by C. R. Daems
“Pipe her message to the ship. Gelman, send ‘Good hunting, Gunny.’ Orroto, plot us a course to Eden.” I’d been right to include navy personnel, in the event the attack group did manage to capture the Vancil. Now I had to hope the SAS could dig out useful information.
Five hours later, we rendezvoused with the Vancil. Using an army shuttle, we transferred the Scorpion team back to the Mongoose and sent over additional navy personnel to ferry our prize to Eden. Then, less than an hour from the Wave, Lahar jarred me out of my musing.
“Captain, unidentified cruiser approaching on heading two-one-two by zero-nine-nine. Tagged as R1.” The TAC blossomed in the center of the Bridge and the unknown cruiser appeared as R1. “It looks like a Raider Light cruiser, according to the SAS Intel from our previous encounters.”
“Gelman, send to Vancil, ‘Full speed ahead.’ Helm, keep us between R1 and the Vancil.” We could have outrun the unidentified cruiser if we didn’t need to guard the Vancil, but the Vancil had to be saved at all costs.
“R1 will be in our missile range in seven minutes forty-two seconds. We will be in the raider’s missile range in nine minutes and eighteen seconds. He will have us in range for twenty-eight minutes forty-two seconds,” Commander Lahar said, looking at his radar monitor.
“Maintain speed necessary to keep the Vancil between us and R1.” The time seemed to go into slow motion. It was going to be a long twenty-eight minutes. “Commander Marken you have the firing board. R-Arawn will attempt to compute a Riss-option. Commander Parsen will provide backup for r-Selens on ECM. Her reflects may make a difference. R-Liama will replace Lieutenant Skadi on Helm. Commander Lahar will send to r-Liama the Vancil, R1, and Mongoose’s speeds and vectors every thirty seconds. R-Liama will compute and execute the best vector to shield the Vancil.” My assignments were intended to maximize the Riss’ better reflexes and ability to compute the required equations faster than the humans.
“We’ll be in range in thirty seconds,” Marken announced.
“Firing sequence guided, until r-Arawn can compute a Riss-solution.” We would send off three salvoes before the raiders could return fire.
“Launch one, away. Standard missile configuration,” Marken said as eight missiles streaked towards the raider cruiser.
Sixty seconds later, “Launch two, standard option.”
And sixty seconds later, “Launch three, Riss-option.”
Now all we could do is wait and hope, as the twenty-four missiles headed toward the raider. Soon the raider’s turn would come. Marken remained silent during the sixty-second intervals between launches.
“Launch one, we scored two hits,” Lahar reported. Less than a minute later, “We got another hit on launch two. Only marginal damage, and they’re taking evasive action.”
“Eight incoming,” Parsen said. I saw r-Selens hands flying over the ECM board. She stopped all eight. Good, but the range was still long.
“Sixty seconds later, eight incoming.” The raider had the same launch capability and launch time. R-Selens missed one of the next eight and the Mongoose shuddered, but the Battle-steel held. Life seemed to go into slow motion between the sixty-second delays—between our launches and theirs. Several minutes later, a raider missile took out a bank of four missile tubes.
* * * *
The duel had raged on for a twenty-three minute eternity. After the loss of missile tubes, the raiders were launching eight missiles per minute to our four. The raiders had launched one hundred sixty missiles to our eighty. What made the loss of the missile tubes and a bank of ECM worse was our inability to use the Riss option because of their maneuvering to get in position to attack the Vancil. As a consequence, we’d averaged less than one hit out of ten. Conversely, they were scoring one out of eight. Better than normal because of our weakened ECM and having to remain in a stationary position relative to the Vancil.
So far, we’d taken twenty hits, suffering the loss of four missile tubes, partial loss of ECM capability, a bank of lasers, one shuttle bay, two Shark bays, damage to navy and army quarters, environmental, and one of our three engines at half power. The raider’s ship was open to vacuum and had extensive damage, but unfortunately, it still had all its missile tubes, ECM, and their engines appeared fully functional. And they were steadily closing the range.
