by Brian Dorsey
“Relentless, this is Wolf One,” reported Pi-ce. “Departing Thunder.”
“Understood, Wolf One,” replied the TAO. “We are coming to you. Standby for signal to launch. We’ll be right outside the hangar bay.”
Catton started to speak but his TAO was on the ball.
“AIR DEFENSE, report!” ordered the TAO.
“TAO, AIR DEFENSE. Locked on to TRACK ONE with main guns. Ready for launch of LANCER missiles on TRACKS TWO and THREE.”
“Engage all targets,” ordered the TAO.
“VIPER, VIPER, VIPER!” reported the Air Defense Officer.
The TAO active the ship’s announcing circuit. INBOUND MISSILES. ACTIVATE POINT DEFENSE SYSTEMS. ALL HAND BRACE FOR IMPACT.
“Missiles away,” reported Air Defense. “Tracking … tracking.”
“Take a breath, Ensign Croan,” said Catton, stepping behind the Air Defense Officer and placing his hand on his shoulder.
“Yes, sir,” replied Croan. “Ten missiles inbound.”
“EAGLES NINE through TWENTY away,” reported the TAO. “Ship’s self-defense systems are in automatic.”
Catton scanned the RADIUS display. He saw tracks racing from Relentless toward the enemy ships and the enemy missiles tracking toward his ship. The display of Relentless flashed red over the main batteries.
“Main batteries firing,” reported the Air Defense Officer.
“Countermeasures activated,” added the TAO.
Catton exhaled heavily as he watched the tools of death cross paths on the RADIUS display. He glanced up toward the proximity display. They were one hundred and eighty feet from Thunder.
“Six missiles killed; four inbound —”
Catton stumbled as Relentless rocked to port.
“Missile hit starboard side,” reported TAO. “CENTRAL report damage.”
“Only one hit,” said Ensign Croan.
“Thank Thunder’s interference,” said the TAO.
“Registered good hit on TRACK ONE with main battery and TRACK TWO with LANCERS,” reported GUNS.
“Where’s that transport?” asked Catton. He let out a sigh of relief as he saw the transport illuminate on RADIUS. “Shift all magnetic shields power to starboard.”
“Inbound plasma rounds from TRACKS ONE and THREE,” reported Air Defense.
RADIUS binged again as Catton saw another ship appear.
“TRACK FOUR designated as … damn it,” cursed the TAO. “Qua-la Swarm class battlecruiser.
Catton glanced at the FTL status.
Two lights.
“Engineering, report status of FTL,” he ordered.
“Standby,” came the reply.
“LANCERS away on TRACKS TWO and THREE,” reported the TAO.
A series of bings echoed through Combat as twenty new tracks illuminated on RADIUS.
“TAO, AIR DEFENSE. Twenty Qua-la fighters,” huffed the Air Defense Officer. “Designated GHOSTS ONE through TWENTY. Standby there’s twenty-five — VIPER, VIPER, VIPER! Incoming missiles.”
“Captain, Hangar bay control, the transport is onboard.”
The TAO looked back toward Catton. He had performed well but they were about to be overwhelmed. Catton looked toward Queen Xendi. He could see the anxiousness in her eyes.
“Keep us fighting, TAO,” replied Catton, forcing a calm to his voice. “Engineering?” he asked into the link. “Get me that third light.”
“Launch EAGLES TWENTY-ONE through FORTY,” ordered the TAO.
“Main batteries from battlecruiser are energizing,” reported the Air Defense Officer.
Catton’s jaw tightened. There were no tricks left. The main guns would rip them apart. And the fighters would take out any escape pods.
“Combat, Central, FTL is up!” blared across the comms link.
Catton looked over to see all three lights illuminated.
“TAO … jump now!”
“Aye, Sir,” answered the TAO, reaching for the FTL activation.
Relentless rocked to port again just as the TAO activated the FTL jump.
The RADIUS display flickered.
“Did we jump?” asked Queen Xendi.
