Dawn of a New Age

by Rick Bentsen

  “I don’t leave friends behind when I can at all help it, G’Kiron,” K’Alan said. G’Kiron simply nodded. Pointing to Crovax, K’Alan continued. “This is Crovax. He has some information that I think you need to hear before the peace initiative goes any further.”

  “I’m not familiar with your race, sir,” John said, looking Crovax over.

  Crovax looked at K’Alan before answering.

  “My race is called the Cor’vat,” Crovax said. “You’ve said much the same thing that K’Alan said when he first met me. And I shall tell you the same thing I told him. It is no surprise that you have not heard of my race. The Brentax does not let much out about their slaves.”

  “Slaves?” John asked. “They keep slaves?”

  “Yes,” Crovax said, his voice subdued. “My entire race is enslaved. We are kept separated from each other so that we do not revolt. We do some of the most revolting jobs for the Brentax. Many of us are janitors and the like. I, myself, was the torturer at the Brentacchia Prison. It is a job I disliked. The Cor’vat are essentially peace loving, Admiral. When I met K’Alan, I found myself given an opportunity to not only get out of the job I despised, but also an opportunity to help my people free themselves from the oppressive rule of the Brentax Empire. I come to you now asking you to help my people by requesting that the Brentax Empire free all of their slaves.”

  “This is not news that can be taken lightly,” John said gravely. “Crovax, I would ask that you come to the next session of the peace conference. I would like you to tell your story to all present.”

  “I would be glad to, Admiral,” Crovax nodded. “And thank you for taking me seriously.”

  “You’ve already proven yourself to us, Crovax,” John smiled. “What you did for Captain Bryce will be remembered by many of us.”

  “That was what the officers on the Creighton told me,” Crovax smiled.

  2.13.2136

  1248

  SLS White Knight

  The Bridge

  Commander Erin Sykes was sitting at the commanding officer’s station. The bridge was nearly deserted and she found herself enjoying the peace and quiet that came with the light duty crews.

  She’d been thinking about Tom Keevan’s proposal of late. She hadn’t decided whether to say yes or no. She tried the ring on, and felt a little weird having it on without making a decision, so she had taken it off again.

  It did look good though, she thought to herself. She shook her head. Not something I’m going to decide quickly.

  “So, can I have my station back?” a voice from behind her asked.

  Erin, startled, stood and turned.

  “K’Alan!” she shouted and ran over to him. When she got to him, she wound up and slugged him on the arm.

  “Ow! What was that for?”

  “That was for making me worry about you,’ she snapped. “And for leaving me with that damn chair for so long!””

  2.13.2136

  1330

  Gamma Epsilon Station

  Main Conference Room

  Admiral Bonetti took his seat just as Thorrin Jade stepped to the table.

  “This peace conference will now resume,” Thorrin said. “We will discuss the Khrinnus system now.”

  “The Star League cedes the Khrinnus system,” President Jameson said. “The Brenteax Empire was kind enough to pay reparations in excess of what we asked for in relation to the Duterius Prime tragedy. We feel it only proper. I have already sent orders to the Atlantia that was patrolling the Khrinnus system. They have pulled out and should arrive at this station sometime in the next couple of hours.”

  “Well, that is settled then. Is there any other business with regards to the peace treaty?” Thorrin asked.

  “Yes,” John said quietly. “There is someone waiting outside the conference room who wishes to address the assembly.”

  “Have the person brought in then,” Thorrin nodded.

  “Send them in,” John said into his wristlink.

  The door to the conference room opened and K’Alan walked in leading Crovax and G’Kiron. Upon seeing Crovax, M’Bek Tarmos shot to his feet and started to protest, but was cut off by Thorrin Jade.

  “Captain Bryce, it is good to see you again,” Thorrin said.

  “And it is good to see you, Ambassador,” K’Alan bowed. He indicated Crovax. “This man saved my life. His name is Crovax, and he wishes to speak. What he has to say I think you all should hear. I hope it affects you the same way it affected me.”

