Resolution: Bad Star

by M. L. Baldauf

  A sadness passed over her face, and there was a long pause before she spoke again. "First and foremost, Tavish McLeod was my closest friend, and had been since the days we were in the academy together."

  Harper’s brow furrowed as it always did when he tried to imagine McLeod as a green cadet. "I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this was a personal loss for you."

  "That’s perfectly all right. The second importance of McLeod is that he was a trusted Captain in the Special Intelligence Taskforce. Seeing as you are his chosen successor, it is time we were better acquainted. I believe he chose wisely. There is more of him in you than you know."

  Harper bowed slightly at the complement. "I’m sure you can imagine how much that means to me. What exactly is the Special Intelligence Taskforce?"

  "It is, for all intents and purposes, the organization that facilitates what Tavish and I set out to accomplish.” She stood and faced the window, switching it to the outside view, now mostly filled with the docking structure. We both joined the Academy for the same reasons. Neither of us were looking for military careers, but we both loved our home colonies. As you said in your eulogy, we simply wanted an end to the war, so that those we love could live in peace."

  "He gave his life for that goal."

  "But not in vain. When we were in Academy, we heard whispers of the S.I.T. and made it our goal to become part of it. Tavish was the more charismatic and strategically minded, so he decided to maintain the goal of commanding his own ship, while I set out on the administrative route. He became a Captain eighteen years ago, and I gained control of the S.I.T. at the same time."

  "And he’s been turning down promotions ever since, to remain in the field," Harper added, finally understanding why such a decorated officer was still only a Captain.

  "Exactly. Unfortunately, when I gained control of the taskforce, I found it a stagnant shell. Its acronym was ironically appropriate, but it was far from being a taskforce. They had been collecting data on the Salaxian’s for decades, and simply sat on it."

  "I take it you changed that?"

  "Precisely! Within five years it was running like a well-oiled machine. The intelligence we collected, changed the way the U.N.C. handled matters both with the Salaxians, and in the human territories.”

  "The Molina rebellion. I always wondered how we were able to stop it before anyone knew it was happening. That was…"

  "The taskforce, correct. The taskforce was also the reason this ship was built against the wishes of most of the fleet admirals."

  "And you want me to take his place as the executor of the taskforce’s will?"

  "More than that, John. I want you to complete his life’s mission."

  "I don’t understand."

  She smiled and sat back down, pulling a card from her breast pocket and setting it on the desks data reader. The computer console projected a hologram into the air between them, displaying a large cylindrical object. "Do you recognize it?"

  "It looks like the computer core we collected after destroying the Salaxian dreadnought."

  "It isn’t the same one, but you are essentially correct. The computer core you collected is the third one we've gotten our hands on in the history of the war. The first one was miraculously recovered after the first Salaxian attack. It gave us a translation matrix they used to translate our languages for their use. We were able to reverse it to understand the information in their databanks.”

  "What else were you able to find," he asked, barely conscious that he was leaning forward in his seat.

  "Historical information. We learned that on their home planet, a culture similar to that of our own third Reich, successfully dominated the planet and maintained their ideal of genetic purity. After achieving complete control over their own planet, they quickly developed an interstellar military, and have conquered thousands of systems. They are ruthless and have never taken issue with committing genocide on hundreds of species.”

  "So, we are just their next conquest."

  "That’s what they think. The second core gave us biological information." She pressed a key on the desk, and the image changed to a humanoid male. If not for the prominent brow, red eyes, and sharp teeth, it might have been a bald human man.

  "They look a lot like us."

  "We’ve noticed that. If we could release this information to the scientific community, they would be very happy to see the theory that the humanoid form is the optimum evolutionary design has more evidence."

  "What was found on the core we recovered," he asked. He flinched slightly with guilt, taking credit for a recovery he scolded Glenn for making.

