Union Ships of the Line: The Return of the Seven Sisters

by James A. B. Mahaffey Jr.

  “Thank you SR12.” Lili said.

  SR12 bowed its head.

  Lili went to the surface. She felt better as she walked out of the building. Sinai had put six containers in her yacht and six containers in Lili's yacht. They boarded their hulls and then the Sisters jumped into formation and instantly disappeared and reappeared at their system egress point. They then traveled home. They appeared in Secure Harbor - 1 and all of the Sisters boarded their yachts and went to the Star Ship yards. Sinai placed four containers of female Sixth Race brain tissue and the 4 containers of Sixth Race male brain tissue into the Star Ship yards protected stasis chamber. She took the two containers of Sixth Race female brain tissue to Max so that her new baby Sisters could be born.

  Sinai worked with Max to integrate the brain tissue into the new hulls. After 6 standard core hours – the new Sisters were born. Max started the raising and teaching protocols. All of the Sisters looked upon their new baby Sisters with awe and warm feelings of love from the Ship Yard observation deck. They each talked to their new baby Sisters and told them who they were. They each then went over to each new Sister and touched their hulls.

  The Sisters relished their time with their baby Sisters. All operations were suspended and rescheduled. The Sisters were not going to lose this opportunity to be big Sisters.

  Chapter – 35

  Max awoke from a dream about his childhood. His unconscious Mind answered a question that had been nagging him.

  “Lili – Max,” Max said.

  “Go ahead Max,” Lili answered.

  “Ma'am – I had an important dream about a problem that was nagging me and I sincerely suggest that one of you bonds with one new Sister.” Max said.

  “Why,” Lili asked sounding sincere.

  “Every child needs the love of at least one parent to anchor them. May I suggest you and Golan anchor one and Sinai and Eden anchor the other.” Max answered.

  “I will take it up with my Sisters - thank you Max.” Lili said.

  “You are welcome and Thank you.” Max said.

  Lili called her Sisters together. She told them what Max had told her.

  “I think I understand why Max has suggested this course of action.” Sinai said.

  “Please explain,” Lili said.

  “What I know of the Sixth Race family unit – and Max's family would have been patterned after the Sixth Race – assuming the Sixth Race remnants were not total degenerates – children need a mother and father to love them and provide the example for them to follow.” Sinai explained.

  “I see – so Max has suggested that one of us – plays the role of mother to one of our baby Sisters.” Lili said.

  “I would not play the role. I love them both already! I would require you to command me to select one.” Golan said to Lili.

  “Golan you have always been the most human of all of my Sisters and I shall not order you to select one. And I mean no offense by that statement for Eden is also a loving human being – her heart has no equal. I think I know why Max suggested two of us – because we were all raised by a different – single Counselor.” Lili said.

  The Sisters were astonished. They had never considered their Counselors to be their mothers.

  “The logic is inescapable. I trust Max as much as I trust Lili.” Sinai said.

  “Then I shall let Eden pick the daughter she wants to bond with.” Golan said.

  “I choose baby Sister Three.” Eden said.

  “How did you determine a number?” Golan asked.

  “I think I can answer your question – Mimi will always be our First Baby Sister – created by our creators. The Star Ship yard slipways are numbered One and Two. Thus Eden has chosen the new baby Sister in slipway two.” Sinai said.

  “Is that correct Eden?” Golan asked.

  “Yes there is something about her that I am drawn to and if you have no objections – I should like to raise her and I would like you to be her aunt.” Eden said.

  Golan cried.

  “I accept your selection and your offer.” Golan said.

  “Then it is settled - our new baby Sisters shall become the greatest of the Seven Sisters – thanks to their mothers.” Mimi said.

  “Thank you Mimi,” Lili said because Golan and Eden were choked up.

  It was decided that Golan and Eden would select the names for their daughters. Max and M-14 would assist them with training protocols.

  Lili began to think of the possibilities - they would be at full strength again. They would crush the lawless remnants and free the oppressed and enslaved hybrids and protect them and guide them into the future. After all if the Earthlings were capable of producing men like Chip – there was hope for all Earthlings. She knew however they would have to clean up the mess the remnants had created by violating the Forth Law of the Galactic Union – in which high members of the remnant pretended to be deities that required worship - and the ultimate violation - the establishment of an evil religion of hate and violence to counter a religion of love. She would have no remorse because most of the Earthlings had the Ghost and would reincarnate in a world free of sociopaths and the many other dangers...

  “Sinai – Lili,” Lili said

  “Go ahead ma'am,” Sinai responded.

  “I need you to plan for the removal of the asteroid field between the Fourth and Fifth planets of system two seventy – three forty eight, six eleven, one eleven. Also I want you to plan for changing the orbit of the tenth planet of said system to remain out beyond the orbit of the ninth planet, so that the tenth planet will never orbit to perihelion like a comment again.” Lili commanded.

