They were monitoring one of the two Crillon ships as it entered its own newly created wormhole on the second stage of its journey to Crilla, the Crillons home planet.
A small buoy, with a transmitter and Hyperlink generator on board, would follow the Crillon ship through the wormhole.
The buoy, then dropping out into Normal-space after three light-years or roughly nine hours had passed.
At that point, the buoy would be redundant as it wouldn’t be able to return.
But, it would have done its job.
It was a bold attempt, using the existing stealth drone, to send the images captured by the buoy back to Derringer and Turpin waiting at Zeta Reticuli.
These images then being relayed to Andromeda and Illustrious, via the new ship-to-ship Hyperlink.
Once they had been sent, both Derringer and Turpin would start back to Delta Pavonis.
Frank knew that the sensor systems of both the Illustrious and Andromeda were recording everything.
As were Derringer and Turpin at Zeta Reticuli. With Derrick's face showing at the top corner of his tactical display, as was his, on Derrick’s screen.
The Hyperlink images were good, considering the time-shift and everything else.
‘Susanna is returning Frank, about fifteen minutes,’ Andromeda informed him.
‘Thanks,’ he thought back, as he watched events unfolding on his screen.
Chapter 34
Bovonivo.
At Zeta Reticuli, the two Crillon battlecruisers disappeared almost simultaneously into the wormholes created in front of them. At last, they were on their way to Crilla.
Fleet Commander Tripicac knew that Commander Bovonivo would be feeling as happy as he did, and they were both looking forward to seeing each other at the next exit point, one hundred and six light years away.
He knew the warp crystals had some flaws, but his simulations before jump had been excellent.
He sat, intently watching his screen which was displaying the fore and aft views within the wormhole. He could see there was no reference to anything, only grey streaks that seemed hypnotic.
A file, the Earth people, had placed on his computer, suddenly popped up on his screen, disturbing his concentration.
‘Oh well, might as well look at it now,’ he thought.
“Open,” he ordered.
A scene appeared on the screen. It showed a massive electric-blue coloured globe, hanging only a few metres off the ground. Although there weren’t enough objects around, to know what size it really was. It looked enormous.
‘That ship,’ he thought. ‘Not again!’
Then he could see small platforms or bed type things, with what appeared to be humans laying on them. All of them floating into the globe-shaped ship.
The scene suddenly switched to an orange object in a metal cave or corridor. He started to sweat as he saw the ring above it. He had also seen this before.
Seen this thing, with a wormhole always above it. This orange thing. Fear flooded him.
“Solverons,” he muttered. Then sank back in his seat to read the human’s report that was attached to the file.
Commander Bovonivo, in CS S14. Saw the same scenes, and read the same report. Like Tripicac, he felt fear. He knew there was no known way to stop a Solveron ship.
Especially… Then he almost had a heart attack as his ship shuddered and dropped into Normal-space.
The small Earth buoy that was following, almost went into the back of him, then backed off to a safe distance.
Bovonivo bellowed into his comms. “What happened?”
A voice came back.
“Imperfection in the crystal sir, about ten minutes then we can jump again.”
“Very well. Tell me when.”
He never finished… As a large and crackling, electric-blue globe drifted slowly through his ship. Dissolving everything as it went.
He uttered one word, as his body flew apart. “Solverons.”
Frank watched the delayed images coming through the Hyperlink. He saw the Crillon Battlecruiser disappear in front of the buoy.
The buoy followed. Then, suddenly, the Crillon vessel showed in front again.
Like a rubber band, the buoy hurtled forward, almost hitting the ship. Then shot backward to safety, where it stayed for a few minutes.
“What happened Andromeda?
Why has the Crillon ship dropped into Normal-space?”
“Maybe, a crystal that has a flaw. Hopefully, he'll have enough jump quota left to go on.”
“I hope you're right,” he replied as he continued watching.
The scene suddenly turned to one of horror, as the vast electric-blue coloured globe started to drift through the Crillon ship, crackling as it went. The blue globe seeming to have come from nowhere.
“Grief!” Frank said. Watching in horror, as it continued to pass on through the ship…Until there was nothing left, but empty space.
“So, now we know what that blue sphere is. Our third player,” he said, almost trembling with shock.
“Geeze Frank. I can hardly believe what we’ve seen. You’re right, it’s definitely the third player. I’ll Hyperlink Derringer and Turpin to return immediately.”
“Yes, Do it straight away, Andromeda.”
Tripicac sat thinking about the ‘Solverons,’ unaware of Commander Bovonivo’s demise.
He knew the 'Solverons' had never been known to attack any ships while they were travelling through a wormhole. So, providing he didn't have to stop for more than three minutes he would get back safely.
Later, he saw that Commander Bovonivo didn’t appear at the exit points. But that was unimportant.
He only knew that he had to get to his home planet. If the 'Solverons' were active again, the Crillon’s planet could be in danger.
‘The humans might have the answer to the Solveron' menace,’ he hopefully thought.
‘So, his Senate must be made to understand that.’
He contacted his second in command.
