by L. Fergus
“Princess, I am Secretary Galina Lyakhova of your Political Bureau.”
“I have with me Admiral Sheppard of the Shadow Fleet.”
“We are acquainted, Your Highness,” said Galina.
“Good. That will make things simpler. Did you get our distress call?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Unfortunately, there is little we can do about your situation.”
Defiance crossed her arms. “Why not? Where is the Shadow Fleet?”
“Your grandmother has died, Your Highness. The Shadow Fleet moved to take over when we had no successor. They are blockading Earth and Mars, demanding that we surrender and turn the government over to them.”
“My grandmother is dead?” said Defiance. “Then that means I’m Emperor.”
“If we can get you to your throne,” said Galina.
“I will talk to the Shadow Fleet and show them that I have returned. They will fall in line, and we will dispose of those responsible. Then we will drive the invaders from our space.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Black Station Six is a Bureau station on your way in. Stop there to resupply and take on a Political Bureau squad. They will protect you.”
Defiance nodded. “That seems a sensible thing to do. We will set a course for Black Station Six.”
“Godspeed, Your Highness. And Admiral, congratulations on saving the princess. We were beginning to lose faith.”
Sheppard nodded. “Just doing my duty, Madam Secretary.”
“See that you keep doing it.”
“Thank you, Madam Secretary,” said Defiance. “We will contact you from Black Station Six.”
“We will prepare for your arrival.”
“Princess Bush, out.” Defiance cut the connection. “She’s a scary one,” she said to Sheppard.
Kita came around the table. “You are so dead if she gets her hands on you.”
“What do you mean?” said Defiance.
“Reading her body language, Galina is going to use you to break the Shadow Fleet. Once they’re under control and you return to Earth, she’s going to kill you.”
“She wouldn’t dare.”
“She knows you’ve been in contact with me,” said Kita. “That alone will get you killed. Rene’s dead, too. She knows she betrayed her.”
“Your assassin mind is in overdrive, babe,” said Sarin. “But I agree with you.”
Kita leaned against the holotable on Enterprise’s bridge as Sheppard placed a call to the Shadow Fleet.
“This is Admiral Sheppard for Admiral Hackett.”
Kita drummed her nails on the holotable as she waited for the connection to be routed. She wasn’t in a big hurry. I doubt a fleet the size of the Shadow Fleet can turn on a dime.
“Admiral Hackett here, Admiral Sheppard. Good to see you, ma’am.”
“Thanks, Gene. I have the princess with me.”
“You mean the emperor? That’s great news. She’ll put those Political Bureau bastards in their place.”
Valor cleared her throat.
Sheppard smiled. “We still have a few Political Bureau personnel that are loyal to the emperor.”
“You better watch them closely.”
“They’ve pledged their loyalty.”
Kita raised an eyebrow. Rene didn’t say to who.
“How long before the fleet is ready to move?” said Sheppard.
“We don’t have the resources to go after Earth or Mars.”
“We have a more imminent threat. To get here, we promised to lead an alien fleet against Earth. We made an FTL jump to get a head start on them, but they will be coming through the wormhole in ten hours. We need to be able to lead them into a trap.”
“How many ships?” said Hackett.
“Twenty, but these ships have upgraded engines, shields, and weapons. They can punch through our shields and armor in a few shots. Also, Enterprise is wounded. Our number two runway is out of commission.”
“We can’t leave the planets’ orbits unguarded. The Political Bureau has enough shuttles and men to be able to take over the space stations. We’ve already fought to get them back once.”
* * *
“If they do, we can move people fast enough to repel them,” said Sarin.
“We shouldn’t rely on gods,” said Sheppard.
“Do you have a better idea?”
“Not all gods are as liberal about using their powers as you are,” said Kita. “But if we have to, we will. We can’t move troops, but we can move Angels.”
“That’s all I’m saying,” said Sarin.
