Warrior One - Fleet Action Pt. 07

"Here is where she got in." Gillian squatted looking down at the steps. Gillian turned this way and that looking toward the front of the bay.

"Do you want to go down, Ma'am?"

"No, that's okay, Carl. I think we are done here. She waited until she could hear no more footsteps, then popped the hatch and came up slowly. She probably watched her mother and me leave the bay. Then she hurried to the bay doors and waited. That poor woman."

"Yes, Ma'am," Carl said softly. "But how did she get down there in the first place?"

Carl was right. There was only one set of footprints coming up the steps. It might be interesting to see how she got under the deck in the first place. Gillian slowly went down the steps and started following Brela's footprints. There was more to this lower deck than tables, tool chests, and parts bins. All that ended right here, from here aft was open space for about a hundred meters. It looked like Brela had been the first in this section of the ship. Staff Sergeant Glen and Gillian had to duck to walk in this section. Underfoot, it felt as if the decking was made of lead or depleted uranium. Heavy and thick. They soon came to a set of stairs. There were Brela's footprints coming down. Carl and Gillian went up and came up in a machine room. Still following Brela's footprints, Carl and Gillian continued to the door. It let out into a corridor.

"Where the hell are we?" Gillian asked.

"I don't know, Ma'am."

"Deck one, third starboard corridor," Cass told them. "I couldn't see you until you stepped into the corridor, Ma'am."

"Well, that explains it. Can you see any of the lower deck?"

"Not even what is under me," Cass said a little bewildered.

"But you knew it was there from the blueprints?"

"Yes, I did. I assumed it was fine when Staff Sergeant Glen made the table appear and no air was sucked out of the bay. I'm so sorry, Ma'am."

"Not your fault."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Carl, let's get back," Gillian said.

"Right this way, Ma'am," Carl replied taking the lead.

Chapter 155

That night as Gillian tried to go to sleep, she was restless and did nothing but toss and turn. She finally sat up in her rack and scrubbed her face with her hands. She sat there in the dark, the soft glow of the monitors from her ship console providing the only light.

"Cass, open the shutter please."

Bright lights from the shuttle bay lit up the cabin of Caster. Gillian closed her eyes tight against the glare then opened them and looked at the clock on the wall. It read twelve straight up. Eight bells. Thankfully, Caster had only stuck the bells once. Gillian had disabled the use of the bells via her computer console.

"Trouble sleeping, Ma'am?"

"Yes. And I'm exhausted. As I sit here I can barely keep my eyes open, yet if I was to lie down, I would just toss and turn."

"What's got you... "

"Poor Brela."

"I see... "

"I wish I did. The silly female. What the hell was wrong with her? Was she that jealous? Was she jealous? Why didn't she believe us?" Gillian slammed her fist into her other hand hard.

"I don't know," Cass said.

"I know you don't, dear. I'm just venting. Let's take a ride."

"Where to, Ma'am?"

"The anomaly."

"Do you think we really should without orders, Ma'am?"

"You're probably right."

"You could take a walk, Ma'am."

"I've done enough walking to last me a lifetime," Gillian told her ship."Maybe I'll just lie down and try to relax into sleep. Close the shutter, please."

The shutter closed and the cabin was once more bathed in darkness. Even the soft glow of the monitors was gone. Cass had shut them down. Gillian lay back in her rack, staring up at the overhead that she couldn't see. Slowly, she started to relax and drifted off into that darkness called sleep.

Gillian woke an hour later than she usually does. She had a fitful night of it, she must have woke four times. She would just roll over and slowly drop off to sleep. Now though, she swore she could hear a buzzer of some kind sounding.

"Cass!" Gillian croaked her throat almost closed up. "Cass!"

There was no answer. Was Cass that busy with other things that she couldn't spare a moment for her partner.

"Cass," Gillian squeaked.

Her throat was almost closed now, yet she was still breathing. Or was she. She rolled out of bed, hit the deck and looked around. The cabin was still dark, the shutter was closed. Even with the inertial dampeners, Gillian could feel that Cass was maneuvering. And yes she was breathing just fine.

Shaking her head, Gillian crawled to her pilot chair and climbed in. She strapped in and hit the emergency start button on the console in front of her. It came to life in an instant. She scanned the screens and was completely confused. Everything was in the green. Cass was sitting on the deck of the shuttle bay, motionless. Gillian closed her eyes.

There was that buzzer again. She slowly opened her eyes. The cabin was bright with light streaming in from the port up front. The buzzer wasn't a buzzer, it was Cass.

