Chapter 315

Deep Space

The scout's AI had little problem finding the location of the alien ship after it dropped out of warp. Moving relatively slowly, the tiny ship crept toward the alien's new location to eventually snuggle to a large asteroid at the far edge of passive sensor range. The two humans in command of the scout were mindful of their instructions to be careful to avoid detection.

Moments after the alien's move, the scout detected a number of tenders exiting the alien ship and fanning out into the new section of the asteroid belt.

"I didn't realize the belt was this long," Dave commented.

"You were technically correct in your assumption; however, the belt extends in sections across a considerable distance," the AI responded. "It is logical to assume that the aliens have moved to a new section of the belt because they had exhausted the supply of the elements they were searching for in the first section."

"But they went to warp..." Dave started.

"Obviously to test their drive, but note that they continued parallel to the belt. Considering the rapid deployment of the tenders after the ship dropped out of warp, it is also logical to assume that the aliens knew that they would not be able to remain in warp long and intended to continue their mining operations at a new section of the belt. Again, this is additional data to reinforce my postulation that the short warp was a test of their drive."

Dave and Evie looked at each other, then turned back to the forward screen. "Best guess as to how long the alien ship will remain in the belt. In other words, how long should it take them to repair their drive – if that's what they're doing in the first place?"

"I have not reduced myself to guessing," the AI replied indignantly.

"Yeah, and your human interface isn't perfect, either," Dave snarled back.

"Your estimate of how long until the alien ship achieves the capability of warping to Earth, considering the small amount of hard information you have to go by, of course," Evie injected as Dave frowned at her.

"I do not..."

Dave broke in with, "We want to know if we can go home for Christmas without risking losing the aliens while we're gone."

There was a pause, then, "If my sensors were nearer the alien ship, I would be able to receive more workable information, particularly during their tests."

Evie and Dave glanced at each other before she responded, "But our orders are emphatic about remaining outside the alien's detection range. At least, what we hope is out of their range."

The AI was undeterred. "There is a possibility that a micro probe could produce the needed data. However, there are difficulties in maneuvering the probe near the alien ship, and I would have to retrieve it to download any information it receives. The probe is too small to carry stealth capabilities. Its diminished size equates with the advantages of Stealth."

"But the aliens haven't detected us and we're using stealth," Dave argued, more to see what the AI would say than actually challenging the computer with his comment.

"Granted that Earth technology could not detect the probe, but even as we are careful to not approach your satellites too closely, so should we err on the side of caution with the aliens. This is not open to debate. I have my orders from Ship. I am to protect the two of you and Earth at all costs. There could be a slight danger of a larger probe being detected even under stealth, and that possibility of detection would increase dramatically as the probe neared the ship. Remember, we have little information of the alien's capabilities.

"While maneuvering in system, any ship must have the capability to detect and destroy, or at least be capable of pushing aside any object in the ship's flight path. Without those capabilities, striking an object weighing as little as a few grams while traveling at even a small percentage of light speed could very well be devastating to the ship. Warp has its own collision dangers, though different."

"So, what's the plan?" Dave asked.

"With your permission, I will launch a micro-probe in a manner that will allow it to parallel the belt, but pass nearer the alien ship, which of course would mean that the probe would be much nearer than our current position, thus its sensors should receive data that we are unable to obtain from our present location. The alien's logical assumption would be that the probe, less than the size of a grain of sand, was a stray bit of gravel from the belt. Since its velocity will be low relative to the ship, and because of its diminutive size, it should be able to pass without encroaching on the ship's collision boundary parameters. During its passage, it would be much nearer the alien ship than we are currently, and ... to its engines. Thus, the probe should be able to obtain more detailed data. With the receipt of new data, I could then provide you more accurate information concerning the alien's engine status."

" ... And draw a conclusion about its present capabilities. Excellent," Dave started. But before he could continue, the AI went on.

"However, should the aliens detect the probe and examine it, they would know that they are being watched by an advanced society. That would in turn produce a search for whomever is spying on their vessel, and ... in time, we would probably be discovered. We could, of course, flee, but even the detection of the probe would logically make them suspicious of Earth, since it is the closest planet with life. As we have discussed before, they are doubtlessly aware of Earth because of its radio and TV transmissions."

"Shit," Dave muttered.

"Could you rig the probe to self-destruct?" Evie asked before she took time to completely consider her idea.

The AI responded somewhat smugly. "Grains of sand do not self-destruct. The destruction would deliver sufficient data to the aliens for them to assume someone was spying on them, and then the logic about Earth would follow."

There was quiet for a time before the AI continued. "You are the commanders. How shall we proceed?"

