by Marc Stevens
Klutch, walked up to Tria and put his hand on her shoulder. “Tria, there is an easy way to ensure something like this never happens again. We destroy every Prule piece of scat we encounter; it leaves nothing to chance!”
I could see the resolve in Tria’s eyes when she nodded to the Troop Master. She turned to me and I nodded to her as well. If we hadn’t turned over the Hivemind to Sael and her science team none of this would be happening. I now knew why Sael came to us for help. She was blaming herself as well and knew we would not make the same mistake twice.
“Justice, take us home!”
“Acknowledged, Commander!”
2
I sat silently cursing in sentences. My first officer, Tria, had chosen me as her life mate, and I willingly accepted her claim. We have been in so many terrible situations together that there was no way I could not love her. I was all set to give her the million-credit tour on how humans interact with their life mates. Tria’s physiology was almost human in every way, except for her extra set of arms. Other than that, she was amazingly similar to a human female. Justice had on many occasions pointed out we would be unable to produce offspring, but we were fully compatible. Every time it seemed like we had a real moment to consummate our relationship, some freaking calamity inserted itself into the equation. This would turn out to be another of those moments. Our feelings of want and desire were going to take a backseat to the nonstop horrors our galaxy seemed to have an overabundance of.
“Justice, what is your assessment of the Oolaran power source we recovered?”
“My tests have shown that it is fully functional. I have been studying the possibilities of using the Oolaran power plant to power the Legacy’s beam weapons as well as the anomaly weapon. If my theories prove correct, we can increase the destructive output of our main weapons by forty-two percent. With engineer Coonts assistance and Felix’s manufacturing skills, we can design and build a transfer switch capable of shunting the power source’s considerable output to the beam weapons.”
“Was the anomaly weapon Sael gave us functional?”
“My subsystems, along with the aid of the Grawl scientists, have assembled the weapon. Static testing has shown that it is complete. It only requires a power source and AI integration.”
Coonts held up a finger.
“Yes Coonts, do you have something to add?”
“Commander, we could possibly modify the Sentinel-designed power transfer switches that Alpha Base uses to power the defensive beam weapons. If they prove to be inadequate, we can base a more robust transfer switch on their design.”
“Engineer Coonts, my subsystems have already tested Alpha Base’s power transfer systems, and they are incapable of handling the output capacity of the Oolaran power generator,” Justice said.
Coonts frowned and gave me a curt nod. “Justice, I will need a specification rating before I can design a transfer switch.”
Justice fired right back. “My findings have been downloaded to the science lab computer and are available for your research.”
Our current situation had us all on edge. Coonts and Justice sniping at each other was the usual manifestation of the crew’s mission anxiety. Even I was not immune to pre-mission jitters, but Tria always had a way of easing my fears. The thought of losing a crew member weighed heavily on my mind. Tria gave me confidence that no matter what, we would pull through as a team. We never planned for failure, only the unexpected. Tria embraced me once more as my surroundings glared a brilliant white and my reality faded away.
As we returned to normal space-time, Justice gave me a sitrep. “Commander, I have no anomalous activity to report, and we will make a straight-in approach to Alpha Base. The scientists are prepared to start work on rearming the Legacy. Felix has been briefed on the damage to your armor and has begun manufacturing new armor suits with modifications based on my battle damage assessments.”
“Thank you, Justice. Do you have an estimate on the time it will take to install the Oolaran power generator and anomaly weapon? You know as well as I how impatient Sael is. I am going to have to tell her something soon, or she will come knocking on our door.”
“I estimate thirty-seven hours with the scientists working in shifts around the clock. It will take longer to remove the Sentinel power generator and our modifications than to install the original weapons system.”
“Has Coonts started on a workable transfer switch?”
“Yes, I have been monitoring his progress. He is close to a solution that will allow the Oolaran power source to share power with our beam weapons. The switch design was not a problem for him since we have the Sentinel switch as a blueprint. He is currently working on the power chokes necessary to keep from overcharging our beam weapons. I surmise it will take him several hours to formulate the correct metering devices that will meet or exceed my duty rating specifications.”
“I have been wanting to talk to you about the way you and Coonts pick at each other. Of all the traits you seem to have adopted from me, that particular one is not one of my more flattering.”
“Commander, while you and Coonts interpret my wordings as petty bickering, I can assure you it is just the opposite.”
“Oh really? Please explain to me my misunderstanding of your intention.”
