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“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know.”

Lilly stared at her display and saw she had lost four hundred attack craft of the thousand assigned to her squadron. “Get fleet on the channel and see where they want us to go.”

“Lilly, all available ships are being sent to assist Fleet Admiral Drey Montgomery. Fifty Invader Battleships jumped in on his fleet.”

“Send the coordinates and get us moving!” The six hundred attack craft disappeared.

***

Drey watched the incoming Invader Battleships and knew they weren’t going to be stopped. He move forward toward the twenty six remaining Invaders and ordered his personal guard to begin their attack. Suddenly, the lead Invader Battleship exploded as ten others lined up behind it began exploding in massive blasts. The center of the Invader formation was blown apart and the Green Civilization ships flew into the gap and began pounding the two sides with neutron missiles rocking the invaders violently. Drey watched as the left side of the Invader formation began exploding from the rear as another line of enemy ships blew apart.

“Doc, what’s going on?”

“It appears that three of our attack ships are killing the Invader’s battleships.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. However, it’s those three ships that are doing all the damage. Our Thetas are now taking out the others. Numbers are now in our favor.”

***

Lilly arrived in time to see the blasts of the Invader Battleships in the center of their formation. That cleared lane made it possible for the Thetas to get in and deliver a devastating barrage on the remaining enemy ships. “Jack?”

“It was Lt. Robinson’s group that blew out the center of the Invader formation.”

“How did he do it?”

“I was able to get a better recording and it appears that his ship is able to launch a three missile salvo that is timed perfectly to penetrate the Invader’s force field. I had to slow the recording down to my slowest setting to see the three missiles being launched.”

“Get Robinson on the channel.”

“Sorry, Lilly; his group has left again.”

Lilly shook her head as Drey suddenly appeared on her display, “Thank you for coming, Captain. You saved our lives.”

“Sir, it wasn’t us that did it. It appears three of my attack ships did all the damage to the Invaders.”

“What!”

“Lt. Robinson’s group also knocked out the four ships attacking my assigned planet and then he jumped here. He arrived before my squadron and it was his ship that killed the center of the Invader formation.”

“How did he do it?”

“I really don’t know, Sir.”

“When this is over, you and he will report to me personally.”

“Yes Sir.”

***

Chip arrived at another planet and saw three Invader ships were about to arrive at the planet being defended, “Alright, you know the drill. Let’s get it done.” The three ships flew in at the lead Invader ship and Chip hit it right after it was rocked by missiles from Mikki and Bang. Chip continued past the first explosion and launched a three missile shot at the two ships to the sides of his vessel as he flew between them and then flew away. “Salud?”

“I’ve locked in the coordinates of the next planet.” The three attack craft flew away at FTL leaving the Commander of the Union ships wondering what had happened to save the planet.”

Mikki looked at her panel, “Sir, it’s a good thing you had us save our missiles. I’m going to run out soon.”

Chip nodded, “I’m going to run out as well. I still have enough for a hundred more shots so let’s keep it going as long as possible.” The three ships arrived at another planet and two more groups of Invaders were blasted into rubble.

***

Lilly listened to the fleet frequency and all over M87 she heard reports of Invader Battleships suddenly blowing up. She sighed and knew that it had to be Lt. Robinson’s group that was doing it. She shook her head and heard her computer say, “It appears there was more to Lt. Robinson than you thought.”

“How is he doing it, Jack?”

“It appears he has modified his ship’s armaments.”

Lilly’s expression turned serious, “That’s a major violation of fleet regulations.”

“It is.”

Lilly continued to listen to the incoming reports, “Whatever he did, I’m glad he did it; it saved my squadron.”

“Let’s hope fleet feels the same.”

***

More than ten thousand planets were hit during the Invader’s attacks but the vast majority was unharmed. The Invader lost more than three million battleships but the defenders lost more than eight million ships. Three million of them were Union Ships. The Invaders far outnumbered the defenders and now they knew what they would have to face during a major invasion. The attack was stopped but the price to do it was too high.

M
ikki and Bang waited with Lilly for Admiral Drey Montgomery to arrive. Chip had been arrested by six security agents as soon as he landed. They inspected his ship, saw the modifications to the missile belts, and took him away in a Security Ship. Lilly looked at the two ensigns, “He should have known modifying his ship would lead to this.”

