"You're what?! You're insane," Gilas said.
"We're going to engage and destroy those two vessels," Jon said. He watched as the cruisers began to take pot shots at them.
"Jon, the Atlantis can't take out two cruisers. Well, she might be able to. But, she's going to take a hell of a beating in the process," Gilas said. "You're going to get people hurt for no reason."
Jon whirled on Gilas' hologram as he spoke, "Listen, I know you think you're helping but all you're doing is scaring the crew. We have to engage them if they report back about us the whole Invaru fleet will show up on our door step. Even if Atlantis is destroyed in the process we have to do this," Jon said.
"But," Gilas said.
"ENOUGH!" Jon said in a stern voice.
Gilas balked.
"Gilas you are more than welcome to grab a shuttle and leave if you want but make it fast," Jon said. "I would much rather you where you are but I can have this going on right now."
"I," Gilas stopped for a second. "My and I crew will stay. With out us you won't have any chance."
"Good," Jon said as he turned back to the planning table. "Helm, all engines full ahead. Bring us in-between them. Hold fire until we're in optimal range and then weapons loose."
Atlantis' engines flared to life as she leapt forward towards the two cruisers. Bolt of energy bounced off her shields as she closed the gap. She slowly rotated so she would fit between the two cruisers and presented a smaller target for their gunners.
Jon had the battle already planned out in his mind and already knew what the end result would be.
"Shields down to seventy five percent," Tactical said.
"Sir, I have an incoming transmission from one of the cruisers," Communications said.
Jon nodded.
'Eutharan vessel stand down and prepare to be boarded. This is your only warning, ' a male voice said.
"How about you both stand down and prepare to be boarded?" Jon said.
'You're joking right?' the voice said.
"Yeah," Jon said as he smirked to the chuckles of his crew. "But hey you never know unless you try."
'I'm ordering you to stand down and prepare to be boarded. This territory belongs to the Invaru Empire, ' the male voice said.
"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah," Jon said. "Do your worst wind bag."
"Sir, the communication has been shut down," Communications said.
"You know angering them might not have been the best thing to do," Gilas said.
"I did it on purpose," Jon said. "People don't think clearly when they're pissed off."
Gilas arched an eyebrow.
The hail of incoming fire on the Atlantis increased as they got closer. The shields were constantly glowing from multiple impacts.
"Shields down to forty five percent," Tactical said. "Five seconds to target intercept."
"Increase speed to one hundred ten percent," Jon said. "Divert auxiliary power to shields and weapons. Weapons are loose, fire at will."
Atlantis' engines hummed as the extra power was diverted to them. The glow from them brightened as she leapt forward between the two cruisers. Atlantis' shields flared briefly as power was dumped into them as the constant barrage of fire continued to pound on them. The cruisers continued to fire on the Atlantis as she passed between them.
Atlantis' sensor drones pulled back into the safety of the shields and attached themselves to the hull magnetically. Then all hell broke loose. Atlantis' guns opened up on the two cruisers as she passed between them. The main guns with the added fire from the point defense weapons tore through one of the cruiser's shields and started impacting the hull. The other cruiser fared much better as fewer weapons were trained on it.
The just as suddenly as the Atlantis' had started firing she disappeared in a flash of causing the two ships to shift closer together. It was so sudden neither on of the ships had time to stop firing and the ship that had lost its shields was disabled by friendly fire as its sister ship lost her shields.
Jon watched all this on the planning table. Atlantis was hidden above the planet hidden from sensors by the magnetic field of the planet. He watched as one of the cruiser's lights dimmed and then went out. The other cruiser turned and started picking up speed.
"Sir, the cruiser is charging their jump drive and preparing to jump," Tactical said.
"Shield status?" Jon asked.
"Fifteen percent and recharging," Tactical said.
"Bring us out of the planets magnetic field and prepare to fold. I want a point behind the cruiser," Jon said.
Gilas had been speechless as he watched the small battle happen. What he though was impossible Jon had pulled off. Now he was happy he had allowed the upgrades to the Titan.
"Captain, I'm rerouting some power to the fold drive," Atlantis said. "In twenty seconds we will be ready to fold again."
"Thank you," Jon said. "Gilas this is what I was talking about when I was saying the AI units on these ships are very useful."
"Yes, I have been monitoring her as she adjusted systems during the battle," Gilas said. "I'm very impressed and glad I authorized the Titan's AI to be woken."
"Sir, they will be able to jump in thirty seconds," Tactical said.
"Then we have ten seconds, make it count," Jon said.
