Reaching over the table and touching her husband’s hand, Gloria replied, “He hasn’t beaten you. He’s never beaten you. Oh, sure, he may have won a few competitions in collage, but you won in the end. You’re the Vice-Admiral. He never became anything more than a Major. Now, he’s just a tramp pilot, not able to make it legitimately. He’s just a smuggler and a thief. You’re smarter than him. You’ll get him.”
Removing his hand, standing and taking his cup, he answered, “I had better. Father is getting angry.” Sipping and staring at the ocean, he continued, “That crook is up to something. I just need to look harder.”
“Maybe he just ran away.”
“The Griffin never left the system. He’s here.”
“Could he have taken a different ship?”
Weiskoff flinched. “Gloria, you’re a genius.”
With that, he set down his cup and faded into a trance-like look. His wife knew that he was contacting someone and listened to half of the conversation. Using his cranial net, Weiskoff connected to his ship then waited impatiently.
After a short pause, “Odin, here, Admiral.”
“Get me Lieutenant Clark.”
“One moment, Sir.”
After another pause, Weiskoff heard, “Clark here, Admiral.”
“Good. I want you to go back and list every ship that has left Cencore from the day of the theft until today. Military and non-military. Everything with the tonnage around that of the Griffin.
“That will be a long list, Admiral.”
“Yes, it will. Then I want you to list every ship that arrived in Cencore at least two months before the theft.”
“Yes sir. May I ask why?”
“We might get lucky. I want you to find every reference for a ship that left Cencore space and didn’t arrive in that four month time frame. Also, for any of those ships, establish any activity for any of those ships previous to those four months.”
“I see, sir. Any ships without activity or entrance are gaming the system. That is brilliant, sir. If the Griffin is able to fake its transponder I.D. we might be able to find what the fake is from the list of exceptions.”
“Get to it. Get me that list.”
“Yes, sir.”
Returning back to normal, Theodore saw his wife still sitting in her chaise, sipping her tea, being the strong emotional base that anchored his wild streak, his semi-craziness.
“Thank you.” He stated while retaking his seat an cup and sipping of his coffee.
“For What?”
“Being you. Helping me.”
“That’s what we do, Theo. You do the same for me.” She placed her hand on his arm and squeezed the squeeze of love.
The two went back to their thoughts, back to enjoying the morning.
Moon over Pacifica
The week passed. Each day everyone shuttled up to the Griffin. Each day became a repeat of before. Every other morning had Krag and Keiko physically training. Mack and Sue spent those mornings on the flight bridge, sitting in their respective pods and running through simulation exercises, sharpening their ship handling skills. Periodically they’d open the videos and audios in the cargo bay and watch Krag and Keiko just go through the motions.
The day before liftoff arrived.
“It’s not getting any better,” Mack commented as he and Sue watch their two friends practicing by rote, just going through the motions.
“No, it’s not. What can we do?”
“Nothing. Let’s just get out of here, get back to the docks. You’ll like it there. You’ll fit right in. And, I promise, we’ll get your boy there. We’ll get you a new life.”
“I hope so. I’ve lost my job, I’m sure, after being gone so long. The house isn’t much, but it’s all I’ve got. So I do need this. Thank you.”
“No, you’ve earned it. I’m sure Pa, Gregor will take care of your house. You’ve got nothing to worry about there, Lass. We’ll take care of you. You’ll see.”
The two went back to practicing their simulations and keeping an eye on the cargo bay.
As always before, Krag and Keiko started with stretching and warm-up. They then moved to individual katas, ending with an hour of sparing. But these times the sparing seemed a chore. Krag kept his wall up. Keiko played it safe. It became a waste of time. The workout wound down towards its end.
“Chikushou! I am so tired of this!” Keiko exclaimed. “Damare, Baka ne! Get your shit together!”
Keiko launched herself at Krag, while tossing her practice knives behind her. Krag saw her attack, tossed his tonfas sideways, opened his arms and braced himself for impact. The small Asian woman slammed into the large man with enough force to stagger him back a step. She wrapped her legs around his hips and locked her ankles. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her mouth pressed against his. Krag caught her, wrapped an arm under her arms, up her back and his hand palmed Keiko’s head, fingers entwined with her raven-black hair. His other hand cupped her buttocks, squeezed and pressed her hard against his groin.
After a long, strong embrace, Krag pulled his head back and ordered, “Buster, turn off all recording, viewing and audio devices in the cargo bay. Set the local gravity to two-tenths earth normal.”
“Done, Captain.”
Upon hearing Krag’s command to Buster and watching the screens go black, Mack and Sue paused their simulation training and looked at each other. Mack grinned. Sue sighed. “It’s about time,” she said.
Over the next two hours, Krag learned how flexible Keiko truly was. Keiko found out how strong Krag was and how much stamina he possessed. Finally finished, the two hot, sweaty and soaked lovers staggered around to put their gis back on. Keiko didn’t bother with her underwear. She just wadded the two pieces up and held them in a ball. Krag hadn’t worn any.
Hand-in-hand, the two lovers strolled to the galley. Upon entering, they saw Mack and Sue look up from their lunch.
