“I think so. I will send you our sensor feed. You will see a contact on the edge of sensors.” He went on without waiting for an answer. He knew they would see the contact once they got the feed. “I figure her for a heavy cruiser or battlecruiser. She has been following our wayward trio of destroyers, and now she is just waiting for some friends.”
“Understand,” agreed Dietrich. “How long she been out there?”
“About two hours.”
“We’ll be there in under an hour. See you shortly.”
“Roger that.”
Chapter 40
“Dietrich should be almost there,” said Baby Doll.
“Should be,” agreed Hawkins. “He’ll beat the first Commonwealth ships by one hour and beat us by two hours or a little less.” He looked down at his sensor readout. They were gaining very slowly on the three ships they had been chasing for hours and had finally closed the gap enough to get the three ships on sensors twenty minutes prior. Predator and Renegade had to be on the Commonwealth sensors also. Sensors also showed that coming in far off Predator’s starboard side were Rogue and The Deuce. Soon all the converging ships would be on each other’s sensors.
“Rogue and The Deuce are chasing three more Commonwealth ships. Destroyers. Got them on screen far to starboard,” reported Tactical. “And one more coming on the screen ahead of the three we are chasing. A single big ship.”
Seven Commonwealth ships closing on Kiraloch and one big one already there. There were probably more ships coming from other directions not yet on sensors. Only four Flot 1 ships closing behind them.
“Captain O’Hare and one other ship closing. They are far to port now,” reported Maddie from her sensor station. “Also, got Dragon far out to port and closing.”
Now seven Flot 1 ships were closing behind the Commonwealth.
The sensors told the story. Everyone was converging at Kiraloch. A shootout seemed inevitable.
~ ~ ~
Blue Squadron moved past the three Marbellan destroyers and took up position above the settlement. Two battle lines formed, the destroyers in front of the larger ships and all facing the oncoming Commonwealth ships. Marauder moved to join the destroyer line. Blackheart followed with the same action. Blue Squadron and Flot 1 ships fighting on the same side. Another day in the Badlands.
The three Marbellan ships hovered behind the line of major ships.
“Aren’t your Marbellan friends going to help?” Dietrich was puzzled that they were not in the front rank for this battle. After all, this was for their people.
Concannon gave a frown. “They are not my friends. They are the stupid bastards that brought the Commonwealth here.”
Dietrich noted their position behind all the ships and pressed the issue. “So they aren’t going to fight?”
“They claim little ordnance and few operational weapons systems. Not sure how much of that is true.”
Dietrich was not in a forgiving mood. These idiots had created this crisis, and now they cowered in the rear. “After this is over, would you be offended if I pounded them into dinner plates?”
“Offended? Hell, no. In fact, I’ll help you. We can each have a new set of dishes.”
“Something to look forward to,” Dietrich said lightly. Despite the tension, Dietrich smiled. He liked Concannon. If nothing else the pirate was brave. He was willing to stand with one corvette and one destroyer against the Commonwealth squadron. You had to admire that.
Concannon nodded in agreement. “If I could ask a favor? If they run away, put a couple of salvos into them. If they really are short of ordnance and weapon systems that should be all it takes. I think it is safe to assume their damage control and countermeasures are crap.”
Dietrich gave a cold smile. “No problem. We’re looking at our engagement tables right now to ensure their destruction.”
The three wayward destroyer captains were monitoring all comm so heard that exchange. They were also talking on a discrete frequency. “What now?” asked Tyr with desperation in his voice.
“We back off slowly when the fighting starts,” replied Slate.
“No way we get out of range fast enough,” commented Zoller.
“We just gotta hope they are so tied up that even if they see us go, they can’t do anything about it. If you have a better plan, I’d like to hear it,” replied Slate with heat in his voice.
His request was met by silence.
~ ~ ~
Ships were coming from all directions to Kiraloch. Yossian looked at his screens and did some calculations. His ships would be there before any of the pirate ships chasing them. He knew about the enemy ships already there. Three destroyers, two ships that had been on guard, and twelve newcomers. He looked at the sensor returns provided by Vega. The newcomers had to be a Goth squadron. He supposed they could be a Burgh detachment of some sort but the sensor images seemed to support a Goth table of organization for one of their squadrons. They patrol all over the Badlands so it would not be unusual for a squadron to show up here. He assumed they would stay out of the way after he explained his position. However, he knew the fallout from the Lorelei shootout had landed on the Goths, and he knew they were not happy with him. He doubted they were unhappy enough to support the pirates or have a shootout with his squadron. With them out of the way that would leave the three destroyers and two guard ships as opposition. Easy enough to handle. Altair continued inbound.
Chapter 41
Altair’s bridge crew continued to update the tactical situation as the battlecruiser closed on Kiraloch. Vega came in from her observation point. Two light cruisers arrived from one direction. Three destroyers from another. Two more light cruisers would be in formation soon. One destroyer and one heavy cruiser were further out but coming hard. The group of three ships that Hawkins had been chasing would be the last group to join the formation. The Commonwealth crews counted six pirate warships coming, but they would be too late to change the outcome. Inexplicitly, there was also a freighter headed inbound.
