Frontiers Saga 12: Rise of the Alliance

by Ryk Brown

  The view screen changed again, revealing a sunset on a tropical beach.

  “Most disorienting,” Captain Gullen said.

  Nathan changed the view back to the default port camera, causing the image on the screen to return to the black field of stars that had been displayed when the captain had first entered the compartment.

  “On the Glendanon, we simply have windows.”

  “The Aurora’s designers felt it best to have its crew deep inside the vessel. This is, after all, a warship at heart.”

  “A wise precaution,” Captain Gullen agreed. “But it appears not to have served you proper. I saw the holes in your ship on our arrival.”

  “Yes, the result of our last engagement with the Jung, I’m afraid,” Nathan explained.

  “I was told that there are no more Jung in your system. This is not true?”

  “No, there are no Jung in the Sol system,” Nathan assured him. “The recent engagement occurred more than two light years away.”

  “I trust you were victorious?”

  “Unfortunately, we were not,” Nathan admitted.

  “Then the aggressor is still coming?” Captain Gullen wondered, concern on his face.

  “Yes. They should arrive in approximately one month.”

  “And you will be ready for them next time?”

  “Yes, we shall,” Nathan said, glancing at Captain Poc.

  “We were not expecting your ship,” Captain Poc said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”

  “Prince Casimir likes surprises, I expect,” Captain Gullen said. “He is very clever man… Very clever indeed. He was to secure volunteers and resources for your world first. Then, when he goes to my company and request ships, they have no choice. If they do not help, it was to bring shame upon them. Very bad for their image. Very bad.”

  “I see,” Nathan replied. “Nevertheless, as Captain Poc said, it was a pleasant surprise. We were beginning to think the people of the Pentaurus cluster had abandoned us.”

  “This food is very good,” Captain Gullen said. “What are these little curly things?”

  “Shrimp,” Nathan replied. “They come from the Earth’s oceans.”

  “Very good indeed.”

  “I’ll pass your regards on to my chef.”

  “The people of the Pentaurus cluster have not abandoned us, Captain,” Commander Willard explained. “It is their leaders that have failed to meet their responsibilities. Prince Casimir knew this as well, which is why he rallied the people of Corinair to pressure their leaders to do more. Unfortunately, such tactics do not work as well in Takaran society. Takaran nobles believe that by putting their own lands first, they are protecting the people who live on their lands.”

  “Yes, I have been reading about Takaran social structure lately,” Nathan said. “It’s an odd type of representative government in that the representatives are not elected, but instead attain their position through birthright.”

  “It is not actually through birthright alone, Captain,” Mister Willard explained. “It is also through the power of the noble family itself. The greater the family’s holdings, the more power they have in the court of nobles. From the court, the richest and most powerful members are the ones who serve at the parliamentary level.”

  “So, the richest noble rules?” Cameron wondered.

  “Precisely,” Commander Willard said. “This is why it is so distressing that Prince Casimir has depleted his family’s holdings. The Ta’Akar family has been the ruling family since the Takar system was first colonized, hence the name.”

  “But he converted them to a parliamentary government,” Nathan said. “So there is no more ‘ruling family’ as I understand it.”

  “That is also true,” Mister Willard agreed. “However, it was undoubtedly the Ta’Akar family’s influence that kept the parliament bound to the Alliance charter. Remember, none of the nobles wanted the empire of Caius to disband. They were all doing quite well under that system.”

  “So, you’re saying it might become an imperial government again?” Cameron asked.

  “A small one, perhaps.”

  “What happens to their warships if it does?” Captain Poc wondered.

  “Technically, when a nobleman takes command of a vessel, that vessel becomes the property of his family. In exchange for the resources needed to operate the ship, the family promises to use that ship to protect the empire. In essence, the empire leases its warships from the nobles. If a noble captain serves his empire well, he will be promoted to commodore, perhaps even admiral, and is given additional ships.”

