Tales From The Space Force Pt. 02

The screen went blank again and the vid started playing once more. Evelyn grinned again and scooted closer once more, then climbed into his lap and kissed him.

Lucas grinned, "It was only a few minutes, miss me, did you?"

She grinned back, "Just doing what we were ordered to do. The colonel said to carry on, and that's what I'm doing." She kissed him as he put his arm around her to hold her close as they watched the vid.

They got up the next morning and went through what had become their normal routine. Lucas used the bathroom first and came out to get dressed. Then Evelyn went in to take care of her morning ablutions. Lucas smiled to himself, "She might be a cyborg, but it takes her as much time as a flesh and blood woman to get ready."

Then he smiled as she came out to put her uniform on. "It's well worth the wait." He thought to himself. She had slipped her shirt on and was buttoning it when he came up behind her and put his arms around her and kissed the nape of her neck making her giggle.

He smiled, "Umm, have I told you how beautiful you are first thing in the morning?"

She looked over her shoulder and grinned, "Not yet, maybe you better do that now before I think you don't love me anymore."

She turned in his arms and put her arms around his neck. She grinned, "Well? I'm waiting."

He smiled, and kissed her, "You're more beautiful than anything in the universe, and I love you more than anything in the universe." He kissed her once more.

Evelyn smiled back as she returned the kiss. "That's better, just try not to forget again." Then she laughed and pulled him to her. "I love you so much."

She kissed him, "Now why don't you let me finish before I decide to take you again right now. We have to go soon."

She hugged him once more and almost broke his ribs she had hugged him hard.

Lucas laughed, "Yes dear." Then he walked out of the bedroom so she could finish.

She finally finished, and they walked to go get breakfast. Once done, Lucas said, "I need to stop by the lab and check on things. You just want to meet me in the wardroom at 0930?"

She nodded, "I need to check in also, so that sounds good."

They kissed and she went one way as he went another.

They met up later in the wardroom and greeted the others. Then sat down next to Nakamura. Lucas smiled, "Good morning Nakamura-san."

He smiled back, "And a good morning to the two of you also. I understand you'll be meeting with the Vagan's this morning."

Lucas nodded, "Yes, in another half-hour. If everything goes well, did you want to try and do the upgrade tomorrow?"

Nakamura nodded, "Hai, that sound good as long as you two are available."

Lucas smiled, "We should be, but we'll know more after the meeting. I'll check in with you after that."

Nakamura nodded, "Very well, I might be in the lab or my rooms. Depends on what time you get finished. Will you be here for lunch?"

Lucas rocked his hand back and forth, "If it goes well, probably not. I'd imagine they'll ask us to stay there for their noon meal. They put great stock in eating together, if they like you."

Nakamura nodded, "Yes, that is common in a few cultures, its like they feel they can trust you more if you share their food. They consider it a friendly thing to do."

Lucas nodded, "I noticed that when I accepted the first time. Their food is quite good really, a lot is similar to ours."

The colonel and major walked in and he smiled, "Well, since we're all here, why don't we get started?"

They stood and Lucas walked next to the colonel as went to the checkpoint. He asked Lucas a few questions about talking with them and Lucas told him what he knew and that Oberon had told him.

Since it was faster, Lucas led them to the hanger checkpoint. He grinned to himself, the family entrance. Then he smiled as he saw Talos on guard once more.

He grinned, "Good morning Talos, how are you this morning?"

Talos grinned back, "I'm well Lu... Captain. I understand you have a meeting with Security officer Kalyke this morning."

Lucas nodded, "Yes, my colonel here," He indicated the colonel, "Has things they need to discuss."

Talos nodded, "I have your pass here and we'll get the others ready while we wait on one of the security people to escort your group, it won't take long. If the rest will give their information to Elara here," He indicated the female guard with him, "She'll get your passes ready."

He handed Lucas his pass, as the others lined up to get theirs. Talos motion with his head to Lucas and they walked over to the side. "Lucas, I know you've been here before so you know how things are, but do your people?"

Lucas nodded, "Yes, Oberon talked to them yesterday after our meal and I've also mentioned a few things to them."

Talos nodded, "Good, the security officer who is coming for you is named Ymir, just introduce your colonel to him and he'll take you to the Security Force officer Kalyke. Then just let your colonel do the rest."