The Retreat

Well into the afternoon, Selina approached her Prime as he sat alone in the living room. With fourteen wives who loved him, there wasn't as much alone time as there once was, but his Clan Queen knew that he needed time to himself, so she had "suggested" that her sisters give him that time on a regular basis. As he sat gazing out the big window, Selina crawled into his lap, put her arms around his neck and hugged him.

He had fond memories of Arlene doing the same thing when she was Selina's age, and he missed that. Oh, Arlene still sat in his lap, but it was an altogether different thing. Now, she was an adult with adult charms. Soft breasts pressing against his sides or chest were, indeed, welcome, but still he missed the little girl who used to snuggle with him and talk about things a six-year-old was interested in – and those kisses on his cheek, and a "Thank you, Daddy" when she had talked him into something, which usually didn't take long. Many times, he delayed his decision so the intimacy would last a little longer.

He could also remember Diana standing with her hands on her hips, shaking her head as she watched her daughter manipulate her father, then with a smile, the woman would leave, obviously knowing how Jeff was feeling. So, when Selina crawled into his lap, the memories flooded him.

"My Prime, I would like to ask..."

"Shhhh," he quietly said. "We'll talk in a minute, but let's just snuggle for a little while."

Selina was too young to respond to Jeff's pheromones, not that he would use them on her anyway, but she, like most everyone else, was beginning to feel his presence more and more as his mental abilities gradually increased. She had no real idea what he was thinking, but he seemed to radiate love and contentment. It was like snuggling into a warm blanket after waking up cold in the middle of the night. In the background was a feeling of strength that she knew he would use to protect her if need be. Her purpose momentarily forgotten, she nestled in his strong arms and closed her eyes.

Moments or hours later – at first, she had no idea – she came awake as he stroked a gentle hand across her temple. "Wake up, Little Lady, and tell me why you came to visit."

She hugged his neck and again kissed his cheek. "I apologize for interrupting, My Prime. I am aware that you frequently use your alone time to contemplate your inventions. I shall return later if..."

Jeff put a fingertip to her lips. "I'm never too busy for you, and so far, my force field idea has maxed out with just enough energy to stop an insect."

Selina smiled at him. "On a positive note, it has certainly performed very capably in restricting the butterflies to our school area..."

Jeff let out a snort. "Ship has force fields strong enough to rip a planet apart. And don't even bother to suggest me copying her technology. I have a long, long way to go before I can even understand the fundamentals of what she calls technology. And Earth certainly doesn't have the technological foundation to produce the essentials to construct a force field using her science. Think modern jet interceptor produced by a cave man. Should he somehow be able to understand how to assemble the parts, he would not have the support foundation to even start to build the components. How would he construct a computer chip? The alloys, the armored glass, the thousands of materials that combine to produce the components that comprise the plane? I'm a cave man when it comes to Ship and her technology. The best I can do is study. But each time I start on something, I realize that I need to start one step back."

"You are the Prime. You will learn," she said with an assurance that was almost physical.

Jeff had to laugh at that. "So, what brings you to see me? Not that I don't welcome your visit, as you well know."

Selina shifted until she was in a position to stare directly into Jeff's eyes. "I have read extensively on the subject of cats and kittens..."

"Of course you have," Jeff said, encouraging her when she hesitated.

"Cats need a ... number of things in addition to basic physical requirements such as food and water. They need activities and areas that are available to them. They particularly enjoy elevated areas. All cats require the ability to navigate escape routes in territory they can claim. A lack of territory leads to neurotic behavior and violence between cats. It is common for a larger or more aggressive cat to perceive a weaker cat as prey and behave as a predator in the absence of adequate territory. An elevated area enables a cat to feel safe from predation. Oh, obviously there are not any predators inside the Retreat, but the instinct is there, regardless. I have drafted an idea that I would like for you to peruse. In my opinion, it would not detract from the esthetics of my sitting room and bedroom, but due to the type of woodwork, it would be relatively expensive..."

"Let me see."

Selina jumped down from his lap, grabbed her laptop from a nearby table, and quickly returned. Once settled again, she opened the computer to show him her ideas. Using the school's architectural design program, she had seamlessly incorporated her idea into a picture of the two rooms. The cat towers, runs and hidey-holes seemed to have been built into the architecture of the rooms themselves. When she had mentioned what she wanted to do, he had expected it would be unique – after all, it was Selina – but even knowing her, he was still amazed.

He had not paid much attention to Helen's choice of software for the class lately, having given her carte blanche authority to buy what she wanted, but he was definitely pleased with this program and the tiny human who had used it to such good advantage. A touch of a key and the picture changed to a detailed and very professional view that was even more impressive to his engineer's mind. Amused, he wondered if the company that sold the program had a sales staff that could use the program half as effectively in their demonstrations.

He tore his eyes away from the screen to say, "This is beautiful work, Baby."