Clack stood and said firmly, “That is enough, Deputy Superior. Collect yourself and command with calm. Our survival might depend on it.”
The deputy superior wasn’t listening. She stared at the main screen as her face mottled purple and red. With her fists clenched, she screamed for more speed.
“We’re all going to die!” she shrieked. “This is it. This is—”
A shot rang out. The deputy superior toppled dead onto the deck, her head a gory ruin.
Smoke trickled from Clack’s sidearm. He waved the gun from side to side before holstering it.
“Steady as she goes,” Clack said. He snapped his fingers, motioning two security men to remove the twitching body from the bridge. He went to the superior’s chair, sitting down. Without taking a deep breath, with no noticeable reaction, he said, “We will destroy the platform at once. Thus, you will carry on with speed. But remember this, keep your head. We are the Coalition’s first line of defense.”
The officers of the bridge turned back to their boards.
As Clack sat, as he put his hands on the armrests, his stomach tightened with fear. He didn’t want to die. Yet, he didn’t intend to lose it the way the deputy superior had. He would give orders until the giant laser—
“Sir,” propulsion said.
“Yes?” Clack asked.
“I suggest we jink hard, sir. Evading the beam seems like the best defense.”
“Do so immediately,” Clack said.
Propulsion turned to his task.
“Let that be a lesson for the rest of you,” Clack said. “If you have a good piece of advice, let me hear it at once. Propulsion has just received a mark of excellence for his comment and quick thinking.”
Now, finally, the other ships of the Coalition fleet began to react as well. Cruiser lasers, destroyer particle beams and masses of missiles from the rest clawed at the giant platform. At the same time, it continued to annihilate the expeditionary fleet.
“It’s too big for us, too well shielded,” weapons said.
“The enemy has a force screen?” Clack asked.
“Yes,” weapons said. “Its wattage is incredible.”
“Keep pounding it just the same.”
“We are, sir, but—”
“No defeatism on my watch, mister,” Clack said. “I don’t want to hear anything but ‘yes, sir, we’re taking care of it, sir.’”
Outside in space, an escort vessel exploded, hurling debris around it like a huge grenade. That took out a raider that hadn’t moved far enough away. A spinning chunk of escort literally ripped through the raider, spilling humans into space.
“Who made the platform way out here?” weapons asked.
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Clack said.
“Sir, it appears the gas giant is a wandering planet. I don’t understand that.”
“First, we must destroy the platform,” Clack said. “We will worry about mysteries after that.”
“I’m taking evasive maneuvers,” propulsion shouted.
“I can hear you just fine,” Clack said. “Therefore, speak in a normal tone.”
“Yes, Interrogator,” propulsion said in a calmer voice.
The giant laser flashed past the Bela Kun. The cruiser was still alive, pounding the incredible force screen over there.
“I’ve spotted an enemy vessel, sir,” weapons said.
“What kind of vessel? Clack asked. His stomach tightened more painfully than before.
“It’s huge, sir, massive, unlike anything I’ve ever actually seen. I studied about ships like that in the Academy.”
“Yes?”
“It’s a Doom Star, sir,” weapons said in an amazed tone.
“What is a Doom Star?” Clack asked.
“It’s ancient, sir, from the Old Federation. They modeled it from the first space era, sir.” Weapons studied his scope. “Sir, its tonnage is greater than our entire fleet combined. If the laser platform doesn’t wipe us out, the Doom Star surely will.”
“Belay that kind of talk, mister,” Clack said. “The Coalition always survives. Our socialist morale overcomes any obstacle.”
The weapons officer didn’t reply.
Half the Coalition fleet was gone. The rest jinked wildly even as they poured fire at the distant platform. Then, the laser platform found another ship. The destruction of the fleet had slowed, but it was still remorselessly happening.
“How long until our first missiles reach the platform?” Clack asked.
Weapons ran a quick analysis. “Thirty-two minutes, sir.”
Clack closed his eyes in despair. They would all be dead by then. He had to think of something. He had to—yes! “Hail the—what did you call it?”
“Doom Star, sir,” weapons said.
“Yes, yes, hail it at once, communications,” Clack said. He didn’t know what else to do. Maybe they could surrender.
Slow, agonizing seconds turned into minutes. A cruiser died this time. The Coalition lasers hardly seemed to dent the enemy force screen. Would even the missiles be able to breach it?
“Haven’t they replied yet?” Clack said, his voice straining.
Communications shook her head.
“Try harder,” Clack said. “Our lives may depend on it.”
A few bridge officers glanced at him.
Clack shoved knuckles against his teeth, biting them. He wanted to keep control of himself. The remorselessness of death shook him.
No! He tried to focus on the Golden Path. He didn’t need emotions just now. They just got in the way of true thought. He used the Stalin mind trick, and almost shouted at the pain of his teeth digging into his flesh. He removed the fist from his mouth.
“Sir,” communications said. “I may have something.”
“Put it on the main screen,” Clack ordered.
A second later, the dark gas giant disappeared. In its place appeared a tall woman with stern features. She wore a strange uniform.
“Old Federation,” weapons said. “She’s a rear admiral.”
None of them could understand her.
