TEMPUS TWO CHAPTER TWO
If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.
Omar N. Bradley
“What would you do Mr. President if an Alien race were to give you advanced technology way beyond anything you ever imagined. Would you give it to a people just reaching for the stars or would you hold it back?”
“Cristian that kind of technology and power too soon could destroy a people not ready for it.”
He walked over and handed the President a small metallic cube with strange writing on it.
“It contains the complete knowledge of the Gray.”
He immediately handed the cube back. “I don’t know that exists and I don’t want to know what happens to that. That is by far the most dangerous device I have ever touched.”
“Exactly my take on it. You and a few others are the only ones that know about it.”
“I had the Gray erase the memories from two of my men because they heard the original conversation. Don’t worry they were asked for permission and they only lost five minutes.”
“I am afraid I can not do that for you in case we ever need it.”
“I understand.”
“Cristian I need to head back to D.C. is there anything else we need to cover?”
“Nope, I think you heard and saw everything. You may want to see Larry before you go so he can film your acceptance to the new position.”
“Can do. Good Night Cristian.”
“Lorelei sweetie what are you up to?”
“Working on converting my ship and getting crews quarters ready.”
“Does this place have a kitchen?”
“We have pizza and Chinese Food coming actually Charles is taking care of it.”
“Excellent.”
“Lucy after the President has exited the ship come back aboard and guard the entrance with Ethel.”
“On the job boss.”
“Cristian, Tuseer said you were looking for me.”
“Yes, Charles. The president was here but has left. I hear you are buying dinner?”
“Yup it’s on its way.”
“Excellent.”
“This is exciting Cristian. This ship is huge. The entire ISS could fit inside the landing bay with room to spare. You need a crew.”
“We will work on that soon.”
“We?”
“Yes, Charles.”
“You are the right man to fill this ship with people.”
“I have a question to ask you?”
“Go ahead.”
“Are you affiliated with any organization’s secret or not?”
“I am a Rotarian.”
“Truth Cristian. The Rotary is not a part of the Elder’s organizations” answered Watcher internally.
“Thanks, Watcher.”
“Why do you ask?”
“The Lizards were not the threat on Earth. Only their scapegoats.”
“We have humans that are enemies to humans.”
“Are you going to find them?”
“That is a promise.”
“Cristian food is at the door so are the soldiers and scientists,” said Watcher.
“Charles food is here.”
“Let’s eat.”
“Watcher update all the staff make sure they hear about Tuseer. Repeat some of my earlier words.”
One by one everyone went to meet Tuseer. No one had any doubts or harboured any resentment against her. If Cristian vouched for her that was all they needed, this war was over.
“Tuseer I never asked about your dietary requirements?”
“I will eat what you eat Cristian. I eat vegetation.”
“I know there will be vegetarian Pizza in there.”
“Thank you, Cristian.”
“Larry, how did the press release go?”
“The entire world is celebrating Cristian.”
“If there was an election tonight you would win.”
“Well let’s call one.”
“Serious?”
“Yes, I need to win we have an enemy on the planet. They can not come into power.”
“Can I have Pizza first?”
“Absolutely Larry, we start in the morning.”
“Mother, how is everyone?”
“Happy son. Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Cristian great Job.”
“Thanks, Tiffany, How is your world?”
“Great I found some quarters near yours. I am going in there later to clean it up.”
“Excellent, do you know where the food is?”
“It’s in the hangar bay, everyone is there?”
“Thanks be there soon.”
“Hey, sweetie food is getting cold.”
“On my way Lorelei. Watcher, I need directions. Thanks the ship is big.”
“According to the ship AI it is the biggest in the fleet.”
“How is the AI?”
“Accommodating Cristian. Apparently, it was left with orders to answer all of your needs.”
“Watcher dive deep into the programming and look for traps and hidden subroutines. Firewall yourself.”
“On it Cristian,” said Watcher.
“Can we replace the programming with our own?”
“Not without losing the ship functions Cristian.”
“Can we offload the data to somewhere else until we can check it out?”
“I could create a virtual drive in one of the M series data storage units. Move the data over search for problems and then load it back in when it is done.”
“Watcher when can we replace the programming with our own?”
“I would need twenty-four hours.”
“Can we fly in the meantime?”
“No Cristian we would be grounded.”
“We need to relocate the ship, the world knows where we are.”
“Charles is still on board Cristian.”
“We take him. I will talk to him.”
“Captain Wolf we need to take off immediately and bring Charles to the bridge, a couple more pieces of pizza would be good too.”
“On my way sweetie.”
“Tuseer retract the loading ramp and prepare for take-off.”
“Lucy, Ethel come inside we are leaving.”
“Charles, we are taking a little trip any objections?”
“Nope, I am in.”
“Captain Wolf let’s take off.”
“Watcher take us out” said the new captain.
“Where to Captain.”
“To space Watcher.”
“Aye Captain.”
