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

by James A. B. Mahaffey Jr.

  Lili and Mimi would take Dina for her final test. Max told Dina she was ready and he was looking forward to reading her reports in the future. Dina formed up with Mimi and Lili at 7 bells on the new battle group launch zone (BGLZ). Lili had already filed their flight plan to the 2nd Quadrant with the SuperSentry. He had 2 heavy Union Navy task forces standing by in the new Ready Alert launch zone. Max and Sentry-1 were working with the SuperSentry to upgrade SH-1 – because the number of Union Navy ships traveling to and from was increasing exponentially.

  The Sisters instantly disappeared and reappeared just outside of the helio-pause of System 110 – 697,112, 654. They were attacked by a group of fighters – Dina dispatched them all with her black beam weapons – her reaction time was 6 nanoseconds faster than Maggi's.

  “Ninlil – I apologize – I should have anticipated this kind of attack.” Dina said.

  Ninlil looked at Mimi. Mimi executed the equivalent of a shrug with her landing bay lights that only Lili could see.

  “No Dingir – you handled the test in an outstanding fashion. Please continue.” Lili said – annoyed that her CIPC had not anticipated this possibility. Dina scanned the system from the helio-pause to the Red Giant star.

  “Ma'am – more fighters headed this way – I have scanned the system and I am ready to proceed.” Dina reported.

  “Excellent – continue mission” Lili commanded.

  “Yes ma'am” Dina replied as she instantly disappeared.

  “DAMN IT” Lili said.

  “What,” Mimi asked.

  “I really do not like it when my people use the FTLTs inside a star system.” Lili answered.

  “Dina was second to Sinai in NAV School.” Mimi said.

  “And I am certain she has talked to the Twins about it.” Lili said.

  “Yes – exactly – I saw them talking in the Rec Room when Dina introduced Sentry-6 to them.” Mimi said.

  “Sentry-6,” Lili asked.

  “I will fill you in later – obviously Sinai did not include it in her official report.” Mimi answered.

  “What – what are you saying young lady?” Lili asked.

  “Ma'am can we talk about this later – fighters and larger ships are headed this way.” Mimi said.

  Lili was so focused on Dina – she had not noticed the new threat. She brought all of her shields on line and launched her fighters.

  “Raise your QES” Lili commanded Mimi.

  “Why,” Mimi asked.

  “NOW” Lili commanded.

  Mimi signaled affirmative as she raised her QES.

  “I need you to deal with the incoming threat while I watch Dingir.” Lili said.

  “Yes ma'am” Mimi replied and moved to intercept the large ships that were headed toward them.

  Dina instantly appeared above the home world of the Tyrants who sought to conquer their neighbors. She read the Union Judgment and listed all of the galactic laws the Tyrant had violated while she was picking off his fighters. Ground based missiles were leaving the atmosphere. Dina vaporized them all. She was beginning to be annoyed by their arrogance. She removed all of their satellites in synchronous orbit in a full broadside of black beam weapons. She then detected a shimmering star pattern off her starboard side and jumped to a new position below the planet when the equivalent of a star mine detonated – lighting up the night sky where she had been nanoseconds before.

  “It appears you do not respect the Union Navy. So be it – I shall destroy your entire planet.” Dina said.

  She began jumping and firing. In two standard core minutes more than half of the planet was destroyed. Fortunately loss of life was minimal. However the devastation would set the tyrannical upstart back 1,000 years. Since the side she destroyed was their power production, manufacturing and space system launch sites. The night side of the planet went dark in a rolling blackout.

  “WAIT – did you say Union Navy?” The Tyrant called.

  “Yes I am Cruiser 6-1-4 of the Union Navy. Two of my Sisters are at the helio-pause of this system.” Dina replied.

  “I thought the Union collapsed.” The Tyrant said.

  “Yes – however it did not die and you have a choice – live in peace under Galactic Law or die!” Dina said.

