by Linn Schwab
Almost there, he told himself. He checked the time on his instrument panel. I’ve got six more hours to pull this off. If I can just locate one of our carriers now, that should still be plenty of time to make arrangements.
* * * *
Commander Eldridge entered the cafeteria and looked around at the young Sentinels. Most of the 2nd Battalion was present. Only Robin’s squad was still missing. “Attention, Sentinels,” she said to them, then waited for them to stand up from their seats. “I’m assuming, since ECHO 5 is absent, that Captain Starling elected to fly on to Centaurus?”
“Yes, Commander,” Judy replied. “She told us not to wait for her.”
“Just as she should have,” the commander said. “Due to the recent collision, it’s going to be a while before we can resume working on the guns. Repairs to the station are still ongoing. As soon as safe access to the gun bays is restored, we’ll pick up where we were forced to leave off. In the meantime, I want you to stand by in here and be ready to take command of the destroyers you just delivered. In the event that we need to evacuate this station, your orders are to return to those vessels and fly as many of our personnel to Orion as you can.”
The cafeteria’s intercom squawked, and Veronica’s voice came over the speakers. “Commander Eldridge,” she said, “your shuttle just returned from Centaurus.”
“As you were,” she told the young Sentinels, then headed straight for the infirmary. When she arrived there, she found the major standing near one of the beds where Miranda was lying unconscious now. “Will she recover?” she asked.
The major looked at her and nodded. “With time, I think she’ll be alright. We need to consider recovering Catherine’s remains before someone else comes across them and becomes traumatized.”
“We’ll see to that as soon as we can. But right now, my shuttle is standing by in the hangar. What have you decided, Major? Do you want to take a chance on these negotiations?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “I do, Commander. I think we owe it to our people to consider all available options.”
“One more decision for you to make, then. I think a senior officer should be present on that shuttle to oversee the initial rendezvous. You and I are the only senior officers here. I’m guessing you’d like to be the one who goes?”
The major closed her eyes and nodded. She still wasn’t entirely convinced the commander wanted to go through with this. Taking charge of the rendezvous herself would allow her to be certain the opportunity wasn’t squandered. “When do I leave?” she asked.
“Right now, Major. The shuttle is waiting.”
* * * *
“Everyone still doing okay?” Robin asked as she looked around at her crew once more. Katrina looked like she was ready to vomit. The others appeared to be faring better. Strangely, Chrissy had yet to show any signs at all of feeling the effects of this mysterious affliction.
“Something’s happening,” Phoebe said. She pointed at the surveillance monitor. “It looks like the ship is slowing down. It looks like there’s something else there too.”
“Stop right here, Caroline,” Robin insisted. “Let’s see if we can find out what it is.”
As they watched the action on the screen, the freighter slowly veered off to one side, revealing a unobstructed view of the object.
Phoebe gasped and said, “That’s a space station!”
A collective heartbeat passed in silence. This was a target they were well suited for. A destroyer could wreak havoc upon a space station.
“Michelle!” Robin ordered, instantly shifting into attack mode.
“I’m on it!” Michelle answered, jumping to her feet. She sprinted out through the rear of the bridge, hurried down the ladder to the lower deck and opened the door to the magazine. A quick glance around the interior of the room confirmed that all six torpedo tubes were loaded, and the reload racks were filled to capacity. She glared at the torpedoes resting on the racks as if warning them not to disappear on her. She then made her way back up to the bridge and signaled a quick thumbs up to Robin.
“Prepare for battle!” Robin ordered. “Open the outer torpedo tube doors! Bring up the targeting display! Make sure all the inner hatches are sealed, and set the rocket batteries to medium dispersal!”
* * * *
Arriving at the designated rendezvous point, the commander’s shuttle slowed to a stop. Her pilot, Cindy, was at the controls. Major Richards was sitting in the copilot’s seat.
“Well, this is it,” Cindy said. “Looks like we got here first. You really think they’re gonna show up?”
“I hope so,” the major said.
“What if they just send someone to kill us? It’s pretty easy to take out an unarmed shuttle.”
“We both know that’s a possibility, Cindy. I’m firmly convinced it’s worth taking that chance. What do you think?”
Cindy sighed and nodded. “Yeah. I think so too. From what I’ve been seeing over the past few days, our forces are being pushed to their limits right now. This opportunity may have shown up at just the right time for us. I’m not sure how much longer our forces can hold out.”
* * * *
Dave felt a smile of relief on his face when he saw the first signs of his fleet in the distance. I gonna make it! he told himself. And there’s no way they can turn down this offer. They’ll jump at the chance for negotiations. They have to. The end of the war is almost here, and I’m gonna be going home soon. Back to my mother and sister. And I’ll introduce Maryanne to them. His heart began to race in anticipation. He switched on his radio and put out a call. “Area Patrol, where are you boys? This is Lieutenant Dave Samuels, returning to the fleet.”
Seconds later, a pair of UEF fighters streaked into view and took up positions on either side of him. According to the markings on their planes, their names were Darron Reeves and Cameron Ray. He didn’t recognize either of them, but he was glad to see them nonetheless.
