by Saxon Andrew
“Alex, that’s more than Clayton and I make together.”
“Then it’s a no-brainer. How long will it take you to get everything packed?” Jingle added.
Clay and Gee looked at each other and Gee replied, “About a week. But how are we going to transport our belongings to Bucket?”
“The Union will pay for it; you’re now a Union employee,” Alex answered.
Gee saw Clayton’s expression and smiled, “It looks like you’re getting new neighbors!!”
Dolly, Jingle, and Gee started jumping up and down and hugging each other. Clay said quietly to Alex, “Do you think Dolly is right about this?”
Alex tilted his head slightly, “They were offered more than fifty-million credits for the Watering Hole and turned it down. If Dolly says it’s true, take it to the bank; it is.”
Clay smiled and shook his head, “It’s funny how things can change so quickly.” Jingle heard him and looked at Alex. He smiled and nodded.
Chapter Three
Six months passed and it appeared the LMC Civilization wasn’t as anxious to start another war in Canis Major. Belle was up and walking and Jingle loved every moment of watching her grow up. Gee was doing a fantastic job as Alex’s liaison and even got approval from Bucket’s government to expand the spaceport to twice its original size. The community could no longer be called just a community; it was becoming a city. The Council decided to name it Berringer to honor the man who convinced the Union to build the first base.
Dolly was right about the computer store. She and Joesen convinced the council that, just like businesses that served alcohol, there would only be one computer business in each community. At that time, the Council knew having a computer store was critical and allowed the law to be passed to get Clay to build immediately.
The store had to be expanded to handle the numbers coming in everyday to buy a new computer. Clay hired four techs from his former business and still they were hard pressed to keep up with the demand. Clay made a deal with a supplier and a constant stream of supplies arrived every other day.
Clay began training some of the regulars in the Watering Hole on how to install computer systems and they took to it like fish to water. Within six months, the new store had a two-million credit profit. Gee no longer had to work but she loved what she was doing. Clay named the store, Dolly’s Computer Barn. She protested but Jingle knew she loved it. Clay was smart in using her name; Dolly was loved by all of the original settlers in the community.
• • •
Clay also had a new idea. The inhabitants of Bucket didn’t use personal communicators; they weren’t wanted or needed in the past, but with the changing economy, there was a pent-up demand for them. Clay approached Alex and asked if he would put a satellite he purchased in orbit above the community. “Where do you need it?”
“In a geo-stationary position above the community.”
“Do we need to get permission?”
Clay snorted, “I asked the government and they laughed at me. It appears they could care less.”
“Well, I’ll bring Ringie here and you can go with me to put it in place.”
“When?”
“Now.”
“It’s too heavy to lift.”
“I have a gravity sled on board the Rapids; I’ll bring it with me.”
Two hours later, Clay began selling personal communicators. They sold like hotcakes and three more communication satellites were put in place three weeks later. Clay opened stores in four other communities and the citizens of Bucket entered the modern age of computers and communicators. A large business in the Union offered to buy him out for a hundred-million credits and he refused the offer. At the end of the first year, the profits totaled more than sixty-million credits.
• • •
The LMC Civilization stopped sending scouts three months earlier and Alex knew something was going to happen soon. He received a communication from Admiral Jenson while going over his fleets’ readiness reports.
“Sir, one of the stealth probes in the LMC has detected a gathering of fifty warships just inside the outer edge of the LMC.”
“Are the Triples still being relieved every four weeks?”
“Yes Sir. Twenty thousand are currently on station between Canis Major and the LMC.”
“That should be enough. Curtis, I need a good scout that can go out to the LMC for a long mission. I expect it could take more than a year before the scout can return.”
“What do you have in mind, Sir?”
“I believe their first probe into Canis Major will use the same warships they’ve been sending. It’s the second probe that has me concerned. I need to have one of the warships being sent in the second wave scanned within an inch of its life. I must know if there’s any difference in their warships.”
Curtis leaned back and thought about it. After a moment, he replied, “One of the best scouts I had when we scouted the LMC is single. I can reassign him a crewman that is also unattached. What ship do you want them to take?”
“I want him to take a Terminator.”
“I thought you didn’t want them being used.”
“The Terminator’s scanners are far beyond what the Triples have, and I don’t want our scout to be anywhere near their scanning range. You might send them out after the initial wave is handled.”
“I’ll make it happen, Sir.”
“Let me know when those fifty warships launch.”
“Yes Sir. It shouldn’t be long.”
Alex shook his head slightly; confrontation with the LMC was about to start. He linked with Jingle, “Fifty LMC warships are forming up just inside the edge of the galaxy. Get Belle ready to move to Dolly’s now. We’ll be leaving on short notice.”
“I’ll take her to Dolly’s now. We promised Mike we would be present when the attack took place. We need to keep that promise.”
“It’s going to take ten days for those scouts to arrive at Canis Major. We’ll launch five days before their arrival. Just make sure Belle is ready to go.”
