Space Fleet Sagas Foundation Trilogy: Books One, Two, and Three in the Space Fleet Sagas

by Don Foxe

  “Genna is Ship’s Counselor. Admiral Patterson created the position to act as an ambassador for Earth when we made alien contacts. This should be her show, and not having me hovering will be best. She also has Tasha to assist, Manny Hernandez for technical expertise, and the intimidation factors named Gregory, Paré, Kebede and Kimura.

  “If negotiations go bad with the King, Anton is tasked with taking the crystals. He needs to remain on site, collecting as much information as possible in case the talks fail.”

  He ended the meeting with orders. “Elie and Mags, prep Demon for the mission. We want to go covert, but if we have to fight our way out, have everything ready.”

  To Sky and Storm he said, “We’ll need an LZ near your brother’s lab. A place where we can land and conceal Demon. You also need a plan for how you intend to contact him once we arrive. In the event we are unable to reach his location, similar plans for any other labs you know about.”

  To everyone present, “Get provisions, side arms, com bracelets and whatever you think we might require for the mission. Meet in three hours in the hangar. If there’s nothing else, let’s go people.”

  The four women left via the door to the hallway, passing Genna, Tasha, Tista, Manny and Anton on their way in for meeting number two.

  Tasha and Tista took the sofa, Genna the chair, while Manny stood, and Anton leaned against a bulkhead.

  “I’ll make this quick,” he assured them. “Elie, Mags, Storm, Sky and I will depart for Fell in three hours." To his credit, Gregory did not make a snide remark, but did try to disguise a smile with a fake cough. Coop continued, “Genna, your job is to get crystals and raw material for Earth. We want enough for two-dozen space-fold arrays. We need raw material to build a minimum of one hundred tachyon cannons, of which fifty will require crystals sized for planetary-based weapons. Any more, for power sources, experimentation, whatever Manny and you can think of, are a welcomed bonus.

  “Manny, you provide Genna with the specs for the types of crystals needed. Your people will inspect and approve everything they offer.”

  Manny nodded. Genna sat inanimate in her perfect posture, hands in her lap.

  “Tasha and Tista,” he addressed the Ventierran. “This is why we asked you to join our mission. I need you to advise Genna throughout the negotiations. This is her first mission as Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy, while you possess a wealth of experience. Make sure she doesn’t step on any toes . . . until she needs to. More importantly, do not let the King take advantage of the fact we are neophytes to trading on a galactic level. Your job is to keep relations civil, and make sure we get the prize. Questions?”

  Tasha answered. “No questions, Captain. In the past, my job has been to mediate disputes between races and worlds. I’ve rarely been on one side or the other, but I am assuredly on your side this time. Earth obviously represents the best chance we have of defeating the Zenge. I will assist Counselor Bouvier to the best of my ability. I understand exactly what is at stake.”

  “Thank you, Tasha. I hope you continue to stand by Earth, because I am about to read you, and Tista into the classified component of this mission.”

  He turned to Anton. “Col. Gregory, while your Marines provide security for our mission, you are tasked with discovering where Rys keeps finished crystals, as well as raw material. Locate the mines producing the types of crystals we need. Manny and Hiro will help. Use any and all resources to learn as much as you can about their operations and security measures. Begin mission planning to take what we require. Do not wait until negotiations bog down, or go south. Go into this thinking the worst. If we do not need force, great. If we do, I want a plan detailing utilization of our strengths, while minimizing casualties. Understand?”

  “Crystal,” Gregory said, with no indication it was meant as a pun.

  Coop addressed the room. “The Fell trip will last seven days, outside limit. If we are not back in eight, complete the mission, and return to Earth. If we go to force, Genna is Captain of the 109 and Anton controls ground incursions. Do not allow negotiations to lull you into inaction. On day eight, if you do not have an agreement, begin operational force planning. Do not let talks go beyond ten days. That’s your time limit.

  God’s speed to us all,” Coop said, ending the meeting, dismissing those present.

  He asked Genna to stay.

