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After the third fighter, the saucer’s shielding failed, evidenced the disappearing energy arch of protection. Then, as the third fighter broke off, the pilot in the next fighter depressed his firing trigger, sending a barrage of rail-shot into the saucer ship. The Eridonian ship blew apart with a brilliant flash.
Major Rollins lead the squadron of fighters to their next target as the pilots shouted over the comm link, their victory, “Alright! Knock it off and keep this channel clear! Follow my wing to the next target!”
The lead pilot quickly targeted the next Eridonian saucer on the outer perimeter from the main fleet. He looked across at the Agamemnon’s exploding rounds, ensuring he continued to fly outside their firing solution.
With each detonation from the Aga’s point defense guns, shrapnel flew outward, creating a deadly kill zone that, not even the Eridonian’s could counter.
Admiral Gilmore stood in his auto-restraint system at the CSC pit, examining the table charts displaying the current battle.
“We took another saucer out!” Lieutenant Small reported.
“Excellent work, everyone!” Gilmore praised, “Fire on those ships in front!”
Missiles flew from the Agamemnon, rocketing toward the Eridonian fleet as the eight squadrons of ten fighters continued hammering their shields. Just as the saucer shielding vaporized, the missiles hit their target. Then, another saucer illuminated the surrounding space as, it too, flew apart from the deadly attack from the Truven.
“The Eridonians are losing more ships, admiral,” Lieutenant Small reported. “They’re turning away and spooling their jump drives!”
“Keep up the pressure until they all leave. Target any remaining ships!” Gilmore ordered.
“Multiple contacts!” Lieutenant Casey reported, “Zetaal’s fleet has arrived!”
“Get him on the line!”
“Habakiri, Agamemnon; I have Admiral Gilmore for Chancellor Zetaal.”
The hissing voice acknowledged the Aga’s call, “I have Zetaal ssstanding by. One moment, Chancellor Zetaal, channel isss open. Go ahead.”
“Admiral Gilmore,” Zetaal hissed, “It would appear you have the Eridoniansss on the run. “We’ll take over thisss attack. Form up and jump to your first Antarian target. You must execute your jump to Antaresss before the Eridoniansss can regroup and counter your attackssss.”
“We’re on it, Chancellor,” Admiral Gilmore confidently answered, “Helm: break formation and set new course for Antares! Targeting the stations at the sixth planet, Murgon. We’ll take out the collector station at this moon, Abbidon. Next target to spool,” Gilmore continued ordering, “Chardra-5. We’ll split into two fleets of fifty and target moons, Banton and Maxia.”
“Sssoundsss like a good plan, Admiral,” Zetaal answered, “We’ll join you at Lebencha for the three ssstationsss, Delema, Gornasssh and Ssserintin!”
“Affirmative, Chancellor,” Admiral Gilmore smiled across the comm link, “My navigator is giving me the high sign that we’re ready for our first jump.”
“Good hunting, Agamemnon! Chancellor Zetaal, out.”
The channel returned static as Gilmore began barking orders, “Ensure all ships are jump synced, I don’t want any stray cats.”
“Understood,” Lieutenant Fleming acknowledged. “All fleet ships reporting jump ready, sir.”
“Start the clock,” Gilmore nodded from the CSC pit, “Call it out!”
Then, each station copied their readiness, “Sub light: GO!”
“Navigation: GO!”
“Tactical is ready,” Lieutenant Small reported. Shields at one-hundred percent. PDS is online and standing by. All turrets are manned and at the ready. Plasma cannons are charged. We’re green and GO!”
“Jump solution checked. Fleetwide confirmed: GO!”
“FTL drive is spun up one-hundred percent and GO!”
Admiral Gilmore pressed a few commands on his top console, “The board is green. Count it down!”
“The clock is running,” Lieutenant Fleming reported, “Thirty-seconds!”
Gilmore’s one-hundred ships formed up at a safe jump distance as the Habakiri and the new one-hundred ships continued chasing the remaining Eridonian fleet.
