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By
ajw
on
01-23-2007, 09:35 PM
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| Chapter One Chapter One Two Weeks Later The cruiser paused in its patrol route as distant subspace distortions consistent with opening hyperspace windows teased the edge of its sensor horizon. The sheer unexpectness of the arrival stunning the cruisers surprisingly small crew, there were no large group of ships in the area to there knowledge beyond the sector defence fleet and a small task group. Confused and curious the cruiser sent a subspace communication in the direction of the distortions. No reply was forthcoming when there should have been an instant response. The cruiser sent another signal in a slightly different direction and changing course before opening a hyperspace window. Investigation of this strange occurrence was definitely warranted. ***** Flag Bridge TFS Achilles, That Same Time Admiral Jacob Robyns kept his eyes focused on the display screen as the Achilles and the rest of the fleet including Rivendell dropped out of hyperspace. He couldn’t stop the startled gasp that escaped his lips as the luminous blue hyperspace tunnel evaporated to nothing. The space they had emerged into was unlike anything he had ever seen or heard of before. There was no sea of stars standing out starkly against the endless black ocean of space, no multicoloured ribbons of nebulae, no this place was very different. Everywhere there seemed to be nothing but dark rolling cloud. It was all pervasive, overbearing in its sheer vastness. The lights shinning from the view ports of his ships and the virtual sea of light from the cityship illuminated the dark rolling cloud around them, making parts of it glow with different shades of red, blue or purple light, though the bulk of the space around them remained a black or dark grey mass. Faintly in the distance almost completely lost in distance Jacob could faintly see other area of the cloud glowing with different colours but they were few and far between. All in all this space was strange and very, very alien. “Sensors what do you read out there,” he asked wondering if this whole galaxy was like what he could see on the screen. If it were then he had a feeling that the Tau’ri Federation would be wasting its time coming here to this galaxy in large numbers. Aside from satisfying their pure scientific curiosity there would be nothing here to interest them, certainly nothing that would be of any practical use. “Sensors report that the space around us is filled with gas and dust sir,” Commander Xing responded from the flag bridge sensor station. “The dust is composed primarily of carbon and various silicate materials though it’s all laced with dark matter particles. The brighter areas of the cloud appear to indicate where there are stars.” “Are there any planets? We can’t stay here floating in space indefinitely. We need to find somewhere for Rivendell to land.” “I’m afraid that we can’t tell from here sir. The dust and gasses around us are really messing up our sensor screens. Not even the dark matter detectors can see though it, it’s just too thick. Our sensor range is limited to barely half a light year beyond that the haze filling the screens makes it impossible to see anything.” Jacob frowned not liking the sound of that one bit, as he was essentially being told that the fleet was almost blind in this place. It put them at a huge tactical disadvantage; without long range scans they wouldn’t detect any hostiles till they were literally right on top of them. That was worrying, while there was little this side of an Asgard battlecruiser that could go toe to toe with a Tau’ri warship and survive the encounter Jacob knew his ships weren’t invincible. In an unknown galaxy he knew to be cautious – unlike some fleet commanders he knew of. “I see. Very well locate the closest system and relay the coordinates to navigation. Navigation as soon as you have coordinates set a course the work with communications to relay to Rivendell and the rest of the fleet,” Jacob ordered. “Aye, sir,” came the replies from the respective stations around the flag bridge. Jacob turned his full attention back to the screens and the strange alien space around them. He was contemplating the completely alien nature of the dark matter galaxy, and the unknown dangers it could hold, when the sensors came to life with an urgent warning. “Admiral sensors report a hyperspace window opening on a bearing of one zero three mark two. Distance fifty thousand kilometres,” Commander Xing reported. “Reading one ship; configuration unknown.” “Show me,” Jacob instructed keeping his voice calm despite feeling a sudden thrill at what was happening. The fleet had been here all of five minutes and already they were in perhaps the rarest but also most dangerous occurrences, first contact with another space faring civilisation. “Communications prepare to send the first contact package.” “Aye, sir,” communications responded as the screens changed to show an image of the approaching alien starship. Jacob blinked at what he saw, he had seen many starships of various kinds in his career with the Tau’ri Defence Forces ranging from the pyramidal Jaffa mothership to Aschen cruisers and the mighty O’Neill-class Asgard battlecruisers, but the approaching ship had to be the weirdest he had ever seen. Two long projecting tendrils tapered back from the bow and merged with a V-shaped superstructure that itself merged with a strange ball structure that glowed with energy. Aside from the energy ball of energy the ship was jet black with no observable windows at all. As the alien starship closed in Jacob felt a strange chill go down his spine. Something about that ship struck a nerve, an instinct deep inside him. Something that warned him that the approaching ship was something terrible, that it was a ship of evil, a ship of death. Jacob repressed a sudden impulse to order his fleet to destroy the alien ship, to either blow it apart with their pulse cannons and combat drones or slice it in half with their particle slicer beams. He didn’t know where the sudden impulse came from but he didn’t want to act upon it, the last thing he wanted to do was potentially start a war. “Communications hail that ship,” Jacob said a moment before a commotion on the other side of the flag bridge caught his attention and he looked over. To see that one of the two ships security personnel that routinely guarded the entrance to the flag bridge slumped against the wall. The young officer’s features were contorted as if he were in pain; sweat was streaming down his face and at his sides his fists were clenched in effort. To Jacob it looked like the younger man was fighting something, some invisible force that was hurting him in someway. “Lieutenant,” he asked concerned. “What is it? What’s wrong?” The officers eyes flew open and even from where he was sitting Jacob could see the pain, struggle and desperation in them. “Sir h…h…help,” the lieutenant gasped out shaking like a leaf in the midst of an obvious great struggle. “There t…t…trying to take c…control of my mind. I c…c…can’t fig….” The lieutenant’s voice tapered off and his eyes closed again. A moment before he screamed. A scream of pain, despair, dismay and defeat, a scream that sent shivers down the spines of everyone on the flag bridge. Abruptly the officer stood up straight, his face becoming an expressionless mask as eyes opened again. Jacob stood up from his chair as the security officer looked accessingly around the flag bridge, drinking in all the details of what was around. Based on what the younger man had managed to say he knew he was looking at whoever had taken over his officer’s mind and was using him like a puppet – presumably the aliens that were on the approaching ship. “Who are you?” Jacob asked. The officer’s eyes focused straight on him and a chill went down his spine. The young mans eyes had undergone an almost indescribable transformation; something was gone from them, something essentially human, replaced by something cold and terrible. “You are not worthy of knowing our name. All you need to know is that we are power beyond your comprehension, hunger beyond your understanding,” the officer replied in a monotone voice that was colder than the space outside the ship. “What do you want?” Jacob demanded not phased by the alien’s arrogance at all. “What have you done to my officer?” “He is ours now inferior. We want your deaths.” “Admiral more hyperspace windows opening. Six more alien starships are approaching,” Commander Xing reported as Jacob looked over in response to his call. “Sir alien ships are powering up their weapons systems and are raising their shields.” “Battle