The Santana Nexus (Junkyard Dogs Book 3)

by Nolte, Phillip

  "New Ceylon Reclamation Center: Special Inventory," Kresge read out loud, "Commander's eyes only?"

  "What do you suppose that is?" asked Carlilse.

  "I don't know," replied Kresge. "I've sure as hell never seen it before."

  Kresge opened the file and the monitor began to scroll downward again as the screen was immediately flooded with what appeared to be a fairly large amount of detailed inventory information. They all looked it over for several minutes before reaching a somewhat shocking conclusion.

  "This is impossible," said Harris, his eyes scanning the inventory list, "It's a list of scrapped ships but all of them are newer than anything we have here in the Scrapyard. Check this out; there are three Orion Mark V Destroyers, a couple of fast command cutters and several prototype warships. There's a whole bunch of stuff we never knew about. There are several newer cruisers and even some experimental craft that must not have worked out so well."

  "Where is all this stuff supposed to be located?" asked Carlisle.

  Kresge did some more searching within the file folder.

  "As near as I can tell, it's near an asteroid in the L5 point of Naccobus V," he said, finally.

  As a minor system in a minor corner of Federation space, New Ceylon was the only planet in the Naccobus system that had been officially named. The rest of the planets had only received number designations. Naccobus V was a gas giant planet located some twelve times as far from the primary as was the far smaller but inhabited, and therefore named, planet of New Ceylon.

  "I'm not so sure, Commander," said Carlisle, "from what I'm reading it looks more like the inventory is inside the asteroid."

  "You mean it's hollow?" asked Kresge, "Like the colony at Patagonia?"

  "Probably," replied Carlisle, "According to the history files I studied on the way out here, there actually was some mining activity here in the Naccobus system. They used the materials to provide income while they got the colony on the planet started. As you know, the L-4 and L-5 points of gas giant planets often contain a few sizeable asteroids. A mining station could easily have been set up in that region and operated for a few years, leaving a hollowed out asteroid behind."

  "And then the Federation Navy used the asteroid to store some secret inventory that they wanted to keep well hidden," finished Harris.

  "How long would it take to get out there?" asked Kresge.

  Carlisle performed a preliminary calculation on her wrist computer.

  "It's in the L5 point of that gas giant, so there's no significant gravity source anywhere near the location. Let's see...given about an hour to get clear the Scrapyard and a microjump to within about an hour or so away from the asteroid," she said. "I figure we could easily get there in half a day. Give or take an hour or two."

  Harris had been continuing to scan the display of the inventory list. Each entry contained a brief outline of the item or ship concerned. He began to get excited.

  "There's a whole bunch of stuff that we might be able use out there," he said. "There're a number of prototype experimental ships."

  "Yeah and several of these ship types had more modern weapons and other systems, like shields and sensors that we could use as well," added Kresge. He looked at his two companions. "We'll simply have to go out there and take a look around."

  "That would seem like the logical next step," said Harris, "and I say the sooner the better, we have no idea if we will be attacked again or not or whether something else just as unpleasant might be coming our way."

  "I totally agree," said Kresge, "Now is a good time since we have a few days before any of our recruiting and supply expeditions get back."

  He thought for a moment. "For now we'd better do our best to keep this information secret. I want a small expedition of only a few absolutely trustworthy people and a foray that takes no more than a day or so to complete. They'll be fewer questions that way." He looked at his two companions. "That means you Harris...and Hawkins. Who else?"

  "We could take one of the cutters and maybe two or three other personnel," replied Harris. "I'd say Talbot, if he's willing to go and maybe Orville Steuben. With myself plus Hawkins and the others, we should be able to handle a quick reconnaissance job and figure out what we can concerning any advanced engineering, especially in the limited time we have."

  Harris couldn't miss the look of disappointment on Carlisle's face as she realized that the Commander wasn't intending to include her in the mission. He made a plea on her behalf.

  "With respect, Sir, I would also like to take Dr. Carlisle. That wrist computer with her running it is likely to come in very handy. That and she can get into places in her special suit where the rest of us simply can't go."

