TEMPUS TWO CHAPTER SIX
Maverick: I’ll hit the brakes, he’ll fly right by.
Top Gun
Cristian flew out to the new ship that didn’t look anything like the old ship. This ship wasn’t the boxy ship that he left behind.
The new ship had smooth lines. Almost Turtle shell-shaped. It had been painted gloss white with a huge version of the Wolf Alliance Logo Painted on the side. The ship’s name was also painted near the bow. Cristian produced another rare tear when he saw her.
“Call the ship and get permission to board Watcher.”
The answer came as video images. “Welcome home sweetie.”
Cristian could see Lorelei in a new uniform. This one was white “Captain Wolf permission to board?”
“Granted First Leader.”
“She is beautiful Lorelei.”
“Cristian we have a full crew.”
“Can’t wait to meet them.”
“Cristian we all saw the flybys of the fighters very impressive, the world is celebrating.”
“I will see you in a few, Lorelei I am just passing through the force field.”
As the door was lowered he could see the soldiers still wearing the Black Armour and uniforms were standing at attention on each side of the walkway. As he walked through the men they saluted the First Leader. Everyone was there Albert, Stephen, Nikola, Mary, Paul, the scientists. Larry, Tiffany and the entire ship’s compliment. The landing bay was filled with new aircraft.
There were armoured vehicles and troop carriers. Near the end of the procession, a podium was set up. There were three Gray waiting.
Cristian took the podium and took a long look around at the crew and the ship. Then he started another unprepared speech. Some things didn’t change.
“Never has a moment like this come before and never will it happen like this again. Today we start a new era. In the spirit of cooperation between different species and planets united together to further the cause of justice for all who live in the universe that seek our help, we will be there. We will fight all who enslave, all who would harm, and all who would exert control over other species. We are their first line of defence. We fight for them”
The applause and cheering came from everyone in the landing bay. The speech was broadcast to two entire planets.
There would be no election just an acclamation from the people from Earth and from Thu-ban. Cristian Wolf had just become the First Leader of a Federation of Planets. A number of planets including Mars, 3. Now they would travel to the Reticulan homeworld not to destroy not to enslave but to free them.
“Husband you caused my eyes to leak a little.”
“Just said what needed to be said wife.”
“Nice outfits I see even my daughter has armour very cool.”
“How many lives on Board Captain?”
“Over seven Hundred First Leader, Including Fighter pilots Soldiers and children.”
“I need to see the Chancellor Sweetie?”
“Chancellor could you come down to the Retribution I have something for you.”
“Cristian what do you have?”
“First I have these” He handed him sketches of a dead Gray.
“From Aurora?”
“Yes, I have more in the ship.”
The Chancellor looked inside and saw the body of a fallen Comrade. “Cristian I don’t know what to say.”
“I have retrieved the ship fragments and cleaned the scene of all toxins. The ship was taken down by weapons fire, more advanced than anything ever described, You need to tell me everything right now. If you lie or omit I will make sure your people know and my planet knows that you lied to them.”
“What of Raguel and Uriel?”
“I picked them and the Ascalon up. They are at the cave with your ship fragments. You lied about your ability to travel. I will only warn you once don’t ever lie to me again. Don’t ever risk my people again. You do not want me as an enemy.”
“No Cristian I do not.”
“I will tell you everything. The Reticulans were created as warriors.”
“That much is obvious, now tell me why. Who is the real enemy?”
“They are the most ruthless species we have ever encountered. They gather resources and technology then they destroy everything in their path. They know about Earth.”
“You sent the Lizards to Earth.”
“Yes, Cristian.”
“They were not supposed to harm anyone there.”
“They were manipulated by some of your own people.”
“I need to know who and right now.”
“I will give Watcher a list.”
“Can our weapons match theirs?”
“They can now.”
“Can we take over the ships the Reticulans have in their possession?”
“Yes.”
“How many ships?”
“Thirty.”
“How long will it take you to convert them?”
“I think we can do that in 60 days Cristian.”
“Chancellor please make arrangements for your comrade.”
“Watcher do you have the list? I want to see it.”
“Yes, Cristian.”
“Lorelei I need to scramble a dozen fighters. I need one for myself.”
“Have Watcher update your skills. I knew you would want one. Have the fight deck team take you to your new ship.”
“You are such a thoughtful wife Lorelei.”
“Watcher” Cristian was updated on the specs and given instructions on how to fly it.
“Thanks.”
Cristian was taken to his fighter and he noticed that his name and a knick name were painted under the canopy. So now they call me Wolfman. He liked the nickname. The fighters all had the Wolf Logo on the sides.
He walked around the ship he noticed a name on the other side. Lt. Nelly Cantor. Her call sign was Vampire.
“Charles is that you? Isn’t this a step down from NASA?”
“No sir I want to be out where the fight is?”
“Excellent” He shook his hand.
A small dark-skinned woman maybe 5 feet high walked up and shook the First Leader’s hand.”
“Kumusta ka Vampire?”
“Mabuti Wolfman.”
The launch alarm sounded. The flight deck was cleared.
“Launch fighters” Was the command that came over the interface.
“Take her out Vampire.”
“Sir”
“Form up tight V on Wolfman.” Said Vampire.
