Table of Contents
Phoenix Among The Stars
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The adventures
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Phoenix Among The Stars
By
Robert Stadnik
EXODUS SERIES #2
Phoenix Among The Stars
Copyright 2011 Robert Stadnik
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
Winter break meant one thing for Billy, being lazy. Like his fellow cadets, he worked hard at TERRA Academy, the training school for TERRA (Tactical Earth Reconnaissance & Recovery Authority). TERRA was the military arm of the tri-planetary government protecting Earth, Luna, and Mars. Summer and winter breaks provided cadets time to unwind and recharge themselves for the next semester. All Billy intended to do this winter break was lounge around the house.
This morning he was relaxing in the living room recliner, having dragged himself out of bed fifteen minutes before. He was a night owl and it never failed for him to fall back into that pattern of sleeping all day. He usually got up around two or three in the afternoon, but this morning he forced himself up before noontime, hoping to find new information about EXODUS, the experimental starship that had recently escaped Earth and the solar system. The news was on the Earth-Luna-Mars (ELM) Network and Billy was waiting for any report about the starship.
“Population Minister Matthew Cariff commented that his department is currently reviewing the report,” said the ELM news anchor. “He’s not ready to make recommendations on changing current policies regarding population growth."
“Display off,” said Billy. “Notify me if anything comes up regarding rogue starship EXODUS.”
“Query saved,” responded the house computer as the wall display went dark. It had only been a few days since Billy last spoke to John, his best friend who recently took command of TERRA’s experimental starship. Billy was excited at the thought that a human starship had finally left the solar system and was exploring space, and that his best friend was leading the expedition. Hours after they spoke, Billy and John’s other close friend, David Block, received the first video log from the EXODUS that provided an interior tour of the ship. Billy laughed seeing that John had rechristened the ship PHOENIX. He could only imagine how irate TERRA was at that decision. Not only was their ship launched without authorization, the cadet commanding it also saw fit to change its name.
After watching the video, Billy and David anonymously sent the data card through the civilian mail system to ELM Network; they couldn’t risk uploading the video over the net and it being traced back to them. Rumors were circulating that TERRA was scouring Earth, Luna, and Mars for anyone associated with the EXODUS Project. Billy and David had no doubt TERRA had mined the web with mining bots looking for any information about PHOENIX.
On receiving the data card, the network executives wasted no time showing it to their viewers. Public reaction was swift and PHOENIX became a hot topic, everyone was talking about the ship. The video showed the command deck and Central, and people went nuts seeing a self-contained city built right into a starship.
TERRA quickly denounced the video as nothing more than a fabrication, as they had already issued a statement saying PHOENIX had been destroyed by the Screen. To bolster their claim, TERRA presented what they said was the ship’s hull. But the video countered that claim with footage showing PHOENIX destroying a Screen fighter near Mars and a fleet of Screen vessels at Pluto. The images were too compelling to ignore. Some believed the ship was destroyed, but most thought the ship had indeed defeated the Screen and was now out in open space.
Billy and David were ecstatic at how much interest the video generated, but their excitement was tempered from the risk of being caught as the distributors. They needed to be diligent in avoiding detection when sending future videos of the PHOENIX. Rather than spend their winter breaks together, they decided to change plans and spend the time apart. David remained in Richmond, Virginia and Billy returned home to Lakeland, Florida.
“News report about EXODUS starship on ELM News,” said the house computer.
“Bring up display and run from beginning,” said Billy as he sat up.
"ELM had the video we received about the starship PHOENIX evaluated by an independent lab,” said the anchor. “We just received results from the lab who confirmed the video as authentic.
“ELM has made several inquires with both TERRA and the tri-planetary government about the video. TERRA, in a statement, has reiterated that the ship was destroyed and the video is nothing more than an elaborate prank. A spokesperson from the president's office issued a statement moments ago saying they were working with TERRA in reviewing the video and had no further comment at this time."
Billy was disappointed. It appeared the government would join TERRA and deny that PHOENIX made it out of the solar system. He hoped John would be able to continue sending videos of the ship’s adventures in space. It was the only way to force the government and TERRA to admit PHOENIX was intact.
The doorbell rang, but Billy was in no mood to get up and answer it. “Ethel, can you get it?” The silver rectangular house bot rolled past Billy to the front door. He heard the door open, but couldn’t make out the voices over the news volume.
“Billy,” said the house bot as she rolled next to the recliner. “Two men from TERRA Security are here to see you.”
Billy’s heart jumped. Had they already traced the video to him? Did they know he made contact with the PHOENIX? A million paranoid thoughts flashed through his mind. No, if they had something on him they would have busted in here, instead of knocking politely on the door.
