The Col Sec Chronicles Box Set

by Jan Domagala

  “They’re getting away you fool,” shouted Rover angrily.

  Rygar brought the attack craft around again in an attempt to match the shuttle’s course.

  “They won’t escape again,” Rover said through clenched teeth as he released a salvo of Sabre missiles.

  “Sir, the attack craft has just fired three more Sabre missiles at the shuttle, detonation in less than thirty seconds,” the ops officer reported.

  “Target those missiles with our pulse cannons and open fire,” ordered Jefferson. “Get us closer, be ready to fire our own Sabres at that attack craft,” he added urgently.

  * * * * *

  The marine manning the weapons on the shuttle saw the trio of Sabres fired from the attack craft and immediately targeted them with the shuttle’s aft pulse cannons. The joined effort of pulse cannon fire from both the Valkyrie and the shuttle blasted the three Sabre missiles out of the sky in a multiple explosion that lit up the darkening sky with its intensity.

  “Sirs, the Valkyrie is closing on us, we also have three other craft approaching, they’re from the local Constabulary,” said the pilot, who had also kept an eye on the scanners.

  A voice came through the com. channel saying, “This is Commander Iverson of the Cordoban Constabulary. I order you to disarm your weapons, drop your shields and follow us to the nearest spaceport. You are under arrest.”

  “I’m sorry Commander but we can’t do that,” replied Hawk, adding to his men, “Open fire on that attack craft.”

  “Then you leave me no choice but to force you to the ground,” Commander Iverson said with finality in his voice. He’d obviously been given his orders to bring down both of these craft that were tearing apart his city and he would obey those orders.

  The weapons officer on the shuttle urgently said, “They have weapons lock on us, they intend to fire.”

  “Now this is getting really interesting,” De Boer said.

  * * * * *

  The attack craft had received the same communiqué as the shuttle.

  Rygar said, “I’m getting a bad feeling about this.”

  Rover fired a Sabre missile at the lead Constabulary craft that had taken point whilst the other two had remained slightly behind, one to port and the other to starboard.

  The Sabre missile struck its target and exploded destroying the craft in a huge fireball. Before the explosion had time to expand much past its initial ignition, Rover had targeted the other two Constabulary craft with the pulse cannons and fired before they had time to raise their shields.

  The plasma bolts struck the port craft in the pilots’ area smashing through, killing the crew of three, and sending the craft hurtling to the ground below. The starboard craft was struck on her port wing, which was shredded by the plasma bolts effectively destroying the stability of the craft without which she could not remain in the air. The smaller craft was sent spinning to the ground in a breathtaking tailspin.

  “They are a threat no longer,” Rover stated without emotion.

  Rygar glanced at the clone seated next to him and felt a chill run through him. When he looked back towards the shuttle he realised he was too late.

  * * * * *

  Sabre missiles from both the Valkyrie and the shuttle streaked towards the attack craft and within seconds they had exploded in a huge fireball of cataclysmic proportions that engulfed the craft. The shuttle quickly boarded the larger Valkyrie who then reversed her course and headed into the upper atmosphere.

  “Make the jump to hyperspace, let’s get back to Earth,” Hawk said through the com. channel via his NI.

  As soon as the Valkyrie had reached the edge of Cordoba’s atmosphere where the other starship was waiting, they activated the star drive and both ships made the jump to hyperspace.

  Rygar regained control of the attack craft after the explosion caused by the Sabre missiles.

  “Damn, they escaped,” exclaimed Rover furiously.

  “Well, we’d better get away from here ourselves. After you shot down those three Constabulary ships they’re bound to send more, probably larger with better weapons,” Rygar replied.

  Rover contacted Jonas Wilde via a secure com. channel using his NI. “They escaped us, sir, they’re probably on their way to Earth by now,” he said.

  “Good, just as I’d hoped,” Wilde said, sounding pleased with himself.

  “But you said you wanted them to die,” Rover said, perplexed by the contrariness of Wilde’s statement.

  “And if I’d told you that, then your attack would’ve illustrated that, but now they’ve gone exactly where I wanted them to go.”

  “So what do you want us to do now, sir?”

  “Rendezvous with Nemesis right away, she will be leaving for Earth very soon where the final phase will take place. I’ll meet you on board,” Wilde said then broke the connection.

  As Rover and Rygar contemplated the complexity of Wilde’s revelations, the man in question was smiling as he sat at his desk. His plan had changed along with events in an almost organic way.

  He was smiling because, despite all the changes along the way, the outcome was going to be the same, just as he’d planned all along.

  He got up and left the room. It would all be over soon.

  16

  The Valkyrie and her escort arrived back at Earth and were soon in orbit around the planet that was the centre of the Colonial Confederation and home to nine billion people.

  “Here we are, Captain, and don’t worry I haven’t forgotten my promise to get shore leave for you and your crew. As soon as I’ve transported Miss Wilde here to Col Sec HQ and reported to General Sinclair I’ll mention it to him, I give you my word,” Hawk said as he was about to board the shuttle. Captain Jefferson was standing next to him along with Tanya Wilde, Colonel De Boer and his two marines.

