We poured another and were sitting looking at each other when Jim walked in. Tom indicated the bottle. Jim said, "Two more rows to hoe before I'm allowed. I just wanted to fill you two in on events. The fleet will be leaving in six days. I've been given command of Searcher One. Captain Rafe is going to try to get back to his reality. Wish him luck. Another two sections will be added to Searcher I, planetary patrol configuration. We'll retain fifty Frigates here, to gather recruits, anyone who gets out of step. You two can do what you want to. That's the best thinking I've seen in a long time with that Polaris find. The fact is that I could use you two here. You, Lin, not only because of your connections, but mostly because of your ability to make things happen. And you, Tom, to make sure Lin and I don't go off half cocked. You don't need to decide now, but you, Lin, will have to get someone up to speed, if it's deep space you'll be going. Maybe I will have a swig out of the bottle. Damn that's good. Oh, almost forgot, buy that seaside town where the unsuccessful attract took place. It's now deserted and being occupied by us. Lots of traps. Go two hundred miles circular. Who knows where they tunneled. I'll be around."
I poured us another drink. I wasn't worried about his germs. With as much proof as this had, the fumes were fatal.
"What you think, Tom? We stay, we go?"
"Why do I always have to be sensible? Going's always there. You can't possibly get someone up to your speed, to replace you, in six days, maybe six months, if you had the right person."
I laughed feeling the drink. "A two hundred mile across kingdom, with Ayers Rock in the middle of it, is a start, isn't it? And our own resort town on the South Sea."
"Sure is. We got five hours before you're back on duty. Let's spend them flat."
OPERATIONAL AREA ARK I
EARTH (BETWEEN THE ICE AGES)
THELMA
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Coming into my quarters from the War Room, I went to Rafe Junior's room to say good night. He slept already. But he opened one sleepy eye while I stroked his forehead. A smile for me and he slept again. His presence grew every day. When he expanded beyond the ARK I would get him a larger one. I hoped that would be a few years off.
In my recliner in the living room with a cup of chocolate, which Derek had just brought, I relaxed. He almost removed himself, when I asked, "Won't you bring yourself a cup? I have some choices I'd like to bounce off you, like in the old, simpler days."
"Certainly Maam, be just a moment."
I organized my mind waiting for him. It reminded me of the practice tennis courts in Los Angles. How many games could one observe at once? I sure had a few going now.
Derek returned with a cup and a note pad. "I'll just make a few notations to keep my mind straight, Maam."
"The underlying question, Derek, is whether we fortify Sol's system in multi-layered depth so nobody can EVER get in, beyond the AI shield, until someone ultimately breaks in. Or do we want to take on the universe, fighting the ANNU KI every step of the way. Admiral Secallo has returned with his fleet to early Earth. With the Terra Forming Space Stations in place, that time will be safe. The mysterious 'Green Ship' is still a mystery. Marcus and Lillian say it can do what it did because of extreme absence. Who knows? Jim, Lin Ti, and Tom will make their reality a showplace. Rafe and Dillard/La Fuette will prevent the Civil War if they have to depopulate North America to do it. The ANNU KI ships are gone from Earth. We can handle the altered people they left behind. I would like to have met the Assault troopers who assured that result. Maybe someday, somebody will tell me who they report to, and how they came to be The Second Federation with ARK II there, and Erlo is not going to regress. The Reg system with ARK III backing up Torme is stable, now. Where do we go from here?"
"You answered yourself to begin with Maam. I quote, 'until someone breaks in.' Civilizations we know reached some pinnacle, quit expanding, and began to whither."
"Speaking of withering, don't you sometimes want to go back to Irkilon IV and kill some obstructionist?"
"I have a better plan."
"You do? Give it to me tomorrow."
"I certainly will. But bringing us back------"
"DO here, a large object has appeared roughly in Mar's orbit, and is making its way slowly toward Earth."
"Large? How large?"
"Send out a Frigate. Tell them we got here first, and to please stand off."
"Launching five Frigates now."
Derek and I waited. I searched my memory for a ship as big as ours. We both shook our heads at the same time.
"DO, communication coming in for you Maam."
