Atlantis sat above Mars, the magnetic field of the planet masking her from the sensors of the two Invaru Titan Class vessels in orbit of Earth. Shuttles were constantly running from the surface of Earth to the two massive ships. From the scan the Atlantis had done of Earth, when they arrived, it was clear no major cities still stood. The devastation scarred the planet and it would take years for it to recover for the bombardment.
Jon was going over the readings from one of the Titans, "Wow, that's some ship."
"Largest ship ever built," Carex said. "There are only three in existence that we know of. Heavily armed and shielded, she carries enough personnel on board that she could staff the station and Atlantis."
"That's a lot of people," Marc said. "What I want to know is what those shuttles are doing."
"They're transporting your people to the ships and processing them," Carex said.
"Processing them?" Marc said.
"Yes, they're turning them into mindless slaves," Carex said. A sad look was on his face.
"How horrible," Andie said. "Can it be reversed?"
"Not that I know of, they remove part of the victim's brain and implant a small computer that controls their thinking. It also keeps them alive by controlling the automatic processes of the body," Carex said. "It's a very effective brainwashing technique. They live only to server the person they're programmed too."
"Ok, now I dislike them even more," Jon said.
"These brainwashed people, could they be mixed in with the people we're thinking of rescuing?" Marc asked.
"Very likely, they will use them as spies to root out any resistance pockets," Carex said.
"So how do we tell the difference?" Marc asked.
"One thing, each and every one of the people who have had this done to them can be tracked. It's very important you know who you're being back," Carex said. "As far as telling the difference, I have no clue."
"I could reprogram the sensors on the shuttles to run a scan on everyone aboard. It should be able to detect anything foreign in them," Mike said. "I'll need Andie's help to load up the medical data needed."
"Do it," Jon said. "Marc you're going to have to be brutal. If you think anyone has a device you leave them behind. If anyone is scanned at the shuttle they are to be shot and you will have to immediately move you operation to a different location."
Marc stared at Jon, "Jon I don't know if I can do that. I mean shoot someone for that reason. I mean they can't help it."
Jon stared at Marc for a second before he spoke, "They're not human any more. You shooting them would be releasing them from a fate worse than death. I would want you to shoot me if that had happened to me. Wouldn't you want the same thing? Does anyone here want to live like that?"
"No, I guess not," Marc said.
"Then do them a favor and put them out of their misery," Jon said.
"On thing," Carex said. Everyone looked at him as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"What's wrong Carex," Andie said. She had moved over to comfort him.
"They will use children," Carex said.
Andie gasped as everyone looked at each other.
"WHAT!" Terri's voice said. She was sitting in her fighter prepping for her mission as she listened in. "What do you mean they use children?"
"I mean they do the same procedure to children as they do adults," Carex said.
"Those bastards, I will kill every one of them with my bare hands," Terri said.
"Calm down Terri, they will pay in due time," Jon said. "Ok, get the military shuttles reprogrammed."
"I've already taken the liberty and reprogrammed the sensors on the shuttles," Atlantis said.
"All right, let's do this," Jon said. "Condition red, all hands to battle stations. Stand-by to engage the enemy. All recovery crews to their ships. Fighters stand-by to lend support."
'Condition red, all hands to battle stations, ' Atlantis echoed. 'All shuttle crews to their ships. All fighters stand-by to lend support.'
The lights dimmed on the Bridge as they switch to a deep red glow.
"What?" Carex said. "You can't be serious. Those are Titans."
"So," Jon said. "We're going to engage them right now. To distract them while the recovery crews land at their objectives."
"Oh, wait, what do you mean by 'Right now'?" Carex said.
"We will engage them as we deploy the shuttles," Jon said. "I thought we went over this."
"I thought you would change your mind once you seen the Titans," Carex said.
"Nope, they're being careless, they have their shields down and I plan on taking advantage of that," Jon said.
"No, Titan has ever been destroyed," Carex said. "For that matter, no Titan has ever been disabled."
"There is always a first time," Jon said.
"I..." Carex started. "Yes sir." He finished as Jon fixed him with a gaze that told him the discussion was over.
"Helm, plot a fold under the nearest Titan," Jon said. "Weapons free, shields to maximum power."
"Launch control, prepare to launch all shuttles and fighters once we come out of fold," Carex said.
