you will be given your own ships to command before all of this is over; it saves on the paperwork.”

“I don’t want my own ship, Tal! I prefer to remain with you,” Jan protested.

“Jan, that’s not an issue to worry about now.”

“What about you, Tal?”

Tal turned toward Jee, “What about me?”

“You’re not in the Navy, you’re a General in the army.”

Tal raised his shoulders, “That appears to be no longer the case. Just before we shoved off, Duncan transferred me to the Navy and I’m now the Fleet Admiral Commanding the Epy Class of Warships. It was a small promotion and they didn’t ask my permission to make the change.”

“How do you feel about that?” Jan asked.

Tal released a very long sigh, before answering, “Initially, I didn’t like it.”

“Why not?” Jee asked.

“I was a General and Sha was the Colonel serving under me when we took the Epy out. This new rank is a change and I guess I wanted to keep things the same as when she was with me.” The twins were silent, and Tal finally added, “But Sha is gone, and I have to learn how to live without her. I guess this is a step in that direction and suspect that is why Duncan made the change; he’s concerned about me.”

The twins stared at Tal and he glanced at each of them before saying, “I know you’re worried that my urge to revenge Sha’s death might get us into trouble. But I’ve promised your mother that I wouldn’t take unnecessary risks, and I intend to keep my word. I will also make sure neither of you allow your anger at your father’s death to nudge me into making a bad decision.”

Jan lifted her left shoulder and tilted her head toward it, “That’s why I don’t want my own ship.”

“You won’t place your crew in unnecessary danger if that were the case. The three-of-us are more prone to doing something stupid together than being alone,” Tal replied.

• • •

The LMC was growing larger by the moment, when Tal slowed the ship down. “Why are we slowing down, Tal?”

“Jee, I always ask myself what could possibly go wrong before I go rushing into a dangerous situation. Now, both of you think about it and tell me what could possibly go wrong by rushing into the galaxy?”

They were both silent for a few moments and Jan was first to speak, “It’s possible the Aliens may have some of their warships out from the LMC scanning for any vessels moving toward it?”

“Very good, Jan. Where would those ships be located if that were the case?”

“They would put some between the Milky Way and more in line with the Andromeda Galaxy.”

“Why would they do that, Jee?”

“Because they aren’t certain the Epy came from the LMC, Tal.”

“And if they detect us moving toward the LMC from the Milky Way…”

“They’ll leave the LMC and head toward the Colonies and Earth,” Jan finished her brother’s statement

“Good answer…good answer!” Tal said smiling.

“So, what do we do about this possibility, Tal?”

“Jan, we’re going to see just how good your scanners really are. Start looking for any alien communications from those two positions and let me know if you detect anything. I know this ship won’t be seen on their scanners, hell, even ours can’t see it until it’s right on top of the ship scanning for it.” Jan turned to her console and began pushing switches and buttons. “What are you doing, Jan?” Tal asked.

“I’m ignoring communications; if there are ships looking for vessels approaching the LMC on those two lines, they may have been ordered to communication silence. However, I can detect any scanner energy they’re using and the detection range on that is a lot further than communications.”

“There might not be any ships outside the LMC,” Tal commented. “I’m just being my normal paranoid self.”

Jan smiled, “I’m detecting scanner beams in the places we anticipated.” Jan turned to him, “They’re there.”

Tal eyebrows went up and he pulled back on the steering wheel. The ShaKa picked up speed as Tal flew the ship high over the LMC. He went to full speed and set a new course. They arrived on the other side of the LMC, three days later. Jee and Jan shared flying the ShaKa and Jee asked Jan on the second day, “What is he doing?”

Jan smiled, “Tal is a genius, Jee. He’s moving around the LMC and is going to enter it on a direct line from the Pinwheel Galaxy. The colonies have determined that the aliens came from that galaxy and what do you think they’ll think if we’re detected moving in from that direction?”

“They’ll wonder if the alien civilization scouting them is in their galaxy,” Jee responded.

“That should cause them some consternation.”

Jee’s expression showed his disagreement, “I don’t know about that, Jan.”

“Don’t know about what?” Tal asked as he stepped on the bridge and went to the pilot’s chair.

“Jan says you’re going to enter the LMC on a direct line from the Pinwheel Galaxy. I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Tal.”

Tal sat on his chair, before asking, “Why not, Jeremy?” Jee flinched slightly and Tal chuckled, “We should start using your Earth names, after all, you’re now citizens of Earth.”

Jeremy smiled, “You’re right. Anyway, I think any attempt to make the aliens think the civilization scouting them is in their home galaxy is a mistake.”

Tal nodded, “So do I. Tell me why.” Jan flinched, and Tal held up his hand for her to be silent.

“I believe the Aliens know their home galaxy as well as we know the Milky Way. They will immediately know where the imaginary civilization isn’t located and will only have to search a limited region to find them. They’ve sent most of their fleets to the LMC and if they change the search to their galaxy, they may decide to send some of those fleets out to attack the colonies.”

Tal clapped, “Very good, Jeremy. You’re absolutely right.”

“Then why are you entering the LMC on a line from their home galaxy?” Jan asked with a bit of confusion.

Tal turned to her, “Jan, I want you to take a moment and see if you can figure out why I’m doing that. Look at it through the eyes of a scanner officer.” Jan’s eyes took a far-off stare, and, after a few minutes, Tal added, “Come on, Jan! You can do this! Look at it from the alien’s perspective.” Jan’s brow furrowed and then her eyes came up to Tal. “Do you see it?” Tal asked.

“I do.”

“I don’t see it!” Jeremy interjected.

“That’s because you’re not looking at it through the eyes of someone proficient with scanners. Jan, tell him,” Tal ordered.

Jan began explaining, “The only ship from this imaginary civilization scouting the aliens was seen above the Milky Way scouting the alien ship they had in orbit around Neptune. If the imaginary civilization was really scouting them, they would have to have ships in their home galaxy scouting them as well. If they detect our ship moving from the direction of their home galaxy, they’ll have to believe that a scout is returning to their home planet.”

“BRAVO!!” Tal shouted. “Even if they saw ten or more ships moving toward the LMC, they’d be forced to believe they were returning home.”

“Why?”

“Jeremy, if their civilization was in the Pinwheel Galaxy, why would any ships be moving toward the LMC? By having a ship apparently returning to the LMC, it will confirm the civilization scouting them is located there.”

Jan added, “There’s another reason you’re doing this, Tal.”

Tal turned to Jan with a smile, “Now you’ve surprised me. I didn’t expect you to figure that out.”

“A proficient scanning operator would see it, Tal. If the aliens detect us moving toward the LMC, they’ll believe that we are moving on a direct line toward the imaginary civilization’s home worlds. They’ll move their ships and start searching on that line.”

Tal shook his head in admiration, “You are exactly right, Jan. Now I’m going to have to depend on you to insure the aliens detect our approach to the LMC. Can you do it?”

Jan looked at her panel and then turned to Jeremy, “How large can you expand the force field around the ShaKa?”

Jeremy shrugged, “It can be expanded about seventy miles, but it wouldn’t stop a humming bird from getting through it.”

“I’m not concerned about that, Jee. I just want something that can be detected from long range. I’ll go to full power on my Phase Scanners and have them sweeping across the front of our course toward the LMC.” Tal paused and then continued, “The alien ships holding station between the LMC and the Milky Way would have to detect the scans, especially if they’re at maximum-power.”

Jeremy turned to Tal, “You know if we’re detected, it will bring a crowd in on us.”

“That shouldn’t pose a problem,” Tal replied.”

“Why not?”

“Jeremy, once we detect the alien’s warships moving toward us, you will shut down the force field and Jan will stop the scans. We’ll allow them to see us accelerate on the line we were taking into the LMC and then we’ll go vertical once all our systems are shutdown. We’ll wait above the LMC for them to gather their ships to follow that line we were taking.”

Jan laughed out loud. What do you find amusing?” Jeremy asked.

“If they gather all their ships, it will make it simple to find targets to attack. Tal, you are a genius!”

Tal stood up and took a bow, “Both of you figured out what was going on. However, this plan does seem the best way to lock their fleets down in the LMC for the long haul and will remove any suspicion that the Epy came from the Milky Way.”

“When are you going to do this, Tal?”

Tal sat back down and leaned back in his chair to consider the question, “We’re going to wait until the other two Epy Warships are ready to take part in the attacks. Greg is going through maneuvers, as we speak, and the other ship will join him in four days. I suspect we’ll do this in five days to get the alien fleets to start forming up just prior to their joining us. For the moment, we’re going to continue moving toward the Pinwheel to put some distance between us and the LMC. After four days, we’ll turn around and start our run back toward the LMC.”

Jeremy smiled, “Sounds like a plan, Sir. A good plan!”

Tal nodded and continued flying the ShaKa away from the Large Magellanic Cloud. Tal turned to Jan and ordered, “Connect me with Captain Ward.” A moment later, Greg appeared on the main monitor, “How’s it going, Greg?”

“This is some ship, Tal! It’s probably more dangerous than any warship I’ve ever seen.”

“The Epy-Class Warship is pretty amazing. When will the third crew arrive.”

Greg’s expression immediately changed, and Tal knew something was up. “There’s been a change in the crew flying it, Tal.”

“What’s going on?”

“The original crew has been replaced by a crew that immigrated from the colonies.”

“WHY?!”

“The order came from the Chancellor telling Duncan to do it. It’s a political decision, Tal.”

“There’s no room for politics out here!”

“Duncan and I agree with that, however, the Colonies have practically rebelled against the Council because of sending their best citizens to Earth. The consensus in the colonies is that they were sent to aide an enemy. The President of the Council has assured everyone in the colonies that the ones sent to Earth went there to fight against the Aliens attacking the Colonies and develop weapons to defeat them. The only way to make his statements true was to put some military officers from the colonies in the third ship. Now he can show that the Colonies Military is fighting with Earth to save the colonies.” Tal glared at Greg and he continued, “There’s more, Tal.”

“Do tell. I hope it’s better news than this!”

“The President was forced to announce that if the war is won against the aliens that the best and brightest that were sent to Earth would be coming back to the colonies.”

Tal shrugged, “That’s not so bad.”

“Tal! Those scientists will learn our technology!”

“Let them! The stronger the colonies are, the better it is for humanity. The ill will between the colonies and Earth will end with this war. Getting the extended-life-colonists off Earth will insure Earth doesn’t fall into the overpopulation trap the colonies found themselves in. Besides, I suspect that the colonists that came to Earth will have something to say about being forced to leave. If they fall in love with Earth like I did, I suspect most will choose to remain on Earth. But that’s an issue for another time. What can you tell me about the crew on the third Epy?”

The Captain was a hotshot in the Colony Navy. She commanded a fleet and was promoted to the Military’s Headquarters for the last few years.”

“I imagine she doesn’t like taking a demotion to Captain.”

“I’ve only had a brief time with her and you’re right about that,” Greg confirmed. “She’s haughty and really doesn’t like she’s junior to you and me. Duncan had to rush them through training and told me to get you to bring them up to speed on what’s happening in the LMC.”

“We’re gathering all the hens into one henhouse to make it easier to attack them. Work with her and let me know when she’s ready.”

“She’s almost ready now, Tal. She may be arrogant, but she is an outstanding pilot. We’ll be moving your way in a few more days.”

“Make sure you go far over the top of the LMC and meet me on the side closest to the Pinwheel Galaxy.”

“Will do. See you shortly.”

• • •

Tal turned to the twins, “We’re headed back to the LMC. Get the scanners operating and Jeremy, expand the force field.” The twins turned to their consoles and Tal turned the steering wheel. The ShaKa reversed course and went to three-quarters speed. The LMC began growing larger in the front viewport.

Two days later, Tal reduced the ShaKa’s speed to half-speed. He glanced at Jan and she shook her head. The aliens should be detecting them by now. He asked himself numerous times ‘what could go wrong’ but didn’t come up with anything. An hour later, Jan shouted, “BINGO!” Tal held the ShaKa on course, as Jan announced, “I have twenty large phase fields moving toward us at high-speed from the portside.” Jan paused and added, “I now have fourteen more phase-fields moving toward us from below the first group.”

Jan divided the front viewport into halves with the top half showing the LMC directly ahead of them and the lower-half was the images on her scanner display. The ShaKa appeared as a red-dot on the monitor and Tal saw multiple-large-phase-fields moving in from the left slightly below their course. “At the current closing speeds, they will arrive directly in front of us in an hour,” Jan announced.

Tal nodded and increased speed. Thirty minutes before the alien warships arrived, Tal calmly ordered, “Shut it all down.” Jeremy pulled in the force field and Jan shutdown the active scanners and went to passive reception; Tal could still see the approaching warships on the monitor. He pulled back on the steering wheel and the ShaKa went vertical. He pushed the gravity-thruster-handle fully forward and the ShaKa flew away from the approaching warships at maximum speed. “Jan stop me before we move out of passive scanning range!”

“Stop in five…four…three…two…one…NOW!”

Tal switched to the joystick controller and pulled it fully back. The ShaKa came to a stop and Tal moved the joystick to the center to prevent the ship from backing up. He whipped the ShaKa around and stared at the tactical monitor on the viewport. The alien warships came together and began spreading out searching for the small ship they were chasing. “Let’s see if the plan bears fruit,” Tal said with a smirk.

• • •

The Alien Task Force Commander was staring at his monitor just like Tal was doing on his ship. As his ships moved in on the target, it suddenly disappeared from his monitor. A scanner operator shouted, “They’ve shut down their scanners! We’ve lost them.”

“SPREAD OUT AND FIND THEM!” The Commander shouted, “We know the course they were on!”

The Operator looked up, “Commander, they probably changed course the moment they detected our ships. That ship is not appearing on any of our scans.”

“Continue searching. Hold our position here!” The pilot of the giant warship came out of the phase field and brought the ship to a stop. The Commander sat in his chair hoping for another contact…but none came. Finally, he looked to his left, “Contact the Fleet Commander and send him everything we’ve collected.” The alien nodded and began sending the data.

Chapter Ten

Tee sighted down the pipe and saw the assassin was better than most of those he dealt with. He didn’t walk into a pipe, he crawled in pushing a thin chronide plate in front of him. He crawled around the dead bodies littering the pipe and Tee shook his head, how were they finding him? Assassins were entering the pipes on an ongoing basis and he had no idea where they were coming from. He changed the darts in the dual dart rifle and sighted on the center of the chronide plate the assassin was pushing in front of him. He often thought in the past that the credits he spent on his equipment was a waste of funds, but the last two weeks had proven to him that it was credits well spent. The two darts he fired at the chronide plate cost ten thousand credits each, but they performed their function. They blew through the plate and hit the assassin in the face. The plate fell to the pipe’s floor and Tee switched to the killing darts. He sighted in and hit the assassin again. He quickly checked his remote, jumped to his feet, and rushed up the pipe to join Mer five hundred yards further up the pipe. The assassins were now coming in from different directions. They must have found another pipe close to the surface at a different location. He saw Mer ahead of him lying prone on the floor and he quietly went to the pipe’s floor beside her. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and nodded up the pipe in front of them. Three dark forms were moving toward them, and Tee held up two fingers and nodded to his left. Mer acknowledged him with a nod and sighted in on the assassin to the right. The three assassins were forty yards in front of them when Tee fired first, followed by Mer. Both shot the assassin in the center.

“HOW ARE THEY FINDING US?!” Tee said forcefully.

“They must be tracking a communicator, Tee.”

“But I’ve removed all the communicators they brought and turned them off.”

Mer’s brow furrowed as she asked, “What about the ones you dropped down that hole the first day?”

Tee’s eyes flew wide open and then he looked up at the ceiling. “I didn’t check them.”

“That must be where the signal is coming from.”

Tee blew out a harsh breath and handed her the remote, “Keep an eye out.” Tee rushed back to his lair and opened his weapons cabinet, he pulled out a box, and took a rocket shaped round out of it. He rushed back to the pipe and arrived at the hole where he had dumped Cha and the Downtown Eleven. His audio plugs were turned up and he heard Mer whisper, “I have five assassins moving up the pipe.”

Tee rushed back to Mer and fell to the floor. He lifted his rifle and heard, “I’ve removed them, Tee.”

Tee looked ahead and saw the bodies scattered in the pipe. “You’re getting good, Mer.”

“I have a good teacher.”

“Come with me!” Tee and Mer jumped to their feet and sprinted back to the pipe leading to the lair, “Go up and wait for me.” Mer agreed as Tee lifted her to the bottom rungs of the ladder. She scampered up and Tee ran back to the pipe where he left the rocket. He turned a band on the nose of the rocket, dropped it into the pipe, and sprinted at his fastest speed back to the pipe leading to the lair. He lept to the bottom rungs and pulled himself up. Reaching under him and, he pulled a round metal cover out of a slot in the wall. It snapped into place covering the hole leading to the pipe under him. He sped up the ladder at his fastest speed, went through the cover, and slammed it down. As soon as the locking wheel was turned, they felt a vibration under their feet.

“What did you do?” Mer asked.

“I dropped a heat rocket into the hole. If there were any communicators in that hole, they’re gone. I suspect anyone in the pipes within four miles of the round will be burned to a crisp. All the dead bodies in the pipes near us should also be burned to ashes.”

“What are we going to do, Tee.”

“Stay out of the pipes, Mer. I’ve put a cover over the entry to the pipe below us and it’s now invisible to anyone passing under it. We’ll let any assassins that go in the pipes, fight it out among themselves. Are you all right with that?”

Mer nodded and fell into her chair, “I am!”

“I’ll use the cameras to see if anything sinister shows up. However, you and I are out of this fight.”

“I’m going to take a bath.” Tee gave her an ok, turned, and began checking the cameras in the pipes. The dead bodies were burned to ashes, like he suspected they would be, and mingled with the silt. He sat back and started searching for where the assassins were entering the pipes.

Mer came out of the shower wearing one of his tee-shirts. It hung down to her knees and Tee saw she had lost weight. “Are you all right, Mer?”

“I’m fatigued from the constant attacks, Tee. I’m very thankful you took the time to teach me how to fire your rifles, so I could help.”

Tee waved a hand, “You have a natural talent for shooting, Mer.”

“But I’ve never been this good!”

“That’s because you weren’t using good equipment. The right weapon makes all the difference.”

“Tee, I’ve been wondering. What is your rank in Australia’s Guild?”

“Not that high, Mer. I was in the lower-third.”

“How is that possible?! With your skill and talent…”

Tee interrupted, “Remember, the highest paying contracts go to the highest-ranking assassins. I’ve managed to slip under the Guild Master’s radar. I’ve made enough to buy my equipment and be comfortable.”

“I’m in the bottom hundred,” Mer replied.

“Well, if this war ends, you won’t stay there.”

“I think I’d be perfectly happy providing you a home to live and be comfortable in, Tee.” Mer paused, “If you’re willing to accept me?”

Tee smiled, “You’ve proven yourself to me, Mer. You’ve saved my life several times in the pipes and I trust you. If you’re sure you want to spend your life with me, I’m certainly open to it.” Mer rushed to him and held him tightly. Tee sensed that all the killing had taken a toll on her soul. Truth-be-told, he felt the same, but getting out of the guild was far more difficult than getting in. He’d worry about that later. Right now, she was in his arms and he turned off his computer.

• • •

“Tal, I’m detecting two small ships moving on a course over the LMC.”

“Thanks, Jan. Contact them and get them on the monitor.” The front monitor split and Greg appeared on the top screen and a woman appear on the lower-screen. “It’s good to have you here,” Tal said to them.

Greg nodded, “Admiral, this is Captain Rachael Meadows and she is in command of the third Epy, Americas.”

Tal looked at the woman with raised eyebrows, “Is that your name?”

The woman forced a smile, “I’m using my Earth Name while here, Admiral.”

“Tell me about yourself, Captain.”

Rachael’s eyes closed slightly before saying, “I was the Commander of the Colony’s Fifth Fleet and was the XO of the Fleet Commander.”

“How do you feel about your current assignment?” Tal asked.

“Permission to be honest, Sir.”

Tal waved his hand, “I’d prefer you be honest all the time without asking for permission, Captain.”

“I believe that I should be in command here. I certainly have more experience than anyone present.”

“How many battles have you fought in, Captain?”

The woman’s expression turned hesitant before answering, “The colonies have not had a war, Admiral. You knew the answer to that question before you asked it.”

“I did, Captain. Where are the major weapons located on the alien’s largest warship?” The woman was silent. “What’s their maximum speed?” She remained silent. “What’s their turning radius?” Rachael stared at him and Tal said, “It appears you are not the most experienced one here and your ego can get you killed. You were not involved in the development of the weapons on your ship and have no practical knowledge of their capabilities. Quite frankly, I see you as a liability and hope you can survive this mission.”

“What are your credentials, Sir,” she asked defensively.

“I was in the first Epy Class ship that went out to scout the aliens and was present watching them invade Australia. I’ve flown this new ship hundreds of hours and know its strengths and weaknesses. I was also ranked number-two in the Assassins Guild.”

Rachael’s expression gave away her fear. This Admiral was not someone to be trifled with, “Perhaps I was out-of-line, Sir.”

“You were, Captain. Most colonists look down on Earth believing they aren’t as advanced or as cosmopolitan as the colonies. I learned quickly that most of the people in the colonies are full of crap and full of themselves. Just so we understand each other, you will follow my orders without question. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Introduce your crew, please.”

Racheal looked to her left and the view on the monitor changed showing a young man, “This is Dan Higginson; he was the officer over my team of scanners on the warship I commanded.” She turned to her right and smiled, “This is Dorman Smythe, he was my weapons officer and is also my fiancé.”

Tal heard Jan take in a sharp breath and he glanced at her. Her expression showed rage and pure hatred. He glanced at Jeremy and saw his expression mirrored Jan’s. He turned back to Rachael and was thankful that he was the only one on the monitor, “When do you plan to have the wedding?”

“We’ve agreed to wait until this war is over.”

“Have you been waiting long, Captain?”

“Why are asking, Sir?”

“If you’ve just come together, I’ve found new couples can be distracting to each other.”

“That’s not an issue, Sir. We’ve been together three years. Like I said earlier, he was my weapons officer.”

“Good.” Tal looked at Greg, “Please look at the file I sent you earlier and go over the information we’ve collected on the alien’s major warship with Captain Meadows. Once you complete that assignment, contact me.”

Greg nodded and wondered what was going on, “Yes, Sir.”

Tal ended the contact and turned to Jan, “WHAT IN NINE HELLS IS GOING ON!?”

Jan’s face was a mask of rage, “THAT’S THE SOB I LEFT BEHIND TO ESCAPE!!”

Jeremy added in an angry voice, “HE’S EVEN WORSE THAN I THOUGHT!!”

Tal turned back to Jan, as she sneered, “He was cheating on me the entire time!!”

Tal said forcefully, “Both of you be quiet and answer my questions. Jan do you believe that Captain Meadows knows about you and this Smythe fellow having an affair?”

“AFFAIR!!! I DIDN’T HAVE AN AFFAIR!!”

“Jan, he’s engaged to Captain Meadows, of course you had an affair with him.”

“I don’t like her either! The big hussy!!”

“Jan, answer my question!”

Jan glared at him and said through clinched teeth, “No! She probably didn’t know about it!”

“So, does she share any blame for what happened between you and Smythe?”

Jan continued to glare at Tal and then said in a quieter voice, “No, I suppose she doesn’t.”

“So, you are projecting your feelings about him to her and that’s not right; can you see that?”

“But she’s an egotistical witch!”

“There you go, doing it again. I agree that the Captain is somewhat full of herself, but I’ve seen bigger egos. Can you divorce your feelings for Mr. Smythe from Captain Meadows?” Jan glared at him and then nodded slightly. Jan, this is important!”

“I’ll do it!” Jan said angrily.

Tal turned to Jeremy, as he started to speak, and raised his hand, “This conversation is between Jan and me. Hold your comments until I finish!” Jeremy sat back in his chair in silence, but his expression betrayed his thoughts. Tal turned back to Jan, “Tell me why you hate him?”

“HE’S A CHEATER, A LIAR, AND MANIPULATOR!!”

Tal agreed, “All very bad character flaws. However, didn’t you tell me you wanted to leave him but couldn’t bring yourself to do it?” Jan was looking off to the side. “Does finding this out really surprise you, Jan? You felt you needed to leave him but didn’t do it.”

Jan’s jaws were tight, and she sighed, before answering, “No, I guess not. I felt there was something bad about him that I couldn’t put my finger on.”

“Jan, you are at, what I call a crux, and the path you choose to take now will affect you for the rest of your life. You will choose one of two paths and you must choose the right one.”

“What are you talking about, Tal?”

“Knowing what you now know, would you have any difficulty walking away from Mr. Smythe?”

“NO!” Jan insisted.

“Don’t answer too quickly, Jan. I know many people that were betrayed by another person and they rationalize their way into taking them back. Are you certain you could put him behind you?” Jan stared at Tal in angry silence. Tal continued, “I suspect you’d like to see if you could take him away from that Captain and make them both pay for his sins.”

Jan took a quick breath, “The thought has just crossed my mind.”

“People always want what they can’t have,” Tal replied. “However, the question you have to ask yourself is do you really want him with his flaws? You knew before coming to Earth that you needed to leave him. Have those feelings changed?” Jan shook her head furiously. “You should be looking at this as a present.”

“What?”

“Jan, you need only remember what you were feeling and now know you were justified in those feelings. What happened today proves that you are not easily fooled and that you should listen to your feelings in the future. However, intense emotions change us. Great love makes us better. Hatred makes us worse. Hatred consumes us and colors how we see the world around us. Your hatred for him will cause you to look at every man interested in you in the future with suspicion and wonder if he’s like Mr. Smythe. You’ll look for it and will find it, even if it’s not there. Admit it; there have been a few men on Earth that have shown you interest and you turned them away because of what you’ve been through.”

Jan lowered her eyes and nodded, “Yes, you’re right.”

“Have you ever been bitten by a dog?”

Jan’s eyes flew open, “No! What does that have to do with this?”

“I’ve been bitten numerous times while trying to get close to a target. I’ve always tried to not harm the dog that bit me. Do you know why?” Jan shook her head. “It was only doing what its nature demanded. I didn’t start hating all dogs because of the ones that bit me. The biters are nothing like those that are loving and gentle. I just learned to recognize the behaviors the biters exhibited and avoided them. Mr. Smythe is a biter. He doesn’t deserve your hatred and wasting your emotions on him is folly. It won’t change him, and it will only make your life less than what it could be. If you give him your hatred, he is still a part of you. He doesn’t deserve your attention, feelings, or anything else. He only deserves to be ignored and cast aside from your attention. Giving him your hatred only hurts you.”

Jan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, “It’s just so hard to control my emotions, Tal.”

“No, it isn’t, Jan.” She looked into Tal’s eyes, “All you have to do is make a decision to feel nothing for him. Every time you start to feel your emotions well up, repeat your decision to yourself.” Tal had a twinkle in his eyes as he finished, “I suspect your disdain will run him crazy. Showing him emotions will confirm to him that you had feelings for him. He doesn’t deserve to know that.”

Jeremy leaned forward and said, “He’s right, Jan.”

Tal turned to him, “The same is true for you.” Jeremy blew out a breath and nodded.

Tal sat back in his chair and was silent. Jan finally asked, “What are you thinking, Tal?’ Tal looked at each of them and then shook his head. Jan said softly, “Tal?”

Tal was staring straight ahead as he said, “Everything I just said to you is true. But I’m not following my own advice.” Jeremy and Jan were silent, and Tal continued, “The three-of-us are out here to punish the aliens for killing someone we loved very much.” Jan nodded slightly. “But the aliens that killed Ste and Sha were killed in the attack. I can’t kill the aliens that killed them, they’re already dead. But I’m blaming every alien for Sha’s death and none of them were involved in killing her. That’s like trying to kill every dog because of the ones that bit me. The aliens on their warships are no different from me. They have families back home and are following the orders of the ones leading them. The aliens that killed Sha and Ste didn’t even fire their weapons at them. Ste crashed into their ship to prevent them from getting our technology. But now I find myself out here determined to make every one of them pay for what happened. I’ve allowed my hatred of them to consume me.”

“But they deserve it, Tal!”

Tal locked eyes with Jeremy, “And when the war ends, will my hatred for them go away?” Jeremy saw the pain in Tal’s eyes and shook his head, as Tal added, “No, it won’t. My hatred for them will fill the rest of my life and make me bitter and mean. I have to let my hatred go.” Tal looked at them, “And so do you.”

Jan’s eyes were moist as she agreed, “If you can do that, then letting go of my feelings for that scumbag will be much easier.”

Tal nodded slightly, “We have to do it. We are not out here to wantonly kill; we’re out here to keep them away from Earth and the colonies. If circumstances force us to kill them, then so be it. But just like when I tried not to kill the dogs that bit me, the aliens deserve the same consideration.”

Jan sighed, “I guess after putting everything in perspective, especially your thoughts on the aliens, I don’t have any more anger toward Smythe. I don’t need to try and harm him, he’ll do that on his own.”

Tal smiled slightly, “Very well said, Jan. I need to introduce you to Captain Meadow’s crew; are you ready?” Jeremy and Jan looked at each other and agreed they were.

Chapter Eleven

Captains Meadows and Ward appeared on the ShaKa’s monitor and Tal greeted the crew of the Americas again, “I’ve neglected to introduce my crew to you and your crew, Captain Meadows.” Tal smiled before saying, “Captain Ward’s crew met them before we left Earth. Tal expanded the view and tilted his head to his right, “My Scanning Officer is Captain Jan Stevens-Albritton.” He then nodded to his left, “My weapons officer is Captain Jeremy Stevens-Albritton. They are brother and sister and were brought to Earth by their father when the aliens attacked Australia.”

Jan kept her expression neutral and saw Dorman’s stunned expression. Jan looked at Captain Meadows and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain”

Jeremy added, “Likewise, Sir.”

Rachael missed Dorman’s shock by staring at the monitor, “Admiral, did I hear you right that they are both Captains?”

“You did. Captain Ward outranks them because he’s senior. However, you are senior to both of them by a few hours.”

Rachael fought to keep a neutral expression before she smiled and responded, “It’s pleasure to meet you as well.” Dorman had nowhere to run. How did Jan get on that ship? Rachael’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I believe I met someone in the main lab with the last name Albritton.”

Jan nodded, “My mother is the lead technology scientist in the lab.”

Rachael nodded, and Tal added, “Before she came to Earth, she was the Number One ranked assassin in the Guild.” Dorman felt a chill run down his spine. If Jan told her mother about them…he was a dead man. He glanced at Jan and saw she had a cool demeanor and no expression he could read. Even her brother wasn’t giving anything away. If Jan told Rachael about them, she wouldn’t need to tell her mother, Rachael would kill him. He couldn’t stop the flood of scenarios from running through his head. In all of them he ended up dead.

“Why did the guild’s top-ranked assassins go to fight for Earth?” Rachael asked.

“We didn’t!” Tal answered. Rachael’s expression showed she didn’t buy it. “We went to Earth to fight for humanity. We’re not fighting for Earth or the Colonies. We’re fighting to insure our species survives.” Tal paused before continuing, “Captain, you’ve seen the technology being developed on Earth, who is better prepared to take on the Aliens, Earth or the Colonies?”

“Obviously Earth’s warships are more advanced,” Rachael answered.

