by G. P. Hudson
Kevin paused to gauge their response. He could see the disappointment and, in some cases, disgust on many of his officers’ faces.
“I understand your disappointment,” continued Kevin. “We all want to spill Juttari blood, myself included. But trust me when I tell you that this is a very important part of that goal. The Juttari know the location of the colonies. We can’t protect both them and Earth without the gate. If we don’t get the gate online, and the Juttari attack, the colonies will meet the same fate as Earth. Humanity itself will be lost.”
He looked around the room again. There still wasn’t much enthusiasm in their faces. Words were poor weapons against raw emotions. He glanced over at Sanchez. She didn’t look convinced, but he knew from her file that she was a by the book officer. Like it or not, she’d tow the line.
“We will be escorted on our mission by two Diakan battleships, and two Chaanisar heavy cruisers.” Kevin looked to his navigation officer, Ensign Nairi Balian, an olive skinned woman with large eyes and long, curly chestnut hair. “Ensign Balian, we will lead the battle group. All ships will sync their jump systems to ours.”
“Understood, Sir,” said Balian. The young officer seemed attentive and professional. Kevin made a note of that.
He turned to Ensign Paul Michael, the tactical officer, a lanky light haired man who looked barely old enough to vote, let alone be a bridge officer. “Ensign Michael, you are going to test every inch of our weapon systems and ensure that they are primed and ready to destroy any enemy ship that crosses our path. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” Michael straightened his back and displayed a touch more enthusiasm.
He then spoke to the tightly muscled helmsman, Ensign Jared Hayes. A former hotshot fighter pilot who somehow ended up at the helm of the Vanguard. Kevin wondered why he made the switch. No star fighter pilot he ever knew would want to fly a lumbering battleship. His file didn’t mention the reason, but Kevin suspected there was an interesting story there. “Ensign Hayes, the same goes for you. Work together with Engineering and test every aspect of the ship’s engines. Improve response times until there is no room for improvement.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll make sure the Vanguard is at one hundred percent.”
“Thank you, Ensign.” Why aren’t you in the cockpit of a fighter? It was a question for another time. Kevin liked the positive response from the helmsman. Positivity was what they all needed right now.
Looking back to Sanchez, Kevin said, “How are our Marines, Chief?”
“Ready for battle, Sir,” Sanchez said with obvious pride.
“Keep them that way.”
“I’ll make them miss boot camp, Sir.”
“What is the status of our arsenal?”
“Fully stocked, Sir.”
“Heavy weapons?”
“We have enough to take and hold any surface location for as long as we want.”
“Good.”
Kevin scanned their faces again. They looked more upbeat now. Ready to get to work.
“Are there any other questions?”
None.
“We’re leaving Sol in three days. I want this ship battle ready by then.”
His officers responded with a few half-hearted nods.
“I didn’t hear you!” barked Kevin.
“Yes, Sir!” they replied.
“Dismissed.”
The officers left the room, leaving only Commander Hurley.
“What’s on your mind, Commander?” said Kevin.
“Permission to speak freely, Sir.”
“Granted.”
“This mission’s bullshit.”
“You think so?”
“The Vanguard should be in the thick of battle, not playing galactic hopscotch.”
“Trust me, Commander, if there is one thing we’ll see a lot of, it’s battle. We need the colonies, and the colonies need us.”
“With all due respect, Sir, we need to hit the Juttari while we have a chance.”
“Admiral Pike is going to do just that.”
“The Vanguard should be part of it. Her guns are being wasted out in the colonies.”
Kevin smiled. “Those guns will be put to use. There are plenty of bad guys to go around.”
“Maybe, just not the right bad guys.”
“They’re all the right bad guys. Any aliens that threaten humanity, anywhere in the galaxy, are the right bad guys. It’s time for humanity to stand together. That’s the only path to victory. That’s why we need the colonies. That’s why this mission is important.”
“I hope you’re right, Sir.”
