by Ryk Brown
“I see,” Jessica said. “So, you were shtupping the bride, huh?”
“It is not an indiscretion I am proud of, but it did give me my Marli.”
“How is it that she knows, but the Dusahn do not?” Jessica inquired.
“Marli’s mother and her father of record were killed when the Dusahn invaded,” Stethan explained. “I was devastated at the time, believing she had perished, as well. Years later, I discovered that she had survived and had been adopted by an elderly couple. They passed when she was still in her teens. At that point, I had no choice but to risk contacting her. I set her up here, in this apartment, and made arrangements for her schooling and employment. However, I did not dare visit her, for fear of being discovered.”
“Lots of officers serving the Dusahn have families,” Jessica pointed out.
“And those families are under constant scrutiny,” the commander replied. “It was difficult enough for me to turn a blind eye to our people’s current plight. Giving Marli some semblance of normality was the best I could hope for.”
“And you figured yanking her from this life and taking her to a faraway world, one where you’re a prisoner, would be normal,” Jessica commented.
“Family is very important to Orswellans,” Commander Andreola explained. “Marli is the only family I have left, and I am the only family she has left.”
“You haven’t seen her in more than a decade, right?” Jessica said.
“Seventeen years,” the commander confirmed.
“How did you even know she would agree to any of this?”
“It was a chance I had to take,” the commander replied.
Marli slowly raised her hand. “May I ask a question?”
“Why not?” Jessica replied.
“Who are you?”
Jessica sighed, throwing her hands up. “Tell her.”
Commander Andreola turned to his daughter. “She is a member of an alliance that is battling the Dusahn more than six hundred light years from here. If they succeed, our world may be freed, as well.”
“I don’t understand,” Marli said. “How did you…”
“My ship was defeated by their forces, and I was taken prisoner. I have been cooperating with them by sharing everything I know about the Dusahn.”
“The Dusahn will kill you,” Marli said.
“If they learn of my actions, yes,” Stethan admitted, “but I was the only one who could help them.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I did this for you, Marli; for us.”
“Why are you here?”
“They need information on the Dusahn’s ground forces,” Stethan explained. “Where they are based, how many there are, their defenses, air power, deployment patterns.”
“Why?” Marli’s eyes suddenly widened. “They’re going to attack, aren’t they?”
“The Dusahn have taken control of the Pentaurus sector,” Jessica explained, jumping in. “We’ve managed to destroy their shipyards, there, but we need to destroy the shipyards here, as well; particularly, the two battleships that are almost completed. If we don’t take those ships out before they become operational, the Dusahn will have enough firepower to destroy us, once and for all.”
“If you are talking about the Jar-Oray and the Jar-Yella, they are already completed,” Marli said. “They left yesterday.”
“Damn,” Jessica cursed. “Are you sure?”
“I saw it on the news last night,” Marli assured her. “Three troop ships left with them.”
“This just keeps getting better,” Jessica muttered. She turned to Commander Andreola. “How many troops can those ships carry?”
“It depends on how they are configured. If equipped with drop pods, only ten thousand. If not, twice that number.”
“This mission just got really short.”
“I do not understand.”
“We have to get this information back to the Aurora as soon as possible. There’s only one reason they’d be sending that many troops. They’re going to invade the Rogen system.”
“How can you be certain of this?”
“They already have complete control over all the worlds in the Pentaurus cluster, and they don’t really care about the outer worlds.”
“Then, you are no longer planning to destroy our shipyards?”
“No, we’re still going to destroy them,” Jessica assured him, “but maybe not as soon as we thought.”
“But there are still enough troops on the ground to kill hundreds of thousands of people!” Stethan exclaimed.
“I don’t understand,” Marli complained.
“If the Dusahn ships are destroyed, along with the shipyards, the Dusahn will, most likely, abandon Orswella since it will no longer be of strategic value. The Guard was sworn to protect those shipyards. The punishment for our failure will likely be the annihilation of our entire civilization, just as they did to Toramund.”
“But, if you destroy their ships…” Marli began.
“Their goons on the ground will mow your people down on their way out,” Jessica added. “Trust me, I’ve seen them in action; both them, and their predecessors.”
“But, the rumor is that more Dusahn soldiers are preparing to depart,” Marli said.
Jessica’s curiosity was suddenly piqued. “How do you know this?”
“Everyone is talking about it,” Marli explained. “In private, of course. I even have a friend who is married to one of the Dusahn security officers. They have children and will be going with them.”
“The Dusahn security forces would be instructed not to tell anyone about their pending departure,” Commander Andreola insisted.
“Are you sure about this?” Jessica asked Marli.
“I cannot be certain, but that is what Brianna told me. I have heard similar discussions from others. Many believe the day we have been hoping for has finally come; the day that the Dusahn will leave our world for good.”
