“Sir, you have to see this,” Mac said, instantly gritting her teeth at inadvertently calling the captain “sir.” She was thankful O’Carroll didn’t glare at her this time.
Hunter looked up into the darkness. The cylindrical filament-like structure extended straight up into the blackness, beyond the suspended hulls of what looked like some combination of Sarn and Core technology combined into a new design of starship. The filament was roughly fifteen feet in diameter and anchored to the floor. The more the captain looked around, the more he noticed there were dozens, if not hundreds of others just like it spaced all over the cavernous chamber. The structure appeared to be made out of a faded red crystal that was at least somewhat transparent. Inside was a blurry object that appeared to be humanoid shaped, but the details were too obscure to be certain.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, captain. You’ve surprised even me.”
Hunter turned and confronted Colonel Zachariah Atwell. He was dressed in a long black coat which went well with his sharp marine infantry officer’s uniform. His insignia were no longer Skywatch. They were more reminiscent of a pre-spaceflight armor officer’s Class A uniform. The colonel’s long white hair was no longer topped by a cover, but the captain did notice the former Skywatch officer was now wearing a pair of spectacles with small lenses. His hands were clasped behind his back.
“Colonel Atwell, you’re under arrest. This time you won’t be teleporting out of my brig.”
“While I commend your enthusiasm, son, I’m afraid you’re going to have trouble accomplishing your quixotic mission. You’ve already had a look at what we’ve accomplished with the treasures we found on Raleo Two. But you aren’t even close to the potential we’ve unlocked.”
“Frankly colonel, I’m getting weary of your sales pitch. Strike Sergeant, take the colonel into custody.”
“Aye, sir. Colonel, hands where I can see them.” Sergeant O’Carroll advanced on the older man. Atwell didn’t react at all, so the sergeant grabbed his arm. His hand went through the colonel’s image. Hunter and Mac backed away instinctively.
“Jason, I’ve warned you again and again. You don’t know what you’re facing here. My advice would be to join the winning side. I have no animosity towards you, and I have no intention of harming you or anyone else, but if you hinder our work here any more, I’m going to be forced to call in my muscle.”
“I doubt you’ve got the horses for that wagon, colonel.”
“I have four full-strength battle groups. So far we’ve tried to persuade you with robot ships, the occasional empty hull. A couple of companies of mechs here on the surface. You’ve seen a tiny fraction of my forces. You might have a pretty solid spacehead here on Bayone Three, but we’re not just going to give up the Lethe base and retreat. We need this facility. We need time to perfect what we’ve built.”
“We know all about what you’re doing here.”
“Captain, we could study the Ithis ruins for a thousand years and we still wouldn’t have a child’s understanding of any of it. You’re only a mile under the surface. You have another two hundred miles to go straight down before you reach the first of their monuments. They have a power matrix beyond anything humanity has ever or will ever harness right under our feet. This is my legacy. I will bring their works to the human race in the same way Prometheus brought fire to mortal man.”
“That story didn’t really end well for the hero, colonel.”
“Our story is yet to be written, Jason. Mankind has a brighter future than haggling with the filthy Sarn or building sad outposts far from home. I will see to it our progeny isn’t denied their birthright. I have no interest in attacking defenseless civilians, so I’ll give you one month to evacuate Starhaven and withdraw from Bayone space. You will not approach the Raleo system. I will deliver terms to the Core Council.”
“And if we refuse?”
“I will lead a fleet of more than one hundred warships with orders to annihilate you and every last human soul in this star system.”
Sixty-Seven
“At least we found them, sir.”
Captain Hunter was distracted, and that was making him stare off into space more often than any of the junior crew members were used to.
“Say again?”
“Argent’s crew, sir.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you, yeoman. Dismissed.” Hunter turned to the analysis of the subterranean chamber where a dozen of his flight deck crew members had been located inside the red filaments and subsequently freed. With Major Komanov’s help, teams of marines, fleet science specialists and Yili’s engineers had been guided through the labyrinthine tunnels under the facility to locations where more of Argent’s crew and others were likely to be found.
It would be weeks, however, before they would be medically cleared to resume their duties, and Hunter knew there was potentially much more waiting for him and his team under the mysterious abandoned base.
Hunter closed the thick folio of printouts and left his office. He passed a handful of salutes and strode into the executive conference past the marine corporal who called the assembled officers to attention.
