The Destroyers Book 3 Civil WarChapter 5 Mars and Space
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Six weeks later, Ken sat at his desk going through Captain Windsor's logs. He was looking for the clues he suspected were there.
"Tammy, it says here, that the Washington was split in half at the battle of Tallis. When she was rebuilt, she was two hundred feet longer than before. I think that is where Jessica is; I think she is in that area. We have been over everything else. Amy, please bring up a pair of holograms of the ship as she used to look and as how she looks now."
The image appeared and he said, "Now, Amy, take the original and break it in half where she was damaged. Now overlay the two damaged parts on the image of where they are now."
Tammy set her book down, glided over to the desk, and looked at the image.
Ken said, "Amy, now remove everything but the new additions. Show us those areas, deck by deck. Name each room on the map."
The bow and stern disappeared and a schematic appeared of the ship. The names come up on the map, main astrogation, CIC, Flag Bridge, emergency power rooms five and ten, environmental three through six, medical three, ensign cabins, brig, morgue, storage room one, hydroponics eight, and many more."
Tammy examined the schematic and her eyes stopped on 'Flag Bridge.'
"I didn't know we had a flag bridge, why would we have a bridge for flags?"
Ken started laughing at Tammy's comments and said, "A flag bridge is where flag officers, Commodores and Admiral's, command during battle."
"Oh. So how come you don't command there?"
Ken scratched his head and said, "Well, the truth is, I didn't know we had one."
Tammy grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Then come on! Let's go check it out!"
"Okay. Let's go, Amy, transfer this schematic to my pad, please."
Ken heard his pad beep as it accepted the transfer. As Ken started walking out the door, he did not see Amy appear behind him.
Amy materialized behind him with tears in her eyes, and said, "Yes, my love you are going the right way. It's there; you just have to look for it."
She then disappeared in a sparkling mist.
Ken and Tammy tubed across the ship, and stepped out into a new passageway. Ken checked his map and led Tammy down the hall to a red door. As they approached, the door opened. Walking in, they saw a room twice the size of the main bridge, with a chair sitting on a raised dais. Whoever was sitting there could see all the stations.
"Wow, Ken, look at these stations. Eight weapon stations, nine sensors ... I bet if you commanded from up here, the bridge we have been using would be basically shut down. There must be thirty stations, each for a different part of the ship."
"Lot of crew, for running just one ship in a battle," Ken replied and then looked around and said, "I'll bet it's for fleet command."
Amy materialized as they walked into the room, and listened to their conversation, and interrupted them, "You are correct, Admiral. This is where you would run fleet engagements. The doors behind your chair lead into the CIC. Sir, may I officially welcome you to your flag command.
"Commander White wanted you to know the commissioning of the ship is to take place in five hours, and you still need to choose a name for her."
"Amy, I have been thinking hard on that and I have had many names going through my mind. I have chosen the name USS Oregon." Looking at the room, he continued, "Amy start getting a crew in here for fleet engagements, I want them trained on all boards and cross-trained on at least three others. When it comes time for combat, Tammy, you will take the main bridge, and I will be here."
Ken looked around the room once more and started to walk Tammy out of the room, when Amy spoke again.
"Right away, Admiral. I want to say how good it feels to have a full crew again, and to see new ships being built. I also want to say thank you for becoming my Captain, and then my Admiral."
Ken smiled at Amy, and said, "You're welcome, Amy, now what about the two hospital ships and the six destroyers? Will they be ready in time?"
"Yes, Sir. The ex-Crytherian cruiser and freighter are ready to go as well. Both ships have had had all their weapons upgraded, and better shields added. A limited AI was also installed. Each has a holo-emitter that is designed to make her look like they once were. We still need you to suggest new names for them, too"
Ken stopped and thought for a moment and said, "Let's name the cruiser Bringer of Hope and the freighter Freedom Train. I think it's fitting because that is what they will be bringing or I pray we will."
Amy replied as she was fading out, "I will send your orders over now, Sir."
Ken looked around at the room and said, "Jessica, honey, if you're in here we will find you. Just give me time." Walking out the door Ken and Tammy stepped into the transport tube, and he said "Captain's cabin."
The transport tube took off to their quarters on the command deck.
"Tammy, I'm giving Ted command of the Oregon. I want you to become Captain of the Washington. Is that okay with you?"
