A Deep Sleep (Valhalla Book 1)

by Tyler Totten

  “I don’t doubt it.” Logan snorted. “Intelligence personnel files are by default classified and their missions are hazy at best.”

  “Indeed. As a result that has been taking the vast majority of my focus when I am available to work on the project.” Alan concluded.

  “What about engineering and technical staff?”

  “I was hoping to pass that off to you, Logan. If you could assist in finalizing the naval personnel list and compile an initial engineering list, I would be most appreciative.” Alan responded.

  “I should be able to do that. The Chinese aren’t stirring much, Admiral Chen still has them following his tune. The Russians have caused some trouble, but the Americans don’t seem too intent on utilizing us again. Not at the moment at least.”

  “And the Indians?” Zoe asked. Aegis had been running extra patrols for them along their border with the PRC.

  “That is slacking off as well. While they were willing to pay for our services initially, they have now built a sizable fleet of gunboats, as well as a new cruiser. They seem content to focus their investment now on rebuilding their Navy and industry. As a result, their contracts with us are tapering off. We have less than a dozen ships now under contract in their systems.”

  “Very well. Any other notes on this matter?” Brandon asked, taking charge of the meeting once again. “Seeing none, let’s move on to our second agenda item.”

  Sol System: Mars orbit

  Sword of Ares

  Athena sank into the plush conference room chair while she waited for the meeting to begin. It was a small group present, with her aide Captain Daniels, and Captain Kim present. They only waited for Admiral Mondragon to begin. Athena had just poured herself a cup of coffee when he entered the room at a brisk pace, waving them to their seats almost as quickly as they could stand. Almost, with Captain Kim standing up in an impressively short window of time, being at a full salute before Athena was even upright. Mondragon looked at her briefly with a gentle smile, amused by the maneuver, but said nothing. He nodded to Athena as she returned to her seat.

  “Welcome, and thank you for coming.” He said quickly as he manipulated the touchscreen surface at the head of the table. “I have a mission for you and it’s a bit of a priority.”

  “We’re ready sir.” Athena said quickly. They’d been practically sitting on their hands since shortly after the cease fire and Athena knew she and her crews were itching to go.

  “Easy now, you haven’t heard what I want yet.” Mondragon laughed as he delivered the mock admonishment.

  “He’s right, sir. Never volunteer.” Offered Ava in jest.

  “Marines giving an admiral advice, what has this universe come to.” Athena threw her hands up in exasperation. She managed not to smile, at least for a moment. Everyone relaxed a bit and Mondragon gave them the moment before continuing. His tone was not humorous.

  “There’s been trouble in DP Draconis, again.” Mondragon said and everyone groaned a little. The rebellious Russian system had been nothing but trouble, one incident after another for the last year since the cease-fire. Even with the official peace-treaty, they were still causing trouble. “That’s right, and we’ve finally been green lit to do something about it.”

  “Not another patrol, sir?” Daniels spoke up, clearly surprised.

  “No, not another patrol.”

  “I’d venture a guess and say direct action?” Athena offered, making a point of gesturing at Captain Kim.

  Mondragon nodded. “You venture correctly. Your crews have been well rested, doing minimal patrols and you haven’t seen any real combat since the end of the war. You’ve done a fine job of keeping them repaired and I want you to handle this mission.”

  Mondragon’s praise touched her deeply. From most she’d assume that it was just empty words, but she knew that he didn’t deliver such praise lightly. “Thank you sir. We’d be honored.”

  “Good, and thank you.” Mondragon inclined his head slightly. He brought up a three-dimensional display of the DP Draconis system and zoomed in on the system’s second planet. The planet was marginally in the outer edge of the habitable zone and suffered from large region arctic regions. Tundra and ice covered well over a third of the planet. Only the thin band at the equator was a temperate haven. Of course, all the valuable ores were closer to the poles and so that is where several mining colonies existed. Athena was focused, however, on the planet’s orbitals.

  “The battlestation in DP Draconis is still active, though Russian Admiral Rogov did manage to put a missile in tight and destroy some of her systems. He also eliminated most of the smaller orbital defenses, at least we think so. We only have the data that the cruiser Bystryy was able to collect before she exited the system. The captain lingered at the slip gate long enough to collect the results of the battle while sending a Russian tender ahead to call for reinforcements. Admiral Rogov and his battleship Iron Fist were destroyed in the encounter. It is also believed that the governor turned dictator controls the system’s force of patrol craft and fighters, though it is unclear how many pilots and crew also rebelled.”

  “What was left in system for patrol craft? Anything they didn’t pull into the navy must be in pretty rough shape.” Athena said thoughtfully.

  “That much is true. We think they have two or three superannuated frigates and one destroyer that, while somewhat modern, lacks an FTL drive. The real problem is that they captured a Kresta-class cruiser in the repair docks. She was undergoing a major refit after one of our hunter-killer gunboat-frigate squadrons gutted her drives. Intelligence put her only two months from being completed before the system rebelled.” Mondragon said grimly.

  “So she’s likely to be operating in system then.” Athena concluded.

