Excluding Andromeda's, that only makes four-hundred-and-eighty light-years.”
“A bit short, even for one ship,” Ned concluded.
“Well, there are five Crillon ships left. Four of the ships are at the site of the defunct wormhole, and Arans ship is here,” Andromeda advised them.
“None in good condition,” Ned voiced. “But, I have an Idea in the back of my mind. Andromeda, can you run with my idea, please?”
“Go ahead, Ned.”
“Well, we know that you're able to initiate a small wormhole, like when you sent the comms buoy to Earth, for example.”
“Yes, but it does reduce my jump-quota? Carry on.”
“OK. But you don't actually enter the wormhole yourself,” said Ned. “How is that possible?”
Andromeda stayed silent, for a few moments, “I don't really know Ned. I can find no reference. It just works!”
“OK. So, you could generate a single wormhole, using up most of your quota. Yes?”
“Yes, but the strain on my warp core could render us immobile,” another long pause from Andromeda.
“I see where you're going with this. Pretty daring.”
“What's the risk to this ship Andromeda,” Frank asked.
“Minimal, and I imagine we could get a new warp core from Earth.”
“OK. Carry on talking Ned.”
“This may not go down well. But, unless I’ve missed something in my understanding of warp technology. I believe the wormhole must be a standard diameter for a ship to traverse through it, and that you can't use a warp generator while you are inside the existing wormhole. Is that right Andromeda?”
“Yes, it is,” Andromeda agreed. “But you can't cascade warp-jumps with unconnected ships either.”
“I like the way you're thinking,” chuckled Ned. “So, in a group of vessels, the leader would always have to make the intrusion or jump.”
“Of course, that's the way of physics.”
She pondered for a while, then replied “Yes, it could work,” and paused again.
“So, we connect all the Crillon ships together physically, but with detachable couplings. Connect them one behind the other, including the one without a warp core.
Arans ship is damaged so he would be last in the queue.
We make their first jump, for them. Then, when they exit into Normal-space, all they must do is jump again to the next exit.
Decouple the first ship, attach it to the rear then jump again.
Make the same change around again, and the next exit should be their home planet.”
“Brilliant,” Ned exclaimed. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. But I think it would take about three months for the Crillons to get to their home planet. What does everybody else think?”
“Sounds good, and we have the three warp cores,” Patterson said. “But will the warp cores fit their ships?”
“We've modified weapons on board before,” Mark replied, “So I'm sure we can adjust the core fittings as well if needed.”
“Any other ideas or different approaches from anyone?” Frank asked. “Does anyone have anything better to offer? Anyone?”
No one spoke.
“OK,” he said.
Frank re-opened the link to Arans.
Arans looked back at him from the screen, “I assume that you've come to some decision, yes?”
“We have if it will work, and if you cooperate with us.”
“I think we have little choice, Captain,” Arans answered.
“Yes indeed. If you were on our planet, you'd all be up for genocide!”
“What is genocide? It's not in the vocabulary you gave me.”
“Mass murder is another name for it. OK. This is what we propose!”
-Ω-
After Arans had been given the humans view on how they would get his remaining ships home using the new Earth warp-cores. Arans mouth dropped wide-open. A look of disbelief, then of hope, covered his face.
He contacted his ships at the wormhole. Half an hour later he received the final reply from Tarcan, whose ship had been the only one to escape back to the site of the defunct wormhole when the going got tough.
Arans didn't think much of the Fleet Twelve’s Commander for running. But he'd have to live with it, for the moment.
At least he had enough jump-quota to get back to the rest of his ships near the wormhole, maybe a touch more.
“Why are you helping us when we tried to kill you all,” he asked the human’s Captain.
Frank replied, “It's in our nature. Sort of built-in, to help where we can. Why can't you be the same?”
'That was an interesting question,' Arans thought to himself.
'Why do we feel the need to sterilize every planet we come across?' He didn't like the answer his mind gave him.
-Ω-
Work began in earnest. Then after a final tweak had been made to the warp core of Arans ship, the three Earth ships together with Arans ship, made a short jump to rendezvous with the other Crillon ships.
Human and Crillon engineers worked together, trying to sort out the interconnection problems of the new warp cores.
The understanding between their species improved as days or cycles, in Crillon language, passed.
Uploaded language translation and multi-language dictionaries for all ships speeded up the interaction of specialists. While engineering departments fabricated the removable steel-couplers, which would enable the ships to be anchored together.
Tim, from Andromeda's Astro section, worked with the Crillon’s Astro section. Checking everything in fine detail to ensure the correct jump-angle. So that, each time the Crillons emerged into Normal-space, they would then be able to fine-tune their trajectory and range for the next jump.
Frank tapped Ned Parker's Icon. “Ned, can the Crillons get any useful information about our warp core design?”
“I don't think so Frank,” Ned assured him. “Their warp core design is pretty good anyway, so probably not a lot of new information to interest them,” he stopped and thought for a while.
