Paladin states, “Cale, even if we make it back, we will still have no way of destroying the Meli.”
Caleb lets out a heavy sigh, saying, “Search all the data of this time. If we can’t destroy it perhaps we can contain it.”
Paladin responds, “I will see what I can find. Perhaps there is some technology of this time that could act as a prison for the Meli.”
Caleb looks back out into space, saying aloud, “This will not be my legacy!”
CHAPTER SIX
MELI
Onboard the Celesta, Rooke reports, “Colonel, sir, we have all systems ready for shift. So long as Paladin is still at the same coordinates, we should be able to see them as soon as we reappear from null space.”
Benton not sure what to think nonchalantly replies, “You waiting for a written request Rooke. Just get us there, and quit your yapping about it.”
Cooley laughs, “Gabe, really luv? Why is it always quip for quip with you?”
Rooke smiles, replying, “It’s ok ma’am.” Rooke engages the shift drive, and Celesta is instantly transported directly in front of Paladin.
Both ships remain cloaked, but since they share the exact same technology, the cloak is visible to both ships.
White seeing the ships yells, “About time, get me Gabe on the short-range com now!”
The crewmember quickly activates the short-range communication to the Celesta. Benton responds, asking, “So did you miss me?”
White smirks answering, “Not really, but I did miss my future bride to be.”
Cooley giggles responding, “Very professional there luv.”
White laughs hearing Rachel voice, he says, “Caleb wants a command meeting as soon as possible. Dock that copycat ship of yours alongside ours, and get over here.”
Benton annoyed, says, “Hey, this is the Celesta. Not some copycat ship.”
White laughs, saying, “Celesta. Ok Gabe, dock her next to us, and get over here now.”
Rooke maneuvers Celesta alongside Paladin, as Uari activates the airlock system allowing both ships to link up. The new style airlocks seal tight. A moment later, Benton, Cooley, and Rooke leave the Celesta, entering Paladin.
Onatof, who is waiting by the airlock, greets them. Laughingly he says, “I may not be one for protocol Colonel, but shouldn’t you be asking for permission to board.”
Benton grins, replying, “Funny Doc. What's Caleb got planned for us?”
Onatof still smiling responds, “You know our boy Caleb, nothing short of the impossible I’m sure.”
The four work their way through the overcrowded decks, as they reach the bridge.”
White smiles, as he sees them enter. He taps Uari on the shoulder, saying, “Ok Uari let’s get going.”
White gestures to the group to move to Caleb’s lift. They all ascend to Caleb’s ready room, where Caleb is waiting in the center of the room as they enter.
Caleb glances over to them, saying, “Ok people, let’s sit down and get ready, we have a lot to do, and very little time to do it.”
Rooke looks to Uari, both feeling uncomfortable. They look at the seats, as neither knows where to sit.
Benton noticing this laughs, saying, “Just put your kester on a stool boy’s this ain’t assigned seating.”
Caleb turns to Rooke and Uari, asking, “Can either of you tell me what to expect from Noskcaj when Carla arrives?”
Rooke looks to Uari and replies, “The two have always kept apart, never directly fighting. Noskcaj only sends in strike teams to capture ships, which he then uses to increase the mass of his space station Skull.”
Uari says, “I know this may sound unbelievable, but it would appear that Noskcaj fears the Demon Queen.”
Benton laughs, saying, “With a station like that, I doubt that very much.”
Paladin reveals, “The being that was once called Abraham Jackson was mentally tortured by the Meli for many years. Twisted into this version we now call, Noskcaj, it is not only feasible that Noskcaj fears the Meli, but plausible. I have detailed information on this super space station Skull. I doubt very much that any known force that could ever stop it. If Noskcaj truly wanted to destroy the Meli and her forces, it could easily do so.”
Onatof confused asks, “What do you mean by Meli? What is a Meli?”
