by S. H. Jucha
“Every time we think we’ve learned how the insectoids operate, Leader Racine,” Bortoth said, “we discover they’ve developed new tactics. On Pimbor, we thought we took precautions to protect our troops. Still, we lost nearly twenty of our forces in the first day. Then Captain Cinders changed our procedures. Since then, we haven’t lost a single individual, although we haven’t eliminated that many insectoids either.”
“Alex,” Tatia said, “if I was leading a battle, I couldn’t abide another commander presuming to take over my operation. It’s probably the same for the captain. The alliance individuals and our people refer to him as the assault commander.”
There it was. Alex faced the decision whether to share command with the operation in progress. The principals of the Pimbor operation regarded him expectantly.
Then Queen Homsaff’s comments tilted the decision in Jess’s favor. She said, “Dassata, my warriors and I aren’t opposed to following the lead of a veteran commander. We would welcome the opportunity to learn his techniques, and he knows the challenges on this world and the problems taking the domes.”
“I’ve heard several comments about the Norsitchian dome but few details,” Alex said. “What happened there?” He watched the eyes of the veterans and the expedition’s principals roam, as they searched for ways to succinctly describe the events.
“Leader Racine,” Tacnock said, after no one spoke up, “I would suggest you ask Captain Cinders. One moment, we’re ready to swarm into a dome that we were sure was abandoned. The next moment, Jess was yelling for us to abandon the moon. We were fleeing the area, when the Colony sent a transport through the Q-gate. It blew and took the ring with it. The blast was horrendous.”
“Did it destroy the dome?” Mickey asked. His excitement was palpable.
“This is the fleet’s chief engineer, Mickey Brandon,” Alex said, by way of introduction.
“According to Orbit’s review of telemetry recordings, Alex,” Z interjected, “the dome glowed briefly and then resumed its normal appearance. Orbit theorizes that the dome absorbed the energy and likely has the ability to take in many forms of energy.”
“We have to examine one of these domes,” Mickey enthused. “Can we take the dome, while they eliminate the insectoids on the planet?”
Homsaff’s chortle interrupted responses. “We’re willing to do that if you would like to lead us, Mickey. Otherwise, I suggest you wait until we can engage the insectoids on the surface and learn their habits, before we battle them in enclosed places like tunnels, airlocks, and corridors.”
“Point taken,” Mickey said apologetically.
“Thank you for your input,” Alex said. “Enjoy the park and the food. We’ll talk later.” Then he signaled Renée to meet him in the owner’s suite with Jess and Lucia when she was ready.
Alex, Julien, Z, and Miranda arrived first. Alex checked on Renée’s location and found her in a beam weapon’s bay. He set about making thé, while he waited for the others to join them. Apparently, Renée wasn’t in a hurry. She continued to meander through the giant city-ship.
“Mechanical items are quickly repaired,” Julien commented, when he saw Alex check on Renée’s progress for the third time. “Human conditions take longer.”
“You don’t think that, perhaps, the captain was oversensitive?” Alex asked. He didn’t think that, but he wanted to hear a competing argument.
“Have you seen imagery of what the expedition calls traveler four?” Miranda asked. “Mickey is fascinated by it and can’t wait to make a detailed examination. He says that he’s never seen a shell’s surface fractured like this.”
“That subject hasn’t come up with Olawale yet,” Alex said.
“At the moment of the blast at the Norsitchian moon, it was the final ship to launch,” Miranda explained. “The pilot was an Earther. Aboard were Jess, Tacnock, Juliette, and Esteban. The traveler lost its grav field and most of its systems, including the emergency beacon, when the energy wave passed over it. Orbit plotted the search area, and they were successful in recovering the ship and its five passengers.”
“Our SADEs used Julien’s technique of underclocking, after they gave up the majority of their energy to power the food and water dispensers, to extend the chances of recovery,” Z said. His pride was evident, as he regarded Julien.
Alex regarded the SADEs. They’d come so far together, and he was still learning from them.
“So, I’ve stepped into someone else’s house and presumed to take control,” Alex said, the conditions dawning on him. “Captain Cinders has been protecting Omnians and Earthers alike with his life.”
“The captain leads from the front,” Julien said quietly. “According to Juliette, he fights to place Lucia in the rear, and she resists his directives. I would say that the captain possesses an instinct to protect everyone in his command, and he suffers from the loss of each one.”
