Wade didn’t know what to say. He was pleased he wouldn’t be away from Beth but deeply concerned for her safety. It seemed as if the heaviest fighting always occurred where she was.
“Nicole promised she would keep me safe,” added Beth, seeing the concern in Wade’s eyes. “She wanted me to tell you that.”
“Wade nodded; if Beth was going on this mission then he was going to assign Sergeant Dawson to her command as well. He knew the sergeant would keep a careful, protective watch over her.
“Major Winfrey will be assigned to the Defender,” Admiral Adamson added. “If our Marines are in the Kleese home system, hopefully we’ll be able to find them and bring them home.”
The admiral then turned toward Hyram Blake. “I have a job for you, Hyram. A refugee fleet from the planet Belen has shown up in the Waltarn system requesting aid.”
Hyram’s eyes widened. “How large a fleet?”
“Over one hundred vessels including a number of warships,” Adamson answered. “I want you to go and speak with their leader, an Admiral Trest. Belen is in Sector twelve and we may want to make it one of the worlds we attempt to free.”
“I will speak to President Raytol over this matter and proceed with an Alliance delegation to the Waltarn system immediately.”
“Thanks, Hyram,” Admiral Adamson replied. It wasn’t every day refugees showed up with a powerful warfleet as Admiral Trest had.
-
Later, Wade returned to the Defender. Beth, Major Winfrey, and all the Kiveans had come along also.
“This will be a dangerous mission,” Marken said from where he was walking at Wade’s side. “If the Kleese find out we’re removing more Deltons from their home planet they could easily do to Delton what they did to Kivea.”
“That would be horrible,” Harnett said, her narrow eyes showing her fear. It still haunted her knowing how the Kleese had destroyed her home world.
“They won’t find out,” promised Beth.
“How was your mission to Sector Nine?” asked Wade, glancing over at Major Winfrey.
“Not as bad as what you had to face,” Winfrey replied. “There were only a couple of Zaltule ships and half a dozen exploration vessels. The latter jumped out and all we had to do was eliminate the Zaltule battlecruisers and several hundred assault ships.”
“The Kleese sent the assault ships and their crews to their deaths,” proclaimed Kalarn, clearly agitated at the senseless loss of life. “They throw away the lives of their conscripts as if they’re meaningless.”
“To the Kleese, they are,” Beth responded. She had learned that very plainly during her time as a Kleese captive and conscript.
“What happened to the Kleese on the station?” Wade asked.
“They all died,” Winfrey replied evenly. “None offered to surrender. Then, as we were escorting the station back here, I was ordered to come ahead and prepare for the Delton mission.”
“Why did you come, Harnett?”
Harnett was silent for a long moment as she tried to decide how best to answer Wade. “The abducted Marines may need my medical expertise,” she answered. “If the Kleese have them for any length of time, it’s hard telling what type of shape they’ll be in. The medical ship Micene will be accompanying Fourth Fleet. She is a Kivean designed ship with the most modern medical equipment there is. We have a mixture of Kivean and human doctors on board. The ship arrived here in the Lanolthian system earlier today.”
Harnett and I will be staying aboard the Micene,” added Marken. “The ship is not armed but has a powerful, protective energy shield as well as an extra layer of armor on her hull.”
“The living quarters are also much more comfortable than on a regular military vessel,” added Kalarn with a grin.
This caused Wade to smile. The Kiveans enjoyed their comfort. Their colorful cities inside their asteroid were proof of that.
“Even if we find our missing Marines, it’s going to be highly difficult to affect a rescue,” Wade said as they reached the small briefing room he’d been heading toward. He wanted to spend some time speaking to this group about the planned operation and how best to allocate their Marine resources.
“Nearly impossible,” Beth answered with worry in her voice. “But we don’t leave our people behind; we have to make the attempt. Even if Ryan wasn’t involved, we would still have to go.”
“Yes, you’re right. We’re risking a lot on this mission and that greatly concerns me.”
“But if we succeed, we’ll do something to the Kleese that’s never been done before,” Winfrey said. “From what we’ve been able to tell from what’s in the Kleese computers on the trading stations, their home system has never been attacked.”
“It will change their thinking about the war,” Marken commented. “It will force them to defend their home system and other valuable assets. It might even create a schism between the Zaltule and the other Kleese.”
“How’s that?” asked Wade, his eyes widening at Marken’s comment.
“We don’t believe the Zaltule and the regular Kleese are getting along well,” Marken explained. “There seems to be a rift developing between the two castes. The regular Zaltule prefer the gradual expansion of their empire by allowing an occasional highly developed world to become nonaligned under the protection of their neutrality agreements. They would then trade with that world to the benefit of both. The Zaltule believe in all out war to bring every world into their empire.”
Wade nodded in understanding. It helped to explain why Minor Overlord Betel was being so cooperative, particularly when asked questions about the Zaltule. Wade opened the hatch to the briefing room and stepped inside; he had a feeling this was going to be a long meeting.