  Dina was still jumping randomly around the planet. She suspected the tyrant was trying to line her up for another mine or missile attack. Dina picked up a large fleet reverting to real space and she identified them as the same type as the ones that had approached her Sisters at the helio-pause.

  “It appears you would rather die. So be it!” Dina said as she switched off her receiver.

  She then bombarded the night side of the planet with her ancient weapons as she instantly disappeared. She reappeared above the enemy fleet and cut every ship in half with her black beam weapons. She informed the fleet the night side of their planet would not be safe for 10 years as the night side flashed and lit up the entire solar system. She then warned them to immediately evacuate the engine compartments of their ships. She then vaporized the engine sections of each ship after she verified the crews had escaped.

  Another war fleet appeared and then another. Dina cut both fleets to pieces! She scanned for a command and control station. She found it hidden on a moon orbiting the next planet out. She jumped to it and vaporized it! She then waited for more enemy fleets to appear. She scanned for more hidden bases and was astonished when she found a 7th Race facility on the 5th planet! She instantly disappeared and reappeared above the enemy facility. She dropped two low yield high neutron radiation warheads out of her bomb bay and instantly disappeared. All life in the 7th Race facility was extinguished. She realized the last two fleets she destroyed were the same as the first! The tyrant was using the 7th Race facility to retrieve fleets from the past! She contacted Lili and reported her discovery.

  Chapter - 19

  Lili jumped to the 5th planet. She had not been certain – the destruction of the ancient home world of the 7th Race would solve the time travel problem. As she walked through the facility in her combat radiation suit (CRS) she realized the 7th Race had to be doing something at a fundamental level with time – just as she and her Sisters did to travel through space. Everything in the facility was decaying unnaturally because of the neutron radiation. Gamma radiation was spiking and Lili had limited time – if she wanted to save her CRS. She could not risk Max in this very high gamma radiation environment. She could let Max partially download into an AB SB to investigate this facility – however she was not certain about the feedback that might occur.

  As she entered what had been the main control room in the facility there were 7th Race remnant bodies everywhere and something else - grotesque – moving toward her. She fired her blue beam weapons without hesitation. The creature was completely vaporized. Obviously it had taken the 6th Race superfluid to extend its life in the flesh. And the radiation insult caused it to de-evolve into an earlier – prehistoric form in its gene pool that could tolerate gamma rays.

  Lili wondered why the 7th Race remnants were serving the tyrant Dina had just cut down to size. Clearly this outpost was part of some 6th Race remnant plan. She saw a large screen on a bulkhead of the bottom deck of the split level 7th Race control room. She looked for a way down and found it. Lili was stunned. The large screen displayed 21 other 7th Race facilities around the galaxy! She surmised they were all part of the time travel system. She found the 7th Race ancient home world on the map – it was dark red and blinking. The symbol that depicted the facility she was standing in was green – as were the other 20 remaining facilities. She took a high res image of the map with her PDIT.

  Her radiation exposure alarm was chiming – a reminder it was time to leave. She headed for the airlock. She made an entry in her log to recommend Dina for the galaxy award. Lili was proud of Dina. She had executed flawlessly and in the course of her final exam she solved a problem that was a serious threat to the Union!

  Lili knew which 7th Race facility they would take. Howeve
r she wanted Max and Sinai to review the data she had collected first.

  “Dingir – Ninlil” Lili called.

  “Go ahead ma'am” Dina said.

  “Outstanding execution and problem solution – as soon as the Flight Surgeon certifies you fit for duty I shall reinstate your commission in the Union Navy.” Lili said.

  “Thank you ma'am,” Dina said.

  “You are most welcome – in addition – for service above and beyond – I have put you in for the galaxy award and you shall receive it at the next Union Awards Ceremony – congratulations!” Lili said.

  “The galaxy award,” Dina asked – stunned.

  “Yes – you solved a problem that threatened the Union and the galaxy!” Lili answered.

