Chapter 2
To the Stars
“Colonel Bergman, what do you want me to do with this aircraft?” asked Anderson.
“Major, you are to study this, obtain whatever technology that is within it and see if you can get it working again. We need everyone advantage we can to wipe those commy bastards off the face of the Earth if war flares up.”
“Yes, sir I'll begin at once.”
As the days and weeks went by Anderson and his team of two Lieutenants finally began to understand this alien craft. It was blue, and looked like an oval except for its rear which rose like a scorpion tail. It had a computer system far, far more advanced than even the cutting edge crypto computers being developed at Pennsylvania. How they discovered the secrets of this craft were purely accidental.
Lieutenant Foster had been working on what appeared to be the computer console trying to find out where to connect a power cable. He had been trying for hours to find some way of getting it to work. Nothing seemed to be working and he muttered. “*****, ****, piece of **** computer TURN ON!”
A thought-speak voice spoke to him <Model 12-A Computer Activated> “What?” He said “I just heard a voice.......in my head. This is messed up.” Then he realized what he said. “I said 'computer turn on' and it turned on,” he thought “maybe it only responds to 'computer [command],” he thought. He spoke “Computer why is this voice inside my head?” <Model 12-A Computer gives data in thought-speech per standard protocol> it replied. Foster had heard enough. He yelled “Major Anderson! I've cracked it, the computer is working!”
Anderson hurried over to where Foster was standing. “What is it Foster?” he spoke. “Computer give me a rundown of what you are,” Foster said.
<This is a Model 12-A Computer on Fighter 0-5467 launched from the dome ship Wind Lake and currently on planet X-8924. I control everything aboard this ship from navigation to weapons to engines. I interface with two warriors or arisths at the pilot and weapon stations.>
“What is this voice in my head?” asked Anderson.
“It's how this computer communicates apparently,” answered Foster. “You also have to say 'Computer [command] in order to work with it.”
“Computer, what is an aristh?” queried Anderson.
<An aristh is a young Andalite fresh out of training who has not yet been promoted to warrior.> stated the computer.
“Computer, what is an Andalite?” asked Foster.
<An Andalite is what created this ship and inhabits the Andalite Home World.>
“Foster, your new orders are to debrief this computer and get every nugget of information out of it you can. See also what it will take to get it flying, I think we should make contact and try to get their help in the fight against the Soviets.”
It took a couple of weeks but after using the Model 12-A's computer to run simulations of piloting and weapons both Foster and Anderson felt good about flying the craft. Anderson requested that himself and Foster be allowed to fly the ship and make contact with the Andalites. “Anderson” Bergman began “I will grant your request. Don't have delusions of grandeur. Your mission is make contact and get back alive with this ship. Don't get yourself killed or get Earth invaded.”
“Yes, sir.” replied Anderson.
“Good, and make sure you have plenty of provisions loaded.”
“Sir, the computer calculates that it will take a week to reach their home world using a travel corridor it calls “Z-space”. The ship has more than enough fuel to make a round trip there and back.”
“Go get what C-Rations and equipment you need from the Quartermaster, Anderson. I'll call ahead and let him know it's all on my authority.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the Model 12-A lifted out of Earth's atmosphere Anderson made the fateful decision. “Were they headed for certain doom? Or humanity's salvation?” he thought. He put those thoughts aside as he had committed himself to the mission, there was no turning back. “Computer set a course for the Andalite Home World and make the Z-Space Jump.”
<5......4......3....
.....2.............
.1.......Jumping>
