The Phoenix Rising

by Gary Caplan

  Commodore Sheppard entered the bridge from his command office walking through the area that had been set up as the task forces command alcove, where task force or fleet operations and communications with other ships would be organized. There were three stations in the alcove: one for operations and logistics, one for intra-task force and fleet communication and the last a tactical command station that occasionally Commodore Sheppard or Fleet Captain Sherman would occupy.

  Sheppard surveyed the bridge. Watching some of the crew from within the fleet command alcove, he realized this crew had done much preparation to leave dry dock on time. Thinking about his own new duty he realized this would be a command where he would not be responsible for day-to-day operations of the ship. Sheppard still had a desire to be more actively commanding but he stifled his urge to ask status questions of the bridge officers and got back to planning task force movements.

  The bridge of the Phoenix had several occupied stations situated across an arc of the forward part of the main bridge facing the main operational view screen. The bridge was split-level with an upper deck that occupied about three-quarters of circle around the circumference of the bridge. That upper area consisted of ancillary stations, such as life support, environmental, and weapons control. Those ancillary stations all had officers operating them and checking systems or verifying control status.

  The lower and more central section of the bridge had the navigators’ array, which consisted of a circular, three-dimensional display area where the on-duty navigators worked; there was a helm and flight control station to the port side of the bridge. There were two command stations—one for the captain, close to the aft portion of the lower deck of the bridge, and the other for the first officer. Each senior officer had duties, as well as information to check and crew to oversee.

  There was also a station for the task force liaison officer on the starboard side of the captain’s station and command area. Near the navigation control was the starfighter command section; this was situated to the starboard side of the captain’s area and behind the navigation display area. Engineering, security, science, and medical also had stations on the bridge on the upper bridge section. Sheppard nodded a hello to Commander Bell, who, as one of the ship’s doctors, was making sure the medical and life support monitors were working and relaying data to the bridge.

  Sheppard watched as the captain and crew began the process of activating the Phoenix’s translight drive. The main view screen showed the formation of a hyperspace transference tunnel just forward of the ship. Other space traffic avoided the forming hyperspace tunnel that would allow the Phoenix to jump.

  ********** Around the same time on the Constellation-class dreadnaught Orion, Fleet Admiral Braddock had also been viewing the prime minister’s speech from his command room. He was alone and was drinking an old earth vintage from a winery he owned. Things were different for Braddock; he had been recalled as a reservist to serve in a military command position, and he hoped his luck would hold out. Braddock even brought some personal cruisers he owned—loaned, as it were, to the Alliance of Worlds. He even had some of his personal robot and android crews actually keeping the Orion and him safe. With a wry grin and a humorless chuckle, he sat back in his secured recliner and said aloud to himself, “Well, it’s finally happened. War is not pleasant, but it is good for some types of business.”

  Braddock took a drink from his fruity and expensive wine and turned back to his viewer to watch some of the other ministers take the floor after Prime Minister Desserix's speech.

  C HAP TE R 16

  SICKBAY INSPECTION

  Sheppard was walking with Doctor Elijah Grey, whom Sheppard had convinced to be the chief medical fleet officer for the Sixth Fleet. Commodore Sheppard was on an inspection of the medical, surgical, and bio-genetic facilities on the Phoenix. He had decided to make Grey CMFO chief medical fleet officer. Grey had just finished with a medical crisis situation responding with evacuation relief when a scientific conference at an Alliance space station was attacked. It was later determined that weapons targeting signals to guide a few long range Varlon torpedoes were sent into space from a device planted by a synth near the end of the conference. The damage to the space station was one of the last attacks, just before the new sensor equipment designed by Lord Garfield to detect andro-synths and Quarlusian had been installed on other Alliance of Worlds facilities.

  Captain Grey had the necessary time and more than the required experience to be promoted to the rank of fleet captain. After the promotion, Sheppard had arranged with Grand Admiral Pendragon to get Grey the acting status of commodore so he could be the new CMFO. After all, Sheppard was the acting fleet admiral; however, he knew that over the next year or so it was probable that a vice admiral from another fleet would get command of the Sixth Fleet eventually.

  105 Doctor Grey had already given Commodore Sheppard a detailed report on the status of the medical and surgical capabilities of his original four task forces. Grey prepared an addendum more recently on the additional sixteen task forces that made up the full Sixth Fleet. With the annual technology upgrades in medicine from new allies over the past several decades, Sheppard wondered how his friend Elijah could keep up with the medical and technological information added from interaction with other races.

  “You’re not a transhuman, are you?” said Sheppard jokingly. “Keeping up with the medical activities and the occasional bridge command duty must take a lot of time.”

  “You’re right, Bob; of course I have to maintain my skills. If I could concentrate on one area, I would likely be an actual commodore by now—and probably dead, due to the attacks on Star One. Maybe I’m just lucky,” replied Grey with a smile.

  “Let’s finish this inspection, Elijah. I want to know what we have in place to handle a mass casualty event. After all, we have at least a full regiment of replicant clones and transhuman space marines in cryostasis on the Phoenix alone,” stated Sheppard as he looked around the medical facility.

