“The Jacka will enter into this agreement, providing all required materials and equipment as needed. How does this sound to you, Dan Daniels?”
“I appreciate that you did not try to cover up your words with those of lawyers,” Dan responded. “Here is what will be accepted:
“The League will act as agent and will collect seven percent of each planet’s gross product in the form of currency or ten percent in materials or service.
“The League will cover the initial cost of setting up the navy, which will consist of twenty-six warships and support bases.
“The army will be considered minimally manned at one million soldiers. The initial cost of weapons and equipment are to be covered by the League.
“Salaries and benefits of the soldiers will be based on civilian equivalency careers from throughout the League.”
Dan sat back down and waited for the counteroffer.
“We could never afford that! The League would be bankrupt in the first year.” The little yellow alien was so angered, he forgot his fear.
“I am taking into account the best interest of both parties,” Dan replied firmly. “I admit that one side did try to capture my planet. I also remember the other side trying to sell me to the Libra—the same Libra that are slowly carving up the League. Here is my final offer:
“Everything stays the same as my last offer. I will accept payment for the ships and initial equipment for all the troops in the form of the planet Flem. The owners of the planet have fled, leaving it abandoned. It is in space under the jurisdiction of the League of Planets. I therefore submit that by the League of Planets bestowing upon me ownership of a planet, it will put to rest any other group trying to justify ownership. You will get a fleet and an army, and we are both happy. Does that make it a better deal for you to swallow?”
Dan grinned as the delegates began to argue among themselves. Many of them had never even thought of owning the planet.
“The planet has great value,” the lead delegate said to Dan. “Many cities have yet to be discovered. The technology of the Flem—“
“The technology of the Flem is lost,” Dan interrupted, “as are the cities that were destroyed when they were buried under a thousand tons of rock. The Flem also imported all their resources, so we both know there is no mining opportunity there either. The planet is off the main transportation hubs. The surface of the planet is barren and ugly, so there is little hope for agriculture or tourism. The planet does have an atmosphere my people can breathe, and the radiation from when the Libra bombed the surface should be diminished in a couple hundred years. Now do not try to tell me how great the planet is because we both know it’s worthless.” Dan smiled as they took him at every word.
“We will accept the twenty-six warships and outfitting one million soldiers as payment for the planet,” the delegate conceded. “You realize what you are buying, and there cannot be any withdrawing from the deal once the contract has been signed.”
Dan laughed as he listened to the little alien. “That will not be a problem,” he said. “I will of course demand free access to and from Earth. The planet will also be under the protection of Earth. Does your delegation have the authority to sign a contract or treaty?”
“Of course we do,” the alien replied indignantly. “It would certainly be a waste of our time and yours just to talk. Are you authorized to sign a contract and treaty as well?”
Dan laughed at the realization that he really didn’t have the authority, but he was the only one who could actually get the deal done.
“I guess when your fleet arrives you will know for sure,” he said. “I took the liberty of sending the first four to planet Glory to protect it from any angry Libra. The rest will be there soon. I’m sure all of you gentlemen have thought of the profit to be made as well from this deal. Warships need ports to get repairs and fuel. Sailors on those ships have money to spend. Imagine having an army base on your planet, and think of everything you can sell to the troops, as well as selling to the base itself. And there would be jobs for your people to maintain those bases. It’s an economic windfall.” Now they will have something to justify the agreement to their people, he thought.
The delegates talked softly among themselves. Eventually, the lead delegate looked at Dan and smiled. “If you have a contract, we will review it now and take it under advisement,” he said, failing in his attempt to hide his excitement as he spoke.
“I will have the contracts created shortly,” Dan said as he stood up. “Please excuse me, and I will go take care of that.”
The delegates, once again in deep whispers among themselves, didn’t even notice him leave.
Dixie Ships Georgia and Virginia, in Libra space
24 November 2128
Captain Woods listened as the captain of the Virginia went through a list of repairs needed. With a sinking feeling he knew there was only one safe answer. Planet Glory was five days’ travel at maximum impulse. While there was no love lost between them and the Jacka who had invaded Dixie, the men figured they could use the Jacka’ help. It was no secret that Earth was in an alliance with the planet, and they could use that to their advantage. The only alternatives were to scuttle the Virginia or hide it and return with the parts for repair.
“Captain Woods, I agree it doesn’t look good, but we have full impulse as well as weapons and shields. Let’s take the chance on making it to Glory.”
“Five days through enemy space is a long shot. We would have to transfer over all but a minimal crew so that in the worst-case scenario we would lose the fewest lives. Do you agr—”
The ship’s sensor operator interrupted the captain with bad news. “Captain, we have two Libra patrol ships that have just arrived from FTL space. They have set course for us. Ten minutes, if they don’t jump.”
Woods thought they might have a chance if they could capture one of the ships. “Battle stations, everyone! When the two ships approach, we destroy the first one and try to capture the second ship. Virginia, do you understand the orders?”
“Virginia understands. Destroy first ship, capture second ship. Good hunting. Virginia out.”