  Kresge looked intently at the Ensign. "Are you sure you're up to this, Tamara?"

  Eyes wide, she bobbed her head eagerly.

  Kresge still looked doubtful as he acquiesced, "Alright, Ensign, you can go as well."

  "Thank you, Sir!" she said, unable to disguise her excitement.

  "Start making preparations to leave immediately," said Kresge. "Your first priority is to procure whatever hardware you might be able to find that will permanently solve the weapons problems on the Greyhound." He shook his head. "I take full responsibility for having used the weapons at full power during that first battle for the Scrapyard but I don't know if we had any choice. Unfortunately, we did overheat the module that we salvaged from the Exeter and we could definitely use something a bit more robust. Beyond that, get me as much information on the condition of the ships and other materiel out there as you can. Are we clear?" Harris and Carlisle nodded. "Good. Get out there as quickly as you can, and I don't have to tell you to keep this absolutely quiet. Is that understood?"

  "Yes, Sir," replied the two young officers, almost in unison.

  "And you, Ensign," he looked sternly at Carlisle, "You're going along because they're likely to need you. Don't forget that you're still recovering from some pretty serious injuries. We're going to need you in top form if we're to go through with your plan to liberate the Nexus. You are not to overdo it!"

  She nodded eagerly in affirmation.

  "Harris? Can I count on you to keep an eye on her?"

  Harris looked at Carlisle, "I'll make sure she doesn't get out of hand, Sir," he said, though he was unable to totally suppress a good-natured smirk.

  She gave them both a look of mock exasperation but she wanted so badly to be part of this mission that she wasn’t about to do anything that would make the Commander change his mind.

  "I promise I'll be on my best behavior," she said finally.

  "Good," said Kresge, "Although based on past experience, I'm not sure what that means exactly. Get your people together and get moving! Dismissed!"

  Chapter 30.

  "...United Terran Federation Navy Fletcher II-Class Destroyer.

  Length: 275 meters.

  Mass: 9,800 metric tons.

  Crew: 15 officers and 52crew fully manned, 5 officers and 25 crew minimum.

  Propulsion systems:

  Reaction Drive: General Electric Cesium Ion Drive, 4th generation, Nominal thrust capability 3.1g, Maximum 10g, Emergency 12.1g.

  Hyperdrive: Sixth Generation Pullman-Whitney Overdrive equipped with Dyson graviton damper.

  Armament:

  Main: Four 2000 gigajoule Parkinson capacitor discharge pulse beam projectors (7th generation) in fore and aft twin-mount, centerline turrets. Main batteries equipped with overrides allowing for temporary overload operation providing an extreme rapid fire mode for periods of up to sixty seconds.

  Secondary: twelve 5.5 gigajoule Parkinson-Mitsubishi rapid-fire pulse beam projectors in 6 twin mount turrets.

  External hardpoints to accommodate up to eight Keppler-Salaiz Vengence or Harrison Hellhound guided missiles (these mounts are also often used for transport of external cargo modules containing additional provisions for extended voyages).

  This ship type was developed by the United Terran Federation Navy t
o be the most powerful destroyers ever developed up to that time. The main batteries are more powerful than those of any other destroyer type and the shielding is also more robust. At the current time, this ship type has no equal in any other Navy. Though not yet proven in battle, it appears to be a superior design and has become the mainline destroyer for United Terran Federation Navy... "

  Hartwell Wrist Comp reference note highlighted for further review by Tamara Carlisle. Excerpt is from "Janes Fighting Ships" (2598 version).

  Heard's World Star system hyperlink point, January 8, 2599.

  The Asimov flashed into the Whitney hyperlink point in the Heard's World system. Two minutes later, the Dingo translated through as well. After recovering from their hyperjump disorientation, the bridge crew on the Asimov immediately began a scan of the system using the ship's state of the art sensor suite.