Releasing Keiko’s hand, Krag admonished, “Not a word. Not a look. Nothing. Understood?”
“Not a peep, Cap,” Mack replied, with the best look of innocence he could muster.
“Not a peep, Captain,” Sue repeated.
Then the two of them laughed like high school kids discovering something naughty. Krag groaned. Keiko sighed, rolled her eyes and pushed her wad of underthings into the laundry hamper. Krag pulled two water bottles from the fridge and handed one to Keiko.
After leaning against the counter and taking a swig, Krag sternly commented, “There is going to be more discipline around here.”
That started the snickering back up. Krag slowly glared around the galley. Keiko smiled the smile of a cat in the sun.
The rest of the day saw a very much relaxed captain, a contented thief, a relieved hacker and an elated mechanic. The team was back. They powered through their final preparations for liftoff and headed back to the hotel. There, they enjoyed a sumptuous last supper and finished the evening with desserts, drinks and the camaraderie that had been missing the last six weeks.
Aboard Ravage Maker
Flight stood patiently at the door to the conference room, waiting to be recognized.
War paused his conversation with Intelligence concerning the information his spies had collected on the targeted solar system. “Yes, Flight?”
Flight diffidently entered and, at a head nod from War, straddled his four legs around a stool and sat. “We are less than two planet cycles before we exit the gate.”
“Are all preparations completed?” The Lord Minister’s question was more of a demand.
“Yes, My Lord. The two hundred attack ships from First Fleet will enter and clear the space. The spacecraft carrier will follow and launch a close space cover of five hundred fighters. The two dreadnaughts, with their support ships, will follow. Next, the troop carriers. Once the foothold has been established, your flagship, with escorts, will enter with a full security contingent in front. The four remaining fleets will then follow.”
“What do you foresee as any
obstacles to your conquest?”
“None, My Lord. The in-system ships won’t slow us down. The air cover on the planet is minimal. The soft skins are not prepared for war or defense. They will fall quickly!” Flight’s wings spread and rose, displaying the bright green of the flying class.
“See that it is true, Flight. We need a swift victory. Logistics?”
“War?”
“Are we prepared for immediate processing?”
“Yes we are. The processor ships are prepped. All food handlers are awaiting for landings.”
“In summary, Flight, Logistics, the attack is ready for commencement and food processing is ready for deployment. Is that true?”
Both responded affirmatively and War carefully studied each one’s body language to detect any doubt. The four-legged Mortek warrior found none..
“Thank you, Flight.”
“My Lord.” Flight rose, gave a bow and exited. War, and Logistics went back to studying and discussing the plethoric amounts of data Intelligence had successfully accumulated.
Chapter 12
Aboard Griffin
Krag sat in his command pod. Mack and Keiko occupied their perspective places. Sue sat on a makeshift pad, resting against a bulkhead, watching the team work.
“Mack, final report on Griffin’s status,” Krag commanded.
“Everything is cat’s pajamas, Cap. She’s spankin’ new, ready to run.”
“All fuel, stores, munitions capped off?”
“No, Cap. We’ve used some fuel to get to the moon and some stores while staying on board. Munitions are fully capped, though. We can top off on the way out. I’ve made some calls. Once we reach Pacifica we can be in and out within two hours.”
“Excellent. That’s the plan. Keiko?”
“Captain?” Keiko once again assumed her professional persona”
“Plot a flight plan, per Mack’s recommendations. First to Pacifica then towards the Cencore gate.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Sue sat, watched and followed the dialogue. She saw Mack send the coordinates to Keiko and watched as Keiko worked up the flight plan. She saw Captain Marston sit casually in his command pod and patiently wait as the final preparations were completed.
* * * * *
Two days later found Griffin, sending transponder ID’s as Wyvern, jump into Cencore.
“Mack, what do you see?”
“All is good, Cap. Screens show normal activity with the usual inspection patrol and traffic.”
“No military ships?”
“Nah, all looks normal.”
“Keiko, plot a direct flight to the Bridgelen gate. Then do your rich socialite thing.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” The words were professional but the twinkling look she gave Krag put a lie to that.
“Sue, just like on Pacifica, you’re Keiko’s personal secretary and gopher. Mack, do your engineer routine. The inspectors are going to be here shortly. Let’s go people!” Krag emphasized the last with a hand clap.
Dreadnaught Odin
The signals officer interrupted Vice Admiral Weiskoff’s reverie. Looking up from his desk, the fleet commander gave the junior officer a hand gesture to enter.
Diffidently approaching the desk and taking an at-attention stance, he began, “Sir, we’ve just received a communiqué from a patrol ship stationed at the Americana gate.”
“At ease.”
The signals officer spread his legs shoulder width and clasped his data pad in both hands.
“And?”
“It’s one of the ships on the look-out list, sir. The Wyvern.”
“Did the patrol ship report its tonnage? Length? Hull configuration?”
“Yes, sir. It matches Griffin.”
“Flight plan?”
Looking at his pad, “Heading towards Bridgelen, then on to Dorogon.”
“Compliment on board?”
