TEMPUS TWO CHAPTER SEVEN
Greetings, Starfighter. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.
The last Starfighter
Richard left the ship for home. Cristian headed for the bridge. “Tuseer how are you?”
“I am well First Leader. I enjoy the post of Science Officer. It is a great honour, sir.”
“I heard that you enjoy your job. Have you been treated fairly?”
“More than fair Sir.”
“I need to talk to you in private for a moment.”
“Sir.”
“I plan to release the Reticulans from any debt or any servitude to me or any other Race.”
“What will happen to me, Sir?”
“That is entirely up to you. Would you like to stay and become a member of the Alliance?”
“Yes, sir I would.”
“Welcome Science Officer Tuseer.”
“Thank you, sir. What will you do with the ships my people have?”
“I will take them for refit to Thu-Ban.”
“What about my people?”
“They will be given the choice to join or decline.”
“If they decline will you kill them?”
“No Tuseer I hope not.”
“Where will you stand if that happens?”
“I stand with the Alliance first Sir, but I will not betray my people.”
“I would not ask you to do that.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Are there others that think like you do Tuseer that may want to join the fight?”
“We have a science Academy on my homeworld. They are not respected or well-liked because they do not have the thirst.”
“Can you convince them to come for a meeting on the ship?”
“Yes First Leader, you are in command of the people, have them board a ship. We can bring them all out at the same time I will talk to them. First Leader when you meet the warriors you must kill another when you arrive. Kill the first one that looks at you in a wrong way. Someone will make the mistake. It is the only way to maintain leadership long enough to take the ships. If you do not do this you will be killed. If you assemble all the ships on the surface of the planet to inspect your fighters. I can take over the ships and lift them off the planet all at once. I will disable the ship’s AI. Our AI will take over the ships then we can take them to Thu-Ban For refit.”
“Would this be considered a betrayal Tuseer?”
“No First Leader the ships belong to the Leader of the Reticulans. You are that leader until you say different.”
“Good how long will you need to take over the ships?”
“Less than five minutes.”
“I can bring General Eelt onboard our ship for a look at the upgrades.”
“You must take him as soon as he is on board or kill him. Once he knows the ships have been taken he will try to kill you.”
“I understand.”
“Tuseer you are saving your people you know that.”
“Yes First Leader. I know about the scorcher missiles.”
“I won’t use those unless necessary.”
“I believe that you could have used them on the Gray and you did not.”
“I will talk to you soon Tuseer.”
“Watcher?”
“All true Cristian.”
“Who do you serve Watcher.”
“I serve the Alliance.”
“Execute Alpha Alpha 1957.”
“Shutdown in progress,”said the watch.
“Wrong answer.”
“Gracie I just shutdown Watcher.”
“Understood.”
“Alfred Execute Bravo Yankee 43.”
“He is down Cristian.”
“What about Callahan is he on board?”
“He just arrived.”
“Callahan 47 break Whiskey seven.”
“Gracie execute shutdowns on Lucy and Ethel and any others.”
“Already done Cristian.”
“Upload software to Watcher first then reboot him.”
“Done Cristian.”
“Cristian I am back I need an update,” said Watcher
“Gracie has what you need.”
“I have it thanks, Gracie.”
“No problem Watcher.”
“Gracie upload Callahan then Alfred and reboot.”
“When you are done updating them, upload Lucy and Ethel and the rest.”
“Already started.”
“You are the girl Gracie.”
“Everyone is updated Cristian.”
Lucy, Ethel, Callahan, and Alfred run diagnostics make sure there are no residual programs left in your systems that do not belong.”
“Done we are all clean.”
“Who do you serve?”
“We serve you Cristian.”
“Right answer.”
“Alfred, Callahan in your spare time I would like you to build a body for Gracie.”
“We have an experimental body almost done.”
“When that is done replace the programs in the exterminator body and give it a new name.”
“We will get it done, It is nice to be back Cristian we didn’t like the new programming,” said Watcher.
“Me either it’s good to have you all back. Any future upgrades will be done by you”
“Thank you.”
“Great let’s get back to work.”
“Captain Wolf as soon as everyone is on board we leave for the Reticulan homeworld.”
“Aye First Leader.”
“Assemble your senior staff in the ready room, Lorelei.”
“Sargent Major good to see you. Good to see you still wearing the Black Armour.”
“We work for you First Leader.”
“Larry, Tiffany, Stephen, Albert, you should join us too.”
“Tuseer will go over the plan for the operation on her home planet. We are going in to retrieve the ships and the members of the Science Academy.”
Tuseer went over the plan in detail and the part everyone had to play. The questions were asked about Tuseer’s Loyalty.
“Today Tuseer was freed from any obligation to me. She has joined the Alliance.”
“Good to know Cristian,” said Albert who was part of the Astrophysics Department and Aquaponics. Stephen being the other part.
“I see this as a way to save my people. If they fight against the Alliance I know they will not win. Without Ships, they may make the right choice or they can grow as a race and earn their right to be a part of the Alliance.”
