Panther and Giraffe

by Gregory Anderson

  They dropped the captain on the floor and turned their blasters towards the ghosts but were too late as Zak and Junes stunned they at the same time. They fell silently on their captain. Zak stood guard as Junes went to control and planted Marx device behind it. The device activated, Junes observed a yellow light blink rapidly and then turn to a steady purple, she nodded to Zak and looked at the faces of a bewildered bridge crew and they left. On the Panther bridge Marx was busy configuring the device and in another minute said with a big smile. “That ship is yours captain, do as you wish.”

  Giraffe commanded, “Panther, please lock them out of all ships controls except environment and let's see, give them comms, only to Cyrillium frequencies, and then,” She paused for a minute, “Oh, I know, scramble all controls for guns, lets make sure they never work again.” Zak and Junes had to step over the three they had stunned on their way out and surprisingly had a couple of crewman give them friendly waves on there way out. Before long they pulled the docking tube and were ready to disengage from the federated ship. Giraffe commanded, “Panther record video message and sent to that ship. “You have gone where you do not belong, next time, you will cease to exist.”

  This simple message delivered by a fiery red haired emerald eyed woman would have much more impact than she could imagine. Hart asked, “Captain' what are you planing to do with your new ship? Giraffe replied, “Send it back, I doubt that they had the time or sense to even figure out where they were anyway but I have to ask Marx, what happens when they find the device?” “It won't matter, they can pull it of or whatever, it has already done it's job and will fuse solid in a few more minutes so all they will have is a chunk of plastic and captain?” Marx affirmed, “When I said the ship is yours I meant that literally you can command it anytime or any where it has comm link so after you send it through, you may want to tell it to let that captain to have some control back so they can at least go some where.” Giraffe and the others were all smiles as she said, “Excellent job Marx, Panther disengage and send it back, give helm, power and guns back two hours after they are on the other side.” Junes looked perturbed, “Why did you give them guns back captain?” Hart was laughing, “She scrambled the controls so they can try and try and nothing will happen!” Then they were all laughing. Professor Hicks, who had been silent through the whole incident said, “ Well done Mindy, now I wonder, what would happen to this quantum singularity, if two ships meet in the middle?”

  16

  Hank could not clear his head, he seemed to be on the bridge but not where he belonged, in the captains chair. It had been over seventy two hours since they jumped into the nebula and most of that time had been a blur, he tried to get up but found himself strapped in and his hands taped to the arms of the seat, a grax was in his chair. He yelled out and got a slap for his efforts. It seemed there had been a mutiny. Sitting back he tried to think about what had happened but could not remember much of anything. There was just a vague feeling about coming out of the nebula, but then going back in. And now, as his head cleared a little more, the stars looked familiar. And the stars would look familiar to captain Hanks since he had spent a lot of time around Edahni. None of them knew for sure what had happened until a video message came on that shocked them all. It was an apparition of a fiery red haired woman with emerald eyes, which everyone knew was impossible. This ghost spoke in a unusually accented Cyrillium “You have gone where you do not belong, next time, you will cease to exist” Hanks communication officer Mar was sitting in his chair but seemingly frustrated and not being able to make anything work, this went on for awhile. Finally Mar got up and came to stand in front of him. ”What did you do to the controls, release them now!” Hank just shook his head, “I have no idea what is going on or why nothing works but maybe if you release me I could find out?” He got a vicious slap for his efforts and was going to say more but.... “Ah, Mar we got company and it don't look friendly”. “Captain we have a ship on long range moving at sub light, an earth cruiser I believe.” Hart said on comms. Giraffe was aft talking to Uhr and Dihr. This which pleased them to no end that a captain would actually come to them for face to face, “Time to our location?” She asked. Hart replied, “Seven hours present speed.” “Very well send them a greeting 'welcome to the neighborhood, McCord out” Giraffe could have ignored the ship since it would not be able to 'see' the Panther for hours but decided to greet instead. There was still a concern that another ship would jump through the nebula and an encounter with a Federated would not be good for earth at all. She went back to discussing the upcoming trip to earth. Clarifying details of the move of the new Mars colonist. The logistics of landing and then installing inertial dampers in a container was not going to work in a timely fashion so they need to bring the fifty or so board and somehow seat them in the spine. As when they picked up the professor it would be an in and out quickly. Also in question was whether or not to jump to Mars or thrust, both would be stressful.

