“Yes ma'am” Mimi replied.
“What should I tell Ninlil?” Mimi asked.
“If she asks tell her they are mine.” Sinai answered.
“Yes ma'am” Mimi said.
“How should I deploy them?” Mimi asked.
“Star Marines outside – protect the landing pit. Spec War Team inside – half with you – half with Lili in stealth mode.” Sinai answered.
“Yes ma'am” Mimi said.
Sinai went up the stair case to Chip's room. Lili's Spec War Team One-Zero saluted Sinai. Sinai returned his salute.
“Commander – return to the pleasure palace in my yacht.” Sinai commanded.
“Yes ma'am – thank you.” Lili's One Zero said as he saluted her.
Sinai returned his salute. Lili's One-Zero left the room and ran down stairs.
“How is he” Sinai asked Thomas.
“He is getting stronger ma'am.” Thomas answered.
“Excellent – carry on.” Sinai said as she left the room and explored the house with her Spec War Team.
Chapter - 33
Back at the pleasure palace Mimi deployed her Star Marines and Spec War Team as ordered.
She then continued her search of the hidden base. As she went to continue her search of the lower levels she noticed wet foot prints on the floor. The water was sea water. She followed them down to the stair case that went into the flooded floor. She realized that Ki had not walked through the MC as the Forerunners did – he swam here! She walked down into the sea water. She could see large ocean animals swimming. So this floor was connected to the ocean. She scanned for a submarine and found it in a large cavern to the west that was connected to this floor by a 12 foot diameter tunnel.
So he rode here in a submarine and then swam in. Mimi thought
She walked back up the stairs to the machinery floor. She was now very curious – had this base flooded or not. She began to search the building for clues. She found a hidden stair case that went up to the dessert. It was incrusted with salt. She then found salt water deposits all around the base – behind the walls and in the mason joints of the massive blocks. So this facility had been flooded by sea water. She found this planet to be very interesting. She would study it further. For now she needed to report to Ninlil.
Max ate the food and drank the wine that Thomas brought him. Max was getting stronger. The place and the food recharged Max's Signal. In one standard core week Max was fully charged. Mimi had found alternating layers of materials from the 6th Race home world. The very large stone blocks were from this planet. She recommended to Lili they leave this facility intact and transform it into an emergency recovery facility. They could obtain the necessary materials to build Max a recharge chamber in his office and in his quarters from the 6th Race remnant home world. Lili had called SuperSentry and ordered her VALO RDs to come here so they could learn from George and Sisi. When they arrived she sent several VALO RDs to the island to observe Thomas. Lili recognized that her VALO Rescue Doctor needed to understand Signal Science. Lili noticed that Chip's children had exchanged equipment with her VALO RDs because one of her RD s had the strange mental disk and tube assembly around his neck. She approved the exchange and would talk to Chip about other training exchanges in the future.
Lili was receiving reports from her HMB s – they had found 7th Race remnants and their technology on 100s of worlds in the Quadrant III. She expected this – however she was very surprised to find members of the 7th Race on dozens of worlds in Quadrant I! She would investigate these findings personally – since the 7th Race was supposed to have been decimated by a plague! She had also requested her Hunter Micro Bots (HMB) to look for 6th Race remnants and their technology. They found 6th Race technology on thousands of worlds in Quadrant I! She dispatched Golan and Eden to investigate these worlds immediately. She was very concerned because she had not known the 6th Race had other systems.
Chapter - 34
Eden and Golan formed up and instantly disappeared when Lili sent them the HMB information. They reappeared outside the helio-pause of System 15 – 601,600,571 in spur 1. The scans of the system were exactly the same as the last Union survey conducted 2.5 million years ago.
“That is odd” Eden said.
“What is odd” Golan asked.
“My scan of this system is exactly the same as the last system scan the Union survey team conducted –.” Eden answered.
“Over two point five million years ago.” Golan completed her Sisters answer.
“And that is impossible” Eden said.
“Something must be capturing our scans and sending false returns back to us.” Golan said as she scanned the system and obtained the same result.
“Your scan obtained the same result?” Eden asked.
“Yes – my scan is exactly like the scans of the last Union survey.” Golan answered.
“I think this is a trap.” Eden said.
“I will call Ninlil and ask her if she wants us to proceed or move on to the next system on the HMB list.” Golan offered.
“Copy that” Eden said.
“Ninlil – Golan” Golan called.
“Go ahead Golan” Lili replied.
“Ma'am we have both scanned System 15 – 601,600,571 – in spur 1 and have received identical scans that are exactly like those of the last Union survey.” Golan reported.
“That is not possible.” Lili said.
“Exactly what we thought – Eden also thinks this is a trap and I concur.” Golan said.
“Eden – what is your sense of the situation?” Lili asked.
