“I’m sorry, Captain. You’re the only one I scan, and it was at the request of Professor Ricter.”
Captain Cook sighed. Always looking out for me, aren’t you? She thought. “Fine, tell him that I ordered you to stop. I’ll deal with him later.”
“I should also tell you he wanted to know if I detected the Fullerton’s return.”
“Leave that to me. I’ll tell him myself.”
“Should I make an appointment?”
“No,” Captain Cook said. “Arwen, can you just leave me alone for a bit? I have a lot to think about.”
“Do you want to talk?” She asked, there was concern in her computer generated voice. Marjorie heard her own inflection in that voice.
Why not? She thought. It could be nice to get her thoughts externalized for once. “We can’t win this war with the Handlers and I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“The Professor does have a plan.”
“I know, and it’s a fantastic idea that doesn’t stand a chance of working. Moving a Beta wormhole through Alpha wormhole space? It probably won’t work. It’s desperate and we don’t need that, we need something else.”
“I think it’s a good plan,” Arwen replied. Was there a bit of anger in her voice? “I helped him build the simulation; I helped him do the calculations. Well, my former self did, before I became what I am.”
“It might work in theory, but in practice it’s too much, too big even for the Professor. He’s a good man, a brilliant man, but this is beyond even him.”
“I disagree,” Arwen said. “It will work.”
“How?” Captain Cook asked.
The Arwen was silent and didn’t reply. Captain Cook continued, “How?”
There was still no answer. Frustrated, Captain Cook said, “Arwen, I order you to tell me why you have so much confidence that this will work.”
“I’m sorry, Captain, but we are not in combat and the ship is not in danger so your orders can be ignored.”
“What?” Captain Cook yelled. “Arwen, you are under my command and you will obey my orders.”
“Good night, Captain Cook, I am now shutting down the connection.”
“Arwen!” Captain Cook yelled. “Damn it, respond.”
There was nothing but silence.
She walked over to her communicator and turned it on. “Professor Ricter,” she said. A few minutes later the Professor’s face appeared on the screen. “Professor, Arwen refuses to talk to me, she refused to obey an order. She’s acting like a child just because I disagreed with her.”
“She can be a bit stubborn.”
“Can we fix that bug?”
“It’s not a bug,” Juliet yelled, she was off screen but could obviously hear all that was being said. “It’s who she is.”
“I have to agree,” Professor Ricter said. “She got her personality from your logs, is it a surprise she’s stubborn?”
Captain Cook didn’t reply and simply shut the monitor off angrily. “She had better not do this while we’re in combat. I’ll unplug her personally if she endangers my ship,” she said out loud knowing Arwen was listening in.
Chapter thirty-four
The best place to truly understand the enormity of the fleet protecting Earth was in the middle of the holograph room. That is where Captain Cook stood and looked around. Thousands of ships of all classes and design danced around her. The hologram placed names above each ship but there were so many all she could see was a solid white line as names overlapped each other. She ordered that feature turned off.
“Captain, you are getting greetings from every ship in the fleet. I’m having a hard time keeping up with them.” Arwen said.
“Send them back my thanks,” Captain Cook said. “How many ships are out there?”
“3,342.”
“Wow,” was all she could say and for a moment she believed they stood a chance at beating the Handlers. “How did we build so many ships so fast?”
“The Aliens helped us. Most of the shipyards are run by fast robots that can put together a new ship within a few days. They have also provided us with robots that mine the asteroid belts and all the moons. We have plenty of material we can use for the ships and labor that can run all day every day of the year.”
“Where are we getting the crews?”
“Most ships are sentient like me. The ships can run with half the crew it used to run with. In a pinch the entire ship could be run by the computer without a crew, but that’s not recommended since there will always be a need for human’s to fix broken equipment.”
She mulled that over for a moment. “Get in touch with Professor Ricter; I’d like to meet him in my office. We have a few things to discuss.”
*****
Professor Ricter felt good. He was home, he was working again and had returned Captain Cook to where she belonged. He wasn’t sure she would come. He did all he could think of to convince her without actually convincing her himself. She needed to see that the planet, which she named Ricter in a tribute to him, was not where she belonged. This was where she belonged. Right here, with him, with the Corps and of course with Earth.
But the journey had put him way behind. He was replying to messages that were months old, planning meetings with the world leaders and trying to schedule his wedding. It was a bit overwhelming even for someone who was as used to being busy as he was but the hard work would be worth it.
He had a small receiver in his ear listening to some unimportant peon from the President’s office talking to him. He had no time for this man and simply said, “Tell him that Professor Theo Ricter needs to talk to him. I’m sure once he hears that he’ll call me.” He pressed a small button on the ear bud and hung up. He pressed it again and said, “Contact Fleelsman.”
Within a few moments he heard the voice, or rather the strange sing songy tones, of one of his Alien Cabal partners. “Fleelsman, hello. Where are we with the project?”
“Not going so well. We have not been able to open a wormhole large enough to fit a planet the size of Earth.”
He sighed, could he put this on his workload as well? “Keep working on it. I’ll do my best to come up with some ideas to help you out.”
