Chapter 7 - The Arrival!
The Space Battleship Omega followed the Yamato's
course to the
outer reaches of the galaxy. The journey had been uneventful but events
would soon
challenge the inexperienced crew. On the bridge, the ship's radar began
to sound.
Akeem, the Omega's Radar Technician, reported his findings to Captain
Taylor.
"Captain, we have just picked up a relay satellite
from the Yamato on radar!"
"We must be headed in the right direction," pondered
Captain
Taylor. "Venture, continue on this course!"
But suddenly and without warning, a huge space storm
appeared
in front of the Omega. Jordy tugged at the controls of the ship to try
to avoid it but
it was too late. The Omega plunged right into the storm. The ship
bucked and swayed
and soon, the Chief Navigator had lost all control of the Space
Battleship.
"Captain we're drifting," reported Jordy.
"Jordy, fire the stabilizers," ordered the Captain.
"I did," said Jordy as he struggled at the controls.
"But it didn't help."
"Akeem is there anything on the radar," asked
Taylor.
"Nothing sir," reported Akeem.
"Mister Osgood, I don't care what you have to do to
get a
message to Earth Headquarters..." said Taylor "...but get it done! Let
them know our
situation."
The ship violently shook from the power of the storm
"Captain, could the Yamato have fallen into this
storm as
well?" asked Reemer.
"It is possible," answered Taylor. "We've followed
the Yamato's
course down to the centimeter. They must have gone this way."
"What shall we do?" asked Reemer.
"Let's just stay calm," replied Taylor. "Let's see
where this storm takes us. If there was a way in, there must be a way
out."
Captain Hudson Taylor reached down and activated his
ship's
intercommunications equipment.
"Attention all hands this is your Captain. The Omega
has
entered a space storm and appears to be in no immediate danger. Please
remain at your posts. This may be a
long, bumpy ride."
Hours passed and the storm refused to release
the Omega.
The ship's Deputy Captain entered the bridge through one of its
elevators. Reemer
appeared sick and was having a difficult time walking. He sat down at
his chair and
let out a big sigh of relief.
"Reemer, how is the crew holding up?" asked Taylor.
"The crew is holding up quite well," answered Reemer
as he
grabbed his stomach.
"Reemer are you okay?" asked Captain Taylor.
"I'm fine Captain," said Reemer.
Jordy began to chuckle. He knew that Reemer had
terrible motion
sickness and that his friend had probably spent most of the last few
hours in a
bathroom losing his lunch.
"Reemer, any idea why the plumbers are having a hard
time with
the clogged toilets on deck eight?" joked Jordy.
Reemer threw a violent look toward Jordy. "You got a
problem
Chief Navigator?"
"Not at all Deputy Captain," said Jordy as he tried
to hide
his smile.
Reemer snapped back. "Good, I would hate put you on
report."
"You need to relax Reemer," said Jordy trying to
relieve some
of Reemer's tension. "You're driving yourself crazy."
"You mind your business and I'll mind mine,"
screamed
Reemer.
Captain Taylor had become a little annoyed. The
tension of
being caught in a space storm was one thing; having his senior officers
making it
worse was another.
"Reemer, Venture's right," said Captain Taylor.
"Take a break. Go to the gym and get a good work out. That will get
your mind off of
things. It's an order."
Reemer was going to protest but his stomach began to
make that
unnatural gurgling sound that could only mean trouble. He covered his
mouth with both
of his hands and ran out of the bridge. The bridge erupted in laughter.
After taking a shower following his workout, Reemer
was still
restless. He began to wander aimlessly throughout the ship trying to
get his mind off
of the storm. He walked down a corridor and decided to visit the
kitchen even though
food was the last thing on his mind. Upon entering the room he saw two
men preparing the ship's next meal of the day. The two men noticed the
serior officer
and snapped to attention.
"At ease gentleman," ordered Reemer. "I was in the
neighborhood
and thought I'd drop by to see how things were going. What are your
names?"
"I am head cook Masters and this is cook's assistant
Comet
Steel," said the older man. "I hope you will find that everything is in
order, Sir."
Reemer glanced at the much younger assistant. The
young man was
either shaking with fear or had a touch of motion sickness. Either way,
he looked to
be in worse shape than Reemer.
"Comet huh?" asked Reemer. "Where'd you get a name
like that?"
Comet was afraid to answer and was shaking
uncontrollably.
Sweat dripped in huge drops from his forehead.
"My parents, Sir," answered the young man.
Reemer was surprised with the response and burst out
laughing.
The young man had sparked Reemer's curiosity and he had taken Reemer's
mind completely
off of the space storm.
"Masters, could you spare this man for a while?"
asked Reemer.
"Yes Sir," answered the cook. "May I ask when I will
have him back?"
"Well, I'm going to show him around the ship so it
might take
a while." Reemer glanced at Comet and then back at Masters. "As you
were Masters. Come
with me Comet."
The cook's assistant clumsily took off his apron and
eventually
followed Reemer out of the room. The Deputy Captain lead the way down
the hall as Comet
desperately tried to catch up. Reemer didn't say a word. He just
continued to walk
without a care in the world.
