by Ryk Brown
“Aye, sir,” Jessica replied, biting her tongue.
“Change course for Takar, and prepare to jump us in close to the shipyard on the departure side,” Nathan instructed.
“Jump complete,” the Glendanon’s helmsman announced.
“Any contacts?” Captain Gullen asked his first officer.
“I’m picking up three battleships on the near side of Corinair,” Mister Lontu reported. “Also multiple gunships, octo-fighters, Eagles, Reapers, and the Seiiki.”
“The Aurora destroyed one battleship and the last three gunships. Another battleship left, possibly returning to Takara, and the last battleship is moving to take over the bombardment of the Ghatazhak shield on the surface,” Cameron explained over comms. “We’re ten light minutes out, so you’re seeing old images.”
“I’m aware of relativity, Captain,” Captain Gullen reminded her.
“The Aurora advises that we have four minutes to complete the extraction before the battleship reaches firing position and resumes the bombardment. That shield won’t last long under that kind of firepower.”
“Understood,” Captain Gullen replied. “I’d appreciate a better tactical picture up here, Captain.”
“We’re launching recon drones to keep our tactical tracks current,” Cameron told him. “We’ll uplink our tactical display to your sensor display.”
“Much appreciated,” Captain Gulled replied. “Mister Aletti, tell our boxcars to make it quick.”
“Yes, sir,” the comms officer replied.
“And make sure our weapons and shields are powered up and ready, at all times.”
“You got it, Captain,” Mister Lontu promised.
“Last time we were here, we nearly got our asses handed to us,” the captain said. “I’m not planning on going through that again.”
“Jump complete,” Mister Bickle reported. “We’re back in the Takar system.”
“Battleship, dead ahead. Ten kilometers, parallel course, twenty degrees off our port bow,” Lieutenant Commander Kono reported.
“Missiles,” Nathan ordered.
“Already locking on,” Jessica replied.
“Target is jumping,” the lieutenant commander warned.
“He was expecting us to follow him,” Nathan realized. “New location?”
“Unknown,” Lieutenant Commander Kono replied. “He must have jumped more than a few seconds out.”
“Scan the shipyard,” Nathan instructed. “What’s the status of the Teyentah?”
“Checking now.”
“Octos and gunships attacking from starboard,” Jessica warned. “Point defenses are engaging.”
“Comms, direct the Gunyoki after those octos, and get the Cobras after the gunships.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Captain, the Teyentah still isn’t showing any signs of powering up,” Lieutenant Commander Kono reported. “But every other ship in the shipyard does. They’re all spinning up for departure.”
“Type and number?” Nathan inquired.
“Two older Jung-style battleships, a cruiser, and four old frigates.”
“Helm, come to zero five zero, twenty down, and jump ahead five light minutes,” Nathan instructed. “Jess, take a snapshot of all targets before we jump, and be ready to lock jump missiles on all of them based on last known course and speed. It’s time we shake this system up a bit, and make them nervous.”
“Captain!” Lieutenant Commander Kono interrupted. “I am picking up weapons fire from within the Teyentah. Specifically, near engineering and near the bridge.”
“Then they’re almost ready,” Nathan realized.
He glanced at the time display. In three minutes, the Dusahn would resume bombardment of the Ghatazhak position on Corinair, and their makeshift shield would not protect them for more than a minute or two.
Lieutenant Haddix rolled his Reaper into a tight, right turn, in preparation to come back around for another strafing run.
“New column approaching from the east,” Ensign Weston reported from the copilot’s seat, gazing out the starboard window. “Ghatazhak, Reaper Six!” he called over comms. “New column coming in from the east. Five troop carriers and four technicals. Suggest you cover your east side before you drop your shields again.”
“Understood,” Sergeant Eliason replied.
The ensign studied his tactical display before continuing. “Eagle Five, convoy to your south. Five troop carriers and four technicals, heading west on a side road, one minute from the shield barrier. Engage and destroy.”
“Eagle Five and Six will be there in thirty seconds,” the pilot of Super Eagle Five replied.
The convoy of Zen-Anor troops sped down the side streets of Aitkenna, breaking out into the open as they reached the edge of the city and headed for the ex-Corinari base a few kilometers ahead of them. As their last few vehicles passed out into the open, two jump flashes appeared low in the sky behind them, revealing a pair of Super Eagles bearing down on them.
The gun turrets on the technical vehicles spun around as they barreled down the road, opening fire on the diving jump fighters. The forward shields around the jump fighters flashed as the Dusahn weapons fire slammed into them, but the shields held firm.
The diving fighters opened up, spraying the roadway with a barrage of red-orange bolts of plasma. Dirt, pieces of the roadway, and dust kicked up in all directions as the bolts of plasma tore up the roadway and surrounding landscape. The bolts of energy walked up the line of vehicles, blowing them apart one by one. Three of the vehicles swerved, leaving the roadway and finding room to maneuver, but the rest of the vehicles were destroyed, erupting in six separate explosions.
