Jeff sat forward. “Hmm. Mr. Hardy, I might have one more experiment to run.”
Jeff stood and left the bridge, returning an hour later with a grin. “We might have a solution. Little Zax deserves the credit for mentioning the solar flare. We’ll have to build a throwaway wormhole generator and a ship to carry it.”
A diagram was pushed to the wall display. “We position the ship and wait for a solar flare. When one of sufficient size and energy comes, we open a portal just before it arrives. The ship will only last a second, but during that time a stream of plasma at a million degrees would pass through the hole, obliterating anything on the other side for a good twenty kilometers in each direction, given a wormhole the size a Muhatha would make.”
Mace asked, “That sounds promising, but how do we get the Muhatha or other ship to sit still while a portal is opened next to them?”
“We play dirty,” said Jasper. “Open it for a comm and try to get them to accept a communication. We just have to keep them talking long enough for the hot plasma to reach our end.”
Mace nodded. “That could work… once. We roast one ship and they will move away from any other portals we try to open in the vicinity of one of their ships. We need a better plan if we’re to use this effectively.”
Johnny said, “How about this: we build fifty of these throwaway ships, position them all for a flare, open them all at once, and bake every ship they have—the jump-capable ones that is.”
Gnaga Klept pointed at the display, moving his finger around as he thought. “Well thought out, Mr. Tretcher. With a single flare we could knock out the entire Quelli fleet of Muhatha and Dauntless ships.”
Jasper crossed his arms. “Let me contact my engineers about building the ships you speak of. They would only need power, a wormhole generator, and a single gravity drive for positioning during the event. I’ll have an estimate for a buildout in a few hours.”
Jasper’s comm closed.
Johnny rocked his head in approval. “A ship full of geniuses we have.”
Mace laughed. “Maybe when all combined. This was definitely a group effort. And there’s no guarantee that it will actually work.”
Johnny replied, “Of course it’ll work. We’re warriors, geniuses, and kings. The galaxy has unleashed the Humans. Now they’ll have to pay the price.”
Chapter 6
*
Four weeks passed before the first wormhole portal ship was ready. It was moved into position where a solar flare was expected to break free into the corona. A drone with sensors was located outside of Earth’s orbit. Two days passed before the expected flare lit up the surface of the sun. Six hours later, as it approached the portal ship, a micro-wormhole was opened and a comm link established. As the initial wave of plasma reached the ship, the portal was pushed wide, allowing the superheated plasma of the wave to pass through. The drone, heavily shielded, was destroyed in less than a second.
High fives made their way around the bridge of the Rogers.
Jeff said, “The test sensors place the temperature at eight million degrees Fahrenheit. That’s over four million Celsius. I can’t say I know of anything that would withstand that. The wormhole stayed open for just under half a second. That particular flare had a speed of six hundred kilometers per second. Any ship would have had less than two milliseconds to react. We should build as many of those portal ships as we can, and as fast as we can.”
Mace tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “If we do this, it means we’re declaring war on the Galactic Union.”
Jasper replied, “We’re already at war with the Galactic Union. If you haven’t forgotten, the Quelli killed several hundred thousand people and more than two hundred million embryos. If that doesn’t justify this, I don’t know what does.”
Mace held up a hand. “I’m just saying … officially we aren’t at war with the Union. The Quelli? Maybe. The Union as a whole, no.”
Jasper scowled. “Fine. Then if you don’t want to use these, I will. They attacked my people, too. And they’re gonna pay.”
Mace sighed. “All I’m suggesting is we put this to a vote.”
Jasper huffed. “You vote all you want, but this is happening either way. This could be my only chance to defend my people from those savages and I’m taking it.”
Johnny chuckled. “The king has spoken. Besides, I don’t see a vote coming down against this. I think everyone here would agree.”
The heads in the room nodded as Mace looked around. “Well, Mr. Collins, it looks like you’ve got your vote. How many of these ships do we need for the Quelli, and how many again for the Zinka?”