"This is Gina. Sorry we startled you. We're in control of this vessel, stabilizing our advance. We'll come no closer. A Frigate might land in the lit circle and we'll come to you aboard it. Hortimer's ship is tied to the vessels controls. It would be a large bother to disengage."
"Hell, no. Hell, no. Don't disengage. Tell him to stay there. Whoever else can report."
"We don't know where you are in your personal cycle, but this won't wait."
"My dining room sufficient?"
"Yes, see you shortly."
Any ideas, Derek?"
"If it's a pet I hope it's friendly. Not the foggiest notion. I'll make some more chocolate."
"I'll get out the rum bottle."
Derek paused by the door. "On second thought I'd better set out some food. These AIs are always hungry."
With my head halfway in the drinks locker, I waved approval. I found what I wanted, two bottles of Kingsport select. The alcohol content read, 'more than you need', which I'd found to be true.
Gina came in first, sort of like a truant child who'd stayed out too late. We ran to each other. After big hugs she relaxed. On a roll I hugged Joshua, Adam, and Eve also. We sat at the table. Adam and Eve dug in. The rest of us did too to be polite.
Gina started, "Don't worry about the vessel. We found it way back when Earth hadn't totally crusted over. Somebody came up with the idea of broadcasting our mission statement wherever we went, along with whatever codes we knew. It just appeared in front of us and hailed Adam and Eve. It's a 'Creation/Steward Ship', from the same people who were their ancestors. It's preprogrammed to visit worlds and try to establish plant and animal life. Not sentient life though. Another class vessel did that, it appears. We did not discover where the Phaetons went to. They were there. A terrible electrical storm enveloped the planet. They weren't there. Shortly thereafter the planet broke up. ANNU KI ships were about. Our Invis shield held. We left the area going backwards in time."
I had to know. "What propulsion system does the vessel have?"
"Our usual, within solar systems. Outside it goes to Negative Space where it knows short cuts, and up and down, time swells. It took a bit of back and forth to pinpoint your location, and your present time."
Joshua said, "We have seen many wondrous things. I'll have a Log download ready tomorrow. Anyone who cares can visit us aboard. It's all very plain. The labs and the drive section are sealed. The outer hull is a mile thick at least."
"That says unlimited power, and no expectation of enemies."
"It might have a defense system." Adam offered. "And I just don't have the code."
I asked, "What are we going to do with it?"
No one had any idea except tool around the neighborhood.
I thought to offer suggestions, but fate had other ideas.
"FO here. The Polaris mission. Contact has been established with an outpost of the First Federation. Reports are incoming, to us, and Admiral Secallo, via courier."
OPERATIONAL AREA ARK I - EARTH (BETWEEN THE ICE AGES)
THELMA
EPILOG
I walked around the large circular table located on a patio near Central Lake. I suppose I should have thought of shade. I'm sure the technicians would have come up with something that wouldn't interfere with the 3-D beam projectors bodies. But then were the projected bodies eye's light sensitive? Everyone kept me in the dark.
I WA
NT TO KNOW, PLEASE
NO
Good. Now I knew. I made a note, mentally, to send a 'Thank You' missive to the Phaeton Captain who dreamt up this--improvement. The conference attendees were all asleep in their own beds. They would realize what had been covered when they awoke in the morning, or whenever. Admiral Secallo still searched for the person who considered us short on miles. The decision to implement didn't concern miles, rather security, and out of theater limitations.
Secallo and his whole staff were here, Prestrillo included. They were trying out their 'sleep' legs in the neighboring shops. Rafe and his people were here. Also Jim and his people walked around. Who the hell wasn't here? My Nerre and her nine foot tall counterpart had hit it off right away. The rest would adjust. But then, maybe not the Regs, the twins, their father Torme, and Rafe were inseparable. I promised myself to twist that bitch M.Verdai's neck when I next met her in person. Arks II, III, and V, were represented. My speech outline grew shorter by the minute. Maybe I should just say, 'go get em.' No, they deserved more than that.
They wandered onto the patio and took places. No, the damn table should have been larger. Fortunately there were smaller fringing tables. Everyone found a seat.