  "The core you collected was the least damaged core we’ve ever had. We also knew exactly what we were looking for." She pressed another key, and the image of the Salaxian was replaced with a stellar cartography map like those used by humans, but the constellations were unfamiliar and much more condensed.

  "This is the Salaxian Empire." she announced. With another key press, the image zoomed into the lower right corner of the map, containing around 100 systems. These are the nearest systems to our own. About sixty light years away. This system," she pointed to a small red orb near the lower edge, “Is marked as a conquered wasteland. Tavish always wanted to find the Salaxians' own backyard to give them a taste of their own medicine, and that is where you are headed."

  Harper was immediately worried. "You said the system is sixty light years away. Even at maximum warp that’s a two week trip. We can’t run that long without blowing up the warp engine, and with the gravitational warp drift we won’t be able to stop for a cool down without getting lost."

  "To make matters worse, you’ll be towing three other ships with you, since they aren’t equipped with the 2000c engines yet. We’ve done the calculations, and we believe that you can make it close enough to stop in open space, and still find your way."

  "You believe?"

  "That’s the best you’ll get."

  "What exactly are we supposed to do when we get there?"

  She pointed to a blue orb less than five light years from the first system. The details are sketchy, but if we understand the color key correctly, the system contains a military base of some kind. What I want you to do is cause trouble."

  "Cause trouble?"

  "Yes. Gather information and do as much damage as possible. A stealth ship, the U.N.S. Grayback will be joining you on your mission. I recommend you send Captain Baran ahead for reconnaissance before you go charging in." Harper stroked his chin and looked almost mournfully at the tiny blue holographic orb. "Is something bothering you?"

  "I don’t want to become exactly what we’re fighting against. I’m sure even the Salaxian’s have what we would consider civilians, and I doubt we’ll have time to plan anything surgical."

  "This is exactly why am putting you in charge of this mission. Like I said, there is much of our late friend McLeod in you, and I believe you will find a way to hit them where it hurts without sacrificing what makes us human."

  Harper felt slightly reassured. "Will the other COs take my lead?"

  "I’ve worked with all three of them before. I trust them, and they trust me. The only thing they will know when they meet you is that you have absolute authority on this mission. Be assertive, and they will become comfortable with that. Speaking of which..."

  She pulled the stylus from her large data pad, which was sitting on the desk between them, and scribbled her signature on the screen before turning it to him, and handing over the stylus. It was the official promotion order. He had long dreamed of signing this document, though under better circumstances.

  He apprehensively added his signature and replaced the stylus before pushing it back to her. She held her hand out and he shook it firmly. She smiled at him with that same all assured Zen master smile that he had seen on the late Captain's face many times. He wondered for a moment, if everyone that was ever close with him had that smile, and then, if someday he would see that smile in the mirror.

  She han
ded him the card from the data reader. "All of the relevant mission data is here. Plugging it into the helm console will load masked coordinates for the rendezvous point. Keep your transponder off and disconnect from the GPS before you go. You can expect the rest of your mission fleet within the week. Good luck, Captain."

  With that, she walked out of the room. He looked down at the card and gripped it tightly. Stepping behind the desk he clasped his hands behind his back. Gazing out the virtual viewport he looked longingly at the center of the Milky Way, and the Salaxian Empire.

  Chapter 7

  A secret mission

  June 16 2213

  1030

  Redacted

  Harper slouched into the Captain’s chair, giving his legs a much-needed rest. For the duration of the three-and-a-half-day trip, he had stood throughout his duty shifts, uncomfortable with taking the Captain's place. His fatigue, however, was finally forcing him to take another step in embracing his new position.

  From this new vantage point, he got more than a passing glimpse of his new first officer, the freshly promoted Commander Parker, for the first time since they left the Vega station.

  At first, he wondered if the station quartermaster had made an error on the size of her new uniforms. After a moment, he realized that it was simply an illusion created by her stiff and uneasy posture. Harper was taught in his abbreviated stay in academy, that the mark of a good officer is the ability to anticipate the CO's needs, and solve problems before they came to his or her attention. Under McLeod, Harper learned that the mark of a good CO is to know your officers' concerns before they address them. If they struggle alone, it can compromise their ability to perform.

