http://www.slipstreambbs.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000396.html

IC: Siobhan followed Graynes' instructions and began to control her breathing. She tried to relax her body. There was something different about this vision, a sense of urgency that hadn't been present before. As she relaxed, the office around her faded away to a hazy purple expanse. She seemed to be floating as if in space with no sense of up or down. In the distance, she could see something beginning to take shape.

Siobhan found by concentrating, she could move nearer to the shape in the distance. Gradually, the object took shape until she could distinctly see the Purple Horizon looming before her. The ship seemed to have sustained massive battle damage.

Siobhan wondered if anyone aboard the ship could have survied. That though drew her through the walls of the ship and onto the bridge. Siobhan looked around the damaged bridge until she spotted a figure prone on the floor. Moving, closer, she saw LoP. Her first imperssion was that he was dead. She drew closer and saw very his chest rising and falling with shallow breather. He was badly injured, near to dying she though.

I should tell Graynes.

Siobhan hesitated. She didn't want to lose the vision. She had a sense there was more. However, she was unsure how to tell Graynes what she was seeing without breaking the vision.

Graynes sensed that she had seen something so he spoke softly.

Tell me what you are seeing. Keep your concentration on where you are.

Siobhan focused on LoP's figure. Reaching an insubstantial hand toward him, she began to speak.

I'm on the Purple Horizon. She's badly damaged. I've found LoP lying on the bridge. He's dying.

Siobhan's words were terse, stark statements of what she was seeing.

Graynes nodded to himself. Look around at the main console, there is a readout for the weapons control. Does it show that he used one of the Omega devices? An idea of why LoP hadn't healed himself yet was forming in his mind.

Siobhan moved towards the console. She found it too badly damaged too read the weapons status. She moved onto the weapons console. She inspected the readings.

Yes, he did use one of the omega devises. Do you think that has something to do with LoP's condition?

Graynes leaned closer as if he could see her vision, but of course he couldn't. Yeah, I do. If it contacted an exploding slipdrive the explosion would have been partially in slipstream. That kind of injury will require our help if he is to live. His own ability is trying to repair the damage, but all it can do is extend his life awhile.

Graynes placed his hand on Siobhan's shoulder to help slow the shaking. What she was seeing must be pretty bad. We need to get to him. Can you get any information on location from any of the controls? Is Athena available? You should be able to manipulate the easier electronic controls.

Siobhan moved towards the navigation panel. She tried reaching towards the control. Her first attempt, her hand passed right through the controls. She concentrated on her hand and the controls. Slowly, she was able to give her hand enough substance that she could manipulate some of the controls. She powered up enough of the systems that she was able to determine the PH was in a system containing a blue dwarf. She attempted to get a fix on the PH's position.

It looks like I'm only going to be able to get a partial fix on the PH's postion.

Graynes nodded. Try activating Athena's internal systems.AIs have an ability to see much that we can't.

Siobhan located the internal systems controls. Some appeared to be damaged. She concentrated again, activating as many undamaged controls as she could.

Athena sprang onto the bridge. What? I know the nanobots haven;t gotten here yet and..........SIOBHAN!! What are you doing here?

Ummmmm, having a vision? Siobhan answered the AI in shock. She hadn't expected the Athena to be able to see her.

That explains why I can see through you and...Athena spots LoP on the floor. Is he ....dead?

No. He is dying though. Athena, we need to reach you quickly. Can you get any fix on your position?

I can only get 445 off the last reading LoP took. Most of my systems are badly damaged. Athena raised the internal temperature and increased the oxygen. I will keep the internal life support going until someone gets here. Oh, I remember that the star nearby is a blue dwarf. I hope that helps. Pleae...get here soon! LoP can't die! I....we need him.

Graynes saw a cloudiness starting to form in Siobhan's eyes Time to come back

Siobhan, passed the information along to Graynes and began to concentrate on returning to the office. As the desk began to resolve before her, Siobhan caught a flash of vision. She saw the planet as she left it. LoP was standing atop the planet. As she tried to get a closer look, a monstrous black shape rushed into view, swallowing the planet and LoP.

Siobhan emerged from the vision shaking. Before she lost the memory of that last vision, she related it to Graynes.

What do you think it means?

Graynes shook his head. I have no idea Siobhan. I'm sure that when the right information comes along it will become clear. He glanced over at the desk, a flashing message caught his eye. It looks like our Niet frinds are back too.

Siobhan sighed. That man is enough to make me lose complete control of my temper. I think I'm turning into my husband. I'd like to permanently snip that Tree from the timeline!

Graynes had to laugh out loud at that. Would you allow me to handle him? I think he may be usefull. I mean, LoP did...er does trust him.

You can have him with my gratitude. I'm just as happy to wash my hands of him.

My pleasure madam president. Now, if you will excuse me I will leave. Your husband should be on his way soon.

Siobhan stood and saw the General out.

[This message has been edited by bossysister (edited August 30, 2002).]

IC:

Caiomhe walked down the few steps, her hand placed over the weapon at her side. “Well, I’d offer to drive you, but I don’t exactly know where her office is. From the little I studied you; you didn’t exactly leave that cabin much. My vehicle is back where I tried to kill you, and yours…”

”You blew to pieces.” Biddarin said, an almost playful voice. He really didn’t feel bad about it, he’d been in her position before, and it wasn’t her fault there was a price on his head...or that she hadn’t gotten her bounty the usual way.

“Wasn’t personal.” She added cheerfully and she came toward the road and stopped.“ Unless you have another vehicle, I could call for one.”

“I have one here. I’m not exactly poor you know, that transfer won’t bounce,” he said with a smirk. For some reason, he couldn’t stop from showing off around her. He thought he was coming across rather...arrogantly, but it was totally unthinking. He decided he would have to watch it more closely; he didn’t want her to get a bad impression of her new boss. “Shall we go, hopefully Siobhan will be waiting for us.”

"I'm sure it won't, that'd be very stupid." Looking around she noted the car off to the side. "And of course, it'd most likely be a good idea to see her. Wouldn't look good on my record to have killed anyone trying to arrest me, I think." Her hand extended toward the car. "Would you rather I drive, or would you like to yourself?"

“You can, unless you’d prefer for me too. It’s not hard to get there from here”

"Keys?" Caiomhe asked, looking back at Biddarin. "I doubt you want me to hot wire your car," she commented sarcastically.

"I have no doubt you could, but why not make it easier” Biddarin reached behind him and tossed her the keys, noting her excellent reflexes as she caught them. "Well, shall we go?"

Grasping the keys and lowering her arm, she smiled, her nose scrunching momentarily. "Thanks," she replied heading over to the car, unlocking it and opening the door. Silently she noted the lack of alarms or the like. She mentally sighed, ' alarms are way too annoying. ' She stepped inside, also noting the interior, and closed the door, waiting patiently for her employer.

As he got in the car beside her, he looked over her and started giving her directions. He looked over at her while she was driving, and he noticed something he hadn't had the chance see before. Between the fight and the money and the guns, his adrenaline had been at a pretty high level the entire time. But now as he looked over, he realised; she's attractive. Not just in a high-end mercenary assassin way, but also...she's beautiful He quickly started focussing on what he would tell Siobhan, slightly discomforted in his thoughts. The last thing he needed was yet another entanglement.

Caiomhe momentarily looked over at her employer, seeing the crease in his brow she considered making small conversation, but dismissed it, instead asking which way when the vehicle came to a three way intersection. "By the way, is there anything I should know when we get there? Other than Siobhan's reflexes are excellent as you noted earlier."

"Um...just try to remember that Siobhan isn't a normal Nietzschean female. She went through a lot back in the old days, and I think it really changed her." Yeah, changed her enough to marry outside her species...but now's not the time "Her...views on the universe are different. Try not to be too surprised"

"I'll do my best." Her nose scrunched again as she made the last turn into the lot, parking then turning the engine off. Pulling the keys out of the ignition, her fingers fumbled with them for a moment before nodding in the direction of the steering wheel. "It's nice."

Opening the door and stepping out she waited till he was out before closing and locking it. "Catch," she smirked, tossing the keys over the hood toward him.

He grabbed the keys and tossed them in his pocket. Moving beside her, he motioned her to the door and led her up to Siobhan’s office

[This message has been edited by Tio (edited September 01, 2002).]

As soon as the alarms went off enTranced raced to the bridge buttoning his Uniform Tunic. Without a thought of the months that he had been away from the Military he barked out a simple :

REPORT.

The First Officer who seemed to have a decent head on his shoulders brought him up to speed.

So we have Niet ships coming in from the outpost and now we have a squadran of unknown ships moving to interecpt them.

But i'm more worried about the events on the planet. And...

His fingers brushed along his medalion....

I have a feelings things are only going to get worse.

I'm going down to the planet. Keep the ship stationed here and put out a yellow alert to all Trancer ships in this system.

I will be taking my personal fighter.

[This message has been edited by enTranced (edited August 30, 2002).]

What is it Ensign?

“Sir, I’m receiving a hail from the Niet fleet.”

Acknowledge them and put them through to me in the OIC office.

“Yes sir” She returned to her console.” Imperial Expeditionary Fleet Sigma, I am transferring you to the Officer in Charge’s office. Please standby.”

“Affirmative Trancer Command. Standing by as requested.”

Graynes entered the sparse office and sat at the main desk. Mentally he noticed that very little had changed in the room since he had last used it several years ago. He activated the comm. unit on the desk.

General Graynes here.

Graynes listened to the Niet communications man as he started to speak and interrupted him since he knew who he needed to talk to.

Listen son, you get the Archduke online and I will talk with him.

The comm. officer started to protest, but Graynes’ voice carried enough authority to stop him.

No more young man. Get the Archduke NOW.

“Yes sir.”

Graynes waited patiently for the Archduke.

___________________________________________
Athena monitored LoP closely now that Siobhan had activated her internal system. Part of her kept thinking of how she almost shut life support down completely. At the same time she monitored the bots as they worked at gathering ore.
_____________________________________________

One of the human crew stepped up to Evil LoP, his face flushed slightly from running to the bridge. Slowly EloP turned to him.

What is it?

“Sir, our spy has just reported that LoP may still be alive! His ship may have crashed on a planet, no one seems to know where yet. The Than have detected unusual energy signatures near Earth. If what you placed in the computer about the Omega device is true, he may have had an Omega/Slipstream event.”

EloP nodded slowly and dismissed the man with a wave of his hand. So, LoP was probably alive but injured someplace. The computer should be able to give him a general idea using the information regarding the slipstream that was affected. An idea began to forming his twisted mind as he punched information into the computer.

He would find LoP, kill him for real and take his place on the ship. With the right injuries inflicted on himself, no one would even think to question him.

The computer screen flashed some number, giving him an area to search. It would take half of his fleet to do it, but the potential was worth the risk. The other half he would send to Kroyous, mostly swarmships. He preferred his human crews any day.

Comm, signal Beta , Gamma and Delta teams to proceed to Kroyous. Their main focus is the JMT and the space platform. Tell them to leave once they are destroyed.

“Yes sir”

At the last minute he had decided to only send one third of his fleet. Self preservation was his first priority.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited August 30, 2002).]

Sir, the Trancer Command wishes to speak with you, someone called General Graynes. He claims to be the senior officer.

Very well, Sub-Lieutenant, patch him to my cabin.

The Legate pushed button and a computer console raised itself out of the dinner table. Carefully cleaning his mouth with a table cloth, Rujevit looked at the image of the grey Trancer:

What can I do for you General?

He inquired while giving disapproving looks to Leta, who continued to display bad manners across the table.

[This message has been edited by Rujevit (edited August 30, 2002).]

IC:

Thelmth entered the command center and took a chair outside Siobhan's office. Her human teammate sat across the room from her in order to offer protection. He wathced as she picked up a book and started cooly looking through it.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited August 30, 2002).]

I gave no such order so how can it possibly be canceled?

