“In your dreams,” she said.
“Yes,” said Tanner. “And what beautiful dreams they are.”
“That’s just plain gross,” said Jill.
“Come on, guys,” said Ryan. We have to shove off in forty-five minutes. Let’s get on board.”
Upon entering the bridge Ryan saw Amanda running a final pre-flight check. “How’s everything looking?” he asked.
Amanda smiled at him. She hadn’t been smiling much the last couple of weeks. He was glad to see that she appeared calm as well. “So, are we clear for departure?” he asked.
“Yes, Captain,” she said as she winked. “All systems at one hundred percent. We are clear and ready.”
The bridge doors opened and ducking her head as she entered was Kyron. Ryan had almost forgotten that she was going to be on board as Amanda’s personal bodyguard, as assigned by the Supreme Commander. “Greetings, Captain Ryan Thompson,” she said. “I trust that we are ready for our flight to Earth.”
Ryan was glad she hadn’t smiled. “Welcome aboard, Kyron. And to answer your question, yes. In fact we are going to request permission to depart for Earth within minutes. If you’d please take the seat next to Amanda.” He pointed to the very large chair that had been installed just for her.
Ryan took his seat in the center of the bridge. Odd, he thought. All he had ever wanted was to be a captain in the defense fleet. Now, due to the events of the past six months, he found himself in command of the old ships he and his fellow cadets had renovated. It certainly wasn’t the way he’d planned it.
“Jill,” he said. “Contact the duty officer and request permission for departure.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jill. “Contacting him now.” It only took a few seconds before she turned back. “We have permission from control to take off.”
“Understood,” said Ryan. “Patch me through to main engineering.”
Almost as if she expected it Jill replied instantly. “Paul is standing by, Captain.”
Ryan leaned back in his seat. He was impressed with how polished his crew had become in such a short period of time. “Paul,” he said, “would I be correct in understanding that we are good to go?”
“Aye, Ry . . . I mean Captain. Thanks to the engine upgrades done by research and development, I’d say we’re purring like a kitten.”
“Thanks, Paul. Bridge out.” Ryan called to Nicole, “Helm. Full thrusters. Set course for home.”
“Course already set and laid in,” said Nicole. “Moving her out.”
“Jill,” said Ryan. “Inform the other twelve ships to follow at sixty-second intervals.”
“I’m on it, Captain,” Jill said. “Sending message fleet-wide now.”
Tanner looked sad. “What’s wrong?” asked Ryan.
“What am I gonna do the next ten days? I’ve got nobody to shoot at.”
Amanda looked up from her post. “Be careful what you wish for. I have a feeling it may come true in the very near future.”
Before Tanner could reply the com beeped at the communications console. Jill looked at it and called out, “We have an incoming message from UEDF headquarters. It’s your father.”
“Put him on,” said Ryan.
Jill hesitated a moment. “He wants it to be private. I’ll route it to your headset.”
Ryan knew that whatever his father wanted had to be important. He put on his headset. “This is Captain Thompson. What can I do for you, Fleet Admiral?”
“I wanted to give you a heads up,” said his father. “I just finished talking with Supreme Commander Granthaxe. They’ve intercepted a fleet of scout ships and captured the officer in charge. It’s definitely the Karang.”
“And?” asked Ryan.
“You know me all too well, Ryan,” said his father. “Granthaxe is bringing the captain of the scout ship with him to Earth. He said he’s learned something important and has asked to speak with me at the global conference.”
Ryan knew where the conversation was heading. “What kind of information?” he asked.
His father hesitated. It was obviously bad news. “The Karang know about Earth. In fact, they have plans to attack us as well.”
“What’s our next move, Admiral?” asked Ryan.
“We’ll talk about that when you get here, Captain. Maintain maximum speed. Thompson out.”
Ryan took off the headset and noticed that the entire bridge crew was looking at him. He turned to Amanda and Kyron. He could see that they had understood what was happening. He sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. It was going to be a very long ten days.
Fleet Admiral Benjamin “Flash” Thompson couldn’t believe that it was just a little over six months ago that he’d been here, trying to convince the same group of defense ministers to send their military to meet an unknown fleet of ships, which, of course, turned out to be the Altarrans. Now he was preparing for yet another meeting, but unlike the last time, he was going to ask the consul to stand with the Altarrans.
He took a deep breath and entered the vast chamber. As he walked to the stage he could hear the defense ministers talking. Sitting in the first row were Ryan, Amanda, and the rest of their bridge crew. Sitting with them was one very large and formidable looking Altarran female, Kyron. He took a seat as President Hawking made his way to the podium. The room became very quiet as the president spoke.
“Ladies and gentleman of the Global Committee. This will be a very short speech. Fleet Admiral Thompson has a motion he would like to bring to the floor.” The president hesitated as he slowly looked at all the defense ministers. “For the record, I agree completely with the admiral’s assessment of the situation. Without further delay, the chair recognizes Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson.”
The president walked towards his seat, passing Thompson. He made eye contact with him and whispered, “Give ‘em hell, Ben.”
