“He’ll live,” she said. “He’ll need attention as soon as possible.”
“Go on,” Kip said through thick lips. “It’ll give the girls something to talk about. I can manage.”
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone,” Henry said as he stepped through the doorway. “I just want to go home.”
“All things considered, I preferred the way you stopped me last time, but…” Kip said, trying to hold back a cough. “I guess I know what you mean. If I had a chance to get my wife back, my real wife I mean, I guess I wouldn’t let them stop me either.”
“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” Henry said. “When we win, I’ll send someone out here for you.”
“There won’t be anyone left by then,” Kip replied. “Stabilizers are shot on this thing. We were going to start using the shuttle to evacuate the kids.”
“Your stabilizers needed realignment from the software,” Glory replied. “I fixed them. Your people will still be here.”
Kip watched as the two entered the airlock and the door closed behind them. He shook his head again and coughed more blood as the bulkhead behind him rumbled. On the other side, caustic gas was filling the chamber and the shuttle was rising on its departure course. He heard the sound of the women approaching in the distance.
“Oh well,” Kip said to the empty corridor. “Maybe I’ll get another kid outta this.”
13
Alliance Courier Ship Kissinger
“Translation from M-space in three … two … one…” announced the pilot seated at the twin console beside Farthing. “Coronal discharge forming. We have translation to normal space.”
“Thank you, Mister Caesar,” replied the captain. “Locate and get a navigational fix for Karisia.”
“Affirmative for navigational beacons,” replied Caesar. “Well, sir, how’d we do?”
Farthing looked to the human with a chuff. The man was middle-age for a Terran, but held a curiosity that bordered on adolescent. When they’d met, Caesar had asked three times what the captain thought of the ship. Apparently, the man had been with the ship throughout the war and was possessive of the fast little vessel. Farthing spread his arms wide across the console to indicate the entire ship.
“She is a fine example of Terran craftsmanship, Mister Caesar,” Farthing replied. “She suits our needs perfectly. I only hope she’s big enough for our passengers.”
“Who exactly are our passengers, sir?” Caesar replied, tapping keys to alter course. “I’ve heard about them, of course, but I’ve never actually seen one of them up close.”
“You will know soon enough,” Farthing said as he looked back to the screen. “Apparently we’re to pick up the whole population. Try to stay focused. Sensors, do we see any hostiles?”
From the rear of the small bridge, a slender woman with skin a deep gold color tapped keys into the panel. Her name was Ralep and she was only one of three of her kind Farthing had ever seen. Her race was even more reclusive than the Octopods. Her presence was a sign of her ostracized status. She kept her eyes glued to the nearest monitor as the ship moved closer to the planet.
“Sensors indicate three Gizzeen warships orbiting at one-hundred miles above the surface. No energy readings, so they’re not firing at them … but I do show a buildup of EM bands, so their weapons are hot.”
“Rig for silent running and keep us at a maximum distance,” Farthing ordered. “We’re supposed to be contacted by the Engineers when they are ready.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the crew in unison. The bridge held only consoles for the pilot, sensor officer, engineering representative, and captain.
Farthing settled in to wait for the contact as the ship shut down primary systems. His console was configured for communications, and before long an incoming signal flashed on Alliance channels. Although the ship would not be running with open lines, her passive reception was an acceptable risk. He tapped the controls and brought up the signal. His crest rose as he noticed the sender and synopsis of the message.
“Greetings, members of the Alliance,” said the Chancellor of the Alliance. “I bring greetings from Alliance Towers and our new comrades, the Ch’Tauk Empire.”
Farthing’s crest rose further. The pilot leaned over to see the small screen in the console as they listened to the message. Behind the Chancellor, the Camerlingo of the Ch’Tauk Empire stood by a window, looking outward. The strange scent Farthing had been sensing returned and he sneezed, momentarily blocking the screen. As the Chancellor continued, Farthing tried to repress a surge of rage at what he was hearing.