“But the colonies were trying to penetrate Earth’s labs looking for a reason to go to war. They were unaware of the aliens and really believed their warships were superior to Earth’s. Ka and I came to Earth to insure the colonies didn’t get an agent inside the main lab and to help Earth develop advanced weapons to take on the aliens.” Tal saw Rachael’s expression remained neutral as he continued his explanation, “We both recognized that mankind’s best hope lay with Earth. If the colonies attacked Earth, they would have had their hats handed to them and that probably would have precipitated an attack by the aliens. As it turned out, the aliens grew impatient waiting for the colonies to attack Earth and launched an invasion. Who are you here fighting for, Captain?”

“I was sent here by the colonies, Sir.”

“That’s not an answer to my question, Captain.”

“I’m here to fight against the Aliens, Sir.”

Tal leaned back in his chair and put his hand under his chin, “I think I have your answer.” Tal sat up straight and said, “I’m going to order attacks on the alien warships immediately and I want you to follow my orders exactly as they’re issued. Captain Ward, you will move to the right-end of the alien line and commence your attacks upon arrival. Captain Meadows, you will go the left-end of their line and do the same. Now this is important, you will not destroy an alien ship unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Why not, Sir?” Greg interrupted.

“Both of you will remain silent until I complete your orders!” Tal said with a glare at Greg.

“Yes, Sir!” Greg answered.

“If we severely damage one of their warships, they will be forced to move ships out of their lines to go and provide aid to the crew of the damaged ship. It will slow them down and cause them to have to reorganize their advance. If you do destroy one of their warships, so be it, but damaging their ships should be your main goal in attacking them.” Tal saw Rachael’s expression and asked quickly, “Is there something wrong, Captain?”

“Sir, I understand that you lost your wife to the aliens. I would think you’d want to kill as many of them as possible.”

It was getting more difficult for Tal’s to hide his emotions, “Captain, sometimes we have to put the welfare of humanity ahead of our personal feelings. This happens to be one of those times. While we’re talking about humanity’s welfare, neither of you will allow your ships to be captured by the aliens! You will self-destruct your ship if there is no other way to prevent the aliens taking it. Is that clear!?”

Greg nodded, and Rachael shrugged. Tal stared at her and shook his head slightly, “Captain, if your ship is captured by the aliens, Captain Ward and I will make sure the ship that captures your ship is one of those that is completely destroyed. They can’t outrun us, and we’ll detect your ship.” Rachael’s expression showed her shock at Tal’s statement. “Frankly, I think you’re out here playing at war and if you give me a good reason, I’ll ship you back to Earth faster than your ship can fly! You got that!”

“Yes, Sir!” Rachael instantly responded fearing she had made a mistake with this Admiral.

Tal glared at her and ordered, “Move to your area of responsibility and start your attacks!”

The monitor went dark and Jan snickered, “I thought Dorman was bad, but she takes the crown. They deserve each other!”

Jeremy shrugged, “I think this explains why he wanted to be with you, Jan.”

“WHAT?!”

“I watched him listening to her and he was embarrassed. I think he’s stuck in the relationship with her and can’t get out.”

“Jee! How can you defend him?!”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t see him roll his eyes and shake his head.” Jan shrugged. Jeremy continued, “He’s still a creep in my opinion but I can understand why he wanted to be around someone like you instead of that ditz.”

Jan turned to Tal, “Are you listening to this?”

“Jeremy is probably right, Jan! She’s kept him close to her and if he tries to back out, she’ll ruin his career in the Colony Military. He still deserves it, but I don’t see how anyone can stand to be around that self-serving, pompous, egotistical, arrogant…”

“I think we understand, Tal,” Jan interrupted.

“She’s probably going to get herself and her crew killed out here and that will be a waste of a fine warship!” Tal added trying to regain control of his temper.

“Why don’t you just ship her back?”

Tal fell back in his chair and started shaking his head, “I’ll be accused of being jealous of her. Everyone will look at her credentials and agree that I don’t want anyone here that would be a challenge to my authority. I’m going to be forced to wait for her to mess up by the numbers before I can save her from herself.” Tal snorted, “I don’t believe it will take long.” He turned to Jan, “Do you have a target for us?”

Jan smiled brightly, “I do! I’m sending it to your panel now.” Tal looked at his display and noticed a white blip appear. He pushed down on the steering wheel and the ShaKa dove toward the huge alien warship far below.

• • •

The alien fleets were spread out on a line moving into the heart of the Large Magellanic Cloud with a half-light-year separating their ships. Tal flew in behind the targeted ships and switched to the joystick controller. He turned to Jeremy, “Hit their phase field with a pulse cannon. Once it degrades, fire a salvo of pulses at the rear of the ship and target a missile on the ship’s thrusters.” Tal paused and said with a deliberate tone, “You’re going to have to do this quickly. The ships on either side of that vessel will be on us like sand on a beach in an instant.”

Jeremy put his targeting helmet on and kept his eyes on his panel. Tal roared in a hundred miles behind the giant warship and matched its speed. When the ShaKa was fifty miles from the target, Jeremy announced, “I’m firing a missile at the target, Tal. That ship will outrun any energy pulses fired at it. The missile’s phase field will allow it to get close enough to fire its pulse cannon directly into their phase field; it should drop into normal space instantly. I’ll use the pulse cannons to hit the thrusters and the ship’s rear hull. In three…two…one…fire!”

Tal pulled back on the joystick slowing the ShaKa down as the missile ejected from the forward missile tube and accelerated away inside its small phase field. It went close to the rear of the unsuspecting ship and fired three energy-pulses into the ship’ phase field. The field immediately dropped, and the missile flew in on the rear of the ship and hit the thrusters dead-center.

Tal pulled back on the joystick and slowed the ShaKa before passing the giant and Jeremy fired four energy-pulses from each of the four pulse cannons. Tal shutoff the joy stick, pulled back on the steering wheel, and pushed the gravity thruster fully forward. The rear of the giant exploded across a four-hundred-yard section of the hull, a moment before the ShaKa disappeared.

• • •

Jan kept her passive scanners focused on the stricken vessel and shook her head, “You were right, Tal. Forty alien warships rushed in on the ship we attacked in less than ten seconds. They’re now spreading out searching for the ship’s attacker.”

“I thought they would arrive even faster than that, Jan.” Tal replied.

Jan shook her head, “When that ship was knocked out of its phase field, the other ships in the line blew past it. They had to turn around and come back which took eight seconds.” Jan looked at Tal, “I suspect they’re going to change the organization of their line after this.”

“They will.” Tal replied. “But they can’t avoid having ships behind the others. We’ll find a way to hit them.”

“You were right about slowing them down,” Jeremy added. “The entire line has come to a stop to close the hole in their line and the fires in the ship we hit are spreading. They’re going to have to evacuate the crew if it continues.”

Tal whipped the ShaKa to the left and ordered, “Jan find me another target!”

Jan acknowledged the order and quickly sent another blip to Tal’s display, “They’re out of their phase fields, now, and we won’t have to attack a phase field this time.”

Tal smiled, “I’m going in fast and hit them from outside the range of their weapons. Save the missiles, Jeremy; we don’t have any to waste.” Jeremy nodded and focused on his targeting system.

• • •

Tee was continually shaking his head as he switched between the cameras. The pipes were full of assassins wearing their night vision goggles and many of them had found his cutouts to get to the surface. He was furious about their intrusion into his domain but there was little he could do about it. He finally figured out how they were finding their way in. There had been several ambushes outside the three pipes near the surface and the assassins’ communicators that died there were still operational. Fortunately, none of them knew the location of his lair, but that didn’t change his anger at their presence.

Now…it appeared many of the assassins had reached a sort of truce not to attack each other. Groups would gather at the cutouts and set up shop under them. He saw no way to remove them. One thing he did discover from the microphones located at the cutouts was that most of them were there trying to survive the carnage taking place above ground. Once they agreed to not attack each other, they settled in to wait it out. At least they agreed to not allow any others to enter the pipes. Mer rolled over on the bed with a big sigh, “Tee, there’s nothing we can do about this.”

“I know! I just hate it!” Tee leaned forward studying his computer screen. Mer sat up on the bed, “You’re thinking about something…what is it?”

“Am I that transparent?”

“No, you’re not but I can tell when that mind of yours is working at high-speed.”

Tee turned to her with a mischievous smirk on his face, “There is a way to remove them, but it will kill everyone in the pipes and block all the exits.”

“Every exit?”

Tee nodded, “Every one of them!”

“Then how will we get out?” Tee was silent, and Mer repeated, “Tee, how will we get out?”

“There is one exit that comes out in the parking garage above us. But it’s so small that taking anything with us won’t be possible; the rifles are too long to negotiate some of the turns. I put it there as an emergency escape if things got really bad. If we use it, we’ll have nowhere to go.”

“Then we’ll stay here and wait it out, right?” Mer asked. He agreed but was getting cabin fever and needed to get out and move around. But, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

• • •

Two weeks later, Tee was doing pushups when the remote scan of the cameras picked up an assassin saying, “…there are cameras…” Then the scan moved to another camera. Tee jumped up off the floor and stopped the scan. He began backing up and heard on the previous camera, “…they appear to be everywhere.”

Another voice asked, “Are you’re sure they’re operational.”

“They have a live current running to them.”

“Who do you think put them there?”

“Probably the same one that built all those sophisticated exits to the surface.”

There was a pause and then Tee heard, “If this person is still alive, we need to find him and take him out.”

“Why? He hasn’t done anything to harm us.”

“That doesn’t mean he won’t. How can we find his location?”

“If someone has a good scanner, we can follow the electrical current through the pipes.”

“We need to find someone that has a scanner.”

Tee slammed his hand on the table and Mer came running in from the bathroom, “What’s going on?”

“It appears the squatters have found one of my cameras and intend to find us by using a scanner to trace the wiring.” Mer put her hand to her throat and Tee shook his head, “Don’t worry just yet. I’m shutting down the power to the cameras and only use them randomly.”

“Will that work?”

“Mer, they better hope it does.”

• • •

The AL looked up from his monitor, “Commander, our ships in that small galaxy are under attack.”

The Commander rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in the air, “That isn’t good! These civilized planets we’ve targeted are going to have time to develop weapons against us. Are the attacks successful?”

“We’ve lost five warships so far, Commander. Four of them were severely damaged and one burned down to the substructure. It’s slowing down the search for the alien’s home worlds.”

“How much longer is it going to take for the refined metals to be ready for pickup?”

“Another month or two, at the most.”

“Have the Commanders of the other five planets under attack made a deal with them like we have?”

“No, Sir, not yet.”

“Why not?”

“They attacked weeks after we arrived and haven’t suffered the loss of their landing forces like we did,” the Al replied with a shrug.

“I suspect that it’s only a matter of time until they start losing their ground forces.”

“They’re feeling the pressure as we speak, Commander. They don’t want to lose the rights to come back to the planets they invaded.”

“I’m surprised the armistice hasn’t been broken,” the Commander muttered.

“Your offer of a trillion credits was possibly too high. However, we’ll make a huge profit and there are still more than forty planets open for invasion.”

“AL, this is the last time I want to see one of these cursed planets. The others have been preparing for an invasion and it will be a nightmare. I’ll probably retire after this invasion ends.”

“I doubt the Prince Royal will allow you to retire, Commander. You’re the only one that’s made him a profit.”

“He’ll allow me to retire or pay me more than he’d ever want to do.”

“He’ll pay you, Commander. I don’t think he’ll care how much you demand.”

The Commander thought about what the AL was saying and turned to face him, “I find it suspicious that the alien civilization scouting us just happened to show up when we launched our invasion.”

The AL smiled, “I wondered if you noticed that.”

“The Supreme Commander is convinced that it must be a different civilization because the ships being used have not been seen on any of these planets.”

“The original attack didn’t happen anywhere near the planets we’ve invaded, Commander. It happened near the planet the planets here call Earth. That planet doesn’t possess a stardrive.” The Commander kept his eyes on the AL, as he added, “The ship that destroyed one of our warships looks nothing like any vessel we’ve seen near that planet.”

“Perhaps we need to send a fleet in to take a close look.”

“Good luck making that happen,” the AL said testily. “We don’t have a fleet available to do it; all of them are in that small galaxy searching for an advanced civilization.”

“Maybe you could suggest to the Supreme Commander that he send a fleet to check it out, AL.”

“And tell him he’s making a mistake! No thanks, you can do the honors on that front.”

The Commander vigorously shook his head, “No, that might lead to my being demoted and replaced!” The Commander began to walk away and then turned back to the AL, “I’ll make a wager with you.”

“Go on.”

“I’ll wager that those ships attacking our fleets in that small galaxy came from that planet we’ve been scouting.”

“No deal!” the AL emphatically answered.

“Then if both of us believe that’s where they’re coming from, why don’t we tell someone in command?” the Commander wondered out loud.

“Because we’d just look stupid, Commander. In this instance, the messenger will probably be killed.” The Commander shrugged and walked off shaking his head.

Chapter Twelve

Tal turned to Jan, “Contact Captain Ward and Captain Meadows and get a count on the number of alien ships they’ve destroyed or damaged.” Jan nodded and immediately turned to her console. A few minutes later, she looked up at Tal with a troubled expression. Tal saw her discomfort and asked, “Did you get the totals?”

“The Blue has damaged twenty-three alien warships and destroyed three, Sir.”

“And Captain Meadows?”

“She had no kills or ships damaged, Sir.” Jan hesitantly replied.

Tal’s expression showed his initial shock and then it turned angry, “Contact Captain Meadows and tell her to move away from the alien’s line and be prepared to meet me above the LMC!”

“Yes, Sir.” Tal moved the ShaKa vertical and went to full speed. He arrived high over the LMC where he heard Jan say, “I’ve put the Americas’ location on your panel, Sir.” Tal saw the red-dot appear on his panel and turned the ShaKa toward it. He fought hard to control his temper and hoped there was some logical reason for the Americas’ failure. He seriously doubted there would be.

• • •

The ShaKa arrived at the Americas two days later and Tal roared in on the ship at full-speed. He stopped the ShaKa two hundred yards out from the Epy Ship and turned to Jan, “Open a short-range channel to Captain Meadows.” Jan pressed a button on her panel, turned back to Tal, and nodded.

Tal looked at the front monitor and saw Captain Meadows and her crew appear on it. Forcing himself to be calm, Tal leaned back in his chair, and grabbed his chin with his right hand, “Captain Meadows, it has been brought to my attention that your ship has not damaged or destroyed any alien warships. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Sir, it is,” Rachael answered.

“Would you care to tell me why?”

“I’ve been following your orders, Sir.”

Tal closed his eyes, opened them, then asked in as neutral a tone as he could muster, “Exactly which orders are you referencing, Captain?”

“You ordered that I not put my ship in danger of being captured. I’ve initiated multiple attacks but there was no way to complete them without moving inside the range of the alien’s weapons, which forced me to back off.”

Tal had his index finger over his lips, as he kept his chin on his hand. He moved the finger and ordered, “Send me the recordings of your attacks, Captain and stand by for me to get back to you.”

“Yes, Sir.” Rachael turned to Dan and nodded. Her monitor went dark and she immediately said, “Dan! Contact Captain Ward and find out how many ships he’s attacked.”

Rachael waited, until Dan turned back to her in a few moments later, “He’s damaged twenty-three alien warships and destroyed three. Joe tells me that the Admiral’s ship has damaged forty-six alien warships and destroyed eight.”

Rachael’s eye flew wide open, “How?”

“I don’t know, Sir. I suspect the Admiral is going to tell you shortly.”

Rachael sat nervously in her chair and knew she was in trouble. After thirty minutes passed, Tal appeared on her monitor, “Captain, what is the range of your pulse cannons?”

“Fifteen miles, Sir.”

“And the effective range of your missiles?”

“The manual says they shouldn’t be launched outside ten miles, Sir.”

“Pull up the manual with the pulse cannon’s stats and read to me what it says,” Tal ordered.

Rachael began scrolling down the files in her computer and pulled up the data on the pulse cannon, “I have it, Sir.”

“Read it to me.”

Rachael looked at the computer screen and read, “The maximum-effective range of the fifth-generation pulse cannon is fifteen miles.”

Tal was leaning back in his chair with his hands folded on his lap, as he stared at Rachael on his monitor. He leaned forward and commanded, “Read the summary page of the data to me, Captain.”

Rachael scrolled down and began reading, “Summary. The fifth-generation pulse cannon is the most powerful weapon carried by the Alpha Class Major Warship…” Rachael stopped reading and forced herself to look up at Tal.

“Captain, are you currently commanding an Alpha Warship?”

Rachael’s face was deep red as she answered, “No, Sir.”

Tal’s expression was dangerous as he ordered, “Captain, now look up the capabilities of the missiles on your ship!”

Sir, I…”

“FOLLOW MY ORDER, CAPTAIN!!” Tal shouted.

Rachael turned to her computer and began scrolling through files. Jan and Jeremy felt uneasy witnessing Rachael’s distress. Rachael found the file and began reading, “The Mark IX missile is incredibly powerful but can be shot down if launched too far out from a target. The minimum range it should be used is within ten miles and should not be used against a target with an active phase field.”

“Go to the summary, Captain!”

Rachael scrolled down and read, “Summary: The Alpha Class of Warship is formidable but must be used keeping the limitations in mind.”

Rachael looked up from the screen at Tal and saw him resting his head on his hand again with his index finger over his mouth. He continued to stare at Rachael and moved his finger to order, “Captain Stevens, contact Captain Ward and ask him if he delivered the manuals on the Epy Class Warship to Captain Meadows. Patch his response in on the wall-speaker.”

Tal kept his eyes trained on Rachael and a minute later, Rachael heard, “Yes, Admiral. I contacted her before we left Earth and told her that I had the manuals for her ship and I was prepared to transfer them to her.”

Tal continued to glare at Rachael as he asked, “What was her response?”

“She told me that Admiral Montana had given her the manuals and she didn’t need them.”

“Did you send them anyway, Captain?”

“Yes, Sir. I told her you ordered me to do it before leaving Earth and I was going to carry out my orders.”

“Thank you, Captain Ward.” Jan ended the contact and saw Tal still staring at Rachael. Tal moved his eyes to Dorman, “Lieutenant, what is the actual range of the pulse cannon?”

“Sir, I was told the maximum range was fifteen miles.”

“Why didn’t you look it up in the manuals to confirm that information?”

“Sir, the manuals weren’t given to me to study.” Dorman glanced at Jan on the monitor and expected to see her gloating, but she wasn’t. However, she did have a troubled, expression.

Tal turned his attention to Lt. Higginson, “I’ve noticed that you’ve been using your communications properly. Please explain how you’ve managed to do that?”

“Captain Ward sent the proper manuals through my panel, Sir. I opened them and reviewed the data on my systems, Sir.”

“Did you not see the manuals were different from the ones being used by Captain Meadows?”

“I did.”

“Is there a reason you didn’t point that out to her?”

“Captain Meadows doesn’t take being corrected well and after attempting to discuss it with her, I decided that I should keep my mouth shut.”

“Why?”

“She would have destroyed my career in the Navy, Sir. She’s done it numerous times in the past and it was clear she would do it with me if I persisted.”

Rachael was sitting at attention in her command chair with her eyes staring straight ahead. Tal turned his eyes back to her and was silent…for a few moments…before saying, “Let me summarize what’s happened here. Captain Meadows, Admiral Montana gave you the manuals on the Alpha Class Warship. I’m reasonably certain he originally planned to put you in command of an Alpha but was overruled by the Chancellor. It was politically necessary to get you out into the fight to prove to the colonies that Earth was working with them in this effort. Captain Ward told you he had the manuals for your new ship and you turned them down. He sent them anyway and I suspect you haven’t even opened them, right Captain?”

Rachael replied, “Yes, Sir.”

“You didn’t even fully read the manuals Admiral Montana gave you or you would have quickly seen that they were the wrong manuals for the operation of your ship, right, Captain?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Captain, what is the maximum range of the Major Alien Warship’s weapons?”

“Thirty miles, Sir.”

Tal grunted, “Well, at least you got that right.” Tal stared at her for what felt like a very long time before saying, “Is this the way you prepare yourself for a new assignment, Captain?”

Rachael’s face turned even redder, “No, Sir.”

“I suspect it is, Captain. That would explain why you were moved from commanding a fleet to being on the Colonies Headquarters Staff. Your arrogance, shoddy preparation, and overall lack of discipline would endanger any fleet you commanded. I also suspect that you were ordered to Earth to get you out of their hair. You’d become Earth’s problem and they’d refuse to take you back if we offered. This tells me a great deal about the Colonies’ military.”

Rachael thought about her colony commander ordering her to go to Earth as a Military Liaison and remembered she wasn’t being given an option. She lowered her eyes slightly and expected the worst.

“That really ticks me off, Captain!”

Rachael’s eyes came up, “What is that, Sir.”

“That they would send me a high-ranking officer they knew was incompetent and a coward to boot. I hate what I’m about to do but I can’t totally blame you for all of this.” Rachael’s eyes narrowed, as Tal continued, “You were rushed to Earth and thrown into commanding a ship on the front line. You didn’t have the time Greg had to prepare your crew and you simply rushed through the preparation like you’ve always done in the past.”

Rachael lowered her eyes and Tal leaned forward in his chair and saw her defeated expression, “I’m going to give you two options, Captain.” Rachael looked up. “Option One; You will give me a request to have you sent back to Earth stating that you aren’t up to commanding an Epy Class Starship.”

“And the second option, Sir?” Rachael asked softly.

“I’m busting you back to Lieutenant and will make you the kind of officer you should be. I personally hope you pick door number-one.”

Rachael lowered her head and thought furiously about what to do. She decided, and looked up, “I’d like to try option two, Sir.”

“Are you sure about that, Lieutenant?”

Rachael flinched at the rank but forced herself to sit up straight and look Tal directly at the Admiral, “Yes, Sir.”

Tal sat up straight, “So be it! Lt. Meadows, put on a space suit and go to the landing bay. You will move to the ShaKa and will take command of my weapons panel.” He turned to Jeremy, “Captain Stevens, you will put on a spacesuit and transfer to the Americas. You will take command of the ship and teach Lt. Smythe how to operate his weapons system”

Jeremy glanced at Jan before saying, “Sir! I really prefer to…”

“YOU WILL FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS, CAPTAIN!!”

Jeremy’s expression showed his consternation, but he answered, “Yes, Sir.”

“Now, just to be sure everyone knows how we’re going to handle this, neither vessel will allow itself to be placed in a dangerous situation. All future attacks will be done outside the range of the alien’s weapons, they will happen quickly, and escaping will be done the moment after the pulse cannons are fired.” Tal ordered. He looked around and asked, “Does everyone understand?!” All five members of the two crews answered strongly, “Yes, Sir!” Tal turned to Jeremy, “You’ve watched all of our attacks and I know you will keep the Americas out of trouble. Get moving!”

Jeremy stood up and left the bridge. Tal ended the contact and began moving the ShaKa next to the Americas to make the transfer. Jan watched him and spoke up after he finished moving into position, “Sir, is there a reason you chose Jeremy instead of me to command their ship?”

“Yes, there is. Perhaps you’ll tell me why you think I chose him?”

“You didn’t want me on the same ship as Dorman!”

“You still haven’t gotten your emotions under control, Jan. Try again and use your mind this time instead of your anger.” Jan glared at Tal and he added, “Consider that Lt. Smythe wasn’t on that ship, who would you send if you were in my place?”

Jan continued to glare at him but then her eyes widened. Tal had a small smile when she responded, “Lt. Higginson knows how to operate his systems; Lt. Smythe does not. I’d send the one to train him properly…and that would be Jee.”

“Now you’re using your head! However, I did consider your feelings about Smythe for a split second when I thought about it. However, Meadows doesn’t know how to operate a weapons console and Jee would have still had to go if I brought Smythe to our ship. It was the most logical decision I could make.”

“But Jee won’t be here to train Lt. Meadows.”

“Do you still have the document Jeremy wrote to send to Captain Ward to teach his weapons officer how to use their panel?” Jan nodded. “Send a copy of it to Jeremy’s panel on the ShaKa and a duplicate to Smythe’s and Jeremy’s consoles on the Americas.” Jan turned to her panel and began searching for the document in her files.

• • •

Lt. Meadows entered the bridge of the ShaKa and Tal pointed to Jeremy’s console, “Lieutenant, there is a document on the weapons panel and you will start memorizing it immediately. When you can repeat it word-for-word, we’re going to put you to work.”

“Yes, Sir!” Rachael responded and went to the weapons console.

Tal turned to Jan, “Connect me with, Jeremy and tell him to put on his helmet.” Jeremy appeared on the monitor wearing his helmet and Tal smiled, “I wasn’t kidding about not taking risks, Captain. Get in, take a shot, and get out fast. Get Lt. Smythe up to date and make sure Lt. Higginson is keeping a close eye on his scanner. If alien ships are moving in, just get out!”

Jeremy nodded quickly, “Yes, Sir.”

“Jeremy, I need you to make sure Smythe can operate his board proficiently, can you do that?”

Jeremy stood up and walked away from his console before responding, “Yes, Sir. I won’t allow personal feelings to interfere with his training.”

“Let me know when he’s ready. You might want to make a few attacks to help him get up to speed.” Jeremy nodded agreement, and Tal ended the contact.”

“What now, Sir?” Jan asked.

“Set a course for Captain Ward’s ship. Let him know we’re on our way.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Rachael spoke up, “Sir.” Tal looked her way. “I’ve memorized the report.”

Tal’s eyes widened, “What? You’ve only just looked at it!”

“I have it memorized.”

“What’s on the fourth page?”

Rachael began reciting and Tal glanced at Jan. She was reading the report and after Rachael stopped speaking she looked up and at Tal, “She recited it word-for-word, Sir.”

“How are you able to do that, Lieutenant?”

“It’s a gift, Sir. It’s what got me noticed early in my career.”

“Then it makes no sense that you didn’t read those manuals and see you had the wrong ones?”

Rachel took a deep breath before responding, “I was lazy. I figured I had all I needed by reading the data sheets on the weapons. It also helps that my first position as a new officer was working a weapons panel.” Racheal paused, “I do have one suggestion, Sir.”

“What is that, Lieutenant?”

“If the missiles can be programmed to use a proximity detector to fire on the alien’s phase fields, they should be able to hit the alien warship as it comes out of the field. Just program them to fire the moment the missile’s phase field contacts the warship’s field.”

Tal turned to Jan, “Send that issue to Captain Stevens on the Americas to determine if that’s possible.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Rachael spoke up again, “I also believe that if an alien warship is chasing us, we should be able to just eject a missile and it will fire on the alien’s phase field as it approaches dropping it into normal space where the missile can then attack the hull.”

“I think you may have missed your calling, Lt. Meadows. You seem to have an affinity for understanding weapons. If you think of anything else, let me know.”

“I will, Sir.”

Tal turned the ShaKa and accelerated away from the Americas at maximum speed. He glanced at Jan, “Captain Ward is awaiting our arrival.

“Good! “Jan, get Admiral Montana on the channel and only have me on his monitor.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Tal kept the thrusters pushed fully forward and, an hour later, Duncan appeared on his consoles small display, “Good to see you, Duncan. Do you have a few minutes?”

“I’ll make time, Tal. How’s it going?”

“We’re having success, but I’m concerned that we are going to run short on missiles soon.”

“I’ve been worried about that as well. I’ve modified a freighter and have moved enough missiles on board to resupply your three ships. It’s going to be hard to scan the freighter but not as hard as an Epy Warship. I need to move it a long distance from the LMC and Earth.”

“What about where we placed the receiver?”

Duncan sat back in his chair considering the proposal, “I can send it there, Tal. However, I’m not sending it until you call for it.”

“That’s fine. Send me the ship’s frequency and I’ll make the contact.” Duncan nodded. “There’s one more thing, Duncan.”

“What is that?”

“The Epy Warships are fully capable of taking out the alien’s largest warships. You might want to consider building them and delay the modifications on the Alphas.”

“Nine-Epy-Warships will be completed in four weeks and I can have them meet you at the Freighter.” Duncan saw Tal’s surprise and smiled, “You know how great minds think alike, or something like that.”

“What about the crews?” Tal quickly asked.

“I’m short four commanders but we’re working on that as we speak.”

“Only send one commander, an additional communications officer, and two weapons officers.”

“What do you have in mind, Tal.”

“The Stevens Twins will take command of two of the new Epys and assume command of two of the four-ship-units.”

“There are several Epy Commanders that have more seniority than the twins, Tal.”

“Then you need to resolve that issue!”

Duncan stared at Tal in silence and then sighed, “I’ll sign the paperwork promoting them to Rear-Admirals. Are you sure they’re ready for this responsibility, Tal?”

“They’re as good as I am, Duncan.”

“I hope you’re right. What about your promise to Ka?”

Tal immediately lowered his eyes, “Let me think about that for a bit. I’ll let you know.”

“Don’t wait too long, Tal.” Tal nodded as he ended the contact

Jan listened to him and said, “What promise is he talking about?”

“I promised Ka I would keep you and Jeremy safe.” Jan’s eyes narrowed, and Tal held up his hand before she could speak, “I also promised that I would keep you with me at all times.” Jan stared at Tal and he stood up, “I’m going to my quarters and think this through. You have the bridge Captain Stevens.” Jan nodded as she watched him walk off the bridge.

Jan transferred her console to the pilot’s chair and contacted Jeremy. Jeremy appeared on the monitor standing over Dorman issuing instructions. Jeremy looked up at the monitor, “What’s up?”

Jan told him about the conversation Tal had with Duncan as Jeremy went to his chair and sat down. “What do you think about this, Sis?”

“I think I should stay on the ShaKa with Tal.” Rachael turned from her console and snorted. Jan cocked her head to the side, “Is there a problem, Lt. Meadows.”

“I see that you’re too frightened to get involved in the fighting, Sir. You’re demonstrating cowardice in the face of the enemy.”

Suddenly, everyone heard Dorman sneer, “You need to shut your mouth, Rachael!”

Rachael turned back to the monitor and her anger was clear, “Do you know who you’re talking to!”

“Better than you know, Rachael. I’ve watched you berate, belittle, and demean too many people to remember and none of them deserved it! Captain Stevens and our crew destroyed or damaged more than forty-five alien warships and your ship, under your command, didn’t even fire at one of them! You’re calling her a coward when you’ve demonstrated too many times to count that you have no courage. I’ve sat by in silence over the years listening to you destroy the careers of hundreds of sailors and she doesn’t deserve your venom. She’s twice the officer you are, and I will no longer sit in silence and watch you be an ass to someone better than you could ever be!”

“YOU AND I ARE OVER!! I’LL DESTROY YOU!”

Dorman grimaced, “We were over years ago, Rachael, I just didn’t have the courage to stand up to you and tell you because I loved being in the Navy. I don’t care if you destroy my career!!”

Dorman glared at Rachael and everyone listening in was shocked into silence by the exchange…everyone but Jan, “Excuse me, but what career is she capable of destroying, Lt. Smythe? You are no longer in the Colony Navy and I believe she doesn’t have the influence to destroy a bug on a lamp in Earth’s Navy.” Dorman stared at Jan and then lowered his head.

Tal suddenly walked back on the bridge and smiled, “I needed to see what just happened.” He locked in on Rachael’s face, “I was considering giving your rank back but after your demonstration of how you treat others with total disregard, I see that you are unfit to command anyone.”

“But…” Rachael started.

