by C. R. Daems
“Excellent point. I agree, continue.”
“The new Captain has been told to stop at several planets along the way for Colonel Starken to conduct annual garrison inspections. That will give us a reason to drop an army shuttle with Scorpions. The Colonel will indicate his plans to conduct exercises with the garrison’s soldiers and give his group some planet leave, because the Peregrine will be gone for a week on a shake-down exercise.
“We’ll ferry the boarding party to the space station to wait for the Vancil to arrive. When it does, we’ll be in position to monitor the number of crew leaving for planetside. It should also include the Captain, since he’ll be seeking new business. In all probability, it will leave only a small skeleton crew on the ship. We’ll wait until the evening when everything’s quiet. When one or more leave the Vancil to get a meal or shop at the station, we’ll kill him, or them, as the hatch opens and two Scorpions will enter. From the ship’s configuration, the hallway leads straight to the conference room, Captain’s and XO cabins, and the Bridge. If the Bridge door is closed, one of the first Scorpions will fire an explosive charge to blow the door off. The concussion should disable anyone inside with little damage to the equipment. If the door is open, the second Scorpion will fire a phosphorus charge to blind anyone there and immediately afterward a gas charge to disable whoever is there. They will enter and secure the Bridge, while the other Scorpions clear the ship of any crew. Since we know the Vancil has a crew of forty-six, we will know exactly how many remain on board.
“We’ll try to take the Vancil in operational condition. If so, we’ll bring the Vancil. If not, we’ll take whatever information we can find and return in the army shuttle. We’ll contact the shuttle as we begin our assault. It should, therefore, be in place by the time we need it.” When she finished, I detected a slight smile of satisfaction. I nodded.
“The plan is well thought out and gives us a reasonable chance of success.” I wondered if the Vancil’s Captain would cooperate.
What if they meet heavy resistance at the hatch and are delayed, what if the charge fails to dislodge the door, what if...
“Iglis, what happens if the entry hatch closes before you can get in or you meet unexpected resistance at the door, which delays you getting in position to disable the Bridge or...” I left the or hanging.
“Ma’am, we tossed around several options. We couldn’t decide on one.” She lost eye contact with me. She was assuming all the blame for not having an alternative plan.
“You have an excellent plan and the odds are far better than average it’ll work; however, lets not rely on everything going our way. We need luck but let’s not count on it. We need the Vancil’s data. Take a few hours and consider one or two backup plans. You and the others can use the conference room.” I stood and left the silent room. I guess that was what Captains did—make it their plan—and take responsibility for its success.
* * * *
Four hours latter, Iglis notified me they were ready.
“Ma’am, after the Vancil’s crew has departed and we’ve given the onboard crew time to relax, we’ll use a small shuttle to place shaped charges on the hull, outside the Bridge, the crew quarters on the lower level, and the engine room. We will begin the assault with a gas explosive. That way the hallway will be effectively secured. If for any reason we are unable to immediately gain access to the Bridge, we will set off the shape charges to open the Bridge to vacuum and flood the crew quarters and the rest of the ship with gas. If it appears the crew can cause an explosion within the engine room, we’ll open it to vacuum with the other shaped charge. The attack shuttle will also be in place to support and transport us back to the Mongoose.”
“Thank you all. I believe we’re as prepared as we can be. We have a good plan with contingencies for worse case and the best Scorpions in the SAS. I could ask for nothing more.” I felt everyone was excited about our upcoming operation. All we could do was hope that, if we succeeded, the Vancil would have the information we needed. “If you can’t bring the Vancil back, make sure you take everything you find in the Captain and XO’s cabins. They may have information there that they don’t trust to the system computer.”
* * * *
When we entered the Yamhill system, Gelman notified the station we were dropping an army assault vehicle. He didn’t ask for a berth at the spaceport, informing them we’d be leaving shortly. Two hours later, we departed Yamhill for a spot out of Yamhill’s detection. We arrived and cut the engines. I hated having to wait, not knowing what was happening. My nature was to do not to watch or wait.
Amusement tingled through me, easing the tension and resigning me to my fate.
* * * *
“Varisko, you have the watch. I’m going to go and get some sleep. Wake me if something exciting happens.” I tried to sound like I knew everything would work out as planned. Fortunately, no one knew that the only way I could sleep was with Thalia’s help.
“I have the watch.” She said with a grin. I suspected that everyone expected me to be right all the time. Maybe that was the Captain’s job—to give everyone the confidence they needed to perform at their best. I hoped some day I’d figure out what the Captain’s job encompassed.
Laughter filled me, and I admitted defeat—again.
Chapter 27
“Captain Da’Maass, a ship just exited the Wave,” Imrade said loud enough for Da’Maass to hear from the conference room where he was pouring over the reports on the recent encounters with the SAS. He was not only a brilliant tactician but also very thorough. Da’Maass looked up from what he was scrutinizing.
“Can you identify the ship?” Da’Maass asked.
“Based on its energy output, it appears it’s an SAS cruiser. You were right. The dybbuk has arrived. Should we intercept them?”
