by Frank Carey
“Doc, any injuries?”
“Bumps and bruises--nothing serious. Mr. Sato, you really have to do a better job driving this bus.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said with a salute which she returned with a tentacle.
“Ma'am, Penthesileia is responding to our mayday.”
“Put them on,” Fiona said. When she finished with her status report, she sat back in her chair and picked at a bandage on her arm. “Close, husband. Real close.”
Akira walked over and sat on the floor next to her. “I think it was your mother who told me close only counts with hand grenades and horse shoes.”
She smiled at him. “How can you be so damn calm?”
“From the moment I met you, I knew we were destined for each other. I am yin to your yang. We are balanced. You are feisty while I am calm. It is our way,” he answered without really answering.
She shook her head then looked up to watch John and Andromeda who had returned. She sat in his chair while he checked his helm console. They talked like they had known each other forever. “Look at those two. Different worlds, yet they belong together,” she marveled.
“I told you--yin and yang. Through them the galaxy remains in balance,” he said. “Two worlds, separated by time and distance, brought together to restore balance.”
“My, aren't we the romantic. Who are you and what did you do with Akira?” she quipped.
###
Haruki and Katana watched in horror as Hippolyta slipped beneath Annihilator. “Captain, can they succeed?” Katana asked as the Hippolyta disappeared from view.
“Computer says yes, if given time. They need to complete the burn before the ship self-destructs. Science, bring up the course display.”
The image of Annihilator floating above the holotable was replaced with that of the projected course. “Here's Annihilator's current position. Here's where the burn starts, and here is safe minimum distance. The time between burn start and SMD is the critical part. If Annihilator blows before SMD, the Earth's biosphere will be severely damaged.”
“What about Hippolyta?” Haruki asked.
“She's literally welded to the bottom of Annihilator, so she will have to explosively separate from the behemoth as soon as they reach escape vector. The longer they wait, the bigger the risk of getting taken out by the explosion. From what I have seen of those people, they will not separate until they are damned sure Annihilator is on the right course.”
“Captain, burn has commenced,” the Science Officer announced.
The captain returned to her position while the Hisakawas moved to stand out of the way near the admiral. “Damnedest thing,” Trisha said.
“What, Admiral?” Katana asked.
“There are hundreds of ships of every size and configuration out there, but only the Hippolyta, a freighter, has the configuration and crew to pull this off. Thousands of navy personnel at my disposal, but only a handful of merchants to save a planet.”
“End of burn in five... Four... Three... Two... One... Mark!”
“Course change?” Kelly ordered.
“Wait one. Ma'am, we read course change. Penthesileia confirms. Annihilator is now on escape vector. Fifteen seconds to MSD. Penthesileia is pulling away.”
“Status of Hippolyta?”
“Unknown, Ma’am. Penthesileia signals no sign of Hippolyta. Ten seconds to MSD.”
“Dammit, full sensor scan.”
“Aye, Ma’am. Still no sign. Heavy interference from Annihilator. Five seconds to MSD. Four seconds... Three seconds... Two seconds... One second... MSD, mark!”
The room lit up like a thousand flashbulbs went off. “Sun shields!” Kelly ordered. The intensity dropped as the windshield polarized. “All decks report!”
“No damage, Ma’am,” the first officer reported. Shields took the brunt of the radiation. Fleet reports no damage as well. Penthesileia is trying to raise the Hippolyta.
“On speaker!”
The room went quiet as they listened to the calls by Penthesileia.
Trisha turned to the Hisakawas and said, “No matter what, they are heroes. That ship just saved a planet and two civilizations...”
“Mayday, mayday, mayday,” came over the radio, “This is Capt. Fiona Hisakawa aboard the LTV Hippolyta on Starguard Channel One requesting assistance. Mayday, mayday, mayday.”
Cheers filled the cockpit as the Hisakawas hugged each other and the admiral for good measure. When they finished, Katana turned to Kelly and said, “Permission to launch a rescue mission, Captain.”
“Permission granted,” Kelly said to a pair of retreating backs. “First Officer, prepare shuttle bay for launch of rescue shuttle.”
“Aye, aye, Captain. With pleasure.”
Trisha looked at Kelly with a look of wonder on her face. “Damned if they didn't pull it off,” she said.
“Copy that, Admiral. Copy that.”
###
“Ma'am, Shuttle Algonquin from the Charybdis is requesting docking clearance. Penthesileia has arrived. They're requesting to talk to someone about setting up a tow.”
Fiona looked at John. “Have them talk to Streen,” she said. “Our helmsman is busy.”
“Husband, seeing as the rest of the crew is doing crewish things, care to join me in greeting the shuttle crew?” Fiona said as she stood up and brushed off her uniform.
“A lovely idea, Captain. Let's”
“Liz, do we have a functional docking port?”
“Port-center, Ma’am,” she replied.
“Send them there, if you please.”
