“I like the sound of that,” said Kelsey.
“Well, Kevin’s not going anywhere but home,” said Katie decisively. “I wouldn’t mind having another kid or two.”
Kelsey’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Katie nodded. “Yes, I missed my twins growing up but I can always have more kids. If I do, I promise you I won’t leave the Dyson sphere until they’re adults.”
Kelsey looked thoughtful. This was something she hadn’t thought about. Maybe she and Jeremy should discuss it.
-
Down in two of the ship’s large storage holds engineers were busy building two additional antimatter power plants. They would be needed to allow the New Horizon to escape the powerful gravity of the black hole.
Ariel was speaking with Jolban. Jolban was the Originator who had helped design and build the New Horizon.
“We still have a lot to do,” said Jolban as he directed two AIs who were installing a control panel. “I’ve asked for more engineering AIs to assist.”
“Will that be enough? I know Fleet Admiral Strong has already directed Rear Admiral Barns to get the engineers from Rear Admiral Jones.”
Jolban nodded. “Yes, that should work. Some of what we’re doing is very detailed engineering and AIs are well suited for that.”
Ariel looked around. There was a lot of work going on and it seemed to her as if the antimatter power plant was only half assembled. “What else do we need to do?”
“The power couplings and the gravity drive need to be checked. I’ve ordered some additional shielding for the drive as well as increased the size of the power leads. We’re also adding some overload preventives as I don’t want the drive to shut down due to the computer thinking it’s about to blow. I will be at the master control console so I can override the computer if necessary.”
Ariel watched as several engineers were hooking up a large power coupling to one section of the power plant. Satisfied everything was going as well as it could, Ariel turned to go to the other cargo hold. She just hoped they were ready when the rescue fleet arrived.
-
Kelsey and Katie had stopped at one of the ship’s large cafeterias to grab a bite to eat. Jeremy and Kathryn were still busy in the Command Center.
“Are you ready for this to be over?” asked Katie as she stirred her potato soup. It was a little too hot.
Kelsey nodded. “It’s been over four years for us and more than fourteen for our children. We’re going to have a lot of catching up to do.” Kelsey took a fork and knife and cut into her loaded baked potato. “I hope Angela took a lot of pictures and made a lot of recordings of the kids growing up.”
“So do I,” said Katie as she took a cautious bite of her soup. “I’m sure Clarissa has recorded everything. Probably a lot more than what Angela is aware of.”
Kelsey laughed. “I’ll bet you’re right. Clarissa and Ariel have always been so protective of us and the children. I know Ariel has really missed not being a part of their lives since we got stranded.”
“I’m just glad it’s about over. I can’t wait to see Grayseth when he gets here. I wonder if he’s changed any over the years?”
“I doubt it,” replied Kelsey. “He’s probably a little grayer and maybe a little grumpier but he’ll still be Grayseth.”
Katie looked down at her soup and took another bite. “I just can’t believe this time next week we’ll all be on our way home.”
“I know. Let’s just hope everything goes as planned.”
-
At the hub, Grayseth stood in the Command Center of the juggernaut Hunter. Next to him First Officer Rastell was busy explaining the progress of getting the juggernaut ready for its mission.
“The new drive is complete and we’ve increased the power to the shielding to help protect us from the gravity of the black hole. We’ve converted most of the cargo holds for passengers and greatly increased our food and medical stocks.”
“What about our dreadnaughts?”
“The last of them will be updated with the new drive system late next week. Once that’s finished the fleet will be ready to depart.”
Grayseth walked over and gazed at the large viewscreen. On it a number of dreadnaughts surrounded the Hunter. “I want every ship operating at top efficiency. This will be the greatest and most important hunt we have ever embarked on. I want all the members of all the clans on our ships to understand we will not return without my clan brother. This is a matter of the highest honor.”
First Officer Rastell bowed slightly. “To the hunt and to honor.”
-
Angela had been summoned to Fleet Admiral Tolsen’s office.
“I have information,” he began as Angela sat down. “I’ve spoken to Grayseth and he says the fleet will be ready to depart in about eight days. Will the Liberator be ready in time?”
Angela felt her heart speed up. They were still failing in most of the scenarios. Granted, the AI controlling the scenarios was making the scenarios as difficult as possible. She doubted if they would encounter anything similar once they made the transition into the Creevak universe.
“Yes, we’ll be ready. I’ll speak to Grayseth and formalize our plan. We need to make the transition at least three or four days before Grayseth does.” Angela knew that would be pushing it but they still had a lot of work to do before she felt the Liberator and its crew was ready.
Fleet Admiral Tolsen leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “Angela, it’s still not too late to change your mind. We could let Clarissa and a crew of well-trained AIs take the Liberator into the Creevak universe. You and the children don’t have to risk your lives.”
Angela had already carefully considered this. “No,” she replied, shaking her head. “The children would never forgive me and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself either. I feel confident we’ll be able to complete the mission without any problems.”
“They still haven’t made it to the battlestation in any of the scenarios they’ve run.”