  Commodore Sheppard and Fleet Captain Grey then walked into one of the primary examination and recovery areas of the sickbay, which had twenty active bio-beds for less severely injured crew.

  Sheppard said, “I also have instructions from Admiral Braddock to establish some defense installations in the Quellus sector for rapid response. We are expecting to go up against the Varlon in the Quellus sector.”

  Grey nodded thinking about the space marines. “You know my stance on these cloned or synthetic marines,” stated Doctor Grey. “I sometimes don’t agree with the way they are treated. If the Alliance Council had not admitted the Benthar, who regularly use replicated individuals; it might not be politically acceptable.”

  “I agree, and the Tyrians have also employed transhumans and genetically upgraded individuals in their society, although I believe they have a more benevolent integration process,” replied Sheppard.

  “I realize even the Azuran employ clones or transgenic individuals for their defense, and of course the Earth and TERRASEC used some replicated soldiers during the Meiosian War, so people did not lose their family members—or so the government at the time stipulated.”

  Sheppard nodded. He agreed with his friend for the most part; however, he realized that they would need those space marines’ help soon enough.

  They passed one of the cellular layering devices. Grey was somewhat old fashioned and liked some of the older machines.

  Doctor Grey explained, “This updated device sprays the cells and forms tissue components and even composites organ tissue to replace damaged or worn out organs.”

  The device reminded Sheppard of one used on him when he was injured three decades ago while in a starfighter. As they continued the inspection tour one crew member in a med bed was waiting for skin and underlying tissues to be completed. Evidently, he had injured himself in a holo-zone adventure game in the recreational and training facility. He had turned off some safety protocols to increase the realism of the game.

  Th
e inspection proceeded to the forty quarantine rooms and then the large surgical and restorative medicine section. In an emergency, it could accommodate up to fifty individuals. Sheppard did not have to go personally on these inspections, but he enjoyed the opportunity to talk with his old friend Elijah Grey. The inspection included a brief inventory of the medical supply storage. They also visited the genetics lab, where replacement organs derived from the injured person’s DNA could be grown to replace the damaged organ or limb. There were also the cybernetics labs, which could be used to provide temporary limbs while the clone limb or organ was in growth phase.

  “I hope we don’t have to replace too many injured limbs,” Doctor Grey said. “Those replicated humans sometimes ask if they can keep the cybernetic ones, so they can get them modified with weapons inside. Even the regular marines sometimes ask for the same thing.” They passed Doctor Bell who was examining one of the patients.

  “I know what you’re saying. They like the greater strength or some functioning gadget of the artificial limb,” interjected Doctor Constance Bell, a commander and one of the senior staff medical officers.

  “Why don’t you join us, Constance? The commodore and I are in the process of doing an inspection,” invited Doctor Grey.

  “Of course, sir,” she said, then gestured to a patient. “I have just used some of the microbubbles to accurately deliver some medicine to this soldier’s damaged tissue,” said Bell.

  Grey nodded and smiled briefly at the patient. “Another overzealous holo-zone sports activity trauma,” he commented.

  “I believe you wanted to know about the nanobot repair units,” said Bell as the trio stepped in the Medical Nanotechnology Unit. Bell and Grey and Sheppard proceeded through a short tour and they reported to Sheppard the units status as a technician in the facility was verifying that the recently constructed nanobots were working according to specifications.

  Sheppard was fascinated with the devices. He had always enjoyed science and had even graduated from the Alliance Academy with an advanced degree in astrophysics.

  After leaving he nanotechnology construction and testing area they headed for the medical staff offices then shortly afterward Grey and Sheppard finally left the staff office area and said good-bye to the considerably pretty Doctor Constance Bell.

  On the way to the office that had been modified to be the 6th fleets chief medical officer’s station. Sheppard observed several crew begin installing some of the robodocs in the medbay who would act as triage and initial aid to any wounded crew members or space marines. The medical staff was not large and would need help with very large numbers of casualties. Grey and Sheppard headed to Doctor Grey's personal office that was adjacent to the CFMO’s station. In his office, the doctor could monitor patients in the medbay or in the quarantine rooms.

  Sheppard said, “At least this gives me an idea of the restorative ability we are capable of.” Sheppard noticed that Doctor Grey had accessed his commlink and had transmtted some data.

  “Well, I finished my report; I have been composing it all the while with my commlink. I just transmitted it to you,” said Grey. “If you have some suggestions or changes, just let me know. If they’re feasible, I will accommodate them.”

  Sheppard replied, “Thanks, Elijah. I’ll look the report over and get back to you. I guess I’ll see you later in the officers’ dining facility for dinner.”

  “See you then. I try never to miss a meal, especially because of that chef you got from the academy is quite good.”

  Sheppard nodded and smiled. “I think so too.” Rank had some perks, and Sheppard’s father had instilled in him an enjoyment of nonsynthesized foods.

  He then proceeded out of the medbay area and headed toward his own office complex, adjacent to the primary bridge.

