Zed thought with a sick feeling in his stomach.
Lola’s thought was dry as Sahara sand.
“You will work in Security. Officer Dimitri Galygin will be your boss.” The boy just nodded and fell in behind Dimitri. Zed glanced at the four other silent people. “The offer is still open. Think about it.” With that, the old crew and new recruits turned and left.
“They seem to have improved a bit overall, Lola. I think they deserve an upgrade in their food. What would you suggest?”
“Gruel would be appropriate, with a little smoked meat on the side to chew on, along with bread and water, of course.” The mellow computer’s voice made the three new recruits jump.
“Who is that?” Jen asked nervously, looking around wide-eyed. She reminded Zed of a skittish fawn alone in the woods.
“That is the controlling spirit of the Rose of the Dawn. Her name is Lola. You can’t give her orders, yet, but you can ask her questions. Within reason, of course.”
“Controlling spirit of the Rose of the Dawn. I like that — I like that a lot. Thank you, my friend.” Lola sounded happy.
“You’re welcome, Lola.”
He found Kat sitting with her feet propped up in the bridge, watching the stars slide by in their profound profusion. “A penny for your thoughts.”
She glanced around, startled, smiled. “Here, I’ll give you your chair…”
“Stay where you are, my dear; you look fine right there. I never wanted to be a Captain anyway.” He sat down in the First Officer’s seat and leaned back.
“You’re in a strange mood.” Kat gave him a warm smile. “Did everything go all right today?”
“Better than I expected. Ralph turned the princess down flat, and three of her retainers decided to jump ship. One girl went to sick bay, where Lola and Doctor Sutherland are teaching her the fundamentals right now. One went to Hydroponics, and I thought that her eyes were going to pop out when she saw Francois, and one of the boys went to Security.”
“Do you trust him?”
Zed smiled as an iridescent blue nebulae shaped like a pulsing jellyfish seemed to swim by, quickly disappearing astern. “Hell no. I don’t trust him. I don’t trust any of them, for that matter. Except Ralph. We’ll see after a couple of months.” Zed and Kat watched the screen in silence for a long time. “Lola, do you have any Earth music in your memory?”
Sensing that he wanted a conversation out loud, she replied in kind. “I managed to capture quite a lot off of your Internet before we went out of range.”
“Would you have Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?”
“Yes I do, Zed. Shall I play it?”
“Please.”
Too soon it was over. “I’m stunned, Zed.” Lola murmured quietly, not to break the mood. “The humans on your planet are a murderous, savage, unprincipled race, who would as soon kill rob and rape you as look at you. How could you turn out one of the most beautiful pieces of music I’ve ever heard?”
“How much more do you have in your memory?”
“A few dozen selections, why.”
Zed sagged in disappointment, and then… “Ahh, Lola. I brought some music with me on the garbage truck. There are four or five thumb drives in my tool bag with several petabytes worth of data on each. I believe I have all the Mozart Symphonies along with a number of other classical artists. Other thumb drives contain a really good selection of fiction, science fiction and fantasy movies, as well as a small but complete written library. You can have those all, if you wish.” Silence greeted them. “Lola?”
“I think I’m going to cry.” Her voice sounded shaky.
“Don’t cry, dear. You’ll rust your innards.” Zed chuckled. “You might check with the others also. They might have brought music or books that they liked.”
“I know that I did.” Kat was grinning. “They’re in my room. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Dave Clark Five, a bunch of the old rock and roll.” Zed groaned. “What’s the matter, don’t you like the Beatles?”
“Well…”
“Don’t let him fool you Kat.” Lola interrupted. “In his thumb drive he has every song written by the Beatles. What an amazing collection. May I play a few Beatles songs? I’ve never heard the sound Beatles make.”
“You have them already?”
“As soon as you made the offer I sent a robot to fetch them.”
Zed chuckled. “You’re in for a real treat then. Play away...” Day Tripper blasted into the bridge loud enough to be heard in the next galactic quadrant. Kat screamed and Lola lowered the volume to just below pain threshold.
“That was the Beatles?” Lola sounded shocked.
“Yup.” Zed had to shout to make himself heard above the ringing in his ears. “The Stones are a little louder.”
The bridge door slid open and a head popped in, and then another. “Was that rock and roll I just heard?” Dimitri was grinning and his eyes were shining.
“Lola just discovered the Beatles.”
“Humphhh.” Dimitri snorted. “Good Russian group, before they defected to Britain.”
Directly behind Dimitri, Li groaned. “And I left China to get away from rock and roll.”
“Ohhh Maaaan!” A voice echoed from far down the corridor. “Put on de Bob Marley an we be jammin’.” Zed thought the comment came from one of the French scientists.
Zed sank down into the seat, glaring at Katherine. “Stop laughing. All right, everybody. Now hear this: on the bridge there will be soft music only. I mean classical, instrumental, or oriental. Nothing that would be louder than a normal speaking voice. During any sort of a crisis the music will be terminated instantly. Soft music will also be allowed in the corridors, with the same restrictions. Slightly louder music will be allowed in the Dining Hall or other public areas.” He got a sly look on his face. “All your music will be made available to Lola, who will put all the songs in one great folder and pick music to play in the public areas totally at random.
