Foothold

By Doug Plamping

Book 5. Amy, Paul and Frank continue their search for their Landing Craft, one specific one for each of them, they have individual keys. They need all three to access the Human Council of Three Command Ship. If they can access the Ship they hope that it will have the answers that they need to restore the Isolated Planets civilization. Meanwhile a group called The Organization continues their attempts to assassinate them. Daughter, a huge intelligent spider, seems to think that Earth is too barbaric and should be destroyed, and they need to continue to prevent any action by the Spiders. Also they are busy creating a new Guild for Healers, an Earth sourced army, and need to get ready quickly to defend the Isolated Planets from slaver attacks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Doug Plamping
• Release date: Jul 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9780987735942

Doug Plamping

Doug Plamping has recently taken his writing hobby to the new level of published author. Step on the Sun is his first book, with a number of books in the Council of Three series being prepared for publication. Doug has been a science fiction and fantasy fan since he was a boy growing up in the United Kingdom. A Canadian for 40 years, he enjoys rural living north of Calgary, Alberta, and spending time with family and friends.

Book preview

Chapter 1

This is Observer One, Sniper Team in position. Confirm security status.

The Organization never used names over any electronic system.

This is Security One. In position 50 meters north of Sniper Team in secondary hide. All clear.

Another voice said, Extraction Team in position and equipment is camouflaged.

Security One said, Reminder to everyone, one of the Spider Kind hunts in this area. Orders are not to engage or fire on any Spider, we are to avoid and if necessary leave the area. Confirm that.

Extraction Team confirms.

Observer One confirms.

Sniper One confirms.

Security One receives. Remember, a spider hunts by sensing motion and vibration. No motion or talking now. Sunrise is in ninety minutes. We will wait for Observer One to advise when the primary target is identified.

Silence returned to the night outside of Cooltimber City.

The assassination team had moved into position in the darkest hours of the night. From their positions they could see the fortress wall of Cooltimber City, the current headquarters of the Exploration Group.

More importantly they could see the location where Ms. La Reine read or exercised each morning.

* * *

Amy poked her head out of the security door that separated their bedrooms from the stairs in the Keep in Cooltimber City. Good morning.

The Sergeant saluted, Good morning, Leadercouncilor. Security Condition Green, and the weather outside is pleasant.

Amy smiled, the Sergeant had anticipated her questions. In that case, please let my protection team know that I will spend an hour at the river before breakfast. I'll be leaving in 10 minutes.

Yoga, Ma’am?

Not today. I’ve got some medical terminology to learn.

* * *

This is Observer One. Primary target is moving from the city gates towards the river. There is a protection team of four. One of the protection team has binoculars and is checking the area. No movement everyone.

This is Security One, a spider was observed climbing down the city wall twenty minutes ago. It moved into the forest across from the gate. Minimal risk at this time.

Silence returned.

* * *

Amy put her folding chair out in the morning sun, there was a cool breeze, fast enough to flip her pages. The Drill Sergeant’s would probably call it invigorating. Amy had not realized how much she needed to learn to use her healing powers effectively.

Jimmy rearranged Thomas, Marco, and Carmen, Amy’s protection team, into a circle.

She opened the small book that Dr. Pat had given her; it was time to catch up on her studying. As Leadercouncilor and First Healer she, along with Paul and Frank, had been commanded by the One Who Tests to - Heal this Galaxy. Knowing how to heal a body might give her some ideas on how to heal the galaxy. Maybe. But she needed to learn how to heal anyway.

* * *

This is Observer One, laser says range to target is 1,235 meters. Security One, would that glow around the target affect the laser?

Unknown. Suggest you use an alternate ranging target.

There was a short pause.

This is Observer One, range to tree closest to target 1,232 meters. Wind is steady at 2.5 meters per second from 85 degrees. Passing notations to Sniper One.

This is Sniper One. Target is reading a book and has her head down, reducing the profile of the head. Increases risk of a miss at this range.

This is Security One. Orders are to take a head shot as her clothing is said to be bulletproof. You've heard the stories.

OK. Orders are orders. Will take a head shot first, and will take a body shot immediately. The second shot should arrive before the sound of the first. Then targets of opportunity until evacuation is ordered.

Security One concurs, proceed.

This is Observer One, no change, wind steady, fire when ready.

Sniper One, taking the shot.