stations. Raise shields and power up all weapons systems,” Jacob ordered before turning back to face the alien controlled security officer. “This isn’t necessary,” he said. “We are all sentient beings. If we have inadvertently violated your space we will withdraw. Surely ours species can coexist without bloodshed.” “Your words mean nothing. You are no more than cattle, you are inferior you all die. Then we will find your world and destroy it. You are not worthy to exist.” “If you plan to kill us you’ll find we won’t go down without a fight.” “It means nothing,” the officer replied the cold monotone voice sounding stressed this time as if the controlling alien was having difficulty keeping its hold on the officers mind. “Surrender and die or fight and die. We care not w…w…which.” At that moment the officer’s eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed to the deck like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Startled Jacob looked at one of the display screens to see that the Achilles shields had just come on at full power. Somehow the force field had blocked whatever it was the aliens had been using to boost there telepathic control of the lieutenants mind. Jacob looked at the unconscious officer. “Get a medical team up here take him to sickbay,” he ordered before returning to his command chair and looking at the alien ships displayed on the screens. He immediately noticed that three of the alien ships were bigger than the others with more projecting tendrils than the others. The alien ships had deployed into an obvious attack formation with the three big ones in the middle. The energy spheres on all seven ships were glowing brightly. “Alien vessels targeting sir,” tactical reported. “Let them take the first shot. As soon as they do open fire.” “Aye, sir.” Jacob watched the alien vessels as at the tip of the closest ship a point of light appeared. It remained static for a moment then flared brighter and a bolt of energy that almost looked like a ball of molten lava came streaking though space towards them. It impacted the shields of the Achilles and exploded, the impact shaking the ship. The Achilles returned fire immediately. Slamming a broad green particle slicer beam into the alien shields. The alien’s shields glowed like a nova under the assault of an energy beam that was capable of slicing any ship in half. The beam cut off a moment before a volley of eight twin pulsed particle bolts hit the alien ship. The alien shields withstood the first five twin pulses of disruptive particles. The sixth twin pulse collapsed the alien’s forward shields allowing the seventh and eighth pulses impacting on the energy globe. Massive arcs of energy crackled around the globe for a moment before giving way to a massive eye-tearing explosion that completely vaporised the ship. For a moment the rest of the alien fleet paused, startled by the firepower they’d just witnessed and how easily one of their number had been destroyed. Then all the ships opened fire, firing multiple lava like energy bolts. The Tau’ri ships responded in kind with there own pulse and beam weapons and both fleets slammed into each other in a total free for all space brawl. Jacob held on as enemy fire crashed into the shields of the Achilles each bolt shaking the mighty dreadnought violently. “Report what are those weapons,” Jacob asked even as he saw one of his ships the destroyer Aegis explode as enemy weapons ripped through her shields to carve her hull open. “Sensors indicate that there some kind of directed antiproton based plasma weapon. They pack a heck of a punch. Shields are at ninety percent and falling,” tactical reported. “Signal to all ships concentrate fire on the alien’s energy globes,” Jacob ordered. “Do not launch fighters they’d be too vulnerable to the aliens mind control abilities.” “Yes sir. Sir one of the aliens is firing at Rivendell.” Jacob nodded he could see it himself. One of the smaller alien ships fired a series of bolts at the cityship. The spherical force field surrounding the city flashed slightly at the points where the plasma balls impacted. The cities immensely powerful shields shrugging the blasts off like mere insect bites, which to Rivendell was all they were. Rivendell’s shields were easily powerful enough to withstand weeks of bombardment by weapons such as the ones the aliens were using. Then Rivendell fired back, like all cityships she was not without defences. From the tip of one of the cities piers erupted a particle slicer beam that was both brighter and broader than any the Achilles could generate. The immensely powerful beam slammed into the alien vessel that had dared to fire at the city. So great was its power that the beam ignored the alien shields to strike the alien vessel dead on the bow, the beam tore right through the whole length of the vessel to shoot out the other side, slicing the ship cleanly in half. The two halves of the ship drifted apart for a millisecond before being completely vaporised as the energy globe detonated. ***** Aboard the largest battleship in the rapid reaction force the Sinhindrea lord roared in rage and horror as one of the people’s ships was instantly blown to subatomic particles by an energy beam of staggering power. This fight was not going as well as the lord would have liked. The new inferior’s ships had very strong and sophisticated shields protecting them, shields that were somehow blocking the subspace signals that carried the telepathic impulses of his people’s minds. It took out one of the Sinhindrea’s greatest advantages in battle and to make matters that little bit worse the power of the alien weapons matched the sophistication of their shields. The inferiors were also being smart with their firepower, concentrating their attack on the power nodes forcing ships to direct additional power to keep the shields on that vital area intact. The lord watched in satisfaction as two more of the smaller inferiors ships died there shields giving way under heavy bombardment. Satisfaction turned to increased hatred as another Sinhindrea warship – a battleship this time – exploded as the inferiors beam and pulse weapons broke through its shields to tear open the power node. Simultaneously the biggest of the inferior’s ships lashed out with its awesomely powerful beam again, sending another cruiser to its death in a blast of liberated energy. Observing the swiftly cooling, dispersing plasma clouds from the destroyed warship the lord came to the conclusion that this first battle was lost. The inferiors were too numerous and they had far too many advantages for his small fleet to defeat them. The lord knew though that next time the alien inferiors would not be so fortunate. They would be made to understand that the Sinhindrea were a power beyond comprehension, a hunger beyond understanding, right before they were consumed. The ship abruptly rocked violently around the lord creating pressure waves in the simulated aquatic environment so like the seas his kind had evolved in. Through a cyber link with the ships systems the lord knew his flagships was under heavy fire from three of the biggest alien ships, all shields facing them were down to sixty percent capacity and falling. A transmission on fleet command frequencies appeared across the lord’s consciousness even as the ship rocked with even more force, enemy fire was starting to get through to hit the hull on random vectors. Damage warnings flashed for the lord’s attention but he ignored them as the communiqué unfolded in his consciousness. The full sector defence fleet had mobilised and was coming here at full speed. The lord was gratified even as the ship bucked and rocked under the inferiors merciless pummelling. The shields were almost gone and the lord knew that in a moment death would come for him, but then it would come for the inferiors as well soon. A final volley of beams and pulses from the inferiors tore through the shields to slam into the power node. The lord closed its multiple eyes as the world vanished in a blinding blast of heat and pain. ***** Flag Bridge TFS Achilles Admiral Jacob Robyns shielded his eyes as the biggest of the alien warships exploded after its energy globe was sliced open. When the glare of the ships death blast faded he lowered his hand and looked at what was left of the alien fleet. Only two of the alien ships were left and they were taking fire from every ship in his small fleet. As he watched Jacob watched as the smaller of the two was sliced in half by one of his cruisers, the slicer beam destroying the centre sections of the projecting tendrils that seemed to serve as long barrels for the alien’s powerful plasma weapon. The remaining sections of the ship drifted apart before exploding