“Oh dear,” the GCS said after a brief pause, “I suppose I just assumed that you knew this was my intention from the context of our conversation yesterday as well as the information I provided to Admirals White and Sexton. Let me assure you that our unexpected arrival in the vicinity of another GCS system would be exceedingly dangerous for your ship to say the least. I regret the misunderstanding, but all is going as planned so far.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Prescott noted the sidelong glance from his XO. “That’s reassuring to hear, but what caused the delay you mentioned?”
“Without going into too much detail, hyperspace communications require very precise position information. I was able to detect the Krayleck Guardian’s transponder, but there was unexpected interference near its location that proved difficult to overcome. It is possible that there is a large vessel or some other structure creating a gravimetric disturbance in the vicinity. Since our last transition, however, I have detected no hyperdrive signatures within three light minutes of the target coordinates. As I indicated yesterday, I am also providing the real-time feed of all vessels traveling in hyperspace within ten light years of our current position.”
Prescott glanced at Dubashi for confirmation and received a nod in reply.
“Alright, then, if there’s nothing else we need to know, we will make our final preparations and transition shortly.”
“I can only make the obvious recommendation of extreme caution, Captain, since we have little notion what we might encounter upon our arrival. When we transition, I ask that you avoid making abrupt changes in course and do not, under any circumstances, use any sort of active sensors that might give the impression that you are preparing to attack. I would likely survive a hostile encounter with the Krayleck Guardian, but you would not.”
“Understood. Stand by to transition. Prescott out.”
“Just out of curiosity,” Reynolds said, “I compared the tracking data the Guardian is providing with our Argus data, and it looks identical.”
“That’s good news. It would be damned awkward to realize we were being double-crossed by the sentient machine parked on our hangar deck, wouldn’t it?”
Chapter 19
TFS Fugitive, Legara System Lagrange Point 4
(0857 UTC - 72.1x106 km from Legara)
The Fugitive’s designers had gone to great lengths to render her as close to undetectable as any starship was likely to become given the current state of Human technology. In spite of their best efforts, however, finding a means to eliminate the brief flash of light that occurred during a transition event had remained elusive. As the ship arrived at the specified coordinates, her presence was immediately detected, not only by the Krayleck Guardian itself, but also by the on-duty military personnel aboard the nearby weapons platform.
The facility was primarily constructed to defend various high-value military and commercial space assets operating at this large, stable location of gravitational balance between Legara and its parent star. Since the Krayleck Guardian had a tendency to loiter here for extended periods, the station also provided a means to keep watch on the Pelaran spacecraft (which, like their Human counterparts, the Krayleck never entirely trusted). Although the Guardian was clearly capable of defending itself, if necessary, the station’s crew had always considered their world’s GCS to be the most important of the assets they were responsible for protecting, often even referring to themselves as “Defenders of the Guardian.”
From the Defenders’ perspective, an unexpected hyperspace transition in relatively close proximity to their station amounted to a serious breach of security and a possible prelude to an attack. As they rushed to prepare the station for action, however, they quickly realized that their sophisticated sensor arrays were detecting no evidence whatsoever of an intruding vessel.
***
“Multiple contacts, Captain,” Lieutenant Lau reported immediately. “I’ve got the Krayleck Guardian at just over one five thousand kilometers at three five zero, mark two five relative, but there’s also a very large structure on roughly the same bearing at a range of one four thousand kilometers.” As he spoke, Lau rapidly entered commands at the Tactical console, resulting in a light and thermally enhanced view of the two contacts appearing in a pair of large windows near the center of the bridge view screen.
“I hate to use sci-fi terms to describe real-world things, but I’d have to call that thing a starbase,” Reynolds said, taking over manipulation of the large image via her touchscreen.
“That’s as good a description as any,” Prescott replied. “Lau, they obviously saw us transition, but can you determine if they are still able to track us?”
“I don’t think they can, Captain. They’re blasting the entire area with a variety of sensors, but I haven’t seen any indications that they have locked onto us with anything.”
“I’m guessing things are progressing as planned with the Guardians as well since we’re still here,” Reynolds added.
“Let’s just hope they conclude their negotiations quickly. Regardless of whether or not that station can track us, they still know something is amiss. I suspect we’ll have Krayleck warships on the scene shortly.”
***
From TFS Fugitive’s hangar bay, negotiations between the Human and Krayleck Guardians were indeed progressing surprisingly well. According to long-established protocols governing interactions between neighboring cultivated civilizations, the Human Guardian immediately transmitted a burst of data referred to in the Pelaran Alliance as a “petition of ascendancy.” The intent was to present an irrefutable case that one species had achieved such an overwhelming position of dominance over the other, that the lesser of the two civilizations was in imminent danger of being destroyed. Since the prospect of one member world completely eradicating another was generally not seen as desirable for the Alliance at large, this process had been developed to allow one member to be incorporated into another — hopefully without the need for unnecessary bloodshed or direct military intervention by other member civilizations.
