Star Rover-Chosen to Die (Lens of Time)

by Andrew, Saxon

  “If twenty or more blasters hit a ship in a short time, the cumulative effect is enough to break through a force field. By flying their ship sideways, they have more than a hundred and forty blasters to fire in any direction. Targeting thirty blasters on ships chasing them is child’s play.”

  “This sounds like a defensive maneuver.”

  “Sir, they knocked out the last hundred and fifty ships in the exercise by chasing them down flying sideways.”

  Angel looked at Bret as she said, “Have all four Admirals meet on board that ship. I want to have a discussion with that Captain.” Bret nodded and opened a channel to the Denver.

  • • •

  Mark and Jillian met the three Arvolos on the bridge and the crew came to attention. Angel said, “As you were!” She looked at Captain Anderson and her eyebrows lowered, “Captain, where did you come up with this new tactic of flying your ship sideways?”

  “Sir, I looked at how our ships are at a disadvantage when chasing an enemy bow first. There are only eight blasters available and it just seemed like there had to be a better way to utilize the Jukebox’s armament. I explained what I wanted to try and the crew were all on board with making it work. Most of the credit should go to the blaster teams that have done an outstanding job of targeting ships maneuvering around our barrages. Lt. McAfee has done great work in organizing their target zones.”

  Tara had left the ships intercom on and the crew listened in on what was taking place on the bridge. The blaster teams were amazed that the Captain didn’t take credit for their success. Their pride in their ship increased with the Captain’s praise.

  “This tactic has not been approved by fleet. Who authorized you to use it in the competition?”

  Mark stared at Angel and said, “Admiral, if I’m not mistaken, you held this competition to encourage the ships under your command to learn how to handle their ships effectively in combat. Flying sideways is not much different from using the thrusters to spiral away from an attacker. We just turned and didn’t twist the ship.”

  Angel stared at Mark and saw he wasn’t intimidated by her. “I’m going to discuss this infraction with fleet to see if any discipline is required. I want all the records you made during your perfecting this tactic sent to my ship immediately. Is that clear?”

  Mark’s eyes narrowed and he said, “Yes Sir, it is.”

  Angel looked around the bridge and saw the bridge crew didn’t like what she was doing. She looked at Bret and he looked confused. She had read Captain Anderson’s file and saw that he was called The Tyrant by his crew. It didn’t appear they were happy at him being disciplined. “You will keep your ship here at this location until I decide what action I’m going to take.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Jillian said, “Sir, I was also involved in developing these tactics. Captain Anderson didn’t do it alone.”

  Angel stared at Jillian and saw four officers enter the bridge. She turned and one of them said, “Sir, we were also involved in developing these tactics and whatever discipline you give Captain Anderson, we deserve as well.”

  Angel looked around the bridge and said, “How about the rest of you; do you feel the same?”

  Tara stood and said, “Yes Sir. We decided to do this as a team. We all chose to work overtime to learn how to operate the ship flying sideways. We deserve whatever punishment he receives.”

  Mark said, “Sir, I am ultimately responsible for whatever happens on the Denver. My crew followed my orders and they are not responsible for my decisions. I accept full responsibility for what we’ve done.”

  The roar from the crew could be heard throughout the ship. Angel shook her head and smiled, “Captain, what happened to the Tyrant?” Mark was stunned by the question along with everyone on the bridge. Mark didn’t respond and Angel said, “Answer the question, Captain Anderson?”

  Mark took a breath and said, “Lt. Connor allowed me to see myself in her.” Jillian jerked her head around and stared at Mark.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She allowed me to see that the Tyrant was nothing more than my own insecurities controlling my behavior. I saw that I have an outstanding crew and I was not allowing them to be as good as they were capable of being. No one would take a risk out of fear that the Tyrant would punish them. I decided that it was time I grew up. Sir, this new tactic worked because an excellent crew decided to make it work. However, it was my decision to do this and I bear the responsibility for their actions.”

  Angel looked around the bridge and saw that the Tyrant was truly dead. This crew would follow their captain wherever he led them. She looked at Dizzy, “You’re not going to allow us to take either of them; are you?” Dizzy smiled and shook her head. Angel looked back at Mark, “That was excellent flying when you defeated us.”

  Mark shook his head, “Actually, Lt. Connor was commanding the ship during that maneuver, Sir.”

  Angel looked at Dizzy, “Are you sure?”

  “I am, Sir.”

  Angel said, “Captain Anderson,” She looked at Jillian and said, “Lt. Connor, the two of you are promoted to the rank of Commodore and will each take command of half of Admiral Bank’s fleet. You will immediately train your Task Forces on how to use this new tactic. This ship will be your flagship, Commodore Anderson and Commodore Connor will receive her flagship as soon as she decides which ship she wants to carry her flag.”

  The bridge erupted in cheers and the entire crew roared their approval. Dizzy looked at the two new Commodores and said, “What will you need to make this happen?”

  Angel smiled, “Not so fast, Admiral.” Dizzy looked at her and Angel said, “Every member of this bridge crew, along with the four officers standing over there, will be given command of a Jukebox in our fleets to start training our fleets. You can have these two but I’m pulling rank on the others.” The bridge crew and the Blaster Officers were stunned. Then they realized their good fortune and ran up and shook Mark’s and Jillian’s hand.