together. “Communications hail the remaining ship,” Jacob ordered while waving a hand at the thin cloud of smoke that hung in the air of the bridge from a burned out console. “Tell them to surrender or be destroyed.” “Aye, sir.” As if in answer the alien warship fired two more plasma bolts at the Achilles. Jacob held on as the ship rocked under the impact, the almost depleted bow shields barely holding. “Fine if that’s what they want,” Jacob said. “Tactical get that ship out of my sky.” “Aye, sir.” A final particle slicer beam streaked forth from the Achilles and made contact with the alien ship. The alien shields were too weakened to offer any real resistance and the beam ignored them to tear into and through the energy globe. The globe detonated instantly, reducing the ship to nothing more than a plume of superheated plasma. As the glare of the ships quick, explosive death faded Jacob sighed to himself. “Damage report,” he ordered. “Shields down to thirteen percent capacity. It’s going to take awhile to get them back as several power relays to the generators have burned out. Moderate damaged in all forward sections. No hull breaches reported and all internal fires are being contained and should be out momentarily,” one of the flag bridge operations officers reported. “Similar damage reports are coming in from all of our ships, save for Rivendell.” Jacob sighed again considering his options. While the damage to his remaining ships could be repaired relatively quickly he didn’t really think they should stay in this galaxy at all now. He knew that command wouldn’t blame him if he gave the order to withdraw from this galaxy, especially given the extremely hostile reaction of the natives. The very last thing the Tau’ri Federation wanted or needed was to get into a war. There isn’t really a choice if we’re to avoid a war, Jacob thought, the only viable option is to withdraw. “Communications,” he said. “Sir?” “Hail Rivendell I need to speak to Governor Shepherd,” Jacob ordered know that for forms sake if nothing else he should speak to Governor Alison Shepherd about their next move. Though given what had happened Jacob didn’t doubt she would agree with him. “Aye, sir.” Before the communications technician could turn to the task however the sensors came to life again with urgent warnings. “Admiral multiple hyperspace windows opening. Twenty-five more alien capital ships approaching along with a thousand smaller ships roughly equivalent in size to a Jaffa cargo ship. From the readings their giving off I believe them to be some kind of fighters,” Commander Xing reported in alarm. Oh hell, Jacob thought. “All ships come about and jump into hyperspace. We’re withdrawing from this galaxy,” Jacob ordered. “Rivendell and her support ships are to jump first then all other ships will follow. All warships launch drones to cover the retreat.” “Aye sir.” Jacob kept his eyes focused on the screen which had focused on the alien fleet that was bearing down on them. The aliens were approaching at a purposeful but not particularly fast pace. Probably trying to intimidate us before they destroy us, Jacob thought, not that I plan to let these hostiles destroy us. As the thoughts passed through Jacobs head hatches opened on the outer hulls of all his ships and from each vessel came a swarm of two hundred small, glowing yellow squid-like projectiles. Rivendell got in on the act as well launching a stream of its own combat drones. Though not as lethal as the Ancient weapons they were reverse engineered from the combat drones were ferociously fast devices and their ability to achieve a partially phased state allowing them to bypass almost anyone’s shields made them a lethal weapons system in their own right. Chew on those, Jacob thought as the drones streaked towards the alien fleet to sow their own unique brand of havoc. ***** Aboard the biggest Sinhindrea battleship the lord in command of the sector defence fleet roared in rage as the strange glowing projects the inferiors had fired reached his fleet and began sowing absolute mayhem. The yellow glowing weapons homed in on the Youngling piloted fighters, each projectile simply ignored the fighter’s defensive shield to impact and destroy the vessel. In desperation some of the Younglings began firing their plasma bolts at the incredibly fast and agile alien weapons. Most of the bolts missed their targets by a mile but even when they hit the inferiors weapons were unharmed, passing through the bolts as if they didn’t exist. The lord seethed as whole wings of fighters exploded under the attack. Understanding came as the ships sensors probed to projectiles as the rest of the crew endeavoured to help the embattled Younglings. The inferiors weapons appeared to be in a partially phased state, each surrounded by a field that put it slightly out of phase with normal matter. Concentrated energy like a plasma bolt or like the weak shields on the Younglings fighters were not an obstacle though the weapons would probably not penetrate the shields on the capital ships. As the lord watched a number of the projectiles pelted one of the smaller cruisers, each weapon partially penetrating the shield to detonate in the force field itself. The cruisers shields flashed and rippled with distortion waves that raced along the whole length of the ship, then the shields collapsed as small explosions erupted on the cruiser as shield emitters overloaded and detonated. Several more projectiles closed in on the vulnerable cruiser and ripped into the power node, sending the cruiser to its death in a blinding explosion. The lord seethed in anger at the destruction of yet another Sinhindrea warship. Then the cyber link with the ship alerted the lord to the fact that the inferiors ships had turned away and that sensors indicated that their hyperdrives were powering up. The inferiors were escaping, that could not be allowed they had to be made to pay for all the lives they had taken. Incensed beyond description the Sinhindrea lord ordered all guns on all ships to fire upon the inferiors. They were outside optimum range but the lord knew they stood a reasonable chance of hitting the inferiors and stopping them escaping. ***** Volleys of lava like plasma bolts flew from the Sinhindrea capital ships towards the retreating Tau’ri expeditionary fleet. The blasts of plasmatic death arrived just as the whole fleet was entering hyperspace, fired from extreme range the bolts missed the Tau’ri ships but impacted on the event horizon of the hyperspace window, with devastating results. The hyperspace window flashed and rippled with rainbow colour before seeming to twist and distort before becoming a green-white funnel that first pulled in Rivendell, then the Achilles and the rest of the cityships escort/support fleet, all the ships vanishing in a flash of brilliant light as they crossed the event horizon. Then the mutated hyperspace window collapsed in upon itself and closed, a massive subspace energy wave blasting forth from its position. The subspace wave – a rolling wave of pure power travelling at close on light speed – slammed into the Sinhindrea before they could even begin to react. The fighters succumbed instantly, disintegrating in violent explosions. The capital ships were more fortunate, their shields held off the worst of the waves destructive energy but the inertial force of the wave knocked them tumbling away out of control. After a few moments the Sinhindrea got their ships back under control and their sensors swept the area for any sign of their prey. But their was no sign, the Tau’ri ships were gone as if they had never been. |
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By
ajw
on
01-24-2007, 10:13 PM
