Colleen asked, SET IT UP?
"Set it up. Include yourself as a recorder. Oh, include a hot tub, thirty days in, five days here. The War won't be lost beyond our ability to fix it in five days."
THE BAY WILL BE PREPARED AND ON STANDBY. I'LL PUT IN ANYTHING NOT YET RESOLVED, WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD POSSIBLY RESULT?
I knew I would resolve this overlay dimension, this space which superimposed itself over everything, in thirty days, if it ever could be done.
Tiring of residences, I went back to the switching chamber and down another tunnel. This one was a store's area. The doors of the rooms were open and I went in, lots of boxes and crates about. I assumed non food things, but was hesitant to open anything. Who knew how these people stored their Hydrogen bombs? Finally, I came to a repair shop, and on a bench there lay a long tube in a vise, into which someone had been replacing parts. The new parts were arranged on the counter. I puzzled and puzzled and concluded it was a sonic rifle of sorts. The six foot long five inch diameter tube would be unwieldy in battle, but if effective, who cared? I said to Colleen, "Get me someone on the Phaeton Med Deck to ask Taln what this sonic rifle does."
After a delay, the answer came: HE SAYS IT KILLS ANNU KI IF THEY STAND STILL. HE ALSO SAYS THAT WHOLE TUNNEL, WHICH IS AN ARMORY, SHOULD BE CLEANED OUT. THERE IS NOTHING DANGEROUS TO MOVE. EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS ARE MARKED WITH A YELLOW 'X' AND PAINTED BLACK. SHALL I SCRAMBLE A TEAM?
"Yesterday, and put one of everything in that bay we just spoke of."
WILL DO.
I was sure I was looking at an early version of the anti ANNU KI rifles we'd gotten from Adam and Eve. I'll have to consider, with Lillian the likelihood of concurrent scientific development, and if a correlation was there, 'who provided the data'.
I was honest enough with myself to admit I could just be doing this to have a vacation. Last vacation, 'Hmmmm'. Never. Wooh. High time, castigate no further.
The clean-up crew was starting at the beginning of the tunnel before I walked out. I told the OIC to take everything but the bare walls, all the way along.
The next tunnel was residential again. I took pictures this time and pretended to be the disinterested explorer. Next tunnel was a laboratory. I did the same dance and shortly another team was dispatched. The next two tunnels contained nothing for two miles. I concluded they went somewhere. I'd ask later. The next tunnel was small padded rooms for people to go mad in. There were no bodies naturally, but the thick dust on the floor should be analyzed. I doubted they had a contamination protocol. From the even temperatures and gentle air flow, I concluded that they didn't even have an ability to divert the circulation. The next two tunnels had grooves in the floor. One had a cradle on six wheels which sat in the grooves. I was sure that going along that tunnel would eventually get me to aircraft. Same dance, same end result. If it could be moved, get it out and, oh, don't forget to save enough room for the Captain's launches with the hibernation equipment. I already had a sneaky suspicion we were dealing with a vessel which swung back and forth between the Negative and Positive Universes. The exact crossover point was a timeless, very brief, space, so you expand that, but how?
Colleen, 'put one of those in my bay also'.
ACKNOWLEDGED.
The next three had empty store rooms left and right, for two miles. I said, 'Send a scout team for each of these, explore to the end. The next and last tunnel had a barrel of something sticking almost up to the entrance. I asked. I got back, 'DOOR DEFENSE CANNON THERE ARE MANUALS IN THE OPERATOR'S CABIN. Our Phaeton dictionary should be up to something this simple. I ordered it to be put in my bay also. I was going to be busy; maybe I should increase the ratio and go for sixty days, decide later.
By the time I got done with my wanderings, it was way beyond my bedtime, but sadly, there would be no sleep for me. I went back to the control room. Both ration containers were almost emptied by the orderly stream of visitors, the Phaetons, and the dragon people.
