by Andrew Mack
The AuFa officer nodded and said, “Yes, sir.”
The officer quickly jogged over to the F-81. Devanoe and Lieutenant Bezra walked over to the Ambassador’s C-62T and walked through the doors. They were immediately greeted by Commander’s Willits and Jones, both drinking some coffee. Devanoe looked at both of them and said, “Commander Willits, Commander Jones, the Battle Cruiser is about to get into orbit, are we ready?”
Willits looked up and said, “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Devanoe then asked, “Hey, by the way, what happened to the T-141 and the other F-81?”
Willits responded matter-of-factly, “They are with the service mechanic, remember? I asked you? The C-62T is good to go, but he found a couple of things with the other two.”
Devanoe shook his head. “Got it, yeah, I forgot. I just would have preferred having two F-81’s for escort up to the Battle Cruiser.”
Jones responded, “We can wait?”
Devanoe shook his head, “No, it’s fine. Listen, if you don’t mind, Lieutenant Bezra is qualified to fly this C-62T, and has experience docking into a Battle Cruiser. So I was going to let him pilot up, alright.”
Willits looked at Jones first before returning to look at Devanoe and responding, “Standard Operating Procedure is to turn over the piloting to the BRG, so we assumed he was going to pilot anyway.”
Nick sighed. “Good, just making sure we were on the same page. Did not want to upset your two cadets, what’re their names again?”
Jones answered, “Knucklehead and Chatty?”
Willits smiled “Trujillo and Tunsall?”
Devanoe half laughed and said, “Yeah. Speaking of, where are they?”
Willits answered, “In the common room in the back guarding Miss Devanoe and the Ambassador. I believe they are all asleep. It’s been a long day.”
Nick nodded, “Got it. Alright, Bezra, get us out of here.”
The four of them walked up to the cockpit area and buckled in. Bezra fired up the engines and began hitting a bunch of switches. Bezra talked into the speakers. “Tower Control, C-62T - E taking off, course set at Battle Cruiser 54, in orbit, copy please.”
After a few seconds, a voice came out, “Copy that C-62T- E, proceed with your escort.”
Bezra pulled back on the throttle and got the ship airborne, with the F-81 directly flanking him on the side. The two spacecraft slowly headed upward, gaining speed as they gained altitude. Soon they breached the clouds and were ascending past the atmosphere of Braccus.
Bezra hit a couple of switches before talking again. “Battle Cruiser 54, this is C-62T- E. I have a crew of eight including Ambassador Bird and Commander Devanoe. Permission to proceed with docking lock-in?”
“Copy that C-62T - E, identify confirmed, scan for eight passengers is affirmative. Lock-in will commensurate in twenty seconds, proceed with the current course.”
The spacecraft began climbing rapidly. As the four looked out the window, they could still see the F-81 flanking them. Soon, what appeared initially as a speck, eventually became the Battle Cruiser, getting closer. The voice came back on. “C-62T - E, begin docking lock-in now.”
There was a jolt, and everyone on board the C-62T shook slightly. Jones asked, “What was that?”
Bezra half-smiled. “Just the auto docking function. New to the C-62T, it’s easy from here.”
Bezra began hitting some switches to enhance the lock-in. The back doors of the Battle Cruiser began to open up as the F-81 returned to the surface. Flying much slower now, Bezra pulled forward on the throttle and eased into the ship through the back doors. He gently landed the craft, as the doors behind him were closing. When the doors finally closed, Lieutenant Bezra turned off all the engines and unbuckled himself from the chair. “And here we are….”
Commander Devanoe led all four of them out of the spacecraft. As the second set of doors was opening, they were greeted by a four-member security team, each with a rifle in their hands, and Captain Kimmel. Commander Devanoe approached, before standing at attention in front of the Captain and saluting. “Captain Kimmel.”
The Captain returned the salute and answered, “Commander Devanoe, welcome back.”
Nick Devanoe turned sideways and introduced the other four. “Captain, this is Lieutenant Bezra of the BRG. He will be the pilot for this transport and in charge of the detail towards Torsalli.”
