Lens of Time (29 page)

Anne leaned forward and began entering data into the navigation board. “I have a candidate and the line the light would be visible. I thought you said that was too close?”

“I did but this is something we’re going to have to risk. Put it in the board and prepare to make the jump. I’m extending the fields prior to emergence into normal space and make the run on emergence. We’ll jump in with one week separation and collect one day’s light at each jump. Plan multiple jumps for us to escape after the last one is completed.”

“I’m on it.”

• • •

Cyanna looked at RV and raised her eyebrows. RV said, “There is a possibility that the Red Sector is not attacking because of the stars we exploded.”

“What other reason would there be?” RV hesitated and Cyanna said, “Tell me!”

“They may be attacking because they were able to see our ships. Their attack may be taking place to remove us as a threat and it that’s the case; they will come looking for us.”

“We’re far enough away now that they won’t find us.”

“We’ve made our assumptions based on a very, weakened enemy in the two sectors. What if they were able to get one of their probes on the hull of one of our ships?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

RV hit his panel, “Attention all fleets. I want every square inch of the outer hulls on every ship gone over with a deep scan. I want every ship examined and I want it done now. I also want all fleets to hold their current positions and remain there until after the scans are complete.”

• • •

RV looked at Cyanna and said, “We need to talk with Boden about whether or not the Red Ship’s beams are strong enough to penetrate the planetary force fields.”

“And if they are?”

“Then Leigh Ann will stay with us onboard the Havana.”

“Is this the end of time you talk about?”

“If they have a probe on one of our ships, it very well could be.”

Cyanna looked at her board and waited hoping that no one called in. Twelve hours later her wish didn’t come true.

• • •

“Sir, we’ve found eight small devices on our ships.”

RV sat back in his chair, “Do you have any idea about how they were put there?”

“We’ve looked at the scans of our outer hull and it appears they flew in when we were taking on the survivors from the ships that were damaged in the first battle with the Majors. We had to lower our force fields to allow them to board.”

“Continue to scan your ships and I don’t want them removed yet.”

“Will do.”

Cyanna said, “Don’t want them removed?”

“Those ships have not gone to our new home yet. I need to see if any have been taken to our new galaxy.”

“What do you think?”

“I know I send Mikal and Loree’s fleets back but they were not involved in picking up survivors after the last battle with the Majors. I’m waiting on the results of their scan.”

RV and Cyanna waited and after twenty four hours more than six hundred of the small probes were discovered. One of them was on a ship in Mikal’s fleet in their new galaxy. RV shook his head and contacted George and told him what was going on. George said, “Do you think they have our new home’s location?”

“I’ve removed all of the probes from our ships and we’ve examined them thoroughly. It’s a remarkable device that is really quite ingenious. They know.”

“So what does this mean?”

“It means we are now in the pot with the other sectors. We are going to have to go after the Red Sector with our former enemies.”

“You don’t think they’ll come here first?”

“Boden tells me that the planetary force fields can hold up to their beams for an extended period. However, nothing holds up forever. They could eventually wear them down. We have to make sure they can’t get enough ships here to make that happen.”

“How do we prevent that?”

“We arm our former enemies and take the fight into the Red Sector and force them to keep most of their ships at home to defend their planets while the Majors are modifying their ships.”

“How do you intend to do that?”

“Well, we’ve collected enough of their frequencies to be able to understand their language. I’m going to kindly ask them to stay at home and if they don’t agree, I’m going to start killing their planets.”

Dolly said, “Is that a good thing to do?”

“Dolly, I understand you have a good heart. The Red Sector has emerged periodically and destroyed all life in the other sectors. Take your bleeding heart values and use them for someone that deserves them. If you’re so dense not to see this then get out of the way and shut up.”

Dolly’s expression changed to anger. George said, “He’s absolutely right, Sis. These are the real predators and they’re probably coming to kill us all. How about considering those we’re charged to defend for a change. You’re only getting in the way of us doing what needs to be done and you should know it.”

Dolly was shocked at George’s comment and then he said, “Mom is dead because of predatory civilizations. Arnold and Hemon are dead. What do you think they would be telling us to do if they were here? Yet you take the side of those attacking us. Has your brush with death made you fearful? If it has, you should get out of the way. You only make me troubled for doing what I think is necessary to protect those who elected me.” Dolly stared at George and he said, “I mean it; leave now!”

Dolly stood and walked out of the command center.

George watched her go and said, “RV, give them an opportunity to back off but if they refuse, kick them back into the Stone Age.”

• • •

RV looked at Boden on his display, “I’ve been meaning to ask you about the ship the Nexu gave us a while back. Their force fields are stronger than ours and I was hoping you had found something that would help us.”

“They do have an additional element in their reactor that we aren’t currently using, but it would lonely increase the power of our force fields fifty percent. It wouldn’t be a huge jump over what we have now and you’ve had the fleets fighting where we couldn’t update them.”

RV thought a moment, “Boden, if that new element increases the power of a main battleship fifty percent; what would it do to the new attack craft’s screen?”

Boden thought a moment and RV saw a sudden change in his expression, “The reason the increase is not that much greater in a battleship is because of the huge area it must cover. I suspect the new attack craft would be increased more than three hundred percent.”

“You’ve seen the data on the Red Ship’s beams. Would the attack craft be able to withstand that beam?”

“I don’t know but I’ll look into it immediately. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, how long will it take to update them if we need?”

“That would be easy. Just have them jump to one of our planets and we’ll inject the new element into their reactors. It could be done in less than three days.”

“There are millions of them, Boden.”

“Yes, but we have more than two hundred thousand planets. The ships will land on the surface and we’ll handle them quickly. With ten thousand engineers making the injections on each planet, we will do all of them faster than you can imagine.”

