Thanks for reading. Here's another chapter for your reading pleasure. I hope you like it.
Onboard Andromeda, Dylan watched as the fleet of unknown ships approached Earth.
"Any information yet Andromeda?" Dylan asked.
"I'm sorry Dylan." Andromeda said. "They are still too far for my sensors to make a positive identification."
"Contact Glory. Perhaps the two of you together can…"
"Dylan, I'm receiving a communication from one of the ships of the fleet."
"Put it on the screen." Dylan said.
A handsome man with dark wavy hair appeared on the viewer.
"Captain Dylan Hunt, I am Captain Tony Stark of the exploration vessel Shining Star and commander of the fleet. I understand that you are holding my father in your brig."
"That's correct captain." Dylan said. "And I don't care how many ships you have, that's where he's staying. I'm sorry to have to tell you this but your father is a traitor to the Commonwealth."
"I know captain. The Commonwealth has been watching father ever since my accident. They have also been monitoring all of his communications. We know that he ordered you not to interfere with Earth. I want you to know that he wasn't speaking for the Commonwealth and there will be no actions taken against you or your crew for disobeying his order. In fact we are here to aid in the battle for Earth's freedom. I must say it came as somewhat of a surprise when I heard about everything that happened to your engineer Seamus Harper. I was also surprised when our sensors detected two Heritage class warships orbiting Earth.
Gloria opened a communication link to the Shining Star.
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Glory said.
"Captain Stark," Dylan said. "Allow me to introduce you to the Gates of Glory."
"Please, just call me Glory, sir." Glory said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Glory."
"I must say Captain Stark, that when we first detected so many ships exiting the slipstream we were concerned that it was the Dragan's fleet." Dylan said.
"I'm afraid that will happen soon enough." Captain Stark said. "I'm afraid that it's not possible for such a large group of ships to enter Dragan controlled space without being noticed. We'll have a fight on our hands soon enough. Until they show up, however, we plan on helping your crew in freeing Earth. Each ship in our fleet has enough lancers to spare, and we have a total of twenty more planetary warfare bots.
"Thank you." Dylan said. "You said that you are in charge of this fleet?"
"That's correct Captain, but only temporarily. My orders were that, upon arrival I am to give command to you. Permission to bring a shuttle aboard Andromeda so we can talk? I would also like to see my….father." It shamed Captain Tony Stark what his father had done and tried to do, but he had to talk to his father to try to understand how he could do such a thing.
"Permission granted." Dylan replied. "I'm looking forward to your arrival."
"Andromeda," Dylan said. "Contact Eternity and let her know that help has just arrived."
"Yes Dylan."
Andromeda quickly linked with Eternity's mainframe and relayed the information about the newly arrived Commonwealth fleet, as well as the imminent arrival of the Dragan fleet. Earth would have their freedom, but soon there would be a battle in the stars as well as on the planet's surface.
Trance was still busy treating the wounded and sick, when Eternity informed her of the news.
Everyone around her also heard and the news spread rapidly. As soon as those treated were able to leave, they let every Earther that they met know about the Commonwealth fleet.
Trance contacted Harper to tell him the good news.
The battle had eased up somewhat. It appeared that they were winning. The arrival of the giant robot and Rommie and Rick seemed to turn the tide greatly in their favor. Harper now had a few seconds to reflect on everything that was happening, and Earth's future. He was shaken from his thoughts by a voice from his communicator.
"Harper. Harper can you hear me?" Trance asked.
Harper activated his communicator and replied. "I'm still in one handsome glorious golden piece, my pretty purple princess. You miss me?"
"Always." Trance replied. "But that's not why I contacted you. Harper, the Commonwealth fleet has arrived. They're going to help Earth."
Harper was stunned. He hadn't expected that. He had thought several times how much easier it would be if the Commonwealth would drop by and lend a hand, but he never imagined it would really happen.
"Trance would you say that again. I thought I heard you say that a Commonwealth fleet came to help."
"That's what I said Harper. They're going to be sending lancers and Planetary War Bots down shortly."
"And all this time I thought the universe hated me." Harper said.
"Harper there is something else." Trance loved telling good news, but she hated informing people of something bad.
"I knew it." Harper said. "What's the bad news?"
"They believe that the Dragans detected their arrival and will soon send their fleet."
"That is bad Trance, but I'm sure that with Andromeda and Glory's help they'll be able to defeat the Dragans when they arrive. What about you Trance? What possibilities do you see concerning the Dragan fleet's arrival?"
"I'm not seeing anything Harper, and I don't know if that's good or bad. All we can do is do our best and hope that everything works out. I'll keep trying and let you know if I see anything."
"Thanks Trance." Harper said. "I'm sure everything will be ok. Fate wouldn't have brought us to this point in time only to knock us down. Unless the universe does hate me."
"It doesn't hate you Harper…. It loves you."
Before Harper could ask Trance what she meant by that, he saw two Nietzcheans nearing his position.
"I got to go Trance." Harper said. "It looks like two customers just walked into my shop." Harper said referring to the two Nietzcheans. "I'll talk to you later. I love you."
"I love you too Harper." Trance said. "Take care of yourself."
"Don't worry. I'll see you soon. I promise."
Harper expertly took out the two Uber soldiers with two shots from his gauss rifle. Harper then told Becka of his conversation with Trance.
It didn't take long for all squad members to learn of the arrival of the Commonwealth fleet. The news caused a change in them all. They no longer hoped that Earth would be made free, …. They knew it would be free.