by Paul Phipps
“500 years, are you nuts?! Blurted out one of the Petty officers.
“No, I don’t think so. Lucky, am I nuts?” He spoke to the ceiling.
“No, Admiral, I have just done an analysis of your endocrine levels and your psychological profile is well within norm.” Lucky announced.
“So as you see I am quite sane. Along with a 500 year Enlistment a successful applicant who makes it through ‘boot camp’ will have standard body modifications made. The results of the Standard Modifications is a life extension with a minimum of three thousand years and a theoretical Maximum of nine thousand years. The reasons for such a wide range is due to the limited number of Humans who have gone through the Augmentation Procedure.”
“I’m beginning to see that you won’t have any problem getting recruits with that sort of ‘carrot’ dangling out there.” Said Chief Hartman.
“It is quite a carrot isn’t it? But it is one that we will not share outside of the TSN. It is also the reason why each applicant will be screened very carefully. Terran Space Navy personnel won’t be coming back to Earth for casual visits. That’s another of the reasons why their families are encouraged to come be with them on our ships.
That is also another of the reasons why our ships are so large, they are intended to be communities as well as being working vessels of the TSN.”
“What if an applicant is acceptable but his or her spouse and or children are not acceptable as determined through your enlistment process?”
“We will advise them of the unacceptability of the family member and explain why. In some cases people change and they might become acceptable later on. One thing to note though, we do encourage both the applicant and their spouse be acceptable for enlistment. That way they can both have the advantage of the life extension procedures.”
“What about other close family members, such as parents, grand-parents and Siblings?”
“The same rules apply. The power and capability of these vessels is too great to be allowed access to without some initial safeguards as to the character and personality of the people crewing them. But also to be fair we are feeling our way through this right now. There just hasn’t been much real experience for us to draw on.
That is another reason why we are talking here today and why Task Force 14 is here. The U.S. Navy has a long history and experience in these areas of dealing with people and we would like to have access to that.
There has been an on-going discussion here in the TSN on making one of our initial requirements the completion of at least one enlistment tour with the Navy and sea going experience a necessity. The thought is that those members of the Navy who did have sea experience and are or were married during that time and the marriages survived and thrived are the sort of candidates that will have the best chance of getting through the application process and ‘boot camp’. The same requirements apply to any Marines who want to join.”
“What about the other branches of the Armed Forces? Won’t they be acceptable too” Asked Chief Calabrese.
“Possibly they might, only trial and error will tell there. The Navy has an inherent advantage in that you already live on your ships for very long periods of time away from loved ones and the comforts of your society. Most of the other branches don’t have that type of experience.”
“I have a question for you, Admiral” Asked Petty Officer Dixon. “Does the TSN have any vessels bigger than Lucky?
“Yes, as a matter of fact we do. The Arks that would be used to transport immigrants to the Alternate Earth’s are the biggest at 750 Miles in Diameter. We do have two other Warship Designs that are smaller than that. And we have constructed Permanent Habitats that we expect will become “Cities in Space” They are located in various places and are under permanent Masking for their protection.”
“Why so much construction? Especially since you don’t have the population for them?”
“We believe that they will be needed and the time and materials were there to do the job. So we did it.
Let’s go on a little trip to a Construction bay here on Lucky. I will demonstrate one of our capabilities for you.”
Admiral Webster stood up and motioned everyone to the Trans-Portal and entered it himself. In a couple of minutes they were in a room with the first window they had seen on Lucky occupying a wall. The Admiral walked up to it and said:
“As you can see, there is nothing here at this time. Lucky and his Sub-AI’s are going to build you a ship to take back with you as an example of what we can do. “
All of the Navy men maneuvered to place themselves where they could see clearly. Back on the George H.W. Bush the same view was being relayed by Commander McAndrews equipment so that Admiral Crane and his crews could also see what was about to happen.
“We are going to build you a Hybrid Carrier. With six forward facing Linear Induction launchers for your standard planes. There are an additional six Linear Induction Launchers in two lateral Launching positions. Six rail guns similar to your current DARPA Design for Area Defense. Full Electronic Package including a remotely deployed BiPhase Radar station, Quad Pontoon Outriggers with forward mounted Electric Powered Propellers and alternate Water Jet Propulsion. It will have a full Stealth design with a Radar Cross Section equivalent of a World War II PT Boat. It will have the capacity of three of your current Nimitz Class Carriers aircraft load. We will also provide those aircraft for you.