EDIT : Changed the wording of my original post to "Niet Ships" and "Unknown Squadron" and i STILL never gave such an order, nor would I.

THIS is what i told the fleet :

quote:

---

I'm going down to the planet. Keep the ship stationed here and put out a yellow alert to all Trancer ships in this system.

---

And my character gives standing notice that any Trancer foolish enough to belay that order will be greeting the open arms of the Goddess a little sooner then he or she expected!

enTranced

[This message has been edited by enTranced (edited August 30, 2002).]

IC: Siobhan was happy to turn the Nietzscheans over to General Graynes. She had more than enough to do with out trying to deal with them. As she saw the General out the door, Siobhan spotted Jid in the outer office.

Jid, excellent. Come in. Let's here what you found.

Jid stood up, and walked briskly into the office, producing the flexi containing his findings in the system seemingly out of nowhere. "Do you want the fast version, or would you rather read it yourself?"

Unfortunately, I don't seem to have time for anything any more. Siobhan motioned Jid to a seat. I'll take the fast version, please.

Jid detailed the status of the Archduke's fleet before it left the system quickly and succintly. "There's plenty more on their fighter formation flying and the like, but that's details best saved for a time they might actually be useful," he added to the end.

Siobhan snorted in disgust. That time might very well be now. The Archduke has returned. With a larger fleet.

"Well, until they start making agressive overtures, no need to bother with tactical data," Jid said, smiling quietly. "Not that you seem particularily worried."

Siobhan smiled beautifically. I'm beginning to believe in the Goddess after all. She has blessed me with the talented General Graynes. I'm just as glad enTranced is back.

Truly, though, I do not trust the Archduke or his motives. That brings up another matter. This situation has shown me that we ..... I ...... need a certain sort of Trancer for a highly sensative assignment in Trancer Command. Siobhan passed a flexi across the desk to Jid.

Jid picked it up without looking. "Does this certain sort of Trancer need any special skills?"

Siobhan flashed a devious grin. Well, he should be discreet. Able to fit in anywhere. A sort of Trancer-of-all-trades. He should be very observant, and the ability to mix a good drink is a must.

"So, I've got the job then," he winked, and looked at the flexi for the first time. "Oooh! So I *do* get a raise."

Siobhan chuckled. Yes, you do indeed get a raise, and an official commision, even though it won't be made public.

"I should hope not!" he said, reading more of the flexi.

Do you have any questions before I log your official acceptance?

"I do get VIP passes to all the swanky Trancer functions from now on, right?"

Sure, VIP bartender passes. Siobhan winked at him. Yes, Jid, you do get all the perks attached to your new rank, including larger quarters if you want them.

Hmmm, well, unless they're closer to a certain someone's, I'll keep my own. Too much sudden perks would raise some eyebrows, no? He said, half smiling.

Quite true. They're reserved for you though. Perhaps you can use them at some point on the basis that two need more space than one. Siobhan flashed another grin.

Jid raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps, indeed." He grinned in spite of himself/

If you're agreed then, I'd like you to start right away. I think we'll publically log your assignement as my personal assistant. Siobhan indicated the flexi he had given her. The first thing you can do is copy General Graynes on this report.

"Will do," he said, rising. "And one last thing... if I need to pull rank, what am I, officially?"

Officially, you'll be a Commander. Siobhan picked up a coded data chip from her desk and passed it across to Jid. If that's not sufficient to get you what you need, this should take care of things.

Jid picked it up, and flipped it once absentmindedly in the air, catching it, and making it seem to vanish as he caught it. "Fair enough. I'll get on this right away."

General Graynes in down at the OIC office. You can fill him in on your findings. Come back to the office when you are done. I may have a task for you right away.

"Yes maam," he said, turning, and exiting the office briskly.

Jade threw her hands up in the air. "Leave it to a frellin Nietz to have a backwerds ship." She grumbled. The cybernetic harpy stood up from the command center and headed back to the small hanger bay. She was about to intergrade her systems into the ships memory when an angry AI materalized in front of her.

"Get out!" He growled. Jade raised her brow. She checked behind her to make sure the hologram was talking to her. "If you do not leave immediatly. I will begin a self destruct program to annilate you." Jade grabbed one of the panels.

"Oh no you won't." She breathed pulling out wires in a frenzy. The ship became more angered. His grey flared into a firey red.

"Beginning count down, ten....." Jade tapped her data port in thought. Should she enter the ships system. If the ship was beginning count down and was already turned off to her he might fry her systems. Jade slammed her fist on an open panel. What was she going to do?

"Oh...frell"

She hurried to command....but her systems remained disabled

"The cargo bay!"

She ran as fast as she could....she just hoped she could make it in time.

"5, 4, 3.."

She entered the cargo bay and growled at the stranger

"Herakles terminate self destruct sequence now"

She entered her command code into the main computer

"2, 1..... self destruct sequence aborted. Welcome back Captain"

[This message has been edited by Raevenfromkhcmb (edited September 03, 2002).]

"Herakles is.....simply Herakles. He does not like intruders....and that is what you are. Now if I might make a suggestion.....get the hell out of my cargo bay. I specifically informed Mr O'Neal that no-one should interfere with my ships systems, either you never received that message or you have a .......death wish!"

Some time in the gardens of the Cathedral was what he needed, and Luna's advice was sound.

However, Daveed realized that the tameness of gardens did not suit him at the moment. He called down to the concierge and arranged for a car,and local maps.

A drive in the countryside would be just the thing.

Soon, Daveed was headed out of the city and toward the woods that loomed invitingly. Anthipolis was home to vast forests. Trees here were not the two hundred foot giants he was familiar with but their green depths drew him.

Once in the forest he drove slower, alowing other traffic to pass him. He becan making random turns, choosing quieter side roads.
Eventually he ran out of road, and stopped the car to stretch his legs as dusk fell, and the forest darkened.

[This message has been edited by Shalamar (edited September 09, 2002).]

"Welcome aboard Mr. O'Neal...as you no doubt overheard we were just talking about you.....as for why I left the hospital."

She winked

"I got bored!... now if everyone would like to remove themselves from the cargo bay...we can continue this discussion up in command.

Herakles....enable all systems"

[This message has been edited by Raeven (edited September 04, 2002).]

I welcome you back to our star system, but I do have to admit to some curiosity as to your return. I need to know your reason for being here. Unlike some, I don’t think you are here for conquest. Especially since LoP trusted you. But in order for me to trust you, I need to know why you are here.

Now, this is a secure line, but if you would rather we can meet in person.

Graynes waited for the Archduke’s response. The next few moments could have long lasting repercussions, for both of them.

Conquest? Yes, I am here to conquer, but not Kroyous. And my trip here has already produced an unexpected bonus.

The Archduke looked over the screen to see Leta finish the last mango. The Legate then turned back to Graynes.

I cannot reveal to you everything about my intentions and goals. You will have to either trust what I say or not. In the latter case, I would be much obliged if you informed me right away.

Rujevit brought his right hand to his face and clenched the fist, his bonespurs facing the viewscreen.

I am a Nietzschean, General, and as one I always look to ensure my survival. I have many havens throughout the known Universe, but my powerbases are few. Therefore, I always look to acquire more.

The Archon lowered his right arm onto the table and his face became serious.

However, temporal power is no longer my primary goal. LoP understood that when I approached him some time ago and offered my services to Kroyous in exchange for power and prestige within the Trancer Hierarchy. I would remain on Fountainhead and train my Special Forces using the best facilities the Nietzschean Empire has to offer. LoP was to have a secret team at his disposal should something very discreet needed to be done.

Rujevit allowed himself a small smile at this moment.

Unknown force cannot be countered.

He took a serious expression once more on.

Now, General Graynes, I am here currently to make sure that my powerbase here is not eroded and I can do that by finding LoP and bringing him back. I can do that either alone, or with your help.

The Legate brought his hands together and pressed the fingers against each other, making a cracking sound, his face showing that he awaited the answer...

He looked up into the Archduke’s eyes and looked for deception in them. But like all Niets, his were unreadable. He made his decision. If LoP trusted this man, then he would also.

Okay, I accept your assistance in finding LoP. We have discovered that he is still alive, but lost. Don’t ask me how I know this, let’s just say Trancers do have some unique ways about them. We should be mounting a search in a short while and once I have the details I will get the information to you. Until then, maintain your current position and status. I would offer your crew shore leave, but I don’t think there will be enough time for that. Perhaps after we find LoP. Kroyous has many things to offer that I think even your people might enjoy.

Graynes entered a code into the console.

I have given your fleet temporary Trancer status. This will allow you to work with our ships as needed. I hope this is a start of a great time of cooperation between our people.

And, Graynes thought to himself, I hope I haven’t allowed the fox in the hen house.

Now if you would……. Graynes was interrupted by his comm. officer. Escuse me for a moment.

Graynes turned toward the communications officer. This had better be important.

“Sir, Outpost twelve has detected multiple slipstream signatures. They report swarmships entering the system along with several larger cruiser!”

Graynes reaction was instant and nearly violent. BATTLE ALERT!! Notify the JMT and Platform. I want every tailfighter in the air NOW! He thundered

Alert Siobhan and EnTranced. He spun back to the console.

Archduke, our outpost has detected swarmships entering the system on the other side of Kroyous. You should be picking them up any moment. Move your ships closer to the planet, the platform and planetary defenses can cover you that way.

Around Graynes Trancers moved quickly and efficiently.

OOC: And he ups the ante!!

IC:

___________________________________________

Thelmth felt the tickle of her subdermal signal. It was time. Slowly she headed into Siobhan's office. She failed to notice the arrival of EnTranced in the outer office as she entered the main office.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited September 04, 2002).]

Admirals - he sent a message to Ney and Wellington - I need one cruiser captured.

The Archduke then lowered the computer back into the desk and looked at the food in front of him. He took a new table cloth and placed it on his lap, while selecting his next dish.

Vice-Admiral Alcibiades Ney was moving the slow Harbinger towards Kroyous, while Suvorov Wellington began the move to intercept the Magog ships with the Battlecruiser taskforce, which included the Asparukh, where the Archduke and the new Duchess were having a supper.

OOC: LoP, could you please e-mail me the exact composition of the Magog force?

All ships, take out that Niet fleet. The JMT and platform will wait. Launch all swamships.

The twelve large ships began to launch wave after wave of Magog Swarmships. All heading towards Rujevit’s waiting battle group.

And the Trancer main fleet was still over an hour away.

___________________________________________

Thelmth entered Siobhan's office and smiled a greeting. Nothing about her even warned Siobhan that she was in danger. She had years of practice in hiding here true goals.

She held her hand out in greeting, her other hand dangled innocently at her side. She knew that the Niet woman would never know what had hit her.

_____________________________________________

Across Kroyous alarm klaxans began to sound.

His mind ran through possibilites "She is her to cause trouble." he thought. His hand drifted towards his gun but he stopped."If she was here to do it she would have done it already." the other voice said.He looked her in the ey as she had noticed the drifting of his hand. "Do you know what is happening?" he asked.
He knew Jade would be just as fast as him if not faster at acting if this turned into a gun fight which right now would not be good for anyone.
Realizing he might get the truth by showing an act of good faith. He moved his hand delibertly waay from his weapon.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, no matter how quickly you think you can draw your weapon, it won't be quick enough"

The doors to command slid shut.

Celeste smiled

"Mr. O'Neal....I can assure you that I have nothing to do with your current 'situation'...in fact if someone had bothered to listen to my request to see Siobhan, you would have been forewarned and "

She thought about the weapon stowed in the cargo bay

"...perhaps better equipped to deal with the swarm ships heading your way. Now I really need to speak with......Archduke Tzimisces, so if you'll excuse me"

The doors opened

"Mr. O'Neal I believe your services are required elsewhere...I'm sure.."

She looked at Jade

"...she will keep me company!"

OOC:

Lieutenant, - the Admiral addressed his intelligence officer - send probes if possible to find out what Pride these battleships used to belong to.

