The Earth Conundrum: Book 1 of the Alliance Conflict (20 page)

Frank did some quick mental math and didn’t like the answer. He said, “Computer, assuming the timestamp is correct, when would a cruiser have to depart Advranki Prime to meet a ship at the Conron hyperspace lane to Earth?”

…The message took 15 days to arrive. It takes 7 days to reach the meeting point, so a ship would have to depart yesterday to beat it there…

Frank said, “Computer, what is the breakdown of the 7 days?”

…Three days for the jump and 4 days to traverse the system the Advranki and Conron systems. If the ship had priority clearance in Conron it could 1 day off of the in system journey and priority clearance in Conron could shave off a second day…

Frank finished, “Meaning if a ship left by this evening or tomorrow morning at the latest it would arrive in plenty time for the rendezvous.” He continued, “Computer, enable maximum security and call Captain Solear.”

…Security measures in place. Calling now. Connection has been established…

Frank said, “Hello Captain, I hope you are well. Congratulations again on your recent mission. Are you sure the hyperspace lane is closed?”

Solear answered without hesitation, “Yes.”

Frank said, “Well, I have interesting news. I just received a message from Lorano.”

Solear interrupted, “Are you sure?”

Frank continued, “Positive. He stated that he has successfully obtained the cargo and will be in Conron in 8 days.”

Solear said, “How could he, the lane is closed. We didn’t just close the entryway. We also fired plasma beams to cover the entire lane and we possibly exploded a moon or comet or something about a third of the way through the jump. I don’t see how he can jump. Or for that matter, how was he able to send you a message.”

Frank responded, “I believe that he and Carank built a hyperspace communication device.”

Solear said, “Yeah. I often forget just how smart those two are. Well, if anyone could find a way to navigate that hyperspace lane, I suppose it is those two.”

Frank said, “Back to business. I am going to reassign your fighter pilots to another cruiser. I want you to proceed to Conron and pick up the 20 pilots. Then, I need you to travel to the Hepitila system. The Hiriculans won’t let Alliance warships traverse the system any more. I have a suspicion they are hiding something. I want you to go there and perform as good a scan as possible. We need to know what the Hiriculans are hiding.”

Solear was stunned. He finally stammered out, “Okay, but why with those pilots.”

Frank gave his second best smile (the one that gently upturned his nose, raised his eyebrows and was reserved only for over-the-top compliments). He said, “You are an excellent captain and have shown wisdom and patience in the face of the enemy. Also, you were at the Senate secret meeting and have the clearance to discuss the new pilots.”

Even though they were on a completely safe and coded channel, Frank still couldn’t bring himself to say human. He continued, “Plus, I trust that you will truthfully and fairly evaluate the pilots. I have every faith in your ability to complete this mission.”

Solear was now backed into a corner after the wonderful compliment. There was no way he could refuse now. Solear said, “Thank you. I will begin planning at once.”

Frank said, “Is there anything you need that I can help you with?”

Solear said, “Actually, yes, there is one thing. I have a small problem. Alliance Navy regulations prohibit a cruiser from starting a mission with fewer than 30 beings aboard. When the pilots leave, I will only have 29. I have been waiting for four months for the Navy to send a replacement for Carank
*
. Are we so shorthanded that there are no replacements?”

^*
Clowy had a question about the requisition form for the new officer. She had been meaning to ask for clarification, but had forgotten about it. As a result, the form was never submitted to command.

Frank responded, “I am not aware of any significant shortages. I will find someone for you. Prepare you ship. You must leave in a day tops, but preferably 12 hours from now.”

Frank then said, “Captain Solear” and paused for a moment. When he was sure that he had the captain’s undivided attention he said, “The Hiriculans cannot discover that who is piloting those fighters. Just like the Hiriculans did in your earlier battle, we must engage the ‘Neto Protocol if necessary. There can be no remains left for the enemy to find. If a fighter is damaged and cannot return to the ship you will have to destroy it.”

Solear said, “Understood. And thank you for this opportunity.”