Alex didn’t miss the point of Julien’s directed gaze. He knew who his friend was referencing.
The salon door slid aside, and Renée ushered Lucia and Jess into the room. Expecting Jess to falter, when he saw where they’d arrived, she maintained a firm grip on his arm. Unknowingly, she echoed Lucia’s constant wish, when she thought the captain could use an implant.
“You made thé, Alex, thank you,” Renée said. She bustled about making more noise than necessary. It was in an effort to cover the deafening silence of the seated humans.
After Renée served the thé, she noticed Jess took a sip and set his cup aside Then she brought him a cup of water. It earned her a smile.
“Not a great start for us, Captain,” Alex said, and Jess nodded slowly in agreement. “Allow me to start again,” he added, standing and extending his hand. “I’m Alex Racine. I understand you lead the ground operation. How can we help?”
Jess couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. He stood, accepted Alex’s hand, and said, “We can use all the help you can offer.”
* * * * *
“First and foremost, it should be understood that we’ve no mandate to operate militarily in alliance space,” Alex said. He was addressing a large group of fleet and alliance personnel. “Our cover, if you will, falls under the expedition, whose leaders do have Tsargit approval. Therefore, we’re taking the position that the assault commander, Captain Cinders, has requested our support.”
“Are we to have limited tactical goals, or are we here for the long haul?” Tatia asked.
“That’s yet to be determined,” Alex replied. “After an extensive conversation with Captain Cinders, I see that we’ve several opportunities to pursue, and I think we can accomplish them simultaneously. To do this, I’m going to divide the fleet.”
Alex waved away the questions and continued.
“This isn’t the federacy,” Alex said. “Alliance space is populated by peaceful races that cooperate extensively with one another through the use of their domes. At this point, the alliance has two adversaries ... the Colony and a federacy battleship fleet.”
Alex nodded at Jess, who came to the front of the audience and stood beside Alex.
“Of the three strategies, I will lead number one,” Jess said. “Our objective is to secure Pimbor from the Colony with the help of the Dischnya and additional fleet personnel and supplies. After we’ve taken the planet, we’ll take back the dome ... carefully, oh so carefully.”
While most of the veterans laughed, growled, or barked
heartily, the new arrivals were treated, for the first time, to the roars and bellows of the Crocians.
Implants connected to understand the inside joke, and the SADEs shared the story of the Norsitchian dome. Hearing the tale, many of Alex’s fleet personnel regarded Jess in a different light.
Renée joined the men at the front. “I will lead the second effort,” she said. “A contingent will sail to Sylia. It’s hoped that some captured grays are still being cared for on an orbital station. Their incarceration might have made them more willing to communicate with us. Admiral Darius Gaumata, your command will provide transport. In addition, Kasie Cinders, Salsinona, and Luther will accompany me.”
Then it was Olawale’s turn. “As Alex mentioned, it was the expedition that established a relationship with the Tsargit,” he said. “To achieve the third goal, we must meet with the Tsargit and gain access to their records, again. The Rêveur will be escorted by Admiral Deirdre Canaan’s command. The information that we acquire will help us track the federacy fleet. That’s why the scouts will accompany us.”
Tatia realized that the only protection the Freedom would have would be Lucia’s command, which included three combat-untested SE Trident captains. She suddenly felt ancillary to the fleet’s command structure. “Alex, what about the Freedom’s protection?” she asked.
“We’ll have Lucia’s command for protection,” Alex replied. “All indications from the SADEs are that it’s not headed toward this region of space. If the federacy fleet does arrive here, I don’t intend to engage it.”
Alex left Renée, Olawale, and Jess to form their groups and speak privately with them. He signaled Julien, Tatia, Mickey, and Miriam to follow him to his suite.
Tatia and Mickey regarded each other, as they trailed after Alex.
“It’s obvious to Julien and me that the spread of the galaxy’s races has far outstripped our ability to play our previous role,” Alex began. “As we seek to contain the aggressive races and support the development of the peaceful ones, we must position ourselves to be ready to facilitate both those actions.”
“How do you propose we accomplish this?” Mickey asked.
“This is the project that I’m assigning the three of you, Tatia, Mickey, and Miriam,” Alex replied. “You’ll have to think strategically. At the present, we’ve two city-ships. Each of them is supported by two commands. The human colonies are bordered on two sides by vast amounts of space containing the federacy and the alliance. What do we need to accomplish the twin goals I outlined?”
