“Alright, alright,” Sagrit answered finally relenting, “I do not feel I will win out this fight, let us call them. Get their attention.”
“Agreed,” Torvon said nodding his head in satisfaction.
He turned and faced the door and shouted out loud, “We have vital Intel! It is regarding the safety of you and your ship!”
Torvon called out several more times over the next few minutes and he finally gave up his attempt to get their captor’s attention. They waited for what seemed like hours before the door’s outer seal broke loose and the door opened with a swoosh.
Portov stood at the entry way of the small conference like room with his hands on his hips and staring at both of his captives.
“We are moving,” Sagrit said breaking the ice.
“Yes, we thought you might feel the vibrations,” Portov answered in a seemingly calm tone.
“Where are we heading?” Torvon asked.
“We are in search of Jhahnahkan; we will not stop until we have spoken.”
“There is information you need to know,” Torvon added.
“Tell me this info,” Portov instructed, “but if you lie to me, I will kill you.”
“There is an undetonated nuclear warhead floating in sector 5-2-3,” Sagrit explained.
Torvon raised one eyebrow to Sagrit, “Yes, sector 5-2-3. I have the exact coordinates.”
“Why do you offer this Intel to me?”
“We wish to show you trust,” Torvon said, “We have a common enemy.”
“The Zelinites,” Portov said fully entering the room.
“Yes, we seek to defeat the Zelinites before they win over Ackturra,” Sagrit added.
“There is much more at stake than you know,” Torvon said.
“There’s more?” Portov said, “Do tell.”
“It is the main reason why we are out here traveling through this sector of space,” Torvon tried to explain.
“Go on.”
“According to Jhahnahkan, there was a time fracture which caused this timeline to become altered in some way. In his explanation, he told us that in the correct timeline, Karillians were thriving and had become our ally in the war.”
“That would explain a lot,” Portov said, “We jumped ahead of the time rift, which is why Karillians were still alive, but when we traveled back we entered the fractured timeline and came to see our own destruction.”
“Exactly,” Torvon said, “But there is still one more part to this entire problem.”
“You have my attention.”
“The Zelinites launched some kind of contagion nearly a thousand years ago… from the time you say you came from. This Rune corrupted our focus crystals and now the main Rune is planning on leaving Zelinite to travel to Ackturra and complete its destiny; to fulfill what it has been seeking for many thousands of years, maybe even hundreds of thousands.”
“And what might that be?” Portov asked getting even more interested in what Torvon had to say.
“To merge with the power crystals and become one mighty force in the universe,” Torvon said coldly.
“And you were sent here to investigate this thing?”
“We were sent on a reconnaissance mission to see what was happening on their home world. Once we gathered our Intel we were to rendezvous with Jhahnahkan and report our findings before they set out on their trip to Zelinite.”
“Has he gone mad?” Portov exclaimed, “that would be suicide to set foot on their home world.”
“They have an Ambassador to Ackturra on board,” Sagrit offered.
“Ambassador?”
“Yes, Ambassador Milanaka of Zelinite,” Torvon said.
“From his ship that was sucked into a Vortex,” Sagrit added, “he was from your time.”
“Milanaka is alive?” Portov once again exclaimed.
“Yes, brought here originally by the same Vortex phenomenon that brought you here I’m guessing,” Sagrit said.
“We shall report back to Jhahnahkan,” Portov ordered.
“We will give you an intercept course straight through sector 5-2-3. I will provide the coordinates if you make us your guests instead of prisoners,” Torvon requested.
“Very well,” Portov said, “but the Telenian stays within our cargo bay. She could come in handy later.”
“Restore our power and let us communicate with our crew,” Sagrit demanded.
“What about our reconnaissance mission?” Torvon asked.
“No need,” Portov added, “We have all the Intel we need on Zelinite. I can confirm all you have said. We barely got in and back out ourselves, but we did see that there is an extremely large object on the ground that seems to be trying to free itself. The Zelinites were very protective of their air space, so we didn’t stay long. You know what I mean,” Portov said now sporting a smile.