One by one, the fleet jumped away, crossing the expanse of space in only two seconds before arriving at Murgon.
“Action stations!” Gilmore ordered, “Scan for hostiles and target that collector station!”
“There are two ships in this sector. One at each side of the collector and emitter stations,” Lieutenant Small reported.”
“I want ten ships to break formation and take out those power stations! The rest of you will target the two battleships in sector!”
“Aye, sir,” Lieutenant Casey acknowledged, “Sending orders to attacking fleet, now.”
“ETA to first planet side collector station: two minutes!” Reported Lieutenant Small.
Chapter Twenty-One
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The Realm
Gate of Rantuarie
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Race stood as the gate returned to concrete, holding the glowing staff. He looked all around him and then examined his new body.
“Well, I’m corporeal as long as I have the staff,” Race said to himself.
He then noticed several beings all around the area. Fixing his eyes on the Norlock, Race smiled, “My ol’ friend. Say, are you physical or spirit?”
“Spirit being, I am, I am spirit.”
“You sound a lot like the In’gula.”
“We are all part of the In’gula, part of it we are.”
“This is the first time you actually used words,” said Race.
“Language is only possible in spirit form; spirit form you must be.”
“But I’m flesh and blood as long as I have this,” Race held the staff out toward the spirit being. “Are you saying that, now that I’m dead, I can understand you?”
“You are most correct. Correct you are, mostly.”
“What’s that supposed ta’ mean, mister Norlock?”
“It is more training, more training you must have. Now, you will understand; understand you will know.”
“So, now that I’m dead, I can see all of you?”
“You don’t need more training, more training you do not need,” the Norlock smiled and nodded.
“So, I can see if anyone tries coming for Gor’con’s staff.”
The Norlock said, with raised eyebrow, “Thinking in the spirit is like thinking in the corporeal form. When both corporeal or non-form, you will see all you need to see. See all you need to see.”
Off in the distance, he noticed a large Antarian approaching.
Turning, Race focused on who it was and grew a smile as he saw the little critter perched on the Antarian’s shoulder.
“Gor’con!”
Gor’con nodded as he got closer, “Race Jennings. Your training is now complete. You are ready for the task you must do.”
“What about everyone else?” Race asked, “Shouldn’t I wait for the others to get here?”
“No, Race,” Gor’con answered, then came to a stop and stood by Race.
“Chipper!” Race exclaimed. “You brought Chipper!”
Chipper evaporated and swirled in a white fog before settling on Race’s shoulder, becoming the fully formed creature.
“Are you alright, my little friend?”
Chipper cupped her hand over Race’s ear and whispered, “Wait, you’re telling me you died in the Meadow of Dul’Latch? You’re no longer corporeal?”
Chipper whispered in Race’s ear once more.
“I see. So, there really isn’t anything left that’s physical in the Realm.”
More whispers from Chipper, caused Race’s eyebrow to raise, “I see. Uh-huh. You were never a physical creature? You were always a spirit being made flesh by our physical presence?”
Chipper thumped Race on the side of the head, “Ow! Hey now!” Race rubbed the side of his head, “I know, I know. I ask a lot of questions. Sorry, but this is all very new to me, n’all.”
Chipper chattered with laughter as Gor’con reached out for the staff, “Now, you will understand what happens if you no longer have your staff.”
As Gor’con grabbed the staff, Race released his grip and instantly faded into the red-colored fog. He swirled around and about the area, feeling this new existence. The fog flew upward and outward. Gor’con watched as the fog formed in a large mass and then flew into several wisps of trailing mist before settling down onto the staff. His hand formed around it, then his forearm, torso, legs and finally his feet neck and head.
“Wow! What a trip!”
“It is a very different existence, is it not?”
“Yes, very much so.”
Next, the Norlock stepped up to Race, swinging at his jaw. After connecting, Race’s face shot sharply left. The Norlock giggled and then stepped back.
“OW! Hey! What’s the meaning of this, anyway? I thought we were friends?”
