[The White Raven, Chapter 13, Rescue] [First Tarlock’s Transport, Edge of the Darai Solar System] The docking clamps clicked and pulled the Dart ship into an airtight seal against the larger ship. Air hissed and the pressure in the smaller ship equalized with the transport. A green light on the control panel signaled the docking seal secured. Lord Struthio opened the hatch and leaped through the docking tube with practiced ease, but landed somewhat unsteadily inside the larger ship. The Grav-plates in this ship were primitive in comparison to the Daraian Grav-plates in common use today. Lord Struthio stomped his feet a few times to get used to the ancient Grav-plates, there was a momentary pause between steps before the Grav-plate caught hold and held his foot to the deck. “Greetings, Lord Struthio, I am First Tarlock,” a young half-grown Demonian greeted formally, holding his tail evenly at mid-waist. Lord Struthio raised a brow and tipped his head to the side in the manner of a Daraian before replying. “I know the First Tarlock, lad, and you are not him.” “I assure you, sir, I carry the Eternal Flame,” says the young Demonian. “My name is Blaze, would you care to see for yourself that I carry the Flame?” The young Demonian holds his clawed hand out, palm up, the center shimmering slightly as one might see when looking out across a desert. Lord Struthio stared at the palm for only a moment. “I’ve seen the Flame before, lad,” says Lord Struthio. “Nearly drove me insane, I have no desire to experience it again, but I can see you do carry the Flame. What happened?” “The volcano erupted with a force of twenty-thousand nuclear warheads, our tunnels near the hatching chambers were breeched,” explains Blaze. “The Senior Tarlocks stacked their own bodies in the breeched tunnel; the First Tarlock passed the Flame to me before joining the others.” “Are the rest of the Tarlock Order on the other transports?” asks Lord Struthio. Blaze is silent, but his eyes say it all. “Good Goddess, lad,” says Lord Struthio. “All of them?” “There are two-hundred and fifty Tarlock apprentices left, and seven Hatching Lounges,” says Blaze. “When it’s safe, I’ll send a recall order to all Tarlocks that are working on other worlds to come to Darai and complete our training,” says Blaze. “I didn’t see any War Ships in your fleet.” says Lord Struthio. “The Senior Tarlocks sacrifice gave us the time we needed to set up a relay and begin passing eggs to the surface. That’s where Master Raven Raen came in, our transports ran out of fuel years ago, and what little fuel we had left was in our War Ships. Raen suggested we transfer the fuel to the transports and go to Darai.” “That explains the radio silence,” says Lord Struthio. “You didn’t dare broadcast a help call from Demonia, there are those that would love to get their hands on an army of Demonian eggs. But, why didn’t you send a distress call once you came out of TDS?” “Raen thinks someone followed us, but he has kept us hidden,” says Blaze. “We needed to wait until the Daraian Fleet was close enough to be able to help.” “Only a Raven Hawk of Master Raen’s caliber could have kept a fleet this large hidden,” says Lord Struthio. “If you would have sent a distress too soon, we couldn’t have made it here fast enough to help. Take me to your Com-Room.” Lord Struthio pulled his breathing mask back over his face and followed the young Tarlock apprentice. The transports must have been sitting on the surface and were full of the toxic fumes that was now the Demonian atmosphere; three weeks at TDS and the oxygen scrubbers had barely made the air in the ship breathable. “The insignia on your uniform indicates you are one of the surviving Hatching Lounges, but you don’t look old enough to be at mating age,” says Lord Struthio. “No, sir,” says Blaze, opening a hatch to a Com-Room. “My Hatching sister won’t be old enough either for several more years.” “And the other six Hatching Lounges?” asks Lord Struthio. “Even younger than we are,” says Blaze. “What happened to all the Senior Hatching Mothers?” “They were in the Dragon Temple, it was vaporized instantly.” “The First Mother?” “My Hatching Sister is First Mother now,” says Blaze. “She’s on one of the other transports caring for the eggs.” Lord Struthio sits down at one of the Com-Stations and types in several coordinates. “This is going to happen quickly,” says Lord Struthio. “Can all your ships TDS again?” “Yes, sir,” says Blaze. “Sit down at that station and transmit those coordinates to your ships, short range only, have them leap-frog the coordinates back to the rear of the column,” orders Lord Struthio. Blaze sits at the station and begins transmitting the instructions for the next TDS jump. The Demonian ships aren’t in the best of shape and the preparation takes longer than Lord Struthio would like. “Blaze, I’m picking up something,” shouts