Missy snapped her head up and groped for her buckle. She was not sure whether her mask had fused, she was blind or the room was engulfed in darkness. She had experienced hundreds of hyper jumps but nothing compare to this. Her whole body ached and she gritted her teeth as she moved.

  Unclipping her belt, the low gravity unit on the Resolute allowed her to gently rest on the floor as she slumped from her chair, already she could make soft lights, so her unit was working.

  “Carver, Commander Jonathon Carver?” Missy called out through her parched throat. She could hear gentle moans of the ringing of her ears. She shook her head and forced herself to focus.

  “Systems still on line.” Carver called out. “But I doubt I am ma’am.” Carver struggled to stay on his feet, his head was swimming in circles.

  Missy’s sight cleared and she looked around as she forced herself up, nothing had changed except the warm red light was now deeper and pulsing in alarm. She reached over and deactivated the emergency command.

  “Wan, find out where the hell we are please.” Missy staggered back into her chair, her entire body was now starting to throb.

  “I have no sensor relay from CC ma’am.” Wan barely held herself up as she leaned against the glass wall. She was slowly regaining control of her body. The sub was simply floating lifelessly through space.

  Missy waved her hand over the smooth dark glass panel and blue button appeared, she touch the panel. “Attention all personnel, it appears the Resolute has suffered some unexpected interference from the worm hole. I ask everyone to return the safe quarters until we can get a handle on our situation. Commander Melissa Vitelli out.” She lifted her hand and made another gesture as another set of controls appeared. Six hours and forty-three minutes elapsed. She entered in a line of command.

  “Authorisation Melissa Vitelli protocol protection zero zero seven one nine, Apha Charlie Golf Tango.” Missy spoke to the panel. A brief light scanned her eyes.

  “Welcome Commander.” The automated ship’s voice answered, it was the calm mature sounding female voice.

  “Disable protocol, return ship to active status.” Missy waved her hand.

  “Protocol protection zero zero seven one nine, Apha Charlie Golf Tango is now disabled.” The ships voice answered.

  “You still with us Kosco?” Missy turned her head.

  “Just.” The deep thick voice of her chief engineer thundered back.

  “What sort of condition is my tub in?” Missy asked.

  “Just finished running self tests, all appears in perfect order ma’am.” Kosco responded as he fingers raced over the panel.

  “Wan, have you worked out where the hell we are?” Missy gained an unpleasant edge to her voice. The wall was still pulsing with a soft alarm in the background.

  “I don’t know, I have no reference on any stored star maps.” Wan stopped and looked at the slumped figure of Missy. “I think we slipped through the worm hole ma’am.”

  “I knew it wouldn’t be good.” Missy threw her head back. “Alright Carver, go find my senior offices and get them to meet me in the galley. And somebody cancel those alarms I think we all know by now we went through a worm hole.”

  “Aye aye ma’am.” Carver pushed himself off his seat and he grabbed the handrails that lined the roof of the 1.8 metre high ceiling. It was going to take some time for this to sink in. He shot a glance back at Missy, she still had her head back with her eyes shut. He now wondered what their commander would do. She did not have operational experience and this was certainly no exercise. Far from it, this was probably the most significant event in over two hundred years.

  “Wan, try work out where the hell we are, ball park figure is fine.” Missy then pushed herself up. It took her a couple of attempts to get moving. She had not missed Carvers glance, she need to exert her authority on this vessel.

  The galley was not a normal meeting point but it was of only three places on the ship that a group could gather without the protective covering of their ‘skin’ suits. The air lock chamber was not so much as an air lock, it simply did not allow the second door to open unless the first was shut. A pulse of high magnetic energy laced with H6 took out any lingering radiation. Missy entered the galley. The galley was also the only place on the entire ship with relatively high 0.55 gravity. It had its own pulse gravity generator, it was hard to eat your food when it floated away from you and eating out a paste tube went out of favour a hundred years ago.

  She pulled off her mask and took a deep breath. The door opened and tall figure entered with red crosses on his shoulders, he pulled off his mask. “Commander.” The tall dark haired man simply spoke. While Missy looked like she had partied all night and was bathed in sweat, the medical officer simply looked like he had woken up after a good night sleep.

  “Casualties?” Missy looked up.

  “We haven’t personally checked everyone yet but so far no lasting ill effects. All vital signs are reporting good on the crews PMI.” The doctor answered as he took a seat. Every crew member wore the Personal Medical Implant or PMI. It could measure heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure and brain activity, standard UNF install upon enlisting.

  “And why do you look so healthy then Khan?” Missy frowned. She didn’t particularly like the commander, aloof and somewhat of political animal, well connected if the rumours were to be believed. He had caused her nothing but trouble since she had arrived. She had never wanted him on her crew but not every choice was her own, he had been forced upon her. No doubt to report back to someone back their in command, probably ii or some other shadow group.

