The AI was advancing its learning and understanding even more rapidly than expected. “Those principles and designs first created by Thaddeus Devlon and improved upon by him and Jerry Bastion, have begun to exceed the original capabilities that the two men had envisioned, and strived for even during the Dark Times,” Johnny mused silently. “Fortunately, they had the foresight to include powerful checks and balances in the designs.”
A moment later Bill interrupted Johnny’s musings. “Johnny, I take it you called me up here for a specific reason.”
Johnny smiled. Twice during Johnny’s more detailed explanation of his plans, and some of the alternatives that might have to be incorporated during the upcoming action, Major Butler had to use the Navigational Flight Path clearing railguns to demolish two moderate asteroids that were well outside the main body of the swarm they were travelling parallel with, approaching the contact point where Johnny’s plan would begin the next phase.
“That is a very bold plan, Johnny.” Bill shook his head. “Are you sure about it? All of it? If it goes bad, it is going to be terrible.”
Johnny sighed. “Yes. I know. I am reluctant to include some of the elements. But, you know as well as I do, that if we try to protect various people, there will be major problems. Some of the objections would be justified. Everyone on board is highly capable at their specialty, and most can do the bulk of all the other tasks more than adequately.”
This time it was Bill that sighed. “Yes. You are quite correct. And the way you have laid out the various movements, timing, and lines of attack, the risks are greatly minimized. Especially with the subterfuge we will be using.”
A few moments of silence and Bill chuckled. When Johnny glanced at him, Bill explained. “I had to look up the Q-ships you mentioned in that first briefing about the plan. About how we would be doing something similar. I finally realized it was simply another term for the trap ships I learned about in the Academy.”
“I do use many references from times long gone,” Johnny said. “I am a history buff, for one thing, but from my interest that my father encouraged as I was growing up, I have leaned many useful things from history. Many.”
Godiva’s voice broke into their conversation with the latest update.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Approaching optimal position and time to activate next phase.
“Thank you, Godiva,” Johnny said. He looked over at Major Butler. “Time to see how well this plan works. Or doesn’t.”
Major Butler nodded. Knowing his assignment, he left the Pilot’s console and drifted down the airlock, to head to where he needed to be.
A few minutes later Evie entered the Bridge and floated into the Pilot’s chair when Johnny headed for the airlock, meeting Cherokee as he came out of it. “You have the con, Ensign,” Johnny told him in passing.
Evie was concentrating on the Pilot’s console, so did not turn around to express her surprise, but even with her back to them, she did hear the surprise in Cherokee’s voice when he replied.
Surprise was not something she had ever heard from Cherokee in the short time she had known him. And never really ever expected to, having gotten to know him a bit on the trip, and having heard some of the others, especially Willi, describe his calm, cool, collected countenance no matter what was happening, or how dangerous.
“Me?” It was almost a squeak.
“You. Check your personal file as soon as you take the chair. And, if this goes bad, get my sister home safe.”
Cherokee could not help it. “Aye, Sir!” And he saluted.
Evie had turned around when she heard her brother’s words. So, she saw both the salute, and the look on Cherokee’s face, that was there for only a fraction of a second. But she did see it.
Cherokee spun in the air, and shot toward the Command Chair. He met Evie’s eyes for just a moment, but said nothing. He was back to the stoic Cherokee, Evie saw.
But she wondered. She wondered what Johnny had done to draw that look from Cherokee. And wondered what Cherokee had done to earn the respect that Johnny had in him.
While she might bristle a bit, when Johnny went all protector on her, but it still meant more than she could say. Had ever said. And to give that responsibility to someone meant that the man would be capable of carrying out that protection assignment.
Turning back to her monitors, Evie said, just loud enough for Cherokee to hear, “I can take quite good care of myself, you know.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Cherokee replied.
A glance at that one spot on that one monitor that would sometimes act like a mirror showed Evie that Cherokee was reading furiously, his eyes moving back and forth so fast it was hard to follow them.
She still watched him when she spoke again, and noted that he continued to read, even as he answered.
