Warborg - Star Panther

by Olson, Ry

  “No shit, Sherlock,” Byron sighed.

  Steve nodded toward Byron in agreement. “Once we got it all straight and figured they were telling us the truth, we didn’t know what to do. First of all, Major, I’m not going to go into the history of the Koth, or their long war with the Rhome. You need to communicate directly with them for that. I’ll just say the Koth are much more of a friend than a foe, even if they have a strange way of showing it.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “In a nutshell, the Koth need an ally who can effectively fight the Rhome.”

  Byron smiled bitterly. “And by process of elimination we’re it.”

  Steve shook his head. “They’ve spent the last twenty odd years toughening us humans up for the real fight.”

  Martin nodded with understanding. “The Rhome.”

  Steve gave an answering nod. “Yep, bad news bears if there ever were any.” He set his cup on a table beside the chair. “Anyway, at that point they repaired our ships and let us power up. Gawd, did it scare the crap out of me when we first left the ship we were in. Suddenly we knew it was all true, one look at the enclave and it was obvious they could have taken out the entire human race in a matter of hours when we first met.”

  Martin nodded. “That was my first impression when I saw what was inside the detection barrier.”

  Byron’s eyes flew open. “You were inside the enclave?” He chuckled to himself. “I bet the Koth would piss their non-existent pants if they knew that.”

  Martin grinned. “Yep, that’s how I found you guys. I followed you out.”

  “You have to be kidding!” Steve stared in amazement and shook his head. “Ok, on with the story,” he laughed. “They told us where we were and were willing to let us go home if we wanted. Then they told us they were about to attack Earth. Talk about throwing a monkey wrench in the works. The strike fighters can’t send a message from here because we’re just too damn far away, so we couldn’t warn the Federation.”

  “Yeah, it was simply insane,” Byron wheezed. “They actually told us everything they were planning . . . even asked us what we thought.” He smashed his eyes closed and shook his head slightly in disbelief. “And there wasn’t a thing we could do about it.”

  Martin studied the two officers. “Ok, so what did you do?”

  Steve got himself another cup of coffee and sat back down. “Nothing. Major Lynch talked to them about the attack, asking why they were doing it.” He hunched his shoulders and twisted his neck to work a kink out. “They’re running out of time, Major. The way they had it planned they would have surrounded the Earth and been in contact before the Federation fleet returned from the Merced System. A huge show of force to issue a simple ultimatum; Join us in the war against the Rhome or we’ll abandon you to fight them alone. They hoped overwhelming Earth would demonstrate just how futile trying to fight the Rhome by ourselves would be.”

  Byron smiled. “They never in their wildest dreams imagined they’d get their butts kicked, let alone just how one sided the battle turned out to be.”

  “I’ve never seen anyone celebrating getting waxed in a battle, but they were,” Steve snickered. “They were ecstatic about how the Federation completely annihilated them with such an inferior force.” He looked at Martin with squinted eyes. “You were there, weren’t you? They told us there was a warborg in the fight.”

  “Yeah, I was there.” Martin raised an eyebrow. “It was quite a show.” He hesitated. “What do you mean, they’re running out of time?”

  Steve heaved a sigh. “The Rhome are growing stronger and the Koth resources are being depleted. They estimate in less than a year they’re going to have to evacuate this part of the galaxy and join up with another group somewhere else.” He studied his coffee cup. “Major, the only reason they’re still here is to protect us humans and give us time to learn to fight.”

  Byron looked a little sad. “The past twenty years have been a crash course on the survival of the fittest in space combat. But the learning goes both ways. For all their technology and smarts the Koth are lousy fighters.” His face formed a small smile. “They told us they’ve learned more about how to fight the Rhome from watching our tactics and strategy than they ever figured out for themselves.”

  “That knowledge has been a real double edged sword for them.” Steve continued with a nod. “The Rhome always considered the Koth a nuisance, now they’re suddenly becoming more dangerous. So the Rhome are getting more serious about eliminating them . . . I guess I should say exterminating them.”

