“Sir,” said Barnes, “all captains have reported in. All ships are ready for departure. No issues with any of them, sir.”
“Understood,” the admiral replied. “Inform the supreme commander that we are ready for departure.”
“Yes, sir,” she said. “Sending message to supreme commander now.”
“Mister Romano, prepare to engage light speed after the Altarran ships move out. Keep us on their six.”
“Yes, sir,” said Romano.
“Admiral,” said Barnes, “Supreme Commander Granthaxe reports his fleet will be moving out in one minute.”
“Understood,” said Thompson. “Inform all ships we are at T-minus sixty seconds. Standard attack formation.”
“Sending now,” she said. Within seconds all ships had reported that they were ready for departure.
“Mister Romano,” said Thompson, “engage light speed.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Romano. “Light speed engaged in three . . . two . . . one . . .
Time seemed to stand still as the ship felt like it was stretching out. Then the vessel leapt forward like a tiger attacking its prey.
Thompson sat back in his chair and took another look at the massive Karang fleet awaiting them. They were extremely outnumbered and, from all reports as well as historical data, facing a powerful and unrelenting enemy. These types of situations were part of the job. Sure, he’d trained for all types of scenarios. In fact he had even stared death in the face during the battle with the Altarrans. But for some strange reason he had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something seemed different this time. Ever since he had found out about the IC-12, he hadn’t been sure whom he could trust. He couldn’t believe that the same group of spies that had withheld all information concerning alien encounters since the mid-twentieth century was still intact. It was difficult enough to plan against a formidable enemy that already had you severely overmatched. But when you had to worry about them as well as some of your own people, it was all the more difficult. One thing he knew for sure. They were certainly in for one hell of a ride.
His mind continued to drift. He thought back to his younger days when he used to read war novels and always pictured himself in the thick of battle, outnumbered and outgunned, the balance of the war in his hands, the fate of all humanity resting on his shoulders. Funny, he thought. As a child it had seemed so captivating and exciting. Now, that it was happening for real, let alone for a second time, not so much.
Ryan entered the bridge of the UEDF Churchill. Up until six months ago, the Churchill had been one of fifteen retired ships used solely for cadet training. Then when the fleet had run short, it had been recruited for use in the war against the Altarrans. And now here they were preparing to do battle in these old rust buckets yet again. He saw his bridge crew waiting for him with one distinct and glaring difference: Amanda was not on board. Funny how things work out sometimes.
His thoughts drifted back that day when Amanda had been picked to be his executive officer. He recalled how furious he’d been when her father had made that choice. But everything had changed, and now that she wasn’t here, he felt as if a piece of him was missing.
“Top of the morning to you, Captain,” said Tanner. “All systems are powered up and ready to go.”
Ryan forced a smile. “Good morning, Tanner.” Gazing over to his right he saw two familiar faces. “Hello, Nikki, Jill. I trust our exec is treating you well?”
Nikki laughed. “Honestly, Captain? Tanner is our first officer?” She rolled her eyes.
Jill called out from the communications console. “You know, sir, if anything happens to you we’re all doomed.”
Ryan laughed. “You girls have got me all figured out. Now you know why I made him the exec. I figured everyone will do everything in their power to keep me safe so that never happens.”
“Ouch,” said Tanner. “That hurts. I mean, seriously, that’s just mean. While there’s some truth to it, it still hurts.”
It was obvious to Ryan that they were all trying to ease the tension and keep his mind off Amanda not being with them. He appreciated the gesture.
Suddenly he remembered that Rawlings was at the weapons console. He would be taking Tanner’s post. He made his way over to him. It was obvious that, being from engineering, he felt out of place, and Ryan wanted to make him feel at ease.
“Welcome to the bridge, Rawlings,” he said. “I trust Tanner gave you the three-dollar tour?”
“Yes, sir,” said Rawlings. “Thank you for requesting me, Captain.”
