Cadets: 2 The Ship of the Gods

by Edward Miller

  “You are correct as well,” said Thompson.

  “The enemy ships are dropping out of light speed now,” said Niles. I’m transferring the images to the main screen.”

  Thompson watched as his son’s ship engaged the Karang in a fierce battle. The fighting lasted only a few minutes, but he watched proudly as his son took out two of the enemy’s battle cruisers. Then the inevitable happened. Ryan’s ship took on heavy damage. As they retreated, Thompson could see that they had taken even more fire. Then the ship disappeared. Thanks to Ryan’s intervention, the escape pods and the shuttles from Pluto had made their way safely back. Unfortunately for them, the remaining Karang ship was still intact. It was just standing there doing nothing for a few minutes. Then it turned and slowly moved towards them.

  “Admiral,” said Niles, “the Edmonton has pulled up alongside. We can’t contact them since our com is down, but it appears that they are somewhat operational as well and standing with us.”

  Thompson felt a sense of pride. His son had given them a chance and saved the crewmembers in the escape pods. Now he would stand his ground with the Edmonton and go down fighting.

  “Bring the laser cannons online. Target that ship,” ordered Thompson.

  “Cannons are online,” said Niles.

  “I’ve got the forward maneuvering thrusters online, sir,” said Barnes.

  “What the hell?” said Niles.

  “What’s wrong,” said Thompson.

  “I’m picking up the Churchill,” said Niles. “She’s coming in hot and severely damaged. My God, Ben. She’s on a collision course with the Karang ship.”

  Thompson stood up and looked at the screen in disbelief. He prayed that the ship was on autopilot and that none of the crew, especially his son, were onboard.

  Ryan ran the scenario over again and again. Every time there was only one solution. He tried to think of another course of action. He thought long and hard and no matter what scenario he’d try, there was only one answer.

  He saw Tanner approaching him. “How many crewmembers did we lose?” he asked.

  “Eight dead, fourteen wounded,” said Tanner. “If it hadn’t been for Paul shutting down the light drive as quickly as he did, it would have been a lot worse. He single-handedly saved the rest of us”

  “How is Paul?” asked Ryan.

  “He has some third-degree burns on his arms, puncture wounds on his chest and legs, and has lost quite a bit of blood. Fortunately the doctor got to him first. He’s in bad shape but the doc says he’ll pull through.”

  “And Nicole?”

  “Her shoulder is broken and she had a compound fracture of her right arm. Second and third degree burns on her right side. She was in a lot of pain, but they doped her up pretty good. She had me scared, man. I thought I . . . I mean I thought we were gonna lose her. She’ll need surgery, but she’ll be okay.”

  Ryan smiled. “I knew you liked her, Tanner. Hell, everyone knows. Now make sure when she’s better you do something about it. Has everyone else made it to the escape pods?”

  “Yep,” said Tanner. “The last one is loaded and waiting for us.”

  “Okay,” said Ryan. “Let’s head down and get going.”

  They walked off the bridge and down to the loading area. Ryan waited for Tanner to enter the access hatch, but he just stood there.

  “Come on, Tanner. You know the rule. The captain enters last,” said Ryan.

  “I may act dumb at times,” said Tanner, “but I’m much smarter than you think. I’m not getting on board that ship till you do.”

  Ryan knew that Tanner was onto him so he decided to tell the truth. “I’m not getting on that ship. You know it and I know it. I made that mistake once before and lost my mother. Now, finally after three years my father and I worked it all out, and if you think I’m going to let it happen again, well, you get my drift.”

  “I get all that,” said Tanner. “But the last thing your father would want is for something to happen to you.”

  “Listen, Tanner. The last thing our people need now is to lose the best military leader they’ve ever had. And I’m going to see to it that he survives.”

  “No problem. I’ll stay with you and help you. As beat up as this baby is, you’re gonna need my help.”