To his surprise, Admiral Thompson was met with a standing ovation. He stood at the podium and asked for quiet. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the committee. I am deeply honored by your support. What I am about to propose is not something I take lightly.” He paused for effect. “The United Earth Defense Fleet has detected a serious threat to our world.” This captured the full attention of everyone in the room.
Vice President Roberts spoke immediately. “Are you sure we are in imminent danger?”
Defense Minister Legrande, who was known to oppose any type of military action, spoke out. “Who is this unknown threat you speak of? And how do you know that they intend to initiate an attack against us?”
The admiral held up his hands and asked for quiet. “Ladies and gentlemen, please hold all your questions until I’ve finished.” He waited for the talking to subside. “Thank you. We have intelligence that a race known as the Karang are on their way to Altarra. These people have waged war for countless centuries. I’m sure all of you remember the two planets we discovered less than twenty years ago. Both of those had been devastated by some type of catastrophic event. Now we know it was the Karang who destroyed both of those civilizations. Considering these events, the supreme commander of Altarra has asked for military assistance and I concur with him.”
Once again the council erupted. “Why should we risk our people and our resources to help a species that almost destroyed us?” asked Legrande. Another minister from Europe called out, “We do not have the resources to fight another battle.”
Once again Thompson asked for quiet. “You asked for a reason why we should help the Altarrans. There are many. First and foremost, they are our friends, not our enemies. Yes, we almost destroyed each other. But there was a reason behind their attack. They did not blindly come after us. They felt they had a legitimate cause. And to be honest, thinking back on the circumstances . . .” He paused and glared at Legrande and Roberts and some of the other ministers. “I can understand their reasoning. They had reason to distrust us. And in case any of you have forgotten, it was our leaders who captured and held their comrades prisoners.
But enough about that. You say you want a reason? Well here it is.” Thompson grabbed his slider and opened it. “Now,” he said, “let them in.”
The doors to the hall opened and in walked Supreme Commander Granthaxe. He had four Altarrans with him as well as half a dozen UEDF security guards. In the middle of them was a fierce-looking alien. He was covered in chains and his hands were cuffed behind his back. The unusual group made their way to the stage as many in the crowd gasped. The female minister from Europe fainted.
“You want answers?” said Thompson. “Then let me introduce you to Captain Naribe of the Karang. Feel free to ask him questions.”
Vice President Roberts stood up. “Captain Naribe. What do you want from us?”
The Karang captain appeared to smile, though it wasn’t a friendly look at all. “We want you to die, puny human. Your species is weak. We have spent many years watching and listening to your kind. You are a waste of life and must be exterminated, like the rest of the vermin in the universe.” The Karang officer glanced at Granthaxe and then back again. “As soon as we destroy the Altarrans, we will come for you.”
Minister Legrande stood up. “Why would your people commit such acts upon others who mean you no harm?”
“Because you are a useless species,” said the Karang captain. “You waste resources. Your people cannot even live in harmony. You have waged wars against one another. The universe has no place for you, and we will see to it that your kind is exterminated.”
The Karang captain then looked directly at Amanda in the first row and laughed. “You think you are safe because you wear the amulet of the Semina Vitae. They left your domain thousands of years ago and have not been seen since. They are but ghosts. Theirs is a false prophecy by false gods.”
President Hawking stood up. “I’ve heard enough.” He moved closer to the Karang captain. “Your kind may attack us, but if you think we will go gently, you are gravely misinformed. Lock him up.”
The Karang captain hissed at the president. “You can lock me away, but my people will arrive. And when they free me, I shall walk over your cold, lifeless body and spit on you.” He glared into the crowd of horrified ministers. “I will spit on your dead bodies.”
Granthaxe moved closer to the Karang captain. “I do not believe you will see your plan come to fruition, Captain Naribe,” he said.
The Karang looked him dead in the eyes, never flinching. “And why is that, Altarran fool?”
Suddenly, Granthaxe put his arms around the neck of the Karang captain and in one quick deadly motion, snapped it. “Because you are dead.”
The alien’s lifeless body fell face first to the floor. “My God,” said Minister Legrande. “You killed him.”
“Yes. I did,” said Granthaxe. “You are most observant.”
“Why?” asked Legrande.
Granthaxe shrugged his shoulders. “We have a saying on Altarra: ‘The only good Karang is a dead Karang.’ One other thing, Minister Legrande.”
“What is it?” stammered Legrande.
“There is no need to refer to me as a deity. Supreme Commander will suffice. Now if you will excuse me, I have a war to wage.”
On his way out of the room Granthaxe stopped and spoke to Commodore Marie Laurent, who was standing next to Admiral Thompson. She was in charge of research and development for Earth’s fleet. “Commodore Laurent,” he said. “I am having my science department send you our specifications for our energy defense shields. Being that the enemy grossly outnumbers us, you will need to implement our shielding system on your ships. This will give our combined forces a better chance to battle the Karang.”
“Thank you, Supreme Commander Granthaxe,” said Laurent. “That is very gracious of you.”
As Granthaxe left the room with his officers, he winked at Thompson. The admiral smiled at him.
Tanner, who was sitting next to Amanda said, “Remind me never to piss off the big guy.”
