“Captain,” Ursula returns the greeting in her practiced, cool manner. “You’re aware of your payload?” She needs to hear it from him before they can discuss the contents.

  “Nukes, Captain,” he replies, releasing her hand. “And between you and me, I got a real kick out of the fact.” He leans in and winks. Ursula follows his long lashes as they close over one eye.

  “Good, then we can speak freely,” she states, trying hard not to stare at the captain’s appealing everything. “If you’ll join me, I would like to review where the warheads will be placed and begin the transfer ASAP.” She leads him with hands clasped behind her to the aft of the corvette.

  “This is some ship,” Captain Cortez announces as he looks it over. “I wouldn’t want to go up against her.”

  “That’s the idea,” Ursula offers, eyes set ahead of her.

  “So, it’s just you and me, then?” Cortez asks.

  Ursula turns to face him, unsure of his meaning. “How’s that?”

  “Black-ops I mean. You, me, and the Chancellor. It’s a pleasure to meet you by the way, Captain,” Cortez admits. “Your reputation precedes you.”

  Ursula feels a slight reddening of her cheeks and turns away from the handsome captain to continue the walk. “That’s kind of you to say, Captain. Circumstances being what they were, I acted as any in my position would have.”

  “Not Nick Wilkes,” Cortez brings up the episode on the destroyer where Wilkes attempted mutiny against Admiral Chopra.

  “Wilkes reconciled his actions when he sacrificed himself and his ship to stop Allfather,” Drake puts bluntly.

  “Agreed,” Cortez sounds regretful. “Nonetheless, you are an inspiration to all.”

  “That is appreciated, Captain.” Her tone wavers between an apology for reprimanding him and an attempt at maintaining her support for the lost Nick Wilkes. They walk on to the aft section of the corvette and Ursula points out the entrance for the payload.

  “The Chancellor upped the payload to fifty nukes,” Cortez explains, kneeling to peer inside the narrow passage for the missiles. “We’ll need two of the E-class for sure to do the loading. I’ll go inside with another Host and ensure the tubes are properly sealed.” He stands and looks at her.

  “I’m happy you’re taking such an interest in the processes, Captain, but I’ll be making the calls on who does what.” She surprises herself by taking the hard line with him. “That being said, you’ve mirrored my orders, so, carry on.” Ursula feels strangely at odds with herself over issuing commands to this man. “Secure a pair of Hosts for the external loading and I’ll oversee the software upgrades.” She nods and moves to the port side of the ship looking for a way in, shaking her arms out. What has come over her?

  ____________________________________________________________

  Reviewing Allfather’s orbiting manufacturing facility map, the group has landed on their target. Raymond is apprehensive over successfully penetrating the 500 metres of kinetic steel between the outer surface and the interior room where Labyrinth believes the object facilitating the dimensional travelling of light years resides. Captain Huang has made the bridge a dead zone for communications, having jammed frequencies and added a static barrier in the hopes Allfather will not be able to listen in.

  “We don’t have the firepower anymore to burn through Allfather’s defences,” Tobias notes.

  “No,” Labyrinth agrees, “but we do have the manpower.” She looks up from the map to study her companion’s reactions. They look to her for an explanation. “As Manuel mentioned, we have what Allfather wants; he will allow us to return to the structure if he believes it will benefit him.”

  “But do you believe we can access the Hub and destroy the instrument?” Ginny asks frankly.

  “Destroy it?” Labyrinth says, astounded over the suggestion.

  “What do you propose we do with it?” Raymond wonders.

  “I told you I want what Allfather has,” the Host replies. “I want to secure the mechanism for ourselves.”

  “What-ifs aside, that seems less likely an outcome than just blowing the thing up,” Tobias argues, then altering his opinion says, “But I have to admit, I do love the idea of taking something from Allfather.” He looks at the others who nod in agreement.

  “It would be an ideal scenario,” Raymond agrees. “But how do you propose we accomplish it?”