-
Harnett and Marken were in their spacious quarters on board the medical ship Micene. The ship had been named after the remaining surviving city on their planet from which the last group of Kivean survivors had been taken away. Immediately after that, the Kleese had arrived and sterilized the planet with antimatter warheads. To the best of their knowledge, there were no other surviving members of their race other than those living in the two cities inside the Kivean asteroid in the Sol System.
Harnett sat down next to her life mate on the comfortable couch. As she did she could felt the memory foam conform to her shape. “I fear for what Beth and Wade might have to go through.”
“You mean if they manage to locate and free their abducted Marines?”
“Yes,” she replied, taking Marken’s hand. “You and I both have seen what the Kleese do upon occasion when they experiment on other races.”
Marken nodded. He knew Harnett had been forced to do some terrible things while under control of the Kleese. They all had. The Kleese had also ensured he and Harnett could never have children.
“Even if we rescue Ryan, he may never be the same.”
“We have to hope he manages to escape,” Marken said.
“With the Kleese collars of obedience around his neck?” spoke Harnett, her eyes growing sad. “It can’t be done.” She had worn one of those collars for most of her life.
Marken didn’t reply. He had taken extra precautions when he heard Ryan was going to be involved in the special program, which involved the Type Four battlesuits. Being in the program meant, at some point in time, Ryan would be facing Kleese, perhaps even Zaltule, in hand-to-hand combat. If Ryan could find some way to get to his command suit, there was a possibility he could free himself of the collar. Marken had kept this information to himself so as not to give false hope to Wade and Beth.
“I’ll prepare us something to eat,” Harnett said, standing up. Cooking helped to take her mind off worrisome subjects and what might be happening to Ryan was one of them.
Marken nodded. Harnett was a fabulous cook and their living quarters had a small kitchenette. After a moment, he also stood up to follow her into the kitchen. He always enjoyed helping his life mate whenever possible. She was the light of his life and nothing wou
ld ever change that. He also knew she was greatly concerned about Ryan.
-
Wade and Beth had settled down in his quarters to talk.
“You shouldn’t have come,” Wade said after a moment.
“What!” Beth uttered, her eyes growing wide. “I couldn’t let you face this danger alone.”
“I thought you were tired of all of this,” replied Wade, recalling the conversation they’d had about her retirement from the military.
“This is family,” Beth answered, stubbornly. “I spoke to my mother and your parents about my decision and they fully support me in this.”
Wade knew there was no point in arguing. Beth was here and she was not going to be talked into going back home.
“How are my parents coping?”
“As well as can be expected,” answered Beth. “They’re very worried about Ryan and that’s all they talk about.”
“I just hope we find him,” Wade said pensively.
“We will,” Beth promised, taking Wade’s hand. “We have the entire gang with us. Major Jeffries, Jamie, Nicole, and even Sergeant Dawson. The Kleese will never know what hit them!”
Wade put his arm around Beth and pulled her closer until her head was resting on this shoulder. He just hoped she was right. For now, he was going to enjoy his wife being next to him. Tomorrow they could worry more about the mission.
Chapter Thirteen
Ryan was nervously pacing back and forth in the small barracks room. It had been well over a week since Gureen had taken him to the cargo compartment, which contained their equipment. Since then, the Nabian had kept his distance and Ryan had been hesitant about a second approach. However, his platoon had been allowed to go to the training facility on a daily basis and spend two to three hours working out. If that was an indication, it seemed to suggest Gureen was considering Ryan’s offer.
“He wants something else,” Casey said as Ryan paused next to her bunk where she was sitting talking to Lauren. “He’s allowing this time to pass so you’ll sweeten the deal.”
“He’s already allowing us more recreation time,” Lauren said, her eyes focusing on Ryan. “He’s up to something, I’m certain of it. He could show up at any time and request your presence.”
It almost seemed as if Lauren was prophetic as the hatch to their barracks swung open and Gureen stepped inside. He was accompanied by two conscripts in the normal Type Two battlesuits. “Come with me,” he ordered, gesturing toward Ryan. His eyes swept disdainfully over the others.
“Be careful,” cautioned Casey in a low voice. “We need to stick to our plan.”
Ryan nodded and followed Gureen through the hatch and out into the corridor.
“I have decided to allow you to demonstrate your equipment,” Gureen said in his stilted voice. “I have arranged for some of it to be moved to a nearby compartment where you can explain this neural interphase and how it improves the operation of the suits.”
“You will be pleased with what I have to show you,” replied Ryan, trying to sound respectful. “I’m sure Minor Overlord Creedanth will reward you for the information.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” responded Gureen sharply. His clean-shaven head and elfin like ears made it difficult to read his emotions.
Gureen led the way and soon they turned into another corridor. After going down it for a short distance, he stopped in front of another hatch. The Nabian turned around and gazed into Ryan’s eyes.
“Your equipment is in here,” he spoke. “If I detect any signs of treachery or mistruth in what you’re telling me, you will die immediately.”
Gureen gestured toward the two conscripts. For the first time, Ryan realized they were carrying RG rifles instead of stunners.
“At a signal from me, you will die. Those RG rifles contain armor piercing rounds and even if you are inside one of your battlesuits you will not be protected.”
