He knew if they had any hope of rescuing Ryan and the other Marines the rescue mission would have to be launched almost immediately. That would mean the new battlecruisers couldn’t take part. Even if they launched the mission now, he wasn’t certain the humans would still be at the station, particularly if the Zaltule were involved.
A number of Kiveans, including Marken, had met with Commander Pasha and Fleet Commander Achlyn to come up with a plan to slow down the Zaltule advance against the nonaligned worlds. They’d devised a daring plan to attack the Kleese, which would significantly degrade their war capability. They had presented this plan to Fleet Admiral Kelly and General Mitchell at a meeting of the General Staff.
“Yes,” General Mitchell admitted with a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately, we must wait until the new battlecruisers are finished and ready to deploy if we want to have a reasonable chance of success.”
“What new strategy?” asked Wade, cocking his eyebrow. He’d hoped they could launch a rescue mission immediately. This sounded like it wasn’t going to happen.
“As you know,” began Marken, shifting his narrow eyes to Wade. “The Kleese maintain fifteen of their giant trade stations to help control their Empire. We already took the one responsible for this sector. We’re proposing attacking and seizing two more. One will be taken to the system of Lanolth and the other brought back here.”
“What?” Wade said, taken aback, his eyes widening. “You’ve got to be kidding!” To take two of the massive stations would be a huge military operation and would involve hundreds of warships. There was also no guarantee of success.
“That’s what I said,” General Pittman said with a nod of his head. When he’d first heard of the plan, he thought it was ludicrous. “We’ll be committing a major portion of our fleet to this mission if we elect to continue.”
“It’s a sound strategy,” Fleet Admiral Kelly said, defending the plan. “If we take the trading stations out of Sector Twelve and Sector Nine then the Kleese will have no repair facilities within several thousand light years, drastically slowing down their war effort. It will give us time to continue to grow the Alliance as well as build more of our new and updated ships.”
“There are hundreds of Kleese on those stations,” Wade was quick to point out. “Not only that, they have crews of over a hundred thousand conscripts. It’ll take several thousand Marines in Type Three and Type Four suits to have any chance of taking a station. Even then, there’ll be substantial casualties.”
“We know,” answered General Mitchell with a somber look on his face. “The stations will probably have some Zaltule on board as well as Zaltule battlecruisers defending them. It won’t be an easy battle.”
“Plus the exploration ships as well as hundreds of assault ships,” added Wade, shaking his head, not believing the General Staff was seriously considering doing this. He was well aware of what was aboard one of the massive trading stations, he’d spent enough time on one while a Kleese conscript.
“It will be an unexpected setback to their war effort,” General Mitchell responded, looking intently at Wade. He knew the loss of his brother was weighing heavily on the colonel’s mind. However, Mitchell had to look at what was best for the Alliance. “If we can take the two stations, it’ll buy us more time to strengthen the Alliance and our own forces.”
“What about our captured Marines in the meantime?” Major Winfrey demanded. He was concerned that in the time it would take to mount this type of attack General Mitchell was suggesting, the Kleese might very well move them somewhere else.
“We just have to hope they’re still at the trading station in Sector Twelve when we get there,” Fleet Admiral Kelly said in an even voice, forcing himself to look at Wade.
“And still alive,” added Winfrey, not happy with where this conversation was going. He was with Wade in wanting to see a rescue mission launched immediately.
“I’m sorry,” General Mitchell said, drawing in a deep breath. “The decision has been made. When the attacks are launched, Colonel Nelson, you will be in charge of the Marines responsible for taking Station Twelve with the troop assault ships Defender and Argyle at your disposal. Major Winfrey, you will be in charge of the Marines attacking Station Nine using the Leviathan and the Crimson Star. We’ll make our attack in six weeks.”
“It’s the right thing to do,” Marken said, looking over at Wade. “We can’t rush haphazardly into an attack to attempt to free our Marines; there would be a high probability of failure. I truly wish we could, but we just can’t.” Marken felt Wade’s pain; he knew how much his friend cared for his younger brother.