Caleb shakes his head, taking a deep breath as he thinks. After a moment, he finally says, “Well the Demon Queen isn’t my daughter. You see, with Paladin’s help we have deduced that she was possessed by a psionic parasite from an alternate dimension. This parasite is called a Meli.”
White confused, says, “Cale, we need a little more info than a psionic parasite.”
Paladin responds, “Commander, the Meli were discovered thousands of years ago, as the X’ena were experimenting with gateway technology. They accidentally accessed a dimensional rift filled with these psionic creatures. Beings that were not truly alive, as we would define living. Unfortunately for the X’ena, they discovered far too late that these parasites fed on pain and suffering of others. They quickly possessed several of the X’ena, making them perform horrible acts on others. This is when they discovered that the Meli feed off that pain and suffering of others, the X’ena acting quickly sealing the rift permanently. However, Caleb and I discovered a possible link from a few historic events to our current situation here. We determined that one of these Meli must have escaped the rift before it was sealed.”
Caleb adds, “We have assumed that the T-Challa, which were always a passive race were the first victim to fall to the Meli. The Meli changed the T-Challa into a violent, bloodthirsty race hell bent on the destruction of the X’ena, and the subjugation of every race it encountered. Afterward, the Meli discovering the incredible power that lived within Carla, it allowed her to defeat the T-Challa Queen so that it could possess Carla.”
Caleb studies the reaction of everyone.
Benton, curious, asks, “Well, you said it’s not really alive, so how do we kill it?”
Paladin replies, “We cannot kill it, but we may have a way to contain it.”
Caleb grins, saying, “Back on Noskcaj’s space station Paladin discovered these crystals. Noskcaj uses them in some sort of electronic control device he created. They are called psionic recorders, and these devices interact on a psychic level with the user, allowing it to record psychic thoughts. Noskcaj was using these devices to record any possible deception or attempts against him. However, Paladin discovered that these devices have a multitude of uses. One possible use is that it may be able to contain the Meli within it, permanently.”
Uari looks to Rooke, as the two turn back to Caleb. Rooke asks, “Sir, we are both familiar with the devices. Noskcaj has them all throughout Skull, just how do you plan on getting these devices from Noskcaj?”
Caleb smiles, saying, “I’m going to ask him for them.”
Everyone in the room eyes go wide in disbelief, as the statement shocks one and all.
White, who in in complete disbelief asks, “Cale, are you completely nuts, even if you somehow got Noskcaj to give you the device. Just how do you plan to get the Meli to willingly go into the device?”
Caleb, still grinning stands from the table, and walks over to the holoscreen. Paladin, anticipating Caleb’s needs quickly activates it as an image appears of the quadrant they are traveling in.
Caleb states, “Capturing the Meli is not my goal in this timeline Reggie.” The holoimage focuses on a far off sector of space, and expands on an image of a gateway. Caleb says, “This is the last known working gateway of the T-Challa Empire.” Caleb pauses for a moment, correcting himself, “Well, not counting the one currently stuck at the edge of the black hole.” The image switches to that gateway on the event horizon of the black hole. Caleb continues, “We need to find the activation code for the T-Challa gateway system, and use it to return to our own time. Using the same means, we did that ended us up here, but in reverse. Then, once we get home, we will use these psionic recording devices to tr
ap and imprison the Meli.”
Rooke confused asks, “Admiral Caleb, Noskcaj wasn’t interested in changing the past when you tried to make him listen to you before. Why would he listen to you now?”
Caleb grins, as the holoscreen focuses on another planet, once more expanding the image. Caleb explains, “When Paladin was in control of Skull he discovered this planet. This is where these crystals are from, and these crystals serve two purposes. One they create unimaginable power, which is the main source of power for his space station, and after they become depleted, Noskcaj discovered its second purpose. These crystals somehow access the psionic plane absorbing thought. This planet is perhaps the most important planet in the universe to him, and he will do anything to protect it.”
Caleb pauses, as Paladin pulls in in for close detail with the holoimagery continuing, “Noskcaj currently has a massive portion of the planet concealed by some form of masking field, and it nearly encompasses the entire planet. I’m sure he has a lot more surprises.”
