by Stone,Kord
Jason called the room to attention, “We can create quarters on any of the three ships. We need to perform some tests really quick, if you’ll excuse us we’ll be right back.” Standing Jason called for the archway to the Void storage and Jerren followed Jason and Justin off of the ship.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jason, Justin, and Jerren stood around one of the dark matter bombs they had secured in the void storage. They knew from Jason’s probing of Mister Smith’s mind that the bomb at Area 51 was on the level above the ships, so they knew they would have to raise it almost three hundred feet, and then get it safely away from the base so they could land one of their ships to take it aboard. They needed to test the lifting power of their suits, so Jerren picked up the bomb and thought ‘Ascend’. He made it six inches off of the ground, but he couldn’t go any higher. Thinking it was partially his mass to blame, he let Justin attempt it, but the results were the same, no matter who or how many of them attempted to lift the sphere, they could only manage to levitate six inches and slowly descend.
Sighing in frustration Jerren said, “I seriously doubt the military will allow us to just take the dark matter bomb out on the elevator. When we get back I will ask Terrah if it can even be done, but I wouldn’t hope for much. From what I remember of being in that elevator, I think we will need the assistance of the military personnel, and I doubt if we will have it, so I can only see one other option, we need to find a way to activate TDS 4.
“We can’t raise the bomb, but we could take it down one level and if we open TDS 4’s hatch, we could bring it onboard and store it in here that way.”
Jason sighed, “The pyramids generator charge by sending a concentrated beam of ion particles to the ship. I don’t know of a way to charge that ship. Maybe if we had something to generate the Ions I would say it could be possible.” Jason finished with a shrug.
Jerren saw Justin furrowing his brows in apparent thought and Jerren asked, “What are you thinking?”
Justin looked between him and Jason and said, “I had a thought, it may not work but it couldn’t hurt to try it.”
Jason asked, “What’s this idea?”
“Do you remember me telling you Calia and I stopped to assist a ship being attacked on our way to Daregon? Well, Drosu’s Ion pulse generator was damaged beyond his ability to repair it. I talked him into sending the destroyed unit and schematics to me, and I tried to create a new Ion pulse generator, but I didn’t have the raw materials. Then I remembered something Jason said, and I stored the destroyed unit in base storage then it allowed me to remake the Ion pulse generator. It was not very powerful in regards to what our ships need, but if we can get the raw materials and make one or even a few of them it might be enough to trickle-charge the ship enough to open the archway.”
Jerren looked around the cavern and he said, “We may have what we need in here. We’ll need to check your ship and see what we’re missing.”
Justin peered around, “We really need to sort this place out. If it were not so cluttered, we could just go to my ship from here. If we tried to get to TDS 3 from here, it might take a week or longer with this mess.”
Jason chuckled and said, “Not that we would be missed.”
Jerren took in the overall size of the room than said, “Even if we had a clear path to the other ships it may take that long, this room is massive, I think you seriously underestimated its grandeur when you told us about it before,” Jerren directed his statement toward Jason.
“Well I really wasn’t in here that long the first time. Let’s get back and check Justin’s ship.” Jason said with a shrug.
Jerren chuckled and followed Jason and Justin back into TDS 1.
*****
Jason, Justin, and Jerren had just reentered TDS 1 and the sisters stared in obvious confusion, then Terrah asked, “What? Did you forget something?”
Everyone except the sisters erupted into laughter, and Jerren smiled then said, “No, we may have come up with a way to get the dark matter bomb though.”
Jerren quickly explained that they had been in the void storage, and regular time did not move for anyone who was in there. Jerren touched briefly on what Jason, Justin and he had discussed about not being able to lift the dark matter bomb.
Jerren looked down at Terrah and said, “Terrah, if we were to get the dark matter bomb onto the elevator, is there any way to force the elevator to take us to the surface?”
Terrah shook her head, and said, “No, there are a set of biometric and retinal scanners that must be activated at the same time, and once the clearance is given, the tactical officer in the control room inputs the destination level, and activates the power to the elevator drive motors. I had clearance for that room, but no longer. But even if I still had my clearance, you would need the assistance of at least two Tech Sergeants or higher to activate the biometrics on the elevator.”
Jerren sighed, he had considered going back a few months before Terrah’s accident, but not having the assistance of other military personnel, it would still be a pointless venture and he said, “That’s what I figured, We may have another way to remove the bomb from the base, but we need to go aboard TDS 3 to see about making an Ion pulse generator first.”
Calia said she would come along as well in case they needed her help with anything on TDS 3.
Jerren looked between his sisters and said, “It shouldn’t take us too long. We’ll be back shortly,” and he, Jason, Justin, and Calia headed for TDS 3.
*****
Once onboard TDS 3 Justin found the plans for the ion pulse generator and brought up the required components. He let out an excited laugh and said, “I don’t know how, but we have more than enough materials to make at least twenty Ion Pulse generators now. We only had enough to create one before, and that was with using the destroyed generator as well.”
