The man, poked the captain’s chest with a sharp finger. “‘Impossible’? Homo-54s don’t know this word.”
Guerin barely kept his feet. Gods of the Universe! Who are these people? Demons living on an ordinary planet, forgotten Gods, or maybe their children? Who are they?
***
Alex and Guerin walked briskly down the central corridor, the captain explaining about the structure of the ship.
“Guerin, do I understand correctly that it isn’t necessary to be in special compensating seats during takeoff and landing?” Alex asked.
“Yes, sir. It has perfect gravitational compensators.”
Alex nodded. “Okay,” Alex ordered the ship, “Boy, take off! Lay a course for the Star Jumper.
“Maximum speed.”
“Yes, sir,” a young, joyful voice rang out.
The engines started up, and moments later, the ship took off.
Guerin felt the blood drain from his face. “How? It can’t be!”
Alex deactivated his combat form, transforming back into a human. “This is not a simple spaceship any longer. From now on, Boy is an Ultra and a full member of the Ice Vigor clan.”
“Commander, I suggest you proceed to the compensation chairs. I will accelerate to approximately fifty percent of the original parameters,” the revived spaceship said.
Alex smiled. “Great, Boy. Well done.”
They hurried to the wheelhouse and sat down in the chairs. Boy was increasing speed, and the compensation system was performing satisfactorily.
Alex pondered the near future. He planned to build a slipway on the Moon. With so many spaceships within the solar system, they would need a centralized base to repair, maintain, and upgrade those ships, as well as to build new ones. Alex also contemplated the creation of a pilot school led by Captain Guerin.
Despite all these projects crowding his mind, Alex did not feel himself fall asleep.
***
Captain Guerin studied Alex closely. He looked different from the photo Guerin often saw on the Commonwealth breaking news. Guerin saw pain, suffering, and sadness in the piercing eyes of the Ice Vigors’ leader.
He’s a man, Guerin thought with relief.
Other thoughts swam through his head. A sentient ship, Ultra… player Phoenix is indeed a dangerous person, despite his youth. But it looks like I may yet survive.
Guerin recalled the once-great Tekot Smul the Many-Faced and his terrible death, and shuddered. Wow.
Alex slept calmly in his chair. Guerin shook his head, admiring his courage. The captain still couldn’t believe a mere man could hijack the Star Jumper.
***
Boy woke Alex up as they were on approach to the target, “Commander, I suggest you leave the wheelhouse. Captain Guerin can take the place of the chief pilot.”
Alex jumped up, activating the Dark Ghost combat form.
Guerin shuddered at the sight, and sank back in his chair.
Alex patted the captain on the shoulder. “Come on, Guerin. Keep it simple and right. I need not remind you what disobedience leads to, correct? Believe me, it's better you cooperate with Homo-54s.”
“Of course, of course, Mr. Phoenix! I promise I won’t do one wrongful thing.” The captain hastened to the pilot’s seat.
“Well done. I received your list of sixteen Homo-3s, their full specifications, and your recommendations. I promise not to consign them to oblivion. Good luck to you.”
Alex Phoenix exited the wheelhouse.
Boy passed through the Star Jumper’s power shields without any breach of protocol. The man on duty, a gray-haired, strongly built man, smiled as he greeted Guerin.
“Captain Guerin! The team is delighted to have you back. We’ve had problems in your absence. It would seem that the Supreme Arkhs have confused our spaceship with an elite cruise ship.”
The captain chuckled. “Creto, where should I dock?”
Creto jokingly raised his hands. “Heh… You’re the captain, Captain. Dock wherever you want.”
“Got it,” Guerin said. “Over and out.”
The watchman stood at attention and ended the connection.
Alex heard their conversation. They are ordinary people. Perhaps I will spare them after all.
Captain Guerin said, “Mr. Phoenix, please return to the wheelhouse. Estimate ten minutes, twenty-six seconds before docking.”
Alex reentered. “How many crew members are on this ship?”
“Sixteen, sir. They are the best at their field, brilliant specialists. I vouch for them all. You could not wish for better men for your pilot school.”
Alex smiled. He studied the captain’s frightened gaze, quickly realizing that his smile in Dark Ghost combat form was grotesque and terrifying.
“Your desire to save your team is worthy of respect. You may order your people to hide, to let them shelter until they receive another order from you.”
Captain Guerin bowed. “I’ll do that immediately. Thank you.”
“Dock as close as you can to the place where the Arkhs gather.”
“That would be the front dock, sir… But there are many battle droids, as well as the ship’s main AI. This will be very dangerous.”
“Do it, captain! I’ll deal with the problems myself.”
***
Guerin studied Alex warily. It’s impossible to capture such a spaceship alone, the captain thought, realizing the insane Homo-54 would face overwhelming resistance and would most certainly die.
They had just left the small spacecraft, stepping onto the red cover of the front dock when Guerin saw the main AI, in the form of a high-tech ball that flew towards them. Captain Guerin knew the power of the AI, so he sidled to the left towards the service transport portals. He walked confidently, befitting a captain, casting occasional glances at the earthling, surprised at his calmness.
Suddenly, the AI crashed into the dock like a huge sports core thrown by a giant athlete. As if nothing had happened, Alex approached the AI, patted him on the hull, then sprinted into the spaceship. The ancient AI flew after him like a loyal puppy.
“Gods of the Universe. Had I not seen it with my own eyes…” Captain Guerin whispered. Shrugging it off, he contacted his first mate and gave him the order to hide.
Chapter 15. Star Jumper
Someone once said revenge