Amanda smacked Tanner upside the head. “Really? That’s your take on all of what just happened?”
Admiral Thompson asked for quiet. Gazing at the stunned crowd he continued. “I think all of our questions have been answered.” He turned towards the president and said, “Mister President, would you please call for a vote.”
President Hawking stood up and walked to the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen of the esteemed Global Committee, I call for a vote.”
The vote took less than five minutes. There was no debate and to Thompson’s surprise, the vote was unanimous. Fifteen ayes, zero nays, and zero abstentions.
After the meeting, Admiral Thompson went directly to the president. “I’m going back to headquarters. I know we have a few new ships. I want to get them inspected, armed, and ready for battle, sir. Also, Supreme Commander Granthaxe just informed Commodore Laurent that his scientists are forwarding us their specs for their shielding systems. That leaves us very little time to prepare our ships and get these new systems installed.”
“By all means, Admiral,” said the president. “By the way, Ben, nice move with Granthaxe there. Especially when he killed the alien.”
Thompson smiled. “I knew the supreme commander would make his case. But I had no idea he was going to kill the prisoner.”
“Really?” said the president.
“Yes, sir,” he replied. “But it was one hell of a nice touch. He certainly got his point across. Now if you’ll excuse me, Mister President, I have a battle to prepare for.”
Amanda was sitting in her room staring at the amulet. It felt good to be back on Earth after a long ten-day trip. Her mind was still trying to comprehend all that had taken place during the global meeting and the fact that another war loomed in the immediate future.
As she waited for Jill and Nicole to finish getting ready for the upcoming briefing with the Fleet Admiral, she wondered what the future held for her as well as the rest of mankind. She thought about how so much had changed over the last six months. So many of her beliefs, for one thing. She had always believed that war should be a last resort. Now, not so much. She had also believed that the political leaders had the fleet’s back, only to find out that there were still traitors in high-ranking positions. Now what would her next move be?
There was also the fact that Ryan was back in her life. The last thing she had expected was to be in the middle of another war, especially a war against a deadly predator with her as a focal point in the survival of both Earth and Altarra. She was just starting to come to grips with all that had taken place over the last six months and now another doomsday was approaching.
“Hey, Mandy,” said Jill. “You look like you’re a million miles away. Are you okay?”
Amanda smiled. “I wish, though it doesn’t seem to make any difference. No matter what we do or where we are, trouble always finds us.”
Kyron entered the room and joined the conversation. “You are truly a fortunate female, Amanda Williamson. To be a battle-tested hero at such a young age, and now to have the most prestigious honor that could be bestowed upon a living soul. You have been anointed the chosen one of the gods. I am truly honored to be your protector.”
Amanda wanted to tell Kyron that she didn’t want to be the chosen one. In fact she didn’t want any part of fighting another war. Not now or ever again. But she couldn’t tell Kyron that. Instead she said, “Thank you, Kyron. I am honored to have you by my side and I will do my best not to disappoint you.”
Before Kyron could answer Nicole walked in. “Nothing to worry about, girls. We got this.”
Kyron looked confused. “What is it we have?” she said.
Amanda and her friends laughed. “We need to teach you how to speak human,” said Amanda.
Kyron looked confused. “I believe I have a great understanding of your language,” she said.
“Yes,” said Amanda. “But you need to learn our slang.” Seeing that Kyron looked even more confused, she changed the subject.
“So, Kyron, tell us the legend of the Karang and the Shi
p of the Gods.”
Kyron sat down, which was not the easiest thing to do in the girls’ quarters. “Legend has it that back when the universe was young, a benevolent species began to seed the universe. They started the process after hundreds of years of exploration during which they found no other planets with the existence of life. Of course they had to find planets suitable to sustaining life prior to seeding them.”
“That’s amazing,” said Jill. “Who were these beings?”
Amanda thought about what Kyron had said and jumped into the conversation. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Semina Vitae.”
“You are most correct,” said Kyron. “Though we refer to them as the Keepers of Life.”
“Where do the Karang come into the picture?” asked Nicole.
Kyron hissed. “Please do not use that evil name. We do not speak it. You are to refer to them as the demon’s children. Their name is sacrilegious. And what picture is it that you speak of?”
“It’s a figure of speech,” said Amanda. “It means ‘When did they first appear?’”
Kyron tilted her head. “Then why did you not say that”?
“We really need to teach you how to speak our language,” said Nicole.
Before Kyron could reply Amanda spoke up. “Never mind that for now. Please, Kyron. Finish the story.”
Kyron continued. “As you wish, Amanda Williamson. The Semina Vitae had returned to Earth to check on their progress. According to legend they would return to the planets they had seeded and check on their experiments. While there, they had an encounter with the demons. They wanted no part of friendship and warned the Keepers not to seed any more planets or they would annihilate them. When the Keepers asked them why, they simply said that the universe did not need any more problems.”
“Really,” said Jill. “They certainly sound like a nasty species.”
“Nasty is too kind for them, Jill Myers,” said Kyron. “That being said, the Keepers ignored them and went about their way continuing their process. They attempted numerous times to make peace with the demons, but they got nowhere.
Cadets: 2 The Ship of the Gods Page 3