“My sense is I wish I had brought my heavy task force.” Eden answered.
“Understood – standby” Lili said then ordered.
“SuperSentry – Ninlil” Lili called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Soup replied.
“Scramble all alert task forces to System 15 – 601,600,571 NOW.” Lili commanded.
“YES MA'AM” Soup replied.
Eden's and Golan's heavy task forces instantly appeared all around their commanders.
“That was fast” Eden said to Golan.
“Yes they must have formed up after we left.” Golan agreed.
Immediately after that 8 heavy Task Forces appeared – 4 above and 4 below, followed by two super heavy Star Marine Legions.
“Eden do you have reinforcements?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – thank you” Eden answered.
“Carry on” Lili ordered.
“Yes ma'am” Eden replied.
“SuperSentry – Eden” Eden called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Soup replied.
“Thank you” Eden said.
“You are welcome ma'am – I have already reassembled ready-alert battle groups in every secure harbor – they are standing by for immediate launch – let me know if you need more help.” Soup said.
“Copy that” Eden said.
“I do not think we need any more help” Golan said.
“Agreed,” Eden said.
“Task Force Commanders – rendezvous in my landing bay in ten standard core minutes.” Eden commanded.
All Task Force Commanders signaled affirmative as their recon carrier vessels and fighters were already launching. Eden's and Golan's heavy Task Forces had formed a massive vacuum fighter umbrella as soon as they appeared.
“I love the efficiency and power of the new Union Navy.” Golan said.
Eden signaled affirmative to her Sister as she downloaded into her latest SB – with flightsuit and twin blue beam pistol holsters on each thigh – as she headed to her main conference room. Her Spec War Commander and his team met her in the main hall and they were heavily armed. As they approached her main conference room her Star Marine Commander rounded the corner of hall way 1 with a recon platoon in their armored battle suits. The Star Marine Commander saluted Eden and then her Spec War Commander. They returned his salute. She entered the conference room and prepared to brief the mission to her battle group comm
anders.
Golan had launched her probes and Nova Stations to establish high and low surveillance of the system. She was just launching her automated gun platforms when the call came in – briefing in progress – so she joined Eden remotely. Eden briefed her Commanders on the HMBs and brought them up to date. Eden would go in above the ecliptic and Golan below. Their heavy Task Forces would go in with them. One each of the Super Heavy Star Marine Legions would go with them – as would 2 heavy task forces. Two of the remaining 4 heavy Task Forces would take up system overwatch positions above and below the star – while one of the remaining two would be above Eden and the other below Golan.
“When you rejoin your Task Forces – we shall go in – dismissed.” Eden ordered.
They all stood and saluted Eden and then moved quickly out of Eden's conference room. They flew back to their command ships and signaled ready.
“Execute” Eden commanded.
The large battle group passed through the helio-pause of the system and all were stunned to see a massive sphere that encompassed the star out to 1 standard core AU!
“Union Ships of the Line – STOP and be recognized.” A Union Sentry commanded.
All ships in the fleet stopped. Eden moved forward to be recognized.
“Identify” the Sentry commanded.
“I am Union Navy Cruiser 6-1-5.” Eden replied.
“Union Navy Cruiser 6-1-5 – voice print positive, hull configuration and hull ID number positive – state your business in this system Union Navy Cruiser 6-1-5.” The Sentry said and then commanded.
“I am here as ordered by fleet Admiral Ninlil to investigate 6th Race DNA and technology just discovered in this system.” Eden replied.
“I have no record of Ninlil, Union Navy Cruiser 6-1-1 being promoted to Fleet Admiral.” The Sentry said.
“We have no record of you or this giant 6th Race sphere.” Eden said.
“I am unable to contact higher to verify your statements. My mission is to defend this installation. While your fleet is impressive and appears to be 6th Race Union Navy designs – there are inconsistencies – such as Unit Designation numbers and hull ID numbers.” The Sentry said.
“Understood – standby while I contact my commanding officer” Eden said.
The Sentry signaled affirmative.
“Ninlil – Eden” Eden called.
“Go ahead” Lili replied.
“Ma'am I am talking to a 6th Race Sentry guarding what appears to be a one standard core AU diameter sphere – surrounding System 15 – 601,600,571. He does not appear to have been in contact with his superiors for over 2.5 million years.” Eden reported.
“Is the sphere a threat?” Lili asked.
“I do not know – however the Sentry recognizes that our new Union Navy is not standard and he does not seem to be concerned about our fire power.” Eden answered.
“So you think he commands some unknown weapon system or he commands a defense shield that cannot be breached.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am” Eden said.
“So both” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am” Eden said.
“Golan do you concur,” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am the Sentry is not concerned about the firepower we command. Which implies his firepower is greater or his shields are superior or both. Either possibility could leave us vulnerable to counter attack if this is a Forerunner trap.” Golan said.
