Defending Earth-Searching for Death Feeders (14 page)

“What if the device for the Kerits doesn’t come to fruition? We’re going to have to develop a way to go out and find the Feeders without them.”

“I can see that.”

“Hensel told me that he took control of his Father’s brain and had him shutdown his computer so no record of his interfering with the Feeder would be recorded. We may have to go out without a thought blocker and depend on the computers to watch our minds and activate the force field if they sense a change in our minds. I’m worried that the Feeders may make our pilots shutdown the computers before they can do it.”

“Do you think they can take control that fast?”

“I don’t know. But I’m not willing to risk it.”

“I’ll make the change, Sir.” Kyle nodded and left the office. Clarissa sighed and began contacting the maintenance facilities on Earth and Eden. She wrote down the names of those that resisted her requests and forwarded them to Admiral Ambrose. She called in members of her team and sent them to replace the offending Admirals. She didn’t like doing it but she knew it had to be done. She shook her head and realized she never saw the strength of the First Commander when she saw him every day during her vacation at the beach. She knew he had what it was going to take to get the Alliance ready to face the Death Feeders.

• • •

Kyle looked at Bart and nodded. Bart shrugged and poured him another glass of tequila, “I just don’t understand why you continue to drink that poison. I know you don’t like it.”

“Come on, Bart. Sometimes you need a shock to the ole system.”

“I’ve tried it; it’s a lot more than a shock.”

Kyle took another swallow and winced. “I see you’re back at it. Did you lose your job?” Kyle turned and saw Nicole behind him. “Bart, I’ll have what he’s drinking.”

“Nicole, you can’t like that stuff!”

“Actually, it’s different enough to be enjoyable.” Bart poured her a shot glass and she stared at him. He rolled his eyes, poured the shot glass into a regular glass and filled it up. Nicole turned it up and emptied it.

Kyle shook his head, “How do you do that?”

“How would I know? What are you doing here?”

“We’re at a standstill until we can get our fleets updated with the new modifications. There’s nothing to do until that happens.”

“That’s pretty short sighted.”

Kyle winced again as he took a sip and almost choked at her remark, “Is that so?”

“You’re wasting time. I would think that either you or someone else would be out mapping Feeder Space. We really didn’t determine the extent of their civilization when we went out last time.” Kyle stared at her for a long moment, took another sip, winced, and blew out a breath. “You’re right.”

“Good.”

“How’s the acclimation of the Kerits coming along?”

“Quite well. I’m surprised that we appear to be really adaptive to new situations. Most of us are really ga-ga over your technology.”

“Your language has really improved.”

“I’ve been exposed to it while teaching the others how to use the simulators. I’ve also learned a lot from the Alliance Staff.”

“They’re our best instructors.”

“Most of my learning has taken place when the male instructors have asked me out to dinner. That’s where I picked up the term ga-ga.”

Bart nodded, “You have been quite the social butterfly.”

Nicole looked at Bart, “What does that mean?”

Kyle winced again and said, “It means you’ve been flitting from one person to another.”

“Oh. I guess.”

“Why haven’t you been going out with another Kerit?”

“Now how much would I learn if I did that? I don’t want to distract them from their studies.”

“Oh.” Kyle put his glass on the bar and nodded. Bart rolled his eyes again and filled it up. “So when are we going back out?”

Kyle turned around and looked at her, “What?”

“You shouldn’t go out without one of us on board and I’m the only one ready to do it.”

“But…The Goran haven’t developed the new device for you, yet.”

“That doesn’t stop me from sensing them. We’ll do it like we did the first time, just keep that part of my brain in focus.”

Bart looked at Nicole, “You don’t mind someone listening to your thoughts?”

“He can’t if I’m wearing a thought blocker.”

Kyle tilted his head, “Are you sure about that?”

“Yep.”

“Just how do you know for certain?”

“I thought of some things you would have confronted me on if you could and you didn’t.”

Kyle stared at her. “Really?”

“Really.”

“What were…”

“I’m not telling you. A lady should keep private things private. Are we going to do it?”

Kyle stared at her and Bart said, “You need to do something.”

Kyle turned around, “Why?”

