Kern received the call. He was at Jenny's when it came through. She too was concerned and understood him having to leave she said that she would let him know about the Ascari AI as soon as she had more information. Kern got in his ship and headed to Cendarla.
Jenny had nothing better to do so headed over to the Ascari vessel to see if the AI was ready and able to give her any information. It had been several days. She had checked back earlier, but was informed that because of the extensive damage there had to consider alternate paths necessary for the AI to be able to access areas on the ship that was needed. Jenny knew that the technology on the vessel was several centuries old and she was also able to access that there were several components that were better than they were currently using. In the past the Ascari and Sentians had been good allies, they had shared technology with them freely. It had taken time for Sentians to understand some of what they were shown and other technology. Like the Ci, Mi and Ei that they used, had to be adapted for the human body. Ascari were a mechanical race, but not just like a robot that was fashioned to follow a series of commands from a program, they were sentient beings. They did also build constructs that were given a program and would follow a series of commands. They were used to aid them in minor and menial tasks. Jenny in her training to be an engineer and learned about some of the technology that had been adapted from Ascari knowledge, but from the Sentian angle, which is why she had not recognised the vessel or technology as being Ascari.
In the time that Kern had been with her they had gotten closer spending more time together and Kern had insisted that they take the time to construct a better means of her climbing through the ship. So, now she had a ladder to help her get to the upper floor, which was welded to the structure of the ship.
"Morning, J323."
"Morning," he responded.
J323 had not yet gotten used to the formality of greetings. This was his first time with a human.
"How is your progress?" she asked.
"I have been able to finish my analysis."
"What are you able to tell me?"
"After considerable bypass I was able to access the ships records in the storage area and also engineering. This vessel was primarily for research so there are also records from the laboratory too. However, I have not been able to access all the of that area it seems that there is no means to bypass ship systems to gain access to that part of the ship."
"The ship has been split in two in places."
"Split in two?" he asked.
"Your hull is split. In places your outer hull has broken this has caused the rest of the internal structure to break. The wire and connections to the rear of the ship on the side that is in contact with the ground, has a large tear. The areas you have probably accessed are the higher areas, which have remained intact."
"I see. If you have access to those areas you maybe able to access them remotely or even make a connection."
"I understand. What are you able to tell me from what you have learned?"
"I believe from the holographic specifications that you provided me of the ship you are constructing that you would be prudent to take several other components of the ship if you wish to take my AI and have it as part of the new ship. I believe your structure is sound from the details you have provided. It would seem that you are quite gifted."
"Err, thank you," she said, surprised at the compliment from the AI.
"The prototype engine you wished to use, that is in engineering, I believe would be perfect. I would also suggest that you take the piloting controls from this ship too so that you have a perfect match for integrating the two. The communications system is old, but would be adequate. If you were able to eventually find a newer Ascari vessel the overhaul to a newer system would become easier. The specifications you gave me of the Jericho would also benefit from some Ascari technology too."
"Looks like you have been able to make quite an assessment."
"I have more. If you are able to find a portable power source you could remove most of the key systems from the bridge and leave me functioning, but the more systems you remove the less access I will have to the rest of the ship to advise. I also suggest you take the sensors from this vessel. I was able to make them operational again and have scanned the local area of the planet."
"When you say scanned the local area. What do you mean exactly?"
"Approximately a fifty-mile radius. With limited power and resources that was the limit I could scan."
"If you had more power and resources?" asked Jenny.
"I could scan the whole planet."
"Wow. So, what did your scans tell you?" she asked, now very curious.
"After the message that Kern received that made him leave, I decided to see if there was anything that could be done in the future to help reduce or even prevent another situation."
"And."
"There is an old Hizatoan vessel approximately thirty miles north of our position. The vessel would seem to be an old destroyer. It may have been the vessel that destroyed myself. The Ascari and Hizatoan's were once enemies and it was at the time; I was last around that there was a war between us. They are a race that used machines and mechanoids. We were therefore seen as opposition to this and so they waged war on us."
"So, what does this have to do with the ship?"
"The external turrets for ship defences are quite impressive and if they are still intact could be removed and used as planetary defences. With the right part they could be set up to function automatically to attack the ships that you designate as hostile."
"Wouldn't I need to have a record of every Ictaran ship?"
"No, you would just require a ships signature. Each vessel is usually unique to each race. So that they can automatically scan and recognise a friendly vessel."
"Shepa'lai has an Ictaran ship stored in an old Threxis bunker."
"Interesting," said J323.
"What is?"
"The Threxis were a warrior race, but did not have fleets so they had several bunkers on dead moons throughout all systems that they visited. They would then attack in small numbers and then disappear. It took sometime to realise as no one would think to check a dead moon and the bunkers were concealed underground. The material they used was hard to detect with scanners. There are probably bunkers on every dead moon. You could scan for them and see what they hold."
