Baker looks to Jackson in complete disbelief, saying, "The defense forces will scramble. They could fire on her. I need to contact the joint chiefs."
Jackson smiles as he replies, "Madam President, there is nothing on Earth that can even scratch her, short of a nuclear bomb."
Baker calls out to her Secret service, as they scramble on their holophones, calling off the defense forces.
An hour passes, and the crowd grows into the thousands upon thousands as helo’s fly all around Paladin, taking film while reporters below talk to the crowds, as they all try to make sense of this massive ship hovering above.
Meanwhile, the world representatives reconvene.
Chan speaks, "Colonel Jackson, after some discussion, we will agree to let Paladin leave, but only after we have created a few more ships like this Paladin ship."
Jackson smirks and replies, "Well Mr. Secretary, I’m afraid that I can’t guarantee anything like that. It’s all up to Caleb."
The French ambassador speaks, "We will need to speak to this Caleb then."
Then, as if on command, an image appears floating in the center of the room. It is a hologram of Caleb.
Caleb then speaks, "Good day everyone, I understand there is a discussion about releasing the plans to create the Paladin class warships."
Secretary Chan replies, "Caleb, we feel in order to allow you to leave that we need some way to protect ourselves. Should something happen, and you are unable to return."
Caleb says, "I will give you the plans to build the Paladin class warships, and just so that you are all aware, I was planning to give you this technology anyways. I will also give you one of Paladin’s support fighter’s as well."
Chan cautiously asks, "Then you will wait until we have completed at least two of these ships?"
Caleb replies, "No, we leave in six days." I must remember I need these people.
The room roars with yells and screams. Chan slams his gavel repeatedly, until the room quiets.
Then Chan speaks, "Caleb, we may not be able to stop you, but we can recall our people."
Caleb replies, "I will make sure that everyone that chooses to stay with me does so with all the knowledge and wishes of their respective governments. It will be their decision to choose to join me or stay. Regardless, I will be leaving in six days."
The debate continues briefly between delegates and Jackson. Caleb ends his transmission.
Jackson thinks to himself. Cale, I’m not sure what’s going on with you or why I should care, but regardless of my orders, I will be coming with you.
Back on the Paladin Battleship. "Paladin!” Onatof calls out, "Can you hear me?"
Paladin replies, "Yes, Professor. How may I help?"
Onatof excitedly answers, "Yes, I have many questions about you. This ship, and the people that created you, will you please tell me all about them?"
Paladin replies, "Yes Professor, I can tell you about everything you ask, but we also have a data storage room in the forward section of the ship, this room possesses all the information you would want to know as well."
Onatof smiles, saying, "Yes, my friend, but I so much like to hear from you regarding these answers."
Then Val enters the room just as Paladin begins.
Paladin starts his story, "The X’ena’s are a silicon-based life form." An image appears in front of the men of a blue orb like image, about the size of a beach ball. It hovers above the floor, "This is an X’ena, and they can create any appendage needed from within their body. They are natural telepaths, and have an unusual ability to control gravity around themselves, which allows them to defy gravity fields. For some two hundred and fifty thousand of your years they have explored the galaxies. They have even visited this world before, but it was thousands of your years ago. Neanderthals were the dominant race then. Over the eon’s the X’ena’s discovered many new races. One particular race bears special mention. A carbon based life form much like your own race, but of an unclassified breed, they’re called the T’Caj. This race is similar to reptilian and insect species of your world. A cross breed type by your understanding. This race was just starting to explore the stars. They have a single Queen much like the ants on your world. This race also has genetic memory. All the knowledge of the Queen is transferred to its young, so they are born intelligent but they were also extremely aggressive, the exact opposites of the X’ena’s way of life. The X’ena’s determined that they may pose a threat to others, and sent a delegation to try to reason with them, and to change their aggressive ways. Those X’ena’s were killed and devoured, their technology stolen and then used to further advance their aggressive ways."
Val interrupts, "This race was the T-Challa wasn’t it?"