Lucas nodded, "Thanks Talos, I appreciate the advice. You know, the next time Oberon comes over, you really should join him if you're free. I think you'd enjoy our food, or at least he did."

Talos smiled, "I'll have to take you up on that, I've never been to the human side."

Lucas nodded, "Good, we'll do that then."

Talos grinned, "You've picked up our culture fairly well. Not many have."

Lucas smiled, "Well, Oberon is a good teacher and friend. We also have some people on earth who are kind of the same way. They must be some your people had dealings with long ago."

Talos grinned and nodded, "It's possible I suppose." He saw one of his people coming down the corridor, "Here comes your escort."

The Vagan security officer stopped by the checkpoint, "Talos, do the have their passes yet?"

Talos nodded, "I believe so sir, allow me to introduce Captain, formally Sergeant, Torson. He is known to us."

Ymir nodded, "Yes, I've heard about him. Congratulations on your promotion Captain Torson."

Lucas nodded, "Thank you Security Officer Ymir, it's a pleasure to meet you." He saw the colonel walking over, "Please allow me to introduce my commanding officer, Colonel Thorson."

Then he turned to the Colonel, "Sir, allow me to introduce your escort, Security Officer Ymir."

Ymir was pleased that this young human knew the proper protocols. "Colonel, it is a pleasure to meet you. As soon as your people have their passes, I'll escort you to Security Force officer Kalyke."

Colonel Thorson nodded, "Thank you for the curtesy Security Officer Ymir, it's appreciated." He looked back, then said, "I believe we're ready anytime you are."

Ymir nodded, "Very good sir, if you'd follow me, I'll take you to the security office."

They followed him into the Vagan main building and over to the security office. They walked in and Ymir pressed a button on an intercom and they heard someone say something in Vagan. Ymir answered back and the door slid open.

He nodded to the Colonel, "Please follow me." He led them in and over to another room that appeared to be a conference room of sorts. "Security Force officer Kalyke will be here momentarily."

He stood by the door as the others also stood waiting. A few minutes past and then they saw Ymir come to attention as another officer walked in. He said something in Vagan to Ymir, who nodded, "Colonel, please allow me to introduce Security Force Officer Kalyke. Sir, this is Earth Moon-base Commander, Colonel Thorson and his people."

Kalyke smiled, "Colonel Thorson, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

The colonel smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you also Security Force Officer Kalyke. Please allow me to introduce some of my people. This is Major Harris, my second in command."

Kalyke smiled and took her offered hand. "The pleasure is mine Major."

Harris smiled back, "Thank you sir."

The colonel then said, "My security officer, Captain Hampton."

Kalyke smiled and offered his hand, "Welcome Security Officer Hampton, it's a pleasure to meet my counterpart."

Hampton smile as he took the offered hand. "It's mine also sir."

Then the Colonel said, "This is one of my senior Pilot's, Evelyn Saito."

Kalyke smiled again, "I'm glad to see you seem... what is the human phrase, oh yes, no worse for wear, due to your crash the other day."

Evelyn grinned, "Thank you sir, I'm fine. Luckily, since I'm a cyborg, it wasn't as bad as it looked."

Kalyke's eyes widened as she said she was a cyborg. "Really? I couldn't tell. Whoever did the work should be rewarded."

Evelyn grinned, "Well sir, if you wish, I believe I can arrange for you to meet him. He's here on the base right now. His name is Doctor Haruki Nakamura, from the Yamato company. I was a test pilot for them before my first crash."

Kalyke smiled, "I've heard of him. Yes, I'd love to meet him when there's time."

The colonel smiled, "I'm sure that can be arranged. I'll talk to him later. Now, my last, but certainly not least, officer. Captain, recently sergeant, Torson."

Kalyke smiled, "You I know of. Congratulations on your promotion captain and thank you for helping our people with that problem."

Lucas came forward, "Thank you sir, and your more than welcome. Anytime I can be of assistance, I'd be happy to help. After all, Tech-Specialist Oberon is a friend and we do the same work. Also, your people and ours are allies."

Kalyke laughed, "Well said captain, well said indeed. Well then, since we have all the introductions out of the way, why don't you sit down and we can talk about why you're here."

The colonel nodded, and they all sat around the table. Then he said, "Before we start, I have a question, and please, no insult is intended and you'll understand why I ask once we start. Can I assume this room is secure?"

