by Saxon Andrew
“That’s true. You’re forced to prioritize what to do. What have you decided?”
Mamani raised a shoulder, “Well, after giving this much thought and hours of consideration, I checked the specs on my console and I’ve discovered that I can assign any of the four-pulse-cannons to only focus its targeting system on missiles moving toward my ship.”
Rachael thought about it and sat down in her chair, “Yes, I guess you could do that. But wouldn’t you leave one approach to your ship vulnerable to alien warships?”
“I’d still have the pulse cannons on either side of the one designated to search for missiles to cover for it. I can also program the pulse cannon on the opposite side of the ship to automatically switch to fire on missiles, if the numbers rushing in exceed the capacity the single pulse cannon can handle. That would allow me to only focus on enemy warships moving toward my ship with the two-remaining pulse cannons.”
Rachael’s eyebrows came down as she thought about it. “But if you’re only focused on alien warships, what if a missile gets by and moves in on your ship?”
“I can program the force field to automatically activate if a missile moves inside a six-mile circle around the ship and then automatically shut down if none are detected inside that range.”
Rachael started nodding slowly, “That would make it much easier to keep track of what’s happening around your ship.”
“And if my tactical monitor doesn’t show any missiles near my ship, I can have my four pulse cannons default to my targeting system. If missiles appear, the pulse cannon designated to hit them would automatically default back to targeting missiles.”
Rachael kept her eyes on Mamani, “Have you attempted to do this?”
“I went to the simulators last night and they allowed the changes in programming. I have to assume my console would allow me to do it as well,” Mamani answered.
“Is there anything else you’ve come up with?”
Mamani smiled, “Yes, there is.”
“What is that?”
Mamani pressed the remote and Rachael turned around to see the monitor. The new model of warship was frozen on the screen and Mamani began explaining, “I’m going to run this video in reverse. Keep an eye on the new model warship as it goes back inside its phase field.” Rachael studied the monitor and saw the giant warship reverse course, move away quickly; a few seconds later, it disappeared behind its phase field. Mamani froze the image. “Do you see it?” she asked.
“See what?” Rachael asked.
“Look at the shape of the phase field; it’s not a perfect circle.”
Rachael stood up and walked around her desk and sat down in a desk beside Mamani to get a better perspective of the monitor. She stared at the ship for a few moments and saw Mamani was right. It was wider than the upper and lower edges, shaped somewhere between a circle and an oval. Rachael turned to back to Mamani who had a big smile plastered across her face. “Take a look at this!” Mamani said as she moved the view on the monitor out and then moved it toward a large group of alien phase fields moving toward the viewer in the distance. Rachael saw two-more phase fields that weren’t perfectly circular in the group.
Rachael smiled, “Mamani, I believe you have won my wager with Admiral Talent. Congratulations and I’m very proud of you.”
“I hate that I caused you to lose your wager.”
Rachael smiled, “Even though I lost the wager, I still end up winning. I want you prepared to present your findings to the class in the morning.”
“Sir, you could do it.”
“No, this is your achievement and you should be the one to present it.”
“Thank you.”
“Now go get some rest. You need to be rested when you make your presentation.” Mamani handed Rachael the remote and left the classroom. Rachael began running numerous recordings and saw that Mamani was right about the different phase field surrounding the new warship. She turned off the wall-monitor and thought about how she felt. She knew that in the past, she would have made it her primary task to get Mamani out of the service; she would be a threat to her own advancement. But she wasn’t feeling that now, truth be told, she was proud of her student. She suddenly understood that if you dealt with the people around you as if they out-ranked you, life was easier. She turned out the classroom lights and sent a message to Admiral Talent when she arrived in her quarters.
• • •
Mamani was anxious about the presentation and waited for Rachael to call her up to make her presentation. Suddenly, Rachael jumped to her feet and shouted, “ATTENSHUN!!”
