Chapter 14: Friends and Enemies

“One moment, Andy. Is it onboard?” asked Simon.

“Just got it now.” replied Andy.

“I am picking up a disturbance moving toward APE-1.” said Blaze.

“Andy, full Black now. Get back here.” said Simon. “What have you got Blaze?”

“A cloaked ship is in the area. I am unable to identify it’s origin, however, It does not appear to know that we are here, yet. It seemed to start moving towards APE-1 when they picked up that debris.” said Blaze.

“A trap Simon?” suggested James. “That module may have been left here on purpose.”

“Unlikely.” replied Simon. “This battle is years old. I doubt they would have left a ship here all that time. They may check the area out periodically, however. I think the most likely scenario is that they have come here looking for something. Maybe we just found it first! The questions remaining, are whether or not they are hostile, and whose ‘side’ are they on?”

“APE-1 is now docked.” said Blaze.

“Have Andy get that debris to Research for analysis. We need answers. Blaze, can you track that other ship?” asked Simon.

“Yes, Captain. It is cloaked, but I can detect a motion trail. It has now arrived at the location where APE-1 picked up the debris.” said Blaze.

“Did it change course to follow APE-1?” asked Simon.

“No Captain, it just seems to be sitting there.” replied Blaze.

“I am picking up an impression of size, however. It seems to be about twice the size of APE-1. It may be a scout class also.” replied Blaze.

“Any indication of other ships in the system?” asked Simon.

“None Captain.” replied Blaze.

“Arm all weapons. Full Frontal Shields. Take us to a nose to nose position in front of that ship.” said Simon.

“Weapons systems all green and fully armed.” replied James.

“Moving to new position in front of unknown ship.” stated Mike.

One of the many new databases uploaded to Blazing Star during the same events that enabled weapons and shields was the known languages of the Daandrusians and the known races of that time. It would be very helpful if they required communication with one of those races, especially during first contact.

“We are now in position.” said Mike.

“Front viewer focus on that ship. Drop Cloak. Hail them, full language spread.” said Simon. “I hope they don’t panic easily, Blazing Star is clearly huge in comparison!”

“This is Blazing Star of Star Force Galactic. I am Captain Simon Gordon. May we be of assistance?” hailed Simon.

[How much time would it take for their reinforcements to arrive?]

(They could appear in a few minutes on the edge of this system and move this way, or shift directly here in the same amount of time if they are close.)

[Understood]

“This is Captain Arault Netherla of the Justic. We are in no need of assistance at this time, but thank you for your kind offer.” replied the mystery ship.

(They replied in Daandrusian, Captain.)

“That is a cool headed Captain!” said Simon. “Let’s send them a visual and request one back.”

“Captain Netherla, it would be nice to see whom I am talking to.” said Simon calmly.

“Ah, Captain Gordon, forgive me for asking, but I do not recognize your ship design, and yet, it does seem familiar to me. What race are you?” asked Captain Netherla.

Just then the video feed clicked in and everyone stared at each other.

(They are Daandrusian, Captain.)

“Strange, I was about to ask you the same thing.” replied Simon smiling. “We call ourselves Humans. What do you call yourselves?”

“We are Daandrusian, Captain Gordon.” replied Captain Netherla. “I surely hope you do not mean us harm Captain, as you can see we are only a small scout ship and mean you no harm in return.”

“We have no quarrel with the Daandrusians, quite the contrary, in fact. You are a long way from your home system Captain Netherla. May I ask what brings you way out here?” asked Simon.

“As you probably have noted, this system was the scene of a large series of battles several years ago. There was significant losses on both sides of these battles. We were simply trying to determine if there was anything to salvage here. We apologize if this has infringed on your territory in any way. We were not aware of your existence until now.” stated Captain Netherla. “You have us at a significant disadvantage however, you appear to know of us, but we know nothing of you.”

Blaze spoke, “Two shift events are occurring to the rear of the Justic. One small and one large.”

“Perhaps it is time we rectified that small problem. When your other two ships arrive, I would like to extend an invitation to whomever is in command of your group to come aboard so we can get to know each other. You have nothing to fear from us.” stated Simon.

“Captain, we will get back to you.” replied Captain Netherla as he signed off.

The two shift events produced two Daandrusian warships. One was another scout, similar to the Justic and the other was much larger, although slightly smaller than the two Destroyer designs SBM was building. Blaze did not directly recognize the designs but factored in over two thousand years of evolution and realized that they had not changed much over that time. They were none the less, different. It did appear to be armed to the teeth, but not cloaked. After a few minutes of silence, a request came from the larger ship with full video.

“Captain Gordon, this is Commodore Stayren of the Daandrusian Destroyer Epicule. We would be honored to visit with you, however, you must understand we do have to be a bit cautious.”

