Chapter 5

Old Man

(Incoming transmission from mothership)

“Put it on.”

(Yes, Prime.)

It was Prika.

(Establishing connection)

(Exchanging encryption keys)

(Connected)

Prika’s voice came in first. “Sam, I am so glad to see you... Where is Old Man? Is he okay? Is Sky okay?” A moment later, the holographic feed came on and she relaxed on seeing both of us. “Good lords you are okay.” She sighed in relief and collapsed in the command chair.

“Prika, what happened?” Sam beat me to asking the question. Leaning forwards I repeated “What made you so worried Prika? You have seen Sky and Bastion in action, so then why were you so worried?”

“Temporal disjunction, we had to fight an entire alliance fleet which popped up suddenly without any trace of hyperdrive bleed. When Abby gutted the flagship with a Type 7 Directed Nuclear Warhead, the entire fleet vanished again without a trace. 70% of our launched missile pods reappeared in the magazines, it’s… it’s a freaking mess. Ship clocks and buoy clocks show different times, a difference of 3 minutes and 12 seconds. When the fleet vanished, it left behind thousands of scattershot missiles on full burn… I… I don’t know what to do.”

All the calm and relief left her face and anguish took its place. I felt like someone punched me in the gut, my heart rate spiked. I took a deep breath, and repressed old memories that surfaced at the mention of temporal disjunction. Holy fucking hell, how did this happen… I thought Kaplow slagged the Temporal warfare division of those fucking slugs. Argh! I ain't paid enough for this shit. I slowly unclenched my fists, noticing blood on my nails and palm, I turned around and walked out of the bridge.

Sam stood up and followed after me, grabbing my elbow she asked “Oldie… you okay?”

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head, “I need a few moments, tell me when we have docked.”

Sky, give kids the comm log Kaplow sent us during the Zeran rebellion as a scout.

(As you wish Prime, shall I provide the report compiled by Primus Imperius, Black Templars, Saber One, Saber Two, Valkyrie One, Valkyrie Two, Umbra Sentinels, Executioners, Royal Cybers, and Bulwark as well.)

No, kids are not ready for that. Arin, Sam, Aaron, and Btor will lose themselves to the rage when they find out what happened. Not now, Sky, not now. I locked Arin’s memories for a reason, we’ll unlock them when the time comes.

(As you wish Prime.)

Start building a Z-space transmitter, we are calling in Sarah and her order.

(We… We are calling in Black Templars, but they are only called when Code Ragnarok is initiated.)

Well, I am initiating it right now and I’ll get Kaplow on this too. We are the ones with authority for this, pretty sure I’ll get his approval. In fact, He’ll initiate it if I don’t when he finds out slugs are back.

(As you wish Prime)

Sam

After Oldie left the bridge, restraining his anger. I sat there at the helm for some time processing the implications of Temporal disjunction while watching the silvery gray drops on the carpet where he was standing. I turned back to the holotank and saw Arin staring back at me. His black hair disheveled, eyebrows pulled down and his brown, indigo-rimmed eyes filled with tears. He tried to smile but only a twisted frown came on his face. I wanted to comfort him but, no words came out of my mouth, all I managed was a small sob. He sighed and slowly stood up from his chair, staggering, he walked out of the bridge. I can't watch him like that, taking a deep breath I killed the connection.

Sky’s avatar appeared on the bridge, a small brown bird. The avatar froze and then it disappeared, replaced by a report no, it’s not a report it’s a comm log when code Ragnarok was active… What the hell is code Ragnarok...

Log 236%^R&*[REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Time: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Location: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Ship Name: Telum

Ship Type: Monster Class Scout Gunship

Armament: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Operator Designation: Gore Kaplow, [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

“Lone wolf to wolf’s den, do you copy?”

“Wolf’s den to lone wolf, check your comms.” pzzzaaat “have static” psssttzzz

“I’m in position I repeat I’m in position, Strisateuthida and Grasalis’ fleets are converging. Alliance fleets are combat-ready.”

Pzzzttsszzz “ Z-space transmitter, Call in Black Templars and Umbra Sentinels and jump to Eldra. You are ” pssssaaaattt

“Sending out Z-space transmission and jumping to Eldra, Over and out”

(40 hours for our friends to clean this place up, wanna bet winner gets to decide on the new secondary gun.)

“Winner chooses new gun, I’m in but, 40 hours NO FUCKING WAY. I don’t believe it, it’s Sarah and Novik we are talking about. They’ll mop up this bullshit in 30 hours tops, I’ll be winning this wager Telum.”

(No, there are too many ships here. They will need at least 36 hours.)

“Bah, These shiny ships you see will turn into smashed and slagged junk in 24 hours and can last no more than 30.”

(Bullshit, -

TELUM DISENGAGE COMMS

(FUCK)

END OF LOG

Watching Kaplow's and Telum's banter brought a small smile to my face. They are always betting about one thing or the other. The log flickered and was replaced by another.

Log 237%^R&*[REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Time: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Location: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Ship Name: Telum

Ship Type: Monster Class Scout Gunship

Armament: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Operator Designation: Gore Kaplow, [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

“Howdy, Sarah”

(Kaplow, what has got your dick stuck this time huh? I am not giving you drones, troops, suicide bombers, or any fucking thing.)

“SARAH!! Calm down, I am not asking for anything. I have a big fleet for you, It-

(Oh shut up and give me the location, I don’t have time for your antics. Heretical insurgents must be righteously pacified.)

“Okay.. okay, coordinates transferred. Umbra Sentinels will fight with you.”

("No Fear! No Pity! NO REMORSE!")

END OF LOG

Log 238%^R&*[REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Time: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Location: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Ship Name: Telum

Ship Type: Monster Class Scout Gunship

Armament: [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

Operator Designation: Gore Kaplow, [REDACTED (CODE RAGNAROK)]

“Greetings Primus Kaplow”

“Greetings Novik, I have coordinates for where the enemy has gathered. I was instructed to give the coordinates to Black Templars and Your order.”

“We hear and remember, the enemy will be obliterated. It is a great honor to fight with Templars. May Argenta’s blessing be with you. Rip and Tear!”

“Rip and Tear!”

END OF LOG