“Sensors, what are we looking at for the patrol ships?” Woods closed his eyes as he waited for the report.
“Sir, both ships are approximately three-quarters the size of the Georgia. Each is lightly armed, compared to our ships. It’s suicide for them to attack us.”
“Gunners, fire one long-range missile at the first patrol ship, and let’s see what they do.” The crew watched the monitor as the missile closed in on the patrol ship. A counter missile was fired that destroyed their missile at the last moment.
“Sir, first ship appears to have minor damage. Both are continuing their approach.”
“Hold fire until they’re in range of medium missiles, then let them have it with both missiles and lasers.” Woods waited as the ships continued to approach.
“Sensor operator, when the enemy is in range you may give the order to fire.”
“Virginia, when we destroy the first ship, get in close to the second ship so it can’t jump. You will approach from port while the Georgia approaches from beneath to avoid each other’s fire.”
“Fire all batteries!” The sensor operator looked embarrassed for having shouted the command. Woods smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.
A dozen missiles streaked toward the patrol ship and the laser gunners began to score hits almost instantaneously. Eight red beams crisscrossed with eight beams from the Virginia. The missiles and beams the enemy ship returned were ineffective, as laser fire quickly blew up the missiles.
“First target appears dead. Join on the second ship. Avoid the center of the ship if possible,” Woods instructed. He winced at every hit the Georgia took as they gained on the Libra patrol ship. The Virginia beat them to it, and as the patrol ship tried to maneuver, the Virginia kept side by side with it.
“Bring us closer, helmsman,” Woods ordered. “We can’t let her jump. Rotate s
hip so our starboard side is facing the bottom of the ship. Marines, get ready to board the enemy ship.” As he watched the small monitor on his seat, he saw two shuttles ready to launch from the port hangar.
As the patrol ship tried to ram the Virginia in desperation, the Georgia collided with it from below. All three ships were locked together when two shuttles from each destroyer launched their shuttles filled with marines.
Lieutenant Patterson was sweating as the shuttle locked onto the hull of the patrol ship. The pilot waved back to signal the show was all his now.
“Let’s open this can now!” Patterson called out. The shuttle hatchway opened and two of his men attacked the enemy ship’s bulkhead with heavy lasers. The metal melted away until there was an opening.
“No prisoners! We need to secure this ship as soon as possible. Don’t waste any time. Two-man teams. Now move it, move it, move it!” Patterson shouted.
The marines’ first sight as they entered the Libra ship was smoke being drawn by the vacuum from the new hole in the hull. Small materials and bodies floated toward them as they spread out and headed away from the hole.
“Everyone make sure your boots are locked down. Projectile weapons only. I don’t need anyone launching themselves from their own recoil,” Patterson instructed. A beam of white light streaked by his head and he heard a short scream over his headset. Pointing his shotgun in the direction of the shooter, he pumped shot after shot. Drawing his pistol, he ran as best he could toward the source of the shot. A single figure was floating in front of him, the faceplate of his helmet shattered. Patterson watched the blood seep out of the helmet and float like bubbles as he pressed on.
“We have the engine room secured,” Patterson advised a short while later. “We need technicians over here. Engine room is in the aft section of the ship. I’m placing a marine at the entrance of the ship to escort technicians there.”
Woods heard the message and sent his third shuttle filled with technicians and tools. The Virginia did the same.
“Helmsman, slowly take a ninety-degree heading one mile only away from the patrol ship. Sensor operator, are you picking up anything?” Woods asked. He was anxious to leave the area.
“Nothing yet, sir. Correction. I have three pods from the patrol ship heading for the colony.”
“We can let them go. Any signs of life from the first patrol ship?”
“Nothing, sir. Would you like to send a probe?”
Woods thought for a moment. “No, I want to get out of here as soon as we can. I don’t want to waste time recovering a probe.”
Technician teams from both ships entered the engineering section of the Libra ship at the same time and agreed that the FTL drive was incompatible with the Virginia’s systems.
“Damn. We’re wasting our time here. All technicians head back to the shuttles. Be sure you get on the right ones.” He knew he had to let the captain know. “Virginia, Chief Dawson here. There is nothing to salvage from the ship. Returning home.”
Woods listened to the message to the Virginia and felt empty as he gave the new orders.
“Virginia, once you’ve recovered all personnel, take a heading of two hundred and forty degrees at maximum sustainable speed. We’ll catch up with you.
“Helmsman, approach the first derelict and bring us into contact with it gently. After that, set a heading of sixty degrees toward the planet, then stop so the derelict will continue on its own toward the planet. After that, perform the same maneuver on the second derelict.” Hopefully, they won’t see the wrecks initially and will waste time looking for them. At least they won’t be able to salvage them, Woods thought cheerfully.
An hour later, the Georgia headed toward the Virginia and planet Glory. The crew held out little hope for their sister ship.
Peary Crater Lunar Base
24 November 2128
Dan was happy, now that the contracts had been signed. As he walked the delegation of Switians to their shuttle, he asked them off the cuff if they would be providing bases on Swit for the army or fleet.