“Shut up and pretend you’re listening Lt. Meadows,” Tal retorted. Rachael’s mouth closed, and Tal moved next to her and glared into her face, “When you came on board, did I belittle you for your atrocious behavior while in command of the Americas? Did I raise my voice to you? Did I accuse you of cowardice in refusing to attack the aliens?”

Rachael lowered her head, “No, Sir.”

“Lt. Smythe is right about you; you have a mean streak in you that you are incapable of controlling. I do believe you will make a good weapons officer, but you will not be allowed to command anyone.”

Tal continued to glare into Rachael’s eyes and she lowered her head again, “Yes, Sir.” She turned to face Jan, “I apologize for my behavior, Captain. You really didn’t deserve it. I find my jealously of you difficult to control.”

Jan kept her eyes on Rachael for a long moment, and then replied, “I accept your apology. Be the best weapons operator you can be.”

“I will, Sir.”

Tal backed away from her and looked at Jan, “Let me know when we’re close to Captain Ward.”

Yes, Sir.”

Tal left the bridge and after an hour of uncomfortable silence, Rachael said, “I really am sorry for what I said, Captain.”

“Is what Smythe said about you true.” Rachael took a long, deep breath, sighed, and nodded. “Why?”

“I wish I could tell you. I honestly don’t know. I guess I felt threatened by the ones I destroyed and even though I hated myself for doing it, I just couldn’t stop myself. The Admiral is right; I have something inside me that’s evil.”

Jan shook her head slightly “I’m sorry about you and Lt. Smythe.”

“Don’t be. I picked him out and threatened to ruin his career in the Navy if he ever thought about crossing me. I knew he didn’t really care about me.”

“But…”

Rachael’s eyes were moist as she interrupted, “Captain, he was more than I ever deserved, and I did everything I could to make sure he wouldn’t leave. I knew deep inside that he wouldn’t stay with me. He’s a good person and he hated the way I treated those around me. I guess I finally went over the line with you.”

“You’re going to have to get control of those demons that possess you, Rachael.”

“I truly wish I could, Captain.”

“Call me, Jan. It’s a good time for you to start over and make something better of your personal life. I’ll try to help you do it.”

“Thank you.” Rachael turned back to her panel and Jan realized Jee was right, she had been Dorman’s escape from Rachael.

Chapter Thirteen

Jeremy went back over to Dorman, “Let’s go over the speed of the pulse cannon’s mounts.” Dorman nodded and turned to the page with the data on the pulse cannons. Dorman looked at the page, hesitated, and then turned to Jeremy, “Please tell Jan I’m sorry.”

“You need to do that yourself, Dorman. What you did today took some courage and I think it will allow Jan closure. Thank you for that…however, personal issues are not something that we’ll discuss in our roles on this ship, understand?”

“I do, Sir, however, what I did wasn’t brave,” Dorman responded. “Dan telling the Admiral why he didn’t push revealing the manuals took more courage than what I did. The swivel mounts can turn a complete rotation in less than a second.”

“Very good, Lieutenant. How many pulses can be fired during that rotation?”

“Ten, Sir.”

Jeremy nodded and continued his instruction. He wanted to dislike Dorman but the anger and hatred he had for him was beginning to disappear. Dorman was a sharp officer and intelligent to boot. This was an issue between Dorman and his sister. Jee turned to Lt. Higginson, “Did you just stop your training with the new communication data in the manual?”

Dan smiled, “No, Sir.”

Jeremy chuckled, “What else did you cover?”

“Pretty much everything there is to know about this ship, Sir. I’ve had lots of free time while the Captain was avoiding combat.”

“How slow can an Epy fly, Lieutenant?”

“One mile-per-hour, Sir. And the manual is wrong about how many times a pulse cannon can fire in one rotation.”

Dorman jerked his head up from his panel, “It says right here that the pulse cannon can only fire ten-times-per-rotation.”

Dan smiled, “If you’ll look in the manual at the overview section on your console, Dorman, you’ll see that the firing button can be locked down, so the pulse cannons will fire in automatic mode. They can fire twenty-times-per-revolution in that mode.”

Jeremy and Dorman stared at Dan and Jeremy smiled slightly, “Is there anything about my console I might have missed?”

“Actually. I believe there is, Sir.”

“Pray tell, what could it possibly be?” Jeremy felt there was nothing he didn’t know about the pilot’s console.

“Have you noticed that when you pull fully back on the thrust handle, the button on the right side of the handle clicks into place preventing you from going any further back?”

“Yes. That shuts down all forward motion,” Jeremy answered.

“Look in the back of the manual in the definitions section at the definition of the thrust handle, Sir.”

Jeremy went to his console, pulled up the manual, scrolled to the definitions section, and began reading. After a moment, he looked up at Dan, “The handle is defined as the forward and reverse thrust handle.”

Dan shrugged, “I suspect the manual was put together haphazardly to get it out before we left on this mission. That’s the only place in the manual where reverse on the thruster handle is mentioned. I really suspect that if you press the button and pull back on the thrust handle, the ship will fly in reverse and the view from the rear of the ship will appear on the monitor. I’ve not been able to confirm the monitor will switch but it only makes sense that anyone who designed it would make that happen.”

Jeremy turned around and gripped the thruster handle, pressed the button, and pulled slightly back on it. The Americas accelerated in reverse at high speed and the front monitor changed to a view from the rear of the ship. Jeremy pushed the thruster handle forward and the monitor changed back to the forward view as the ship stopped. Jeremy looked at Dan, “You knew the entire time that your ship could have attacked the alien warships.”

“I did.”

“Why didn’t you tell the Admiral?”

“I figured the Admiral would investigate and she might finally get what she’s deserved for a long time, Sir.” Dan turned to Gorman, “Sorry, but she did deserve it.”

“No apologies necessary, Dan. I’d have done the same thing.”

Dan shook his head slightly, “I thought you and she were connected at the hip.”

“It was a forced operation, Dan. I couldn’t get away from her without getting thrown out of the Navy. You were in the same situation.”

Dan tilted his head slightly before replying, “I’ve tried but the one time I asked for a transfer, I was almost thrown in the brig on a trumped-up charge. I guess we’ve both sat back hoping she would get her come-uppance one day.”

“You not getting her to look at the right manuals made it happen. Thank you, Dan.”

“No thanks needed. It’s good to be free.”

Jeremy listened to them and knew he had to tell Jan what he just learned. “Lieutenant, please send a copy of this conversation to the Admiral.” Dan’s eyes, narrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Sir, I might have to report to Lt. Meadows again one day and her hearing what we’ve just discussed could be an issue.”

“Send the message classified as secret and Meadows will not see it.” Dan hesitated, and Jeremy smiled, “Follow your orders.” Dan exhaled sharply and turned to his console.”

• • •

Jan called Tal over the intercom, “We’ll arrive at Captain Ward’s location in twenty minutes, Sir.”

“I’ll be right up.”

Jan noticed Rachael activating her console. Rachael saw her looking at her and smiled, “We’re moving into enemy territory. Better to be safe than sorry.”

Tal entered the bridge and took his chair. Jan moved to her console and said to Tal, “I have a message from Captain Stevens on the Americas, Sir.”

Tal activated the message and saw the secret-designation on top. He put on his helmet, plugged it into the console, and began listening. Son-of-a-gun! The ShaKa could fly backwards. He glanced at Jan, “Did you read this message?” Jan’s guilty expression gave her away. Tal smiled, “Good. Keep up the good work.”

Rachael sat at her console and wondered what Jan had read. She knew Tal’s remark could go either way.

• • •

Three minutes later, Jan activated the long-range scanners. Her eyes flew open, “TAL, I HAVE HUNDREDS OF LARGE PHASE FIELDS MOVING IN ON US IN A GLOBULAR FORMATION! THEY HAVE US SURROUNDED AND THE GLOBE IS SHRINKING AROUND US!!”

Tal looked up at the monitor and saw that the trap had been laid perfectly. The ShaKa was surrounded and the huge warships were closing in at high speed. He pulled back on the steering wheel and saw hundreds of additional warships were moving in outside the globe to fill in the gaps.”

Rachael yelled, “ADMIRAL! PICK A SHIP AND FLY DIRECTLY TOWARD IT NOW!!” Tal hesitated and saw that the ShaKa’s superior speed wouldn’t be enough to get out between the gaps. “DO IT, NOW, ADMIRAL!!” Rachael screamed.

Tal turned the steering wheel and flew at maximum speed toward the closest alien warship. He bore down on it and saw eight alien warships move in to close his escape route. He saw a huge cloud of energy pulses leave the ShaKa directly toward the giant closing in on him. He felt the vibrations of multiple missiles being launched and saw their phase fields activating as they left the launch tubes. “FOLLOW THE CLOUD OF PULSES IN AND TURN ABOVE THEM WHEN YOU’RE FIVE MILES FROM THE WARSHIP!!” Tal fell in behind the cloud of energy pulses and used the joystick to avoid overrunning them. The eight alien-warships surrounding the warship were knocked out of their phase fields by the missiles and instantly fell back. Tal stayed behind the energy pulses and saw the warship growing at an incredible speed. The ship attempted to avoid the pulses by diving under them, but the alien ship’s phase field was knocked out and fifty-energy-pulses hit the ship’s upper hull causing a massive explosion. Tal pulled back on the steering wheel and the ShaKa roared over the top of the stricken warship in an instant. The second globe formation wasn’t completely formed, and he flew through a large gap in their formation, as hundreds of blaster bolts were fired at the ShaKa as it passed. Rachael had the force field activated and it shrugged off the long-range blaster strikes. The ShaKa disappeared as it went to maximum speed beyond the alien’s formation before they could turn to give chase. Rachael immediately shut down the force field and said loudly, “Change course, Admiral!”

Tal whipped the ShaKa hard left and jerked his head around to Jan, “HOW DID THEY PULL THIS OFF?!”

“They had to be tracking our transmissions, Tal. They shut down their drives and waited for us to enter their formation.”

Tal forced his heart to slow down and said, “Warn Captain Ward!”

“I’ve sent him a recording and he’s moving away.”

“If they are tracking our communications, how are we going to be able to communicate with him?”

“Tal, I’m routing through the receiver out in interstellar space. They might get a line on it, but we’ll only use it for short bursts. I’ve sent instructions for the receiver to start changing locations randomly.”

Tal turned to Rachael, “That was fast thinking, Lieutenant.” Rachael nodded, and Tal saw she was calm and composed. He still felt his elevated heart rate. “I owe you.”

“Save it for something that’s important, Sir. I was only doing my job, Sir.”

“Well, you did an outstanding job in getting us out of that trap.”

“I did waste eight missiles, Sir.”

“They weren’t wasted, Rachael.” Tal turned to Jan, “How can we avoid falling into this trap again?”

“I’m going to be forced to make an active scan any time we enter unknown space, Sir. The passive scanners didn’t detect them at the range they were closing in. I would have picked them up on an active scan.”

“We’ll give our location away.”

“We’ll change course immediately after I do it, Sir. We should be OK.”

“Put Captain Ward’s position on the monitor.” Jan sent the information and Tal turned the ShaKa toward the flashing red-dot on the monitor.

• • •

The Supreme Fleet Commander watched his display and saw the tiny ship evade his trap. He slammed an arm on his chair and glowered at the monitor. The Fleet Leader commanding his vessel said with a tentative voice, “Supremacy, we can’t match their speed and their weapons have a longer range. Our ships are no match to them.

The Supreme Commander sat back in his chair and harshly replied, “The leaders will listen to me this time or they’ll have to call this entire mission off.” He turned to the Admiral, “Get the Elder Governor on my console. He’ll give me the ships I need, or he can find someone else to take my command. The pitiful few he sent won’t do the job.”

• • •

Four days later, Tal flew back to the Americas’ location and contacted Jeremy on the short-range communicator, “How are things going?”

“We started attacking the aliens soon after you left, Sir, we’ve damaged six warships while you’ve been away. We are running low on missiles, Sir.”

“How has your crew performed?”

‘’Both are ready to command their own ships. Dan has amazed me with his complete understanding of the Epy’s engineering and there’s nothing left for me to teach Lt. Smythe.”

“Stand by for new orders. I’ll get back to you shortly.”

“Standing by, Sir.”

• • •

Tal turned the ShaKa and flew away from the LMC at maximum speed. He turned to Jan after ten hours and asked, “Do you think our communications can be tracked this far out?”

“I highly doubt it. We couldn’t do it and I believe our scanners are superior to the aliens’.”

“Send a message to Duncan to contact me and request that Ka be present.”

Jan’s eyes narrowed instantly, before she turned and started speaking into her microphone. Tal sat back and waited. He had no idea how this was going to turn out.

• • •

Fifteen minutes later, Duncan and Ka appeared on the front monitor, “Hi, Ka, I hope all is going well.”

Ka was concerned but she managed to smile, “I’m doing fine. Why did you want me here?”

“Before I break a promise, I’ll want your approval.” Ka’s eyes tightened, and her entire body tensed up. “Before you start yelling at me, Ka, please listen to what I have to say to Duncan and then you will have the final word on what happens.”

“Go ahead, Tal,” Duncan said softly.

“I’ve thought long and hard about who should command the new Epys you’re sending to join me, and I’m greatly concerned about their learning curve. The aliens have developed tactics that make attacking them extremely dangerous and sending me nine inexperienced commanders worries me. I’ve decided to promote crewmembers on the three ships here to command four of the new vessels.”

“Who are they?” Duncan asked.

“Lt. Dorman Smythe, Lt. Dan Higginson, Lt. Margaret Orlando, and Captain Jeremy Stevens.” Tal kept his eyes on Ka and was surprised she managed to remain silent, but he saw her demeanor was dangerous. Tal continued, “That will require an extra communications officer and three additional weapons officers.”

“That shouldn’t pose an issue. It actually makes it easier; I have a surplus of weapon officers and I’ll only have to find one more commander.”

“Actually, you have to find two.”

“Why is that?”

“I busted Captain Meadows back to lieutenant and Jeremy replaced her on the Americas.”

“What happened?”

“I’ll explain it to you later, Duncan.” Duncan nodded for Tal to continue. “I will need you to promote Captain Greg Ward, Jeremy Stevens, and Jan Stevens to one-star, Sir. Captains Ward and Jeremy Stevens will take command of four Epys and operate as a unit. Jan will be in overall command of my task force’s communications and insure we’re not surprised by the aliens. I’ll command four Epys and be in overall command of the twelve warships.”

“I don’t see a problem, Tal. However…” Duncan turned to Ka.

“Why do you need to promote Jeremy?!” Ka asked with tight lips.

“Because I don’t have anyone else ready to command a unit. He’s as good as I am and so is Jan…however, I’m not allowing both of them to leave my ship. It is my hope that one of the other Epy Commanders will progress to the point where I can bring Jeremy back to the ShaKa and replace him.”

Ka’s eyes widened, “ShaKa?”

Tal shrugged, “That’s the name of my ship.” Ka stared at Tal in silence and Tal raised his hands, “Ka, my ship was caught in a surprise attack a week ago and we were nearly destroyed. I think having Jeremy and Jan on different ships improves the chances of one of them surviving.”

“Are you telling me they’re in danger out there?” Ka said in a low menacing tone.

“Ka! You’re not that stupid!” Duncan said to her. “They’re fighting a war, and no one is safe. If you think otherwise, you’re fooling yourself!”

Ka glared at Duncan for a very long moment before turning back to Tal, “Tell me again why we came to Earth?”

Tal sighed, “We came to Earth to defend humanity against extinction and to protect your daughter. I failed in keeping Sha safe.”

“What’s going to happen when you take the fight to the alien’s planets?”

“I don’t know, Ka. I’m hoping that task will fall to our Alpha Warships.”

“Do you think when that happens my children won’t be placed in command of an Alpha?”

Tal shook his head slowly, “No. They’re too good, Ka.”

“So, I allow them to find their destiny or I hold them back trying to keep them safe with you. It’s only a matter of time until they will stand on their own without you nursing them along. My question to you is…ARE THEY READY NOW?”

“They’re the best officers out here, Ka. Jeremy is probably better than I am, and Jan is at least as good.”

“If you and I weren’t in this picture, what do you think Ste would want done?”

Tal kept his eyes on Ka as he raised his hands, “Ste was a naval officer willing to die to defend the colonies. He’d look at them with pride at what they’ve become and insist they never slow down.”

Ka looked off to the side as she thought about the situation. She brought her eyes back to him, “I believe you’re right about not having them on the same ship. I understand that the most recent reports from your ships is that a newer, more powerful, alien warship has been seen.” Ka’s remark surprised him. He had just learned about the new warship in his meeting with Captain Ward. “I need to step back and allow you to do your task without interference. Just do what you can to keep all your sailors safe, Tal.”

Tal’s eyes showed his emotion and Duncan interjected, “I’ll make the promotions.”

“Sir, we’re running low on missiles and could use some provisions. I’m moving the ships back to the receiver and need you to send the new ships as quickly as possible.”

“I’ll get them on the way in four days. I suggest you delay leaving so the aliens won’t wonder why we’ve stopped attacking them.”

“That’s a good idea, Sir.”

The monitor turned dark and Ka turned to Duncan, “I want to go on that freighter.”

“Ka…”

“Duncan, it may be the last time I see my children!”

Duncan saw her determination, shook his head slightly, then agreed. “However, I will be sending a ship to pick you up when they go back into combat!”

Ka nodded and hugged him, as she rushed out to pack a bag and get ready. In the time she had remaining before she left, she would make sure the jobs in the lab were left in good shape.

Chapter Fourteen

The first thing Tee saw when he turned on the cameras was a large group of assassins moving through the pipes with a scanner raised toward the ceiling. He sighed heavily and heard Mer take a sudden breath behind him. “Well, I guess it’s time to start doing some house cleaning.” Tee activated the speaker system in the pipes and lifted the microphone, “I wanted to avoid this but you’re leaving me no choice.” Every assassin in the pipes froze in place and heard him continue. “I’ve turned off my cameras and you’re still attempting to find my location. All of you have seen the details of what I’ve built here, and do you honestly think I don’t have a means of defending myself from intruders? So far, I’ve allowed you to remain and to your credit you’ve learned how to play nice with each other. I know what’s going on outside the pipes and you’re safe here. However, if you continue in your efforts to find me, I will make the pipes uninhabitable. Do not continue to search for me; or I promise you, you’ll regret it.”

Tee stayed tuned in to the assassins with the scanner and heard, “Do you think he’s being honest?”

“No! If he could do it, he would have done it. Keep following the wires.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“GIVE ME THAT SCANNER!”

Tee switched the cameras back on and watched the leader rip the scanner out of the assassin’s hands holding it and start moving through the pipe. Several of the assassins in the group turned and ran away. “What are you going to do?” Mer asked.

Tee pressed a button on his computer and every speaker in the pipes played the assassin’s conversation over them, “Do you think he’s being honest…”

At the end of the recording, Tee picked up the microphone and added, “I warned you.” Mer sat back and watched him walk to the wall and opened a cabinet. Inside the cabinet were ten rows of buttons. He went to the third row from the left and pressed the tenth-button from the top. Mer watched him and looked at the computer’s display. Something fell out of a small pipe above the searchers, hit the floor, and exploded. Flames rushed through the pipe in both directions and the screams were horrific. After a minute, the screams ended, and the blackened corpses left testimony to their stupidity. He lifted the microphone, “This is your last warning!”

“Tee, you’ve shown them your defense.”

“No, I haven’t, Mer. Anyone that saw that canister is now deceased. But even if they did, they couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Why not?”

“I had those canisters installed in those small pipes by robots. They have no way to get to them and even firing at them with rifles won’t damage them. They’re located behind a ninety-degree turn in the pipe and have an ejector that shoots them into the pipe. If they get lucky and hit one with a ricochet, it will burn anyone under the pipe as it fans out.”

“What happens if they wear flame retardant clothing?”

“Then I’ll be forced to use the system that will kill everything in the pipes. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Tee, you’ve made them fearful. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.”

“It isn’t. But they left me no other option. Now, I need to search and see if there are other scanners in the pipes.” Mer nodded and stood behind him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Tee smiled, as he switched between the cameras.

• • •

Tal had the three Epy crews on his monitor as they flew toward the distant receiver. It was a two-week voyage and Greg was playing a recording of a new alien warship he attacked prior to leaving. Greg was narrating the video and said, “I’ve slowed the recording down, so you can see what happens when our missiles attacked this ship. Notice that the missile knocks out the phase field with its pulse cannon but it’s back in place before the missile arrives at the ship and passes through it. It appears they can reactivate the phase field in less than a second.” All three crews were shocked as they watched their monitors showing the giant warship was unfazed by the missiles attacking it. Greg continued, “The blasters on this new vessel are now dangerous sixty or seventy miles out from the ship. Their missiles are also proximity activated and will explode before hitting our ships. The only thing that saved us in this encounter was that Mo had the force field activated. The explosions rocked the ship but didn’t penetrate to our hull. I suspect if more than ten hit our ship, they would have demolished the force field.”

“Why didn’t you use your pulse cannons to take them out before they came close?” Jeremy asked.

“We’ve not had to do that in the past; we’ve basically ignored their missile attacks,” Greg answered with a shrug. “We can no longer afford to do that.”

“You can outrun them,” Tal suggested.

“Sir, they’re firing large clouds of those missiles at us and getting through that cloud is difficult at best and impossible in most instances.”

“There is a way to avoid them.”

Everyone turned to Rachael, “How can we do that?” Tal inquired.

“There’s two ways, actually,” Rachael replied. “We now know the Epys can fly in reverse at full-speed. Simply hit reverse thruster and fly away before they arrive.”

“What’s the other way?” Jeremy asked.

Rachael smiled, “Attack them flying backwards. That would be the best way in my opinion.”

“Why is that?” Tal asked.

“The aliens have become quite good at getting their ships to the scene of an attack. By flying backwards, you leave the two-forward missile launchers available to fight our way out if needed. We can use the rear-missile-tube to launch on our target.”

“This is all a moot point if our missiles can’t hit their ships,” Greg interjected.

The crews were silent, and Tal turned to Jeremy, “Do you see anything we can do about this?”

Jeremy shrugged, “Well, there are a couple of things that I can change in the missile’s software.”

“Like?” Tal prodded.

“Fight fire with fire, Sir; I’ll change the missiles’ attack profile. I’ll have the missile stay inside it’s phase field until it detects the target and is on top of the target’s phase field. It will immediately start firing its pulse cannon and keep firing until it hits the alien warship. That will prevent the alien vessel from reactivating its phase field. However, it will only be a hunk of metal when it hits the target. Its pulse cannons will have exhausted the energy needed to fire it.”

“How fast will it be moving, Jeremy?”

Jeremy turned to his panel and made some calculations. He turned back around and announced, “If we use full thrust inside the missile’s phase field, it will be moving close to 200,000 miles an hour after the field degrades.”

Tal smiled slightly, “That’s about fifty-five miles a second.”

Jeremy smiled, “It didn’t take you long to figure that out.”

“I’ve run the numbers before we ever came out here. That missile weighs a ton. I suspect it will cause more damage than the explosive we’ve been using.”

“The pulse cannons’ energy pulses the missile will be following in to the target should also take out the blaster beams being fired at the missile from the alien ship,” Rachael added.

“Can you make this change in the software before we arrive at the freighter?” Jeremy shrugged and then shook his head. “We can’t come back out here with the missiles as they’re currently configured, Jeremy. How long do you need?”

“At least three weeks, Admiral.”

“Then get cracking on it. We’ll start training the new crews when we arrive at the freighter, so do your best to get this done by the end of training.”

“I was hoping I could train the new weapons officers.”

“Rachael will have to do that. Mo and I will assist her, and you can join in if you finish the programming in time.”

“Yes, Sir.” Jeremy turned to Dan, “You’re going to have to take over the piloting duties.”

“No problem, Sir.”

Tal looked at the three crews on the monitor and said, “Get some rest; you’re going to need it.”

The monitor went dark and Rachael turned to Tal with a dour expression, “Sir?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not a very good trainer.” Tal tilted his head and Rachael quickly continued, “I don’t have the patience. I’ll only end up insulting them and making them hate me.”

Tal rolled his eyes and pursed his lips before replying, “Rachael, you are going to have to come back into the land of the living and learn how to play well with others. Look at this as a challenge.”

“Excuse me!”

“Think of these new weapons officers as the pieces you’re going to have to use in a game. The better they are, the greater the chance you’re going to win the game. Can you understand that?”

“I guess. What’s the game?”

“To see if you can train one of them to be better than yourself. If you can pull that off, then you’ll start to prove to me you can command subordinates. Wouldn’t you consider that a win?”

Rachel’s tilted her head and her eyes lowered, as she thought about it. “I doubt anyone can match my talents, Sir.”

“Then that makes the game worth playing, Rachael. If it were too easy, you’d lose interest.”

Rachael started nodding and Jan added, “And just the one you think can’t do it, will end up being the best.”

Rachael grinned, “I’ll give it a go, Sir.”

Tal turned to Jan, “Connect me with Admiral Montana, then go and get some sleep.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Tal waited, and Duncan appeared on his console’s small display, “Duncan, did you get the recording of the new alien warship?”

“I did, Tal. That ship is a game changer.”

“The aliens didn’t just build that ship yesterday, Duncan. They must keep it inside their home space for defense and send their older models out for invasions. We’ve been kicking their backsides and I suspect they’ve decided to bring in the heavy artillery. That ship is a monster.”

“Are you saying you won’t be able to attack it?”

“Duncan, the range of the blasters on that ship is slightly longer than the range of our new pulse cannons, and they have more than a hundred blasters on their hull. We’ll be out-gunned, and our pulse cannons won’t be effective against that ship if we’re forced to stay outside the range of their weapons.”

“Tal, the nine Epys I’m sending out have the new generators installed in them.”

“New generators?”

“Yes. The generators we installed in the first-three-Epys were hand built to get the ships out. The new generators are the same size as the ones installed in your Epy but have twice the power. The new energy pulses are effective from ninety miles.”

“But can they hit a randomly moving target effectively from that Range Duncan?”

“That will depend on the how effectively your weapons officers can fire a spread of them at the target, Tal.”

“Well, at least we can hold them off. However, using the pulse cannons as our main assault weapon against them isn’t viable with this new ship. We’re going to be forced to use our missiles and they won’t function as they’re currently programmed.”

“Why not?”

“The new alien warship can reactivate its phase field in a second. Before the missile can hit it, the target’s phase field will be operational, and the missile will just pass through it. I have Jeremy working on modifying the missile’s software as we speak.”

“There’s been a change in the missiles, as well, Tal.”

Tal’s brow furrowed, “What changes?”

“We’ve reduced their size by one-third.”

Tal rolled his eyes, “I wish you hadn’t done that, Duncan.”

“Why?”

“The programming Jeremy is working on is designed to get the missile through the alien’s defenses before it can reactivate its phase field. It’s basically going to be just a large rock we’re throwing at the alien ship by the time it hits. Reducing the weight will reduce the force of the impact.”

“Who said anything about reducing the weight?”

“You said it’s one-third smaller!”

“That doesn’t make it lighter, Tal.”

“What are you saying, Duncan.”

“We’ve removed the old shells and the missiles are now covered with a chronide covering.” Tal’s head went up slightly at Duncan’s comment. “The chronide shells will make them more resistant to the alien’s blasters. However, their weight is being increased by fourteen hundred pounds, because of the chronide. Another benefit from reducing the size is that your ships can now carry sixty missiles instead of forty.”

“Duncan, send Jeremy the data on the new missile to the Americas; he’s going to need it to reprogram them.”

“I’ll have it sent immediately. Be careful and let me know when you arrive at the freighter.”

“Duncan, if we have to depend on the new missiles to attack the alien warships, we’re going to need to be frequently resupplied.

“Tal, I’m moving the freighter far above the LMC, where it will shut down its external systems. It will maintain communication silence and an alien would have to move to within a hundred miles to detect it. It won’t take you nearly as long to get to it.”

“Is it coated in the new phasemetal.”

“No, but the one coming to replace it will be. The freighter you’re going to now has more than three thousand of the new missiles on board.”

“That should keep us fighting for a while.”

“Have Jeremy send the new software to me when he has it completed.”

“Will do, Duncan. Thank you for all you’re doing to keep us safe.” Duncan nodded, and the display went dark. Tal immediately sent a copy of his conversation with Duncan to Jeremy. He needed this information now!

The three Epys arrived at the receiver and rendezvoused with the freighter. Tal, Jeremy, and Greg landed in the freighter’s giant landing bay and exited their ship to find Ka waiting for them. Jeremy and Jan rushed to her arms and hugged her tightly. Tal walked down to her, “It’s good to see you,” he said with a soft smile

Ka looked at him a bit surprised by his comment, “It’s good to see you, too.” She turned back to Jeremy and Jan and walked out of the landing bay with them. She spilt time with them for the remainder of their stay on the freighter. When they weren’t available, she sat in Tal’s classes with the new ships’ commanders. She was impressed with the progress Tal had made learning how to command warships. After all, his was a new arena for him. She determined quickly that her presence made Tal nervous. After the second class, she told him, “I’m not going to attend any more of your classes.”

“Am I that bad, Ka.”

“Quite the contrary, I think you’re quite extraordinary. However, you can’t relax if I’m present. Do your job and I’ll find a way to entertain myself if the kids are busy.”

“I’m sorry, Ka.”

Ka turned to walk away and then stopped. She turned back to Tal and, with sad eyes, said, “Tal, I don’t blame you anymore for Sha’s death. It was just too many things going wrong all at once that killed her. It wasn’t your fault and I understand that now. However, even though I’ve been able to forgive you, I don’t think you will ever forgive yourself.” Tal kept his eyes on Ka, as she turned and walked away. She disappeared at the end of the passage and, as he lowered his eyes, he knew…she was right.

• • •

Rachael sat at the front of a classroom on the freighter looking at the eleven weapon-officers and twelve communication-officers sitting in the classroom. Jan was seated with the communication officers in the two rows behind the weapons officers. They were present to hear the class because they would have to operate the weapons when the weapons officers weren’t on the bridge. They were instructed to hold their questions and not interrupt the instructor during the class.

Rachael was past being nervous; she knew she was going to mess up and lose her temper. She glanced over the weapons officers and knew that most of them out-ranked her because of seniority. She took a deep breath and then had a thought. She needed to treat this class as a briefing she used to give to the Colony Admirals. She never got out of line with them. She focused on the idea for a moment and then turned to the expectant class.

“Good morning, I’m Lieutenant Meadows and the weapons officer on the task force’s flagship, ShaKa. I want to welcome the communication officers to this briefing and if you have a question, forget about not interrupting the class and raise your hand. It’s better to clear things up in here than to have to confront an issue for the first time during combat.”

Rachael turned to the front-two-rows of weapon officers, “Please, introduce yourself by your rank and surname and where you live.” She nodded to the woman sitting in the front left desk.

The woman stood up and smiled, “Lt. Mamani, Sioux Falls.

The man seated next to her stood up, “Lt. Baker, New York.”

“Lt. Crandon, Tampa.”

“Lt. Anand, Liverpool.”

Rachael quickly asked, “Isn’t Anand a middle eastern name.”

The woman smiled, “It is. However, there are more than six million middle easterners living in and around Liverpool.”

“Please forgive my ignorance. I’m from the colonies and still have much to learn about Earth.” Rachael nodded to the next officer.

“Lt. Delham, Johannesburg.”