  The three fell silent for a minute. Martin glanced at the sleeping girl and smiled at the impossible position she was in. “So what happened after the battle for Earth?”

  “Things got weird after that, well, even weirder than before.” Steve gave Martin a pinched grin. “The Koth were actively trying to determine the best way to open communications with the humans. We knew there was really no sense in trying to go home, and there was a chance they might need us for the contact so we stayed. Out of boredom, more than anything else we volunteered to fight along side the Koth. We became kind of a human auxiliary force to them.”

  Byron started quietly laughing. “When we made the decision to offer help, Gypsy made a snide comment about our being the attack of the killer clowns compared to the carefully regimented Koth. Hence the name ‘Bozo Squadron’ as we were dubbed by our late leader.”

  “What happened to Major Lynch?” Martin asked quietly.

  Byron stared into his empty coffee cup as Steve sighed and looked sad. “He got killed about three weeks ago.” Steve gave a slight shrug. “Zigged when he should have zagged and a Rhome sweeper nailed him.”

  “I’m sorry guy’s, but I had to ask.” Martin consoled the others.

  “It’s ok,” Byron sighed. “Like I said he wasn’t the best pilot I ever saw . . .” His voice faded.

  “But was one of the best guys.” Martin finished with an understanding nod.

  Steve looked uncomfortable. “There’s one more thing . . .” His eyes watered a little. “God, I hope we did right.” He paused to gather himself. “After the Major died the Koth asked if they could study his remains.” It was obvious he was having trouble continuing.

  Byron paled slightly and interrupted his comrade. “It’s ok, Steve. We all agreed they could have just taken them instead of asking.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “It was a tough decision, Martin. We just didn’t know what to say or do. They had them for a couple weeks and said they put them back the way they found them. I guess we’ll never know, we had them ionized in a warborg ceremony a few days ago. I don’t think the Koth really understood why we wanted them to destroy the container that way, but they did it without question.” He shook his head. “The Koth are such a strange group,” he smiled sadly, “they probably think the same thing about us humans.”

  “So I took command by default.” Steve regained his composure and shrugged. “I’ve got seniority. She’s the best pilot of the group.” He pointed at Gypsy with his chin. “Don’t let that pretty face fool you, she’s the best I’ve ever seen . . . and I’ve seen a bunch.”

  “Martin,” Byron yawned. “I hate to be forward, but you would you happen to have a spare cabin. The thought of sleeping in a real bed sounds better than sex right now.”

  “Oh hell yeah.” Martin laughed eyeing the other two. “C’mon.” He stood up and left the lounge with them in tow. “Here’s the galley, help yourselves.” He offered as they walked by the galley. He opened the door into one of the luxurious guest cabins and pointed to the next door. “Take you pick, they’re identical.”

  The two officers stared around the cabin. “Oh man,” Byron whooshed sitting on the bed. Then he flopped on his back and laid there with a glazed look in his eyes and mouth hanging open. The other two just shook their heads and laughed. Martin pointed back out the door with his head and Steve followed him out.

  Steve opened the next door and stepped into the cabin. He turned back to Martin. “Thank you, t
hank you from all of us.”

  “What about Gypsy?” Martin asked.

  Steve thought about it for a moment. “Just let her sleep, she looked like she was comfortable for now. Although it made my neck hurt just seeing how she was poured into that chair.” He grimaced with a grin.

  “Get some sleep, I think all of you need it.” He smiled at the obviously exhausted officer. “Don’t worry about your ships, I’ll watch them.” He nodded and went back to the lounge, hearing the cabin door close softly behind him.

  He sat down in the captain’s chair and Prowler appeared in a side display. “Better stay out of sight for a little longer fella. I think these guys are ok, but I still don’t trust the Koth.” Prowler blinked a couple times and faded out.

  . . .

  Martin sat in the captain’s seat idly watching his instruments and thinking. He turned when he heard a rustling behind him and smiled as Gypsy sat up in her chair. “Well, good morning.”

  She stood up and stretched. “Wow,” she mumbled. “How long was I out for?”

  “A few hours.” Martin grinned. “I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so,” he cocked an eyebrow, “comfortable.”