Sheppard nodded. “Leave enough ships to guard the stations. If Galina makes a move, the Angels will counter it.”
Kita nodded and waved for Sheppard to continue. “We can’t let this new threat run rampant through the frontier.”
“It’ll take twenty-four to thirty-six hours to get our ships beyond the asteroid belt and then make an FTL jump.”
“What about making our stand at Black Station Six?” said Defiance.
“It’s not a battle station, just a resupply depot,” said Hackett. “It wouldn’t give us any strategic or tactical advantage. And it’s manned by the Political Bureau.”
“Black Station Six is a known point in our navigational computer systems,” said Athena. “It would make performing precise FTL jumps possible without having to run so many iterations.”
“I think having your fleet show up at the station’s doorstep would scare the horsecrap out of those Bureau scabs,” said Ryder.
“Black Station Six is part of the plan we’ve devised to counter this threat,” said Sheppard. “We’ll make our stand there.”
“Aye aye, Admiral,” said Hackett. “I’ll order the fleet to prepare to move through the asteroid belt and prepare for a combat jump on your orders.”
“Very good, Admiral,” said Sheppard. “We’ll lead the fleet toward Black Station Six. I’ll work with you over the next twelve hours to develop a battle plan.”
Sheppard turned to Defiance. “Anything else, Your Highness?”
“No. I will sit in on the planning for education. I’ve learned to fight a ship. I need to learn how to fight a fleet.”
Sheppard looked at Defiance, concerned.
“I don’t plan on replacing you, Admiral. I just want to understand what you’re telling me.”
Sheppard nodded with a smile. “Then that’s it for now, Admiral Hackett. When we’re close enough, we will integrate our computer into the Fleet’s. Until then, keep transmissions to a minimum.”
“Aye aye, Admiral.”
Hackett disappeared from the screen.
“Everybody satisfied?” said Kita.
“How hard can this be?” said Sarin. “It’s only twenty ships. The Shadow Fleet has over a hundred and fifty.”
“A fifth will have to be left behind to guard the planets,” said Sheppard.
“You haven’t seen the specs of these ships,” said Valor.
“I would very much like to,” said Athena.
“Show her,” said Kita. “Athena, after you get the intel from Jess, can you help Sheppard plan the battle?”
“As long as Sheppard understands I am not Valentine.”
Sheppard winced, and Kita felt a wave of sadness and remorse come from her.
“That won’t be a problem,” said Kita. “Rene has learned from that mistake.”
“I’ve learned a lot of lessons,” said Sheppard evenly.
“Then I will be happy to,” said Athena. “I’ve integrated with the Shadow Fleet’s computers. Integrating with Enterprise’s computers will be easy. I’ll do my best to update the system to increase efficiency.”
“Don’t make too many interface changes before we go into a major battle,” said Kita.
“Yes, Mom. I will only make passive changes.”
“Ryder,” said Kita. “Pull the plans for Black Station Six and see what it will take to kick in the door. We might as well grab it while we’re here.”
“If that’s what the emperor wants to do.”
Kita’s eyes narrowed.
“That sounds good to me, General,” said Defiance. “I’ll remind you that Kita is a commandant in the Legion.”
“Someone should get her a proper uniform,” said Ryder.
“Stop, General. You’re playing a dangerous game you won’t win. Kita goes with my blessing.”
Kita wiggled her nose. I don’t need anyone’s blessing. Kita pushed off the holotable. “Come on, Jane. I need to go fulfill a promise.”
“To who?”
Kita ignored the question. “Ship’s computer, where is Major Alex Garcia?”
“Major Garcia is in simulator seven in the combat flight simulator room.”
“Tell her to wait there for me.”
“Yes, Child of the emperor.”
“From now on, just call me Kita.” She took Sarin’s hand and led her to the elevator.
The combat flight simulator room’s ready room seemed to be a popular hangout for the fighter pilots, judging by the number standing around. Kita and Sarin received curious looks.