“Aye, Ma’am. Port-center it is.”
The Hisakawas left the bridge and headed to the port-center docking hatch while surveying the damage to the ship on their way. “We're going to need dry dock and a total refit,” Akira said as he ran his hand down a scorched wiring conduit. “We may have to bring Hippolyta's sister out of mothballs for parts.”
They moved out of the way as members of the black gang ran by carrying a large brace with Streen close behind. “Hull buckled,” he said calmly as he ran by.
“Should we be worried?” Fiona asked.
“Streen's good. I'm not worried,” he replied.
Thinking about it, she realized she wasn't worried either.
###
They arrived at the hatch just as the shuttle made hard dock. Akira walked over and checked several gauges before looking in the window and giving a thumbs-up to the crew inside the ship. He stepped back as the lock cycled. The door opened and a dozen engineering techs and medical technicianss swarmed in.
“Engineering crew, find Streen in the forward compartments. He's the big chocolate brown Storen,” Akira said, acting as marshaller. “Medics, see Dr. Siatar on the Bridge. You can't miss her.”
The deck lurched slightly. “Penthesileia must be hooking up,” Fiona said. She looked around and found the two shuttle pilots standing in the doorway. She recognized them immediately.
“Akira,” she said while bumping his arm. He turned around and stopped.
“Haruki? Katana? Why are you...” he stopped while Katana hugged first him then Fiona. Haruki, for his part, opted for a firm handshake and a small bow.
“Brother, Sister in law, Congratulations on a successful mission,” Haruki said.
“Wait a moment, brother. Why are you wearing commander's rank insignia and Katana, captain's?”
Katana explained what happened with Admiral Washington. “None of Nova's crew was severely hurt, but Nova itself was a complete loss.”
“I tried to resign, but she refused to allow it,” Haruki said.
“Good. Adm. Washington did the right thing,” I did not feel it my place to say this, Haruki, but you need this and Katana needed to be a Captain. You may not realize this, but this is probably the best thing that could happen to you. You should be reveling in this good fortune,” Akira said.
No one said a word. Fiona had not heard this many words come from her husband for as long as she had known
him. She looked over at Katana and Haruki and saw shock.
“I don't understand?” Haruki replied.
“You, Katana, and your crew slowed Annihilator down. You distracted Procis long enough for Agent Romulus Clyemne to wrest control from her. The Admiralty rewarded the two of you while saving face in the process. Mark my words, you both will be going far in the Earth Defense Force.”
Haruki and Katana looked at each other. “I hadn't thought of that,” Katana said.
“Neither had I,” Haruki said.
“Where did you put my husband,” Fiona asked.
Streen walked in and bellowed, “I hate to break this up, but the shuttle needs to go. Penthesileia is about to start the tow.”
“We will talk more at the station,” Haruki said as he shook their hands once more. After a round of hugs by Katana, they re-boarded the shuttle and took off.
“We should get back to the bridge,” Fiona said as she stared at her husband.
“What?” he asked a little worried by her look.
“Nothing,” she replied as she continued to stare.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The crew and their two prisoners gathered in the reception area next to the forward passenger door while the walkway from the station made final attachment to the Hippolyta. To a being, they were happy to be in port. Fiona looked at them with her heart filled with pride and love. “Thank you all for what you did today,” she said as Akira stood behind her. “I don't think I could be any prouder.”
“Mr. Akira,” Joanie said from the front of the group. “Did we finally kill your demon?”
Akira thought for a moment then smiled. “Yes, yes we did. Now, I have to go find another one!”
Fiona swatted him. “No more demons, ogres, dragons, imps, or any other mischievous creatures.”
Akira bowed and said, “Yes, Captain.”
A green light next to the hatch came on, signaling a hard seal had been established. Streen pressed a button on the control panel and the massive door opened to reveal a span of tunnel leading to the station's reception area. Through the tunnel windows, they could see other tunnels attached to the ship with dockworkers moving through them with cargo destined for Earth.
With the two prisoners leading the way, the crew proceeded down the tunnel and into the reception area. “Lord, I could use a bath and a steak dinner,” Fiona said as she gave Akira the look.
“On our way in, I made arrangements, Captain,” he said.
At the end of the ramp, Akira keyed the door. It opened to thunderous applause as crews from every ship on station waited to congratulate the crew of the Hippolyta. Before they could proceed, a contingent of Olympian Marines led by Adm. Galactus walked up and took custody of Freya and Procis.
“Freya Heranna and Procis Hallas, you are under arrest for crimes against the planet Earth, the League of Planetary Systems, and the Olympian Republic,” she said. “Lieutenant, they're all yours.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the Lieutenant said as the squad took the two away.
Athena turned back to the crew of the Hippolyta, about to make a speech, when she saw Andromeda standing next to a young man. “The hell with speeches,” she said. She ran up and embraced the two siblings while the crowd rushed in to congratulate the others.