A small hologram popped up in front of the tactical officer as Atlantis spoke, "I have analyzed these ships and I believe their drive section is here." A small area on the cruiser started to flash.
"Realigning targeting, thank you Atlantis," Tactical said.
"My pleasure," Atlantis said.
"Folding now," Helm said.
Atlantis suddenly appeared behind the cruiser making a run for it and fired at almost the same instant. The forward batteries tore through the cruiser's hull like it was made of paper that was held together by spit.
The cruiser faltered as it started to tumble as explosions started erupting along her hull.
"Reading massive explosions through out the cruiser. Their main reactor is going critical," Tactical said.
"Helm bring us about and put some distance between us and them," Jon said.
Atlantis started slowly backing away as she did a one hundred and eighty degree turn as her engines flared to life. Just as the Atlantis got far enough away the cruiser suddenly blew apart as its reactor went critical.
"Helm set a course for the other cruiser," Jon said.
"Too late sir, they've overloaded their reactor," Tactical said.
The cruiser exploded just as the Tactical officer had finished speaking.
"Why the hell..." Jon said with a stunned expression on his face.
"The Invaru don't care to be captured," Gilas said. "My apologies for my earlier outburst Captain, I'm very impressed."
"Thank you," Jon said smiling. "Helm take us home, I think the shakedown is finished."
Jon sat at his desk going over reports for the past week. The foundries had been started up with minimal problems and the mining ships were already bringing in the needed resources. A few of the mining posts needed some updates but they weren't critical to their operations.
Brad and the engineers from the Titan had started laying the foundation for a battle ship in one of the free berths. Time to completion was two months but it would be state of the art and have several new systems that Mike had been developing with his staff. The specifications were from an outdated battleship schematic that had been updated in a few key areas. They had added two extra reactors in addition to the main reactor and two secondary reactors.
The main reactor itself had been updated by a combined effort and produced twenty percent more power output with secondary control systems. The secondary reactors had the same upgrades and produced over forty percent more power output.
They had removed extra cargo storage and turn the combined bays in to a hanger with room for two squadrons of fighters. That would mean this new class of battleship could support four squadrons total. A large advantage in any battle it would happen to be in.
It also had secondary shield systems to take advantage of the extra power which doubled it shield strength. A secondary bridge set up like on the Atlantis was also present as well as support for a marine ground force of over three hundred personnel. If you combined that with the pilots and crew the ship would need over five hundred personnel to run smoothly.
The foundries were also cranking out the needed fighters and ground assault vehicles it would need. Not to mention the fighters needed for the station itself. Jon shook his head as he looked at the numbers. Where in the hell would he get all these people from? He was going to have to do something to gather the support he needed to man the station and the new ship being built.
Jon sat back and looked out his the observation window at Atlantis. He kept asking himself where they could get people from and the answer was always the same, Earth. Jon sighed as he thought about going back to Earth. He didn't really want to go back just to leave again. He wanted to go back, smash the Invaru, and stay to protect it. However, to do that he would need a fleet and to have a fleet he needed people. It was a viscous circle that there was no escape from.
Jon's door chimed to let him know someone was seeking entrance.
"Ghost, unlock my door please," Jon said.
Jon's door slid open to reveal Gilas and Carex deep in conversation.
"Yes, render assistance," Gilas said. "We haven't gotten any orders back from command."
"But sir, we can't do that with out approval. To render assistance and move on is one thing. To render assistance and stay put to continue to render assistance is another," Carex said.
"Semantics, this is a war time decision," Gilas said. "I'm sure they will tell us to continue what we're doing."
"We still need approval to render assistance," Carex said.
"How about we send off a request for approval and then render assistance until we get word back? Would that satisfy you?" Gilas said. He noticed the door was open now and stepped through. "Hello Jon, how are you this morning?"
"Well, who needs assistance?" Jon asked. "I'll see what I can do to help."
"See what I mean," Gilas said looking at Carex. "Always ready to help always thinking about their selves last. That is kind of refreshing in today's day and age."
Carex smiled and nodded, "Yes it is."
"We don't have much but take what you need. I can send the Atlantis if you need additional support," Jon said.
"Of course there is someone who needs assistance, you do," Gilas said.
"Huh?" Jon said.
"You're planning on going back to Earth aren't you," Gilas said as he sat down.
"Was I that obvious?" Jon said.
"Yes, the times we have talked all you could talk about needing more people. I know that Earth has those people. So I guessed you would be going back to try to free some of your own people," Gilas said.