  “Use the ship’s drive to burn through the thing’s plating,” a small voice booms from behind them. The team, along with everyone on the bridge, look back to see a small girl with a baby in her arms situated at the open door with two C-class Hosts impeding her entry. She is dressed in shorts and a t-shirt which reveal the work done to rebuild her right leg and arm. She could be considered Chimera to look at her. It’s Udo. Darla races toward her and orders the Hosts to allow her passage. They join the group at the holo map.

  “This is my sister, Udo.” Manuel explains to the bridge. Ginny retrieves her daughter from the twelve-year-old. Captain Huang looks displeased.

  “She knows,” Udo admits, nodding up to Darla. “But, whatever, I’ve reviewed the ship’s spec’s and, if I understand right from eavesdropping the last few minutes, this Allfather thing wants something we have.” She speaks quickly, hoping to table her ideas before she is thrown off the bridge. “If the Host says we use people to get this mechanism, we need to get close. Maybe Allfather will let us get close if he thinks we’re going to give him something. This ship can do a zero-radius turn in under six seconds. When the drives are facing that thing out there,” she points at the viewscreen, “we burn hard.”

  Labyrinth is intrigued. “The child’s idea is not without merit. A ten-second burn from our engines at that range will decimate the exterior shell of the facility.”

  “Allfather will gun us down if he perceives a threat,” Tobias states. “Once we fire the engines, he’ll tear us apart.”

  Raymond considers both angles. “It’s unlikely any of us will survive an attempt to destroy or steal the instrument.” He studies the partial map. “But perhaps the idea that we approach under the guise of off-loading people will buy us enough time to place a team while the burn happens.”

  “If the ship is lost, and it most certainly will be if we attempt this, then what’s the point? I’m not leaving Sam again if we’re facing certain death.” Ginny says looking at her sleeping child. Tobias puts his arm around her. Captain Huang looks defeated over the conversation.

  “For this to work, and to save as many lives as we can, we will need to off-load everyone first,” Labyrinth explains. “Then we burn the engines.”

  “But the ship,” Huang breaks in, “without it, we’ll be trapped here.”

  “Perhaps,” Labyrinth says. “But if we do nothing, then we leave Earth open to Allfather’s fleet. That is not an option, nor is allowing our passengers and crew to have their personalities harvested. Allfather wants both. He will have neither.” The bridge acknowledges Labyrinth’s statement as fact. They either surrender or fight. They will not surrender, but it is likely they will die.

  “A man with too many choices is one with no choice at all,” Raymond quotes. “I’ll be on the team that waits on the engine burn.” Tobias, Manuel, and Darla volunteer along with two of the bridge officers. Udo is all at once pleased with herself and terrified over the potential outcomes of the plan.

  ____________________________________________________________

  After speaking with the Council of Chancellors, Chopra asks them to manage the UE in his brief absence. The United Earth government system consists of a council from different parties who may take his place with an internal vote should the sitting chancellor die or decide to step down. He’s going to the Moon to oversee new technologies being introduced to the station, he tells them. Senator Quinn is beside himself over the Chancellor’s choice to remove himself from the security of Earth for the weaker outpost of Luna base during this time.

  “I know your mind, Chancellor,” Quinn tells him over a private EC call. “What you’re doing is reckless.” The two look at one another in their respective holos. Chopra will not be swayed by Quinn’s statement. “Very well, Jim,” Quinn yields to his friend. “I will be here when you return. Just be sure that you do.”

  “Say nothing, Quinn.” Jim tells him sternly and then softens. “I know you have my best interests at heart, but know I have United Earth’s best interests in mind, and I need to lead this charge if we’re to have any future at all.”

  “And you will lead it brilliantly, Chancellor,” Quinn acquiesces and signs off.

  Jim is already halfway to Luna base in a shuttle filled with AI Hosts who will accompany him in the new corvette. None are sentient, but all are programmed to the new spec’s and the mission they have been chosen for. He is apprehensive to take on this mission alone, but who would he recruit for what should prove to be a one-way trip? He couldn’t ask that of anyone. He wouldn’t.

