“You’re so beautiful,” he muttered, his voice trailing off. He saw her smile. Even her teeth are beautiful. Magill slipped into a dreamless sleep. The pain was gone and his body was at rest.
* * *
“Damage report?”
The debris of the exploding freighter had struck the Allegro multiple times, sending a shudder through the ship. It wasn’t like an explosion in the atmosphere, where the damage occurs when the effect of the expanding gas or nuclear reaction creates a shock wave from the air displaced. For example, some petroleum-based products have an expansion ratio of 5500-to-one, meaning that one unit in liquid form occupies 5500 times as much space when converted to a gas by heat. This massive expansion instantly displaces the same amount of air, compressing it into a shock wave that creates such dramatic results as buildings being blown apart from the force of the blast. But in space there’s no air to compress and the chemicals quickly dissipate into the vastness of space. So the explosion itself creates little danger. But the threat comes from fragments blown out by the explosion that have no air to slow their acceleration. Traveling at unbelievable speed, they can tear through even the strongest reinforced hull of a nearby ship, rupturing the environmental seals that keep its occupants safe. From the number of impacts heard against their hull, Jesik felt it was inevitable that the Allegro had been damaged.
“All decks reporting Sir. We’ve had a hull breach in the engine room barracks on level twelve and another in the shuttle maintenance ready room on level three. Both areas have been sealed and hull integrity is not threatened.”
“Thank you, Mr. Brighton. How many casualties?”
“Forty-five already confirmed dead, the total as of yet unknown. Fortunately your Red Alert had pretty much cleared the barracks, but the ready room was fully occupied.”
It was usual on a battleship for essential functions, like tactical and engineering, to be isolated well within the center of the ship where they were least likely to be damaged, while less critical functions, like maintenance and sleeping quarters, were located on the outer edge, next to the hull, where they could sustain damage without disabling the ship. Ironically, most of the men liked it this way, because it helped fend off the occasional claustrophobia one feels in the center of the ship. After more than six centuries in space, people still liked a window, even though it placed them directly in harm’s way.
“Any systems damaged by debris that did not penetrate the hull?”
“Communications reports that some short-distance transmitters have been temporarily disabled and there are scratches and blemishes on the hull that make those areas sensitive to laser attack, but nothing that directly interferes with battle readiness.”
Jesik sighed in relief. It could have been so much worse.
After re-positioning the ship into an orbit out of visual range of all Alturian ships, he ordered the Captains of his assigned support ships, the Fermata and Stanza, to stand-by for a video link. All three ships moved to Yellow alert since there were no signs of any imminent threat of hostilities.
Then, turning to the officers on the bridge he said quietly, “The next step is to find out who the hell was responsible for this. Senior officers, please assemble in my ready room in thirty minutes. I’ll need a report from each operational area.”
Jesik used the intervening minutes to sketch out what he knew about the attack. He always found that an old-fashioned paper and pencil helped him collect and organize his thoughts. When the staff began to assemble, Jesik was ready with some pointed questions.
As they entered the room, he scrutinized each officer for any sign of distress or panic. For many, this was the first hostile activity they’d ever experienced and it would be foolish to think they’d be unaffected by the death of more than forty of their crewmates in a particularly gruesome and painful fashion. When the hull is breached, automated systems immediately protect the ship by sealing off all exits from the area, which sucks the air inside the quarantined area out of the ship. The oxygen in the crews’ bodies has to escape as well, which collapses their lungs and ruptures tissue throughout their body until the pressure is equalized. The bloody mass remaining is hard to recognize as human.
Hopefully their suffering ended quickly.
He welcomed the Commanders of his support ships and asked them to be seated. Of course they physically took a chair on-board their own ship, but the holographic projector made it appear as if they were seated comfortably in two chairs at the Allegro’s own boardroom table.
In response to Captain Rowley’s inquiry, Jesik explained the damage sustained by Allegro and the loss of life. Both Commanders expressed their condolences and offered assistance, along with assurances that their ships were ready and eager to join in Allegro’s defense.
Turning to his own staff, Jesik asked, “Mr. Gentry, are all weapons fully operational?”
“Yes, Sir. No damage to report.”
“Mr. Williams, did the shrapnel impair our communications ability in anyway?”
“Communication with the planet was temporarily interrupted, but we’ve established an alternate link to communicate with ground forces. Our deep-space Esper links are fine, although encountering some kind of disturbance in communications with Kalenden, probably a space storm. Still, we have almost contemporaneous communications with the home planet.”
“Please relay all logs of this incidence. I also want you to communicate video images of the alien ship before and during the explosion. Perhaps Fleet can give us a better idea who initiated the attack.”
“Mr. O’Casey, status of the engines and necessary repairs?”
The Chief Engineer was listening hard to his ear-piece, but looked up immediately to respond to the question. “Robot polishers are working on the hull as we speak. We’ll need at least three hours to remove all blemishes. The hull breaches have been sealed with molten alinite, which should cool in one or two days, after which we can reopen the damaged sections. Then we can recover the dead crewmember’s bodies. Engines are at full capacity.”