“Those scenarios aren’t designed for success. Each one is loaded with numerous problems almost impossible to solve. I think we should have the AI loosen up and increase the possibility of success in a few of the scenarios, especially toward the end of their training. It would be a huge morale boost for the entire crew.”
Race nodded. “Makes sense. I have to admit, they’re probably doing better in the scenarios than most well trained crews would. That’s a pretty talented bunch.”
“They need to be for what’s in front of them. We’ve also limited what Clarissa and Leeda can do to aid them in the scenarios. Clarissa came to me several days ago and informed me if she were able to make more recommendations they would have already reached the battlestation in at least one third of the scenarios.”
“I’m not surprised,” remarked Race. “Both Clarissa and Leeda have a tremendous amount of experience to draw from. What did you decide about an additional military AI?”
“We’re going to pass; the crew’s happy as it is. I’m also not taking Brace as Colonel Wilde can easily handle security.”
Standing up, Angela made one final remark. “I’ll have them back running scenarios tomorrow afternoon. The Liberator is ready with all of the changes we’ve recommended complete. That’s one deadly little ship.”
“Just make sure you bring it back,” said Race as Angela turned to leave the room.
Angela didn’t reply. She fully intended to bring the ship back and when she did Jeremy and the others would be with her.
-
Admiral Grayseth was in a small briefing room waiting for Angela and Clarissa. Angela had sent him a message saying she was coming over to discuss the plans for the Liberator going into the Creevak universe. He had sent a message to Fleet Admiral Tolsen and Race had arrived a few minutes earlier. He wanted to be involved in this planning session as well.
“Are we ready?’ asked Race. This mission had been years in the planning. It had to succeed or
there may never be another one.
“We will succeed,” replied Grayseth in an unusually soft tone of voice. “My crews are well trained and we know our duty. We will return with Fleet Admiral Strong and all the others.”
Race leaned back and studied Grayseth’s face. Grayseth was still a powerful warrior. The age regeneration treatments worked as well for Carethians as they did for Humans. Grayseth looked to be in the prime of his adult life. “My friend, this is not a suicide mission. You must promise me if it is not feasible to rescue Fleet Admiral Strong and the others you will not sacrifice your fleet in the attempt.”
Grayseth’s large brown eyes narrowed slightly. “I cannot do that. If there is even a small chance of a rescue we will make the attempt. I will promise this; if the odds are impossible and there is absolutely no chance of a rescue I will return with my fleet.”
What Grayseth didn’t mention was once his fleet made the transition to the Creevak universe he had no plans on returning without his clan brother and the others, even if he had to sacrifice nearly every ship in his fleet.
It was at that moment that Angela came into the room. “Am I late?”
Race shook his head. “No, I’m just a little early. There were a few things I wanted to discuss with Admiral Grayseth.”
Angela sat down and looked at the two expectantly. “So, what’s the plan?”
Grayseth looked Over at Race and then began. “My fleet will be fully ready in eight days. At that time we will enter one of the Accelerator Rings and begin the transit to the Makuul Galaxy which will take a little over six days. Once we arrive we’ll spend several days making our final preparations. We’ll also send a stealthed probe through to confirm the location of all Creevak warships just prior to my fleet making its transit. That means sixteen days from today we will enter the Creevak universe.”
Angela did some quick calculating. “Then I need to leave with the Liberator no later than four days from now.”
“Is that going to be a problem?” asked Race, raising his eyebrow.
Angela shook her head. “No, all of the training for the mission is pretty much finished. We’re still running scenarios but I’ll contact Rear Admiral Marks and tell her we can only do two more. I want the crew to have at least one full day with very little to do.”
“Are they ready?” asked Race, focusing his eyes intently on Angela. “I still don’t feel fully comfortable with those young people going on this mission.”
“These are very special young people,” replied Angela. “They’ve trained nearly all of their lives for this. There’s no way I’m going to tell them no.”
Race nodded. “Jason reminds me more of Jeremy every day. Somehow I don’t think he would take no for an answer. Just be careful and keep all of them safe. If the mission becomes too difficult bring them back and we’ll send a probe.”
Angela shook here head. “You know as well as I we can’t rely on a probe to relay all the necessary information of what’s going to happen to the battlestation.”
Race let out a deep breath. “I hope we don’t have to use a probe but it will be a ready option if it becomes necessary.”
“We’ll make sure it isn’t necessary,” promised Angela. She turned back toward Grayseth. “What are you planning with your juggernaut? I know at some point it has to dock with the battlestation to take on board all of the station’s crew.”
Grayseth leaned forward with a sharp look in his eyes. He began explaining to Race and Angela exactly how he planned on rescuing the survivors. When he was finished he paused and looked at the other two.
“Sounds plausible,” said Race, tapping his fingers on the conference table. “I’m just worried about the time constraint with increasing the size of the battlestation’s energy shields to cover your dreadnaught while the evacuation is taking place. It’s going to be next to impossible to load over sixty thousand crewmembers plus forty thousand AIs in two hours.”
“That’s why my mission is so important,” said Angela. “We’ll get there soon enough so they can began moving the crew to the docking ports.”
“It’s still going to be tough. As much as I hate to say it, save the AIs until last. Their engrams can be recorded on the station’s main computer system and the drive taken to the Hunter. That would be forty thousand or more AIs which would not have to be loaded.”
