He said, “Alke, end War Game One for Task Force Alpha. Request the captain and senior officers of each destroyer team to meet with me in fifteen minutes.”
“Messages sent.”
“What’s the status of the other groups?”
“Sir, they all were destroyed in the first ten minutes.”
“In that case, ask the other admirals, their captains, and senior officers to join my meeting. No excuses, no absences allowed. Prepare video replays for review.”
“Message sent. Videos are available, sir.”
Steg, Jessie Brent, and Thomas Sullivan watched the final of the four sets of war game video replays in a private meeting room. Ioke, Zhu, and Alke were present in holographic form.
“What do you think?” Steg asked.
“They have a long way to go,” Sullivan said.
“They had no cohesion, none at all,” Jessie added. “Each captain—”
“I know. They lacked any inclination to work together.”
“At least Breval is aware of the issue,” Sullivan said. “The Imperial Navy is accustomed to applying overwhelming numbers to win. There’s an element of arrogance in their thinking that they’ll need to overcome.”
“I think we’ll visit the Alliance government and see what we can do there. While we’re away, Richard may be able to knock some sense into his people.”
“Sir,” said Alke, “watch this. I’ll run the video from five minutes back. Admiral Breval is making his point.”
The viewscreen switched to a large meeting room. The four admirals and their senior captains were seated on a dais at a u-shaped table, facing a room full of officers. No one looked happy.
“So, you all claim you know better than anyone else, yet you all lost your ships in independent actions, while three AIs defeated a similar force and went on to defeat a second force and capture a dreadnought. There’s something wrong with this scenario.”
“Sir, the AIs cheated.” The speaker was an anonymous Tac officer.
“What, when they defeated the Xesset?”
“No, sir, now, when they ran the war game.”
“So that’s your excuse? You take an unplanned and totally erroneous action and afterwards blame your loss on a computer? So you’re not able to out-think a computer that’s running four war games and managing twenty-four warships, while it’s handling the processes for your vessels?” The admiral paused for a moment and added, “Plus, it’s managing Wanderer at the same time.”
“Sir, I resent that.”
“Resent away. You, Commander Perry, why did you fire your graser broadside?”
“Sir, I used my experience—”
“Experience does not provide you with locations of shielded enemy ships in a strange system. Nor does it excuse unilateral actions and I’ll remind you, that was against orders.”
The Tac officer stood and said, “Sir, I resign. I am not going to take insults from you, nor will I serve under a backworlder.”
“Resignation accepted. Next?”
Alke terminated the display.
Jessie said, “Wow. He’s getting serious.”
“Necessary. There are a lot of prima donnas in the Imperial Navy. I don’t envy his task.”
Steg said, “Me, neither. Okay, I think we head to the Alliance. Our absence will give Breval an opportunity to knock some heads together. Hopefully, by the time we return, we’ll see some improvements.” He was not as confident as he sounded.
oOo
CHAPTER 24
STEG WAS ready to reach out to the Alliance center of government for more resources: starships, munitions, supplies, and crew. His first step was to delegate his oversight responsibility to Alke, Ioke, and Zhu. He was confident the AIs would run the war games at a level to fully challenge the Imperial admirals and officers in charge of the growing fleet of warships.
He selected a small group to travel with him on Dreamer; it included Jessie, the Fain, Aadan for her helm expertise, and Kirby and Sergeant Riddell with twenty Ebony Company marines. The latter were already boarding Dreamer. Steg had arranged for Denke to take command of the remaining marines plus the Homeworld military resources, primarily to support Sullivan and to react to issues identified by Wanderer’s AIs. The colonel was also recruiting ex-Special Forces members and had the beginnings of a company already assembled on Jochum II.
Steg gathered his team together in one of Wanderer’s conference rooms.
He said, “Departure is scheduled for 22:00 hours, so you have nine hours to prepare. We’ll be absent for six days—that’s two days in transit to Arkadie, two to three days of meetings, and two days for our return. When we finish this meeting, pack whatever you need, and report back to me to confirm you’re ready. I’d like to improve our departure time if possible. The marines are already settled on board, waiting for us.”