  “I’m sure you will, Matt, but I have a bad feeling that this isn’t over just yet so my men and I will remain on board and at battle readiness just to be on the safe side,” Jefferson answered with a dour expression.

  “I agree with the captain, this isn’t over yet,” said De Boer.

  “I hate to admit it but I think you’re both right. Seeing the lengths Wilde is prepared to go to I can’t see him giving up that easily,” Hawk agreed.

  “Whatever happens now will depend on the results of my report to General Sinclair so I’d better get on with it,” Hawk added, then entered the shuttle followed by the rest of the small party.

  They were soon leaving the hold of the Valkyrie and heading towards the planet below. Col Sec HQ was a sprawling complex situated on the site of the ancient United Nations. The Intelligence Division was located in the bowels of the complex several hundred feet below the surface.

  The Headquarters had its own spaceport close by which was where the shuttle was headed. Alongside the main complex were the barracks for the security contingent stationed there. Recon Delta marines were the best that Col Sec had, the pride of the military, and it was their duty to protect the Confederation and its people, which included the Confederation HQ where World President Takagi met with dignitaries and members of the various Royal Houses from around the galaxy.

  The barracks held only a small contingent from whichever company’s turn it was to be stationed there. It was Bravo Company at the moment, or just a small section of it, no more than twenty marines at a time. They rotated every six months depending on the company’s duties.

  The shuttle landed at the spaceport landing pad where Hawk, Tanya Wilde, Colonel De Boer and the two marines debarked. As they entered the huge building Tanya put a hand on Hawk’s arm stopping him and asked, “What happens now, to me I mean?”

  Hawk saw her worried expression and smiled to reassure her. Turning to face her he said, “Nothing bad, I promise.”

  “How can you be so sure? My father has done some terrible things, what’s to say some of the blame won’t come my way. I’m scared and not just for that but I’m scared because I have no idea what I’ll do next.”


  “Well first off, you don’t have to worry about any blame being attached to you, it simply doesn’t work that way, not unless we find some evidence to prove you were party to his actions in some way, an accomplice of some sort either before or after the fact. Considering that you came to us the moment you learned of what your father had done we can safely rule that out. What you do next is quite simple, you come with me to my boss, General Sinclair, and we take your evidence and your statement.”

  “No, you don’t understand, what do I do after that? I have no one and nowhere to go. Since Mom died it’s been just Dad and me. Okay, so he wasn’t there a whole lot of the time and I mostly had the staff to look after me, but I won’t have that now. Dad won’t let me return there now; he tried to kill me for Christ’s sake. I still can’t get over that and I’m rambling again, sorry.”

  Hawk looked at her, seeing the pain and confusion in her eyes and the bewilderment and fear of an uncertain future.

  “You’ve always had someone to take care of you, haven’t you? You’ve never had to fend for yourself at all, have you?” he asked.

  “No,” Tanya said almost apologetically.

  “Well, you’re about to embark on your wildest adventure yet. It’s called ‘Your Life’ and it can be whatever you want it to be,” Hawk said, trying to give her spirits the boost they sorely needed.

  “That’s easy for you to say,” she snorted derisively.

  “I suppose from your point of view, it is, but it can be for you too. Until your father is apprehended and brought to justice you’ll be protected. Your testimony will form the heart of the case so we have to ensure your safety and during that time you can learn what it is to be an independent woman. Once your father has been brought to trial and sent to a penal colony you’ll be ready to embark on that adventure I mentioned.”

  “Will you help me?”

  “I will do as much as I’m allowed to, dependent on my duties.”

  “Will you stay in touch, you know, after, when this is all over I mean?” she asked nervously.

  “Do you want me to?”

  She nodded her head gently almost afraid in case he declined. “That’s settled then, I’ll stay in touch,” Hawk agreed then caught a disapproving glance from the Colonel who, unnoticed by them, was still close by and listening to every word.

  “One step at a time though, let’s get this briefing over and done with and then we can all go and get something to eat. You too Colonel, you and your men must be starved, I know I am,” Hawk said to get things back on track.

  “Now you mention it, I could go for a nice turkey sandwich,” De Boer replied with a half smile, the first time Hawk had seen anything other than his usual dour expression.

  “I’m sure we can rustle us all up something like that,” Hawk said.

  “And a pot of coffee, sir,” the marine who had piloted the shuttle added.

  “Goes without saying,” added Hawk.

  “Make mine a cheeseburger, sir, please, and hold the pickle,” the second marine said.

  “What, a cheeseburger with no pickle?” asked the first marine.

  “No pickle,” he replied.

  “Call yourself a marine?”

  “I am a marine.”

  “Then you’d eat the pickle.”

  “I don’t like the pickle okay, it’s no big deal.”

  “Guys, leave it, we’ll order the food when we get to General Sinclair’s office,” Hawk said cutting dead any further argument.

  Listening to the verbal by-play between these men who had risked their lives to protect hers helped to take her mind off her own fear and by the time they entered the elevator to travel down to the basement sub levels where the Intelligence Division was situated, she was actually smiling.