Grayseth hated the thought of leaving any of the AIs. “That will be a last resort. It may be a decision I leave up to Fleet Admiral Strong as he’s been with them all of this time.”
The three of them spent some time discussing other elements of the operation. When they were finally satisfied they had covered as many possibilities as conceivable the meeting ended.
-
Angela walked to the shuttle bay alongside Race. “I’m surprised you’re not leading this mission.”
Race laughed. “You want to tell Grayseth he has to stay home? That would be worse than telling the children. Hell, he’d probably throw me out the nearest airlock. Have you ever seen an angry Carethian?”
“Not often, but I have seen a few. I see your point.”
“Besides, I’ve been speaking to Commander Zafron. He feels there’s something strange going on with the Eternals. He’s still trying to determine what it is.”
Angela looked confused. “I thought after interdicting their home galaxy the Eternals wouldn’t be a problem anymore.”
“Not true,” replied Race. “When you take all the galaxies they control into account they still have more ships than we do. We’re fortunate they’re spread out over such a large area of space. Our offensive is going much better than we had planned. That’s what concerns Commander Zafron. It’s proceeding too well.”
“A trap?”
“Maybe,” replied Race. “Commander Zafron is setting up an operation in a few days to test that possibility.”
Angela nodded. “Commander Zafron knows the Eternals better than anyone else. If he’s concerned then there may indeed be a problem.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
The two entered their shuttles and headed off to the Dyson sphere; Race to the Tower and Angela to the Fleet Academy.
-
Jason and Clair were in one of the gyms at the academy working out. Both were covered in sweat and in the process of running laps around the perimeter of the gym. Jason couldn’t help but notice how Clair’s breasts bounced as she ran. The sweat was also making her white top nearly see-through. He thought about saying something but was afraid to. He didn’t know if it would upset her he had noticed. One thing he did know; even like this Clair was still very pretty. His thoughts were interrupted as Lieutenant Commander Bell came into the gym. She was wearing a workout outfit very similar to Clair’s only a lot tighter. Her attire left little to the imagination.
-
Clair saw Layla come into the gym. Her eyes widened at seeing what Layla was wearing. She had made the mistake of mentioning to her that she and Jason were going to the gym for a workout. A deep frown crossed Clair’s face. There was no doubt in her mind Layla had been flirting with Jason ever since she was transferred to the Liberator. So far nothing had come of it and Clair intended to keep it that way.
-
Jason stopped running when he saw Layla. His eyes moved over her body, taking in what she was showing off. Layla had a very nice and provocative figure. Jason saw Layla’s eyes focus on him and she smiled. Stopping, she began stretching to loosen up before her workout.
Clair elbowed Jason in the side. “Stop looking,” she sent. “You know she’s just flirting with you.”
“She looks nice,” replied Jason without thinking. Clair elbowed him again only a little harder. “Maybe it’s time for us to leave.” Clair had no intention of leaving Jason alone in the gym with Layla.
“That would be rude,” replied Jason. “Let’s ask her to join us in our workout.”
-
Clair frowned but Jason was already heading toward Lyla who was now bent
over touching her toes.
“Going to work out?” asked Jason.
Layla straightened up looking at Jason. “Some. I wanted to get a few laps in while I can.”
“You can run with us,” suggested Jason.
“Don’t over do it or you’ll regret it later,” warned Clair icily.
“I’m just being polite,” replied Jason.
“Sure you are,” sent Clair. “I never see you looking at me like that.”
Jason didn’t respond. “We were going to do a few more laps anyway.”
“Sure,” replied Layla, smiling. “Shall we start?”
Jason nodded and soon all three of them were jogging around the perimeter of the gym. Jason in the middle with the two girls, one on each side.
“I hope you’re enjoying this,” sent Clair. “Keep your eyes off those boobs.”
“I’m not looking,” replied Jason as his face flushed slightly.
They continued to jog around the gym until all three were covered in sweat.
“I’m going to hit the showers,” said Layla. “I’ll see the two of you later.”
Jason nodded and watched as Layla strolled off.
“Put your eyes back in your head,” sent Clair. “Or they’re going to get stuck that way.”
Turning toward Clair Jason frowned. “I don’t know why you and Layla don’t get along better.”
Clair flipped her hair and replied. “It’s a girl thing.”
Jason shook his head. “Let’s go take our showers and while you’re in there don’t pick a fight with Layla.”
Clair turned and headed toward the showers. How could Jason be so blind not to understand her feelings toward him? It made her feel so frustrated. She really wanted to talk to her mother about how she felt but was afraid to. For now her feelings for Jason would have to stay a secret except for Andrea who already knew. She wondered if his feelings for her would ever be what she longed for.
Chapter Eight
Commander Zafron was watching the tactical display intently. They were in a new galaxy controlled by the Eternals. Scout ships had identified this system as containing the primary Eternal base for this galaxy. He had two hundred dreadnaughts, eight hundred battlecruisers, and one juggernaut. From the scans taken of the system, the Eternals had over two thousand of their battlecruisers around their base.
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