"Gillian, it's time to get up, dear."

"I'm up. Oh god, my head."

"Analgesics on the counter with a tall glass of water."

"Thank you, Cass. Why didn't you answer me?"

"You never called me or I would have, Ma'am. You must have been dreaming."

"I must have." Gillian tossed the pills in her mouth and gulped down the water. Her throat was still tight as she set the glass down on the counter. "What are we doing today?"

"The Admiral just sent a message. He wants you to check on the anomaly as soon as you're ready. You are not to go alone. He suggests Lieutenant Watson accompany you or someone of your choosing."

Gillian was sitting on her rack, her head in her hands, waiting for the analgesic to take effect.

"Let Chaser know, we will be leaving in twenty minutes."

"Yes, Ma'am. Breakfast?"

"No. Not this morning. I'm just going to take a hot shower and get dressed."

"Very well, Ma'am."

Ten minutes later Gillian was dressed and sitting in her chair, waiting to hear from Michelle.

"I'm ready Commander," Michelle said, her voice coming from the comm speakers.

"All right, here we go. Take us out Cass."

"Yes, Ma'am," Cass replied.

The ship moved slowly toward the shuttle bay door, just centimeters above the deck.

"Wheels up," Gillian said.

"Wheels up," Cass replied.

Technically the ship didn't have wheels, it had skids, but the old saying never died out. The bay door opened slowly and when it was open enough, Caster ducked out quickly, so Chaser could follow allowing the doors to close before they opened all the way.

"Cass set up a jump to the anomaly, let Chaser know the sequence."

"Set and set," Cass replied.

"Jump."

The shutter closed for a split second. Then they were drifting next to the anomaly.

"How many light years was that?" Gillian asked her ship.

"Ten plus a little bit," Cass answered.

"Ten light years in a split second."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Has anything about the anomaly changed since we were last here?"

"No, Ma'am, still on course for where the Progenitor would have been. Same speed as last observed. All readings exactly the same, Ma'am."

"Hmmm... "

"Were you expecting something different, Ma'am?" Cass asked.

"I'm always expecting something different. I like it when there isn't."

"So that's the anomaly?" Michelle asked.

"It is. The creation of one of them punched that topside hole in the Progenitor."

"Yikes. So we don't get close to this thing?"

"You got it, sister. Cass, when it misses its target where will it wind up?"

"Displaying trajectory. Way out in deep space, away from everyone and everything, Ma'am."

"Good."

"What would happen if we popped it with a couple of plasma bursts?" Michelle asked.

"Are you crazy? Don't answer that. We won't be popping it with plasma bursts."

"I'm wondering the same thing," Cass said.

"What?"

"I haven't found anything in the Progenitor archives about how that anomaly didn't go through the ship. Both ships were on a course for the stranger's ship when they were turned into anomalies. Then they were pulled together. I have to assume they were still on the same trajectory, which would have taken them through the Progenitor. Where did that anomaly go? Ma'am," Cass asked.

Gillian was quiet for a long time. Neither Caster or Michelle interrupted her thoughts.

"Anything else, Cass?"

"There are plasma burns on the edges of that damaged section, Ma'am."

Again Gillian was silent and deep in thought. She knew she would have to get permission to try. And then, maybe Warrior's big plasma cannon should be used. She would hate to go back after destroying the damn thing and tell them what she did without getting permission.

"We're going back, set course and jump. Let Chaser know."

"Yes, Ma'am"

The shutter closed for a split second. Then it opened as Caster slowly made way for Warrior. Her ship knew her all too well.

"Is the Admiral on board?" Gillian asked.

"He is, Ma'am."

"Is Michelle coming?"

"No, I told her you wanted her back inside Progenitor. Was that all right, Ma'am?"

"Yes, it was. Thank you, Cass. Where is the Admiral?"

The ship was grounded in the shuttle bay of Warrior One.

"He is on the bridge, Ma'am."

Gillian unbelted and was out the hatch before anyone could tell her no. She hurried down the passageway to the bridge. When she got there, she stood in the doorway until someone noticed her. It was Candle who did, although she was pretty sure the Admiral had been notified of her arrival in the shuttle bay. Candle walked over to the Admirals chair. Leaned down and whispered in his ear. The Admiral turn just enough to look at Gillian. Then he was up and out of his chair heading for his ready room and Candle was headed for Gillian.

"Right this way, Miss Gillian."

"Thank you, Candle," she responded following him to the Admirals ready room.

"Just knock." Candle turned and left her standing there. She knocked, hard.

