by Jay Allan
“Seals are failing.”
“Is the buffer still in place?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Blow the deck.”
“Aye, Sir. Blowing deck five.”
Explosive charges put in place while sealing off the deck were detonated, destroying the entirety of deck five, along with hundreds of enemy AKVs. The blast’s shockwaves reverberated throughout the ship.
“Report!” said Milburn, his restraints straining to keep him in his seat.
“Buffers are still in place,” said Johansen. “Surrounding decks have sustained considerable damage. No breaches reported. Sensors are reporting that several of the Kemmar’s defensive batteries have been destroyed.”
“Launch missiles. Target the gap in their defenses.”
“Missiles away. Kemmar are taking evasive action.”
“Match course, and keep firing. All available weapons.”
The Invincible stayed with the enemy warship, the full weight of its arsenal targeting one precise area of the hull. Plasma beams and energy weapons lit up the void, as the two vessels exchanged fire.
“It’s working! Sensors are picking up a breach.”
“Keep firing. Crack them open.”
Missiles, plasma beams, and projectiles relentlessly pounded the Kemmar breach. As it grew, the Invincible’s missiles penetrated the enemy ship, detonating inside. Explosions destroyed large swathes of the vessel, the existing damage soon transformed into large gaping wounds spilling into the vacuum of space.
Milburn studied the outcome in amazement. This massive Kemmar ship, greater in size and firepower, had clear structural weaknesses in its overall design.
“Picking up FTL disturbance. They’re trying to escape,” said Johansen.
“Keep on them.” Even if they couldn’t chase them into FTL, he wanted to inflict enough punishment to ensure they wouldn’t return.
With the breach now encompassing a fifth of the Kemmar hull, an FTL bubble took shape around the enemy ship, and they were gone. Cheers erupted on the bridge, and Milburn himself felt a pang of relief and satisfaction in the victory. We were lucky, he thought. They were slow to adapt to our tactics. That won’t happen again.
“Helm, set course for the jump gate,” said Milburn. “Go to FTL as soon as Engineering gives us the green light.”
“Aye, Sir. Setting course for jump gate.”
Chapter 6
“Final repairs should be completed this week, Sir,” said Commander Johansen. The XO stood before Captain Milburn, who sat at his desk, studying a star chart of the Kemmar side of the gate.
Milburn looked up from his display at Johansen. “Good. Seven months is far too long to be sitting here.”
“The repair work was extensive, and we needed to mine the resources first.”
It was true, but Milburn worried that his crew was becoming complacent in the relative safety of this system. Safety, of course, was an illusion. The Juttari could appear at any time. The Kemmar could discover the jump gate. Anything could happen. Complacency was the great invisible enemy. “Yes, it’s a shame we have to dismantle our mining operations. They’ve proven extremely productive. But, it’s high time we strike out for the colonies again.”
“About that, Sir. Some of the crew have expressed concerns about traveling through Kemmar space.”
“It’s to be expected after our last attempt. As are the cobwebs.”
“Sir?”
“We’ve been sitting here too long, Commander. Cobwebs have set in. The crew will bounce back once we resume our mission.”
“That’s the thing, Sir. Many of the crewmembers have expressed a desire to stay.”
“Stay? Here? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Under the circumstances, many have come to believe this system is our best hope for the future,” said Johansen. “We haven’t seen a Juttari ship in years, after all.”
“That doesn’t mean we won’t.”
“No, Sir. It doesn’t. But why would we? There is no reason for the Juttari to come out this far. We’re two-hundred-and-fifty light years from Earth, and they don’t know this jump gate exists. Nor do the Kemmar. Of all the star systems we’ve encountered so far, this is the safest bet.”
“It sounds like you share this view, Commander.”
“I’m keeping an open mind. Permission to speak freely, Sir.”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m tired. So is the crew. In a few years, the new generation will start having babies of their own. This ship is not big enough to accommodate expanding generations. We could settle down here. This system has plenty of resources. We could establish a colony of our own.”
Milburn couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Establish a colony? Here? Are you joking, Commander? Have you even bothered to look around? This is an inhospitable star system. Not one world here is habitable, and we are hiding in an asteroid field. What kind of life would that be?”
“A better life than one on the run in an aging starship.”
“I see. I understand your son has recently become engaged to be married. Could this have something to do with your new perspective?
“I would be lying if I said it didn’t. But it has also helped me see things in a different light.”
“I understand. But, I think you’re missing the point. The colonies are only fifty light years away from the other side of that jump gate. There are Earth-like planets there. Cities. Humans. The last of our civilization. Are you saying you just want to give up on that, for the safety of some desolate rocks?”
“Only fifty light years,” Johansen said sarcastically. “Five years of travel through hostile space.”
“Less. I’m sure the Kemmar Empire does not encompass the whole region. If it reached the colonies we would have known about them.”
“Yes, but we don’t know how much territory they control. It could be five light years, or it could be thirty-five. We just don’t know.”
“I thought we went over this. If we travel through their space at FTL speeds, there isn’t much they can do to us.”
