“Thanks for the words of advice,” Kurt answered. He could tell from the tone of Keera’s voice that she was a little dejected with his decision. “I promise when I get back, I’ll take you on that tour of Newton we’ve been talking about.”
“We might have to include your nephew,” answered Keera with a slight laugh. “I mentioned it to him, after your sister and I went shopping, and he became very excited about taking a shuttle and seeing the rest of the planet.”
Kurt was silent. There went the alone time he had planned with Keera. There would be no privacy or even quiet time with Bryan around.
“Don’t worry,” Keera said, laughing even more. “Denise told Bryan he could go next time and that she would come along also. So the first trip will be just you and me.”
Kurt thought over what Keera was saying. “Have you ever gone camping?”
“Out in the wild, like sleeping under the stars?”
“Not quite that wild,” answered Kurt, smiling to himself. “There are several resorts in the mountains with some very nice cabins and spectacular scenic views. I was thinking more along those lines.”
“And what will be expected of me on this trip?” asked Keera in a teasing voice.
Kurt suddenly realized he didn’t have a response.
“Don’t worry,” Keera said over the comm. “We’ll figure it out when we get there. It might be fun. By the way, what’s your favorite color?”
“Blue,” Kurt blurted out, confused by the question.
“I like blue too,” Keera said demurely. “I better let you go. I know you have a lot to do.”
“I’ll call you as soon as we get back,” promised Kurt. The comm went silent, and he knew Keera was gone. He was still a little confused about the color question. Oh, well, he would worry about it later; for now he had a fleet to ready for combat.
-
Slightly before noon the next day Kurt returned to the Command Center.
“The Dallas and Johnas have moved into flanking positions,” reported Lieutenant Mays, as she got up from the command chair, relinquishing it to Kurt.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Kurt answered. Captain Randson was busy making sure their extra hypermissiles were properly stowed in the missile pod.
Kurt pressed the ship-to-ship button on his comm. “Captain Marsh and Captain Owens, are you ready to get underway?”
“Yes, Admiral,” they both replied.
“You will go first. Leave in ten minutes,” Kurt ordered. “Proceed to rendezvous with the Vindication. The Star Cross will follow, so we can see how well the new hyperspace sensor functions.”
“See you at the rendezvous, sir,” replied Captain Marsh.
“Same here,” replied Captain Owens.
-
Captain Randson came into the Command Center just in time to witness the Dallas and Johnas preparing to make the jump into hyperspace.
“Lieutenant Brooks, make sure the new hyperspace sensor is online,” ordered Andrew. “I want to see those two light cruisers on the tactical screen, and I don’t want to lose them.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, as her fingers moved nimbly across her computer screen, touching different icons. “Sensor is operational and online.”
“Ensign Styles, stand by to jump into hyperspace. Lieutenant Brooks will feed you the course and speed of the two light cruisers. Stay on their tail and do not lose them.”
“Ready to engage,” Styles answered, as he leaned forward a little bit closer to his navigation console.
“Dallas and Johnas are jumping,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.
-
Kurt looked at the main viewscreen, as both ships seemed to shimmer and then vanished. He stared intently at the tactical screen, which now showed two green icons rapidly departing the Newton System.
“Give them a ten-minute head start, and then we’ll follow,” he ordered. He noted the increased activity in the Command Center as they neared the time to enter hyperspace.
“All systems are powered up and working at optimum levels,” reported Andrew, as he took his place at his command console. “All departments report ready for hyperspace entry.”
On the main viewscreen, the image shifted to show Newton Station. Several Lance fighters were visible, flying their patrol routes.
“Admiral, Rear Admiral Wilson wishes us good luck on our mission,” reported Ensign Pierce from her communications console.
“Tell him thank-you and to keep Newton safe while we’re gone,” replied Kurt.
A few more minutes passed, and Kurt returned his attention to the tactical screen, still showing the two receding light cruisers.
