The Ganthoran Gambit (The First Admiral Series)

by Benning, William J.

  The young stewardess was used to dealing with forgetful and troublesome travellers. But, this was Business Class, the most expensive seats on the plane, and it had been drilled into the Cabin Staff to treat these customers with the lightest of kid gloves.

  “Thank you so much.” Elizabeth smiled as the stewardess finally secured her belt.

  “No trouble at all, madam. Can I get you anything before we land?”

  “Oh, no thank you, that dinner was lovely.” Elizabeth smiled, and after hearing that, the young stewardess fixed her own business-smile back on, and set about her other duties.

  Yes, Elizabeth thought as she returned to her musings, what to do about John Caudwell.

  She had felt like such a fool standing at the door to her hotel suite kissing Peter Lindstrom. My God, she thought to herself, and blushed with a mixture of embarrassment and desire, how could I have been so brazen and blatant, she cursed herself.

  Surely, things weren’t so bad between her and John that she was prepared to make advances to the first handsome young man who showed her any attention.

  But, Elizabeth had to conclude that it was exactly what had happened, and, yet a part of her wished that she had taken things further with Lindstrom. He was intelligent, handsome, kind, and courteous, but then again, he was working for a publisher who wanted to sign her up, so most likely would be all of those things. It would be nothing more to him than a simple business deal.

  And, she considered, he did seem to be aware of the spectacular view from the windows of her hotel suite. So, he had, most likely, at some time, been in that suite. And, for what reason, Elizabeth considered suspiciously.

  Yes, Mister Peter Lindstrom certainly did know how to entertain a lady, Elizabeth considered. Yet, there was a part of her that craved that attention, which was what worried her.

  Maybe it had been guilt at what she had done the night before, and maybe she was just waking up to the realisation that, perhaps, Mister Perfect Lindstrom was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Oh yes, he had been the perfect gentleman at the door to her suite, but then he had seemed to be bolder and more direct. He had the entire day planned out for her. Book signing, followed by quiet intimate lunch for just the two of them, then sightseeing and shopping, followed by a Broadway Musical and a supper for two in her suite. He had also been more attentive than he had previously, taking her arm to guide her to her destination, his arm lingering around her waist just that second too long for Elizabeth to feel comfortable, as he ushered her through the crowds of fans and well-wishers.

  Yes, it was all just a little bit too smooth for Elizabeth Caudwell’s liking. But, once again, she cursed herself. She had so enjoyed the attention; even if it had been false-flattery, and this was why she needed to get away from New York and Peter Lindstrom. And, like a thief in the night, she had scampered from the hotel and out to the airport, breathing a sigh of relief only when the plane had taken off from American soil.

  Elizabeth had felt guilty about running away, but she knew that if she were to stay any longer, then she might have succumbed to Peter Lindstrom’s charms and did something that she would definitely regret in the morning. She had, however, managed to leave a charming note for Lindstrom, thanking him for his hospitality and making up a story about Billy being unwell.

  She had also picked up a phone message from John Caudwell, saying that he would be in New York that afternoon. And, what Elizabeth Caudwell definitely did want to avoid was a situation with both John Caudwell and Peter Lindstrom in the same room.

  She just had to get away from New York and spend some time alone to clear her head.

  Why was it suddenly all so confusing, Elizabeth asked herself as she stared out of the aircraft window.

  Below her, she could see London in the bright summer sun. She had left New York in the late afternoon, and she was returning to London in the early evening. The seven hour crossing meant that she was only two hours later than when she had left the United States. That, however, mattered very little to Elizabeth Caudwell, who felt that she needed to think, and think very hard about what was happening to her.

  Opening her handbag to take out her boarding pass and passport, Elizabeth found the phone message from John Caudwell. It was only then that she realised that in her panic to escape New York that she had forgotten to leave a reply for her husband. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, she realised he had most probably gone to the hotel and found her gone with no reply to his message.

  Cursing herself, once again, Elizabeth screwed up the sheet of headed notepaper from the hotel with the Desk Clerk’s almost legible handwriting and dropped it to the floor. She would have to explain later what had happened, and somehow manage to edit Mister Peter Lindstrom out of the narrative.

