9 Years, 6 Months, 28 Days After Eridani Landing
Bellona
“Ready?” asked Alpha from where he sat on top of the Captain’s chair.
“I’m good!” said Red from where he sat at the controls for the ship. It hadn’t taken much to convince him to pilot the vessel.
James glanced down at his own console as other systems and departments reported ready status.
“Megan, we all set in engineering?”
Their was a sharp bang in the mike and everyone on the bridge winced, “We’re all set down here unless my new assistant insists on another test or that I’ve broken a dozen regulations with how everything is set up.”
“You helped write the regs for this class, why are you not using them?” asked James raising his eyebrows.
“The regs are conservative. You want conservative when it comes to power output?”
“I would like safe Engineer Megan!” squeaked Alpha.
“We won’t explode!”
James groaned and glanced up at his XO, which was something he was still getting used to. The Tanuin still not accustomed to the spacious nature of the Human ships compartments had taken to simply perching on the shoulders of individuals when they did not need to get somewhere quickly.
It was something that at first had been mildly annoying for most but given how helpful the small creatures were at solving smaller technical issues in the ship and their interconnected behavior most Humans had a Tanuin or two perched on their shoulders while on duty. During test runs the Tanuin had been able to improve ship wide efficiency but over 10%.
They were not themselves smarter or more knowledgeable about the systems of the ship than any of the Humans, less so in fact. Whenever a human paused in the middle of a procedure, or needed to query something the Tanuin would have the answer in moments though. One body on the shoulder of the Human, another at a smaller computer console, another inside of a duct performing repairs, and all still of one mind gave them an advantage when it came to multitasking.
Even when the answer to a question wasn’t in a computer the Tanuin would query their small collective on the ship, and ask the appropriate human if they didn’t have the correct answer themselves. This sometimes led to Tanuin asking individuals seemingly odd questions at times but after noticing the benefits most human crewmembers were almost instantly answering any question.
The only disadvantage of having the Tanuin onboard was the combat decompression procedure, unable to whether a vacuum the small creatures had to seal themselves in small cubes almost helpless during combat. No one had figured out how to build them suits yet, and the Tanuin themselves had never used space suits instead operating in space mostly with robotics.
Yern and Megan had been working on a solution of sorts but that hadn’t yet produced anything.
“We’re perfectly safe,” growled Megan through the communication line.
James muted the connection and looked up at Alpha, “Any merit to pointing out her definition of safe is reckless for most?”
The Tanuin let out a low warble that was a laugh, “No. She will not let us explode however, of that I am certain.”
James nodded in agreement and hit the ship wide intercom.
“All hands prepare to launch!”
It was a procedure that the hastily constructed ship had gone through half a dozen times already, having done test runs going around Big Blue and the fiery moon that was a sister body to Bellona. Still this was her official launch, and unlike most ships the Russia already had history.
She had suffered the effects of the Tanuin’s space sickness, and saved the entire colony that represented what was left of Humanity. She was a ship that had already proven herself, and despite her rushed final construction, the missing paint and absent aesthetics, she was strong.
The engines glowed as they pushed against the vacuum foam of the universe and the second ship constructed in orbit of Humanities new home took to the stars.
“Would you like to do the honors Alpha?” asked James.
“Still don’t quite understand it if I’m being honest,” said Alpha as he navigated through his own computer console.
“Call it one of humanities quirks.”
“You have a lot of those.”
“So do you.”
Alpha let out a small snicker, “True. Launching!”
The round loaded into magnetic acceleration cannon fired out of the bow of the ship, streaking downwards into the thin upper atmosphere of Bellona. Launched with only a small fraction of the power available to the main weapons the round still quickly ablated. Inside of the case the small charge went off, the magnesium and old style gunpowder detonated high in the atmosphere directly above the colony.
Loud and bright the single firework was all the fanfare the Russia needed. Far below on the alien moon, in orbit of an alien world around an alien star what was left of Humanity looked up at the sky and cheered.
“How can you not like explosions?” asked James.
Alpha remained silent.
Their was another bang closer to the bridge and James glanced back to see Megan drift into the compartment. She bounced off of the entrance frame and shot towards the engineering console on the bridge quickly settling into the seat.
“Shouldn’t you be in engineering for the FTL jump?” asked James.
“We’re not doing an antimatter jump, the Tanuin FTL doesn’t have a destructive failure scenario. Worst that can happen is we blow a few circuits. You told me to test my new assistant. Trial by fire and all that.”