Chapter 13
Commander Konos, the Freedom’s CAG, entered the briefing room where Admiral Pike, Captain Viken, and Colonel Bast waited. Konos saluted Admiral Pike, who returned the salute and gestured toward one of the chairs at the table. Konos sat down looking expectantly at the Admiral. As the Freedom’s CAG, he assumed that this meeting had to do with his fighters, or bombers, although he wondered why. The Freedom’s birds had recently been upgraded with their own jump systems, which had been integral in the battle against the corporate fleet. Perhaps the Admiral had more upgrades for his pilots.
“Commander Konos,” said Admiral Pike. “I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here.”
“Yes, Sir. I can only assume it has something to do with our fighters and bombers.”
“In a way. I’ve promoted Commander St. Clair to the rank of Captain and given him command of the Vanguard.”
“A fine choice, Sir.”
“That leaves me with a vacant XO position. A position I am giving to you.”
Konos looked back at the Admiral in disbelief. “Thank you, Sir, but surely there is someone else more qualified than me.”
“No. As the CAG, I believe you are the most qualified. This is a carrier, and your experience commanding our birds makes you the best fit. You are the highest ranking officer on board the Freedom, which puts you next in line.”
“I don’t know what to say, Sir.”
“You’ve already said thank you. That’s enough. As of this moment you are the Freedom’s Executive Officer. I’ll need a recommendation for the new CAG by the end of the day.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.”
“You already said that, Commander,” said Pike, smiling.
“Sorry, Sir.”
“Now, you need to get up to date on what is happening,” said Pike. “I am sending the Vanguard back to New Byzantium to activate the colonial jump gate. Colonel Bast will accompany him along with another Chaanisar ship, and Diakan warships as escort.”
“I’m sorry, Sir, but what jump gate are we referring to?”
“Didn’t they teach you this in school? The jump gate that connected the colonies to Sol?”
“Sorry, Sir. I didn’t pay much attention in history class.”
Admiral Pike frowned, giving Konos the impression he had put his foot in his mouth. “Try to pay attention now, Commander. Before the Jutttari first came to Sol, it was connected to the colonies by a jump gate. That’s how that region was originally colonized. When the Juttari invaded Sol, the colonists found a way to shut down the jump gate, saving themselves from a Juttari invasion. The gate has remained shut down for over five centuries. I want it opened. By activating the gate, we will be able to defend both Sol and the colonies, and unite humanity once again. Make sense?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good.”
“I have a request,” said Captain Jonas Viken, the gray haired leader of the Reivers.
“What is it, Jonas?” said Pike.
“I want to join Captain St. Clair’s escort,” said Viken.
“Why?”
“You have plenty of ships here. You don’t need my ship. Captain St. Clair may run into the Kemmar again. I’d rather kill Kemmar than Juttari, if you know what I mean.”
Konos knew what he meant. He had heard how the Kemmar attacked the Reiver colony taking them prisoner. There were some rather grue
some stories about what happened to them once captive that he’d like to forget.
“Breeah is not going to like this,” said Admiral Pike with a frown.
“I am a warrior. My daughter understands this.”
Pike shrugged. “Very well. I’m not going to stand in your way.”
Captain Viken nodded his thanks with a grunt.
Konos felt envious that they were heading back to New Byzantium and he wasn’t. It was his home after all. He knew, however, that this war with the Juttari was much larger than his home. They were about to fight for the fate of the galaxy. He knew full well that if the Juttari were not defeated that they would find the colonies one day. He wondered who was worse, the Kemmar, or the Juttari.
“Captain St. Clair is already aboard the Vanguard. They should be ready to go in a few days. What is the status of the Reiver?”
“We can leave right now if needed,” said Captain Viken.
Pike nodded. “We’d better let Captain St. Clair know that you’re coming along. Computer, open a comm with Captain St. Clair on the Vanguard.” Within seconds St. Clair’s face appeared on the briefing room’s wall screen. “How are you settling in over there, Captain?” said Pike.