“Lt. Earoth, Buenos Aires.”

“Lt. Franklin, Moscow.”

Rachael’s eyebrows went up, but the next officer was already standing, “Lt. Hashura, Nagasaki.”

Rachael nodded to the woman, “Doesn’t Hashura mean support?”

“Close, it actually means pillar, but support is a synonym.”

• • •

Jan sat in the rear of the class and was amazed at Rachel’s familiarity with Earth names.

“Lt. Gagnier, Paris.

“Lt. Hasham. Tel Aviv.”

“Lt. Kassem, New Delhi.

Rachael stood up and walked around to the front of her desk and sat back down on it, “Admiral Talent has briefed me this morning and I know that all of you have been trained on the Epy Class Warship’s weapons. I understand that the nine new Epys’ that just arrived have new pulse cannons with an effective range of ninety miles, right?” The officers all nodded. “Admiral Talent has informed me that the original three Epys will be the lead warship in three groups of four-ships. The Lead Ships will command and direct the three new-Epys during combat missions and only enter the fight if absolutely necessary. The older ships aren’t as good as the new ones and would be in greater danger if they are forced to fight against the new alien-warship. They do not have the range of the new ship’s weapons.”

Rachael turned to one of the officers and smiled, “Lt. Mamani, you will be assigned to Admiral Sevens-Albritton’s Americas. Lt. Hashura, you will be assigned to Admiral Ward’s Blue. I’ll need you to stay after class to bring you up to speed on the weapons on board those ships.”

The two officers acknowledged her instructions, and Rachael continued. “There have been some developments that have taken place since you completed your weapons training. Someone tell me the maximum range of the alien warship’s blasters?”

An officer held up their hand, “Yes, Lt. Earoth.”

“Forty-six miles.”

“That is no longer the case, Lt. Earoth. Don’t feel bad for getting it wrong, it changed while you were coming here in the freighter. The aliens have started sending a new warship into the LMC and the range of its blasters has increased to seventy or eighty miles.” Everyone in the room, except Jan and Joe, were surprised by what they heard. Rachael smiled and added, “This new ship is also capable of reactivating its phase field in about one second.”

The room was silent, as the officers looked at each other before turning their attention back to Rachael. Rachael continued, “We don’t have data yet on the speed of this new warship, but we believe it is considerably faster than the older model; we won’t have that information until we take one on. I know that most of your training in preparing you to come here was built around attacking the alien warships with our pulse cannons. That option has been taken off the table, for the most part. There’s only ten or fifteen miles difference in the range of our cannons versus their blasters and that’s too small to risk a major engagement and expect to win. So, today we’re going to discuss how we’re going to go about making a nuisance of ourselves. Forget what you learned in training and focus on what you’re going to have to do to survive.”

Racheal paused and asked, “Raise your hands if you’re familiar with the military history of ancient Earth.” A number of hands went up and Rachael smiled, “I’m referring to two events that happened in the Twentieth Century. They were called the First and Second World Wars.” Every hand was lowered.

Rachael began, “At that time, air flight was just beginning to develop, and the weapons of war underwent a massive improvement. However, before that the nations that were the most powerful had the most powerful navies. Whoever controlled the oceans, were able to impose their will on other nations. The most dangerous ships were the giant battleships with their thirty-inch guns and armored-plated hulls. Giant fleets were built around these ships and used by nations to defend them against any aggressor.” Rachael saw she had their undivided attention.

“One nation, Germany to be exact, perfected land war to the point where it conquered most of Europe and was close to dominating the world. However, Germany didn’t have a powerful navy. Nor did they have the economic means of building one large enough to confront the nations that were aligned against them. So, they improvised. They built an inexpensive, small, vessel called a submarine. This vessel was pretty basic in that it could only stay underwater for brief periods and had to remain on the surface to recharge its batteries for underwater maneuvers. These ships were invisible to surface ships and they would sneak up on enemy ships and fire a Torpedo at them, think of a torpedo as an underwater missile that is very similar to the appearance of the missiles we’re currently using to fire at an enemy ship. The torpedo had a high explosive warhead and these small German warships could sink the armored battleships.

However, to attack, the submarines had to raise a periscope to spot the ships they were attacking. That periscope moving through the water could be seen and the submarine would instantly be attacked by surface ships specifically built to destroy them. The torpedoes had a limited range and the submarines were forced to move in close to their targets to fire them. It took a high level of courage for a submarine commander to move in close enough to attack.”

Rachael walked back around her desk and sat down, “I’ve found a video made during the Second World War that is a documentary on the effectiveness of the German U-Boats, as they were called. I want you to watch it and be able to tell me how this ancient video relates to us in present time.”

Jan watched the documentary and was astounded at the savagery she was witnessing. The numbers of ships destroyed, and lives lost was stunning. Where did Rachael get this? And what message was she trying to get across to her class?

• • •

The video ended, and Rachael asked, “What did you ascertain from this documentary?”

An officer raised his hand, “Yes, Lt. Earoth.”

“If the allies had not bombed the facilities building those submarines, Germany might have won the war.”

“Very good. Anyone else?” Another officer raised their hand, “Yes, Lt. Kassem.

“The amount of damage that could be inflicted by one of those submarines was incredible.”

Rachael smiled, “Very good, Lieutenant. Anyone else. Go ahead Lt. Momani.”

“They forced the Allies to change their plans.”

Rachael leaned forward, “Explain what you mean.”

“The only thing that could effectively stop a wolfpack of submarines from attacking was using aircraft to fly above the convoys searching for their presence. The only way to do that was to change the route across the oceans to a more northerly route which was a much longer distance.”

“Very good!” Rachael paused before continuing, “How does what you’ve seen here relate to your job now?” Everyone was silent, and Rachael prodded them, “Look at our ships as if they were a German U-Boats.”

“We’re going to have to sneak in on the ships we intend to attack.”

Rachael clapped her hands, “Excellent, Lt. Crandon! Why are we going to have to do that?”

“The latest intel on the aliens says they have staggered their ships and have overlapping scanner coverage,” Crandon answered.

Rachael’s expression turned serious, “I’ve been out fighting against the alien’s older model warships and the speed that they can react to our attacks has improved dramatically since we first started. With this new model entering the fight, that speed will be faster than you can conceive. Our ships are going out looking for this newer model and take them out as quickly as possible.” Racheal looked around the class, “Why would we target them first?”

Lt. Franklin answered, “If we can eliminate them, we’ll have the initial advantages we enjoyed at the beginning; we can use our pulse cannons to attack the older model from a distance.”

“Exactly right, Lt. Franklin.” Rachael stood up, “Your job is to find the new model of warship among their formations and target it with your weapons tracking system. It will be up to the scanning officer to find a route into your selected target avoiding the alien’s scanner coverage, and your ship commander will be charged with getting you close enough to fire at your target. Like the ancient submarines, our ships are going to have to sneak in undetected, launch an attack, and get the hell out of there!”

The room was silent, and Rachael had a twinkle in her eye, “I’ve made a small wager with Admiral Talent that I will be the first one that finds a way to determine if an alien ship is an older or new model inside their phase field. Prove me wrong!”

“That sounds doable!” Lt. Anand stated.

Rachael turned to her, “That will be the easy part, Lieutenant Anand. Launching the missile at your target ends the offensive use of your weapons. The moment you launch, you will immediately become defensive in attempting to defend your ship from attack. The Ship Commander will be running the moment you launch the missile and it will be your responsibility to counter any possible danger to your ship.” All eyes were on Rachael as she continued to explain their duties, “You’re going to need eyes in the back of your head and any alien warship that comes rushing in is going to have to be hit and knocked out of its phase field before it moves into the range of its blasters. Further, you’re going to have to simultaneously use the pulse cannons to take out any alien missiles fired at your fleeing ship before they get close enough for their proximity fuses to go off detonating the missile close to your ship’s hull. Ordinarily, the alien missiles would simply pass through the ship, but the aliens are now exploding them close to our ships’ hulls. The blasts are large enough to rock the ship and degrade its phase field. The only way to prevent that is to activate the force field if any alien missiles make it by your pulse cannons.”

Rachael paused, and the weapon officers were struck silent by her comments. Rachael tilted her head, “It doesn’t stop there. If you activate the ship’s force field, then every alien warship within a third of a light-year will see it on their phase scanners. They will all rush toward your location at their fastest speed. Your pilot will be forced to radically change course and the communication officer will have to use their scanners to find another route out to escape.” Rachael then sat back on the desk. “I know some of you think that you’ll only use the force field if you must and not upset the other officers on board. That would be a bad mistake. If you don’t use the force field when it’s called for, you run the risk of having your ship lose its phase field ability with hundreds of alien warships flashing toward you at a speed you can’t match. It could very well lead to your ship being destroyed.” Rachael looked at each officer and added, “It’s not enough to know what your weapons can do; you must learn the time and place to use them.”

• • •

Jan listened to Rachael and wondered if she was the same person. She used the names of the weapons officers without making a mistake. Hell, Rachael just scared the crap out of her and she knew the new officers were probably frozen in fear. Lt. Mamani broke the silence, “Well! This sounds like fun!”

The entire room burst out laughing and Rachael laughed along with them. Rachael smiled and announced to the gathering, “For the remainder of this class, we’re going to examine numerous recordings we’ve made fighting these aliens. We’ll dissect the videos and you will tell me what you would do when I stop the videos. I expect you to be knowledgeable and proficient in operating your consoles by the time you complete this class and maybe we’ll learn a lot from each other.”

Jan stood up, “Thank you, Lieutenant Meadows; I’m taking the Communication Officers to start their training. You’ve been very informative.”

“Thank you, Admiral.” Jan gave her a smile and a thumbs up.

Chapter Fifteen

“How’s it going, Jeremy?” Tal asked.

“Well, good and bad.”

“Start with the bad news first.”

“The new missiles will not be able to damage the new warship with its pulse cannon.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve studied the recording Greg made of the new warship and its blasters are twice as fast as the older model. They swivel faster and lock on a target almost instantly after it’s detected.”

“Go on.”

“The missile will hit the alien’s phase field thirty miles out from the ship and both the ship’s and missile’s phase fields will be degraded instantly. The missile is going to be forced to fire a large concentration of energy pulses ahead of it to defeat the blaster beams being fired at it. That will deplete the energy used by the pulse cannon and it will not operate after the barrage.”

“What’s the good news?” Tal asked.

“The new chronide shell around the missile should be able to withstand any remaining blaster beams until it hits the alien warship. It will also hit before the alien vessel can reactivate its phase field.”

“That’s more than we can hope for.”

“Yes, but I’m concerned that it may just blow a hole through the ship and not cause much damage.”

“Doesn’t it still have an explosive warhead?”

“Yes, Tal, but it may be moving too fast for it to ignite it.”

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. How long before you reprogram the missiles?”

“I’ve just completed the software transfer.”

“Excellent, Jeremy.”

“I’ve met the new weapon’s operators and it appears Rachael is doing an excellent job training them.”

“Jan told me the same thing. You can join her if you want.”

“I think I’d rather meet with the new ship commanders and hear what you have to say about properly commanding the ships.”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll leave it up to Rachael to get the weapons operators up to speed and you can sit in on my meetings.”

Jeremy nodded and left to check the data transfers. Tal sighed knowing Jeremy wasn’t going to like his orders.

• • •

Jeremy returned to his quarters after leaving Ka with Jan and sat down on his bed. He was exhausted from the long hours writing the new software for the missiles and his neck and shoulders ached from sitting so long at his computer. He glanced over at a picture of Allison on his bedside table. After staring at it for a while, he began to miss her. He went to his computer and pulled up the local time in Orlando. Umm…it was only six pm. He picked up the communicator and pressed a number, “Yes, Admiral.”

“I want you to place a call to Allison Anders on Earth. She’s located in Orlando and works in the main lab.”

“Connecting your call, Sir.”

Jeremy waited and felt his excitement start to grow. Allison appeared on the monitor and he smiled, “Allison! I’m so sorry I’ve not contacted you before now!”

Jeremy expected her to be excited, but her expression was anything but. He heard a man’s voice off screen ask, “Who is it, Dear?”

Allison looked away and said, “Someone from work.” Allison turned back to Jeremy and saw his smile disappear. “What’s going on, Allison?”

“Jeremy, I’ve tried to contact you, numerous times but was not allowed by Security to do it; they said it would pose a danger to you and your crew if I did.” She paused, and Jeremy remained silent. “Jeremy, my former husband returned and begged me to take him back. I initially told him no, but my son remembers him and was beyond excitement at seeing him. John says that we owe it to our baby to put our family back together. He’s shown that he’s sincere and I finally decided I owed it to JJ to make the effort. I’m sorry. I never expected this.” Allison paused and then asked, “Are you ok?”

Jeremy sighed, ‘Yes. I understand. I wanted to call you and let you know I’ve been promoted to Admiral.”

“Did you say, Admiral?”

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed, “Yes.”

“Let me reconsider this decision.”

Jeremy stared at Allison’s image on the monitor and realized she didn’t care about his or her husband’s feelings. She was only interested in insuring her son’s future. He couldn’t really blame her but knew he had made a mistake. “Allison, your decision is made. You’re right about putting your family back together and I wish you the best.”

Allison shouted, “Wait!” just before Jeremy ended the call.

Allison stared at the dark display and knew she had blown it. She saw in Jeremy’s expression that whatever they had was dead. She smiled at her husband in the other room and stood up from the desk. She was so stupid!

• • •

Jeremy fell back on the bed and realized Tal was right. he gave his heart too quickly without really knowing the one he gave it to. Now he felt hurt, bothered, and betrayed. He was certain Allison was the ‘one’ and she just demonstrated that she didn’t have the same feelings. Allison wasn’t looking for a soulmate; she was looking for support. Knowing the truth didn’t make the pain any less and he forced his eyes shut. He finally sat up and contacted Jan on his communicator, “Are you still with Mom.”

“No, she just left for her quarters.”

“Do you have a minute?”

“What’s wrong, Jeremy?”

“How do you know something’s wrong?”

“I can see it all over your face. What’s wrong!?”

“Allison just broke up with me.”

Jan’s eyes softened, “I’m so sorry. I know you really cared for her.”

“She went back with her ex.”

“That happens a lot, Jeremy. And you’ve been absent for a long time.”

“I told her about my promotion and she tried to back track on her decision.”

Jan’s eyes hardened, “I hope you didn’t fall for that.”

“No, I saw she’s only concerned about her son. She only saw me as someone to help support them. I really hate the way I’ve deceived myself in every relationship I’ve been in.”

“You need to listen to what Tal told you and take things slow. It’s better you found out now than later.”

‘I suppose.” Jeremy paused before asking, “Jan, did you see her as a gold-digger?” Jan was silent, and Jeremy pressed, “Did you?!”

“She didn’t really fight to stop you coming out here; she gave in too easily. I suspected she believed you would be promoted if you came with us; it would make you a good choice to financially support her. If you died, I suspect she believed you would have assigned your death benefits to her…did you?” Jeremy exhaled sharply and rolled his eyes. “You did, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Jeremy answered sullenly. Jeremy looked at Jan on the display, “Jan, promise me you won’t keep your opinion from me in the future!”

“Jeremy, it could only come between us if you’ve mentally committed to someone.”

“I promise not to allow that to happen, Sis. Please help me.”

“I’ll give you my opinion but you’re going to have to ask for it.”

“That’s fair. I need to get some sleep.”

“I’m sorry, Jee.”

“Like most injuries, I’ll get over this one in time.” Jan nodded, and Jeremy ended the call. He fell on the bed and closed his eyes. He was thankful he called Jan. He had to look at what happened as a gift saving himself from himself. He closed his eyes and fell asleep from exhaustion a few minutes later.

• • •

Rachael went back to the classroom after hours to pick up her lesson plan from her desk and found Lt. Mamani sitting in her desk staring at the wall monitor. Rachael smiled, “You’re up late, Lieutenant.”

Rachael’s voice startled Mamani and she jumped straight up in her desk, “Oh! Sorry, you startled me.”

“What are you doing?” Rachael asked.

“I’ve been thinking about what you told us the first day of class and I’ve been thinking about everything we’re going to have to do to carry out our duties.”

Rachael went to her desk, took the lesson plan out of the top-drawer, and asked, “What have you decided?”

“Well, deciding on a target is, like you said, the simple part of our job. However, having to keep track of every alien warship rushing in on my ship, as well as keeping track of any missiles fired at my ship, can cause sensory overload. It would be easy to miss something critical.”

“That’s true. You’re forced to prioritize what to do. What have you decided?”

Mamani raised a shoulder, “Well, after giving this much thought and hours of consideration, I checked the specs on my console and I’ve discovered that I can assign any of the four-pulse-cannons to only focus its targeting system on missiles moving toward my ship.”

Rachael thought about it and sat down in her chair, “Yes, I guess you could do that. But wouldn’t you leave one approach to your ship vulnerable to alien warships?”

“I’d still have the pulse cannons on either side of the one designated to search for missiles to cover for it. I can also program the pulse cannon on the opposite side of the ship to automatically switch to fire on missiles, if the numbers rushing in exceed the capacity the single pulse cannon can handle. That would allow me to only focus on enemy warships moving toward my ship with the two-remaining pulse cannons.”

Rachael’s eyebrows came down as she thought about it. “But if you’re only focused on alien warships, what if a missile gets by and moves in on your ship?”

“I can program the force field to automatically activate if a missile moves inside a six-mile circle around the ship and then automatically shut down if none are detected inside that range.”

Rachael started nodding slowly, “That would make it much easier to keep track of what’s happening around your ship.”

“And if my tactical monitor doesn’t show any missiles near my ship, I can have my four pulse cannons default to my targeting system. If missiles appear, the pulse cannon designated to hit them would automatically default back to targeting missiles.”

Rachael kept her eyes on Mamani, “Have you attempted to do this?”

“I went to the simulators last night and they allowed the changes in programming. I have to assume my console would allow me to do it as well,” Mamani answered.

“Is there anything else you’ve come up with?”

Mamani smiled, “Yes, there is.”

“What is that?”

Mamani pressed the remote and Rachael turned around to see the monitor. The new model of warship was frozen on the screen and Mamani began explaining, “I’m going to run this video in reverse. Keep an eye on the new model warship as it goes back inside its phase field.” Rachael studied the monitor and saw the giant warship reverse course, move away quickly; a few seconds later, it disappeared behind its phase field. Mamani froze the image. “Do you see it?” she asked.

“See what?” Rachael asked.

“Look at the shape of the phase field; it’s not a perfect circle.”

Rachael stood up and walked around her desk and sat down in a desk beside Mamani to get a better perspective of the monitor. She stared at the ship for a few moments and saw Mamani was right. It was wider than the upper and lower edges, shaped somewhere between a circle and an oval. Rachael turned to back to Mamani who had a big smile plastered across her face. “Take a look at this!” Mamani said as she moved the view on the monitor out and then moved it toward a large group of alien phase fields moving toward the viewer in the distance. Rachael saw two-more phase fields that weren’t perfectly circular in the group.

Rachael smiled, “Mamani, I believe you have won my wager with Admiral Talent. Congratulations and I’m very proud of you.”

“I hate that I caused you to lose your wager.”

Rachael smiled, “Even though I lost the wager, I still end up winning. I want you prepared to present your findings to the class in the morning.”

“Sir, you could do it.”

“No, this is your achievement and you should be the one to present it.”

“Thank you.”

“Now go get some rest. You need to be rested when you make your presentation.” Mamani handed Rachael the remote and left the classroom. Rachael began running numerous recordings and saw that Mamani was right about the different phase field surrounding the new warship. She turned off the wall-monitor and thought about how she felt. She knew that in the past, she would have made it her primary task to get Mamani out of the service; she would be a threat to her own advancement. But she wasn’t feeling that now, truth be told, she was proud of her student. She suddenly understood that if you dealt with the people around you as if they out-ranked you, life was easier. She turned out the classroom lights and sent a message to Admiral Talent when she arrived in her quarters.

• • •

Mamani was anxious about the presentation and waited for Rachael to call her up to make her presentation. Suddenly, Rachael jumped to her feet and shouted, “ATTENSHUN!!”

The eleven weapons officers jumped to their fleet, as Admiral Talent entered the classroom. He returned Rachael’s salute and said, “As you were.” The eleven officers returned to their desks and Mamani noticed Admiral Talent wasn’t alone. The room was quickly filled by all thirty-six crew members serving in the task force. All four Admirals were present, and they were all staring at Rachael. Mamani felt her heart go into her throat and then start beating too fast to count.

Rachael stepped up to the podium and smiled after everyone took their seats, “Last night I found one of my trainees in here after hours. We had a lengthy conversation and I’ve asked her to tell you what she discussed with me.” Rachael could clearly see Mamani’s fear. Rachael smiled and added, “Making a presentation to four Admirals is not something that I would look forward to doing, so I ask the four of you to at least smile, can you do that?”

Tal laughed, “Of course we can, Lieutenant.” Tal turned to the three Admirals sitting beside him and saw they were already smiling.

Rachael turned to Mamani, “What you’ve done is going to save a lot of lives, Lieutenant. I’ll operate the remote when you need it but all of us need to hear what you’ve discovered.” Rachael winked and Mamani stood up. She handed Rachael the remote and Rachael took a seat in her desk.

Mamani looked out at the gathering and took a deep breath. She centered her mind and began, “I’ve been worried about all the tasks that I’m going to have to perform to keep my ship safe, before, during, and after an attack on an alien warship. I decided that trying to do everything myself was a recipe for disaster. So, I asked myself what could help me perform my duties. I came up with a plan and please don’t hesitate to question anything I’ve developed. I’m new at this and some of you have real world experience fighting the aliens.”

Rachael watched Mamani start her presentation and saw her find herself. She was radiant and quick to answer any questions when challenged. She soon had the room listening intently as she presented her proposals and, after she showed them how to find the newer model warship, they were shaking their heads in admiration. Rachael felt a sense of accomplishment she hadn’t felt since her first promotion.

At the end, Mamani turned to Rachael, “I must give credit to Lt. Meadows for her outstanding training in challenging us to learn how to fight. The documentary she shared with us on the first-day is what led me to discover these ideas.” Mamani put her hands together on her chest and bowed, “Thank you for your perspiration and inspiration!” The other ten weapons-officers jumped to their feet and applauded Rachael with Mamani. The rest of the room stood and joined them.

Jan leaned in and whispered to Tal, “What happened to her?”

“She returned to the land of the living and found herself,” Tal replied with a smile.

“Are you going to promote her?”

“Not yet. Let’s see if this is permanent.”

• • •

Jeremy was impressed with the young, back-haired, woman who would be his weapons officer. She had come up with ideas that he didn’t see operating his weapons console. He leaned over and asked Jan what her origins were. “She’s American Indian.” Jan replied. Jeremy nodded and saw it. He’d take some time and write additional software for the pulse cannons to make implementing her suggestions easier. The coming fight seemed a little less dangerous now.

• • •

The crews were assembled in the freighter’s conference room and were talking among themselves wondering who would be their commander? They came to attention as Tal entered the room with Greg, Jeremy, and Jan following him. He went to the table in front of the gathering and the other admirals sat at the table beside him.

Tal looked out at the officers and, after a few moments, announced, “We’re leaving tomorrow to return to the LMC. I’m reasonably certain our alien friends have missed us, and I don’t want to keep them waiting. I’ve been struggling on how to organize my task force. I’ve planned to use three four-ship attack wings with me commanding one of them, Admiral Ward commanding the second, and Admiral Stevens commanding the third. We would command from the older Epy model and divide the nine new-Epys between us. However, I’ve changed my mind.” The admirals sitting at the table with Tal jerked their heads around to him; this was news to them.

“I would be sending the leaders of the three-wings into combat flying an older-model Epy and that would place them in greater danger. I’m not going to do that.” Tal paused and said, “The older-Epy is not equipped to enter an alien formation and attack one of the new alien warships. However, they can help defend ships under attack with their missiles and that’s how I intend to use them. Admirals Ward and Stevens will take command of one of the new Epys and command their wings from them.” Mamani looked at Rachael sitting beside her and smiled. She would be taking part in combat. Admiral Ward will be commanding Captains Gibbons, Park, Mashuba, and Jones. Admiral Stevens will be commanding Captains Smythe, Patel, and Holborg. Captains Higginson and Orlando will be commanding the Blue and Americas, with the Blue supporting Admiral Stevens and the Americas supporting Admiral Ward’s wing. Before you leave the room today, you will submit the names of your vessels to Admiral Jan Stevens.” Tal turned to Greg, “If you want to take the name Blue for your new ship, we’ll make the change in the ship’s registry.”

Greg nodded, “The new ship will be named the True Blue.”

Tal turned back to the attendees and saw their excitement at finally getting their assignments. “The next orders are important, and they are directed to all ship commanders. Before you launch an attack on an alien warship, you will ask yourself the question…’what can possibly go wrong’? You should allow the members of your crew to give you input on that question and you will record your answer before launching your attack and send it directly to me. Failure to do this will lead to discipline and a reprimand in your files. IS THAT CLEAR?!”

The captains shouted, “YES, SIR!”

Tal turned to Gregory and Jeremy, “You are forbidden from taking part in any attack and will only go to the defense of your ships if it absolutely can’t be avoided! You will use the older model Epy before you commit your vessel; is that clear!?!”

Greg and Jeremy stared at Tal and reluctantly answered, “Yes, Sir.”

“I know neither of you like this order but I’m not going to lose my most experienced officers! Ships can be replaced, experience and wisdom can’t. If you can’t follow this order, resign from the service now!”

Greg and Jeremy saw Tal was not changing his mind on this issue. They agreed, and Tal turned back to the gathering. “I will also refrain from getting involved in attacks and will be receiving live updates from the Admiral’s ships. I will be focusing on the overall command of your units and I don’t want you scheduling simultaneous attacks; I may need to use one unit to go to the support of the other unit. I’m adjourning this meeting and the Captains have been given the names of their crews. Weapon Officers and Communication Officers, use the next two hours to meet with your commander. After a lunch break, you’ll then meet with your wing-commanders. Dismissed.” Tal stood up and turned to Rachael, “Lt. Meadows, may I see for a moment.” Rachael glanced at Mamani and walked over to Tal. “Rachael, I’m going to reward you for your outstanding training. You may choose the ship you’ll be assigned.”

“I’ll take Captain Smythe!” Rachael immediately answered.

“No, Rachael. It has to be someone you’ve not commanded.”

Rachael stared at Tal, felt her anger start rising, and then took a deep breath. He was right. “If that’s the case, I’ll stay with the ShaKa, Sir.”

Tal smiled, “I was hoping you would do that. It makes it easier to focus on the big-picture and not worry about the weapons being handled.”

Rachael smiled and walked away.

• • •

Ka met them after the meeting and hugged all three of them, “Duncan has sent an Epy to take me back to Earth. Thank you, Tal for allowing me to have some time with Jee and Jan. I know it wasn’t easy.” Tal smiled softly and nodded. Ka turned to Jee and Jan, “I’m so proud of what you’ve become. Please try to stay safe and come back home to me.”

“We will, Mom,” Jan replied. Ka hugged them again and Tal walked away to give them some time alone.

Jee asked, “Mom, why are you and Tal so…”

“Tense around each other.” Ka interrupted. Jeremy nodded. “It has to do with my daughter’s death. He blames himself and I blamed him as well after she died.”

“But…”

Ka put her hand over Jan’s lips, “I’ve told him that I know it wasn’t his fault. But he can’t forgive himself and he’ll always remember her dying whenever he’s around me.”

“You know he cares about you?”

“I know. But I rejected him long ago and that’s what led him to Sha. I think that no matter what happens, Sha will always be an item between the two of us; that’s how life is, Jan. See if you can keep him safe.” Jan smiled and nodded. They got in one last hug before their mother boarded the Epy to return to Earth.

Chapter Sixteen

Tee activated the cameras and sat back as the views changed on his display. He sat up straight when he saw a large group of assassins walking down a pipe hitting the roof of the pipe with long metal rods. He reversed the cameras and went back to the group probing the pipes. Mer came up behind and watched with him, “What are they doing?”

Tee’s expression was angry, “They’re hitting the roof of the pipes looking for a section that makes a different sound. They must know that I have a cover over the entrance to my lair and are looking to find it. They’re not far from us, Mer. I’m going to end this once and for all.”

“How?”

“I installed poison gas canisters throughout the pipes and I’m going to release it into the entire system. Everyone in the pipes is going to die.” Tee looked up at her, “It will make the pipes uninhabitable for more than a year and we’ll have to use our emergency escape to get out.”

“Tee…”

“Mer, I’m done with this!!”

Mer leaned over his shoulder, pressed the communication button on his computer, and picked up the microphone before Tee could stop her, “EVERYONE LISTEN! ALL OF YOU ARE ABOUT TO DIE AND I’M BEGGING MY HUSBAND NOT TO KILL YOU. A LARGE GROUP OF YOU ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR US USING METAL RODS TO PROBE THE PIPES. YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON’T GET OUT OF THE PIPES NOW!! YOU ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS! PLEASE DON’T FORCE US TO DO THIS!!”

Tee was shocked when she said he was her husband and he turned around to look at her. Suddenly he heard over the wall-speaker, “The ones they’re talking about passed us a few minutes ago.”

“Where are you?”

“Pipe eighty-seven.”

Tee’s eyes narrowed, and he turned back to the computer. He increased the volume and heard the sixty or seventy assassins probing the pipes, “Do you think she’s being honest?”

“They’re afraid because we must be getting close. Keep probing!”

Tee watched the camera and a large group of assassins appeared behind the probers. Tee estimated there were at least three or four hundred that arrived at the pipe. They raised their weapons and the probers immediately dropped the metal rods, “Hey, we were just…” He got no further as the group of assassins opened fire on them. The fight was incredibly violent. The probers were also armed, and deaths were happening too fast to count.

It was over quickly and one of the victors shouted, “We will take care of any that threaten you if you’ll just tell us. Please don’t kill all of us over what these traitors have done.”

Tee took the microphone, “I will not follow through on my threat. Thank you for removing this threat to us.”

“Thank you for allowing us to live here in safety. You may count us as friends and will not do you any harm.”

Tee shut down the gas system and looked at Mer, “Why did you tell them I was your husband?”

“Well…you sort of…are. I mean if you want to be, but you don’t have to be if you don’t want to; I don’t want to pressure you…” Tee stopped her with a kiss and they forgot about everything except each other.

• • •

The task force arrived back at the LMC and Tal activated the general frequency and had it relayed through the distant receiver to each ship, “Admiral Stevens, I am designating one of your ships to initiate an attack on one of the new alien warships. We must know if our missiles are going to do enough damage to knock them out of action before I commit the task force. Captain Smythe will take his ship, find a target, and launch a missile against it. The task force will be standing by to assist in his escape if needed. Captain Smythe, good luck and God-speed.”

Dorman felt his heart speed up, as Jeremy said over the short-range communicator, “Make us proud, Dorman. I know you can do this.”

“Why did he choose us, Captain.”

Dorman took a deep breath and turned to his communications officer, “I wish I knew, Al.” Dorman looked at Lalani Hasham, “Are you ready to do this, Lani?”

“Just get me in close, Captain.”

Dorman turned to Al, “Find us a candidate for door number-one.”

“What?”

Dorman smiled, “Never pick door number-one to hide behind. Find us a target.”

“Take us over the top, Sir. We know their general location and I’ll make an active scan. I’ll let you know when to change course.”

