As soon as Terra Twin landed, Russell made an immediate call to the science council and took the first shuttle to Geneva to outline his ideas to Hopewell and Sackett. Both men listened attentively and made some notes on their personal recorders. Finally, as Russell concluded both men rose from their seats and shook his hand. Russell stood the praise well, but then hardened his expression saying, “I hope all of what I’ve figured is right, and that the councils can make use of it, but I have a request to make of you gentlemen.”
“You, sir can name whatever you want,” said Chairman Hughes entering the room. “I was listening in on your ships communications as you approached us. You have managed, with less resources, less experience, and less financing to succeed in finding two distinct weaknesses in the sphere ship. No one else on mine or any other science staff has found before. Now I’d like to hear why and how you did it.”
“With all due respect madam chairman,” said Russell, “what I want is a ship and a place to re-work her, also a crew of five to join myself and two friends aboard. I want to attempt the rescue of the two hopper crews inside the sphere, and the sphere’s destruction if possible. Time is my main enemy in the endeavor, because if Debra Hilds and her teammates are alive they have about ten days of life support left, for us to find and release them. The sphere advances slowly, and, so it begins. My hope has found these answers chairman, and that hope is that one ship covered in green can approach the alien still beyond Neptune’s orbit, slice through and recover the two teams and return to Terra with them intact while your ram ships also colored in green lay in wait for the sphere in case our attempt fails or only partly succeeds.” Russell said.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“You’ll have your ship, Mr. Carlin,” said the chairman, “but I reserve the right to choose her commander.”
Russell had foreseen this turn of the political wheel and allowed for it, “although he is overdue for his honeymoon, commander Calan has agreed to skipper the ship if I get one” said Russell
“Absolutely not!” replied the chairman, bringing fresh doubt to the fore of Carlin’s mind. “This is a military vessel, the first in sixteen hundred years to be so dedicated, it must be under a military commander, you Captain Carlin.” Hughes continued. “The Security council has voted me an emergency powers act, which among other things includes the authority to form a military space service to patrol our frontiers for future alien contacts and assist in emergency situations as well, evacuating a colony or station, for instance.” “Later this afternoon, say fourteen hundred hours, Dr. Hopewell and Professor Sackett are going to introduce you to the Science and Security Councils, about forty minutes later I’m going to commission you. We have about four hours to crunch details until then” said the chairman. “We need a uniform style, an insignia and some way of differentiating between officers and enlistees. As our first officer, I’ll give you that task Carlin. I’ll consult the history records and get the ceremony planned.” Hughes said. “Ask the military police commander for help if you need any advice, his military history library is enormous,” she added.
Russ stared blankly for a moment, then took control of himself. “Right away Madam Chairman” he said, and strode quickly from the room.
Dr. Hopewell turned around and frowned at the chairman. “How do you expect him to get a uniform together in so little time, he has nothing to work with” he said.
The chairman returned the disapproving look. “He has a better chance of succeeding than any of us, and as for having nothing to work with, gentlemen, a celebrated ancestor of mine used to say ‘that’s what makes it a challenge.”