  But especially with children, the disorientation of a jump was a worry, versus a seven hour ride under thrust. They sent message to Berdle on Mars to get his opinion as they had dealt with this situation before. Andsom had at first wondered how to select the right people for the colony but found that by using the survey that Berdle provided narrowed down the list from thousands to a few hundred in short order. One key question eliminated most 'if you could go to Mars but might not be able to get back ever, would you still go? Further survey had led to interviews with about one hundred fifty families willing to go. This was really remarkable considering that this would be a whole new life, starting over on a strange planet, and living together with an alien species who could never speak the same language. Andsom was also making good progress on the containers and so far, except for a visit from government officials who wanted to make sure that they were not doing anything nefarious. The government was also preparing a tax assessment of the new properties. Every thing was on schedule. Little did the government know that by the time they figured out a tax bill those 'properties' would be long gone.

  It is incredible how much damage one person can do when no one is watching, that was Mike Nerdahl. On station three Nerdahl had access everywhere on the station, including launch control. After the big asteroid strike the stations and ships of the EDF had one mission, zap asteroids. And do it with the most powerful weapons available, nuclear missiles. The only fear was that those missiles could be pointed at earth, a valid concern. Because of this they were programmed to never take earth coordinates and as a safety a very sensitive atmospheric sensor would detonate the warhead before it could do any damage to earth. As far as firing a missile anywhere else, there were no great security measures and half the station knew how to set coordinates to an asteroid and hit go. Mike Nerdahl, with a little help from his 'destroy the Devils Gate' friends, was able to easily get in and set coordinates for the gray nebula. The one issue with a target so far out was that until it's orbit came around there was not enough fuel to get it there, but now it was in position and cruiser two would be there at the same time. In the name of the man who started it all, specialist Rodney Downs, Mike pushed the button and quickly stepped away. By he time they figured out it was him he hoped to be on earth. He had orders for leave to see his father who had cancer, sort of. Although the Devils Gate group looked to be stalled on earth due to lack of funding it seemed there mission was going to be a success.

  Giraffe had just fallen asleep when Panther started the alert. “What is it now!” Panther answered in a soft voice, “Well dear, a missile just came on radar, it came from earth station three. It is headed this way but may not get here, because there is a earth ship in the way. Oh, and it is moving at near light speed. It also has a nuclear warhead most likely attached, just thought you should know.” Giraffe was wide awake, again. “Marx we need two missiles headed to the incoming nuke and we need it yesterday.” Marx sounded half asleep as he replied, “Already programmed and away as we speak, a, that earth ship is gonna be a problem
maybe. Our missiles will be passing them by really close and, hold on,” Uhr was pointing out the probable trajectories, “Ah, yep, looks like the detonation pulse will hit the ship and then poof.” Giraffe sounded totally frustrated.

  “What do you mean poof?” Marx sounded serious now. “Their computer systems are not shielded well enough, and they will all shut down, the ship will be dead.” The earth ship was to far away for it to communicate with Panther although she could push a comm to the earth ship. “Panther send this, “Earth ship go to full alert, suit up, two missiles are coming at you but will pass. Repeat two missiles will pass, prepare for nuclear detonation aft followed by pulse. Panther on the way.” “Send that message and repeat continuously until we are in their communication range.” Giraffe took a breath and pause, then, “Zak take us there, thrust at two gees over dampers. Panther, time to detonation and time to our arrival please.” Giraffe was calm and said please hoping Panther would also be calm. “Aye captain,” She came back, “ Time to detonation two hours five minutes, our arrival four hours fifteen minutes present speed.”

