“I don’t think the King is being manipulated,” Gilas said.
“So, he’s an idiot then,” Jon said. “That makes my job a bit easier if he moves against me.”
“You don’t really think that will happen do you?” Gilas said.
“It’s already happened several times,” Jon said. “Now it just needs to happen here where your people can see it. He needs to break the law and an attack on me would do that.”
“He is the law here on Euthara,” Gilas said.
“He thinks he is,” Jon said. “Even Kings answer to the people and have rules they have to follow. He’ll make a move, and that will give me all the reason I need as long as I can prove it.”
“He is still the ultimate authority here on Euthara,” Gilas said.
“This is true,” Jon said. “I respect that to a point.”
“What point is that?” Gilas said.
“Are you having a problem with how things are being handled here?” Jon said. “If you are I can send you back to the station if you’d like. Or if you want, you're free to go anytime you wish.”
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” Gilas said. “I’m just worried your actions will cause a war and do nothing to prevent war. Troop build ups like this would scream to me of an incoming attack. I want things back to normal as much as the next Eutharan. I’m even willing to go to whatever lengths we have to to get it done. But, I prefer we don’t go to war when it might be settled a different way.”
“Let me pose a few questions to you,” Jon said. “Answer them honestly and then come to your own conclusions.”
“I can do that,” Gilas said.
“Why would a King allow his planet to be cut off from all outside contact?” Jon said.
“It wasn’t really his choice,” Gilas said. “The Invaru Collective was pushing us back and we had no way of winning. He made an agreement we stayed in this system and were allowed to patrol out as far as two systems in each direction. The Invaru agreed, and a treaty was signed. Since we couldn’t go beyond two systems, the factories became useless and were shut down.”
“So, the Invaru never gave you the option of joining the collective?” Jon said.
“Oh, sure they did,” Gilas said. “If we accepted occupation, it was something the Council and the King both agreed not to let happen.”
“Did the treaty disallow other races from coming here?” Jon said.
“No, I don’t think so,” Gilas said.
“The treaty forbid warships from crossing the boundary, not transports or other vessels,” Jon said. “It also didn’t disallow other races from coming here to do business. The King and his advisers decided to close down Euthara to all outside races. They told the people the treaty forbid any ship from going past the boundary. Why would they do that?”
“I never thought about it that way,” Gilas said. “You’ve done your homework.”
“I like to know what I’m up against,” Jon said.
“I have no idea why they would close the borders like that,” Gilas said.
“I do,” Jon said. “Would you like to hear my opinion?”
“Of course,” Gilas said.
“I think they decided they could do it on their own and rebuild their diminished fleet,” Jon said. “They didn’t want spies, so they closed all borders. The only thing they didn’t count on was the sudden decline in the population due to a low birth rate. They couldn’t get the people together to run the ship yards efficiently. They planned on using Euthara’s own industry to support the fleet. But, it all collapsed in two years due to population issues.”
“Hrm,” Gilas said.
“I checked,” Jon said. “The shipyard was operational for two years and some odd months after the treaty signing. Industry ran for a few months after that before being shut down by the respective owners as there was no one to sell their products too.”
“So, why not just open the borders back up and allow trade?” Gilas said.
“That’s a good question,” Jon said. “The reason they couldn’t just reverse everything is because then the lies would come out. The treaty and all documents for the three years after it are sealed. I only gained access because of Deatra’s status and my title. What you read was a copy, doctored to convey what they wanted people to think. Yet it still showed the truth if you looked closely. They were hiding their mistake in plain sight with careful wording. It was simpler to keep everything quiet and hope for a solution to come along.”
“Interesting,” Gilas said.
Jon nodded as he continued, “The Ga’sahde treaty was dissolved by the King because he knew they would be back. Their authority for brokering contracts would allow them access to all documents sealed or otherwise. The King couldn’t have that happen if or when they returned, so he did the only thing he could even though it was illegal.”
“So, it’s not that he dislikes the Ga’sahde. It’s because he’s afraid of what they would find,” Gilas said.
“That’s it exactly,” Jon said. “So, the government is caught in what my people call a catch twenty-two.”
Gilas arched an eyebrow as he spoke, “A catch twenty-two?”
“Yeah, you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t,” Jon said. “Any path you choose, you lose. What do you think the people would do, especially the company owners, if they found out that they could have moved about freely?”
“That might start a civil war,” Gilas said.
“So, you ask is it my intent to go to war,” Jon said. “Trust me when I say no. I could have just let those documents out and let things progress on their own here. All the while I would be supporting the side opposed to the King. I would rather this be solved without bloodshed.”
“I can see that now,” Gilas said. “I had no idea that the bastards did that.”
“None of your people do,” Jon said. “I’m even guessing some of the nobles have little or no idea. That was one of the reasons I let Deatra go to the palace so easily.”
Gilas gasped and said, “That was a set up?”
“Kind of; I expected it to happen and Deatra was pretty sure it would,” Jon said. “So, most of it was an act. I was pushing him on purpose trying to force the issue. When I go to the Palace, I’m going to need all the allies I can get. That is what Deatra will be doing while she’s there. She has all the proof she should need.”