Yossian watched as his ships dropped into formation around the flagship. He was still short the five ships further out, but they would be here shortly. He didn’t think he really needed them. He had nine ships including two battlecruisers. The enemy had four destroyers and one corvette at Kiraloch and meager reinforcements who would be late to the scene. He moved toward the Goth squadron and the five enemy ships.
Dietrich watched the formation approach. He knew they would talk first. Westphal leaned in from behind him. “How are you going to do this?”
Dietrich answered without taking his eyes off his screens. “This guy gets his gyro uncaged pretty easily. Hawkins spun him up in the Lorelei pattern, and he went stupid. I’m going to try the same thing.”
“You think common sense will prevail among their captains if this guy goes berserk? You’re counting on them to take a step back and reevaluate the situation?”
“Remember Lorelei. That battlecruiser was doing a bull in a china shop impersonation when she suddenly straightened out and departed the pattern. All her ships formed on her and away they went. Somebody in that ship took control and injected some sanity into the process. The deputy squadron commander, the chief of staff, the ship’s captain. I don’t know, but I do know that person is still over there and probably watching Yossian while waiting for the least bit of insanity to show through. No way that guy lets this turn into a shootout. Regardless of who wins here, a shootout means war with the Goldenes Tor for sure. That man or woman over there is not going to let that happen. Especially when trying to attack a settlement of refugees. That won’t play out well back home for them. We just need Yossian to get a little excited.”
Westphal nodded and stepped back to the rear of the flag bridge.
The Commonwealth ships moved to medium missile range and stopped. They did not establish a battle line. Commodore Yossian hailed the Goth squadron and put on his best smile as the Goths answered.
“Blue Squadron, Admiral Erich Dietrich
commanding.”
“Admiral, good day. Commodore Thaddeus Yossian of the Commonwealth. We understand there is an encampment of Marbellans on the planet, and we wish to have word with them.”
“No.” Dietrich did not elaborate but merely leaned back in his chair.
Yossian was taken by surprise at the abrupt refusal but kept his smile. “Admiral, let me clear up any confusion that may exist here. I want to talk to them about the location of war criminals. Indeed, these criminals may be down there now. The three destroyers behind you belong to the renegade group of Marbellans that have been infiltrating this quadrant over the last several weeks. Surely you have no objection over the lawful apprehension of wanted criminals.”
“First of all, you don’t want to talk to them. You want to take them hostages from orbit with the threat to bombard the settlement unless your war criminals are given to you. Second of all, I suspect you may hit the settlement anyway even if you got the so-called criminals turned over to you. Third of all, none of that matters because I’m not letting you through.”
Yossian tried his best diplomatic tone and manner one last time. “Admiral, I see no need for conflict here. We will conduct our business and be on our way. We are no threat to you or the Goldenes Tor in any way.”
“You’re right; you are not a threat to us. You’re up against Blue Squadron, buddy. The best goddamn squadron in the entire goddamn Imperial Navy. If you don’t believe that, we will be happy to prove it to you. Right here and right now. We’ll even give you first shot because at the end of this, the only ones who will be shooting will be us. On your best day with a tail wind, you still wouldn’t be a threat to us.”
The flag personnel and the bridge crews on all Blue Squadron ships smiled at each other and nodded in agreement. They really liked their Admiral.
Yossian shifted in his seat. “Those people are not worth it, Admiral. They started a war that killed millions of people on our planet. We won the war and are now trying to bring wanted criminals to justice. We will work with the people in the settlement below to get these criminals. Once the criminals surrender to us, the settlement will be left alone.”
“And, in the meantime, you hold the encampment hostage. No. There will be no hostage taking here, no negotiations here, and no killing of innocents here.” Suddenly, Dietrich recalled a phrase used by Fleet OpsO, Captain Bergman, during the Ulatar incident. He spoke to Yossian with a hint a malice. “There will be no inappropriate targets here. Not today.” He turned to his command net. “All ships, lock onto the flagship. She is the only target as of now.”
Yossian looked at Dietrich with narrow eyes. “If you think I am a coward who will call off my plan because my ship has been designated the primary target, you are wrong. I will run that risk to achieve my objective.”
“I don’t think you’re a coward at all. I do think you are a lunatic, and the only one on your side who really wants to do this. If I kill you, the other ships give up and go home. Of course, I’ll have to kill most your crew to get you, but that can’t be helped.” Dietrich leaned toward his monitor. “I think you’re a crusading army of one. I don’t think your ships and people are looking forward to a fight with me so you can attack a camp full of refugees. They know your squadron is on the verge of going home, and nobody wants to die on the last day of deployment. Also, your people know that a fight here means war with the Goldenes Tor, and your planet can’t win that.”
Yossian now leaned toward his floating screen. “We will accomplish our mission regardless of the obstacles.”
Dietrich gave a whatever shrug. “Lock and load then. Good as any place to start a war. We’ll begin it here and end it at Rialta.”
Yossian turned slightly as he spoke over his command net. “Fire control sensors; choose targets. We will push forward and wait for their first shots and then respond-.”
“No.”