  “That’s a hell of a gesture. You’re a great friend.” Ryan put his arm around Tanner as they turned to walk away. Then, in one fluid motion he grabbed his other arm, twisted it behind his back, threw him through the access hatch, and locked it shut from his side. “Which is why I can’t let you die,” said Ryan.

  Tanner slammed on the hatch with both arms and screamed at him to open it. Ryan accessed the com unit on his side of the hatch. “Sorry. But there’s no reason for both of us to die. You take care of our crew and make sure you tell Amanda I’m sorry I didn’t keep my promise.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer. He used the emergency override on his end to jettison the escape pod with Tanner in it. He watched the craft move away from the ship and turned and walked back to the bridge. As he entered the deserted area, he looked at the destroyed station where Rawlings had died. The puddle of blood was still lying on the floor. He sat down on his captain’s chair for what would be the last time.

  “This is Captain Ryan Thompson of the United Earth Defense Fleet requesting voice recognition.”

  The computer answered, “Voice pattern confirmed.”

  “Command override zero, two, alpha, one. Confirm,” said Ryan.

  “Override confirmed,” responded the computer. “Light speed is back online. Be advised that the light-speed drive is damaged and if activated could cause a catastrophic hull failure.”

  “Noted,” said Ryan. “Locate the Karang battle cruiser closest to Pluto.”

  “Target acquired. What are your orders?”

  “Prepare to ram her at light speed.”

  “Order received. Autopilot is damaged. You will need to maintain course once it’s input into the helm.”

  “Okay,” said Ryan. “All we need to do is keep it together for about ten seconds and it will all be over.”

  He took out his slider and pulled up a picture of Amanda. Tears welled up in his eyes as he kissed the picture. “I’m so sorry, Amanda.” He put the picture against his chest and engaged the light-speed drive.

  “Light speed will activate in ten seconds. Collision course is locked into the helm. Maintain course. This is a final warning. The integrity of the ship is compromised and it may disintegrate before reaching target.”

  Ryan listened as the computer counted down the seconds. “Three, two, one. Light speed engaged.”

  The ship hesitated briefly, then catapulted forward. Within seconds warning lights started flashing. Ryan sat back in his chair and thought about all the things he wanted to do that he would never get to experience. But he also looked at all he had accomplished at such a young age. His mind flashed back to his mother and how much she had loved him, and how much he loved her.

  “Eight seconds until impact,” said the mechanized voice of the ships computer.

  The ship started to vibrate. Ryan could hear what sounded like pieces breaking off. It almost sounded as if the ship were screaming.

  “Five seconds until impact. Collision imminent.”

  Ryan was about to close his eyes when he saw two orbs of bright white light coming towards him. He wondered if he was hallucinating or if the ship was opening up in front of his eyes.

  “Three seconds until collision.”

  One of the orbs stopped in front of him. For some inexplicable reason, he felt at peace, even though he was seconds from death. The orb in front of him started to take shape. The other one changed colors. It turned a sky blue. He almost fell out of his chair as he recognized the figure standing in front of him. It was his mother. She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. The blue orb grew larger and enveloped both of them.

  “Impact in one second,” said the voice of the computer.

  With
tears flowing freely, Ryan looked into his mother’s eyes and uttered a single word. “Mom?”

  Then there was an enormous explosion all around him. A bright white light filled his sight. Then he saw stars and the dark vacuum of space. Then, nothing.

  Supreme Commander Granthaxe and his fleet of eight ships could do nothing but watch as Admiral Thompson’s son tried to stop the three Karang battle cruisers from destroying the three damaged ships and their survivors.

  He sat and watched helplessly as the admiral’s son defeated two of the three ships before taking on heavy damage. His crew cheered as they watched the battle unfold. When they saw Ryan’s ship retreat after being severely damaged, they watched in silence. Granthaxe couldn’t fathom that the admiral’s son would leave his father to die at the hands of the vermin Karang.

  But his angst was short-lived as Captain Ryan Thompson’s ship returned with a vengeance and rammed the remaining enemy ship, blowing it to pieces. While Granthaxe and his crew cheered at the destruction of the enemy, they also mourned the loss of a great warrior.