  “You have the floor, Crovax,” Thorrin Jade said. “You may speak your piece.”

  Crovax stood and bowed to Thorrin Jade.

  “Thank you,” Crovax hissed. “I have heard much about the Star League from K’Alan Bryce. It is because of him that I am here. K’Alan faced the possibility of torture at my hands, and yet he reached out with his heart and agreed to help me in return for his release.

  “He told me that he would bring me here and I could tell my story to the people that may be able to change things.

  “My race, the Cor’vat, are one of several races that the Brentax holds as slaves.”

  “Lies!” M’Bek Tarmos shouted. “He lies. We have no slaves.”

  “Oh?” Crovax said. “Well then, tell me this, Commander. Where is my mate?” M’Bek sat down, shaking his head. “That’s right. You don’t want them to know that, do you? Well, I’ll tell them. My mate, along with all females and children of my race, are kept apart from the men. They are kept in a place that we can’t get to so that we will stay subservient.”

  “Is this true, M’Bek?” Thorrin asked with a look of horror. M’Bek could only nod.

  “I ask you to consider making the emancipation of my people a part of your treaty,” Crovax added.

  “It will be done,” M’Bek said weakly. “The Brentax will release all of its slaves.”

  “Thank you,” Crovax bowed. He turned to K’Alan and smiled. “Thank you, K’Alan. Thank you for keeping your word to me that you would give me a chance to free my people.”

  “Is there anything—“

  “Admiral, four Brentax Duhari class cruisers are on fast approach with their weapons ports open,” a voice sounded over John’s wristlink.

  “Those idiots!” M’Bek roared. “We were on the verge of peace!”

  “Captain Bryce, recall your bridge crew,” John said. The Creighton and the White Knight will handle this.”

  “Understood,” K’Alan said. He tapped his wristlink. “All White Knight bridge, engineering, fighter crews, pilots, and weapons officers are hereby immediately recalled to the White Knight. I want you all on board within fifteen minutes. This is not a drill.”

  Chapter 61.

  2.13.2136

  1400

  SLS White Knight

  The Bridge

  K’ALAN settled in his command chair and nodded to himself. He looked over the two levels of the bridge and made sure everyone was at their station and ready.

  “Launch,” he ordered.

  He felt the floor throb as the engines started and the powerful ship undocked from the station.

  “Captain, we have four Duhari class heavy cruisers on long range scanners,” Masha reported.

  “The Creighton has launched,” Kath reported. “Captain Keevan on the line for you.”

  “Patch him through, audio only,” K’Alan said.

  “Audio only,” Kath acknowledged.

  “What’s your plan, K’Alan?” Tom asked.

  “We’re gonna sandwich them, Tom. I want you to flank them one hundred eighty degrees,” K’Alan said.

  “I can do that,” Tom acknowledged. “We’ll catch them in between. Good sound tactic.”

  “Keep this line open, Tom. Audio only. We’ll coordinate this way.”

  “Understood.”

  “When you’re in position, launch all your fighters,” K’Alan said. “The Brentax will likely send out theirs too. Our pilots will be badly outnumbered, but their job is to distract the
fighters while we take on the base ships.”

  “Understood.”

  “Commander Sykes,” K’Alan said. He turned to look at his executive officer. He knew she was going to be happy with what he was about to say. He knew a lot of other people would be happy about it as well. “You’re in command of the fighter detachment. I want all fighters ready to launch in ten minutes. As of this moment, you are Gamma Strike’s strike leader.”

  “Yes, sir,” Erin nodded. She flicked a switch on her console. “All fighter pilots report to the flight bay in full flight gear immediately. We hit space in ten minutes.”

  Erin ran off the bridge towards the flight bay. K’Alan watched the activity on the bridge with pride.

  “Tactical holo,” he ordered.

  Masha nodded, and the tactical holo appeared in the center area of the bridge showing the four Duhari class cruisers accelerating towards the Gamma Epsilon Station.

  “Helm, keep us between those cruisers and the station,” K’Alan ordered. “Masha, give me full defensive screens.”

