Atlantis Rising (30 page)

“Ours is much the same,” Vaes
said.

“The Admiral has done a lot of
research into this, and you fit the prophecy,” Illus said.

“Still doesn’t mean it is me in the
prophecy,” Jon said.

“No,” Illus said. “However, the
people need something to believe in. Omvaled will fall, in less than a week.
The Admiral stayed behind to help defend it and to direct people where to flee.
When Omvaled falls, he will call a retreat of all remaining ships, to rally at
Ghost Station. I’m here, and Vaes is here, to help you prepare the station. Why
do you think he gave you this entire ship and all the personnel aboard her?
They’re here to help you prepare for the inevitable. The Admiral, and many of
the resistance members who know of you, have faith in you. They will follow you
to their end, if that is what it takes.”

“Great,” Jon muttered.

“It’s a lot to take in, I know.
Don’t change what you’re doing. Just use the tools available to you, to do what
you were going to do anyway. Everything else will come naturally,” Vaes said.

“What do you think, Marc,” Jon
said. Marc was staring at Jon open mouthed as he listened to the conversation.

Marc blinked as though he just
woke from a dream, “Um, all hail the Ni’Alcha?”

“Ass,” Jon said.

Marc laughed, as did everyone
else; the tension broke as Vaes’ com beeped.

“Yes, what is it? I said we
weren’t to be disturbed,” Vaes said.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” a female voice
said. “You asked to be let known when we reach the rendezvous point with the
Titan
.”

“Yes,” Vaes said.

“We’re about to drop out of
hyperspace Sir,” the female said.

“Set Condition Yellow, we’re on
our way,” Vaes said.

“Why the status change? Don’t
they know we’re coming?” Jon asked.

“Yes, they know but how many
others know or do they really trust us?” Vaes said. “Would you trust someone
who could be setting a trap? I would rather be safe than sorry. Once they see
you’re okay and free to do as you please, things will be different. However, I
urge you to get them moving as soon as possible.”

“Alright,” Jon said. “Let’s get
this done then, so we can be on our way.”

on stepped onto the bridge as they dropped from hyperspace. The
Titan
was waiting for them, and she was on high alert. A squad of fighters
on patrol turned and approached the
Scythe
as she slowed on her
approach.

“Sir, we’re being hailed by the
Titan
,” Com said.

“Put them through,” Vaes said. He
sat down in his chair and relaxed.

Carla’s face appeared on the
screen, the background lit in a red hue. Her eyes flicked to Jon briefly as she
spoke, “Captain of the
Scythe
you will release Captain Hunter and stand
down and prepare to be boarded.”

“Excuse me?” Vaes said. “That’s
pretty arrogant and rude, young lady. If our intentions were hostile we would
have already engaged you, and we wouldn’t be here alone. If this had been a
trap you would have fallen right into it, you have a lot to learn. Now, let me
speak to the commanding officer. You can’t possibly be in charge.”

Jon smiled, as everything Vaes
had said was true. He realized that his commanding officers had a lot to learn
about tactics.

“Captain,” Carla said. She
ignored Vaes and turned her attention to Jon. “Are you okay?”

Vaes glanced over at Jon and when
Jon said nothing and just returned the gaze, he spoke as he turned his
attention back to Carla.

“He is fine,” Vaes said. “I want
to speak to your commanding officer, have I not made that clear?”

“I’m the Captain of this vessel,”
Carla said. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Vaes.

Vaes laughed, “Excuse me a second
'Captain', and I use that word loosely.” Vaes reached up and made a motion
across his throat.

“Transmission muted,” Com said.

“Tactical, extend sensor range.
Launch a few medium range patrols. I have a feeling this might take a while,”
Vaes said.

“I thought we were in a hurry,”
Jon said.

Without turning around Vaes spoke
to Jon, “We are in a hurry. However, this is something that needs to be
addressed, and really shouldn’t take too long.”

“Your call, Captain,” Jon said.
He didn’t let the small smile that started to creep onto his face grow too big.

“You’re people have a lot to
learn about being officers, and this is as good a spot as any to start,” Vaes
said.

“Agreed. I told you we’re new to
this,” Jon said.

“Being new, and being stupid, are
two different things. She is being stupid,” Vaes said. “Resume audio, please.”

“Audio restored,” Com said.

“Sorry about that 'Captain' I had
a few things to deal with over here,” Vaes said. “I would like to know how you
gained control of a Eutharan vessel. Where is Captain Gilas?”

A stunned look formed on Carla’s
face.

