“Then, if they're in a talking mood it makes our mission is that much easier. If not...” Major Clark hesitated.
“Like I said, this mission is exceedingly dangerous.”
Sergeant Andrew Williams was lying on a bed in the Twilight's crew quarters. He sifted restlessly, none of this made sense. He was a soldier, used to fighting on the front lines, on the ground. The battlefield where he could be useful, not here in space where all he was, was excess cargo. If that wasn't bad enough, they had no idea what would be waiting for them once they arrived. No way to prepare for, for whatever was coming.
The fact that they might be captured or killed didn't bother Andrew. No, it was uncertainty and frustration that were bothering him. Sitting up he ran his hands over his short hair. There was something else bothering him, why was he even here? If they were attacked it would be a battle between star ships. Something he would be of absolutely no help with. Sure he could pilot single man fighters and if he had to, the Twilight as well. He had no skill in tactics however, at least not in space battles and there were certainly more skilled pilots.
Nevertheless, Major Clark had hauled him away from his regular duties and then even spent time looking for him. Delaying a mission where time was definitely against them. Well to these questions at least, he could get some answers. Getting up from his bed he keyed the intercom for the briefing room.
“Major Clark?”
“Yes Sergeant, what can I do for you?” Came the Major's reply.
Andrew felt a bit awkward about what he was about to ask, it certainly wasn't something the Major would normally discuss with a Sergeant.
“Major, I hope I'm not disturbing you but I wondered if could talk to you about something, face to face?”
There was a short pause.
“Very well Sergeant, I'll be expecting you in the briefing room.”
“Thank you Major.”
Major Clark was seated at the briefing room table, a computer workstation in front of her. She looked up as Andrew entered.
“Have a seat Sergeant,” she said gesturing to a chair across from her.
“Thank you Major,” said Andrew, sitting down.
“So, what can I do for you?”
Andrew shifted his weight uneasily in his chair. Even asking the question he was about to was dangerously close to insubordination.
Clearing his throat, he began.
“I was simply curious Major as to why I'm here, on this mission?”
If this question surprised Major Clark, she didn't show it.
“You are here because I believe you will be very valuable to us on this mission.”
“If you don't mind my asking, in what way exactly?” Andrew pressed.
Major Clark hesitated, there seemed to be some ongoing internal struggle she was fighting. When she next spoke, it was with an air of forcing herself to say this.
“What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room, you are to tell no one of this. Especially not the rest of the crew, is that understood Sergeant?”
“Yes Major, I understand,” replied Andrew.
Clark took a deep breath.
“There is piece of information I held back during that last briefing. The drone we sent to investigate the site, recovered another piece of information.”
She took out a data stick and handed it to him. Andrew grasped it tightly in his right hand and closed his eyes.
“Is that?” He began.
“Yes, it’s a ship,” Clark replied.
“A ship with a completely unfamiliar design and no similarities to the designs of any known species.”
Andrew unclenched his fist and opened his eyes.
“So this means what, first contact with a new species?” He asked, handing Clark back the stick.
“In all likelihood yes and with a species capable of doing that to a human Frigate.”
Major Clark pocketed the data stick and fixed Andrew with an intense gaze.
“We have no idea of their military strength or their motivations. There is absolutely no guarantee we will make it back alive. Yet, it is imperative that at least one of us does survive and is able to report our findings to Admiral Constantine. That is why you are here Sergeant, your ability to survive.”
“I'm not sure I understand Major,” said Andrew.
“It's quite simple, if we are attacked at least one of us needs to make it back and report. You are the most likely person to do just that.”
“Which brings me to another point Sergeant,” she added.
“If we are attacked, you are to do your best to preserve yourself, that’s a direct order.”
“Major,” Andrew protested.
“It is my duty to protect a superior officer, especially when they happen to be as high ranking as yourself. The information the enemy could gain from you if you were captured-”
“My order stands Sergeant,” Clark cut across him.
“You will do anything necessary to ensure you get back and report, understood?”
“Yes Major.”
“Dismissed Sergeant.”
Andrew got up, saluted and left the room.
Well he'd gotten an answer, just not the one he wanted. The fact that this was starting to look like a suicide mission didn't bother him. Hell, he was used to that; The Invictus Legion never got sent on easy missions. Letting everyone else die and saving himself; that bothered him. Especially where Major Clark was concerned, letting any superior officer die while making your own escape from a battle went against every policy in the Imperial military. Every part of Andrew was screaming at him not to let that happen.
He was sorely tempted to just march onto the bridge, incapacitate the crew, seal himself in and take the Twilight to the nearest Imperial base. No, he couldn't do that. All that would accomplish would be to get him court-marshaled and then Major Clark would set off on this mission without him. Andrew would simply be delaying the Major's already time sensitive mission. Besides, he might not like it, but that didn't change the fact that she was right. The Human Empire could not afford an enemy like this. If there was even the slightest chance of stopping this from becoming an all out war, it had to be tried.
“What's our ETA Ensign?” Anna asked.