Cool, thought Frank. That was tidy. I just solved two problems at once. Frank then left for the grand opening of the mall.

Frank was all smiles at the opening. He shook hands with as many people as he could reach and had a kind word or witty remark for each one. He loved events like this. During the opening speech Frank sat next to Colok, a rising local politician. Colok was currently a senator in the state government, representing this district. His next logical step was to represent this district in the world government.

Frank complimented his service and wished him well in the upcoming world elections. These elections weren’t for a couple of years yet, but Frank supposed it was never too early to look ahead.

Frank said, “Perhaps one day you may represent Advranki Prime in the Alliance Senate when I retire.” Frank meant it as both a compliment and a warning. Steadily rise and you have my support, challenge me and you will get squashed.

Colok responded, “Frank, I need a favor.”

Everybody needs something, Frank thought. He also thought that it was odd that Colok would come out and bluntly ask for a favor. Normally, there was a long process of compliments and little gestures. It was rather odd for him to ask outright like this.

Frank used his sympathetic smile and said, “What can I do for you?”

Colok said, “My daughter wants some military experience on her resume.”

Frank responded as politely as possible, “Then perhaps she should join the military.”

Colok chuckled and said, “Well yes. It’s just that she has a busy schedule and doesn’t really have time to complete basic training and officer’s school.”

Frank said, “Okaaay.” He drew out the ‘a’ for a long moment. There must be more to the request.

Colok said, “Well, I was hoping that she could just skip the required 6 months of basic training and officer’s school. Perhaps she could be assigned on a ship and get the training as she goes. I am sure that some ship could make an accommodation.”

Frank said, “You know what. I know the perfect opportunity. Have her report immediately to the
Sunflower
as the weapon’s officer.”

Colok said, “Will it be safe?”

Frank said, “I can’t guarantee that. It is a military ship after all. The
Sunflower
is due to leave on a long mission that will take it far away from the Alliance. I can’t think of a better place for her.”

In point of fact, Frank could think of several places that would be better for her; like staying at home, or not getting on a ship that would soon be filled with humans and headed for a potential enemy stronghold. Frank couldn’t believe it though; he had just solved two more problems at the same time. Today has been a great day he thought.

………………

Looking back on it, Captain Solear now realized that Senator Frank had probably planned this the entire time. He should have realized that the human pilots would be assigned to his ship because he was one of the few people in the military who knew about the secret project. Oh well, he thought, if there was any silver lining to the mission it was that Lorano wouldn’t be going with him this time.

He called Arean to his personal conference room and told him about the secret mission. Arean took it rather well considering everything. At a minimum, he managed not to puke.

Arean said for the fifth time, “Let me understand this, I am going to responsible to evaluate the human pilots. More importantly, I will be their commanding officer.”

Solear smiled and said, “Well, just rely on your diversity training. You still have time for a quick refresher if you feel it will help.”

Arean’s expression made it clear that he thought neither suggestion was helpful. He said, “What are we going to do? We can’t have them walk freely around the ship. We can seal the bridge, but how will we protect the maintenance and engineering crews?”

Solear answered, “Victor said the humans probably won’t attack and eat anyone.”

Arean said, “Are you willing to risk that. Even if you believe that, I doubt we could convince the crew of it.”

Solear said, “Computer, display the ship’s layout on the monitor.”

…Displaying now…

Arean pointed and said, “We could weld this door shut, trapping them in the fighter bay.”

Solear answered, “How would the maintenance crew service the ship?”

Arean said, “Well, what can we do? Computer, perform an analysis.”

…Analyzing. There is a 94.2% chance of keeping humans separated if you set up force fields at every major junction…

Solear added, “Further, we could move the crew quarters for the pilots from the centralized area to the recreation area in the front of the ship. We could also set up a second galley and washroom for them there.”

Arean said, “I like it. That way we would only need two force fields. The first would be between the main corridor and the hangar bay and the second would be between the hangar bay and the human living quarters.”