A calm voice broke in over the Commonwealth command net, and Dietrich heard it in the background behind Yossian. The Commodore looked to his right. “I have given you orders to-.”
The calm voice cut him off again. “No. Rialta is not going to war over this, and we aren’t losing this entire squadron above this planet.”
On Dietrich’s screen, four men suddenly appeared behind Yossian. “Escort the Commodore to his stateroom,” commanded the calm voice.
“No! That is mutiny!” Yossian was grabbed by two of the men and jerked to his feet. He continued to rage as he was pulled from the screen’s field of view.
Captain Tallman now appeared on the command net, replacing Yossian’s empty screen. Tallman spoke with command authority. “All ships, stand down. Engage lockouts and take fire control sensors off line.”
A few seconds passed and the sensor operator near Dietrich reported all the Commonwealth ships had complied with the fire control sensors order. Dietrich ordered the same for Blue Squadron.
Tallman looked at him for several long moments. “I know this hasn’t gone well at all, but we aren’t really a bad people. Not sure how it all got away from us here.”
Dietrich nodded. He could sympathize. “Not too long ago, I was exactly where you are now. Things go from bad to worse, and I wasn’t even sure how it happened or when it went off track. I couldn’t explain it then, and I can’t now. I guess that is why it’s called the Badlands.”
Tallman nodded. He glanced down at his sensor screen. “They’re coming fast. Be in missile range shortly.”
Dietrich knew he was talking about Flot 1. “New engines. The best small engines the Zekes produce, and the pirates will have them pegged. They are quick.”
Tallman looked up at Dietrich. “We’re going to be on our way. We will be heading directly home.” He paused and then asked. “Despite all our misadventures here, I don’t believe we actually killed anyone through our stupidity. Do you know different?”
“I know of no casualties caused by your actions.”
“A small consolation, but I am pleased to hear it. We never should have been here to begin with. Despite some people’s best attempts, the war is over. When I get home, I will press that point of view.”
Dietrich nodded. “Good luck. Have a safe flight home.”
“Thank you. Good luck to you and your brave squadron.” He looked down to his screen at the closing pirates. “Please pass on good wishes to the pirates and, especially, the Marbellans. I hope they find what they are looking for here. They really aren’t a bad people either.”
“I will.”
Tallman spoke in a command voice, “All ships, come starboard. We are departing. Three section formation. Max speed.”
Dietrich watched their departure on his sensor screen. He noted they were leaving on a path that would keep them away from the closing pirate ships. As the Commonwealth ships departed, Marauder and Blackheart left the Goth battle line and moved behind the planet.
Several minutes later, seven Flot 1 ships stopped forty minutes of flight time from the Goth battle line. Predator moved forward alone and stopped outside of missile range. Hawkins came up on frequency. “Thank you for what you did here.”
Dietrich nodded at him. “Our pleasure.” He paused, and the silence crept by as nobody talked and no ships moved. Finally, he smiled. “We will move one hour back from the planet and take up an overwatch position.”
“Thank you for that, too.”
As the Goth ships moved back, the pirate ships moved forward.
Chapter 42
Dragon, the three Mamba destroyers, and eight Flot 1 warships were in orbit above Kiraloch. Shuttles were moving people and equipment to the orbiting ships as rapidly as possible. The pirate ships not present were out scouting for a new campsite. Hawkins, O’Hare, and a small cadre of logistic people were on the same ridge that they had been on seven days earlier. Hawkins had kept the party to a minimum with the Goths loitering an hour away. A command and control station had been set up to coordinate all loading and security. The camp below was being dismantled at a fast pace.
The three disgraced destroyer captains stood together outside the command post. They were quiet and sullen. Hawkins had them pulled off their ships at gunpoint. He simply told the crews if they didn’t produce their captains, their ships would be hammered to pieces. The captains were immediately sent down to the planet. Now that he had them, he didn’t quite know what to do with them. If it had been up to him, he would have had them shoved out the airlocks of their own ships, but there was more to consider here. He needed to get a full picture about these guys and the wayward ships in general. He wanted this dealt with but would consult with Terrant to ensure harmony in the fragile relationship between them.
A nearby communications operator made a general announcement. “Cottonmouth just entered orbit. Her shuttle is on the way down.” A few seconds later, the operator called to Hawkins. “Captain, the XO wants a word.”
Rafe moved over to the comm station and picked up a headset. “Hawkins.”
“Just talked to Dietrich. He is in comm with Green Squadron, and they’re three hours from sensor range and closing.”
Hawkins nodded. “Thank the Admiral. We’ll be gone by the time they get in range.”
“Roger that. Out.”
Hawkins returned to O’Hare. “We got three hours before other Goths start scanning and asking questions. Green Squadron actually has this patrol area, and they are inbound.”
She nodded. They needed to be gone before Green Squadron got a whiff of what was happening. Several years earlier, when a bounty had been put on Hawkins’ head, he decided to make a statement. He had gathered his forces and smashed the scouting element of one of the Goth squadrons. A light cruiser and two destroyers had been burned down. That unit had been Green Squadron, and everyone had long memories in the Badlands.
Hawkins called over to the logistics position within the command post. “Holly, where we at?”
The Queen's Hammer Page 27