Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir

by James A. B. Mahaffey Jr.

  “Yes” Max said.

  “What do you propose to do to solve this potential threat?” Lili asked.

  “Warning buoys well out in front of the extra galactic mine fields that are currently being laid,” Max answered.

  “I assume the advanced, powerful races – these buoys are intended to warn – are from another part of this Universe?” Lili asked.

  Max sensed the gravity of the threat was not sinking in or he was not communicating it to Lili – so he took a different approach.

  “Yes – what if we unwittingly create an enemy that could destroy us – because we placed star mines around the galaxy to deal with the Forerunners. What if another race from another galaxy runs into the mine fields?” Max said and then asked.

  “They would wonder what kind of evil beings had set such a trap?” Lili asked.

  “Exactly” Max answered.

  “So even though they are highly advanced – they may not think to look for camouflaged mines because they do not think that way...” Lili said.

  As the logic of Max's argument began to sink in she realized Max was correct. She never considered using star mines – out in the star void to protect the home galaxy – a threat.

  What if there was another race from another galaxy that had been tasked to ensure peace and freedom. A group with the same technology – the same weapons... Lili thought.

  “Exactly what I was thinking” Max said.

  “Produce a prototype warning buoy and then plan the distribution for maximum safety and effectiveness and you have my automatic approval to proceed.” Lili ordered.

  “Thank you” Max said.

  “Wow that is enough for today – I need you to come with me.” Lili said.

  Max turned off his PDITS and smiled.

  Chapter - 16

  Max and M-14 had a proto-type mine field warning buoy completed 14 standard core hours after Lili approved Max's idea and gave him authority to carry out his plan. As soon as testing was completed – Max programmed the MRBs on slipways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Starship Yard – 4 to begin production. The next day Max assembled a task force to take and emplace the buoys out beyond the mine fields of the large companion galaxy. He had Sentry-4 contact Admiral Adapa to inform him of the operation. Max contacted Lili to let her know he and M-14 were leaving and when he would return. Max had already filed his flight plan with SuperSentry.

  “Maximus – Ninlil – standby” Lili called and then ordered.

  “Yes ma'am standing by” Max replied.

  Six Union Navy Heavy Task Force battle groups instantly appeared on the battle group landing zone - followed shortly by 4 Legions of Star Marines and their fighter carrier vessels. Sinai's Spec War Team Commander flew over to the Battleship that Max and M-14 were aboard. Max went to the main landing bay – not certain why Sinai's personal yacht was here. The hatch opened and Max saw her Spec War Team and her 2 battalions of Star Marines. The Spec War Team Commander extended his hand to shake Max's hand as he stepped off the yacht's landing ramp.

  “Sinai sends her compliments sir.” The Spec War One Zero said.

  Max shook his hand.

  “Please convey to Sinai my appreciation and thanks.” Max said.

  The Spec War Team Commander smiled. Max's Spec War Team protection detail commander saluted Sinai's One Zero and then said:

  “Welcome aboard sir”

  “Thank you Commander – your role is unchanged – you and your team are doing an excellent job and I see no reason to make any changes – carry on.” Sinai's One Zero said and then commanded.

  “Thank you sir” Max's protection detail One Zero said as he saluted Sinai's One Zero and stepped back behind Max.

  Max told Sinai's One Zero he had to get back to the Ops Center. Max and his protection detail left the main landing bay. The Boatswain showed Sinai's Spec War Team to their quarters and then took Sinai's Star Marines to their quarters.

  “Ninlil – Maximus” Max called.

  “Go ahead Maximus” Lili said.

  “Thank you ma'am and please thank Sinai for me. Ma'am – we are ready to leave.” Max said.

  “Excellent – carry on Maximus.” Lili said and then commanded.

  Max's task force instantly disappeared from the battle group landing zone at SH-4. The task force instantly reappeared 2.4 standard core seconds later on the other side of the large companion galaxy – one standard AU out in front of the star mines Adapa's Task Force had positioned. Max had thought of everything. The star mine warning buoys would scan for and communicate with ships traveling through the MC and or jumping under real space. Warning videos, images and holograms would be broadcast as well as binary messages via the entire electromagnetic spectrum and on every known communication frequency.

  The mine field warning buoys were painted bright red and had flashing warning lights and laser strobes that covered the entire spectrum. One way or another – these buoys would catch the attention of a passing ship or ships. Max also layered them in a 3 dimensional matrix so that accidental dispersal could not cause an opening. Each buoy also contained a small Infinite Specific Impulse (ISI) engines so they could stay in formation.