“Patience, Imrade. Let’s make sure it’s the dybbuk. The anticipation is the best part. The act is usually anticlimactic.” Da’Maass returned to his reading with a smile on his face. Over the next few hours, Imrade spent his time monitoring the Comm, waiting for information from the clan’s contact on Yamhill.
“Captain, our contact says the ship’s a newly commissioned Light cruiser, named the SAS Peregrine after the one Anton destroyed in Tamerland. They have a new male Captain, who is conducting a shakedown cruise. The Peregrine plans to be away for a week; therefore, the Colonel with them decided to take a squad of Scorpions for training operations with the local garrison as well as conducting their yearly inspection.”
Da’Maass stroked his beard for several minutes, before responding. “Scorpions? Light cruisers usually carry Wasps. Scorpions are a new generation used on Hunters. Very strange, Imrade. Keep an eye on the Peregrine.”
Imrade spent the next several hours monitoring the Peregrine as it left Yamhill and headed for the Wave.
“Captain, the Peregrine left Yamhill as promised. I’ve lost it on our passive sensors. Should I go active to see where she’s headed?”
“No. Right now, we have an advantage. No one knows we’re here.”
“Captain, we have another ship exiting the Wave and headed for Yamhill. It’s most likely a merchant based on its energy output.”
“Most likely, Imrade. The Vancil is due today.” Da’Maass nodded and returned to his reading. As the hours passed the passive sensors were finally able to identify the ship.
“Captain, it’s the Vancil.”
“Excellent. I have a feeling the game is about to begin. Based on our information from Eden and the Vancil’s schedule, which the SAS would have access to, the Mongoose should be joining the game soon.” A broad smile split his bushy beard.
* * * *
Colonel
Starken and Terril stood watching as twenty Scorpions boarded the army attack shuttle.
“You were right, Gunny. Traveling with Captain Reese tends to be exciting. It’s no wonder all the Scorpions want to be on any ship she’s on.”
“She’s in the raider’s mind, and I think the raiders know it. Several of those attempts on her life were definitely clan initiated. All of us have been thinking the raiders were an isolated bunch of pirates with a few planes and a home base on some planet like Port Lost. Reese is the one who figured out they were a collection of clans.”
“From what I’ve heard, she’s provided the army more action in her short career than they’ve had in the last fifty years. When I hear army personnel talking about her, I almost feel like they’re talking about another trooper.”
“I’m not sure whether she adopted us or we’ve adopted her. She’s my friend, but I’d serve under her regardless.”
“I’d agree. I think she’s surprised all of us. Many, including me, thought her too inexperienced to be in command of a cruiser. We were wrong. Developing this plan was a good example. She made us work together to create it and in so doing, made it our plan and our responsibility to make it work. So, Gunny, let’s not disappoint her.” Starken nodded towards the shuttle.
An hour later, they landed inside the Yamhill Garrison, where Major Stijn met them.
“Welcome to Yamhill, Colonel Starken. I hear you’re here to conduct an annual inspection and to carry out joint training exercises. The troops and I are looking forward to it. It can be very boring on a planet were nothing much happens.”
“That’s also true on a cruiser. Even when we encounter raiders, most of the time we’re used for repair and rescue and never see the enemy—just their missiles.”
“I guess, boring’s not so bad. I’ll have to remember that. I see your Gunny’s already met Sergeant Major Willham,” Stijn said, pointing to a short broad-shouldered man standing off to the side talking with Terril. “He’s prepared quarters for you and your Scorpions and is the man to see if you need anything. Speaking of Scorpions, I thought they were only assigned to Hunters.”
“That was true in the beginning, but because of the increased raider activity they’re beginning to be used on other ships. The Peregrine may have been selected for a squadron of Scorpions because it’s a newly commissioned ship. Who knows, the powers that be only tell me where to report, not why.”
“I know what you mean. If you aren’t doing anything tonight, I’d be honored if you’d join me for dinner, and we can discuss what you have planned.”
“I’d be delighted. I plan to give the troops a few days off before we start. They’ll be cooped up on the Peregrine for months after it returns.” Starken waved Terril and Willham over.
“Gunny, I’ve told Major Stijn I plan to give the troops a few days off before we begin exercises. Let’s say three days. You can work with Sergeant Major Willham to identify areas of the town the troops should avoid and ensure everyone’s available and in good condition on the morning of the fourth day. Major Stijn and I will have developed the exercise specifics by then.”
“Yes, sir.” Terril and Willham saluted and wandered off towards the barracks.
* * * *
Late that night after dinner with Stijn, Starken met Terril at a small restaurant a kilometer outside of the Garrison.
“Sir, we’ve arranged to rent a civilian shuttle, which is capable of reaching the space station. We’ll be leaving in one hour. I’m taking ten Scorpions with me. We won’t need the navy types unless we manage to capture the Vancil intact. I’ll signal ‘Standby’ when the Vancil is on station, ‘Alert’ when I feel we’re only a few hours from initiating action, and ‘Come-get-us’ the second we begin our attack.”
“Good hunting, Gunny. Let’s not disappoint our Captain.”
“No, sir. The Vancil is coming back with us even if we have to push it all the way.” Terril only waved a casual goodbye as they were both in civilian clothes.
