Wanda

by carl smothers

  “Changing course to 120.234 degrees in 3.125 seconds.”

  “Course correction in 1.031 seconds. Activating forward starboard and aft port bow thrusters. Full reaction power in 0.512 seconds.”

  Harry watched the ship maneuvers on his science console. The computer was making constant adjustments to the pitch and roll configuration of the ship in response to the real-time changes of the external gravitational field dynamics and topography. He glanced over at the captain. His face showed no emotion, but Harry noticed his fingers were gripping the arm rest of his chair so tightly the Knuckles were turning white.

  The ship’s speed increased dramatically and the ship shook even more violently as the gravitational tug of the star gripped it tightly. The structural stress sounds worsened.

  “Hull frequency is ten hertz away from resonance. Hull temperature is twenty-five hundred degrees and rising. Approaching hull melt point. There are cracks in cargo bays 1, 3 and 5. Closing off all cargo bays. Emergency environmental system is holding.”

  Harry and Tarnak tightened their restraining straps, closed their eyes and waited. Hoping, praying their model was right. He and Tarnak couldn’t do any more. The fate of the entire crew had been entrusted to an untested computer model … validated only by Wanda.

  I hope and pray we’re right, Harry thought.

  The environmental system strained to keep up with the load on the hull. If it failed, they would all die a quick death. The next few minutes would settle everything.

  Suddenly, the ship slowly turned and assumed the new heading. The pull of the huge star was causing the ship to slide sideways, pulling it in.

  The ship fought with all of its might to escape. The vibrations caused things to rattle, and the squeaking and screeching noises gave the impression the ship might come apart at any minute.

  “Hull frequency is five hertz from resonance. Temperature is twenty-six hundred degrees and rising, forty degrees from hull melt point. Ship will self-destruct in thirty seconds.”

  The next twelve seconds seemed like an eternity to Harry. His breathing was rapid and his pulse rate skyrocketed. He felt like his heart would burst out of his chest at any moment. He held his breath as the computer announced the final course corrections.

  “Course correction to 62 degrees in 4.234 seconds.”

  So far, the ship followed the planned flight trajectory through the composite field of the sun. The final course vector was flashing indicating correction to the last leg of the escape path was imminent.

  “Activating anti gravity systems to 125 percent. Coupling power systems through hull. Adjusting to red line. Port and starboard thrusters at maximum. Final course correction in 0.234 seconds.”

  The starship made the final turn. It vibrated badly and the structure groaned loudly under the enormous stresses. Harry held his breath. If this didn’t work, death would occur rapidly. All of a sudden, the ship gave out a hard shudder then shot outward as though propelled from a giant rubber band, heading away from the star, to a safer point in space.

  The gravitational tug of the star diminished as they reached the safety of space: away from the danger that had almost claimed them forever. Harry opened his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his jittery nerves.

  The computer announced:

  “Final course correction successful. Power systems rerouted. Anti gravity system turned off. Releasing control of ship.”

  “Knuckles, maintain this course and speed for thirty minutes, then take us out to

  PC5 at quarter reaction, to the wormhole,” Starling ordered.

  “Aye, Captain. Maintaining course and speed.

  The pressure lifted from Harry’s chest. Tarnak still had his eyes closed.

  The computer emitted a welcome announcement:

  “Hull temperature has decreased to a safe temperature and hull vibrations are at normal. Damage control needed in cargo bays 1, 3, and 5.”

  Captain Starling sat silently trying to collect his composure. He had been to the brink many times, but never this close. After a couple deep breaths, he smiled and paged the chief engineer. “Tex, get a damage control (DC) party to Cargo Bays 1, 3 and 5. Let me know when repairs have been completed.”

  “DC Party is on its way, Captain,” the chief engineer replied.

  Harry sat motionless in his chair, afraid he would hyperventilate.

  “Are you stable?” Tarnak asked.

  “I’m just scared shitless. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a case where systems have been pushed that far beyond capacity and not failed.”

  “Welcome to the club, neither have I. Thankfully we dodged that bullet,” Tarnak replied. “Let’s finish up and get a drink.”

  “I bet you never thought this trip would be so boring,” Harry cracked.

  Tarnak reflected and responded with a laugh. “No, I didn’t. You know, we came close to being fried. I’m sure glad we decided to create that model.”

  “As the captain said, ‘Just a bit of insurance,’” Harry grinned. A message blinked on Harry’s console.

  ‘Close call, guy! Glad you’re all right. Were you scared? Told you the model would work. W.’

  Harry replied.

  ‘Hey girl, just a walk in the park. Ha Ha. Scared? Yes! Like out of my wits! I think I just aged ten years today. See you in a couple of days. Tell Scooter and Pepper hi. H.’

  As Harry and Tarnak left the elevator and walked onto the bridge, the captain smiled and shook both their hands.

  “I want to thank you. If it weren’t for your model, I’m afraid we might not be here right now. I’ll make sure it’s entered in the Space Command Tactics library when we get back.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m just happy we survived,” Harry acknowledged.

