Caleb ignoring the Doctors protest places his hands on Shi Reies. God, please let this work. He quickly begins to glow, and grumbles in pain. A moment later, the burns begin to move like water, they transfer directly onto Caleb’s arms, and his back. The flesh peels off Caleb, and restores Shi Reies. Caleb’s flesh is transformed by a bright blue light, as a deep blue glow surrounds both men. The blue light gets brighter fully enveloping both men. Caleb then screams out in deep pain as the entire ship shudders for only a brief moment, then it stops.
Caleb stands up from the blue light as it slowly dims. All the burns that had transferred to his body are gone, just as if they were never there. Finally, the blue light disappears around him and Shi Reies completely.
Caleb lowers his hands pulling Shi Reies up. His wounds are completely healed. The entire crew stares in shock and disbelief. Damn it worked. Wow, I did it.
Jackson, who had seen the last few moments speaks first, asking, "Caleb, what the hell are you?" I don’t know what the hell to think anymore. One moment I think he’s ok. The next he goes all alien.
Caleb looks at Jackson. He turns his head away, walking back to the Bridge. What do I say to him?
Shi Reies, mesmerized speaks, "He is an Angel sent by Allah. He healed me, just like an angel." By the will of Allah, he has sent this man to protect us. I owe him a debt, a debt I can never repay, but I will die trying.
Caleb walks through the crew, and heads towards the Bridge. The crew parts way, making room as he returns to the Bridge. He then quietly disappears to his quarters located above the Bridge. Great, now I just made myself a bigger freak than I already was with these people.
Caleb says to Paladin "Paladin, please call Colonel Jackson. Tell him to get things going please. I need a few minutes to collect myself."
Paladin immediately contacts Jackson, "Colonel Jackson, Caleb has asked me to relay his request. He wishes for you to address the crew as well as setting up a meeting with him, and the rest of the command crew."
Jackson aggravated replies, "Inform the Admiral, I’ll have the command crew in his quarters in fifteen minutes. After that I will address the crew, but tell him that we’re going to have our own meeting soon.” What the hell. Why am I taking orders from this freaky microwave oven?
Paladin, confused asks, "Caleb’s rank is Commander, Colonel Jackson. Has there been a rank change, which I was not informed of?"
Jackson smiles, replying, "I guess you haven’t discovered humor, in your dealings with our race yet?" Stupid machine, sarcasm must be above its ability to understand.
Paladin responds, "Hmm, yes, I will have to study this humor of yours Colonel Jackson. Indeed, it appears I have much to learn. It looks as if after seeing over one hundred and fifty years of your planets holovision shows, as well as many other spectacles, which most humans would consider humorous. It is obvious that I have much to learn, especially after seeing your version of humor."
Jackson scowls. Ok, was I just burned, by a machine, with sarcasm? Then Jackson smiles. Walking towards the Bridge, he calls out to Paladin, "You know Paladin. You could just say it wasn’t funny."
CHAPTER THREE
SAVE THE EARTH
One hour later in Caleb’s ready room, which is attached to his quarters are ten of the very best skilled people from all across the Earth. Young, and intelligent, each is an expert in their field. Only a very few have any idea what is about to take place and even with that knowledge they are completely unprepared.
Colonel Jackson greets everyone as he starts the meeting. Ok, time for me to set the tone of our mission. Introducing himself, "Morning everyone, I am Colonel Andrew Jackson, and I am your direct superior. All orders go through me from this moment on, I expect everyone to understand and respect the chain of command, regardless of what nation you represent. You are now members of this crew, and I expect you will conduct yourself as the fine officers that I have been told that you are." Wow, so many people from other countries here. I see only three other Americans, Reg, Benton, and this Commander Anders. Not counting Val and he’s a civilian.
Jackson continues, "I am sure there are thousands of questions that everyone wants to ask but right now we only have a few days until the T-Challa attack. Time is something we have very little to waste. So please try and hold most of your questions until later and let’s focus on our mission."
