by John Ricks
“My ships don’t have warp drives. It’s something completely different,” I said. “They don’t bend space, and they don’t change or pass through other dimensions.” With a thoughtful expression, I said, “I could do that, I suppose.” Then I shook my head. “But the dangers are not worth the advantages at this time. We have too much to look at close up within our own galaxy. Taking into consideration that the probes travel almost in a straight line from solar system to solar system, and they don’t have human input, I would say that probably several have crashed by now. Shop?”
“Yes, Freddy?”
“How many probes are still sending?”
“Ninety-seven.”
“Hey, that’s really good. I was expecting much fewer. This is great! That means that we have good maps with good routes to other systems. Shop, look on my to-do list, and check off mapping nearby solar systems.”
“Completed. You now have 1,785,693 jobs left.”
I cringed and said, “I may not get that vacation after all.”
The commander looked at me and said, “Yes, you will. If I have to have the team drag you away, you’re going to take a rest. Shop, do we know why the three stopped sending?”
“Yes. One crashed into an asteroid belt, one ran into a black hole, and one was shot down.”
“Shot down?” the admiral said. “That’s not good.”
“You had to expect that there was intelligent life out there somewhere,” said the president.
“Yes, but we’re talking intelligent life with the ability to shoot down a probe traveling at warp four. The probe had shields and was not harming anyone, which means it was an act of aggression. That means that there is an aggressive life form out there with the ability to reach us within five months—and they know we’re here.”
The commander said, “This is a topic we can debate for months. What we’re here to do is look at the ships that will be traveling with us to destroy that ‘rock’ and then get out of Freddy’s way. Let’s continue.”
As we walked toward the destroyer, I said, “Admiral?”
“Yes, Freddy?”
“With this new information, I think I need to change my priorities a little.”
“What do you mean? Destroying that rock is the top priority.”
“Yes, but within that project is learning to use the equipment. I don’t think we have time for little games on the trainer anymore. With the commander’s permission, I think we need to put up a few ships now.”
The commander said, “I agree. If we could have several of the smaller ships, we could get the knowledge and feel of the crafts quicker. We could play against each other and get a good understanding of how they work. I think the girls can teach the others very quickly. How many ships can you give us now?”
“It’s not just that, Susan. They haven’t been tested. I may need to redesign some things because, after all, I’m not a pilot. I built these on input from the girls’ using the trainer.”
“Good point. How many, Freddy?”
“I can give you forty Stingers, eighteen Sting Rays, nine shuttles, and possibly two specials.”
The commander looked at me and asked, “Two specials? You’ve shown me everything except those. Where are you keeping them, and where are the other ships? You don’t have nearly that many here.”
I looked down, and, sounding quite guilty, I said, “In the parking lot. These are here because my parking lot is full. I made a mistake on the amount of space I needed. The specials are six-person ships. They’re almost all weapons, shields, and engines. They were made to do several things. They’re long-distance watch ships, built to report, catch, and destroy. The weapons can destroy cities or bounce a balloon back and forth between them. Each one can easily take on our visitors’ largest ship. In the wrong hands and without the other ships I have to protect us, they could terrorize the world, and no one could do anything about it—except possibly me. I wasn’t planning on giving them out.”
“Why do you call them specials?”
“I haven’t thought of a name or a category for them. I thought maybe a shark, but that would be downplaying them. They really are gunships.”
Gray said, “Gunships!”
Everything went black after the tickling.
Gray continued. “Disasters, more like it. Those little ships are mean, fast, and darn hard to hit. I lose, on average, six ships for every one of his gunships. We won’t even talk about his blink ships. We haven’t figured o—” He looked around as if being watched and quickly motioned for Green to continue.
Chapter 21
Giving Over Responsibility
“Freddy, everything you’ve made so far, except the shuttles and the mover ship, has had weapons. Why?” asked the president. “You flat out refused to build such things for us before.”
I looked at her accusingly and said, “The ideas that your generals had for my abilities had nothing to do with the protection of the world. They wanted advantage over the rest of the world. Sure, my inventions would provide that, but this is not what I wanted to build. Knowing that rock is up there has changed my intentions, and the generals messing with my home and my friends caused me to think that I needed protection for my protection. I built the fighters to protect my shuttles, and I built the Sting Rays to protect the destroyer. I built the gunships to protect the solar system from our visitors before I knew they were friends, and if it weren’t for that rock and the generals, I’d be sitting on the moon right now.”
“I’m sorry, Freddy. I know you don’t want to have to build or use this stuff.”