James closed his eyes and put a hand to his face, but was spared having to respond as the forward screen flickered on and the image of the Council chambers came into view, James quickly lowered his hand. The three remaining leaders were all at their seats looking somewhat frazzled as well.
“Is the Russia ready?” asked Councillor Cantor.
“We’re ready,” said James as he stood up his feet in the slots of the floor keeping him anchored.
“We’ve decided to limit the time you’re going to have,” said Councillor Daniels from his middle seat, “You’re to come back in exactly a month, we’ll power up the tachyon beacon for that jump for two seconds. You miss that window and we’re not opening it again.”
James frowned, “The Canada’s window is still on schedule is it not?”
The three councillors looked at one another for a moment.
“No,” said Daniels.
“No!”
“If you can’t find the Canada in a month both ships will be considered lost, and if that is not the case you will simply have to wait and continue operating until the China is constructed and she is able to make antimatter jumps.”
“Why the sudden change?”
Cantor stood up and looked at the camera, “We need a ship here, preferably both. Given recent events, the Tanuin, the shakeup in our own command structures, we need to show strength to the people.”
“So stranding two ships outside our influence is safer?”
“All of humanity is scared James, even opening one tachyon window is a risk! We’ve found some nice aliens true, but we’re still under threat of a hostile alien force hell bent on wiping us out! Can you blame people for not wanting to have our only combat ready ships gallivanting across the stars looking for information?”
James shook his head, “no, but we do need to learn more about these aliens if we want to beat them. That was the whole point of sending the Canada out.”
“The Canada’s exploratory mission was heavily contested as you know, and something General Yan was a staunch supporter of. Given his recent actions and the fact that he did place a computer virus on the ship would it not be best for the ship to return here?”
“Assuming we find her.”
The Councillors looked at one another, “yes. If you don’t you are still under orders to return at the allotted time.”
“Very well. We’ll see you in a month then,” James shut the transmission down and let out a frustrated sigh.
“Politicians,” said Megan.
James growled several things under his breath and slowly sat back down in his chair.
“Out of curiosity, how long would it take for the China to be completed?”
“If I was running construction? Three years. Someone else? Four at a minimum. I designed this class with, with Ben. We’re the experts and she’s based mostly on the Pacific class that Ben and I were familiar with.”
“The antimatter would be ready in three years though right?”
“You could put a monkey in charge of building the rest of the accelerator, the limit on that is resources not expertise. It’ll be done in six months maximum.”
“What is the debate here?” asked Alpha breaking into the conversation.
“The debate is just that a debate. In case we do get stuck out there. How long we’ll have to survive on our own without resupply. We’re stocked to survive six months.”
“Oh. You are not considering disobeying orders?” asked Alpha.
The bridge was silent for a moment.
“No. We’re not Alpha,” said Megan.
The alien let out a low whistle and all of the humans on the bridge winced as sounds at the edge of their hearing increased in volume for a moment.
“Humans are confusing, in some instances individuals have insisted that breaking convention and orders it the right thing to do. In others you do not.”
Megan shook her head, “Sorry. We’re like that.”
“What is the ultimate criteria?”
James and Megan traded quick glances, “what is it for you?” asked James.
“The survival of my nest, my people.”
“That’s our answer as well.”
Alpha was silent for a moment, “The definition of how that is accomplished is different for each human though, correct? For us the course of action would be debated and resolved in moments.”
“Yep. Humans aren’t that fast and sometimes no matter how much you argue it’s never going to be enough to convince one Human.”
“Yet you still operate in groups. That is amazing.”
James chuckled, “Thanks, I think.”
Alpha let out another low warble and settled back into his seat looking at the computer readouts, “Engineering reports ready for FTL.”
James facing forwards nodded, “Alright. Let’s follow the Canada then. Set our destination for the first beacon they jumped to.”
“Aye!” said Red.
The Russia swung around and pointed it’s bow towards the stars. For a brief moment it lined up with a distant star, which when observed through a telescope had two planets into orbit which comprised the total sum of Humanity. Two planets which had just made peace with one another, and were starting to rebuild after a war which had nearly destroyed the species.
Of course that was the light that was falling on Bellona, and would do so for only another year.
“Coordinates set,” said Megan.
“Well then, let’s go. Helm, jump!”
The Russia hummed with energy, and with a blue red flash jumped past the light speed barrier and into space.
9 Years, 6 Months, 26 Days After Eridani Landing
Empire Home World
“No.”
“[Charles].”
“No!”
