The Phoenix Rising. Gary MDiv Caplan
on his left. “Summon Admirals M’agh and Rhiss.”
“There is one final item of importance, Milord,” said Mor'ag as he activated the computer screen imaging system. “As you can see, there are two Talcon starcities in hyperspace en route to this galaxy. Our telemetry was not complete due to their jamming systems and the distance, but we have been able to ascertain that their automated defense systems are operational and that they should arrive in about six zilakh.” At this, Mor'ag cleared his throat and added nervously, “During the Feast of Ji’toth, I believe.”
Kra’ag hissed by way of acknowledgment.
Mor'ag knew that his cousin enjoyed the Feast of Ji’toth and would prefer it not to be disturbed by an enemy’s arrival.
“They will most probably be arriving in that region of Alliance of Worlds space that they call the Beta quadrant,” continued Mor'ag. “The Talcon Starcities will most likely drop out of hyperspace at a distance of approximately sixty thousand light-years from any of our active colonies. It may cause a serious problem between the Talcon, who will be seeking territory and the Alliance of Worlds.”
The Supreme Commander seemed to ponder this news for a long moment, and then replied, “I will investigate this matter personally when I arrive. For the time being, Mor’ag, continue with your plans to disrupt our enemies. Also, I want you to continue attempting to locate and mine any Quellien crystals. They will be very useful for our dealings with the Jiyarr.”
“Understood, Milord,” responded Mor'ag, snapping a salute.
The communication ended, and Mor'ag was relieved. His cousin would not likely punish him, but there was the possibility Kra’ag could order a few of his officers’ executions. Mor’ag had to find a way to appease his cousin’s potential wrath, so as not to lose any of his well-trained personal staff.
CHAPTER 3
An Unusual Call
The morning of April 29, 2756, of the old Earth calendar, came hard for Fleet Captain Robert Allen Sheppard. He was awakened from a restless and all-too-brief rest period by the intra-ship communication system. Composing himself as best he could in the few seconds between hails, he answered the transmission.
Clearing his throat, he said in a rough voice, “Yes, Bridge?”
“Incoming transmission through the COMNET from Star One for you, sir," reported the voice of Lieutenant Bosq, the on-duty communications officer. “It's Admiral Wainright, and he's requesting to talk to you on the Alpha channel.” He paused. “Uh, sir, there's almost a twenty-second delay in transmission, even with the COMNET’s hyperspace-boosting capability, due to our distance here near the galactic rim, so be patient, sir.”
“Yes, thank you, Lieutenant. I'll take it in my quarters.” This he said as his fingers found the processor console and punched up an order of hot coffee from the synthesizer. The device hummed quietly during the synthesis process.
Admiral Wainright's picture appeared on the viewer, and he began delivering what Sheppard would describe later as cryptic orders, with few answers to Sheppard’s questions.
Minutes later, Commander Adams received an open intercom order from Fleet Captain Sheppard. “Sheppard here,” the captain said. “Set course for Star One emergency speed; we’re being reassigned I will be headed toward the bridge soon, then I will need to coordinate with the other ship captains in Task Force Four."
“All right,” said Commander Adams, addressing the flight control officer at the Conn. “You heard the order, Lieutenant; emergency speed! How long before we can get back to Star One?”
Lieutenant MacTavish’s fingers flew with precision over the navi-computer's touchpad as he inputted the course data, and then he sat back momentarily as the altered course data plotted. About a second later, he had his answer. Turning from the Conn, he said, “Well, sir, since we're about ten thousand light-years out from Star One, at this distance.” Accessing astrogation to set a safe jump pathway Mac Tavish determined that traveling at the ships emergency speed of translight velocity equivalent to one hundred thousand times C, the speed of light. “Sir it will take us a little over thirty-six days to get back. Now, if we had the upgraded jump system, we could get there in half the time.”
“That's fine, Lieutenant MacTavish. This ship’s engines can handle emergency speed for just about that long,” said Sheppard thoughtfully. “Take us home. Endeavor will put in for an overhaul while we’re at Star One.” Mac Tavish activated Endeavour’s translight hyperspace drive which initiated the formation a hyperspace transference tunnel allowing the entire ship to jump into a layer of hyperspace.
Sheppard addressed the communications officer. “Lieutenant Bosq, open a coded communications to Captain Jarred. As he is the next-senior captain, I will have to give him command of the other eleven ships in this task force. Besides, Endeavor is due for a refit soon enough. Perhaps Commander Adams can even arrange to get the upgraded drive system when we arrive at Star One.”
Star One was essentially a totally self-sufficient, multi-species Alliance of Worlds colony. The Star One facility included several communities with their own hydroponics, aquaculture, and gardens for food production. The huge space city inside Star One included multiple housing facilities for representatives of every member civilization and their families. Star One also contained the main campus of the Alliance of Worlds Academy, as well as two other universities. There were even training grounds for the starship officers and the space marines within the vast space station complex.
Sheppard did not want to tell anyone just now, but he was being promoted and would be reassigned. The admiral hadn’t provided much detail about his future assignment, but upon his promotion to the rank of commodore, he knew he would be required to transfer to a different ship.
CHAPTER 4
An Old Ally’s Arrival
The Karratin starship Zeloc cruised in stealth mode toward Star One on a trans-dimensional vector. Inside, Lord Gar fa’eld, the ambassador from Karro, determined the final destination coordinates and relayed them to the sentient starcruiser Zeloc. Almost immediately, the huge starship came out of translight drive. With its Decawarp slipstream main drive powering down, the Zeloc appeared within the equivalent of a hundred light-seconds distance from the Alliance of Worlds main base station and headquarters, known as Star One. That was closer than the Alliance liked to space traffic but the Zeloc was expected.
The Star One station was a huge, completely self-sufficient community with an internal ecosystem of housing areas, complete with trees and plants. Star One contained all manner of public, corporate, and military facilities and housed the Alliance of Worlds Academy, as well as over two hundred embassies. There were life support systems and areas for several different species, and small communities for their habitation. There were medical facilities for health maintenance, and construction and docking facilities for starships.
The Zeloc closed to ten light-seconds distance and established an orbit. At just over eight kilometers in length, the Zeloc would have to wait to be assigned one of the large docks of the 120-kilometer flattened spheroid station.
Two figures appeared in the command chamber. The first was Pharzon, one of the Hytren, and the second presence Agronius, a Calyx; they were two of Gar fa’eld’s associates. The Karratin Lord seemed to pause and focus or concentrate as the others appeared, his mind connecting briefly with his greater essence or prime self to commune at a higher ascended level with his associate’s primes.
“Do not look so amused, my friends,” sent Gar fa’eld telepathically. “I must prepare for unusual work; after all, I was asked to assist, and I rarely give up the chance to help in some capacity.”
“We thought you would like a friendly send-off,” intoned Pharzon. “You will be occupied with dutiful matters, and as your actions are restricted, with the exception of the Star Knight abilities, we just wanted to state we would miss our regular telepathic discourse.”
“Yes,