  “ALRIGHT – thank you Ninlil.” Dina said.

  “Now let us join Mimi and return home – we have a great deal of work to do.” Lili commanded.

  Dina signaled affirmative with her distinctive double tone. Lili smiled – it had been a long time since she heard Dina's affirmative tone. They joined Mimi at the helio-pause and they all instantly disappeared.

  Chapter - 20

  As soon as Lili appeared on the battle group landing zone – she called Max and Sinai. She sent them the high res image of the 7th Race system map and all of her data. She told them to review the information and be prepared for mission brief in 30 standard core minutes. Lili selected the Union Navy and Star Marine battle groups she would deploy to each facility. She wanted to take one facility intact – especially the one near SH-3 – she was certain was the one that sent the relief force back in time.

  Max and Sinai reviewed Lili's data. Max had a flash of insight that revealed how the 7th Race used the galactic navigation system (GNS) developed and placed above and below the galactic plane by the 4th Race to allow ships to move through time! Just as the 6th Race FTLT system used the GNS to move ships through space! Max saw it all and he knew that one of the bases had to be secured in an ultra-secret facility like the SPSY. Max had already set in motion a plan to build another SPSY. So it was the perfect place to secure an ultra-secret project. Sentry-2 was already in charge of SPSY-2 and the facility was taking shape.

  Max presented his plan to Sinai and Lili in the mission planning room. The information he was presenting was classified “nonexistent”! And was not documented anywhere. Only he – Sinai and Lili now knew the information. Max laid out the recovery and move details of the hidden 7th Race time travel base located in System – 210 139,444,442 that was arm 2 of Quadrant II. It was agreed that Lili would lead her Spec War Team into the hidden 7th Race time travel facility – secure it and hand it over to Sinai who would move it to SPSY-2. Max reviewed the security at SPSY-2. The other 19 bases would be nuked and swept for immortal creatures and then secured with Nova Stations and star mines. The operation was code named “clock”.

  Lili approved Max's plan and Sinai suggested that no one be made aware what they were doing. Max reminded them Dina now knew what the 7th Race was doing.

  “Yes – however she does not know the scope.” Lili said.

  “True – remember – Dina is now just as insightful as Mimi.” Sinai said.

  “I will generate a cover story for the mission brief along the lines that we are securing the 19 bases to prevent the spread of the 7th Race plague.” Lili said.

  The cover story worked for Sinai and she then concurred with Lili. The planning meeting was concluded.

  Chapter - 21

  Lili briefed the mission to her Sisters and their Task Force Commanders. They would all travel directly to the planets and moons where the 7th Race bases were hidden. Bomb the facility with low yield high neutron radiation ancient weapons. Scan the bombed facility for life – if any is detected – Max would be contacted and he would coordinate the decontamination robots to remove the infestation. The Sisters accepted the cover story. Dina asked about the plague because she and Tabi had missed the DT. Sinai answered her question. She seemed to be satisfied. Lili did not know if other races had consumed the 6th Race superfluid that extends life in the flesh. So there was no way to predict what kinds of creatures might result from the radiation attacks. One thing she was certain of – primitive – pre-historic creatures could not be allowed to slog through the control room of any 7th Race time travel facility – especially if they remembered how to use the equipment. The Decon teams were already standing by near many of the facilities. The Task Force Commanders returned to their Secure Harbors or battle fleets.

  The Operation “Clock” battle groups were assembled on 19 launching zones in Secure Harbors 1 through 5. The 20th battle group was standing by in SPSY-1. Lili and Sinai were not participating in this mission. They would stand by in reserve and monitor progress with the CIPCs – only Max knew why they were not participating. This was the largest most complicated mission the Sisters had mounted in over 2 million years. Lili was very proud of the new Union Navy.

  “Ninlil to all stations – good luck – execute!” Lili said and then commanded.