Mike took his seat at Engineering as Andie and Marc left the bridge to join the landing crews.
"Diverting auxiliary power to weapons and shields," Mike said.
"Communications put all voice traffic on the speakers once the operations start," Jon said.
"Captain all crews have reported green for departure," Tactical said.
"Fold drive powered up and course plotted Sir," Helm reported.
"Bring us out of the polar field and prepare to fold," Jon said.
"We will be clear of the field in five seconds," Atlantis said.
Jon watched as the Atlantis moved out of the field.
"Fold now," Jon said once they were clear.
Atlantis flashed into existence right under the closest Titan her guns blazing. Large chunks of metal were torn from the massive ship as the Atlantis pounded her relentlessly. The Titan's shields flickered to life only to disappear as somewhere its system failed. Most likely the initial assault by the Atlantis had severed several key conduits. As if just waking up the Titan started to return fire.
"Shields to eighty percent Sir," Tactical said.
"Bring us about, launch all recovery vessels and their fighter support," Jon said. Jon wasn't very pleased that the fighter support included his sister. But, they only had limited man power and she was needed.
"Bring us about," Helm said.
"Fold drive will be recharged in another fifteen seconds," Atlantis said.
"Shields at sixty percent Sir," Tactical said.
"Status of enemy vessel?" Jon asked.
"Major damage to internal structure, I'm reading several internal fires and explosions," Tactical said. "They are giving pursuit though. Looks like their shields are down."
"Ten seconds," Atlantis said.
"Keep firing everything we have at them," Jon said.
"Second Titan is moving to intercept us," Tactical said.
"Incoming communication from the second Titan," Communications said.
"Put it through audio only," Jon said.
"Eutharan vessel, you're ordered to stand down. Stop your engines and prepare to be boarded," a male voice said.
"What is it with all you people and all this 'Prepare to be boarded' crap?" Jon said.
There was silence for a second, "You're human?"
"So I have been told," Jon said. "You must be the Invaru scum that has invaded my planet."
The communications was suddenly disconnected as the second Titan started firing.
"Fold ready," Atlantis said.
"Shields at forty percent," Tactical said.
"Boosting power to shields," Mike said.
"Don't fold full speed ahead," Jon said.
"All teams report launched and encountering minimal resistance," Launch Control said.
"Draw them away a bit more," Jon said. "All point defense switch to enemy fighters."
"Sir their not really launching fighters," Tactical said. "I think they're too intent on us."
Jon watched as they passed the Moon and the shuttles and fighters entered Earth's atmosphere.
'All right folks let's rescue some people, ' Terri said. 'All ships go to your landing points. We have to be as fast as possible.'
'Roger that Sandpiper, ' a female voice said. 'Shuttle two inbound to target landing area.'
'Shuttle one headed to target landing zone, ' a male voice said.
'Shuttle three headed to target landing zone, ' Marc's voice said.
'All fighters split off and cover the shuttles, ' Terri said.
"Execute Fold," Jon said.
Atlantis disappeared in a flash of light only to reappear just out of range of the two Titans. The undamaged Titan was closing on them faster than the damaged one. Jon watched it close as his listened to the ground reports coming in. So far everything seemed to be going according to plan. There were several engagements going on, but so far none of the humans being loaded had been identified as slaves.
"Make best speed to Pluto," Jon said. "Prepare to fold back to Earth so we can pick our people up."
"Sir," Tactical said. "The damaged Titan has stopped in orbit of Jupiter."
"What's our shield status?" Jon asked.
"Shields are at fifty percent," Tactical said.
"Alter our fold and bring us out next to the damaged Titan," Jon said.
"Fold drive is charged," Atlantis said.
"Weapons loose," Jon said. "Execute fold."
Atlantis disappeared in a flash of light again, this time she appeared next to the disabled Titan. Her engines flared to life as she started flying down the larger ship. She was hugging the larger vessel as close as she could to minimize its ability to shoot her. Polaron cannons fired striking the larger vessel and tearing large chunks of hull from it. Massive explosions rippled its hull as the Atlantis pulled up and away then disappeared in a flash of light, only to reappear at Earth a second later.
"Let our people know were here for pick up," Jon said. "It's time to leave this little party. Have you got their communications frequency? I want to hear what they're saying," Jon said.
