by Jay Allan
“You would be surprised,” answered Colonel Runess with a smile. “They can be programmed to do almost anything. They can work about sixteen hours before they need to return to their charging stations. We have nearly a thousand of these currently in the base involved in various projects. They’re monitored from a central station by some of our engineers and the base’s main computer.”
“Do these robots do all the construction going on in the base?” asked Greg, curiously.
He could see the benefits of using the robots. They wouldn’t get tired, and their work would be constant. The robots also could do the more dangerous jobs so a human life wouldn’t be placed in jeopardy. They wouldn’t need to stop for breaks or to eat lunch either. These would be highly useful down on Earth in some of the construction jobs as well as other jobs that were deemed unsafe.
“No,” Colonel Runess responded his eyes shifting to Greg. “Most of the time they work side by side with base personnel. It’s something we’re used to. They’re capable of doing very technical work if programmed properly.”
As they continued their tour, Colonel Runess showed them automated factories, parts storage bays, numerous weapons production and storage areas, power plants, and even where one of the colony ships was berthed.
They were standing on a large metal balcony overlooking a cavernous bay. Jason looked at the colony ship in awe; it was massive! Jason knew it was nearly 2,000 meters in length. The ship dominated the bay, and he could see numerous work robots constantly going in and out of the open hatches.
“What are the work robots doing?” Jason asked. They seemed to be getting the ship ready for something.
“The Fleet Admiral will explain that,” replied Colonel Runess, glancing down at the timepiece on his wrist and seeing it was almost time to see the Fleet Admiral Streth. “But first I have one more thing I need to show you.”
Colonel Runess led them to another corridor and opened a sealed hatch. On the other side was what looked like an Earth subway system. The colonel indicated for them to get inside a waiting vehicle that was sitting in the tunnel. They all entered and sat down in the large, comfortable seats. The vehicle began to move, and they were soon going down the lighted tunnel at a high speed.
“We’re going about twenty-five kilometers inside of Ceres,” Colonel Runess explained.
Jason and Greg looked at each other. At the speed the vehicle they were in was traveling that wouldn’t take long. The walls of the tunnel almost seemed to be a blur.
After a few minutes, the vehicle slowed and then came to a stop at a large platform where there were other transit vehicles. Four heavily armed marines stood on the platform. There were other people there as well that had gotten out of other transit vehicles. Most seemed to be civilians with a few military personnel mixed in. Jason and his people got out of the vehicle and Colonel Runess led them through a large open hatch. They went down a wide corridor full of people and then through a large double airlock. Four more marine guards watched the new arrivals as they stepped outside the open airlock.
“There sure is a lot of security in this area,” Greg commented. Looking forward, he noticed four large open hatches. The light coming through them seemed more like regular sunlight.
The group walked over, stepped through one of the open hatches, and then came to a sudden stop, their eyes growing wide in disbelief at what they were seeing. It was as if they had entered another world. They were in a massive cavern that stretched for nearly as far as the eye could see. In the center of the cavern was a modern city surrounded by rolling hills, grassland, and cultivated soil. There were even some small rivers and several lakes visible.
“This is where we live,” Colonel Runess explained with satisfaction in his voice. “In case of an emergency, the hatch at the transit station can be sealed. The airlocks shut, and the four large hatches behind us can be sealed off. We keep a full squad of marines in that area at all times as a precaution.”
“It’s beautiful,” Lisa spoke in awe, her eyes trying to take everything in. “It must have taken you years to build this and get the ecosystem all worked out.”
“Twenty-two years,” replied Colonel Runess, nodding his head. “It reminds us of home and gives our people a sense of normalcy. The Hocklyns took everything away from us, but here we have managed to rebuild.”
“How many people are here on Ceres?” Jason asked, not sure if Colonel Runess would give out that information.
“Our last census indicated we had 122,000 people currently living here,” Colonel Runess answered. “Our habitable area here is thirty kilometers long and twenty kilometers wide. There is already talk about building a second, larger habitat farther inside the asteroid.”
