Tides of Mars (Omnibus Version) Read online

  “I think so, if I ignore the first part of what you said. You want to know if shields and armor are sufficient protections against a micro-meteor storm?” Cole asked

  “Yes, something like that.”

  “Then the answer is yes, shields and armor are sufficient protections against micro-meteors. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, as I said, I got to thinking about something my physics professor said about rail guns and magnetic inductance. I was wondering if his assertion that there would be no defense against rapidly-repeating, high velocity impacts of small mass,” Ariel explained.

  “Your professor would be correct in that assertion only if the impacts in question were at the same location and of sufficient frequency as to disrupt the cycle of the outer shield. Once such an object penetrated the outer shield, the rest of the shield would serve to contain the object, thus creating a ricochet inside the shield. At high enough velocity, it would shred the craft inside of the shield almost instantly,” Cole replied. “The problem would be that such a weapon would also destroy the shield generator, thus releasing the projectiles in unpredictable vectors and velocities. It would cause a high incidence of ‘friendly fire’ casualties.”

  “So it’s already been thought of, well, I guess I can claim points for trying anyway,” Ariel replied.

  “No, young one, I didn’t say it had been thought of, I only carried your thought through to a conclusion. I will be reporting your suggestion to the weapon's development ministry. Perhaps it has been thought of and I only hadn’t gotten word of it. However, they would much rather go over multiple suggestions, or ‘old’ ideas, then not get the idea because it is so ‘obvious’ to the person that thought it up. If you get any more thoughts about weapons or other ideas feel free to suggest them. No one will ever complain about too many ideas,” Cole said. “Turn left here.”

  Ariel followed Cole’s direction. “So, if Commander Tho’ren is in system to train me, do you know when the next time we will be making a port call will be?”

  “Once you’re trained, you will have to be sworn in before assuming your duties. That will be our next port call. If we only go to the closest place with an official that can swear you in, that will be the Indig Sector Fleet Command Ship and Guardian Admiral Hs’ean. She is a tough, but fair woman. She is not well admired but does command great respect.”

  “She sounds intimidating. Do you know anything about Commander Tho’ren?” Ariel asked.

  “I’ve never met him, so I only know what’s in his personnel file. He’s listed as a first rate training officer and has numerous commendations for exceptional service. He’s even worked undercover to crack a slaving racket out of The Nurian Compact, though details about that operation have been classified and sealed,” Cole said. “Turn right here and go around this park.”

  “So what will I be learning, and how long is it supposed to take? Going to college yet taking a week out of every month for patrol isn’t going to work. They really frown on missing that much class,” Ariel asked.

  “After enhancement, you will have to learn how to control your strength and reaction speed so as not to either hurt anyone else, or give away your true identity. Then you will need to learn hand to hand combat as well as small and medium weapons. I will be your instructor for navigation, ship maintenance, and piloting. Commander Tho’ren will evaluate you when we have finished. Finally, there will be hostile environment survival training. ‘Hostile’ could mean just about anything from being stranded on a non-oxygen planet, to having to survive on a planet where the population will kill you on sight. As for how long it will take, that mostly depends on how fast and how well you learn,” Cole explained. “There are other things you will be taught, but that’s the major stuff.”

  “What happens if I fail? After all, there has to be a reason there are only five thousand, other than the genetic reasons.”

  “I will be evaluating you during enhancement. Neither Commander Tho’ren nor I will ask you to do or learn something that is beyond your abilities. So if you fail, Commander Tho’ren will escort me back to a base and I will await a new pilot. You will stay here and live out your life until the invasion begins,” Cole explained. “I’ll open the door, just drive right in. Once the door is closed, walk over to the office and I’ll bring you down to the hanger.”

  Ariel pulled into the open garage door of the big metal building and saw that it was mostly empty. There was a small office looking room in one corner but other than that, nothing. She shut off the engine, grabbed her bag, and headed for the office as the big door closed behind her. Once in the office she sat her bag on the desk and looked around.

  The office was sparsely decorated, there was a desk with a telephone on it, and a small comfortable looking couch. A TV was mounted in one corner, and a couple of file cabinets stood behind the desk. She sighed and leaned against the desk. Suddenly she felt the room move and realized she was in an elevator going down.

  “Cole what would happen if someone tried to break into the garage up there?” Ariel asked.

  “They would be greatly disappointed. Nothing on this planet could cut the ‘steel’ used to make those walls. I constructed them out of the same material as my armor, though thinner. One of your military tanks would have a difficult time getting in without my permission. If they tried to dig under the wall, they would fare no better; I used plasticrete for the foundation. It takes a sonic laser to cut that stuff. With a little paint, the walls look just like a standard steel building built here on Earth, and the plasticrete looks like concrete anyway,” Cole explained. “Welcome to my home, young one.”

  Ariel felt the room stop moving, so she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. “If everything goes well, it’ll be my real home too.” She walked out into a huge room that had spider looking robots running around cleaning. “I take it those are your remotes? How many of them do you have?”

  “Currently there are fifty remotes available, though I only have thirty of them working to get the hanger clean. I also had them make sure the fuel storage was full and I had double my allotment of offensive missiles in the magazine. The secondary shore-power and internet connections are also in working order. Everything is almost ready for the Commander’s visit,” Cole explained.

