“Perhaps we can find the needed materials on Earth – the ships they were on have been destroyed.” Sinai said.
“Yes – Maximus said he lived in a pleasure palace underground for the first 10,000 years after he was extended.” Lili said.
“Does he know where the pleasure palace was located?” Chip asked.
“Yes I believe he does – however I suspect that any of the places built by the 6th Race remnants might well recharge him.” Lili answered and then said.
“True – but I would hate to take up your entire landing bay with an ancient building.” Chip said.
Lili sat up straighter in her chair.
“That is of no consequence if it will help Max.” Lili said.
“May I ask why we cannot go to the 6th Race remnant home world?” Chip said.
Lili glared at Sinai.
“I quarantined their planet to help their King keep his word.” Sinai said as she looked down.
“So we cannot go there – that should not be a problem – since Maximus never went there. Are any of their ships still intact?” Chip said and then asked.
Again Lili glared at her Sister.
“Not in the current time.” Sinai answered.
“The current time – are you saying you can travel into the past?” Chip asked.
“Yes we can and we could travel back in time and retrieve the ships we need.” Lili said.
“There are many risks with that solution – the most obvious – the galaxy would not be safe or secure – while we were gone.” Sinai said looking at her Sister.
Lili knew Sinai was correct. She also knew she was not thinking clearly because of Max.
“For now – we shall table the time travel option. We shall take Max and the other companions to Earth – thank you Chip.” Lili said.
“You are welcome – perhaps we should go with you to monitor Max and the others. This will also give Maximus an opportunity to ask me questions.” Chip suggested.
“Yes that is acceptable – thank you Chip – I appreciate your help in this matter and I look forward to the future.” Lili said.
“Excellent – you are welcome ma'am – I look forward to helping Max recover and then working with him to help you carry on your Noble Purpose.” Chip said.
Lili smiled and nodded.
“Round up the companions and then we shall jump to Earth.” Lili commanded Sinai.
“Yes ma'am – I shall return here in ten standard core minutes.” Sinai said as she stood and saluted her Sister. Lili returned her salute and then Sinai exited Lili's observation lounge. She flew her yacht back to her hull and then instantly disappeared.
“Let us go and check on Maximus.” Lili said as she stood up.
“Of course” Chip said as he stood up.
Max was talking to Chip's children when they walked into the conference room. Max smiled when Lili came in. Chip's children stood and saluted her – she returned their salutes and then they faced their Father and saluted him. Chip returned their salute and nodded his head.
“Maximus do you remember where the 6th Race remnant pleasure palace was located on Earth?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am it is under the desert sand of Egypt.” Max answered.
“Egypt” Chip repeated.
Yes sir near Lake Osiris.” Max said.
“Good as soon as Sinai returns we are jumping to Earth – so you and the other companions can recharge.” Lili said.
“How long will we have to stay?” Max asked.
“I am not certain – since you are the first extended human I have met – none of my devices are calibrated to determine your recharge time.” Chip said.
“You shall stay as long as is necessary.” Lili said.
“Excuse me” Lili said as she turned away.
“SuperSentry – Ninlil” Lili called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Soup replied.
“I need two heavy Union Navy Task Force battle groups, one Star Marine Legion and Mimi to accompany Sinai back here.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am” Soup replied.
Lili turned back to her guests.
“I would like you and your PJs to accompany us to the palace.” Lili said to Chip.
“Of course” Chip said.
Ten minutes later Sinai appeared with a force of 500 ships and her Sister Mimi over Jupiter Station – completely surrounding Lili. Union Navy and Star Marine vacuum fighters launched immediately and established a defensive umbrella around the entire station.
“Everyone – except Task Force six-one-two-three jump to the third planet on my command – Task Force six-one-two-two establish system overwatch, Task Force six-one-two-three establish station overwatch here – execute!” Lili commanded.
The ships jumping to Earth shimmered out of real space above Chip's Jupiter Station. Half of the ships resolved back into real space above the 3rd planet. Her heavy Union Navy Task Force launched all vacuum fighters and established planet overwatch. Simultaneously all atmospheric fighters were launched to escort Lili once she entered the atmosphere. Lili’s vacuum fighters would escort all of them to the edge of the atmosphere.
Max was looking out of the main window of Lili's yacht as they traveled down toward Earth. He had not seen his home world since Lili had rescued him from the warship where he had been a slave. He loved looking at Earth’s oceans – the sight stirred something deep inside him. He had missed his home world. It was good to see it again.
