“How, Corb? Eating the energy bars will break the focus and drop us out of the star-portal conduit.”
“Janish, I have been experimenting. I sort of forced my mind into multiprocessor mode. My mind remained focused on the symbols and the transit. I instructed … I used the nanobots to observe the bridge. I know it works for sight, will it work for consuming a power bar and small amounts of liquid … we are about to find out. We have to make this work.
“We are going to go as far as possible in the first segment. After that, eight-hour transits followed by the four-hour rest periods. Any questions?”
“Corb, not a question but an idea.”
“Yes, Landry?”
“When the Triad pushes the Jaguar into the slipstream, before the entry into the star-portal conduit, I recommend as much velocity as possible entering the slipstream.”
“Do you think that will increase our star-portal conduit velocity?”
“Yes. We know entering the hyper-tunnel at a higher velocity reduces transit time in the hyper-tunnel. The principle of entry speed increasing the transit speed should apply to entering the star-portal conduit.”
“We will try it, Landry. Good observation. Before we do this, dinner, and bio-breaks for the Triad. One hour and we go. Any questions? Yes, Jirmina?”
“If the Enlightened One will permit it, I will assist the Triad during the transit.”
“Sure, that works. How?”
“The Plentari possess the ability to ease the mind of those suffering.”
“Uh, okay, I guess that will work for me. Any more questions? No? One hour.”
Time in SP Conduit: 11:24:21.
Time to Sol: (3D) 06:29:00.
“How far, Nick?”
“Lucinda, I am not sure. Landry, check these calculations.”
“The calculations are correct, Nick.”
“We went just over a third of the way to Sol.”
“Good. Stand by.”
The Triad unbuckled their safety harnesses and dashed for the nearest head. Twelve hours without moving from a seat required relief.
The Triad retuned and flopped into their chairs.
“That was intense. Jirmina’s hands … When they touched my forehead, I felt refreshed.”
“The same for me, Lucinda. Corb?”
“Yes, Janish, I felt it also. It was as if Jirmina was renewing my energy, but more than that … I felt healthier.”
Embarrassed, Corb stopped speaking, raising an eyebrow to Lucinda.
“Landry, what time is it?”
“Lucinda, I have adjusted the chronometers based on the new calculations. I will use the FTL communications link to ping the nearest celestial regulator. K’an and Plentari are the nearest celestial regulators.”
“Yes, but what time is it?”
“The correct question is what day is it? We expended eleven hours and twenty-four minutes in the star-portal conduit. In normal space, in real time, three days and fourteen hours transpired. Entering the conduit with a twenty percent increase in velocity doubled the transit velocity within the conduit.”
“Landry, that is sixteen to one. Are you sure?”
“Yes, Nick, the calculations are correct. We will know the exact time when the ping to the celestial regulators returns in a few hours.”
“Landry, Nick, I want you to calculate two courses while the Triad sleeps. I want a direct line to Sol. The second, I want to know if a diversion to K’an is possible while still arriving at Sol before Jymind.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks, Nick.”
“You think Tarmenik will balk at sending the Zac-Cimi to Sol.”
“Correct, Cass.”
The Triad exited the bridge, leaving the rest of the crew to complete the planning efforts.
“Let’s get to it, Landry.”
“Nick, I have already calculated the requested flight paths.”
“Well then, smart guy, is it possible?”
“Is what possible?”
“You can infer. I know you have been practicing. Why don’t you give it a shot, wonder boy?”
“Nick, a diversion to K’an, with a four-hour layover for rest, then on to Sol, will put the Jaguar in Sol four days ahead of Admiral Jymind’s earliest projected arrival.”
“Now, see, was that so hard?”
“It was not hard …”
“It was a rhetorical question. You still have a lot to learn. I think Tarmenik is in for a lesson in diplomacy. A great Brit once said diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way. Sir David Frost said that … I suspect Corb is about to let Tarmenik do the right thing.”
Time in SP Conduit: 09:04:07.