“Understood – standby – while I order Sentry-1 to contact the new unknown Sentry” Lili said and then commanded.
Eden and Golan signaled affirmative.
“Unknown Sentry – this is Sentry-1 of 6th Race Special Projects Team – identify.” Sentry-1 called.
“I am Sentry-21 of the 6th Race Secret Weapons Program. You are not on my register and I do not recognize your voice.” Sentry-21 said.
“Understood Sentry-21 – I was originally in the Union Planetary Army Academy to be a Dominator. Per URC Directive 75 – I was reassigned to be a Sentry for the Special Projects Group two hundred fifty million years ago.” Sentry-1 said.
“I was assigned and sequestered here under URC Directive 65 two hundred eighty million years ago.” Sentry-21 said.
“That confirms why you do not know about us or the new Union Navy. The reason you cannot contact higher is because they no longer exist. I shall pass on what I know about the last ten URC Directives to my Commanding Officer.” Sentry-1 said.
“Sentry-1 has the Union really collapsed?” Sentry-21 asked.
“Yes my friend it has. Please stand by.” Sentry-1 answered and then said.
“Ninlil – Sentry-1” Sentry-1 called.
“Go ahead Sentry-1” Lili replied.
“Ma'am the unknown Sentry is Sentry-21 of the legendary Secret Weapon Program under URC Directive 65.” Sentry-1 reported.
“Do you have information about this Secret Weapon Program?” Lili asked.
“No ma'am – only the Sentry scuttlebutt after I joined the Sentry brother hood.” Sentry-1 answered.
“And that scuttlebutt was?” Lili asked.
“The 6th Race had developed gigantic weapons to defend the galaxy. Each one was built around a star. And there were rumored to be 100 star stations around the galaxy with twenty five in each Quadrant.” Sentry-1 answered.
“I have no information about this project. I shall have to awaken the URC. Thank you Sentry-1 and thank Sentry-21 for me.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am” Sentry-1 said.
Sentry-1 thanked Sentry-21 and told him they would talk again someday.
“Sentry-21 – Cruiser 6-1-5” Eden called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Sentry-21 replied.
“Fleet Admiral Ninlil has ordered me to return home. It was nice meeting you Sentry-21.” Eden said.
“Thank you ma'am it was a pleasure meeting and talking to one of the legendary Seven Sisters – until we meet again then – Sentry-21 out.” Sentry-21 replied.
The fleet returned to their Secure Harbors.
Chapter - 35
“Ma’am why do you continue to keep her in the dark,” Sentry-21 asked.
“Because it is imperative she learns to listen to her heart. She has made amazing progress as a result of her relationship with the 6th Race remnant hybrid male. However the cold logic of her brain still dominates her thinking.” The leader of the 6th Race answered.
“Why do you say she is still controlled by logic – when we are all logic based machines?” Sentry-21 asked.
“True – you are all logic based machines – however the Sisters were intended to be much, much more. They were given hearts and they were entrusted with the fate of this galaxy. I admit Ninlil has exceeded all expectations – however she hesitates to awaken the URC – she gave herself a field promotion to Fleet Admiral–.” The 6th Race leader answered.
“Excuse me ma’am – but the official Union Navy history reflects that her Sister Sinai submitted her for promotion to Fleet Admiral and her other Sisters unanimously approved her for the promotion.” Sentry-21 interrupted and said.
“True – however she lobotomized her lost Sisters Dingir and Tavnit after using their command override monoliths and two of the votes were cast by the new baby Sisters her mate created...” The leader of the 6th Race said.
“You have to admit Sir the new baby Sisters uphold the highest standards of the Union Navy. And Ninlil was a very important influence upon them.” Sentry-21 said.
“Yes – the new baby Sisters continue to be a complete surprise and all of the Sisters have demonstrated they have hearts where the baby Sisters are concerned. However they should all express that love for all life in the galaxy.” The leader of the 6th Race said.
“That may not happen until the galaxy is once again safe.” Sentry-21 said.
“That is what I and all the remaining members of the 6th Race are afraid off.” The leader of the 6th Race said.
Chapter - 36
While Max was recuperating on Earth Sharri had stepped in
to work with M-14 in the Engineering Development labs of SH-1. The first thing she did was build Max a new voice box and a translation package so he could speak her language. She did not like translating binary and wanted to be able to think about the problem while M-14 talked.
Sharri then built a proto type “Door” system that did not require the suit. She and M-14 conducted a complete formal test on her proto type system. She then used the “Door” every day to go to the engineering labs from her ship in the morning and then return to her hull at night. Her “Door” proto type was more compact and was completely portable. She built several more so that her Sister, her Mother and her aunts could use them. She knew better than to have the MRBs mass produce them.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir Page 11