The Phoenix Rising

by Gary Caplan

  ship. Sheppard looked across the launch area. At the other end near the

  landing area was a fifty-ton Sentinel transport.

  Sheppard thought that might be able to get him back to the

  Phoenix. As he approached the Sentinel starcraft, he saw that it was full

  and getting ready to transport technicians back to the Nile. Sheppard

  realized he would have to get back to the Phoenix another way; his

  starfighter piloting time was over for now. He looked for a direct flight

  to the Phoenix and saw Lieutenant Corwin’s Guardian-class transport

  was now just offloading supplies and would leave within the hour.

  Sheppard went back to the command center in the interim to help

  direct the starfighters as the base wing commander, another job he had

  done exceptionally well in the past.

  Commander Taylor was in the command center in the process of

  transmitting another brief message to Star One to update them on some

  of the research. She had become slightly pessimistic with the situation,

  and possible renewed Varlon communication jamming. So she decided

  to make sure the initial transmission of information was tagged for

  high importance to trigger a search for the rest of the research in case

  something happened to her to delay the full report.

  Commodore Sheppard walked over to her to continue their earlier

  conversation, but then his commlink signaled that a priority message

  was being transmitted. Sheppard was somewhat old-fashioned; he

  preferred a portable commlink to the imbedded linking interface

  devices that were more commonplace now.

  Fleet Captain Sherman’s essentially three-dimensional image

  formed in the small viewing section of the commlink.

  “Sir,” Sherman said, “we have a problem. We have located the

  H-class, and the starfighter scanning indicates they have repaired a

  significant portion of their damage. They acquired raw materials from

  one of the gas giants and one of its moons. The H recently began

  moving on a slow, steady course toward QB7 and will arrive in orbit in

  less than twenty hours.”

  “They are likely fabricating repair components and will probably

  be fully active, having regenerated key systems, by the time they plan

  to arrive to orbit QB7,” replied Sheppard.

  “I agree with you,” stated Sherman.

  “However, they may decide to jump at any time or change course,”

  continued Sheppard. “I want you to keep the planet between the

  remaining task force and the H-class, and remember, it has technology

  that makes it more maneuverable than its size indicates.” “Yes sir.”Sherman paused for a moment. “When do you plan on

  returning to the Phoenix?” asked Sherman with mild concern and

  perhaps some nervousness on his face.

  “As soon as Lieutenant Corwin’s crew finishes unloading supplies,

  I will go back to the Phoenix on board his T-100,” replied Sheppard as

  he ended his commlink conversation. Sheppard continued to deal with

  base wing commander duties, coordinating starfighter attacks until the

  transport was ready.

  C HAP TE R 2 9

  COMMODORE SHEPPARDIS FORCED TO RETREAT

  Several Spider ships, supported by Varlon Crab-class attack craft, bombarded the shield dome and caused collateral damage in nearby buildings. Sheppard saw a small troop transporter release Varlon soldiers, and he moved to a fixed particle cannon as the force dome began to lose power. Sheppard fired the mounted weapon several times at the Varlon, causing the transporter to retreat and taking a few Varlon soldiers out, but when his pulse cannon’s power structure was destroyed the weapon shut down. Sheppard discharged his sidearm pulse particle pistol at the Varlon as he moved toward cover. As Sheppard saw Varlon forces moving to the command center, he heard Commander Taylor calling his name.

  Sheppard saw Commander Taylor and moved toward her as the Varlon continued their approach. The Varlon soldiers forced Sheppard and Taylor to retreat; a few space marines gave them cover as they both moved to the relative safety of the surrounding buildings. A few other officers were moving behind walls for cover and using their pulsed particle atomizer pistols or rifles to strike back at the Varlon.

  207 A Spider ship moved into the area, firing its plasma cannon, and cut off access to the part of the complex that still had shielding. Still more Varlon troops moved into the area.

