Retreat and Adapt

by Thomas DePrima

  "We believe the enemy's missiles are somewhat like those sticky bombs. The head of the warhead breaks open on contact, spreading a chemical that makes the missile stick to the hull while it eats away at the Dakinium. Then something triggers a tiny nuclear fission device, possibly the outflow of atmo, or perhaps just a timed fuse, which directs the force into the ship. Bulkheads are blown open, and the evacuation of atmo is almost instantaneous while the area is flooded with deadly radiation. Even if the survivors in other areas can access the damaged frame sections and seal the hull, the radiation must be dealt with before the area can be used safely. Essentially, the ship is incapacitated even if the crew are not all killed."

  "What kind of chemical can open holes in Dakinium?" Admiral Buckner asked.

  "At this time, ships in space cannot repair damage to Dakinium as we once did with tritanium plating. Fortunately, we haven't had to. But if damaged, the ship would have to cover the hole with a temporary Dakinium patch and then travel back to Mars for a proper repair. Mars would perform a repair with chemical processes that have been developed for cutting and welding Dakinium. The reason that only Mars can perform the repair is that SHQ wants the chemical process to remain completely secret. We know the Raiders managed to secure a sample of Dakinium, and it now appears possible that someone might have sold the chemical formulas to the enemy that's attacking us."

  "You're saying we have a traitor at the most secret and secure manufacturing facility in the galaxy?" Jenetta said.

  "Well, that seems the most likely scenario. I don't have to remind you that we've had traitors at the very top in Space Command before this. Of course, it's possible that an enemy nation developed the formula on their own after getting their hands on a piece of Dakinium. It's also possible that this is a standard weapon of theirs which just happens to work well against Dakinium. But I tend not to believe such things are mere coincidences."

  "Well, this certainly makes my morning," Admiral Holt said.

  "So we're talking about a two-stage warhead," Jenetta said, "that doesn't detonate until it makes contact. What about missiles that don't hit their targets, Barbara? Do they self-denote as our torpedoes do to prevent hazards to other traffic?"

  "We were unable to see any detonations in the ship's log that were not owed to strikes by our laser arrays."

  "So there could be hundreds or even thousands of these small missiles floating around out there?"

  "Unless the enemy ships have a way of detonating them later or some way of collecting them, that's a distinct possibility. With the 'sticky bombs' I mentioned earlier, there were reports of the devices getting stuck to soldiers' clothing as they were attempting to throw them. They only had five seconds to get it free. Perhaps the enemy's own hull is impervious to the chemical in the warhead."

  "And the nuclear charge?" Admiral Poole asked.

  "Our ships are normally impervious to the nuclear charge and so might the ships we're facing."

  "I wonder what the chances are of finding an intact missile," Jenetta mused.

  "That would enable us to nail down the detonation premise and also perform an analysis of the chemical being used in the warhead."

  "It'd be like finding a needle in a haystack," Admiral Poole said. "We might not even be able to locate the exact spot where the Yenisei was attacked now that the battle site has been cleaned up."

  "True," Jenetta said, "but we still have a ship out there that must be retrieved. There are dozens of crewmembers from the Gambia and Vistula missing and we're hoping they were able to get to stasis beds in the Salado. We've been waiting until the enemy ships got tired of hanging around the battle site before returning to get our people. And while we're recovering our people, we could perform a search for one of those missiles."

  "Those missiles might still be armed and dangerous," Admiral Buckner said. "One mistake and the nuclear charge could detonate inside the ship recovering the device."

  "So far all we've been doing is guessing. I think it's imperative we make an effort to recover one of the weapons. It might provide a lot of answers, including the identity of the attackers."

  "We still can't defend against that kind of missile attack," Admiral Holt said. "Our Phalanx systems can't hope to knock down tens of thousands of tiny missiles."

  "That's true," Jenetta said, "but every piece of information about an enemy, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, might be just the piece we need to turn the tide. I think it's worth the risk but only on a volunteer basis."

  "How do you get an entire ship's crew to volunteer for such a dangerous task?" Admiral Buckner asked.

  "One way could be to have the search conducted by one or more shuttles," Admiral Holt said. "If an intact missile were to be located, a demolitions expert in an EVA suit could exit through the airlock, retrieve the device, and bring it back inside where it would be defused before the shuttle reentered its ship."

  "How about simply defusing it robotically outside the shuttle?" Admiral Buckner asked.

  "We don't know exactly what we're dealing with," Admiral Holt said. "We believe the missiles are nuclear weapons, but a robot isn't an acceptable substitute for a demolitions expert in that kind of situation. Once we've observed the construction of the missile, unlocked its secrets, and documented the disassembly, robots will be able to take over if and when others are found."

  "It seems to me that if we're ever to have a chance against these invaders," Admiral Buckner said, "it's now, when we have an enormous presence in that area because of the search effort."