"Yes Sir," Communications said. "One second, I think I finally have it isolated now."
Static filled the Bridge for a second as Communications piped the feed in to the speakers. "Adjusting," Communications said.
Suddenly it cleared up.
"Ge'daes this is the Il'las. I repeat we're in need of assistance. All engines are offline and we're being pulled into the gas giant," a male voice said.
The call kept going out but there wasn't a response.
"Atlantis, put the Il'las one the main screen," Jon said.
The Bridge crew watched as the massive ship slowly spiraled into Jupiter. Slowly it was pulled a part by the gas giant's gravity. A final explosion signaled the massive ships death.
A cheer rushed through the Bridge as the ship met its end.
"I can't believe it," Carex said. "You actually killed a Titan."
"Not really, we disabled it and Jupiter killed it," Jon said. "We just gave it the final nudge. What I don't get is why the Ge'daes didn't render assistance."
Jon watched as the other Titan passed Jupiter on its way back to Earth. It was now launching fighters and other support craft. They wouldn't reach the Atlantis before she did an in system jump.
"Those Captain aren't the best social partners," Carex said. "Besides, for him to have stopped and gave assistance would have given you free reign. His superiors wouldn't have been happy about that."
Jon just shook his head in amazement as he spoke, "Get us out of here as soon as we're loaded. I'm going to the Military Hanger to see what we have. Mr. Carex you have the Bridge."
"Yes Sir," Carex said. He was smiling like a kid in a candy store. This was a great day for the Eutharan people and the Human he now called friends.
Jon entered the hanger and almost cried. There were people in various states all over the hanger. Some were injured, all of them looked malnourished. It brought tears to his eyes to see people in this state.
Marc, Andie, Terri and the ever present Oojoung walked over and joined him. Terri simply looked pissed. Marc was as always wore a neutral expression, though his eyes showed he hurt. Andie had been crying Jon could see the tear stains on her face.
"How many," Jon asked.
"About two thousand all together," Marc said. "Some of them are nothing more than kids though."
"Did you have any problems?" Jon asked.
"Not on my end. The operation went just as planned. Small skirmishes, nothing major, just like we expected," Marc said.
"Terri?" Jon said.
"Nope, the skies were clear," Terri said. "Oh, how I wished some of them would have showed up."
"I bet sis, but I'm just as happy they didn't show and you're back safe and sound," Jon said.
"Spoil sport, they deserve everything we dish out," Terri growled.
"Andie how is everyone?" Jon asked. He was ignoring Terri's foul mood even though he felt the same.
"So far we haven't found anything major. Mainly malnutrition and scrapes and bruises from mistreatment. I'll know more as we finish working through them," Andie said. "We're starting to build a data base with their history as best as we can. That will take some time though. We're holding off nanite treatments until you address them."
Jon nodded as he spoke, "No time like the present I guess. Atlantis, open a room wide channel please."
"Open," Atlantis said as she stepped through the doorway. The small group just stared at her trying to figure out why she had walked through the door. "Sorry, I didn't want to spook any of the new people by just showing up suddenly."
"Good Idea," Marc said. He motioned to two of the marines and pointed at the only exit to the large room. "Cover that exit, none of the rescued people is to leave this room unless cleared to do so by a commanding officer."
"Yes Sir," one of the marines said.
"People of Earth," Jon said. His voice echoed through the room as everyone looked up in his direction. "I'm Commander Jonathan Hunter of the ADF vessel Atlantis. I'm human just like you as are most of the people helping you. As you know Earth has been invaded by the Invaru. What you didn't know is there is hope and help out here. We came back to free those of you we could in an attempt to bolster our numbers."
By now people were standing and staring at Jon as he spoke. Some of them had even started moving to gather around the young man.
Jon continued, "I'm offering you a position in the ADF and the chance to help beat back the Invaru. To help recover Earth and restore it to it's former glory. Well maybe not its former glory but you know what I mean."
"Just who exactly are you?" a man in a marine uniform said. "And where the hell are we?"
Jon looked down at the man, "I'm sorry General. I'm sure I said I'm Commander Jonathan Hunter and I said you were on the starship Atlantis."
"Well then Commander, I want to speak to your commanding officer. We need to go back and free the rest of the people on Earth," the General said.
