“Lead the way, Corporal.”
The Marines turned and marched down the corridor with Jon following. He thought about his mission. He could be gone for years. The idea was growing on him. This might be just what he needed.
Jon saw the Hermes from one of the windows. Construction crews still worked on her. She sat there, motionless, like she was stalking prey.
Smaller than a Dreadnaught-class battleship, but larger than a destroyer, though not as bulky. Sleek, like a racer. Her bow tapered almost to a point and the body expanded into smooth curves. She looked like she could pierce the sky.
She may have looked like a racer, but she was no lightweight. Missile tubes, rail guns and energy weapons spread out across her hull.
The Hermes was a killer. She looked like she could take on any Juttari ship and win. He wondered how agile she was and proceeded to board. He’d find out soon enough.
CHAPTER 5
“Captain on the bridge,” one of the Marines announced. All eyes turned to Jon.
“At ease,” Jon said.
A massive space, the Diakan influences were everywhere. From the giant viewscreen that dominated the room, to the myriad of smaller diagnostic displays, Jon noted the Diakan refinements. Even the Captain’s chair, elevated as it was above all else, could be found on any Diakan warship.
Diakan design or not, this was a human ship, under human command. His command. Could he do it? Could he command a starship?
A tall blonde woman approached and saluted. “Commander Lynda Wolfe reporting.” Taller than most women, her broad shoulders and serious eyes gave her a commanding presence. An impressive looking officer, she had the look of someone who could move mountains if she needed.
“At ease Commander. I take it you are my XO?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“How long until the Hermes is ready?”
“Our full crew complement will be on board within the next two days. There are some minor tests that still need to be performed and some supplemental training. Barring any problems, we should be ready to go in two weeks.”
“I’ll need a full readiness report, Commander. Tactical, Engineering, Security, Medical, everything.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jon scanned the room and noticed a Diakan standing by a computer console.
“Why is there a Diakan on my bridge?”
“That is Special Envoy Tallos, Sir. He is here as an observer.”
“How long will he be on board?”
“He is supposed to be with us for the entire mission, Sir.”
Jon cringed. He didn’t anticipate the Diakans placing one of their own on board. It made sense, but he wasn’t happy about it.
“Where is my ready room, Commander?”
“Just over there, Sir.” Wolfe pointed to a door on the far left side of the bridge.
“Very well. I am going to get caught up on things. Have the Diakan come and see me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jon walked to the door. The Hermes insignia was emblazoned dead center. A black star covered oval with a sword running through its center. Two vipers coiled up the blade to a pair of wings spreading out at the hilt.
Jon thought the insignia was fitting. To him. the sword was humanity and the two vipers were the Juttari and the Diakans. The word “Hermes” bordered the top of the oval, and the words “Space Force” bordered the bottom. “Semper” and “Primus”, Latin for “Always First”, displayed left and right respectively. Fitting indeed. The door slid open and Jon entered.
The room was like any Captain’s office he had seen. An oversized faux-leather chair sat behind a sleek cedar toned desk. Two chairs flanked the desk on the opposite side. Behind were two large ancient Earth statue replicas from the Greco-Roman period, and the odd print from Earth’s Golden Age adorned the wall. Symbols of long lost human greatness, they seemed out of place and hypocritical.
Jon walked over to the desk and sat down. Captain of a starship of all things. What had he gotten himself into?
He had always been a field operative and now here he was sitting behind a desk. Before long they would have him sitting with the bureaucrats at Space Force Command. He shuddered, the thought sending a cold chill down his back.
“Special Envoy Tallos requests entrance,” a synthetic voice said.
“Come in,” Jon said.
The door opened and Tallos entered.
“Greetings, Captain.”
“Greetings, Special Envoy.”
The Diakan sat in one of the chairs opposite Jon, unblinking eyes fixed on his.
“I trust your stay on the Hermes has been a comfortable one?”
“Yes, Captain. Your crew has been very accommodating.”
“I’ve been told you will be accompanying us on our mission.”
“That is correct, Captain.”
“As an observer.”
“As observer and advisor, Captain.”
“Advisor?”
“Yes, Captain. The Hermes is partially Diakan design. We are here to advise on its many intricacies.”
“What do you mean, ‘we’?”
“There are several advisors on board, Captain. There are advisors with expertise in engineering, medical, and tactical. We are all here to assist your crew.”
“Alright, then we need to get something straight right from the start. This is not a Diakan ship. This is a human ship. My ship. I give the orders here.”
“Of course, Captain.”
“Your advisors will assist only. Any decision-making rests solely with myself and my officers.”
“Yes, Captain. I would not have it any other way.”
Jon studied Tallos. No noticeable reaction. He hid his emotions well. The Diakans were used to giving orders. Used to people like Admiral Walsh and President Lewis doing as they were told.
It was true that humanity owed a lot to the Diakans. If not for them Earth would still be under Juttari rule.
The Diakans armed Earth with powerful weapons. They helped Earth rebuild. They shared their knowledge. Science. Medicine. Technology. All aspects of society were advancing at mind boggling speed. All thanks to the great benefactors, the Diakans.
