Arkship Alliance

by Niel Bushnell

  As the ship cleared the main complex, she felt the controls tug in her hands, responding to something she had yet to notice. Their acceleration stalled, and the ship’s retros fired, keeping it in place, no matter how much Bara tried to move it.

  ‘What’s your problem?’ she said to the ship.

  As if in reply, a sphere of light erupted in front of the Gallus, and a fleet of arkships fell out of the space-time bubble.

  ‘Sol! That was close,’ Bara muttered. ‘Thanks, Gallus.’ She recognized the Caerleon at once, shocked at the damage to her engines, but the other ships were new to her. They were members of the House of Addington’s fleet and shared a common design structure.

  Bara reengaged the engines and made for the Caerleon, just as Gofal appeared on the bridge.

  ‘The fleet has arrived, good,’ he observed. ‘How long till–’

  ‘Help! Someone . . . outside!’ The voice broke over the com.

  ‘Is that Wynn?’ Bara asked.

  Gofal returned to the hatch. ‘I’ll see to him.’

  ‘Someone’s outside?’ Bara repeated, trying to make sense of it. She glanced at the console and spotted a light flashing at her. Hull proximity warning. It didn’t give any further information than that.

  ‘Here,’ she called after Gofal. ‘Take us into the Caerleon. I’ll check on Wynn.’

  ‘If you wish,’ he replied, taking the captain’s seat. ‘But be cautious. He may be delirious.’

  When she entered the ship’s main compartment she found Wynn on the floor. He’d obviously tried to climb out of his bed and lost his footing. He was halfway towards the docking hatch, his face contorted in pain.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Bara asked as she tried to help him back towards the bed.

  Gasping, he pointed to the hatch.

  ‘Okay, I’ll look.’ Bara checked Wynn’s wound dressing, calming him onto the bed, then she turned to see what had got him so agitated.

  The inner door opened with a gentle hiss, and Bara stepped into the airlock. As the door closed behind her, the hum of the ship faded away, and she jolted at an odd noise coming from outside.

  Knock . . . knock . . . knock.

  Rhythmic, persistent, disturbing.

  Bara edged closer to the outer door, touching its cold surface. She peered through the tiny window built into the hatch, trying to see what was causing the noise. Something must have come loose, she guessed, banging against the hull as the ship turned.

  Knock . . . knock . . . knock.

  Bara moved closer to the glass. All she could make out was the movement of stars, but then something blurred in front of her, and she found herself staring into a pair of eyes.

  ‘Ugh!’ she gasped, pulling herself back in surprise from the hatch.

  Knock . . . knock . . . knock.

  She composed herself and moved to the window again. Yes, it was a face, staring back at her. She returned to the main compartment, locking the inner door behind her, and cycled the airlock. She waited pensively as the air was removed, wondering if she should arm herself. She glanced about, saw Wynn’s gun, and picked it up, hating the feel of it in her hand.

  The airlock’s lights changed from red to green, and the outer door began to open. The suited figure crawled through the hatch, falling to the floor. As the outer door closed, and air filled the space, the visitor pulled at their helmet with demented fingers. He fell on his back – she was certain now it was a man – and lifted his helmet from his head. He gasped at the air, coughing, filling his lungs.

  Bara approached the inner door, waiting until the air pressure had equalized, then opened the hatch. The man was still, laid on his back, his face away from her, breathing deeply.

  ‘I’ve got a gun,’ she announced as she entered the little space. ‘Are you okay?’

  As she knelt beside him, Bara realized who it was, and she threw the gun aside.

  ‘Faron?’ She said, turning his head to look at her.

  Exhausted, he smiled, his eyes half closed. ‘Ran out of air. Thanks.’

  Bara grinned at him, the relief overwhelming her. After all the danger, all the fighting, something good had happened. Bara had saved his life, and she felt jubilant. Impulsively, she held his face and kissed him. It was a moment of quiet joy, over in an instant, and replaced with self-conscious regret. As she stood over him, she suddenly remembered a similar gesture, when he had kissed her after her escape from the destruction of Lexica. There was an odd symmetry to the two moments that made her feel uncertain. She looked at Wynn, glad that he hadn’t seen it. Then she gazed down on Faron, and the feeling of happiness returned, albeit tempered with a sense of responsibility. She tried to brush it aside, busying herself with her two patients. Eventually, when she was satisfied that both Faron and Wynn were comfortable, she went to the com panel. ‘Gofal? What’s happening up there?’