Two days later, Alex received a warning from Admiral Jensen that the LMC Scouts had launched. He waited four days and told Jingle the aliens would arrive in six days. He looked at Jingle in the morning and said, “Plan to leave tonight, Love. The aliens will be in Canis Major in five days.
“I’ll be ready. I’ll meet you on the Rapids at sunset.”
“See you there.”
• • •
Dolly and Gee were arguing over who would keep Belle during Jingle’s absence as Jingle said goodbye to them and Belle. Belle seemed to be fascinated by Dolly and Gee’s back and forth and didn’t cry as Jingle slipped out. She went to Ringie and ordered, “Take me to the Rapids Ringie.” The small ship lifted and flew into orbit.
Jingle stared at the huge warship and knew it was five hundred yards of lethal capabilities. It was also beautiful to behold. It’s long grey hull was streamlined and looked smaller than it actually was. The newest defense missiles were on board and their destructiveness had been greatly increased. The nose of each missile had a small nuclear element that would ignite upon penetrating a force field and burn its way through a ships hull where the explosive warhead would detonate. Explosions inside a ship always did more damage than those done on the hull.
She flew Ringie into the large landing bay and anchored it down. “I’m on board, Alex.”
“I’m leaving for Canis Major now. Move your things to our quarters and meet me on the bridge.”
“I’ll be there shortly.”
• • •
Alex arrived above the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy in a little less than an hour. Jingle walked on the bridge and Alex said, “Admiral Wolfe, what is the status of your fleets?”
“Sir, they are all on standby battle stations.”
“Have you developed a plan on how to confront the fifty warships?”
“Yes Sir. I’ve assigned five Triples to each ship and the Unit Commanders have been ordered to open f
ire on my order. My standby plan is another five-hundred Triples with a hundred Triples assigned to attack if the first assault fails.”
“Make sure those enemy warships detect the Canis Warships before you launch your attack.”
“Yes Sir, I’ve done that. I’ve also communicated with the Canis Commander and he’ll start moving in on them on my order.” Wolfe paused and added, “I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but the Canis Commander says he has a language program that has deciphered the LMC’s language and the encryption they’re using. I’ve had it sent to my computer and wondered if you have a copy of it.”
Alex smiled, “No, I didn’t even know it existed. Please transmit a copy of it to my ship.”
“Yes Sir.” Wolfe paused and said, “I want to thank you and your wife for giving me another chance. I acted like a jerk and deserved my demotion. Thank you for allowing me to retain my rank.”
Jingle smiled, “I expect you to show us we made a good decision.”
Wolfe smiled, “You can count on that, Sir.”
“Brooks, I want a recording of everything that’s said and a video of any action that takes place.”
“Already set it up Alex. Where do you want to be while this is happening?”
“Move the ship directly above the edge of Canis Major just inside our maximum scanning range.”
“Moving now.”
• • •
Four hours later, Jangle announced, “We’ve received a message from the stealth probe in the LMC that alien communications say that their warships are approaching the outer edge of Canis Major. Estimated time of arrival is eight-hours.”
“Go to battle stations two hours before they arrive.”
“I thought you weren’t going to use our ship in combat?”
“Jingle, I believe they’ll be sending the same warships they’ve been sending to Canis Major, and I still believe that. But nothing is certain, and we need to be prepared to take action if the Triples can’t handle them.”
“Do the triples have the old defense missiles on board?”
“Yes.”
“Then release them now to be used at Admiral Wolfe’s discretion. Do not take the Rapids into this confrontation!”
Alex stared at her and blew out a breath before saying, “Admiral Wolfe.”
“Yes Sir.”
“I am releasing your defense missiles to use if absolutely necessary. Try to avoid it but if they’re needed to protect your warships, then order them fired.”
“Yes Sir. And I appreciate you trusting me to use them wisely.”
• • •
Jingle smiled, “Always the warrior.”
“Can’t help it,” Alex replied.
• • •
Two hours before the scheduled arrival of the LMC unit, Jingle said, “Connect me with Admiral Wolfe.” Alex’s eyes narrowed as Wolfe appeared on the monitor. Admiral, how do you have your five-ship units set up to fire on them?”
“I used the active scan that was made during your initial voyage to the Canis to determine the ships’ weakest points. I have one ship dedicated to firing at the bow of the ship to take out their communication with a focused blaster. One ship will fire a focused blaster into the hull above their fuel tanks just ahead of their thrusters. Another will fire a focused beam into the hull above the reactor room. Of the remaining two ships, one will fire a medium focused blaster beam into the hull behind the bridge and the other will fire a wide focused blaster into the landing bay. I felt we needed to see if our lasers can break through the hull on all settings.”
Jingle nodded, “If I might make a suggestion?”
“Certainly.”
“Just have ten of their ships attacked in the manner you just described and have all the others attack the fuel and reactors with focused beams.”
Wolfe smiled, “I should have thought of that. I’ll order the changes now.”
He disappeared from the monitor and Alex tilted his head. Jingle shrugged, “If this is a more powerful warship, we shouldn’t take any risks that can be avoided.”
“Good idea.”
