Death Prophecies 3: The Unknown Enemy Will Kill You

by Saxon Andrew

  “Yes, Sir. But more and more of those Ships were continuing to arrive. We passed more than a hundred thousand moving toward my location when we made a break for it. I would have eventually been discovered. There was a chance of getting away and I took it.”

  Steve started the recording at normal speed and the attendees watched as Dillon fought his way out of the huge globe of blue Ships surrounding him. They saw on the upper part of the monitor the bridge rock violently as the huge beam flashed under it. They remained silent until they saw the huge black hole suddenly move toward them and then an instant later, the ship was in normal space.”

  Steve smiled, “I thought you were ordered to avoid combat?”

  Dillon sighed, “The information I had was too important, Sir. I had to get back.”

  “You did the right thing, Admiral. I’m going to continue this meeting after lunch. Once Intelligence finishes with you, I want you to take a vacation.”

  “Yes, Sir. However, I do have some recommendations.”

  “What are they?”

  “We need to see if we can convert our thruster system to the one used by the Prophet’s Eyes. We also need to insulate the interior of our vessels to prevent electrical emissions from being detected.”

  Steve nodded, “The system used by the Prophet’s Eyes won’t work there.”

  “Why not, Sir.”

  “Because we don’t have a system that can process anti-matter; we’re stuck with our thruster system. That system the Prophet uses operates using the matter in our universe. It will explode at the first contact with the anti-matter in that galaxy. However, I’ll talk with the Bosrean and they might have a method to insulate our hulls.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Steve looked around, “Alright, let’s go to lunch.”

  Everyone stood up and Dillon walked over to Amy’s console, “Amy, I’m sorry…”

  “Forget it, Dillon.” Dillon closed his mouth. “I’ve just watched what you went through and I’m being childish. What you did for the boys and me was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for us. Thank you for your kindness and I genuinely appreciate it.”

  Dillon looked at her and smiled. Steve grabbed him by the arm and said, “Come with me to lunch. I have some questions.” Dillon sighed and went with him out of the room. Amy watched him leave and was amazed at just how brave Dillon was. He never worried about himself. He was always looking out for others whether it was her family or the next pilot scheduled to go through the black hole. She sighed and shook her head. Her panel buzzed and she saw Dillon on the monitor, “I still owe you and the boys one more trip out. Don’t forget it.”

  Amy smiled, “Will I get to see Jimmy?”

  “Of course.”

  “Count us in.” Dillon smiled and the monitor went dark. She shook her head and wondered if she was up to this. Dillon was extraordinary and she wondered why he would want to spend his time with her. She thought for a moment and decided it was because of the boys. He couldn’t possibly be interested in an older woman with two children to raise. She needed to keep her feelings under control.

  Chapter Six

  The Blue Ship’s Commander looked at his panel as the information from the destroyed warship began coming in. He read for a few minutes and then stopped. One of the scientists assigned to the investigation was insisting the beams that destroyed the battleship were made of anti-matter. But that just didn’t sound right. He pulled up the images of the ship’s destruction and saw the two massive beams rip into the side of the giant battleship and then rake the vessel from amidships to the bow. He pulled in the view of where the beams were fired and didn’t see anything. They appeared to have emanated from empty space.

  He pulled up the scanner report and the only thing that was detected was a form of energy. Nothing was visible in normal space or the void. Even the energy that was detected was barely visible. This was an invisible vessel and it had avoided being found for almost a month.

  He pulled up the initial contact report and saw that the energy was the only thing detected. The warship that initially detected the energy source lost contact shortly after moving toward it. Could it have been a sensor error? He looked at the scanner report again and saw that the energy detected was real. It wasn’t an error.

  After weeks of searching for it, he had been ready to accept that it was a sensor error. But its flight and subsequent destruction of a battleship proved it was no error.

