Lines Crossed Chapter Eleven
GRID Traveler Trinity: Lines Crossed
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Herb’s CRT streamed data at a fast clip. He was looking for an anomaly. The Necronians “handed” them exabytes of data pertaining to planet coordinates and development on influenced worlds. Luckily, the Johnson had at least several zettabytes of free space available for him to use. The amount of data was staggering. He and Milkens worked pretty much twenty hours a day farming through the data. So far they identified about three hundred worlds that should be post bronze age era. Twenty were within a month travel at long jump. Three worlds equal to GRID technology at eight months. And three whose technology surpassed GRID thousands of years ago.
Milkens handed Herb a TAB. This one was about twice his palm size. He liked it for the small size and high core processing power. The screen was bright and could be seen from almost any angle.
Herb rotated to portrait view and saw what Milk was referring too. There, a Gaian Continental Subdivision type planet less than ten days at long jumps. It matched up with data from the Johnson’s optics. He thought Loggar would be pleased. “Milk, it’s time for the meeting.”
Milkens gathered up his charts and TABs and followed Herb out the now sliding door.
Everyone sat round the main conference table. Sean walked in with Loggar and Adriana. All eyes turned to Adriana as she found an empty spot at the table.
Dawn replied, “Herb, that’s SI territory.”
Herb frowned. “That would be a bad thing, but most of Necron worlds are in that direction.”
Sean asked, “Would it be worth the risk?”
Loggar said, “I think so.”
Sean knew Loggar was biased. Of course she would say yes.
Collins agreed, “I’d say yes. At least to check out what is there.”
Sean said, “It would give us a reason to see if SI conquered this area or is merely licking electronic wounds for a comeback. Ensign Newton, what are your thoughts?”
He caught her off-guard. “Captain, I thought I would answer only Engineering questions?”
“Not on this deck. My Command Staff may bring anything up regardless of department.”
Adriana felt the focus of eyes on her. She took a deep breath, exhaled and began, “The light that would show us signs of SI activity won’t reach us for another 50 years. The same goes for standard broadcast. Since there is a lack of any intelligent signal from the planet as of 50 years ago I would say per-industrial at best, if there is sentient life. We’ll either come upon a planet stripped of natural resources or void of SI activity entirely. One or the other but not in between.”
Sean smiled.
The others remained silent.
“Ensign, what was your other major at the academy?”
“I had a few Science disciplines, sir. Quantum, macro physics, astronomy and GRID Technology, Medical, and Anthropology were my minors.”
Collins looked up.
Sean looked over to his Chief Engineer, “Sorry Pulse. The Johnson has never had a need for a science officer until now. Ensign Newton just became the Johnson’s first Chief of Science.”
“I knew it was too good to be true, Captain, but can you spare her in between adventures?”
Sean laughed, “Of course. The Johnson launches in 18 hours. I’ll want the Ensign glued to your hip during the first shakedown.”
That made Pulse happy.
Sean turned to face Quock. “Lieutenant? Thoughts?”
Quock replied, “How far out will we hit now-space?”
Foster answered, “About one month optics when we first re-enter, then we’ll move the Johnson in with four more short jumps that will get us within three days optics. From there we drive in under ion.”
Collins lifted a hand, “Captain, this is the first time we’ll encounter Alien life other than the Necronians. I was thinking we should stay at one month optics and send in a scout. I’m worried about possible panicking if the natives spot us too close too soon. I mean, My Goddess, we would be the aliens.”
Sean turned to Loggar, “Kathy, this is your call.”
Loggar considered every scenario, including scaring the natives. “I had talked to Mr. Foster earlier about our approach and the three day optics seemed reasonable. Particularly if the planet is per-industrial . . .”
Adriana said, “But ma’am, we had telescopes about four hundred years before space flight.”
Loggar paused, “. . . very true. Ensign,” and chewed her bottom lip. “There really isn’t a reason to rush into this, is there?”
Sean grabbed the opportunity and said, “No reason. We’re here for the duration. I’m beginning to think we really should take this slow. We aren’t a scout ship and we don’t have scouters as crew.” He paused, “Do we, Dawn?”
Dawn tapped on a CRT. “Captain, we do as a matter of fact. We have several: Lieutenant Clark Lewis, Lieutenant Lockley, and Warrant Officer Tanner.”
Sean thought for a few seconds, “What I’d like to do is form a committee to look at how we should best proceed. We can do it in route, given that our new engines will allow crew to walk about untranked, which is going to feel strange.”
Loggar could only nod. If she protested she would be seen as reckless. She waited this long she could wait longer. “Sounds good,” she said.
Sean nodded, “All, meet back here in two hours.” He looked around. “Foster, calculate different scenarios and time frames. Pros and Cons. Ensign please stay behind. Same for you Kathy and Dawn. Everyone meeting adjourn until two clicks.”
The room emptied out quickly.
Once all four were alone Sean began, “Dawn. Adriana is really my Great granddaughter.”
Silence.
“Seriously.”
Dawn laughed, ”Captain, you’re kidding?”
Sean slowly shook his head. “Wish I was kidding, but the Necronians have a very different type of humor.”
Dawn nodded and looked at Adriana and smiled. “Nice to formally meet you Great granddaughter of Sean Blakemore.”
Adriana blushed.
Dawn said, “Most High?”