“Jhahnahkan will be making his way here.” Sagrit said.
* * *
Leif Erikson
Year: 2983.9
“Excuse me Jhahnahkan,” Drakes said pointing one of his fingers in the air and raising an eye stock in his direction, “Diyra and I may be of assistance.”
“Yes, assistance,” Diyra said now raising one of her eye stocks, “We know the formula for the reactor injector mixture.”
“How is that…” Jhahnahkan began, “Oh never mind. Just get down there and fire her up.”
Drakes smiled and shrugged his acknowledgment, “Come on Diyra, you do remember your part don’t you?”
The two headed down to engineering with eagerness. Jhahnahkan turned to Lanatek and commented on how those two seem to always amaze him, “I wonder how it is they always know about these things. They seem to have the right answer just in time, every time.”
“Well sir,” Lanatek answered with a smile, “I would not be concerned as long as they keep helping us.”
“Still,” Jhahnahkan said stroking his chin, “It does make one wonder.”
The two Scorpii arrived shortly to the main engineering console. There the reactor stood in an eerie stillness. No engine hum or vibrations of any kind at all.
The chief stepped aside making an inviting gesture to help them at the console.
“Why thank you kind sir,” Diyra said with a blush.
“Yeah, well we have not had much success in using any of the known intermix formulas and it just will not kick off,” The chief explained with concern, “These consoles have a full battery charge so you should be able to program your formulas.”
Drakes stepped over to the injector settings panel while Diyra began entering in the plasma intermix formula at record speed; at least half as fast as almost two people.
She concentrated on the formula and pressed buttons entering codes like the chief had never seen before.
“You mind if I watch and take notes? You know, for future reference,” the chief asked.
“Why sure,” Drakes replied, “but that won’t be necessary.”
“It’s all recorded and saved in the data banks,” Diyra added, turning one eye stock toward the chief.
“How do you know all this stuff about these engines might I ask?”
“Someone very dear to me told me once,” Drakes began, “simple questions get simple answers.”
“So, why all the mystery?”
“Your question is not exactly a simple one,” Drakes answered.
“Your question is more complex,” Diyra added, “… perhaps one day you will understand.”
“These engines are quite delicate but very efficient,” Drakes explained, “First we have to align the injectors to the main engines coupling system. If the mixture flowing from the injectors into the main engine power stream is not within design parameters it could blow the entire energy coupling. That’s why there are interlocks on the system preventing the engine start.”
“You see,” Diyra again added, “once the injectors have been aligned and adjusted, we can begin the reactor start up sequence and the interlock will release allowing the power grid to be
charged.”
“I am programming the start sequence formulas,” Diyra said as she continued manipulating the console, “You have to have the correct amount and speed of energy being released into the intermixture chamber before the grid becomes charged.”
“Diyra?” Drakes interrupted, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, finished just now.” She answered, “We are ready to begin the plasma reactor start up sequence.”
“Very well then,” Drakes said, “Cool down and energize the superconducting lodestones.”
“Super cooling the lodestones.”
“Begin to build up and pressurize primary coolant and power conversion systems.” Drakes again ordered.
“Pressure building in intermix chamber… power conversion system is coming online,” She said as she pushed more buttons on the touch panel.
“Initiate the plasma operations at low power to activate the containment grid.”
Diyra pressed another sequence of buttons on the panel and the core began to hum and a shudder slightly.
“Easy Diyra,” Drakes cautioned, “Slow down your mixture time by .23 percent.”
Diyra readjusted the mixture to the new setting which settled down the shimmy and they both gave a sigh of relief.
“Stabilize your plasma flow; prepare to move to full power operation.”
“Rolling turbines and synchronizing grid,” Diyra reported.
“Confirm containment is stable.” Drakes ordered.