In the scope, the cross hairs centered on the target's head, moved two marks to the right, steadied, and then jerked slightly as the sniper fired. The scope moved quickly down to the center of the target's chest, moved two marks to the right, steadied, and the scope jerked again.

Observer One said, Slight vapor trail. No hit. No hit. What the… No hit on or around the target. They're responding to sound. Have identified direction the shots came from—

This is Security Two. There is a spider racing this way. It just jumped the whole damn river, coming fast—

This is Security One, Evacuation Plan Beta, repeat Evacuation Plan Beta.

* * *

Director Gesasin asked Captain Mendes, Captain, what went wrong?

The team did everything right, including leaving as ordered when the spider was seen approaching. Ms. La Reine had a transparent barrier around her. Both bullets hit the barrier.

The Captain waited for the Director to comment, but he didn’t.

The Captain continued, We need to change our SOP to attack Ms. La Reine when she is moving between locations. She often walks and would be an open target.

The Director said, I don’t fault our Operatives for following your orders. Bring a new plan. We must eliminate her if we are to rule the galaxy.

Chapter 2

Colonel Dan Richards waited until everyone was seated. We've had an update on the attempted assassination this morning. A search found two hides plus tracks where ATVs entered and left the area.

Food, litter, and two bullet casings, tell us it was an Earth equipped assassination team comprising about six members.

He dropped two flattened bullets on the table with a double clunk. "The Organization. Although I asked the three to give us priorities on the issues facing us, I'd suggest that their security be number one." He nodded to Amy.

Thank you Colonel Richards. As no one is going to be locking this Princess in a tower, I agree. The laughter eased the tension. I thank the One Who Tests that this morning I put a transparent tube barrier around me to keep out the wind. Paul.

Paul moved to the front of the room.

Back on Earth the security for leaders combines a number of protected elements; a safe place to live, a safe place to work, a safe place for recreation and to meet with others, and a safe means of transport.

Priority one is to get to Amy’s Landing Craft, access the Command Ship, pick up the other Landing Craft, and get the Pilgrims settled into their shipboard roles. That way we have a safe place to live.

A safe place to work. We need a Regional Capital.

Recreation and meeting with others. A secure location, possibly an island, easier to secure, with meeting rooms and private cabins for guests.

A safe means of transport. In the past Councilors could access their own personal dome and then use it to go directly to a location anywhere in the galaxy. We have to rediscover that skill.

Amy stood as Paul finished, I’ll stay here as the Colonel might like to keep the electronics intact.

There were smiles at that. The one time that a tour of the Command Center had been offered, Amy’s blessing had started wires smoking before she quickly moved back to the entrance.

Amy said, The Command Ship will give us a secure mobile base with the ability to transport military forces, and if it contains sufficient space it can also provide us with some of the civilian support services we need. We are attending temple services at the Great Temple in Yellowwater City, Springblossom and meeting the newly appointed Most Revered Holy One of Springblossom tomorrow. If possible we would like to start the overland trip to the Landing Craft site on Quenlac immediately after that. Thank you.

Dan answered, We were waiting for the helicopters, their support personnel and support infrastructure to come from Earth, but we had a plan prepared for an overland approach. You will take the ATVs through the archways, stopping at Yellowwater City on the way. We’ll have this task completed in time for the Leadercouncilor to have her big meeting on Quenlac.

* * *

They drove in the ATVs from Cooltimber City to Yellowwater City to attend the Temple Day service.

Leaving the service they continued on to Bayside City, Quenlac where they dropped off the drone support team. Taking the ATVs through the archways did create a lot of excitement along the way, in spite of sending scouts sent ahead on their dirt bikes to warn the guards and the people near each Transit Station.

They headed off into the forest following the planned route. If they ran into major trouble the drone would be sent out to find a new route.

* * *

Less than an hour after starting they found trouble in the form of a narrow canyon.

The first unforeseeable, Captain Diaz said. Yes, only the first. We have 600 kilometers to go, there will be many more ‘unforeseeables’. He was enjoying a new galactic word. The FX mini UAVs can’t see the small stuff through the canopy. I’ve sent soldiers on dirt bikes in each direction. They’ll find a way around or across this.

The dozen soldiers that were the protection teams for the three, spread out and formed a secure perimeter. Brian Duncan-Smith was there filming them in the forest, and had selected the front seat of the last ATV so he could film them dodging around trees.