  Commander Susan DePaul of cruiser two was just heading to quarters when the comm officer pulled off his headset and slammed it down clearly upset. “What is it ensign?” She asked, and he just looked at her with his mouth open. “Put it on please,” DePaul was a solid commander and calm as could be when it came on, 'Earth ship go to full alert, suit up, two missiles are coming at you but will pass, repeat two missiles will pass, prepare for nuclear detonation aft followed by pulse, Panther on the way'.“ DePaul recognized the voice as that of former EDF captain Mindy McCord and realized that this was to be taken seriously. “Give me ship wide comms ensign and sound the alert.” The ensign nodded when it was set up. “Attention all, this is not a drill, suit up for evacuation, a nuclear warhead is headed up our tail. Hopefully it will detonate before it reaches us, this is advanced warning, be ready to helmet on and tie off. I repeat, this is not a drill, expect explosive decompression, Commander DePaul out.” It would be an hour before radar picked up the missiles from both directions. She asked the ensign to turn off the warning but monitor and notify her if the message changes. Susan had known Mindy since she graduated academy and trusted her implicitly. As women in a man dominated organization they had shared meals and drinks many times. Although Susan technically outranked Mindy she had instinctively followed her orders without question. It was also clear that the Panther had capabilities well beyond what the earth ship had. The Admiral had briefed all commanders and generals to never underestimate Giraffe or Panther.

  Giraffe ordered, “Panther, push comms to the earth ship the updated time to detonate and our arrival as soon as our missiles pass their ship. Attention crew, we have three hours to catch sleep or eat, after that we may be going for some time, that is all.” Giraffe got up and headed to the galley with Junes following her, both reached for stew. Junes asked, “How do you do it, stay so focused, Zak was always good as captain but not anywhere near as sharp as you, is it a earth thing?” Giraffe paused for a moment, “We are all a product of our upbringing and 'earth' may be part of it but I just do not know. It's just natural to me, the focus, it has always been that way, even as a child.” Junes pondered this and then quietly said, “I think Zak is falling for you.” Giraffe's expression did not change, she looked directly at Junes. “No, he respects me because I rescued him, you, he fell for long ago. Maybe when we get to Cyrillium you two can take some time...” With that Giraffe got up and headed to the bridge, sat in her chair, leaned back and fell asleep.

  “Oh, no, no, missiles.” Exclaimed the radar man. “They're coming right at us we have to take evasive action commander!' There was panic in his voice and all eyes on the bridge were looking at commander DePaul. “No change in course or speed, steady as she goes, they will go right by.” DePaul stated with conviction. “Check aft radar please.” Now the radar man turned white and spoke in a almost a whisper, “It's another one, coming right for us!” There was dead silence until the comms said, “New message coming in from Panther, 'time to impact seven minutes, time to Panther arrival two hours three minutes.“ The message kept repeating. Later the radar man, still quietly, said, “Missiles passed.” Commander Susan DePaul let out the breath she had been holding and calmly commanded. “Attention all crew, helmets on, tie yourselves in, detonation is going to be real close, four minutes, all crew helmets on and tie in.” It was going to be close, she was watching the radar as she cinched her straps a little tighter. Almost as an afterthought she announced. “All crew, hang tight, help is on the way, eta two hours,” Just then there was a brilliant flash the lit up every porthole on the ship and temporarily blinded many, there was no sound because sounds do not carry in the void. Just when they started to see again there was a wave of energy that moved through the ship, it was like nothing anyone had ever felt. The lights went out. There was no hum, that sound that is the ships systems running, air pumps, heating elements, computers and generators, nothing, it was all dead.

