TEMPUS TWO CHAPTER TWELVE
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.
Ernest Hemingway
Cristian was in Astrophysics as he often was. Without The dream team there it was empty and quiet with a great view of the Universe. Stephen and Albert had decided to sit out the fight to do work on their equations. Cristian was actually a little relieved. Tiffany knew where to find him, it was her job and she was very good at it.
“Cristian taking some quiet time?”
“Yes, Tiff trying to plan our next move against an enemy I have almost never seen or been able to find. I am starting to doubt their existence.”
“What does your gut say? I have seen you act on that with more accuracy on that than most can do with facts.”
“My gut says they are getting ready for a big fight and plan to eliminate us. I don’t think they have met with any resistance before. We are a new experience for them. We are being studied, they are looking for weakness. They have all the advantage and we have patience and God on our side. I hope that is enough.”
“You don’t seem patient Cristian, I can see you are ready to fight.”
“The patience is forced Tiffany because of the absence of alternatives. You are right I prefer my sword impaling an enemy than have it hanging on a hook in a closet.”
“I understand Cristian.”
“Tell me Tiffany why did you choose to stay onboard when you had the choice of the safety of the cave. I know my daughter loves your company. How will you be when the fighting is at hand and why did you stay?”
“You know why Cristian, I belong here, you said as much.”
“Yes, I hope I never regret those words. Death seems to follow me. I am not sure I could bear losing the people I care about in my life.”
“If you push them away, haven’t you already lost them?”
“Lost but alive.”
“Sounds lonely Cristian.”
“It comes with the job Tiffany. I think it’s in the manual on page 6.”
“The Saviour of the universe manual?”
“You read it then,” He said with laughter to try to diffuse the seriousness of the conversation.
“Your name means follower of Christ, not the man himself,” Tiffany said smiling.
“Well here are some fun facts Tiffany.”
“My mother’s name is Mary. Her husband’s name was Joe. I was conceived outside of the body. I was born in a cave, no manger that I know about. My DNA manipulator is named for the Angel of Justice.”
“That is a little scary, coincidental I am sure.”
“Of course, best not let the religious zealots catch that bit of news though. What I don’t need is to be confused again with the second coming or the Apocalypse.”
“I never thought you suffered from a Messiah Complex, I have seen your moments of doubt and I sure have seen your pain Cristian.”
“Nope, that isn’t my thing. Like I have always said I am just doing what needs doing. Speaking of which I need to talk to the kings of omission about the enemy.”
“You think the Gray have left some information out.”
“Always, it seems to be in their nature.”
“Time to travel,” said Tiffany.
“Lorelei please take us to Thu-Ban.”
“Folding Space now Cristian.”
The Séadhna was taken past the defence grid and down to the surface. Cristian was invited to inspect the school and the airbase. He promised to stop by after a meeting with the Chancellor.
“We have a few things to discuss Chancellor.”
“You want to discuss the enemy.”
“Yes we have been searching throughout the Galaxy and we find no evidence of their existence and no evidence of any destruction. We have catalogued a lot of planets, civilizations and hundreds of Stellar events. The astronomers are happy, I am not. Where are they, Chancellor this enemy to end all enemies?”
“Cristian we have not told you everything because you are not ready.”
“Where are they, Chancellor? I need to see this enemy for myself.”
“Cristian everything you have accomplished, everything we have accomplished might be lost if you confront this enemy too soon.”
“Cut the shit where are they?” he said impatiently.
“They exist in another continuum. You can’t find them because they do not exist in our space.”
“How do I find them? How do I go to their continuum.”
“We have a device.”
“Of course you do. I am going to guess you created the device and that is why they are pissed? This is more of the mess you want me to clean up.”
“We destroyed one of their worlds when we tried to crossover.”
“So they are here for revenge?”
“Yes, Cristian and they see new worlds to conquer.”
“Can we find peace with them?”
“We have tried. They are the conquerors of their universe. No one has ever challenged them, no one has ever destroyed one of their worlds. We have shamed them and they must destroy and conquer all of us to save face or lose the hold they have on their continuum.”
