With the arrival of the Baceten, and the ring system shut
down, the Pacific Free Zone controlled the shipyard and the launch facilities.
Toll watched as the teams in the landing bay secured the cable cargo launcher
and engine on the deck. The system was designed to transport cargo or
passengers between ships that were unable to dock together. The launcher fired
the second half of the cargo cable system at the closest command and control
ship. The second command and control ship sidled up to the far side of the
first ship and successfully docked.
The second half of the cargo cable system, attached magnetically to the command and control ship. Not three feet away from the cable mount, there was an airlock door. It slid open and twelve crew members in space suits floated over to the cargo cable mouth, floated down the cable to an latch for their secure transport harness hooks and clipped themselves on. With all twelve of them hooked in the primary part of the cargo cable system back on the landing bay dock fired up its engine and cycled the cable bringing its passengers into the docking bay.
Toll drifted next to Sharea’s ship. Toll had been watching
the transport process. He looked over and realized that Sharea was staring
blankly at her console. “I know it’s gonna be impossible to take this advice.”
He started. “But try not to beat yourself up too much. The fact that any of us
survived is a miracle.”
“I – I made a bad turn.” She didn’t look up from her
console. “Right into an advancing strike team.” She was talking to herself more
than Toll. “Preach, He –“
“Peach did what he felt he needed to do.” Toll interrupted.
She looked at him from across the gap, and nodded unsteady.
A system wide open channel appeared in Toll’s communications
list. “For immediate release.” Conner's voice came across the channel loud and
clear. “The Pacific Free Zone and the Baceten are now a United Corporation. All
existing contract obligations will be kept. The actions taken today in Mars
orbit are claimed by this corporation.” The message ended and the signal went
dark.
The last of the crew had finished their trips and the far
side fo the cargo cable was detached from the Command and Control ship, pulled
back to the landing back and hooked to its primary half.
A smaller Baceten ship approached Toll and Sharea. The ship
opened a channel. “Commanders the C&C ships and the Baceten fleet are ready
to depart for the PFZ. Commander Toll, you are overdue on the battleship.
Commander Sharea, if you would take command of the return fleet, we can get
under way.”
Sharea was lost. “I’m not a commander, I’m going with the
battleship.” She clarified. Looking in Toll’s direction and seeing him shake
his head.
“Sorry kid, Preach made it known that if he didn’t survive this
fight. You would be promoted and assume his rank within the Baceten wing of the
Co-op. That means you get to stay here, and help keep the peace along with
Ophelia, Arthur, and Third. Plus you have an entirely new air force to train.”
Sharea was shell shocked. “Toll I –“
Toll shook his head, “Don’t worry about it. I out rank you no
matter what the co-op says and part of your promotion to my second was that I
reserved the right to run for both of us.” He smiled. “Stay here and be the
legendary hero for both of us.” He moved for the landing bay.
“Toll” Sharea stopped him. He flipped around to gain line of
sight on her. “It doesn’t count as running away if you're following the people you
need to protect.” She stated. Toll nodded and spun his ship back around and
landed on the crowded deck.
A few minutes later the battleship closed the landing bay
and weapon hatches. Then two compartments on either side of the battle ship opened.
They were spherical like slip gates but there was a funnel that led into the
first gate and a funnel on both sides. The funnel lit up a line of lights that
went from the center of the funnel out to the edge. The line of lights began to
spin, rotating faster with each cycle. For three seconds the battleship picked
up speed until, with a small flash of light it was gone.
Sharea and the rest of the return fleet built up to maximum
speeds and prepared for the long journey back to Earth.
Far across the stars, back in orbit around Rusty and Toll’s
home planet. A massive caravan of human and alien ships had amassed at the slip
steam gate.
The planet behind them was being slowly enveloped by something
that was not a shadow but also not a physical mass.
The lead ship in the caravan was a massive cargo hauler. On
the Bridge the crew was standing around uselessly while Mew kicked the ancient
Ring command system. The captain sat forward in his chair and turned to look at
Mew.
“What’s taking so long?” He demanded.
Mew kicked the computer a final time. “It was there! It was
revving up but then the entire system went down, it’s like, someone pulled the
plug.”
The captain got out of his chair. “What does that mean Mew?”
he asked trying to stay calm.
She sat down hard. “It means we’re stuck here until the
Galaticseeds can grow their hybrid Startree and get us out of here.”
The Captain returned to his chair. “Helmsman. Open a wide
band channel. Let everyone know. We’ve got a tree do defend. We don’t have to
win our planet back, we just have to not lose it for another six months.
The cargo hauler turned away from the ring and headed back
for the planet. One by one the caravan turned to follow.