Four other heads nodded in agreement.
< You’re a bad man, Zed.>
The Dining Hall smelled of comfort food; chicken cooking, gravy bubbling, biscuits baking. Zed didn’t know how Lola did it, since the food was synthesized on the spot, but she made the place smell like there was a five star kitchen attached to it.
Lola said nothing, already knowing that it was a favorite of his. He picked up his tray and sat down next to Jenniferia. She was giving the plateful of chicken and biscuits a distrustful look.
“Never had real food?” She glanced at him and shook her head. The young woman certainly looked different sitting there in her plain blue uniform with the silver caduceus on the left breast. Across the table Bran sat in his security uniform with the same identical expression. Finally he lifted his fork and took one small hesitant bite. His eyes widened and he took another bite, then a piece of biscuit. He looked over the table and caught Jen’s eye.
“Thish ish rearry gud.” He was having some trouble speaking and shoveling forkfuls of food at the same time. “Rearry gud!” Jen watched the young man, and then took a tentative bite herself. And then another.
“Goodness.” She looked up at Zed, surprised, her plate empty. “I, ahh…”
Zed gave her a gentle smile. “I’m glad you liked it.”
“Is every meal like this?” Now she reminded him of a silver eyed mouse, in her timidity.
“Oh, no.” He
laughed. “Lola selects meals that are our favorites, and serves two different selections at every meal. That doesn’t include special dietary needs, of course.” He stopped for a moment, listening. “She does the same thing for the music. The singer you hear floating in the air is Bob Marley, a favorite of Ines Moreau, a French researcher.”
“I don’t understand any of this. You are the Captain, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you just tell them what you want them to do, what you want to eat, who you wish to sleep with that night. You’re the Captain, aren’t you?”
Zed’s chuckle was ironic. “I am the Captain, but these are also my friends. There may come a time when I will have to depend on my friends to save my very life. A friend I can count on — a chattel I cannot. Remember that. You are a crewmember, not a piece of property. You have a right to a life without fear.” He took a deep breath, and let it out. “Sorry, I was on my soap box preaching again.” He patted her arm. “Just remember what I said.” He stood up.
Her silver eyes were wide, and she looked about to bolt. “But you haven’t finished your dinner, Captain.”
“I’m not hungry any more, Jen.” He picked up his tray, and after he’d recycled it, headed back to the empty bridge.
“How far along are we on the construction of the frigate, Lola?”
“About seventy five percent, Zed. Why do you ask?”
“What parts are incomplete?”
“The auxiliary craft are incomplete.”
“The frigate has its own auxiliaries?”
“Oh yes. We have three of the five fighters and one of two patrol ships completed. Both Hydroponics and crew mess are incomplete as is the crew berthing.”
“How about the armor, shields, drive systems, offensive and defensive weaponry, as well as the onboard computer.”
“All fully functional, Zed. I don’t like where this conversation is going.”
“You don’t have to like it, Lola. I plan on taking the Chesapeake in to QX’an tril Station by myself, leaving First Officer Johansen in command here. What is the shortest Supra-light jump you can make?”
“Approximately one quarter light year.”
“Good. Rose of the Dawn will wait a quarter light year from QX’an tril Station while I approach. If the coast is clear I’ll let you know and you can meet me. If it’s a trap, I’ll do my best to extricate myself, but if I can’t I’ll call for the cavalry. You! Then you can trap the trappers.”
“I don’t like it. I recommend that you take Michael Flaherty with you. He is a very able weapons system operator, and his reaction time is faster than anyone save you and Katherine.”
“You’ll be flying the Chesapeake. You’ll be right there beside me the whole time. What could possibly go wrong? However,” He added before Lola could explode. “I agree with your reasoning. Mike would be a good choice. How far are we from the station?”
“Seven hours. If we follow your plan the Rose will have to separate from the Chesapeake in an hour. You will continue on the same course we are on now, and arrive at the appointed time. ”
“Would you please have Mike meet me in the hangar at the boarding ramp of the Chesapeake?”
“Yes Zed. After this, Katherine may be quite angry with you. Perhaps she will kill you, or leave you. Your life should be interesting, should you survive.”
“Thank you Lola, you’re just filled with positive thoughts.”
“No charge, Captain.”
The bridge of the Chesapeake was much smaller than the one on the Rose of the Dawn. Eight comfortable chairs sat in a semi-circle facing a large but not awe inspiring viewing screen. The ship still smelled new; blending a mixture of grease, newly fabricated steel and fresh paint. Beethoven was playing quietly in the background. Zed’s mouth was dry and despite his best efforts, his hands were shaking.
“Are you all right, Mike?” Looking over to the man sitting at the Weapons Systems position next to him; he saw him swallow.
“Should we survive,” His English was crisp; each syllable clearly enunciated. “I would like a raise.”
“Done.” He replied instantly.
“You didn’t ask how much I want.” The former Marine Officer sounded vaguely disappointed.
“Does it matter?”
“I guess not.”
“Lola, please activate defensive screens and charge all weapons. Since the ship is unoccupied except for the bridge, seal all doors and hatches against decompression.”