“You know that I am not going to leave my brother, or my sister-in-law out here, if, as my brother put it, things go wrong.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I am aware of that.”
“So, you will not try to get me home until I am ready to go.” Evie tried to say it as the positive, very positive, statement she intended. But she was not sure if she pulled it off. Because there was just a tiny amount of question in there, too.
Just as she was seeing his reflection, he looked at the same spot and met her eyes. And they were filled with compassion, she could tell. But something else, as well. Which was confirmed when he replied.
“I will carry out my instructions to the letter, Ma’am. No matter what I must do to accomplish them. And if that means trussing you up like a turkey for the oven, and stashing you in your cabin for the duration, that is what will happen.”
Evie knew her eyes widened in shock. And she started to reply, but thought better of it. Because not only did she believe that he could do it, but would do it. So, she better just keep her mouth shut, and start coming up with a plan he would not suspect.
Cutting her eyes away, she readied herself and the Lady Paladin for the operation about to start.
She growled just a bit, rather like Willi was want to do from time to time, she realized, when Cherokee responded, very softly. “Don’t waste your time plotting, Evangeline. If it must happen, it will. I will never allow anything to interfere with fulfilling a task requested of me by that man. Nothing. Not even the task itself.”
It was more the thought of her brother, and how he had come to have that kind of impact on people, not just Cherokee, for she had seen it other times, too, that kept her silent.
“Confirm gravity wheel in stowed position and locked, Pilot.”
“Confirmed.”
“Prepare for Ready Rack launches, Pilot. All four bays, in sequence.”
“Green board.”
“Launch Ready Rack Dominators.” Although each pilot could launch their own craft, if required, standard procedure was for the bridge to activate them.
Evie counted them down.
“One away.
“Two away.
“Three away.
“Four away.”
“Give the green light to the flight decks.” Cherokee said, watching his monitors carefully.
“Green light to flight decks, Aye.”
A few moments later Evie added, “All craft away.”
“Time for us to become a disabled private yacht. Feel free to add some special effects to Godiva’s efforts, Pilot. And give us just a bit of way on this course.”
Evie turned to frown at Cherokee, but he was watching his monitors intently.
“Aye,” Evie said after a moment, when she sensed that Cherokee was about to look at her. She throttled up the drives for just a few moments, keeping Lady Paladin aligned perfectly. She gasped when Godiva, obviously at Johnny’s earlier instructions, began speaking.
Evie glanced at her communications monitor. Godiva was broadcasting on several different bands. She noted that none of them were any of the official distress frequencies or modes.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Mayday, Mayday. This is Private Yacht Mistletoe. I rep
eat. Mayday, Mayday. This is Private Yacht Mistletoe. We are in need of assistance.
Mayday, Mayday! This is Private Yacht Mistletoe. Out of Earth Central. Mayday! Mayday! We have lost all power! Mayday! Mayday! Our navigation weapons are out! We are drifting into an asteroid belt! Mayday! Mayday!
Evie jumped when the lights went out, even though she knew it was supposed to happen. And jumped again when Cherokee bellowed, even as Godiva continued the Mayday call. “Engineering to the portside axle bearing! Get that bearing realigned! If we lose that wheel it will tear us apart!”
Cherokee looked over at Evie expectantly.
All she could think of to do to add to the drama was to scream. So she did. And it was a very effective one, too, she decided, when Cherokee actually winced. Since it was not difficult to do, feeling the frustration she was, she did it again. And then a couple of more times. When Cherokee held up his hand, she stopped. But she grinned at him before turning around to the Pilot’s console monitors.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: I repeat! I repeat! Mayday! Mayday! Are any Confederation ships hearing this? We have Ambassador Brockmartain aboard! We need help! Please! We must get Ambassador Brockmartain to safety! Is anyone out there? Anyone…”
Cherokee and Evie were both surprised at how well Godiva tapered off both the voice and the radio transmission, as if the communications system backup power system failed.
“Well done, Godiva,” Cherokee said very softly. He looked at Evie when she turned to look at him, since he was whispering. “You, too, Evangeline.”