  “You make it sound like he’ll only be here for a couple of weeks. Kinda like he’s only coming here for an inspection,” Ariel said.

  “He is a senior officer, every visit is an inspection. As for how long he’ll be here, well, you do learn fast, but I doubt you’ll learn everything in two weeks.”

  Ariel walked slowly around what to her, looked like a large ship. “The ship’s beautiful, but a lot bigger than I thought it would be.” As she approached the front of the starboard side, a hatch hissed open in the side. She headed for the opening, and walked boldly in to look around. The small bridge, more like a cockpit was to her left, and a narrow stair was to her immediate right. Just past the stair was an open hatch that looked to lead into a galley area. She looked closer into the bridge and looked out the front of the ship through the tinted windscreen that seemed to stretch from the floor to the ceiling. A comfortable looking contour chair dominated the small area and was surrounded by controls and screens.

  “As you can see this is the bridge area and flight controls. Behind you is the galley. On the upper deck, you will find your sleeping quarters as well as a small lounge directly above the bridge. There are sanitary facilities under the stairs off of the galley, and another sanitary area off your quarters complete with shower,” Cole said aloud in the cabin.

  “Wow, this thing’s like a flying RV, only a lot nicer! I’d have no problem living in here for months at a time, especially with you to talk to,” Ariel replied. “Where do you need me for this enhancement you want to get done?”

  “There are two medical areas on the ship; the galley doubles as an emergency medical section, and there is a small unit built into the wall and ceiling of your bunk. For now, I think it would be best
if you went up and got in your bunk. You’ll need to be naked for this, which should make you more comfortable, and the procedure may add some muscle mass.”

  Ariel headed up the steps to the next deck, and saw that the front window extended all the way to the top of the craft. The effect gave a wonderful view from either the lounge or her bedroom. She dropped her bag onto one of the chairs in the lounge and started to strip off her clothes. She folded them, and stacked them neatly in the same seat and walked, naked, to the comfortable looking bunk slightly recessed into one bulkhead.

  She pulled down the covers and lay down. “If I remember correctly, I need to be asleep for this?” she asked the room.

  “Correct, I’ve calculated that the procedure should take about eighteen hours to complete, and the rest of the time will be for you to recover. Just remember, when you awaken, you will be much stronger than you are currently. So if you shake Commander Tho’ren’s hand, be very careful not to squeeze it.”

  Ariel had always been a little on the wimpy side for her preferences, the thought she would be able to crush a grown man’s hand sounded ridiculous. She pulled the covers up and closed her eyes.

  Cole didn’t get a chance to engage the sleep inducer before she was out. He hadn’t realized she was so tired, and reminded himself that he needed to monitor her more carefully in the future. The Alliance Command would be less than pleased with him if he allowed anything to happen to his charge. No matter the outcome of her training, she wouldn’t be left on this planet. The fleet sitting in the Indig sector was there for the sole purpose of making sure Lady Ariel Janis Moran Parker got off this planet if and when the defecate cycled through the hyperdrive.

  She was worried about failing their training? Cole thought it more likely that they would be hard pressed to keep up with her. Her potential readings were off the scale, and what was the deal with her being able to access his files? There was no physical connection to the data for her to use, yet she had. Giving himself the AI equivalent of a shrug, he initiated the enhancement program. No matter how special she was, he had his orders. He just hoped she wouldn’t find that sealed file and decrypt it. She would be very upset with him if she learned that information before it was time.

  Setting up a medical program to monitor her, the AI noted that Commander Tho’ren would be four hours late tomorrow as he was checking out some unusual readings on Phobos.

  Chapter Five

  “How do you feel young one?” Cole asked.

  “Jesus Cole, what did you do to me? I feel like someone spiked my double-espresso-mocha-latte’ with speed. I feel like I could fly to the nearest base without the ship! I’m afraid to fart without making sure there’s a jump point in front of me!” Ariel answered.

  “That’s good because we might have a problem. Go take a shower, I’ll get you some breakfast and fill you in while you eat,” Cole said.

  Ariel went into the toilet area to do her business before opening the shower door. The first thing she noticed was there were no knobs. “Uh, Cole? How do you turn the water on in here?”

  “It's voice-activated, I’ll make the temperature a hundred degrees for you, if you want it warmer, or colder, just say so. When you want soap, ask for it. It’ll work for your hair as well. When you’re clean, say shower off, dryer on.”

  “Got it, thanks,” Ariel replied, and stepped into the water. She immediately asked for it warmer. Once she got it the right temperature, she had it save the setting, before asking for the soap. It was a unique experience, not unpleasant, but very different than she was used too. When she got out of the shower, she found a skin-tight flight suit waiting for her. She pulled it on and went down to the galley.

  Cole had prepared a meal that would have seemed huge to her yesterday, but she attacked it with plenty of appetite now. “So, what’s up, Cole?” She asked between bites.

