by C. R. Daems
“I reversed course, planning to join the fight. With the Puff Adder’s support, the Tiger would have been an easy kill. At that time, we were separated by four light seconds. Just after I began my approach we encountered five missiles: one missed, lasers destroyed one, and three scored direct hits.”
“A new secret missile?” Sa’Velte asked. “Their latest missile, the P3a, is reported to have a maximum range of three light seconds.”
“I don’t know. I decided to move back. If they could engage me long before I could return fire, they might have gotten lucky and inflicted enough damage to disable the Puff Adder. In that case, all three ships would have been stranded in the system and easy prey. With the Puff Adder’s resources, I knew I would be able to repair any of our cruisers after the engagement ended. At the time, it appeared we were winning. Ja’choy of the SeaSnake notified me their last barrage had disabled the Tiger and the next couple of barrages would destroy it. Not three seconds later, the SeaSnake exploded and the Sidewinder went dead.” Anton shrugged and finished his half-glass of wine in one swallow.
“Another secret weapon?” La’Teppel, Captain of the Mamba, asked. “I don’t like the sound of this new Hunter class.”
“I don’t know but it’s strange. If it’s a new weapon, why didn’t they use it sooner? The Tiger could easily have engaged the SeaSnake and Sidewinder earlier with their longer-ranged missiles but didn’t. And why did they wait to use their other new weapon until they were disabled and seconds away from being destroyed?” Anton shrugged. “Perhaps Raina and Dione can discover the answers before we encounter another Hunter class cruiser.”
“We’re going to be at a serious disadvantage if their new missile range is four light seconds and ours are only two and a half. We also have to wonder if they have some sort of emergency weapon at close range. I think you were right to leave rather than try and engage the Tiger,” Sa’Velte said, nodding his head in agreement. “And to combat their long range skips, we should practice short skips, which would negate that advantage. That tactic may have been an accident that worked to their advantage, but there is no sense taking unnecessary chances.”
“What happened at Ruchild?” Sa’Velte asked.
“I have the Elders to thank for detouring the Heavy cruiser Diamondback to me,” Anton said in reply. “Rares chose to stop at five colonies, and Angela identified Ruchild as having a potential target. The Compton subsequently disappeared, as it normally did after identifying one or more potential targets for the clan’s cruisers. Because the Tiger was following the Compton’s route and knew our typical targets, we knew they would choose to stakeout Ruchild. We arrived before them, cut engines, and waited. When the Tiger arrived, it wasn’t prepared for battle. It came on line quickly but too late to be effective. Unfortunately, the battle left little to salvage. What we did find, the Diamondback took back home to Freeland.”
“Our tasks are clear. The Puff Adder will return to Freeland to report the results of our meeting. The Compton will proceed to UPN space to support the clan interests. The Vancil and the Horace will in their respective sectors conduct normal merchant activity while attempting to discover lucrative targets for the warships. The Sand Viper, Fer-De-Lance, Mamba, and Taipan will seek targets of opportunity in the Darkov and Oracle sectors. SAS warships will not be sought but no attempt will be made to avoid them. The majority of Elders believe it will be beneficial to test the SAS. We need to establish the capability of their warships and determine our weaknesses. Someday we may have to fight them.” Ka’Baako paused and looked at Dione and Raina. “You’ll see to Lieutenant Commander Reese’s death or capture.” He took one last look around the table and then raised his glass. “To Clan Baptiste, may we continue to grow and prosper.”
“Clan Baptiste.” Echoed through the cabin. Angela locked gazes with Dione and Raina and mouthed, “And death to Nadya Reese.”
Chapter 4
No facial features to see, no sound to hear, just a tingling sensation of amusement.
A wave of amusement flowed through me. Thalia may have a point. It’s harder to display open hostility to a lieutenant commander than a lowly lieutenant. Although it felt wonderful, I had no illusions. Many still hated or feared me, and others were disgusted by the idea of me hosting a parasite. However, not being openly confronted with it day in and day out was a huge relief.
As I walked into the bay, I stopped in shock, trying to assimilate the sight confronting me. The floor and walls were awash in color. It looked like a bomb had gone off in a paint store. Then the noise hit me. People were running in and out of structures, shouting, and shooting—with paint bullets. Above the noise, Master Gunnery Sergeant Terril stood, bringing order to the chaos.
“Copelan, Palla, you idiots. Fire, ready, aim gets you killed. Missing your opponent gets you killed. Hitting him in the arm or leg gets you killed,” she shouted, while pointing at two young privates. “And, if you don’t get with it, I will.”
“Aye, Gunny,” they shouted back. I noticed several of those watching the exercise had turned to look at me. I wasn’t running around with a weapon; therefore, I had to be navy and lost.
