by Dark Knight
The small pilot quickly leaped from his seat, racing towards the bridge doors humming a peculiar cheerful melody as he strode on. Anit’za could swear it was a famous song that he’d heard on Cav while sifting through his G-net feed. He stopped the hamster: – “Could you hum that if you recon any enemies, because we need not use codes if you sing, right?” – Awesome blinked once, twice, and chuckling saluted the captain.
The bridge doors slid shut behind his tiny frame and everybody’s attention was drawn towards their ship’s main holo-screen. It was showing the course correction that Cat had ordered and Vasilisa plotted. Soon after the take off of their scout fighter yet another line was projected on top of it. They watched the tiny green dot, representing ’Insanity’, fly further and further away from their starship. Soon the first data-streams came, revealing some of the so called “Fog of war” on their ship’s holo-screen.
Captain Anit’za was most anxious to witness the full extent of this hamster pilot’s skill, as he was told things about the little fellow others would find hard to believe. He, of course, spent an hour in the hangar bay (feeding him assorted nuts), pulling every little bit of extra information out of him that he possibly could. Not surprisingly, the creature was honest to a fault or at least that was what he was led to believe. During the whole conversation, Anit’za was certain that someone, or something, was carefully observing him. He felt like he was being studied during the entire exchange, in the end he was even more intrigued, and he quickly darted back to his cabin.
He was informed that those small Terran clients weren’t telepathic, but were they completely non-emphatic? Probably no. Even that dog, Ort, had a measure of emphatic abilities and managed to sense other’s discomfort or happiness. He had to poke his resident scientist Lilly for more information on that topic, because he wanted to be sure. Knowing one’s assets was of paramount importance to a strategist. Otherwise that Awesome fellow was credited with a cap-ship kill – a whole command frigate taken down with one shot. A ’stealthy boy’ in the main hangar after hacking the frigate’s bridge and mainframe did the job.
A most Remarkable feat.
But what was more remarkable – the vaunted hamster survivability he was hearing a lot about these past few weeks was most probably real. Other sentients didn’t call them “tiny feet of doom” for nothing, and as his brain linked more and more snippets of information and rumor together Anit’za suddenly and loudly clapped his hands. Why didn’t he think of this earlier!? Of course, the rest of his crew turned for a moment their attention towards him and that he used to give more orders:
“We should be prepared for a sneaky boarding Op crew! If I was the enemy commander, in which position I most certainly have no desire to be in this instance, or any other instance for that matter, right now, my well hidden dropships would be drifting somewhere, waiting for the most opportune moment to swarm our hull. Commander Alric! What options can you create for us in such an event – presents of some sort, perhaps?”
“Shaped charges.” – answered the marine, mentioning the deadly explosives with the same tone of voice he’d ask for another space ration – “No wireless detonation codes, only hard megasteel wire pull-by-hand or step on activation. In my experience, taz’aran star troopers and marines usually try and assault trough the starship’s main hangar doors, not because they are lazy, but because that is the place most easily breached. We should mine the area heavily and since the hanger doors are on our vessels ventral side, best keep them away from incoming enemy cannon fire. That would also require someone facing the whole boarding force head on and pulling those wires on time, but this depends upon our skill at detecting said enemy forces in advance.” – while outlining the foundation of his plan, Alric gave Boris an inquisitive glance and a grim smile. The telepath’s face showed only a slight, fickle sign of emotion before firmly replying:
“You can be sure of my ability to detect a large approaching group of troops. To shield themselves from one such as I they have to field more than one telepath, and taz’arans are not known for their cerebral prowess.” – for a moment Boris looked at his captain and Alric while muttering quietly:
“And if that certain somebody who’d face the boarding force head on really wants company, I am sure that something can be arranged.”
“There you have it! Armory officer proceed to the... erm... armory, and fashion all the explosive devices that you’ll need, out of that salvage I have so generously provided. Boris will help you place the shaped charges and then, I want both of you back here on the bridge. Everybody else can grab something extra from the Armory later.”
