Nowhere to Run by Saxon Andrew Page A

the ship’s commander can order it done if necessary.”
    Cole shook his head, “The best laid plans…”
    “Of mice and men go oft awry.”
    Cole smiled. The Obelisk knew Shakespeare.
    The Obelisk said, “Every ship commander will have to reconnect to their ships and download their minds again. This time the Commanders will be in total control.”
    Doc said, “What about the Sigmas?”
    “They will still require two crewmen to fly. The next models will only require one pilot.”
    Cole said, “How long will it take for the next model to be built?”
    “We will need newer technology to be discovered before we start building a different model. That could be a long time in the future.”
    Doc stood, “Thank you.”
    The Obelisk brightened and said, “I need you to start the migration to the new planets.”
    Doc looked at Cole and he said, “You should send several ships out to find the planets needed without a human on board. The ships will then lead the populations to their new homes, once the planets are selected.”
    Ian said, “Do you think there will be enough people who will want to go to a new planet?”
    Doc smiled, “All you have to do is look at the wilderness. There are millions that would love to be away from the Union and all its restrictions. Offer them a good planet and I suspect most of the wilderness would gladly go.”
    “They might be somewhat rowdy.”
    “The challenge of taming a new planet and the wide open spaces will remove most of that.”
    Dee looked at Doc, “I’d like to see our new ship.”
    Cole said, “Come on; I’ll introduce you.”
    Doc shook his head, “Before we do that we need to have a meeting with all of those that have been to the Slavers Planets.”
    Ian looked at Doc, “What’s bothering you?”
    “Needles; call everyone in to the Science Conference Room, please.”
    Ian raised his communicator and began sending messages. Dee looked at Doc, “You don’t like being the pursued, do you?”
    Doc stared at her and slowly shook his head, “Are you sure you can’t read my mind?”
    Dee stared at him and her eyebrows went up, “I don’t know where that thought came from, Doc. My focus center seems to be active even when I’m not using it.”
    “I suspect that it will become more active as you use it. Don’t apologize; we’re going to need your insights in order to survive.”
    “There’s something else, Doc.” Doc raised his eyebrows and she said, “I’m not afraid of you anymore.”
    Doc’s expression turned serious, “Turnabout is fair play.”
    Dee’s eyebrows went together, “You don’t mean to say you’re afraid of me.” Doc shook his head and turned toward the Science Building leaving Dee confused.
    • • •
    The conference room was starting to get crowded. Cole had called in the ten main engineers and their support staffs were sitting in chairs away from the table taking notes. Doc looked at Dom and saw his new navigator. She was interesting. She wasn’t beautiful in the classic sense but she radiated beauty. She also had black hair and blue eyes like Dee and Dom but her eyes showed a huge intellect. Doc shook his head and Dee said, “She’s like us.”
    Doc looked at her and rolled his eyes. Dee smiled, “I’ll stop.”
    Doc said, “Please do.”
    Ian called the meeting to order and looked at Doc, “I’m going to turn this over to Doc. He called this meeting and I’m curious about why.”
    Doc looked at Ian and said, “Before we get started,” Doc looked up at the ceiling, “Are you listening in Obelisk?”
    “I am.”
    “We need a name for you; Obelisk just doesn’t do it for me.”
    “You can call me Master of Everything.”
    There was silence and then they heard, “Hey, I was joking.”
    Doc chuckled and said, “The fact that you can is amazing. However, we’ll call you Moe.”
    There was a moment of silence and then, “I like it.”
    “Good, it fits.” Doc looked at the group around the table and said, “Cole,