“No, I'm sure. They will use up the jump-quota anyway. As for the core integrity, it'll probably crumble away.”
“Good, you've answered my question, thanks.”
Two weeks had passed since the task began to get the Crillons home. Apart from an intensive survey of the old wormhole’s area, there was no evidence that any tremors, which might signify the re-bending of space, had occurred.
The new warp cores for the three ships had been installed, aligned, and simulation tests completed.
Service drones from the Andromeda and Derringer had made Arans ship space-worthy again. At the same time, drones from the Illustrious added anchor rings to both the front and back of all five Crillon vessels that were waiting to be linked up.
Arans flagged to speak to Frank, “Yes Arans.”
“Captain,” Arans looked a little sheepish. “My crew and the crews of our other ships are wondering if we've missed something.”
“Missed something? I don't follow you.”
“All of your crews are getting on well with ours. But, we've always been taught to believe that we must destroy all other life, to ensure the survival of our species.”
“But that's only valid if you don't meet a species like ours, one that's capable of fighting back.”
“That is our flaw, is it not?”
“Yes. Our species can also be aggressive and dogged,” Frank chose his next words carefully.
“Things have changed in the last few weeks. I don't personally want to destroy you. Sentient beings should be able to work at existing together.”
“I can see that. But I'm afraid others won't.”
“Then it's up to you, to change their perception of life. I'm sure that both our species would have things to trade, including each other's knowledge, for example,” Frank said.
“I can assure you, Captain. That, there will be no more planet cleansing. If, and when, we get home, and if
the wormhole should re-open.
Then. Hopefully, we will return to this area. Your ship has already transferred a transmitting beacon so that you can guide your ships to us for a meeting.”
Frank was stunned for a moment. ‘What was Andromeda thinking?’ he thought.
Seeing Frank's lost look. Arans asked, “It's all right. Isn't it?”
“Yes, I suppose so. But Andromeda, usually, tells me first, about things of importance.”
“Ah, through this mind-link you have.”
“Yes. The only one of its kind.”
“But, efficient, no doubt.”
“It took a bit of getting used to. But all our crew have transceiver implants. So, we have more contact with everyone. Fewer complaints and more efficiency.”
Arans smiled wryly and was gone.
Frank directed his thought at Andromeda, 'Why did you give them a transmitter beacon?'
'Hopefully, to warn us when they return, if ever.'
'Risky!'
'Not really, thanks to Susanna.'
“What do you mean?” He asked, speaking out loud, and suddenly feeling guilty that he'd neglected her.
“Susanna made a slight alteration to the beacon's program.”
“Well, that’s excellent. Nice of you to tell me now!” Frank snapped. “What was the alteration?”
“If their ships return, it will inform us, where and how many there are. Oh, and don't feel guilty Frank, Susanna understands,” Andromeda added.
Chapter 29.
After you’ve gone.
The Crillon ships were now anchored together in the proper sequence, with Arans taking up the rear.
Tarcan's was first. With Arans, figuring that Tarcan would then be safely behind him when they 'hopefully' exited jump six hundred light-years away, at their home planet, Crilla.
The Andromeda sat, pointing in the right direction, together with the four stealth-drones, their ‘drives’ ready and warmed up. All waiting to help push the Crillon ships into the wormhole.
A two-minute warning sounded, and Arans and Tarcan's images both appeared on Frank's screen.
“Thank you, Captain,” they said in unison. “It certainly was a great experience for us,” added Arans.
“We hope that if we survive, we’ll meet you again someday Captain,” Tarcan added.
“And you, both of you,” Frank agreed. “Good luck,” he said. Thinking, ’you'll need it.’
The ten-second warning sounded, and time seemed to stand still.
Then, suddenly, a ‘swirling patch’ appeared for a moment in front of Andromeda.
“Andromeda, what happened?”
“It's all right Frank, I hadn't allowed for a large enough warp-pulse to move this amount of mass. I’m starting again. Now.”
This time, a large, whitish looking, swirling ring, with its jet-black center appeared. The wormhole had formed.
Immediately the four stealth-drone drives flared into action, and the Crillon ship array slipped forward at an increasing rate. At the right distance, the drones veered away. Leaving the linked Crillon ships to dive on into the wormhole.
At first, nothing seemed to happen. But then, suddenly, the Crillons were gone.
Later, Frank sat in the control room, quietly thinking. Arans had said that there was no way they could help his Fleet Twelve ships, which had been left behind in sector two. As, even though they had enough life support for a few months, the chances of finding them would be remote.
Further, even if, by some miracle, they did. Fleet Twelve wouldn't listen to reason, they would rather fight.
For what, he asked himself. But what if they did survive, he pondered. With sufficient jump-quota for them to find a planet, then to regroup. That would be very dangerous.
His cabin door annunciator chimed, and Susanna's image appeared on its panel. 'Perfect,' he thought, with relief and anticipation. ”Open,” he commanded, and she stepped in, the cabin door sliding shut behind her.