  “I was sleeping.” Khan answered smoothly.

  The door opened again and another large figure entered. He ripped of his mask and hood and threw it across the room. He looked at Khan with scorn and then at Missy with annoyance.

  “What the hell was that?” The huge Russian then eyed Missy. Major Ivan ‘The Bear’ Gori, Russian Special Forces was a moody individual and a man usually of few words. Officially the highest ranked officer on board the sub but that meant nothing to the navy personnel. The only reason he was here because his group had been seconded to protect the sub. Unofficially he was also here to protect Missy or ensure neither the sub or her fell into unfriendly hands.

  Khan did not like the big Russian but he understood there was history between Ivan and Missy, they had worked together at some point and as the Russian put it, ‘a bond created in the pits of hell’. Khan had no doubt that Ivan would protect Missy above all. He had heard it as Ivan who had pulled the crippled Missy out from the test facility where she received her horrendous injuries. It added another dimension to an already complicated situation.

  “I just thought I would slip through the worm hole Ivan, the fleet were not proving enough of a challenge I thought I might try the Mecoids, you got a problem with that?” Missy did not shy off for a moment. The Russian smiled as he took a seat and slapped Missy on the shoulder.

  “I thought so, inconvenient that.” Ivor shook his head.

  As the door opened again John Kosco and Lieutenant Daniel Scott entered. Daniel sported a decent gash across his head.

  The door opened for the last time as Carver entered.

  Missy breathed out. This is why she wasn’t a sub commander in the first place, she simply was not a people person and her grasp on politicking was at best poor. It was one thing to be stuck on the wrong side of a wormhole and something far worse to play politics with the crew. A crew that she had not had a history of serving with.

  “Ok gentlemen let us not beat around the bush, we are stuck here and we are not even sure where here is, we slipped through the worm hole. I have Wan at least trying to locate exactly where we are, not that it matters it is unlikely we are going back home in hurry. We need to make the best of what we have.” Missy looked around the table.

  Ivan frowned deeply, he knew what meant for him. Khan was unreadable, Carver was rubbing his temples while Daniel was inspecting the napkin he had just applied to his head. Kosco shook his head as if to clear his thoughts, he had taken a fall during the jump. Missy took a deep breath, she was simply no good at reading people, give her a machine any day.

  “What is it you are intending to do Commander?” Khan spoke in a controlled voice with a special infliction on the word commander. What really distressed him was that she was in command, she had no command history. If she had any decency Missy would step down. This was not a training run any more. His own training held his tongue, for the moment at least. His eyes flickered over to Ivan, what role would he play in this, the Russian actually scared him. Khan was certain that he now had to take control. He was by far the best person to run this vessel, more so then the ever dependable Carver. That man could not think on his feet despite his pedigree.

  Missy glared back at Khan. “This hardly a common event but it has not been unthought-of.” Technically Khan out ranked Missy by two years as Commander, but her knowledge gave her the advantage and her position had been officially posted for this exercise. Although the exercise was certainly over now, there was more to this ship then anyone knew. This alone would mean she could not step down. Oh there was so much more this crew was not aware of. What had she gotten herself in to? She had to breath deeply to clam herself. He heart was racing, no doubt Khan would review her PMI latter and write that up his separate report. He was an easy man to dislike.

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  “What would that be ma’am?” Khan lifted one eye brow with a too casual stare. He could pick up on her uncertainty and discomfort.

  “All ship commanders are given secret orders when patrolling the hole, Ryan always had a set, I never knew what was in them though.” Carver nodded. He was keen to see how this played out. The pompous Khan was his own worst enemy, probably thought he was the only person capable of commanding this vessel. Carver preferred the role of king maker over king. Load the gun but never pull the trigger but he would take whatever action was necessary for the ship. He glanced over at Ivan, clearly the winner here needed to get that man on board and he doubted that Ivan was going leave Missy easily.

  “So I intend to carry out our orders mister Khan.” Missy looked the calm commander in the eye. She could not hold a compliant and indifferent face, her emotions always boiled to the top no matter how hard she tried.

  “Orders? This was never meant to happen. I am sure command would never have allowed you to command such a ship if this was going to happen.” Khan spoke his mind as he showed a rare slip of control but his voice was still calm and in control. He hit her right in the heart, he could see it as he spoke the words. She was fraying around the edges badly.

  Ivan glanced at Khan and then sat back, the tiny Missy was not one to upset, what she lacked as diplomat she made up for in sheer firepower. At the very least this would be interesting.

