Tal looked over to her as Duncan replied, “How is that?”
“I am going to be his weapons officer!” Duncan’s face turned angry and Ka stood up, “Don’t stand there and tell me I can’t be replaced. You’ve had scientists, engineers, and electronic wizards sent to Earth from the Colonies that can do anything I can. I’ve paid my dues!”
Tal looked up at her, “Ka, you know nothing about operating a weapons console, Ka.”
“Who do you think designed them, Tal? I’m leagues ahead of anyone else you might choose.”
Tal was shaking his head, “But…”
“We’ll handle our issues, Tal! My family is out there with you and that’s where I belong!”
Tal heard Duncan ask hesitantly, “Tal?”
Tal was still focused on Ka and saw Jeremy and Jan staring at him as he turned his head to Duncan. He sighed and said, “Captain Smythe will be my new pilot and Ka will command the weapons.”
Ka smiled and sat down beside him. He suddenly heard, “Admiral Talent!” Tal turned to Greg and saw his anguished expression. “Is there a reason you chose everyone but me to go with you on this mission?”
“Yes, there is, Greg!”
“What is it?”
“What were you doing when I first met you?”
Greg hesitated and answered, “I was commanding one of the old Alphas.”
“Greg, no one is better prepared to take command of our fleet of Alphas and merge them with the new Epy warships than you. I couldn’t use the four Alphas sent to support my fleet because they had no idea how to fight with the Epys. You know both of those ships and you’ve faced incredible odds fighting the aliens. You are going to have to get the two-different-warships to learn how to fight together.” Tal turned from Greg, “Isn’t that right, Admiral Montana?”
Duncan kept his eyes on Tal and knew his suggestion was a good one. He turned to Greg, and smiled, “Admiral Ward, you just got another star and you will take command of our fleet of Alphas. Make them something special.”
Greg smiled, “Yes, Sir! I will.”
Tal spoke out, “Sir, what are you going to call the new class of warships replacing the Epys?”
“That’s not been decided.”
“What about calling them the Sha Class.”
Duncan smiled and said in a soft voice, “Sha it is. You realize your ship will require a new name.”
“She’s going to be called Assassin One, Sir. The other two-command-ships with me will be Assassin Two and Assassin Three. The three wingmen will be Ninjas one, two, and three.”
Duncan smiled, “Merging cultures?”
“I believe I am, Sir.”
Duncan laughed and announced, “All of you will report to the Sahara Hangar and start training on your new ships in three days. For the moment, there is a grateful planet waiting to thank you for your sacrifices.”
Tal stood up and Ka stood with him and moved under his arm. He looked down at her and saw she was looking at Jan. She moved there naturally, as if she belonged there. Tal looked up and smiled…perhaps she did.
The End
Message me at Saxonandrew@msn.com and let me know your thoughts. I treasure your feedback.
Books by Saxon Andrew
The Annihilation Series:
Love Conquers All
The Power of a Queen
Tommy’s Tale
Searcher
Demon’s Sacrifice
Finding Keepers
(The seven books above are also audio books at Audible.com)
Prequel-Psychic Beginnings
Searching for a Hero
Dahlia’s Deception
Annihilation-The Complete Series Box Set
The Annihilation Saga:
Lost Royalty
The Warrior's Destiny
No Way Out
Fight... and They Will Come
Ashes of the Realm:
Juliette’s Dream
Greyson’s Revenge
Death of an Empire
The Return of the Realm
Lens of Time:
The Pyramid Builders
Planet Predators
Pray for the Prey
The End of Time
Lens of Time - Star Rover:
The Worst of Time
Running Out of Time
Chosen to Die
The Fight for Creation:
Life Warrior
Ultimate Warrior
Star Chase:
The Lost Prince
(Also an audio book at Audible.com)
Nowhere to Run
Nowhere to Hide
Probe Predators
Jesse's:
Jesse’s Starship
Mike’s War
Joshua’s Walls
Nemesis:
Revenge is Best Served Hot
The Search for Orion
Trapped in Time:
The Time Takers
Taming a Planet
Extinction
Escape to Earth:
Running From Fate
Fighting for Space
Defending Holy Ground
The Legacy of a Conqueror
Living Legends
The Sequel Series to Escape to Earth - Defending Earth:
Searching for Death Feeders
Discovery Means Death
The Death Prophecies:
The Coming of the Prophet
The Prophet's Eyes
No Technology is Invincible
Survival is Never Free
The Last Prophecy
Stories from the Filament Universe:
Gregor’s Run
A Pirate’s Tale
Soul of the Swords
The Death Filament
Death Never Leaves a Calling Card
Gregor’s Search
Jimmy's Dreams Stories:
Jimmy’s Dreams
Jimmy’s Dreams II - A Recurring Nightmare
The Assassins Guild:
Earth Must be Stopped
Defending the Colonies
Other:
The War Against Earth
The Book of Life
(a short story)
Coming Soon:
Rage of the Brotherhood
About Saxon Andrew
Saxon Andrew is a former social worker with a degree in Psychology and Education from Mercer University. He has taught school, managed several sales organizations and owned his own business.
He has devoured science fiction since he first learned to read and his stories are the product of years of personal experience and exposure to the universes created by the genre’s great authors.
He lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and two dogs who still appreciate his sense of humor after all these years. "Dogs are always ready to smile."