“I will speak only the truth,” Ryan replied evenly. “I only want better treatment for my people.”
“Very well,” Gureen answered, as he stepped forward and opened the hatch.
Once inside the small storage compartment Ryan quickly looked to see what equipment the Nabian had brought. He was disappointed to see only three battlesuits. One was a Type Three, one a Type Four, and the last a Type Four command suit. Ryan’s breathing quickened and his heart began racing when he recognized the command suit. He wasn’t certain, but from the dents and scratches on it, the suit looked like it was his.
“These will serve just fine for my demonstration,” Ryan said, trying to sound casual and not excited.
“One more thing,” Gureen said, his eyes focusing sharply on Ryan. “I will allow you to demonstrate and explain the functioning of these three suits, but if you want your food upgraded I will require some military information as well.”
Ryan froze at hearing those words. “What type of information?”
“The exact number of worlds in your human led Alliance and of warships currently protecting your home system.”
“What if I don’t know that information?”
“Then our deal is off as far as the food is considered, and I might even consider reducing the time you’re allowed in the training facility.”
“I’ll consider your demands,” Ryan responded. “I’ll need to speak to several of my people who might know that information.” The only thing Ryan could do was try to delay.
“That will be allowed,” Gureen replied. If he could get this information from the humans, his increased value to Minor Overlord Creedanth was assured. “Now, show me what’s so special about these suits.”
Ryan carefully stepped over to the regular Type Four battlesuit; he was hesitant about going to the command suit first in case Gureen was suspicious of his motives. Casually looking around the room, he noticed there were no weapons included with the suits though he wondered about the suit explosives.
Under Gureen and the two conscripts’ watchful eyes, Ryan carefully donned the Type Four suit and activated it. For the next half hour, he demonstrated its capabilities going through a range of motions and explaining specific enhanced functions the neural interphase allowed. He noticed with some disappointment that the explosive rounds in the twin tubes on the back, as well as the small nuke rounds, were missing. It was obvious Gureen wasn’t taking any chances.
“That’s enough,” Gureen said. He had a small recording device that he was using to record everything the human said and did. “These new suits are indeed interesting. Remove the suit and you shall return to your barracks. I will review what you have shown me today to see if it is worthy of bringing to the attention of Minor Overlord Creedanth.”
“The other two suits also have some modifications you might be interested in,” Ryan mentioned casually.
“We will look into those tomorrow or the next day,” Gureen answered. “For now I have what I need.”
Ryan nodded and activated the program to cause the battlesuit to open up, allowing him to step out. He’d been careful not to demonstrate the strength the suit possessed. There had been no doubt in Ryan’s mind that if he had wanted to take out the two conscripts and Gureen, he could have.
The two conscripts escorted Ryan back to the barracks. Gureen remained in the storage compartment looking over the battlesuit. Ryan was disappointed he’d not been given the opportunity to don the command suit. Once back inside he could see the excited looks on his Marines.
“Well?” Alexander asked. “Did Gureen take you back to our battlesuits?”
“Better than that,” replied Ryan, allowing a smile to cover his face. “They moved three of the suits to a storage compartment near here. We could reach them in only a few minutes if we could get out of this room.”
“What type of suits?” asked Casey, feeling excited at the prospect of possibly being able to take some action against their captors. She was also relieved Ryan had returned to them unharmed.
“One Type Three, a regular Type Four, and” he pause
d, looking intently at his Marines, “a Type Four command suit.”
“All within reach,” uttered Lauren, thinking of the possibilities.
“This is our chance,” Private Rios said, his eyes lighting up. “If we jump the two conscripts and the Nabians who bring the food carts, we can have those suits in minutes.”
“But there are no weapons in the storage compartment,” Ryan added. “We’re still going to have to reach the larger storage compartment where the rest of our suits and our weapons are stored and that’s some distance from here.”
“How much time do we have?” Casey asked. “Is there a chance Gureen will move the three suits?”
“Not for a few days,” Ryan responded. He looked slowly over the now standing group of Marines. “I think we need to move quickly. I would suggest first thing in the morning when they bring our meal.”
The Marines slowly nodded their heads. Everyone was tired of being cooped up in these barracks. Even though they were being allowed out each day to spend time in the training facility, they were still spending most of their time in the cramped room.
Ryan let out a deep breath and then spoke again. “Keep in mind. If this doesn’t work, we’ll all probably end up dead.”
“Better dead than some Kleese science experiment,” muttered Alexander. He didn’t care for the idea of allowing the Kleese to experiment on his body.
“I don’t want to be carved up like a chicken,” added Private Rios. Chicken was the most common meat served at Luna City. He was well aware of how the chickens were killed in the large chicken farms beneath the city.
“Let’s do it,” Casey said with the others nodding their heads in agreement. “There’s no point in delaying this.”
“Then it’s a go,” Ryan said. He looked at Casey, Alexander, and Lauren. “You three come with me and we’ll make our final plans. Then we all need to get some rest as I don’t know when we’ll be able to again.”
Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 4) Page 19