Chapter 59

0001 - Tempro
0003 - Conner- Thomas
0097 - Ace - Zimmel
0098 - Lucy
0101 - Shelby (mother ship) - Lucie
0125 - Lars
0200 - Ellen
0301 - Rodrick
0403 - Johnathon
0667 - Marco - Brown
0778 - Jan
0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0908 - Tara - Mara
0999 - Zan

Ungrown - unnumbered

3 - onboard Tempro awaiting Shelby
1000 - Sherry - lost at the moment

The five foot three Oriental woman known as Onai Sakuta was now turning her full attention toward Kimon Dempsy. Behind her David Greeson groaned as he tried to rise again. Onai stopped short without turning she said, “You are far more injured than you think David Greeson, student of the master Kimon Dempsy. Go get medical attention before it is severe.”

Greeson looked up at the back of the woman he’d just fought. True he felt as if his insides had been scrambled plus to be honest the hard floor was far more inviting right now.

Norman looked up as he stated, “Celeste, transfer Lieutenant Greeson to med bay for evaluation. I suggest you keep a spot open. We may have more casualties soon.”

“Compliance Brigadier General.” Celeste said even as Greeson vanished.

A smile dominated the face of Onai at Norman’s words. Ah! So the man did remember the exercises that she and Kimon had done. “It is good that Kimon has as good a friend in you as he does.” Turning back to Norman she smiled again, “he’s going to need it.”

Dempsy gulped at the tone of her voice. Damn but she was far angrier than he at first thought.

Onai then resumed her stride toward Dempsy stopping before him. “Father demands an answer as to the reason you did not return. Honor and duty to the emperor is understandable, to a point. Beyond that you had opportunities to return to home. I am the one to determine if you continue with honor or,” here she lowered her voice to a whisper. “To be shunned and shrouded in dishonor.”

A flash of light seemed to appear then Dempsy was flying toward the wall. Damn it! He’d not expected her to use that move. So, she was going all out much like they used to do. Springing back Dempsy landed in front of her causing her eyes to momentarily widen.

“So you have mastered all the techniques that father taught you all those years ago. This then will be a true test master against master.” Onai said as she appraised Dempsy.

Dempsy was about to comment when there was a shimmering between the both of them. Onai’s face was suddenly in shock as she fell to the floor in a prone position. The others also bowed to Derrick as he sighed deeply.

From the floor they all heard Onai, “I hope that I haven’t displeased you lord. I have done all according to the traditions of my world.”

Derrick looked on the scene a moment then nodded. “No Onai Sakuta, as of yet there has been nothing you have done wrong.” Derrick smiled as he heard the woman sigh in relief. “Though I do have a favor to ask you?”

Onai’s eyes opened wide as still not raising her head she replied, “It would please my father and the Jitaku home world to aid the emperor.”

Derrick was nodding as he considered what to say next. “I know that your traditions dictate that you must carry out what is expected. I still have a great need of the services of Colonel Dempsy. I therefore would like to ask that you delay killing him, if that is your mission ‘til the present crisis is over. If not then I will apologize for interrupting the proceedings.” Now Derrick thought we’ll see what is going on.

Onai’s eyes were wide with pride then she nodded. “I will have to speak to father, plus the Jitaku council, Lord, before I can continue.”

Derrick hid a smile as he nodded, “very well Onai Sakuta. I will await your and their answer. I do not wish to subjugate the traditions of your world. Jitaku has always been honorable and respectful, I am glad that I am able to return that to you.”

“Thank you Lord!” Onai replied an even larger show of pride on her face. “I am positive that father and the council will express their appreciation.” Standing she bowed to Derrick again even as the image of Derrick vanished. Turning to Dempsy she poked a finger to his chest, “you have been given a reprieve my betrothed. I suggest you prepare for what comes next.”

Dempsy could only stand there a look of complete shock on his face. What in the hell had just happened? Onai NEVER let anything go that easily. Then he thought about WHO had made her let it go. Shaking his head he had to admit that the commander still had mysterious ways about him.