Wade nodded his head mechanically. He felt let down that a rescue mission wasn’t being launched immediately but knew it was the right decision. To rush haphazardly into a rescue mission could cost more lives than those they were intent on saving. He also knew it would take an additional two to three weeks from the time the fleets left to reach their targets. That meant at least eight to nine weeks before they arrived at the trading station. Wade just hoped Ryan and his people could survive that long. He also hoped they were still there when the rescue mission arrived.
Chapter Five
Ryan let out a deep breath of frustration. They’d just spent the last hour running around the small training facility under the ever-watchful eye of Gureen and their guards. It had been the same for the last two weeks. Gureen would appear at their door at 7:00 each morning with their two carts of breakfast food. They would be allowed one hour to eat and shower, then they were escorted to the training facility. They would spend either an hour running or an hour exercising. Then Gureen would have them get in formation and spend time explaining the benefits of cooperating with the Kleese. Not once had they been questioned about Earth, the Alliance, or the military. Today looked to be no different as Gureen took his place in front of them, flanked by his two ever-present conscripts in Type Two battlesuits carrying their stun rifles.
“Another lecture,” groaned Alexander with a deep frown. “I’m getting tired of hearing about how great it is to serve the Kleese. I would like to take Gureen’s neck and wring it until it pops off.”
“Quiet!” muttered Lauren, elbowing Alexander sharply in the side. “You want your head blown off?” She knew Alexander was feeling increasingly aggravated about their situation; they all were.
Alexander quieted down and turned his attention toward Gureen. Lauren was right; the tall Nabian could be dangerous if crossed. So far it had resulted only in a few Marines being stunned, but Gureen had made it clear he wouldn’t hesitate to call in a Kleese with the enigmatic black control box to set a further example. It just felt good to vent his frustrations on occasion.
“Today is a great day for you,” Gureen began in his slightly stilted voice. “We are arriving at our trading station in Sector Twelve where you will undergo the first part of your questioning by the Zaltule.”
This caused a murmuring in the ranks as the Marines shifted uneasily on their feet. They’d known the questioning would begin sometime and been curious why it hadn’t already. Now they knew. They were going to be interrogated by the warrior caste! This raised the stakes considerably as the Zaltule wouldn’t be easy to fool.
“The Zaltule are great warriors and are not to be trifled with,” Gureen continued, as his eyes swept across the assembled Marine platoon. “Failure to comply with their requests or questions will have severe consequences.”
“How severe?” asked one of the Marines.
Gureen ignored the question. “Do not make false statements to the Zaltule.”
Ryan looked over at Casey standing next to him. Her face had turned a pasty color at hearing Gureen mention the Zaltule. She’d finally recovered from her injuries and was even doing the full set of daily exercises.
The thought of being questioned by one of the warrior caste made Casey feel weak at the knees and a chill ran down her back. She closed her eyes tightly and took in several long breaths. Opening them, she felt more in control
.
“You will return to your barracks where you will wait until time to board the station.” With that final utterance, Gureen indicated they were to follow him back to their quarters.
-
As they marched back in a double file, Ryan gazed about at the others they passed. In the last two weeks, he’d seen a few other platoons being marched to the training facilities as well as more Nabians in the corridors. However, no other races were seen. Ryan was becoming more convinced with each passing day that the Nabians were the only conscripts on the ship. Since the Kleese had launched their attacks on the nonaligned worlds and the Alliance he wondered if they were being more selective in who they chose to crew their exploration ships.
Once inside their quarters and the hatch locked Ryan looked around at his Marines and asked the same question he did every day. “Anyone learn anything?”
“No,” replied Casey, shaking her head. “The other Nabians still refuse to speak to us unless they’re giving orders. We passed one other platoon today and it was one of Colonel Stratford’s. I didn’t recognize anyone in it.”