  But then, a tearing sound as a plate on the port side aft, ruptured, followed by a rushing sound then, nothing. Some have said that the total silence of the void, it's vastness and darkness are very much like being buried alive. So it was not surprising that a couple of the seventy souls aboard went crazy, they were quickly restrained and eventually brought to sic bay and sedated. Commander DePaul had said, “Help is on the way.” And it was because of her proven leadership and character that they believed her, this is what would keep them alive. The Panther being a container ship was capable of providing life support to more space than the earth ship had. Because of this they could get it's systems running again. Panther would provide it heat, air and basic power. Engineers Uhr, Dihr and Marx were busy putting together the necessary interfaces to connect to the earth ship as it had no universal ports. Building interfaces on the fly was made more difficult by having to work under two gees of pressure. They could not slow down, it was going to be tight getting to the ship and connecting before they ran out of air and the temps dropped below freezing.

  Commander DePaul moved through her ship to where crew were gathered, huddled in groups to stay warm. In the ever chilling darkness, hand lights dimming after too much use. She kept moral up as they waited for help. Some were miserable from having puked when the pulse went through and some were just scared from not knowing. Almost to the minute of when predicted they heard a distant rumble and then several deep clanking noises, then the ship shuddered. DePaul moved to the port side airlock where the sounds had been loudest and peered out, and into the helmeted face of Uhr, She froze, wide eyed as the grax gestured for her to open the airlock. In frustration Uhr keyed the com and said in his scratchy, accented voice. “Come on human, open the door before you freeze to death!” DePaul moved into action and started cranking the manual emergency lever. As the door opened Uhr gestured for help with a huge hose, she just grabbed one side and pulled. They dragged the huge hose into the hall and a few feet down to an air circulation vent. Finally getting her wits about her she said with a shaky voice, “Thank you.” Uhr replied, “Relax, we will have you up and running in no time now please step back so I can get your air going..” She stepped back as he turned to her and gave a little smile while igniting a laser torch to tack the hose in place, she shuddered and turned away.

  Uhr hit the pad on his sleeve and the sound of air rushing was accompanied by a feeling of warmth. This was repeated in two other locations with Marx having no problems but Dihr had a different situation. The crew that opened the door for Dihr freaked and then ran away so she had to do it herself. As the warm air started flowing through the ship there was a cheering that sounded from one end to the other. For Giraffe the choice of who would handle the connections was easy, the three most qualified could restore life giving services fastest. In fact, both Uhr and Dihr moved quickest as no one got in the way while Marx was crowded with too much help. Marx was getting frustrated because every one was crowding around wanting to say thanks
and pepper him with questions. He finally called Dihr for assistance and the minute she came around the corner everyone cleared out, he expressed his thanks.

  “Good to see a friendly face Dihr, they were really a bother.” Uhr was getting the final energy conduit in place and paused. “Commander could you hand me that spanner please.” DePaul handed him the tool quickly, she was over her shock and scolded herself again for her behavior. She knew the Panther had aliens on board even though she had no idea what they looked like. After he finished he pulled a comm unit off his belt, “Commander, as soon as the signal light turns blue you can address your crew.” He then placed a med band on her arm, “This will indicate when the air is sufficiently clear to breath. After you get your crew situated Giraffe would like you to visit, comm her then. Thanks for the help it is not often I get to boss around a boss!” He turned and left with a smile. DePaul took a moment to think, Uhr's smile gave her a little shudder and she suspected he did it on purpose. “All hands, this is the commander, leave your helmets on until I give the all clear which should be soon, thanks to Panther and her crew we are alive, a nuclear missile was intended to destroy us. While we have life support it will be some time before our computer systems and reactor can be restored, that is all.” Not sure how the comm system was working she just spoke into it. “Captain McCord please.”

  She only waited a minute before Giraffe came on “Susan how are you holding up? You can speak freely it's a private line.” “Mindy you have no idea how glad I am to hear your voice, it was hard not to panic, no amount of training prepares you for something lie this.” Giraffe came back. “If you have things under control there come on over, use your airlock three and someone can escort you to the bridge. I have to stay here to monitor everything and could use the company from an old friend.” DePaul answered “On my way soon friend”