Jasper looked over data floating in front of him. “The Quelli have nineteen ships capable of wormhole generation. The Zinka have twenty-one. If we take out those two, the rest of the Union will abandon them and eagerly sign whatever treaty we want. Remember, they have the Karthian threat to worry about.”
Jane said, “I have an additional suggestion. If we take out their jump-capable ships, we should also take out their wormhole generator manufacturing, and confiscate any gatrellium they have stockpiled. Basically, put them in a box they can’t get out of.”
Jasper nodded. “I can make that happen with an immediate follow-up campaign. I’ll smack ‘em so hard their eyes’ll be permanently looking to the left.”
Johnny grinned. “I do like the king.”
In the days that followed, production on Divinia was ramped up. The fortieth expendable ship rolled out of the Targarian shipyards five weeks later. All were delivered to Earth space.
Jasper walked onto the bridge of the Rogers. “When do we make this happen?”
Jeff said, “We’re monitoring half a dozen spots right now. If they look promising we’ll move the ships into place. We do have the issue of having to know the exact locations of the Quelli and Zinka fleets.”
Jasper grinned. “You let me take care of that. You just find us a flare.”
Johnny asked, “What you got planned?”
“I’ve had my spies spread rumors of a possible attack on their capitals. Their fleets will be there. I have a shuttle ready to be sent to each with an offer of our wanting to rejoin the Union.”
Johnny shook his head. “You’ve got no qualms about playing dirty, do you?”
Jasper turned on the holo-projectors of his suit, displaying the slimy green monster covered with skulls. “We’re at war, ape-man.”
The following day, Jeff sat at a console on the bridge. “Looks as though this will happen today. Mr. Hobbs, I’m sending you initial positioning coordinates. From there we’ll have as few as six minutes for final placement. Mr. Collins, you’ll want to have your shuttles ready.”
“We’re ready,” said Jasper.
Johnny sat back, crossing his arms. “I’m wishing I had some popcorn. Also wish I was there watching.”
Jasper pushed the video feeds of the two shuttles to the wall display, splitting the image of the sun and its activity. “We’ll be watching. When the shuttles are through, I’ll drop those wormholes to comm size so we can keep track of what’s happening.”
Johnny said, “You sure seem calm and collected.”
Jasper scowled. “I’m more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers.”
Johnny chuckled. “Given the tiredness of that comeback, I’d have to agree with you. Usually you’d be carving me up with some sarcastic quip.”
“This is big-time serious. I just want it to go well, that’s all.”
“That goes for all of us,” added Mace.
Jeff pushed an image of the sun’s surface to the main display. “It’s happening! I have the beginnings of a flare. Looks like a good one too.”
Jasper paced around the bridge. “I should be on my own ship.”
Jane shook her head. “Nonsense. This is your family. You’re right where you should be.”
Jasper smiled. “I appreciate that, Miss Tretcher. Your words are always wise and comforting.”
Five minutes passed as the crew stared at the image.
Jasper said, “Doc, you think you could speed that up a bit?”
Jeff sat back. “I’m afraid it’s not happening. I was expecting this loop to snap. We may have to reposition to site two.”
Jasper put his hands on his hips. “Well, crap. I thought this was gonna be fun.”
Jeff yelled, “Whoa! There she goes! Mr. Hobbs, I should have coordinates for you in fifteen seconds.”
Liam replied, “Send them when you’re ready.”
The crew stared at the violent image on the display while the coordinates were being sent.
Jeff said, “Mr. Collins. I’m passing the time estimate to your team. We should have shuttles moving in forty seconds.”
Jeff looked over the data. “This is a nice fat flare. Lots of plasma. The coordinates look to be perfectly centered. I’d say you can open your shuttle portals anytime you want now. This one’s much faster than the last. I show twenty-two hundred kilometers per second. Eight minutes to impact. That will give you three minutes to keep the targets occupied.”
