by John Ricks
The captain turned to me. “Freddy?”
“Yes, sir?” I said, feeling kind of guilty.
“Did you install some new equipment down in engineering?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It’s all lit up and active. What’s it for?”
My face must have turned red, as his eyebrows rose ever so slightly, but his mind was saying, “I hope the kid didn’t do something rash.”
“Captain, may I, please?” I motioned to the science station.
“Be my guest.”
I went over to the station and started working on the issue. I talked as I was working. “This new system is an energy-warning unit. It detects energy fluctuations of unknown origins, like radiation, electromagnetic emissions from stars and black holes, explosions, and extreme solar winds that could be a hazard to navigation. The problem is that I haven’t programmed it for what is or is not normal yet. I thought I left it turned off.”
“You did,” said someone from engineering. “We activated it when we did start up.”
“Lieutenant, just a suggestion,” I said. “Don’t power up something without checking first. I left a note on that unit, saying not to touch it.”
“Understood, Freddy.”
“Captain, the energy emissions are from somewhere out in space. I’m coordinating with scanners for a fix. Just a couple more seconds—there.” I turned to the main screen. There were three ships—two big ships shaped like smooth black cylinders at least eight hundred meters in diameter, with no lights or emissions, were chasing a small vessel that resembled a dolphin with one large eye in the center. The small one was shielded. I touched a few more buttons, and the ships were identified and notations placed on the screen. The small ship was one of our friends. We knew that they called themselves the Menseains. The two larger ships belonged to the Sycloyeds. The Menseains were at war with the Sycloyeds and apparently so was half our sector of the galaxy.
The Menseains are a benevolent race that believes in helping other races, like us humans. They had proven that they were capable of living on the same planet with us without causing issues. They had been watching us for thousands of years, and the information we downloaded last year gave as an understanding of how many times they had saved the human race from near disasters. Theologians and historians are—and for many years will be—studying that information. That download also gave us a lot of information on the other side of this conflict, and we knew that the creatures in the bigger ships would someday come our way. They are insectoid in nature, but nothing we ever imagined.
The Sycloyeds have only six legs and stand about two feet tall, or four feet tall when on their back four legs. According to the information we obtained, they look almost like a fly. In fact, they do fly.
The captain took over quickly. He contacted the fleet and let them know what was going on. The fleet mobilized instantly, sending our closest ships—two shark-class defenders to meet the two Sycloyed ships and destroy them and then bring in the Menseain, if he needed help.
We were at San Diego, picking up the dome, but the talk was on the conflict. Ever since we found out about the war between the Menseains and the Sycloyeds, people have been screaming that the government should do something. There is a big fear in the human race about certain things. The undead, mostly because of movies, are at the top of the list and then insects and intelligent machines. Insects were high enough that 93 percent of the people surveyed around the world said that we should consider them for total annihilation. The rest said we should, at the minimum, help our friends. The governments around the world followed the views of the populace but suggested that we not join in the war without being invited. Besides, our ships were not tested against an enemy that could shoot back.
That was bunk, and they knew it. I built my ships to protect, and they could easily help. Since I gave them the shield technology over a year ago, contact with the Menseains had been zero. We sent out probes to watch, and reports said that our friends were not doing very well. Still, the president refused to get involved without an invitation. I tried to send out ships myself, but Susan stopped me.
“Let the higher-ups make war decisions, Freddy,” she said. “You don’t want to go down that road.”
She was right, of course. Still, it’s difficult to sit by when someone you like is getting pounded. However, now we might have the chance to hear firsthand how things are going.
Picking up the dome turned out to be really simple and somewhat boring. Though it was over fifty miles in diameter, the tractor beams on this ship easily handled it. As the captain was playing the video feed around the ship, most people were around the ship’s screens, watching the battle. The little ship was taking a beating, and the media was asking loads of questions. Though I was very busy monitoring the dome, I answered the best I could.
“Freddy, how long can she keep taking a beating like that before her shields run out?”
“Not much longer. She doesn’t have the power sources we have.”
“Will the two Sycloyed ships be able to fight their way to Earth?”
“Not a chance. The fleet will take care of them long before that.”
“Are you sure that our ships can harm them? They look really big and nasty.”
I thought, Well, that’s a really professional way to put it. What I said was, “Yes, I’m very sure.”
“What happens if the little ship’s shields run out before we can get there?”
“She’ll be completely destroyed, but our ships should be there very soon.” Almost as soon as I said it, the two Sycloyed ships exploded into bits, and in a flash, two sleek shark-class ships showed up on the screen. One pulled up on the side of the little ship and placed a tractor beam onto her.
I said, “See? Our ships have firepower that far exceeds anything the Sycloyeds have.”
The media were amazed at the ease and a little disappointed that it was over so quickly.
“Most battles,” I added, “are over in just seconds. When you consider that the battle is in space, and any hole could cause major damage, if not total destruction, then space battles will normally be very short. Think of the battles between fighter squadrons. If they go head-to-head and don’t try running, then the battle is very short. The squadron with the best pilots and the most protected ships comes out the winner very fast. What you just saw on the screens was the equivalent of two of our finest fighters going up against two World War I dirigibles.” I let that sink in.