  “Oh and you think you can do better?” Missy challenged, redness creeping into her cheek. Khan did not answer or show any signs of agitation as Missy continued. “This is an experimental ship, first and foremost it can not fall into enemy hands, I have those orders, and Ivan has those orders. Is this ship was crippled, we would be preparing to blow her now. Make no mistake about that.” She was clearly flustered now as she edged out of her chair.

  “Granted but you are a scientist, your rank is a reflection of your position, I think we both know you where given this assignment to test the work on the Karajini’s. And you have excelled, you a brilliant at what you do but this is not what you do now.” Khan spoke calmly and waved his hand. He was now reaching ground he was comfortable working in, he could play this quite nicely. It was clear that Missy lacked the composer for such a command.

  “A reflection of my position?” Missy level her eyes. “Do not presume to know me Commander.”

  “You need to do what is best for the boat, look deep commander.” Khan raised an eyebrow. His psychological pressure was building. He was almost enjoying this. He kept his voice clam and reassuring.

  “Alright Khan you have stated your view but Missy has my support.” Carver intervened. He felt Khan was basically right in what he was saying but he certainly didn’t want Khan in charge. Not yet at least. Carver knew Khan needed both senior officers to remove the captain. First of all Carver needed situation awareness of where they were and what they were up against. He would do what he thought was best for the sub and crew. But discipline was needed first and foremost. Every member on this ship had been hand picked, they were all the elite in what they did. He also needed to avoid any confrontation with Ivan until he was aware of his loyalty, Missy still had some sort of hold over them and there were some the meanest sons of bitches he had ever come across. They had enough issues right now with out trying to wrest control of this vessel. No, they had plenty of time, best to see how this played out. For all he knew Ivan would kill them all if they moved against Missy.

  “Then I concede, you’ll hear no more from me.” Khan shrugged as he looked at Carver. He knew the Brit was trying to out manoeuvre him, did he want the top job? “So what are our orders?” Khan felt he gained the upper hand at this point. He would have to work on how to mute the Brit later.

  “United Nations resolution 8426 and 8427.” Missy answered and waited. She stole a quick glance around the table and was greeted with uncomfortable looks. Not one of them could quote which resolution she was talking about.

  “Alright Commander Vitelli, it appears you have us.” Khan waved one hand this time looking more annoyed at the drama then being out manoeuvred.

  “The killing zone.” It was the big Russian and he actually smiled. “8427, to enact a killing zone of not less one parsec around the back entrance of the worm hole.” Even Missy was surprised at Ivor’s knowledge of this.

  “We don’t even know what is out here and you want to wage war?” Khan smiled this time. This was ludicrous, he could run with this.

  “If we had to, we would already be attacking any Mecoid out here but since there doesn’t seem to be anything out here, it is a muted point Khan.” Missy snapped back, biting at Khan’s bait. She took a moment to calm down and turned to the science officer. “Daniel, what chance do we have for the hole to be opened back up?” her breathing was hard and she could fell a bead sweat building on her brow. She was struggling for composure.

  Daniel Scott stopped checking his head for a moment and looked across at Missy. “Next to nil Ma’am, were in real trouble. If the smartest brains at the cube can’t do, we won’t with limited resources.” He didn’t want the get between the commanding officers and was very brief.

  “Thanks for that frank assessment mister Scott.” Khan responded dryly. “And resolution 8426?” Khan turned back to Missy with a little edge on his voice as if speaking to a child. He felt he was basically controlling the meeting now.

  “To seek out and capture enemy shipping for interrogation and possible technology.” Missy answered back. Khan began to laugh and Missy felt her authority beginning to slip away.

  “Surely not, we are alone, and yes there is very little chance if at all of getting back but let us not start waging war on the whole universe.” Khan wiped a tear from his eye and Missy fumed. They all looked at her now for her response.

  Carver struggle to think how he could push Missy back into this fight, he actually agreed with Khan. He hated Khan for being so polished. He was sure Khan was here for political reasons, someone’s eyes and ears. Too many politics these days in the military these days, you get that without a clear enemy to rally against.

  “It wasn’t a request mister Khan, it was an order.” Missy locked eyes with the commander. This was the moment now where she remained in control or lost the confidence of her senior officers. Or at least shot one dead, that was always an option. No, she needed to talk her way out of this one as she shook that thought from her mind as she stopped her hand reaching towards her side arm.

  “We have three months worth of supplies and our fuel tanks are full. The first thing we do is search out fuel and food. Fuel is easy, we just need a star, food may be more problematic. As for searching out alien ships, think about it very carefully mister Khan. They passed through that worm hole around 230 thirty years ago, so they obviously possess that technology and that is what these orders are aimed out, we must find that key if we have any chance of getting back.”