  She had never lied to John Caudwell before, not in all their years of marriage. He had been fair and honest with her, and she had respected and admired him for that. Now, she felt lower than a snake’s stomach at having to conjure up a falsehood to explain herself to her husband. And, Elizabeth Caudwell knew that once she had told this lie, there would be others to follow. Sadly, she turned her face to the window and tried to lose herself, mentally, in the maze of London streets below her.

  And, how could she possibly live with herself after that.

  Chapter 7: The Star-Cruiser Aquarius, Orbit of Ganthus

  As his father was exploring the site in the Nevada Desert, Billy Caudwell was intently staring at the image on the War Table. The focus of his interest was the disposition of General Avavid Kallet’s Frontier Fleet as it held orbit over the planet of Ganthus.

  On the War Table image, Billy had scrutinised and viewed the dispositions of Kallet’s fleet since they had been within scanner range. And, as Billy had originally considered, it was going to be a tough nut to crack. For the first time since he had become First Admiral, Billy Caudwell was in the unusual position of having numerical superiority. With the Imperial Guard Fleet, Billy knew that he would outnumber Kallet by around two to one. That sounded all very well and good in theory, but the quality of the Imperial Guard forces was questionable. It had been several centuries since the Imperial Guard had seen any combat operations, whilst on the other hand, Kallet’s Frontier Fleet troops were hardened and experienced by decades of skirmishing and beating-off raiders on their sector of the Frontier. Constant training and computer simulations were one thing, but actual hard combat experience was an entirely different animal. And, the Ganthoran Imperial Guard was coming up woefully short.

  Still, the Imperial Guards were angry and motivated. If the rumour of Kallet’s massacre of one of the Ganthus garrisons was true, then the Guards would have some personal scores to settle. However, what Billy did not need was the Imperial Guard throwing away their lives and vessels in some death-or-glory charge straight into the gun-sights of Kallet’s warships.

  No, Billy Caudwell considered, what’s required here is a bit of subtlety and cunning.

  He had to carefully marshal and deploy his forces to make best use of his technological and numerical advantages.

  Looking at the three-dimensional War Table image, the plan was fairly simple and straightforward. Kallet’s ships were well established and in a strong horse-shoe formation in orbit above Ganthus City. The “Six-Cigar” Carriers were being held in tight formation with a strong escort of cruisers and destroyers. With the planet and the city behind his formation, Kallet knew that the Alliance could not use the “terror weapon”; the Trionic Cannon, which had decimated Grobbeg’s Frontier Fleet. The proximity to Ganthus City also gave Kallet a fall-back position, where he could take whatever forces remained after the battle; should it go against him, and fight it out in the streets of the city. Perhaps, Avavid Kallet was aware that he could not win against a large combined Alliance and Ganthoran Imperial Guard force. But, he knew that all he had to do was survive until the combined Frontier Fleets arrived. Kallet may not have had the advantage of numerical superiority, but he did have time on his side.

/>   Looking at the disposition of his own forces, Billy was now confident that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would surround and crush Kallet’s fleet. The core of Billy’s position was the Star-Destroyer Olympus, two Alliance Fleet Carriers, and the thirty Imperial Guard “Six-Cigar” Carriers. With a strong escort of one hundred Ganthoran cruisers and two Alliance Star-Cruisers, Billy was comfortable in the knowledge that the Carriers were well protected. The Force Shielding of Olympus and the two Fleet Carriers would be more than adequate to protect the Ganthoran Carriers.

  In front of the Alliance Carrier forces, Billy had stationed the remaining twelve Star-Cruisers. In the rectangular formation with “Aquarius” to the centre, Billy planned to use the Force Shielding of the Star-Cruisers to absorb any gunfire from the Frontier Fleet weapons.

  Meanwhile, behind the twelve Star-Cruisers, Billy had divided the remaining Ganthoran Cruisers and the Destroyers into two formations.

