Starship X-15

by Alan VanMeter

  “Co-discovered actually. Eric Swenson was right with me every step.” I giggle remembering our utter amazement.

  I see Alicia is shaking her head, and then she pinches her own arm. Reflexing from the pain. Stephanie sees this too, and she remarks, “Cadet, your friend here just made one of the most profound archeological discoveries in history.”

  “What discovery?” Alicia demands from me.

  So I tell the story, and both ladies are mystified by it, I can clearly tell.

  “You go baby!” Alicia bursts. “I knew you are someone special girl, I knew it!”

  I look to Stephanie who seems neither shocked, surprised, nor even interested that Alicia called me ‘baby.’

  “It was a lot of fun, let me tell you.” I gush, and giggle.

  “That is the true Star Command spirit ladies.” Stephanie winks at us.

  “Stephanie, do you know what is lined up for me next?” I need to know.

  “You are to finish your last semester to fully graduate from the Academy, and then you will continue with your current mission.”

  I like the sound of that, eight more weeks with Alicia, yes!

  The next week Alicia gets her orders for her first assignment after she graduates. She will report aboard the S.S. Nelson for duty. It is a Star Cruiser. The very first warship of the fleet, and that doesn’t sound so good to me, or her as is obvious.

  “How long until you leave?”

  “Two weeks.”

  That just causes the tears to flow, like the dam had burst.

  Alicia hugs me in tears also, and we cry each other to sleep.

  My next classes are Stellar Cartography 403, Celestial Navigation 302, Xeno Psychology 201, and a course called Command College. I am completely busy so quickly that the last two weeks with Alicia are suddenly just gone. She leaves tomorrow, and I plan a romantic last evening together. I arrange an exquisite private dinner in my stateroom, and I have found a perfect gift to give her as a farewell present. Farewell… I hate the idea!

  We dine in candle light and with subdued classical music in the background.

  “Thank you for this Devon, I love it.” Then I barely hear her say, “I love you.”

  I take her hand. “I love you too Alicia. Never doubt it. We were destined for each other to fall in love, out here among the stars.”

  She giggles, and I realize that was pretty silly, and sugary… whatever.

  “Just screw my lights out baby, please.” She begs.

  I grin with mischief, and then remember my gift. Now is the time. “I sure will baby, but first I got you a little something. A parting gift, not the last.” I tease her.

  “Really? Nice.” She coos.

  I go get her wrapped gift from the hiding place and bounce back over to her with beaming excitement.

  “I hope you like it baby.” Then I sit across the little table from her again. She opens it with the sexiest grin I have ever seen.

  Her eyes fly wide open at the sight of the sparkling diamond engagement ring.

  I get on my knees next to her, and take her hand. “Alicia. I love you with all my heart. I don’t need an answer yet, but please just consider marrying me, even for just a moment. That’s all I ask. As far as I’m concerned, I belong to you my love.” My voice is quivering as I finish.

  She breaks into tears and hugs me, going to her knees also.

  “Yes… yes I will marry you Devon! Oh god this can’t be real… the fairy-tale and the cake, or vice versa… I don’t know! But yes I love you and will marry you Devon.” She is crying so hard, but I know they are tears of joy, as are mine.

  “Can I screw your lights out now Alicia?” I ask through tears.

  We both laugh so hard, and then go do just that.

  My lover is gone before I know it. Her graduation ceremony was grand, and we made love afterwards, then she was just gone. She said I will get to see her fairly often on NET Nine as it is a regular resupply stop for her ship. It patrols our Sol system, and Epsilon Eridanus, alternating. It seems the Donox Legacy has warned that even though they keep the peace in general, that sometimes a belligerent species may raid a system, or try to. Hence why we need some defense, and my baby is that defense. I definitely don’t like it.

