Alpha Security Chapter 13

[Ed Man]

Explain to Me
Chapter 13

Sherry left her room with a new attitude. Josh was filling badly about the harsh way he had treated Sherry as she entered the office Josh asked. “Sherry are you ready for the tour?” As he smiled at her.

[Sherry] “I’m ready whenever you are.” As she smiled back at Josh.
[Josh] “Come with me I have a cart out here ready for the tour.”
Sherry sit down in the front set with Josh as he took to each department showing her the production from start to finish. As they left the last department Josh stated. “Let’s eat lunch before I show you the restricted department. No one on the station has access to the department except me. It’s totally automated with it’s own repair and worker drones. You’ll be the first one to see it.”

[Sherry] “Thinks Josh I know it’s all classified but are you going to explain to me how it works?”

[Josh] “Let me explain what can happen first while trying to prefect the technology. In a worse case scenario you lose a whole universe or a solar system or just a planet. Like pouf and no more existence. In a best case scenario a whole lab or building or whole town. Pouf and the whole town and everyone’s gone. Do you get the picture? Not burnt or blown away gone! Not to mention the military and what happens when they experiment or worse prefects the technology into a weapon. Do you understand now?”

[Sherry] “Is it safe to be here?”
[Josh] “Yes it’s safe. The worst thing that could happen is the main power unit would implode inside its safety shell. It’s the safest form of energy known. No waist just clean safe energy.
Each unit is designed to work for a set time before it shuts down. The one in the power plant will work for ten years then shut down. The madder inside the core will in a since combine with its counter part on a molecular level and cease to exist. If there was a breach in the main core the madder will combine and cease to exist. The madder was designed that way for safety reasons. It would react so fast you wouldn’t even know what happened. It would look like an empty ball. Now you know more about the power system than anyone does. Please keep it to yourself I’ll reveal the technology a little at a time as I see fit.”

[Sherry] “What kind of energy does it produce?”
[Josh] “It’s different from any normal power source and so are the collectors around the core.
It’s not hot or magnetic and it doesn’t glow. But it can produce five times more energy than a nuclear core ten times larger. You can’t see it smell it or fill it. If you knew how the core worked the collectors are simple.”
[Sherry] “Did you discover it? And where did you do your research if it’s so dangerous?”

[Josh] “I can’t tell you anything else. I shouldn’t have told you as much as I have so please let it go and no more questions. I will say this. I understand how and why the power generator works along with every peace of it. I did build it and that was the hard part.”

[Sherry] “Can I see what the generator looks like?”
[Josh] “Yes when I’m done eating. It’s not much to look at trust me so take your time and enjoy your meal. It’s not going anywhere.”
As the two finished eating Josh noticed Sherry was a raring to go and see the power generator. The ride to the restricted area was a quick one. Josh had Sherry get of the cart and walk with him to a security door as he said. “This is it and your last chance to turn around and leave.”
[Sherry] “Why would I turn around and leave?”
[Josh] “Don’t be confused when you walk through that door people within your own Government will try to get there hands on you and pick your brain for any insight into the power generator.”

[Sherry] “But I don’t know anything!”
[Josh] “Do you really think that would stop them from trying?”
[Sherry] “I want to see it anyway. Why don’t they come after you?”
[Josh] “I have Pirates and bounty Hunters trying to kill me and capture my ship all the time and I’m not an easy target. No the real danger usually transpires from within your trusted circle of friends. You promise me to take a 14-week defense course we teach back at Alpha Security first.”
[Sherry] “You going back on your word?”
[Josh] “No Sherry I’m trying to save your life! You can bring your roommate with you to the defense course as my treat. And when you complete the training I’ll give you a custom made stunner and defense pistol with recognition sensors so no one can fire them but you. Please say yes Sherry this is important.”
[Sherry] “I’ll do it but I don’t like it. You're as bad as the President is. Always making me do something I don’t like!”

Josh leaned over and kissed Sherry and said. “I do care about you that’s why you need the training. I’m sorry Sherry the minute you decided to spend time with me you became a target for criminals. You may can just walk away now and be all right.”
[Sherry] “No I’ll take the training. If you promise to spend time with me when I’m done?”
[Josh] “I’ll be looking forward to it!” As Josh kissed Sherry again opened the door and took her inside.

