Coming Home (Free Fleet Book 2)

by Michael Chatfield

  A contemplating Rick was gnawing on a Yorkshire. He has no mercy, I thought.

  “Sorry for that interruption, Governor. We will have our people meet us on our journey to the nearest point we can transition to AIH and then Parnmal.”

  Sensors reported on my personal screen that the area had been checked and the sensor buoys were reporting that there was no enemy in the area. Intelligence Department was reporting the same in their study of sensor logs, Tactical was going to half across the fleet and Commandos were standing down and preparing for the next part of my plan.

  “Very well, I wish you well on your journey.” He brought himself up, looking at the camera fully as a sign of respect. “Thank you for what you and your fleet have done, Commander Salchar. May we, upon your return, take tea in the Southern regions of Chaleel?”

  “I would be honored, Planetary Governor Ferwlick.” I inclined my head in the Chaleelian way of deep thanks.

  “Till then.” He cut the channel and I opened a private channel to Eddie, being transferred to a console.

  “Get those bucking cables ready! You dolts, I told you ton get them ready when the commander came up with this latest harebrained idea!” A boot flew across the screens pickup as I reflected that the Free Fleet members were picking up one another's idioms quite quickly. A yelp came from the boot connecting with an offending ‘dolt’.

  Eddie made his defining limp into the view, only having one boot.

  “What?” he demanded before looking at his foot, pressing a button on his belt before grinning.

  “Looks like they finally figured out how to out-maneuver my boots. I'll just have to get old school.”

  Of course he'd find a learning opportunity in hurling boots at his people.

  “I need to put a damned magnet in that thing.” He shrugged, looking up into the feed. “Well, you going to answer me?”

  “I take it everything is under control?”

  “Nothing’s under damned control! I am more shorthanded than I was in the Syndicate fleet. But, if you’re asking if we’re ready to try out your idea, then yes, we’re damned well ready. I think you’ve watched too many westerns and rodeos with their damned nooses.”

  “Maybe a few, wait how do you know-”

  “Hey! What in the ejection port are you doing over there! Git!”

  “Eddie?” My voice rose as he talked to someone off feed.

  “I told ya!” I could imagine Eddie pointing his accusatory manner.

  “But Chief!” they said, sounding panicked as I saw a boot fly through the pickup, accompanied by a resounding “Ow!” as the boot connected, returning to Eddie a few seconds later.

  He put it on his foot as he hopped into view. “Now some of us have to try and be damned rodeo clowns.” He scowled.

  “Good luck.”

  “Good luck, he says! Good lu-” I could swear I saw a hint of a grin as I cut the channel.

  I turned to Rick. “Seems everything’s quiet in Engineer,” I said, belying what I'd just heard.

  Rick blew out in a disbelieving way. “Engineering, quiet? Eddie would have a fit. And an empty closet of boots!”

  I saw grins around the bridge as my eyes thinned on Rick.

  “Now, there was something I had to say about my subordinates eating on the bridge while I'm on an important call!” Rick was already running, the blast doors opening as the bridge crew laughed and I chased after him. “Where are the damned Yorkshires! Get back here, Rick.” I yelled as we were out in the halls. Rick took a corner, running on the walls to miss people. I saw him look back to me and put the last piece of the golden delight in his mouth.

  “Riiiiick!” I yelled. I used the wall to run on as I chased after my laughing second in command.

  It's going to take some time to get my reputation as Salchar, the cold commander, back after this, I thought as Rick flipped from a catwalk over a transport rail and onto the other side, the transport coming in as I dived through it, rolling to the other side as Commando's and ship personnel got out of the way, laughing and grinning the entire time.

  Chapter Crazier Than an Avar?

  Ursht rushed into the city halls militarized underground bunker. Tik and Tak, the Kuruvian couple that his battle master and mistress had left behind, building the Avar’s space abilities and expanding the city at an alarming rate, were waiting for him.