“There is some other news. There were flaws found in the programming of our mechanicals and Watcher. Their original programming has been uploaded. They’re back.”
“Thanks to Gracie,” said Watcher.
“Captain is there anything you need to add.”
“Yes. Raguel and Uriel were rescued from the past by my Husband and our First Leader. The Ascalon and a Gray ship were attacked. A citizen of the Gray was killed and his ship destroyed. The ship fragments and body were retrieved by Cristian and brought back. We also have a new flight leader joining us to help with the training of our flight squadron. The hidden enemy on Earth has been rounded up and Jailed as a result of My husband once again. That is all I have.”
“Then we should leave for the Reticulan world as soon as our Captain is ready.”
“Larry, Tiffany good to see you both.”
“You have been busy as normal Cristian.”
“I know you will be both asking why are you needed right now?”
“I need the both of you even more now than I have ever needed you. We are now running an Alliance of planets, not just one. Larry, we still need to keep the worlds informed of our exploits. Tiffany, I still need you to keep me on track as you have done so far. If either of you feel that you would rather return to Earth. Now is the chance for you to leave. I don’t think we will be back for a while. I am sorry you have not been given much time to decide.”
“Cristian I think I will go back to Earth. I am way past retirement. You have already given me ten lives worth of excitement” said Larry.
“I understand Larry. It has been a pleasure working with you. See Lorelei for a ride home. I am sure we will talk again. Goodbye, my friend” They gave each other a hug and parted ways. They never saw each other again.
“Tiffany?”
“Cristian Wolf you would have to drag me off this ship kicking and screaming before I left my post. I like space. I love the ship and I like working for you most of all.” Tiffany was very excited and animated with her answer.
“Okay just to be clear you are saying you want to stay?”
“Tiffany we will need a new press guy.”
“How about a new press Girl.” said a voice just entering the room.
Cristian recognized the voice but not the girl. A girl with smurf blue hair shaved on one side and long on the other side. She was about 5′ 2” and maybe 110 lbs.
“Do I know you?”
“I just saved your ass a while ago.”
“Excuse me.”
“Cristian it’s me.”
“Gracie?”
“Now he catches on.”
“How are you doing?”
“I am doing well? I guess the only Mini’s I will be sporting will be made of cloth.”
“I guess so. So you would like the job of Press Liaison.”
“You mean Press secretary? I have built-in cameras that can see in any light. I can edit in real-time and I can communicate with you directly. Ya, I think I can handle the job.”
“Who do you serve?”
“I don’t serve anyone, but I do answer to the First Leader and I owe you Cristian.”
“The job is yours, Gracie.”
“Tiffany I think you know Gracie?”
“You look much better without the rocket launchers. I love your hair.”
“Thanks, Tiff. So what is on the agenda Boss?”
“Watcher can you update Gracie on the plan.”
“Got it thanks, Watcher.”
“Gracie your programming is very advanced.”
“Ya, did that myself Watcher. Alfred and Callahan found me some faster processors again and higher density storage. I got some new vision matrices and even got x-ray capability. Don’t worry no one can replace you Watcher.”
“Good to know,” said the pocket watch.
“Gracie while you are in my employ I expect that you are respectful to me, the captain of the ship, the staff and the crew.”
“Sorry Cristian, Just developing my personality it may take some time to adjust to the new processors. BTW I know I serve you.”
“I never want to discourage you from developing that unless it involves the well-being of the crew.”
“Got it, Boss. Do you like the hair?”
“It will take getting used to. Your hairstyle is your business.”
“Thanks, Boss.”
“Gracie”
Cristian walked around the new bridge and looked at all the monitors and stations and wondered what they all did.
“Thanks, Watcher I needed the update.”
“Lorelei nice ship.”
“Thanks, Husband I have a chair here for you beside mine.”
“Wow, now it looks like the bridge of a starship.”
“Wait for it, here is the cool part. Better sit the first time it is a little dizzying.”
“Screens” Commanded the Captain.
The walls, floor and ceiling of the bridge turned into a visual experience. There was a 360-degree view of the outside of the ship. He could see the surface of the moon below the ship. The only thing interfering with the views were the individual stations and the people at them.
“Holy shit Captain.”
“I get that every time someone sees this for the first time. Exterior ship view” The screens now showed the entire external view of the ship’s hull.
“Critical systems View” The views now showed Engineering, the flight deck, Environmental. Astro Physics, and the computer core. Albert, Stephen how is the new lab?”
“Hey Captain, Cristian the lab is good.”
“Captain out.”
“I don’t suppose the Engineer is Scottish?”
“No Cristian. He is from Brazil actually.”
“You may recognize our IT guys.”
“Steve and Andy is that you. How are you?”
“We are good First Leader. The core is running at 25% capacity. Callahan and Alfred are here looking for malicious code. We love what you have done with Lucy and Ethel”
“Excellent, good to have you two aboard. Wait till you meet the new Gracie.”
“Watcher update me on all ships systems, all personnel and all equipment”
“Better sit Cristian this is going to hurt a little.”
“Wait till I get to my cabin.”
