Heart Of The Machine (Soulmates Book 2)

by Don DeBon

  "Open a link. This is Commander Halburn of the Valiant, who am I talking to?"

  Deven's face flashed onto the screen. "Hello Odell, it has been a long time."

  Halburn sat down. "Deven, how did you know I was here?"

  "That is unimportant. What is however, is what you are doing here?"

  Halburn's eyes narrowed. "I have my orders to destroy that carrier and the Defiant if she gets in my way."

  "Well you all ready did a good job of that. The Defiant is a mess. Tell me, why are you after us?"

  "I think you know the answer."

  Deven smiled. "Humor me."

  "All right, you have revived the Nexus and we cannot allow it to continue. You know what it did the last time. Humanity cannot afford a repeat."

  Deven nodded. "I agree. Now did you ever stop to think why the Nexus did what it did?"

  Halburn waved his hand. "Who knows. And at this point it doesn't matter."

  "Have you ever wondered why the Nexus created such a large military presence?"

  Halburn's eyes narrowed. "To subjugate us."

  "Assume for a moment it didn't. Assume for a moment an alien race bent on sucking the earth dry of materials and killing us in the process was discovered centuries ago. And assume the Nexus was created to prepare for and stop this threat, but something happened causing a malfunction in the core directives, losing the original goal until now."

  Halburn sat forward in his chair. "That's quite the story."

  Deven nodded. "It is. And it is also true."

  Halburn laughed. "Are you trying to tell me the founders knew of an alien threat and created the Nexus to protect us centuries ago? Do you expect me to swallow that?"

  "It wasn't the soul intention of the design, but yes a large part of it."

  "Have you been sniffing carbine fumes? Because whatever you are on, is potent."

  Deven shook his head. "I'm not. And I told Lavine all of this. His reaction was to send you after me. What does that tell you?"

  "That he thinks you are a threat to world security because you have revived the Nexus."

  "Assume I did for the moment, why would reviving the Nexus be a threat at this point? Most of the Mechands have been decommissioned and scrapped."

  "That doesn't mean you can't make more."

  "No it doesn't, but even if I wanted to, how would I go about it? I don't have any manufacturing plants."

  Halburn shook his head. "No, but the Nexus did."

  "But they were disabled. Lavine said everything was destroyed when I mentioned the possibility of an alien invasion. However, shortly after I talked with him, you show up. Doesn't that seem a bit odd? Considering everything is supposed to be scrapped?"

  "That doesn't mean anything. He saved the Valiant as a precaution."

  "For what? It certainly wasn't for me, who up until being fired upon by a supposedly scrapped Mechand carrier was following Lavine's every order. Doesn't this make you wonder what else he isn't telling you about?"

  "It isn't my business to know."

  "Odell, think for a moment. We used to do tactics long ago. What do you think is going on?"

  "I think it isn't my job to question Chairman Lavine." Halburn turned to Naud. "Launch all fighters. Lock cannons on both the Defiant and that carrier. Fire at will."

  Naud nodded. "Fighters launched and cannons locking on targets."

  Deven jerked hearing the words. "I'm sorry Odell. I really am. Galina, get us out of here." His face disappeared as the engines on both craft's engines glowed brightly before they disappeared into overdrive causing several red energy beams to miss their targets and race towards the sky above.

  Halburn whirled around. "Well don't just sit there. Follow him!"

  Rechert swallowed hard. "I can't."

  Halburn stormed over to his navigator. "And why not!?"

  Rechert shuddered in his seat. "They are much higher up in the atmosphere than we are. The increased altitude allows them to go much faster than us, even with damaged engines. They are already out of range."

  "Then go into overdrive now and follow the energy trail, like we did before!"

  "They must have made some repairs, I don't find the energy leakage like before. I can't tell you where they went."

  "Dang it! Lavine is not going to be happy."

  Naud raised his hand. "Umm sir, I hate to say this but you have a call—"

  Halburn sighed. "Let me guess, Chairman Lavine?"

  "Yes sir."

  "How does he always know? I will take it in my cabin."

  Chapter 12

  Deven sighed causing slight condensation for a moment on the main bridge window. He watched the terrain far below the Defiant scream past as the ship hurtled along at top overdrive speed. "I wish he could have seen reason."

  Galina turned from her console. "You did your best. He wasn't listening."

  Leon appeared, walked over to his seat, and crashed into it. "Whew. I need to teach Gregory a thing or two about the Defiant's engines."

  Galina turned. "What did he do?"

