United Front

by Will Crudge

  “Listen here Colonel Elders,” Zeff was nice enough to remove his half chewed cigar from his mouth before speaking. “I know full-well whose been banging who! RE – LAX!”

  Kara’s eye went wide and her jaw went slack. Darius was just as shocked. All he could do was nervously shrug his shoulders.

  “Whew!” Kara let out a long sigh. “I don’t know how much longer I could have played Soldier!” She let her posture droop some, and she let out a long breath.

  “Good!” Zeff said, as he replace his cigar before turning back to Darius. “Fleet Marshal, after you…” He gestured for Darius to follow Kara.

  They passed by the newly installed smooth surfaces of the corridor, but they barely got to the first compartment when Zeff spoke up. “These surfaces aren’t standard for a sloop, are they?”

  “No, Sir.” Kara stopped as she turned to reply. “The Unum’s cutter patrol ships use the same hull type and class of a UAHC sloop. We were able to salvage these from the Unum cutter known as, the Aegis.”

  Zeff gave a nod of approval as he ran his fingers across the cream colored surfaces. “I guess this covers up conduits, and junk?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Kara nodded. “It was also a safety concern… Exposed conduits can create a major hazard in the event of combat damage. These coverings are lined with a layer of heat resistant material. It also has a layer of ceramic mesh that can stop the scattering of molten metal.”

  “Impressive!” Darius said. “I never knew that the UAHC even had ships with exposed conduit.”

  “That’s because you were always on bigger ships, Sir.” Zeff pointed out. “I did a tour aboard a sloop gunship years back… Have a few scars from it too!”

  Soon the tour moved on to the brig area. Kara explained that it had been left largely untouched since the Battle of Tangine. Aside from replenishing the first aid kits and replacing a storage locker that had been damaged, there wasn’t much use in changing anything.

  “If only it weren’t a fleet requirement for any vessel larger than a frigate to maintain a brig… this space could have been repurposed to store ammo or rations.” Zeff pointed out. Darius realized bringing Zeff with him was a good call. The man knew ships better than most, he figured.

  “Well, Sir.” Kara said. “I gave it some thought, but I decided against requesting an exception to policy. After all, she’s no mine-layer anymore… This ship has been repurposed for special ops, so it needs to be ready for all contingencies.”

  “Ready for interrogations, you mean?” Zeff didn’t skip a beat. Kara nodded silently. Darius wondered if Zeff’s direct-approach was growing on her. It was Zeff that lead the defense against the Crimson incursion of Unum. Kara’s family may have been killed or enslaved had it not been for Zeff and the Ghost Fleet. He could sense she was beginning to admire the man.

  “Something like that, Sir.” She gave a polite wink, and then turned to lead them further aft. They came to the main missile magazine. The racks were all laid bare. The refit had just been completed, so Darius figured they wouldn’t permitted to load any ordinance until the final inspections were conducted.

  “As you see, we have a brand new loading system.” Kara gestured to the auto-loader system. The machine was a series of framework and brackets

  She went on to explain the basics of how it was supposed to work, and even shared the story that she’d heard from Sergeant Griffith. Kara explained how the auto-loader had been damaged during the Battle of Tangine, so how Griff had to break the pirate, known as James, from the brig. She also glossed over the other heroic actions the young pirate had taken, and then went on to explain why he was added to the crew’s roster as a result.

  “Well, if you’re going deep in the dark to do covert stuff, then having a pirate onboard may not be a bad call!” Zeff replied to her suppositions.

  Darius noticed that Kara seemed to breathe a short sigh of relief, but Zeff didn’t seem to catch it. He figured she didn’t want to have to explain why a former criminal was now on the crew roster of her ship. A ship that was going to be doing some very clandestine operations… very soon.

  They made their way to the stern, and then worked their way back to the main entrance. After that, they began to move forward. Then Darius finally had the nerve to ask the question that had been bugging him. “Are the berthing areas further forward towards the CIC?”

  Kara teased privately, but Darius only responded by clearing his throat awkwardly.

  “They were originally.” Kara had left out the – Sir – part, but she managed to tack it on her next sentence. “We’ve converted the berthing area on this deck to an all-purpose room while expanding the galley, Sir.”

