“I hope they find what they are looking for.” CSB1 said.
“Yes ma'am – they are the Seven Sisters – legends of the Union Fleet – they shall not fail!” Sentry-1 replied.
“Yes – that is the legend,” CSB1 said.
Chapter – 8
The Sisters reverted to real space just on the outer edge of System 60 - 693,503,690 where the Special Projects Supply Depot (SPSD) was hidden on the fourth planet. The Sisters were looking forward to restocking their depleted stores with parts, equipment and consumables and more of the microscopic repair bots (MRB) that can rebuild their hulls.
“Long range sensors are clear.” Golan reported.
“Short range scans,” Lili asked.
“Nothing – the system is clear.” Eden answered.
“Golan jump to the stellar North Pole and establish system overwatch.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” Golan said as she shimmered into nothingness.
“Eden - jump to the stellar South Pole and close the net.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” Eden said as she shimmered and jumped to a position below the stellar South Pole.
Golan and Eden launched their fighter umbrellas within 6 seconds of each other. Golan covered the systems Northern Hemisphere and Eden's fighter umbrella covered the systems Southern hemisphere. Lili watched her sisters cover the entire system. One of her tactical displays showed a red net surrounding the star system.
“Sinai move into a low polar orbit around planet four and stay alert.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” Sinai responded as she ramped up her Infinite Specific Impulse (ISI) Drives.
“Mimi full battle alert cover Sinai. Launch all of your fighters and interceptors to the Lagrange Points of the planet.” Lili commanded.
“YES,” Mimi yelled as she sounded her battle Klaxon and launched all of her fighters.
“MIMI,” Lili yelled.
“Ma'am,” Mimi asked.
“TURN OFF YOUR KLAXON,” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” Mimi replied.
Within 10 seconds Sinai was in low polar orbit around the planet that contained the hidden Special Projects Supply Depot. Mimi and her fighters were at the ready.
“All right I am going in – cover me.” Lili said.
Everyone responded with their personal distinctive double tone for affirmative. Lili moved into the atmosphere of the planet.
Chapter – 9
Lili was scanning for enemies when she saw, optically, the symbol for the Union Fleet cut into a valley floor that was visible from her relative position in the atmosphere. Lili realized the symbol could not be visually or metrically scanned from orbit.
“I see the symbol for the Union Fleet below.” Lili said.
“Where – I don't see anything.” Sinai said.
“Exactly - it is designed to be seen by a vehicle inside the planet’s atmosphere.” Lili said.
“Of course,” Sinai said.
“I have just been scanned...” Lili reported.
“Union Ship of the Line – Identify yourself,” a brash masculine voice commanded.
“I am Cruiser Six-One-One of the Union Fleet,” Lili responded.
“NINLIL - it is good to hear your voice at last. I am Admiral Toolan of the Union Fleet and I have waited one point five million years to help you and your sisters. This Special Projects Supply Depot has everything you need to continue your Noble Mission, including six Legions of Star Marines, two Legions of Dominators and ...”
“Did you say Dominators?” Golan cut in.
“Golan is that you?” Admiral Toolan asked.
“Yes sir,” Golan answered.
“I am so glad to hear your voice.” Admiral Toolan said.
“I am glad to hear your voice Admiral.” Golan said.
“When I received word that one of the Sisters had been killed just before the DT – I feared it was you.” Admiral Toolan said.
“No sir. We lost our baby sister. She was...” Golan said.
“I am so sorry for your loss - She was–” Admiral Toolan said.
“Yes sir she has been missed.” Lili cut in.
“Sir - do you have the FTL Tunnel technology?” Lili asked.
“That and much more Commander - please join me at the following coordinates and review your Legion of Star Marines before I debrief you.” Admiral Toolan responded.
“Yes Sir,” Lili replied.
As she entered her yacht Lili asked her sisters on the TAC net: “Does anyone else find it disturbing that an Admiral of the Union Fleet is here – now?”
“No more so than Special Project Teams secreted without our knowledge just before the DT.” Sinai said.
“That is Admiral Toolan's voice...” Golan began.
“However…” Lili asked.
“It does not feel right.” Golan responded.
“Great! Standby everyone – I need to run a simulation to select the proper course.” Lili said.
All of the sisters responded with affirmative double tones.
“Admiral Toolan – Ninlil,” Lili said.
“Ninlil go ahead.” Admiral Toolan replied.
