by Worth, Dan
‘Yes, that certainly sounds fitting. How have you evaded them since then?’ said Anna.
‘With some difficulty. The vessel’s cloaking technology permits us a degree of protection. The Shapers seem to be unable to detect us at long range, though they appear to be able to see us clearly enough at distances of less than, by your reckoning, five AU. They have hunted us diligently. We have been keeping to the outer system, but it is only the skill of her captain and crew that have kept us alive. Things have become easier for us now that the ship’s jump engines and weapons systems have been repaired, but we cannot risk battle again. Putting people onto the surface or Orinoco was done for two reasons: firstly, we needed to know what was happening on the surface, and secondly, we could not risk keeping so many people aboard this vessel in case she were destroyed. All Nahabe have of course remained aboard as we would be far too obvious were we to attempt to mingle with the mostly human population of Orinoco.’
‘And what is the situation on the moon, and in the system in general? Have the Shapers enslaved everyone?’ said Steven.
‘No, it does not appear so. Admiral Morgan, formerly of the Commonwealth Navy, has installed himself as the self proclaimed president of what he calls The Freedom Alliance, a rival entity that appears to comprise systems whose political leaders have gone over to the Shapers, willingly or otherwise. For all intents and purposes this new nation exists as a puppet regime to the Shapers, its population cowed by the sudden imposition of authoritarian rule and blanket propaganda that paints the Commonwealth as the villains. However, despite a crackdown by the military and the police for the past few weeks – who have presumably been infiltrated en masse - it seems that life is actually continuing almost as normal for the majority of citizens. Trade between the systems of this Freedom Alliance has resumed, though we understand that there are stringent checks on all arriving ships.’
‘So just who have the Shapers taken control over?’
‘Difficult to tell, but it seems that all Navy vessels that have gone over to the enemy are now under direct Shaper control, at least all of those that have entered the system recently have shown clear signs of strong Shaper presence aboard. It is probably safe to assume that any of the marines that were under Cox’s command in the Hadar system are also enslaved. As to the rest of the armed forces and the police forces in the system, the situation is less clear. Our people on the surface report seeing local units that appeared to consist of non-enslaved personnel, judging from their general manner, whilst others have sighted units that showed clear signs of enslavement and were accompanied by small Shaper craft. Even non-human units of races hitherto unknown to us have occasionally been sighted. We have tracked a number of large vessels entering the system of Shaper origin. It is safe to assume that they have brought in ground forces from elsewhere, though this flow of additional troops appears to have slowed to a trickle since my people began to launch raids against supply lines and rallying positions far beyond the Commonwealth’s borders. It seems that although many local forces are being kept in line via a mixture of propaganda, fear and the enslavement of key personnel and units, that the Shapers have been attempting to consolidate their position by bringing in outside help. We also have rumours that the Shapers themselves have been sighted on Orinoco, though these are unsubstantiated. Whether they lack the resources or the desire to take over the entire system is not clear, but it seems that those who pose a threat to them, or hold important positions may have been enslaved or killed. Presumably anyone who does not follow orders is dealt with accordingly. It is very possible that this process may have begun before Morgan openly rebelled against the Commonwealth.’
‘Jesus. Sounds like Morgan has installed himself as the head of a totalitarian regime,’ said Isaacs.
‘Yes, although doubtless he has his own orders, and it is not known whether he remains entirely human or not. Admiral Cox is also present on the moon. It seems that he somehow survived his defeat in the Solar System and he has appeared in a number of public broadcasts where, ironically, Morgan has hailed him a hero and true patriot. Haines, on the other hand, has been demonised as a butcher and a war criminal.’
‘So what sort of naval presence are we looking at?’ said Steven. ‘If this is to be Morgan’s new capital, I’d expect it to be heavily defended.’
‘You are correct. Ships come and go regularly, but at any time there remains a large number of Shaper warships present in the system along with those Commonwealth vessels that they have captured. Two carrier battle groups are currently present and we are tracking thirty Shaper craft of varying types in this system alone. There is something else, however...’
‘Go on,’ said Steven.