The image of the X’ena changes into a huge four-legged, four-armed creature. Its lower body has a natural covering of dense armor, as its upper body has four upper appendages. Its head has scales. While its lower teeth stick upward from its lower jaw, which looks to have a lower mandible covering, similar to that of an insect.
The image changes, showing technological upgrades and cybernetics, which are transplanted on to the T-Challa warrior’s body, as the arms are removed and in their place, weapons are then grafted on. Improved armor is also grafted to its upper torso, and sensors placed along its head.
Paladin continues, "Yes, the T-Challa, and within a decade they had deciphered all our technology on that ship. After that, they set out conquering our outer colonies. Destroying, or enslaving every race they encountered along the way.
A thousand years ago, they defeated our last colony, and captured our gateway technology. We had no alternative but to retreat to our home world X’enablanca. There we created a nearly impenetrable shield to protect ourselves.
There we stayed safe. Only able to watch, as they used our technology to destroy and enslave every race that they found in the galaxy. They could not be stopped. They never knew defeat until they came to Earth.
After seeing the eons of destruction, some of the scientist tried to create a means to protect the rest of the universe from the T-Challa. However, the project was canceled when the high council determined that the project would need to be used for violence. Eight hundred years passed, when it was discovered the T-Challa had found your world. Some of our greatest scientist decided to go against the high council orders and completed this defense probe project. The project was called X’ena one hundred and fifty-two."
Onatof amazed, asks, "This is you then yeah? What an amazing machine you are, very intelligent, but childlike. You truly believe you’re alive?"
Paladin, annoyed, answers, "Yes Professor, I am alive, but I was not complete yet. No, I was given the information we had on your race, albeit based on what knowledge we had from eons ago. I needed to merge with one of your race to be complete. I escaped the shield with help from one of the X’ena scientists. I then hid amongst the attack fleet that came to your planet, and found Caleb determining that he would be the best match to merge with, thus completing my transformation. I then went out to seek a weapon to defend the Earth with and after some time, I discovered the battleship USS Massachusetts. Its weaponry and dimensions were an almost exact match for what I could convert. The rest of the story you are aware of."
When Paladin turns back on the lights in the room a large group of people had assembled to see the story unveil itself.
Onatof shocked at the large crowd smiles, and says, "Well, hello there everyone."
Caleb enters the room and says, "I see everyone is just sitting around. I would suggest that everyone should be getting ready to disembark and see their families. There is so much celebration going on in the world and it’s all in your honor people. I highly recommend you take part in it. You have six days to decide if you want to return to Paladin or not. If you wish to come, all you have to do is say so. I will come and get you, and if your governments refuse to release you. I will make them release you, but if you choose to stay. There will be no dishonor. I will accept y
our resignation and your name will always be remembered as a hero to the world. Nevertheless, make no mistake; this mission is very likely to be a one-way mission."
Paladin transmits Caleb’s message to every member of the crew all over the ship.
Twenty minutes later, Caleb walks on to the Bridge and instructs Klaus, "Land the ship at Andrew's air force base, then you can take off to see your family Commander."
Klaus turns and stands, saying, "Admiral, sir, I would prefer to stay with you here. All my family lived in Berlin. So I have no one left, sir."
Shi Reies says, "Admiral Ocoda, I will be staying with you. Whether you approve or not, and I don’t think you can make me leave."
Caleb, smiles, saying, "Well, I can make you Shi Reies, but I won’t. You’re both welcomed to stay.” So many people lost their families.
Paladin telepathically contacts Caleb, "Your daughter is waking."
Caleb excuses himself and returns to his quarters, as he ascends the lift to his quarters, he notices his side is bleeding again.
He telepathically asks, "Paladin, have you found out why this wound is not healing?"
Paladin replies, "I’m sorry Caleb. I fear our blending is somehow corrupt. The X’ena’s may not have had enough information on your evolution. I’m Sorry Caleb, but we may only have a few months, then again, to be completely honest, I can’t be certain how long we really have."
