Chapter 2: Briefing

The Höllenhund assault carrier, reached the Floritan system, and docked with the space station there, Jacob met with Davis and the captains of the other ships. The crews were forced to leave the ships for the refits to start for the mission. The captains were lead into a room with guards both inside and out. Davis was in the middle of the circular room, with a half ring table in-between him and the captains. The lights in the room dimed and Davis began when all the captains had been seated. Images of unknown ships started being shown to captains on the screen behind Davis.

“You and your crews have been selected to be the first to meet with a new alien species called the Elium. We have communicated with them but we are not sure what to expect from them so that is the reason we are sending the Olethron. Jacob Lancer and the Höllenhund will be the lead for this mission and act as the command center as there will be no coms to link to where you are headed. We are also sending the only person that has really dealt with them, Julie Lancer. Sorry Jacob I had to keep it quiet.” Davis said.

The second that Jacob heard that his sister will be coming along made him feel enjoyment, anger, and worried all at the same time. But he stayed silent. Davis continued, “We are not expecting anything to happen but we are fitting you ships with new drive cores, cannons, and for the Höllenhund with some new fighters. The Elium are not from here so don’t do anything stupid. Also, no telling your crew about what is happening until the Elium are met with. Good luck and Godspeed. You are dismissed.”

The captain from the Harrison shifted around in her chair and cleared her voice. “Sir, permission to speak?”

“Go ahead, Markovic” Davis replied

“What is with the security and not reviling information to crew and having everything under lock and key?” Tasha Markovic asked

“If the Zliarians hear that we may be adding more people to the confederation that may start a war we do not need, tension between us and the Zliarians are thin enough. The Elium also are much more advanced than we are but we are not sure by how much. We are trying to keep this quite to hopefully not start a war.” Davis started to pace as he started explaining “If no one else has questions then again you are all dismissed.”

The captains stood, saluted and then left save Jacob; he stayed to see his sister. Julie was twenty-eight, and was already one of the top people on the intelligence side of the military. She was quite stunning, shoulder length brown hair mostly up in a tight bun, with emerald green eyes with flecks of gold weaved into them. She glided over to Jacob and gave him a hug, she pulled back and explained, “Sorry I couldn’t contact you, and it was stamped as top secret the second this showed.”

“So they had to make a cover story for that?” Jacob asked.

“I have no clue why but yes, I told them you wouldn’t care, but knowing them,” Julie stated.

“Whatever, it is good to see you though; it looks like you will be on my ship. I hope you like being lost,” He joked. “How has life been treating you other than being shut from the outside world?” he asked.

“Good, but I am tired of working, it has been a 24/7 type of a job because of this,” she said with a sigh.

“Once the ship is done I am taking you to the beaches of Talitan, one of the crew is an amazing holo-architect and created an amazing resort that is constantly running. The place is amazing taking parts from all cultures and molding them together.” He explained with some excitement.

“Sounds like fun and I may need to get my swim suit for that,” she replied with a smirk trying to get a reaction from her brother but with no success.

Slowly but surely the crews were allowed back to their ships. Jacob showed his sister to the guest quarters, and then he introduced her to Mai. “If you need anything just ask Mai for it and she will get it done or to you?” He stated.

“Mai, you look very familiar to me, where have I seen you?” Julie asked.

Mai replied with, “I used you as my main body and facial features structure, and then added a little difference.”

“So that is why I feel so close to you Mai,” Jacob interjected trying to break the awkwardness of the last statement but, just added to it.

“That is so sweet of you to do so,” Julie replied to Mai with embarrassment in her voice.

“Since this is over, we should head to the bridge.” Jacob said placing a hand on his sister’s back and guided her to the door then down the corridor to the closest lift to the bridge; as they walked they caught up with each other more. They reached the bridge and as they walked in the ensign the sat at the com station turned and said “all ships ready to go, green lights across the board.”

“Good, Jim listen to my sister and don’t ask questions. Then relay any courses to the other ships, Beta sigma delta encoding” Jacob commanded.

Julie walked down to the helmsmen and leaned over and started to give the course settings. As she did that Jacob took his seat in the middle of the bridge with Lucy to the right of him and the seat to the left empty for his sister. Jacob leaned over to Lucy and asked “have you met my sister before?”

“No, I don’t think I have,” she said as she tried to recall.

“Well today is your lucky day,” he returned with a smile.

“Julie, come here. Julie this is my first mate Lucy Hull. Lucy this is my sister Julie.” Jacob introduced.

“Hi, I think we have met but that was when you and Jacob were going through the officer academy,” Julie said questioning herself.

“Oh yes that is right, we were all younger back then you must have been what fifteen, sixteen,” Lucy said trying to remember correctly.

“So where are we headed if you can mind telling us?” Lucy asked.

“Just outside this system, the one thing that we didn’t tell you is that the aliens are not from our galaxy,” Julie stated with a smile of innocence.

“And how are we meeting them, and what?” Jacob asked with a very puzzled face.

“That is why we are not sure what to expect from them,” Julie added.

“Well this is going to be fun,” Jacob said sarcastically.