“Commander, my words are a carefully calculated manipulation. I observe everyone in my charge to better understand interactions between them. I have found that if I interject a small slight into my collaborations with Coonts, it tends to bring out the best in him. Coonts is a gifted engineer whose talents were never fully utilized under Drayen’s rule. He only needs to be prodded in the right direction to get the very best of what his considerable IQ has to offer. There are several things that Coonts excels in that my programming cannot compete with. Coonts’s ability to design complex systems from scratch is not one of my better programmed capabilities. I have to disassemble most complex devices to determine how they work before I can have a better understanding of how to improve on a specific manufacturing design. Coonts is able to take a specification and design it from its base materials. His knowledge of hardware and systems acquired from other races is an invaluable commodity. I only have what little Oolaran systems information was left in my memory cores. Each system Coonts develops is a wealth of information for me to add to my files. Coonts is in fact teaching me as he exhibits his engineering skills.”
I closed my eyes, shaking my head. I should have known better; the AI soaked up knowledge 24/7. While it did explain some of the bickering, it did not cover all of it. It was probably best to just let it go unless it got to the point of affecting crew performance, but still, I needed to say something.
“Couldn’t you just ask him nicely to teach you rather than irritate him?”
“Negative! Coonts practicing the human trait known as one-upmanship is a far better leaning tool than the trait normally exhibited by him, which is known as a superiority complex.”
Well, at least we agreed on something.
“You said the Daggers were ready to go. Can you get four in the cargo bay? I still want to take an Eagle with us.”
“I can accommodate four in the hold now that the modified tiedowns are in place. The shuttle can remain in the hangar. It will be close quarters, but I foresee no problems with the arrangement.”
The thought of taking untested equipment into combat no longer bothered me as much as it used to. Most all of our loadout was tested in combat conditions. What was eating at me was the shield penetration itself. The possibility of Tria or I being mashed into scat weighed on me. Klutch was built for that kind of abuse, and I had no doubt about him going through the insertion without a scratch.
“During flight testing I want the missile loadout for the Daggers to be something other than nanite weapons.”
“Since my initial assessments, I have added additional scenarios to the testing profile. The rotary launchers on each Dagger will be loaded with variable yield antimatter missiles. I will have t
he nanite weapons available for loading after system familiarity testing is complete.”
Justice made a high-speed approach to Alpha Base and landed in the hangar. It had become a ritual with the scientists to greet us upon our return to Alpha Base. When we debarked the Legacy, we received a warm welcome and the Grawl gathered around us to make hand contact. The crew and I made it a point to touch each of their hands. My Zaen replicator engineer, Felix, stood with a small smile on his face, and he too made hand contact with each of us. The Grawl were not known to be a touchy-feely race. Those who followed me felt the need on some level to touch the warriors of their adopted clan.
The Grawl dispersed; some boarded the Legacy, and some were doing a walk-around inspection of the exterior hull. Graf, Jaren, and Felix quietly waited for everyone to start on their assigned duties and then came forward to give me their reports. Graf and Jaren turned to Felix, and he nodded.
“Commander, I have already completed fabrication of the new exterior armor shells for Tria and the Troop Master. The replacement weapons and parts for all the battle suits is queued into the replicator and should be manufactured within the next two hours. Some of the enhancements recommended by Justice will take a little longer while we work on the proper engineering specifications.”
“Thank you, Felix. Is there anything you require from me or the crew?”
“No sir. Justice has foreseen my needs and has assured me a very busy schedule. If you need me, I will be in the replicator building.”
I waved the young Zaen on, and he quickly departed to finish work on our suit repairs. Felix continued to impress me. The responsibilities we heaped on the Zaen had made a mature young man out of the spoiled brat we initially had to put up with. As Felix walked away, Graf stepped forward.
“Commander, Justice has briefed us via the Chaalt real-time data link. Jaran and I have already come up with a timetable and work shifts that will not degrade the scientists’ acuity and ensure a twenty-four-work schedule. The only hindrances I foresee will be replicator delays due to priority materials manufacturing. Felix has assured me the replicator will be run at maximum capacity. We have stockpiled the raw materials necessary for all repairs and new systems requirements. With your permission, we shall immediately implement the new work cycles.”
I could only smile. The efficiency of the Grawl was once again on display. If the Grawl race would only give up their greedy and power-hungry ways, they could be a shining example to other developing species. The smiled faded from my face. A great many humans suffered from those very sins, and changing that was never likely to happen.
The crew and I pitched in, and we worked nonstop shifts for two days straight. On the third day, Justice alerted us the Daggers were ready to test fly. I looked around and saw my crew was nowhere to be seen. It did not take a genius to figure out they were probably checking out the Daggers. I headed for the artifact building and saw I had guessed correctly. Sitting out front of the building were four of the shiny black missile-shaped spacecraft. The cockpits were open, and Tria, Coonts, and Klutch were sitting inside. We were wondering what the performance capabilities of the spacecraft would be. Any apprehension we had concerning our upcoming mission was nullified for the thrill of testing unknown alien technology.
As I walked by each of my crew members, they made eye contact with me. Their looks of determination helped settle my jittery nerves. I gave them a small smile and a nod. They each gave me a thumbs up, broadening the smile on my face as I climbed into November One. If I was going to be smashed into scat, I would be doing so in good company. As far as I was concerned, my crewmates were some of the finest this galaxy had to offer.
