“...the past stays in the past, my friend.”
“So, if this works,” Artemis said, turning from the NAV console, “We will exit on the other side. The Jannali will be meeting us there, we are in contact with our representative.”
“Sir!” Collins said, “Most of the Antarian fleet was taken out. There are four or five ships left in this sector. They are running from the blast wave...as we should, Sir. It’ll be on us in a few more seconds.”
“How many seconds, man?” Jed shouted in exasperation.
“Thirty? Maybe less?”
“Malcom, you better jump us now then!”
“Hold on!” Malcom said, engaging the jump drives, “Jumping in five, four, three, two, one...”
The ship exited the jump on the other side of the corridor with most of the crew unconscious on the floor or slumped in their restraints due to the massive radiation wave they blasted through.
“Report!” Jameson said with a rather hoarse voice.
Jed gathered his composure and grabbed the microphone, “Commander, you sound horrible,” Jed managed to scratch out.”
“You don’t sound any better, Sir,” Jameson smiled, not at the radiation sickness, but rather was glad to be on this side of the corridor.
“Doctor Lambert,” Jed rasped, “Begin radiation protocol, starting with the CSC crew.”
“Yes, Sir.” Jed heard over the speakers, “Already on my way.”
“Sir,” Henderson reported, “We’re receiving a message from the Jannali.”
“Put it on speaker,” Jed labored to say.
Doctor Lambert and his staff entered the CSC and began giving the crew radiation medicine, “This should take away some of the discomfort.”
“Discomfort? Doctor, I think you have a way of making an understatement.”
“You should start to feel better in a few minutes. But I’ll need to give the crew regular injections of anti-radiation medicine for several weeks.”
“Your shots are a lot better than radiation, let me tell you.”
“Yes, we were mostly shielded on the lower decks. It was the CSC and most compartments, anything forward of mid-ship took most of it, Sir.”
“Good to know, Doc.”
“This is Captain Nick Martin of the Jannali. Welcome home, Jed. We’re sending your our helmsman the coordinates of where we placed operation ‘meat hook,’ you should definitely avoid flying through those.”
“Sir, I’m receiving the coordinates and am now programming our flight path through to the Jannali.”
“Captain, Martin. It’s good to be back, but we’ve got three Antarian warships that’ll be here in less than three days.”
“Better come along side, Sir. I’ve got a message from the Admiral.”
“The Admiral? He’s alive?”
“No, Sir, It accompanied the drone they sent through the corridor. We’re still not sure how it arrived in minutes instead of days.”
“I can answer that,” Thelix offered.”
“You’ve got an Antarian on board, Sir?”
“Yes, it’s long story.”
“You will have to tell me it some time.”
“Oh, you’ll hear all about it.”
“I theorize,” Thelix began, “That the pressure wave of the nuclear blast, accompanied by our wormhole jump, pushed the drone through.”
“Coming alongside the Jannali, Sir.”
“Station keeping protocol.” Commander Jameson ordered. We’ll hard dock to you and be over shortly, Captain.”
“I will be coming over there, Sir.”
“Why here?”
“Because you are now the fleet’s flag ship.”
“What?”
“Admiral’s orders, Sir.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Sir,” Jameson asked.
“I guess I did make an impression on the ol’ coot after all.”
“Docking clamps extended,” Lieutenant Payne acknowledged, “Hard seal confirmed. We’re docked, Sir!”
“Excellent work everyone! Let’s all take a breather,” turning to his friend, Race, “You’re with me. Let’s go meet Captain Martin.”
“Yes, Sir,” Race smiled, then his face turned dark. “Danielle, Sir.”
“What? It’s ‘Sir’ now?”
“We’ve been through a lot...let’s just say, I can appreciate your command...and being home.”
“We’ll find Danielle. Just have to regroup first.”
Malcom turned to Jed, “I’m afraid that might not be possible.”
“Why not?”
“We picked up some very unusual readings from her on Serintin.”