Even in the rarefied community of Guardian Cultivation Systems, extraordinary claims must be supported by extraordinary data, and in this case, the quantity required was enormous. Every conceivable metric that could be quantified and used for comparison was taken into account. The result was two highly advanced, space-faring civilizations — each one at the center of a sphere of influence encompassing five hundred and twenty-four million cubic light years — reduced to nothing more than vast sets of comparable data. Both Guardians then set about constructing a series of elaborate simulations with the goal of determining how the balance of power in the region was likely to evolve during the foreseeable future.
Even with their combined computing power, the entire process took nearly two minutes, but once their deliberations had concluded, both Guardians had reached the same conclusion as to what must be done.
***
“That’s a total of three frigates and two destroyers, sir … in addition to the starbase, of course,” Lau reported.
The Krayleck warships had begun arriving less than a minute after the Fugitive transitioned into the area. Since then, all conversation on the bridge had taken on a hushed, subdued tone, as if the sound of their voices might somehow give away the ship’s position.
“Everyone try to relax,” Prescott replied evenly. “They clearly either don’t see us at all, or else they’re not interested in attacking for whatever reason. The Guardians should conclude their business shortly and we’ll be on our way.”
“Helm and Tactical,” Reynolds spoke up, “in the event we do end up under fire, keep in mind that our main gun is fixed and requires that you coordinate with one another. I know the two of you have done well in the sim, but I don’t have to tell you that things are different when someone is actually shooting at you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” both men replied.
“Captain, I have the Guardian again on GCS-comm,” Dubashi reported from the Comm/N
av console. “It’s requesting a vidcon this time.”
“More talk,” Prescott said as an aside to his XO. “I guess that was predictable enough. On-screen, please, Lieutenant.”
A window immediately opened on the left side of the view screen, displaying the Guardian’s usual avatar wearing an unmistakably triumphant look on its virtual face.
“I am pleased to report that my negotiations have gone exceedingly well, and I am hopeful that I will soon be able to congratulate you and all of Humanity for being granted dominion status within the Alliance. It is a singular accomplishment to be sure, particularly to have achieved such a thing so quickly,” it said.
“We’re all very much pleased to hear it,” Prescott replied, working to prevent any annoyance from registering in his voice. “As I’m sure you are aware, there are now a total of five Krayleck warships in addition to the large military platform operating in the area. All of them are doing everything they can to find us, and will no doubt attack when they do. Is the Krayleck Guardian prepared to depart?”
“Not just yet, I’m afraid. Although the evidence I presented has convinced the Krayleck Guardian that Humanity appears to have become the dominant of your two civilizations, it did point out repeatedly that you have not yet officially joined the Alliance.”
“And whose fault is that?” Reynolds replied pointedly.
“There is an unusual set of circumstances to be sure, Commander, but you will allow me to observe that it is also my ‘fault’ that I have neglected to report back to the Alliance that Terra’s technological growth is completely out of control and that it should, therefore, be considered for immediate elimination.”
“And we certainly appreciate your being willing to work with us along those lines,” Prescott interjected, furrowing his brow at his XO as he did so. “So, what do you advise that we do in order to conclude the negotiations in our favor?”
“That is precisely the correct question, Captain Prescott, and I believe the Krayleck Guardian’s chief concern is one of precedent. While there is nothing in the program’s guidelines that specifically requires full membership prior to taking on a protectorate, to our knowledge it has never been done before.”
“Alright, fine, so what do we do now?”
“When one member has supplanted another in the past, the mission to petition the …” he paused, clearing his throat, “lesser civilization’s Guardian is generally accompanied by an overwhelming show of force.”
“I see. That’s certainly possible … we could probably get a sizable portion of TFC’s fleet in here within a few hours. But I seriously doubt the Leadership Council would grant their approval for such a mission. Our ships would undoubtedly end up taking on a sizable fraction of the Krayleck fleet right here in the immediate vicinity of their homeworld. Even if we did manage to win — and we might, based on what we’ve seen thus far — there’s no way we can justify something like that.”
“You misunderstand me, Captain. As I indicated yesterday, missions of this type are always undertaken by a single ship. It is that single ship that must demonstrate an overwhelming show of force … so intimidating the opposing fleet that it is clear to all that further armed conflict is both unnecessary and foolish.”
“Well this would have been handy information to have up front,” Reynolds said. “If the idea is to frighten them into submission with a single ship, a Navajo-class cruiser would have been much better suited to the task.”
“I can assure you that the Admiralty considered just that,” the Guardian replied. “But we all believed, or at least hoped, that such a display would prove unnecessary. Admiral Sexton was also of the opinion that, if required, the appearance of a small ship like the Fugitive would send a rather unequivocal message of Terran confidence and strength. Besides, after the battle at Herrera, the Krayleck are fully aware of what Fleet’s larger capital ships can do. There is a reasonably good chance that they will not choose to further challenge Human ships of any size at this point.”