"Yeah, I was planning a small trip after we got the Titan's AI online," Jon said. That was going to happen in just a few hours.
"See you will need the Titan, "Gilas said.
"No," Jon said. "I want to get in and out as fast as we can. Not give them more targets."
"Then you will need our help to man the Atlantis," Gilas said. "I'll leave enough crew here for the Titan just incase she is needed for station defense and Carex can command her while I'm gone."
"If you're going to be insistent about this," Jon said.
"I am," Gilas said.
"Then I want you here in command of the Titan and I'll leave Bill as commander of the station. Carex and be my second on the Atlantis," Jon said. "Carla is still in training for command and I would like you to help her and Bill out."
"Carex can do that," Gilas said.
"No offense, but I want you to do it. I want a seasoned officer in command of the Titan incase something happens," Jon said. "I don't want us both in a dangerous situation where we can possible both loose our lives. Not that I'm all that great mind you."
"Jon that stunt you pulled with the Invaru cruisers was amazing. In all my years I have never seen anything like it. You have a brilliant mind for combat," Gilas said. "So ring you own bell all you want. I don't mind. Just don't let it all go to your head."
"Thanks," Jon said. A smile formed on his face.
"Fine now that that's all settled. Carex will send the request and we will continue to support you how ever we can," Gilas said. He looked over at Carex with a grin on his face.
"Fine, I know when I have been beat," Carex said as he threw up his hands in surrender.
"We'll go get prepared and meet you on the Titan shortly," Gilas said as he stood up.
"All right, I still have some planning to do then I'll see you there," Jon said as Gilas and Carex exited the room.
"Miss Hunter," Gilas said as he stepped through the door.
Jon's eyes lit up as his sister stepped into the room. More than life itself he loved his sister.
"Captain Gilas," Terri said.
"How many times must I tell you, Gilas is fine?" Gilas said.
"And how many times must I tell you, Terri is fine?" Terri said. A grin crossed her face as she winked at him.
"Ok, ok, Nice to see you Terri. I'll see you later. Do a favor for me and take care of your brother, he is a very special man," Gilas said.
"Oh, I know he is," Terri said as she looked at Jon. Her face brightened as she smiled at him.
"Until later," Gilas said as he passed through the door.
"So sis, what's up?" Jon said. He set his paper work to the side as his sister came over and sat down on the edge of his desk.
"I want to see how you're doing and ask a favor," Terri said.
The door to his room open and then closed for no apparent reason.
"I'm doing fine, thank you. I see you're wearing you're fighter wings," Jon said. The hologram for her rank had changed to Captain and now had a rotating fighter plane behind it as well as the still ever present pulse denoting her special abilities.
"Oh!" Terri said as she jumped up. "I forgot all about that. I just got them, passed with flying colors. Ghost has promoted me to CAG (Commander of Air Group) of Ghost Station and Atlantis has done the same for the ship." She reached down and squeezed Jon in a hug.
Jon patted her on the back, "Congrats! But, I want you mainly assigned to the Atlantis. I want the best CAG around on my ship. Find someone else for the station and train them for the position. Once they're ready I'll have Ghost make the adjustments. You said you had a favor to ask me?"
Again the door to his room opened and closed for not reason. Jon looked at it as it slid shut.
"What the hell is up with that door?" Jon asked.
Terri ignored the question and settled in Jon's lap as she spoke, "Yes, I do."
"Well shoot," Jon said.
"You know who Oojoung is?" Terri said.
"Yeah, the 'Teddy Bear' as I seem you like to call him. What about him?" Jon asked.
"Well, he's training me in hand to hand and weapons combat. I want him free to roam the station. I think he has paid his penance and besides that he is constantly shadowing me around anyway," Terri said. "The guards at his door have no idea but he is never there."
"I know he roams," Jon said. "Gilas warned me he wouldn't stay put. However, I'm not wild about the idea of him training you. I think you should have one of the marines train you instead. I'm also not prepared to lift his restrictions, even though he doesn't follow them. I allow it because he hasn't done anything wrong, yet."
"But Johnny," Terri said in a sad voice.
"Oh come on, don't start that it's not fair," Jon said.
"I want him to train me and I'll take responsibility for him," Terri said as she pouted.
Jon moaned as he looked at his sisters face, "Come on don't pout."
Terri fluttered her eyes.
"He's not a toy Terri," Jon said.
"YES!" Terri jumped up and gave her brother another hug and a peck on the cheek.
"He's very dangerous if you have any problems you're to contact Marc immediately. Do you understand?" Jon said.