“You read her?” Race asked.
“Let’s just say, I do not think she will be returning to Earth real soon.”
“Why?”
“I’ll tell you all about it on our way to meet Captain Martin.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
________________________
Serintin
Emperor’s Palace
________________________
Laboolaron escorted Danielle and Darnash to the Emperor’s private balcony. Danielle clung to her golden sword, while Darnash carried the burlap bag over his shoulder.
Standing before Emperor Dumakas, Danielle planted the tip of her sword on the floor and held her hands atop the end of its handle.
“Well, well, well,” Dumakas scoffed, “If it isn’t our puny female human. I suppose you are responsible for the destruction of our energy collector stations?”
“I am not.”
“Then the others? Did they die at the Boreshog’s jaws, or did they escape on your hidden ship that was in our energy stream?”
“I do not know, Dumakas.”
Dumakas leaned forward, towering over Danielle from his chair, “You will not disrespect me! You shall address me with my proper title!”
“Very well,” Danielle sheepishly smiled, “Dumakas of the House of Delema!”
Dumakas jumped up from his chair, “What did you call me?”
“Your true and proper name and title; Dumakas of the House of Delema.”
“I should kill you where you stand! And what of this Darnash? Why is he in my presence? For your crimes, I sentence you to death!”
Laboolaron began to extract his dagger from its sheath. Before he had the blade out, Danielle lifted her sword, swung the blade around her head, and halted it one half inch from the Emperor’s neck. Dumakas backed up and motioned with his hands for Laboolaron to halt.
“Dumakas, you will not have Darnash killed, or I shall run my sword through you!”
An old Antarian woman walked out onto the balcony. She held a large book under her arm, “People of Antares! Hear this woman, she speaks the truth!”
Dumakas shot a stare at the old Antarian, “What are you doing here? I told you to never show your face at the palace ever again!”
The old woman turned to address the arena assembly, “I am Tumaleka, Mother to Gorax the great, Grandmother to Throax, and great grandmother to Dumakas of the House of Delema! I come before you today to give you a truth, and to reveal that this woman warrior has fulfilled our prophecy!”
A great noise rose from the crowd as they talked amongst themselves. Dumakas commanded them to silence, the arena grew louder with shouts of Antarians begging the old woman to tell them of this truth.
“I, Tumaleka, am the oldest living Antarian. I am of the House of Delema. We are the seers, and keepers of the Ancient Book of Prophecies. Within the pages of this book,” she continued, holding the book in the air, “the ancient seers of Delema wrote that there will one day come a female warrior, not of any of our Houses. This warrior shall quench the Emperor’s blood lust. This warrior, this alien woman that stands before Dumakas today, is that warrior! In all the history of the arena games, there has been no warrior that ever defeated the Boreshog beast until now! The Prophecy is true! It has come to pass!”
Dumakas interrupted the old woman,
“There still is no proof that this puny female warrior has defeated the Boreshog beast!”
Darnash set the burlap bag before the Emperor’s feet and revealed the head within. Dumakas stared at the sight, “Preposterous. There is no proof that this woman did this!”
“I saw her kill the beast with my own eyes!” Darnash explained.
“You killed the beast,” Dumakas pointed with his large index finger, “not this woman!”
“Tell me, Dumakas,” Danielle asked, jabbing her sword a little harder into his neck, “Does your blood speak to you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s a rather simple question, Dumakas. Is your spirit blood in communication with you?”
“I do not know what you’re talking about, puny female woman.”
“Since you drank of my blood, your blood does not speak to you, does it?”
Dumakas stood before Danielle, dumfounded, “I-I...”
“It is true!” Darnash added, “I no longer have the fire in my blood! This warrior’s blood has quenched my blood lust!”
“Lies!” Dumakas spat, “All lies!”
“Dumakas, my great grandson, you must speak the truth. Say it! You no longer have the power of the blood lust coursing through your veins!”