  "So far, all we've done is provide these attackers with a lot of targets," Jenetta said. "We now believe that a three-ship task force of enemy vessels can fire sixty thousand missiles in one barrage before they have to reload. What if we were to encounter a hundred-ship enemy fleet?"

  "How about doing what you advocated at Higgins?" Admiral Holt said. "Present them with an irresistible target of opportunity, then duck under the incoming missile barrage and attack them from the rear?"

  "Unfortunately, all of my previous tactics have been so widely publicized and discussed that none would come as a surprise."

  "That didn't come into play when the Uthlaro armada attacked Quesann," Admiral Buckner said.

  "Actually, it did. Admiral Krakosso was familiar with my bluff of the Milori at our second encounter and he believed the ships his tac officers were seeing on their DeTect monitors were unarmed civilian vessels. I used that to have him lower his guard slightly and initially make him an easier target for our ships."

  "I'm sure you have something in mind for the new invaders," Admiral Holt said with a chuckle.

  "I have the barest kernel of an idea, but it's so outlandish that I'm not willing to discuss it just yet. I want to think about it a bit more. And I could sure use more information about our enemy. I guess it's like that old saying: 'I need more information about my enemy in order to defeat him, but it seems I can't get the information I need until after I defeat him.'"

  "There has to be someone who knows where these enemy ships have come from," Admiral Poole said.

  "Yes, someone knows," Jenetta agreed. "But who?

  * * *

  Jenetta estimated that Vertap must have recorded his response to her most recent message within two days of having received it. The investigations were still underway and to date they had little new information, so she anxiously retrieved the decryption ring from her safe and dropped it on the small data spindle that was part of her computer keyboard. She leaned in to provide the retinal identification when required and then sat back as the image of the Hudeerac Minister of Intelligence formed on the monitor.

  "Good day, Admiral Carver. I'm happy to share the intelligence data we've gathered with a peaceful neighbor, but I'm afraid that in this case our knowledge is quite limited. We've had no contact with any species having ships employing the configuration you describe."

  Jenetta's face immediately reflected her unhappiness. She had been counting on getting some smal
l piece of information from Vertap. She knew of nowhere else to turn and sighed as Vertap continued.

  "But I can offer you some unconfirmed data we've secured from a trader with whom we've had contact. I must stress again that none of this is confirmed, but your description seems to match configuration information provided by the trader about a species known as the Denubbewa. Their home system, known as the Denubbew Dominancy, is twelve thousand light-years beyond the Ruwalchu Confederacy. According to the trader, the Denubbewa have roaming colonies where the inhabitants spend their entire lives aboard immense mother ships, but he mentioned he had never heard of a Denubbewa ship coming within five thousand light-years of the Hudeerac border. However, I suppose it's possible that the Denubbewa may have expanded their influence, much as the Milora were attempting to do.

  "I'm appending the full report regarding the Denubbewa that was prepared from conversations with the trader an annual ago. I hope it helps resolve your contact with the unknown species that is attacking your ships.

  "Minister Vertap Aloyandro, end of message."

  Jenetta opened the attachment and read all reports covering the conversations with the trader, then leaned back in her chair to think about this new information. It was the first lead to a possible identity of the attackers, but how credible was it if the species had never been spotted within five thousand light-years of the outer borders?

  * * *

  "Admiral," Lt. Commander Ashraf's voice announced through Jenetta's com, "Admiral Kanes is here."

  "Send him in, Lori."

  A few seconds later, the office door opened and Admiral Keith Kanes entered her large office in the HQ Admiralty building.

  "Good morning, Jen," Kanes said. "What's so urgent that you wanted me to hurry over before I even had my first cup of coffee?"

  "I thought that would make you understand how important this is. Fix yourself a cup at my beverage synthesizer and come have a seat."

  Kanes prepared a cup of coffee using the special blend recipe Jenetta had uploaded to her synthesizer just for him, then joined her in her informal area.

  "The urgency is owed to learning who might be attacking our ships." Jenetta gave Kanes a brief summary of the information provided by the Hudeerac.

  "So this Denubbew Dominancy might be looking to expand their territory by taking space from us?"

  "The motivation behind the attacks is unknown. So far all I have is a possible match based on the ship configuration. But if the Hudeerac information is correct, it gives us a starting place. And even though the Hudeerac stress that the information wasn't confirmed, I don't think they would have even mentioned it if they weren't somewhat confident that their source was being truthful."

  "I have no recollection of ever having heard of these Denubbewa."

  "That's not surprising, given the distance to their home system. Their appearance must be startling, if the report is correct. Their progeny are an artificially conceived organic life form. Once the infant reaches three years of age, its brain and other vital organs are placed into a bionic skeleton. They can reportedly be anywhere from one meter to nine meters in height."

  "Nine meters?" Kanes said. "Seriously?"

  That's what the report states.

  "Do the organ transplants include a heart?"

  "The file doesn’t mention one. I assume you're asking if they are merciless?"

  "Yes."

  "From the viciousness of the attacks, i.e. without warning, I'd have to say that mercy and fair play are not included in their lexicons."

