“All right, all right Bronto, I get your point.”
“Got it, sir,” the pilot said, sounding pleased with himself.
“About time. How many jumps?”
“Only two, sir.”
“Good, feed the programme in and let’s get on with it.”
“Yes, sir… Ten minutes to jump,” the pilot confirmed.
Then Kribourg noticed Bronto watching him.
“What?”
“Nothing sir,” he said, hesitating, then added. “We must see what the situation is before you try anything.”
“Why? We’ll still come out at Crilla with screens up and ready for battle.”
“Not a good idea sir.”
Kribourg sniffed contemptuously and ignored Bronto’s caution.
Ten minutes later, Commander Kribourg’s ship warped space, created an artificial wormhole and they slipped into it on the first stage of their homeward journey.
Kribourg’s second in command, Bronto, had seen a change coming over Kribourg’s face and demeanour. And didn’t like what he saw. ‘Visions of Grandeur’ came to mind.
“What are you thinking Bronto? Your expression isn’t pretty.”
“You worry me, sir.”
“Why?”
“You’ve changed.”
“Come, come. How have I changed?”
‘You’re unstable,’ he thought. Then thought again, ‘no, better not say it.' Instead, just saying. “You take too many risks, sir, we should have jumped as soon as the Solverons appeared.”
“You mean, run?”
“No, sir. A tactical retreat.”
“Pilot, do you think I should have run?”
Kribourg’s pilot didn’t answer. He kept quiet, knowing what Commander Kribourg would do to him later if he did.
“Bah, coward.”
“No, sir. He’s sensible in keeping with what he’s good at.”
“And you would do well to remember that as well, Bronto. I can get rid of you anytime I like. You’re only a science officer.”
That hurt Bronto, but he stayed silent. ‘The fool’s unstable,’ he thought.
Sensing Bronto’s hostility to him, Kribourg’s hand dropped to the butt of his sidearm.
“Have you got something else to say?” he asked Bronto
“No, sir,” Bronto said, noting Kribourg’s hand was on his weapon's butt and twitching.
Kribourg relaxed a little.
“Good then. Now let’s get to work in wiping these pests out of Crilla’s space.”
He took his snuff-box from his pocket. Opened it and sniffed the contents, once. Then realised Bronto and the pilot were watching him.
“It’s mine,” he growled.
“We know sir,” Bronto replied, trying to look uncaring.
Kribourg grinned and took another sniff just to show his authority.
Bronto swore to himself that he’d kill this arrogant Commander one day, and sooner rather than later. He almost shook with the rage and frustration he was feeling.
Kribourg and Bronto finally realised this sniping at each other was unproductive. Then put aside their differences, and using their tactical computers, started working up their battle plan, ready for when they exited-warp close to Crilla.
Commander Kribourg’s ship exited warp and entered normal space, amid the din of contact warnings permeating it.
“Grief,” Bronto groaned. “Look at them all.”
“Antimatter weapons. Lock onto the largest gold ship,” Kribourg shouted.
“No sir,” yelled Bronto.
Argonaut’s detectors saw the Crillon ship drop into normal space.
“Andromeda,” Hector yelled into their Ship to Ship comm’s.
“I see it, Hector, Astro’s on it, but be careful, I’ve detected an Antimatter build-up.”
Frank hit Senator Kasosko’s icon.
“Senator, one of your ships has just jumped in. Their Antimatter weapon is going hot.”
Then Senator Kasosko’s voice rasped through the comm's system. “Commander Kribourg, cancel your weapons build-up. That’s an order.”
Kribourg’s rattled voice came back.
“I don’t know you, Senator whatever your name is. I’m taking command and these yellow pieces of ‘jewellery’ will be dead and gone.”
“Hector,” Frank yelled, “He’s going to fire.”
“Not on my watch,” said Hector, almost joking but knowing things were getting ugly.
“Just got the tag from Astro Frank, but we’ve no drones near him.”
“Damn,” Frank cursed.
“Too late Frank,” Andromeda warned, her voice sounding strained.
There was a flash, and a ball of fire surrounded Kribourg’s ship, as the Illustrious and Derringer swung in firing their particle beams. The beams penetrated the Crillon ship’s force-field, and they both concentrated their firepower on the Crillon ship’s weapon control centre, which was just behind the control room.
Bronto knocked Commander Kribourg to the floor with a well-aimed punch.
“Your stupidity will kill us all,” he yelled, hitting the battle termination button. Then selected ‘Distress’ command broadcast as fast as he could.
“This is science officer Bronto. Cease the attack, we are standing down.”
Seeing the Crillon ship’s Antimatter weapon’s build-up collapse, the Illustrious and Derringer immediately broke off their attack.
“Geeze Hector, that was close,” Frank said with relief.
Then, hearing their words, through the still open channel, Senator Kasosko said. “Sorry, everyone. Commander Kribourg will be relieved of duty and Commander Tripicac’s ships will take control of his.”
“Ok, Senator that’s good. I hope you don’t have many more like him, for your sake.”
“Agreed, Commander.”
After their brief battle with Commander Kribourg’s ship. The Illustrious and Derringer then re-joined the rest of their Earth ships.
