by Saxon Andrew
Doc immediately jumped away a moment before three Ship Killers arrived and disrupted other space around the planet. Doc saw the fast response of the giant ships and was thankful Dee had come up with her plan. “That was close!”
Dee nodded, “There’s only one way those ships could have arrived so quickly.”
“They’re directly connected to the satellite.”
Dee nodded, “There’s no way the older model could deal with this.”
• • •
Doc stared at the display watching the giant Slaver Ships scanning the planetary system. Nise said, “The response time of that satellite is actually slightly over a tenth of a second.”
Doc looked at Dee, “Send this information to Cole. We might have to stop building the older model and only build Sigmas.”
“That will greatly reduce the number of ships we’ll have for defense.”
“They’ll be little more than targets against those new ships.”
Dee nodded and sent the information. She listened a moment and said, “We’ve been ordered back to Euclid.”
Doc looked at her quickly, “Why?”
“Something to do with our armaments.”
“Euclid can’t order us to do anything.”
“This order came from Ian and the King.” Doc stared at Dee and she shrugged and said, “I’m not joking. All Union Forces are being recalled to Euclid.”
Doc shook his head, “I hope Moe hasn’t changed his mind.”
“This isn’t coming from Moe and he’s not discussing the reason. However, Ian is in command and we are forced to follow his orders.”
“Contact him and see what’s going on. This seems radical.”
“I can’t; he’s not responding to any inquires.” Doc stared at Dee and she tilted her head slightly. Nise said, “It makes sense that he is not communicating.”
Dee and Doc were startled by the response. Dee said, “Why do you say that?”
“If the Slavers have more powerful computers, they might be able to compromise our communications. Most of the time we don’t use Moe to communicate with ships here in their civilization.”
Doc looked at Dee and she blew a breath out, “The only way to find out what’s going on is to go back.”
Doc scowled and turned to his panel, “I’m jumping four times before I jump back. Scan and make sure we aren’t being followed.” Dee nodded and Drey disappeared from normal space. Doc remained silent all the way back to Euclid. Something big was happening…but what was it?
• • •
“Admiral, how is the exodus proceeding?”
“Actually, it’s doing better than I thought possible. I never thought the numbers on our main planets that are leaving would want to go.”
“What do you mean?”
“More than seventy percent of our main worlds are sending seventy percent of their populations to the farm worlds. A survey was done and we found that the vast majority of our citizens don’t like living underground and never seeing the sun.”
“Do we have enough farm worlds for our populations?”
“There’s more than enough to move everyone if they all chose to go. However, we are keeping the ship maintenance facilities operational.”
“How long will it be before we can start searching for the enemy home worlds?”
“If we’re willing to stop defending the main planets we could do it now but I don’t think it could be done politically. The citizens wouldn’t stand for it.”
“Has there been any problem with the slaves on the farm worlds?”
“Not yet. Some of the colonists have asked the slaves to become part of their community and are offering to pay them to work in the fields.”
“How is that working?”
“There are some rough edges to be ironed out but all in all it seems to be happening smoothly.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“You’re the political expert, First Councilor. I don’t know what will be the fall out of this new movement.”
The First reached forward and pressed a button on his console, “Hub, have you looked at the long range implications of freeing the slaves on our farm worlds?”
“Actually, it increases our chances of survival.”
“In what way?”
“If we kept the slaves in bondage, all it would take for us to lose would be a general rebellion. By assimilating them into our communities, they have a vested interest in the survival of their planet. We’ll see if it can be done without the slaves giving vent to their hatred of us.”
“We don’t have facilities for the slaves in the cities.”
“That can be resolved in time. This is not an overnight change. It’s going to take years to make it work but it is a step in the right direction.”
The First thought a moment and said, “We just don’t have enough facilities on the farm worlds for the slaves and our populations.”
“Consider moving some of our populations to planets that don’t have an intelligent species on them. There are hundreds of thousands we’ve charted over the centuries and we can expand to them.”
“That is not something we can do now. We can’t defend the ones we have.”
There was a pause and the Hub said, “We must resolve this conflict first and then we can move forward with the expansion.”
The First looked at the Admiral, “Over building our main planets was probably a mistake. We need to make sure we don’t make that error again.”
The Admiral shrugged, “That will be something you will have to make happen. I’m just a warrior.”
The First smiled, “Who has caused the greatest change of anyone in our history. Don’t sell yourself short.”
The Admiral thought a moment and said, “Why do you think those White Ships are attacking us?”
The First stared at him and shrugged, “I don’t know.”
“I’ve thought about this a lot. The first time we communicated with them, we attacked them. If you look at our civilization, we’ve conquered every species we’ve ever encountered. That enemy asked why we did that during the initial contact.”
The First thought a moment and said, “We had to conquer every species in order to feed our main planets.”