“I requested you because you were the most qualified,” said Ryan.
“I taught him everything I know,” said Tanner.
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” said Jill.
“Wow,” said Tanner. “Tough crowd.”
Before Ryan could reply he heard the doors to the bridge open. Turning around he saw Commodore Laurent. “Officer on the bridge,” said Ryan.
“At ease,” said Commodore Laurent as she entered. “I just wanted to take a moment to explain some of the modifications we’ve made to your fleet.”
“Of course, Commodore,” said Ryan. “Everyone, listen up.”
Commodore Laurent made her way to the weapons console. “We’ve been able to modify your engines and set up the Altarran shielding system for your fleet,” she said.
“I thought that was going to take a few weeks,” said Ryan. “My father told me we wouldn’t be able to put the shields on the older ships that quickly.”
“Originally that was the assumption,” replied Laurent. “I was the one who said it would take three to four weeks. But with some hard work and long hours, we were able to come up with a solution and get it done ahead of schedule. The main reason I’m here is to make you aware that the system is an enormous drain on your power reserves. You will be able to employ the shields two times safely.”
“What would happen if we tried to use them a third time?” asked Ryan.
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” said Laurent. “There are a few possibilities, none of them favorable. First and foremost the ship’s systems could overload and all power would shut down. Or, the ship could simply explode. Neither situation is ideal. As I stated previously, these ships were retired for a reason. We never gave any thought to the possibility of using them in actual combat.”
“So,” said Tanner. “Three strikes and you’re out?”
“More like three strikes and you’re dead, Mister Blackhart,” said Laurent. “Also, we’ve added more firepower to your pulse cannons.”
“How much more power?” asked Tanner.
“I was getting to that,” she said. “We’ve switched out the power packs from the old ships and put in the same ones used in the current fleet. Those are all the upgrades we were able to do. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to upgrade the hulls.” She paused and turned to Ryan. “Any questions, Captain Thompson?”
Ryan was impressed. Not only was the commodore very adept at her job, she was also a very attractive woman. He could see why his father was attracted to her.
“None, Commodore,” he said. “I’ll see to it that the information is passed to every ship in my command.”
“Excellent,” she said. “If you have any issues or problems with any of the new systems, contact my department and I will respond immediately. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work. We are trying to get more ships finished and I’m working on a new weapon.”
“I hope it’s a death ray,” said Tanner.
Laurent smiled. “Mister Blackhart, I have some very serious and very good advice for you.”
“Yes,” he said.
“Don’t quit your day job.” She grinned, turned, and left the bridge.
Ryan laughed as he took his seat. “I guess she told you, Tanner.”
“Damn,” said Tanner. “What’s with everyone today? Is it National Pick on Tanner Blackhart Day?”
“That’s every day,” said Nikki.
“I’ll second that,” said Jill.
“Okay, boys and girls,” said Ryan. “Time to get the show on the road. Jill, patch me through to Paul in engineering.”
“Yes, sir,” said Jill. “You’re on.”
“Paul. How’s everything looking down there?”
“A hell of a lot better than it did the last time we took these old crates out. I gotta tell you, Ry, that Commodore Laurent knows what she’s doing. I’m flat out impressed by the upgrades she made. Your father made the right choice putting her in charge of R&D.”
“Yes, he did,” said Ryan. “She’s one smart lady.”
“And one hell of a looker,” said Tanner.
“Really, Tanner?” said Jill rolling her eyes. “She’s in charge of R&D and she upgraded these old crates in less than half the time she thought it would take. And that’s what you noticed about her?”
“Of course,” replied Tanner. “She’s one hot mama.”
Almost as if on cue, the entire bridge crew yelled out, “Shut up, Tanner.”
“And that concludes today’s comedy hour,” said Tanner. “Hope you all enjoyed the show.”