Jackson then signals to Commander White, who then speaks, "I’m Commander Reginald White, I am second in command and will be in charge of the daily duty schedules. I will also be coordinating the different staff departments. So please try to be patient with me as this is obviously not a normal command situation. I will be announcing each person here, please identify yourself when I call your name."
White then pulls up the command roster on his holopad and begins, "Commander Scott Anders, of the U.S. Navy. You’re a heavy weapons expert, specializing in multi targeting systems." Anders cautiously stands. He looks around and then sits back down.
White continues, "Chief engineer Valentine Arao, U.S. citizen. He holds degrees in electrical, mechanical engineering, and a masters in advanced physics." Val stands up and sits down quickly.
White then looks to Doctor Qui Shi, saying, "Doctor Qui Shi Chan of the people’s Republic of China. She is the chief medical officer and head of the emergency response crew." She stands up smiles at Colonel Jackson. She then bows to the rest of the crew and then sits.
White looks over to Benton, "Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Benton, United States Marine. Colonel Benton holds a Navy Cross and two silver stars. He’s an expert sharpshooter and demolition specialist. He will be in charge of our Marines and assault teams." Benton, still sitting, smiles and says very simply "Ooh-rah"
White smirks and turns to Shi Reies, "Lieutenant Commander Mohammed Shi Reies of the Egyptian Special forces. He is a weapons, and personnel combat expert. The Commander is chief of ship security." Shi Reies stands, as Benton comments, "They grow em big back home don’t they."
Shi Reies turns towards Benton, smiling, he sits back down.
White then turns to Onatof, who stands up and announces himself, "Sorry Commander, I am not a patient man, nor do I like show and tell. I am Doctor Mikhail Onatof from what was once called Moscow. I am nuclear physicists, and I am told that I will be the lead scientist of this mission."
White smirks, saying, "Yes Doctor.”
Onatof sits down, as White turns to Cooley, saying with great interest. "Lieutenant Rachel Cooley, serving Great Britain’s Royal Navy as their top linguist, it says here you speak eight languages and have an I.Q. of genius level."
She smiles, saying, "Yes sir, I do, sir, and the rest of the stuff on my file sir, and I’d prefer that to be kept private."
White smiling replies, "Of course Lieutenant. Next on our list is Lieutenant Kitanna Cohen of Israel’s Special Forces. Mossad trained in surveillance and encryption." Cohen stands up, and quickly sits down.
White then turns to the last unidentified man, saying, "Lieutenant Commander Klaus Meyer. Representing the German Navy, you are the youngest to attain this rank in the history of their Navy. Hmm, shows here you set several records, very impressive Commander." Klaus stands, and awkwardly salutes, then sits.
Jackson reluctantly asks, "Does anyone have any questions?"
Anders immediately speaks up, asking, "Yes, sir, I do. I have been given command of our weapons systems, but I haven’t a clue what most of these weapons are, let alone how they should operate?"
Then Lieutenant Cohen interjects, "I would have to agree with the Commander. I have never seen tracking systems like this and without anything to reference them by, just how will I know what I’m looking at?"
Jackson begins to speak, when Shi Reies interrupts, "Excuse me Colonel. I mean not to interrupt, but where is the man that saved my life, and just who is he in this command structure?"
Paladin then speaks, spooking the crew, "His name is Admiral Caleb Ocoda."
Jackson shakes his head, and sa
ys, "Paladin, I was joking on his rank being Admiral."
Paladin smugly replies, "Yes, I know, Colonel, you told me it was your attempt at humor, but I have since communicated with President Baker. She agreed, and granted his promotion on your recommendation."
Jackson puts his hand to his head, shaking his head slowly. I’m really starting to hate this damn machine. Caleb appears from the back room. He walks up to Jackson and says in a low tone, "Don’t worry about it Jackson. I hate command rank anyways.” However, I will enjoy making you cringe for as long as I can, Colonel.
Caleb looks over the command staff, and his eyes immediately focus on Anders, as Anders does with Caleb.
He walks over to Anders, saying, "Anders, it’s been a very long time."
Anders replies, staring at Caleb, "Fifteen years, give or take a year."
