Free Lens of Time by Saxon Andrew Page A

in his expression, “You really think you can penetrate the force field?”
    RV said, “Let’s do it this way. Move the ship fifty miles away and we’ll start the beam at seventy percent and gradually increase the power. We’ll target a section of the force field above the ship so that we don’t hit the ship.”
    The Leader of the Council appeared on the display beside Jeff and said, “Are you capable of targeting that small an area from that range?”
    “You could actually move it to a hundred miles but I feel safer doing it this way.”
    RV saw them look at each other showing doubt but the new battle ship moved away and took station fifty miles away. Jeff said, “You may begin the demonstration.”
    RV said, “Dolly, are you ready?”
    “I am. I’m going to hit the force field out on the edge in front of the bow.”
    “You may fire when ready.”
    • • •
    Jeff and the Council Leader had the scanners running and suddenly were blinded by the bright red beam that shot out from the white ship and hit the force field of their new Beta Battleship. It blew through the force field as if it didn’t exist.
    RV appeared on their display and said, “We didn’t need to increase the power from seventy percent.”
    Jeff stared at the scanner’s readings and said, “That was seventy percent!?!”
    “It was. We’ve determined that we could have penetrated it at sixty percent.”
    Jeff looked at the Leader and the Leader said, “And you’re going to give us this technology?”
    “We are.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you are better able to use it against those that would attack you if they determine you have become one of our allies. They will fear you and may combine against you. This beam will help you survive their attack.”
    “But you could just keep it and come to our defense.”
    “We don’t have a force field as powerful as yours, so your ships would be more effective than ours. Your current beam will penetrate our ship’s defenses. I know there are other advanced civilizations in your galaxy that match up with your ships. With this beam, you should be able to defend yourself against them.”
    The Council Leader started at RV on the display and said, “Some of us started second guessing our decision to ally ourselves with you. Now I see that we were right in our decision. We will leave the older ship with you. You may use it to duplicate our force field.”
    “If you will send a ship to the coordinates I’m sending, we’ll have a team of scientists to provide you with a working model of the beam and answer any questions you might have.”
    Jeff looked at RV on his display and said, “Your attack on our civilization may be the best thing that’s ever happened. Good fortune, my friend.”
    “And to you as well.”
    The display went dark and the Leader said, “You were right.”
    “When there’s doubt, it’s the heart that always tells the truth.”
    The Leader smiled and nodded.

Chapter Six
    C hris, Jillian, and Captain Phillips sat onboard the Ninja drinking a bottle of wine. They had already disposed of two bottles and the third was going fast. Chris raised his glass and said, “This one’s for the Harmony Federation, bless their building souls.”
    Jillian said, “To Harmony.”
    Phil raised his glass and said, “To Harm, Harm, Harm oh me.”
    They took a drink and Jillian said, “This one’s to RV.”
    Chris said, “To RV.”
    Phil said, “To TV.”
    Chris and Jillian looked at Phil and waited. After a moment Chris said, “It’s your turn, Phil.”
    Phil raised his glass and said, “This one’s to, to, to Dolly.” They watched as Phil’s eyes crossed and his head hit the table. Jillian took the glass from his hand before he crashed and said, “These youngsters are lightweights.”
    Chris finished Phil’s glass and said, “They just can’t hang.” He paused and said, “This one’s for Dolly.”
    Jillian raised her glass and she slowly shook her head, “Wherever you are;