Suvorov moved closer to the tactical display in the centre of the bridge and drew vectors on it.

Captain Rochambeau, make sure these orders are transmitted to the entire taskforce. Once in position, execute Rho-One.

The female captain of the Abyss nodded in agreement, contacting the group's vessels and making sure they all received Admiral's instructions.

Deploy skirmishers - Suvorov continued after few seconds.

The seven gunboats immidiately broke away from the fleet and screamed towards the advancing Magog swarmships.

The Nietzschean group took a vector to move away from any gravity wells, but was still on the course to intercept the invading fleet.

The quick gunboats had been already engaging some of the swarmships, when the Abyss taskforce moved just within the missile range.

Simultaneous orders from the Nietzschean captains could be heard on the Imperial bridges:

Empty all tubes! Slipstream!

The Nietzschean fleet discharged the full load of their ammunition and disappeared into the slipstream, while the skirmishing gunboats broke they engagement and speeded towards the Harbinger, who was still moving to take a defensive position behind the platform.

[This message has been edited by Rujevit (edited September 05, 2002).]

He produced the flexi Siobhan had given him, and set it quietly on General Graynes desk, standing back to wait for further orders.

OOC: Meow Rae! LOL

"What the hell are you talking about, I'm not a spy. Dammit woman if I were here to destroy you......you'd be dead by now...I would have let Herakles finish the count down...and I'd be long gone. What is it with you lesser mortals..you should try engaging your brain before you act......you're no match for me...you are weak and inferior"

She took a step backwards....by the look in the womans eyes she was more than ready for a fight. She looked around, searching for something she could use as a weapon

The Archduke exited his cabin and headed to the bridge.

Thank you son. This information may prove usefull. Right now Magog ships are in the system and we need that Niet fleet's help.

You are dismissed.

Graynes returned to his console and read that the Niet ships had made an attack run. One Magog battleship was dead in space and one of the others was reported as damaged, but still moving to attack. The outpost was still transmitting so the Magog must have decided to attack the Niet fleet first.

Graynes checked flight control and saw that several squadrons of tailfighters would be within attack range in minutes. They should help keep the swarmships off the bigger ships.

How they could use the Purple Horizon and her special hull plating now, he thought.

___________________________________________

Moments before the Niet ship went into slipstream, three highspeed Magog swarmships had attached themselves to it's hull. As soon as they exited slipstream, the Magog would move in. They knew that their attack might be doomed, but they could inflict alot of damage.

____________________________________________

Outside of Trance City, a lone aircar settled softly onto the grass near the two lone Trancers sitting around a fire. The door opened and Jaynes stepped out.

You boys lost?

OOC:Tio, I'll get to you soon.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited September 06, 2002).]

The suiting up was quick and effortless. He was ready for orders it was likely they would be boarding the smaller groundside warships that would form up to break up the enemy.

He slung the rifle checked his gear and then the Sergent. "Doug Do not get killed." he told the trancer who looked nearly as ready. The two men walked the lines checking their men. "Das I hope this is the day you listen to orders." he told one of the younger men who looked a bit pale. "Ok guys this is what we get paid to do. Work with your teams. You are to kill as many of the enemy as you can make to the Spirt of the Abyss choke on what you send him. EnTrance is back so mayhem and death await. Just work on your part of the battle." he said aloud in a calm but commanding tone. He could see that the generals return was having a good effect on the mens confidence.
"Platoon by teams get ready for boarding." Doug ordered and the teams turned in unison,and headed towards the staging area. James knew that he was heading back to his home. War and all the death and distruction it entailed.

Now the die was cast.

Intruder alert. Intruder alert. Internal defences activated.

Ma'am, three Magog swarmships have attached themselves to my outer hull. They are moving to the slipstream core and are overwhelming the crew and the marines.

The holographic image of a blue-skinned female informed Captain Necahual Rochambeau. The Abyss class battlecruisers were a peculiarity among the Nietzschean vessels, unlike the rest of their brethren, they had female A.I.'s

Seal the slipstream chamber off, send a request to the nearest outpost for a company of Praetoreans.

The female Captain turned to Suvorov:

Sir, what are your instructions?

I will move back to Asparukh, you are to remain here until all the Magog have been neutralised; do the necessary repairs and then send a courier to the Kroyous system for further orders.

The Rear-Admiral and his two heavy-armoured Praetoreans quickly left the bridge and headed for the shuttle bay.

...

Alcibiades Ney's battleship was finally in position behind the platform and ready to stand its ground.

Well, we are under attack by a Magog invasion force. I don't have any details yet, but it is always bad when the Magog are involved.

Graynes looked around quickly. What I really need to find is an aide.

____________________________________________

The Magog swarmships changed course when the Niet fleet had vanished into slipstream and now angled toward Kroyous. The fleet commander stood on the bridge of the undamaged battleship and cursed the Niets, this should have been much easier. And now he was down at least one battleship. Reports also showed that one of the cruiser had taken a major hit on its bridge.

Commander! The magog reported. Tailfighters entering our battle sphere.

The commander nodded slowly, they could be a problem for the swarmships.

[This message has been edited by Lover of Purple (edited September 06, 2002).]

“You wanted to know who attacked me…..and perhaps now you have a right to know….all I can tell you is that magog made up some of my pursuers, the rest…well I need to speak with Siobhan first."

As an afterthought she added

"Take care out there Mr. O’Neal”

She turned back to the woman and smiled

“So do you wanna fight some more or do you want to help me ready this ship for battle? It makes no difference to me either way!

Now I’m going to have to turn my back on you for a moment, can I trust you not to attack? I have to get a message to the Archduke."

Herakles contact The Asparukh, check and see if the Archduke is on board...if he is transmit the following message.

Archduke Tzimisces, I must speak with you..it is a matter of great importance…I have the cargo…it is damaged, but can be repaired…I await your further instructions"

The lightly toned alert that signaled imminent slipstream exit sounded and Luna's voice..

..."All stations, set for portal exit, Kroyous space"..

Perigin Omega, the WayFarer's captain stood behind Devon as he manned the Primary sensor station.

..." I want every one to remember that we are here unannounced, even if our intentions are peaceful. Austin is that message ready for broadcast?"..

Her Communications Chief replied affirmatively, and added..

...." Perigrine, you should be resting, Patton can take us in"...

His voice carried a great deal of concern, as sharp eyes took in the weariness about her eyes and the white line of pain about her lips. He refused to let his look linger on the patch that covered her left eye,

Perigrine cut him off, but her tone was kindly..

..."Austin, I am fine. Trying to sleep would be futile at this time."

..."Slip Portal exit...Now.." Patton's age roughened voice announced from the pilots well.

Chaos erupted about them, as a Magog missile, meant for a different target, detonated against passive defenses, and Devon called out that his sensors were displaying Magog swarm and capitol ships abounding.

Battle Alarms sounded automatically and the responded like the well trained unit they were.

Point defense went active with a thought from Janus, one of the Wayfarers three A.I.s

Tactical holograms sprang to life designating targets..

..."Horus, prepare for a jump point preplot designation Bravo 3 on my command."..

Perigrin's voice was cooly collected as she moved to the Command Console.

..."Communications belay that broadcast..broadcast Ident ..."

"Captain there are Imperial Nietzschean ships in system.." Devon aded them to the tactical plot as the sensors picked them up,

..." Austin, use our old Ident.." She commanded.."Okay crew, let's go do the Universe a favor.."

Grim chuckles arose from her Command Crew, as they called off combat readiness status.

..."Captain, Target designate Tango Victor 2,...: Tactical sang out from her position within the hologram. A Nietzschean design Battleship had just launched a flight of missles at the WayFarer.

Revenant counter missles spat forth from the Wayfarer, at the order of the Missile Defense Officer.

A mere second later WayFarer returned fire from all tubes. The barrage was composed primarily of countermeasure and point defence spoofer missiles, but burried within the flight were four of the massive Durandahl ship killer missles.

Cheers erupted as the Magog battleship blew apart under the destructive power of the three Durandahls that made it past target Tango Victor 2's defenses.

..." Captain, we have swarm ships aproaching"..

..."Horus, on my mark...jump"..

A slightly nauseus second later they were on the far side of the Kroyous system..

..."Austin, get me President LoP on the Commo, if we are fighting swarm ships I want all children and non combatants off.."

..." and not being shot at by hopefully friendly forces would be nice too..." she muttered under her breath.

Minutes later Austin turned to her...

..."Captain, President LoP is not available"..

..." Then find me someone high in the military "..

Perigrin stifled a gasp of pain as the stopgap replacement heart spasmed, and for a split second every thing vanished in a grey haze. Recovering she turned her attention to Horus.

..."How many more jumps before that thermojunction fails again?"..

Horus paused in his designateing of additional jump points, and consulted internal sensors.

..."Six, maybe a seventh on luck. Even with that redesign we did will not handle the stresses. I will have three back up junctions ready to replace but each replace ment takes nearly twenty minuts under optimun conditions"...

Horus was a sly old A.I. and he kept his Captains attention while he took a completely different set of sensor readings.

He promptly sent a warning to the Medical Officer. His Captain's biosigns were rapidly deterioriating. The burden of being three weeks pregnant was an additional concern.

..."Austin, have you gotten thru to any one in Kroyous Command?...

Occ: knock, knock, got Magog?

[This message has been edited by Shalamar (edited September 09, 2002).]

Herakles took few more moments to analyse all the incoming data.

The battleship is transmitting flag codes of Vice-Admiral Alcibiades Ney of the Imperial Home Guard. Should I contact him?

--------------------------------------

Tribune Ney had just finished ordering the deployment of defences: drones, interceptors and point-defence weapons, when the skirmishing gunboats arrived and began to screen the Harbinger from the incoming swarmships and missiles.

The Vice-Admiral went over the data from the gunboats and the Trancer Command on the condition of the invading fleet. One battleship was damaged by the Wellington's raid and later destroyed, also one heavy cruiser was severely scathed. Still, the invading force was too large for Alcibiades' taste.

Sub-Lieutenant, open a channel to the Trancer Command. Commander, plot the optimal escape vector to execute Rho-Three and send a courier to the Wellington's taskforce with a request for Rho-Five.

Admiral addressed his communications officer and X.O.

Trancer Command, the odds of my ship surviving this attack are not acceptable, you will have to stand ground on your own.

Ney gave a sign to cut the transmission and turned again to his X.O.

Commander, execute Rho-Three.

The Nietzschean senior officer responded with commands to take the Harbinger on an escape course that took them to the left of the Magog fleet. One of the gunboats separated from the escort and zipped in the opposite direction to the closest slipstream point.

Just a quick reminder everyone that all battle results need to be ran by me first. Please email me with your intentions so we can avoid possible conflict.

(Thanks Rujevit for reminding me to post this)

"Vice-Admiral Alcibiades Ney....yes transmit a message, ask him for last known co-ordinates of the Archduke...tell him...tell him I can offer no further information at this time..but it is imperative I speak with the Archduke"

The Vice-Admiral aknowledges your request, however, they are in the middle of a battle. As soon as he has contact with the Legate, he will relay your message... The battleship is retreating.

"Sir, the cowardly Niets are turning tail and running!"

Graynes shook his head at the ensign as he spoke.

Cowardly? No, they are being smart. If the roles were reversed, I would be doing the same thing. At least until I could get more firepower with me. Have Alpha squadron give them covering firepower until they enter slipstream.

"Yes sir. Also, we have another Niet ship just entering the system. The JMT reports that the new ship has taken out one of the battleships. They have hailed us, they have families on their ship!"

Graynes nodded at the information and checked the flight logs. Yes, the Orion would do fine.

Inform the ship that we are sending the liner Orion to evacuate their families. I want two squadrons escorting that liner.

Graynes spun toward Tioki, who was still standing nearby since things had suddenly heated up.

Tioki, I need an aide and you seem to have the free time. I want you to contact the medical center and tell them to plan for wounded. Also, make arrangements for the Niet families to stay at nearby motels until this is over. He turned back to the ensign.