  Captain Shirleen Nesbitt was in command of the Asimov. Nesbitt's actual rank was Lieutenant but she had been the highest ranking officer onboard when the Asimov had made her escape from the Santana Nexus and, in spite of her relative inexperience, Admiral Kingston had appointed her Captain of the ship. The ship's previous commanding officer, Commander Barbara Zeluski, had been on the Nexus Station when the terrorist attacks occurred and was believed to have been one of the Federation casualties. Nesbitt rated the title "Captain" by virtue of being in command of the ship. Carlisle's fellow Spacer and Asimov's acting tactical officer, Massa Sukamoto, was also at his station on the bridge.

  Clancy Davis-Moore, owner and operator of the Dingo, was in command of the freighter. Chief Kelly of the Federation Marines was onboard the Dingo along with six of his fellow marines. In addition to seven sets of the latest battle armor, they had brought one of the Scrapyard's 5.5 megajoule assault cannons with them. If the mission required people on the ground, this weapon might really come in handy. If the ships needed to split up, Kelly and his men would be able to provide a least limited protection for the freighter. Kelly was on the bridge of the Dingo with Clancy Davis-Moore as the two ships came into the system. Caleb Jordan was also with them on the bridge. In addition to being a top-notch weapons technician, Caleb was a native of Heard's World and, due to recent events, was the reigning expert in the Quadrant on the Veritian Derelict.

  "What have we got, Sensors?" asked Nesbitt from the command chair in the center of the Asimov's bridge. The Asimov was one of the most modern ships in the Federation Navy and her sensor suite was absolutely state of the art.

  "Checking now, Sir,"

  "Open a channel to the Dingo, please," said Nesbitt.

  "Channel open," said the radio operator.

  "Caleb Jordan? Are you there?"

  "Right here, Captain,"

  "What can you tell me about this system?"

  "Heard's World is the third planet out from the star," replied Jordan, "There's an orbital communications platform near the planet that was abandoned by her crew last time we were here. I don't know if there is anyone back onboard yet or not. The fifth planet out is a gas giant. The ninth moon out from the gas giant is where the abandoned cruiser is."

  "What sort of weapons remain salvageable on that wreck," asked Nesbitt.

  "Two projectors from the main battery on the wreck still looked to be intact the last time I was there."

  "Captain Nesbitt?" said Sukamoto, "Sensors has two contacts, Sir."

  "Hold on a second, Caleb," said Nesbitt, "Go ahead, Sensors."

  "There is a small communications platform orbiting the third planet and there is one ship... looks to be a freighter."

  "Where are they?" asked the Captain.

  "The freighter is stationary near a small moon orbiting the gas giant.

  "Captain, Nesbitt?" said Kelly, from the Dingo. "I wonder if that freighter is there to salvage weapons from that wreck so the enemy can arm a couple more ships?"

  "Maybe so, Chief," replied Nesbitt. "The main battery projectors on that wreck are still pretty powerful, even by modern standards. A merchant armed with one of those guns would be a very effective commerce raider against unarmed ships. If that's the case, it looks as though they haven't wasted any time."

  Nesbitt thought through several options.

  "We were going to visit that wreck after we got supplies loaded but it looks like maybe we'd better go check it out now," she said, "Dingo? Let's program a microjump towards the gas giant."

  "Right away, Captain Nesbitt," radioed Davis-Moore.

  Five minutes later the two ships microjumped towards the gas giant. After giving each of their crews a short time to reorient after the jump, they continued towards their destination using their reaction drives.

  The Asimov's sensor operator was attempting to get more information on the unknown freighter when two more ships suddenly came arcing out from behind the moon and headed straight for the Asimov and the Dingo. They had apparently been able to remain invisible to Asimov's instruments by hiding in the sensor shadow of the moon.

  "I have two more ships, Captain," said the sensor operator. "Attempting to get bearings now...Omigod! I'm detecting weapons fire!"

  As if on cue, a pulse beam bolt, attenuated to near harmlessness by the extreme distance, flashed past the two Federation ships several kilometers overhead. The enemy was too far away for them to do much damage to either the Dingo or the Asimov but any question about whether their intentions were hostile or not had just been answered.

  "Was that a warning shot or an overeager gunner?" asked Sukamoto of no one in particular.