Alke was listening in. She said, “Admiral, we propose an upgrade to the yacht’s AI. Tobias has confirmed our plan. It will take six hours to complete, so we have enough time.”
“Explain.”
“Dreamer’s current AI does not have the capabilities that we think you’ll need. We’ve prepared a clone of Zhu’s programs and propose installing it on Dreamer. We checked and the Complex provided for an expansion of the yacht’s system, so there is more than enough capacity. We’ll back up the existing AI and keep him for other yachts or reload him back into Dreamer when you return. We’ll probably increase his abilities first; it’s something the Acolytes can help us with.”
“Why not modify the AI now?” Jessie asked.
“You will need Zhu’s memories and experience with the Xesset. We’d have to upgrade the AI and add in a copy of Zhu’s data. We think that’s a higher risk and will take longer to complete and test.”
Steg said, “Okay, proceed.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll let you know when the new AI is fully functional.”
“Kirby, you’ll need armor for everyone. Also, can we take a couple of those war bots?”
“I’ve already equipped the company, so it’s only you and people present here who need armor. I like your suggestion—I was also impressed with the bots. We’ve enough space, so yes, we’ll load two of them.”
“Do we get weapons, too?” Finch asked.
“Of course,” Kirby replied without hesitation.
“Good.”
Steg ignored the exchange; he’d seen the results of the Fain’s weapon handling and had no doubts as to her abilities. Stacia and Tessa were as proficient; it was one of the reasons he included them in the team.
He said, “Alke, I want our two destroyers to escort us. Will you brief Echo and Amber? They won’t need crews. Their automated systems performed effectively against the Xesset, and we may need their additional support.”
“Yes, sir. Do you have some data about possible attacks?”
Jessie said, “I’m projecting there’s a high probability we’ll see ImpSec forces. They probably have spies we haven’t yet identified, and they must be aware you intend to visit the Alliance government.”
“I agree,” Kirby said. “I doubt all their spies have been discovered.”
Steg said, “Xesset will soon commence attacks on Alliance and Imperial merchant shipping, in which case a smaller starship like Dreamer could be a target. An escort of two destroyers will make us less appealing. So, no data, Alke, only concerns.”
“Yes, sir. I agree with the assessments. Ioke and Zhu also agree.”
“Any other questions? Aadan?”
“No, sir. I’m ready to go.”
“Sergeant Riddell? You and your marines?”
“Ready, sir. Looking for action.”
“I hope we don’t find too much.”
“Yes, sir.”
Steg looked around the table. Stacia and Tessa were silent. Finch was smiling. Everyone was ready.
Steg had captured Dreamer a year ago, when the House of Aluta was pursuing him after he’d wrecked their multi-million-credit mining operation
on the planet Hellfire. The starship had been transporting a team of corporate troubleshooters, described as firefighters. Their method of fighting fire was to eliminate whoever was causing problems. After he created panic on board Dreamer, the crew and passengers abandoned her. Steg had taken control of the small starship and set its course to Homeworld, where it went into a parking orbit. Tziksis had recovered and refurbished the yacht at the direction of the Acolytes.
The stateroom he occupied was indeed luxurious. The Glass Complex must have been confident of his return. Accommodation for the other passengers was equally comfortable. Even the marines had well-equipped four-person cabins, although somewhat smaller than his. There was a support crew on board, all Homeworlders.
They had departed unnoticed. At least Steg hoped their departure had been unnoticed. The Imperial admirals, their flagship captains, and Tac officers were generally aware that Steg was planning to be away for seven or eight days; however, he had not published the departure time or the destination. He knew potential ImpSec spies would soon be made aware of his departure; he hoped the mission would be completed before they could report to their masters. It was probably a fragile hope and not something he was relying on.
