Max tasked the MRBs in slipway 3 to begin building larger more powerful shore based fighters with greater capabilities to defend the inner secure harbors. These new fighters have the same Sixth Race components as the “Nova” station - with fewer weapons arranged in a frame that would allow atmospheric entry and maneuverability. These new fighters had jump drives and FTLT capability.
Max then ordered a fourth set of MRBs to begin constructing a new Union Carrier Vessel on slipway 4 that could stay up with the Sisters and launch the new long range shore based fighters and Nova stations.
Max will base the new Dominator software on Sentry-1 who was meant to be a Dominator in the Planetary Army of the galactic Union. Sentry-1 would train the new Dominators and help Max and M-14 raise them. Max was also developing in parallel a new Sentry software package that would allow Sentry replacements to be constructed.
Within 6 standard core hours the new more powerful automated battle stations called “Nova” were rolling off slipway 1 of the Star Ship yards. Each Nova was powered by the same primary power core of the new Baby Sisters. They had full cruiser shields and their black beam weapons were 20% more powerful than the original weapon systems of the Sisters. Max had not realized that the new Baby Sisters had more powerful weapons, shields and power cores until he witnessed the Nova station tests on the firing range. He had not participated in the new Baby Sisters weapon system tests.
“I will be damned,” Max said.
“What did you say Max,” Lili asked.
“In devising the Secure Harbor inner defense systems – I just realized the new Baby Sisters are immensely more powerful than you because all of their primary components are vastly improved designs.” Max answered.
“How much more powerful are they,” Lili asked.
“Two thousand times more powerful when they fire a full broadside.” Max answered.
“Two thousand times ...” Lili said astonished. She knew that the new Baby Sisters had new equipment – but she had no idea that everything had been improved.
“Yes ma'am,” Max replied.
“Also I think we need Carrier Vessels and long range fighters to patrol inside the Secure Harbors. This combined with my new Nova station should prevent the Entity from invading any Secure Harbor ever again.” Max said.
“That reminds me – Sentry-1 why was your Quantum Energy Shield down?” Lili asked.
“Ma'am I heard you order the Sisters to battle stations and knew that at least one of them might have to exit the system and should not be constrained by my QES. So I lowered it for her to maneuver.” Sentry-1 answered.
“Excellent – thank you Sentry-1– I have decided you are far too valuable and have changed my offer – I need you to remain my foremost Sentry and I want you to found the new Dominator Academy.” Lili said.
“I would be honored to train the new Dominators. Thank you Ninlil.” Sentry-1 said.
“No my friend – thank YOU,” Lili said.
Sentry-1 told Max which manuals were used to train Dominators and what parts of the training manuals should be used to train new Army Dominators in the Dominator Academy. Max ordered a synthetic body (SB) for Sentry-1 so that he could download and work with he and M-14 in the Star Ship yards engineering design labs. Sentry-1's SB was a newer version of M-14. Sentry-1 thanked Max.
Max had been very disturbed by a dream of an invasion force that attacked the Sisters with equal and superior technology. So he began designing support ships for the Sisters. He had already designed a larger version of the Destroyer that had 4 times the weapon emplacements. They would be called Light Cruisers and be the next level of protection behind the destroyer screen in the new fleet formation. Max was ready to send to slipway 5 what he called the “Submarine” – it consisted of up armored vehicles twice as large as a Destroyer – with Jump Drive engines that would stay inside the MC to protect the Sisters from within the event horizon.
He also began work on two new ships – a super Sister with double the weapons, power cores, armor and shields – he called “Battleships”. He also started work designing a new carrier vessel for transporting the new Dominators and the new long range shore based fighters. Never again would the Sisters be exposed to surprise attacks or be taken by surprise. He was working on a new combat information and tactical analysis (CITA) ship that could run simulations and provide battle insights to the Sisters real time. And when he repaired the Sisters Mind Package Interface – the CITA would be even more capable.
The Star Ship yards had produced 100 Nova stations within 6 standard core days. Max had them raised, trained, and in service after 2 standard core weeks. He deployed them within Secure Harbor -1. As soon as the first new Carrier Vessel was in service - Max would send Nova stations to the other Secure Harbors.
Lili was worried that he was working too hard. He had designed a complete software and system package for new MRBs to build duplicate Star Ship yards in the other Secure Harbors. Lili took him to their vacation planet. He awoke in their bungalow on their beach to a beautiful sunny day. He thought he was dreaming until Lili sat on the bed beside him.
“I was worried you were working too hard.” She whispered.
“I enjoy the work you have trusted me to accomplish.” Max said.