“Well enough, Sir. Just getting accustomed to my new home,” said St. Clair.
“Good. Has the Seal Team arrived yet?”
“Yes, Sir. They just boarded. Where did you find them?”
“In the mountain complex. I thought they might be useful on your mission.”
“It always makes me feel better having a Seal Team nearby, Sir,” said St. Clair, with a wide, jovial smile.
“I’ve got another update for you,” said Pike. “It turns out Captain Viken wants to join your band of merry men.”
“Reivers are always welcome,” said St. Clair, nodding at the gray haired Captain.
Viken bowed his head acknowledging the compliment.
“So that makes a total of six jump ships,” said Pike. “That should be more than enough to deal with anything that pops up.”
“Especially with those two monstrous Diakan ships coming along,” said St. Clair, shaking his head. “Ships that big with jump systems. Unbelievable.”
Konos had seen the Diakan ships come through the jump gate while conducting exercises with his pilots. The sight was awe inspiring. Even the giant freighters back home were tiny by comparison. No wonder these Diakans controlled much of the galaxy. And yet, for all their power, here they were following Admiral Pike. Why? What was so special about this man?
“I also wanted to tell you that I’ve made Commander Konos my new XO,” said Pike.
St. Clair looked at Konos and smiled. “Congratulations, Commander.”
“Thank you, Sir,” said Konos. “I can only hope to do as good a job as you.”
St. Clair started to laugh. “That shouldn’t be a problem, Commander. I was only promoted to that position a short while ago. I was Security Chief before that, and spent my career doing special ops. Being an XO, and now a Captain, are all new to me. We’re all just learning as we go. The important thing is to have the right people. The rest usually works itself out.”
“I agree, Sir,” said Konos, meaning every word. He had experienced the same while working with pilots. While there was never a substitution for experience and good training, he knew that the A players usually overcame most obstacles thrown at them. What you wanted to avoid was ending up with a bunch of B players, because they would be followed by Cs and Ds, and then no amount of experience and training could save your team.
“Commander Konos,” said Admiral Pike. “I’m going to need you to get up to speed as soon as possible. Captain St. Clair will be in system for a few days, and while he’s getting his bearings himself, I’m sure he can spare you a few minutes to answer any questions you may have.”
“Understood, Sir,” said Konos.
“Good. Dismissed.”
Chapter 14
“Jump gate activated. Incoming contact,” said Petrovic, from the bridge’s tactical station.
“Identify,” said Jon, without looking up from his command console.
“It’s a Chaanisar battleship, Sir.”
Jon stared at the ship on his display. More like a super-battleship, he thought. The ship was easily as big, or bigger than the giant Diakan ships.
“Sir, the commander of the battleship is requesting to come aboard the Freedom to meet with you,” said Petrovic.
“AI, you have liberated the Chaanisar on board that ship, correct?”
“Yes, Admiral,” said AI.
“What can you tell me about their commander?”
“He is First Colonel Brock.”
“First Colonel? What kind of rank is that?”
“It is a Chaanisar rank. The Juttari do not allow Chaanisar to rise above the rank of Colonel. The rank of First Colonel denotes his seniority over the rest of the Chaanisar.”
“I see. So he’s like some kind of Chaanisar Admiral then?”
“Yes, Admiral. That is an accurate comparison.”
“What else can you tell me about First Colonel Brock?”
“He is very old, Admiral. He has been alive for several centuries.”
“That is interesting. Ensign, tell First Colonel Brock that I’ll meet him.”
Jon did not expect to see a youngish looking man enter the briefing room with Chief Henderson and two Marine escorts. He did not look any older than the other Chaanisar he had met. Physically large, Brock seemed quite powerful even without the Juttari augmentation. On approach, Brock saluted Jon in Chaanisar fashion, with a closed fist held about five inches away from his chest. Jon responded with a Space Force salute, and motioned to one of the chairs at the table.
“Please, sit down, First Colonel.”
