Immediately, all the officers hurried to their fighters. Ribiyar fighters were oval shaped, with its six engines along the middle of it. The fighter also had four, rectangular cannons that were placed between the engines along the middle of the ship as well. Though flying in the atmosphere was more difficult than space flight, particularly because the ships didn’t possess wings, the Ribiyar quickly adapted to the conditions and continued to use the fighters during the invasion.
Tau’Ka boarded his fighter with his crew and activated the engines. The interior of the craft was, as was the exterior, shaped like an oval, with control panels positioned all around the cockpit, even on the ceiling and the walls, as Ribiyar could magnetize themselves to the surface of the craft, allowing them to fully utilize the space, and the zero gravity of space further facilitated their defiance of standards for organic ship construction. In the front of the interior was holographic display that showed footage from visual sensors on the outside of the fighter, giving a realistic view of the hanger bay in front of vessel.
While his crew oversaw the startup sequence, Tau’Ka inputted the codes that would open the hangar doors. Because Ribiyar didn’t require air to breathe, their ships didn’t have to depressurize in order to take off, though some of the larger and more equipped ships in the fleet could produce an air-filled atmosphere air if an organic prisoner was brought aboard.
As he and his squadron departed from the ship, Tau’Ka considered Tactical Analysist Cha’Hawk’s orders. It didn’t make sense for Cha’Hawk to risk his post simply to satisfy his curiosity about a ‘mystery’, but who was Tau’Ka to refuse Cha’Hawk’s orders? Even if he went behind Cha’Hawk’s back and informed High Order Ki’Ra of his plans, Cha’Hawk would most likely find a way to bring Tau’Ka down with him, and he had worked too hard to become squad commander to lose his post that way. He decided that it would be best if he submitted to Cha’Hawk’s wishes and comply with his orders.
For now.
Chapter 5
Date July 9, 2132.
Location: Aboard the U.S.S. Atlanta, at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
The GM produced a whining sound as it powered up, and with a flash of blinding light, it was activated. The Genetic Modulator fired a white beam of energy infused with nuclear power at the captain. His body jerked from the energy, but otherwise he remained still.
“Life signs are stable,” One of the technicians announced.
“Bring the device to full power,” Lieutenant Commander Hayley ordered
“Right away, lieutenant commander. Bringing GM to full power now. Genetic alterations will begin in twenty seconds.”
Though she knew what to expect the device to do, Lieutenant Commander Hayley was caught off guard when she saw Vade’s body start to glow. She cleared her eyes to make sure her vision wasn’t fooling her, but she realized that Captain Vade was…changing. His body was slowly being altered and turning into energy, just like they had hoped would happen.
The energy slowly covered the captain’s body, starting at the center of his chest, where the GM was focusing its energy, until his entire body was just a bright white light. To say that her captain turning into a human light bulb was discomforting was an understatement. It felt, wrong somehow, messing with his genetic code. But it wasn’t like she could do anything to stop it now.
“Lieutenant Commander, Captain Vade has successfully entered genetic suspension. (The term they choose for when he was completely in an energy state) We are ready to start altering him.”
Hayley took a deep breath and said, “Begin the genetic alterations.”
On the display screen Hayley saw that the captain’s genetics were beginning to be altered, just as the device was supposed to. Though everything was going as planned, Hayley wished she didn’t have to rely on computers for the operation. She understood that the alterations were so specific a computer had to do it to avoid human error, but she still held her belief that it was too risky depending solely on them. That thought gave her an idea. She should check the program to make sure there were no errors. She also mentally kicked herself for not checking it sooner.
“Alterations are forty-nine percent complete and rising steadily.” She heard Ensign Matthews announce, but she was paying more attention to her display. The alterations that were being made to Captain Vade were different than she had programmed, further rising her concern levels from worried to near-panic. She quickly checked the computer to see what had been changed in the parameters to account for these differences.
Computer, has anyone made changes to the procedure other than myself?
Negative. No changes to procedure parameters other than Lieutenant Commander Hayley.
Scan the database for any missing time logs, or corruption in the files.
Working… scan complete. Time gap detected between 1254 hours to 1257 hours on July 15. No corruption detected.
That was the same time I was called to the command center about that unknown object on sensors and when the computer malfunctions were happening, Hayley thought. Only a three-minute gap, but with this program, only slight alterations need to be made to result in the death of Captain Vade.
Feeling panic begin to grow inside her, Hayley quickly typed: Computer, scan the procedure program. Are the alterations on the file the same that are being made?
“Eighty-three percent complete.” Ensign Matthews announced. “We are in the home stretch.” Hayley couldn’t call off the operation without something more substantial than a suspicion, they couldn’t pause the procedure without risking damage done to Captain Vade if he was held in suspension for too long, but she had to work quickly. Once the procedure was complete and they started reassembling the captain, there was no turning back. The captain wouldn’t survive being pulled back apart after we started putting him back together.
Attempting to scan files…
Error: unknown firewall in place.
Unable to scan specified files: Unable to determine alteration similarities.
