Raid: Rise Of Mankind Book 3

by John Walker

  “We did…and now, we’re done.” Rathe paused as their ship began to shake. The Alliance ship was pulling them. “This is it, guys. It was a good run. Thanks for everything you did. You were all pretty amazing. If I hadn’t trusted Thantis, none of this would’ve happened…but sometimes, the big scores require big risks.”

  “It’s okay,” Jordan said. “We’ll have another chance…someday.”

  Rathe nodded. “Someday. Until then…see you after the trial.”

  ***

  Chapter 12

  Gray leaned forward, waiting for reports to come in. There were a lot of moving parts but the essential ones were Hoffner’s attempt to stop the station from exploding and the Aguna Spear capturing the last of the pirates. Olly worked closely with the marine captain to get his job done but things still looked dicey.

  They watched the station drawing closer to the planetoid and Gray could cut the tension on the bridge with a butter knife. No one was immune, not Redding or Timothy, Adam or Agatha. Clea and Olly were too intent on their task to show it, but he recognized the signs of anxiety. He knew how much it weighed on the young technician to know his work protected countless lives.

  “Report coming in from Hoffner,” Olly said. “He’s entered the code…Timothy, is it working? The thrusters kicked on and it’s trying to correct but…do you have it?”

  Timothy did some calculations and Gray waited, practically holding his breath. It took him too long, even as they only seemed to wait for about thirty seconds. Finally, he nodded emphatically. “Yes, it’s going to be close but it’s working! They should be back to their regular course in less than half an hour but it’ll be a bumpy ride for the next ten minutes or so.”

  “Send a broadcast to the station letting everyone know to stay safe,” Gray said. “Agatha, can you tap into their com system?”

  “I’m on it, sir.”

  “How’re the pirates?”

  “Aguna Spear just took a shot at them,” Redding said. “They picked up speed…no! Wait, they’re slowing down! Ha! Must’ve had second thoughts there.”

  “The Aguna Spear is hailing us, sir,” Agatha said.

  “Patch it to me.”

  “This is Anthar Un’Cian of the Aguna Spear. I understand I have you to thank for returning our vessel to us.”

  Gray nodded. “Indeed, welcome back to command. How long have you been under control of the pirates?”

  “Not quite a month,” Un’Cian said. “But we’re in control now. We’ve taken a few pirates into custody which were still aboard and now the others who fled in their ship are ours as well. Your men would like to return to you and will be departing shortly.”

  “Thank you very much.”

  “No, thank you. We owe you a debt we can never repay.”

  “I’m just glad you’re all okay.” Gray grinned. “Will you be able to assist with the station here? Once we’ve got our people back and everything’s stable, we’d like to return home with a consignment of Ulem. We’ve come a long way to finish up an important project.”

  “Absolutely. We’ll also report in this way and make sure our collective superiors understand what happened here. You’re all heroes and I certainly intend to have the record reflect your actions. If there’s anything you ever need from me, now or in the future, do not hesitate to ask. I will be sure to help.”

  “Thank you. I’ll let you go as we start to coordinate our people getting back aboard. Let us know if anything comes up.” Gray turned to Olly. “I think we should have those devices brought back here for study, don’t you?”

  “Yes, sir. I’ve asked Captain Hoffman to grab them before he leaves.”

  “Good. Let’s see, we’ve saved the station, preserved the Aguna Spear, stopped the pirates and freed all the hostages. I wish I could say it felt easy but good job, everyone.” Gray hesitated. “Hey, let’s get that security guard on the line. Ander? I’d like to say something specifically to him.”

  “He’s with Captain Hoffner,” Olly said. “I’ve got them on the line now. Patching them over to Agatha for visual.”

  Ander appeared on the screen with Hoffner, looking exhausted and worn. Still, he managed to smile while he looked down at the tablet and stood up straight as if moving to attention. He didn’t look like Gray envisioned. He’d thought the guy would be muscular, a brick of a man but instead, he looked like anyone else.

  A soldier perhaps, but a normal person first.

  “Hello.” Ander waved uneasily. “Thank you for coming to our aid, Captain. Trust me, everyone on board here appreciates it.”

  “We’re glad to have helped,” Gray said. “I’m hoping we can link up and take a consignment of Ulem with us. I believe we had an order in for some to finish up a ship but that’s not your problem. We’ll work with the administrators on that. I just wanted to take a moment to commend your bravery and ingenuity. Your intel was invaluable and I know it couldn’t have been easy.”

  “No, it sure wasn’t…but thank you. I appreciate the compliment.”

  “I hope we might meet in person before we leave this sector but for now, I’m sure you men have things you’d rather be doing. We’ll talk again. Hoffner?”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Great work. I believe you men are helping with clean up and security, correct?”

