Commander Henry Gallant (The Henry Gallant Saga Book 4)

by Alesso, H. Peter

  The sun was setting; a brief gust blew grit into Gallant’s face as he made his way toward the center of town. Rather than take a vehicle, he preferred a brief walk after having been confined aboard ship. The walkway was ill-paved. There were ruts and debris strewn about. The narrow cobbled street was flanked with several onlookers looking from their windows as he passed. Several people walking alongside him. The nearest man had a gaunt face and a mine worker’s coveralls. He assumed the woman walking beside the man was his wife. The two had similar appearances like married couples sometimes assume after many years together.

  “Your pardon, sir,” said the wife. “You look familiar. In fact, I think you’re the officer who saved us. Aren’t you?”

  She wore a threadbare dress to match her aged face and her care-streaked complexion matched her overall haggard appearance. There was no doubt she was one of the original Elysium inhabitants who had struggled to build their community out of the jungle for the past two decades.

  “Yes, you’re that officer, aren’t you?” asked the husband. “I have a good memory for faces. I saw yours on the newscast.”

  “Gallant, commander of the Warrior,” he acknowledged with a curt bow of his head.

  The couple nodded and smiled as recognition came, though they must have had a mixed opinion of him, considering all the rumors and stories.

  “Ah . . . yes, Mr. Gallant. It’s good to see you walking about town.”

  Gallant nodded and quickly left them behind as he approached a hill overlooking his destination. Finally, he reached the fork where he could head toward the town hall, but instead he veered off toward the rustic section of town—the area where Alaina lived.

  The Hepburn house was bright and cheery, beckoning him. His arrival coincided with dinner time, but that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t have a lot of time to say his farewells before leaving on his mission.

  When he reached the entrance, the door security computer recognized him and granted him access.

  “Do you wish to be announced Lieutenant Commander Henry Gallant?” asked the automated voice.

  “I will make my presence known myself, thank you.”

  As he walked from the foyer into the living room, he heard a good deal of chatter from the dining room, but he didn’t recognize the elder women and men. However, he did recognize Liam and Alaina sitting amongst the rather large gathering. The dining table was stacked with many dishes of poultry, fish, and vegetables, leaving a wafting aroma of delicious flavors.

  “My dear husband, she should eat more,” said the oldest woman looking specifically at Alaina. “She’s as skinny as a rail.”

  “I agree,” said the older man, “A little flesh is healthy on a strong young woman.”

  The crowd roared with laughter.

  “Liam, coax her to eat more.”

  “She’s perfect just the way she is,” said Liam, fixing his eyes on Alaina.

  Gallant glanced at the handsome dark-haired young man with the charming smile.

  “Yes, yes.” The crowd echoed enthusiastically.

  “What was that? Is someone at the door?” asked one of the men.

  “Are we expecting more company?” asked the old woman glancing at the entrance.

  All eyes turned toward Gallant who felt exposed for eavesdropping. Each member of the group uttered a mild exclamation of surprise.

  “My goodness!” explained the old woman.

  “Who . . . ?” asked the old man.

  As Gallant stepped into the room, emerging from the shadows, the window curtains fluttered and the sunlight exposed him clearly for the first time.

  Alaina and Liam rose in recognition. The others followed suit.

  The old man scratched his forehead while the old woman said, “Who’s there? Who is that?”

  Gallant hadn’t intended on intruding on an ongoing party, but he was now in their midst and could not withdraw.

  The first to recover his wits was Liam, who approached Gallant and said, “Henry, Henry, how good to see you. We had no idea you would come tonight.”

  He turned to the company and explained, “This is Henry Gallant, the brave officer who fought the Titans.” There was a general murmur of appreciation. Then turning to Henry again, he said, “This is my family and some guests.”

  He then proceeded to introduce his mother, father, and three sisters, followed by a clergyman and a member of the town council. He spoke so quickly that Gallant didn’t get all the names.

  Ma was a powerfully built woman and Pa was a big bear of a man. The councilman was the shorter of the two outsiders. He was in his early sixties with bowed legs and a hoarse throaty voice.