I went to the podium and began. "I won't hold up your sight-seeing but a minute. You're all briefed thoroughly. You're all in agreement with the reasoned decision to go forth. I just want to make a few announcements. I am personally volunteering for the Balls Brigade. You volunteers know my travail over this decision. I'm counting on all of you advising me on your coping method. Secondly, we will establish our main base near Polaris. From there we will recruit over the entire known universe. When we think our Military might is great enough to turn the tide, we will strike with no mercy. However, realize that campaigns will go smoother with local leaders commanding them. Think recruitment. Funnel your ideas through Admiral Secallo's office. We'll discuss organization when our combined fleet arrives on station by Polaris. Now go party. You're all heroes.
End of Greener Green Book Two
The story concludes in Greener Green Book Three
CHARACTER LIST Humans---age at start of story
Rafus (Rafe) Berger-- 45—Ex Confederate Army Colonel born 1835 in Alabama
(Tildore Secallo---same person, name when involved in Earth Terra Forming effort,) Captain of ARK IV
Thelma Meadows 235--- Nurse born 1855 in Pittsburgh, PA
Captain of ARK I
Ike Brestol 45---soldier/farmer born 1835 in Alabama
Captain of ARK II
Louise Knight 25—librarian, born 1855 in Boston Mass.
Jason Burns 46-- soldier/farmer born 1834 in Alabama
Captain of ARK III
Marilyn Tobias 26-– nurse born, 1854 in Hartford Conn.
Doctor Lawrence Wallace 31 born 1849 in Philadelphia
Molly Trueblood Reborn American Indian from tribe wiped out in 1500s
Sally Runtree Reborn American Indian “ “ “” “ “ “”
Stalorne Reborn African Nubian from 1500 BC
Adrons Klinster Reborn WWII Military Intelligence specialist CO MI Bn.
General Ted Niken—Reborn--- World War II US Air Force Commander---In charge of all Air Wing Tactical
Sir Edgar Alstons---Reborn --- British World War II Organizational genius---In charge of Support Wing
The reason for the different fonts which you will encounter is:
WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER A ONE WAY, OR A TWO WAY TELEPATHIC COMMUNICATION IT WILL APPEAR LIKE THIS,
In crises -- most of the time – the war room computer will broadcast a telepathic running commentary of readiness of different situations and systems
[Questions and answers in the middle of a regression session will be bracketed in this manner]
Human like from Irkilion IV
(A drab- exploited- polluted- early industrial world- poor health care- high early death rate- multiple-countries; many, personality based religions-frequently war between planet alliances)
All of them are Reborn, on Ark I to start and are two-way telepathic
Instructors:
Tina Belsen
Nerrefetti (Nerre’) Walstrom
Heidi Strungford
Helga Strungford
Gina Tourne—Graduate student-advanced theoretical physics-University of Bersto
Derek--- personal steward/aide for Thelma on ARK I
Regimental members from Tosolinko
Think 7.5-8 foot tall short haired bear with human limbs and appendages and face.
First Reg Torme Realle-- Leader of the Regs planet (Supreme Council System)
Buster Brailt—Regimental Commander ARK I
Jan Walting—wife/consort/concubine—left hand to Buster Brailt ARK I
Berda Linsei Centler (sub commander) ARK I
Roser Baelorson
RANGERS
Marion Prinz AKA M. Verdai Dunn-Berger-----Rafe Berger’s second wife Home world Sylvern
Talar Harkness originally Sgt. Lordships Marines, Wiltorne Second Galactic Federation
Hortimer Throckmorten- Special envoy from Ranger HQ. To Thelma
Captain Tristel Prestrillo-Special envoy from Ranger HQ regarding Phaeton
Tilda Vand---Duty Area---2nd Galactic Federation
Erlo Fracule---Duty Area---Senior Ranger for the Second Galactic Federation
ESSENCES (Spirits-Souls-Theatans-Pure Thought)
Commander Steven Turquill
Commander Paula Lesten
Ensign Betty Trill--- specialty, debriefing minds with erasure circuits. Later promoted to Commander
Ensign Tony Bressler
HUMANS from SECOND GALACTIC FEDERATION
Sgt. Jill Clelland---Lordships Marines—Wiltorne—Second Galactic Federation
Lord Walter Wiltorne
Lady Bernice Tracler Wiltorne
Joshua Bilik
Artificial Intelligences/ Androids, from the ancient Germanic Manufacturing Complex
Rork and Rorklin initial Contactees
Adam and Eve - dispatched as diplomatic liaison to ARK I
Jesse and Jane - active with The Balls Brigade in Phaeton/Terra Forming of early Earth time
Burt and Lin
GLOSSARY
ARK A ship 500 miles long, by 200 miles wide, by 5 miles high. In the middle is a Habitat 400 miles by 150 miles by 2 miles. Remainder is ships bays: quarters, various maintenance shops, messes, and a large Med Deck.
