“True. We’d take heavy casualties boarding that ship,” Kevin said.
“They could kill off the Reivers before we got close to them,” Jon said. “Ok, so boarding the battleship is not a good option. How about the planet?”
“Depending on the planet’s defenses a planetary assault might be a better option. The Hermes could provide orbital support for the strike teams making the job easier,” Kevin said.
“AI, analyze the Kerces planetary defenses,” Jon said.
The viewscreen showed an image of the icy planet once more and zoomed in closer revealing numerous orbiting satellites. “Kerces is defended by an orbital defense grid located at medium orbit. There is a restricted security perimeter around the planet. Unauthorized vessels entering this perimeter are fired on by the defense grid.”
“Do we have enough information on Kerces to plot its precise coordinates into the jump system?”
“The seized Kemmar database has provided the coordinates for all planets within the Kemmar Empire.”
“Do we have enough information to jump into low orbit around Kerces just inside the defense grid?”
“Yes, the coordinates are available for this task.”
“Will the defense grid fire on us if we do?”
“The grid’s purpose is to defend against attacking ships. It is assumed that those ships would approach the planet from outside the grid. The satellites were made to only point outward as a precaution against the grid being used to attack the planet itself. Therefore, if the Hermes were to jump into low orbit within the defense grid, it would not be fired upon.”
“What about the planet’s gravitational pull? Is the jump system capable of landing the Hermes in low orbit without inadvertently causing us to enter the planet’s atmosphere?”
“The Kemmar database provides enough data to calculate a precise landing into low orbit without causing any undue stress on the Hermes or its systems.”
“Good. Do you have any information on where the prisoners will be taken?”
The viewscreen zoomed in further to reveal the planet’s icy surface and magnified the planet’s southern hemisphere. It sailed over frozen mountains, their glistening peaks like frigid claws gashing the sky, and then dropped into a wide valley and eventually zeroed in on a complex of buildings.
“Analyze installation’s defenses,” Jon said.
“The defenses are limited. The installation is designed to keep prisoners in, rather than invaders out. Its designers assumed that the orbital defense grid was protection enough. There are automated defense systems setup on the complex’s perimeter.” The viewscreen zoomed in again to show and array of weapon towers encircling the buildings. “They are intended for use against escaping prisoners, but can protect against an attacking force. Defense systems are primarily energy weapon based.”
“Thank you, AI.”
“You are most welcome, Captain.”
Wolfe and Kevin turned their chairs back to face Jon. Kevin spoke first. “I see where you’re going with this, Sir. We jump into low orbit, take out the installation’s defenses, and send down assault teams to liberate the prisoners.”
“That sounds about right,” Jon said.
“What if that battleship is still there?” Wolfe said.
“AI, how long will it take for the Kemmar battleship to reach Kerces?”
“Traveling at its average speed, the battleship will arrive at Kerces in thirty-four days,” AI said.
“I’m assuming the battleship won’t stay much longer than what is required to drop off their prisoners. They’ll need repairs among other things. Here is what I am thinking. We cross the gate and then jump to a remote location of Kemmar space to hold position there for as long as it would take for the battleship to arrive, unload the prisoners and get underway. We jump close enough to Kerces so we can have a look, but remain out of range of their defense grid. If everything is clear, we jump into low orbit inside the defense grid and begin rescue operations. Thoughts?”
“It’s risky, but it can work,” Kevin said. “I will personally lead the assault teams. We’ll get the job done.”
“I almost feel sorry for the Kemmar,” Jon said.
Kevin responded with a big toothy grin.
“Commander, what about you?” Jon said.
“I don’t know. We are working with a lot of ‘ifs’, and we don’t know how accurate that data is,” Wolfe said.
“I agree, but it’s the only intelligence we have.”
“I suppose we’ll have to make it work.”
“Good. We can use the wait time to get everything to 100%. I want to be underway within the hour. No point sitting around here waiting for another Kemmar battleship to cross through the gate.”
CHAPTER 51
The Hermes left the asteroid field headed for the jump gate. The two suns shot streams of light across the viewscreen. They both still grappled with each other, and they would continue to do so for millions of years until one finally emerged victorious.
Jon was happy to leave the binary stars behind. He looked forward to crossing the gate into Kemmar space. While they still needed to rescue the colonists, they’d be in an unexplored region of the galaxy, far from Sol, Diakus, and the Juttari.
“Approaching jump gate coordinates,” Richards said.
“Ping the gate,” Jon said.
“Pinging gate.”
Directly in front of the Hermes the jump gate began to appear. It started as a faint shimmer which transformed into a massive, circular translucent field.
“Set course to enter gate.”
The Hermes entered the translucent field and exited into a previously unknown region of space. There were no nearby planets or stars, and Jon could see how the Reivers crossed through the gate for so long without detection.
The Hermes jumped to a remote region of Kemmar space the AI had selected. There they would wait until the opportune time to initiate their assault of the Kerces complex.