  “You’ve been especially quiet,” he said. “Issues?”

  “Same as always,” she said, remaining in her seat. “I prefer the Captain remain aboard the ship. I’m not sure I’m ready to lead the negotiations, or the crew. I wish I had your confidence.”

  “Exactly, Genna,” he said to the ship’s avatar, and his friend. “You have my total confidence. Just as important, you have the support of a lot of good people, and the power of the 109 at your back. As for negotiations . . . demonstrate strength and resolve at all times. I know Mags taught you about poker. You hold the winning hand. Don’t let the King bluff you. Even with the tachyon cannon and improvements we already gave Rys, they cannot defeat the Zenge alone. If they are forced to continue holding them off, they will have to forego trade with other worlds. Many of their alliance partners will be destroyed, or too busy fighting for survival to trade. If you have to bluff, believe the bluff. Tell Saharri the cannon we gave them include timed self-destruct orders. Tell him they go boom in ten days.”

  Genna peered up at the Captain with a questioning face. “Do they?” she asked.

  “Nope, but we’re humans. By definition we do insane crap, like blow up tachyon cannon and steal what we cannot buy. Turn your humanity to an advantage, not a liability. There is one thing humans always do, Genna. We always play to win.”

  “You would always rather win, than play fair,” she said, recalling something Storm once said about Cooper.

  The Ship’s Counselor stood, walked around the desk, where Coop stood to meet her. She hugged him. “You will return on time, and we will have the crystals stored, and ready for shipment,” she assured him. She left him in a better frame of mind than when he began the first meeting.

  “Kennedy,” he said aloud.

  “Yes, sir,” the AI responded.

  “Take care of them.”

  “Yes, sir, Always.”

  CHAPTER 22

  The six-hour trip to the edge of the Quentle system became a training ride. All five took turns in the pilot and co-pilot’s seats, assuring everyone aboard comfortable and competent with Demon’s flight controls, weapons, operations and communications systems.

  Sky practiced with the space-fold array, taking them out of space-fold at the rim, and reengaging for the journey to the Fell system. Being pilot now meant doing nothing. The flight computers would do the work until time for return to natural space. Storm sat in the co-pilot’s seat, an equally unimportant position during space-fold travel, but the ergonomic design made sitting comfortable.

  Coop, Elie, and Mags convened at the communal table in the craft’s generous galley. Demon represented a militarized, and more modern version of Coop’s personal favorite space ship, Angel 7. He preferred Angel to Demon. A biased view. He flew every Angel ship constructed, beginning when the first one tested space-fold technology.

  “Funny,” he said to the two women seated with him. “When we left MSD, I was worried about males acting as the supervisors for nearly every team on the ship. It hadn’t been a conscious decision. Just blind luck. I selected the best qualified and available without paying attention to age, sex, race, or anything unrelated to performance. When I realized the disparity, I thought it might cause friction. Instead of creating a loss of morale, female crew members have dealt with a majority of our more difficult problems.

  “You four, as part of the recon team. Genna and Tasha Korr in charge of negotiations on Rys. Genna is even temporary Captain of the 109.”

  “Women don’t care much about titles,” Mags said absently. “We’re more about real power. And control, of course.”

  Elie laughed. “Th
at’s the truth. Men need to feel entitled. Women simply need to get the job done, and done right.”

  Coop raised his hand. “Man present. A little less disrespect would be appreciated.”

  “Is that why you and Elie broke up?” Mags asked. “She didn’t give you enough respect.”

  “No,” Coop said. “You’ve been Elie’s second seat for five years. If she hasn’t bothered to tell you, no reason I should.”

  “You both should tell us,” this from Storm, her seat turned to better overhear the conversation. Sky turned, and asked, “Tell us what?" Busy studying the heads-up targeting systems, she missed the preamble.

  “Coop and Elie should tell us why they broke up,” Storm said. “I distinctly remember, when she and Mags arrived to save Coop and the Star Gazer, she said they once had a good ride.”

  Coop said, “Demon did arrive at an opportune time, but we were doing okay.”