  “So you’re here and we’re glad to have you,” said the councilman.

  “Are you well, Henry?” asked Alaina after a moment.

  “I’m fine now that I am here with you,” he said awkwardly. And “awkward” was the correct word because his last utterance seemed to cause a stir in the room and a bit of chattering that he couldn’t quite make out.

  Alaina’s cheeks flushed a vivid ruby red.

  “Well, welcome to our gathering, Commander,” said the clergyman.

  Gallant nodded.

  “Please join us,” said, Ma. “Let me get you a plate.” She set about scooping food into a plate as Pa put his arm around Gallant’s shoulder and guided him to a chair in the middle of the table. Alaina sat back down at the head of the table and Liam sat next to her.

  “No, that’s not necessary. I have business to attend to. I just stopped here on my way to say . . . well to see. . . I just wanted to let Alaina know . . .”

  Everyone started to speak at once and there was confusion for a moment.

  Then Ma said, “Alaina would you . . .”

  Chatter drowned out the rest of her request.

  “It’s not an easy time . . .”

  “Lot’s happening on Elysium . . .”

  Out of politeness, Gallant forced down a few swallows of food despite his lack of appetite. He said, “I’ve interrupted a party. Is it a celebration?”

  The gathering fell silent.

  “Well, actually,” said Liam. “I . . . err, the circumstances are . . .”

  His was not an easy face to read, and the circumstances were confusing for Gallant.

  “This is a very special family celebration,” said Ma. “Liam is to be married.”

  “Married?” Gallant asked. “That’s wonderful. To whom . . .?”

  “Why to Alaina, of course,” laughed Ma.

  Gallant was sure she said more, but he stopped listening. He focused his stare on Alaina.

  Ma continued to drone on, “We have been hoping for this wonderful announcement since they were children. They were always together. Two peas in a pod, as it were.”

  The following silence almost smothered Gallant.

  Liam stood up once more.

  Alaina looked down at the table.

  “To whom?” Gallant asked again, as if looking to rectify a grievous error.

  “To Alaina,” repeated the elderly woman, louder than before. “Alaina.”

  “We’re all very happy to see this union,” said Pa. “I’m sure you’ll join us in a toast to the happy couple.”

  “Of course,” said Gallant.

  “A toast to the happy couple,” said Pa raising his glass high.

  They toasted and drank quickly.

  In the silence that followed, Gallant stammered something suitable.

  “Thank you for coming, Mr. Gallant, but don’t let us keep you from your important business,” said Ma.

  “Right. I should be going,” he said, yet he hung back, waiting for some indication from Alaina that this was all a horrible misunderstanding.

  Alaina stood next to her chair and Liam put his hand around her waist as if to claim her more completely. He said, “You’ll come again soon, I hope.”

  “Yes,” Alaina said loudly. “We would be pleased to see you again, soon.”

  Gallant started
to leave, “I hope my mistimed arrival hasn’t disturbed your good evening.

  “Of course not,” replied Ma.

  “I merely wanted to take my leave. The Warrior is deploying on a mission and we’ll be gone for some time.”

  He turned and stepped out of the dining room, but before he reached the front door, Alaina came running after him and grabbed his arm.

  They stood facing each other, no more than a half meter apart.

  She waivered, her anxious eyes searching his face. “Henry, don’t look at me that way. You’re the one who’s going on a mission of untold dangers for an undetermined time and leaving me behind—once more—in complete uncertainty.”

  “Perhaps, my last absence was too long. I had no choice. But I came back and I’ll come back from this mission.” Then he added, “I want you to break up with Liam.”

  “I can’t. I won’t. You have no right to ask that of me.”

  “But nothing’s settled? You haven’t set a date for a wedding? Not yet?”

  “No.”

  “Then I still have my chance. Will you wait until I return?”

  “Can you offer me something more to hope for?”

  He winced, but remained silent. He studied her face.

  “Please wait,” he said.