“First Leader do you have a destination?” Asked Lorelei.
“The cat’s sweetie.”
“Kamloops Watcher. Don’t spare the fuel. Land us on the Plateau.”
“Watcher thank you. My wife is very excited about being a captain.”
“No problem Cristian. I will start the refit as soon as we are landed. I will get Lucy and Ethel to guard. Alfred and Callahan will help with the refit. You need some sleep.”
“Roger that Watcher,” said Cristian “Tuseer come to the bridge?”
“Yes, Cristian on my way.”
“Sweetie thanks for letting me play Captain, it’s fun. I know the ship is really yours and that you needed to keep it in the family and not lose it to the next First Leader” said Lorelei.
Cristian walked over to the prettiest redhead on the bridge and kissed her long and hard. Then he whispered something that would change them forever. “The ship is yours and you are the Captain.”
“Yes First Leader. Can we live on the ship sweetie?” said a very excited Captain.
He switched to private comm “As soon as the refit is done? Watcher and the mechanicals are going to replace the Reticulan AI just to be safe. If that is okay Captain. Keep it to yourself. We need to move the AI off the ship before it knows what is happening.”
“If you think we should. I trust you.”
“Good, we did the same for our other ships, Lorelei Wolf, Captain of the Starship Séadhna.”
“Captain we are approaching the Plateau.”
“Sound the brace for landing warning Watcher. Will the ground support her weight?”
“Solid granite Captain” answered the pocket watch.
“Extend struts and touch the ground, Watcher.”
“Shut down the engines and extend the loading ramp. Open the bay doors. Tell everyone we are home.”
“Done.”
“Nicely done Captain Wolf.”
“Thank you Tuseer.”
“Captain I will meet you inside,” said the very proud First Leader.
“Tuseer come see our Base?”
“Yes First Leader.”
“Sargent Major Protect the ship and set up a perimeter Humvees and Stryker. This ship may come under attack, the threat now is human. The ship will be vulnerable for the next twenty-four. Use Raguel and Uriel for air support if you need it.”
“Understood we are on it.”
“Lucy and Ethel will guard the entrance to the ship.”
“Tiffany we will need lodging for Tuseer and Charles.”
“Got it Cristian” answered Tiffany.
“Make sure that the chef knows she is vegetarian.”
After a short trip to the warehouse and down the elevator Tuseer, Charles and Cristian walked into the Cafeteria.
Most of the scientists were already inside. A few more of them approached Tuseer and welcomed her into the fold. Tuseer was surprised that she was accepted so easily into their community considering yesterday she was a mortal enemy.
“Cristian I can’t believe that everyone here is accepting me as one of the staff so easily.”
“Tuseer they are a remarkable bunch of people. I am very proud of them. Be careful though I have not had a chance to talk to everyone directly.”
“Callahan please get some armour built for Tuseer as soon as possible. I fear for her life.”
“Understood.”
“E3 you still kicking?”
“Cristian I thought you forgot about me.”
“Nope just have a lot more people to deal with now.”
“I have a special job for you and I require that you do it quietly.”
“You want me to protect the Lizard.”
“Reticulan, Yes.”
“No problem.”
“Thank you.”
“Cristian could I get a cool name like the others?”
“Absolutely, how about Gracie.”
“I like it. Who was Gracie?”
“Your name comes from two individuals. One was the Comedienne Gracie Allen. The other was the bravest soul I ever met in my life.”
“Thank you, Cristian. No one will touch Tuseer.”
“Then thank you, Gracie. She may save the humans one day.”
“Goodnight Gracie.”
“Tuseer My name is Gracie. Cristian asked me to watch over you.”
“That isn’t necessary Gracie everyone here is safe.”
“Tuseer the object was your safety. I could use the company and I follow Cristian’s orders as I am sure you do?”
“I do and would like the company. They have me on the second floor.”
“Stairs are no problem.”
“Chef Armonde, good to see you.”
“Cristian have you come to help out.”
“No, I just wanted to talk to you directly about Science Officer Tuseer.”
“If you say she is okay and you let her come in here, that is good enough for me Cristian. I understand she is vegetarian.”
“Yes.”
“No problem I will add meals for her.”
“Thank you Armonde.”
“I am off to bed good night.”
He walked into a darkened room and left the lights off. When he got to his bed it wasn’t his anymore but Tiffany’s. “I seem to be in the wrong room.”
“Take the stairs Cristian. They lead to your new office and quarters.”
“My apologies Miss Randall. I haven’t slept in a while.”
“It’s no problem Cristian I understand.”
“Lorelei I just tried to climb into bed with Tiffany.”
“Tired sweetie.”
“I am afraid so. I can’t remember when I last slept.”
“I think it has been two days Cristian.”
“There’d be kitties on the bed.”
Lorelei had to remove his clothing because he was out before his head hit the pillow. The cats crawled in beside him and fell asleep, Lorelei soon after.