Death Prophecies 3: The Unknown Enemy Will Kill You

by Saxon Andrew

  “I am flying out to your fleet and I want a meeting with your senior staff. I’ll be there in an hour.”

  “Sir, are we still launching the mission?”

  “We’ll discuss that in the meeting. I want the four that went on the mission with Admiral McCagg in that meeting along with the others.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Amy looked at Janell, “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know. He didn’t sound…”

  “Normal?”

  “Yeah. Let’s get back to the fleet and we’ll hold the meeting on my flagship. Heinrik, you need to have China Park with you.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Steve walked into Janell’s conference room on board the Dream Catcher and the attendees came to attention, “As you were.” Everyone sat down and Steve looked around the room.

  Janell saw his expression and her eyebrows came together, “Sir, are you canceling the mission?”

  “I’m not, but you may decide not to go.”

  Janell her brow furrowed, “Has something happened?”

  “Yes. We’ve discovered that a change takes place in anyone that makes a round trip through the black hole.”

  “What sort of change?”

  Steve stared at her for a moment and then looked around the room, “The four of you that went with Admiral McCagg on the last mission have already been affected by it. You will see a change start to take place within a few weeks.”

  Amy lowered her head, “What sort of change?”

  Steve sighed, “We didn’t know anything like this would happen and only discovered it after the two ships you flew on that mission disappeared.”

  Janell’s eyes went wide, “Disappeared!?”

  Steve nodded, “It took about a two weeks for it to happen but our scientists discovered that the atoms in the ships hulls were changing from a positive charge to a neutral charge.”

  Gabe tilted his head, “An atom’s charge can be positive or negative depending on the number of electrons.”

  “For the purpose of explaining this, I’m going to say that in our universe, the atoms that make up normal matter have a positive nucleus with negative electrons spinning around it. The reverse is true in the universe on the other side of the black hole.” Gabe nodded. “Our scientists believe that the atoms of the ship’s hulls have changed to a neutral nucleus as well as neutral electrons spinning around it.”

  The attendees stared at Steve and Gabe and after a few moments of silence, Gabe said, “That means the hulls have taken on the structure of dark matter.”

  Steve looked at the young captain and shook his head, “It took our scientists some time to understand that. I’m impressed you saw it so quickly. Can you guess what that change would have on the hulls?”

  “They would be invisible, just like dark matter.” Steve nodded. Gabe stared at him for a very long moment and said, “You mentioned that the four of us that went with Admiral McCagg have also been affected by this. Are you saying we’re going to change to a neutral charge like the hulls?” Steve looked around the room and then nodded.

  Janell said, “Whoa, whoa; what does this mean!?”

  “I had you and Admiral Heinrik scanned while you were in the meeting earlier today and the change takes place from the inside out. Both of you and I also suspect Captains Eagle and Park are undergoing the change as well.”

  Amy looked at Steve and tilted her head, “This means that everyone who goes on this mission will also be affected by this?”

  Steve nodded, “Yes, it does.”

  Janell looked at Gabe, “What does this mean?”

  Gabe looked uncomfortable, “Perhaps Admiral Conner would be more informed on that, Sir.”

  “I want to hear what you think, Gabe.” Gabe looked at Steve and saw him nod. He turned to Janell, “We’ll become invisible, Sir.”

  “What?”

  “Black matter is not visible or detectable. If we take on the characteristics of black matter, we will also be invisible.”

  Janell looked at Steve, “Is this true?”

  “It is.”

  “And how were you going to hide this from us?”

  “What makes you think I was hiding it?”

  “You didn’t tell us in the meeting earlier today. I assume you knew about it then.”

  “I was and still am against telling you.”

  “Why?!”

  “Because we’re still going to have to go to that galaxy to confront this threat to us. This change isn’t going to kill you and we have to confront this enemy.”

  Amy looked at Steve, “What changed your mind?”

  “The other Senior Admirals felt that you should know and be given the opportunity to back out of the mission. I yielded to their judgment. I would go ahead with the mission but we’ve decided to leave it up to you to make the decision. Unfortunately, the four of you have been affected and will undergo the changes Captain Eagle just mentioned.”

  “How am I going to lead my fleet if I’m invisible?”

  “You won’t be.”

  “Oh?”

  “The new wrist communicators you’ve been given will put a positive charge on the outer layer of the atoms that make up your body. You will appear normal.”

  Gabe smiled, “Count me in.”

  Everyone turned to him and Janell shook her head, “You’re already in!”

  Gabe shrugged, “What concerned me was that we would also be affected by more than just the invisibility but this positive charge removes those concerns.”

  Steve tilted his head, “What other concerns?”

  “Sir, if we have the characteristics of black matter, we’ll not only be invisible but also will be unable to use normal matter. If we tried to pick up something as simple as a fork, it would just pass through our hands. We could literally walk through walls. We’d be almost like a ghost. However, this positive charge on the outer layers would allow us to live normally. It might make surgery an issue but I’m sure a stronger positive charge would handle that.”