“Trenma. Put all we know about the Solverons in a pulsed message to the humans.”
“But sir, we’re not in the same wormhole anymore!”
“I understand. But it's worth trying. The thread may still be open.”
“OK, I'll do it now.”
Frank sighed in relief, as Derringer and Turpin dropped into Normal-space two thousand metres away. It had been almost five days of worry, but they were finally here.
In the meantime, all the drones had been re-armed and set in an englobing formation around the four ships. With their detectors at full alert.
Tony Crisp’s image popped up on Frank's screen.
“Hi Tony, welcome. Glad you made it back safely in the Derringer.”
“I’m very relieved to be back, after seeing that ‘blue boy’ gobble up the Crillon ship.”
“Yes, pretty grim. Oh, and you shouldn’t put any of this information on the public link yet.
We think the Globe ship ‘disrupted’ the Crillon ship's molecular co-adhesion and their ship's molecules just drifted apart,” said Frank.
“So, does that mean anything we fire at it, will also fall apart?”
“Probably. But, did you notice that when our buoy first registered the ship, it wasn't crackling?”
“I didn't, but then, you've had longer to study it.”
“That’s true,” replied Frank.
“Well Frank, I think you'll be pleased that we managed a relatively intensive survey of the old wormhole’s location before the Crillons arrived.
Unfortunately, we found small tremors that might mean the re-bending of space. It may not be long before the wormhole tries to re-establish itself.”
“That’s interesting. We need to keep an eye on that if we can.”
“So, what's next?”
“I want you both to return to Earth, and take all the information that we have on the Crillons and this globe ship.
Then let’s see what the boffins down on Earth, ma
ke of it. These globes are perhaps the biggest threat to us.”
“When do you want us to go, Frank?”
“Well, the Pavonisien elders are getting a list of things for you to bring back. So, in a couple of days.”
“Wow, an old shopping list!”
“Seems like it. Have you still got enough jump quota?”
“Yes, we've only used about a hundred light-years of the quota, and we've still got the spare warp crystal.”
“Good, and you need to make sure that your Antimatter weapon is ready to use. Just as a precaution.”
“Will do. I assume that with all the drones being deployed, you’re not taking any chances in case blue-boy turns up.”
“No, we’re not. Hopefully, the drones will at least, give us a warning.”
Chapter 35
Changing Times.
Almost three months had passed since the Crillon ships had left Delta Pavonis and of the known destruction of two of them. There were no other sightings of the blue globe ship, or of the remaining Crillon ship.
The StarShips, Derringer and Turpin had returned from Earth, with a delegation from the world federation and more space federation technicians. Together with the initial requirements of the Pavonisien elders, now renamed as the Council of Elders.
It was expected that the Earth federation’s delegates and the technicians would then return to Earth on the Andromeda and Illustrious StarShips. Both of which were returning to Earth long before Susanna and Frank's baby was due to be born. Their wedding was to take place back on Earth, with Uncle Jack looking after the arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Derringer and Turpin’s crews would finish the setting up of the Hyperlink communication’s system and then help with the improvements to the crystal growing facilities on the planet. As well as carrying out their routine duties on board. Then return to Earth about two weeks after the Andromeda and Illustrious. Their ships would then undergo a weapon’s upgrading, and the crew members could look forward to a long rest break with their families.
On Pavonis, both Brendereen and Acarea had become something of an authority. A situation that had been helped by their new-found fame. They had managed to gain approval for, and help with, the planning of a small community next to City Atreen's industrial plant. And with the Council of the Elder's support. They also made Acarea, their old Starship, a designated monument to their ancestors.
Bren and Acarea also seemed to be able to extract more ‘favours’ from the people of Earth than anyone else. Including the provision of machinery and aid of experts in learning the methods of water extraction.
All of which would allow them to access and distribute the planet’s abundant supply of subterranean water. This, in turn, enabling them to increase their crop growing techniques.
The crews of the two remaining Earth ships were carrying out their usual duties. While finding time to visit the planet, to mix with the Pavonisiens, and exchange general information on their differing lifestyles.
Frank and Susanna, though being kept busy, also managed to have an end of voyage dinner. Inviting Susanna’s latest best buddy Jenny, the hyperactive marine.
As usual he had been instructed to organise the meal, which was to be eaten in his cabin. He had chosen the menu carefully, from the dispenser. Aware that this could be a potential pitfall for him. He had also seconded a service droid to set the table and act as a waiter.
Frank, not wanting to say the wrong thing, tapped Jenny’s name on his tactical pad, to check her status before she arrived.
A quite brief resume he thought, reading it. Jenny Bronti Moore. Twenty-six years old. Blue grey eyes. Blonde hair. A gender tattoo at the top of her neck. Fully trained Marine and pilot. With awards for, Combat, Flying, Bodybuilding and Martial Arts. ‘Wow!’ He thought to himself.
Everything was ready, just in time, as his door annunciator sounded Susanna and Jenny’s arrival. “Open,” he ordered. They entered, and the door slid shut behind them.