“Communications—” Clack said.
“I’m working on a translation, sir,” she said. “If you’ll give me a moment, I might have it.”
Clack’s stomach twisted. He tried the Stalin mind trick again, but his brain felt sluggish. He wondered if he would scream soon. Who would shoot him and take command if he did that?
The woman on the screen looked at them expectantly. Something happened then, and the image flickered. She began the process over from the beginning.
“I’ve got it,” communications said.
Clack listened. The entire bridge crew did. The Old Federation woman asked them to identify themselves.
“Do so at once,” Clack said.
Communications complied. As she did, a Coalition escort blew into its component atoms.
The image flickered once more. The woman nodded and smiled. “I have waited a long, long time,” she said. “I am a replica. No. That isn’t right. I am an image. I don’t know how much time has passed. But I have remained at this post to guard the terrible cyborg graveyard. You must not let them out. You must keep watch as I have watched. They are a terror to humanity. We have destroyed their empire, but we fear some may have tunneled too deeply for us to detect. It is your turn now. I pray you have the strength of will to see this through. I welcome you to a frightful and lonely task.”
“Sir,” weapons said. “The laser platform has ceased firing. Sir, it’s dropped its force screen. What’s happened?”
“Is the platform out of power?” Clack asked.
“The platform must be linked to the rear admiral,” communications said. “Once she welcomed us…”
Clack hit the armrest of his command chair. “We did it,” he said. “I don’t know exactly how we did it, but we stopped the platform from firing.”
“The Doom Star is still lifting out of the planet’s gravity well, sir,” communications said. “I th
ink it plans to come out and meet us.”
“Hit!” weapons shouted. “Our lasers are chewing into the platform. We’re going to destroy it.”
“Stop firing!” Clack shouted. “Stop! If we destroy it, maybe the Doom Star will destroy what’s left of our fleet.”
“Sir?” weapons asked.
“Stop!” Clack shouted, standing. He whirled on communications. “Give me open channels with all the remaining ships. Do it now!”
“Done, sir,” she said.
“Stop firing,” Clack ordered. “I have made contact with the last Old Federation commander. Stop firing or the platform will resume its attack on us. This is a class one order. I demand every ship to obey me at once.”
Clack dropped back into his chair, waiting. “Are they listening?”
“Yes, sir,” weapons said. “Everyone has ceased firing. What about the missiles?”
“Self-destruct them,” Clack said.
“Sir,” communications said. “You might want to wait on that order.”
Clack scowled, stepping toward her.
“Admiral Sensei May is on a closed line, sir,” communications said. “She sounds angry.”
In the pit of Clack’s stomach, it felt as if someone had just punched him. He had given a fleet wide order. Maybe he’d saved them all, but he’d also assumed command authority. What would Admiral “Hatchet” think about that?
Clack tried to swallow in a dry mouth. “Thank you,” he said hoarsely. “I’m taking her call…”
***
Two hours later, Clack sat in the conference chamber aboard the admiral’s cruiser. Her ship had survived, meaning the expeditionary fleet had two cruisers, three destroyers, three escort ships and seven raiders. The laser platform had smashed the fleet, giving them devastating losses. Maybe it would have destroyed the entire fleet if Clack hadn’t acted fast enough. It was the only thing that had kept him alive. Despite his quick thinking, the admiral had put him on probation. It meant he had one demerit. If he gained three demerits, he would die an excruciating death. Of this, the admiral had assured him.
The admiral entered with several security guards. Everyone around the table rose. She ordered them to sit.
The meeting opened with questions. Where had the wandering gas giant come from? What did anyone know about Doom Stars?
Answers flooded the chamber regarding the last question. Doom Stars were the mightiest combat vessels constructed during the Old Federation. Like the one accelerating to what remained of the fleet, a Doom Star was curricular in shape. It had collapsium hull armor thicker than any ship ever built. The weapons systems could pour out terrific, annihilating energy that would swamp most force screen in seconds.
“And this monster ship is heading toward us,” the admiral said. “It is clear the Doom Star is empty, run by computers. My analysts tell me the rear admiral who spoke to our illustrious interrogator is but a holoimage. Do any of you have any suggestions about what we should do with the ghost ship?”
Clack looked around. To his eye, it seemed as if everyone intended on remaining silent. Admiral Sensei May intimidated all of them, and for good reason.
“What?” the admiral said. “I don’t have any takers? This is interesting. Are you also silent, Interrogator?”
“No, Admiral,” Clack said. “I have a definite idea.”
“Ah. How wonderful, how truly wonderful. Please, share it with us.”
Clack wondered if he was about to earn his second demerit. He decided to speak anyway. As far as he could tell, it was the only rational move. His Stalin mind trick had allowed him to use his intellect to see the truth.
“Admiral, I think we should commandeer the Doom Star,” Clack said. “My sensor officers tell me there are more laser platforms in the nearby star system.”
“And, and,” she said. “Don’t stop now.”
“I presume our adversaries are heading even now for the cyborg planet,” Clack said. “We must go there and defeat them, lest they gain an extraordinary weapon.”
“Forgive me if I lack your breadth of insight,” the admiral said, “but aren’t we about to acquire an extraordinary weapon?”