“As you were.” He took his seat and turned off the display behind him. The skippers of the Perseus task force, Major Komanov, his senior officers and two civilian representatives of Starhaven were seated around the spacious opulent wooden table.
“I know it might be the riskier option, but I’m going to take Atwell at his word for now. Mainly because I have no ready alternatives. I can’t abandon these civilians, and it will take at least three weeks to muster the life support capacity to get them out of harm’s way.”
The assembled audience of officers looked at each other nervously.
“The bigger problem is the fact we’ve apparently got a hundred crews and ships out there that have gone rogue and are prepared to launch a counteroffensive against this star system.”
“We don’t have the tonnage, the firepower or the hulls to hold off that many ships,” Jayce stated flatly. “Orca’s battle group and her breakaway squadron withdrew to preserve their advantage on Atwell’s behalf. It’s exactly what I would have done and it’s exactly what you would have done too.”
“Once we dig the rest of our crew out from under that base, we’ll have quite a bit more manpower for our ground forces,” Colonel Moody countered. “Admiral Powers assigned a full battalion of marines to Komanov’s command even if we leave out 14th infantry.”
“We’re still outgunned ten to one in space,” Jayce replied.
“I’m well aware of that, commander,” Moo snapped.
“Alright, it’s pretty clear this situation is wearing on all of us, so let’s take a step back and get a look at the bigger picture. Atwell’s Utopian vision sounds great, but so far all he’s managed to do is crash ships into each other and send automated attacks against us which we’ve shot down every time,” Jason said. “The simple fact of the matter is we’re winning, and every time I see Atwell, he is by himself and muttering about his grand plan. Let’s not concede just yet.”
“He strikes me as a man who considers us to be more an annoyance than a threat,” Captain Islington replied. “Perhaps that can be turned to our advantage.”
“If we can hold this system,” Komanov added. “We’re not just looking at an attack by rogue crews. Admiral Powers believes Bayone Three might be the spark that ignites a civil war. There are three admirals at Skywatch Command who are already under suspicion of aiding the colonel.”
“If there are multiple flag officers involved, who can we trust?” Commander Doverly asked.
“Ourselves first,” Yili said.
“I expect Admiral Rickenhauser will be along in a few days to check our work,” Jason replied. “I’m hoping we can make it clear to Command what we’re facing out here. I would offer them proof if we could find where Atwell is mustering this fleet of his, but given what we know about the Ithis technology, I’m beginning to wonder if standard tactics even apply.”
/>
“What about the investigation into Admiral Hughes?”
“My guess is the admiral and I will go a few rounds over JAG involvement, doctor. We really don’t have time for hallways and filing cabinets, but that will matter little to the powers that be. They have their rulebooks, and I have to be pretty careful about obstructing a flag officer. The good news is we may finally find the crew of the Dunkerque down there in Atwell’s menagerie.”
“Which problem do we tackle first?” Moo asked.
“We have two priorities, colonel. Fighting a war and stopping a war, and at this point I’m not entirely certain which one is going to win.”
Epilogue
It had been some time since rescue operations had been launched under the Lethe Deeps Base, and each day was bringing more and more good news, including the recovery of several pilots and the missing Tarantula-Hawk crew launched to perform surface defense scans ahead of the Copernicus.
It had been some time since so many civilians had been allowed aboard the battleship Argent, but when the captain insisted, there weren’t many people in a position to deny him his impromptu ceremony. A podium and chairs were arranged under the forward section of gunship Black Seven, which was partially covered by a large white tarp that concealed its designator, warpaint and unit identification.
A handful of well dressed Starhaven residents were milling around the carpeted area on Flight One. The ship’s yeomen and mess crew were attending to drinks, offering trays of snacks and making sure everyone knew where to sit once the ceremony was underway. Two marines from Second Paladins were on hand in their dress crimson uniforms and white gloves to guard the gunship itself. Each was armed with a TK46 rifle, which they held at their side, stock end on the deck.
“And just who is this little girl who thinks she can fly away in my spaceship?!”
The exaggerated roaring voice of Jason Hunter filled the air. He had been working on his “fee-fi-fo-fum” for days and Zony had to admit it was pretty good.
