Carry On Constitution

By Leighton W Vary, Jr

The USS Constitution was one of ten Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers in the United System Space Navy. These ten Heavy Cruisers were all very old and had been decommissioned eighty years before, but because of the devastating losses during the System's war with the Zenites and the battle of Hell System Three, these decommissioned Heavy Cruisers were retrofitted, upgraded, and recommissioned. This was seen as the best and fastest way to rebuild the System Navy. As a consequence of the retrofits, upgrades, and innovations, these ten Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers were the most powerful ships in the System Navy.
The System Navy Chief of Naval Operation has tasked Fleet Admiral Timothy Holoran to command a fleet comprised of the ten Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers toward the center of the galaxy to attempt to discover why civilizations, peoples, and worlds beyond a point in the galaxy known a P-387 were utterly devoid of life.
The challenge was to speed to P-387 as quickly as possible to begin the investigation. This would take six months at ultra-light fourteen to get to their destination. On the way, we see the usual routine of the crew of the Constitution and those of the rest of the fleet.
Driving forward at ultra-light fourteen, they encounter a spaceship from another civilization and befriend their new acquaintances, who are challenged to undertake the mission of the United System Space Navy as allies.
Captain David Stevens discovered a powerful electromagnetic pulse that alters the subatomic structure of carbon and silicon making life impossible. Commissioned to discover the extent of the pulse, Captain Stevens and the Constitution with Captain John Self and the USS Constellation discover the pulse's path is an ever-widening circle which seems to have originated from the very center of the galaxy.
The challenge now is to discover the source of the death pulse and try to find a means of stopping the pulse from destroying any other worlds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leighton W Vary, Jr
• Release date: Dec 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463577202

Book preview

Carry On Constitution

A Story of The United System Space Navy

And The USS Constitution

To Save the Galaxy

By

Leighton W Vary Jr

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2018 by Leighton W Vary Jr

All rights reserved.

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Other Books by this Author

Root for the Underdog

To Protect and Serve in Mountain View County

Second Chances

Cover Design By Joleene Naylor

Contents

Chapter One - A New Challenge

Chapter Two - Getting Underway

Chapter Three - Another United System of Planets

Chapter Four - Pressing On

Chapter Five - The Second Fleet

Chapter Six - The Death Pulse Encountered

Chapter Seven - Voices

Chapter Eight - The Center of the Galaxy

Chapter Nine - The Solution and Mission End

Chapter One

A New Challenge

Thirteen people were standing at the port of the observation lounge aboard the Defender Class USS Enterprise, looking out at the ten Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers clustered around the larger ship. The ten ships were the entire complement of Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers presently on active commission in the System Navy. The group in the lounge consisted of the Captains of the ten ships and several command grade officers: Fleet Admiral Tim Holoran, Commodore Sarel, Commodore T’Vas, Sarel’s Chief Surgeon, Commodore Jerry Clausen, Commodore Richard R. Terry, Captain David Stevens, Captain Robert O’Rielly, David’s Chief Engineer, Captain John Self, Captain Jenny Olson, Captain William Walker, Captain Chal, Captain Barbara Jenkins, and Captain George Perry, Captain of the host ship, the USS Enterprise.

The group grew restless waiting for the arrival of the fourteenth officer. As they waited, small groups began to form. The first to gather were the officers who were present or former members of the crew of the Enterprise. George Perry, Chal, Bill Walker, and David Stevens began to catch up on the events of their friend’s lives. After a short moment, Admiral Holoran and Captain O’Rielly joined that group. Soon afterward they were joined by Jerry Clausen who began talking about the robots of New Earth and the mock board of inquiry that David endured.

Tim began telling about Alteris and everything they experienced. David chimed in with the message from the Chief of Naval Operations concerning the board of inquiry, and his anxiety. They were then interrupted, a voice with a severe Russian accent came, I am sorry Captain Stevens, but we did catch those responsible for many wrongs in the Navy.

Tim and O’Rielly exclaimed, Merovitch! They grabbed the Admiral’s hand and shook it until Darien thought he would lose it. Tim spoke up, Darien, Dave was tied up in knots, you could have, at least, warned us.

Darien replied, Those responsible had eyes and ears everywhere. I had to play it close to my chest until I could prove who the culprits were. Tim lifted an eyebrow, but Darien continued, Captain Steven’s anxiety was not good, but we finished the investigation and rounded up the perpetrators. I would have gone on and had the Captain court-martialed if it meant catching those renegades.

Then Admiral Holoran asked, Admiral Merovitch, would you, now, tell us why you have called all of us together today?

The Chief of Naval Operations replied, You should know that the System has been sending unmanned probes throughout the galaxy over the past five hundred years. We have received a great deal of data over the years. However, since we do not have immediate control over the probes due to the distance, we need human eyes to investigate some things a little closer. So, the System Council has charged me with sending you to explore some of these areas, and I am giving our Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers this mission. Admiral Holoran, I would like for you to command the fleet and Jerry will be your deputy if you choose to go. You may, remain in this sector if you wish. You’re the only officer I am giving the option. What do you say, Tim?

Tim asked, Well, this is going to be a truly deep space mission. What are our limitations? May we include our families, or must we leave them behind?

Darien answered, Admiral, your ships’ complement may include such family members as you have room for, that is strictly up to each Captain and each family.

Tim smiled, Good. In that case, I’ll go.

Darien exclaimed, Excellent.

Tim addressed the group; I would like Commodores Clausen, Sarel, T’Vas, and Terry to meet with Admiral Merovitch and me this evening about twenty-one-hundred to develop our strategy. If that is Ok with you George.

Captain Perry replied, Admiral, consider the Enterprise your ship.

Tim said, Thank you, George. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope to depart at oh-six-hundred in the morning. Dismissed.

The group snapped to attention and then began to exit the lounge. David and Bill looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. I guess I’ll teleport over to my ship, Dave. I’ll see you later.

David responded, OK, see you, Bill.

About that time, Captain Chal walked over to David, We have time for a little exercise if you would like, Captain.

David replied, I hadn’t thought of that, Captain Chal, I would be honored.

With that, the two Captains set off to one of the Holographic Chambers to exercise.

The rest of the men and women left the lounge on missions of their own. Merovitch started to go when Tim caught his arm, Darien, what is it you’re not telling us?

Admiral Merovitch frowned, I don’t know what you mean, Tim. There is nothing else that I can tell you.

Tim said, Darien, we’ve been friends too long for this. Are you sending the entire fleet of Constitution Class Heavy Cruisers on an exploratory mission? The most powerful ships in the System Navy. With me in command. I don’t think so. I may be old, but I am not senile. What are you not telling us?

Darien said, Tim, let’s go to my cabin.

With that, the two old friends walked out of the lounge and entered Admiral Merovitch’s cabin. Darien motioned for silence and ordered the computer to scan for listening devices. When assured that there were none, he said, Tim, the data we have been receiving was of interest only to dusty old scientists up to this last year. Ever since our probes have crossed the orbit of P-387, the data indicates only dead systems.

Shocked, Tim asked, Dead systems, like Alteris?

Darien replied, grimly, Dead, there were signs of civilizations, but no life. No living thing, like Alteris, but with no evidence of weapons of mass destruction. We need human eyes to examine and find the cause.

Tim almost whispered, "But, Darien, P-387 is six months away from here at ultra-light fourteen. Why are you sending the ten most powerful ships in the Navy? What if we are needed back