Caleb finally comes down from his room above the Bridge. Dressed in a blue jumpsuit, he announces, "I’m going to show everyone here the real enemy Colonel. This trip will be brief, and I do apologize for not going into detail about my goals, but most of you took a long time in getting here. Regrettably, time is something we have very little of." Caleb thinks to himself. Ok Caleb, you can do this. Just focus.
Secretary-General Chan feeling uncomfortable, asks, "What is going on here?"
Caleb humbly replies, "Hold on to something Mr. Secretary. I’m not first-rate at controlling Paladin just yet, and since my helmsman hasn’t arrived, I’m sorry to say all you have is me. So it might be a bit of bumpy ride."
With that, Paladin lifts off, as the guards start to scramble around the ship.
President Baker yells, "Commander Ocoda! Stop what you are doing right now!"
Caleb, apologetic, replies, "I’m sorry Madam President, but we really don’t have time to debate this."
A Secret service officer points his weapon at Caleb and orders Caleb, saying, "The President has given you an order. I suggest you follow it."
Caleb smiles, and says, "Shoot me or shut up.” Let’s hope this self-healing stuff works.
President Baker panicked, yells, "No! Don’t shoot him! He’s the only one flying this… this… Whatever this thing is."
Within mere moments, Paladin is in high orbit, far above the planet. The passengers are in total amazement, as they enter orbit seeing the curvature of the Earth.
Moments later, Paladin has passed the Moon and moves at an ever-increasing velocity, heading towards the first of the two T-Challa fleets.
Paladin cautiously moves into close range of the first fleet of T-Challa ships. Everyone just stares intently at the T-Challa ships through the massive view portal on the Bridge. These ships are unlike anything ever seen by humans. They’re long cylinders like vessels, green in color, and with what appears to be massive weaponry covering most of the ships external hull. The view is most breathtaking.
Caleb speaks, "Say hello to their Alpha fleet. This is the first of two fleets’ currently in our solar system. This fleet is here protecting the Rail Gun ship, which is the massive ship you see in front of us."
Benton, ignorantly comments, "Looks like an oversized cannon."
Caleb grins and continues, "The Rail gun vessel is about three hundred seventy meters long, eighty-six meters wide, and sixty meters in height. However, it has only one weapon, which is the long rail that travels through the entire ship. It shoots their deadly mass drivers. They are using meteors from the asteroid field as ammunition. Surrounding the Rail Gun ship are two Heavy cruisers. These ships are the workhorse of the T-Challa Empire. Their dimensions are here, located on the holoscreen. These ships are two hundred sixty meters long, forty-two meters wide, and thirty-four meters in height. Finally, they're three Medium cruisers, which are two hundred meters in length, thirty meters in width, and twenty meters in height. All of their armaments and defensive capabilities are showing up here on these screens above.” My god, I understand all this stuff like its grade school stuff. I’m starting to understand Paladin.
Caleb continues, "I can enhance the holoscreen to give you more detail information if you like?"
Jackson, who seems a little disoriented asks, "What is going on? What is all this." This is right out of the movies.
Caleb hastily replies, "Sorry Jackson, the rest of the people here will have to bring you up to speed later. The Rail Gun ship is the ship that fired the Mass drivers at the Earth. It can, simply put, destroy city after city, so long as it has meteors to use."
Benton, overtly concerned, asks, "Can they notice us through your cloak? We’re pretty damn close?"
Paladin replies, "They could at this range, but only if they were using a tightly focused sensor beam. However, they have no idea that I am here and thus have no reason to do so."
Caleb orders, "Paladin, bring us to their second fleet at once."
Several minutes later, they are in the midst of the asteroid field, closing towards the second T-Challa fleet.
