CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The fleet spent three weeks occupying the planet. During that time, a few Screen soldiers attempted to retake the training facility but they were easily rebuffed by the alliance ground troops. Two weeks later the Screen began committing suicide. John considered intervening to save them but chose to do nothing. It wasn’t because he wanted them to die. It was merely a tactical decision. The priority was unlocking Screen communications protocols. As long as the enemy soldiers didn’t interfere with that mission John would leave them to themselves, even if that meant letting them kill themselves.

Early the next morning, Korifluxinina contacted the ship to report a breakthrough. Her and the team of engineers she was working with had successfully unlocked the Screen communications network. What’s more, they had complete access to Screen transmissions and could triangulate where they were being sent. The messages were routed to PHOENIX where Doctor Martin and her linguistics team worked feverishly to translate them.

Late that afternoon, the captain called for a senior staff meeting. No one wasted any time assembling in the board room. Vish’s holographic form was hovering over the center of the table. Once everyone was seated, Korifluxinina began the meeting.

“As you already know, we were able to ascertain the functions of the Screen communications network.” Vish disappeared and a display of this region of space appeared over the table. Various green dots popped up in the map and were connected by lines. “These points in space represent ships or ground stations sending and receiving transmissions. Based on our analysis, ninety-seven percent of the focal points are fixed and not moving. This indicates a lack of communications between ships in open space. Doctor Martin.”

The elderly woman stood up. “Based on our translation of Screen linguistics, I can verify Unarnu’s statement. Sometime after the Screen’s defeat at the Ni’s star system, their military recalled all ships to their homeworld to begin preparing for an invasion.”

“Who they planning to invade?” asked Chief Davers.

“Earth,” replied John in an emotionless tone. Everyone looked at the captain seated at the head of the table. “They’re planning to invade the solar system.”

The staff looked at each other in surprise. Although it was already a risk that the Screen could retaliate against the PHOENIX by attacking Earth, no one expected it to become a potential reality.

Professor Martin continued. “The Screen have concluded that if they destroy Earth, they can subdue the other alliance races again. They believe wiping out humanity will end the uprising.”

“I can assure you the protectorate will never yield to the Screen,” assured Quix chief engineer Exquinidunadurana.

“When will they attack?” asked Chris Anne.

“Based on our estimation of Screen time measurements, about two weeks,” replied Korifluxinina.

“It would take us a week to get back to the solar system,” said John.

“Captain,” interrupted Kevin. “PHOENIX is faster than the rest of our fleet. We can get there sooner if we left alone.”

“PHOENIX isn’t going back home, not yet,” revealed John as he nodded to Korifluxinina.

“We were able to identify a large number of communication signals between ships at this location.” The image zoomed in on a star system. “Based on the number of signals, a large fleet formation is located here.”

“The Screen homeworld,” assumed Julie.

“Although we have verified the number of signatures, scans have so far been unable to provide more detailed readings,” explained Korifluxinina. “However, it is reasonable to conclude that area is where the Screen star system lies.”

“We need to know what we’re up against,” said John. “PHOENIX will head there alone to see what we’re facing.”

“What about Earth?” asked Doctor Myers.

“I’ll be taking the fleet to the solar system to warn TERRA,” revealed Julie. “We don’t know if any of our messages have been getting back home these past few months. We need to ensure TERRA is prepared for an invasion.”

“Unless TERRA had somehow gotten a hold of PHOENIX’s schematics and used it to upgrade their capital ships, they’d be no match against the Screen,” added Kevin.

“I’ll be making requests to the queen, Onixin Council, and Senfo Commonality to spare whatever ships they can provide,” said John. “PHOENIX will send all information we get on the Screen armada and notify the solar system.”

Rudov stood up. “Captain, we will do whatever we can to protect your homeworld.” Everyone nodded in agreement.

John smiled. “I know you all will.” For a moment, he thought about the Cresorian homeworld, how none of them were able to save it from the Screen. John vowed no other planet would be destroyed by the Screen. It was a sentiment that was shared by the entire senior staff.

“Commander Olson will begin coordinating with the fleet for their departure to the solar system,” explained John. “It’ll take them about a week to get back there at full speed. That only gives TERRA a week to prepare.”

Julie looked to everyone. “We have a lot of work to do. Let’s get started.”

********

Everyone jumped into action. Word spread throughout PHOENIX and the fleet about the Screen’s plan. The crews on all the ships worked feverishly to prepare themselves for what laid ahead.

John was in his office going over some status and tactical reports. There was so much to do. He knew the Screen would take no chance when they attacked the solar system. They would do whatever they could to wipe out the human race. John had to be sure they were ready for them. Unfortunately, they were already at a disadvantage. Even with one week to prepare TERRA, it was insufficient time to properly upgrade their capital ships. The protection of Mars, Luna, and Earth would have to fall to PHOENIX and the alliance.

“Captain, I have Private Michaels on the line for you,” announced Vish through his pip.

“Put him through,” ordered John. A holographic image of Bret appeared over the captain’s desk. “Bret, it’s good to see you.”

