Uttarak introduced Jhahnahkan as a friend and him being associated with the people he grew up with, they were more than happy to accommodate the two with the supplies they requested.
Thus the building of the Destiny began and a team was appointed to develop the weapon inhibitors and communication relay that the computer would interface.
Several years passed and the Destiny and Uttarak’s weapon inhibitor canisters were completed and tested flawlessly.
Jhahnahkan and Uttarak formed a wonderful father son relationship during their time together. Jhahnahkan trained Uttarak in the ways of the power crystal and he was a quick study, learning the uses that the crystals were opening. Uttarak eventually learned how to use these powers without the need of a power crystal. The only thing that he was not able to do on his own was to open the vortex for teleportation.
Jhahnahkan would open the vortex and transport him as it was agreed that he must leave the focus crystal behind. They both realized it would be too dangerous to expose this pure crystal that Helen had gifted to him, to the infection that was on Ackturra in the timeline he was being sent to.
Uttarak fully understood the importance of stopping the civil war that was erupting between the two factions of Ackturra in the time that his father’s counterpart was struggling to overcome the Rune. This was the best course of action that they thought would have the best outcome. The civil war must be stopped in the Ackturrian year 2983 if they were to overcome the Rune that was threatening all life of Ackturra.
Uttarak entered the room where Jhahnahkan was meditating on the task at hand, “Father? Is there something troubling you?”
Jhahnahkan opened his eyes and focused on his son, “No, everything is alright.”
“Your eyes tell me a different story,” Uttarak said, “My father, I have learned much over this time. I have come to know when you are not being truthful and this is one of those times.”
Jhahnahkan stood to his feet and addressed his son in an unusual tone, “You told me years ago… when we first came here… that I was telling you too much. That I would change the future if I did tell you things before you discovered them for yourself.”
“Yes, I remember that father,” Uttarak answer soberly.
“I am in pain my son,” Jhahnahkan said lowering his head.
“I was right. There is something that is troubling you.”
“I am not able to tell you things that I have seen in the future,” Jhahnahkan said as tears welled up under his eyes.
“Father, you concern me with this display of emotion,” Uttarak empathetically said, “Can you say anything about what it is that does trouble you?”
“No, I am afraid not my son,” Jhahnahkan replied as he wiped his eyes, “But the time for you to be sent has arrived and it is likely that we shall not meet ever again.”
“Do not be distressed my father,” Uttarak said. He tried to comfort his father, even though he knew that his father was correct, “We shall meet again.”
They embraced for a long time and then Jhahnahkan pushed him out in front of him and looked into his eyes. “We have launched the canisters as one unit, and have prepared the Destiny; it is time for you to depart to her bridge.”
“I know father,” Uttarak said placing his hands on his father’s shoulders, “Now you must do what you said would do those many years ago.”
“I must plant the memory that I have passed away,” Jhahnahkan said as he released a single tear down his cheek, not being able to hold them back any longer.
“It will be alright my father. Though I may not remember you are alive, you will be alive in that timeline. You will always have me in your memory. We have bonded! Know we had many years together. But you must do this and send me on my mission.”
“Stay away from the caverns my son, you must…”
Uttarak stopped him from finishing by raising his hand, “No! You must not tell me anymore father!”
Jhahnahkan lowered his head knowing his son was right. He saw great things in Uttarak and he knew he could not say more. Jhahnahkan was pleased on how well he had turned out. He was very proud, yet sad. Jhahnahkan escorted his son to the shuttle bay where he would pilot his shuttle to the Destiny.
They stood at the gangway of the shuttle, Jhahnahkan raised his hand to his temple and touched the side of his head and swiftly planted the thoughts in Uttarak’s mind that he had passed away.
Uttarak turned and without saying any goodbyes, entered and closed the shuttle door sealing it behind.
Jhahnahkan stood by and watched his son pilot the shuttle to the Destiny where he would open the Vortex and send his ship with the weapon inhibitors through, stopping the civil war that had launched in full swing in that timeline.
Jhahnahkan waited for the right moment and then opened the vortex in space. The Destiny and the inhibitors flew through the vortex. Jhahnahkan closed it with the last part of Uttarak’s ship passing through.
He then decided to investigate the time-helix in more detail. He had never forgotten what the entity within the helix had told him… the words, “You must not fail,” echoed within his mind. He would never forget so he decided to speak to the entity only found within the time-helix.
Jhahnahkan held one hand out in front of him and commanded the vortex to open. Without any effort, he was able to conjure up the opening. He stepped through and found that special place called the time-helix axis.
* * *
Ackturrian Palace
Year: 2984
“We have to try to stop the Rune from coming to Ackturra.” Jhovahkan said.
“And how do you intend to do that?” Tamika asked with genuine concern.
“Assemble the entire fleet, both north and south factions. We shall draw a line of demarcation between the Rune when it enters our sector and Ackturra. Hold it back as long as we can!” Jhovahkan said with authority.
“But we do not even know how to combat the thing,” Ghaia exclaimed.
“She’s right,” Kate agreed, “Our weapons are useless against this thing.”
