TEMPUS TWO CHAPTER TEN
You either get tired fighting for peace, or you die.
John Lennon
“Cristian I have sent the press release to both worlds with Raguel in the Retribution.”
“Thanks, Gracie.”
“Do not regret what you did. You have a responsibility to all the beings still alive. You must continue to fight.”
“I am aware of that Gracie. I am doing what I was designed to do. Clean up mess. My resolve has not diminished but doubled. I need to bring justice to the beings that made this kind of action necessary. I live for that.”
“Cristian.”
“Yes, Lorelei?”
“Where to next?”
“Let’s make sure those ships get to Thu-ban.”
“We are on the way. Speck would like a moment with you.”
“Send him in.”
“First Leader I would like to formally join the Alliance.”
“Granted what job did you want to do?”
“I am a warrior First Leader.”
“So you are. Come closer.”
“Will you try to kill me, Speck?”
Speck stretched out his right hand. “I offer this for you First Leader.”
Cristian pulled his Maker Sword and brought it down fast and stopped just short of cutting his hand off.
“You will become my right hand Speck. Part of my personal Guard. Do you accept this fate?”
“I would accept this Honour First Leader.”
“Hold this in your hand?”
“Watcher guns and fighting skills.”
“You will report to Sargent Major Helm for a black uniform. You will teach the men all your fighting skills.”
“Understood First Leader.”
“Sargent Major.”
“First Leader.”
“I am sending you another for a black uniform. He will be teaching you and your men some extra fighting skills.”
“Understood.”
“The leader of the Science Academy has boarded and asked to see you.”
“Speck stay for this meeting.”
“I am Chulol. I have become the Leader of my people. I wish to add my people to the Alliance.”
“Your people have already joined.”
“As individuals yes, now we join as a species. We would like to add Reticulans to the Alliance.”
“How do feel about me scorching your planet?”
“You were asked to grant them a clean death. You did them that honour. From what I have learned about you, that could not have been an easy task. The members of the Academy feel there was no other way.”
“Thank you for that. Welcome to the Alliance.”
“Do you have any plans for your people? We understand that you will have a need for us on the ships that will be refitted. And you can give us training for the jobs?”
“Yes, we can. I will need to meet with each member.”
“To make sure that none will try to kill you or any others on the ships. We swear our allegiance to you First Leader. You have earned the right.”
“No to give you each a communication device, if you are willing, your people can help with the refit. I do not completely trust the Gray.”
“A wise move First Leader.”
“I will see you after the refit. Have a list of the jobs available .”
“Speck, can they be trusted?”
“Without worry First Leader.”
“Report to the Sargent Major.”
“Cristian we have arrived at Thu-Ban,” said Lorelei.
“Thanks, Captain sweetie” said Cristian “Tiffany could you arrange a meeting with the Chancellor in the ready room.”
“Yes, Cristian.”
“Albert and Stephen, would you like to have a two-month working Holiday on an Alien Planet?”
“Yes, Cristian we would enjoy that.”
“Great join the refit team watch for funny stuff?”
“Could we take Alfred?” Said, Stephen.
“Absolutely good idea.”
“Alfred report to the dream team you will be helping with the refit.”
“On my way.”
“The Chancellor is in the ready room Cristian.”
“Thanks, Tiffany anything I need to handle?”
“No comment.”
“Thanks, Tiffany.”
“Chancellor.”
“First Leader we have the ships in on the planet our people have begun the refit. The members of the Academy have assigned themselves equally among the ships.”
“Good any objections.”
“None. We saw the release. We know what was done.” said the Chancellor.
“I have questions about long-range communications. How did you receive information from Earth and other planets back to here?”
“We have a system of communications equipment that use drones with drives similar to the smaller ships.”
“Good we will need access to those.”
“I will see to it.”
“I have made arrangements for one of the ships to start cargo and personnel runs between the two planets. They will also be in charge of bringing water here. Paint that ship differently from the others and make more cargo space available for Troops, People and supplies.
I will need you to concentrate on that ship first.”
“I see. We have can have that ship ready in ten days.”
“I want you to set up a school for training people here. An Alliance school.”
“Can you accommodate them?”
“We will make room.”
“One more thing we will need a planetary defence system for Earth immediately.”
“We can load some people’s equipment right now into your ship for transport.”