“I got my dagger and carbine here captain!” – Lilly’s hands twitched as she looked at Alberto’s old Manlicher G19/50, the trusty rail carbine that helped her bunny ass survive. His body was probably lying exactly where she’d found him, being mummified by Carrola’s merciless suns. Her gaze wandered a little bit, pupils widening, eyes piercing her Ops station controls, hull and beyond.
The long stare.
Brynjar made a sign with his hand and instantly gained his captain’s attention. He was fighting hard to boost Lilly’s mental fortitude, but night after night he could hear the tortured bunny screaming in her sleep. She had to face her enemies again and end them, or the ghosts of her fallen neighbors and kidnapped friends would haunt her to her death. His captain’s face changed for a second, one long, terrible second. The Asgardian for the first time saw something barred deep behind his alien eyes. An angry spark, a promise of devastating Dzenta’rii vengeance to be visited upon those responsible for his crewmate’s pain. He did mention meeting with a group of slavers before, and Cat was all too cryptic about the entire thing. Brynjar of course had a chat with some of the local Cav marines afterwards. They mentioned Anit’za slowly chopping the slaver captain to pieces with his plasma sword as they fought a duel to the death. Cold, well controlled anger, and perfectly channeled rage.
Excellent qualities for the captain he was serving under to possess.
“Well, perhaps we will be needing your expertise elsewhere specialist Lilly!” – Anit’za added cheerfully and scratched his stubby beard again – “In the final phase of this Snail dance, planet-fall awaits, and you are of Carrola. Who knows best what one should and shouldn’t do down there? Hopefully not the taz’arans, although I expect that this time they will come better equipped and prepared. And as one of the scientists you, I am sure, know of the DMS location? Worry not, you will not be alone and I will have somebody to back you up, ’Hazel warrior!’” – for a moment the lost gaze in Lilly’s eyes disappeared and she came back sporting a hesitant smile. Brynjar gently pushed her cheek with his large finger and added:
“And this time, you are not only coming back together with good friends, the hide on your back will be well protected, paws holding the Manlicher rail carbine. Perfected by yours truly!” – he tapped his chest and smiled again. It was true that the weapon was considered to be a defensive armament by many colonists, still, the damage it could now inflict was comparable with most long rifles. He nodded thankfully to his captain and continued monitoring his engineering station – Brynjar had to be ready to activate all combat systems at a moment’s notice.
Lilly smirked at her friend, glanced at Alberto’s carbine and added:
“Yes Captain, Sir, I do know where the DMS is. It was in fact one of my first jobs on the colony to keep its systems functional, during my childhood’s computer training. The thing is well hidden in one tiny bunker, next to that valley over yonder.” – and Lilly pulled one small map off her PDA, swiping it over the ship’s intranet to everybody – “Just in case something happens and we part ways...”
The captain again looked lost in his thoughts, sporting a slowly-widening smile, eyes transfixed upon their main holo-viewer. “Snail dance” was a term first used during the Pirate Clans invasion of Earth, coined by the then second in command Admiral Vazov. Long range space combat was a slow and nerve wrecking affair, and the famo
us Bulgarian admiral had only three cruisers under his command, supported by an assortment of hastily modified cargo vessels. Yes, and the new “Bricks” too, which he used to harass the pirate forces when they eventually got closer. They were all lost ultimately. Had he had more vessels under his command, however, Anit’za was sure of that old human commander’s victory. The man was a master of long range artillery strikes and everything that he did during this battle was to use the enemy’s alien strategy and formations against them. Up until his final moments as the pirates were swarming Earth’s command center and razing entire cities to the ground, the admiral never stopped giving orders. In his mind, the human was in the same league as the ancient Dzenta’rii honored elders of Peace, and he studied his books diligently.