  “Just until the local security force is back in control,” Hoffner replied. “Then we’ll be taking the drop ship home. Shouldn’t be too long. I’d give it six hours before we’ve managed any unrest and answered questions. May I recommend we bring over some medical crews? I suspect we’ll need some supplemental help.”

  “Good thinking. We’ll organize something right away. Let us know if you need anything else. Gray out.” He turned to the others. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s coordinate our efforts. We’ve got some search and rescue to conduct, salvage, some station work and medical aid to send. Reports to my station. I’d like to have a positive report to send inside of the next two shifts. Let’s go.”

  ***

  Ander helped the marines free the hostages from their homes, unsealing door after door. The people’s gratitude overwhelmed him with emotion and by the time he freed Tierna, he was practically in tears. She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek, promising him free drinks for life at the cafe.

  His superiors organized the other security personnel quickly, helping maintain order with the marines. They tried to convince Ander to relax and stand down but he refused, helping out until he practically couldn’t stand. When he and his colleagues sat down for a hot meal, he nearly cried again and the thought of a warm bed made his limbs feel heavy.

  The administrator himself, Kayle Ci’dala, visited while they were eating and took Ander aside. “You’ve done a brave thing and I want to personally thank you.”

  “It’s okay…” Ander couldn’t handle much more in the way of appreciation. “Really, I’m glad to have helped.”

  “I’ve managed to get you a promotion and a pay increase…which is the least we can do. You’ve also earned yourself two weeks of paid leave, in addition to what you’ve already accrued.” Ander began to protest but Kayle lifted his hand to stave it off. “You’ve given us our lives, my friend. The least we can do is repay you with some rest and relaxation.”

  “Then…thank you. I appreciate it.”

  “For now, I think you’ve earned yourself some real rest. Is there anything else we can do?”

  Ander shook his head. “No, I’ve never felt more appreciated…not even when I was in the army. This has been amazing. I look forward to many more years of active service. Thanks again.”

  “Think nothing of it and enjoy your time off. You probably need it.”

  Ander returned to his dinner and accepted the congratulations of his peers. He thought about what he might do with his time off, where he might go and how he might spend it. His family was spread out so there was little point in going home but there were a few vacation spots not hit by the war which might be nice.<
br />
  He considered asking Tierna if she wanted to go with him. His status as hero might just allow him to talk her superiors into letting her go for a little while. He hadn’t found anyone to pursue romantically since leaving the military and it might be nice to enjoy a little feminine company for a change.

  But first, he intended to sleep in his own bed for as long as his body wanted. After everything he went through and all the things he longed for, that was by far the most interesting to him and the most important. His friends insisted on a few drinks but afterward, he returned to his room and flopped on his mattress face first.

  Sleep came quickly. The rest of his life would be along soon enough.

  ***

  Seventeen hours after they took the station back, the Behemoth saw the last of their crew come back aboard the ship. They had successfully assisted the station personnel and brought them back up to one hundred percent operational status. Ulem was delivered and stored in the cargo bays. Now, all they had to do was get themselves back home.

  Gray allowed them another shift to stow their gear, get some rest and prepare for the journey back. Jumps were quick but they taxed the crew and most of them needed a little downtime before they returned. He sat in his quarters going over the after action reports, impressed by how efficient everyone operated throughout the mission.

  A knock on his door grabbed his attention and he called out for them to come in.

  Clea stepped inside and closed the door behind her, leaning against the door frame. He smiled, gesturing for her to have a seat. She complied, sinking in as if she battled exhaustion of her own. “Do you want a drink?” He offered.

  “Yes, please.”

  He poured them each a glass of bourbon. “You look like you’ve had a rough shift.”

  “We’ve been studying everything Thantis did to the station and tried to help the current computer technicians institute some better security.” Clea sipped and rubbed her eyes. “It’s not exactly easy. They were very behind the times and were a bit put out by our efforts.”

  “Change is never easy, even when it’s become absolutely essential, right?”

  “I guess.” Clea shrugged. “But in any event, no one should be able to waltz in and take things over like that again. At least, not if they follow our processes. I think they will. The administrator was…well, understandably upset about what happened. Their head technical person is being let go and sent back to the capital in shame.”

  “Ouch…but I’m not surprised.”

  “Nor am I. After all this…it was close.” Clea snapped her fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot. Repairs on the station were complete where the pirates ripped their way out of here.”

  “Good, I was wondering about that.”

  “Bastards did a serious number on that corridor. Apparently, their own ship was something of a death trap as a result. If the Aguna Spear hadn’t stopped them, Engineer Higgins says their ship would’ve exploded during a jump. Apparently, when the pirates were told that, they were pretty unhappy with their pilot.”

  Gray smirked. “I bet. That’s a rough situation. I’m sure they thought they’d escaped too.”

