by Jim Laughter
“I keep running into interference from all those ships,” she added, pointing at the now totally red detector screen.
Betty crossed over to the weapons console while Ane strapped herself into the pilot’s chair. It had been a while since they’d needed to man either station. Mary usually handled both jobs at the same time and did a creditable job of it. That neither Ane nor Betty completely trusted Mary at this time went unsaid. Her help would be welcome, but only if she was up to par.
Soon they could see the flash of fighting from their position. The leading edge of the fleet engaged the fringe of the Red-tail armada, but they were still a long way from helping the Mary Belle. When the Red-tail ships came within effective range, Betty started firing the big ray while Ane twisted and turned the ship to make them a more difficult target.
Throughout the battle maneuvers, Ane kept wishing for the feel of Mary taking the controls. But those wishes went unfulfilled. Unspoken between everyone in the control room was the realization that their chances of surviving the onslaught of Red-tail ships until the fleet arrived was practically nil.
The ship lurched as an enemy ray brushed their side with a glancing blow.
“That was too close!” yelled Betty.
Ane redoubled her efforts at the controls to keep them safe. Both women fell silent while they fought like MarDogs protecting their cubs against the tide of onrushing Red-tails. The ship lurched again and again as near misses seared past them.
The troopers in the lower level reported minor damage in the rear cargo hold but had it under control. Troopers manning the smaller guns were able to see unaided the flash of enemy weapons setting their targets as the Red-tail ships drew closer. The trooper on the detector screen reported that the incoming fleets were making headway on the outer edges of the enemy formation. The screen was still far too red with lines to slack up now.
“MAMA!!!” a voice cried from the speaker in the control room.
Unbelievably, the trooper on the detector screen saw a hole of clear space develop at the center of the screen. A blur crossed in front of the ship as Baby appeared out of nowhere.
While Ane and Betty continued to fight, they were able to catch glimpses of a pink blur as Baby joined the fight. Firing here, zipping there, the little ship fought with a speed and ferocity that belied her childlike name.
The Red-tails concentrated their fire on the new threat in an effort to nullify the damage it was causing. Ane kept up her efforts while she watched the lop-sided battle develop. They saw several near misses barely brush the little craft, but so far it managed to stay relativity undamaged.
Suddenly, a bolt of light shot from behind them and caught the edge of the little ship, sending it spinning off course, severing one of her outer arms.
“MAMA!!!!” cried Baby, her voice conveying both fear and pain. Ane turned the Mary Belle toward Baby while Betty sought out and vaporized Baby’s attacker.
The controls became unresponsive and a surge of power rumbled through the ship. Betty’s controls also became inoperative as Mary took over both systems.
“Leave my baby alone!” screamed Mary, charging the Red-tail ships closing in on Baby.
Multiple rays began to blast from Mary’s front, side, and rear cannons with an intensity that was astonishing to behold. A cheer erupted from the troopers on the lower deck as Mary took charge of the situation.
That Baby was in trouble was obvious to those able to see the little ship. Not only was one mechanical arm missing, but a large section of scorched paint glared out at anyone watching, and there looked to be a possible breech in her hull near the rear.
Ane called over to Myra as they rapidly closed in on the little ship. “Are you all right over there?”
After a few seconds, Myra’s voice came back, dripping with anger.
“I’m doing okay! But they hurt my ship!” she answered. “The disabling ray is inoperative, and we lost cabin pressure when they breeched us. I managed to get into a pressure suit before we got here and am sure glad I did....Look out!”
The Mary Belle twisted around just as a Red-tail ship physically rammed them. Baby came in firing her front cannon while Mary tried to compensate for the damage. How had the Red-tail been able to overcome the protective repulsion field that was a by-product of their drive system?
Reports poured in from below of causalities and further damage. Mary roared as she renewed her attack on the Red-tails. Mary and Baby were starting to hold their own but the damage both ships suffered was taking its toll. Fortunately, the incoming Axia fleets were breaking up the Red-tail formation.
Soon the fighting around the two ships diminished as Axia ships arrived. A heavy battle cruiser took up position above Mary and Baby while other elements of the fleet pursued the now fleeing Red-tails.
The battle was over. Ane called down to the lower level and was glad to hear there had been no deaths and that the situation was under control. With the scorched Baby hovering out front, and more ships of Axia black surrounding them, those on the bridge could finally relax.
No one spoke for a minute until the fleet commander hailed from his flagship.
“Are you all right, My Lady?” he asked, concern coloring his voice.
“Yes, we’re all alive. But we have some injuries.”
“We’ve already received a report from Captain Myra on Baby. We’re preparing to take them on board as soon as the repair ship gets here,” the commander said.
“We’re glad to hear that,” Ane said. “How do we look?”
“I’ve seen her look worse, but she did take some serious structural damage in the rear cargo area,” he answered. “Would you like us to take you aboard as well?”
“That would be most welcome, considering the circumstances,” Ane said. “Let us know when the repair ship is ready for us.”
“Will do,” he answered and broke the connection.