“Being in space is very dangerous. Being in a battle in space, especially without shields, is just short of suicidal. That’s one of the reasons I invented shields before I sent up the first ship. I like living. The Sycloyeds have Great Ships, and they can take a lot of damage from navigational debris and such, but they have no shields. The two ships that destroyed them used only lasers—not even their most powerful weapons. I would bet that the captains of those two shark-class ships are just as surprised as you are.”
I stopped what I was doing and turned to the media. “Some of our clairvoyance specials have dreamed about this fight and what is to come. We’re at a junction.”
The president interjected, saying, “We’ve been studying what the specials have said. The Sycloyeds have fought the peaceful races up until now. We are the first aggressive race they’ve encountered. If we give them the chance, they will develop ways to destroy us. Right now, they don’t have a chance, but we are a silly race. In most of the clairvoyants’ dreams, we allow the Sycloyeds to live, thinking we can change them and coexist. How arrogant. When that decision is made, in every dream we end up completely wiped out. All civilization, as we know it, is removed, and the Sycloyeds end up taking over all that we know. They will simply develop shields and weapons that will destroy us and then sanitize Earth. As we are not spread out yet, we present an easy and tempting target.”
This brought silence from the media for a few m
inutes.
A short while later, the communications officer announced to the captain, “Incoming call from Earth Ship Blue Fin, Captain.”
“Put her on screen, Comms.”
On the screen, the captain of the Blue Fin appeared.
“Hi, Fred. Nice flying,” said our captain. “I see you’ve got the Menseains.”
“Nice to see you, too, Nickeli, and thanks. I see Freddy got that tug out of the locker. Tell him thanks. I just made five big ones. I knew he’d do it.”
I smiled and said, “You’re welcome, and tell the fool who bet against me to let me know next time so I can place a bet.”
Fred laughed. “Good, you’re there, Dr. Anderson. I’ll do that. We have a guest who needs to talk with you. He says it’s extremely important.”
I asked, “If you don’t mind, Captain?”
“Put him on, Fred.”
The screen changed to a view of the Menseain ship’s quarterdeck. It was a water tank with thousands of lights in colors and patterns that defied description. There were no sharp corners and no straight angles; everything was curved. We knew what it look liked aboard their ships from the documentation but nothing compared to seeing it live. The increased noise of exclamation from the media was proof of the beauty we beheld. There were three Menseains in the cabin. The one on the left was working against the wall and was nearly upside down. The one on the right was very close and ducked when the one in the center motioned with a wing. The Menseain’s wings radiated different colors, like a translucent butterfly, as it moved through the water. The torso was manlike but with fins and long, flat, webbed feet and hands. The center Menseain looked very strong, but at the same time he looked delicate, elflike. The one in the center looked up at a screen and started talking. The ship’s translators worked fine, and I could hear him in English.
“Freddy, Envoy I am. Sent you from Bubble Maker were I. Friend yours sent me. Say you give shields him. Say you powerful very. Say you nice. See he right. Life mine, I thank for. Gone shields soon, if continue I. Understand you, I?”
“I understand. Why are you bringing the war to our little world?”
“Desirable not. Sad to this comes must. War lose soon. Sycloyeds’ hate strong us against. planet home ours at they.” His head dipped in a way that could only be extreme sadness. “Die children many. Help need or lose all. Contact worlds all. Know them we let. Help hope we us.”
“Just a second, please.” I turned to the president and said, “I need to go back to the base as quickly as possible.”
“Why, Freddy?”
“I’m going to help my friend Bubble Maker. I will not let the Sycloyeds destroy the people who have been saving our lives for thousands of years. I owe them that help.”
“We owe them that help, Freddy. Please tell him that we need to talk and will contact him shortly.”
I asked, “What is your name, friend?”
“Silent Swimmer, I.”
“Silent Swimmer, my people need to talk. You will get help. We need to determine how much help you’ll get. Please wait just a little.”
“You, thank I. Wait I.” He motioned with a wing, and the screen went back to the Blue Fin.
“Did you catch that, Fred?” our captain asked.
“Yes, I caught it, and so did the rest of the world and the fleet. The media is still broadcasting.”
The president said, “Captain Nervloe, I need to talk to Congress right away.”
“Communications.”
“They’re already calling her, Captain.”
Captain Nervloe said, “Put them on screen.”
Congressman Nathans stood tall on the screen and looked over the ship and then focused on the president. “Madam President.”
“Congressman Nathans, it’s nice to see you.”
Congressman Nathans smiled and said, “We were watching, Madam President, and have already voted in the House and Senate. We have been talking about this possibility for nearly a year and have felt that if the war comes to us or if the Menseains ask for our help, then you won’t have time for a vote. We voted in advance. You have all power to give them that help, Madam President. We are declaring war, and we are saying that we have an applied obligation to the Menseain race of mutual protection. Please, at all speed, help our friends.”