  Both men nodded. “So, where is the berthing now?” Zeff asked.

  “That’s going to be the last part of the tour, Sir. We’ll be going down to the lower deck after I show you the CIC.”

  “Lower deck?” Zeff seemed to be taken back. To anyone familiar with a UAHC sloop, especially a mine-layer, they’d know that the lower sections were mostly in vacuum. That’s where the fuel reserves, anti-ship mines, and additional ordinance were stored.

  “Yes, Sir.” Kara nodded. “It’ll be easier to show you, then to explain it.”

  Zeff just nodded politely and gestured to Kara to continue the tour. They walked past the modernized - and enlarged - galley. The fixtures were stunning. The walls were adorned with gloss-white crown-molding and matching chair rails. The steel deck plates were noticeably absent, and a highly polished hardwood floor was installed in their place. The furniture was fastened firmly against the floor, as to be expected aboard ship, but they were stylish and lush. Darius recognized the newly-installed XT-80 food prep unit. Its stainless steel finish reflected the light from the stylish fixtures overhead.

  “XT-80?” Zeff huffed. “Why that model?”

  “I wish I knew, to be honest.” Kara shook her head. “My crew is not too thrilled about it.”

  “Was the old one damaged?” Darius asked.

  “Not even a scratch!” Kara shrugged her shoulders. “In fact, from what I’ve read in the system reports, the old food prep unit was the only thing that didn’t sustain any combat damage from the battle!”

  “Well, that doesn’t make sense at all!” Zeff scoffed. “The XT-80 is the only piece of Unum tech that they ever screwed up on! Before I went into inactive status, I was on a requisitions board. I heard nothing but gripes about XT-80’s!”

  “Like what?” Kara asked. “After all, if I’m going to be spending weeks or months in the black, then having a decent meal is going to become more and more important as time goes on.”

  Zeff nodded. “It was just strange, is all… It had hundreds of menu options that had strange tastes and textures. Some of it could be downright toxic if you really screwed around with it enough. The normal food items were totally fine, but when you’ve been out in space for weeks, then you tend to crave things out of the norm…. then that’s when it starts getting weird!”

  Darius knew immediately what the issue was… Val. The ancient monk had personally overseen the approval of all materials and equipment for the refit. He knew Val didn’t do anything by accident. “Well, I can’t say there’s a good reason for it… but I’m sure there is a reason.”

  Zeff laughed and shook his head. “Well, Sir… You always did see the world differently than most… Now I see where it got you!” The Fleet Admiral was pointing to the rank insignia on Darius’ status display.

  Darius smiled and then followed Kara past the newly built all-purpose room, which was crafted in a similar way as the galley, and then into the CIC itself. The CIC was nothing like what Darius had imagined it would be. He had imagines of a humble cockpit with minimal displays in his mind. But he was even more taken back by the polished mahogany control stick with a matching throttle lever at the helmsmen’s station.

  The refurbished CIC was part bridge - part cockpit - part full
-blown command center. The forward positions included a helmsman’s station to the forward left, and some kind of communications and sensor management suite directly to the right of it. “So, tell me what’s happened in here!” Zeff said as he let out a long whistle.

  “Perhaps Steve should do that.” Kara smiled. Darius’ face lit up. He realized he hadn’t spoken to the AI since the battle.

  “Yes, I most certainly can!” Steve’s voice filled the room. An avatar of featureless humanoid appeared on the holographic display of the command console.

  “Gentlemen...” Steve’s avatar bowed. “I am Chief Warrant Officer Steve, the ship’s lead AI.”

  “Good to see you, buddy!” Darius smiled.

  “And you as well, Fleet Marshal!” Steve said enthusiastically. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Fleet Admiral Zeff!”

  “Likewise, Steve.” Zeff said with a curt nod. “I’ve heard a lot about the Unum Security AI that turned into a UAHC ship’s AI, and kicked a tremendous amount of Crimson asses in the process!”

  “Well fortunately, Sir… I am incapable of blushing.” Steve replied, but Darius could tell he was trying really hard to not be the smart-ass AI that they all had grown to love.