Time to Sol: (1D) 05:49:00.
“Tarmenik, you misunderstood. It is not a request. You created this problem when you manipulated galactic events. If we had not gone to Zerain to prevent the Xjaal and Ajawlil extinction, Sol would not be under threat. You will comply. If you continue to resist, I will take the Zac-Cimi by force. That is not a threat. It is a statement of fact.”
The Jaguar was orbiting K’an. Tarmenik, Tarmish, and Tarunik were on a conference call with Corb and Lucinda. Tarunik, leader of the Ch’en, spoke softly and deliberately.
“Enlightened One, thank you for alerting us to the Zac-Cimi. Until I received your message, the Ch’en were unaware the battlecruiser was moored in the K’an system.
“As you know, the Ch’en revere the harmony above all. Possessing a battlecruiser and offensive weapon is a violation of the harmony. Doctor Tarmenik will face the tribunal for his crimes against the harmony.”
Two Ch’en moved from off camera to positions behind Tarmenik. The guards were dressed in a vest of translucent material, and Corb and Lucinda did not miss the laser sabers strapped to their hips. Neither Corb nor Lucinda knew the Ch’en had a guard or police force. Without reaction to the surprise appearance of the armed guards, Corb spoke deliberately.
“Tarunik, your wisdom is always superb. What is it you propose to break this impasse?”
“We will wait while the guards remove the malefactor.”
The guards lifted Tarmenik from under his arms. To his credit, Tarmenik did not fuss. Tarunik waited, stoically staring at the table. Eventually, looking up, he continued.
“Enlightened One, how we proceed depends on many factors. First, do you know where the Zac-Cimi is moored?”
Corb looked off camera toward Landry’s avatar. The avatar responded with a thumbs-up.
“Yes, we know where the Zac-Cimi is moored.”
“That is good. Can you and your crew commandeer the Zac-Cimi without loss of life?”
“If you are asking if we can commandeer the Zac-Cimi without harming the Ch’en crew, yes, we can.”
“Enlightened One, you have great wisdom. The impasse is broken. Upon the word of the Enlightened One, the Ch’en will cede to you the Zac-Cimi.
“Through the actions of a Ch’en, your home is in danger. The harmony is broken and must be restored.”
Tarunik paused, deep in thought.
“Corb, take the Zac-Cimi and return the crew of Ch’en. Consider the Zac-Cimi a gift from the Ch’en. Let us hope it is enough and not too late to save your people.”
“Tarunik, that is a gift of great value and something I cannot accept. I will return the Zac-Cimi to the Ch’en when Sol is safe.”
“No, Corb, the Zac-Cimi will remind the Ch’en of the devious Tarmenik and the grievous violation of the harmony. The Ch’en are not devious and we do not possess weapons intended to wage war.
“Travel well, be safe. When you return to K’an, we will drink Jima to your success.”
The video reverted to the sunrise on the horizon of planet K’an when Tarunik closed the video conference.
“He called you Corb. He referred to you by your given name. He’s never done that before.”
“No, Lucinda, he has not. It was his way of telling me he was personally hurt by Tarmenik’s actions.”
> “Yo, Enlightened Guru, you said you have a plan to commandeer the Zac-Cimi. Is that true?”
“No, Nick, I was hoping you’d have thought up something by now.”
“What did you tell me once … oh yeah … only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity. We got plenty of both.”
“Nick, you butchered a quote attributed to Albert Einstein. Nonetheless, does anyone have an idea? How do we take a ship, the sister ship to the Jaguar, without harming the crew?”
Ragnar looked to Jirxena, who looked to Jirmina, who looked to Nick, who closed the loop and looked to Ragnar. Ragnar was radiating confidence. Cass was worried when Ragnar laid out his plan to commandeer the Zac-Cimi.
“There are nine of us. We need a boarding party. Cass is out.”
“Hey! I don’t think I like that.”
“Cass, you have the least combat training and we need someone to remain on the Jaguar.”
“Well … okay then.”
