by Saxon Andrew
• • •
Nudge followed the first invader ships they hit into normal space and said, “Pushy, activate the disruptor and cannon. I’m going to fly into the middle of those ships and I want you to fire at any on either side of my route.” Nudge flashed in on the invader ships and they began exploding. Nudge smiled, the new disruptor blew through the Invader’s force fields. Three of the invader ships managed to get their force fields up but it made no difference. They fired their disruptors but the Attack Pod was moving too fast to be targeted. Five invaders were destroyed within the first ten seconds and eight more were destroyed or heavily damaged when the Pod turned and made a second run. Nudge turned sharply and ran from a salvo of missiles. He moved away from the Invaders and saw more appearing. Budge must be having a great time in the void. He whipped the pod around and made another run into their formation.
Stonewall yelled, “Brace yourself, incoming disruptor beams!”
Nudge grabbed the arms of his chair and saw more than twenty disruptor beams move in on his pod. He squinted and saw his force field was knocked out. The beams hit the pod and then they were through the invaders and moving away. “Stonewall?”
“It appears their beams will not penetrate our hull covering.”
Nudge smiled and saw more ships appearing into normal space. He turned as the force field reenergized and headed back into the invaders.
• • •
Budge was completely defensive. More than three hundred void missiles were in pursuit and he was starting to get angry. He turned sharply and saw the huge swarm of missiles turn with him. He looked at his tactical monitor and saw the twenty-four invader warships were still maintaining a tight formation. He picked up speed to clear the cloud of missiles and then turned toward the invader warships. “Is this a good idea?”
“Stonewall, brace yourself.”
“Get real! Just how am I supposed to do that?” Budge laughed and flew the pod into the middle of the invader formation and stopped. The missiles bore in on the pod and invader ships began exploding. Budge hit the thrusters and flashed out of the invader formation. Only fifty missiles were in pursuit and a huge disruption in the void marked the place where the invader warships had been a moment before. He turned the pod and flew directly toward the disruption and allowed the fifty missiles to move right on his tail. At the last moment, he steered the pod over the top of the disruption and the missiles weren’t able to match the turn and added their mass to the disruption. Budge left the void and moved into normal space.
“NUDGE!”
“Be careful, there’s a lot of debris here.” Budge looked at his tactical and saw invader warships burning in all directions. He saw Nudge’s Pod just outside the debris field and he blew out a breath. “Hey, where are the others?”
Budge started laughing and couldn’t stop. It appeared the Pods would get a reprieve and their hard work was now vindicated. Nudge heard his brother laughing and, after a moment, joined him. Ten minutes later, the Montana showed up and everyone on the giant battleship was stunned at what the twins had accomplished. Chris laughed when he heard Amanda say, “I love those two remarkable idiots.”
Chapter Seventeen
Audrey sat beside Chris on a bench inside a large structure where a giant force field emitter was being built. “I’ve been wondering how you feel about me, Chris?”
“I’ve missed you, Audrey.”
“Did it have to take this long?”
“It did.”
“Tell me why?”
“I had to make sure. I saw pretty quickly that you are one remarkable woman. But how could I know if my feelings were true?”
Audrey sighed, “You had to meet others to compare to me?”
“I did. I also committed to developing a weapons system that would allow us a chance of being able to hold off the invaders. I couldn’t serve two masters. My personal feelings would just have to wait.”
“How did I do?”
Chris shrugged, “I met a lot of high powered women over the last three years. The scientists and officers in the fleet are working hard to build our new planet along with the ships. But none of them had the total package.”
“What?”
“Some were as smart as you; some were even as beautiful. Others had great intellect and others had your uncanny ability to put things together. But none of them had it all in one package. Fleet was right, you deserved your promotion. There is also the issue that I really don’t understand romance and how it works. Heck, Audrey, I’ve never even really kissed a girl.” Audrey leaned in, put her arms around Chris’s neck, and kissed him. After a moment, she broke the kiss and leaned back. Chris’s face was beet red. He took a deep breath and smiled, “That was…incredible. But you haven’t told me why you would still want me after I put you off for so long.”
“I didn’t really want any kind of relationship with you when I first met you. But you grew on me like a bad case of prickly heat.”
“What?”
“I saw you as a ten year old, Chris. I just didn’t allow myself to see that you’re different from any other human being. Your maturation process is quite different from all other humans. Once I realized that, I saw your mind and heart. After seeing all that you are, how could I do anything else but fall in love with you. Like you said about me, you’re the total package as well. I decided that however long it took, I was going to wait for you.”
“Thank you, I think. So how do we handle this, Audrey?”
“One day at a time and we’ll make sure what we feel will stand the test of time. There is no need to rush.”
“Will there be more kisses?”
Audrey smiled, “Oh yes; many more kisses.”
Chris smiled, “Good!”