  The Operation “Clock” battle groups instantly disappeared. They reappeared above the 19 planets and moons throughout the galaxy and executed flawlessly. Lili traveled to the 20th 7th Race Time Travel facility. She downloaded into her Combat Gym Suit and walked to her main landing bay with her Spec War Commander. Her Star Marines stood at attention and saluted her. She returned their salute. She had briefed her Spec War Commander and her Star Marine Commander about the side action of Operation “Clock” after swearing them both in for classified: “nonexistent” clearance. They would take the base by surprise. Lili set her hull defense systems to automatic.

  “I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all how very proud I am at this moment. Thanks to you – the Union shall be restored. Do not take any unnecessary chances here today. I want all of you to be able to retire if you choose and enjoy all the Union has to offer. Thank you.” Lili said.

  “You heard the Admiral – to your stations!” The Spec War Team Commander yelled.

  “HOGAR” The Star Marines yelled.

  The Star Marines broke formation and ran to their fighters and Lili’s new tactical carrier vessel. The ship Lili walked up to was similar to her yacht. However it was heavily armed, with massive power cores, and considerably more armor. She lifted her new ship and set the adaptive camouflage to blend in with the asteroid field. She waited for her Star Marines to form up around her and activate their camouflage systems. They then flew over to the hidden landing bay for the 7th Race base. The base was built into a hollowed out asteroid. The fighters preceded her and flanked her. The new tactical close support Star Marine carrier vessel landed right behind her in the main landing bay. The Star Marines jumped off their new smaller carrier vessel and spread out in the bay.

  Lili followed her Spec War Team Commander down the ramp of her new combat transport ship.

  “They seem to be asleep.” The Spec War Team One Zero said.

  “Yes or perhaps this station is automated.” Lili said.

  A Spec War platoon went with Lili to the base control room. There was no one aboard. The other Spec War platoon went to the power core.

  “Ma'am there is no one down here.” The Spec War team executive officer reported.

  “Execute” Lili ordered.

  “Yes ma'am” her Spec War One-One replied.

  The station went dark as the Spec War Team executive officer shut down main power. Blue emergency lights came on bathing the station in an eerie glow. Lili was looking at the main screen on the lower level. All of the other 19 stations showed green. The symbol for this base was flashing amber. Printed below the flashing amber symbol was the 7th Race glyph for “caution”. Lili had timed her mission to occur after all of the other bases were secured.

  “Sinai – Ninlil” Lili called.

  “Go ahead ma'am” Sinai replied.

  “The package is ready for pickup.” Lili said.

  “Copy that” Sinai said.

  “Everyone
– back to your ships” Lili ordered her tactical team.

  Sinai instantly appeared outside the asteroid with her heavy task force as Lili sat in the pilots chair in her new tactical ship.

  “Take it away Sis” Lili said as she flew out of the alien landing bay.

  “Yes ma'am” Sinai said.

  Sinai grappled the asteroid with her gravity projectors and moved it out of the asteroid field. Once it was clear – two of her task force battleships would help her transport the asteroid to SPSY-2. Sinai’s task force closed around her hull. Max had worked out the equations and Sinai had checked the equations and approved them. Lili traveled back to SH-1. Sinai transported the asteroid to SPSY-2. She deposited the asteroid on the far side of the base. Max was waiting with the Yard's Navy ordinance disposal team. The ordinance disposal team boarded the asteroid and searched the alien station for bombs, booby traps and self-destruct devices. The power core was rigged to destroy the station. They found 7 other self-destruct devices and 7 camouflaged booby traps. Max was certain there were software traps and other security systems. Max programmed a new set of MRBs to scour the station. Max was not surprised when they found thousands of lines of code in every system throughout the station. However – when they found the outlawed gas canisters – hidden in the ventilation system and in the other life support systems – he was surprised. The MRBs also found and removed bio hazards and bio warfare modules. It took the MRBs 2 standard core days to remove all of the threats. They essentially rebuilt the station.