The Feeding of Sorrows

by Rob Howell

  “What’re you doin’, laddie?” Garrison’s eyes shone with anger and distrust.

  “Figuring out what the fuck just happened.”

  “What about that Zuparti freighter?”

  “We may have bigger problems than her.”

  “What the hell are you talkin’ about, laddie?”

  I shook my head as Allnut appeared on my screen. “Captain Allnut, what the fuck is going on.”

  Her face was grim. “My name is Captain Barkley. I have a new employer, one who uses our real names.”

  Tlanit stepped into view next to her. His tail was wrapped around him and he, too, looked grim. “Bullitt sold the African Queen to me ten days ago, a day before his company…went under. Captain Barkley and her crew have accepted employment with me for the time being.”

  “You’ve seen the message?” asked Barkley.

  “Yes.”

  She looked at me oddly. “What’s your real name?”

  I paused. I hadn’t thought about it in a long time. “Rick is fine, I guess. I don’t want to think about it now.”

  “The Zuparti freighter,” hissed Pelham.

  “What?”

  “Fight your fight, Mr. Blaine. The time for talking will come,” said Tlanit.

  “As you say, Peacemaker.” I switched my sweeper off and re-entered the field of combat.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 37 – Kal’shin Tahzhent

  Type Two Corvette Starstrider

  Maquon Space

  “One of the Human destroyers is accelerating over the ecliptic, Kal’shin. She’s not coming directly at us, but she seems to be veering in our direction.”

  “Which destroyer, Shilrasha?”

  “The one we warned when she entered the system.”

  “Good. It’s been too long since we had an actual fight. Plot its vectors.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Tahzhent studied it. “Looks like her captain is going to use the moon to try and confuse us.”

  “Sir, he’s released a decoy.”

  “I see that. Which track is the real one?”

  “I’m not sure. The Great Hunter guided our sensors when it tried to hide, and we’re still having difficulty separating the Slyest Prey from our target.”

  “Show our firing arcs.”

  The arcs appeared on the screen.

  “It’s that one, Mar’shin.” Tahzhent pointed at one. “The decoy is going this way.”

  “How can you tell, sir?”

  “Look at these firing arcs. If the ship goes this way, she’ll be silhouetted against space from our firing points. Even if the Slyest Prey bends his will, it’s unlikely there would be anything downrange. Here, though, we’ll be firing into the orbitals of Maquon. It’s still unlikely we’d hit anything, but the Slyest Prey is whimsical. Much as I despise the Peacemakers, they’re too powerful for all of our kin fighting together to defeat.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “We grant the Humans a partial victory.” He turned. “Helm, give me this course.”

  “Yes, Kal’shin.”

  “Partial victory?” asked Shilrasha.

  “That destroyer is old, far older than the Starstrider. Her captain wants to delay our battle for as long as he can. He wants to dance as much as he wants to fight, and he has earned some time by limiting our firing arcs. The Humans are cowardly, but cunning, and the pack would do well to remember that.”

  Tahzhent returned to his seat and stared at the plot.

  “Shilrasha, let me know when you lose contact with the destroyer. If I’m right, the moon will obscure us from each other.”

  “If our courses hold. But we’ll still be in range of the sensor drone.”

  “So we shall. Lock on it with passive sensors for the moment. When we’re hidden from the destroyer by the moon, hit it with full active sensors and blow it out of my space.”

  The crew waited.

  “We’re occluded by the moon, sir.”

  “Engage active targeting.”

  “Active targeting engaged. Target locked. Definitely a drone.”

  “Excellent. Fire the laser.”

  “Target destroyed.”

  “Helm, reverse course, as tight a turn as you can give me. Turn toward the moon. Try not to hit it, though. We’re Zuul and the rightful masters of all creatures in the universe. Even so, I don’t think we want to hit something that big at this velocity.”

  The bridge crew of the Starstrider guffawed.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 38 – Capt. Eric Gonzalez

  EMS Algonquin

  Around Maquon’s Moon

  “The Zuul have taken out the drone, sir. The Type Two is behind the moon, and we can’t see her.”

  Gonzalez nodded. “XO, if I were that captain, I’d turn around and try to get on our tail.”

  “If he does, we might be the ones firing toward Maquon.”

  “Agreed. Guns, program a drone for our current course and speed and direct it around the moon.”

  “Programmed.”

  “Excellent. Release the drone. Helm, change course. Let’s go over the ecliptic again. Straight up. Three Gs.”

  The Algonquin’s vector shifted, and they headed straight up.

  After three minutes, Gonzalez commanded, “Helm, cut accel. Turn us around on attitude thrusters. Secure all emissions. Let’s run dark.”

  Various replies came back as people bent to their tasks. Soon, the Algonquin coasted backward over the moon.

  “Sir, contact!”

  “The Zuul?”

  “I think so, but they’re starting to play some games.”

  “Keep at it. Let me know when you have positive contact.”

  Gonzalez stared at the plot. “Damn, they’re too tight to the moon for us to fire.”

