Chapter 5: The Journey and Discovery

Over the next several days, the ships were reloaded with their full complement of missiles, and supplies. An additional two hundred mines were loaded into each boat bay of the squadron as reloads. Then the unloading of eight of the Swiftshire's fighters proceeded on schedule. On the morning of the fourth day, the crew was removed from the Swiftshire, and the Imperial Royal Marines loaded the precious metals gems and artwork on board the ship. During the same period of time, the repair yards worked miracles on the H.M.S. Ajax, and in less then three days they had ripped out her damaged compartments and restored her to fighting trim.

The next day the Ajax left the dock and took her station in the fleet as the crew reboarded the Swiftshire and she pulled away from the station.

"Sir, we have received a communication from fleet supply they report that we are fully loaded! Colonel Harris reports boat bay four is electronically sealed, all airducts in the bay have been sealed and Marines have been stationed at all three entry points. Minister Korlan had been issued a state room and Sergeant Journal had shown him how to put his battle armor on!" Suddenly the communications board lit up again as they were receiving permission to get under way from the admiralty.

"Sir we have received a communication from the Queen Ann. They say we have permission to get under way at our own convenience."

"Send my regards to fleet supply and to the Queen Ann! Open a channel to the rest of the fleet! You may host the pennant."

"Right away, Sir," At those words the Midshipwoman starts typed into her computer pad, and within seconds the channel was open, the midshipwoman said, "Communication established to all ships, Sir."

Outside the ship, the small video screen on the tower changed to show a red flag with five gold and silver stars of a commodore pennant along with the words 'Ever Vigilant' in a half circle around the bottom of the stars.

"All ships, this is the Swiftshire, prepare to get under way. Our course is 444 Mark 18; speed will be one hundred thousand kpm for the first ten minutes. We will then boost to one million, three hundred thousand kpm for the next two hours. Formation will be X-Ray One."

"Sir, all ships acknowledging orders, and getting under way, cruiser Ajax had taken the lead."

"Very well get us underway Midshipmen Sanders!" On the main screen, the ships of heavy cruiser squadron three and destroyer division seventy started moving away from their berths. The ships quickly followed orders and formation X-Ray One was formed. With three destroyers to a side and in a triangle formation, the cruisers formed a double line of three, stacked one on top of the other. Ten minutes after leaving their parking orbits, they accelerated to one million three hundred thousand kpm.

On board the Queen Ann, four people watched the two squadrons of ships start moving. Two were standing and staring out of Admiral Kincaide window. They were Fleet Admiral Thomas Kincaide and the other was His Royal Majesty, King Andrew Herrick the Third. The other two had more sinister plans for the two squadrons of ships, and were in another section of the great station.

"There they go Andrew, and may God watch over them."

"Yes, they will need him to be watching over them to succeed," Both men watched as the ships slowly faded from sight. When they are completely gone, they turned and went back to their meeting.

"Admiral, how are the repairs to the New Hong Kong ship yards coming?"

"They should be fully operational in thirteen days, Sire."

"Surely we can start dispatching some damaged ships to what is operational?"

"I have already done that! I sent them seven of our dreadnoughts that needed minor repairs. Mostly weapons mounts, or shield generators, a couple need some armor replacement, nothing they couldn't handle. I have also dispatched twenty-five of our most critically damaged heavy ships to point Star Flight, along with the three crippled Illustrious class carriers and fourteen cruisers. They are taking an additional sixteen thousand children there on ten passenger liners."

"Good that will bring them up to nine million civilians evacuated," Andrew said as he looked at the data pad and continued, "Thomas, I want to send Jacob and Mycelia there as well."

"I will have your youngest children sent along with their governess. I am sure her Royal Highness Holly Claymore will take them in her household and keep them safe."

"She was the one who suggested it, just before she left on the dreadnaught White Fang. Now I have another meeting," Thomas said and walked out the door.

"Okay there they go, now we need to get word to Scar, and then the rest is up to him and to the rest of the fleet."

"I will send the courier ship right away George," James McCallister said.

"Not so fast you fool, that's all we need to do is have the Alderian secret police start to ask questions, about why a fast courier was sent out after a fleet left on a secret mission. Especially with what happened to the first and second Battle Wings at point Mary."

"Sorry George, I did not think of that! I will wait twenty-four hours before sending her." With a look at the clock, he continued, "Cousin, I better get back down to maintenance before I am missed."

