by Don DeBon
Karthish shrugged. "That is what we thought. But the others were adamant."
"How are you certain the Celloids are on their way here?"
"Their path remained constant until a few of your months ago. Our ships are faster than theirs, hence we do have an advantage."
Deven's eyes narrowed. "There must be more to it than that."
Karthish's eye slits widened then contracted. "That is true. Pleasssse understand, we are very sorry."
Deven folded his arms losing patience. "While my abilities are not as strong as Aleshia's, your reluctance tells me everything. You led them here."
"Led is a strong word. They did learn of your existence from us, yes."
Aleshia's gaze went off into the distance as her mind whirled. She turned back to Karthish. "How is that possible? From what I saw, I can't imagine you telling the Celloids anything."
"That issss true. Nonethelessss, we did. One of our scout ships that was following several Celloids, got too close. They displayed a new tactic by lashing out with an extending tentacle. We knew the Celloids could shift their mass, changing the shape of their ships. But we had never seen them do this before in space and didn't think it was possible. The tentacle caused heavy damage and spread out into the ship preventing escape. At first, we thought all we lost was the ship and crew."
Otis cocked his head. "Let me guess, the Celloids accessed the ship's computer systems and learned about us?"
Karthish nodded in a slow motion. "Yessss. Until that moment, we did not know they had developed the ability to interface with our shipssss. Sssssuch knowledge would never have been on a scout ship otherwise."
"No reason you should have. I would never have thought an organic ship could interface with a binary computer."
Deven leaned forward and pointed a finger. "That explains how they learned of us, but how do you know they are coming here now?"
"We are still watching them. As I said a couple of months ago their pattern changed. They stopped going after the nearest systems. Instead, heading in this direction, skipping many systems they never would have in the past. Fearing the worst, we started to deploy our ships on the edge of your system as a precaution. Two days ago we tracked them making the final jump here. I arrived with the last of our ships."
"And you are certain their course is the same?"
Karthish nodded. "Their speed and course has remained unchanged. They will be here in two of your days. Again, we are ssssorry. They would not be here for several more of your centuries, if not for our mistake."
Otis raised a finger. "Your arrival must have brought them here quicker."
Karthish shook his narrow head. "No. Their sensors are much less advanced. Also, their technology generates far less energy than ours. Doing a jump requires them to enter into stasis beforehand. They do not know we are here. Nor the size of our fleet."
Deven rubbed his chin. "Another advantage."
Minerva's eyes shifted around the bridge. "From what Aleshia has said, and what I can see from your ships. I still do not understand why you needed our help."
Karthish's toenails twitched inside his boot as he turned around and faced the large window. The stars twinkled very little due to the high altitude of the Phoenix. He spun back. "Our technology is very advanced yes. But it only takes one pod landing unchecked to cause an unstoppable effect. At least not without great damage to your planet. Possibly resulting in its destruction."
Minerva eyes blinked. "So this is why the founders built me? For clean up detail?! That is all I was thought to be good for?!"
"No, there is another, even more important reason. Your 'founders' as you call them, felt your race was not yet ready to know of our existence. An all out attack from you would have revealed us. You were to keep the planet safe, without humanity knowing what had happened. Until the time was right."
Aleshia sat down in one of the hard chairs near a console. The lack of padding made her hips ache, but she shoved it back. "And the right time was in the far future. A time when we could unite with you and using our telepathy, combined with your technology, to eliminate the Celloids once and for all."
Karthish nodded. "That issss correct. But now we will do what we can. However, I fear it may not be enough."
"Why? You have a huge fleet," Minerva said.
"Yessss. However, the Celloids are bringing an even larger one. It is possible some might slip through."
"Then what?" Otis said.
Deven folded his arms. "We take them out."
"With what? Our weapons are not even close to the Lytherians. It would be like throwing rocks."
Deven grinned. "Well rocks can hurt if they are big enough. But I am guessing Karthish is going to help us with that."
"Correct. We can upgrade your ships. Our nanotechnology will allow for many to be done at once."
"Well, we won't be taxing your systems that is for sure."
Karthish cocked his head. "I do not understand."
"He means, what you see is what you get."
"I still do not understand."
Minerva sighed. "There was a problem in my systems long ago, it caused me to deviate from the plan. As a result, humanity removed most of my resources out of fear. The two ships you see are all that remains."
Karthish blinked. "Thissss is most worrisome. Two may not be enough."
Aleshia smiled. "It might be if I help."
Karthish turned. "Explain."
"Your original plan was to use telepaths to jam or confuse their ships right?"