Catton looked at the RADIUS display.
It was empty.
“Yes, Queen Xendi,” said Catton. He looked at the celestial plot. “But not far.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“We’re still in the Zala system,” said the TAO as he recognized the chart displayed with RADIUS. “How —”
“We must have been hit just as we jumped,” mused Catton. “We’re lucky it didn’t pull us apart or slam us into a planet.”
Catton looked toward the FTL display. Only one light was illuminated.
The TAO let out a heavy breath. “At least we’re clear —”
“THIS IS THE ENGINEERING OFFICER OF THE WATCH. LOSS OF ALPHA REACTOR. MAJOR CLASS CHARLIE FIRE IN MAIN ONE. LOSS OF NON-VITAL BUS ONE-ALPHA.”
The announcement from the Engineering Officer of the Watch was followed by another.
“THIS IS THE DAMAGE CONTROL ASSISTANT. DELTA FIRE IN HANGAR BAY, CLASS CHARLIE FIRE IN COMPARTMENT TWO-TAC-THREE-ZERO-TAC-FIVE-LIMA. HULL BREACH AT FRAME FIVE-ZERO STARBOARD SIDE.”
“Maybe not completely clear,” replied Catton. “But we’re still alive. TAO, I’m headed to the hangar to find out how the Qua-la found out we were there.” He turned toward Queen Xendi. “I’m not sure how long we will have until they find us, so you should try to get some sleep, my queen.” He locked his eyes on hers. As much as he could, he conveyed his wishes as an order.
“Thank you, commander,” she replied with a slight nod of acknowledgment.
***
Catton, with Halstrom at his side, stood in the hangar bay waiting for the transport doors to open. Why would one of their own betray their position to the Qua-la?
The transport doors slid open and out walked Corporal Tra-na followed by the chief.
“What happened out there, chief?” asked Catton.
“Sir, I —”
“Treason happened, sir,” interrupted Pi-ce, stepping into the entrance and tossing Brada’s body onto the deck like it was a sack of grain. “This … thing,” grumbled Pi-ce, “killed two of my men as well as Ensign Landa and technician Elan before sending a spin message to the Qua-la.”
“By why?”
“It said something about bringing the rightful rulers of the Empire back into power …” replied Pi-ce. “… before I killed it.”
“Could one of the other noble families had something to do with this?” asked Halstrom.
Catton’s brow furrowed and he exhaled heavily. He wished Pi-ce had left the traitor alive, but that was probably too much to ask of a Hardian Marine who’d just seen her men die.
“Did you say the communications panel was up?” asked Catton.
“The traitor destroyed it after the message was sent,” replied Pi-ce.
“Did we get the parts we needed for the FTL?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Chief Oda. “No thanks to that fucking Janis family traitor.”
“Chief, what are you talking about?” asked Halstrom.
“You said it, sir,” replied Oda, the exhaustion and emotion from the loss of his technician boiling over. “Brada … that had to have been a fake name. No way she’s Travan. She had to have been from the Valari system, and no doubt a supporter of the Janis family.”
“You can’t jump to conclusions, chief,” warned Catton, trying to calm Oda.
“And we need to keep an eye on the others from Thunder,” added the chief. “They were all in the same lifeboat. They could be working together.”
Catton saw Halstrom furrow his brow.
“That’s enough, chief!” ordered Catton. “I will have no more talk of this.”
“Yes, sir,” grumbled Oda.
“Good. Everyone get their gear and return to your stations.” He looked down at Brada’s shattered body. “And lieutenant, get medical down here to take custody of the bod
y.”
As the team began carried out Catton’s orders, he turned toward Halstrom.
“You know he could be right,” posited Halstrom.
“I do,” grumbled Catton. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “I want my senior officers and Senior Chief Gruta in my stateroom in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Halstrom. “And what will you be doing until then?”
“I need to talk to our Queen.”
***
Catton waited for the permission and then entered Queen Xendi’s room.
