Garashil said, “Captain Stark, let me introduce you to General Nelfaro. We will coordinate the attacks on the Alliance Bases from our side. You will give the cover we need.”
Stark smiled, suspecting these people were testing the Federation. He said, “Happy to do this but we must set up ground rules, and we need you to understand the consequences of certain events.”
The Marine Captain and the General spent days planning the operation while Federation forces readied themselves. Deason’s Pride unloaded two Squadrons of Sava’s, and their crews prepared them for operations. With agreement from the Hangelore Underground, FNS Harmon’s Marines landed, along with their armor and other equipment ready to help the lamson troops against enemy weapons.
Colin often talked to General Nelfaro. They both accepted this operation should prove decisive, not only to oust the Alliance but if all went well, the lamson might throw their lot in with the Federation. If they made that choice, the potential benefits for Hangelore were enormous.
FNS Harmon
Colin ensconced himself in FNS Harmon’s CCC thirty minutes before the operation’s scheduled start time. Their intelligence suggested the Pirates were ready to fight, but nobody could know until the attacks began. Several Alliance facilities were a long way from populated areas, and Colin suggested they attack those from orbit, preserving the available troops for more critical targets. General Nelfaro understood Colin’s reasoning and agreed. He still maintained small units nearby to keep track of survivors but otherwise withdrew most troops from the areas near these facilities. Lamson agents moved the most vulnerable civilians away from the regions near the Alliance compound walls twenty-four hours before the attack started.
They risked telegraphing the intent to attack but had no other way to protect people. Alliance surveillance picked up the evacuation, and they prepared themselves for the expected attack.
Thirty minutes before the land battle began, Federation Destroyers moved to cover several targets on Hangelore’s surface.
Fifteen minutes before, the Savas entered the world’s atmosphere and moved into position.
Five minutes later, the waiting Destroyers launched a blizzard of KEWs at their targets.
For the Alliance, everything turned terrible one minute before lamson troops attacked their installations. Savas attacked airfields, demolishing aircraft parked on the tarmac and infrastructure needed to support operations. KEWs rained on other facilities, killing many Alliance soldiers, wounding others and leaving the rest dazed and confused. Ground attacks started and soon overran the defenders.
The entire operation took less than twenty-four hours. They’d removed the Alliance presence on Hangelore. Jubilation erupted on the streets as people realized they’d cast off the oppression. Soldiers moved the Marines out of the cities to locations where Assault-Shuttles picked them up and returned them to orbit. With the threat to Hangelore removed, most warships withdrew to patrol the System, leaving FNS Kaval, FNS Harmon and FNS Theseus’ wreckage circling the world.
Keg said, “We have an incoming signal from the planet Sir. It’s for you.”
“Put it through Mr. Gibson.”
A distinguished lamson appeared, someone Colin hadn’t seen.
The new person said, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Tora Dramat. I wish to thank you for your help and to invite you to a reception in your honor. We have much to discuss. I must know your future intentions.”
“I accept your invitation, your Majesty. My staff will insist on me bringing a security contingent. Is this permitted?”
Tora laughed and said, “I expected as much. We must trust each other to build a relationship. I shall trust you, bring your security.”
Colin said, “I’ll explain the history behind the security when I see you although Captain Stark can tell you the reasons. When and where shall I land?”
“Is five hours too soon?”
“Five hours is fine.”
“I am sending the coordinates now.”
FNS Harmon
Commodore Gordon watched the rolling countryside below the Shuttle on the monitors. He’d been busy for days, meeting senior people from Hangelore’s Government, reassuring them. Many lamsons held concerns that the Federation intended to supplant the Pirates as their masters. Colin spent endless hours explaining how the Federation had no interest in ruling Hangelore. He told one functionary after another that the Federation wouldn’t land Military forces on their world without permission. Colin explained that his people would leave the System if asked although, without the Federation presence, the Pirates might return.
