“How long are your tests going to take?” said St. Clair, his hulking frame towering over Singh.
“It’s hard to say. It all depends on what I find.” Sing kept working, hoping Commander St. Clair would lose interest and walk away.
“What you find? You better not be trying to sabotage this mission, Singh,” said St. Clair, the menace resonating in his voice.
St. Clair’s comment hit Singh like an energy bolt. Singh put his tools down and stood to face Commander St. Clair. “Contrary to what you may think, Commander, I am not a traitor.”
“Bullshit,” said St. Clair, jabbing Singh in the chest with a powerful index finger. “Don’t forget who was there when you were going to sell your own people out to the Kemmar.”
“I was delusional,” said Singh, taking a step back. “I didn’t know what I was doing.”
“Delusional, huh? You may have Admiral Pike and Doctor Ellerbeck fooled with that story, but you haven’t fooled me.”
Singh exhaled sharply. “I don’t know what else I can do to prove it to you, Commander.”
“Don’t you worry about proving anything to me. Just be happy I didn’t put a bullet in your head back on Kerces, when I had the chance.”
“I am eternally grateful.”
St. Clair took a step forward. “Is that an attitude I hear, Singh?”
Singh saw the anger in St. Clair’s eyes and decided not to push his luck. “No, Sir. No attitude.”
“Good. You better keep it that way.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And you damn well better make sure that nothing happens to any of our pilots once this thing is installed.”
“Nothing will happen, Commander. I won’t allow it on any of the fighters before I am sure that it is ready.”
“Well you need to hurry up. That corporate fleet is going to be breathing down our necks in no time.”
“With all due respect, Sir, I can’t hurry and make sure it’s safe at the same time. What I need to do is thoroughly test every component of this prototype.”
“Then you better get to it. And if I find that you have sabotaged this jump system, I won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head this time around. We clear?”
“We’re clear.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re clear, Sir.”
St. Clair nodded. “As you were,” he said, stepping away and walking out of engineering.
Sing went back to testing his prototype, but he couldn’t get Commander St. Clair out of his mind. He thought about the event on Kerces, when he promised to give the Kemmar the jump system secrets, and the location of Earth. He remembered how he had felt. How angry he was. Most of all he remembered his grief at losing Lynda. He understood now that what he had experienced was a psychotic break. Even so, he could still feel the power of those emotions. The despair. The desire for vengeance. Thankfully the medication Doctor Ellerbeck gave him seemed to be working. He didn’t see Lynda’s apparition anymore. He understood that her death was the result of battle, and that nobody was to blame for it, other than the Kemmar.
He shudders. To think that he was going to give the secrets of the jump system to those monsters. He still remembered the horror he felt when the Kemmar interrogator was about to torture him for it. They were still out there, and that they might invade New Byzantium in the near future. A feeling of dread took hold. He couldn’t allow that. Commander St. Clair was right. He had to hurry up and finish testing, because if there was one thing that could protect this planet from the Kemmar, it was the jump system.
***
“Once the jump system is installed in Commander Konos’s fighter, we’ll be able to proceed with the tests,” said Singh, standing by the wall screen, briefing Admiral Pike, Commander St. Clair, and Commander Konos, who sat at the briefing room table.
“What kind of range does it have?” said Admiral Pike, his scarred face hiding any clue to what he thought.
“It can jump up to five light years at a time, with a limit of twenty light years until the system needs twenty-four hours to recharge,” said Singh, fighting off the encroaching anxiety.
“That’s incredible,” said Konos, clearly in awe of the system’s capabilities.
“Yes,” said Commander St. Clair. “This’ll give the Freedom superior long range strike abilities.”
“What about missiles?” said Pike, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand, Sir,” said Singh.
“Do you think you can put a jump system onto a missile?”
Everyone looked intently at Singh, and he felt a drop of perspiration trace a path down the side of his ribs. “The jump system would need to be smaller for that to work. Much smaller. Given time I can likely come up with a design small enough, but right now it simply isn’t possible.”
Pike tapped his fingers on the table. “Well then, until that time we’ll just have to rely on our fighters and bombers. How about drones?”
“It depends on the size of the drone. I based this design on work we were doing at Space Force to develop a communication drone. So yes, there is the potential of making drones jump capable.”
“We can use a jump capable surveillance drone to check a possible hot zone before we jump in,” said Pike, looking over at St. Clair. “If enemy warships are there, we can size them up before sending in our fighters and bombers.”
“That’ll be very effective,” said St. Clair, nodding in agreement. “A strike force could jump in, launch missiles, and jump away before the enemy could respond.”
“It definitely gives the Freedom a much greater strike radius. Long range attacks will give us an advantage, especially with our bombers.” Pike looked back to Singh. “But what about short range tactical jumps? Our pilots are not going to have time to plot coordinates into the system during a battle.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ve given that some thought,” said Singh. “I believe I’ve come up with a solution.” Singh tapped the wall screen and it showed a region of space divided into numbered square. “I’ve designed an overlay for the pilot’s HUD. The overlay divides up space into a numbered grid, so that in the middle of a dogfight, the pilot will be able to tell the system where to jump.”
