And he was down to a skeleton crew. Halloran was proud of every one of the Americans; each had become subject matter experts on their Praxxan systems to the best of their ability. There just wasn’t enough crew left to even minimally man the ship, let along fight.
“Captain to the bridge!”
Halloran sat bolt upright. He was on his bed. He’d heard the speaker blare the request; they must’ve fixed the intership. His eyes felt like they had lead bags underneath them. The short nap hadn’t apparently helped much.
The bridge was the same as he’d left it with the exception of Axxa, who was back in his normal position. The alien inclined his head as Halloran noticed him. The damaged ribs were tucked inside a wrap that covered his upper torso.
“Sir, we’ve got a problem.” Yusef Malone, part of Gail’s tech team, was speaking from his station to his right.
“What?” Halloran marched up behind him.
“Two Prax warships.”
Halloran leaned in with nerves on fire. “Where? Was that the mass initially scanned?”
“Yes…that and some kind of orbiting station.”
“Can we get it onscreen for visual?”
Carruthers spoke up. “Yes, sir, but they are in a geosynchronous orbit and the planet rotates slowly.” She looked at Djembe. “How long did you estimate?”
The Pilot glanced at them. “A day cycle of forty-two hours.”
Malone muttered, “That’s a long workday.”
Halloran touched the young man’s shoulder. “What?”
“Sorry, sir. Surface scans indicate a toxic atmosphere and high surface temperature; no life signs.”
“How far are we from orbit?” Halloran asked Djembe.
“We are done with decel, Captain. You can enter orbit at any time.”
“Captain.”
Halloran straightened and turned to the source of the voice. “Yes.”
Axxa said, “I should point out that to find Prax ships here is highly unusual.”
“You said that about the last planet we visited, Commander.”
“True.”
“Can we ascertain the type of ship?”
“Computer is crunching on it, sir. Heavily armed cruisers are all I’ve got right now.”
“Wonderful.” Halloran sat in his station. “Djembe, put us in orbit on the opposite side of the planet. Then move us around to close on the target. Slowly and deliberately.” He hit the intership transmit button. “All hands, this is the Captain. We’re arriving at our destination but it seems to be guarded by two Prax warships. We’re cloaked and will approach with care to assess the tactical situation.” He hesitated. “I know some of you are wounded and all of you are understaffed to man your stations; my hope is to find us a haven to rest and effect repairs.” And hopefully find some answers.
“Confirmed targets, now designated Zulu One and Zulu Two, sir. Zulu one is a class or heavy cruiser. The computer says twenty-six plasma batteries, eighteen projectile batteries. Should I describe Zulu two?”
“No, thank you, Lieutenant. We’re outgunned but we have the element of surprise.” He watched the mesmerizing swirls of light blue pass beneath the ship on the viewscreen. “Can we take them?” He said the thought aloud, not entirely intending to.
Djembe shook his head. “Even a very damaging first-salvo would fail to critically wound something that big. We’d take several full salvos ourselves.”
“Which we can’t afford. Can we lure them away?” He looked at Carruthers. “Anything on the station?”
“Minimal readings; there are some bodies there, just not many. No targeting emissions to be concerned about. It is four hundred meters in length and a hundred fifty meters at its widest point, sir.” She looked back. “Zulu One is anchored in a matching orbit a thousand meters from the station. Zulu Two is in a similar orbit but ten thousand meters on the opposing side.”
“They’re screening each other. Very well. Let’s move up inside Zulu Two and target the Zulu One and the station. See what presents itself.”
“We’re in orbit, sir,” announced Djembe. “No signs that the Prax have detected us yet. Initiating movement toward the station now. ETA in…twenty minutes at current projected course.”
Why am I doing this? We’re severely outgunned. Every principle in the book says turn away and find a safer harbor to effect repairs.
“Mush Morton wouldn’t.” He’d go in under the destroyer screen, damage and all.
“Sir?”