I called the reserve Ration containers down. Also, I called Taln and Lillian to ascertain whether their people were ready to depart. Both of them said, in strained voices, 'If they're walking, get them out of here'. From that, I learned everybody has limits. So I called for everything flying which could handle people. By now, the ANNU KI in the next galaxy probably knew what was going on, so Taln was going to leave the door to outside open. There were fifty Frigates on close screen and one hundred on wide screen, so we'd have a warning. Transportation started to arrive along with a platoon of Security. They quickly had an orderly exit process. Come out of Med Deck, prove that you could walk by getting to the switching chamber, get some food/water, and wait for egress. I walked through the crowd with rations and didn't see anybody totally aware, but they were standing. Aware could come later The Phaetons were getting Prestrillo's body, minus Prestrillo, of course. How the operators had switched the gender I couldn't imagine; probably some capability built in by the Elders. I decided to go back to the booth and be visible and look commanding. No one needed my help.
The Captains launches came out one by one on anti-grav skids. I didn't trust their own power, and none of the Captains had suggested the idea.
Five days later, I'd about had it, Lillian too. I used my personal blackness to go mentally unconscious occasionally, thereby clearing my input space. I didn't ask what Lillian did. The Captains had 'stims'. So their only change consisted of larger pupils. Everybody and everything minutely valuable was gone. We'd left the Residential sections alone and sealed the 'crazy' tunnel, so no one was sure where exactly it had been. The last of the Dragons was being led out of their tunnel, Lillian and her male behind it. Both of them stopped and we watched the last Dragon go away toward the entrance. It was a powerful creature about twenty five feet tall. Who knew what it weighed without its three 'lifting belts', as they were called by Lillian. Some Tech had managed to recharge them, so all was well with them
Tritchka had slept occasionally on the couches. She'd tried to not miss a minute of the oddest operation in, or out of, reality. My wooden body said, "In." There was clean-up to be done but that didn't call for my supervision. The Captains, other than Taln, were already on ARK IV. I offered my arms. Both Lillian and Taln accepted. Tritchka and the male got on either side of the three of us. We marched down the tunnel toward the entrance; just to show we could do it.
We made the march out of the tunnel and straight up the gangway into my ship, where I guided each of them to cabins. The General, Suzy, and Aelone had been participating by watching my visual recorder, which I'd tuned to screens in the ship. They stood off to one side of the dining room. I waved as I went by on my way to the control room. "Be at ease. We're going to be lifting now. General, come with me please." He did and I walked into the control room and said, 'Auto Pilot on, go out of cavern and hover.' We did and I called back down the corridor, "Taln, we're free of the cavern."
I saw on the rear screen that the opening became rock again. "Opening closed Taln, sweet dreams." 'Auto Pilot, go back to Virginia, last Sunday at noon, stay 10,000 feet above ground. Trip duration should be ten hours'. Then I said, "General, I'm sure you have questions, but I'm also sure the answers would be clearer after I sleep some. What do you think?"
"Go sleep. I have a written list, Suzy and Aelone too. But they'll wait, I'm sure."
I went to my cabin, locked the door, took my clothes off, showered, and fell onto the bed naked, not bothering to cover myself. The room would adjust to my body temperature. I wanted to feel unbound again.
OPERATIONAL AREA EARLY EARTH PLUTO ORBITAL PATH
TILDORE SECALLO
CHAPTER EIGHT
I tried to rest. Seems this body didn't need much rest but I could relax and dream and practice with my bulb. I began to sense wave lengths. I couldn't quite turn lights off and on yet but I made them flicker. Paula said we were monitored and everyone progressed normally.
Twenty hours later, on a screen - my dining room wall, I watched the lead Frigate go by the first sensor. He
noticed the sensor, too, because he drastically reduced speed and hailed us. Jace Manyard answered the hail from Prestrillo's flagship. "Transfer your helm to us. Have all vessels line up behind you."
They complied and were steered through the mine field and into the Passenger Space Station. Jace came on again. "Liner is to dock in the orange lit bay. Frigates are to use the green lit bays. Remain in your ships until contacted."
Nerre' reported from my Ball's Control Room, "All scans on the Liner and the Frigates were normal. Admiral Prestrillo, Paula, and Tina are going to meet them shortly as directed, Nerre' out."
I couldn't do more about the situation now. The rest was up to those three.
