Jon stepped into Station Command followed by a small entourage. Carla was standing at the large planning table watching the two strange vessels orbit the planet. The vessels were about the size of a large shuttle. They didn't look to be doing anything important as they orbited the planet.
"Status?" Jon said.
"Sir," Carla said. "They haven't been doing anything just orbiting the planet."
"Do we know what type of vessel they are," Jon asked. He stepped up to the table and looked over the hologram.
"I have no record of this kind of vessel in my database," Ghost said. "However, I have analyzed the scans from our shuttle and they're heavily armed and shielded."
Gilas stepped up next to Jon, "Ghost can you zoom in on one of them?"
"No sir," Ghost said. "They're just outside of my range. The only reason we know they're there is because the shuttle ran across them. This is telemetry from the shuttle we're looking at right now."
"Carex," Gilas said. "Have a squadron of fighters put on stand by, just incase."
"Yes sir," Carex said.
"I'm on my way to the launch bay," Terri said. She took off before Jon could say anything.
"I think that girl will give me grey hair," Jon said.
Gilas grinned, "Come with the job title. Mine is just now starting to grow in."
Jon chuckled.
Carex leaned in and stared at the two ships. "Those look like envoy shuttles," Carex said. "VIP shuttles."
Gilas looked over the scans of the two ships. He looked up at Jon as he spoke, "Yeah, they look like Eutharan Envoy shuttles. Their armaments and shields fit the specs. I would say they're a bit larger though."
"So what the hell are they doing out in the middle of no where?" Jon asked. "And what are they doing unescorted if they have VIPs aboard."
"Well, that could be any reason actually," Gilas said. "Usually, they travel in to company of a Destroyer. However, sometime when they land on a planet the Destroyer will stay back. Some type of protocol I have no idea about. They could be waiting for pick up."
"In a war zone?" Jon asked.
Gilas shrugged.
Jon caught Brad and Mike pointing at the hologram and whispering to each other. He watched them for a few second before he spoke up, "What are you two whispering about?"
Brad's face reddened a bit, "Sorry, we were talking about extending Ghost's sensor range to the whole system. Mike thinks when we bring the mining stations back online it will give her sensors through out the entire system. I want to deploy a few listening posts just incase."
"The mining outposts will get me almost complete system coverage. I have a few blind spots at times, due to planetary rotations," Ghost said.
"Those 'blind spots' would be a good play to deploy listening stations," Brad said.
"Good ideas," Jon said. "How about you two go work on your plans in engineering."
"We're on our way," Brad said. Mike nodded his head as they both started walking to the transport tube. Muttering back and forth about the sensor network and what how they could fix the problem.
"Those two are going to advance your technology quickly," Gilas said.
"They're pretty bright," Jon said. "Very intelligent when it comes to developing application and equipment."
"Sir, I'm picking up an incoming fold event," Tactical said.
"Condition yellow," Jon said. The station brought its shields to full strength and powered up its defenses. "Location?"
"Same area as the two vessels sir," Tactical said.
Jon watched as a larger ship came out of fold just above the two shuttles. The shuttles turned and slowly made their way to the waiting ship.
"Scans on the new ship coming through now sir," Tactical said. "It looks as though it has been in a fight. I'm reading several hull breeches, nothing major though."
"That is the Advent. She is a light destroyer and carries about thirty personnel all female," Gilas said.
"Logging new ship as Advent Eutharan light destroyer," Ghost echoed.
"An all female crew, interesting," Jon said.
Gilas chuckled as Carex snickered. "When you meet a female of our species you will understand why we don't allow females to serve on a ship with males aboard," Carex said.
"Really, no females serve on any ships that have males on board?" Jon said in wonder.
"Nope, let's just say their beauty is very distracting and can cause problems. The women in our culture are very sacred, in a way honored. Very few are allowed to leave the planet," Carex said.
"I don't understand. You keep your females locked up on your planet. Yet you say your people are dieing and it is getting harder to crew your ships. That just doesn't make sense," Jon said.
"It's a two edged sword. The reason they're restricted from leaving the planet is because we are slowly dieing. The female population is not at the level it should be as females are being born less and less. So our male population has sky rocketed," Carex explained. "So we tend to protect those few females we do have. That ship sitting there is a Royal vessel and since it is an all female vessel it can only mean one thing."
Gilas' eyes got wide, "No, you don't think."
Carex nodded, "Yes, it's a Princess. I would almost assume it's the Princess."
"What Princess?" Jon asked. "Should we contact them and offer them safe harbor."