“Very well, I, I will admit that my blood spirit no longer speaks to me! But my personal physician assures me that it is only temporary!” he shouted to the assembly. “My Nanites have been reprogrammed to correct this illness this woman brings to our home.”
Laboolaron gave Dumakas a stare, and then faced Danielle, “Continue, Madam, this is most interesting, most interesting indeed,” then he addressed the assembly, “Do the people of Antares wish to learn more of this woman warrior?”
The crowd cheered at Laboolaron’s question, “The people have spoken! The female warrior will tell us more!”
“This is outrageous!” Dumakas shouted. “I will not hear of this...”
“SILENCE!” Tumaleka boomed. “The people of Antares deserve to hear from this warrior; they have spoken!”
Laboolaron lowered his dagger to his side, and Danielle removed the tip of her sword from Dumakas. “People of the Star Antares!” she began. Danielle jumped on the balcony ledge and pointed the golden sword in the air, “Hear me today! I drank of the blood of the Boreshog! My blood now boils with the spirit of your blood lust!”
The arena again shouted with cheers at this brave alien warrior.
Tumaleka opened the great book and read aloud the contents of the pages, “It is written, that a great female warrior comes to the Star of Antares and will defeat the great Boreshog beast of the field. She will consume its blood, carry the blood lust on, and will fulfill prophecy.”
“I have read this book,” Danielle added, “This ancient book further says that this warrior of a foreign house will become Empress of the Warlords of Antares!”
Dumakas began to scoff at her words, “This is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard!”
“Dumakas,” the old woman asked, “You swore with your blood to uphold these writings when you became Emperor. Do you now see that your blood is powerless? You would be dead if your blood oath remained.”
Danielle stepped down from the balcony and handed her weapon to Darnash, who then held it at the ready. Grabbing Laboolaron’s dagger, she stepped up to the Emperor’s chair, and took Dumakas’ hand in hers, and then drew the blade across his palm.
She lifted his hand to the sky, his blood pooled in his hand, “I, Danielle, formally of the House of Cooper, do hear by declare that I am Empress of the Warlords of Antares,” and then drank of Dumakas’ blood.
Tumaleka closed the ancient book and proclaimed, “Prophecy has been fulfilled here today!”
Danielle closed Dumakas’ hand and released her grip, “Laboolaron, you shall escort the former Emperor to a cell. You will be charged with guarding him...do you understand?”
“Yes, my Lady,” Laboolaron nodded, “I shall obey your command. I have no choice, as your blood speaks to mine. I am powerless, and must do as you command.”
“Take him away!” she said with a wave of her hand.
Laboolaron began escorting Dumakas from the balcony, but Danielle stopped him for a moment to return his dagger. She took her sword from Darnash and turned to address the giant Antarian.
“Darnash of the House of Delema, keel before me!”
“Yes, my Lady.”
She held her sword over his head, “Darnash, I now christen thee as First Commander to the Empress’ House!”
She touched his right shoulder, moved the sword over his head and touched his left, and then touched the tip of her sword to the crown of his head.
Danielle commanded Darnash to his feet, and then she hopped up to the balcony’s edge once more.
Darnash held his hands over the audience, “I, Darnash of the Empress’ House, present to you, Danielle, Empress of Antares!”
Cheers erupted once again. Danielle held her head high. She pointed her sword high to the sky, soaking in the sweet smell of victory.
________________________
Rock
Earth Side of Betelgeuse Conduit
~ Three Days Later ~
________________________
Jed addressed his senior staff along with Captain Martin and his Commander, Rick Wilson of the Jannali.
“We know the Antarians will be exiting the conduit very soon. We have recalled our CAP and secured the flight deck. Captain Martin?”