“What are you clowns staring at? I’m the attraction! Gunnery Sergeant Imel, Staff Sergeants Engin and Udell, and Sergeant Plass, get over here. Master Sergeant Meaker, see if you can do something with them. My eyes hurt from watching them screw up.” Terril turned and headed towards me with her chicks following. The external scars from the destruction of Tiger, where nearly a hundred Scorpions—friends and comrades—died and the ordeal in the escape pod were gone, but I knew the internal scars would last a lifetime.
“Gunny Terril,” I shouted in order to be heard over the noise, which continued unabated. Seeing her without the other familiar faces reminded me that I had scars of my own. “It has a nice ring to it.” We hugged. The tight embrace of two comrades each thankful to see the other alive. She turned toward the little group that had followed her.
“Reese, these are the ranking members of my Si’jin class.” Her voice caught on the my Si’jin class. I knew she had thought of Master Valk. “Class, meet Lieutenant Commander Reese, who frequently gets lost and winds up in the Scorpion bay. She looks like the greenest private could kick her ass with one hand tied behind his back. Don’t try it. She’s studied under Grand Master Wei for two years. Two Scorpions with Buzzers tried to kill her and they’re both dead.”
They stood staring at me with their mouths open. I couldn’t blame them. Terril had shaken their comfortable world. A navy commander working out in the Scorpions area, a waif who was a master Si’jin practitioner, and someone who could live through a fight against two Buzzers in the hands of professionals. As if to confirm the other was really alive, we stood staring at each other for a long time before Terril turned and walk back into the chaos.
I found myself a small, unused corner to exercise, while Terril continued to drill the new members of her battalion. I got lots of strange looks. Terril, to everyone’s surprise, had made it crystal clear that I was family. I wept for all the missing Scorpions I’d befriended while on the Tiger.
* * * *
The guards at the entrance to the Intelligence area checked my ID carefully, although it was obvious that Wang had entered me in their database as a member of her unit. When I entered, I found Lieutenant Gaffey and a master chief in front of one of the monitors,
talking about something on the screen. He looked up and smiled when he saw me approaching.
“Good morning, ma’am. I’d like to introduce you to Master Chief Mundz.”
“Ma’am. Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Chief Nesstor from the time when you were on the Peregrine. He’s a master chief now and assigned to the Bobcat. He said you loved to poke your nose into everything, and he doubted you would’ve changed.”
“He’s right, Chief, but I’ve been told a lieutenant wasn’t supposed to meddle with the equipment. I guess it’s even worse now that I’m a lieutenant commander. But they didn’t say I couldn’t have a get acquainted tour. Think you could arrange that on second or third shift? Lieutenant Gaffey, you’re invited if you care to come along.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Master Chief Mundz has already explained your typical tour. I’d be very interested.”
For the next couple of third shifts, Mundz introduced me to the new equipment and how it worked—inside and out. I could no longer take things apart, which I loved to do, but at least I got to see how to take them apart.
“Ma’am, I have to thank you and Chief Mundz for the tour. I’ve learned a lesson I’ll never forget. Even though an officer isn’t supposed to fix the equipment, knowing the equipment helps you know your people and for them to know you understand what they do. I understand why the chiefs like you so much,” Gaffey said.
“I do it because I’m curious, but it’s paid off. People like you taking an interest in what they do, and I believe it makes you a better supervisor. Thank you, Master Chief. I enjoyed the tour.” It had been a good couple of days, interesting and relaxing; however, I wished the XO would decide soon on my new responsibilities. Otherwise, I’d have to start visiting the other section chiefs. I smiled. Mundz would certainly pass the word. The chief’s network was the best in the fleet.
* * * *
The next day the XO called me into the conference room with Commanders Belercor and Verdi. Belercor looked friendly. Verdi didn’t.
“Reese, Commanders Belercor and Verdi would like to work with you on your Riss equations. I’ll let them decide on how to split your time. In addition, each lieutenant commander takes the third shift watch for five days. The third shift is made up of lieutenants who would act as assistants in the event we go to battle stations. The lieutenant commanders who are now assistants would man the backup command center under me.” Panella paused, until I nodded. “During the week you have the watch, you are free from normal duty. Commander Wang has made it clear that you have the best feel for the raiders, and since our mission is to find them, she needs your time. You have indicated you could find time on your off duty hours. If you can, that would be ideal. If not, you will have to work something out with Commanders Belercor and Verdi. Any questions?”
“No, Maam.”