“Where to Wolfman?”
“Watcher where is the President?”
“Oval Office Cristian.”
“Vampire take us to White House West Wing, Cloaked Silent Hover over the front lawn.”
They arrived outside the White House Invisible and silent.
“Watcher Get the President private comms.”
“Mr. President how are you doing with the enemies on Earth.”
“We have a list of possibles.”
“I have a complete list.”
“How did you get that?”
“It makes no difference. The list is being broadcast right now.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Why ?”
“My name is on the list.”
“It wasn’t but is now.”
“How long have you suspected me Cristian?”
“All along Mr. President.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to pick up everyone and jail them. ADXMAX within the hour.”
“I can’t do that.”
“All ships visible Vampire.”
“Mr. President please look out the window.”
“Holy Shit Cristian.”
“These fighters are faster and meaner than the Earth Defence Force Ships.”
“Betray your friends or betray the people of Earth your choice.”
“Invisible Vampire.”
“You will not be mentioned, Mr. President. You will run the planet and never again will you betray its people. Do you understand? ”
“I understand. I will give the order.”
“Vampire take us over to New Mexico.”
“Watcher get the Spaceport on comms.”
“Go ahead Cristian.”
“This is the First Leader I am looking For Richard.”
“He is here.”
“Permission to land.”
“To land what? we show nothing on Radar.”
“Vampire Make us visible.”
“Holy Shit First Leader.”
“Land in front of the Main Building.” Said the control tower operator.
“Roger First Leader out.”
“Richard.”
“What are these?”
“I don’t think we have a name for them yet.”
“They are faster than what you built, these were built by the Gray.”
“They are beautiful.”
“Will we get the specs and blueprints?”
“I will make sure of it. I just wanted to show you that and more. Watcher send him the pictures of the ship”
“Holy shit Cristian.”
“I wish I could get paid for every time I hear that.”
“Is it Galaxy Class Cristian?”
“Yes Richard, before you ask I don’t have the Blueprints. I will own thirty more if the recapture goes well.”
“Are you serious?”
“Richard we have a real enemy one that enslaves and leaves destruction everywhere they go. I need crew.”
“How many will you need?”
“Maybe 22000, maybe more.”
“Tall order.”
“Why don’t you follow us up in a Shrike and have a look.”
“Let me grab a Co-pilot” They all left the planet and headed for the ship.
“Wolfman, are you going to fly this ship while we are out?”
“Sure Let’s play follow the First Leader.”
“Keep up if you can,” he said to the other fighters.
Cristian headed straight for the canyons on Mars. Five feet off the deck and full throttle. The fighters kept up then he pulled a move right from a movie. He stopped dead in the air and kicked some Martian dust to mask his move while his fighters flew right by.
“Paint them, bloody Vampire.”
“What the hell was that First Leader?”
“I saw it in a movie once. Take us home Vampire. Tonight you and all the fighters can watch that movie.”
“Watcher contact Raguel, get a progress report.”
“Sir have long have you been flying these fighters?” Asked his co-pilot.
“Including today?”
“Yes sir.”
“First time was just now.”
“Holy shit.”
“I get that a lot.”
“Cristian I heard you gave our fighters a little lesson on the way home?”
“Old school Charles. Have them watch Top Gun tonight.”
“Nicely done Cristian,” said Charles.
“They need to be the best of the best we have a new enemy far more ruthless than anything else in the universe.”
“Train the hell out of them Charles. I need a flight leader that can teach them the old tricks.”
“On it Cristian. I know someone. He will come out of retirement if I ask him.”
“Get him here fast we are leaving soon.”
“Good to see you, Richard.”
“Charles.”
“Richard I made a cargo deal with the Gray, I need a company to make routine flights between their Homeworld and Earth. I will also need to bring them Water. Captured comets would be a great source.”
“Are you kidding?”
“I would need a Galaxy Class Ship.”
“The ship would be a rental say at 5% of the profit. We will do the repair and Maintenance. And no reverse engineering. You would have to include the other members of the co-op but you run the show. One more clause my Military and The Gray ride for free. Keep to the runs to between our planets until we rid the universe of this new enemy.”
“Done do we need Lawyers?”
“Richard do we need Lawyers?” They both chuckled at that.
“The ship will not be ready for a few months. It will be stripped of most weapons. You need to supply the people. I will train them for you. I will arrange for a quick tour, then I have to travel if I am to get you a ship. Did I mention I have to steal them back from the Lizards? Keep that to yourself especially when you meet your tour guide.”
“Tuseer would you mind coming down to the aircraft bay?”
“Right away First Leader.”
“Richard I need you off my wife’s ship within the half-hour. We are leaving for the Reticulan Homeworld, the destination and the plan are secret.”
“Tuseer this is Richard would you mind being a tour guide one more time.”
“Not at all.”
“Tuseer is our Science Officer.”
“Richard take care.”
“Cristian you sure keep it interesting.” The two shook hands and parted their ways.
“Cristian, Raguel and Uriel can’t fix the Ascalon at the cave.”
“Thanks, Watcher.”
“Callahan can you take the Retribution, pick up Raguel, Uriel and the Ascalon. Bring them on board.”
“On my way Cristian.”
“Thanks, old friend.”