OPERATIONAL AREA EARLY (ONE CONTINENT) EARTH
PAULA LESTEN - ESSENCE
ASSIGNED TO THE BALL BRIGADE FOR THE DURATION
CHAPTER NINE
I wondered what could be more important than my presence in Med Deck, but Thelma had requested, so I reserved judgment. We were presently in a shuttle en-route to the Passenger Station, with Prestrillo and Tina, happy now that she didn't need to look up to anyone. For company, we had a newly organized Security Squad in full battle gear. I've seen hundred of thousands of Army types, over years too numerous to even think about. I'd put these fellows up against any of them. We docked in a smaller bay next to the Liner to take care of its occupants first. My ESP band received conflicting emanations from the liner that I quit trying to sort out. Whatever existed there needed my attention.
After docking one Security person went to each of the six Frigates to show them their quarters. Four men and the female Sergeant stayed with Trist, Tina, and I, as we passed through double airlocks to the bay holding the Liner. The men pushed a ramp in place to match up with the cargo door of the liner, as per our instructions.
The wide doors opened from the inside outward and down the ramp marched two Dragons led by a man and a woman. I almost disformed. What in the holy hell. I stuffed my memories of those times back into their storage quickly, but not quickly enough to escape attention of the woman.
Through the translator device on her chest, she said in English, "Well, well, and whose Clan member do we have here behind Paula's barriers?"
WE SHOULD NOT SPEAK OF THOSE TIMES IN FRONT OF THEM ASSEMBLED. IT WILL MAKE MY TASK EVEN HARDER TO MATCH YOU TO OUR PURPOSE.
"Another time, I'm Lillian and my male is Manello. These beasts only listen in their minds."
I became aware that my companions had withdrawn to a place near the door. Oh, oh, this could be ticklish. I called to them, "Don't be alarmed. I'm quite aware of these people."
To Lillian, I asked, "Will your friends be well, if you go from their presence?"
"Yes, we brought these along for their maturity. They will stay in this bay. We have food for them. If you wish to converse, we can. I have studied your language, if it can be called that, and I have adjusted my thought patterns. Difficult, but I did. Manello needs much rest, still. I will explain events to him."
"Do so. I'll calm everyone's nerves." Motioning toward the door, I said, "We'll find a room. I'll be back quickly."
I walked over to the Security Force. "These Dragons are harmless unless given a signal to attack. Right now, we need a room with recording facilities. I don't fancy retelling this tale. We dare not risk radio transmissions no matter how secure you think we are."
The Sergeant, Rowells, said, "Fan out, do it, now."
Prestrillo said, "I'm speechless for the first time, in who knows how long. What message do you think they have?"
"We'll find out soon enough. The Dragons will remain here, also her man who's ill, from confinement. He doesn't have any disease. He's just tired. I'll learn more, later. Her hands or feet may change to talons but it isn't a sign of anger, more like stretching a muscle. Don't react."
Shortly, a Security person returned and spoke swiftly to the Sergeant, who reported. "He's found what we need four airlocks away, a Mess with an attached recreation room."
LILLIAN, WE CAN GO WHEN YOU'RE READY. MANELLO, WE'LL NOT BE FAR. WE'LL GIVE YOU A RADIO TO CALL IF YOU LIKE.
He held out his hand. I said, "Have one of your men give him a radio so he can call Lillian if he wants to."
The Sergeant nodded to one of her men, who laid his rifle, belt, and pack down. He approached Manello slowly, the radio on an open palm. Manello daintily took it, looked at it, pressed the right button and spoke, "Listening, listening."
The Sergeant answered, "Heard, Heard."
He put the radio in a pocket of his vest, patted Lillian on the shoulder, and went back inside the Liner. The Dragons sat on their haunches and started looking around. Lillian caressed them as she passed by.
I thought, whew. We weren't going to have a war. I wasn't thinking she brought peace, either.
Security directed us to the nearby Mess Hall. They put two tables together. Presto, we had a conference room. Lillian sat on one side of the tables, we three on another. All four of us put bottles of water or juice on the table. That meant we were going to be here a while. I swept the space station. Everybody's attention focused here.
Lillian began, "First, I want you to know my sister, who's also named Lillian, remains with ARK IV. She and I bring greetings to Captain Prestrillo from Taln, Jesere and Franb."