  Mark said, “Sir, in order for this tactic to work, two pilots are needed to fly the ship. The chairs you’ve been placing on the Jukeboxes for trainees need to be filled with qualified pilots to assist in fighting the ship.”

  Angel’s eyebrows lowered and she said, “Why do you need two?”

  “One pilot flies the ship and goes after targets; the other pilot keeps their hand on the override button to fly the ship out of harm’s way. The second will only be focused on tactical scanners and be looking for any superior force that poses a danger to the ship.”

  “That’s how you avoided being overwhelmed in the competition?”

  “Yes Sir, it is. The first pilot will then scan the tactical scanners while the second flies the ship.”

  Angel slowly nodded and then looked at Lt. Green, “Get Admiral Kune on the communicator.” Tara started pressing buttons and in a few moments, Admiral Kune appeared on the wall Monitor, “Admiral Arvolo, you requested I contact you.”

  “Yes Sir, I need eighteen thousand top notch pilots. Are there any Rovers under your former command that might be available?”

  Kune shook his head, “I have more than a million that are suffering the indignity of no longer participating in combat operations. Why do you need them?”

  “We’re going to need two pilots on each of my battleships to conduct a new tactic we’ve developed.”

  Kune tilted his head, “Why are you asking me? You can get all you want by going through Fleet Operations.”

  “I know that, Sir; but you know who the best pilots are in your former fleets. I want the best.”

  Kune lowered his head and looked at Angel through his eyebrows, “I still have the rankings of all the Rovers. I’ll give you the list if you’ll agree to share this new tactic with me.”

  “If you’ll get fleet to send me double the number, I’ll train eighteen thousand for you to take back and train your ships.”

  Kune smiled, “I think I can make that happen.”

  “Sir,
I need them yesterday.”

  “You’ll have them in three days. I can’t tell you how many of them have begged for a place to fight.”

  Angel smiled, “Thank you, Sir.”

  Kune slowly shook his head, “You’re going to keep the best aren’t you?”

  “Yes, but I suspect all of those you send me will be excellent sailors, Sir. I’ll also send you the training records of the tactic so you can see what you’re going to be getting.”

  Kune smiled, “I’ll get on it now. Send the records to this contact number.”

  “Yes Sir.” The monitor went dark and Angel said, “I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about explaining about the new pilots. Everyone saw what the Denver did in the competition and will want to learn how to fly their ships the same way.” She looked at Bret, “As soon as you receive the names, assign them to ships.”

  “Do you want one for our ship as well, Sir.”

  Angel smiled, “Absolutely not, you and I will do the piloting.”

  Dizzy shook her head, “Always getting the best, Sir?”

  Angle smiled, “Rank does have its privileges. You need to get with your new Commodores and get their task forces up to speed. They’ll be the ones we send in first. They have a head start.”

  Dizzy nodded, “Yes Sir.”

  • • •

  The Arvolos left and Mark shook his head. Jillian looked at him, “What are you thinking?”

  “She is so young but that is one smart officer.”

  Jillian smiled, “Because she promoted you?”

  “No, because she made sure I had the support of my crew. That discipline issue was just to take a measure of where I stood with my crew. If they were happy at me being disciplined, she never would have promoted me.”

  Jillian nodded and said, “We’re the same rank now; I hope you’ll allow me to visit you occasionally.”

  Mark looked at Jillian, “Why would you want to do that?”

  “Because of your looks.” Mark stared at her and started laughing. Jillian smiled, “Mark, a pretty face is a dime a dozen. You deserved the popularity award.”

  “I think I can work you in my schedule.”

  “Oh. Going to play hard to get are you?”

  Mark saw Admiral Banks walking toward them and whispered, “Not with you, Jillian.”

  Jillian smiled and heard Admiral Banks say, “Alright you two; Anderson, you need to issue promotions to replace your bridge crew and Blaster Officers. Connor, get the standings from the competition and choose your flagship. You can select one from the other fleets if you want.”

  Jillian smiled, “Do you think they’ll let me have it?”

  “You leave that up to me.”

  Jillian smiled, “Yes Sir.”

  • • •

  Dat arrived at Admiral Hull’s office and filled her in on what was happening in the Blue Ship’s Galaxy. “I need fifty thousand probes launched to that galaxy and have them start searching for probes.”

  “Do you think fifty thousand will do it?”

  “You know that civilization is located in a specific region and not scattered around the galaxy. I don’t think an enemy would over saturate that small an area. If we find more than that, we’ll send more.”

  “What are you planning to do?”

  “I’m going to send the Stealth Rovers with the probes and they will be watching for any probe that is called out of the galaxy. We’re going to block the communications from those probes and I believe whoever sent them will send a ship to investigate. That ship is what we’re after.”

  “You intend to follow it back to its origin?”

  “I am going to try and get a Marker Probe on it and attempt to follow it as well.” Katherine stared at Dat and he said, “I suspect that ship will go through some intensive gyrations to make sure it isn’t followed. I don’t want to run the risk of losing it.”