  ____________________________________________________________

  Ursula gets the call that her Chancellor is moments away from joining her and Captain Cortez in the isolated space where work is going quickly to prepare the heavily armed corvette. Why would he come all this way just to check on progress? Has he heard something about her performance that requires his presence?

  “Only one reason the Chancellor would show up for this.” Cortez declares as he enters the bridge of the corvette where Captain Drake is seated at a console. “He’s going to pilot her.”

  The thought had crossed her mind, but it seemed a far-off option considering Chopra’s new position. “It wouldn’t be unlike the Chancellor to do something like that,” Ursula admits, standing. The screens and consoles around her run the new programs while green and yellow lights blink excitedly as the computers accept the new protocols.

  “I think a man like that will always be a military man,” Cortez comments, “I honestly can’t think my way around another reason he would come all this way.”

  “And I won’t keep you going around and round about it.” Jim Chopra’s voice ends the Captains’ speculations. “Good to see you both piecing everything together. It’s why you’re my Black-ops team.”

  Ursula and Cortez come to attention. “Then it’s true?” Ursula says, inspired by her Chancellor’s grit, but disappointed over the idea he may never return.

  “Yes, I will pilot the dreadnaught,” he tells them. “At ease, Captains.”

  “I love the name,” Captain Cortez admits, a light-hearted smile follows. “But, to pilot the ship is one thing, Chancellor, don’t you need a navigation and weapons officer?”

  “Much of the new programming allows for the ship to react to my commands,” Jim explains. “Also, I’ll have twelve trained F-class with me to assist.”

  “But, Chancellor,” Ursula begins. “Why didn’t you ask me?”

  “Or me,” Cortez bids.

  “It’s my idea, Captains, and as such I will take on the responsibility alone for this action.”

  “But, you’re the Chancellor now, sir -” Ursula is cut off.

  “I’m an Admiral first, Captain Drake.” Chopra’s chin raises almost imperceptibly.

  “Ha!” Cortez exclaims, surprising all three of them. “I knew it!” He moves away from the Comm and stands next to Chopra. “The missiles are locked and loaded, sir.”

  “There are another 46 minutes before the programming takes,” Ursula adds. “Would you share your plans with us, sir?”

  “I would, Captain.” He walks down to the open area framed by the upper catwalks and bridge. Cortez and Drake follow. They sit around the holo table where the Chancellor swipes a new file from his EC and the table lights up.

  “It’s simple, really. I’ll take the dreadnaught into the same quadrant the envoys disappeared and, if my gut feeling is right, I’ll end up exactly where they ended up.” He expands a map of the galaxy on the table and taps his slender finger 200 light years from their position. “That’s why she’s so heavily armed and armoured. I have no idea what to expect as far as defences are concerned, but when I get there, I will be ready to release Hell on Allfather’s new fleet.”

  “I wish I could be there to see it.” Cortez states. “I’m volunteering, sir, in case that was too subtle.” He unleashes another charming smile.

  “I too would be honoured to be a part of this mission, sir,” Ursula urges. “It’s too much for one man, even if that man is you, sir.”

  Chopra looks over his carefully selected pair of Black-ops agents. Ursula, the determined and very accomplished Captain who has worked closely with him through two wars and been the UE’s liaison for homeland security, is a skilled tactician and his protégé.

  Captain Cortez, one of the youngest officers ever to graduate UE military academy and a veteran of the most recent war against Allfather, has been a project of Jim’s since he first heard of the young pilot. He’d had Cortez anonymously entered into a psych test in order to further understand the young man’s talents, and after hearing about Ricky Cortez’s heroic actions as weapons officer while defending United Earth, Jim was encouraged to promote the boy, and then bring him into his inner circle.

