I have an idea that you might consider, Tag said.
Kosiev had turned to go but stopped and turned back. He looked at Tag and said, What?
You mentioned that you used one of our old battleships to test our new weapon against.
Yes, what of it?
How many old warships do we have?
Kosiev thought for a moment and then looked at General Masseem and said, I think we have about 290 that are still able to fly. General Masseem nodded.
Instead of having those transports behind us, why not use those old ships with remote control in front of our ships to attack the Alliance fleet as soon as they jump in system? It will certainly disrupt their formations, and the ease with which they can be destroyed with their old technology will give them a false sense of security. While that fight is taking place, I suspect that the ships recording the fight will start broadcasting their live feeds back to Cainth, showing a slaughter of the Earth fleet. That should make it easy to find them and target them. Once we destroy them, or force them to jump out of system, our real fleet can then go to work. The only thing the Alliance will learn is that our ships are old and out of date. It should confuse them.
Kosiev and the other members of the conference just looked at Tag. Then Kosiev said, Madam Director, I dont know why you made me admiral. He comes up with ideas that, after hearing them, you want to kick yourself for not thinking of them yourself. Mr. Gardner, he said, that is an outstanding suggestion. Most of those ships are already set up with remote controls and their weapons active so we could use them as targets during fleet training exercises. General Masseem, will you assign which ships will control the old ships when you set up their jump coordinates? Well have the old ships out front with their screens active and they should mask our fleet from the Alliance sensors. If there is nothing further, he said as he looked at Tag, who shook his head, then lets go to work. One thing is certain; we are approaching the end of the beginning.
Tag sat with Danielle on the balcony outside their living room overlooking Central City. The city was glowing like a multitude of stars and the moon had risen overhead, looking huge. The soft glow of the light from inside highlighted Danielles profile, and Tag was mesmerized by her beauty. He wondered what he had done in life to deserve this wonderful woman. Tag had his arm around Danielles shoulders and was enjoying the rare moment with her.
Tag, Danielle said.
Yes, dear.
What are you hiding from me?
His heart froze. What do you mean, Danielle?
That battle on Ross. You did things that were not done psychically. Youve been hiding it from me since you came off the moon. I havent pushed you, but it shows that you dont trust me enough to be honest with me. I know you love me, but this deception by omission takes away from our being close. I want to know.
Atlas, Tag thought.
Yes, Atlas replied.
Im going to tell her.
You should, and shes right. Your spirit is not completely in touch with hers because of the knowledge youre hiding.
Who are you talking with? Danielle asked.
Tag was amazed. He had not said a word; he was communicating with Atlas through his thoughts. How can you tell I was talking with someone?
I can see it. Its clear to anyone that might know you.
Tag still had his arm around Danielle, and suddenly his arm felt like a shock went through it and Danielle jumped. What did you do, Atlas?
I put a link in her so she can hear me.
Whos Atlas, Tag? Danielle asked.
She can also hear you, Tag, Atlas said.
Tag then told Danielle about how he had stumbled on Atlas in the cave on the moon. He told her about his fear of anyone knowing about an Alfont ship that was for all intents and purposes alive. He described the two tools that Atlas had given him and how he had used them during the Alliance battle on Ross. He held out his arm and showed her the weapon that would appear in his hand. She sat beside him and took it all in.
Tag, you dont have to talk; I can hear your thoughts, she said.
You can, Tag thought.
Absolutely, she thought back. Atlas, does that mean I can hear you, too?
Yes you can, Danielle. By placing a link in you, you can hear Tag or me any time you direct your thoughts to us. Its like using a com; you think a direct thought at him and he can connect to you. You cant read his mind, but you can hear each others directed thoughts.
Well, Im pleased to meet you, Atlas, but you did more than just put a link in me, didnt you? Danielle asked.
Atlas, what is she talking about? Tag said silently.
How do you know that, Danielle? Atlas asked.
I dont know, but I can sense your underlying thoughts as well as your direct ones. You were feeling proud of yourself for protecting me without me knowing it; I think that is what I sensed.
If a machine could be dumbfounded, Atlas was.
Is she right, Atlas? Tag asked.
Yes she is, and I dont have the words to express my astonishment at her being able to see that in my thoughts.
What did you do to me, Atlas? Danielle asked.
You are now the proud owner of a brand new personal force field, Atlas replied. Danielle felt another shock not quite as severe as the first and Atlas continued, Now that you know you have it, you can turn it on and off by simply saying field on or field off. Like Tags, it will automatically come on if it senses a projectile coming at you.
Danielle said, Field on, and a soft glow surrounded her. Field off, she said and the glow disappeared. Cool, she said, but youre still leaving something out, arent you?
Damn, Atlas thought. Oh well, here goes, he decided. Welllllllll, I kind of extended your life spans.
You did what? Tag yelled.
Yeah, I didnt want to lose my only friend, so I changed your biological functions so you and she can live longer.
How long? Danielle asked.
Until you tell me to change it back, Atlas said. Until you do, its not something for you to worry about, and thats all Im saying on the matter.
Do I get that cool hand weapon my husband has?
Danielle felt another small shock and Atlas said, Done; get him to show you how to use it. Before you two get upset about all this, you have a benefit now that should make it worth any trouble Ive caused you. No matter where the two of you are, you will always be able to communicate through your thoughts. Tag could be in the next galaxy and hes just a thought away. So sit back, you two, and enjoy the ride.
Atlas, I notice youre using a lot more of our language more easily, Tag said. You dont sound so much like a machine, like when I first met you.
Its your fault. I dont have much to do, so I follow your actions and thoughts closely. I also think there is something in what Danielle has noticed: my thoughts are getting more complicated. When I worked for my master, it only required me to do what he ordered or provide information; there wasnt much back and forth conversation. Maybe I am changing.