“Lieutenant Samuels,” Darron greeted him, “it looks like your fighter took quite a beating. Glad you were able to make it through. What’s your ride, and we’ll tell ‘em you’re coming.”
“My squadron is stationed on the Belfast,” he said. “Boy have I got a story to tell you guys!” He listened as Darron put a call through.
“Belfast, this is CAP calling.”
“Belfast, here. Go ahead, CAP.”
“Belfast, we have one of your pilots returning. Are your airlocks set to receive?”
“Affirmative, CAP. Both airlocks are set to receive.”
As Darron was speaking with the operator, Cameron took a close look at Dave’s plane and noticed something that made him uneasy. He switched his radio to a different frequency and placed a separate call through to the Belfast.
“Belfast, this is Lieutenant Cameron Ray, currently assigned to Combat Area Patrol. I have a concern regarding this returning pilot. Can you put your commanding officer on the line?”
* * * *
On the bridge of the Belfast, Captain Hilliard overheard the pilot’s call and reached for the microphone right away. “This is Captain Hilliard,” he said. “What’s the nature of your concern, Lieutenant?”
“Captain, I’m not entirely sure this plane is one of ours. It certainly looks like one of ours, but the shape of the engine thrust ports is wrong.
Captain Hilliard exchanged a glance with one of his officers. “Can you send us an image, Lieutenant?” he said.
“It’s coming through now,” Cameron answered.
As soon as the image appeared, the captain’s eyes shot open in alarm. “Listen to me, Lieutenant,” he yelled into the microphone, “do not let that plane anywhere near my ship!”
“Sir?” Cameron asked in uncertainty.
“You heard me, pilot! I’m ordering you to take that plane out, now!”
* * * *
“Yes, sir,” Cameron said with reluctance. Looking through the other fighters’ canopies, he saw Darron and Dave still conversing with each other,
completely unaware of what was about to happen. He wondered what threat this pilot could possibly pose that might warrant Captain Hilliard to order him killed. It seemed like it might be an overreaction, but he realized it wasn’t his call to make. Captain Hilliard was responsible for the safety of his ship. Aapparently he wasn’t open to taking any chances. “Sorry, buddy,” he muttered with regret. In a swift fluid movement, he swept around to the rear of Dave’s fighter and fired a rocket into its engines. The plane erupted in a violent fireball, flinging pieces of itself toward every corner of the universe.
Darron flinched and reached up to cover his head as debris bounced off the side of his cockpit. “Jesus, Cameron!” he yelled. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“Sorry about that, man. Captain Hilliard’s orders.”
“But he was one of us!” Darron complained. “He said he had important information for the admiral! Couldn’t you have at least waited until we found out what it was?”
“Like I said,” Cameron insisted. “It was Captain Hilliard’s decision. You can take it up with him. I just did what I was told.”
* * * *
Admiral Sands looked out through the Alabama’s windows as he contemplated his next assault. The two damaged cruisers, Sacramento and San Felipe, were in no condition to return to action. He would have to send them to one of his remaining shipyards to undergo extensive hull repairs. The main question on his mind right now was whether he should take the three carriers along, or leave them behind unguarded again. Both of those options were fraught with risk. Leaving them behind exposed them to the possibility of enemy fighters sneaking through the asteroid field again. Taking them along meant putting them at risk to potential attacks by enemy destroyers. Of the two, he was more concerned with the destroyers. The damage they were capable of inflicting gave him tremendous cause for concern.
An announcement came over the bridge intercom: “UES Mona Lisa, arriving on station.”
The admiral moved closer to the windows so he could watch the Mona Lisa’s approach. As the ship drew nearer to the edge of the fleet, the telltale signs of torpedo damage appeared on the starboard side of her hull. This suggested the ship had tangled with an enemy destroyer and somehow managed to withdraw from the engagement — an almost unthinkable accomplishment, particularly for a combat tug. Either something fortuitous had occurred during the encounter, or Captain Hoile was remarkably adept at combat. That was a matter for later consideration, though. Right now, he just wanted the captain’s findings. “Lieutenant Stevens,” he ordered, “dispatch a shuttle to retrieve Captain Hoile.”
* * * *
Robin studied the image on the monitor, looking for structural weaknesses in her target. The station appeared to consist of several glass domes supported by a central steel base and framework. “What do you think?” she asked Caroline. “Ignore the domes and go straight for that central band of plating?”
Caroline nodded her head in agreement. “Those domes are gonna be destroyed anyway if we take out that hardened structure in the center. A single spread of six torpedoes might be enough to destroy the whole station.”
As they continued to scrutinize the image, the freighter backed up and docked at the station.
“If we blow up the station,” Robin observed, “maybe the freighter will be destroyed too.”
“What’s in those domes?” Chrissy asked.
Robin shrugged. “Looks like plants. Maybe they’re growing food here.”
“I bet that’s what it is,” Phoebe said. “Robin, if we destroy this station, maybe they’ll run out of food!”
Robin suddenly realized how crucial this attack might prove to be. We could end the war right now! she realized. If they run out of food, they might have to stop fighting! This could be just the break we need!