  So I just stick my head into my studies, and even take an extracurricular class called Fully Recorded Ancient Human History. This is taught by a professor of the Donox Legacy themselves, and supposedly reveals actual video footage of ancient human history. The first lesson, we see the actual event of the first human, a hybrid race of native genetics of Cro-Magnon man, and a star-faring race known as the Rae. The first human’s name was Atum, as in Egyptian myth, or legend I suppose. The lecture, which is delivered telepathically, ends with showing actual footage of Osiris and Isis as they began their rule of Egypt, with no army at all. No questions are answered, and the lesson is over as the Legacy member leaves the hall.

  I am a hybrid being. Made from monkey man, and super aliens, go figure. No wonder I am so bad-ass. I have a feeling that this class is going to blow my freaking mind, yes I do think so. Hell it just did!

  My days are filled with study, but I still find time to work out. Running mostly, however I do hit the weight room too. I want to be sexy and trim for Alicia when I see her next. Though I haven’t had to report to Doctor Clark since I’ve been back, I miss his communications. He always got a tiny bit of personal emotion in his messages, and I still think the next time I see him I will bang his ass off. Alicia can’t know though… that would be bad. I can’t help it, I still like guys too. Alicia is my soul mate and I love her with no reservation, but I still need what a man offers as well it seems. That raw meaty lust. Yeah, I need to get back to my studies, I’m getting a bit too excited.

  It is almost four weeks before the S.S. Nelson pulls in to station keeping off NET Nine for replenishment. I am waiting by the usual lift tube, or elevator for her, and she is on the next cab full. I squeal as I jump into Alicia’s arms, and she grips me back tightly. We both adjourn to my room.

  “I missed you so bad baby!” We fall into each other’s embrace, now that the door is closed.

  That night I ask her before we sleep, “How long are you here? When will you be back?”

  “Three days now, and six weeks until the next replenishment here.”

  “Damn, I’ll graduate before the next time then.”

  “Do you have your orders yet?” She is hopeful.

  “Not yet, but I know I will still be with project Cart-smith.”

  Alicia looks at me with deep serious eyes. “We do need those maps of the currents of time-space Devon. When we were out, we had something happen to our ship. It was weird, but suddenly we were just spinning through space. They had no idea what was happening until we got straightened out, then they figured out real quick that a time-space current, a ripple, or wave must have done it. We need those good maps you’re making baby, real bad. That was freaking frightening!”

  I nod with fear running through me. Maybe we have bitten off more than we can chew.

  She is gone again so quickly. Why do the good times go by so fast? God I miss her. One thing I am glad of… that Star Command line officers do not pray for war, as their Earth bound predecessors and contemporaries do still to this day. Rotten bastards. This means that Star Command is opposed to war, unless there is no other choice. We will defend ourselves, never anything else. This gives me some real hope that my lover will be able to avoid harm’s way.

  My class on the truth of human history by the Legacy has blown my mind every single session. We learned that the Rae of ancient Egyptian legend, were an extra-terrestrial race who mixed their DNA with proto humans to give birth to the Solar gods, and that they actually caused the great flood to wipe out the old proto human DNA from the Earth, which is staggering. The Legacy also said that they gave the Solar gods a very powerful tool to allow them to rule without an army. Unfortunately even though it had been buried and hidden for thousands of years after the S
olar gods had passed on; someone eventually found it. A man named Aaron was the one who found it, and he made a big mistake in letting his brother, Moses, get hold of it. I was astounded when the Legacy professor told us that the ‘miracles’ told of in the bible that Moses performed, actually happened. We were told that if we were to carefully read the old books again, we would easily see that the Rod of Aaron was used to perform all the miracles of Moses. Even the manna and game birds spoken of were because of the water struck by the Rod. The manna was caused by misty morning dew from the new water source, and it leeched calcium from the sands, making a sandy salty cracker. Bread from heaven huh? The game birds simply smelled the new water and went to it in the evenings, like all game birds do. Not divine miracles after all, just amazing extraterrestrial technology.