  * * * * *

  Nemesis was a starship that MaxCorp had in the development stage and would be ready for full production within two years after the final rounds of exhaustive tests that would determine her viability as an asset to the Confederation fleet, or so it was thought. In actuality, Wilde had the prototype ready and fully tested.

  She was massive, the next generation carrier and, at over six thousand feet in length and having fifty-five decks she was the largest starship that either the Confederation or the Alliance had ever seen. Able to carry fifty one-man fighter craft housed in drop bays running the length of the craft and with the ability to transport over a thousand troops to a battle zone, she would be an asset to any fleet. Pulse cannons were situated both fore, aft and laterally down port and starboard as well as dorsal and ventral hulls.

  Missile tubes were placed alongside these cannons through which she could deliver her load of Sabre, Hammerhead and a variety of other missiles that she carried in the thousands. To defend herself she had not just double hull configuration but triple hull plating and self-sealing bulkheads, which were also protected by primary and secondary shields.

  In total, Nemesis was one hell of a threat and OMEGA not only had the only one but also intended to use her.

  Rygar and Rover had boarded her before she was about to make her jump to Earth. Wilde had ordered she remain hidden on the far side of Cordoba’s moon because the only things they had not yet manufactured were the stealth generators.

  Everything else had been rushed through for this deadline but time constraints meant that weapons and defensive shielding were given priority.

  Wilde had been on the bridge when Rygar, Rover and the rest of the mercs arrived on board. When they entered they were greeted by the sight of him standing before the huge viewscreen, hands behind his back, as he stared at the scene displayed there.

  “Well, we’re here, sir,” Rygar said when Wilde showed no sign he was even aware or their presence.

  Wilde turned around to face them, glanced towards the captain and ordered, “Make the jump.”

  * * * * *

  General Sinclair was sitting behind his large, rather ornate mahogany desk when they entered the office. He immediately rose to his feet when he saw them and came around the side of his desk to greet them, Tanya first.

  Standing before her offering her his hand he said, “When Matt informed me of your involvement Miss Wilde he never said how lovely you were. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name’s General Sinclair. I do hope they took good care of you?”

  “Very good care thank you, General,” she replied, taking the proffered hand. Before releasing it she asked, “General, what’s to become of me?”

  “Well, first my dear, we must take your statement and retrieve the evidence from your NI, the call logs of your father and so on so that we may present a full and complete case to the Prosecution Service. Until the case is finalised, and because of your father’s recent actions, it may be best if you remain in protective custody until your father is placed under arrest, for your own safety you understand.”

  “Of course, but what happens after that?”

  “I’m not sure I understand but I’m sure we can find the answer to your question. For now I must insist we continue with the most unpleasant task of building a case against your father,” Sinclair said, effectively cutting off any further discussion on the matter. “If you would follow me please, you too gentlemen, then we can get this debrief under way.” He led the small group towards the door to his office.

  “Sir, is there any chance of us grabbing a bite to eat; I can’t remember the last time I ate?” Hawk asked as they left the office.

  “I’m sure I can rustle up something,” Sinclair replied.

  “Make mine a cheeseburger, sir, and hold the pickle,” the second marine piped up, then added, “No make that a double cheeseburger with fries, please. I’m starved, sir.”

  “Again with the ‘hold the pickle’ thing, some marine you are,” commented the first marine.

  “Colonel, you have my commiserations on being saddled with this double act,” Sinclair said with a half hidden smile.

  “A double act they may be, sir, but they’re damn fine marines,
” De Boer replied with pride.

  “I bet they are, Colonel, I bet they are,” Sinclair said, his grin more obvious which earned a hasty, “Recon Delta hoorah!” from the double act in question.

  As they walked down the brightly lit corridor, Tanya’s troubles seemed miles away as she listened to the chatter from the men.

  * * * * *

  The Nemesis re-entered normal space on the dark side of Earth’s Moon. For the time being they were undetected, not having shown up on any long range scans from either Earth, the orbiting station or on the Moon itself.

  On the bridge Jonas Wilde stood before the huge viewscreen showing the forward view but could be tuned to show any view from any angle from the starship.

  “Have we been detected?” he asked without taking his eyes off the viewscreen.

  The ops officer replied, “No sir, but the moment we come from around the dark side of the Moon we’ll show up on every scanning station from here to Earth.”

  “Then we’d better be ready to act the moment we move.”

  “Aye, sir,” replied the ops officer.

  Wilde turned away from the viewscreen to face the bridge and the expectant faces watching him. Taking a deep steadying breath he marshalled his thoughts in preparation to giving the command, which, if his plan went as he hoped, would bring Col Sec to its knees and leave the Confederation in chaos. When he spoke his voice was calm and steady and had an even timbre to it, belying the rage built up inside him which was about to be unleashed against the hated Col Sec.

  “Captain, deploy your men according to your orders,” Wilde said, then turned to Rover and Rygar, “You gentlemen, will have a ringside seat as it were, a reward for your sterling service.”

  The Captain spoke into the intership com. unit issuing his orders. The fighter pilots were sent to their ships ready to scramble and the gun and missile crews all reported to their respective stations and charged up their weapons systems. The final order was given as Wilde returned his attention to the forward viewscreen.