  “Star Gazer was about to get blasted to smithereens. You were caught between a bunch of Zenge, and a hard place,” Mags said.

  “Why did you break up?” Sky asked, getting back on subject.

  “Space-fold,” Elie said. “We broke up because Nathan Trent figured out how space-fold engines worked.”

  “That makes no sense,” Mags said. “Wait. Coop was the first pilot to experience space-fold travel. Did he come back (she hesitated for dramatic effect) . . . damaged?”

  “No,” Elie laughed at her friend’s act. “He wasn’t damaged.”

  “Maybe I was,” Coop amended. “I was definitely altered.”

  The past few months proved cathartic for Coop. Years as a loner, with a limited number of friends, and a loss of respect for humanity, turned upside down by his relationships with the two girls from Fell.

  “We became lovers before the Space Rangers Project was canceled,” Elie said. “At the end, they gave us our choice of military or civilian jobs. Anything. We were going to live a long time, and they wanted to provide for us. And keep us close, in case they needed something. Coop selected Naval flight school.”

  “I still wanted to go to space, and everything pointed to the future Space Fleet branch forming based on a naval platform,” Coop explained. “I figured Navy pilots would have the inside lane on reaching space first.”

  “Inside lane?” Storm asked.

  “The fastest path,” Elie answered. “By the time the UEC offered us our choice of professions, I knew two things. Daniel Cooper was the smartest survivor I ever met, and I wanted to spend more time with him. I opted for the same route. Half because I thought he was correct about Naval Air offering the quickest way into space, and half because I would be with him.”

  “We learned to fly Navy jets. Both eventually selected as test pilots for the latest, greatest planes,” Coop continued. “It wasn’t fair to the other pilots. Our re-engineering made us stronger, faster, quicker. We both had combat experience. We also had each other to work with, and compete against. Anything cutting-edge, we flew it first.”

  “Nathan Trent showed up at Alameda Field, where we tested new sub-light engines. Coop and I flew a prototype to Mars and back in record time. While slingshotting around Mars, Coop buzzed the habitat. Scared them near to death,” Elie smiled, remembering the stunt. “Trent was on site at the time. He found out we were the pilots, and looked us up.”

  “Not to yell at me for buzzing him, but because he needed test pilots for an advanced engine. He finally reverse engineered space-fold.”

  “One year later , Angel 1 flew,” Elie said. “We wrestled for the pilot’s seat. Coop won. That first flight, he discovered the ‘Cooper Effect.’ Sub-light engines produced a sonic force field. A field dense enough to protect the ship. I personally think the ‘Casalobos Effect’ sounds sexier, but a day late and a dollar short, as they say.”

  Coop continued the story. “We flew alone and together. We tested everything except space-fold. Angel handled wonderfully. Best plane I ever flew under or over 30,000ft.”

  “More importantly, we were happy,” Elie said. “Living together. Sharing everything from a home, to a pet. Exciting, and comfortable at the same time. We remained friends with the other Space Ranger grads. Had parties, bar-be-cues . . . I’ll explain bar-be-cue later, Storm. We even shared vacations. Normal people couldn’t understand what going through the project cost, or what it meant to become nearly super-human. Many were jealous. Jealous we were special, and selected as the first to make space flight, beyond shuttles, a reality. Not everyone was happy for us.”

  “And the sex was good?” Mags asked. “Don’t look at me like that! We all want to know. I just have the balls to ask.”

  “The sex was fantastic,” Elie said.

  “Better,” Coop added.

  “Twenty-five years after Fairchild found the hangar with the alien spacecraft, the UEC selected Coop as the mission pilot for the first space-fold test with a person on board,” Elie said. “I was disappointed, but I also expected it. Only one person on Earth was a slightly, almost infinitesimally better pilot than me, and I lived with him.”

  “What happened?” Sky asked. “Why did space-fold break you apart?”

  “You, and Storm experienced it during the initial conflict with the Zenge. Fold sickness,” Coop said. After making repeated short space-fold jumps during the battle, both girls vomited, becoming deathly ill. “I tested the space-fold array, and following a series of short jumps, like you, I became sick. Only I had no idea why. I folded back into natural space and nearly died.”