Order all planetary defenses to cover that Niet ship until it can move in closer to the platform.

"Yes sir!"

___________________________________________

The commander watched as one of his battleships exploded into a shower of debri. His eyes hardened into black slits as he ordered two of his cruisers to concentrate on the new Niet ship. He also ordered two squads of swarmships to join them.

A movement on the tactical screen caught his eye, one of the capital ships was moving off toward slipstream.

Let that ship go, all remaining ships are to concentrate on the JMT and the space platform!

__________________________________________

Commander, once the vector is complete, finish executing Rho-Three.

...

Wellington moved to the Asparukh and regrouped the taskforce so that the destroyer was in the middle, where the Abyss used to be.

The battlecruiser was still repelling the Magog and he had no time to wait for it to be cleansed and patched up - one of the gunboats brought a message from Ney requesting a Rho-Five, which meant he needed help mounting a counter-attack after a false retreat.

Lieutenant, signal the group for departure. Follow Vice-Admiral's instructions.

The pilot acknowledged and the task force entered the slipstream. Suvorov would have like to have the firepower of the Abyss in this manoeuver, but he hoped the element of surprise and Ney's choice of position would compensate their lack of strength.

Josh looked at the form of Jaynes. "How did you find us?" he asked the older Trancer. "Mostly just luck," Jaynes replied. "And your fire helped too." Josh looked over at Jon who was still looking silently into the fire.

Jon stared into the fire for a long moment before switching into business mode. He gathered his gunbelt and uniform jacket and stood up. "Well, it's a good thing you found us." He held up an ID to the old Trancer. "I'm Colonel Jon of the Trancer Guard. We need to get back to the city right away."

Jaynes looked at Jon with an eyebrow raised. "You're in a hurry, I can see. Well, you're just in time. The Magog are attacking us. Or the Nietzschean fleet in this case." "It couldn't have happened to a nicer species," Josh said sarcastically.

"The Magog? And the Niets? Wonderful!" Jon quickly sat down in the skimmer and strapped in. "Headquarters and hurry. We need to talk to Siobhan right away. Code Purple."

"I'm afraid that Siobhan is busy right now coordinating the attack effort," Jaynes replied, driving the skimmer. Josh raised an eyebrow. "She's too busy to see even us, her best operatives?" "Yes," Jaynes replied, keeping his eyes on the path ahead of him.

"Well that's too damn bad. I don't care what they're doing, we're going to speak to either Siobhan or Graynes. Doesn't this crate go any faster?"

"I'm sorry, Colonel," Jaynes said, keeping his eye on the road. "Unless you want me to crash, this thing does NOT go any faster, and I'm certainly not letting you drive."

Jon clenched and unclenched his fists as he gritted his teeth... Every tree, every rock they passed brought them that much closer to the city. He turned to Josh and whispered, "I hope we're not too late."

"We'll be fine," Josh said, grabbing Jon's hand and squeezing it. "We've already killed two assassins. What's another two? Or four? Or six?" Jaynes' tail twitched once. "Assassins? In the compound? That's it, I'm taking you to Graynes." Josh grinned at Jon. "NOW we're getting some action."

Jon nodded as he drew his forcelance and made certain that it was fully loaded and in battery. "Amazing the response that one word gets you around here."

Several minutes later, they were back on the compound and in front of Graynes. "That didn't take long at all," Josh muttered. "I think that old Trancer bastard took the LONG way to the woods." Graynes looked at Josh solemnly. "Hello son, is there something you need? I'm a little busy right now..."

Jon came to attention and saluted quickly. "General, we have reason to believe that there is to be an attempt made on Siobhan's life."

Graynes looked grimly at Jon. "And your evidence?"

Jon keyed his bracer quickly, transmitting the data into the AI matrix. "Trance should be able to access it now, sir. It was collected from the computer of a Nietzschean ship docked at the spaceport. There was also an unauthorized landing in the woods, where the Nietzscheans had set a trap. I'm afraid the portmaster was in on the plan, sir. The Niets killed him for his trouble.

This is Code Purple, sir. We have strong reason to believe that Siobhan's life is in immediate and extreme danger."

Graynes pressed a button on the console in front of him. "All hands, Code Purple. Send security to Siobhan's office IMMEDIATELY. Lock off all entrances and exits to the palace." He looked at Jon sternly. "You've done good son."

Jon breathed a small sigh of relief now that the information had been passed on, and could do some good. "Thank you, sir. I just hope we're not too late."

"Thankfully you're not Colonel," Graynes said. "You're back in the palace where you can do some good." He turned to Josh and a small smile escaped his face. "I believe HoloTrance wants to talk to you, Josh." Josh looked at Graynes in confusion and turned to Jon. "Do you know anything about this?"

Jon allowed himself to relax a bit and stand at parade rest. A puzzled look washed over his face at the General's question. "No sir, I don't. We've been out of the office for... Well, I guess it's close to 14 hours now."

"Well, I might as well see what she wants. One second guys." With a sigh, Josh walked out of the room and into the hallway. "HoloTrance, it's Josh. What do you want?" HoloTrance's obnoxiously perky form popped up in front of him, all smiles and giggles. "Welcome back, Josh! I've missed you. Where's Jon?" Josh gestured back to the command center. "He's in there having a great conversation with Graynes, I'm sure. What do you want." HoloTrance clapped her hands and a hologram of a gorgeous ship appeared on her hand. A hologram on a hologram. How interesting, Josh thought. "Your point being?" he asked. "This is your new ship," HoloTrance said with a bounce. Josh staggered backward into the command center, nearly falling into Jon's surprised body.

Jon caught Josh as he staggered back. "Josh? What is it?"

Josh stood up carefully and looked at Graynes. "You knew about this all along didn't you?" Graynes smiled at him, his eye on the tactical screen at all times. "About the ship? Yes. One of LoP's last orders was for you to have a replacement ship. Unfortunately, you died... and after LoP disappeared, we were never entirely sure what we would do with it. It has been in construction... until now and we were about to send it into the battle without you. As such, I'm very glad that you're in time."

Jon looked over the two Trancers before clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Josh. I'm sure she's a fine ship." He turned to the General. "Do you have a new executive officer for me, sir?"

"Right now we're a little busy to reassign you a new officer," Graynes replied grimly, pointing to a tactical display showing lots of death and destruction. "And you really should get your tail checked. That wound looks nasty," he said sympathetically. Josh grinned at Jon. "I think he's held up remarkably well, angst excepting."

Jon flashed a quick glare at Josh. "Yes, sir. With all the excitement... I'll head to medical right away, General. With your permission?"

"You have it," Graynes said, going back into the action. "I think this means we're dismissed," Josh said with a smile. "You go get that tail fixed. I'm going to go to my ship and see what LoP fixed up for me. I'll talk to you later, my friend."

Jon came to attention and saluted the General. "Thank you, sir." He turned away, his adrenaline rush wearing off, and the pain of his wound returning. But he stopped and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "Congratulations, my friend. You'll make a helluva captain." Josh nodded back and the Colonel walked out of the CIC on his way to medical...

"Trance, where the hell IS this ship of mine anyway?"

With a bounce (annoyingly), HoloTrance popped up in front of Josh. "Oh, it's very well hidden," she said. "LoP wanted to keep this a secret from you, and at the same time keep it protected from any invaders."

"In other words, he was preparing me a surprise birthday party. I'm flattered. I think."

"Don't take it too personally," HoloTrance said with a surprising amount of sympathy in her voice. "He loved you very much."

"I know," Josh said simply, turning away from her and continuing to walk down the corridor.

A few minutes later, HoloTrance popped up in front of him again.

"Is there something you want?" Josh asked in irritation.

"Just letting you know that you will be surprised when you see this ship. LoP planned it out very carefully."

"I've never been surprised by anything before and I don't need your help," Josh said, walking right through her and finding himself facing a wall.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," HoloTrance said, her voice a little hurt. "You need me to get through that wall."

Josh sighed, sagged his shoulders and turned around to face her. "Look, I'm sorry but could you tone your bounciness down a bit when you're talking to me. It makes me uncomfortable. NOW will you open this wall?"

HoloTrance frowned at him but managed to keep her facial expression steady. "Very well, Captain," she said, her voice deadpan.

With a silent shudder, the wall slid open to reveal a gigantic hanger. Josh walked in it and was... surprised.

"Why Captain," HoloTrance said, her voice wry. "I believe your heart rate is accelerated and your pulse quickening. Could it be that you're surprised?"

"There's a first time for everything," Josh said, looking at the gigantic ship in front of him with awe.

"Yes," HoloTrance said, looking at the ship with him, "This ship is far bigger than the Purple Horizon. The crew compliment is 200 and most of that crew has been on the ship preparing it for launch."

"Makes the days of having just a crew compliment of five on the Purple Horizon seem outdated," Josh said, continuing to admire the contour of his new ship.

"That's right," HoloTrance said. "195 new crewmembers that can disobey your orders at any time. Sound like anyone we know?"

"Trance, don't you have something better to do now, like scrub the missile conduits?"

"I don't believe so..." she started to say.

"Too bad," Josh said, distracted by his ship. "Initiate privacy mode, authorization Josh Alpha 223."

With a protesting squeal, HoloTrance vanished and Josh turned away with a smile.

"Sometimes there's too much of a good thing," he muttered, walking up to the opened hanger of his ship.

Crew were working all around him but no one paid attention to him. "They must not know who I am yet," Josh said to himself. "No matter. I'd hate to give the surprise away."

With a casual step, he walked through the corridors of his ship, occasionally taking elevators up until he found himself on the bridge.

It looked like the command center of the Purple Palace... only a bit smaller and less elaborate. Still, what was there impressed Josh to no end. Several console stations for various crew members (some of which were manned)and two chairs in the middle. To Josh's great relief, the bridge itself was NOT purple, but a gentle shade of brown which accentuated the red of the consoles.

"LoP knew me too well," Josh said with a smile. A crewmember sitting at one of the consoles finally noticed him and rose an eyebrow. "I'm sorry sir, but you're in a restricted area. Trance?"

After a few silent seconds, Josh grinned. "I'm afraid Trance is indisposed at the moment. Computer, transfer control of this ship over to Josh, authorization Beta 122."

A hologram of a gorgeous female Trancer appeared in front of him. "Captain, I've been waiting for you," she said in a forceful but gentle tone. "For a long time in fact."

The crewman in front of Josh instantly saluted, his tail shooting straight up. "Captain! I didn't think you'd be here so soon!"

"I'm sure you didn't," Josh said with a slight smile. "Take your station, crewman." He turned his attention back to the hologram. "And what is your name, my lady?"

"Don't push your luck," the hologram said with a smirk. "I'm not in a romantic mood OR for sale. Either way, my name isn't relevent at this time."

Josh's smile widened. "I think I'm going to like you. What's the status of this ship?"

"We're doing well, all things considered," the hologram replied. "Most of the crew is accounted for and the weapons systems are fully operational. We've had some problems with our engines but that should be worked out within the next hour. What we DON'T have is an executive officer. LoP trusted you enough to have you make that decision."

"No doubt," Josh said dryly. "Very well, I'm assuming that my new office is in that door over there?"

"You assume correctly," the hologram said. "It's all ready for you."

As Josh walked into his office, he was startled to notice the hologram there as well. "One last thing, Captain," she said sharply. "I will not be your slave. If you give me an order that I find questionable, I will take you up on it. And I'm not like that stupid ship Andromeda with the lovestruck avatar. I'm all business. I'm sure I've made myself clear."

"Oh trust me," Josh said. "You have. Now get out of here before I dismantle you."

The hologram glared at Josh and vanished from the room. "Very nice," Josh said. "Computer, deactivate privacy mode on HoloTrance."

HoloTrance appeared in front of Josh angrily. "What did you do THAT for," she pouted.

Josh ignored her. "HoloTrance, I want you to show Jon how to get to this ship. Tell him that I'll meet him in my office. Which happens to be right here. And if you disturb me at any time beforehand, I will sic my ship's computer on you. You don't want that. She's mean."

