Righteous Reign The Series: E-version Boxed Set Edition

by Thomas J. MacDonald

  The one Flag Officer who had survived was Commodore Tentarri. He was the Crux Fleet COS; but had deferred to her tactical experience, instead of taking command himself. He had been in administrative positions for the past ten years. His last tactical position was as a second shift bridge First Officer aboard a Frigate. But, he had been invaluable to Captain Herandez. The Chief insured all orders were issued within the guidelines of the OFSA R&R. He was also a constant source of information about methods employed in parallel situations by the now deceased Fleet Commander. And, most importantly, he had been instrumental in her legal assumption of authority - quoting the correct sections and paragraphs of the Regulations. Though she usually leads by consensus, Marguerita's mandate is unquestioned.

  When she got word from Zeta, she thought they might appreciate knowing some detail regarding the giant orb. So she requested the meeting.

  ................................................................................................................

  "You both know I have our two Subs constantly watching that giant in the Delta Velorum system, don't you?" Kengoseri nodded.

  "I was unaware of it, sir," Muldry responded.

  "Well, I do. Both our subs are constantly within one hundred kilometers of it. And, they're sending me a constant feed." She tapped her datapad. Then she turned the screen to them. The Base Ship was centered on the screen.

  "That's impressive. Have you learned anything?" Captain Chapec asked.

  "Not really. The enemy has ships in and out for repairs and resupply. They do fighter craft launch drills, all the time. But, I haven't learned anything that would help fight this monstrosity."

  "We can't fight it," Kengoseri replied.

  "For sure we can't - without knowledge. But, since I received the communications from Zeta, I've been wondering if we should head towards them. I've also contemplated a way to get into that thing and do some recon without getting caught. Admiral Brubacher would appreciate it, I'm sure."

  "With respect Captain, are you nuts? We've been soundly trounced, and you want to go into the belly of the beast?" Chapec yelped.

  "It's not so crazy if you think about it. I've had those two subs within a short distance away with several hundred enemy warships flying around. They haven't been detected, yet. Let me show you something."

  She called up a previous reconnaissance video. An enemy Carrier was entering the Polyhedron. A massive panel opened to an interior Hangar. The ship moved in slowly on thruster power. There was a considerable pause. Then, the door closed.

  "I don't get it. What are you showing me?" Kengoseri queried.

  "This is playing in real time. First of all the ship is waiting over one kilometer off the entry port. It takes a full two minutes for the door to open completely. Then the pilot of the warship must have to wait for clearance. It's another full minute before he starts to move. And, it takes him over two minutes to disappear into the opening. Then, there is over a minute before the hatch begins to close. Watch it again!" Captain Hernandez says.

  "I see your point. You want to slip a sub in, take pictures and slip out."

  "Exactly. That kind of surveillance will be invaluable."

  "What if there's a better way?" Chapec asked.

  "What do you mean. Elaborate."

  "What if we can get plans for that thing?

  "How?"

  "We slip into the Delta Velorum Communications Station. I believe they'll be linked to it. It makes sense because it's such a powerful transmission device. Once inside, we access their computer systems remotely. We know the Station and its technology. If we go inside the Orb, we're just stumbling around."

  "What makes you think you can establish a link between the OFSA Communications unit and the Base Station?"

  "They sent out warning messages on our channels. They must have linked - even if only to get frequencies, protocols, and settings. There'll be a record of it. Their conventions and address will be there. If I'm wrong, we'll still be alive to try it your way." Chapec replies.

  "I like it. There's a risk we won't get anything. But, it's a smaller one than entering the beast, as you call it. Let's plan it and do it your way." Captain Hernandez orders.

  In the end, the strategy was to use one sub to take in ten operatives. Five Marines would escort five Communications and Computer specialists. While cloaked they would dock and disembark. They get the information, reboard and leave. And, the way the patrols work, there are times when no warships are around, and only the Base Station is there. One of those moments would be their execution time.

  On September 19, the opportunity had arisen. During an enemy change of patrols, there was a gap in coverage around the orbiting communications platform. Everyone had to scramble. No one was sure how long the advantage would continue. The covert vessel FSS Venturer moved in. Five Marine Special Forces accompanied a communications specialist, a security expert, a computer tech, a computer programmer and Captain Hernandez. The Venturer gingerly docked with the station and the ten boarded with no outward visible signs of their presence. There was no indication the invaders had ever actually been aboard, but they continued their search in the hopes they had accessed this station remotely to dispense their threats.

  It took nearly fifteen minutes to find system logs including the enemy use of the system; but, tracing back located the communication specs and computer port utilized in the transactions. It took another twenty minutes to gain access to the remote system employed and ten more to defeat its layers of protection. It must have been aboard the Base unit. The other ships were at currently unknown distant positions. And, there was little or no transmission delay. Another quarter-hour was used navigating through folders and files to find anything they could understand. Not knowing the language didn't help. But, there was a logical organization to folders and internal files. They finally stumbled on a folder that must have been Engineering data because it was full of drawings, schematics, and plans of all the trespassers' assets. The team finally struck gold with blueprints Captain Hernandez recognized as one of the Polyhedrons. It was a comprehensive and layered plan-view of the entire structure. Tiers detailed, construction, ventilation, power generation and distribution, communications, computers, living quarters and a host of other relevant hardware specifications. As they downloaded the data, they tripped an alarm forcing them to exit the station with no other information. But, what they had pilfered was pure gold.