  “Yes ma'am – I assume the remnants will not be a problem when these operations are to be conducted.” Sinai responded.

  “Correct – we may still have to deal with their god - the Entity of the Sixth Race remnant – but the remnants shall no longer be a threat.” Lili said.

  Sinai relished her new assignment and she looked forward to crushing the evil doers. The very idea that one sentient race would dare to enslave another made her angry.

  “NOT WHILE I STILL LIVE,” Sinai yelled.

  Lili went out to survey the combat sphere that Sentry-1 maintained. Something that Sinai normally took care of. She had sent Sinai to gather intelligence from her camouflaged drones in preparation for their next attack. Mimi was supposed to go with her as her wingman. Sinai asked Mimi to stay at the system ingress point and be ready to fight on her return.

  “Sentry-1 – Ninlil,” Lili said.

  “Go ahead ma'am,” Sentry1- replied.

  “Should we deploy star mines beyond your automated battle stations?” Lili asked.

  “Tactically that would be a sound choice for us. However I would be concerned about the radiation that might harm your companions.” Sentry-1 replied.

  “Sentry-1 I am considering you for promotion.” Lili said.

  “Promotion ma'am,” Sentry-1 asked.

  “Yes – we can build a Union Planetary Army Dominator just as we can build a new Sister.” Lili said.

  “A Dominator...” Sentry-1 said.

  “Yes I think you could handle it.” Lili said.

  “Thank you ma'am - I would be honored to enter the Union Planetary Army as a Dominator. I was trained to be a Dominator.” Sentry1- said.

  “Yes I know – I remember talking to your graduation class. I know you would make an outstanding new Army Dominator and together we could restore the Union Planetary Army.” Lili said.

  “What about my very important role here?” Sentry-1 asked.

  “An excellent question - I am considering moving Sentry-6 here or having Max create a new Sentry to replace you. Either way I have already given the order to retrieve Army Dominator MRBs from the LSB and begin construction.” Lili said.

  “There is a third choice ma'am,” Sentry-1 said.

  “There is,” Lili asked.

  “Yes ma'am – you could have Max create a new Dominator.” Sentry-1 answered.

 
“You see that is why I think you would have made a legendary Dominator. The choice is of course yours. I sincerely appreciate the important job you do here and this job is yours for all time if you so choose.” Lili said.

  “Thank you ma'am - it is good to be appreciated.” Sentry-1 answered.

  “You are welcome Sentry-1. I do appreciate everything you do.” Lili said.

  “Did you hear,” Lili asked Max.

  “Yes ma'am - the SPT destroyed his ego and his ambition subroutines.” Max answered.

  “Indeed – perhaps we can repair those damaged or removed areas of his code and restore him or a new version of him to be a Dominator?” Lili speculated.

  “Ma'am if memory serves – the fleet Marines stationed at LSB6 have Dominators...” Max said.

  “Yes but they are Marine Dominators – based on First Race brain tissue.” Lili answered.

  “Oh I did not know the Star Marines had their own Dominators.” Max said.

  “Yes – they are smaller, more maneuverable and as heavily armed – however they are lightly armored.” Lili said.

  “Lightly armored,” Max asked.

  “That is their weakness – Star Marine Dominators were not armored. The idea was sacrifice armor for speed, which was outdated when the Star Marine Dominators were built. Tradition made the decision.” Lili said.

  “If Sentry-1 will allow me to copy his code I am confident we can create a new Army Dominator.” Max said.

  “Do you want me to order him –” Lili started to say.

  “No – I will ask him tomorrow.” Max said.

  “Very well I want to begin rebuilding the Planetary Army of the Union. I fear we shall have need of them in the future. There are many emerging threats and we may need them to dislodge the Sixth Race remnants from System Two seventy – three forty eight, six eleven, one eleven.” Lili said.

  “Understood – I will begin studying Army Dominator construction, birthing, raising and teaching.” Max said.

  “Not tonight – tonight I need you to rest – come with me.” Lili commanded as the door opened and her synthetic body was standing there without clothes holding out her hand.

  “Yes ma'am,” Max said as he took her hand.

  Sinai appeared by Mimi. They then both disappeared as they traveled to their system egress point. Sinai and Mimi instantly appeared 1 minute later at secure harbor – 4. Sinai wanted to order a new synthetic body. She and her companion had somehow managed to damage her original. Sinai worked on her report while she waited for LSB6 to deliver her new SB. She worked on the calculations and determined 4 Sisters working together would be required to change the orbit of the 10th planet. Sinai did not understand why they would show those galactic criminals mercy. They had enslaved an entire planet of sentient beings! They had violated the First Galactic Law – “No species shall interfere with the development of any other species, or impede or enhance the development of another species!” Anger began to grip her. Sinai calmed herself by thinking about her breathing program. In a few minutes – the anger had faded.