White concerned asks, “Cale, no offense here, but what about the ship charging towards us?
Cooley feeling a strong sense of déjà vu once again sees an image. This time it is of Caleb. The image appears in her mind of Caleb, as he is holding his head in sorrow, leaving the planet, which he is currently showing them. She snaps back to reality quickly, but her trance like state is now easily detected by her friends, having witnessed it several times before.
Caleb stares at her, smiling. He asks, “Ok Rachel, what did you see?”
Cooley annoyed at her visions huffs, saying, “Cale, I’m really sorry luv, but this one is real hard to understand. Something on that planet seem to weigh on your mind, terribly so.”
Caleb’s face goes somber, as he gives pause to Cooley’s revelation. He quickly changes the subject, as the image of a massive red super carrier charges towards them.
Caleb now unconcerned about Cooley’s vision turns to White answering his earlier question, “Reg, we have many choices open to us. So if we don’t have any questions about our overall plan, I’ll start discussing what we will do with the Meli.”
Rooke troubled about Caleb’s lack of concern asks, “Admiral Caleb, I’m sorry for speaking out of turn, but you seem to be unconcerned about the Lieutenant’s prediction, may I ask why?”
Caleb smiles and looks over to Benton.
Benton turns to Rooke and says, “They are thousands of things that can happen kid at any given time, and knowing the result may have consequences doesn’t mean you stop.”
Caleb, focusing back on the Meli says, “Our mission is straightforward. Reggie, I want you to come up with a plan for us to take out or damage this super carrier’s engines, once that’s completed, we move onto the next stage, which is getting as many of these psionic recording devices as we can, no matter what the cost. Remember, if we go back to our time and have no way to capture or imprison the Meli. All we will do here is for not. The next stage of our plan is to go to what's left of the T-Challa home world. Once there, we need to find an access code to operate this last T-Challa gateway, and get our asses home.
Uari looks over the sectors they need to travel through, he states, “Admiral, The T-Challa home world is infested with Halimag, and this sector near this T-Challa gateway is very close to Dorsa space. Neither species has any great love of the human race.”
Caleb unconcerned says, “I’m aware of the path we need to travel as well as all the obstacles we will face.”
White smiles, saying, “So just a basic Caleb plan.”
Benton laughs aloud, “Nothing like doing the impossible.”
White turns towards Caleb, asking, “Cale, our shields protect us from this Meli, even when cloaked?”
Paladin responds, “Yes Commander, our psychic shielding is tied into our deflector shields, and not our defensive shields. Therefore, the psychic shields are always operational when we are moving or cloaked. However, the Meli could find a way to defeat our shields. The Meli is aware of X’ena technology, so given enough time, it could find a weakness.”
White concerned at Paladins last statement asks, “What do you mean by, ‘find a weakness’?”
Caleb reluctantly replies, “It made contact with me a few hours ago, probably trying to gain information on our intentions.”
White, more curious, then concerned asks, “Would this Meli be aware of the Celesta?”
Caleb smirks, as he looks to Benton, saying, “The Celesta. Well, that’s a good name for her.” Caleb turns back to White, saying, “Not likely, the Meli shouldn’t have any knowledge of the Celesta.”
White smiles, stating, “Ok Cale, I’ll have our battle plan ready within the hour.”
Caleb grins as Paladin announces, “Commander White, the approaching vessel will be here in less than fourteen hours. Provided it continues on with its current speed, the Celesta will have its shift drive repowered in seven hours.”
Benton curious, asks, “Why don’t we just outrun it? With these shift drive it should be easy.”
Paladin responds, “You could outrun it at first Gabriel, but eventually their ship will be able to close the distance on you after each shift. Ultimately, it would overtake you, as it takes seven to eight hours for you to recharge your shift drive. This will allow that ship to overtake you in just a few days.”
Benton curious, asks, “Why did it take close to fifteen hours this last time?”