  “Screens up,” Masha said.

  “Start targeting the lead ship, Masha. Weapons and engines, please,” K’Alan said.

  “You got it, K’Alan.”

  “How’s the Creighton doing?” K’Alan asked.

  “They’re nearing position,” Kath reported.

  “Let’s just hope they get there quickly.”

  2.13.2136

  1412

  Erin Sykes’ Starhawk

  “Barnes, Danang, bear hard right, you’ve got raiders on your tail,” Erin barked into her ships commlink. “Jenkins, Tags, engage those raiders.”

  “Commander,” Ensign Jennifer Harrison called from the other cockpit. “We’ve lost Lancers 4 and 7.”

  “Damn,” Erin swore. “All right, guys. Everyone watch your six. We’re getting pummeled. Where the hell are the Creighton’s fighters?”

  Erin put the Starhawk through its paces weaving in and out of the attacking fighters and taking out a number of them. More than once, she had to pull a slick maneuver to avoid being shot down herself, and she watched with frustration as some damn fine pilots bought it at the hands of the Brentax.

  “Commander, this is Jenkins,” a high-pitched male voice called over the comms. “One of those bastards just shot my right high engine. I can’t keep a constant thrust.”

  “Pack it in, Jenkins. Land on the White Knight as soon as you can,” Erin called while blasting a raider.

  “Aye, Commander,” Jenkins replied. “I’ll see…”

  There was a loud explosion on the line and then silence. Silently, Erin cursed as yet another promising young pilot died in battle.

  2.13.2136

  1420

  SLS White Knight

  The Bridge

  “Captain, our fighters are taking heavy casualties. We’ve lost fifteen fighters already,” Masha reported.”

  “Damn. Keep firing on that base ship, Masha.”

  Chapter 62.

  2.13.2136

  1423

  SLS Creighton

  The Bridge

  “CAPTAIN, we’re in position,” the helm officer said.

  “Good. Launch all fighters,” Tom ordered.

  “Aye, sir,” Jack said. “Fighters are launching. Captain, they’re badly outnumbered.”

  “I know,” Tom nodded. “Let’s see what we can do to help them. Jack, start firing on the closest base ship. Target their weapons, engines, and fighter bays.”

  “Aye, sir. Proton torpedoes locked on target.”

  Five proton torpedoes arced from the Creighton and slammed into the closest Duhari class vessel. The torpedoes impacted on the vessel’s shields.

  “Sir, the White Knight has taken some damage,” Jack reported.

  “Nothing we can do about that, Jack,” Tom said. “Just keep firing on that ship.”

  “Captain, there’s another ship coming in fast,” Jack reported.

  “Can you get a read on what it is, Jack?”

  “Trying, Captain,” Jack said as his fingers flew across his console. “It looks like the Atlantia, sir.”

  “K’Alan, do you see that?”

  “Yeah, Tom. Great timing for her to show up,” K’Alan responded.

  “This a boys’ night out or can anyone join in?” Laura Goldthorne cut in on the comms channel.

  “Come on in,” Tom called. “We could use the extra firepower.”

  “I should have known that you’d be sitting here on your arse, Swamp Rat,” Laura chuckled. “I’ll launch all our fighters as soon as we arrive. Let’s take it to them.”

  The battle raged on, fighters from both sides turning into clouds of ash and metal debris. When the Atlantia arrived and launched her fighters, though, the tide seemed to turn to the Star League’s favor.

  “They’re running!” Erin called from her Starhawk. “Shall we pursue?”

  “Negative,” K’Alan called over the chan. “All fighters return to your respective ships. Let’s pack it in and see if they can salvage the peace conference after this.”

  Chapter 63.

  2.13.2136

  1704

  Gamma Epsilon Station

  Main Conference Room

  “WITH the opposition from the last vestiges of the old Brentax Empire quashed,” M’Bek Tarmos began. “I would like to take this moment to welcome a new era of peace in this quadrant.”

