Zigrida Space Agency announced that their ship's name would be after their highest mountain, the Tiliquinol. The ship, the TiliQ 3, was the third built. Leilani, the leader and Captain, with her two older daughters Tie'lani, the navigation officer, and Beilani, over tactical. Sai'luna, the youngest, was in sciences. Al'ecia, the Queen and leader of the planet, sent three of her daughters, all produced by Commander Scott some 20 years ago. Plus, a team of 10 repair bots, mission bots, and 14 other Zigridians for ship operations.
They had built a mini version of the planetary focus beam mechanism on board.
Zooming past both moons en route to the nebula, everyone was excited about being in space, the advancement of society, and a hunt like no one has ever had in their history.
After twelve hours of flying at light speed, Mach 2, they reached the outskirts of the radiation barrier.
Tie'lani, the navigation officer, asked. "What should we do now, mother?"
Looking at the view screen, she responded to Beilani over tactical. "Beilani, charge up the focus beam; as far as I read, you don't play with this stuff; we will punch right through it, 'focus on full power.'"
"Focus beam charging to full power, eta 15 minutes," Beilani responded.
The ship had twice the perspex-shielding than any ship that had gone through before.
"Full power captain," Beliani announced.
"Let's go then," Leilani said.' 'Everyone, hold on."
All the ship's personnel were immediately locked into their magnetic seats. Beliani ensured all sensor lights were green, including the locks, then pushed the lever, moving the light engine to full power. The TiliQ rattled just a little as it entered the radiation belt; with the help of the focus beam and the shielding, everything was going well, traveling at Mach 3.
As everyone's nerves settled down, Leilani asked, "ETA navigator."
"45 minutes, mother," she answered.
The science officer said, "Captain, readings indicate that the radiation is thinning."
"Great," stated Leilani.
"Beliani, I want the stun beams online now."
"Understood, Ma'am," she replied.
"Security, Al'ecia team, get your boarding party ready."
"Al'ecia team ready, sir."
From the view screen, the radiation cloud disappeared; they had made it through unscathed. However, nothing was viewable from their vantage point.
"Huh," Leilani huffed, "All stop."
"All stop, sir," answered navigations.
"Sai'luna, long-range sensor sweep, please; let's get your science crew active today."
After 1/2 hour, Sai'luna said," Mother, mother, there they are at vector 45 degrees south a light year away, looks like nine ships."
Beilani excitedly said, "Stun beams ready."
"Al'ecia Team ready, sir."
Leilani sat with excitement and a smile and said," Tie'lani, Navigations full speed at vector 45, Mach 3, now."
The TiliQ swooped down like an eagle, eyeing the first ship, zap-zap, a direct hit stunning everyone on board.
The problem with the Earth Space Fleet was that they were scattered about in many directions studying the radiation, so none were in visible range.
"Whoa, yeah," Leilani said.
Everyone was in a feverish hunter's mood.
"Quickly, Science officer, long-range sensors at full magnification."
"Aye, aye, Captain," Sai'luna responded.
45 at 1.23.4 range 1/2 vector 13.
"ETA quickly, Sai'luna, Leilani asked," and how long will the first ship be stunned?"
"30 minutes to the next ship and 25 minutes before the stun begins to wear off," Sai'luna responded.
"Hmmm," Leilani mumbled; she pushed the overhead com button saying, Al'ecia Team, you're up; we are going to board the first ship." Then saying to the bridge staff, "I hope no Earth Ship is scanning in this direction."
The TiliQ docked with the stunned ship; Leilani instructed them to drop off three, telling them, "We will rendezvous back after you secure the ship, separate the females and secure them in a room, then lock the males in pheromones."
"Aye, aye, sir," stated the Al'ecia team.
"Okay, Tie'lani, the next ship." 45 at 1.23.4 range 1/2 vector 13. Let's go get it." Instructed Captain Leilani.
They did the same procedure two more times before the third ship happened to get off an SOS before the stun permeated them.