  “No, you’re too late. It won’t be possible to change my mind. I understand your desire and passion, but that’s not enough to build a lifetime commitment. I need stability and solidity, not a never-ending series of visits from an occasional lover.”

  He felt her slipping away.

  “I intend to marry Liam.”

  The thought of losing her made his love for her clearer—Grief struck him. He grasped her arm, and without meaning to, he squeezed.

  “Don’t, Henry, you’re hurting me. I shall make my own decisions.”

  “Why are you marrying Liam?”

  “I love him.”

  “No. You don’t love him—you love me.”

  “I did once, but I’m terribly sentimental. I fall in love too easily,” she said. “I can’t live half a life. You’re gone more than you’re here. I want someone who will come home every day and put his arms around me and love me. I don’t want an absent, or dead, hero!”

  Gallant said, “I don’t want to be a hero—dead or otherwise. I wish I could be the man who comes home every day and puts his arms around you, and loves you. But there’s a war. There’s an enemy killing our people—your people, my people, all of us.”

  She reached out and touched his cheek. “War has made you noble and self-sacrificing. Why must you be so fierce?”

  “I don’t revere war. I don’t believe in building monuments to it, but I do understand when it’s necessary to fight.”

  Alaina looked troubled. “I can’t live always wondering if you’re fighting in some far off place, trying to be a hero, perhaps already dead—just a body floating in space.”

  “Every man and woman can find the courage to be heroic for some brief moment—when they or their loved ones are threatened. But those who face danger for the sake of others are our real heroes.” He paused to keep his emotions in check. “I’m not a hero, but I knew a hero—once—a young man named Michael Gabriel. He went into harm’s way and died, but his sacrifice saved many lives.” He swallowed hard before adding, “I’ve got a job to do, a necessary one for all our sakes, and I won’t shirk it.”

  “Is that what you’re fighting for—other people?”

  He touched her arm. “I’m fighting for you—and a home and our people.”

  Tears welled up into her eyes and fell down her cheeks.

  Gallant said, “It’s not just the two of us. This war is not a choice. It comes against our will—by an enemy who has only one demand—that we cease to exist.” He paused. “I wish I could just walk away and let it be someone else’s burden. Let others do the fighting for us, but I’ve a part to play in this war—perhaps an important part—and I can’t just think of myself, or even you.”

  “Then go, Henry. Go! But don’t look back because I won’t be there.” She wiped the tears away. “I’ve had my romantic dreams and for a while you were part of them. But not anymore. I don’t regret having loved you, but I can’t go on loving you.”

  His head hanging down, he said, “I’ll go, but I won’t give you up.”

  Alaina reached up and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “Don’t look so sad, Henry. Not everyone can have their heart’s desire.”

  She drew a breath and shrugged, as if she were slipping a coat off her shoulders. “I must be practical with my future. Liam will make me a good husband. I’ll be happy with him.”

  Just then, Liam came into the room.

  Gallant wasn’t sure how much the man had overheard. He said, “You can’t blame me for trying to hold on to her.”

  Liam said, “No. And you can’t blame me for refusing to give her up.”

  Alaina said, “Henry, you have to leave.” She added more forcibly, “Go! Do your duty! Forget me.”

  Her words stung him. He said, “Alaina . . .”

  The look on his face softened her heart. She looked into his eyes and kissed him gently on the cheek.

  As she turned and walked away with Liam by her side, she said a hushed, “Goodbye Henry.”

  Gallant whispered, “Goodbye, my love.”

  But he knew he would see her again. He couldn’t go on living without seeing her again.

  CHAPTER 17

  Methane Planet

  “Welcome to the Gleise-581 star system,” said Chief Howard with a wily grin.

  The star was an M-class red dwarf—smaller, cooler, and less massive than Sol at about 20 light-years distance. After jumping a dozen light-years from Tau Ceti, the Warrior’s warp bubble collapsed revealing the system’s ships moving between planets, moons, satellites, and bases all of which were showing signs of abundant life.

