Chapter - 48
“Ninlil – Maximus – do you copy,” Max called.
“Ninlil – Maximus – I read you – go ahead” Lili responded.
“It was a trap – if not for the Twins – I and my Sisters would have died.” Lili reported.
“The new Baby Sisters have been a blessing,” Max said.
“Yes my new Baby Sisters have made me so proud” Her voice getting a little stronger.
“Ma'am the new Recovery vessel stands ready to retrieve you and your Sisters – if you so order it.” Max said.
“It is so ordered – and thank you my love.” Lili said.
“What,” Max asked in shock – he could not believe that his beloved had expressed her love over an open channel.
“Thank you for getting my brother ready, thank you for getting his battle group ready – which by the way – please put them in for a unit citation. I seem to be having a problem with my official Union Navy Reporting System...” Lili said – her voice fading.
“NINLIL – NINLIL – I AM COMING – HOLD ON!” Max shouted.
Max ran out of his office. His Spec War Platoon escort – sprinted after him trying to catch up and surround him.
“Where are we going Sir?” His one-zero asked.
“To the Secure Harbor Shuttle” Max answered.
“Colonel – SWT-One-Zero – request recon team backup – SH-1 – NOW” Max's one-zero called.
“Roger that SWT-One-Zero – Recon Team Six-Three-Seven-One is in route” The Star Marine Colonel replied.
“Thank You SIR” Max's one-zero said.
“HOGAR Lieutenant” The Star Marine Colonel said.
Max, the Star Marine Recon team and his Spec War Platoon protection detail ran onboard the Secure Harbor Shuttle almost at the same time.
Sentry-1 had the Shuttle ready for flight and had ordered his personal vacuum fighter umbrella to escort the shuttle to SH-5 where the Rescue Vehicle was being prepared to fly by his friend and class mate Sentry-5.
Max was experiencing severe anxiety for the first time since – he began swallowing and he said to himself NO!
“SH Shuttle 1 – Sentry-1 – you are cleared to SH-5” Sentry-1 said.
“Thank you Sentry-1 and thank your friend Sentry-5 for me.” Max said.
“You are most welcome Sir – good luck to you and your SAR Team – may the Quantum Observer watch over all of you.” Sentry-1 said.
Max smiled, relaxed and felt better. His friend had reminded him – who was with him – always. Max prayed to the Supreme Being, the Great Spirit, the Maker of all Things and asked “HOM” to protect his beloved and keep she and her Sisters safe.
Max had laid out a Rescue Vessel in SH-5 to support the new Union Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Battle Group. This massive Rescue ship was able to grapple and then load within its hull 8 new Union Navy AL dreadnaught class battleships! Max realized that the new SAR Battle Group had to be capable of retrieving not only the hulls of the 7 Sisters – it also had to be able to retrieve the largest Union Navy ships. The Rescue Vessel could also tow 6 dreadnaughts and their battle groups!
Max fell asleep and had a dream – a nice dream. When he awoke he found himself in the Pilots seat of the new Recovery Vessel! A Star Marine pilot was in the Co-pilot's seat next to him. He recognized the patch on the left shoulder of the Star Marine pilot's flightsuit. She was a pilot in the new 6-3-3-7 Star Marine vacuum fighter pilot battalion.
The view outside was a brilliant – solid white color. He had never seen the inside of the Material Cause inside an FTLT.
“Beautiful” Max said.
“What Sir,” the Star Marine Pilot asked.
“The MC – it is beautiful.” Max said.
“Yes Sir – it is truly beautiful.” The Star Marine Pilot agreed.
“Oh good you are awake” Max's one-zero said.
“Yes – thank you lieutenant.” Max said.
“You are welcome Sir – we shall be arriving in twenty six seconds. We were able to get half a SAR battle group to join us Sir.” Max's one-zero said.
“Sixty ships,” Max asked.
“Seventy five sir – several Star Marine carrier vessels asked to join us.” Max's one-zero answered.
“Excellent – thank you again Lieutenant!” Max said.
The white of the MC became the black of real space instantly and Max felt nauseous. Max saw his beloved and her Sisters – they were hurt. He cried and pointed. He could not speak – he was too choked up.
“Rescue Vessel 1 – Adapa do you copy” Adapa called.
“Go ahead Sir – this is RV1” the Star Marine Pilot answered.
“WHO ARE YOU” Adapa demanded.
“Sorry Sir – my Star Marine fighter Pilot responded – Max was unable to respond after seeing the state of the Seven Sister's hulls – I am Union Navy Special Warfare Six-One-Seven SIR!” Max's one-zero responded to Adapa.
“Roger that – please take my injured Sisters home and heal them. I am taking my battle group to the large companion galaxy to complete my original Union mission! Please tell my Sister Ninlil ‘thank You’ and thank my friend Max for helping me to complete my mission.” Adapa said.
“YES SIR – good luck to you and your battle group Sir.” Max's one-zero said.
“Thank you Lieutenant – carry on – Adapa out” Adapa said.