The chief stepped over to an open console and read the readings, “Containment confirmed.”
“Increase power load minimums to10 percent and check stable power levels.” Drakes again ordered.
“Powering up reactor to 10 percent of full power.” Diyra confirmed.
The deck of the engineering room vibrated quietly as the blue glow of the reactor began to increase in intensity.
“Containment is holding, we have ignition.” Diyra reported.
“Ok, I can take over here,” the chief said in an almost demanding tone.
“By all means my good man,” Drakes said stepping aside.
“I mean no offense,” the chief said, “It is just that these engines are my babies and I would like to be the one to bring us up to full power.”
“We take no offense,” Drakes said.
“None whatsoever, we only are doing what we must, when we must.”
“Diyra!” Drakes said lowering his eye stocks toward her.
The chief chuckled at the Scorpii’s strange behavior as his team took over the engineering operations.
“Ok,” the chief said in a commanding tone, “open the injectors and begin engine start sequence.”
His crew quickly obeyed his orders and began to open the plasma injectors. The ship jumped slightly and shuddered once again; the chief checked all his settings and found all was good. He then proceeded to complete the injector open sequence when another loud bang was heard and then a loud low pitched buzz filled the room as the plasma was injected into each engine through the coupling systems.
Smiling, the chief looked over at his aid and ordered him to bring the reactor up one quarter power.
The reactor glow began to pulsate with the change in power demand and then settled down once it reached the requested setting.
The crew looked over their instruments and confirmed that all systems were coming up to full power.
The chief allowed just enough plasma energy to pour into each engine to ignite the power stream causing a red glow to be produced on the exterior of the engines. The hum quieted as the engines powered to minimum operating specifications. The reactor continued to give off a subtle blue glow as the engines came online at just under minimum output.
Jhahnahkan called down to his engineer when he noticed the control consoles all began to come to life and the ship lighting returned to normal.
“Chief?” he said into the com channel, “looks like the Scorpii were successful, we have power up here.”
“Roger that captain, we got power down here. Engines running at 10 percent currently, we should run a few full power up simulations…”
“Get the engines fully online, and bring the reactor up to 100 percent. We are lifting off,” Jhahnahkan interrupted.
“Sir, I really think we should run at least one simulation,” The chief responded.
“Granted…” Jhahnahkan said with a slight smirk, “…you can run your first simulation on lift off. Now get those engines all warmed up and ready.”
“Aye, Aye sir,” The chief begrudgingly agreed.
Jhahnahkan sat confidently in his captain’s chair with his eyes closed as he took in the feeling of the powerful ship beginning to come back to life.
“Engage the computer core and bring her back online,” Lanatek ordered the proud crew of the Leif Erikson.
The computer booted and was programmed to bypass system checks and rescans until orbit has been obtained and on route to the Zelinite home world.
“There is just one seat vacant now,” Jhahnahkan commented looking at the empty helm chair. Emotions began to run thick through his veins as he remembered his old friend, “Lanatek… please do the honors and take the helm.”
“Aye sir,” Lanatek proudly said as he advanced quickly to the helm station, “I would be honored sir.”
“Engineering? Report,” Jhahnahkan barked.
“Sir, we are at full power. Ready for takeoff when you are.”
“Bring the engines online, 25 percent station keeping only.” Jhahnahkan ordered as he then turned to Lanatek, “Helm, bring us vertical one hundred feet, lift off at your discretion.”
“Ackturra control,” Glenda said with a wide smile, “do you read? We are lifting off, station keeping to one hundred feet.”
Lanatek grabbed the manual accelerator and squeezed the t-shaped handle just left of his console and pushed it slightly forward. The engines began to groan in syncopation with the grinding of the hull as the stress of the hull was relieved of the Ackturrian Jungle tundra that the ship had been at rest under.