Later, after the crew went off for a night of toasts and bought dinners, Joshua, John, and Fiona sat in a lounge sipping drinks while Akira and his siblings talked nearby.
“I am sorry about the loss of the Nova,” Akira said. “She was a fine ship.”
“But we're alive and have you and your crew to thank for that, brother,” Katana said bowing.
“We did what any spacer crew would do. We came to the aide of other spacers in trouble. I know both of you would have done the same,” he said as he returned the bow “Tell me, what are your plans for the evening?”
Katana and Haruki looked at each other. “We have none,” Katana said while Haruki shook his head in agreement.
“Fiona and I would be honored it you would join us for dinner. We have reservations at the Cosmo Lounge in an hour.”
“We couldn't...” Haruki was about to say, but was stopped by Katana.
“We will join you,” she said. “It is high time we met your wife and reconnected with you.”
Haruki smiled and nodded. “Katana is correct. It has been too long... brother,” he said as he clasped Akira's forearm.
After hugging Akira, she and Haruki headed off to prepare for dinner while Akira rejoined his group as Joshua began summarizing the day’s events.
“As you can imagine, you and your ship are now heroes in the eyes of Earth, the League, and the Republic. As we speak, the three Governments are fighting over who will pay for repairs to the Hippolyta. Your shipping contract has a value-added bonus, correct?”
“Yes, of course,” Fiona said. “Why?”
“Every piece of your cargo now has collector's item status on the open market, which means it has increased in value by a factor of fifty. You may have to buy another ship as a tax write-off. So, Akira, how are the Wunder Twins doing?”
“They're coming to grips with what has happened. It isn't easy for them, but it is necessary. Admiral, please thank Adm. Washington for not washing them out. They are both excellent officers with great potential.”
“I know, which is why I put in a good word for them. Annihilator was both an immovable object and an irresistible force all rolled up in a single package.”
“Admiral, what's going to happen between the Republic and the League?” Fiona asked between sips of her drink.
“Ah, good question. While everyone's been celebrating, scientists from the Cube and its Republic counterpart have been busy running some genetic tests. It seems that the Olympians visited Earth a while ago and left some genetic material behind in the population which makes them part of the human race. Earth has already signed a treaty with representatives aboard the Penthesileia. Oddly, this is exactly what the Oracles were trying to prevent. According to Athena, it would have taken years for their politicians to mount a meet-and-greet expedition to Earth, dooming the Republic to extinction.”
“Talking shop, Joshua?” They all looked up as Athena, Romy, and Andromeda walked up, the ladies wearing cocktail dresses and Romy wearing a suit, which he pulled at.
Everyone stood up and greeted the Olympians with hugs and arm clasps. “Admiral, Andromeda, you both look amazing, Fiona said as she elbowed Akira who just stared.
“I agree,” he said with a smile. “I assume this is your first suit, Master Romulus.”
“Yes, I hear it's all the rage now.”
Fiona walked up to him and straightened his jacket and tie. “You are breathtaking, Romy. The women are going to swoon.”
He gave her an embarrassed smile. “Thanks, Captain, for everything.”
“Dad, we're going to be late,” John said.
“Right. Don't want to keep your sister waiting. Good night,” Joshua said as he and the others headed off to their dinner date.
“You don't think...” Fiona said as they watched the group walk off.
“I think life has gotten more interesting,” he said with a smile.
“Akira, I have an odd question,” Fiona said as she snuggled into his arms.
“Ask away.”
“I know you joke about it, but what did you see when you were aboard that derelict ship?”
“I thought I saw an ogre as you would call it. Ugly thing with menace in its eyes and a large ungainly weapon. It said we would meet again someday.”
“What do you think it was, really?”
“Who knows? I was a frightened child trapped in a dead ship. Most likely it was just fear, but there is one thing.”
“What?”
“Before you and I met, I did some research and found out the oni I saw was very similar to a Goranthi demon called an Annihilator.”
“Go on,” Fiona said as her eyes went wide.
“The ship we found was compl
etely deserted, yet its life pods were still in their tubes and its shuttle craft was still stored in the landing bay. We found food on the tables next to half-drank cups of coffee, yet no sign of any crew member, dead or alive.”
“Yes...”
“No one ever heard from the crew again.”
“Okay...”
The name of the ship was 'Earth Transport Vessel Mt. Olympus.”
She stopped breathing and just looked at him before slugging him in the shoulder. “Damn you! You had me going there for a minute. Come on, I'm hungry,” she said as she dragged him off the couch and down the hall toward the restaurant. “
Outside the window, Earth rotated while its seven billion inhabitants went about their lives, safe for the moment...
...until the next crisis.
<<<<<>>>>>
About Frank Carey
Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre.
Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go.
Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.
Frank and his wife produce a podcast—Xtreme Self-Publishing—which details their self-publishing efforts.
Frank can be reached through his podcast at xtremeselfpublishing.podbean.com or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]