“Right. How much of a chance, precisely?” she asked, knowing full well that the GCS would have calculated the odds — and most likely to a ridiculous degree of accuracy.
“Twenty-four point six three percent,” the Guardian replied with an irritating wink.
“Alright,” Prescott said decisively, “I don’t see any need for further discussion. If we’re going to do this, it’s better to do it now than wait until half their fleet shows up. Do you have any last-minute advice for us regarding how this has been done in the past? I assume we should attempt to communicate first.”
“Each situation is different, so I’m afraid there are no standards for such a thing. You should, of course, attempt to communicate if an opportunity presents itself. It couldn’t hurt, right?” Here, the Guardian’s avatar looked briefly to one side, stifling a chuckle as if he found the notion of the Krayleck being willing to chat particularly absurd. “If it makes you feel any better,” he continued, “I am required to remain ensconced within your vessel during the encounter to ensure that I do not attempt to sway the outcome in your favor.”
“And the Krayleck Guardian?” Reynolds asked.
“Could choose to intervene on their behalf or yours, but most likely will not do so since we have followed the proper procedures to establish Terran ascendancy. Once the Krayleck forces submit, I recommend that you cease fire immediately and spare as many lives as possible. If you choose to submit, however … well, let’s just say that they will most certainly consider a failed attempt to relieve them of their Guardian as an overtly hostile act. I will sign off now to avoid any appearance of direct assistance. Griffin out.”
“Shit,” Prescott swore under his breath after a brief pause, then raised his voice once again to address everyone on the bridge. “Honestly, folks, I have absolutely no idea how this is going to play out, but I think our best bet is to make ourselves as difficult a target as possible when we disengage our LO systems. Beyond that, we’ll just have to see how they respond.”
“Flexibility,” Reynolds said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’ve heard it’s the key to naval power.”
“Uh huh, let’s hope that holds true here. Helm, once they start painting us with their sensors, I want plenty of distance between us and that station. Go ahead and begin a smooth acceleration to our best maneuvering speed and put us just outside the farthest frigate. Be prepared to put our nose on her if they open fire.”
“Aye, sir,” Ensign Fisher replied, already rapidly entering commands at his console.
“Tactical, as soon as we’re visible, you’re clear to deploy the railgun turrets and beam emitters at the first sign of any hostile intent. Initially, I’d like them all in point-defense mode. If we get into a situation where we need to open fire, it seems to me that the main gun is our only realistic option. We certainly won’t have time to make multiple passes at each target and grind our way through their shields as we’ve done in the past. Agree?”
“Absolutely, sir,” Lieutenant Lau replied, nodding emphatically.
“Very good. I suppose it goes without saying, but give us maximum velocity shots on the fire lance unless I say otherwise, and watch your targeting display closely to make sure you deconflict your shots. We do not want to hit Legara with that thing.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Comm, make sure Commander Logan is up to speed on what we’re doing and then be ready to hail the closest frigate on my mark.”
“Aye, sir. Just so you know, Commander Logan is with us on the tactical comm channel.”
“Is he indeed? You good with all this, Cheng?” Prescott asked, glancing at the ceiling.
“With all previously mentioned concerns factored in, yes, sir, I think we’re good down here. We’ll be watching the main gun and the cap array closely.”
The next several minutes passed in relative silence as each member of the Fugitive’s bridge crew went about the business of preparing the ship for possible combat operations. As was usually the case in
such situations, every passing second seemed to increase the level of tension in the room.
“This position will do, Fisher,” Prescott finally said, unwilling to tolerate the delay any longer. “Lieutenant Lee, disengage all low-observable systems. Dubashi …”
“Hailing, sir,” she replied immediately.
On the tactical plot displays of every Krayleck ship in the area, a single — and quite small — starship simply materialized from the void. Already in the general vicinity of one of their frigates, it took only a few moments for a light-amplified and thermally enhanced image of the intruder to appear on hundreds of view screens throughout the Legara system and beyond. The reaction of most of those watching was initially one of relief, followed shortly thereafter by a mix of confusion and shock. While their AIs had immediately identified the vessel as Human, it was obviously not a ship they had encountered before, and, at first glance, appeared to have only minimal armaments. After the recent events at Herrera, however, they had learned all too well that any apparent similarities to their own warships could be misleading in the extreme.
Based on standing orders to engage any potentially hostile spacecraft in the vicinity of their nearby strategic assets, the nearest two Krayleck warships opened fire. Within seconds of their doing so, the Human ship seemed to transform before their (both simple and compound) eyes, as multiple weapon emplacements deployed from previously hidden locations all around its hull.
“Helm, evasive action, as required,” Prescott ordered. “We’re putting a lot on you with the addition of the main gun, so speak up if you find yourself getting overloaded.”
“It won’t be a problem, sir,” Fisher replied, wearing a decidedly wicked-looking grin on his face as he pulled the nimble MMSV into a steep climb relative to its prior heading.
“No response to our hails, Captain,” Dubashi reported.
Terran Fleet Command Saga 4: TFS Fugitive Page 27