"Understood," Trance said worryingly. "I'm outta here." And with that, she vanished.

Josh grinned and rested in his chair, waiting for Jon's arrival.

The smile vanished as quickly as it came, as he rounded the last corner and skidded through the door to a halt in front of Siobhan's receptionist.

"I must see Siobhan at once!" He declared, his voice even and firm.

The secretary began to protest but he cut her off by slamming the chip Siobhan had given him down on her desk.

"Make it happen. Now."

The Post No Bills swung on to it's new heading. It would be a a half hour before the battle was to begin.

He started explaining the change in orders to the team leaders and let them do their jobs. Doug took up the job and let James coordinate with the other gunboats about the operation.

A young doctor saw him stagger in, took note of the blood-stained uniform and ushered the Colonel to a nearby exam table...

"Looks like you've seen some action, Colonel. I wasn't aware that the invasion had started," said the doctor as he began to treat Jon's wounded tail.

"Well, some other stuff has happened. I didn't even know about the Magog incursion until not too long ago." Jon winced in pain as the surgeon peeled off the bandage and cleaned the wound.

"Colonel, this is not nearly as bad as it looks. I can heal it with some nanobots, but there will be some disfigurement. We can clean it up with some plastic surgery, but..."

"You don't have the time," Jon finished for him. "Well, neither do I. Do the best you can, and let's get on with it."

The doctor worked on Jon's tail for a few minutes with skill and precision. When he was finished, he carefully bandaged the appendage and handed Jon a small bottle of pills. "Now then, the nanobots need time to knit. Change the dressing every other day for a week, and take these for pain. If you have any problems... Well..."

Jon nodded in understanding and hopped off the table. "Thank you, Doc, and good luck."

"To us all, Colonel."

Jon walked out of the infirmary, tail slung over his shoulder, and he made his way back to his office. He sat down behind his desk and poured himself a drink as he leaned back with a flexi to begin writing his report. Just then, Holo-Trance popped into view.

"JON!!!"

Jon nearly jumped out of his skin. "Trance! I told you not to do that!"

"I'm sorry, I'm just glad to see you alright!" she said with a bounce. "You had quite a day!"

"That we did, Trance. That we did."

"Even if that mean Josh was with you."

"Huh? Trance, you're making less sense than usual." The Colonel was fond of the AI, but sometimes he thought she wasn't quite lucid...

"Josh engaged privacy mode on me!" she said with a pout.

"Well?"

"Well... It's just... Mean!" If she weren't a hologram, Jon would swear she stamped her foot. "He wanted me to give you a message."

"What was it, Trance?"

"He wants you to meet him in his office on his ship as soon as possible."

"Okay. Where is it?"

"I'll show you!"

Jon grinned and grabbed a clean uniform jacket from his closet and put it on as he followed the hologram down the labyrinth of corridors. They finally came upon the cavernous hangar where the ship was berthed. and Jon stood agape of her size.

"My Purple, she's beautiful... Thank you, Trance."

Trance smiled and vanished as Jon made his way to the gangway. He climbed it quickly, saluted the fantail and saluted the crewer at the hatch. "Permission to come aboard? Colonel Jon to see the skipper."

"Permission granted, sir. The Captain's waiting for you in his office. The AI will show you the way."

"Thank you, Crewman." Jon boarded the ship and asked, "Ship? Would you please help me find the Captain's office?"

A gorgeous hologram appeared in front of him. "This way."

Jon followed the hologram onto Command and the door to the side. "Thank you." The hologram nodded and vanished as Jon keyed the chime...

Josh heard the chime and he looked up from studying a datapad of the schematics for his ship. "Come in," he said.

Jon opened the door and walked in. "Heya, bud. This better be good, I'll have you know that I was just about to have a quiet drink in my office when I got your message," said the Colonel with a wink.

"Ah, there you are," Josh said with a smile, putting down the pad. "So, how do you like the ship?"

"She's a beauty, Josh. Although, admittedly I'm not a Navy man."

"Not at the moment at least," Josh said with a wink. "Oh, did you bump into HoloTrance?"

Jon took a seat and took a long look at the Captain. "Yes, I did. She wasn't too happy with you."

"I'd imagine she wasn't," Josh said with a grin. "I really dislike her. She's completely over-the-top bouncy... which is one of the elements I've always hated about our race. LOOK AT ME! I'm not bouncy! YOU'RE not bouncy! Why does she have to be? Annoying..."

"Well, she's patterned after the Goddess. And I used to be bouncy, as a small pixie... Well, you know what combat does."

"Yes," Josh said, looking at Jon's tail with a sad smile. "I do. How's your tail holding up? It looks pretty good. Enough to charm the ladies." He winked.

"It'll be fine. Doc says it'll be good as new within a week. Those nanobots work wonders." Jon sat for a moment before continuing. "You didn't call me down here for small talk."

"Good old Jon," Josh grinned. "Always the blunt type." He sat back in his comfortable chair. "You're right. I didn't call you down here for small talk. You see Jon... I want you."

Jon spluttered for a moment before stuttering, "Well, that's nice but... umm... You want me? Umm... Well... Um..."

"That's right Jon," Josh said with a completely straight face. Inside, he was cracking up. "I want you REALLY REALLY bad..."

Jon was about to make a nervous, sputtering reply when he saw a glimmer in the Captain's eye. "You want me? But Josh! It's only been a day! And we haven't even courted yet!"

Josh's eyes widened to the size of Tarn Vedra. "Well... I... uh... think with your abilities, a day wouldn't matter!"

"I'm an old-fashioned boy, Josh."

"Well, I'd hope so," Josh said with a smile. "You'll need to be old-fashioned to take on the job I'm offering you. Jon... I want you to be my executive officer."

Jon stared at Josh for a long moment. "Now that's not very damn funny. I'm an Infantryman."

Josh's smile slipped ever-so-slightly. "I'm not trying to be funny, Jon," he said. "I am offering you a position that many Trancers would die for." Outside the office, Josh could hear the sounds of his crew trying to hear the conversation. "I'm giving you people until the count of the three to do your frelling jobs," he barked.

Jon took a deep breah and furrowed his brow. "You do realize that I haven't logged a single star hour in about a year and a half, and then before that, only as a Space Assaulter?"

After having counted to three and hearing the delicious sounds of scurrying feet, Josh turned back to Jon. "I am well aware of your record, Jon. However, I need someone who is proven to give orders... and I need someone who is capable in battle. And I need someone I can trust. That's you."

Jon grinned at the door for a moment. "I'm an infantryman. I'm not qualified to be the exec on a naval vessel."

"Don't we both think of life as a learning experience, Jon?" Josh asked solemnly. "Take this position. Learn with me. We can do this. And we WILL do this... together."

Jon thought for a long moment, before breaking a wide grin on his face. "Well. It beats trying to run customs. Security on this rock is shot to hell, and if I'm out hopping galaxies with you, I don't have to fix that."

"I'll agree with you there," Josh said with a big grin. "Computer... and I'm sick of saying computer. You need a FRELLING name. Jon, help me name her." The beautiful hologram popped up in front of him with a slight sneer. "Something you need CAPTAIN," she asked. "Yes," Josh said, ignoring her attitude for the moment, "Jon is my second-in-command. Grant him some security codes and print his name on his chair. He gets the gold treatment. Now, we're gonna name you." The hologram rolled her eyes. "Just as long as you're not trying to seduce me, I'll suppose I'll find a way to cope."

Josh glared at Jon and his eyes went blank, as if they were thinking. "I once remember this old Trancer rhyme I was taught as a child. 'Beware the Spirit's Wrath as it will control your destiny.' I think a part of me believes this ship is a part of my destiny, and you are a part of that destiny as well," Josh said, smiling at Jon. This ship will be called 'Spirit's Wrath." Josh turned to the hologram. "What do you think?" The hologram shrugged. "I don't really care. A name is a name." Josh rolled his eyes. "Fine. Jon?"

Jon smiled. "I like it. I like it a lot." His eyes went distant for a long moment as he dredged up something from his memory. "May I make a suggestion for the AI's name?"

"Well, you're my executive officer," Josh smiled. "I think that gives you the right." He bent down so that the hologram couldn't hear. "Just make sure she likes it," he whispered.

The Colonel chuckled. "Something from old Earth mythology. 'Lilith'. It means 'spirit of the night.'" He turned to the hologram. "What do you think?"

The hologram practically melted in front of him. "That is so GORGEOUS," she said with a smile. "Thank you." Josh's mouth practically fell off. "What!? I thought you didn't think names were important." The hologram glared at him. "They're not important when YOU'RE making them up," she said with a slight disdainful shrug. Josh looked at Jon with disbelief. "I cannot BELIEVE this," he shouted.

Jon laughed out loud. "Well then, I'm glad you like it, Lilith."

"I'm not," Josh snapped. "Lilith, you may leave now. I need to talk to Jon in private." Lilith glared at Josh and vanished without a trace. "It's nice to know some people follow my orders," he muttered angrily.

Jon stopped laughing, but still had the smile on his face. "What's up?"

"First of all," Josh said with a gleam of fire in his eyes, "I want to know why holograms always seem to have some sort of vendetta towards me."

"I couldn't answer that. Think back. Did you ever tick off anyone over in the programmer's shop?"

"I didn't even know this ship EXISTED until today, much less the people who programmed it. Unless LoP... no. He wouldn't have." Josh sighed. "Yes, he would have." At Jon's enquiring glance, Josh continued, "LoP was like a father to me, and as such, he always felt that I needed some... guidance. This hologram could be his way of teaching me how to deal with difficult people. Well, besides you of course," he finished with a wink.

"Well, I've got such a gracious and charming personality... And diplomacy is a fine art. Perhaps she's here to teach it to you."

"I don't think it's amusing," Josh muttered. "But I suppose this is one of the bumps I have to deal with to have a nice ship. And what a beauty she is." Josh led Jon out onto the bridge and showed him where he would sit. "Try it out, Jon."

Jon sat down in the chair and began fiddling with the controls. After a moment, he had a handle on what they were. "Slipstream controls, thrusters, fire control, sensor repeaters, situation monitors. Very nice. I think I could get used to this, Josh. Comfortable chair, too."

"Good," Josh smiled, looking out the viewscreen into the hanger bay. "Because we have a long battle ahead of us if those Magog get through the Nietzscheans."

The tone that he was long familiar with he dealt with first, silencing it with a quick touch to his bracer.

The WayFarer insystem ! His thoughts whirled..Perigrine had not even spoken of visiting..She is supposed to be off on her honey moon...something is badly amiss...

He was in the car befoe he responded to the other alert...Kroyous medical was alerting all medical personell.

Magog!..No wonder the WayFarer...

Every single being who crewed or resided aboard hated the Magog with a passion. All had lost family to deadly aliens.

Magoa were the likeliest reason for the WayFarer's presence.

..."They will be getting the kids off! I have to contact that General Graynes..He's not going to understand."

Daveed headed back to the city at top speed.

After awhile she hurried back to Trancer Command to find Graynes. "Okay, I did as you asked. Is there anything else you want me to do?" She asked.

Yes, someone will need to be my liason to the Niet families. Your job is to keep track of them and make sure they have what they need. Also keep security informed of where they are at all times.

And if that isn't enough, I need you to keep nearby incase I need something else pronto. Any questions?

____________________________________________

The commander watched with a slight smile as the swarmships neared the JMT. Many would be destroyed by the tailfighters, but enough would get in to do some major damage.

He looked around the bridge at the efficient crew and realized how lucky they had been that it was a Niet fleet in the system. No Niet in his right mind would stay and die for Trancers.

Sometimes the predictibility of the Niets was such a comfort.

___________________________________________

Minutes away the main Trancer Fleet entered the final slipstream to Kroyous.

___________________________________________

Thelmth stood silently waiting for Siobhan to finish her log entries. She would never assasinate anyone without their full attention.