• • •
The Orange Being gathered itself and pressed the button it dreaded pushing, “Great Leader, it appears the ships we sent to the spiral galaxy have been destroyed.”
It waited for the guards to come and kill him but they didn’t appear. He waited in the ensuing silence and, after what felt like forever, he heard, “I don’t find that surprising.” The being remained silent hoping he would survive and heard, “What weapons were placed on the new ships?”
“Our new disruptors were installed along with the faster missiles.”
“What do you know about the attack?”
“Our ships were met in the void before they arrived at the destroyed planet. I receive a message that the Group was under attack and no other message was received.”
“Do you know how many ships attacked?”
“No, Great Leader. I attempted to contact the Supal but was unable to reach him.”
“So they must have been destroyed rather quickly?”
“It does appear they were.”
“How far are we from completing the development of the Void Beam?”
“The housing around it is still showing decay when fired multiple times. Our scientists are using different materials to see if we can overcome the failing.”
“And the new reactors?”
“We’re still about six months from determining the correct amount of fuel to use in them.”
“Why that long?”
“The last container didn’t fail for three months. We’re certain that we can make a stronger alloy but the testing must show it can endure over a long period of time.”
“It appears it would be pointless to start modifying our ships before these new systems are complete.”
“Installing the new thrusters would be something we can do now. With the new reactors, our speed will more than double what the ships sent to the spiral galaxy were able to attain.”
“The thrusters won’t melt under the additional power?”
“No, Great Leader. They have not shown any wear in all of our testing.”
“Will these developments make our warships as fast as the Enemy?”
“Yes, Great Leader.”
“We suspect the Legends will remove us
as their principle tool once they learn about this failure.”
The Orange Being remained silent for a moment and then had to say, “If they choose to send the Others without these new tools, I suspect we won’t be replaced for very long.”
The Great Leader smiled on the Orange Being’s display, “That statement just saved your life. You show promise at understanding the big picture. Some would have suggested we assist the Others in their efforts.”
“I would not be one of them, Great Leader. My loyalty lies with you and the other Great Ones.”
“Make sure these new weapons are kept secret.”
“I have already taken the necessary steps to ensure they do.” The display went dark and the being collapsed into a puddle on the floor. It extended an eyestalk and saw the guards who had been standing at the door turn and walk away. Being a direct assistant to the Great Ones rewarded one with a lavish lifestyle but it was fraught with incredible danger. Failures were not tolerated. At least they hadn’t been in the past. Something was happening.
• • •
Lukas wrapped several uniforms and put them into a black travel bag. Salud sat on the bed and slowly shook her head, “I can’t talk you out of this?”
Lukas looked at her and shook his head, “You know we have to find out what’s going on in M-87.”
“Send Loree and her scouts in to find out.”
“Her fleet is more than a year away from getting the new battleships. We don’t dare wait that long.”
“I can’t go with you.”
Lukas sighed and sat down on the bed beside her, “You have to stay here with Eve.”
“Lukas, please don’t do this.”
“Salud, Willow has been updated and I can outrun anything they send my way. She’s also been equipped with our newest scanners and I won’t have to get close to their fleets to see what’s happening.”
“You’re too important to lose, Lukas!”
Lukas smiled and shook his head, “That was true three years ago. It no longer is. Quite frankly, I feel pretty useless at the moment.” Salud started to speak and Lukas put a finger on her lips, “Darling, I’m a Welken Warrior at heart. I’ve been sitting on the sidelines too long. Who would be better to send and make the right choices?” Lukas removed his finger and Salud was silent. “I’ll be careful.”
“When are you leaving?”
“In about four hours.”
“Then give me three of those.” Lukas looked at her and saw her fear. He reached for her and pulled her into his arms.
• • •
Lukas walked out of his quarters next to the spaceport and carried Eve in one arm and held Salud’s hand. They arrived at the pad Willow was parked on and found Jinks and Stoney waiting. “What are you doing?”
Lukas looked at Eve and saw her frown. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. He handed her to Salud and said, “It appears you already know.”
Stoney shook his head, “You can’t do this, Lukas!”
Lukas drew a breath and blew it out, “What made me so good at leading our efforts against the Fellowship?”
Stoney and Jinks’ faces showed their surprise at the question. Jinks said, “You knew the most about what we were going to have to face having been part of the wars.”
“That is no longer the case, Jinks. The only way I can be effective is to know what we’re going to have to face coming out of that monster galaxy. Sending someone else won’t cut it. If you really think about this unemotionally, you’ll know I’m right.”
The two stared at Lukas and then looked at each other. Stoney lowered his head and then looked at Jinks, “He’s right. Those new ships almost blindsided us.”
Jinks shook his head, “Then send me. You’re too important.”