‘Our recon units in deep space came across this enemy vessel. It’s something that we have not seen before, either in this war, or our previous encounters with the Shapers.’ As he talked, the Speaker began to project a grainy image of the craft. Its elongated, bulbous body and long arms that projected forward from the main hull gave it the appearance of something squid-like, albeit composed of interlocking crystal shards. ‘This vessel jumped shortly after we encountered it, and the units that came across it, lacking our recent developments in sensor technology, lost it in hyperspace. However we are now tracking the vessel using our modified sensor array and it is inbound to the Achernar system and appears to be heading for Orinoco, along with its escorts.’
‘So, it’s one more group of Shaper vessels to worry about,’ said Isaacs. ‘What’s the big deal, other than the usual problems associated with dealing with them?’
‘Captain Isaacs, this ship is around five hundred kilometres from bow to stern.’
‘It’s what!? Fucking hell...’
‘It does not appear to be a simple warship. Its purpose is unclear. It appears to have strong defensive weapons, but few offensive ones. Those forward arms look like they should house some terrible weapon, but the scans we obtained appeared to suggest not. Nevertheless, it is a formidable opponent, more than capable of holding off entire fleets of vessels. We must gather more information on this craft. Both the Commonwealth and my people need to know how to deal with a vessel of this size.’
‘How?’ said Isaacs. ‘Look at the size of that thing! If ever we needed the Arkari...’
‘The Arkari seem to be doing what they do best. Acting alone and shutting the rest of us out,’ said Steven bitterly. ‘No, we cannot depend upon their help. We need to get a good look at that thing and find out what it does.’
‘Are you planning on just flying up alongside it and asking the Shapers if we can take a few pictures?’ said Isaacs incredulously. ‘Maybe we could pose in front of it?’
‘Well I wasn’t exactly going to ask, but yeah, something like that. We could use the Profit Margin to get a sneaky peek.’
‘Un-fucking-believable. I love you Steven, I hope you know that,’ said Isaacs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘Wow, another suicide mission for me and my ship. What fun!’
‘Calm down. If we play this right, we can sail right on by and still complete our original mission. Besides, I thought you said you were the expert pilot?’
‘Yes, also still alive, a state of being that I intend to continue with if you don’t mind. Flying right up to enemy star-ships the size of small countries is not on my list of ‘sensible things to do,’ to be honest.’
‘Listen: you used to be a smuggler, correct?’ said Steven
‘On occasion, yeah, I admit it,’ said Isaacs and shrugged. ‘Anna did it for longer than me, but we both skirted around the edges of the law from time to time.’
‘I did more than just skirt, to be honest,’ said Anna. ‘The Hidden Hand was a full scale piracy operation. For a good cause, admittedly.’
‘Right, so this is no different. We need to get to Orinoco posing as legitimate traders, like we agreed before, except we make sure our flight path takes us within sight of this ship once it enters orbit. You’ve done this a million times before, am I right?’ s
aid Steven, trying to sound encouraging.
‘I know I’m going to regret this,’ said Isaacs. ‘But tell me, Agent Harris, what exactly is it that you have planned?’
Chapter 32
Chen did her best to relax. She had booked herself into one of the better hotels in Izmir, the planetary capital of New Hatti, and had spent much of her time sleeping off the fatigue of recent weeks, rising late to wander the souks and ornamental gardens or sit alone by the water’s edge at one of the many cafes that lined the great promenade that led to the port. It felt good to do almost nothing for a change, but she couldn’t fully shut out the war, no matter where she went. There were uniformed figures everywhere she looked, such was the concentration of Commonwealth forces in the Delta Pavonis system, and service men and women could be seen everywhere alone or in groups, laughing and joking at the table next to her, wandering hand in hand along the waterfront, being ejected in rowdy drunken groups from the bars and brothels in the older quarter of town. They were all trying to grab a few fleeting final moments of happiness and release before the coming storm. They were a constant, nagging reminder.
At night, the hot, dry air of the deserts of New Hatti created night skies that were famed for their clarity and beauty. Gazing upwards, it was possible to look towards the heart of the galaxy, and see the vast bands of stars and lanes of dark dust laid out with breathtaking brilliance. But the scene did little to set her mind at ease. The centre of the galaxy was where they came from, from where they reached out across the stars to snuff out and enslave the younger civilisations, and one bright star in particular, shining brilliant blue-white against the background of more distant stars gazed balefully down at her: Achernar, now under the heel of the enemy and the centre of their new domain, the heart of the enemy presence in humanity’s own backyard.