Caleb speaks again, "This is Beta fleet and I really can’t get any closer to them than this, as you can all tell, they’re just too many asteroids to attempt bringing Paladin any closer than this safely. However, with my enhanced sensor scans you can easily see here that we have three Medium cruisers, and one Heavy cruiser, and then there is the gateway." Caleb pauses briefly as he thinks to himself. Ok, how to explain this, "The gateway allows for instant travel from their home world to here. Without the gateway, it would take them more than four years to return, and with it, they could have thousands of ships here in just a few minutes. The gateway is adjustable; it can allow exceptionally large objects to pass through, and does this by moving its four outermost positioning points along its access."
Secretary-General Chan interrupts, asking, "Are you capable of dealing with these invaders?"
Caleb replies, "Yes, Paladin is far superior to any T-Challa warship. Our weapons are stronger and we have twice their range, but they have numbers on their side. I cannot fight them all. Not without the best of the best, I need my crew Secretary Chan. The list I gave you is the best from the entire globe, and without them, well, you can write off the planet." Val finally gets to speak, but does so in their native Filipino dialect. However, he is stunned when it is instantly translated over the nearby com, "Caleb my brother, why am I here?"
Caleb happily replies, "Hello Val, you are to be my chief engineer. I’m sorry for not telling everyone, but Paladin translates languages instantly, allowing everyone to understand everyone."
Caleb continues, "As for Colonel Jackson, you’re to be my first officer."
Jackson more than overwhelmed, says, “Commander, I’m a Marine pilot, not a ships Commander.”
Caleb smiling replies, “You’re a Marine Colonel, Improvise, adapt and overcome.”
President Baker, interrupts, "I think we will all need to discuss this first with the Pentagon, Commander Ocoda."
Caleb indifferent, replies, "You can discuss all you want, but the final verdict is mine. This ship will be a multinational ship, representing the entire planet and like it or not, this ship isn’t going anywhere without me." I have to be firm but cautious. These people deserve respect, but I have to assert myself as being in control.
Paladin returns to Earth in just under fifteen minutes. They’re in high orbit, moving around to the night side of the planet, reducing any chance of being seen through the atmosphere.
Caleb speaks, "I’ll return everyone to Camp David but realize we have little time left. Please make your decisions if you want to live or die. Don’t waste your time trying to remove me or trying to take over the ship. It will not work, and it will just waste time. Time which we all can agree is quickly running out."
Paladin returns where it once was. The gangway opens up, and Paladin announces their arrival. He then gives permission to disembark the ship.
President Baker approaches Caleb, asking, "For the first time in twenty years I have not felt pain in my hands and joints. What exactly did you do?"
Caleb humbled, replies, "I’m sorry, I didn’t know that it would happen like that. I’m still adjusting to all the changes."
Perplexed, she asks, "Changes? What exactly have they done to you?"
Caleb smiles, "A lot Madam President, but nothing meant to be harmful to you. I’m still getting used to it all myself."
She smiles, and says, "Thank you Commander."
Jackson, White, and Val, remain on the ship, as do many security guards and scientists, but most everyone else heads back to their offices.
Jackson cautiously, asks, "Are you still Caleb?"
Caleb replies, "Yes Colonel, I am, but I am also Paladin.” Man, that’s sounds so odd to say, but it’s the closest thing to the truth as I can explain it.
Caleb grins, saying, "Oh, and by the way, I knew you knew who I was."
Jackson looks over to V
al wondering when Val could have told him about their earlier conversation.
Caleb chuckles continuing, "Your little chat at Battleship Cove. Well, Paladin heard everything that you two spoke about, and told me."
Val concerned once again, asks, "Brother, what are you doing? I don’t have any idea about being a chief engineer?"
Caleb replies, "Yes you do Val, and you’re this ships chief engineer, so get used to it.” Come on Val, you’re the man I trust the most. I know you can do it. I believe in you brother.
Two hours pass, when Secretary-General Chan contacts Caleb, asking, "Commander Ocoda, I recognize your determination for a multinational crew, but I must protest your choice for the head of your medical department."
Caleb replies, "Your daughter was the only Doctor to notice that Paladin was keeping me alive. She has an amazing ability to see things others may not, and she is needed."
Chan concerned, asks, "So you will you protect her Commander?"