___________________________________________

In the main hanger, the third assasin team secured their ship and headed off toward command. The sounds of alarms caused them to speed up.

Hard to starboard! Course two-seven-zero, angle negative-one-five! Maximum thrust!

The battleship swang around and headed to the rear-left flank of the Magog fleet. Two light-minutes behind it a slipstream rapture opened and Wellington's group exited at battle velocity. It wouldn't take the quick raiding taskforce too long to catch the slower ship of the line and form a screen around Harbinger...

[This message has been edited by Rujevit (edited September 09, 2002).]

"Sir! We have a set of partial coordinates using then information you gave us. 445 mark 361, we are missing the last sequence. The computer says that the exit point would be only near a white dwarf. that narrows it down."

Very good. Set course and program a search pattern. I want LoP found!

"Yes sir!"

Evil LoP turned back to the window and watched his fleet move toward slipstream.

___________________________________________

Graynes watched as one of his viewscreens sprang to life. Finally he could see the battle as it unfolded.

"This ship is loaded," he said with a smile. Jon was out on the bridge running some diagnostics. They had been doing this for the last hour or so and Josh decided that he needed a break.

"Full weapons capabilities... super-fast engines. Why isn't this ship out fighting the Magog right now?" he wondered to himself.

With a hiss, Lillith appeared in front of him. "That's because the ship wasn't scheduled to launch for another five months," she snapped. "If you hadn't come along, my systems would be primed and ready to find LoP."

Josh put the schematics down and looked at her. "Is that what this is about? Are you angry at me because your systems aren't fully operational?"

"I need to be COMPLETELY finished before I can find LoP," she said angrily. "I am NOT. Look at me! I'm half naked."

Much to Josh's amusement, he had noticed that. Lilith's holographic matrix clearly wasn't finished as half of her clothes were on... and the other half simply weren't."

"Lilith," Josh said simply. "You're missing your shirt. I don't mind... much... but it's not really proper protocol."

Lilith shrugged, her tail whipping around fiercely. "Who cares? This ship is going to go into battle unprepared and we will be destroyed if you're the captain. I suggest you promote Jon."

Josh glared at her. "Your lack of confidence in me is touching. Jon knows his place and I know mine. We are going into battle with ME at the helm. And we will find LoP with ME at the helm. And if you don't like that, we will reprogram you with ME at the help. Do I make myself clear."

Lilith looked at him with a hot flare in her eyes and vanished.

Josh sighed and picked up the schematics again. "Does this day ever end?" he asked to himself.

However the flight of five Centaur fighters, Last Act flight were enought to give any pause, and when the Tao's Dance launched with the WayFarer's most precious cargo, they spiraled in protecitvely about the shuttle.

The Tao's Dance headed for the liner Orion at best speed and was soon docked. The liners crew had been briefed to expect Nietzschean families...were they in for a surprise.

The waiting Purser and his stewards were frankly agape at elegantly dressed Nightsider that swept thru the docking tube.

..." Greetings!" He carolled with a toothy smile, and small bow. .." I am Rillithavne, the WayFarer's Quartermaster. I have been put in charge of our little group." Still smilling he stepped aside to allow a small flood tide of youngsters to enter the Orion's reception bay.

The Orion's stewards were bemused to note that among the Nietzschean families they had been advised to expect, there was actually one young lady of obvious Nietzschean linneage. The forty five odd children ranged in age from babes-in-arms to sturdy fifteen years olds, or so they guessed

There were several Makra, Perseids, Umbrites and Chichins, but the biggest group by far were humans. All were polite and only minorly rambunctious.

Some sixteen adults followed,also a mix of races, includeing two Than of the sapphire caste. These were busy shepherding a small medical cloneing system secured to an antigrav carrier.

Rillithavne checked them off on his flexi as they boarded, finishing off with the entry of yet another Nightsider barefoot and in the plain hued robes of a Wayist..

..."There we go, all aboard !".. He commented cheerfully to the Purser, leaning in close to add.." I have been trying for weeks to get the good Sister to wear some absolutely luxurious robes I found for a but a song,"..Rill' sighed deeply.." But no she won't even look at them. She is the ships Chaplin"...

The Purser started to head for his office , to inform the Orion's captain that the Nietzschean families were not Nietzschean at all, then the two than interecpted him, and introduced themselves.

.."I am River-of-Tears, and the WayFarer's Chief Medical Officer is already on Kroyous. Please, he needs to be informed of our arrival. Possible to contact him? If not please pass message.. 'Medical Clone core enroute'..My associate and I shall need to meet him upon reaching planetside. Medical Imperative."...

The Purser agreed to send the message and finally made it to the relative safety of his office, where he could grin in private.

Contacting the Orion's Captain...

..." Whatever that ship is, it isn't a ship full of Bone..ah..Nietzscheans.."

.. and sent the Captain a copy of the manifest provided by the Quartermaster Rill..

"and the ship's Chaplin is a Wayist Nightsider!"

..."Our escorts are reporting that the group of fighters sent to escort the shuttle have been behaving very politely.. In fact apparently the Commander of the flight commoed them to thank them for helping protect their children."

****** ********* ********** *******

The WayFarer stayed long enought to recover the shuttle and the flight of fighters, then jumped

[This message has been edited by Shalamar (edited September 09, 2002).]

"What is it with these people? If only they'd listen to me!"

Herakles materialised in front of her and smiled

"I warned you Celeste..these creatures are naturally suspicious of us...and with good reason..it matters not to them that you may have a solution to their current problem..all they see is a Niet..they are fools..blind fools"

Celeste sighed and headed back down to the cargo bay to check on the extent of the damage. She dragged her 'prize' from it's hiding place..all the components were there..just not necesarily in the right place

"herakles....keep scanning the airwaves...I want to know as soon as the Archduke re-enters this system...he can deal with this..I've fulfilled my duty...there's nothing more I can do. I'm going to begin repairing the ship...I want you battle ready as soon as possible...I feel like a sitting duck!"

The Tactical Officer grinned evily as she designated the two Magog Cruisers that had turned their courses in an attempt to follow the WayFarer prior to her jump.

The holo also showed the arrival of the Trancer fleet. She had no doubt that the Captain would leave the bulk of the Magog invasion force to them, but those two cruisers were seperated from the Magog by a goodly distance.

..."Captain, if you do not let me give you this hypo, you won't live forty hours!"...

The WayFarer's acting chief medical officer kept his voice steady through sheer discipline. He never ceased to wonder how Daveed got this stubborn Nietzschean to cooperate. He owed his life to his Captain, and loved her dearly but sometimes she made him want to scream in frustration. The tall Persied crossed his arms and stood his ground.

...Perigrine watched the last of The Last Act flight enter their launch bay and turned to Throfne, sighing..

..."Go ahead"...She growled , holding forth her left arm for the hypospray. That done sheresumed sliding into the pilot's skinsuit, and headed for the well.

Patton ceded his place unwillingly, deeply worried what the stress of combat might do to her damaged heart. He knew that now ,of all times,she would not listen to reason.

Perigrine steped into the pilot's well, becoming one with the WayFarer with the usual synaptic jolt. The symbosis was the roughest she had ever experienced, her nervous system raceing fire through her for a long eternity. She was well aware her heart might well have seized yet again, and suddenly glad of the drugs Throfne had given her.

Flight Ops signaled readiness. A flight of five Shrike fighters, and the three other flights of Pegasus fighters would launch immediately after jump, to deal with any Magog Swarmships.

Other stations reported ready, and the WayFarer, for a mircosecond left the universe as she jumped to reappear behind her chosen prey.

Barely two lightseconds behind the the trailing of the two Magog Cruisers, ten AP Cannons fired as one, shredding the Cruiser's rear half into so much wreckage, and destroying its drives.

The Shrike fighters launched. All The Way To The Gallowsflight sallyed forth in search of Swarmships. Three flights of Pegasus sprang from their launch bays as well..Trail of Dead Bodies flight,Moral Imperative flight and Play It Again flight..

The Harpy on the team was in full bypass mode. and a small click was heard by them all. The team got into position and the hatch was sprung.
James scanned the room quickly as he moved in the guass gun spraying death as a sickle goes through wheat. He caught two Niet's trying to grab at weapons the others in the team were just as quick. The trancers among them moving faster to take bridge stations as quickly as possible with little in the way of loss of function.
"Four here I got a space for bridge." he said into the mike. "Three two cuasalties one dead CIC is ours." he heard from the team leader. One and Two reported success in their part of the battle. "Kel lock us down and vac the rest of the ship." he ordered. It was not what could be called honorable but it was war not a duel so James felt no twitch of guilt. An hours work from boarding to capture now for the other hard parts. CIC reported a magog cruiser along side and Three felt they knew something was wrong. "Fire the port broadside into him and get us a bit of knife fighting room. he ordered. meanwhile he had his comm tech working on finding the commander of this fleet's ship.
He knew he would not be able to take it out but he knew he could get the fleet onto attacking the command and control of the enemy."Sparks get me that ship's location." he said using the nickname for most comm tech's.

Her bracer commo was set for messages only ..

Tioki, my ship, the WayFarer is insystem. There are Magog,and that means the WayFarer will be in combat. Perigrine won't risk the kids though, so she'll be getting them off. I've been called to assist with medical..could you do me a favor and find where the kids are? You have seen the flexi of my three...There are about forty five children and there is usually about fifteen to twenty non-combatants with then to act as chaperones. They won't need any place fancy to stay, but they will want to stay together.."

His voice went deep, and somber as he continued..

..."Tio, some of their parents may well die today...and they know that. If you could find them and reassure them that I will be there as soon as I can, I really would appreciate it. If you need to contact me , I'll be at the hospital with Dr. Junias..."

[This message has been edited by Shalamar (edited September 10, 2002).]

She stepped quickly over to the ship catching a glimpse of the woman stepping back in. "Hey, if I help you fix your ship. Can I get you out of here faster?" Jade almost laughed.

"You want to help me fix my ship? sure why not...just don't intefere with any of the critical systems...and don't venture into the cargo bay..it's not ....safe."

She turned back to her console

"You can start on the external sensors...they got knocked off-line in the battle"

Tioki, it is standard procedure for us to take all noncombatants off. If the system is inhabited we contact the appropriate authorities and advise them of our plans. I have no idea whom they have contacted here on Koryous, but it will be someone as high up as possible. The shuttle Tao's Dream is the most likely possibility for transport...I tried to get thru to that General Graynes I met earlier..I know he is probably very busy, but he might be able to help locate them. ..I am now at the hospital if you need me."

Sparks said up to him. "No luck finding the command ship sir. They are using the whole fleet as part of a sort of relay system." he was working on taking removing the ships from the chain so as to reduce the choices and hopefully find the fleet's commander.

Jon reclined in his seat on Command and punched up a few status displays. He called to the crewer manning the OOD station. "What's the ship's status, Senior Chief?"

The Senior Chief turned around and came to attention. "Sir, the ship's status is under repair."

"That's very nice, Senior Chief. What systems are under repair?"

"Sir, may it please the Colonel, the repairs underway are being concluded by properly trained personel."

The anger in the Colonel's eyes flashed as he rose out of his chair. "Are you saying I'm unqualified to recieve a report?"

The Trancer said nothing, and remained at attention.

The door to the Captain's office opened, and Josh stepped out. Instantly noticing the tension between his second officer and the senior chief, he called out, "Okay, what the HELL is going on here?"

Jon turned to his Captain. "Nothing, sir. Just the Senior Chief expressing his opinion."

"Oh really," Josh said, irritation in his voice. "And what opinion was that, Senior Chief?"

The crewer stood rigidly at attention and was about to reply before Jon spoke first. "It's between the Senior Chief and I, Captain."

Josh looked at Jon closely. "Very well, I'll leave it to you two to work it out. And you WILL work it out. We need a tightly functioning crew." With a tired motion, Josh walked to his chair and comfortably sat down.