“It’s so hard. I didn’t want to build this kind of thing, but if I didn’t, I would be the only one alive in two years. That would be a bad thing. I’m so afraid of building them, of what they can do in the wrong hands, and of who should have them that I cry myself to work almost every day. I built this many so that if someone bad gets one, then I can give the others to the navy for protection. Now, with this information, I need to give everything to the navy.” I smiled. “It’s a really good thing that the commander and my family are here.” I gestured to show I meant the girls. “They won my trust, or you wouldn’t get anything.”
The commander put her hand on my shoulder and lovingly squeezed. “We’re very glad you care enough about the human race and us to work on protecting us, but here again, that’s supposed to be our job, and you’re stepping over the line. It’s my job to step over the line. Remember the talk we had?”
I nodded my head.
Susan continued. “You invent and build, but I take the responsibility. The job of ensuring that the ships are only in the best of hands is mine. People who feel the same way you and I do will be the ones who will fly those machines.”
“I’ll gladly give you the responsibility because I don’t want it,” I said, hugging her. “Remember, though, I need to patent this stuff. Shop, how far behind am I on patents?”
“According to your murmuring during your design-and-build phase, I would estimate that you have approximately 8,527 items that you need to patent.”
I looked at Susan pleadingly, and she laughed, saying, “I’ll find someone to help with the paperwork. You finish that destroyer.”
We took a skid to the other side of the build area, and I ordered Shop to open the inside doors to the hangar bay. Betsy saw a big black spot on the wall by the entrance and asked, “What’s that?”
“Oh, just a little mistake I made.”
“Actually, he blew himself up and was lucky to still be conscious enough to heal himself. He lay here for two days afterward, too tired to move.”
“You know, Shop, I can reprogram you.”
“Understood.”
“Shop,” Susan interjected, “Freddy will not reprogram you, and I want to know when something like that happens again. Understood?”
“Understood.”
> Susan looked at me and said, “Understood, young man?”
“Understood.”
We went into the parking lot. Some of the girls were already looking at the ships, climbing into them, and checking out the controls.
One yelled down, “These controls are just like the ones on the trainer.”
Another added, “Hey, these are too. I could fly this thing right now.”
Captain Williams looked down from one of the gunships and whistled really loud. “This thing is loaded! There’re controls for everything—weapons, navigation, science with environmental, sleeping quarters, restrooms, room for supplies, two fighters … and is this a kitchen? My God, it is! Everything’s here to fly this baby now.”
I looked up and said, “Dot, please tell the captain that it still needs to be provisioned, and tell him not to take the Lord’s name in vain in my presence.”
He looked out the hatch, said “Sorry,” and then went back in.
The president smiled and said, “I didn’t know that you believe in God.”
“Of course I believe in God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Did you know that they’re actually three separate beings?” I asked. “You really wouldn’t think so, the way they do and say the exact same thing, but they are different. God, the Father, is really quite serious all the time—the God of this world. Jesus, the Son of the big God, gets amused over simple things and likes to be happy. The Holy Ghost has no personality at all—just tells you when you’re about to mess up, which is more often than you’d think. I believe he still needs time on the planet. He doesn’t have a body yet.”
The president looked at me with a smile and changed the subject. “When can we have these ships, Freddy?”
“Why ask me? They’re ready to go, so I’ve done my part. Ask the commander. She’s in charge.”
“You’re going to stick to that deal?”
“Oh yes. If she gives these things away to the wrong person, then it’s on her head, not mine. You can’t imagine the weight that lifts from me. Madam President, I have a lot of work to do, so please come get me when you guys are ready to leave.” I gave her a hug and said, “See you later.”
She said, “Okay, Freddy.”
I headed back into the workshop and into the destroyer.
The commander watched me go and then turned to the president. “You can’t imagine the weight I just received.”
“Yes, I can because I’m just as responsible as you. It’s my people who will be flying these ships, and I’m responsible to you. We have to do a good job on this one, Susan. I’d hate to see what he has that will bring these down. Does it worry you that he has that kind of power?”
“He did say he could stop them, but no, I am not worried. It makes me glad to know that his morals are well founded and that I don’t have to worry about him. Let’s look at him as a safeguard. If something goes wrong, then we have him to fall back on.”
“I’m worried that our future hope is going out on that destroyer.”
“I am too, Madam President. But there’s not much choice on that. He’s the only one who can repair anything that goes wrong, and if we don’t make it, then the world is doomed.”
“We?”
“I go where Freddy goes, and so does the team. There’s plenty of room for the crews and the team but not much room for ride-alongs, so the scientists will have to wait until we get back before they go on any joy rides. Let’s just concentrate on our jobs. What is it going to take to make this trip? It’s a planning nightmare.”