They stood for several minutes gazing out across the park-like view, astonished at what the Federation survivors had managed to build. To Jason, this was more amazing than the ships they had seen.
“I think it’s time you meet our Fleet Admiral,” Colonel Runess spoke. “He’s highly interested in meeting you.”
-
Colonel Runess led them down an adjacent corridor and after walking for a few minutes, they came to a heavily guarded door. Two marines with body armor and heavy assault rifles stood guard outside the entrance. For the first time, Colonel Runess had to show his identification before the group was allowed to enter. Once inside, they found themselves standing in a lobby with two female fleet personnel sitting behind a large desk.
“Fleet Admiral Streth will see you now,” one of them spoke, indicating a door behind them. “The rest of your group is already inside.”
Taking a deep breath, Jason followed Colonel Runess inside the indicated door. Perhaps finally he would get some of the answers he had been searching for.
-
Fleet Admiral Hedon Streth watched the new arrivals with interest. He was seated behind a large desk and had been waiting for the Earth human’s commander to arrive. This was only the fourth time he had been awakened since he had entered cryosleep. He also knew this might very well be the most important one. The man in front of him was obviously one used to giving orders. He stood unafraid in front of Hedon with a very curious look upon his face. This was a human from Earth, as were the rest of the group that had come with him. Something Hedon had been waiting on for nearly one hundred years.
“I am Fleet Admiral Streth, commander of this base and of First Fleet,” Hedon spoke, standing up and extending his hand.
Jason grasped the admiral’s hand and shook it. “I’m Commander Jason Strong of Earth. We’ve come a long way to meet you, sir.”
Hedon smiled and indicated for everyone to sit down. “I know you have a lot of questions, probably the first being why we have never contacted Earth.”
“That would be my first question,” Jason confirmed with a nod. “You obviously have the ability to do so.”
“We were waiting for your world to reach the point where it could handle our advanced technology. We did not want to create a culture shock and cause your world and society to fall into chaos. Your arrival here indicates that it’s time for us to contact the leaders of your world and set certain plans into motion.”
“We know about the Hocklyns and what happened to the Human Federation of Worlds,” Jason said. “We’ve learned a lot from Ariel.”
“Then you know of the threat that is coming our way in another 268 or so of your years.”
“Yes, Admiral,” Jason responded. “We know we’ll have to fight.”
“I haven’t had a chance to speak in detail with my people about what all Ariel has told you,” Hedon said his eyes turning thoughtful. “Even during the war, Ariel was very useful. In hindsight, we should have put more of the AIs on our ships. I was glad to hear that she survived.”
“Ariel is a good friend,” Jason spoke with a nod.
“That’s good,” Hedon replied, pleased with the answer. “We will join together in this. The Hocklyns will not be allowed to destroy another human world.”
&n
bsp; “Did you fight the Hocklyns?” Greg asked in a subdued voice. “Were you involved in the battles?”
“Yes,” Hedon replied his eyes shifting over to Greg. “I was involved in several major engagements against them. They are very powerful, and their ships are extremely difficult to destroy.”
“That’s why you have been in cryosleep,” Jason said with dawning realization. “We will need your experience when we face the Hocklyns in the future.”
Hedon gazed at Jason for a long moment. “Yes, Commander. There are a number of us that are waiting in cryosleep. It is hoped that our experience will give us the edge we need to stop the Hocklyns this time.”
For the next several hours, the group talked with Fleet Admiral Streth. They asked numerous questions, most of which the admiral was willing to answer. A few he refrained from, saying that particular question would have to wait for a later time. He spoke about the war with the Hocklyns, what had transpired, and why. He also spoke in depth about his plans for the future and the role he hoped Earth would be willing to play.