  They told us that the Rod was actually a very powerful psychic amplifier, and that it was nothing more than that. It can be used for great good, or as a device to murder and enslave people, as Moses used it. They said that the Hebrews that were trapped by Moses and his Levites, then died horrible deaths from thirst and starvation, millions dropped in the sands of the Sinai desert. It was Moses’ plan to do just that, as he only wanted the young who he could manipulate, and not their parents and elders. He didn’t save ‘his’ people, he slaughtered them. The Legacy professor told us that we could see Moses betray himself by his own writings. The logic of a singular all powerful being having the vices of jealousy, anger, wrath, and vengeance makes no sense. If there is no other, of whom would he be jealous? Moses’ biggest betrayal though is when he said that no man can see God, yet he conversed with him face to face. Yup, he thought he was God alright. Jim Jones doesn’t have shit on Moses as far as demigods go, but then Moses didn’t have shit on Hitler either. The damn scariest thing though, is that the professor said the Rod is still on Earth, and will soon be discovered again. He wouldn’t say any more about it than that. I wish the Rae would come take their stupid Rod of death back. We can’t handle something like that! What were they thinking?

  One day the news channel of the station tells of things getting out of control in the middle-east. Maybe they are still paying for Moses’ evil? I am so glad that I am far removed from the crazy world. We aren’t totally self-sufficient yet, but soon we will be, and then even if the people of Earth kill themselves off, humanity will survive. That is the true importance of all of this, survival of the species.

  I graduate the Academy in the top of my class, and with honors. After the ceremony, agent Wilkins walks up to me.

  “Congrats kid, nice job.”

  “Thanks Agent Wilkins, I’m glad you showed up.”

  “Oh I wouldn’t have missed it for the world Devon, besides I have to give your orders to you.” He grins.

  “Hey, a graduation present, is a graduation present.” I now grin at him.

  Just then Admiral Romero joins us.

  “Congratulations Lieutenant. Glad to have you along for the ride.” She shakes my hand.

  “Thank you Admiral, your inspiration made it much easier.”

  I can tell she appreciates the compliment, by her beautiful eyes sparkling.

  “To celebrate, why don’t you let me buy you dinner?” She offers.

  “Sure, sounds good.”

  “I guess I’ll catch up with you in your quarters later on then Devon.” He says.

  “Please joins us agent Wilkins.” Stephanie insists.

  “Were are you taking us to buy us dinner?” I ask her as she leads the way.

  “The cafeteria.”

  “Oh.” I chuckle.

  The conversation is light until I ask Wilkins where my orders are sending me.

  He looks serious now. “Tomorrow morning at oh nine hundred you will board the S.S. X-15, which is even now being supplied by NET Nine. I have your flight plan, mission orders, and parameters for you here on chip.” He hands me a small folder.

  “It is an exploration/ survey mission. The target is forty three delta Virgo. It is a class M3 giant star that three weeks ago was discovered to have a greatly increased red-shift, from what had been measured before. Your telescope around Destiny discovered this Devon.”

  “So you want me to go have a look and see why this anomaly has occurred.” I connect the dots.

  “Exactly. The only thing is that this star is over a hundred and fifty light years distant.”

  “Oh crap. No one has ever gone that far out yet, have they?” I look to the Admiral. She shakes her head.

  Wilkins goes on, “This is why you are taking the X-15. It’s an experimental long range ship. You were chosen for this mission because our best guess puts the anomaly in the realm of time-space distortion, and measuring that is your expertise.”

  I see Stephanie and agent Wilkins exchange a mysterious glance, and the Admiral suddenly stands and looks at me.

  “Lieutenant Junior Grade Stanley, you are under direct orders to follow me now to my office. Come with me!”

  Oh shit, am I in trouble? What did I do?

  I find out I am not in trouble at all, as Admiral Romero personally promotes me to full Lieutenant, pinning the double bars on my collar herself.

  “We expect great things from you Lieutenant Stanley.” She says after she returns my salute.

  “I won’t disappoint you Admiral.”

  Wilkins sees me to the lift tube leading to the hub the next morning, he doesn’t go up with me as he isn’t wearing his pressure suit.

  “How big is the crew of this X-15 anyway agent?”