another Tarlock apprentice at a Com-Station. “Yep, there’s your stalkers, mate,” says Lord Struthio. “They just rolled their dice. Lad, be ready to transmit the order to TDS on long range Com when I say.” Lord Struthio changes the Com-frequency and pushes the transmitter button. “Cass, mark my position, do not engage the Fleet at this position, they are not enemy. Benny is an aggro at 449.74, full thrusters now, protect this fleet at all cost,” says Lord Struthio evenly but with authority into the Com-link. “Choka, Boss,” replies Lord Struthio’s second in command. “I’m seeing two fleets, one to our side and one to the front,” shouts the other Tarlock apprentice at the Com-Station. “Calm your knickers, lad,” says Lord Struthio. “MISSILES INBOUND,” screams the Tarlock apprentice. “Blaze, calm that Chirp or get him out of this Com-Center,” orders Lord Struthio. “Char, we need you calm, brother,” shouts Blaze. “Report status on incoming missiles.” “Yes, sorry, I’m okay,” says Char. “Missiles, forty-five seconds from impact on center of the fleet.” “Cass, we have bad guys throwing rocks,” transmits Lord Struthio. “I’m on it, Boss,” says Cass. “We see you now… What did you find? You baby-sitting eggs?” “Missiles, Cass,” says Lord Struthio calmly. “We’re too far, firing intercepts but they won’t make it,” says Cass. “Boss, get that fleet out of there.” “Get ready, Blaze,” orders Lord Struthio switching to a new Com-frequency. “Prince Hawk, this is Lord Struthio, I need the First Wave here.” “This is Prince Hawk, we’ve been monitoring your transmissions and are already half-way to you, what’s going on?” “There are two fleets out here,” says Lord Struthio. “Engage the fleet throwing rocks.” “Missile impact in twenty-seconds,” reports Char. Lord Struthio switches the Com-frequency again. “Lord Sparrow, I’m bringing a friendly fleet to your position, do not fire.” Lord Struthio points at Blaze. “TDS now.” “All ships, TDS… TDS… TDS…” shouts Blaze. ***** [Second Wave, House Sparrow, Mulae Farael Battle Carrier, Darai Solar System] “Can someone tell me what’s going on out there,” demands Lord Sparrow standing at his Captain’s Chair. “Was that Lord Struthio, and what friendly fleet is he bringing?” “My lord, I’m seeing four fleets,” replies the Com-Officer. “One is House Struthio heading to the first Fleet we thought was invading, but Lord Struthio seems to be with that Fleet now, and the First Wave is heading to another fleet that just came on sensors and is firing at the first fleet.” “That doesn’t tell me anything, I need information,” shouts Lord Sparrow, beginning to get angry. “Get Lord Struthio on the Com, now!” “He’s at TDS, Sir,” says the Com-Officer. “How long to arrival?” asks Lord Sparrow. “Six minutes, Sir,” replies the Com-Officer. “XO, assessment?” asks Lord Sparrow. “Lord Struthio is unorthodox, but I’ve never known him to be wrong in combat, and he fights like an ostrich.” “I know, I know, damn evil birds,” says Lord Sparrow. “Send the order to weapons-hold but stay at the ready.” Lord Sparrow sits down and flips through incoming battle reports from the First Wave. “Sir, private transmission from the Hawk Carrier,” says the Com-Officer. Lord Sparrow picks up his headset. “Go ahead, Commander.” “My Lord Sparrow,” says Commander Taelon of the Hawk Carrier. “I’ve just received an order from Lord Hawk to open fire on the unknown fleet when it arrives.” Lord Sparrow slams his fist down on the armrest of his chair, takes one breath and keeping his voice calm, replies. “I understand your problem, take your Carrier to TDS and join the First Wave.” “Thank you, my lord,” says Commander Taelon. Pesa chances a glance over her shoulder in time to see Lord Sparrow throw his headset on the ground in anger. “Keep your head forward,” warns the Helm-Officer. “Yes, sir,” says Pesa, whipping her head back around. “Is it always this much confusion, sir?” “This is more then usual,” says the Com-Officer. “Can you calculate a TDS course?” “Yes, sir.” The display in front of Pesa changes to a list of TDS plots. “I’m preparing all the possible TDS courses Lord Sparrow might order, check my numbers.” “I can do that,” says Pesa. Pesa runs her finger down the list of coordinates checking each set of numbers, the third one looks off a bit and she re-runs the numbers. “Sir, third coordinate back to Darai would have us coming out of TDS in the atmosphere,” says Pesa. The Helm-Officer pushes a button and the coordinate changes to the correct numbers. “You already knew it was wrong?” “I needed to know if you could catch it,” explains the Helm-Officer. “An unknown fleet is about to come out of TDS in front of us, we don’t know what will happen, and my Junior Helm-Officer is in the TDS Engine Room adjusting the Navigation Array, there isn’t enough time to get him back up here before that fleet arrives.” The control panel in front of Pesa changes