As Slone looked at each one, they nodded in the affirmative. When he came to Diana, she looked very pale. “Diana, are you ok. You look very pale and the chief engineer said you were not feeling well.”
“I’m fine, Chris. Nothing that time won’t fix. With all the excitement, Tom and I haven’t had a chance to tell you. We’re going to have a baby.”
Everyone at the table looked stunned. Most of the children born in Sinclair space came out of artificial wombs. Actual pregnancy was limited to isolated colonies. Everyone knew the Romani did not use artificial wombs and pregnant women were commonplace on Nova Romae as well as in the fleet. For some reason, they never thought it would happen to them. When they all had their composure back, they got up, hugged Diana, and congratulated her and Tom. Following a few minutes of happy smiles and questions about how it felt to be pregnant, Christopher continued.
“Since you are all in agreement, here are your assignments.” Slone turned to the computer pad on the conference table and pressed a few keys. “We are recording this for the ship’s log. You will all have the rank of commander with the following assignments. Chief navigator, Paul McMann. Chief engineer, Diana Gardner.”
At this point Diana interrupted, “What about the present chief engineer?”
“He is being recalled to the capital and will get a promotion and replace the chief engineer killed on the Pellerentur carrying the second cohort.”
“Good, he deserves it.”
“He has already left for a meeting with the Consul and transfer back to Nova Romae. Now to continue. Chief of the sensor crews and ground coordination, Roger Umgabe. Chief of communications, Tom Gardner.” Christopher personally placed the rank insignias on each of his friend’s collars and saluted them.
Roger was the first to ask the question on everyone’s mind, “Captain, what about Alaya?”
“As you can see from the insignia’s on her collars, she remains with the scout service. She will be the chief scout of the 10th legion and will be stationed on this vessel. She will have to replace all of you with a new crew, so I am sure she would appreciated your input on replacements.”
Each one immediately indicated Tavia as a replacement, and Alaya concurred. After she finished her training, Slone would request her transfer to the Invicta. In the meantime, he and his new section chiefs reported to the bridge, except for Diana, who returned to the engine room. Yes, the ship could maneuver but the engines still needed watching until they were able to orbit the planet. Slone took his place in the captain’s chair and looked over the bridge. It was still a mess but the engineering crews worked tirelessly to get it back in shape. Enough of the stations were working to move the ship and get it into orbit. Once in a stationary orbit, they would be able to relax and await their turn at repair. Slone still was not sure how they were going to make the ship slipstream capable.
Slone looked over to the navigation station, “Paul, take us into our assigned orbit above New Wales.”
“Yes sir.”
Slone could feel the vibration of the engines as the ship got underway. The artificial gravity was back on line but still patchy, so all crewmembers wore magnetic shoes as a precaution. Despite this, the crew was beginning to feel normal again. The engines did their job and the ship returned to New Wales from the site of the battle and slipped into orbit along with the rest of the fleet. Now the hard work of sorting things out began.
The battle zone was still littered with enemy ships. Most of their capital ships were reparable, but one or two cruisers would have to be scrapped. Among them were the five Romani cruisers that would have to be scrapped. They would be replaced with the five least damaged Petrovian cruisers. Prize money for the captured ships would be passed throughout the fleet, since most of the victories were the result of multiple ship encounters and these would be added to the prize money from the first fleet combat. However, none of this would be decided until all hostilities were over and ships repaired. The Romani destroyers faired the best, since they remained invisible during the combat. Only the two hit by random fire and the one from the first combat were losses. Unfortunately, destroyers were built to be expendable and were rarely worth repairing when heavily damaged. It was cheaper to build new ones.
About a week after the battle, sensors detected a small ship entering the system from the direction of Petrovian space. It attempted to contact the Petrovian fleet, but receiving no response, it moved rapidly to the outbound slipstream, and exited the system before anyone could check it out. Except for some routine freight traffic, that was all that registered in the system. A few days after the scout incursion, a message capsule arrived from the Petrovian home world. Shortly thereafter, Consul Lorenzo called all of his captains and ground commanders to the Longinus for a conference.