“Friends will show you truth. Truth your friends will show.”
“Huh?”
Gor’con roared with laughter, “The Norlock meant nothing by that. He was just demonstrating that you can feel pain when manifesting in corporeal form.”
“Yes, demonstrating I was. I was demonstrating. You must know this. Know this you must. Fully prepare for the thing you must do. The thing you must do, you must be prepared.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for that,” Race said, rubbing his sore jaw.
Chipper flowed in spirit form and settled on his shoulder, becoming the form Race was used to seeing, “You’re not going to hit me again, are you, little Chipper?”
Chipper giggled and chattered as her paw did a knee slap.
“I take it, I’ve learned my lesson now.”
“You are most correct, Race,” Gor’con answered for Chipper. “You must know, that when you fight in this form, you can be hurt. Do not let go of the staff—”
“—Your staff,” the Norlock corrected.
“The Norlock is correct. It is no longer my staff, but yours.”
“And I’ll keep it from E’nor’Ta and Dumakas, if it’s the last thing I do!”
“Do not say that, Race,” Gor’con cautioned. “Self-fulfilling prophecy it must not become.”
“It’s just a figure of speech, big guy.”
“Yes, well, you must learn that these things you say can affect you in the physical. You must exercise caution when speaking.:
“I got it. Sorry, big guy. I’ll do better, I promise.”
The Norlock giggled as it moved away from the gate, motioning with an arm to follow.
“I think mister Norlock is saying I need to go that way.”
“Yes, Race,” Gor’con agreed. “It is time you must return to the In’gula.”
“Why can’t I use the looking-glass mirror?”
“You must not use the looking glass mirrors to reach In’gula.”
“Seems like it’d be a lot easier than walking through Shavana’ka?”
“You must not seek the mirror to In’gula from here,” Gor’con advised, “Take the path through the forest of Shavana’ka, you must go.”
“What is it about Rantuarie?”
“E’nor’Ta comes to Rantuarie. Seeks to take your staff. You will be protected within Shavana’ka.”
“Ahh, I get it. I’m doing an end run around to get back to the In’gula.”
Chipper chattered her approval and pointed at the Norlock walking from them, “Okay, let’s go, then.”
Race walked with the staff, using it as a walking stick, he held a firm grip with his left hand, “I hope we’ll make it to the forest before she shows up.”
“Or Dumakas. They both want your staff.”
Nearing the Woods of Shavana’ka, Race looked up into the canopy and nodded at the creature high in the branches, “So, this creature will protect my path?”
“Yes, Race, you are most correct,” answered Gor’con.
Then he pointed across the way at another group of creatures, low to the ground with eight legs and a human face with fangs. One of the creatures was slurping green goo off the forest floor. Then, it coughed and vomited a large sack of goo that covered the path.
“Oh, that’s disgusting!” Protested Race.
“You do not want to step in that,” Gor’con laughed, “If you think looking at this is disgusting, you will fully understand revolting.”
“Oh, you can bet I’ll stay far away from that!” Race gagged as the putrid smell traveled up this nose. “Ahh,” Race coughed and gagged twice more, then gained his composure, “Can we keep moving? I gotta tell ya’, smelling that is way worse.”
“Step in it,” Gor’con laughed, “and you will then think smelling it isn’t as bad.”
“No thank you,” Race wiped the spittle from his lips using the back of his fur-covered hand. Then, he wiped his hand off on his leg fur.
The further into the Woods of Shavana’ka they traveled, the more familiar the surroundings looked to Race. Stopping on a fork in the path, Race looked down and then pointed to the left, “It’s this way. The next fork to the right will take us to the lake.”
Chipper, still perched on his shoulder, chattered and flicked her tail in agreement.
Race pointed down the path, “Look, there’s the fork in the path I was talking about. Wow, we got here pretty fast.”
“Things move differently within this realm, Race,” Gor’con explained. “You will understand, in time.”
“Well, time is something I’ll have a lot of, it would seem.”
