General Haggier of the joint chiefs speaks, "Colonel, we will have to look over these plans. We will decide to give you our approval in two hours." Jackson salutes, replying, "Yes, sir.” Paladin ends the transmission.
Then Jackson extremely annoyed, asks, "Paladin, why did you bring the Secretary-General into this meeting?"
Paladin responds, "Per Caleb’s orders. This is a unified Earth plan and Secretary Chan represents the closest representative of a unified Earth."
Jackson grumbles, but with a slight smile, "I see this is going to be a very interesting posting." Is it Caleb or Paladin giving the orders?
Exactly two hours pass, when Paladin recalls the General and the joint chiefs. They appear as holograms in the center of the conference room. Completely shocked, the General quickly regains his composure, saying, "This is a very odd way of communication Colonel. Can you please make sure that we have some advanced form of warning before I have holographic images of a room full of people appear in front of me?”
Colonel Jackson smugly replies, "Well, sir, I will try and get Paladin to work on his door knocking protocols. However, I don’t think where he comes from they have much use for them.” Welcome to my nightmare General.
General Haggier unamused replies, "Well, we have gone over the plan with the President. It’s extremely risky, and I have a few questions?"
Colonel Jackson replies, "Well, sir, I didn’t create this plan, but I do agree with it. I’m open to any and all suggestions."
General Haggier asks, "Well Colonel, why not focus the attack on the smaller fleet with this gateway first. That way they can’t gather reinforcements?"
Jackson replies, "Well sir, I thought of that too, but from what information Paladin has given us, this Rail Gun ship can fire thirty mass drivers in about a twenty-minute span, so if we get delayed in the attack on the gateway, that time frame may increase. In addition, General, Paladin’s mobility is restricted in the asteroid field. It may not be able to maneuver out fast enough to avoid the shockwave."
"I see." The General replies, "Well Colonel, it appears this is our only chance. You have the approval of the joint chiefs. I’ll inform the President."
Paladin interrupts, "She, and the Secretary-General have both been informed General, sir, I have allowed them both to listen into this conversation."
The General starts getting angry and says, "Colonel, I expect you teach that, that whatever that is, a few lessons in proper protocol."
Colonel Jackson, holding back a smile, replies, "Yes sir, I will do my best."
The transmission ends. The command crew finally leaves Caleb’s ready room, as they move down on the lift they see Caleb sitting in the command chair. He is very somber and sullen, staring out across the Bridge.
Val walks over to him and asks, "Brother, are you ok?”
Caleb smiles and looks back out across the Bridge. Val continues, "I know you are thinking of Emily again. That man Anders is the one that broke her heart.”
Caleb just smiles.
Val then says, “Well, if not for his stupidity, I would never have had you for my brother-in-law. So in the end it all worked out for the best."
Caleb looks over to Val and says, "With all that has happened Val, I have tried with all my strength to keep myself too busy so I won’t dwell on Emily and the children, but no matter what I do.” Caleb pauses, "She keeps reappearing. I can’t even sleep without seeing her. Ever since the changes I underwent those dreams feel so real. I almost don’t want to wake."
Val puts his hand on Caleb’s back, and says, "Brother, I miss her too, but God has given you a mission, a mission to punish those that have hurt us. You are his to command. You are his instrument of vengeance. This Paladin is a holy warrior I feel it, and you know if she had lived, she would say the same thing."
Caleb looks to Val. Val I wish you had faith in yourself, as much as you do me. Caleb says, "You need to get to your station, we are going to run a few practice drills."
Paladin announces, "Battle stations! All hands report to your battle stations."
Jackson concerned, runs towards Caleb, asking, "What is it? Did they see us?"
Caleb says, "We need to run drills Colonel. I am going to run these for the next four hours. I suggest you and Commander White get to the support fighters."
Jackson annoyed replies, "Caleb, you know it would be better if you let me plan these drills. It is after all my job."
Caleb looks to Jackson, saying, "Colonel, you’re running behind."
Jackson grins, and runs to his support fighter. We’re fixing this the moment we kick these T-Challa out of our solar system.