The older man slammed his hand down on the table sending several of the empty bottles on the table to the ground.
“She’ll be fine on my ship, I’ll be giving her class A treatments!”
[Charles] stood up and moving around his kitchen started haphazardly turning on different appliances.
“No, I’m not going back to that ship, I’m not listening to any orders that come from [Marcus], and I am most definitely not going to try and fight any class C’s.”
[Vann] stood up as well and moved around the table.
“[Charles] I get that you don’t like killing them, but you are the only one who understands them.”
[Charles] paused for a moment, “Understand them?”
He let out a laugh, “I understand enough to stay away from them. [Marcus] has got the whole empire rallied towards a new campaign of class C destruction. It’s not going to end well, the more we try and exterminate them the stronger and more violent they are going to become. Hell I wouldn’t put it past them winning if the Human’s are at the forefront!”
[Vann] blinked, “You can’t be serious.”
[Charles] muttered something under his breath and reaching not his stasis unit drew out food that looked as if it had been ordered in a week ago. Looking at it form a moment the mad threw it into the heating unit.
“I am.”
“You’ve been warning me about them, convincing me there is a threat so I don’t underestimate them and lose men. Like you did during that siege, you’re not actually worried about them destroying the Empire are you?”
[Charles] paused and shook his head, “You saw them running away from a fight, and they still managed to do damage to the flagship of the Empire. Back them into a corner and force them to fight, Humans will make sure that even if you win, you lose!”
Reaching into his pocket [Charles] drew out a small metal object and slammed it onto the table.
[Vann] frowned and looked down at it, “What’s that?”
“The detonator to the bomb that Humanity placed at the bottom of their own bunker. They were going to blow themselves up and take out the entire force that breached the bunker to rescue me and get at their technology. The engine tech which by the way they had destroyed months ago. Under no circumstances will they let us have an advantage, the Humans will die first.”
Reaching down [Vann] picked up the detonator and looked at it, “You took it from the Humans and kept them from setting the bomb off?”
[Charles] paused for a moment, “I took it from a human who literally melted right in front of me. A human who despite my having killed off most of her race showed me some kindness. Her last act was to try and blow herself up, me, children, men and women who she had dedicated her life to saving. This woman was a healer, and her solution was to blow herself up when backed into a corner with the rest of her people.”
[Vann] looked at the detonator and then back at [Charles].
“Those scenarios you gave [Reece]. Like the supernova, and black hole battlegrounds. Those weren’t just to test me. Those are legitimate scenarios in your mind.”
“They’re things the class C’s will do. Our Empire has only managed top survive this long because we’ve killed every class C race before they make it to the stars. Now that they have? I’m not confident we can win.”
Reaching into the heating unit [Charles] cursed and grabbing pads to protect his hands took the food out.
“Now, excuse me Emperor I have someone who actually needs help. The last thing you need as the leader of this Empire is the advice of a drunk, failure of a Captain. Especially now that you’ve been demoted for all intents and purposes. Your entire crew has been exchanged, you’re not surrounded by officers who’re going to tolerate the whimsical orders of a child Emperor. If you want to make sure this Empire survives you need to take command. Not listen to me or anyone else.”
[Vann] blinked.
“[Charles]…”
The man huffed and lifted the food up, “Do I have to spell it out? [Marcus] has the politicians. You have to win over the people. That’s the only way you’re ever going to wrest control from him. You’re not going to do that while dragging me around.”
[Charles] paused, “I’m also not ready to go back to that ship.”
[Vann] sighed, “Fine.”
“Emperor.”
[Vann] put his Comm up to his ear, “[Reece]?”
“New orders are being issued. The [Singer] is being ordered to link up with the 4th fleet.”
“Nothing more than that?” asked [Vann].
“The orders state that further direction will be given once that has occurred.”
[Vann] glanced back at [Charles].
“I’m on my way. Get the transport ready.”
“Will we be taking guests up to the [Singer]?”
“No.”
9 Years, 6 Months, 28 Days After Eridani Landing
Chront
“Captain!”
Stagg paused about to slip into her bunk, and punched her intercom.
“Yes?”
“The Empire patrol vessel at the edge of the system has changed course and accelerated. They’re on a direct course for Chront!”
For two seconds Stagg stared at her bed, she had the distinct feeling that she was not going to be sleeping tonight or possibly tomorrow night.
“Alert the C1803 governments tell any shuttles we have on the ground to start launching any of the magnetic extenders they have and then go back and get their welcome packages. Sound general quarters I want to be combat ready in ten minutes!”