  “That’s for sure,” Tarnak shook his head.

  “Well, Captain, if you’ll excuse us we need a drink,” Harry said.

  “Enjoy it. You’ve earned it.”

  ~~

  As the ship approached the wormhole, the captain got on the comm link. “Mission Control, this is the Orion. We have successfully completed our mission, and request permission to re-enter the wormhole and return to base.”

  Marc appeared on the main display. “Orion, permission granted. Congratulations on a job very well done. Thank God, you’re safe. We were monitoring your course around AC1 from Sentry. For a while there, we thought we’d lost you. What happened? You weren’t supposed to leave the corridor.

  “It’s complicated, Mission Control. We’ll fill you in on the way back.”

  “Very well. See you in a couple of days. Mission Control out.”

  “Main display forward orientation. Knuckles, take us home.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.

  Starling rubbed his hand across the top on his head. For a while, I didn’t think we’d be going home. Guess I owe Harry and Tarnak a beer. Think I‘ll join them in the bar. I could use a stiff drink … maybe two.

  Chapter 35

  MOA HQ

  Anwar, Pakistan

  The black hole was the most terrifying weapon ever invented — more so than nuclear and antimatter bombs. There was no defense against it. A balance of power weapon, it could easily propel the MOA to a position of world dominance. After four years, it was time to complete the development and start the war.

  Omega found a secure location and called Oganda and Yasaid Ahmed in Anwar, Pakistan.

  “Yasaid, this is Omega.”

  “Omega? Wait until I get the sheik on line … go ahead.”

  “The last time we accessed the World Navigation Satellite System, you should have obtained the final code you needed to complete the weapon. Please inform General Sone and Dr. Lieu they can proceed to finalize the system.”

  “Are you certain? I still have some concerns.”

  “Your Grace, the system has operated extensively over the last three months, and I’ve personally reviewed everything. The design is sound. They’re on their way back from Proxima Centauri. We caused
the only problems they had.”

  Yasaid and Oganda studied each other’s face and silently signaled agreement.

  “I’m curious, Omega. What happened with the communication satellite and the antimatter torpedoes? Didn’t you sabotage them?”

  “Yes, I did. I greased the antenna collar late at night. That caused it to freeze up when they launched it. The virus I downloaded into the torpedoes activated when they issued the EM fuse off command. From what I understand, both worked as planned. The crew somehow prevented the major catastrophe we planned.”

  “What happened to the bomb you planted?” Yasaid asked.

  “Maintenance found it before it went off.”

  “That’s too bad. Omega, are you aware of the project go-forward plan?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. There’s going to be another flight within two months.”

  “This is a very interesting opportunity,” the Sheik said, rubbing his palms together. “You must cause a problem that creates doubt as to the viability of the project. There has already been one congressional investigation and, if we can create a second, they may shut them down. Then, when we announce our weapon, they will not be able to counter with one of their own. It would take them too long to respond. So, what’s next, and how soon can you be ready?”

  Omega had concerns. “I have to be careful. Pepper Martin almost sniffed me out. She’s closing in on me. I don’t know how much longer I can evade detection.”

  “I understand,” Oganda replied. “However, we must go forward. What’s your status?”

  “I’ve been working on that new Chameleon virus we discussed some time ago, and it’s almost ready to go. I’ll download it into the computers prior to flight time. They won’t be able to detect it.”

  “Are you certain?” Yasaid asked. “Martin is very smart. That Wanda program is still a concern, also. Can’t you go into their system and terminate that program?”

  “No. Her defenses are impenetrable. I’ve tried every technique I could think of, and I couldn’t even penetrate her first line of defense. That program is unbelievably smart. I’m sorry, it can’t be done.”

  “Very well,” Oganda said. “Go on with your brief.”

  “I’m aware of the changes they made, and this virus is designed to take advantage of them. There is no way her antivirus routines can detect Chameleon. Once activated in flight, the operational problems it causes will certainly raise doubt about the system’s state of readiness. I say again, it’s getting much more difficult to penetrate the security Martin has installed. I think time is running out on me. ”

  “You must complete this next step. I’d feel much better if you could terminate Martin and that program. Yasaid, do you have anything else?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Omega, we’ll be in contact.”

  Yasaid’s maid entered his study. “Lunch is ready.”

  After she left, the two men walked to the dining room. “It won’t be long until the world will bow at our feet,” the sheik said “Call General Sone today, and tell him to proceed as fast as possible. I’m anxious to settle some old scores with the Sacred Warriors of God. I’ve had enough of them, and we have bigger fish to fry.”

  “I’ll call him right after lunch, Your Grace.”

  “How much time do you think Lieu will need to bring the system on-line?” the sheik asked as they sat down to eat.

  “I talked with him yesterday. He said they could be ready in about ten weeks from receipt of the final code. They’re very close.”