ARK -- Habitat Front one third is used by the Regiments, mountainous landscape, 1. 5 Earth gravity. Rest is flat grassland with a forest around the edges. Has a central lake and around the lake Central City.
ABSORBER --- Device primarily in Negative Space which absorbs and stores light and energy. Procedure reversible on demand.
COLD FUSION REACTOR --- ELC or TORQUE Uses two, or three man made compounds which will not co-exist in a confined space to produce a reaction -- thereafter, usual -- heat -- steam -- turbine sequence.
DAMPENER --- Electronic force field which forms instantly around exploding bombs and contains them.
DO --- Duty Officer Involved in second by second control of the ship.
DROP BACK/FORWARD --- Moving back and forth through time. Also referred to as SLIPPING.
ELDERS --- Ancient race unencumbered by anything, they prize ancient Earth as a vacation spot.
ERASER --- A frequency emitting mechanism which erases matrix binding rings. Result, free atoms, in place of whatever previously existed.
ESSENCES --- Souls---spirits---life units---theatans---bare bones basic individual.
FO --- First Officer subordinate to the Executive Officer.
H/FU---ELC / H/FU---TOQ --- Hydrogen Fusion Reactor, gets hydrogen by splitting water. ELC is a self contained unit which emits electricity, various voltages. TOQ has a shaft which turns at a fixed rate, comes in various sizes.
KENNING --- A method of education, which concentrates upon methods and formulas, instead of rote remembering.
L/L --- Latitude / Longitude Imaginary lines, which intersect at right angles, on a globe, or a chart used to fix positions, or to navigate.
MATRIX---ANTI MATRIX --- Field of thought which views objects as their matrix (look at a Rubrics cube and take away the mass). Matrixes are many and symbiotic. Some are in Negative Space and push against their cousins in Positive Space. Procedure used to isolate/insulate ships hulls.
NEGATIVE SPACE --- The counter revolving universe, which balances the positive universe, thereby allowing both to exist.
NEW BORN --- Re born who have volunteered for a mission in which the first step is copying their mentalities and putting them in nine foot tall 450 pound bodies.
OIC --- Officer in Charge, of some function usually outside of the usual daily chain of command.
OUT OF PHASE --- A fold into the Negative Universe which results in a cessation of molecular activity.
PLASMA RIFLE/CANNON --- Fires a ball of electricity, consider, directed lightning.
SEED SHIP --- A very advanced CAD/CAM system with much memory which is in control of building what it designs using force fields.
SHIP BORN --- Those mentalities given new human like bodies on one of the ARKs
TIME WAR --- Fought through trillions of years against an enemy which considers, and operates through time, as if all time, were present time. Consider a vine which sends out feelers, which put down roots, from which more feelers are sent etc. The vine could be thought to have the initial root in the past, and evolved. Usual consideration would be to say the vine is all in present time. Closer examination shows that not so.
TO&E --- Troop Organization and Equipment, How a particular group of soldiers are organized and equipped.
UNIVERSAL DRIVE --- Enables a ship surrounded by a Negative and a Positive force field (Results in no influence from either Universe) to rapidly move interstellar distances by focusing pusher/puller beams on three, or more, anchor points, usually large suns. The ship assumes any position in relation to the anchor points and can thereby, in effect, move through time by allowing for stellar drift.
Greener Green II: The Balls Brigade Page 34