“Jinks, you are my best tactician. You make things happen but it is my province to point the spear at the correct target. You’ll miss things that I won’t. You know I’m the one best suited to do this. At the present, I’m no more than just a figurehead. I don’t know enough to make long range plans and I really don’t think we have a long time before another invasion of the Milky Way. I must do this.”
Jinks sighed and shook his head slowly. He extended his hand and said, “You know you are more than a brother to me.”
Lukas ignored the hand and put his arms around Jinks and hugged him, “And you are as well my closest friend. I expect you to get us ready.”
Jinks returned his hug and said, “Every pod is being modified before we continue building the battleships.”
Lukas stepped back and smiled, “Now that is a great decision. Take care of Salud and Eve while I’m gone.”
“You know I will.”
Lukas turned and kissed Salud tenderly, turned, and climbed into Willow’s cockpit. Salud yelled, “Do not allow him to get into trouble, Willow!”
“I’ll do my best.”
The Attack Pod slowly lifted and Salud saw Eve staring at it. As it rose in the sky she said, “I love you, Salud.” All three of them were shocked that the three year old said it in the exact voice tone that Lukas used. Salud pulled her close and said, “I love you, too, my darling.”
Lukas heard the thought and smiled. “Get us out of here Willow before I change my mind.” The pod’s thrusters ignited into a larger flame and the pod winked away. Salud watched it disappear and started crying. Jinks and Stoney put their arms around her and Stoney said, “He’s right. If anyone can do this, it’s him.”
“I know. But that galaxy is a monster. It kills everything it touches.”
“Not everything.” Salud looked at Jinks and he smiled, “You know why he’s going. I mean really going.”
“What are you saying?”
“I think he’s tired of being a punching bag. He wants to take it to their territory.”
Salud looked up at the sky and smiled. Jinks knew him better than she did. She supposed that was because it took a warrior to truly understand another one.
Stoney said, “I guess both of you know that Chad and Julie are now piloting one of the new Attack Pods?” Salud and Jinks looked at him and Stoney smiled, “I don’t think they’ve ever been really happy in the battleships. Julie tells me it’s like going home again.”
Jinks shook his head, “What’s the status of the force field?”
“It will be operational in another two weeks.”
Jinks smiled, “Once we have enough of the Attack Pods converted that is where we’ll send them. Their first task will be to take Jack back to be buried beside Mary. Lukas made a promise and he asked me to make it happen.”
“When did he do that, Jinks?”
“The day after he died a month ago.”
Salud looked up again, “He knew he was going then.”
“I suspect it was Jack’s death that prompted him to do it. He loved Jack so much.”
“That’s what Lukas is good at; loving.”
Stoney said, “Amen to that.” He looked at Jinks, “I thought you loved me like a brother?”
“Am I limited to having just one brother?”
Stoney started laughing and Salud said, “What?”
“I guess that makes Lukas my brother as well.”
Salud hugged him, “Indeed it does. He chose you to raise his son.”
Stoney’s eyebrows went up and he smiled, “You’re right. I need to thank him for that.”
Salud looked up into the clear sky again, “I pray you have the opportunity.”
• • •
“It’s been a long time since we’ve flown together, Willow. I hate to admit it but I’ve missed it.”
“It seems like forever since we were running from the Myot and Stalkers. So much has happened since then.”
Lukas sighed, “I never would have thought we’d be where we are. It really bothers me that I wasn’t able to prevent Earth’s destruction.”
“No one could have stopped it. Once Pat set up shop there, the end was inevitable. Where do you want to go?”
“Earth.”
“I thought we were going to scout M-87?”
“We’ll go there afterwards.”
There were a few moments of silence as Willow turned away from Andromeda and went to full thrusters. “Lukas.”
“Yes.”
“What are you thinking?”
“You probably know.”
“Still too much coincidence?”
Lukas laughed, “Willow, you never cease to amaze me. That’s exactly the issue.”
“You don’t think…”
“I don’t know. That’s why we’re going there. How long will it take us to get there?”
“About forty minutes.”
“WHAT?”
“The twins made it in a little over an hour but they didn’t have the new thruster system on their pods. The difference in speed is quite high.”
“Let’s make sure I know what they’ve done to you before we arrive. What changes did they make when you were modified?”
“You know about the new scanning system. I also have the Dark Matter cloud as well as the rotary guns and DM cannon. I also have three swivel-mounted disrupters. One of them covers my rear.”
“It’s a shame we can’t use the disruptors in the void.”
“The only thing preventing us is causing a disruption. Personally, I’d use them anyway.”
“Why?”
“Because the disruption will eventually fade and disappear. Being attacked by invader ships and not using every weapon to survive just doesn’t seem like good sense.”
Lukas thought for a moment and said, “If enough disruptions happened inside their formations, it would force them to break ranks to avoid them.”
“Other than leaving a disruption, every other thing appears to be a positive.”
“Have you thought about any escape maneuvers?”
“This new coating has given us one that I think will make a huge difference.”