‘James, you’re not reading my diary!’
‘Look, I don’t need to read your diary. Kalrea just needs the encryption keys. Please!’
‘Okay, but I’m not letting this out of my sight. If Kalrea tells you anything personal from this diary, I’m going to pull her plug!’
‘I’ll make her promise not to reveal anything personal from your diary, all right? Now calm down.’
Londuo nodded and said,
‘Kalrea can access this console; she can read it from here, right?’
‘Not exactly. I’m not in contact with her at the moment, Londuo.’
‘But you must be.’
‘The Aurora’s hidden away in a secret location. The place where it’s located is shielded, so Kalrea is unable to transmit a signal outside of that location.’
‘James, I’m not letting you take my diary! End of discussion.’
‘Okay! Okay! Look, I’ll need to speak to Milonri to get you authorised to go there. I’m seeing him tomorrow.’
James learnt over to hold Londuo’s hand.
‘I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I didn’t mean to.’
‘James, I’m not upset with you. I love you, and that’s why my diary is important to me. It has my inner thoughts of you on it.’
‘I understand. So any idea when you can leave here?’ James asked. ‘I’ve found a few places to eat here on Brinoli which I would like to try.’
Londuo’s head dropped.
‘I’ve had my orders, I leave here tomorrow.’
‘Great—’
‘James, I have to report to the Lonori,’ she said, interrupting him.
‘When will I see you again?’
‘It’s only for five days, while we try out some modifications to the fighters.’
‘I’ll speak to Milonri; get you transferred to the Aurora. I don’t like those fighters.’
‘James, I can’t believe you just said that. I have to do my job,’ Londuo said.
James smiled half-heartedly.
‘I’m sorry. I just want to spend some time with you.’
Londuo leaned across and held out her other hand. He gripped it gently.
‘Look, I’ll have a couple of hours free each day. I’ll fly down. We can—’
James nodded as their faces edged closer together. Londuo stared into his eyes. They kissed.
She smiled as their faces moved apart.
‘I’ll fly down. I’ll let Kalrea look at the diary—’
They kissed passionately.
Londuo stood up and walked over to the door. She ran her hand over a keypad and there was a click as it locked.
‘There; we’re alone now!’ she said, turning back.
She looked into his eyes and walked back over to him. Her dressing gown fell to the floor. James looked at her, his eyes moved alone her silhouette and he blushed when she caught him looking at her round breasts...
Chapter Thirty-Two
The repairs to the Aurora were progressing well, but Kalrea had not had any more success in cracking the diary’s encryption keys.
The following day, James had been invited to a meeting of the Telqintre. When he entered the Bren meeting room, he noticed four members of the Telqintre were already seated around the table, over which a holographic picture of the Ulio system was displayed. Qintaino and Tetrol were highlighted.
Milonri looked around.
‘Ah James, thanks for coming. I thought, as you were instrumental in finding a way of defeating the Treitans; you might like to hear the results. Please take a seat,’ Milonri said.
Stuilo entered just behind James.
‘Sorry I’m late. The damn shuttle broke down again,’ he said, before taking his seat.
Amaunet stood up.
James suddenly noticed that there was a new holographic picture on the far wall just visible over her left shoulder. When she moved sideways, James suddenly realised it was the Aurora in full flight over the forest on the approach to the base. He smiled to himself; he felt very proud.
‘First, I have some encouraging news on the Rellopila,’ Amaunet said. ‘The Vinzot was on reconnaissance out near the Drej belt when it received a weak transmission. The encrypted class code, in the signal, confirmed the message was from the Rellopila, but unfortunately it was too distorted to be understood. They were unable to get a fix on their position.’
‘Well, at least the Rellopila hasn’t been destroyed,’ Cairl said.
‘But they could be anywhere,’ Stuilo remarked.
‘The Vinzot is staying in the area, in case there’s another transmission,’ Amaunet said. ‘It may take them some time, but there’s still a chance they’ll make it back.’
Amaunet returned to her seat before Milonri stood up.
