“What do you think?” Max asked.
“It is ready” M-14 reported in digital.
Max stepped into the suit and activated the “Door”. He instantly appeared in the Engineering Vault of SH-1. He felt the same as when he traveled via the FTLTs in a small ship. He started swallowing. He noted how he felt in the test procedure. He contacted M-14 and told him to close out the test. He would return tomorrow when it was time to enter the Time Travel station.
“Get some rest my friend” Max told M-14.
“Thank you Max” M-14 said in binary.
Max went to the newest restaurant in SH-1 for some lunch. He then went to his office to listen to some music from his favorite broadcast stations on Earth. He knew Lili would be busy all afternoon in meetings with SuperSentry and her Load Masters.
The next day Max had still not been given permission to enter the 7th Race Time Travel station. So he partially downloaded his Mind into a synthetic body using the 6th Race emergency entity transfer system. He had closely monitored the companions after they partially downloaded into their synthetic bodies. As far as Max was concerned – the data indicated there were no ill effects. Essentially Max made a version of himself in a synthetic body. Lili had designed this SB for Max when she wanted to be certain nothing ever happened to him out in the field. She told herself it was for his continued service to the Union however the actual need for his safety was much deeper.
Synthetic Max and M-14 entered the 7th Race station on the far side of Special Projects Starship Yard - 1 at 6 bells. Max was amazed that he could see and hear and feel everything Synthetic Max could. It was as if he were interfaced into the SB without actually being in it. Lili had warned him there would be feedback – if he downloaded too much of himself – he would say what Synthetic Max said and do what Synthetic Max did. So far that was not happening.
Max quickly understood how to use the station – it was like a hologram – each piece contained the whole. Thus the time travel system could be operated from any station. Then Max had the most important flash of insight – he saw the 7th Race used the GNS designed, built and installed by the 4th Race (and later augmented by the 5th Race) to move through time! The 7th Race had learned how to use the GNS to move through time as the 6th Race used the GNS to move through space in the FTLTs. Max was astonished. Suddenly he began to see systems of systems and new techniques the Sisters could use in combat. Max and M-14 learned how to operate the system. Lili had decided against Max designing a new user interface for the Time Travel System. His mission was to learn how to use the time travel system and then lock out all of the other stations. Max wanted to test the system. However he wrote a report for Lili and Sinai only.
He then set about to lock out all of the other stations – short of sending MRB sets into each station – which was the only way to be certain – Max devised a software solution that would prevent any 7th Race remnant or hybrid from using the other stations. This safeguard included the 6th Race remnants and hybrids. The software fix also shut down key devices in each station's control mechanism without damaging the whole system. Max warned that leaving each station intact with only a software safeguard was not safe. And he also warned the system interface controls should be changed so that only Union Navy personnel might utilize the system in the future. He recommended the MRB set solution for the other 19 stations.
Sinai agreed with Max – Lili did not. Lili had ordered her Union Navy Demolition Teams to rig each station for remote destruction. Lili did not see a need for time travel in the future – however she had learned to never rule anything out. She was determined to keep the system out of the wrong hands.
Max took one last look at the 7th Race time travel station and then disembarked with M-14. Max put his SB in stasis. He would monitor himself now – as he had monitored the companions – because he had used the partial download technique using the EETS. Max stepped into the Door Suit and went to SH-1. As he stepped out of the Door Suit he felt weak as if he had not eaten in days – something that not happened since Lili rescued him. He logged the incident and noted it could be related to his partial download into a SB. He met Lili for lunch in the new restaurant. He pulled her chair out and helped her sit down. They enjoyed their time together. No one bothered them through lunch and well into the 15th bell.
“Well I guess we need to get back to work” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – I enjoyed this” Max said.
“I did also” Lili said.
Max stood up and pulled out her chair. They walked out of the restaurant together and went to Max's office. Max showed Lili the 'Door Suit' and handed her his test PDIT. She reviewed the tests and Max's logs.
“You were weak upon your return today?” Lili asked.
“Yes – I suspect it was because I partially downloaded to board the Special Project.” Max answered.
“What do you think caused it?” Lili asked.
“The EETS transfers the entire entity – much more than the Mind of the 6th Race person – it transfers the Signal.” Max said.
“Yes – and it could be that the 'waters of life' – that I was forced to take had something to do with it.” Max said.
“I had not even considered that.” Lili said.
Lili had in fact not thought about either of these things.
“Until further notice – you shall stop using the 'Door'.” Lili ordered.
“Yes ma'am” Max replied.