“We can take the Zac-Cimi with seven people. Seven fierce people. We have two things going for us. Two powerful weapons. Surprise and experience. Here is what we are going to do.”
Ragnar’s plan was simple and required a scant ten minutes to explain.
“Bloody ‘ell, it’ll take us longer to get ready than it took you to think that up and tell us about your master plan for commandeering a battlecruiser.”
“Nick, KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid.”
“We are nothing if not simple. NT, can you hold up your end?”
“Corb, how do you think I got this scar on my face?”
Lucinda and Nick started laughing at NT’s response. Corb was not buying it.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that?”
“I was knifed in a fight to save a damsel in distress.”
Unbelieving, Corb looked to Lucinda for an explanation.
“It is true. He pushed his face into a sharp object while falling out of a second-floor window.”
“He what? Pushed his face … never mind. Jirxena, Jirmina, can you do this and not injure the Ch’en crew?”
They replied in unison as Ragnar stepped off the bridge. “Of course, Corb.”
“You two are starting to creep me out.”
“That is good, Nick. Jirmina and I want to keep you off guard.”
It required several seconds for the crew to realize Jirxena had made a joke. Nick laughed the hardest before responding.
“You have been reading. Lucinda, can you do it?”
“Yes, Nick, I think so.”
“You think? This is no time to guess.”
“Yes, I can do it.”
Ragnar returned to the bridge carrying an armful of laser sabers.
“These have been recalibrated. Landry, confirm these will not kill a Ch’en.”
“Confirmed, Ragnar. The weapons you are holding will merely incapacitate a Ch’en.”
“Enough talk. Let’s go be heroes and save the Earth.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
ᚴᚼᛅᛒᛏᛁᚱ•ᛏᚢᛁᚾᛏᚢ-ᚾᛁᚾᛁ
“To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence, supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”
Sun Tzu
“Landry, with Lucinda’s confirmation, please confirm Cass has command authority while we are off ship.”
“I confirm, Cass to receive command authority.”
Landry completed Corb’s request. “Command authority confirmed.”
“Cass, if this goes badly, you are instructed to take the Jaguar, flank speed, to Sol and turn it over to Colonel Khatter.”
“Flank speed?”
“He means white ensign.”
“Nick, I don’t know what either term means.”
Ragnar rescued his love.
“Flank speed is the absolute fastest a ship can travel. The Brits call it white ensign speed. What Corb means is you will get to the Earth as fast as possible. Landry?”
“Yes, Ragnar?”
“I am modifying the protocols. If Corb, Lucinda, or I send the bug-out message, you are instructed to take the Jaguar to Earth, flank speed. It is topsy-turvy here is the bug-out message.”
Landry’s avatar looked first to Lucinda for confirmation of the orders.
“I concur.”
Then looked to Corb.
“I concur.”
Ragnar was giddy with excitement. “Everyone ready? Good. Here we go, people.”
After strapping in, the Triad slipped the Jaguar to a position two hundred meters off the Zac-Cimi’s starboard, directly abeam. Two-point-two light-years from K’an, the Zac-Cimi was moored to a small stationary platform, behind a small moon.
Unbuckling, the crew formed up. Cass stepped over and buckled into Nick’s navigation position.
NT and Jirmina accepted a laser saber from Ragnar, who also handed a saber to Janish. Standing at arm’s length, they turned, and facing away they formed an outward-facing triangle. NT, holding a laser saber, and Jirmina closed their triangle by interlocking with one of Janish’s elbows.
Ragnar and Jirxena repeated the process, holding on to Lucinda’s elbows and their laser sabers. Nick and Corb stood back-to-back, touching boot heels, laser sabers at the ready.
Craning their necks, everyone was trying to eye Lucinda.
“Stop looking at me, this is Ragnar’s show. Lieutenant Commander Jensen, what are we waiting for? We have a battlecruiser to commandeer.”
“Everyone knows their role. No killing! No talking, either, use hand signals. Surprise is our friend. Those with nanobots, use them to communicate. Stun, secure, and move on. Ready? On my mark. Three, two, one, mark!”