"Yes, thank you," Terri bubbled.
"Yeah, right you had this planned. You know me too well. Women will be the death of me," Jon said. His door slid open again and he looked up only this time he said, "Come in Oojoung, no sense standing in the hall waiting."
Oojoung's head appeared around the door as he spoke, "Commander Jon no mad at Oojoung?"
"No, Oojoung I'm not mad at you," Jon said.
Oojoung stepped through the door into the office.
"However, I will tell you. If anything and I mean anything, happens to my sister I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand me?" Jon said.
Oojoung gasped, "Nothing happen to Terri hoomen, Oojoung will protect her with his life."
"Pllllease," Terri said.
"I'm serious," Jon said. "I'll contact Marc and have him released. His items will be returned to him shortly. I'll leave it to you to find him suitable quarters."
"I already have," Terri said as she stood up and started for the door.
"Where?" Jon asked.
"Go Oojoung let's get you settled into your new room as my brother makes the arrangements. I told you I could do it," Terri said.
Jon rolled his eyes, "Terri where is his new quarters?"
Just as Terri walked out the door she poked her head back around the door. "His room is right across the hall from ours. Talk to you later Bro," Terri said as she waved. A large smile was on her face. Then she was gone.
"Terri!" Jon shouted. "Terri you get your ass beck in here!"
When she didn't return Jon muttered, "Son of a bitch, I take it back. That woman will be the death of me!"
It took Jon all of a minute to get Oojoung's situation straightened out. Jon found out Marc was just about to release Oojoung anyway. Seems Oojoung's training sessions have been pulling in marines from Gilas' crew too. On top of that, since his release, Oojoung has done nothing wrong and has only helped. Jon relaxed a bit to know that Oojoung might really be on their side after all.
Jon picked back up his reports and continued reading through them as he shook his head.
Brad and Mike stood at a console on the Titan surrounded buy engineers and technicians. Jon watched then as they prepped for awakening the AI. Gilas was next to Jon and looked a bit nervous. Carex was next to him and showed no outward signs of any emotion. Terri was standing off to the side with Oojoung horsing around. Bill and Andie were laughing at the twos antics. Marc was making a last check of the marines as they waited.
"Everyone needs to be very quiet and not say anything during the awakening phase," Brad said as he turned to look at the small group. "I'll let you know when it is ok to speak."
This quieted Terri and Oojoung as they started watching what was going on.
"Atlantis, Ghost if you would be so kind," Mike said.
Atlantis appeared next to Jon as Ghost appeared on the other side of Jon.
Everyone gasped as Ghost was seen for the first time. She stood about Atlantis' height and had a pale skin, almost transparent. Her eyes were startling emerald green and her hair was a light shade of red, almost strawberry blonde. She wore a long flowing white dress. Her lips were shaded a deep red and she had just a touch of green eye shadow.
"Wow," was all Jon said.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Ghost," Mike said. "I finished her program up this morning."
Everyone smiled as Ghost blushed and spoke, "I'm glad to finally meet you in person."
"Nice job on her," Marc said.
"Thanks," Mike said.
"Wow, Oojoung thinks Ghost very pretty," Oojoung said.
"Yeah Mike, she's beautiful," Jon said.
"Thanks, it's nothing," Mike said.
"Yeah, well that's what happens when you let a virgin build the girl of his dreams," Terri said.
Gilas coughed as he tried not to laugh.
Mike's face turned beet red, "Yeah well..."
"What's that?" Terri said.
"Nothing," Mike said as he was so flustered he couldn't think straight.
"Yup, just like you brother," Terri smirked.
Brad started to say something as his mouth opened but a look from Terri made him close it again.
Everyone busted up laughing.
"Terri never gives them a chance," Jon said to Gilas.
"I see that, your sister is something else," Gilas said.
"Yes, we just haven't figured out what," Jon said.
Gilas and Carex chuckled.
"I heard you bro. Keep it up and you're next," Terri said.
"Oh no, I'm next. I'm so scared," Jon said as he shivered a bit in fake fear.
"Smart ass," Terri said.
"All right lets stop the chit chat," Brad said. He turned to the console in front of him and started typing.
"Sub routines online," Brad said.
"Brad is speaking, Oojoung thought..." Oojoung started to say.
Brad glared over his shoulder at the Buranis.
"Oojoung hush, he's allowed to speak," Terri said as she slapped him in the back of the head. "Dork."
Once Brad was sure everyone was settled down he continued. "Bringing memory online and downloading data," Brad said.