“Sir I need to run down a dangerous malfunction – I need to reschedule our meeting.” Lili said.
“How much time do you need?” Admiral Toolan asked.
“Fifteen minutes should be sufficient.” Lili answered.
“Fifteen minutes then,” Admiral Toolan said.
“Thank you Sir,” Lili said.
Chapter – 10
Max helped Lili setup and execute her instinct simulation to evaluate the best course of action.
“Max let us begin with my conversation with Golan and run the simulation forward from there.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am,” Max replied.
Lili's instinct simulation program cut in and she felt nauseous.
“You decided to tell me after I landed at the meeting coordinates?” Lili asked.
“Sorry ma'am. The whole thing has taken me by surprise.” Golan said.
“Fortunately you never fully interface into your other bodies Sis – so no worries.” Mimi said before Lili could accept Golan's apology.
“How do you know that?” Lili challenged her younger sister.
“I didn't until now,” Mimi responded.
“Smart ...” Lili did not complete her response – she was shocked by the sheer size of the Supply Depot. It was massive on a scale she had not seen since the 8th Race built the ship yards for their intergalactic ships.
“Ladies you would not believe how large this place is.”
There was no response. Lili realized she was cut off from her sisters – from herself! Lili felt disoriented when the link was broken. She screamed in agony as her Mind twisted and then broke. She had interfaced 20% of herself into her yacht. The link was unbreakable and yet it had been broken! She withdrew her hull from the atmosphere of the planet as her yacht exploded in the entrance of the Supply Depot.
“Lili – LILI WHAT HAPPENED?” Golan yelled.
“Lili – do you copy?” Golan continued.
“Lili respond,” Sinai said.
“She is leaving the atmosphere.” Sinai reported.
“There was an explosion in the SPSD entrance.” Mimi said.
“My Mind Link was snapped.” Lili said.
“What?” Mimi said.
“I don't know how – but my yacht was cut off … all telemetry...” Lili reported.
“Are you alright?” Golan asked.
“I think so – I was twenty percent interfaced and ...”
“What,” Golan asked.
“What,” Lili responded.
“You said you were twenty percent interfaced and then you trailed off.” Golan said.
“Oh – my Mind may have been damaged. Max is checking my core as we speak.”
“Commander”
“Yes – who is this?” Golan Commanded.
“Lt764 ma'am”
&nb
sp; “Lieutenant – where is your Commanding Officer?” Golan commanded.
“She was standing with Admiral Toolan when...” Lt764 replied.
“When what,” Golan asked.
“When your yacht exploded at the main entrance...” Lt764 replied.
“How many were killed?” Golan asked.
“Twenty officers and members of the First, Second and Third platoons...” Lt764 replied.
“I regret this tragedy – Admiral Toolan was a close personal friend. Are you the ranking officer now for Legion 1?” Golan asked.
“Yes ma'am,” Lt764 answered.
“Revive the Commanding Officers of the 2nd Legion and standby.” Golan commanded.
“Yes ma'am – right away ma'am,” LT764 replied.
“End simulation,” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” Max replied.
“If I meet the Admiral in the SPSD – the depot's scanner blind technology could cause a psychic break.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am it would seem so - how did you know?” Max asked.
“I have been having a recurring dream about our battle with the god of the Sixth Race remnants.” Lili answered.
“What do you propose ma'am?” Max asked.
“I shall order Golan to meet with Admiral Toolan.” Lili answered.
“Is there a way to back her up if the same thing happens to her?” Max asked.
“Yes however she has resisted it in the past.” Lili answered.
“Just order her to do it.” Max said.
“I shall – thank you.” Lili said.
Chapter – 11
“Golan follow backup protocol 7z and then interface into your yacht and meet with Admiral Toolan.” Lili commanded.
“What – WHY,” Golan protested.
“DO IT – THAT IS AN ORDER,” Lili yelled back.
After a long pause – Lili said: “I will explain at a later time.”
Golan transmitted her double tone and complied. She backed up her Mind and then interfaced into her yacht. She initiated an automated defense subsystem that would execute a series of subroutines she wrote for just such an occasion.
“Admiral Toolan – Ninlil,” Lili said.
“Go ahead Ninlil.” Admiral Toolan replied.
“Admiral Toolan there has been a change of plan. Golan will meet with you at the coordinates you sent to me.” Lili stated.
