The ambassador continued, "Now for the token... the Kergans are coming. In fact, they may arrive as early as tomorrow."
Joni stepped back. "Do our captains know this?"
The ambassador slowly shook his head. "Orders will go out when the Kergan fleet arrives. We expect the Moddle and the Grumar and Grotus to engage with them immediately. Our ships will hold back momentarily, and then sweep in behind the others. We will attack the Moddle first, and then the Grumar and Grotus. The Kergans have agreed to focus their expansion efforts in another direction while your uncle establishes his own empire out here."
Joni moved over and sat in a chair beside the ambassador. "What makes him think the Kergans will honor any agreement when they see how easily he breaks agreements he has made with others?"
The ambassador again shook his head. "He doesn't expect them to honor it. In fact he is counting on it that they won't. The Kergan Empire spans thirty worlds. More than half of those worlds are fully populated, industrialized, well established. Between the Kergan Empire and the other worlds here, he will have his beachhead into this galaxy. He will also have control of the ship factories that he desperately desires. Within a year, he could have a force so large that none of the other families would dare turn against him. In fact, we believe they will all fall in line in order to maintain at least a small portion of their power."
Joni huffed. "He plans on keeping the other families in charge? I thought he hated them all."
The ambassador smiled. "He does. Any arrangement with the families would be temporary. He will use them to solidify his control, and then they will then be removed. Probably through extermination of their entire families, so that no relative attempts to claim sovereignty in the future."
Joni pursed her lips. "Sounds like he's been planning this for some time."
The ambassador nodded. "I've had many personal discussions with him on this very subject. Your uncle is a brilliant tactician. He has a knack for planning moves out to seven or eight steps. And he is very quick to adjust to changes."
Joni asked. "How long have you been on his team?"
The ambassador smirked. "Eighteen years. He came to me for advice while he was working for your grandfather's corporation, before the New Alliance. I didn't know it at the time, but he was already planning the family structure that we have today. He also had plans in place to take out the other families right as the transitions of power were taking place. He was betrayed by another close friend and the plot was foiled. He has information on each of those families that he has threatened to release, which is why they have all left him to his own devices. The recent assassination attempt was evidence of the animosity that still exists."
Joni replied, "That assassin and his helpers were from our own sector. Rebels within our own ranks."
The ambassador nodded. "Yes, but rebels who are funded, backed, and trained by members of the other families. We have our spies in their sectors, too, but we have no intention of assassinating them. A smooth transition is the desired way."
Joni sighed. "You have been with him for eighteen years. You have all of this information. Why does he trust you so much, and if he does, why are you out here on the front lines?"
The ambassador smiled. "I have always been true to his cause. He knows I will do everything I can to further that cause. And he knows that I will not betray him."
Joni looked at the diplomat. "I've been around my uncle for many years and never seen you. But I haven't seen much of any of his close advisers. They stay locked away in secret. Nobody knows who they are. I find it highly unusual that one of those advisers is out here in the middle of this situation. And as a diplomat? No. I would say you have another assignment. A more important assignment."
The ambassador sat silent for several seconds. "What could be more important to Harden Salton than the success of this mission?"
Joni smiled. "His niece."
The ambassador sat back in his chair. "Your uncle is one of the most brilliant minds I have ever known, Miss Salton. It seems that you have inherited some of that brilliance. I will neither confirm nor deny the importance of his niece to him."
Joni shook her head. "What I can't figure out is why he allowed me to come out here. I mean, it doesn't get more dangerous than this. If he's looking to protect me, why am I not still sitting back at the family compound?"
The ambassador said, "There was a time when your uncle made mistakes. Those mistakes were largely due to inexperience. I believe he wants desperately for you to gain that experience firsthand, but in a somewhat protected way. If you wish to learn how to pilot a ship properly, you don't sit on the other end of a holo-display in a simulation. That will only give you the basics. When you come out into the real world, and you are forced to face situations where the consequences are real, you learn, and you remember. You are forced to adapt to changing situations. It also shows the need for you to learn to plan ahead."
Joni half laughed. "Yeah, I had a friend who was a planning freak."
Garrett turned and poked me in the arm. "You hear that? She thinks you're a freak."
The ambassador replied, "The Grunta. Yes, he was quite the surprise. It was fascinating watching how your uncle was able to manipulate him and his crew. They surprised us on occasion, such as getting back through the portal. We are still trying to determine how they were able to accomplish that."
The ambassador sat back, quietly looking at Joni, waiting for a response.
Joni pulled back. "Hey, don't look at me for answers on that one. I was sitting in a locked room until a few days before that happened."
The ambassador looked back at the display in front of him. "I suppose it no longer matters about your friends. We discovered they had made an alliance of their own with a species called the Odenta. Your uncle saw to it that the Odenta world was identified to the Grumar and Grotus. Just before our journey out here, a raid was conducted, and the Odenta were to be wiped out. Their world was to be used as the jumping point for this next phase with the Kergans. They surprised us by nuking themselves. Only a handful of ships escaped, none of which had a Grunta aboard. The Grumar scanned them all."