Ryan looked at his bridge crew. He appreciated all that they were doing to lighten the mood and try and keep his mind on the mission at hand. Turning his attention back to Paul, he continued. “Sounds good, Paul. We will be moving out shortly.”
“You got it, Captain,” said Paul. “We have full power and all systems are primed and ready. Engineering out.”
“Jill,” said Ryan. “Inform Admiral Mueller that we are ready for departure. After we receive clearance, inform the fleet to follow us. Standard formation.”
“Aye, sir,” responded Jill.
Turning to Nicole, he continued. “Nikki, prepare to move out on my command. Sub-light speed.”
“Yes, Captain,” she replied. “Course and speed set and loaded into the NAV system. All systems show green. We are go for departure, sir.”
Ryan surveyed the bridge. He was uncomfortable with the current situation. His father and the rest of the fleet were preparing to engage a brutal enemy hell bent on annihilating humanity and the Altarrans. Amanda was on a dangerous mission to secure a weapon that could save both species and destroy the Karang. And what was the mighty Ryan Thompson doing? Delivering supplies to the bases on Mars and Pluto.
One thing he was sure of: if things went badly, he wouldn’t stand idly by and wait for the Karang to come to him.
“Captain,” said Jill. “We’ve been cleared by Command to move out.”
Clearing his head, he ordered the fleet to depart. “Maintain contact with UEDF, Jill. I want to know when our fleet makes contact with the Karang. And I want updates on Amanda’s search as well.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Jill. Her hands glided over the controls as the Churchill edged out. “All ships are following in formation, Captain.”
Ryan leaned back in his seat and wondered about the numerous possibilities that awaited them. One thing was clear: if Amanda didn’t find the so-called Ship of the Gods, it wasn’t going to end well for them or the Altarrans.
Amanda entered the transport shuttle along with Kyron and her father. She was surprised to see that they had removed a couple of seats and added one large enough to accommodate her Altarran companion. She helped Kyron with the safety harness and then took her own seat and strapped herself in.
“Welcome aboard, Admiral Williamson,” said the pilot as he saluted. “I’m Captain Johansson. We are ready for takeoff, sir.”
“At ease, Captain,” replied Williamson. “Give us two minutes to get situated and then we can get move out.”
“Yes, sir,” said Johansson. He saluted again and made his way to the cockpit.
Amanda waited for her father to sit down and strap himself in. “Sir,” she said. “Any word from Admiral Thompson and the fleet?”
“The last transmission I received, they had rendezvoused with Supreme Commander Granthaxe and the Altarran fleet and were en route to intercept the Karang armada.”
“How much time until they reach them?” she asked.
“According to the information from Fleet Admiral Thompson, they should make contact within the next twenty-four hours.”
“Do they know how many ships they are up against?” asked Amanda. She noticed that her father had broken eye contact with her. She knew from experience that that wasn’t an encouraging sign.
“The information provided by Supreme Commander Granthaxe was three hundred Karang ships,” said the admiral.
Amanda gasped. “Three—three hundred of them? Against sixty of ours and the Altarrans’ combined?”
Before her father could answer, Kyron said, “I understand your concerns, Amanda Williamson,” she said. “Fear not, however, as Admiral Benjamin Thompson and Supreme Commander Granthaxe are true warriors. They will do their part and delay the Karang for as long as they both live. As we must do our part and find the Ship of the Gods.”
Amanda forced a smile. “I’m sure glad you feel so confident, Kyron. But trying to find a ship that was hidden sixty to a hundred thousand years ago doesn’t make me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. You would have thought that with all the archeologists digging and searching our planet for hundreds of years they would have found something by now.”
“If the gods did not want the ship found, then so it would be, Amanda Williamson. Their wisdom is greater than our species combined could fathom. It was they who created all of what we see, feel, and touch Amanda Williamson. I assure you, the Ship of the Gods is real and waiting for us.”