Restless, he headed to the bridge. The lighting was subdued, and the bridge was silent. He paused for a moment inside the entryway. Large viewscreens lined three walls, relaying external images, one of which showed the two escorting destroyers. Aadan had decided to take the third watch and was on helm. Finch was seated at a communication station; he thought the other Fain were in the suite. Two other bridge crew members were on duty; one was at a weapons command station, and the other was monitoring drive performance. Dreamer was traveling shielded.
He could detect a low electronic undercurrent. Nyx, the new AI, was in discussion with Finch, who was attempting to describe her home planet and apparently the more detail she provided, the more questions she received. Alke and Zhu had named Dreamer’s AI claiming it was appropriate; somewhere, in ancient times, Nyx was the Goddess of Night. Steg had not demurred.
Finch heard or noticed Steg move and turned to look at him. She said, “Bored, huh?”
“Well, somewhat. I hadn’t realized Dreamer had stewards and a purser. It’s a change to have people catering to my needs.”
“Well, you are an admiral, now.” There was a twinkle in Finch’s eyes.
“That doesn’t mean anything to me, as long as I can do what I need to,” Steg said.
“I understand. Come, sit with me. I was trying to explain Fain to Nyx. She’s really confused.”
“Are you sure you want me to explain? I know about free Fain and contracted Fain, although I didn’t know about free Fain until I encountered you, Stacia and Tessa. And I know you come from Fain, and few people are permitted to land on the planet.”
Nyx said, “Admiral, you must know more than that.” She was using the comunit.
“I’m sorry, no. You have a primary source right here. Finch, while she can be a nuisance, is Fain, after all.”
“Now you’ve done it,” murmured Finch.
“Why is she a nuisance?”
Steg thought of a number of answers and decided it was better to not offer any of them. “I think we’ll discontinue this part of the conversation. Nyx, are you in contact with Echo and Amber?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are we keeping pace with them?”
“Yes, sir.”
Aadan spoke up; she had been listening to the conversation. “Steg—Admiral—this starship has two of the largest GibsonHynk drives I’ve ever seen. They are throttled back at the moment. They have special software switches that need to be set on for full operation. I don’t think the current crew knows about them.”
The crew member monitoring drive performance bobbed her head up. “What settings?”
Aadan moved to the drive station. “Look, I’ll show you. It’s here, in this subset. See, where it says Hynk Accel? Click on that and verify, and we’ll have double the current drive power.”
The young Homeworlder said, “I’ve been crewing on Dreamer for six months, since the refit was completed, and no one mentioned that.”
Aadan said, “I’ll confirm new settings and brief engineering and the bridge crew tomorrow. We may need the extra speed.”
Steg said, “That’s a far better topic of conversation. Nyx, assist Aadan while she determines the new drive settings and course adjustments.”
“Yes, sir,” the AI said.
Aadan said, “Steg, I suspect we can trim at least a third from our elapsed time. I’ll let you know.”
“That’s heartening. I’d like to shorten our time in s-t if possible. Nyx, when Aadan completes her calculations, work with Echo and Amber to implement the changes. Make sure we maintain our relative positions. Aadan, keep the power increase under fifty percent until we’ve had an opportunity to monitor the results.”
Both Aadan and Nye said, “Yes, sir.”
Steg turned to Finch, “I’m off, back to my luxurious stateroom.”
Finch said, “Wait for me.”
oOo
CHAPTER 25
THE WAY STATION had been busy with transiting starship traffic; it was a trading hub for nearby systems and the Arkadie system. The latter consisted of three habitable planets and the smallest of these, Tertia, was situated closest to the sun and was the home of the Alliance government. That was their destination. The Alliance Parliament, including all related governmental functions, Alliance military headquarters, foreign embassies, and politicians—thousands of them—was located in Kerra, the capital city. Kerra’s population was ten million or thereabouts, according to tourist-related data transmitted to Dreamer on their arrival. It contained no industry or functions except those concerned with governing four hundred billion people or more, spread over at least a hundred planets.
