Caleb pauses, he drinks a glass of water, and then he continues, "I know that this is very hard for most of you to accept. However, I can assure everyone here that what I am saying is the truth. Most of you have been assembled here to help me fly this ship."
There is a great uproar throughout the room.
President Baker speaks, "People! May I have your attention, please! I know what you have been told here is extremely hard to grasp, let alone believe, but can assure you what Caleb is telling you is true. I was in this ship as was Secretary-General Chan when he showed us these vile T-Challa. We saw the weapons that they used to kill one hundred million human beings."
The room erupts into utter chaos as the diplomats scream in outrage.
Paladin sends an urgent message to Caleb, "I have detected the Rail gun vessel, is preparing to fire. It is targeting the European nation called Spain. They are focusing on its capital, Madrid."
Caleb reacts immediately, interrupting, "I need everyone’s attention NOW! Paladin has told me that the Rail gun is preparing to fire. It will strike the city of Madrid Spain. You will have only an hour at most to get as many people out of the city as you can." The room erupts into uncontrolled bedlam. Jackson gets up and approaches Caleb, asking, "Caleb, can’t you stop it?"
Caleb deep in thought answers in a very low tone, "Yes, I can, but then they may know I am here, and if I’m discovered, they will come with an armada and the planet will be destroyed."
Finally, after a few minutes, the room comes to order. The representative from Spain pleads, "Can you not save them! Please, my family is there! Please!"
Caleb, sullen looks down and walks out of the room. I cannot let this continue. I have to do something.
President Baker addresses the crowd, "Listen! Please, if we use Paladin to stop this attack we could lose the element of surprise, then they will come to Earth with more ships, and the entire planet will be destroyed. The Paladin Battleship cannot defeat all of them, especially, should they send a larger fleet. We have only one ship against thousands of theirs, if we surrender the element of surprise. We will all die."
She pauses noticing Caleb has left, she turns to Chan concerned. She continues, "I’m sorry, we will do what we can to help evacuate as many as we possibly can."
Just then, a loud deafening roar can be heard outside, Paladin is taking off. Caleb is on board with Lieutenant Colonel Benton, and a small security force, along with several engineers, and scientists.
Benton slightly concerned asks, "Caleb, I’m sure you shouldn’t be doing this, but can I help?"
Caleb is focused on controlling the ship as Paladin answers instead, "Colonel Benton, there are specific torpedoes which I need loaded. They will also need to be preset to exact detailed settings; I’ll explain the procedure to you when you reach the torpedo room in the bow of the ship."
Benton is a highly decorated Marine who knows his duty above all else, but this time he’s not sure what his duty is. He races down the hall with several men, sprinting towards the bow of the ship to the torpedo room. Benton says aloud, "Crazy talking ship thinks it’s gonna tell me how to load a gun. This is gonna be fun."
Paladin responds, "This crazy ship, as you have called me is gonna tell you that and a lot more. That is, if you’re capable of understanding."
Benton smiles, as he continues towards the forward torpedo room. He yells out, "Ah, suck it up Paladin, this is how I operate."
Meanwhile, Jackson and Val run out to where Paladin was, Jackson thinking. I hope Caleb doesn’t do anything stupid. He’s our only chance to save the Earth. Just then, Jackson walks into a solid invisible structure.
"What the hell?" Jackson confused asks, "There is something here? I thought Paladin took off?"
Val quickly moves his hands over the invisible surface, when they hear a voice. Its sounds like Paladin, "Support fighter Templar loaded with transport pod, standing by."
Val, confused asks, "What is this, Templar, another ship? What are you doing my brother?"
The voice replies, "I am Support Fighter, Templar, one of three. I am programmed to operate independent of Caleb and Paladin. I was left behind with support fighter, Cavalier. We have been both equipped with transport pods, each is capable of carrying over two hundred personnel. I have been programmed to accept orders from, Colonel Andrew Jackson. My counterpart, Cavalier, will accept orders from Commander Reginald White."