Karthish nodded. "Yes."
Aleshia's smile broadened. "Well, I can do that."
"But you are one. We need many."
Deven smiled. "Don't underestimate her. Trust me on that."
"Right," Aleshia said nodding. "Besides I did manage to reach your ship didn't I?"
"Yessss and it did surprise us. We did not think your species could have come that far. Very well, we will attempt to do as you suggest."
High above the Earth a single point of light flashed outward. From it a larger eruption occurred, collecting in a circular swirling vortex of energy that grew in size as it shifted from white to blue then red. The Lytherian Command Carrier emerged from the portal. Behind them, the vast energy storm collapsed in upon itself, sealing it.
Karthish pointed to the flash and the carrier was still a small speck even at the Phoenix's high altitude. "That is my sssship." He pulled a device from his belt and toggled a button as the top part unfolded revealing a small screen.
The screen flickered flashed several layers of snow white pixels before the noise cleared. A Lytherian smiled as he inclined his head. "Commander, we have arrived assss ordered."
"Yesss I see. Deploy two shuttles with weapons technicians and engineers aboard and all the equipment they will need to upgrade two Earth ships."
The Lytherian on the screen tilted his head to the side. "Commander? Is this wise?"
Karthish's eyes narrowed. "Do you forget your place?"
The Lytherian stiffened. "Of course not commander. But we have always refrained from giving our technology to others. Especially weapons."
Karthish sighed. "Yes, I am aware. But the contingency we planned on is not available."
The Lytherian's eyes widened for a second. "Understood. Anything else Commander?"
"Yesss, start bringing the fleet here."
"All of it?"
Karthish nodded. "Yes. Deploy the ships in a standard defensive sphere around the planet at four klicks out. That will give everyone room enough to maneuver should it be necessary. I know it is not what we planned, but it is the best option."
The Lytherian inclined his slender head again. "Acknowledged. I will take care of it." The screen went blank and Karthish closed the device replacing it on his belt.
"I apologize for my narthon, or aid as you call them. He is young and capable, but he questions too much at times."
Deven smiled. "No apology is needed. I find the questions my people ask, h
elp me to not make mistakes that I might have otherwise."
Karthish nodded. "Yessss, very wise. I shall keep it in mind."
"Minerva, contact the Defiant. They need to know company is coming for dinner."
Galina's face flashed on the screen nearby. "We already do. Miles has been monitoring everything since Karthish arrived. Don't worry, we'll roll out the red carpet." She smiled and her image disappeared.
Deven folded his arms. "I don't know if I should be happy or concerned he did that without my orders."
"I know what I think of it," Minerva said.
"You did tell me to keep an eye on Minerva, did you not?" Miles voice came from a nearby speaker. "I am doing as you instructed."
"Yes, but I am not sure if watching every feed of every second applies."
"If you wish, I will discontinue."
Deven sighed. "Not at the moment. But next time you get the idea of expanding on my orders, ask me first."
"Acknowledged." The speaker clicked off.
"Does this 'Miles' often have problems following orders? Should this be a concern?" Karthish said.
Deven shook his head. "No, he is loyal. I am sure it was due to his concern of Aleshia. He is not your average Mechand."
"Indeed he has exceeded his programing by far. He still surprises me," Minerva offered.
Karthish turned toward Minerva. "I see, he is like you?"
Minerva shook her head on the screen. "No, he is less advanced."
A nearby speaker clicked on. "I would dispute that," Miles said.
Minerva's eyes narrowed. "Miles! Don't push it. I may have given you the codes to access this ship, but I can also change them at any point and lock you out."
"Perhaps, perhaps not." The speaker clicked off.
"You will not implement any such changes without my order. Is that clear?" Deven said.
"I won't. But you know I had to tell him I could."
Aleshia rolled her eyes. "Sorry Karthish, they often do sound like a family fighting."
Karthish's head went up and down as he laughed. "No apology necessssary. I found it quite entertaining. I have a family of my own, and recall such moments very well."
"Well, I bet you never had a child poking and prodding through your core system," Minerva said.
"I heard that!" Miles voice elevated voice came through the speaker.
Minerva smiled. "I know you did."
"Oh." The speaker clicked off again.
The Lytherian shuttles arrived and one easily entered the Defiant's spacious hangar bay. The Phoenix was more difficult. Not being designed to receive ships the size of the copious Lytherian shuttle, it scrapped against one side of the bay door as it entered. Much to the grumbling of the pilot. The Lytherians talked among themselves as the exited the shuttle to a row of unarmed Mechands. "We are here to assist you. Please state what you require," they said in unison.