“I’m running short on tequila. The Kerits love it.”

Kyle shook his head, “I guess.”

“Don’t sound so excited.”

Kyle shook his head, “Your job of operating the weapons has been turned over to a computer. Your only purpose in being there is to act as an early warning system to the presence of Feeders.”

“When did this happen?”

“It was in the works when we landed.”

“Then why are my people going through the simulators?”

“They’re going to start the pilot’s program shortly. They may end up with their own ships if the Goran develop the device that allows you to see what you’re sensing. Either way, they need to learn how the ships operate.”

“You’ve not gone out for another reason.”

“Just how do you know that?”

“I know you. Sitting around here all day is not something you would normally do. What’s going on?”

Kyle sighed. He shook his head and looked at Nicole, “My ship has a second computer installed. Maintenance completed the installation a week ago.” Nicole stared at Kyle and raised an eyebrow. “The computer installed in my ship goes by the name Willow.” Bart and Nicole’s mouths fell open. Kyle saw their reaction and said to Nicole, “I can tell by your reaction that you know who she is.”

“You mean ‘The Willow’?” Kyle nodded. Why haven’t you gone to meet her? I mean this is incredible!”

“Easy for you to say.”

Nicole stared at Kyle and after a moment shook her head, “You’re worried you don’t measure up to the ones she worked with in the past?”

“Nicole, she was Lukas Axel’s personal ship. She also worked with Chris Stone. Who am I compared to them?”

“I think that has yet to be determined.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve read your history in detail and I think it’s pretty clear that your heroes went out and made history. Your time to do that is now. I suspect they would have felt the same if they were in your shoes.”

“But I’m not a Lukas or Christopher.”

“No, you’re you and I suspect that Willow knows that.” Kyle flinched. “What?”

“What, what?”

“Why did you flinch?” Kyle was silent. “Why did you flinch?”

“Willow requested to be assigned to my ship.” Nicole slowly shook her head and Kyle said, “What!?”

“It would help if you had an oversized ego but you don’t. You never consider that Hensel chose you to lead and that Willow probably knows why. You’re in your position for a reason and you need to understand that and keep it in the forefront of your insecure little brain.”

Kyle’s anger flashed as Bart said, “Are you for real?” Kyle turned around. “Willow chose you?” Kyle blew out a breath and nodded. “You should go and find out why.”

“Huh?”

“Kyle! I’d be dying to know why she would select me if I were in your place.”

Kyle stared at Bart and then shook his head, “From the mouth of babes comes pearls of wisdom.” Bart lowered his eyes and looked down his nose at Kyle. “No offense, Bart. But you’re right.” He turned to Nicole, “I’ll send a shuttle to pick you up in the morning. We’re going to meet her together.”

“REALLY!!!”

“Really. Be ready to leave at nine.”

“Can you make it eight?”

“Why?”

“I won’t be able to sleep until I meet her.”

Kyle stared at her and rolled his eyes, “Go pack. We’ll go now.”

Nicole squealed, hugged Kyle’s neck and ran out of the bar. Kyle and Bart watched her go and Bart said, “That’s the first time I’ve seen her hug anyone.” Kyle turned to him. Bart raised his hands, “Hey, I’ve not been spying. She has been asked out a lot but she always goes to the restaurant and ends the date there. I’ve seen her shake a few hands but that’s all.”

“She’s probably picked one of her own species.”

“If you say so.” Kyle looked at him again, “If you haven’t noticed, she is our species now.”

“Yeah, but…”

“Do you think that once her people get a taste of our civilization that they’ll want to return to being farmers? If they remain here, they remain human.” Kyle turned and saw Nicole jumping up and down impatiently for the elevator. “I suspect that it will be after her lifetime before we could go and take her planet back from the feeders.”

Kyle turned around and looked at Bart, “What did you do before you started bartending?”

Bart smiled, “I was a Major in Fleet Intelligence.”

Kyle laughed, “That explains a lot.”

“You’ve blown my cover.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep it secret.”

“See that you do. I like the dumb pretty boy bartender image.” A young Kerit female walked through the door up to the bar and smiled. She leaned across the bar close to Bart and said, “Please tell me you still have some tequila?”

