Jon watched the exchange of fire between the two ships as the battleship slowly closed on the cruiser. He had to do something but he had no idea what he could do without giving up that the station was now occupied. He switched the hologram to display the positions of the vessel and marked the outer markers as a ring around the station.
"Ghost," Jon said.
"Yes commander," Ghost said.
"How close is the lead ship to the outer markers? I mean, I know how close, but how close in relation to weapons range? Will the Polaron Cannons reach it?" Jon asked.
"Jon, what are you thinking of doing?" Brad asked.
"I have a plan, but I need to make sure both ships are in range of the cannons," Jon said.
"The lead ship is in range of the cannons, the Invaru battleship will be in range in less than five minutes," Ghost said.
"Ok, what I want you to do is this..." Jon said. Jon relayed his plans to everyone in the room and the Bridge of Atlantis.
"Marc," Jon said. "We're going to have company I want your entire security force on the station, armed and armored. Pull anyone else you think you need to help fill in. Ghost, can you show him where station security is. I want access to the station limited; keep it simple Main Control, Medical, Security and then Engineering sections. The last being limited access for only authorized personnel."
"We can move to Main Control now, we should reach it before the battleship gets in range," Ghost said.
"Bill, are you still listening?" Jon asked.
"Yes sir, I have already started having people move top the station," Bill said.
"All right," Jon said. "Ghost can you upload the information people will need to get around the station. Including, what is and isn't restricted?"
"Doing so now," Ghost said.
"All security personnel are in route to the station. Some are helping with the offloading of personnel and equipment from Atlantis," Marc said. "I'm going leave Goodly and Ramirez here on guard and take the rest with me to Security. I would like to get a little familiar with it before our company arrives."
"Go, we're on our way to Main Control, the rest of the Bridge crew will meet us there as soon as they disembark," Jon said.
Marc nodded, then turned and started down the corridor towards the station with all but two of the security personnel in the room.
"Brad, Mike, I need you two to get your engineering teams to Main Engineering. I want full diagnostics on every system on the station as fast as humanly possible," Jon said.
They both nodded and started for the station just as some of their crews showed up from Atlantis. They quickly explained the situation and hurried off to the station with their people in tow.
"When we bring that ship here and put it in a berth," Jon said. "I want it in a berth where they can't see Atlantis. I don't want them to see the damage or how bad shape she is in. The whole idea here is to appear to have more people than we actually do. We will make it appear that they're restricted in station movement, not that we have done it on purpose. I want people using short cuts through restricted areas if possible. That will help with the illusion too."
"Yes sir," Ghost said.
Terri, Bill, Carla and the rest of the bridge crew walked out of the access port attached to the Bridge.
"What is going on Jon," Terri asked.
"Looks like were going to have company," Jon said. "We're building an illusion like we have been here for a while. At least until we get to know them."
"What Oojoung being taken too?" Oojoung said. He had just entered the room followed by two guards.
"We're taking you to a new cell on the station until the Captain can speak to you," one of the men said.
"Oojoung do nothing wrong. Oojoung try to help save ship. Why Oojoung being held prisoner?" Oojoung said.
"You're being detained until such a time as I can make a choice about what to do with you. You sabotaged my ship and endangered the lives of my crew," Jon said. "That is all I care to say at this moment, I have other problems I have to address right now. I'll speak to you as soon as I can."
"But, Oojoung not do nothing wrong. Oojoung help Hoomans," Oojoung moaned.
"That issue is up for debate. I don't have time to discuss this right now. Your behavior has been very good and if you continue to cooperate it will help you a lot in my decision as to what to do with you. So go with these men and wait for me to come see you," Jon said.
"Yes sir, Oojoung will do as Captain person says. Oojoung is sorry if Oojoung caused many problems," Oojoung said.
The two security personnel smiled as they led a quiet Oojoung towards the station.
"He's a Buranis," Ghost said.
"Yeah, I know. Atlantis filled me in while I was watching him during our trip. The one thing that bugs me is he is a bit childish. I don't know if he really knew what he was doing or not," Jon said.
"He's anything but childish. He is a special branch of the Buranis military. Some of the devices the security personnel were carrying marked him as such. I would have to say he knew what he was doing. The real question is did he have a choice in what he was doing?" Ghost said.
They were walking toward Station Command as they spoke.
"What do you mean by 'if he had a choice'?" Terri asked.