  "It's a trap!" shouted Nesbitt. "Shields up! Battle stations everyone! I repeat! All hands to battle stations!"

  Alarms began to sound all over the ship.

  The shields on the destroyer were at full strength within the next thirty seconds and all hands were at battle stations within another thirty seconds after that. Nesbitt was staring intently at her command display, trying to decide what to do next.

  First things first.

  "Dingo? That was a pulse beam bolt! Assume we are under attack! Get your shields up and then do your best to put me between you and those two ships!"

  Nesbitt issued more orders to her crew. "Helm? Bring us around so that we're facing those ships. Do I have weapons?"

  "All weapons charged and ready!" came the reply.

  The two ships continued to approach but were not firing their weapons any more...at least not for the time being."

  "Your assessment, Ensign Sukamoto?" asked Captain Nesbitt, her eyes still intent on her command console.

  "I agree, Captain," replied the Ensign, "this is an ambush. They almost had to have been waiting for us. That freighter is the bait. Sensors? Can you tell what kind of ships they are?"

  "One moment, Sir," said the sensor operator, his inexperience showing through as he nervously fumbled with his keyboard while he surveyed his instruments. "They are...almost certainly something military...," he replied,"...not big enough to be destroyers...additional information on unknown ships coming through...now, Captain!"

  "Go ahead, sensors,"

  "It looks like a pair of Jasmine Republican Navy gunboats, sir...they look to be Shafra class."

  "Armament?"

  "Coming up now sir...here it is. Shafra's carry a pair of five hundred gigajoule pulse beam projectors in a twin mount forward turret. Secondary armament is six five point five gigajoule projectors in three twin-mount turrets."

  "Certainly no match for us, then?"

  "Not in a stand-up fight slogging it out with pulse beams, Captain," said Sukamoto, "but that gunboat type can also be armed with anti-ship missiles!"

  "Are these ships so equipped?"

  "Impossible to tell until they arm them, Sir," replied Sukamoto. "Our point defenses should be able to handle a missile attack, if they're carrying them, but we should approach them with extreme caution. If they are carrying missiles, and they can get in close...it could make for a very bad day for us."

  "Duly noted, Ensign."

  Nesbitt cupped her chin in he
r hand as she took in the information and considered her options. Two military ships, even these two smaller vessels, complicated her mission considerably. She didn't dare split up with the Dingo, the freighter would be a sitting duck against even one of those ships without Asimov's protection. In fact, in what appeared might develop into a fire fight, the Dingo was one big fat liability. Unless...

  "Dingo?"

  "What is it, Captain Nesbitt?"

  "You need to jump back towards the hyperlink point to New Ceylon. You have a fast ship and with a head start you should be able to jump out of the system before either of them gets to you if we can't handle these two ships.

  "I think I understand, Captain," replied Clancy Davis-Moore, "We are to microjump back towards the New Ceylon system immediately, go to maximum thrust and be ready to jump out of this system if Asimov...can't handle this current situation?"

  "Affirmative, Dingo. Those two ships will be within the effective range of their weapons sometime in the next few minutes. Before they get here, I want you to get your jump module charged up get the hell out of here!"

  "We can certainly do that, Captain," said Davis-Moore, "What are you going to do?"

  "We're gonna fight these sons of bitches!" said Nesbitt. "They're standing between us and our food supplies. Besides, I'm getting damned sick of running!"

  "We'll be waiting," replied Davis-Moore, "I don't have to tell you be careful!"

  Clancy Davis-Moore wore a frown as he terminated the communication. The Asimov was a state of the art ship but she was under the command of a brand-new, inexperienced Captain. Many of the crew members were highly trained and extremely competent but, with the exception of Kelly and his Marines and Davis-Moore himself, no one else on either of the ships or in either crew had any combat experience. For all he knew, these two enemy ships might be no better off. Much more likely, in view of all of the Sheik of Barsoom's military activities of late, was that they were seasoned veterans. That and there were two of them. A well-coordinated attack by a team of ships, even if they were inferior on paper, could prove to be...interesting."