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| Chapter Two Chapter Two Flag Bridge TFS Achilles Admiral Jacob Robyns emitted a horrified gasp as he saw the barrage of plasma bolts from the pursing alien fleet impact on the event horizon of the hyperspace window. The window flashed with rainbow colour and before he could even react transformed into a glowing green vortex. He started to open his mouth to issue a frantic emergency order but before any sound could emerge his ships and Rivendell were pulled into the mutated hyperspace window. The Achilles rocked violently as she crossed the event horizon of the mutated subspace distortion field and was immediately thrown around like a child’s toy. All around the fleet the normal calm blue slipstream effect of hyperspace shattered and warped, transforming into a crackling green white and blue maelstrom of energy. Massive arcs of what looked almost like lightning leapt between the walls of tunnel through subspace and the fleet, crackling over the starships and cityship, encasing all of them in spheres of pulsating light. Jacob gasped as he suddenly felt incredible tension and pain erupt across his whole body. It felt almost like the basic matter of which his body was composed was being subjected to intense stress, alternatively being compressed and pulled. The pain was blindingly intense, tearing at his very sanity. Faintly he heard himself screaming, his screams mingling with the screams of everyone else on the flag bridge and throughout the entire fleet as they all experienced the same unbearable torment. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of unbearable agony the torment ended as light pulsed through the hulls of every ship even Rivendell and swept everyone in the fleet into unconsciousness. ***** Rivendell Sometime Later Governor Alison Shepherd groaned as she opened her eyes, to find herself flat on the floor of Rivendell’s control room. Slowly, awkwardly she sat up, her whole body was still aching from whatever that was they had passed through after the unknown alien’s powerful plasma weapons had pelted the hyperspace window as they tried to leave the dark matter galaxy. “Status report,” she ordered weakly, their was no reply from anyone in the control room. Frowning Alison awkwardly got to her feet, grabbing the edge of one of the consoles for support as her legs felt like they were made of jelly. Slowly she looked around the control room. To see that everyone was still unconscious, though one or two people were showing signs of coming out of it, though it would probably be a couple of minutes before anyone opened their eyes. Alison guessed that everyone in Rivendell was like that, badly affected by whatever the alien weapons fire had turned the hyperspace window into. Have to get a status report the other way, Alison thought with a soft sigh. “Arwen,” she called out. Immediately a holographic representation of Rivendell’s A.I computer system appeared in front of her. Like its namesake the avatar appeared as a beautiful, fragile looking elfin princess with long flowing hair and dressed in a flowing white robe of intricate weave. The robe the avatar wore seemed to shimmer slightly, a purposeful feature designed to make Arwen appear almost angelic. “Yes Governor Shepherd,” Arwen asked politely. “Status report please Arwen,” Alison replied. “What is the condition of the city?” “All systems are fully operational Governor Shepherd,” Arwen replied instantly. “Many of the residents appear to be unconscious however I am reading a number of individuals moving around in the more shielded areas here in the central tower and on the engineering levels.” “What about our escorts,” Alison asked. “Are they still with us?” “Yes. I am reading life signs on all of our escort warships however most appear to be unconscious just like here in the city. Though is some movement aboard the Achilles. I believe it is only a matter of time before everyone here and on the escort squadron recover from the effects of the disturbance.” “I see thank you Arwen. Do you have any idea what happened to the hyperspace window Arwen?” “Negative Governor Shepherd, however sensors did record a number of quantum shifts during the passage through the disturbance. Sensors are also reporting something very strange.” “What is it?” “We are back in normal space and according to my navigational processors we are back in the Milky Way galaxy. However star patterns around us do not precisely match those in my database, quantum readings have changed, plus I am reading no subspace activity of any kind.” “None at all,” Alison exclaimed shocked. Normally the Milky Way was alive with subspace activity of all kinds from Stargate activity, to ships travelling in hyperspace, to interstellar communications chatter. There was simply no way that subspace traffic could simply vanish from existence. “Recheck your sensors Arwen.” For a second the avatar was silent, giving a good impression of a person thinking. “Readings confirmed Governor Shepherd,” Arwen said at last. “There is no subspace traffic of any kind though I am picking up a lot of tachyon streams and pulses travelling through a deep subspace layer. Origin and nature are unknown. Governor based on the available information and the difference in the quantum resonance frequency of the space around us I compute that we are in the right galaxy but the wrong quantum universe.” “How could that happen?” Alison demanded. “How could we cross universes, I mean it’s not like anyone around here has a quantum mirror handy.” “Unknown. I can run simulations based on all available data to determine how this has occurred,” Arwen suggested. “Do it.” “Yes Governor Shepherd.” Arwen disappeared as a soft groan came from somewhere else in the control room. Turning in place Alison saw that some more of the control room staff were starting to come around. Smiling softly Alison moved over to the closest recovering console operator to help the young man wake up. ***** Flag Bridge TFS Achilles The feel of someone gently shaking his shoulders brought Admiral Robyns back to consciousness. Slowly he opened his eyes to find Captain Josephine Owens standing in front of his command chair, a chair he had somehow managed to stay in despite the violent shaking that had gripped the Achilles. “Status report!” he faintly heard her shout. No answers were forthcoming as he slowly rose to her feet, unable to stay up he collapsed into the command chair. Others around them were others coming to their senses, Owens had managed to bring up one of the displays near her own seat and was scanning the systems as they came back online. “Status report Jo.” “We’re alive sir, that’s all I can tell, most of the internal comm. is down and the few internal sensors we have indicate that the crews’ out of commission.” “Can we get anything? “Negative, until we can get through to the other sections we’re bind and deaf.” “External scans.” “Also offline, ship to ship communication is sketchy at best.” “Try to contact anyone you can, find Rivendell if you can. I hope she survived the jump.” “Aye Sir.” The Admiral stood up unsteadily to find several more of his crew straining to pick themselves sup from their prone positions, one of the younger crewmembers was trying to wake up one closest to her. “Crewman, are you alright.” The girl looked up at the Admiral surprised at hearing his voice so close behind her, she nodded and looked down at her companion, another young woman that held a resemblance to the other girl. One look was more than sufficient to know the young girl was dead, the pale skin and blood around her head showing that she had bled out and died from an unknown injury. “Are you alright?” “I think so sir, she’s dead.” “I’m sorry, but we need everyone at their posts. I need you back on duty.” “Aye sir, sorry sir.” The Admiral nodded and stood back up his legs stronger and steadier than before, others were also at their stations looking haggard and bloodied. Its probably like this all over the ship, he thought. “By stations, status report,” he ordered, he needed to know what exactly was working and what systems were off line be if from the battle or the effects of the mutated hyperspace window. “Tactical: shields are down, primary and secondary weapons systems not responding, point defence network not responding.” “Sensors down, we’re blind.” Blind and defenceless brilliant, Jacob thought resisting the impulse to rub his temples. “Helm: hyperdrive is out, sub-light drives on line but the navigational computer isn’t responding, looks like some of the crystals have been jarred loose.” “Communications: internal and long range down, ship to ship is active.” “Engineering: no idea in total sir I can’t get any response from the upper engineering decks. Main ZPM power is off line however, looks like they need to be reset. Backup power and naquada fusion generators are online, ship power levels at sixty percent of normal. I can confirm that the sub-light drive is fully operational but that the hyperdrive is down. Until we get full power back I won’t be able to tell about anything else?” Admiral Robyns looked around the bridge, each of the stations was now manned but he was horrified to see a number of his crew dead on the fleer. Blood was pooled around each as it was on the faces of each of the crew, how the rest of the crew looked or the other ships had fared he had no idea. But if it was anything like this then they would have lost a number of people. “Captain, have you contacted any of the others.” “We’re getting calls from some of the other ships, but two of the destroyers are completely silent.” “Where’s Rivendell?” “Two million kilometres aft of the fleet, can’t get anything from them either.” “Flash running lights, Morse code to all ships. Achilles active and