She assumed that whoever changed the program was attempting to keep them from changing it back. Hayley had to hurry. If she could stop the procedure and alter the parameters…
“Alterations are one-hundred percent complete. Molecular reassembly has begun.”
“NO!!” Hayley yelled. She saw some of the operators glance over in surprise of her outburst, but quickly diverted their attention to their duties.
“What is it, Lieutenant Commander?” Commander Rickman asked as he rushed over to her.
“The program has been altered, Commander Rickman, and there is nothing I can do to revert the operation to its intended parameters.”
“WHAT!!!” Rick proclaimed. Now half of the room was looking at them, but Rick paid them no mind as he continued. “Then, what is the captain turning into? Never mind, that’s not important. We have to stop the procedure!”
“Commander, it’s too late. Once the molecular reassembly has begun, we can’t turn back. Captain Vade won’t survive.”
“He won’t survive if the operation is completed!” He realized he was yelling, but he didn’t care. “Isn’t there a small chance that the captain will survive if we pull him back?”
“Rick, there is no chance. It isn’t just Captain Vade. The genetic modulator can’t maintain the field for that long. We just have to hope that he can survive as whatever he is becoming.”
“Molecular reassembly at fifty-six percent,” Ensign Matthews softly reported, her voice heavy with fear of what they had done to their captain.
“Can’t you use the equipment in the Research and Development room to scan what he is turning into?” Rick asked.
“We can try. Look at what the readings show. I’ll try to access the real procedure settings.”
“Does it matter if we can find out?” Ensign Matthews asked. “We are going to find out in a few minutes anyway.”
“If we find out now, we can prepare for what we may need to help stabilizing Captain Vade when he re-materializes.” Hayley answered.
Computer, circumvent current file display settings and show procedure settings.
Task accepted. Working…
“Hayley, the readings are inconclusive. In fact, they don’t show any readings at all. Could he already be dead?” Rick asked.
“No. While a person is being altered, the GM keeps the person in a state similar to suspended animation. It shouldn’t be possible to be dead before the procedure is complete. Theoretically, anyway.” Hayley said, not completely sure of her facts.
“Molecular reassembly at eighty-seven percent.”
Error: unknown firewall in place.
Unable to access specified files.
Hayley fought the urge to scream. Or punch her fist through the computer screen. Or both.
“Molecular reassembly at one-hundred percent.”
Everyone in the room turned to look through the window. There was a blinding flash as the GM converted Captain Vade’s body back to normal, whatever that was now. Everyone held their breath as they waited.
And when the light faded, Lieutenant Commander Hayley opened her eyes, and saw that her worst fears had become a reality.
Chapter 6
Date: July 9, 2132.
Location: Secret base on Hawaii.
“Lieutenant Oakland reporting for duty, captain.” Olo said, saluting to Captain Whitefield, who stood near the dock where the Ocean-Walker was anchored. The ship was almost finished taking on its supplies and was prepared to leave in less than an hour. The Ocean-Walker’s hull was long and shiny from the metal plating that composed its surface. Though most of the top deck of the Ocean-Walker was empty, there were various weapons mounted on it, aimed up at the sky, ready to blast away any Ribiyar who approached. Farther down the deck, after a large open area, lay a tower that stood a few feet high. The tower consisted of various equipment for the ship, such as housing the communication system, and at the foot of the tower was the bridge, which could be accessed from the deck by walking up one of the two stairways that led from the deck’s surface and up to the level where it was located. At the end of the ship, hoisted high above the deck and hung over the water, were three airplane-size rocket engines, which would give the Ocean-Walker the speed needed to arrive at their destination much faster.
“Permission to come aboard, sir.”
“Permission granted, Lieutenant Oakland. Welcome aboard. It is good to have you with us Lieutenant Oakland. After you board the ship and store your belongings in your room, I have an assignment ready for you. Were you aware that Admiral Hofkins has a cat?” Captain Whitefield started to walk to the ship, and Olo tried to keep up with him, while he carried his luggage with him.
“No, sir. Should I have known?”
“No, lieutenant, just curious. The admiral has ordered us to take the cat with us, and I want you to be its supervisor, along with your other duties I assign to you while you’re onboard the ship.” They reached the ship and started to walk across the boarding ramp.
“Understood, Captain. I think I’ll do fine. I have handled animals before.”
Captain Whitefield chuckled to himself and said, “This animal is a little…different than what you have been used to. I have had the cat sent to your quarters.” They reached the door that lead inside the ship. “I will have an officer escort you there.” The Captain opened the door. “Good luck cat sitting Oakland. I hope you survive the experience.”
Olo chuckled. “Good one, Captain. That is a joke, right, sir?”
“I never joke when it comes to military affairs, lieutenant. Report to the bridge tomorrow at o-seven-hundred hours. See you then.” The captain entered the doorway, leaving a nervous Olo standing by the door.
“Captain, we are ready to depart.” Commander Joseph Jones, an African American with jet-black hair, who served as the Ocean-Walker’s first officer, reported. Captain Whitefield observed the crew from his position at the doorframe of the bridge. The bridge had various control consoles scattered around the room, with crewman operating them, preparing to set a course for wherever they were headed. In the front of the room, there was a large window, that showed the sea before them, and there was also a large computer interface that ran the length of the window.