Josh escorted Sherry Down several narrow corridors till they came to a security door. Josh typed in a code waited a moment then another code laid his hand on a scanner then another code. The door snapped when it unlocked and opened. The two walked in as Josh replied. “There it is what do you think?”

[Sherry] “It looks like you described. But it’s still astounding to be looking at the way of the future.
And the first to see it besides you is a real honor thanks Josh.”
[Josh] “Take a good look and let’s go before we draw to much attention to ourselves and where we are.”

Josh locked the door back and the two made there way back locked the outer door and sit down in the cart.
[Josh] “Sarah I want you to tape us setting her in the cart talking and make it look like we been here the whole time and replace it onto the stations tapes. Can you do that?”
[Sarah] “Yes I can. Do you want me to remove your scans from the restricted area scanners?”
[Josh] “Yes I do. I’m glad you thought of that.”

Josh headed the cart back to his office looked at Sherry and whispered in her ear. “Don’t talk about anything you seen in the restricted area. Now smile and kiss me like I said something sweet to you.”

Sherry turned and kissed Josh passionately pulling her body closely against his and into his arms.
Josh felt his heart start to pump a little harder as he whispered into her ear. “That was real good.”
[Sherry] “I can do better.” As she eagerly pulled Josh in for another passionate kiss.

[Josh] “I think you need to lie down in your room for a while you fill hot.”
[Sherry] “If that’s what you want me to.” Sherry went to door of her room turned and looked at Josh smiling saying. “Aren't you coming?”
Josh walked to where Sherry was as he opening his mouth to speak a massage came across the intercom.
“Josh Galen you have an urgent message! Please respond.”
Sherry hang down her head with a miserable look on her face as Josh turned and went into his office.

Josh read the message. “Josh we need you to explore a new Sector that just opened up in the east quadrant of Aladna Hill. Use extreme caution be advised other sectors have opened up. Report directly back to me. Signed Argon Security Director.”

[Josh] “Sarah contact the TL have it loaded with four Discos and pilots with advanced satellites and a squad of heavy fighters from the Rock and extra missiles just incase we need them. Tell them I’ll jump in and dock and be ready to leave out on a mission when I get there.”

Sherry was waiting outside of the office as Josh exited and explained. “Sherry I have to leave on Government Business ASAP. I want you to go back to Argon Prime for now I’ll contact you later.”

[Sherry] “The President contacted me and asked if I could stay in this area of Argon Space for now and keep her advised. My roommate and two guards are jumping to Montalaar in a new Nova to meet me at the Trading Station. If we need to leave we can if not I’m going to start my training and wait on you.”

Josh embraced Sherry kissed her and said. “Get your things quickly we need to leave. Meet me in my office with your things I have a transporter in there.”

After the hustle was over and the Exaireo had jumped and was headed for Fortress Rock Sherry asked. “Is there any way I can come with you?”
[Josh] “No! I don’t know what were getting into.”
[Sherry] “I think it’s an empty sector. It’s standard procedure to send a ship into the sector to clam it before anyone else and drop a satellite. And if hostiles were found you wouldn’t be going in ahead of the Navy. If anyone is going to mess up a first contact they get first try.”

[Josh] “Maybe so but I’m still not taking you with me. You and your team can stay at Fortress Rock in my quarters till you’re done with your training. I would fell better knowing you were at the Fortress than the Trading Station. Laser towers are being deployed as we speak. All construction has switched to finishing the defense turrets and sentry post around the base.”

[Sherry] “I need to be able to communicate with the President on a secure line can you do that? And I need access to the sector security live feeds.”
[Josh] “Our satellite network is secure and can give you live feed from Aladna Hill and all the local Argon and Boron sectors in this region. You can contact the President and any security forces you need to. Just use the desk in your room.”
[Josh] “Sarah contact the Director and tell Him about Sherry, her guest and our arrangements.”
[Sarah] “Memo sent and received by the Director. The TL is docking the last ship and supplies are loaded.”