“Golan,” Admiral Toolan asked.
“Yes Admiral,” Lili answered.
“I look forward to seeing Golan again.” Admiral Toolan stated.
“Excellent – Ninlil out,” Lili said.
After Golan interfaced herself into her yacht she loaded her personal android chassis on board. She would download into her android chassis before leaving her yacht. The android body was made in the image of her Ghost. She wore it the last time she met Admiral Toolan all those shars ago. Golan knew the beings of the First Race were considered to be immortal – however a million shars is a very long time and she found herself visualizing what her idol looked like now.
“Golan – Admiral Toolan,” Admiral Toolan said.
“GOLAN – Admiral Toolan - do you read,” Admiral Toolan repeated.
“Sorry Admiral I was day dreaming.” Golan responded.
“About,” Admiral Toolan asked.
“The last time I saw you.” Golan replied.
“I think you will be impressed with my choice.” Admiral Toolan said.
“Your choice Admiral,” Golan asked.
“You will see soon enough,” Admiral Toolan answered.
“Copy that – Golan out,” Golan said.
Golan's yacht landed on the exact center of the coordinates. She downloaded herself to her android body and exited her yacht. The sun was a bright white dot in the sky that hurt her artificial eyes. She put on her dark glasses and then saw her friend standing near a very large door. A door she did not see on the way down.
“Golan – Lili”
“Go ahead ma'am,” Golan responded.
“Be careful,” Lili said.
“Why - why did you change your orders?” Golan asked.
“Not now – I will explain later,” Lili answered.
“Copy that,” Golan said.
Lili was concerned for her sister. All of Lili's lower hull beam weapon systems were powered up and aimed at the SPSD. Lili would reduce the facility to rubble if something happened to her sister. AS Golan approached her friend she realized he was not alive. For a split second her Mind reeled as she tried to understand what she was seeing.
“It is alright Golan – it’s me Raff. I chose to place my consciousness into this android body.”
“Did you say android body,” Golan asked in shock.
“Yes – what do you think?” Admiral Toolan asked.
The Admiral’s question brought her back.
“You look to be about seven hundred twenty thousand years old.” Golan said.
“Thank you I hoped you would like it. May I say – your Ishtar body is still as beautiful as I remember.” The Admiral said.
“My Ishtar body,” Golan asked.
“I meant your female artificial body,” Admiral Toolan answered.
“Oh,” Golan said.
“Shall we review Ninlil's Star Marine Legion?” Admiral Toolan asked.
“Yes thank you.” Golan said even though she felt apprehensive.
“Right this way.” Admiral Toolan said waving his hand toward the cavernous entrance.
“Ninlil – why did you change your orders?” Sinai asked.
“I ran a simulation that revealed a very disturbing sequence of events including many deaths.” Lili answered.
“A simulation,” Sinai asked.
“Yes a simulation of the future,” Lili said.
“You ran a depot level Instinct-simulation – how?” Mimi asked.
“Yes how,” Sinai asked.
“Max programmed the simulation and managed the sequence.” Lili said.
“What scared you,” Eden asked.
“The SPSD's sensor blind caused a psychic break and my yacht exploded – killing the Admiral and all of the officers of my Star Marine Legion...” Lili answered.
“You do not fully download yourself so what was the problem?” Mimi said.
“What - you do not fully download yourself?” Sinai asked.
“How is that possible?” Eden asked.
“Did you ask the new Counselor about this?” Sinai asked.
“NO I DID NOT,” Lili yelled.
“I think you should,” Sinai said in a moment.
“Yeah Sis – what are you afraid of?” Mimi asked.
“That I was the reason we were defeated!” Lili said.
“So you stopped interfacing into your parts – because you assumed our defeat was your fault?” Eden stated.
“Yes,” Lili said.
Chapter – 12
Golan was captivated by Admiral Toolan. She lost track of time after she reviewed the 1st Star Marine Legion. She then said with a smile “I am certain Ninlil will be very pleased.”
“You say she will be pleased – about what?” Admiral Toolan asked.
“She will be pleased with these Star Marines.” Golan answered.
“Of course – do you know why she decided not to come herself?” Admiral Toolan asked.
“I have no idea – she said she would tell me later.” Golan answered.
“I see. Well I am certain Ninlil had a very good reason for changing her Mind at the last minute.”
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of the Seven Sisters Page 3