Sinai had found the exact coordinates of the 6th Race remnant building based on Max's description. Sinai did not like the dry desert air on the surface so she found the secret tunnel the 6th Race remnants had constructed for their transport ships to gain direct access to the buried facility. The last Union Survey had detected and documented 80% of the facilities secrets. The information helped Sinai. However they would not know about the missing 20% until much later.
It was obvious – once they were inside that the 6th Race remnants preferred living under ground. Chip knew why the 6th Race remnants that traveled to Earth from the 10th Planet preferred to live underground on Earth – their eyes were huge because they had evolved on the 10th planet – which spent most of its time – out beyond Pluto’s orbit – in the “deep dark”. Thus they were not used to the bright light of the Sun – and more importantly because their biological clocks were based on the 3600 year cycle of the 10th Planet – the Sun whizzed through the sky 12 times in one of their “days”. This time difference tended to be very disorienting – and the 6th Race remnant leaders did not like looking weak to their subjects.
Chapter - 30
There were other 6th Race remnant structures around the world – however this was the place where Max's form was locked and it was unknown to the world – thus Max could stay as long as he needed – and because the structure is buried – and the few mortals who were allowed to leave never revealed the location - world governments cannot interfere. Sinai found the base using Max's descriptions – “near the lake of Osiris – 7 days journey above the pyramids of Giza” – an underground complex noted by the last Union Survey of the planet 14,000 years ago. It was a simple matter for her to calculate the velocity of the Nile River current and compare described location to the specific Union Survey coordinates. She researched the last Union Survey of Earth before the DT, in which a complete mapping of the structures above and below the surface was documented.
Chip's PJs checked Max's Signal Strength before he exited Lili's yacht. They would continue to check his vitals for the remainder of his stay in this underground base. The Star Marine Legion fanned out and secured the facility from top to bottom. No one and nothing would sneak in. Mimi was amazed by the sheer size of the rock that had been hued to make the floors and walls. Her scans indicated the building was over 140,000 years old and she found 6th Race technology signatures in the rock – both cutting and gravitation. She had not realized the remnants had retained so much of the ancient 6th Race technology.
Lili's Seabees
established a kitchen and Sinai's Seabee battalion established living quarters for everyone accept Max. He would sleep in the center of the facility. Lili's temporary room would be built near Max's location out of natural cloth and paper so as to not disturb the Signal fields generated by the facility.
Chip was amazed how much void energy was released within the walls this place. He knew who had built it. The information would be meaningless to Lili. The Union Navy had established a beach head above ground and their atmospheric fighters were on patrol with 8 air groups standing by on ready alert launch pads around the perimeter of the facility.
Lili's Spec War team found active 6th Race surveillance equipment. Sinai traced the surveillance transmissions to an underwater base in the 2nd largest ocean to the West. Chip knew who was watching them. He must have escaped detection when Lili removed the 6th Race remnants and their hybrid servants from the Earth.
“Ma'am I believe I know who is watching us.” Chip said.
“WHO,” Lili asked.
“He has had many names over the last four hundred and fifty thousand years on this planet. He is the first born son of the King of the 6th Race remnants. He interfered with the evolution of the higher life forms on this planet–.” Chip answered.
“So he violated galactic law!” Sinai interrupted.
“Let him talk Sinai!” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am” Sinai replied.
“How did he interfere with the evolution of life on this planet?” Lili asked.
“He created the hybrid being that stands before you.” Chip said.
“So if not for him – your race would still be very primitive.” Mimi said.
“Yes – but we would be content!” Chip said.
“You would never have known about your very short life span!” Sinai said.
“Yes” Chip said.
“Permission to lead a Star Marine attack force to arrest this criminal.” Sinai said.
“In good time Sinai – in good time” Lili said.
“CIPC – Ninlil” Lili called.
“Go ahead ma'am” Lili's CIPC replied.
“There is a surveillance system transmitting to an undersea base to the West of this facility – disconnect it!” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am” CIPC replied.
“If I know him – he will investigate – personally” Chip said.
“Let him come” Sinai said in a low deep tone of voice.
“Calm down Sinai – I need to talk to this 6th Race remnant prince – if he created Chip's species – he may be able to help Max – YOU SHALL NOT HARM HIM” Lili said and then commanded.