“I tend to agree with Kyron,” said the admiral. “If they were able to give life to numerous planets a millennium ago, they’re far more advanced than anything we could relate to. My only concerns are if the ship managed to survive all these years and if so, is it still operational.”
“Worry not, Admiral Jonas Williamson,” said Kyron. “The gods are all-knowing and would have foreseen any possible problems. I am certain all will be as it was written in the historic archives.”
“I’m holding you to that,” said Amanda. “Because without that weapon, we don’t stand much of a chance.”
“Holding me to what, Amanda Williamson?” said Kyron.
“We really need to work on your—” Her words were cut short by the ship’s intercom system.
“We’ve been cleared for takeoff, Admiral,” said Johansson. “Awaiting your orders, sir.”
“Let’s fire up the engines and get moving, Captain,” replied the admiral.
“Yes, sir,” came the reply.
Amanda sat back and closed her eyes as the shuttle took off and started its ascent. Her mind was overloaded. She was concerned for her brothers, who were headed into battle along with all the other members of the UEDF. Then there was Ryan’s father, who had recently reached an understanding with his son about all the issues that had come between them. Ryan had always complained that his father was never around during his childhood, and his resentment had grown over the years. The last straw had come when Admiral Thompson had pushed him off on his mother to take him to enroll in the academy and she had been murdered by a deranged man. That was the day Ryan had vowed never to speak to him again. Finally, during the battle against the Altarrans, Ryan had understood that it was time to mend the fences between him and his father. If he were to lose him now after everything that had happened he could descend into another tailspin. And of course, the fact that if the Karang defeated the combined fleets of the UEDF and the Altarrans, which was more than likely considering that the Karang outnumbered them five to one, their next stop would be Earth.
Amanda checked the time. They had a four-hour flight ahead of them and then a date with the Sentinelese tribe and their chief. She looked at the ring Ryan had given her. How she wished he were here by her side. She grabbed the amulet and held it tightly. She prayed that Kyron was right and they would find the Ship of the Gods. The fate of both their worlds depended on it. She closed her eyes an
d fell asleep.
Amanda found herself inside a large room. She saw a group of aliens surrounding an enormous vessel. As she got closer she recognized one of the aliens as the one who had come to her in the vision she’d had on graduation day.
“Where are we?” she asked.
The alien turned to face her. Just like the last time, his mouth didn’t move but she heard his words inside her mind. “This is your home, Amanda Williamson.”
“Earth?” she said. “Where? When?”
“Eons ago. Long before your civilizations came to pass. When your world was in the age known as the dinosaur era.”
Amanda moved closer to the massive ship. “Where on earth are we?” she asked.
The alien walked alongside of her. “This was our base of operations on your planet for many years,” he said. “It was called Allaniss One. We named it after the scientist whose research led to the seeding of life on many other worlds.”
Could it be? wondered Amanda. Allaniss? Atlantis? The lost city. Could the legend be real? She stopped and gazed around the vast area. Water surrounded them. According to legend Atlantis was supposedly buried under the ocean. On the horizon she could see other land masses far off in the distance. Turning her attention back to the large vessel she asked, “Are we onboard the Ship of the Gods?”
“It is the ship we built to protect your world from the Karang,” he replied. “What you are seeing is the preparation for powering down the ship. We are not gods, Amanda Williamson. We are scientists. Our goal was to populate the galaxy. During our thousands of years of exploration we encountered many planets, yet none had life on them. Such a vastness the universe is, such wonders, yet nothing but lifeless planets.”
“But why?” said Amanda. “Your life was full and without wars. You had no enemies. Why take such a chance of ruining perfection?”
The alien smiled. “All good questions, Amanda Williamson. One day your kind will understand the answers. That is, of course if you are up to the challenges that await you and your kind, my child.”
“But what if the ship had fallen into the hands of evil people? Why would you leave such a powerful weapon on our planet when it could easily have fallen into the wrong hands?”
Cadets: 2 The Ship of the Gods Page 6