Tammy looked up at Ken in shock, and said, "Me? Captain of the ship? Are you NUTS?"
Ken pulled Tammy to him as he held her. Lifting his hand up to her face he brushed the hair out of her eyes, and replied, "No, I am not nuts and yes, you my love."
Tammy looked up at Ken and returning the favor, brushed his hair out of his eyes, "Ok. As long as I'm with you, my love, it doesn't matter where I am." She said as she stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him for the last few seconds of the trip and the tube came to a stop at the command deck.
"Come on, Admiral, let's get you ready. First a shower, and then a new uniform."
They walked hand in hand down the hallway and slipped into their cabin. Once inside Ken started pulling his uniform off.
"Isn't this against regulations? I mean we are under the same command," Tammy said.
Ken stood there on one foot as he pulled his shoe off.
"Screw the regulations. Besides we're off duty." '
Dropping his shoe, he hopped around on one foot, as he pulled the other shoe off as Tammy took off running to the bathroom.
"I get the shower first! If you're really nice, I may let you join me."
Ken dropped his pants, ripped his shirt off, and said, "Hey!" As he reached the shower he continued, "I'm the Admiral so I should go first."
"Yeah, you are the Admiral, Sir. Now let's see how good you follow orders! Get in here and wash my back!"
"Yes, Ma'am," Ken said, very much 'tongue in cheek'.
He slid the door open and stepped in. Taking the cloth, he started washing her back as he slid his hand around to cup her breast. Leaning down he kissed her neck and dropped the cloth, turning her around he kissed her jaw line up to her soft lips.
Tammy returned the kiss, for a minute and said, "Ken we don't... " Ken leaned in and started kissing her again. She felt his tongue flicker over hers as they kiss again. Pushing on his chest, she broke the contact, "Have time for," Ken pulled her in again to continue the kiss, pulling back she continued what she was saying, "this ... now." As he pulled her in for the third time, she used her com unit to tell him what she wanted to say.
'Oh, hell! You're the Admiral. You can be late if you want to be.'
Ken lifted her off the floor, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as they kiss. Pressing her against the bathroom wall, he moved his hips and slowly slid inside her.
When he bottomed out, he pulled from the kiss and said, "I love you Tammy May White, and I want you as my wife."
He closed his eyes and started kissing her throat as she moaned in pleasure. As they stood there, kissing Ken felt a third hand slide over his shoulder. His eyes flashed opened and he jerked his head around.
Amy stood there. She smiled at Ken and Jenny as she ran her hand down his back and cupped him as she leaned in and kissed him.
"Hello, my love. I am here for you, too."
Ken looked at Amy and then back at Tammy, "How? I thought you had to be released from the capsule?"
Amy leaned back in and said, "You talk too much." as she gave him a passionate kiss. 'I released myself an hour ago. I'll have to go back in, in a couple of hours from now.'
'I don't want you to go back into the capsules! You and Jessica have both been in them too long, as it is. I want you two to be free to make your own decisions.'
'And that's why I love you. Make love to Tammy and then make love... '
'No, Ken. Make love to Amy first, now, ' Tammy said as she pulled herself off him, turned Ken around, and let Amy move in.
'There will be plenty of time for all of us, but let Amy go now.'
Tammy smacked Amy's ass, and said, "Get out of here you two, and use the bed!" Pushing them out, she finished her shower, She had a grin on her face as she remembered the surprised look on Ken's face, when she had said, "Have fun!"
Several hours later, they were flying over to the space dock, where they could see the completed ship, which was ready to launch. In the remaining berths, there were five Riverine transports, and one more battleship. They were well under construction while over in the other Space Dock, two carriers and eight more destroyers were just starting their construction. Ken pointed out the construction on the new carriers to Tammy.
Turning on the com unit he said, "Lynn, fly us over to the carriers."
Lynn heard the request and flew the shuttle to the other shipyard, as she replied, "Right away, Sir,"
The shuttle flew alongside the huge dock. Inside, the hull was going together as they watched. "She's going to be almost four miles long. The bow is going to be hollow for launching the various planes. The landing bays are on each side of the ship about three hundred feet from the stern. The center sections will repair and re-arm each craft as needed. It will be almost like a conveyor belt assembly line.
"She has the same engine design as the battleships and will be a very fast carrier.