  “Their sensors will detect us here,” Commander Taylor said. She was using a portable hand scanner—or PHS—device, and as she scanned the area, she said, “There are too many Varlon soldiers and Spider ships present to hold this area. We will have to head to the other space marine command center that General Idar established.”

  Trying stay out of the way of Varlon soldiers, Sheppard and Taylor kept moving. The marines held the Varlon soldiers back for a short while until most of the marines were vaporized by the Varlon’s plasma weapons.

  Sheppard stopped and tried to use his commlink to get help, but the Varlon had started jamming communications again.

  “They are probably using a sensor system built into their environmental suits and may be tracking us or others,” stated Taylor. She fired several rounds as she and Sheppard retreated, eventually emptying her pulse pistol at some Varlon.

  Sheppard knew that they had many more troops, and eventually would retake the area. However; the Varlon have exceptional physical strength and endurance by human standards and that would make retaking the area costly. Sheppard said, “The one or two tracking us may continue until they come across a more valuable military target.” He fired his weapon at Varlon that were supporting a Spider ship and moving toward him.

  “There are several Varlon in each Spider ship, which can attack ground or orbiting targets. A few soldiers usually support their ground units when the Spider ship uses its walking legs instead of the antigrav engines. Walking mode allows the Spider ship to channel more energy into other systems. I’m almost positive they wanted to disrupt at least one of our command stations,” Sheppard said after he joined Commander Taylor behind protective cover.

  “It is possible that Varlon soldiers may have recognized that we are officers, and that is why they continue to pursue us,” said Sharon.

  “You’re right. I am a high-ranking target,” replied Sheppard. “It’s unfortunate that now my pulse pistol is getting low on energy.”

  “Sir, I know a nearby area that is part of a geothermal power station. If we can get to that power station, materials there will affect the Varlon’s tracking sensors. The geothermal facility has several tunnels that were bored into a ground area with high levels of nickel, iron, and some lead. It’s only two kilometers from where we are now, and it’s on the way to General Idar’s other base.”

  “All right,” Sheppard agreed. “We might be able to lose the soldiers. We only have my atomizer pulse pistol between us. I need to strike carefully; otherwise, the wide plasma fire arc from his weapon could kill me anyway, and I don’t plan on dying just yet.”

  Sharon continued to scan and noticed the Varlon were still tracking them, stopping once to support a Spider ship against some marines.

  Upon arriving at the geothermal power station’s tunnel complex, Sheppard noticed the facility had already taken some collateral weapons damage. The power station was still operational, but evidently some of the power couplings had been disconnected.

  “The energy from the power couplings will help to mask us,” Taylor said.

  Sheppard was impressed with this science officer, and he felt a small pang. For the first time in a while, he felt a longing for family. Sharon had reminded him of what he was missing: a little companionship.
He thought to himself that if he got out of this he would try to make time to get to know her better.

  “Sir, we should move into those tunnels over there,” Sharon said, pointing to the entrance of the engineering access tunnels. “There should be enough interference to provide us with sensor cover.”

  “Good job. I will have to commend your quick thinking to your father when I see him,” he said with a smile. “As there are no other officers around, feel free to call me Robert. We may have to wait quite a while, and I can only handle so many ‘sirs.’”

  “I suppose Robert is fine,” she said. “Please call me Sharon, as long as we’re not on official business. Now, I may have to turn my portable hand scanner and commlink off, and I suggest you temporarily turn yours off as well, Robert.”

  Sheppard reached for his commlink and entered a deactivation code. He thought about using his comlink’s emergency beacon but realized the Varlon could home in on that signal, and with an unknown force of Varlon in the area, it would not be a good idea to attract them to this location.

  Minutes passed. It seemed someone was searching the hall beyond the engineering access tunnels. Eventually, there was movement in the access corridor not far away. Sheppard used his Star Knight abilities to enhance his hearing and other senses. Then he sensed it was a Varlon. Sheppard realized trying to use a Star Knight telekinetic attack at his limited ability level would not work that well against an armored Varlon firing a wide arc plasma weapon and he still had energy in his pulse pistol.