If she looked carefully, other lights could be seen against the glittering backdrop: the regular patterns of ships parked in orbit, visible in the night sky as light glinted from their flanks or engines fired as they manoeuvred into position. There were rank upon rank of carriers, destroyers, frigates, cruisers and lumbering troop transports up there, as well as a constant stream of craft rising and falling from the spaceport located where the fringes of the city of Izmir met the sands of the great desert.
Her mind wandered too to the last time that she had had any leave to speak of. She had managed barely a day on Earth to visit her parents a few weeks previously, which felt like a lifetime ago with all that had happened since, but the last time she had anything more was over two years ago. That was when she and Al...
She still missed him. She missed his easy manner and ready smile. He had been her rock at the time, a comfort against the terrors that they knew they would both have to face. Since then, there had been no-one. She had had to find her own strength and there had not been the opportunity to meet anyone else. Besides, she had not wanted to entangle herself, certainly not with anyone on the crew. She had made that mistake once and it had cost her dearly. She still remembered what he had looked like as he died in her arms. She couldn’t bear that a second time. She must have no attachments but to her ship and her crew. Not with all that was at stake. Perhaps when all of this was over, if she, if anyone, survived.
McManus had been a good choice for her XO, she reflected. Cartwright was perhaps a better judge of character that she gave him credit for. Though at times he behaved like stern headmaster, and McManus a disreputable uncle, she got the distinct impression that the two of them together were watching her back, and though she would always deny that she needed looking after, it felt good to know that with Haines gone, there was still somebody out there looking out for her.
McManus had insisted that she be accompanied by an armed bodyguard whilst on the surface of New Hatti, due to her celebrity status and possible risks to her person. She had refused, but had acquiesced in allowing the hotel to be discreetly guarded and to carrying her personal secure comm. at all times as well as remaining in civilian garb. Even so, she got a few salutes from service personnel who recognised her and a few interested glances from people on the street and in bars and restaurants. Men had even tried chatting her up on two separate occasions, having spotted her sitting alone. She’d politely brushed them off, and then both times had later wished that she hadn’t. Maybe, she wondered, she ought to follow the example of the other Navy personnel she’d seen on leave and enjoy one last night before she was plunged in the maelstrom of war again.
As she sat at the water’s edge, watching the yellow sun of Delta Pavonis sink slowly into the sea, she felt her pocket vibrate gently. She removed her secure comm. and held the finger sized device to her ear.
‘Chen here.’
‘Admiral, it’s Singh. You wished to be notified when it was time.’
‘Yes I did Mr Singh, thank you. I’m on my way. Chen out.’
She sighed, drained the last of her coffee and took one last look at the ocean before leaving, stopping only at her hotel to collect her belongings on the way to the spaceport.
An hour later, and the main briefing room of the Trafalgar was packed with officers, mainly captains and their XOs, plus a scattering of admirals, Chen included. Security was tight. Marine guards were everywhere aboard the carrier as well as outside the room, and everyone coming aboard was scanned and searched, regardless of rank. Chen saw a few faces that she recognised, plus a few she that had commanded and fought with and she exchanged a few pleasantries, then she took her place a few rows back from the front next to McManus, who appeared to be nursing a hangover and had arrived separately from the other side of the planet below.
‘Enjoy yourself on leave, Commander?’ said Chen, with an amused look in her eye.
‘Aye, you could say that,’ McManus replied. ‘It’s early morning where I was just now. Caught me at a bad time. I’m a little fragile.’
‘You never know when you might get another chance, I suppose.’
‘Well there is that, plus I was finally trying to expunge the memory of my ex-wife. All in all, a successful trip,’ he said and winked.
‘I see. Love at first sight was it?’ said Chen with a smirk.
‘Ah, I wouldnae call it love exactly, Admiral...’
As they talked, two Marine Corp colonels and an Army general entered with their respective aides and took their seats on the front row of the auditorium, their camouflage fatigues contrasting with the dark blue Navy uniforms in the room.
‘Uh oh, looks like we’re going to be assaulting somewhere,’ muttered McManus. ‘Check out the ground pounders who just walked in.’
‘That’s General Shale and... the Marine Corp colonel who hasn’t sat down yet, I know his face, but I can’t place him.’