Halloran had spoken his thought aloud. He shook his head at Djembe. “Nothing, Pilot. Sound General Quarters, Lieutenant. Target Zulu One with a full broadside of plasma cannon at point-blank range. Prepare to fire on my command.” The tension between his shoulders was blazing.
“Aye, sir.”
Trigg Wyatt and Chief Parker picked through the wreckage of the Ops Center, moving shred of metal structure aside to create a path to the main bank of controls for life support. Bits of insulation littered the compartment, torn free from the projectile hits and atomized by the high heat of the fire. They stirred up into the air around their booted feet and got in their noses.
Parker coughed. “This stuff is intolerable.”
“Aye, Chief.” Wyatt lifted a large piece. “A little help here, sir?”
The two of them managed to move the chunk out of the way, exposing more of the controls. Parker immediately went to the panel and studied it. Wyatt crowded in next to him, careful to avoid all the sharp edges sticking out around them.
Parker tapped a panel that was melted; the controls bent in several directions at once. “Yep, Nunez’s the expert on this system but I’d say your readings down in Engineering are correct.”
Wyatt wiped the screen on the panel, but it was clearly dead. “This thing’ll need a complete teardown and rebuild.”
“Which time we don’t have.” Parker sighed. “This ship’s life support system is on life support.”
Wyatt looked at Parker. “What about Mr. Axxa?”
The older man shook his head, removing his cap and running his fingers through his hair. “No go. I asked the skipper to talk to him. The guy doesn’t know anything about this kind of tech, even if it’s his own race.”
Wyatt cleared another panel off. “This looks like sensors. They’re still working, right?”
Parker looked. “Yup. Gail says no issues other than the power reroute when I checked with her.”
Wyatt grunted at the Chief’s use of the Lieutenant’s first name. “How’re you two holding up, now?” Parker and Carruthers had been an item on the Bonny Rich at one point. Since the ‘incident’ bringing them here and Carruthers’ promotion to officer, Wyatt and others had noticed their separation.
“It’s tough, Trigg.” Parker crossed his arms. “I mean, she’s an officer now. What do I do with that?”
Wyatt didn’t look up. “Oh, I don’t know, I’ve done things with officers before.”
Parker heard the grin on the Engineer’s face. “Yeah, well, it’s weird.”
“I don’t remember it being weird.”
“Cut it out.”
“Yes, Chief.” Wyatt straightened from the panel he was examining. “This section looks cooked too.”
“Trigg, are we gonna make it home?”
Wyatt paused at Parker’s sudden question. He pulled back from the panel and massaged his temples after wiping grime from his hands, more to gain a moment to think than anything else. Finally he let his hands fall. “Chief, the Skipper knows best. Don’t ask me these questions.”
“But what do you think?” Parker pressed.
Wyatt put a hand on the older man’s arm. “Dude, you should marry her. That’s what I think. You’re good for each other.” He waved at the bank of gear. “Now what have you got me away from my precious engine for?”
“We’re seven thousand meters from the Zulu One, sir, with the orbital station between them and our position. Zulu Two is continuing on its orbit without signs of seeing us.”
Malone spoke. “No signs of engine activity from either enemy vessel, sir. No indications they have learned of our presence.”
“What do you think, pilot?” Are our chances of doing damage better now?”
Djembe shook his head. “No. In my experience the Prax do not hesitate to attack. We’re so close…they clearly don’t know we’re here yet. Yet, even if we get off a solid broadside, they’ll have the range and be able to hit us from both vectors.”
Halloran felt as though he was trapped. They’d done the best they could to get into a good tactical situation but now he had to commit his wounded ship and crew to another action with a superior enemy vessel. Or, he could succumb to the nagging desire to slink away and lick his wounds. But where would he go? They needed help. They’d gone as far as they could go with this ship, awesome tech or not. What I need is a drydock.
“Carruthers, keep us in position opposite the Prax ship. Anything new from the station itself?”
