Allison woke up to a call coming into her holo-phone. It was from her flagship. She rolled over on her back and accepted it with audio only.
“Hello, what’s up?”
The woman who was calling her was wearing a Yeoman’s rank and uniform. She was likely in her early twenties and fresh out of the academy. She wasn’t unattractive but she was wearing glasses, oddly enough.
“Ma’am, the president is waiting for you on secure comms.”
Allison grumbled and pushed herself up. She summoned Bit.
“I’m on my way.”
Allison pulled on her uniform which was distinct from the System’s Alliance and League uniforms. She had selected a more classic human uniform before she’d been pulled fifteen billion light years away from home. They looked like something akin to the uniforms from an old anime she’d seen called Macross. She hadn’t done it on purpose. Hers also had a skirt because she had grown accustomed to dresses and skirts while living on Qual’sa. It was white with blue and gold trim. It was more decorative than she would have preferred because of the League flair. She pulled her hair into a quick bun to avoid looking like she just got out of bed. Bit was waiting for her in the driveway. She hopped in and lifted off.
Allison landed on her ship in one of the side shuttle bays that had recently been repaired. League technicians had worked around the clock to set up a command and control center for the Sal’nash rapid response fleets in a disused bay on the ship. It wasn’t pretty there were wires running everywhere. But she had a viewscreen and holographic table she could use to display anything she might want. Her ship was fully crewed by various league species and a couple of hand selected System’s Alliance techs, one of which was from Sauroid prime. He was a darksider, his name was R’sslv. Which was pronounced Russlev. He did a League salute when she appeared.
“Ma’am, the President is waiting for you in the SCIF.”
She nodded and headed into the side room which would have been a storage room previously had been turned into a SCIF. The SCIF which stood for sensitive compartmented information facility was equipped with an encrypted hyperwave that allowed communication with the encrypted System’s Alliance wormhole comm network and League encrypted network was where Allison and her staff could discuss sensitive information. Maria was already on the holo-display. The door shut behind Allison who then spoke.
“Computer, engage secure comms protocol.”
The lights on the walls shifted to green, indicating the room was secure. Maria smiled at Allison.
“You look like you got sleep.”
Allison shrugged.
“Didn’t feel like enough. Sorry Auntie Maria, I slept through my alarm.”
Maria made a dismissive motion with her hand.
“Do not worry about it. What I am more concerned about is how you have secured the tesseract.”
Allison blushed.
“Uh, it’s under my seat in Bit, it appears to be that if anyone else touches it they… don’t survive.”
Maria frowned.
“Let’s just put it in a stasis field somewhere secure, okay? Your Aurelius corp vault should work. I’ve given your ship clearance for Earth transit. Have you decided on a name yet?”
Allison bit her lower lip.
“Honestly it hasn’t even occurred to me to think about it, sorry. How about the Phoenix since it basically came back from the dead?”
Maria nodded.
“Appropriate. Now onto your briefing.”
Maria swept her hand upwards, and her image was replaced by a holographic representation of the Andromeda Galaxy with three systems flashing, then images of a small organic ship and limited specifications.
“While you were away there were Sal’nash incursions in three League systems on their border. A new type of ship we haven’t seen, they appear to be scout vessels. They left the systems before we could respond. We only have limited images and data. There was one attack, no one was hurt, just some ancient, automated defenses that were damaged. It was a dead world, previously an Echie colony that was already wiped clean by the Sal’nash. The League is trying to reintroduce a species of plant the Echie require that is very hard to cultivate anywhere else. There was a BMC ship in orbit because they were partnering with the League. There was a League ship as well. Neither ship was attacked. The hive seemed to match the images we have of the one that survived your antimatter bomb detonation.”
Allison nodded.
“Did the automated defenses attack the hive?”
Maria nodded.
“Yes.”
Allison tapped her chin.
“The Hive is obviously trying to avoid a direct conflict. It is likely because it is so damaged. I wonder where all the ships… Yellowstone it appeared, woke up the Queen in the super-hive and left before we could engage it fully. It also managed to communicate before it arrived, so the colonies’ defenses were unable to attack it. Likely they are gathering forces. When I showed up, they went after me directly. So, when I did the broadcast from the medical station, they saw it and attacked, probably before they wanted to. They were checking the ears on Yellowstone colony. Are they searching for Aryna? If so, why? The attack on the medical station and Ratoa were different, almost designed to lure me or hunt me down. I wonder what changed?”
Maria’s image reappeared and she nodded.
“That is what our analysts concluded as well. I don’t think you should be in a fighter cockpit for the rest of this war. At least in a battle. They know what Bit looks like, and they are hunting you down, almost like they know what a Battlelord is and that you’re a threat to them. Enid used to say you can measure the threat you pose by how desperate people are to kill you.”