  After 10 standard core hours over 2 million star mine warning buoys had been placed. Max saw no reason to warn an advanced race about the Nova Stations because everyone that was used to supplement the star mines had been given a pre attack challenge program that was essentially a more dynamic version of the warning buoy program. Tomorrow Max would receive the next batch of warning buoys to place around the mine field between the large companion galaxy and the home galaxy. His task force traveled to the next deployment position and waited for the LSB ships from SH-4. The view outside his stateroom window was beyond description. He lay in bed gazing at the home galaxy as he drifted off to sleep. The LSB ships instantly appeared between Max's task force and the panorama of the home galaxy as he awoke at 6 bells. Max called Sentry-4 and the LSB Loadmaster and thanked them both. Thanks to the MRBs on the slipways of Starship Yard - E at Secure Harbor - 4 Max would complete his mission sooner than he and M-14 had planned and he so noted it in his log.

  Max's task force instantly appeared on the battle group landing zone of SH-4 at 17 bells. He thanked everyone including Sentry-4 and then let his heavy Battleship take him home. The other heavy task forces that Lili had sent returned to their secure harbors. Max thanked Sinai's Spec War Team One Zero and her Star Marine battalion Commanders as they entered the main landing bay to depart and return to Sinai's hull.

  “Please convey my thanks and appreciation to Sinai.” Max said.

  “Will do” Sinai's One Zero said as he shook Max’s hand. He turned and walked up the ramp to Sinai's yacht.

  Chapter - 17

  The next day Max flew over to the Engineering Directorate. Work on Tabi's software rewrite was progressing slowly. Max had to rewrite several packages that SQA had flagged twice in the corrective action system. Root cause analysis revealed a flaw in the 3rd code writing algorithm of his Software Engineering (SE) AB. So he corrected the code writing algorithm and then performed a full regression test on the new build. When he was satisfied – he let the SE AB continue to rewrite Tabi's code. Tabi’s memory was proving to be a more difficult problem than he originally estimated. Max had assumed – because of the way Tabi viewed reality her entire life – all he had to do was concentrate on her paranoid subroutines. Max was surprised when he realized the problem ran much deeper – so he suggested to Lili they start over to be absolutely certain. Lili finally agreed.

  Max created a new memory table using Dina's new memories and he added Lili's and Sinai's to balance it. He reasoned that since Lili's and Sinai's memories were a normal set of memories – Tabi's memory would then be normal. It would take longer – however she would finally be able to fit in with her Sisters and be just as productive as Mimi and the Twins.

  Max replaced her Signal Energy “chassis ground” and verified her brain center readings were the same as her Sisters
. Max wondered initially if Tabi's brain tissue had come from an evil person. Max speculated that perhaps it was just a function of the Signal Energy coming from the wrong place. Max knew he needed to learn more about Links. He wished he could talk to Chip whenever he needed to. He decided it was time to ask Lili about it.

  Lili had ordered a DNA check of Tabi's brain tissue when Max started rewriting her software. For some reason her DNA scan was not recorded in her brain center vault. All of her Sisters had their DNA scan recorded in their brain center vaults. The results were delivered to him and he opened them immediately. Max was stunned! Tabi was not of the 6th Race! The scan revealed hybrid DNA of the 1st and 7th Race! He contacted Lili.

  “That would explain a great many things.” Lili said after Max read the DNA report to her.

  “How do you want to proceed?” Max asked.

  “It is time we retrieved the last eight samples of Sixth Race brain tissue.” Lili answered.

  “Understood” Max said.

  Lili contacted Sinai and explained everything to her.

  “That little bitch! It explains so many things.” Sinai responded.

  “Indeed it does and probably some we do not yet see.” Lili said.

  “Thank the makers for project monolith.” Sinai said.

  “Yes – do you agree with my plan?” Lili agreed and then asked.

  “Absolutely – we do not need traitors in our midst!” Sinai answered.

  “Then we should leave now.” Lili said.

  “Agreed – I need to fly Androlees over to the dorm – then I shall be ready.” Sinai said.

  “I will file our flight plan with SuperSentry and request some Union Navy support.” Lili said.

  “Copy that – see you in ten.” Sinai said.

  Lili decided she also needed to station Star Marines at the repository to protect the remaining tissue samples as well as the entire facility. So she requested a legion of new Star Marines for the assignment. Lili, Sinai and two heavy Union Navy task force battle groups and the Star Marine Legion 6335 formed up on the new Battle Group Launch Zone (BGLZ). They then instantly disappeared.

  They appeared outside of the helio-pause of System 56 – 640,444,450. Sinai scanned the system and reported all clear. They jumped to the repository planet. Lili decided to station one of the heavy Union Navy Task force battle groups here to protect the planet and support the Star Marines. She ordered one task force to establish planet overwatch and the other to establish system overwatch. The Star Marine Legion had already started landing operations having launched their atmospheric fighters when they launched their vacuum fighters. Ten standard core minutes later the Legion Commander reported the AO was secure. Sinai and Lili downloaded into their combat gym suits and boarded their yachts. They landed outside the repository building and went inside. As before – Sinai stayed on the surface while Lili rode the elevator down deep inside the planet. Lili had no problem this time in the repository storage vault. She called Sinai to come down. Sinai took the cases of the 6th Race brain tissue to the surface. On the way up she decided which task force she would assign to guard this place. The other task force commander was obviously disappointed.