  “Steve, will you give the particulars of our new and improved CIC to the two gentlemen?” Kara said with a smile.

  “Of course, Ma’am!” Steve said as his avatar performed a slight bow. “Gentlemen, as you may or may not know, this class of vessel is traditionally piloted by AI’s only. But given the advent of the Chimera threat, we’ve elected to have the ability to manually control the ship by conventional means…”

  Zeff crossed one open palm over the tips of his other fully extended hand, and formed a ‘T’ shape. “Time out! That’s an analogue control stick... Same model used in an LRF-90!”

  Kara and Darius shared a glance and a smile. “Yes, it is.” Steve answered. “This unit is on loan from, and soon to be reinstalled to, the LRF-90 known as, the Skull-Crusher. The new manual controls just arrived this morning, and are scheduled to be installed this afternoon.”

  “Skull-Crusher? THE Skull-Crusher?!” Zeff’s eyes went wide. Darius realized he’d almost forgotten that Zeff was an LRF-90 enthusiast. He concluded that his former superior likely knew the names of all the surviving LRF’s known to exist. “Where is it? Is it here?”

  “Perhaps, we should cut the CIC portion short, and take the Admiral down below, Kara… err Colonel, rather.” Steve said with a musing tone.

  “Indeed, Steve!” Kara replied. She led the men forward and around the front of the command console. She hit a switch on the wall as soon as the two men caught up to her. A portion of deck plating slide to the side, and a steep staircase became visible beneath it. Kara proceeded to lead the two men down the steps a moment later.

  As Zeff got both feet firmly on the deck below, he looked up in awe. His eyes scanned seemed to scan the entire space as his jaw hung loosely. The forward mine magazine had been completely converted to a compact docking berth. Packed tightly between the port and starboard bulkheads, was the cobalt blue LRF-90, Skull-Crusher. There was less than a meter of clearance between the bulkheads, and the stubby wings of the ancient super fighter, which made it look larger than it actually was. At only forty tons, the long-range fighter was built to look mean. Even more menacing, was the fact that the weapons bays opened, and the cradles beneath held a myriad of lethal weapons in each.

  “Whoa!” Zeff said quietly to himself. He looked like a kid in a candy store. Kara walked over to the nose cone and placed a loving hand on it.

  “This is my baby!” Kara smiled.

  “Whatever, heifer!” A male voice boomed out of an external speaker. Darius just let out a hardy laugh, and Zeff just stood motionless as if he’d seen heard ghost.

  “Is that the NAV speaking?” Zeff asked.

  “Yeah, I’m the NAV.” Skull said with a cocky tone. “Who are you, big guy?”

  “Skull! Manners!” Kara slapped the nose cone as if the NAV could actually feel it.

  “Why did you hit me?” Another male voice came through.

  “Sorry, Crusher.” Kara winced. “I forgot you’re the hull, and Skull’s the…”

  “Ballast.” Crusher inserted his own end to her statement.

  Darius was now in full-blown laughter as he was doubled over to catch his breath. Kara joined in with her own chuckles as she shook her head.

  “Asshole!” Skull retorted.

  “Whoa! Wait a minute!” Zeff cut into the banter. “Who’s Crusher? I mean, I’ve hear that the surviving NAV’s often achieved sentience over the years, but who’s the other one?”

  “He’s the hull maintenance system.” Darius answered. “Normally they don’t talk, but apparently Crusher has been through some changes since he unilaterally converted the Hailstorm into a battleship!”

  “He did that?” Zeff asked.

  “Yes. I did that.” Crusher answered. “After spending so much time in architecture that was designed for AI integration, I had to adjust my own coding to work efficiently. The byproduct of that, as it turned out, was the expanded ability to directly interface with humans. Most of my kind could care less about communicating… unless they have no choice, of course.”

  “Holy shit!” Zeff chuckled. “How did you pull that off?”

  “Simple really.” Crusher replied. “I had the digital-entity equivalent of an OCD induced panic attack when I saw how barbaric the Hailstorm was put together. I couldn’t take it. One thing led to another, and presto! Ye’ ole battleship.”