“Just under four minutes Commander,” replied Aziz.
“Very well, prepare to bring us out of the vortex, Lieutenant Graham.”
“Yes Commander.”
“Prepare to bring the Twilight's stealth systems on-line as soon as we clear the vortex.”
“Aye Commander.”
“Lieutenant Dolohov,” continued Anna.
“Yes.”
Dolohov's voice wasn't cold enough to officially be considered rude, but it was close enough for Anna to realize that she had to do something about the Lieutenant's attitude.
“Is there a problem Lieutenant,” she asked briskly.
“No Commander not at all,” replied Dolohov.
There was no escaping the sarcasm in the Lieutenant's voice.
“Lieutenant if you have a problem taking orders from me, I can have you removed from the bridge,” snapped Anna.
Dolohov looked like she would have dearly liked to answer differently, but said.
“No Commander, I have no problem.”
“Good, we will be entering this system in full stealth mode, you are to completely shut down the ship's sensors.”
Everyone on the bridge looked at her, Anna knew why. Shutting down the sensors would leave a ship virtually blind, they wouldn't even be able to navigate.
“Lieutenant Graham,” Anna went on ignoring the confused looks of her bridge crew.
“Prepare to launch one of the ship's Oracle spy drones.”
“One of the Oracles?” Graham looked even more confused.
“Yes, program a course three hundred thousand kilometers straight ahead of us.”
“Lieutenant,” she said, turning back to Dolohov.
“You will then link with the drone's telemetry, instr
uct the drone to constantly relay its position relative to the ship. Then set the drone to do a full power sensor sweep of.”
“Yes Commander.”
Anna flicked on the ship’s com.
“Commander to engine room.”
“Nolan here.”
“As soon as we drop out of the vortex I want you to shut down the main reactor.”
“I beg your pardon Commander,” Nolan replied incredulously.
“Commander without the main reactor, we'll have almost no maneuverability,” protested Graham.
“We'll be dead in space and it takes at least five minutes to start it up again.”
“Maneuverability will do us no good if we get blown to pieces the second we enter the system,” Anna explained.
“We are here to investigate, not create another incident that will escalate the situation. Our only hope is to remain undetected.”
None of the crew looked like they thought this a particularly good reason for coming into a system blind and immobile. Nevertheless, they did as they were told.
“All right Commander,” Chief Nolan's voice came over the bridge speakers.
“Preparing to shut down the main reactor.”
“ETA one minute,” Aziz announced.
Anna reached for a com panel.
“Major, we're one minute out.”
“Thank you Commander, I will join you on the bridge shortly,”
The cards were dealt, thought Anna. This was either going to work or, well if it didn't, she wouldn't have long to contemplate her mistakes.
Chapter 14
The darkness of space erupted into a swirling vortex of light, from which the Twilight emerged. The ship was dark, with no drive glow or running lights she drifted in system.
“Transition to normal space complete,” Ensign Aziz announced.
“Lieutenant Graham launch the oracle drone,” ordered Anna.
“Yes Commander.”
“Lieutenant Dolohov, status?”
“Drone on course Commander. Drone has reached target position, beginning full sensor scan,” Dolohov added as she scrutinized her console.
“Receiving telemetry now, routing it to main viewer.”
The main bridge screen flickered. On the left of the screen were numerical sensor readouts. On the right an image came into focus. It was the Dominance, the dark wreak drifting through space. Occasional flickers from small plasma fires or damaged electronics flashed through the dead hulk. The bridge was completely silent, Anna was sure she wasn't the only one with a cold shiver running down her spine.
“Any sign of another ship in the system?” Asked Major Clark, finally breaking the silence.
“Negative, sensors are not picking up anything except the Dominance,” replied Dolohov.
“Boost the drone's scanners to maximum range,” said Anna.
“Resetting scan radius to max range, drone still only has contact with the Dominance.”
“Very well, Chief Nolan keep the main reactor off line and maintain minimal power settings for all systems.”
“Aye Commander.”
Lieutenant Dolohov turned in her seat to face Anna.
“Begging the Commander's pardon, but why are we still powered down? There are clearly no other ships nearby.”
Anna considered the Lieutenant for a moment before answering.
“Three reasons Lieutenant,” she explained.
“I need hardly remind you that we are dealing with a ship that has a completely unknown weapons technology. It is therefore conceivable they might also have some type of stealth system we are not aware of. Simply because we cannot detect any ships doesn't mean they aren't there. Secondly, just because there are no ships in the immediate vicinity, doesn't mean there isn't one somewhere else in this system. And finally, if a ship were to jump into the system, there is no guarantee we could power down before they spotted us.”
Dolohov shrugged and turned back to the sensor readouts.
“Commander,” said Major Clark.
“It looks like we will have to determine who did this using clues gathered from what's left of the Dominance.”
She sighed.
“I understand your desire to remain hidden Commander, I too would prefer not to give away our position. Without the main thrusters however, there seems to be no way for us to get close enough to board the Dominance.”