Everyone was grateful. And fearful. Afraid that they might change their minds. So, when the Diakans asked for something, Earth’s leaders jumped. It disgusted Jon. The way he saw it, humanity had gone from being Juttari slaves to being Diakan serfs.
Of course, it was better than the alternative. The Juttari occupation had been a horrific piece of human history. When the Juttari Empire first discovered humanity they sent one of their battle groups to the Sol System.
It took them only a few hours to annihilate the flimsy human defenses. Earth then experienced the horrors of Juttari orbital bombardment. Simple, relentless brutality.
Major cities on all continents were targeted. Repeated offers of surrender ignored. A third of Earth’s population died that day.
The remainder became a workforce. Exceptionally ruthless humans were identified and made governors. The governors used fear and intimidation to ensure optimal production.
They also performed the heinous act of identifying talented children and sending them to Juttari training centers. There they would be indoctrinated, chipped, augmented, and trained to become the most feared and loyal soldiers in the Empire. The Chaanisar.
For five hundred years humanity endured this oppression. Then the Diakans came. While Earth always had resistance movements, they were little more than bandits, stealing from the governors, and killing them or their staff when the opportunity allowed.
The Diakans covertly trained and armed these movements, turning them into a more effective fighting force. Still, they were not powerful enough to liberate Earth.
It was only when the Diakans established a foothold in the Sol System that they could be more actively deployed.
The Diakans fought the Juttari in space and the resistance fought on Earth. As the resistance gained ground their ranks swell
ed with volunteers. Then the Chaanisar were sent in.
Earth’s lost children returned home as battle hardened super-soldiers to crush all hopes of freedom. They punished anyone who helped the resistance.
Gruesome battles were fought. Millions died. And then, when all seemed bleakest, the Diakans destroyed a Juttari battle group and gained control of Earth’s orbit.
Chaanisar supply lines were cut, and the resistance gained orbital support. The Chaanisar were defeated and Earth liberated.
Jon’s own father was a member of the resistance, as was his father before him. Jon had learned about freedom, and its cost, since he was a baby.
Freedom. Not serfdom. And he was sure as hell not going to be another human groveling at the feet of a Diakan.
It was bad enough he let them put their symbiont inside him. They had already exerted their influence on Jon, and now he couldn’t get the damned thing out of him. Did they plan to do the same to the rest of humanity? He shuddered at the thought.
“And what is your area of expertise, Special Envoy?” Jon said.
“I am here to assist you with command, Captain,” Tallos said.
Jon’s eyes locked Tallos’s in a steely stare. His stomach tightened as he struggled quietly to control his anger.
“Assist me in what way?” Jon asked. He clasped his hands together to avoid clenching them into fists.
“I possess expertise in starship command, strategy and tactics.”
“I’m quite sure I can handle things.”
“There is no shame in asking for help, Captain. While we requested that you command the Hermes, we also understand that you have limited experience commanding starships. Your special forces training and experience, and your symbiont’s inherent design give you many transferable skills, however you do lack experience commanding a ship of this size. I can help you with the transition.”
The son of a bitch had done his homework. “I’ve been trained extensively in starship operations, Special Envoy. I’ve led several missions where my team has boarded and captured enemy starships. I wouldn’t be able to do that if I didn’t understand how a starship worked. What is it you think you can add?”
“I have commanded many starships, Captain. I have successfully engaged the Juttari on numerous occasions.”
“So now you’re telling me you’re some kind of war hero?” Jon could barely conceal the sarcasm in his voice.
“This is a human concept, Captain. We do not adopt these romantic notions. We function according to proven systems.”
Pompous asshole, Jon thought.
“Success does not lie in individualism or heroics. Victory is the result of efficient systems and procedures.”
“I see. Then why is this not a Diakan ship? If your systems are superior, why is this ship under human command?”
“While this ship was built through Diakan and human cooperation, the discovery of the jump system is a human one. It is logical then that this ship be under human command.”
Jon smiled. “Is human creativity a romantic notion as well?”
Tallos didn’t bite. “The mission to discover your lost colonies is primarily a human one, and of no real interest to us.”
Jon wasn’t so sure. The way he saw it the Diakans did not possess any special love for humanity. They did not help Earth out of some great benevolence. They were empire building, plain and simple.
The Juttari were their enemies. The only difference between the two was the Diakans had no interest in outright conquest like the Juttari. They preferred proxy worlds.
By helping planets like Earth become strong, they took control of strategic space by proxy, giving them a greater sphere of influence. Earth became a regional power, and nothing more.
Everything was done under the umbrella of the The Galactic Accord. A treaty between all the worlds and systems under Diakan influence.
The concept was simple enough. Everyone under the treaty promised to defend each other against any outside aggression. It also banned aggression between member worlds.
Everything looked good on paper, but without the Diakans the Accord was meaningless. Only the Diakans were strong enough to stand against the Juttari Empire. Without them the treaty worlds would fall like dead trees facing a powerful wind.
