The Commander by CJ Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

have no such knowledge? Are you holding back? Is this a limitation imposed by the Nobility?”
    “While that is a possibility, I think it improbable. If it is true, I’m not aware of the fact. Beyond that, if you’re asking am I deliberately holding back information, I assure you that is not the case.”
    “Then how are we supposed to fight the aliens?”
    “That, Commander, I do not know. I must confess I was curious about your plan.”
    Luke looked at Morrow. “Well, that sucks.”
    Morrow nodded sourly. “‘Appears there’s a lot you didn’t tell me when I signed on with this outfit’,” Lou quoted.
    Luke was sympathetic. “Yeah, if you only knew. But that doesn’t solve the problem. George, what would you suggest.”
    “I don’t have any suggestions Commander Blackburn. Your planet’s combat armaments would be ineffectual in a modern conflict.”
    “What about phasers and photon torpedoes and those sort of things?”
    “Those are fictional concepts, Commander.”
    “Yeah, I know that. But can’t you invent them or come up with something similar?”
    “I apologize, Commander, but the concept of creativity is not in my programming. I can assist your scientists to the maximum of my ability, which is significant. But in any case, my conjecture is those types of weapons would be ineffectual in modern combat.”
    “Why is that?” Morrow asked.
    George’s voice took on the tone of a college professor. “Lou, my assumption is that you intend to use manned spacecraft to locate and engage the alien navy. But my current ability to detect Bakkui ships is non-existent. Certainly, my archives do not include details of any such contact. Without detection, targeting is impossible.”
    “This gets worse and worse,” Morrow groused.
    “Consider the following,” George said. “To be useful in interplanetary combat, sensor technology must detect and identify combatants that are millions of miles away. This is due to the speed of spaceflight.”
    “Okay. Makes sense,” Morrow admitted.
    “I do not possess that ability. Further, my lack of sensor technology does not even address questions associated with offensive weapons. Will the engagements occur at light speed? If so, your so-called phaser blasts will be slower than your combat vessels.”
    “Luke,” Morrow said somberly. “This is kind of a reality check for me. I’m not saying there’s no answer, but right now, I’m not sure I even know what the questions are.”
    “What can I do?” Luke asked.
    “I need scientists and theoreticians. And I need to know what limits I have regarding George.”
    “As far as George goes, you can’t physically touch him, of course. But regarding access, he is totally available. George, you got any problem with that?”
    “Not at all, Commander.”
    “No secrets? None at all?”
    George replied after a several-millisecond pause, “None whatsoever, Commander.”
    “Good enough.” Luke looked back at Morrow. “ Regarding your scientists, how many?”
    Morrow thought for a minute. “As many as you can get. We’re in this for the long haul, and at the moment I can’t even get my mind wrapped around the concepts. My first plan was to start designing ships. Get armed up and head out. And to a certain extent, that’s still true. But actually, what I need even before that is knowledge. And I mean knowledge of all kinds. I guess we need a research center…or a university or something.”
    “Okay,” Luke said. “Sounds like we need to flesh out our plan a bit.” He paused for a moment and then brought up another topic he’d been wanting to talk about. “Don’t forget, Lou. We’re going to need a colony ship before the first warship. I’m thinking we can start small with Mars, use that as a training ground.”
    Morrow nodded but gave Samantha a look that screamed how overwhelmed he was feeling.
    Luke looked across the table at Roth. “Let’s let these people get back to work so you and I can talk.”
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