Dorman nodded and pushed the thruster handle fully forward. Three hours later, Al said, “I’m picking up their communications. I’m making an active scan in ten minutes.” Time seemed to drag and come to a stop. But finally, Al announced, “Their communications are quite strong and I’m activating the scan now!” Al pressed a button and stared at the main monitor. He yelled, “Get us out of here, Captain!”

Dorman whipped the ship hard-right and went to full-speed. Five minutes later, Al looked up from his console, “I’ve found four new-warships and two are not part of a large formation.”

“Pick one, Al.”

Lt. Alverez nodded and stared at his console, “I’m sending you the target, Sir.”

Dorman saw the white dot appear on the forward monitor and turned the Redemption toward it. He saw a track appear on the monitor and knew Al had not detected any alien scanners operating near it. He finally saw the target’s phase field in the distance and changed to the joy stick controller. Before pushing it, he said, “Lani, Al, is there anything we could be missing?”

“I don’t see any other vessels in my targeting system near our target, Sir.” Lani replied.

“Al?”

“Give me a minute. I’m checking it out with my optical scope.” Dorman waited, and Al shook his head slightly before answering, “I don’t see any other vessels, but it appears our target is flying around a huge field of asteroids. It’s not moving anywhere near high-speed and two older-model-warships are flying through the asteroid field in normal space.” Al turned to Dorman, “Why are they searching an asteroid field?”

“They’ve set a trap, Al.” Al’s expression showed his doubt and Dorman looked at the main monitor, “Admiral Talent shared with me how his wife was killed. She flew her ship in to repair the long-range receiver and ignored the asteroids out in open space. The moment she opened the bay door to make the repair, a wave of missiles was fired at her Epy from the largest asteroid. The aliens had set up an ambush and one of the missiles hit the open bay door. It was blown off the hull and her ship lost its phase field as a result.” Dorman pointed at the monitor, “These asteroids reeks of a setup, Al.”

• • •

Tal was watching his monitor and Jan was showing Dorman’s position on the long-range scanner. Tal leaned forward, “Don’t do it, Dorman!”

“Should we warn him off, Sir?”

“No, Jan. He’s got to figure this out for himself. Order Greg to have his ships ready to go in and get him out if things go bad.”

“Yes, Sir.”

• • •

Dorman turned to his crew, “What do you think about this now.”

Lani raised her tracking helmet, “It’s definitely a trap, Sir.”

“How do you know?!” Al inquired with a harsh tone. “Nothing on my scanners indicate it’s a trap.”

Lani smiled, “Al, Al, Al, you’re making decisions on what you can detect, not on what the target is doing.” Al’s head tilted. “Al, watch the target’s course around the asteroid field and tell me what you see.”

Al put on his scanning helmet and focused on the distant alien warship. He watched it for a few minutes, and then raised his helmet, “You’re right. It’s a trap.”

Dorman looked at them, “Care to tell me what you’ve seen?”

Al nodded to Lani and she said, “Sir, the target is moving around the edge of the asteroid field, but it appears to be moving slowly and then speeding up to move to another area ahead of it before slowing down again.”

Dorman nodded and turned back to the monitor, “It can’t have the entire field covered with warships. There are certain areas around the field where the aliens have ships ready to ambush any attacker. We probably should pick another target and get out of here.”

“I really hate they went to all this trouble and we aren’t crashing their party.” Dorman and Al turned to Lani. Lani had her helmet on and was shaking her head, “They aren’t playing nice.”

“Lani, we’re looking at a big can of trouble if we go after that ship.”

“I know it, Al. That’s what makes it worth doing.”

“Just how would you go about attacking that ship, Lani?” Dorman asked.

“Well, it’s certain death to move on it from open space, that’s for sure. However, all we need to do is get within the range of our missiles to launch an attack, right?” Al and Dorman nodded. “Well…what if we came in over the asteroid field and moved slightly inside it as we approached the side of the field where that ship is moving back and forth. Our missile would activate its phase field and fly through the asteroids between it and that ship, wouldn’t it?”

Lani’s question surprised Dorman. He thought about it and answered, “Yes. If the missile is inside its phase field, it will simply pass through any asteroids. But the asteroids would prevent the missile’s targeting system from locking on the ship.”

“I’ll program the missile to follow a line of sight course until it detects a phase field. I know the course and speed of that alien warship and I’ll fire at where it will be when I launch my missile. The alien ship and my missile should arrive at the same location, if I time it right.”

“Lani, the missile’s phase field will only last a couple of seconds.”

“I know that, Al. But that is still enough time for it to move a light year past where that ship will be. It can easily arrive at that ship’s course, detect the ship, lock on, and use its proximity detector to take out the ship’s phase field.

“Once you fire, you know we’re going to have enemy warships blow out of this asteroid field like hornets from a disturbed nest,” Dorman interjected.

“They’ll have to fly around the asteroid belt to chase us, Sir,” Al added.

“No, they won’t, Al!”

Dorman and Al turned to Lani, “They’ll activate their phase fields and simply fly through the asteroid field on the reverse path our missile was fired.”

They stared at her and Al replied, “You’re right. We’re going to have to get out the moment you launch.”

Lani saw Dorman’s smile and raised her helmet’s face plate and looked at them, as Dorman said, “Maybe.”

Dorman turned to Al, “Did you scan the space beyond the asteroid field?”

“I did, Sir.”

“And?”

“There aren’t any alien vessels within scanning range.”

“And what has been our normal tactics whenever we attack an alien warship, Al?”

“We flee directly away from the site of the attack.”

“So, what will the aliens lying in ambush do when they detect the launch of our missile?”

Al smiled, “They’ll immediately follow the missile’s course at their fastest speed. But if we don’t fly away, they could detect us as they pass.”

“Even if they do, they’ll have to stop, reverse course, and come back after us. We’ll be out of the range of their scanners before they can do that.”

Lani smiled, “And if you fly by that ship we attacked on your escape route, I can fire our pulse cannons at it as we go by.”

Dorman smiled, “Lani, you should be commanding your own ship.”

Lani smiled, “It’s my hope to one day do exactly that, Sir.”

• • •

Dorman looked back up at the monitor and asked, “Are we agreed that this is what we want to do.”

“Count me in!” Lani answered immediately. Dorman looked at Al and he gave a thumbs up.

“Al, can you get us into that asteroid field without being detected?”

“That’s going to be the simplest thing about this, Sir. The aliens appear to be deliberately avoiding scanning the asteroid field. They don’t want to scare us off.”

“Give me a course that will move us into the top of the field close to the edge where that ship is located.” Dorman saw the track appear on the monitor and he pushed the joy stick forward.

• • •

“THEY’RE PREPARING TO GO IN, TAL! SHOULD I WARN THEM OFF!?”

Tal considered the long delay before the Retribution began moving and shook his head, “No! I think they’ve figured out it’s a trap. They’re up to something and I want to see what it is.” Tal looked at Jan and saw her fear. “Jan.” She turned to him. “What’s bothering you?”

Jan exhaled slowly before answering, “I don’t want to see Dorman killed.”

Tal smiled, “You’ve managed to see he isn’t as evil as you thought?”

Jan lowered her head, “I understand why he did the things he did when I was seeing him. He would disappear, and I’d be unable to contact him for days. Now I know it was because he was trying to avoid having his career destroyed by Rachael.”

Rachael turned from her console to Jan, “What is this?”

Jan looked at Rachael, “Dorman started seeing me on Haven. I tried to leave him because I couldn’t trust him but just couldn’t make myself do it. My father taking me to Earth ended the relationship and I wasn’t forced to make the decision.”

“Why haven’t you told me about this?”

“Why do you think, Rachael?!”

Rachael glared at Jan and then sat back in her chair. Jan was glaring at Racheal as well and Rachael smiled, “I imagine seeing him on my ship was somewhat surprising.”

Tal laughed, “You have no idea! I thought she was going to take control of the pulse cannons and fire on your ship. She was hotter than a pulse cannon barrel, Rachael.”

“Looks like he cheated on both of us, Jan.”

Jan sighed heavily, “Yes, he did.”

“But cheating on me can be understood,” Rachael replied. Jan’s eyes narrowed. “I forced him into a relationship with me; he really had no choice if he wanted to remain in the Colonies’ Navy. However, he chose you to be with. I remember he appeared to be upset for several weeks and he never told me why; I suspect it was after you disappeared from Haven.” Rachael paused and then added, “That explains why he called me out when I insulted you.”

Jan lowered her eyes and nodded. “I’m sorry, Racheal. I didn’t know he was in a relationship with you when we were seeing each other on Haven.”

“Truth-be-told, he wasn’t in a relationship with me, Jan. There was little, if any, affection, but I refused to free him from my threat. I don’t like he was seeing you, but, like you, I can understand why.”

“Do you still love him, Rachael?”

Rachael sighed and closed her eyes before looking at Jan, “I guess. But he will never, ever, choose to be with me. I blew it.” Rachael raised her eyes to Jan, “I’ve seen that you’ve kept your distance from him; was that to spare my feelings?” Jan nodded. “Well, I appreciate your courtesy, but you need to do what you feel is right. You’re a remarkable woman, Jan, and I can understand why he was attracted to you. Dorman is an extraordinary person and deserves to find happiness. I won’t allow him to come between our friendship.”

Jan turned to Tal, “You saw it before I did, didn’t you!” Tal nodded. “Then why did you send him out first!?”

“To prompt this conversation, for one, Jan. Both of you needed to clear the air.”

“What would have happened if I blew up, Tal?”

Tal turned to Racheal, “I’d have transferred you to another ship. I needed to see how you handled this and I can see that you’re ready for a command of an Epy. Congratulations, Rachael. I think you’ve conquered your demons.”

Rachael’s eyes moistened, and she replied, “But Dorman could be killed by sending him out to attack first.”

Tal smiled, “You’re not giving him the credit he’s due. He’s the best one to send first, because he’s better than most of the other commanders. Let’s see what he’s planning.”

Jan looked at Rachael, “I’m sorry.”

Rachael shook her head, “Don’t be. It’s in the past and I have plenty of responsibility for what transpired.”

• • •

Dorman flew the Retribution into the top of the asteroid field and moved the ship into the outer edge. He moved slowly around the huge rocks and finally arrived a hundred miles from the outer edge of the huge field. He watched the monitor and saw the alien warship moving toward them, “Lani?!”

“I’ve got its course locked in to my targeting system, Captain”

Dorman pulled the joystick back and kept the ship stationary. Lani began feeding instructions into the missile’s programming and kept her focus on her combat helmet’s display. The alien ship was moving on a straight course and Lani focused intently on the closing distance. The alien vessel was approaching on a course that would bring it directly in front of the Retribution at a slow-speed and Lani said calmly. “Missile ejected.” Dorman pushed the joy stick slightly forward and the Redemption moved in behind a giant asteroid.

The missile ejected from the Redemption’s front missile tube, activated its phase field, and disappeared as it flew through the asteroids between it and the approaching alien warship. It suddenly cleared the asteroid field and flashed in on the incoming ship at an impossible closing speed. The missile’s pulse cannon fired an instant before the missile hit the warship’s phase field and knocked it out. The missile accelerated toward the warship thirty miles away in normal space firing its pulse cannon continuously until it ran out of power.

• • •

Al had his scanners focused on the warship and the explosion happened too fast to see. One thing was seen…the giant warship went up in a horrific blast. Al turned his attention to his forward scanners and said loudly, “I have more than a hundred warships leaving the asteroid field in front of us, Captain!” Dorman remained in place behind the asteroid and kept his eyes on the monitor. Phase fields blew past the Retribution at incredible speed and Dorman lifted on the joystick. The Retribution rose above the asteroid and Dorman pushed the joystick forward. The Redemption leapt ahead and flashed through the asteroids ahead of the ship.

“Lani!”

“I’m on it!” Lani shouted. “Pulse cannons targeted!”

Dorman kept his eyes on the forward tactical display on the bottom of the front monitor as the Retribution bore down on the stricken alien warship. Lani opened fire and he briefly saw the ship explode at multiple sites before he blew past it. He veered right and pushed the thruster handle fully forward. Ten warships came at them from the far-left edge of the asteroid belt. They had not reacted in time to give chase with the other vessels lying in ambush. Lani fired her pulse cannons at two of them, knocking them out of their phase fields. Dorman heard and saw the pulse cannons start firing at a high rate and knew that they had to be targeting incoming missiles. He looked at the monitor and saw a large cloud of them bearing in from the left. He whipped the ship right and then pulled the thrust handle all the way to the rear; the Redemption stopped and immediately reversed course. Dorman flashed by three alien-warships Lani had hit and dropped their phase fields. He was past them in an instant and felt another missile eject from a missile tube. He heard Lani say calmly, “Another new-warship was cutting us off, Captain.”

Dorman nodded and moved the Retribution away from the large blip on the monitor. There was another huge explosion and then they were clear and accelerating into clear space. He changed course ten minutes later and the pursuit lost him. Dorman had a huge smile as he shouted out, “Great job!” Al and Lani also smiled as they kept their attention focused on their monitors. One never knew when trouble would suddenly appear.

Chapter Seventeen

Tee and Mer sat in their lair watching the newscaster on the display. “The final load of metals has been lifted off Australia and is now safely in orbit. We have received notification from the President and his government that the fund set aside for the assassins has been sent to the Guild Master for distribution and it appears this nightmare is finally over.” They glanced at each other as the announcer continued, “The alien fleet started jumping out this morning and the colony warships have allowed them to go without attacking. Celebrations have broken out all over the planet and we’re showing you the one taking place in the capital City now.”

Tee saw millions of citizens crowding into the streets cheering on the display and turned to Mer, “I never asked you, did you kill any aliens before the proposal?”

“I killed three. What about you?”

“I stopped at one hundred.”

“Why?”

“Well, I no longer found any satisfaction in doing it and I was having to put myself in too much danger to continue. Then the aliens made their proposal and I decided to go along with their plan. Why keep attacking when I could get paid more if I quit attacking them?”

Mer nodded and took his hand, “What happens now?”

“We wait for the Guild Master to order us to turn on our communicators to send the recordings to his computer. Once that happens, the killing among the assassins will stop.”

“Why?”

“Because once the Guild Master has a list of all the survivors, killing them won’t increase anyone’s share. Anyone killed would just have their payment taken by the Guild.” Mer nodded and continued to watch the massive celebrations sweeping the colony.

• • •

Two days later, an Assassin Warship arrived above Haven and the Guild Master linked in to its communication system. He pressed a button on his desk and announced, “All surviving assassins will activate their communicators to send the recordings taken from their weapons.”

• • •

Both Tee and Mer pressed an orange button on their communicators and waited to see what would happen. After twelve hours, the Guild Master sent another message, “I will have my system evaluate your actions on Haven and will get back to you once the process is completed.” Tee and Mer sat back and wondered what that meant.

• • •

The Guild Master received the final analysis and smiled. This was going to be an outstanding pay day. Suddenly, his monitor beeped, and he saw the President of the Colonies on his panel. He pressed the button and smiled, “Good day, Mr. President.”

“Tell me how the funds are going to be paid out.”

The Guild Master’s expression changed to concern, “I’m not going to pay anything out of the Alien’s fund, Sir.”

The President’s face grew angry, “Why is that?”

“Because all of the assassins on the planet have violated their contracts with the guild by attacking other assassins trying to increase their share of the fund. They violated their contracts and are not eligible to be paid.”

“ARE YOU TELLING ME EVERYONE OF THEM VIOLATED THEIR CONTRACTS!?!”

The Guild Master hesitated and said, “Uhhh…only two of them didn’t violate their contracts.”

“And you intend to keep the fund and not pay it to the two-assassins?”

“That’s correct, Sir.” The Guild Leader quickly added, “They won’t pose a problem.”

The President asked, “Do these two assassins know about what they’re owed?” The Guild Master was silent, and the President’s eyes tightened, “They’ll know, won’t they?”

“The computer automatically sends out the results of the analysis once it’s completed. But I can resolve this quickly!”

“Are you aware that the other five colonies that were invaded have been offered proposals by the aliens?” The Guild Master gave a small nod.”

“And what do you think will happen if the assassins on Haven contact the assassins on those five colonies and tell them that you’ve betrayed them and kept what they were rightfully due?” The Guild Master stared back at the President. The President leaned into the monitor, “Let me be clear on this so there is no misunderstanding. I’ll support you not paying the alien’s fund to those that violated their contracts. But if the two who deserve the payout aren’t paid…”

“You’ll do what?” the Guild Master sneered.

The President leaned back and glared at the Guild Master. “You should know that I have a colony warship stationed above the Guild Building and it will be ordered to slag the building with its pulse cannons if you don’t make the proper payments.” The wide-eyed Guild Master’s mouth fell open and the President continued, “You and your guild serve a purpose at my pleasure and if you think for a minute you are in power here, you better think again!” The Guild Master was struggling furiously with what to say or what he could do, and he saw the President smile, “Colonel Tap.” The Guild Master saw his purple-haired assistant stand up from her desk against the wall and walk over to his desk. “I don’t want to waste a building, please instruct the Guild Master on the error of his ways.”

The woman had a hand blaster pointed at the Guild Master in an instant. The Guild Master held up his hands just before his head was burned off his shoulders. “Sir, I’ve given him his instructions.”

“Who is slotted to replace him.”

The woman smiled, “That would be me, Sir.”

“Follow the Guild Master’s plan. We can’t allow the assassins to indiscriminately attack other assassins. Make the payment of the alien’s fund to the two that qualify.”

“Sir, I agree with the Guild Master about taking that fund. You can use it to pay the assassins for the aliens they killed and not have to use colony funds to do it. You can use the alien’s fund instead.”

“There’s a very important lesson here, Colonel. The only thing that makes the guild function is that it keeps its promises to the members. Keeping this one will show the assassins that their leaders can be trusted. If we allow our greed to take this fund, the assassins will become uncontrollable and insist on being paid up front on all future contracts and will probably attack the leaders of their guild. Ultimately, the price would exceed what the alien’s fund totals.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ll do it by the book.”

“See that you do, Colonel.” The monitor went dark and the new Guild Master knew she was not able to do anything but follow her orders. She went to the computer and began erasing all the old passwords before entering new ones. She pondered the situation for a few minutes and then pressed the button linking her to the ship above Australia.

• • •

Tee and Mer were anxiously awaiting the Guild Master’s report on their bounties and were awakened late at night by their communicators alarming. They jumped up, ran to their communicators, and activated them. Every assassin on Haven saw a purple-haired woman appear on their small displays. “I’m sorry for the hour but there was no way to contact all of you without some being in a late time zone. I’m saddened to say that the Guild Master is no longer leading the guild. He intended to keep the funds you are entitled to receive for himself and that was not acceptable. I was slotted to be next in line to replace him; therefore, I will be the new Guild Master.”

She hesitated and then said, “Every assassin on Haven, pull up your contracts on your communicators and scroll back to the fifteenth-section, twelfth page, third paragraph from the bottom. Please start reading from there and I will speak with you once you’ve had enough time to compete the section.”

Tee scrolled back and started reading. After a moment, his eyes flew open and he said, “HOLY CRAP!!”

“What?” Mer asked.

“There are going to be some very unhappy people, Mer.” Mer started reading and was shocked by what she saw. Tee was right!

• • •

Tap waited for ten minutes and then began speaking, “We’ve estimated the number of communicators to be about 190 thousand when the aliens made their proposal. Less than fifty thousand reported in after they left the planet. I’m sure most of you assumed that the fewer number of assassins alive when the aliens left, the more of the fund you would receive. You failed however, to read the contracts you signed when you joined the Assassins Guild. Your contract strictly forbids any assassin from killing another assassin without the direct approval of the Guild. The only exception to this restriction is that you can defend yourselves if another assassin attacks you. After viewing your recordings, all of you were forced at one time or another to defend yourselves and that behavior does not violate your contract. However, pretty much all of you are guilty of killing assassins that weren’t attacking you. That puts you in violation of your contract and exempts you from receiving any part of the fund the aliens put together. Do any of you see it differently.”

The channel was silent, until someone asked, “Are any of us eligible to receive the alien fund?”

“Yes, and I will not divulge how many or who they are. You will be eligible for the bounty promised you for killing the alien landing forces. That was a different contract and none of you were in violation of it when that was happening.” Tap paused for a moment for the first part of her announcement to sink in and then continued, “The reason that clause is in your contract is that if assassins can attack each other, the power of the Guild will be greatly reduced, and the Guild will lose some of its most experienced members. I’ve sent the funds you’re entitled to the accounts you set up when you joined the guild and you may check them now. If you have any issues, contact me directly.”

• • •

Tee checked his account and his mouth fell open as his eyes flew wide open. Mer saw him and immediately checked her account. She staggered, and Tee jumped to catch her before she fainted and hit the floor. He lowered her to the couch and Mer managed to mumble, “This can’t be right!”

Suddenly, Tee saw the new Guild Master appear on his communicator’s display. He lifted it and heard her say, “I assume you’ve checked your accounts.”

“We have, Guild Master.”

“I believe your isolation is the only thing that prevented you from defaulting on your contract.”

“I suspect you’re right,” Tee agreed. The Guild Master stared at Tee and his expression changed and he inquired, “Guild Master, are you familiar with the contract I signed.”

“I am.”

“Will you look at the last page of the contract and tell me if what I’m reading is accurate?” Tap’s eyes narrowed, as she looked away from the display. After a few moments, her eyes flew open. Tee saw it and said, “If I’m reading this correctly, Mer and I are now allowed to leave the guild and it’s your responsibility to ensure that we are not endangered by you or any other member of the guild.”

Tap shook her head and turned her attention back to Tee, “It appears you are correct, Tee.”

“Has this clause ever been violated, Guild Master?”

“No one has ever fulfilled that clause, so of course it hasn’t been violated. No one has ever reached the ten-billion-credit threshold to allow them to leave.”

Mer was silent and wondered what Tee was talking about. “Guild Master, I’d like to make a deal with you.”

Tap’s eyebrows raised, “What is that?”

“We will give you a hundred billion credits each if you will make sure that clause is followed. We will put an additional hundred billion credits in a separate fund that will be transferred to you after we die a natural death.”

“You are insinuating that you don’t expect me to honor the contract?”

“This level of funds will tempt anyone, Guild Master. Will you do it?” Tap hesitated and Tee quickly said, “Make it two hundred billion.”

“Why are you doing this?” Tap asked.

“Because I know the power you hold, Guild Master. You know that the wealthy have contracts taken out on them and only you can prevent that happening to us. You would have to approve any contract and we’re hoping you would take steps to stop anyone attempting to have us assassinated.” Tee paused and smiled slightly, “Consider how long it would take you to accrue four hundred billion credits.”

Tap smiled slightly, “I do expect you to pay for any contracts to eliminate any one attempting to take a contract out on you.”

“How about a million-credits for each one?”

Tap smiled, “Make the transfer to the following account and you have a deal.”

Tee saw the number appear on his communicator and he made the transfer. He took Mer’s communicator and transferred the funds from her account. Tap kept her eyes on her communicator and Tee saw her smile, “I suggest you disappear as quickly as possible. I’m erasing your files in the Guild Computer in the event another Guild Master ever replaces me.”

“We’ll remain here until everything settles down.”

“That’s a good idea. I really did not intend to violate the contract, Mr. Tee. You didn’t have to do this.”

“Even if you didn’t, Guild Master, I’d rather have you focused on keeping us safe and it’s worth every credit to make that happen.”

Tap smiled, “I’m glad to hear you say that. I pride myself on keeping my promises.”

The display went dark and Tee smiled. He looked at Mer and she said, “You gave away two hundred billion credits?! Are you crazy?”

“That leaves each of us three hundred billion credits to enjoy, Love. I think peace of mind is worth at least that much.” Mer glared at him, for a moment, then smiled, and put her arms around his neck.” Tee paused and turned to her, “You know that if you hadn’t stopped me from activating the gas canisters, we wouldn’t qualify for this payment?”

“Why not?”

“Because I would have killed hundreds of assassins that were not attempting to attack us. You’re the reason we qualified for these payments.”

After an hour passed, Tee turned on the cameras and saw that all the assassins who had been hiding, were gone. He assumed they left and went back to their lives hidden among society. They were still needed; Haven hadn’t sent out any colony ships. For the survivors, there were going to be more contracts than they could ever fill.

• • •

“Tal.”

“Yes, Jan.”

“I’ve intercepted an alien communication. It appears the fleet above Australia had phased out and is no longer surrounding the colony.”

“What?”

“That’s what was said, Tal. They also said they were fortunate that they didn’t cause any massive number of deaths on Australia.”

Tal instantly flew the ShaKa high above the LMC and ordered Jan, “Connect me with Duncan.” A few minutes later, Duncan appeared on the monitor, “WHAT IS THIS THAT THE ALIENS HAVE LEFT AUSTRALIA!!”

“Calm down, Tal.”

“We’ve been told that Australia has lost millions of its population to orbital bombardment! What’s going on?!” he asked impatiently.

Duncan’s expression showed Tal that something was going on. Duncan sat back and stated, “That falls under top secret information, Tal.”

“So, those of us putting our lives on the line out here aren’t entitled to know what’s happening!?!” Tal said loudly.

“Stand by.” Duncan disappeared, leaving Tal furious. Jan and Rachel remained silent keeping their eyes on their monitors not wanting to turn his anger toward them. Thirty minutes later, Jan saw her console start receiving documents. She turned to Tal, “Duncan asks that you read the file he just sent to me and contact him after you’ve completed it.”

“PUT IT ON MY PANEL!!” Jan winced and transferred the file.

Tal started reading and it was clear he was becoming more furious. After a few minutes, his expression changed, and he sat back in his chair as he continued to read. Finally, he took a deep breath, blew it out, closed his eyes, and allowed his head to fall back on his chair. He kept them closed and said calmly, “Get Duncan, Jan.” Duncan appeared on the monitor and Tal opened his eyes when he heard it ping, “I’m sorry for my behavior, Duncan.”

“The Chancellor gave me permission to send you the file but want’s it destroyed immediately. There is always a risk of the aliens intercepting our transmissions.”

“I understand, Duncan. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’d feel the same way if I were in your place.” The monitor went dark.

Tal glanced at Jan, “Did you read it?” Jan lowered her head into her shoulders and nodded. “What do you think?”

“This alien invasion was a gift,” she answered.

Rachael’s eyes flew wide open, “WHAT?”

Tal looked at her and waved his hand toward her, “Jan is right.”

“BUT…”

Tal interrupted, “There’s been no wide-scale loss of life in the colonies that have been invaded; that was a deliberate lie.”

Rachael stared at Tal and Jan said softly, “These aliens aren’t anywhere near as nasty as I thought.”

“No, they’re not.” Tal agreed. “But strong arming a theft of a planet’s raw materials and technology is still a crime; there is a price to be paid for that behavior.”

“What’s going on, Admiral?”

Tal turned to Rachael but hesitated for a long moment before asking, “Racheal, are you aware that the colonies are headed toward complete and utter collapse within the next eighty to ninety years.”

“That’s not true.” She countered.

“Rachael, do you have the last colony census in your computer.”

“No.”

Tal looked to Jan, “I’ll transfer it to her computer,” Jan responded to his look.

“Racheal, I want you to read the entire document and extrapolate what the colonies’ population will be in sixty years.”

Rachael turned to her computer and started reading. Five minutes later, Tal was shocked again by how fast Rachael could read and absorb huge amounts of information. Rachael looked up and said, “I think you were being conservative. Some of the colonies would fall into civil war before eighty years.”

“What does that say to you?” Tal asked. Rachael was silent, as she considered the question and Tal prodded her, “Come on, Rachael! You’ve seen the data.”

“The Central Government has been lying to the colonies.”

“Why?”

“Tal, it’s never good to lie!”

“But why did they do it!”

Rachael was deflated, “To get huge numbers of citizens to leave the colonies.”

“And what is the effect of doing that?”

“It delays the fall.” Rachael answered. Tal nodded, and she asked, “Does it stop the fall, Tal?”

“No. Not without radical laws curbing population growth. But the aliens have saved the colonies for the moment. Now it’s up to the government to get things under control.”

Jan looked down at her console and shouted, “WE’VE LOST THREE SHIPS, TAL! AND THE OTHERS ARE BEING PURSUED BY HUNDREDS OF ALIEN WARSHIPS!”

Tal pushed the thruster handle fully forward and dove back toward the LMC.

Chapter Eighteen

“JAN! GET JEREMY ON THE MONITOR NOW!!” Jeremy appeared on the screen and Tal demanded, “WHAT’S GOING ON?!”

“Tal, we lost three Epys and it appears the aliens can track our ships. We’ve scattered and are flying out of the LMC toward the Pinwheel Galaxy.”

Tal turned to Jan, “What’s happening!?!”

Jan stared at her monitor and answered, “I’m starting to receive weird scanning beams ahead of us. I’ve never seen anything like this!”

Rachael jumped out of her chair and rushed over to look at Jan’s monitor. After a moment, she said, “I recognize that beam; it’s designed to detect changes in gravity. We developed a scanner in the colonies to assist our scientists in studying a distant star’s gravity. This new scanner beam has the same frequency.”

“How many ships are using that scanner?”

Jan stared at her monitor and looked up, “Two. They’re scanning the space ahead of their ships on a broad front and are directing their formations to our ship’s locations.”

“Can they detect us?”

“No, we’re behind their scans.”

“Put them on my monitor.”

“Tal, they’re too far ahead of us. We’ll never catch them.”

“Put it on the tactical monitor, Jan!” Tal looked at the tactical display and said to Jeremy, “Order all your ships to go vertical now!”

“But…”

“DO IT, JEREMY!!”

Jeremy disappeared from the monitor and Jan announced, “We’ve lost another ship, Tal, but the others are moving vertical just ahead of the alien fleets.”

“Jan show me where I can cut those two scanning-vessels off.” Jan ran the data and a track appeared on the monitor. Tal turned the ShaKa on the track and Rachael rushed back to her chair. “Rachael!!” Tal yelled.

“I’m setting it up, Tal.”

“Tal, those are entirely new warships. They’re larger than any we’ve seen to date!” Jan reported.

“Will they see us?”

“Not until the last moment. All of their scanners are operating ahead of their course.”

“Rachael, you can’t…”

“I’ve got it handled, Tal. You need to concentrate on how to get us out of trouble.”

Tal nodded and gripped the steering wheel harder. The huge mass of alien warships began growing larger by the second. Rachael shouted, “You need to slow down!”

Tall pulled the thruster handle back as they roared in on the huge formation and Rachael said, “Hold it there…hold it there…MISSILES LAUNCHED.”

Tal felt the vibrations, as four missiles launched from the front-two missile tubes and lept out at the two-gigantic-warships ahead of them. The first two-missiles activated their phase fields and leapt away followed by the last two-missiles launched an instant later.

Tal could not take his eyes off the front monitor and saw the first two-missiles knock down the two-giant’s phase field and open fire with their pulse cannons. Every blaster on the two alien warships opened fire on the approaching missiles and their blasters broke through the energy pulses and destroyed them. They didn’t have long to cheer their success. The view of the second-pair of missiles was blocked by the explosions of the first-two and they slammed into the two-giant-warships causing massive explosions. “Their scanners are down!” Jan shouted.

“RACHAEL, GIVE THEM EVERYTHING WE’VE GOT!” Tal pushed a button on his panel activating the general frequency, “WE’VE KNOCKED OUT THEIR SCANNERS. LAUNCH EVRYTHING YOU HAVE AND GET OUT!!”

