Space Odyssey: Spectre

Chapter 613: Lance of Thanatos

Jace walked out of the airlock and over the bridge connecting the airlock to the facility. As soon as he was over the bridge he moved over to the modified console that was connected to the supporting and locking structure that was holding the cruiser in place. Even the additional locking mechanism was hooked up to this console. Which was probably why there were so many additional wires that seemed to be connected to the console.

He set the bottle of champagne on the ground next to the console as he tapped a button and woke up the console. "Cain I am at the console. Are you ready?"

"Almost, the others are getting in position now." Cain answered, "I set our temporary navigational destination to be through the Kuiper Belt. I assume you will be up here to set a new destination?"

Jace brought up the sequence to start releasing the locks for the cruiser. While he waited for the others he looked at the creation they worked together to make. The outside design was initially just going to be a matte black paintjob. But after they worked together to design the transport ship they had designated the Wyvern, they had come up with several more creative ideas.

The most noticeable of which was the outside design of the ship. The actual design was of UEE make so it was a simple elongated tower with an opening in the front for the laser cannon and two engines in front for maneuvering. Then along the sides and top and bottom of the ship were several smaller engines for maneuvering that could be turned to the back or front. On the back is a trio of large engines with several additional auxiliary engines.

On the sides were the currently unmanned heavy cannons that could turn a continent on a planet into an uninhabitable zone. Then along the sides, on the top and bottom were several turrets that could be controlled both manually and be automated. All of those smaller turrets fired heavy hard light laser beams that would both burn and have an impact.

The actual paint on the ship was definitely nothing he had ever done before. The initial canvas was a white coat of paint and each member of the team got their own section to paint. All of them chose to go with the same concept. History and home. They all painted their history and an image of their home world. Adding bits of dialogue in their native languages as well.

Jace did not include his own because at the time Catherine was still yet to be put into cryosleep. The design really made for an interesting concept. Because when they moved through the various systems, the locals would be able to scan them and might even learn a bit of their galaxy’s history. The only other one besides Jace to not make an input in the external design was Catherine, who they excluded since she was still their prisoner.

But on the side he was currently on, he could see part of Victor’s story and Jamal’s story. "All staff are in position. Now we just need the name for the departure." Cain declared. "Are we sure about this one?"

"Absolutely." Colvert cut in with a chuckle. "It is the name that best fits. After all we are the walking death that comes for the people that bring death to all others. The lance that will pierce the side of the mortella and drain them of blood."

"He is right." K admitted. "I may not like the historical implications. But I understand why."

"Agreed. Although I do like the religious connection, that is another discussion." Valkyrie told them.

"I think everyone else is in agreement." Shilla declared. "Now go ahead and announce our departure Cain."

"Haa... very well. I am overruled." Cain sighed before continuing. "The Lance of Thanatos is departing UEE Facility Alpha. Powering the hover devices. Release the construction clamps and pull back the harness."

Jace pulled down on a lever that was attached to the side and flicked a few switches on the main console. When he did, the entire structure around the ship began to pull back. While on the roof the clamps that were colored yellow pulled back. "Construction clamps are pulled back." Jace glanced at the bridge that he walked across that was slowly retracting. "The harness is taking a moment but is pulling back as well."

"Sufficient space verified. Closing all airlocks and doors. Hold for the hangers to be sealed." Cain announced and watched as the hangar and cannon doors began to slowly seal shut as the retractable door appeared. By the time they finished the construction clamps and harness had completed pulling back. "All doors are sealed, the ship has been verified for space capability. Powering on all engines for neutral movement."

Vroooommm!!!

Jace could feel the rumble in his bones as the engines fired up. He could see the glow out the back and front of the ship. As well as the several smaller engines glowing on the side of the ship. "Engines online, we have 98.7% operational ships. Enough are operational for flight. Some of the portside engines are nonfunctional."

"Put it at the top of the list of things to fix." Jace announced. "Do you want me to remove the security clamps and docking clamps?"

"Security clamps first. We have to vent the air from the facility hangar before we remove the docking clamps." Cain explained. "The hover devices you installed throughout the bottom of the ship are functioning but I do not want to risk it."

"Understood, I have released the security clamps." Jace announced before moving over to a door and tapping a few buttons on the panel that was next to the door. After a few seconds all of the doors in the facility’s massive hangar began to close. Aside from the ones that led into space, it started to open as a blue film covered it. The blue film is the atmospheric barrier they installed and would be leaving behind for whoever decided to claim the facility.

As the air in the hangar began to leave through vents around the room. His suit showed that it was sealed while the outside was slowly becoming a vacuum. Once the process finished there was a beeping from the door panel as he moved back over to the console. "I am reading a pressurized environment. Disable the atmospheric barrier." Cain instructed.

Jace disabled the barrier and the sound in the hangar disappeared. He could still feel the rumble of the massive cruiser’s engines but he could no longer hear them. "Barrier disabled." Jace announced before continuing the process. "Turning off gravity in this section of the facility... now."

The Lance of Thanatos jolted upward slightly before leveling off. The last of the docking clamps seemed to be straining slightly. But Jace could not be sure since he could not hear what was undoubtedly the creaking of metal. "Flight stabilized within 0.2 percent margin of error. You can release the docking clamps."

Jace nodded his head before pulling down the last lever and watching as the clamps and arms attached to the facility began to retract until they were clear of the cruiser. Once they were clear he nodded. "Good for departure."

The cruiser slowly moved forward as it used its maneuvering engines to leave the hangar. Jace watched it for a moment before reaching down and grabbing the bottle of champagne. He then threw it towards the end of the cruiser where the armor around the engines was thick.

The bottle shattered and the frozen bubbly liquid splattered across the area he threw it. The shattered pieces of glass from the bottle floated around while the spongy cork seemed to float off.

Jace walked away from the console and towards an airlock that would lead into the facility. "Lance of Thanatos has departed. We are moving into position. All crew standby for the possibility of an attack." Cain reminded them as Jace stepped through the first set of doors and remotely activated the process.

Air filled the chamber as Jace bounced on his feet slightly. Getting ready to run towards the reactor room aboard the facility. He was going to jog there because he did not want to be here longer than necessary.

Voom!

The door slid open and Jace began running through the hallway. They had been steadily repairing the facility as they worked as well. So unlike before when the hallways were damaged by the clawed bugs and the passage of time. This time there were patches of metal work and spots where they clearly sealed it so it would not vent the atmosphere into space.

His boots clanked against the ground as he ran. The slight shuffle of his armor as he slowly picked up speed. He came around to the reactor hall and ignored the smell of remains they had just shoved into one of the side rooms. He came around into the reactor room and slowed down.