  "Well for starters he didn't notice the energy leak from engine three. That is how they found us. But I have to admit, I may not have right away either. Regardless he bypassed the engine. While that would work because it was out of sync with the others, it would have been much slower. I balanced them out and we have almost full power for the moment. We will need to make better repairs when we stop. But they will get us where we need to go."

  Deven toggled the communication link to Minerva. Her face appeared. "How are things over there?"

  "Everything aboard the Phoenix is working properly."

  Deven's eyebrow went up. "The Phoenix?"

  "Yes, I thought it was a fitting name. And what is the status of the Defiant?"

  "We will need to make a pit stop soon but we are okay for now. Is Otis there?"

  Minerva nodded. "Of course."

  The screen split revealing Otis' scruffy face. "What's up Boss?"

  "Sorry you had to lose your truck."

  Otis smiled "Who said I did?"

  "I don't follow."

  Otis laughed. "I brought it aboard when you left. It was a tight fit, but it is here safe and sound."

  Minerva chewed her bottom lip. "Yes he did bring that abomination aboard. I told him I do not like the paint job in the least. But he only laughed at me. I realize I was not myself when it was done, but now it seems like a slap in the face."

  Otis laughed harder. "You know she is the first Mechand to ever figure out what those symbols on the door meant."

  "I am not an ordinary Mechand. Keep that in mind."

  "Yeah, I know. Tell you what, if we make it out of this alive. I'll repaint the door. Fair enough?"

  Minerva nodded. "I suppose that would be acceptable."

  Deven laughed. "You two sound like a married couple."

  "We do not!" They said in unison causing Deven to laugh even harder.

  Aleshia pulled Otis out of his seat and sat down. "When will we get wherever we are going, I would like to come back to the Defiant."

  "Soon my love. But I would like you to stay there for right now."

  She gave him a blank stare. "Why?"

  "Because if something goes wrong, you are one who can fix it." He winked and Aleshia's eyes enlarged for a second. She nodded.

  "Of course, I will do my best."

  "Thanks love." He cut the connection.

  Leon folded his arms. "Now why is the real reason you want her over there?"

  Deven sighed. "Because if the Nexus has been leading us on a wild goose chase, she is the only one that can crush the goose with ease."

  "Oh."

  "Yes and she will keep her eyes open. She doesn't trust Minerva. And is another reason I want her there. I think Otis hangs on Minerva's every word, which worries me."

  "I didn't think he was that bad."

  "I do. While I'm not doubting Minerva at the moment, I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop." He turned to Ga
lina. "How long until we arrive?"

  Galina squeezed her controls. "We should be arriving at Fenton's in about an hour. I am taking us on several different routes and back tracking every one of them. If anyone is trying to follow they are going to get one wicked headache."

  Deven chuckled. "Good. But I doubt Halburn could follow us."

  Galina shrugged. "I doubt it as well, but I am not taking chances."

  Leon jerked a thumb to one of the screens. "Are you going to call Fenton and let him know we are going to be on his doorstep soon?"

  "Nope. Can't risk it. We won't be there long enough for anyone to figure out. Unless you think it's going to take longer than an hour or two to get the overdrive in top condition? Not to mention the shields?"

  "I'd like a couple of weeks to put everything right they damaged and test it all, but I think I can do the most important bits in a few hours."

  "Good because that is all we will have." He looked up to the camera. "Miles?"

  The camera turned to face him. "Yes Deven?"

  "Any changes with the Lytherians?"

  "Two more makers have arrived. But nothing else."

  Deven stood up and walked over to the window. "If Minerva is right, they are only waiting for their central command ship. Once it arrives, they will start the attack." He looked out again at the Earth flying past far below them. "Miles, any idea when the central command ship might arrive?"

  "Negative. I do not have enough information on their methods."

  "Take a guess."

  "Sir, as you know I do not like to make guesses. I make carefully calculated—"

  "Okay, take a look and give me a simulated estimate of when it might arrive."

  "Based on what we know and the arrival times of the previous ships, I would estimate the central command ship will arrive in a day, perhaps two."

  Aboard the Valiant, things were not going well. "How could you lose them twice in one day!?" Lavine's face reddened.

  Halburn eyes narrowed. "They knew we were coming and that I was in command."

  "What? How is that possible?"

  "I don't know. But it is. Also, they could have fought, but they chose to run instead."

  Lavine rolled his eyes and blew out a breath as he spoke. "Because they were damaged from the previous encounter."

  Halburn nodded. "They were damaged sure, but not enough that an attack was out of the question. You have to remember this is the Defiant we are talking about, not to mention an older and heavier Mechand carrier. If they had chosen to fight, I would have been at a strong disadvantage."

  "And yet you followed them."

