“According to the scan, they’re being pursued by three Caran Enterprises Enforcer Battlecruisers. Each has seventy eight percent the mass of the Triton, is nine hundred twenty three meters long, and carries an estimated crew of four thousand five hundred, not including boarding parties or specialists,” Lewis replied. “As of the time of the Samson’s departure, the battlecruisers were closing.”
Jake moved the image of the Triton aside and brought the three remaining Battlecruisers to the fore. “Why do they have Regent Galactic markings?”
“In the most recent news offered on the Stellarnet, Regent Galactic just purchased Caran Enterprises, repaying their debt and saving the single solar system corporation.”
“Of course they did,” sighed Stephanie. “If someone asked me; ‘how could this get any worse?’ that’d be my answer.”
“They have strategy on their side. A commander, or a group of commanders are working together to make sure that whole sections of the Triton’s hull are so thin that they may as well be made of glass. I don’t think Oz has realized it yet.” Jacob eyed the middle battlecruiser, it had an additional section that ran the length of the cruiser. It was lined with transparent sections and extra shield emitters.
“Why?” Asked Alaka. “Why not breach compartments and reduce the useable space aboard?”
“Because they’re not in a hurry and they’re trying to keep the ship viable for as long as they can. It’s a repo agent’s trick.” Stephanie answered. “A thin hull won’t reduce a ship’s value as much as a damaged reactor or ruined internal spaces.”
Captain Valance turned and looked through the wide porthole at the rear of the room at the distant, glimmering stars. Everyone who knew him recognized that he was deep in thought, working through the problem.
"I didn't see the ghost ship scenario listed in the training sims," Victor said quietly. “What’s Oz planning?”
"It's an old Freeground tactical simulation. Jake would know it better than I would, it was one of his favourites," Minh said quietly. "I have to get to my fighter before Laura and the rest of the ships arrive," he excused himself and quietly left the common room.
"It was?" asked Ayan.
Jake turned, shaking his head. "It was one of Oz's favourites, I just went along with him because it was always a challenge. Different days, different stakes," he sighed. "Victor, have our people stow their gear and make as much room as they can. If we're stuck out here for too long we may have to use the Clever Dream's medical facilities to take care of any injured."
Victor nodded and left the room.
"So this ghost ship scenario? I've never heard you bring it up," Stephanie pressed.
"If he’s using the strategy the way I would, all of Triton’s power plants have been shut down, life support is minimal and he's locked all the computer systems down tight. Considering the command crew are wearing stealth gear-"
"Along with most of the security," Stephanie added.
"They're probably taking up strategic positions and allowing the enemy to board them. Once the boarding crews are all set up and they think they're making progress at hacking into Triton’s systems he'll start the festivities."
Alaka shook his head, a gesture accentuated by this pointed snout. "I wish I was aboard."
"What's the point? If the casualties get too high for the boarding teams they'll just retreat and blow the Triton to pieces from a distance," Stephanie countered. “It wouldn’t take much considering how thin the hull is across the dorsal section.”
"The point is to cause as much fear as possible while a few of the Triton crew get to a secondary command station and reactivate the core systems at the right time," Ayan replied. "Knowing Oz and Jason, they’ve set booby traps and are already working on plan C and D."
"So this kind of strategy works."
“I’ve never seen it carried out on a ship like the Triton,” Jake replied quietly. “Ships that size are normally too big to take. It’s like trying to invade a moving space station.”
“But on smaller ships?”
“You’ve boarded enough ships to know what to expect from something like this.”
Stephanie nodded. “Collateral damage, compartment to compartment close quarters fighting, yeah, I know. I hope the boarders don’t figure out a way to see through their stealth suits.”
"The biggest problem with the ghost ship scenario was always pulling it off without destroying the ship you're trying to save. If boarding breaches don't rip you apart, the prolonged internal fire fight could finish the job. If the boarders are a professional outfit, Oz will be fighting them for days," Jake muttered.
"What was his success rate back in the day?"
Jake caught a meaningful look from Ayan, and hesitated replying. She's right, this information isn't helping anyone right now. Jake thought to himself. "It all depended on your opponent and the ship you were fighting for. Take a look at the tactic, there’s a basic write up on it in your command unit that covers everything."
"We have bigger problems. There are several ships on the way loaded to the hatches with people who wouldn't or couldn't stay to fight. I don't know where to start on the charts for this area," Ayan said as she continued to scroll through port listings on her command unit.
Jake brought up the data on the sector, refreshed since the Triton’s database had been downloaded into the Clever Dream before they split up. "There are two settled solar systems within a day or so if we have to travel at low wormhole compression."
"Does anyone know anything about them?" Ayan asked as the solar systems appeared in the centre of the room. One had several worlds crowded around a blue sun while the other was marked as a much older system, with a yellow sun, hundreds of harvesting operations, space stations as well as a heavy gravity world in the prime temperature range surrounded by settled moons. Two other worlds with moons of their own were marked as settled as well, making that solar system the more promising of the two.
"Finding civilization won't be the problem, it's finding a place to put down that won't charge us by the crew member," Stephanie commented. “Or try to arrest Captain.”