Secret services and Marines arrive and quickly locate the outline of the two-cloaked ships. They open the rear hatch revealing rows, and rows of seats. Each is at least one thousand square feet long. Jackson finds a ladder, which leads to the cockpit. He is able to open it, revealing the interior of a cockpit. These systems are very similar to modern day fighter of Earth. He climbs in the seat thinking. Wow, this amazing, this looks like a similar set up to what I’m used to dealing with. The cockpit closes around him. He is, easily able to find what he believes to be the communications center, and calls out, "This is Colonel Jackson. Caleb can you hear me?" Jackson says to himself, Hope that’s what that is. Because it would really suck if I just sent that out on an open channel.
A brief moment transpires and a voice replies, "This is Paladin, Colonel Jackson. Caleb is presently preoccupied; can I assist you?"
Jackson concerned, asks, "What are you two planning up there? Not that I have any clue or that I could do anything about it."
Paladin replies, "I left two of my support fighters there, both are equipped with transport pods. Each one is keyed to yourself, and Commander White’s voice commands. Their cloak is limited, and it has hyperdrive, as well as, a full armament of weapons. You will need to use the attached transport pods to bring up the crew to us Colonel. We cannot risk, traveling through the atmosphere again. Especially, after what Caleb is attempting to do, they will increase scans of the planet, and they may detect the turbulence of us, in the atmosphere should we return."
Jackson thinks to himself. Yeah, this is going to be an issue if I am supposed to be second in command. Jackson, asks again, "Paladin, how about answering my question? What are you planning on doing?"
Paladin replies, "Save people."
Jackson frustrated, thinks. Yeah, we really need to work on our communication.
Back on Paladin, in the torpedo room Benton and the Marines arrive. Paladin directs the Marines which torpedoes to grab.
Benton curious, states aloud, "Hey Paladin these funky looking torpedoes’ look like they have drills on top of em’."
Paladin replies, "Yes Colonel, they’re designed to drill into a certain depth and explode. I will need you to open the service panel, on each one, setting the depth and explosive yield. I’ll explain how."
Benton spots and uses a huge grappling arm to grab each torpedo. He pulls it out to the loading tube. Paladin quickly explains to him how to open the service port and how to adjust the depth and yield of each torpedo. Paladin has him set each one to a deeper and stronger yield.
This makes Benton question, "Why the different depths and stronger yields? Why not just blow this thing into dust?"
Paladin explains, "We need to make the meteor appear to break up, otherwise they may become suspicious and do a more complete scan the planet, which may expose us."
Benton replies, as he finishes loading the four torpedoes, "You’re a bit long winded kid." He and his men head back to the Bridge, saying to his Marines, "Ok men, let’s hope this talking ship knows what it’s doing." Benton pauses, saying to himself, aloud, "Yeah, talking ship. Ok Gabriel, remember you accepted this."
Paladin comments back to Benton, "Colonel, if you find it difficult to deal with me feel free to step outside. It’s only eight hundred miles or so to the Earth’s upper atmosphere."
Benton smugly, smiles, "No problem Paladin. I’m fine where I am." Benton shakes his head, grinning. He quickly realizes that this is not going to be a normal assignment.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, President Baker approaches Val, who is standing off from a group
of Marines, asking, "What is Commander Ocoda doing?"
Val surprised, and humbled that the President is addressing him directly, he answers respectfully, "Madam President, my Brother-in-law lost his entire family in the New York attack. The loss of his wife and children damaged him deeply. I can only guess he is going to try and save that city, as best he can."
Baker remorseful, but concerned nevertheless asks, "I’m sorry, I’ve read his file, I know she was your sister too, but does Caleb think he can do this? It is risky, and he may be detected by the T-Challa?"
Val humbled replies, "It is so hard to explain Cale in words, Madam President. I guess all I can say is he has to. He has to try."
The international crew immediately starts to load themselves into the transport pods, as Jackson and White start to familiarize themselves with the controls of their support fighters.
Back on the Bridge of Paladin, Caleb is operating the controls from his command chair. He locks onto and closes in quickly on the approaching meteor.
