Wizard Rebellion (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 5)

by Rodney Hartman

  “Based upon the results of your scan, I calculate a sixty-nine percent probability Tam, Telsa, and Jerad are on the Starlight. You’ve worked with them so much helping them develop their stealth shields, you can sense them even with their best stealth shields up.”

  “I wonder if Trinity’s with them,” Richard said. “Last I heard, Trinity and Jerad were being given dual assignments.”

  “Impossible to tell,” said Nickelo. “Although you’ve spent some time helping Wizard Scout Trinity protect the link to her Power reserve, I calculate it’s not enough to overcome her best stealth shield.”

  Richard had a feeling it didn’t matter whether Trinity was with the others or not. If even just the three wizard scouts were on the Starlight, the Crosioians’ boarding party was going to get more than its commander had bargained for.

  “What are you going to do, Rick?” asked Nickelo. “Those two destroyers are going to be on us in no time.”

  That his battle computer wasn’t offering any suggestions normally meant he couldn’t think of a plan with better than a five percent probability of success, or just wanted to see what his wizard scout could come up with on his own.

  Without wasting time conferring further, Richard took charge of the situation. He was no longer the novice wizard scout cadet from his Academy days. He’d been on too many missions for ‘the One’ over the years without his battle computer along to waste time waiting for someone else to make decisions for him.

  “Sergeant Ron,” Richard said over the Defiant’s intercom. “There’s at least three wizard scouts on the Starlight. They’ll keep the docked destroyer busy. That leaves the other two for us to deal with. I think my security team and I can take out one of the destroyers. Can you handle the last one on your own?”

  “It’ll be a cold day on Sirius when the Defiant can’t handle one measly destroyer,” replied Sergeant Ron. “What I’d like to know is how you’re planning on taking out a destroyer with just your security team. It’s not like you can fly over to get there. Are your dolgar buddies coming to the rescue or something?”

  “Negative on the dolgars. I’ve sent out a call, but they haven’t answered. Even if they do come, it might be too late to help us. Dolgars have no sense of time.”

  “Then how are you taking out the other destroyer?” asked Sergeant Ron sounding confused.

  “I haven’t quite figured that part out yet,” Richard admitted. “It’ll come to me though. You just worry about the one that’s left.”

  “Roger that. You’re the boss. I’m just the captain of this bucket of rusty bolts.”

  Richard didn’t consider himself the boss but didn’t argue. Someone had to be in charge during a battle, and this time it was him. In spite of what he’d told his friend, he actually did have an idea, crazy though it might be. He imagined it would sound even crazier to Sergeant Ron than it sounded to him. Since he had no desire to argue the point, he’d decided to tell a little white lie instead of the full truth.

  “In case you’re wondering,” said Nickelo, “I think it’s a crazy idea as well.”

  “Whatever,” Richard said. “Crazy or not, it’s the only plan I’ve got. So how about putting that nanosecond brain of yours to work and figure out a way to make it happen?”

  “I already have,” said Nickelo. “The best I can come up with is a forty-two percent probability of success. Plus, I don’t know what the Crosioians have up their sleeves with their free will. I’ve correlated the optimum paths but—”

  “Don’t bore me with the details,” Richard said. “I trust you. Just make your best guess and go for it.”

  “I’m a computer,” Nickelo said sounding insulted. “I don’t guess.”

  “Sure you don’t,” Richard said sarcastically. “And pigs can’t fly.”

  “Uh…,” said Nickelo sounding as confused as a computer could sound. “Pigs can’t fly.”

  Richard mentally laughed. “They can if you put a jet pack on them.”

  When Nickelo didn’t come back with an answer right away, Richard figured he’d gotten the best of his battle computer for once.

  “Just do your best,” Richard said more seriously as he turned toward the ladder leading up to the cargo bay. Before he started climbing, another idea popped into his head. He looked over at Daniel and Charlie. “Can you guys do without Bright Wing for a few minutes?”