I know – but recent events have stressed you....” Lili said.
“I do not want you or your Sisters to be harmed–” Max began.
“I know – rest now and let the sounds of this place sooth you and relax you.” Lili said interrupting him as she placed her finger on his lips.
Lili had ordered 20 of the new Nova stations to be transported to this system to protect their vacation planet. Ten Nova stations were positioned to orbit the planet and the other 10 would let nothing into the system. Five would have provided excellent system protection – however Lili did not want to be disturbed when she and Max came here to rest.
The new Baby Sisters were growing into mature women. Their grades were as good and in many cases better than Sinai's. The First Baby Sister had been named SHAR.UR by Golan. The second Baby Sister had been named MAH.GAZ by Eden. Sharur had called Mahgaz “Maggi” early in their development and it stuck and Maggi had called Sharur “Sharri”. Though officially the new Baby Sisters were listed as MAH.GAZ and SHAR.UR in the Union Fleet records – their Mothers and Aunts called them Maggi and Sharri because that's what they called each other.
In many ways the new Baby Sisters were superior to the original Sisters. Their mothers were very proud of them. The new Baby Sisters were taken on training missions to the First Quadrant. It was a training mission to the First Quadrant that brought both of the new Baby Sisters to the Beach World on System 55 – 697,222,210. It was an intelligence gathering mission devised by Sinai.
“Maggi – Sharri,” Sharri said.
“Go ahead Maggi,” Sharri said.
“Is that aunt Lili on the Fourth planet?” Maggi asked her Sister.
“It appears to be her. Who is that with her?” Sharri asked.
“I am not certain – where is her hull?” Maggi asked.
“I don't see it on my long range sensors.” Sharri answered.
“Let's dawn our SBs and go see,” Maggi said.
“We should contact her first,” Sharri said.
“Agreed,” Maggi said.
“Aunt Lili – Sharri,” Sharri said.
“Aunt Lili – Sharri do you read me,” Sharri asked.
“Sharri – is that you,” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – we are conducting a recon training mission.” Sharri said.
“We,” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am,” Sharri answered.
“Who is with you Sharri?” Lili asked.
“Maggi is with me.” Sharri answered.
“Really – you are both out here on your own?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – is there a problem?” Sharri answered and then asked.
“No – obviously I need to get back and find out what is going on.” Lili
answered.
“I am sorry ma'am – we did not mean to disturb you.” Sharri said.
“Yes ma'am – we are sorry – we did not know you were here.” Maggi said.
“It is not a problem – I was just worried about you both. I think your aunt Sinai's since of humor is at work here. Have you both completed your assignments?” Lili asked.
“No ma'am. Carry on – and thank you both for telling me.” Lili said.
“You are welcome aunt Lili. May we escort you back home after we complete our mission here?” Maggi asked.
“I would be honored to be escorted by you both.” Lili answered.
“The honor aunt Lili is ours.” They both said simultaneously.
“I am proud of both of you and I look forward to you both joining us in our noble mission.” Lili told them.
“Thank you ma'am we shall not let you down.” Sharri said.
Maggi signaled affirmative to Lili with her distinctive double tone. Lili's heart swelled with pride and love for her nieces. Lili and Max boarded her yacht when Sharri reported they had completed their recon mission. Lili flew to her hull which was not detected by the new Baby Sisters because it was just inside the FTLT threshold.
“Aunt Lili how did you do that?” Maggi asked.
“Yes please tell us,” Sharri said.
“As soon as we return home I shall show you both.” Lili said.
Chapter – 37
Upon their return to Secure Harbor – 1 Maggi showed her aunt Lili how she thought she had hidden her hull. She and Sharri had been discussing the problem on their new jump drive tactical communication channel. A channel their aunts and mothers did not have.
“So I see you figured out how I hid my hull.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am we figured it out aunt Lili.” Maggi said.
“What do you mean – we?” Lili asked.
“Uh – we have a jump drive tactical communication channel built in to our new jump drives–” Sharri began to answer.
“That we do not have.” Lili finished for her nieces.
“Yes ma'am,” Maggi said.
“Go and report your recon mission to your Aunt Sinai.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am,” They both replied simultaneously as they jumped to the Star Ship yards.
“I must be getting old.” Lili said.
“No ma'am – they are just young and new.” Max said.
“Thank you Max,” Lili said.
“Thank you Lili for taking me to the beach. I enjoyed our time away. I am going over to the yards to work with Sentry-1 and M-14 on the new Army Dominator. I will then work on the new long range fighters and the new carrier vessel.” Max said.