  “What an odd system,” Captain Poc commented.

  “Yes, but it has worked for them for several centuries now,” Commander Willard said.

  “Captain Gullen,” Nathan said, turning his attention to the Corinairan captain. “May I inquire as to how long you’ll be with us?”

  “I am to depart in two weeks’ time,” Captain Gullen replied.

  “That would be eighteen Terran days,” Commander Willard explained.

  “Why two weeks?” Cameron wondered.

  “Prince Casimir requested that Corinairan news media document what has become of your world,” Captain Gullen explained. “He is to show this to the people of Corinair, and the people of Takara, to make them want to help.”

  “He’s trying to scare the crap out of them, that’s what he’s trying to do,” Captain Poc said. “I rather like this friend of yours, Scott.”

  “Captain Gullen,” Nathan said, “might I convince you to make a few runs between Tanna and Earth while you are here?”

  Captain Gullen looked at Nathan. “Tanna?” He turned to Commander Willard, speaking in their native tongue. “Ah,” he said, understanding the commander’s translation. “This Tanna, there are Jung there?”

  “No, there are not,” Nathan assured him.

  “Might there become Jung there?” the captain inquired.

  “Anything is possible,” Nathan admitted.

  “And if these Jung should become there when the Glendanon is there… What am I to do?”

  “We can provide an escort,” Cameron suggested. “A Falcon or two? They could jump ahead and check that the area is clear before the Glendanon jumps in.”

  “I suppose we could spare a couple,” Nathan agreed. “But only a couple. We’ve only got six of them, remember.” Nathan turned back to Captain Gullen. “Tanna is another of our allies, Captain. We have been moving thousands of our people there to help in building up their industrial base, so that they can also provide aid to Earth. In addition, the relocation of Terrans to Tanna reduces the burden on Earth to support her population. However, we have been using boxcars, and occasionally the Celestia, to move immigrants and aid between our worlds. As you can imagine, this is a slow process.”

  “With boxcars, yes, yes, it would be slow,” Captain Gullen agreed. “You would have the Glendanon do this, instead of boxcars, yes?”

  “Yes, if possible.”

  “This will require propellant, Captain.”

  “Propellant will not be a problem, Captain. Tanna has ample supplies. In fact, when you return to Darvano, we can send you back loaded with propellant, as payment for your services.”

  A twinkle came into Captain Gullen’s eye. “How much propellant can you provide, Captain?”

  “How much propellant can you carry?”

  Captain Gullen laughed. “The Glendanon is a very large ship, Captain Scott. Although I must return to the Darvano system on schedule, should I do so loaded with propellant, I believe we could solve many problems for us all.”

  “Such as?”

  “The owners of the Glendanon would be willing to continue to ship goods from the Pentaurus cluster to Sol, if they knew that their ship would be returning with a full load of propellant. Many ships still use propellant as their only means of propulsion. The change to jump drives is far from completed.”

  “What is the propellant worth in the Pentaurus markets?” Nathan asked.
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  “Enough to buy your people more assistance,” Captain Gullen promised, “and still provide a handsome profit for the Glendanon’s owners. It may even be enough to replace Prince Casimir’s lost family holdings before he loses his position of leadership on the Takaran Parliament.”

  “Mister Willard, are you familiar with Pentaurus markets and valuation systems?”

  “Somewhat, sir. However, I’m sure I can obtain additional information using the comm-jumpers.”

  “Good idea. You might want to talk this over with Prince Casimir as well,” Nathan said.

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Captain Gullen,” Nathan said, turning his attention back to the Corinairan captain, “it seems that you are going to make your employers quite happy.”

  * * *

  “Jesus, this place is a fucking nightmare,” Jessica said as they made their way through the dimly lit refugee camp.

  “Mom’s probably trying to clean every tent around her,” Bobby said.

  “This is one of the better camps,” Lieutenant Telles stated as they followed the camp security guards down the main path between the rows of tents.