“We’re going in!” she announced. “Everyone, return to your positions! Caroline, get us up to attack speed, now!”
* * * *
Peter was so preoccupied playing with the children that he didn’t even notice the freighter’s arrival. He’d just finished telling the kids another story when Commander Parks arrived to break the news to him.
“It looks like your ride is here,” she said. She walked closer and sat down on the bench with him.
He gently bounced little Katie on his knee while the other kids scampered about the room. “How long have I got?” he asked.
“It usually takes about two days to get a freighter fully loaded. They’re unloading empty containers right now, and then as soon as that’s finished, we’ll begin the reloading process. I’ll make sure they leave enough space at the end so we can have your fighter loaded on last. That way, you’ll be able to get off at the first delivery point the come to.”
“Makes sense,” Peter said. “I guess it’s your job to keep things organized, isn’t it?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to keep you away from the killing any longer than necessary.”
Peter thought his ears detected a trace of disappointment in her voice. “I hope you realize it’s not something I’m looking forward to,” he said. “You have your job to do, and I have mine. That’s all there is to it.”
“I understand.” She stood up and started walking toward the exit. “After all, you said you’re doing it for the children’s benefit. If I were in your position, I’m sure I’d probably do the same.”
Peter looked around at the kids and thought about how helpless all of them seemed. Little Katie, happily squirming on his knee. Annamarie, cuddling the rag doll bunny. Jack pulling Selena around on the scooter. And of course Tobey standing in the window again, slapping the surface of the glass with his palms. Yes, I’m doing it for them, he told himself. And yes, if you were in my position, Commander, I’m sure you would probably do the same.
* * * *
Caroline steered the Cricket leftward to establish a better line of attack. She pushed the throttle forward a little, and the humming from the engines intensified. Robin kept her eyes on the targeting display, waiting for the numbers to come into range. She wasn’t close enough to start firing yet, but the digits were climbing in steady increments ...... 57 ...... 58 ...... 59 ...
“Attack speed!” Caroline announced.
“Ready on torpedoes!” Robin ordered.
“Ready on torpedoes!” Phoebe echoed.
As the others focused on the tasks of their positions, Chrissy was left to wonder if there was anything she was supposed to be doing. She looked at the various controls on her console and didn’t see anything relating to combat. But when her eyes turned back to the surveillance scope, she noticed something that caused her great concern. “Robin, wait!” she screamed. “There are children on that station!”
“What?” Robin responded. “Where?”
Chrissy pointed to the surveillance screen, which clearly showed the image of a little boy leaning against an exterior window. Several other children were also visible playing with each other in the room behind him. Robin hesitated just for an instant, then returned her attention to the targeting display ...... 63 ...... 64 ...... 65...
“Initiate a three degree sweep on my command!”
“Affirmative!” Caroline replied.
Chrissy glanced back and forth between them. Tears began trickling down both of her cheeks. Much to her dismay and horror, they appeared to be determined to go through with the attack. “RO–BIN!” she pleaded.
Robin glared at her in exasperation. The predicament was tearing her apart inside. The thought of killing children was appalling to her, but a chance to end the war might be within her grasp. In her mind, she could hear Jenny’s voice offering her some heartfelt words of wisdom:
“…if you hesitate for even a fraction of a second…”
“…you’ll be jeopardizing your own life, and the lives of your crew…”
“…your job isn’t to question your actions…”
She knew she shouldn’t allow herself to be distracted by second thoughts. But she also heard Christ
y Allison’s voice, telling her something that seemed very disturbing:
“…I helped kill people…”
“…I can hear them screaming…”
“…and sometimes when I close my eyes, I can see them dying…”
Is that going to happen to me? she wondered. Am I going to be haunted forever by visions of little children dying? The tears she saw in Chrissy’s eyes were enough to fill her heart with dread. But ultimately, it was the tears in her own eyes that convinced her she couldn’t go through with this attack. “Caroline, bring us about!” she ordered. “Set a direct course back to Volaris!”
To her relief, Caroline didn’t question her decision. She swung the Cricket back around as ordered, and waited for Michelle to punch in a new heading.
“Throttle up to point three five,” Robin ordered. “Let’s get out of here.”
As the urgency of combat receded from her mind, the uneasy feeling she’d experienced earlier crept back up on her again. Combined with her weakened physical state, it made her wish she could just lie down and fall asleep, and escape from all of her responsibilities. Her decision not to attack that station left her struggling with self doubt and uncertainty. Do I lack the competence to be a captain? Am I too weak to handle my position? Perhaps Commander Eldridge made an error in judgement when she decided I should be reinstated.
The memory of her recent investigation raised a new concern in her mind. They’ll go through the Cricket’s recorders, she realized. Just like they did with the Wallaby’s. That means they’ll find out about that station. And they’ll know I decided not to attack it. She stood up and walked to Katrina’s station, and wrapped both arms around her from behind.
“I need you to do something for me,” she whispered into Katrina’s ear.
* * * *
Major Richards closed her eyes in despair when the final minutes on the clock expired. The were no signs of an Earthling shuttle in sight. Her hopes for negotiations had just been crushed, along with her chances of seeing Dave again.