Bart looked at Kyle and he laughed, “You can give her my stash.” Bart smiled and took out a glass. The Kerit continued to lean over the bar. She was incredibly beautiful in human form. All of them were. He looked at the elevator and saw Nicole was gone. She was also beautiful. He sighed and wished he hadn’t given away the tequila.

K
yle lifted his wrist unit, “Admiral Charles.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Will you have my ship provisioned to take out for trials?”

“It’s already provisioned and the reactor is at full power, Sir.”

I’ll be there shortly with one of the Kerits to take on an extended voyage.”

“Uhhh…”

“What’s the problem?”

“Sir, High Leader Grengel has ordered me to report if any of the new ships are going to be taken out longer than two days.”

“Then follow his order, Admiral. You report directly to his staff and the order is reasonable.”

Nicole looked at Kyle, “What’s going on?”

“I suspect the Leadership is somewhat concerned about my taking chances.”

“Should they be?”

Kyle jerked his head toward her, “Now why would you say that?”

“You intended to attack that lone Feeder Warship.”

Kyle stared at her and shook his head, “Now there you go making sense. Cut it out.” Nicole laughed as Kyle said, “I have some questions about that once we’re in space.” Nicole stopped laughing. “Don’t get upset. I just don’t understand some things that happened and you can help me make sense of them.” The shuttle touched down and Kyle looked out the viewport. “Let’s go meet a real heroine.” Nicole’s smile immediately returned.

Kyle’s wrist unit vibrated. He stopped walking toward the huge building and lifted it. “Good evening, High Leader.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little late to be running a trial on your ship?”

“Actually, it’s really hard keeping track of day and night in space.”

Kyle saw Grengel shake his head on his wrist unit’s small display, “Admiral Charles tells me you may be taking an extended voyage.”

“If everything checks out, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“What is your intention?”

“I’m going to try to see just how much space the Feeders control. I have no intention of attacking one of their ships and will attempt to avoid all contact with them.”

“Couldn’t you delegate this to one of your subordinates?”

“Actually, all the members of my Leadership Team are involved in getting the fleets modified and there is only one Kerit trained to go out and do this.” Kyle looked at Nicole as he spoke, “And you’re aware that she refuses to go with anyone else.”

“Is she still being stubborn about that?”

“Would you like to speak to her about it?”

Grengel shook his head, “No, I could see she was adamant when I looked at her thoughts.”

“High Leader, we have to get a map of the Feeders Territory. We also need to see if they have more than two fleets.”

“How do you know they have two?”

“I thought Amber gave you everything that happened?”

“Up to where you destroyed the probe.”

“A Feeder Fleet was moving toward the probe just before we destroyed it. They left with the opinion that it self-destructed.”

“The timing of the destruction seems to be…”

“Problematic.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll try to look at that, Sir.”

“Did anything else happen I should know about?”

“I targeted a ship to attack but my crew was of the opinion that the Feeders sending one Feeder Warship into the void was questionable. They were of the opinion that it might be a trap. They were right.”

“Did Miss Legune help you avoid it?”

“She’s taken the name Nicole Legune, High Leader. And yes, she sensed the ships waiting in ambush.” There was a long pause and Kyle said, “Sir, I have Nicole and one of the greatest computers in human history going with me. I believe we can do this.”

“Be safe.”

“Sir, my computers will not be broadcasting our situation to you on this trip.”

Grengel threw up his arms. “Do what you must!” The wrist unit’s display went dark.

“You made him angry.”

“He knows I’m right. He’ll think it through and be ok.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know him. Let’s go meet Willow.” Kyle turned toward the facility and Nicole followed him.

Clarissa met them at the huge hangar door and Nicole stopped dead in her tracks, “YOU!”

Clarissa looked at Nicole and smiled, “Yeah, me!”

Kyle turned to Nicole, “Oh, didn’t I tell you.”

“No, you did not!?”

“Admiral Charles was a fleet officer when you met her.”

“She sure didn’t dress like one!”

Clarissa’s smile vanished, “No I didn’t. And you made a point of telling me. So why don’t you pull your claws in and let’s do what you’ve come here to do.”