“Let me get right to it,” Lorenzo started, without preamble. “We have received a message capsule from Petrov Corp, actually their fleet did, and their fleet did not respond.” There were some smiles and even a chuckle of two. When the noise died down again, Lorenzo continued. “It’s time we sent a response and attempt to put an end to this conflict. I’ve sent a message capsule to Petrov Corp with the results of the land and space battles along with a request to negotiate an end to hostilities. We will see what comes of that. I also sent a copy of the message to Nova Romae.
“I wanted to talk with all of you to make sure you are aware of the diplomatic moves and know that I cannot be sure how the Petrovians will react to the loss of their fleet and their conquests. If they decide to attempt another attack, I want all of you to place priority on weapon and engine repairs, in case we have to maneuver for battle. Any questions?”
Captain Freemantle of the cruiser command had one. “Consul, since cruiser command is down five ships, I request permission to take engineering crews from the five downed ships and attempt to repair five of the least damaged enemy cruisers as replacements. Most of the crews of the useless cruisers are on the planet and ready to man any we can salvage.”
“An excellent plan, captain. You have my permission. Any further questions?”
There were none and the captains returned to their ships. Lorenzo asked captain Rand to remain, along with the Slones. “Captain Rand, I asked you to stay behind to discuss a matter important to all of us. Your command of the destroyers during the space battles was exemplary, especially your actions during the last battle. I know you were promised an auxiliary cruiser command, but I would like to offer you a commission in the regular Nova Romae legions as the commander of the destroyer force for the 10th legion. Would you consider remaining a destroyer captain?”
Oskar Rand took in the offer. He never really wanted to command a cruiser; destroyers were his love. He was also being offered a primary command and not an auxiliary command. He had no love for Balin Corp, his former employer. He was honored the Romani held him in high regard and he had formed many friendships here, especially with the Slones. There was no hesitation in his answer, “I would be honored to accept the commission with the 10th legion.”
Lorenzo flashed one of his big smiles. “Wonderful. I was hoping you would agree and took the chance of having proper rank insignias made for you.” The usual small box was then brought by his adjutant and Captain Rand received the insignia of the 10th legion, first cohort. He would be protecting the Consul himself as part of the Longinus’ screening ships. The Slones congratulated their friend and, after being dismissed, took him aboard the Invicta for a drink and a celebration.
The celebration became even more of a happy reunion when Decanus Marshal and Tavia arrived aboard the Invicta. Only Decanus Marshal was now Centurion Marshal of the 6th century of the 8th cohort. The legion lost many cohort officers and needed to replenish them from the ranks. Since Decanus Marshal had shown his worth and leadership in several situations, both on the scout missions as well as in the ground and boarding actions, he was advanced two ranks to centurion. He would now lead the rear rank century of the cohort. The Consul assigned him to the Invic
ta. Tavia finished her training and came along with Centurion Marshal to be a runner for the Invicta. The Slones called Tavia into their quarters to hear about her activities on the planet, as well as how her uncle is doing as the elected leader of Balin space. At that time, they also asked her if she would be interested in becoming part of the new crew for the Draco, and serve in the fleet’s scouting arm. There was no age restriction to join Alaya’s scouts and she would be considered part of the military and not just a trainee. Tavia jumped at the opportunity and went to look for her friend Sly to tell her of the news. The Invicta had two serpents aboard, one for the dreadnought and Sly for the scout ship. Tavia was elated she and Sly would serve on the same ship. No one could figure out how Sly felt about that.
Word came from the senate congratulating the fleet and ground troops on their victory. Word also arrived that Arthur Balin would be returning to his much-changed home world. Just over a month into the cleanup and repair, Christopher and the deck officers were on the bridge when Commander Umgabe reported, “Captain, there are three very large ships coming out of the inbound slipstream from the Boarder Worlds.”
