Stone and the Ravens (Guardian Stone Book 3)
Page 30
"I would like for the Exploration Divisions to go and observe their activities, determine whether or not to initiate contact at this time and what are their current and projected needs. If your observations warrant, we will start gearing up for activity in those areas sooner rather than later. We will need to consider what changes we might need structurally to accommodate the expansion. I think it would be prudent to have some idea of what we have to face out there as we become more and more involved in them."
"You will be our representatives out there so keep us up to speed on what you are seeing. As always, you will be the Commanders on scene and I am not going to second guess your decisions. You all have the necessary experience to gauge your reactions to a situation. Certainly the engagements during the past two years have seen to that. You have exceptionally fine resources to draw on."
He asked two of the new Divisions, 22 and 23, to complete a thorough sweep of everything within a 600 light year globe with Gorth as the center of the globe. The purpose was to determine if there were any additional threats to the people of the Malone Region and the Gnuxet Region. It was also to determine if there were additional civilizations in that region that were ready for contact or needed what the Fleet had to offer. The Rotan A database indicated a few areas that would need a closer look. He established a similar sweep with Divisions 24 and 25 for the Yannar Region using Petra as the center of the globe.
Station 1 in the Malone System –
September 1 – C Day 733
Divisions 22 and 23 had completed their 600 light year sweep of the area around Gorth and had found four more planets that were occupied. Each of the systems was in space and had broached the speed of light barrier so they were approached and introduced to the Fleet. Each was provided protection by a Station until a replacement could be scheduled. The systems of Dober and Skaas were occupied by Canids in the Malone Region. Temporary defense duty was assigned to Stations 523 and 548 from Division 23. The system Quisp was populated by Gar and was also in the Malone Region. Station 197 from Division 22 did the honors there. Finally, the system Kam was populated by Glarin and was in the Gnuxet Region. It was protected by Station 198 from Division 23. No issues were found with any of the new systems.
Divisions 24 and 25 had located new additional systems and a conflict in progress at Berle. Those were still under observation to determine the appropriate course of action. Intervention was limited to the prevention of further destruction. Hank dispatched Division 7 to assist.
Chapter 41: Special Delivery
On Station One, In Earth Orbit –
September 30 – C Day 762
"Hi Sam, how are you feeling this morning?
"Like a dump truck that can't dump its' load, I'll be glad when these little rascals are out here. They woke me up with a conversation in the middle of the night. I convinced them that I needed my rest and they finally quieted down. Its really strange discussing things with your children and they haven't even been born yet. I wonder if the others are having similar experiences?"
"From what I hear from the guys, the answer is yes. This is so totally new to everyone that it has us all on edge. Barana has helped and I think she is looking forward to these births as much as the parents."
"Well she really has been a big help. I think these little rascals are going to spook some people. Can you imagine a kid in a crib who can't even walk yet having an intelligent conversation with someone looking on. I kind of get the chuckles about that."
"Barana went over with me all the things that she has told you about how this will go. It should go a lot easier than the usual birth cycle on Earth."
"I'll believe it when it happens. I have heard too many tales to switch my thinking that quickly, but I am hopeful. So what else is new in our world."
"Well, I have managed to contain most of my cravings except for those goofy dill pickles. Uncle Pete brought me a supply direct from New York City last night. He wants you to drop in at the lodge for a visit and he said to bring Queen Firs with you. I think he is fascinated to have an intelligent conversation with a bee. He likes her. Go talk to your uncle."
"OK, slave driver, see you a little later. Love you."
"Love you too."
# A short while later #
"Queen Firs, How would you like to visit my planet."
"Ah Henry, I would take great delight in that. When?"
"Is now a good time?"
"It is, it is indeed."
"Barana is going to provide a protective shield around you so that nothing can harm you. It will not impair the experience."
"Barana, would you please transport Queen Firs and me to my lodge in Juneau with appropriate shielding for Queen Firs."
"Hi Uncle Pete, How are things? Do you remember Queen Firs?" Hank handed Pete one of the translator devices.
"You bet I do, hello Queen Firs, welcome to my home, actually Hank's home but I live here. It is probably a bit uncomfortable for you outside but if you would like to see outside we can do what you can tolerate."
"I would like that. Barana tells me that the shield she is providing is also temperature controlled so I should be ok."
They went outside and Queen Firs immediately reacted, "This is a wondrous place. I find it difficult to believe that so many wonderful experiences have occurred in the past few months, it is truly amazing. Henry, I can see why you like this place so much. I would very much like to see it when the plants are in bloom. It would be like a vacation."
"In that case you have a standing invitation. If I am not available, I think that Uncle Pete would enjoy being your host."
Pete added, "Actually Queen Firs, it might be more fun without him since he is recognized and would draw too much attention. You and I would only draw a little attention so we can be more comfortable."
"I would like that Pete, can I too call you Uncle Pete. It has a nice ring to it."
"Absolutely."
The three of them went for a short walk and chatted for about an hour. Hank updated Uncle Pete on all that had happened in the past six months.
"Do the tourists really bother you here?"
"Not really, I tell a little fib now and then to keep a lid on things. Those locals that do know for sure are pretty protective of your privacy, so it is not a problem. Besides Barana has planted a few surprises for the overly curious. One poor duck ended up at the end of the road in Ketchikan twice before he thought better about his choices. I often wonder what must have been going through his head when that happened. Funny. She apparently gave instructions to the AI in orbit about what to do with the more persistent souls. They have a real cure for curiosity. It would certainly deter me."