  These two groups would become the “Horns”, or the pincers, of his attack, whilst “Aquarius” and the other Star-Cruisers would form the “Chest”.

  The intention was very simple. The “Chest” would advance against Kallet’s position and, if possible, draw the Frontier Fleet vessels forward; away from Ganthus. And, As Kallet’s ships were drawn out of position the “Horns” would sweep around the flanks of the enemy advance, encircle them, and isolate them from the planet. With the Frontier Fleet isolated and surrounded, the Ganthoran Imperial Guard could be let loose to finish off the remnants of Kallet’s forces. With that plan in mind, Billy Caudwell ordered the Alliance fleet to advance.

  In the War Room aboard Aquarius, there was a great deal of tension. The heavily illuminated War Table stood out from the darkness and gloom of the rest of the Command Centre. The buzz of communications traffic broke through the almost oppressive anxiety of the silence. At the War Table, Billy Caudwell stood silent and calm as the three-dimensional images, fed by tens of thousands of sensors and intelligence gathering sources were constantly updated. The Alliance fleet was moving forward. The Force-Shielded Star-Cruisers led the way, with the two pincers tucked neatly in behind. And, from the image displayed in front of him, Billy could see that the Frontier Fleet warships were moving from the rear of the formation, towards the front, to receive the expected Alliance attack.

  “Navigation, keep course and speed steady,” Billy instructed calmly.

  “Aye, sir,” a deep, masculine voice boomed from the darkness.

  The Alliance ships were creeping slowly forward, like an ancient warrior crouched behind his shield, wary of the enemy making the first move. The Frontier Fleet seemed to be moving more ships into their firing line. To Billy Caudwell, it was apparent that he would have to launch an attack on this static Ganthoran position. From the positioning of the Frontier Fleet ships, it appeared unlikely that they would attack, and that Billy would have to take the battle to them.

  “Coming into pulsar-cannon range now, sir,” the WATO announced.

  “Very well,” Billy said, “commence firing at will.”

  “Yes, sir,” the WATO replied.

  A few seconds later, the deep rumbling THUD of the first salvo from the ten high-yield pulsar-cannon aboard Aquarius announced that the gunners had opened fire.

  On the War Table image, the other eleven Star-Cruisers had also opened fire, sending a total of one-hundred-and-twenty white-hot pulsar-cannon bolts streaking downrange to find targets amongst Kallet’s ships.

  And, in the space of a single breath, the pulsar-bolts struck home on their targets. With a line of Frontier Fleet ships facing them, not one of the pulsar-bolts missed. Over forty of the smaller Destroyers were blown to oblivion in the first salvo. The direct strike from a high-yield pulsar-bolt was something that the small vessels just simply could not survive. With many Destroyers struck by more than one bolt, their devastation was guaranteed. Of the forty Cruisers in Kallet’s line, twelve were destroyed in the first salvo. Some, struck by second and third pulsar-bolts, lurched and shuddered under the devastating impacts before exploding in deep orange and red fireballs. The smaller and more vulnerable Destroyers stationed close beside them were vapourised in the inferno of destruction. Those Destroyers more distant, were caught in the massive storm of metal and debris; causing untold deaths, damage, and destruction. The Destroyer Captains caught in the whirlwind of debris had little chance of avoiding their doom.

  Another five Cruisers, sustaining one hit or a glancing blow from a pulsar-bolt, were seriously damaged, with two of them immobilised.

  Like punch-drunk boxers, the Cruisers reeled at their stations as the pulsar-bolts slammed into their hulls, showering the surrounding Destroyers with debris and metal fragments from their ruptured super-structures. Once again, the unfortunate accompanying Destroyers were struck by an uncontrollable avalanche of destruction. Many dodged and weaved to avoid the flying fragments of Cruiser hulls, but all too many were not agile, speedy, or nimble enough to escape the tidal wave of devastation.