Stagg was pulled on the rest of her suit am issued the orders and hit her own door release as she finished. Drifting down the short corridor to the bridge Stagg drifted inside.
“Arik!”
“I’m awake!”
“Why’d they change course?”
“I’m unable to discern much, the military encryptions they are using are not in the collection of codes I have managed to breach. As far as I can tell the only prompting is the fact that military alertness across the Empire has gone up a notch. Rumors are something about unknown class C’s attacking a planet and decimating a city.”
“Other class C’s?” asked Stagg.
“I’ve found nothing substantial to backup the rumors. Although several planets have gone dark, mostly those which have only been recently acquired by the Empire. The oldest in that list being the planet where we lost our shuttle and crew.”
Stagg blinked, “So not a coincidence then?”
Arik’s form on the nearest screen shrugged, “Atmospheric entry suits were present on the shuttle, I’m not sure what could have been done to cause such a disturbance but the possibility remains.”
The two women were silent for a moment, “Diana?” asked Stagg.
“I didn’t want to suggest it, but her psychological profile and the fact that she had genetic engineering in her makeup lend credence to her being the most destructive in a new environment as she attempts to gain control.”
Stagg sat down in her chair, “Alright so something might have happened on that planet, or it’s a coincidence. In either case it doesn’t make any difference at the moment.”
“No I suppose it does not.”
“Call Derrick and the governments.”
“Derrick is already awake and working, he is at the moment preparing to storm the workshop with the remaining magnetic extenders in an attempt to finish as many as possible.”
“How many more?”
“We have fifteen in orbit at the moment, with another three that might operate in a limited fashion on the ground.”
“Is that enough?”
Arik was silent for a moment, “Does it matter now?”
“Arik!”
“We’ll be able to extend the magnetic influence of the ACE device ten times our normal range, but even that is only a few thousand kilometers. If we are to defend the planet it is not enough.”
Stagg ground her teeth together and nodded, “Prepare the Alamo signal package then.”
“Aye. The governments are contacting us.”
“Bring them up, and get our guests in here!”
“I have already woken Pankin, Anil was reading in her quarters and is attempting to don one of our space suits.”
“She had it off?”
“She has complained that it chafes her skin while sleeping.”
Stagg rolled her eyes, no human would even think of taking their counter pressure suit off for longer than it took to bathe. The hull of the ship was impossible to breach under normal conditions but still it took time to get into a suit when combat conditions came about.
“What’s going on!?” shouted Pankin, his language echoing off of the walls loudly before being quickly translated as he threw himself into the bridge, and overshooting slammed headlong into the main display.
“Ow.” Grumbled Pankin.
Stagg stared at him for a moment, “Arik open the channel.”
The main screen flickered on and the faces of the world leaders appeared. King Henswick and President Renil were both in nightclothes while Bitus was in his normal robes. All looked attentive but it was plain they had all just been roused from sleep.
“Captain?” growled King Henswick.
“The Imperial patrol vessel has broken orbit and is now on a direct intercept course with your planet.”
The three leaders glanced at one another and then looked back at Stagg.
“We’ve not detected anything,” said Renil.
“Our instruments are better then your own, and in any case this happened eight hours ago. We cannot react faster than light speed.”
“How long until the vessel reaches orbit?” asked Bitus.
“Two days if current speeds are any indication, although it is continuing to accelerate,” said Arik.
“Will Gerinal be able to speak when they arrive?” asked King Henswick turning to look at Bitus.
The robed man nodded, “He will be. He was able to get out of bed earlier today and has been going over all of the data available.”
“We’ll prepare for the negotiations then.”
“They’re not going to talk with you Henswick,” said Stagg voice low.
The king frowned, “You’ve pointed that out. I am not ordering my military to stand down by any means. We however cannot do much more than try to talk to them. Should they choose to attack you have made it abundantly clear we won’t be able to stop them,” growled the man as he glared at Stagg through the communication channel.
“No. I apologize,” Stagg glanced at the other leaders, “What about you two?”
Bitus offered his hands up, “What military I have is preparing to mobilize. Not that it will be effective, my country has never sought war, we have always negotiated for peace.”
“We are preparing as well; my country has managed to modify several missiles which we believe will be able to reach low orbit if need be. That is all we have to offer, my country has always dominated land and sea. The skies are a new realm for us.”
“What about your populations? Are you going to announce this?” asked Stagg.