"Sir, am I in trouble?" asked Comet Steel.
"No, not at all. You just looked like you needed a
break. I'm going to give you a personally guided tour of the entire
ship," said
Reemer.
"Really? I've never seen the whole ship before,"
said Comet.
"But I may need to make a pit stop every now and then if you don't
mind, Sir. I have a
touch of motion sickness."
Reemer smiled. "Is that so?"
As they continued their tour, the young cook's
assistant began
to relax. As their conversations grew, Reemer found that he had more in
common
with Comet than just space travel sickness.
"My Astro-ball team was just about to win the
playoffs when I
got called up," said Comet.
"Your what?" asked Reemer.
"My team the Titanites," answered Comet. "We were in
the
playoffs but I had to leave for the mission."
"The Titanites," replied Reemer. "Let me guess, you
were about
to play the Paladins, right?"
"Yeah, how did you know, Sir?" asked Comet.
"I played for the Paladins," replied Reemer. "And WE
were gonna
win the playoffs!"
They both began to laugh.
An hour later, an elevator door opened and Reemer
and Comet
stepped onto the bridge. It took a few moments for the reality to sink
in but as soon
as it did, Comet stared in awe. He had always wanted to go to the
bridge but his job
in the kitchen would never get him close.
Reemer walked over to Captain Taylor's command
chair.
"Captain, I have a little matter to discuss with you
concerning
Cook's Assistant Comet Steel. Can we speak privately?"
Captain Taylor raised a brow and glanced at Comet.
Comet didn't
have a clue as to what was going on. He was too busy looking at all of
the computers
and technical equipment.
"Yes, of course Reemer," answered Captain Taylor.
"Please meet
me in my chamber."
The Captain pressed a button and his chair lowered
out of sight.
Reemer walked over to his new friend who was busy chatting with Akeem
at the radar
station.
"Let's get going Comet. You'll have plenty of time
to learn
about Mister Akeem's position soon enough."
Comet was confused by the statement but followed the
Deputy
Captain out of the bridge without saying a word. Within moments he was
standing inside
the Captain's quarters thinking he had done something really wrong.
"Now tell me Reemer, what's on your mind?" asked
Taylor.
"Captain, I've gone over this man's record and I
have noticed a
mistake in his file. He was assigned to the wrong post by accident. It
must have been
a clerical error of some kind. Because we had to leave Earth quickly,
we left some
key positions opened that desperately need to be filled. I am
recommending that Mister
Comet Steel become our Operations Assistant on the bridge. He is more
than qualified
for the job."
Captain Taylor looked at Comet and Comet snapped to
attention
after Reemer nudged his arm. The Captain looked back at Reemer and then
activated his
computer to access the personnel files. The Captain began to scan
Comet's file
and noticed every little detail.
Comet in a very low voice whispered to Reemer. "Sir,
what are
you doing?"
"Just relax," whispered Reemer.
The Captain finished reading Comet's record and then
looked the
young cook's assistance straight in the eye.
"Cook's Assistant Comet Steel, you were in the top
one percent of your class at the Academy and it would be a
shame to waste your talents. Although unusual, I have decided to honor
my Deputy
Captain's request. You will report directly to Deputy Captain Reemer.
The decisions
you make will be of vital importance. I hope you are up to the task.
Welcome to the
bridge, Comet."
Comet was shocked. He'd gone from kitchen duty to a
top ranking
officer in just one day. He smiled and saluted his Captain. The Captain
saluted the new officer and then stared at his Deputy Captain.
"Reemer, this man is your responsibility. If this
assignment
does not work out I will hold you directly responsible. See to it that
this man gets a
new uniform and is up on the bridge ready for duty in two hours!
Dismissed!"
Reemer saluted his commander. "Yes Sir,
Captain Taylor!"
Comet and Reemer left the Captain's quarters and
entered a
nearby elevator. Once the doors closed, Comet confronted his senior
officer.
"Sir, why are you doing this?"
Reemer glanced at Comet. "I understand that Captain
Wildstar of
the Yamato had someone from the kitchen working directly with him when
the Yamato
saved Earth from the Bollar Federation. He felt that the best soldiers
are the ones
that are hungry and are fighting for a better job. They are usually the
people at the
bottom of the ranks. I feel the same way. This mission is very
important and I want
the best people with me when the time comes to act. Are you up for the
challenge
Comet?"
Comet smiled. "Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir! I will
never forget
this!"
"Don't make me regret this Comet," said Reemer.
"No Sir," answered Comet.
"And another thing, you can call me Reemer."
Two hours later Comet was in uniform and sitting at
his new
workstation next to Jordy Venture. He had a smile from ear to ear.
Comet tried to
remember all of the lessons at the Academy on his new Operations
position. It had been
a while since school but all of the instruments became more familiar
the more he
looked at them.
"Mister Steel," interrupted Reemer. "What do you
make of this
storm?"