Chapter - 28
The “waters of life” caused Max to impart himself to Lili, M-14 and of course his synthetic body. Max did not understand this yet. However it was the reason Lili evolved beyond her Sisters so quickly. Something Mimi had recognized before she lost her Mind. Max was disappointed that Lili stopped him from using the “Door”. He had looked forward to traveling without his Spec War Security Team. Max was not aware how close he was to death. He was nearing total Signal Energy drain. If he did not 'recharge' soon his form would change...
Fortunately Max had put in a request to Lili so that he could talk to Chip whenever he had a question. Lili had finally approved his request and he was on his way to meet Chip at his secret Starship Yards behind Jupiter. Lili would decide if Chip could be trusted with 6th Race Void Communication Technology. Though Chip already had a powerful Void Communication System – it lacked the subtle security measures that prevented others from listening in.
Since the Seven Sisters had removed the alien overlords – chip was considering canceling Project Exodus. The problem was – he would be tempted by world politics and mankind's built in hatred for each other. Chip would ask Lili to station Union troops upon the Earth to keep the peace. He had transported everything he needed from Earth and was ready to leave the system. His children had found a young healthy star system in Quadrant IV and he was ready to move there. He had to seek approval from Ninlil. He would ask her for Union permission after he convinced her to police the Earth.
Lili, Sinai, Eden and Lili's heavy Union Navy Task Force instantly appeared above Chip's Starship Yards. Even though Chip had warned his children they still instinctively reacted.
“CNC – All Ships – STAND DOWN NOW” Chip ordered.
“Ninlil – Chip” Chip called.
“Go ahead Chip” Lili replied.
“Welcome to Jupiter Station” Chip said.
“Thank you Chip” Lili said.
“I understand you can download into a human form synthetic body – so you can join me here if you like.” Chip said.
“Yes – I can – however I would prefer you came here – Maximus is not well – please bring your friend and Mentor.” Lili said.
“Of course – I will be glad to come – however my mentor is currently traveling to our new home world – may I bring several of my sons and daughters who are trained in what the 6th Race called Signal Science instead.” Chip said and then asked.
“Yes – please do and thank you” Lili said.
“Ma'am – you shall always be welcome – we shal
l be right there. Uh – which one are you?” Chip said and then asked.
“I shall have my Sisters turn off their running lights” Lili said.
“Thank you” Chip said as he left his office.
“PJs – CNC” Chip called on his headset.
“Go ahead Sir” Chips PJ Commander replied.
“I need you, George and Sisi to meet me in airlock one NOW” Chip ordered.
“Yes Sir – emergency type,” His son asked.
“Spiritual – Earthling – extended – discharged” Chip said.
“Roger that Sir,” his Son acknowledged.
As Chip rounded the corner into the stations main hall he saw his sons and daughter waiting with their standard medical/surgical gear and a portable LV SR. Chip smiled as he greeted them. They boarded Eagle.
“Where to father” Eagle asked Chip.
“Ninlil – her main landing bay – starboard side – her lights will be on – the other Union Navy 6th Race Cruiser’s running lights will be off.” Chip responded.
“Roger that” Eagle said as she ramped her infinite specific impulse drive and increased her VHA fields inside the crew compartments. From their perspective the “1 g” gravity of the station had not changed. As she approached the massive Cruiser she began to maneuver toward the starboard side.
“Chip – Ninlil” Lili called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Chip said.
“Please have your daughter approach my port side. Visiting dignitaries are required to enter the port side landing bay.” Lili ordered.
“Yes ma'am and thank you” Chip said.
Eagle altered course – swung around wide and approached Ninlil's hull from the port side. Eagle stopped and oriented her hull to Ninlil's landing bay portal. Ninlil flashed her landing bay lights and Eagle moved forward. She felt a tingle as she passed through Ninlil's atmospheric shield. She saw a large group of men moving toward the blinking lights on the deck.
“Sir – there are ground troops approaching” Eagle reported.
“Ignore – please land” Chip ordered.
“Yes Sir” She replied.
Chip was surprised when he saw the honor guard standing at attention. The first man piped him aboard with a whistle and then saluted Chip. Chip returned his salute. The man stepped forward and held out his hand.
“Welcome aboard Sir – Admiral Ninlil is expecting you” The man said.
Chip shook his hand.
“Thank you” Chip said.
“Right this way Sir” The man said.
Chip followed the man toward the other end of the massive landing bay. Chip realized these troops were Marines! He turned his head toward the massive airlock door that was opening. He could not believe his eyes.
“Granmama” Chip said astonished.
“No Sir – that is Admiral Ninlil and Maximus” The Gunnery Sergeant said.
Thank you gunny” Chip said.
The gunny smiled.