‘Colonel Igawa. He led the assault on the Imperial shipyards at Arakk Kan during the K’Soth war. He and his men captured the facility intact, despite facing massive enemy opposition. He was highly decorated for his actions. He’s as tough as they come is that one, and Shale has long been tipped for Chief of Staff of the Army. We’re in illustrious company here, Admiral.’
‘I’m not sure that makes me feel any better,’ Chen replied.
‘Me neither. It means that the shit’s really about to hit the fan, if you’ll pardon the expression,’ McManus replied. ‘Don’t recognise the other Marine Corp guy though, and I can’t see his nametag from here,’ he added, indicating the bull-necked man with a closely shaved head who had entered with Colonel Igawa.
Next to enter was the Lord Protector of the Order of Void Hunters. The Nahabe was encased in the smaller, more ornate sarcophagus that Chen had seen it wear in non-combat situations. He moved to the edge of the room, watched by dozens of pairs of eyes, and floated silently on antigravity fields.
A figure arrived dressed in full naval regalia. There was a murmur from the seated assembly as Admiral Cartwright entered the room with a small staff. He took his place at the lectern located to one side of the large screen that almost filled the end wall of the briefing
room and which came alive at Cartwright’s command. As the room fell silent, he began to speak, his deep, cultured tones amplified so that they filled the space.
‘As you are all no doubt aware, we have been preparing these past few weeks for a counter-strike against our enemy as well as those that they have enslaved and turned against us. The moment is now upon us. Admiral Hawkwood has instructed me that the President has given the go ahead for offensive operations against Shaper held systems.’
A murmur rippled across the room. Cartwright continued.
‘As a result of satisfactory testing of the sensor modifications supplied to us by the Nahabe, we have now successfully modified our entire fleet of Thea class recon cruisers to enable them to track the Shapers through hyperspace. In addition, we have also made similar adjustments to our deep range monitoring arrays throughout Commonwealth space. Although their range is more limited than we had hoped, this has enabled us to track the positions of the enemy at ranges of up to approximately one hundred light years from Earth. We also have the tools with which to fight the Shapers. By reverse engineering the Arkari built spatial distortion cannon fitted to the CNV Winston S. Churchill whilst the vessel served as part of Special Operations Command, we have successfully built and tested our own models. We are also indebted to sources I cannot reveal within the Arkari military for further technical guidance and specifications that enabled us to complete the prototypes ahead of schedule, as well as produce smaller versions that can be mounted on our Titan class destroyers. Those ships which have been fitted with the new cannons have been drafted into service for the upcoming operation.’
As Cartwright spoke, the display behind him changed to show a map of the systems that had gone over to the enemy.
‘The traitor Admiral Morgan has installed his provisional government on the moon of Orinoco in the Achernar system and declared that his new entity is now called the Freedom Alliance. Needless to say, the President has already made it clear that we do not recognise the legitimacy of this body. It is undoubtedly little more than a puppet regime of the Shapers and it is likely that the heads of the planetary governments that have declared for Morgan have been enslaved or duped by the enemy. The threat of the Shapers remains strong, and we have tracked a number of Shaper warships and former Navy vessels that have been taken over by them. We are also able to see which systems have a strong Shaper enslaved presence. The good news is that the damage may not be as bad as we feared. It seems that our defeat of the Shaper attack on Earth took out a large proportion of the ships that they currently have available to them in this part of the galaxy. It appears that they underestimated us to their cost. Whilst this is undoubtedly a temporary state of affairs until they can bring more forces to bear, it is important that we capitalise upon this advantage. Shaper forces are now dispersed throughout the volume of space that they have succeeded in splitting off from the Commonwealth and are concentrated in systems that they consider strategically important. However, they have too much territory to cover at the moment, and their own ships are spread thinly. The result is that they are forced to fall back upon ships that they have captured from us, having enslaved their crews. There is also another issue at work here, just to make things interesting: it seems that the Shapers are endeavouring to acquire supplies of anti-matter, which they are then transporting back to the Achernar system. Shaper vessels have been sighted in a number of systems geared towards its production either leading the assault on facilities or escorting transport vessels loaded with magnetic containment crates that they have captured. We don’t as yet know to what purpose they intend to put these supplies. The best guess intel. can come up with is that they are constructing some form of weapon of mass destruction, possibly a planet-killing weapon that we haven’t seen yet.