by C. R. Daems
“First you’re to continue tracking me and the Riss. Your reports will go directly to Commander Wang, not me. I already know what I do each day.” That got smiles. I went on to explain that they were to concentrate on the Compton. I wanted them to examine its previous stops to determine if there existed any correlation to raids on SAS colonies. After the two left, I turned to Arnet.
“If you don’t mind, Master Chief, I’d like to be taught how the equipment works.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been expecting that. I talked to Rucker and Nesstor.” He held out a piece of paper.
* * * *
“She’s being moved to the Intelligence unit,” Elson whispered to Blackstone.
“There’s nobody else in the room, except Owin. Why are you whispering?” Blackstone waved his hand at the six bunks.
Elson’s face turned red. He looked at the floor.
“That’s actually good news.”
“Why? The intelligence unit’s harder to infiltrate than the bridge. They have a separate hallway and two guards always on duty.” Owin shook his head while pacing the floor. “Damn bitch is harder to get at than the Captain.”
“Think, Owin! This is perfect. We aren’t trying to attack her any place public. We’re looking for a quiet place where she’s alone.” Blackstone sat back in his chair and grinned. “Consider the hallway to the Intelligence unit. It has limited access and the two guards aren’t going to leave their post. They’ll call security. All we have to do is catch her leaving when the hallway’s empty. It’s not uncommon for her to work odd hours.”
Owin wasn’t convinced. “We want little miss dirty face to have an accident—a fatal one—but we have several problems. How do we know when she’ll be in that hallway alone? How do we avoid security detail that the guards are sure to call? And, how do we kill her without being hurt and subsequently identified?”
“Those are excellent questions, Owin. If we each chip in a hundred credits, I think that I can solve all three problems.”
Owin and Elson nodded.
Chapter 18
I enjoyed my time with Arnet. He spent hours each night showing me how to take apart and repair the various units. Inside the machines were mostly throwaway boards with thousands of chips. To fix a given machine, the trick was to know which board produced the problem. He explained they collected information from the Comrelay stations in each solar system with an SAS colony. These stations sorted communications and directed them by FTL speeds to the next appropriate station, colony, or spaceship in the system. In theory, the stations’ messages were secure. In fact, the station produced a copy, which it subsequently forwarded to SAS intelligence and authorized spaceships—like the Peregrine.
The Peregrine routinely stripped each Comrelay it passed. This allowed them to scan all incoming and outgoing messages. One of Commander Wang’s responsibilities was to track the Riss-humans and any information pertaining to them.
Now the Compton had become a priority. Two weeks of searching revealed what I’d already suspected. The Compton had stopped at Saipha and Corona a month prior to the raids. Although we continued to track the Compton, neither Thalia nor I could determine a discernable pattern. The ship visited colonies apparently at random with unexplained gaps inconsistent with transit time between those planets.
Although I tried to limit my contact with Lieutenant Hendrix, I couldn’t avoid him completely. My regular visits with Commander Wang took place on first shift, when Hendrix worked. He used every opportunity to taunt me, trying to convince the others that I couldn’t be trusted and posed a threat to security.
“Well, Reese, what are you hiding on the night shift that you don’t want the rest of us to know about, or are you too good to associate with the rest of us? I’ll bet you aren’t telling the Commander everything you find on your alien friends.” Each time he sneered and moved back, giving the impression he thought me contagious. Childish, but effective in causing doubt and suspicion.
“Good morning, Lieutenant Hendrix. I’m glad to see you’re in good spirits,” I said as I continued walking towards Wang’s door, knocked, and entered. I could see his eyes narrow and his lips tighten in anger or perhaps frustration.
On the way out, it was more of the same.
“I hear you’re learning to repair the equipment. It’s probably all you’re fit to do. Some day the Riss is going to take control of you and betray us all. I know the Captain feels the same as I do.”
“I don’t claim to know what the Captain thinks, Lieutenant Hendrix. Nor do I believe it’s any of my business, but I appreciate you sharing your opinion of me. If you excuse me, it has been a long night, and I’m tired.” I continued walking out the exit into the hallway, leaving Hendrix with his mouth open.
I hoped I’d never encounter a situation Thalia didn’t find amusing.
* * * *
“Lieutenant Reese, I think we might have found what you’re looking for. The Compton stopped at Tamerland last week. The colony is quite wealthy from the sale of software and hardware. They sell their technology to the highest bidder and make a profit by loading it with traps to guarantee only they can fix it. They’ve developed a new anti-missile, which they claim is twice as effective as the current version. The navy has signed an exclusive contract with them for the missiles. They’re picking up five hundred four weeks from today.”
“I assume Tamerland has an effective defense system,” I said, wondering how the raiders were going to steal the missiles.
“Yes, ma’am.” Wunk sounded deflated. A few minutes ago she’d been bubbling with energy.
“Wunk, you and Phalan have done well. I think you may have found what we’re looking for.”