Joni sat back and stared forward for several seconds. "So you're saying Knog Beutcher and Garrett Rourke are dead?"
The ambassador slowly nodded. "I'm afraid so. No one survived the hundreds of massive fireballs that resulted from the Odenta self-destruction. I can't say that many species would have gone out that way. With such conviction, they might have made excellent additions to our coming empire."
Garrett stood. "We've gotta let her know that we are still alive!"
I replied, "She will know the first opportunity we get. In the meantime, it might not be a bad thing for us to not exist."
Jack said, "What do you think he meant about manipulating you?"
I shook my head. "We have no way of knowing. I've sometimes wondered how it was we got away with some of the things we have, like our first trip through the portal. Why was that place not guarded like a fortress? He may have wanted us to go through for some reason. Of course, the ambassador might just be blowing smoke. If he is a full confidant of Harden Salton, he may have been instructed to say those things. I'm certain Harden doesn't fully trust her."
Go frowned. "Why is everything such a complex mess?"
Garrett replied, "Because that's the way Harden likes it. Messed up and hostile."
Joni turned back to the ambassador with a cold yet determined look in her eye. "So how is all of this supposed to go down? The Kergans move in, the others move up to meet them, and we attack from behind? What about all the transports?"
The ambassador paused before answering. "The transports are sacrificial. They were needed to sign the false alliance. Their fate will be determined by the outcome of the battle. If the Moddle or Grumar and Grotus warships turn on them after the attack by our ships, they will have to hold their own. Our goal is to annihilate the warship fleets. Those ground troops are meaningless."
J
oni stood in protest. "Those are our citizens! They aren't meaningless!"
The ambassador raised his hand. "If they survive, they will continue to be supported. If they don't, we have more to choose from back home. The Grunta are high strung and stubborn. They will not be missed."
Joni scowled. "And what about the Talisans? What did we bring through? Another five million?"
The ambassador replied, "Six million. But just the same, they are expendable."
Joni paced the floor in front of the ambassador. "I want those people saved. They are not to be sacrificed."
The ambassador gestured toward the display. "If you can come up with a plan to save them, without jeopardizing your uncle's mission, I will hear it out. But you had best act quickly. You probably have less than twenty-four hours."
Joni looked back at the large holo-display. "I'll hold you to that, Ambassador."
The ambassador stood and walked from the bridge.
Joni sighed and looked down at the large Rottweiler standing beside her. "What do you think, Raptor?"
I turned to Garrett. "The tag there on the bridge, we can broadcast to it also, right?"
Garrett nodded. "We can. But you send out a comm from there and they will detect it."
I replied, "What about audio?"
Garrett frowned. "Everyone on the bridge will hear it unless you whisper, and then she's not going to hear it without standing beside it."
"Set me up for audio, and give me a tone that only Raptor can hear. If we can draw him over, she might come as well."
Garrett laughed. "Really? Your plan is to rely on the dog?"
I nodded.
Garrett pulled up his holo-display and passed the controls over to mine. "Press the button and the tone will sound."
Several seconds later the Rottweiler was standing in a spot just below the tag, looking up, and whimpering.
Joni paced back and forth in thought before noticing the dog's odd behavior. "What's up with you?"
The Rottweiler didn't move.
Joni huffed as she walked over beside him. "I don't have time for games. You have to let me focus."
Garrett gestured. "The volume is at its minimum. Say something and see if she can hear you."
"Joni?" I said.
Raptor barked.
Joni looked down at her dog.
I said. "She didn't hear me. Can we bump the volume up a notch?"
Garrett swiped away at his display. "That might be loud enough to be detected. You press that button and speak and they find the tag, our little eavesdropping session is over."
I pressed the comm button. "Joni, find a way."
She immediately looked up.
I repeated the message. "Find a way to save them."
Joni slowly nodded.
The captain walked up behind her. "You OK?"
Joni jumped before turning. "Ah, yeah. Sorry, Captain. Just in deep thought. I have some planning to do."
Joni looked back at the wall and smiled before leaving the bridge with Raptor in tow.
Jack held up his hand. "I think I might have an idea. How many ships do we have with us?"
I replied, "Close to one hundred, but you know that."
Jack nodded. "Sorry, was just thinking out loud. That fleet is supposedly approaching from Bolitha. Now, we don't have the firepower to stop it, but I believe we can slow it down. If Joni comes up with a solution, she'll need time to implement it. We could hit that incoming fleet and take a few hundred of their ship's shields offline. They can try to chase us, but we're faster. If we can pull that off, we at least distract them and give her more time."
Garrett turned to face me. "That could work."
I thought for a moment. "There may be a few flaws with your plan."
Jack replied, "What's missing?"
I frowned. "We don't know the top speed of their ships and we don't know that they use the same shield technology. If we hit them, the gravity beams might not have the desired effect. And we might not be fast enough to run."
Jack rubbed his chin. "I would say we have to chance it. If the scenario you outlined is correct and we wait until they get here, we won't be able to protect anyone then, either. Even if we get our asses kicked, we should provide some amount of delay."
