Free Fleet #03 No Rest for the Wicked

by Michael Chatfield

  “Sir?” Durv asked, and as Kelu let it pass as he felt hope in his chest.

  “With those ships we can rip Parnmal apart. We might not take her, but if we destroy her the Lady Fairgate will still give us quite the handsome prize. We need to make sure the shields don't come back online so we wait here to shoot the generators and allow those ships in,”

  “Brilliant, sir!” Durv said. His face had lit up as soon as Kelu had talked about the reward.

  An hour later and Kelu was grinning.

  “What is going on here? What are your intentions? I demand to see your bill of prize from the Lady Fairgate!”

  The Captain looked equal parts startled and unsure at the message from the incoming ship. A bill of prize was the contract Lady Fairgate gave for certain jobs.

  And not just anyone would know that, Kelu thought.

  “Can you confirm that message is coming from the Captain of that ship?”

  “Yes sir,” A few moments later it was confirmed.

  “Prepare a message for the main ship,”

  “Ready sir,”

  “I am Captain Kelu. I have been sent here to return control of Parnmal back to the Lady Fairgate. A group called Commandos has overtaken it. I am transmitting our bill of prize. I will offer you an equal share if you join with us. Do not and the Lady Fairgate will hear of it.”

  He looked to the comms officer. “Send it.”

  The officer turned around as Kelu waited. The ships applied maximum thrust about the time that they should have received it.

  “Most certainly, I will be there with all due haste,” came the response. Kelu's grin turned wolfish as he looked to the outline of Parnmal.

  Then I will have these Commandos at my feet.

  ***

  Three more ships cleared themselves of Commandos, but the rest were still fighting or already taken. The Troopers had nearly all surrendered, with sporadic engagements which were being put down mercilessly. None of the ships had tried to run away. It was one thing to face some rebels who actually took surrender seriously and weren't murdering, raping and looting their enemy, and another thing to return to Lady Fairgate with nothing, and the Captain of the expedition not going with you.

  Plus there was the hope of the fourteen ships, all loaded and the key to a huge payday.

  The new ships made it through the shields without them being activated, intermingling with Kelu's ships as he got a transmissions from the station. On the screen a man wearing a battle scarred mecha sat in a command chair. His skin was a pale pinkish white, his head fur was long and hung down. The creature looked up.

  I wonder where he got that surgery done, Kelu thought as the man's eye appeared to be red, one covered by his long head fur.

  “Surrender Captain Kelu,” he said simply, this man was tired but there was power behind his tone.

  “Just when I'm about to blow you to bits?” Kelu's light smile turned sour.

  “I don't think so,” the man on the screen snarled.

  “Weapons signatures!” Sensors said.

  “We're not in the arcs of any of their PRC's,” Kelu snapped.

  A second figure broke into the channel.

  “But you're in my arcs.”

  A woman wearing a mecha with a plasmid tipped skirt said, her features different but also similar to the first figure's. Making them of different sub groups of a single race.

  Kelu snarled as he looked at the main plot. They'd suckered him. He didn't know how they'd done it, but the fourteen fresh ships in his midst weren't Syndicate after all. They were commandos.

  “Fucking Commandos!” Kelu roared.

  “Captain Kelu, I'm Commander Salchar of the Free Fleet,” the male first figure said. “I'll accept your surrender now, unless you want to die?” The second looked eager to fight.

  Kelu smashed a screen with his fist, liquids spilling from his hand as he looked away and at the floor.

  “We surrender,”

  Chapter - Pushing On

  Most of the Fleet was coming back to Parnmal, but Rick had left some ships to lay the FTL communications. I looked blankly at my data pad. It would be three days until Henry's family and the families of the human personnel in my fleet knew the fate of their loved ones. Cheerleader was giving her after actions report but I'd barely listened to a word. I knew what had happened already. Cheerleader paused as she finished and she pulled up a scan of a planet.