“Do you think they might be able to figure that out and see that they would be next?”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t really know; I just can’t help but think about what I would have done if I were in their place.”
The Hub Computer said, “You would have been forced to attack us in self-defense. That’s the logical conclusion.”
The First stared at the Admiral and said, “And now?”
“That will depend on how the slaves are assimilated into our society. If that happens, we won’t need to conquer anyone.”
“But we’re being attacked by them!”
“How is that any different from what we’ve done in the past? We fired on them as soon as we made contact. I just can’t help but wonder if that was a mistake.”
The First leaned back in his chair and said, “We didn’t have a choice then.”
The Hub Computer said, “Things change.”
The Admiral nodded, “I’m more worried about the Black Civilization in that other galaxy.”
The First’s eyebrows narrowed and he was forced to admit the Admiral was making a good point.
Chapter Ten
Doc walked off Drey with Dee in tow and picked up speed as he saw Cole and Ian standing next to Dom’s ship. Cole saw him coming and said, “Uh oh! You better handle this.”
Ian turned and said, “What took you so long?”
Doc said, “What’s going on! Why didn’t you communicate with us? This is not a good idea to recall all our forces, especially at this moment!”
“I didn’t contact you because I’ve been too busy organizing the modification of our ships.”
“Modification?”
Cole said, “Come with me.” Cole started
walking away from the hanger and Doc and Dee followed him out to the firing range. They arrived at a heavy blaster and Cole turned on the reactor powering it.
“What are you doing?”
Cole said, “Pay attention to the steel block on the right.” Doc looked at the ten foot tall steel block and Cole fired the blaster. A brilliant blue beam lanced out and blew through the force field, surrounding the block as the steel block disappeared. Cole said, “That block is now the size of a water molecule. We are going to use a heavy duty magnet to lift it and place it in a new reactor. Once it reaches fusion temperatures, it will power a force field eighty times stronger than our current fields.”
Doc looked at Cole and said, “Will it handle the needles?”
“According to our readings, it should. However, the reactors won’t be ready for at least four months. In the meantime we’re going to do something else.” Doc stared at Cole and Cole turned and moved the blaster’s barrel toward the second block.
Dee said, “I don’t see a force field around that block.”
Ian said, “It’s there but it’s only a force one force field.”
Doc said, “That’s crazy.”
Cole pulled the trigger on the blaster and a bright blue beam struck the block and was deflected into the atmosphere. Cole smiled, “Not as crazy as you might think.” Doc and Dee stared at the block with open mouths and were rendered speechless.
Ian said, “What do you think?”
Doc shook his head, “I don’t understand.”
Cole looked at them, “Gary is responsible for seeing this technology. What most people don’t understand is that the more power a force field uses, the more irregular its surface will be. You can’t see it without sensitive instruments but the surface is not smooth. Now a force one or two force field’s surface is one of the smoothest surfaces we create. What happens when you shine a powerful light at a mirror?”
Dee said, “It’s reflected but energy beams used in warships will melt any mirror you make.”
Ian said, “Look at this another way; which is stronger; a rock or water?”
Doc said, “Obviously, a rock.”
“But if you throw a rock at a smooth surface of water, what happens?”
Dee said, “It skips along the surface.”
And if you throw it harder?”
Dee smiled, “It skips further.”
Doc stared at Cole, “Are you saying a force one force field will deflect the needles?”
“If it is at the right angle to them, it will.”
Ian smiled, “We’re placing force field projectors around our Sigmas that can be modulated by the navigation computer. It will allow us to attack the new Ship Killers.”
Cole said, “We are then going to modify all the other ships and build this technology into all new ship construction.”
Dee said, “Are you able to do this on all sides of the ship?”
Cole said, “No, we aren’t. You will have to decide how you want to attack. You can either go in head on or broadside to your target. You can’t do both, which means that if you’re going in head on, you better not have one of those ships broadside to you.”
Doc smiled, “I like it!”
Ian said, “The four Sigmas will be modified first. All future ship construction will be Sigmas.”
Dee frowned, “Why is that?”
Cole said, “The larger ships can use the deflection fields but the new force fields and their reactors work best on smaller vessels. There is a smaller area to protect and the field can be much smaller drawing less of the reactor’s power. The existing ships will be modified as quickly as possible and will join you in the Slaver’s space as soon as they are completed. You should be able to leave within ten days.”
Doc looked at the giant hanger and saw hundreds of engineers scrambling on Drey’s hull. He looked at Ian and said, “Now we can make a difference.”
Ian nodded and put his arm around Violet.
Doc stared at them and then quickly looked at Dee. He scowled and suddenly turned and walked away.
Ian looked at Dee, “What’s wrong with him?”
Dee watched him growing smaller in the distance and said, “You need to ask him.” She turned and walked toward the hanger.