"That's an interesting thought. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to finish the ship that I am building for Kern and get you moved. So, you want me to go to this Hizatoan ship."
"I actually want you to do several things, but yes."
"What else?"
"Check research and see what I can't and then I can make an assessment of the information there. Also, you can install the engine to your ship. How is the construction?"
"The outer shell is now complete and fully connected it is basically an empty ship. All I have to do now is move systems across."
"From the schematics you have shown me I propose the following internal structure. I have colour coded each area. Weapons, bridge, sleeping quarters, storage and engineering."
Jenny looked at the schematics. It was a little more impressive than what she had planned. It was a sizeable ship, for what Kern wanted. It would house twelve at a pinch, at certain times. She realised he had not meant permanently. It was estimated that it could handle six to eight comfortably.
"Would you be able to devise a schedule of what comes first based upon how you wish for me to extract your systems?"
"I will, but first you need to get a power source."
"I will. I'll asked Dush and Ninu what they have available. Once you have full sensors could that feature of scanning vessels for types and part be used in a portable device."
"It could. Why?"
"So that I can give one to Dush and Ninu as a thank you for letting me use the parts from this planet. It would help them a lot with traders."
"I believe it can be arranged."
"Thank you. I will get started."
"As will I."
Kern had arrived on the Jericho and was given a full briefing on what they had found on their return to Cendarla. There were no survivors. Every member had been accounted for. They had been identified by their respective interface. Some of the bodies found were unrecognisable, because of the hounds. Marcus was one of those and Eliza was very distraught, because of how they had found him they wouldn't even let her see his body as it would be overwhelming to her current state. On top of everything that had happened to her this was the last thing she needed. It was the last thing any of them needed. Colonel Kchetsky called a meeting on the bridge of all key personnel. He would then make a ship wide announcement later.
"I have made the decision that we should return to Mars. We are ill equipped for what strength the Ictarans have. There is no way that we can hold our ground in the Rellon system."
"What about Major Matthews?"
"He is still watching Psion Four, but I have informed him what has occurred and also my decision, he will be returning with his unit. I said his debrief could wait until then as I do not want to delay or put any more at risk."
"I understand," said Kern. "But I won't be leaving. I will come back when I can, but right now I have things I need to find out."
"Like?" asked Mercy.
"You said all moons were attacked. I need to check on the Mooks to see if any survived. I also need to go back to Tralor to see Blaznar. I'm not finished here, yet."
"You can do as you please. My concern is the welfare of those under my command. I just needed all chief officers to be aware. You are still a Commander, Kern."
"I realise that, but if we are to survive, I need to stay here and watch, monitor and gather intelligence."
"One thing," interrupted Hennessey. "Shepa'lai hasn't returned with Sara yet."
It had been overlooked.
"I can't wait for her," said Colonel Kchetsky.
"With your permission Colonel," Kern started to say. "If you leave Reen and a ship, possibly a fighter he can wait here with me until they return."
"He can have my ship," said Hennessey. "I will stay on the Jericho until we are back on Mars."
Colonel Kchetsky nodded.
As they were leaving the bridge Kern pulled Mercy to one side.
"I think we should have a talk."
"Sure."
They went to his quarters so that it was private.
"You need to speak to Admiral Gray when you return. I know we don't know the strength on Psion Four yet, but from what we have had to deal with so far there is no way that we are ready if they find us on Mars. If they get to Earth that will be catastrophic. You need him to up the military training. You, Hammer, Rico and Hennessey need to start recruiting more. Have Sentinel widen his search to analyse all military installations all personnel and all civilians in war torn countries, who may have unique abilities that could help save their planet. If we don't start now it could be to late when the Ictarans find us.
"Do you really think they will?" asked Mercy.
"This Lord B'arnduug is not giving up. He has been hunting to find where we are. Yet this time he took no prisoners. This was personal he had no intention of letting anyone live and if he gets to Mars and Earth then we are done. Eventually if he keeps looking, he WILL find us."
"I understand. I will tell him."
"No. Make him act, understanding is not enough."
She nodded. "Will you be okay here on your own?"
Mercy was concerned for him after the incident on Dyh. They had been friends for so long now and she knew he must have still been suffering.
"I won't be alone I have family and friends here. I will also try to see if we have other allies anywhere in this system and neighbouring ones whilst I'm here."
"Well be safe."
"One last thing."
She turned back and looked at him.
"Take Isabella to Mars. Get her involved, you have trained her well and she needs to be ready too. I'd hate for you to lose her. I was probably too hard on her in the past by not letting her be apart of things. She could still have been apart of things and learned, trained with the others. Then she would have been more prepared for her AI."
Mercy moved over to him and hugged him.
"Thank you. I will be sure to fetch her as soon as I can."