"He did WHAT!" Admiral Branson shouted.
The aide began to shake. "His Akira ship left space dock 20 minutes ago."
"But I thought that piece of junk would not be space worthy for another 3 weeks at the soonest."
"Apparently our sources were....incorrect."
Branson held her hand to her head. "If that ship is a viable war machine, Dinn had no right to take it...not now."
"But begging your pardon, Sir. It is his ship."
Branson walked up and placed her face inches from the young aides face. "In War everything belongs to the government."
The young woman backed away a step. "Your orders Sir?"
"Well...Find out where the hell he went!"
"But Sir, ....how?...."
Bransons icy stare was answer enough and the aide turned on her heal and marched out of the office.
Nicole turned to a window, her head pounding with an ache she had never endured before. "So help me Dinn.....you better have a dam, and I mean a dam good reason."
****
"Reaching the rendezvous point in five, four, three, two, one." the helmsman called out. Then the Akira came to a full stop, its warp field dissipated in a flash, nothing but stars in all directions.
"Anything on sensors?" Marcus asked.
"Only limited range sensors available. Nothing." one of technicians answered.
Marcus came over. "Your name?"
"Franklin Sir. Alfred Franklin."
Marcus patted his shoulder. "Thanks Alfred. Keep an eye out."
Alfred nodded. "That I will Sir."
"Time?" Marcus asked.
"Ten seconds to spare." Cassandra called out.
Then, without even a flash, half a dozen ships suddenly appeared, surrounding the Banshee.
"There here!" Alfred called out excitedly.
"We see them Alfred." Marcus said softly.
In his mind Marcus asked. "So now what?"
"Thank you for coming Dinn. Now we meet." he heard in his mind.
With a snap in the air Marcus disappeared off the Bridge, leaving Cassandra and her rag tag helpers aghast.
****
It appeared to be a glass cylinder to Marcus. He could breathe, but it was very small. If he stretched his arms he could touch each side. Outside the light was distorted, as if he was immersed in water. It was only a few seconds and the alien walked up to the cylinder. He appeared to be apprising Marcus.
"What do you want?" Marcus asked.
"We want to your universe to stop interfering in with ours."
"We.....aren't"
"No.....the ones you call the Retarnee. They have no regard for anyone or anything but themselves."
"You've found that out have you? I thought you hated all beings in this universe."
"Most of us do. I...and my group.....are different. We've come to realize no matter how many of you we may kill, the danger to us you present stays the same."
"And you've realized you can't kill us all."
The alien shook his head. "Oh but we could. But it would take time. It is not...effective. You're a business man....I'm sure you understand."
"I do. So where does that leave us?"
"We will help you destroy the Retarnee."
"How?"
"by providing what technology we feel we can safely pass along to you."
"In exchange?"
"We have your word your kind will cease using transphasic Technology."
"And if we can't stop it?"
"Then we continue our eradication of life in your universe, no matter how long it takes."
Marcus put his hand to the side of the container. "Pretty straight forward deal. And how will you transfer this technology?"
"We have several of your scientist under observation. They will perform some miraculous breakthroughs."
"Through your telepathy."
The alien nodded. "then we have an understanding. You will communicate this only to the highest levels in your government."
"Understood."
"Then our business is concluded."
With another snap Marcus was back on the bridge of the Banshee.
Cassandra grabbed his arm. "You ok?"
His head was slightly dizzy. "Yea. Turn us around and take us home."
"So what was the message?"
Marcus took a seat to the right of the Captains chair. "We have an unexpected ally."
Marcus Dinn
President/CEO Dinn Industries
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation.
Admiral Nicole Branson
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