“Distance is 2.6 light-years,” Lieutenant Brooks reported. “Hyperspace sensor is showing a strong tracking signature.”
“Stand by to enter hyperspace,” Andrew announced. “One minute to hyperspace transition.”
Kurt looked at another screen with the blue-white globe of Newton. He wondered if the defense grid would arrive before they returned. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the transition into hyperspace.
“The ship is yours, Ensign Styles,” said Andrew, looking at the Navigation and Helm.
“Yes, sir,” Styles replied, as he pressed several buttons on his console, including his preset initiate icon.
Almost instantly the Star Cross accelerated forward, and then the hyperspace drive activated. Kurt felt a slight wrenching in his stomach, while the stars disappeared from the ship’s viewscreens. He checked the tactical screen for the two light cruisers and was surprised to note that the screen revealed the entire Newton System plus the ships in orbit. He came to realize this hyperspace detection system could be quite valuable, if used properly.
“All departments report normal operations,” said Andrew, as he listened to the different department heads report in over his comm.
“All right,” Kurt said, relaxing a bit. “Now let’s see if we can follow those two cruisers without losing contact with them.”
“You heard the admiral,” said Andrew, looking at Lieutenant Brooks and Ensign Styles. “Don’t lose those two ships!” Andrew smiled. “I’m also curious as to how well the new sensors will work.”
-
For the next two hours Kurt watched with interest as the Star Cross followed the light cruisers. Several times Ensign Styles made minor course adjustments. What intrigued Kurt most was the hyperspace sensor’s display on the tactical screen. The two cruisers showed as brilliant green icons; however, the sensor also showed nearby star systems. He noticed, the farther away they were, the detail was not all that great. But the new sensors should give adequate warning of any approaching hyperspace hazards.
“The hyperspace sensor seems to be working adequately,” commented Andrew. “Unless the Profiteers have a better hyperdrive on their cargo ship and the two detainee ships, we should have no trouble following them.”
“We’ll see,” answered Kurt. The Command Center routine had become more normal once they entered hyperspace.
Kurt was curious what the sensors would show as they neared the Solar System. Once they rendezvoused with the Vindication, it would be a matter of waiting for the Profiteers to send the convoy on its way. A lot was riding on this mission. If the humans were successful, they could recover a full cargo ship of the riches the Profiteers had stolen from Earth, plus free several thousand captives who were about to be sold into slavery. It might also buy them the time they needed to get the defense grid at Newton up and operational, and perhaps even see the arrival of the new warships.
-
Kurt sat in the Command Center, while the Star Cross dropped out of hyperspace two thousand kilometers from the Vindication. It would be two more days yet before the Newton Princess returned to pick up her next load of fleet hopefuls.
They had managed to follow the two light cruisers without losing them. It made Kurt feel confident that they would be able to follow the Profiteer convoy when it finally left Earth orbit.
“
Message from the Vindication,” Ensign Pierce reported. “Captain Watkins says the alien convoy is already forming up and may be leaving at any time.”
“Crap,” muttered Andrew, as his gaze moved to the tactical screen, now showing the Solar System as seen by the hyperspace sensor. It didn’t show the system in great detail, but it did show the ships around Earth. It was obviously detecting their hyperspace drive emissions. Even when not activated, the drives still gave off a distinctive energy signature. “I wonder how much time we have.”
“Have the Dallas and the Johnas take up supportive positions on our port and starboard sides, and be prepared to enter hyperspace at a minute’s notice. Have them slave their navigation computers to the Star Cross, and we’ll handle the pursuit for all three ships,” ordered Kurt, as he gazed at the tactical screen. “Once the alien convoy enters hyperspace, we have twelve to fifteen minutes to locate them, before we no longer will be able to track them.”
Andrew looked over at Kurt with concern on his face. “We’ve never attempted that type of coordinated navigation before. At the speed we’ll be traveling, there won’t be time to make sudden course corrections.”
“First time for everything.” Kurt grinned. “Our navigation computer can handle it. We just need to input the right information. Isn’t that correct, Ensign Styles?”
