Triumph's Ashes (The Cassidy Chronicles Volume 5)

by Adam Gaffen

  “Diana. You have no idea how good it is to see you.”

  “And you, Admiral.” The AI was apparently fully restored, though Kendra thought she picked up some hesitation, some hidden reserve, and made a note to ask her about it. After.

  “What is the status of Njord?”

  “The upper section is fully functional at this time. From section 94 down we have completed rescue and recovery efforts and are in the process of dismantling the remaining levels. The detached sections have also been cleared of all personnel.”

  Everyone noted Diana’s careful use of language. The survivors had been transferred, and the bodies of the less fortunate recovered.

  “The current plan is to finish material recovery from the primary habitat, then move on to recovery on the detached section. After recovery is complete, reconstruction will begin. The entire process is anticipated to take two years.”

  “Two years? Why so long?” asked Van Leeuwen. “I mean, I’ve read the reports, and the original construction took months, not years.”

  “True, Captain,” Diana answered smoothly. “But the circumstances were different. This habitat was constructed in Low Earth Orbit, using materials and crews shuttled up from Earth, neither of which are practical here. In addition, adding substantially to the habitat requires a different type of construction skill which extends the time. Finally, we are maintaining our Fleet upgrade schedule, which will further extend the rebuild time.”

  “Makes sense,” Van Leeuwen said. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Admiral?”

  “Diana, you’re a wonder.”

  “I could not have accomplished as much without Hecate,” the AI said.

  “And Hecate,” added Kendra. “Which leads me, gently, to my final topic. Our future.”

  Every eye in the compartment was fixed on her, even Hunter, and Kendra felt like she was back in sensies, preparing to perform.

  “I would love to say we ain’t gonna study war no more, but I’m neither stupid nor naïve. As long as we’re human, we’ll disagree, and sometimes those disagreements will turn violent. I do want to ensure, as much as possible, that the deaths of all the people we lost will not have been in vain.”

  “Every person will need to have a voice in the Federation. Every person will need to be heard. And every person will need to have a way to air grievances before they rise to the point of violence.”

  She saw agreement and continued.

  “And I don’t simply mean humans. If we start defining ‘humanity’ by counting legs, we will be no better than those who would have denied my humanity, or the humanity of my daughters, because of my birthright. No, my friends. I propose we lay the groundwork, today, and enshrine it for all time, standards by which sentience, and therefore what we will call ‘humanity’, can be measured. Three pillars upon which we judge a creature, any creature.”

  “First. Is it intelligent? Can it learn and understand, cope with new situations? Second, is it self-aware? Does it know of its own existence, its own being? Third, is it conscious? You might argue this is merely a rephrasing of the second, but it’s far more subtle. It starts to get into whether a being has a soul, has an existence which has bounds and definitions. A being which is aware of its own possibility of death, I would contend, is conscious.”

  “Where does this leave us? Looking around this table, I contend I see three different types of ‘humanity’.” Heads pivoted. “I see Homo sapiens. I see Felis eridani arboribus. And I see two AI’s, creatures created by Homo sapiens but who have proven time and again their worthiness.”

  She held up a hand to ward off the incipient discussion.

  “Would anyone here contend Diana is not intelligent?”

  She swept the table again and saw no argument.

  “Would anyone here contend Hecate isn’t aware of herself? Simply observe the change and growth in her in the past week alone.”

  Again the table was silent.

  “And an awareness of death. Ashlyn.”

  The Direwolf pilot was surprised to be addressed but rallied.

  “Admiral?”

  “What happened with Starbuck?”

  “He uploaded himself to Daniela’s Direwolf just before mine blew.”

  “Did you order him to do so?”

  “No.”

  “Did you suggest it?”

  “No.”

  “Did he tell you why he did it?”

  “He said he didn’t want to go up with the ship, he didn’t see any reason why he should, so he figured out a way not to.”

  “Isn’t that evidence of his awareness of death? Diana.”

  “Admiral.”

  “What did Hunter say about you?”

  “Nothing directly, Admiral, but Captain Martinez interpreted her thoughts, fifteen days ago, that Hunter could feel the ‘souls’ of Hecate and myself. It is a most interesting concept.”

  “Again, my friends. I say our AI’s are sentient, by all the definitions we care to apply, and therefore are ‘human’ for values of inclusion in the Federation. I also say Hunter, and all her species, are sentient and deserving of inclusion into the Federation.”

  “Tamara, Kyra, Nicole, Autumn. The dreams of the Federation have to include the dreams and aspirations of the AI’s and the ‘cats as equal partners. Furthermore, we have to have mechanisms in place so the next sentient species we encounter can be offered a place in our dream.”

  “What about hostile species?” said Whitmore. “It’s a big universe, Kendra. We’re not always going to find warm and fuzzies.”

  “You’re right, Davie, which is why Starfleet will continue to be dual purpose. I’m a realist wearing an idealist’s clothes, after all. But enemies can become friends, after all. It’s a matter of will and communication.”