"They have one hundred railgun mounts firing canister rounds or antimatter warheads. The railguns are mounted on ridged mounts that run from bow to stern. Fifty are on the bottom ridges spaced in quadruple mounts. Twenty-five more are on the bow before the control tower, and an additional twenty-five on the stern. Located over the entire hull are five hundred quad mount light lasers, and one hundred heavy lasers in dual mounts.
"She will carry six hundred Lightning class fighters, four hundred Devastator class bombers, and one hundred shuttles. Her crew will be four thousand officers and enlisted men, and eleven hundred flight crewmembers," Ken said.
He turned the com back on, and said, "Lynn, take us back over to Space Dock One. We have a launching to go to."
"Right away, Sir."
The shuttle came down and landed in the main landing bay. As they walked out of the shuttle, an oriental woman approached them, carrying a microphone.
"Admiral Thompson, as you know, I am Elizabeth Chang from CNN, can I have a few minutes of your time?"
"Sure, Miss Chang. What may I do for you? You look a lot better than the last time I saw you."
Elizabeth blushed and replied, "Thanks to you and your advanced medicines, I am better. Now let me introduce you to the world again." Holding up her microphone, she turned, and faced the camera crew.
"This is Elizabeth Chang for CNN, I am on Space Dock One, where the Federation Navy is about to launch their first battleship for the fledging Federation Navy. I'm standing here with Admiral Kenneth Thompson and Lieutenant Commander Tammy White." Turning she faced the Admiral and said, "Admiral, we are wondering what you have decided to call the new battleship. Have you thought of a name for her?"
"Yes, I have, Miss Chang."
"Can you tell us what name you have chosen? There is a rumor going on that you have decided to name her 'Reno' after your home town."
"No, that is not correct. You, and the rest of Earth, will find out the name at the ceremony, it's a surprise to the crew. I have thought long and hard on her name. The one I have chosen will make one state in the United States very happy, as no ship has carried that state's name in over fifty years."
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Corporal Ricker watched the T'Lari go through the dead ones, and start eating them. Within three minutes, it had cracked open a leg and sucked marrow out of the bones it found. Suddenly his com chimed in his head and he heard Tom Morris' voice. 'Corporal Ricker, this is Corporal Tom Morris. I am bringing in twenty-one survivors, one critically wounded, two KIA. Sean is one of the dead, but he went down fighting.' 'Okay, Tom. Let me take care of the T'Lari that's eating his...
Sammy stood there, her axe and knife clutched firmly in her hands as she looked up at the creature, trembling in fear. The fourteen-foot tall creature reared up, its twenty-foot long tail swinging up and over its head. Its front upper claws clicked together as the lower two hands held giant swords. Its mandibles clicked and crunched the remains of the small child in its mouth. She looked down on the two humans as her forked tongue cleaned her face of blood and gore. "I so love your small...
Aboard Space Dock One, Commodore John Thompson walked out of his office and headed for his personal shuttle. It was docked in one of the many launch bays on the twenty-mile long space dock. Walking through the concourse, he looked out at the USS Ark Royal. He saw the ship was almost completed. The command tower was going up as he watched. He picked up the pace and entered the shuttle bay to find his aide standing there. Lieutenant Susan Blake ... all of four foot nine inches of her, with her...
Commander Jimmy Hutcheson led the five groups of Seals down the Truckee River. A couple of fighters seemed to be flying search patterns so he had his men duck back under the water and hug the bottom of the river. Swimming along they pass the wreckage of downtown, and head the three miles toward the City of Sparks. Two hours later, after they surface near the backside of the 'Reno Hilton' the teams fanned out along the riverbank while Jimmy stripped out of his black suit and pulled on some...
Stepping out of the transport tube, Tammy walked into the medical bay, and over to a young girl. Looking down, she saw a beautiful child lying there, who should not have a care in the world. "Ashley, we will make it better for you, I promise." Tammy looked around the huge room, and saw Molly down at the far end talking to someone, and wandered down that way. As she got closer, she saw Commander Hutcheson sitting up in one of the beds. "Commander, you should start feeling better, now....
Dreams and the Launching of the attack Richard grabbed the tail of the creature they had killed. With it still stuck in the hole, he braced his feet and tried to pull it free, or turn it. He heard another click as it turned in the other direction. The hum disappeared as a loud snap came from behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a huge bed, with piles of human skulls around it. A computer console stood next to the bed. "Damn it! It wasn't the tail that took out the gravity, it was...