“He knew, Sir.”

“Then why did he do it?”

“He felt the change was needed now to ensure our survival in the battle. He felt it would take too long for the changes to make it out to us.” Mikki paused, “He also feared they wouldn’t work; however, he was willing to risk his life on the chance he could prevent us being killed.”

“I’ve been under the impression that he was only concerning about his own welfare and no one else’s.”

Bang sighed, “He was marking time until his duty was over and he could leave the service.”

“Why?”

“One of the professors at the Academy disillusioned him on his first day of class. Lt. Robinson doesn’t tolerate idiots very well.”

Lilly stared at Bang and looked at Mikki, “What changed?”

“His only two friends died in the last major Invader attack. He discovered that he might have been able to save their lives if he had been listening to intraship communications. He is now determined to make the Invaders pay for doing it.”

“I guess I had him pegged wrong.”

Bang nodded, “He is brilliant. I’ve not seen anyone smarter than he is at developing attack plans.”

Lilly stared at Bang, “Ensign Cuban, where did you acquire the name Bang?”

Bang sighed, “It came after a chemistry experiment in the Academy that went terribly wrong.” Lilly continued to stare at him, and though she didn’t want to, she stared laughing. Mikki smiled as well until Bang said, “It wasn’t the noise as much as the smell. Every uniform worn in the room had to be burned.” Mikki lost it and laughed out loud. Poor Bang just shook his head, “It wasn’t so funny for those that were there.”

Suddenly Drey walked into his office and the three jumped to attention. Drey smiled and said, “Are these the ones responsible for killing the Invaders?”

Lilly stood at attention and said, “No Sir. These two supported the Lieutenant in his attacks.”

“Where is the Lieutenant?”

“He’s been arrested by security for violating fleet regulations about modifying Union Ships.”

Dee had followed Drey into his office and heard the exchange. “Oh crap!”

Drey’s eyes narrowed and he yelled, “Johanson, get in here!” A Colonel rushed into Drey’s office and heard him yell, “FIND ME MY LIEUTENANT THAT HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND I WANT THE ONE THAT ORDERED HIM ARRESTED BROUGHT HERE WITH HIM!” The Colonel disappeared faster than a cat surprised by a bulldog. Drey looked at Lilly, “Did I not tell you to report to me with the one that saved my fleet?”

Dee put her hand on Drey’s arm and he looked at her with anger on his face, “Dear, she’s just a captain.”

Drey snapped his vision back to Lilly as she said, “I told the arresting officers that you had ordered me to bring Lt. Robinson to your office.”

Drey’s anger appeared to double. Dee grabbed his chin and turned his face to her, “You need to think this through.”

Drey stared at her and, after a long moment, turned to the three sailors, “At ease. Take a seat. I want to know how you were able to kill the Invader Battleships.”

Mikki and Bang told him what Chip had done to his ship and how they had been trained to distract the Invader Ships. Drey asked numerous, hard, probing questions and Dee saw his anger gave way to his interest in what had been done. After an hour, Drey lifted his communicator and activated it, “Cole.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sending you a recording of a conversation I just had with two of my sailors along with recordings of the last battle we fought with the Invaders. I want you and Argel available to discuss this when I find my Lieutenant.”

“Is it that important?”

“Watch the recordings and get back to me.” Cole nodded as Johanson entered the office, “Sir, they had the Lieutenant transported back to Euclid to face charges in a court-marshal.” Drey’s anger was instant and Dee saw there was no way to stop him now. He looked at Lilly and said through stiff lips, “Take these two to Euclid and meet me at the Senior Scientist’s lab.” Lilly, Mikki, and Bang stood, came to attention, saluted at Drey’s back as he exited his office at high speed. Drey lifted his communicator, “Doc, get down here; we’re taking a trip back to the Union.” Dee shook her head and pressed a button on her wrist unit.

Ian felt the vibration and looked at his wrist. He shook his head. He had worked out a secret code with Dee where she would warn him if Drey was about to go off and do something radical. He activated his unit and said, “Drey, I want to meet with you and the other senior admirals in my office.” Ian saw Drey’s expression and thought, “Oh crap!”