  ‘A battle is imminent. We are cleared to dock with the Caerleon. How is Wynn?’

  ‘Resting.’

  ‘Did you discover the cause of his outburst?’

  ‘Yes,’ Bara grinned. ‘We have a houseguest.’

  THE PROMISE

  ‘Valtais on the flight deck!’

  Commodore Larsson’s voice resonated around the space as the elevator doors opened and Valine stepped out. She felt weak, her ears ringing, but she couldn’t let it show. Her position was too vulnerable. The cuts and bruises could wait until later.

  ‘Status?’ She sat in her chair, the pain fighting its way through the medication.

  Larsson came to her side, stealing glances at her injuries when he thought she wouldn’t notice. ‘The Kenric alliance fleet has just appeared inside the shipyard’s defense perimeter. We count four arkships. They are all broadcasting the same message.’

  ‘Let me hear it,’ Valine said.

  Larsson hesitated. ‘Valtais . . . I think–’

  ‘Now!’ she snapped, irritated.

  Commodore Larsson obeyed, his face red.

  The message broke over the com speakers. ‘. . . of the Draig Empire. Your position as Chair of the board of Carter & Grey is in direct violation to the terms of the Convention of Janus. You will stand down immediately and restore the shipyard’s impartial status, or the Kenric alliance will respond with lethal force. You have six minutes to respond. This is a message for Valtais Valine of the Draig Empire . . .’

  ‘It’s a repeating signal,’ Larsson explained.

  Valine cursed herself. She was tired and making mistakes. She should not have let the message be broadcast to the entire flight deck crew.

  She beckoned him closer. ‘Status of our arkships?’

  ‘The Melrakki is severely damaged. Its engines are offline, and it cannot use its Cube drive. The Hvalr and the Krár are towing it back to the shipyards.’

  ‘No,’ Valine interrupted. ‘Tell them to leave the Melrakki. We need those arkships here. They are to Cube transit to the shipyard immediately.’

  Larsson nodded. ‘I will relay the order. The Haukr has also sustained heavy damage fighting the Dulac fleet.’

  ‘Can it transit here?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Valine nodded. ‘Bring it in. I want all of our arkships here to defend our position.’

  As Commodore Larsson stepped away, Valine’s personal wrist com flashed; an incoming message from Genshu Hayao Hoshino from the House of Li Zhang. She stared at it, hesitating. It would be easy to ignore, but she had to keep her allies on side.

  ‘Genshu Hoshino,’ Valine smiled at the tiny screen.

  Hoshino did not smile back. ‘Valtais, we have heard the message. What is your intention?’

  Intention. That single word sent a ripple of fear through her spine. It told her a great deal about Hoshino’s own position. Valine paused, considering her choice of words. ‘I would offer myself to these terrorists if I thought it might avert a battle, but we both know that they are without honor.’

  ‘Without honor,’ Hoshino repeated, nodding. ‘Then you will fight?’
/>
  ‘There is no other way. I trust you will be at my side, Genshu?’

  Hoshino said nothing.

  ‘Need I remind you of our discussion at the Kasbah? Perhaps the drink has affected your memory?’

  ‘I remember,’ he replied, stony faced. ‘As you said: everything in balance. The House of Li Zhang does not break an honorable promise.’

  ‘I am glad to hear it,’ Valine said. ‘Prepare your ships for battle.’

  She killed the com link, and the sickly feeling of dread grew.

  ARRIVAL

  Bara stepped out of the Gallus, back onto the Ark Royal Caerleon. She didn’t feel any joy at her return, just the weight of duty and expectation.

  Commander Watson was there to greet her. ‘Duchess, we’re glad to see you. How is the Prince?’

  ‘Chest wound,’ Bara replied, tensing as Gofal carried Wynn down the ramp and placed him carefully on a waiting trolley. Almost at once, the attending medical team rushed him away.