"Lewis, do you know anything about the area?" Asked Captain Valance.
"The Yiz-Ma solar system, with a dying super giant blue star at the centre, is United Core World Confederation territory, and they would do anything to most of you, especially Captain Valance. They are unofficially allied with the Order of Eden, as demonstrated by their partial sponsorship of the proposal to begin a war crime investigation into the Holocaust Virus, focusing on Jacob Valent’s alleged involvement.”
“So we’re not paying them a visit anytime soon,” Ayan commented. “And the other?”
“The solar system with the yellow star at the centre is called Rega Gain system. Though it was recently governed by the United Core World Confederation, you'll find it easier to hide there considering the Carthan Government is currently taking control. The United Core World Confederation authorities have already abandoned most of the moons leaving certain areas light on law enforcement. I suspect freelancers are on their way, but it’s too soon for a great number to have converged on some of the older moons."
“By light on law enforcement, you mean…”
“None whatsoever, according to the travel advisory and numerous complaints floating around the local branch of the Stellarnet. The Holocaust Virus struck both solar systems hard. Since Rega Gain is much more difficult to maintain, its law enforcement agencies suffered the most. The Carthans arrived days later, and under the command of General Hewson, who is also the Carthan Defence Minister, they defeated the United Core World Confederation defences and laid claim to the entire solar system. The terms of surrender dictated that Confederate forces, notable patriots and government officials have three weeks to completely withdraw. What was left of the Confederate military presence has already withdrawn to Yiz-Ma. According to the majority of people on the Stellarnet, Rega Gain is the chosen base of operations for the Carthan third and
fifth fleets, with more forces on the way. According to one rather prolific holo-journal keeper, ‘this is where the action is’. Several moons have been fully terraformed, so I can safely say that we have a few options.”
"Like?" Ayan prodded.
"Tamber. It is second moon to Kambis, a highly settled world. Tamber has a population of one point six billion and is rife with crime, especially now. There are several areas of the world marked as wastes, or badlands where ships often land in times of need. The port info file for Tamber warns against staying for very long for health reasons, but at least they will allow you to land while you sort out a more appealing landing site."
"Do we have any other option? Are there any free ports that we could use to regroup on?" Asked Captain Valance.
"I'm afraid the price on your head is well known, Captain," Lewis replied apologetically.
"What about everyone else? Is there anyone else who should avoid surveillance and law enforcement?"
"Anyone registered with the Samson crew, such as Security Chief Stephanie Vega, and Finn. They are all wanted for questioning with regards to your whereabouts. The Order of Eden also has an execution order on them, but the Carthans are directly opposed to them, something I considered when I suggested Tamber."
"But I'm not on their list?" Ayan asked.
"No, as a matter of record, Ayan Rice is deceased. Since you're not even a genetic match to your former self, you can roam as you please, under whatever name you like."
"Good. Someone's got to negotiate with the governments here."
"What are you thinking?"
Ayan deactivated her command and control unit and regarded the room. "Just because the Triton is currently trapped doesn't mean that I can't go negotiate a privateering contract for her and all the ships we have coming with the Carthans. If they’re against the Order of Eden, then they may not be cosy with the galactic court, and would rather have you and the Triton fighting for them than pursue you for something that's next to impossible to prosecute."
"She is correct. If Jacob Valance were captured and put on trial for creating the base code for the Holocaust Virus and releasing it into a major computer system it would be prohibitively difficult to prove that he was directly responsible. Even if they managed to prove that, your innocence could be proven simply by citing the fact that Jonas Valent died months ago, and you are a copy with several years of separate experience."
"How long would a trial like that take?" Asked Stephanie.
"By my estimation it could take several years. If I were you, Captain, I would take every step to avoid capture," Lewis advised.
"Don't worry, I'll be avoiding it. How are your cloaking systems, by the way?"
"They're repaired, though they will not be effective in hiding me from the Triton’s attackers, considering they're in a planetary dust cloud. The particles would interfere with the gravitational compensation fields and my physical hull, rendering most of my cloaking systems useless."
"You're not thinking of going to help him, are you?" Ayan asked with incredulity.
"What else am I supposed to do? It sounds like I'd be worse than useless planet side, and even if Oz's plan is going well he could use a hand."
"You and I both know that if Oz can find a way to get everyone left on the Triton off the ship and into hyperspace or a wormhole, he'll leave her behind. If you're caught in the middle you might really be walking onto a ghost ship, everyone aboard could be on their way here already."
"What’s he going to use? The hyperspace escape pods?"
"What would you do? What would I do if the Triton was practically lost?"
"I'd find a way to either get Triton clear or get the crew on other ships," Jake replied quietly.
"Exactly, but we won't know what options are available to him until the refugees arrive."
That word cut through Jacob, refugees. Depending on how many people had managed to escape the Triton they would face the same problems as any group of refugees; food, medical, and housing. If things went badly the whole crew could end up trapped on one of the habitable moons for a very, very long time. Jake was about to agree when Minh's voice came through the cabin's communications system.