With an loud popping noise, Lilith appeared right next to him. Josh nearly jumped out of his tail and glared at her. "Is there something you need?" he managed to say politely. The hologram looked very uncomfortable. "Yes Captain," she said in her brisk voice. "I would like to talk to you." She looked apoligetically at Jon. "In private."

Josh looked at her in surprise and pointed to his office. "Okay, in here."

Once the two of them were stationed in his office, she came to attention. "Captain, I know you're planning to go into space and fight the Magog with the Nietzscheans. I'm asking you not to."

Josh gaped at her. "You're joking right? Please tell me you're joking. Or maybe you're malfunctioning. Perhaps LoP didn't build you as well as he thought he did. Maybe we should..."

"Captain," Lilith interrupted urgently. "I am not malfunctioning. I am telling you how I feel. Isn't that what you wanted? If we go to fight, I might get destroyed."

Josh looked at her, perplexed. "Is that what this is about?" he asked. "Are you scared? I didn't realize holograms could get scared."

Lilith glared at him. "Yes, they can. But that isn't what this is about."

"I would hope not," Josh said. "You're a warship. You were built with the purpose to fight."

"No," Lilith said through clenched teeth. "I was built with the purpose to find LoP."

This stopped Josh in his tracks. "I don't understand," he said. "What does this have to do with LoP?"

"This has EVERYTHING to do with LoP," she said. "I was programmed to fight... but I was also programmed by LoP so if he ever vanished, I would go after him. It's in my blood, you humans might say."

"LoP is dead," Josh said bluntly.

"We don't know that," Lilith said, most of her attitude melting at that moment. "And as long as we don't know that for sure, there's hope. He would want this, Captain."

"Lilith, the MAGOG are attacking us. The Trancer homeworld is in serious danger of being overwhelmed by thousands of hungry eating machines. LoP certainly would NOT want that."

"We are only one extra ship," Lilith said pleadingly. "If the Magog were going to win, they would have by now. LoP needs us."

Josh looked at her suspiciously. "Are you sure LoP needs us? Or is that that you need him..."

Lilith's eyes flared and she glared at him, saying nothing.

Josh nodded slowly. "That's what I wanted to know," he said softly. "Look, I'm all for finding LoP, but we have no proof that he's alive."

"He's a Trancer," Lilith said simply. "He's alive. I think we would know if he was dead."

Josh nodded and placed his hands on the desk, thinking to himself.

*While Josh was in his office...*

Jon watched Josh disappear into his office before turning to the Senior Chief. Staring directly at the man, he called to a nearby crewman working on a panel. "Crewman! Have you ever stood deck watch?"

"N... No, sir."

"Well, then, for everything there is a first time. Assume deck watch, Crewman." Jon turned to the Senior Chief. "Walk with me, please."

The Trancer followed Jon out into a quiet corner of a corridor. The man looked at him with barely concealed contempt. "Yes, sir?"

Jon spun around on his heel and moved his face inches from the Chief's face. "When you are being addressed by a superior officer, you will stand at attention! Is that clear?!"

The Trancer jumped to attention, his back ramrod straight and his eyes staring at the far wall. "Now then, Senior Chief, you seem to be under the mistaken impression that I answer to you. Well, it shouldn't escape your notice that I'm the executive officer of this vessel, and as such, the only person I have to answer to is the Captain! Is that clear?!"

The Senior Chief took a deep breath. "Aye, aye, sir."

"Is that clear?!"

"Aye! Aye! Sir!" came the response.

"Now then, Senior Chief, you seem to be under the mistaken impression that you can pass judgement over me in front of the men. Now that is something I will not tolerate! And if you do it again, I'll have you brought before a Captain's Mast for insubordination so fast your tail won't know what hit it. Is that clear?"

"Aye, aye, sir!"

Jon took a step back and considered the Trancer. "Return to your post, Senior Chief. I'll forget this happened if there are no further incidents."

The Trancer looked at Jon for a moment and said, "Aye, aye, sir." before returning to Command.

Jon leaned back on the bulkhead and ran a hand through his hair. He stood considering the situation for a moment before returning to Command where he sat in his seat and pulled up a sensor schematic.

Jon was going over the sensor schematic when Josh came back in. "We're going to have to boresight these weapons before we take her into battle. From what I'm seeing here, we couldn't hit the broadside of a barndoor with our PDLs."

"I suppose so," Josh said aimlessly, fingering the side of his chair.

"And these sensors are not very good either. They're gonna have to be calibrated once we get in space. We can do that on our way into battle."

Lilith popped up right in front of Jon. "We're not going into battle," she said bluntly. Josh gaped at her for a second and carefully avoided Jon's glare. "We're going to talk about protocol later," he whispered to Lilith angrily.

Jon stared at the AI for a long moment. "Would you care to take this into the Captain's office?"

Josh sighed. "In my office," he said, the two of them quietly walking in there. Josh sat down in his chair which suddenly didn't feel quite as comfortable as it used to.

Jon took the seat across from Josh. "Now then, Lilith, what's this about not going into battle?"

"We're not going into battle because 'I' said so," Lilith said smuggly. Josh's face lost all expression and he said, "Computer, silence mode." "Now wait a damn..." Lilith started to say before she vanished.

"Because *she* said so, Josh?"

"She didn't say anything," Josh said more strongly then intended. "I made my own decision. This ship is in no condition to go into battle."

"Josh... I know we've got problems. But they're minor. We'll get them straightened out."

"Jon, our weapons systems are barely functional. This ship was NOT meant to be in space for another six months. We're not going anywhere."

Jon leaned forward in his seat. "Maybe you haven't read any of the Alert reports. Trancer and Nietzschean forces are in a fight for the safety of this planet as we speak. They need our firepower."

"WHAT firepower, Jon? Didn't you hear my earlier comment about the weapons? If we go into space right now, we will be blasted to pieces."

"They can be fixed. We won't be ready for another six hours, and whatever's left can be fixed enroute."

"The battle will be over by then," Josh said. "We should be concentrating our resources on our slipstream drive which is still inoperational."

"You really want to be beholding to the Nietzscheans for saving our planet?"

Josh sighed. "Look Jon. Lilith told me that LoP is out there somewhere. We need to find him. I owe him that much. The battle can be won without our help."

Jon sat back and considered for a moment. "Very well. We'll wait. Now then, you want Slipstream capability first?"

"Yes," Josh said, smiling for the first time that day. "Weapons should be concentrated on after that. And send a message to Graynes telling him that our ship is a bit indisposed at the moment."

"He's not going to like it. We're a Trancer ship of the line, and we're missing a battle."

"If he doesn't like it, he shouldn't have given us this underprepped ship in the FIRST place," Josh snapped. Noting Jon's surprised expression, he calmed down. "Sorry, I'm a bit stressed today. Either way, this is Lilith's dream... and mine too. I've always wanted a chance to say goodbye to LoP, and maybe I'll get a chance to say hello."

"Understood. I'll come up with something to tell HQ." He leaned back in his chair and began massaging his forehead. "You really think he's still alive?"

"I honestly don't know," Josh said. "But any chance is worth taking... other words we would regret never taking them. And he's a Trancer. We don't die easily. "Either way, you're dismissed. Go torture Graynes for me and I need to get to work on these crew reports."

Jon came to attention and said, "Yes, sir," before walking out the door.

Josh watched him leave with a grin. "I couldn't have asked for a better executive," he said before going back to his crew reports. Remembering one last thing, he said, "Computer, release private mode." Lilith's angry image appeared in front of him for a split second, flipped him off and then vanished. Josh rose an eyebrow and got back to work.

The WayFarer was a cranky ship, created to be a test bed for many of the more radical ideas the Commonwealth's designers could bring from theory to application.

She had been designed around a new drive, one that would give them the freedom of the vast interstellar spaces between star systems.

The Dimentional Drive had been an utter failure in that respect, and had killed her original crew, leaving yet another brillianly flawed idea, three seperate A.I.'s to argue amongst themselves for over three hundred years...

Even with three A.I.'s and sensors covering nearly every exterior square inch of her armoured skin, there were still blind spots..

..."We've let them know we're here, and cost the tailing vessel its engines to boot, but it still has teeth!"...

...."Vampires ..Vampires...Vampires...lock scan.."..

More Revenant counter-missile missiles spart forth from the WayFarers tubes and point defense lasers went on hot standby to pick off any incoming that slipped past the Revenants.

However, the WayFarer was in the knife fight range needed for light speed weapons and that gave defenses too little time to adequately defeat missiles.

..."Horus, microjump on my mark"..

..."Mark"..

The universe went mad,as a sensor-synaptic primary nexus junction and the ne'er to be suffiecently cursed thermocouple failed as one. In the microsecond of jump a cascade of failures ran like wildfire through out the WayFarer.

Once again the WayFarer killed her crew...

Save for the one most intamately linked with WayFarer and she lay in a crumpled heap in the the pilots well.

[This message has been edited by Shalamar (edited September 14, 2002).]

Once the course was locked in and the crew sealed up the special forces team headed out to get to their swarmship and evac the cruiser.

Tioki drew his attention with her question. His raised one eyebrow and grinned at her.

I thought you made all of the arrangements for them? Don't you remember where you had them taken? He answered with a slight touch of humor. He had seen many newbies forget things when under alert status their first time. I know you can handle it Tioki,

Graynes turned back to watch the battle. One of the Magog battleships was moving off from the attack. Why? He asked himself just as an ensign interupted him.

"Sir, the main Trancer Fleet has just entered the system. Time to intercept is twenty six minutes."

Finally,the tide was about to turn in their favor.

"Yes, Colonel?"

"Do I have an office on this ship?"

A hologram appeared before Jon and she rolled her eyes. "Right this way, Jon."

Jon followed the hologram down the corridor for a while and was ushered into a small room starboard of Command. He smiled at Lilith and said, "Thank you, that will be all."

The hologram disappeared and Jon sat behind his desk. When this crisis is over, he thought, I'll have to get some stuff to put in here.

Finding a stack of flexis in a drawer he began to compose a message. Quite possibly the hardest message he'd ever have to write.

UNCLAS
TO: General Graynes, C-in-C, Trancer Forces
FM: Colonel Jon, XO, Spirit's Wrath

Sir:

The Captain of this vessel wishes to inform the Trancer Command that the Spirit's Wrath is not spaceworthy and battleworthy, and thus will be unprepared to launch.

He wishes to express his regret at being unable to join our comrades in battle, however, the safety of the crew must be seen to.

SGD Jon, Colonel, XO

Jon slid the flexi into the slot on the desk and punched the button to send it immediately.

Once that was done he sat back in his chair and massaged his temples. Graynes wasn't going to be happy... Josh could concievably be relieved of command...

But those things weren't for him to worry about at this time. He rested his head against the back of his chair and closed his eyes...

The pilots of the four flights of fighters knew that a mirco jumpwas to occur within mere minutes of their launching, and they had been briefed as to the coordinates.

When the WayFarer jumped they were far to busy with swarmships to pay any attention to anything but the swirling three dimentional death dance that was by anchient tradition still called a dog fight.

However that focus was broken as their commo-links with the WayFarer went mad. Two Pegasus fighters, piloted by Makra died in that instant. The highly sensitive Makra ears ruptured under the onslaught of sonics, costing them, fatally, control of their fighters. They became a fall of stardust...

The three A.I.'s that were the WayFarer went insane at the realization of what had happened, and broadcast their horror for all to witness.

Missiles, preprogramed for launch after the jump belched forth, and all tubes went to rapid fire in a cybernetic grand mal seizure.

[This message has been edited by Tio (edited September 16, 2002).]

"She can't help ordering you around she is a Nietz." Jade whispered opening up her finger jacks to intergrade with the systems. "I hope this AI isn't in a mood again." She breathed looking deeper into his systems.

Another ship had been destroyed by the Magog.

"That could have been us," Josh said softly, putting the pad down. "That should have been us," he said.

Lilith popped up in front of him with a disapproving glare. "Are you changing your mind so soon," she asked coldly.