The drills run repeatedly, for more than five hours. Paladin evaluates every person, and helps to correct each person’s actions, improving his or her skill.
Val, whose mind always simplifies everything, discovers different things on how to boost power, and handle power distribution more efficiently.
Klaus, a natural helmsman begins to understand the controls of the massive battleship. He makes his station his own wrapping the controls in cloth rags, a personal ritual of his.
Cohen and Cooley, both get crash courses on their duty stations. Both quickly learn and adapt.
Jackson and White have both quickly adapted to their fighters, considering the days they have spent transporting the crew onboard. They have the handling and controls down so there is very little need for the onboard computers to make corrections any longer.
Unfortunately, Anders is finding it difficult to handle his position.
Paladin often tries to correct Anders, but Anders makes it clear snapping out, "I don’t have the knowledge on how powerful these weapons are. I need to be sure what will happen when we use them. I need to know the kick back from the guns, the complete damage they can cause, the time to recharge and aim, and the shields. How the hell do they operate? Can I adjust power to them? Strengthen those areas?"
His frustrations reach’s a fever pitch when he storms off the Bridge. Caleb follows him off and orders him to stop.
Anders stops and turns around, and ask, "Cale why am I here? I know of some ten officers that are better than I am. Why did you choose me? Hell Cale, we don’t even like each other. It’s been what, fifteen years and we haven’t spoken a word to each other in all this time."
Caleb pauses. He looks Anders square in his eyes and replies, "It’s something that Emily always wanted me to fix and I didn’t. When you married your wife eight years ago, I wanted to contact you then. Emily even found your new number, and I still didn’t call you. I know Emily was special to you, and I am sorry for what happened, but I need you on that Bridge. You have a family that needs you and I know you can do this."
Anders replies, "I had a family Cale. They were in Chicago when it was hit."
Caleb stands back, shocked, and says, "I am sorry Anders. We both lost to these things out here, but I know you. I know your ability, I need you to trust in your judgment, and I will too.” The two men return to the Bridge.
Three hours pass quickly with only fifteen hours until the attack.
The T-Challa continue sending out their scout ships. The Earth has six days to reach the T-Challa’s deadline. Most governments continue with the collecting of resources demanded upon them, if only to give the appearance that they are following the T-Challa’s commands.
Back in Washington D.C., two additional hours later, a Secret service agent enters the President’s office. "Madam President!" The Secret service agent says as he enters the room, "We have important information."
He hands the Information papers to her as she looks over them quickly. After a minute, she looks up shocked and stands away from her desk. Angry, she asks, "Why wasn’t I called on this! We lost valuable time."
"Madam President.” He responds, "I was told that thing can intercept all forms of electronic communications, and that this may cause problems should he have access to this Information?"
President Baker sits back down at her de
sk looking over the paperwork, she sighs heavily, saying, "You’re right. If he knew about this, he would most certainly do something stupid."
She pauses, turns to the agent, asking, "How confident are you that she is his daughter?"
The agent replies, "D.N.A. match is confirmed. She is his daughter, but her condition is critical Madam President. They doubt she will make it through the night. She has been on life support since they found her three weeks ago."
President Baker stands again from her desk and walks to the windows looking up into the sky. She holds the paperwork in her hands, saying, "We have to tell him. If we don’t and she dies, and he finds out we knew about her, he may become a threat, and with so much power at his control." She shakes her head in frustration.
With that, she goes to her desk, picks up her phone, and calls Secretary-General Chan, saying, "Wu, we have found Caleb’s daughter, and she’s alive. She has been in one of our temporary medical centers for weeks as a Jane Doe. She is dying." Just then, Caleb appears to both as a hologram, "Where is she! Tell me NOW!” He demands.
"Caleb.” Baker calmly says, "I knew Paladin would tell you as soon as I made this call. She is in the main medical center in Long Island, and she is comatose. She lost most of her left arm, and she is badly burned. I have the best Doctors going there now. We will do what we can to save her."
Caleb answers sternly, "Don’t bother, I’ll take care of her!" He cuts the transmission.
Then the Secret service agent says, "Madam President. We have her under heavy guard and they are under radio silence. We can’t reach them, and they have orders not to let anyone near her."