  Where did it come from? He looked at the initial contact report and saw the giant black hole spinning in the distance. He didn’t want to believe it but he was forced to consider whether or not it had come from the black hole. He stared at the massive spinning black hole and shook his head. It had to have come from somewhere else. Nothing could survive a black hole. But where, if not there? Could this be a new technological development of the Adriak Confederacy? They’ve been showing bouts of aggression at the Empire’s borders but they’ve not actually violated a border…yet.

  He looked up at the debris of the destroyed battleship on his main monitor and scratched his green scaly skin above his yellow eyes. He often felt an itch there when he was frustrated. This investigation was producing more questions than answers. He looked back at his panel and withdrew the claw from his middle finger to press his communicator, “Trusk, have you discovered anything else? Is there any real evidence to support that scientist’s statement that this was the result of an antimatter beam?”

  “Everything that could be used to verify it was destroyed in the blast. If it were anti-matter, there would be a lack of radiation. However, the ship’s reactors exploded and coated everything with a lethal coating of radiation which tells us nothing about the composition of the beam that hit the ship.”

  “Then how did this scientist come up with the wild idea that it was done by antimatter?”

  “He says that the recording of the beam hitting the battleship’s force field is the wrong color to have been done by normal matter.”

  “Do you think he’s overreaching in making that assumption?”

  “I really don’t know. This is far beyond my understanding. I do know those two beams went through the force field like it wasn’t there and the flash he’s referring to was only a couple of milliseconds in duration. I honestly don’t know if he’s right.”

  “Send him to our Council of Scientists and have him defend his assumption in front of them. If he’s wrong, they’ll see it.”

  “What happens if he’s right?”

  The Commander leaned back on his chair, “Then we’re going to start preparing to be attacked by whomever has developed this technology.”

  “Should we wait?”

  “That will be a decision the Royalty will make. If we cross the borders to find out who built that ship, it will cause war to break out again. I’m hoping the one that did it can be pressured by the threat of war to confess their actions. However, I’m not certain they will if they now have possession of a weapon that can destroy our ships.” The Commander scratched above his eye again and said, “Search for pieces of the ship that were blown away. We need some answers.”

  “Have you thought about how that ship was able to move so far inside our borders without being seen?”

  The Commander glanced at the black hole spinning in the distance outside his viewport and sighed, “One would think that it would have been detected at our border. It might have moved in close to the black hole’s event horizon and used it to hide.”

  “Have you considered that it may have emerged from the black hole?”

  “How can I not, Trusk? Do you think that’s a possibility?”

  “I hesitate to even mention it. I don’t want to be accused of being crazy. However, if that beam was actually made of anti-matter, then it might not sound so crazy.”

  “Trusk, get that scientist moving.”

  “He’s packing his things now. Will you let me know what the Council finds out?”

  “I will.”

  • •
•

  Dillon shook his head. He had answered the same questions over and over. Three weeks had passed since his return and he was weary of the constant meetings. The group broke for lunch and Dillon remained in his chair. Admiral Chambliss walked in and smiled, “Admiral, I believe there’s no reason to continue your debriefing. No one has asked anything new in over ten days. I’ve notified Admiral Connor that we’ve released you and he asks for you to report to his office in the morning at nine.”

  “Thank you. This has been mind numbing.”

  “Take a break. We’ll let you know the final results of our investigation in a week.”

  Dillon stood up and walked out of Intelligence’s conference room and walked to Amy’s desk. He waited until she ended the communication she was on and then smiled, “I’m free at last. Can you take this weekend off and make a trip to see Jimmy?”

  Amy smiled, “I think I can. I’ll let the boys’ schools know that they’ll be missing classes on Friday and we’ll meet you at the marina around noon.”

  “Do you need transportation?”

  “No, I’m leaving Thursday afternoon to check on our house. It’s been a while since I’ve made sure everything is ok.”

  Dillon smiled, “I’ll see you Friday.”

  “That would be good.”