Clack nodded, feeling sick. He should have kept his mouth shut.
“Plus,” the admiral said. “My sensor officers have failed to spot any adversary nearing the cyborg planet. It stands to reason the laser platform destroyed the enemy raider, if it ever reached here.”
Clack dared to clear his throat.
“You wish to say more?” the admiral asked, watching him with reptilian eyes.
“If you would permit me to speak,” he barely managed to say.
“Ah, now you have grown tepid? Please, Interrogator, do not blow hot and cold. First, you order everyone to stand down. Now, you feel as if only you have the intellect to see the correct course. But now you’ve become like a shy maiden. I do not approve, Interrogator.”
Clack put his hands under the table, as they had begun to shake.
“Speak!” Sensei May said sternly.
“Um, Admiral,” Clack said meekly, “we failed to stop the stealth raider in the Petrus System. Perhaps we have failed again because they now possess a superior stealth craft.”
The admiral eyed him scornfully.
“Maybe the Doom Star will have superior sensors,” Clack said. “These will allow us to spot the raider—if it exists at all.”
The admiral continued to stare at him. The security personnel were watching Clack Urbis with hungry eyes.
He began to sweat.
“Do you think you could learn how to operate the old Doom Star?” the admiral asked suddenly.
Clack blinked. “Admiral?” he asked.
“You heard the question,” she said. “Now, answer it. Can you or can’t you?”
“I could,” Clack said, not knowing either way. He realized he had no other choice.
“I dislike risking any more lives in this fantastic adventure,” the admiral said. “We have lost too many good social unity people. But since you have guessed correctly several times already, perhaps you are the perfect choice to send to the Doom Star.”
Clack nodded meekly.
“I will give you a handful of officers. If the Doom Star has run on automated for so long, maybe it can for a little longer. You will lead the way, Interrogator.”
“Yes, Admiral,” he said.
She stroked her chin, eyeing him. Then, she regarded the others. “On another point…” she began.
-43-
Tanner stood as he fiddled with the controls of the holographic projector. Lord Acton was still in his quarters, working on something. The rest of them were in the rec room.
“This is fresh,” Tanner said, “and it’s also long-range.”
He showed them the gigantic battleship that had come up out of the wandering planet’s atmosphere. Around it like tiny bees swarmed what remained of the Coalition fleet.
They had watched the fleet being destroyed and became deflated when the laser platform had quit firing. Then, the fleet quit destroying the undefended orbital structure.
“I can’t tell for sure,” Tanner said. He speeded up the images. “But it seems as if some of them entered the Old Federation battleship. Now, the new fleet is headed here, accelerating at three gravities. Will the big old battleship stop the moon turrets, mines and laser platforms from annihilating our enemy or have the Coalition bastards just signed their death warrant?”
“We must assume the worst,” Marcus said.
Tanner nodded. “That’s my thinking too.”
“Acton knows the answer,” Ursa said. “We must confront him with this. Confront him with a united front. Unless and until we know exactly what it is that we’re attempting, I vote we stop helping him.”
“He’s helping us, I thought,” Tanner said.
“We all thought that,” Ursa said. “I believe the evidence shows we were deluded.”
Tanner studied the others. “Okay then, I guess it’s time I te
ll you what I think.” He told them his thought about Acton having an energy creature in one of those metal boxes. He told them of his certainty that this thing fiddled with their emotions, particularly anger.
“It’s why Lupus went wild, I think,” the centurion said. “And it’s also what…pushed me to react equally wildly in return against the underman.”
Silence filled the room.
“That is an interesting theory,” Ursa said. “What brought it about?”
Under the table, Tanner shuffled his feet. Then, he told them about his bad dream concerning the planet. “I don’t know if there’s the essence of an energy creature in the Innoo Flaam or not or it’s something else. But the bad dream seemed too real. Something has been pushing our thoughts. I think if you consider yourselves these past weeks, you’ll notice it in yourselves, too.”
Marcus and Ursa traded glances. She nodded.
“What is it?” Tanner asked. “You’ve been holding back, haven’t you?”
“Not holding back,” Marcus said. “Ursa noticed at the beginning of our voyage that the undermen acted moodily. That is unlike them. We’ve suspected for some time it had to do with Acton.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Tanner replied.
“No,” Marcus said. “We mean directly with Acton. We believed the undermen didn’t like Acton’s scent or something similar. Now, your idea of energy creatures—it’s interesting. Why would they negatively effect our moods, though?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Tanner said.
“I find your theory about the triton fascinating,” Ursa said. “We know triton is related to high-energy states in nature. Maybe that’s why Acton has so much and is willing to spend it so freely.”
“The ancient blaster could cause uneasiness or bad dreams for other reasons,” Greco said. “Are you sure the blaster could be related to the changes?”
“Acton warned me against keeping the gun too close when I’m asleep,” Tanner said.
“Maybe he did that as a screen,” the apeman said, “a diversion.”
“That’s the problem,” Tanner said. “We don’t know how to judge or test the validity of his words. He could be telling us anything and as long as it sounds plausible, we believe him. He has too many advantages.”
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