Moon Wreck: Fleet Academy (The Slaver Wars)

by Raymond L. Weil

  Jason looked at Ariel and slowly nodded his head. “You're right, but I don’t know if Greg and Elizabeth would agree to allow Katie to attend the academy full time. It has never been done before with someone so young, and how would Katie adjust to having no students her own age around? As far as attending school on Ceres, that has never been done before either.”

  “But Katie is a special case,” argued Ariel, allowing a little emotion to creep into her voice. “She is one of those rare individuals that only comes along once in a hundred years. If she were to attend school on Ceres, she would be around students her own age.”

  Jason was silent for a moment. He noticed that several members of the command crew were listening and nodding their heads. Several of them were from Ceres and were permanently stationed on the Avenger. Ariel had given him a lot to think about. He knew that Katie was special; all of her instructors had told him that. Letting out a deep breath, he turned to leave the Command Center. It might be a good idea for him to go and talk to Commandant Everson about this. With what lay ahead in Earth’s future, they needed every advantage they could get. If Katie was as special as she seemed to be, perhaps Ariel was right in suggesting she attend the academy full time. As for going to school on Ceres with their advanced education system, that was another matter.

  Ariel watched Jason leave, and a gentle smile spread across her face. It would be wonderful if Katie could attend the academy full time. They had become very close, and Ariel didn’t want to lose her newfound friend.

  Chapter Six

  Colonel Sheen smiled as the WarStorm dropped out of hyperspace and exited the spatial vortex. On the main viewscreen, the stars made an appearance and seemed to beckon to her with their unblinking light. Her blue eyes swept across the Command Center, and she was satisfied to see that everyone was busy performing their jobs. The crew had really come together and melded as one. Another few weeks of tests in the New Tellus system, particularly weapons, and they would be on their way.

  “Status,” she spoke, looking over at the sensors and Lieutenant Stalls. It made Amanda feel confident seeing a few familiar faces in the Command Center from her days back on the StarStrike.

  “Sensors coming on line and beginning sweep,” Stalls reported as information began appearing on his screens.

  The new sensors were capable of showing much more detail than the old ones he had used on the StarStrike so long ago. It had taken a little bit of getting used to, but he had mastered the new systems very quickly.

  “I have an incoming communication from the light cruiser Raven,” Lieutenant Trask reported, glancing over at Colonel Sheen as she listened to the message using the mini-com in her right ear. “They are requesting our ship ID.”

  “Send it,” Amanda replied with a satisfied nod. This was now standard procedure for all Federation ships. Every safety precaution possible was being taken to ensure that a Hocklyn ship didn’t sneak into the New Tellus system and discover the Federation base and inhabited planet.

  “Reminds me of our return to New Providence after we destroyed the Hocklyn support ship over the moon of Stalor Four,” Richard spoke from where he was standing slightly behind her.

  “That was over one hundred years ago,” Amanda reminded him, turning her head and smiling at her husband.

  “What do you think about these Earth humans?” Richard asked as his eyes moved to the main viewscreen that still showed nothing but an ocean of stars.

  “We have a few on board in our marine detachment,” replied Amanda, evenly. “They are extremely well trained and competent. I met their commanding admiral recently. He seems like a very able man. In some ways, he reminds me of Admiral Streth. He will have his people ready when the time comes. It’s up to us now to find out what the Hocklyns have been up to all these years and how far advanced their technology has become.”

  “Are we going to Aquaria?” Richard asked quietly, knowing the fate of Amanda’s parents still haunted her even after all of these years.

  “I want to,” Amanda confessed, her eyes taking on a distant look. “But I won’t endanger this mission for personal reasons.”

  “I know,” replied Richard softly, putting his right hand on Amanda’s shoulder and squeezing it gently. He then removed it and stepped back.

  There was a reason why married couples were not allowed to serve together on warships. This was one of them. An exception had been made for this mission since they were both so familiar with Federation space. Richard moved off to speak with Lieutenant Trask so as not to distract Amanda from her duties.