‘Right, I can report that the attacks on Qintaino and Tetrol by the Atenopila and Yemolopila were one hundred percent successful,’ Milonri said. ‘The Treitans no longer infest our planets.’
‘Excellent! When can we get a taskforce together, to attack the Treitans on the other planets they inhabit?’ Cairl asked.
‘I wish we had the ships,’ Milonri said. ‘The Treitans know what we’ve done, and if the reports coming in are accurate, we won’t be able to attack any more planets.’
‘Why?’ Cairl asked.
‘The Treitans are sending ships to defend their young on all the other worlds,’ Milonri said.
‘At least it will stretch their forces,’ Julio said. ‘They’ll be unable to attack any more races for some time.’
‘Agreed,’ Milonri replied. ‘We hit them hard, but we can expect repercussions. In time, they may try and hit back at us. The Eathopila reports that there are a large number of their ships regrouping in the Lopkim and Goolup star systems, so we must be on our guard.’
‘But if we give them enough time they’ll rebuild the control base and we’ll be back to square one,’ Stuilo said. ‘Even if they can no longer live on Qintaino, there are plenty more worlds out there.’
‘I know,’ Milonri said. ‘That’s why I believe we must make them realise how vulnerable they really are now. We have to strike where it will hurt them most. We have to strike Polimop.’
‘What, their homeworld?’ Julio seemed surprised. ‘It would take us centuries to reach it.’
‘I know, it’s very far away, but I can’t see another way,’ Milonri said. ‘Wait too long and as Stuilo just said, they will continue from where they left off.’
He paused.
‘From the data James acquired for us from Dagnamk, we now have stellar maps showing the exact location of Polimop. And we now know that they regard their home world above all others.’
Julio shook her head, as Amaunet pressed some symbols on the table. The image changed to show Polimop.
Milonri continued,
‘I want to destroy every Treitan on Polimop, to show them they’re not invincible. If we can, then I believe they’ll withdraw from this galaxy. Then, we’ll make sure they cannot live on any worlds in this one, by introducing astoflorinic gas into their atmospheres. Please think it over. I’ve arranged a meeting tomorrow to discuss this in detail. We’ll need to make a decision.’
The image over the table faded away. Everyone else left the room, leaving James and Milonri alone.
‘James, I need an update on how the repairs are progressing,’ Milonri said.
‘We’re ahead of schedule,’ James replied. ‘The starboard event horizon drives from the Pulsora have been repaired and are in position on the Aurora. They’ve just been connected up to the plasma injectors but haven’t been tested yet. They had a few problems securing them to the hull. The Pulsora’s mounting points are different to the Aurora’s.’
Milonri looked surprised.
‘It must have been in the rush to get the Aurora away from Qintaino. Someone set the alignment lasers up wrong.’
‘The plasma reactor is currently being removed from the Pulsora. It will be installed on the Aurora in the next two days. Kalre
a has almost constructed the new plasma tubes. She’s modifying six shell-generation chambers from the destroyer spares, here on Brinoli.’
‘Good, keep me informed! That’s all for now.’
James felt a bit nervous, but he needed to ask a question.
‘Milonri, I need your authorisation to allow Londuo… I mean Lieutenant Besic to visit the Aurora.’
‘Why?’
‘I…’ He’ll never believe me if I tell him. What do I say? ‘Er... Kalrea’s being very secretive over it. She wants to speak with Lieutenant Besic. She won’t say why.’
‘Kalrea, hey? Are you sure, James?’
‘Yes. Kalrea needs to speak to Lieutenant Besic. I don’t know why. Women’s talk, I think?’
What did I just say? Women’s talk! What made me say women’s talk?
Milonri smiled.
‘Okay, she can go. Londuo’s had a mind-scan, so we know there’s no danger. I believe she’s about to report back to the Lonori. I’ll give her authority to go tomorrow. Was there anything else?’
