Chroniech! (43 page)

After the tour, Ken asked if he could remain in the control room to watch how the Kyrra worked. Over the next several days, he learned that the Kyrra system was actually very efficient.

Four days after their departure the worldship entered Chroniech space. It wasn't long before a Chroniech ship was detected. Ken was amazed at how smoothly the ship's operators handled the information. In order to listen to the Kyrra, Ken had taken to wearing his translator whenever he was in the control room.

"I have detected a ship," one of the operators calmly announced followed by a string of numbers. Ken looked at the large star map showing their progress and noted that a red dot had appeared. "Scanning for identification."

After a brief moment the same operator said, "Ship has been identified as a Chroniech warship, recommend course change."

The helm made a minor adjustment and said, "Course correction initiated."

The efficiency and smoothness of the entire sequence of events amazed Ken. These Kyrra operated a ship with no central authority and yet seemed to do it with the utmost of efficiency.

* * * * *

The council room was in an uproar. The leader banged on the table repeatedly until he finally had everyone's attention. "We must discuss this new intrusion into our space," he said, talking louder than normal to override the few remaining conversations that still persisted.

"It must be our ancient enemy," a councilman fairly shouted. "The drive wake indicates that the ship generating it is gigantic."

Another stepped in before the leader could reply, "The Alliance must have found them. Now they're on their way here to destroy us."

The leader had had enough. "SILENCE!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. The outburst had the intended effect — the room had gone silent.

"You will all sit down and this council will come to order," he said in a much calmer tone.

There was a movement of furred bodies and soon the council was properly assembled. "Here are the facts," the leader began. "We have detected an exceptionally large drive wake moving at almost unbelievable speed through our space. This object's course had been plotted backwards and it originates from within the original home system of the Kyrra.”

"This object, whatever it is, has not deviated from a straight line course except to avoid directly colliding with ships and other material objects. This course does not intercept with any of our major planets. It does, however, lead directly to Alliance space.”

"The current theory is that the Alliance has somehow located the Kyrra, a race thought to be long extinct, and they have sent a super warship to Alliance space. The Kyrra may be ignoring us for the time being in order to subjugate the Alliance since it is they who found them."

Now much calmer, one of the councilmen who had spoken earlier said, "Once the Kyrra, and I believe that is who is behind this massive drive wake, have become the masters of the Alliance, what then? They will surely come after us."

"Is it possible," a rarely heard from member said, "that the Kyrra are helping the Alliance and not on the way to their space to become their masters?"

Almost as if scolding a child the leader replied, "You must discard these odd thoughts of yours Jugzargot. History speaks for itself concerning superior races, especially the Kyrra. If the Kyrra were helping the Alliance they would be attacking us. It is obvious that they are heading directly for Alliance space perhaps realizing that they are the weaker of the two of us."

"What are we to do?" someone asked.

"The vast bulk of our space force is involved in attacking the Alliance," the leader replied. "We shall concentrate those forces and continue to attack the Alliance as planned. Perhaps the Kyrra will see this as aiding their own plans and leave our forces alone for the time being. We will keep a close watch on this super battleship and when the time is right we will temporarily join forces with the Alliance in order to destroy it. We can then finish the job of eliminating the Alliance."

There was still a lot of fear in the room. The Chroniech could not fathom the possibility of a pact being formed between the Kyrra and the Alliance. Most Chroniech believed in the teachings that two sentient species could never coexist together in peace. One always became the dominant species. Many adhered to the more radical belief that the dominant species would always inevitably eliminate the less dominant one.

"Are there any other suggestions?"

An elderly councilman, his temple fur graying with age suggested, "We could pull our forces back and prepare to defend our own worlds. The Kyrra will obliterate our enemy for us."

"I have considered this. But, if the Alliance manages to gather enough forces together to seriously challenge the super battleship then our forces should be in a position to take advantage of this and add our firepower to attack that ship."

"Then perhaps we should slacken our attacks against the Alliance to allow them to gather their forces against the Kyrra."