The Leif slowly rose up taking with it parts of the jungle flora from the bottom of its hull. As the ship slowly gained in altitude pieces of the hanging jungle floor dropped and fell back to the ground causing dust and dirt to spray up into the air nearly as high as the ship itself.
Lanatek gracefully maneuvered the Leif as straight up as possible, “Sir we have reached one hundred feet, station keeping protocol.”
“Glenda, have they acknowledged us yet?” Jhahnahkan asked.
“No sir, no response.”
“To heck with them!” He said with disgust. “Helm, exit station keeping protocols, ahead one quarter. Prepare to make orbit.”
“Aye, Aye sir!” Lanatek smiled.
The Leif Erikson gracefully began to move forward and gained another 10 degree pitch as Lanatek piloted her up into the stratosphere and then continued to climb.
“Passing into the Mesosphere at nearly 60 miles above the surface,” Lanatek reported.
“Glenda, any word from approach control yet?”
“Yes sir, they finally responded,” Glenda answered. “Apparently, we don’t need a pass code to cross the shields. They indicated that there are no shields currently protecting the planet.”
“Uttarak’s canisters I would presume,” Jhahnahkan said, “Helm, take us up to three-thousand miles into the Thermosphere.”
“Understood,” Lanatek said as he manipulated the console with ease, “I can see why Rex loved this chair so much, she flies very nice sir.”
“Just do him right Lanatek,” Jhahnahkan said nodding to his first officer. “Glenda, see if you can raise the Destiny and inform him that we will be joining them shortly.”
“Aye Sir,” Glenda cheerfully acknowledged.
“Hull temperature is climbing sir,” the Chief reported from engineering. “Nearing 2,000 degrees.”
“Engage power to shields,” Jhahnahkan barked. “Chief, how’s the hull holding up? Scan for
stress cracks.”
“Engines are holding perfectly,” the Chief answered, “No sign of hull degradation. You are clear to enter orbit.”
“Holding at 3,000 feet sir.”
“Helm, punch her through to the Exosphere. Climb and maintain a ten-thousand foot orbit.”
“Aye Sir,” Lanatek acknowledged. He increased speed and pitch one last time as instructed. Giving one final push on the manual accelerator, Lanatek caused the Leif to exit the atmosphere and entered the low orbit.
“There she is sir,” Lanatek said looking out the forward glass of the command deck, “Ackturra, in all her beauty.”
“I have missed her,” Jhahnahkan said, “She is indeed wonderful to look upon.”
Kate stood from her seat and came to Jhahnahkan’s side and grasped his arm, “Ackturrian is a beautiful place, but Earth is so much more colorful.”
“Red planet, blue planet, makes no difference to me as long as you are by my side.” He said looking into Kate’s eyes.
She smiled and snuggled close to take in his scent one last time before she returned to her seat.
“Sir, the Destiny is coming alongside and they have opened a channel,” Glenda reported.
“Uttarak, my son,” Jhahnahkan said through the com channel.
“I see you got the Leif back up, but will she be ready for battle in case we run into Zelinite trouble?”
“My engineering team has certified that she is ready and solid,” he answered, “All systems are operational once again, the computer is online and is now scanning the sector to reset its internal navigational systems.”
“How soon will you be ready to depart?”
“Thirty minutes,” He answered. “Helm, plot course for Zelinite and coordinate with the Destiny’s computer to synchronize our slipstream conduit.”
Lanatek acknowledged his captain and began to work with the computer and Uttarak to generate the course to their enemy’s home world.
* * *
Chapter 8
The Prisoner
The Carrier Remedy – Brig
Fleet formation in orbit of Ackturra
Year: 2983.9
R’ihia sat in the corner of her cell, her head still pounding weeks after Rivynon, the Remedy’s captain, had stripped the security codes from her mind. She felt like her brain had been cut open and lobotomized and then sewed back up. She could almost feel the stitches; of course it was simply due to the stress of being locked up as a prisoner for so long.
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