Onai immediately turned heading to Norman. “We would be honored if you accompanied us to our ship.” Onai said when she stopped in front of Norman and his daughter Mara Callie. Looking Mara up and down Onai nodded her approval. “You must be proud to be betrothed to one so strong.”

Mara startled a moment, bowed slightly to Onai, “I am Miss Onai.”

Onai waved a hand at Mara, “Onai please, it was an honor to see the art form expressed at it should be. Sa General, is this your daughter?” Onai asked indicating Mara.

“Yes, she is a Captain on one of the emperor’s ships.” Norman said rather proudly.

Onai’s eyes widened a moment then she nodded, “An extra honor than to meet your family Sa General.” With that the three left the room.

Dempsy stood still in the center of the room still a bit confused. Looking around he saw that he was alone. Sighing he started to walk to the infirmary might as well see how badly off his student was.

Hartwell dismissed the rest of the men as soon as Onai was aboard. Shaking his head he headed for his sister’s quarters. ‘Might as well get this over,’ he thought. Stopping at her door he pressed the call button.

“WHAT!!?” Almost screamed a female voice from within. “Go the hell away!”

“Lucie! It’s Johnathon!” Hartwell shouted back to his sister.

“I said go the hell away!” Lucie’s voice repeated at an even higher volume. “YOU I most definitely DON’T want to see!”

Growling a moment Hartwell was about to walk away when he did an about face palming the door. Even as the door slid open he heard renewed yelling coming from within. Then several things began to fly toward the door thunking the wall.

“Lucie stop,” Johnathon stated as he ducked a book. Diving low as another book then several glasses flew at his head. Johnathon grabbed Lucie as she started to scream, yell, kick, and spit fighting Johnathon with all she had.

“NO! NO! Let me go let me go you bastard.” Lucie was screaming louder. Grabbing both her hands in one of his Johnathon reached back slapping her across her face.

“Get control of yourself!” Johnathon shouted seeing the incredulous look of surprise on her face. “You’re an adult not a child. You survived the horror of the Baron; I know that you are far stronger than this!”

Lucie suddenly stopped falling to the floor sobbing hysterically. “He let her die; he did nothing to help her at all. I can’t forgive him I...”

Johnathon got on the floor pulling his sister into a tight hug. “Here’s a thought for you ok?” Lucie looked up at her brother and slightly nodded. “I have heard the report and seen the replay of everything that occurred. She considered YOU to be her first priority, she sent you to him to save you. You know that the ship’s A.I.’s are more alive than not.”

“He could have done more I know he had the firepower he could have done more.” Lucie replied still angered.

Johnathon shook his head. “No, he couldn’t, had you not been there he would have stayed to the end. The missiles she fired destroyed everything within billions of miles of space where you were. He loves her also, so for a moment think about it, you think he doesn’t care? He’s been out every moment he can, looking for her. The emperor didn’t have to order him; he’d stay out there if he could.”

Taking a sobbing sigh, Lucie could only stare at her brother. “I still feel he could have done more. I’m not sure I can ever forgive him. She was the closest thing to a friend I have had in a very long time.”

Johnathon nodded he’d felt a lot like that when he thought the commander was dead. Shaking slightly, ‘yes,’ he thought, ‘he could understand very well.’

“You are strong dear sister of mine, far stronger than William or myself. I’m pretty sure you’d put our Uncle Trent to shame also.” Johnathon said a look of pride on his face.

Lucie looked up shocked at her brother’s words. “You ... you think I am the one that is strong? I knew they were alive. No brother, I think you are mistaken. You were the strong one thinking you were all alone, thinking that all of us were gone.”

A slight smile lit up Johnathon’s face, “Ok, so we’re both strong. With all that is going on I just hope that we survive. All these problems hitting at the same time, it’s like the old days during the republic.”