“Yes, Race, once you have done all the things that need to be done, you will have lots of time. A truth you do say this Ma’Nuta’Dii,” Gor’con laughed.
Venturing down the path, they crossed the thick laurel bushes and exited on the shores of the In’gula lake.
“Ah, the air smells so fresh,” Race said, breathing in deep. “Almost too clean, don’t you think?”
Race turned to the Gor’con apparition and added after pointing to his nose, “I am smelling for real, right?”
“Yes, Race,” answered Gor’con, “As long as you possess your staff, you will continue to manifest in the flesh and blood. Everything you have experienced as a corporeal creature; you bring with you in this form.”
“And if I don’t, I’m just wisps of fog?”
“That is our spirit form, yes.”
“Well, I guess there’s no time like the present to go for a swim.”
“Yes, Race,” Gor’con smiled, “However, like Darnash, I do not like getting wet. I will meet you below.”
“What? You don’t have to take the plunge with me?”
“I prefer to take the plunge in this manner,” Gor’con answered before vaporizing into a white fog, then hovered over the lake and dove down to the depths where the underwater domed city of In’gula was.
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The Rocinante
Medical Bay
________________________
Doctor Lambert stood over Danielle. Leaning closer, he held his pen light up to her eye after pulling one lid open with his free hand. Flashing the light back and forth, he moved to her other eye and performed the same procedure.
Standing upright from the patient, the doctor nodded, “Well, the effects of the sedatives are working, already. Same with Ruki and Darnash. They’re now in a coma.”
Jed looked up at the doctor, “So, they’re dead now?”
“No, I haven’t finished with that yet. You keep an eye on this heart monitor and just don’t touch anything.”
“So, when do they actually die?”
“You’re startin’ to sound a lot like Race, Admiral.”
“Sorry, it’s just I’m worried about all this.”
“Look, there is high risk doing this, sure. But is it as high a risk as I lead everyone to know? No. I’m only going to stop their larger heart. The smaller one will continue supplying their bodies with enough circulating blood to sustain life for that twelve-hour window.”
“What are you saying, doc?”
“I’m saying you need to remember that this blood they partook of, changes their DNA in such a way that if this blood actually didn’t turn them into half-antarian, they wouldn’t make it. But with their stronger physique, you know, the two hearts and four lungs, extra liver and kidneys, they’re bodies can take this. I think we should be more concerned with their minds than their bodies. I can shut down these extra organs, which simulates enough death that they’ll actually travel to Revein’sev.”
“Okay, but you’re saying, they might not want to come back, is that it?”
“That’s certainly something I’ve wondered about. But I’ve taken every precaution to restart their larger heart and extra organs, when that critical time approaches.”
“So, that’s what you meant when you say you’ve refined this procedure.”
“Right.”
“Okay,” Jed hesitated, then continued, “At the risk of sounding more like Race, I have to ask, when are we going to kill ‘em?”
“Well, as soon as you’re finished asking, Race questions, I can get back to my other two patients and check their vitals.”
“By all means, doc,” Jed chuckled. “Sorry.”
Doctor Lambert paused, turned and pointed at Jed before returning to check Ruki, “Now that did sound like Race.”
“Yeah, I guess it did,” Jed chuckled.
Doctor Lambert chuckled with Jed as he studied Ruki’s set up and vital statistics. Then, he moved to Darnash’s bedside and examined him.
“Both Antarians are in comas, just like Danielle. We’re ready to send them in,” Lambert remained at Darnash’s bedside and pointed to his assistant, “You take Ruki. Admiral, you’re taking Danielle.”
“What do you need me to do?” Jed asked.
“That third red button on that machine,” Lambert pointed.
“This one?” Jed aimed his finger.
“Yes, that’s the one,” Lambert acknowledged, “On the count of three, I want you to press that red button all the way down and then let it go. That will send a shock to their large heart and stop it. You’ll see it on the monitor. The top one will be flatline and the one below it will continue beating. The tricky part will be restarting it so the smaller one beats after the large one.”