  “This is what Bregned stumbled over on his way to me,” she said as I looked up to study the screen for the first time in this entire meeting.

  Min Hae's kept his professional uncaring demeanour but I saw his eyes flash to the screen.

  “While Bregend was coming through this planet's system he got some anomalous readings. On further study he found that they were the white noise created by electronic communication. We looked at his camera feeds and saw this.”

  The planet expanded and a grainy image appeared. The cameras were used to receive information from light that had bounced into its lens, instead of sensors which sent out laser pulses, which were registered with a higher degree of clarity. Cameras were the base of the passive sensor systems. That wasn't important. I saw a planet changed by something or someone that had built there.

  “We don't know who lives on here, but it seems that they are technologically advanced while being planet bound."

  Min Hae had got his data pad out and was typing furiously.

  “So they're a sentient race four jumps away?” I asked.

  “Yes, we haven't confirmed who calls the planet home, or even if it is definitely inhabited. All we can confirm is that there is a mass of electronic white noise coming from down there, and it looks to have buildings on its surface.

  I looked to Min Hae, who wasn't looking too pleased.

  “Something the matter?” I asked as he looked up to me.

  “No. I don't have any information on the planet. If at all possible I would like to join whatever group goes down,” He said.

  “Consider yourself on board,” I said, as I looked to my data pad. It was counting down to when the Resilient and the rest of the Fleet should be at Parnmal.

  “How are the new prisoners?” I asked Monk, who was sitting cross-legged in his chair.

  “There have been some issues, but they were dealt with quickly,”

  “What about Captain Kelu?”

  “He and a few other select people are in my care,” Min Hae said with a tight smile. We needed information.

  “Are we on schedule to get the station and its defences back online?”

  “Yes. PRC's and their ammunition's factories were just completed. We can make a PRC in nine days. Felix hopes to speed that up. Shrift's helping him.”

  He still hasn't decided what he wants to do. I thought. Shrift was like Yasu had been before becoming the training commander of Hachiro. He didn't have an official position so he helped out anywhere he could. I was going to have to get an answer from him soon on what he wanted to do, but I was too tired to do anything about it any time soon.

  “When the Resilient and the rest of the fleet get here, Cheerleader, you can split off to continue your scouting and I'll continue with the fleet and Min Hae to inspect this planet,”

  Min Hae cleared his throat before talking.

  “With the information I've recovered from Captain Kelu and unlocked with the data keys that were left intact I've been able to update the star map.”

  I remembered something about that in my personal emails, but I was still stuck thinking about the losses we'd sustained. Pull yourself together or more of them will die, I chastised myself.

  Min Hae put a map showing green, white, red, purple and orange.

  “The green are the systems that we patrol, white are the unpatrolled or untouched systems, red are enemy locations or areas where syndicate ships frequent, purple are the supply or middling planets. Middling or supply planets are planets that are forced to make products for the syndicate, or an enforcer makes them pay for n
ot meeting their quota. Chaleel would've been a supply planet if we didn't free it.

  “Orange is the systems that the Kalu lived in,” Min Hae said.

  “But they’re dead. Why would you mark them?” I asked, knowing Min Hae rarely did things on a whim.

  Min Hae took on an unsure look.

  “Captain Kelu feels that the Lady Fairgate cares about this area for more than just its accessibility to Kuruvian, human and Sarenmenti home worlds. He feels that she is moving all of these large and vital resources, such as Nancy and Hachiro, to this sector as it is the sector furthest from the Kalu line. If that is the case, then it seems that something has got her spooked behind the Kalu-Union line. I went through the captain's notes on his dreadnought,” he continued. “It seems that Lady Fairgate's most trusted advisor, Captain Lord Lifendi, and his loyal forces were seen heading for the line but haven't reported back. If they’re dead, or waiting for something, Kelu didn't know,” Min Hae said, standing straight as people around the room were undoubtedly hoping he was wrong.

  An ominous silence stretched through the room as people looked to one another for a denial or conformation.