“What?” said Kita. “I can fly rings around you. Where’s Rainbow Jack?”
“Simulator seven, Child of the emperor,” said a man with colonel tabs on his flight suit.
“Is there a place to watch?”
“The control room has a live feed of the battle. Go through the door, up the stairs, and it’s the door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
Kita entered the simulator room. It was dark, lit only by guidelines in the floor and lights on the simulators. Kita found the half flight of stairs and opened the door. The control room was also dark. Six people sat at workstations. Some watched the battle while others read the output from the simulator. A woman sat in a chair watching a holographic display.
Kita and Sarin stood next to the display, but the woman ignored them.
“Hey,” said Kita. She waved her hand through the display disrupting it momentarily.
“Who the—” The woman looked at the Angels, and then turned back to her display. “What can I do for you, Child of the emperor?”
“Just call me Kita. What are you doing?”
“Grading the exercise. Excuse me if I seem preoccupied. I can’t pause it.”
“That sounds like a feature that should be programmed into it,” said Sarin.
“Once the battle is recorded we can play it back, pause, fast forward, whatever. But in real time all we can do is watch.”
“We’re here to observe Rainbow Jack, whoever you are,” said Kita.
“General Hemmer.” She tapped the controls and a fighter lit. “That’s her, cruising out beyond the action.”
“Seems boring,” said Sarin.
That’s an understatement. “She was busier during the last real battle.”
“That’s because she’s a hot dog,” said Hemmer. “I don’t let her get away with crap like that in here. Her job is important. It gives us a combat edge and makes the real fighter pilots’ jobs easier.”
“Are you saying she’s not a real fighter pilot?” said Kita.
“Wizzos have their place and are needed, but they train for different missions.”
“Her skills seemed exceptional when I watched her during the rescue of Enterprise.”
“She has plenty of natural ability and thinks like a fighter jock, but she’s got the brains to be a wizzo. So, that’s where she ended up.”
On the display, enemy fighters were in yellow and friendly forces were in blue, with different areas flashing red or yellow to simulate damage.
“She’s too good to be watching from the sidelines jamming enemy scanners,” said Kita to Sarin.
“That’s what her job is. It sounds like she excels at it.”
“Yeah, but how often do you get someone with that kind of skill with a fighter and the brains to be an electronic warfare expert?” Kita said, adding Defiance and Sheppard to the conversation.
“It’s rare,” said Defiance.
Sarin gave Kita a nasty look.
Kita shrugged. “Like you know. Casey knows.”
“I agree with the emperor,” said Sheppard.
“See?” said Kita. “It’s not just me.”
“And what are you going to do?” grumbled Sarin.
Kita smiled. “General, do you mind if we make your scenario a little more interesting?”
“You can’t change the parameters in the middle of a battle!”
“Why not? These are meant to simulate real life. The parameters of the battlefield change all the time. Right, Jane?”
“It’s rare when they don’t change.”
“I’m not going to let you invalidate this training exercise,” said Hemmer.
Kita cocked her head to one side. “Would you like me to pull rank? I am a commandant in the Legion and a Child of the emperor. If that’s not good enough, my girlfriend is the emperor.” I hope she still is. “Take your pick.”
Hemmer glared. “None of that gives you direct command over this facility.”
“Ok, then, I can just do it. Athena?”
“Yes, Mom?”
“How goes your integration?”
“I’m settling in nicely. I’ve taken over the ship’s VI,” said Athena.
“Did you get the specs of the Djinn ships from Jess?”
“Yes, I have access to them.”
“Good,” said Kita. “I need you to program the flight simulator and come up with a scenario using those ships to train the pilots.”
“Working on it now, Mom.”
“Thanks, dear.” Kita looked at the face Sarin was making. “What?”
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Should I have?” Kita said with a smile.
“I don’t know. I didn’t expect the Kita I got when I arrived. And now you’re back to your usual self.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Minus the baggage,” growled Sarin.