The surviving Epy Warships disappeared from the alien’s scanners and they turned and flew in at maximum-speed toward the ships pursuing them. They launched every missile in their inventory before turning away.

Rachael was firing all three missile-magazines as Tal swept the ShaKa’s bow across the alien formation. He reversed the ShaKa and flew away at high-speed, as fifty-alien-warships turned to pursue. He disappeared out of their scanner range just before they could start chasing the ShaKa. Tal shouted over the communicator, “We’ll rendezvous at the freighter! Make sure you’re not followed!!”

“TAL!” Tal jerked his head around to Jan. “I HAVE THREE TRANSPONDERS BEHIND US!!” Tal whipped the ShaKa around and jerked his eyes to the forward monitor. Three-tiny-white dots were on the lower edge of the monitor. Jan looked up from her console, “They’re suit-transponders, Tal!”

Tal shook his head angrily and pushed the thruster handle forward. Who could they be? He glanced at Jan and she started speaking as she kept her eyes on her monitor, “Those transponders are not far from where the Americas self-destructed!” She looked up to him, “That has to be Dan and his crew!”

“How many enemy ships close by?”

“Tal, we’ll be detected by at least six of them if we go to their location.”

Tal turned to Rachael, “Please tell me you didn’t launch all your missiles!”

“You ordered me launch them!”

“RACHAEL!!”

Rachael sighed, “Sir, I have one in each tube; I hate not having enough weapons to defend our ship! I’m sorry I didn’t follow your orders, Sir.”

“I love you, Rachael! Keep those warships off us!!” Rachael rolled her eyes and pulled her faceplate down.

• • •

Dan looked at Meghan and Mila, as he used his suit-jets to move in on them. They were holding hands and Mila reached out and grabbed Dan’s arm as he came in. Meghan used her jets to stop them and Dan puffed, “Thank you; I thought I was going to pass you.”

They were floating in open space and Mila sighed, “Sir, do you think they’ll come after us?” Dan fixed his eyes on Mila and finally shook his head. Mila sighed, “I didn’t think they would.”

“Why not?” Meghan asked.

Dan sighed, “This area is full of alien warships and I’m reasonably certain the Admiral ordered the task force to evade and flee.”

“If that’s the case, why did you order us to jump out of the Americas?” Meghan asked.

“I guess I did it instinctively. I saw it was the only way to not die. I feel responsible for your lives and wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“If you had to do it over…” Mila’s question faded off.

“I’d probably have just allowed us to die on the Americas when its self-destruct activated. It would be a faster death than dying out here from asphyxiation.”

Mila nodded slightly and looked out at the galaxy around them. “Well, I guess if one has to die, this is a great place to do it. The view of creation from here moves my soul to wonder at the incredible universe around us.” Mila turned to Dan, “It’s been great serving with you, Sir.”

Meghan smiled, “Yes it has. At least we’re here together at the end.”

Suddenly, something flew in on them at an unimaginable speed; it instantly stopped ten feet from them and Dan’s mouth flew wide open. The bay door opened, and Jan threw a cable out of the bay toward them. Dan snagged it, as Meghan and Mila gripped his suit. Jan anchored an arm on a handhold inside the bay door and pulled with all her strength on the cable. Dan saw a missile leap out of the rear-missile tube, as the crew of the Americas flew into the landing bay in an instant. Just before they passed into the bay, they saw three-pulse-cannons on the ship’s hull open fire.

Jan closed the bay door, pressurized the bay, and ran out of the landing bay. She removed her helmet and yelled over her shoulder, “Meet us on the bridge!!”

Rachael yelled, “GET US OUT OF HERE!!” Tal shook his head and was forced to wait on the bay door to close. Rachael hit an incoming alien warship with two pulse canons, but not before it launched a missile barrage. Tal saw the bay door light turn green and he slammed the thruster handle fully forward; the ShaKa went vertical at maximum-speed to avoid the incoming missiles. He stared at the tactical monitor and started another turn, but Rachael’s pulse cannons swept across the incoming missiles and they went up in massive explosions.

Jan rushed to her console and Tal yelled, “JAN!”

“REVERSE COURSE!!” She shouted.

Tal grabbed the thruster handle and pulled it fully back. The ShaKa came to an immediate stop and reversed course. Twenty-brilliant-blaster-beams flashed by behind them. Rachael’s eyes went to slits and she launched her last-two-missiles. Tal saw them leap ahead of the ShaKa and he followed them in on two warships flashing in on them. The alien warships had no choice but to target all their blasters on the incoming missiles. Rachael activated the force field just long enough to blow past them. Tal whipped the ShaKa hard right and dove the ship into the LMC. Ten minutes later, the ShaKa lost its pursuers.

No one noticed, but the crew of the Americas had entered the bridge, sat against the back wall, and watched Tal, Jan, and Rachael fight their ship. Dan was impressed with what he saw. Tal’s crew seemed to work together on an almost instinctive level. They seemed to know what each other was thinking and reacted without orders. He glanced at Mila and saw her staring at Rachael. She was shaking her head and she noticed Dan watching her. “I thought I was good, Sir. I’m nowhere close to being able to do what she’s doing,” she said softly

Dan shrugged, “Now we have a target to shoot for.” Mila turned back to Rachial and nodded.

• • •

Tal dove the ShaKa deeper into the LMC and went to full-speed. An hour later, he went vertical and flew toward the distant freighter. He set the ship on autopilot and turned to Dan with an angry expression, “Report, Captain!”

“Sir, I can understand your anger at not dying with the Americas. But we had time to get out and still insure the Americas self-destructed.” Tal’s eyes stayed fixed on Dan and he didn’t respond. “Sir, the generator powering the top-pulse-cannon exploded in the rear of the Americas and damaged the batteries powering the other generators. I saw the power level on all our system dropping fast. I ordered my crew to evacuate the ship and programmed the computer to use our remaining power to move the Americas away. I set the self-destruct to activate three minutes after the ship accelerated away.”

Tal glared at Dan and Rachael chuckled. Tal jerked his head around to her and she rolled her eyes. “JUST WHAT DO YOU FIND AMUSING, LIEUTENANT?!” Dan, Meghan, and Mila jerked at the volume of Tal’s voice.

Rachael leaned back in her chair and answered, “I’m amused at seeing you act like an ass like I used to and making the same mistakes.”

“JUST WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!”

“I was famous for punishing members of my crew for doing something they had no idea was wrong. Everyone on my ship walked on eggs hoping they didn’t make a mistake they knew nothing about.”

Tal’s demeanor changed slightly. His glare changed to just staring at her. “Care to tell me how I’m acting like you?”

“Sure, I’d love to.” Rachael looked at Jan, “Please correct me if I’m wrong about this.”

“I prefer you leave me out of this altogether. I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about,” Jan replied.

Rachael smiled at Jan, “Try to keep up.” She then turned to Tal, “Sir, tell me one time where you told the crews under your command that they could not fall into enemy hands.”

“I told them to self-destruct their ships before they allowed that to happen.”

Rachael turned to Jan and smiled. Tal jerked his head around to Jan and she lowered her head into her shoulders as she pressed buttons on her console, “Sir, that’s not what your ordered.”

Tal’s eyes went to slits and Jan’s head went lower. He saw her and stood up. his hands were tightened into fists behind his back and he blew out a hard breath. He inhaled slowly, sat down, and turned back to Jan, “Admiral Stevens, please educate me as to what I ordered.”

“Sir, you ordered every ship commander to self-destruct their vessel before it fell into enemy hands.”

“EXACTLY!!”

Rachael shrugged, “Tell me where in that order does it mention anything about the crews?”

Tal whipped his head around to her and Rachael was clearly not intimidated by Tal. Tal glared at her, and after a moment, sat back in his command chair. Tal kept his eyes on Rachael, then turned to Jan, and then turned around to Dan, “I apologize, Captain; my weapons officer is correct and my hostility toward you and your crew is not called for. You weren’t told why you had to die with your ship.”

Dan watched the proceedings and asked, “Why are we required to die with our ship, Sir.”

“Captain, why are we out here?”

Mila answered, “We’re out here to pin the alien’s fleets down in this galaxy.”

“And just who do the aliens think we are, Lieutenant?”

Dan’s head went back, and he started shaking his head. Tal saw him and lowered his eyes, “Do you understand now?”

Dan nodded, “If the aliens happened to find us floating in space, they would learn that humans are flying the ships attacking them and not some strange alien species. We would have revealed that Earth has a stardrive.”

Rachael snorted, “I wondered why you went back after them! It was an incredibly brave thing to do but also extremely stupid. Now I see you had no choice.”

Tal nodded, “No! I didn’t.”

Mila stood up, walked over to Tal, threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him, “I’m so thankful you did!” Tal rolled his eyes and looked at Dan, “Don’t do it again!”

“You can count on it, Sir. However, I think this is something you need to share with all the crews.” Tal nodded as Meghan joined Mila.

• • •

The eight surviving Epys fired more than four-hundred-missiles at the alien formations; all of them hit an alien ship. The alien ships flew wild evasive maneuvers and some of them hit their own warships around them. The loss of warships was catastrophic, and hundreds of support vessels had to be summoned to assist the crews on the stricken ships. The Supreme Fleet Commander was fired, and a New Commander was dispatched to command the surviving warships.

• • •

Tal ordered a communication black out and he met up with Jeremy and Greg in the freighter’s landing bay. The first thing he asked as they walked up was, “Who?”

Greg sighed heavily and began, “We lost both of the older Epys. Dan and Mo’s ships were the first to die.” Tal closed his eyes and Jeremy added, “We also lost Captain Jones’ Atlanta and Captain Holborg’s Stockholm.” Jeremy paused and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. We were caught completely off guard by what happened.”

“New technology can do that,” Tal replied. He put his hands on their shoulders and shook his head, “You had no warning about their new gravity scanner. However, I was able to save the Americas’ crew.” Jeremy’s eyes widened, and Tal shrugged, “I’ll tell you about it in our next meeting.”

“Is that what it was; a gravity scanner?” Greg asked.

“Yes. Rachael recognized the pattern. We were fortunate that I was behind them and had an opportunity to take them out.”

“What happens now?”

Tal turned to Jeremy, “We grieve for our dead and put our heads together to decide.” Jeremy shook his head slightly, “Sir, I need to meet with my crews.”

“Go ahead,” Tal answered.

Greg remained and said, “If they bring more ships with that gravity scanner…”

Tal held up his hand, “I know! We’ll need to call this off.” Greg nodded and left to meet his crews. Jan was standing beside Tal and he said softly, “Send a report to Duncan on what happened.”

“Yes, Sir.” Jan turned to go and said, “Thank you for saving my brother.”

“I didn’t just do it for him, Jan.”

“I know.” Jan turned and walked away.

Tal glanced at Rachael, who was staring at him, “You can’t blame yourself for this, Sir.” Tal could only shake his head. “If it makes you feel any better, there are hundreds of alien commanders feeling just like you do now.”

Tal raised his eyes to her, “No one should feel this way, Rachael.”

“It takes war to teach that lesson, Sir.” Rachael turned and followed Jan back to the ShaKa. Tal had to agree, Rachael was right.

• • •

Jan walked around the Retribution talking to Rachael and saw Dorman standing outside the ShaKa’s landing bay door. Rachael also saw him and said, “I think I’ll go get a bite to eat.” Rachael veered away, as Jan continued toward Dorman. She arrived at the ShaKa and Dorman raised his hands and said, “I want to apologize for not being honest with you, Jan. I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any pain.”

“Why did you do it?”

Dorman signed and lowered his head, “I wish I could give you a good reason, but the truth is I was just being selfish.”

“What is that supposed to mean!?” Jan demanded.

Dorman looked up, “I was lonely, Jan. I was trapped in a relationship I couldn’t escape, and I felt the first bit of happiness in a very long time when I first talked to you. I put my own feelings ahead of yours and I am truly sorry about that.”

“You know what they say, don’t you Dorman?” Dorman looked into Jan’s face and heard her say, “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

Dorman took a breath and lowered his eyes, “I deserve that. I am sorry for what I did. I don’t expect you to forgive me; I just needed to tell you that you didn’t deserve what I did to you.”

Jan saw his pain and replied, “Dorman, my hatred for you is gone. After learning what was going on, well, I no longer felt so angry about it, the only pain I suffered was self-inflicted.”

“Thank you, Jan.” Dorman started to walk away but suddenly stopped and pulled Jan into his arms and hugged her tightly, “Thank you so much for making my life somewhat brighter. I didn’t deserve it, but I will always be grateful for it.”

He released her and turned to go but Jan grabbed his arm and pulled him back into an embrace. She kissed him and then held him tight. Dorman quickly said, “Jan, you are the most perfect woman I’ve ever known. You’re so much more than I could ever deserve.” He stepped back, and Jan grabbed his arm stopping him, “Do you know what else they say, Dorman?”

“No, what is that.”

“Shoot for the stars and you’ll at least make the sky.” Jan turned and walked into the ShaKa’s landing bay.

Dorman watched her walk away, as Tal walked up beside him. Dorman saw him, and Tal nodded toward the landing bay, “She’s really something, isn’t she?” Dorman glanced at the landing bay and nodded. Tal put his hand on Dorman’s shoulder, “So are you, Pal! Don’t set your sights too low.” Tal walked into the landing bay and Dorman put his hand on his lips. He stared at the landing bay door and then raised his arms and did a double-fist-pump as he said, “YESSSS!” He walked away with a spring in his step.

Jan was watching him on the ShaKa’s scanner and asked Tal as he entered the bridge, “What did you say to him?”

“You’ll have to ask him,” Tal answered with a wink.

Rachael walked in with a burger in one hand and a soda in the other. She asked with a serious expression, “How’d it go?” She sat down in her chair and took a bite of her burger.

Jan stared at her and said, “Racheeellll.”

Rachael laughed and took a sip of her drink. “Dorman is a good person, Jan. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known, lighten up.”

“Have you sent my message?” Tal asked.

Jan turned to her console and Tal said, “I told him not to set his sights too low.” Jan stopped and turned to Tal. “Jan, I agree with Rachael. He’s really a good person.” Jan smiled, and Tal lowered his eyes, “What about my message!”

Jan jerked her head back to her console and began entering data. She smiled the entire time, until she began entering the names of the lost ships and their crews.

• • •

Tal was attending a wake for the lost crews, when Commander Tuliano walked up and leaned in, “Sir, Admiral Montana is on the bridge’s monitor.”

Tal nodded and slipped out of the cafeteria and headed toward the freighter’s bridge. He arrived to see Duncan having a discussion with Captain Sager. He heard Sager saying, “Yes, Admiral, we’ll have the surviving ships rearmed within twelve hours.”

Duncan noticed Tal enter the bridge and looked over, “Thank you for taking a moment to join us.” Tal nodded. “Our intelligence unit has examined the recordings you sent me and they’re in agreement that the Epys you command are not up to dealing with this new gravity scanner. The main asset of an Epy is their ability to not be seen from long distance; they’ve lost that advantage now.”

“You’re right, Sir. Our attack strategies of using stealth maneuvers will no longer work once they get more ships here with gravity scanners,” Tal agreed.

Duncan sat forward in his chair, “Have you thought of any other tactics you can use against them?”

“I’ve considered just ejecting some missiles close to their fleets programmed to launch the moment an alien warship moves into its range. However, that won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“The missiles’ shells aren’t made from Phase Metal and are easily detected from far outside the missile’s range. The aliens will easily avoid or destroy them from long-range.” Duncan was silent, and finally Tal asked, “What are you thinking?”

Duncan raised his left shoulder, “We’re working on a new model of Epy warship, but they won’t be ready for a while. However, I don’t believe pulling your forces out would be a good thing. We’re not quite ready to reveal Earth’s stardrive, and we need to keep the pressure on them in the Large Magellanic Cloud for a while longer.”

Tal’s expression turned dour and challenging, “Admiral, if they bring ships in with gravity scanners, there’s not much we can do; my ships escaped because I was talking with you at the time they were attacked; we were lucky! I’ll lose every ship in my command if we attempt to attack them again! You have to know that!”

Duncan smiled, “What about setting them up for a fall?” Tal’s brow instantly furrowed, while Duncan began to share an idea with him. Tal started questioning him and, after twenty minutes, he smiled. He now knew the Chancellor choosing Duncan to lead Earth’s Military Forces was a stroke of genius.

• • •

Tal left the bridge to return to the wake. Everyone in the room rushed up to him and Gregory asked, “Have we been recalled?”

Tal held up his hands, “HEY, HEY!” He looked around the gathering and said in a softer voice, “This time has been set aside to celebrate the lives of the brothers and sisters we’ve lost. We will focus on that and nothing else! They deserve it!”

The group dispersed, but Jan stayed beside Tal. Rachael worked her way slowly back to him and stood beside Jan, as she stared at the crews in the room with them. They were silent for several minutes and Rachael finally asked, “Is there a possible way to load more missiles on the ShaKa?” Tal and Jan turned to her with puzzled looks. Rachael saw them staring at her and shrugged, “Just asking?”

“Why?”

“Because we’re not going home, and things will probably get really dicey shortly.”

“And just how do you know that?” Tal asked with a sarcastic tone.

Rachael looked out at the crews again and said, “If we were going home, now would be the perfect time to tell everyone and let them know we’ve been saved by the sacrifice our brothers and sisters made. Since you didn’t do that, I’m thinking it’s back into the fight for all of us.”

Tal rolled his eyes and started shaking his head, “Do you miss anything?!”

Rachael chuckled, “You have something up your sleeve you’re not going to tell us about. I really hope you’ll tell me; my curiosity is killing me.”

Tal’s head turned to the left and then back to Rachael as his expression showed his shock. He opened his mouth about to say something, closed it, and stormed off. Jan glanced at Rachael, “Are you sure about this?”

“I wasn’t but Tal confirmed my suspicions.”

“Rachael, you are one dangerous woman.”

“I hope you mean that in a nice way, Jan.”

Jan laughed and put her arm over Rachael’s shoulders, “In the nicest kind of way, Rachael.” Rachael smiled and walked away to join the other crews.

Dorman walked up and smiled, “Jan, do you mind if I join you?” Jan shook her head and put her arm around Dorman’s waist. This was when you needed to be around those you cared for.

• • •

The wake finally ended, and the crews broke up into couples and singles as they left the cafeteria. Greg walked up to Rachael, as she was taking a bag of sandwiches off the table and putting them into a large bag. “You aren’t planning to eat all of those, are you?” Greg asked with wide eyes.

Rachael jumped, Greg startled her, and she turned to him, “No, only about two-thirds of them. I’m sure Tal and Jan will scoff up some of them.”

“If I ate that much, I’d gain ten pounds.”

Rachael smiled, “I’m blessed with a high metabolism.”

Greg’s expression turned serious, “Do you know what’s going on?”

Rachael stopped cramming sandwiches in the bag and turned around, “No, Admiral, I don’t.”

“But you have an idea?” Greg pressed.

“Don’t you, Admiral? You’re in a position to know more about what’s happening than a lowly Lieutenant. I suspect your ideas would be better than anything I could come up with.”

Greg looked at her through lowered eyebrows, “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“Admiral, when I was busted back to Lieutenant, you made it known that you thought it was the proper thing to do, didn’t you?” Greg nodded. “Then why in this universe would you even consider any idea I came up with; after all, I’m not all that.”

Greg kept his attention on Rachael’s eyes and replied, “I’ve watched you since your demotion and I’ve seen that I was misinformed, Lieutenant. You also possess talents and bravery I missed, and I told Admiral Talent that you should have been one of the new Epy commanders.”

Rachael stared at him and then nodded slightly, “Thank you for that, but you would have been wrong.”

“Why?”

“I wasn’t ready, Admiral.” Rachael picked up the bag of sandwiches walked away but stopped and turned back to him, “I think I know what’s going on but it’s strictly a guess. I’m not going to share that with you because Admiral Talent is the one that should tell you; I owe him my loyalty, Sir.”

Greg smiled, “I can accept that, Lieutenant.” Rachael smiled and walked away. Greg watched her leave and slowly shook his head.

• • •

Jeremy sat on a bench in the landing bay watching the cranes loading missiles into the Epys. Nicole LaSalle and Mamani entered the bay, walked over, and sat down on each side of him. They were silent as the cranes continued moving missiles into the Epys’ missile magazines. Mamani broke the silence, “We’re not going back.” She turned to Jeremy, “Are we, Sir?”

Jeremy shrugged, “Those cranes say we’re not.”

Nicole turned to Jeremy, “Why do you say that, Sir?”

Jeremy took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, before answering, “Figure it out, Nicole. If we were being recalled, why would our ships need to have missiles loaded in their magazines? We could be rearmed on Earth faster than here. They’re loading those missiles for a reason.” Jeremy turned to Mamani, “I’m highly impressed with the operation of your weapons console, Mamani. You saved us.

Mamani nodded, “Thank you, Sir. We barely survived the last attack.” Jeremy nodded and turned back to the cranes. Mamani turned to him, “Sir, are we going to be sacrificed simply to delay the aliens a little longer?”

The question caught Jeremy’s attention and he turned and focused on Mamani’s face, “I trust the Admiral. I know for a fact he will not throw our lives away.” Jeremy paused for a moment, looked back at the ships, and added, “He’s planning something and we’re going to carry out our orders to the best of our ability no matter the cost.”

Mamani looked at Jeremy and wondered if he could see her thoughts. Jeremy turned away and she knew he couldn’t.

Chapter Nineteen

Tal contacted Greg and ordered him to report to the ShaKa. Greg entered the bridge and saluted. Tal returned his salute and said, “Admiral Ward, I guess everyone has figured out we’re not being recalled.” Greg nodded, and his expression changed to one showing his concern. “I am giving you new orders that you will follow to the letter, is that clear?!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You will remain on the freighter for ten more days with the seven-remaining Epys, at that time you will move out of the freighter and take your ships high above the LMC. I want your ships centered above the galaxy.”

“Yes, Sir,” Greg replied after a slight hesitation.

“I am going to release a position beacon and, when ordered, you will take your ships and move them as quickly as possible to that beacon. You will remain there until you are able to scan the alien fleets moving toward your location. Are we clear so far?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Once you detect the approaching alien warships, you will determine if they have their gravity scanners operating. If they aren’t present, you will commence attacks when the aliens move into range.”

“And if we do detect the gravity scanners?” Greg asked.

Tal leaned forward in his command chair, “You will immediately turn and flee, contact me, and tell me they are using gravity scanners. I will activate a position-beacon close to the ShaKa and your will flee directly toward that beacon! Repeat my orders, Admiral!”

“If I detect the aliens using gravity scanners, I will flee and contact you immediately. I will have my ships running on a direct line to your ship, Sir.”

“Now, this is the important part, Admiral Ward; you will only flee at three-quarters speed.” Greg’s eyes widened, and Tal said firmly, “Repeat your orders, Admiral!”

“I will flee toward your ship at three-quarters speed. But, Sir…”

Tal interrupted, “Admiral, you have your orders and anyone that violates them will be court-martialed and either be summarily executed or imprisoned, you got that!!”

“Yes, Sir. But at three-quarters-speed, we won’t be capable of outrunning the alien ships…”

Tal raised his hand, cutting Greg off, “Admiral you have your orders and you will not reveal them to your crews until you implement them! You’re dismissed!”

Greg glared at Tal as he saluted. Tal returned it and Greg left the ShaKa wondering if Tal had gone insane. He knew he was ordered not to reveal his orders, but he couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. The ShaKa left the freighter and Greg met Jeremy in the cafeteria and told him what Tal ordered him to do. Jeremy listened, and Greg asked, “Has he lost his mind?”

Jeremy’s expression showed his concern, “I really wish you didn’t tell me this.”

“Why?”

“Because Tal didn’t want me to know. He didn’t want any of us to know because some of our crews might not follow his orders, just like you don’t want to do it now.” Greg sat back in his chair. Jeremy took a breath and Greg saw his eyes narrow, “Admiral, Tal is the most brilliant person I’ve ever known. If we follow his orders, we’ll probably live. If we don’t, we’ll die.”

“Jeremy, are you certain?”

“Greg, it doesn’t matter what I think; you’re in command and if Tal thought you wouldn’t follow your orders, he would have put someone in command who would. The question really is whether or not you are the right choice to follow his orders and do trust him.” Jeremy stood up, “I’m really hoping you do.”

Greg watched him walk away and shook his head. This was ludicrous! Greg saw Jeremy walk out the door and suddenly remembered a while back when Tal, Jeremy, Jan, and Ka stood in that door and Ka made him promise to keep her children safe. Greg’s eyes narrowed, and he began to rub his chin, as he remembered how Tal blamed himself for Sha’s death by not being there with her. Jeremy was right. He didn’t know what was going on, but Tal issued his orders for a reason. He put his worry behind him and decided to allow events to unfold as planned. That evening, Greg saw Jeremy looking at him from across the cafeteria and he smiled, nodded, and turned back to the tray line. Jeremy smiled and wondered what Tal was up to.

• • •

Tal took the ShaKa out of the freighter’s huge landing bay and headed toward the last known position of the alien fleet. He asked Jan, “What’s the best way to determine the current location of the alien fleet without being detected?”

“They’re using phase waves to communicate. I can triangulate on those waves and determine where they are, Sir?

“Do I need to move in closer?”

“No, if they have gravity scanners they might detect us.”

Tal nodded, “Let me know when you determine where they’re located.”

• • •

Jan had her combat helmet on and was listening intently. An hour later, she said back at Tal, “Sir, it appears the alien fleet has not moved since our last attack.”

Tal nodded and went to full speed toward the distant Pinwheel Galaxy. After a day passed, Tal asked for an update, “See if you can detect any communication traffic in the direction of the Pinwheel Galaxy.”

Jan turned up the gain on her scanners. The LMC had large areas of dust and gas that interfered with tracking communication waves but the open space between the galaxies greatly increased the range of her scanners. “Sir, I’m picking up alien communication traffic.”

“Any ideas about how many ships are causing it?”

Jan looked at her scanner again and shook her head, “No, Sir. But I can tell you it’s heavy traffic.”

Tal turned to Rachael, “When we first arrived here, we estimated there were about two thousand Alien Warships. Do you have any idea how many we’ve destroyed or knocked out of action?”

Rachael turned to Tal, “Do you honestly expect me to know that?”

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Tal responded.

“Why would you think that, Sir?”

“Because you are one of the most competitive people I’ve ever known, and you’d want to know where you stand in ships destroyed or damaged in relation to the other ships.”

Rachael smiled, “Just checking, Sir. Before our last attack, I estimated that we destroyed or damaged beyond repair about five hundred warships.”

“And after our last attack?”

“This is strictly a guess but if only eighty-percent of our missiles hit a ship, then we took out about three to four hundred more.”

Tal nodded and turned to the front-monitor. “Why do you think they haven’t moved, Tal? Jan asked.”

“Jan, I suspect the commander of the fleet was removed from command and the new commander is with the new ships headed this way. How long do you estimate it will take for those ships to arrive, Jan?”

Jan looked at her console and quickly began entering data. After a few-minutes, she announced, “About five days.”

Tal’s expression turned apprehensive and he reversed course. Tal flew the ShaKa high over the LMC. He pressed a button on his console and split the front monitor; showing a map of the LMC under the forward view. He zoomed in on the map until he saw a flashing red-light where the aliens were currently holding position. He pulled up a file and studied it for a minute and then began entering data. He pressed a button and a large area in front of the alien fleet was illuminated by a huge green square. He pointed to the monitor and ordered, “Jan, get a positional beacon prepared for launch.” Jan’s eyes narrowed slightly, as she turned to her console to download data into one of the ShaKa’s beacons. Tal turned the ShaKa and dove toward the closest edge of the green-square to the aliens. He arrived and ordered Jan, “Drop the beacon.” Jan pressed a button on her console and the beacon was ejected from the ShaKa’s hull. Tal flew toward the other end of the green square and said to Jan, as he focused on the forward monitor, “Show me everything detectable in this square.”

“What’s going on, Tal?”

“Just follow my orders, Admiral.” Jan nodded and put her helmet back on.

Tal began to worry as the ShaKa moved through the designated area, but Jan suddenly announced, “I have a small asteroid field directly ahead.”

Tal slowed the ShaKa and asked, “How small?!”

Jan changed the gain on her helmet’s faceplate and started reading off, “Four-large-asteroids, one medium-sized asteroid, and eighteen-small asteroids.”

“Give me their dimensions!”

“The largest of the four-largest asteroids is four miles across and the smallest is three miles across. The medium-sized-asteroid is slightly less than two miles across. The eighteen others vary between half-a-mile across to a hundred yards.” Jan looked up and Tal said, “Drop a positional beacon behind the largest asteroid on the side away from the alien’s current position and activate it.”

Jan released another beacon and when it arrived at its programmed destination, she activated it. Its pulses came over the wall speaker at such high volume that Jan had to turn the volume down. Tal flew the ShaKa back toward the Alien fleet’s current position and the pulses disappeared. Tal arrived halfway between the beacons and stopped the ship. He turned to Rachael, “Do you still have those sandwiches?”

“They’re in the refrigerator, Sir.”

“Well, break them out and let’s settle in. We’re going to be here for a while.”

“You’re not going to tell us what’s going on, are you?” Rachael asked.

“It wouldn’t be fair to the others if I told you.” Rachael shrugged and left for the small kitchen.

• • •

The next morning, Tal entered the bridge and smiling, “Good day.”

Both women turned to greet him, and Jan announced, “I’m starting to pick up communications from the alien fleet.”

Tal smiled and calmly ordered, “Activate the first positional-beacon we launched.”

Jan activated the beacon and reminded Tal, “You know the aliens will detect that beacon.”

Tal nodded and picked up his communicator, “Admiral Ward.”

Greg appeared on the monitor, “We’re leaving the freighter now, Sir. I’ve detected the beacon.”

“Good. Follow your orders, Admiral.”

Tal saw Rachael’s mouth was a tight line except for the left corner being raised. He smiled at her, as she asked, “Inquiring minds want to know.”

“Let’s see if you can figure it out, Rachael.”

Rachael snorted, and Jan glared at Tal with a concerned expression. Tal smiled and ordered, “Jan, drop a beacon.”

“Where?”

Tal’s eyebrows went up, “Directly under the ship, of course.”

Jan rolled her eyes and ejected another beacon. “Don’t activate it until I say so.” Jan nodded slightly as she listened intently as the alien’s communications were growing louder. What was going on?!

• • •

Dan, Mila, and Meghan watched the Epys leave the freighter and Mila sighed, “I wish we were going with them.”

Dan raised a shoulder, “I asked Admiral Talent if we could be assigned to other ships to help out. He turned me down. He told me that he wasn’t going to risk a crew for convenience. We need to be patient; a ship will be brought out to us eventually and we’ll get back in the fight.” They stared out of the freighter’s viewport until the Epys disappeared toward the galaxy below them.

• • •

Greg activated the general frequency, “Three ships will fall in on my portside and the other three will fall in on my starboard side. You will maintain that position until ordered otherwise. Commanders, acknowledge receipt of your orders.” Greg heard the Epy Commanders report in, as he turned the True Blue toward the distant beacon far below in the LMC. He went to full-speed and prayed Tal knew what he was doing. They flashed toward the center of the small galaxy and would arrive in another day. Twelve hours later, Greg heard Joe announce, “Sir. I’m starting to pick up alien communications.”