“Good the sooner the better.”
“I will need two days to assemble staff and equipment.”
“Excellent do we need to cover anything else Chancellor?”
“No First Leader.”
“Thank you for your assistance. In the meantime, I would love to see your world and our staff could use the shore leave.”
“I will send up a pilot to take your ship past the grid. The grid was put up because of you and your scorcher.”
“Lorelei we are going to have a pilot come aboard to take us past the defence grid. Make arrangements for the crew to have shore leave in shifts. I will be addressing the crew.”
“Will do.”
“Attention all crew members. We will land on the Planet Thu-Ban in a short while. I need to remind you to be on your best behaviour. You are all ambassadors of The Alliance. Punishments for misdeeds will be severe. With that said enjoy your time you have earned it. The Captain will give you the shore leave assignments.”
“Sargent Major your men will do shore patrol as well as guard the ship. Don’t forget to take shifts so your men can take some leave.”
“Will do First Leader.”
“Tiffany, and Gracie you are welcome to join our tour, or you can go down on your own it is up to you.”
“Cristian we are talking about an Alien Planet I will travel with you.”
“As you wish Tiffany.”
“Lorelei, are you coming down with us?”
“Cristian I need to do some work here I will join you later.”
“All right Wife. I will take baby Mary.”
The ship was taken to a location about a mile out of the Capital City. The city was everything you would expect on an Alien world. Beautiful strange buildings and scenery.
Thousands of Gray travelling everywhere. On foot and in ground vehicles. It was quite something. The fact that there were no trees or vegetation anywhere and the canals that once held water were empty did not escape him. This was the first Alien city Cristian and Tiffany had ever seen.
Their pilot turned tour guide was giving Hutch directions as they drove the Otter through the city. Cristian looked over at Tiffany who was holding young Mary on her lap as they drove through the city. She was good with her.
“We have arrived First Leader, we are at the Chancellors Home. He has arranged for a meal for you.”
“Thank you for getting us here. Hutch, you can head back to the ship there will be others that need a ride into town.”
“Yes First Leader, shouldn’t someone stay here with you?”
“I think we will be okay, take care of the crew members.”
“Chancellor.”
“First Leader, Tiffany, Gracie and young Mary.”
“Watcher send the coordinates to Lorelei.”
“Done.”
“The food we have for you came from your Chef. You are the first guests we have had in a very long time.”
“That will change with the school and the freight run between our worlds.”
“I noticed that your need for water is extreme Chancellor what happened here?”
“Our planet suffered a change in climate due to our arrogance. Our scientists tried to harness the power from the star, it caused a reaction that burned the surface. We were able to reverse it but not before our planet suffered. Most of our people survived underground for years before we were able to fix the problem. The water we have left is underground it is barely enough to sustain us.”
“How can we help right now Chancellor?”
“There is a comet just about to pass our planet if we could bring it to the surface safely it would sustain our population for years.”
“How big is the comet?”
“In your measurement, it would be a ten kilometres at its largest diameter.”
“How would we handle something that large?”
“We could do it with five of the ships and cable. We would need to extend the capability of the shields so we could keep it from causing damage as we brought into the atmosphere.”
“When do you want to do this?”
“In three days the comet would be at the closest point to the planet.”
“Can we be ready Chancellor?”
“Yes your ship AI would have to handle the calculations and the flying of the other ships.”
“What about a cable strong enough to do the job.”
“We have the cable and netting. We can make the adjustment to the shields.”
“Better get your people on it. We should get to the important part of the evening.”
“You mean the food?”
“Yes. Tiffany are you hungry?”
“Yes, Cristian and I am guessing young Mary could do with some food.”
“What about you Gracie do you require sustenance?”
“Cristian my synflesh does require nutrients.”
“The chef sent some kind of food for the girl. Asparagus I think, hard to tell it has been rendered smooth. Gracie we have the nutrients for you as well.”
“The asparagus was grown in our Aquaponics bay we grow fish that give nutrients to the plants that grow on the surface of the tanks.”
“I remember Albert gave me a tour.”
Cristian, young Mary, Tiffany, Gracie and the Chancellor enjoyed a meal together. It was soon time to go back to the ship. The Chancellor took them back in his own vehicle. Cristian thanked Tiffany and Gracie for coming along and took Mary from her. That caused some tears, the young Wolf was attached to Tiffany.
