“Six hours, Sir,” Lieutenant Casey acknowledged.
“Okay, we’ll blow our nukes in six hours. Then we can begin plotting our return jumps to Earth. Coordinate with the Bristol and Yamato for the nuke deployment.”
________________________
The Rock
Secondary Jump Coordinates
________________________
“Delta Five, Delta leader, come in.”
“Delta leader, Delta Five. Go ahead”
“How much longer we gonna be out here, Captain?”
“We’re just about to the end of our patrol...”
“Whew, it’s been a pretty boring CAP, Sir...sure will be glad when this is over...wait a minute. Stand by.”
“Delta Five? What’s your situation?”
“I’m picking up two unidentified bogeys inbound, twenty-five kilometers out!”
“Copy that, Delta Five. They just appeared on my screen too, stand by. Delta squad, arm weapons and prepare to engage!” the Delta leader commanded, “Rock, Delta leader, do you read? Two inbound bogeys at twenty-five out...repeat two inbound bogeys, do you copy?”
“Confirmed, Delta Leader.” Lieutenant Henderson turned to Captain Fitz, “We’ve got company, Sir!”
“Sound General Quarters!” Jameson ordered.
Lieutenant Collins pressed the ship’s alarm button, sounding a repeating klaxon throughout the ship. Then he shouted over to Captain Fitz, “Three incoming missiles!”
“Charge plasma weapons,” Fitz commanded, “launch countermeasures, and fire our main guns!”
“Aye, Captain!” Collins shouted in return. “Launching drones and activating point defense systems!”
“Helm, hard to port!”
Lieutenant Payne turned the fourteen hundred foot destroyer, repeating the command back to the Captain as she executed the turn.
“Rotate ship thirty degrees,” Commander Jameson ordered, “Fire plasma cannon when ready!”
“Plasma cannons charged, Sir!” the tactician replied. “Point defense systems are online. Firing cannons!”
There was a low pitched vibration throughout the ship as the plasma cannons discharged their powerful blasts of star-hot energy towards the two enemy vessels.
Two hundred drones spread out from the hull of the Rock, firing their laser blasters at the incoming missiles, successfully destroying two out of three.
“Brace for impact!” Jed commanded, grabbing the arms of his chair.
The missile struck the Rocinante’s armor plating. The detonation nearly buckled the hull, shaking the massive ship. The ship’s ion-charged shielding held the hull plating together against the enormous energies of the blast.
“Recharge plasma cannon. Weapons free, fire when ready,” Captain Fitz scanned the tactical information pouring into his display, “Let’s give them something to worry about!”
“Sir, the two bogeys have launched fighters!”
The Captain turned toward Henderson, “Lieutenant, alert the CAP and launch the alert fighters!”
“Aye, aye, Captain. Chief Kelly reports fighters launching already.”
“Attention flight deck!” Chief Kelly shouted through his comm link, “Launch all fighters. Inbound ships are twenty kilometers out. Your ETA is six minutes.”
Captains’ Phillips and Jones walked arm and arm on either side of Captain Simon. Stopping at the announcement, they turned and looked at each other, and then took off down the corridor toward the flight deck.
“How many are you going to take out this time?” Jones asked Major Phillips.
“You’ll be lucky if I leave you any,” Phillips smirked at Eric.
“Ha!” Rene scoffed, “Let me remind you, that I took out more enemy fighters on our last run than the both of you!”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jones said, swatting at the tenacious female pilot, “She’s got us on that one, Kurt.”
“Well, at any rate,” Phillips said, climbing into his cockpit, “Free drinks to the one who bags the most today!”
“Well,” Rene said, sealing herself inside her fighter, “Better start filling my cup then. I want the good stuff, too! No bilge water!”
The lead fighter pilot signaled with a salute, “TALLY OH!” and then the green lights lit up the launch bay, sending their fighters to intercept the approaching ships.
Captain Fitz pointed to Collins’ scanner, “Look at this, Lieutenant.”
“Yes Sir, I noticed that too.”
“Bring up the Antarian specs that Artemis gave us.”
“Confirmed Sir. Those ships do not have Antarian energy signatures.”
“Henderson, get me Delta Leader!”
“Aye, Sir. Delta Leader, stand by for Rock actual.”
“Delta Leader, go ahead.”
“Captain, Major Phillips and the remaining alert fighters are outbound. They’re about four minutes behind you. Can you identify those ships?”
“No, Sir. I’m not in visual range, but their fighters’ weapons systems are disarming. What’s going on, Sir?”
“All fighters! This is Captain Fitz. Stand down weapons. Fly defensive manures only!”
“Aye, aye, Sir, Delta Leader to Delta squadron, stand down weapons, repeat, stand down weapons systems!”
Jed looked over at Henderson, “Try to open a channel to those ships. Put it on speakers!”
“Aye, Sir, transmitting on all channels.”
“Anything?” Jameson said, joining Jed over at the tactical station.
Just as the Commander asked, they were interrupted by a voice over the loud speaker, “Attention, alien vessel...Identify your origin.”
“Alien?” Henderson quizzed.