“As you wish, Admiral.”
Henderson and the two Marines remained standing in the room, keeping a wary eye on the large Chaanisar.
Jon sat down across from Brock, and couldn’t help noticing that the man still looked like he was at attention, even as he sat.
“Forgive my intrusion on your time, Admiral, but I wanted to express my gratitude in person. In all my years as a Chaanisar, I have never witnessed anything resembling what you have accomplished.”
“Your praise honors me,” Jon said sincerely.
Brock responded by bowing his head in apparent deference.
“I’m curious, First Colonel, just how old are you?” Jon thought he saw something in those stone cold eyes when he asked the question. Not a spark exactly. More the faint hint of one.
“I have lived for four-hundred-and-eighty Earth years.”
“What?” said Jon, stunned by what he just heard. “How is that possible?”
“It is the augmentation, Admiral. It prevents aging, and is capable of keeping us alive indefinitely.”
“But then you must have been one of the first.”
“Yes, Admiral. I was among the first human children taken for the Chaanisar.”
“Incredible,” said Jon, trying to come to terms with the reality of having a living historical artifact seated in front of him. So much knowledge had been lost since the Juttari invasion. To have someone who experienced the early days of the occupation, even as a child, was unbelievable.
Brock nodded. “The centuries have been long, and difficult. I truly never thought I would last as long as I have. As those around me died, and found their freedom, I remained. After a time, I gave up on the dream of death.”
“That sounds horrible,” said Jon. He realized that this man had been a Juttari slave for almost as long as the Earth had been under Juttari rule. He was the embodiment of the occupation. Until recently, he had always seen the Chaanisar as the enemy, but they truly did suffer just as much, if not more, than those on Earth.
“It was horrible. Made more so by the orders I was made to carry out.”
Something in his tone made Jon tense. The creature felt it too, and became increasingly agitated. “What kind of ord
ers,” he said, filled with dread.
“Over the years, I have been summoned to Earth many times to quash uprisings, and resistance movements.”
Could it be? Could it really be him?
“I see from your expression that you have heard of me, Admiral. I know you as well, and I know your family. Your grandfather, in particular, caused us a great deal of trouble during his years.”
Jon stood, struggling to control his temper. He reminded himself that the man sitting in front of him was a freed Chaanisar, and not the same butcher who plagued Earth. He’d barely noticed Henderson’s grip tighten on his own weapon, and shook his head. His Security Chief acknowledged the order with an almost imperceptible nod. Jon’s attention was locked on Brock, who remained seated. “You,” said Jon, forcing the words. “You were the instrument of much suffering on Earth.”
“Yes, Admiral. You are correct. I was a Juttari scalpel, sent to cut out the various cancers spreading throughout the planet. I did as ordered many times over the centuries. Of course, I did not have any choice in the matter. It is true, however, that my actions caused tens of thousands to perish on Earth. I am sincerely sorry about your mother, your wife, and your children.”
The fury rising inside Jon was about to engulf him. The symbiont urged him to action. Kill him. Avenge yourself, it said.
“I understand your anger, Admiral. I will also understand if you choose to kill me. This is why I have come here in person. I did not have control over what I did, but my hands are stained with blood all the same. You have freed me and my brothers. I submit myself to you for judgment.”
“And now, First Colonel? Now that you have choice?” said Jon, still struggling to keep the fire in check.
“I don’t understand?”
Jon took a deep breath. “You said that you had no choice, but now you do. What will you do with that choice?”
Brock’s cold eyes studied Jon for some time before he answered. “Choice. It is a forgotten concept for me, Admiral. I have not had autonomy in centuries. If I live beyond this day, I fear I will not know how to use such a gift.”
“What does that mean?” Jon said angrily.
“It means that my first real choice would be to follow you as my leader, Admiral. Beyond that, I will perform my duty as I always have. While this whole experience has been unsettling, I am, nonetheless, grateful. Although, I fear I cannot repay you.”