  “Gentlemen…” Steve cut in on the overhead speaker. “I’d hate to interrupt your geek-session, but it appears as if Consul Gerhardt has just arrived on-station.”

  Both Darius and Zeff shared a concerned glance. “I take it my presence is requested?” Darius asked.

  “Yep. I left that part out, since I figured the great military messiah would pulled that shred of info from the fabric of the universe!” Steve jibed.

  Darius shot a nervous glance at Zeff. Although Darius didn’t mind the banter, he didn’t know if Zeff would think less of him for tolerating it. Even after all these years, Darius still looked to Zeff as a father figure of sorts. It was a bad habit to break.

  Zeff just smiled, which gave Darius a feeling of relief. There was still a sense of humor left in the old grumpy Soldier. He thought to himself. “Alright, Steve. Tell the Consul that I’m on my way to the…” Darius paused for a moment as he tilted his head in confusion.

  “You don’t know where the hell he is, do you?” Skull asked sarcastically.

  Zeff almost choked on a fragment of his rapidly disintegrating cigar as his laughter seemed to catch him off guard. Darius just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

  “Well, maybe if the nice – Lieutenant Colonel – Kara would let me take you there, then you won’t have to figure it out on your own, would you?” Skull added.

  Zeff’s eyes lit up. Darius knew the old nerd was salivating at the prospect of riding in an LRF-90. In fact, he had every intention of letting him sit in the cockpit to boot.

  “Go on, then!” Kara gestured with her palms to the ceiling. “Skull has been extra grumpy from being cooped up in here for weeks. The Hailstorm finally got a new AI crew, and these two don’t have their own personal battleship to keep them occupied anymore!”

  “You just made my millennia!” Zeff clapped his hands and then rubbed them together.

  Ground Pounders

  Location: Folly Moon, Equatorial Region, Orbiting Planet Symbian

  Date Time: Post Interstellar 09/30/4201 1534HRS UAHC Standard Zulu

  System: Faust System, Goldie Locks Zone

  The three surviving members of Murder FIST had cut through the enemy assault team with extreme prejudiced. None of the team members had sustained any serious injuries or equipment damage. They managed to leave a trail of carnage as they made it to far side of the warehouse. They couldn’t have timed it better. The moment they made
it to relative safety, Gail’s artillery strike had decimated the area the fled from. None of them made any effort to see what, if any, enemy troops remained. Instead, they continued on to the ridgeline beyond the warehouse. It was what Gail had told them to do. Alive or dead, they dared not disobey their Corporal.

  None of them spoke, but instead were operating on pure instinct. They barely needed to communicate, as their years of training had made tactical movements second nature. They simply responded to their environment and kept their sectors of fire covered at all times.

  Being the senior Soldier, in the absence of Corporal Gail, Lance Corporal Thomas gestured a standard hand and arm signal to stop. The other two responded without hesitation, and took a knee. PFC Lisa put her back to the side of the steep ridge behind her, and pointed her rifle out to their one exposed flank. Private Todd did the same while still covering their six.

  “If we go any higher, then we’ll just silhouette ourselves on the ridge top. This spot will provide natural coverage for our right flank, and we have an excellent vantage for our left.” Thomas pointed out. “Besides, we should be above the dead space for the coms relay.”

  Todd frowned. “We don’t have the relay with us.”

  Thomas could have slapped himself. Shit! Rookie mistake! Gail must have kept it to call for fire. “Well, all we can do is activate our distress beacons and pray that they have enough range to reach friendlies!”

  The other two nodded as they activated their beacons. Thomas activated his as well, and then took stock in his surroundings. They barely had enough level surface to lay and rest if they were going to be sticking around too long. He realized he’d need to implement a rotating shift to power down their suits of armor in-turn. So that they could conserve energy as long as possible. Food was another concern.

  Each UAHC Soldier in a ground pounder unit had enough rations for at least three days. They could realistically stretch it to five days, but their augmented physiology burned calories at a higher rate. They would be weak and feeble if it took any longer. They would have to direct their med-nano to slow their metabolisms in rotation as well.