"Are you ready for Ghost Station to be brought into the light right this minute?" Gilas asked.
"Not really, I was hoping for another week of preparation before that happens," Jon said.
"They're headed home. It doesn't look like they're being pursued. So I would just stand-by incase they needed help. Other than that I would just stay quiet," Gilas said. "My duty is screaming to me to go escort them home. However, my ship isn't ready yet so I'm kind of stuck."
"Sir, the shuttles have docked and the Advent is charging for a fold," Tactical said.
Jon watched as moments later the Advent folded. He ran his hand through his hair as he sat thinking about what he had been told. This was going to get complicated quickly and he needed to be prepared for it.
"See I told you grey was part of the job description," Gilas said. "Your position actually comes with extra while mine come with a light delivery."
"No shit," Jon said. "This is going to get very complex very quickly. Bill, start scheduling scouting patrols for the system. If they find anything they are not to engage unless fired upon. I prefer they shadow anything they find and stay out of sight."
"Yes sir," Bill said.
"Keep me informed," Jon said. He turned and started for the transport tube then stopped. He turned to Gilas, "Gilas do you mind if Carex is stationed here as an advisor. You guys know this space better then we do. He can act as second in command while on duty."
Gilas looked at Carex.
"I don't mind, it will give me time to get to know some of the people and learn a bit about the station," Carex said.
"Sounds like a done deal then," Gilas said.
"Ghost log Lieutenant Commander Carex and Commander Gilas as part of the acting command of Ghost Station," Jon said. "Commander Gilas will fall just below Lieutenant Commander Hawkins and me in the command structure."
"Logged," Ghost said. "Commander Gilas and Lieutenant Commander Carex do you swear that while performing your duties as personnel serving on this station you will do everything in your power to protect this station and the people aboard?"
"Yes, so we swear," they both replied.
"Logged and noted," Ghost said. "Welcome to Ghost Station Command."
Carex turn and walked towards Bill, who had a big grin on his face.
"Thanks," Gilas said as they continued their walk towards the transport tube.
"Oh, don't thank me yet. I plan on using and abusing you while I can," Jon said grinning.
Gilas laughed as they stepped into the tube.
Five days later Jon and Gilas sat in a small room Oojoung seated across from them fidgeting. Oojoung's gaze would flick to Jon and Gilas and then back down. Two armed guards stood behind the Buranis watching him closely. Jon still hadn't decided what to do with him. He was torn between shoving him out the nearest airlock and letting him go.
"Oojoung, it's time we had our discussion," Jon said.
"Oojoung ready," Oojoung said quietly.
"I hope my men have been treating you well," Jon said.
"Oh, yes. Oojoung treated better here than he has ever been treated," Oojoung said. "Oojoung like guards, they very kind to Oojoung. Oojoung help teach some of them how to fight."
"You taught some of them how to fight?" Gilas said.
Oojoung nodded emphatically yes, "Oojoung think guards need much training. Oojoung could have escaped many times. Guards good but not like Oojoung."
Jon's eyes flicked to the two guards behind Oojoung, who were a slight shade of red. "Explain this for me if you will," Jon said.
"Well sir, we were given orders to allow him to exercise under guard. He practiced some type of advanced fighting skills. We got interested and asked him about them and he just started training us," one of the guard said.
"So, instead of guarding him you were learning from him. Which could have endangered everyone on this station?" Jon growled.
"No sir!" the other guard said. "We only trained a few at a time the rest stood guard."
"What if he had took one of the guards training with him hostage? Then what would you have done?" Jon asked.
"Um," one of the guards said. He looked over at the other guard as if searching for an answer. "Sorry sir, it won't happen again."
"You're damn right it won't happen again!" Jon shouted. "You two are relieved and confined to your quarters until I talk to Anders. You're dismissed. Send in one of the guards from outside."
"Oooh," Oojoung moaned. "Oojoung sorry, he no try to escape. Only trying to help, no get guards in trouble."
Marc took this time to walk through the door. "Who did you get in trouble Oojoung?" A puzzled expression crossed Marc's face.
"Poor guards all in trouble," Oojoung moaned.
Gilas had sat back watching the entire thing play out. He knew the Buranis was dangerous. However, he knew he had no where else to go. Oojoung was trying to make up for his past crimes by being useful. It was a rare thing to have happen. Somehow, Oojoung had attached himself to Jon and his family. That was another very rare thing to have happen.
Jon's attention snapped to Marc, "You're people were training with Oojoung instead of guarding him."