Calia looked down at the display and said, “Oh, that is because after the attack on us in orbit of Daregon, Alise and I cleaned up the wreckage. We put it all in base storage,” Calia smiled, “I told Alise it was a good idea to keep stocked up. It looks like I was right.”
Justin took Calia in his arms and kissed her, then said, “You did great,” Justin then created the Ion pulse generator and activated it, “Calia can you check its output for me?”
“Okay, I have it… it is not much. It puts out a solid particle beam, but the ionic volume is very low. I would estimate it would take at least six of these generators to create enough of a flow to penetrate deep enough to reach TDS 4, but I have no idea how long it would take to charge the ship enough to open the archway. If we could get the generators down to the ship it would work faster at close range, but I do not think your military is going to willingly allow us to take the generators down there and set them up to charge the ship.” she ended with a frown.
Jerren looked from Jason to Justin, “How would we deploy the generators? If we were to put them in space, I think the military would destroy them before we get enough of a charge… Wait, what if we arrange them on the observation level aiming up, and then we could direct the beam with the ship.”
Calia said, “It will not work with a single ship. We can only fit two generators in the observation level. But if we were to put two generators in each ship and get as close as possible to each other, we may be able to triangulate and focus all six beams on TDS 4’s location,” Calia frowned, “But we would still need a commander to reset TDS 4’s system’s if it even worked at all.”
Jerren let out a booming laugh, and they all looked at him questioningly.
“What?” they asked him in unison.
Jerren smiled, “I’m feeling more and more like a two-bit piccolo with each day.”
Calia looked puzzled and asked, “What is that supposed to mean?”
By their expressions, Justin and Jason caught on, but it was Jerren who answered, “I find it ironic that when we need another commander, we just happen to find sisters we didn’t even know we had. That’s why I said Inola is
playing us like ‘a two-bit piccolo’.” They all laughed and got to work.
*****
Jerren, Jason, Justin and Calia had the ion pulse generators installed on TDS 3, and after speaking in mind with Eneria, and explaining what they were going to do, they met Eneria on TDS 5, then they headed for TDS 1. Once all three of the ships had the generators installed, they linked them together and positioned the TDS ships as close as the ships energy fields would allow. Keeping all of the ships out of phase the six of them made their way back up to the second level of TDS 1 to talk with their long lost sisters.
Arriving on the second level of TDS 1 Jerren got Terrah, Saleria and Vellia’s attention, “We have a situation we think one of you is supposed to help with,” The sisters looked at him hesitantly, but Jerren continued, “We’re going to attempt to restart TDS 4. That’s the ship at the bottom of Area 51.
“What we’re doing is focusing particle beams on the ships location and pulsing ion particles to the ship. If it can get enough of a charge to open the archway, we will need to board the vessel and affect a manual restart. That means we’ll try to pour enough energy directly into the engine's core to allow it to respond to the master control rooms restart signal.
“And this is where one of you comes in. Only the commander or the AI can initiate a system restart, and with the AI off line we’re left with only one other option. We need to assign a commander to that ship, and we’re hoping one of you would be willing to do it,” Jerren stated.
The girls began chattering a mile a minute. Jerren saw the glint in Vellia’s eyes as he spoke, and knew there would be at least one volunteer.
A few minutes later Saleria turned and asked, “What exactly happens to our bodies if we do this? It's obvious you’ve been altered with your glowing eyes, but what else could we expect?”
Alise fielded this question, “There are two things I will address, the first is the bonding process, if you are able to apply the binding disk, it will integrate with your neural pathways and will allow you to control the ship and speak in mind with the AI once it comes online. The process will also alter your DNA by combining it with plant DNA, which will allow your body to regenerate and heal any minor damage that has been done to it. This is referred to as the chlorophyll procedure.
“The other effects of this procedure are a reduced need to eat, you will gain regenerative abilities from the chlorophyll by collecting the free radiation from space, and sunlight in addition to your digestive system for nourishment. The long term effects are that you have the potential to live forever.”
Saleria appeared to be thinking it over, and then she asked, “Is that what causes the triple helix DNA to be replicated?”
“No, that is a side effect of eating an Imortum food, they called it Ambrose.” Alise must have known the sisters were going to ask, because she headed them off saying, “Yes, Ambrose is the same thing as Ambrosia. If you decide to eat it, it will take two bites to transform you. You will be in a euphoric state for six hours give or take an hour for your metabolism. Once that happens your body will be adapted to withstand massive amounts of energy.”
Justin got Terrah’s attention, “When we pulled you out of the surgical suite, you had a hole burrowed in your skull, I don’t know why they were doing that to you, but I was able to heal your wounds with my energy enough to get you to the ship, where the medical unit healed the rest of the wounds you’d sustained. I don’t know for sure if you’ll be able to heal others, but I know Jason and I can.”
Jerren said, “I’ve the ability as well.”
Jason said, “We know from past experiences that just because you volunteer, it doesn’t mean it’ll work. Jerren tried with TDS 3, but it only worked with Justin. We can give you time to decide, there’s no hurry.”