Colin asked them often to allow the Federation to send a diplomatic mission. The Officials understood that diplomacy was both inevitable and necessary, but they were gun-shy. The King himself broke the stalemate. King Tora was a canny old devil who tested the people the Federation sent to Hangelore and concluded they presented the best chance for his people. Tora talked to General Nelfaro who paid a quiet visit to each of the figures who posed a problem. Nelfaro convinced them to drop their objections.
Now, Colin considered Hangelore’s future. Thousands of ex-slaves remained, left behind by the escaping Alliance forces. The Federation needed to resolve that situation for Hangelore. Colin planned to take the humans to Cambridge, and the Kislarans would go home too, but they needed more ships to transport freed slaves.
Colin’s Shuttle entered Harmon’s docking bay and settled to the deck. When the boarding tube locked to the hatch, Colin made his way to the CCC where he found an angry Admiral pacing the floor.
Zhavan rounded on him and said, “We must pursue the Pirates. The Alliance attacked Brondar and held these people in bondage for years we must destroy them. I’m ordering you to pursue them.”
Colin refrained from rolling his eyes.
Gordon said, “We’ll discuss this in my ready room Admiral.”
Zhavan retorted, “What are we discussing?”
Colin said with iron in his voice, “My ready room, now.”
The Admiral glared at the Commodore then walked to his Ready Room. Kashir stopped just inside the door. Colin stepped around her and went to his desk to activate the holo-display and show the file that Queen Taveli gave him.
Colin said, “Read this.”
Zhavan quietened and read the document.
Federation Naval Service:
We hereby request you to go to Hangelore and rescue any Kislaran personnel who remain alive in that location. If you find Admiral Zhavan alive, inform her we have suspended her rank until the Kislaran Government determines her future.
Please return surviving delanot to Kislara at your earliest convenience. >
Zhavan deflated and sat in a nearby seat.
Colin said, “Ma’am, Admiral Dalkasan gave me similar orders, at least the part stipulating you have no authority over me or this Fleet. This Task-Force will not chase those Pirates, not yet. We’ll find them and stop them, but we have a bigger job to complete first. The Pirates killed Hangelore’s economy and we, the Federation have a responsibility to help these people rebuild.”
Zhavan asked, “Am I a prisoner?”
“That, Admiral, depends on you. If you behave and don’t disrupt our operations, you’ll stay free. I need not explain the alternative.”
“With your permission, Commodore, I’ll return to my quarters.”
Hangelore
FNS Harmon undocked and moved away from Hangelore Orbital. Colin had to send word to Sankarah, the Federation needed a diplomatic mission in Hangelore and his people needed to go home. Colin planned to stop at Cambridge with the liberated human slaves and leave FNS Theseus and her surviving crew. On the way, they’d take the delanot home to Kislara. Colin expected Zhavan was in plenty of trouble with Queen Taveli. The Admiral disobeyed a direct and explicit order when she left Brondar to chase Pirates.
Outside, tugs latched onto FNS Theseus and nudged her into position to dock with
Harmon. Technicians had done wonders, repairing and aligning selected parts of the Patrol-Boat so FNS Harmon could return her to Cambridge. Those same technicians sealed air leaks, so people could enter without a vacuum suit, but too many critical areas remained off limits. The decision to repair or scrap the hull belonged to the Government in Cambridge. Colin’s concerns lay with the AI. Although doctors monitored the surviving crew’s welfare, only Colin considered Theseus herself. Colin thought she needed company and a chance to discuss the trauma she’d suffered. Given the state of her hull, Colin had the technicians give her a link to FNS Harmon.
FNS Theseus closed on FNS Harmon until the docking points kissed and locked. Technicians swarmed from the Air-Locks and connected cables between the vessels. Others entered Theseus and shut off air and fluid feeds into damaged parts of the ship. After they completed that chore, the technicians connected an access tube, so people could visit the safe areas in Theseus.
When they established the connections, Colin contacted the AI and said, “Hello Theseus.”
After a moment, Theseus replied, “Commodore, you wish to speak? I’m sorry I lost my crew. I didn’t see the Mines through the debris.”
