The Saber Chronicles

By Donald Hill

After the violent death of his parents during a raid by space marauders, Captain Mitch Saber quits the space service to help his sister run the family business. Dreaming of new worlds and adventure, and a secret desire for retribution for his family, he sets off on a journey filled with danger and exploration. In search for a trustworthy crew for his new venture he discovers a secret that will envelope him in mystery and intrigue. A tendency to unleash his temper is alleviated by his willingness to help anyone in trouble. Can his unbridled temper be controlled or will it endanger his crew? Follow Mitch Saber as the story chronicles his life, loves and adventure. Profit is easy but surviving is hard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donald Hill
• Release date: Apr 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310627125

Donald Hill

Donald (Don) Hill lives in the foothills of North Carolina and has been a sci-fi dreamer since childhood. Historically working in a sales related field for more than 25 years he has been privileged to meet hundreds of people from all walks of life. Writing articles for business publications and sales training documents reminded him of a lifelong desire to write for pleasure and the joy of story-telling. This desire became abundantly clear one fall day while fishing at Cape Hatteras NC when the characters and story of a wonderer seeking fortune and retribution came to life. The life, loves, desires and dangers are described in a series of stories entitled ‘The Saber Chronicles.” Paulo Coelho once said, “When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.” The writing of this series is a dream made real and it is with great hope that the readers find them entertaining and believable. Written as science fiction the story is character driven with a minimum of adult content. When he isn’t working he is enjoying the company of his wife of 30+ years, his son and a well-stocked wine cabinet. A connoisseur of grilling he has an assortment of no less than seven grills. Hey! What’s on the grill tonight? You can reach Don by writing to him at don (at) thesaberchronicles (dot) com.

Book preview

The Saber Chronicles

Donald Hill

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 Donald Hill

License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover Design by: Laura & Joshua Shinn

Laura Shinn Designs

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

This is a story of fiction.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional and any similarities to persons dead or alive are purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Prologue

With thanks and gratitude to my family for the love and support they have given me in the writing of this book. Words alone can never express my love for them.

Thank you.

Chapter One

Alderis System

Planet Alderon Prime

Alderon Prime is the second planet in a system of 5 smaller planets. The first planet, Alderon's Fate, is an uninhabited planet of vast volcanic activity. Alderon Prime has three large continents and numerous small outlying islands. The planet is nearly sixty percent water and is a rich source of mineral deposits and has an abundance of sea life, most of which is edible. The planets semi-tropical climate consists of lush valleys and fertile plains. It was settled more than four hundred years ago when people from Earth ventured into space to settle on planets in new galaxies and the population has now grown to over two hundred million residents. When space raiders attacked their planet over a hundred years ago, a formidable defense system was developed which allowed Alderon Prime to quickly become a major center for space trade.

Orbiting Alderon Prime is Alderon One, a large three ringed space station measuring nearly two miles in diameter. It is used for security and trade among the various systems. The stations top ring has docks for as many as 25 space freighters and the center ring has docks for 25 civilian transports. The top ring consists of three levels of store fronts and offices for trade and ship maintenance, restaurants, dock master offices and other freight support logistics. The center ring of four levels is mostly living space, shops, restaurants, offices, and other related spaces needed for a small city in space. The lower rings house security and maintenance personnel as well as other staff necessary for station operations with four levels for supply and living quarters. Concealed in the lowest level are launch bays for the planet's orbital defense fighters.

A large asteroid belt some 350,000 miles away provides an outer defense perimeter and a dozen of the largest asteroids conceal bases for the Alderon Space Navy. The asteroid belt also conceals numerous plasma cannon emplacements for added security. Many of these asteroids are mined for valuable minerals and Alderon One is a busy center of trading activity among systems located up to several months light speed travel away.

The third planet in the Alderis system, Alderis 3 is dedicated to the mining of yellow crystals that are refined into space fuel. Alderis 3 also yields the highest grade of more rare white crystals which are remanufactured into data storage devices and other electronics. The sensitive refining process makes the area dangerous; thus the planet is home only to the mining and refinement operations. The Saber Mining Corporation office complex with the shipping and dock facilities are located far from the mining operations. An orbital refueling station orbits the planet as does a space shipyard located midway toward Alderis 3 for major overhauls and new ship building. The shipyard is over three miles long with various sizes of service bays for all types of ships. The remaining two system planets are not habitable.