“So it’s voice activated?” said Pike, squinting his eyes at the wall screen.
“Yes. For example, a pilot might say, ‘jump A8’ and his fighter would then jump to that location,” said Singh, pointing to a square on the grid numbered ‘A8’.
“That sounds like a good solution to me. What do you think, Commander?” said Pike, looking over at Konos.
“I think it can work,” said Konos. “But that grid might be distracting during a dogfight.”
“The grid is voice activated as well. To enable it you would say, ‘Enable jump grid’, and to turn it off you would say, ‘Exit jump grid’.”
“Looks good, Chief. How soon can I test the jump system?” said Konos, sitting up in his chair.
“It is being installed on your fighter as we speak, Commander,” said Singh. “You should be able to test it in a couple of hours.”
A mischievous smile spread across Konos’s face. “Sounds like fun. I can’t wait.”
Chapter 37
“You are clear for launch, Commander” said the voice over Konos’s comm.
“Launching,” replied Konos, streaking out of the Freedom’s launch tube. He continued to accelerate until he reached a safe distance. “Fighter is clear, and ready to begin test,” announced Konos.
“Can you hear me clearly, Commander?” said Chief Engineer Singh, over his comm.
“Loud and clear.”
“Good. We will begin with a few short range tactical jumps. You will need to activate your jump grid and jump your fighter to different coordinates of your choosing.”
“Understood,” said Konos. He had already been briefed on the test requirements, but he knew that Singh was monitoring everything from the Freedom, looking for any problems,
or oversights. “Initiate jump grid,” he ordered, and a numbered grid sprang up on his visor, intersecting the space in front of him. “Grid is active. Initiating jump sequence.”
“Proceed,” said Singh’s voice.
“Jump D17,” said Konos. The ship responded and his computer told him that his location had changed. As far as he knew, however, nothing had happened. He felt no different, and since it was a short range jump, nothing looked different. It was only when he looked back at the Freedom that he realized it was farther than before, and that he had indeed jumped to the designated location. “My system’s are indicating that the jump was successful,” said Konos.
“Confirmed,” said Singh. “Initial jump is a success. Please proceed with the remaining short range jumps.”
“Jump G9,” said Konos, and his systems again reported his relocation. Konos looked back to the Freedom for visual confirmation. Had he not known better, he would have thought that the Freedom had moved instead. “Second jump successful.”
“Confirmed,” said Singh.
Konos conducted several more short range jumps, and his fighter hopped around the New Byzantium star system. Each time he told his fighter to jump, it responded, landing at the required coordinates. So far so good.
“I think we are ready to attempt some longer jumps now, Commander,” said Singh. They had pre-selected some safe long range jump coordinates for the test.
“Understood,” said Konos. He deactivated the jump grid on his visor and accessed the long range jump feature Singh had installed. A new display came up, showing the pre-programmed jump coordinates. There were four long range jumps displayed, one of which was the jump back home. “Initiate long range jump Alpha,” said Konos. His fighter responded and this time the stars around him did shift, as his fighter transported him four light years away.
Konos looked around in disbelief. No Freedom, no New Byzantium. Instead he found himself in an empty part of space, with no nearby stars or planets. His fighter’s computer verified that the jump had been successful, and that he had landed precisely where he was supposed to. “I’m going to say that the first jump is a success,” Konos said to himself, but also to his ship’s computer, knowing that he would be recorded.
He lingered for several minutes, allowing his ship’s systems to gather ample sensor scans to verify the test results. Once satisfied that enough sensor data had been obtained he prepared for the second jump. “Initiate long range jump Beta,” he said, and the stars shifted again. This time he landed four light years away, near a large nebula. He stared at the gaseous cloud in amazement. I’ve traveled eight light years in just a few minutes, he thought. How is any of this possible? His mind struggled to keep up with the reality of what his eyes witnessed.
He spent several minutes staring out into space with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he knew he was the first pilot to ever jump a fighter. That alone placed him alongside the great pilots of history. At the same time, as he floated out here in his tiny craft, surrounded by the majesty of the heavens, he couldn’t help but feel incredibly alone and insignificant. He soaked the experience in. Savoring it. Then decided it was time to get back to work.
“Long range jump Beta is a success,” he said, after verifying the information displayed by his computer. “Initiate long range jump Gamma.”
This was a return jump. The total range of his fighter’s jump system was twenty light years. He had already traveled eight, so he couldn’t go much further. This jump, however, had different coordinates. At five light years, it was longer than the previous two, and landed him within a neighboring star system. He recognized it at once as one of New Byzantium’s territorial holdings. He had fought a few skirmishes in this system when one of the rival corporations tried to take some of the territory for themselves. The attempts weren’t serious. They were intended as tests of the system’s defenses, rather than outright invasions. Events like this were quite common in the colonies, and much of Konos’s combat experience had been earned in such skirmishes.