Jhovahkan gave Milanaka a stare, “then we develop the Zelinite shield tech and create a grid.”
Milanaka pointed at his own chest with his spindly finger, “Why are you looking at me? I don’t know how to build that thing… I know how to operate it, but…”
“…Then you had better figure it out, and figure it out soon or we will perish.” Jhovahkan said continuing his evil glare.
Milanaka gulped hard, “That’s a lot of pressure. I don’t know if…”
Jhovahkan interrupted the Zelinite once more, “We will assign our best engineers under your direction, the best of the best to help you figure this out.”
“In the meantime,” Qiaoshan added, “We should move ahead with your original plan and form the line.”
“Agreed!” Tamika acknowledged slapping her hand on the console.
“Jhovahkan,” Qiaoshan began, “You shall resume command of the flag ship. Both fleets will be under your direction. Once your line is formed, hold them off for as long as you can until we have our defenses created. I will resume command of the high council under these conditions until Jhahnahkan returns.”
“He’s right on the Rune’s tail and has a plan,” Kate said.
“Yes, the device within the Rune,” Milanaka said raising his finger in the air, “Xucaleechee, the sole survivor of Zelinite, attempted to set off some type of virus inside the Rune. But Jhahnahkan pulled him out from his ship before he could detonate it.”
“Xucaleechee? Virus?” Luanren asked.
“It’s a long story,” Kate said, “But there is already a device that is within the Rune that was developed by the ones that were immune to its effects. He explained it as a virus that will dissolve the Rune mass at its molecular level which will cause the Runic consciousness to be rendered useless and fade into nothingness.”
“He did say it tested out and works,” Milanaka said.
“Then maybe we need to focus on tha
t angle as well,” Qiaoshan said with some hope in his voice.
“He plans on traveling inside the thing with the kill switch Xucaleechee built!” Kate said, “I couldn’t argue with him either, he is determined to stop it dead in its tracks.”
“There isn’t much time. We may not even have enough time to develop the shielding, let alone manufacture a virus that would have that kind of effect,” Jhovahkan said.
“Then we had better stop discussing and get to work,” Ghaia added.
Luanren raised her hands in the air, “I never thought I would ever agree with you on anything, but this time I do!”
* * *
Leif Erikson
Year: 2984
Jhahnahkan called down to Xucaleechee, “How are you coming with the kill switch?”
There was a pause before he responded, “I’m almost done with it. A couple of more hours should be done.”
“I am being told that we are having difficulty keeping up with the Rune. We may not have a couple of hours before it drops out of slipstream.”
“I will have it to you, don’t worry.”
“Too late for that, I am worrying,” Jhahnahkan replied, “We only have one shot at this before they make it to Ackturra.”
Turning his attention to his first officer, “Lanatek, have you broke the code on the energy stream yet? Can you get a message to Ackturra?”
“No sir,” he reported, “However, I was able to pick up some garbled transmissions.”
“Put it on audio.”
Lanatek patched the broken message over to Glenda and she began playing it back, “This is … … of … Telenian. Urgent … … … …Zeroditha … … help ... … out … … destroyed.”
The bridge of the Leif fell silent as they heard the voice of Panru and the broken message.
“Can you tell me how old this message is?”
“Near as I can calculate, it is three hours old,” Lanatek replied.
“It sounds bad.” Glenda commented.
“Now let’s not jump to any conclusions.” Jhahnahkan reasoned, trying to convince himself that Kate was alright, “This is an incomplete message to say the least. We really do not know what that message really said.”
“I will continue trying to break through, but I can tell you they are aware at my attempts to break the code.”
“How can you be sure about that?”
“Because every time I get close to breaking it, the code changes frequencies and they make me start the scans all over again.”
“Ok, well keep at it then.”
“Sir, we have a new problem,” Glenda said.
“Ok, what is it now?” Jhahnahkan said in disbelief. “What else can go wrong?”
“The Rune changed course and is heading to sector 5-2-3.”
“Oh no!” Jhahnahkan exclaimed, “Helm change course, it’s going to head straight for the nuke we left behind.”
“They are going to blow it and try to take us out with it,” Tim added.
“They will absorb the blast and add its energy to their own,” Lanatek said.
“ETA?”
“Five minutes.”
“We’re too close,” Jhahnahkan said standing to his feet.
“Falling back and altering course,” Lanatek reported, “Shields up to max.”
“We will still be too close,” Jhahnahkan said, “but hopefully the shields will hold enough. We cannot let them get too far out ahead or I won’t know when they drop out of slipstream.”
“Understood!” Lanatek acknowledged.
The Rune’s slight course change brought them into close proximity of the sector containing the last of the nuclear warheads. The Rune mass sped up slightly to try and catch the pursuing ship off guard.
The weapon detonated causing a massive shock wave that traveled out in all directions and like the crew of the Leif thought; the Rune absorbed most of the energy from the blast.
“Brace for impact!” Jhahnahkan said as they saw the flash of something igniting out in front of the ship.
The Leif’s restraint system kept the crew secure in their seats as the shock wave hit the bow of the ship. They attempted to ride the massive energy field like a wave on an ocean. “Helm, keep our nose pointed straight. Do not let us turn sideways!”