Marc looked at Jon for a second and blinked. He wasn't quite sure why Jon was so mad about a little training. "No they weren't. They were guarding him while he was training a few of them."
"You knew?" Jon said.
"Yes, I authorized the training when I heard about it and Oojoung had offered his assistance," Marc said.
"Of all the foolish things, what if he had escaped..." Jon started.
"Excuse me sir, but if you think so little of my and my choices why did you put me into this position? I made a judgment call and frankly I think it was a good one. Oojoung had been locked away for days, he needed to get out and move about," Marc said.
"You should have passed it through me first," Jon said.
"Should I have? Do you want me running everything by you? How about Andie in medical? Should she run it by you every time she pokes someone with a needle or removes a splinter? How about Brad and Mike, every thing they change or tweak on the ships or the station should be ran past you too I guess," Marc said. "Maybe Terri should check with you before she steps out of her room and goes and gets in her fighter."
"You're really close Mr. Anders," Jon growled.
"Close to what, are you going to fire me? Or are you going to throw me out an airlock? Maybe, you will just demote me and confine me to quarters. You need to realize that we're all here to help you so you don't have to do everything yourself. This is why you have a command staff. Ask Gilas if he micro manages his people? If you don't trust us to do the best job possible and make a choice with out your input then you have the wrong people in command. I'm sorry to speak to you like this, but frankly you have everyone on edge. You run around trying to make sure everything is under your control. People are worried you're going to give yourself a heart attack under all the pressure you're putting yourself under. You need to relax a bit and trust in the people around you. I know command is a hard thing, I've been there and done that, got the Tee-shirt and burned it," Marc said. "But, trust me when I say you need to relax a bit and trust the people around you. As long as I command the security on this station or Atlantis and Oojoung is around I will continue to allow him to train my security personnel. He has made himself very useful and has shown a want to be useful."
I came here to let you know I think we should let his past be his past and give him a chance. He after all did help save us, even if the beginning was a bit misguided by some slime Invaru." Marc crossed his arms as he stood there waiting for the backlash from Jon.
"He's right Jon," Gilas said.
Jon looked at Gilas as he tried to control his anger.
"You do try to do to much micro managing. It's something we learned in officer school not to do. You only have people in positions that you trust to make the right calls," Gilas said. "If you don't you really will have grey hair. So far, if you don't mind me saying so, I think you have all the people in the positions they need to be in. Though, I would turn my security force into a marine force. I'll be glad to send over some instructors to help."
Jon blew out his breath as it all sunk in, "I'm sorry, you're both right. I'm new to this command thing. I though I had to be in control of everything. I needed to know every little thing going on. I'm sorry I blew up, Marc I trust you and everyone in the command positions to make the right calls."
"I apologize for snapping at you sir," Marc said.
Jon raised his hand, "No, I needed a reality check. I needed to know I was over doing it, thanks."
Marc grinned as Gilas nodded.
"It's a common mistake made by people put in positions of authority, nothing new about it. You will know everything going on around you. Your people will keep you informed if you let them. Trust in them because they trust in you," Gilas said.
"You are off the hook," Jon said to the guards. "Marc if you think Oojoung is ok then we will give him his chance. He'll resume training your marines, no long security. Gilas can send his instructors if he doesn't mind. Oojoung, you will be confined to quarters while not in the company of two marines. When Marc feels it is ok he can lift that restriction and you will be allowed to roam the station freely. Let me make this perfectly clear to you though, any slip ups and you will sit in the brig until you die of old age. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Oojoung understands," Oojoung said bobbing his head up and down. A grin spread across his face.
"Thank you Jon for trusting in my judgment," Marc said.
"Thank you for knocking some sense into me," Jon said as he flashed Marc a smile.
"Anytime you need that adjustment just holler," Marc said winking.
Jon laughed as he said, "Will do."
"Everyone is dismissed," Jon said as he stood up.
Oojoung grabbed one of the guards by the arm and started pulling him towards the door. "Training time, this time Oojoung train more than two marines!"
The marine groaned as he followed, "Oojoung I'm still sore from the last time."
"Good, means Oojoung teaching you something. More you learn less sore you get to become," Oojoung said as the door cycled open.
"Oh joy!" the marine said half heartedly. He disappeared into the hall followed by Marc and the other marine.
"That was a wise choice," Gilas said as he followed Jon out of the room.
"You think so?" Jon asked. "I'm a bit nervous about it."
"Oojoung is what we call an infiltrator. He is highly trained in the art of combat and espionage. It is a very rare thing for a Buranis to train outsiders in their combat forms. If I had to guess he is only doing it for one reason," Gilas said.