ready, all ships reply via normal communications protocols or Morse code. Request update on all systems and combat effectiveness.” The admiral turned to tactical, “Lt Thorson, How long till we get our weapons and shields back?” The tactical officer scanned his readouts looking over the weapons status of the ship’s primary and secondary weapons, the shields and armour effectiveness was next until he had finally managed to get the information needed. The loss of the major weapons systems as well as the shielding left them vulnerable to an attack, the smaller ships would possibly be worse off due to their lesser shields and armour. “I believe I can get some of our secondary weapons systems online sir,” he said at last. “Drone launchers are well but primary weapons and shields will have to wait until we get full power restored. Shield generators will also have to be repaired they took a hell of a beating against the alien’s plasma weapons.” “Concentrate on point defence and secondary weapons for now,” Robyns ordered. “Can we launch any fighters.” “Yes sir we can.” That’s something at least, Jacob thought with a sigh of relief. At least they could deploy a cap and wouldn’t be completely defenceless. “Get a cap out there as soon as possible.” “Aye, sir.” “Sir we’re receiving a message from Rivendell,” communications reported, relief apparent in the officer’s voice. Relief Jacob Robyns understood and shared, if they were talking then somebody was alive over there. “Put it on main screen.” “Aye, sir.” The main screen at the front of the flag bridge came on showing the face and torso of Governor Shepherd, she looked a little haggard but other than that she seemed to be alright. Personnel could also be seen moving about Rivendell’s control room behind her. “Admiral, good to see you alive,” Shepherd said relief in her voice. “Governor Shepherd, its good to see you too. Status report from your end please.” “All systems are operational, most of my crew were knocked out by the jump. Shields are operational at seventy three percent, some of our weapons are working we’ve lost the particle slicer cannons but all pulse cannons and drone launchers are operational, engineering should be up and running again within the hour. Once there back up it shouldn’t take us long to bring the city back to full operational status. We were lucky Admiral.” “Crew casualties?” “We don’t know yet Admiral, we know there are a few fatalities aboard but a lot more unconscious or comatose. Arwen is polling the crew as we speak but it’s not good, what is the fleet’s status?” “We don’t know, with a few exceptions the rest of the ships are incommunicado.” “The Achilles?” “Down for the count, most of our systems are dead including weapons and long range sensors. We can launch fighters though so we’ll be getting a cap out as soon as we get enough pilots. Looks like Rivendell will be our eyes and ears for a while, how are the tractor and docking systems?” “There intact and operational I take it you wish to implement Operation Cocoon?” “Yes, as soon as possible we need to get our ships repaired and soon.” “Alright I’ll send out the Jumpers to tow the smaller ships in, the capital ships may have to wait until we get the engines back online.” “That’s fine. If we can get the smaller ships inside the protection of Rivendell’s shields then we can focus the repair efforts of the engineers on our larger ships.” Shepherd nodded. “I’ll get it organised from this end,” she replied at last. “Good luck Admiral.” “To all of us.” Shepherd nodded and broke the connection from her end, Jacob sighed and returned to his command chair to think and wonder what he was going to do next. ***** THS Achilles Sometime Later Admiral Robyns sat in the quiet of his personnel office reading through the legions of reports that had been flooding in from all the ships in his task force as well as departments within the Achilles herself. Full power had been restored to all ships and they finally had their hyperdrives and long range sensors back, but that was all. The fleet and Rivendell were still in a poor tactical condition though at least all ships could now launch drones and the cruiser Jutland had reported that there shields and pulse cannons would be back online within another hour. The worst news though was the casualty reports. All the ships in the task force and even on Rivendell had lost some people though the loss was fewer on Rivendell. Two of the destroyers were actually running on skeleton crews and it was only being docked with Rivendell that was enabling them to do any repair work. The crew members that had died had mostly died of some kind of neural shock that had caused intense bleeding from all the blood vessels in the brain. Others were in a comatose condition but were showing signs of beginning to recover. Amongst them was Lieutenant Stark – though his condition was different as he’d been the one the aliens had taken over and used as their mouthpiece – he was semi-awake and seemed to be badly traumatised by his experience. Even more bad news was present in the reports. Arwen had confirmed her initial scans and confirmed that while they were in the Milky Way galaxy again they were in a completely different quantum universe to one they had originated in. The lack of any subspace activity beyond the small emissions the fleet was beginning to once more put out proved that they were on their own. It wasn’t a situation Jacob liked at all, being cut off from any chance of support from home, even in the dark matter galaxy they had not been so isolated as all they would have had to do to summon aid was jump to the space between galaxies and call. A call that would bring attention from other Tau’ri starships and the Asgard. For the first time the Milky Way was worrying Jacob as while many of the stars were familiar they were now at the same time strangely hostile. “Bridge to Admiral Robyns,” Captain Owens voice abruptly said over the comm. making Jacob jump slightly, even as he touched the offending device and a holographic screen appeared over his desk. “Yes captain?” “Sir we’re receiving a hail from Rivendell. Governor Shepherd wants to have a word with you about a matter of utmost urgency.” “Put her through.” “Aye, sir.” Owens image disappeared to be replaced instantly by Governor Shepherds and it was immediately obvious that she was very, very worried about something. “Yes Governor Shepherd,” Jacob asked inwardly wondering what particular additional hot potato was about to be dropped in his lap. “Admiral we have a very serious problem developing over here,” Governor Shepherd replied. “For that past hour there have been slightly fluctuations in the cities power distribution grid. My engineers have traced the problem to one of our three zero point modules. The internal crystalline structure of the ZPM has been badly cracked, we believe that it occurred during our passage to this universe. The ZPM in question is not producing as much power as we estimate that it has barely twenty percent of its original capacity left. Capacity that is being constantly drained by the fact that we’re in space and have to maintain full shields around the whole city.” “Do you have any in storage,” Jacob asked worried. If there weren’t any in storage then it meant they would have to find a planet for Rivendell to land on as soon as possible. The cityship wouldn’t be able to stay in space with just two zero point modules active, even with the backup naquada fusion generators that all Tau’ri built cityships had, it would not be enough energy. Like all cityships Rivendell was an extremely energy hungry beast. “I’m afraid not Admiral,” Shepherd replied. “When we were sent on this mission it was assumed that we would not need anymore ZPM’s for at least a month. We do have the apparatus and enough materials onboard to manufacture some more ZPM’s but as you know it is a very long, energy intensive process. It takes a week to make even one and the damaged ZPM wont last that long.” “Then we need to find a planet for you to land upon as quickly as possible,” Jacob said. “How long until the damaged ZPM gives up the ghost?” “My engineers estimate that it will give out within two days,” Shepherd replied. “Arwen believes that she has located a suitable planet on the long range sensors. Its in a binary star system about eighty light years from our current location, however using the hyperdrive will drain the damaged ZPM of almost all remaining power. We cannot afford to jump there without confirmation.” Damn, Jacob thought then thought fast. There was really only one way to get Rivendell the confirmation that they needed and that was to send one of his ships there. There was only one he could really send at the moment. “I see,” he said at last. “The Jutland will have their pulse cannons and shields back online within the hour. As there back online I will send them to investigate and see if we can get the confirmation that you require.” Shepherd looked relieved. “Thank you, Admiral,” she replied genuine relief in her voice. Relief that Jacob could well understand, there were twenty five thousand people on Rivendell and with one ZPM failing on them all their lives were at risk. “It’s no trouble I will arrange it as soon as we clear down.” “Then I will let you go. Thank you again, Admiral.” “You’re welcome, Governor.” Shepherd smiled once then nodded and disappeared as the signal from Rivendell was terminated. Jacob sighed softly and massaged his temples for a few moments before reaching out and touching the intercom control. “Communications hail the Jutland. I want to speak with Captain McKenzie immediately,” he said. “Aye, sir.” |