• • •
The Unit Commander of the LMC warships saw the small galaxy growing on his monitor and lifted his communicator, “Form a straight line and activate weapons. Hold your formation and blast your way through the enemy’s ships. Once that’s done, hold your line and we’ll be moving into the galaxy proper.”
• • •
Admiral Wolfe watched the huge alien warships approaching and heard, “They’ve detected the Canis Warships and are turning toward them, Sir.”
“All attack units, are you in position?” Wolfe glanced at his panel and saw all lights were green on the panel; they were in position to launch their attacks. He stared at the tactical monitor and saw the first blaster discharges from the alien warships. “In ten seconds open fire. Five…four…three…two…one…FIRE!! Standby units start moving in now!!”
• • •
The Controller in the LMC operations center was watching the feed being sent by the LMC commander and saw twenty ships open fire with their blasters…a moment later, the feed disappeared. He stared at the black screen and attempted to contact the Commander and failed. He tried to contact one of the other warships and none of them responded. He looked over his shoulder and shouted, “I HAVE A SITUATION HERE!!”
• • •
The LMC Commander was staring at the monitor when suddenly a brilliant, white flash blew through the bridge of his ship and vaporized everyone in the huge room. His ship then immediately went up in a horrific explosion.”
• • •
Jingle watched the attack on the wall monitor and saw all fifty warships explode. “Brooks, what can you tell me?!”
“I’ve focused on one of the warships that had normal and wide blaster beams fired at it. The wide beam did not penetrate the ship’s hull and the normal beam managed to barely break through just as the ship exploded.”
“Can you tell where the explosion originated?” Alex asked.
“I’ve slowed it down as much as possible and it’s still difficult to determine whether the fuel tanks or reactors went off first,” Brooks answered.
“How long was the delay from the instant the focused blasters hit their hulls?”
“Alex, it took the focused beams less than a second to penetrate the hull.”
“Brooks examine some more of the ships that had a mix of blaster beams hit them,” Jingle ordered.
“The results are close to identical, Jingle.”
Alex shook his head, “We should have had some of our units using the stealth field.” Jingle sighed and nodded.
Admiral Wolfe appeared on the monitor, “Sir, I had four of the attack units using their stealth fields and none of them appeared to be detected by the ships they were attacking. I thought that was something we’d need to know. Next time they’ll be on guard and be doing a full scan around their warships.”
Alex blew out a breath and replied, “That was good thinking, Admiral. We were just wondering if we missed an opportunity to make that determination.”
Jingle smiled, “Good job, Admiral Wolfe. Have your ships go in and do a thorough scan of the debris field.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Jangle, send a copy of this engagement to Admiral Glennon.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer we wait until after the debris field is scanned, Jingle?”
“You’re right. See if anything shows up before you send the data. Notify Admiral Glennon that the attack was a success and that we’ll send him the data once it’s collected.”
“Sending now!”
Jingle turned to Alex, “Those warships are identical to the ones they’ve been sending to scout Canis’ defenses.”
• • •
An hour later, Brooks announced, “Alex, something has turned up on the scan of the debris field.”
“What is it?”
An image appeared on the monitor and Alex’s eyes widened,
“Is that what I think it is?”
“It appears to be a large anti-warship missile Alex.” Brooks replied.
Alex stood up, “HAS A FULL ACTIVE SCAN BEEN DONE ON THAT MISSILE?”
“Yes, it has.”
“I want that missile scanned again and then send instructions to Admiral Wolfe to fire a wide beam at the missile and scan the result,” Alex ordered.
“They’ve never used missiles in the past,” Jingle commented.
“This is something new.” A live image of the missile appeared on the monitor and they stared at it until a wide blaster beam hit it. It took three seconds for the missile to go up in a huge explosion. “That missile is heavily armored!”
Jingle shook her head, “We’re depending on the wide beams to protect our warships from missile attacks.” She immediately asked, “Jangle, can you determine the range of that missile?”
“It has a large fuel supply. I’m surprised they opened fire on the Canis warships with their blasters instead of launching missiles. That missile has a much longer range than their blasters,” Jangle answered.
“You have the original scan of that warship, how many missiles that size can be carried on board?”
“That can’t be determined, Alex; they had to change the interior of the ship to put them on board.”
Jingle pressed her communicator, “Admiral Wolfe, did any of your units do an active scan of those ships before they attacked?!”
“I ordered fifty of my warships in the standby units to do an active scan on all of them the moment I ordered the attack units to open fire.”
“Send one of those scans to my ship immediately!” Jingle ordered. “Jangle, when that scan comes in, compare it to the original scan we made of their warships.”
A few moments later, Jangle replied, “This explains why those ships went up like a cheap balloon on a high-pressure hose. They moved the reactors back next to the fuel containers and expanded the space they were in into a large storage area for the missiles. We thought our attack units were targeting the reactors and fuel containers, but they were actually targeting the fuel containers and reactors with one focused blaster beam and the missile storage compartment with the other. That’s why it was difficult to determine which hit caused the ship to explode. Based on the size of the missile storage area, they can carry between six and eight hundred of those missiles.”