  C HAP TE R 17

  CREWOF THE PHOENIX

  Commander Andor was preparing maps of any newly located astronomic hazards as well as updated locations of Alliance of Worlds– made satellites, sensor arrays, and the COMNET stations. The space maps had to be updated periodically so the translight system could avoid jumping too close to planetary bodies. The maps also helped with locating and monitoring the long-range, multi-crew starfighters, including various transports, like the T200 scout-cruiser, as well as other types of spacecraft on scouting patrols.

  “Fleet Captain Wilder,” said Commander Andor, “I have completed the requested reports and updated the ship’s systems.”

  Wilder was sitting at the command console and absentmindedly combing his fingers through his short brown hair as he reviewed some starship readiness reports. He looked over at Andor. “Excellent, Commander Andor,” Wilder said. “I’m sure Fleet Captain Sherman will be interested as well.”

  Fleet Captain Sherman, who was in an alcove just outside Commodore Sheppard’s office, heard his name mentioned and moved into the bridge proper, while using his computer interlink to look at the update.

  “This update will come in handy,” Sherman said. “It’s likely not all the ships have been updated. I will make it available for other task

  110 forces to use. At this point, unless the starship is already within the Quellus or Mercan sectors, it probably will need this informational program.”

  Fleet Captain Sherman was assigned to help Commodore Sheppard as his fleet coordinating officer. Sherman had his own small staff that worked with him to coordinate actual missions as well as positions of ships that belonged to the Sixth Fleet.

  Wilder looked out over the bridge and read various reports sent to his commlink or to the captains station. He noticed Lieutenant Commander Ares occasionally looking at him as if she wanted to ask him some questions, but he still had not finished reading the operations reports

  Ares knew that being a transgenic human gave her advantages; Although she had not fully developed all the potentials she genetically had. She possessed great beauty and an exceptional body. Although her uniform did not accentuate her shape, she nonetheless wore it well. Her high intellect made her require less time for learning, time she lately did not have, with all the checks of the automated systems she was performing. She even had double duty as chief of Phoenix security, a position that made her responsible for the safety of the senior officers on the ship, including Fleet Captains Sherman and Wilder, Commodore and acting Fleet Admiral Sheppard, and Vice Admiral Garfield. also In addition, she had to evaluate both internal and external sensor scans throughout the Phoenix.

  On a few occasions, she had some problems tracking Vice Admiral Garfield, who would sometimes vanish from the sensors. When she confronted him, he would say she was such a sweet girl to worry.

  Even Commodore Sheppard, who sometimes modified his itinerary without notifying her, had caused her some consternation. Only because she was acutely aware of ship events would she even be aware that Commodore Sheppard had made any changes. Ares was cautious around Star Knights, as they used psionic and mentallic abilities.

  Ares did not want her secret revealed—especially to Lord Garfield. She had, in self-defense, killed one of the constructors; the people responsible for creating transgenic humans. That individual’s death

  112 GARYCAPLAN was an unfortunate event that could keep her from promotion or could on a few Alliance member worlds even result in her imprisonment. Ares sometimes worried she would be found out and asked to join the Star Knights. Then her past would be investigated and the one thing that might cause problems could be revealed. Under current laws, transhumans and replicants or clones still had to serve in some capacity for twenty-one years before they were given full rights as citizens. Luckily, Ares had Tyrian citizenship, and the Tyrian gave more rights and privileges to transgenic people more quickly and were much more tolerant.

  The people of Tyr were also one of the Alliance of Worlds founding members, and not the only civilization to accept her kind of people. The noble Azurian families had also used clones to protect noble or high ranking people in the past, and they accepted transhumans as part o
f their culture.

  Lieutenant Commander Ares approached Fleet Captain Wilder to give him a status report on the ship’s security. “Sir, I have finished my preliminary report. However, I still need to coordinate with the other Task Force One security chiefs.”

  “Carry on,” replied Wilder. “Aye sir,” stated Ares. She noticed him looking after her as she left his station; most men looked at her with a bit more than admiration.

  She had to provide extra security for a command meeting that was going to start soon, so she used her imbedded interlink unit to link to the security station and begin arranging for appropriate security. Some would think her instructions overly precautious, but the Alliance of Worlds was at war, and she believed that such tight measures were prudent.

  Because Commodore Sheppard had chosen the Phoenix as his flagship, special bridge equipment and stations, including a command alcove for the acting admiral, were incorporated into the bridge-level deck. Fleet Captain Sherman’s work station was in the command alcove. Several coordinating officers were assigned to Fleet Captain Benjamin Sherman, and not all were on the Phoenix; at least one was stationed with each of the other sixteen fleet captains and with the four other commodores in the Sixth Fleet to act as liaisons and operations coordinating officers. Sherman had been given acting commodore’s rank by Grand Admiral Pendragon, in order to be officially able to assist Sheppard with task forces and fleet operations and for ease of command structure. He was responsible for implementing Commodore Sheppard’s orders to the fleet.

  Wilder walked over to where Benjamin Sherman was monitoring the fleet on displays in the alcove. He passed a starship location display console, where ship positions and mission orders would flash briefly as staff touched a section of the three-dimensional display.

  “I hope you and I can work well together,” Wilder told Sherman. “It must be somewhat challenging being made an acting commodore.”