“Come on. Casey isn’t that bad. You’re both older and mature. You might even like each other.”
Sarin crossed her arms and huffed. “I highly doubt it.”
“Bad blood runs deep, huh?”
“It’s not my fault she tried to keep up with me and failed. And when she did, she turned her flunkies on me. Luckily, Daddy had the money and clout to get rid of them.”
Kita grinned. “You’re such a daddy’s girl.”
“So?”
“Just saying.”
Sarin turned up her nose. “You say it like it’s a bad thing.”
“I wouldn’t know. My father hated me.”
“Moms, I’m ready,” said Athena.
“Ok, insert it when you’re ready,” said Kita. She leaned over Hemmer and opened all the pilots’ windows so she could hear their reaction.
“Red Five, that bogey is climbing up to your left—In the name of the emperor, where’d that come from?” said a pilot. “It’s right on top of us!”
On the display, Athena had dropped the Djinn ship next to the dogfight. Kita hit the call button and spoke to all the friendly fighters, “Red squadron, that’s not a friendly ship. Take it out.”
“What? This isn’t in the scenario,” cried a pilot.
“Just like the real world,” said Kita. “Athena?”
“Yes, Mom?”
“Change the fighters load out to something they would carry against ships.”
“Loadout, updated,” said Athena.
“Red Leader, new loadout,” reported a pilot. “Ship killers loaded.”
“Red squadron, on me,” said the pilot with RED LEADER under his video feed.
The fighters fell in behind the leader as they turned away from the ship.
“Woah!” cried Rainbow Jack. “That ship just lit up like a firework.”
“Blind it, RJ,” said Red Leader.
Rainbow Jack’s fighter split from the group and turned toward the ship. As she aimed at the enemy ship, her
velocity dropped rapidly. “Neptune’s rings! Red Leader, this thing has some major shields. My speed just crashed.”
“Rodger, RJ.”
“Damn, they’re lighting me up,” said Rainbow Jack. Her fighter pulled into a loop to dodge the incoming anti-fighter fire. “MSMB on the way.”
The missile flew toward the ship, decelerating in the ship’s strong shields. The MSMB split and the submunitions flew toward the anti-fighter guns attracted by the weapon’s electronic signature. Some of the mini-missiles never reached their target.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” exclaimed Rainbow Jack. “Who programmed this simulation? Nothing can take out a submunition.”
Rainbow Jack flew parallel to the ship gaining speed. She pulled a tight turn and rocketed upward into a half loop. “See how they like this. ARM away!” A missile flew at the ship but was destroyed by anti-fighter guns. “What is this ship?”
As Rainbow Jack circled around for another pass, the rest of Red squadron attacked. The anti-fighter guns fired.
“By the emperor,” exclaimed a pilot, “that’s a lot of lead they’re flinging. What happened, RJ?”
“It’s these shields. I’m coming back around for another shot with the MSMB.”
“We just lost Goose!” cried a pilot.
“Keep it together, Red Two,” said Red Leader. “Fire penetrators!”
The anti-fighter guns claimed two more fighters. The three remaining fighters launched a missile each. Two missiles never reached their target, but one struck the ship mid-ship, punching a sizable hole in the hull.
“Got ‘em!” exclaimed a pilot just before he was destroyed.
“Red One, bring it back around. RJ, see if you can do something about those guns,” ordered Red Leader.
“I’m making some adjustments,” said Rainbow Jack. She streaked toward the bow of the ship, pulling to one side to run parallel to it. “MSMB away.”
This time the missile flew along the ship at full speed. Only when it split apart did the submunitions turn towards the ship. This technique allowed more of the submunitions to reach their targets.
Kita was impressed Rainbow Jack figured out the problem so fast.
The remaining pair of fighters followed a similar track as Rainbow Jack, flying parallel to the ship. Anti-fighter guns hit both fighters, but one was able to launch another missile against the ship.