  Daniel looked down at his computer screen for a second. “That dragon of yours has our primary energy source stabilized and back at one hundred percent. I think we’ve got enough energy to get us through this battle if it doesn’t last too long.” After a pause, Daniel added, “We’ll need her after the battle though.”

  “Assuming we live,” said Charlie without a trace of humor.

  Big if, Richard thought. The Defiant’s engineers would just have to do their best without the dragon. He needed Bright Wing for his plan to succeed.

  Using emotion-speak, Richard said, “I’m thinking about going for a little stroll, Bright Wing. If you care to come along, meet me in the cargo bay lickety-split.”

  He started climbing the ladder two rungs at a time. As fast as he was, by the time his head cleared the floor of the cargo bay, Bright Wing was already standing there waiting on him.

  Humph, Richard thought. Must be nice to be able to teleport.

  “She can only do it for short distances, and only to places she’s familiar with,” said Nickelo. “Once she’s older, she’ll be able to increase her distance and navigate to unfamiliar places. However, I calculate that won’t be for another 2,347 years.”

  Richard seriously doubted he’d be around to congratulate the dragon on her achievement when the time came.

  “Too bad she can’t teleport others as well,” said Nickelo sounding like he was switching into instructor mode. “Unfortunately, she won’t acquire that ability for at least another four thousand years.”

  “Can it, Nick. I need to concentrate. Calculate our success probability if we bring Bright Wing along.”

  “Eighty-six percent,” said Nickelo. “I’m impressed.”

  Richard was impressed as well. The odds were better than he could’ve hoped.

  By the time he was completely in the cargo bay, all six members of his security detail had arrived as well. Richard thought the stocky dwarves looked intimidating in their power-armor and with their mixture of weapons. Half of the team carried magic-based weapons while the other half were equipped with standard Empire-issue plasma and phase weapons. To top it off, all six of the dwarves carried battle-axes or war hammers.

  “Well, let’s hope the Crosioians think they look intimidating as well,” said Nickelo.

  Another armored figure standing near the dwarves drew Richard’s attention. The figure was Wizard Scout Terrie Shatstot. He was wearing his battle suit and carrying a plasma pistol in one hand and a phase rod in the other.

  “No,” Richard told the disabled wizard scout in a tone he hoped left no doubt he meant what he was saying. “I need you on the Defiant.”

  “No way,” said Terrie with a determined look on his face. “I might be disabled, but I’m not dead. If you’re seriously thinking about trying to take on a destroyer by yourself, you’re going to need me. You can’t do it by yourself.”

  A series of grumbles erupted from the dwarves forming the security team.

  “Watch it, laddie,” said Felspar, the leader of the dwarves. The dwarf raised his battle-axe for emphasis. “He won’t be alone. He’s got us. I was killing enemies a lot tougher than those bat-winged tin soldiers a hundred years before you were even a gleam in your daddy’s eye.”

  “And no disrespect, wizard scout,” added Storis, “but security’s our job, not yours. You do your job, and we’ll do ours.”

  Richard pointed at his fellow wizard scout as he interjected. “I’m in charge, Terrie, and I said no. The whole security team and Bright Wing will be with me. If the Crosioians are able to board the Defiant, Sergeant Ron’s going to need a wizard scout
with him. Angela and the others are good fighters, but they’re no match for a full boarding party of Crosioian regulars. For all we know, they may even have a Crosioian scout with them. You know our crew wouldn’t stand a chance without you here to take on the scout.”

  Whether it was a result of his argument or the mention of Terrie’s wife, Angela, Richard didn’t know. The effect was the same.

  Terrie backed down, nodding his head in defeat. “Fine. But, if you run into trouble, I swear I’ll get over there to help if I have to get out and walk.”

  The Defiant shook violently. Everyone in the cargo bay except Terrie, Bright Wing, and Richard were knocked to the floor. Richard said a silent thanks to the makers of his battle suit.

  “Hey,” said Nickelo. “I did the calculations and activated the suit’s assistors to keep you upright. Where’s my thanks?”

  “Not the time for jokes,” Richard said cutting off his battle computer’s attempt at humor. Even though their communications were near instantaneous, Richard didn’t need the distraction. He was very aware everyone’s life depended on him.