  “Not necessarily. We got word of a black market shipment of some engines that are a match for a Kresta, out of one of the ships that was gutted in the Battle of Sol. Apparently some enterprising group towed her to a point out in space away from normal traffic lanes and proceeded to cut out what was salvageable. We think members of the crew probably were complicit in it.”

  “Did we intercept the shipment?” Ava asked.

  “No.” Mondragon said as if he tasted something sour. “Force Recon raided the ship, but the engines had already left. A quarantine sweep didn’t turn them up. We suspect they may have made it through to DP Draconis. The rest of the ship was scuttled. That was one week ago.”

  “There’s that at least.” Ava grumbled.

  “And it’s about a month’s worth of work, in a real rush, to install a complete engine arrangement in a cruiser.” Athena realized now why they were being allowed direct action.

  “Exactly. The politicians decided that a rogue system was one thing but a rogue system with a cruiser, now they’re panicking.” Mondragon said with disdain.

  “At least they’re letting us take some action, sir.” Ava offered, though the disdain was in her tone as well.

  “I suppose I should take what I can get.” Mondragon agreed. “Anyway, the mission goes like this, Admiral Harper, you will take DSF-1 to DP Draconis and secure control of the system. If the cruiser has put to space, you are to eliminate her as a priority. If the cruiser is still in her berth, Captain Kim and a small team will insert onto the orbital shipyard and try to prevent the ship from being completed and launched. Minimal casualties are to be obtained, nothing unnecessary like venting the whole station. Also, try and do as little damage as practicable to the works themselves. After the orbitals are secure, a relief force will move in to hold the system against any further nefarious actions.”

  “What about the planet sir?” Captain Kim asked.

  “For now, the politicians haven’t decided, so we wait.”

  “That battlestation is a tall order, sir. Assuming it has its full complement of missiles and fighters, I don’t know that my reformed fleet can take them. Since Aegis departed and took their Armadillos and Thunderer with them, I’m a little under gunned. The cruiser
and four destroyers are all well-staffed, but they just aren’t custom builds for the mission. It will be a costly mission.” Athena cautioned.

  “That’s why you’re taking Intrepid, two more destroyers, and Philippine Sea.” Mondragon said with a grin. “What do you think, Admiral, will a fleet carrier, two destroyers, and another cruiser tip the balance?”

  “Well,” Athena drew out the word. “I’d prefer a battleship or two, but I guess that’ll do it.”

  “I thought it might. I couldn’t quite shake a battleship free for you from the border with China, political BS again.” Mondragon turned to Captain Kim. “And so you don’t feel left out, you get your own ride. I did manage to shake a Specter-class stealth transport free for you. You’ll have the place to yourself, so it’ll be a bit roomy, but I think you’ll manage.”

  “Oh yes sir, I think we’ll manage.” Captain Kim’s expression was something akin to that look a kid gets in a candy store. The Specter-class stealth transports were tailor-made for delivering troops without everyone knowing about it. Small and fast, the transports could carry upwards of two-hundred Marines. When configured for a space-insertion they also carried twenty combat shuttle and ten gunships for local support in the absence of dedicated fighter escorts. All of the craft were, of course, stealthed themselves. They had proven themselves quite effective during the war, even though they were a pre-war design. Athena knew from briefing notes that the transports had been responsible for capturing numerous freighters, tenders, and stations without ever being seen until they were already onboard. That was enough to ruin anyone’s day.

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  “So sir, have you thought about what you plan to do next?” Daniels asked nonchalantly.

  “I think I’ll review the latest intel reports before I brief the captain. I also need to look over the jackets of the captains that have just been added to my command…” Athena trailed off as her mind turned to the tasks ahead.

  “I apologize sir, I should have qualified that. With the war over and most of the cleaning-up operations also over, what are your plans? Will you stay in the service or have you considered going onto the civilian side?” Daniels said, moving quickly to verbally cut-off Athena’s developing freight train of thought.

  “Oh sorry, Becky, I was thinking in the short term. A tactician’s curse, I fear. Always the short game, not the long.” Athena pursed her lips. “I don’t think I’ve really given it much thought. To be honest, I think I’ve been avoiding it. The Navy has been my life. I’m not sure what I’d do without it, but I’m not sure there is a future in it either. Have you made plans?”

  “Yes sir. I’m getting done next year. I turned down an offer to be XO on Guadalcanal when I took the promotion to captain and the position as your aide. I always knew I didn’t want to stay in the service forever. The war was an important cause and I never would have left while it was still on but now…I have a masters in media design, so I think I’ll try to get into television or movie production. There are bound to be a ton of them about the war, so I should be able to pull double duty as advisor and do some of the work if I play my cards right.”

  “Sounds like you have a plan. That’s good.” Athena smiled at her. “But the service is going to miss you. And of course, so am I. You’ve been a great asset to me these past two years.”

  “Thank you sir, that really means a lot.” Daniels choked a little as she accepted the praise.

  “I’m sure you’ll do great at whatever you get into.” Athena switched topics rapidly as the lift deposited them near the shuttle bay for their return to Tripoli. “But for now, let’s attend to the mission at hand. The future will have to be deal with when it arrives.”