  She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and laughed. “I was, believe it or not. I grew up sleeping in cramped places. Where are the guys?”

  “They’re sacked out in a couple of the guest cabins.” Martin replied. “You’re welcome to one.” He offered.

  She smiled, shaking her head as she wandered on to the bridge and looked around. “Martin, your ship environment is unreal. This may be the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited.” She gazed out the ports into the blackness with its pinpoints of light. “It all looks so peaceful.” Her gaze drifted to a display showing the three warborg strike fighters hanging in space, she lightly ran her fingers over the display. “But all that serenity is a lie . . . this is my reality,” she sighed forlornly.

  Martin studied the girl in silence. Hearing his own feelings about life come unbidden from her stunned him to the core. “As a bio, I was a deep space scout for several tours before I went into the light fighter. Months on end wandering through the far reaches of space.” He sighed. “It was the most wonderful time of my life.” He finished in quiet introspection.

  She seemed to mentally brace herself. “Martin, do you know if anyone else survived the attack on our group?”

  Martin hesitated for a moment looking into her huge brown eyes, knowing he was going to dash her hope and cause her pain. “No, no one else survived.” He felt a heavy pang of sorrow as he watched her eyes start to tear. “I was the first one on the scene . . . no one was left. I’m so sorry, Gypsy. Byron told me you had someone in the group.”

  She sniffed and worked her lips. “I was so afraid of that . . . I just didn’t want to believe it,” she whispered. “Roger was just such . . . just such.” She surrendered to her sorrow and shook with silent sobs. A few seconds later she frantically wiped her eyes with her sleeve and looked at Martin. “There hasn’t been much good in my life. Some of it was fate, a lot of it was my own fault.” She sniffed. “But Roger was a good thing, he was so . . .so.” She floundered to a stop and bowed her head.

  Martin stood up and looked down on the sad girl. Her sorrow was a knife slowly twisting in his heart. With some depredation he held out a spread hand, not knowing what else to do.

  Gypsy studied Martin’s concerned face through teary eyes and contemplated the silent offer. “Will it work?” She whispered.

  Martin shrugged slightly. “I just don’t know.”

  With deliberate precision she put her hand inside of his. At first there was nothing then the tingling started. She slowly pulled her hand from his and felt the snap as they separated. She broke down in open sobs and after a hesitation wrapped her arms around Martin’s chest, burying her face in his shoulder.

  Martin gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders, silently consoling the stricken girl. He felt her shuddering tears soak through his shirt. He thought of another lady he was going to miss and held her a little tighter by reflex with his cheek on top of her head. They stayed like that for a long time.

  . . .

  “Thank you, Martin.” Gypsy said quietly as she sat with her legs curled under her in the co-pilot’s seat. Her eyes were still red rimmed and burned with a deep sadness. “I’m not normally like this, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

  Martin offered her an understanding smile. “It’s ok, Gypsy. Sometimes it just has to come out.” He winked. “I’m just glad I was here wearing my towel.”

  “Me too.” She forced a smile. “You’re nothing like I expected.”

  “Expected?” Martin asked, looking confused.

  She laughed, starting to push aside her sorrow. “I was a pilot instructor for six years as a bio, then due to a badly timed thruster ring failure while entering a bay became a warborg instructor pilot for three more.”

  Martin’s mouth fell open in astonishment. “You’ve been a fighter pilot for ten years.” He shook his head. “You look like you’re only in your early twenties.”

  “I’m a cyborg silly,” Gypsy giggled slightly. “I can be however old I want to be. I would guess physically we’re close to the same age. I’ve just aged better.” It was her turn to wink. “Anyway, I spent a lot of time teaching Mister Martin Morgan’s tactics and maneuvers.” Green flecks sparkled in her brown eyes. “Yer famous, kid.” She became more subdued, slightly embarrassed at her own forwardness. “I guess I expected someone more like Byron. Brash, a little cocky with a much more extroverted personality.” A look of guilty horror passed through her eyes. “No offense.” She hurriedly added.