The three groups disappeared from the Jaguar. Cass’s stomach churned from the immediate feeling of loneliness.
“Landry, keep me informed.”
“Do you want me to tell you what is occurring in real time?”
“Yes!”
“Janish, NT, and Jirmina are in the main cargo bay. They are racing to the loadmaster’s overlook. Lucinda, Ragnar, and Jirxena are on the bridge. They have stunned the bridge crew and are completing the process of incapacitating the crew.”
“Incapacitating?”
“They are securing the Ch’en with wire ties at their hands and feet. Corb and Nick are amidships and have begun a room-by-room search, heading aft, toward Janish’s group.
“The group in the main cargo bay has made it to the loadmaster’s overlook. The two Ch’en in the overlook were not expecting a boarding party and have been secured. The group has begun to move forward, deck by deck, room by room.
“Stand by, I am receiving a request. I will put it on the speakers for you.”
“Landry?”
“Yes, Lucinda?”
“The bridge controls are locked out. Can you override the lockout?”
“Stand by.”
“Janish’s team and Corb’s team have rendezvoused and are heading forward to the bridge.”
“Lucinda?”
“Yes, Landry?”
“The override is manual only.”
“Manual?”
“Yes, it is a safeguard against an electronic countermand.”
“I see. Tell me the sequence.”
“It will be easier if I show you. I will transmit the images to your nanobots.”
Landry’s avatar pointed to the monitors. Cassandra saw a series of hieroglyphs appear.
“Thanks, that did it.”
“Lucinda, you should release the bridge door lockout. The boarding team is two minutes out.”
“Confirmed, releasing bridge lock. Landry, translate the command consoles to English and Plentari.”
“Transmitting the translation codes now.”
Janish, NT, Jirmina, Corb, and Nick strode onto the bridge of the Zac-Cimi. Lucinda began issuing orders from the command chair.
“Corb, Janish, take all the Ch’en to the medical lab. Be gentle but make sure they are secure
d, then secure the door. Landry, I count seven Ch’en, five on the bridge and two in the loadmaster’s overlook.”
Landry’s responses were echoing on the bridge.
“Sorry, I have turned down the volume. Lucinda, there is one more person, hiding in the captain’s quarters behind a false panel.”
Jirmina jumped up and dashed off to the captain’s quarters. Landy continued the directions for Jirmina.
“Jirmina, open the closet. Make ready with your stun laser. Grab and rotate the hanging rod forward, then in reverse. The hidden panel will slide to the left.”
Jirmina followed directions and the panel slid aside. Before it was halfway open, Jirmina zapped the occupant of the hidden chamber. Looking at the unconscious occupant, Jirmina realized she needed help. She dashed back to the bridge.
“Corb, NT, I need your assistance.”
Jumping up, Corb and NT outpaced the smaller Plentari to the captain’s quarters.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, NT, I see it too. We need to stop looking at things expecting to see what we imagine to be true. We need to see things as they are, not as we hope they will be when we learn their meaning.”
Reaching down, Corb and NT each grabbed the unconscious occupant under an arm and pulled. In one fluid motion, Corb tossed the failed stowaway over his shoulder. Jirmina was leading, followed by Corb, then NT, when they returned to the bridge with the supposed stowaway.
After unceremoniously dumping the stowaway on the deck, Corb ignored the gushing waves of shock and teleported to his cabin on the Jaguar. Retrieving the box at the bottom of the closet, he returned to the bridge of the Zac-Cimi.
“Jirxena, this is Vivian Lizza Treacher. She was banished from Earth to K’an. She has … problems.”
“Corb, what the heck?” Lucinda said.
Corb responded while opening the box and slipping something into the pocket of Vivian’s light blue jumpsuit. “Lucinda, there is a lot more to this than we expected. There is no way she got onto this ship without Tarmenik’s help. Landry?!”
BairnGefa- The Akashic Expedition Page 22
