“We can't hold them off for too long if the armada is as big as expected.”
Drakon Reptilians from the Drakonis system, along with their cloned Grays, and the Lien-L's Nankuani, and Lizzies, are on their way. They will outnumber us for certain. But, they don't have the ships we have.
“Swift is great, but no match for an entire fleet.”
We have Tranquil, as well.
“That's not enough to make a difference in the outcome.”
Both of our ships hold Oberums.
“Can the Dwarves fly them?”
They are much easier to fly than you think.
“Why does this armada want to destroy Gaia?” wondered Eden.
I don't think they want to destroy it. Thomas let you know, and the rest of us, that they may be in line to take a massive number of humans for experimentation in fear mongering, and as slaves. Destroying the planet may also be in the works, as it poses a major threat to them. It's one of the most beautiful planets in the entire universe and many think it is the most beautiful. So, it is a destination of sorts for many positive Beings from other galaxies and other universes. The positive Beings have seen what the Nankuani and Reptilians have been doing to the homo sapiens sapiens for many eons and the positives are doing their best, without interfering with humanity’s own evolution, to show your race that you are the most powerful among all species across the universe.
Eden pointed to herself. “You're saying that my race, the homo sapiens sapiens, is the most powerful?” She shook her head, almost disgusted with the thought. She heard it before, but it just couldn't be.
Jantu giggled. You are, but you and the inhabitants of Gaia have been enslaved for a long time. Today is the last day your race on Gaia will be enslaved. We have received communication from the higher energies that we are to rid all of Gaia from negative entities that seek to control. That is, if we are successful today.
“Wait. That was a lot you just said. First off, what the Guild are these higher energies? You mean, Kien?”
You will learn about—
“...learn about these higher energies in time. Yeah, I know; I've heard Thomas say similar things. It's always about the timing.” She grinned. “These people are enslaved down there, too?” She pointed at the blue planet on the bridge's vid screen. “Since how long?”
Just over 400,000 years, give or take.
Eden gasped. “You have to be joking. Really?”
I'm not joking. The Nankuani developed you through the eyes of the Creator, though they had no idea they were divinely inspired at the time.
“Yeah, I'm figuring that out. But how is my race more powerful than a Being five or ten feet taller than us?”
Your emotions cover a wide spectrum. You can go from frustrated to happiness in a matter of seconds. You can go from hate to love in the same time span as well. You have been dumbed down and forbidden in so many ways that controlling your own emotions is difficult for you. Your race allows emotions to control them. However, once under control, the laws of magic are easy for your race, unlike the rest of us. A fifty-foot giant would be no match for a six-foot human. The simple act of trusting yourself, knowing your potential, and not allowing anyone to tamper with your personal space would stop that giant from stomping on you. If the giant attempted to thrust his foot down upon you, and you had mastered the magic of your emotions, the giant would either be thrown back many lengths or his foot would stop many yards above you.
“Yeah,” Eden bit the side of her lip. “One day you'll have to teach me all that...stuff. In the meantime, I'm going to figure out how to—”
“They've entered the system!” interrupted Nyx from across the room, notifying all on the bridge. “And there they are.”
One after another, Eden watched as ship upon large ship jumped into space before them, as if that slit of light was a portal from another galaxy. Several ships matched the large red pyramids she'd seen during the initial attack against her race. Others were large or small disc-like craft and there were starships twice the size of any starship she'd ever seen—massive things with hexagon bodies and incredibly ornate dragon heads on the front of the crafts.
Eden started counting the ships.
“I count twenty-seven in all,” she exclaimed, her mouth gaping. “Never mind. More are showing up.” She wanted to run to an Oberum and exit the ship as fast as she could, taking all the inhabitants with her, but that wasn't the manner of a seasoned leader. She wasn't seasoned but knew that she shouldn't let her crew continue to feel the fear inside of her. But who was she kidding? How were they going to win a battle against such a giant fleet?