Aibreann Willits whirled around with a delighted and surprised look on her face. She was wearing her best dress. White with a blue sash and ribbons. She also wore an Argent flight jacket that was still two sizes too big. Some might have credibly wondered if she had taken off the Red Buccaneers squadron jacket since her adventure, but her mom would have assured them although she never let it get too far from her, she wasn’t using it as a blanket to sleep under. At least not every night. She ran towards Jason Hunter as if she had known him her whole life, arms raised. The captain lifted her into the air. Her curls flew and he caught her in one arm.
“You’re not the girl who flies spaceships! You’re too short!”
“Yes I am!” Aibreann shouted.
“Noooo you’re not!” Hunter mock-growled. “You’re just wearing that jacket to try and trick me! Where’s the real pilot?” Jason pretended to look around the flight deck.
“I am so! I’m in Zony’s pilot’s club!”
“I see!” Jason carried Aibreann on his hip. She held him tight, arms around his neck. He walked over to the group of Starhaven residents and offered his hand to the girl’s mother. Zony and the captain were both dressed in their ceremonial blue and silver officer’s dress uniforms. Hunter was wearing all his decorations including his shoulder braids, eagle cuff links and prominent Skyshield Legion medal. Zony’s uniform was equally formal.
“Mrs. Willits. Captain Jason Hunter at your service.” The woman graciously smiled and took the captain’s hand. “May I introduce my signals officer, Lieutenant Zony Tixia. I believe you’ve all met.” There were smiles and handshakes all around. “And this, I’m guessing, is Zony’s famous wing girl!”
Aibreann beamed. Jason raised an eyebrow.
“Are you sure you’re not trying to trick me? You look pretty small for a pilot.”
Aibreann’s curls flipped back and forth as she shook her head.
“I hope you’re all being well cared for. I have a few remarks and then I’d like to offer you and your family and friends a tour of my ship.”
“We would be honored, captain,” Mrs. Willits replied.
“Let’s get started then.” Jason set Aibreann down and made his way to the podium while the group of two dozen or so civilians took their seats around the guest of honor. Zony sat up front on the side closest the captain. She knew him well. He had been planning something fun for days. The two marines guarding the gunship snapped to attention. The captain returned their salutes and took the small platform.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Defender Starship Argent. On behalf of myself, my officers and my crew, I want to thank you for your patience and your valuable assistance in meeting the challenges of the past days and weeks. I know it’s been hard on you and your families, and I’m happy to report we expect things to improve rapidly in the coming days.”
“From time to time, as fleet officers, we rely heavily on the help of civilians like yourselves. But occasionally, we meet someone who demonstrates a level of valor and determination above and beyond the call of duty. So today, I have asked you to join me here to help me recognize the contribution of Aibreann Willits, callsign ‘Parakeet.’"
The girl blushed, but her smile didn’t dim even a little.
“Behind me is Tarantula-Hawk gunship Black Seven, which sustained moderate damage during an engagement with a Sarn destroyer squadron in open space over Bayone Three. I’m happy to report the ship has been repaired and will re-enter service as part of my surface warfare wing immediately.”
“My executive officer and signals officer have since reviewed the events of the battle and the three of us agree the pilot and crew of this ship would normally be recognized and commended by their superiors for gallantry and courage under enemy fire. While I cannot award a service medal to a civilian, I do have the authority to recognize such bravery in other ways. So today, by the authority vested in me as captain of the battleship Argent, I have ordered the designator and identification of this warship to be permanently changed. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the new gunship Black Seven, which will be known from today forward as the ‘Black Parakeet.’"
The white cover fell away, revealing brand new warpaint on the pilot’s side of the warship’s forward hull. An enormous stylized diving parakeet with black wings, yellow eyes and black boots was depicted head-on inside a circular frame decorated with a black and white checkerboard pattern. Zony and the audience cheered and clapped.
“Now what do you all say we start the tour with some ice cream in the pilot’s club?”
Captain Hunter stepped around the podium, knelt and saluted Aibreann. She returned his salute, left-handed of course, and hugged him again. He took her by the hand and led the group towards the officer’s mess.
Claim Your Free Book!
Join Shane Lochlann Black’s Mailing List!
New Book Announcements! Free Books! Special Offers! Exclusive Stories! Sneak Previews!
Join Today!
Strike Battleship Engineers
Shane Lochlann Black
10.2 Copyright © 2017
Palace in the Sky Productions LLC.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher:
Palace in the Sky Productions LLC
Cover design and illustrations by
Heavy Cat Studios
0%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Strike Battleship Engineers (The Ithis Campaign Book 2) Page 29