  He smiles, “There is only the pilot and you Devon. His name is Lieutenant Commander Hobart. He is an excellent pilot and navigator I’m told. One of our best.”

  “A hundred and fifty light years, how long will it take to get there?” I need to know suddenly.

  “Eight and a half hours in full dimensional shift, plus the time to egress and then ingress the systems.” He raises his brows.

  “That’s not so bad then. I thought I might be stuck alone with this Commander Hobart for a long time.”

  “Not at all. You should be back within four days tops, depending on how long it takes you to study the phenomenon, of course.”

  “Well, take care then Wilkins, and thanks again.” I smile.

  “Safe flight Devon, see you soon.”

  The shuttle takes me to a medium sized disc, or saucer shaped star craft. The sole crew member besides myself, Commander Hobart, meets me on the other side of the air lock. I blink, and instantly recognize Rick from the NASA training.

  “Devon?” he says with obvious disdain, and disbelief.

  “Well you’re no prize either Rick.” I retort with defiance.

  “Oh, this is going to be a long flight.” He sighs.

  “It is getting old already.” I return.

  “Let’s just try to be civil to each other then, Lieutenant Stanley.”

  “The ball is in your court sir.”

  “Come on, let’s get this over with.” He walks away, and I follow.

  He takes me into the bridge area, and there are two acceleration couches waiting for us. He straps me in, then attaches all the hoses to my suit, and next he does the same thing to himself.

  “NET Nine control, this is S.S. X-15. We are standing by for departure clearance.” I hear Rick say in the suits intercom.

  “Rodger that X-15, you are cleared for departure. Good sailing skipper.”

  “Affirmative, we are five by five. Departure is imminent.”

  I see we are moving slowly at first, heading away from the huge space station. Then we start to really move, at an incredible rate by how fast NET Nine is receding in the rear view cameras.

  “Jesus! How fast is this thing?” I breathe hard.

  “Relax Devon. We are just maneuvering to launch position now. This is nothing girl.”

  Within ten minutes he tells me. “Okay, we are nearing our launch position now, prepare for trans-dimensional penetration.” As he says this the camera view portal closes off from the ou
tside with white panels, and our couches are tilted ninety degrees to face the side hull of the ship.

  “Inhibitor panel one closing, and we are on countdown to quantum shift.” Rick says to me in the intercom.

  I feel the extra weight instantly, and the cold.

  “Three, two, one! Quantum drive active. Panel two closing now.”

  I feel real light followed instantly by very hot, and then as the panel closes I feel more weight, and coolness. This builds up to a light weight, and very hot again soon.

  “Panel three closing now.” He says with effort.

  After the panels are all closed we punch through the event horizon between temporal dimensions, or at least the exterior of the ship does. Inside it hurts like crazy, feeling like I almost immolate… catch on fire hot! It takes a bit, but soon the pressure adjusts and I am okay.

  “We have the next eight and a half hours to ride this out.” He tells me.

  “I think I will try to sleep then Rick, if you don’t mind.”

  “That would be great.” He jabs. “If you have to go, go in your suit. It will be pumped out. Except number two. Hold that until we get there. Rodger?”

  “Shut up.” I tell him.

  I did fall asleep. Because I’m just waking up.

  “Hey, how long was I out?”

  There is no response from Rick.

  “Hey! Hobart! You still with me?”

  I hear snoring in the intercom.

  “Hobart! Earth to Commander Hobart. Take your protein pill, and tell us whose shirts you wear!” I yell. I can’t touch him, or even move, because I am strapped down tightly.

  “Hobart! You stinky fart, wake the hell up!” I yell again.

  “Huh? What’s going on? What’s wrong?” He is dazed and confused.

  “I just didn’t want you to over sleep, and over shoot us.”

  “Oh… Devon. Relax, we are on full auto pilot now. Let’s see, we have three and a half hours left before we drop out of trans-dimensional space.”

  “Oh, cool. Well now that you’re up anyway, what’s been happening lately?” I tease him.

  “Huh? Oh, well I just got promoted to Lieutenant Commander, right before this flight. That was neat.”