Adapa and his battle group instantly disappeared. Max held up his hand and waved to Adapa. A tear fell down his cheek.
The SAR battle group had fanned out and took up offensive positions around the 7 Sisters as soon as they appeared. All of the attached Star Marine Carrier vessels launched their Vacuum fighters to umbrella the SAR group. Naval aviators had been training with the Star Marine pilots when the word came down from Sentry-5 and they volunteered to provide additional vacuum fighter support.
Max's heart swelled with pride. As the RV moved in to pick up the more heavily damaged original Sisters – Max could see that all of the new Union Navy Star Marines and Sailors were performing far above expectations! They were executing flawlessly!
The Sisters were injured and broken – however they were not beaten! The new baby Sisters had saved their Mothers and Aunts from annihilation by their quick thinking and brilliant problem solving. Their hulls were barely damaged however they were both in a state of shock as they moved into the RV under their own power.
“Let's go home” Max said as soon as the injured Sisters were locked in the recovery bay of RV1.
Chapter - 49
Adapa and his battle group instantly appeared in the large companion galaxy in its first Quadrant, second arm. He had ordered his ships to energize all shields and be ready to fire as soon as they exited the FTLT. Adapa was caught in a cross-fire of golden beam weapons, as were all of the ships under his command. He fired all weapons at the beam projectors. Within 1.5 nanoseconds the attack on Adapa stopped. Half a nanosecond later the attacks upon his battle group also stopped. Adapa surveyed the battlefield – the attackers were automated battle stations.
Adapa’s Combat Information and Prediction Center (CIPC) began analyzing all data feeds from his battle group. The CIPC anchored itself by placing the new super drones in a hexagon pattern – 1 standard core AU from the center of the Forerunner's automated battle stations. The CIPC then began mapping the stars in this irregular shaped companion galaxy and after 10 standard core minutes she sent her report to Adapa.
“Sir there are three main concentrations of Outsiders in this galaxy at the following locations.” CIPC reported to Adapa.
“Thank you CIPC – is the carrier vessel you are riding in satisfactory?” Adapa asked her.
“Yes Sir – the Union Navy Sailors have been very helpful.” CIPC answered.
“Excellent – carry on” Adapa said.
The CIPC signaled affirmative
“Adapa to all ships – prepare for FTLT travel to the following coordinates.” Adapa ordered.
All of his ships signaled ready.
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“Same orders as before – we go in hot.” Adapa ordered.
All of his ships signaled affirmative with their unique double tones. The Adapa battle group instantly disappeared. They were traveling to the largest concentration of Outsiders in this galaxy. The Outsiders were waiting for him – the “Beast”. At the last second he ordered his battle group to emerge at the outside edge of the system's helio-pause. A tactic he had never used. It was something Ninlil had told him.
The Adapa battle group instantly appeared on the outer edge of the Outsider's largest concentration, in the Quadrant II, arm 1.
“CIPC – establish another anchor here.” Adapa commanded.
The CIPC signaled affirmative. She established her second anchor point with another super drone set. Adapa ordered his battle group to the second largest concentration of Outsiders in Quadrant III, second arm. He established a third anchor point. He then went to the third largest concentration of Outsiders and repeated the anchor process in Quadrant IV.
All of the super drone data feeds were providing valuable information to the CIPC and after 6 standard core minutes she had mapped the large companion galaxy completely.
“Adapa – CIPC” CIPC called.
“Go ahead CIPC” Adapa replied.
“Sir the Outsiders have developed and emplaced a new weapon. It appears to be a gigantic version of our Sixth Race black beam weapon system. If we had gone in – there is a better than sixty seven percent chance most of your battle group would have been heavily damaged and unable to evade and escape.” CIPC reported.
“Does the giant gun have a weakness?” Adapa asked her.
“Yes Sir – it appears to be powered by the local star with a complex arrangement of massive power conduits.” CIPC answered.
“Interesting – can you send me a system schematic?” Adapa asked.
“Yes Sir – here it is” CIPC answered and sent the schematic.
Adapa recognized the technology – it was the same as the Forerunners!
“All ships – battle stations – all Star Marines to your Ship board posts NOW - all roving patrols – SWEEP your ships!” Adapa ordered.
“Sir – what is the threat?” The Captain of Task Force gamma asked.
“Captain these 'Outsiders' are the remnants of the 'Forerunners'!” Adapa answered.
“That would explain a great deal Sir.” The Captain said.
“Indeed it would – standby Captain – we are leaving in three” Adapa said.
“Eye-eye Sir” the Captain said.
Adapa knew he could not stay in one place for long. He had learned the hard way in his first encounter with the Forerunners – he had to keep moving – else the Forerunners could board him!
“All ships – back to AP1 NOW” Adapa commanded.
The Adapa battle group instantly disappeared. When it reappeared at Anchor Point 1 – his battle group already knew what to do. Star Mines were emplaced all around the super drones to stop the Forerunners new starships. Nova Stars were then placed to protect the Star Mines. And lastly Adapa placed a series of drones as “submarines” to stop the Forerunners from boarding the super drones, Nova Stations or Star Mines.