They passionately embraced, finally breaking away with a long tender kiss. “I missed you, darling,” she said.
“I missed you, as well,” he replied.
“What now,” she asked.
“The Illustrious will be leaving shortly for Earth to bring back another warp-core. We used too much of our quota to allow us to get back to Earth, but at least we got the Crillons away.”
“That Captain Patterson, Derrick,” she said, changing the subject. “He's quite good looking.”
“It's good that he's going then,” he joked.
“What about Captain Crisp. Is the Derringer staying with us?”
“Yes. Just in case we need help. It'll only be about a week before Illustrious gets back. Then we have repair work to do, plus Crillon data and so on to correlate for our debriefing on Earth.”
“What about the Crillon ships left out there?”
“Arans said the crews would be dead within a couple of months unless they were able to find a place to survive. He also thought that we would never be able to find them anyway.
But, he did say that if they were still alive, and we found them, they would rather fight to the death.”
She looked a little sad, “I suppose the chances are that we will find them some day?”
“Possibly. But now we know a lot about their ships, and, we’re pretty sure we can beat them,” Frank reassured her, and smiled.
The screen pinged near him. A call from the Illustrious was waiting. He tapped the Icon, “Hello Derrick; I guess you’re ready to leave.”
“Yes Frank, we'll be leaving in ten minutes. Would you like me to bring you back some ice-cream?” He joked.
“No, just the warp core will do. Good luck to you.”
“And you. Out.”
“Shall we sit and watch him go,” he asked, already on his way to the food vending machine. “What do you fancy?”
“You.”
“Well, food is the gift of life. So, what do you want?”
“Touchy, aren’t we,” she answered, with a wry grin on her face.
They sat and watched as the Illustrious, majestically turned, hunting for Earth's coordinates. Then it stopped and hung for a moment, and a large, whitish colored, swirling ring, with a jet-black center, appeared. The wormhole had formed. The Illustrious slid forward and was gone in the blink of an eye.
As the week passed, repair work had been carried out by Andromeda’s crew and service droids. Also, the Derringer’s damage control, in the form of Ensign Hartnell, made sure that everything was ready for when the Illustrious returned.
Frank was pleased how his crew members and Andromeda had performed. The lessons learned would help in any new ship’s design, and the communications interface to the crew's transceiver implants had proved its value.
He had introduced Derringer’s Captain, Tony Crisp, and his Science Officer, Lieutenant Perce, to Susanna, and Andromeda’s scientists and engineers. However, it soon became evident that there were no real scientists aboard the Derringer.
Once repairs had been completed, Frank had seen that the Derringer was run more like a military ship. So, he guessed that the Illustrious was run in the same fashion. But, he knew from Andromeda, that neither ships AI’s had any human compassion. In fact, they were a step backwards, and were just basic AI’s in her eyes.
Data and Samples from around Procyon, Sirius, Epsilon Eridani, and Zeta Reticuli were collated, together with information on the Crillons and the wormhole stored for future use.
'A real shame to destroy the wormhole,' he thought. 'But still, it’s been an incredible journey by any standard.'
Frank was bored, then thought about something that Andromeda had said a while ago.
“Andromeda.”
“Yes, Frank?”
“Am I right in thinking that you were going to investigate Earth’s history?”
“Yes, and I am. But the subject material is extensive.”
“Do you have a précis?”
“Yes, but I haven
’t checked everything yet.’”
“That doesn’t matter, I’d like to read some of it. It’s just that I’m interested, and we have some free time now. Anyway, it may help if I look at it and give you a real person’s perspective.’”
“Yes, you can read it. I’ll ignore that last remark.”
“Thanks. Can I read it from around the time the Federation was established? No. From 2100 would be better.”
“Ok, done. You can access it from your screen.”
“Thanks,” he said.
He was alone, so now was as good a time as any to read it. He tapped the screen to open the document, and started reading, scanning through until he came to 2100.
‘This is more interesting,’ he thought.
The population level on Earth had become the greatest problem, with people now living on average to 124 years of age.
This, combined with climate change and the gradual reduction of wars and famine, meant that food production and water supplies couldn't keep up with demand. New ways of providing food and water became a priority, and the development of artificial foods and drinks flourished.
The development of super-size sea water desalination plants produced an abundance of fresh water, not just for drinking, but also to improve hydroponic cultivation. This allowed many areas that were vast deserts to be reclaimed for agricultural production.
Technological developments had also continued to revolutionize the way people learned, worked, moved around and utilized their leisure time.
He scanned through more quickly again until he reached the part that he was really interested in.
Before the faster-than-light barrier was broken by the warp-drive, five countries combined to build an enormous starship in Earth's orbit.
It was called the Acarea and was manned by a specially selected crew of over one hundred men and women.
The Definitive SpaceFed Trilogy (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy).: A thrilling, action-packed Sci-fi space adventure. (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 8) Page 17