  “None taken,” Martin laughed, really starting to like this tiny outspoken girl.

  “You’re just so relaxed and easy going,” her eyes looked down in slight shyness, “. . . and kind.” She looked back up at him. “It just doesn’t compute with the vicious fighter pilot image I had.”

  “Sorry if I disappointed you.” Martin grinned.

  “Hardly,” Gypsy breathed. She gazed out at the stars for several seconds and her face grew solemn. “I hate the Koth. I hate them for what they’ve done and I hate what they want from us.” She took a deep breath still looking out the port. “It’s just that I hate what would become of us if they weren’t here even more.” She looked at Martin. “You need to talk to them, Martin. They’ve told us a little about the Rhome, and from what I’ve seen I believe them. These Rhome are a bunch of xenophobic fruitcakes with a psychotic homicidal bent. Every fight is a jihad; they never retreat or stop fighting no matter how damaged their ships are. You literally have to completely destroy every ship. And they won’t let you retreat, they’ll just keep coming.” She shuddered slightly. “They don’t seem to comprehend the concept of surrender, if you stop fighting they simply destroy you. No prisoners, no questions.” She shook her head. “They don’t care about intelligence or stealth and the only technological advancements they seem to embrace are ones to destroy their enemies. And the only tactic the Rhome seem to understand is ‘get a bigger hammer’, they don’t even consider their own loses. They just keep throwing more and more forces against you until you succumb.” She heaved a big sigh. “Then they move on like nothing happened.”

  Martin was taken aback by Gypsy’s intensity. He studied her face for a second. “Ok, but can we trust the Koth?”

  Gypsy sagged. “Martin, that’s the question we’ve been asking ourselves for months. My gut instinct says yes, but . . .” She faded out with a shrug.

  They sat in silence for a few minutes, each buried in their own thoughts. “Ya know, Gypsy. I think I know a way to find out about the Koth.” He rubbed his face for a second. “But if you’re wrong it could get you guys killed. I don’t think they could catch the Panther, but you guys . . .” Martin gave a questioning shrug.

  Gypsy gave Martin a lopsided smile. “I can’t speak for the others, but I think we’ve been living on borrowed time anyway.” She settled
back in her chair. “What do you have in mind?”

  Martin grinned. “Maybe your fighters can’t communicate back to the federation from here, but I can. A full, unencrypted report of what I’ve found.”

  Gypsy’s eyes opened wide and she snickered, “Yeah, that might just get a rise out of them one way or another.”

  43: The Beauty and the Beasts

  ^You guys all set?^ Martin asked through the voice only hardlink.

  ^As set as we’re ever going to get.^ Byron’s voice was a little uneven, knowing they were baiting a bear.

  ^We’re well clear of the enclaves.^ Steve answered with a calmness he didn’t feel. ^If the Koth want to come after us, they’re going to have to chase us down. How about you, Martin? They’re going to have a lock on your position as soon as you transmit.^

  ^I should be all right, the comm system says the burst will only last about three seconds.^ Martin laughed. ^After that color me gone.^

  ^Let’s do it guys.^ Gypsy added quietly.

  ^Good luck, Bozo’s.^ Martin signed off, then shut down the hardlink. He watched the three warborgs disappear from his sensors as they went silent and jumped. “Ok, little buddy.”

  Prowler appeared perched on the co-pilot’s seat and gazed up at him with huge yellow eyes.

  “Get us out of here as soon as the message is finished, and be on your toes. Who knows what the Koth are going to do, let alone these Rhome.” He initiated the communication burst, the three seconds seemed like hours. The Star Panther jumped and changed its FTL signature before Martin realized the message was completed.

  He and Prowler scoured space around them as they waited for the Koth or the Federation to respond. Several minutes later they received an automated acknowledgment from Federation Command. Still they waited in silent concentration and watched a small Koth courier ship phase into normal space at the location where they had transmitted from.

  “Let’s give Command a while to digest that burst.” Martin looked over at Prowler. “Meanwhile I’m going to ease into the area of that courier ship. You keep your eyes peeled.”