Amy had completed two of the daily videos for Earth in advance, so she wouldn’t have to do that on this trip.

A radio call announced that there was a spot downstream where they could ford across the river. They all strapped themselves back into the ATVs and headed out.

They were like a mechanical snake winding itself through the trees. At 20 kilometers an hour it seemed too fast, but it would take 30 hours at this speed. They planned to travel faster through some open prairie areas to cut down the total time to only two 12 hour days.

Frank had just crossed a stream when he suddenly gestured for the driver to turn right along the bank. Frank walked into the valley and was looking at some gray rock on the side of the canyon.

Paul joined him, asking, What is it?

Frank picked up a piece of the gray rock off the ground, Cement, and you can see finger marks in it. What shape do you see on the canyon wall?

Captain Diaz was first. It's the size and shape of an archway. Why is it here?

Paul suggested, If you were traveling across country with a Wayfarer, in an emergency or at nighttime you could create a vertical surface for an archway, if you could find something close to vertical and large enough.

Yes, said Frank, but you'd need fast drying cement. You could mix it with sand or soil.

One of the Lieutenants spoke up, If we did that Captain we could really cut down our loads, no camping gear, less food and water, and less fuel.

The Captain laughed. The Colonel warned me that you three keep changing the rules. A small team traveling with a Wayfarer could place archways each evening. Return the next morning, and travel like that until the objective is reached. Then the full team can just walk through an archway and be there.

The Captain paused for a few seconds, But we'll do this the old fashioned way and continue on.

Speaking to Frank the Captain said, Good catch, Councilor. Then to the whole convoy in a loud voice, How come military eyes didn't see this? Eyes open soldiers, report anything unusual. Let's roll.

* * *

The lunch break was taken overlooking a grass prairie that extended to the horizon. On restarting they formed into a ‘V’ shaped formation so no one was eating anyone’s dust.

Amy, after continually being bounced from side to side, found it exhilarating to roll straight across the prairie at 80 kilometers per hour. She just wished she was driving.

After carefully crossing a few creeks and taking detours around soft boggy ground they were behind schedule. It was dusk before they pushed into the trees to find a campsite for the night. The Captain hadn't wanted to risk starting a grass fire on the prairie.

* * *

As soon as they stopped, Amy went over to the Captain. Captain Diaz, I can help light up the clearing if you turn all of the radios and electronics off.

Your glow is not that bright?

Amy pulsed the glow briefly, causing every radio to squeal. The glow can be a lot brighter. I'm certain the One Who Tests would not mind a practical use of his gift.

The Captain was stunned. The One Who Tests?

Yes. While you set up the camp, I'll use the time to pray.

The Captain looked at her for a long time, then smiled. As you wish.

Amy picked one of the trees, Paul, Frank, can you lift me up to the branch on that tree.

Paul smiled, No problem. I'll add streetlight to your resume.

Amy ignored the wisecrack. She took off sandals and stepped onto Paul's locked hands and then put her other foot onto Franks. They both lifted her gently up into the tree. Amy pulled herself onto the branch. It was huge. She sat in the lotus position. There was still space on each side of her. Thanks guys.

Frank shouted, Go ahead. They're ready.

Amy closed her eyes and focused on the blessing. She now knew that it was not that she pushed the blessing out, but she normally held it in. Holding it in was essential around electronics, but it was becoming a bad habit. So she focused on releasing the blessing and started to pray.

Captain Diaz stood alone watching Amy. The soldiers were setting up the camp in the bright yellow light, but every few seconds they would glance at Amy and at the yellow glowing cloud surrounding not just the branch, but the whole tree.

* * *

The ATVs made good time on the prairie, so that the Captain decided to change the second day’s route to use the prairie as long as possible. The drone would arrive overhead at dawn and scout out their revised route.

They started by following the edge of the forest.

A couple of hours later they came to a small river. Upstream they discovered concrete abutments on each side of the river. They stopped to examine what had been a bridge large enough for a horse and wagon. The bridge deck and any sign of the road had disappeared a long time ago.

By the early afternoon Amy could see the Command Ship was almost directly overhead. They were close, and entered the forest again.

A few minutes later, one of the scouts on their dirt bike came up to the Captain’s ATV.

The whole convoy turned 90 degrees to the right. They pulled to halt on the edge of a ruined village. Trees grew out of houses and gardens, and other trees had fallen, but the village was still obvious.