The eleven weapons officers jumped to their fleet, as Admiral Talent entered the classroom. He returned Rachael’s salute and said, “As you were.” The eleven officers returned to their desks and Mamani noticed Admiral Talent wasn’t alone. The room was quickly filled by all thirty-six crew members serving in the task force. All four Admirals were present, and they were all staring at Rachael. Mamani felt her heart go into her throat and then start beating too fast to count.
Rachael stepped up to the podium and smiled after everyone took their seats, “Last night I found one of my trainees in here after hours. We had a lengthy conversation and I’ve asked her to tell you what she discussed with me.” Rachael could clearly see Mamani’s fear. Rachael smiled and added, “Making a presentation to four Admirals is not something that I would look forward to doing, so I ask the four of you to at least smile, can you do that?”
Tal laughed, “Of course we can, Lieutenant.” Tal turned to the three Admirals sitting beside him and saw they were already smiling.
Rachael turned to Mamani, “What you’ve done is going to save a lot of lives, Lieutenant. I’ll operate the remote when you need it but all of us need to hear what you’ve discovered.” Rachael winked and Mamani stood up. She handed Rachael the remote and Rachael took a seat in her desk.
Mamani looked out at the gathering and took a deep breath. She centered her mind and began, “I’ve been worried about all the tasks that I’m going to have to perform to keep my ship safe, before, during, and after an attack on an alien warship. I decided that trying to do everything myself was a recipe for disaster. So, I asked myself what could help me perform my duties. I came up with a plan and please don’t hesitate to question anything I’ve developed. I’m new at this and some of you have real world experience fighting the aliens.”
Rachael watched Mamani start her presentation and saw her find herself. She was radiant and quick to answer any questions when challenged. She soon had the room listening intently as she presented her proposals and, after she showed them how to find the newer model warship, they were shaking their heads in admiration. Rachael felt a sense of accomplishment she hadn’t felt since her first promotion.
At the end, Mamani turned to Rachael, “I must give credit to Lt. Meadows for her outstanding training in challenging us to learn how to fight. The documentary she shared with us on the first-day is what led me to discover these ideas.” Mamani put her hands together on her chest and bowed, “Thank you for your perspiration and inspiration!” The other ten weapons-officers jumped to their feet and applauded Rachael with Mamani. The rest of the room stood and joined them.
Jan leaned in and whispered to Tal, “What happened to her?”
“She returned to the land of the living and found herself,” Tal replied with a smile.
“Are you going to promote her?”
“Not yet. Let’s see if this is permanent.”
• • •
Jeremy was impressed with the young, back-haired, woman who would be his weapons officer. She had come up with ideas that he didn’t see operating his weapons console. He leaned over and asked Jan what her origins were. “She’s American Indian.” Jan replied. Jeremy nodded and saw it. He’d take some time and write additional software for the pulse cannons to make implementing her suggestions easier. The coming fight seemed a little less dangerous now.
• • •
The crews w
ere assembled in the freighter’s conference room and were talking among themselves wondering who would be their commander? They came to attention as Tal entered the room with Greg, Jeremy, and Jan following him. He went to the table in front of the gathering and the other admirals sat at the table beside him.
Tal looked out at the officers and, after a few moments, announced, “We’re leaving tomorrow to return to the LMC. I’m reasonably certain our alien friends have missed us, and I don’t want to keep them waiting. I’ve been struggling on how to organize my task force. I’ve planned to use three four-ship attack wings with me commanding one of them, Admiral Ward commanding the second, and Admiral Stevens commanding the third. We would command from the older Epy model and divide the nine new-Epys between us. However, I’ve changed my mind.” The admirals sitting at the table with Tal jerked their heads around to him; this was news to them.