Billy got up and straightened his pajamas. “Thanks, Ethel.” He slowly walked to the front door, trying to conceal any clues in his body language that might indicate he knew something. He saw the two officers standing at the door’s threshold, whispering to one another.
“Can I help you?” The men looked at Billy with stern expressions.
“Cadet Pedia, I’m Commodore Drake, director of Earth security.” The introduction wasn’t needed as Billy recognized the man. Commodore Drake was one of three officers who were responsible for TERRA security on Earth and reported directly to Admiral Vespia. Drake was responsible for Ear
th and the other two directors handled Luna and Mars.
“Nice to meet you, sir,” was all Billy could think of saying.
“This is my attaché, Commander Killingsworth.” The commander only nodded to Billy. “Can we have a few minutes of your time?”
“Sure.” Billy let the men enter the home and led them to the adjacent living room. “Computer, discontinue display.” The monitor flickered off from ELM News.
“Is anyone else here?” asked Commander Killingsworth.
“No, my mom’s at work. Does she need to be here?”
“No,” replied the commodore. “This is TERRA business and not for outsiders to hear.” His comment didn’t ease the cadet’s nerves. “I take it you’ve seen the video purportedly sent from the TXS EXODUS?”
“Everyone’s seen it. I was watching the news about it when you showed up.” Billy figured they saw the news broadcast and didn’t want to deny his curiosity about the ship. “TERRA said it was destroyed by the Screen when it crossed the Mars orbital boundary.”
“Cadet, what we’re about to say is not to leave this room,” said Killingsworth. “You are not to discuss this with anyone: to your mother, friends, or other TERRA officers.”
“O…Ok,” stammered Billy.
“The EXODUS successfully repelled the Screen and left the solar system,” said Killingsworth. Billy wanted to crack a smile as he already knew that little fact.
“We’re here because of your association with John Roberts,” said Drake. “As improbable as it seems, the leaked video shows he’s commanding the EXODUS, along with his roommate Julie Olson, who is serving as his executive officer.”
Billy was tempted to add, “And it was those cadets who were the first to defeat the Screen.” But he pushed that thought to the back of his mind.
“It’s not true, is it?” said Billy. “I haven’t heard from John since the last day of finals and can’t believe he would be on that ship.”
“And why is that?” asked Drake.
“The last time I saw John he was drinking himself to oblivion at Neon’s. He had a meeting with Superintendent Mortino who told him he was being assigned to the reserves after graduation. I assumed he woke up the next day and headed home to nurse his ego.”
“You haven’t tried to contact him?” asked Killingsworth.
“John likes to be left alone during school breaks,” said Billy, which was the truth. Billy was sure TERRA was monitoring his communications activity and would have noted if he tried to contact John. “John’s my friend, but he’s a bit weird. I think he struggles with not having a family, especially during the holidays.”
“What about Julie Olson?” asked Drake.
“John’s roommate? What about her?”
“What kind of relationship do they have?”
“They hate each other. Julie tried to get another roommate the first year because she and John can’t get along. I’m surprised the video showed she was on EXODUS and serving as John’s XO. It makes no sense.”
“So you have no knowledge of them working at the EXODUS Project at any time?” asked Drake.
Billy shook his head with an innocent look on his face. “They never mentioned the project or ship to me.”
The two officers looked at one another. Billy couldn’t tell if they were satisfied with his responses.
“We may have additional questions for you later on,” said Drake. “In the meantime, you are to keep this conversation to yourself. As far as anyone is concerned, we were never here.”
“I understand, sir,” said Billy. He wondered if David had already been questioned. His father sat on the command council and might use his clout to protect his son from questioning. It was probably for the best, as David would not have been able to handle the stress.
“Thank you, cadet,” said Drake. “We’ll see ourselves out.” As soon as they left, Billy collapsed on the couch. He was wiped out from maintaining his composure during the conversation. This cloak and dagger stuff was harder than he thought. In hindsight, he wasn’t surprised security came to see him, but it was still nerve-wracking. He needed to be careful from here on out. He suspected security would be keeping tabs on him for the foreseeable future.
Outside, the two security officers entered their shuttle and did not speak until they were airborne and heading to Luna.
“Thoughts?” asked Drake.
“His responses are consistent with what we know,” said Killingsworth. “His statement about not contacting Cadet Roberts matches his call log activity, and there’s no indication he’s spoken to Roberts since EXODUS’ departure.”
“Even though Admiral Block has vouched for Cadet Pedia, we’ll continue to monitor him for the time being.”