Kalyke eyes hardened slightly, but he nodded yes. The colonel continued, "You mentioned the crash from the other day, what isn't common knowledge is it was caused by sabotage and not a failure."

Kalyke eyes widened once more, and then nodded, "Yes colonel, I do understand why you asked. Are you sure?"

The colonel nodded, "Yes we are, Captain Torson discovered it when he was checking on a problem they were having." He continued telling him all they had found out and what was being done."

Kalyke listened to the whole story not saying a word, but he frowned as he heard everything, He said something in his language, then said, "I apologize, I despise a traitor."

He took a breath, "Have you found him yet?"

The colonel shook his head, "Not exactly, we know who it must be, but were still working on it."

He continued with what they had planned to do, and the plan they came up with. As he did, the smile on Kalyke face got wider and wider. The colonel then asked, "Would your people be interested in aiding us with this?"

Kalyke smiled, "Yes, I believe they would. I'll bring this up to our commander, it will need his approval, but I think he'll like it as much as I do. This is a very well thought out plan colonel Thorson. Congratulations."

The colonel smiled back, "Thank you, however I should say very little of it was mine. If you wish to give someone congratulations, you can do it directly." He pointed to Lucas.

Kalyke smiled, "That is wonderful, how did you come up with this?"

Lucas shrugged, "Basically, nothing that was happening made any sense sir. So, once I found the problems, I asked myself why. It had to be sabotage but why, like they did it. I figured it had to be that they thought we'd never find it for whatever reason."

Lucas shrugged, "Look sir, my people may have made me an officer, but at heart, I still have a senior enlisted mindset and I look for the simplest answers first."

The rest of them smiled at that statement, then he continued, "Then I remembered when I was here and Oberon invited me to the noon meal, all the conversations I heard, and your people's opinions on the Phoban's, convinced me they were very arrogant and didn't think much of the earth force."

Kalyke smiled, "You're correct in that assumption. We've been on the lookout possible sabotage ourselves. But it's a little harder for them to get to our crafts. I also doubt they would try to do it, like you said it was done, to ours. I will advise them to keep a look out though."

Lucas nodded and took a breath, "I also felt your people would go along with it. As I said, we are allies, and it would stupid not to take advantage of what fell into our laps."

He knew he'd taken a chance on saying that, but he felt relieved when Kalyke stated to laugh. "Yes, my young captain, I agree. It would be... stupid not to use this to our advantage. Especially when the Phoban's were ignorant enough to make it possible and the forgone conclusion to the outcome with the use of both our fleets."

He smiled once more, "I just wish I could see the look on their faces when both of us show up where we're not expected. I will tell the commander all of this, along with my approval of the idea."

Lucas smiled as did the rest. Then Kalyke said, "However, it will take a couple earth days to set this in motion if they approve. I will get back to you colonel as soon as I hear something."

The colonel nodded, "Wonderful, hopefully by then, we'll also know more on our end. If they do approve this, we would like your people to pick the spot to spring the trap, as you know these people far better than we do. And also, for that reason, we'd like for your people to command the attack."

He smiled, "We are not as arrogant as the Phoban's are and we know you have much more experience in these things. The important thing is to crush them, and hopefully bring this to faster end."

Kalyke nodded with a small smile, "I applaud your honesty colonel. I believe we will work well together."

Then he smiled once more, "Now, why don't you and your people join us for our mid-day meal before you head back."

The colonel nodded, "Yes, thank you very much. I hear from my captain here, that the food was very good, so I look forward to it."

He smiled, "Then once we get more info and approvals, perhaps you and your commander, if he'd like to, would join us for an evening meal."

Kalyke smiled and stood, then so did the colonel. Kalyke offered his hand smiling, "Colonel, I'd be honored to."

Lucas smiled, then he added, "When you do, you can also meet Doctor Nakamura. I'm sure he would love to meet more of your people also. After all, most of his expertise comes from your people."

Kalyke nodded, "I'd like that very much, anyone who could create someone like Pilot Saito here, must be considered an artist." Evelyn would have blushed if she could, but settled on a shy smile.

Kalyke and Ymir escorted them to the dining hall, unlike the human side that had the hall and the wardroom, they only had the one hall. The Vagan officers had one section of it to themselves and that's were they led them to.