“It will take all of us working together if we want to survive this,” he said finally. “When you return to Earth, I will be sending another shuttle along with you. It is considerably larger than the one you arrived in. There will be a liaison from this base going along to speak with your governments. I’m also sending some technicians and work robots to help repair the surviving sections of the Avenger. For now, it will serve as a secure meeting place for us as well as a possible future training center. At some point in time, we will be sending an additional power source. The small fusion reactor Ariel is currently using was not designed to function as the main power supply for the ship. We will send something more appropriate and will show your people how to install it.”
Jason nodded, this meeting had gone much better than he had expected. He had learned so much, but there was still so much more. “We saw the colony ship in its bay. It looks as if it’s being prepared for launch.”
“Yes, it is,” answered Hedon, with a nod. “It’s going on a resupply mission.”
“Where to?” asked Jason, feeling curious about where the ship could be going. Did the admiral’s people have other bases in the Solar System?
“I have a special surprise for you and Mr. Johnson. There’s a shuttle leaving in a few hours that will rendezvous with a light cruiser on picket duty out near your system’s cometary ring. If the two of you would like to go, there’s something else I would like you to see. You will be gone for about six days, but I promise you, it will be worth it. It is also where the colony ship will be going in a few more days.”
Jason nodded, not sure what to say. To get to travel on one of the Federation’s warships was something he couldn’t turn down. He knew without looking that Greg was thinking the same thing.
-
Jason and Greg sat in the shuttle, excited about the prospect of getting to go aboard an actual Federation light cruiser for six days. Fleet Admiral Streth had been silent about where they were going, but Jason had the impression their eventual destination was not in Earth’s Solar System. Across from Jason and Greg sat the admiral. They had been surprised to find out that he was going along with them. The shuttle had made a micro-jump as soon as it had cleared the gravity well of Ceres. Both had been a little pale from the queasiness the jump had caused.
“I haven’t been outside of the Solar System in over one hundred years,” spoke Hedon, looking over at the two Earth humans. “I believe the two of you will enjoy this experience.”
Outside the shuttle, two space fighters flew in formation, keeping a protective eye on the shuttle. The fighters had come from the light cruiser they were approaching. On board the cruiser, the commander was keeping a close watch on the shuttle. The Fleet Admiral was on board, and his safety was paramount.
The shuttle made its approach to the cruiser and slid easily into the brightly lighted flight bay. The pilot landed the shuttle without the faintest hint of a jar. This brought a smile to the Hedon’s face. It was good to see the members of the fleet were still well trained.
Hedon turned to Jason and Greg. “We will proceed to the Command Center. I’m sure both of you would like to see a light cruiser in full operation. We’ll be making an FTL jump to our destination. Matter of fact, there will be three jumps.”
“Where are we going?” Jason asked curiously as all three stood up and moved toward the hatch, which was now opening. Fleet Admiral Streth had just confirmed that they would be leaving the Solar System.
“To a star system twenty-seven light years core-ward from Earth,” Admiral Streth replied with an enigmatic smile. “There is a surprise there I want the two of you to see.”
Stepping outside the hatch, Hedon was surprised and pleased to see a full platoon of marines in their parade dress uniforms standing at attention. The commander of the ship was also present, as well as several others of the ship’s officers.
“Admiral of the fleet arriving!” a voice boomed as Hedon descended the ramp.
Jason and Greg gazed at this obvious showing of respect and reverence for the admiral. The man was truly loved by the men and women under his command, even after all of this time.
“Commander Andrew Benson reporting, sir!” the commander of the ship spoke, saluting the admiral.
“At ease, Commander,” replied Hedon, saluting the commander and then turning to salute the assembled marines. “You have an excellent looking group here, Commander.”
“Thank you, sir,” Commander Benson replied. “If you will follow me, we’ll go to the Command Center. We’re ready to jump on your order.”
The group made their way through the ship with a small escort of marines. Upon reaching the Command Center, they were allowed admittance and soon were standing around the plotting table.