“Commander, once we are a mile from the island, engage H-mode and set a course for the Atlantic Ocean, full speed ahead. Alert me when we arrive.” Captain Whitefield left the doorway and headed below deck.
“Aye, Captain. Helm, bring us out of the dock.”
“Aye, sir. Reverse speed at twenty-five percent.”
While the helmsman did his job, Commander Jones activated the communication system and set the system to broadcast to the crew of the ship. “Attention crew, prepare for ship to go to full speed and initiate H-mode in five minutes. All crewman on the main deck, batten down the hatches and report below deck as soon as possible.”
“What’s that H-mode he talked about?” Olo stood by the entrance to his quarters, preparing to see what kind of animal he was assigned to. The corridors in the Ocean-Walker were fairly standard for a military ship: metal plating comprising the wall, ceiling, and floor, no windows, lights bolted to the ceiling emitting white light in the corridors, and doorways periodically placed to section off a portion of the ship in case of a hull breach.
An ensign stood beside the door holding some of his luggage. “Don’t you know what kind of ship this is, lieutenant?” She asked.
“I didn’t have time to do any research on the vessel. I was assigned this position on short notice: I barely had time to pack my bags before I had to get out here.”
“Lieutenant, this is an H-class battleship. Didn’t you notice the big engines on the back?”
Olo thought back, thinking he should have noticed them, but then remembered he had been too busy talking to the captain to take a good look at the ship.
“I have heard of H-class ships before, but I have never been on one. Could you tell me what is so special about it?” The ensign took a deep breath, clearly frustrated at Olo, but then explained, “The H-class battleship is capable of hovering about fifty feet above the water surface. Many ships can lift themselves up somewhat these days, to reduce the amount of vessel in the water to increase its speed. But what is special about this ship, is that it has three airplane engines attached to the ship: allowing a maximum speed of two-hundred-fifty miles an hour, the first ship ever to achieve that high a velocity. That is why it’s standard protocol for the crew to be either secure in the rooms above, or below deck before we go that fast. I have to report to my station, Lieutenant. Enjoy the ride.”
The officer quickly walked away, and Olo didn’t think it was her duties that were compelling her to walk at that speed. What kind of monster was he assigned to? Olo thought. Holding his breath, he opened his door to find…nothing. Was this whole thing a joke? It was after Olo entered the room and closed the door that he heard a meow come somewhere in the room. He looked around to see if he could find the cat.
“Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” He called, aware of how stupid he sounded. While he was looking, he saw a letter and a manual of some kind on the bed. He walked over to the bed and read the letter.
Dear Lieutenant Oakland.
I wanted you to be aware of what this animal is. It is an E.V.A.N. unit. If you are not familiar with the device, you can read the technical manual, though you should read it even if you know about the device. Your objective for this device is to bond with it, let it learn to be able to trust you. Its programming is adjusted for that bond; so, in combat, it will have the instinct to ‘protect its master’. It is vital for this trust to be present so the device will work properly, in theory anyway. This device is highly experimental, and is dangerous: so be aware of the possible risk in bonding with this machine. If you do
n’t think you can handle it, let me know and I will assign someone else to train it. Come talk to me if you have any other concerns.
Captain Whitefield.
An E.V.A.N. unit. That explains why everyone wanted to stay away from him. And why would Olo not be aware of E.V.A.N.? Though he hadn’t yet been born when the incident occurred, its infamous tragedy was known to virtually everyone, and even included in many R&D department lectures, as ‘Don’t do This so Your Project Doesn’t Become This’ kind of lessons. Developed by freelance researcher Evan Adler, the term E.V.A.N. stood for Enemy Vector Analyzer and Neutralizer. Though the incident with the device went by many names, Olo was more familiar with the “kitty catastrophe” than anything other title for the disaster with the E.V.A.N. prototype disaster. Olo briefly considered taking up the captain on his offer to let someone else take care of the cat, but then decided against it. What would everyone think of him if he backed out just because the task looked challenging? He would need to suck it up and go along with it.
He set the letter down on the bed and looked around for the cat. After almost a minute of looking for it, he finally saw the cat walk from behind the dresser beside the bed. Olo was momentarily stunned from the sight of the cat. The cat was slightly larger than other cats usually were, about thirteen inches tall, and had a white stipe of fur going between his ears down to his nose.
What’s going to happen with this cat? Olo asked himself, still trying to get over how crazy the cat supposedly was on the inside.
The cat meowed spoke softly as he walked up to him, purring as he walked between his legs. Olo thought it odd that a cat, supposedly carrying enough weaponry to make even a tank jealous, was purring beside him and acting like a real cat.
Let’s hope I turn out to be a fan of cats, Olo thought as he considered how to start bonding with….
What the heck am I supposed to call this thing? He asked himself, realizing the cat had yet to be named.
Galactic Defenders- Endurance Page 4