“We will do all we can to make the army and the fleet comfortable on Swit,” the lead delegate assured Dan. “We have a responsibility to our protectors. We will provide the best value possible for their money.” At that point the delegates entered the shuttle without even a look back at Dan.
He watched the shuttle launch and laughed, as he had already planned to have negotiators from Earth assist the Fire Warriors in setting up bases. He pressed the comm button behind his ear to call Abby.
“Abby, how are we looking for getting the ships and crews on their way to planet Glory?”
“We have enough humans and Jacka for eighteen ships. I suggest we send the remainder of the ships with human crews, then train from Glory. I’ve already sent the drones from those ships to the shipyards to augment the workers there.”
“Thanks, Abby. I’ll task Admiral Bad with getting the ships out of here.”
“Admiral Bad, how do you feel about sending out the Libra ships with their new mixed crews? I also want to send the extra ships with human crews. I don’t think we’re going to see anymore Jacka coming our way.”
“You know what I think, Dan. I can get the ball rolling. Our crews are ready to go. I’ll get with my counterpart from the Fire Warriors.”
“Good deal. I just signed contracts with the League of Planets. They can keep fighting the Libra, and we can get back to what passes for normal.”
“What about when they come for us again? You really pissed them off, I hope ya know.”
“Between the danger from the Fire Warriors and the Libra having an acute lack of ground troops, I don’t think we have to worry—especially when the League of Planets finds their balls and decide they want their planets back that the Libra conquered.”
“Dan, I’ve always trusted you and backed you. I hope you have a plan B.”
Arizona Space Ship Bia, in Earth space
24 November 2128
Cmdr. Erickson had mixed feelings as he surveyed “his” fleet. He’d been given six hours to prepare the fleet to jump to the Jacka home world. The mixed crews would enable the humans to teach the Jacka how to operate the ships. When they arrived in ten days, they would be suitably trained. Then the Bia would return to Earth with the human crewmembers.
Erickson liked the thought of de-escalating Earth’s part in the war, since it was obviously the failure of the League of Planets to rein in the Libra when they had the chance.
“Captain, we’ve received signals from all ships. They’re ready to jump. They’ve included their jump coordinates, and Bia has concurred that it should be a safe jump for all.”
“Announce to all ships that we will jump in exactly five minutes. Time to get the show on the road.” And may this be our last trip to the other side of the galaxy, Erikson hoped.
Arizona Space Ship Beater, in Libra space
24 November 2128
Johnson’s confidence was sky high as they prepared to drop into normal space and go after a soft target—a mining colony that produced rare minerals needed for electronics.
“Battle stations. Battle stations. We are going to drop into normal space in thirty seconds.” Okay what surprises are we going to get this time? Johnson wondered.
“Sir, no enemy nearby. We’re picking up no traffic, as well—ship or communications. Only thing I’m hearing is automated distress calls from three escape pods.”
“Let’s go in slow. Short Blade, keep sharp on the sensors. Looks like someone beat us here. Beater, can we communicate with those pods?”
“Communications will be voice-only, but it is possible.”
“This is the Finey patrol ship ninety-eight to rescue pods. Identify your ship and what has happened here.
“Finey patrol ship ninety-eight, we were attacked by two human ships. One ship is damaged and took a heading of approximately two hundred and forty degrees away from the planet. They left only four hours ago.”
“Have you manage
d to contact anyone else with this information?”
“Finey patrol ship ninety-eight, you are the first ship to arrive since the attack. Why are you in our patrol zone?”
Addressing his crew, Johnson said, “Destroy the pods and then set a course of two forty. Short Blade, monitor for ships as well as evidence that ships may have come through here.”
“Captain, we can’t kill those innocent—”
“Commander Poland, we can’t take prisoners. They have information that’s a death sentence for one of our ships. If you have an alternative, I am listening.” Johnson hoped the goody two-shoes would prove him wrong.
“No, sir, I don’t.”
Poland dropped his head in defeat, and Johnson nodded to Short Blade.
“Sir, three targets destroyed. Assuming a heading of two forty.”
“Beater, have you detected any signs of ships passing this way recently?”
“Sir, there is a slight ion trail that can be detected. Their present course will take them to the Jacka home world in approximately four days. If they were to take a heading of ninety degrees from where I estimate they are, they would go through a small nebula that would hide their trail. They could then proceed to the Flem home world for repairs, or perhaps the Hades Nebula and the wormhole there.”
“Thank you for the additional information, Beater. Please limit your answers to that which is asked for. How long of a jump do we need to get safely ahead of the ships, with what we know?”
“Twenty minutes, with a safety margin—especially if we take a heading of two hundred forty point five.”
“Commander Poland, set course and engage.” Johnson was feeling agitated, and he couldn’t easily get to the pills in his pocket without being seen. He sat for the next twenty minutes thinking only of taking one of the pills, as he’d developed a headache.
“Captain, we’ve arrived.” The announcement startled him back to the present.
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