  “Of course sir.” Daniels smiled and followed Athena out of the lift. “Whatever was I thinking?”

  Chapter XV

  DP Draconis

  Draconis II: Czar’s Compound

  Czar Pavel Yakimenko was enjoying himself immensely. He had been the system governor of DP Draconis for nearly twenty years before becoming its sole authority. No longer did he have to heed the wishes of Moscow or anyone else, only his own needs. Pavel surveyed his opulent bedroom and all it contained. Silver platers of half-eaten delicacies covered the tables. Expensive liquors were also scattered about, with several of them having been spilt in the previous night’s raucous activities.

  Speaking of which. Pavel thought with a smile. He turned his gaze to the two women in his bed. One was raven-haired, a lithe form that was quite pale, and quite young. Young enough to be his daughter perhaps, but not his granddaughter. The second was older, but not much. She had an unruly shock of shorter red hair and a beach-tanned form to match. He had chosen them from all of the women and girls brought before him by those who would curry his favor. He couldn’t disagree with their tactics. He employed the same types of coercion on those he manipulated to maintain power for a simple reason, it worked.

  An obnoxious and rapid knocking interrupted his thoughts. Pavel’s temper flared white hot.

  “I am not to be disturbed!” He boomed at the door, rising from the bed and storming towards the door. He snatched up an auto-pistol from the nightstand as he did so. The two women recoiled as they were abruptly awoken. They clung to the sheets and each other, each wearing a terrified expression on their faces. Pavel ignored them and flung open the door. Outside, a nervous young man stood, shaking visibly even as Pavel opened the door.

  “S-s-s-sir!” The man snapped into a rigid posture, but not a military one. “The command post sent me.”

  “Did they have a reason for sending you, beyond disturbing me!” Pavel berated him harshly.

  “Yes, Czar, sir.” The man stammered out. “Approaching…approaching ships in the system.”

  “What?!” Pavel yelled even louder, this time his voice was more shock than anger. It was also an octave higher, but that didn’t alleviate the young man’s terror. Pavel fought back the panic in his mind. “I will be there shortly. Go!”

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  We’ve got one destroyer, heading away. She’s accelerating, but slowly.” Johnson said, confused for a moment. She typed in a few commands and then snorted and shook her head. “It’s a Novik-class destroyer, sir. From these readings, she’s pushing her drive to at least 130% to make that kind of speed.”

  “Has she been upgraded?” Athena asked quickly.

  “I don’t think so sir. I’ve got all the tell-tale radiation signs of an overstressed, not to mention ancient, drive unit. Not only has she not been upgraded, I think she’s past-due on some overhauls as well.” Johnson said with what might have been pity in her voice.

  Athena could understand that, to a point. The Noviks were ancient, having served the Russian Navy starting more than seventy years earlier. She had been under the impression they’d all been expended as targets.

  “Put two stealthed drones on their tail, close follow but full stealth protocols.” Athena ordered.

  “Aye sir.” Johnson responded. “The initial spread of drones is sending back good data as well sir.”

  “Could be a trap sir.” Heath agreed with her unspoken conclusion.

  “Yeah.” Athena sighed. “But it might not be. The drones should at least keep an eye on her.”

  “Fleet is all through the gate and formed up sir.” Daniels reported.

  “Let’s get moving then.” Athena ordered. “Inform Shadow that they are to remain behind the formation until we confirm the cruiser’s location.”

  As soon as they had come through the gate, Athena had launched a spread of drones to blanket the system. They would give her the eyes she needed to find the Russian cruiser, if it had even left the dock.

  “Broadcast the surrender offer, all channels and high power. I want to make sure everyone hears it in this system.” Athena added.

  “Yes sir, one minute to broadcast.” Daniels responded crisp
ly.

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  “Getting good eyes on the space-dock sir.” Johnson finally reported.

  About time. Athena thought, though she had known it would take hours for the drones to reach into the system and send back their FTL-bursts.

  “I’ve got one cruiser, still inside the truss-work. She looks pretty closed up, but scans indicate she isn’t powered up, at least her fusion plant is cold. The fission reactors appear to be at full power. Engineering advises that she could be in fusion pre-start.” Johnson added as the advisement from engineering came through her earpiece.

  “Captain Daniels, inform Shadow that they have a go. Tell Captain Kim, Good Hunting.” Athena instructed.

  Now then, She thought, turning to the holo. Let’s deal with that battlestation.

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  Captain Kim looked about the cramped bridge of USS Shadow and couldn’t help but feel useless. She was the ranking officer aboard, but she still felt like she wasn’t helpful. She had no naval training and could only look at the various displays and feel like the dumb grunt so many thought Marines were. She’d rather be down in one of the launch bays with her Marines. At least then she knew what she was doing, could feel confident in her actions.

  “Sir, we’re approaching the station.” The captain, Lieutenant Leyson, informed her. She was sitting just two feet to her front, in the center of the bridge.

  “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Ava nodded and unstrapped from her seat. “I’m going to head down to the launch bay now.”

  “Of course sir. Good luck.”

  Ava nodded again and headed for the launch bay. Time to suit up and get down to what I know.

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