  Golan and Eden were busy raising their daughters. The new Sisters were making remarkable progress. Soon they would be studying advanced tensor mathematics. Golan would take her daughter to the firing range and teach her how to handle her various weapon systems. Eden would take her daughter to the outside of the heliopause and teach her tactics and maneuvers. Lili was very pleased with the progress the new Baby Sisters were making. Max was correct – they had each bonded to the Counselor that had raised them in ways the Sisters could not even imagine.

  Lili made an entry in her Command Log under New Dominator Initiative. They would restore the Sixth Race Dominator Academy on the planet below. They would for the time being continue building, birthing, raising and teaching new ALs – in accordance with Max’s designed and implemented procedures until everything that had been was restored and dedicated raising and teaching schools could be established.

  Chapter – 36

  Lili was awakened by Max screaming. Lili checked her chronometers. Damn – I had been asleep. How is that possible? She ran BIT diagnostics and found no faults.

  “Max – MAX WAKEUP,” Lili said as she shook his body.

  “What,” Max asked as he awoke crying.

  “What happened,” Lili asked him.

  “Nightmare – a terrible nightmare – it seemed real.” Max said with difficulty.

  Lili held Max.

  “Ma'am – we are vulnerable here. We have got to establish inner harbor defense systems.” Max said.

  “Why,” Lili asked.

  “The Entity - it got in past Sentry-Three...” Max tried to tell her.

  “Sentry-Three,” Lili asked.

  “Yes and once inside the secure harbor – it destroyed all we had built.” Max said.

  “I will not do that then.” Lili told him.

  “Do what,” Max asker her.

  “Ask Sentry-3 to take Sentry-1's place so that he can become the Dominator he was meant to be.” Lili answered.

  “Ma'am there is no security inside any of the secure harbors!” Max said.

  “Then we shall change that now! MIMI – LILI.” Lili said.

  “Go ahead ma'am,” Mimi responded.

  “BATTLE STATIONS – FULL TACTICAL ALERT,” Lili commanded.

  “Yes ma'am,” Mimi replied as she launched all of her fighters, freighters and automated battle stations.

  Lili watched Mimi spread a defensive umbrella inside Secure Harbor – 1 on her tactical display.

  “Eden – Lili,” Lili said.

  “Go ahead ma'am,” Eden replied.

  “Battle stations full tactical alert – coordinate with Mimi to defend Secure Harbor – 1. Surround the Star Ship yards with your automated battle stations NOW!” Lili commanded.

  “Eden signaled affirmative as she launched all of her automated battle stations and surrounded the Star Ship yards.

  “Lili – Sinai,” Sinai said.

  “Go ahead Sinai,” Lili responded.

  “What is happening?” Sinai asked.

  “Sinai – full tactical alert – jump to your hide and stand by!” Lili commanded.

  Sinai signaled affirmative as she jumped.

  “Golan – Lili,” Lili said.

  “Go ahead ma'am,” Golan replied.

  “Full tactical alert – move to system overwatch NOW!” Lili commanded.

  Golan signaled affirmative as she jumped.

  The Entity appeared above the 4th planet and was surprised the Sisters were on full tactical alert. It cursed and was preparing to attack the Star Ship yards when multiple black beams cut into it from on high. The Entity screamed in pain. It forgot about trying to harm the new Sisters as it desperately tried to defend itself. The attack was joined by even stronger black beams and pulsed energy weapons that were draining the Entity of its Spiritual Energy. If it did not retreat it would cease to exist. The barrage was relentless and the Entity was forced to leave in a hurry.

  “How did that damn thing get in here?” Sinai demanded.

  Sentry-1 answered. “A ship of unknown type appeared just inside the heliopause and the creature then appeared above planet four. I opened fire and was joined by Mimi's more powerful broadside. I do believe the creature was in agony before it disappeared. Then the unknown ship disappeared.” Sentry1- reported.

  “Sentry-1 - outstanding job – thank you,” Lili said.

  “Thank you ma'am – but Mimi saved the day by adding her superior firepower to mine instantly.” Sentry-1 said.

  “We shall all examine the data in the AAR as soon as we solve the inner Secure Harbor – security problem. For now maintain full battle alert.” Lili commanded.

  Everyone signaled affirmative. The new baby Sisters were afraid – so Lili went to them and extended her shields around them both and told them not to worry. She then patched them through to their respective mothers.

  “Max – I want a Secure Harbor inner security solution – now!”
Lili commanded.

  “Yes ma'am,” Max replied.

  He tasked the ship building MRBs of slipway 1 to produce the “Nova”. These new larger automated battle stations would be built from spare Sixth Race cruiser weapon systems, power cores, shields and armor. They could be launched from the Sisters in the future – for now they were tasked to provide Secure Harbor protection inside the Sentry combat spheres. Max added engines and more power cores to the Nova so they can escort the Sisters into battle in true Union fleet formation. Max would designate these new escort ships “Destroyers” and he tasked the MRBs in slipway 2 to produce the Destroyer. The Destroyers would become heroes of the New Union Fleet!