  We had read the information on the Union-Kalu war but it was something different to understand battle tactics and understand how our ships worked. We had also learned how the Kalu never quit, never gave up, and would fight to the last of them. They were hugely territorial and once the Union crossed into their region of space it was outright war, no matter what the Union tried to do or say.

  “We're going to need something more solid than his suspicions to go on,” I said and Min Hae nodded.

  “That doesn't mean we shouldn’t be ready for anything that comes our way. The PDF fell because they became complacent. We will not allow that to happen.” I looked to everyone as they each nodded agreement.

  “Anything else Min Hae?”

  “No, commander,”

  I turned to Bok Soo, trying to conceal my grief. Bok Soo was my friend and brother, but not seeing Henry in that seat hurt me to my core.

  “How are the Commandos?” I asked. Bok Soo looked as if he would rather be doing anything else but fill the seat he sat in.

  “Recuperating. Losing so many people is never easy.” His voice sounded gruff as more than one person retreated into their memories of the lost. I couldn't do that. I had already glazed over some information, and I needed to be here and now. No matter if I wanted to just lie in my room looking at the dark and saying goodbye to the people that we'd lost.

  The ceremony to send them off into Parnmal's system’s sun was scheduled in two days. There had been something of a religious (if one could call it that) understanding that everyone came to within the Free Fleet. The Dark was death, going into it meant dying, remaining in the light meant that you kept living. Sending one’s enemies into the dark made them await you and serve you. It was similar to the ancient legend of Valhalla as it was thought of by humans, but was a big thing with the Sarenmenti. Sending our people into the light, or the sun, which is a symbol of growth, compassion, discovery and victory, showed their triumph over the dark; n that while they had left us between the two, they had done all they could to keep us from the dark. They were our saviours and bringers of light, and thus they would fuel the light.

  It was a simple belief and something that had grown as the Free Fleet had.

  “Do you think they'll be ready by the time the rest of the fleet gets here?” I asked, my tone gentle.

  Bok Soo looked at his hands that rested on the table, nodding slowly.

  “They'll be ready,” he said. “I want to get training programs going back to normal, so people can take their minds off of it if they want to,”

  “I'll okay it if you organize it.”

  “Done,” he said in a gruff voice, absently stroking his now coming in goatee and chinstrap. Facial hair was coming back in a big way with the Commandos it seemed.

  I leaned forward, looking at my hands as everyone looked to me. I usually sat back in my chair as if I had some master plan. When I first fell into the Commander gig I found it was best to look as if I knew what I was doing. Now I found it even better, as people voiced their ideas and talked more freely without my interfering.

  “Since we were all recruited we have done nothing but react,” I said looking to all of them, their attention wholly on me. “We have been attacked again and again, forced to run from one battle to another as the Syndicate has made us dance to their tune. It is time we put an end to it.

  “I will be issuing Bregend with orders to gather a fleet of five fast moving ships at his own discretion,” I continued, “And to cut off the syndicate from their middling worlds and return the resources to us once he has Rebirth secured at Nancy. He will also be protecting the 'Q' freighter Losal. I want you all to assist him as best as you can. While he's doing that Cheerleader and I will be taking our respective fleets and clearing this sector. The time of reacting to the Syndicate pulling our chain is over, it's time to put a gap between us and them, fortify it and do what this fleet was made for and keep the planets under the syndicate's control free. I know that we have taken to many losses far too recent, but we will make our brothers and sisters proud. We will show these bastards what the Free Fleet can do!”

  My voice was cold with fury as I looked at the nods and agreeing looks from around the room.

  “Mourn, cry and recognize those lost for now. But when I call, I want you and your people to be ready to take up the mantle of the Free Fleet and shove it in the damned galaxies face!” I said as I sat back. “Now let's put this fleet back together,” I said after a few moments, standing and walking out of the room, my protection detail trailing me as I found Monk's office and locked myself inside.