“Very good. Well, gentlemen, at this point all we know is that an unmarked freighter took hostile laser action against the Allegro. We disabled it and, as it drifted towards us, a nuclear detonation destroyed it and inflicted damage on our ship. The weapon’s profile and signature pattern of the blast are Alturian, although the ship itself was an unmanned drone. Anyone have anything to add?”
“The missiles and nuclear reactors appear Alturian, but the lasers didn’t use any of the standard Alturian colors or lancing patterns. The closest match is to Keswick Boundary Patrol.”
“That makes it even more interesting, doesn’t it, Mr. Gentry? I think it’s time we contact our Alturian allies and see what light they can shed. Mr. Rowley, please maneuver Fermata to a protected position behind the third moon and Mr. Talbot, bring your ship six kilometers aft of our starboard and we’ll move in range of the Alturians. Everyone else, return to your battle stations.”
Even though the Alturians had superior numbers, a battleship, frigate and destroyer still provided considerable firepower to give the Alturians pause. So, when everyone was in position, Jesik ordered Lieutenant Wight to move the Allegro into full view of the Alturian Flagship. He was pleased that Wight maneuvered the ship with an unusually brisk acceleration that showed she was at full strength, yet on a flight path that also made it clear the move was not hostile.
“Mr. Williams, please signal the Alturian Commander.”
The communications console issued the distinctive hail on three different frequencies. So far, communications between the two battle-groups had been limited to an initial acknowledgement, followed by a joint agreement on zones of responsibility and flight plans. Members of Jesik’s crew had executed coordination of the ground and atmosphere fighters, all of which means that Jesik had not yet had occasion to speak to his Alturian counterpart.
Just as he was getting impatient for a response, the main view screen displayed the image of a young Alturian.
“This is His Majesties ship Princeton, of the Alturian Empire Royal Navy. Identify yourself.”
“Captain Pietr Jesik, commander of the Allegro – first ship in the Kalenden System Star Fleet. I wish to speak with your Senior Officer regarding a recent attack on our vessel.”
The image on the screen changed from that of the rather uncertain young communications officer to that of an obviously self-assured leader.
“Admiral Lucien Rameira, Captain Jesik. I’m pleased we have a chance to speak to one another. I confess that we witnessed the laser exchange between you and the alien freighter, but thought it best not to involve ourselves in your affairs. Are you injured in some way? How can we be of assistance at this point?”
Very smooth, thought Jesik.
“Actually, Admiral, we were hoping you could shed some light on our attacker. It seems the nuclear signature of their main weapons array matched that of an Alturian destroyer, rather than an orchidite transport. We feared we had somehow provoked your animosity.”
Jesik smiled slightly as he said this, as a show of good humor, while fingering the trigger of his alert activator that would initiate a massive missile volley if the Alturians took any hostile action.
Rameira forced a smile in return. “Why Captain Jesik, our first conversation and you think it wise to accuse me of an unprovoked attack?”
“No accusation intended, Sir. We’re simply confused and in need of military intelligence. We’re concerned for our ground troops and need to know what threats face us. I have absolutely no reason to doubt that you and your government are completely ethical in standing by the Keswick Mutual Assistance Protocol. Is it possible you have any information that can help us?”
Political Officer Barrows listened to this exchange in astonishment. Jesik had never received any diplomatic training, yet in just a few sentences he managed to alert the Alturians to the fact that they appeared to be a threat, while rather humbly preserving their options to negotiate.
Admiral Rameira pursed his lips, turned to an assistant for a few moments, then returned his gaze to the screen.
“Captain, in different times I’d enjoy stretching this out a bit, just to see how you Kalendens respond. But, it’s clear that you reacted out of self-defense. I believe I have some information that may be helpful to you; actually helpful to both of us. As it turns out, I believe we face a common threat. Can you arrange a secure video conference so I can speak with you privately?”
“Certainly. My communications officer, Mr. Williams, will be glad to work with yours to establish the link. I’d like to meet as soon as possible. You set the time.”
A meeting was arranged for one hour later. In the meantime, as a sign of good faith, both ships powered down their laser generators and took their missiles offline. Jesik ordered the crew to Condition Green, which kept them ready to move quickly to action stations, but took all potentially nervous fingers off the buttons that could launch weapons and start an accidental war.
“Strange,” he said to Commander Brighton as they retreated to the most secure conference chamber, “but I somehow feel safer now than before … as though the Alturians feel as threatened as we do.”
“I sensed the same thing, Captain. At least for the moment all the capital ships in both fleets in orbit are in communicating status with one another, so we’ll know if anyone turns into a threat.”
Jesik shook his head. “How long before we can break communications silence with the ground and atmosphere teams? I need to know if anything odd is taking place on the planet.”
“Another two hours, Sir. Of course you can override the blackout if you like.”
“No, I think we’re okay for now. But keep a close eye on the planet while I’m meeting with Rameira.” With that said, Jesik entered the conference chamber, which was like retreating to a cave 1,000 kilometers in the middle of a planet. His isolation was complete.