Allison sighed; Her aunt was right. As much as she loved flying her fighter. Maria spoke again.
“Has your team come up with anything to track the Sal’nash yet?”
Allison shook her head.
“No, sorry, I’ve been absent, and I am most familiar with the data. I’ll be spending the weekend working with them.”
Maria folded her hands behind her back.
“Now, we need to discuss the people you’ve brought back. Allison, first of all, I need to say this, I am proud of you for performing so well under so much stress. You saved a lot of lives. I am upset that you didn’t return immediately as I requested. You put a lot more lives in jeopardy by not returning. Anyone of these Sal’nash incursions could have been an attack. You have pilots to train. That being said, the commanding officers of those ships had nothing but good things to say about you. Even the Commonwealth leaders spoke highly of you. Your actions have given us contact with two new galactic powers on the other end of the universe. Just please, consider that ten thousand lives are not worth ten trillion. You’re young, you made the choice you thought was right it is the best we can do in any circumstance.”
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Allison blushed and nodded. Maria continued.
“In fact, the Commonwealth has asked to borrow you for a week as part of a technology exchange. I have agreed to it. The Wendigo will sub in for the Arc Royal in the rapid response fleet. Your Fleet XO will take command of the fleet, and you will take the Arc Royal, Vantus and the Phoenix through a wormhole to their galaxy and report to their home world. You will use the Qual’sa fold drive on your ship to transit there then the Arc Royal will wormhole you back. You will be delivering a League hyperdrive and antimatter containment unit to them, with a League FTL engineer. In exchange they will be providing your ships with matter transmitter technology, along with a technician to train ours in their use. You’ll be on Earth overnight so we can offload some League and Synthlin tech and load the package for the Commonwealth, along with some of our tech for the League. Also, I’ve cleared my schedule for this evening so you, me, Eyre, and Helen can have dinner.”
Allison bit her lower lip. She wanted to see if Tyler would go on a makeup date with her tonight since she’d treated him so badly recently.
“Umm, Auntie Maria, is it alright if… I bring a date?”
Maria raised an eyebrow.
“I suppose it will be fine, and it is your ship. Oh, please pickup Olga and Helen on your way back to your ship.”
Allison did a small cheer then had a thought. It was random, but she might be able to make it work.
“Alright, see you soon, Auntie Maria.”
She ended the communication and left the room. She approached her ship’s XO.
“R’sslv, please go to the bridge and prepare the ship for departure. We’re going to Earth.”
He nodded.
“Aye ma’am.”
Allison leaned down and opened a channel to the Arc Royal, specifically to its wing commander. Commander Holiday appeared.
“Welcome back, Battlelord. How can I help you, ma’am?”
Allison smiled.
“I’ll need two shuttles, five League fighters, one Athena with drone wing, along with weapon resupply for them. I’ll need pilots for the shuttles and five of the fighters, I’ll be flying the last Athena. I’ll need one shuttle asap and the rest when I return from Earth. Also, I’ll need you and the other instructors to continue covering for me, I’m going to be gone for a week. I’ll be leaving Bit with you to help with the training. Oh and, uh, get your kit together you’ll be on base on Eden, or on the Wendigo for the duration. You’re still in charge of all fighter operations for the fleet.”
Commander Holiday nodded.
“Aye Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Commander, umm, so how is the pilot selection going?”
Commander Holiday frowned.
“We’re still having a lot of personality clashes with the AI’s. I am glad you’re leaving Bit behind to help. I know you’re aiming for half LSR, half SA but our pilots are… control freaks. They aren’t trusting the AI’s. The LSR pilots are doing much better, I don’t know if it’s because you’re the Battlelord and they’re trying to impress you or if they just lack the ego of our pilots.”
Allison sighed.
“I was afraid of that. Well keep trying. We have time, my analysis and apparently the President’s analyst’s analysis say we have time. Or there is no way I would be taking three ships from the fleet fifteen billion light years away.”
Allison heard her name on the ship’s broadcast system.
“Battlelord Wanjala, report to the SCIF, the Grand Eminence is requesting your presence.”
Allison sighed again.
“Good luck, Commander.”
She ended the communications and went into the SCIF. The Grand Eminence, Ember, Allie and Ruby appeared. Ruby was apparently doing the talking.
“Allison, you look tired from your ordeal.”
Allison relaxed; It appeared this was more a social call than a formal call she wiggled her fingers at Allie who wiggled her fingers back and giggled. Ember waved to Allison as well.
“Yes. It is nice to see everyone.”