Josh eased the ship to a stop between the Station and TL. Took Sherry in his arms as he looked in her eyes smiled and kissed her as she stepped on the transporter. Waved his hand farewell as she transported into his quarters.
[Sarah] “Sherry you have an urgent message. Your friends have just entered the sector in a Nova do you want to contact them first?”
[Sherry] “Yes computer contact the Nova first. I’m going to my room I’ll talk to them from there at the desk. I‘ll use the terminal at the desk as my workplace so secure all the feeds and lines.”

Sherry contacted the Nova telling them about the new arrangements she made. Then opened the message from the President asking Sherry to stay put and be her eyes and ears on the exploration of the new sector.

[Sherry] “Computer I need a message sent to Commander Galen.” Sherry relayed the Presidents request to Josh asking him to keep her in the loop and to be careful and come see her soon.

As Josh and the Chief were on the bridge as the large TL went through the gate and into the new sector.
A squad of heavy fighters were waiting in defensive positions around the gate as the TL exited the Gate and headed to a holding position.
The heavy fighters increased their patrol area out to a standard sector area flying in teams. The Discos headed out dropping satellites increasing the scanning area with every deployment. Live video was being recorded monitored and examined from each ship on the TL by teams of analyst. Planets and moons were being discovered as probes were launched to orbit and scan each new discovery and relay the info back to the TL. After two days the TL had became a science vessel now searching for signs of life.

After four days of searching a new Corvette with a special outfitted Discovery had been sent from the Shipyard to investigate a planet that looked to support life.
Satellites had been deployed in orbit as the planet showed signs of plant life. The Corvette and its escorts reached the planet after a 26-hour flight. The Disco was launched to the surface of the planet with drones outfitted to do scientific and biological studies along with a several small animals. The testing would take 28 days. After that if all the animals are healthy a team of scientist will land in a large research vessel and set up a base to work out of for seven weeks doing more research and animal testing while dressed in environmental protection suits. After that Military teams taking several more weeks would explore the planet. The whole process would take 6 mounts to finish before people could colonize the planet.

The TL would be committed for the whole 6 mounts. The Security Director asked Josh to stay the entire time to look after things in the new sector making Josh Provisional Governor of the Sector. The Director explained that Argon Forces were stretched thin because of a new gate in one of the southern sectors out of Black Hole Sun. The Gate lead into a isolated Xenon Sector. He trusted Josh to take care of this sector freeing up the Directors attention and efforts to the Xenon threat.

Sherry’s training was going well and she was glad Josh was tied up having to watch the sector and not fighting the Xenon.
Alpha Security was hiring and training as many Pilots as they could to fill the growing need. Salas was helping by referring top-quality Boron fighter pilots to Alpha Security. Salas the HQ and the Fortress Rock were refitting, building and repairing ships as fast as they could yet never seeming to catch up to the demand.

Shipping lanes were coming under attack on a regular basis from Pirates taking advantage of the ongoing war with the Xenon. While Alpha Security Pilots were working long hard shifts filling in for a thin stretched Navy presence. Station owners and freelancers were waiting in line offering top pay for fighter escorts.
Fortress Rock had started a external department building a wasp class missile just for their ships and all Galaxy Venture Enterprises ships.
Pirate ships were coming into the new sector on a regular basis. Allowing Josh and his Pilots a target of opportunity. Josh ordered his pilots to capture if possible all Pirate Ships entering the sector.
The TL had started refitting and repairing captured ships trying to help out the demand. The TL’s constructer unit stayed busy building shields and parts for the ships as a steady cycle of repaired fighters headed for Alpha Security. The ships not worth repairing were sold to scrap merchants eager to get their hands on a damaged fighter no matter what the condition.

Josh was filling trapped as the weeks had turned into months. The main research vessel had landed on the planet and was nearing its completion opening the planet up to the Military for exploration.
Josh took the Exaireo with four crewmen and headed for the planet. Josh planed on scanning and making a visual observation of the planet for crash sites, abandon structures or any unusual landmarks.

[collins50]

Good one,
a interesting twist,
waiting on the next one.

[parameter]

Yes! It certainly held my attention all the way through. Nice work!