The admiral said, “Not really. I can give you all the needs and requirements in just hours. This is no different than deploying a navy destroyer to sea for an extended period of time, but I need to know how long we are going to be gone.”
“About three days, sir.”
“Thanks, Freddy. Listening in?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We know how many ships and the types we have. Any fuel requirements?”
“The ships are fully powered and ready to go. All ships have enough power to run for at least two years, even if they have to use maximum shields and power weapons.”
“That helps a lot. Fuel normally takes up a lot of space. Do the restrooms need toilet paper?”
I giggled. “No, sir.”
“Do we need to take water or oxygen supplies?”
“No, sir. The water and air are generated and recycled, and the destroyer has enough to supply all ships with both for years. I expect it will get a little stale after about eighteen months.”
“So it’s just food, then?”
“No food requirements. I have replicators installed and enough raw materials to feed twice the number of people who will be aboard for years. That reminds me—the recipes are rather limited. Susan, we need to get Cooky to help us plan a better menu. So far, all I’ve fed it has been her sandwiches. It requires samples, you know.”
“Okay. We’ll get on it.”
“How do we clean clothes?”
“You put them into the washer, and they automatically get completely broken down into their basic materials and rebuilt, minus the dirt and body fluids. They even come back pressed and folded. Susan, haven’t you noticed that I don’t generate much in the way of laundry anymore, yet my clothes are always clean?”
“Yes. I’ve wondered about that.”
“You may want to take spares, though. It was hard sneaking back into the house when my washer broke down and would not replicate.”
Betsy said, “You were caught, and we had a great laugh. We just never told you.”
I was quiet for a second.
“Freddy, you okay?”
“Yes, Commander. I’m just waiting for the blood to stop draining from my face.”
She laughed.
The president said, “I need to come here more often. Not only am I astonished at every turn, but I also get entertained.”
My dot warned me that Marian was about to start up a ship, and two girls were near it. I started to say something, but I heard the commander jump in. “Marian, stop!”
“What’s up, Commander? I just wanted to see it start up. I wasn’t going to fly it.”
“Look under your ship.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Next time, heed that warning the dot gives you, or you’re out of here. People! We do everything safe at this base. Got it!” They all answered in the affirmative.
The admiral and several others were going through the destroyer and were almost finished when the president looked at her watch. “I would love to stay longer, but I do need to get back to Washington.”
“All right. Everyone listen up,” said the commander. “Lock down everything, and let’s get out of here. We’re going to take the president home. I want a crew standing tall, Master Chief. Freddy and I will be going too.”
“They’re on the way, Commander.”
I said, “Commander, I almost forgot. We need a name for all these ships and one for the shuttle before we take off. Remember what Captain Crain said? It’s bad luck not to name a ship.”
“Understood,” Susan said. “Did everyone hear that? We need a name for the shuttle. I’ll take suggestions after this place is locked down.”
“I’m on my way too, Susan,” I said. By the time I made it to the office, everyone was filing out.
“Shop,” said the commander.
“Yes, Susan?”
“Is anyone still inside?”
“Just Freddy and you.”
“Is there anything else we should know or be made aware of?”
“No.”
“Did anyone leave anything behind or modify anything?”
“No, Susan. I was monitoring, as you requested, and nothing was attempted.”
“Good. Please lock down, and go to full security.”
“Compliance.”
We walked out, and I heard the system slam into place. Nothing would get in until Susan or I approved it.
Gray asked, “Food replicators?”
Everything went black, except I was now looking through little Yellows’ eyes, and they were letting me. Yes, they are a “she couple.” Their idea was that if I was using them, they could monitor and limit. Good idea, as it was working. At least for now.
Green answered, “It is apparent that some of the equipment you have confiscated is for cleaning clothes, making food, and environmental. It is not all weapons, as you thought.”
Gray said, “The creature also has great weapons and better shields than ours. You Greens have had it for months now. When are we going to find out anything?”
Green said, “As soon as we have information, you will have it.” Green turned to Yellows. “The technology is completely different, and our research resources are limited on this ship. Food replicators would be a big breakthrough for us. It would allow for far longer trips.”
Yellows said, “Understood. Please continue.”
Chapter 22
First Manned (or Woman-ed) Ship to Actually Fly
We walked to the shuttles, and I took the security off the first one. A team of SEALs were standing by. The rest were looking a little disappointed, so I asked, “Saving the rest for next time, Master Chief?”
“We have enough people for two crews, and that’s the second crew. They have the duty on the next flight.” She looked at the commander and said, “I was hoping you and I could switch too.”
“I think that’s a good idea, Master Chief,” the commander said, “but I can’t afford the time, so you will probably have to share the duty with the lieutenant.”