Escape to Earth-Living Legends (28 page)

Michael was shaking his head, “But you couldn’t see the light from this planet? And you were inside a building that had to be blocking it.”

Amanda smiled, “Once you activate the drive, the ship it surrounds leaves on any light wave as it searches for the light with the proper frequency.”

Trevor nodded as he took Amanda under his arm, “And since all matter is still in touch with each other, the search takes no time at all.”

“But…there are galaxies more than ten billion light years away.”

“And we still see that light with our space telescopes. That light is here and everywhere else around that galaxy. We travel that light to the matter that reflected it or sent it out into the universe. You and Jan were also right that space, for all intents and purposes, does not exist when you want to travel to anything made of matter.”

Michael stared out of the viewport and shook his head, “How long will it take you to return to where you started?” In an instant, Michael saw the interior of the giant hanger outside the viewport. He shook his head and looked at them, “This is…is…I don’t have the words.”

Nudge smiled, “We’re still in the discovery phase of this drive but we’re working on making it usable by our ships. That’s going to take some extremely delicate maneuvering to keep the ship far enough away from the object it’s traveling toward without a collision.”

“How will you do that in a space battle?”

Amanda looked at the display and said, “Where are space battles fought?”

Michael shrugged, “Mostly in normal space.”

“And every object in normal space is reflecting light even if the light isn’t much more than a wave. The light waves traveling through space from distant galaxies, nebulas, stars, or anything else that gives off light will be hitting any ship in normal space as they pass. We can detect the light that reflects off an enemy ship and lock it in our sensor library.”

Michael nodded, “So, the pilot can then use this new drive to move in on that target?”

Amanda nodded, “However, we’re not at the point where we have the control to do that. Yet.”

“Even if you don’t get there, this is more than we could hope for, Amanda. Our ships have a way to escape if they’re being overwhelmed by the Legends’ disruptors.”

“They can instantly return to the place they launched their attack.”

• • •

Michael smiled at the memory and the fine control that was required was eventually developed and the drive was now installed in every new ship that came off the assembly lines. All of the older ships were being modified and most of them were done.

The first ship to have the new Light Drive installed was his. Angelo and Langley were amazed and Jan was overwhelmed at what the new drive could do. Jay and Josey got the second drive and Josey hugged her husband at what he had helped accomplish. She and Budge were married a year after he and Jan tied the knot.

Michael thought about his wedding and smiled. It was originally planned to take place in a small church that had been built in the ruins of Boston. The city was coming back but the engineers insisted that they be allowed to build a small church at the site of the old North Church. Lukas and Salud cried at their choice and Chris told him that they couldn’t have chosen a better place for the ceremony. However, things got out of hand quickly. The ones asking to attend from around the Alliance quickly overwhelmed any capacity of the small church. It was finally decided that only Michael and Jan’s immediate families along with the Rulers of the galaxies that were members in the Alliance would be allowed inside to directly witness the ceremony. Jan refused to move it to a larger venue and Michael supported her in the decision. However, that didn’t prevent anyone else that wanted to be present from showing up and watching it on giant monitors outside. Things almost came unhinged when Allison insisted the surviving members of the family that took her from Earth to Eden be included. Lukas defused the situation when he pointed out that without their actions, half of Michael’s family wouldn’t exist. The whole thing blew over like a small speed bump and the ceremony went off as planned.

Michael leaned back in his chair and thought about how a man’s new bride at his wedding is always the most beautiful image he’ll ever see. He knew Jan was beautiful but that day, she took his breath away. It was all he could do to say his lines and not mess them up. He still held that memory etched into his mind in a way he’d never forget. Their daughter, who was born eighteen months later had her mother’s beauty. Their son looked like him and his grandfather. Lukas and Stoney doted over him constantly.