Dzenta’rii tacticians would place Terrans’ overall strategy in the “Overwhelming firepower, used from as longer range as possible!” list. Being moderate in most things military, the Dzent’a would’ve never used such a strategy themselves often, but they certainly respected humanity’s dedication and efforts. Anit’za counted himself as an “honorary” Terran and as such, eagerly adopted their quaint ways of waging war. And this, of course, meant that he had to master the snail dance. Perfectly and with immaculate precision, the alien had performed every single maneuver of Admiral Vazov first in his head, and then on the simulator. It was then practiced in his first ever command, when Anit’za led that ultra elite token force against the slavers. The CN rear Admiral was beyond surprised after he reviewed the data-streams of this battle back on Cav colony. A good lesson for him it all was, the fact that their opponents were still tripping themselves by using those same idiotically self-hurting battle formations and overall strategy. Now, he would again do this, this time commanding his own warship.
He noticed early on that the larger debris could be fashioned into excellent cover for medium to large vessels, not mentioning smaller starships, and their enemy had to have thought the same. Good. That was a logical decision and steps were probably already taken to move some of that debris closer together, the choke-points mined and mobile turrets deployed. Wings of starfighters laying in wait close to those tactical hell holes, systems set on silent running ready to pounce on anyone foolish enough to try and navigate through. Springing their traps would reveal to Anit’za the level of their preparedness, how good were his counterpart’s dance steps and the overall skill of his troops.
Giddy with anticipation Anit’za ordered yet another cup of herbal tea, and with hands comfortably resting on his chair’s armrest, continued his observation of Starshatter’s crew in action. While he was enjoying his drink, Alric and Boris flew out, stomping around the hangar doors planting multiple shaped charges. Indeed, those two would require more than one simple space stroll to bond – Anit’za expected that through careful manipulation in and out of combat, both would call each other if not good friends, at least good acquaintances. The only thing that can mold a lasting friendship between them would be one dangerous adventure, where most of the battles are fought back to back. Anit’za didn’t have to suspect – he knew that the quest to avenge Lilly’s butchered neighbors, and hopefully rescue those who were captured to be sold as slaves may include a lot of battles. Those responsible would pay heftily in blood, dekats, salvage, and loot – he’d make sure that they do and he himself would be there to collect the lion’s share.
All of this would lead them to something bigger – space treks that started like that always did end in a most spectacular matter. A great many adventures and clashes with death in between the beginning and the end, glory and fame in their friend’s eyes, infamy and words seething with hatred on their enemies lips. His Plan was advancing, albeit slowly, forward. The ultimate goal, nowhere near in sight, but in his dreams Anit’za could see himself in a cargo hold full of containers. Pockets overflowing with platinum dekats, and new friends, real ones, drinking and feasting beside him – good times were ahead, no doubt. To ensure that his Plan came into fruition, Anit’za had to know his crew’s dreams and help them become a reality.
It was the Way of his people – “Your companions are as much part of you, as you of them.”
Chapter 3
An unfortunate meeting
Awesome quickly reached the hangar by use of Starshatter’s maintenance ducts. One more advantage of him being born as a hamster; you could always reach places that others couldn’t. Yet before he was able to reach the hangar duct’s exit he faced Snark head on. The feline seemingly had popped out of nothing and stood in his way, eyes glaring and tail wiggling. Was she annoyed that Awesome had used what the cat had marked to be its territory? The hamster had a couple of run ins with their ship’s “pet”, yet all those happened in the presence of others and there was a certain distance between them.
Him being in essence an overgrown mouse Awesome offered the cat a finger, chuckling slightly. It was all for science. He wiggled his pinkish hand slowly before Snark’s nose expecting the swift and almost immediate bite... which never came. That almost stunned Awesome – he’d never expected a reaction like that from a cat. Hamsters were originally not on good terms with felines even before the Uplift. Afterwards the confused creatures viewed them both as a potential food source and danger because of their change in size. The feline tilted its head to one side, her unblinking eyes giving him a strange, almost insulted look. Snark then sadly meowed before licking his hand, purring as she did so. The cat then gently sniffed his nose rubbing her head off his. Awesome allowed himself to pet her – he had to admit that Snark’s purring was oddly relaxing. Of course, that might be a clever feline ploy to make the hamster lower his guard and then... sharp canine teeth sinking deep into his soft, unprotected flesh as he slumbered. His nose trembled and Awesome promised himself to carefully check if the door to his quarters was locked from now on.