Chapter 5
The next two months went slowly. Belercor and Verdi decided to alternate weekly with me. Verdi’s knowledge of each weapon and its capability was excellent, but I got the impression that his tactics were straight out of the SAS Tactical Manual taught at Hephaestus. It was an excellent manual, but Verdi considered it the bible rather than basic theory. He had every scenario committed to memory and ready to use. So long as the engagement went according to the manual, he’d perform well. I hated to think of what would happen if the enemy chose to deviate from the manual. Over the weeks, it became clear he didn’t understand the math and had given up trying. Instead, he had me in the simulator most of the time for what appeared the express purpose of proving the equation didn’t work. Of course, they did but somehow he managed to convince himself it was luck. His inability to invalidate the equations made him more abrasive as time went by. Eventually, one day he exploded.
“This is pointless. Shooting projectiles with no sensors was abandoned hundreds of years ago. Without sensors, you have to depend on luck. In a real battle, the enemy will win every time. The SAS has developed an extensive array of capabilities into our missiles that give us the advantage over any opponent. Your formulae is worthless.”
My time with Belercor was even less encouraging. Verdi at least had the SAS Tactical Manual memorized. Of course, there was a manual with the standard computation between inhabitable planets; however, no manual existed with tables to compute anomalies, which affected the original calculation—with potentially disastrous results. I had to admit the Symath symbols where not easy to get used to. While they simplified the traditional navigational math, the transition was like going from algebra to calculus. In my opinion, Belercor had made commander teaching beginning Navigational theory at Prometheus, where she could confine her instruction to the SAS Navigational Manual and forget anomalies. Like Verdi, she grew increasingly hostile as time went by, until she finally lost it.
“These symbols are nonsense. Commander Uchida was a brilliant woman and obviously began developing a new system, which you are trying to take credit for. It is clear you didn’t understand it and can’t reproduce it. There is no sense continuing to pretend you can.” Her face was no longer friendly.
I had no doubt I’d soon be in the Captain’s office. And unfortunately, it would be my word against two commanders who I had no doubt had the Captain’s confidence.
I relaxed in resignation as I felt Thalia’s amusement.
At least, my first two rotations with the third shift lieutenants were uneventful. Lieutenant Betit handled Communications, JG Lonzo, Helm, Lieutenant Obrist, Tactical, and Lieutenant Mette, Navigation. My duty was to be alert for contacts and to run simulations. The simulations were interesting in a macabre sort of way. It became obvious that only Lieutenant Betit had a good understanding of his position. Lieutenant Mette, like Belercor, was adequate with standard jumps but had trouble with anything other than a simple anomaly. He never said anything but he clearly wanted to.
I relaxed as her amusement worked its way through me.
* * * *
On my third rotation, I could feel something had changed.
Because of Thalia’s warning, I deliberately didn’t push them, although everyone except Betit could use the work. He understood Leopard’s computer and communication’s systems, and seemed to take pleasure in pointing out what I didn’t know. The others were not only lazy but also careless. And they were not well suited to their current positions. Unfortunately, their mentors, Verdi and Belercor, were also not well suited for their positions. They had made it to their current rank through time in service, luck, and maybe their superiors’ recognition of their weaknesses, as they had been assigned to noncritical planetside assignments. Those positions are necessary but didn’t require the best of the SAS. How they got assigned to the Leopard was beyond my comprehension.
I felt her laughter.
t least one Heavy cruiser. Therefore, any advantage the SAS had in missiles and ship capability would be negated. The Peregrine and the Tiger had been lucky, but had survived because of the quality of their crews.
Lonzo on Helm didn’t pay attention to the details. His simulations made me sure I didn’t want to be on the ship if he had to dock it. Obrist appeared overly friendly, almost flirting. He knew the standard weapons and ECM capabilities but lacked good judgment in the simulator. Mette could compute standard jumps but was slow. In battle, he’d be a liability.
To me, the Tiger and the Leopard were a dichotomy. The crew picked for the Tiger were exceptional, consistent with the honor of a special cruiser commissioned specially to hunt raiders, whereas the crew of the Leopard were mediocre, like those you would expect on a Light cruiser ferrying routine supplies to the colonies. Being around people like Uchida and Kollar had spoiled me.
* * * *
The army area became my refuge. Belercor and Verdi had transformed the Bridge from a magical place I loved into a steel cage occupied by angry monster-like creatures. On my off duty time, I worked out with Terril and helped her with teaching. She had fifteen in her class. Her stories about Saipha and the two battles on the Tiger had generated a lot of interest in Si’jin. I loved those hours and spent more time there than I normally would have under other circumstances. I had grown very close to Terril and Si’jin classes permitted us to dispense with rank and behave like equals. I managed to spend several hours each day in Intel with Gaffery and Mundz, but there was little to do without confirmed raider activity.
* * * *
Two days into my forth rotation the environment went from silently to actively hostile. Obrist started it.
“Well, Reese, whose ass did you kiss to get promoted early?” He stood and sneered in my direction. The bridge was deathly quiet.