by PJ Strebor
“That’ll be a good trick,” he murmured. “Perhaps he’s one of Oscar Draeger’s spooks.” No one spoke openly about the Intelligence Special Services Division, not if they wanted to stay healthy. But Oscar’s people had garnered a reputation for doing the impossible. Four years ago one of his spooks talked the Talgarnos into unconditional surrender. A very neat trick, indeed.
His comm beeped. “Reinhardt.”
“We’ve clear the archipelago sir,” the courier boat skipper said, “and will be transiting to hyper momentarily.”
“Good. Best speed to the rendezvous.”
If this spook of Oscar’s was half as good as his rep, Hans would be in for quite a surprise.
CHAPTER 36
Date: 9th September, 326 ASC
Position: Traversing Y space. Pruessen space.
Orson still found it difficult to believe that the courier boat had covered nearly half of northern space in only eight days. He’d passed Midway yesterday and would catch up with the E boat squadron tomorrow.
Y space technology was well beyond his understanding, but it made hyperspace travel seem like a dawdle by comparison. Scientists on both sides of the frontier had been struggling to find a way into Y space for centuries, without success. He had little doubt that the technologically backward Pruessens couldn’t have achieved this massive breakthrough without help from his masters.
Orson had traveled on courier boats before, and found them to be horrid, cramped little boats compared with Draeger’s special boat. Not only did it come equipped with a working Y space generator, but it was decked out in a style befitting someone of Draeger’s rank and position. A good sized bed and ample facilities for long haul assignments.
Orson lay back in his bed and stared at the overhead. “Luxury.”
The mission should be fairly straightforward. He already had a fix on Telford and had set his hounds on the monitor’s scent. No matter what sneaky tricks Telford got up to, he could find nowhere to hide from Orson.
“Perhaps when I bring my masters Telford and the monitor, they will finally reward me.”
Part of Orson doubted that would ever happen. But either way, Telford was his.
CHAPTER 37
Date: 11th September, 326 ASC
Position: Traversing hyperspace. Northern Quarantine Zone.
The boat trembled and hauled over to port before regaining her equilibrium.
Nathan stepped onto the bridge and sat next to his D-O.
“We grazed something in normal space,” Grace said. “Something big, that’s not on the star charts.”
“A rogue asteroid?” Nathan asked.
“Maybe.”
A sense of urgency pulsed through Nathan’s mind.
“Helm, bring us about,” Nathan said. “Full emergency braking. Take us back to the location of that anomaly and egress.”
“Aye, Captain,” Moe said.
Grace shot him a curious look.
“I’m playing a hunch,” he said, by way of explanation.
It took two hours to backtrack to the location of the near disaster, egress and run down the signal.
“She’s within visual range, now,” Willet said from tactical.
“Transfer to my station, Ensign,” Grace said.
Locking onto the image she ran the ship through the database that now included all the stolen intell from the Saint Joan base.
“Jezzzusss, she’s a big brute,” Nathan said.
“She’s the latest addition to the Naval Transport Wing of the Pruessen Navy,” Grace said. “She has a displacement of eleven million tonnes. She’s called the Odenwald.”
“Is she armed?” Nathan asked.
“Forward and stern high yield pulsars plus two forward mounted torpedo launchers.”
A hundred possibilities ran through Nathan’s mind.
“She hasn’t spotted us yet,” Grace said, “but when she does she’ll scream for help.”
“Can you block her signal?” Nathan asked.
“Not from this distance.”
“Helm, hold position, then report to the briefing room.”
A minute later Moe took her seat to Nathan’s left.
“Thoughts?” Nathan said.
Moe and Grace looked at one another and shrugged.
“I’m having a thought,” Nathan said. “The reason we don’t run the blockade is that they could damage us. Take out our hyper generator, or damage our stealth capability. Any damage to the boat would increase the chances of our capture. But, out there is a very large armed transport ship, undoubtedly equipped with a huge boat bay. We could take her, then park Adroit inside her. If we do that we’ll be in good shape to cross the bulk of Pruessen space without hindrance. Now, thoughts?”
“Can we take her?” Grace asked.
“Yeah,” Moe said, “that’s not a problem. Taking her undamaged could be an issue. If we can then your idea has merit.”
“Remember what Admiral Waugh did on Truculent?”
Moe smiled. “Yeah, that could work.”
CHAPTER 38
Date: 11th September, 326 ASC
Position: Northern Quarantine Zone.
Status: Adroit at alert condition one.
Under full stealth mode Adroit closed with Odenwald. She got almost on top of the freighter before they were spotted.
“Her shields just went up,” Rudi reported from the tactical station. “All weapons coming online.”
“Grace, now.”
The alert one alarm throbbed through the boat. Nathan donned his helmet as did the rest of the crew. The final alert one protocol.
“She’s coming about,” Rudi said, “attempting to bring her forward weapons to bear.”
“Moe, go get her,” Nathan said, over the secure channel.
“Why, certainly Stanley,” Moe said from the combat sphere.
Moe swung the boat around in a tight maneuver and locked onto Odenwald’s stern. Adroit bucked as six type thirteen torpedoes sprung from her tubes. They followed the programmed coordinates around the transport and detonated simultaneously.