“I would be sending the leaders of the three-wings into combat flying an older-model Epy and that would place them in greater danger. I’m not going to do that.” Tal paused and said, “The older-Epy is not equipped to enter an alien formation and attack one of the new alien warships. However, they can help defend ships under attack with their missiles and that’s how I intend to use them. Admirals Ward and Stevens will take command of one of the new Epys and command their wings from them.” Mamani looked at Rachael sitting beside her and smiled. She would be taking part in combat. Admiral Ward will be commanding Captains Gibbons, Park, Mashuba, and Jones. Admiral Stevens will be commanding Captains Smythe, Patel, and Holborg. Captains Higginson and Orlando will be commanding the Blue and Americas, with the Blue supporting Admiral Stevens and the Americas supporting Admiral Ward’s wing. Before you leave the room today, you will submit the names of your vessels to Admiral Jan Stevens.” Tal turned to Greg, “If you want to take the name Blue for your new ship, we’ll make the change in the ship’s registry.”
Greg nodded, “The new ship will be named the True Blue.”
Tal turned back to the attendees and saw their excitement at finally getting their assignments. “The next orders are important, and they are directed to all ship commanders. Before you launch an attack on an alien warship, you will ask yourself the question…’what can possibly go wrong’? You should allow the members of your crew to give you input on that question and you will record your answer before launching your attack and send it directly to me. Failure to do this will lead to discipline and a reprimand in your files. IS THAT CLEAR?!”
The captains shouted, “YES, SIR!”
Tal turned to Gregory and Jeremy, “You are forbidden from taking part in any attack and will only go to the defense of your ships if it absolutely can’t be avoided! You will use the older model Epy before you commit your vessel; is that clear!?!”
Greg and Jeremy stared at Tal and reluctantly answered, “Yes, Sir.”
“I know neither of you like this order but I’m not going to lose my most experienced officers! Ships can be replaced, experience and wisdom can’t. If you can’t follow this order, resign from the service now!”
Greg and Jeremy saw Tal was not changing his mind on this issue. They agreed, and Tal turned back to the gathering. “I will also refrain from getting involved in attacks and will be receiving live updates from the Admiral’s ships. I will be focusing on the overall command of your units and I don’t want you scheduling simultaneous attacks; I may need to use one unit to go to the support of the other unit. I’m adjourning this meeting and the Captains have been given the names of their crews. Weapon Officers and Communication Officers, use the next two hours to meet with your commander. After a lunch break, you’ll then meet with your wing-commanders. Dismissed.” Tal stood up and turned to Rachael, “Lt. Meadows, may I see for a moment.” Rachael glanced at Mamani and walked over to Tal. “Rachael, I’m going to reward you for your outstanding training. You may choose the ship you’ll be assigned.”
“I’ll take Captain Smythe!” Rachael immediately answered.
“No, Rachael. It has to be someone you’ve not commanded.”
Rachael stared at Tal, felt her anger start rising, and then took a deep breath. He was right. “If that’s the case, I’ll stay with the ShaKa, Sir.”
Tal smiled, “I was hoping you would do that. It makes it easier to focus on the big-picture and not worry about the weapons being handled.”
Rachael smiled and walked away.
• • •
Ka met them after the meeting and hugged all three of them, “Duncan has sent an Epy to take me back to Earth. Thank you, Tal for allowing me to have some time with Jee and Jan. I know it wasn’t easy.” Tal smiled softly and nodded. Ka turned to Jee and Jan, “I’m so proud of what you’ve become. Please try to stay safe and come back home to me.”
“We will, Mom,” Jan replied. Ka hugged them again and Tal walked away to give them some time alone.
Jee asked, “Mom, why are you and Tal so…”
“Tense around each other.” Ka interrupted. Jeremy nodded. “It has to do with my daughter’s death. He blames himself and I blamed him as well after she died.”
“But…”
Ka put her hand over Jan’s lips, “I’ve told him that I know it wasn’t his fault. But he can’t forgive himself and he’ll always remember her dying whenever he’s around me.”
“You know he cares about you?”