“Are our pilots out flying those Oberums yet?”
“They are,” replied Nyx. “I'll have them notified to stay near our ship and to keep practicing until further notice.”
Eden began pacing.
Nyx grabbed Eden's hand, stopping her, and whispered Fae words into Eden's ear. A peace came over Eden and Nyx released her grip. A beeping sound echoed across the bridge.
“They are hailing us,” said Nyx. “I'm bringing them online, as per your authorization, Eden.”
Eden nodded and crossed her arms, waiting to see who was going to appear over the vid screen.
A male with a lizard-like face, light-green scaly skin, and thick neck muscles wearing a black shirt and a green pendant, materialized on the screen.
Eden clutched her dragon crystal, which now hung as a necklace around her neck, hidden underneath her shirt.
“Welcome, Knights Templar.” The dragon's voice was serene and charismatic. “I'm Korrell of the Drakonis Alliance. I'm their noble ruler. It's not often that I show myself to others, let alone to anyone I consider an enemy. But alas, the planet you attempt to protect does not need your protection anymore. Gaia is in alignment with our alliance. Their governments have given us amnesty to do what we will in exchange for technology and information. You have no dominion here. If you do not leave, you will die. Very simple.”
The screen view split in half, and Crystal suddenly appeared.
“Korrell, I'm Chief Petty Officer Crystal McCoy of Star Guild Mechs and Mining. And,” she looked a little confused, then stood straighter, “I'm also captain of Starship Tranquil for the Knight's Templar. Turn your ships around. You are invading human, Dwarven, and Fae space. We have not allowed you to enter this system and do not give you permission to stay here, or kill, maim, or induce fear onto anyone on this planet.”
Korrel laughed. “Damage has already been done, my dear. Though, Captain Crystal McCoy, I do have one question. Who will shoot the first shot?”
“Will you leave this system?” countered Crystal.
Korrel shook his head and licked his reptile lips with his thick tongue, like a greedy monster waiting for its food. “I hope you taste good.”
“Then here is our answer.” Crystal took a deep, long breath, as if reconsidering what she was about to do. “Tranquil, fire at will!”
Eden gasped and Nyx put her hand on her hips. “Your friend's diplomacy is lacking.” She sighed, shaking her head. “You humans.”
The split screen disappeared and Eden was looking again at the armada in front of her. Several beams, phaser cannons, and laser impulse weapons erupted from Starship Tranquil, hammering a large starship miles away. The ship sputtered as explosions rocked several portions of it, sending shrapnel outward and onto adjacent ships, causing other Drakonis Alliance ships to splinter away and readjust their flight pattern.
“Jantu, get the pilots ready for action. Tell them game on and head high above the armada and attack from above,” said Eden. “Swift, attack the pyramid ship in front. We break this armada up and separate them. We create chaos.”
Orders accepted, replied Swift. Swift sent forth an array of lasers, phasers, and beams toward a pyramid-shaped ship. A moment later fire burst from the pyramid as Swift's weapons made direct contact, but the scene disappeared as Swift veered to the right to escape an enemy's rapid return fire. Eden
hoped more Knights Templar were on their way.
Eden, said Swift. The first time we flew together, you and I weren't yet assimilated. We have had more time to mix energies and now we are stronger together than we were before.
How much stronger are we? asked Eden.
Approximately 6%.
That’s all? responded Eden. Well thanks for the confidence boost.
You are being mordacious. Just know we will get better and better with each passing minute.
Swift dodged a cannon blast and Eden was knocked back against her seat, though it was sheer reflexes since anti-gravity worked exceptionally well on Swift. Eden looked around and saw that everyone was at their stations and working diligently, unfazed by the blast.
Keep your eyes on the vid screen, Eden. “There. The Gray's defenses are not functioning properly on that ship.” A box appeared on the view screen, showing a close-up of the area on the ship that Nyx was pointing to. There were turrets, but none of them were working.
“Can you get us closer to punch a hole in that sucker?” queried Eden.