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03-16-2007, 08:23 PM
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| Chapter Three Chapter Three Bridge TFS Jutland An Hour Later Captain Aaron McKenzie stepped onto the bridge of his starship and made his way to his command chair. He wasn’t strictly happy about leaving the fleet while most of the ships only had limited or no defensive capabilities, but he knew there was no choice. The situation that Rivendell was in with a failing zero point module meant that he had no choice but to go. Not leaving to check the planet Arwen had found would put twenty five thousand people on the cityship in unacceptable peril. “Status report,” he ordered. “We have received the coordinates of the planet from Rivendell sir,” Ensign Michelson reported from the helm. “Hyperdrive online and ready to go sir,” the officer manning the bridge engineering station reported. “Tactical: status report?” “Shields are back online and are standing by sir,” tactical reported. “Secondary weapons arrays are back online as are the point defence systems. Primary pulse particle cannons are back online though our particle slicer beams remain offline. Engineering estimates we’ll have them back in four hours.” “Pulse weapons and drones should be enough if we run into trouble,” McKenzie replied. “Communications advise the Achilles that we are ready to depart.” “Aye sir,” communications responded and relayed the message to the Achilles flag bridge. Almost instantly there came a response. “Sir the Achilles has acknowledged we are about to depart. Admiral Robyns says good luck and good hunting.” “Acknowledged,” McKenzie replied. “Okay Ensign Michelson take us to the system in question.” “Aye sir,” Michelson responded before pressing the command to execute the precision jump to the system all the while hoping the navigational system worked correctly. Eighty light years as a ridiculously short distance for a starship, whose hyperdrive was capable of crossing between galaxies in a period of weeks, they would be relying on precision computer guidance for the trip. Even with interactive controls that could to a degree read the console operators thoughts it would be to short a jump for a human being to control. Instantly an up-scaling humming sound could be heard throughout the whole of the Agamemnon-class heavy cruiser as her mighty hyperdrives began powering up. Captain McKenzie turned his full attention to the high definition screen at the front of the bridge as ahead of them a hyperspace window formed. With a momentary surge of acceleration the Jutland crossed the distance and entered hyperspace. For a moment they saw nothing but the shimmering soft nebulous blue slipstream of hyperspace then almost to fast to blink, it was over. Hyperspace once more gave way to stars glowing brightly against the blackness of space. “Report,” McKenzie ordered. “Michelson where are we?” Ensign Michelson checked his sensor readings and smiled at what he saw and the information the console fed into his mind. The navigational computer had not failed them, they had emerged from hyperspace exactly where they had intended to emerge. “Right where we expected to be sir,” he replied. “Sensors are reading seven planets in this system, three terrestrial planets, one in the liquid water zone and four gas giants.” “Excellent. Set a course to orbit the planet in the liquid water zone. Sensors begin your scans to determine planetary viability.” “Aye, sir,” Michelson and the officer at sensors replied in unison, before setting to their respective tasks. Captain McKenzie sat back in his command chair and watched the front screen as the Jutland began moving towards the planet that had teased Rivendell’s sensors. The planet came into view and immediately it looked promising. The planet was quite large almost twice Earths mass, with three large contents separated by broad blue oceans. Contents and oceans alike were sheathed in thin whiffs and banks of clouds. A set of rings surrounded the planet and orbiting it were two moons. Silently the Jutland’s sensors reached across space and began gathering information on the planet ahead of them, searching for a variety of factors. The most important being the presence of sentient life, they would not intrude on a planet where there was an intelligent race no matter how primitive it was, no matter how great there need was. “Primary scans completed sir,” sensors reported. “No sentient life of any kind present on the planet. We are detecting ruins on the eastern continent but their heavily overgrown, looks like they’ve been abandoned for sometime. Biosphere of the planet is viable. We’re reading large veins of naquada and trinium present on the planet. Principle scans have also located a probable landing site for Rivendell.” “Where?” “A large inland sea on the southern continent on visual now sir.” The front view screen changed showing a close up of the planet and a massive sea that was almost completely landlocked. Only a single wide valley connected it with the ocean, the sea was huge. The data scrolling down the side of the screen indicated that it was two hundred and fifty miles long by one hundred miles wide. Seeing it McKenzie smiled inland seas or large lakes were perfect locations to land cityships, sheltered but still easily deep enough for the massive spaceships. “Excellent,” he said. “Communications signal the Achilles. Tell Admiral Robyns that the planet passes all initial scans and should be safe for Rivendell.” “Aye sir,” communications replied and turned to the task. A moment before the sensors bleeped and chimed for attention. “Captain sensors are picking up a disturbance to port approximately three light minutes out,” sensors reported. “A spatial rift of some sort is opening, from the energy readings its being artificially generated.” “Show me.” The screen view changed to show open space and a strange glowing blue vortex that unfolded before their eyes. “Sensors what do you make of it?” “Its almost reading like a wormhole sir but there are overtones of a hyperspace window. Sensors are picking up evidence of another space beyond the vortex. My guess is it’s a portal either to another dimension or a very deep subspace layer. Sir something is coming through, a ship. It’s huge.” McKenzie nodded he could see it himself. The dark aperture in the centre of the vortex flashed once then a massive, strangely primitive looking ship emerged. The vortex folded closed behind it indicating that the ship had been responsible for its creation. McKenzie studied the ship carefully; it was massive easily bigger than the Achilles or anything this side of a cityship. But it looked very primitive, with two rotational gravity sections spinning around its centre sections and aft of them a pair of solar panels ran one going straight up the other straight down. “Tactical analysis,” he ordered as the ship came to a halt. “Unknown vessel is six point one kilometres long sir,” sensors reported. “However mass is considerably lower than what I would have thought for a ship that big. The ship generates artificial gravity by centrifugal force. Minimal armament present, I show only two laser cannons and four plasma cannons of some type. Ship is powered by eight nuclear fusion reactors that are putting out barely half the power of even one naquada fusion reactor. Reading over nine hundred life forms onboard, life signs… sir life signs are Human.” “What! Confirm that.” “Confirmed sir. Life signs are unmistakeably Human.” McKenzie frowned slightly, more than a little confused. Humans as far as he knew didn’t build vessels that size very often and certainly not vessels so primitive that they didn’t possess even basic artificial gravity. Even the first Tau’ri built vessel the Prometheus had had artificial gravity from the word go. But we are in another