Caleb pauses and looks over to Val, who is looking at Anders, but does not recognize him. Oh boy, Val I hope you don’t hold a grudge.
Jackson curious, asks, "You two have a history?"
Caleb replies, "He introduced me to my wife.” After he dumped her and broke her heart. Val wanted to find this guy and beat him to a pulp.
Val, studying Anders asks, "This is the man you met my sister with?"
"Aye.” Caleb replies.
Anders jokingly replies, asking, "More like stole her from me, how is she?"
Caleb looks down and answers, "She died in the attack on New York City."
Then Lieutenant Commander Klaus speaks, "Excuse me please, if I may interrupt this reunion, but will we be getting some practice operating this ship. I am very concerned on how it will operate and how the controls will work?"
Then Lieutenant Cooley speaks, "I will need to be briefed on the communications systems as well. I have never seen anything like what is at my station."
Paladin interrupts again, "I will be explaining to everyone how each system works right after the meeting. I can show each of you simultaneously, and can do so as many times as it will take for you to understand my systems."
Finally, Onatof, who has been sitting back speaks, "Fascinating, is the voice speaking to us a computer. It seems almost alive?"
Colonel Benton claps his hand to his forehead, saying, "Oh, no, don’t call him a computer, cause now we’re all gonna hear a sermon."
Paladin responds, "Professor Onatof, I am a sentient being. I was created by scientists from the planet X’enablanca. I am as alive as you are. This ship is my body and my mind exists in every part of the ship."
Onatof interested, asks, "I see, and what exactly is this ship made of? I was studying the metal earlier and it’s like nothing I have ever seen."
Val also asks, "Yes Paladin, I have been assigned as chief engineer. Yet I have no idea how you are, and what you are powered with?"
Paladin promptly responds to both of the men’s questions, "The metal that makes up the entire ship is called, ferrous anatanium magnetic alloy. It has the ability to be damaged, destroyed or it can even be disintegrated into pure energy, and it will reform back into its original structure and shape. However, it still has to be placed back where it was. Once the damaged component is placed in position it will rebond with the structures around it, making damage control extremely fast and easy."
Paladin continues, "The engines, as I can best explain to your understanding are a form of cold fusion antimatter reactors. They create extreme amounts of energy that recharge instantly from use. The more it is used, the more power it creates. However, if ever I am powered down for more than fifteen hours. It will take as long as thirty-six hours to rebuild my power levels to allow me to operate again. There is no way to speed that process up."
Doctor Qui Shi, still focused on earlier events asks, "Caleb, what exactly did you do? How did you save Commander Shi Reies?"
Caleb reluctantly replies, "On this ship I have almost limitless abilities. Healing is just one of them."
Qui Shi amazed, asks, "How much can you heal? Why am I even needed then?"
Caleb replies, "I’m not sure Doctor how much I can heal. However, it tires me greatly. I know I can’t bring back the dead, and I can’t cure diseases, I can only repair damaged cells similar to the cellular regenerator in your med-bay. I just do it faster, and more complete, and I could never replace you Doctor Chan."
Benton thinking tactically asks, "I’ve seen you move at incredible speeds. I watched you push a man across the Bridge twenty feet as if he was a rag doll. Just how strong are you?"
Jackson interrupts, "Ok, enough already. I saw him fly fifty yards Gabriel, I’m not ready to pin a big red S on his shirt yet. We need to get back to the mission people."
The room chuckles as Caleb speaks, "If we are done with all the immediate questions I think its best we get down to the main problem on hand. Paladin will you please."
With that, Paladin begins showing images in the center of the room.
Caleb explains, "This is Alpha fleet, which is comprised of the Rail Gun ship, two Heavy cruisers, and three Medium cruisers. I propose we sneak up on them as close as we can, and fire a complete volley of space torpedoes at fifty-five percent yields. This should destroy the Rail Gun ship. Hopefully the collateral damage should destroy, or hopefully incapacitate the rest of the ships, since they are in very close formation with each other." Ok, now the bad part of the mission. Caleb pauses continuing, "We will need to switch from our cloak to shield’s directly after firing. The process takes thirty-five seconds."