Already on my way.
Swift shifted left, shooting down a few more starfighters barreling down on them. Up ahead and closing in fast was a medium sized cruiser, capable of doing a lot of damage—yet it wasn't.
I'm almost in range. Do I have a fire when ready order? questioned Swift.
I trust you, Swift. Fire when ready.
Two photon blasts erupted from Swift, puncturing an enormous hole in the cruiser. The cruiser tipped to its side, then corrected itself, buckling several seconds later as another photon blast hit the exact same spot, causing a secondary burst within the Gray's cruiser, as if Swift had just hit the cruiser's main weapon's battery. All lights on the Gray's ship went out.
“Excellent,” said Eden. “We—”
Swift jerked and slid to the left, skidding across space, successfully turning around, yet violently vibrating as it did so.
“We're hit!” yelled Nyx. “How is it, Eden?”
Eden listened to Swift, then replied, “All good. Nothing she can't heal from.”
We have about a dozen starships firing at us and even more at Tranquil. Mathematically we don't have a favorable statistical percentage of surviving. Pray that more Knights Templar arrive.
“Do we have any more information about their possible arrival?” asked Eden.
None.
Eden was knocked back against her seat and, for a moment, she felt dizzy. “Wait, are we spinning?”
Yes. We've just experienced a substantial direct hit.
∞
Chase leaned forward in his chair looking worried. “We punch in now?”
Thomas Berard sat in the chair next to Chase. “Why don't you ask Starship Ascension?”
The vid screen displayed a view of space—stars, more stars, and nothing but stars. They had lifted off Aurora and blasted away more than an hour ago. Chase was taking a crash course on how to pilot a starship he'd just stepped foot on less than two hours ago.
“Ask Starship Ascension?” complained Chase. “You expect me to talk to a ship and get an answer in return?”
“Of course. Ascension's voice is how you connect and communicate to the starship. It's a real voice. I can hear it and he can hear it as well,” Thomas said, referring to Devon.
“How did you know?” Devon sat on some steps that separated the upper bridge from the lower bridge.
“You are of the bloodline too,” replied Thomas. “Consequently, you're second in command, should Chase need you to fly Ascension without him.”
“Why not have Naveya be second in command? Or, heck, first in command?” asked Devon.
“Naveya needs a vacation more than just about anyone else I know. She spent years helping uplift humanity—more than sixteen hundred years, to be exact. She went through the last two starbase cycles. That's why she is still on Aurora and most likely finding a nice cozy spot on a beach somewhere.”
“This age stuff is getting harder to understand,” responded Chase. “Guild, I'm having a hard time understanding anything lately.”
“Thank you for the reminder,” responded Thomas. He pulled out two vials from a pocket in his thick robe. The vials were an inch in circumference, about six inches long with a cork on top. They were about three quarters full of whitish-gold sand.
Devon gestured at the vials. “What's that?”
“White powered gold. It is the secret to our long lives. This much should last you months. Take it daily. Uncork it, then wet your finger with your tongue and place your finger over the opening of the vial. Flip the vial upside down without taking your finger off, then turn the vial right side up again. The white powdered gold sticks to your fingertip and is the correct amount you take daily. Simply lick the gold off your finger.”
“What does it do?” asked Chase.
“This will extend your life by leaps and bounds. And, you'll start noticing you’re not as hungry as you used to be,” said Thomas, handing Chase and Devon the vials. He smiled, bowing his head. “We must get ready. The Knights Templar on our ship are getting antsy.”
Chase looked at the men and women in orange garb similar to Star Guild attire. All were at their stations, quietly mingling amongst themselves, doing their best not to be a distraction.
“Are the pilots ready in launch bay?” asked Chase. “And can we switch to a view of the launch bay on the vid screen?”
Immediately the vid screen switched from the darkness of space to the launch bay, showing a scene of Knights Templar pilots by the hundreds readying themselves for combat. But it was quite a peculiar sight—grown men were jumping up and down on trampolines next to their Oberums.