“You know that I am a Union Navy Star Marine Sir?” The Gunny asked astonished.
“I do now – sorry I did not recognize your uniform when I landed. Please express my thanks to your honor guard team. Very sharp – the Marines of my country say 'hooray'.” Chip said.
“We say HOGAR Sir – and thank you.” The Gunny said.
The Gunny saluted his Admiral and stepped back.
“Chip it has been several months since we last met.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am it has. I would like to introduce my sons and daughter.” Chip said.
“Of course” Lili said.
“This is my Chief PJ Thomas, his brother George and their Sister Sisi.” Chip said.
Lili inclined her head.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all. I would like to introduce my mate – Maximus.” Lili said.
Max was stunned. He found himself smiling as he stepped forward.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all – I have so many questions.” Max said.
“Maximus – take Chip's PJs to the main conference room and let them examine you and help you.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – right this way” Max said as he turned and led the way. Chip's children did not hesitate to follow him.
“Let us go to my observation lounge.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – after you” Chip said as he bowed.
Lili turned and headed to the main airlock door. Half of her honor guard moved ahead of her and the rest fell in behind Chip.
“How long has Max been feeling bad?” Chip asked.
“For a day and half – I do not want to talk about him – I trust your children will take care of him.” Lili said.
“Of course – I apologize – how may I help you ma'am.” Chip said as they entered her lounge. Chip was stunned by the sheer size of the observation window. The view of the solar system was breath taking.
“Please have a seat” Lili said pointing to a recliner. Chip sat down and Lili sat down in the adjacent recliner. Her Star Marines stepped outside and waited by the door.
“Now then we have much to talk about.” Lili said.
Chapter - 29
Chip's PJs checked Max's vitals as any medical Doctor would and then they began checking his Signals. Max's Signal Energy was almost depleted. Standard procedure would be to place him in a room size Signal Recharger to help him charge. Chip's mentor suggested – via video phone – that he be recharged slowly. Then more Signal panels should be added slowly each week as he recovered – during this time he had to rest and abstain.
Through a series of questions the PJs were able to determine that the Waters of Life had replaced his original Signals with an alien Signal. While he lived with the aliens – his new Signal would be recharged by their buildings and vessels. When he left that environment he began to decline. It was clear the system they brought would not help Max. They needed to get him to the alien home world so he could recharge and there obtain the materials needed to build Max a recharge chamber.
Thomas filed his report and then contacted his father. Ninlil and Chip had been talking about the future. Ninlil granted Chip permission to move to a new planet – though she suspected it would end in tragedy. She would have her Seabees check the planet to be certain there were no dangerous creatures on or below the surface since the last Union survey.
“Excuse Me father” Thomas called.
“Go ahead” Chip replied.
“Sir – Maximus needs to be taken to the alien home world now.” Thomas said.
“I was afraid of that – might an alien ship work?” Chip asked.
“If it is a ship designed and built to convey slaves.” Thomas answered.
“Understood” Chip said.
“Ma'am we have to take Maximus to the 6th Race remnant home world or find him a ship that was used to transport their slaves.” Chip reported to Lili.
“Are you saying Max is in danger?” Lili asked.
“I am saying the Waters of Life replaced his natural Signals with an alien Signal and the alien Signal needed to be kept recharged.” Chip answered.
Lili stood up. She contacted Sinai.
“Sinai – Lili” Lili called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Sinai replied.
“Please come to my hull – I need to plan an operation with you.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am I shall be there shortly.” Sinai said.
Sinai landed her yacht in Lili's main landing bay. She recognized the ship that was already there and it recognized her. The other ship flashed its landing lights at Sinai. Sinai inclined her head and then stood up and left her yacht's cockpit. The Star Marines escorted her to Ninlil's observation lounge.
She had not used her lounge in over 2 million years. Sinai thought.
The door opened and she stepped in. Her Sister was pacing. The man sitting in a recliner stood up. Lili introduced Chip to Sinai. They then sat at the Captain's table to plan Operation Companion.
“Sinai we have to take all of the companions to the 6th Race remnant h
ome world.” Lili said.
“Why” Sinai asked.
“Because they are dying” Lili answered.
Sinai sat up straighter in her chair.
“What do you mean they are dying?” Sinai asked.
“Chip will explain it to you.” Lili answered.
“Maximus was forced to take the 'Waters if Life' – as I assume were the other men. While they lived in 6th Race remnant buildings, facilities and ships – their new Signal was kept charged. When they were removed from their ships – their Signals began to discharge. We have to obtain the materials from those ships or buildings in order to save them.” Chip answered.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir Page 8