  • • •

  Amy sat at her console and looked at the door to Admiral Connor’s office. Dillon had walked in ten minutes earlier and she wondered if his leave was going to be canceled. “Sir, I’ve been asked to report to Admiral Connor’s office. Amy looked up and saw a beautiful Fleet Captain standing in front of her. “I’m sorry, but he’s in a meeting at the moment.”

  “I know. He’s asked that I come to surprise Admiral McCagg.”

  “Surprise?”

  The woman smiled, “I’m being reassigned to his ship. I’m so looking forward to him and me getting back together.” Amy tilted her head and the woman shrugged, “I was engaged and he moved me off his ship. I’ve ended the engagement and now we can get together. I know he’s wanted to do that for a long time.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Janell Dobson.”

  Amy pressed the intercom and Steve appeared on her monitor, “Sir, a Captain Dobson is here and says you want her to enter your office.”

  Steve smiled, “Good! Send her in.”

  Amy saw Janell’s huge smile and said, “He’s waiting for you.” Janell turned and walked quickly to the door. She straightened her uniform and walked through the door.

  She heard Carol say behind her, “Now that is one beautiful lady.”

  Amy looked at her, “She is, isn’t she?”

  “Some people have it all.”

  Amy looked back at the door and nodded slowly, “Yes, I guess they do.”

  • • •

  Janell entered and Steve said, “Come in Captain and take a seat next to Admiral McCagg.” Dillon turned around and Steve saw his surprise at seeing Janell. He noticed that Dillon didn’t smile. Janell came in and sat down smiling at Dillon. “Admiral, I’m reassigning Captain Dobson to your ship. Your top team is now back together.”

  Dillon’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Steve, “When will this be effective?”

  “Immediately. You should start training on your new ship.”

  “New ship?”

  “You will be commanding our forces that travel through the black hole and you’re going to need the computers to keep track of what’s going on. I’ve had your computer moved to your new ship so the transition should go smoothly.”

  Dillon stared at him and Steve saw there was no joy in his expression. Janell quickly said, “I’ve ended my engagement with Rowdy, Dillon. You’re the one I want to be with.”

  Dillon stared at her and turned to Admiral Connor, “Is there anything else, Sir?”

  “No, go and enjoy your time off.”

  Dillon stood up with Janell and they saluted. Dillon turned and walked out of the office with Janell following him. Steve watched them leave and wondered if he had made a mistake. They would have to work it out. He knew Dillon really cared about her. But what was going on? He didn’t look happy.

  • • •

  Dillon walked out of the office and saw Amy quickly look away from him. Janell must have spoken to her. He turned to Janell, “I’ll meet you in the cafeteria in a few minutes.” Janell reached forward and took his hands, “Dillon, I’m so sorry about being stupid for so long.”

  Dillon nodded, “I’ll meet you in the cafeteria.” Janell smiled and walked toward the elevator. He walked over to Amy’s desk and said, “Amy, I…”

  “Listen Dillon. I’m not going to go out with you Friday. You should invite your new shipmate to join you. I’ll drop the boys off at noon and it will give you a chance to refresh your relationship with Captain Dobson.”

  “Amy, I really want you to go with us.”

  “I’ll stay and take the boys out after you leave.” Dillon started to speak and Amy held up her hand, “Dillon. She deserves your attention. I’m not going to go.”

  Dillon stared at her, sighed, and walked toward the elevator. He disappeared and Amy kept her expression neutral. Carol stared at her and Amy said, “Not one word out of you!”

  Carol quickly turned around, “Yes, Sir.” Amy looked at her console and knew that Dillon was very fortunate to have such a beautiful weapons officer. Life was for the young. She had already had her time.

  • • •

  Dillon walked in the cafeteria and saw Janell waiting at a table. He waved her over and said, “Let’s step outside where we can talk with a little privacy.” Janell nodded and followed him to the elevator. They stepped in and Dillon remained silent as the other occupants exited on different floors. The last one exited with them on the first floor. They walked to the entrance and Dillon opened the door for her, “What happened with Rowdy?”