“It’s going to have to wait, Ian!”

“Why?”

“I’ll send you the recordings of the meeting I just completed. I’ll get back to you after I handle this.”

“E, play the recordings.” Ian watched them and shook his head, “Just how stupid was security, “E, see if you can get Doc to slow down enough to allow us to get a head start.”

“He’s agreed to do it. He’s telling Drey he has to recharge one of his reactors.”

Ian thought a moment, “That should give us about fifteen minutes.”

“Doc says we better hurry.” Ian nodded and E blasted out of El Dorado’s atmosphere and jumped away. He got the King on his communicator and started talking rapidly.

***

Chip sat in his cell and stared out of the bars at the security desk. He sighed heavily and wasn’t surprised by his incarceration. At least his two subordinates had not been killed. Suddenly, a Security General came rushing in and unlocked Chips cell personally. “I want you to put this on as quickly as possible.” Chip saw it was a Naval Dress Uniform, “Is my court-marshal going to happen this quickly?”

“Shut up and get moving!” Chip was confused by the rush and the General yelled, “GET DRESSED NOW!” Chip jumped up and took off the flight uniform he had worn during the last battle. He dressed quickly and the General pulled him out of the security center and ran with him to a shuttle that blasted off the tarmac and shot around the planet.

***

Drey arrived in orbit above Euclid and looked at his display, “Doc, where is my Lieutenant?”

“They’ve taken him to the Royal Chamber.”

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about the officer who ordered him to be arrested.”

“Give me a moment.” Dee saw Drey was barely able to restrain himself. His anger had only grown during the jump to Euclid. She hoped Ian had done something to prevent what she knew was going to happen if Drey landed and found the arresting officer. “It appears he is handling the security at the Royal Residence.”

“Get me down there!”

“Moe, this is Doc on Drey Montgomery’s ship requesting permission to land at the Royal Residence.”

“The landing field outside the King’s residence is full. I can have a ship moved within ten minutes.”

Drey picked up his communicator, “What’s the closest point open for landing, Moe!?!”

“I have a spot your ship will fit in about half a mile out.”

“Put us there, Doc.”

Dee shook her head as their small ship spiraled out of orbit and landed half a mile from the residence. Dee saw all the shuttles and said, “Why are there so many shuttles here?”

“The King has called the Nobility to his chamber.”

Drey didn’t hear the question and was deaf to the answer. He was already at the entry portal tapping his feet in frustration and ran out as soon as it opened. Dee sighed and stood up, holding her large belly, and followed Drey out of the ship. A shuttle came roaring in and Cole stuck his head out of the portal, “Get on board; I’ll take you to the roof.”

“Thanks, Cole. It would be a long walk for me.”

She entered the shuttle and Argel smiled, “Hello, Dee; it’s good to see you. How’s Drey doing?”

“Don’t touch him; he’s hotter than an overused blaster.”

“Maybe the run will cool him off.”

Dee shook her head, “Don’t count on it.”

***

Chip arrived at the King’s throne room and found it full of the Union’s Nobility. He looked at the General, “The King wishes to speak with you.”

Chip sighed, “Oh that’s just great.” His court-marshal was not going to be a quiet affair. He stood at the back of the chamber and saw the King enter and take his throne.

***

Drey arrived at the entrance to the throne room and the two security officers saw his expression and didn’t say a word but opened the door for him to enter. They looked at each other after he passed and knew the Dark Officer was alive and well. “Why didn’t you challenge him?”

The other security officer shook his head, “Are you crazy? Did you see his expression?”

“Just checking.”

Drey entered the throne room and saw his Lieutenant standing in front of the King’s throne with a Security General standing beside him. His eyes narrowed and he moved quickly down the wide aisle. The King looked up and saw Drey approaching at high speed, “Admiral, Montgomery, it’s really good to see you could make this gathering. Please take a seat in the front row and I’ll meet with you afterwards.”

Drey heard the King and started to ignore his directive but barely managed to restrain himself. He saw a vacant place on the front row and moved slowly over and sat down, all the while staring at the security General. It was at that point that he noticed the large numbers of Royalty in the room. What was going on? Dee entered the throne room from the right stairway and came over and sat down beside him. She put her hand on his arm and pulled herself closer.