“Dreadnoughts?” Christopher asked.
Umgabe looked at his sensor panel. “Their signatures indicate they are much larger than dreadnoughts. They are even larger than the largest automated freighter I have ever detected.”
As Christopher was pondering this information, Roger again broke into his thoughts. “Captain, there are multiple large vessels coming out of the slipstream with the giant ones. Telemetry is reaching us now. They identify as Romani.”
“Good, at least they are friendly. Query the large ones to identify class.”
“Yes sir.” Umgabe queried the giant vessels to identify their ship class. Since they were automated, this required the sensor officer to scan their computer for the information. After the round trip time for the pulses to go out and come back was past, Umgabe looked up at Slone and had a puzzled look on his face. “They respond with the class name ‘Navale’.”
“Any idea what that means?”
“Computer says it means dockyard in Latin.”
As Slone was about to continue the conversation, Commander Gardner interrupted him from the communications station. “Captain, incoming message from the Longinus. It is not marked confidential.”
“Put it on speaker then.”
The message came through the ship’s speakers. “Attention all vessels,” the voice of the Longinus’ communications officer said, “The portable space dock facilities have arrived in system. Transit time will be 21 hours to orbit. They will then assemble themselves. They are accompanied by ships carrying parts and personnel. The Consul expects space dock repairs to start in approximately 27 hours. There will be a fleet-wide schedule transmitted to all ships to indicate their turn in space dock. That will be all. Longinus out.” The transmission ended.
Slone’s amazement at the forethought and efficiency of the Romani never ceased. To his knowledge, no corporation had ever thought of building a portable space dock. When the three ships making up the space dock reached orbit, they were joined together to form a huge letter ‘E’ with the prongs of the ‘E’ forming berths for two vessels at a time. Each captain was sent a slot time to get his ship repaired. From the looks of it, it would be close to 6 months before the Invicta had its time in space dock. Priority was given to the least damaged ships first, incase more combat was needed in the future. The last ships would be the captured enemy craft. Cruiser command found five enemy cruisers they could use to replace their missing craft. These were given priority in one slot to bring the cruisers up to full strength. The second slot was reserved for dreadnought repair.
A month and a half post battle, a private yacht entered the system, bringing Arthur Balin and his corporate officers back to New Wales. Since the yacht was landing capable, it was directed to an open area near the city. There the Balin CEO waited in vain to be picked up by a hover car, and finally decided to walk the three kilometers to the city border. When he arrived and identified himself, he was promptly arrested along with his corporate lackeys and taken under guard to the temporary administrative building. On the way, he saw the destruction wrought on the city and his administration building lying on its side forming a pile of rubble. He was taken to the temporary senate house and met by Ian MacDougal.
“MacDougal, what is the meaning of this insult. Call off your dogs,” Balin was fairly shouting this with all the bluster he could manage.
“You can stop your bluster, Balin Corporation is no more. It has been broken up into smaller businesses and given to people to run. You lost your power when you ran rather than fighting for your people.”
“I ran to get help. I brought the Romani here.”
“You didn’t bring the Romani. They came because Petrov Corp was stupid enough to invade the space of their ally. You had nothing to do with that.”
“You do not have the power to break up my corporation.”
“You are wrong there. We are now a democratic republic along the lines of Nova Romae. I understand you’ve been to their home world. You can see how they prosper without corporate control.”
“So what happens to me now?” Arthur Balin was deflated and asked this last question quietly.
“You’re free to go or stay, as are your ex-corporate officers. If you want to help us become greater than ever, you are welcome. If you stay to cause trouble, you are not welcome. The decision is yours.”
“I will not stay and watch you dismantle what my family built over the course of a thousand years. I’ll be leaving.”