Do I tell him about Antaio, James thought. If I do, then they’ll perform a deep scan on him. That’s dangerous. What if Kalrea’s concerns are wrong and what if mine are? He could be damaged for life and it would be my fault. So I can’t; not yet. I have to be sure before I tell Milonri.
‘No, and thank you, Milonri,’ James said.
He got up.
As James was about to leave the room, he could hear Milonri talking quietly to himself.
‘Women’s talk. Is that a fact? Kalrea’s getting more Qinant by the day.’
James returned to his quarters and then took Kira out for a walk. Later, he laid in the seatra thinking about Londuo and slowly dozed off.
Chapter Thirty-Three
During a routine patrol of the surrounding space near to Brinoli, the Landopila swept quietly past a small planet out on the edge of the Wilarn system. The relaxed atmosphere on the bridge was interrupted by an alarm.
‘Long-range scanners have just picked up a ship decelerating from light speed,’ a lieutenant said, glancing over at the Captain. ‘Sir, it’s not on a recognised approach vector.’
The commander rose from her seat and moved quickly over to the lieutenant.
‘Can you identify it?’ she questioned the lieutenant.
‘Extending scanners,’ the lieutenant replied.
‘Captain, it’s the Rellopila!’ the commander said.
‘Hail it,’ the captain replied.
‘There’s no answer, sir,’ the lieutenant replied.
‘Try all emergency channels on narrow band 565 Hil Ghus,’ the captain said. ‘Commander, how long before the Rellopila is in visual range?’
‘Eleven seconds,’ she replied.
‘Sir, I’ve used all encryption classes. Still no response.’
‘Their communication systems must be damaged,’ the commander remarked.
‘Maybe their navigation systems are damaged too,’ the captain added.
‘Sir, we’re now coming into visual range,’ the commander said.
A large screen at the front of the bridge illuminated. The Rellopila was visible at its centre. The captain rose from his seat and moved closer.
‘It looks badly damaged,’ the captain said. ‘The bridge has been completely destroyed. They must be controlling everything from engineering. Inform control that they can expect casualties.’
‘Sir!’ the lieutenant suddenly shouted. ‘Long-range scanners have just picked up twenty! No, over thirty ships dropping from light speed.’
The captain turned.
‘What!’
The commander studied the lieutenant’s monitor closely.
‘They’re Treitan heavy cruisers. The Rellopila’s leading them straight here.’
The captain pressed a large blue symbol on a panel to his left.
*****
Alarms sounded on the base waking James.
‘COMBAT PERSONNEL. REPORT TO STATIONS IMMEDIATELY!’ echoed over the base address system and the communications console in his room.
What’s… What’s happening, Kalrea? James thought instinctively. He lifted his head and rubbed his eyes.
‘ALL CIVILIANS AND NON KEY PERSONNEL REPORT TO WEST LANDING AREA.’
Frightened by the noise, Kira’s head appeared nervously over the edge of the seatra.
James jumped to his feet and quickly put some clothes on. He opened the door. People were running by and the alarm was continuing to sound. He looked back at the monitor as it brightened.
‘James, are you there?’ Gulino’s image appeared on the monitor.
James moved over to the monitor.
‘Ah, there you are!’ Gulino said with urgency in his voice. ‘The base is being evacuated. You must get back to your ship. Treitan cruisers are only ten minutes away from Brinoli.’
‘We can’t leave, Gulino. The ship’s not ready,’ James said with concern. ‘The drives haven’t even been tested.’
‘Don’t worry. The hangar is shielded. It will show up on the Treitan scanners as rock. You should be safe,’ Gulino said. ‘There’s a shuttle arriving on the east pad to take you. I’ve got to go; I have a fighter waiting.’
‘Wait! Where’s Londuo?’ James asked anxiously.
‘She reported to the Lonori over two hours ago,’ Gulino replied. ‘She’s in the best place. Look, every second counts. I hope to see you again, James.’
‘No, wait! I must get to Londuo.’
As soon as their conversation finished the computer began again to sound the alarm. James moved quickly back to the door. He turned.
‘Kira!’ he shouted.