CHAPTER 52
“Really Doctor, we’re fine,” Breeah said. Doctor Ellerbeck stared back at her from the display, the pitying look on her face making Breeah’s jaw tighten.
“It’s just that you’ve had several traumatic experiences lately, and now seeing your home destroyed, I’m worried about how it is affecting you,” Ellerbeck said.
“It is nothing I cannot handle. I am a Reiver, Doctor.”
“You are a human first. There is only so much trauma the human body can take.”
“Hardship is part of the Reiver way of life. As you can see, I have not been traumatized.”
“Just because you can hide your emotions, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. How about Anki? How is she holding up?”
Breeah looked over at Anki happily playing with one of the toys the Captain had fabricated for her. “She is doing fine as well. You are looking for problems where none exist.”
“Look, I’m just concerned about you. At least promise me that you won’t hesitate to contact me if you-”
“Yes Doctor, I will come see you right away if anything changes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.” Breeah terminated the connection without waiting for Ellerbeck to respond. She liked Doctor Ellerbeck, but her questions were offensive. She was not weak, and neither was her child. She looked back over at Anki who was now singing a song and making her toys dance. Her smile returned.
“Captain Pike requests entrance,” the computer announced.
“Enter,” Breeah said, walking to the door. It opened and the Captain walked in. “Hello Captain, what brings you this way?”
“Hello Breeah, I wanted to see how you and Anki were holding up.”
“Are you here to question our strength as well?” Breeah said with a scowl. “I assure you, Captain, you will find no weakness here.”
“Hey, slow down, I’m not accusing you of anything.”
“Really? Are you not concerned that I will fall apart? Lose my sanity?”
“No. Not at all.
Where’s all this coming from?”
Breeah exhaled and let her shoulders relax. The feeling surprised her. She hadn’t realized how much tension she had been carrying. “I’m sorry Captain. I was just speaking with Doctor Ellerbeck who was concerned about how all the recent events had affected us.”
“She is just doing her job. You’re a member of this crew now and your health is her responsibility.”
“I know she meant well. Her questions just angered me. My father did not raise me to be weak.”
“I can see that. Trust me Breeah, nobody on board this ship thinks you’re weak.”
“I am not. And neither is my daughter.”
“Of course not. Still, seeing your home in ruins must be upsetting. It certainly upset me.”
“We know the risks of our way of life. It would have been better had they not been taken prisoner, though. For a Reiver, slavery is worse than death.”
“Well, I’m also here to tell you that we’re going to rescue your people.”
“What are you saying, Captain? My people are lost. There is no rescue for them.”
“I think there is. We’ve got a pretty good idea where the Kemmar are taking them and we’re going after them.”
He was insane. Truly insane. What was this obsession he had with saving her people? “Captain, I have told you before, forget my people. They are lost. Save your crew. You do not need to put them in danger again. You have done enough already.”
“The Kemmar are likely taking your people to a planet called Kerces. It is something of a prison planet. Once the battleship drops them off and leaves the system, we will conduct a rescue operation and free them.”
“Now you are going to attack a Kemmar planet? Was the battleship not enough?”
“Trust me Breeah, we can do this.”
“If you succeed? What then? You do not know my people. They may not want to follow your orders.”
“I know that they’re human, and that’s enough for me. If they don’t want to stay on board, I can drop them off somewhere, but I’m not going to stand by while the Kemmar turn them into mindless slaves.”
He wasn’t just insane. He was infuriating. And stubborn. He did not listen to reason. Ancestors help us all.
CHAPTER 53
Kevin ducked as Sergeant Henderson’s fist grazed the top of his head. A split-second later Kevin had his hands in front of his face deflecting a rather vicious looking knee strike.
Other than Captain Pike, Sergeant Henderson was the only man he knew who could give him a good, honest workout, and he was proving to be up to the task today.
Before Henderson could shift his balance, Kevin stepped in and landed a powerful elbow into his ribs. The sparring suit registered the force of the blow and announced that three ribs were fractured with a possible punctured lung. While the force of the blow threw Henderson sideways a few feet, the sparring suit protected him from any injury.
The sparring suit was a versatile piece of equipment that accommodated training in a diverse range of conditions.
It could simulate combat suit conditions, allowing one to move with the same agility and speed that a combat suit would bestow.
There were unprotected combat options, showing the results of blows to vulnerable parts of the body. Injuries were simulated by restricting movement of that part of the body.
There were settings for armed combat, allowing for training with everything from blades to energy weapons.
Short of real combat experience, the sparring suit was the best way to stay ready for battle.
“Ok Chief,” Henderson said. “How about we make this a little more interesting and get rid of the gravity?”
“Sounds like fun,” Kevin said, a big smile spreading across his face. “Initiate zero gravity conditions.”
The artificial gravity in the room was removed and the two men simultaneously pushed off the floor towards each other. Henderson was first to strike spinning around in the air and sending a hard heel kick towards Kevin’s sternum.
Surprised by the speed of Henderson’s attack, Kevin didn’t have time to change his own offensive posture to a defensive one and was barely able to get an arm in front of his chest.