  With that statement, M’Bek Tarmos signed the peace accord between the Brentax Empire and the Star League. There was great applause as President Jameson also signed the treaty.

  “Captain Bryce, may Admiral Bonetti and I have a word with you?” the president asked as she walked over to where K’Alan was standing with Captain Keevan and Captain Goldthorne.

  “Yes, of course, Madame President,” K’Alan said, bowing slightly in respect to the president.

  ‘You’ll have a full briefing on this by the time you return to the White Knight,” Admiral Bonetti began. “But we need to talk to you about it. The White Knight will be carrying the Star League Advisory Council as it was originally supposed to. We need to assign two permanent support ships to the White Knight in case of emergency.”

  “We’d like you to request two ships,” Kerrin finished.

  “Well,” K’Alan thought for a second before continuing. “I can’t think of two better ships than the Atlantia and the Creighton.”

  “Done,” John nodded. They’ll be reassigned within the hour. You will have full command of the fleet with a promotion to Commodore. Congratulations.”

  “Er, thanks. I think,” K’Alan stammered.

  “You’ve earned it,” John smiled, clapping K’Alan on the shoulder. “Your rank insignia will be waiting for you in your office on the White Knight.”

  “Have you talked to the Duterians about who their representative will be?” K’Alan wondered aloud.

  “No,” John said. “But I think I can imagine who it will be.”

  K’Alan nodded and smiled.

  “Well, I should get back to the White Knight,” K’Alan said. “Tom, Laura, we’re going to need to have a meeting to talk about the new assignments. But not tonight. Tonight, we have a party.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Tom smiled.

  Chapter 64.

  2.13.2136

  1800

  SLS White Knight

  Main Bridge

  “COMMODORE, the President is about to speak,” Kath said.

  “Holo,” K’Alan said as he settled into his chair. He briefly looked around the bridge, noting all his officers were where they belonged and he smiled to himself. It was good to be back on board the White Knight.

  President Kerrin Jameson and Brentax Supreme Commander M’Bek Tarmos appeared in the holoprojector in the center of the bridge. They were standing next to each other, and both were smiling. President Jameson stepped forward and began to speak.

  “Today, the Star League signed a peace treaty with the Brentax Empire. A copy of the treat
y will be made available to all Star League citizens. This is a historic accord that will be spoken of for years to come.

  “As we enter a new era of peace with our Brentax neighbors, we must look forward towards a new future. And now we know that it will be a future marked by a lasting peace in this quadrant of space.

  “To this end, I announce the formation of the Star League Advisory Council. The six core races of the Star League and the Brentax Empire will all send representatives to the Star League Advisory Council. This council will meet to oversee disputes between Star League races. It is our hope that this council will prevent conflicts like the long war with the Brentax Empire that we have just ended.

  “We have all faced great losses in the past several years, and we now have time to mourn. And mourn we all will. But now we also have a chance to shape a future that all of our children will grow strong in.”

  The smiling president took a step back and the holo faded. K’Alan flipped a switch on his chair.

  “Good work all,” K’Alan said over the shipcall. “It’s time we all celebrated. There will be a party in Soran’s Bar this evening at 2100 hours. All crew members not on duty are invited to attend.”

  Mario stood up and headed up to the second level of the bridge from where he’d been sitting at the damage control station.

  “Kal, I’ll see you at the party. There’s something I need to do before I head to Soran’s Bar,” Mario said, a twinkle in his eye.

  Without waiting for a response, Mario strode off the bridge, whistling quietly as he went.

  “Commander, you have the bridge,” K’Alan called to Erin. “I have a baseball game to play.”

  2.22.2136

  2112

  SLS White Knight

  Soran’s Bar

  All of the tables had been cleared out of the bar, and it was festively decorated, with gold and silver decorations on all the walls. Despite the size of the room, and it was one of the largest single rooms on the ship, there were quite a few people pressed together in the bar. Crewmembers from all three ships, the White Knight, the Creighton, and the Atlantia, were all having fun celebrating the new peace with the Brentax Empire.