Baker sighs heavily, replying, "Let’s hope they don’t try to stop him, or that he doesn’t kill them."
Caleb calls out, "Prepare for Earth entry. Klaus, make top speed for Long Island emergency medical center!" Carla I’m coming.
Paladin asks, "You know that you’re healing abilities are limited off this ship Caleb. Considering the severity of her injuries this may be beyond your limits while off the ship."
Caleb replies, "No choice Paladin. She’s my daughter."
Jackson yells, "Belay that order Klaus! Are you crazy Caleb?"
He looks to Caleb, saying, "Look Caleb, I know what she means to you, but stop and think for a minute. They will see us if we enter the atmosphere. You told us this already. Let me go down with Qui Shi and get her." Let’s see if I really have any influence on him at all, because if I can’t influence him, then God help us all.
Caleb pauses and thinks. Damn, he’s right. I need to think more clearly. Caleb agreeing says, "Ok Colonel, but you’ll be taking me also."
Shi Reies and Benton both stand forward, "We'll assist, sir.” Benton says,
Jackson yells out orders, "Paladin, have Dr. Qui Shi to meet us in the hangar bay right away."
Moments later, the four enter the transport pod in the hangar as Jackson spools up the engines on Templar. The hangar doors open and they leave the ship. However, the moment Caleb leaves Paladin. Everything on the ship goes dead. They cannot even close the hangar bay doors.
"Colonel Jackson!" Cooley yells over the com system in shock.
Jackson surprised at Cooley’s excitement replies, "Go ahead Cooley. What is it?"
Cooley confused states, "Sir, we have lost all power. All we have operating is the cloak, thrusters, life support, and some other minor systems, and sir, Paladin is no longer responding."
Jackson calls down to the transport pod, "Caleb, what happened to Paladin?"
Caleb, unconcerned replies, "Just get me to my daughter NOW! I’ll fix Paladin when I get back."
Jackson confused calls back to Cooley, saying, "When did Paladin go quiet?"
She replies, "The moment you left the ship."
Jackson looks down on the viewer screen. Focusing on Caleb, he thinks to himself. "What the hell are you Caleb?"
Jackson brings Templar through the planet’s atmosphere cloaked, and quickly descends to the Long Island emergency medical center. Templar circles the area looking for any possible landing site. However, Caleb does not wait. Sorry Jackson, I’ll try to explain everything later but I have to save my daughter. He forces the transport pod doors open. Templar is hovering one hundred thirty feet in the air. Caleb looks below and jumps from the pod. He lands soundly, as his body glows slightly for a moment, healing itself. He stands straight surveying the area and then runs at incredible speed through the medical center, which has spread out across the parking lot and into the street.
Shi Reies looks out amazed, and says, "He’s gone. I can’t see him anymore. Colonel, can we land yet? He moves like the wind, faster than anyone I have ever seen."
Jackson says over the com, "I’m looking." Damn, so many people, so much debris.
Benton gets up quickly. He ties a rope off inside the pod and tosses it out the back looking to Shi Reies, saying, "Come on you big bad giant. Let’s go find him before he hurts someone."
They repel down to the ground. Benton then Shi Reies, each with a plasma rifle strapped to their back. A crowd quickly grows around where the men landed, as the crowd sees a rope dangle in midair from out of nowhere does draw some attention.
Shi Reies and Benton quickly move out looking for Caleb. Then moments later, they hear gunfire. They look to each other, and run in the direction of the shots.
Moments before, Caleb finds his daughter in a makeshift tent outside the hospital. The Secret service agents stop him, albeit just briefly.
"Halt, this is a restricted area!" The first agent yells.
Caleb does not stop. He moves at blinding speed and quickly knocks all five of the Secret service agents down. His speed is incredible. Caleb could easily kill them all but restrains himself to only incapacitating them.