"You are speaking to the highest ranking officer in the ADF at this time," Jon said. "As far as going back to Earth to rescue more people, as much as I would love to do that it's not an option at this time."
"Son, if you're the highest rank in this ADF," the General said. "Then I out rank you, let me tell you..."
"You have no rank here," Jon said. He stared deep into the man's eyes.
"I have been a General in the United States military for over ten years," the General said.
"There is no United States or America or anything else," Jon said. "Or haven't you noticed the Earth has been occupied? Now, if you don't mind shut your trap."
"You can't speak to me that way!" the General shouted back. His face had turned red as he started to take a step forward.
"That would be a large mistake," Marc said as he stepped between the General and Jon.
"I'm not going to sit here and argue with anyone. No one has rank here so you might as well take off all your rank insignia and drop them on the floor. You will get rank in the ADF as I see fit or one of my command staff sees fit. If you can't handle that and play nice there is the door," Jon said. He pointed at the large landing bay doors as they cycled open. "You're free to leave the ship at anytime you wish."
On the other side of the force field stars twinkled and shifted as the ship turned to make for her next fold point. Several people backed away from the open doors and gasped.
"The choice is yours. Drop your rank insignia and leave the shit at the doorstep and learn to work with each other or get off my ship. We risked our necks to rescue the few we could and we will go back. But, only when we have the numbers to go back and make a difference, not go back and all die. As far as what you can do for the ADF as an individual there are a lot of openings. Most of the military personnel can continue in their current fields. The rest are free to pretty much serve as they like as long as it is benefiting the ADF as a whole. Most of you will become crew and there are multiple fields on ships to fill," Jon said.
By now even the General had dropped his rank insignia and started listening intently to what Jon was saying.
"We can train you in just about anything you want. The choice is yours to make. When you're ready see one of the guards and they will start the procedure to get you adapted to the ADF," Jon said. "That is all. If you have questions ask anyone wearing an ADF uniform. They can answer it for you and if not they will find someone who can. Thank you for your time and understanding."
Jon's small group disbursed to resume their jobs. Jon became the center of attention as he answered question after question. After two hours of answering every question people could think of and most of them more than once Jon was wore out. He had just reached the doors as a girl tugged on his sleeve.
"Mister," she said.
Jon knelt down and pushed her amber hair out of her dark blue eyes as he spoke, "Yes little one?"
"Mister, I can't find my family," she said.
"What's your name," Jon said.
"Samantha," Sam said. "But, people call me Sam."
"Ok Sam, let go have a look around and see what we can find," Jon said as he picked her up.
Jon spent the next five hours going from person to person looking for Sam's family. He had no success locating them. No one remembered seeing the little girl with anyone during the evacuation of the camp she came from. By the time Jon had decided to give up Sam and he had become very good friends.
"Sam," Jon said. "I don't think your family made it."
"I was afraid of that," Sam said. "I haven't seen them in a very long time. I think the evil people got them. I was hoping I was wrong and they were here."
"I'm very sorry," Jon said. "How about I take you and get you cleaned up and something to eat."
"Ok," Sam said.
Jon's first stop was the Medical Ward.
"Andie," Jon said as he entered the ward. It was crowded with people all getting various treatments. Nurses and doctors ran back and forth from person to person.
"Hi Jon," Andie said as she finished up with a patient. "What can I do for you?"
Andie turned around and see Sam and smiled at the child.
"Can you check her out and give her the nanite treatment?" Jon said. "I'm betting we can trust this one."
Sam giggled.
"Sure can," Andie said. She turned to an empty bed and patted it. "Set her down here."
Jon set Sam down and said, "Thanks."
When he turned to leave Sam grabbed his arm, "No, don't go."
"Sam, I'll be back in the morning," Jon said as he smiled. "I'm bushed and need to get something to eat myself and a little sleep."
"No!" Sam said. She jumped down and grabbed him around the waist and squeezed. "I don't want you to go."
"Sam," Andie said. "It will be ok. I'll get you cleaned up and something to eat and you can sleep here until Jon comes back." Andie reached down to try to pick up Sam.
"NO!" Sam shouted. "Leave me alone." She looked up at Jon. "Please don't go. If you go you won't come back."