Lucie smiled, “If it goes now as it did then? I feel that we’ll be alright, after all the emperor is a very brilliant man.” Johnathon nodded yes, that he most assuredly agreed.

Leaving Lucie’s quarters Johnathon was starting to feel far better. At least two things were going better. Now there was the problem of that ass Duke. There was also the new, well old race that the commander had named as the Tendrax they had to contend with.

Walking toward his quarters he called out, “Celeste? I need to talk to Commanders Kimison and Rayburn.”

The fiery redhead appeared a moment later, “as you wish Admiral. Do you wish the communication here or in your quarters?”

“In my quarters,” Hartwell replied then he entered his room.

The image of both men appeared as Johnathon sat at his desk. “I hope that the both of you are making progress.” Hartwell said as soon as he looked up.

Both men gulped when they saw the look on Hartwell’s face. “We are sir,” Rayburn chimed in. “It appears that the ripalon energy that they are using is having a very severe adverse effect upon them.”

“Oh? Adverse in what way,” Hartwell asked his interest peeked.

“Well sir,” Kimison started. “It appears that it not only disrupts our ships systems, it also is slowly sterilizing their race. I’m sure they thought the risk was negligible though I can assure it is not. From the readings that Zan took well over seventy five percent of those on those ships were sterile.”

Hartwell’s hand was on his chin as he considered this new information. Nodding he continued, “Now then as to the ripalon energy itself. Have you found a way to counter or perhaps even block it? Our ships being this defenseless, isn’t sitting all that well with him or me.”

“Yes sir, we both know. We have been working on a better shielding frequency. As of yet it has only reduced the effect of the ripalon energy by fifty percent. We are also looking into how Zan was able to sweep through with no ill effects.” Kimison said rattling off the facts as he knew them.

Hartwell’s head snapped up at this piece of information. “Wait; go back what was that last piece?”

Kimison blinked a moment then stated, “I said that we were working on...”

“No after that, you said that Zan was able to sweep in with no ill effects.” Hartwell repeated.

Kimison opened his mouth then snapped it shut as he turned to Rayburn. “My god man! You think it’s possible?”

Rayburn’s mouth was also hanging open, “I hadn’t factored that into the equation at all!”

“I know but...” Kimison said.

“It is possible I suppose.” Rayburn replied.

They both turned to Hartwell saluting, “Thank you sir!” Then the area went dark as the visage vanished.

Shaking his head Hartwell smiled a bit, they were still out there as far as before perhaps more.

Sighing he shrugged his shoulders he needed to get a plan of action started before the commander came back. Looking over the topographical maps of the planet he’d spent part of his life on. Circling one area in particular he nodded, this had to be the one.

Looking closer he had Celeste start drawing up the area that they weren’t receiving telemetry from. No matter what they should get something from the area. That is unless they were being blocked by manmade or natural elements. As far as he knew there were no such natural occurring elements on the planet. Looking at several reports he nodded his head, now he was sure of it.

Sitting back he rubbed his chin again, this was all well and good. Without good intel though anything they did was pretty much a trap. He wasn’t about to send people to their deaths without full knowledge. He and the others did their missions fine with any situation as long as the intel was good.

He knew that the commander wasn’t about to let anything happen ‘til they knew all they could. “Celeste? I need as deep and detailed scans of these two areas as you can get. If you need any other ship then I suggest you gain their assistance.”

The fiery redhead appeared a large smile on her face. “Thank you Admiral! The chance to work with my brothers and sisters like this is an honor.”

Hartwell nodded with a smile as he watched the scans that started to come in. Now he thought, let’s see what’s really going on in there.

Within the hidden complex Duke Risen was pacing. What in the hell was taking so long? With all the heavy duty generators the power levels should be up all the way by now.

“Are we still below safe levels,” Risen asked of the tech a moment later.

“From what I am seeing we are just above the danger level. It appears that the new device has to adjust to the power that the generators are producing. Unfortunately it is taking far longer than we thought it would.” The tech told the Duke without looking up.