The burning vehicles rolled to a stop, and two dozen surviving Zen-Anor troops jumped out, running for cover and firing their assault rifles at the Super Eagles as they streaked low overhead, and then jumped away.
Because she was not yet finished, the bridge of the Teyentah was lightly staffed with mostly specialists and technicians whose jobs were to test the systems that had recently been installed. Only two of the men on the bridge were armed, and neither had any real combat training, having been trained only to basic levels.
By now, everyone aboard the nearly-completed battleship was well aware of the intruders who were making their way through the ship, causing mayhem and death everywhere they went.
In a vain effort to defend the bridge, the two armed guards lined up the technicians as a protective barrier between them and the door, knowing full well that whoever was attempting to seize control of the ship, would likely require their expertise to do so. What they hadn’t counted on was the skill and determination of the Ghatazhak.
The hatch blew open with an earsplitting blast, and a pair of grenades came flying over their heads, landing behind everyone. The two guards looked at each other, then ran toward the sides of the bridge as the grenades detonated, filling the Teyentah’s bridge with blinding white light and a deafening sound meant to incapacitate. The guards put their hands over their ears, falling to their knees in pain. Seconds later, energy weapons fire rang out, and both men took bolts of plasma to the head, killing them instantly.
General Telles and his men stormed into the bridge, their weapons trained on the technicians who were also on their knees, the discomfort caused by the stun grenades just beginning to subside.
The technicians looked toward the main entrance as a man in a standard jumpsuit, worn by crawler operators, entered.
“I am Captain Suvan Navarro, commander of the Avendahl, exiled leader of the illegally de-registered House Navarro. I claim this vessel on behalf of all free Takarans. Assist in our escape, and your lives will be spared. Refuse and they will end in like fashion,” he said, gesturing toward the two dead guards.
* * *
The bridge of Lord Dusahn’s flagship, the Pon-Azzari, was massive, with separate levels. The majority of the ship was highly automated, but every level of that automation was controlled by the sixty-plus technicians stationed here.
The doors at the command-level entrance to the bridge opened, and Lord Dusahn strode out of the elevator. The two guards on the sides snapped to attention, their weapons held directly in front of them, as if for inspection. No mention was made of the ruler’s arrival, and only the command officers were expected to turn and face their lord while standing at attention.
Lord Dusahn strode confidently across the bridge leading from the elevator, across the open lower two levels, and onto the command platform in the center of the bridge. Without a word, he moved to take his seat, triggering a multitude of tactical and systems displays, which floated in the air around him. “Readiness?” he queried.
“All stations are manned and ready, and the ship is at full power and ready for departure,” Lord Dusahn’s executive officer reported.
“Excellent. Take us out, Commander. Raise shields and power all weapons.”
“Of course, my lord,” the commander replied. “But should we not wait until we have cleared our moorings, before we raise shields, to avoid damaging the structure?”
Lord Dusahn cast a sidelong glance at the commander. “There is a warship jumping around, firing weapons, and launching jump missiles, Commander. I care not about how our shields might damage this shipyard.”
“Of course, my lord.” The commander turned to face forward. “Docking officer, cast off all moorings. Helmsman, thrust forward at twenty percent. Weapons Officer, raise all shields, and charge all weapons. Sensor Officer, locate all potential targets and prepare to engage.” The commander stood fast as he listened to the acknowledgments from all four officers. Once satisfied that his orders were being carried out, he turned back to his leader. “My lord, if I may inquire as to our strategy?”
“Strategy?” Lord Dusahn stated. “Our strategy is to teach young Captain Scott a very painful lesson, and to put an end to this rebellion, once and for all.”
* * *
Lieutenant Rezhik charged into the Teyentah’s engineering department, blasting away as he ran. Behind him were five other Ghatazhak soldiers, also firing. The men split to the left and right as the Teyentah’s engineering teams scrambled to defend themselves. Within seconds, weapons fire streaked in all directions, ricocheting off the bulkheads and equipment.
As with most of the combatants they had met thus far, the training of those in engineering was subpar. In seconds, the Ghatazhak had killed nearly everyone, and those who were left were tossing their weapons out into the middle of the compartment, throwing their hands up, and begging for their lives.
“Please, do not kill us,” one of the engineers begged the lieutenant as he came out from his cover, his weapon trained on the man. In seconds, the other five Ghatazhak were on them, dropping them to their knees and searching them for weapons before applying bindings to their hands and feet.
“But, you will need us to operate the ship,” the engineer reminded them.
Lieutenant Rezhik moved to the main engineering control console and began entering commands. “Seeing as how I hold high level degrees in both physics and engineering, and my men hold degrees in related topics such as power generation, propulsion systems, computer and control systems, and advanced electronics, need for your assistance seems doubtful.”
“But…but… These systems are quite complex. They are of the latest technology. You couldn’t possibly expect to…”
Several indicators on the massive engineering displays on the wall in front of the lieutenant began to light up, and a low hum began to rise in pitch and intensity as the Teyentah’s zero-point energy reactor plants began to come online.