The young officer again studied his data pad. “Captain George S. Patton. Mz. Keiko Suzume, daughter of Takayuki Suzume, interplanetary ambassador for Nye-Nippon. Her personal secretary, a Sue Benton and an engineer, Henry McCauley, Jr.”
“Good job. Get me full background checks on all four. Excused.”
“Aye, aye, Sir.”The junior officer did a smart about face and marched back to his com station.
“Yes! Got you, you bastard!” The harsh, growly whisper bespoke of Vice Admiral Weiskoff’s exultation. “George S. Patton. Yeah, right. I know my history too.” Rising, he hurried out of his office, onto the bridge and over to the captain.
“Captain Brewer.”
“Admiral?”
Bridgelen gate. We’re going to set up a catch point. We’re looking for the Wyvern. Track its location and verify we can get there before them. Set a course, full transient speed.”
“Aye, Aye, Admiral.” With that response, Captain returned his attention to his flight crew and began distributing the required orders.
At peace with the world, Vice Admiral Weiskoff returned to his office, visions of victory floating across his mind.
Yeni Persia Star System
Gate patrol ship
Every sixty days one of the three patrol ships was tasked with the monotonous, boring job of sitting in front of the gate that pointed to nowhere. This time the Sasania Space Ship Seeker of Truth earned the distinction of being the current resident watch guard. The gate had never been used. Nothing had ever come through. No one ever entered. There was nothing to find. Just dead space and lifeless rocks.
The shock of a hundred ships of unknown origin erupting from the gate panicked the languishing crew into fervent action.
“Multiple bogies!” shouted the sensor officer.
“How many?” demanded the captain as he heard the shout and hustled in from his office.
“Two hundred small ships!”
“Coms, get a signal off to HQ! And the other patrols! Now! Keep the line open! Link a continuous stream! XO, take weapons!”
That became the captain’s dying words. A hundred Mortek attack ships swarmed over the Seeker of Truth and killed it, along with every one of its crew. But the small, defenceless ship did manage to send half a minute of live video to everyone listening and watching.
Sixty-four attack ships broke off and raced towards the Dorogon gate. One-hundred, thirty-six ships kept their assault speeds and raced towards Sasania, itself. As the ships split and continued on, the two dreadnaughts, with their escorts, slowly passed through the gate. The one thousand assault craft, each with its three thousand warriors, followed. War’s flagship, Ravage Maker, came through high, affording him the full view of his First Fleet performing as planned, as expected. Then the other four fleets almost contemptuously powered into Yeni Persia space.
Sasania Space Fleet Headquarters
“What have we got, Mr. Ashid?” the frantic HQ Commander Toma, screeched at his sensor operations officer.
“Some kind of space fleet, Sir.”
“Patrol ship?”
“ The Seeker of Truth. Verified as destroyed,” the shocked sensor officer replied.
“Are you collecting and recording all readings?”
“Full spectral and radiological bands, Commander.”
“Who are they?
“Unknown, sir. There are no known ship configurations in our data base, sir.”
“Put them on the big screen. Flag them as hostile.”
The primary command center view screen flashed over to a full view of the Yeni Persia solar system. The two gas giants dwarfed everything except for the primary star. In comparison, Sasania appeared small, unimportant. A swarm of read dots clustered around the unused gate. The two remaining patrol ships appeared as two green dots, one on the opposite side of the planet as headquarters, the other within observation range of the Dorogon gate. Multiple blue dots, connoting civilian ships, constantly flowed into and out of that gate.
As the tense crew of the command center stared and whispered, the number of red dots kept growing
. First in the hundreds, then in the thousands.
“Mr. Kassis, contact all civilian ships around the Dorogon gate. Have them return to their place of origin. Also have the patrol ship broadcast an alert to all new entrants to immediately re-enter the gate.”
The communications officer began following his orders and issuing the edicts.
Everyone went back to watching the wave of unknown, possibly, no probably, alien, ships pour into their solar system, their home. As they watched, they saw sixty-four red dots change course and race towards the Dorogon gate. And they saw one hundred-thirty-six of the fastest ships charge towards their planet. And they saw the rest of the growing armada follow behind.
“How soon until those forerunning ships reach us?” Commander Toma asked the room.
“Lieutenant Ashid responded first. “Two hours. The rest of that armada should start arriving thirty minutes after that.”
“Mr. Kassis, get me the governor”
“Connection established, Commander.”
“Governor Ardishar.”
“Commander Toma. Of what do I owe this pleasure?”
The commander, still sitting in his command chair, saw the portly man sitting at his desk, surrounded by the riches that this powerful member of the royal family had accumulated.
“I’m afraid that there is no pleasure in this call, Your Highness. Something monumental, something historic is happening. And I am afraid that it could also be catastrophic.” Commander Toma was loath to actually describe the enormity of the event.
Leaning forward and resting on his arms, the governor focused on the commander. “And what could this historic something be?”
“We are being invaded,” Toma blurted. “An armada of thousands of ships is pouring through the dead end gate. And it is heading here.”
“Are they friendly?”
“No, Your Highness. I don’t believe so. The first thing they did was destroy our patrol ship.”
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