  Hernandez had the Coalsack's engineering team study the documents intently. Several days were expended determining that though this was detailed enough to use as an internal map, it referenced other schematics of more specific information on individual internal systems. By September 27, she was sure enough of its value to forward it to Admiral Brubacher.

  But, she decided transmission should not be from one of their ships. The enemy might become aware of them if they did that. So, they planned and executed another incursion of the Orbital Platform. They knew the station may now be watched. So, the whole thing was to take two minutes from docking to undocking.

  The Captain tried to maintain her internal composure. But, the anxiety of performing the clandestine operation under such intense pressure interfered. Her hands trembled noticeably as she sat at terminal tapping out her message. Then, Margo attached the document and set the system to transmit to the coordinates sent in by Zeta at a time that would permit its reception during the hours specified by them. Two days later, they received a response aboard the Coalsack. Somehow Brubacher knew where they were. He must be watching, somehow.

  In his message, he had expressed his relief they were alive and urged them to make their way to their communication's destination. Someone would be waiting to escort them to Zeta if they transmitted estimated arrival times.

  ..................................................................................................................

  So now, Marguerita would present another crazy idea to her two Task Force leaders. She wanted to head for
Zeta HQ.

  "I know the two of you think I take some significant risks; but, I believe we must - if we're going to survive this ordeal. We're low on everything, and our people are demoralized. We won't last much longer if we don't get some support.' They were all standing just inside her office doorway. At nearly six foot six, she towered over both her subordinates. Margo had been a center on the women's basketball team when she was back in school. But at one hundred eighty-five pounds, she was actually slim and lithe in appearance. 'Let's take a seat. I've got another hairbrained idea.' She paused while they all grabbed a beverage and sat in her small conversation area.

  'I sent off the information we recovered during our little adventure on the Platform. Brubacher responded. He wants us to make our way to him. He says his full organization, Gamma, and Epsilon Commands have all survived and are ready to mount a counter attack. The Admiral also states they can service and resupply us. So, I think we have to go. I know it's dangerous to make a one-hundred-six light year trip through enemy space, but I don't see any other way. We're low on food, and we'll run out of some weapons if we have to defend ourselves again. Not that the munitions really matter. They don't actually work on this enemy, anyway. But, I feel we need help. So, we have to go." She paused for responses. There was a long silence.

  "I hate to admit this. But, I don't consider this one such a crazy idea." Captain Kengoseri observes.

  "Unfortunately, neither do I,' Captain Chapec adds. 'Maybe we're all just a little bit nuts. But, it does seem like the only way to save our people." She observes.

  "So, I've been thinking about this trip. It seems, the enemy has its contingents placed in yellow and orange/red dwarfs inhabited by Federation citizens and along routes between them.' She stopped and activated a projector then tapped on her data pad. A region of space appeared on the screen behind her desk. She rose, dimmed the lights and grabbed a pointer. Then she continued.

  'The rendezvous point is here at RA 90.602 by declination -27.622 degrees at one hundred twenty-three light-years from Earth.' She indicated a spot on the screen. 'We are here.' She identified another position on the map. 'It's a one hundred-six light-year trip if we travel directly. But, we'd cross several potentially occupied regions. So, I propose we take this route.' She traces a line on the map with the pointer; stopping in five different spots. 'It's longer, but we potentially stay away from occupied systems. And, most of the stops we make are at uninhabited ones that have ice available to harvest for water and gasses if we need it. The total trip is one hundred twenty-eight light-years. We can do it in six nearly equal jumps. We'd stop for a day at each star. And, we'd travel at twenty percent velocity. Our people are tired and demoralized. I don't think we should stress them too much. That means we would meet up with Zeta in eleven days. But, by then, we'll almost be out of some foods if we don't apportion. But, I don't think we should ration, either. I believe we go on to Zeta as normal. If we don't find Brubacher, we're dead. But, we are if we stay here, anyway." She stopped again seeking feedback.

  "Let's do it. There is no other way." Muldry Capec's tone was resignation.

  "I agree. It is the best way." Captain Kengoseri added.

  They sat around for another two hours planning for departure. A couple of ships would need quick repairs to make them ready for the journey. They left the next morning.

  Chapter 18 The Battle of Lambda Boötis

  Thursday, October 10, 2268

  "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." John Adams

  October started with a Commission meeting on Thursday, October 1, aboard the Examiner. Though not the first priority, I felt advising every one of the surviving Fleets we located should be the first topic. There was a great deal of jubilant discussion that included many speculative narratives. Grace and Bill soon returned us to reality, and I continued my reports.