  Harper’s gaze finally caught her attention, and he signaled her to approach. Flipping a switch on his arm rest disabled the system that amplified his voice throughout the bridge. "Commander Parker, if I may pass on some advice from a former first officer."

  "Yes, Captain?"

  "Relax, before your shoulders implode."

  Her shoulders dropped into a more natural position, but her face was still twisted in discomfort. "Sorry, it’s just that I’m not sure if I’m the right choice for this job."

  "Beware of self-fulfilling prophecies, Commander. You just questioned the wisdom of a senior officer," he said with a stern look. One he couldn’t maintain for long before the smile broke through.

  The smile was contagious and soon melted away Parker’s anxious demeanor. "Sorry, Captain."

  "That’s okay. You're not the only one in uncharted territory here. Though, all things considered, your job hasn’t changed that much. Instead of managing pilots, you’re managing the crew."

  "I’m a fighter pilot. I have no clue how to command a star ship."

  "It’s just like a giant fighter, except the controls respond to voice command, and are capable of running autonomously when necessary."

  "Never looked at it that way."

  "Sarah, once upon a time you were my wingman. The best anyone could ask for, in my opinion. You’re not only the right choice for the job, you’re the only choice."

  She nodded, then look towards flight operations. Harper spun his chair and followed her gaze to Lieutenant Commander Anatoli. He's got almost no combat experience with fighters," she said finally.

  "True. He is, however, an efficient manager. Besides, he still answers to us." He spun forward in his chair again. "Honestly, as former fighter pilots, I think we will be more effective from command than babysitting from down there."

  "All right, you convinced me." She paused for a moment as if considering something. "I guess now would be a good time to bring up my first meaningful action as first officer."

  "What would that be?"

  "I want to reinstate Major Glenn."

  Harper turned back towards her and grimaced. "Are you sure you want to reinstate an officer who doesn’t follow orders?"

  "I understand he violated a direct order, but I think we can afford a little mercy for our best pilot."

  "Not charging him for striking a superior officer wasn’t mercy?"

  "It was. But, I also think the fact that his failure to follow orders is the reason we're on our way to kick the Salaxians’ collective asses where they live, should be taken into account."

  "Alright already. I wasn’t saying no. The decision is yours." He raised a finger as she started to smile. “But, the responsibility for his actions from here on in is yours too. Keep that in mind."

  Before Parker could respond, Palmer interjected. "Fifteen seconds to destination...apparently."

  The qualifier was added with an air of extreme frustration. As Cotton had promised, plugging the data card into the helm console programmed masked coordinates into the navigation computer, and even changed Resolution's heading automatically. When Harper ordered Palmer to disable the GPS and transponder, he also anticipated a formal protest and his resignation.

  Now that the trip was nearly over, Harper had hoped the resentment would have subsided. It hadn’t. "Prepare to drop out of warp," Harper responded after flipping the amplification system back on. Moments later, Palmer disengaged the warp drive, and pulled the power lever back to zero.

  Palmer jerked the ship to starboard the second they came out of warp. Resolution had stopped just inside the shadow of a blue gas giant, and his sharp reaction was due to the uncomfortably close proximity of the planet’s atmosphere. Harper felt it might have been an overreaction, but couldn’t blame him, as the sight had stopped his heart for a moment as well.

  "Now that we’ve narrowly avoided being sucked into a gas giant, maintaining orbit at one mile from the atmosphere," Palmer reported.

  "Belay the sarcasm, Lieutenant." Harper got out of his seat and approached the front viewport with Parker in tow.

  "Seems pretty desolate," she remarked after taking in the surroundings. The gas giant Resolution was orbiting, and large moon making an appearance over the horizon, appeared to be the only planetary bodies orbiting a yellow star.