At the appointed time, Lieutenant Williams broke the silence to report that a secure communications link was now established between the two ships. To accomplish that, a high intensity laser beam connected the two communications arrays. This beam was surrounded by a virtual sheath of two dozen other beams that were loaded down with meaningless data and high frequency magnetic fields that would prevent any listening in by an unauthorized source.
“Activate the link, Lieutenant. Then see that no one interrupts me, except in the most extreme emergency. Commander Brighton is in operational control of the ship during this conference.”
“As you wish, Sir, link is now active.”
Admiral Rameira appeared in the seat opposite Jesik. He too, was alone. As the Senior Officer, Rameira broke the silence. “Captain, it’s been a hundred and fifty earth years since our cultures have interacted and now it seems we’re off to a rocky start. I’m sincerely sorry for that.”
“Thank you, Admiral. I had hoped that past animosities would have faded by now so that our systems might extend a few tentative links with one another. We share so much from our common heritage.”
Jesik had decided early on to avoid accusations until after he had a chance to take Rameira’s measure. So far he was handling the situation with remarkable calm and poise.
“Captain, we’ve done an analysis of the nuclear reaction you encountered and concur with your conclusion that the ship is of Alturian design. On behalf of the empire, please accept our apologies.”
“Perhaps you can help me understand the circumstances of the attack, so that I can reassure our people and Fleet Command that your intentions are benign?”
Rameira was obviously distressed and looked away while he composed his thoughts. Glancing up at Jesik he studied his face for the longest time. For his part, Jesik was content to sit quietly and wait.
“Captain, we’re strangers and yet I must share with you secrets that are largely unknown to most of our own population. We had no idea that our enemies would use the Keswick campaign as an excuse to further their terrorist cause at your expense.” Rameira looked away again. Jesik could feel the tension in his body, even though he saw only a holographic image. Clearing his throat, the Admiral continued. “There is a fringe element in our society that is distressed by our Royal Family. In the early years of colonization after the Earth migration, a number of prominent families vied for power. The Carlisles, Pomeroys and Sterlings rose to power, while the LeMons lost ground.
“You were kind to omit the name Jesik from those that lost influence. I’ve lived in the shadow of the prominent families of Kalenden all my life, which includes many of the names you mentioned.”
“Ah, yes, Captain, as have I. While I know I may be repeating information you already have, I’d like to make certain we have a mutual understanding.”
Jesik indicated he should continue.
“After consolidating power, there was a rift in the Royal Family itself which prompted the split that drove the initial migration from Alturus to Kalenden, with a few stragglers settling on the border at Keswick. It’s my understanding that the people of Kalenden and its related settlements rejected enthroning a Royal Family there.
“True, but the same prominent families, along with the Kensingtons and Wights, still rule in an indirect fashion. We have no king, but our House of Lords can stop any legislation passed by the popularly elected Assembly.”
“Then the historical animosity of our greater and lesser families is the cause of our present distress. Once the blood feud with Kalenden was resolved, our society moved on. But the hard feelings between at least some of the families continue. Now, the rebels wish to destabilize the government and perhaps gain control of the government. In that effort they have allied themselves with the rebels on Keswick. We also believe they’ve been in communication with some of the second and third-class families on Kalenden.”
That threw Jesik, and his face must have shown his discomfiture. “Then what you’re telling me, Admiral, is that the attack on Allegro was somehow accomplished by Alturian rebels who are m
ost likely working in concert with rebels on Keswick?”
“I’m sorry to report that my own First Officer detonated the drone ship, which means that I had no idea of the real strength of the rebels. Fortunately, the Captain of the Princeton had operational control of our vessel or the rebels would have turned that on you as well. When we detected the conspiracy, I moved immediately to crush it and have already arrested twenty conspirators onboard this vessel. We’ll proceed to Summary Judgment as soon as I end this conference. We’ve been in contact with the Royal Family and they’ve given authority to execute those found guilty. Please be assured that those who attacked your ship will be dead within a few hours.”
Jesik was shocked. On Kalenden, even a military tribunal would be months in scheduling and preparing. That the Alturians could move so quickly to destroy their own people was completely outside his thinking.
“Do you believe all who pose a threat have been identified?”
“I’m not certain of anything, Captain. It may be that our rebels have even been in communication with members of your own crew.”
“I’ve seen no evidence of that, but of course I’ll take your warning seriously. With the Loyalist forces rather firmly in control on Keswick, what possible advantage can the rebels gain by taking on the combined governments of Alturus and Kalenden. Certainly they can see that our combined military forces enjoy an overwhelming superiority that will tighten and crush them immediately if they interfere with our interests!”
“Of course I don’t have any firm answers, but I suspect the rebels are hoping to stir up movements to de-stabilize the governments on both Alturus and Kalenden. Even better, from the rebels’ point-of-view, would be to draw Alturus and Kalenden into another war with each other, leaving our militaries depleted and susceptible to infiltration and sabotage.”
Jesik needed time to ponder all this. In posting the Allegro to the Keswick operation, Fleet Command had provided no indication that Kalenden itself might be the focus of the conflict.
Assault on Cambriol: The Manhattan Trials Page 9