by Ryk Brown
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Frontiers Saga Episode #14: The Weak and the Innocent
Copyright © 2015 by Ryk Brown All rights reserved.
First Edition
Cover and Formatting by Streetlight Graphics
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
CHAPTER ONE
“Roselle is probably going ape over this,” Commander Jento said.
Captain Poc barely glanced at his first officer from his seat at the helm of Scout One. “Perhaps, at first,” the captain agreed, “However, Roselle knows that Scott had little choice. He had to give those men as much time as possible to escape. I would have done the same, just as you would have, and just as Roselle would have. Besides, Scott had no way of knowing the Jung battleship could extend their shields.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Captain, I agree with you. I don’t think it’s Captain Scott’s fault, either. It was just a series of unlucky events. I just doubt Roselle will see it that way.” Commander Jento checked his display. “Next jump point coming up in one minute.”
“Either way, it was a hard call to make,” Captain Poc said. “Scott will have to live with his decision for the rest of his life.”
“Let’s just hope that decision doesn’t turn out to be a bad one,” the commander replied. “Thirty seconds to jump point.”
“Todson?” Captain Poc called over his comm-set.
“No sign of them, sir,” the ensign replied from the scout ship’s sensor station.
“Drop a sensor buoy,” the captain ordered.
“Dropping sensor buoy,” his XO replied. “Buoy away. Fifteen seconds to jump.”
“Good read on the buoy,” Ensign Todson remarked over the captain’s comm-set. “Third time’s the charm, right sir?”
“Let’s hope.”
“Five seconds,” Commander Jento announced. “Three……two……one……jumping.” Commander Jento studied his jump status display. “Jump complete.”
“Starting scans,” Ensign Todson reported.
Captain Poc breathed a sigh of relief, as Scout One started their third grid search pattern. It had been half an hour since the Jung battleship had escaped into faster-than-light travel with Scout Three in tow. While they had been performing thorough sweeps of each sector along the target’s last known course, Scout Two had been conducting shorter searches further out along the same path, in case the battleship had somehow managed to increase their FTL speed without their knowing. If the Jung battleship was still on the same course, they would find it, regardless of its speed. Even if the target had come out of FTL and accelerated, or possibly even changed course, they would pick up old light from their maneuver. It was just a matter of time. Captain Poc only hoped the fleeing battleship wasn’t on their way to a rendezvous with additional Jung forces. Although he had no idea how command intended to deny the Jung Scout Three’s jump drive, he was quite sure Jung reinforcements would only complicate their plans.
* * *
The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man in a Takaran officer’s uniform. “You must be Mister Hiller,” the man said.
“Yes, I am,” Yanni answered from just inside their quarters. He immediately noticed the two security guards flanking the officer. “And you are?”
Suvan Navarro’s head pulled back, somewhat surprised. “I am Suvan Navarro, leader of House Navarro, and captain of the Avendahl.”
“My apologies, Captain,” Yanni replied, bowing his head in respect. “I’m afraid I am not yet familiar with Takaran rank insignias.”
“No apologies necessary,” the captain insisted. “May I?”
“Of course,” Yanni said, stepping aside.
Captain Navarro nodded to one of the guards and entered the room. The guard reached in and pulled the door closed behind him.
“If I may ask, Captain, are we prisoners?”
Captain Navarro offered a sympathetic smile. “Not at all, Mister Hiller. However, given the circumstances, it would be best if you and the princess were to remain here, where my men can see to your safety.”
“Are we not safe anywhere aboard the Avendahl?” Deliza asked as she entered the main living area from a side room.
“You are safer on board the Avendahl than anyplace else in the Pentaurus cluster,” the captain began, “but until I can fully ensure the loyalties of everyone aboard this ship, additional precautions are necessary.”
“You do not trust your own men?” Yanni wondered.
“My crew, yes. However, many people, including the two of you, have come aboard in recent days. Considering all that has transpired in the last forty-eight hours… Let’s just say that we must redress the issue, just to be sure.”
“The families of your crew are safe?” Deliza asked.
“The families of my officers were evacuated two days ago. Most of them to either the Darvano or Savoy systems.”
“And your enlisted?” Deliza inquired.
“Those who have chosen to continue their service on board the Avendahl were given similar consideration. Those who favored returning to their families were paid accordingly and provided commercial transport back to Takara.”
“Then you are not at full staffing levels,” Deliza surmised, as she moved to the sofa.
The business mindset of the princess caught the captain off-guard, his head tilting to one side. “You are correct. Rest assured, however, the crew that remains will more than suffice.” He looked quizzically at the princess, having expected a more grief-stricken young woman. “May I ask what your plans are, Princess?”