A standard Crew of 150 can operate this vessel at its normal sea going capability due to the advanced automation and built-in damage control devices. You will need to have additional crew for the Air wings. You can have a crew of 4,000 but they aren’t required for the operation of the vessel. Length is 2,500 feet and Width is 750 feet. You will have three Pebble bed reactors using low pressure Helium for your electrical generation needs. Is there anything you would like to add before we begin construction?”
“How about some Vertical Launch bays for Standard missiles and Rocket assisted Torpedoes too?”
“Easily added, but will decrease some crew capacity, anything else?”
“Can you provide a version of the F-47 ruggedized for Naval Use?” Captain Johansson asked.
“Hmmm, that one isn’t off the drawing boards yet… Lucky, do we have enough data to construct those?” Fleet Admiral Webster enquired.
“Using some of the artist conception drawings I can come up with a design that looks like one and meets or exceeds specifications.” Lucky replied.
“Alright we can do it. Do you want to replace the F-35N’s with that design?” Admiral Webster said with a slight grin.
“Uhhh, Yes Sir that would be fine.” Captain Johansson said with awed tone to his voice.
“Very Well then, Lucky, begin Construction of the …..” He looked around at the men. “Anyone have a name they want to use?”
“Sir, I would like to suggest “Epiphany”.” Petty Officer Absher replied.
“Any disagreements?” He looked around. “Very well then, Lucky please begin construction of the Epiphany.”
They stood there and watched the bay flood with an ooze that shimmered with the colors of the rainbow. Quickly they could see the keel forming and then it was as though the vessel was being built inch by inch upward toward the ceiling of the tall bay. After two hours of watching, the new Aircraft Carrier Epiphany was in front of them.
At that time large openings in the walls appeared and ramps extended onto the Flight deck and Aircraft after Aircraft was towed down and sent below into the hanger deck. The new F-47’s Sleek and oh-so streamlined that they looked like they were doing Mach 6 just standing there, they too were ferried down to the Hanger Deck.
Then came load after load of missiles, Bombs and assorted Ammunition to be placed in the various magazines and Vertical Launch Cells.
And suddenly it was done. Admiral Webster looked around and then said.
“Let’s go see what she is like, why don’t we?”
* * *
Admiral Crane wa
s still glued to his seat; he had just sat through a performance that he thought he would never see again in his life. The discussion that Admiral Webster had had with his men was extremely informative and many of his own questions had been answered.
But this… The construction of a Super-Super Aircraft Carrier and with all of its aircraft and supplies. This was almost too much to believe.
“Would you also like to go aboard the Epiphany?” Commander McAndrews said softly to him.
“Yes… Yes, I would like that very much.” He said with a firm voice.
“That can be arranged. I suggest that you also take along a volunteer crew from your other ships. You do get to take her home with you, you know.’ She said that with a teasing tone at the last part.
He reached for the intra-ship phone and called the Captain’s Cabin.
“Captain’s Cabin” the Steward answered.
“This is Admiral Crane, if Captain Welles is there I would like to speak with him.”
“Sir, the Captain is not here at present. He did say he was going to CIC. Would you like me to find him and have him call you?” The Steward replied.
“Yes, that would be fine. I am on the Flag Bridge. Please hurry.”
“Aye, Aye Sir.”
And then the connection was broken. The Admiral thought for a few minutes and then as he was about to ask Commander McAndrews a question the phone rang. Lt. Phelps answered before the second ring and listened.
“Yes, Sir. The Admiral is here. Hold on please.” She then waited until the Admiral picked up his own Phone.
“John, I’m going over to look at the Epiphany. Round up a crew of volunteers to man her for the trip back to San Diego. Make the offer to all of the ships in the Task Force. I want at least 500 Men.” He listened for a minute. Then said, “Yes, Admiral Webster did say that she only needed 150 to operate her. But the more people I can get over there to look her over the better.” He listened again. “Yes, some pilots and aircraft maintainers too. I’m going over there now. See if you can have everybody ready in two hours.”
He then turned to his Aide, “Harold I want you, Kathleen and Commander Dickerson to go over with me. Have everyone on the flight deck in..” He turned a questioning look to Commander McAndrews.
“I’ll have Roland there in 15 minutes for us.” She said.
He turned back to his Aide. “Fifteen minutes then. Bring your cameras and your sense of wonder and curiosity. I think they are all going to get a work out.” He looked out the window in the direction of the Masked TSN Carrier. “Oh Lord, I hate the thought of the report I am going to have to write over this.” He muttered to himself.
Terran Space Navy SFC Lucky 2050L November 3, 2026
TSN/USN Epiphany – Construction Bay
e·piph·a·ny
/ɪˈpɪf ə ni/ Spelled[ih-pif-uh-nee] –noun, plural -nies.