Malone said, “No, sir.”
Halloran stood up, crossing his arms. “Djembe, open a channel. Let’s see if we can talk to someone aboard it. Maybe they have weapons we don’t know about.”
The pilot half-turned. “But sir, the Prax will be monitoring…”
“I know, Pilot. Can’t be helped. Get ready to maneuver.”
“Channel open, Captain.” Halloran could tell from the old man’s tone that he disapproved.
If we have to fight, we fight. “Attention orbiting station, this is Captain Thomas Halloran of the United States Navy. Respond, please.”
A minute passed in silence. “Am I transmitting?” Halloran asked Djembe.
“We’re being hailed, sir. It’s the Prax.”
Halloran sighed. “Let’s hear it.”
“Video capable. Onscreen.”
With a start, Halloren jerked his eyes up as the figure of a large Prax officer resolved into view. His voice boomed into the Serapis bridge. “Human ship, we have ascertained your position based on your transmission.”
Halloran cursed. “Cut our feed.” When Djembe nodded in reply he ordered him, “Back us up five thousand kilometers.”
The Prax on the screen was still talking. “We are in full control of your station. Prepare to defend yourselves!”
“Sir!” Malone was calling out. “Zulu One is moving forward, around the station! Closing fast! Zulu Two is turning toward our location.”
Halloran said resignedly to Carruthers. “Prepare to fire on Zulu One as planned.” But now he felt a meaty hand on his forearm and looked in surprise. It was Axxa.
“Allow me to speak to him.”
“What? Why”
“I know him.”
Halloran felt the pressure of his inner conflict over this alien boiling over inside, and then it left him. He exhaled through tight lips and nodded to Djembe. “Put us on.”
“You’re on.”
But they hadn’t needed the Pilot’s warning. The face of the Prax on the screen was all the confirmation they needed; his eyes went wide and he leaned into his camera lens.
“Axxa?”
“Yes, Commander Grysx.”
“You are aboard a human vessel?” The man’s eyes had now narrowed with suspicion.
Axxa glanced at Halloran. “I am…assisting…this human Captain. We seek your assistance now.”
“What!?”
Halloran nodded minutely at Axxa. “Commander, we are in need of—.”
But the alien on the screen was stepping aside to make room for another figure. Now it was Axxa’s turn to gasp in surprise.
“Ryax?”
“Brother, it is so excellent to see you alive.” Halloran’s translator couldn’t get the terms right.
Axxa’s hand on Halloran’s arm tightened and he was silent for several uncharacteristic seconds. Halloran was about to nudge him when he finally spoke, and the words came slowly and with great emotion—for a Prax. “And I you, brother.”
“Tell them to stand down, Axxa,” Halloran whispered urgently.
Axxa stepped forward away from the human. “Ryax, we need your assistance with our ship.”
“What, why?” The Prax on the screen frowned.
“It’s one of ours. A Prax stealth warship.”
Ryax shook his head. “I…I am familiar with this vessel.” He bowed his head. “I am not honored to discuss these matters. But I think there are some Prax aboard our ship who will be honored to see you.” He smiled in that odd Prax fashion.
The older Prax stepped back into view. “Captain, we will hold our position until your identify is verified. It is apparent you are using some new technology to hide your vessel from scans.”
Halloran felt the first easing of the tension in his gut. “Actually, it’s your technology, Commander.”
“I do not understand.”
“Then let’s get together and I’ll show you. Just don’t shoot us first.”
Chapter 33
Perses System - Telos Station, orbiting Garvin
Kendra eased the shuttle onto its landing skids with perfection.
“Nice.” Halloran put on his borrowed Navy cap and tugged it down low and tight.
She tapped through the power-down sequence. “It’s hard to believe.”
“What?”
“That we’re on Telos. I’ve heard my father mention it before, over the years. Even when I was a child. It must have meant something to him. I’m finding it interesting that we’re actually landing on it.”