“I understand sir,” Lanatek said as he tried his best to fly the ship into the wave, “If we turn we will not be able to withstand forces and our ship will break up!”
Jhahnahkan closed his eyes and concentrated on his old friend Rex within the crystal sphere, “Rex ol buddy, I hope you got it in ya; we need you at the controls.”
Rex’s form began to manifest itself on the bridge. He was still watery looking, but for the most part he was able take his seat at the controls.
“I won’t have much time,” Rex said, “However, I think I can remain long enough to steer her through.”
Lanatek began to lose control just as Rex took over. He held his hands out over the control panel, turned his hands into liquid and plunged them into the console. The ship immediately righted itself nose straight into the powerful wave that hit.
“What did you just do?” Lanatek exclaimed.
“I am working the controls on the molecular level and I have increased the shield output by fifteen percent,” he smiled as his face began to pool up and ripple, “I think I can program a few more efficiencies as well before I have to return to the sphere.”
Other control consoles around the bridge began to flicker and flash and then normalized. The ship became stable and their bumpy ride smoothed, no longer being rocked by the wave that had now passed.
The Rune changed course back to Ackturra, “They are gaining speed sir,” Lanatek reported, “We will lose them from our scanners in a couple of minutes if we do not close this gap.”
Rex used the rest of his energy to program the ships to increase their speed to match the fleeing Rune mass. “Well, that’s about all I got in me for now. I must return to the sphere.”
Rex pooled into a pile of silver fluid on the bridge deck and flowed up into the air where Jhahnahkan’s crystal sphere absorbed his essence. The sphere dimmed in its luster as it began a recharging cycle.
“How long before we arrive at Ackturrian space?” Jhahnahkan asked.
“I don’t know what Rex did, but we are exceeding our operational limits on these engines. We will arrive at Ackturra with the Rune mass in five hours. Only two minutes behind the Rune.”
“Those two minutes can make a big difference,” Jhahnahkan said, “I shall return to the bridge before we exit. Alert me if anything changes, I shall prepare and make ready for my task.”
“Do you know what you are supposed to do yet when that time comes Jhahnahkan?” Drakes asked leaning his eye stocks forward at the captain.
“Yes, you must know what to do by now,” Diyra added.
Drakes moved one of his eye stocks toward Diyra and then back at Jhahnahkan again, “My apologies Jhahnahkan, do not listen to Diyra. You will know when the time is right… do not worry, Diyra knows better as to when it is you discover what it is the chosen one must do.”
Jhahnahkan shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to leaving the bridge, “You too are an odd bunch, and I mean that in a good way,” he smiled.
“Why thank you Jhahnahkan,” Diyra said.
“Yes, thank you for your hospitality, as always,” Drakes finished.
* * *
Ackturrian Front Lines
Year: 2984
Qiaoshan assumed command of the high council with Luanren and Ghaia sharing the task of High Priestess while Jhovahkan traveled back to his flag ship the Kalentun with R’ihia, once again reporting in as his first officer.
Tamika was given a new destroyer and was christened the Crytore II and joined the rest of the gathered fleet just outside the Ackturrian sector where they awaited the arrival of the Rune mass.
The remaining fleet formed a network of ships nearly as wide as the Rune itself and con
tained over one hundred and seventy five vessels in all. They all received the word and gathered at the specified quadrants from all of the various sectors they were currently patrolling. Some had been en route for weeks, while others coordinated their arrival time to match the farthest vessel’s arrival.
Jhovahkan led his complete armada and paired ships together in several smaller fleets that could support each other.
“Sir,” R’ihia reported, “There are still approximately one-third of the fleet that are out of range and will not make it here in time to join the battle.”
“Understood!” Jhovahkan said, “Sister Tamika, report.”
“This is the Crytore II,” Tamika proudly said. “We are in position and are ready.”
“Any word from Ackturra on the Zelinite shielding progress?” Jhovahkan asked, “We are running out of time.”
“Yes sir,” R’ihia reported, “We just got word that they are dispatching a team of installers, they have perfected the shielding.”
“This is excellent news.”
“Yes sir,” R’ihia exclaimed, “They are sure that we can install these devices into our power matrix fairly quickly and erect the shield. We should be able to prevent the Rune mass from crossing this line, at least for a while.”
“What is their ETA and total time before we can fire it up?”
“They will be arriving at the first ship in the fleet in twenty minutes and I estimate we will be battle ready in a little over five hours.”
“They will need to step up the pace, we do not have four!” Jhovahkan shouted. “Do I make myself clear First Officer R’ihia? You tell these teams, they have three!”
“Yes Sir!” R’ihia replied formally. “I have relayed your command.”
“Very well,” Jhovahkan said, “I am relying on your word that you will not let me down. We cannot afford to slack for one moment… get it done!”
R’ihia acknowledged her captain and nervously continued with her duties.
The next three hours passed very quickly. Jhovahkan grew increasingly more anxious at every passing moment having not had any update from his fleet department heads on the installation of the Rune shielding.
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