“Oh, yes,” Vaes said. “The
Buranis and the Eutharan people might be on different sides but let me assure
you we know each other quite well. What I would like to know is how you got
control of his vessel and where he is. I’d much rather be dealing with him, or
his second in command, Carex.”

Carla’s stunned look took on a
look of anger as she lashed out, “Captain Gilas is indisposed, and Lieutenant
Commander Carex has been relieved of command.”

“Interesting,” Vaes said. “Who
relieved him of his command, and is he onboard?”

“Princess Deatra, and yes he is
onboard,” Carla said. “He is currently confined to quarters until I secure
Captain Hunter. You’re going to have to deal with me.”

“No, I don’t,” Vaes said. “Call
me back when Commander Carex is on the bridge, and ready to speak. You have no
idea what you’re doing and you will get everyone on that ship killed. You are
not ready for the command or the responsibility that comes with being in
command. Call me back when he is there. Oh, and have the Princess present,
too.” Vaes made a motion for Com to terminate the link and the screen switched
back to the
Titan
.

“That was pretty risky,” Jon
said.

“No,” Vaes said. He turned to
face Jon. “I don’t think it was dangerous. Carla doesn’t have the backbone to
do anything without contacting the Princess. That woman has no diplomatic
skills whatsoever. All Captains must have a bit of diplomatic skill. That is
something that is learned. The way she started the whole conversation could
have very well ended badly for you and her ship. By placing the ship in plain
view, she made it a target. She should have been hidden and waited for us to arrive,
then sat and watched, looking for a trap.”

“I agree,” Jon said. “I don’t
like the idea she was put into command when she wasn’t ready. She was being
trained for command, as are a few of my other people.”

“She has spirit,” Vaes said. “If
she can be taught to control that spirit, and not let it control her, she will
make a fine officer. We need to bring your people up to speed as soon as
possible. This new war is going to be spreading, and I’m afraid Ghost Station
will be in the middle of it. You need command capable personnel, and right now.
You have two officers here who can take command of a vessel if we had one. My
second and Illus are capable officers. You also have Gilas and Carex, I have
sparred with them multiple times; I know what they’re capable of.”

“I have an idea about what needs
to happen. I’ll go over it with everyone once we get to the station,” Jon said.

Vaes and Illus nodded as the Com
officer spoke, “Sir, we’re being hailed again.”

“Well, that didn’t take long,”
Vaes said. “Open a channel.”

The screen blinked and showed
Deatra standing on the bridge. Standing behind her were Carla and Carex.
“Captain Vaes,” Deatra said. Her tone was pleasant yet demanding.

“Ah, Princess Deatra,” Vaes said.

Jon’s heart raced as he looked at
Deatra, her eyes shifted ever so slightly towards him. A hint of relief crossed
her face as a small smile formed on her lips.

“I understand you’re here to
release Captain Hunter,” Deatra said. “Am I correct?”

“You’re correct,” Vaes said. He
glanced over at Jon and back at Deatra. Deatra couldn’t keep her eyes from
shifting to Jon.

“So what seems to be the problem,
here? Captain Taldage contacted me saying you refused to speak to her and
requested Carex’s and my presence on the bridge,” Deatra said.

“Captain Taldage isn’t ready for
command, Princess,” Vaes said. “She may think she is, but she isn’t. We were to
meet up with you and continue on to Ghost Station. However, the manner in which
we were greeted leaves much to be desired.”

Deatra glanced back at Carla and
returned her gaze back to Vaes, “This isn’t your ship. I’ll put whomever I want
in command. Commander Carex was relieved of command for various reasons, none
of which need concern you. Captain Taldage will learn as she settles into her
new command.”

Jon stepped forward, “Princess?”

Deatra shifted her gaze towards
Jon, “Yes, Captain?”

“Get off the bridge, and return
to your suite,” Jon said.

Disbelief crossed Deatra’s face,
“Excuse me? Whom do you think you are to order me to do anything? This is a
Eutharan vessel and as such under my jurisdiction.”

“Carla you’re relieved of
command, Carex you are to assume command of the
Titan
until further
notice,” Jon said. He ignored Deatra’s little outburst as he continued. “I’m
ordering you, Carex, to have the Princess escorted back to her suite, and to
follow the
Scythe
to Ghost Station.”

“Sir,” Carex said. “I can’t.
She’s my Princess and I have to follow her orders.” Carex was in a spot; Jon
was right and actually trumped the Princess being her bond-mate. Jon however
had no clue about his bond relationship with the Princess, and the Princess was
playing on his lack of knowledge. Damn if you do and damned if you don’t
situation.

“Fine,” Jon said. “Have it your
way. I’m ordering all ADF personnel to disembark from the
Titan
and land
on the
Scythe
. We will be leaving in a few moments, and if you’re still
on the
Titan
, you will be stranded.”