to an active Helm-Control. Pesa pulls her hands back like something just bit her. “Put your hands back on the controls,” orders the Helm-Officer. “You’re my co-pilot now, just follow my lead, but if something happens to me, don’t hesitate, just follow the Executive Officer’s orders.” Pesa lays her hands lightly on the control panel, the panel is vibrating slightly; she can feel the engines. Her families cargo ship had a shaker in the control panel also to give the pilot a better feel for what is happening with the engines. “XO, rotate to port, bring our guns to 223.4,” orders Lord Sparrow. “Helm, rotate port, 223.4,” repeats the XO. “Aye, sir, rotating port 223.4,” repeats the Helm-Officer. Pesa can feel the Helm-Officer rotate the controls and the massive Carrier responds. The engine shaker under Pesa’s left hand vibrates harder as the ship rotates on it’s axis. “XO, where is my confirmation?” says Lord Sparrow. The XO steps up behind Pesa and lays his hand on top of hers. “Helm responding… 174.3… 193.1… adjust pitch down 2 degrees… 214.8… 223.4… maneuver complete,” says the XO, and then bends down and whispers into Pesa’s ear. “I have seven other Cadets sitting against that wall that would like a chance in this chair, get your head out of your backside or I’ll put one of them here.” “Yes, sir, sorry sir, I have this, it won’t happen again, sir,” says Pesa turning bright red. Piloting aboard her families cargo ship had been lax and they rarely followed the proper procedures. “Ships coming out of TDS,” reports the Com-Officer. “They're too close,” shouts Lord Sparrow. “All engines full reverse.” “Helm, full reverse,” orders the XO. “Aye, full reverse,” repeats the Helm-Officer. “Helm responding, full reverse… we’re rolling port… 2 points… 3 points,” reports Pesa. “Correcting roll,” says the Helm-Officer. The XO pats Pesa on the shoulder. “Well done, now that’s the proper way to co-pilot.” Pesa glances up at the big Vid-Screen, the blast shield doors are closed now and the Vid-Screen is the only visual of outside. Hundreds… no thousands… of ships are coming out of TDS in front of the Battle Carrier. “What in the name of the Goddess is this?” asks Lord Sparrow standing. “My Lord, incoming video transmission,” says the Com-Officer. “Let’s see it,” orders Lord Sparrow. An image of a Demonian sitting in the cockpit of a Dart fighter appears on the screen. “I am Prince Vengeance, our world is no longer habitable. This evacuation fleet is carrying the last of our species. Our ships have exhausted what little oxygen remained and we are breathing fumes. We have no weapons, and we are being pursued by an unknown hostile force. I request sanctuary.” Lord Sparrow walks past Pesa’s station and stares at the Vid-Screen. Pesa can see the man is visibly shaken by this news, everyone on the Bridge is. How can those ships be the last of the Demonians? “Sanctuary granted, cousin,” says Lord Sparrow. “Com, open a fleet-wide channel.” “Channel open, sir.” “Second Wave, form a perimeter around that fleet, I want a wall of steel, now!” shouts Lord Sparrow. “Third, Fourth, and Fifth waves, move forward and dock with any Demonian ship you can, they need air.” ***** [Fifth Wave, Darai Orbit] Gaevin listened to the Fleet transmissions. He was a soldier and could adapt faster than the other farmers to the ever-changing chaos. The invading fleet was a Demonian evacuation fleet, the mission just changed from defense of the planet to a rescue mission. Gaevin switched to the Hawk Carrier’s frequency, but it was already gone in TDS; he switched frequencies again. “Mulae Farael Battle Carrier, this is Reserve Colonel Gaevin of the Fifth Wave, we need a TDS coordinate,” requests Gaevin. “Transmitting now, Colonel,” says a Com-Technician from the Sparrow Battle Carrier. “You’re Wave is clear to dock with any Demonian ship that has a matching docking collar.” Gaevin switches frequencies again. “Fifth Wave, this is Gaevin, I’m sending TDS coordinates now, jump as soon as you are ready, and make it snappy. Use your time in TDS to put on your environment suits, the air aboard those Demonian ships is going to be bad.” The Dart ship jumps to TDS and the stars disappear. “We don’t have a suit for Cody,” says Mae. “The cockpit has an independent oxygen supply, we’ll seal him in before we open the airlock,” says Gaevin. Cody floats above Gaevin in the cockpit watching everything he does, then the Everything outside disappears. “What happened?” asks Cody. “We are at TDS, you can’t see the stars during TDS,” Gaevin explains. Cody presses himself against the side of the cockpit while Gaevin pulls himself back into the crew compartment. Cody pulls himself down into the empty pilot seat and watches all the instrument lights on the panels. Gaevin helps Mae into her environment suit and then starts pulling his own on. Mae taps her partners arm and points at