  "On your orders, yes. But I had hoped to encounter the Defiant or the carrier separately. I had a chance if I managed to encounter them separate. But together, that chance disappears. Regardless, I think you need to consider their actions."

  Lavine blinked. "Their actions?"

  "Yes, twice they could have caused heavy damage to this ship, and both times they either chose to fight with kid gloves on or run."

  Lavine blinked again. "So? What's your point?"

  "My point is if they were guilty of all you say, their actions would be different."

  Lavine shook his head. "That is only to throw us off the trail."

  "I don't think so. I know Deven, if he has to, he can fight. Heck he took down the Nexus didn't he? But now it seems he is trying to avoid causing damage, and that is no way to win a war. Hence, I think there is a greater situation at play here. Such as the aliens he spoke of."

  Lavine blinked again. "He contacted you?"

  "Yes, how else would I know he knew I was in command?"

  "I thought perhaps, it was another method than an actual conversation. What did he say?"

  "He said the possible reason the Nexus was created was because the founders knew of this threat."

  "That's ludicrous. There is no way the founders could have known about an alien race so long ago they created the Nexus, as what, our guardian? No, I am certain this is an attempt to throw us off of the real goal."

  "Sir, forgive me, but wouldn't he have created a better story if the goal was for us to believe it? I mean, why come out with something so fantastic?"

  Lavine smiled. "For the same reason you thought of it. It is reverse logic, tell a fantastic tale so hard to believe that it must be true. I am surprised it didn't occur to you."

  Halburn sat back in his chair in the otherwise dark room. The light from the screen provided the only illumination. "It did, but I do not think it applies in this case."

  Lavine's eyes narrowed. "I don't care what you think. I am telling you what it is, and I expect you to follow my lead. Or will find myself a new commander, and you won't be able to command a troupe of girl scouts. Are we clear?"

  Halburn swallowed. "Yes Chairman. I understand."

  "Good. Now can you follow them?"

  Halburn swallowed again. "I am afraid not Chairman."

  "Why not?"

  "Last time we were able to follow an energy leak from one of their engines created during the battle. It was very small, but enough. It appears they have repaired the defect. There is nothing for us to track."

  "I see. Then Commander, I suggest you find a new way to find them. Or you will be going door to door selling cookies."

  Halburn blinked. "But they haven't done that since before the Mechands!"

  "Well, I guess you had better get started, or you will find yourself delegated to non-existent," Lavine snarled as the connection cut.

  Halburn sighed as he tapped the intercom. "Naud, any luck in finding something we can track?"

  Naud's face appeared. "I am sorry sir, not at this time."

  "Did you learn anything from the encounter?"

  "Other than their altitude rating is far greater than ours? No."

  "There must be something."

  "Well I did see a bit of a fluctuation in their overdrive when they engaged it. Not much but I am sure whatever repairs they did, were a patch job at best. They'll have to stop somewhere and pull the drive to fix it, along with any other damage systems. Which from what I can tell, is extensive."

  "Hmm we wrecked more havoc than I thought. How about the carrier? What shape is that in?"

  "It appears to be fully operational."

  "Where do you think they would go to make repairs?"

  Naud shrugged. "I don't know. It would have to be a very large place to accommodate the Defiant. And it would have to be in a location we can't monitor with ease. Not to mention have parts on hand for the Defiant."

  Halburn smiled. "I think I know where they went, Ulimaroa."

  Naud's eyebrows went up. "Australia?"

  Halburn nodded. "Yes that is what it was called before the Swedish invasion of the Last Great War, and after the Mechands were created to help us rebuild. At least that is what we were always told. I never could understand why the Swedish bothered attacking Australia. Anyway it is a wasteland now for the most part, as you know. Still, some people live there. And if I recall correctly, Deven has a friend in the area by the name of Fenton."

  "Fenton?"

  "Yes, I don't know if Fenton is first name or last. Deven never said much about him. But he did tell me once Fenton helped him out."

  Naud smiled. "And if he did it once—"

  "You got it. See what you can find. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone on that continent that has the facilities the Defiant will need."

  Naud's smile broadened. "Or that is still receiving regular shipments of supplies and equipment."

  Halburn nodded. "Right. Get on it."

  "Will do." The screen went black as Halburn's eyes adjusted to the dark. He needed to find out what was going on. And to do that he had to talk with Deven, without anyone else knowing. But it was not going to be easy.

  The Defiant arrived right above a little building with 'Fenton's Gas and More' painted on the side. The Phoenix emerged from overdrive a micro second later.

  Deven hit a button on his data
tab and Fenton's face appeared on the screen. The older man with a dark complexion and eyes had seen better times, smiled. "G'day mate, what can I do for you?"