The Key Read online

  Chapter 3

  The Resistance Star Ship Redemption hung motionless in the blackness of space above the blue gem that was Olcai. Her elongated hull was smooth, except for a few bulbous protrusions scattered over the surface of the ship, and the mighty engines in the rear. She had a powerful presence that belied her elegant shape. Black burn marks marred her otherwise tan hull. Small spidery repair drones skittered across the hull, repairing the battle damage. The drones were built in modular sections with a large rectangular body that housed the Matter Reclamation Unit that the drones used to repair the ship. A series of appendages were attached at each corner of the body, allowing the drones to perform whatever tasks were needed.

  Captain Jason McWilliams stood up behind his desk, and stretched. His dark gray uniform clung to his body, showing a few dark patches of sweat. He had been sitting for what seemed like an eternity, and the muscles of his large frame were starting to protest. Jason's mind reeled with casualty reports, repair deadlines, missing his wife, and progress reports. Nothing was simple anymore. Each and every detail needed his attention and there wasn't enough time in the day to accomplish everything.

  "Angel, give me an update on the repairs." he told the AI as he ran his hand over his face. Dark red stubble had started to grow on his chin, and it annoyed him. There had barely been enough time for him to sleep and shower, let alone other niceties like shaving and eating.

  "Captain, the repairs are proceeding as scheduled. The repairs would go faster if our Chief Engineer were still on board." the voice came from the hologram of a petite, red haired woman dressed in a form fitting black jumpsuit. The look in her eyes made Jason wince. Though she was only a hologram, he still did not want to face her anger.

  "Point taken." Jason paced around his ready room. The ache in his muscles started to fade as he moved. "How are the repairs to the hyper-drive stabilizer coming?"

  "The repairs will take approximately two more days." Angel softened her tone slightly. "Captain, as the Executive Officer, it is my duty to point out a lapse in judgment by the Captain, and I believe that Sending Commander Nor down to the planet, was a mistake."

  "I understand that Angel, but as you pointed out before, it is the Captains prerogative to place personnel where they are needed, and right now Commander Nor is needed on Olcai. We agreed that Kamira had the highest chance of success in gaining the materials we need from the Olcai." he smiled at the memory he had of Kamira, standing next to him in the Temple of the Wind, her hands clasped firmly in his as the High Priest read their marriage vows. At that moment though, he wished that the Olcai weren't so firmly committed to being anti-military.

  "Yes Sir. Unfortunately Commander Nor is the logical choice." Angel looked away from her Captain. "Sir, a problem has just been reported with the shield generators. It appears that they were damaged more severely than the initial inspections indicated. Repair estimates are now twenty seven hours."

  "Great. Weapons are off line, and we have no shields. Not to mention that our hyper-drive is malfunctioning." Jason scowled, and slammed a fist onto his desk. In his experience things generally got worse before they got better. His gut told him that this would be no exception. Why did he feel that he had gone from the frying pan, and into the fire?

  Jason took a deep breath, held it, then exhaled slowly before he sat down at his desk. "Alright Angel, we need to reprioritize the repairs. Stop work on the more trivial repairs, and use those assets to assist in the higher priority tasks. After one problem is fixed, go to the next one."

  "Yes sir. The most trivial repairs have been completed. I have already allocated the drones for the most efficient use." Angel smiled a tight lipped smile that could have been mistaken for a grimace.

  "How are the Marines?" he had been meaning to go down to sickbay, but the constant barrage of problems had kept him chained to his office.

  "The last one was cleared for duty twenty minutes ago Sir." Angel studied her Captain as she spoke. "I believe that Major Narja has the battalion assisting with repairs."

  Jason thought about the Major, and how he had performed at the Battle of Bakesh. Narja was the definition of a Marine's Marine. He was formidable, adaptable, and above all, dependable. Jason didn't actually know what he would do without the Caldonian.

  "Thank you." Jason forced himself to focus on the reports that littered his desk. He sat there for a moment before he dismissed Angel, and picked up a report on the progress of the hull repairs.

  After the artificial intelligence departed, Jason sighed and ran his hand through his unruly red hair. His ship had taken a beating in the Battle of Bakesh. The smoke had barely cleared from the battle and already the news and fame was spreading throughout the galaxy. Even the High Command was treating him differently.

  In reality, the Hero of Bakesh was nothing more than a desperate man trying to make things right.