I noticed Prestrillo practically had to shut his jaw with his hand. "You mean they survived?"
"Yes, we shared time beyond your comprehension together. Those of my people that the ANNU KI didn't kill took shelter with them under the high mountains. Your survivors, about 6,500, were removed and are recovering on ARK IV. My people were removed, too, some 25,000 when they were given bodies. Some, like Manello, have not become whole in spirit yet. We can speak of helping them later. The rescue is not why I am here. Betty gave me what she called an overlay of the language, your problems, and your intended solutions. Your plan will fail. We fought the ANNU KI and lost millions. You will, too.
She took a drink of water, pausing to be certain she had everyone's attention.
I said, "Go on."
She did, "I will put an example before you to make sure you understand. I saw this done by your off duty soldiers. It is called arm wrestling. You know it. You and I will arm wrestle, Tina. You are the combat instructor, who knows much about strength. Come sit at a single table, across from me."
I saw Tina hesitate. When no contrary instructions came she did as Lillian asked. Tina's arm was longer but not by much. They started and Tina showed surprise, if not on her face, in her mind. We watched as Lillian's arm grew to three times its relaxed state. Tina's face became set, her jaw clenched. She wasn't defeated, but only because of her will power. I knew Lillian had a reserve, but she patted their gripped hands with her other palm and they both desisted. Lillian's used arm returned to its normal state.
Lillian said, "I could have used more strength and won. But to match strength against strength is not the ANNU KI way. We will do this again, other arm, and I will send mental pictures to Tina, to confuse her will."
They started again. At the point they had exerted previously, I noticed Tina started to have momentary slips of concentration where her arm would start to go down. With mighty effort, she gained vertical, but we knew she couldn't hold out. Finally Lillian patted their clenched hands and they quit. Tina had a worried expression on her face. "The pictures took my focus away. There was nothing I could do about it."
Lillian said, "There are counter measures which can be learned. To conclude, we will go back to our right arms and I will attack mentally, and against your spirit, Tina. See what happens."
I thought to myself, 'let it be. I can fix whatever she breaks.'
When they were struggling mightily Lillian broadcasted a series of pictures and a spiritually dampening wave. Tina's hand went to the table with a bang. Lillian released her hand and Tina rubbed her knuckles and said, "I just disconnected for a second. I get your point, Lillian. But you weren't sent this distance to rub our shortcomings in our faces.
You must have a solution."
Lillian answered, "I have. I will teach you, quickly. Then perhaps Paula can put some part in those yet to be born. I see you have your pack with you, Tina. Do you need more than you have brought?"
"No."
Lillian smiled, it wasn't pretty, "First lesson learned. Never be looking for something from elsewhere. Always have everything you need with you." She indicated her chest, which was bare above her crossed cloths.
Tina looked at Prestrillo. He said, "Your duty station is with her until told otherwise. I will clear it with Secallo. Lillian, what else is there?"
"It was told to me that someone within the Frigates had shielded orders for you, Paula. I suppose that person will come forth in time."
I did a scan of the crews and found the person.
YOU AND I WILL SPEAK NOW. I'LL ERASE YOUR IDENTITY FROM EVERYBODY'S MIND WHEN WE'RE DONE. MEET ME OUTSIDE THIS ROOM.
I returned ten minutes later and said to them, "When we're back on our ship, Lillian, how long?"
"I calculate, going day and night, with full mental cooperation, your six months, to bare minimum. Mentally I can slow times movement in my bay. It is my bay, no?"
"Yes, of course, it's your bay. You're also free to search for better quarters. Go on."
"As I say, I can only slow time so much. You have to learn that, too, Tina. But M.Verdai spoke of Time Drop Bays."
"We use them for concentrated research. One could be set up. I'll ask them if they can set up six months versus one week. Suit you?"
"Yes. Do it today. Before you go, could you look at Manello?"
"Of course, let's do that now."
As we walked to the bay I considered he might be less than joyful only because he was looking at spending a fair piece of eternity with Lillian. She'd tire anyone.
Greener Green II: The Balls Brigade Page 12