  “They’re coming back, though their ships are different,” Tik said, not even turning as Ursht burst into the room. Trained Avars, nicknamed Ninjas, watched Ursht closely through their Mecha’s visors. His shoulder blades itched; he’d seen what his brethren warriors trained in their battle masters methods could do.

  “May we talk to them?” Ursht asked, anxious to talk to his battle commanders Yasu and Salchar.

  “It will be some hours before we are capable of real time conversation. The commander has undoubtedly sent a message. We have already sent him one, updating him on the conditions in Parnmal system,” Tik said

  “Excuse us, please,” Tak finished. While they were some of the nicest creatures Ursht had met, they were also members of the Free Fleet as Ursht was no longer a part of the warrior clan, nor allowed to join it. He bowed his head, quickly as so to not show his sadness at what he'd lost before he walked out as fast as possible. He had matters to attend to which would assist his battle commanders. With any warrior duties, it was best to carry them out as soon as possible. Ursht did not want his battle master knowing that he impended vital communications with slow walking.

  He got to his office, using a data pad, making sure the launch pad was cleared. He turned to his reinforced windows, looking over the city which had grown: Lake Cook’s blue waters, clear down to the melted shards of rock that had been hammered by Mechas in target practice; the planetary elevator behind it growing upwards, half of it beyond the clouds growing downwards; growing towers, a new innovation, dotted the city, providing food for the city dwellers, though Ursht didn’t see any of this. Instead he felt his blood rage filled him as he remembered glorious battles. A grin crossed his face as he remembered standing over his foes, his brother at his side as his clan celebrated their victories and his strength.

  He had become battle master when his father had died in battle. His brother, being one of the Awaken, was not allowed to take the place of battle master. He had done his duties, though now his age-old hunger for battle flowed through his veins. He craved for battle. He knew it was wrong and that a warrior should crave for peace, but his thirst had not been slaked in many moons. He hoped that his battle master would release him from his leadership and give him a place among the Ninjas.

  ***

  Tik looked to the Avarian Commandos, nicknamed Ninjas, who nodded as soon as Ursht was gone and the doors to the bunker secured. No one could be that safe with what they were going to tell Commander Salchar.

  “We ready to transmit?” Tik asked.

  “Yes, Projects Commander. We’re online.” Dreckt, one the previous Mecha Special Forces officers turned trainer with Avarians said.

  “Fleet Commander Salchar, this is Project Commander Tik. Before Parnmal was cut off from us, we received weapons armaments, including missiles and weapons reloads. We also received newly trained Avar Commandos, who have taken to calling themselves Ninjas. As they have been trained on Parnmal Station, we believe their knowledge will be of use. We await your orders.”

  “Sent,” Dreckt said as he checked the transmission had been sent. Can never be too careful, he thought.

  “How long till we get his transmission?” Tik asked Tak.

  “Five more hours. It will take him nine to respond to ours,” Tak replied.

  “I will have the Commandos move out and prepare the materials for pick-up,” Dreckt said as Tak nodded. The man's straightforward and largely silent manner made him something akin to a statue, but at times it was nice to have something reliable like a statue, Tik thought, as she watched him leave the bunker for the skimmer outside which would take him to the Free Fleet Ba
se built into the mountain connected to Lake Cook.

  Tik waited impatiently for the five hours it took for Salchar's message to reach the communications station. Finally, it came alive as a message came in. Commander Salchar was sitting in his chair, looking deadlier and more assured than he had when Tik had last seen him, yet with no Yasu beside him. His protection detail flanked looked deadly as they hung back along the bulkhead; people in the foreground worked on their consoles, all of them determined and ready for battle.

  “This is Fleet Commander Salchar, we will be taking any reserve Commandos on Avar Interi Hermani to Parnmal with us and will detour to collect them. Making best possible time for the jump limit again and then to Parnmal. Salchar out.”

  “Get me Dreckt.” Tak had a channel open for Tik in seconds. “The Commandos are to be shipped up the main fleet as soon as possible.”

  “Understood,” Tak said, closing the channel.