Jackson interrupts, saying, "I will protect your daughter sir.” That’s a job I’m more than willing to take on personally.
Chan grumbles, saying, "My daughter has already informed me that she wants to do this, and although I may disagree with her decision. I do think she may be safer there."
Caleb says, "If we fail. She is doomed anyways Mr. Secretary, but I doubt this is why you’re contacting me. I know of your strained relationship with your daughter and I know you have sent your daughter into some hazardous situations before. I also know she doesn’t always follow her family’s wishes. Paladin has detailed information on everyone that is to be a part of my crew. So Mr. Secretary, just why the call?"
Chan pauses, and is visibly uncomfortable with Caleb’s last statement. He continues, "I appreciate your decision to share this technology with the rest of the world. I’m just curious as to why?"
Caleb answers, "Because this is a global problem, and once these fleets are destroyed, we will have to act as a single planet, and not a divided planet. We need to protect ourselves."
Chan suspicious, asks, "Commander? You believe you can make us become a united planet?"
Caleb reluctantly answers, "No, not make Mr. Secretary. Nevertheless, the situation the T-Challa have presented us is a possible starting place for it to begin. Once we are done with this counter attack against the T-Challa, the Earths problems will be just beginning." Gotta keep myself under control or these fools will spin this. They already think I’m trying to take over the world.
Chan says, "I’m not sure Commander of your true intentions but I see little choice, we need you and your incredible ship. You’ll have my full support, and that of my governments."
Caleb replies, "I know I’m asking for a lot from you and everyone to trust in me. I’m aware that you have your doubts about me and I do appreciate your support."
Paladin telepathically tells Caleb, "They like your own government are planning similar plans of action against us, Caleb."
Caleb sighs, as he continues, "I just wished my government would also trust in me. Even now they are considering plans to take over the ship and try and put me under some form of control."
Chan surprised, asks, "How are you aware of this?"
Caleb, becoming tired with all the political babble, replies, "With all my new abilities, there is not much I am not aware of. I am also aware of your government’s involvement with this same plan of action."
Chan stands up shocked, and yells, "I assure you Commander no such plan exists!"
Caleb smiles and telepathically communicates to Paladin, "Play back the recordings."
The holorecording plays back the plans of the U.S. and Chinese government’s. Their plans go into full detail to take over Paladin. Chan sits aback in shock, as do most members of his staff. Chan pleads, "Commander! I was unaware of this. Please believe me."
Caleb unconcerned, replies, "Mr. Secretary, I have made my intentions as clear as I possibly can. I will not seek revenge on those who are only acting out of fear.” So much knowledge, so much information, and now all these people. Arggghhh. I’m starting to get overwhelmed.
Caleb continues, "Allow me to share with you a fact, one which I ask to be kept top secret. This ship is part of me, as I am part of it. It is my very will that makes this ship operate. If I am removed or killed this ship will die, and any hope of saving our race from enslavement or destruction will die with me." I need to rest. This is getting to be too much.
The view screen ends as Colonel Jackson, who has been sitting on the Bridge watching everything stands up. He asks, "Caleb, what exactly has happened to you?"
Caleb, feeling fatigued, answers, "The Caleb that was is still here. I have just been given a gift but to be honest Jackson, I would gladly give it up if I could have my family back." I can’t believe with all that’s happening that I can’t get the loss of her and our kids out of my mind. Not even for even a moment of peace.
Paladin curious, asks, "Caleb, you act like you want to forget, but you don’t. I don’t understand?"
Caleb replies, "I can’t explain it Paladin. It’s just how I deal with pain."
Colonel Benton approaches Caleb, and says, "You know, you’d have made a great Marine Commander." Caleb just smiles as he returns to his quarters.
Three days later, the majority of government leaders arrive with all the members of the crew, requested by Caleb. The large group assembles into Camp David’s main conference hall, under the tightest of security. The people are confused but well organized. Over two thousand people from all across the globe arrive. They’re moved by Secret service agents stealthfully into the facility, so as not to draw any attention from possible scans by the T-Challa warships, which are sitting in geosynchronous orbit.