As they were leaving, Pete noted, "Well youngster, your life certainly has not been dull. Keep safe and we will see you next time. Take care."
Hank gave him a hug and said, "You too Uncle Pete. Later."
# October 19 – C Day 781 #
This particular day did not start as any other normal day had done in the past. The fact that nine close friends were experiencing labor at the same time was unusual. Added to that was the fact that all nine births were twin births with a boy and a girl in each case. Barana assisted each birth so while they were not totally painless, they were substantially less painful than was normal.
Each of the children were conversing with their parents as the process was underway. While it would be a while before they could vocalize speech, none had any difficulty with mind-to-mind and were not at all hesitant to use it. All of the births occurred without a hitch. Some of the children were surprised by the noise they made when crying and it frightened them until it was explained to them that they were the ones making the noise. It was also explained that it was normal and aided the development of their lungs.
Barana fully participated in assuring that everything went smoothly. She had not previously been so connected to child
ren being born but decided that in future births, she would play a larger role for the children being born as well as the parents.
Hank and Sam could see that raising these children would be different than they could imagine. It would be interesting to see the kinds of things they would do for childhood entertainment. He knew that he would have to make a special effort to keep things light and give them a chance to be kids.
Systems Protected by the Fleet
The Galactic Guard Fleet. formerly the Antoran Fleet was constantly adding systems to its protective sphere. If a system is occupied, it is typically covered by a Station. These systems are currently spread across a distance of about 16,000 light years from one end to the other and was expected to continue to grow.
System or Planet
Region
Occupying Species
Notes
Alaok
Malone
Linan
Antor 1
Gar
Human
Antor II
Antor II
Human
Fleet construction base
Arber
Gar
Human
Artemis
Sol
Human, Glarin
Fleet created colony
Bear
Malone
Not Occupied
Habitable
Betina
Sol
Human, Glarin
Fleet created colony
Bilm
Gnuxet
Glarin
Blint
Antor II
Human
Bost
Yannar
Human
Capon
Yannar
Human
Carn
Yannar
Human
Cecilia
Antor II
Human, Glarin
Fleet created colony
Cestin
Malone
Gar
Cler
Gar
Linan
Corc
Malone
Not Occupied
Habitable
Diana
Antor II
Human, Glarin
Fleet created colony
Dober
Malone
Canid
Dorma
Gnuxet
Gar
Dute
Yannar
Human
Eagle
Malone
Glarin
Earth
Sol
Human
Easy
Yannar
Human
Einton
Yannar
Human
Eve
Antor II
???
Intelligence developing
Fair
Yannar
Human
Fash
Gnuxet
Human
System or Planet
Region
Occupying Species
Notes
Felix
Yannar
Multi
Prison Planet
Fellum
Yannar
Human
Flat
Malone
Gorth
Foalar
Gnuxet
Gar
Foran
Yannar
Human
Destroyed by Starkiller
Forsk
Malone
Gorth
Gorth killed by Rota B
Freema
Yannar
Human
Frote
Antor II
Human
Fullus
Gar
Linan
G1
Saba
Gar
G2
Saba
Gar
Gar
Gar
Gar
Gella
Antor II
Human
Gibs
Yannar
Human
Glarin
Gar
Glarin
Star Unstable
Gnuxet
Gnuxet
Rota B
Habitable
Gorth
Malone
Gorth
Abandoned, Habitable
Harp
Yannar
Human
Helena
Sol
Multi Species
Fleet construction base
Indira
Antor II
Not Occupied
Habitable
Janice
Antor II
Human, Glarin
Fleet created colony
Jaunt
Malone
Not Occupied
Habitable
Juster
Yannar
Human
Juxet
Gnuxet
Rota A
Destroyed by Rota B
Kam
Gnuxet
Glarin
Kitter
Yannar
Human
Linan
Gar
Linan
Lorraine
Sol
Not Occupied
Habitable
Lubin
Gnuxet
Canid
Malone
Malone
Human
Maria
Sol
???
Intelligence developing
Minder
Yannar
Human
Mippi
Yannar
Human
Morn
Yannar
Human
Moxt
Gnuxet
Human, Glarin
Nardo
Gnuxet
Gar, Glarin
Nimtam
Sol
Human
System or Planet
Region
Occupying Species
Notes
Noos
Gnuxet
Saban
Pared
Malone
Saban
Peck
Gnuxet
Linan
Petra
Yannar
Human
Phang
Malone
Gar
Pulse
Malone
Human, Glarin
Quisp
Malone
Glarin
Raas
Gnuxet
Gar, Glarin
Rios
Yannar
Human
Rotagilla
Malone
Rota B
Moved by Fleet
S2
Saba
Saban
S3
Saba
Saban
S4
Saba
Saban
Saark
C
Human
Saba
Saba
Saban
Saram
D
Gar
Setik
Malone
Gorth
Gorth killed by Rota B
Sitler
Malone
Human
Skaas
Malone
Canid
Sloop
Malone
Not habitable
Some mining
Trag
Malone
Gorth
Gorth killed by Rota B
Trask
Gnuxet
Human
Destroyed by Rota B
Tune
Yannar
Human
U1
Saba
Not Occupied
Habitable
U2
Saba
&n
bsp; Not Occupied
Habitable
U3
Saba
Not Occupied
Habitable
U4
Saba
Not Occupied
Habitable
U5
Saba
Not Occupied
Habitable
U6
Saba
Not Occupied
Habitable
Vast
Yannar
Human, Porphin
Veltor
Malone
Human
Yannar
Yannar