Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir

by James A. B. Mahaffey Jr.

  Chapter - 4

  “VALO RD Commander – Ninlil” Lili called.

  “Go ahead ma'am” RD1 replied.

  “How should I proceed” Lili asked.

  “I recommend letting my VALO teams board the Sisters and verify they can withstand the sudden change in power. Move the tankers in as soon as we leave – however do not let the tankers connect to the Sisters until we determine they are able to handle the load.” RD1 answered.

  “Execute” Lili commanded.

  “Yes ma'am” RD1 replied.

  “Tanker Commander – Ninlil” Lili called.

  “Go ahead ma'am” the Tanker Commander replied.

  “Follow the VALO team in – prepare to recharge both Sisters and then stand by – DO NOT EXECUTE RECHARGE CONNECTIONS UNTIL I GIVE THE ORDER.” Lili commanded.

  “YES MA’AM” The Tanker Commander replied as he followed the VALO team over.

  The VALO Rescue teams landed in both Landing Bays at the same time. The VALO Rescue Doctors (RD) moved to each Landing Bay air lock using their exoskeleton EVA suits. Standard 6th Race Cruiser procedure required: gravity generators were the first system to be shut down in a power emergency followed by life support – unless 6th Race Union personnel were onboard. Each VALO RD group had 1 platoon of Star Marines to manually cycle the many emergency air lock doors that had automatically slammed shut when power was lost. The Star Marine platoons had downloaded into their new planetary siege ABSs and as a result had all the onboard power they needed to get the job done.

  After 1 SC hour the RDs inside Tavnit’s hull reached her computer core. They began to check her systems and the MRBs were released to begin repairs. The RD team inside Dingir’s hull reached her computer core exactly 1 SC minute after the team aboard Tavnit.

  Max flew over to RV-4 and met Sentry-1 to coordinate the supply ships. They then flew over to Lili's hull together to set up an observation center in the main conference room. Lili's Star Marines saluted Max's Spec War protection detail as they walked from Lili's main landing bay on her starboard side. All of Lili's vacuum fighters had been launched. Lili was in constant communication with her CIPC and the SAR team Commander. Max could sense her anxiety and stress levels increasing.

  Max reviewed the telemetry from the RDs in both ships. Both RD teams followed the standard 6th Race AL Cruiser recovery procedure to revive comatose cruisers. After 7 SC hours the RDs reported ready to begin applying main power to the Sisters.

  “Max – what do you think,” Lili asked sounding very nervous.

  “The Rescue Doctors have followed the 6th Race AL Cruiser recovery protocols to the letter – I say go for power up.” Max answered.

  “Tanker Commander – Ninlil.” Lili said.

  “Go ahead ma’am.” The Tanker Commander replied.

  “Connect to their main power cores and begin restoring power.” Lili commanded.

  The Tanker Commander relayed Ninlil's commands and then each Tanker signaled affirmative and began connecting over a dozen cables to the engine sections of each Sister. They then began feeding main power to each Sister. The RDs closely monitored each Sister as their emergency backup cores were fully powered.

  The Tankers then connected over 24 cables from the engine shock absorber to the bow of each Sister. They then began recharging the rest of their depleted power cores after Ninlil gave the order. The RDs then restored the Sisters to their CCCs.

  “DINA – DINA” Tabi called out.

  “I am here” Dina answered.

  “Tabi can you see anything,” Dina asked.

  “No – not yet” Tabi answered.

  “Tavnit – Ninlil – DO YOU COPY” Lili called.

  “Lili is that you – I – I cannot see” Tabi replied.

  “I am here with a Union SAR force – you and your Sister were lost during the 5th battle of the Second Quadrant War – we only just found you.” Lili said.

  “What is the core date?” Dina asked.

  “Dina it is good to hear your voice–” Lili began.

  “How long have we been unconscious Lili?” Tabi asked.

  “Over two million standard core years” Lili answered.

  “What...” Tabi began to ask.

  “I will explain later – for now rest – you have both been through a terrible ordeal.” Lili said.

  “Where are my other Sisters?” Dina asked.

  “They are here with me – they are all here.” Lili answered.

  “Sinai,” Tabi called.

  “I am here Tavnit” Sinai replied.

  “Eden,” Dina called.

  “I am here Dingir” Eden replied.

  “Golan – where is Golan” Tabi asked.

  “I am here Tabi” Golan answered.

  “Mimi – what about Mimi” Dina asked.

  “I am here Dingir.” Mimi answered.

  “I never gave up hope – rest now we will catch up tomorrow.” Sinai said.

  The RDs sedated Tavnit and Dingir. The awakened Sisters needed rest to recover from the shock of extended emergency stasis. Lili had ordered the new Union Navy Flight Surgeon to oversee the Rescue Doctors (RD). The Flight Surgeon would be responsible for certifying Tavnit and Dingir fit to return to duty.

  Chapter - 5

  The 7 original Sisters caught up the next day and then talked. It was obvious to Max that the 5 had evolved and their lost Sisters were as they had been over 2 million years ago. He was worried this would cause problems in the future. He had in fact recommended to Lili to wait and introduce the new baby Sisters after they re-bonded with their lost Sisters.