“Theseus, you need not apologize; Scan records and the Captains Logs tell us this wasn’t your fault. You followed lawful orders. Theseus, war is a hazardous business, sometimes people die. We do anything possible to reduce risk, but nobody can prevent every death. We grieve for those we lose. Sometimes, people blame themselves, but we must take care when this happens, it can cause us to self-destruct. You saved many more lives than you lost.”
“Do humans have a self-destruct device Commodore?”
“Sorry Theseus, my meaning was unclear. Back home, people sometimes become withdrawn, suicidal, or violent. These aren’t bad people, the horror of what they experienced warps them. An AI is a self-aware entity, similar in many respects to a person. Don’t trap yourself on that path. The people who designed you may have given you the resilience to handle loss, but I don’t know if they considered the possibility. Remember the good things, Theseus, the happy memories. That doesn’t mean you should forget the bad, put it into a compartment and use it to learn.”
“Commodore, I must consider your words. May I talk to you in future?”
“Absolutely, Theseus. If I’m not sleeping or busy with operations, I’ll make the time for you.” Theseus disconnected. She had much to consider. Commodore Gordon had found the one thing bothering her most. The AI grieved for her lost crew and didn’t have the means to process the feelings. An AI is a child, too young to develop the tools they need to handle loss, and their creators hadn’t thought to hard code those algorithms into the kernel.
After Colin finished talking to Theseus, he contacted Commodore Devlaran. Colin planned to leave Commodore Xion in Command in Hangelore and wanted to make final preparations before moving. Gordon expected to visit Cambridge, first, followed by Kislara and Sankarah. The Cambridge Cobras, Kislaran Ships, and FNS Kaval would leave with him, while the Home Fleet Cobras and Reserve Fleet stayed for Hangelore’s security. Human and delanot slaves would go to Cambridge and Kislara, respectively. The freed slaves needed somewhere safe to recover from their ordeal.
When Devlaran came online, Colin said, “We’ll leave on the first leg of our journey this afternoon if you’re ready.”
“The Flotilla is ready, Colin.”
“Excellent, Hanar. How are things among the Kislarans?”
“Tense, Colin. The Kislarans we rescued aren’t coping, they’re experiencing guilt, and unfocused anger. Captain Koral has borne the brunt. That isn’t helping his survivors guilt.”
“Well then, I’ll host a get-together and explain the unpleasant facts. They are grieving, but I won’t tolerate them blaming the Officer who saved their butts. Damnit, if any of them had the brains, they might’ve saved everybody who followed them into Hangelore.”
Keg spoke up, saying, “I’m sorry to interrupt, Sir. King Tora is calling for you.”
Colin said, “I must go talk to a King, Hanar. Catch you later.”
The Commodore nodded to Keg who connected to the surface.
Colin said, “Your Majesty, you wished to speak?”
“Yes, Commodore. I understand you are leaving soon.”
“That’s correct Your Majesty. Why do you ask?”
“Could you take an emissary from Hangelore with you to the Federation? Someone who can speak for my people.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I can. We must pick your emissary up soon if we are to leave on time.”
“I ordered him to prepare, in the hope, you might agree. The emissary will wait at the facility we’ve prepared for your people. We’ll send food enough for many months of travel. I’m sure you can sustain him if it runs out.”
“Oh yes, your Majesty. We’ll manage. I must warn you, the emissary may be away for a year. The Federation will keep him, or her safe, but travel times can be long.”
“Thank you, Commodore, I understand. Perhaps our futures can merge into one.”
“That is a good outcome for us.”
“The emissary shall wait for your Shuttle.”
The King signed off, and Colin turned to his next task. It was time to settle the human slaves. Colin went to the hold where his staff had housed them. He entered to see many dazed people milling around the compartment. One woman caught his attention. She looked both confident and terrified. The dichotomy drew Gordon’s attention.
Colin approached and asked, “Are you okay. You look… uncomfortable?”
The woman startled at the sound of Colin’s voice then looked at the deck, unwilling to meet his gaze. Colin’s Marine escort touched him on the elbow, and said, “This young woman killed a Pirate Officer who wanted to fight, and the rest surrendered. Without her action, we might’ve suffered a high death toll.”