  “Contact space control; have all shuttles ready to begin moving Commandos when the fleet is close enough.”

  Tak nodded his head, clearly already doing so as he talked into his mecha's pickup.

  Now she just had to wait nine hours until Salchar replied to her message and then two days until the commander made it to AIH.

  **

  Dreckt moved in his Mecha, finding the familiar restriction annoying but also familiar. Tik was making sure everything was kept moving as shuttles were picking up off of the space port and heading for the fleet Salchar commanded.

  And what a fleet, with ships that actually work and are nearly double the standard Syndicate ships were held to, he thought, proud to be under the commandership of someone who actually cared about the state of things for once.

  There was an air shattering boom as Commander Salchar’s shuttle made entry into the atmosphere. Out of the cities representatives that were with him only Ursht didn’t flinch at the noise. The shuttle continued its descent, flaring its thrusters as it touched down gently. The hatch opened and Krom, Calerd, and Shreesht walked out, scanning for threats, Salchar and the rest of his protection detail following.

  The two hundred Avar and Chaleelian Commandos standing on the landing pad came to attention, the sound of their Mechas audible even over another shuttle craft taking off.

  Dreckt felt pride within his chest. He'd trained these people with his war brothers, they were the best warriors he had produced and went so far as to scare him with their strength, wit, and battle ethic. Add in giving them Mechas and weapons, Dreckt nearly cracked a smile at the thought.

  Let's see how happy you'll be with what you've stirred up, he thought as Salchar walked right up to him.

  “At ease,” he said, touching his fingers to his helmet.

  The Avarians moved as one. Salchar lifted an eyebrow, looking impressed.

  “Good work, Commander Dreckt. I can't wait to see them in the battlefield,” he said as Dreckt beamed with pride.

  “You'll be seconded to Bok Soo. Get your people aboard,” he said. Dreckt sent a command on his data pad as a squad picked up their necessities and walked into the shuttle Salchar had vacated, three more squads following.

  Dreckt saw Salchar grin.

  “Very well, I want to learn more about these new Armored Marine Commandos after I've talked to the civvies.” He gestured to the group waiting with Ursht, Tik, and Tak.

  “Sir,” Dreckt said as he tailed behind Salchar, noticing how the protection detail appraised him and kept an eye on him. Instead of being insulted by the implied distrust, Dreckt was pleased. It's good to be dealing with professionals, finally.

  Salchar made a beeline to Tik and the cities officials in the waiting building.

  “Well, Tik good to see you and Tak have things under control with the Free Fleet and with the ongoing projects.”

  “Thank you, Commander,” Tik said as both she and her partner beamed.

  “Ursht and city officials, you are not to be left out, what you have done for this city has been no small feat; you are to be applauded,” Salchar continued.

  “It is our duty, Battle Master,” Ursht said, inclining his head slightly.

  “Thank you's are still in order,” Salchar said, inclining his head to them. “Yet, as much as I would like to talk on it, I read the reports transmitted to me and I am sure you have everything under control. Preparations for battle is something I still have to look after,” Salchar said, his tone becoming more serious as Ursht and the other city officials inclined their heads.

  “We understand, Battle Master,” Ursht said as he led them away.

  Salchar waited a few minutes before turning to Tik and Tak.

  “Missiles information?” Tik gave him a pad and Salchar reviewed it in silence.

  They watched him in rapt interest. His brow was creased in focus as he flicked through the pages of information.

  “Ship them up immediately. We’ll need them,” Salchar said, dismissing the two of them as they began talking into their Mecha's comms suites.

  Salchar motioned for Dreckt to join him. “Now, I want to know more about these Avarian and Chaleelian Commandos,” he said as he looked over squads loading onto the continuous stream of shuttles.