  I advised them all of the contact made by Captain Marguerita Hernandez via our station on Delta Velorum B-c. There was another interruption as the meeting deteriorated while everyone discussed the meaning of her survival.

  When order was restored I displayed the documents attached to her message; flashing quickly through the drawing layers, on the screen. Then I stopped and directed the entire package to all the attendees' data pads.

  "Your personal devices are receiving that package so you can look over it, in depth at your leisure.' I stopped to swipe and tap again.

  'This second package is an Aerospace Engineering report on the device. The report is nearly two hundred pages. I will highlight so we can discuss it.

  The vessel is definitely a Headquarters Station. George was very close in his assessment. It is a Polyhedron with eighteen identical square faces and eight matching triangular ones that form a shape like an orb. Each face opens on one of the adjacent ones. The entire construct is sixteen hundred meters across on all axis. It houses nine thousand personnel and a considerable squadron of fighters."

  "Why do you say it's sixteen hundred meters on all axis. What do you mean by that?" Grace interrupted.

  "The whole construct is symmetrical. For every face, there is another one hundred eighty degrees opposite that's identical. If you draw a line from the center of one to the middle of the one across from it, you will form an axis through the unit's center. You can draw thirteen axes between all the faces that go right through the middle. If you measure from one surface to its opposite one along any of those lines, it will be one point six kilometers across.

  The hulls of these Orbs are almost impervious without shielding, but limited electronic armor is employed. Nonetheless, it does have limitations that are highlighted in the report. Multiple faces house a variety of the standard weapons we know. But, behind four are devices capable of destroying a large military formation or even a small moon. Several faces open as doorways to large hangars. Even the large warships can travel in and out. The interior volume is roughly two point two billion cubic meters.' I paused for the whistles and "Oh my god" comments to die down. Then I continued.

  'Its motive power is the same as ours. It is probably too big to generate the type of energy needed to propel it in the Isesinis conventional FTL system. This would explain why its propulsion and jump technology match our own. Besides that, their method creates a relatively high risk of antimatter annihilation. They probably don't want to risk this infrastructure that way.

  The Polemista say the Isesinis call it Kiraka Comminator which loosely translates to Planet Killer. But, I've named it the Gigantic Polyhedron Headquarters Complex (GPHC), for now. We can christen it something else when we come up with a good handle that describes it.

  My conclusions in the report are that we need time to develop a tactical plan for attacking it. But, while we search I don't think that means we can't attack formations that include one. We just have to stay on the outside periphery of any such armada.

  Our surveillance leads me to believe there are ten of these Bases throughout the Federation. Some of that is speculation, but it's based on what we can see. And, there is a pattern to their dispersal throughout the Federation. I have also concluded that we should stick to raids of medium-sized detachments for now. We can include the bigger ones when we develop a plan for assaulting them without getting nailed by those enormous bastards." I finished.

  "I know it's in your report, Kurt; but can you highlight some of the limitations in the hull design," George asked

  "There are points on each of the eight triangular faces where vent shafts, garbage dumps, and heat exchangers penetrate the skin. Some of these are useful to us, in their own right. Others are in combinations that form natural sheer lines." I noticed the lights going on. George had an idea.

  "I don't think we'll have to put it off that long. We may each have to run a couple more missions, but I think I have an idea. We may be able to confront them sooner rather than later." He offered.

  "What're you thinking?"

  "Let's discuss it after we adjourn. We
'll still be here tomorrow. We can take it up with the C&C Commission, then.

  So, I went on and reviewed our current surveillance and our continuous ongoing assaults of mid-sized flotillas.

  Then, Steven Nichols offered his report, and George presented his.

  ...........................................................................................................................

  When we broke for the day, Steven, George, and I went to Lowry's the Examiner's pub. We sat, drank and talked.

  "So, what's your idea?" Nichols poked.

  "First of all those openings all have hoods or protective covers on them. So, we need to take out that protection. Then, we send a homing device into the opening." He was interrupted abruptly.

  "Holy shit." Steven and I chorused in harmony.

  "You want to give our missiles an interior target to hit. That's an inspired idea. But, it's extremely hard to hit a bullseye that small."

  "We have to find a way to practice. So we paint a few objects different colors to represent the different openings. We move a bunch of asteroids in some system into the correct shape and place the painted targets in the right positions. Then we send fighters to knock the objects off and cloaked Subs to send in the radio transmitting drone. Finally, all vessels target the homing transmitter and fire. We don't need an actual GPHC to practice. We just need a mock-up." He finished.

  "Man, that's good. And, it's simple enough. It's your idea. You present it in the morning." Steven suggested with awe in his voice.

  "I don't mean to burst any bubbles, but I think this reopens another issue. I don't believe we should hold off attacking one. We need to prove we can do it. I suppose we should take a few weeks, build our model and practice. I feel we should choose one and attack it, after that. But, we'd need a good plan. They're always surrounded by a thousand vessels or more. We need to create a diversion by attacking the formation, while a separate force goes after the Headquarters. It will take some planning; but, I think we have to do it. It's the only way we'll know for sure." George argued.