New Day, Old Guard

Mitch Saber, squadron Commander and Captain, walked casually up the steps of the Space Defense Force Command complex. The late evening sun began to cast shadows along the steps and he wondered silently if this evening's event would end quickly. He knew however, that was rarely the case when admirals and politicians gather. The stone walkway stretched its way into the tall glass building with heavily tinted windows. He could barely see the interior light trying to leak through the dark glass and in some ways he dreaded the coming evening events.

Evening Lieutenant Franklin, the Admiral said passing a glass to the tall, well-tanned female officer approaching him. Her dark hair complemented her bronze skin color and her uniform fitted her figure perfectly. She was an excellent officer, he thought, and quietly wished he were 20 years younger.

Good evening Fleet Admiral Jonas. Thanks for the drink she said as she saluted and accepted the glass. The stemware looked like glass but was actually a made of a polymer material that kept its contents at the same temperature, hot or cold, as it was when poured for several hours before degrading. Once used it went into the recycler to be remade into whatever object was requested from the replicator.

No need to be so formal, Lieutenant. I don't see our guest of honor. Have you seen him yet? It would be just like him not to show up Jonas said as he sipped his drink.

No sir, I haven't, but there are still people arriving. I'm sure he will be here, she replied.

The Admiral looked around noting at least a hundred guests already in the conference room. Small groups of people gathered here and there, some around the bar getting drinks and others casually meandering around greeting friends and fellow officers and others already finding their seats at the dinner tables. He expected there would be close to three hundred guests when everyone had arrived.

Senator Drish, said the Lieutenant as she saw the approaching dignitary, giving the Admiral a heads-up to the senator appearing out of his line of sight. The Admiral's expression gave her an appreciative glance before he turned.

Admiral, Drish said as the admiral turned to greet him. Where is our guest of honor?

I've not seen him yet senator, the Admiral said. I'm certain he will be along any moment.

Excellent Admiral, I've only met him once and that was some years ago when he first graduated the Space Academy. I had no idea when I handed him his wings that he would single handedly destroy nearly a hundred attacking enemy ships and then lead our forces to destroy the pirate support ships. The defense force is losing an excellent officer. the senator observed.

We are at that Senator, but we have plenty of younger officers ready to fill in the void. he said, although he knew it would be difficult to ever replace someone with the skills and natural ability, possessed by their guest of honor, to evaluate highly evolving tactical situations. It was these skills that led to the defeat of an overwhelming force of pirate raiders some years before.

Mitch pulled up his left sleeve and touched the skin just above his wrist. A screen became visible and a list of options appeared with the time prominently displayed in the upper corner. The device was embedded just under the first two layers of skin to keep it nearly invisible from a casual look and the thin display was powered by the natural electrical discharge of his body. It was linked to a tiny chip in his cranium and the voice responder and audio device was hidden under the skin behind his ear close to the jawbone. The display was easy to see and automatically adjusted to the ambient light. This device could link to a ships AI to give tactical and ship information with just a touch and also doubled as an integrated phone for Communications, or as a comm device. The technology was fairly new and he was one of only a few to have it in active use. He had been invited to participate in the testing phase and when it released for further development. He was then told he could keep and use the device as an ongoing test unit.

He noted the time and entered the hall, surprised to see so many people in attendance as even more entered after him. He had expected to find a small gathering of officers but never a crowd of this size. He was immediately greeted by a hoard of people from upper and lower ranks of the Alderon Defense Force (ADF), Space Navy and several officers from the Defense Academy where he had graduated some 12 years ago. Military service is mandatory on Alderon Prime starting at the age of 17 for a minimum of three years with very few exceptions. Planetary defense was taken very seriously and all citizens were required to report for three weeks every year for continual training and that included the political leaders. If a political leader, even the president, refused to meet this requirement they were immediately removed from office and replaced by their alternate until the next election cycle.

Mitch worked his way through the throngs of guests, shaking hands and getting occasional hugs from others. As he neared the speakers table Admiral Jonas approached to greet him.