"I got into my fighter just in time. They're here."
Chapter 14
Boarding Action
Lisa Ralston watched her squad leader closely as the inner airlock doors were pulled out of the heavy jamb and moved aside. It was her first boarding action and none of the drills had prepared her for the reality of it.
The interior of the earth ship was in perfect darkness. Her sensor kit picked up less than one lumen and no heat signatures ahead. To her surprise all the systems were cold, there was no power running through the surface circuitry.
"Is it true that this tub was built on Earth, Sarge?" Asked Nott, the most talkative of the squad.
"Intel says it's stolen. You getting anything, Ralston?"
Lisa rechecked her hand scanner as she stepped over the threshold. "Just picking up fifty three life signs now, three decks down."
"Can you get a read on what they're up to?" asked Sergeant Tate.
She looked at the thermal outlines and zoomed in on the image. "It looks like they're sitting still in some kind of long hallway."
Parker, their field technician, took a look over her shoulder. "That looks like a main control room. The power plant is just past it."
"Looks like they're the ones we're going to see. You're on point Nott."
"Lucky me," he grumbled, brandishing his rifle and stepping in front of the fifteen soldier unit.
"Control, this is Sergeant Tate reporting in. We have no contacts but we found a group of individuals three decks down in engineering. Proceeding there now."
"Control to Tate. Our scans are picking up an emergency shaft. Marking it on your screen now. Proceed with caution."
"Command, how many people were we supposed to be meeting here?"
"The last scan we took before they cut power indicated fourteen hundred souls aboard."
"Now?"
"Pardon, Sergeant?"
"How many people are you reading aboard now?"
"We're still trying to determining that, stand by."
"Great, just like Command to send us in with old intel and bad scanners," griped Shelly Rapp.
Lisa couldn't help but grin at her best friend's crack. She was the first person she'd met when she arrived on Battlecruiser 1128, and they had been inseparable ever since. The nearest shaft wasn't simply for ladders as Command had assumed, it was a dormant horizontal and vertical ship transport car. Parker had no problem using a power cell to activate the door and open it.
Unlike the main deck there was no artificial gravity in the shaft. They made their way down towards the main engineering section, pulling themselves along using the emergency ladder rungs set half a meter apart. "I'm guessing these shafts never have artificial gravity. The cars that move people around the ship must have independent gravity and momentum suppressors," Parker commented.
"You don't say. More useless shit I don't need to know, thanks," quipped Nott.
"Sorry Nott, I know you have limited storage space. I'd hate to overwrite memories of polishing your gun, disassembling your gun, cleaning your gun, assembling your gun, jogging, eating, sleeping, polishing your-"
"Anyone ever tell you you're too smart for your own good?" Nott interrupted.
"I don't hear anyone else complaining, in fact, I got promoted at the end of last tour, I don't see any new dashes on your collar, Private."
"Stop poking him and get to work Parker. We're on the main engineering level," Sergeant Tate ordered.
Parker drifted into the lift door and used his hand scanner to find the seams of the service panel beside it. He found it and had it open in short order. After repeating the actions he'd taken with the entrance above them, the hatch slid open smoothly. "Whoever stole this ship knows how to take care of her. These systems are tip top. Even the electromagnetic backup rai
ls are in good shape."
"Who the hell steals a carrier anyway? Biggest pirate crew I've ever heard of was four hundred," Shelly asked no one in particular.
"Someone more organized and dangerous than I've met. Steadman's in my ear telling me there's no one on the bridge. We get the pleasure of making first contact, so keep your head on a swivel and remember your training," Tate instructed. "Safeties off,"
"Are you getting any information on the lifeboats? How many are missing?" Parker asked Lisa quietly.
"Command's intel says they estimate nine lifeboats are gone. That leaves one hundred five hyper jump capable and four hundred fifty suspension pods that would fit four or six people depending on configuration."
"So they could have taken their chances and abandoned, but didn't. What are they planning?"
"Keep actively scanning the way ahead Ralston, Parker. This is all wrong," Tate ordered.
The squad carefully made their way through the lift door. Stepping from zero gravity to single unit gravity was strange. Lisa always thought it was like part of her was falling while whatever wasn't affected by the gravity was still floating free. Everyone else seemed to make the transition so easily, and when it came to her turn she felt awkward. Shelly caught her by the collar of her heavy breastplate and balanced her as she found her feet. No one in the squad noticed, in fact, many of them needed the same kind of assistance and wordlessly offered it to each other.
Her scans turned up nothing out of the ordinary. "Everything ahead is dead, no light, no sound, even sonic sensors are just bouncing off walls."
"You're going to overheat that thing if you run the sonic repeater all the time," Parker advised.
"Then you'll fix it for her. Let's move. Nott-"
"I'm on point, I know," Nott said as he started down the broad, darkened main hall, his rifle raised.
His fourteen squad members followed behind in a double column, all ready for the worst. Lisa did her job. Monitoring the few energy patterns and watching as her scanning tool populated with a more and more detailed map of the compartments ahead. "Sir, the life signs we detected are behind the next door."
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 6: Fragments Page 11