“Go in peace then.” The interview ended without either party sitting down or sharing a drink. The time of the Balin family was at an end. The space controlled and governed by the old Balin Corp would henceforth be called the Republic of New Wales.
Arthur Balin returned to the yacht he rented in the Border Worlds to arrive in style, and sent for his family. As it turned out his wife was not anxious to be a refugee, especially since he had left her behind the first time. His children were adults and stayed in the republic with their families. All of his officers returned to their homes and that left only Arthur Balin to take the yacht and try to make his case with the more powerful corporations. If he could get just one corporation on his side, he could regain his domain. The Yacht took him into corporate space, but his money soon ran out. The Yacht captain dropped him off at a mining base in Petrov space and returned to the Border Worlds. Arthur Balin was never heard from again.
Two and a half months post battle; a ship entered the system from Petrov space. The Romani had been tracking it with an invisible destroyer since it crossed the border into the Republic of New Wales’ space. The ship was a destroyer but it was transmitting a looped message indicating it was an envoy ship and coming in peace. It was coming under the 32nd century equivalent of a flag of truce. The Romani destroyer remained invisible but travelled along with the ship to make sure there was no treachery involved. The ship transited the system and asked permission to enter orbit. It had to pass through some of the derelicts left over from the battle and then arrived at New Wales. The Petrov Corporation’s vice president in charge of treaties, Antonina Abramovich, was aboard the destroyer along with her staff. It was her intent to negotiate a treaty to end the war, but do as little damage to Petrov Corp as possible. She is a stately woman in her 50’s used to getting her way. She would be the problem of Consul Lorenzo and President MacDougal. The negotiations dragged on for two months and then they suddenly ended with an agreement. Petrov Corp would honor New Wales space. Lorenzo flashed his engaging smile and observers were not sure if that had anything to do with it, but the Romani got everything they wanted. Having the treaty ship pass through the wreckage of their ships made an impression. The fact that Petrov Corp also no longer had a home fleet was a factor. New Wales surrendered all of their mining colonies along the border of Petrov space to the Romani as payment for their help. Petrov Corp surrendered their mining ba
ses along the New Wales Border to the Romani. Petrov Corp also had to pay 15 tons of gold in reparations to New Wales. The Romani also insisted that Admiral Perminov remain as the Petrovian Ambassador to New Wales. Lorenzo liked him and did not want him to return home for execution. This was agreed to, with the eternal gratitude of the admiral. Finally, the Romani demanded a ransom of five tons of gold for the Petrovian prisoners. Considering the large number of them, that was a bargain. All items were agreed to and the treaties were signed. As the destroyer departed, with Antonina Abramovich aboard, one thing was clear to all parties. The treaty would last only as long as it took Petrov Corp to build and train a new navy and they would see Antonina Abramovich again for another negotiation. They all figured they had ten years of peace ahead, barring other interventions.
Slone was wrong in his timeline. The Invicta entered the space dock in five and a half months post battle, not the six he expected. The crew was taken to the surface and billeted in the old legionary camp. Tavia invited the old crew of the Draco to live with her and her uncle in the presidential palace while the ship was repaired. This was now a time of work, as the new government labored to repair the damage from the invasion. Fortunately, only the capital city was affected by the combat. The Petrovian prisoners were long gone. They and their dead were loaded on transports that brought the 20 tons of gold for the reparations and the ransom. The Romani maintained regular patrols, but the speed with which the Petrovians agreed to the peace terms indicated they had enough. Destroyers were also sent to the mining colonies now part of Nova Romae. The inhabitants would be given the choice of staying and become part of Nova Romae space or returning to their respective home space. Romani managers would be sent and in time, they would become members of the federation. The settlement also made certain that the Romani now had a wide finger of territory penetrating deep into corporate space. This could prove beneficial in the future, since there were no promises given or requested to make it a demilitarized zone.
Nova Romae (The Adventures of Christopher Slone Book 2) Page 26