universe Aaron, he told himself, Human technology in this reality might be a lot less advanced than what you are used to. “Sir the vessel is bombarding us with tachyon particles,” tactical reported. “From the frequency I’d say it’s some kind of scan. Passive ECM systems are automatically blocking most of their scans. Shall I raise our shields?” “No. Don’t override the passive ECM either lets see what they do.” “Aye, sir.” ***** EAS Cortez A Few Moments Earlier Captain Jack Maynard sipped some of the synthetic crap that passed for coffee on Earth Alliance starships and gazed at the front screens as his massive explorer ship made for the final system on their mission schedule. This latest mission for the Cortez had gone very well indeed, even better than had previously been thought of. They had charted a number of new star systems, some of which were suitable for settlement and one of whom had turned out to rich in the valuable Quantium 40 ore, and built a number of new jump gates to access the sectors. Now the Cortez was bound for System NL-24, the farest the bold exploration ship had been from home. Once they were done charting this system they would turn around and begin the long journey back home to Earth. Long range probes had indicated the possible presence of an Earth-like planet and large mineral resources in the system, the habitable planet alone would qualify this system for investigation. Ever since the end of the disastrous war with the Minbari ten years before Earth had been seeking out new systems with a vengeance, determined to prove to the galaxy at large that while they had all but lost the war with the Minbari Earth was far from out of the interstellar game. Maynard knew it was really necessary to colonise as many systems as could be found but EarthGov felt that it was important for some reason and he wouldn’t complain. It afforded him many chances to see things that no Human eyes had ever seen before. “Captain we’ve reached the co-ordinates,” his XO reported. “Very good. Navigation stand by to jump to normal space,” Maynard ordered. “Jump engines standing by,” navigation replied. “Jump,” Maynard ordered and the lights dimmed slightly as the explorer ships power was shunted into her mighty jump engines. Ran through purified Quantium 40 the energy flow generated the field that applied immense pressure to a region of hyperspace directly ahead of the ship, opening a doorway between the red and black marbled realm of hyperspace and normal space. With a familiar jolting sensation the Cortez cruised through the open jump point into normal space. Almost instantly the sensor console chimed for attention. “Unknown contact bearing two one zero mark, distance three light minutes,” sensors called out. “One ship unknown configuration.” Instantly Maynard was fully alert his eyes fixed on the display screens as the forward optical sensors pulled in a blurred outline of a starship. A starship that was roughly about the same size as a Hyperion-class heavy cruiser though the configuration that could be observed did not match anything on record. The ship was sleek and powerful looking made of a silvery grey metal, its design like the design of Minbari warships seemed to convey a frightening combination of elegance and predatory fierceness. Precise details were impossible to make out over distance however. Maynard knew that the Cortez had just stumbled into what was the most dangerous of interstellar meetings, first contact with another spacefaring race and from the distant look of the ship a very powerful one. Maynard felt butterflies of nerves beginning to flutter about in his stomach even as he was unconsciously aware of the rest of the bridge crew looking at him, waiting for his orders. He knew an awful lot was riding on him now; he had to get this meeting right. Earth was all too aware of the consequences of a botched first contact meeting; it was a meeting botched by that trigger happy fool Captain Jankowski that had started the war with the Minbari. “All stop,” he ordered after a moment. “Bring us to a dead halt then stand by to broadcast standard Interlac first contact protocols.” “Aye, sir,” came the replies from the respective stations. A moment before the lights and consoles seemed to flicker. The screens washing with static for a few seconds before firming back up though the flickering lights continued. “What’s going on,” the XO asked. “The alien ship is scanning us sir,” operations reported. “The EMP from their scanners is tremendous, far greater even than Minbari scanners. It’s playing hell with our systems.” Abruptly the lights stopped flickering and all the displays returned to normal. “Scanners have stopped.” “What’s the alien ship doing,” Maynard asked. “Nothing sir there just sitting there, not turning towards us or anything.” “There waiting to see what we’re going to do,” the XO hazarded as a guess. “Possibly,” Maynard agreed. “Try scanning but be gentle about it we don’t want to spook them.” “Aye, sir,” sensors replied and for a moment was silent. “Scan’s are not getting through sir we’re encountering some sort of stealth field similar to that used by the Minbari but different. We are getting some energy emissions from the ship, sir these energy readings are off the scale.” “They must be shy,” the XO said. “Or just merely cautious about meeting a new race,” Maynard replied. “Communications try and open a channel to the alien starship. Transmit Interlac first contact codes.” “Aye, sir.” ***** TFS Jutland Captain McKenzie kept a cautious eye on the primitive looking starship belonging to the Humans of this universe. It was quite surprising that there were Humans here at all besides themselves, knowing that they weren’t strictly alone that there were others of their kind here, made him feel a little easier. Though he was also a little concerned, if their were Humans here were any of the other races known to them here as well, especially the troublesome ones. What are they waiting for, he wondered looking at the primitive ship that their optical scans had revealed to be called the Cortez at least according to the nameplate on her side. “Sir the Cortez is directing a coherent tachyon beam at us,” sensors reported. “I’m picking up a digital radio signal imbedded in the tachyon stream.” Interesting, McKenzie thought guessing that tachyons were their method of instantaneous communication. While not as efficient as the subspace signals they were used to tachyons did have the potential to be used in that way. “Communications can we tap into the signal?” he asked. “Yes sir I believe so,” communications replied. “I’ll just have to reconfigure one of our short range comm. arrays to decipher the message. Stand by.” McKenzie rotated the command chair slightly to watch the officer manipulating the controls with one hand while his other was pressed against the crystalline control surfaces of the console forming the link between the computer and his mind. After a few moments of diligent work the officer looked up with a smile. “I’ve got it sir,” he said. “The signal is repeating constantly and is a simple series of universal mathematical concepts along with a very basic language. Similar to our own standard first contact packages, they obviously think that we are aliens.” “Well to them we are lieutenant,” McKenzie replied. “It would be well to remember that though there Human as well they are alien to us.” “I understand sir. Shall we respond,” communications asked a moment before the console chirped. “Sir message from the Achilles. The rest of the task force and Rivendell will be jumping to our co-ordinates in ten minutes.” “Advise Admiral Robyns of our situation, tell him to hold off until we signal him,” McKenzie ordered. “Then sent a broadcast message in the language they provided to the Cortez. Tell them ‘This is the Tau’ri cruiser Jutland. You are in our space please identify yourselves and state your intentions.’” “Aye sir.” ***** EAS Cortez “Sir we’re receiving a response in Interlac from the alien vessel,” communications reported. At least there trying to talk to us, Maynard thought with a smile, it was much better than the alternative. Especially as the armament the Cortez had available was truly pitiful and barely adequate to protect the ship. “What do they say,” he asked. “They say ‘This is the Tau’ri cruiser Jutland. Please identify yourselves and state your intentions.’” Maynard’s eyebrows shot up at the very Earth-style name of the alien starship that was very unanticipated, unless this species had been monitoring Earth radio signals for the last few centuries and had based some of the elements of their culture off them. It wouldn’t be the first time that had happened, the Brakiri being a case in point. “Reply that ‘This