Jasper took a deep breath. “I can handle it.”
Orders were sent to launch the shuttles. Two wormhole portals opened from two Targarian Muhatha. Two shuttles moved through. One into Quelli space. The second to Zinka.
An officer on the Revelation said, “Five minutes to comm range, Your Highness.”
Jeff sat back in his chair. “That is one nasty flare. Sensors indicate one hundred and four million Celsius. Those ships won’t stand a chance.”
Mace sighed.
Jane asked, “You bothered?”
Mace slowly nodded. “Loss of life doesn’t make me happy, if that’s what you mean. The crewmen on those ships… they’re just following orders. And probably because they have no other choice.”
Jasper said, “Don’t be shedding any tears for them. They didn’t shed any when they were wiping out our defenseless civilians or butchering those embryos with that gene splicing nonsense. They’re getting what they deserve.”
Mace leaned back in his chair. “I’m not disagreeing with you, but I still don’t like it. I’d rather be up close and personal where I’m pulling the trigger to defend my own life. I can buy that without having to think too deeply about the consequences. Being an armchair general just doesn’t offer the same closure. In that instant I don’t have a choice. Sitting here I always have a choice.”
Jasper’s officer said, “Sir, we are sending a hail.”
“Bring the shuttles to a halt, Captain. Patch the hail through.”
Seconds later, dual images appeared on the wall display. Commodore Sumiomo of the Quelli fleet showed on the left, with Admiral Kakari of the Zinka on the right.
Jasper smiled. “Gentlemen, I bring warm greetings from the Targarian Kingdom. As you both know, I am King Collins. Commodore, we’ve spoken before… under unfortunate terms. Admiral, I’ve heard nothing but admiration about you from those I have talked with.”
The commodore said, “What is the meaning of this violation of our space?”
Jasper pursed his lips. “Gentlemen, I come to you today with an offer you will both want to hear. Before I leave, we will be having heated discussions on the subject.”
Johnny chuckled. Mace looked in his direction with a low brow.
Jeff whispered, “Ninety seconds.”
Jasper clasped his hands behind his back. “I know the two of you have been planning an assault on my territories. After much consideration, I’ve decided to bring forth an offer I believe you will find interesting. You are interested in what I have to say, are you not?”
The admiral replied, “Get on with it. Our time is valuable.”
Jasper began to pace slowly. Coming to a quick stop, he raised a finger and then spun back in the other direction.
He took a deep breath. “Forgive me, Gentlemen. Given the current situation, I’m hot for a solution to our petty arguments. I’m prepared to send a stream of million-degree love in both of your directions.”
The commodore offered a confused look. “A what?”
Jasper again walked, this time stopping center camera and again raising a finger. “Our tempers have flared and our warring has been half baked.”
He waved a hand. “Whew. I’m sorry. It’s getting a little hot in here.”
The admiral banged his fist. “What do you want, Collins!”
The admiral looked over at his sensor station. “What is it you are planning?”
Jasper bowed. “My apologies. I’ve been thinking long and hard on this and my brain is feeling a little fried. I’m sure you gentlemen know what that’s like. Anyway, I was thinking of offering a sort of truce.”
The commodore asked, “Truce? Why would we do that with a traitor to the Union?”
Jeff whispered, “Thirty.”
The admiral stood. “What’s he talking about?”
Jasper looked around. “Who? What?”
The admiral said, “I clearly heard someone say ‘thirty.’ I demand to know what that means! Is this a trap of some sort?”
Jasper flipped on his holo-projector image of the green monster, followed by bellowing out a sinister laugh. A comm wormhole opened in front of forty ships.
Two voices could be heard. “Sir! We have wormholes!”
Seconds later, the forty tiny wormholes opened wide. For six tenths of a second, one hundred four million degree ionized plasma streamed through, annihilating every jump-capable ship in the two rival fleets.