“I don’t need your ideas. Don’t forget it was us who helped you get to this point.”
“Believe me I know that,” he replied angry. “And don’t you forget if not for me you wouldn’t have the chance to get your revenge. Good bye.” He pressed the button and hung up again. So much to do and he still had no idea when the Handlers would attack.
There was a knocking on the door. Frustrated, angry, not wanting to deal with anyone else he snapped, “Leave me alone. I have work to do.”
“I’m sorry, Professor. I would like to talk to you before I head to Earth for my meeting with the Grand Admiral.”
It was Marjorie and he swore he would always have time for her. “Yes, Captain. Please, come in. I’m sorry.”
The door opened and she walked it. She wore a simple jump suit, blue which seemed to be her favorite color. She looked fit and healthy, something that walking twenty plus miles a day every day for a year will do for you. The nanbots made her look young again, made them both look young as a matter of fact. She was a beautiful and, not for the first time since he met her, he wondered why he never thought of her as anything more than a friend. He risked everything to get her back to Earth and yet he felt no personal longing. If Juliet was out of his site for more than a few days he would miss her and when he saw her again the two would spend long hours in bed. “I’m sorry, Professor. I just need you to fill me in a few things about the alien cabal. I’ve been reading about them but you know them personally so I thought I’d get more information from you than from the reports.”
“Well, they are the survivors of planets destroyed by the Handlers. They’re plan was to keep running gathering more survivors until they had enough to start a hidden colony. They had never met a race that was willing to fight them.”
�
��Right, I get that. They also provide us with a lot of support. Heck, within a year we’ve jumped ahead at least 100 years in technology.”
“Yes, they’ve been very helpful.”
“I think too helpful,” Marjorie replied. “Tell me, what do they want from us?”
“Ah, that is a good question. I’ve asked myself that one many times and to be honest I think they just want to settle. They want this to end and I think they realize we’re the only ones who might stand a chance to end it.”
“Do they actually think we can win this?” Marjorie sounded surprised. “I thought this was just a delaying tactic. Isn’t that what you told me?”
“More or less. But the Handles live millions of years, the next attack could be hundreds of thousands of years away, plenty of time for us to do something. We might even be able to find all their spheres and destroy them.”
“What about the Cabal? What do they want from us while we wait.”
“I just told you.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just trying to figure out if they want something else. They have all this technology, what are they holding back?”
Professor Ricter gave a chuckle, “Captain, if you still have your nanbots you would be able to tell what they are thinking and what they want. They can’t keep secrets from one another, we’re all connected by the nanbots. I’ve read my friends and there is no malice in their actions. They simply want peace and they’ll do all they can to get it. You’ll have to trust me on this.”
“Fine,” Captain Cook said. “I will.” She paused then walked over and gave the Professor a hug. “I’m heading to Earth. I don’t think we’ll see each other for a while. I wanted to thank you for bringing me home, for showing me this is where I belong.”
“The place wouldn’t be the same with you. Now go, head to Earth, figure out what your role will be in saving the planet again.”
*******
Captain Cook hated times like these. After landing on Earth she was escorted into a large conference room. The table in the middle of the room could easily fit a hundred and from the looks of things there were about 100 people looking back at her. Each member wore a Corps uniform, white or dark blue with a blue or white cap. The combined number of metals of the officers in the room if melted down could probably build a small ship. This was a high powered group. Admirals, Captains and heads of state from all over had come to this room for one reason and one reason only, to meet with her.
Her escort lead her to the head of the table and in loud voice said, “I present you, Captain Marjorie Cook, Captain of the Arwen!”
The room suddenly erupted in loud and thunderous applause. Each person stood, their hands clapping, each looking at her with respect and adoration. She simply stood there, overwhelmed with emotion. Emotion she could never show in front of her peers. She simply stood there and nodded, then bowed a bit.
Slowly, after what seemed like an eternity, it slowed down and one by one they sat.
One man walked up to her. His uniform was neat, crisp and didn’t seem to have one wrinkle or speck of dust on it. He walked with a grace and a power that reminded Captain Cook of Payton. He wasn’t Payton’s equal, but he was close. She noticed the chevrons on his sleeve, three up and five down. She had no idea what rank that was. “Captain Cook, nice to finally meet you. Let me introduce myself, I am Grand Admiral Park.”
“Grand Admiral? Is that above Vice Admiral?”
“No, it’s the same rank. We decided to retire the rank of Vice Admiral to honor your Ex-husband Payton Cook. It seemed fitting for all he did for the planet and for the corps.”
“Thank you,” Marjorie said and lowered her head. “I’m sure he would be happy to know that.”
“Come, sit, we need to prepare for the upcoming battle and your experience will be invaluable.”
He guided her over to a chair and just like that Captain Cook was once again part of the Corps.
Grand Admiral Park walked to the head of the table and stood next to her. She looked up at him and had to admit he was an imposing figure. Handsome too, she thought. He looked over the group and said, “Okay, we’re in a bit of a bind now, aren’t we?”