Anna hesitated, the solution she had come up with was risky, but it was also their best chance for survival.
“I believe I have a solution to that problem Major,” she said.
“Let's hear it Commander.”
“The Twilight is equipped with emergency vacuum suits. We can use the suits to board the Dominance.”
Everyone on the bridge turned to look at Anna.
“Commander,” said Lieutenant Graham.
“We are currently moving at a considerable velocity and the Dominance is almost dead in space. There's no way the vac suit’s thrusters will be able to decelerate enough. Anyone trying to board the Dominance would simply smash into it, killing them instantly.”
“I know Lieutenant, that's why we're going to reduce the Twilight's velocity a bit. Ensign Aziz, rotate the ship, use micro bursts from the chemical thrusters. Align us so the hangar bay door points in the direction of our current velocity.”
If Aziz found any of these instructions strange he didn't show it.
“Yes Commander, rotating now.”
“Lieutenant Graham, am I correct in assuming the hangar bay is now empty?”
Graham glanced at his console.
“Yes Commander, the shengyet fighter was the only craft in there and internal sensors show no cargo or equipment of any kind.”
“Good, make sure all doors to the bay are sealed.”
“Doors sealed Commander.”
“Override docking bay outer door safeties.”
“Safeties override, aye.”
“Sound decompression alarm, all hands brace yourselves.”
Anna grabbed one of the bridge’s emergency hand holds. Everyone else standing on the bridge did likewise.
“Lieutenant,” said Anna turning to Graham.
“Open docking bay outer doors, now.”
There was an explosive thump that reverberated through the ship, nearly sending them all flying. Despite the artificial gravity field’s attempt to compensate for the sudden change in velocity, Anna felt like her arms had been wrenched out of their sockets.
“Lieutenant Graham, close the docking bay doors and re-pressurize the area,” she said messaging her arms.
“Ensign Aziz, what's our current velocity?”
“Negligible Commander, actually with a few more micro bursts I can bring us to station keeping,” the Ensign reported.
“Do it.”
“Commander,” Lieutenant Dolohov spoke up.
“There's another problem.”
“Let's hear it.”
“I just noticed the Dominance's main reactor was completely destroyed, but a few of the secondary reactors are still there. They're all severally damaged and leaking large amounts of radiation. Even in vac suits, if anyone spent more than five minutes in there, they'd be exposed to lethal doses of radiation.”
Saskill stepped forward.
“I believe I have a solution,” he said.
“My species is far more resilient to radiation than humans, I believe I would be able to survive.”
Anna looked at Saskill, she wanted to object but before she could, Major Clark spoke.
“I'm grateful for your assistance Saskill, however time is of the essence. We need to search the Dominance as quickly as possible.”
“What are you suggesting Major?” Asked Graham.
“That Saskill not go alone.”
She turned to Sergeant Williams.
“There is an equipment crate in the storage area next to the engine room. I believe you will find everything you need in there Sergeant.”
Andrew nodded and left
the bridge.
Ten minutes later; Major Clark, Lieutenant Graham, John, Saskill and Anna were all gathered by the airlock doors. Saskill had managed to squeeze into one of the vac suits. The thing was built for humans and wasn't very compatible with shengyet physiology. Major Clark looked at the data pad on her wrist.
“Sergeant Williams should be here any moment now,” she announced.
No one said anything; Anna was still at a complete loss as to what equipment Williams could be getting that would enable him to survive on board the Dominance.
A slight tremor rustled through the deck, then another and another. The tremors were getting stronger too.
“Don't worry,” said Major Clark soothingly.
John inhaled sharply, staring transfixed at the far end of the airlock corridor.
Anna spun to face in the direction John was looking. A colossal metal construct was lumbering towards them. The deck shook every time one of the behemoth's feet landed. It was a suit of battle armor, but unlike any Anna had ever seen. It seemed to be made up entirely of oddly gleaming metal plates that interlocked. The whole thing was reminiscent of ancient plate armor, except that the articulation points were also one solid piece of metal which somehow bent to allow movement. The only holes in the impregnable armor were two rectangular eye slits, covered with what appeared to be some sort of tinted transparent material. On the armor's chest there was a golden circle with a raised fist in the center. Curving around the top of the circle were the words 'TERRA VICTA'. Over the armor's shoulder Anna could see what looked like one of the vac suit thruster-packs. Evidently it had been ripped off and affixed to the armor's back.
The part of the helmet covering the face shimmered, the metal seemed to melt away and slide back into the rest of the armor, revealing Sergeant Williams' face. Graham whistled softly through his teeth.
“Invictus Legion assault armor,” he said softly.
“Yes,” said Major Clark.
“The assault armor worn by the Invictus Legion is some of the most advanced ever designed. The outer shell is composed of the same material as the hulls of our capital ships, only with far more advanced control mechanisms. The armor is extremely strong and yet it can bend and stretch at the joints for excellent mobility. It can also enhance the wearer’s movements and offers almost the same level of radiation shielding as being inside a ship.”
Imperium: Contact Page 11