CHAPTER FIVE

“Captain on the command deck,” Bret announced as John stepped off the lift. The captain had just completed a tour of the ship. He didn’t want to, but Julie insisted he needed to as a way to ease the crew’s fears. PHOENIX was brimming with new technologies and the crew was worried about what might happen at launch. Would all the systems work together? It took all of the captain’s efforts to even talk with those he met on the tour. He couldn’t bring himself to smile at anyone and struggled to offer any words of encouragement.

As John entered the pit, he felt like he was on a different ship. The large computer terminals that used to line the walls were replaced with Quix computer systems that had been augmented with Ni technology. The terminals, as well as the computer stations, were now transparent. Even the components inside were clear and hard to see. Only the colored lights blinking indicated components were embedded in the terminals.

John looked over where his command chair used to be. He elected not to replace it. He instead chose to command from the operations table. He approached the transparent table, where Julie, Jacks, Korifluxinina, and Lieutenant Tim Richardson were standing. At the navigation station a Senfo was now assigned to work in tandem with Kevin, while an Onixin now sat with Bret at the communications station.

“How was the tour?” Julie asked John as he took his place at the center of the table.

“Uneventful,” replied John. “What’s our status?”

“All departments have reported in,” replied Jacks. “Vish has confirmed all systems are ready for launch. As a precaution, I have requested all engineers and technicians working on the Interceptor tube conversions to retreat to the inner part of the ship in the event we encounter difficulties activating the interstellar drive.”

John looked at Korifluxinina. “I thought your analysis showed no problems with the drive?”

The Quix’s body vibrated as it spoke. “Indeed, John Roberts. However, the drive is interfaced with numerous systems that use different technologies from all alliance worlds.”

“So?” John wasn’t in the mood to hear excuses. Either they were ready or they weren’t.

Korifluxinina stood by her statement. “I must remind you that the n’quadrin is a new power source that has not been tested under duress. Although my scientific knowledge is quite extensive, I cannot anticipate all variables. This is the first time technologies from all our worlds will be operating together.”

“Fine,” said John. Through Ni science, the Onixin’s quadrin power source had been radically altered to a more powerful and efficient energy source, putting PHOENIX’s old plasma based network to shame. But n’quadrin had only been developed four months ago. The Ni thoroughly analyzed the new energy and assured the captain it was safe. Despite their assurances, much of the crew was still nervous on how the new power source would work.

“Let engineering know we’re ready to depart,” John said to Jacks. “Private Michaels, send a message to the Ni homeworld and inform them we’re ready to depart.”

“Captain, the Ni were explicit that you contact them,” said Bret.

John rolled his eyes. It was always something with the Ni. He was tired of their idiosyncrasies and was glad to finally leave. “Fine, open a channel.”

Bret nodded to his counterpart, Rudov. The Onixin patched a signal to the planet below. “Channel open, captain.”

“This is Captain John Roberts of the PHOENIX. We’re ready to depart and request permission to leave.” There was no response and John was quickly getting impatient. “Confirm they’ve received the message.”

“They heard you, captain,” confirmed Bret.

Julie caught something on the sensors. “Captain, the repair station.”

John looked at her display and was surprised at what he saw. The repair station that had housed PHOENIX all these months slowly began to dissipate, as if being erased from existence. Less than a minute later, it was gone. PHOENIX was now floating in open space above the planet.

John looked at Jacks. “Five months and I still can’t figure your people out.”

“The whole do not speak if actions are sufficient,” replied Jacks. “You have your answer. We may depart.”

“Power up the interstellar drive and take us out of the system,” ordered John.

The staff got to work. Outside, the half globes on either side of the ship lit up a bright purple color. Soon PHOENIX was moving away from the Ni homeworld.

“All systems showing normal,” reported Jacks.

“I’m reading a minor power fluctuation in the n’quadrin grid,” announced Julie as she monitored the ship’s energy network.

“Is it serious?” asked John.

Korifluxinina checked the readings. “The variance is within acceptable tolerances and is isolated to grid Beta 47, on deck twenty-two. There is no reason to be concerned.”

“Continue monitoring that section,” ordered John. “Kevin, plot a course into open space and prepare to engage the interstellar drive at factor one.”

“Course charted,” replied Kevin.

“We’ve cleared the Ni system,” reported Julie.

“Initiate jump,” said John.

There were no sounds of increased power to indicate power was flowing out of the engines to the jump coils that were housed in the half globes. The jump was seamless as PHOENIX accelerated to faster than light travel.