Benton rushes back into the Bridge, saying, "Ok Caleb, I got four of those funky looking torpedoes loaded. I set them to what Paladin said to."
Caleb, deep in concentration only nods his head. Why is this so difficult? The first time I did this, it was so easy. Now it’s taking everything I have.
Paladin troubled responds, "This is a much more complex maneuver Caleb. However, for some unknown reason we do seem to be having trouble melding. I will try and study what the problem is later."
Paladin starts announcing range, speed, and distance, "Ten thousand yards, and closing."
Benton concerned asks, "Uhmm, how close do we need to get? Because that looks like I’m gonna be able to reach out and touch it in a few seconds."
Paladin responds, "Very close, Colonel Benton. So close in fact, that there is little chance if any, that the launches are detected."
Paladin announces, "Four thousand yards, we are ready to fire."
Caleb is deep in concentration, as he maneuvers the ship even closer.
Paladin says, "Firing solution set in, five, four, three, two."
Four torpedoes launch. Each striking the meteor just as it enters the atmosphere.
Finally, Caleb exhales and asks, "Paladin status now. Did they detect us? Damn that was unbelievably hard.
Paladin replies, "No. It appears that your plan worked."
Caleb strained, sits back in the command chair. He watches, as the meteor turns into a fireball heading through the upper atmosphere.
Paladin announces, "Preparing the first two torpedoes to detonate on my mark . . . mark." The first two torpedoes explode. The meteor splits apart. Both parts continue downward, but moving off course. Paladin reports, the meteor’s debris from the first detonation is breaking up harmlessly in the upper atmosphere. While the larger section, is now heading to Portugal.
Paladin starts counting down the distance, when Caleb says, "Detonate the remaining torpedoes." The meteor explodes, leaving a beautiful light show above the skies of the Mediterranean.
The Marines and Scientist on board start cheering loudly. Until Paladin announces, "Caleb, we have a deep scan directed towards us."
Caleb immediately starts shutting down systems. Damn, damn, he yells, "Everyone Shut up! Remain silent!"
Paladin announces, "Caleb, a scout ship has been dispatched. It will arrive here in ten minutes."
Caleb sits in his chair and asks, "Think they will use their sensor probe?"
Paladin replies, "They have no reason to, but it is a possibility."
They sit quietly as the scout ship approaches ever closer. It moves within five hundred yards of Paladin. It then does a few light scans as it proceeds downward towards the Earth, scanning each area of the mass drivers course.
Benton, whispers, "What is it doing?"
Caleb replies, "It's looking for radiation signatures. Trying to determine what caused the meteor to break apart.” This was stupid. I should know better, but I just couldn’t let anyone else die like…
Paladin interrupts, "You now Caleb, she will always be a part of our thoughts, I doubt you will ever be able to forget her."
Caleb, sullenly replies, "I don’t want to forget her Paladin. I just want the pain to end." After several long agonizing minutes, the scout ship leaves and heads back to the T-Challa’s Alpha fleet.
Paladin announces, "They are scanning the planet constantly now just as we expected. Caleb, we will not be able to move through the atmosphere again, at least not while they are scanning."
Jackson then comes over the com system, "Caleb, you did it. You son of a bitch! Hell yeah! You did it. You have a lot of happy people down here."
Caleb replies, "Jackson, I need you to start shuttling up the crew right away. You will need to get the command staff up as soon as possible, and you will have to come in on low power. The planet is being heavily scanned. I can’t risk bringing Paladin through the atmosphere right now. It casts too big of a silhouette, and they may see me cloaked or not."
Jackson concerned asks, "Caleb, this thing I’m supposed to fly. Anything I should know about it?" Like where the hell the start button is, that would be a great to know.
Caleb answers, "Not really Jackson. It will fly like any jet you would have flown before. Except you won’t feel any G-forces, and it travels out in outer space, it also has a built in artificial version of Paladin on board. It’s not Paladin however, just a similar independent program and it will help you as long as you need help."