  “Excellent. I’ll plan our timetable accordingly. I hope Omega succeeds. I’m not at all pleased with his efforts,” the sheik commented, frowning to show his dissatisfaction. “I think his usefulness is close to an end. We may have to eliminate him.”

  “Just say the word.”

  Chapter 36

  SWG HQ

  Beirut, Lebanon

  The Supreme Leader of the Sacred Warriors of God, Sheik Aktar Zaman, had convened a special meeting of regional leaders in Beirut, to discuss the next assault on the Movement of Allah.

  “I’ve called this meeting, in great urgency; to alert you we have information that the MOA has almost completed their new weapon system in the Waziristan Valley. We can’t let this happen. I assure you, they will target us first, so we must strike them before they get the weapon operational. If possible, we would like to take control of it and use it for our own purposes. We need a good plan.”

  The regional leader of the Mogadishu division, Zarate Kahn, had investigated the facility and its fortifications. “Sheik, it will take a well thought out plan and considerable men to overrun this facility — especially if we want to take control. Be assured, the MOA will have it highly guarded by their best soldiers. The compound has a high security fence, and two sets of huge steel doors on the control center that will require special explosives to penetrate. Who will devise the plan and lead the attack?”

  “That will be you, Zarate. You are the only one with the military training and planning experience to conduct such an operation.”

  Zarate considered this seriously. If he were successful, it could propel him to the number two slot in the SWG. “I accept the assignment, Sheik. What next?”

  “When you finalize your plan, and know what you need, we can arrange to have everything transferred through our channels in Syria to our staging area inside the Waziristan Valley. As soon as I approve your plan, you will go there and lead the attack.”

  Zarate had undergone extensive training at various military academies and served for years in the SWG — many on the battlefield, with numerous bullet scars to prove it. It pleased him to think of the large number of kills he had made for the SWG, and himself. He hated the MOA and relished the idea of dashing their plans for world domination.

  He wanted to be the one to kill General Sone. He would cut off his head in the slowest and most painful way possible, and then piss on his body as he jerked around on the floor. He hated him for personal reasons. Sone had ordered the death of his only son, who had been a peaceful student protester in Korea. Zarate was anxious to get his revenge.

  Two weeks later Sheik Zaman sat in his office in Beirut reviewing Zarate’s plan. After reading it for the third time, he concluded the implementation made for a brilliant tactical assault. If successful, he would have control of Oganda’s weapon. He would then use it to destroy the MOA headquarters in Anwar. Kill the snake’s head and the rest will wither away, he thought.

  He savored the idea of forcing the infidels and all others he despised, especially the MOA, to bow at his feet. He would rule with an iron fist and show no mercy to anyone or anything that defied him. Many heads would roll — literally. When he spoke, people would tremble at the sound of his name.

  The sheik picked up his video phone and called Zarate.

  “Your Grace. I am pleased you called.”

  “I have reviewed your plan, and you have permission to attack.”

  “Excellent. I can’t wait to grab Sone by his throat and spit in his face.”

  The sheik also hated Sone. “Just capture him. We’ll kill him later. I will personally behead him. Also, whatever you do, do not kill Lieu or any of the technical staff. We need them. What’s the status of your attack preparations?”

  “We’ve stored the weapons in caves no more than five kilometers from the facility. Our fighters have been filtering thorough Afghanistan into Pakistan for more than a month. All of them are in position. They’re only waiting for my order to launch the attack.”

  “When do you plan to enter the valley?”

  “I’ll leave Mogadishu on the next available flight to Kabul. Yamil Shabar will meet me, and we’ll take a vehicle from there to the Waziristan Valley.”

  “Make sure you are not detected in route, or our plan could be foiled before we start.”

  “The routes we have chosen avoid the MOA warriors and Pakistani Army. I’ll let you know when I’m in position.”

  “Very well. May All
ah go with you.”

  Chapter 37

  Weapon Facility

  Waziristan Valley, Pakistan

  Zarate planned to attack at dawn, so the sun would be in the defender’s eyes. He loaded his men and equipment up, and departed for the weapon facility three hours before daybreak. The drivers used night vision goggles to avoid the need for lights. They stopped one-quarter of a kilometer from the entrance and unloaded. Zarate dispersed his warriors to prepare for the attack. A group of twenty-five was on the left, another twenty-five on the right and the main force of fifty positioned to attack the front of the facility. He positioned a heavy weapons gun platform in the rear of the center forces. It would reinforce the frontal assault with overwhelming firepower after the attack started.

  Just as the sun peeked over the horizon, Zarate signaled his lieutenants and gave permission to proceed. The attack started with automatic gunfire from the left. The surprise caught the sleepy MOA security guards off-balance. After the first volley, the attackers directed rocket-propelled impulse grenades (RPGs) into the compound.

  RPGs rained down on the guards. The explosions threw many of the guards high into the air and blew their bodies apart. Dirt, gravel and smoke filled the compound entrance area. The MOA security guards raced around confused, trying to duck RPG shells and bullets, shooting wildly at anything that moved