Planets like Earth were only meant to be strong enough to hold off the Juttari until the Diakans could send reinforcements. That ensured their subordinance.
And here was a Diakan coming along to find the lost colonies. Once the Hermes found them, and relations with Earth were re-established, the Diakans would move to add them to The Galactic Accord, expanding the reaches of their Empire.
All smoke and mirrors. An independent Earth with its own government. An alliance of equals sworn to defend each other. An advanced race sharing their knowledge so that all would benefit. All a clever illusion.
Just then a communication request appeared on his display screen. “Excuse me for a second,” Jon said to Tallos. The Diakan nodded and Jon accepted the request.
A stately woman’s face appeared on the screen. “Good morning Captain, I am Doctor Elizabeth Ellerbeck, Chief Medical Officer.”
“Good morning Doctor. What can I do for you?”
“Sir, I need to give you a physical before we start our mission. When is a good time for you?”
“How about right now, Doctor? I was meaning to pay you a visit today anyway. I can be there in about ten minutes.” Tallos was agitating Jon and this was a good way to get rid of him.
“Perfect. I’ll see you in ten minutes. Ellerbeck out.”
“My apologies, Special Envoy, but as you can see I have a lot to do before we get underway.”
“As you wish, Captain.”
Special Envoy Tallos rose from his chair and walked out of the room. Sitting back in his chair Jon stared at the door that Tallos walked out of. He had enough on his plate without Diakan interference. Shrugging off the encounter, he got up and headed for the door.
On the bridge the hum still permeated as his crew made sure all systems were ready for their mission. When Jon looked at the tactical station, a large grin spread across his face.
At the station was a rather large man wearing combat fatigues and carrying a close quarter energy weapon in a shoulder holster. On his uniform was the Hermes emblem and below that a Special Operations badge.
“Kevin St. Clair. How long has it been?” Jon said, approaching the man and extending his right hand.
“Too long, Sir,” St. Clair replied, enveloping Jon’s hand in his own, a wide smile on his face.
“I noticed in the crew manifest that you were assigned to the Hermes. So, you are my Security Chief?”
“Yes, Sir. Can’t wait for the fun to begin.”
“You haven’t changed a bit. Walk with me, I’m heading down to sick bay. We can catch up on the way.”
The two men left the bridge and proceeded down the corridor.
“Have you met our guests, the Diakans?” Jon said.
Kevin laughed. “Yes, Sir. I have my own personal Diakan advisor. I don’t know what I did to be so lucky.” He didn’t try to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
“Yeah, I’ve got one too. All this political crap is a real pain in the ass.” He had always been comfortable speaking to St. Clair. They shared many missions together and had developed a strong bond. They were both cool under fire, and learned a long time ago that they could trust each other.
“I’m surprised you took this mission. I never figured you for the starship captain type.”
“It wasn’t like I volunteered for it. Orders are orders. You know that.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jon’s smile disappeared and he looked St. Clair in the eyes. “Listen Kevin, I want to talk to you about something. While I was on R&R in Hong Kong I was ambushed by a Chaanisar fire team.”
Kevin’s eyes went wide. “Chaanisar? On Earth? I thought those bastards were long gone?”
“So did I, but they were Chaanisar alrigh
t. I got a good look at one of the bodies and confirmed it.” Jon knew he didn’t have to spell things out. Kevin knew it took more than a team of five to take Jon out. Even if they were Chaanisar. “The whole thing has me concerned about this mission. For them to try and take me out on Earth is pretty extreme.”
“You don’t think it’s some sort of revenge attack?”
“No. The wars have been over for some time now. Besides, the Chaanisar don’t usually make a move without the order coming from Juttari command.”
“True. The way they’ve been chipped the Juttari would know everything.”
“Yes, and if I’m right that means the Juttari know about the Hermes. Hell, it means they knew I was going to be Captain of the Hermes before I did. And you know what that means….”
“There’s a mole.”
“Right. And pretty high up the chain of command too.”
“The mission’s been compromised.”
“We have to assume that it has. I think we also have to assume that there’s a spy on board. Either way, let’s tighten up security. I want check points throughout the ship. Check for any signs of sabotage. Monitor all communications. Don’t leave anything to chance.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m on it.”
“Let’s keep this between us for now. I don’t know who can be trusted yet.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Hey, do you remember that time on Mintar 7?
“How could I forget? I still have the scar to remind me.”
Jon chuckled. “Let me know if you find anything. I want regular reports.”
“Yes, Sir.”
CHAPTER 6
Commander Wolfe felt unsettled as she headed down the long corridor. Having volunteered for this mission, she gave up her position as XO on the Dreadnaught Class battleship Independence. The pride of the fleet.
The youngest XO in the fleet, she would be in line for her own command in a few years, and would be the youngest starship captain in Space Force history. Everything was in place. Everything was predictable. She was in control.
Then the Hermes came along. It needed an XO and much to her surprise she volunteered. A new ship with an experimental technology going off to find a legend. What was she thinking?
The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10 Page 3