is the Earth Alliance starship Cortez. We intend no aggression and only wish peaceful contact.’” “Aye, sir.” For a moment their was silence as the message was sent to the Jutland and they awaited the alien crews response. “Response ‘be that as it may you have violated our territory. Please withdraw immediately.’” “Advise them that we will comply when our jump engines have had sufficient time to recharge,” Maynard ordered, mildly disappointed that they weren’t going to really learn anything about these Tau’ri. “Also ask if they will allow an exchange of basic information. Even if they don’t agree send them basic information on how to contact us in the future should they wish to do so.” Maybe they’ll come to Babylon Five and contact us there, he thought, it might make them more comfortable dealing with us if they have dozens of other species about as a witness. Hopefully Sinclair will be ready and willing to deal with them if they come. “Aye, sir.” “It is a pity where not going to get a chance to talk to them and learn more,” his XO said. “I don’t blame them for asking us to leave XO if we’ve violated their territory,” Maynard replied. “At least they have asked politely, most species we know of would have asked by firing a shot across our bow.” “True sir. Our jump engines are recharging it will be another fifteen minutes before we can jump out of here.” “Understood XO.” “Sir the Jutland has acknowledged that we will leave as soon as we are able to,” communications reported. “They thank us for the limited information that we have provided to them but say they are not comfortable giving us information about themselves yet.” “Fair enough. Send a final message to them that on behalf of the Earth Alliance we hope to hear from them again at Babylon Five.” “Aye sir.” Communications was quiet for another few moments. “The Jutland acknowledges and say they will consider it.” “That’s all we can ask of them,” Maynard replied. “All right. Navigation move us off, as soon as the jump engines are online jump to hyperspace. Communications try and get Earth Force Command on stellarcom.” “Aye, sir,” came the replies from the respective stations. ***** A Few Minutes Later “Are you sure they won’t accept contact,” General Lefcourt asked from the communications screen in Captain Maynard’s office. “Yes I am sir,” Maynard replied. “They did talk to us but only via Interlac and then only to ask us to leave the system. I did give them information about Babylon Five, they have indicated that they might go there but then again they might not.” “Hmm you did the right thing complying with their wishes, the last thing we need is another war at this time,” Lefcourt said. “I will alert Commander Sinclair to the possibility that he might be getting visitors sometime in the future. Now then were you able to gather any intelligence at all about the alien vessel Jutland?” “Very little I’m afraid general. They appear to have a stealth device similar to the one employed by the Minbari. However we were able to gather some energy readings from the alien starship, what we found is astounding. The alien vessels power signature was putting out no less than three times as much energy as a Minbari Sharlin-class war cruiser. But I think they probably wanted us to see those power readings, a way of saying how strong they are without firing a single shot.” “Three times a Sharlin,” General Fefcourt repeated in astonishment. Maynard could well understand it, a Minbari Sharlin-class war cruiser was one of the most powerful starships in space, nothing other than a Vorlon dreadnought could compare to one. To encounter a much smaller starship that was pumping out a few times the energy of a Minbari warship was amazing and also a little disturbing. If a cruiser sized ship could pump out that much power then what would a battleship scaled vessel generate. “Incredible,” the general continued. “We must hope that these Tau’ri do indeed accept the offer to go to Babylon Five. We could certainly use an ally with their apparent level of technology. I expect to see a full detailed report of your first contact with the Tau’ri vessel when you return to Earth.” “You’ll have it sir,” Maynard replied. General Lefcourt smiled slightly. “Thank you captain, have a safe journey home.” “Thank you sir.” General Fefcourt nodded then broke the connection from his end, his image being replaced by the seal of the Earth Alliance. Maynard sighed and went to his desk to get started on some of the paperwork he had to do, knowing full well that his XO would handle the jump to hyperspace and the plotting of the long journey through that other space to Earth orbit. ***** TFS Jutland Ten Minutes Later Captain McKenzie watched on a tactical overlay as the Cortez moved away from them at a virtual snails pace, though their sensors confirmed that she was pushing her ion particle engines to maintain her speed. Clearly not only were Human ships in this universe a lot more primitive they were also a whole lot slower, even a puddle jumper could go quicker than the Cortez and they weren’t really meant for long distance flight in space. “Captain we’re picking up an increase in energy emissions from the Cortez,” sensors reported. “There is another spatial distortion opening in front of them.” McKenzie nodded; he could see it on the long range visual scan. A vortex that was almost identical to the one they had seen earlier when the Cortez arrived opened in space, the only difference was in colour, this vortex was orange instead of blue. The Cortez plunged into the vortex and vanished in a bright flash, the vortex closed behind her, leaving the Jutland once more alone in the system. “About time they left,” he said. “Communications: hail both Rivendell and the Achilles, advice Admiral Robyns and Governor Shepherd that the Cortez has now left the area and it is safe for them to jump in.” “Aye, sir.” McKenzie smiled and sat back in his command chair to await the arrival of the rest of the task force and the cityship that they were escorting. ***** Rivendell A Few Moments Later Governor Alison Shepherd leaned on the guard rail of the balcony outside her office and stared at the starlit vacuum of space. She was completely unconcerned by the fact that only a thin force field that hugged the contours of every building in the city protected her from that cold airless environment. She often came out onto the balcony to think or when she just wanted some peace from her responsibilities. It was always relaxing, be it when they were on a planet or when they were in space. “Excuse me Governor Shepherd,” Arwen abruptly said from behind. “Yes Arwen what is it,” Alison asked not taking her eyes of the breathtaking view of the stars. “We have received a transmission from the Jutland,” Arwen replied. “Captain McKenzie says that it is now safe for us to journey to the system, the Cortez has left the area. Admiral Robyns has also signalled us saying we can leave whenever we are ready.” Alison smiled softly as the avatar spoke. Finally, Alison thought. “Excellent,” she said standing up straight and starting to head back to Rivendell’s control room. “Status report,” she asked walking in, Arwen following a few paces behind not that the avatar really needed to. Like all cityship avatars Arwen was programmed to behave in that way. “Hyperdrives are ready to go, coordinates for the planet have been locked into the navigational systems,” one of the console operators reported. “We’re ready to go ma’am.” “Understood. Communications hail the Achilles tell Admiral Robyns that we are about to make a hyperspace jump to the Jutland’s location. All personnel stand by to begin landing procedures as soon as we arrive.” “Yes ma’am,” came the response from a number of control consoles as an alarm sounded throughout Rivendell advising all twenty five thousand people onboard to prepare for landing procedures. “Governor the Achilles has acknowledged that we’re about to jump,” communications reported. “Very well then, navigation take us to the coordinates.” “Yes ma’am.” For a few more moments nothing happened then a familiar up-scaling whine was heard throughout the whole of the vast space vessel that was the cityship, the whine of the three mighty hyperdrives that propelled it powering up. Then with a slight almost imperceptible surge of acceleration the city vanished into hyperspace, to re-emerge seconds later directly over the planet where she was to land. “We’re secure from hyperspace Governor Shepherd. City power levels are holding.” “Very good. Manoeuvre us too directly over the centre of the inland sea the Jutland found and commence landing procedure.” “Yes ma’am.” ***** TFS Jutland Captain McKenzie smiled when he saw a massive hyperspace window open above the plan |