The only good news was that the Vancil remained undamaged.
Thalia’s subtle reminder that time was running out. They wanted the Vancil more than the Mongoose. With only about five minutes to the Wave, the raider would have to make a move against the Vancil quickly. They couldn’t count on destroying us in time to stop the Vancil from escaping.
“Listen up. R1 will soon skip in order to get into firing position to destroy the Vancil. The Vancil is a merchant ship and can’t survive more than one or two launches from the raiders. Even if by some miracle they did, it’s unlikely they would have the power to enter the Wave. We need to create a skip that keeps us in the same relative positions we’re in now and to fire before R1, because the skip is going to close the gap between us and them. Consequently, each subsequent launch is going to be more effective and we’re in no condition for a prolonged engagement.”
“That is impossible.” Markn said. Orroto and Lahar nodded agreement.
“Difficult yes, but not impossible. We know the Coral’s vector and the minimum distance they must skip to get in position to attack the Vancil and the maximum skip for that size cruiser. Therefore, we know the area and the vector on which Coral will emerge. We know the vector we’re on and, therefore, where we must skip in order to continue shielding the Vancil.” I looked around to see if everyone was with me and saw only blank expressions.
“Skipper, that’s all very nice, but by the time we see where they emerge and we enter the information into the computer and it gives us an answer, the Coral will have had time to make several launches,” Orroto said, shaking her head in obvious defeat.
“If we didn’t know the two vectors, you would be right. Since we do, we can create an algorithm that only needs their position when they emerge. The difficult part is being in position within thirty seconds or less and launching our missiles in under sixty.”
“Why?” several people asked simultaneously.
“Because I doubt they can establish the Vancil’s position and launch their missiles in less than sixty seconds—with luck it’ll take longer. Therefore, we need to launch our missiles before they can and hope to destroy or disable them, yet be in a position to protect the Vancil if we fail.
“Even if we had such an algorithm we couldn’t enter it into the computer, expect an answer, and relay it in time to execute in the time you say is required. The communication between the equipment and us would be too slow. When the raider skipped, Nav would have to locate their position, input it into the computer. Then the result would have to be passed on the Helm to initiate the skip and to me to compute a firing solution. It makes my head spin just to think about it,” Marken said. “We would be lucky to get it done in ten minutes. It’s impossible.”
“I hope not. If it is, the Vancil will be lost even if we eventually destroy the raider. On the other hand, if we get in position and don’t destroy the Coral, it’s likely we might be destroyed, but the Vancil may get through. We’re expendable, the Vancil isn’t.” I paused. As I suspected, the people looking back at me weren’t afraid of dying, just sorry they thought we couldn’t pull it off.
“Using Symath, r-Arthmis is currently creating the equation. The second the Coral skips, turn total control over to r-Arawn, r-Arthmis and r-Selene. You need to trust me. The Riss don’t want me to die, and I don’t want you to die,” I sat back thinking I needed to look relaxed and confident. Strangely, I actually felt relaxed and thought I detected a slight easing of the tension on the Bridge.
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For two more minutes the duel went on, each of us scoring hits. The Mongoose gamely fought on while slowly being dismantled as missiles tore its skin apart. R1 also had serious damage but had been lucky so far, having received only minor damage to their critical systems and engines. The question was for how much longer could we survive, and if we did, would we have the power to transition into the Wave? The Captain of R1 didn’t care. It was all or nothing. He was fighting for his clan’s existence.
* * * *
Two seconds later r-Liama executed the skip. The Mongoose shuddered and for three seconds the bridge and everyone faded to ghost-like figures. Twenty seconds after we emerged, r-Arawn sent.
The Riss option was only possible because r-Arawn already knew the Mongoose and R1’s speed and vector from the previous calculation.