  "Do they breathe air?"

  "Not the oxygen/nitrogen mix we require. The report states that it's a methane mixture."

  "Why the discrepancies in height?"

  "Those destined for work in tight places are placed into small skeletons, while those who will perform heavy work receive the largest and most powerful skeletons. I imagine they come in all sizes and shapes to fit the role of the worker."

  "Sounds like it's sort of an anthill where they breed workers and soldiers to perform different tasks."

  "Yes, exactly."

  "So where do we go from here?"

  "I performed a search of the Space Command database for the names Denubbew and Denubbewa, or any close phonetic equivalents, hoping to uncover any information about them that we might already have. Nothing turned up. Now, I'd like you to send a query out to every agent in your section asking if anyone has ever heard of them. If this is the face of the enemy killing our people, we need to know anything and everything we can learn about them."

  "That still may not tell us the motivation behind the attacks."

  "No, but we have to start somewhere, and this seems like a good starting place. Um— how many agents do you have on Uthlarigasset?"

  "One hundred sixty-two."

  "Wonderful. I didn't realize we had that many there."

  "We learned during the war just how duplicitous and tenacious they are, so we want to be prepared. We know it's just a matter of time before they take seditious action against the GA, so my people have orders to watch for any signs that they've crossed over the boundary into illegality."

  "Right now, we don't know if the Denubbewa, if that's the face on the enemy attacking us, are acting on their own or in concert with the Ruwalchu, the Uthlaro, or someone else. I know you've been unable to infiltrate the Ruwalchu, so I'm glad you're concentrating on the Uthlaro."

  "We not only have been unable to infiltrate the Ruwalchu, we haven't even been able to enter their space. They forbid entry by any species whose home system is located in GA space, and to most other species, such as the Gondusans, as well."

  "I know. They've even refused to permit diplomatic contact. They say they just want to be left alone, but the Hudeerac have told us the Ruwalchu are apparently preparing for war in a major way. Their statements of wanting to be left alone don't ring true with their behind-the-scenes actions." Jenetta sighed before saying, "It's maddening knowing a war is coming, and may already have been launched, and not even knowing who's on the other side of the weapons being aimed at you."

  * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  ~ July 28th, 2286 ~

  "The Upper Council has reached consensus on distribution of the DNA Manipulation and Aging formulas," Lower Council Chairman Strauss said. "First, the Age Prolongation will only be made available to Upper and Lower Council members, our brothel slaves, and select others to be named by the Upper Council. The reason is simple— they don't wish to establish a general population group with exceptional longevity. However, the DNA Manipulation process will be available to anyone who can pay the established price. Additionally, the Age Regression process will be available on a continuing basis to any female who has purchased the DNA Manipulation process. Males who have endured DNA Manipulation to change gender in order to avail themselves of the Age Regression process will be offered an opportunity to return to a male body within a reasonable timeframe at no additional charge."

  "And the price to us?" Councilwoman Erika Overgaard asked.

  "It's free to any council member in good standing."

  "Good standing?"

  "Alive."

  "As a councilmember in good standing," Councilman Bentley Blosworth said with a chuckle, "I request that I receive the full treatment."

  "You'll have to wait until after the Upper Council has completed their transformations. Their advanced ages necessitate they go first, and we can't have both councils affected by mass absenteeism for long periods of time."

  "How long an absenteeism period are we talking about?"

  "Since eight of the twelve members on the Upper Council are male, the Council will be without a quorum for a minimum of six months. Although the gender swap process takes a full year to complete the basic body-shape changes, I've been told that a person has full motor control restoration after six months. Of course, the process hasn't been performed on subjects as aged as the Upper Council members, so we're treading on new ground here."

  "
I can wait," Blosworth said. "The formulas have been fully tested, I assume, if the Upper Council is ready to undergo the transformations."

  "After subjecting herself to the treatments, Nicole Ravenau, a.k.a. Mikel Arneu, was as healthy as a human could ever expect to be. It's unfortunate that we lost her in that explosion because having a living lab specimen would have been invaluable. However, the Central Labs have assured me that their testing has revealed nothing that disagrees with the reports produced from decades of testing."

  "I'd feel more comfortable if we had a larger sample of successful transformations. One successful test is hardly proof positive that the process is safe for all humans. Ravenau was subjected to the original DNA formula, and that gave her body certain recuperative powers. Suppose the new formulas have flaws that her body was able to overcome only because of the previous treatments?"

  "The Upper Council doesn't feel they can wait any longer. Several of the members might pass away before testing proves the process is safe. They're willing to take the chance."

  "I suppose they have a point. Better to take a minor risk on life than face certain death."

  * * *

  "My Lady," the image of Chamberlain Yaghutol said, "before I begin my monthly financial report, I must inform you of an— issue— we're currently facing here on Gavistee. I'm afraid it's rather delicate, and I hesitate to bring it up, but I must. My Lady, the Azula Mum may be guilty of sedition."