She was wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants from Relentless’ medical bay. He could tell she had been asleep.
“Your highness —”
“Commander,” interrupted Xendi. “While I appreciate your formality, you don’t need to call me queen every time you address me. Especially if we are alone.”
“As you wish,” he replied. “But I am sorry we don’t have anything better for you to wear —”
“It’s okay, commander,” replied Xendi. “These will do fine. I didn’t really have time to pack before we left Thunder.”
“I will make sure your dress is cleaned tonight and additional clothes will be sent to you.”
“Thank you, commander,” she replied. “But I’m guessing my attire isn’t the reason for your visit.”
“No, my qu —” He paused. “No. It is not.”
“Were we able to obtain the parts needed?”
“We did, but it will require time to affect the repairs.”
“How long?”
“We will need to assess the damage from the last attack before we know for sure.”
“Thank you for the update, commander.”
“There is more,” he replied, his voice slightly elevated. “It turns out one of the survivors from Thunder was a traitor. She killed four crew members and gave away our location to the Qua-la.”
“A traitor?” gasped Xendi.
“And that is why I must say what I am about to say, Queen Xendi.”
“And that is?”
“You are my queen. You are the undisputed ruler of the Empire and I serve at your will.”
“Yes, commander,” she replied, her head tilted slightly. “And why do you tell me the obvious?”
“Because I cannot have you override my tactical decisions again like you did regarding delaying the FTL jump.”
“Commander —”
“Please forgive me for interrupting, Queen Xendi,” said Catton. “But you have already proven to me and my crew that you are truly worthy of the crown and because of that, I hope you will allow me to explain.”
Xendi stared at Catton. It may have been the first time someone other than a family member had challenger her. After what seemed an eternity, she nodded for him to continue.
“Thank you. There is no doubt you love and care for your subjects.”
“I do.”
“But you must understand that I cannot allow you to die, and that I would sacrifice this ship and everyone on it a hundred times over to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Xendi opened her mouth to speak but he continued.
“If we had jumped when I wanted to give the order, there is a good chance we would be in Runan territory, our military would have been informed of the attack and could be preparing our defenses, and …” He paused. “… you would be safe and at the head of the Empire directing our response and keeping the Empire unified.”
“Unified?”
“Yes. The traitor spoke of the true rulers of the Empire coming to power. Because of this we can only assume one of the other noble families is working with the Qua-la and behind all of this.”
“No,” she gasped, sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze focused on the deck. “Father has …” she paused with a sigh. “… had spoken of challenges from other families but I didn’t think they would go so far.” She looked up, her blue eyes burning with anger. “Which family?”
“We don’t know, Queen Xendi. But if you die, whomever it is will make a play for the throne and then —”
“Civil war,” said Xendi.
“Yes. And I cannot let that happen, not only because of my duty to you, but my duty to the Empire as well.”
Xendi exhaled heavily, then stood.
“I understand, commander. But I couldn’t just let them be left there to die.”
“Yes, Queen Xendi, you can. You should have. Or rather you should have let me do it. I know it sounds barbaric, but we are here to die, if necessary, for the Empire. Even though the loss of every crewmember weighs on one’s soul, the only regret of a leader is that we have to give the order, not in giving it.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t feel for them, commander,” said Xendi. “I just don’t think I can make such decisions.”
Catton gave her a reassuring smile. “When we return, do you plan on letting the Qua-la get away with this attack?”
“No,” she snapped.
“Do you plan on finding out which house is responsible for this treachery?”
“Of course.”
“And why is that?”
“So that the Empire may survive.”
“Then, my queen, you have already decided that far more will die than the number of men and women on this ship.”
“I understand, commander,” she replied as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I am your queen, but this is your ship.”
Chapter Six
Catton entered his stateroom to see Lieutenant Commander Halstrom, Lieutenant Commander Braca, Lieutenant Pi-ce, Lieutenant Stazi, and Senior Chief Gruta waiting for him.