“Then I’m sending them now. If it increases the power of their force field, it’s worth doing.”

“Start them in twelve hours.”

“Once they’re done, I’m sending in the Horde, Hive, and White Civilization’s ships.”

“We will also send back an injection of the material for each of the main battleships with one of their attack craft.”

• • •

“Admiral.”

“Go ahead, Captain Phillips.”

“They’ve been organizing to attack for six months. We are what have triggered their movement.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

• • •

Phil looked at Anne, “I’ve been meaning to ask you a question and I keep putting it off.”

Anne stared at her panel as the data scrolled down, “What is that?”

“Will you marry me?”

Anne jerked her head up and Phil saw how dumbfounded she was. He waited and she said, “Phil, you’ve never even kissed me. You’ve never said you love me. Are you serious?”

“More than anything in my life; I’m unfortunately too shy to do those things. You’re just so smart and wonderful that I’m intimidated by you.”

“Then how did you manage to ask me!”

“With my eyes closed.”

Anne started laughing and couldn’t stop. “Hey, it’s not funny. I do love you.”

Anne laughed harder and finally caught her breath. “We’ll jump to the Havana and allow Admiral Arvolo to do the honors.”

“Why not the Jukebox?”

“Because my sister is on the Havana and will be the maid of honor.”

Phil stared at Anne and said, “Really?”

Anne stood up and went over and hugged Phil, “Really. I’d kiss you now but how often does a girl get her first kiss to be the one at her wedding. Let’s go!”

Phil hugged her tightly and said, “I won’t waste time from now on.”

“You’re doing it now. Get us to the Havana. I have a kiss waiting and you’re wasting time.”

Phil jumped in the command chair and punched the drive codes. He contacted Chris and told him where he was going and was given his blessing. He arrived at the Havana to find Chris and Jillian waiting on him. Dolly was also there to celebrate the event and Jillian noticed that Phil only had eyes for Anne. He had found the one for him.

• • •

The Dark Creature looked at the assembled leaders on his display and said, “I know you all have questions but I have been requested by the white ship builders to have a meeting with all of you. Just be patient a few moments and we’ll see what they want.”

RV pushed his pad and said, “I need to ask all of you a question and I need all of you to think about your answer.” Silence greeted his remark. “Is it possible for all of you to put past wrongs behind you and live in peace if you survive the Red Sector attack?”

Silence greeted the question. Then they were surprised by what was said next. “I am also asking all of you in the Minor Civilizations the same question. The Hive and Horde are beaming this conference to all of you and you must answer this question as well.” RV paused, “You only have to agree to one thing and if you can do that, you may have a chance to survive the coming attack.” RV paused, “Will all of you agree to attack any civilization that attacks another?” Every leader was surprised at the statement. “And I don’t mean just in this galaxy. That includes innocent civilizations in other galaxies. I also want you to promise to combine to attack any force that comes from outside this galaxy to attack one of your own. Will all of you agree to do this?”

The Dark Creature said, “Why are you asking us this?”

“Because if you agree to give up your predatory ways, I am going to share all of our technology with every one of your civilizations; I would never do that if I thought you would use that technology against each other. You must come together and agree to be partners in the defense of your worlds.”

The Dark Creature said, “We are the ones that the Minors will have the most difficulty trusting to make this happen. I tell all of you now that we know we have not treated you well and we deserve your animosity. However, those days are over and we welcome you into our company as equal members and we will never attack you again. I will swear that we will destroy any one who does.”

“I need an answer, and I need it now.”

The Hive Controller said, “Why are you rushing this decision?”

“Because I am going to start attacking the Red Sector immediately and you shouldn’t be wasting time building the defenses you need to hold them off.”

Another Minor said, “How can we know for certain that the Majors will keep their word?”

RV smiled, “After I’ve given all of you the same technology, I suspect no one is going to run the risk of attacking anyone. And if you are in their structure, they cannot plan anything without you knowing it. Your choice is really quite simple; peace or destruction.”

The Dark Creature said, “Vote now!”

The Hive Controller said, “You will send me your choice now.”

RV waited and after an hour the Dark Creature said, “We have chosen peace.”

The Hive Controller said, “We have chosen peace as well.”

RV said, “I’m sending you the diagram of a weapon we call the light wave penetrator. It uses a gravity drive that you can use to update your ships. Start manufacturing this weapon as quickly as possible. You are going to need it when the Red Sector arrives in force. Do not use it until their fleets are massed to attack. We will let you know when to fire.”

The Dark Creature said, “Do you need us to go with you to attack them?”

“Begin updating your ships. You will also find the plans for a new reactor. You can help most by preparing for the main battle that you know is coming. We are going to try and delay them long enough for you to update your ships.”

The White Civilization said, “You need to incorporate our ships into your plans.”

“We’re ahead of you. I’m sending them to you now. First you need to get your attack craft updated. You have the coordinates to send them. Once they’re ready, jump right in. You have the plans for the Light Wave Penetrator; start your building facilities manufacturing them as quickly as possible.” RV ended the call.

Chapter Twenty-Three

R
V looked at his display and saw a red light blinking. He pressed a button and the Dark Creature appeared on his display. “I want to ask a question and I hope you’ll be honest with me.”

RV stared at the creature that reminded him of a giant coral snake with arms. “Go ahead.”

“Why are you jumping in to our fight? I’ve tried to think of a reason why you would and the only thing I can come up with is that you are in just as much danger as we are. I can’t fathom any other reason why you would share your weapons with us.”

RV slowly shook his head, “I’m surprised you question our motives when they are going to help you.”

“Your motives are very important to me. Don’t think I didn’t notice that you didn’t include yourselves in the agreement to never attack us.”

“Actually, I did.” The Dark Creature struggled for a moment and RV said, “What did I get you to agree to do if your galaxy is attacked by another?”