“Yes ma'am – permission to return to my hull” Sinai said.
“Permission granted” Lili said.
Sinai nodded to Lili and then went back to the landing area. She boarded her yacht and flew up to her hull. No sooner than she reached the vacuum of space – the one Chip spoke of appeared in the grand gallery – out of thin air! The Star Marines were taken by surprise – however they recovered instantly and contacted Lili.
“I shall be right there” Lili replied.
Lili's Spec War team followed close behind her. She was wearing a flightsuit and had a blue beam pistol strapped to each hip. Her Spec War Team was heavily armed and 4 were wearing the latest ABS. Max was protected by 6 platoons of Star Marines and of course Chip's PJ s.
Lili ran into the grand gallery at a sprint.
“I understand you represent the Galactic Union.” The prince said in Sumerian.
“Yes I am Fleet Admiral Ninlil of the Union Navy.” Lili said.
“You speak my language” the prince said.
“No – you speak my language.” Lili corrected.
“Are you a machine?” The prince asked.
“I am much – much more than a mere machine – created by the Sixth Race to ensure peace and justice in this galaxy.” Lili answered.
“Yes I see that – why are you here?” The prince asked.
“I have come to this facility to help my mate – one of your hybrid creatures – he was forced to take the 'waters of life'.” Lili answered.
“Yes my brother liked his slaves – some more than others.” The prince said.
“You have violated galactic law also.” Lili stated.
“How can I violate what I know nothing about?”
“I shall let my Sister answer your question – if she were in command – your entire race would all be dead.” Lili answered.
“Yes – well I am more resilient than my brother and I have developed weapons that should keep me safe.” The prince said.
“Perhaps – however I have 6th Race weapons that allow me to destroy underwater bases from space.” Lili said.
“Is that a threat?” The prince asked.
“It is a statement of fact – I do not threaten – I judge and I execute.” Lili answered.
“Indeed – well perhaps we shall meet again.” The prince said.
“I missed you when I purged this planet the first time – it did not occur to me – 6th Race remnants might be hiding under the ocean. I hope you are not planning on returning to your undersea base.” Lili said.
“What do you know of my undersea base?” The prince asked.
“I know that my Sister can destroy it from orbit instantly!” Lili answered.
“Wait – I surrender – please do not destroy my undersea bases.” The prince said and then begged.
“I will consider your request” Lili said.
Lili nodded to her Star Marine Commander who stepped forward and placed the prince under arrest.
“Ma'am where should we hold him,” The Star Marine Commander asked.
“Right here for now – search him.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am” The Star Marine Commander replied.
Lili went to check on Max. He was asleep. The oldest PJ saw Lili and stepped away from Max's bed to speak to her.
“How is he?” Lili asked.
“He is improving – his Signals are getting stronger.” Thomas answered.
“Please let me know if here is anything he needs.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – how are you feeling?” Thomas asked.
“I am fine thank you.” Lili answered.
“Perhaps you should return to your hull so you can rest. I promise we shall take good care of Maximus.” Thomas said.
“Thank you – perhaps I shall return for a few hours. Please tell your father I shall see him in the morning.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am” Thomas said.
Lili left with her Spec War Team. They entered her yacht and flew back to her hull.
Perhaps my RDs could learn from Chip's PJs. Lili thought.
Chapter - 31
Mimi was exploring the vast underground complex. It appeared to have been evacuated in the recent past. There were beds and couches and pillows – thousands of them in a room that was 10 times longer than the grand gallery. The room smelled of beer and sex.
This must have been where Max spent the first ten thousand years after he was transformed by the “waters of life”. Mimi thought.
There were trays and buckets – obviously there had been servants tending to the needs of the revelers.
“You should have seen it 55.56 shars ago.” A deep male voice said behind her.
Mimi snapped around and drew her blue beam pistol from her hip holster so fast – the male that had crept up on her – was completely surprised.
“How did you escape?” Mimi asked him
“Your soldiers have my clone in custody.” The man said.
“You are either very brave or you have nothing to live for.” Mimi said.
“I have much to live for – I just wanted to talk to you about the history of the galaxy.” The man said.
“Why me” Mimi asked.
“Because you are fascinated by this place – which tells me you enjoy the study of civilizations.” The man said.
“I do enjoy astroarcheology. I
found the ancient home world of the Forerunners.” Mimi said.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of Tavnit and Dingir Page 9