Captain, he said extending his hand. I hope this won't be the last time I see you.

It won't be, Mitch said and he leaned closer to whisper in the Admiral's ear, Uncle Rich and smiled.

The Admiral beamed a wide smile back and said, Your father and mother would be very proud of you if they were still with us, Mitch. My sister, err, your mother always knew you would be an exceptional pilot even when your father objected to your enlisting in the Space Academy. We're losing a fine officer and I hate to see you leave. Are you going to run your father's business at the mines?

I'll be involved to a degree but I'm going to let Laurel run the day to day operations. She has a real head for this kind of stuff and I know I can trust her judgment, he replied.

But your father left controlling interest in the business to you, didn't he? asked Jonas.

He did, but I'll give Laurel my proxy if it becomes necessary. We have already made plans to expand the mine on Alderon 3 and add a new crystal refinery, Mitch said.

Sounds like you and Laurel have things in good shape then. I'm glad to hear that. I saw that you wasted no time in claiming salvage rights on one of the derelict pirate support ships. What do you have in mind?

I've not decided just yet. We blew the hull in the attack but the engines should still be in good shape. It's in space dock and I'll have Ernie take a look at the environmental and controls. It looks like it was converted from a hauler which would make the structure very stable. They apparently added port and starboard docks where freight bays used to be. It's larger than a frigate but smaller than a carrier and since Alderon Prime doesn't have any capitol ships, it might be converted to a heavy cruiser or back to a freighter, Mitch surmised.

Planning on starting your own space navy are you?, the Admiral joked.

Not hardly, sir, I'm just thinking about my options. My cousin Ernie is one of the finest, most talented engineers I know and we have been considering our options; that's all. That old hulk was left in orbit around one of the gas giants for three years so we don't know if there is any structural damage. Ernie said that upon initial inspection she looked solid and some of her systems were still active. If we can make her into something worthy of space travel the hardest challenge will be to find a good crew, Mitch said as he noticed the meal was ready to be served. I think it's time we find our seat, Admiral.

Come along then Captain, said Jonas, "You know where your seat is.

Seated as the guest of honor, Mitch Saber, Captain, was flanked on both sides by military dignitaries and politicians of rank and power. Some he had never been introduced to and some he knew very well. He guessed there were over three hundred people here including many of the pilots he had flown with over the past years. He felt awkward being the center of attention of so many people. He also knew that some of them would probably join him in his new venture.

The speaker, standing at his left, was the Commandant of the Space Academy, Marshall Yangsun. And in conclusion, while I am greatly saddened to see this exceptional officer leave our command I am confident that he will continue to be a leader and protector of our people and our space. Please stand and join me in welcoming Captain Mitchell Saber to the podium.

Mitch stood and graciously accepted the prolonged applause and from his breast pocket removed his prepared remarks. For the next fifteen or so minutes he spoke, remembering fellow cadets and pilots, friends and family with heartfelt words recalling days of sadness and highlighting times of joy. He briefly hinted about what was ahead for him and thanked his Commanders for their support and leadership. He finished with a one minute prayer of silence for those who had lost their lives in service and for those still serving. He finished with a sharp salute which was promptly returned as everyone stood in applause. As he returned to his seat he noted to himself that he was right, the evening would indeed not end quickly.

Chapter Two

Raised from the Ashes

Mitch closed the hatch behind him, turned and walked slowly through the dimly lit spaceway. He glanced through the windows and saw a myriad of repair bots busily working along the ship's hull. It seemed funny that he still expected to hear the clanging of repair bots as they did their work but he knew that in space sound didn't carry. The spaceway ran nearly sixty feet in length and as he neared the closed hatch it began to open. A slender man standing over six feet tall with bright red hair, a well-defined square jaw and broad shoulders and dressed in an orange engineers' jumpsuit appeared in the hatchway.

Mitch! He said loudly. I saw you on the monitor so I wanted to be the first to welcome you aboard!

Ernie, Mitch exclaimed with a wide smile, you old ship rat! Why are you aboard? I didn't expect to see you here.