Lorelei was in the ready room working on her computer station. “Lorelei, you missed dinner?”
“I had work Cristian, I am working on crew assignments and schedules.”
“Sweetie, why are you not asking someone else to do that work? You are the Captain.”
“I just wanted to get them right.”
“It is time for you to get an XO.”
“A what what?”
“Executive Officer, your second in command.”
“Who would I get?”
“My pick would be Tuseer. But you are the one who should choose Lorelei. This is ship business.”
“Cristian you are right.”
“Tuseer could you meet me in the ready room?” said Lorelei.
“Right away Captain.”
“Can you watch Mary for a bit longer Cristian?”
“I already was sweetie.”
The conversation in the ready room went as expected Tuseer would become the XO. She was handling crew assignments as Lorelei left the room.
“Well?”
“Tuseer is the XO. Thank you, Cristian.”
“Lorelei in a couple of days we are going comet hunting.”
“Say what what again?”
“The Gray are in dire need of water its time to make a payment on our debt to them. There is a comet close by. It is ten Kilometres across Lorelei.”
“Can you take charge for that operation Cristian?”
“I am sure the Gray will be helping out. It is going to take five ships and a lot of cable. Plus we are going increase the shields around the thing to bring it down safely.”
“Wow sounds a little crazy. Which is right up your alley.”
The crew enjoyed their shore leave and no one misbehaved. Shield power was increased by the Gray and the five ships were controlled by Watcher and the ship AI.
The five ships had a huge net strung between them at five points. They flew below the comet in formation at the same speed. They slowly over took the comet and flew in front. Once the netting was around the comet they throttled the speed slowly back over the period of a few hours, until the comet had come to a complete stop. The next job was a bit trickier.
With the defence grid lowered and the comet surrounded by the new shields. It was taken to a dry lake bed close to town and lowered slowly. The netting and cables were dropped by all ships save one. The one ship managed to pull the netting and cable free from the comet. All five ships returned to their locations near town.
Gracie made sure that the operation was recorded for all to see. A drone was dispatched to Earth with the footage to be broadcast by the media.
The drone came back with personal vmail, and messages from the Leader of the Federation Of Earth. People were signing up for service on the new ships. The drone also came back with all the latest news and latest movie releases for entertainment for the crew. Sent at no cost from a grateful Hollywood.
The Gray loaded the Séadhna with equipment for the Earth Defence grid. They also loaded the ship with a hundred Gray for the work to be done.
“Captain status report?”
“We are ready to leave atmos for the return trip. We will be taking a freighter back with us the Gray were so happy about the water that they finished the ship early. The ship has been named the Magellan by Captain Wolf. Tuseer is flying her along with a few mechanical’s.”
“Excellent lets go home.”
“Magellan this is Séadhna are you ready to leave atmos.”
“Séadhna this is Magellan ready to follow your lead.”
“Lets fly” said Captain Wolf.
Space was folded and the two ships headed home. They both Landed at the New Mexico Space Port. The press and representatives from the newly formed Galactic Spaceways were waiting on the Tarmac. There were bands playing as Dignitaries from all over the world came to hear what Cristian had to say.
“Thank you all for coming down. We have brought a gift from the Gray. They will be installing a defence grid for Planet Earth that will protect it from attacks from space. I have seen the same grid in place around the Gray home Planet. If you watched the broadcast you know we have retrieved thirty ships from the Reticulan people. The ships belong to the Gray, who have graciously loaned them to the Alliance. One ship has been dedicated as a passenger freighter to travel between the worlds. That is ship is the Magellan that is to the right of you.
The ship will be managed by a co-op formed between the Major Airlines of this planet under a new name. Galactic Spaceways. The ship will be ready to take passengers and freight early next week after the new defence grid has been put into service. The first passengers will be some of the people who have been chosen for the crews of the new ships.”
“That is all the news I have for today” The crowds cheered and the band started playing again. While the world leaders and Military present were given tours of the Séadhna. The press and everyone else on the ground was given a tour of the Magellan.
“Cristian when will we be getting these new faster fighters?” Asked the new president of the US.
“Let me get the thirty ships outfitted with crew and fighters done first.”
“This ship is impressive First Leader you have done us all very proud.”