  It made a lot of sense, Carver thought and he could see Khan was reluctantly coming to the same conclusion whether he liked it or not. Whilst they had been contemplating the politics of the situation she had already worked out the best course of action, she was sharp. In that one moment his respect for the volatile commander went up a notch. Still, this battle was far from over.

  “You are the commander.” Khan answered off handily. Missy could feel the tension slip from her body. “You know we have no set of engagement rules going forward, from a legal point of view this is a mine field.” Khan knew there were other ways to influence.

  “I know.” Missy lifted up a red book, he had walked into her trap, she then smiled as she tossed the book down in front of Khan. “Charter 3838, the red book.”

  “The red book?” Khan lifted up the book, it almost had a myth status amongst the legal core. The legal rules of engagement for Mecoid space.

  “As you can see it is only in hard copy, read it. I imagine we’ll need your interpretation by the end of this.” Missy ordered. Khan failed to find a reply, he backed down for the moment.

  Carver glanced at the smiling Russian and the absorbed Khan, he suddenly realised that they had well and truly been outclassed, here was a commander he might just be able to follow.

  “Now that we have that out of the way we have one last item to address.” Missy stood up. Carver and Khan shot each other a glance, what was she up to now. She waved her hand over the table and a schematic of the ship came into view on the glass.

  “This ship, the Resolute, is special in more ways then you have been given access to. Those of you that have been on other Karajini class subs with have noticed that this vessel is slightly larger on the outside and certainly smaller on the inside. The layout is also very different. All the crewmembers have been chosen for specific skills and also skills that they have but may not realise they will utilise on such a vessel. Firstly this ship is transmorphic.” She took a breath.

  Transmorphic Carver thought, the ability to alter its shape, he had seen a few vessels with that capability. No wonder Missy was hell bent on retaining control. Missy pulled her hand up as the image of ship suddenly grew into a 3D schematic, which showed a vastly different ship.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Carver leaned forward.

  “Yes, that is a 300mm IPAC.” Missy nodded.

  “Jesus Christ.” Carver took a deep breath.

  Even Khan leaned forward. He gritted his teeth, this was going to be a great deal harder then he had thought. She was part of this dam ship.

  “I am about to activate the commands that will alter the ships internal layout, there will be slightly more room and certainly a great deal more functionality. The new elements of the ship will be posted across every access point and I suggest everyone gets up to speed very quickly.” Missy set off the safe quarters alarm.

  She activated the main coms. “This is your captain speaking, I am about to activate the main control systems of the Resolute that had been dormant. One of these is a Transmorphic function, which is why I have sent you to safe quarters. Once the ship reconfigures itself you will have to reorientate yourself to the new floor plan. You will also have new duties and responsibilities. People we are very far from home and these functions will assist us keeping alive, activating systems now.”

  Missy looked over at Ivan who nodded. “Activate Sam.” Missy looked down on the table as she was scanned.

  “Good morning Missy.” The AI voice was very different to the normal ships AI voice. Carver picked up the tone, it was the same voice that Missy had communicated with over the mystery code and command.

  “People meet Sam, she is our new ships computer, she has been running in the background, she is gen 7 augmented quantum AI.” Missy introduced the AI.

  “Gen 7, as in the organic interface?” Scott wanted to be sure, he had worked on some early prototype elements. A computer grown from organic brain material and interwoven with conventional electronics. The Gen 7 had been banned by the 2246 ethics committee.

  “You are not here for your good looks Scott.” Missy answered.

  “Isn’t that illegal.” Khan ventured although he was a little unsure of his position now. It appeared Missy had a few big hitting cards up her sleeve, it was also clear he need to rethink his strategy to gain control – not to give up, just rethink.

  “Yes I am Commander Khan, but the ruling of that committee would not allow my ‘death’ either. So I was given a new home.” Sam answered.

  “Oh shit.” Khan covered his mouth. “Oh shit.” His world spun. It finally hit home, it was unlikely that he could ever wrest control if this was supportive of Missy.

  “Sam, kick in the overlord process.” Missy nodded. She had defeated Khan for the moment. She could have started off with this but she knew it was important to stamp her own authority first.

  “Certainly Missy.” Sam answered.

  “I don’t hear of feel anything?” Carver said after a moment.

  “That because we are stealth ship.” Missy leaned over and smiled. “The inside of the ship uses living glass.” As if to prove a point she clicked her fingers and the door opened behind them that wasn’t there before onto a corridor that was not there before either. “And that people, this is why I am the captain of this vessel.” With that, she stood up and left.

  Ivan leaned over and slapped Khan on the shoulder. “You were never going to beat her Khan, if it came to it, she would have simply shot you. Word of advice, don’t piss her off.”

  Khan shook off the Russian’s hand and frowned. Caver allowed himself a smile.