  Sheppard didn’t want anything to happen to Sharon. So he focused, found his center point, and, using his Star Knight disciplines, temporarily enhanced his strength, agility and precision. As the Varlon rounded into the tunnel and began to pass, Sheppard leapt up, almost flying across the space as he fired his pulsed particle pistol. Sheppard’s shots hit the Varlon’s vital areas, but not before the Varlon turned slightly and fired his forearm plasma cannon. The cannon’s discharge missed and hit the side of the wall, fortunately the heat only singed Sheppard’s hair and the gas released caused him to start coughing. However, both he and Sharon were able to escape the area when the Varlon soldier collapsed.

  “You are a Star Knight, aren’t you?” Sharon asked. “I have great respect for the ideals of saving and preserving civilizations. I have met other Star Knights in the Order of the Kalestri.”

  Sheppard smiled and looked at Sharon. “Well, I suppose my presence here is in part because of my Star Knight values. I wanted to help and actually do something. On the Phoenix, all I seem to do is give commands to others and watch as they are carried out.” Sheppard smiled and looked around as they continued to walk away from the fallen Varlon. “I still have many skills that I keep intact—skills such as starfighter piloting.”

  “I think we can head out of here or at least continue toward the other base,” replied Sharon as she reactivated her scanner.

  “Did you say the Order of the Kalestri?” Sheppard asked. “My father and Lord Garfield are in that order. I myself am in the Order of the Celestian.”

  “While I was on Star One recently, I met Lord Garfield and a few other Karratin and Estrian members of the Order of Kalestri. I was involved with the initial adaptation of the sensors before I was ordered to QB7 to help with some research,” stated Sharon.

  Sheppard had a faraway look for a moment as he gazed skyward.

  “It’s time to get out of here,” said Sheppard. “I’ve got a premonition something is happening, and I need to be back aboard the Phoenix.”

  Sheppard and Sharon headed back out through the geothermal plant.

  “I might be able to use your portable commlink and my science scanner to boost the commlink’s signal,” said Sharon. “Perhaps then we could get in touch with one of our ships.”

  Sharon began to work to link their devices while Sheppard kept watch.

  ********** Meanwhile, the almost fully regenerated Varlon heavy dreadnaught had just reentered orbit around QB7. The Varlon reinitiated support of the ground campaign with new Spider ship construction.

  “Sir, we have their ships’ positions,” the helm officer told Captain Commander Zelcalar.

  Zelcalar the task force commanding officer had been helping plan system takeover. Marshal Vodun entered the bridge after having discussions and arguments with the Central Command.

  Vodun walked over to Zelcalar. “Central Command and the Imperial Senate have ordered us to withdraw. Evidently, this system is being turned over to our allies, the Accads. Their supreme governor will arrive shortly to take this system. It will be his to do with as he wishes,” stated Vodun with some disdain.

  “Shall I order the withdrawal of our forces?” Zelcalar asked. “It will take a half of a rotation to fully withdraw. The Alliance of Worlds is keeping their remaining ships between the planet and our ship. The only good news is that one of our other ships has regenerated and repaired itself adequately to return to battle status. It had evidently drifted away from the battle zone, as the Alliance of Worlds did not have the luxury of chasing it to complete its destruction.”

  “Yes, have the restored cruiser join us, and Captain Commander, order the withdrawal. I tire of this political wrangling. Once our remaining troops and forces are on board, leave the system. I cannot watch this withdrawal. We would have been victorious,” said Strike Marshal Vodun.

  “I agree,” Zelcalar replied. “The Alliance of Worlds reinforcements are only a few additional starships. That would bring their operational fleet numbers to twelve ships including their reinforcements in about half a rotation, and an Alliance of Worlds mobile defense baseship seems to be en route, but it will be more than two rotations before it arrives. We had reinforcements coming that should have arrived, but I was notified they were diverted.”