1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
2. An appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity.
3. A sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.
“Welcome Aboard the Epiphany Admiral Crane.” Admiral Webster said while shaking the hand of Admiral Crane. “I trust your trip over on Roland was a quick one?”
“Thank you for allowing my staff and I to come here and yes the trip was quick, disappointingly so, I think I would have enjoyed a more leisurely look around.”
“I’ll arrange a tour of Lucky and I’ll have Roland give you a slower scenic route back to the George Bush.” Admiral Webster said with a smile.
“Thank you, now let us go look at Epiphany. You do know that this will eliminate all questions of mass hallucination or hypnosis, right?” he said with a deadpan look at Admiral Webster.
“Yes, I do and we did think of that while discussing amongst ourselves what we could do that would make your tale believable. And as a side note, that Chinese Submarine will have a doozy of a report to Beijing when it finally spots her traveling with you to your next destination.” Admiral Webster replied with a smug look and a bit of glee.
“I had forgotten about her in the excitement of hearing your story to my men and seeing the Epiphany being built.” The Admiral admitted ruefully.
“That’s one the nice things about our A.I.’s, they have sub-A.I.’s that can concentrate on those details while others do other things. In any case we are still keeping an eye on her. I do want to suggest to you that you head out at flank speed soon and leave her behind. We figure that her top speed while still keeping a sufficient stealthy profile is around 15 knots.”
“A good suggestion and I think we will do just that. And as soon as we have transferred a temporary crew over here for the Epiphany. And speaking of that when is she going to be put to sea?”
“We’ll put her down as soon as that sub is over the horizon. It’ll be fun to see the reactions of your crews on your ships. Don’t you think?” Admiral Webster said with a wicked grin.
“You sir, have a low sense of humor.” Admiral Crane growled back and then gave a laugh.
“That has been said of me many times by many people, so it must be true.” He said with a laugh, then the tone turned serious. “Let’s go to the bridge and await your temporary crew. Also there is someone I need you to meet and a few things that must be explained and agreed to by you.”
Admiral Crane nodded his head and gestured Admiral Webster to lead the way. And with a line of people following him lead the way unerringly to the Epiphany’s Bridge.
Speaking in a formal tone of voice with Commander McAndrews by his side Admiral Webster started.
“Admiral Crane and guests I want to introduce you to Epiphany. Epiphany this is Admiral Crane, Lt. Commander Dickerson, Lt. Frist and Lt. Phelps.”
“Good Evening Admiral Crane, Lt. Commander Dickerson, Lt. Frist and Lt. Phelps. I am glad to welcome you to my bridge. I am looking forward to working with you and the men and women of the United States Navy.” A feminine alto registered voice spoke.
Admiral Crane stood as if in shock. He turned slowly around and then stopped when he came around to Admiral Webster and Commander McAndrews. He took a very deep breath and then said, “Epiphany I am very pleased to be aboard you and I too am looking forward to working and learning more about you.”
He then looked at the pair in front of him and said slowly. “I am assuming that Epiphany is one of your A.I.’s?”
Commander McAndrews spoke to him then with a look of compassion. “Admiral, Epiphany is one of our children and has volunteered to be the guiding intelligence of this Aircraft Carrier. She has taken the same name as the ship but may at her discretion change it so that the Vessel and herself as an intelligent being are separate in the minds of her crew. It really depends on how things develop. Now we need to put forth our conditions.”
“Conditions? Yes, I imagine there are a few. Go ahead then with your conditions.” Admiral Crane said.
“First off, the Aircraft Carrier Epiphany is an Auxiliary of the Terran Space Navy and has the Responsibilities, Duties, Rights and Privileges that any member of the Terran Space Navy accepts and receives upon becoming a member.
As an Auxiliary she is on loan to the United States Navy, you may require of her any duties that any other vessels may be required to perform if her capabilities allow her to.
She is NOT to be taken apart and analyzed for advanced technologies. She is authorized to eject any personnel attempting to do so from her.
She is also the final arbiter of her crew. Any person who she determines is not acceptable will be removed. This is not a negotiable point.
She also will be the final decider on her Captain. You may suggest any pers
on as a candidate but she will have the final word. Don’t be surprised if she chooses someone you didn’t even think was acceptable by rank. This choice of Captain is a vital decision because the two of them must work in a very close relationship, almost symbiotic you might say. It’s the way our ships are designed you see.
She has a complete communication capability with us at any time and we expect that you will avail yourself to that capability as needed.
Are these conditions acceptable to you as Representative of the United States Navy as duly Authorized by your Chief of Naval Operations?”
Admiral Crane stood there in thought, then turned to his staff. “Do any of you have questions or want any points clarified?”