Echo and Amber were in high orbits, shielded, well out of the way of the general starship traffic and the hundreds of Alliance Navy starships moving through the system. They were prepared to assist Dreamer and Steg and his team, by acting as a general escort or, if needed, by providing substantial military force.
Steg left the yacht’s crew, Corporal Stark, and five marines on board the yacht, after ordering the NCO to take orders from Nyx in urgent or emergency situations; for non-urgent matters, he was to contact Riddell or Kirby, in ascending order. Everyone else was on the shuttle. The trip from the way station to the city of Kerra was fast and efficient. Steg was surprised at the lack of passengers. They were the only occupants of the luxurious craft. He had arranged for their obviously offensive weapons to be shipped, carefully crated, labeled as technical instruments, and stamped as diplomatic property, to the new Homeworld Embassy. Steg, as ambassador-elect to the Alliance, had diplomatic status, and while it was to be ratified once he was on the planet, he thought his status would apply to the shipment.
This time he had Finch, Jessie, and Stacia as his personal guards—Sergeant Velez had remained on board Wanderer to assist Denke—and again they were alluringly dressed. He couldn’t determine whether his escort carried hidden or disguised weapons, although they kept alert and close to him when they walked through public areas. He pitied anyone who approached too close. He carried Ebony on a belt over his shoulder. Alliance culture was similar to the Western Empire’s in regard to fighting duels, and he had to be discrete with the weapon in order to avoid a challenge, on any pretext.
Homeworld had rented property in Kerra to accommodate Steg and his diplomatic team. While his family had occasional trade dealings with Alliance systems, they had never before established formal diplomatic relations. Now, establishing that relationship was part of Steg’s strategy. He needed a governmental foundation for his intended discussions and request for naval support. The intention was for the property to be used by the permanent embassy team, due to arrive in a tenday or so.
“Boss,” said Finch, “This is peculiar. There’s no one waiting for an electrocab, and there are ab
out twenty empty vehicles waiting at the boarding point. Where is everyone?”
Steg silently agreed. The interior of the ground base where the shuttle had landed had been exceptionally quiet; indeed, it had been deserted except for a handful of minor officials. Now they were outside the complex, and it seemed there were even fewer people. He looked around. There was a cleaner bot scrubbing at a stain on the pavement; it had not moved in the few minutes since they had emerged through the sliding exit doors. The waiting electrocabs were unattended. According to their briefing details, the vehicles were computer controlled and completely automatic. He could not see a live body anywhere near them.
Steg said to Kirby, “We ordered a bus. Can you check where it is?” As he spoke, a larger vehicle trundled up and stopped near the exit. “That may be it.”
Riddell, at Kirby’s direction, summoned two of his marines and they inspected the bus. Apparently, it was the vehicle they had ordered because the sergeant signaled everyone over. As Steg approached, he saw a sign on the side of the bus; it read: “Welcome Ambassador de Coeur.” That seemed to confirm Riddell’s conclusion. They boarded, shuffling around luggage and personal items. There was barely enough room for everyone.
The automated system beeped, and after about ten seconds, the bus moved off, shortly joining a main road. Steg hoped the vehicle’s automated system knew where they were going. He signaled Nyx and said, “Check this auto unit and make sure it has details of our destination.” He was using a sub-vocal link to the AI.
Nyx acknowledged his instruction and a few seconds later, replied, “Sir, the vehicle had been directed to a remote area. I readjusted its program, and it now will go to your correct destination.”
“Strange. Was the misdirection the result of a program error or did someone purposefully divert us? Check that remote area.”
“Yes, sir. The misdirection was caused by human input—someone overrode the initial destination. As far as I can determine, the false code represents a large empty block of land surrounded by mainly deserted buildings. There are indications of people inside one of the buildings; I detected twenty heat images. They’re armed with heavy weapons.”
Diamond Cut: Book Three in The Glass Complex Trilogy Page 15