Kira jumped out of the seatra and followed him along the corridor and out to where the shuttle was waiting for him. As soon as they had climbed onboard, the shuttle lifted rapidly into the air. James was thrown onto one of the seats.
*****
The Telecan Vinqui and three frigates joined the Landopila. They turned towards the mass of approaching ships. In the distance, behind them, ships of all sizes were travelling between Brinoli and some waiting destroyers, which were holding station perilously close to the planet’s gravity well.
The Lonori was now turning away from the planet.
‘Captains, this is Executive Captain Isistia Hirniol. The Lonori will join you in one minute. Prepare to engage the Treitan ships. We must give our people time to evacuate. We do not retreat. Is that clear?’
The captains acknowledged.
‘Sir, the bulk of the main Treitan fleet has stopped,’ Adonti said surprised. ‘Just the four lead ships are advancing on our position.’
‘Launch the frigates. All ships, launch fighters!’ Isistia said. ‘What are they up to?’
‘Their speed is increasing,’ Adonti said. ‘Range thirty thousand kilometres and closing.’
Isistia looked concerned.
*****
Back on Brinoli, the shuttle carrying James approached the rocky outcrop where the Aurora was concealed. A larger transport was just landing ahead of them on a plateau. As it landed, a door opened in one of the large rocks nearby and people rushed out to meet it. Close behind, the shuttle carrying James also descended and touched down. James and Kira jumped out.
A man was standing impatiently besides the door in the large rock. Seeing James, he clambered quickly over the ground to meet him.
‘Captain Brasdoi, we don’t have much time. The Treitan ships are almost within scanner range. You must get below the surface.’
He pointed to the open door in the rock, before heading towards the transport.
James moved quickly through the doorway with Kira following very closely behind. He glanced back to see both ships lifting away together and accelerating into the distance. The door suddenly slammed shut, startling him. There was an eerie silence. He turned and looked down a well-lit corridor cut into the rock. At the far end was a large pojin lift with its doors open.
James entered the lift and waited for a momen
t.
Where am I going? I need to tell the lift. Kalrea, can you hear me? I need some help with this lift.
I thought you could look after yourself? Kalrea said abruptly.
Kalrea! James thought agitated. We don’t have time for this.
The doors closed and James felt his stomach rise as the lift accelerated quietly downwards. Ten seconds later, it decelerated. He felt his stomach lurch again.
The doors opened to reveal the floor of the hangar, which was deserted. James looked quickly around. He noticed there were only two fighters left, sitting on the platform to his right. In front, on the steps leading up to them, were strewn some tools. To the left was a large enclosed workshop set back into the rock.
*****
On the bridge of the Lonori, Isistia impatiently viewed the monitor.
‘Captain, the Treitan ships still haven’t launched their fighters,’ a lieutenant said.
‘Something’s not right!’ Isistia said. ‘Why is the main fleet holding its position so far away? They know we’ll destroy so few ships.’
She paused.
‘Unless—’
She looked over at Adonti.
‘Recall the frigates and fighters immediately!’ she shouted. ‘All ships reverse course.’
The Lonori and the other ships banked rapidly away from the advancing ships.
‘What’s happening, Captain?’ Adonti questioned her. ‘The rear plasma torpedoes are locked on; we’re ready to fire.’
‘Commander, it’s a suicide run.’ Isistia replied. ‘Maximum power! I think they’re going to try and ram us.’
Suddenly behind the Lonori the four Treitan cruisers exploded simultaneously.
‘Captain!’ the lieutenant said.
The main monitor on the bridge looked back from the Lonori. Fighters were slowing, ready to enter the landing bays. Behind them, a tidal wave of white light from the explosion rushed towards them.
‘That’s a very large shock wave,’ Isistia said. ‘Commander, prepare the ship for impact! Close the fighter bay doors!’
‘Drives are now offline, but what about the fighters?’
‘Close the fighter bay doors now! That’s an order!’ Isistia said.
‘But they won’t survive the impact!’ Adonti replied.
The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Page 30