“Amazing,” commented Tim as he looked up at the windows to confirm they were indeed in the jump.

“Engineering is reporting the drive is operating at peak efficiency,” said Jacks.

Julie checked the power readings and was amazed at the numbers. “We’re only using a fifth of the power to jump the ship. The n’quadrin is living up to our expectations.”

“As long as it does what we need to complete our mission,” said John. He showed no excitement that the ship was back in service. Julie had hoped getting back into space would break the dark cloud over him but it didn’t appear to be the case.

“Our queen will be pleased that another ship is in service of the protectorate,” remarked Korifluxinina. Since entering into an alliance, the Quix now considered the PHOENIX and its crew as part of their military, called the protectorate. When the first Quix arrived for their assignment to PHOENIX, they provided all the crew with their Quix equivalent titles. Unfortunately, the Onixins were offended. They believed that the crew should take Onixin military titles. But John wasn’t about to be called a vori or a cadri. So to eliminate any hurt feelings he mandated that no one, alien or human, would be required to be addressed by their titles. The only exception was with the Quix; it was easier to call them by their short military titles than by their long names.

John ignored the Quix’s science officer’s comment and got down to business. “Bring our long range sensors online.”

Jacks activated the sensors, which had been replaced with Senfo technology. “Sensors online.”

John brought up a holographic image of the local area of space and immediately highlighted an area. “Focus our sensors on this system.”

Julie found it odd that the captain zoomed in on a particular area with no hesitation. She checked the preliminary readings and didn’t find anything remarkable about it. It was a dwarf system with only a few planetoids orbiting the sun. “Is there’s a reason you chose this location?”

“Call it a hunch,” replied John. He didn’t even look at her. He remained focused on the holographic map.

The table beeped on Tim’s side. “Captain, sensors have picked up a Screen energy signature. Power output indicates it’s a ground based installation.”

“Alter course to system,” ordered John. “Vish, what’s our ETA?”

“Six days, eighteen hours,” replied Vish.

Kevin’s counterpart, Jufo, ran the numbers on his console. “The assessment is correct.”

“I want us there in a couple of hours,” said John.

“We’ll need to increase speed to factor five,” replied Vish.

John looked at Kevin. “Increase speed to five.”

“Should we not gradually increase our speed as a precaution?” asked Jacks. “Engineering is running diagnostic tests of the drive.”

Jacks was right but Julie figured that wouldn’t matter to John, so she came up with another reason. “Captain, this is our first encounter with the Screen in five months. Shouldn’t we take a couple of days to prepare for battle? We haven’t tested any of our new weapons in actual combat.”

“We’ve been delayed for months rebuilding the ship,” said a clearly impatient John. “I’m not wasting any more time. Kevin, do as I say. Jacks, notify engineering that we’ll be going into battle.”

“Yes, John Roberts,” acknowledged Jacks as Kevin increased the ship’s speed.

Jufo leaned over and whispered to Kevin. “I have never thought the captain to be so eager to engage the Screen.”

“Yeah,” muttered Kevin. The captain did seem anxious to get into a fight with the Screen and that worried him.

“Shouldn’t we notify one of our assault teams to prepare for a ground assault?” Julie asked John.

“Let’s see what we’re up against first,” as John focused his attention back on the holographic image.

Julie stepped away from the table. She was bothered by what was happening. First, how did John know where to find the Screen? It was possible he got lucky but something was telling her it was more than luck. But what? The long range sensors were the last system to be installed and tested. They were only cleared for use two days ago. John shouldn’t have any more working knowledge of the new sensors than any other crew member.

Second, it seemed the captain was ready to dive into battle at the first chance. Even though PHOENIX was more powerful with its new technology, the ship was still untested in battle. Military training dictated they should be cautious. John seemed to be ignoring that protocol.

Julie looked at her friend. He was not acting like a seasoned ship commander. She felt she should say something. But what if she was wrong? John had gone through a tough time, they all had. She convinced herself she needed to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Forgive me if I am wrong but you appear to be deep in thought.” Julie looked to see Rudov approaching her.

“No, it’s nothing,” Julie said to her reptilian friend. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

“I have heard from several human crew members that if something is bothering you, the best remedy is to discuss it with someone.”

Julie smiled at Rudov to ease his concern. “That’s true but sometimes an executive officer has to keep things to herself so as not to worry the crew.”

“I understand,” replied Rudov. “You are placing the welfare of the crew above your own.”

“Yes,” said Julie, as she looked over at John. “I hope I am.”