Adriana replied, “Not practicing. My Mom was a local Goddess, but she never pushed me to become a follower. In fact, she did the opposite. I always wondered why.”
Loggar said, “Adriana, it is nice to have you here.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“No need to call me ma’am. I’m civilian. Call me Kathy.”
Adriana nodded. Calling The Most High Goddess by her first name was going to feel weird she thought.
Sean said, “Ensign, your academic record is impressive. Commendations, Honors, envy of all. Nothing the likes the academy has produced in the last fifty years.”
Adriana blushed.
Sean continued, “Why Engineering?”
“I like hands on, sir.”
“Dawn,” Sean began, “Start the paperwork on the Ensign’s promotion. The Chief Science Officer can’t be an Ensign.”
Dawn nodded. ”Junior, correct, sir?”
“Absolutely, can’t make the jump too far.”
Adriana was dumbfounded, “Thank you, sir.”
Sean leaned forward, “Don’t thank me yet, you may even hate me later, but since you are family I may push the envelope,” and smiled devilishly. “You’re pushing new territory on board. During our long jumps you’ll have a chance to know crew and start a department.”
“Sir?”
“Now that you’re Chief Science Officer, you’ll have to assemble a staff.”
Adriana’s shoulders dropped slightly. She just uttered, “Sir.”
“See you in two hours and the personnel database is now open to your login. No one is off limits, understood, Lieutenant?”
Lieutenant? Surreal. Adriana squared her shoulders and looked Sean in the eyes. “Understood, sir.”
Sean smiled as Adriana walked out. “Well, Dawn, what do you think?”
Dawn said, “Seems to be a tough kid. Maybe like her old, old, old man,” and laughed.
“That has yet to be seen and I’ve had my fall from grace before, but she’ll do right, I think. How do you think the crew will react?”
Dawn thought for a few seconds, “They’ll be some grumblings, of course. I think the crew will accept her. She’ll have to do the leg work to maintain, but being the Captain’s ‘niece’ gives her an immediate master status of Command Officer.”
Sean pondered, “You think some will treat her roughly?”
Dawn shrugged, “Maybe, but she has to be her own person. The First Officer on board the Barack said in her exit review she was very capable and formed friendship and alliances easily despite being brilliant.”
“Merriwether, right?” Sean asked.
Dawn nodded.
“Then that does mean something. Merriwether is a bastard if I remember and praises no one.”
Dawn added, “Cold-hearted Fuck is more like it, but yeah, if she got that much from him then she bedazzled them all.”
Loggar said, “Sean, excuse me, but why Great granddaughter, you suppose?” The appearance of a Necronian descendant wasn’t boding well for her. One just doesn’t create a legacy just because. “I mean, wouldn’t a daughter or granddaughter been better?”
Dawn answered, “Dilute the influence.”
“The influence?” Sean questioned.
Loggar injected, “I understand. Sean, whatever physical traits you would have passed didn’t make it to Adriana. She’s removed from you far enough that she looks like her own person when standing next to you. She may have more Necronian genome than you would have given her. She also hadn’t had the benefit of being raised by you.”
“Heh! That might be a good thing. Not really sure if I’d be a good parent.”
Dawn said, “Parenting has a way of changing people.”
“The question I have,” Sean started, “Does she have nanobots?”
Loggar answered, “None, though Karen did find an extra dense mass of muscle tissue near her heart.”
Sean nodded and pursed his lips. “Well we have two hours, I need to walk.”
Dawn stood up, “Then see you in two hours,” she said as she walked out the sliding doors.
Loggar and Sean were alone.
“Sean, love.” Loggar whispered into his ear. “Have anything pressing that needs to be done?”
He smiled and knew where this was going. “Not at the moment. You had something in mind?”
She reached down between his legs and started slowly rubbing up and down.
Sean immediately grew hard, “I see. Giving or receiving?”
She kissed him deeply, “Giving this time. I’ve worked you way too hard. Your turn to receive.” She undid his pants and pulled him out. She knelt down in front of him and licked his entire length.
Sean moaned and made himself comfortable. He pulled the rest of himself out and enjoyed watching as Loggar rhythmically sucked up and down. She had a firm grip and stroked him in concert as she motioned up and down from tip to balls. After a few minutes she felt Sean was about ready and she only concentrated on his tip. Another moment later Sean erupted and she swallowed hungrily; making sure none of it stained her outfit or furniture. She cleaned him up and smiled.
Sean, breathing heavily, looked down. “Kathy, my Goddess.” He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. He could taste what was left of him on her lips and that excited him. Standing up and collecting himself everything went back neatly into his pants. He lifted her up and maneuvered her into his seat. Now was her turn. As he lifted her skirt up he could see she was already wet. Slipping her panties aside he knelt before her and ran his tongue along her inner thighs. He took his time making him way to her center. Her hood was plump and swollen. He flicked his tongue rapidly, occasionally sucking up her juices, until her legs started to spasm. He sucked harder until she cried “Enough,” then he licked harder still and sucked until she forcibly moved his head away. He sat in the chair next to her and watched her legs twitch for minutes still.
Loggar was spent. She thought Sean always knew how to drive her crazy and this time was no exception. She leaned over and they both kissed each other.
After a minute Sean broke first, “Game for a snack?”
Loggar nodded, straightened her skirt and she made herself presentable.