  “Fine,” said Nickelo sounding a little hurt. “Be that way. In case you haven’t figured it out, those two destroyers have started their attack runs. The Defiant’s combination of magic and technology makes our shields tough to crack, but a sustained barrage from both destroyers will wear them down given time.”

  Richard didn’t plan on giving the Crosioians time.

  “Felspar,” Richard said. “Get the team to the left wing pod. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Roger that,” said Felspar as all six dwarves began scrambling to climb through the tunnel leading to the left wing pod.

  Richard nodded his head approvingly. The dwarves were good soldiers. Felspar hadn’t wasted time pointing out that the wing pod was empty since the Defiant’s fighters had already launched.

  “Felspar and the dwarves trust you,” said Nickelo. “I hope you’re not going to let them down.”

  “I’ll try my best not to,” Richard swore as much to himself as to his battle computer.

  “Matthew,” Richard said over the ship-wide com-link so the entire crew could hear. “Meet the security team and me outside the left wing pod with your zipper. You’re going to play taxi for us.”

  “What about me?” asked Tia over the com-link as if she was concerned she might be left out of something fun.

  “Give Sergeant Ron covering fire until we’re off the ship. I’ll let you know what to do after that.”

  “Compliance,” said Tia with an increasing excitement to her voice.

  “Blood-thirsty little critter, isn’t she?” said Nickelo. “I calculate she actually enjoys being in battle.”

  “She’s a Trecorian. They live and breathe battle. Plus, she’s Liz’s sister.”

  Before his assignment on Trecor, he’d been told the Trecorians were similar to the old Spartans on his home world of Earth. After spending the last six months with Tia, Richard had to agree. She was born and bred for war. Although she didn’t go out of her way looking for trouble, she certainly didn’t back down from it either. Since he’d been an honorary general in the Trecorian military, Richard knew for a fact Trecorians were tough.

  “Well, I’m glad she’s on our side,” said Nickelo in what Richard took as rare praise.

  “So am I, buddy. She’ll do her part in this little shindig, so it’s time for us to do the same.”

  Richard bent low and began crawling through the tunnel leading to the left wing pod.

  “Seal me up, Nick.”

  “Compliance.”

  Richard felt his battle helmet extend downward until it merged with the collar of his battle suit. As the battle suit activated, he sensed the tight-fitting suit change shape into its bulkier armor mode. By the time he reached the airlock at the end of the tunnel, the transformation was complete. He was once again encased in the toughest armor the Empire’s technicians could create.

  “Don’t forget about me?” said Bright Wing. “Where do you want me?”

  “Teleport out to the dwarves,” Richard said as he entered the airlock. “I’ll explain more when I get there.”

  The Defiant shook as another salvo of enemy rounds hit its defensive shields. The little recon ship bucked as both its upper and lower gun batteries answered with a full salvo of their own.

  “Our shields are holding for the present, Rick,” said Sergeant Ron over the com-link. “I don’t know for how long. Those are heavy destroyers. Both of them have 200-gigawatt plasma cannons the same as us.”

  “Yeah, but they don’t have magic, do they?” Richard said trying to be the optimist for once.

  “No, they don’t,” admitted Sergeant Ron. “That’s the only reason our shields are still up. Our mix of magic and technology makes them hard to penetrate.”

  “Which reminds me,” Richard said. “I sense you’re only firing our standard Empire weapons. Why aren’t you using our magic-based weapons as well?”

  “Hey, partner,” said Sergeant Ron sounding insulted. “I run the ship, and you handle the reconnaissance and hand-to-hand fighting. That was our deal, remember. However, since you asked so nice, I’ll tell you. I’m holding off on our magic weapons until I can catch those destroyers with their pants down. When I use our magic, I want it to be a total surprise.”

  Richard smiled as he tried to picture one of the bat-shaped Crosioians wearing pants. Somehow, the image didn’t quite work.