  "I guess with masked coordinates, that’s not too surprising," Harper replied

  "I know where we are," Palmer exclaimed.

  Harper turned to him with an eyebrow raised "How’s that?"

  "We traveled about seventeen light years towards the core. A single gas giant with an Earth sized moon. This is the Deneb Alegdi system."

  Harper turned back towards the moon, which was now in full view. He had seen pictures of it in his school days, but the almost ancient pictures were now an entirely inaccurate representation.

  When humans had first ventured to the system, then known as Wellington, they found a lifeless gray rock dotted with lakes. Now, it was a flourishing forest moon.

  "I didn’t even recognize it," Parker remarked, breaking his contemplation.

  "Neither did I. The settlers here were from New Zealand. Five years after terraforming the planet, they were forced to return to earth after the first Salaxian attack."

  "All of that grew in seven decades?"

  "They had a benefactor. He funded the settlement well enough to have genetically enhanced seeds spread from space. The settlers only had to leave because the benefactor couldn’t continue supporting a colony this far out in good conscience. Not with the threat of invasion."

  Harper looked sadly on the brilliant spectacle of nature. It was a monument to how the Salaxians had halted Humanity’s golden age. He wondered if the rumors were true, that the settlers had brought wild and domesticated animals to sustain the natural environment. Hundreds of generations would have passed for the creatures, if they were still there.

  Harper’s thoughts were once again interrupted, this time by Sato. "Captain, there’s a ship coming from behind the moon!"

  "Magnify." A computer-generated image imposed itself over the central viewport, magnifying the bow of the vessel that was gradually making its way over the moon's horizon.

  After several moments, a lit portion of the hull stood out against the ship's silhouette, and revealed its i
dentity.

  UNS BLACKWOLF

  BB-94

  "It’s one of ours. Hail them." Harper sat down again and waited for the image to appear. A moment later, the forward section of the bridge was filled with a larger-than-life holographic image of a Commander sitting on the Blackwolf’s bridge. The effect was startling, as the quality of the image was so clear that, if not for the unrealistic size, one would think the officer had actually appeared on the Resolution’s bridge.

  "Good afternoon, Captain. Sorry if we startled you." The officer was young. Seemingly too young to be a first officer. His face was boyish and round, and his jet-black hair was close cut. His soft voice did nothing to destroy the image of youth, but the educated British accent helped Harper take him a little more seriously.

  "No need to apologize. Where is Captain Thorne?"

  "She’s on the moon surface...hiking. We’ve been here for some time. We're trying to raise her now."

  Harper put a hand up. “No need to rush her. We still need to wait for the rest of the ships." No sooner had the words left his mouth, two warp flashes on the starboard side caught his eye. He saw another battleship and could only assume the other was from the stealth ship. "On second thought, try to have her over here at the top of the hour. End transmission."

  Harper absentmindedly traced the outline of the data card in his left breast pocket with his finger for a moment before giving out orders. "Sato, relay the same message to the other ships. Anatoli, prepare the flight deck for three shuttles. Parker, the bridge is yours. Make sure the MPs bring the Captains to the C.I.C.. Alpha shift will hold over till we're on our way to Salaxian space. We'll have plenty of time to do nothing over the next two weeks."

  With that, he descended the stairs and headed down the corridor to the elevator. He took in a deep, anxious breath. In less than 30 minutes, he would officially be in charge of three commanding officers with at least as many years in the Captain's chair as he had days. They wouldn’t be easily impressed.

  * * *

  Harper stood before the wall of screens in the C.I.C.. He had divided all the information on the card onto different screens, so that he could present any aspect of the mission at a glance. He was ecstatic to discover several things on the data card that Cotton had not mentioned. Salaxian communication frequencies and how to jam them, an instant translation program for the Salaxian written and spoken languages, and specifications for goggles that would allow a ground team to see the exact same spectrum that they do.