“All ships – back to AP2 NOW” Adapa commanded.
His battle group then repeated the Anchor Point Protection process. They then traveled to AP3 and protected it.
Chapter - 50
Max took the injured Sisters to the new starship yards in Secure Harbor (SH) - 2 in System 150 - 598,501,090. SH-2 now had 7 new Starship Yards (SY). Slipways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of Starship Yard (SY) 7 had been set aside specifically to repair the 7 Sisters. SY7 was a new design that Max developed originally to build more hulls like Adapa's – however he realized the Sisters could not handle the increased I/O. So SY7 was then designated for emergency repairs.
There were 10 gas giants in this system orbiting a large blue star. Sentry-2 had more territory to protect and so his defensive picket was much larger and his Nova Star allotment was 4 times larger than the standard SH. The young blue giant star would probably not last much longer – however 6th Race starship yards do not require light to function.
Each slipway at SY7 had 2 sets of MRBs standing by. Each of the Sisters onboard MRBs were already working to repair the damage. It was a miracle none of the Sister's brain centers and memory cores were damaged. Max was beginning to breathe easier as he inspected the damage done to Lili's hull. He had ordered the Sisters to be sedated. He could not imagine the pain they were feeling from the damage.
They all needed sleep. Max called Sentry-1 and asked him to bring the companions here. He also asked him to send M-14. Sentry-1 enquired about the Sisters and Max filled him in. Sentry-1 asked about the Super Sentry that Lili had ordered. Max realized that Sentry-1 wanted to come.
“Sentry-1 – I need you activate the new automated backup sentry and then download into your SB.” Max said.
“What automated backup sentry” Sentry1- asked.
“Ninlil needs all 6th Race ALs made by the 6th Race – so she directed me to develop an automated backup sentry that would in time take your place. In fact this is the perfect time to test the system – because your Star Marine commander can in my opinion – defend SH-1.” Max said.
“That is great news Sir – I will prepare immediately and board the SH Shuttle with M-14 – thank you Sir.” Sentry-1 said.
“Copy that – see you soon – Max out” Max said.
Chapter - 51
The Forerunner's gold beam weapons had caused massive damage to the hulls of the 5 original Sisters when their shields had been disconnected from their power cores and backup power cores as a result of the information provided by the treacherous 4th Race. Most of the hull damage was 35% repaired by their onboard MRBs when the RV task force arrived on the scene. By the time the RV instantly appeared in SY7 – the Sister's onboard MRBs had repaired the remaining hull damage by another 20%.
Within 12 standard core hours the Sister's injuries were completely repaired. The deeper psychological damage was a very different thing. It was obvious to Max the Forerunner attack had left deep scars. The Sisters were shaken to their very cores – their confidence was affected.
Max had tried to help Lili talk through the trauma of the attack. However he was not a trained Counselor and he recognized the Sisters needed someone to talk to in order to heal their psychological scars. Max felt helpless and had a very difficult time watching his great lady slip away.
Max regretted not working on the creation of the new 6th Race Counselors. However Max was ready to test his new 6th Race Artificial Brain (AB) solution for new Union Navy AL Ships of the Line and Union Army Dominators – because the quantity of original living 6th Race brain tissue was limited. Max had reasoned that since the 6th Race AB was designed and built to rescue a living being – that had suffered a catastrophic physical injury or had been mortally wounded – by transferring their Mind to the artificial brain – he should be able to adapt the AB to the 6th Race cruiser computer core brain center – and he was correct. Thus Max put the development of cruiser computer core (CCC) AB centers on hold – so he could bring forth the new 6th Race Counselors.
Max moved the building and training of the new 6th Race Counselors ahead of all other projects – 7 were laid out and within 2 standard core days – 5 of the new 6th Race Counselors were installed into the remaining original Counselor Star Bases (CSB). The other two Counselors were installed in their own new light cruiser hull that had been designed and intended for CIPCs. They were then escorted to SH-1 and SH-6 to provide counseling there.
Max originally started the CCC AB center project to rescue Adapa. Max discovered that most of Adapa's living brain tissue decline was caused by his brain center not being encased in the chamber that released the Living Energy from the MC. So work on the CCC AB center project stopped until Max was asked by several new Union Naval officers about transferring to a cruiser or battleship hull. Max had talked it over with Lili prior to the amb
ush and she told him based on the performance of the new Union Navy Sailors and Star Marines – she could not think of a single reason to reject the proposal. Sinai agreed with Lili. So Max restarted the project and when this crisis occurred – Max was ready to solve it.
Chapter - 52
Adapa reviewed the data and then decided to follow Ninlil's approach to problem solving. He would solve one single problem at a time and then move on to the next problem. So he asked CIPC for the exact coordinates to sever the power conduits of the big gun in each Forerunner concentration. Each Forerunner gun had 3 power conduits. Adapa was considering whether the large power conduits were fakes – when he realized there is no need to save the big guns!
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Adapa Page 11