“But their defense system is one of the best.”
I waved Arnet over and explained what Wunk and Phalan had found. I wanted his opinion as to whether or not he thought it possible to either penetrate their defense system or use some other method to steal the missiles.
“Ma’am, the SAS will probably send a Heavy cruiser and maybe even an escort. Nothing raiders would want to tangle with. Consequently, it’ll be extremely difficult to steal the cargo after it’s been picked up.” Arnet stroked his chin. “If they could somehow obtain the system codes, they could disable their defenses. Then it would be easy.”
“Maybe they don’t need them, Master Chief. What if they dropped off a team of raiders, like on Saipha, to sabotage the system?” I wondered out loud. Arnet nodded. I didn’t wait for further discussion. Using her personal code, I called Commander Wang on my SID.
“Reese, it’s very early in the morning. I hope you rousted me out of bed without breakfast for a good reason. A very good reason.”
“Yes, ma’am. I think so.” I went on to explain what Wunk and Phalan had found, the potential of it as a target, and how I thought the raiders could attack Tamerland.
“You want me to go to the Captain on a hunch?” Wang went silent. “Master Chief, what do you think?”
“I think it’s the best lead we’ve had. It doesn’t sound feasible on the surface; however, we have more to lose if it is than if it isn’t.”
“Chief, maybe you can get us a direct line to the raiders, so we can find out what they’re planning. All this guessing is nerve-racking.” Wang shook her head. “All right, I’ll go to the Captain, but I’m going to wait until he wakes up and has had his breakfast.”
* * * *
Wang and I stood at ease in front of Gebauer’s desk. I was relieved that Wang had presented my theory. Otherwise, I think the Captain would’ve dismissed it without thought. Being fair didn’t include agreeing with me.
“Commander, have a seat. You too, Reese. Let’s see if I understand this. You believe the raiders are going to penetrate Tamerland’s high-tech security system and steal the new missiles. Then exit the same security without being blown to oblivion?”
“It’s feasible but easy to dismiss. Lieutenant Reese’s group has been tracking the Compton, since it left Saipha. It was the only ship to visit both Saipha and Corona prior to the raids. They’ve been watching the Compton because we believe it’s looking for high-value targets. Tamerland certainly qualifies. Using their method of penetrating Saipha, the Compton could have dropped a team when they visited several weeks ago. A team assigned to take control of the security system or destroy it,” Wang said.
“It’s still conjecture. A highly improbable one...” Gebauer paused. “Based on this theory, you want me to deviate from my schedule and delay delivering needed supplies and equipment to the Zulug and Backdoor colonies?”
I wondered if the Captain’s reluctance resulted from my involvement or the low probability. I’d warned Wang not to take me along.
“Captain, it’s conjecture. The probability’s low, because of the complexity of the operation, and the Peregrine’s delay may have an adverse impact on one or more of those colonies. Conversely, the information we’ve collected fits what we know of the raider’s previous actions. To date our encounters with the raiders have been hit or miss, and we’ve consistently missed. This is the first plausible information we’ve obtained that may give us a chance to intercept them. As Chiefs tend to do, Master Chief Arnet summed it up well. He said, ‘if we deviate and are wrong, we lose little; if we don’t and they do attack, we lose a lot.’“
Gebauer sat silent for what seemed like hours; his gaze slid back and forth between Wang and me.
“Commander, you’ve put me between two Heavy cruisers. If I go and they don’t show, I’ll look the fool. If I don’t go and they do attack, I’ll be considered a fool. In either case, they’ll probably retire me.” He shook his head. “I would rather be retired for being foolish than being a fool.” Gebauer reached over and activated his comm to the bridge. “XO, set a course to Tamerland. Commander Wang, if we go to battle stations, have the seamen qualified in other specialties report to the appropriate section. Lieutenant Reese, you’re to report to Commander Uchida. Dismissed.”
* * * *
Wang was solemn once we’d left Gebauer. “Well, Reese, I’m afraid I’ve put you in a tenuous position. You’re right to bring this to my attention; I was right to bring it to the Captain’s attention; and he was right to divert the Peregrine to Tamerland. If the raiders don’t attack, he’s going to blame you.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“I guess Thalia’s talking to you, since there’s little to smile about.”
“Yes, ma’am. She agrees with you. Thalia and I would blame ourselves if we didn’t report our finding to you. We can’t anticipate the Captain’s reaction. He’s responsible for the Peregrine, not us.”
* * * *
Thanks to Lieutenant Hendrix, half the crew knew it was my idea. He made it a point to go out of his way to make some stupid comment or another.
Everywhere I went people smiled or snickered behind my back. Hendrix’s determination to make me look foolish made the voyage stretch into what seemed like years. Unfortunately no one could do anything to stop him gossiping. I suspect many were delighted to see him humiliate me.
The only place I received some peace was in the Wasps’ training area. A few snickered behind my back, but most seemed excited at the possibility of action.