“Sorry for my delay,” he said. “I was talking with the queen, bringing her up to speed on our situation ... as I am you now.”
He directed Gruta and his officers to sit.
“XO, do we have a DNA check on our traitor?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Halstrom. “Doc Trent says she was from Ida-Primi, most likely from the southwest region of the Mandar continent.”
“A hotbed of Janis family resistance to Espara rule,” said Stazi.
“Aren’t you from Ida-Primi, OPS?” asked Braca.
“I am,” replied Stazi, standing. “What are you trying to say?”
“We all know the Valari system was the last to pledge allegiance to the Espara family and the most brutal in their treatment of prisoners of war during Unification,” said Braca.
“That was over five generations ago!” shouted Stazi. “But you high and mighty Runans just can’t let it go!”
“Enough!” boomed Catton, slamming his fist on his desk. “Lieutenant Stazi, sit down.”
He waited for Stazi to take his seat then continued.
“CHENG, how long have you and OPS served together?”
“Two years,” replied Braca, a flash of shame on her face as she answered.
“And has there ever been a point where his loyalty to the Royal Family has come under question?”
Braca lowered her head briefly before turning toward Stazi. “No. Of course not.”
“Listen,” said Catton. “We do not have time for this. The Runan Empire has been united under the Espara family for well over one hundred years and it will remain so as long as we do our duty.” He slowly looked over the room. “And we will do our duty.”
“Aye, sir,” replied Braca and Stazi, acknowledging their captain’s demand.
“CHENG, what is the ETA on repairing the FLT?”
“The last engagement took out a stabilizing circuit and fried on of the four auctioneered power supplies to the main computer. The stabilizing circuit is being replaced as we speak, and the capacitive section is being isolated and discharged. Total time to repair and run initial de-energized checks and simulation should be ten hours.”
“And if we don’t have time for the checks and sims?” asked Halstrom.
“Three hours to shove the parts in and turn it back on, sir,” replied Braca. “But that comes wit
h a risk. Depending on how far of some of the tolerances we are anything could happen.”
“Anything?” asked Gruta. “Can you be more specific?”
“Anything from the FLT simply not working to a major fire to jumping into an uncharted sector or a star.”
“So … anything,” acknowledged Gruta.
“If we start the normal retests and simulations, how long to back out of them if we need to?” asked Catton.
“Ten seconds to twenty minutes depending on what step we are on, sir.”
Catton let out a sigh. “Very well, CHENG. Make preparations for full retest and sims but inform me before you commence.”
“Aye, sir,” replied Braca.
Catton stood. “We’ll stay at Condition III until the repairs are made. Then we’ll getting the hell out of here.”
“And if the Qua-la return?” asked Stazi.
Catton turned toward Braca. “Just get that FTL up, CHENG.”
***
Catton opened the door to his stateroom and stepped inside.
As the door slid shut, he slammed his palm against the bulkhead with a grunt of frustration. He hadn’t had a day like this since … that day so many year ago.
Sitting on the edge of his bunk, he put his head in his hands took in a deep breath. Catton closed his eyes, running the ship’s status through his head.
But none of it mattered. If the Qua-la returned, they would put up a fight, but they wouldn’t last long. All that mattered was getting the FTL back and getting Queen Xendi to safety.
A buzz notified Catton that someone was outside.
Catton stood, and took another steadying breath before opening his door.
As the door opened, Lieutenant Commander Halstrom stepped inside.
“Sorry to bother you, captain” said Halstrom, “but —”
“It’s fine Trey,” replied Catton. “Just taking a quick breath, so to speak. But it’s time for me to get back to the crew.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
“The rumors are already spreading about the traitor,” said Halstrom.
“How are they taking it, XO?”
“In the last two hours we’ve had several arguments among crewmembers, including three fights. Senior Chief Gruta had to put three of the crew in the brig for assaulting another crewmember. They were all from Gali and their victim was from Ida-Ra.”