Jackson looking over the controls, and feeling slightly overwhelmed replies, "So I’m on training wheels until you take them off." So where is the damn start button?
Caleb grins as he replies, "Yup."
Templar noticing Jackson hesitation asks, "Colonel Jackson, I am programmed to anticipate your needs. May I ask if there is anything you are looking for in particular?"
Jackson uncomfortable asks, "Ahhh yeah, how do I turn you on?"
Templar responds, "I am on Colonel. All you need to do is take the control stick and I will maneuver where you want, but may I suggest we wait for our passengers to finish boarding first."
Jackson smiles thinking. Smart-ass ship, I wonder if Caleb made it like that on purpose.
Jackson, feeling uncomfortable replies, "Yeah, that’s a great idea Templar."
Over the next two days, all one thousand seven hundred-crew report for duty using all the three support fighters, Paladin operates the third remotely, as they successfully bring the crew on board on a regular schedule.
Although most governments are somewhat reluctant at first to allow their best trained personnel to be part of this extremely risky gamble. They see no alternative other than to surrender to the T-Challa.
Two additional days pass, with well over one hundred successful trips flown to Paladin, all without incident or delays. A calm starts to grow amongst the crew and diplomats, as things proceed smoothly. Everything has taken place just as planned, but even the best of plans can sometimes have unexpected complications.
During the final approach of the second to last transport, which is under remote control of Paladin, and carrying a transport pod with one hundred, and ninety crewmembers on board, a very small micro meteor successfully skirts through the cloaking deflector field. It hits the remote support fighters docking clamp just as it is landing. The transport pod becomes detached. It falls forward some twenty-six feet. The pod crashes into the hangar bay, which is directly below it.
The pod impacts against its own hydraulic line on the hangar deck, and quickly catches fire. Paladin rapidly announces the emergency, as Paladin erects emergency force fields protecting the rest of the hangar.
Inside the pod the exit hatch is jammed shut, as the people on board are shaken and begin to panic, seeing the fire, they rush the door, as each desperately tries to pry them open. However, the panicking crew keeps pushing against each other, not allowing any one person a chance to open the doors. Until finally, one giant of a man reaches the doors
. He is able to force open the doors, although the strain is incredible. He is Lieutenant Commander Mohammed Shi Reies, a huge man who is set to be Chief of security. He stands over six feet ten inches and possess a muscular build of over three hundred fifty pounds. He is a weapons expert from Egypt, and a devout Muslim.
Mohammed uses his great strength and holds open the doors allowing the trapped crew time to escape. Within a few minutes, the fire becomes extreme. He screams out in pain as the pod doors try to close. He becomes weak briefly, but still he holds the doors open until the last person gets out. He screams in agony as the flames sear his flesh. Shi Reies then falls back into the pod as the hatch closes, locking him in.
The crewmembers, most of whom were just saved by Shi Reies bravely force the hatch open using pry bars. They reach in and drag Shi Reies out. His condition is critical. Doctor Qui Shi arrives as the crew carries Shi Reies away from the pod. Qui Shi seeing Mohammed rushes to aid him. Her medical staff follows close behind.
Qui Shi quickly realizes the situation is serious, she knows this man’s life is only minutes from death. They quickly begin to work on Shi Reies. The rest of the flight deck crew, deal with putting out the fire.
After a few additional minutes, the fire is out. The crew encircles the Doctor, as she tries desperately to save Shi Reies.
Paladin quickly contacts Caleb telepathically, "Caleb, there has been an accident on the flight deck. We have several injured, and one is critical. I estimate his life signs will come to an end, in one hundred twenty seconds."
Caleb reacts without thought. He runs at breakneck speed. Moving around crew and personnel like the wind through the trees. Within mere moments he is on the flight deck, just as Colonel Jackson lands with the very last transport pod. Caleb quickly moves towards Shi Reies.
Doctor Qui Shi is about to shock his body with a defibrillator, when Caleb pushes his way in.
Doctor Qui Shi yells, "What are you doing Commander. He is dying?"
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Page 7