Comet was nervous as the entire bridge crew looked
at him for
his response.
"I went to a seminar at Earth Defense once," started
Comet.
"The presentation was given by Mark Venture. He said that the best way
to maneuver in
a space storm was to travel with the current and not try to go against
it. He also
said that the obvious way out is not always the actual way out and that
sometimes, you have to take chances."
Captain Taylor liked what he heard.
"Venture, change heading ninety degrees port,"
ordered Captain
Taylor.
"But Captain, that will take us directly into the
heart of the
storm," responded Venture.
"Venture you heard Mister Steel," said Taylor.
"Sometimes you
need to take chances. Turn this ship to port ninety degrees and give us
full power
now!"
Jordy made the necessary changes and the Omega began
to change
course. The ship's main engines ignited and the Omega began to pick up
speed as it was
effortlessly carried along by the space storm. The ship moved faster
and faster toward
the heart of the storm. Moments later the ship broke free of the storm
and was
enveloped in total darkness.
"What is it Captain?" asked Reemer.
"Interesting," said Captain Taylor. "I believe this
may be a
void of some kind. Mister Akeem, check the radar."
"There's nothing on radar or sonar," answered Akeem.
Hudson Taylor sat back in his command chair and
decided that
the right decision was to continue flying straight ahead. He had a
feeling that the
Yamato was close.
After a few tense hours in the void, the Omega
exited into the
new, strange galaxy. Starlight filled the bridge as the crew looked on
in amazement.
But they wondered, was this where they needed to be in order to find
the Yamato?
"Reemer, I think you better come take a look at
this,"
suggested Jordy.
Reemer walked over to Jordy's work area. He could
see the Chief
Navigator frantically working at the instruments on his station. He was
tapping every
gauge and was banging on all of the instruments with his hands. He even
gave the
equipment a good swift kick for good measure.
"What is it Venture?" asked Reemer.
Jordy pointed to a small meter on his display. "Take
a look at
this! It is supposed to indicate our distance from Earth. It says that
we are a
little more than three billion light years from home!"
"Is it working correctly?" asked Reemer.
"Of course it is Reemer," snapped Jordy. "If it
wasn't, would I
have asked you to come over here?"
Aligie Akeem's radar began to sound before Reemer
could give
Jordy a lecture on insubordination.
"Captain, we've got a planet with one small moon at
four hundred fifty thousand
megameters. Wait, I've got something else. It's metal.
It's an indistinct image. Switching to the video monitor."
The ceiling of the Omega's bridge turned into a huge
video
screen. A long, blurry gray image appeared near the planet and the
moon.
"I am activating the Image Enhancer with full
clarity," said
Akeem.
The image was enlarged over a thousand times. Taylor
recognized
it immediately.
"It's the Yamato!"
The crew was overjoyed. They began to cheer, laugh
and
shake each other's hands. But the Captain was not yet convinced that
all was well. He
stared at the screen with caution and noticed that the Yamato was
damaged and
motionless.
"Mister Osgood, radio the Yamato. Ask them for their
status,"
ordered Taylor.
Ollie Osgood began to open a channel to the Yamato.
"This is the Space Battleship Omega from the planet
Earth
calling the Space Cruiser Yamato. What is your status? Over."
A minute went by without a response and Taylor began
to get
anxious. He thought that perhaps the Yamato's communications equipment
was down or that the Yamato could send transmissions but not receive.
Osgood repeated the message. A moment later there
was a
response.
"This is the Space Cruiser Yamato from the planet
Earth.
Captain Derek Wildstar speaking."
Captain Taylor took over the communication. He
ordered a video
communication and within seconds, Wildstar appeared on the Omega's
video screen.
Captain Taylor stood and saluted.
"Captain Wildstar, I am Captain Hudson Taylor."
Wildstar saluted and then lowered his arm. "Boy are
we glad to
see you, Captain. What brings you this far out in space?"
"You're the reason why we're here," answered Taylor.
"The
Commander got a little worried when you hadn't reported in so he sent
us out to find
you."
"I will have to thank him when we get back to
Earth,"
replied Wildstar. "But in the meantime we are in need of a little
assistance. Our
Takion Absorber has been destroyed. Could your
engineers lend us a hand?"
"That shouldn't be a problem," answered Taylor. "The
Omega will
arrive at your location shortly."
"Thank you Captain Taylor," said Wildstar. "In the
meantime
I'll send you over a report bringing you up to date on our situation.
As a suggestion
you may want to get your crew to battlestations. There are some
unfriendly people in
this galaxy. We'll see you soon."
Wildstar's face disappeared from the screen.
Later, the Space Battleship Omega arrived at the
moon of
Xylotia and it pulled up alongside the Yamato. On the bridge, Captain
Taylor activated
his intercom and made an announcement to his crew.
"Attention, this is your Captain. The first part of
our mission
is complete and I want to thank you for a job well done. I want
everyone to be on alert
and remain at battlestations until further notice. That is all."
Taylor switched off the intercom. That was when
General
Torkan's fleet materialized and the attack began.