  ‘He lives,’ Gofal said, ‘but he needs immediate surgery.’

  Behind them, Faron Dulac walked down the ramp. He smiled at the Commander, his face tired-looking. ‘I’m keen to contact my ships,’ he said. ‘Have you heard from them?’

  Watson shook her head, leading them out of the hanger bay and towards the flight deck. ‘Not yet. The Evanine and your ships were engaged by several Draig arkships, but I’ve heard they have just dropped out of Cube transit close by. We’re facing a fleet of ten Draig arkships.’

  ‘I’ll speak to my people, order them to rendezvous with you here.’

  ‘We can use all the help we can get,’ Watson said.

  ‘What about the message?’ Bara asked. ‘Any response?’

  ‘Nothing.’ Watson checked her pad. ‘They have thirty seconds left.’

  TIME

  ‘. . . stand down immediately and restore the shipyard’s impartial status, or the Kenric alliance will respond with lethal force. You have twenty seconds to respond.’

  Valtais Jacque Valine turned off the wrist com and stood. ‘Commodore Larsson, target all weapons on the Caerleon. I want a wave of slaan-hamers, enough to crack it apart.

  ‘Yes, Valtais.’ He turned to begin his work, but she caught his arm.

  ‘You will send a gunship to the far side of the Caerleon. When it is in position, you will fire on the Kanzan-Maru.’

  He stared at her, uncertainty in his eyes. ‘But . . . but that is the lead ship of the Li Zhang family. They are our allies.’

  ‘It must appear as if it has come from the Kenric arkship. Do you understand?’

  ‘Y–yes.’

  ‘The attack must be substantial.’

  Larsson nodded, his face white.

  Valine walked to the windows, watching as the first wave of slaan-hamer missiles traced their paths towards the Kenric fleet. ‘That is my response, Prince Halstead.’

  CONSENT

  ‘Incoming enemy missiles,’ an officer shouted.

  The flight deck was already buzzing with activity when Bara, Gofal and Faron followed Commander Watson out of the elevator, but their arrival seemed to ignite a flurry of renewed urgency.

  ‘Gilgore grid is at full charge!’ an officer announced.

  ‘Fleet in defensive formation.’

  ‘Fighters launched, awaiting orders, two minutes out of enemy zero range.’

  ‘Take us up, above the shipyard,’ Watson ordered as she joined her senior officers at the operations map. ‘Try to avoid collateral damage to the facility.’

  ‘Second wave of missiles incoming.’

  ‘Thirty-two seconds to first wave impact.’

  The voices came quickly, overlapping, a frenzy of information. Bara stopped by the Commander, watching the flickering holograph.

  ‘Recommend we engage the enemy with hostile force,’ Watson said.

  The other officers turned to look at Bara.

  ‘What?’ she said, confused.

  ‘Duchess,’ Watson said quietly. ‘With Prince Halstead incapacitated, you are the next highest-ranking person in the Kenric fleet.’

  Her spine tingled. ‘No, I’m just an engineer. I’m not a leader . . . I’m not . . .’

  ‘Nineteen seconds to first wave impact.’

  ‘Duchess.’ Commander Watson took Bara’s arm, forcing her to focus. ‘We are running out of time. I have to have you order.’

  Bara shook her head, feeling trapped. ‘You don’t need me. You’re the Commander.’

  ‘And you are my Duchess. I’m sorry but I must have your order.’

  Tears came to Bara’s eyes, and she pictured her home being destroyed, all those lives lost because of someone far away giving out orders.

  ‘Five seconds.’

  Watson stared at her. ‘Duchess, please.’

  ‘Do it,’ Bara whispered.

  ‘Thank you.’ Watson turned to the others, her voice booming to fill the flight deck. ‘Authorization to engage the enemy is given. All fighters, pick your targets. Weapons officer, launch counterstrike.’

  No sooner had she finished than the entire arkship buckled under the impact of the Draig missiles. Bara grabbed at the table, holding herself there as the view outside lit up with eruptions of fire. She understood war, she had seen it up close, but she had never given the orders from this vantage point before, and she realized she could never go back. As she stood there, watching the fine lines of the Kenric missiles racing to their targets, Bara knew she would have to live with this burden of responsibility for the rest of her life.

