Alpha Security Chapter 14

[Ed Man]

Abandon Runes
Chapter 14

Josh was four days into the search when Sarah called Josh in his earpiece. “Josh I detect a mound with unknown materials inside.”
[Josh] “Can it be an meteor?” [Sarah] “Unlikely because the mass is to great. A mass that great would create a giant creator on impact or would be deep beneath the surface. The mass is large but
undetectable to known scanners so the Argon Military will never find it. It must be a structure of some kind. It consist of common materials known to the planet making it look like a mound of rock, dirt and rubble covered in jungle plant life.”
[Josh] “Intensify the scan of the area and gather all the information you can on the structure and surrounding area. After the Military is done with there scans I’ll request permission to explore the area.
Are they any chance of finding more structures now that you know what to look for?”

[Sarah] “Negative. The whole planet has been scanned in the same manner. We are nearing the end of our scanning. The structure is located near the equator. Continental drift places it on the equator around the time of its construction.”
[Josh] “How many years do you estimate its been there?”
[Sarah] “One hundred thousand years give or take 10 thousand years.”
[Josh] “Is there anything left or is it all dust and rubble?”
[Sarah] “Scans show a solid material similar to rock used throughout the whole structure used as support and walls. The unknown material runs throughout what appears to be large tunnels through a dividing floor. The top is dome shaped with smaller tubes of the unknown material running throughout the top level. The whole structure is covered in several feet of dirt and rock.
Closer scans and samples will be required for further analyses.”

[Josh] “Compile all the information you can for studying and I’ll look over it in my quarters. We’ll have to wait for now till the Military starts exploring and is finished in that area before asking to land and look around. How long till our survey of the planet is finished?”

[Sarah] “Three more hours.” [Josh] “When the survey is completed set course for the TL and wake me up in 8 hours I’m going to get some rest.”
[Sarah] “Josh Sherry has sent you a message asking if she can come and visit you this weekend to see the planet before starting her last three weeks of training?”
[Josh] “Yes of course I’d like to see her. Tell her I’m looking forward to seeing her. Sarah is she making an personal or official visit?”
[Sarah] “I don’t know Josh. Do you want me to hack her messages and find out for sure?”
[Josh] “No I want to see her regardless of her motive.”

As Josh woke up he decided it was time to build a larger ship. The new corvettes were nice but they only docked an M5 class ship. Josh had design several ships he wanted to build. As he bulled up a print on a research and defense ship. With a docking bay able to hold four heavy M3 class ships and four external docked heavy fighter drones with 25meg shields, heavy weapons and a rear turret. And a covered docking port for a TS underneath the rear section of the ship.

[Josh] “How long would it take to build this ship using the TL’s constructers?”
[Sarah] “Three months or less depending on the availability of the constructer unit.”
[Josh] “What if you just did the hull, the power generator and one shield. Then built a constructer unit onboard the ship to finish its own assembly?”
[Sarah] “The design called for a constructer unit to be installed so I estimated the time with both units.
Four to five weeks for main hull section, generator, one shield and constructer unit. Then three more months on its own to finish everything.”

[Josh] “Build the generator and constructer unit first in the main cargo hole so it can be used to help with the construction. Will that save any time?”
[Sarah] “Yes two weeks what about a crew and pilots?”
[Josh] “I’ll worry about a crew after it’s built.”
[Sarah] “Can I use the constructer unit on the Exaireo to build ship parts to ease the demand on the TL?”
[Josh] “Yes of course and use the one on the Excel. At least this time you have a sample of every known material in each units database. Restrict the cargo hole from the crew till after the new ship is deployed. I don’t want anyone snooping around the ship. Keep the M3 that was just captured and one more M3 ship have one refitted and combat ready. I’ll use it to protect the new ship while its undergoing construction. How much time will it take using all the constructer units?”

[Sarah] “The main section can be deployed in four weeks. Eight weeks more to complete the whole ship with 4 heavy fighter drones.”
[Josh] “Sarah have the Zipper jump in and dock I’ll use it to show Sherry the planet. Sarah I want the new ship flight ready when we go back to the planet to explore the runes. We have 2to3 weeks after the military finishes there exploring before its opened up to colonist. I want that ship in orbit with two advanced heavy M3 fighters docked inside when I land on that planet. Use every drone you need just make it happen.”
[Sarah] “With the added units and drones from the Excel it should be ready ahead of schedule.”
[Josh replied.] “Good!” [As he sat down with a cup of coffee looking at the scans of the runes.]

As the ship docked next to the Excel Josh noticed drones waiting to place blinds up around the Exaireo and Excel separating them from the rest of the docking bay. Turning the area into a work zone and off limits to the crew. The Zipper had docked closer to the doors leading into the ship make it easier to board. Josh smiled as he walked by the Zipper filling as if he had just seen an old friend.