“I come to you with news of the war against the Gizzeen and the rebellion among the systems of the Alliance. As many of you know, the fleet commanded by the renegade Admiral Chang is being hunted by a special task force made up of our Alliance ships and the Ch’Tauk battle fleet. We are confident we are closing in on the rogue elements which threaten our security. Even now, forces are massing to move against the malcontents which tear at our fragile alliance and create chaos. Look forward to further updates on your local news-net service.”
“Prepare a burst packet to the fleet,” Farthing said to the sensor officer. “Just in case they’re coming here.”
“I am also taking this opportunity to address some of the rumors which have been causing a disruption here on Vadne. Rest assured, the so-called rebellion is nothing of the sort. I have assigned a special force, provided by the Ch’Tauk Emperor himself, to police the capital city and the outlying districts. There will be nothing to distract us from the defeat of the Gizzeen and the continuation of the Alliance.”
The screen shifted, showing a massive armored figure carrying a large assault weapon. The creature was covered completely in metal gear, obscuring its true nature from view. Farthing’s crest rose to full height as the impact of what the Chancellor was saying sunk in.
“He’s policing his own people with alien forces,” the captain said aloud. “What is happening to my home?”
“It is my sincere expression that we will not need these forces for long. Once the rebellion is suppressed, the Ch’Tauk and their units will be withdrawn from our planet and peace will be restored…”
“The Ch’Tauk!” Farthing said, standing suddenly at his seat and pounding his fist on the console. “This will not stand! Vadne will not be allowed to fall under enemy rule.”
“Captain!” Ralep called from behind. “Incoming contact with two Gizzeen fighters. Range twelve million kilometers and closing.”
“Evasive maneuvers,” Farthing ordered, trying to calm for the task at hand. “They know we are here, so the time for subterfuge is past. Light up the engines and take us closer to the planet. Full tactical alert.”
The ship rolled over in space, leading to a changing of vector in the oncoming ships. Farthing watched Caesar manipulate the controls of the courier ship like a fighter pilot. Although Kissinger had weapons, her primary purpose was transportation. It meant her defensive shields were strong but her offensive weaponry was well below the standards of Kongo or Resolute. It made the captain feel undefended against the rush of enemy forces.
“Two more fighters inbound,” Relap said, her voice sounding panicked. “Captain, we’ve never faced the Gizzeen directly before. I don’t think our shields can hold against that weapon of theirs.”
“If our prey is here, we may not have to,” Farthing said in as reassuring a tone as he could. “Engineering, divert power from life support and strengthen those shields. Caesar, keep us moving, random patterns. Get us in close to Karisia.”
“Captain, are you suggesting we fly past the Gizzeen destroyers?” Caesar replied. “How close do you want us?”
“Give us at least ten thousand kilometers. Make it harder for the fighters to shoot at us and not hit them.”
“Aye,” Caesar replied, a dash of light in his eyes as he tapped the controls. “One suicide squirrel coming up.”
“Suicide squirrel?” Farthing asked, opening up his own controls to receive any in
coming signal. “What does an Earth rodent have to do with this situation?”
“They used to jump out ahead of my dad’s skimmer when I was a kid,” Caesar replied, banking the ship hard to avoid a blast from the fighters. “I called them suicide squirrels because they liked to get close and then turn back.”
“Just keep our profile low towards those capital ships,” Farthing ordered. “We’ll need to take her in close to the planetary well to give the Engineers time to get aboard.”
He had no idea if that was true, but the whole situation was so odd. They were here to pick up the diminutive aliens and they could neither dock nor land. He had been told the Karisiens would be handling cover from the ground, but it all seemed like lambs to the slaughter. He needed to squeeze every last drop of power from the ship and hope for the best.
“Frigates moving to intercept,” Ralep called. “We need to get out of here, sir.”
“Hold your course,” Farthing said, glancing at the flying fingers of his pilot. “Take us in.”