  “They’ll come out, and they might not see us,” said Wainwright.

  “We aren’t here to fight them. We’re here to keep them from the orbitals, so we can’t stay here. Williams, let me know the moment their course changes.” He paused. “Helm, give me one-tenth G accel to bring us to zero velocity. We’re as far as we want to be. Keep a light touch and, hopefully, they won’t see us.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “I’m sending some parameters. Compute the best course and speed based on those parameters. Make sure we don’t run into anything.”

  “Aye, aye.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “Even as close as they are to the moon, we might be able to get inside them. However, it’s more likely they’re going to turn toward Maquon, and we have to be ready. We have to keep them from helping the Zuul on the ground.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 39 – Kal’shin Tahzhent

  Type Two Corvette Starstrider

  Around Maquon’s Moon

  “Kal’shin, I think this track is a drone.”

  “Why do you say that, Shilrasha?”

  “By the Great Hunter, I don’t know, sir. It just doesn’t feel right.”

  “Then we’ll listen to the Great Hunter’s gift. If it were me, I’d go up or down from the ecliptic.” Tahzhent stroked his claws along the arm of his chair. “Then no matter where we encountered each other, her captain would have a firing solution without Maquon behind us.”

  “But we threw him to the Slyest Prey by maneuvering so close to the moon. He must see us, but we don’t see him.”

  “Agreed. Engage active sensors. Sweep above and below the ecliptic first.”

  “As you command, Kal’shin.” After a moment. “I’ve got the ship, sir. Back on the plot.”

  “Excellent.”

  “And, Kal’shin, it looks like Kukuluki is accelerating for the stargate.”

  “Will the Human destroyer chasing it catch her?”

  “Unlikely, Kal’shin.”

  “Pity. That would’ve been pleasurable to watch.”

  “I have a question.”

  “Can it wait until the Great Hunter has no need of our sk
ills?” Tahzhent’s lips curled.

  “No, sir, it has to do with our hunt.”

  “What?”

  “Why are they facing us? Did we not warn them? As cunning as they have been, I can hardly believe they don’t recognize us. Why did they choose to fight us instead of dealing with the Zuparti in the orbitals?”

  Tahzhent paused, then wagged his tail quickly behind him. “Your question is indeed apt, and the Great Hunter guides you. They don’t know both the Preytakers and Stalkers are here.”

  “So they assume we’re trying to help the Stalkers?”

  “Yes.” Tahzhent stared at the plot. “We should hunt on the ground of our choosing. Helm, plot a zero/zero course directly over the Forester Base.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Zero/zero?” asked Shilrasha. “Surely we don’t want to lose all velocity.”

  “No, but we’re plotting it nonetheless. If they don’t want us to get to that spot, they’ll have to meet us.” He glanced at the plot, then drew a vector across it. “Were I in their position, I’d launch missiles here, where open space is behind our target, then slingshot around the planet to meet us before we get over the base.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “This is what we’re going to do…”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 40 – Capt. Eric Gonzalez

  EMS Algonquin

  Maquon Orbitals

  “The Type Two has altered course, sir.”

  “What course?”

  “Still changing, but definitely turning back toward Maquon.”

  “We expected it, didn’t we, XO?”

  “You did, sir.”

  “Helm, do you have that optimal course for us?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Guns, launch a drone. Configure it to assist with missile targeting. Keep its emissions low until we need it.”

  “Got it, sir.”

  Gonzalez typed a series of numbers into his console. “Sending you some numbers. We’ll fire about here, so I want the drone to be there by the time we get to our firing spot.”

  “Can do, sir.” The tac officer bent over his console.

  “Helm, is that course laid in?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Commence.”

  Almost immediately, the effect of multiple Gs pushed everyone back into their chairs.

  “XO, while Guns is busy, make sure the shields facing the Type Two’s laser have power. Use all the fusion power you need, as we won’t need to change our vector until we get close to Maquon. Don’t want this show to end too quickly.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Sir, message from the Huron.”

  “To my console.”

  Captain Christopher’s faced appeared. “Eric, the Zuparti freighter, which we identified as the Zukalakk, altered course and is heading for the stargate. We won’t be able to catch her. It’ll take approximately eighteen hours for us to get back to the Maquon orbitals. Have fun playing with the Type Two. Tenacious and versatile!”

  The message ended.

  “Any response, sir?”

  “Yes. Record this and send it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Gonzalez pressed a button. “Attention all crew, Captain Christopher has decided to let us have all the fun with the Type Two. I’m not saying he’s lazy, but I’m saying the Huron’s crew is buying the beer next time. Tenacious and versatile!”

  “Tenacious and versatile!” responded the bridge crew.

  “Send it, Sparks. Just like that.”

  Grinning, the comm officer turned back to his console.

  “On that note, Mister Williams, what’s the status of the two remaining Zuparti freighters?”

  “The undamaged one has released from the space station. It looks like she’s moving to join the one over Jeriasker.”

  “Drone course plotted,” interjected Smythe.

  “Release on your mark, Guns.”

  More minutes passed, although they felt like hours.