  “They’re aggressive as all hell and, once the Avarians go into their blood rage, they’re nearly unstoppable unless killed. They’ll be a handful, but they’ll do anything you ask of them. The Chaleelians, while being aggressive as hell, are used to using their natural teeth and claws and are much better shooters. They are both driven groups and have come together to make balanced squads. They're the best group of soldiers I have trained in my years. I would welcome every one of them into my clan. Kareesh and the other training off-commanders agree.” Dreckt kicked himself for his slip up but Salchar over looked it as Dreckt continued.

  “That said, Avarians do have certain—tendencies. They use mounted weaponry instead of carbines and rifles. They also love grenades and plasmid blades. Thankfully, they know how to use them so you can expect to live through their blood rages. Use them, Commander Salchar, and use them well. Oh, another thing, they all took to calling themselves Salchar's Ninjas, or Ninjas. They count themselves as your honor guard and will throw themselves at anything in your way. I gave them leaders that are level headed as much as possible. Reining them in is hard; I would suggest putting veteran Commandos in charge of them. They’ll respect their service and, with someone to rein them in, they can be used as a scalpel instead of a hammer which is their natural tendency. The Chaleelians use normal load out except for their more accurate rifles and plasmid claws most of them use.”

  Salchar looked to Dreckt instead of the units.

  “Get with Henry and have veterans take over the units. Best to get them acquainted soon.”

  “Sir.”

  Dreckt turned to leave.

  “What about the other materials I asked for?” Salchar asked.

  “They are ready and waiting at the inner system belt, I moved Free Fleet engineers there to help with the modifications.”

  “Good work, Tik.”

  It was a few hours later when Dreckt saw Salchar in Resilient’s shuttle bay where the new Commandos were waiting to be sent to the other ships.

  “Atten-CHUN!” Someone bellowed and Commandos snapped to attention as Salchar and his entire protection detail walked through the shuttle bay. Dreckt nearly winced as a table exploded in splinters from an Avar standing up—and through—it. More than one storage crate sailed through the air as cards settled to the ground.

  Salchar said something to Shreesht and Krom, who took off their helmets but kept them in their arms, ready to put them back on in an instant, marching towards the arrayed Commandos.

  They wandered around through the Commandos, who didn’t move an inch.

  “Borg’s boy?” Krom asked an Avarian bigger than himself and a few feet and wider in the same manner, he would take up three quarters of a service hallway.

  “Yes, Commander Krom!” the Commando bellowed, sweat appearing on
his face. Wish I had someone like him to strike fear into them before we started training, Dreckt thought, thinking of the mess the Avarians had been before the ex-Special Forces Sarenmenti showed them they were worth listening to.

  “That would make you Brik, correct?” Krom asked as the Avarian was looking more like he'd taken a shower.

  “Yes, Commander!” he said without flinching.

  “What is your weapon of choice, Brik?”

  “Modulated cannon, capable of shooting fletchette and rail gun rounds,” Brik said, a grin appearing on his face.

  “That’s one hell of a shotgun,” Krom said, rocking back on his boots.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Shreesht stood in front of a squad leader.

  “Inneal,” he said, sizing up the Chaleelian.

  “Yes, Commander Shreesht?”

  “Say Commander Salchar will die without your assistance but has ordered you to take the reactor core of the ship you are on. What do you do?”

  “Protect the commander.” Shreesht made a disgusted sound.

  “You have saved the commander’s life, but the Syndicate's have blown the ship, now you and he are dead.” Shreesht moved on.

  “Bilge, you are part of a mixed species squad and the cowardly Kuruvians are to take point with you on communications. What do you do?” Krom asks.

  “Tell my leader of their oversight and take the Kuruvians position.”

  “Wrong!” Shreesht pushed the Avar back with his helmet.

  “Best way to take down a Sarenmenti in a Mecha?” Shreesht yelled, pointing to an Avarian as if his finger was a pistol. The Avarian didn’t move an inch—others barely restraining themselves from flinching.

  “In Commando or pirate Mecha, and which race?” the Avarian replied.

  Shreesht hid his grin as he stood straighter. “Pirate.” They only have one armor type, if you don't remember...Dreckt was not unhappy as Kolum answered.