  “Understood,” Richard said. “I think you’ll get your chance. First, though, I need you to lure those two destroyers into flying straight and level for a few seconds. My plan won’t work while they’re making evasive maneuvers.”

  “How am I supposed to do that?” said Sergeant Ron sounding confused. “The only way to get them to fly straight and level would be for me to stop trying to evade their fire. That would be suicidal. Only a lunatic would do that.”

  Richard laughed in spite of the situation. “Exactly. That’s why I’m giving the mission to you. Who else would be crazy enough to do it? Besides, I only need a few seconds. The shields will hold that long.” At least I think they’ll hold.

  Richard expected Sergeant Ron to argue further, but the sudden jolt of another salvo of rounds from the destroyer hitting the Defiant’s shields cut off any additional discussion.

  Tia’s voice came over the com-link sounding concerned. “If you’re going to do something, you’d better do it quick. Those two destroyers just launched eight fighters. I can’t hold them off by myself for long.”

  “Roger that,” Richard said as he slipped through the airlock and onto the outer skin of the Defiant.

  “Your boots’ magnetics are on,” said Nickelo. “Nevertheless, you better hang onto something. There’s no use taking the risk of being thrown off.”

  Richard located Felspar and his security team standing next to the empty wing pod. Bright Wing was hovering a couple of meters above them.

  “How the does she survive in a vacuum without protection?” Richard asked.

  “She’s got protection,” replied Nickelo. “It’s called magic. It’s what allows her to survive inside a hyper-drive. The vacuum of space is nothing compared to that.”

  Richard had other questions but shrugged them off. He had bigger things to worry about. He was just about to call Matthew to come get them when he picked up a fast moving life form on his passive scan heading inbound.

  Matthew.

  “He’s nine seconds out,” said Nickelo. “You better link up with the others.”

  Richard stepped forward and grabbed a convenient handhold near the wing pod. Then he wrapped the dwarves and himself with Power. “I’ll get you onto the zipper’s wings. When we get there, grab hold of a weapon’s rack; three to a side.”

  Felspar answered for the entire security team. “Roger that, wizard scout.”

  Richard turned to the dragon and spoke over the com-link so the dwarves could hear. “Bright Wing, you can teleport to the zipper yo
urself. Just make sure you stay close to us.”

  “Will do, brother,” said Bright Wing.

  Matthew’s zipper came close to the Defiant’s wing pod and matched her speed for two seconds. As Richard had expected, the teenager wasn’t wasting time trying to dock. The battle was moving too swiftly to stay in one place too long.

  Smart kid, Richard thought as he used his telekinesis to levitate the dwarves and himself onto the zipper. He barely got his left hand around an empty missile rack when the zipper accelerated forward. A flash of silver to his side confirmed Bright Wing had latched onto the Zip fighter as well.

  “Now what?” Matthew asked. “There’s no way I can get you close to either of those destroyers. Their anti-fighter weapons would take us out for sure.”

  “You won’t have to,” Richard said. “I’m going to let them do it for us.”

  Glancing at his battle helmet’s heads-up display, Richard calculated speeds and trajectories. Or rather, he let Nickelo calculate them while he followed along in their shared space. The result was the same. He knew what he needed to do.

  Richard activated the ship’s com-link. “Sergeant Ron, I need those two destroyers straight and level now. Give me at least five seconds.”

  No answer came from the Defiant’s bridge, but a glance over his shoulder confirmed the Defiant had stopped its evasive maneuvers. She was flying straight and level.

  Apparently, neither of the destroyer’s captains could resist such a tempting target. Both of the destroyers leveled out to give their gunners a stable firing platform.

  During his six months with the Trecorians, Richard had been part of several space battles against pirates. It took some getting used to. At hyper-drive speeds, enemy targets were rarely within visual range. Such was the case now. Although the destroyers weren’t visible, he was able to keep track of them with his passive scan. Both destroyers were several hundred thousand meters to the rear of the Defiant. He sensed a barrage of missiles and plasma rounds heading inbound toward the Defiant from the direction of the destroyers. In addition, he noted eight life forms coming in fast.