Caleb grimly asks, "Can we make it to your world in time?"
Paladin reluctantly replies, "Unknown."
Caleb sighs as he looks out across the bow of Paladin.
Later in the day, Jackson enters Caleb’s quarters, asking, "Caleb are you sure you want to give them the blueprints on this ship?" These bureaucrats get this kind of power… I don’t know what would happen.
Caleb replies, "No, I am not giving them everything. The power supply is more in line with the T-Challa’s, but about seventy percent stronger, and it is no way as strong as Paladin‘s power core. I put a few other surprises in the design just in case." Am I confiding in Jackson? Should I trust him? On the other hand, he could just be playing on my position to report to his superiors…. I gotta stop thinking like this, arggghhh my side again.
Caleb pauses, grabbing his side. He continues, "You don’t give children weapons that you can’t protect themselves from their own stupidity."
Jackson asks, "Are you going to tell them this?" Should I tell the joint chiefs? What am I thinking? Hell no, I actually agree with him.
Caleb weighs his options for a moment and answers, "No, not yet."
Jackson noticing Caleb’s side asks, "So what’s really wrong with you? I noticed your wound still hasn’t healed. It even looks worse. The ship has been completely repaired for days, but you’re still bleeding through your shirt, what’s wrong?"
Caleb takes a deep breath and replies, "You want the truth, or something you want to hear?" Moreover, should I trust you with the truth?
Jackson asks, "Truth if you know it."
Caleb somberly replies, "I’m dying Jackson, and if I don’t get to X’enablanca and fix what’s wrong with me…. Well, I doubt there's much chance for this ship, or me."
Jackson concerned asks, "Do we have enough time?"
Caleb unsure, answers, "We’re not sure, but if we don’t try were doomed anyways. Paladin thinks we have a few months."
Jackson a little taken aback asks, "What should I expect from you and Paladins performance?"
Paladin responds, "Colonel we should perform flawlessly for the foreseeable future. Not until the last few weeks will systems start to break down. Even then I can still perform far above the expectations of the best T-Challa warships."
Jackson sarcastically says, "Or until they throw more than you can handle."
Caleb says, "You’re going to need to tell the President about my condition I guess." I don’t want you to stick your neck for me.
Jackson replies, "I already told them what I thought was going on, but I don’t think they need to know this much detail."
Caleb says, "No, Jackson, tell them and I want the crew to be informed before we take off too. I guess Dr. Chan gets to try and figure me out too."
Jackson asks, "You think Onatof could help?"
Caleb chuckles, answering, "Can't hurt."
During the next six days, celebrations cover the globe. Images of Paladin and the crew are plastered all over the globe. Ticker tape parades, talk shows, award ceremonies from countries all over the world. No place on Earth is without celebration. Caleb secretly has Paladin remove his image and name from all holocaust and web postings. He also has his name removed from all data records on the planet. However, word of mouth still travels about him anyways.
Later that day onboard Paladin, Val returns with his wife and children. He enters the Bridge. Seeing Caleb, he calls out, "Cale, come bring Carla so she will play with her cousins."
Caleb looks up smiling. Maybe playing with her cousins will help her heal.
Carla as always is close by her father’s side. She sees the children, and looks to her father in complete fear.
Caleb looks down at his daughter and says, "Go play Little Flower. I promise you I won’t leave you." She is so terrified of everything. I can heal virtually every wound except the wounds to her mind.
Carla slowly walks down to meet her three cousins. Her Uncle and Aunt pass her by giving her a kiss and hug. She shyly resists as they put her down to go play with her cousins. Shi Reies always nearby, keeps a watchful eye on the children.
"Cale," Val begins, "I’ve spoken to President Baker. They’re going to put our families under the tightest of security. Carla will be safe with Maricel and the children while we’re gone."
Caleb lowers his head slightly, saying, "Hello Maricel. I am so sorry for keeping your husband away for so long."