  “Don't worry Commander – I have an equally important assignment for you.” Lili said to the disappointed Commander.

  Sinai had already lifted off and flew the brain tissue up to her hull. Lili gave the Star Marine Legion Commander his orders and then she flew up to her hull. Sinai, Lili and one Union Navy task force jumped back out beyond the helio-pause. Lili listened to the Union Navy Task Force Captain in orbit talking to the Star Marine Colonel on the ground for several minutes. She smiled and then gave the order to return to SH-1. As soon as Sinai appeared she instantly disappeared. Lili informed SuperSentry she was traveling to the SPSY and it was need to know – only. Lili called Max and told him Sinai was in route with the package.

  Sinai changed into her SB. She put on her favorite dress and then took the case of female 6th Race brain tissue to Max. The rest of the tissue was handed off to the new Load Master who arrived with a security detail. Sinai was not yet certain she liked all the secrecy and security at the Special Projects Starship Yard – however she knew the work here was important and needed to be protected. Sinai signed the chain of custody form on the LM's PDIT and then he took possession of the remaining male and female 6th Race brain tissue.

  Sinai enjoyed teasing Max. His reactions to her SB were completely different than those of Androlees. Max smiled as Sinai brought the case of the 6th Race female brain tissue into his office.

  “You didn't have to deliver that ma'am.” Max said.

  “I wanted to be certain you received what we picked up.” Sinai said.

  “I understand – it is your Sister we are trying to save.” Max said.

  “Yes – yes that is it exactly.” Sinai said.

  “Max – would you eat lunch with me – I want to talk to you.” Sinai asked.

  “Of course – let me take off my lab apron.” Max said.

  Max took off his test apron and locked his computer terminal and all of his PDITS. Then he walked to the new restaurant with Sinai at his side. All of the Star Marines stopped talking because the Spec War Team started starring at Sinai when she walked in with Max. Max knew her dress was far too short – however Sinai looked very beautiful and Max felt something he had not felt before – jealousy. Jealousy was radiating from all of the alpha males in the room and some of the females! The host took Max to his table next to the large bay window that looked out on the slipways. Sinai was completely oblivious to the attention she commanded. Max helped her with her seat and then he took his seat across from her. He glanced over toward the troops and they all looked away and resumed their conversations.

  “Max – why do you look at me differently than Androlees?” Sinai asked.

  “What do you mean?” Max asked.

  “When you look at me – your heart races, your blood pressure increases and your pupils dilate.” Lili answered.

  “Sinai you are a beautiful woman and I apologize for making you uncomfortable.” Max said.

  “That is the thing – it does not make me uncomfortable – it excites me.” Sinai said in a whisper.

  “So – you are asking me why Androlees does not react to you the way I do.” Max asked.

  “Yes” Sinai said.

  “Sinai I never knew Androlees. I had heard of him – however I never knew him.” Max said.

  “What are you saying Max?” Sinai asked.

  “I am not saying anything – because I do not know anything about him. However there were rumors about the military unit he served in.” Max answered.

  “Rumors – what rumors,” Sinai asked.

  “The men in his unit preferred men...” Max answered.

  “So you are saying there was a rumor he was a member of a homosexual group.” Sinai said.

  “Yes ma'am” Max said.

  “That explains a lot – and now I do not feel so bad for wanting to date my brother.” Sinai said.

  “I am sorry Sinai – perhaps you should let Androlees go and be a single woman again. Then you can date whoever you want.” Max said.

  “That is good advice and I doubt he will care. Perhaps you can find something for him to do in secure harbor one?” Sinai said and then asked.

  “Actually he was already been helping M-14 and me – so giving him more to do will not be a problem. I will talk to your Sister about lifting the no fraternization rule. I think the circumferences should allow her to bend that Union Navy Rule – as long as everyone is discreet and professional.” Max said.

  “Thank you Max – I appreciate it.” Sinai said sincerely.

  They ate lunch together and enjoyed each other's company. Max knew Lili would never approve relaxing Union Navy rules – especially any which could affect discipline. So he would have to insist that she and her Sisters stopped wearing provocative clothes on their SBs in public. It was not fair to the single Union Navy sailors, S
tar Marines and any other ALs or ABs in a synthetic body. Max feared the prolonged exposure could cause psychosis in the AL human forms. He was certain it would affect the ABs the same way. When Max and Sinai left the restaurant – it was empty. Troopers and Star Marines saluted Sinai in the halls. Max realized every time Sinai returned their salutes her skirt hiked up! He would have to talk to Lili about this tonight.

  Chapter - 18

  Dina was ready for her final test. Max had selected a tyrannical organization in a red giant system in the 2nd Quadrant that had already attacked several neighboring systems using 6th Race remnant technology! Clearly the influence of the 6th Race remnants had spread far beyond slice 270. Max noticed that most of the bad guys in the galaxy seemed to arise in red giant systems. He made a note to run a comparison. Then he recalled he could just ask one of the land based CIPCs to do it.