“Well, we’re alien to them,” Jed answered. “Is the channel open?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“This is Captain Jedidiah Fitz of the Earth vessel, Rocinante...please identify who you are.”
“Trygg Rothgarson, Captain of the Fourth Scout fleet from Sigma Draconis.”
“You’re Draconian!” Jed exclaimed, “We thought you were Antarian!”
“We are fleeing the Antarians, Captain.”
“Why did you fire missiles at us?”
“Our ship sensors have been damaged from our last encounter. I apologize, Captain. We couldn’t see who your ships were. Quite frankly, we couldn’t risk you being Antarian.”
“Well it’s a good thing we detected that your ships were different. We were about to launch an all-out attack to protect ourselves.”
“Captain, may we meet on your ship? I have a feeling that we may have a lot in common, and thus a lot to discuss.”
“Bring your ships alongside and we’ll send an escort for a transport to our flight deck.”
Jameson whispered in Jed’s ear, “You sure that’s wise, Sir? We know nothing about them.”
Jed nodded to his commander in acknowledgement, “Captain Rothgarson, my first officer has reservations. Please understand we will have our guards escort you from our flight deck for security purposes.”
“No offence taken, Captain Fitz. We understand. My first officer, Styr Valbrandrson will accompany me to your ship. Captain, he tells me the same as your first officer has told you.”
“Very well, Captain,” Jed answered, “We only have a little less than six hours before we have to leave this sector; time is of the essence.”
“We shall depart in five minutes, Captain.”
Jed turned to his tactical officer, “Get the marines in full force throughout the ship. Recall all alert fighters, but rotate the CAP until we’re ready to jump.”
“Aye, Sir,” Collins answered.
“We’re looking forward to meeting you and your first officer, Captain Rothgarson,” Jed said over his comm link.
“Yes, we are just as curious about your presence as you are about ours, Captain Fitz.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
________________________
Serintin Palace
________________________
>
After descending what seemed like hundreds of spiraling stairs, Darnash stopped the group at a door. He grabbed the bolt on the door and unlocked it. Pulling the huge portal open exposed them to the beaming Antarian sun. Once their eyes adjusted to the brightness, they could see several mountains in the distance. The snow covered peaks contrasted majestically against the fiery sky of Serintin. At the foot of the mountains, they could see a stream of energy pulling gas in from the immense gas giant Lebencha that this moon orbited.
“We must follow the river away from the Palace,” Darnash began, “When we get to the edge of the forest, we will take the Valley of Trenches and head south, eventually arriving at a rock outcropping; approximately five kilometers. Ascend the rocks and continue through the forest to the energy collector complex.”
“Isn’t that where the Antarian Boreshogs live?” Danielle asked.
“Yes, it is. However, if we stay hidden within the forest, the beasts of the field may not see you.”
“Why the energy collector complex?” Race asked, “What’s out there that we need to get to?”
“That is where the rescue ship is waiting for you.”
“Rescue ship?” Race exclaimed, “How do you know?”
Darnash glanced at Malcom, “He told me.”
“Malcom? Why didn’t you say anything to us?”
“I couldn’t risk it just yet.”
“But why did you trust Chewy here?”
Darnash smiled, “He trusted me because I am no longer subject to the Blood Lust.”
“Huh?”
“That’s right,” Malcom nodded, “It appears that the infection changed the sentient properties of the Antarian blood.”
“Is that true?” Danielle exclaimed. “That means that there’s something in my blood that can remove the Antarian’s desire for blood.”
“There is a good possibility that the Antarian doctors have reprogrammed their Nanites,” Malcom warned. “Your blood may not be the cure-all you think.”
“But there’s still a chance, right?”
“Yes, Danielle. There is still a chance that something in your blood could alter the Antarian blood symbiosis to where the Antarians may not be subject to their bloods’ cognitive abilities.”
Danielle stopped abruptly.
“Then I have to stay and find out.”
“You can’t be serious!” Race yelled.
“Then there is the question of our Nanites that will draw us to the games. We mustn’t forget about that,” Danielle added.
“We can reprogram your Nanites once we’re back on our ship,” Malcom offered.
“I’m sorry, Race. I just can’t leave knowing that there may be a way to change these people.”
Race looked at the ground and kicked at a pebble.
“Well, I ain’t leavin’ without ya,” Race slowly brought his eyes up to meet with Danielle’s.
“You humans must make up your minds quickly. Time is running out,” Darnash insisted.
“Darnash,” Danielle said, taking ahold of his huge hands, “Thank you for helping us. You put your life on the line for us. For that, I am grateful. But I can’t leave knowing what I know.”
“She’s right, you know,” Race added. “If there’s any chance that we can have such a profound effect on the Antarians, we have to take it.”
“Stay if you wish,” Darnash began, “I must leave for my treason. I thank you, Humans. Your sacrifice to help our people will go down in our history books. Perhaps you Humans will have a place in the galaxy after all.”
“I shall accompany you, Darnash.” Malcom said. “I have no reason to stay.”
Danielle looked over at Malcom, “Yes you do! You have to train us for the arena.”