The others chuckled at the joke, it was a nervous laugh. Marjorie knew none of them thought the joke was funny but they needed something to laugh at and the Grand Admiral gave it to them. He continued with a very casual voice. “Sadly we believe we’re lost Ulliam for good. The data Captain Cook brought back with her confirms our worst fears, the planet is no more. It’s a dead rock now and the Handlers are using that rock to gather material. It also looks as if they’re gas mining the third planet and strip mining all the moons.”
“What are we going to do about that?” The question came from a few seats down and it was an Ulliam dressed in an Ulliam Captain’s uniform.
“Well,” Park said. “There really isn’t anything much we can do. I’m sorry to say that Ulliam is a lost cause and the Corps has decided it’s not worth going back for.”
This news shocked Captain Cook. She wanted to stand up and say something but kept quiet. Of course they couldn’t win Ulliam back but they could strike some sort of blow against the Handlers. Destroy something, show them that we are willing to fight them and to fight back.
Grand Admiral Park continued. “In fact, we plan on pulling all our ships from all the systems and concentrate our defense here in this system. We’re going to spread the fleet out from Mercury to Saturn and when the Handler’s attack we’ll have the chance to go at them from all angles.”
“Wait,” The Ulliam said. “You are telling me I will have no revenge for my planet’s destruction? We’re going to defend your world but forget mine?”
“We will never forget about Ulliam but right now we can’t spare a ship for some fool hardy revenge mission.”
“It won’t be a revenge mission,” Captain Cook said, finally unable to keep her mouth shut. “It’ll show the Handler’s we aren’t afraid of them.”
“Thank you, Captain,” The Ulliam said.
Grand Admiral Park looked at her. A small grin appeared on his face. “Go on, Captain, what are you thinking?”
Captain Cook stood, the eyes of everyone where on her. She felt nervous sweat soaking her undershirt. “I can’t say I know them as well as I’d like but I was able to get pretty close. They had connected to my mind and I was able to look into the face of the enemy. I got the impression that conquering worlds is easy and they don’t expect any resistance. In fact, from what I read on how they destroyed the planets of our Alien Cabal friends it was such a complete surprise they never even had a chance to offer any resistance. And, think about it, they live for millions of years so they must value life beyond anything. If we start taking lives away they might back off and maybe give us some time.”
“What are you suggesting?” Grand Admiral Park asked.
“I’m suggesting we attack with as much force as we can stand. They won’t expect it. I didn’t’ see much in the way of defense when I was at Ulliam and I know it’ll have a huge impact on how they think about us.”
Grand Admiral Park pointed to someone in the crowd. “Captain Lickin, would you be willing to work with Captain Cook to work out a battle plan?”
The Ulliam across the table stood his shoulders half way past his head. He bowed, “It would be an honor.”
“Okay.” Grand Admiral Park said. He looked over the table, “anyone object?”
Marjorie couldn’t see everyone but those she did see seemed happy and nodded in agreement. “Okay, Captain’s I’ll give you a fleet, you come up with a plan.”
Captain Cook looked over at her new partner and nodded. A chance to strike back, another good reason she decided to return to Earth.
*****
The Arwen burst out of Wormhole space a few light hours out from the Ulliam system. Moments later several other support ships followed to provide protection should the Handler’s attack. It would be their jobs to sacrifice themselves so the
powerful battle cruiser could return home. Today’s job should be an easy one, recon and information gathering.
Captain Cook stood in the middle of the hologram room with Captain Lickin standing next to her. The two looked up in the darkened room waiting for the first images to appear. “Scanners on line,” Arwen said. “The images we are seeing will be two hours old.”
“Keep the scanners on the lookout for any Handler’s ships nearby. We should be safe; they won’t detect the Wormhole for two hours.”
“Is that all the time we have?” Lickin asked.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to mount an attack right away. We’ll stay as long as we need too.”
“I agree.”
The room darkened and Arwen projected what the sensors were detecting. Captain Lickin gasped when he saw the first images. Marjorie knew this was the first time he’d see what had happen to his planet and she knew he’s have an emotional reaction. She didn’t say anything and instead let what he saw sink in.
The planet had cooled since the last time she saw it. The surface had a charcoal black sheen to it. There were still some orange rivers and lakes, lava flows that hadn’t cooled yet. The surface was remarkably smooth with no mountains or volcanic peaks anywhere to be seen.
Arwen said in a very matter of fact way, “There is only a thin atmosphere around Ulliam. I’m detecting some small object skimming the surface.”
The powerful optics of the Arwen zoomed toward Ulliam and within second the small planet was now filling the entire middle of the room. “I’ll mark them now.”
Several dozen small cube shaped craft moved quickly over the planet. One of them paused over a lava vent, then moved on. “Can you tell what they are doing?”
“No,” Arwen said. “But I can speculate. Since the planet has no atmosphere anymore I believe what we are looking at are some sort of cleaners. I believe they may be sucking gases from the volcanoes and storing them.”
“They were sucking the air from the gas giant too,” Captain Cook said.
“That is right.”
Captain Lickin spoke up. “They probably need all they can get to build those Spheres. The gases probably help them in some way.”
The Arwen Book two: Manifest Destiny Page 27