  “Supreme Commander,” said his communications officer, “I have just received an encoded transmission that the Ship of the Gods is operational and is leaving Earth as we speak. They will be sending coordinates to us as to where we are to rendezvous with them once they have entered space.”

  The bridge erupted in cheers at the news that the gods’ legacy and the tales told through the ages were coming to pass.

  They continued on course and were minutes away from Pluto. “Try to raise Fleet Admiral Thompson’s ship,” ordered Granthaxe.

  “Supreme Commander,” said his communications officer, “I cannot communicate with Fleet Admiral Thompson’s vessel, but I do have Captain Robert Clarke of the Edmonton on the communications system now.”

  “Put him through,” said Granthaxe.

  “As you wish, Supreme Commander.”

  “Supreme Commander Granthaxe, this is Captain Robert Clarke of the Edmonton. I thought you guys had retreated.”

  “Captain Robert Clarke,” said Granthaxe. “We did retreat. Then we saw the vermin known as the Karang double back to kill defenseless comrades. I could not sit back in good conscience and allow such a cowardly and grievous act to take place. I immediately ordered the remainder of my fleet to return to assist your survivors. Unfortunately we arrived after the fact. Do you know if Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson still lives?”

  “On behalf of the crew of the Edmonton and the rest of our damaged ships, I’d like to personally thank you for your courage,” said Clarke. “To answer your other question, yes, he is alive. Their communications are out but I did mange to contact him using my personal communicator. Needless to say, he is quite distraught over the loss of his son’s ship.”

  “That is quite understandable, Captain Robert Clarke. Did anyone escape from Captain Ryan Thompson’s ship prior to the impact?”

  “Negative,” said Clark. “They were traveling at light speed in a severely damaged ship. Somebody was definitely at the helm as the autopilot would not suffice with the amount of damage the ship had sustained.”

  “That is indeed a shame. I am sure Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson is mourning the loss of his son. But he should also be proud of his courage and conviction. Thank you for the information. I will contact the Fleet Admiral myself to convey my condolences.”

  Granthaxe took a deep breath. While he knew how to handle death of family and friends the Altarran way, he still was not sure what to say to his friend. Humans did not deal well with the death of a loved one, and while he understood grief, the Altarran way was to rejoice over the life the loved one had lived and not dwell on their death—especially such an honorable death.

  He opened the slider Captain Ryan Thompson had given him. “Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson, this is Supreme Commander Granthaxe. On behalf of my people and myself, I offer condolences over the loss of such a beloved warrior. Know in thy heart, his actions were to save his commander and more important, his father. May his name be honored for eternity.”

  There was a slight delay before the admiral responded, and when he did, Granthaxe could hear the heaviness within his heart. “Supreme Commander Granthaxe, thank you for your kind words. I will never forget all that my son accomplished in such a short time. I do have one request of you.”

  “Of course, Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson. We are friends and fellow warriors. I would be honored to assist you. What is it that you require of me?”

  “I understand that Amanda has the ancient ship ready to depart and confront the Karang,” said Thompson.

  “That is correct, Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson. I am currently awaiting orders where to meet them.”

  “Just do me one favor,” said Thompson. “Kill the bastards. Every last one of them. I don’t want a single one of them to survive. Do this for me, and more important, for my son.”

  “Of that request you can rest assured, my friend,” said Granthaxe. “I will be most happy to send them to the depths of hell. I must leave now. Our sensors show that the enemy fleet has come to a halt. I will contact you when the deed is done.”

  The communications officer interrupted them. “Supreme Commander. I have the co-ordinates now.”

  “As you heard, my friend. We have our orders to leave. Be strong, Benjamin. The end of the Karang is near.”

  Granthaxe sat back in his chair and ordered his fleet to move out. Both the Altarrans and humans had lost many ships and many lives, but now the Gods had smiled upon them and finally, the tables had turned in their favor.