“Incoming.” The ship rocked when r-Selens missed two missiles.
“Lasers 1, 2, and 3 destroyed, Port side engine down, and the navy training area open to air,” Gelman announced as the damage control monitor scrolled the details across the screen. We had intercepted an R1 launch intended for the Vancil, as I had hoped.
“We got her,” Lahar shouted. “Three hits. R1 is dropping back. No more incoming.”
Silence. Everyone seemed to be checking to see if he or she was still alive. Then the smiles and cheering began.
“Transition in three minutes,” Orroto said.
“Commander Varisko, you have the watch,” I said, feeling detached. We had won, if anyone wins in a war. They’d followed me into hell, and I owed them my presence. I left the Bridge to walk through the damage, to praise the survivors, and mourn the dead. It had been a fine performance by the entire ship. Many had paid for our success.
* * * *
“Imrade, what’s our status? We need power whatever the cost,” Da’Maass rumbled, his stare glued to the monitor showing the growing distance between them, and the Vancil and Mongoose.
“Bartal says the skip damaged number two engine and the last hit took out number one. We don’t have enough power to make the Wave.”
“How long until he can have it fixed well enough to get home?” Da’Maass’s gaze hadn’t changed. “The woman is truly a dybbuk. She was inside my head. It was the only way she could’ve known what I would do, match my skip, and fire before us. She’ll be our death.”
“Bartal says it will take at least a day. He shutting down the engines, otherwise we’re going to damage the number three engine.”
“Put me on the intercom.”
After Imrade nodded, Da’Maass picked up his mike. “Attention all personnel. This is Da’Maass. Everyone that can work will join a work group. The dybbuk has captured the Vancil. It contains information that will eventually lead the SAS to Freeland. Our clans, our friends, and love ones’ lives are in jeopardy. Their only chance is if we can warn them before the SAS arrives. Every second counts.”
Chapter 29
Three days later there was a collective sigh of relief as we exited the Wave into Eden space. We’d made no attempt to have the damaged areas repaired, except where it affected personnel safety. The wounded and dead were the priority. We had seventy-one dead, including six Riss, and ninety-three wounded, including three Riss who indicated they could repair their wounds. Despite our best efforts, nine of the wounded died before we reached Eden’s space. It had cost a lot of lives to capture the Vancil. I prayed it was worth the price, and that those lives were not forfeit in vain. We’d tipped our hand to the raiders that we were onto their network of spies, and were yet to determine if we’d obtained anything useful. I called Iglis on my SID.
“Iglis, report to bay 2-15. I want you on the Vancil when it docks. I imagine Intel will want a debriefing.” I switched to Terril.
“Gunny, have six more Scorpions moved to the Vancil. Have them report to bay 2-15. They’ll accompany Commander Iglis to the Vancil.”
The Bridge crew were looking rested and smiling like they’d just finished their dessert and someone else’s. Eden’s Security had identified the Mongoose and the Vancil and where waiting on our status.
“Gelman, send Eden, ‘Inform Intelligence that the merchant ship, Vancil, is a raider ship captured intact. The Mongoose has wounded, requiring immediate medical attention.’”
“Skipper, message sent,” Gelman said. Several minutes later, we received the reply. “Hold in orbit at twenty thousand kilometers.” The hours crawled by as we waited. Finally, Gelman nodded. “Security has directed us to dock at station 311 and the Vancil at 313. No one is to leave either ship.”
“Send to Vancil, ‘We dock in one hour. Security has requested that no one leave the ship.’” I sat back and relaxed. It was all over except for the debriefing. Hopefully, I’d get leave to take the Riss into the hills again. They’d earned it.
* * * *
I waited outside bay 2-15 for the connection to be made and the bay pressurized. Again, we waited instructions. After twenty minutes, a commander entered with three lieutenant commanders and a large group of lieutenants. The Commander saluted the lieutenant on duty. “Permission for me and my group to come aboard, Lieutenant.”