Bezra saluted out of courtesy and said, “Permission to come aboard, sir?”
Kimmel returned the salute and said, “Permission granted. And you two must be the DAG team that has the entire AuFa looking all over the solar system for.”
Devanoe introduced them, although no handshakes or salutes were given. “Captain, this is Commander Willits and Commander Jones of the DAG. Gentlemen, Captain Kimmel of the AuFa Battle Cruiser 54.”
Willits then responded, “Captain, we apologize if we have caused any inconvenience. But we are reluctant, and at this point, it seems rightfully so, to trust anyone regarding the Ambassador’s travel.”
Kimmel took a couple of steps forward. He said calmly, “You changed the manifest, why?”
Willits responded. “Gut instinct. Commander Jones and myself were not satisfied with the number of people who knew what time we were leaving and where we were going. It just seemed best to play it a little close to the vest, per se.”
Kimmel tilted his head and said, “Regardless of what it does to the BRG or AuFa?”
Willits gave a crooked smile. “Again, I apologize for whatever measures you initially took that were somehow changed by our actions. I can assure you, it was nothing personal.”
Kimmel now stared at them intently. “Commanders, in my thirty-plus years of experience in the AuFa, a mission’s success is largely determined on following orders and crystal clear communication. It seemed we had neither, in this case, did we?”
Willits’ smile went away. Calmly, he responded. “No, Captain, we did not. But we did end up with an Ambassador who is alive and not dead, so that’s a win in my book.”
Captain Kimmel was not a fan of Willits’ sarcasm. Devanoe tried a half-smile, but could see that was not going anywhere. Kimmel kept staring at Willits, who was going to let that response linger. Kimmel, after a few seconds, went by, finally said, “Well then Commander Willits, Commander Jones, is there anything that your gut tells you we should be doing on our way to Torsalli? Set a course to zig-zag the entire way? Perhaps stop at Vandabri and catch a show before taking off?”
Jones half smiled and interjected, “No, Captain, we already did that. Caught a show, had a few drinks, solicited some entertainment, it was a good vacation.”
Kimmel, knowing Jones was being a pain-in-the-ass, was further not amused. He calmly replied, “Glad to hear it.”
Nick Devanoe interjected, “Captain, the DAG team stopped at Vandabri to hide. Had they gone on to Braccus, it is possible they would’ve been right in the middle of the Taz Temple Attack.”
Kimmel looked at Devanoe in dismay for getting involved. He then turned to Willits and Jones and said, “How fortunate. Or, you could have just stayed with the manifest and gone to the Corvalis system, where we were waiting hours for you.”
Willits lifted a finger and, in a smart-ass tone, said, “...and Taz.”
Jones kept right up. “Let’s not forget that. You were looking for him. Did you find him, by the way?”
Kimmel took a deep breath. “Gentlemen, as amusing as this is for you, it is not for me. I got real soldiers down there that died today. Taz is very real.”
Willits then responded, “And you have my sympathy, Captain. But the Ambassador we are assigned to protect is in real danger also. Maybe you don’t like how we operate, but that’s two shots on his life, both unsuccessful because of us. We don’t find this amusing either.”
Kimmel sat in silence for a few seconds. There w
as a huge amount of tension in the air. Willits had stopped smiling, continuing to stare at Captain Kimmel. Kimmel finally responded. “I am assuming we are keeping the C-62T onboard this ship for security purposes?”
Commander Willits nodded, “With your permission, I believe it is the most prudent thing to do.”
Captain Kimmel then said, “Well, my security detail team will assist you in moving your stuff. We have set-up the Ambassador’s living quarters on deck three, so he can be much more comfortable. I am sure that Commander Devanoe can show you the way.”
Willits responded, “With all due respect sir, the living quarters onboard the C-62T are outstanding. It is only an eight hour trip to Torsalli, and the Ambassador is currently asleep. So we would feel much safer guarding the Ambassador from right here in the bay.”
Captain Kimmel was confused. “Guarding the Ambassador Commander?”
Willits reiterated. “Yes, sir. Me and my DAG team. Taz is still out there, Captain, and you won’t need to find him. If you got the Ambassador, he will find you.”