“How do you know all this?”
“We captured a listening post like the one you shot down. The single being was so arrogant about their race he was happy to give us great detail about their deeds and about what they were coming here to do.”
“Where is this being?”
“A Reticulan didn’t like his tone and killed him.”
“That poses a problem. I need to go where they are Chancellor. Tell me about the device, can it be fitted to a ship and can it be used without destroying anything in their verse?”
“We can fit the device. We only have one. If you go, you go alone.”
“Chancellor is there any other messes I should know about?”
“Cristian isn’t this one big enough. When they come they will take this verse and lay waste to everyone.”
“Do these beings have a name?”
“They are the Nukpana.”
“Do they have the ability to travel?”
“Time does not exist the same way in their space. Time moves much more slowly there. Every hour you are away there ten will happen here. You will have to travel back in order to match up with all of us here.”
“What about the ship can it travel through their verse?”
“The ship will travel through their space without a problem”
“Have the device fitted Chancellor? I am leaving as soon as it is ready.”
Cristian did his inspection of the school and the Airbase. Then he went back to the ship and had all the members of the crew come down to the flight deck. He had Gracie record the event for a dispatch Drone back to Earth. Twenty-nine other drones were sent out to the other ships.
“We are about to travel to another verse to fight an enemy that has conquered every world in it. We are going by ourselves against overwhelming odds. Our chances of survival are small. This mission is voluntary. We will not be taking any children. If you have children. There is housing at our base on Earth.
You can travel back there or the Gray will house you here. I will need to know how many will stay so that I can find volunteers to take your places.
In order to minimize the risk to the rest of this Galaxy, I will be stepping down as First Leader. This will be a private war. We will be leaving as soon as we have a device fitted on the ship that will allow us to crossover to their continuum. That is all.”
“Lorelei I want you to stay here and raise our children.”
“Hell No, I go where you go.”
“Lorelei the children.”
“Mary is fine with her Grandparents. I need to go.
“Lorelei this is one time I wish you would listen, I have a bad feeling about this mission we may not be back.”
“Then we may not be back together.”
“Cristian the dispatch drone has been sent.”
“Thanks, Gracie. Can you help our crew find out how many we need to replace?”
“Tiffany, I think you should skip this trip.”
“Cristian I can fight the same as the rest. I have a promising career back at a hotel desk or I can fight to save the Galaxy. I stay I fight”
“I seem to foster the stubborn.”
“I need some training so I can help with the fight.”
“What would you like to do?”
“Weapons put me on the weapons console.”
“Watcher give her everything on tactical and weapons.”
“Ready Tiffany?”
“Let er rip Watcher.”
“Welcome Weapons Officer Randall.”
“Thank you, Captain. Wouldn’t it be prudent to train everyone for everything including the Gryphon’s Captain Wolf?”
“Actually that is a good idea. We can include medic training as well. We will do that on the way out.”
“Watcher we should gather more weapons and we should fill the bay to capacity with fighters and soldiers?”
“Cristian I will get you numbers as soon as we know how many people we need to replace.”
“I think I am going to grab some sleep for an hour. I will be in my Cabin.”
Cristian slept through the entire night. Lorelei came in and woke him up.
“Cristian you need to wake up sweetie.”
Cristian took a deep breath and asked” How long was I out?”
“All night. There is something you need to see.”
“What Lorelei?”
“Get dressed and come outside?”
He followed the request, on his way down through the flight deck he noticed the ship was empty. All the fighters and all the otters were gone. As he approached the ramp he could see that the entire fleet including the Magellan had flown in during the night. All the Gryphon and the Shrike fighters. The Otters from all the ships were assembled on the Tarmac at the Airbase.
There were thousands of troops and equipment and Mechanicals assembled waiting for their Leader to appear. The Chancellor was at the top of the ramp waiting for Cristian.
“Lorelei convinced us, at our peril I might add, to build more devices Cristian we are going to outfit the entire fleet. Lorelei also had your ships sent to Earth and picked up additional troops and equipment.”