“Yes, Admiral,” Styles replied confidently. “With the new hyperspace sensor, the computer should be able to navigate all three ships safely.”
Andrew let out a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll contact Captain Marsh and Captain Owens, and let them know what’s going on.” Andrew still had a frown on his face.
“I’ll be in my quarters,” Kurt said. “I need to speak to Captain Watkins.”
-
“How are things on the Vindication?” asked Kurt, once he had Henry on the comm. He leaned back in his plush office chair, enjoying the momentary comfort.
“Boring,” replied Henry. “We spend most of our time hiding behind some of the larger ice rocks, waiting for the stealth shuttles to go back and forth.”
“Has there been any sign of the Profiteers or the Dacroni detecting the shuttles?”
“No, nothing,” replied Henry, sounding perplexed. “Hell, even if I was running a standard sensor sweep, I would have noticed something by now.”
“We don’t know what their standard operating procedures are for scanning the space around a planet,” Kurt answered.
“We’ve only been landing at night and coming in with the Earth shielding the sun,” Henry explained. “We’ve even used storm systems to hide where the shuttles land. For some strange reason, the enemy doesn’t seem to be covering the poles of the planet with any of their ships. We’ve been coming down over northern Canada.”
“They’re only interested in stripping the planet of its gold and other valuable metals,” Kurt said. Plus the Profiteers were not real military but pirates. However, that didn’t explain why the Dacroni mercenaries hadn’t detected anything. Maybe they just didn’t care.
“And gemstones,” Henry added. “I received a report yesterday that several Profiteer shuttles landed at The Louvre in Paris. Dozens of Profiteers emerged and attempted to enter. There was a brief battle between the French security people at the museum and the Profiteers. Surprisingly enough, the Profiteers returned to their shuttles and left. A few hours later the Eiffel Tower was destroyed by an energy beam.”
“With the tribute Earth is paying, the Profiteers are supposed to leave the major cities alone,” Kurt said in concern. “I’m not surprised about the Eiffel Tower. The Profiteers always seem to retaliate when we offer resistance.”
“Supposed to,” reiterated Henry. “They seem to be ignoring that agreement more every day.”
Kurt didn’t like the sound of that. President Mayfield was right. Earth was rapidly reaching the tipping point where an actual revolt against the Profiteers could easily happen. That couldn’t be allowed to occur, because there was no doubt in Kurt’s mind that the Profiteers wouldn’t hesitate to use nukes on more Earth cities. They had already nuked the planet once before, and there was no reason to think they wouldn’t do it again.
“Hopefully, if you can take this convoy, it will ease the tension on Earth some,” Henry added. “Although High Profiteer Creed will be infuriated.”
“Earth will only feel some relief if the aliens commit some of their ships to the search for the missing convoy,” Kurt reminded Henry.
“Creed will search for it,” Henry said confidently. “Each cargo ship he sends off is packed full of plunder. He’ll do everything he can to try to recover it.”
Kurt talked to Henry for a few more minutes about what was going on at Newton. Henry asked some questions about Kurt’s sister and how Andrew’s family was doing since the rescue. Finally Kurt signed off and hoped to take a quick nap. At any moment, he expected to be called back to the Command Center. As he lay on his bed, his thoughts turned to Keera, and he soon drifted off to sleep.
-
“Admiral Vickers, please report to the Command Center,” said someone in a loud and urgent voice over the comm.
Kurt’s eyes flew open and, glancing at the clock next to his bed, he was surprised to see he had slept for nearly six hours.
“Report,” he ordered, pressing the button on the comm.
“Enemy convoy is leaving Earth orbit and moving into open space,” Lieutenant Mays reported. “We estimate they’ll be jumping into hyperspace sometime in the next ten to twenty minutes.”
“Very well,” Kurt answered. “I’ll be there shortly. Let me know if they jump into hyperspace before I reach the Command Center.”