It was then that Ane noticed Mary had fallen silent again. Out the front viewport, they could see Mary holding Baby in her mechanical arms.
Just like a mother, Ane thought.
The repair ship soon arrived and took both ships inside. Ladies of the Fleet showed Ane, Betty, and Myra to quarters made ready for them, while other troopers helped those injured in the battle.
The situation is in capable hands now, thought Ane. She collapsed onto the bed and was instantly asleep.
After several hours of rest and a shower, Ane dressed and went forward to the control room.
“How are you feeling, My Lady?” the fleet commander asked as Ane sat down in an empty seat.
“Much better, thank you,” she said. “Has either Professor Ebilizer or Captain Myra awakened yet?”
“Yes they have, only a short time ago,” he said. “They said they would meet you in the mess.”
“That sure sounds good,” Ane said. “Would you care to join us, Commander?”
“With pleasure, My Lady, as soon as I’m free here.”
“I’ll wait if it’s no problem,” Ane came back. The fleet commander nodded and went over to another officer to receive a briefing on fuel and weapons status.
Ane and the commander walked together to the officer’s mess where they found Betty and Myra just sitting down to cups of fresh coffee. A steward poured cups for Ane and the commander.
After the coffee had chased the cobwebs from her mind, Ane decided to open the conversation.
“First I want to thank the commander for his timely arrival,” she said.
“My Lady, it wasn’t us that turned the tide of the battle and saved you.”
Ane looked puzzled as he continued.
“When we first received your distress call about the Red-tails, we were over ten minutes behind you. Within a few minutes we were close enough to appraise the situation, and all we saw was your ship about to be engulfed by a wall of Red-tail ships.”
He paused and when no one said anything, he continued.
“Some of our ships were able to engage the enem
y early, but burned out their drives doing it. By this time you were in the thick of it and we were too far away to help you,” the commander said with obvious distress at the memory. “We could see you fighting, but it was only a matter of time before you would be overwhelmed. We felt helpless.”
“What made the difference?” Betty asked.
“I can answer that,” spoke up Myra.
“Baby and I were already at Firstas when your first call about the Red-tails was picked up. Baby called for me to come aboard and by the time I was suited and in my seat, she already had us out of the atmosphere and light-jumped for your position.”
The fleet commander looked incredulous. Myra continued.
“We engaged the outer rim of the Red-tail fleet over three elms before we got to you, and that was about ten minutes after we cleared the atmosphere of Firstas.”
“I didn’t know a ship could go so fast!” said the commander. “That would be exceeding the top speed of the Albert drive by a factor of twenty at least!”
“We didn’t know we could go that fast either, Commander,” responded Myra. “But I guess when Baby knew it was her mother being attacked, she found speed even she didn’t know she possessed.”
“From our vantage-point, it looked like something was burrowing a hole directly through the Red-tails, leaving nothing but wreckage behind,” said the Commander. “A review of the visual and sensor records show that at least one hundred Red-tails ships were taken out.”
“Well, Commander, Baby and I lost track at seventy, but who’s counting?” Myra replied with a grin. The fleet commander just stared at Myra with open astonishment.
Empress Ane cleared her throat and everyone turned toward her.
“That’s the reason we’re out here on our way to Firstas, Commander,” said Ane. “We are in the experimental stages of developing more ships like Baby so we can deal with the increasing Red-tail menace.”
“What I wouldn’t give for a fleet of those ships!” replied the commander.
“How are the repairs going on our two ships?” asked Betty in an effort to steer the subject on to more immediate concerns. She’d noted the omission of any mention of the loss of the new ship to the commander, and mentally agreed with Ane that such news would not be heartening right now. The distress of having an undetected fleet of Red-tails so close to Shalimar was unnerving enough.
I wonder where they were headed?
“The dock chief reported this morning that he’s making good progress on both ships,” the commander said. “Baby already has hull integrity and the mechanical arm replaced. We’re repainting her now. We also had to replace three green boxes and hope Professor Ebilizer can assist us understand that unusual ray.”
“I’ll be glad to help,” said Betty.
“What about my ship, Commander?” asked Ane.
“We’re having some trouble replacing the damaged plates where that Red-tail rammed you, My Lady,” the commander responded. “In fact, he hit you so hard that parts of his ship welded themselves to your hull plates.”
Betty let out a low whistle. The commander continued.
“We should have the hull repaired in another day. Repairs to the skids, along with the paint, should take a second day at least.”
“If you would be so kind as to take us toward Firstas, we would appreciate the lift,” said Ane.
“It would be our pleasure!” replied the commander.
“Let’s get to work!” said Betty. The impromptu meeting ended.
Chapter Eight
In a repair shop on the planet Theta, workmen poured over the various pieces of equipment brought in from the cruiser for teardown, overhaul, and calibration. There had been some glitches in recent years and the yard foreman decided that even though this procedure would be time consuming, it was still advisable.
Malfunctioning equipment could make the difference between life and death out there in space, and he wanted to be able to sleep easy at night. He knew that when the ship returned to active service it would be fighting the ever-increasing Red-tail menace. This fact alone gave him extra incentive to see things done right.