“Sir, let me go first.” Gerry Wilson hefted a plasma rifle as he reached for the hatch.
With Kendra, Axxa and Halloran were Chief Reyes, Wilson, Djembe, Yeoman Flagler and Bruce Brown from Engineering. All carried plasma rifles from Tavar as well as Prax sidearms originally from the ship. Antonov had felt recovered enough to take the bridge while they traveled to the station. Despite the severe loss of hands to the ship by staffing this shore party, Halloran wanted to project as much of a show of force as possible given the situation.
Halloran had considered that the Prax decision to move the meet to the station could be a trap. Anything could be a trap right now…The aliens had been tight-lipped after the initial emotional outburst between Axxa and the other guy aboard the enemy cruiser.
As Halloran stepped and looked around, he found himself wondering. Are we the enemy here? Or are they? The sensors couldn’t read anything unusual about the station interior. There was definitely humanoid life already aboard somewhere, even before the Prax cruiser had detached its own shuttle prior to theirs.
There were several other small craft in the bay. Most looked to be older, boxier designs to Halloran’s untrained eye. Kendra pointed out the Prax shuttle nearby. “That’s them.”
Almost as if in response to her comment, a Prax soldier stepped into view around the other shuttle, a weapon held in front of him. Everyone froze and Reyes looked at Halloran. “Orders?”
“Stay with the plan. Kendra, lock the shuttle up. Like we figured, their shuttle will hold twice as many troops. We need everyone together.”
Djembe whistled. “It’s as big as the Imani.”
“Missing your ship, Djembe?” Halloran asked.
“Yes. Sir.” The older man’s tense face turned to his.
“We’ll get you home. Although I don’t know if I really want to part with my crack pilot.”
Djembe’s expression relaxed somewhat. “Yes, Captain. We shall see.” And he cracked a small grin. “Mr. Chapan has performed admirably in his lessons.”
“Alright everyone, button up and Let's find this meeting place.”
The Prax guard watched the group pass by without making any provocative moves. Reyes caught Halloran’s eye several times; the Chief didn’t like any of it.
Beyond the Prax shuttle, an entry hatch similar to the one
in Tavar’s hangar stood. Kendra took the lead and keyed something into the system. The hatch slowly opened from within.
“Secret code?” Halloran waved her in after the others had gone. He was half-watching the Prax guard behind them.
“Open. No secret. You’d know the command if you were from this century, Captain.”
“I’m still learning.”
She shot him a look before stepping over the hatch coaming and into the station.
The group was arrayed in a wide passageway beyond. Halloran saw the station immediately as something not kept up the way that Tavar did their colony. Or any of the warships for that matter. There was oxidation on the metal railing running the length of the wall nearest him. He ran a finger over some absentmindedly. No, not well-kept. He felt close to something big. Jackson’s word came back to him; Telos would know. He has the original records. Halloran hoped this trip had been worth it. “Kendra, any idea on where to find the control room of this bucket?”
Reyes spoke up. “Sir, I don’t think we need to look.”
Halloran turned at the Chief’s warning tone. Several Prax soldiers rounded the far corner of the hall, guns drawn down on them.
“Everybody down!”
“Halt!” Called a voice from the gaggle of Prax, who had quickly closed the gap between the opposing forces.
“Don’t fire!”
Halloran recognized the voice as coming from Axxa. His team had gone to their knees but now Axxa was rising, striding forward toward the enemy team. He saw him holstering his pistol and showing his palms. And then there was another Prax stepping from their group and the two embraced, the emotion rolling off the two aliens as they struck each other on the upper arms in a sort of a greeting, then back to the crushing bear hug and back slapping.
Reyes was at Halloran’s ear. “I see that they know each other.” Halloran read the unspoken question in the statement.
He slowly got to his feet and lowered his pistol. “Okay, everyone. On your feet. Stay sharp but lower your barrels for the moment.”
Resolve of Steel (Halloran's War Book 2) Page 26