I settled into the protective tub, and Justice swelled the cushioned surround to fit my torso. A floating holograph appeared in front of my face, and the cockpit closed.
“Commander, all Daggers are optimized and ready in all aspects.”
“Thanks, Justice, take us for a lap around our star system so we can get an idea of the Daggers’ flight characteristics.”
“Roger that, Commander!”
Justice took us out of Alpha Base and accelerated us to just under the speed of light. The ride was smooth and uneventful. I could see our progress as we moved at what I perceived as a snail’s pace away from base. After several minutes, I finally realized that sub-light was not all that fast when you consider the vastness of space.
“Okay, Justice, I have had enough of slow. Give us some gas.”
“Minimum phase drive cycle engaging now.”
My vision momentarily blurred, and I revisited my first encounters with jump sickness. While it wasn’t debilitating, it was noticeable. My morning rations stirred in irritation. Exclamations came over my comms and made me notice our movement on the holograph. Justice highlighted Alpha Base, and it was a small pulsating dot well behind us and rapidly fading away. I was sure the Legacy was easily this fast but never had a display like this one to show us.
“Let’s see what a sudden stop is like. I want to know what we can expect on the combat drop. Tango Two, Charlie Three, Kilo Four, did you copy that?”
I heard a quick reply.
“Two.”
“Three.”
“Four.”
Justice called out, “Sixty percent phase drive!”
My stomach started doing some unwelcome mood swings and my cockpit surround swelled even tighter around me. The holographic display went blank. I was guessing it could no longer keep track of our velocity. I gritted my teeth in anticipation only to have my stomach kick its gyrations up a few more notches.
Justice called out once more. “Seventy-five percent phase drive acceleration. Due to the design limitations of your recon armor, I will forgo maximum phase drive testing!”
I felt a vibration that wasn’t present before, and my breathing was coming a little faster now. It was a toss-up whether it was a little bit of fear or just adrenaline adding a spike in my respiratory system. All at once, I let out an involuntary grunt. The cockpit liner and my light armor felt like they were both trying to crush the life out of me. I was starting to panic when my vision blacked out. I knew my eyes were open, but I could not see. Relief flooded in as I started seeing the holographic display slowly come into view in front of my face. I ached all over and felt the cockpit and my armor ease off.
I groaned out, “Tango, Charlie, Kilo, give me a sitrep!”
Klutch called back first. He sounded like he might have just run a few laps around the hangar, but other than that he was clear as a bell.
“Kilo Four is optimal and ready for additional maneuvers!”
Tria’s voice was slightly hoarse, and she sounded as rattled as I was. “Tango Two is NOT optimal. I was blinded by the deceleration but am slowly recovering my vision.”
“Charlie Three, give me a sitrep!”
Justice answered instead of Coonts. “Commander, Coonts is unconscious, and his telemetry shows he has sustained several minor stress related fractures to his skeletal system. The Grawl equivalent of retinas have both detached, and he has minor brain swelling. Before our stop maneuver, I informed Coonts I would not accelerate his Dagger beyond sixty percent of phase capacity. He protested vigorously and insisted he should go higher. While I did accelerate you, Tria, and Klutch, to seventy-five percent of maximum, I did not do the same for Coonts. My suspicions proved correct in that he would sustain minor bodily harm at sixty percent capacity and a full reverse phase stop.”
“None of that sounds like minor damage. Is he stable enough for a maximum velocity return trip to base?”
“Yes, Commander, I can assure you the damage Coonts sustained can be easily repaired during the weaponization procedure.”
“Turn us around and get us back to base.”
I felt like I had been body-slammed by Klutch and wondered if there was any other way to carry out our mission. The insane stop maneuver from full acceleration could leave us incapacitated and vulnerable. I knew Justice would protect us, but I r
eally did not want to go up against the Prule in a diminished capacity. Coonts demanding Justice push the envelope had me wondering if he intentionally wanted to inflict damage upon himself. I also wondered if it might just be a plan cooked up by the two of them all along. It would be a surefire way to get the Oolaran weaponization procedure sooner rather than later. He got his wish if that was the case. I’ll bet he didn’t factor in the pain during the recovery time. He was going to learn the hard way. I let a small smile crease my lips. Ballsy little bastard!
I was abruptly jerked back to the now of our excursion.
“Commander! I have detected the signatures of multiple Quill star drives. I now confirm sixteen separate tracks!”
Oh shit! Something deep down inside of me hated the crits worse than the Prule because they were cannibals. Their menu even included the deceased members of their own race. It may just be the way things go in the galaxy, but it totally repulsed me in a large assortment of ways. I was going to ask Tria what she thought but didn’t have to; Tango Two’s icon lit up on my holographic display, and her voice filled my cockpit.