“Her shields are weakened but still up, Captain,” Rudi said.
Moe waited until the tubes were reloaded and fired another spread.
“Shields are down, Captain.”
Two more torpedoes streaked from the boat and detonated to either side of Odenwald. A wash of weapons countermeasures discharge washed over her to either side of her sensor array. She would be blind until repairs were made. On his first combat deployment he’d seen the legendary Admiral Waugh employ the same tactics.
“Marines, you have a go,” Nathan said.
“Aye, Captain, we’re departing now,” Lieutenant Noffke said.
Two landing boats, each containing ten combat droids and a marine, swung wide of the enemy’s stern pulsars and approached her port and starboard airlocks. Odenwald began coming about until Moe raked her port side with non-focused pulse fire. Not enough to damage her but enough to warn her off.
The landing boats docked with the transport. The boat’s pilots would use their universal tumblers to unscramble the locking code of the enemy’s outer hatch.
If Odenwald is fitted with an energy dampener, this will be a disaster.
Oddly, Nathan sensed no such threat from the enemy vessel.
“Noffke aboard, Captain,” the marine officer reported.
“Sinnott aboard, Captain,” the marine NCO said.
Two marines and twenty battle ‘droids against whatever awaited them. This might be a transport, but it was a military transport. They would have to have armed personnel aboard. A repel boarders party at least.
Nathan followed their progress on his readouts. To each side of the ship twelve gray signals indicated the ‘droids, and one green for each of the marines.
“Rudi, do you see any sign of armed personnel aboard Odenwald?”
“Negative sir,” the TO said. “Strange.”
Nathan took a breath and reached out to sense Odenwa
ld’s crew. Eighty-two crewmen but not one of them represented a threat to his people. Nathan caught the edge of something from one of the crew.
“We’re being hailed, skipper,” Grace said.
“Put it through,” Nathan said. This is odd.
“To unknown vessel, this is the Pruessen Naval transport ship Odenwald. I am Captain Pitzen. Please explain your actions.”
“Captain Pitzen, Captain Waugh. My meaning sir is clear. I mean to take your ship.”
“You understand the penalties for piracy, do you Captain Waugh?”
“Piracy? We’re not pirates, we just need to borrow your ship for a while. Cooperate fully with my people and you have my word that you and your crew won’t be harmed.”
“We carry no marines aboard this vessel and we are not permitted to carry small arms, so we can offer no resistance. We will cooperate. But I’ll hold you to your promise, Captain Waugh. Odenwald out.”
Nathan sent an enquiring gesture to Grace. Her forehead creased as she shook her head. He could detect nothing in the way of the threat from the square head crew.
“What the hell’s going on, Nate?” Moe asked from the combat sphere.
“No idea. These are unlike any Pruessens I’ve encountered. They’re so docile.”
“Your Prep’s not screaming?” Moe asked.
“Not a peep.”
His comm beeped. “Moe, I’ll have to get back to you.” He cut the connection and answered the marine’s call. “What’s happening, Jacinta?”
“I’m on the bridge, Captain,” she said. “The crew are sitting at their stations with their hands on their heads. Captain Pitzen told me he contacted you and agreed to cooperate. We’ve received zero resistance from the crew. This is unprecedented, sir.”
“Tell me about it,” Nathan said. “Keep on your toes, just in case.”
“Shall do, skipper.”
“Adroit out,” Nathan said. “Moe, briefing room, please.”
“Roger that.”
Nathan unstrapped, removed his helmet, and walked to stand between the helm and tactical stations.
“I’ll be off the bridge for a while, so if Odenwald twitches, contact me immediately. Understood?”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Leah and Rudi said as one.
Moe and Grace were awaiting him in the briefing room.
“This is as atypical a Pruessen attitude as I’ve ever encountered,” Nathan said. “Thoughts?”
“She didn’t even try to send a distress signal,” Grace said.
“Those pulse shots I bounced off her hull shouldn’t have slowed them down. But they did.”
“I need to take a boarding party over there and see what’s really going on,” Nathan said.
“Not you, Nathan,” Grace said. “You are Captain and the Captain’s place is on the bridge.”
“Nate’s right, Grace, he needs to get over there,” Moe said.
Grace glanced from one to the other, her eyes narrowing. “All right, enough of this. You two have kept me out of your secret club for long enough. You need to tell me what’s going on.”
Nathan blew air out between pursed lips and raised his eyebrows at Moe. She nodded.
“Consider this level-one security,” Moe said. Grace nodded. “Nate has an extremely keen instinct for danger. It’s the reason we’ve survived this long and are still in one piece.”
“Ahhh, I see,” Grace said. “Now it makes sense. That’s why you two are always on the secure channel.” She sniffed. “Your secure channel keeps everyone from listening into your conversation.” She sported a wry smile. “Everyone except your D-O.”
“You’ve been eavesdropping, Grace?” Moe asked, a smile forming.
“Yep. Comes with the job.”
“Right then,” Nathan said. “Have a landing boat prepped immediately. I want Fish, Amos and four crewmembers to search the ship. Have them meet me in the boat bay in five minutes.”