The Captain waved them over. These scouts report four hills of the size you describe near to the ruins. How do we tell the right one?

Paul answered, My Landing Craft, Gladius, had some hull exposed at the top due to weathering, and the Pilgrims had buildings cutting into the side of the hill so they could access it.

The Captain waved the scouts out, and they listened as the dirt bikes went up, down, and around the hills. One of the scouts came back, Found it, Sir. A collapsed structure on the side of a hill.

Good, lead us to it.

Chapter 3

They followed the scout to the collapsed structure. It was built of large stone blocks cemented together. A tree had grown on the roof and the roots had torn some of the stones apart. It was obvious that the few shovels they had brought would not be enough.

Amy said, Captain, I can cut this apart with a tube barrier. If it stays together I can make pieces zero weight and drift them away. If it breaks apart, the soldiers should be able to move single blocks at a time.

Very well, Leadercouncilor, proceed.

Amy had the soldiers all move behind her. She planned to use tubes about a meter across. and realizing if she sloped the tube the pieces should just slide out she determined to try that.

Avoiding the tree, Amy aimed to slice a meter out of the roof.

With a loud crack the section of the arched stone roof was broken off by the transparent tube. It immediately started to slide away from her and soon dropped out of the end of the tube onto the ground, breaking into a number of pieces.

Now that the roof was gone, Amy saw that it would be better just to cut a doorway on one side by using a vertical tube. She waited until the 15 seconds was over.

The vertical tube cut the stone with a loud crack. Amy waited 30 seconds and dismissed the tube, but it still stood there.

Amy waited for 15 seconds and then put a short sloping transparent tube through the bottom of the wall between the two cuts. The circular piece of the wall slid into the structure and fell apart on the far side. The bottom of the wall above the tube slid into the structure and the wall collapsed off both sides of the tube.

Amy said, We need to wait for a minute while I dismiss two barriers. Then we can scramble in and open the airlock.

Once the barriers were dismissed Amy and the Captain entered the structure. Amy held her short staff and placed her hand on the access panel pad. The airlock opening appeared and the lit airlock was there.

Amy said, The lights are on, the Landing Craft still has power.

They moved into the airlock and Amy opened the inside opening from the airlock.

Amy said, We can… She was coughing, over and over.

Captain Diaz holding his breath grabbed Amy's arm and pulled her out of the airlock, and out of the structure.

After she had finished coughing, the Captain said, Bad air. We need to change the air in the Landing Craft somehow.

Frank said, There's another airlock on the opposite side of the Landing Craft. If we open that we can get the air moving. the Landing Craft has automatic air circulation once it has fresh air to work with.

They went to the opposite side of the Landing Craft, but there was no structure. Captain Diaz had a Lieutenant and four soldiers use shovels to search for the airlock access panel, while the rest of the soldiers set up camp for the night.

* * *

An hour later the access panel was found. The soldiers had cleared away the sod and soil from the area the airlock opening was expected.

Amy was to open the outer airlock opening, and then holding her breath, opening the inner airlock opening and quickly retreat to the open air. A minute later the airlock was there and they could see down a corridor into the ship.

Frank said, There's not enough air movement. There's wind up there. He pointed at the tree tops. If Amy puts in a large vertical tube above the airlock, going up a kilometer, that should work.

How, Wizardcouncilor? asked the Captain.

The faster wind crossing the top of the tube sucks air out of the tube, thereby pulling air into the bottom of the tube. But it will take all night.

Paul suggested, If we pile brush around the tube so the only air being sucked into the tube is coming from the Landing Craft that will help.

The Captain answered, As you would say, no problem. We'll do that and then let's enjoy a quiet evening, and tomorrow we enter the Landing Craft and the Command Ship.

* * *

Dan looked up as Sergeant Berkton entered his office, Colonel, the drone team took this photo and I thought you’d like to see it.

She put a tablet on his desk, with an aerial photo of a forest with one yellow tree in the center.

Dan looked at it. What is this?

Zoom in, Sir. That’s the tree the Leadercouncilor sat in while praying last evening.

Dan zoomed in using the tablet, until only the tree was in the photo. Blossoms?

Yes, Sir. Completely covered. We checked with the locals. This type of oak only flowers in the summer, it’s winter here now. It normally has very small white flowers, not large yellow blossoms.