“Won’t that start a civil war though,” Gilas said. “Some of the nobles have large armies and they’re not going to take kindly being lied too like that.”
“She is still their Princess,” Jon said. “She’ll be ordering them not to take any action unless directed by her or me. I’m aiming for a bloodless coup.”
“So, you’re after the throne?” Gilas said.
“No, not really,” Jon said. “I’m more for getting things back on track and getting the Eutharan people on the upscale instead of this continuous slide down.”
“You understand that through Deatra you’re next in line for the crown right?” Gilas said.
“True,” Jon said. “However, I’ve already discussed that with Deatra, and I’ll be turning it and Euthara down.”
“She’s going to turn the crown down?” Gilas said.
Jon nodded as he spoke, “I begged her to keep it and rule the Eutharan people if it came to that. But, she insists on being at my side and will give it up to do so. Next question, now that we have cleared the treaty issue up. With the King knowing that warships aren’t allowed past the boundary except under certain circumstances, why would he order one of his ships to Ghost Station in an attempt to take it from someone he knows little about?”
“Well that one’s easy,” Gilas said. “The station is Eutharan property.”
“You would be willing to risk war with the Invaru Empire to take a station back that has been dormant for ages?” Jon said. “Doing so without knowing enemy numbers or forces?”
“Well, I never said he was the best military strategist,” Gila
s said.
“So, you would risk war with two entities at once all over a station that hasn’t been used in ages?” Jon said. “... even as your world is dying around you and your fleet is shrinking?”
“It wasn’t his best idea,” Gilas said. “The loss of Vors was a blow and then the loss of the Arc Light was an additional blow. Something the Eutharan Empire could ill afford.”
“He knew about the loss of the ship and the general,” Jon said. “He has someone on the inside reporting to him about our movements. I’m willing to bet he knew about the bond and the return of the Ga’sahde.”
“So we have a spy?” Gilas said.
“Appears so, I’m not too worried about it though,” Jon said. “I want him to know what I’m doing and what’s going on. I have nothing to hide from anyone, not even the Invaru.”
Gilas nodded in agreement.
“The King, however, has laid his cards on the table so to speak,” Jon said. “He’s let it be known that he’ll stop at nothing to get the station back. He's also let slip that he has someone feeding him information from the inside. There’s more than just this, most of it you know. But, I think you get my point that things aren’t as they seem.”
“Thanks for explaining it,” Gilas said. “I can see what you’re doing now. I’m sorry I questioned you and your plans.”
“Don’t be sorry about anything,” Jon said. He placed his hand on Gilas’ shoulder in friendship. “You’re my friend and someone I trust in. You deserve answers to your questions, and I will never refuse you that. I also encourage my officers to ask questions as I’m not the end all be all and I can make mistakes. There might be times I won’t explain something right away due to circumstance, and I ask that you understand if I don’t explain myself at that point.”
“Of course,” Gilas said as he smiled.
“The Ga’sahde is standing by until they’re needed,” Terri said. She took this time to interrupt to give her report. “I have ten Ga’sahde on the way down.”
“Thanks,” Jon said.
“You’re the boss man,” Terri said. “I’m just following your direction, no need to thank me. I’m happy to help however I can. Now I’m going to find a fighter and get some flight time in.”
“I thought you would want to do that,” Mark said. He grinned at Terri and gave her a small wink. “Your squadron is in hanger three, and they’re waiting for your arrival.”
“Be careful,” Jon said as he gave her a hug.
“Always, you know me,” Terri said.
“Yeah, I do and that’s what scares me,” Jon said.
“I have five hundred troops deployed on your order,” Nefeit said.
“Good, they will follow Mark’s orders as he’s ground commander here,” Jon said.
“As you wish,” Nefeit said.
“Communication from the Atlantis to Jon,” an officer said.
“Put it through here,” Jon said. He tapped a few buttons, and the map turned into the face of Carla. “What’s sup Carla?”
“Sir,” Carla said. “Three Castanian dreadnaughts dropped from hyperspace a few seconds ago. Sa’oliq is in contact with them now.”
“I knew they were coming,” Jon said, nodding. “You’ll be getting a call from the station when the ships arrive there. They’re to be placed under Carex’s command and offload station personnel and supplies. Carex knows what to do with them after that. Have the new arrivals set up patrols in the adjoining systems. All ships are to move in pairs and to report any enemy movement. You have command of the fleet until Commander Gilas is back on board the Titan. You two are to continue your training and the Atlantis and Titan are to be paired.”
“Understood, Sir,” Carla said.
“Have Sa’oliq take command of one of her ships,” Jon said. “I was going to bring her down, but right now things are a little bit hectic. Please explain to her. I’ll send for her when things calm down here.”
“Yes Sir,” Carla said. She was already barking orders to people off screen as Jon was speaking. Jon smiled and was happy the way she had been changing as her training progressed.
“Take care up there, contact me if you need anything, Hunter out,” Jon said.
“You too, Sir,” Carla said as she saluted, and the hologram switched back to the map.