  He turned left toward the small park and Janell shook her head, “I found out he was cheating bigtime. He had numerous girlfriends scattered around the planet and he continued to see them even after he asked me to marry him.”

  Dillon nodded and sat down beside her, “So you broke off your engagement because of his infidelity?”

  “I did.”

  “And if he had been faithful, what would have happened?”

  Janell sighed, “I guess I would have gone through with the wedding. However, I did have misgivings because I felt something for you.”

  Dillon looked at the ground and nodded, “Janell, what do you think about Manatees?”

  Janell’s head went back slightly, “Are you talking about the sea creatures?”

  “I am.”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Humor me, what do you think about them?”

  Janell raised and lowered her left shoulder, “Actually, I’ve never really thought about them.”

  “But you do know what they are; have you ever seen one?”

  “I saw the videos in secondary school of all the endangered species. I remember thinking they have incredibly ugly faces. They’re also big and slimy. Why do you ask me about them?”

  “If you had to choose an animal to get to know, which one would you select?”

  “Is this some kind of quiz?”

  “No, I’m just curious.”

  Janell tilted her head to the right and shrugged, “I don’t know. I’ve never really been an animal person.”

  “You never had a pet?”

  “My sister loved cats but I detested the one she had. It would hide and jump out at you when you least expected it. I kicked the crap out of that cat more times than I can count. Serving in fleet makes it impossible to have a pet. I’m gone too much.”

  “Is there any animal that you might find interesting?”

  “I must say that the predator on the planet we’ve colonized in the dwarf galaxy is interesting. It’s incredibly deadly and you better not miss if one attacks.”

  “Have you ever thought about going to hunt
one?”

  “Not really. Like I said, I’m not an animal person. However, I am a people person and I’m really attracted to you, Dillon. And I know you’re attracted to me.”

  “Did I give myself away?”

  “You were a perfect gentleman but I could tell you felt something for me. I knew you were attracted to me.”

  “But you were engaged.”

  “I was, but I’m not now. We’re free to explore where this might lead.”

  “Janell, you love being in the Navy, don’t you?”

  “I do…very much.”

  “If I suggested that you and I resign from the service to look at one day getting married and having a family, what would your response be?”

  “You’re not serious. You love serving as much as I do.”

  “What would you say?”

  Janell started shaking her head, “Dillon, we can explore that possibility while we’re serving. We don’t have to resign to do it.”

  “But if I gave you no other choice, what would you do?”

  Janell stared at him in silence for a long time before saying, “I’m not willing to give up my career unless I’m certain about us being together.”

  “So you’re attracted to me but not to the point where you know I’m the one for you?”

  “I’m as certain about that as anyone could be. I admire you and think you are amazing. You’re one of the most handsome men I’ve ever met. You’re the complete package. I could never ask for more.”

  “If that’s true, how did Rowdy factor into that?”

  Janell stared at him and, after a moment, lowered her head, “I’ve blown my chance, haven’t I?”

  “You have.”

  Janell looked at him with moist eyes and took his hands, “Could you find it in your heart to give me another chance?”

  Dillon took his hands out of hers and looked up at the sky, “When you agreed to marry Rowdy, I have to admit that my heart broke; I’ve been attracted to you from the first moment I saw you. I admit that I volunteered to go through the black hole because of those emotions. I really didn’t expect to live and, quite frankly, I secretly hoped I wouldn’t.”

  He stared into her eyes, “But I did. And when I arrived in the other universe, something changed. I realized that you had not found me the one you really wanted to spend your life with.” She started to speak but Dillon put his index finger on her lips, “It’s not your fault. You were blinded by your love for Rowdy and that was as it should be. I realized that I had genuinely thought that there would never be anyone else for me, but I was wrong. I’ve not really looked to see if there could be someone else. However, I realized that I could never be someone’s second choice. Nothing you can do or say will remove that from how I feel about you. You didn’t break your engagement with Rowdy because you realized that I was the right one for you. Did you?”