“I am not a princess,” Deliza firmly corrected. “Not any more. And as to my plans, I expect they depend heavily on what you came here to say, Captain Navarro.”
“I see.” Captain Navarro gestured toward one of the chairs facing the sofa. “May I?”
Deliza nodded politely.
“First, let me express my deepest condolences on the loss of your father,” the captain began as he sat. “Casimir Ta’Akar was an honorable man who gave his life for his people. While I may not have agreed with his methods, I respect his efforts nonetheless.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Deliza replied without emotion. “And second?”
“As I said, I did not agree with your father’s methods, but I did agree that support of the Alliance was in the best interest of the entire Pentaurus Cluster, including Takara. That is why I pledged my allegiance to him. That is why my crew and I risked our lives in support of his cause. That is why I am here now, pledging to you, that same allegiance, as the heir to House Ta’Akar.”
Deliza eyed him suspiciously. “You would pledge your allegiance to a child?”
“I would pledge my allegiance to the daughter of a man who gave his life in defense of an ideal we shared. A man who made me swear to protect the only thing he had left to die for.”
Deliza closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she gathered her resolve. “You realize I am not worthy of such a pledge,” she said in a near whisper.
“Your father thought otherwise,” Captain Navarro assured her in similar tone.
“He may have been mistaken,” Deliza admitted. “I fear I have no plans at the moment, other than to seek your counsel.”
Captain Navarro leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. After a long pause and heartfelt sigh, he spoke. “The situation is grim, but not without hope. Your father was prepared for such events. Just before he was captured, he made one last transmission to me. It seems he invested the last of your family’s holdings into a Corinairan company, one of considerable size. He used his connections within the Alliance to secure a lucrative arrangement, one that would ensure your financial stability for the rest of your life, and perhaps for the lives of your heirs as well.”
“Will not the new Takaran government move to seize those assets?” Deliza asked.
“Wise of you to consider the possibility,” Captain Navarro agreed, “however, it is highly unlikely. First, they would have to realize that such an investment existed to begin with. Second, there is no law that gives the nobles such right of seizure, at least not of assets outside of the Takaran economic system.”
“I see,” Deliza said. “And I can spend this wealth however I see fit?”
“Of course.”
“Even if I choose to spend it in support of the Alliance?”
“Correct,” Captain Navarro replied. “However, I must warn you that doing so may place you at greater risk. Some of the nobles will want to be rid of you, to ensure that house Ta’Akar is indeed dead and gone. Then, there are the Ybaran legions as well. They have never forgiven your uncle for the atrocities he committed upon their people.”
“Then we shall set course for Sol,” Deliza decided.
“A logical course of action,” the captain agreed. “Indeed, the Avendahl would provide a considerable advantage in the Sol sector. However, abandoning the Pentaurus cluster now, before the dust settles in the Takaran system, would put the other members of the Alliance, particularly the Savoy and Darvano systems, at considerable risk. Neither system is capable of defending themselves, should the nobles decide to retake control of the cluster. Such a move would not be out of character, given their current dependence on Ancot for food, and now, thanks to your father, Corinair for propellant. However, if the Avendahl was tasked to protect those systems, not only would it guarantee a continuous stream of basic resources to the Alliance forces and the people of Earth, but also the peaceful cooperation of the nobles.” Captain Navarro studied Deliza Ta’Akar for a moment as she pondered his words. His expression softened and he continued speaking in a kinder tone. “Your father believed, as do I, that the best way to protect the Pentaurus sector from the Jung was to help defeat them before they could expand beyond the Sol sector. We may no longer be able to offer military aid to the Terrans, but we can still protect the flow of what resources we can supply.”
“You are correct, of course,” Deliza admitted. “Until things have stabilized here, the Avendahl must remain in the Pentaurus cluster.”
“And what of us?” Yanni asked.
“After we have seen to my father’s financial affairs on Corinair, we shall go to Sol,” Deliza stated with conviction. She looked at Captain Navarro. “I trust you can provide transportation?”
“One of our jump shuttles can have you there in three days time,” the captain promised.
“Good. Admiral Dumar must be notified as soon as possible,” Deliza insisted. “Once we arrive in the Sol system, we will be beyond the reach of both the nobles and the Ybarans. I know of only four men whom my father trusted. Now, only three of them remain. Admiral Dumar, Captain Scott, and yourself.”
“I am honored to be among such men,” Captain Navarro replied as he rose from his seat.
“May I inquire as to our present position?” Deliza asked.
“Halfway between Rama and Devi,” the captain replied. “I only wished a moment to speak with you before choosing our next destination. With your permission, we shall jump to Corinair.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Captain Navarro offered a respectful nod before turning and exiting the room.