  “Indeed.” Clea shook her head. “Anyway, I think that’s all the juicy bits I’ve got to offer. Do you have any yourself?”

  Gray nodded. “Yes, I sent a message of our success directly after we confirmed everything was okay. The council got back to me about two hours ago. They were quite pleased and Anthar Mei’Gora wanted to personally commend you on your performance. The bridge staff figured prominently and swimmingly in my report.”

  “Thank you.” Clea frowned. “I…had hoped not to see that man for a while.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “The way he acted when I turned over my sister to him…I didn’t much care for it.” Clea shrugged. “But then again, he’s just a politician…a military politician at that. Which means he’s not particularly good at being subtle. I figure his bluntness made sense to him and he probably thought he was kind.”

  “Yes, I doubt he was trying to be cruel.” Gray checked the tablet. “We’re going to leave in a couple hours. Do you want to play a game while we wait? Or do you think you should get some rest first?”

  “Oh, I’ve slept. I just look tired. I’m not actually. Maybe it’s just mental fatigue. I’d hoped you’d want to play. I needed the distraction.”

  “Then I’m happy to oblige.” Gray stood and gathered the chess board, setting it up between them. “Tell me something, how did you feel about Thantis’s reasons for attacking the station? I know how you feel about your own family. What’s your thought?”

  “No tragedy is worth murdering innocent people,” Clea replied. “I don’t care what you’ve been through, it’s simply wrong. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to justify their own poor behavior. I found him to be reprehensible and insane. That’s the only way I can think of that a person would be able to do what he’s done.”

  Gray nodded. “I wondered if that’s what you’d say.”

  “You had a prediction?”

  “Well, you know…Earth people value vengeance sometimes. Our entertainment glorifies it and as people watch, they vicariously live through the hero. They take pleasure in seeing people get their just desserts. I don’t think that any human would consider themselves justified in doing what he was up to…but I see where he was coming from.”

  “Which doesn’t mean you think it was okay…”

  “Heavens, no. But he lost everything and the only way forward for him was to destroy the last thing he found cause to hate.” Gray shrugged. “I guess for my part, I just need to know it makes sense. I hate when crime is totally random or chaotic. It makes it far scarier.”

  “I guess that’s true. I’d like to think that kielans are beyond such horror…but Thantis reminded me we’re not. No one is. Anyone can be pushed to do something bad.”

  “Right now, I’m going to push you to make your move.” Gray gestured. “I’m giving you white.”

  “You hate it when I’m black.” Clea smirked. “I think I’ve won our last six games when I started as black.”

  “Why do you think I’m turning the tables? Literally.”

  “Very well.” Clea moved a pawn. “I will happily take up this challenge, Captain…and thoroughly enjoy trouncing you from a new angle.”

  “Don’t get cocky,” Gray warned, moving his own pawn. “I might’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”

  “Then I expect a great deal.” Clea paused. “Thank you…for all that you’ve done for me as of late. For my career, my health…my personal life…I won’t forget it. I promise you.”

  “That’s what friends are for.” Gray sipped his drink. “Now, get moving. I don’t have all night and I need to take you down.”

  “Bring it on, sir. Bring it on.”

  Epilogue

  The Behemoth received clearance to go from the station and headed out to deep space where they’d make their jump home. The Aguna Spear remained behind as protection until another vessel could arrive. They didn’t trust their guidance systems so decided to do repairs and wait for backup.

  Gray allowed Adam to take the shift off, committing to getting them home with secondary bridge staff. This allowed Redding, Timothy, Olly and Agatha all a chance to get some extended downtime. Considering their last two missions, he felt they deserved and needed it. Those he surrounded himself with at the moment, though green, were excited to get them back and he enjoyed their enthusiasm.

  The station wished them a safe voyage as they moved out of range. He had the communication’s officer send a message to Earth letting them know they were on their way. By the time it reached them, the Behemoth would be safely docked and transferring their cargo but Gray liked to be cautious.

  Jumping could be unpredictable.

  As he offered up his final order for the ship to depart the sector, he leaned back in his chair and enjoyed a moment of silence. He appreciated his post, his career and most of all
his ship. It and all aboard exceeded his expectations time and again. Gray looked forward to many more years serving with them.

  “We’re ready to initiate the jump, sir.”

  Gray nodded. “Take us home please.”

  The weightlessness he’d come to find familiar gripped him, his stomach tightened, the ship shuttered…and the jump began, sending the hurtling off through the vastness of space.

  Want to be the first to get notified when the next part comes out? Then my non-spammy newsletter might be interesting for you, especialy since I’m planning to write a prequel to Rise Of Mankind which will be exclusively for the newsletter ;)

  http://eepurl.com/cdKX05