  “Two years ago, I announced the birth of the Federation to the world. I said, ‘We will go boldly. We will seek and explore. We will meet all challenges, and we will emerge triumphant.’ Now we stand at a crossroads. Our will has been tested to the utmost; far too many of our people have paid the ultimate price. Yes, we have our triumph, one which has come at a terrible, terrible cost.”

  She shook her head.

  “Years ago I learned a paradoxical truth: grapes grow sweetest on the slopes of a volcano. It’s true; the ash serves as a healthy base to grow the vines and yet at any moment the volcano could erupt again, wiping away all the growth. Time and time again it happens, and time and time again the grapes return.”

  “We have our own ashes. Our people have fertilized this ground with their blood and pain. Yet from triumph’s ashes we have emerged, stronger, healthier, and more prepared to face the coming challenges. The dream we all share has withstood the brutal tests of the past months, the slings and arrows of those who most opposed it.”

  “Now is the time to push. Now is the time to be bolder, if possible. You say exploration? I say colonization! You say contact with other sentients? I say inclusion of other sentients! My friends, my ohana, I intend to be on the forefront of this new, bolder Federation. Will you come with me?”

  The cheer which arose included both AI’s and, as best Kendra could tell, Hunter. Cass came to her side and hugged her. Together they stood, embracing the warmth of their family and basking in the future.

  EPILOGUE

  TFS Constitution

  Stardate 12102.02

  Hecate had taken lessons from the Enterprise and applied them to the Constitution. Her bridge, for example, had three command chairs, like the Endeavour, specifically to allow a flag officer to sit without displacing the executive officer.

  Kendra had relinquished her seat today, though.

  Orion and Honey occupied the space, peering eagerly around. They were familiar with the layout of the ship, having virtually lived aboard her since her commissioning in December, but this was the first time they’d been invited to the bridge at launch.

  Cass, in her blue uniform with the four rings of a Starfleet Captain on her sl
eeve, stepped out of her Ready Room and made her way to the center seat. As she settled into it, she said, “Commander.”

  “Captain,” answered her XO, Joy Auburn, nodding from her chair on Cass’s right.

  “Status?”

  “All divisions report ready.”

  “Small craft?”

  “Full load. Two Wolves, two Direwolves plus the Admiral’s personal craft, and a Coyote.”

  “Lieutenant Vorwald in overall command?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Lieutenant Gigluk?”

  “Captain?”

  “Ready to make some history?”

  From her science station, Anne replied with enthusiasm. “Absolutely!”

  “Then let’s give you your opportunity. Lieutenant Glaub. Course?”

  “Plotted and laid in.”

  “Joy?”

  “First stop, Manticore system, then Alpha Persei, and other systems of opportunity.”

  “Then take her out, Commander.”

  “Aye, Captain. Njord, Constitution.”

  “Constitution.”

  “Request permission to depart.”

  “Permission granted,” Hecate said. “You are clear to the warp exclusion zone. Captain, I know you’re eager to start, but I won’t have you speeding in my bay!”

  “That wasn’t me, that was Kendra!” objected Cass.

  “And I can’t tell her to behave, so I’m settling for you. See you in six months.”

  “Keep the home fires burning. Cassidy, out.” She turned to her left and looked past the ‘cats to Kendra. “Admiral? Would you care to do the honors?”

  “Thank you, Captain, but I believe our guests have the privilege.” She looked down to the ‘cats. “Orion?”

  The black ‘cat sat up on his hind legs, brought his right arm back until it was parallel to his body, then dropped the forearm with a single finger extended.

  “I believe he’s saying, ‘Engage’, Lieutenant,” Kendra clarified.

  “Aye, Admiral.”

  The background hum of the engines increased almost imperceptibly as the ship eased away from the dock. The ‘cats bleeked and chittered in excitement; while it wasn’t their first departure by any means, it was the first time they were seeing it live, as it were.

  Kendra edged behind the seat to stand next to Cass.

  “How did you teach him to do that?” Cass asked.

  “I didn’t.”

  “Then how...?”

  “The girls. They’ve been trying to explain me to the ‘cats for months, and so I think they’ve run through every episode of Star Trek we have.”

  “Ah, it all becomes clear to me. Still, it was awfully cute.”

  “More importantly, he knows what it meant. No coaching. I think if we can figure out how to aid their communication, they’ll be able to really integrate into the Federation.”

  “Hush, Admiral. Shop talk later.” They were clearing the bay doors. Before them lay nothing but black and stars.

  “Lieutenant, swing around Njord. Let’s give our eyes a treat.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  The ship heeled to starboard, following the curve of the hull, bringing first the Earth then Luna into view.

  Honey tugged at Kendra’s uniform.

  “Hmm?”

  The ‘cat pointed at the screen and chittered.

  “That’s the planet we’re from. It’s a lot like yours.”

  “Communication, eh?” whispered Cass.

  “Hush, Captain.”

  With a smile on her face, Cass ordered, “Resume course.”

  The planet and satellite seemed to drop away as they curved North against the ecliptic. The stars seemed to hang before them as if tantalizing them. ‘You can never reach us,’ they seemed to be saying.