"The Buranis are suppressed by the Invaru. Most of them do not like working with or for the Invaru. But, they had little choice. The Invaru forced them to sign a treaty that turned them into slaves. At least that's how it was. I don't imagine much has changed. Oojoung probably was being controlled by an Invaru who was giving him orders," Ghost said.
"So then why would he suddenly decide to go against those orders?" Bill asked.
"Poor thing," Terri said.
Jon looked over at Terri and rolled his eyes.
"What?" Terri asked.
"When you say 'Poor thing' it usually means we end up with a dog or a cat or something like that," Jon said.
"Well he is kind of cute in a terry bear sort of way," Terri said grinning.
"Here we go," Jon said. "Don't get too attached to him, he did try to kill us. I don't know what I'm going to do yet."
Bill snicker as Terri leaned her head on Jon's shoulder and fluttered her eyes.
"Won't work, this is a very different situation," Jon said.
"Well, I think there's more to this than we think. I just don't want you going off half cocked and making a mistake," Terri said.
"I won't that's why I haven't spoke to him yet," Jon said.
"Anyway, like Commander Hawkins asked, 'why would he suddenly decide to go against those orders?'" Carla said.
"I have no idea the Commander will have to ask him," Ghost said.
Jon stood in the center of the large room looking at a hologram that displayed the two ships. The table was a copy of the planning table on the Atlantis only twice the size. The rest of the bridge crew had taken their respective positions in the control room. Terri, Carla and Bill had take up secondary and empty primary stations.
"Invaru battleship will be in range in ten seconds," Ghost said. It was like a voice with out a body. It was a bit unnerving in that you couldn't see a body but you knew something was there.
"Ok, here we go people," Jon said. "It's all you Ghost."
"Bringing shields online and powering up weapon platforms. Opening Communication channels, all bands," Ghost said.
Brief static fill Command, then cleared up. The Eutharan vessel faltered as it tried to turn away from the station. The Invaru ship altered its course to intercept it.
"Invaru battleship, you are ordered to change course and leave or you will be fired upon. Eutharan vessel, continue on your present course and make repairs then you are also ordered to leave this restricted space. Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to come any closer or you will be fired upon," Ghost said.
"This is Captain Gilas of the Eutharan Cruiser Titan, who are we speaking to?" Gilas asked.
"This is Ghost Station command and control AI," Ghost said.
"An AI," a gruff voice said. "This is Captain Prasuh of the Invaru Battleship Marudas. We will leave once we have finished our mission here."
"This is you last warning Captain Prasuh, if you continue on your present course I will fire upon you," Ghost said a bit of menace in her tone.
"Prasuh, are you insane? That station will tear you apart unless you have that command codes. We don't even have those codes any more they were lost hundreds of years ago," Gilas said.
"You will not escape, I have my orders to capture those shuttles and I intend to do just that," Prasuh said.
Ghost glanced at Jon who just nodded.
"Invaru Battleship you have been warned," Ghost said. Two of the platforms guns lanced out and hit the battleship. The ships shields flared brightly as another beam struck the shields.
"Captain, our shields are down to twenty percent," someone said.
A growl fill the Station's Command, "Ghost Station, this is the Marudas we're disengaging and leaving the system. Gilas, I will catch you later," Prasuh said.
"Marudas you have two minutes to leave restricted space. If you return I will destroy your vessel," Ghost said. "Titan you have the time it takes to complete your repairs so you can continue your journey to leave or I will fire on you. You both aren't authorized to be here."
"We will comply with your orders, Ghost Station," Gilas said.
"Please, feel free to contact me if you need some assistance and I will see what I can do for you. However, I can't allow you to approach with out authorization," Ghost said. "Ghost Station out."
Ghost cut the communications before Gilas could reply.
"Commander, the Marudas is powering up its hyperspace drive and preparing to leave the system," Tactical said.
"Ok, stand-by to render assistance when the Marudas has left the system," Jon said. "Terri get to Launch Bay Alpha and prep a tug to tow the Titan in. Take one of the pilots we have in training with you so they can get some flight time."
Terri stood up and started for the transport tube as she spoke, "Yes sir."
"Do you think it's wise to let them know we're here?" Bill asked.
"Why not, there's not a lot they can do about it. We still need allies; we're very undermanned at the moment. I can't see the harm in it. If we help them maybe they will help us," Jon said.
"You do know they will want their station back," Carla said.
"I have thought about that. While they might want it back, we hold the keys. I just have to convince them I'll destroy the station before I give it up," Jon said. "I see the key to survival as us working together. We have something they need or want. They have something we want."