Chapter 4

They’d had a quick breakfast, everyone was anxious to get into the Landing Craft.

The airlocks were still open and the air smelt fresh.

As they entered Amy said, The Bridge is on Deck 4, up a spiral ramp in the center of the Landing Craft. She led them through the airlock. There were no other access panels to open as they could see the spiral ramp 200 meters ahead.

Two of the soldiers moved ahead of them. Amy knew why they did it, but she hated looking at people’s backs all the time.

Amy didn’t have Drinlake to guide them, but after exploring the other two Landing Craft she didn’t need it. She led them up the ramp, pleased that the air was fresh everywhere they went, and into the corridor leading to the Bridge. Here was a closed opening.

Captain Diaz asked, How do you know that there is an opening here? There’s no seam, nothing.

Frank answered, This raised area is an access panel, it’s placed next to an opening. There’s no actual door, part of the wall disappears. The eight symbols are zero to seven in Old Galactic. The panel recognizes staffs and programmed access codes.

Amy moved to the panel, If this is the same as Frank’s Einstein, this access panel was locked by the Councilor, and it takes a Councilor's staff to open it.

Holding her staff by the symbols carved in the center, she placed her palm on the raised panel below the numbers. The opening appeared next to them, causing the Captain and some of the protection team members to jump.

Amy reminded herself: not good to surprise people carrying loaded rifles.

She led them over to the desk and the floating chair. Don’t touch anything until I do my thing.

Brian was taking the video.

Amy responded to the Captain's questioning look, On the Command Ship we were given three different triangular pieces of metal. This is mine. She held it up. It goes into this depression. So first I put my staff on the desk. Erak’lay.

The staff extended to its full length, and Amy reached out and dropped it over the center of the desk. It floated down to stop just above the surface. She then sat in the floating chair. She put the triangle in the depression, being careful not to touch the desk. It fit perfectly but it just sat there.

Amy put her hands on the two yellow circles. A glow came out of the desk, wrapping around her hands. Amy heard gasps. Then she saw that the key had merged into the desk.

Her hands were released.

A hologram of a very old man emerged from the desk, facing Amy. Welcome Leadercouncilor. If there are those here who should not hear this message just touch the desk.

The hologram paused for a few seconds before continuing, If things have happened according to the prophecy, you are ‘she shall lead and care for all’. The Enemy has pushed us back from the center of the galaxy, and our last act was to eliminate all knowledge in the Library so the Enemy could not utilize it. Surviving members of the Guilds are coordinating the evacuation of planetary populations outwards. With the destruction of many of the Pathways I fear that task may be impossible.

We put each Landing Craft with a Councilor and support staff on different planets, with no Library updates allowed. The Human Council of Three Command Ship was to fly out of the galaxy to draw off the chasing Enemy Fleet. Since the Human Council of Three Command Ship has not returned, it may have been destroyed. We have left you eight books to assist you on nearby planets. Find the books.

He paused. Leadercouncilor, the protocols say that I cannot tell you more. Even at this time, if we had defeated the Enemy, which we cannot, the task ahead would be difficult. Trust in the One Who Tests and in yourself.

As the hologram faded away, Amy saw tears in his eyes.

Amy said, I need to check the Councilor’s apartment.

She moved to the access panel on the right hand wall. Holding her staff and placing her palm on the panel, the opening appeared. After a short hesitation, because she didn’t want to find the bones of the Councilor, Amy stepped into the room. Empty. With relief, Amy told the Captain, They must have all moved out to the village and sealed up the ship.

The Captain nodded. I wouldn’t want to live in a metal box with no sunlight either. What’s next Leadercouncilor?

Amy smiled. We lift Hope. That will cause all of the soil and trees hiding it to slide off. Then we land and put out the ramp. You’ve seen the video. We load everyone and the ATVs, head back to Bayside City and pick up the support team. The Command Ship should follow us there.

As Hope cannot fly between solar systems, we join up with the Command Ship and fly it back to Cooltimber City. We pick up Gladius and the Pilgrims on the way. Then we pick up the Mobile Base assessment team and they can do their job while we fly to Mexico and pick up Einstein. Then I get back to Quenlac for the big meeting. That's the plan.

* * *

Amy said, Frank, you pilot Hope this time, but you’re to show me how to fly Hope later.