As they were walking, Lucas saw Oberon and smiled, "Colonel, would it be alright if a meet you there in a minute or two? I want to thank Oberon for helping us."

The colonel nodded, "Certainly, and please add my thanks to it also."

Lucas nodded, "Will do sir, thanks."

Lucas walked back and greeted Oberon. He sat down and smiled, "Thanks for setting everything up and my colonel told me to add his thanks also."

Oberon smiled, "Not a problem my friend, your more than welcome. Did everything go well?"

Lucas nodded, "Yes, Kalyke said he was going to bring it up with your commander, but he was fairly certain he'd approve of it."

Oberon grinned, "If he agrees to what you have planned, it's almost certain the commander will too. I don't suppose you can tell me anything yet, right?"

Lucas grinned and nodded, "Not yet, it still being worked out. But I'm sure you'll appreciate it. Look, I need to go over with them. I'll talk to you later."

Oberon nodded, "Yes, you really don't want to keep them waiting."

They shook hands and Lucas walked over and sat next to Evelyn. She smiled at him and mothed silently, "I love you."

Lucas grinned back and reached down to squeeze her knee. Then he said to the colonel, "Sir, Oberon asked me to tell you, you're welcome, he was glad to help."

The colonel nodded, "Very good." Then he turned to Kalyke, "I'd like to do something for him for helping us set this all up. What would you suggest?"

Kalyke smiled in approval, "A letter to the command would be good, this will allow us to do something for him. It would be easier that way."

He smiled, "Much like what you did for the captain here, they've been trying to make him an officer. But he's turned it down."

The colonel smirked and looked at Lucas, "Yesss... we had the same problem. I'd suggest doing what we did, don't give him a choice and just do it."

Kalyke laughed, "That might be the best idea." He turned and looked at where Oberon was sitting.

Lucas sighed, "Thanks colonel, now I'm going to have to apologize to my friend."

They all laughed at that as some stewards were placing plates and bowls of food on the table.

Kalyke grinned, "I think you'll enjoy this colonel; these are some of our everyday types of food. Unfortunately, its not as good as a real meal cooked at home. I think you can understand that."

The colonel nodded, "Yes, I most certainly do. Ours is the same way, on my recent trip back to earth, I think I put on a few pounds."

Kalyke smiled, "Yes, the last time I got back to home world, my mother was feeding me everything I missed."

Lucas grinned at that and Kalyke asked, "You think that's amusing captain?"

Lucas shook his head, "No sir, not really. It was more of the conversations I've have with Oberon. We always find something that's the same between us. I keep telling him, people are people no matter where they're from."

Kalyke smiled as he understood, "Yes, I believe your right. I've noticed that on a lot of different worlds."

Lucas nodded once more, "I guess if you think about it, it makes sense in a way. All the different people who visited earth and the other planets had to pass things along and picked them up."

Kalyke nodded, "Interesting observation captain, and it's more than likely true to a point."

They began to eat, and Lucas helped them with the different things he'd tried and liked, as well as Kalyke did suggesting certain things.

Lucas found that most of them, settled on the same things he had. His favorite was a meat dish, that was similar to veal or maybe pork. It was served with some fried vegetables much like a stir fry from a restaurant back home he liked.

They all talked about one thing or another until they were done, the after the dishes had been cleared, Kalyke said, "Well, I hope you enjoyed your meal, and I look forward to coming and trying yours. But, if we want this to go through, I need to go see our commander."

They all stood, and the colonel put out his hand and Kalyke took it, then the colonel said, "We did enjoy it, and I thank you for talking to us and agreeing to help. I hope your commander will see it as clear as you do."

Kalyke nodded, then smiled back, "Your more than welcome colonel, and I'm sure he will. Now Ymir will escort you back and I'll be in touch as soon as I hear anything."

Lucas made a quick stop and told Oberon thanks once more, then they all head back to the earth base side. Once back, the colonel said, "Lets head up to the wardroom first, and then we can go about the rest of the day."

They headed up to the wardroom and the first thing many of them did, was get a cup of coffee or tea. The Vagan's didn't have anything like that, what hot beverage they had, was a kind of... herb tea was the best way to describe it, but most humans didn't care for it.

The colonel asked Lucas to contact doctor Nakamura and ask him to join them, and once he did, they sat and talked about the meeting. For the majority of them, it was their first-time having face to face contact with the Vagan's.