Everyone was present. Jinks and Sarah got in due to his former Rank. Salud and Lukas along with Eve and her family were present. Budge got in because Michael insisted that wherever he went, his bodyguards went with him. Josey insisted on an escort and since Jay insisted on going alone, it was allowed. Stoney had to hold Kathy the entire ceremony as she cried the entire time. The thousands that skipped in to be present covered an immense area around the Church and more monitors were hastily brought in at the last minute.

But for Michael, there was only Jan.

• • •

Michael thought about his father. He was hiding something. He confronted him about it and remembered the conversation.

“What are you hiding, Dad.”

“What makes you think I am?”

“You won’t take off that thought blocker.”

“Oh, so you want to violate my privacy.”

“No, it’s just…you wouldn’t wear it unless there was a reason. I know you’re not telling me something.”

Chris stared at his son and sighed, “How much do I love you?”

“I know how much you love me, don’t question me on that!”

“Then if I were hiding something, do you not trust that I’d be doing it because of that love?”

He remembered staring at his father for a very long moment and Chris didn’t break eye contact. “Is it that important?”

“It is.”

Michael nodded and shook his head slightly, “If there comes a time where you can tell me, will you?”

“You can count on it son.”

“Then I’m not going to press you, or Allison, about this.”

“Thank you, Michael.”

• • •

Michael kept his promise. But he knew Averel knew what it was. She had a block in her mind and that wasn’t like her. He didn’t promise not to pressure her but he might as well have been trying to stop a tsunami as to get it out of her. She finally told him to get his father’s permission and she’d tell him. That put an end to that. He still had nagging doubts about what it was. He sighed and put it aside. The Monster Warships were arriving in the Pandora Cluster and it was time to move forward. The final confrontation was going to commence and he turned his thoughts on how to fight the war. He looked up and saw Jan walk in. He smiled and stood to greet her, “Keep your seat!” Michael was surprised at her tone. They never argued and this wasn’t like her. He slowly sat down and Jan walked forward and put both hands on his desk and leaned in, “So! I hear you’ve started interviewing candidates to fly with you!”

Michael’s expression showed his discomfort as he thought, “Uh oh.” He was silent for a moment as she leaned in closer. Michael moved one shoulder and said, “I thought you would want to stay with the children?”

“You can stay and I’ll take the ship out.”

“Now you know that’s not possible; I’m commanding the attack.”

“You can do it remotely from home.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Neither is you going without me!”

“Jan, if this doesn’t turn out well…”

“Then our children will be raised by the most loving grandparents on the planet and they will not be less for it. Where thou go, I will follow. Or do your vows mean so little to you.”

“I wondered why you had that one added.”

Jan tried to remain angry but she smiled mischievously, “That was good planning, wasn’t it?” Her frown returned, “You will not go without me!”

“Ok.”

Jan stared at him and her head went back. “That simple, huh?” Michael shrugged. “So you don’t care if I’m put in danger?!”

“Jan, we’ve never argued in the past and you must know I don’t like the possibility of our children losing both parents or I wouldn’t have considered going with another pilot. However, I know you and, now that I understand that insertion in our vows, there’s no sense in arguing. You knew this moment would come and you planned accordingly.”

Jan smiled, leaned forward quickly and kissed him, “I did.”

“Well sit down and let’s discuss how we go about winning this thing.”

Jan came around the huge desk and sat on his lap. Michael shook his head, “How am I supposed to work the controls.”

“I’ll do it. What do you want to look at first?”

Michael laughed and said, “Let’s look at what assets we have to use against them.”

Jan pressed the controls and the huge screen showed the fleets each galaxy had along with the ship types in each. Jan turned and kissed Michael before looking at the monitor. Michael looked at the back of her head and said, “I want to see what we believe the Legends have to use against us.” Jan changed the screen, turned and kissed him again. “Now show me the defenses around our main planets.”

Jan reached for the controls and stopped. She turned and saw Michael smiling, “You haven’t had time to look at this one.” Michael continued smiling and Jan sighed, “Maybe I should sit in another chair.” Michael wrapped her up in his arms and spun the chair. They got back to the monitor later.