  “Drone released.”

  “Time to firing point?”

  “587 seconds, sir.”

  Ten long minutes.

  “Sir, they’re firing on us. Shields are holding.”

  “For now, XO, right?”

  “For now, sir.”

  “Keep at it.”

  At thirty seconds, Gonzalez leaned back. “Guns, fire two missiles on your mark. Program the terminal engines to fire based on targeting from the drone, but don’t light the drone’s active sensors just yet.”

  “Missiles away.”

  “Hope they hit. Eight missiles and one drone left, sir.”

  “Me too, XO.”

  “Pull up active sensors now, sir?”

  “Not yet, Guns.”

  A few seconds later. “Now?”

  “Not just yet…”

  “Sir, we have to light the drone, or its targeting won’t matter.”

  Gonzalez didn’t answer. He merely stared at the plot.

  “Sir!” said the tac officer.

  “Eric!” added Wainwright.

  “Light it up, Guns.”

  Guns activated the drone, and the Type Two appeared bright and clear on their sensors. The secondary drives on the missiles fired, and they headed directly for the corvette.

  “Sir, they released a decoy, and they’re jamming!”

  “Keep at it, Guns.”

  He stared at the plot as the missiles made their final run. The plot didn’t show the explosion as they impacted.

  “Target destroye—” The tac officer’s glee turned to frustration. “Sir, she had two decoys out. The active sensors locked onto the second, which was only ten klicks from the Type Two going the same speed. We may have done some superficial damage to her, but not much.”

  Gonzalez took a deep breath. “Damn. That captain anticipated our run, so he’s going to expect us to come around the planet. Thoughts, XO?”

  “We have to get there, and he knows it, so we’re going to have to face him. Good news is we don’t have to immediately put any power into the rear shields.”

  “True.” Gonzalez chuckled. “Let’s see if we can do something else.” He thought for a moment and typed something into his console. “Guns, get together with the helm and see if you can do something like this.”

  The tac officer’s eyes widened. “But, sir. We’ll be risking missiles going into the gravity well.”

  “I know, that’s why you guys are going to spend the hours we’re about to use going around Maquon figuring out how to do it without bringing the Peacemakers down on us. Like, say, the one that’s in-system?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 41 – Kal’shin Tahzhent

  Type Two Corvette Starstrider

  Maquon Orbitals

  “The Human destroyer should be rounding Maquon soon.” Shilrasha paused. “And the undamaged Zuparti freighter is taking a position next to the one over Jeriasker.”

  “Formation?”

  “Not really, sir. Just two merchies clustering together.”

  Tahzhent curled his lip. “Decoy programmed?”

  “Yes, Kal’shin.”

  “Any news from damage control?”

  “No, sir. Our port side armor is compromised, and our warriors have not been able to bring up any of the sensors on that side.”

  “The price of the hunt. Much more interesting when the prey is worthy. Release the decoy and veer our course to port.”

  “As you command.”

  He launched the decoy on a zero/zero intercept for a point just above Jeriasker, not far from the Zuparti freighters.

  After a few moments. “Cut all accel.”

  “We won’t have much separation, sir.”

  “No, but we’ll have enough to present our starboard side to the Human destroyer. Plus, the Humans will pass right by us, allowing us to get plenty of shots with our laser.”

  “Yes, Kal’shin.”

  Tahzhent tapped his claws on the a
rm of his chair as he waited.

  “Human destroyer in line of sight.” Shilrasha stared at his console. “Something’s wrong, though. She doesn’t seem solid, like she’s shifting on swampland.”

  “Can you get target lock?”

  “Not yet. Even if I could, the missile track is still too close to the planet.”

  “Let me know when we have a solution.”

  “Yes, Kal’shin.”

  Tahzhent continued tapping.

  “Sir, it’s far enough above the horizon that missile fire should be safe, but I’m still struggling with target lock. Shall I engage active sensors?”

  “Not yet, Shilrasha.”

  Suddenly, the plot changed.

  “Kal’shin, the Zuparti freighters fired ten missiles each!”

  “I assume they’re aiming at the Humans?”

  “It seems so.”

  “How effective does their targeting look?”

  “They’re active aiming systems look damn good, but the missiles weren’t fired properly. It looks as though several got too close to each other during the launch sequence, and they destroyed each other.”

  “I guess we know how often those merchants have fired their full racks.”

  The bridge crew of the Starstrider guffawed.

  “And the rest of the missiles, Shilrasha?”

  “The Human ECM is good, sir. Most of the other missiles look to be duped. And they’ve got their point defense lasers.”

  “Any hits?”

  “No, sir.”

  The bridge crew curled their lips in scorn.

  “Message from the Rukkakul. That’s the damaged Zuparti freighter.”

  “What does it say?”

  “It’s demanding we attack the Human destroyer.”

  “It is, is it?” Tahzhent’s ears went back. “Inform the Rukkakul we’ll fire when we want, and when we do, we won’t miss.”

  The bridge crew guffawed again.

  “The Zuparti ships are firing lasers.”