Kissinger dove into the gravity well of the planet, her hull buffeted by the atmospheric drag, but the Gizzeen were falling back. Kissinger could move faster in atmosphere than they could, but their pursuers still had the advantage of firepower. The first hits along their aft shield shook the little ship hard. Farthing heard cries from the engine room as the ship’s power systems began to overload. The Gizzeen cascade weapon was powerful, but had only struck a glancing blow. There was barely time to note the faint haze of smoke over the bridge despite his inability to gain a scent.
“Hold her steady,” Farthing ordered, scanning local comm traffic to try and find the missing aliens. “I’m sending a homing signal to—”
“We are here.”
The suddenness of the appearance almost roiled the ship again. Caesar let out an involuntary yelp as the white creature appeared before them. Farthing waved a long hand, urging the alien being to move from in front of the screen. The creature was taller than Farthing remembered and its head and long feelers was obscuring the direct view. It paused and turned, looking at the tactical display behind it before floating silently to one side.
“Now,” Farthing called over the sound of battle. “Get us out of the atmosphere and—”
The boom of impact threatened to deafen the bridge crew. Although Kissinger’s bridge was two decks below the hull, it sounded like a massive bell had been struck. Farthing felt the sudden pull of inertia as the ship’s power fluttered. It was hard to breathe in the compact command well and his eyes were forced shut by the sudden pull. Before they were crushed against their seats, however, the gravity and inertial controls were restored. Farthing could hear the gasps of his team around him, but still could not smell the smoke now pouring in from above.
“Engineering,” Farthing called over his shoulder. “Get us vertical thrust, now!”
“Helm is not responding, sir,” Caesar said, slamming his hands on the console. “We’re falling. The whole system is resetting after that cascade thing.”
“Do we have thrusters?” Farthing asked, trying to regain his own console as well. “Can we at least slow the ship’s descent and give us more time to fix the anti-gravs?”
“If we do, I don’t have control of them,” Caesar replied, looking back at his captain with fear. “I think we might have lost this one, sir.”
“I will not lose two ships in one week,” Farthing replied with a snarl. “You! Can you do anything?”
“Our power is low as we are compressed in this form,” replied the white alien. “We do not have the ability to intercede. We apologize for the loss of your ship and lives.”
Astounded at the reply, Farthing’s crest rose and filled with blood. He scanned the bridge, hoping to think of some solution before the ship crashed. Relap had turned a pale shade of yellow, and the being at the engineering console was focused on pressing keys. The only other person on the bridge still moving was Caesar, who was still trying to start the engines. He opened his mouth wide and let out a loud whoops just as the image on the screen cleared. Farthing’s stomach leapt as he saw ground rush past, to then be replaced by sky. Flashes of green fire were whipping past them as they ascended again. Caesar pushed the power slider bar for the engines to full and held on to the console.
“I think they might have broken a few physical laws downstairs, but we’ve got power!”
“Position of the pursuing ships?” Farthing asked, swiveling around to look at Relap. “How close are they?”
“One vessel is down,” the woman replied, again hovering over her scanner. “Ground fire disabled the fighter and it crashed just after we pulled up. The other three are evading. Capital ships are bombarding the planet, sir.”
“Get us out of the atmosphere and into space,” the captain ordered. “We need to get back to the … well, we need to get back to where the rest of the fleet is.”
“We can’t just leave them like this,” Relap said, turning to look at her captain. “They can’t hold out for long against this.”
“They are making sacrifices for the war and so are we,” Farthing replied, not liking the sound of his words. “Once we have left and the Gizzeen discover what has come with us, I believe they will cease their attack.”
“But you can’t be sure of that, Captain,” the woman replied. “We have to do something for them.”
“We are,” Farthing replied. “We’re taking the Engineers away. If you are having problems with the action, I suggest you take it up with the admiral when we return. Until then, please mind your duty.”