“All the hatches were shut to the other corridors or compartments,” added Lauren. “It’s pretty obvious they’re controlling what we see and have access to.”
“These Nabians are a clever bunch,” stated Alexander. “I don’t believe we’re going to learn much from them unless we can beat it out of them.”
“Still wanting to get your head blown off?” commented Lauren, shaking her head disapprovingly. “We don’t dare attack a Nabian as long as these damn collars are around our necks.”
The others all nodded in agreement. This was the same as it had been every day. Nothing new to report and they were learning very little information which could be of use. The Nabians held the answers and they weren’t talking.
“We’re going aboard the trading station today,” spoke Ryan, clasping his hands behind his back and gazing at his waiting Marines. “All of you are familiar with Centerpoint so this should be nothing new. When we board stay observant and pay special attention to which alien races are present. Also, keep a lookout to see if any of our equipment is unloaded.” Ryan still hoped to somehow get to his command suit. It would be a game changer if he could.
Indicating the meeting was over, Ryan went and sat down on his bunk, thinking about their options. At the present time there were none, at least none that offered any hope. In times like this he tried to think about what his brother Wade would do. However, in Wade and Beth’s situation they had the aid of the Kiveans, particularly Marken. Ryan seriously doubted the Nabians could be coerced into turning against the Kleese, not after being around Gureen and Queex.
Casey came over and sat down next to Ryan, placing her hand on his and giving it an affectionate squeeze. “Wade is bound to suspect where the Kleese have taken us,” she said in a low voice. “Do you think there’s any possibility of him attempting a rescue?” Casey knew with each passing day the chance of rescue grew ever more remote.
“If my brother thought he could rescue us he would move Heaven and Earth to do so,” Ryan said with a deep sigh. He felt powerless in this situation and didn’t see what he could do to change it. The slim collars around their necks ensured they were obedient. The control this gave to the Nabians and the Kleese irked him.
“It will take time for him to organize a rescue mission,” responded Casey, sensing Ryan’s concern. “By the time he can get here, we may already be gone.”
Ryan nodded in agreement. He was greatly troubled how his being abducted was going to affect his parents. His mother had never liked the idea of him joining the Marines and following in his brother’s footsteps. She’d claimed it was too dangerous and would rather see him serve in the fleet instead. It would be up to Wade and Beth to break the news of his abduction and to make sure their parents got through the pain. Ryan felt terrible about what he was going to put his parents through.
“I’m afraid you’re right,” he answered. Unfortunately, it would have taken Wade several weeks to get back to Centerpoint, another few weeks to set up a rescue mission and then nearly four weeks to get to this station. “The Kleese have already made it clear they’re going to take us to their home world. If Wade does come, I don’t think we’ll still be here.”
“We need to find a way to leave him a message,” spoke Casey, her hazel eyes focusing intently on Ryan. “He needs to know what happened to us and where the Kleese are taking us. We can’t give up hope.”
“But how?” asked Ryan, feeling perplexed. How could they possibly leave a message for Wade that the Nabians or the Kleese wouldn’t find?
“I don’t know,” answered Casey, crossing her arms over her chest.
It had been hard the last few weeks being so close to Ryan and the two of them having no real privacy. True, most of the Marines in their platoon knew there was something going on between Ryan and Casey but they tended to ignore it. Casey had even noticed Lauren smiling knowingly at her anytime she came over to sit next to Ryan. With a deep sigh, she looked around the room. There were other clones besides her in the platoon. Private Justin Matheson and Private Mary Hatterson were both clones as well as several others. She wondered how they were adjusting to this situation. She should probably take the time to speak with each one of them.
-
Several hours passed and Ryan was beginning to believe Gureen had lied to them about reaching the trading station. He was about to voice his thoughts to Corporal Parker when the hatch swung open and Gureen put in an appearance.