“I understand that Commodore. We are disarming all offensive weapons and lowering defensive shields, would you do the same?” said Simon, as he gave the orders to do just that.

All three of the Daandrusian ships dropped shields and disarmed weapons as well.

“Whenever you are ready, I will open Command Bay for your Shuttle. You may bring three people with you. Please, have them unarmed. My security may not react well to anything else. You have my assurances of your safety while you are on board. Does that meet with your approval Commodore?” said Simon.

“That would be most acceptable, Captain. I will see you shortly.” replied Commodore Stayren.

Simon watched the forward view screen as the two scouts docked with Epicule. Shortly after that a small shuttle launched from Epicule and headed towards Blazing Star. Simon waited until their shuttle was well underway, before suggesting that Blaze should open the Bay and send instructions to the shuttle on landing there. Grant had dispatched a small team to the shuttle bay with instructions to be alert, but no aggressive actions. He had also started to make arrangements so that the size of his security force would appear to be larger than it really was. Just a few extra security personnel using the same areas as the visitors. Nothing too blatant or obvious.

Simon, Grant and Blaze met their visitors as they were leaving their shuttle in the Command Bay. The four visitors were a study in contrasts. There was Commodore Stayren himself, a rather portly figure, not overly fat by any means, but well fed. He appeared to be slightly graying at the temples but other than that, in excellent physical shape. He was also well dressed, wearing the dress uniform of the Daandrusian Military befitting his title and rank. Captain Netherla had come along as well. He was somewhat younger looking, slightly taller and seemed to miss nothing as he presented a relaxed and confident air. He was thin, but not overly so, with dark brown wavy hair and wearing a neatly pressed Military uniform. The third visitor was obviously the security presence required by this type of meeting and was dressed similarly to Grant’s own team, but there were differences there as well. He was not nearly as imposing a presence as Grant and seemed a bit out of place. Grant chuckled as he realized it was probably the first time he had gone anywhere without a weapon and realized how he would feel in the same situation. He was introduced to Simon and crew as Drale Harton. The last member of the visiting group was female and was dressed in a Military outfit, but casual at the same time. She was, to coin a phrase Simon had heard more than a few times before in his life, ‘drop dead gorgeous’. She was introduced as simply Epic. Simon now began to understand what Blaze had told him a few months ago when he and Blaze had first met.

(She is an android, Captain.)

Simon made the introductions of his crew as well, introducing Blaze as the ships AI. Blaze and Epic stared at each other. Everyone else was staring at them. Epic finally lowered her eyes. The subtle motion was not lost on Captain Netherla or the Commodore.

(She will be no trouble, Captain.)

[Thank you, Blaze.]

“Commodore, if you will. I have asked for some refreshments to be prepared in your honor. We can relax in my quarters and get to know each other better.” suggested Simon.

“Excellent Captain!” replied the Commodore.

Simon led the group through Command Conference and into his personal quarters. He took that route to show off just a bit more of Blazing Star. Once in his quarters, everyone finally seemed to relax. Refreshments were served up by Food Services and the guests were even permitted to avail themselves of the Daandrusian recipes that had been initially installed before Blazing Star had acquired a Chef. The Commodore had sampled a few of the Earth food offerings and found them to his liking as well.

“Well, we eat similar foods Captain.” stated Commodore Stayren. “I wonder what other commonalities we will find. That drink you call ‘coffee’ is delicious. I am looking around at Blazing Star, Captain, and there is something that seems very familiar about her.”

“How are you on Daandrusian History, Commodore?” asked Simon. “Specifically, a little over two thousand, four hundred years ago!”

Simon had been informed that Earth years and Daandrusian years were, coincidentally, almost identical so the reference time frame caused Commodore Stayren to look startled.

He settled himself down and replied. “Perhaps you are referring to the great battles when our main fleet was beset upon by unknown invaders?”

“Was there a conflict where one of your space construction docks and fleet were attacked by a large number of ships?” asked Simon and quietly waited for the response.

“Yes, it was the beginning of a long, dark age for our peoples.” began Commodore Stayren. “As I recall, we had gathered our fleet at a remote manufacturing dock to greet the completion of our latest and best deterrent warship ever. She had just come out of the facility and was preparing to begin testing when we were attacked from all sides. They had some strange kind of weapon that seemed to erupt in the middle of our fleet and as the fleet were preparing to shift to safety, there was a huge explosion of some kind, destroying almost all of the fleet. The construction dock was badly damaged as well. Some ships had made it to safety in time, but most were destroyed right there. The new unfinished Battle Cruiser simply disappeared. I seem to remember that they had named her Aurora, the first of her class. She was never heard from again, but no debris was ever found of that ship, and I am beginning to understand why. She survived, didn’t she?”