They turned and walked towards the door, as it opened they started speaking again. "James, I want you to find out who messed up the electrical circuits to Admiral Kincaide's quarters. I don't like admirals breathing down my neck, specially the Joint Chief of Staff."

"I will get my best men on it."

"I know you will James, you're doing a good job down there, a few more years and you will be running maintenance."

"Thank you, Sir, I will not fail you."

With a smile on his face he continues. "Better not, you know the old saying, shit rolls down hill. Well if I get covered in it, so do you!"

With a nod of his head, he walked out into the hallway.

Commander George McCallister watched as his fellow conspirator walked out the door then turned to his secretary. "Nancy! What time is my next appointment, and who is it with?"

"Sir, that would be at fourteen hundred hours, with Commander William Avon of missile command."

"Good, I am hungry so I will be back by thirteen-fifty hours. Go ahead and take an early lunch."

"Thank you, Sir, I will," Nancy Douglas said with a smile on her face, she got up and walked out the door as her boss walked back into his office. Never thinking of why he reentered his office if he was taking an early lunch.

On board the Swiftshire, the young navigational Midshipmen was going about her duties, typing commands into her computer. "Aye, aye, sir, heading 444 Mark 18 speed one million three hundred thousand kpm. While she typed, her mind wandered back to her little girl, left in the care of her parents. She was going to miss her; she prayed that she would come home soon.

Steven stood up and walked towards the door, "I will be in my day room notify me when we reach the hyper limit. Commander Nirisha, you have the bridge." he ordered as he left the bridge.

"Aye, aye, Sir." replied both the Midshipman and Commander Nirisha.

Steven walked down the hallway towards his day cabin and entered the room, where the smell of ginger floated to him from the burning incense that sat in its holder on his bookcase. He moved around his desk and sat down. The smell got him thinking of his home in the Cochise Mountains. Named after one of his greatest ancestors who ever lived on old earth. The only place on the Alderia that the earth spices cinnamon and ginger could grow. He turned to his computer, and activated voice command only, "Computer give me a status report." A few seconds later, it responded.

"All crew personnel are at transition post. All missiles and missile launchers locked down. All lasers turrets are pressurized and ready for combat. Sensors and communications are operational, laser communications have been established with all ships. No unauthorized transmissions or energy sources have been detected. All fighters and pinnaces are secured to their cradles except for bay number four where no fighters or shuttles are detected in the hanger. Bay number four has been electronically sealed." With a start, Steven realized he had made a major mistake.

"Computer you will register fighters in boat bay four! If anyone inquires about them, or the cargo stored there, I am to be notify right away!"

"As you command, Captain," replied the computer.

Before he could continue, he was startled by the voice of his steward.

"Captain would you like some coffee?"

"Thank you Jaren, I would love a cup, and some toast, too. I am a little hungry."

Jaren left the cabin, as he turned back to his computer, "Computer end report, and put Beethoven's 5th symphony on." He sat back and relaxed, as the music floated out of the speakers.

Within minutes, Jaren had returned carrying a cup of hot coffee and some toast with butter and jam beside it, walking over to the desk he set it down and said, "Here you go captain. May I get you anything else?"

"No thank you Jaren," Steven said as he took a sip of coffee.

While the fleet was slowly approaching the hyper limit. Steven sat at his desk, covering his toast with butter and a teaspoon of jelly. He began to think of his mission as he slowly ate the bread. If they were not detected, they should reach the planet Sagittarius in two months. If they were discovered it would all depend, on what type of opposition they ran into. Suddenly, his view screen chimed. With a flick of a switch, Commander Nirisha's face appeared on the screen.

"Yes, Commander Nirisha, what may I do for you?"

"Sir. You wanted to be notified when we were nearing the hyper limit. Well we are now approaching it. We will be in the correct hyper location in less then thirty seconds, Sir."

"Thank you, Commander. I will be right out," Steven turned off the view screen and stood up. He straitened his uniform, and shut down his computer. He left the coffee cup and plate sitting on the table. Never noticing Jaren come in and cleaning up after him as the door closed behind him.

Steven walked towards the main hatch to the bridge. Up ahead a young marine guard stood his vigilant duty, his ten-pound assault rifle at order arms. With a nod to the young marine guard, he stepped onto the bridge. Behind him the marine stepped onto the bridge, and spoke in a very promulgate voice, "Attention on deck. Captain on the bridge." At those words, everyone came to attention.