Most of the people are confused, concerned, and very agitated. Government and military officials are yelling at each other, as President Baker, and Secretary-General Wu Lei Chan sit at the head of the room. Only a very few have any knowledge of the massive battleship cloaked some six hundred yards away.
Finally, after everyone becomes settled, the room goes dim, as a view screen begins to show the images of the T-Challa warships, which are currently in the solar system. The screen shows images and complex data of their offensive and defensive capabilities.
Then in the darkness, a voice speaks, the voice belongs to Caleb, "The images you’re seeing were taken only a few days ago. The T-Challa have only two small fleets up there. We are calling them, Alpha and Beta. Alpha, guards the Rail gunship, here.” The image is highlighted as Caleb continues, “This is the weapon they used to attack us." The image goes into mock presentation showing its weaponry firing on a planet.
Caleb continues on, "The Beta fleet, shown here, guards this object, which is now appearing on the screen." An image appears of a long complex device with four central access points. Caleb continues further, "This is their gateway. This device has the capability to open an access point in space to allow thousands of their ships through in just minutes. Now that you have met our enemy, let me explain why you have been assembled here.” Caleb pauses, as he looks over the room assessing the crowd, then says, “Amongst you are the best in your fields from all around the globe. We need you to assist in destroying these two fleets and save our world." Ok, that sounded great, let’s see who actually is going to believe me.
From the darkened room a voice yells, "Excuse me!" The scientist yells out in a deep Russian accent, "How is it you captured these images in such great detail?" Several others yell agreeing with his question.
Caleb responds, asking, "You're, Professor Mikhail Onatof, from Russia?"
Onatof curious answers, "Yes, and you are?"
Caleb smiles answering, "Well Professor, to answer your first question, we took these images with President Baker and Secretary-General Chan a few days earlier aboard my ship."
A holoimage appears briefly above the room. It is an image of Paladin in detail. The room reacts in gasps of awe at the Paladin Battleship. Its image encompasses t
he entire room. Its weapons and massive size strike total amazement over the crowd.
Then Caleb continues, "This is Paladin, my ship, and for your second question, my name is Caleb Ocoda."
At that moment, a communication comes into the Secret service agent behind the President who immediately whispers to her.
Caleb also stops, as Paladin notifies him, "The T-Challa are becoming restless, they are sending a scout ship to see the progress of their tribute. If they feel it is not proceeding well, they may destroy another city." The lights come on as the holoscreen changes to show images of a T-Challa scout ship flying over the California coastline.
Caleb, studying the ship speaks, "They are making sure the planet is preparing their tribute. I’m afraid we don’t have much time. If the T-Challa feel that there is not enough progress is being made, they will destroy more cities."
A dignitary from France yells out, asking, "What the hell are you planning to do to them?"
Caleb frustrated by all the bureaucracy answers, "We are going to stop them." I gotta hold in my anger. These people are scared.
The image of Paladin appears above the crowd again. Everyone can see the image of the imposing ship in much more detail. The holoimage shows its scale, and armaments. The vessel is over two hundred and seventy meters long. Sixty-eight meters wide, and thirty-four meters high.
Caleb says, "What you’re seeing here cannot be discussed by holophone, telecom, text, or e-mail. You may only discuss everything here with direct conversation. The T-Challa can detect the Earth communications in the same manner as I can. Should they gain knowledge of this ship, they will come at us with an all-out attack." Caleb pauses, Ok, let’s try to be brief, I’m feeling the T-Challa will not be too happy with the progress they’ve made.
Caleb continues, "This was the USS Massachusetts. Paladin is a transmogvirus probe. It is from a planet called X’enablanca, where a silicon-based life form, called the X’ena sent him to Earth to help us. The X’ena’s are a pacifist race, who has been defending themselves from the T-Challa, for about three thousand of our years. Some of them have, with great consequences created Paladin to be used as a means to defend our world. Their hope is that we will not fall victim as thousands of other races have fallen before."
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Page 6