  Gallant sat in the center of the bridge scanning numerous AI and virtual screen readouts. The bridge crew was buzzing as watch personnel conducted analyses, but everyone was focused on what their captain was viewing—the home of their alien enemy.

  The astrogator reported, “Sir, we’re twenty light-minutes from Gleise-581. There are five planets visible. The nearest to the star is designated Gleise-Alpha at 1.7 AU (astronomical units). It takes a mere 3.15 days to complete an orbit. Spectral analysis shows it’s a composite of a carbonaceous, silicate, and metal-rich rock covering a barren volcanic mantle.”

  “It’s just like the Solar System,” said Midshipman Stedman naively.

  “If you don’t notice that the sun is ruby red and that there are only five planets,” chided Chief Howard.

  Ignoring the interruption, the astrogator continued, “Only two planets, Gleise-Beta and Gleise-Gamma, are within the habitable liquid methane zone. They’re the only planets capable of supporting the methane alien lifeform though some asteroids and moons may have been methane-formed for their use.”

  “Wow, the entire system is full of mining colonies, military bases, and communications satellites. The spacecraft traffic is terrible. There must be thousands of ships traveling between the planets transporting aliens and materials. The second and third planets must be teaming with billions of aliens,” said Stedman from his CIC console, “but the second planet has the greatest energy density. I’ll bet that’s’ their planet of origin.”

  The radio-telescope offered the bridge crew fascinating views.

  “Stedman is probably right. Gleise-Beta is most likely the Titan’s planet of origin, Skipper,” said Roberts.

  “Quite likely,” acknowledged Gallant, his curiosity roused.

  “It has one large moon,” added Chief Howard.

  Gleise-Beta, the aliens’ home world, was a majestic ringed planet wrapped in a dense cloak of hydrocarbon smog suspended in its nitrogen-rich atmosphere. The atmosphere was opaque to blue and ultraviolet light, but transparent to red and infrared light. The red dwarf produced more of the latter and the red lig
ht penetrated to the surface warming the planet and making it habitable for methane lifeforms.

  The astrogator continued, “The next two planets are gas giants with several moons. Gleise-Delta is a gas giant composed of hydrogen and helium with numerous volcanic methane moons, much like our Neptune. The last planet, Gleise-Epsilon, at 5.5 AU is a low-mass planet with a climate model similar to a runaway greenhouse effect—analogous to our Venus.”

  “That’s interesting,” said Roberts.

  Encouraged the astrogator concluded his report, “There is an asteroid debris field in the form of a disk at 15.8 AU.”

  The Warrior used a variety of active and passive sensor arrays to supplement real-time data and astrophysics stats, which together plotted the planets’ orbits. The sensor equipment included seven different types of active radars and four passive telescopes. They looked for and computed the course and speed of any nearby contacts. CIC was able to identify and track specific emission signatures of ships. The Warrior’s own emission spectrum was strictly controlled in stealth mode to prevent others from detecting it.

  “What’s your assessment of their military strength in this system?” asked Gallant.

  Roberts looked at the CIC tactical display and spent a moment contemplating his response before replying. Slowly he rattled off a list of large and small warships followed by a count of auxiliary ships, bases, military missile sites, planetary defenses, and an overall sense of the traffic flow. CIC tabulated a detailed list for later review and cataloguing.

  “Very well,” acknowledged Gallant as the sub-light engines drove the ship deeper into the heart of the system.

  The astrogator calculated their flight path and reported, “We’ll reach the asteroid debris disk in about ten hours.”

  Gallant touched a few tabs on the virtual control screen to call up the AI settings for plot control and touched the destination spot on the screen while adjusting the final coordinates. He ordered a Deep Space Probe sent on a journey toward the largest asteroids within the debris field.

  “Probe away, sir. It’ll be several hours before it begins transmitting.”

  Gallant said, “Once we get a base established, we can go deeper into their system, I’m interested in seeing how their home planet differs from what they established in our Solar System—what their natural habitat is like. We can learn a lot about their society and leadership structure.”