Too much going on here Mitch. With all the structural changes the pirates made to the ship I needed to bring in more equipment to make sure she is up to spec for what you want to do. I hate to admit it, but whoever these pirates used to re-engineer this ship knew what the hell they were doing. All the potential stress points are actually over-engineered from spec. The hull breach wasn't as severe as I initially thought and after a thorough systemic and biological purge it looks like you're going to have one hell of a ship. You were lucky that those idiot pirates got scared and aborted in the life pods. I was afraid that all those years spent in orbit had done extensive damage and all you had left was a worthless chunk of space debris. Luckily, someone switched the ships AI to automatic when they made their escape and most of the critical areas were sealed. That maintained the environmental systems, computers and engineering sections. The bridge had extensive damage so I've had it completely removed. I've completed installing a custom Command and Control bridge unit that is completely self-contained and incorporates an independent power module, communications and environmental control. That means even if you experience a complete loss of hull integrity anyone inside C&C will survive until rescue can be made. Ernie beamed. Come with me to engineering control.

So, since she was once a hauler you're telling me that our initial thoughts on how to use her are still viable? Mitch asked they walked down the corridors.

Absolutely said Ernie.

What about the forward freight bay, Mitch pointed toward to nose of the ship. Did you find out why it protruded like a boil on the hull?

Actually, I was quite surprised to find it was a narrow band deep sensor array. Ernie said. I'm not sure how they were utilizing it and didn't really find a reason to keep it. But you're going to love what I've replaced it with. While searching through the ship's weapons stores I found an electro-magnetic plasma chain gun.

Mitch looked at Ernie curiously, A plasma chain gun? I thought these were only used as platform based weapons he asked.

They are, but with the bulbous pod and the way the forward bay is structured I've incorporated it into a short range ship mounted weapon. At a range of about two thousand kilometers or less this baby will penetrate a ship's shield and rupture a hull or even incapacitate a ship's drive. I modified the outer pod to open like a missile bay when firing, but when it's closed it simply looks like a communications array. Ernie glanced left to Mitch to see him grinning with approval. I also found out why we never spotted her on our long range sensors. Those sneaky bastards had a stealth device installed.

I only thought they worked on smaller craft. Something about the variables in the quantum magnetic fields made them unstable on ships this large Mitch said.

Apparently, Ernie explained, they figured out a way to enhance the field by using some kind of repeater and drew energy from both sub-light engines. If they drew power from the FTL drives the mass energy would have burned it up as soon as you pressed the switch. Your initial strafing run took out one of the repeaters so that's why they were unable to escape the attack. When I did my initial analysis I found what I thought was a stealth unit but I figured I was wrong for those very reasons. When I began the repairs I found the repeaters and followed the wiring and tracked the system's functions back to the stealth unit. I've repaired the repeaters and given them more shielding than they previously had. I can't test the unit until we're out of space dock and at full power. Everything shows full functionality but we won't know until then.

Ernie, you never cease to amaze me, Mitch said as he put his arm over Ernie's shoulder. What about our other little experiment?

You know Mitch, Ernie said as he began activating various screens and glancing at displays on the engineering console we experimented on a limited basis with this without a lot of success; but somehow I suspected that your idea of utilizing the ship's gravity device might just be the answer. I've had the bots busy installing the additional insulators and my crew has been testing the hull for continuity. I won't know for another day or two, but right now I would dare say you are going to surprise the hell out of a bunch of people back on Prime.

Mitch thought about this for a minute. He was never an engineer, although basic fundamentals of engineering were required study for all academy students. He always had lots of ideas about ships weapons and shielding components but the academy brains always laughed them off as unrealistic or impossible with current technology. Current technology; what a joke, he thought. How arrogant is it to assume that only Alderon Prime has the best technology when there are hundreds of established solar systems inhabited with a broad assortment of people working and surviving, building and trading among the galaxy. There was no uniform space fleet among the system's planets and various federations, and most technology didn't change much.

These pirates had thought beyond that. They had utilized foresight, experience and intelligence to overcome and nearly destroy many systems before they finally experienced defeat. It was only through a thorough knowledge of old terrain battle tactics that Mitch had organized a decisive victory against the pirate raiders. Although there was no known organized raider fleet currently in the galaxy, he also knew there were plenty of unexplored systems where they could remain hidden.