He kissed Susanna, then turned to look at Jenny.
“Hello Jenny,” he said. It’s nice to meet you at last. Susanna can't stop talking about you, and I can see why. Please, take a seat.”
“It’s good to meet you also,” she replied as she sat down.
He found it difficult to take his eyes off her. Like Susanna, she wore a loose low cut top, Susanna’s blue as usual, Jenny’s a coral colour. Her black trousers seemed over-tight. Then he realized it was her leg muscles that made them look tight. Looking again, he could see she was well muscled, all over.
Jenny noticing the direction his wandering eyes were taking him said.
“In my profession, Frank, muscles and stamina mean everything if I'm to stay alive.”
Frank, realising he must have been staring at Jenny too long replied. “I'm sorry Jenny, but I've never seen such great muscles on a woman before.”
“Muscles to die for,” Susanna said, kicking his shin.
“Ouch!” He gasped.
“You should see my body as I do, in the mirror every day while I’m exercising,” said Jenny. “Seeing my oiled muscles, ripple and bulge with every lift of the dumbbells. Almost hypnotic you know,” she said. And couldn’t help grinning, as she finished.
“Jenny. Don't tease Frank like that. I'm going to have to keep up with you, now.”
Despite this slightly wobbly start on Frank’s part, the evening went well. With the two girls, mischievously being a bit too suggestive at times, causing a red-faced Frank to get a little worried.
The night ended with kisses, and both girls left. Leaving Frank, sitting on the sofa thinking. ‘Wow, those two really are trouble.’
Chapter 36
Crilla.
Commander Tripicac’s CS13 battlecruiser finally emerged at the planet Crilla, which orbited the star Kepler more than six hundred light years from Zeta Reticuli.
It had taken him and his crew almost three months, but they were home now, and safe.
He was pleased to see both Arans and Commander Tarcan's ships attached to one of the many docking arms of an enormous, spider-like, space station ahead of him.
‘I must talk to them, and fast,’ he thought.
He hadn't noticed the lack of ship’s service droids, who would usually be accessing any repair work his vessel needed long before he reached the space dock.
Then it suddenly dawned on him that he had to bring his ship to the spaceport on his own. There were no pilot droids and come to that, no service droids either.
‘How was he going to anchor his ship to the disembarkation tube at the station?’ He wondered.
He discussed this with Vendron, his onboard pilot, as the approach was going to be hairy, to say the least. Vendron wasn’t worried however and expertly manoeuvred the Crillon battlecruiser until the docking clamps were anchored firmly.
Tripicac looked out of his control room window. His battlecruiser was the only one on this docking arm, and he could see that several of the docking arms close by were empty.
Arans and Tarcan's ships were anchored to a docking arm further around the station, but there were only five in that group.
Then he noticed that the docking arm next to Arans held another eight ships, three of which were Imperial battleships.
‘That was also strange,’ he thought. ‘Generally, a battleship would only accompany a fleet of between12 to 20 battlecruisers.’
He now realized that none of the ships was powered up. Even the space station was on minimal power.
The hiss of the airlock opening startled him briefly from his observations. He ignored the airlock and tried to count how many Crillon ships were here.
'There are only thirty-three ships,' he thought. ‘Commander Bovonivo’s ship, CS14, isn’t here. This is going from bad to worse. What's going on?’
“Tripicac,” someone close to him called. He turned to see Arans walking into the control room towards him.
“Hello Commander,” Arans said, putting his arms around him in the usual
Crillon greeting.
“I’m very glad to see you Arans. What's going on?”
“I'll tell you when we’re in my shuttle.”
“No planet shuttles then?”
“No. You must power down your ship, now Tripicac,” he ordered.
“But,” Tripicac started to say.
“Do it now. For your own safety.”
Tripicac hurriedly sent the power down instructions to his second in command, Trenma.
Quietly adding, “Vos. Mec. Nev. Da. Oh, and tell the crew to get some rest, while I find out what is going on. I'll let you know as soon as possible.”
“I understand sir,” Trenma confirmed.
Tripicac followed Arans out to the disembarkation tube. Both saying nothing as they walked along the tunnel and out into the space station’s reception area.
They stepped into the gravity lift and went down. Moments later, entering Arans shuttle through its embarkation tube. The shuttle’s airlock door closed with a hiss, and they were alone.
Still, neither spoke as the disembarkation tube was released, and the shuttle moved away from the space station and towards their home planet Crilla.
“Do you know about a race called Solverons?” Arans eventually asked.
“Yes, and hopefully, so do the humans now.”
“Oh, good!” Arans said in surprise. “That could be useful. What do you know about them?”
“Not very much,” Tripicac replied.
Then he took a small tactical pad from inside his uniform and turned it on. “This is what the human, Captain Richardson, uploaded to us.”
“Ah, yes. Captain Richardson. An extraordinary person. They are indeed a very surprising species Tripicac, are they not?”
“Very.”
The Definitive SpaceFed Trilogy (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy).: A thrilling, action-packed Sci-fi space adventure. (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 8) Page 41