"What do they have that we need?" Carla asked.
"Manpower and ships," Jon said.
"Sir, the Marudas just jumped," Tactical said.
"Scan the entire system, make sure there are no other vessels," Jon said.
"Commencing scans sir," Tactical said.
"Com, get me a secure link to the Titan," Jon said.
A few seconds later a channel was open. The com officer reported Captain Gilas was on the other end.
"Captain Gilas," Jon said. "This is Commander Jonathan Hunter. Do you need assistance?"
"Who do you represent? We don't have your ship on scan," Gilas said.
"I represent..." Jon thought for a second before he replied. "The Alliance Defense Fleet, ADF for short."
"Never heard of it, what alliance?" Gilas said.
"I'll have time to explain that a bit more in detail when we meet," Jon said. "I'm dispatching a heavy tug to your location and authorizing your entrance to Ghost Station. We will assist you in your repairs if you like or you can do them yourselves. The choice is yours. The station's resources are at your disposal, to an extent that is. Please, restrict all your personnel to your ship for the time being. You and your executive officer are more than welcome to come aboard with a small security detachment of course."
"You're on the station?" Gilas said in surprise.
"Yes, I was the one who authorized the action against the Marudas," Jon said.
"Oh, this is going be good. I'll meet you at the control station to our berth Commander," Gilas said.
Jon stood waiting in the control room for the platform where the Titan had just been toed to. Marc had insisted Jon take six guards with him, full battle prep. Four of them covered the inside and outside of the doors leading to the station. The last two stood on either side of Jon as they waited for their guests.
Seated at the control stations were two on the engineering crew. They were already running diagnostics on the damaged ship and helping Ghost set a repair schedule.
Jon's first impression of Captain Gilas when he stepped through the doorway and into the control room was a surprise. The man didn't look over twenty five by Earth standards, and was quiet handsome. His skin almost shined in the light of the room and his copper hair was cut short and combed neatly. Jon wouldn't have guessed he had been in a fight if he hadn't known better. The man's gold flecked brown eyes took in everything as he entered the room.
Flanking Gilas was six marines in powered armor. They all carried rifles held at the ready. The rifles looked like the stock Polaron guns that his security personnel carried. However, he noticed several differences. It made Jon almost second guess his decision to greet this man with a minimal escort.
Gilas smiled at Jon as he held his hand out in greeting, "Commander Hunter I assume."
"Captain Gilas," Jon said. He took the man's hand in a firm shake. From the grip Jon knew the man was stronger than he appeared.
"Actually, now that I have stepped off my ship and turned her over to my second in command I'm Lieutenant Commander Eafic 'Gilas' Hajin," Gilas said. "I prefer to be called by my middle name no need for you to use my rank."
"Then it's just Jon if you don't mind," Jon said as he released Gilas' hand.
"You're not Eutharan are you?" Gilas asked.
"No, I'm Human were from the Earth," Jon said.
"A man of an unknown race and origin shall arrive to bring prosperity once again to the universe. He will rise from the ashes of his home in cased in armor the likes no one has seen in thousands of years, an intelligent armor of a technology long forgotten and forsaken. However, in his wake he shall leave death and destruction and a race will be cleansed until only a few survive. He shall carry the keys to unlock the universe's greatest treasure. The price for unlocking this treasure will be the tearing apart of an Empires. He will welcome enemies as friends in their greatest time of need. Glass shall hunt him in fear of his powers," Gilas muttered.
"What's that?" Jon asked.
"Its part of our prophecies about a man who will bring the Empire back to it's former greatness and balance the universe. Some think it is about a man who will destroy everything we know and love," Gilas said.
"Fate?" Jon said.
"In a way, I guess you could call it that. There is more to it than just what I have said. Scholars have been pouring over the text for thousands of years. Some are waiting for this man others think he will never show," Gilas said.
"Sorry, but I don't believe in fate. I control my own destiny," Jon chuckled.
"You think you control your own destiny," Gilas said. The seriousness in his voice caught Jon off guard.
One of the Marines muttered something Jon didn't quite catch. Gilas stiffened as he turned on the man and stared him down. "Sergeant Newl, take this man into custody and put him in the brig charges pending. Take four men with you and return to the ship," Gilas said.
Two of the marines sized the man and stripped him of his weapons.