“Course is set for New Tellus, sir,” the navigation officer reported.
“Very well, you may jump at your discretion,” Hedon replied. It felt good to be in the Command Center of a warship again. It almost felt like the old days.
“We will arrive in the New Tellus System in twenty hours,” Commander Benson informed them.
Jason and Greg just looked at each other. They could barely believe what they had just heard. They were traveling to another solar system twenty-seven light years away.
Hedon turned toward the two with an all knowing smile. “After each jump the ship’s engineers will fine tune the FTL drive and allow the core to cool down. This is a safety procedure to ensure that we don’t jump too close to a planet or a moon’s gravity well. If we were to do so, it could seriously damage the drive. In an emergency, we can make another jump almost immediately with relative safety.”
“We also try to limit our jumps to about five light years,” Commander Benson added. “The drives are capable of more, but we try not to overtax the system.”
Jason nodded. It was becoming more evident every minute just how far Earth would have to advance before it was ready for this type of advanced technology. It was amazing the difference a fully trained crew made in the Command Center. Normally, on the Avenger, only a few people were present and they were usually asking Ariel questions. Ariel was currently controlling all the systems on the Avenger.
“If you gentlemen will observe the main viewscreen, you will see the spatial vortex form,” Commander Benson said, gesturing toward the large screen on the front wall of the Command Center.
As Jason and Greg watched, a blue-white vortex formed in front of the cruiser. A moment later, the vortex seemed to grow rapidly as the cruiser flew into it. Jason felt a wrenching feeling in his gut, and then everything returned to normal.
“Glad I didn’t eat a big meal,” Greg commented with a pale face.
“Takes some getting used to,” Hedon remarked with a knowing smile. “I lost my meal the first time I experienced a jump.”
Jason looked around the bustling Command Center. Everyone seemed to be busy working at their consoles and talking to different sections
of the ship over the com system. It was evident that this was a well trained and knowledgeable crew.
-
The next day, the cruiser exited another blue-white vortex into the New Tellus System. For four more hours, the ship cruised on its sublight drive and finally rendezvoused with another ship.
Admiral Streth gazed at the viewscreen, felt his heart racing, and knew his breathing had picked up. A truly massive warship was on the viewscreen. It was the flagship of First Fleet and his personal command. The battlecruiser StarStrike was waiting for him.
“What is that?” asked Greg his eyes growing wide. If that ship was as large as it looked on the viewscreen, it was much larger than a light cruiser. This had to be one of the Federation’s first line warships. He had wondered if any had survived.
“That, my friends, is the StarStrike,” Hedon replied with a fond smile. “She is a Conqueror Class Command Battlecruiser. The StarStrike is 1,200 meters long and 250 meters wide. She is the most powerful ship in the fleet.”
Greg took a step back. His eyes were open wide, and his heart was racing. Jason and he had thought a light cruiser was impressive. Nothing they had seen thus far could compare to what was showing on the viewscreen in front of them.
“Is this your largest warship?” Greg asked, intrigued. He couldn’t imagine anything bigger.
“No,” replied Hedon, shaking his head. “A battlecarrier is bigger, but it’s not as heavily armed as the StarStrike. We currently don’t have a battle carrier deployed.”
“But you do have one?” pressed Greg, wanting to see one.
“There are two in their bays on Ceres,” Hedon responded. “When we get back I’ll take you and Commander Strong on a personal tour. The battlecarriers carry our air wings.”
-
Several hours later, they were in the Command Center of the StarStrike. Jason gazed in amazement at everything around him. Consoles, viewscreens, situation boards, and control stations were all about him and manned by a confident group of men and women. The ship gave off a feeling of ultimate power. However, a shadow of worry hung in the back of Jason’s mind. If the Federation had lost the war against the Hocklyns with ships like the StarStrike, what was going to happen in 268 more years? Could the Hocklyns even be stopped? Jason was beginning to have his doubts. The Hocklyns might be an unstoppable force.