What about the primary cargo hatches, Ernie, Mitch asked. Will they interfere at our space dock?

No, Ernie explained I've reengineered everything for compatibility. They can be individually activated in forward, amid ship and aft sectors. The aft sector is the smallest so as to incorporate only the cargo areas accessible at space dock. I'm calling the magnetic defensive suite MARDA.

MARDA?

It stands for Magnetic Resonance Deflector Array. MARDA is a lot easier to say in a pinch than 'activate the magnetic resonance deflector array, don't you think?

Mitch laughed. You've got a point there. I'd probably end up dribbling in my coffee trying to belt that one out in a hurry. How effective will it be?

When active, MARDA will prevent anything within a range of about three hundred feet from approaching the ship. Neither man nor object will be able to penetrate the magnetic field. The harder you push against the field the stronger it becomes. It's only good for close range. If someone launched a rocket against it the explosion would hit the field and not penetrate but the kinetic blast would most likely destroy the capacitors in that area.

What about mines Mitch asked.

Ernie shook his head. Unless you strike one at a high rate of speed, such as full power in-system drive, they would simply bounce off. Theoretically, Ernie explained, you could be playing billiards with space mines at lower speeds.

They both chuckled at the thought of that. Ernie began pointing out the various displays and controls and Mitch took mental notes and began thinking about the number of personnel required to crew the ship. She was going to be a good ship. He didn't know why he felt so confident but he knew he was right. He had flown almost every kind of ship except the largest freight haulers. This ship was big, but the maneuvering thrusters were very capable, the sub-light engines were brand new and the light drive engines could propel the vessel at just over three times the speed of light. That was as fast as anything currently in production and the updates to Command and Control systems would make her a formidable ship. Ernie had done an exceptional job of bringing her up to service. The two of them had spent many nights theorizing about weapons and defensive possibilities while studying at the Academy. They were good friends and Mitch was thankful for that.

Ernie pointed to a door painted bright green and said, Let's take the tram to C&C and get you authorized as ship's captain.

Mitch nodded and Ernie touched a panel beside a door that immediately opened to reveal a small space that appeared about the size of a closet just large enough for three or four people. The metal walls were of a brushed metal appearance and there were four matching hand holds on the right and left wall. On both sides of the tram was located a control screen with brightly colored indicators noting the various departments within the ship that were stopping points for the tram along the way to the C&C. The indicator was blinking orange at their current location in engineering. Blue indicated cargo areas Alpha, Beta, Charlie and Delta noted individually for receiving and storage of cargo. Red indicated weapons storage areas, green for galley, recreation and crew quarters, yellow for ships stores of food, maintenance and related items, purple for environmental controls and finally a white triangle shaped light with C&C in red letters in the middle. The door closed and Ernie touched the white triangle to select C&C. Mitch thought he could feel the forward pressure pushing back on his body but assumed it was his imagination. It couldn't be moving that fast.

Ernie, guessing what Mitch was thinking said, "This little tram moves a lot faster than you think. It takes less than two minutes to go from the rear of the ship all the way to C&C. If you ran flat out the same distance it would take you about six minutes assuming all the safety hatches were open to cover the same route. There are two of these running the length of the ship, primarily used for fast access for officers and emergency personal. Otherwise crewmen will use the normal hatchways. They are strategically located in the center of the ship for access in the event of an emergency. The door will only open for personnel that have access chips imbedded in their communicators. There is also an emergency code in case your communicator is disabled.

You mean my wristcomm, Mitch asked.

Right; when your crew first reports for duty they will get new communications bands that will integrate with the ship's AI only giving them access to their programed duty stations within the parameters necessary to perform their duties. You, however, with that fancy embedded communicator will have full voice access to ALICE and can issue commands and inquiries through your voice implant. The implant, or EyeVid, in your cornea will display all ship board functions and status information as you request or anything else available in written or video form. You, the head of engineering, the weapons officer and security chief will have the corneal implant but you are the only person with full, implanted voice access. Everyone else will have to utilize the command screens or their personnel communication devices. Their bands are not concealed under the skin like yours but they can be if so desired. Of course, once one unit is integrated into the skin then all future units must be as well.

