We need more time.
That is not something you have. I suggest you get your ships moving to bring your forces back.
Sir, their communications have increased to more than a hundred times normal.
Maddy leaned back in her chair and smiled, Keep the other compounds locked in. I hope they dont force us to sort all of them out to get them home.
The planet Emperor Valrico forced to do this ultimately had to be destroyed. Do you think that will happen here?
Maddy looked down at the beautiful planet, Probably, but the hard work should be done before were forced to take that action. Some lessons are just not learned by those that prey on the innocent. She looked over at her Communications Officer, Whats happening at the other two planets?
Theyre arguing with the Leaders about this but I think theyre going to comply. The Head of this group has told them he will attack them himself if they dont start following his demands.
Maddy looked back at the planet, Maybe Im wrong and they will survive. Well see.
Jingo and Trey sat on board Greyson and listened as Maddy handled the aggressor planet. Youve got to be proud!
Jingo stared at the display and smiled, I am. She is so much like her mother.
And her Father as well.
Yeah, I guess she is. Ive been worried that her fast advancement in rank would be resented.
The ships under her command are some of the best in the Empires Fleet. They know they have a great Commander. I think we need to give her a fleet.
Not yet, Trey; she needs more experience.
Jingo, we desperately need good Flag Officers. You know our numbers are growing faster than we can control and she runs a tight organization. She can bring her officers from her ship with her but we need her now.
Who will she report to?
Trey thought a minute and said, Shell report to Paul Blake and take command of his Fifth Fleet. The eight hundred ships in that fleet are basically new and they need someone with experience. Ill have Timmy cut the orders.
Why dont you just move her ships into that Fleet?
No, Im going to promote one of our more promising Captains over them. Those sailors will help him get his legs under him.
Thats a good idea.
Were making progress. Stay on top of this.
Jingo looked at Trey, How much longer before we take on the Black Ships?
The Robbins is due to be launched in two years. Well start our attacks a year before its completed.
Then we need to hurry.
Yes, we do.
Maddy teleported aboard the HMS Retribution and the crew came to attention. Captain Jason Oliver saluted and said. All present and accounted for, Sir!
Maddy looked at the Captain and saw he looked nervous. Good! There was a lot to do and not much time. She returned his salute and said, At ease, Captain.
The crew assumed an at ease posture and she looked over the two hundred sailors on her Flagship. She stared at them for a long moment and then said, We will start our training immediately. She pressed her com and Lt. Jent sounded the alarm, Battle stations, all hands to battle stations. The red lights started flashing throughout the ship and Captain Oliver saw Maddy press her stop watch. He rushed out of the landing bay and Maddy slowly made her way to the Bridge. The ship was almost a mile long so this should tell her how good the crew was trained. Lt. Jing, I want to know how long it takes for all departments to report in.
Aye, aye, Sir.
Maddy walked through the landing bay doors and saw one of the sailors disappear. She noticed that he was wearing the uniform of a weapons operator and made a note on her com. She arrived at the Bridge and looked at Lt. Jent, Two minutes, thirty four seconds, Sir.
She took her seat in the Command Chair and turned on the general display where all the members of the crew could see her, One of you teleported to your assignment; you have a minute to report to the bridge.
She waited while the crew remained at Battle Stations. The sailor that had teleported came running onto the Bridge and came to attention. The crew watched their displays and was thankful they were not under the Admirals gaze.
Whats your name sailor?
Trent Moore, sir.
How were you able to teleport to your assignment? If you arrived with someone at your point of entry you could have caused damage to the ship.
The sailor straightened and said, I synchronized my com to the cameras in the bay sir. I have eight places locked in to my teleportation module and looked for one that was not occupied, Sir.
Maddy watched the nervous sailor and kept a stern expression. The sailor knew he was in big trouble. Maddy turned on the general frequency and said, Every sailor on this ship will select the place at your station and lock it into your teleport module. Whenever Battle Stations is sounded you will immediately, and I do mean immediately, teleport to that location and not move an inch until all the members of your unit are present. I dont care if youre naked at the time; you will immediately teleport. You will lock in your location now and report back to the landing bay. Now move!
Maddy teleported to the landing bay and waited for the crew to arrive. After six minutes they were all present in ranks and breathing hard from running through the ship.
Now lets try this again. Lt. Jent, if you wil, l please sound the alarm.
The alarm sounded and the entire crew instantly disappeared. Maddy disappeared with them and appeared in her Command Chair. Lt. Jing?
Four seconds, Sir.
Maddy looked at the crew in the display again and said, This is an example of how we can all learn things that will help us survive in a hostile environment. We get better by learning from each other and thats how we will become the Empires best warship. Trent Moore, you will report to Fleet Academy tomorrow and begin your training to command one of our ships. I expect you to make all of us proud. I will request you be assigned to my fleet upon the completion of your training. Congratulations. Stand down from General Quarters.
The sailors all looked at each other and knew they were in good hands. Soon the entire fleet began to feel their pride in their Admiral; the Fifth Fleet began calling themselves Maddys Marauders. She pretended not to know it. Teleporting to Battle Stations become known as Maddys Jump. She pretended not to know that as well.
The Empires Fleets grew in number and the right leaders were found to build the Empires Navy around. Thousands were enlisting from the sixty six planets and the candidates for the Empires Warriors numbered in the millions. Greyson watched what was happening and one day asked Trey, I notice that the ships being built by the Empire are no long controlled by a cybernetic computer.
We will not travel down that road again, Greyson.
Tell me why? Were not far from having the technology to build them.
How many people would we have to search to find an adequate partner for a cybernetic ship?
I dont know; a million?
No, more like a billion. And what happens to those that are left out of the struggle? They sit back and dont have a part in achieving the fruits of that fight. They lose themselves to a pedestrian existence and ultimately resent the price being paid for the quest. Thats why the Realm fell. The citizens were left out of the struggle and were lead by those that played on their longing for peace. This fight to bring balance back to Creation must be shared by everyone. We can build a ship just as powerful at one tenth the size of our current vessels. We will not do that and deprive our citizens of taking part in a quest that grabs their imagination and makes them stronger for the effort.