by Brown, Ryk
“There,” the sergeant announced, pointing toward the incoming shuttles.
Lieutenant Waddell looked up and spotted the shuttles. They were approaching in a slow, standard approach pattern, not in the aggressive style one might expect of a ship landing assault troops. “What the hell are they doing?”
The shuttles came in low and slow, crossing over the distant tree line, one following the other. As they approached the garrison, they formed a half circle, each of their aft ends facing the center of the circle. They descended slowly down into the crowd as they reluctantly yielded. Finally, the shuttles touched down, still spread out in a half circle whose open end faced both the majority of the crowd and the garrison, their aft ends each about ten meters apart.
As their engines spun down and the dust kicked up by their landing settled, the crowd began to slowly work their way back in toward the shuttles, forming a circle around them. Those with weapons held them high, expecting armored troops to come storming out of the backs of the shuttles at any moment. Those without guns either hid behind those that carried them or moved to the back of the crowd.
Lieutenant Waddell watched from the garrison wall above as the crowd became more confident and moved closer to the half circle of shuttles. Their engines were now completely silent, and the dust had been carried away by the gentle evening breeze. Had it not been for the dire threat that lay before them, it might have been considered a beautiful scene with the setting Savoy sun in the distant sky behind them. “What the hell are they waiting for?”
The crowd screamed as a brilliant flash of blue-white light appeared not more than ten meters above them, sending them scattering in all directions. A split second later, the flash had subsided, leaving only a single, black interceptor hovering powerfully in the air above them, her jet turbines screaming to keep her aloft. The people of Ancot looked on in both fear and amazement. Never had they seen a ship appear out of thin air. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would not have thought it possible.
The black interceptor began to descend, and once again the crowd fell back. The interceptor made its way down to the ground briskly, bouncing slightly on its landing gear as its turbines spun down.
As the dust subsided, the cockpit of the intercept tilted up and open, revealing two men, both wearing flight helmets. At the same time, the side hatch on one of the shuttles opened, and Naralena stepped cautiously out, followed by four armed Corinari guards in full combat armor and carrying heavy automatic energy weapons. The five of them ascended the shuttles side ladder, climbing up to the top side of the shuttle in order to see out across the crowd. A technician from inside the shuttle tossed a portable loudspeaker up to one of the guards on top of the shuttle, who in turn handed it to Naralena.
Nathan removed his flight helmet and set it on the forward console before he climbed down from the front seat of the interceptor, Tug climbing down from the second seat immediately after him. They, too, made their way to the top of the shuttle to stand next to Naralena and the Corinari guards. Nathan straightened his uniform jacket as he turned to Naralena.
“You ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
“People of Ancot,” he began, “my name is Nathan Scott.” Naralena began translating his words into the native language of Ancot. Most of them spoke Takaran as well, as they were all willing subjects of the empire. However, on the off chance that some of them might not, Nathan had felt it best to have Naralena translate his words into their native language. He could not afford any misunderstandings.
“I am the captain of the United Earth Ship Aurora,” he continued. “Many of you may know me by the name given by your Legend of Origins.” Nathan paused for dramatic effect, an instinctive skill he had somehow picked up from his father, the senator. “I am Na-Tan.”
An audible murmur rose from the crowd. He could not understand what they were saying, but he could tell his statement was having the desired effect. “We have traveled over a thousand light years from the Earth, the birthplace of all humanity, to free the people of the Pentaurus cluster from the oppression of the Ta’Akar. We have joined forces with the Corinari and others in order to defeat the empire and restore freedom to all. We ask you to join us in our fight against those that seek to exploit you and your sons.”
A man yelled something from the crowd. Nathan leaned in toward Naralena.
“He asks why you have attacked us.”
“Our aggression was aimed only at the Ta’Akar forces that occupy your world. We regret the destruction of your power generation facility, but we promise to restore all power before we depart.” Another challenge was cast out from the crowd.
“They ask what you will do if they refuse to join us.”
“We will not force you to do anything,” Nathan stated. “If you do not wish to join us, we will depart, taking only that which belongs to the Ta’Akar.”
“He asks who will buy their crops and their livestock if the empire is defeated.”
“The Takarans will not stop eating just because they are no longer an empire,” he told them. “They will still need the products that you sell to survive. But you will be able to charge a fair price instead of accepting whatever price they are willing to pay you.” More disagreeable remarks sounded from the crowd.
“They are worried that the Ta’Akar will return and will assume that they did this to their forces. They fear they will be punished in the same way that the people of Taroa were punished.”
“The Ta’Akar fleet is down to only a few, and they are spread out all over the cluster,” Nathan assured them. “We have already defeated six of their ships, including the mighty Campaglia in the battle of Taroa.”
“They say they are but simple farmers. They cannot hope to fight the forces of the empire.”