Chapter 27
Back to Pavonis.
Next day, at 10 o’clock, Frank’s ships started out for the wormhole. Frank had said goodbye to the Crillons, on behalf of all his ships and told them that some of his ships would return in the next few months to see how things had progressed.
A stealth drone would remain at the Earth end of the natural wormhole, just to inform the Space Federation of who was using it and to meet anyone coming through. The natural wormhole was only connected to Kepler and Zeta Reticuli, so it was unlikely to have a lot of traffic in these early days.
Susanna and Frank’s relationship was on track again. And he was looking forward to the two-day transit through the wormhole, to try to mend the bridge between both of them, and with Jenny.
After all, what had happened wasn’t Jenny’s fault. The blame was entirely Cazer’s.
So, now it was time to leave.
All ships were in their designated positions, and, with fifteen minutes to go before they were scheduled to enter the natural wormhole, he tapped the ‘All Captains’ icon.
Within seconds, all the captains’ images appeared on his screen.
“OK, I know we are already in position. But to conform to Space Fed’s protocol, I need to check the ship formation pattern again. I know! We are all aware that it’s correct. But rules are rules,” he said as everyone groaned.
So, we go as before; that seems to have worked well within the wormhole. Andromeda will take the lead, followed by Derringer and Turpin.
None of us can be more than 500 metres apart. Then Argonaut on its own in the centre. Followed by Illustrious and Repulse. Keep two kilometres, minimum, between each group. Andromeda will have matrix sync, so we’re all in one block.
OK. Ten minutes to jump then. Any comments?”
They shook their heads.
“Good luck then, we’ll see you all at the other end, in two weeks.”
The two-minute warning sounded.
“Drones inside now,” ordered Andromeda over the
comm’s and implants. “All security checks now. Holding bay doors to secure.”
Then the ten-second warning sounded in all crew transceivers. A moment later, as the Skippa drive came in, Andromeda jerked forward and into the wormhole.
Frank felt as if he’d been split in half, with one-half still at Kepler. It was just like when they had come from Zeta Reticuli. Everything seemed to stretch, under the immense power. Then nothing, it felt as if he was stationary. Then the other part of his body caught up, and he knew they were travelling in the wormhole.
It was a long two weeks. During which, Hector’s scientists gave up trying to counteract the Solverons molecular co-adhesion disruptor field and concentrated instead, on finding a way to communicate between ships while travelling in the wormhole.
The Andromeda, as with all the other vessels, continued re-checking systems, practised survival drills and carried out all the mundane tasks needed for the smooth running of a StarShip.
Alice seemed to spend a lot of time with Tim, in his cabin, and both couldn’t wait to get home, and to be married, on Earth.
Jenny and Jonathan’s relationship however now seemed to be over. Jenny had changed, and she deliberately stayed away from her workmates, choosing to remain in her cabin most of the time. She also handed in her marine captaincy rank.
Frank and Susanna now thought it worth the risk in letting him visit Jenny again. Hoping they could help Jenny recover properly and get things back to normal between all three of them. Even though, Andromeda had cautioned Frank at the time of the incidence with Jenny. Telling him that Jenny’s need for him to make her pregnant would never go completely away from her.
So, Frank went to her cabin, but with a certain amount of trepidation. He touched the door’s annunciator pad.
“Yes?” came her voice.
“It’s Frank, can I come in?”
The door slid open, and he gingerly stepped inside. ‘Come into my den said the spider to the fly,’ he thought.
Jenny came across to him, with determination in her stride.
‘Oh no,’ he thought. But then realised she was dressed in a blue skirt and blouse, with a belt around her waist.
‘H’m,” he thought, she looks lovely.
“You’re looking good,” he stuttered.
Her hands moved downwards.
‘Oh no,’ he thought as he went to step back.
But she only tightened her belt.
“You look nervous Frank.”
“Sorry Jenny, too much sex,” he said without thinking. Regretting it as soon as he said it.
She looked at him, her eyes piercing, her fingers twitching with an increasing desire.
“I expect your baby will look like me?” He said, trying to put her mind on a different track.
Her expression changed immediately, and she looked calm.
“I’m sure he will,” she replied, with her eyes fixed on him. “If he lives, we will have more.”
That wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
“Maybe,” he said cautiously, then added. “Well, I’ll leave you in peace.”
In a flash, her hands were on his shoulders. He could feel her fingers, like steel pincers, digging into his flesh around his collar-bone.
“You will give me more,” she snapped.
“That’s what I meant,” he said, trying to sound genuine.
She relaxed her grip and let him go. “If you fail me or leave me, I will hunt you down, and kill you like a bug.”
‘Geeze,’ he thought, ‘Cazer should be locked up.’
He left her standing there, watching him go.
Moments later, he slumped on Susanna’s sofa, shaking.
“Are you all right?” Susanna asked seeing him distressed.
“She’s still touchy. But otherwise all right.”
“Sorry, I put you through that.”
“Don’t be, at least, I know I’m at her beck and call whenever she fancies it.”
“Well, it could be worse.”
“Yeah, like, if I don’t perform, I’m dead. And she really meant it.”