Ted watched the Chinook helicopter, flying due north, disappear behind some nearby mountains. "Rita, where the hell is that damn lander that I asked for?" Ted said as he scanned the sky. "It will be above us in forty-five seconds. I suggest you come to a stop so it can pick us up." Ted brought the fifty-ton Mech to a stop, and scanned for the lander. The two hundred thousand ton ship came out of the clouds and hovered directly above him. The iris opened in the bottom of the ship. A...
Asteroids tumbled around the two Crytherian freighters as they slowly skirted the Oort cloud, at edge of the system. Aboard the Crytherian freighter, Bountiful Trove, Captain Jelkisa watched their escorts hyper to the ninth planet, to check out the sensor target they have picked up. Watching the view screen, he said, "Navigator Tilsi, set coordinates for two destinations, one the ninth planet, the other for the planet Karsakini." Turning to another Crytherian he continued, "Liskeria,...
Wand, Book and Candle, Part 1 By Elliot Reid "If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me; I had it from my father." I snapped the book shut, eyes unfocusing from the text. With my fingers I massaged my temples, kneading tension away. I was approaching my birthday with mixed feelings. In two days I'd be sixteen. I'd have crossed another threshold. Would I feel more grown-up? I looked over at the stack of comic books by my bed, beside the Joseph Campbell and the Homer that I was...
Night Skies Hotel VI: Destroyers of Worlds By Solari Author's note: "Destroyers of Worlds" is the third story in the three-part "Foundations" trilogy that shines a light on the wider Night Skies Hotel universe. The other stories in the "Foundations" trilogy are "Night Skies Hotel IV: The Lost Worlds," and "Night Skies Hotel V: Shadows on the Sun." It is recommended that the stories be read in order, or the reader risks not understanding the events that unfold. "What you consider...
Vision Quest, Accelerated Launch By: Bernice 14 "Mike, I'll take care of her." I wedged myself between them as I guided her out into the hallway. There were others there too, moving as if they were in a hurry. "Alexis, is that Monique?" asked Jasmin. "This is Patty, she's part of our overall team now too." Patty looked just as scared as Monique, and I saw that she was also Eurasian. Then I met Toya and Taya the Japanese twins. But they weren't scared just unsure about what...
Ken watched the Captains file out and head back to their own ships. Sitting in his chair, he smiled at Kala, and said, "I think your plan is going to work, at least the other Captains were excited about..." he said. He looked up as the doors open and Tammy walked in. "Hi, love, it's good to see you." Tammy walked in to the conference room and stopping as she saw the platinum haired woman sitting across from Ken. "Hello, Admiral, who's your friend?" 'Hello, sister, I am Kalaria,...
Ken looked up at the sound of the chimes at his door. "Enter." Susan walked in and faced Ken and came to attention. "At ease, Commander." "Thank you, Sir," Susan said. Then she continued, "Sir, the NAT's are going in, now." Ken stood up and hit save on his computer pad, saving the document he was working on, "Thank you, Susan, I will be right out." Walking to the huge bay window, he looked down on Pluto as Susan walked out of the room. 'What's down there?' he thought then...
Ted recovered first, as he looked at his baby sister, and said, "Lisa what are you doing here? What do you mean the ship has..." Lisa faded away, re-appeared in front of him, and replied, "That is what I meant big brother." Ted felt the blood drain from his face as he looked at his sister. His thoughts flashed to Amy, trapped in her capsule, and he lost his temper. He growled, "No! I won't have it!" Walking over to the com unit, he pressed an icon on the panel, and said, "This is...
Ken felt the connection close after talking to his mom, and he looked out at the bridge. His thoughts were on his sister who was lying wounded in the Oregon's medical bays. In his gut, he feared the worst because his dad was on the way to the Oregon. Looking around the flag bridge his eyes settled on Susan at the com station. He asked, "Susan any word on NAT team one?" "No, Sir. Nothing. NAT team two is going down now, they are going to have to re-bore the hole and see if they can get...
Amy watched from her sensors as her Admiral and his friends had their party. On the screen, her image wandered through the party chatting with her friends. The hours go by as off duty crew came in and had a dinner of the strange foods she has never tried. She vowed that Ken would share them with her one day. Over in a small meadow, some of the many kids played a game she'd had to look up. It was called baseball. Some others played volleyball. Going over the reports, she saw her shuttles...