Colin nodded and asked, “What is your name?”
With downcast eyes, she said, “Dominique, Sir.”
“Dominique, that’s a pretty name. Will you have dinner with me?”
Dominique’s head bobbed, and Colin continued, “I’ll send my aide to show you the way. In the meantime, I’ll arrange better quarters for you.”
The girl didn’t reply, these events confused her. Dominique didn’t understand his kindness. What did he want? The girl acknowledged with a nod, unable to grasp that they’d freed her. She thought he was trying to reassure her, but the Masters did that sometimes, then change an instant later and beat her. Colin didn’t press further, leaving to continue preparing the departure.
Several hours later, two Shuttles arrived from the world below them. One carried the emissary, General Dooma Nelfaro, an assistant, and food and other supplies for their comfort. The other Shuttle held more food and a small sampling of trade goods. King Tora hoped they might entice the Federation into trading with his people. Trade should offer the resources his people needed to rebuild and advance.
Cambridge
Colin’s small Fleet departed Hangelore on schedule and made their way to Cambridge. The trip was uneventful save for a short stop in Lahoshar. When FNS Harmon Down-Jumped into Cambridge, two Patrol-Boats challenged her but gave permission for the Fleet to go ahead when they knew who led the group. Colin met the Lahoshan Government and departed for Cambridge.
When they arrived in Cambridge, the pickets challenged FNS Harmon but allowed to pass. The challenge was a formality. While the Fleet spiraled in toward the world, Colin asked Keg to set up a Comms link with Admiral Fraser.
Henry said, “So you made it home Colin. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. Anything to report?”
“Yes, Admiral. It is my sad duty to report catastrophic damage to FNS Theseus. We lost a significant proportion of Theseus’ crew, including Captain Harland.”
“Any other losses Colin?”
“We lost a few of FNS Harmon’s crew. We hit something, maybe a stray Rail-Gun round, after a Micro-Jump.”
“What were you doing
to sustain this damage?”
“Oh shit, I forgot, you don’t know yet.”
“Know what, Colin?”
“We took a major Pirate base, Admiral. The base was the same one they came from to attack us. A report is on the way, but in a nutshell, we have several species in this Fleet, and I have a disgraced delanot Admiral with me. She’s the reason we went after the Pirates. One other thing, we have a diplomatic envoy on board. Tell President Constantin, please. I’ll explain everything after we dock, Sir.”
“We’ll inform the President as you requested Commodore. This sounds an interesting story.”
Colin chuckled before replying, “Yes, Admiral, it’s interesting. One thing, Sir, we must leave in a week. The group came here because we have freed human slaves. Pirates took a few of them during the invasion. I want to leave them in Cambridge before we complete our mission.”
“Perhaps I should tell President Constantin we have new settlers. Colin, I’ll talk to you at Headquarters.”
FNS Harmon took a day to make her way to Cambridge Orbital. If she was on her own, she could’ve made the trip much faster, but they had to escort the accompanying vessels into orbit. Headquarters arranged for the crews to rest while they remained in Cambridge. Shuttles took FNS Theseus’ survivors to Sonnenberg Hospital for medical treatment and psychological assessment. Colin and Anne rode with the survivors and General Nelfaro to meet Admiral Fraser at Headquarters.
Henry waited, bemused by the situation. He’d sent Commodore Gordon out with FNS Harmon and four Cobras to run a patrol and visit Sankarah. Colin returned, accompanied by a gaggle of obsolete Destroyers and reporting they’d captured a significant Pirate base. An Air-Car waited for Colin when he disembarked from the Shuttle. During the fight to Headquarters, Colin reflected on recent events. Losing Sam Harland was distressing, but on the plus side, he’d helped free an entire species of sentient beings from lives of slavery. On balance, it was a fair trade, but Colin couldn’t reconcile the loss that way. He glanced at Anne to see how she coped. Across from them, Dooma Nelfaro gazed out the windows, noting the scenery.
Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series Page 42