Maricel smiles and replies, "Well, as long as you promise to keep him safe for me. I understand, and Cale, I will keep Carla safe for you."
Caleb says, "Thank you both, but no. Carla is staying with me. I promised her that, and besides, I am all she has left. She is so frightened and lost right now. Somehow I feel if I leave her, then she will completely close herself off from the rest of the world." Caleb looks over to Carla, saying, "I cured her of all her physical injuries, but I can’t cure her of the trauma within her mind."
Val concerned asks, "Cale are you sure? This mission is very dangerous. You’re risking her life." Val stares patiently at Caleb waiting for an answer.
Caleb exhales as he replies, "I promise you and your family, that I will bring you and her home safe, no matter the cost." I pray I can keep that promise.
Maricel humbly says, "Cale, you have never broken your word, but think what you are saying, and what you are doing."
Elsewhere on the Bridge, Shi Reies becomes the target of Val’s three small children. They kick Shi Reies in his shins, dropping him to his knees. They quickly jump on him like a horse, holding on to his arms and neck. He laughs loudly as he rises back to his feet. Shi Reies says aloud, "I guess I should have gone to see my children. These little warriors are making me miss my own so much." The children continue to hold on, trying to push him back down. Carla, however, just sits and stares at the giant. She does not play with her cousins instead she only looks on.
Caleb states, "I thank you for your kind offer, but I feel something more is needed for her. It’s something that I alone must do. Please accept that this is how it must be." The conversation continues for an hour, but the result is unchanged.
Later in the day, the crewmembers start to return to the ship. A news team asks to come on, and report what happens.
Caleb looks to Colonel Jackson. He smiles, saying, "Colonel, this is your decision. I’m going to my quarters."
Jackson approaches the press, saying, "Paladin has the ability to record every event on this mission, and so after we have our government’s approval I will be more than happy to release it to the press when we return."
Dis
mayed by the reporter’s constant hounding, Colonel Jackson is frustrated to no end. He finally has them forcibly removed. Now, with only three hours left until lift off, one thousand five hundred eighty return, out of the nearly seventeen hundred of the original crew. The ship is now fully stocked with food rations, and supplies. Several special nuclear devices are also delivered.
Then the military and government officials arrive, led by Secretary-General Chan.
"Caleb!” He asks, "We have provided everything you requested. Now we need what you promised to us."
Caleb reaches on the command center panel and pulls up a portable holoview pad. Caleb touches a few buttons on the pad, and then hands it to Chan, saying, "I have sent copies of these plans to every civilized government on Earth. If you work together, I can promise you will have forty of these ships built in less than three years. I will do what I can to slow their advance back to Earth. I may be able to get you an additional year.” Caleb thinks to himself. I pray they can do this.
Chan cautiously asks, "And the support fighter?"
Paladin responds, "It has been unloaded. However, it is cloaked on the port side some four hundred feet away. I have equipped it with a cargo pod."
Caleb states, "The most difficult elements you need will be for the regenerative hull and the power core. Although the elements exist here on Earth, albeit very rare, they are extremely plentiful on our moon, and on Jupiter’s moon Europa. You will need the cargo pod to transport those resources."
Jackson interrupts as he requests, "If you will excuse us gentleman. I need to address the crew and I need everyone off the ship that isn’t going to X'enablanca."
After several minutes, all dignitaries and military personnel leave the ship.
Jackson calls out on the com, "May I have your attention everyone. I would like to start by first thanking everyone who signed on to this mission, even though it may be a one-way mission. I want everyone to know now of some recent developments. After which, if anyone wants to leave, they may do so."
Jackson pauses for a moment, "It has come to my attention that Caleb and Paladin are dying.” He pauses again, "We have a few months until the problem becomes serious. We will need to get Admiral Caleb and Paladin to this X’enablanca planet so they can fix whatever is wrong with them. However, if we don’t get them there in time and he dies. Then this ship will perish, and then so will we. So, if anyone wants to leave, please do so now and no one will think any less of you."
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 1 Paladin Page 12