Violet said, “He’s not known for his cheery disposition.”
Ian laughed, “Even the first one was somewhat grim.”
Cole shook his head, “Grim is not close to describing it.”
• • •
Dee walked into the hanger and saw Dom and Becky standing outside their ship watching the engineers. She walked up and connected with Dom mentally. After a few moments Dom shared everything with Becky. She looked at Dee, “How do you stand it?”
“It’s not as bad as you think. The man is brilliant. He’s hard but not unyielding.”
Dom tilted his head, “Even so.”
Dee smiled, “I’m serious. He’s taught me a lot. He sees many things the computers and I miss completely. I’m glad he’s on our side in this. I’m better for being with him.”
Becky shook her head, “Better you than me.”
Dee said, “Really, he’s good to fly with.”
Doc was standing ten feet away and heard their remarks. He was off to the side behind a wheel strut and they didn’t see him. He turned and moved away. Dee sensed something and saw him. He had to have heard their conversation. She sighed and knew that Doc lived in splendid isolation but she hoped their remarks didn’t hurt his feelings. Then she thought about it and sighed; feelings were not one of his strong suits. He probably didn’t care. But, she didn’t want him hurt needlessly.
• • •
A week later Doc called Dee into an office; she walked in and sat down, “What’s up, Doc?”
“Dee, I’m going to release you to another crew. I need a new partner.”
Dee was stunned at the statement, “What are you talking about? That’s ridiculous.”
“Even so, I’ll find you another good pilot.”
Dee stared at him in shock, “Are you serious? Why?” Doc just stared at her. “Tell me why!”
“I just won’t be as effective if we stay together. Now please leave.”
Dee stared at him, stood, and left the room. Doc sighed and put his head in his hands. Suddenly the door slammed open and Dee said, “You can’t do this.”
Doc looked up and said, “What do you mean can’t?”
“You made a contract with me and you have to keep it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nowhere in our original agreement did you offer an out for yourself. You only gave me an out if I wanted it. Until I decide to go, you are going to have to honor your agreement.”
Doc looked at Dee and said, “Do you remember saying, ‘Love is highly overrated and gets in the way of doing anything important in life; especially flying a warship.’” Dee stared at Doc with her mouth open and nodded. Doc continued, “You also said that there’s nothing about me that even remotely attracts you. You were disgusted at the idea.” Dee nodded again. Doc sighed and said, “The other day at the firing range I saw Ian put his arm around Violet and I wanted to put my arm around you. That feeling shocked me. I’ve looked at that and have determined that the reason I originally asked you to fly with me was to avoid having someone put on board that would develop a relationship with me. Unfortunately, I never thought in my wildest dreams that it would be me that would develop those feelings. I am being weakened by my close contact with you. We need to separate.”
“You’re saying you have feelings for me?”
“Something like that and remember you said that was a gross thought. I fully understand why you feel that way.”
Dee stared at Doc and shook her head, “Do you really want me to leave?”
Doc took a deep breath and blew it out, “I do.”
Dee shook her head, sat down in a chair, put her feet up on Doc’s desk, and said, “That’s really too bad.”
Do
c nodded, “I know.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Doc looked at her, “I’m not leaving.”
“But Dee…”
“No buts in this. Do you also remember my brother saying that no one would have me?” Doc thought a moment and nodded. “He’s right. The longest relationship I’ve ever had before I met you was about eight hours and six of those I wasn’t with him. Do you think another pilot will be able to put up with my mouth?” Doc just stared at her. “Nope, you’re stuck with me.”
“Dee, I just can’t do this.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“A little of both.”
Dee stood up and said, “You have no choice. You’re my pilot. I’m your navigator. You’ll just have to live with it.”
Doc stood and said, “This just won’t work.”
Dee smiled and walked around the desk. She put her arms around Doc’s neck and kissed him on the cheek. After a long moment she leaned back and Dee said, “Now was that so bad? And you can put your arm around me anytime you feel the urge.
Doc sighed, “Maybe this will work.” Dee leaned forward and hugged him. Doc said, “Oh hell, the damage is already done. I wouldn’t be able to get you out of my mind anyway.”
Doc leaned back and Dee said, “We are going to live or die together in this war. We’ll decide after it’s over what to do. Until then, I don’t want anyone else on a ship with me but you.”
Doc smiled and said, “So I’m not that gross?”
“Let’s not get all lovey dovey about this. I need you just as much as you need me. That’s enough. Let’s just say I’ve grown accustomed to you and don’t want to break another pilot in. I really won’t mind if you put your arm around me.”
Doc laughed, “I was wrong.”
“About what?”
“Drey was right; caring about someone else does make you stronger.”
Dee smiled, “Only if it’s with the right person.” Doc nodded and Dee sighed, “I can imagine what Dom is going to say.”
“You don’t have to tell him.”