The Doctors seeing this run away, as Caleb moves slowly to his daughter. She is in critical condition. Her arm was just amputated, and she is in a coma. The life support machine is all that is keeping her alive. Caleb begins to shake as tears build up in his eyes. Carla, no, please God not my baby... I will not let her die. No matter the cost, I won’t. He then puts his hands on her and his body begins to glow, as he begins to heal her. However, not being on Paladin he cannot heal himself and his daughter at the same time. Paladin alarmed, says, "Caleb, you have only limited healing power, you will exceed this. Caleb you may expire in the attempt. I understand why you want to do this, but are you sure this is right? If you die, I die, and then the world will become slaves to the T-Challa."
Caleb replies, "Paladin, I know the risks. She’s my daughter. Look into me and try to understand."
The pain is so immense that Caleb scream’s out as his arm tears apart, almost separating away from his body. Then his body begins to burn, as he does this his daughter begins healing. Her arm grows back and the burns flow off her just as they did with Shi Reies. Unfortunately, there is no blue glowing light emanating from Caleb like on Paladin. My god, the pain, it’s unbearable.
Then one of the Secret Service agents regains consciences. He sees Caleb yelling in pain as he bends over Carla. The agent unaware whom Caleb is and what he is doing. Takes aim and shoots, hitting Caleb in the back.
Caleb screams again, "NO!" I have to save her. He pushes on and continues to heal his daughter.
The rest of the Secret service agents start to stand up, just as the one who shot before readies for a head shot. He takes aim yelling, "Stop what you’re doing now!"
The other agents grab their weapons.
Just then, Shi Reies charges into the tent with Benton close behind. Both men are holding weapons from Paladin’s armory, weapons completely unseen by anyone on Earth.
These weapons are equipped with different settings and in this case, they are set for stun. Both react on pure instinct and immediately fire at the Secret service agent pointing his gun at Caleb’s head. The other agents quickly react. A firefight quickly ensues, which lasts for only a few minutes, when one of the Secret service agents recognizes Benton,
and yells, "Hold your fire!"
Caleb collapses, as Carla shows no sign of any injury. She is completely healed, but Caleb lies unconscious. His arm partially missing his body burned almost beyond recognition.
Four minutes later, Dr. Qui Shi enters the tent, followed closely by Jackson, who is carrying her medical equipment on an anti-gravity stretcher. She quickly runs to Caleb and checks for a pulse. Not finding one she yells, "We need to get him stabilized now, or we’re going to lose him! I can’t get a pulse!" She thinks to herself. Why hasn’t he healed himself like before?
Jackson, thinking quickly yells, "Shi Reies, Benton! Get him on this anti-grav stretcher, and back to the pod! We need to get him on Paladin now!"
Qui Shi says, "Colonel, if we try to move him he’ll die. I need to stabilize him first."
Jackson replies, "Sorry Doctor, you’re going to need to do what you need while we move him. I have an idea about what he is now, and we need to get him to the ship." If I’m right, Caleb and Paladin are more interconnected than anyone could ever imagine.
Secret service agents approach Benton, who is racing towards Caleb and, says, "You need to contact your superior’s now. They’ll clear this all up."
The agent confused replies, "We are under orders, radio silence."
Benton, unconcerned with the agent’s orders, replies, "You’re not now, so call them. Damn suit’s never thinking out of the box." Benton looks over at Shi Reies, saying, "Well kid, it looks like you know how to handle yourself in a fight so far."
Shi Reies smiles back, as he moves the anti-grav sled replying, "Don’t worry my friend. I have no problem doing my job."
Benton grins, as he replies, "Ok kid."
They carefully pick up Caleb, and place him on the stretcher, carrying him out. Dr. Qui Shi jumps on the stretcher and injects his heart with adrenaline, as he flat lines. Qui Shi yells out, "He’s dying Colonel! Why won’t you let me try and stabilize him first?"
Jackson replies, "No time Doc. We have to get him back to the ship pronto."
Colonel Jackson carries Carla, who remains unconscious. They race to reach Templar, which is hovering a few feet from the ground. Dr. Qui Shi is performing CPR as she beats on his chest until a heartbeat shows, albeit for a brief minute. Jackson, still holding Carla climbs into the cockpit and prepares Templar for emergency lift off. He quickly powers up the lift thrusters, as they board. Jackson takes off, moving at Templars top speed to reach Paladin in orbit.
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Page 9