[Sarah] “Sherry has just entered the sector. Ship construction has started and all units are operating at 100%.”
[Josh] “When she docks have her escorted to the officers lounge. I’m going to freshen up a little.”
Sarah had a crewman waiting to escort Sherry. “Welcome aboard Ma’am The commander will meet you in the officers lounge I’m here to escort you there.”
[Sherry] “Why didn’t he meet me himself?” Sherry asked with a frown on her face.
[Crewman] “He just docked from a week long mission. Should I contact him Ma’am?”
As the Crewman stopped in the hall looking at Sherry.
[Sherry] “No please carry on and show me to the lounge.” The Crewman took her to the lounge and brought her a drink to enjoy while she waited.

Josh entered the lounge a few minutes later. “I’m sorry I missed you.” As he sat down explaining. “I just landed and felt nasty so I went and cleaned up for you.” As Josh leaned over and kissed her.

As a smile came across Sherry’s face she stated. “My guard is waiting inside the Nova for me to tell him it’s ok for him to return to the Fortress or stay here.”
[Josh] “What does he want to do?”
[Sherry] “He said he wanted to stay and look at the new sector.”
Josh hailed the guard and asked if he wanted to fly a Disco on a few patrol missions while he was here for standard pilots wage. Josh explained the pilots could use a break and no better way to see the sector that from a ship on a long patrol. The guard eagerly accepted the offer.

[Sherry] “That was nice of you to do that for him. He is a first class fighter pilot so he’ll do a good job for you.” [Josh] “I know I had him checked out a while back.” [Sherry] “Are you jealous?”
[Josh] “Just cautious. It pays to know who can get to you.”
Sherry smiled knowing what Josh just said meant he carried about her.
[Josh] “Are you here on business or pleasure?”
[Sherry] “Both I wanted to see you and the President wanted my opinion of the planet and sector.”

[Josh] “Lets eat before we take off. [As he waived for the waiter to come over.] How long do you want to stay in orbit around the planet.”
[Sherry] “I would like to look over your scans and video on the way there to pick out some land marks to look at. Maybe one or two days in orbit at the most. Do you have the time? I know you just got back from a week long survey I don’t want you to neglect your duties for me.”

The waiter took there orders and headed for the back as Josh said. “I have plenty of time. My job for now is whatever I want to do. The sector is secure and were just baby sitting till the Argon Government takes over. The Director asked that I limit my reports to every two weeks and just keep records. Unless something drastic happens or he ask about something.
I must have been boring him with the daily reports of nothing and every other day or so how we intercepted a pirate ship trying to enter the sector. Although I do like the title of Governor.” Sherry chuckled at the remark making Josh laugh.
[Sherry] “You know Josh you might want to make a run for Director when the time comes.”
[Josh] “You’re serious! Sherry I want to get back to real space and real jobs where I can make a deference.”
[Sherry] “You mean the Xenon battle going on?” [Josh] “Yes the Xenon and the unruly pirates reeking havoc on helpless freighters and small ships in the mainline shipping lanes!”
[Sherry] “Alpha Security Forces has started turning the tables on the Pirate problem. Wait that company belongs to you! You see Josh you are doing something and you being here taking care of this sector and Alpha Security filling the need has allowed the Security Director, Ban Danna and the President and many others to focus on the Xenon threat.”
[Sherry reached across the table taking Josh by the hand with a caring but sincerer look saying.] “Josh just because you’re not fighting don’t thank your not doing something important.”

Josh smiled at Sherry as she held his hand while looking into each others eyes before the attendant interrupted the moment with their meals.
After finishing there meals they headed for the docking bay. As they stood beside the Zipper Josh asked.
“Do you remember the ship?” [Sherry] “Is that the ship you used in my rescue?”

[Josh] “Yes it is. I’ve mad a few modifications to it since then. I added another shield slot giving it two 5meg shields. A larger cabin and crew area for added comfort. I lost 25 slots of cargo space leaving 75 which is still more than most M5 class ships. I think you’ll like the improvements.”

[Sherry] “How come it’s classed as an M5 and not a M4?”
[Josh] “The Teladi have a new test model M5 Harrier with two 5meg shields. And the Zipper is a modified Harrier so it gets an M5 classification.”
As Sherry boarded the ship she noticed some of the changes as Josh gave her a tour of the ship.

After exiting the TL and headed for the planet Josh showed Sherry a workstation where she could review the tapes and scans of the planet. So she could decide what she wanted to look at from orbit. Josh was tired and wanted to lay down as he told Sherry to eat or snack whatever she wanted. And take as long as she wanted picking out sights to see. The trip there would take about 14 hours at there current speed he was going to lay down for a while and rest.

Josh had been laying down for about two hours when the door opened a Sherry walked in. Josh lay as if he was asleep. As she took a blanket and covered Josh up and kissed his cheek. Josh opened his eyes as she asked. “Josh will you hole me a while?”
Josh raised the blanket up as Sherry slid in with her back to him as Josh took his arm and cuddled her up closely and kissed her cheek. Sherry and Josh both drifted off to sleep within minutes.