Ruby smiled.
“Ah, excellent. We’re calling to schedule Allie’s hatching. Of course there will be no egg, but the ceremony is still important. When are you finished school?”
“Umm, on our calendar July fifth. So uh, fifty of your days?”
Ruby’s wings perked up.
“So soon. I pray we find an end to the Sal’nash war by then so you can start your internship with the council. So, if we were to schedule this for July eighth you could come?”
Allison nodded.
“Yes.”
Ruby looked at her brother and his wife.
“Is that good for you?”
They nodded.
“Excellent. Now on to the business at hand.”
Ember waved and helped Allie wave before leaving the room. Ruby looked at the Grand Eminence.
“Proceed, brother.”
He nodded.
“Battlelord, I wanted to brief you on your mission to the Commonwealth. I understand the president has already spoke to you. It is imperative while you are there that you acquire star charts for their galaxy along with any technology, they are willing to share. Specifically, their warp drive.”
“Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”
Ruby spoke up now.
“Allison, I am authorizing you to open up diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth and any other organizations there. We have an ambassador on the way on one of your ships, she will be our representative there on a permanent basis. Please make the introductions for us.”
Allison raised an eyebrow.
“Ruby, they’ll be fifteen billion light years away from home with no way back except for SA ships.”
Ruby’s wings perked up.
“It is fine. They are aware.”
“Alright, I am on my way to Earth, I’ll make sure we pick them up before we leave for Andromeda-1 for our transit to their galaxy.”
Ruby bowed her head slightly.
“We are all looking forward to seeing you in person for the hatching day. Safe journeys to you.”
They ended the hyperwave. Allison walked out into command and control. R’sslv appeared on her AR HUD.
“Battlelord, the shuttle you requested has arrived, it is in the port hangar.”
Allison made her way to the starboard hanger first. She looked up at Bit.
“Hey Bit, head back to the surface please, Commander Holiday will fill you in on what she needs from you. Apparently, the AI’s are being difficult.”
Bit spoke there was curiosity in her voice.
“And where will you be going?”
“Earth, then back to the Commonwealth. We really need to give that galaxy a name. Anyway, I’ll be gone for a week, but we need to get our pilots selected and trained while we can. You’re going to be instrumental in breaking the AI’s and pilots in. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. I wish I was going with you, who knows what trouble you’ll cause without me to keep you in line.”
Allison stuck out her tongue.
“I’ll actually be able to have fun! See you in a week Bit.”
Bit lifted off and backed out of the hanger. Allison waved to her before heading to her shuttle. She was getting ready to fly it but then realized there were a pilot and copilot already, she didn’t recognize either. She pouted briefly before leaning into the cockpit.
“Let’s go, I’ll send the coordinates.”
She swept the coordinates to the pilot who looked at them.
“This isn’t the base, or star port. Is that a road?”
Allison raised an eyebrow.
“Yes. You can land there, can’t you? If not, I can do it.”
The pilot who looked to be about twenty-six rubbed the back of his head after looking her up and down.
“I can but… isn’t it against regs?”
Allison frowned.
“Only if I didn’t have blanket authorization to ignore them. I’m giving you a direct order, land there.”
The pilot looked at the copilot who was a similar age and shrugged before launching. Allison sat down and strapped herself in and opened a connection to her dad, he answered.
“Allison, I just heard. Are you alright to go? You already missed so much school.”
Allison shrugged.
“Bit has the lessons I missed and ran them for me while I was there. I’ll ask the headmistress to forward this week’s class lessons to me before I leave and self-study, its fine. Can you… umm handle mom?”
Her father sighed.
“Fine but you owe me one.”
Allison grinned.
“Thanks dad! See you in a week!”
He waved before disconnecting. She leaned back in her seat and opened a comm to space control.
“This is Battlelord Wanjala, I am on a tight timeline so I’m landing a shuttle on 12<sup>th</sup> Street and 12<sup>th</sup> Avenue.”
She got a confirmation. She then sent a message to Helen to meet her there. Once the shuttle touched down she walked two houses down and to the front door, then rang the doorbell. Tyler’s mother answered the door and did a doubletake when she saw the military shuttle.
“Mrs. Grant, can Tyler come with me to Earth? My aunt, President Maria Aurelius has invited him to dinner.”
Tyler’s mother blinked in disbelief.
“The president?”
Allison nodded.
“Yes, we were supposed to go on a date but… well I have new orders, so I was hoping this would make up for missing it again.”
Mrs. Grant looked back at an excited Tyler then at Allison.
“I suppose it is alright.”
Allison hugged Tyler as soon as he got nearby the pair headed to the shuttle.