  “You didn’t have to come, Telles. We can handle ourselves, you know.”

  “You are both very important to the Alliance, and to Captain Scott, therefore I am compelled to protect you both.”

  Jessica glanced behind them at the squad of Ghatazhak following the lieutenant. “You think you brought enough guys?”

  “These men are new,” Lieutenant Telles explained. “It is their first opportunity to see a Terran refugee camp up close, at night.”

  Jessica looked about as they continued deeper into the camp. There was garbage everywhere, people sleeping out in the open in the dirt, stray pets running about unrestrained, and the foul stench of bodily excrement everywhere. “Why the hell does it stink like shit? Don’t they have toilets?”

  “There are shared facilities located all over the camp,” the guard closest to them explained, “however, people are afraid to walk from their tents to the restrooms at night, so they go in buckets and leave it outside their tents, then haul it to the restrooms in the morning. Makes for a pretty long line at sunrise.”

  “We can’t leave them here, Bobby,” Jessica said.

  “Agreed, but where are we going to move them?”

  “Porto Santo, that’s where,” Jessica said, looking at Lieutenant Telles. “Right, Lieutenant?”

  “While I sympathize with your family’s situation, Porto Santo is not a refugee camp, Lieutenant Commander.”

  “Then give them jobs,” Jessica suggested.

  “Doing what?”

  “Drew is a welder, right?” Jessica said.

  “He was last time I talked with him. Alek is an electrician, but I don’t know what Nick and Tommy do.”

  “Last I checked, they were doing roofing part-time, just enough to keep them in beer and burgers while they surfed.”

  “Still, huh?”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Jessica said. “They can all contribute, somehow.”

  “There’s a beach there, right? They should fit right in.”

  “Lieutenant Commander…”

  “It’s a done deal, Telles,” Jessica ordered. “The entire Nash family is moving to Porto Santo.”

  “Exactly how many people are you talking about?” Lieutenant Telles wondered.

  Jessica stopped in her tracks, looking at her brother. “Drew has two kids, Alek has three, Nick has one.”

  “Sixteen, maybe?” Bobby guessed.

  “Just call it twenty, just to be safe,” Jessica said as she turned and continued following the guards. “How much further?”

  “We’re almost there, sir,” the guard answered.

  “Jumper One, Telles,” the lieutenant said over his helmet comms.

  “Go for Jumper One,” the copilot answered.

  “Contact ops, have them send a cargo jumper.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The guards came to a stop, spreading out to either side of the intersection between the tents.

  “Is this it?” Jessica asked.

  “Yes, sir,” the guard answered.

  “Which one?” Bobby wondered.

  “All of four of them,” the guard replied. “They insisted on staying together.”

  Jessica and Bobby looked at each other. “Mom.”

  Bobby turned to the guard. “Which one is Richard and Laura Nash?”

  The guard looked down at his data pad, then pointed to the one next to Captain Nash. “That one, behind you.”

  Jessica spun around and stepped up to the wooden door. “Ma! Open up! It’s Jess and Bobby!” Jessica heard sounds of movement from inside the tent, as a light came on inside. “Come on, Ma! Open up!” she repeated as she knocked again.

  The door to one of the other tents behind them swung open, and a tall, lanky man with blond hair came bursting out. Lieutenant Telles spun around instantly, his hand resting on the butt of his holstered sidearm.

  “Jess!” the blond man yelled as he ran toward them, his arms wide. “Bobby! Holy crap, I can’t believe it!” He threw his arms around Jessica and hugged her. “I thought you were dead,” he said as he reached out with his left arm to embrace his older brother as well. “Both of you!”

  “Jessica!” the mother called from inside their tent. A moment later her door also swung open and she began to yell out her daughter’s name. Less than a minute later, the entire Nash clan was in the middle of the intersection, hugging one another and making enough noise to wake the dead.