“Same here, captain. What’s up?”

“I know when we talked last the Senfo wanted several more weeks of construction before releasing any of their completed ships from their system.”

“I think I’ve convinced them to move up their timetable,” replied Bret.

“We’re out of time,” John said bluntly. “We’ve learned the Screen are planning a massive attack on Earth. We only have a couple of weeks to prepare.”

Bret didn’t expect to hear that sort of news. “Are you serious!?”

“I’ve already sent a message to the commonality informing them of the situation. I’ve requested them to spare some ships but I need you to press them.”

“How many?” asked Bret.

“Whatever you can get them to provide. We don’t know how many ships make up the Screen armada. Whatever vessels you can get the Senfo to release will improve our chances.”

“I’ll do what I can,” promised Bret.

“As soon as you’ve secured those ships, take them and head directly to the solar system,” instructed John. “Commander Olson will be there waiting for you with a fleet of alliance ships.”

“What about you?”

“We believe we’ve located the Screen homeworld. I’m taking PHOENIX there to find out how many ships they have.”

“That’s a huge risk, captain.”

“I know but we don’t have a choice. We need to know what we’re up against.”

“Ok, I’ll get things moving here.”

“Thanks Bret. If all goes well, I’ll see you back home.”

“Home,” repeated Bret. After almost three years in space, the notion of returning to the solar system seemed like only a dream. “Count on it. See you soon.”

John smiled as he terminated the link. He turned and looked out the window of his office. This was the first opportunity to think about taking PHOENIX back to the solar system. He didn’t have anyone to go back home to but he still took the Screen’s plan to obliterate Earth personally. It wasn’t going to happen on his watch.

********

A few hours later, John was in the hangar to see Julie and Jacks before they left for the solar system. The Ni requested to accompany her to the solar system. Although it didn’t elaborate as to why, John didn’t see any reason to decline its request.

Jacks was on board the Ni shuttle as Julie went over a checklist on her holographic DAT.

“The vori of the GUIX just signaled the fleet’s ready to get underway,” said John as he approached his executive officer.

“I’m double-checking we have everything we need,” replied Julie.

“So what do you think about going back home?”

Julie tapped her wrist and deactivated her DAT. “I’m not sure. Scared, nervous, anxious, happy. All of them rolled into one. I’m worried how TERRA will react when we show up.”

“They’re not likely to listen to a former cadet,” warned John. “You’ll have to convince them to listen to you. You may be just a cadet to them but you’re a cadet leading a fleet of alien starships. They can’t ignore that sort of display.”

Julie chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

John was glad to lighten her mood but he became serious. “Do whatever you need to do to get them ready, even if it means overthrowing the council. They may still try to play their political games, even with the threat of the Screen coming.”

She agreed with the captain. They didn’t have time to put up with TERRA’s political semantics. She needed to pull out all the stops in order to get them ready.

“PHOENIX will hightail it home as soon as we know when the attack will begin,” continued John. “Bret and the Senfo fleet will hopefully make it there in time.”

“We’ll be ready for the Screen when they show up,” promised Julie.

John nodded. He stepped up and hugged his executive officer. “Promise me I’ll see you back on Earth.”

“Count on it,” assured Julie. They had come too far, survived nearly being destroyed by the Screen, to get killed now. She would come back to PHOENIX, no matter what.

She broke the embrace and headed into the shuttle. John watched as the blue gas-like shuttle lifted off and exited the hangar. He felt alone without his executive officer. This would be the first time they would be separated for this long of time since PHOENIX left the solar system.

“Give ‘em hell, Julie,” John whispered to himself. “And if you see Mortino, tell him to suck it.”

The Ni shuttle arrived at the Onixin cruiser GUIX. Shortly afterwards, the fleet jumped away from PHOENIX.

********

John arrived on the command deck and found Jacks replacement at the operations table, along with Chris Anne and Thresha.

“The fleet’s successfully jumped away,” reported Tim.

“What’s our status?” asked John.

“The interstellar drive is online and ready,” added Lieutenant Gregson.

“I can’t believe we’re finally going to the Screen’s home system,” remarked Chris. “If anyone else was commanding this ship, I’d tell them they’re crazy.” He looked at the captain. “You do know what you’re doing, right?”

“We’ll see,” replied John. “Hopefully we won’t be there too long.” He looked to his left where Julie usually stood.

Thresha touched his arm as she picked up the emotions stirring in him. “You are worried about her.”

John nodded. “She can take care of herself but TERRA’s going to focus all their aggression at her. I don’t have any family for them to use against me but she has her dad.”

“Don’t you worry about her, sweetie,” reassured Chris. “She can handle those windbags. I’m sure she’s picked up some of your defiant behavior.”

“Chris is correct,” added Thresha. “She will be fine.”

They were right. Now wasn’t the time to worry about his friend. Julie had weathered three years in space and four years as John’s roommate at the Academy. She would handle TERRA with ease.

“Kevin, activate the drive and take us to the Screen,” ordered John. There was no need to wait around any longer. It was time to find out what the Screen had in store for humanity.