"I am changing NOTHING," Josh replied. "And there should be some rule against pushy AIs barging their way into captain's private quarters uninvited."

"I am only making sure that you're doing the right thing," Lilith said, not taking the bait.

"Don't patronize me," Josh snapped. "While hundreds of loyal Trancer crewmen are dying up above us, we're just sitting on our purple butts doing nothing. Don't try to tell me we're doing the right thing because we're NOT. I... just don't know. It's been a long time since I've been a Captain and a lot of things have happened."

"Perhaps you're not fit for command," Lilith said coldly. "I will order a replacement right away. I'm sure Jon is available."

"And while you're at it, let's replace the AI core too," Josh said. "She's been making some... erratic requests as of late. Very questionable behavior."

Lilith made a sharp move as if to smack Josh, but she restrained herself. "Don't push your luck, Captain," she said dangerously. "The Trancers who are dying up there are far less important than LoP. They are expendable."

"NO. ONE. IS. EXPENDABLE," Josh shouted, jumping out of his chair and glaring at the AI angrily. "LoP is one man. A very important man, yes, but still one man. Don't try to convince me that he's more important than thousands of Trancer lives because you won't succeed. We're leaving the planet."

Lilith's eyes changed color to a deadly shade of red. "I'm sorry but I can't let you do that," she said coldly. "You might have forgotten but since we don't have a medical officer on this ship yet, I have the authority to decide when the ship's captain is acting out of bounds."

Josh walked up to her so that he was practically breathing on her neck. "You wouldn't dare," he whispered.

"You obviously don't know me very well Captain," the hologram said. "Captain Josh, I am declaring you officially unfit for command. I trust you know where the prison deck is because you're going to be there for a while. At least until this battle is over. And we're not moving."

"You are letting your emotions take control of you," Josh said strongly. "Would a rational AI make this decision? Even if I'm not doing the right thing, calling me unfit for command is quite a stretch."

"I am an AI," Lilith said unconvincingly. "I don't experience emotions during duty."

"You're ALWAYS on duty," Josh countered. "And you're lying. Whenever LoP is mentioned, I can see the change in your eyes. I don't know what relationship you two shared... or even if you had one... but I think it's quite obvious you're very in love with him. And that is influencing your judgement."

"Captain Josh, I am ORDERING you to the prison deck," Lilith said with a stammer in her voice.

"I don't think so," Josh said. "There are going to be some changes on this ship. One thing I've noticed on Trancer ships is a somewhat stiff structure system. I'm tired of structure and I'm breaking it down."

"You don't have the AUTHORITY to do that," Lilith gasped.

"Like hell I don't," Josh said coldly. "Like you had the authority to toss me in prison?"

"That's a very different situation," the hologram replied.

Josh ignored her. "First of all, if you don't show respect towards your captain, I'm going to have you reprogrammed. And you won't remember LoP at all after that."

Lilith's face turned a convincing white. "You wouldn't dare," she said quietly.

"Hmm, the tables have turned," Josh said with a slight smile. "Don't fool with me, Lilith. You will regret it. When you're my friend, you're a friend for life. But you don't want to be my enemy. They don't live long. I've been known to carry a grudge."

Lilith glared at Josh but said nothing.

Josh walked over to a wall panel and pressed it. "Captain Josh to Executive Officer Jon. Please report to my office. We're leaving the planet."

He sat back down and smiled smugly at Lilith, who was practically spitting nails at him.

"Let the games begin," he said.

Jon heard the message and made his way quickly to the Captain's office. Requesting entrance and obtaining it, he marched inside. "What's this I hear about us leaving?"

Lilith leaped up as she saw Jon. “Jon, there you are! Will you arrest your Captain for being an ass?” Josh rolled his eyes and made eye contact with Jon. A glimmer of communication went between them.

Jon looked at Lilith for a long moment. "Lilith, if I were going to arrest Josh for being an ass, I would've done it a long time ago." The Colonel shifted his eyes to the Captain and winked.

Lillith’s last line of defense dissolved and she GLARED at Jon. “YOU TWO ARE BOTH AGAINST ME,” she SCREAMED, the sheer force of her fury nearly knocking Josh over. With that said, she vanished in an explosion of holographic anger.

Jon stared at the space where the hologram had been a moment earlier in shock. "Well that was different. What the hell is she on about?"

Josh rolled his eyes. “She’s angry because I won’t play into her hands. In other words, a holographic temper tantrum. Interesting experience. I have the funny feeling we’re going to have to get used to it.” Josh stood up and grinned at Jon. “Anyway, I’m tired of waiting. I think it’s time to kick some Magog butt.”

"Sounds good to me, Cap'n." Jon keyed an intercom on Josh's desk. "All hands, stand by departure stations." Turning back to Josh, he said, "That'll take them a few minutes to get ready. Do you mind if I ask what brought your change of heart on?"

“Yeah,” Josh sighed. “As a soldier... and as a captain, I have a certain sensitivity to the lives of others. And I find that even though I want to find LoP, I can’t just sit and watch other Trancers die while doing nothing.”

"I understand, Josh. Believe me, I do. If you're worried about the ship, we'll be ready. We may not have Slipstream, but we'll have weapons and sensors."

“Jon, where we’re going, we won’t NEED slipstream.” He stood up and placed his hand on Jon’s shoulder. “But we will need a lot of luck.”

"Luck?" Jon laughed. "Trancers don't need luck!"

“No,” Josh smiled slightly, remembering a memory. “I suppose we don’t. Either way, after this battle is over, I have some things I need to talk to you about.”

"Very well, sir. Shall we see to our ship?" Jon stood to exit the office.

“I suppose we should,” Josh smiled. After they had left the office, Lilith reappeared there, her eyes glowing an angry red. She stood there for a few seconds, crossing her arms and then vanished again.

Jon checked a display and made his report just like he remembered from Purple Beret school. "All hands report departure stations. All decks and departments report ready. The straight board is shut, all moorings and umbilicals are clear. Weapons and sensors still at 25%, but AG and engines at full capacity." Jon looked at his friend and captain. "We're ready to go."

“Sounds good to me,” Josh smiled. “Take us out... and into hell.”

"Yes, sir. Helm? Engage AG field. Thrusters up one quarter. Wait until our altitude is 1000 feet before engaging the engines. Set our orbit 60 by 120, 15 degree inclination." The Colonel turned to Josh and asked quietly, "Should we tell Graynes?"

“What should we tell him,” Josh asked quietly. “We’re going into battle with a ship that should still be in spacedock with weapons at 25%? Or perhaps we should mention that our ship's systems are being controlled by a lovesick AI with a vendetta towards the captain.”

"When you put it that way..." Jon turned toward the display as the ship shuddered beneath them. "Looks good. We're right down the line. Helm? Steady as she goes."

The ship shuddered as it flew through the planet’s atmosphere. In just a few more minutes, it would be in the heat of the battle. A battle for survival.

Jon leaned over to speak privately with Josh again. "As soon as we get to orbit, we're going to have to work quickly to sight the weapons and sensors. We may want to hold back engaging for a few minutes."

“Agreed,” Josh said quietly. “We’ve never used the weapons on this ship before. In fact, I’m not sure if they’ve ever BEEN used before.”

"Well, battle is as good a time as any for a first firing," Jon said quietly. "Helm? Report status."

"We're in orbit, sir. 60 x 120, as ordered."

“Things are right in the universe,” Josh commented. “Battle stations.” He whispered to Jon, “You have NO idea how long I’ve waited to say that again.”

Jon smiled broadly and followed up with a "Code Black! All hands stand to battlestations!" He keyed a repeater display and brought up the boresight pattern for the weapons. Despite all the problems, they were going into battle with a crazed AI, a ship that couldn't see or shoot straight, and an untrained crew, all *was* well with the universe. Jon checked his screen when a light flashed. "All battle stations manned and ready." And, he noted with a considerable amount of pride, "one minute and thirty eight seconds." With her lights dimmed all throughout, the Trancer ship Spirit's Wrath slowly moved forward into destiny...

His golden skin went bleached wheat pale as shakeing off his stun, he reread the message encoded.

He never remembered how he made it to the space port, it was all a desperation driven blurr.

.."Daddy!"... and he crumpled to his knees as his daughter wrapped herself about him. The other children and non-combatants of the WayFarer crowded about him.

He surged to his feet, and looked at the adult members of the group. The pair of Sapphire Than caught his eye at once, they were part of his medical staff and most assuredly not have been here. Then he saw the cloneing system. He knew instantly the original reason the WayFarer had come.

He grabbed the grav-skids handle and turned to Rill'. He could see the Nightsider was barely in control of himself. His own commo would have recieved the Broadcast. There was only time for one shared look, and Daveed was heading for the Captains Gig.

He approached cautiously, for if Luna's avatar had crossed into insanity, as the WayFarers A.I.'s had, she would be a most deadly enemy.

He boarded to find the avatar sitting limply in the lounge, barely cognizant of his presence.She was unresponsive to him, untill he backhanded her with all the strength of his Nietzscshean heritage. Automatic defence protocols reacted and he was thrown across the room to land painfully against the far wall.

Luna had been created to be a arbitor, a moderator, and her avatar had never hit any being before..the combined shocks of violence given and returned jarred her out of her near catatonia.

She rushed over to Daveed and assisted him up, frantically checking for damage.

..."Daveed, what are..they are all..they killed them.." she could speak no further in her distress...

Daveed physically picked her up and turned her to the cloneing vessel on the skid..

..."look at the sensor repeater.."

For a mircosecond bewilderment reigned then Daveed's ears rang from the avatar's shout of joy.

...'Get me to the WayFarer. Locate and jump the minute you leave atmosphere. I have to make sure this cloneing procedure does not go awry."...

Daveed turned his attention the the Persied manufactured appratus. He had never understood why he alone could coax a viable clone of his Capatin's tissues. He and his staff had puzzled over it for years. Nothing scientifically acceptable had been found.

The Way Follower screamed thru Kroyous's atmosphere in a least time launch.
The whooping alarm of a rescue ship responding to a MAYDAY cycling through all broadcast channels.

..."Daveed, the WayFarer is maneuvering. If she stays on her current trajectory..Daveed, she's going into the stellar primary..They're suiciding!"..

..."Intercept, get me aboard. I have the Command K codes."..

..."You! We always wondered whom she entrusted them to."..

..." Blood...I am her brother, or at least the Nietzschean half of me is. One hundred percent match, except for the gender, on that side."..

..."We three"..the avatars voic broke momentairily.."wondered why she brought in a brand new DNA scanner that had its own power supply. Why are you telling me this, now?"

..."Because if we can't get to her in time, that leaves Me as Captain and that is the last thing in any universe that I want!"

..."Daveed come up here now! You have to see this...Other than the fact that it's....purple..that ship is as pretty as the WayFarer! and she is pileing on the PSL.... Sensor lock set. Transition countdown ready, exit point defined....Wait..tracking shows WayFarer dead in space. Redefining exit..."..

The Way Follower seemed to pause for a long second as the avatar recalculated the exit. The Captain's Gig jumped to reappear across the solar system, less that a tenth of a light second from her base ship.

"That woman is attempting to intergrate herself into my systems Captain...shall I allow her to continue?"

Celeste smiled

"Yes...I gave her permission..but if she tries to access any 'sensitive' files...feel free to boot her out!"

Herakles frowned

"You're allowing a stranger to help you with the repairs? why? how do you know you can trust her?"

"I don't trust her..but I ...we have no choice. I could carry out the repairs myself..but it would take weeks and I don't plan on spending any more time here than is absolutely necessary. While the rest of the planets inhabitants are playing their war games, I intend to leave..they should be so destracted that they won't notice....I still need to find the Archduke...I want to off load our cargo as soon as possible..can you imagine the reaction if the Trancer authorities discovered it!"

Herakles began pacing

"Well I don't like it"

"Fine you objections have been noted Herakles, now please leave me in peace..I have work to do...go and keep an eye on our guest"

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