"Really?" Jon said.
"Yes," Gilas said.
"Then why would he do such a thing?" Jon asked.
"He has attached himself to your family and from now on he will protect you and your family with his life if need be," Gilas said. "That is a rare thing to have. It filters down through his clan and up through his line until you dismiss him. Something must have happened to have him do such a thing."
"No, he's been in the brig ever since we left Earth. Nothing comes to mind," Jon said.
Gilas shrugged as he spoke, "There's a reason for it. When he is ready he will tell you why. You and Terri are probably the most protected people on this station right now. He will stop at nothing to protect you two. You will not keep him in his room. I can tell you that right now from experience. If he had wanted to escape there would have been very little anyone could have done to stop him. He will be shadowing you and Terri when he isn't training your marines. Just don't be too harsh on him if you catch him. I would actually just over look the matter completely and let him do what he feels he needs too."
"Strange," Jon said.
"Very," Gilas agreed.
They walked the rest of the way to the Titan's brig in silence. It was time to talk to the councilor and decide what to do with him. Jon was thinking about everything that had been said in the interrogation room. He had come to the decision then to stop pestering people and to let them do their work. The more he thought about it the more it made sense. It made him more determined to back off some and let his people grow.
"So councilor," Gilas said. "I trust your stay here has been pleasant."
The councilor stood up and glared at Gilas and Jon as he spoke, "You will let me and my men out of here this instant."
"Oh, yes. That's the idea," Gilas said.
"Good," the councilor said.
"I can't take any action against you until I hear back from the council," Gilas said.
"I know," the councilor said. A grin spread across his face.
"Yes, while this is true," Gilas said. "Commander Hunter, the Weaver of Worlds, has talked me into turning you over to him because the incident happened on his station."
Jon rolled his eyes at the mention of the prophecy.
The councilor's face paled and every marine in the cell with him stared at Jon. "What did you say?" the councilor said in a hushed tone.
"I said I'm turning you over to Commander Hunter," Gilas said.
"No, the other part," the councilor said.
"Oh, you mean Weaver of Worlds?" Gilas said.
"Yes, why do you think this is the Weaver of Worlds?" the councilor asked.
"He controls Ghost Station and Atlantis," Gilas said.
"Impossible! Atlantis is a myth, nothing more," the councilor said. His guards started whispering behind him but a look from him hushed them.
"Trust me, I have seen and been on board her. She is real enough," Gilas said.
"I don't believe it," the councilor said.
"Well, that makes too of us," Jon said.
"Doesn't matter what you believe councilor. As more of the prophecy comes true he will be shown for who he is," Gilas said.
"Yes, the Destroyer of Worlds," the councilor said.
"What?" Jon said surprised.
The councilor stared right at Gilas as he spoke, "Oh, he didn't tell you? If you are who Gilas thinks you are. Then you will bring about the destruction of every civilization. Billions of people will die as their worlds are torn out from under them. You and you alone will be responsible for their deaths."
"Gilas?" Jon said.
"That's just a different way of looking at what I told you before. The text doesn't say that, it is just what some people think. Besides, you don't believe in it anyway," Gilas said. He cursed himself for not preparing for this, the councilor was shrewd.
"True, but still," Jon said.
"I told you before that there were people who would not see you the same way as I do," Gilas said. "The councilor is one of those people. He is only interested in himself. If the prophecy comes true he will have no power and it scares him."
"I see," Jon said. Still it was a bit unnerving to think he could be responsible for the deaths of so many.
"Anyway, I'm turning you over to Jon for judgment," Gilas said. Gilas' face broke into an evil grin. "I'm sure you would much rather have stayed here. I know what he has planned for you."
"What? You can't do that. He has no jurisdiction," the councilor said.
"Don't worry councilor. I'm letting you go," Jon said.
"Huh?" the councilor said stunned.
"Oh, don't thank me just yet. I'm going to give you an alpha class shuttle and set you free," Jon said.
"That shuttle has no fold drive," the councilor said. "That is a death sentence."
"You're right about that. However, my engineers have installed a hyper drive in it. It should get you home in about, oh, four months," Jon said. "Isn't that what you said Gilas?"
"Yup, about four months if they don't get intercepted by some patrol," Gilas said.
"But, food, there won't be enough food," the councilor said.
"Oh, we made room for enough food for the trip," Jon said. "Of course they're all rations and we have to yank the weapon systems out but there's enough food for the trip. These men will escort you and your men to the shuttle. Goodbye councilor." Jon turned with Gilas and left the room as the marines started getting ready to transport the prisoners to their new ship.