She caught a ground cab and arrived at the small air transport company an hour later. Sergeant Bolten met her at the gate.
“We’re all loaded and ready to go, Gunny,” he said, pointing to a small shuttle sitting forty meters off to the side of three moderately large hangers. A number of small and large shuttles were scattered around the area.
“We told the owner we needed the shuttle to pick up some incoming cargo from the space station. He was more interested in the money than why. He really stuck it to us.” Bolten smiled. They made their way to the shuttle and were cleared for takeoff in minutes. The ride to the space station was relatively easy. They were assigned a docking area with few questions after the parking credits were paid. Terril rented a few rooms and the waiting began.
* * * *
“Gunny, the Vancil will be docking within the hour,” Corporal Chilers said as he entered the room.
“All right. Grissley, send ‘Standby,’” Terril said, looking around. “Bolten, you watch the station to ground shuttle area and count the number leaving. Chilers you count the number leaving the Vancil. The rest of you get some rest.”
Every two hours the men assigned to watch the two areas were relieved and Terril got an updated count. The first two hours had produced a mad exit from the Vancil—thirty-four left the ship and thirty-two of those left the station headed planetside. Over the next six hours another eight left the ship and seven, which included the Captain and a woman crewmember, left the station. Around midnight local time, Terril had collected everyone into one room and had them suit up for the coming assault.
“Listen up,” Terril said and waited for everyone to stop talking. “Grissley, send ‘Alert.’ There are six raiders remaining on station. Two are wandering around shopping, eating, or chasing station girls. Chilers and I are going to take up positions for the assault entry into the Vancil. The next time the hatch opens, whether the person is coming in or going out, I’ll signal ‘Go’ on your SIDs and begin the attack. I have the trigger for the shaped charge outside the Bridge. Baats has the trigger for the other shaped charges. They’re a last resort. We want this ship intact and spaceworthy. Let’s show Captain Reese we’re as good as she thinks we are.” With that, Terril and Chilers left and took up relatively concealed positions in sight of the Vancil’s entry hatch. The minutes went into hours with no one coming or going. Although the station maintained a comfortably cool temperature, Terril and Chilers were sweating in their battle gear. Only years of training and discipline kept them still, quiet, and alert. Then a lone man came staggering down the corridor whistling.
“Grissley, send ‘Go,’” Terril whispered into her SID. She watched as the man put his hand on the hatch’s plate and the door began to slide open. Before the door had slid halfway, Terril and Chilers were running. Terril hit the prearranged signal on her SID for the attack and fired her assault weapon, releasing an explosive gas missile. The missile hit the man, driving him into the ship and the far wall with a thud, releasing a cloud of gas. Terril stepped inside the hallway with Chilers and began running down the hallway towards the Bridge. It was wide open. She fired a phosphorus shell immediately followed by another gas shell. Chilers was only a step behind her and heard the team entering the ship. More explosions as they shot gas shells down stairwells and hallways. Except for the dull sounds of gas canisters exploding, there was an eerie silence. The Bridge turned out to be empty. Chilers had killed a man coming out of the XO’s cabin as they passed. Soon the reports came filtering in.
“Gunny, this is Bolten, engine room secure. Killed one on the way there.”
“Gunny, this is Harrion, crew quarters clear, three dead.”
“Gunny, this is Grissley, the Colonel reports they are twenty minutes out. He wants to know if we need help.”
“Grissley, send ‘Party Over,’” Terril said with a grin.
* * * *
“Captain,” Imrade shouted. “The Vancil is leaving the Yamhill station. Our contact reported it’s been
hijacked.” Within seconds Da’Maass came striding through the hatch onto the Bridge.
“We’ve found the Mongoose, my friend. We now know for certain they discovered the Compton, which led to Anton, and the Vancil, which led to Sa’Velte. And since the dybbuk was on each of the SAS successful engagements, I’ll wager that she and her Riss were responsible in some way for our defeats. I’ve been studying those encounters for the past several weeks. She’s not only in our heads but she’s clever. She not only wanted the information on the Vancil, she wanted the Vancil. The Peregrine is really the Mongoose. I’m afraid her little ruse has given her a slight advantage, since we’ll have to destroy the Vancil before the Mongoose. I just wish I had information on the encounter with Sa’Velte. Imrade, call the crew to quarters. We have work to do.”
Chapter 28
My SID woke me from a sound sleep. When I turned on the unit, Varisko’s image appeared. “Captain, the Vancil is moving away from the space station.”
“Battle Stations. Have Marken lock down the weapons.”
“Why, Captain? You just called Battle Stations.”
“Lock them down.” I wasn’t going to take the chance there’s a spy on this ship. “And have Orroto plot a course to intercept the Vancil. Half speed for now. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
On the Bridge, the time ticked by as we waited for a message from the Vancil.
“Captain, it’s the Vancil,” Gelman said with a smile.
“Put them on the speaker.”
“Mongoose, this is Gunny. We have the Vancil and it’s operational—raiders zero, Scorpions six. Instructions?” A cheer well up from the bridge.