“No. Not at FTL. But what happens when it is time to replenish our resources? What if we’re in Kemmar space when we drop out of FTL?”
“We defeated the Kemmar the last time. We’ll handle them again.”
“And in doing so we lost an entire deck. After the last battle, we came here to lick our wounds. Those repairs took seven months to complete. This time we’ll be in enemy space with no jump gate to escape to.”
“Okay, but what if Kemmar space is not as large as you assume? What if we make it through, and can resupply without incident? That’s a possibility too.”
Johansen frowned. Milburn saw the worry etched on his XO’s face. The weariness. Age was taking its toll on all of them. That, compounded by the trauma of losing Earth, and the long years spent running for their lives. He understood how Johansen felt. And he couldn’t fault him for it.
“You’re right,” Milburn continued. “This is not about us. Soon the new generation will start having families of their own. Don’t they deserve something more? Don’t they deserve the opportunity to live life with their own kind? On an abundant planet? Don’t your future grandchildren deserve to live on a human world?”
“Maybe. But they also deserve something more than death. Life here might be hard, but the new generation is tough. They could live out their lives here in relative safety, as could their children.”
Milburn had heard enough. He rose from his chair, and straightened his uniform. “Thank you, Commander. Your concerns have been noted. Please ensure that the ship is fully supplied, and ready to resume its voyage once repairs are completed. Dismissed.”
Milburn saw a flash of anger in Johansen’s eyes before he stood at attention. “Yes, Sir,” he then said with a salute.
No sooner had Milburn returned the gesture, than Johansen was out the door. He stared after him as he left. Would he need to find another XO? But after this many years, he d
ecided he would give Johansen the benefit of the doubt. Johansen didn’t have to agree, so long as he continued to follow orders. The Invincible was a military vessel, not a democracy.
Chapter 7
“Activate jump gate,” ordered Captain Milburn. Repairs were finally complete, and all mining operations had been dismantled, and brought back on board. They had spent seven long months in this star system, and Milburn couldn’t wait to get moving. The colonies were out there, and he would make damn sure they reached them.
“Jump gate activated,” said Ensign Spalding, the shimmering portal suddenly taking shape on the main viewscreen.
Milburn smiled. “Helm, take us through the jump gate.”
“Belay that order,” said Commander Johansen from behind.
Milburn spun around to face his insubordinate first officer. “You better have a damn good explanation for countermanding my orders, Commander.”
“Captain, as Executive Officer of the Invincible, I hereby relieve you of command.”
Activity on the bridge ceased, as everyone watched in quiet astonishment. Milburn jumped to his feet. “Have you lost your mind, Commander? You don’t have the authority to relieve me.”
“I do if safety of ship and crew is at stake. And you taking us through the Kemmar Empire puts the safety of ship and crew at stake.”
“That’s absurd. This would never stand up to a board of inquiry.”
“There is no board of inquiry, Captain. Now, will you step down voluntarily, or will force be necessary?”
“Marines!” Milburn barked. “Commander Johansen is under arrest for mutiny. Take him into custody.” The two Marines flanking the entrance to the bridge remained motionless. Milburn looked at them incredulously. “Marines. I gave you a direct order.”
“They will not follow your orders, Captain. They are loyal to me. Marines, place Captain Milburn under arrest.”
Milburn couldn’t disguise his shock when the Marines marched up to his command chair, scowling incredulously as one of them said, “Come with us, Sir.”
Bewildered and unprepared, Milburn was too proud a man to fight two young Marines. “Very well. This is mutiny,” he said, eyeing Johansen, then each Marine. “You won’t get away with it.”
“I believe we just did,” said Johansen.
The Marines firmly grasped each of Milburn’s arms, and escorted him off the bridge. Four more armed Marines waited in the corridor. Two took position in front of the escort, and the other two covered the rear.
“That traitorous son of a bitch had this all planned out. How did he recruit the six of you?”
There was no response.
“At least tell me where you are taking me.”
“We’re taking you to your quarters, Sir. You are under house arrest until further notice.
“House arrest, huh.” Milburn took a good look at the six young men. The new generation. So full of promise, he thought bitterly. Then again, the only thing these men have ever known is life on this ship. Life on the run. They never experienced life on Earth. Never felt Sol’s rays touch their skin. They had no idea what they were missing. Life in this system probably seems like a vacation to them. Commander Johansen had taken advantage of their ignorance, and fears. How many more had he turned?
When they reached his cabin, one of the Marines accessed the control pad to open the door. The two escort Marines took him inside, and let him go. Before leaving, one of them said, “Your door will remain locked, and two sentries will be standing guard outside. Your command privileges have been revoked. You no longer have access to the ship’s systems. You have comm access to Commander Johansen, but will not be permitted to communicate with anyone else on this ship. Do you have any questions?”
“None that you can answer, son.”
Chapter 8
Captain Milburn gazed out at the system’s binary star from the window in his cabin. Two stars circling each other in a lethal celestial dance. A steady stream of light flowing from one to the other, one star slowly sucking the life out of its partner. Fitting that Johansen chose this system to turn traitor.