"Sub routines are green across the board. Primary and secondary memory is also green and functioning," Mike said.
"Holo program booting up," another tech said.
"Everything is green. Shutting down access to all primary systems," Mike said. Mike tapped a few keys as he spoke.
'Primary systems restricted, secondary systems on stand-by, ' a metallic voice said.
"Waking AI," Mike said.
The air between the techs and the assembled people shimmered briefly as the hologram came together. Curled in a fetal position floating three foot off the floor was a beautiful woman. Several people gasped as she uncurled and her feet touched the floor.
She stood as tall as Atlantis. Her skin was the color of bronze and shimmered in the light as she moved. Her hair was the color of gold and reached her waist in a tight braid that had threads of silver running through it. She wore the duty dress of the crew only it was a deep blue instead of a drab grey. She slowly opened her copper eyes as she stood stock still.
"Control number," Brad said as he stepped into her view.
"Nine-One-Baker," her musical voice said.
"State your primary function?" Brad asked.
"Primary AI assigned to the Starship Titan," she said.
"State your duties," Brad said.
"Duties are as follows.
1. Protection of my crew.
2. Control of all maintenance units.
3. Monitoring of all crew nanite functions.
4. Monitoring of ship functions at all times. Combat duties include adjusting power resources for maximum effect.
5. No commands my override duty number one unless give a direct order by a superior officer."
"List commanding officers," Brad said.
"None," she said.
"Ghost, would you be so kind," Brad said.
"Yes sir," Ghost said. "Reconfiguring Titan command structure and command code access now access now." Ghost closed her eyes for a second. "Commander Gilas and Lieutenant Carex installed the Titan's captain and second in command respectively." Ghost opened her eyes and nodded at Brad.
"Restate commanding officers," Brad said.
"Captain Gilas and Lieutenant Carex," she said.
"State you designation," Brad said.
"I am known by Tatiana," Tatiana said.
"Do you know what your name means?" Brad said.
"Yes, it means Angel," Tatiana said.
"Go ahead Mike," Brad said.
"Unlocking all Primary functions to AI control," Mike said.
"Tatiana you may resume your duties," Brad said.
"Thank you Chief Anspach, I'm reading a slight power fluctuation in the starboard power grid. Shutting down primary conduit and rerouting power. Notifying chief engineer," Tatiana said.
"Wow, not even online for two seconds and already she tracks down a problem," Gilas said.
"Thank you captain," Tatiana said.
"Well I would say it was a success," Jon said.
"Mike..." Terri said. "Let you start playing with AI units and your dreams start becoming a reality."
"I had nothing to do with this. That is how she was programmed to look," Mike said.
"Sure," Terri said.
"No, he is correct. You all have never seen a Eutharan female," Carex said as he stepped forward to examine her. "This is one, although she is very common looking. She is pretty, but not beautiful by our standards. Sorry Tatiana, I mean no disrespect."
"None took, Lieutenant Carex. I have been designed to be appealing but not distracting," Tatiana said.
"Then I have to meet one of the ones you think are beautiful," Brad said. "Tatiana is hot in my book."
"Anything with boobs is hot in your book," Terri said. She grinned at Brad waiting for him to take the bait.
"True," Brad said. "I really can't argue with you there." Brad stuck his tongue out at Terri.
"Drats!" Terri said. This got a few chuckles.
"What was she saying about nanites?" Gilas asked.
"It is part of her program. It used to be that all the crews on ships had nanites to help repair damage to their bodies. They also allowed short range communication with each other and massive data storage," Brad said.
Gilas looked at Jon, "So when you are standing there staring into space."
Jon nodded as he spoke, "Yes, though we find it's easier to use conventional means unless its and emergency. Frankly it gives me a massive headache and I hate using it."
Andie spoke up, "Your entire crew has these nanites. They just weren't active yet. I bet if I checked now they would be active."
"All nanites are active and tied into the station and all ships registered as friendly," Tatiana said.
"This means, when you're on the station or on the Atlantis. We will now be able to monitor your health and such. You won't be a 'blind spot' to us anymore," Ghost said.
"If that's true they will be repairing any internal damage they find. Cancer and stuff like that. You will also not get sick as often and when you do, you will recover faster," Andie said.
"Nice," Gilas said.
"Well now that this is finished. It's time to get on to more important matters," Jon said. "Atlantis are we prepped for departure?"
"Yes sir, we're ready," Atlantis said.
"All right people lets saddle up and take a trip to Earth," Jon said.