Cody. Cody is making a waving motion up and down with his hand, as a child would when they stick their hand out the window of a moving ground vehicle. “There’s no motion at TDS,” whispers Gaevin. “It’s impossible for him to feel the ship skipping along the surface of the universe.” “He’s not like any other Daraian,” whispers Mae. “Maybe he can feel it, how else would he know to do that?” “Cody, don’t touch anything,” says Gaevin. “We’re coming out of TDS in a moment, the ship will continue in a straight line as long as you don’t touch the controls.” Gaevin secures his helmet and then checks Mae’s, the stars re-appear and… “Gaevin!” shouts Mae. Gaevin looks up towards the cockpit, the massive engines of a Destroyer are directly in front of the small Dart ship. “The TDS coordinates were wrong,” shouts Gaevin, grabbing the handrails on the ceiling of the Dart and pulling himself towards the cockpit. He knows it’s a futile effort, they are too close, the ship is going to slam into the Destroyer. The Dart A.I. starts saying, “Pull up… Pull up… Pull up…” and then the A.I. assumes the pilot is incapacitated and pulls the ship upward. Cody tips his head to the side and stares at the giant engines; they are going to run into the big ship, or more likely, fly into the Destroyer’s thrust. “No, that’s wrong,” says Cody, and grabs the controls. The A.I. releases the ship back to the pilot, and Cody rolls the Dart to the right in a maneuver seasoned pilots couldn’t perform. The Dart threads through the narrow fifteen foot wide gap between the Destroyer’s engines. Gaevin watched the A.I. Computer pull the ship up in the standard emergency maneuver to avoid an object, but he also knew that the ship wouldn’t make it, not even the most experienced pilot or most sophisticated A.I. could have avoided hitting the Destroyer, but Cody was doing it. Cody tipped the ship down and flew into the keel groove that was the backbone of the Destroyer. Gaevin could see the wings of the Dart now only had perhaps a little more that a foot of clearance on both sides as the Dart raced along the back of the Destroyer. Then Cody rolled the ship in place, a maneuver that nobody could execute with such a narrow margin. The point of view of the ship changed, now the Destroyer was below the Dart, instead of above. “That’s better,” says Cody. “I didn’t like being upside down.” Cody tips the Dart on it’s side to avoid an antenna array on the bottom of the Destroyer. Mae pushes next to Gaevin and watches Cody fly. “He’s only six, how can he understand spatial relationships like this?” says Gaevin. “Cody, sweetie,” says Mae. “Could you fly away from the big ship now?” “Okay,” says Cody. The Dart ship is still flying sideways. The proper maneuver would be to roll back to a parallel position and then pitch away, but Cody uses the docking thrusters to fall away from the large ship sideways. “Cody, have you ever flown before?” asks Gaevin. “No,” says Cody. “How do you know how to fly?” asks Mae. “I don’t know,” says Cody. “Cody, we need to dock at one of those Demonian ships, can you do that?” asks Gaevin. “Okay,” says Cody, and banks the Dart towards one of the Demonian ships. Cody fires the braking thrusters and performs the most unusual docking he’s ever seen. The usual docking maneuver is line up and use the side docking thrusters to push the ship to the docking collar, but Cody rolls the ship without once looking at the docking alignment sensor and the ship clicks into place. The clamps seal, and a rush of air can be heard in the docking tube. “Sensors say this ship still has breathable air, but not much,” says Mae. “We don’t need to lock Cody in the cockpit.” Cody turns around and grins at Gaevin. “Did I do it right?” “You did great,” says Gaevin. “I think you’ve earned the right to greet the Demonians first.” Cody twists out of the pilot’s seat and Mae pulls him back to the airlock. The hatch cycles and opens; Cody wrinkles his nose. “It smells bad,” says Cody. “Yes, it does,” says Gaevin. “I think we got to this ship just in time.” “It hurts my eyes,” says Cody. “Here, sweetie,” says Mae. “Put these goggles on.” The inner hatch opens and Mae pushes Cody through the docking tube. He sails across the narrow opening and lands inside the Demonian ship. A Demonian boy the same age as Cody is waiting inside the ship and smiles at him. Cody leans to the side and looks behind the Demonian boy. “I thought Demonians had tails?” says Cody. “I’m a half-breed,” says the boy. “We don’t have tails.” Gaevin lands inside the ship and looks down at the small Demonian boy… well, small for a Demonian, but in another year or two he will likely be as tall as a full grown Daraian. The boy is wearing a red formal uniform with the emblem of a flaming red fox on his chest. “Greetings,” says the boy, holding his clawed hand out. “I’m Prince Malice, but you can just call me Zan.”