"True," I replied. "Garrett, take the Jess and bring the other ships around."
I pulled up the nav display. "We'll meet you at this rally point. It's time we met the Kergans."
Chapter 11
* * *
Fourteen hours of flight put us on a direct path to Bolitha. It wasn't long before the first of the Kergan ships appeared on our scanners.
I said, "Open a comm to all captains."
The comm officer replied, "All channels open, sir."
I looked over the nav display on the wall in front of us. "Everyone, our purpose here is to delay this fleet. We don't need any heroes and we don't want to take any unnecessary chances. You'll have targets show on your individual tactical displays. Hit those targets and move back along the route you are all seeing projected on your nav displays. Our plan is to hit and run, hit and run. If we can get the fleet's attention diverted from Jorus, we accomplish our goal. Good luck, and remember, no unnecessary risks."
I looked over at Jack. "Start the diversion whenever you're ready."
Jack smiled. "I was born ready. Mr. Jefferson! Take us in!"
As our force of unmarked ships closed to the point of detection, the Kergan commanders gave orders. Fifty attack ships were moved to the front of the fleet. Forty minutes later the first of the ships came within range.
Jack said. "Fire when ready, Mr. Barns."
Visual indicators on the holo-display showed the gravity beams as they left our space and popped the enemy assault ships. As hoped, the impacted ships began to fall away.
Garrett stood. "I should take the Jess out. We can always use another beam out there, now that we know they work."
I nodded. "Just keep your maximum distance."
Jack said, "The first fifty ships have all gone sub-light. Looks like they are sending another four hundred our way. The scanner has their fleet count at forty-five hundred and rising. Garrett, you might want to just do a recon run around the end so we get a better look at how many ships they have. Your one beam won't make much of a difference to us at the moment."
Garrett stopped in the doorway of the bridge. "Sounds like a better plan. I'll grab Go from the lab and see if he wants to tag along."
Jack reported, "All ships are on the same trajectory. Their main fleet has slowed while they try to figure out what just happened. I think this one attack may buy at least an hour on its own. It was taking the Moddle a lot of time to repair their shields when we hit them. If that holds true here, we might just be able to squeeze a good delay out of this."
The hit-and-runs continued for most of the day. More than two thousand Kergan ships had forward shields that were offline. The ships were spread in a line that stretched from the main fleet out to near our location.
Jack said, "I think they've wised up to us. I don't show any ships heading this way except Garrett."
Garrett was soon within comm range. "I think we need to get this information back to Joni. That fleet has nearly twenty thousand ships in it, including several thousand transports. I'm passing the data to you now. They have fighter carriers as well. I counted more than one hundred of those and they each carry about fifteen hundred fighters. If those warships are an even match, I don't see how we can win."
I replied, "Just get back here as soon as you can. I think it's time we move back to Jorus now that we know we can slow their ships. These gravity beams might just end up being the great equalizer."
Garrett frowned. "That's if they don't figure out how to counter them between now and then. I wish we'd built a test ship or two so we could see exactly what it does to those shields. Might have given us an opportunity to make it tougher to defeat."
When the Jess landed we headed away, circling back to our ori
ginal location on the far side of Jorus. The passive probes we had set in place remained in operation. We soon had a video stream of the Sutherlin's bridge up on the Garmon's main holo-display.
Joni stood on the bridge with Ambassador Gottlieb and Captain Rogers. "I only asked that our ground troops be separated by some distance from the Moddle, Ambassador. I don't think that's too much to ask."
The ambassador sighed. "Again, I apologize, Miss Salton. It seems that schedules have changed and I'm no longer comfortable making alterations to the plan which was originally in place. The scheduled events may happen at any moment."
Joni returned an angry look. "The Kergans didn't show, Ambassador. Are more ships coming through? Is the portal to be opened right here at Jorus?"
The ambassador pursed his lips. "I am not at liberty to say, Miss Salton. I can explain further when events are underway, but not before. I'm sorry. As to your request, well, I'm afraid I must deny it. I can't have the Moddle getting up in arms over why they are being separated."
Joni walked over to stand in front of the tagged wall with Raptor at her heal.
She said with a whisper, "Please tell me you are out there."
The ambassador looked over his shoulder. "Were you asking a question?"
Joni replied, "No, just mumbling to myself."
I said with a low voice, "We are here. Turn so you are facing the ambassador. If he looks back, just look down and mumble to yourself, matching my tone as best you can."
Joni nodded.
"The Kergans are coming. Twenty thousand ships. If you can quietly get that message to the Gruntas and Talisans, please do so."
The ambassador looked back. Joni mumbled and glanced toward him with an unmistakable expression of loathing on her face. The ambassador looked away.
I continued, "We will assist as we can, but that fleet is too large. Have the others head back for Doomlight. And keep yourself safe. That is all."
Raptor barked. The ambassador once again looked back, this time with an interested eye.
Joni stepped forward. "Ambassador, I think you should reconsider my request. Certainly, someone of your diplomatic skill could easily explain away this move."
OMEGA Hostile Page 10