Free Chronicles of Athena Lee by T S Paul Page A

had shielding on the its sides, the top and the bottom of the fighter. The only unshielded place on the fighters hull was the cockpit. To kill it with one shot, I needed to hit it dead center in the front.
     
    Lining up the ships and crossing my fingers, I reversed the tractor beam and 'threw' the pod at the fighter. It struck dead on the Stuka exploded in a ball of fire. Now if I could get that to work twice.
     
    The other pirate seeing the explosion turned tail and ran for it. I guess he thought this shuttle was armed. Communications had returned as the student fighters gained the upper hand over the pirates. Flight control noticed that I was still out here, ordering me back in.
     
    Explanation time was at hand.
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
     
     
    Lots of work to be done, in the aftermath of a battle.
     
    Prisoners to take control of, damage to assess, and the wounded to care for.
     
    Battle (AAR's) after action reports are a part of this too. Mine was almost not seen in all of this turmoil, notice I said almost.
     
    My arms and most of my upper body were inside one of the fighter engines trying to repair the exhaust manifold, when one of the captains aides came looking for me.
     
    “Lieutenant, your presence is requested in conference room 10.”
     
    “OK, let me get changed and...”
     
    “The captain said now, go as you are.”
     
    Oh, boy here it comes.
     
    Work coveralls covered in propulsion fluid and grease, I made my way to the conference room. It was a full house, standing room only.
     
    With a pensive look upon my face I saluted and came to attention when Captain Michaels saw me come in.
     
    He spoke to me. “Have a seat lieutenant,” eying my clothing “better yet, remain standing. Do you have any idea why you are here today?”
     
    “Would it involve my after action report, Captain?”
     
    Calmly the captain answered me. “Yes, your report. We almost missed it, it was lumped in with the other pilots reports. I had assumed that when the alert sounded your ship had returned to the hanger bay. Imagine my surprise to learn that an unarmed shuttle destroyed a fighter using a escape pod as a cannon. In watching the record of your flight I understand why you did it. What you did was amazing. The problem that we, the command staff has is, HOW did you do it? You are of course, an engineer. The tractor beam adjustment should have been extremely easy for you. The autopilot however, does not have an evade and elude configuration. None of the shuttles do. Explain yourself please.”
     
    The whole room full of officers seemed to be peering at me. It made be extremely nervous.
     
    “Is the Captain familiar with my previous record, sir?”
     
    Looking down at his tablet the Captain replied “I have the record here, Admiral Kane sent it along.”
     
    “Did you read the part about the station that I built?”
     
    Cocking his head the captain said, “Yes, that was why he sent you to us.”
     
    Bracing myself I continued. “In the wreckage of one of the frigates was a prototype AI named Wilson.”
     
    “What! Hold on lieutenant! Do you mean to tell me that there is a rogue AI loose on MY SHIP!”
     
    “No SIR! Not your ship. He has embedded himself into my link and well, I guess, he could be in your ship. But I'm pretty sure he's here in my head.” I pointed at my head.
     
    “Lieutenant, you told the Admiral that this AI stayed behind and was running Firefly station. That is what this report says.” He gestured to the screen in front of him.
     
    “Oh, he did, sir. He left a clone of himself there and tagged along with me. You have to remember, at the time I was not under anyone's orders. I was considered a P.O.W.” I paused. “He saved my life sir. It was him that sent all of those incriminating records to the Senate and to the ESS. As far as I can tell, he has been keeping out of trouble so far on your ship. I will say that if you attempt to purge him he might cause a great deal