Both Missions Merge
Ia'lena and Captain Emily were stunned. Emily said, "Quickly, send off a message to Earth Space Command.' 'All ships, an all-ship warning, ships under attack take defensive measures, take defensive measures. 'Now repeat that until you get a response," she said to the communications officer.
Leilani's ship, now docked at the third ship, said, "Okay, get most of the men in the cryo-chambers; leave the females locked up; we can't take three ships back safely.
The communications officer beeped Leilani, "We are hearing a distress SOS but cannot pinpoint its direction."
By then, they had maneuvered two captured ships ware; they took the first one.
Leilani said," leave all the females on one ship."
They had gathered 30 males, ten from each ship; however, after examining seven who had substandard medical situations, they left them locked up with the females.
"Wooo, woo the crew said," being extremely happy.
Ten men under the influence of the pheromones assisted in their captured ships' operations, dropping off the 15 stunned females on one of the ships and navigating them in concert with the TiliQ 3.
After another 1/2 hour, the TiliQ maneuvered between two earth ships with five Zigrida females in control on each. Leilani yelled over the com system to all ships simultaneously, "Let's go quickly," everyone's hearts were racing with excitement; this was the best hunt for males they had ever experienced.
In the meantime, Captain Scott on the 22-year-old spacecraft the enigma overheard the SOS transmission being the closest ship in the vicinity of the Buoy.
Communications officer Lisa said," I'm already on it, sir; looks like the incident happened in Vector 45, .009 light years, east of here.' 'I just knew something like this was going to happen."
"Full emergency light speed, navigator," The Captain relayed.
"Lisa, contact the fleet to meet us at Vector 45 - G54."
"Aye, sir, the newer ships will probably get there before us due to them moving at twice the pace," she responded.
"I know - - Lisa, ETA?" Scott asked.
"30 minutes, sir," she answered.
The TiliQ moved off with the two ships heading toward the entry point at the radiation belt they had come from. Leilani said, "We can't take in a three-ship bubble at light speed, hold on, it's going to be close."
Beilani, at tactical, said, "beam ready, sir."
"5 minutes before entry point," Tie'lani at navigations informed her.
Just then, two Earth Vessels swooped up, announcing for them to stop or they would open fire!
Leilani said, "Sai'luna open visuals-audio with communications," Hoping the Captain was a male and tie it into both ships.
Knowing it's been 20 years and that the earth's ships might be more sophisticated by now, she was going to use age-old female guile; on these guys.
"This is Captain Smith of the Valencia; shut down your engines and prepare to be boarded; why have you attacked our ships?"
Answering him, Leilani said, "You want me to continue on my way, don't you? Order your men to shut down your weapons."
She momentarily confused him, using her telepathy, eye-to-eye, in conjunction with her Zigrida female voice.
However, the communications officer was a woman. She jumped up, shaking him. Saying," No, Captain, you're being manipulated."
Just then, the TiliQ3 entered the radiation belt with the two captured ships while the earth ships were startled in confusion.
"Wooo, Wooo, yes, everyone on the bridge yelled."
"Tie'lani, move us slowly to light speed one asap," Her mother instructed, then said, "We're going home, cargo in hand."
Opening the com-channel ship to ship, Leilani announced to everyone.
"I know it is so close to spring, and you are all anxious, but remember your training and promises of your leaders.' 'You are all heroes; you will not be forgotten and considered first in line.' 'Let's get these males back safe and sound."
Tie'lani announced to her Captain, "ETA four hours if we can maintain light speed one, sir."
She sat down in the captain's chair, saying under her breath, hold together, TiliQ, hold it together.
Beilani, I am going to my room to lie down; you take the bridge and let me know when we clear the radiation.
"Aye, aye," ma'am.
Paloma can't contact Space Command
Captain Emily sat down in the captain's chair with wonder and silence for a minute, then said, "Pamula get ahold of Earth Command immediately."