Greg nodded, “Keep me informed.” Jose turned back to his panel and wasn’t sure what was happening.

• • •

The crews on the Epys rested as much as possible but sleep didn’t come easy. The seven ships arrived at the beacon and Greg turned to Hashura, “Destroy the beacon.” Hashura turned a pulse cannon and exploded it. Greg announced, “All ships start scanning the incoming alien ships and determine if they are using gravity scanners.” Greg forced himself to remain calm and kept his expression neutral. An hour later, Jeremy announced over the wall-speaker, “Sir, I’ve detected twenty-gravity-scanners in the alien fleet. I have no doubt they’ve detected us.”

“All ships will turn and hold position next to my ship. Any ships that break formation will be destroyed! I’m not kidding about this! You will match my speed and not vary, acknowledge receipt of your orders!” The commanders reported in and were stunned when the True Blue flew away from the alien fleet at three-quarters-speed. Greg opened a communication channel to the ShaKa and announced, “Admiral, they have gravity scanners and we’re turning away from them now.”

Tal looked over at Jan, “Activate the beacon under our ship.” Jan pressed a button activating the beacon, then nodded to Tal. Tal focused on the front monitor and heard Greg say, “I have your beacon, Sir.”

“Follow your orders, Admiral.” Tal turned the ShaKa and went to full speed. His eyes were fixed on the monitor and he saw the alien fleet moving closer to the seven Epy warships fleeing from their approach. He also saw the Epys moving in closer to the ShaKa.

• • •

The new alien Supreme Fleet Commander saw the small ships appear on his main-monitor. “Go to maximum-speed!” He immediately ordered. Staring at the monitor, he asked, “What can you tell me about those ships?”

“They’re the same ships we chased before the last attack, Supremacy.”

“Are you certain of that?”

“I am, Supremacy.”

“Is this all the warships this civilization has in this galaxy?”

“I have no way of knowing, Supremacy. But no other ships are inside our detection range.” The Supreme Commander sat back in his chair and saw his fleet was gaining on the small ships. It was only a matter of time now.

• • •

Captain Park appeared on Greg’s monitor shouting, “THIS IS SUICIDE! WE MUST GO TO FULL-SPEED NOW!!”

Greg’s eyes narrowed, as he replied over the general frequency, “Captain Park, if you choose to disobey my orders, I invite you to self-destruct your vessel immediately.”

Park’s anger was immediate, and he reached for the thruster handle, “Sir, I wouldn’t do that.” Park turned to Lt. Crandon. “Four of the True Blue’s pulse cannons have been targeted on our ship and I think the Old-Man is serious.”

Park slammed his fists on the arm of his chair, put his hand on the thruster handle, and turned to Lt, Crandon, “Activate the force field now!”

Tommy’s expression turned angry, “Sir, if I activate the force field this close to the ships next to us, it could kick them out of their phase fields leaving them vulnerable to the alien warships in pursuit. I will not activate the force field and endanger them.”

“I am giving you a direct order, Lieutenant!!”

“I’m sorry, Sir. I will not follow that order.”

Park glared at Tommy, “I will have you up on charges for mutiny!”

Tommy shrugged, “Do what you have to do, Captain! However, I will not put other ships in danger due to your cowardice.” Park took his hand off the thruster handle and screamed his frustration.

Kim looked up from her console, “Sir, the Admiral’s ShaKa is directly ahead of us and we’re going to pass him just before the aliens move into firing range.”

Park’s eyes widened, and Crandon smiled, “I think it would be in our best interests for you to obey your orders, Sir.” Park fell back in his chair and gripped the arms in a death grip.

The other crews heard the exchange and Jeremy announced over the frequency, “You know the Admiral. There’s a reason for this and though we die, the price will be worth it. Do as you’re been ordered!”

• • •

Tal saw the Epys flashing toward the ShaKa and Rachael turned around, “Why did you choose this distance from the Epys, Sir?”

“To make sure they passed us, Lieutenant,” Tal answered.

Rachael rolled her eyes, “Oh! I thought I was missing something!” Tal chuckled, as Rachael pulled the faceplate down on her helmet.

Greg appeared on the ShaKa’s monitor, “Sir. Joe tells me that your ship will be inside the range of the front alien ships in less than three minutes. We’ll pass you in two minutes, thirty seconds. Please allow us to slow them down!!”

“Negative, Admiral. Follow your orders!” Greg lowered his eyes and disappeared from the ShaKa’s monitor.

“Sir!” Greg looked up at Joe. “We’re going to pass a small group of asteroids in less than three minutes.” Greg nodded and glanced at the thruster handle. He exhaled sharply and maintained three-quarter-speed.

The Epys blew by the ShaKa and flashed through a large gap in the asteroids. The ShaKa approached the asteroids and a brilliant blaster beam flashed by the ShaKa’s portside. The alien’s lead ships were now in range and were starting to target the ShaKa. The ShaKa flashed in on the asteroids and Tal shouted, as Rachael reached for her console, “HOLD YOUR FIRE, LIEUTENANT!” Rachael jerked her hands away from her console. She had three-alien-warships locked in her targeting system. She held her breath and knew it was hopeless.

The ShaKa blew past the four-large asteroids and Jan’s console started a loud repetitive pinging. Jan jerked her head to her console and fell back in her chair, as she said, “OH…MY…GOD!!”

Rachael heard her and looked in her targeting helmet. She jerked her eyes to the top left of her faceplate and smiled. The pinging sound was coming from transponders used on Earth’s warships.

• • •

The alien fleet roared in at maximum speed and suddenly, four-giant-ships rose above the largest asteroids. They opened fire on the incoming alien warships and the beams leaving them were incredible. The four-Alpha-Warships had three-hundred heavy blasters on their hulls and the energy pulses fired from them weren’t balls of energy like most pulse cannons. They were a mile long and brighter than the monitors could handle. The pulses were separated by a small distance between them and they ripped into the front of the alien fleet. The beams instantly demolished the alien’s phase fields and hit the ships inside them causing massive explosions.

Tal activated the communicator, “Admiral Ward, send half your ships over the top and the others under the alien fleet. Attack any enemy warships attempting to evade.”

“YES, SIR!”

• • •

The Supreme Fleet Commander was in the third layer behind the front lines. He watched the ships in front of his flagship being decimated and he wondered if his time commanding a fleet would be the shortest in the military’s history. He didn’t have long to wonder. He died twelve days after he assumed command of the alien fleet.

The Alphas fired a withering barrage of pulses at the alien fleet and the rear ranks of the alien formation turned and fled back toward the Pinwheel Galaxy. Admiral Kohl appeared on Tal’s monitor, “Sir, the alien’s ships are retreating. Do you want us to give pursuit?”

“No, Admiral. Let them go.”

“Large numbers of their warships aren’t completely destroyed. Do you want my ships to finish them?”

“No, Admiral; call off your attack and move your Alphas to the freighter to resupply your vessels.”

“Sir, we didn’t use any missiles during this attack and we do not need to be resupplied,” Admiral Kohl responded.

“Take your ships to the freighter and wait for me there.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Tal watched the four-Alpha-Warships turn and disappear in an instant. Tal couldn’t take his off his monitor showing the vast field of dead and dying alien warships. He lifted his communicator, “Admiral Ward, call off your ships and return to the freighter.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Tal remained staring at his monitor for thirty minutes and wondered how many had died in the alien fleet. He finally exhaled sharply, turned the ShaKa, and left the carnage behind.

Chapter Twenty

The ShaKa landed in the freighter’s landing bay and saw the four Alphas surrounding it. Tal shut the generators down and said over his shoulder, “Jan, order Captain Park to report to my ship immediately.”

Rachael looked up from her console and said, “Uh-oh.”

Tal turned to her, “You may leave if you’d like.”

Rachael shook her head, “Oh-no! I wouldn’t miss this.” Tal rolled his eyes slightly and Jan kept her seat; she wanted to see this as well.

Park walked across the landing bay and saw the other Epy crews staring at him in silence. It was clear the confrontation he had with his crew had been heard by the others. He ignored them and walked in silence toward the Admiral’s ship. It was the Admiral’s fault! He should have been informed about the ambush and he wouldn’t have been placed in this situation. He entered the ShaKa’s open bay door and walked to the bridge. The Admiral had his chair turned around and was staring at him as he entered. Park walked to the center of the bridge and saw a chair in front of the Admiral. He started to go to attention and Tal said, “Take a seat, Captain!”

Park lowered his hand from making a salute and sat down in the chair. The Admiral was leaning back in his chair with his hands resting on his stomach. He raised his right hand and extended his index finger. Jan activated the large front monitor behind Tal. Park turned his attention to it and he saw himself in the confrontation with his crew. His eyes narrowed, and his entire body stiffened up. Tal stared at Park in silence and Jan froze the recording at the precise moment Lt. Crandon refused to follow Park’s-second-order to activate the force field. Park noticed his left hand was still on the thruster controls. Tal continued to stare at him in silence and Park said stiffly, “This wouldn’t have happened if you had told us about the ambush!!”

Tal nodded, “That’s true.”

“There was no reason for you to have kept that information from us! You placed me in an untenable position!”

Tal sat up straight and fixed his eyes on Park’s face. “Captain, if any of the ships fleeing the alien’s fleet had changed course, even slightly, the aliens would have spread out to cut our ships off from escaping. The officers commanding the Epys under my command are aggressive and will jump into an attack at the first opportunity. If any of them knew the Alphas were at the asteroids, some of them would have changed course to reenter the fight. The alien warships in their ranks would have seen them and spread out their formations. I couldn’t afford to run that risk and I made the decision not to tell my officers about the Alpha ambush.

Park stared at Tal in silence and Tal lowered his chin, “I’m explaining this to you to make sure you understand that there is no situation you’re placed in that relieves you of your responsibility to follow your orders. You have demonstrated that you are a coward and have no regard for the safety of the crews you serve with. You would have willingly activated your force field, even if it led to other ships in your formation being destroyed, simply to save yourself.”

Park looked at the monitor and saw his hand still on the thruster handle. His eyes narrowed, and he almost decided to challenge the admiral on his decisions…but…then he remembered that the Admiral was one of highest ranked assassins in the colonies. He deflated and looked into the admiral’s face, “I lost it under pressure, Sir.”

Tal was surprised at Park’s response. He saw the Captain was going to challenge him but backed off. He wondered why but decided not to string this out any longer. “Yes, you did, Captain. I am relieving you of your command and I’m going to offer you two options. You may choose either and will be responsible for the consequences of your choice.”

Rachael glanced at Jan and raised her eye brows. This sounded very familiar.

“What are they, Sir?”

“Option number one is that you will keep your rank and I will put a note in your file that you never be given command of a warship again. I will not include the reason I chose to do this in your file, and this recording will remain a secret.”

“What’s the second option.”

“You challenge my decision and refuse to accept the entry into your file.”

“What happens if I do that, Sir?”

“I will have you arrested immediately, thrown in the brig, and call for a court martial when you return to Earth. You will be accused of cowardice in the face of the enemy, treason, mutiny, and deliberately endangering the lives of the sailors serving with you.” Tal paused and pointed at the monitor over his shoulder with his thumb, “The recording we’ve just seen will be exhibit A in your prosecution.”

Park was shaken, and he asked, “Why are you giving me an option?”

Tal leaned back in his chair, “If I show this recording of your actions to a board-of-inquiry, they are going to find you guilty and it might cost you your life. However, they will also see your weapons officer refusing, two times, to follow a direct order. Your trial will cause him to be stripped of his commission and kicked out of the Navy. Even though he did the right thing, he broke discipline to prevent you from causing massive harm to the ships around you.” Tal leaned forward, and his eyes bore into Park’s, “If I could make you pay for your actions, I would gladly do it! But not at the cost of punishing an officer for doing the right thing. What’s your decision?!”

“I chose option one, Sir.”

Tal nodded, “You’re dismissed, Captain. Report with your crew to Captain Sager and ask if there are any duties you can help with on this ship.” Park stood up and walked out of the ShaKa’s bridge. Tal watched him leave and heard Rachael comment, “I’d have fried him!!”

Tal shook his head, as he exhaled and said calmly, “It would have sent the wrong message.”

“How do you come up with that, Sir?”

“Rachael, if I prosecuted Park, it would have sent a clear message that no officer under my command could ever fail to follow their orders for fear to retaliation.”

Rachael’s mouth pursed and then she retorted “I would think that’s exactly what you’d want.”

“I don’t want my officer’s wisdom and experience taken away from them by removing their ability to make good command decisions, Rachel. How many times in history has someone that committed outrageous crimes used the defense, ‘I was simply following my orders’?”

“Tal, you can’t have it both ways.”

“I recognize that, Rachael. Being forced to follow orders is the backbone of military structure. But just as Lt. Crandon discovered, sometimes you have to disobey them.”

“He’d be crucified either way, Sir.”

“That’s the price of being a soldier, sailor, or warrior, Rachael. Those commanding our warriors need to keep in mind the fine line they’re forced to walk and try to keep them out of trouble.”

“So, you don’t punish one who deserves it to prevent punishing one who doesn’t?” Rachael asked.

“If you think Park is walking out of this unblemished, you’re wrong. I won’t put anything in his file about this event, but the other crews he endangered will get the word out on who he is. I suspect he won’t remain in the service much longer. He certainly won’t make it his career.”

Rachael stared at Tal and sat back, before affirming, “The same thing would have happened to me if I had chosen option one you offered me.” Tal nodded. Rachael took a deep breath, blew it out slowly, and turned around to her console. She thought about what had just happened and knew she still had some more growing to do.

“Do you have a moment, Sir?”

Tal, Jan, And Rachael turned back toward the entrance to the bridge and saw Jeremy enter the bridge. Jan jumped up, ran to him, and hugged him, “It’s so good to see you, Jee!”

Jeremy returned her hug and Tal walked over to gather both in his arms. Jeremy smiled but then his expression turned serious, “Tal you’ve revealed the Alphas to the aliens. They’ll know Earth has a stardrive!”

Tal released the twins and went to his chair, “I don’t think so.”

“Tal, you know the aliens have scans of the Alphas.”

Tal nodded, “They do, but not of these Alphas, Jeremy. These modified and updated Alphas look nothing like the older version. Have you not compared them?”

“I did and there are a lot of similarities.”

“Only visually, Jeremy. On a scanner, they are nothing alike. The power signature the new alphas emit aren’t anywhere close to the older version. Even the visual clues aren’t clear. The basic shape has been changed radically with the new blasters and missile ports and the new paint is crimson instead of white. There’s enough differences to fool them. But even if they don’t, Earth has more than thirty Alphas completed, and they are fully capable of defending Earth from an alien attack.”

Jeremy relaxed a little and asked, “I came here to see what you’re going to do about Captain Park?”

“I’ve handled it.” Jeremy sat down in the chair Park used earlier and was silent. Tal saw his expression and turned to Jan, “Notify Dan that he and his crew will be taking command of Captain Park’s Epy.” Jeremy was startled by the comment and Tal added, “He’s been relieved of his command and he will not be given command of another warship.”

Jeremy slowly nodded, “You had to let him off the hook to avoid punishing his crew?”

Tal nodded, “I did.”

“What happens now, Tal?”

“I suspect the end-game begins, Jeremy. After this latest defeat, I believe the next fleet the aliens send here will be their best shot at defeating us. So far, they’ve only sent their most powerful warships against us piece meal with only a few at a time. That’s going to change with the next fleet.”

“Do you think we can handle it?”

“We’ll have to see when they arrive.”

“How long do you think we have?”

“Probably a month or so, Jeremy.”

“Are we going to get any more support out here?”

“No, we’ll win or lose this war with what we have here now. We don’t want to reveal we have any other warships to use against them. However, the Alphas will make a huge difference.”

Jeremy nodded, “Well, I guess we have some time to decompress.”

Jan quickly asked, “How are you doing?”

Jeremy turned his attention to her, “Are you referring to Allison?”

“I am.”

“I’m doing ok. I’ve come to terms with it.”

“Interested in anyone else?”

Jeremy turned to Tal, “Don’t you think that question is a little premature? I’m just getting out of a relationship.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Jeremy chuckled, “I’ll probably have to wait until we go home before I find anyone interested in me.”

“That isn’t what I asked, Jeremy.”

Jeremy’s expression showed his aggravation, “No, Tal. I’m not interested in anyone.”

Tal smiled, “Just checking.”

“Do you know something I don’t?” Jeremy asked.

“You do miss a lot, Jeremy. See if you can figure it out.” Tal stood up and walked off the bridge.

Jeremy turned to Jan, “What was that all about?”

Jan was shaking her head, as she watched Tal leave, and replied, “That man is a diabolical genius and I’m really thankful he’s on our side.” Jan turned to her brother, “He’s seen something. I don’t know what it is, and I suspect he won’t tell you. Good luck figuring it out.” Jeremy’s expression showed his consternation as he left the bridge with Jan and Rachael to head to the cafeteria to meet the other crews for supper.

• • •

The AL announced “Commander, the ship should have all the metals unloaded in another three hours!”

The Commander was quite satisfied as he leaned back in his chair. With the pay from this venture, he could finally retire and start spending time with his family. Suddenly, he saw a light start blinking on his chair arm. He immediately sat up straight in his chair and pressed it. The Law Enforcer appeared on the main-wall-monitor and announced, “Commander, please standby for an incoming call from the Central Governors.”

The monitor went dark and the Commander’s eyes were wide open as he turned to the AL, “Have we broken any laws.”

The Alien Liaison raised his hands and shook his head, “NO! WE FOLLOWED THE AGREEMENT TO THE LETTER.”

“Then what is this about?”

“I have no idea, Fleet Commander.”

Ten long minutes later, the main-monitor illuminated, and he saw the five leaders of his civilization appear. The Elder Governor began speaking immediately, “Fleet Commander, we have suffered a major defeat in the galaxy where we have been fighting against the alien civilization that’s been scouting us. We are forming a new fleet with our most powerful warships to return and remove this threat to our assembly. You are ordered to take command of the fleet and lead it against this threat.”

“But Governor, I know nothing about this threat and I’ve turned in my retirement papers. They’ve been approved, and I’ll no longer be in the service after a few more hours!”

“Your retirement papers have been rescinded, and you are promoted to Supreme Fleet Commander of our forces. The Law Enforcer will send you all the data that’s been collected on this enemy and you will lead our fleet against them as soon as your warships have gathered.”

“But, Excellency…”

“You do not have an option, Fleet Commander. You will lead our forces or enjoy your retirement from prison.”

The monitor went dark and the AL turned to his console’s monitor. He turned back to the Commander, “I was afraid this might happen. The data on this enemy is coming in and it’s going to take a lot of time to thresh it out.”

The Fleet Commander was in a state of shock, “Is there anything I can do to avoid this?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Go to jail.”

“That’s not an option!!”

“It might be the best option if what I’m seeing in this data is accurate. The most recent Supreme Fleet Commander was killed by this enemy twelve days after his promotion, along with sixty percent of his forces.” The AL turned to the Commander, “However, I honestly don’t think they’ll send you to prison.”

“That’s comforting.”

“They’ll probably execute you, instead.”

The Commander’s head fell into his hands, as he struggled to find a way out of this box.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Sir, I’ve received a communication from Captain Gibbons.”

Tal rolled over in his bed and looked at the clock. He sat up on the side of his bed and punched his desk communicator, “What is it, Jan?”

“He’s recording a huge volume of communication traffic leaving the Pinwheel Galaxy.”

“Estimated time of arrival?”

“Eight days, Sir.”

Tal rubbed his eyes and tried to think, “How long will it take us to move to the outer edge of the LMC closest to their line of approach?”

“Five days, Sir.”

“Notify the crews to prepare for launch in three days.”

‘Yes, Sir. Sorry to interrupt your sleep.”

“I ordered you to notify me the moment you found out, Jan. Thanks.” Tal set his alarm and rolled back over. He was exhausted and prayed he could go back to sleep. His prayer was answered, and he fell asleep a few moments after he closed his eyes.

• • •

The next morning, Tal entered the cafeteria and loaded his tray. He perused to the huge room and saw Admiral Kohl waving him to join him and Captain Sager at their table. He walked over and sat down, “Good morning, gentlemen.”

“Sir, Captain Sager has offered a suggestion and I think it’s something you might want to consider,” Kohl suggested.

Tal turned to Sager and nodded for him to start. “Sir, I’ve received a large shipment of the new long-range missiles to keep the Alphas inventory full. However, the Alphas didn’t fire any missiles during the last battle and we have surplus inventory, now.”

“Go on,” Tal prodded as he took a bite of his breakfast.

“I was thinking that you can have my ship join your forces during the next attack and the Brazil can launch the missiles ahead of your vessels.”

Tal shook his head, “Captain, your ship does not have any defenses capable of holding off any warships from attacking your ship.”

“Yes, Sir. But I can launch the missiles and then move the ship away from the conflict. The increased range of the new missiles will allow me enough time to escape before they arrive.” Tal stopped eating, as Sager continued, “The Brazil has a hundred-launch-tubes and I can quickfire fifteen-hundred missiles in less than ten minutes.”

“The Aliens would see your phase field from extremely long-range. Captain,” Tal added while he considered Sager’s suggestion.

“Yes, Sir. But they would have to make it through the Alphas and your Epys before they could pursue; I should be able to disappear from their scanners before they could start a pursuit.”

“That isn’t a certainty, Captain.”

“I know, Sir. But I think the benefit of this plan outweighs the downside, Sir.”

Tal thought about the idea and turned to Admiral Kohl, “What do you think about this strategy?”

“It would be a shame to waste those missiles, Sir,” Kohl answered with a shrug.

Tal chuckled, “Indeed it would. Captain Sager, start your ship moving toward the edge of the LMC. You will not fire until I give the order, understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I’ll launch the Epys when we arrive at the attack site.”

Captain Sager stood up, “Yes, Sir.”

“And Captain!” Sager stopped and turned around. “Shut down your phase field the moment we arrive at the site.”

Sager nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

Tal turned to Kohl, “Are your ships ready?”

“They are, Sir. It won’t be as easy this time.”

Tal nodded, “I know. I suspect they’ll try to overwhelm your defenses with a missile barrage.”

Kohl nodded, “I believe we can knock out any barrage, but it would prevent many of my hull blasters from firing at the enemy’s warships to make it happen.” Tal knew he was right and hoped the Brazil’s missile barrage would make up the difference in firepower. Admiral Kohl excused himself and left Tal to think about what was coming.

• • •

The Lincoln arrived at the freighter when it was one day out from the chosen attack site. Tal and Rachel met Gibbs in the landing bay and Roy immediately saluted when he saw them. “At ease, Captain. What have you determined?”

“Lt. Turner estimates that there are between four and five thousand warships moving our way,” Gibbs replied.

“Were you able to determine the type of ships being sent?”

“No, Sir. To get close enough to do that would have risked being detected by the alien’s gravity scanners. It might have caused them to change course.”

“That was a good decision, Captain; You and your crew get something to eat and get some rest. You’ll launch with the other Epy’s tomorrow.”

“Yes, Sir. Roy turned and joined his crew as they headed toward the cafeteria. Tal saw several of the Epy commanders waiting for him to find out what he knew.

“You know they have to be sending their most advanced warships, Sir,” Rachael said softly. Tal kept his eyes on the commanders and nodded. “Well, this should be fun.”

Tal turned to her, “Is this what you call fun?”

“I also like prickly heat.”

Tal burst out laughing and Rachael joined him.

• • •

The freighter, four Alphas, and eight Epys held their position in space and Jan looked up from her display, “Sir, I’m detecting a gravity scanner’s beam.”

Tal jerked his head to her, “Aren’t we far outside their scanning range?”

Jan’s eyebrows came together, “Yes, Sir, we’re far outside the scanners they used in the past. But these scanners they’re using are a leap ahead in technology from those. I’m reasonably certain they know we’re here.”

“How long before they move into the range of the Brazil’s missiles?”

“About eight hours, Sir.”

Tal nodded and turned back to focus on the front-monitor, “Keep me informed.”

• • •

“Commander, we’ve detected the alien ships.”

The Supreme Commander turned to his scanner operator, “How long before we move into weapon’s range?”

“Eleven, hours, Supremacy.”

“Keep me updated.” The Commander turned to the AL, “Have you found anything that might help us win this fight?”

The AL raised his hands, “No, Commander. I do notice that there is one ship in those we detected that is twice the size of the four-large-warships recorded during our last battle.”

The Commander lowered his head and closed his eyes, “That can’t be good!”

The AL lowered his hands, “No, I think you’re right about that.”

“Surly there’s something in all that data you’ve been studying that can offer something!”

“No, I’ve not seen anything, Commander.” The Commander stared at the monitor and knew his vast superiority in numbers might not be enough to survive what was coming.

• • •

Jan looked up from her console, “Sir, fifteen minutes until the aliens are inside the Brazil’s missile range.”

Tal activated his communicator, “Captain Sager, do not fire until all their vessels are inside the range of your missiles.”

“Awaiting your order, Admiral.”

• • •

The Commander stared at the blips on his monitor and heard the AL say under his breath, “That’s interesting.”

“WHAT’S INTERESTING?!”

The AL jerked in his chair and turned to the Commander, “I don’t think we’ve ever attempted to communicate with the aliens.”

“WHAT?”

The AL leaned back and shrugged, “I’ve been through all the data and at no point did any of the previous commanders attempt to communicate with them.”

The Commander slammed his hand on his chair’s arm activating the fleet’s general frequency, as he ordered, “ALL SHIPS WILL COME TO A STOP AND HOLD THEIR POSITIONS!”

• • •

Jan’s eyes narrowed as she looked up to Tal, “Sir, the alien fleet is coming to a stop. The ships in the rear-formations are not inside missile range!”

Tal glanced from her to the front monitor and then back to her, “What are they doing?” Jan turned back to her monitor, “I don’t know, Sir. I’m certain they see us.”

“Do you have any ideas, Rachael?” Tal asked.

“Not really. But if you launch the Brazil’s missiles now, they’ll detect them and have time for their fleet to move out of range.”

Tal glared at the front monitor intently and wondered what was going on. He turned back to Jan, “Do you detect any other alien ships coming at us from another direction?”

“No, Sir. I’ve been running active scans, and nothing has shown up. Captain Gibbons made sure no other ship formations left the Pinwheel Galaxy before he came back.”

Tal turned to the monitor and ordered, “Brazil, hold your fire. All ships maintain your positions.”

• • •

The Commander said over his shoulder to his communications operator, “Open a broadband of frequencies and link my panel into your sender.”

“Yes, Supremacy.”

The Commander noticed a button on his chair’s arm illuminate out of the corner of his eye and he turned to the AL, “What should I say?”

“How would I know?”

“You’re supposed to the alien expert!”

“Not on these particular aliens. Say what you feel needs saying!”

The Commander blew out a hard breath, “Alien expert, humph.” He pressed the flashing button and leaned back in his chair, “I’m wondering if you might want to have a conversation before we introduce ourselves to each other.”

Tal heard the alien’s voice over the wall-speaker and his head jerked around to it. Jan and Rachael stared at him with their mouths open and Tal turned back around to the monitor. He thought a moment and said to Jan, “Do not send a video feed.”

“Yes, Sir. Audio only,” Jan replied.

Tal put his chin on his right hand and replied, “I didn’t think you are capable of having a conversation.”

The Supreme Commander jerked full upright in his chair and his eyes flew wide open. He collected himself and then sat back, “Now I know you’ve been receiving our communication frequencies for a long time. You have to know we’re capable of carrying on a conversation.”

“Then why haven’t you?” Tal asked.

The Commander was thrown by the question and replied, “We weren’t sure you could understand our language.”

Tal snorted, “Now you know that’s not true. Your civilization has been scouting another civilization and you deciphered their language. You have to know that we know your language after all we’ve been through.” The Commander raised his eyes at his stupid remark and Tal added, “Why are you talking now?”

“I discovered a moment ago that no one from my civilization has attempted to speak with you and decided that maybe I should make the effort,” the commander replied.

“Why?”

“To ask if your civilization represents a threat to my civilization. You have to be scouting us for a reason.”

Tal tilted his head to the right, shook it, and responded, “I believe that you are the ones that represent the threat here.”

“Your ships attacked us first!”

“Only after you sent two-thousand-warships looking to find us! If you wanted to know why we’re scouting you, you could have sent an unarmed ship and ask!”

The Commander heard Tal’s anger in his voice and quickly replied, “You’re right about that. I suppose that wasn’t good judgment.”

“Besides, we’ve watched you scout that planet for a very long time and then you attacked six other planets of its species inhabiting them. It is clear that your civilization represents the danger in this universe.”

Tal’s comment was followed by a long moment of silence. Finally, the Commander spoke, “I suppose we attributed our behavior to you and assumed you were planning to attack us. Were you planning to attack us?”

“That’s a rather moot point, isn’t it?” Tal answered.

The Commander had to agree it was. “If we agree to never send our warships or come to your galaxy again, would you consider ending this conflict?”

“Do you have the authority to make that promise?”

“No, but before I ask someone who does, I need to know if you’re open to it.”

Tal sighed heavily and glanced at Rachael. She raised her hands and mouthed, “Why not?”

Tal hesitated and then replied, “I do not have the authority to make that decision either. I am going to have to contact my leaders and see how they feel about this.”

“I’ll await your answer,” the Commander replied.

“This could take a while.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need.”

Tal chuckled and pulled his hand across his neck, telling Jan to end the contact. “Get Duncan and the Chancellor on the monitor, Jan!”

Jan began pressing buttons on her console and announced, “Sir, I think you should know that every ship in our task force is hearing this conversation.”

“Why?”

“It’s being broadcast on an open frequency.”

“Make sure my conversation with Duncan isn’t heard!”

“Yes, Sir.”

• • •

After fifteen minutes, Duncan and the Chancellor appeared on the monitor. Tal brought them up to speed and the Chancellor asked, “Isn’t this a good thing?”

“No, Chancellor, it is not!” Tal answered firmly.

“Why not?”

“Because agreeing not to come to the LMC won’t stop their attacks on the colonies. What this will do is free up the ships in that fleet to invade the rest of them. We’re here to keep the bulk of their warships pinned down.”

The Chancellor rolled his eyes, “You’re right. I didn’t think this through.”

Tal turned his attention to Duncan, “How close are we to being able to defend Earth against the aliens, Duncan?”

“I believe we’re there now, however, we don’t have enough ships to defend the colonies.”

“We probably wouldn’t have to defend them if we take this war to their turf,” Tal replied.

The Chancellor turned to Duncan, “Are you sure about that, Admiral Montana?”

“Sir, we have thirty Alphas to defend Earth from invasion and more than two hundred of the new Epys will be completed within a month. From what I’ve seen, the aliens couldn’t get anywhere near Earth to launch an attack.”

Tal interrupted them, “I think it’s time we revealed our hand and told the aliens what awaits them if they continue on this path.”

The Chancellor turned back to Duncan, “Are you sure Earth can be defended?!”

“I am, Sir.”

The Chancellor turned back to Tal, “Do whatever you think needs to be done and I will support your actions.”

“Thank you, Chancellor. I’ll get back to you.” They disappeared from the front monitor and Tal looked at Jan, “Connect me with that alien.” Jan pressed a button and Tal began, “Sorry it took so long but you know how it is.”

“I do. What did they decide.”

“They have given me permission to tell you what is going to happen to your civilization if you continue down the path you’re currently taking.”