“There’s no way the Dusahn are abandoning this world any time soon,” Jessica insisted. “At the very least, they’ll keep using your shipyards to crank out warships until they can build new facilities in the Pentaurus sector. Even if they ever do leave, there’s no way they’ll leave your world in any condition close to good.”
“Why would they do that?” Marli wondered. “We are no threat to them.”
“Never leave an enemy behind who might seek revenge later,” Jessica stated. “A primary tenet of the Jung warrior castes.” She looked at Commander Andreola. “I don’t like the sound of any of this.”
“Perhaps they will use the troops to secure the other worlds in the Pentaurus sector?” Commander Andreola suggested.
“Doubtful,” Jessica replied. “They’ve got all the troops they need to control the cluster, and they don’t really give a rat’s ass about the rest of the worlds in the sector, at least not enough to pull troops from the only world that’s producing any ships for them.” After a moment, Jessica added, “No, they’re going to invade the Rogen system.”
“How can you be certain?” the commander wondered.
“I can’t be,” Jessica admitted. “But it’s the only thing that makes sense. If they send two battleships and thirty thousand ground goons to the Rakuen system, we won’t be able to stop them. We might be able to take out two battleships, but if the Dusahn send any additional ships from the Pentaurus sector to join in the attack, those forces will be on the ground before we can do anything about it. Even if we won the battle in space, we don’t have the troops to take back the surface, not without killing hundreds of thousands of civilians in the process.”
“What are you going to do?” Commander Andreola asked.
Jessica glanced at her watch. “We have about twenty-two hours until the first scheduled recovery window.”
“I thought you told them you would see them in a week?” t
he commander replied.
“That was for your benefit,” Jessica said with a smirk. “You think I tell you everything?”
“I guess not.”
“Our primary goal is to get this intel back to the Aurora, as soon as possible. In the meantime, I’ll set up a SIGINT unit on the roof to see if we can pick up any comm-traffic to verify what Marli, here, has told us.”
“Then, you agree to take her back with us?” the commander asked.
“I’m not agreeing to anything,” Jessica stated firmly. “However, I don’t see any reason not to, assuming both of you are telling the truth.”
“I assure you, Lieutenant Commander, I have no other secrets.”
“We all have secrets, Commander,” Jessica insisted. “And for the record, I might’ve had more faith in your motivation to come on this mission, had you told me the truth, to begin with.”
“Or you might have suspected that I would turn you over the moment we arrived, so as to protect my daughter,” the commander pointed out. “I could not take that risk.”
Jessica smiled. “Maybe I was wrong about you.”
“How so?” the commander wondered.
“You might make a good spy after all.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” the commander replied, nodding.
“I said might,” Jessica added.
* * *
“What does the general have to say this time?” Nathan asked as he entered the Aurora’s intel shack. “Let me guess, there’s a battle group headed our way?”
“How did you know?” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda said, going along with the joke. “The general reports that a battleship, a dreadnought, two missile frigates, and twelve gunships all left the Takar system approximately thirty-five hours ago.”
“How did you miss the gunships?” Nathan asked.
“The Dusahn have gotten better at detecting our recon drones,” the lieutenant commander explained. “We’ve been forced to do the majority of our recon passes from further and further out. We can only send a drone deep enough into the system, to detect ships as small as gunships, about once every other day or so and, even then, for only a minute or two. Any longer and they’re toast, and we’ve only got so many drones left.”
“Good answer,” Nathan agreed. “Did he say anything about the battleship from the Darvano system?”
“Negative, sir, but he did suggest that you give his proposal more consideration.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Should we send a response this time?”
“Negative,” Nathan replied, smiling. “I don’t want the good general to feel like we’re in cahoots with him.”
“Yes, sir,” the lieutenant commander replied.
“We still need to find that battle group.”
“We’re working on it.”
“And the battleship that got lost on the way to Ursoot,” Nathan added, turning to depart.
“Yes, sir.”
Nathan’s comm-set squawked as he stepped into the corridor.
“Captain, Cheng,” Vladimir called.
“Tell me something good, Vlad,” Nathan replied.
“The jump array is installed,” Vladimir announced proudly, “a day early, I might add.”
“That is good news,” Nathan congratulated as he turned the corner and headed toward the bridge.
“Just don’t attempt to jump further than twenty light years until I get the additional energy banks installed,” Vladimir added.
“Or what?”
“I am not certain. Just do not do it.”
“I’ll do my best,” Nathan promised, tapping his comm-set as he entered the bridge. “XO, a moment?” Nathan called to Cameron as he turned toward his ready room.
“Commander Yosef, you have the conn,” Cameron instructed, rising from the command chair and heading aft.
“Aye, sir,” Kaylah acknowledged.
Cameron followed Nathan into the ready room, closing the hatch behind her. “I sent the message to Commander Prechitt as ordered,” she reported as she took a seat.
“Thank you,” Nathan said as sat down behind his desk.