“I know. But I rejected him long ago and that’s what led him to Sha. I think that no matter what happens, Sha will always be an item between the two of us; that’s how life is, Jan. See if you can keep him safe.” Jan smiled and nodded. They got in one last hug before their mother boarded the Epy to return to Earth.
Chapter Sixteen
Tee activated the cameras and sat back as the views changed on his display. He sat up straight when he saw a large group of assassins walking down a pipe hitting the roof of the pipe with long metal rods. He reversed the cameras and went back to the group probing the pipes. Mer came up behind and watched with him, “What are they doing?”
Tee’s expression was angry, “They’re hitting the roof of the pipes looking for a section that makes a different sound. They must know that I have a cover over the entrance to my lair and are looking to find it. They’re not far from us, Mer. I’m going to end this once and for all.”
“How?”
“I installed poison gas canisters throughout the pipes and I’m going to release it into the entire system. Everyone in the pipes is going to die.” Tee looked up at her, “It will make the pipes uninhabitable for more than a year and we’ll have to use our emergency escape to get out.”
“Tee…”
“Mer, I’m done with this!!”
Mer leaned over his shoulder, pressed the communication button on his computer, and picked up the microphone before Tee could stop her, “EVERYONE LISTEN! ALL OF YOU ARE ABOUT TO DIE AND I’M BEGGING MY HUSBAND NOT TO KILL YOU. A LARGE GROUP OF YOU ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR US USING METAL RODS TO PROBE THE PIPES. YOU ARE ALL GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON’T GET OUT OF THE PIPES NOW!! YOU ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS! PLEASE DON’T FORCE US TO DO THIS!!”
Tee was shocked when she said he was her husband and he turned around to look at her. Suddenly he heard over the wall-speaker, “The ones they’re talking about passed us a few minutes ago.”
“Where are you?”
“Pipe eighty-seven.”
Tee’s eyes narrowed, and he turned back to the computer. He increased the volume and heard the sixty or seventy assassins probing the pipes, “Do you think she’s being honest?”
“They’re afraid because we must be getting close. Keep probing!”
Tee watched the camera and a large group of assassins appeared behind the probers. Tee estimated there were at least three or four hundred that arrived at the pipe. They raised their weapons and the probers immediately dropped the metal rods, “Hey, we were just…” He got no further as the group of assassins opened fire on them. The fight was incredibly violent. The probers were also arm
ed, and deaths were happening too fast to count.
It was over quickly and one of the victors shouted, “We will take care of any that threaten you if you’ll just tell us. Please don’t kill all of us over what these traitors have done.”
Tee took the microphone, “I will not follow through on my threat. Thank you for removing this threat to us.”
“Thank you for allowing us to live here in safety. You may count us as friends and will not do you any harm.”
Tee shut down the gas system and looked at Mer, “Why did you tell them I was your husband?”
“Well…you sort of…are. I mean if you want to be, but you don’t have to be if you don’t want to; I don’t want to pressure you…” Tee stopped her with a kiss and they forgot about everything except each other.
• • •
The task force arrived back at the LMC and Tal activated the general frequency and had it relayed through the distant receiver to each ship, “Admiral Stevens, I am designating one of your ships to initiate an attack on one of the new alien warships. We must know if our missiles are going to do enough damage to knock them out of action before I commit the task force. Captain Smythe will take his ship, find a target, and launch a missile against it. The task force will be standing by to assist in his escape if needed. Captain Smythe, good luck and God-speed.”
Dorman felt his heart speed up, as Jeremy said over the short-range communicator, “Make us proud, Dorman. I know you can do this.”
“Why did he choose us, Captain.”
Dorman took a deep breath and turned to his communications officer, “I wish I knew, Al.” Dorman looked at Lalani Hasham, “Are you ready to do this, Lani?”
“Just get me in close, Captain.”
Dorman turned to Al, “Find us a candidate for door number-one.”
“What?”
Dorman smiled, “Never pick door number-one to hide behind. Find us a target.”