Paladin responds, “Initial charging takes much longer Gabe.”
Caleb studying the super carrier, states, “That ship with all her power should allow it to go much faster than what we are seeing here, another sign of the diminished power of the Meli. If it had access to Carla’s full potential, it would be far more powerful.”
Onatof curious at Caleb’s last statement asks, “Full potential Cale?”
Paladin replies, “Carla’s symbiot split itself at an early age in her development. It currently hides within her, and it appears that not even the Meli is aware of it, but if it was, it could absorb it, accessing tremendous amounts of untapped power.”
Benton curious, asks, “Could that symbiot thing hiding inside her help us?”
Caleb is surprised at Benton’s question, saying, “I hadn’t given that much thought, but it might be worth exploring.”
White, still focused on Ronin asks, “Cale, Paladin can outrun that ship?”
Benton annoyed, says, “Well fly boy, obviously if the Celesta can’t outrun it, Paladin can’t either.”
Paladin responds, “Incorrect Colonel. Although the Celesta has the exact same build as this ship, it does not have the ability to add the power that Caleb possesses. This symbiotic connection that I and Caleb share with this vessel gives us an advantage in both speed and power, over the Celesta.”
Caleb adds, “I could outrun that ship, provided that the Meli cannot access the full potential of Carla power. In addition, with the shift drive, I could possibly stay ahead of her for as long as I need too, even if it could access her full power. However, that’s not our need or intent. Our intent is to strike at its engines, and detonate the psionic bomb, so we can escape.”
White focusing his thoughts on possible assault tactics asks, “From what I’ve learned about the shift drive, and please correct me if I’m wrong. We can make hundreds of short shifts without taxing the drive, or expending too much energy. However, any prolonged shifts covering extreme distance will drain the shift drive.”
Paladin responds, “Correct Commander, the hyperdrive engines are completely unaffected by the shift drive loss, so both ships can continue on at full power in hyperdrive.”
Caleb studies the long-range scanner reports, and notices no support in range, saying, “It would appear that either these Dorsa or Halimag are currently engaged with her main forces. That or no other ships other than hers is able to reach us in time. Regardless as to why she is coming at us alone, it is completely unimportant. What is most important is for us to take advantage of this opportunity,
and cripple that ship.”
Onatof curious, asks, “Caleb, what do we know about these two other races?”
Rooke speaks up, “The Halimag is mostly unknown to us. We know very little about it, but we do know that it feeds on our life energy, and it also steals our technology. They really have no redeeming qualities. The Dorsa however, seem to only wish to be left alone. They have not made any significant advances for the past four hundred years, if we do not bother them, they should not bother us.”
Uari then says, “I have done a great deal of research on the Halimag. These creatures are somehow linked together each individual is like a single cell to a much larger creature. It is possible that the Halimag is actually one creature of immense size.”
Paladin responds, “I have detailed files on them both from Noskcaj. Hopefully, we can avoid contact with either of them.”
Caleb shuts down the holoimager and says, “Ok people, let’s get back to our stations. We need to get ready to deal with this Meli. Reggie, Gabe, please wait here for a moment.”
The room clears, as Benton and White remain. Caleb speaks, “Reggie, Gabe, some of these people on our ships may be Noskcaj collaborators. Paladin is currently monitoring possible extremist on my ship, and has directed the A.I. on your ship to be equally vigilant. We really don’t have time to deal with this kind of issue, so if we have any possible threats from within I want them transported off the ship, as soon as we approach a habitable planet.”
Paladin states, “Most of the Noskcaj survivors have been under mind control by either the Meli or Noskcaj. Therefore, freedom is an unknown concept to many of them, and these fanatics could easily try and sway some of the other refugees to aid them.”
Benton smirks, asking, “Do I have to land when I throw them out of the ship?”
Caleb rolls his eyes. He turns away, and walks out of his ready room, heading down to the bridge.
White turns to Gabe, asking, “What do you think our chances are this time?”
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 4 Present Future Past Page 9