“I’d like to come,” Moe said.
Nathan squeezed her shoulder. “And I’d like to have you with me. But we can’t have both of our command pilots over there at the same time. If this is some kind of trap, we can’t afford to lose both of us.”
“Do you still sense negative hostility?” Moe asked.
He nodded. “And something else that I can’t quite isolate. That’s another reason I have to get aboard her.”
“Fish and Amos are on their way,” Grace said. “I’ve included chief petty officers Jenner and Gomard plus petty officers Brayshaw and Carter in the landing party. They’ve all had extensive experience with ship inspections and ‘droid allocation. I assume you want the ship swept from bow to stern”
Nathan smiled. “I might just keep you around, Grace.”
As Nathan walked to the hatch Moe said, “Watch your six.” Nathan held up his right thumb.
CHAPTER 39
Date: 11th September, 326 ASC.
Position: Aboard the transport Odenwald. Northern Quarantine Zone.
Nathan brought landing boat one into the transport’s boat bay. Stepping onto the deck he stared with slack-jawed amazement at the size of it.
Fish started to sway. Nathan grabbed his arm. “Take deep breaths. It’ll pass shortly.”
Four years ago Nathan had a similar experience aboard the King Charles battle platform. A mild case of agoraphobia. Trapped within the confines of a tiny monitor for months, then to be thrust into an area that could easily house a couple of attack boats, required time to adjust to.
He examine Fish who looked steadier on his feet. “You’ve done your time at the tactical station?”
“Aye, sir, two years.”
“Good, you’re with me. Amos, check out maneuvering would you?”
“Aye, skip. Mind if I take Gomard with me?”
“No problem. Jenner, Brayshaw and Carter, I want you three to stick together. Things seem benign and probably are, but keep your wits about you. Understood?”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” they said in unison.
“What are we looking for skipper?” CPO Jenner asked.
“Anything that doesn’t smell right. Start at the lower decks and work your way up.”
“Aye, sir.”
“You’re the senior non com Jenner, so you are in charge,” Nathan said. “That means you’ll be the one I blast if you three stooges screw the pooch.”
“Yes, sir,” Jenner said.
Nathan and Fish made their way to the bridge. Like everything aboard Odenwald, it was enormous. He nodded to Jacinta as the Pruessen Captain rose from his chair.
“Captain Waugh?”
“Yes,” Nathan said. “We need to talk.”
“Very well.”
The crew still sat at their stations with their hands on their heads. Nathan shook his head.
“Have your crew lower their hands,” Nathan said. “It’s undignified.”
“Thank you.” The Pruessen Captain gave the order to his crew then led them into the briefing room. They took seats. “May I offer you coffee.”
“Yes, thank you,” Nathan said.
Nathan watched him intently as he poured the coffee into three mugs. He and Fish waited until the Pruessen Captain had taken the first sip before indulging.
“Good coffee,” Nathan said.
“I know someone who knows someone.”
“What’s going on, Captain Pitzen?” Nathan asked.
Nathan sensed a spike of alarm from his counterpart.
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“You barely put up a fight. That’s not like the Pruessen navy I’ve encountered.”
“There was no way we could outmaneuver your vessel. Or outgun you. And our shield buffers were only at half-capacity.” He shrugged.
“So you just gave up? No, I’m not buying it. Something’s going on.”
“My crew and I aren’t career navy personnel. I was a merchantman in civilian life until the HRS forced me, and my crew into uniforms. For nine years we’ve done their bidding bu
t with each year I’ve managed to get all my male relatives and trusted friends posted to my command. Six months ago I was assigned to this vessel and ran her through the usual shake down cruises. Then we were assigned to this mission. A supply run to Bentport. Our navy plans to invade that world within the month.”
“Bentport?” Nathan said. “You’re thirty light years past Bentport. What’s going on?”Pitzen examined his fingers then stared at Nathan. “One truth for another, Captain. Who are you and what will happen to my ship and crew.”
Nathan could detect nothing but concern from Pitzen. He wasn’t a threat but he wasn’t telling the whole truth.
His comm beeped. “Captain.”
“Jenner here, Skip,” the non-com said. “You wanted something that doesn’t feel right? You have to see this for yourself, sir. Deck forty-two, section sixty.”
Nathan stared coldly at Captain Pitzen who examined his hands.
“Very well, Jenner, I’m on my way,” Nathan said.
“Jacinta remain here, and keep an eye on the crew,” Nathan said. “Fish, get onto the sensor array and do an internal scan of this ship.”
They acknowledged and stepped onto the bridge.
“And you, Captain Pitzen, will come with me.”
The Pruessen remained silent, his shoulders slumped and his head sagging. Together they entered the lift. Pitzen’s fear level went through the overhead when Nathan selected deck forty-two for the lift’s destination.
Exiting the lift Nathan and the steadily fidgety Pruessen walked through the enormous hold until he spotted his crewmembers ahead.
“What have you got, Jenner?”
“Well sir, it’s what I don’t have.” He handed Nathan his scanner. “Almost missed this first time. Start here, Captain.”
Nathan scanned the wall. Readings normal. He looked to Jenner and shrugged.