Glancing away from the stars, he noted that the mining teams had already been dispatched. Johansen was going to need those resources to build his colony. Of course, it could be done. The mining communities in Sol had done the same for centuries. It was a difficult way of life, but not an impossible one. Without options, it might even be desirable.
But there were options.
The colonies were within their reach. Why settle for a meager existence on an asteroid, when you had a chance at a real life, on a rich planet? Johansen was a fool. A fool who had outsmarted him and took control of his ship. How could I have been so blind, he thought.
How many crewmembers had Johansen persuaded? How far would they follow him? Was the crew so deeply divided? A power struggle was the last thing they needed. What hope did humanity have if they were constantly at odds with each other?
He wondered how this would play out. Would Johansen keep him locked in his cabin indefinitely? Or would he take some other action? A mock trial maybe? It wouldn’t be wise for Johansen to keep him around. So long as he was alive, he would be a threat to Johansen. No, Johansen would have to get rid of him somehow. The question was, how long would it take him to reach that conclusion?
A muffled sound outside his cabin caught Milburn’s attention. He heard it again, and stepped cautiously to his door. He wished he had a weapon. The first thing he did when they locked him up was to try and retrieve his sidearm. Of course, it had been removed from his quarters. There wasn’t much he could use to defend himself. Not against his armed Marines.
The door slid open and Major Rand, commander of the Invincible’s Marines, stepped inside. Rand was another of the graying old guard, although his piercing gaze, and lean, muscular physique lent him a more youthful appearance. Decked out in full battle armor, and carrying an assault weapon, he presented a doubly intimidating sight.
Milburn sighed. “So, Johansen got to you too.”
“I beg your pardon, Sir?” said Rand.
“I was wondering how he got the Marines to do his bidding. Now I know.”
“Are you suggesting that I would dishonor myself and my uniform by taking part in a mutiny?”
“You mean you’re not siding with Johansen?”
“I most certainly am not!”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious, Sir? I am here to help you take back the ship.”
A broad grin spread across Milburn’s face. “Major, you don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.”
“I was tipped off to Johansen’s plans, but couldn’t act until I was sure who was in support of his mutiny. I chose to wait and find out, while briefing the Marines whose loyalty was not in question. When Johansen struck, we were ready.”
“Was there bloodshed?” said Milburn, instantly understanding Rand’s implication.
“I went to great lengths to avoid killing anyone, but there were injuries. That couldn’t be helped under the circumstances.”
“Damn it! Sol falls to an alien invasion, and we’re fighting each other out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Agreed, Sir. But we really should get moving.”
“You’re right. Has Johansen been tipped off to your actions?”
“We did our best to prevent it, but the fact that his men haven’t reported back must have caused concern.”
“Alright. Then there’s not time to waste.”
“Follow me, Sir,” said Rand, turning and stepping back out into the corridor.
Milburn followed, and found a corridor teaming with Marines similarly in full battle armor. He didn’t miss the two Marine sentries, lying on their stomachs, gagged, hands and legs hogtied behind their backs. “What are you going to do with them?” said Milburn.
“I was going to lock them up in your quarters, if that’s alright with you, Sir.”
“By all means. Go right ahead.�
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Rand nodded, and the two men were locked inside the Captain’s quarters.
A Marine handed Milburn a plasma rifle. Feeling its cold metal, and weight in his hands, he started to feel in control again. “What’s the plan, Major?”
“We take the bridge. Johansen has seized key areas of the ship, but the bridge is the most important. If we capture the bridge, and Johansen, the mutiny will fall apart.”
“Sounds good to me. Lead the way.”
Chapter 9
“This is the Captain. The mutiny is over. Stand down and I promise you’ll be treated fairly,” Milburn said, crouching behind a bulkhead. Around the corner was the entrance to the bridge, and four Marines defending it.
“You are not in command of this ship, Captain,” a Marine shouted back.
“Listen to me, son. You don’t need to do this. We can work things out.”
“Sorry, Captain. You’re not taking the bridge without a fight.”
“Forget it, Sir,” said Major Rand. “There’s only one way we’re going to get on that bridge.”
“This is ridiculous,” said Milburn. “We can’t just fire on our crew.”
“You heard them, Sir. There is no other way we are going to take that bridge. You tried.”
“Bullshit. There’s got to be another option. Those Marines are just kids.”
“I know, Sir. I trained them.”
“They’re not traitors. They’ve just been duped by Johansen. I know we have to take back the ship, but we can’t just cut them down.”
“Leave it to me, Captain. They’re wearing battle armor, just like us. My suit is still synced with theirs. I can monitor each suit’s integrity, and each Marine’s vital signs. We have to take them down, but we won’t kill them.”
Milburn knew the Major was right. Those men were not going to back down, and they had committed treason. There was only one course of action, no matter how much he loathed it. “Okay, Major. It’s your show.”
Rand started barking out orders, and his Marines burst into action. The corridor erupted in a melee of plasma bolts, and explosions, as the two groups engaged in a see saw battle for control of the corridor.