No problem. Frank looked at the Captain, Everyone clear?

The Captain looked at his Lieutenant, who replied, All clear, and we have cameras rolling.

Frank manipulated part of the ship desk to access the holograms needed to fly the Landing Craft. Amy was at the crescent desk with all the indicators on the Landing Craft systems. If anything turned red or yellow, she was to let Frank know.

Air locks closed. Starting the camouflage removal, Frank announced.

A glow covered the window, and the soil lifted away and slid down. Amy saw that they were already up in the air, and they could see the remains of the village through the treetops. She hadn’t felt a thing.

Artificial gravity is on, Frank stated.

Through the window Amy watched as they rose above the trees.

Frank asked, Amy, are there any error lights?

Amy checked again. No reds. No yellows.

Frank announced, Good. I’m going to turn us around, move over the opening in the forest caused by our liftoff, and then land with the ramp out.

They could see that the Landing Craft was turning from the rotation of the view out of the window, but they couldn’t feel it..

Frank manipulated the hologram again, the view tilted down as the Landing Craft moved down, and came to a stop.

Amy saw a change in her hologram, poked the spot, and read out, Ramp out and locked. All green.

Frank poked a hologram, Hanger open.

They all walked back to the central circular ramp, and went down to Deck 1. Down one of the corridors they could see daylight and they walked through the corridor, and a large Hangar, to the top of the extended ramp.

Impressive, said Captain Diaz.

Frank explained, Each piece of the ramp has its own gravity control, so they just have to drive up the ramp, and they will always feel as if it is flat.

A whole new science, said Paul.

They’re doing analysis on Einstein right now, Frank added.

Non-destructive? asked Amy.

Yes, answered Frank. I agree we need the Command Ship and the Landing Craft intact right now. We’ll find something else to take apart.

Chapter 5

Leadercouncilor, permission to load the soldiers, dirt bikes, and ATVs on Hope? asked Captain Diaz.

Amy smiled at the formality, pleased that he recognized that this was her Landing Craft. Permission granted, Captain.

They watched the ATVs and dirt bikes race up the ramp and park in a corner of the Hanger.

Paul observed, You could park an entire armored brigade in here!

Amy was surprised. How many soldiers would that be?

Paul thought about it. Italy has one armored brigade with about 3,400 soldiers and 200 mobile units. A US brigade is much larger and nastier with just under 5,000 soldiers and 400 mobile units, that includes 90 Abrams tanks.

He looked around the Hanger again. Maybe not one Hangar, but maybe all three. At most 1,600 soldiers and 130 units to each landing craft. What do you think Captain? A force divided into three autonomous divisions that can be dropped onto a planet in minutes would give that force the initiative in almost every situation.

The Captain nodded and looked around. Yes that could work. Some units should not be split up, like the Engineers, or Headquarters. We should talk to S3, that’s Major Jack Implusor, you haven’t met him yet, and S4, Major Calahan. We should have a suggestion on how to balance the force between the Landing Craft, and…

Amy left to return to the Bridge, unnoticed except by her protection team. As she walked along the corridor she stopped to open a number of openings. There were different sized rooms. One opening into a corridor that curved in a way that suggested that it went around the entire craft. Amy crossed the corridor and used the opposite access panel. The curved corridor continued, her hunch was right.

As they continued to walk back to the Bridge, Amy mentally worked out how much space 1,600 soldiers would need for sleeping, eating, social activities and offices. She guessed at 100 square feet per soldier with families, about 10 square meters, a total of 16,000 square meters. The bottom level was 400 meters across, but that quickly reduced as you went up the levels, and half of the second level was for hosting other kind. But the first two levels still had about 20,000 square meters of space, more than enough. Amy made a mental note to ask the Pilgrims if they could leave the first two decks free.

* * *

Frank showed Amy how to find the Wayfarer’s Hall using the globe representing the planet in the navigation hologram. Then he showed her how to plot a course that took them up to orbit, around the planet to over the Wayfarer’s Hall, and then down to the open area near the Old Residence. Twenty minutes later they were there. Amy checked out of the Bridge window before lowering the ramp.

OK, got it, said Amy. This would be a lot easier if the globe wasn’t all in white. Captain, please load the support platoon, and then we will attempt to dock with the Command Ship.

The Captain saluted and left.