  I took a seat as I pulled up a simple memo page and began writing to Henry's family as well as the families of other people I'd known. I don't know when happy tears started streaming down my face but I couldn't stop writing and I finished the messages. I was honored to know them, I thought, wishing I was back on Earth and none of this had ever happened. I wished I wasn't a commander anymore. I wished the unyielding weight was lifted from my shoulders, but I knew it never would and I would always be this Fleet's Commander. I owed it to both the fallen and the alive to stay at my post as they did, some forever.

  ***

  Rick walked through the halls of Parnmal. The station had changed so much since the last time he'd been in it. The corridors went on and on, but they followed an organized plan rather than being driven randomly through the asteroid. Where he had docked had scared him, as it had taken five minutes of fast walking to be clear of the corridors filled with death traps and turrets.

  How did anyone survive that? He thought as he got onto a transport.

  The atmosphere at Parnmal was a sobering one and he stopped the transport and got off, Marleen following him. They weren't at the commander center yet but he had to do something. He was walking silently through the halls, thinking of the people he knew that had possibly died in that hallway, when he came across a hologram of a Commando sitting on his knees with his helmet tilted forward as much as a mecha would allow. Rick's face spread into a sad smile as he pulled a small jar from his pocket.

  “Remember this, buddy?” he said as he knelt by the hologram, people becoming silent as they walked around.

  “This is that famous moonshine you brought back from your leave on Earth.” He looked at the small container as Marleen gripped his shoulder to remind him that she was there. Rick touched her hand, thankful for her presence as he opened the jar.

  “One last drink eh?” he said, tapping the glass on the decking and pouring a little on it before taking a sip himself.

  “Damn that's powerful,” Rick said with a sad grin as he stood. “I'll see you later brother.”

  “I'm going to miss you, Henry,” Marleen said as she took the moonshine and had a drink. “Wasn't a better drinking partner in the entire fleet. This one's way too much of a lightweight,” She playful
ly pushed Rick, whose eyes flattened, a small smile on his face. “Keep that light burning. You sent plenty to the dark,” she said as Rick returned the lid to the moonshine.

  “Thank you, Henry. For not just being the CAMC, but being a friend,” Rick said as he looked to Marleen, who was uncharacteristically wiping at what looked to be wet eyes. Rick clasped her hand lightly as she smiled at him.

  “Now let’s go and exact a Free Fleet price,” Marleen said, her voice becoming dark as Rick nodded. They walked the rest of the way to the command centre, both of them needing some time to get focused again.

  ***

  While Commander Boot hated what he had to do, he wouldn't every try to shirk it. Chaleel had FTL communications with Parnmal and AIH, but Earth still wasn't connected. So as the returning Commander of the system he was carrying the mail. Notices that families on Earth would not be seeing their loved ones again, as well as any letters the fallen crew members, or someone that knew them had written. Exiting the wormhole into Sol system was smooth. His crew worked like a well-oiled machine now.

  “Juniver, send the message,” he said simply, nodding as his Comms Commander did so.

  Boot didn't need to say anything as Nav already had a course for Nancy plotted in. He and his protection detail of five ships, his own Battle Cruiser, three Corvettes and a mostly functioning destroyer, guided in the newest additions to the fleet. Eighteen ships from Dreadnought's to Corvettes stayed in formation, their hangars filled with the cut down parts of syndicate ships that had been deemed beyond salvageable, or were in pieces already.

  Boot had been upset with being sent back to patrol Earth and Chaleel. He was competitive. He believed he had proved himself in battle and was about to confront Salchar when the other man had found him. He remembered the lecture clearly.

  “’Winning battles is a good thing, but just make sure it doesn't rule you. Beating the enemy isn't everything. Keeping your people alive is. Don't let wanting to win distance you from your crew. You're going to need them to really win anything. I want you to learn that before I put you on the battlefield. Prove to me you can. And I'll have you running a fleet one day.