“We’ve arrived at the station,” he announced, his eyes peering sharply at the Marines. “You will behave as we go aboard and you will be taken to a habitat where you will remain until you have completed your first round of questioning by our Overlords, the Zaltule.”
“A habitat,” uttered Private Swen, thinking of the possibilities. “Maybe they’ll put us all together.”
“Maybe,” Ryan answered, as Gureen stepped out into the corridor expecting the Marines to follow him.
-
It didn’t take them long to exit the exploration ship as it was docked to the trading station. Ryan knew the Kleese had fifteen of these massive stations scattered across their Empire. Used to have fifteen, he corrected himself; his brother and former Fleet Admiral Kirby had stolen one. It had been taken to the solar system and after some much needed modifications become Centerpoint Station.
Ryan knew the surface of a station was covered in habitation domes used for training facilities and living quarters. They ranged in size from ten to twenty kilometers across. A trading station was one hundred and twenty kilometers wide and twenty-four kilometers thick. It normally had a crew of several hundred thousand conscripts and a small number of Kleese. It also held numerous flight bays and hundreds of assault ships. The trading stations served as bases for the large Kleese exploration ships.
As soon as they stepped aboard, the first thing Ryan noticed was the presence of several other alien races. Ryan’s platoon was being escorted by a number of Nabians and four conscripts in battlesuits. They were marched to an interstation tram and told to board. A few minutes later, they exited and were told to go through a large open hatch.
Stepping through, Ryan for a moment thought they were back on Centerpoint. The small habitation dome was very similar to the one that contained their training facilities and Charring Mountain.
“Damn!” muttered Alexander, gazing at the small mountain in the distance. “Does every one of these stations have a Charring Mountain?”
“The stations may be built to a standard format,” Lauren said, as she gazed around. The dome did have an eerily familiar look to it. A few hundred meters away were a series of small buildings, which resembled barracks. There was even a parade field over to one side.
Hearing more noise behind him, Ryan turned and saw other Marines being herded into the dome. With relief, he recognized his missing people and then saw both Lieutenant Felton and Lieutenant Guthrie come in with thei
r platoons.
“It looks as if we’re all being put inside this dome,” said Casey, coming to stand next to Ryan. “I wonder why?” She was greatly relieved to see the others. She wondered if any of them had been able to learn anything of value.
“Easier to keep an eye on us, I imagine,” Ryan answered. He felt immense relief when he saw Major Stevens and Colonel Stratford come inside. Perhaps now he could get some answers.
Gureen and the other Nabians present marched the Marines to the barrack buildings and then over to the parade field, where Gureen turned to address them. “These will be your quarters for the next few days. Tomorrow you will be questioned by the Zaltule and expected to answer.” With that, Gureen and the others turned and left, exiting through the large hatch. Six conscripts in Type Two battlesuits remained inside armed with stunners as the hatch was shut and locked.
“Looks as if they’re going to keep an eye on us this time,” commented Casey, eyeing the six guards.
“Get our people situated inside one of the barracks,” Ryan ordered. “I’m going to go talk to Major Stevens.”
Walking over to where the major and colonel were standing, Ryan saw the other lieutenants were doing the same. He was sure they were all just as curious as he was to find out if the two commanding officers knew anything more about what was going on.
“Lieutenant Nelson,” Stevens said in greeting. “I’m pleased to see you and your platoon survived intact.”
“What about the others?” Ryan asked with concern in his voice. It sounded as if there might have been some problems in the other platoons.
“There were three more executions,” Colonel Stratford informed him and the others. “Several Marines refused to obey the Nabians and a Kleese was summoned to set an example.”
“They seem to enjoy using those damn black control boxes,” uttered Stevens with a deep frown.
“What do you think the odds of rescue are?” asked Lieutenant Guthrie, looking at Ryan. She knew who his brother was, and if anyone could rescue them from the clutches of the Kleese, it would be Colonel Nelson.
Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 4) Page 7