“What are they doing?” asked Chase.
“When we give them the go, they'll stop jumping and head into their Oberum Starfighters,” said Thomas.
“Okay, but why are they jumping?”
“Those trampolines are specifically designed with longer, more flexible coils. No matter where you bounce on the trampoline, it's going to bounce you straight up, instead of diagonally like older designs, which over time damage the ankles, knees and hips.
“The purpose is to simulate small g-force states, preparing the pilot’s bodies and minds for g-forces that may occur while piloting an Oberum. At the same time, and with each bounce, every cell in the body—the brain cells, the cells in each organ, all tissues, and even blood cells—is moving and toning, waking up the mind and body to peak performance. It ups a pilot's execution by 60%, and reaction times are off the charts.”
“By jumping on those?” asked Devon.
“Yes,” replied Thomas. “The pilots you see there are some of the most elite in the universe, even without trampolines.”
“Sirs!” shouted a Knights Templar on the bridge. “We are getting reports that Starship Swift and Tranquil are exchanging fire with the Drakonis armada.”
“So quickly?” exclaimed Thomas. His thoughts immediately turned to Eden’s safety. “All pilots ready yourselves, all men on deck, please brace. We are jumping into Gaia space. On my mark!”
Devon found an empty chair to sit in. Seat restraints automatically flapped over his shoulders and down his body, like an octopus sneaking up on its pray. He gasped, momentarily surprised. As he wiggled, the harnesses around him seemed to move effortlessly within his own movements. Instead of feeling confined, trapped, and uncomfortable in the restraints, he really didn't feel them much at all.
“Countdown to space jump in ten, nine, eight...” Thomas continued the countdown, and at zero, the vid screen showed stars streaking across the window, and the usual change of colors from white, to yellow, to purple, and back to white blazed across the screen. Then, like a blast of adrenaline, the screen view changed from lights to chaos. The back of the Drakonis’ armada appeared miles in front of them, totaling more ships than Chase wanted to count. It was a laser show of lights and explosions.
Small crafts were dodging, spinning, and weaving in and o
ut of weapon's fire, while a marbled blue planet in the distance glowed in all its glory.
“Does the armada know we're here?” asked Chase.
“We are probably showing up on their sensors right now. I recommend sending our fleet of Oberums. They are ready to launch at your command,” replied Thomas.
Chase nodded. “Send them out.” He glanced at Devon, who was wild-eyed and rooted to his chair, captivated by the vid screen.
Hundreds of orb lights sprang from Starship Ascension, speeding toward the armada at death-defying velocity.
“Are those the Oberums?” inquired Chase.
“Yes, and they are on their way to intercept,” replied Thomas. “Now if you don't mind, I've got an Oberum to fly.” Thomas got up and toward the bridge door.
“Whoa,” Chase said, lunging after him and gently pulling Thomas by his robe. “You can't just leave us!”
“What better way for you to get more acquainted with Ascension than being on your own?” He nodded to several of the Knights Templar at their stations. “Trust me, you don't need me.” He gestured to the vid screen and the battle taking place. “They need me.”
Chase shook his head. “You're kidding, right?”
Thomas smiled. “I'll see you when I get back.” He jostled his robe free from Chase’s panicked grip and walked off the bridge. Chase stared blankly at the door. His shoulders drooped and he leaned his head against the door. “If anyone knows how to fly this thing, then come forward now.”
The door suddenly opened and he found himself falling into a large, muscular person's arms.
“Chase?”
“Kalista? What the Guild are you doing here?”
“I saw Thomas just outside the hall there and he said you needed help.” She gave him a sideways grin. “Well actually, he said that I would bring you a confidence that you sorely need.”
Chase gestured to Thomas' seat. “Sit. Take over. Please.”
“Will do, Cap'n.”
Star Guild Episodes 10 - 18 (Star Guild Saga) Page 31