"Come in," the shout came from the other side of the door.

Gillian opened it and stepped into the room.

Chapter 156

Gillian took the two steps to the Admirals desk and snapped to attention. She saluted and held it. The Admiral looked up at her and smiled.

"You're no longer a cadet Commander, you don't have to knock on my door so hard and there is no call for you to make me get up. Clear?"

"Yes, sir." Gillian let her arm drop.

"Sit, Gillian, sit down, please."

Gillian sat in the only other chair in the room, just to the right of the Admiral's desk.

"Now what did you find out?" She had completely forgotten she was to report to him on the anomaly. She put her face in her hands and scrubbed. Looking up she frowned.

"No difference. No change. The anomaly is still there, still on schedule, sir."

"Ezra, remember."

"Sorry, si... Ezra." Gillian shook her head.

"What is it, girl?"

"Michelle and Cass both wondered what would happen if we put a couple plasma bolts into the anomaly."

"What?

"Cass downloaded the entire archive from the Progenitor. That hole in the top, was made by an anomaly, just like the one we are following. It was created by two ships, firing at a third much larger ship that hit them with something that caused them to turn into anomalies just like the Gar scouts did. Then they came together over the Progenitor blowing the hole in the top of the hull. Cass said the trajectory of the combined anomaly should have carried straight through the Progenitor, but it didn't. She also says there are plasma burns around the edges of the hole."

"Why is this the first time I'm hearing this Gillian?"

"I don't know sir. The first time I heard it was... was it only a couple of days ago? No, it had to be longer than that."

"Four days, sixteen hours, fifty-three minutes," Fain said. "I remember Cass telling me about it. She showed me pictures."

"Why wasn't this in one of your reports?" Ezra asked.

"I don't know. When I heard it from Caster, I made a mental note to put it in a report. But with all that has happened, it slipped my mind. I'm sorry, sir."

"I want a complete, detailed report by the end of the day. You hear me, Gillian?"

"Of course, sir."

"I suppose you want to be the one to shoot that damn hole in space-time?"

"I would, sir."

"Ezra."

"I'm sorry, I don't feel right when we are discussing business, sir."

"Fine. Who and how far away?"

"Just me. I haven't worked out a distance yet... "

"Cass says the distance from the center of the hole to about ten clicks behind the Progenitor."

"Thank you, Fain," Ezra said. "There you have it. Now, when?"

"As soon as we can... say ten minutes."

"Ten minutes. How far away is it?"

"Ten light years."

"How long did it take you to get there?"

"Less than a second."

"Your ship traveled ten light year in less than a second?"

"She did, sir," Gillian answered.

"Fain, how long would it take you to get there?"

"Less than a second, sir."

"How is that possible?"

"The new drive allows me to apply an acceleration vector as large as I want, then take it away just before I drop back into normal space. Or I can leave whatever acceleration vector I want as we drop into normal space."

"Do all the ships know this?"

"They do, sir."

"How did you find out?" Ezra asked looking at Gillian.

"Caster told me."

"Sir, she never told me. She only told me she could go faster when I asked her to do so."

"Knowing this, how long will it take up to get back to Earth?"

"Ten hours, fifty-six minutes and thirty-five seconds," Fain said.

"How fast will we be going?"

"In hyperspace?"

"Yes."

"Speed is actually irrelevant in hyperspace."

"Guess."

There was silence. Ezra looked up at the speakers, then at the camera in the corner.

"Cass hazard a guess, that I wouldn't. Fifty-two times the speed of light."

Now Ezra was speechless as was Gillian.

"Go, go have fun shooting that thing. If you need bigger guns, call me. Evidently, we're less than a second away," Ezra said with a frown.

Gillian smiled at him, then started to chuckle. Ezra was soon chuckling right along with her.

Chapter 157

At the last minute, Admiral Nichols decided that Warrior One should accompany Caster. Warrior would stay back and out of the way, but would be there standing by just in case.

"Cass, are we far enough away?" Gillian asked.

"We are."

"Right. Ready weapons, full power burst, six rounds, on my command."

"Ready. Full power burst, six rounds."

"Fire."

Three rounds from each barrel shot across the distance striking the anomaly dead center. At first, nothing happened and Gillian was about to tell Cass to fire again when the anomaly suddenly collapsed in upon itself and disappeared.

"Well, that's that," Cass said.

Gillian just sat there looking at where the damn thing used to be.

"Caster, report." Came the Admirals voice.

"Anomaly has been... destroyed... is gone... has disappeared."