"That may tip off our plan to the Kyrra. We can, however, divert most of our forces to the very planet the Kyrra appear to be heading towards. This would force the Alliance to move as many of their own ships into that area as possible. This would increase the chances of successfully destroying the Kyrra super battleship once it arrives."

The council discussed this last option along with a few other suggestions then finally agreed to accept the plan laid out by the leader.

* * * * *

One day, after having explored the inner workings of one of the worldship's many automated factories, Ken found Tasha and Doug sitting next to each other on the porch of the cottage. As his taxi (as he liked to call them) touched down, he felt a twinge of jealousy rise up within him. It passed just as quickly as it had come when Cheryl exited the cottage carrying several glasses. Upon seeing Ken, she waved and went back inside. As Stricklen approached the cottage, she reappeared and handed him a glass of lemonade. "Thank you," Ken said.

"Don't mention it," Cheryl replied.

Doug got up and moved over to the swing they had asked to be installed on the porch. Cheryl sat next to him and together they started slowing swinging. Ken sat down next to Tasha and kissed her hello.

They group sat in silence for a moment. Doug looked around then commented, "It's hard to believe that we are on a starship heading back home through enemy space at an almost incomprehensible speed."

"That's the whole idea behind the worldship," Tasha chimed in. "If the Kyrra had built the worldship along the harsh lines of how we build starships they would never have been satisfied with living out their entire lives inside it. This artificial world allows them to forget about the fact that they are living inside a ship."

"So how have you folks occupied your day today?" Ken asked

"We were given a tour of one of the hospitals," Cheryl replied. "But that did not take very long, so we spent the greater part of the evening just sitting together and talking. To be honest, I'm getting tired of going on tours."

"I'll second that thought," Doug exclaimed. "Kyrra technology is great but I'm getting a little tired of continually seeing how far advanced they are compared to us. It will be nice to get home."

"Believe it or not, I tend to agree with you," Ken replied. "It's not that the Kyrra aren't good hosts but, let's face it, I miss my homeworld."

"Let's just hope we have a home to return to," Doug said.

"That's beginning to worry me too," replied Ken.

"You're not the only ones with this same feeling," Tasha interjected. "Ever since we started home I have noticed that a good portion of the crew I have met share the same thoughts. Now that we are actually on our way, people are beginning to think about what they may find when we return."

Standing up and taking Cheryl's hand, Doug turned to the captain and said, "Speaking of returning home — before we get there, Cheryl and I have an official request to make."

Ken had an idea what the request might be so he stood up and faced his two friends. "As the commanding officer of the Komodo Dragon we would like you to marry us," Doug asked in his most official sounding voice.

"I would be honored of course. When would you like this event to take place? Would you prefer a private or a public ceremony?"

"As soon as you can and private if you please," Cheryl replied. "I would like to have Tasha and one other friend there plus whoever Doug would like to invite."

"I don't see why we could not schedule the event for tomorrow or even tonight if you wish," Stricklen replied. "All I need is a time and a place. Think about it and let me know."

"Your cabin will be fine," Doug replied. "How about tomorrow before lunch?"

Seeing Cheryl's nod of agreement Ken replied, "Tomorrow at eleven hundred in my cabin then."

Doug reached out and extended his hand. "Thank you Ken. Cheryl and I both appreciate it."

Ken grasped his XO's hand and firmly shook it. The two women embraced each other. "Congratulation Doug. I'm sure you two will be happy."

Doug and Cheryl then made a hasty exit to discuss their upcoming wedding. As soon as they were out of earshot, Tasha turned to Ken and said, "I'm glad you agreed to marry them, they were worried you would deny their request since they are both officers on the same ship."

Ken sat down and pulled Tasha beside him. As she nestled on his shoulder he said, "Why shouldn't I? They are two people very much in love. Captains have been performing marriages for hundreds of years and I don't see why I should not. The Alliance has no regulations forbidding married couples from serving on the same ship as long as no favoritism takes place."