Frank said, All of the information, other than the physical outline, was lost when the Library Desk on Hope was wiped. From what the Admiral told me, the Libraries on the Command Ship and fleet ships were also wiped. Once we’re on the Command Ship, I’m going to somehow create a network of safe Libraries that will only connect to each other, and not the Enemy.

One of your many priorities, Amy said with a grimace. Then she had a thoughtful look. Paul has the Colonel, and I have the Holy Ones, the Healers, and the Wayfarers, we need to get you a support structure. Think about it. How many people and what skills would you need? Remember, you’re ‘the wizard who shall find the knowledge of the past’. I don’t think they expected you to do it alone.

Frank agreed, I will need support, but it’s not clear who. It’s likely to be scientists from Earth.

The Captain returned a few minutes later while they were using the navigation hologram to look at other cities on the planet.

Paul asked, Everything secure, Captain?

All secure, and the ramp is guarded.

Amy said, moving to the other desk, I’ll close the ramp and the Hanger.

Amy reduced the zoom of the navigation hologram until she had a round ball with the dot of the Command Ship hovering above. Below it was the dot that represented Hope, on the planet, pulsing. She pulled a path from Hope to just under the Command Ship.

Frank said, Good. Now zoom in on the Command Ship and it will show you how close we’ll be when we stop. Amy zoomed in until there was a number showing.

Frank said, That’s about about right based on what we learned on Gladius and Einstein. Just hit initiate there, pointing at the hologram control, and we go.

Amy announced, We’re going up into orbit. We’ll fly straight at the Command Ship, but we’ll stop a few kilometers away. Amy poked the air where the control was.

Hope turned to point straight up. Amy could see the Command Ship as a bright dot in the sky. Then they shot forward, straight at it. Even Amy held her breath as the Command Ship grew bigger and bigger in the window. Then, just before they would have slammed into the Command Ship, they stopped. In the sunlight they could see one of the flat areas where they would dock.

Frank stood next to Amy, This a three step process. Press that control in the hologram.

Amy did, pulling her hand sharply back when the entire hologram disappeared, to be replaced by a small hologram with a number panel, and three red lights below it. One day she’d get even with Frank for his little jokes.

Frank said, The text is in Old Galactic. The first light says ‘Waiting Staff’, the second ‘Waiting Code’, and the third ‘Waiting Authorization’. Extend your staff and place it on the desk.

Amy did that and the staff hovered above the desk. The first light changed to green, and the text changed.

Frank said, Leadercouncilor Present. Now enter the Councilor Code in the panel, that’s how they left it, you can change the code later.

Amy entered the code 162. The light turned green.

Frank said, It says something like ‘Accepted’, not sure on the tense. The instructions were to place a palm on what was the number pad, and is now a flat panel.

Amy placed her palm against the holographic panel. The light changed to yellow. Yellow? she asked.

Frank was peering at the hologram, Best I can translate, ‘Request accepted. Leadercouncilor authorized. Master Warrior not available, no, not present. Docking denied. Paul, you try.

Paul put his palm on the panel, but the same message was repeated.

Amy said, Cameras off. So we have all three Landing Craft now, but can’t dock with the Command Ship. Why did I think it would be simple? Who and what is a Master Warrior?

* * *

They were sitting at the Bridge conference table with Captain Diaz and his two Lieutenants. Amy had noted that the Captain had not introduced the Lieutenants, and expected all comments to come from him. She was willing to let it ride for now, not knowing if it was a personal or a Mexican Army thing.

Captain Diaz checked the notes made by one of the Lieutenants. The Wizardcouncilor, a Lieutenant, and the Wizardcouncilor's protection team are to return by the archways to Cooltimber City. They will report back to Colonel Richards. The Wizardcouncilor will also check with Fleet Admiral Gathermount and the Wayfarer's Hall, as to any records they have on docking procedures or Master Warriors. It will be requested that Fleet Admiral Gathermount, Master Wayfarer Arkturus, and Colonel Richards come to the Wayfarer's Hall and Hope, with the mobile base assessment team.

Captain Diaz continued, While we are waiting for them we will assess the security of the Old Residence, and see what improvements we can implement.

Amy checked with Paul and Frank who nodded, and she answered, Sounds good. Frank and your Lieutenant can start back early tomorrow as dinner is only 30 minutes away. I think Paul is the appropriate person to work with you on security of the Old Residence and I’d like to add the Landing Crafts to that.