  TARGETS

  ‘The Caerleon has taken heavy damage,’ Larsson shouted over the noise, ‘but so have we.’

  Valine ignored the suggestion in his tone. He wanted to retreat. He was scared, but fear had to be fought head on. ‘Don’t worry about the Addington fleet, focus everything on the Kenric arkship. That’s their weak point. If Halstead breaks the rest will follow.’

  Commodore Larsson nodded. ‘The Li Zhang ships have not joined the fight yet. They should have received your order.’

  ‘As expected,’ Valine muttered bitterly.

  Larson checked the holograph, his movements quick and agitated. ‘Gunship is in place, ready to fire on the Kanzan-Maru.’ He paused, looking at Valine. ‘You’re sure about this?’

  She walked up to him, her face close to his, and whispered through clenched teeth. ‘Never question my orders. Never.’

  ‘Yes, sorry, Valtais. Gunship firing now.’

  Valine stepped away, watching the track of the missiles.

  ‘Incoming!’ an officer cried. ‘Cube displacement wave.’

  A shadow fell across the flight deck. Valine looked up to see a fleet of seven arkships appearing overhead.

  Larsson checked his console. ‘The Evanine, a Kenric arkship . . . and the rest are Dulac arkships.’

  Valine watched in horror as the missiles raced for a new target. One of the Dulac vessels was now in their direct path. There was no time for it to react. The missiles struck, forming a line of expanding circles of light along its side. The eruptions grew, joining together until the arkship could no longer be seen. As the explosions dissipated, the damage came into view. The entire side of the arkship had been torn open, exposing its interior decks to the vacuum of space.

  ‘My gods!’ Larsson said. ‘Their Gilgore gird must have been down.’

  ‘They are the enemy,’ Valine replied. ‘Do not forget that.’

  The Dulac arkship slowed, trailing debris behind it, its battle over.

  ‘Contact our gunship,’ Valine barked. ‘Tell them to prepare a second round of missiles.’

  ‘Valtais . . .’

  ‘Do as I order, Larsson, or I will shoot you myself!’

  ‘I have a com signal. It’s Genshu Hoshino. He wishes to speak to you.’

  CHOICES

  Wynn stared up at the lights of the operating theatre, watching them vibrate with the impact of the Draig missiles. He wanted to do something, but he could hardly move. His
body was linked to monitoring machines, and the surgeons buzzed around him, prepping him for emergency surgery.

  He thought of Bara, picturing her beautiful face. He was losing her, one piece at a time. Anger and frustration welled up inside him, and he heard the heart rate monitor beside him hasten its pace. He knew what he had to do, if he wanted to keep her. He had to change. He had to give up his old ways. He had to let go of tradition and duty. He had to put her first.

  It sounded so simple, yet he knew it was impossible. He couldn’t step down. He couldn’t renounce everything for her, no matter how much he wanted to. A wave of sadness overwhelmed him. He knew the end result of his reasoning; Bara would leave him. Was it worth it? Was holding on to everything else worth the loss of Bara?

  One of the surgeons lowered a mask over Wynn’s face, and he felt the cool flow of oxygen into his mouth.

  Looking at the room through the distorted plastic of the facemask, Wynn realized that he couldn’t do it, he couldn’t let Bara go. He vowed to fight for her, to give up everything else for her, if he had to. He would stand down, become the husband she deserved, be there for her and nothing else. He smiled, determined to try.

  The surgeons’ voices became muffled as something was injected into his arm, and his grip on consciousness loosened.

  ‘Let her go.’

  Wynn opened his eyes, uncertain who was speaking. He was alone in the operating theatre. He sat up, unencumbered by wires and breathing apparatus. His hand went to his chest, but the pain was gone. He inhaled, feeling his lungs fill with air. He held it, then let it go, smiling at the relief from the pain.

  ‘You must let her go.’

  Startled, Wynn checked the room again. He was alone.

  ‘Hello?’ he shouted, his voice echoing along the empty corridor beyond the room. Silence, not even the hum of air pumps or the vibration of battle. Complete silence.