  Amanda was champing at the bit. They had been cleared for takeoff and she was ready to go. Her only fear was that she would be too late to save Ryan and her friends. Even if she couldn’t save them, she was going to do everything in her power to stop the Karang and save both the Altarrans and humanity.

  “We’re cleared for departure,” said her father.

  “Yes, sir,” said Amanda. “Engaging engines now. We will be leaving the atmosphere in thirty seconds.”

  Defense Minister Legrande and Lieutenants Markem and Ollinger were standing behind her. Kyron was sitting to her right and her father was sitting to her left. They both watched in awe as the ship began to lift off without the use of anything but Amanda’s mind. Within seconds they had left Earth’s atmosphere and entered space.

  “We’ve achieved orbit,” said Amanda. “I’m preparing to open the wormhole. I’ve also sent a message to our ships as well as the Altarrans that we will rendezvous with them thirty minutes in front of the Karang fleet. This will give us a few minutes to discuss our plan of action.”

  “The only plan that is needed Amanda Williamson is to send the Karang to their death,” said Kyron. “They are a scourge of a species and need to be exterminated.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” said Defense Minister Legrande. “We will first tell them to stand down and surrender.”

  Kyron hissed at Legrande and then laughed at him. “You would have a better chance of defeating me in hand-to-hand combat than you will of them surrendering. You must be a bigger fool than I thought if you truly believe they will acquiesce to your demands.”

  “Nonetheless,” said Legrande, “you will not fire your weapons unless I give the okay. Is that understood, Ms. Williamson?”

  Once again before Amanda could answer, her father stepped in. “Listen up and listen well, Legrande. If they open fire on us first, all bets are off. We will return fire immediately. You got that?”

  Legrande smiled at the admiral. “But of course, Admiral Williamson. Once they fire upon us, you are in command.” He turned to face Amanda. “Ms. Williamson, how long until we reach the rendezvous point?”

  “Once we enter the wormhole, fifteen minutes,” she said.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” said Legrande, “I must confer with the president. I will return in ten minutes.”

  “I can hardly wait,” said Amanda. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

 
; Legrande and the two security officers left the bridge. The minute the door closed Amanda turned to face her father.

  “Do we really need them on the bridge? They are nothing more than a distraction and I don’t like Legrande’s pompous attitude.”

  “I concur with Amanda Williamson,” said Kyron. “His kind would not be allowed onboard an Altarran warship.”

  “You both need to relax,” said the admiral. “Once we confront the Karang this will become a military action and he will no longer have a say in anything.”

  “I’d prefer it if you’d just duct tape his mouth shut and throw him in the brig,” said Amanda. “Just keep him away from me. His very presence annoys me.” She took a second to compose herself. “Now give me a minute or two. I’m about to engage the artificial wormhole.”

  Amanda closed her eyes and became one with the ship. Within a matter of seconds the ship had come to a stop. The main view screen activated and before their very eyes they could see space distorting. It took a few more minutes as the distortion started to enlarge, then a vortex opened up and the ship entered it effortlessly. At first there was a slight vibration, but within seconds they were gone and the ship didn’t feel as if it was moving. In fact, it seemed like they were at a dead standstill. All they could see on the screen was pitch-black space.

  “How long until we reach our destination?” asked her father.

  Amanda opened her eyes. She was devoid of any emotion. “Fourteen minutes and forty-seven seconds,” she said. Her voice was bland and she seemed to be in a trance.

  Commodore Laurent called from engineering. “I wish you guys could see the reaction down here. The power displays are off the charts and the colors are amazing. If I could only figure out how it worked. It’s beyond words.”

  “The gods are truly amazing,” said Kyron. “We are blessed to be a part of their creation.”

  The next twelve minutes were uneventful. Amanda never moved or blinked. She sat there with a blank stare on her face watching the monitors in front of her. They were less than two minutes from exiting the wormhole when Legrande returned to the bridge. Only one of his officers was with him. Lieutenant Ollinger wasn’t present.