  “Yesterday, shortly after you began the enhancement, I received a message that Commander Tho’ren would be delayed so he could check out some unusual readings on Phobos; a moon of Mars. Four hours ago, I received a distress call from his ship’s AI. They had been shot down by an unknown and unseen enemy. Commander Tho’ren was unconscious and had sustained considerable injury. I quickly relayed all known information to Guardian Admiral Hs’ean. The fleet is now on the way at full emergency speed. In a little over five days, enough fire power to destroy half the galaxy will be dropping out of hyperspace. I was told to stay here and begin your training, and let the fleet rescue Commander Tho’ren.”

  “If the Commander is that badly injured, and they are in hostile territory, he’s easy prey for whoever’s there. He probably doesn’t have five days. Cole, warm up the engines and prepare for lift off. We’re going after them,” Ariel ordered.

  Considering who she was, he had no choice but to obey, and do as she ordered. However, he tried his best to stop her from committing suicide. “Young one, we really shouldn’t even attempt this, you have no idea how to fly, or use the weapons. We have orders to remain here and continue to train.”

  “Your objections are noted, Cole. Now get us out of here, full stealth launch. You can teach me how to fly on the way to Phobos,” Ariel said. “How many extra missiles can you fit in the holds? Never mind, just pack in as many as you can, but leave enough room for five extra remotes in each one; make sure the remotes can get out.”

  She returned to the upper deck to stow her gear, only to find that it was already stowed, and her bed was already made. She went back down and climbed in the pilot’s chair and through her link with Cole, accessed the pre-launch checklist while she went out and performed a visual inspection of the ship. She poked her head into one of the smallish holds and saw four of the remotes quickly building storage racks for the missiles. They were efficient little buggers because the racks in this hold were almost finished. She completed her external visual inspection and returned to the bridge. “Cole bring ten more of the remotes in here before we leave. We might need as many as we can get for this.”

  “May I ask what you think you’ll need so many remotes for, young one?” Cole asked.

  Ariel smiled sardonically. “A standard combat load is four remotes for emergency repairs. However, this was supposed to only be a training mission, and most of the training would take place in the safety of this hanger. So I’m betting he only brought two remotes. If I’m wrong, it won’t matter, we’ll still need the extra remotes to speed up repair of his ship if we can.”

  “How do you propose we approach without getting shot down ourselves?” Cole asked.

  “Good question, show me what they were doing just before they were shot down, please,” Ariel asked.

  “The AI aboard Commander Tho’ren’s ship detected some energy readings from Phobos that don’t occur naturally, so they detoured to investigate. Since it was on his way, he made two high orbits of Deimos before heading for the other moon. Shortly after they left Deimos, they were fired on and damaged. They were able to limp back to Deimos where they crashed. Since that time, there have been no reports of continued weapons fire, or any ships detected in the system. They are currently here,” Cole projected a hologram of Deimos with a small pulsing red dot just above its equator. “It will take us twenty three hours to reach him on a direct course.”

  “If they were fired on, where did the shot come from? Something big enough to cause that much damage should be easily detectable,” Ariel surmised.

  “No actual weapon fire was detected, and the AI hadn’t detected any power reading other than the one on Phobos. Their flight path was clear, so they must have been fired on by some type of undetectable weapon.”

  Ariel frowned at Cole’s assumption. There had to be another explanation than an undetectable weapon, which just didn’t make sense. But either way, they still needed to get to Tho’ren’s ship without getting shot down themselves.

  “Show me our projected course to Mars,” she asked. When Cole complied, she looked at the arrival point and asked him to zoom in on it. Deimos
was closer to Earth in the hologram, with Phobos on the far side of the planet. So with only minor course adjustments, their approach could be shielded from Mars and Phobos by Deimos.

  “Adjust course to keep Deimos between us and Mars. Can the remotes build a recon probe while we’re in flight?” Ariel asked.

  “Yes, if we leave some missiles behind. You are thinking to build and launch a probe to check on the readings on Phobos?” Cole asked.

  “Yeah, if we could get it built by the time we reached Mars, we could use our own momentum to give it a boost for orbit of Phobos. That way it’d only need to use maneuvering thrusters. It’d be slower, but less likely to be detected.”

  Cole finished the preparations she ordered, and twenty minutes later, they were airborne. That was a shock for Ariel in itself. She saw the tunnel leading away, but had no idea that it led to the lake in the middle of the park she’d driven around. But no one seemed to take much notice of their departure. Cloaking generators are wonderful little gadgets, but they were energy hogs, and tended to overheat if left on too long.

  “Can you still connect me to the phone system? I should probably let them know I’m going to be gone longer than planned,” Ariel said.

  “What are you going to tell them?” Cole asked.

  Ariel grinned. “The truth of course. You have taught me a few things, or didn’t you think I was paying attention?”

  “Connecting you to the mansion,” Cole said flatly.

  “Hello, Parker residence.”

  “Hi Wendy, it's Ariel. Is Alex around?”

  “Hi Ariel! Sure, I think she’s out at the pool, hang on.”

  After a pause, Alex’s voice came on the line. “Ariel? How are you doing?”

  “I’m great, but I went to visit a friend, and she’s having man problems. I think I’ll be a couple days longer than planned, and I didn’t want you to worry.”