  “The Raven has given us permission to move in system,” Major Fields reported as he listened to Lieutenant Trask’s conversation with the Raven over his mini-com.

  “I have a number of ships on the sensors,” Lieutenant Stalls reported as his screen began lighting up with multiple friendly green icons. “We have four light cruisers, a battle cruiser, and a battle carrier showing up on the sensors. I am also getting readings on a number of freighters, as well as a number of orbital constructs around New Tellus.”

  “Those would be the new defense platforms and the shipyard,” Major Fields spoke from his position at the holographic plotting table, which was now beginning to display the space around New Tellus. “Those freighters will be from the numerous mining operations we have in the system.”

  Amanda looked over at the holographic display and was surprised to see all the green icons around New Tellus. If those were defense platforms, then New Tellus was more heavily defended than even Tellus had been back in the Federation. She knew that New Tellus was to serve as a blocking point for any Hocklyn excursions into Earth space. If the Hocklyns made an early appearance in this sector of space, the plans were to lead them to New Tellus where the planet’s defenses would annihilate them.

  “How many people are currently living on New Tellus?” Amanda asked curiously. She knew that she would prefer the open space of a planet rather than the closed environment of Ceres. However, she also knew that if the Hocklyns were ever led to New Tellus, the surface might not be too safe a place to be with the Hocklyns propensity to use nuclear weapons against their enemies.

  “Slightly over 6,500,” replied Major Fields, looking over at Colonel Sheen. “There are another 4,000 working and living on the shipyard, as well as several thousand more scattered about at different mining sites throughout the system.”

  “How many of them are from Earth?” asked Amanda, recalling the massive shipyard that had once orbited New Providence. She still found it difficult at times to accept that was over one hundred years ago.

  “Nearly 400 currently,” Major Fields responded. “Most are graduates from the academy, and a few are from some of the elite military forces on Earth. From my understanding, that number will be growing rapidly in the coming years.”

  Amanda sighed deeply. This was a reminder that the population of the Federation survivors was still low. Fewer than 200,000 from what Admiral Anlon had told her. They would need the people of Earth to fight this war. That was one of the primary reasons they had journeyed to Earth’s solar system in the first place.

  “The people on New Tellus live in one small town,” Major Fields continued. “It has a spaceport as well as entertainment facilities for the shipyard and ship crews. They have even set up several resorts along the ocean and a couple more up in the mountains.”

  “All the comforts of home,” Amanda commented with a nod. She knew how important it was to keep up morale.

  “Lieutenant Ashton, plot a micro-jump to just outside of New Tellus’s gravity well. Lieutenant Trask, inform the shipyard we will be micro-jumping shortly.”

  Amanda leaned back in her command chair and gazed at the numerous screens on the front wall. Looking around the Command Center, it was as if she were back on the StarStrike. She felt a chill rush down her back as she remembered the last battle in the home system. So many people had died, and a civilization had been destroyed. Now they were rebuilding and preparing for a future w
ar against their enemy.

  “Jump plotted and entered into the navigation computer,” Lieutenant Ashton reported as she finished entering the last coordinates.

  “Initiate jump,” ordered Amanda, looking over at Major Fields. “Let’s go to New Tellus.”

  In front of the WarStorm, a blue-white vortex formed, and the helm officer guided the WarStorm smoothly into the vortex. Moments later, the WarStorm and the vortex vanished.

  Amanda felt the familiar queasiness associated with entry into hyperspace, and moments later it came again as they exited the vortex. Looking up at the main viewscreen, she watched as it cleared and a blue-white planet appeared in its center.

  “I have a view of New Tellus up on the screen, Commander,” Lieutenant Stalls reported.

  Amanda gazed at the jewel of a planet on the screen. It was so similar to Tellus back in the Federation. Large oceans, landmasses partially obscured by clouds, big areas of green and brown on the continents, and even small white ice caps at the poles.