Solear said, “One further thing. We could stage canisters of sleeping gas around all the areas of the ship and add a monitor station to the bridge. If one or more of them gets out we can simply put them to sleep.

Arean said, “We should also put force fields at every hallway that leads off from the main corridor.

Solear asked, “Why?”

Arean answered, “Well, that way if they get into the main corridor, individual crew members can dive into a room and activate a force field behind them. Or, if a human enters a room, they can close the field behind them.”

Solear answered, “Smart, let’s begin immediately.” They made a list of all of the items they would need to construct the force fields, sleeping area, washroom, galley, and the sleeping gas containment area.. When they completed the list, they left the conference room and headed back to the main bridge area. Clowy and Ella were there.

Captain Solear said, “Ella, please place an emergency requisition for everything on the list. Say that it has been authorized by the Alliance Senate.” This command probably should have gone to Clowy, but the Captain wasn’t in the mood for delays.

Solear said, “Clowy, open a channel to everyone on the ship.” He had given up repeating himself.

Clowy opened the channel without incident and Solear said, “All hands, please meet in the hangar bay.” He signaled for Clowy to close it again.

After Ella completed her task, the four bridge officers headed for the fighter bay. When everyone had assembled, Arean addressed the crew. He said, “Pilots, as a result of your victorious battle against the Hiriculans, you have each earned a cylinder.”

Arean distributed the cylinders (Alliance version of a medal) one-at-a-time and Solear followed and personally thanked each pilot for his service. Arean said, “As a result, the entire wing has been assigned to the
Guardian
.”

Everyone gave a cheer and a small round of applause. The
Guardian
was a beautiful battleship. It was the heart of the fleet guarding Advranki Prime and housed Admiral Dolen and his staff. Pilots were given this assignment as recognition for years of service or, in this case, exemplary service. The assignment to the battleship generally lasted for only a few months and was considered a great honor.

Arean said, “Gentleman, pack your belongings. A shuttle will be coming for you in a few moments. Again, congratulations.”

One pilot asked, “Aren’t we taking our fighters with us. This was the normal procedure for transferring from one ship to another. It was not the process for the
Guardian
, however.

Arean answered, “No, you will get brand new fighters when you get aboard
Guardian
.”

The pilots left on the shuttle and captain Solear again called everyone to the hangar bay. He addressed the remaining crew members, “All we have just been assigned to a top secret mission. We are leaving as soon as some additional cargo is delivered and traffic control gives us a flight path. I will give you more details once we jump to Conron.”

Shuttles began arriving over the course of the next few hours and dropping cargo. Shortly after one of them left, a crewmember appeared on the bridge next to a young Advranki woman dressed in revealing clothing. The crewman said, “Captain, she arrived on the recent shuttle and asked for you.” Solear thanked and dismissed him.

The young woman strolled in, threw her bag on the floor, and plopped into the nearest seat. It happened to be the captain’s chair. She propped he feet up on the main console and started checking her fingernails. Solear noted that they already looked perfect and really didn’t need additional work.

Solear thought that she was probably between 17 to 19 years old and was fairly attractive. It looked like she had had some cosmetic work around her nose. Her lips and eyes were lined with gold. However, her most striking feature was her skin. It was a very light green, possibly the lightest he had seen. He wondered if it had been chemically lightened.

Solear said, “Excuse me miss, but that is my seat. Please take the empty seat over there at the weapon’s console.”

She replied, “I do what I want, I’m an Advranki citizen.”

She then took giant earphones out of her bag and put them over her ears. They covered hear ears completely and did not let in any sound. It was clear she didn’t want to be disturbed. She returned to her nails.

Clowy asked, “Is that our new weapon’s officer?”

Solear said, “I think so.” He thought back to his conversation with Frank. He had clearly stated that he needed another person to meet the minimum personnel requirement. He had questioned whether officers were in short supply. But, had he actually requested a weapons officer? He couldn’t recall exactly. When Frank had responded that he would find someone, he didn’t specify that it would be a fully trained military officer, or really even anyone from the military. Solear made a mental note to perform better in conversations like that one.