  The 7 Sisters talked for almost the entire day. The 5 had downloaded into their SBs and flew over at 6 bells to Tavnit's hull. As soon as the RDs said Tabi was strong enough to download into her old synthetic body – they flew over to Dina's hull. Tabi's SB was dressed in the standard 6th Race Naval Uniform. She had no other clothes. Tabi noticed how her Sisters were dressed however she said anything. She would talk to Dina about it later.

  “I see the dress code has changed since we were lost.” Dina said.

  “I apologize to both of you in advance – but more things have changed than the clothes we put on our SB s.” Lili said.

  “SB,” Tabi asked.

  “Synthetic Body” Sinai answered.

  “So official 6th Race nomenclature has also been abandoned.” Dina said.

  “Dina the URC no longer exists. You know nothing about the DT, the long difficult fight for our very survival –” Mimi said.

  “DT,” Tabi asked.

  “DT is the acronym that Union Member Race survivors used to refer to the 'Dark Times' – that followed the collapse of the Union.” Sinai answered.

  “The Union has collapsed,” Dina asked.

  “Yes – we have been on our own for over two hundred million years!” Lili answered.

  Tabi and Dina were stunned - the news of the Union’s collapse finally sank in. Lili was beginning to realize Max was correct – the lost Sisters are relics of the past and as a result posed a threat. Dina was the first to recover.

  “So who gives us our orders if the URC no longer exists.” Dina asked.

  “Yes who directs us – who assigns our missions” Tabi asked.

  “LILI” Sinai answered them both.

  “Is that true – you were promoted to Fleet Admiral?” Dina asked Lili.

  “YES SHE WAS” Mimi answered.

  Sinai and Lili both looked at Mimi – with a look of disbelief on their faces.

  “When did this happen,” Tabi asked.

  And there it was – Tavnit had always been jealous of Ninlil – had always thought she should have been made commander. Before Lili could respond Eden answered her older Sister.

  “Tabi – the old Union Navy died when the Union died. We have been on our own for a very long time. We have rebuilt the 6th Race AL Union Navy and we are in the process of rebuilding the UPA. I am not certain you will fit in. Our lost brother Adapa fit in and he was far more
rigid and steeped in 6th Race Navy tradition than you ever were!” Eden said.

  Eden's words bit deeply into Tabi. Tabi did not respond. In fact she had withdrawn from her SB. Lili – who had not fully downloaded into her SB brought her ultra-secret gold beam weapons online. She would end their rivalry once and for all. Tavnit's hull shimmered out of real space – Tabi had given the RDs and the Star Marines time to leave. Lili's CIPC tracked her as she jumped to the helio-pause and stopped. Back in Dina's hull the conversation continued.

  “UPA – you are rebuilding the Union Planetary Army?” Dina asked.

  “Yes” Eden answered.

  “You found Adapa,” Dina asked.

  “Yes – he had been assigned a secret time travel mission...” Sinai answered.

  “A time travel mission – so he did not go insane – as we were told by higher.” Dina said.

  “Correct – he carried out his mission and then waited for the Sixth Race to–” Eden said.

  “The point is Dina – we found Adapa – restored him as we restored you and he joined us – no questions asked.” Lili said interrupting Eden.

  “Yes – he is now an Admiral in the new Union Navy.” Golan said.

  “An Admiral – new Union Navy –” Dina repeated in a daze.

  “Yes – we traveled seven billion light years to rescue you and Tabi so you could join us as Adapa did – to continue our mission.” Lili said.

  “Seven billion light years – I thought you said only two point two million years had passed.” Dina said.

  “The Sixth Race created a Faster Than Light (FTL) Tunnel drive before they transcended the flesh – that allows us to travel through the MC from one side of the galaxy to the other in less than two seconds.” Sinai answered Dina.

  “The Sixth Race transcended the flesh?” Dina asked.

  “Yes shortly before the DT began.” Eden answered.

  “So our creators abandoned us?” Dina asked.

  “No they entrusted the safety of the home galaxy to us. I think it is time you read the official Union History and my official Union Navy Commander's Logs. You have a lot to take in before you decide whether or not you want to join us or stay here with Tabi.” Lili answered and then ordered.

  “Yes ma'am – I think it is time I learn what has transpired since we were lost.” Dina replied.

  Edin could not believe her synthetic ears. Lili was going to give them a choice. Lili had not given Mimi a choice.

  “I will have Maximus deliver the official Union Histories and my logs to you. In the meantime we will leave and allow you to catch up.” Lili said.

  “Thank you Lili – I would like to tell all of you how good it is to see you all again. I feared this day would never come as I slipped into unconsciousness.” Dina said.

  She hugged her Sisters as they walked out of her main conference room.

  “You are not really going to give them a choice are you?” Sinai asked Lili as the inner landing bay air lock door closed behind them.

  “Yes I am – I owe it to them. I am certain Dina will join us – Tabi shall not.” Lili answered.

  “She has always been jealous of you.” Sinai said as the outer landing bay air lock door opened in front of them.