“What did Hesson have to say?”
“That we’re going to be attacked in a couple days.” Nathan threw up his hands. “Who knew?”
“Anything else?”
“Just that they’re bringing extra guests,” Nathan replied. “Twelve gunships.”
“Well, it’s not a party without gunships.”
Nathan leaned back in his chair, surprised. “Cam, why didn’t you tell me you had a sense of humor?”
“I’ve got Ensign Penchev running diagnostics on the jump drive, now that it’s back online.”
“That was going to be my next announcement.”
“It’s hard not to notice when the status light on the helm, that’s been red for weeks, suddenly turns green,” Cameron said.
“Vlad felt it necessary to remind me to avoid jumping any further than twenty light years until he gets the additional energy banks ready, or else.”
“Or else what?”
“Don’t ask,” Nathan said. “I have no intention of jumping until he’s done but, if we have to, let’s be sure to stay well under that.”
“Agreed,” Cameron replied. “What did Abby and Deliza have to say?”
“They’re confident they can rig a solution in time. In fact, they’ve already analyzed the interaction between the Nighthawk’s gravity lift system and the Dusahn’s shields. They’re hoping to develop an enhanced jump missile that can penetrate enemy shields.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” Cameron said.
“Why don’t you take a break,” Nathan suggested.
“I wouldn’t mind,” Cameron said, standing again. “By the way, I got a call from Commander Kaplan on the Mystic. She said Loki inquired about working there.”
“And?”
“She offered him a job as a helmsman.”
“What about Ailsa?” Nathan wondered.
“Doran’s family is going to help him. His wife and daughter became very close to Lael and Ailsa over the past few months. They’re all moving back to the Mystic.”
Nathan sighed. “Then he’s taking the position.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Good for him. He can do what he loves and be with his daughter every day. I’m happy for him.”
“You sure about that?” Cameron wondered, noticing the disappointed expression on his face.
“I’ll miss him, but I am happy for him. He deserves to be happy, especially after all that’s happened.”
“We all do, Nathan.”
Nathan looked oddly at Cameron.
“What?” she asked, noticing his change in expression.
“I’m just wondering what your happiness is.”
“What’s yours?”
“Don’t evade the question,” Nathan said.
“I’ll be happy when I’m in command of my own ship again,” Cameron replied.
“Now you’re making me feel guilty,” Nathan confessed.
“Not of the Aurora,” Cameron assured him. “She belongs to you. She always has, since the day you first assumed command.”
“She was yours a lot longer than she’s been mine,” Nathan insisted.
“No, she was Galiardi’s. I was just sitting in the chair; and only because your father wouldn’t have it any other way. Both times you’ve been in command you were able to call your own shots, without anyone to answer to. That allows a completely different style of leadership. I’m talking about the Celestia. That’s the only time I was truly in command.”
“But you had to answer to me, back then.”
“You pretty much let me do what I wanted,” Cameron reminded him.
“Yeah, I was a go
od boss, wasn’t I?”
“So, Nathan, what is your happiness?” Cameron asked again.
Nathan took a deep breath and sighed. “You know, as much as I love this ship, life on the Seiiki wasn’t bad. I got to take whatever job I wanted, for the most part. I’d visited a lot of different worlds and experienced different cultures. A lot of it was repetitive but, for the most part, it was pretty good.”
“I never would have pegged you for an explorer,” Cameron admitted.
“I’ve always liked to travel,” Nathan told her. “I took trips all over the world when I was in college. Every break, I was heading somewhere different. I really miss that.”
“It must have been nice to be able to afford all that travel.”
“When I was Connor, we used to dream about earning enough to just head out into the galaxy, discovering all the lost colonies of Earth.”
“How did you expect to survive?” Cameron wondered.
“We were going to travel beyond the jump veil and sell the specs to civilizations that did not yet have jump tech.”
“The ‘jump veil’,” Cameron repeated. “I’ve never heard that expression.”
“When you look at all the good the jump drive has brought to the worlds within the veil, you realize how much better humanity would be if everyone had it.”
“That thinking is what brought us the Dusahn,” Cameron reminded him.
“Yeah, there’s that.”
“So, your happiness would be to take the Aurora out to explore the galaxy, finding all the lost colonies of humanity,” Cameron surmised.
“Yes, I suppose that would make me happy,” Nathan admitted, “but that’s never going to happen.”
Cameron rose from her seat again. “Never give up on your dreams, Nathan, for if you do, they never come true.”
* * *
“Are you sure Marli won’t call the constables while we’re gone?” Jessica asked as she and Stethan stepped onto the roof of Marli’s apartment building.
“She will not,” Stethan assured her.
“Wow,” Jessica exclaimed as she took in the view. “Nice view. It kind of reminds me of pictures of Earth from a few hundred years ago.”
“We have tried to keep technology out of our civilization as much as possible,” Stethan said.