  “Lieutenant Commander!” the guard yelled over the joyous sounds of the reunion. “I hate to ruin your party, but you guys are waking up the entire section.”

  “Of course,” Jessica replied. “Of course. I’m sorry.” She turned back toward her parents and her brothers. “How long will it take you guys to pack up your stuff?”

  “What stuff?” her mother wondered. “We’ve barely got anything.”

  “Why?” her brother Drew asked. “Where are we going?”

  Jessica turned to Lieutenant Telles. “What’s the ETA on the cargo jumper?” she wondered. The moment the words left her lips, she noticed a brilliant blue-white flash in the distance back the way they had come. “Never mind,” she said, turning back to her family. “Everyone, you’ve got five minutes to grab your stuff and move out.”

  “To where?” Drew repeated.

  “Porto Santo,” she declared happily.

  Jessica’s youngest brother, Nick, looked confused. “Where the hell is Porto Santo?”

  CHAPTER NINE

  All across the North American Union, people waited outside in the evening twilight in breathless anticipation. They had been through so much the past eight months; the Jung occupation, the battle for liberation, and the ruthless bombardments of their world. Although the sudden influx of assistance and aid from first Tanna, and then from the Pentaurus cluster had helped, it was only a small bandage over a gaping wound. It eased the pain, but provided very little in the way of hope, and hope is what they needed the most. For despite the wonder of the jump drive, and the devastating firepower brought forth by the Aurora and the Celestia, they were but two ships against a vast armada. Two ships with barely enough personnel to properly crew them, and barely held together by the dwindling resources of Earth. They needed more than just bandages, food, and fabricators. They needed strength. They needed numbers. They needed… To believe.

  For this reason they were gathered, instead of preparing to huddle in their tents for the night. For if the rumors were true, they would witness a sign… Proof that they had a reason to believe. Proof that there was, in fact, hope.

  “Ten seconds,” someone yelled. Many of them checked their own watches as the hour approached. Finally, at exactly zero hundred hours, Earth Mean Time, the sign came. A blue-white flash revealing a small, rocky object traveling across the evening sky. The crowd erupted in cheers as a close-up shot fed from a high-powered digital camera t
racking the object appeared on every information display screen in the refugee camp. People hugged one another, crying in joyous celebration as the rumor became reality. Help had arrived.

  “The Karuzara asteroid is now in stable orbit over the Earth,” Mister Navashee announced from the Aurora’s sensor station.

  “Unbelievable,” Lieutenant Eckert mumbled.

  “I have Commander Dumar on comms,” Naralena announced.

  Nathan sat in his command chair, staring at the image of the Karuzara asteroid in orbit over the Earth directly ahead of them. “Amazing,” he gasped. “Put him on.”

  Commander Dumar’s image appeared on the main view screen, standing proudly in the control center of the Karuzara asteroid base. “It is good to see you again, Captain Scott.”

  “You don’t know how good, Commander,” Nathan answered.

  “Your ships may begin docking procedures whenever they are ready,” Commander Dumar told him. “I will have our flight operations center transmit procedures and frequencies to your people. We shall begin repairs and upgrades to your ships as soon as you are safely docked within our main bay.”

  “You have more than one bay now?” Nathan wondered.

  “A lot has changed on the Karuzara since last you saw her, Captain.”

  “Indeed? I look forward to learning of the changes, Commander. Perhaps you can tell me all about them over dinner?”

  “I would be honored if you and your staff were to join me,” Dumar insisted.

  “We shall be there, Commander.”

  “Excellent. Dumar out.”

  “He wasn’t kidding, Captain,” Mister Navashee said. “I’ve detected at least ten plasma turrets as well as a few dozen laser turrets. I’m also picking up entrances that were not there before, several of them big enough for a boxcar to fit through. Comm and sensor arrays, weapons-tracking systems; I’m pretty sure I’m picking up the trace signature of a ZPED, although it’s difficult to tell through all that rock. It’s even got less mass than before.”