  “Take us in at ten percent sublight and place us 100 kilometers above the shipyard,” Amanda ordered. “Put up a view of the shipyard on the screen.”

  Instantly, the shipyard appeared. It was massive and had been rapidly expanded over the last twenty years. It wasn’t as large as the one that had orbited New Providence, but it was still very respectable.

  “It contains four construction bays and two repair bays,” Major Fields informed Colonel Sheen. He had spent quite some time on his last tour in the New Tellus system as well as on the shipyard. “It has a tremendous amount of manufacturing capacity. It can construct nearly everything the fleet may need. It also processes all the raw material being brought in by the freighters from the mines.”

  “What about defenses?” Amanda asked as she gazed at the main viewscreen. She could see what were obviously weapon turrets, as well as possible missile launching platforms on the hull.

  “There are eight heavy laser turrets, thirty-six HG turrets, and ninety-six defensive turrets. There are also eight Shrike Two missile pods.”

  “Pretty strong defenses,” replied Amanda, impressed. “What about fighters and bombers?”

  “There are four twenty ship squadrons of fighters, as well as two ten ship squadrons of bombers,” replied Fields, recalling the numbers. “There are plans for more later as trained pilots become available.”

  “Colonel, I have an Admiral Barnes on the com. She is requesting that we go ahead and dock at docking port four,” Lieutenant Trask interrupted. “She says she would like a tour of the WarStorm, and would be glad to show you around the shipyard in return.”

  Amanda looked over at Major Fields. “Who is this Admiral Barnes?” Admiral Anlon had informed her before the WarStorm departed for New Tellus that an Admiral Barnes was in charge of the New Tellus system and its defenses.

  Major Fields smiled. “Do you remember two of your former officers on the Avenger, a Lieutenant Jacen Barnes and Lieutenant Teena Arcles?”

  “Yes, I do,” replied Amanda, recalling the two. She had spoken to them on several occasions and even approved their transfer. “They were both very competent officers and were transferred to the colony ship Explorer prior to the outbreak of the flu. They both survived the outbreak and went on to start a family on Ceres.”

  “Admiral Nicole Barnes is their great-granddaughter,” replied Major Fields, knowing this would please the colonel.

  “Really?” responded Amanda, looking over at Richard.

  Richard and she had also discussed settling down to raise a family and leaving the war to future generations once the base on Ceres was livable. However, Amanda was haunted by her memories of the war and not knowing what had happened to her parents. After a few years of living as husband and wife, they had decided to go into cryosleep and someday return to the Federation to find out the fate of those they had left behind. She knew that Jacen Barnes and Teena Arcles had opted to live out their lives on Ceres and raise a family.

  “I think she would really like to meet you and hear from someone who knew her great-grandparents back in those days.”

  “Then let’s not disappoint her. Helm, take us in to the shipyard, docking port four. Check with shipyard traffic control for docking instructions.” Amanda leaned back in her chair and thought about the decision that Teena and Jacen had made. For them, it had obviously been the right one; she just hoped that Richard and she had made the correct one by electing to go into cryosleep.

  -

  A few hours later, the WarStorm was docked to the shipyard. Admiral Barnes came on board, and Amanda and Major Fields took her on a tour of the warship.

  “This is a beautiful and powerful ship you have, Colonel Sheen,” Admiral Barnes commented as they stood in main Engineering, gazing at all the consoles and screens that controlled the ship. Admiral Barnes was forty-two years old with brunette hair. It was cut short as military regs required, but it was still slightly longer than a man’s was.

  “The WarStorm needs to be for the mission we have planned,” Amanda responded pleased with the admiral’s compliment.

  “Yes, your trip to our old home worlds,” the admiral commented, nodding her head. Admiral Anlon had briefed her in detail about the WarStorm’s mission. She watched as the chief engineer instructed several subordinates about readjusting part of the ship’s power system. The man seemed very competent and knowledgeable in what he wanted done. “Are there any plans for additional ships of this class? It would be nice to have several assigned to the New Tellus system.”