The Advanced Logic Interactive Command System, or ALICE, was a staple in the fighter class ships that Mitch was accustomed to and Ernie guessed this would make the shift to a larger vessel much easier. Although Mitch was a very capable Captain, a ship this size with a compliment of over thirty personnel meant there was a lot to keep up with. To assist with this task, Ernie had the program developers incorporate additional command and analysis logic to update and meet the ship's requirements. The experimental chip embedded in Mitch's brain made analysis of complex information and direct voice integration with the ALICE possible. The voice and sound device behind his ear also made it possible for private reception of communications. Although he would have to speak aloud, the incoming voice would be inaudible to others. While not altogether different than the average earpiece, this one could not been seen. It wasn't old technology but not everyone was comfortable using it. When receiving a comm alert the device would send a minute charge through the jawbone that felt like a little bee sting and took some time to get accustomed to.

The hum of the tram lessened and an automated voice announced, Please exit to C&C and the door opened. Mitch stopped for a moment, and looking at the door he noticed this door was actually three doors that opened simultaneously.

Isn't this door different than the previous one? Mitch asked.

Remember I told you the new C&C was self-contained? Ernie said.

Mitch nodded.

That's part of the seal making the command center independent of the ship. The C&C can be completely removed without compromising the integrity of the vessel if there were some type of catastrophic event. It's basically a ship within a ship, Ernie explained as he pointed to the seal. Now, sit in the captain's chair, insert your command wand and place your hand on the screen.

Mitch took the two steps up to the command platform. The captain's chair appeared large enough for two people. The command console had numerous screens and touch panels and the chair arms had extendable screens and control pads attached.. On the right arm was a hand sized screen with a small access port at the top of the screen. He sat down and the seating surface immediately began moving. He was a bit startled at first and could see Ernie snickering in his peripheral vision. He realized that the chair was adjusting itself to fit his body and noticed how comfortably it now fit him. From his breast pocket he removed a small crystal cylinder about three inches long and smaller than a finger's width in diameter. He inserted the crystal into the access port and the screens on his chair began to flicker. A feminine, almost sultry, voice announced;

Command wand inserted. Please enter your command code.

Using the pad on the left arm console, Mitch manually entered his unique command code.

The computer stated, Command code recognized as, Saber, Mitchell, Captain. Please verify with palm and retinal scan.

Mitch placed his hand on the scanner on the right arm rest.

Palm identification recognized. Please proceed to retinal scan.

He leaned forward and placed his right eye, the one without the retinal implant, in front of the retinal scanner. A series of red and green lasers flashed then the computer announced, Verification of command accepted. Welcome, Captain Saber. Would you like to integrate your personal communications devices with me now?

Startled, Mitch looked at Ernie, "Me? She said me like she is a person."

That's part of the upgrade, Ernie explained. The new logic structure has given the ships AI a simplified personality. It has a learning curve that develops over time and will learn your habits and command style to enable you to better control the ship's functions and defensive systems. While you are training her, she is also training you about the ship. She will respond to her acronym ALICE. Why don't you try it?

Ernie, Mitch said as he turned away, one of these days. He turned away but couldn't help smiling. He loved this kind of stuff and Ernie was always surprising him with something new and challenging.

Mitch relaxed in his chair and said, ALICE, can you give me a status report of ship systems?

Thinking that this would result in an error message he was surprised to hear ALICE reply, All systems are not yet active at this time, Captain. System Drive and FTL drives are offline, environmental controls are nominal and hull integrity is stable. C&C weapons systems and internal sentry lasers are offline. MARDA is offline and we are missing a full complement of ship's crew. If you would integrate your personal communications device Captain I can stream the detailed information to your implant. I can send you updates even when you are not aboard if you prefer. Mitch grinned and looked up and around the C&C deck. She was beautiful, this ship of his. There was much to do and several months of construction still to come but this ship was soon to become his home and, quietly he thought, home to a loyal crew.

Mitch finally said, ALICE, establish link with my personal communications device. Ernie nodded and grinned.

It took only a few seconds and ALICE said, "Link established Captain. Can you confirm data reception on