“Thank you Madame President.”
“We all watched what you did to the Lizard Homeworld. It was brutal.”
“They are the Reticulan People. It was a request that I did not take lightly, and you should not. They showed great courage and honour.” Cristian was annoyed at the comment.
“My apologies First Leader.”
“Good let’s continue on the tour, You will see, Aquaponics, The core, Astrophysics, Environmental, Engineering and the crews quarters. You entered through our main flight deck these are our vehicles. The land units are capable of short space flights and have the ability to travel underwater and on land or hover. We call those Otters.”
“What do you call the fighters?” was one of the questions.
“No one has named them yet. That honour should come from someone who has flown in one.”
“If that was an offer to go for a flight I am in.” said the President.
“Captain have twenty pilots report to the flight deck.”
“Now we will take twenty of you for a quick flight. You will need to go to the bathroom before we go up and an airsick bag will be handed to you on the way to the ships.”
That comment was to keep the faint-hearted from flying.
“You will have to decide between you who will go, out of fairness if you have had a flight into space previously you should remain here.”
Twenty passengers were each assigned a pilot to follow and they made sure they went to the bathroom first. They were handed airsick bags, which were just a gimmick since there was no feeling of movement inside the ships. Richard could be seen chuckling at the back of the room.
“You are Wolfman?”
“Yes Madame President” He helped the new President of the USA into his fighter.”
“Gracie, did you get all this?”
“Yup Cristian all outboard and in-cabin cameras are recording.”
The warning to clear the flight deck was made. Permission to take off was given.
“Tight V on Me.”
“Let’s take a flyby of the cities that are in daylight then once around the moon and home.”
Around the back of the moon, one of the pilots saw something shining.
“Wolfman I have a bogie at ten o’clock. It is not one of ours.”
“Starboard fighters go down for a quick look. Any danger bug out.”
“Captain Wolf scramble all fighters to the rear of the moon. We have a bogie. Better get the Séadhna In the air.”
“We are Oscar Mike.”
“Wolfman single craft looks like a listener. It has fired some green shit at us.”
“Bug out fighters are inbound.”
“Take the bastard out First Leader.” said his passenger.
“Hang on.” Cristian fired guns and missiles and sent the pieces all over the surface of the moon.
“Take the leaders home.”
“Madame President you okay.”
“Hell yes.”
“Are you going to send people out to have a look it must have come from a bigger ship?”
“First Leader to Earth Defence force Scramble All fighters. We are looking for a big fish.”
“First Leader Wolf,” said the Captain of the Séadhna “First Leader I have a very anxious Vampire looking for a pickup.”
“On my way.”
“Madame President your ride is over.”
“Gryphon.”
“Ma’am?”
“The ships call them Gryphons.”
“Good name.”
“Captain Wolf and Fighters, the ships have been named Gryphons by my co-pilot.”
“She was helped out of the ship by Vampire who couldn’t wait to get inside. “Let’s go hunting Wolfman.”
“The ship is being rearmed, Vampire.”
“Wolfman you see action and you are out with another lady on a scenic tour, You sure know how to make a girl jealous.”
“Won’t happen again, Vampire.”
“She is rearmed let’s get this Gryphon in space,” said Lt. Cantor.
“Negative on the big fish. We have circled the solar system” was the reply from all ships.
“Everyone fly home and refuel and rearm if needed . Yellow alert status” Said the First Leader.
The ships were all brought back home to the ship and the spaceport. The Gray were working faster to get the grid up, they knew there would be more contact. The grid was in place and turned on in less than a day. The defence shield was extended far enough out so that most of the satellites and the ISS were protected.
Séadhna stayed in Space. To keep watch. “Cristian did you notice that there was a lot less space junk?”
“I did actually they must be using the Shrikes for cleanup. About time. It was a little embarrassing.”
“Did you want to meet me at our cabin? The grandparents have taken Young Mary to the surface to see Disney world.”
“Did you want to catch a movie in the cabin?”
“No.”
“Have a night of conversation or game of Parchesi ?”
“No”
“I am wearing heels”
“And what else Wife?”
“When you get here I will be wearing a smile.”
“I haven’t seen that in a while the heels or the smile. Be there in a couple of minutes, I am here.”
“Lock the door Cristian.”