New Neighbors

Chapter 11

The trip to the Alpha system took a little longer than expected because some of the ships were old and kept having problems. Ted had told every ship to hold position as soon as they entered the system so they would not be fired up on. One of the ships didn't stop. Ted was hailing the system immediately, and only his IFF signal kept the ship from being destroyed by the cloaked perimeter drones. Ted's hail was acknowledged by Turrini, who de-cloaked right in front of the errant ship. Turrini's ship caused much excitement as it still bore the PDF markings. Ted told all the ships to follow Turrini so as to avoid any further problems and that all would be explained when they arrived at the planet. Turrini guided the convoy through the perimeter and then told them to home in on the planet beacon. Finished with his escort, Turrini returned to his patrol duties, after telling Ted he would see him later that night on the planet.

As they approached the planet the refugees were again surprised when a squadron of fighters de-cloaked and escorted them in to orbit. As soon as he had his ship in orbit, Ted went to the surface to talk with Kate and Jones and to explain what was going on with the ships. After greeting Kate and Jones, Ted went to each of the ships and explained their options: 1) become colonists here in the Alpha system, 2) continue on to Sol system and join the forces there, 3) be escorted out of the system and turned loose on their own. The same question arose on each vessel, "What are the advantages of the first two options?". Ted explained that if they stayed here in the Alpha system then as soon as the planet was stable they could form their own community; while if they went to Sol they would be expected to join the community there and to aid in the defense of the system. Either way, they would become members of a section of the Protectorate as free men and women. Nothing would ever be said about their past deeds, unless they made mistakes and reverted to their old ways. Ted also explained that for the time being Lucas would be considered as their leader. He would report to Kate and Jones who were the system commanders. Also, the ships would eventually be repaired and upgraded as time and materials permitted. Most of the refugees elected to stay in the Alpha system.

That night Ted, Kate, Jones, Turrini, Lucas, and Toddus had dinner together onboard Ted's ship and got acquainted with each other. Jones told everyone that the space yard would be completed in about two months and repairs could start then. Kate explained that at the present time there were not any schools set up but that would be taken care of soon. Turrini and Lucas talked about their encounters with each other and laughed at some of the experiences. Ted told Kate and Jones he would remain here for a couple of weeks to help get everyone settled. As the meal ended Ted said he had one last announcement, he stood, asked Toddus to come forward, and then told everyone that Toddus had been promoted to the rank of captain effective immediately. Everyone clapped at this announcement, except Toddus. Toddus just stood there with his mouth open until Kate came up to him and told him to close his mouth before it filled with flies.

The next morning Ted held a meeting with all of the ship captains and Lucas. Ted once again told everyone that Toddus had been promoted to captain. Then he instructed the captains to make a list of the repairs needed to their ships and to make sure the most important was on top. he went on to explain that all of the ships would be put to work as soon as they were ready. Be it hauling ore from one of the planets, doing patrols of the system, or providing temporary housing for the people until quarters were available on the planet. Some of the men would be helping with animal control, some would be miners or lumbermen, some would be assigned to help with the construction and repairs needed. Ted explained that it was the duty of each captain to pass this information on to his passengers and to get volunteers for the different jobs. The Marines were the ones responsible for security and would handle any problems in that area. One of the captains started to object to Ted's giving orders but Lucas told him that he could always leave, but his ship stayed.

"I have seen what these people are capable of doing, and you have all seen the size of this ship and the others. Besides being large, the power at their command is awesome. How would you fight something you can't see while dodging missiles that just appear as they hit you? Cmdr Smith did not have to come get you, he did it because Captain Toddus and I asked. These are good people. We have had it hard for a long time, and we know how to survive. But think how much easier it will be once this planet is tamed. Now I have seen their main base and the rest of their forces. Believe me you do not want this man upset with you. And do not under any circumstance upset Captain Jones. If you make him mad he can be worse than Blythe ever thought about. But he can also be as gentle as a mother taking care of her baby. Now everyone was given the same choices, you can still change your mind. But any who leave will be considered an enemy by me. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" Lucas exclaimed.