Another worker wheeled in a large cart full of sensing equipment for overhaul. One of the repairmen at the test bench groaned audibly.
“Where do you want this load?” asked the deliveryman as he eyed the already burgeoning shelves.
“Put it over there by those shelves,” the repairman pointed. In his mind he saw hopes for an early weekend diminish in direct proportion to the growing piles of equipment requiring calibration.
“You know, at this rate you’re going to need another set of shelves to put all this stuff on,” commented the deliveryman, trying to unload the latest batch unto the overflowing shelves. He ended up just stacking the equipment on the floor.
Wheeling his empty cart to the other end of the workbench/test area, he loaded several pieces of repaired equipment ready to be reinstalled in the waiting ship and disappeared back out the same door he’d come in through.
∞∞∞
With the mess that had buried the trooper’s desk at the maintenance department of the palace finally sorted into the proper pigeonholes, the clerk took a moment to view the accomplishment with satisfaction. It had taken him three days to get it all back in order and he was glad it was behind him.
He poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, sat down, and started going through the work orders that had come in. Immersed in the bewildering world of paperwork, his coffee grew cold waiting for his attention. He collated the mountain of forms and put them in coded dispatch boxes for the various workmen to accomplish.
Trooper Fyfe prided himself on matching the repair with the most capable man for the job. Electrical problems went to this man--problems with audio equipment went to another. Other repairmen were specialists in video, structural, and plumbing problems and each received their allotted work orders.
Fyfe chuckled at that last category--plumbing. How many people thought about, much less knew about the miles of pipes in the palace alone? He’d once sent in a question to a trivia contest where callers guessed how many commodes were in the palace. No one was able to get it right and he received a prize for stumping them. Then Captain Mary called him personally and right off told him the correct number was off by one. He told her she was wrong but later he couldn’t get her figure out of his mind.
The next morning he double-checked the records and found that he’d missed a commode in one of the underground rooms. He wrote a note thanking Mary for correcting him and forgot about it until a box of donuts showed up with a card from Mary. Boy would he love to have her in his department!
Finally, Fyfe got to the work orders that didn’t fit into nice simple categories. Each required either several different repair skills, or were so bizarre that new service methods were needed to solve them.
Into this last pile went the work order about lubricant for the museum room. After some thought, Fyfe decided which specialists were best suited to accomplish the task. He put extra copies into the various departmental pigeonholes and dismissed it from his mind, turning to the next puzzle in the pile.
∞∞∞
Aboard the repair ship, two repaired and freshly painted ships were ready for departure.
“I want to thank you for all your speedy efforts in getting my ship ready,” said Empress Ane to the foreman who had overseen the work. She was pleased that Mary was painted Mican blue again.
“It was our pleasure, My Lady,” he said. “But may I ask you one question?”
“Sure, go ahead,” Ane answered, wondering what was coming.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working on the Mary Belle before. During those times Mary was always particular about the color of paint we used,” the foreman said, growing uneasy as he spoke.
“So what’s the problem?” asked Ane.
“This time when I asked her what color she wanted, it took me several tries before she responded. When she did answer, it seemed like she wasn
’t really paying attention. When I again gave her the choices we had available, said it didn’t matter and that it was up to me. Is something wrong with Mary?”
“To tell the truth, something is wrong. It’s one of the reasons for our trip to Firstas,” Ane answered. “It’s a personal matter and I wouldn’t feel right discussing it further.”
“As you wish, My Lady. Have a good trip and we wish you success,” the foreman said. He excused himself to allow the Empress to leave in peace.
In an adjoining repair bay, Betty and Myra were going over the repairs made to Baby.
“That should do it,” said Betty as she closed the disabling ray access panel.
“Everything checks out here,” said Myra. She’d just inspected the new mechanical arm.
“I’d better get over to the Mary Belle. Ane will be anxious to leave.”
Betty ducked out the hatch and through the door to the next bay.
“I’ll see you down on Firstas,” she added with a wave as she exited through the door. Several workmen noticed that both Captain Myra and the little pink ship returned her farewell wave.
The two ships were ready to depart. After a quick double-check for lingering workmen, the shop foreman activated the controls that would open the outer doors on both repair bays. As soon as the doors were open, the controller of the repair ship gave the two ships clearance to lift and depart.
Both craft rose off of the floor and glided across their respective bays, the outer doors closing behind them. Baby took up station alongside the nose of the Mary Belle, and both ships turned toward Firstas.
Some hours later the Mary Belle and Baby approached the protective force field that covered half of the planet. The Mary Belle commenced the tedious process of lowering slowly through the field. If she went too fast it would disable her drive. And coming in at too slight of an angle would only rebound her back into space.
The field didn’t hinder Baby. She just went around it through one of the ground level entrances. There’s an advantage to being small, thought Myra as she and Baby left the side of the Mary Belle and headed for the nearest portal. Reaching the stone passageway that provided ground level access through the protective field, Baby hovered and waited while a dozen ground vehicles negotiated through the entrance.