Jon's heart leapt as he looked down at Sam. She was almost in tears as she squeezed him. "Ok, Sam. I won't go anywhere," Jon said. "Let Andie do what she needs and we will go get something to eat."
"You promise?" Sam said.
"I promise," Jon said as he sat her back down on the table.
Andie was grinning at Jon.
"What?" Jon asked.
"Nothing, just looks like you have a new friend," Andie said. She was looking over Sam as she spoke a huge grin on her face. Jon swore if she had been a cat he would have seen the feathers.
"Women," Jon muttered. "I swear they're going to be the death of me."
Andie laughed as she winked at Jon.
Two hours later Jon tucked a clean sleeping Sam into the bed in his guest room. He sighed as he took a hot shower as he reflected on the past twenty four hours. Sometimes things went just right other times things went horribly wrong. So far things have been going just right. Well since the attack on Earth that is.
Jon made his way to his bed and fell asleep in minutes. His dreams were filled with hope on what the future might bring.
"Captain to the Bridge," Carex's voice echoed in his dreams. Someone shook Jon as he started to wake up.
"Jon," a little girl's voice said.
"Huh, what?" Jon mumbled as he clawed his way to consciousness.
"I think they're calling you," Sam said as he opened his eyes.
"Captain, please respond," Carex voice said.
Atlantis appeared next to Jon's bed. It made Sam stumble back as she had never seen Atlantis do that.
"Who, is she?" Sam said.
"Hi Atlantis, this is Sam. She's my new ward I guess," Jon said as he swung his feet to the floor.
"Hello Sam, I'm Atlantis the ships Artificial Life Form," Atlantis said.
"Go head Carex," Jon said as he touched the small panel next to his bed.
"Sir," Carex said. "You're needed on the Bridge. We have a situation."
"On my way," Jon said. He stood up and went to the bathroom to get out of his pajamas and into his uniform.
Sam was questioning Atlantis about all sorts of things and Atlantis answered her every question.
"I'm glad you two are getting along so well," Jon said as he stepped back into the room. "Atlantis, keep Sam company while I go take care of whatever it is. Make sure she gets something to eat."
"We've encountered a distress beacon from a Eutharan Transport," Atlantis said. "I'll be glad to keep her company."
"Sam I have to go to the Bridge. I'll be back as soon as I can," Jon said as he walked towards the door.
"What, I want to come with you," Sam said. She started to follow Jon.
"I'm sorry but I have work to do," Jon said. He had stopped and turned to Sam as she walked towards him. He reached down and picked her up and gave her a hug. "I'll be back I promise," he whispered. "Atlantis can call me if you really need me."
Sam pouted but said, "Ok."
Two minutes later Jon stepped out of the transport tube and on to the Bridge.
"Captain on the Bridge," Carex said. "Sir the ship is yours."
"Thank you," Jon said. "What's the situation?"
"We were on approach to the next fold point when we received a distress beacon from a Eutharan Transport ship," Carex said.
"Tactical put the distress beacon's position on the planning table," Jon said as he stepped down to look at the system map already displayed. A small red dot blinked to life not far from their position.
"How far away is that at full speed?" Jon asked.
"Just under ten minutes Sir," Helm said.
"All right plot a fold to that position," Jon started to say.
"Sir," Helm said. "That would be dangerous. We don't know what type of damage the vessel has sustained. We could jump right on top of it if it is drifting. Or set off an explosion if they area is filled with gasses. They could be caught in a spatial anomaly that would put us in the same situation."
"Noted," Jon said. "Make best speed then. Try to contact them and let them know we're on our way."
"Yes Sir," Helm said.
"Sir," Tactical said. "I'm reading two hyperspace events by the second and fourth planets."
"Ship types?" Jon said.
"Unknown Sir," Tactical said. "But, neither of them are Eutharan design."
"Oh, a party," Jon said sourly. "I hope they brought the party favors. Condition Yellow, all crew to combat readiness, shields up. Helm, get us to that distress beacon as fast as you can."
The lights on the bridge took on a deep yellow glow as Jon looked at Carex and said, "Here we go again."
"Well, unless those two ships are Titans I think we have the upper hand," Carex said. He flashed Jon a large grin.
Jon rolled his eyes as he said, "Great jinx us why don't you."