“What do you mean stranded?”
Deatra said.

“I mean the
Titan
and her
crew is no longer welcome at Ghost Station. You want to play ‘this is mine and
I’ll do as I please'? I’m going to take my toys back, and go to another
sandbox. The
Titan
can return to Ghost Station and pick up its crew then
leave. We will shuttle them out to you, however, no one will be shuttled back,”
Jon said. “The
Titan
has been loaned to the ADF by Captain Gilas to use
as we need. This makes her fall under my command as leader of the ADF. It also
places all personnel attached to the
Titan
under my command. If this has
somehow been changed then she is no longer welcome to dock at any ADF station.”

Deatra paled as she spoke, “You
wouldn’t…”

“I will, and I shall,” Jon said.
“Just because you think it’s right doesn’t make it right. Carla is in training
to be a commanding officer. Nothing against her abilities, but she isn’t ready
yet. There were several things she did wrong, and others she could have done
better. Chalk this up to a learning mistake if you want, but it could have cost
many people their lives. The last time I checked we were in short supply of
people. I’m not playing games here, there is something brewing, and we all need
to prepare for it.

“Princess once you’re up to speed
with our current situation and the people around you are also, I would have
less of a problem with you making some decisions. You’re new around here, and
have little idea what is going on with the ADF. Now, send my people to me or
step down and retire to your suite, the choice is yours.”

Deatra blinked then smiled, “As
you wish.”

She bowed and stepped out of
view.

Vaes raised an eyebrow then a
look washed over him as though he had just discovered something special. He
glanced back and raised an eyebrow as if asking a question. Illus just nodded
and smiled.

Jon continued oblivious to what
had just happened between Vaes and Illus.

“Did the Princess leave?” Jon
asked.

“Yes, Sir,” Carla said.

Jon nodded, “Carla, you will
assume second in command, and Carex will resume command. Is this understood?
Carla, I have no doubt you will make a fine officer but you have a lot to
learn. Watch and listen to everything that happens. Remember it, and learn from
it.”

Carla smiled, “Yes, Sir!”

“Captain Vaes is now in charge of
this battle group,” Jon said. “He will see us home.” Jon stepped back and gave
the floor to Vaes.

“Thank you, Sir,” Vaes said. “All
ships prepare to enter hyperspace, destination Ghost Station. Recall all
fighters and set condition yellow.”

Com relayed Vaes orders to the
Titan
and once they were ready, both ships made the jump.

“Nicely done, Bea’mao,” Vaes
said.

“What did you call me?” Jon said.

Illus chuckled under his breath.

Jon frowned, “What’s so funny?”

“Ask the Princess what Bea’mao
means,” Vaes said. “I think you’ll be surprised.”

“More prophecy?” Jon groaned.

Vaes smiled, “Yes, and no. Just
ask the Princess.”

“Oh, I plan to, since I’m not going
to get anything from either of you,” Jon said.

Vaes chuckled, “This should be
good.”

“Yeah, I’m thinking the same,”
Illus said. “If only we could get his face on a holo-vid when he asks her…”

“Why do I feel like I’m not going
to like the answer?” Jon muttered.

The
Scythe
and
Titan
dropped out of hyperspace outside Ghost Station’s outer markers. Jon
immediately noticed
Atlantis
was sitting in one of the repair docks.
Robotic arms were swapping damaged panels for new panels. A few manned repair
ships were helping remove damaged parts and assisting to guide new ones into
place. All in all, the work on
Atlantis
seemed pretty far along.

In one of the other construction
bays, the station had started assembling a hull for a new ship. This surprised
Jon. He understood it would take months before they would be able to get ship
production back on line. There was one new addition docked to one of the
docking platforms. It caught Jon’s attention as he was looking over the
partially assembled hull.

“Tactical can you please zoom
into the ship that is docked?” Jon said.

Tactical looked back at Vaes who
nodded, “His orders are to be followed as if they were given by me.”

“Yes, Sir,” Tactical said.
“Zooming into the Eutharan Carrier
Arc Light
, last reported under the command
of Royal Admiral Vors.”

“Royal Admiral?” Jon said.

“Yes,” Illus said. “The Eutharan
people have two ranking systems, normal ranks and then Royal ranks. Royal ranks
denote Royalty or someone granted Royalty through some action. They’re the
bottom of the Royal line but can work themselves up into positions of
authority. Protocol dictates an Admiral is just below the lowest royal of any
house. Royal ranks can also be passed on, though they start at the bottom and
have to work their way up.”