The holo-image over Jasper’s battlesuit flipped off, revealing a very satisfied grin. “No war sweeter than the war that is never fought.”
Jasper sent orders to his fleet. “Move in. I want ship, reactor, and transducer factories demolished. I want the gatrellium stores confiscated. If any remaining ships resist… take them out. Otherwise, demand that if they stand down they will be allowed to live.”
Jasper looked back at Mace and smiled. “Fantastic! With those two out of the way, the Galactic Union will fall in line behind me.”
Mace winced. “You sure that’s what you want? I thought you were going to leave them to themselves.”
Jasper nodded. “I was, but this opportunity may never present itself again. Knowing what we just accomplished, the other founders will be falling at my feet.”
Mace said, “You do realize the Karthians will be coming back, right? You willing to take on the defense of the entire Union?”
Jasper replied, “I am. We’ll build a fleet that will push the invaders back into their own territory.”
Mace gestured toward the two world images on the display. “You sure you want to destroy those factories, then? Won’t you just be wasting time rebuilding?”
Jasper thought for several seconds. “I suppose you are right, Mr. Hardy. Captain! Belay those orders. Focus on the complete surrender of the ruling families of those two species.”
Jasper looked over at the doorway. “I should get back to my ship. There is much to do before I meet with the other founders.”
Jasper took a step and then stopped as he looked up at the display. “Hmm. Humans might just end up running this whole galaxy if we’re not careful. What we just did here—genius.”
Johnny grinned. “That’s what I’ve been saying.”
Jasper left the bridge and was soon shuttling back to the Revelation. The Rogers returned to her normal spot at Organ Cave. The ramp lowered and the crew walked out into the warm sunshine of the cool November sky.
Jenny sat next to Mace on the gift shop porch. “So what do we do with ourselves now?”
Mace shrugged as he replied, “Enjoy the break in the chaos? Not really sure. I can’t really see going back to bartending after all this.”
Jenny half smiled. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about the military. The one we have at the moment isn’t quite the same as what we used to have. Flying an Apache somehow seems less thrilling after all that mess we just went through.”
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Mace nodded. “I don’t think all that mess is over yet. We have the Karthian threat, we have ten thousand Australians still missing, and we have a world of people who are asking the same questions we are right here. I guess our first order of business is going to be to organize. From that we can lay out plans and set goals.”
Mace waved his hands around. “We have to get our agriculture back producing. And we have to start rebuilding our industries. I’m thinking we need Jasper’s help to build ship and reactor factories here. At some point we’ll need to go out looking for gatrellium, too. We have a long way to go to become self-sufficient. And after that, I’m sure we’ll want to trade with other worlds.”
Jenny leaned back on her elbows. “Sounds like a lot of work.”
Mace looked out at the gold grass of the field as the late fall breeze rolled across it in waves. “You didn’t seem to shy away from your duties on the ship.”
Jenny frowned. “The fighting I’m up for. The daily grind? I’ll do my part, but otherwise you can keep it.”
Jenny took a sip of freshly made moonshine from Tres’ old still. “Whew. That’s some powerful stuff. You mentioned going out to search for gatrellium. Now, that might be something I’m interested in. I would assume any kind of science team would be in need of military type guards for protection?”
Mace shrugged. “I suppose. Maybe when this is all over we can beef up the Gerty and go out exploring.”
Zax and Fina ran up to the porch, dragging Jenny out into the grass as Jane and Johnny came up. “Chillin’ on the porch, I see.”
Mace replied, “Just enjoying the last bit of respectable weather before the next front drops the temps by twenty degrees. Looks like the kids are happy.”
Johnny said, “Just wish I could turn off turbo-mode every now and then. They’ve been wearing me out.”
Jane laughed. “He decided to show them how to play poker. They took all his cookies.”
Johnny nodded. “It’s true. I’m still floored by how easy they pick up on the little nuances of just about everything. Sometimes I swear I’m dealing with someone my own age.”
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