  Katherine nodded, “Are you sending the Matadors with the Rovers?”

  “I’d like to get one on a planet those probes were sent from if it’s possible.”

  “Your daughter has requested thirty six thousand pilots from the ranks of the Rovers.”

  “Oh, why did she do that?”

  “I was hoping you could tell me. It appears Admiral Kune is working with her and has given her the names of all the best pilots.”

  Dat shook his head, “That’s my girl. Ask Kune what’s going on; I’m going with my Rover to that galaxy.”

  “I don’t know if I agree with that risk, Admiral.”

  “Sir, I’m the one that’s been communicating with the Aliens. We shouldn’t turn that task over to someone else. Besides, someone is planning to take on the Blue Ships. We need to know who has big enough brass…”

  “I know, just make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

  “I’ll keep you in the loop, Sir.”

  Dat ran out of the office and Katherine sighed. She called Admiral Kune and said, “What’s going on with the request for Rover Pilots?”

  Kune’s face lit up, “Sir, you won’t believe what the Arvolo Triplets have come up with!”

  “Educate me, Admiral.” Kune downloaded the recordings of the competition and Katherine forgot about Dat. This was incredible information.

  Chapter Twelve

  Leon looked at Mitch Mitchells as he stared at the Probe in the center of the Rover’s display. “What can you determine about that probe?”

  Mitch kept his eyes on the display, “It is not very far behind our technology and is slightly ahead of the probes used by those yellow colored beings. The field it uses is not derived from dark energy but from a polarizing energy source that allows it to see through the field but not allow anything outside it to see it.”

  “How are you able to see it?”

  “The field we use filters out the polarization. It is also armed with a blaster.” Mitch paused and squinted at the data readout, “I don’t think it’s strong enough to penetrate our defenses. I won’t know for sure unless it takes a shot at something.”

  Leon looked at the display and rolled his head down to the level of the display, “Do you think the probe’s creators are more advanced than the yellow beings?”

  “Not really. This polarizing energy is nowhere near as strong as the force fields on the blue ships. They’re close…but not as powerful.”

  “That means they think they have overwhelming numbers.”

  Mitch looked up from the display, “How do you come up with that?”

  “They’re here. That has to mean they think they can take on the blue ships. If they’re not as strong, they have to have a larger number to make up for the difference.”

  Mitch thought about it and looked back at the display, “You may be right. However, according to the scans we made of the Yellow Civilization, they have millions of ships.”

  “Think about it, Mitch. Would you send sixty thousand probes into a galaxy to spy on a civilization if it was more powerful than your own?”

  Mitch took in a breath and blew it out, “No, I might send in a few to spy on their main planet and I’d make sure the probe couldn’t be seen.”

  “Yet there are more than sixty thousand here. They are mapping their targets.” Leon paused, “How long before you cut off their communications?”

  “The last of our probes arrived yesterday and we think we have all of them accounted for. Admiral Arvolo will make the call on when we shut them down.”

  “What do you think they will do when that happens?”

  “Higher command thinks the intruders will send a ship to investigate. Once it arrives, we’ll stop preventing them from communicating.”

  “Who will follow the ship?”

  Mitch shrugged, “If I had to guess, I suspect it will be us.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because you are the leader of the Matadors and Admiral Arvolo would trust you to do it without causing a problem. I hear he thinks highly of your father.”

  Leon
’s head rolled up his body and he stared at the display. He really hoped Mitch was right.

  • • •

  Dat waited on his Rover and heard a message come in from General Anderson, “We’ve not been able to find any more probes, Admiral.”

  Dat nodded and looked at his panel, “Loree, contact the Yellow Being.” Dat waited a moment and then saw the yellow colored creature on his display, “We’ve found more than sixty thousand of those probes in your galaxy. We’re about to extend our probe’s fields around them and shut down their communications. I’ll let you know if a ship comes to investigate.”

  The Third Master leaned back and said, “I’ll be waiting for your contact.”

  The display went dark and the Second Master looked at the Lead Master, “I’m really surprised you allowed them to send their probes here?”

  “Could we have stopped them? And how would we know if they didn’t already have them here? No, this is what we must do to determine who is here spying on us. We already know about the spiral galaxy.”

  The Third said, “I suspect they have a huge number of those three large battleships they keep sending out to meet us.”

  All the Masters around the table turned and looked at him. The Second said, “Why do you believe that?”

  “That being told me they knew we were spying on them eighteen cycles ago. There is no way they could have hidden the construction of those three ships from our probes. They had to be built somewhere else. They’ve had eighteen years to build them. I suspect they have many more than we suspect.”

  The Lead Master leaned back, “I agree. It would be foolish to invade them without knowing their capabilities. If we’re not going to attack them, we might as well use them to find out about these strange probes.”

  The Third knew the Leader had already determined that the Spiral Galaxy was a clear danger. The Leader was even more brilliant than he thought. He looked at the huge table and knew that more than a million probes from other civilizations were in his galaxy and they were unable to see any of them. There was cause for fear. The Leader didn’t reveal any of this and he hoped that someday he would be able to hide his emotions as well as the Leader.