“Everyone has his or her fingers crossed, Reese. We train for combat, but mostly we sit and wait. After our adventure on Saipha, everyone’s hoping you’re our lucky charm.” Terril gave me a “thumbs up” sign.
* * * *
“All personnel report to your battle stations. We’ll be entering Tamerland space in two hours.”
The Captain appeared to be taking no chances with what we may encounter when we dropped out of the Wave. I reported to the bridge and took the seat next to Uchida. As we entered Tamerland space, the Captain immediately cut all power except for emergency systems. When no challenge or query came, I assumed our entry had either gone undetected or Tamerland security waited to see our intention. When nothing happened, the crew was released from battle stations and the Peregrine went into waiting mode. No one could predict exactly when or if the raiders would attack; however, they only had a five-day window of opportunity. On day six, the Heavy cruiser, Bateleur, was scheduled to arrive. Consequently, the raiders would have to arrive within the next two or three days.
* * * *
The tension on the Peregrine escalated every hour as people waited for the call to battle stations. People still gave me strange looks, but they no longer laughed. With the exception of Hendrix, who kept up his barrage of insults, it appeared the idea of going to Tamerland and being there was different. He didn’t seem to understand the difference, probably because he had no assigned battle station.
Thalia’s laugh rang like glass chimes.
“BATTLE STATIONS!” blared through the Peregrine’s loud speakers and individual SIDs. I exited the Intelligence unit at a run, heading for the bridge. By the time I arrived, everyone was at his or her station. Without saying anything, Uchida pointed to the adjacent seat.
“You’re to duplicate my calculations using Symath. I’ll split my screen into quadrants. Use the two on the left, the solution on top.”
“What’s the status, XO?” Gebauer said, scanning the overhead monitors.
“Two cruisers just dropped out of the Wave. They’re on a course for Tamerland,” As he said it, a three-dimensional hologram sprung to life in the center of the bridge. “We have them designated H1 and L1 on the TAC.” He was talking about the Tactical Array Center.
“Can you identify the cruisers and their type?”
“They don’t match anything we have in our database. One appears the size of our Defender class cruisers; the other looks like a War class Heavy cruiser.” Lieutenant Commander Simms, on radar, shook her head while staring at her screen.
“Full power, Helm.”
“Going to full power,” Willman replied.
“Navigation, plot an intercept with L1.”
“Helm, intercept course with unknown cruiser L1 on your board.” As Uchida spoke, the intercepting vector appeared on the Willman’s overhead monitor and as a red line in the TAC.
“Radar, are you sure they aren’t from the UFN or the JPU?” The United Free Nations and the Johaba People’s Union had to be excluded.
“Not unless they have new ships we don’t know about.”
“Tactical, your primary target has got to be the L1, although we can’t ignore the H1. Set up a four-two firing solution.”
“Based upon Intel’s assessment from our previous encounters with the raiders, the Heavies’ missiles have a two point five light-second powered range whereas we have two point four. At our present closing speeds, it will take us an additional seventeen seconds to close one light-second,” Commander Kollar said.
“What about L1?” Gebauer asked.
“Their Lights only have a powered range of two point two light-seconds. Therefore, it will take L1 an additional thirty-four seconds to close their two-second gap.”
“Tactical, give me a regular update until we’re within firing range. We can’t stop the heavy; however, if we can damage the light, they may choose to leave. If not, it may give Tamerland time to bring their security systems on line.” Gebauer sat back, appearing at ease.
As the minutes ticked by, the bridge appeared suspended in time. A deathly silence prevailed. Everyone knew it would be bad. A Light cruiser was no match for a Heavy cruiser and less than no match when the Heavy was accompanied by a Light. The Captain could do nothing except play for time, hoping Tamerland recovered before it was too late.
“Thirty minutes to firing.”
“Twenty.”
“Ten.
“Captain, all six tubes loaded and ready,” Kollar reported.
“Ten H1 missiles incoming, time to impact one hundred seconds,” Commander Baats said, as the missiles appeared on the overhead Electronic Counter Measures —ECM—monitor.
“Continuous fire as tubes become ready,” Gebauer said. Seconds later the ship shook and Radar’s monitor showed six missiles had launched.
“Time to impact one hundred seconds.”
“Six incoming from L1,” Baats announced. “Time to impact, one hundred ten seconds.”
No one knew what to expect from the raider’s ships—speed or armament. The Peregrine had six missile tubes and could load and fire every sixty seconds. It now appeared H1 had ten and L1 six missile tubes, and H1 could fire ever sixty and L1 every seventy-five seconds. When I looked up, the monitors showed thirty-two incoming missiles.
I stopped breathing. I couldn’t imagine what would happen when they hit. Everyone sounded calm—I wasn’t.
The Peregrine shuddered.
“Damage report.” Gebauer watched as Commander Stowa’s monitor displayed the incoming reports from the affected sections. I tried to watch all the monitors but events were occurring too fast.