Saxon Andrew - Escape to Earth-The Legacy of a Conqueror

“No, it did not, Greatest.”

“Where was it before our probe detected it?”

“It must have been in normal space.”

“Was it seen by one of the probes we placed in normal space?”

“We didn’t have one close to that location.”

“How did it manage to move through their space and enter normal space without being detected?”

“We have no evidence of its moving through the void to that location.”

The Greatest looked at the third, “Doesn’t that prove the use of a Dark Matter Mist?”

“It does.”

“And one wasn’t detected?”

“No, it just suddenly appeared beside that warship.”

“Was the probe able to intercept any of their transmissions?”

“That’s also strange, Greatest Leader? None were detected from the Silver Ship?”

“What about the Black Warships?”

“We heard their leader order all their ships to stand down and return to their positions. That was all.”

The Greatest’s body slowly flowed left and right, “Something is going on here and we need to find out what it is. A ship appears out of nowhere and communications can be heard. Order all our ships to be on the alert for one of those small ships. If one is seen, I want to be notified immediately.” The Third bowed and the Greatest flowed across the floor and went into his tub. The nutrients he started consuming made him relax and he thought about what had happened for a long time. He played the recording of the small ship’s appearance over and over at slow and fast speeds. Something was different.

The meeting ended and Lukas walked over to Chris, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For helping me see the reality of all that has happened and will happen. What are you going to do now?”

Chris looked at Allison and turned back Lukas, “We were headed toward M-87 to take a look at the Progen’s latest technological developments.” He looked at Allison again and said, “However, Michael will never forgive me if I don’t stop by and spend some time with him.” Allison nodded. “I’d also like to maybe take a day or so and go through the simulators Dad and Jinks have developed. We might learn something we’ve missed.”

“You should also talk to Amanda about picking up one of the new beacons to drop in the barrier near M-87.”

“What is the beacon?”

“You know that the barrier occupies a very small layer separating the void from normal space?” Chris nodded. “Well, Amanda built a beacon that pulses out a frequency every three seconds. It can be heard in the barrier pretty much wherever you are.”

“Certainly there’s a limit to it?”

“She started one in the barrier and skipped out in progressively larger skips. It was still coming in loud and clear more than six billion light years away. Trevor measured the signal for attenuation and didn’t find any even at that distance.”

“You want to drop it near M-87 so that if another species in the universe uses a barrier drive it will lead them there?”

Lukas looked at Allison, “Have I ever told you how smart I think he is.”

“I think you just did, Sir.”

Lukas smiled, “That’s exactly why. However, if we ever go out to find out if other Legends exist, we’ll have the scouts looking for them dropping beacons using a different frequency near their locations.” Lukas paused, “I also think you should take a look at the simulators. You might not learn anything new but you might see something that needs to be included in their programming.”

“We’ll do that tomorrow. I’ll also forward my conversation with that being in M-86 to your desk.”

Lukas smiled, “Tell Michael to come see us. Luke loves playing with him.”

“I will. Thanks for being patient with me, Lukas.”

“It is I that appreciate your patience. I could see you weren’t happy.”

“No, I guess I wasn’t.”

Lukas smiled, “See you later.”

They watched him walk over to the Admirals waiting to meet with him and Allison sighed, “He’s really something.”

“Yes he is.” Chris turned to Allison, “Are you ready to build that sand fort?”

“Not really.”

Chris’s disappointment was clear, “Why not?”

“Because that fort is going to take most of a day and we don’t have enough time to do it today. I’ll take a raincheck and do it when we have more time.”

“Where are you going now?”

“I’m going to have Trevor check out the ship and see if there’s been any changes while we’ve been gone.”

“Always the perfectionist.”

“When it comes to living or dying…”

Chris laughed, “Let me know what you find out.”

“I’ll see you at the simulators tomorrow and let you know.” Allison turned and walked out of the huge conference room. Chris saw she hadn’t pinned up her hair and he was surprised at how long it was. It hung past her shoulders and looked like a brilliant light surrounding her head. He blew out a breath and turned to talk with Stoney about scheduling a simulator for him and Allison. He finally left and looked forward to seeing Michael. He immediately asked about Allison and showed his disappointment at her not coming. He finally smiled when Chris said, “Maybe next time. Today I start teaching you how to surf.”

The sessions on the simulators eventually ended and Stoney shook his head, “I’m glad you came. I didn’t know about flying the ships manually. We need to set up an advanced program to bring the pilots back in after they’ve mastered flying it normally.”

“Don’t mention it, Dad.” Chris hugged him, “We’re shipping out in the morning. Keep an eye on Michael.”

“We love doing it.”

“I’ve started him skim boarding so he can learn how to surf and he may pester you to take him.”

“I’ll let Kathy take care of that.”

Chris nodded as Stoney walked away to assist some students still on the simulators. Chris looked at Allison, “How about a meal before I run over to see Michael?”

“Sure.”

They ordered a meal and enjoyed it immensely. Weeks of eating food pellets made the normal food taste extraordinary. Allison brought him up to speed on the new developments and he questioned her at length. Finally, after a few moments of silence Chris said, “Allison.”

She looked at him, “Yes.”

“I know about your family.” Allison’s smile disappeared. “I’ve wondered why you never leave the ship whenever we have leave. So, I contacted Fleet Personnel and asked about your background.”

Allison’s eyes narrowed and she stared at him in silence. Chris waited for her to respond and she eventually said, “I was about to tell you that it was none of your business but I guess anything known about those under your command is your business.”

“You don’t like that I looked?”

“No, I don’t. That’s something that’s personal.”

“All I wanted to say is that I would love to have you be with my family as much as possible. I could possibly be the brother you never had.” Allison stared at Chris and then stood up and picked up her tray. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Allison turned and he saw something in her eyes that made him lean back. “You will never be my brother!” She turned and walked away and said over her shoulder, “Never!” Chris watched her go and knew he had made a terrible mistake. He went and picked up Michael and that evening when he put him to bed he punched her number on his wrist unit, “Allison, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to hurt you.”

Allison stared at him and then sighed, “Forget it. Let’s just forget it happened and go back to being normal.”

Chris nodded, “I’d really like that. Thank you for accepting my apology.”