Anders, looking over the plan notices the main guns are off line during the attack. He asks, "Can we power up the main guns also? So we can ensure their total destruction?"
Caleb replies, "Can’t risk them detecting the power surge at that range. We have to fire the torpedoes only. Otherwise, we would be a sitting duck if they detected us with our shields down."
Anders concerned asks, "How long do the main guns take to charge up?"
Paladin replies, "Main guns from a cold start take twenty-one seconds. Medium guns take fifteen seconds, and Light guns take only eight seconds. Once the main guns go hot, they can repeatedly fire every eleven seconds, while the Medium guns every five seconds and the Light guns can fire constantly."
Anders asks again, "What about their range and yields in comparison to the T-Challa weapons?"
Paladin responds, "Both Heavy, and Medium cannons have the same range with varying power yields from their perspective buildups. The Light cannons are only effective against smaller ships and for destroying incoming missiles and torpedoes. All of our weapons have about twice the range of the T-Challa ships present here."
Jackson studying the plan asks, "How long does it take the T-Challa to power their weapons up?"
Caleb answers, "Far less Colonel, but that won’t be your problem."
Jackson confused asks, "Why is that?” Communication, here we go again. We’re supposed to be working together and he is flying solo.
Caleb replies, "You and White will be taking the support fighters, Templar and Cavalier. They will be carrying specialized two hundred megaton nuclear space torpedoes, designed by the Russians. They have a quick buildup of one hundred and twenty seconds until they reach critical mass." Can’t believe they gave them to us without even a condition or a demand.
Caleb continues, "The T-Challa should detect the energy buildup even through your cloak with about forty-five seconds remaining. You will have exactly that long to get into position, and hit the gateway. I am hoping they will not have enough time to raise shields on the gateway, but even if they do succeed to raise its shields these torpedoes should still destroy it. You will have to hit hyperspace as soon as you launch in order to avoid the shock wave of the gateway, especially, if the gateway is charged or charging. The gateway will release enough energy to obliterate virtually everything in a few hundred miles."
Jackson, concerned, asks, "Hyperspace? What exactly is that, and how do I go into it?"
Paladin replies, "The onboard computers will kick in and transport you to t
he outer part of your solar system in just under a second. It will then return you back to Earth after resetting. The entire process will take less than a minute."
Jackson, apprehensive, asks, "And you got this all approved Admiral?"
Caleb answers unconcerned, "Nope. I’ll leave that to you. Feel free to come up with a better plan Colonel. I can assure you there isn’t one." I sound so arrogant. I have to reel this in. I may have all this knowledge, but I need these people, if I belittle them or talk down to them like this I will just weaken my position as leader.
Caleb then leaves the room going down to the Bridge.
White, who is taken aback asks, "Colonel, sir, do you have a better plan?"
Jackson looks over every aspect of the plan, as does the rest of the command crew. They also continue to introduce themselves to each other. Jackson thinks to himself. Caleb is so hard to read. At one moment he is noble and funny, and the next he is this arrogant ass, it’s like there are two people inside him. The command crew continues going over the plan for more than an hour.
Then Jackson frustrated finally speaks, "Paladin, can you get me the President, and joint chiefs?"
Paladin immediately pulls up a hologram of President Baker, who is standing in the room alone. She looks very surprised and says, "This is something I will never get used to. Colonel Jackson, what is it?"
Jackson says, "Madam President, we have a plan of attack. I’ll have it transmitted to you for your approval."
With that, Paladin sends the transmission, stating, "The plan has been sent to Secretary-General Chan, President Baker, and her joint chiefs."
Jackson annoyed, says, "I didn’t tell you to send that to the Secretary-General, Paladin."
Then six more people appear in holograph form. They are the joint chiefs, as well as Secretary-General Chan. Jackson uncomfortable by Paladins action continues, “Good evening, as everyone has just received our plan of attack, I’ll try to be brief. We have set the attack to take place in twenty-four hours.” This is very uncomfortable. This machine is pulling the strings. I’m going to have to set the law with it after I’m done here.
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Page 8