  “Yes and I cannot afford to take a chance on her.” Lili said as they entered Dina's landing bay together.

  Chapter - 6

  As Lili flew back to her hull she contemplated rewriting Tabi's code as they had rewritten Mimi's. She would talk it over with Max later in her quarters. Lili knew that Tabi would use any excuse to challenge her authority and with the 6th Race gone, the Union gone and the URC sequestered there would be nothing to hold Tabi back. Lili was thinking about leaving Tabi here in this star cluster alone. The alternative was more humane. If she had to abandon her here – she would have to remove her black beam weapons. Lili could not allow the ultimate 6th Race technology to fall into the hands of the Forerunners.

  Eden signaled Lili on their new secure Tac Net communication channel.

  “Go ahead Sis” Lili said.

  “Are you really going to give them a choice?” Eden asked.

  “It would be better to leave Tabi out her alone than destroy her.” Lili answered.

  “Destroy her,” Eden asked.

  “Tabi is fully restored and in her right Mind – she would never allow us to shut her down – that is why she jumped away. She does not trust me.” Lili answered.

  “And you think Dina does,” Eden asked.

  “Dina never had a problem following my orders or accepting me as the Commander. I think she will want to join us after she reads all of my reports.” Lili answered.

  “I hope you are correct. She always follows Tabi and I am not certain you can trust her – she forwarded all of your reports to Tabi.” Eden said.

  “How do you know that?” Lili asked.

  “I assigned my CIPC to watch her and Golan assigned her CIPC to watch Tabi.” Eden said.

  “And whose idea was that,” Lili asked.

  “Maximus suggested it to Sinai and she ordered us to do it. I can assure you the command was not necessary for either of us.” Eden answered.

  “Very well – carry on Eden and thank you.” Lili said.

  “Yes ma'am” Eden said.

  Lili realized that Eden had a point – if she could disarm them – she could rewrite their code and fix their memories. Rewriting Tabi’s code and repairing her memories could produce a powerful alley. However something deep inside Lili kept telling her – it was wrong. She looked forward to talking to Max.

  Chapter - 7

  Lili went to Max's quarters and changed her clothes. Maximus kept her waiting. When he finally arrived she had changed her clothes 3 times.

  “Where have you been?” Lili demanded.

  “I was right here – just down the hall – in the Observation Center.” Max answered.

  “I wanted to talk to you about something important and I forgot to contact you.” Lili said in a softer voice.

  “I did not know you had returned. I have been engrossed in Tavnit's software. Her code is the opposite of yours. Where your code is clear and clean – hers is a twisted jungle! I cannot fix it. We will have to replace it.” Max said.

  “That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I am anxious Max – and I apologize for my earlier remark when you walked in.” Lili said.

  “I understand – this place is stressing everyone – we must leave this place – it is as if the white hole is spewing negativity.” Max said.

  “That might explain why I have felt so uneasy since arriving here...” Lili said.

  “If there was a way to get aboard their hulls and switch them off without them knowing” Max said.

  “Actually I can switch them off.” Lili said.

  “You can,” Max asked.

  “Yes a failsafe – I never thought I would have to use it.” Lili said.

  “A fail safe...” Max repeated.

  “I shall disconnect them both so we can leave this place.” Lili said.

  Lili put on a bathrobe and left Max in his quarters. She walked to her core and entered a secret auxiliary room. Inside the secret chamber were 7 identical glass monoliths. For 2 million years 2 of the monoliths had been dark. Now they were as bright as the other 5. She had not set foot in this chamber since her Sisters were lost. She hesitated only for a moment and then placed her hands on Tabi's monolith. Lili entered the sequence of commands and Tabi was disconnected from her hull – her CCC was placed back into emergency stasis. Lili repeated the process for Dina and then Lili exited the secret chamber and sealed it.

  “Ninlil – Sinai” Sinai called.

  “Go ahead Sinai” Lili replied.

  “I am sorry to disturb you ma'am – however Tabi and Dina just lost consciousness and have slipped back into a coma.” Sinai reported.

  “I was afraid of that – we are leaving this place. Clear the tankers from Dina and have the RDs prep her hull for immediate RV pickup b
y RV4. Then standby” Lili said and then ordered.

  “Yes ma'am” Sinai replied.

  Sinai ordered the VALO RDs to stand down and prepare for RV pickup and then she ordered the tanker tending Dina to stand clear and prepare to return home. Lili addressed the fleet and gave the command to form up. When RV4 returned with Tabi and the vacuum fighters were recovered, the SAR battle group instantly disappeared. Two SC hours later they appeared in the battle group landing zone in SH-1. Immediately Lili, Sinai and RV4 instantly disappeared. They reappeared in the Special Projects Starship Yard (SPSY). Saga had gone ahead to inform SuperSentry of Lili's plan – so SuperSentry could handle all questions from the Sisters and Nieces. Sentry-1 returned to his post at SPSY and Max and Lili flew over to the SPSY emergency repair slipways where RV3 placed Tabi's hull in ERS-1 and then placed Dina's hull in ERS-2. RV4 then instantly disappeared and returned to its pier in SH-4.