“What does that mean?”

Tal turned to Jan, “Start sending video with the communication.”

The Fleet Commander heard the request and turned to his main monitor. He fell back in his chair when he saw Tal appear smiling on it. “Surprise!”

The Commander pointed at the monitor, “YOU’RE HUMAN!!”

The AL spoke up, “You must be from that planet that doesn’t have a stardrive!”

Tal noticed the alien sitting to the right of the commander make the comment and turned his attention to him, “Yes, we are. And we’ve been aware of your scout for a very long time; we’ve kept the existence of our stardrive secret to buy enough time to build up our forces to be capable of taking your fleets on before revealing it.”

The AL blinked, looked back at the Commander, and then turned back to Tal, “I suppose your revealing yourself now means that you believe you’re capable of, as you say it, taking us on?”

Tal lowered his head and raised it, “You are right. So, we really don’t care if you send warships to this galaxy or not; this isn’t where we’re located.”

The Commander glared at the monitor and said, “You deceived us into thinking we were being scouted to force us to send warships here.”

Tal nodded, “That is correct.”

“Why are you revealing this now?”

Tal leaned forward in his chair and said very deliberately, “We are going to stop your aggression against my species and make you pay for your actions. I’m not certain that my limited number of warships here can defeat your fleet but I’m confident few of your warships will make it back to your galaxy. My leaders will be launching our fleets to attack the survivors of this fight and then move into your galaxy destroying every warship remaining there. Once that is completed, we will start bombarding your planets burning them down to bedrock.”

The AL quickly interrupted, “BUT WE DIDN’T CAUSE WISE SPREAD DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON THE PLANETS WE’VE INVADED!!”

Tal looked at him with an angry expression, “That’s the only reason we’re having this conversation! You need to know that we will remove you as a threat to us, whatever we have to do!”

The commander’s face showed his concern, “And you think you can make that happen?”

“That depends,” Tal shot back.

“On what?”

“If you have ten more fleets the size of the one you’re commanding now, it might prove a little more difficult. We’d have to take some time to destroy your fleets before blasting your planets.”

The Commander glanced at the AL and they both knew this was the only surviving fleet. He turned his attention back to the human and asked, “What can be done to resolve this issue?”

Tal sat back in his chair, “What?”

“What would we have to do to prevent this from escalating any further?”

“Why don’t you tell me!?”

The Commander took a breath and replied, “I need to contact my leaders to discuss this.”

Tal smiled, “Go right ahead.”

“This could take some time!”

Tal waved a hand at the monitor, “Take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere.”

The Commander tried not to smile but couldn’t stop himself, “I’ll get back to you.”

• • •

The Commander ended the contact, turned around, and ordered, “Get the Elder Governor on my panel, now!”

The AL sat back, “This isn’t going good.”

“At least we’re still alive,” the Commander said with a grimace. The AL shrugged; the Commander was right about that.

• • •

The Governor appeared on the main monitor and he snarled at the Commander, “WHY HAVE YOU DEMANDED MY ATTENTION!!”

“Supremacy, I’ve had a conversation with the alien commander of the fleets that we’ve been attacking. I believe you should view the conversation and tell me what I should do next.”

The Governor’s eyes went to slits, then he appeared to gather himself, and order, “Send it!”

The Commander looked over his shoulder and saw his operator nod, “It’s been sent, Supremacy.”

The Commander leaned back and wondered if his next order would be to attack. He glanced at the AL and all he could do was shrug. After a moment, the AL smiled, “You must admit, this was a shocking development. Who would have suspected we’ve been attacking more humans?”

“I hope the Governors think this is as humorous as you do.”

The AL smiled, “I don’t think they will.” The Commander knew he was right.

• • •

Captain Sager appeared on Tal’s monitor, “Sir?”

“Hold you fire, Captain.”

“If the aliens change course…”

“If they change course, you will flee and not fire your missiles!”

“But Sir…”

“That’s a direct order, Captain!”

Sager stared at Tal and added, “Permission to stay and fight, Sir?”

Tal saw Sager’s expression and nodded before replying, “Permission granted but you will not open fire until ordered, Captain.”

“Yes, Sir.”

• • •

The Commander waited an hour before pressing the button on his chair, “I’m sorry about the delay. I sent a recording of our conversation to our Elder Governor and I’m reasonably certain he is discussing it with the other four Governors.”

“Some things you can’t control,” Tal replied.

“That’s true,” the Commander responded.

“You surprised me by opening a conversation. What’s the real reason you did it?” Tal asked.

“Why do you think I didn’t believe it was the right thing to do?”

“Was it?”

“Not really.”

“What’s the real reason,” Tal pressed.

“When the Governor contacted me and issued orders that I would lead this fleet, I was only four hours from retiring from the service. After more years than I can count, I was finally going to be with my family.”

“What happened?”

“The Governor rescinded my retirement and ordered me to lead this fleet.”

‘Why did he choose you?”

“I was the Commander of the fleet that invaded the first planet. He felt I was successful where every other commander had failed.”

“Thank you for not causing widescale destruction and mass killings at Australia,” Tal remarked.

“We are forbidden from doing that. I must confess that after I lost forty-percent of my landing forces to those assassins, I wanted to blast the planet. My associate here talked me out of it.” The Commander leaned forward, “What about you? Do you have a family?”

Tal’s expression changed, and the Commander knew he had touched a nerve. “My wife was on the first ship killed by one of your warships. I no longer have a family.” Tal heard Jan hiss loudly and saw her angry expression. She glared at him and he closed his eyes. He turned back to the Commander, “I need to correct that. I do have a young woman and her brother that I consider a part of my family. Their father died with my wife on that ship.”

“I’m sorry. I would think you’d be driven to kill as many of us as possible to avenge their loss.”

“I felt that way for a long time, but you didn’t kill her. I can’t blame you for what another has done.”

“War does that.”

“Does what?” Tal asked.

“Take those we love and leave our dreams shattered.” Tal nodded, and both were silent. Tal saw the Commander turn, as he said, “I need to take this contact.” Tal nodded, and the video went dark.

Jan’s expression was still clouded with anger and she exclaimed, “TAL, WE LOVE YOU! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!”

Tal sighed, “I know, Jan. Thanks for getting me to see it.”

Jan glared at him, “I’d come over there and hug you, but I can’t leave my station.” Tal nodded and smiled.

• • •

The five Governors appeared on the Commander’s monitor and the Elder asked, “Do you believe what that alien said is true?”

“I do.”

“Why?”

“If it weren’t, they would have attacked my fleet and continued the hostilities here to keep us distracted. It’s clear to me that they don’t feel keeping our fleets here is needed any longer.”

“We’ve come to the same conclusion. Link that Alien in to my frequency.”

“Yes, Governor.” The image disappeared from his monitor and now it was up to them to decide his fate.

• • •

Tal saw the five Governors appear on his monitor and the first thing he noticed was that these aliens were old…really old. He looked at them and the one in the center asked, “What are your demands?”

Tal thought a moment and began speaking, “First, every warship attacking one of our planets will be immediately recalled.” The Elder looked to his right and the Governor on the end stood and walked away. The Elder turned back to Tal, “Done! What else?”

“You will return all the metals you stole from the first planet you invaded.”

One of the Elders quickly said, “The Prince will not accept that!”

The Elder turned and snarled, “I don’t care what the Prince will or will not accept. He is going to be punished for his poor decision making and he’ll be replaced by another if he opens his mouth.” The Elder turned back to Tal. “Would you consider an alternative?”

“Such as?” Tal asked.

“What if we pay for the metals. Would that be acceptable? Surly there is something your civilization values that we can use to make payment?”

“All of our currencies are backed by gold.”

“Then may we offer a payment in gold for the metals that were taken?”

Tal kept his eyes on the Governor and knew the answer to that question was far above his paygrade. “I need to put you in contact with the leaders of my civilization and you can work this out with them.”

“Please, do so.”

“Give me a few minutes.” Tal turned to Jan, “Get Duncan on the monitor!!”

Duncan and the Chancellor appeared, and Tal immediately said, “You need to link the President of the Colony Council on this call.”

Duncan turned to set up the link and the Chancellor asked, “Why?”

“I’m in a conversation with the leaders of the alien civilization and they’re asking questions I’m not qualified to answer.”

The President appeared on the monitor, “What’s going on, John. Every alien warship has left the planets they invaded at high-speed.”

“Ed, the leaders of the Alien Civilization are attempting to resolve this conflict and you need to be a participant in the conversation.”

The Chancellor turned to Tal and nodded; Tal turned to Jan, “Link them in on the frequency.”

The monitor went dark, and Tal knew that the situation was now in the proper hands. Tal sat back, “This is being handled by politicians and we’re going to be here a while. You can give me that hug now, Jan.” Jan’s had a huge grin as Tal ordered, “Order the ships to standby battle stations.”

“You just did, Sir. The task force is still connected to the frequency.” Jan stood up and rushed to Tal, as he stood up and took her in his arms.

“What happens, now, Sir?” Rachael asked.

Tal shrugged, “Well, if this is resolved, we go home. What are you going to do, Jan?”

Jan walked back to her chair, “There’s a certain Epy Captain I want to spend some time with.”

Suddenly, the wall-speaker erupted, “And there’s a certain Epy Captain that wants to spend some time with you.”

Jan’s eyes flew wide open, “Damn. I forget we we’re still on an open frequency.” She looked down and stopped the open transmissions, “I didn’t want him to know that.”

Tal laughed, “Yes, you did.”

Jan turned to him and, after a moment, smiled, “Yes, I guess I did.”

“Well, settle in, this could take a while.” He turned to Rachael and smiled, “Do you have anything in the refrigerator?”

“I do!” Rachael stood up and left the bridge.

“Get Duncan on the monitor, Jan.” Tal turned to the monitor and smiled as Duncan appeared, “How’s it going?”

Duncan smiled, “They’re making progress. It looks promising.”

“I need you to make one more promotion, Duncan.”

“Who?”

“I need you to promote Rachael Meadows to one star and if this thing ends, give her command of training our weapon officers. She’s fully qualified to command a fleet and she deserves it, Sir.”

“Are you sure about this, Tal.”

“I’ve never been more certain about anything, Sir.”

Duncan smiled and nodded, “I’ll send her papers immediately.”

“Thank you, Duncan.”

Rachael arrived back from the kitchen and began passing out the food. Jan saw Rachael’s promotion papers arrive and she forwarded them to Rachael’s console. Rachael sat down and took a huge bite of her sandwich and heard her console ping. She looked over her shoulder and saw a message from Fleet Admiral Montana. She turned around, opened the message, and started reading. Tal and Jan watched her and saw her lower her head into her hands. Tal walked over and put his hand on her shoulder, “Are you ok, Rachael?” Rachael nodded, but didn’t raise her head. Tal lifted her from her chair and hugged her. Rachael was quietly weeping and Tall held her, as he said softly, “You’re ready. You deserve this, and I want you to know that I would serve under your leadership at any time.” Rachael wrapped her arms around Tal and gave him a long hug. Tal smiled and said, “Now sign the papers!” Rachael smiled, wiped her tears, and sat down in her chair. “You did it, Sir.” Rachael said over her shoulder.

“Did what, Rachael?”

“Made me the kind of officer I should be.” Rachael turned around, “Thank you.” Tal smiled softly and nodded.

• • •

Two days later, Jan activated the intercom, “Tal, you need to come to the bridge!”

Tal ran into the bridge, “What’s going on?”

Jan looked up from her console pointing to the front monitor, “The alien fleet has reversed course and is moving away.”

Suddenly the alien Commander appeared on the monitor, “I just want to tell you that I’ve been ordered back to my galaxy. It appears our leaders are close to wrapping things up.”

Tal smiled, “Sorry about your delayed retirement.”

The alien smiled, “Don’t be! I’m now retiring at a Supreme Fleet Commander’s paygrade and it’s more than I can ever spend.”

Tal laughed, “Well, behind every dark event there are silver linings.”

“In this case, it’s lined in gold. I do have one favor to ask.”

“What is that?”

The Commander smiled, “Once everything clears up, I’d like to bring my family to visit you and introduce you to them.”

“You’re welcome to come but why would you want to do that?”

“I want my sons and daughters to meet the being I want them to grow up to be most like.”

Tal’s eyes moistened, as he nodded, “My name is Adam Talent, ask for me and I’ll arrange it.”

The Commander smiled just before the monitor went dark. Tal sat down and ordered, “Notify the Task Force we’re going home.” Tal listened to Jan issuing his orders and added, “Tell them not to wait on the ShaKa, we can’t match their speed.” Jan smiled and sent the order.

They suddenly heard Admiral Ward, “Sir, if you don’t mind, would it be possible for the Epy’s to move into the Brazil, along with the ShaKa and we’ll go home together.”

Tal smiled, “Yes, Admiral Ward. We’ll meet you there.”

“Admiral, the Alphas will join you and we’ll all go home together,” Admiral Kohl announced over the wall-speaker.

Tal agreed, and the celebrations started before the ships entered the freighter.

• • •

Soon, Captain Sager began playing transmissions from Earth and the colonies showing millions of citizens celebrating in the streets. They were screaming at the top of their voices and everyone in the cafeteria struggled to understand what they were screaming. They looked at each other and then the sound cleared up and they heard the constant roar of one word being repeated over and over…SHAKA, SHAKA, SHAKA…”

The crews stood and turned to Tal. They began applauding and Tal could only lower his head and weep. Tal reached inside his collar and took off a chair with his wedding band on it. He held it in his hand as he thought to himself, “This was for you Darling. I miss you so much!” He knew he could let her go now and closed his eyes. He held the ring in his hand as the applause continued until Tal stood and bowed to his warriors. They all sat down as the room continued to reverberate with, SHAKA, SHAKA, SHAKA!

Epilogue

The Brazil finally made Earth’s orbit and Jan looked up from her console, “Tal, Admiral Montana has ordered you and your Flag Officers to report to his office immediately.”

“Does he want to congratulate us?”

Jan’s expression was grave, “No, Sir, I don’t think so. Admiral Montana was upset about something?”

Tal’s smile disappeared, “Does it have to do with the aliens?”

I don’t know but if I had to guess, I’d say no. This appears to be something different.” Tal stood up, “Order Jeremy and Admiral Ward to meet us on the ShaKa. We’re going straight to the Orlando Spaceport.”

Jeremy and Greg ran on to the ShaKa’s bridge, “What’s going on?!”

Tal turned to Jeremy, “I have no idea. We’ve been ordered to Admiral Montana’s office.”

The ShaKa left the Brazil at high-speed and arrived at the Orlando Spaceport in twenty minutes. Tal opened the bay door and saw Col. Sato standing outside the door with a high-speed transport. “Admiral, please board immediately.”

“What’s going on, Colonel?’

“I don’t know but Admiral Montana is concerned about something.” The transport left the ShaKa at high-speed and they arrived at the steps to the Headquarters building in less than five minutes. Tal led his four admirals out of the transport and the guards waved them into the building. Something was wrong!

They rushed into the building and Ka met them outside Duncan’s office, “He wants to see you in the control room.” Ka led them to an elevator and it plunged them twenty floors below the main level. Tal asked Ka, “What’s going on?”

“There’s trouble in the new colonies.”

The elevator door opened, and they saw Duncan turnaround from the giant monitor at the front of the huge room and wave them forward. Tal led his officers forward and Duncan pointed them to a row of chairs at the front of the room. They sat down, and Duncan began speaking, “A colony warship has been destroyed in the Andromeda Galaxy.”

“How did that happen?”

“Tal, are you aware that there were more than fifty-colony-ships launched from Earth in the age of colonization.”

Tal started shaking his head, “Nooo…History says that there were fifty colony ships that formed the current colonies.”

“There was a fifty-first colony ship launched and it was the last one to leave Earth. That ship disappeared and was never heard from again.”

“What does that have to do with the destruction of the Colony Warship, Duncan?”

“I need to bring you up to speed on who was on that last colony ship. Have you ever heard of One Brotherhood?”

Tal shook his head. Greg Ward spoke up, “Weren’t they a radical religious group or something.”

Duncan nodded, “They were extremists that caused a massive number of deaths on Earth before they were surrounded and brought under control. The nations’ armies that finally captured them knew that many members of their religion weren’t present when their religious leader was surrounded, and the governments made a deal with the successor of Denk Solar. They gave him the option of being killed by the forces surrounding his followers or to call every follower on Earth to join him and leave Earth in a colony ship.”

He agreed to leave Earth, and it appeared he was true to his word. Tens of thousands of his followers made their way to his main temple and boarded the ship with him. The ship was launched and sent toward a habitable planet far from the other colonies; it never arrived.” Duncan paused and then continued, “I believe Solar’s followers subdued the crew and took control of the ship. They turned, headed toward Andromeda, and eventually found a planet to settle.”

“Why is this important?” Tal asked.

“The main precept of this religion was that anyone not a member of their religion was created by evil and were in existence to stop them from finding eternal happiness. Denk Solar preached that the pure members should avoid all contact with any one not practicing their religion. His successor took his teachings one step further. He avowed that anyone not part of their religion was evil incarnate and would need to be removed from existence to leave a pure universe. His followers were fanatics and followed his teachings to a level that was unbelievable. The ship that attacked and destroyed the colony warship had the One Brotherhood Marking on its hull.”

Ka spoke up, “I suspect this brotherhood has a great hatred for those that forced them to leave Earth.”

Duncan nodded, “I don’t think there is any doubt about that. Their leader was cursing the people of Earth as the ship disappeared.”

“Then why haven’t they returned to exact vengeance against Earth?” Tal asked.

“I can answer that!” Everyone turned to Jeremy. “When they took over control of the ship, the navigator did what he had been trained to do. He destroyed every star map in the database along with all the data in the memory banks. Finding Earth without a map in a galaxy as large as the Milky Way is impossible. The odds are more than a trillion to one.”

Duncan immediately responded, “It’s interesting you say that Admiral Stevens. The Captain of the Colony Warship self-destructed the ship when the hull was breached, and the crew was being killed by intruders. The Captain managed to get out at the last moment that the intruders were human.”

Tal raised his shoulders, “Well, now you know where the fifty-first colony is located.”

Duncan continued, “Tal, that colony has had close to a thousand years to grow and flourish. The Captain got out recordings of the warship attacking his ship and it’s more powerful than any alien warship you faced in the LMC. He also reported that hundreds of phase fields were moving in on his vessel at the end. We have a hundred-new-colonies in Andromeda and this represents a direct and present danger to them. If the Brotherhood is like their ancestors, they will blast the colonies to dust the moment they’re discovered.”

“Move them back to the colonies!” Jan exclaimed.

“Won’t happen!” Tal replied.

“Why not?!” Jan asked.

“The colonies were given a reprieve by sending those colonies out. If they return, the colonies will fall into civil war. The leaders in the colonies know that and will not try to bring them back. The new colonies are on their own,” Tal answered. He looked at Duncan, “Why does this concern us?”

“Because when the leaders of the colonies were spreading stories that millions were being killed on the invaded colonies to scare their populations into leaving, we went along with them. We have a role in putting them in this danger.”

“There’s more than that,” Ka interrupted. “If this brotherhood attacks these new colonies, it’s almost certain that they will find star maps that will show them Earth’s location.”

Duncan nodded, “That’s the real answer why we have to get involved. We have to find out just how extensive the Brotherhood has grown and if they represent a danger to Earth.”

“It looks like our vacation won’t last very long,” Tal observed with a heavy sigh.

“You’re the best one to send, Tal! Will you do it?”

“I’ll take a new Epy out and go check them out.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Duncan retorted.”

“Why not!?” Tal replied testily.

“What happens if your ship is destroyed; we won’t learn anything.”

Tal settled down, “You make a good point. How do you see this happening, Admiral?”

“First of all, the newest small warship we’ve built is nothing like the warships you’ve been using in the LMC. They’re twice as big and require a crew of six, seven in your case, Tal, to operate the ship.”

“Why do I require seven?”

“Because your days of piloting the ship and commanding a task force is over. The command ship will have a special console for you to operate that will be feeding you everything your ships are doing. You will coordinate their actions and leave the piloting to someone else.” Tal glared at Duncan and his face turned angry, “Admiral Talent, this comes from the Chancellor and he says if you can’t accept your new role, he’ll send someone who will!”

Tal continued to glare at Duncan and then smiled, “Why didn’t you say so, that clears it up,” Tal said sarcastically.

Duncan shook his head and continued, “You will have the three-main-positions you had on your Epy; a pilot, a scanner-communication officer, and a master weapons console operator. There will be two-missile-operators and an additional crew member cross trained on missiles and pulse cannons.”

“Why the extra crew member?”

“Tal, these weapons require constant attention and the others will have to rest at some point in time.”

“I need to take a good look at this new ship, Sir.”

“Yes, you do.”

Tal thought a moment and said, “What about this. We’ll send six of the new ships. They will be organized into three two-ship groups. One of them will fill the role of being the other ship’s wingman.”

Duncan’s eyes narrowed slightly and then opened, “That sounds like it would work. Who do you want to command the other two groups?”

Tal looked at his flag officers and said, “Jeremy Stevens will command two ships and Rachael Meadows will command the other two.”

I can agree to Jeremy taking command, but Admiral Meadows is off the table.”

Rachael’s head went back, “And why is that?!”

Duncan smiled, “The Colony Council has voted, and you’ve been selected to take overall command of the Colony Navy. Congratulations, Admiral.”

“I won’t do it!” Rachael responded.

Duncan’s face showed his shock and Tal turned to her, “Rachael, you’re being given the command of the colony’s navy. That’s an incredible promotion.”

Rachael turned to him, “Would you do it.” Tal just stared at her.

Duncan said, “Admiral, you’ve been recalled to the Colonies.”

Rachael ignored Duncan and kept he eyes fixed on Tal, “Answer me!! Would…you…do…it!”

Tal exhaled and shook his head, “No, I wouldn’t.”

Rachael turned to Duncan, “He won’t do it for the same reason I won’t.”

“What is that, Admiral?” Duncan asked.

“Because the officers in the Colony Navy will chew up and spit out anyone attempting to change their culture. They are cowards and will never accept anyone forcing them to become real warriors. Keep the promotion.”

“The President of the Colonies had ordered you to return, Admiral.”

“Get him on the monitor!”

“What?”

“Admiral Montana, get him on the monitor, Sir. If I’m not mistaken, when you promoted me to Admiral, part of my swearing in papers asked if I renounced any allegiance to any other government. I believe I swore away my citizenship in the colonies when I did that. I refuse to give up my Earth Citizenship. To spare you and the Chancellor the embarrassment of having to tell him, you might prefer I do it instead. Get him on the monitor…Please, Sir!”

Duncan looked at Tal, “Is she always like this.”

“You have no idea, Sir. I suggest you get him on the monitor.”

Duncan looked at Rachael and saw her nasty expression. He turned to his left and nodded to his communications officer, “Get him on the monitor. Tell him Admiral Meadows wishes to speak with him.”

Ka leaned in and whispered to Tal, “This should be interesting.”

Tal was shaking his head, “I wish I could leave the room. This could get ugly fast.” Ka’s eyes narrowed, and she turned back to the front of the room.

The President appeared on the monitor and saw Rachael standing in front of the monitor, “Admiral Meadows. Thank you for your service in defending the colonies and congratulations on your promotion.”

“Mr. President, I will not be accepting the promotion. And I was defending all of humanity, not just the colonies.”

The President’s smile disappeared faster than the light from a blown-light-bulb, his brow furrowed as his head went back. He forced his smile to return and said, “Of course you will accept your promotion. We need you to lead our warships.”

“Mr. President, no one can lead your navy and survive.”

“What do you mean?”

“How many warships do you currently have in the navy?”

“About two thousand.”

“And when twelve alien warships attacked Australia, what did they do?”

The President hesitated and then answered, “They couldn’t get close enough to attack the alien’s warships.”

“How many did they lose, Mr. President?”

“Fifty.”

You’re going to stand there and tell me that two thousand warships couldn’t attack thirteen warships and not defeat them.”

“The Admiral insisted it couldn’t be done.”

“That’s because the Admiral is a coward and so is everyone else serving under him. No one, and I do mean no one, could take command of your navy and survive the effort. I’d fire every flag officer in the navy along with everyone in headquarters. It would be at that point that the Assassins Guild would be given several lucrative contracts to remove me as a problem to the status quo.”

The President replied forcefully, “The Assassins will not take a contract on anyone in the military!”

Rachael turned around and looked at Tal and Ka, “What about it? Have either of you killed a member of the military?”

The President turned to Tal and Ka and they looked at each other, before Tal answered first, “I’ve killed two or three.”

Ka shrugged, “I’ve killed about six officers.”

The revelation clearly stunned the President. Rachael turned around to face him again, “Enough credits will make anything happen, Mr. President.”

“But I need you to defend the colonies.”

Rachael glared at him and asked, “Are you aware of what’s happening in Andromeda?” The President glanced at Duncan and saw him nod. “Yes, I am.”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to be doing, Mr. President. I am going out to defend the colonists you frightened into leaving and going to a new world to live. Now they are in danger and your navy is worthless to defend them.” Rachael paused and said, “I’ll tell you what, Mr. President, I will accept your promotion if you’ll move those colonists in Andromeda back to the planets they left.” The President stared at Rachael in silence and Rachael added, “They deserve to be defended, Sir.”

“What do I do about the Navy?”

Rachael shrugged, “I’d fire everyone above the rank of Lieutenant and have your new officers sent to Earth to be trained.”

“I’d be forced to ground our ships!” the President exclaimed.

“You don’t need them, now! The war is over and the officers you get back to lead will be a vast improvement over anything you currently have. Ground them and leave them there until you have the warriors needed to command them!”

The President looked at Duncan, “Will you train my officers?”

“We will.”

“Do you need Admiral Meadows on this mission to Andromeda?”

Duncan looked at Tal, saw him nod, and answered, “I do.”

The President looked at Rachael and smiled, slightly, “It’s not often I hear the truth from those around me. Thank you for your honesty, Admiral and good luck on your mission.”

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

The monitor went dark and Duncan turned to Tal, “You’re going to need a new weapons officer and pilot.”

Ka spoke up, “He only needs a pilot.”

Tal looked over to her as Duncan replied, “How is that?”

“I am going to be his weapons officer!” Duncan’s face turned angry and Ka stood up, “Don’t stand there and tell me I can’t be replaced. You’ve had scientists, engineers, and electronic wizards sent to Earth from the Colonies that can do anything I can. I’ve paid my dues!”

Tal looked up at her, “Ka, you know nothing about operating a weapons console, Ka.”

“Who do you think designed them, Tal? I’m leagues ahead of anyone else you might choose.”

Tal was shaking his head, “But…”

“We’ll handle our issues, Tal! My family is out there with you and that’s where I belong!”

Tal heard Duncan ask hesitantly, “Tal?”

Tal was still focused on Ka and saw Jeremy and Jan staring at him as he turned his head to Duncan. He sighed and said, “Captain Smythe will be my new pilot and Ka will command the weapons.”

Ka smiled and sat down beside him. He suddenly heard, “Admiral Talent!” Tal turned to Greg and saw his anguished expression. “Is there a reason you chose everyone but me to go with you on this mission?”

“Yes, there is, Greg!”

“What is it?”

“What were you doing when I first met you?”

Greg hesitated and answered, “I was commanding one of the old Alphas.”

“Greg, no one is better prepared to take command of our fleet of Alphas and merge them with the new Epy warships than you. I couldn’t use the four Alphas sent to support my fleet because they had no idea how to fight with the Epys. You know both of those ships and you’ve faced incredible odds fighting the aliens. You are going to have to get the two-different-warships to learn how to fight together.” Tal turned from Greg, “Isn’t that right, Admiral Montana?”

Duncan kept his eyes on Tal and knew his suggestion was a good one. He turned to Greg, and smiled, “Admiral Ward, you just got another star and you will take command of our fleet of Alphas. Make them something special.”

Greg smiled, “Yes, Sir! I will.”

Tal spoke out, “Sir, what are you going to call the new class of warships replacing the Epys?”

“That’s not been decided.”

“What about calling them the Sha Class.”

Duncan smiled and said in a soft voice, “Sha it is. You realize your ship will require a new name.”

“She’s going to be called Assassin One, Sir. The other two-command-ships with me will be Assassin Two and Assassin Three. The three wingmen will be Ninjas one, two, and three.”

Duncan smiled, “Merging cultures?”

“I believe I am, Sir.”

Duncan laughed and announced, “All of you will report to the Sahara Hangar and start training on your new ships in three days. For the moment, there is a grateful planet waiting to thank you for your sacrifices.”

Tal stood up and Ka stood with him and moved under his arm. He looked down at her and saw she was looking at Jan. She moved there naturally, as if she belonged there. Tal looked up and smiled…perhaps she did.

The End

Message me at Saxonandrew@msn.com and let me know your thoughts. I treasure your feedback.

Books by Saxon Andrew

The Annihilation Series:

Love Conquers All

The Power of a Queen

A Rose Grows in Weeds

Tommy’s Tale

Searcher

Demon’s Sacrifice

Finding Keepers

(The seven books above are also audio books at Audible.com)

Prequel-Psychic Beginnings

Searching for a Hero

Dahlia’s Deception

Annihilation-The Complete Series Box Set

The Annihilation Saga:

Lost Royalty

The Warrior’s Destiny

No Way Out

Fight… and They Will Come

Ashes of the Realm:

Juliette’s Dream

Greyson’s Revenge

Death of an Empire

The Return of the Realm

Lens of Time:

The Pyramid Builders

Planet Predators

Pray for the Prey

The End of Time

Lens of Time – Star Rover:

The Worst of Time

Running Out of Time

Chosen to Die

The Fight for Creation:

Life Warrior

Scout Warrior

Ultimate Warrior

Star Chase:

The Lost Prince

(Also an audio book at Audible.com)

Nowhere to Run

Nowhere to Hide

Probe Predators

Jesse’s:

Jesse’s Starship

Mike’s War

Joshua’s Walls

Nemesis:

Revenge is Best Served Hot

The Search for Orion

Trapped in Time:

The Time Takers

Taming a Planet

Extinction

Escape to Earth:

Running From Fate

Fighting for Space

Defending Holy Ground

The Legacy of a Conqueror

Living Legends

The Sequel Series to Escape to Earth – Defending Earth:

Searching for Death Feeders

Discovery Means Death

The Death Prophecies:

The Coming of the Prophet

The Prophet’s Eyes

The Unknown Enemy Will Kill You

No Technology is Invincible

Survival is Never Free

The Last Prophecy

Stories from the Filament Universe:

Gregor’s Run

A Pirate’s Tale

Soul of the Swords

The Death Filament

Death Never Leaves a Calling Card

Gregor’s Search

Jimmy’s Dreams Stories:

Jimmy’s Dreams

Jimmy’s Dreams II – A Recurring Nightmare

The Assassins Guild:

Earth Must be Stopped

Defending the Colonies

Other:

The War Against Earth

The Book of Life

(a short story)

Coming Soon:

Rage of the Brotherhood

About Saxon Andrew

Saxon Andrew is a former social worker with a degree in Psychology and Education from Mercer University. He has taught school, managed several sales organizations and owned his own business.

He has devoured science fiction since he first learned to read and his stories are the product of years of personal experience and exposure to the universes created by the genre’s great authors.

He lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and two dogs who still appreciate his sense of humor after all these years. “Dogs are always ready to smile.”