  Vodun nodded as he left the bridge, looking dejected. He considered this a personal failure, even though the Central Command and the Imperial Senate had absolved him of any culpability.

  C HAP TE R 3 0

  THE VARLONWITHDRAW AND THE ACCADS ARRIVE

  Over the previous several hours, Fleet Captain Sherman had been monitoring operations in order to keep the task forces safe until enough ships were repaired and reinforcements could arrive. One-third of the Sixth Fleet or about eighty more starships, including a mobile star base, would arrive within three days. With those reinforcements, they would be able to defeat the Varlon, even if the Varlon got their typical reinforcement of another same ship compliment task force. When they had planned going to QB7 Commodore Sheppard and Fleet Captain Sherman arranged for a large amount of the 6th fleet to eventually arrive. Initially they could only get twenty ships to go to QB7 as they were limited by distance. Now the greater numbers of Alliance of Worlds ground forces were holding back the Varlon’s temporary surge to attack the Alliance of Worlds’ recently established military bases.

  The second officer of the Phoenix, Lee Sterling, had been reviewing recent scans of space traffic, and he was disturbed by what he saw. There were Varlon transports returning with what sensors reported as greater mass going back to the H-class and a J-class that had also repaired enough to be battle capable. Sensors could not determine

  213 what type of cargo they were carrying. Sterling had also seen recent ground reports indicating the Varlon were pulling back in an orderly fashion. Remaining Varlon Scorpion- and Crab-class starfighters were moving to defend transports and cargo ships instead of going on assault runs. This was unsettling, because it could mean that the H-class and the remaining Varlon J-class cruiser were going to start planetary bombardment from orbit now that they no longer held the dominant position on the ground.

  On the bridge of the Phoenix, Commander Nathaniel York was helping coordinate inter-ship defense activities between the Phoenix and the other battle-ready ships. The Nile had repaired some of its systems and rejoined the other ships in orbit. The Lompoc had repaired enough to assist in battle, and the one remaining Aharri cruiser had restored itself and evacuated crew from its sev
erely damaged sister ship. The nanomachines the Phoenix’s chief engineer was able to construct were generally effective and able to reduce the damage the Varlon nanomachines had caused as well as interrupt further damage. Commander York was also helping squadron Commander Ryan prepare and maintain continuous launch ability, re-powering, and refueling of the Phoenix’s starfighters in the maximum readiness condition. The second hangar had been restored to serviceability, and both launch areas were active.

  Evidently, Lieutenant Commander Sterling was not the only officer to notice the Varlon’s orderly withdrawal. One of the starfighter squadron commanders, Senior Lieutenant Corwin, had also just relayed a report to squadron Commander Ryan about Varlon troops moving back into shielded transport ships and heading back into orbit. Other starfighter pilots also reported that the Varlons had moved some mining materials and ores onto cargo ships that subsequently launched from the surface of QB7. Sterling had already forwarded his report to Fleet Captain Wilder and anticipated he would want further followup.

  Lieutenant Commander Darani and Commander Andor had just returned from the surface, and the Quarlusian shape-shifter was ordered to see Fleet Captain Sherman when she arrived on the bridge. He wanted a firsthand report about Commodore Sheppard as she was one of the last crew to see him before the Varlon began attacking the recently established command center and starfighter base.

  “Can you tell me when you last saw Commodore Sheppard?” Sherman asked.

  Lyra Darani was now standing at attention and began to give a report. Her feline features looked as if they might shift under Sherman’s gaze.

  “Sir, Commodore Sheppard was being guarded by some space marines, and as a Spider Ship pressed its attack, he and Commander Taylor moved for cover while using their pulse pistols to hit some Varlon on the ground. After that, I lost sight of them, because some other officers and I were forced to move toward the landing facility,” Darani said.

  “Did the commodore make it back to his starfighter?” asked Sherman.