Kurt quickly stripped off his wrinkled uniform and changed into a clean one. He spent a few minutes freshening up and then left his quarters, hurrying toward the command deck. On his way he passed several crewmembers also headed to their stations.
Stepping into the Command Center, he saw Andrew was already there and Lieutenant Mays had returned to her tactical station. “Where are they?” Kurt stepped to his command chair and sat down with his gaze shifting to the tactical screen.
“Past the orbit of the Moon,” replied Andrew, as he turned toward Kurt.
“They’re jumping,” called out Lieutenant Brooks.
“Inform the Dallas and the Johnas to stand by,” ordered Kurt. “Also notify Captain Watkins that we’ll be departing shortly.”
“How long do we wait?” asked Andrew.
“Five minutes,” Kurt answered. “Give them a head start but not much of one. We don’t know if that Dacroni battleship will detect us or not.”
“If it does, we’re screwed,” commented Andrew in a low voice that only Kurt could hear.
The time passed quickly by, and, at a signal from Kurt, Ensign Styles turned the navigation of the three ships over to the ship’s navigation computer. Almost instantly the Star Cross accelerated and jumped into hyperspace.
“Dallas and Johnas have jumped also,” reported Lieutenant Brooks.
Kurt looked at the tactical screen, seeing two green icons displayed in close proximity to the Star Cross.
“Now we’ll know for sure,” Andrew said. “If there’s no reaction shortly, then I would guess they haven’t spotted us.” Andrew focused on the tactical screen, his gaze locked on the red threat icons they followed. He also watched the green icons. On the screen they were so close that they seemed to be touching.
The anxiety in the Command Center was high, as everyone took occasional furtive glances at the tactical display. After about thirty minutes, nothing had changed, and the tension gradually receded.
“I don’t think they know we’re here,” Kurt said, allowing himself to relax. It confused him some as to why the Dacroni wouldn’t be monitoring hyperspace; surely they had the ability to do so.
“Now we just have to wait and see how long they stay in hyperspace,” Andrew commented, as he sat down at his command station. “It could be several days or more.”
Kurt nodded in agreement. The Profiteers and Dacroni were more experienced with hyperspace travel than humans were. It was unknown how many times they might feel it necessary to drop from hyperspace during the 1,500–light-year journey to the Gothan Empire.
-
For five days the Star Cross and the two light cruisers shadowed the small convoy. During that time the Profiteer fleet never varied its speed in hyperspace.
“Current distance between us and the convoy?” asked Kurt, as he gazed at the red threat icons on the tactical screen.
“Three point two light-years, sir,” answered Lieutenant Brooks.
“What if they don’t stop until they reach the Gothan Empire?” Andrew asked from his command station. “They’ve been maintaining that speed from the very beginning. I’m concerned we might be away from Newton for quite some time.”
“They have to stop short of the star cluster,” Kurt responded, his brow wrinkling in thought. “They need to drop out to plot their hyperspace course, as the star density in that cluster is too great to enter blindly.”
“Admiral!” called out Lieutenant Brooks. “Their speed is dropping.”
“Contact the Dallas and Johnas,” ordered Kurt, leaning forward expectantly. “All ships are to go to Condition One!” He was relieved that the convoy was finally exiting hyperspace.
“They’re dropping out,” confirmed Brooks, as she checked the hyperspace sensor. “They’re in a small brown dwarf system.”
“I’ve updated the Dallas and the Johnas,” added Andrew. “They’re going to Condition One.”
“Ensign Styles, put us two hundred kilometers from the Dacroni battleship. Lieutenant Mays, I want two hypermissiles targeted on the Profiteer battlecruiser, one each on the two escort cruisers and the remaining two on the battleship. Have the tubes reloaded as soon as the missiles have launched. Any enemy warships that survive our initial attack, we target with our particle beam cannon. Lieutenant Mays, it’s vital we launch the hypermissiles as soon as we drop from hyperspace and before the enemy can raise their shields.”
The Star Cross Page 28