“Yes, sir,” replied the woman, returning to her scanner. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“We’ve broken atmo and are away from the principle gravity well,” Caesar called. “I think we can make it to the jump point.”
“Keep us moving, Mister Caesar,” Farthing replied, leaning back in his seat and looking to the white alien. “Are the remaining Engineers in the hold?”
“We are here.”
“I don’t understand,” Farthing said, trying to calm his crest. “You are all here … where?”
“We are here.”
“Fine,” the captain replied, shaking his head and chuffing slightly. “You are here. I hope you are worth it.”
“Our value to this universe is beyond your ability to understand. Your own worth is significant, only on a much smaller scale.”
“Thank you,” the captain replied, not wanting to engage the creature in a series of riddles. “Get below with whatever you are and whoever you brought with you while we jump to M-space. I’ll be down once we are secured to check everyone over.”
“We are here,” the enigmatic Engineer replied. “We need to talk to you, Captain Farthing. There is information you need to complete your destiny.”
“My destiny?” Farthing asked. “What do you mean?”
“We need to tell you about one who must be retrieved before this war has ended.”
“I need to go get someone else?” Caesar said, tapping a key to open the M-space vortex. “Who now?”
14
Battleship Resolute
“Dammit!”
The sound of the metal wrench hitting the smudged white bulkhead did nothing to relieve the headache in Alice’s skull. After contacting Josh Goldstein on the station, she had managed to get him to fly her to the derelict ship drifting in a cloud of debris from Kongo near the edge of the Octopod system. Goldstein was not at his best, having severe burns and a nasty puncture through his left shoulder, but he had agreed to the trip as a courtesy to the ship and her former commander.
Everyone had been so nice to Alice after the battle. It was the worst part of the whole thing. The smiles were false, the words of sympathy for her lost fiancé and the life they had never had … it made her sick, gave her a headache. Everything people tried to say washed over her in waves of white noise as she moved through the abandoned battleship towards engineering. She just wanted to work on the ship.
“Aye, that seemed t
o do the trick,” Booth said, sliding out from under the massive M-space generator globe. “If that noise don’t wake her up, nothin’ will.”
“I wasn’t trying to wake the damn thing up,” Alice replied, holding a hand to her head. “I was trying to break the wrench.”
“Well then, you failed,” Booth replied, slapping the side of the casing with a wide palm. “My tools don’t break that easy. I keep’m well and clean for when the fleet decides to mothball me. I can show ‘em I can still polish a wrench with the best of ‘em and then they’ll have to take me back.”
“How’s that working for you?” Alice said, sliding from under the globe herself and looking for the wrench. “Now that you’ve quit, what do you have left to prove?”
“Same thing as you,” the engineer said with a grimace. “I ain’t done yet and I ain’t givin’ up on my ship.”
Booth had been the only person left on the aging vessel when she had arrived. Doctor Demsiri had insisted on travelling over when he had found out about the trip with Josh and it had been a lucky thing. Roy Booth had pinned his right leg under a loose beam while trying to quantum weld the structural piece back together. The only sound on board as they moved through the vessel had been the vulgar curses and colorful language. It had again been a fortunate choice she had made not to travel to the bridge but to inspect engineering to see the extent of the damage right away. When they managed to remove the beam, the engineer had refused to allow them to move him to sickbay until he had finished the weld. His dedication had inspired Alice to see what she could do as well to fix the closest thing to a home she had ever known.
Once mended enough he could move on his own, Booth returned to the vast M-space engineering room and began work to repair the device. For Alice, working on ships and engines had always been cathartic. For Booth, it seemed to be his only hobby. He had resigned his commission when the admiral had tried to reassign him to another ship. He was dedicated to the repair of the damaged battleship like a lover to his beloved. It was almost comforting to hear the man swearing at the modified globe of the generator. For Alice, it was frustrating in a way she hadn’t expected.
Resolute Glory (The War for Terra Book 8) Page 10