Yanni looked at Deliza in wonder. “You never cease to amaze me, Deliza.”
Deliza looked down at the table, and humbly replied, “I did nothing amazing, Yanni. I merely accepted the captain’s offer to help. What else was I to do?”
“It looked more to me like you took command of all Alliance forces in the Pentaurus cluster.”
“The Avendahl is the only Alliance force in the Pentaurus cluster, Yanni, and I did not take command of her. I simply agreed with her captain’s assessment of the situation.”
“He just pledged his ship to the service of your house, Deliza.”
“House Ta’Akar no longer exists. It fell with my father, and I am not the one to resurrect it.”
“I’m not so sure,” Yanni replied.
* * *
Admiral Dumar studied the course projections of the fleeing Jung battleship on the tactical display before him. “Their course hints at no destinations, not even distant ones,” he mumbled.
“There are some possibilities, with minor course corrections,” Mister Bryant said. “However, I agree with your original assessment, Admiral. The battleship went to FTL without concern for their heading. They merely wished to escape with their prize. If that assumption is accurate, then they will have to drop out of FTL at some point. Either to board and take full control of Scout Three or, at the very least, to alter course for a Jung held system. In any case, they must come out of FTL.”
The admiral sighed. “We must find that battleship.”
“We will, Admiral. We will.”
“Of course.” Dumar regained his focus. “What are the latest reports from the surface of the Cetian worlds?”
“Our forces on Sorenson report the planet has been secured.”
“Losses?”
“They were light, just as they were on Stennis. Kohara, however, is another matter.” Mister Bryant called up several tactical maps showing the engagement zones on Kohara. “The last update from Commander Telles was more encouraging. The Aurora’s precision orbital strikes have kept the Jung forces from moving about freely, and the aerial strikes by our few remaining Falcons and combat jump shuttles have helped as well. However, Commander Telles still insists that the Ghatazhak forces on Sorenson and Stennis should be moved to Kohara while they still can.”
“He does not believe he can hold Kohara without them?”
“No, sir, he is quite sure he can hold. After all, it is Telles we’re talking about. The problem is that he expects heavy losses without additional ground forces, or more air-power… Preferably both.”
Dumar let out another long sigh. “Would that we had such…”
“Comm-drone just jumped in, Admiral,” the Karuzara’s chief communications officer reported. “Message incoming.”
“Another update from Tau Ceti?” the admiral assumed.
“No, sir,” the communications officer replied. “The comm-drone is from the Pentaurus cluster.” His expression changed to one of concern as he read the message. “It was dispatched by the Avendahl.” The communications officer looked at his data pad as the message appeared on his screen. His skin turned pale, disbelief written across his face.
“What is it, Lieutenant?” Mister Bryant asked.
The c
ommunications officer handed the data pad over to Admiral Dumar standing at the rail. The admiral looked at the message, his facial expression unchanged as he lowered the pad to his side. He addressed Mister Bryant. “Casimir Ta’Akar is dead.”
“What?” Mister Bryant exclaimed in shock. “How?”
“There was a rebellion on Takara. House Ta’Akar was overrun by the Ybaran Legions. He was captured and executed on the spot.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Takara is now in a state of civil war. The Avendahl has moved to the Darvano system, under the direction of Deliza Ta’Akar.”
“If the nobles should decide to…” Mister Bryant began.
“The Avendahl can protect Corinair, but as long as she does so, she cannot help us.” Dumar looked at Mister Bryant. “I’m afraid we are on our own.”
“But, the Ghatazhak deployment pods, the Tontakeen, the Juda, the Crippin…”
“Destroyed, or under the control of the nobles,” Admiral Dumar said. He turned to the communications officer. “Lieutenant, I have new orders for our forces in the Tau Ceti system.”
* * *
Commander Telles stood in the center of the command bunker, studying his data pad. For the first time in his career, he felt as if he had failed.
“What is it?” Master Sergeant Jahal asked, noticing the look on his old friend’s face.
“Casimir is dead. House Ta’Akar has fallen, and Takara is in the midst of a civil war. Support from the Pentaurus cluster can no longer be counted upon.” Telles looked at his Master Sergeant. “We have been ordered to withdraw, and to do so with minimal casualties.”
“What?”
Telles studied the tactical displays as he spoke, their prospects getting worse with each new update. “The Jung forces on Sorenson and Stennis have already been defeated. We shall withdraw those forces back to Porto Santo, then we can use their air-support and jump shuttles to facilitate our withdrawal from Kohara.” He pointed to several points on the tactical display. “Have the Aurora target the garrisons here, and here, first. As they come around to the far side, they can then hit the garrisons on the other continents as well.”