Awesome quickly petted the cat away and snuck past her furry face racing towards the service duct hangar exit. Finally, Awesome jumped inside his starfighter’s cockpit, the craft’s armored canopy sliding above his head.
Alice’s holo suddenly popped over his fighter’s main screen:
“Soooo, when are you finally gonna tell them that I exist?” – she looked mildly annoyed while counting a bunch of apples in one holographic barrel that suddenly appeared beside her. Awesome had already found out that she was an AI, and was quite sure that she knew that he knew too...
“Well, I couldn’t just spill the nuts like that! Where’s the fun, huh? And I am working hard on a joke with the most devastating punchline ever! It is almost ready, I swear!” – his tiny gloved fingers worked with lightning speed and soon ’Insanity’ gracefully floated out of the hangar and into outer space. A short streak of ionized plasma left its monstrous main engine, mere seconds after he and Alice had plotted a course through the first debris cloud. He swiped through a couple of holo-files and chose the next album that his PDA would play – “Morning full of Happiness” by “Brilliant Space Senshi”, an all female group of deadly starfighter pilots. They were excellent performers too, and became an instant hit about a year or so ago.
Sadly, (for him that is) they almost instantly found husbands and their incredibly short but fruitious careers were temporarily placed on hold. Awesome hoped that after their first children were born, they could sneak some time away from being mothers and record another album. Also post more mission holo-files that he could watch on their G-net feeds. They had wiped out two full taz’aran interceptor squadrons in their first joint Op – singing while they were slagging the tazzies.
“Fighting evil by starlight!; Finding love by...” the twelve beautiful voices formed a choir of pure perfection and his eyes teared up a little bit. Alice suddenly changed her attire and began dancing around the cockpit, perfectly emulating the singers’ stage performance that she had records on holo-file of. Awesome lowered the sound just a tad, and linked his scanning visor with ’Insanity’s’ main sensor array. He’d almost expected an ambushing force to pounce at him. D
idn’t happen but according to what he’d felt from Anit’za’s tone, that was surely what his captain thought would occur. From what little Alice was able to find about their new captain by shifting Cav’s network, his tactical abilities were second to none, and that gorilla with the cute name wasn’t a dum-dum either. Awesome now hoped that the Universe would be kind enough and arrange a meeting between him, his new crew-kin and the slavers who butchered “Mushishi”’s crew and passengers. He vividly dreamt about this many times over.
The baddies owed him one brand new pistol they did, and they were not in the least funny nor had provided the much needed joke material during their vicious attack. When Awesome got back on Cav he spent a week trying to visit all of the militia troopers’ families and relatives whose tags he collected while exploring the derelict starbase. They showered him with gifts that he had but to reluctantly accept. It was not his intention in the first place, that was simply him being nice nice. Found the brother of that deceased dude that he picked up his new grappler cable from. Did try paying for it but the man was adamant and refused any compensation. After giving the rest of those tags to local Colonial Militia command they wanted to award him a medal. Patrons! He was just a hamster, not some epic war hero of Terra. Despite his awesomeness and great piloting skill, Awesome was acting befitting a dutiful client. They still made him take a plaque and that medal though. Hamsters were not supposed to argue with Rear Admirals, especially such named Holsey and in command of this sector’s Colonial Navy units. After that, it was pretty much a matter of luck to bump into those two lovebirds Alric and Vasilisa. Remembering it made him chuckle again but Alice, intrigued as she was, didn’t stop dancing.