  Amy looked at Steve, “You put the mission ahead of our safety.”

  Steve looked at Amy and then around the room before saying, “Everyone in this meeting has taken an oath to defend Earth and Bosrean against any threat. Part of that oath says that you will put your life on the line to defend our species. I have requested to go with you on this mission…”

  “That would be incredibly foolish, Sir.” Steve turned to Amy as she interrupted him and his eyes narrowed. “Sir, your value to our effort to defend our alliance is too important to take that sort of risk. You would be making the same mistake Dillon did when he put himself in harm’s way. I mean no disrespect in saying this. I am bothered that you did not give us the option on going or staying since this mission will cause irreversible changes to everyone that goes.”

  “I understand, Admiral. But everyone here should see that for the future, our fight will take place on the enemy’s turf and not our own. If you meant your oath when you took it, then you know that you will be affected by this change and have to accept the consequences.”

  Amy looked at Gabe, “It appears you understand this process better than our scientists. What else can you tell us about what will happen as a result of this?’

  Gabe shrugged, “I believe that even though we will be invisible to those that have not undergone this change, we will be able to see each other.”

  Amy looked at Steve and he nodded, “Our scientists have the same opinion.”

  She looked back at Gabe, “What else?”

  “The ships will still exist in other space because they are not part of either.”

  Janell’s head went up, “Are you saying our ships will be the same in both universes instead of invisible in just the Carand’s?”

  “I am. Black matter exists in both universes and is invisible in both. It should also make our ships more difficult to detect.” Gabe thought for a moment, “It really boils down to how our norma
l lives will be changed by this. In my opinion, if we’re wearing the wrist units with the charging ability, our normal lives should be the same. That means the unit will take on a much greater importance in the future.”

  China snickered and every one turned toward her. She smiled, “I’ll be able to see any movie I want simply by turning off the charge and simply walking in. No one will see me.”

  Steve rolled his eyes and shook his head, “This is not something that should be used for personal gain.”

  Gabe smiled, “Sir, you might consider finding another planet where those that are affected by this could go and live with others like them. It could be a retirement place for members of the fleet.”

  Steve looked at Amy, “This will have an impact on your family.”

  Amy nodded, “It will. However, John and Timmy will be going to the academy in a few years and I suspect this will also impact them. I’ll just have to learn how to deal with it until they do.”

  Gabe started grinning and Amy saw it. “What are you thinking?”

  “I can think of a few situations where I might want to watch someone without being seen.”

  Everyone laughed and Heinrik said, “Will this positive field allow us to do everything we’d normally do.”

  Steve nodded and started to speak but Gabriel spoke first, “It will and if you make it a negative charge, you could do anything you’d normally do in the Carand’s galaxy.”

  Steve jerked his head toward him, “What do you mean by that?”

  “Since we don’t have a charge, the Carand’s galaxy will no longer be anti-matter to us. A negative charge will make us just like them.”

  Amy shook her head, “That means that they could come to our galaxy and conquer our planets and then inhabit them.” Steve blew out a breath and nodded. Amy shook her head, “This makes them and the other civilizations in their galaxy much more dangerous.”

  “That’s why I was going to send you without discussing the change.”

  Gabe stared at them and then said, “Holy guacamole!” Everyone looked at him and Gabe said, “I haven’t thought this through.” He looked at Steve, “Do you know if our uniforms are also changed by this process?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “If our uniforms and armor are changed by this, we could use our armor to pass through the hull of an enemy vessel and plant explosives on board. We could land on a planet and walk around scouting without being seen.” He looked at Steve again, “Do you know if our blasters would work?”

  Steve held up his hands, “Hey, the changes have not all taken place yet. We’re still at the front end of learning what all this means.”

  Gabe shrugged, “It would make a great escape from a damaged ship. Just turn off the charge and go through the hull wearing armor. You could wait to be picked up later.” Gabe looked up and said “And we could also…”

  Steve said, “Whoa, we’ll explore all of this later. Right now I need to know how many in your fleet don’t want to go on the current mission. Those changes won’t happen until you return and even then it’s going to take some time before they happen. You’ve been back a year and the change is just now showing up.”

  Janell started nodding, “It appears to me that this actually makes us stronger and gives us more tools to use against the Carand.”

  Steve smiled, “It does appear you are right.”

  Amy looked at Janell and then at Steve, “Sir, if our ships have this change in both universes, I would suggest you start sending every ship in the Alliance through the black hole. It would make our ships more powerful than they currently are.” Steve tilted his head and Amy quickly said, “You don’t have to send crews that are unaffected by this change. The sailors in our fleets could start the process of taking the other fleets through until all of our warships complete the process.”

  Steve shook his head, “I’ll discuss this with my staff and see what they think about it.”