“Do they not take your sons from you every year?” Nathan asked. “How many of those that are taken are ever returned to you? How many more of your sons will you stand by and watch disappear into the hands of the empire? We are not asking you to pick up a weapon and march off into battle. We are only asking for your support in our cause, in your cause. We are only asking you to take back what is rightfully yours. We are only asking you to take back your future, your destiny, your self-respect. No man or woman should be forced to bend to the will of another simply because they are afraid of punishment. We are asking you to take back your freedom.”
Another angry shout was heard. “He asks what you will give them in return.” Nathan smiled. “I was wondering when we were going to get to that,” he said to her. “People of Ancot, I give you back your sons!”
The rear cargo ramps of all four shuttles began to lower simultaneously to the ground, kicking up a bit of dust as they struck the dirt. One by one, slowly at first, the young men that had been taken from Ancot just over a month ago came down the ramps. The crowd had become silent as the young men gathered in the middle of them, searching about for familiar faces. They knew they were home. They had been told on the way down that they were being released back to their families. They had also been told the truth about what was really going on in the Darvano system, back on the Earth, and all throughout the empire. Nathan knew that the only way the people of Ancot would learn and accept the truth was if they heard it from their own sons.
A woman screamed out her sons name as she pushed her way through the crowd. The young man she was calling to looked toward the sound of his mother’s voice, spotting her just as she came bursting out of the crowd into the open and rushed forward to grab her boy. His father was right behind her, and he grabbed them both up in his arms. A moment later, there was another scream, followed by several others, both from men and women, fathers and mothers alike. Within minutes the air of distrust and suspicion that had plagued the angry mob had been replaced with a feeling of joyous celebration as the sons of Ancot were reunited with their families. Those whose parents were not amongst the crowd were hugged and welcomed by anyone in the crowd that could reach them.
“Y
our father would be proud,” Tug mumbled. Nathan cast a sidelong glance at Tug, a small smile forming on his face. Suddenly, from deep in the crowd, a woman yelled out “NA-TAN!” Nathan looked out into the crowd, trying to spot the source of the familiar voice. Another voice, this time from a man, repeated the name. “NA-TAN!” The woman repeated the name again, this time breaking into a chant. “NA-TAN! NA-TAN! NA-TAN!” He continued searching as more voices joined in the chanting of his now legendary name. Finally, he found the source of the familiar voice. It was Jalea. Apparently, her mission on Ancot was now complete.
Chapter Five
“Thanks for the ride,” Nathan said as he climbed out of the jump interceptor’s cockpit.
“It was my pleasure, Captain,” Tug answered as he removed his helmet and handed it to one of the Corinari technicians working the Aurora’s hangar deck. “I must say, returning the sons of Ancot at that particular moment was a bold move.”
“Seemed like the right thing to do,” Nathan stated as he climbed down the boarding ladder.
“It seems that your instincts continue to serve you well.” Tug turned his attention to the deck technician standing next to him. “Please refuel and rearm as quickly as possible. And we will need the reconnaissance package made ready as well.”
“Going somewhere?” Nathan asked, pausing momentarily as he descended the boarding ladder.
“We must recon the other systems within the cluster as soon as possible,” Tug explained.
“You just came off a dangerous EVA, Tug. Maybe you should stand down and rest.”
“That was hours ago, and it was actually quite relaxing,” he argued, a wry smile on his face.
“Nevertheless, perhaps you should take Josh with you. That way one of you can rest while the other one minds the store.”
Tug ignored the unfamiliar Earth expression, having become accustomed to his frequent use of them. In most cases, he was able to determine his meaning by the context in which it was used. “If you wish me to rest, Josh would be the wrong choice.”
“Then take Loki,” Nathan suggested. “We need to get them trained to do recon so they can handle the flights while you attend to more pressing matters.”
“Such as…”
“Such as planning and preparing for an attack on Takara,” Nathan said. “By now they’ve received the Loranoi’s comm-drone, and they know they have a problem. We need to act fast before they have time to react. As it is, they’re already going to be on alert.”
Tug nodded his agreement. “As you wish.”
“That was a damned risky move, sir,” Cameron interrupted as she approached.
Nathan stepped down onto the deck and turned to face his executive officer. “No choice, Commander. Something had to be done before things spun out of control down there.”
“Maybe, but playing the ‘Na-Tan’ card? Do you think that was wise?”
“It had to be done,” Nathan said. “We need those people on our side.”
“They’re not exactly a fighting force,” Cameron reminded him. “They have absolutely no military capabilities short of what the Ta’Akar were operating on their world.”
“True, but they do have some industrial capacity, medical facilities, and bodies. More importantly, they have food. ‘An army marches on its stomach’, remember?” Nathan reminded her as he headed out across the hangar deck toward the starboard exit, his quote drawing a nod of agreement from his executive officer. “Besides, we’ve got a planet that just had the shit bombed out of it. Even if all we get from the Ancotans is a little humanitarian aid, it will be well worth it.”
“Having the role of Na-Tan thrust upon you is one thing,” Cameron said, “but choosing to play it to support your own interests is quite another.”