Josh woke a few hours later with Sherry in his arms. He looked at her hair as it seemed to glisten in the low light of the room. He smelled the faint sweet sent of her perfume as he felt her soft warm body next to his. Josh instinctively rubbed his hand across her side as he pulled her close to himself. While she snuggled up closer smiling in her sleep. Josh lay there for a while enjoying how well it felt to hold her.
Then as he woke a little it hit him you’re holding a woman in bed and not just any woman the Presidents aid and friend. What are you doing and how far do you want this to go? Josh smelled her sweet sent one more time thinking how soft she was and how well she looked and felt laying next to his body. [Josh thought] Stop don’t think that this is getting very complicated. As he eased out of the bunk and covered her up got his boots and slipped out of the room. Went into the galley and started a pot of coffee took a hand towel and ran cold water on it and covered his face with it for minute.

Josh poured himself a cup of coffee sat down. This was exactly the place Josh didn’t want to be torn between his emotions of wanting to go back in there and surrender to his desirers and ride the roller coaster up to the top only to fall back down again later.
Josh looked on the sectors display monitor nothing no lurking enemy ship to fight with to ease the tension not even a rock to shoot at.
Josh decided to regain control of his emotions and calm down. Fix himself some breakfast and relax while looking over the areas Sherry picked out to see as he ate. After seeing only a few sights picked he pulled the new ships design up.

[Josh] “Sarah I want you to build a smaller constructer unit capable of building any size missile. And add a section to the ship for missile construction. Use the added constructer unit to speed up the ship construction.”
[Sarah] “Missile construction would go faster with four smaller unit’s the size of the one on the Excel and a special unit designed to build the cases.”
[Josh] “How fast could it build a wasp. And will the addition slow down or help with the construction?”
[Sarah] “A wasp missile could be built every minute and a mosquito every 20 to 25 seconds. The bigger and more complex missiles would take longer. Much like cost and time. The higher the price of the missile the longer it will take to build. The added units would help a great deal with the time cutting a week of the estimated date. Do you want the five section missile unit added to the ship?”

[Josh] “Yes of course I see it as a win-win addition.” Sherry walked into the kitchen as Josh closed the file on new ships design and pulled the list up Sherry had started.

[Sherry] “Good morning Josh. [Sherry replied as she fixed herself some coffee and sat down across from Josh.
[Josh] “Good morning. Not much of a list here Sherry.”
[Sherry] “I fell asleep at the monitor and had a frightening dream. The Dragon still had me and you can guess the rest. I want to think you for babysitting me . I thought I was over that but I guess being onboard the ship I escaped in triggered something. It makes since now but when I tried to lay down I was just plain scared thanks.”
[Josh] “You’re welcome Sherry it was my pleasure to comfort a scared beautiful woman in my bed.”
Sherry’s face turned a bright red at the remark while Josh smilled at her as she went into the galley to get some breakfast.
Sherry turned looked at Josh saying. “It’s all Ha Ha now but when I tried to sleep I was really shook up.”
Josh got up and held her in his arms and kissed her saying. “I’m sorry Sherry can I do anything to help?”

[Sherry] “No I have to work through it myself.” [Sherry smiled saying.] “You just being here for me is all I need.”
After finishing there breakfast Josh replied. “Sherry we will be in orbit in one hour have you found any more sights to look at?”
[Sherry] “A few more. What do you suggest I have never did anything like this before.?
[Josh] “Well we have compiled a list of what we consider to be the top 100 sights to see. We chose the list from four groups such as unusual, tropical, extreme and scientific interest. Taking about 15 minutes at each sight and travel time it would take three days to see them all.”
[Sherry] “That sounds fine what do I do?”
[Josh] “Find you a comfy chair and a monitor and get started. The computer will move on or stop at any sight at your request you’re the boss on this trip. You can also change the position or angle of the camera drones anytime you want. ” Sherry smiled as she sat back and started the viewing the sights.

[parameter]

You certainly have a gift for holding a persons attention! Just watch out for "After finishing there meals.." ('There' is positional, whereas 'Their' is personal) Does that make sense Sound like a teacher
By the way is the Chapter 14 title meant to be 'Abandoned Ruins'?
Anyhoo, I cannot wait for the next chapter.

[Ed Man]

I am so busy on the story line I sometimes forget to go back and read the story over. Even if I had I would have missed the [there in stead of their. I found my self trying to rember how to spell still no steal or steal. I spend a lot of time in the thesaurus looking for the right word. This has been a real challenge for me I never dreamed I would ever write anything. Irember that teacher saying you need to learn this and thanking no way I'll never need that! Boy did I miss the boat.

[parameter]

Don't knock yourself! You are aware of any personal limitations now through experience. That is why in the very 'old' days people respected their elders as wise and sage; because they had lived and experienced life.
Eek! Sound like a teacher again!.. but very old
The point is you can/are learning all the time so carry on. Best way to learn is in the deep end sometimes.
You have a skill to make people feel they are involved in the story. I am sorry because you could have written another chapter whilst perusing this.
Anyway, much respect to you and don't worry about read overs unless you are publishing for money