“Thank you.” The president turned to the captain. “Get me Admiral Penn.”
“Coming up.” Only seconds later, the screen changed to the quarterdeck of the ES Hero.
Admiral Penn stood on the quarterdeck. The Hero was the first cruiser-class ship we built. “Nice to see you, Madam President.”
“Admiral Penn, were you watching?”
“Yes.”
“I made you the admiral of the fleet for this exact reason. Leaving enough protection to cover Earth against attack, how many ships can you supply for this task?”
“Depends. Freddy, when can you let me have that carrier?”
“It’s all yours, Admiral, and I can protect this solar system from all possible attacks.”
Everyone turned to look at me. Admiral Penn asked, “Are you sure, Freddy?”
“Admiral, I can defeat the entire fleet if I need to, including the carrier. You wouldn’t have a chance.” I could sense that the admiral needed a little time to think, so I changed the subject to something less important. “Another subject, Admiral—we haven’t named it yet. It’s the first ship used to protect this system and all other worlds from oppression and annihilation. What do you think it should be called?”
He smiled and said, “The Enterprise.”
“Can’t do it, Admiral. I’m saving that name for my first research-class Great Ship.”
I could see the thought and wonder of what that ship could be flash across his face. But disappointment was there also, and he said, “Then, as the politicians have voted in advance on this subject, let’s name her after that great move. The ES Thinking Ahead.”
Susan said, “Be serious, Admiral.”
I paused and placed a finger to my temple in deep thought. Everyone was quiet. I looked up and said, “Actually, Susan, that’s a great idea. What they have done is highly important and shows that they are thinking more about this world and its safety than the tiny problems of a single state. That was a very important move. Let’s name if after their efforts. Why not the ES Insight? Earth Ship Insight or ESI. It’s also the first ship to have specials stationed on her, correct?”
The admiral smiled. “That’s very true. ES Insight it is. Including the ESI, we can float a full fleet of over three hundred ships, counting the fighters, and that’s leaving ten good ships home as guard. No offense, Freddy, but I don’t want to leave you with the burden. I know you can do it, but you have more important work. I want that AD available and out to us as quickly as possible.”
“Consider it done.” Under my breath, I asked Susan, “How’d he know about the AD?”
She whispered back, “The media was sending during lunch.”
“Oh.”
Admiral Penn said, “Fred, let me talk to Silent Swimmer.”
The Menseains came back on the screen.
“Silent Swimmer, I am Admiral Penn. I am a personnel friend of Dr. Anderson and the commander of the Earth space fleet. Freddy has asked us to assist you in this battle. As we are speaking, the fleet is preparing to leave to join the battle against these Sycloyeds. I am sending every ship I have except ten. That’s 150 warships, if you count small fighters. They will leave immediately. Another hundred or so ships will quickly follow, accompanied by our largest warship—it takes a little longer to get it ready. As you can see, two of our smaller ships were an easy match for the two that were chasing you. Please look at your monitors now.”
The ES Hero was coming up quickly. Silent Swimmer and the other two Menseains swam back in shock. The Hero and the Protectress a
nd her two sister ships were now only a few miles away from them, and they filled the Menseains’ scanners.
“Ships, these. Help come now?”
“Yes, along with many others. We will pull you along with us. We are faster. You would slow us down.”
I could feel their worry, and I added, “You wonder why we have not attacked you yet?”
“Normal, it is. Species yours. Weaker attack those.”
“We’ve grown out of that. We don’t attack our friends anymore.”
He placed both his wings to cover his head in front, bowed, and said, “Oh, Great Swimmer praises Bubble.”
Admiral Penn said, “It’s time to leave. Fleet, lay in coordinates for Menseain. Warp seven. Engage now. I have approximately seventy-six hours to plan this out. I expect that carrier and the rest of the fleet to be right behind us, Freddy.”
“We’ll do our best, Admiral.”
The captain of the Folly said, “Blast one for the home team, Admiral.”
Admiral Penn said, “I hate war, and I hate battles. It’s one of the things that makes me so good at it. If at all possible, I’ll have this conflict over with before the carrier gets there.”
The president ordered, “Don’t stop at the Menseain home planet, Admiral. I don’t want them deciding to spread out in another direction. If the ships are working out as well as we expect, then your orders are to take this all the way. I’m not a president who believes in leaving an enemy behind me to attack when I’m not looking, especially when I’ve been warned. You’re in charge. Protect our friends, and finish this war permanently. I don’t want to ever hear of a Sycloyed, except as history. Those are the only orders I’m giving you. Are we clear on that?”
“Understood, Madam President. Out.”
The screen went blank.
The captain said, “Freddy, you and the team can take one of the ship’s shuttles back to base and get that carrier moving. I’ll take care of the dome.”
“Thanks, Captain.” We headed back to help Admiral Ken Lasen prepare for takeoff.
All the aliens looked shocked. Gray said, “The Protectress is the biggest Earth ship we’ve fought so far. Now we find that there are bigger and faster—the Hero and this Insight!”