Captain Kimmel looked a little insulted. “You do not need assistance from my security team then?”
Willits then responded. “Thank you, Captain, but we will be fine right here. My team can handle this. “
There was a long awkward pause as Captain Kimmel looked Commander Willits up. After a few seconds, Captain Kimmel responded, “As you wish, Commander. Let us know if there is anything you need.”
Willits and Jones got back on the C-62T and closed the door. As Captain Kimmel was walking away with Commander Devanoe, Kimmel said, “Most unusual set of circumstances.”
Commander Devanoe said, “He is a little odd Captain. I do not entirely trust him.”
Captain Kimmel responded, “He is an asshole. But he has been right so far. Let’s keep the security detail in the hangar, just to be safe.”
Belinea 3.13
Scotland, Earth
Annella Devanoe was sitting in a chair with a small blanket over her body. She was at home, sitting in a cold brick room that was an extension of her estate, looking over the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs. A small heater was next to her. A tablet was on her lap, while both of her hands were clutching a warm cup of tea. A red Australian Shepherd laid at her feet. Her tablet vibrated, it was receiving a message. Annella put her tea down on the table next to her and picked up the tablet. She hit a couple of buttons and saw that it was a message from Director Kimakawa. She quickly read it.
Ms. Devanoe,
Ambassador Bird and Miss Devanoe are fine. They are on Battle Cruiser 54 and should arrive at the Space Port on Torsalli approximately one hour from the time of writing this update. Per BRG protocol, crew will then be transported to a Battle Frigate and transported to Hovorn. The trip will take about three days before making the final trip to Belinea under an escort. Will update upon Torsalli arrival.
Taichi Kimakawa
Annella, with one of her hands, grabbed her cup of tea and took a sip. She put it down and then went back to typing a message on her tablet. The recipient was an encrypted title, the message had no subject, but it was short.
“Torsalli, Approx 10:30 SPE TS, Battle Frigate, three days to Hovorn, escorted final trip. They know. Where?”
Annella hit send. The tablet then spoke. “This is a secure, class four recipient; please provide code clearance.”
Annella spoke “Annella Devanoe.”
The tablet then had a scanner that read her eyes for a couple of seconds, before stopping. Annella put her tablet back on her lap and went back to holding her tea with both hands.
Belinea 3.14
Battle Cruiser 54
Commander Nick Devanoe and Lieutenant Bezra walked into the cramped bay of the Battle Cruiser. The C-62T was on the edge, right next to the exterior bay doors. Devanoe walked past his own security team, where the guards saluted. Nick asked, “Anything?”
“Just some food, sir.”
Devanoe looked at Bezra, and asked, “Check with the Dock Commander, make sure we are ready to go with our flight plan.”
Bezra nodded and walked off in the other direction. Devanoe kept walking towards the C-62T. Outside the doors of the C-62T and sitting in a chair was Commander Jones. There was an empty chair next to his, presumably where Willits once was. Two trays of empty food were next to them, and Jones was half asleep. Devanoe walked up to him and said, “We are coming up on Torsalli. Get some sleep?”
Jones stretched his arms and said. “Yes….., thanks for the food.”
Devanoe responded, “You are welcome.”
Willits came walking out of the C-62T. “All four of them are sound asleep.”
Jones replied, “A happy Ambassador for us is one that does not talk. Let Tunsall and Trujillo sleep a little more. They can go on guard duty after Torsalli.”
Willits, looking at Devanoe, then said, “I suppose you are the one that provided us with the extra ammo, grenades, bombs, and blaster rifles?”
Nick Devanoe shrugged, “I can take them back….”
Jones opened his hand as if to say stop. “No, thanks. Hopefully, we won’t have to use them.”
Devanoe responded, “I got some important cargo back there as well. Speaking of, I was going to say goodbye.”
Willits looked at him and said, “If you want to wake them all up, go ahead. But that means you answer all the Ambassador’s questions as to why are we here, where we are going, why are we changing ships, where is Taz, why is there no fruit for breakfast.”