"Sir, I beg your pardon," Newl said. He eyed Jon cautiously as he spoke. "But if I can suggest I remain with you. Station two guards here have one take the Corporal to the brig and have me and one other remain with you for your safety."
"I think you should keep a couple guards with you," Jon said. "It will make your people a bit more at ease. Though, I give you my word nothing will happen to you while on this station. Even though I don't understand what has just transpired, I did want to offer you a small tour of the station while my techs finish setting up your repair schedule."
"Very well," Gilas said. "I can agree to that." Gilas was beginning to like Jon even though he barely knew him.
An hour later Jon and Gilas walked side by side down a corridor toward a small reception room Jon had Kelly and Andie set up for him. He had taken Gilas and showed him points of interest around the station, with Ghost's help of course. The four guards following them bantered back and forth as they walked. He had related the entire story to Gilas about how they had came to be here. He hadn't really described Atlantis, that's where they were heading now. He wanted to see Gilas' reaction when he saw the ship.
"So you have only been here for about six hours?" Gilas asked. He tugged on his transport harness as it was chaffing his side.
"Yes, we arrived just before your fight broke out. It was Ghost who let us know who you were. All I really needed to know was the Invaru were fighting someone," Jon said. "Anyone they would be fighting could be possible allies."
Gilas stared at Jon for a second. Jon had a few things he needed to learn and Gilas had decided he would try to help him as best as he could.
"That is a very dangerous way of thinking Jon," Gilas said. He clasped his hands behind his back.
"How so, we need allies. Anyone fighting our enemies would be potential allies in our fight," Jon said.
"Not everyone in this universe thinks like I do. Not everyone is as friendly as we are. The Eutharan people will probably welcome you openly. Though, we have our own difficulties at the moment. To be truthful, some of the Eutharan people will dislike you for who you are. They can't help it a lot of them grew up fearing the day the Weaver of Worlds would come," Gilas said.
"Weaver of Worlds, what does that mean?" Jon asked.
"The Weaver of Worlds is the one spoken in the prophecies. He will weave the worlds of the universe together under one flag and unite the Empires," Gilas said. He glanced at Jon out of the corner of his eyes as a grin spread across his face. "I'm sure you are him, you have filled some of the prophecies already by unlocking Ghost Station. You will begin to unite the Empires and fight off something even more evil than the Invaru and their allies. There is one part of the prophecies I'm waiting for though."
Jon rolled his eyes as he said, "Here we go again. I'm not this Weaver of Worlds. I'm just an ordinary human trying to get my planet free from the Invaru occupation. As far as the prophecies and unlocking treasures. That could mean anything or nothing at all."
Gilas continued on as though he didn't hear Jon, "And the races of the universe shall flock to him as their last hope. Even the shadow race, hidden from all shall come forward to serve him and his line."
"Shadow race?" Jon said.
Gilas nodded as he spoke, "Some believe it is a race never before seen. Other, like me, thinks it is the Vejaas, they haven't been seen in over three thousand years. Some say they're waiting for a sign, you, to come forward and be known again."
"Never heard of them," Jon said.
"There isn't a lot of records about them. They're supposed to be a highly advanced race and have the ability to change their appearance. That is about all that is really known about them," Gilas said. "As far as trusting people, well, that is something you will learn as you get more used to commanding people. There are those you can trust fully and then those you can only trust partially. Then there is the ones you don't trust and use as a mean to an end. Just remember on thing Jonathan."
Jon stopped in front of the door to the lounge and turned to Gilas, "What's that?"
"You alone hold the key to Ghost Station. Even with your limited amount of personnel that make you more important than any one person alive. Never, and I mean never, give out those command codes. Hand out secondary codes, but always hold the true command codes close and never let them go," Gilas said. His face showed the seriousness of his statement. "And to answer the question you asked earlier, I would be happy to help you with food and supplies, even some of our weapons and armor for your security personnel. The station could then manufacture those in bulk for you. I'll have some of my people help you get the foundries up and running and train so of your people to fly the mining ships. We can even help run the station if you would like while were here being repaired. I'll have to talk that over with my second in command though before I commit to it."
"Well, after what we have just discussed, I don't know if I would be comfortable letting people run around the station," Jon said.
"Well think about it," Gilas said. "With our help we can get you up and running in almost no time. We can even start the upgrade process for the station."
Jon nodded as he cycled the door open with a thought, "You can take the harness off if you want."
Gilas nodded and he stepped through the doorway already pulling off the harness.
Jon turned to his security, "You two station yourselves here, no one is to gain access to this room unless authorized by me."