  Oh, yes we can, thought Kendra.

  “Passing warp exclusion zone,” said Glaub.

  “Warp factor, Captain?” asked Auburn. They had the newest version of the drive and could cruise at warp nine.

  Cass made a show of considering options. “I think we should get there and see what we can find. Warp eight.”

  “Aye. Lieutenant Glaub, you heard the Captain. Engage.”

  “Warp eight, aye.”

  The ship made a blur of the universe.

  Cass and Ken Will Return!

  AUTHOR’S AFTERWARD

  That was quite a journey.

  Not just this book, but this whole arc.

  As you may have heard in the interviews I’ve done, The Cassidy Chronicles was supposed to be a standalone book. Beginning, middle, end. Tell the tale of Aiyana and Kendra and done.

  Then I started writing the next book, the one which turned into The Road to the Stars. I got about 5000 words into it and it just wasn’t working right, just sputtering along. The universe didn’t fit, wasn’t coming into focus. So I thought I could drop it into the Cassidy universe and see what happened.

  Lo and behold.

  It took four books for them to deal with Artemis.

  Now what?

  Well.

  They finally get to explore. Go do the things they wanted to do and not have to fight for their lives and their dreams.

  As for the rest of the crew?

  We’ll see what stories they have to tell.

  But that’s for later.

  One note: there is only a brief Appendix to this book; it consists solely of the cast of characters and a brief description of the two major animal species from Freyr. The rest of the technical information will be available online for you to find.

  As always, this book could not exist without a whole team behind me.

  First, you. Yes, you. If people just like you didn’t want to read my books, there wouldn’t be much point in writing them. So thank you. I appreciate you and the time you’ve spent getting to know everyone who makes up this universe.

  My volunteers. You know who you are. You did me a huge service; you gave me your names! You add realism to Kendra’s idealism.

  Next, my First Readers. Darin, Samantha, Jim, Jim, and Jillian. You caught the mistakes and made this book better. I would single you all out for your contributions but then this Afterword would be longer than the book, so maybe not. In any case: Thank you!

  Also my VA, Anna Van Leeuwen. The longer we work together the more I appreciate what you bring to the table.

  Finally, and as always, my supremely patient wife, Michaela. This book started immediately after the other one ended, and we’ve had to figure out how we can work together without conflicting our schedules. Not easy, but thanks to her patience and understanding we managed. I love you.

  Adam

  Find me online! Send me an email: adamgaffenauthor@gmail.com Prefer Instagram? @adamgaffen You’d rather do Facebook? Great! FansofAdamGaffen Or if all that’s too much, go to the website, www.CassidyChronicles.com

  ‘Writing is antisocial. It's as solitary as masturbation. Disturb a writer when he is in the throes of creation and he is likely to turn and bite right to the bone... and not even know that he's doing it. As writers' wives and husbands often learn to their horror...There is no way that writers can be tamed and rendered civilized. Or even cured. In a household with more than one person, of which one is a writer, the only solution known to science is to provide the patient with an isolation room, where he can endure the acute stages in private, and where food can be poked in to him with a stick. Because, if you disturb the patient at such times, he may break into tears or become violent. Or he may not hear you at all... and, if you shake him at this stage, he bites...’ – Robert A. Heinlein

  Playlist

  Hero – Skillet

  Prologue

  Cult of Personality – Living Colour

  B1C2

  Words – Missing Persons

  B1C3

  Back In Black – AC/DC

  B1C4

  Thunder – Imagine Dragons

  B1C6

  Thunderstruck – AC/DC

  B1C7 />
  Fucked Up World – The Pretty Reckless

  B1C8

  Walk the Dinosaur – Was (Not Was)

  B1C11

  Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked – Cage the Elephant

  B1C12

  Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

  B1C13

  Cold Hard Bitch – Jet

  B1C15

  Moneytalks – AC/DC

  B1C16

  Daughter of Darkness – Halestorm

  B1C17

  Lawyers, Guns and Money – Warren Zevon

  B1C18

  Can We Pretend – P!nk (feat. Cash Cash)

  B1C20

  Uprising – Muse

  B1C21

  Trouble – P!nk

  B1C23

  A View to a Kill – Duran Duran

  B1C24

  Ready to Go – Republica

  B2C1

  Kickstart My Heart – Halocene

  B2C3

  Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon

  B2C5

  Dragula – Rob Zombie

  B2C4

  No More Tears – Ozzy Osbourne

  B2C6

  I Will Not Bow – Breaking Benjamin

  B2C11

  Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm

  B2C12

  Blister In The Sun – Violent Femmes

  B2C13

  Lies – The Thompson Twins

  B2C16

  Dashboard – Modest Mouse

  B2C18

  Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

  B2C19

  Sugar, We’re Goin Down – Fall Out Boy

  B3C4

  It’s The End Of The World As We Know It – R.E.M.

  B3C6

  Bring Me To Live – Evanescence

  B3C7

  Even Angels Fall - The Crüxshadows