“Let’s forget her darling, she said trying to calm him. Then smiled, adding. “I’ll keep you in practice.”
“Yea, very amusing, Sues.”
They weren’t expecting any opposition when they arrived at Zeta Reticuli. So the rest of the transit time was uneventful and the closer the ships got to exit warp, the more relaxed the crew became.
Andromeda gave the expected two-minute warning, but it wasn’t precise.
Frank saw the wormhole in front of them getting whiter. “Andromeda, sound the exit warning, we’re nearly there.
“I know,” came her reply.
The warning sounded, just in time. His stomach suddenly felt like it had shot out through the front of the Andromeda.
Then, they were in what they had prepared for, normal space, and back at Zeta Reticuli.
Andromeda suddenly stopped twenty kilometres out.
Derringer and Turpin followed Andromeda out then veered upwards to make the top two corners of their formation. Argonaut exited next and parked alongside Andromeda. Followed by Illustrious and Repulse, who both slipped downwards, taking up the bottom corners.
Then, a contact alarm sounded.
“It’s OK, it’s only the stealth drones that are on station here,” Hector announced.
For the next five minutes, all ships were busy as their ship’s status and star updates flooded the comm’s and sensors. The drone was interrogated, and the data on the incident with the Crillon mapping ship was copied to all everyone.
Within half an hour, all six ships were ready for the next two-and-a-half-day leg to the star system of Delta Pavonis and the planet DPav4.
Frank ordered, “All ships execute independent wormhole insertion for the jump to Delta Pavonis, DPav4. On Andromeda’s sync and mark.”
“All ships,” came Andromeda’s voice. “Secure to jump. Sync Acknowledgment completed. Mark. Ten seconds.”
Then the six wormholes formed, one in front of each of the ships. These wormholes were small, and very different from the natural wormhole, with their jet-black centres being surrounded by a milky shimmer of filaments that seemed to tease the mind.
The ships hung for a second, moved forward and were gone.
Two and a half days later, the six Earth ships flashed into normal space around Delta Pavonis and three thousand kilometres out from the planet DPav4.
‘It wasn’t Earth, but it was the next best thing,’ Frank thought as he heard all the comm’s traffic being spoken in their own language. With the comm’s coming not just from their own StarShips, but from the planet as well.
Looking at the view on his screen, Frank saw that the only other contact was a small cargo ship called Titan, in orbit above DPav4. Titan’s contact ID showed that it had Earth clearance, so was obviously one of Earth’s commercial ships trading with DPav4.
‘Good, it’s all working well here now,’ Frank thought.
It took another ten minutes for all the ships to update their systems again, this time adding the local information.
Then Frank hit the ‘All Captains’ icon.
“I need a status report, within ten minutes,” he ordered.
He noticed Susanna’s icon light.
“Yes, Sues?”
“Can I try and talk to Acarea and Bren?”
“Yes, but you might find it difficult until all systems are clear.”
“No rush. It’s nice to be back here, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it certainly is. Oh, and Sues, you’d better not say anything about what Savron told us, we’ll do that together.”
“OK, I’ll wait,” she said and was gone.
‘Frank, Jenny’s asked for a scan. What do you want me to tell her?’
‘It’s too early.’
‘That won’t wash, she knows I can tell within a week.’
‘When did she ask you, Andromeda?’
‘Two minutes ago.’
‘She’s a woman Frank, and she’s very intelligent.’
‘I know, you don’t have to tell me that, but I’ve got work to do on the planet that can’t wait.’
‘But you only have to be with her for two minutes.’
“What if she wants it again? ‘I’m not a performing rabbit.’
‘OK. I’ll tell her to wait until you return.’
‘Do that.’
He flopped back in his chair, feeling sick of the whole thing.
A few minutes later, Andromeda came back in his thoughts.
‘I have done as you asked, but she thinks she’s pregnant anyway, so you’re off the hook for the moment. I think that’s the right expression, yes?’
‘Yes,’ he replied, feeling relieved.
‘One other thing, Frank,’ Andromeda added.
‘Acarea and Bren, from City Atreen, are on the link and want to talk to you.’
‘So, have they made a start in rebuilding their new city,’ he wondered, hearing the name Atreen. Then tapped Susanna’s icon.
“Yes, Frank?”
“Acarea and Bren are on the link, do you want to join me?”
“In one.”
“Put them on Andromeda.”
There was a slight crackle; then the connection was made, with Acarea and Bren appearing on Franks screen just as Susanna burst into the control room.
“Hello, you two,” she said panting.
“Glad to see you’re still fit,” Bren joked.
“Yes, and we’re both okay Bren.”
“How is Jenny?” Acarea asked.
“She’s okay now. She picked up a bug or something so she won’t be coming down,” Frank answered.
“Oh, that’s a shame,” Bren said with a smile.
“These men have one-track minds; don’t you agree Susanna?”
“Yes, they have if you let them,” Susanna replied. Trying to keep a natural face as she thought about Jenny’s actions.
The Definitive SpaceFed Trilogy (SpaceFed StarShips Trilogy).: A thrilling, action-packed Sci-fi space adventure. (SpaceFed StarShips Series Book 8) Page 62