A day later Jon sat in his chair aboard the Atlantis. The Bridge had been overhauled since the last time he had been aboard. The catwalk was now a shimmering force field instead of beams and girders. The center of the room had been sunk down so you had to step down to the planning table. Another force field created the railing that separated that area from the rest of the Bridge. His command chair had been raised slightly and moved back to make room for the newly positioned Helm and Tactical stations. Two new chairs had been installed on either side of his chair. Both of the extra chairs were for guest or visitors.
Beside every station was a hologram of a sister station. It was echoed from the secondary control room. Every station had personnel sitting at it doing system checks. Beside those people on the bridge was a holographic representation of the people in secondary control. From what Jon understood the same set up was now in the secondary control. The second in command would be there while the current Captain would be on the bridge.
Gilas' image sat next to Jon in one of the vacant chairs. As they listened to the reports come in on the ship's condition. Atlantis stood behind Jon smiling like a little kid that just got handed a bag of candy.
"Happy?" Jon said with out looking.
"Very," Atlantis said. "It feels good to have a crew again."
"Just remember most of the crew is on loan from Gilas," Jon said. A smile on his face, he was happy that Atlantis was happy it made him feel good. "How do you like the changes?"
"Mike and Brad have done a good job. The force field catwalks were and excellent idea. They have then installed everywhere there were catwalks. The back up reactor has freed up a lot of my power to run systems at peak efficiency," Atlantis said. "I'm surprised I wasn't built with one installed already."
"I take it you approve?" Jon said.
"Of course, I feel like a new ship," Atlantis said.
"We're ready Captain," Helm reported. "All systems green."
"All right, take us out Helm," Jon said.
"Station Control, this is the Atlantis," Helm said.
"Atlantis, Station Control go ahead," Bill's voice said.
"Station Control, Atlantis requesting undock clearance," Helm said.
"Roger that Atlantis, you're clear to undock," Bill said. "Port speed is restricted to one quarter speed until you are clear of the inner markers."
"Roger that Station Control," Helm said. "Captain we have clearance."
Jon stood up, "Secure all docking ports from the station. Release all umbilical cords and docking clamps. Make our speed one quarter, pick you heading as the lanes are clear."
"All docking ports secure, umbilical cords and docking clamps releasing now," Helm said.
A low thump echoed through Atlantis as the clamps and umbilical cords were released.
"Speed to one quarter, time to destination twenty seconds," Helm said.
"Tactical bring up main holo display," Jon said as he stepped down to the planning table. Gilas and Atlantis followed him.
"Tactical display transmitted to planning table," Tactical said.
A hologram of their surroundings sprung to life above the table.
"Let's see where we're going," Jon said. "Bring up main display."
The holo viewer on the wall directly in front of his chair came to life and showed stars. It showed them pass the inner markers.
"Plotting fold to sixth planet," Helm said. "Increasing to full speed, fold point in ten seconds."
"Here we go," Jon said.
"Indeed," Gilas said. A grin was splitting his face from ear to ear. "Thank you for this honor."
"If it wasn't for you we wouldn't be here right now. It's the least I can do," Jon said as he smiled back.
"Folding," Helm said.
Atlantis' engines flared briefly as she disappeared in a flash of light. She reappeared in another flash of light next to the planet.
"Fold complete. All systems green. Fold drive recharging," Helm said.
"Establish an orbit around the planet," Jon said. "Engineering, get ready to deploy the first of the listening stations."
"Yes sir," Engineering said.
"Sir," Tactical said. "I'm detecting two hyperspace events forming at planet five."
"Never a dull moment," Jon said. "Condition red, all hands prepare for battle."
'Condition Red, all hands report to battle stations. This is not a drill. Condition Red, all hands report to battle stations. This is not a drill, ' Atlantis' voice echoed through the ship.
The lights dimmed and took on a dull red glow as Atlantis powered up her defensive and offensive systems.
"Sir, two Invaru cruisers have just come out of hyperspace. They're headed towards the station," Tactical said. "They're changing course and are now headed in our direction."
"Atlantis," Jon said. "Jam their transmissions."
"I'm attempting to do so now," Atlantis said.
"Sir, Station Control is warning us about the ships. They say they have their communications scrambled. However, they can't launch fighters to intercept them before they can jump out," Communications said.
"Send an acknowledgement to their transmission. Let them know we will be engaging them shortly," Jon said.
Gilas paled as he stared at Jon, several of Gilas' crew also turned to look at Jon.