“We can hardly hide it, all of our militaries going to their highest alert? It would take only one man trying to warn his family. Still we have nowhere to run to,” said Bitus.
“Here’s hoping we’re entirely wrong about what the Empire will do.” Said Stagg.
“You’re not.”
Stagg glanced backwards seeing Anil drift into the compartment.
“Anil?” Asked Bitus.
“The Empire is going to attack; I’ve gone over all of the data Humanity has. I’ve looked at their history, and the history of the Empire. They couldn’t have fabricated all of this and everything points to the Empire attacking us. They have never let a class C species live before, and see it almost, well almost like a religious duty to wipe the universe of those species they deem inferior.”
The two world leaders in conflict with one another glanced at the other but said nothing.
“Really?” asked Bitus.
“They’ve only initiated contact sparsely, and it was always to try and obtain something. With species C33 the Empire negotiated to obtain shielding technology and then destroyed them. With species C809 the Empire negotiated for the reactor technology they used and then simply redirected an asteroid towards their planet. With species C1764, Humanity they attempted to negotiate for the engine technology they developed.”
Anil hesitated getting her bearing in the zero-g, gripping at the back of Stagg’s chair the woman looked at Bitus.
“I have a prediction; do you want to hear it?”
Bitus’s eyes widened and went from thin snakelike slits to almost circular, “You don’t often make predictions. Go ahead.”
“The Empire is going to try and negotiate with us, have us turn against Humanity. They’ll offer us anything, so long as we hand them the Human ship. They want the drive technology.”
Bitus slowly nodded, “What do you predict humanity would do?”
Anil glanced at Stagg who kept her face carefully impassive.
“Every Human on this ship, and indeed most of the Humans who have managed to escape the Empire thus far would rather destroy their own vessel and themselves rather than give it to the Empire. I believe they would even sacrifice the moon they now call home if pushed to do so.”
“Yep,” said Stagg nodding slightly.
“What do you base this prediction on?” asked Renil.
Anil looked at Stagg and then back at the leaders, “Humanity from what I have learned is exactly like us. They might have different cultures, a different appearance, different ideas. Their spirit though? It is identical. They’ve committed atrocities, war, genocide. They’ve made peace, built wonders, reveled in success and reached out towards the stars only to begin the cycle again. We’ve done the same.”
Pankin frowned looking at his fellow C1803, “So they’re as bad as we are, is what you’re saying?”
“Worse, and better. They’ve had more time to learn, they’ve held the power to destroy themselves for centuries and not done so. We’ve only had that capacity for a generation.”
Stagg and the rest of the humans on the bridge remained silent listening as the C1803’s discussed humanity.
“What do you think we should do then?” asked Bitus.
“Stall, let Humanity fight. They’ll die before surrendering or retreating and leaving us to be decimated.”
The three leaders turned to look at Stagg.
She shrugged, “We’re pigheaded like that. Arik, transmit.”
“Sending out Alamo message on all channels and known transmission vectors.”
“Alamo?” asked Renil.
“An old fort, from hundreds of years ago in our history. Men who were defending a fort and were hopelessly outclassed fought to the last man and killed nearly double the number of attacks as they had defenders. Humans like to remember it for the fact that the defenders never surrendered.”
“The Alamo message though?” asked Anil.
“A final message asking for help if anyone’s listening.”
9 Years, 6 Months, 28 Days After Eridani Landing
On the bridge of aging ship, the Captain took a sip of her tea and carefully set the mug back down. Picking up a tablet to continue going over the food production numbers and on hands supply the Captain yawned and rubbed at her eyes trying to wake up.
An alarm at one of the forward consoles sounded and the Captain looked up noticing the long ears of every other member of the bridge crew turned in unison towards the noise.
“Captain!” said the analyst at her station.
“Yes?”
“It’s a human signal! From the tachyon beacon! It’s being forced through nearly all of the public transmission channels!”
The captain stood, the mug of tea and tablet clattering to the floor.
“Main monitor!”
The analyst quickly turned back to her console and a flat hologram quickly materialized.
“The Empire is about to destroy another class C species. Humanity was the last species they tried to destroy, we survived. We survived but only just barely. This species though, is going to survive. We need help, anyone who is willing to help us save this species, anyone who knows what the Empire does is…”
The transmission cut out and quickly disappeared.
“The Empire communication channels have cut the signal, labeling it as a virus.” Said the analyst.
The Captain nodded, “Did we get coordinates?”
“We did!”
“Get me the Admirals.”
“Yes Ma’am!”