"Which is it, Commander?"

"All three, sir."

"Did you record?"

"We did, sir."

"I want to see that vid when we get back to the Progenitor."

"Yes, sir. On our way." Cass cut the connection. "Back to Progenitor, Cass."

"Yes, Ma'am."

And they were there. Gillian got out of her chair and went to her bunk. She was exhausted.

"Cass, send the vid to Warrior, attention Admiral Nichols, please."

"Done. Fain is showing him now, Ma'am."

"Good, I'm going to take a nap. The only one who can disturb me is the Admiral. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Cass."

Gillian was asleep when her head hit the pillow.

"Gillian?" Cass whispered.

"I'm awake."

Gillian swung her legs over the side of the bed and planted her feet on the deck.

"Anything I should know about?" Gillian asked.

"Nothing. Well, there is the usual documents and so forth, but nothing pressing."

"Thank you, dear."

"You're welcome, Ma'am."

Gillian sat still for a while. She was still exhausted and didn't know why. Several long days, long days of worrying and then finding Brela. All of that just added up to exhaustion. Well, she had easier days ahead of her, at least she hoped she did. The anomaly was gone. The hyperdrive worked. Progenitor had held together. They would be headed home in a few days. Hell, it could be tomorrow.

"Michelle and Becky are on their way over, Ma'am."

"Let them in when they get here, dear."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Gillian got up and slipped into her uniform singlet. Opening the refrigerator, she took out one of the refillable bottles of water, twisted the cap off and took a deep drink. The cabin door opened and Michelle and Becky stepped in.

"Ah, you're up," Michelle said.

"Of course I'm up. What gave you the idea that I wouldn't be," Gillian said taking another gulp from her water.

"Nothing. We just haven't heard from you since you got to go kill the big bad anomaly," Michelle quipped. "So, what's on the agenda for the rest of the day?"

"Well, you ladies will have to get acquainted with the groups you will be standing by with during the jump to earth."

"Yeah, that's what we thought. Any word on which will be with who?"

"No, I'm getting together with Thesses tomorrow, I want all of you to come with. We'll decide who goes where. You will each have some Marines for your and their protection. We don't want another tragedy."

"I hear you sister, what happened yesterday was tragic and sad, even though she was... .a problem," Michelle said softly.

"She was, but I wouldn't wish what happened to her on my worst enemy," Gillian said. "In the meantime, you guys are free until tomorrow morning. You can go over to Warrior and take advantage of their recreational facilities if you want."

"Cool. Are you coming?" Michelle asked.

"No. I'm going to stay here. Just in case," Gillian answered.

"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Sure thing, ladies."

"Have a pleasant day, Ma'am," Becky said as Michelle herded her toward the hatch.

"Thank you, Becky," Gillian replied cheerfully as they exited her craft.

Gillian went to her bed and stood looking. She decided that she would stay up, but didn't want to see anyone. She sat in one of the chairs by the bed and picked up her tablet. She flicked through the documents waiting for her signature.

"Admiral Nichols approaching," Cass said softly.

"If he's coming here let him in."

"Yes, Ma'am."

The hatch never opened. Gillian shrugged.

"What's he doing Cass?"

"Going over the path Brela took to get in the shuttle bay, Ma'am."

"He must have read my report."

"He did, Ma'am. He's coming back... and walking right by us."

"Oh well." Gillian finished up with the documents waiting for her to read or sign. Then she started on her report to the Admiral about what Caster had related to her during the flight with that science guy. An hour later she finished and sent it off, leaned back into the chair and closed her eyes.

Chapter 158

That night Gillian went to bed earlier than she usually did. She was still feeling exhausted and wanted to get as much sleep as possible. Unfortunately, she was up and down all night long. Dozing for two to three hours, then up fidgeting for an hour. When she finally did sleep for longer than three hours, she was awakened by Caster.

"Sorry, Ma'am, it's time to get up."

"I know. Thank you."

"Do you want breakfast?" Cass asked.

"Yes, it's going to be a long day."

"Coming up, Ma'am."

Gillian sat eating her breakfast in her pilot chair. Going over the minutia that military bureaucracies produce. Looking up at the overhead, she laughed aloud. Before her promotion, she had hardly ever had to read anything but her orders and most of the time they came through Nolan Tóla or Patrick Egan verbally. Now she knew why Nolan was always in such a bad mood. He probably tried to read everything, instead of having his ship filter out all the garbage. Of course she could always shift the garbage over to her second in command, but Bridget would just pile it on Cassidy.