“Will we be interviewing Cadet Block?”
“No, but Admiral Block has assured me he has questioned his son extensively. Admiral Vespia has instructed us to leave Cadet Block alone. She does not wish to antagonize a command council member.”
Killingsworth did not respond to Drake. Block was an ally of Vespia on the council, and she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that alliance. It was the same old thing with TERRA, politics.
CHAPTER TWO
“No one can truly understand how vast space is until they’ve been out here.”
That’s what John thought as he looked at the millions of stars surrounding him, their flickering lights dancing in the darkness. He would never be tired of this scenery; he could spend hours losing himself in the stars.
"Pull back more," barked Martin Everold over the intercom. "You want to make the pitch steep."
"Damn it," commented John, his tranquil moment broken by the lieutenant. He put more force on his control stick, but was frustrated by his Interceptor’s lagging response.
He had been in the fighter craft for over an hour, practicing maneuvers along with his executive officer, Julie Olson. This was their first time flying Interceptors in space. Their only experience with fighters was in flight simulations at the Academy. John thought he would pick up handling the Interceptor with ease, but he was finding it difficult to maneuver his fighter. Martin was an excellent teacher and exhibited a lot of patience working with John. But no matter what he was told, the young captain just couldn’t seem to nail down the mechanics of operating his craft.
Julie, on the other hand, seemed to be a natural. It didn't take long before she was doing loops and darting her fighter around the PHOENIX. John was jealous how easy it was for her to fly her ship.
"This is stupid," John muttered.
"What was that?" asked Julie.
"I said let's do another round of tag," replied John. Julie heard exactly what he said but elected not to call him on it. She had some sympathy for him. John was learning that flying a fighter was more than just having intelligence. She knew his ego was taking a bruising from his poor flying skills.
"Verify that your main armament is on blank," instructed Martin from his Interceptor.
"Verified," said John, happy at least he could operate the computer with no trouble.
"Confirmed," replied Julie, checking her weapon status.
"Alright, move away from the PHOENIX," said Martin, "When I give the word, break and start the fight."
The three Interceptors fired their thrusters and moved away from the PHOENIX in unison. John was convinced his fighter was defective, as it seemed to take a lot of effort on his part to keep it straight and steady. Twenty-second century technology shouldn’t be this troublesome.
"Break," said Martin. The Interceptors immediately split formation and sped off in three directions. Julie turned her fighter on John’s and locked onto his ship.
"Aw hell," John muttered as his sensors alerted him to the target lock. He fired his thrusters to maximum and pushed his control stick out, sending his Interceptor on a quick downward spiral. Unfortunately, he was too preoccupied to think about zigzagging his fighter and it took only a few moments for Julie to reacquire her target and lock on again. She hit the fire
button and harmless lasers shot from her craft, hitting John's fighter. The young man slammed his hands on his front console in frustration as the computer registered the hit and sounded a siren.
"Fatal hit. Damage to engine core, multiple hull breaches," said the computer.
“Shut up,” muttered John.
Julie smiled as her console showed her target 'destroyed'. But her victory was short-lived. Multiple lasers struck her fighter hull and the alarms went off in her cockpit.
"Never focus all your attention on your target," said Martin as his fighter flew past Julie. "Just because you're going after one ship doesn't mean your enemy out there is going to leave you alone to finish off your target. You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times."
"Got it," replied Julie in a resigned tone. She may be better at flying Interceptors than John, but her skills were still woefully inadequate.
“You copy that, captain?” said Martin. He found it strange to be calling someone younger than him captain. It was going to take some time for Martin to get used to the idea that John was his commanding officer.
“Yup,” said John. He decided that he would just stay on PHOENIX and orchestrate battles from the command deck. A ship commander wasn't expected to lead a fighter squadron into battle and John intended to adhere to that standard to avoid future embarrassment.
"Reset your computers and weapons. Let's try it again," said Martin. Just then, John's communication system alerted him to an incoming message.
"Hold on. PHOENIX is calling." He switched the channel over.
"Captain," came the voice of Lieutenant Brandus over the speakers. "If you're done with your flight training, we could use you back on the ship."
"Anything wrong?"
"Well, we've got a small situation over here. It's nothing serious, but you better get back."
"What is it?" John didn’t like being kept in suspense. He had concerns about the PHOENIX’s ability to operate successfully in space. It had spent its entire twenty year existence moored at the EXODUS Project in the Tormented Valley on Earth. Without a proper shakedown, John was worried about a catastrophic systems failure.
Phoenix Among The Stars (Exodus) Page 1