Captain Martin rose out of his chair and joined Admiral Fitz at the front of the room, “Our ships are ready, and your ship’s damage has been repaired. The nuclear devices for operation ‘Meat Hook,’ have been set. We are ready to detonate upon the Antarians’ arrival to this sector. Once the proximity sensors detect the Antarians, the Nukes detonate. Then we’ll jump to their coordinates and launch our fighters. The Jannali will flank the Antarian fleet to the Starboard, while the Rock will flank the Antarian fleet to the Port.”
Jed nodded as he crossed his arms, “Each ship will be outside of each other’s line of fire. Just remember to ensure your fighters do not stray from their fight plan. Nothing will survive within the point defense systems.”
“We’ll be hitting the Antarian’s with everything we’ve got,” Captain Martin added, “Those last jump coordinates are the last line of defense before they reach Earth.”
“We must not let them reach Earth at all costs,” Jed said, making steady eye contact with all the senior officers, while his eyebrows rose. “They must be stopped in their tracks. The Eridonians have already confirmed that the conduit is destabilized. Malcom, Artemis, and Labros, are you ready to put up the screens around those Nukes?”
Malcom jumped to his feet, “Yes, Admiral Fitz. I do believe we have used these last few days to prepare. We will be able to keep them from detecting the radiological devices before it is too late.”
“Very good. Let’s just hope they exit right on top of them.”
“Sir?” Lieutenant Henderson interjected, “The CSC has reported a proximity alarm signal was just sent to us.”
“Okay people,” Jed said, placing his hands on hips, “This is it. Everyone report to your stations. Commander Jameson, start the clock. Lieutenant Henderson, make sure the jump coordinates are synchronized with the Jannali.”
“Good luck, Admiral Fitz,” Captain Wilson wished.
“Good luck to you too, Captain.”
“We’re ready to undock, Sir,” Commander Wilson acknowledged.
Captain Martin and Commander Wilson headed to the Jannali. The Rock’s security detail closed and sealed the hatch between the two ships.
Admiral Fitz and his Commander accompanied him to the CSC. They briskly descended the few steps that led to the pit.
“We’re undocked, Sir,” Erica reported.
“Helm, move us out to a safe distance from the Jannali. Spool jump drives, begin systems check.”
“Aye, Sir,”
Lieutenant Payne repeated, “Moving out to two thousand Meters.”
“Sub light!” Jameson yelled.
“Go!”
“NAV!”
“Go!”
“Tactical!”
“Go!”
“Jump resolution check!”
“We’re a go, Captain! Jump coordinates synchronized with the Jannali.”
“Generate negative energy densities!”
“Generating negative densities,” the engineering station reported.
“FTL!”
“Jump drives are one-hundred percent spooled...Go!”
“The board is green, Admiral!” Commander Jameson reported.
“Initiate jump!” Jed ordered.
The Rocinante, along with the Jannali, vanished and then reappeared at their programmed coordinates at the Betelgeuse corridor exit.
“Status report!” Jameson barked.
“All radiological devices have detonated, we’re in high radiation.”
“Emergency power to shields!” Jed ordered, “Doctor Lambert, are you ready to dispense radiation protocols?”
A husky voice sounded in his ears over the speakers, “We’re underway as we speak, Admiral.”
“Henderson,” Jed ordered the comm officer, “Launch all fighters!”
“Chief Kelly!” Henderson ordered, “Open the launch doors, get our birds up, now!”
“We’re ready down here Admiral! Fighters are launching.”
“Tactical report!” Jed demanded.
“The Antarian ships were caught off guard. Two are disabled, one is launching fighters in response.”
“Helm, move into flank position. Henderson, patch me over to Captain Martin.”
“Aye, Sir.”
“The last enemy ship has engaged our fighters,” Collins reported, “they’re launching missiles at us, Sir!”
“Engage point defense systems!” Jameson ordered, “Launch all drones!”
“Drones away, Sir!”
“Admiral, Captain Martin is on the line.”
“On speakers!”
“Admiral, we’ve opened fire on the enemy ships, we detect two ships down. But they were shielding the third one from us...we’re taking quite a beating over here.”
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