The lights seemed to flicker as the girls turned to talk with each other, and Jerren wondered if Inola was trying to send them a subtle message.
Saleria, Terrah and Vellia whispered amongst themselves a few minutes then Terrah asked, “If the bonding works on one of us, what happens to the others?”
“If this works, it will confirm a suspicion I’ve had. I believed in the beginning that Justin and Jerren were supposed to do this, and after everything that’s happened, I’m having the same, if not stronger feelings looking at the three of you.
“The bonding process for the ships and the Ambrose have similar side effects when it comes to longevity. Even if we can’t get a binding disk for each of you, you can proceed with the Ambrose and stay as long as you like.” Jason asked if he had answered all of their questions well enough.
The sisters nodded and they spoke silently for a moment then nodded and turning back, Saleria said, “We’ll do it. What do we have to do?”
Jason nodded and said, “We know from personal experience that bonding after the Ambrose is easier, so…” Jason spread his arms and a plate of Ambrose appeared in front of each of the sisters, then Jason said, “Enjoy.”
Terrah, Saleria and Vellia looked at each other then a moment later they picked up their utensils and took their first bites. A few minutes later they opened their eyes in apparent astonishment.
“That was intense,” Terrah said.
Eneria Laughed, “The next bite is even better.”
It looked as if the three of them raced to see who could take the next bite first, and once they ate the second bite Jerren called out, “Okay, here is the plan, as soon as we know the beams are getting enough power to TDS 4 to open a passage, Eneria and I will transport back to the surface to retrieve the dark matter bomb.
“Jason, Justin,” Jerren looked at them and they nodded, “I want you two to accompany whichever of our sisters is the new commander aboard TDS 4 as soon as the archway is able to be opened, since you two have restarted an engine before. As soon as there’s enough power you need to open the hatch and Eneria and I will be there with the bomb to get it out of there.”
Jerren told Calia. “I need you to stay in the master control room and ensure the reset takes hold,” Jerren looked at Alise and said. “Alise, you should stay on TDS 1 and be ready to transport us out if we can’t get the ship started, or run into a problem, and be ready to land on the surface if we have to change the plan and manage to get the bomb topside.” Jerren asked, “Are there any problems? Or does anyone want a different task?”
They all shook their heads and Alise asked, “How long have you been planning that?”
“I didn’t plan it, it just feels right,” Jerren said with a shrug.
While they were waiting for the girls to awaken from eating the Ambrose, Jerren and Justin went to their respective ships, and along with Jason, the three of them ensured the Ion beams were situated properly aboard their own ships before heading to the master control room.
Thirty-seven minutes later the TDS 4 display wall flickered from offline to powered down. It flickered between the two a couple more times before it was active long enough to call for the control panel and it read:
TDS 4
Powered Down
Jerren thought, Assign a new Commander
A second later the console changed to read:
TDS 4
AL Not online
Commander no longer viable
Commander override required
“Here we go,” Jerren thought override and a moment later it worked as the display added another command.
Reset binding disk for new Commander (Yes) or (No).
Jerren selected yes and the lights dimmed briefly. A few seconds later the console added:
Apply binding disk to a new host.
Jerren peered to the side of the display and saw the shimmering silver disc and he shot his fist in the air, “Yes! Okay, Alise are the Girls awake yet?” Jerren called out over the com.
“It should be very soon, but we have a problem. I just tried, and I am unable to scan the elevator shaft any longer. It may be being caused by our Ion beams, but the energy field that blocked my probe before is now pr
eventing me from even performing surface scans of the area.”
Jerren groaned and said, “Okay, I really wanted to have the bomb ready to load when the hatch opened, but it looks like we’ll have to enter the base through the ship. Once the girls are awake we need them in here.”
*****
A few minutes later Alise appeared with Saleria, Terrah, and Vellia in tow. Jerren asked, “Who’s going to try it first?”
Saleria said, “I’ll do it.”
Jerren nodded and gestured Saleria forward. He picked up the disk and showing her where to attach it he said. “Have a seat here first. If it works you may lose consciousness a few seconds to ten minutes.”
Saleria did as he said and attempted to apply the disk. A small static discharge crackled in the air and Jerren looked at the display and read out:
TDS 4.
Apply Binding Disk to a new host.
Bonding procedure Failure, incorrect host data.
Apply disk to the proper host.
Jerren sighed, “Okay it didn’t work, who’s next?”
Terrah stepped forward and Jerren had her take the seat next to her sister. Saleria handed the disk over and mouthed good luck. Jerren smirked and watched as Terrah pressed the disk just behind her right ear, and almost immediately she lost consciousness. Jerren held Terrah stationary and looked at the display as it changed to read:
TDS 4.
Bonding procedure successful.
Data link confirmed.
Commander input required.
Jerren smiled and said, “That did it.” A couple of minutes later Terrah opened her eyes, “How do you feel?” Jerren asked of her.
Terrah looked up at him, “Not bad, I felt a pretty strong shock but other than that I’m fine.”
Jerren pointed to the display, “It needs your input.”
Terrah looked at the display and a moment later it read out: