He glanced down at his watch, and said, “Hurry up, everyone. We need to move out! Corporal Walpis, lead the way. McBride, forward scout! Let's go!”
Reluctantly, the convoy walked into the forest, a hundred glances back at the homes they were abandoning, knowing that they would never see them again. Cooper waited at the rear, watching for stragglers, until the last of the civilians had cleared the danger area. If he was right, they had only a few minutes to go, and he could see the gleaming lights of the helicopters closing in, hear the faint whirr of the engines in the distance.
He quickly walked through the village, taking one last look around, and saw a discarded doll on the floor, sprawled in the mud. Gently, he reached down, picked it up, and stuffed it in his bag, shaking his head. This wasn't fair. None of these people had done anything wrong, and they were going to pay the price for his resistance. Five villages so far, and more to follow.
With a sigh, he turned for the trees, walking back into the forest, anxious to gain as much distance as he could from what was about to follow. Only the dead soldiers were left to inhabit the town, and as the noise of the engines increased, he knew that they wouldn't have long to wait for cremation.
Chapter 3
Harper hesitated outside the meeting room, knowing that everyone was waiting for her inside, but still reluctant to enter herself. She looked down the long, empty corridors, the station deserted aside from a handful of Neander technicians. Everything had fallen apart so quickly after the Battle of Copernicus, the Consortium forces never even making it to the rendezvous, the Koltoc returning to their homeworld for a long argument with their government.
She'd never wanted responsibility. Commanding a subordinate ship in a squadron was bad enough, but there had always been someone to fall back on, Captain Orlova in the background to get her out of whatever mess she'd found. Now it was down to her, Pavel, and a bare handful of people on two antiquated ships to save the day. At least he'd finally made it back.
Her communicator chirped, breaking her reverie, and she pulled it out of her pocket, replying with a curt, “Go ahead.”
Sub-Lieutenant Scott, her second-in-command, replied, “Two Koltoc ships just jumped into the system, Captain. Profitable Venture and a ship we don't have in our records. Colonel Kilquan sends his complements, and would like to meet with you as soon as possible.”
“That's great, Kat,” she said. “Have him come down on the double.”
“Will do. Daedalus out.”
With renewed confidence, she stepped into the meeting room, Salazar walking over to her with a gloomy expression on his face, the despair in his eyes threatening to drag her with him. He reached out to her, holding her in a desperate hug while Major Molpa and Lieutenant Ryan tried not to look.
“It isn't good news, Kris,” he said, looking down at her.
“The Koltoc are back,” she replied. “Maybe that gives us more of a chance.”
Glancing at the others, their expressions matching his, he replied, “The Xandari have brought Alamo back into the line. Under their command.”
Her mouth opened, and she said, “Are you sure?”
“I managed a flyby close enough to get a nice, long look. Far too long. As far as I can tell, they've completed full repairs. There didn't seem to be any defects, and all combat systems were operational.” He signed, then added, “I think the only reason we got away was because they wanted us to. They're hoping we'll cut and run.”
“We can't,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “We can't just abandon Copernicus to those bastards.”
“Your government switched sides, Lieutenant,” Molpa said, bluntly. “Your legally elected President decided to stake the future of your people on the Xandari. I don't like it any more than you do, but...”
“She doesn't speak for the people,” Ryan replied, desperation in his eyes.
Harper glanced at Salazar, and as the two of them took their seats, she added, “We spotted half a dozen freighters, all under a tight enough convoy that we couldn't get close. All heading for Copernicus, which makes it a pretty safe bet that they're preparing for another attack.”
“They are,” Colonel Kilquan, commander of the Koltoc squadron, said, stepping into the room. “Our latest intelligence reports that the Xandari have repaired two of their battlecruisers, as well as a number of smaller vessels. The only possible target is Testament Station. If they can capture it, then they'll have the ability to project power in strength all the way to your border.”
Nodding, Salazar said, “That sounds about right. That was their target before, and it makes just as much sense now as it did three months ago. All we've done is slow them down, not stop them.” Looking up at Kilquan, he said, “They've managed to make Alamo operational.”
“Three battlecruisers, then, one of them the most powerful capital ship for parsecs.” Kilquan shook his head, looked at Ryan, and asked, “Are you here as a formal representative of your government?”
“He's here as my second-in-command,” Salazar said, “As well as a representative of the Copernican Democratic Underground.”
“Then you've had contact with resistance forces?”
“They'll be fighting,” Ryan pressed. “Those cowards in Council House don't speak for our people. All over the planet, our citizens will be taking up arms to push those bastards of the planet. You can depend on that, Colonel.”
Shaking his head, Kilquan asked, “How can we? It was the treachery of your leaders that cost us the battle in the first place. We almost had the Xandari beaten, and if they hadn't switched sides...” He paused, then added, “I don't doubt your courage, Lieutenant, nor your loyalty, but we have to face reality. Copernicus is a hostile world to us, and we can expect no significant help from that quarters.”
“The last word we had before we left was that Lieutenant Cooper was heading for cover,” Harper said. “If I know him, he'll still be fighting.”
“We don't even know if he survived the day,” Kilquan said. “The Xandari were on his tail, and he might have been captured moments after we fled the system. We're going to have to deal with realities, not hopes.” Looking around the room, he said, “I do have some good news to report.”
“That would make a nice change,” Salazar said.
“My government has elected to support the Triplanetary Confederation in its war against the Xandari Empire. You may consider us co-belligerents.” He smiled, and added, “We'll be expecting some sort of trading pact after the war is over, but I think we can leave that to the diplomats. It's certain we'll get a better deal out of your Senate than anything the Empire will provide.”
Molpa beamed a smile, and replied, “That's more like it.”
“What does that mean, in real terms?” Salazar asked.
With a frown, Kilquan said, “That you can consider your fleet doubled in size. Profitable Venture and Due Diligence are at your disposal.”
“Two ships?” Ryan replied.
“This war has already cost us greatly, Lieutenant. We only had a handful of warships in any case, mostly engaged in anti-piracy operations.” Looking down at the floor, he continued, “As of right now, we have five Monitors at our disposal. One of which isn't even hendecaspace-capable. We've sent everything we can spare.”
Sitting at the table, he continued, “All of our shipyards have switched over to military construction projects. Every corporation has committed resources to the fight. Six more ships have been laid down, but even working around the clock, the first won't be ready for at least five months.”
“The war could be over in five months,” Ryan said.
“Believe me, I'm aware of that.” Turning to Harper, he asked, “What about your reinforcements?”
“There's no way to get them,” she said. “I tried to punch through with Daedalus last month. The Xandari have placed picket ships between us and the Confederation. A substantia
l fleet could break through, but one ship would never make it. Even if we did, it's a ten-week journey home. We'd be back just in time to attend the commissioning ceremony for your new ships.”
Molpa nodded, and said, “The Xandari will know they have limited time before our reinforcements are ready. We can expect them to move well before then. If our information is right, then they could launch their attack at any moment.” Looking around the room, he added, “We don't seem to have many options left.”
“And what of your people?” Kilquan asked, shaking his head.
The Neander looked up with sad, heavy eyes, and replied, “The Free Peoples have supported this war since the start. Nothing's changed. As for the Consortium, those cowards are nothing to do with me.”
“I see.” Shaking his head, he added, “Then we have few options. With four ships, we can't hope to prosecute this war.”
“What about hitting their convoys?” Ryan suggested. “We can overwhelm their escorts, and that might disrupt their preparations.”
“They've had three months, Lieutenant,” Molpa replied. “And they have the resources of an industrialized, spacefaring world at their disposal. Anything they need will be there already. The best we could manage would be to irritate them.”
“I agree,” Kilquan replied. “Perhaps assuming a defensive posture would be better. Two ships could try and break back to the Confederation, maybe Daedalus and Due Diligence, and the rest of us can make a stand at our homeworld. I can promise you a friendly reception.”
“And when they capture Testament Station?” Salazar replied.
Shaking his head, Kilquan said, “Even with our help, Testament cannot withstand an attack of this scale. We'd be throwing our ships away for nothing. Conceding the station...”
“Ends the war,” Molpa said. “You said it yourself. Your homeworld would be cut off, surrounded by all sides, and if the blockade runners don't make it through, it's all over.”
“Sending any more ships would leave us too vulnerable. Besides, we have more ships coming, and...”
Harper listened to the argument, looking down at her datapad, letting the words wash over her. She called up the strategic view, Copernicus nestled in, a perfect location to launch a strike inwards towards Testament Station, or outwards towards the heart of the Xandari Empire. The most valuable piece of strategic real-estates for twenty light-years.
“We've got to take it back,” she said, cutting through the debate.
“Excuse me?” Kilquan replied.
“The situation hasn't changed, not at all.” Looking around the room, she said, “Copernicus is the key to all of this.” Tapping the datapad, she continued, “The only way we are going to win this war is by retaking that planet, driving the Xandari back out into space, and smashing their fleet into the bargain.”
“Lieutenant...” Kilquan began.
Pointing a finger at him, she replied, “Simply holding onto one world isn't going to do the job. They've got more shipbuilding capacity than you do, and you can be damn sure that Copernicus will be turning out capital ships soon. They've got a template to follow.”
“Alamo,” Salazar said, nodding in agreement. “That shipyard was a stolen Triplanetary design. They've had a chance to get familiar with our technology. I don't see any reason why they couldn't start turning out ships of the same design.”
“Waiting for reinforcements isn't the answer, either. They're too far back, and by God, that was a strategic mistake, but one we can't do a damn thing about right now. Five months is too long. By then they'll have captured Testament Station and all the surrounding systems. Don't forget the Collective. If their government signs a peace treaty...”
Kilquan nodded, and replied, “I never said the situation wasn't desperate, Lieutenant. I just don't think that throwing away our few remaining ships is the answer.”
“What do you propose?” Segna asked.
Harper glanced at Salazar, drawing strength from his eyes, and said, “We're going to attack.”
“Attack? Copernicus?” Kilquan said, shaking his head. “You've got to me out of your mind.”
“It's the last thing the Xandari will be expecting.”
“With good reason!”
Rising to her feet, she shouted, “Look, damn it, we've got no other options left on the table. We can't wait this out, we can't evade them, and we can't win an attritional war. Every day we delay gives them an advantage. The only way we can beat them is at Copernicus. We retake the planet, drive out the Xandari, and smash their fleet.”
Ryan beamed, and said, “That's more like it!”
Nodding, Salazar added, “We would have the advantage both of surprise and initiative. Rather than waiting for them, we could choose the time and place of battle. That has a value of its own.”
“You're crazy, all of you,” Kilquan said.
“Then give me a better plan,” Harper replied. “Please, find another solution that will work.”
Shaking his head, Kilquan said, “I haven't heard a real plan yet.”
Reaching down for a datapad, Salazar said, “The orbital defense network.” A smile crept on his face, and he added, “That's the answer. They used it against us, so let's turn it right back at them.”
“Ironic, but impractical.”
“Not if we do have resistance forces on the ground. The network is controlled from installations on the surface.” Nodding, Harper continued, “Let's assume that we do have friends down on Copernicus. The Xandari will have a garrison, backed by government forces. All of which will be dependent on orbital support. Take that away, and they're finished.”
“My people will rise up,” Ryan said. “You can bet your life on that.”
“Isn't that precisely what you want us to do?” the Koltoc commander replied. He looked around the room, and said, “There are two objections I can immediately see. Answer those, and I'll give my approval to this mission.”
“And those are?”
“We need more ships. They've got at least five warships in orbit, and if we can't manage superiority of firepower, we're going to at least need superiority of numbers. Four ships isn't going to be enough.”
Nodding, Salazar said, “I agree. I'll just have to get more.”
“Where from?”
“The Consortium.” All eyes locked on him, and he added, “We've got a pretty good idea where they are hiding, and I'm commanding one of their ships.”
“You realize that there is an excellent chance that they will simply shoot you out of the sky? Or take back their property and throw you and your crew into detention?” Kilquan replied.
“I'm aware of the risk, but as you said, we've got to have more ships, and this is the only way I can see to get them. All of us are taking a gamble, Colonel, and mine will be no greater than anyone else.”
“What's the second objection?” Harper asked.
“The Battlecruiser Alamo. The most powerful ship the Xandari hold, and likely the heart of their attack fleet.” His eyes flicked from Harper to Salazar, and he added, “Even the orbital defense network wasn't enough to bring it down.”
“Colonel,” Harper said, “I served on that ship for the better part of three years. I was a senior officer in the command structure, as was Lieutenant Salazar.” The words stuck in her throat, and it was only with effort that she finished, “We know her strengths and her weaknesses. We can take her down.”
“And you'll do it?”
“We've got to win the war, Colonel. No matter what it takes.” She looked back at him, and added, “If we pull this off, then the whole strategic situation is turned on its head. By any realistic projection of the Xandari forces, they're committing their last task force to the fight. They know that we're weak, but they don't have any depth either. Destroy this fleet, take Copernicus, and they're vulnerable. Open to attack.”
“You
're willing to gamble the future of both of our peoples on a single fight?”
Molpa nodded, and said, “Not just yours, Colonel. Mine as well. All of our dependents are at Testament Station. Thousands of my people. Not to mention what will happen back home if we lose. My race condemned to slavery or extermination.” Turning to Harper, he added, “And yet I will support this plan. Because if we don't try it, we lose. Forever.”
Kilquan stood up, then walked to the far side of the room, looking out at the starfield. Harper waited, looking at him, then glancing across at Salazar, who flashed her a reassuring smile. All of her life, she'd resented authority. Now she longed for a superior officer. Someone to tell her that she was making the right decision, that she wasn't condemning everyone in this room to death. Everything they had left would have to go onto the table, and if they lost, the road to the Confederation would be open.
Molpa had been right, though. She could pull out, head home, try and fight their way back to Commodore Marshall's task force, but that would condemn the Koltoc, the Free Peoples, even the Coalition to slavery or extermination. And the Confederation to a decades-long war that they couldn't win. The Xandari had to be stopped, and they were the only ones left who could do it.
Kilquan turned back to the table, nodded, and said, “We're in. All the way.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
“Don't thank me, Lieutenant. I might have just doomed us all.” A smile crossed the veteran's face, and he added, “But at the very least, we're going to go down fighting.”
Chapter 4
Moonlight shone through the window, giving Lieutenant-Captain Margaret Orlova just enough light to look around her cell. Bare, concrete walls, one broken by a metal door, locked tight. Inside, a hard bed, a sink, and a toilet. Outside, a long corridor, three hundred paces from end to end, with a small exercise yard at the far end. For three months, that had been the limit of her world.
Battlecruiser Alamo: Pyrrhic Victory Page 3