  Both Captains now continue to impress with their plea to be a part of this secretive mission to strike first and strike hard against the threat of Allfather. They have proven their absolute dedication to their people and to their Chancellor.

  “You understand the weight of responsibility being placed on your shoulders with this request? The reality that we may never come home?” Chopra studies their expressions. They are eager and fearless, confident and persistent. They are perfect.

  “Yes, sir,” both Captains state in unison, clicking their heels into full attention.

  “Then you each have a seat on my dreadnaught.”

  BLACK-OPS

  “Release the tachyons,” Meiser orders, looking to the Captain of the destroyer for his nod to the weapons officer. Meiser hates that he’s not been given free rein to use the destroyer as he wishes for this important task. Captain Esposito has been briefed on the procedure and offers his nod to the weapons officer.

  “Firing the tachyons,” the officer confirms, sliding his nimble fingers up his console. The tachyons release without much fanfare. They are invisible to the naked eye but register on the sensors after Dr. Chandra had added the required data to track.

  “We’re seeing good dispersal here,” the comms officer reports. “Tracking the full spread in the target quadrant.” The scientists gather round the visual comm excited for this ground-breaking achievement to produce results. Meiser and Chandra watch the outcome closely, holding their breath.

  An audible alarm sounds quietly on the comm dash and Meiser feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention. This is it. This is our moment. The alarm is muted, and the comms officer confirms three objects 300 kilometres apart from one another forming a ‘V’ where the envoys disappeared.

  “Miraculous!” Meiser announces, giddy with the results. “Record everything,” he orders the officer, his hand reaching for Chandra and closing hard over her shoulder, giving her a shake. She looks up at him, smiling from ear to ear.

  The tools have been located. That is a victory in itself. That tachyons exist is another victory, but this moment is won by their discovery of Allfather’s secret weapon. The tachyons dissolve but the location of the tools has been revealed and recorded.

  The news is immediately forwarded to Chancellor Chopra. He will be pleased. This could result in a pardon for Meiser, he thinks, freeing him up to further research tachyons and all they might offer UE technology moving forward.

  The scientists congratulate Dr. Chandra and begin to study the data they’ve compiled from the sweep. Whether they can now physically come up with a way to influence the tools will be their next challenge, peeling back the onion of dimensions, thwarting another attempt on United Earth by the alien AI.

  ____________________________________________________________

  “They’ve done it,” Chopra tells his team. “Meiser’s located the tools.” He wheels around to call up the map of space where Allfather’s accelerated, dimensional drives sit waiting on his return. He swipes the info to the screen, and they review it.

  “They’ve found them,” Ursula says. “But can they affect them?”

  “Not yet, but just locating them was a long shot. This is impressive work.” Jim explains.

  “I don’t mean to belittle their achievement, Chancellor,” Ursula states. “I’m just a realist. If those things are hidden in dimensions, we’re talking light years of advancements which need to be overcome in days, maybe hours. What we’re doing offers the best possible outcome.”

  “I’m glad you see it that way, Captain, but if we fail, they will be our next best chance.” The Chancellor tells her.

  “Just a quick observation,” Cortez says nonchalantly. “If, while we’re gone, they do manage to disrupt the tools, won’t we be trapped 200 light years away?”

  “Yes,” Jim tells them tersely. “That is a distinct possibility.” He reviews their reaction again. “You can back out if you don’t want to take that chance, Captains. As I said before, this is my responsibility.” The open room in the corvette seems suddenly claustrophobic as the captains consider the potential repercussions of their participation.

  “The chances we’ll make it back are slim at best,” Ursula states. “I want to be a part of this regardless.”

  “There will be no memorial for any of us if we fail.” Chopra begins. “No recognition. It is off the books. Black-ops. If we can affect change in this war, then it will be known to us alone. If we somehow make it back, we will celebrate our achievements - alone. This department will remain secret. So, if you are doing this for praise, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.”

  “Understood, Chancellor,” Cortez affirms. “Never my intention.” Ursula nods in agreement.