  Janell looked around the room, “Heinrik, you and Amy will have an open conference with your fleets and tell them what’s going on. Make sure all of them understand it and then ask for those that don’t want to go on the mission. We may have to delay until we replace the ones that want to leave but that’s how it will have to be.” Janell looked at Steve, “Sir, if you would contact the other fleets and ask for volunteers to replace our losses, I would greatly appreciate it.”

  “I will be contacting all the naval forces in the Alliance and tell them what’s happening. If any don’t want to do this, they will be terminated from the service. That will include those in your fleets that don’t choose to go on the mission.”

  Janell shook her head, “But, Sir.”

  “They will receive an honorable discharge but we don’t have room for anyone that isn’t willing to do what’s necessary to defend our species.”

  Janell looked at her Admirals, “Make sure your sailors know that as well.”

  Steve looked around the room, “Do any of you want to drop out of the mission?” Amy saw him staring at her and she shook her head. She looked at Tony and Sol sitting on the edges of the gathering and saw them shaking their heads. Good. At least the main members of her team were still on board. Steve smiled, “I’m sure you have a lot to do. Admiral Dobson, let me know how many you’ll need.” Janell nodded and Steve stood up, “This meeting is adjourned. Thank you for your understanding.”

  Janell said, “Attenshun!!” The room stood up at attention as Steve left the room and headed toward his shuttle. Janell looked around the room and smiled, “I’ll be seeing you. Now go and get this done.” The room quickly emptied and Janell looked at Gabe, “Do you really think this change is not going to cause us problems?”

  “It’s like having allergies, Sir. We’ll have to learn to live with it. It’ll be easier for us.”

  “Why is that?”

  “We’re single and don’t have to make adjustments for our family. However, I think this will be easier than going back with a missing arm or leg. I was serious about finding a planet where those that have this change can go and live.”

  “I’ll make sure Admiral Conner understands that. I want you available to my two Admirals to help them answer any questions their sailors might have.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  • • •

  The Royal arrived at the asteroid and was greeted by the Head Scientist when he arrived underground, “I think I have something that might help you.”

  “What is that?”

  “We’ve developed a field that detects mass. We have four probes that you can scatter around the black hole and if anything moves through the field, it should be detected.”

  “Will it give the exact location of the object it detects?”

  “No, it will not.”

  “Then what use is it?”

  “It will let you know if those ships return.”

  “And just what do you expect me to do with this information?”

  “Get your tail back here as fast as you can fly and make sure the fleets you have here are really well hidden.”

  “They’re hidden now.”

  “They’re all in the upper atmosphere of that planet and I don’t want to risk them being seen. Order them to move deeper into the planet’s atmosphere and go to minimum power.”

  “I’ll need to be able to hear what’s happening.”

  “Then move your ship to the outer planet and listen from there. I’ll have two probes watching for anything moving toward us and you’ll know when to go into hiding.”

  “I don’t like this.”

  “Then stay with your fleets and take your chances. Do not allow those ships to find us.”

  The Royal shook his head and said, “When are you going to place the probes around the black hole?”

  “They’re already there.” The Scientist handed him a computer chip, “Put this in your panel and you’ll receive the warning if they detect anything coming out of the black hole.”

  The Royal took the chip
and stared at it. “I assume you’ll also receive notice of their arrival.”

  “I will.”

  The Royal hesitated and said, “I’ll leave orders with my Fleet Commander here to move his ships deeper into the atmosphere when you notify him.”

  “You’re not coming back?”

  “I don’t know…yet. However, your suggestion is a good one and I’ll make sure it’s done.”

  The Scientist nodded, “You would be wise to return.”

  “I know.”

  “Good luck, my friend.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your concern for my welfare.”

  • • •

  Janell pressed a button on her panel and Steve appeared, “Sir, I have a question that I didn’t ask in our meeting.”

  “What is it?”

  “Dillon made a round trip to that galaxy. Why didn’t his ship undergo the change?”

  Steve smiled, “We think a lot alike, Admiral. I asked the same question and learned that his ship’s hull was so damaged by the blaster that hit it that Maintenance scrapped his vessel. It was dropped on the asteroid where damaged ships and other junk are scrapped, where it was pretty much forgotten until your ship started disappearing. I sent some ships out to retrieve it but it couldn’t be found. They’re still searching for it.”

  “Couldn’t you just hit the asteroid with a positive field?”

  Steve shook his head, “You’ve never seen that asteroid, have you?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “It’s probably buried under two layers of scrap and, even if it did appear, it wouldn’t be seen. Maintenance didn’t keep a record on where it was dropped so it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  “It would really be good if we could find it.”

  “Why?”

  “We could see if the weapons still functioned after the change. Now we’ll just have to wait to find out.”

  Steve’s eyes narrowed as what she said penetrated his consciousness, “Perhaps that asteroid needs to be revisited with a force large enough to do a thorough search.”

  Janell smiled, “I think that’s a good idea, Sir.”

  “I’ll look into it as soon as I arrive at Fleet Operations. Let me know how your meetings turn out.”