“My good Madam, know that I have already provided you both with all of the knowledge and skills you require to be successful in the Antarian games.”
“You already have?” Race exclaimed, “You didn’t do anything.”
“Nothing you would have detected. However, once you begin the match, you will possess all the required skills you will need.”
“We will give ourselves up and demand we enter the arena.”
“Malcom,” Darnash said, “Climb on my back. We can move much quicker that way.” Darnash lowered the palm of his hand for Malcom to step up. Then with a gentle lift, Malcom landed on Darnash’s back, and the two left the Palace.
Race and Danielle looked at one another, “You sure you’re staying, Race?”
“I already said I ain’t leavin’ you behind. I got you into this, and we’ll get out of this together.
________________________
Serintin Rescue Ship
________________________
Lieutenant Parker raised out of one of the storage bins, and hit his head on the overhead, “I found one! OW!”
Hopkins stopped his search and came over to Parker, “Let me see.”
“I think this is what you’re looking for.”
Hopkins grabbed the box and examined it, “Yep, that’ll do it.”
“Now we can get off this rock!” Sergeant Fletcher nodded.
“We must wait for the others,” Artemis added.
“You made contact?” the Captain asked.
“Yes. I have reached Malcom. They are heading our way. It could take them a couple of hours to reach the ship.”
“That’s about how long our repairs will take,” Hopkins added. “Any sign of that monster?”
“Nothing, Sir,” Fletcher answered. “I think we may have scared it off for good.”
“Well, it’s only been a few hours.”
“How much time do we have left before we have to meet our contact?” Parker asked.
“Just under six hours.”
“Artemis,” Hopkins asked, “Are they alright?”
She sighed slightly before answering, “Well...”
“What are you not telling me?”
“There is an Antarian coming with them.”
“Wait, what?” Fletcher exclaimed.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” Hopkins said, looking at Artemis, “I don’t need telepathy to see that.”
“Well, yes. However, it will not help our current situation to...”
“Spill it.”
“Very well. Race and Danielle are not with them.”
“Come again?”
“You see, debating the ramifications of this information will not enhance our mission’s chances of success.”
“Can you explain to me why Race and Danielle are not with them?” Hopkins asked.
“They’re dead,” Fletcher frowned, “aren’t they.”
“No, they are very much alive.”
“Then why aren’t they coming?”
“It has been discovered that Danielle’s blood possesses certain…properties...”
“Is that what made the Antarian we captured sick?”
“Precisely. Apparently, Darnash cut Danielle and tasted her blood before it was tested. The Antarian Captain and crew were infected through Darnash.”
“So, what’s so special about them getting sick?”
“It changed the cognitive properties of their blood. Any Antarian thus infected will experience the same sickness, unless the Antarian doctors discover a way to reprogram their Nanites.”
“That still doesn’t explain to me why they stayed.” Hopkins asked in exasperation.
“Danielle thinks that by getting the Emperor to drink of her blood, all Antarian’s blood lust will be satisfied forever.”
“So, she wants to be a martyr?”
“No, Malcom has given them the required knowledge and skills to prevail in the arena. They also have a plan that will allow them to make it here before our departure time.”
“Well, I don’t like it,” Hopkins said, “They had better be here when we take-off, ‘cause I’m not waiting’ for them past our bugout time.”
“I second that,” Fletcher said, “That thing already took two of us out
in a matter of five minutes.”
“How are they going to get passed it?” Parker asked.
“They will have to follow the forest line to the valley.”
“But that’s where that thing is,” Fletcher frowned. “You want me to go try and kill it?”
“Our bullets bounced off its scales,” Hopkins said.
“They will have to fight it, in order to get past it.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Fletcher’s frown deepened.
“Yes, there is vulnerability in this beast,” Artemis noted, “They just have to find and exploit it.”
“This is just getting better and better,” Fletcher kicked the bulkhead.
“Come on. We’ve got a ton of work to do to make this crate take-off. Sergeant, I need you to cover us while we work. Let’s get to it,” Hopkins ordered.
“Hoo-effen-Rah!”
________________________
The Rock
Secondary Jump Coordinates
________________________
Thelix stirred, still lying on the container top in sickbay. Doctor Lambert stood over the Antarian and looked him over.
“Well, you are recovering nicely, Mr. Thelix.”
The Antarian groaned, “What happened to me? Where, where am I?”
“You’re aboard the Earth vessel, the Rocinante, The Rock for short.”
“What happened?”
“We saved your life. You were near death.”
“How? My Nanites are pre-programmed to cure any illness we encounter.”
“Obviously, not all diseases were included in that programming.”
“I feel strange.”
“Your body is still fighting off the rest of the infection. It’s going to take a few days to fully recover.”
“No, it is more than that,” Thelix said, looking over his hands and arms.
“Alright,” Doctor Lambert said. He stopped what he was doing, and then turned toward Thelix, “maybe the patient should tell me, the Doctor, what it is then?”
“I have somehow lost communication with my sentient blood.”
“Well, that is entirely possible.”
“My blood. Yes, that is what’s wrong. My blood is no longer speaking to me.”
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