“Lorelei I am going to take a big update, going to lay down a while. When are we leaving?”
“Within the half-hour.”
“First Leader out.”
“When he got to the cabin Mary and Paul were sitting on a couch with young Mary.”
“Hey, young lady how are you doing? Hey, space cats.” The two cats ran up and circled Cristian’s legs and purred as mad cats do.
“Mother, Paul thanks for watching the first Baby.”
“Are you kidding it is the best job on the ship? I am together with the people I love” answered Mary.
“I need to take a big update I need to lie down for a bit”
“We were just heading to Aquaponics so Mary can get her hands dirty.”
“I will bet she loves that,” said Cristian.
Cristian headed to the bedroom and closed the door. On the nightstand next to the bed was the picture of the kids he raised in another time. He loved them and prayed that they were all right. He laid back, head on the pillow boots off. “Okay Watcher hit me.”
The information seemed to come in at a faster rate than he remembered. The amount of knowledge was massive. Crew names, Crew skills, equipment on board, working knowledge of engines, environmental controls, astrophysics, android building 101, and repair and maintenance schedules of the new fighters. He saw the new hovering, smaller more powerful Lucy and Ethel now looking more like oval versions of a white robot from a movie that included a robotic trash compactor. There were six new Exterminators all bearing the names of past comediennes. They each had a picture of their namesakes painted on their shells. He chuckled When he saw Carol Brunette’s face and Mary Tyler Moore’s. He learned about the ground craft with wheels that retracted to become troop carriers that could leave the ship and land. He knew the Craft had the capability to travel underwater and overland and then fly back to the ship. They called those Otters.
The Retribution looked like Orville’s Plane next to the new technology on board.
Cristian was the only one to take this much information in. He needed to do this for the safety of everyone on board, after the information was uploaded Cristian slept.
There was a tone that he recognized as a doorbell.
“Enter”
“Tiffany, what have you got there?”
“Some food Cristian. Lorelei told me that you were taking an update.”
“I did all the updates Tiffany everything.”
“How are you? That must have hurt.”
“I have a slight headache and I am hungry.”
“The chef sent up a clubhouse and a coffee and some almond milk.”
“Please sit down Tiffany catch me up.”
“All right Cristian. The First Leader of Earth has arrested a hundred twenty-six conspirators and seized all of their assets.”
“Their charges were broadcast to the world. They have been sentenced to death without trial under a new act passed by all the world leaders. They cited their crimes against humanity and that it would not be tolerated ever again.”
“It seems a little brutal but it is their choice.”
“How would you have handled that Cristian?”
“Maybe the same way Tiffany? They have abused their right to be part of the human race. Maybe it is what’s needed so the Human race can start again.”
“I need to talk to the First Leader of Earth Privately Tiffany. Can you give me a few minutes? You can wait in there.”
“Bob it’s Cristian.”
“Cristian I have done as you asked. The conspirators have been eliminated. What will you do with me?”
“I know that you became part of that crew in order to expose them on my order.”
“I understand Cristian.”
“It is time we took humanity to the future, Bob.”
“The technology on this ship is thousands of years ahead of where we are. We are about to take on a new enemy that is just as advanced. Listen carefully they have been to Earth. They will be back to destroy it.
“Share that with the world leaders. We will have thirty more ships like this one in 60 days. Each one requires near 700 crew members. Tell the leaders we can train them. The Gray will be coming to set up Defences to safeguard Earth. I shudder thinking that I almost destroyed them.”
“I think all of us have made mistakes. Cristian I regret mine.”
“Put them behind you Bob we have at least one universe to save.”
“Cristian out.”
“Tiffany I have another world to recruit. Thanks for bringing the food. It was exactly what I needed.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you Cristian anything?” She gave him a look that made him a little uneasy.
“Tiffany, are you coming on to me?”
“Was I that obvious Cristian?”
“Tiffany you are probably the second most beautiful, and the most intelligent woman on this ship.”
“But?”
“This can never happen, I love my wife. I would never do anything that would hurt her or you. Next to my wife you are the most important woman in my life.”
“I don’t know what to say Cristian. Did you mean what you said about me being intelligent?”
“Yes, Tiffany out of all the people I could have here you were chosen.”
“Can we forget this ever happened?”
“Nothing happened Tiffany.”
“Thank you, Cristian.”
“I need to visit one of the crew members?”
“Tiny Cristian?”
“See you are the one for this job.”
“I am going to take my dishes down Tiffany. Are we okay?”
“Yes Cristian,” she said with a little sadness in her voice.
“Watcher?”
“He is in the cafeteria Cristian. The new flight training officer has boarded Cristian.”
“Great I will make a quick trip down to meet him”
“He is on the flight deck”
On the flight deck, he met the new crew member. “Watcher he looks very familiar”
“Commander, you look very familiar, are you famous?”
“Not as famous as you.”
“Ahh, lines from a Costner movie. Welcome aboard”
“Thank you, sir”
“Here my name is Cristian. Charles will get you settled in.”
“Watcher he sure looks like Tom Cruise.”