“I need to determine whether M-86 is a threat to us or not. Then I need to find out just how powerful those Black Ships around the Legends’ Planet are. Once we’ve made that determination, I can start planning our next move.”
“Chris, Eve is furious you allowed Allison to call off the attack on their government planet.”
“She didn’t call it off. I did before I left.” Chris looked up, “Willow, have you been listening in?”
“Of course.”
Lukas smiled, “You are one nosey space ship.”
“Hey, I need something to occupy my time. Why do you ask, Chris?”
“I want you to share the thoughts of the alien that came and spoke to us with Eve.”
“Sure, I’ll do that now.”
Chris looked at Lukas and Salud and shook his head, “She’ll still be angry and the alien’s thoughts won’t really have an impact on her right now. But later she’ll remember and they will.”
Lukas’s eyes narrowed, “Just when will that happen?”
Chris smiled softly as Salud said, “When she has a child of her own.”
He nodded and smiled, “Eve is one of our most dangerous weapons. We’re lucky to have her.”
“The enthusiasm of youth is hard to restrain.”
“Exactly right, Lukas. I’m giving the fleets a break while I go out and take a look around.”
“You probably aren’t going to like this but you will not be allowed to go out alone for a while.” Chris’s eyes narrowed. “Your loss is still too close and you’ve demonstrated that your judgment might be impaired.”
“So who is going with me?”
“The only one that can possibly restrain you, Admiral Simmons.”
“Have you told her about this?”
“We have and she’s not at all happy about it.”
Chris snorted, “It appears no one ever likes going out with me.”
“You married the last one that did. However, I really think Admiral Simmons is immune to your charms and will be what you need to make sure you don’t take any foolish chances.”
Chris stared at them and then shook his head, “You’re doing this because I grabbed her neck?”
“Among other things, yes.”
“I guess I should be happy you’re allowing me to go out at all. Would it help if I told you I’m ok and have found peace with what happened?”
Both of them chuckled and Salud said, “No. We’d know it’s not true.”
Chris shrugged and Lukas said, “You are still our First Commander but on any scouting mission, Admiral Simmons can veto any decision you make.”
“Guy’s, I’m not going to rush into danger to lose my life!”
“Good, then you shouldn’t have a problem with this.”
Chris waved a hand and said, “Have it your way.”
“We’re building a special Pod for you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s larger so both of you will have your own quarters and all three of the computers in your ships are being installed on board.”
“Barbie will be the lead computer.” Chris stared at them and then said, “When you promote her over me then she can have her computers in charge. Until that happens, my computer will be the lead.”
Lukas looked at Salud and shrugged. She lifted her eyebrows and Lukas said, “We’ll make it happen.”
“Good.” Chris stood up and shook hands with Lukas and hugged Salud, “Tell Eve to come see me after she sees the recording Willow has made.” They nodded and Chris walked out of their office.
Salud looked at Lukas, “Allison is not going to like this. We promised her the lead computer would be hers.”
“Then she’s going to have to deal with it. If she refuses, I’ll order her to go or turn in her resignation.”
“She might call you on it.”
“If she does, then so be it. Chris is needed more than any other leader we have outside of Jinks and Stoney. She’ll just have to accept it.” Salud nodded and wondered if they were going to lose a good commander over this.
Allison was hot! She left Lukas’s office and went directly to the beach where she found Chris and Michael. She stormed up and forced herself to gain control of her emotions. Chris saw her walking over the dune toward him still wearing her uniform. He then saw her expression and looked at Michael, “Why don’t you go and play with your toys in the sand?”
Michael looked over his shoulder and saw Allison walking toward them. “Adult stuff?”
“I think you could appreciate it but I don’t think she’d appreciate you listening.”
Michael shrugged and walked over to his sand fort building buckets and shovels. Allison saw Michael walk away and she picked up her pace. “You are going to do something about this!!”
Chris looked up at her from his chair, raised his sunglasses, and said, “Do you no longer salute a superior officer when you are in uniform?”
Allison almost lost it but quickly realized that Chris could have her tossed out of the service just as quickly as Lucas. She took a breath and came to attention and saluted. Chris returned her salute and said, “Sit down, Admiral. What’s got you cooking?”
“I was made promises and then they were broken. When I complained, I was offered the door to my commission.”
“They promised you one of your computers would be the lead.”
“They did!!”
Chris lowered his sunglasses and said, “After you kept your cool when I grabbed your neck, it surprises me that you’ve lost it now. You’re not really thinking this through.” Allison was ready to grab his neck. His cool, calm demeanor only infuriated her more. Chris took a small breath and blew it out, “Sit there and listen quietly, Admiral! Nod if you understand.” Allison’s face turned bright red with her anger but she forced herself to nod. “Whichever computer is chosen to be the lead computer, it should be the one that would offer us the best chance of survival. Nod if you agree.” Allison hesitated but then nodded. “The main two reasons of your having two computers on your ship is to first, collect data, process it, and then provide you with information to make good decisions.” Allison stared at him without nodding and Chris said, “I know. You also use them to fight your ship to free you up to keep a view of the big picture. Am I right?” Allison nodded.
“Is either of your computers telepathic?” Allison’s eyes narrowed and her head tilted. “Are they?”
Allison said, “No.”
“Barbie is telepathic and has saved me numerous times when she heard the thoughts of the crews on enemy ships. She has reacted fast enough to save us from ambushes and she has also been able to home in on the thoughts of our enemies. If one of your computers were the lead computer, she would have to tell it when to run and give detailed instructions on how to steer toward the thoughts of another ship. Does either of your computers possess a skill that would trump her telepathic ability?”
Allison stared at him and then took a deep breath, “No, they don’t. You’re right, your computer should be the lead.”
“The real problem with your accepting this is one of control.”
Allison’s eyes narrowed as she tilted her head, “What?”
“You’ve always had control of your ship from the moment you became a pilot. Even when you were leading my bodyguard, you made all the decisions about when to defend, when to attack, you controlled their actions. Sure, you followed my orders but you determined how to make them happen. By not having one of your computers in the lead position, you would not be in control and that is something that frightens you. You trust your own judgment more than anyone else. You can’t accept the role of being a passenger on our ship.”
Allison had regained her composure and thought about what Chris said. Chris looked at her and smiled, “You are still missing the obvious.”
Allison looked up, “What is that?”