There was not a sound as the echo of Lucas' statement died. The captain who had started this quickly apologized. Ted just looked at Lucas, his respect for the man grew. There weren't any more problems, quite a few questions but no problems. After everyone else had left Toddus came to Ted and asked if he could be put on system patrol, after he unloaded his passengers. Ted told him to talk with Jones, but to get the correct rank insignia on first. Toddus explained that he had not told his crew about the promotion yet. Ted told him to have his ship's company in the landing bay in two hours and he would take care of that matter. Two hours later on Toddus' ship Ted pinned Captain's insignia on Toddus in front of his crew. Afterwards the whole crew cheered Toddus' promotion.

The two weeks pasted quickly as all of those staying were settled in to their new homes and duties. Ted had asked one of the captains to help ferry the ones going to Sol, they would leave the next day. Ted once again was hosting Jones, Kate, and Turrini to dinner aboard his ship when the meal was interrupted by a message from Toddus. The message said that a PDF ship had just dropped out of hyper space and was refusing to stand-to when requested. The ship had fired on Toddus' ship. Everyone left to their own ships and Ted set course for Toddus, followed by Jones and Turrini. When Ted got closer to Toddus he could see the PDF ship firing randomly trying to hit Toddus, who had cloaked. Ted hailed the ship and asked if he wanted to quit firing or be fired upon? The captain replied that he would not take any threats from an unknown ship. The captain changed his mind when 10 fighters appeared around him and he got a good look at the size of Ted's ship. Then Jones and Turrini de-cloaked and Turrini hailed the PDF ship. By the time Turrini finished yelling, the PDF ship had backed down and it's captain was apologizing to Turrini. Turrini told the captain to come aboard Ted's ship and to be prepared to explain why he had fired on another PDF ship.

Once Captain Mallows arrived onboard he was meet by Ted, Jones, and a very upset Turrini. It seems that the two knew each other, Mallows and Turrini. After a bit of down dressing towards Mallows, Turrini gave him a hug and welcomed him to the Alpha system and introduced him to the rest. Mallows explained that he had tracked a group of ships towards this system and had been in an ongoing battle for the past week. When he dropped out of hyper space the first thing that he saw was a single ship which hailed him and told him to heave-to or be fired on. Mallows had opened fire first. Ted just laughed and asked Mallows if he thought he could defeat the ship when he could not see or detect it? Mallows said that a cloaked ship could not fire, so he had a good chance. Ted invited Mallows, Jones, and Turrini to join him in his shuttle. After they had lifted off, Ted had Toddus to de-cloak and take them aboard. The four of them met with Toddus and Ted asked Toddus to cloak after they left and to target an asteroid and give the asteroid a full salvo so that Mallows could see what he was up against. Mallows was devastated when the asteroid was destroyed by Toddus, while cloaked. After returning to Ted's ship, and getting a stiff drink,  Mallows started apologizing again. Mallows told them that the last he heard Turrini was in the Sol system.

"I still can't believe it, a ship that can fire while cloaked. And the fire power he has. What would have happened if I had fired on your ship Captain Smith?" Mallows asked.

"I would have had to pick up the pieces to clear the shipping lane of what was left of your ship." Ted replied.

"What type ship is this anyway" Mallows asked.

Ted explained that it was a hybrid, a cross between a battleship and a carrier. Jones, as system commander, offered the hospitality of the planet to Mallows and his crew. Mallows said he really needed to try and get back to a repair facility. Jones just chuckled and said the closest one was at the planet. Mallows accepted the offer.

Ted and the ship load of refugees left the next morning as planned. Mallows would be ready to leave in a few days and his crew was enjoying the unexpected R&R of the planet. Though Ted learned later that there were a few injuries when some of the crew didn't pay attention to the warnings about the local wildlife and disturbed one of the large lizards guarding her nest.

Once Ted and the refugee ship arrived back at Sol system, they went straight to the base on Mars to unload the refugees and for Ted to report to Amy about his mission. When Ted told Amy about the PDF ship she said that she would get that resolved. They did not need more problems from the PDF. Amy told Ted about the Iberians. The ship that had accompanied Ted was put in for repairs and upgrades, which included a completely loyal AI that could not be disconnected without disabling the ship and a new communication system that Jake and John said would have almost instant contact with the Mars base - they hoped. The ship left after two weeks to return to the Alpha system and if the new communication system worked to upgrade the systems in Alpha.