“Completed, Captain. Arrival at QX’an tril Station.” Lola’s voice was cool and calm. “In four, three, two, one…”
CHAPTER 7
The Dramul Fleet:
“Activating sub-light drive. Forty Dramul warships within sensor range, captain. They appear to be charging weapons.”
“Shit!!” Zed felt his blood pressure rising, and his heart pounded. “Transmit IFF now, Lola!” Two of the warships floating in space in front of them were sleek silver monsters compared to the Chesapeake’s black hull and blocky construction, at least the size of the frigate. The other thirty eight were somewhat smaller.
“No response Captain. Dramul ships are targeting us.”
“Evasive pattern Epsilon, Lola! Mike, you are cleared to fire at will, anything and everything! Go!!”
“Bout time.” The weapons officer rasped through clenched teeth.
A beam of sun-bright energy lanced from the nearest warship, and the frigate shuddered. Weapons Officer Flaherty was giving low commands to Lola before the ship stopped shaking.
“Heavy energy strike on our rear starboard quadrant. Shields down ten percent. Firing supra-light missiles.” In the screen Zed saw a ragged hole appear in the side of a major warship. A second flash lit the glowing crater and a great gout of air and debris blasted out into space. “First warship appears to be dead in the water.”
Three more great blows hit the Chesapeake, and the heavy warship rang like a struck bell.
“Shields down to fifty percent, returning fire to all quadrants.” Missiles and brilliant beams of energy seemed to burst out of the frigate, in all directions. When the spots stopped flickering in front of his eyes Zed numbly noted that half the attacking warships were drifting aimlessly. Some of the smaller ships had disappeared completely. The ship staggered and somewhere a shrill alarm was sounding. “Heavy weapons strike port side. Four of our portside defensive batteries are down. Returning fire. Enemy incinerated.” A Dramul warship, slightly smaller than the two major players in the Dramul Fleet had been turned into a blazing ball of gas. Stunned, Zed watched the expanding shockwave consume three other Dramul warships. Several smaller jolts struck the Rose and the deck quivered. “Shields down eighty percent, captain. Hull breach level four and five. Recommend that we call the cavalry.”
“Might be a good idea, boss.” Mike chimed in, as another small warship was divided neatly in half by an energy weapon from the frigate. “We’re almost out of weapons.”
“Call in the cavalry, Lola, and Mister Flaherty, please give them one last kiss to remember us by.” The forward screen lit so brightly that automatic dampeners shut the video down completely.
“I’ve managed to penetrate the Dramul tactical frequency, Captain. Would you like to hear what they are saying?”
“Are they still firing at us?”
“No Captain. They seem to have stopped.” The forward screen chose that moment to flicker back to life. Zed and Mike stared in awe at the carnage they had wreaked in a few short minutes. Two thirds of the Dramul Fleet drifted aimlessly, and all the rest showed moderate to severe battle damage.
“Put them on the speaker, then.”
“…crackle… get someone on the damn subspace and see if they want to cease fire.” The voice was deep, and sounded incredibly tired.
“The Communication Ship Teldar was destroyed in that last barrage, Admiral.” A young frightened voice replied. “They had the only translator to…”
“What the bloody HELL is tha
t??” The admiral’s voice broke in, as a shadow passed over the entire Dramul fleet. The Terran Heavy Destroyer 7651 Rose of the Dawn, had arrived.
“Shield and weapons status, Lola.” Zed couldn’t help grinning as the massive destroyer took her place.
“Shields at twenty two percent and recharging. Missiles expended, energy weapons at eighteen percent. We could get one good volley before we are totally out.”
“Thanks Lola. Please inform the Rose that all is well here, and I will be contacting the Dramul fleet directly.”
“Completed, Zed.” There was a burst of chatter on the Dramul tactical channel. “Zed, one of the warships appears to be powering up a weapon, targeting our port side aft.”
“Transfer power to those shields.”
“Done.”
“Tell that damn fool Admiral Klanthan to power down his weapons!” The unknown admiral was shouting. “He may be in charge of the fleet, but he’s going to get us all…”
“The Delander is firing at the enemy ship, sir.”
“Oh bloody gods!”
The Chesapeake shuddered. “Shields down in port quadrant. Structural damage levels six and seven.”
“Can you locate the bridge on the ship that just fired on us?” Zed was glaring at the screen.
“Yes Captain.”
“Destroy just the bridge on that warship.” An eye-blinding shaft of energy shot out of the Chesapeake, vaporizing a twenty meter bowl where the bridge of the attacking warship used to be. Zed could see the warship shudder, and begin drifting. “Connect me to the Dramul tactical frequency please, Lola.”
“Completed, Captain.”
“Dramul warships, this is Fernandez Edwardo Raphael Daniel Yates, Captain of the Terran Heavy Destroyer 7651 Rose of the Dawn. Surrender totally, or be obliterated.”
There was a stunned silence. “This is Admiral Bentax, of the Grand fleet of Dramul. We surrender, totally and unequivocally.” The admiral sounded on the verge of crying. “Do what you will to me, but spare the men and women of the fleet.”
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