Tasha looked at Ken with a sly smile and asked, "Are there any regulations preventing a captain from performing his own wedding? We could make it a double."

Stricklen thought about that for a moment then replied, "I don't think such a question has ever come up at any time in history. Even if it isn't disallowed I'm sure it would be questioned later on."

Ken sat in thought then sat up straight and looked at his wife to be. "There is a way though — I could temporarily relinquish command giving it to Doug and he could marry us right after I marry them."

Tasha reached over and wrapped her arms around Ken. "Honey, you are a genius! A bit sneaky, but a handsome genius nevertheless. Let's do this."

Ken and Tasha walked down to Doug's room and gently knocked on the door. Ken called out, "Are you two decent?"

A second later the door opened to reveal Doug and Cheryl standing arm in arm together. Without preamble Ken asked, "Would you like to make it a double wedding?"

Cheryl disengaged herself from her fiance and embraced Ken, "Of course we would!" Suddenly remembering who it was that she was hugging she quickly released him and stepped back into Doug's arms muttering an apology.

Smiling Ken said, "As long as I'm not on duty you never have to apologize to me for something like that. We are friends — don't forget that."

The next day, with a select few of their closest friends in attendance, Cheryl Snidler became Mrs. Cheryl Scarboro. Stricklen congratulated the new couple then officially transferred the command of the Komodo Dragon to Scarboro.

The new captain then performed his first official act by joining Tasha Trueblood and Ken Stricklen together in marriage. After the brief ceremony Ken looked expectantly at Doug. After a moment Stricklen said, "Well?"

"Well what?"

"You need to transfer command back to me."

"Oh that!" Doug replied smiling. "I like being captain - I think I'll keep it. Has a nice ring to it — Captain Scarboro."

"I don't think you'll like it," Ken replied. "Besides, if you don't give it back I'll have to wring your neck."

Doug put his hands on his hips and puffed up his chest. "Mr. Stricklen! Did you just threaten your commanding officer? I could have you thrown in the brig for that."

"You could," Ken fired back. "You would also have some explaining to do when we get back to Alliance space."

"True," Doug agreed pretending to consider the request. "I guess you'll have to resume being the captain again. It was nice while it lasted. I forgot to ask did it come with a pay raise?"

"Actually, I think it does," Ken replied. Glancing at his watch he continued, "You've been skipper for all of twenty minutes. I'd say you might have earned a couple more credits."

Doug's second and last act as captain was to transfer the command back to Stricklen. As soon as the ship's computer had accepted the transfer Ken said, "And now I can throw you in the brig if I so desired."

Giving his new wife a hug and a kiss Doug replied, "I think my wife would wring your neck if you tried that."

The newlyweds all laughed then Tasha asked, "How are we going to inform the crew?"

"Easy," Ken replied. "Dragon," he addressed the ship's computer, "please post an all crew e-mail informing them of the marriage between myself and Tasha and between Doug and Cheryl."

"Command acknowledged," the computer replied through the interface near the captain's desk.

"I have found a very nice restaurant in the nearest city," Cheryl told the group. "I've taken the liberty of reserving a room for us. The Kyrra running the place was very happy to provide us with a banquet so we could all celebrate. There is a taxi waiting for us outside."

"That sounds like a fantastic idea," Doug remarked. "It sure beats eating lunch on the ship after the wedding."

The group made their way to the waiting taxi and were soon enjoying a very tasty vegan lunch compliments of their Kyrra host. For a few hours Ken forgot all about the war with the Chroniech.

After lunch the newlyweds spent some time in one of the cities many parks. The girls took off on a short walk while the two men sat under a tree on the cool grass. It was quiet and peaceful. A few Kyrra walked by and glanced in their direction and kept going. One of them was pregnant — the first either of the two men had seen since arriving on the worldship.

Doug reached down and plucked a blade of grass, examined it for a bit, then asked, "What are your plans after we get back to the Alliance? Now that you and Tasha are married are you going to try to get assigned to the same ship?"