Soon a parade started with all the troops marching past and saluting the First Leader. Followed by Land vehicles. A fleet of Apache Helicopters showed up and did a fly-by. Someone brought Stryker’s and other APC from all Earth countries. He saw mobile Missile launchers Tanks and much more.
Then at the end of the parade, a space was made for the Biggest ship he had ever seen. It dwarfed the other ships and looked like it could actually hold two-three ships inside of its landing bay.
“Cristian we were holding this back it is your new ship. We have been building this ship since you first arrived at our planet. The ship awaits the name of your choice.”
“Cristian you are wired through all the ships exterior sound systems.”
“Thanks Watcher.”
“I never seem to have a speech ready when I need one.” There was a little laughter.
“I wish there were words to describe the pride I feel for the members of the Alliance right at this moment. Last night I asked for volunteers to fight a war. I did not expect all of you to show up.
We will soon face a enemy like no other. They have enslaved an entire Universe and have set their sights on ours. We will take the fight to them and fight them on their own ground and free the worlds they have taken.
WE – WILL- FIGHT- THE UNJUST-
WE- WILL FREE THOSE WHO ARE ENSLAVED.
WE WILL DEFEAT EVIL WHEREVER WE FIND IT.
WE WILL BRING LIGHT TO WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS.
YOU—–ARE—— THAT—— LIGHT.”
Cristian paused waiting for the applause to stop.
“Let’s get ready for the fight. I will need all Captains and all officers to come aboard our new Flagship the Prodigious in one hour. Parade Dismissed.”
“Lorelei a First Leader needs a first lady, would you accompany me on board the Prodigious.”
“Is that an order First Leader?”
“If you wish.”
“I do Cristian.”
“Give me some sugar baby and that is an order.”
“Cristian we have uploaded the specs of the new ship to Watcher at his request. When you are ready I will take you on board. The Sargent Major Pulled an Otter up to the bottom of the ramp ready to take the First Leader, Tiffany, the Chancellor, the First Lady and Gracie to the new ship.”
“Chancellor will there ever be a time that you tell me the entire truth.”
“What would be the fun in that Cristian?”
“All right Chancellor. Nice ship I’ll take it.”
“Watcher better hit me with the goods while I drive over.”
“Here goes Cristian.”
“Cristian closed his eyes and let the information flow.”
“He had a working knowledge of the layout and the armament and capabilities of the ship.”
“Watcher need input more input.”
“Cristian are you sure?”
“Watcher I need to know and you might as well update my Weapons officer as well. Tiffany incoming.”
“I am ready Cristian.”
“The ship must be three miles long.”
“Three point five actually Lieutenant.”
“You must be mixing me up with someone else up sir. I work for a living.”
“Not any more Lieutenant. Get the QM to get you some new insignia.”
“Sir.”
The entrance for ground vehicles and troops was through one of its massive landing struts. The otter parked near a transport cube, Cristian knew what to do. “Follow me” They all entered the cube.
“Bridge.”
“Yes First Leader Wolf welcome aboard.”
“Thank you what is your designation?”
“I have no designation as yet. You know who I am?”
“Yes you are the ship AI the most advanced core in any verse.”
“Thank you sir. You are looking lovely First Lady.”
“I like her, can we keep her Cristian?” said Lorelei.
“Commander Randall you may want to exchange that weapon for one of our Pulse weapons.”
“Commander?”
“First Leader Wolf thought you should have a military rank.”
“Thanks Cristian.”
“We have arrived at the Bridge sir.”
“The bridge was like the ship it was immense they were at least twenty stations.”
“I have my spot” Tiffany was standing in front of the Weapons Station. “What this big red button do?” That caught the attention of everybody in the room. Tiffany just smiled.
“Commander Randall you have the bridge” Cristian and Lorelei went to see the captains cabin.
“Sir.”
“What should the first lady be doing?”
“Sleeping your way to the top Lorelei.”
“Oh is there some one of high rank coming aboard.”
“I think that subordinate behaviour may need some discipline.”
“Yes please.”
“I have less than an hour and have not had breakfast yet.”
“How hungry are you.”
“Very.”