She nodded, but asked, also whispering, “Why are we whispering? They can’t hear us through space.”
Cherokee looked a bit startled. But not much. He cleared his throat, and then in a more normal tone of voice, though still rather low, added, “Yes. Of course. No need to whisper.”
Evie turned around before Cherokee could see her grin.
“All stations report,” Cherokee said, activating the intercom.
The other four of the crew each responded in order, with reports of all systems being in perfect condition.
And then they waited. And waited. And waited. Evie thought it seemed like forever. Even Cherokee, she thought, was starting to look worried.
And when Godiva spoke, both were sure they could hear a note of excitement in her voice.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Incoming message from Oneshot.
When Godiva fell silent Cherokee and Evie exchanged glances. But in only moments the AI was speaking again.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: The asteroid belt is interfering with communications. But I was able to decode the message. Oneshot reports, “Mission One accomplished. All well. Begin Phase Two.”
And the annoyed tone was back when she continued.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: What is Phase Two? I was not informed of a Phase Two.
“I will explain shortly,” Cherokee replied. “For now, keep a complete long-range all-direction scan going.”
Cherokee activated the intercom. “The attack on the Pirate convoy was a complete success, with no losses on our side. Going to Phase Two of the plan. All hands. Prepare for evasive maneuvers.”
Evie did not have a chance to turn to look at him. Cherokee was flying from the Command Chair to the Co-Pilot’s console. As he strapped himself in, he looked at Evie. “Up and over, Pilot. As quickly as possible, and with as much risk as you are willing to take with me on the navigation weapons.”
Evie’s eyes widened, but Cherokee did not see it. He was already powering up the additional navigation weapons Lady Paladin boasted. For whatever reason or reasons, Evie trusted Cherokee to match her abilities flying Lady Paladin with his abilities with the weapons.
She did not hesitate. Triggering the maneuvering alarms a fraction of a second before activating both the propulsion drives and the maneuvering drives to spin the Lady Paladin in a complex dance to aim the ship where she wanted her to go, Evie ran the throttles up. Quickly.
“Godiva,” Cherokee said, “Anticipate the Pilot’s maneuvers to the best of your ability, and keep the longest scan you can where she is going. I need all the time I can to clear the path.”
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Active! Scanning! Port Keel, three klicks. 195 kilos. Port High, one point nine klicks. 319 kilos. Dead zero, five klicks, 38,000 kilos.
Evie did not know if Cherokee noticed the excitement obvious in Godiva’s voice, but she did. And managed to ignore it and Cherokee’s flying hands and feet on the weapons controls, as she kept her eyes on her navigation monitors, looking for the fastest route through the asteroid field that would not get them killed.
Hopefully. She was not about to ‘go up and over’ in a time like this. Not with Cherokee by her side, and Godiva’s eyes and ears as good as Evie knew they were. Not to mention the AI’s uncanny ability to anticipate Evie’s actions and even reactions. No. Evie was taking Lady Paladin straight through the swarm.
Even bearing down at very high speed, and accelerating constantly, toward a 38,000 kilogram asteroid only five kilometers ahead that would be right where they needed to be when Lady Paladin got there. Unless Evie slowed. Evie continued accelerate.
Evie and Cherokee both lost track of time. One hunting and heading for gaps in the cloud almost, but not quite big enough to get Lady Paladin through without damage. But Cherokee made them more than large enough, with Godiva’s help.
It was only a moment, but Evie glanced over at Cherokee, and then back to her monitors. She was absolutely sure that Cherokee was now responding before Godiva could complete, and occasionally even start, her warnings. He was, somehow, anticipating her as well as Godiva, and just a bit more quickly.
Suddenly Godiva nearly shouted.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Friendlies! All craft accounted for. 7 point 2 klicks, starboard high.
Before Evie could ask, or actually change course, Cherokee quietly ordered, “Maintain course and rate of increase. Godiva, switch off anticipation and navigation scan. Go to stealth long-range scan, Port High, 60-degree cone.”