"Yes sir," they both said at the same time. Each man took a side of the door.
"You two can keep them company, follow Commander Hunter's orders as if they were mine," Gilas said.
"Yes sir," the marines said.
Jon stepped into the lounge and grabbed a cup of coffee from the table next to the door and offered it to Gilas. "Coffee," Jon said. "From my world, it might be a bit bitter so you might want to add some sugar and cream."
Gilas took a sip, "Oh, we have this too, we call it prandle. Ours is made from the small beans of a plant called Prandlehied. Thank you for the offer." Gilas took another sip.
Jon smiled and said, "No problem. I have something I want to show you."
Jon motioned Gilas over to the observation window in the room as he looked out it and took a sip from the cup. Jon watched Gilas out of the corner of his eyes as he looked out the window.
"What am I looking at?" Gilas said as he looked through the window. His cup dropped from his numb hands and bounced off the carpet. As his eyes got wide and his jaw dropped open.
Jon turned and looked at the stunned Gilas.
"That's a Eutharan Heavy Battle Cruiser," Gilas said. He looked at Jon in awe.
"Yup, she is my ship. That is the ship that carried my crew and I here," Jon said.
"When you said you had a ship I never dreamed you had this ship. Jon, you don't understand do you," Gilas said.
"What don't I understand?" Jon asked.
"That ship is the Atlantis," Gilas said.
Jon nodded, "So?"
"The Atlantis is something of a myth with the Eutharan people. Actually, she is a myth with almost every race. She was put into battle one time and nothing could touch her. After that it was said she would appear and destroy her enemies from no where. There is always someone talking about having seen her at one point or another. But, none of the sighting have ever been confirmed," Gilas said.
"I could see that if she folded in and attacked a vessel. It would look like she just suddenly appeared," Jon said.
"I always guessed that too. She was the first Eutharan vessel to have a fold drive. When she disappeared, the Eutharan house and everyone involved in building her because tight lipped and nothing more was ever said about here. The official report was she lost spatial event of some kind," Gilas said.
"Well I doubt that, she is sitting right there. As a matter of fact she docked in an underwater base and became part of that base while docked. A base AI took over while she was docked and the ship AI would sleep," Jon said. "However, the Invaru destroyed that base."
"They were probably trying to get their hands on Atlantis. That ship will make things very difficult for them and I'm sure they would have loved to tear her apart to learn what they could from her systems," Gilas said.
"She's that special?" Jon said. "I mean she is special to me because I have gotten to know Atlantis and she is like one of my staff. Ghost is a close second though."
"There was only one of her kind ever built. Even today some of her systems are ages beyond anything anyone has," Gilas said. "Is her AI is active like the stations?"
"Yes, her AI is intact and functional," Jon said.
"My god, He will rise from the ashes of his home in cased in armor the likes no one has seen in thousands of years, an intelligent armor of a technology long forgotten and forsaken. The prophecies are coming true," Gilas said.
"Look I told you..." Jon said.
"I know you don't believe, but it's true," Gilas said. "No matter how you feel or how you think. It doesn't change the fact that they are. Even if you don't realize it you wield a large sward and carry a big shield."
{Commander.} Bill said.
"Hold on a second Gilas," Jon said.
Gilas just nodded as he stared out the observation window, watching the bots repairing the Atlantis' hull.
{Go a head.} Jon said.
{Sir, you're needed to the docking platform where the Titan is docked. You had better take Commander Gilas with you.} Bill said.
{What's wrong? We're in the middle of a conversation.} Jon said.
{Well, it appears some big wig from the Titan is demanding entry into the station. Marc has taken twelve security personnel and is in route there. The two techs working on the Titan were the ones who reported the problem. They left as soon as it started.} Bill said.
{Great, just fucking great. Ok, we're on our way. Lock down the platform control station.} Jon said.
{Yes sir.} Bill said.
{Marc.} Jon said.
{We're on our way sir.} Marc said.
{Ok, secure the area. Don't take any aggressive act unless absolutely necessary. Try to just keep them where they are politely. We should be there shortly.} Jon said.
{Yes sir, understood. We'll be there in about twenty seconds.} Marc said.
{Be careful, their weapons and armor are a bit more advanced than ours. Jon out.} Jon said.
"Gilas someone from you ship is demanding entry in to the station," Jon said.
That snapped Gilas out of his awe as he paled, "Oh no."
"Come on we'll talk on the way there," Jon said.