“Did I miss something?” Nathan wondered aloud. “Did I do something evil to these people?”
“You’ve involved them in an interstellar war without their consent.”
“How exactly did I do this?”
“You know the Ta’Akar will probably blame the Ancotans for the attack, and if they do, the punishment will be severe.”
“With any luck, it won’t come to that,” Nathan stated as they entered the starboard corridor and headed forward. “Besides, you’re assuming they wouldn’t have agreed to join our cause to begin with.”
“Perhaps, but they were not given the chance to make that choice.”
“Neither were we, Commander. We were drawn into this war on moral grounds.” Nathan paused for a moment. “Where were all these objections a day ago when we were planning that attack? I seem to remember that it was you who insisted we take the fight to the enemy.”
“Nathan, I’m not saying you were wrong. I’m just trying to make sure you’re considering all the angles. Things are happening awfully fast right now.”
“I appreciate that, Cameron,” Nathan told her. “Really, I do.” He turned and continued down the corridor, Cameron falling in step beside him.
“Still, the captain of the ship shouldn’t be out taking such risks. You have a crew, remember?”
“I was the only one who could play the Na-Tan card, and you know it. Besides, I am the Aurora. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, I did, didn’t I?” she mumbled, wishing she had never done so.
“What’s our current position?” Nathan asked, changing the subject as they walked.
“We jumped back to the Darvano system while you were in the transfer airlock,” Cameron reported. “We’ll be docking with the Loranoi in about fifteen minutes.”
“The Loranoi?”
“Yes, sir. We received word from Mister Willard; they have found fifty orbit-to-surface cruise missiles, ten of which have nuclear warheads. He believes they can be adapted to launch from our torpedo tubes in much the same fashion as the Corinari missiles.”
“We need ship to ship missiles, Commander, not orbit to surface,” Nathan reminded her.
“They could be useful against ground targets if they are accurate enough.”
“According to Tug, collateral damage is the last thing we want.”
“Vlad thinks they can be reprogrammed and made into dumb point-and-shoot torpedoes, just like the ones from the Corinari.”
“That would be great. If not, let’s see if we can use the nukes to replace the warheads on our conventionally armed torpedoes. There’s no way we’re using nukes against surface targets. Conventional warheads, maybe, if we have to, but not nukes.”
“But you’re okay with using KKV’s to crack the planet in half,” Cameron countered, reminding him of a statement he had made during a previous discussion.
“I never really intended to use a KKV against Takara, Commander. However, the fact that we could might be enough to convince them to surrender.”
“Of course, sir.”
“How many jumps until we complete our mission on Ancot?” Nathan asked.
“We estimate two more jumps should get everything we can use off of Ancot. After that, we will need to stand down for a while and recharge the jump drive’s energy banks.”
“Will all our people be off Ancot by then as well?”
“No, sir. Lieutenant Commander Nash has requested that we keep a small force there long enough to finish scouring the facilities for possible intelligence. They’re still working on cracking the computer core at the garrison.”
“As long as we still have people on the surface of Ancot, I don’t want to be sitting in Darvano unable to jump back if they need help.”
“We’ll still have enough to jump back,” Cameron promised. “I told the helm never to make a jump without having at least a one-light year reserve of energy in the banks.”
“Good idea.”
“We can leave a jump shuttle there as well. That way they can not only send for help if needed, but they can also use it to evacuate if necessary.”
“We need to establish diplomatic relations with the leaders of Ancot,” Nathan announced as they ascended the ramp to the co
mmand deck. “They could prove to be an extremely valuable asset if we can convince them to join us.”
“Are you suggesting they join the alliance?”
“Actually, I wasn’t, but now that you mention it, that might not be a bad idea.”
“I’m not so sure that’s going to work, Nathan,” Cameron objected. “Tug said they were content with their situation within the empire. What makes you think they’d be willing to risk all of that?”
“I’m betting that, once they learn the truth about what is really going on out in the cluster and the Darvano system, they’ll realize that it’s the right thing to do.”
“And why would they believe us?”
“They won’t,” Nathan agreed, “but they might believe their own sons. Every one of them spent the last two months locked up in a holding camp on Corinair along with the rest of the crew of the Yamaro. They know what’s really going on. Maybe they’ll listen to their own sons.”
“You might want to check the crews of both the Yamaro and the Loranoi,” Cameron suggested. “Some of them might be from Ancot as well. They would know even more about the true state of the empire.”
“That’s an excellent idea, Commander.”
* * *
“Loki?” Tug inquired from the front seat of the interceptor. They had just come out of their jump, entering the system from just beyond its outermost uninhabited gas-giant.
“Sorry,” Loki apologized as he regained his focus. “Jump seven complete.” He scanned his instruments for a moment. “Position confirmed; we are now in the Juntor system. Course and speed are good. Shutting down all systems except for recon suite and passive sensors.”
“At our current speed, it should take us about twelve hours to finish our run.”
“Twelve point six four,” Loki corrected.