Although she was not sure, and was not even sure if it was possible, but Evie would have sworn that Godiva actually started to protest, and cut it off. Evie knew she heard something after Cherokee’s instruction.
She put it out of her mind when Cherokee addressed her, his eyes still scanning the monitors, his feet and hands ready. “Pilot, signal the crew to prepare to receive EVA craft. Maintain best course. Warn of reduction of thrust to zero over a one-minute time frame.”
“Aye, Sir!” Evie replied, doing everything seemingly at once. Twice during the very short timeframe, Cherokee destroyed the three largest asteroids that they had approached, one after another, with a dazzling display of multiple railgun launches, realignment, and additional launches.
Fully seventeen railgun projectiles had been necessary to clear the way. And even though the remaining debris were spinning away from the Lady Paladin’s path, their speed put them into the edge of the debris cloud.
It popped out before Evie could stop it. “Sorry, Godiva. I didn’t mean to scratch her.”
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Well… try not to let it happen again. Please.
When Evie looked over at Cherokee in surprise, she could tell he was trying very hard not to laugh. She glared at him, but quickly had her eyes forward again, as Godiva once again spoke.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Stealth Long-Range Scan. Two… vessels…
Evie looked at Cherokee in surprise. That was an actual stuttering pause from Godiva.
Godiva/Lady Paladin: Two vessels. Unknow type. Un… Unknown mass… Range, 83 kilometers. Why can’t I tell what they are and how big they are? I have every known vessel in my memory.
“Sorry, Godiva,” came Johnny’s voice from behind them. “Not your fault. Those are two Ecronian… I believe the closest translation is, Shadow Ships. Cloaked. Very well cloaked. You did quite well just seeing them well enough to get a bearing and range.”
Evie looked around long enough to see several people. Willi for on
e. She had to look forward, but could tell who was with them in the bridge, as Johnny gave more firm, quiet instructions.
“Lieutenant Quintain on the weapons console. Lieutenant McKindrick, on sensors. Clue him in, Clyde and Godiva. Isis, you have the con. Call up your file when you take the Command Chair.
“Captain McKindrick, Major Butler, you will be flying overwatch. Hang way back and out. Use anything and everything for cover. I do not want either of you seen until I give the word. If I give the word.”
Johnny named four more people, all deck crew, all men. “Ensign, gather them up and get yourself and them in the EVA suits and armed, on standby. I want them ready in no more that seventeen minutes, ready to deploy from any point on Lady Paladin. I will be there shortly to suit up myself.”
Willi looked at Johnny. She was ready to question him. Like Godiva, she did not know what Phase B was. And did not like not knowing any more than Godiva. Even that there was a Phase B, much less what Phase B was.
“Major, Captain, see to your Dominators, please.” He watched Willi. She wanted to protest. But she did not, though it was close, he was sure. She and Major Butler headed for the airlock.
“Range, Godiva?”
Godiva/Lady Paladin: 69 kilometers. Same rate of approach.
“Pilot, adjust Lady Paladin’s course, and speed if necessary to intercept those two ships in no more than twenty minutes, nor less than twenty-five minutes. I need to know when we are within five kilometers of them.”
Johnny looked at each of those on the bridge in turn. Isis, in the Command Chair, Syd on the Sensors console, with the special sensor screen up. Clyde at the Ship’s Weapons Console. And Evie still in the Pilot’s chair. They would not need a co-pilot for this. They were well out of the asteroid cloud now.
After taking another look at the stealth long-range sensor screen, Johnny took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The others could not really tell, but what he had seen had shocked him slightly. And called for a change of plans. Changes that he would have to make on the fly.
Johnny spoke after another few seconds of thinking. “This is going to be very dangerous. We will be facing two of the fastest, and most well-armed ships in the Ecronian Fleet. I was not expecting these two ships to be the ones laying back in deep high cover. I knew there would be two Ecronian ships… Two of their Shadow Ships… but not their Fleet Command Ship, and certainly not the Royal Barge.”
Mission to Sector ZZ1219 Page 28