  Amanda smiled. Admiral Barnes sounded just like other admirals she had gotten to know back in the Federation. They all wanted more and bigger ships.

  “Not at the moment,” she replied. “Admiral Anlon says that several additional ships of this class may be constructed later when sufficient crews become available.”

  “Crews,” commented Admiral Barnes, sounding disappointed. “We have the capacity to build the ships, but until the Fleet Academy on Earth’s moon starts producing more candidates, our hands are tied.”

  “I believe plans are already in the works to increase the size of the academy, as well as the classes,” Major Fields responded. “Admiral Anlon mentioned that, in just a few more years, we will be seeing some much larger graduation classes. There are also plans for Earth to construct ten destroyers to help protect the new colonies they will soon be establishing.”

  “There will be more crews available, but for quite some time they will be used to crew the ships that Earth will be building,” explained Richard, knowing it would be a while before crews would be available for the Federation’s larger ships.

  “Perhaps it’s for the best,” Admiral Barnes spoke with a sigh. “We are still several hundred years away from our new war with the Hocklyns. I understand the reasoning for bringing Earth’s technology up slowly to what we consider Federation norm. I just hope the Hocklyns don’t show up ahead of schedule.”

  “Hopefully our mission will help to confirm that date,” Amanda said completely in agreement. “Now, how about that tour of your shipyard? It looks quite impressive from space.”

  -

  Jeremy let out deep sigh of relief. They had just finished their last FTL jump and hit the mark dead center. They were a considerable distance outside of the Moon and Earth’s gravity well. Kelsey had plotted the jump under the careful eyes of Lieutenant Nelson.

  “Excellent, Ensign Grainger,” Commander Tellson commented with a satisfied nod. “We will make a navigation officer out of you yet if you continue to do this type of work.”

  “I couldn’t have plotted it any better myself,” Lieutenant Nelson added with a smile.

  “It looks as if we’re good to go to Tau Ceti,” Major Maher added from where he was standing at the plotting table. “The ship has performed flawlessly.”

  “Yes, it has,” responded Tellson with a nod of his head. “We shall return to the spacedock and if everything checks out, we can depart on our mission in a few more we
eks.” Tellson then turned toward Lieutenant Nelson. “You have the watch, Lieutenant.”

  “Yes, sir,” Nelson replied as he stood up from his seat in front of the navigation console and walked toward the command console in the center of the Command Center.

  Commander Tellson and Major Maher exited the room to go to their quarters, as they had gotten very little sleep through all the FTL jumps.

  “Cadet Ensign Grainger, plot a course to the spacedock. Helm, once the course is plotted, activate the sublight drive and move us toward the spacedock at ten percent sublight.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kelsey responded as she began inputting information into the navigation computer. In less than a minute, she had the new course and speed plotted.

  The helm officer activated the sublight drive and the ship began accelerating until the sublight drive was operating at ten percent power. “We should arrive at the spacedock in six hours and thirty-two minutes,” the helm officer reported.

  “Excellent,” responded Nelson, looking across the Command Center. Everyone was going about their jobs in a routine manner. Even the four cadets seemed to be at ease in their current positions. “Cadet Lieutenant Strong, you have the watch.”

  Jeremy stood up from his position at the sensor console where he had been working with Ensign Roberts. Lieutenant Nelson had been allowing him to stand watch periodically under his careful guidance. He made his way over to the command console, and Lieutenant Nelson stood up, indicating for Jeremy to take the seat.

  “I’m going to step out for a cup of coffee,” Nelson said in a calm voice. “I will return shortly.” Nelson turned and left the surprised cadet lieutenant standing there.

  Nelson smiled inwardly to himself. This was part of Jeremy’s training. He needed to be in command of the Command Center with no one looking over his shoulder, even if it was only for a few minutes.