“Long range jump Gamma is a success,” said Konos. He waited a few minutes to conduct the required scans, gazing at the surrounding asteroids and planets, where New Byzantium miners worked. He didn’t envy the miners’ hard life. Even with the combat, his job was cushy by comparison. A miner’s life was so hard that some grew bitter and resentful. Those miners often found their way into the ranks of the Raiders. Of course, this was discouraged, but it couldn’t be stopped. He had flown missions against the Raiders in the past, and he would probably do so again. Hell, he might even end up fighting one of the miners currently living here. It was simply the way of things in the colonies.
His scans complete, Konos prepared to jump back to New Byzantium. He let out a deep sigh, not wanting the experience to end. Today had been, without a doubt, the greatest day of his life, but now it was time to return home. “Initiate long range jump Delta,” he said.
In the blink of an eye he was back where he started, staring at a stream of fighters pouring out of the Freedom’s hulking frame. The Ronin and the Reiver were moving too, as were a few nearby New Byzantium destroyers. What the hell is going on? he thought. He turned to follow the pack, and saw four large, intimidating looking warships floating there.
Chapter 38
“Sound General Quarters,” ordered Jon, glaring at the four warships on the viewscreen. “Launch fighters.” The Freedom’s bridge took on a red glow as a klaxon sounded, telling the crew to prepare for battle.
“Fighters are launching. The Ronin and Reiver are moving to intercept.”
“Move us closer as well. Order the fighters to support the Ronin and Reiver.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Kevin, tapping commands into is console.
“Get the bomber ready. Has the New Byzantium military responded yet?”
“Yes, Sir. Two destroyers have been dispatched.”
“Only two? We’ll need more than that. How the hell did the Juttari find us here, anyway?”
“They just appeared out of nowhere,” said Kevin, reading preliminary reports on his console. “They must have jump systems.”
“Four more Juttari jump ships?” said Jon, gripping the sides of his console. “That’s not comforting news.”
“No, Sir,” said Kevin. “And we’re still in the middle of repairs. We’re in no position to fight the Juttari. Neither are the Ronin or the Reiver.”
“Tell New Byzantium that they’re going to need to deploy more ships, ASAP.” Kevin was right. The Freedom, Ronin, and Reiver had taken a pounding fighting against the Meisser fleet. The damage was extensive, and they needed time for repairs. They couldn’t hope to take on four Juttari warships in their condition. Especially not ones equipped with jump systems.
“Are you telling me these are Juttari jump ships?” said Major Vogel, standing off to the right side of Jon, pointing at the viewscreen. “The same Juttari that invaded Earth five hundred years ago?”
Jon had forgotten that Vogel had returned from the planet surface. Apparently it was wishful thinking to hope that he would stay there. “Yes, Major. These are the same Juttari that invaded Earth. The same ones that enslaved Earth’s population for five hundred years. The same invasion the colonies avoided.”
Vogel’s eyes grew wide. “What do they want?”
Jon almost laughed at the question. “What do they want? Are you joking, Major? The Juttari only want one thing. Conquest.”
“With just four ships?”
“No, Major. Not with just four ships. They’ll certainly do as much damage as they can while they’re here. Then they’ll leave. But now that they know New Byzantium is here, you can be sure that they’ll return in force. That is when they’ll conquer New Byzantium, and the rest of the colonies.”
Vogel’s face turned white as Jon’s words sunk in.
Good, thought Jon. He needed to be afraid. They all did. This wasn’t some corporate fleet, or even the Kemmar. This was the Juttari Empire. Rulers of half the galaxy.
“Admiral,” said Chief Engineer Singh, urgency in his voice. “Commander Konos has just returned from his jump tests.”
“Tell him to get his fighter back on board,” snapped Jon. “We can’t afford to have that prototype destroyed.”
“Yes, Sir,” said Singh, turning back to his console.
Jon stared at the four alien warships on the viewscreen. “Why haven’t they done anything?” he said.
“Maybe they’re waiting for us to come to them?” said Kevin.
“No. That’s not like the Juttari. They take pride in aggression. And if they do have jump systems, the last thing they’d do is stand there and wait for us to shoot at them.”
“The Galactic Accord isn’t at war with them anymore. Maybe they’re respecting the treaty?”
Jon snorted. “The treaty didn’t stop them when they attacked the Hermes. The colonies aren’t even part of the Accord.”
“True. Maybe they’re looking for their missing jump ship?” said Kevin. “That might be why they haven’t attacked.”
“I think you’re right. That would explain why they’ve come out this far.”
“Admiral,” said the communications officer. “We are receiving a message from the Ronin. Colonel Bast is requesting that we stand down.”
Chapter 39
“Four Juttari warships have just appeared in the New Byzantium star system,” said Lieutenant Jarvi, standing at his command console on the Ronin bridge. “Identifying three heavy cruisers and one battleship.”
“Jump ships?” said Colonel Bast, staring intently at the viewscreen.
“They must be, Sir. There was no sign of them a minute ago.”
“Battle stations,” said Bast. Alarms sounded, and the Ronin bridge erupted into a frenzy of activity. “Set course to intercept.”
“Sir, the Freedom is scrambling fighters,” said Jarvi. “The Reiver is moving to intercept as well.”
The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10 Page 84