“Then on that note I’ll take my leave and return to the Titan,” Gilas said. He turned and started for the door.
“Gilas,” Jon said.
Gilas stopped and turned around.
“Trust me,” Jon said. “We both want the same thing here.”
“Jon, you’ve always had my trust,” Gilas said. “From the moment I met you I knew you were trustworthy. Nothing has changed to make me think any different. Sometimes, I just don’t understand why you’re doing something, so I ask or give my opinion.”
“Good, you keep doing that. It will lessen the mistakes I make,” Jon said.
Gilas nodded as he turned back and stepped outside.
‘Sandpiper to base,’ Terri’s voice said.
“Go ahead, Sandpiper,” an officer said.
‘We’re engaged; I repeat we’re engaged,’ Terri said. ‘I’ve lost two wingmen, and another has heavy damage and is en route back to base. Requesting permission to engage hostiles.’
“Sandpiper you have permission to engage the hostiles,” Jon said. He pointed at an officer who touched a few buttons on the hologram in front of him. The table switched view and showed Terri and four wingmen being swarmed by Eutharan fighters. “Son of a bitch, they’re inside the boarder too.”
“Lieutenant scramble all remaining fighters and have them intercept Sandpiper,” Mark said. “They are weapons free and cleared to engage all hostiles. They’re not to pursue targets across the border.”
‘Shit, I’m hit; shields are down’ Terri said. ‘I’m rerouting power to stabilizers and port engine. All right everyone, you heard the man; weapons free we’re clear to engage all hostiles.’
“Damn it, if anything happens to her there will be hell to pay,” Jon said. He slammed his fist down on the small planning table. “Get me Eutharan Military Command.”
Nefeit stepped up next to Jon and took his hand in hers and gave it a slight squeeze. Jon looked up at her and gave her a brief smile then took a deep breath.
Jon turned his attention back to the hologram as he watched Terri’s wing-men blink out of existence. Soon it was only her in the middle of the other fighters. She was giving as well as she took as three hostile fighters disappeared. Then Terri’s fighter signature disappeared from the hologram.
“Terri!” Jon said.
‘I’m ok,’ Terri said. ‘I took another hit; several systems are offline and the bots are attempting to repair them.’
The fighters carried smaller versions of the spider bots carried on the larger ships. They could do minor repairs to the fighters during combat.
“Terri, get out of there,” Jon said. “We have fighters in route to your last position but they’re not going to reach you in time.”
‘Already on it,’ Terri said. ‘However, I don’t have guidance and I have no idea where I am. They’re on my tail, but I’m starting to pull away. No, get the IFF back up first don’t worry about life support as I’m not going into space.’
A mechanical beep followed by several beeps at different pitches came across the com.
‘Yes, the IFF, they need to know where I am in case we go down,’ Terri said. The fighter’s engines whined as Terri let out a grunt. ‘Shit that missile was close. I think I’m going to be ok…’ Something like the sound of rain hitting a tin roof came across the open com as Terri swore. ‘I’m hit, I’m hit. Major damage to both engines, I’m going down.’ Then static filled the com as Jon’s jaw dropped.
“Terri?!” Jon said. “Terri, come in.”
“She’s down,” Mark said. “I’m scrambling search and rescue.”
“Sir, the hostiles are pulling back,” an officer said.
“Have the
flight groups start a search pattern from the last known location of her fighter,” Mark said.
“How did they know?” Jon said.
“ Know what?” Mark said.
“They knew she was up there,” Jon said. “Their goal was to engage them and shoot her down.”
“I don’t think they knew,” Mark said. “They more likely stumbled on to them and the rest was luck.”
“I would agree with you, had it been just a small patrol,” Jon said. “But that was a squadron. They knew what it would take to put our fighters down.”
“Don’t read too much into it Jon,” Mark said. “There’s a lot of troop movements here and I’m sure they’re increasing their own security. Terri’s ok, she’s a good pilot. We’ll find her alive.”
“Oh, I know she’s ok,” Jon said. “That’s why I’m not freaking out. I can still feel her through the bond. If Deatra were here, she could probably locate her through it. It’s like a chess match; the King knew what he was doing when he recalled Deatra. Then he waited for a clear shot on anyone of importance. From now on, all senior officers will have a guard detail with them at all times. Double up security around the base, bring more troops in if you have too.”
“Sir, Eutharan Military Command is online,” an officer said.
It was a bit late, but Jon decided to talk to them anyway. “Put them through,” Jon said.
“Connected,” the officer said.
“This is Duke Andara,” Andara said. “How can we help you?”
“This is Jonathan Hunter,” Jon said. He let go of Nefeit’s hand and gave her a small peck on the cheek as he turned his full attention to the call. “Some of your fighters have crossed the embassy border and engaged my fighters.”
“Excuse me, embassy?” Andara said. He was trying to sound surprised, but Jon caught the deception.
“You know full well what I’m talking about,” Jon said. “I filed the paperwork in triplicate, and have copies of where, and when, I sent them. Including but not limited to who accepted them. I believe your name was on one of the copies as being received. Time coded and stamped by your own mail delivery system.”
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