  And, in an extremely lucky moment, one pulsar-bolt made its way through the entire Frontier Fleet horse-shoe position eventually striking one of the “Six-Cigar” Carriers. The fortunate Alliance shot struck one of the cigar-tube Landing Bays on the Carrier, and smashed into the super-structure, sending debris and flame spewing out into space. With the Frontier Fleet Carriers packed so closely together, the debris and flame from the hit Carrier blasted across the short divide to bombard one of the other Carriers. The damage to the second Carrier was no more than to dent the hull and scratch the paintwork. However, it did convince Kallet and the captains of the other Carriers that they should, perhaps, consider moving away from such close proximity to one another.

  On the War Table image, Billy saw that most of the Frontier Fleet’s battle-line move forward to meet the Alliance’s advances.

  Yes, you’re no fool Kallet, Billy considered as he scrutinised the Frontier Fleet position once more.

  The “Six-Cigar” Carriers were starting their slow and ponderous manoeuvres away from the close proximity formation.

  This Frontier General learns quickly, Billy considered.

  Kallet could begin to disperse his Carriers, but, in doing so, he would have to commit greater Cruiser and Destroyer resources to protect them. That would mean drawing vessels away from the front line.

  “They’re breaking station and moving forward, sir!” a Scanner Officer called from the darkness, confirming what Billy could already see.

  Kallet has taken the bait, Billy thought as he viewed the War Table image, surely, Kallet hadn’t fallen for the manoeuvre so easily, Billy puzzled. A shrewd and capable leader like Kallet wouldn’t be drawn into throwing his forces at the Force Shielding and pulsar-cannon of the Alliance forces after one volley. Surely, Kallet would stand his ground, and then make his attack when the enemy warships were at a much closer range.

  And, yet, as he watched the Frontier Fleet vessels moving forward, something just did not appear to be quite right about the manoeuvre. It looked like the entire centre and right wing of Kallet’s fleet was moving into the attack.

  But, what was the left wing doing, Billy questioned.

  A mixed force of Cruisers and Destroyers were holding station on Kallet’s left, and not joining the attack.

  Surely, if Kallet was going to risk everything on an attack, then that was precisely what he would do. He would risk everything.

  To make such a bold tactical move required all of Kallet’s forces.

  Something is not right here, Billy thought, as he watched over half of Kallet’s surviving Cruisers and Destroyers moving slowly towards the encroaching Alliance formation.

  A half-hearted attack was no better than not attacking at all. Kallet was simply throwing these ships and their crews away with such a feeble move.

  “They’re within weapons range, so why aren’t they firing?” Billy asked the officers at the War Table.

  “Sir! Sir! The Ganthorans are signalling, sir!”
An excited Communications Technician began shouting before any of the War Table officers could respond to Billy’s question

  “What is it, Comms?” Billy looked puzzled as he turned his attention away from the War Table image.

  The War Room was buzzing with consternation. Even the less tactically able amongst the War Room personnel could understand that something untoward was going on. Generals did not split their forces up in the face of superior numbers, and enemies engaged in battle very rarely communicated with each other; except to offer terms or to offer surrender. Something extraordinary was happening, and the War Room was aware of it.

  “They...they...? They want...they want to come over to our side, sir!” The astonished technician was met with a stunned silence.

  “What!? How many!? Where!?” Billy asked.

  “It’s a trick, sir, it’s one of Kallet’s tricks,” one of the Ganthoran Imperial Guard officers at the War Table warned.

  “More than likely, General Zandor,” Billy said. “Comms, ask them to signal compliance by changing course towards Rubicos.”

  “Sir!” another Scanner Technician interrupted, “the Ganthorans are opening fire on their own ships!”

  On the tiny three-dimensional images, Billy could see the unmistakable blurring of the “Screaming Death” being directed from Kallet’s left wing towards the vessels moving away from the centre and right of the Frontier Fleet position.

  The War Room buzzed with confusion and expectation. Never before had part of an enemy fleet decided to defect to the Alliance in the early stages of a battle. Racing through the options in his mind, Billy Caudwell knew that the possibility of neutralising part of Kallet’s forces was one that had to be considered and explored. If they complied with his order to make course for Rubicos, then they would be removing themselves from the combat zone.