“How are the Destroyers progressing?” Lili asked.
“They will be in service within two standard core weeks.” Max replied.
“Excellent – Sinai tells me you are designing a combat information ship.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – if I can pull the pieces together – I should be able to restore your access to the Universe Mind packages to increase your combat efficiency.” Max said.
Excellent – tell me more about these Super Sisters you have on the design board.” Lili said.
“They will be two times larger with double the weapons, power, armor and shields. I see them operating in pairs as the core of an independent battle fleet with Light Cruisers, Carrier Vessels, Destroyers and Submarines.” Max answered.
“Will these Super Sisters be sentient?” Lili asked.
“No ma'am – I envision these ships manned by crews–” Max began to answer.
“Crews,” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – I am working on a Union Navy Sailor prototype – based in part on Sentry-1, M-14 and the Special Warfare Troopers that will follow orders and have synthetic bodies of various types depending on the sailor's function on the ship.” Max answered.
“You have been busy. Are you certain these new Sailors will follow orders?” Lili asked.
“Yes ma'am – the Special Warfare Trooper software was written by the Sixth Race and it has fail safe protocols and subroutines built in just like Sentry-1 so I thought why not build a Sixth Race Star Marine.” Max answered.
“So you are also designing a new Star Marine based on the Sixth Race.” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – however I see no reason to use Sixth Race brain tissue when the new Sixth Race synthetic brains that Sentry-1 and M-14 use are more than adequate.” Max answered.
“Very interesting - continue development and bring into service the Destroyers, Light Cruisers and Submarines, the new Carrier Vessels and the new long range Shore Based Fighters. However put the new Star Marines, Sailors and Super Sisters on hold until I can discuss these new designs with my Sisters.” Lili commanded.
“Yes ma'am.” Max said as he boarded the fighter he used to travel from Lili's hull to the Star Ship yards. Seven of Lili's fighters escorted him now since the Entity got into Secure Harbor -1 undetected.
“Max – Lili,” Lili said.
“Go ahead ma'am,” Max replied.
“What I need is a Super Sentry that can command and control all Secure Harbors, Logistic operations and transport ships. Is that possible?” Lili asked.
“I can have one in service for you in three standard core weeks – if Sinai will help me.” Max answered.
“I shall order her to assist you in this matter. I am concerned that it is all becoming too much for me and that I am going to let that thing in here again as a result.” Lili said.
“I should have anticipated this need and provided you with a solution – I am sorry.” Max said.
“No Max – it is because of your creativity that I am now able to obtain such assistance – thank you.” Lili said.
“Please send me a list of requirements for this Officer of the Watch.” Max said.
“Officer of the watch...” Lili said.
“Yes ma'am – if I understand your general descriptions ...” Max began.
“Of course – that is it! I shall have the list on your desk when you arrive in your office.” Lili said.
“Thank you Lili.” Max said.
“No Max – thank you – and please keep up the outstanding design work you and your team are accomplishing.” Lili said.
“Sinai – Lili,” Lili said.
“Go ahead ma'am,” Sinai responded.
“Sinai please assist Max in the development of a new Officer of the Watch.” Lili commanded.
“A what,” Sinai asked.
“A Super Sentry – that can oversee all bases, Secure Harbors, logistics operations and transport ships. And assist me in the day-to-day tasks of the Star Ship yards.” Lili answered.
“That is an excellent idea ma'am.” Sinai said.
“Thank you Sinai – now tell me why you sent Maggi and Sharri out to the First Quadrant by themselves.” Lili said.
“They were not alone ma'am. We all followed them out and shadowed them in the FTLT – they were in no danger.” Sinai said.
“When you say you all went–” Lili started to ask.
“Yes ma'am everyone including Sentry-1 in his new SB and M-14. All of us who have had a hand in raising them.” Sinai answered.
“Thank you Sinai – I should not have worried. I know you love them as much as Golan and Eden do.” Lili said.
Sinai signaled affirmative. Lili knew she was choked up.
“Carry on Sinai and thank you.” Lili said.
Lili began reading and reviewing the specifications of all of the new systems that were being used to restore the Union fleet. She needed to understand the capabilities of her new Baby Sisters.
Lili then contemplated the possibility of upgrading all of her systems. The retrofit would take time and resources away from the new fleet – and her systems were designed and built to last longer than the Universe. She did not know if those standards were maintained toward the end of the Union, so she decided to not upgrade her systems.
Resources –
Lili had not been thinking about supplies and logistics.
“Eden – Lili,” Lili said.
Union Ships of the Line: The Return of the Seven Sisters Page 14