The kick landed just above Kevin’s elbow and sent him spinning backward head over feet, the blow hard enough to register a fractured arm.
Henderson used the force of the strike to spin away. He pushed off the floor with his hands and sent his body sideways toward the nearest wall. When he reached it, he used his feet to shoot himself toward Kevin’s still flipping frame.
Kevin saw the Sergeant flying at him head-first and tried tucking in his arms and legs to present a smaller target, but again the Sergeant was too fast.
Once in range, Henderson came down hard with a powerful hammer fist strike and drove Kevin into the floor.
While the suit protected him from the impact, it also registered massive injuries including a broken back. The fight was over.
“Computer, return gravity to normal conditions,” Kevin said.
Both men maneuvered their bodies to land on their feet when the artificial gravity pulled them back down to the floor. Kevin walked over to Henderson and nodded. “Nice finish.”
“Thanks Chief,” Henderson said.
“One day I’m going to beat you in zero gravity.”
“Maybe. And one day I’m going to beat you in full gravity hand to hand.”
“Let’s not get carried away,” Kevin said. Laughing, he slapped Henderson on the back.
CHAPTER 54
Jon studied the information on his display. They had ample time to prepare for the assault on Kerces. He learned as much about the Kemmar as possible. The database from the captured Kemmar ship proved to be an invaluable intelligence source.
Considering the size of the Kemmar Empire, he found it surprising that nobody had heard of them before. Their Empire seemed to occupy a galactic sweet spot which neither Juttari nor Diakans had explored.
He wondered how many other undiscovered empires existed in the galaxy. The Kemmar had not known about jump technology until they found the gate, and the gate itself was in a remote area of Kemmar space. It was entirely possible that no other gates existed in their territory.
That in and of itself fascinated Jon. The Kemmar Empire was quite large. The fact that they controlled so much territory without gates was truly impressive.
According to the database, the Kemmar civilization began on a planet known simply as Kem. Multiple races inhabited Kem, but one race in particular rose to dominate the rest. This race called themselves Kemmar.
They were aggressive and believed in their inherent right to rule all those around them. The Kemmar were superior in strength, and easily overwhelmed the other races. They seized power early on and held it unopposed for millennia.
The result of this was a sense of inherent superiority. The other races existed for no other purpose than to be useful to the Kemmar. And they fell into line.
It was like some bizarre pack mentality taken to an extreme end. The Kemmar were the alphas and the other races accepted this and remained permanently submissive. Where it suited the Kemmar they enslaved, and where it didn’t, they allowed some measure of freedom. But there was no mistaking that any freedom remained a Kemmar gift.
Eventually the Kemmar discovered space travel and took to the stars. Once equipped with FTL technology, they discovered other inhabited worlds and peoples of varying levels of advancement.
When they made their first contact, they assumed that since they were the more technologically advanced race, that the inhabitants would simply accept Kemmar rule without argument. Some inhabitants had other ideas. They resisted and the Kemmar were outraged.
They sent in warships and bombed the planet from orbit. The survivors were turned into Kemmar slaves. This was the moment the Kemmar officially became space slavers.
As they expanded their reach, each inhabited planet they found was given an ultimatum, submit to Kemmar rule or be
enslaved. Sometimes the population was so far behind the Kemmar that they weren’t even given an ultimatum. The Kemmar simply moved in and did as they pleased.
Eventually they encountered other advanced races. Here they showed their diplomatic ability. Rather than challenge these races and spiral into a costly war, they chose to trade. They quickly found that slaves were easy to trade, and their interstellar slave trade was established.
Jon realized that this was why they didn’t initially attack the Hermes. They could see from the Hermes that humans were easily as advanced as the Kemmar, and probably didn’t want to start a conflict with another advanced race.
The battleship had more firepower than the Hermes, so the Kemmar likely believed they could just intimidate them now and engage in diplomacy later. They never would have expected that the Hermes would fire the first shot.
But the Hermes did, and now they were going to attack one of their planets. At the very least they had become fugitives in the Kemmar Empire as well. Worst case scenario, they had started a war between Sol and the Kemmar.
That didn’t really concern Jon. There would be plenty of time before the Kemmar ran into more Sol ships, and even then, the Kemmar had no hope against the combined force of the Galactic Accord.
The wars fought between the Diakans and Juttari were of a scale the Kemmar had never seen. As large as the Kemmar Empire was, they were nothing compared to the Juttari or the Diakans.
Still, the Hermes was only one ship and for them they were large enough. Hell, one of their battleships was large enough. He hoped he wouldn’t have to tangle with another one anytime soon. The odds were not in his favor.
Once they attacked Kerces, the Kemmar would come after them with a vengeance. Getting through Kemmar space was not going to be easy.
It didn’t matter. These Kemmar were vile creatures. He would not let humans become their slaves.
Humans. Had the Kemmar encountered the lost colonies? He searched the database for any mention of them. There was nothing under the word human. Nothing under the word Earth. He brought up a list of advanced races the Kemmar encountered. Nothing.
The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10 Page 20