  “Coop exited folded space retching blood. He could barely stay conscious. Anyone else would have died. He kept it together, and crash-landed Angel on Mars. He brought her in near enough to the habitat for them to reach him for treatment before he bled out.”

  “I watched Elie watching over me. I don’t even know now, if she realized I was aware. I watched her dying with me, and I hated it. We lasted another year, but the possibility of letting her down ate at me. I started to believe I could stop flying, stop testing, or stop living with her. If we broke up, and something happened, she would have moved on.”

  “He was, and still is a total lame-ass son-of-a-bitch who thinks he always knows what’s best for everyone else. He also thinks he must assume the responsibility, the pain, the suffering and the consequences for everything God and the universe throws at the people around him,” Elie said. “He pushed our friends away. Then he pushed me away. That’s how space-fold broke us apart.”

  Storm left the cockpit and walked up to stand behind Coop, where she slapped him hard across the back of his head.

  “OUCH!” he cried. “What the hell?”

  “You are a lame-ass son-of-a-bitch,” Storm said, “but I love you, so Elie cannot have you back.” She left for the head, tears running from her eyes. Coop started to go with her, when Sky pushed him back into his seat.

  “She needs a little time,” she told him. “I also happen to love you, and if you ever try to push me away, like you did Elie, space-fold sickness will feel like a pleasant buzz after I am through with you. But I am also a generous woman. If Elie ever wants to borrow you [she looked at Elie with a smile and a wink], she may. If she promises to return you in one piece.” Sky left to check on Storm.

  “Damn,” Mags said. “I want to hug both of you.”

  “You’re lucky to have them,” Elie said, nodding toward the Fellen.

  “I’m lucky to have the four of you,” Cooper replied. “Friends are important to me again, and you are four of the best.”

  “Aw, Coop, it’s nice to hear you say that,” Elie cooed. “So you won’t mind when I ask Sky if I can borrow you sometime?”

  Mags choked on her water. “See! I told you this trip would turn out too entertaining to pass up.”

  “Coop?”

  “Yes, Elie.”

  The only two awake. Elie in the pilot’s seat, and Coop to her right.

  “You give sound reasons, but you should not have left the 109, or Rys. You’re going to have to make
a decision.”

  “I know.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Demon entered natural space beyond the Fell system rim by the narrowest of margins. Proximal to a gas giant named Gaea. Coop selected the site, hoping the planet would hamper scans. The gravity distortions created by the planet and its six moons would also generate navigational issues for other, larger ships attempting to operate nearby.

  The system’s five planets orbited a red-yellow dwarf star. The inner planet locked in a non-rotational orbit, and currently on the far side of the star. Fell followed, with its three moons. The third and fourth planets, both half the size of Fell, lacked breathable atmospheres, making both uninhabitable. Volcanic, sulfuric, and deadly, they followed orbits placing them to either side of Fell, relative to a line drawn from the star to Fell to Gaea.

  Gaea’s current location placed it 670,540,000 miles from Fell, with nothing substantial between the two. Demon employed scanners strong enough to perform a comprehensive sweep of the skies and space around Fell. The multiple gases permeating space around Gaea, would disguise the scanner signatures. The beams would become lost among the multiple ionic charges dancing around Gaea.

  Placing Demon in the clutter of planet, moons, and gases to disguise their scans as natural phenomenon to Zenge detectors presented the first obstacle. The key to success; finding a location where those same gases and gravity wells did not disrupt their own equipment.

  Elie, Mags, and Coop studied data collected by Demon’s arrays prior to, and following exiting space-fold. In the saddle, a secure location between the planet and a large moon, they evaluated proximity readings. With the additional information as a guide, Elie nudged Demon toward the moon. The natural satellite diminished a portion of the planet’s interference, while providing concealment. Coursing slowly, to not attract attention, required twelve tedious hours to find, then park the ship in the best position.