• • •

The Legend looked at the telepath on his display and decided that he just didn’t like it. He knew the being could hear his thoughts but didn’t care. “You shouldn’t worry about liking my species; no one does.”

“Other than your own.”

The purple colored telepath laughed, “No, we don’t even like each other either but we know necessity forces us to work together.”

“Then how does your species ever procreate?”

“Raging hormones will make one do things they would never do otherwise.”

“I imagine that process would be interesting.”

“You have no idea. No one walks away without an injury.”

The Legend felt his disgust and looked away from the screen, “Why have you contacted me?”

“I’ve been asked by my leaders to inquire how much longer you’re going to delay your invasion.”

“You know we’re been building up our fleets to take on the enemy.”

“You can do that for the rest of eternity. At what point do you think you’ll be ready? Your fleets are almost more than you can support now. Do you plan to overwhelm your ability to provide them resources? How many is too many?”

“What are you insinuating?”

“You passed the point of being ready two years ago. Now you’re working to collapse your capability to feed your ships.”

“Why are you telling me this? I’m just one of many.”

“You’re the Senior Elder. I think all the others are waiting for you to make the decision.”

The Legend knew it was right. It remembered the Legend that went insane and his fear of that happening to him still held a high level of fear. “That won’t happen to you. You have enough warships to defend you. The other one didn’t.”

“I will not send my ships away and be left undefended.”

“Go with them and stay out of the battle. It’s time to make your move.”

“And you’re certain none of my tools will turn on me once I’m away from my planet?”

“My kind will kill any of them that even think about rebellion the moment the idea enters their mind. I can continue to bring more of my species in to command your largest warships but I don’t know how many of your tools you want to die to feed us. The daily toll now is quite high.”

The Legend felt disgust again but knew bargains with a demon carried a price. “I’ll notify the others to start provisioning their ships and be prepared to launch within twenty days.”

“Thank you, Great One.”

“You don’t mean it!”

“What?”

“Calling me ‘Great One.”

“Of course I do. I await your instructions.” The Legend wished he could see into that creatures mind but he didn’t have to do it to know it had just lied.

• • •

Hengel sat in his scout hiding behind a dark matter cloud and saw his computer logging the light reflecting out of the giant galaxy he was hanging above. He saw a message appearing on his monitor. He looked at the thoughts the young female scout intercepted and smiled, “Good work, Angalee.” He pressed a button on his panel and instantly appeared above Earth, “Michael.”

“Yes, Hengel.”

“They Legends are starting to form their fleets up to invade.”

“Do you know where they’re going?”

“Not yet. I should have that information by tomorrow.”

“Thanks, I’m issuing a war warning immediately. I need that information before I can make final plans.”

“You aren’t going to meet them in their cluster?”

“I may but I prefer to catch them away from their planets if I can make it happen.”

“I’ll go back and see if I can get you that piece of information.”

“Thanks, Hengel. By the way, I really miss Averel.”

“Our child is more than anyone else can handle. She’s forced to stay with him until he matures a little.”

“I know you’re proud of him.”

“I am but he can be a real pill to deal with. See you later.”

Michael shook his head. The Goran High Leader had told him that Goran children were never as problematic as Hengel and Averel’s baby. He wondered why but had too much to do to get ready for what was coming to really give time to think about it.

Hensel smiled. He wasn’t that bad. “Hensel! Stay out of the Commander’s mind!”

“Yes, Mother! You might want to contact him and tell him that the Legends are going to M-87.”

Averel sighed and knew that her baby was the payback for all of her previous sins. She looked at her seven year old, “Are you sure about that?”

“I am, Mother.”

“And you weren’t seen?”

“No, Mother.”

Averel blew out a breath and lifted her wrist unit. Michael always wore a thought blocker these days. Michael appeared and Averel said, “The Legends are going to M-87.” Michael’s eyes went wide and Averel said, “Contact Hengel and tell him Hensel saw it.”