Deep Space Endeavor Read Free Page B

the systems are back online.”
    Collin was one of four remaining members of the Rocket Riders, one of Earth’s elite Special Forces units. Jesse was team leader, and Josiah was his second. Collin Torrensede and Manny Hernandez were the only other surviving members from their suicide mission on Polisia, which, although successful in ending Earth's first interstellar war against the Pack, came at a heavy price. Jesse lost six members of his team that day, but Josiah, Collin and Manny have been part of his inner circle ever since.
    “That’s good to know , Collin,” he called back. “And how long until the rest of the systems are online, SAMMI?”
    “External sensors , maneuvering thrusts, and anti-fighter lasers are back online.” SAMMI replied.
    “What about the anti- fighter net?” He inquired.
    “Not yet , Colonel. It will take approximately seven minutes. Fourteen minutes for primary and secondary weapons and sixteen minutes until the FTL engine will be operational. After that, you may begin repairs to the power coupling controlling the shield and cloaking systems.”
    “So about thirty- five minutes before we are fully operational again, Colonel,” Collin interjected.
    “If we are in the middle of nowhere, and no one passes by, we might get through this .” Josiah’s comment was cut off as a loud crash rocked the ship followed by the words,
    “Warning, we are under attack ,” through the ship speaker.
    “Battle stations !” Jesse yelled. Within moments, Collin had the yoke, Josiah was at the sensor array and Kimiko was at weapons. “Secondary shields to maximum and AF lasers on line. Begin evasive maneuvers, Lieutenant Torrensede.”
    “Yes, S ir,” Collin replied.
    Jesse had almost forgot ten how easy it was to slip into military protocol, even though these were his friends and Endeavor enjoyed a more relaxed atmosphere than most vessels, they still easily jumped back into protocol when the situation required it.
    “I’m not sure how much good it will do , Sir; we don’t know what’s out there, and I’m not sure our lasers will make much of a difference.” Collin called out in frustration.
    “I’m on it ,” Josiah replied. “Sensors are showing one ship to our four o’clock and six fighters of unknown origin.”
    “B eginning evasive maneuvers,” Collin informed.
    Unknown origin meant that we were not in Pack space o r Jarlevian space, which increased their odds of being in the Kalephi galaxy. “Kimi, can you handle the fighters?"
    “ I'm not sure yet, Colonel. I’m still a little dizzy and I haven’t seen the fighters yet”.
    “No worries , Kimi. Okay people, we have to figure out a way to hold them off for fourteen minutes until our main weapons are back on line, any ideas?”
    “SAMMI ,” Collin called out. “Is there any way to get power to the shield by bypassing the main power coupling? Maybe we can use one of our extra power supplies to feed directly into the shield reactor.”
    “Negative , Lieutenant Torrensede. The effort would fail; without a power coupling, the power supply is not compatible.”
    "What about the portable shield generator?" He asked with a glimmer of hope in his voice. "We could easily last until weapons are back online with that.
    "It has been powered down for travel and would need to be initialized, which would take several minutes," Jesse responded, "but let's do it."
    “ Colonel, we’re being hailed,” Josiah broke in.
    “Onscreen ,” he replied crisply.
     
    ______
     
    When the image came on screen, it took the crew of Endeavor by surprise. They were staring at a bridge with several different sentient species on it. Up until this point, the only species any of them had ever encountered were the Pack and the Jarlevian, both of whom wanted to wipe out humanity. Jesse was beginning to wonder if all alien species hated humanity, and what humanity had ever done to deserve their hatred. He also began to think Dr. Hightower had been right about