“Permission granted.”
Terril had provided ten Scorpions as guards. I didn’t object. She pointed out that since we couldn’t leave, we obviously needed protection. I realize it was a Gunny’s way of ensuring the officers didn’t get too cocky. I stood off to the side with Colonel Starken and Doctor Oetjen. I guess Terril had rubbed off on me. The Commander’s gaze swept the bay and did a double take when he saw the Riss, and snapped back when he realized I was the Captain. It was painful to watch his reluctance to salute me. A good thing he did. I suspect Terril would have put him under arrest if he hadn’t. He hesitated for a moment but had no option but to address me.
“Captain, I’m Commander Fiacco. Rear Admiral Johnke has asked me to debrief your crew before they depart. I would like to use this bay... if you don’t mind.” As he spoke, I noticed two Intel armed security guards take positions to block anyone from exiting.
“Colonel Starken?” I looked towards the exit. I was being unnecessarily ornery, but then so where they. The crew didn’t need this.
“Yes, Captain. I’ll leave a detail of Scorpions to make sure there is no trouble and ensure entry is restricted to authorized personnel only, as Intel feels it’s important.”
“Doctor Oetjen, please see to it that the seriously injured are removed immediately and that the wounded are processed first.”
“Captain, I can’t allow that!” said Commander Fiacco.
I looked at Starken and spoke. “Colonel Starken?”
He responded at once. “Gunny, shoot the first person who attempts to stop Doctor Oetjen from leaving with the injured.”
Fiacco’s face turned red and his lips tightened. “Captain, I’m going to report this to Rear Admiral Johnke.”
I opened my SID. “Comm, record the following message to Admiral Plimson, copies to Vice Admirals Zann and Youell. ‘I’ve an Intel Commander Fiacco on the Mongoose, refusing to allow Doctor Oetjen to take seriously wounded crew to appropriate medical facilities for immediate treatment. I have given the order to shoot anyone attempting to stop Doctor Oetjen. Captain Nadya Reese, Mongoose.’”
“I have that, sir.”
“Send,” I said. I knew I didn’t like the cocky bastard as soon as I laid eyes on
him. The crew of the Mongoose fought a courageous battle with the raiders and deserved respect.
Thalia laughed. It felt warm and comforting.
“Colonel, your order stands.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Gunny probably would have done it anyway.”
Starken moved his head slightly toward the entrance. Immediately, Terril had four Scorpions moving towards the entrance. The Intel guards lowered their weapons. I didn’t blame them. Scorpions were not good people to mess with. The Commander stumbled backwards. His face had lost color. He turned and began giving orders to his entourage to set up to begin the debriefing. Five minutes later, a young lieutenant came through the lock stopped, saluted, quickly asked permission to come aboard, and ran over to me.
“Captain, Admiral Plimson requests that you not shoot the Commander and deprive him of the privilege. He’s sending four shuttles for you, the Riss, and a detail of your choosing. He’s booked you at the Ghats Range Resort. You’ll be debriefed there. He’ll notify you when you should return. He sends his regards to the Riss and the crew of the Mongoose.” The words tumbled from the lieutenant in a rush, loud enough to be heard by everyone in the bay. Everyone turned towards Commander Fiacco.
“Gunny, I need a detail to escort the Riss and me to the mountains. I know all of you are looking forward to a long leave. I can always request soldiers awaiting assignment to accompany us.” I wanted these Scorpions but understood they had other lives. Terril looked around the room, getting nods from everywhere.
“How many do you need, Captain?”
“Six to ten.”
“That’s a problem. I have twenty.” She sighed.
“The Admiral did say of my choosing.”
Ten hours later, the last person had been debriefed. The Commander had left a lieutenant commander in charge when he departed earlier. I informed him that my escort and I would be debriefed at the Resort. He acquiesced immediately. Couldn’t say I blamed him. Admirals can be real pissy when they get mad.