Devanoe gave a half-smile, “Got it. He’s that much of a pain-in-the-ass, huh?”
Jones answered, “Actually, not too bad for an Ambassador, but he definitely struggles connecting the dots.”
Devanoe thought about it for a second, before drawing a conclusion. “So you guys really do not do much Ambassador security, do you?”
Jones responded, “It is not our first choice.”
Willits added, “Is it that obvious?”
Devanoe answered carefully, as if not to offend anyone. “No, but you clearly do not seem to enjoy it. I get the impression that it’s beneath you. Yet, here you are. Why?”
Willits walked right up to get face to face with Nick Devanoe. He tilted his head, smiled, and whispered so no one else in the bay could hear him. “Well, isn’t that the billion-dollar question?”
Devanoe thought about it long and hard. Then decided not to pursue the matter any further.
Jones then asked, “What’s the plan?”
Devanoe noticed Lieutenant Bezra walking up to them. “We are gonna take the Ambassador’s C-62T over to the military side of the Space Port at Torsalli. Once we dock, the BRG has provided an officer with further instruction.”
On the overhead speaker, the intercom shouted, “Torsalli Space Port, three minutes.”
Jones asked, “Anything else?”
Devanoe responded, “I don’t think so. Jones, Willits, this is where we say goodbye.”
Both gave a quick side salute, but Nick extended his hand to both of them. After shaking Jones’ hand, he turned and shook Willits hand and said, “Tell Alexis I said goodbye. Make sure nothing happens to her.”
Willits, very sincere and earnest, still shaking his hand, responded, “You have my word.”
Bezra, Willits, and Jones walked into the C-62T and went to the cockpit area. After buckling in, Bezra fired up the engines.
Devanoe walked back through the bay and got on an elevator. He went up eight decks, getting off to proceed down a short corridor. He then went to his right, where he went up a ramp that took him directly to the bridge. As he came into the room, Captain Kimmel asked him, “Everything good? Get to say goodbye to your sister?”
Devanoe stopped, looking slightly perplexed. He walked over to the sonar screen area and said, “Wilcox, run a quick thermal body scan on that C-62T.”
Wilcox was in his chair, looking at the screen. Devanoe hovered over him from behind. He watched Wilcox hit the screen a few times before he managed a scan get done on the C-62T. It showed basic frames and then thermal images of heat. The engines were big glowing bulbs. The cockpit area had three bodies, looking like they were sitting and flying the craft. Presumably, Bezra, Willits, and Jones. In the back, two bodies were lying down in the common area, while another two bodies were back in the quarters’ area, each on a bed. Wilcox then said, “Seven bodies, sir. Looks like these three are in the cockpit, and these four are asleep in the back.”
Captain Kimmel had now walked up. “Everything alright?”
Devanoe stood up. “Everything is fine, sir.”
The doors of the Battle Cruiser began to open. Bezra flew the C-62T out of the doors and into the tight ‘second room.’ With the doors closing behind him, he said, “C-62T-E leaving BC 54, proceeding to dock slip 36.”
As the back doors slammed tight shut, the second set of doors of the Battle Cruiser opened up, and Lieutenant Bezra flew the ship out of the Battle Cruiser. A voice came in the cockpit that said on the speakers, “Copy that C-62T-E, proceed to slip 36, we have you in sight.”
The Space Port on Torsalli looked very similar to the Space Port on Earth. It was just massively bigger and older. It had multiple rings and antennae ‘docks’ protruding from it. It was so large, the Battle Cruiser looked like a gnat next to it. Bezra circled around and flew directly to slip 36. The Battle Cruiser practically dropped them off at the site, so this was a quick trip. As Bezra got closer to the dock slip, he hit a few switches, pulled forward on the throttle, and let the C-62T be docked automatically with the slip tractor. An extension was connected to the door, just like it was docked when the ship was on Space Port Earth. The three men unbuckled themselves and walked out.
As soon as they walked out the door, they were greeted by a BRG officer, with a security team behind him. Bezra immediately saluted and said, “Lieutenant Commander, this is Commander Willits and Jones of the DAG.”