One of the Lytherians stepped forward. "I need to speak with Karthish."
A Mechand stepped forward and lowered its metal head. "I will take you there. Follow me."
He began to follow the metal man but stopped and pointed to the Lytherians behind him. "Get all the equipment off of the shuttle and start work. You know the plan." He turned back continuing to follow the Mechand who went up a large ladder. The Mechand stood to the side as it entered the bridge, waiting for further instructions. The engineer arrived right after, he stiffened as he faced Karthish.
Karthish's eyes drifted up and down several times. "I saw your entrance. Was there any serious damage?"
The engineer shook his head. "No ssssir. The designation may need work, but the ship is functional. The pilot would like the area widened before we leave. But I told him we would not have time."
Karthish nodded. "Correct. The defensive shield, power systems, and weapons are the main priority." He walked over and pointed to the large chair with several electrodes hanging down from a high back. "And this ssssystem as well."
The engineer examined the chair, found the latch at the side, spun it around and pulled off the back of the chair. He peered in at the various components. "Quite ingenious for their level of technology. I will need to speak with the designer, several of the elements elude me."
Deven stepped forward. "That is easy enough. Minerva, get Leon."
Leon's face appeared on the main screen. "No need to tell me, Miles has filled me in. I'll be right over." The screen changed back to diagnostic information scrolling past.
"Miles?" Deven grunted.
The speaker next to Deven pinged. "Yes?"
"Next time I would like to tell him myself. Is that understood?"
"Acknowledged." The speaker clicked off.
Karthish turned to Deven. "If you would show me to our shuttle, I need to get back to my ship."
"Yes, I am sure there is much to be done on your end as well."
Karthish nodded. "Yessss. My people can handle the upgrades without me breathing over their shoulder."
"I'm sure," Deven said as they climbed down the hatch that closed right after them.
"Men! They are all the same no matter the species," Aleshia grumbled.
Otis turned. "What are you talking about?"
"I was the one that made contact. And Karthish wants Deven to show him to the shuttle?" She sat in the nearest chair with enough force that a wave of pain shot straight up in complaint of the hard seat. She forgot how thin the padding was aboard the Mechand carrier, if there was any at all. Aleshia winced, stood back up, and tried to rub the discomfort away.
"I am sure he just wanted to talk with Boss is all. Nothing else."
"I know, but still—"
"Hey weren't you the one in his mind? What does he have left to tell you?"
Aleshia laughed. "You know, that may be true. I did get bits of his life outside of what he wanted me to see."
Otis snapped his fingers. "See? There you go. Nothing gender bias about it at all."
"Why do I get the feeling you have a reason for trying to soothe me?"
Otis grinned. "Me? Nah, why would I want to smooth the ruffled feathers of a woman able to tear me limb from limb, and every man on the planet if we get out of line?"
Aleshia laughed again. "I'm not that bad."
"Nope, and I intend on keeping it that way."
Leon poked his nose through the hatch. "You know I charge extra for house calls."
The Lytherian engineer lifted his head up from behind the chair. "Housssse call?"
Leon walked over to the chair. "Sorry. Bad joke. What did you need me for?"
"Ah you are the one who made this?" He pointed to the chair.
"Yes. Seems like you should know more about how it works then I do."
"I do, but I need to understand every aspect of the construct before I upgrade it. And call me Dakarth."
Leon smiled. "Sure be happy to run through the design."
Aleshia stretched and rubbed her backside again. "I am going to go rest in the truck we brought over. I have a feeling I'm going to need it."
"Sure. I'm going to find the other Lytherians and see if they need any help," Otis said.
"There is no need. My Mechands are helping them," Minerva said.
"Well do you mind if I watch? I want to see what they are doing."
Minerva's image shrugged. "Of course not."
"Good, call me if you need." He headed off of the bridge.
Aboard the Defiant the Lytherians worked to update the systems. Galina grumbled as the lights flickered several times with systems going down and back up a moment later. She slapped the intercom. "Gregory! What the heck are they doing down there?"
Miles' camera focused on Galina. "I do not know. My monitors in engineering have gone down."
"Miles! I wasn't asking you! Gregory?"
"I don't know," Gregory said breathing hard.
"How do you not know? I told you to watch them!"
Gregory looked up at the lights flickering then over to the Lytherians by the main p
ower core. They were nodding to themselves and talking in a language he didn't understand. "I have, but I don't know what they are doing. At least in detail."
"Well what do you know?"
"They put some jet black material on several lines coming from the main power core. The goo disappeared a few seconds later, and the lights went haywire."