Leadercouncilor, what about the Landing Crafts? asked the Captain.

Amy answered, Diplomacy will be a big part of my role. We were told that I have a power called, ‘Ambassador to the Eight Kind’, and a power called ‘Access to the secrets of the Leadercouncilor's Desk’. Why they’re described as powers we don’t know. But getting back to the point, diplomacy will mean that we will have guests with their entourage who we may not completely trust.

We need security zones around the military on level, no, deck, we are in ships, on Deck 1 and 2. On the ramp and airlocks on Deck 1. Protecting entry to the other Kind suites on Deck 2. The Bridge on Deck 4. The Command area on Deck 4. Plus other areas we haven’t even thought of yet. Some access points with physical checks, and other accesses with different levels of codes. Not just Hope, as diplomacy will take place on Einstein and Gladius as well.

Captain Diaz nodded. Leadercouncilor, you’re right. We had not considered the role of the Landing Craft in the future government, I suggest that we get that trainer from the Secret Service involved.

Special Agent Jane Werner, Amy identified.

Yes, replied Captain Diaz, this is their area of expertise. We’ll add a message requesting that she join the group coming here.

As they left the Bridge, Paul said, Our calendars are clear because of this delay. You promised that we would practice our defense against The Organization's armor? Not practicing could get you killed.

Amy laughed. A little heavy there, Paul. But you’re right. Let me get my slingshot, ammo, and Gin, and we’ll take the ATVs to a nice empty meadow and blow things up and get back for our dinner meeting with the Guard and Wayfarer Guild Councils.

Chapter 6

Silentgull and Brightbush brought Captain Diaz and his Lieutenants to the courtyard after their tour of the Old Residence. After checking that no one wanted more breakfast, they left.

Paul asked, So Captain, what do you think?

Warriorcouncilor, to be blunt, this old building is impossible to secure. Even a small package of explosives would bring half of the building down. We need to find a better building.

Captain, Paul said before Amy could object, I agree. But this building is well situated, next to a landing field and the Wayfarer's Hall. Any stone building would be located in the city, among narrow streets, would have its own problems.

You have a way of making this secure? asked the Captain.

No, but Amy does. She can put a barrier around the building that would be impenetrable. Last night I was thinking about castles. A vertical tube barrier would prevent attack, but would be vulnerable to mortars. A dome would be better, but with the sloped surface it would have to be larger. A dome cuts off rain and air so that could be a problem. Another problem would be that when Amy is not here the dome could become a trap.

Paul, Amy, and the Captain, discussed the options for over an hour. Paul and the Captain wanted to review it again later. Amy agreed with the basics: a transparent dome that went at least 2 meters into the ground, holes for air exchange, hole for an entrance, a barrier across the entrance like she did on the Interstate, so no one could shoot directly into the dome.

Paul suggested a secret tunnel, like those found in some Italian castles, so there was a method of escape or counterattack when Amy was not there. They would have to work out where it would start and end, and how to keep it secret.

The Captain felt that it was a temporary answer at best, and Amy agreed.

Also they’d have to manually water the grass inside the dome.

Amy thought that if Quenlac was to be a regional galactic government center then they needed to think on a much larger scale.

While they continued their discussion, Amy headed for Hope. She, with the help of her protection team and two platoons provided by the Captain, would search Hope for the Leadercouncilor’s Desk. Amy didn’t think it would be in Hope, and not likely in the Command Ship, but they would check anyway. Likely it was on the planet Core, 25,000 light years away in the center of the galaxy. But the search would not be a waste of time; they would check for differences against Einstein’s deck maps.

* * *

Amy joined Paul and the Captain at the Old Residence for dinner. They kept the talk casual until they had finished the meal.

Amy said, Thanks for the use of your soldiers, Captain, it would have taken days without them. We divided the decks into quadrants and worked through Hope that way. We didn’t find much except empty rooms, and anything left just crumbled into dust when it was touched. The corridor system is the same as Einstein, but there were many differences in room locations and shapes. In a few locations there were walls in the corridors, which were probably part of the previous security system. Sergeant Oro is creating a set of deck maps for Hope with the information we gathered.

Good, answered the Captain, and the Warriorcouncilor and I had time to discuss the security of the Old Residence and some ideas on the regional government center.

The Captain unfolded a piece of paper.