The engineer watched in disbelief as indicator after indicator came to life.
The lieutenant tapped the comms controls on the side of his helmet. “Alpha Leader, Charlie Leader. Reactors are coming online now. We should have maneuvering and main propulsion momentarily and jump capability shortly after.”
“Charlie Leader, Alpha Leader. Good work, Lieutenant,” General Telles replied.
Lieutenant Rezhik turned back to the engineer kneeling before him, with his hands on his head. “You were saying?”
The cargo airlock door opened, and the first few hundred Corinari stepped through into the massive forward hangar deck of the Glendanon. Those strong enough helped those who were weakened by starvation and physical abuse while in captivity. Regardless of their haggard condition, they moved quickly and in disciplined fashion, knowing the lives of their fellow Corinari, as well as the Ghatazhak that had risked their own lives to rescue them, depended on their rapid debarkation.
Vol Kaguchi checked his flight displays as he rolled his ship back and forth to evade the weapons fire coming from behind him.
“I’ll be there in thirty seconds, Vol,” Tariq called.
“Take your time,” Vol replied confidently as the truss work of the spaceport superstructures raced past him on all sides. “This guys playing right into my hands.”
“You want to clue me in?” his weapons officer asked.
“Just hold on,” Vol warned. He pulled his flight control stick back, causing his ship to rotate around the engine nacelle axis, bringing his nose over to face the Dusahn octo-fighter that was pursuing him. A split second later, he killed his main thrust, flipped his engine nacelles over to face aft, as well, and fired the plasma cannons on the front of the nacelles.
The red bolts of plasma energy slammed into the octo-fighter’s shields, overwhelming them and causing them to collapse. With the enemy’s shields down, the next round tore into the octo-fighter’s hull, causing it to explode.
His ship rocked as defensive fire from the shipyard slammed into his shields, causing them to flash repeatedly. After a quick glance at his flight displays to ensure a clear jump line, he flipped his ship back over to face in his direction of flight and pressed the jump button to escape the bombardment.
“Nice,” his weapons officer congratulated from the back of the Gunyoki fighter’s cockpit.
“If that guy had ever watched a race, that would not have worked that easily,” Vol admitted.
“Power, propulsion, and maneuvering are online. We’ll be able to jump by the time we clear port,” Lieutenant Rezhik reported over the general’s helmet comms.
“Understood,” the general replied. “It is time,” he told Captain Navarro.
“I’m almost done entering the override codes,” Suvan replied. “It is a complex system of entering algorithms using various parameters and then using the results of those algorithms to generate an override code that the system will accept. If done incorrectly, the entire system will shut down, and our mission will be over sooner than expected.”
“By all means, Captain, take all the time you need.”
An eyebrow went up on Captain Navarro’s face. “Ghatazhak humor,” he said as he punched in the final numbers. “I have missed it.”
Suvan entered the last few numbers and pressed the send key. After several seconds, the control panel lit up. “We have control,” he announced. “Take us out, gentlemen.”
The technicians looked at one another, then back at Captain Navarro. “Uh…how?”
“What?”
“We’re technicians, not pilots,” the technician told him.
“None of you know how to operate this ship?” General Telles asked them.
They all shook their heads.
General Telles moved to the main control station at the center of the bridge. “How hard can it be?”
“I trust you are familiar with Takaran navigation systems?” Suvan asked, moving to the helm station next to the general.
“I be
lieve I can figure it out quickly enough,” the general assured him, taking a seat in the navigator’s chair.
“I can pilot it, but I will need your assistance operating the jump drive,” Suvan explained.
“Vasya, find the weapons station and see what you can do,” the general ordered.
“Yes, sir,” the corporal replied. “Where’s that?”
“Over there,” one of the technicians said, pointing to the left.
“Do you know anything about it?” the corporal asked as he headed over to the weapons station.
“Yes,” he replied. “It’s my job to test it.”
“Then, get your ass over here,” the corporal ordered.
“We won’t be able to detach and retract all the various boarding ramps,” Suvan warned. “That is done by the shipyard.”
“We’ve got that covered,” the general promised, taping the comms controls on the side of his helmet. “Gunyoki Flight, Alpha Leader. We are about to get underway.”
“Copy that, Alpha Leader,” Vol Kaguchi replied. “Give me thirty seconds.”
“You take the starboard side, I’ll take port,” Vol instructed as he steered his Gunyoki fighter into the assembly bay around the Teyentah and maneuvered over to the battleship’s port side.
“Locking missiles on all gantries and boarding ramps,” Isa announced. “Are you sure about this?”
“Part of the plan, my friend,” Vol assured him.
Isa took a deep breath and pressed the firing button.
Two dozen stub missiles leapt from the missile pods on either side of the Rakuen fighter, streaking ahead and slamming into every structure that was connecting the Teyentah to the shipyard surrounding it. Gantries, boarding tunnels, and the like blew apart, sending debris in all directions.