“What are you asking of us?” Tatia asked. She was as confused as Mickey.
“We’re the design team for the future of Omnia Ships,” Miriam volunteered. “What are our limitations, Alex?”
“Think long term,” Alex replied. “You’ll begin this work and deliver aspects of it while the humans in this room live. It’ll continue long after we’re gone.”
“I’d like more specificity,” Mickey requested.
“Ask yourself, Mickey, if you were in my place, what would you require to maintain the peace and facilitate cooperation and trade?” Alex replied. “What assets would you require? Where would you position them?”
“And we’re to do this for the sentient worlds of the galaxy that we’ve discovered?” Mickey asked.
“For those we’ve found, and for those yet to be discovered,” Alex replied.
Tatia and Mickey were flummoxed. Alex had often thought in advance of them, but that had been in weeks, months, or annuals. This time, he was proposing a concept that would continue long after their service to his fleets.
Miriam connected to Julien and requested he survey the SADEs on a crucial question.
“Think this way,” Alex urged. “Tatia, you’re the strategist. Where do you want these support groups? Some locations will need more forces than others. How much personnel and of what type do you need to crew the ships? Mickey, you’re the engineer. What types of ships will Tatia need in each location? You must provide each group with a major support vessel to provide relief.”
“As great as a city-ship?” Tatia asked.
“Off the top of my head, I wouldn’t know,” Alex replied. “I’m asking for this group to plan it out and consult with me when you need. To finish the assignments, Miriam will coordinate your ideas, provide the connectivity to the SADEs, and realize your design requirements.”
“Alex, a project like this will cost more credits than you have,” Tatia pointed out.
“You’ll have every credit that my portion of Omnia Ships generates,” Alex said. “Renée and I have discussed this and agreed.”
“Julien has queried the fleet’s SADEs,” Miriam said. “We perceive this project as the greatest single goal to which they should dedicate their efforts. We’ll contribute funds too.”
“I’ve sent my query to the SADEs in our worlds,” Julien added. “We’ll see if they’ll support Alex’s goal. Eventually, Alex and I will visit governing organizations and worlds, humans and otherwise, to request their help.”
Alex raised an eyebrow at Julien, who responded with his green-visor poker cap.
Tatia laughed. “I’m glad someone is watching the credits,” she said. “Alex never was any good at it.”
Mickey scratched his chin. “I see an impediment to this grand scheme, Alex. There will be races that don’t want the services you’re offering. Maybe, they’ll think that’s too much power to place in the hands of one organization.”
“In the near future, Mickey, I expect that response from a good portion of the worlds,” Alex replied. “In the long term, who do you think will be the arbiters within these fleets and outposts?”
“Are you proposing that it’ll be the SADEs?” Tatia asked.
“Not entirely,” Alex replied. “Each station will need the right mix of biologicals and SADEs to manage the needs of their assigned area of space.”
“Then you’re prepared to enfold the races that we’ve encountered?” Tatia asked.
“Yes, humans and SADEs will need the support of the local races,” Alex replied. “It’s right that many of their best individuals work beside Omnians. Eventually, it will be a truly intergalactic organization.”
Tatia burst out in laughter. When she got control, she regarded Mickey’s perplexed face and said, “Well, Mickey, you thought you’d be enthralled by the domes for years to come,” she said. “Now, you’ll need to think of them as a piece of this massive project. We’ll have to incorporate their construction into this grand scheme so that we can move personnel and supplies instantaneously across space.”
“Excellent thinking, my master strategist,” Alex complimented.
Mickey shook his head in amazement at the scope of the project that Alex was initiating.
When the trio left the suite, Julien’s poker cap disappeared. “So, it’s finally begun,” he said.
“Been a long time coming,” Alex said with a heavy sigh.
The idea had been born in the aftermath of their escape from Libre. From Julien’s box on the Rêveur’s bridge, he’d proposed questions to Alex about the future. During the nights, his friend had sat in a command chair to keep him company.
11: Ground War
“Your companions are fierce ... and big,” Phette commented to Jess. He stood on a crate observing Alex, Miranda, Tatia, Mickey, and Homsaff. “Will all of them fight the Colony?”
“Most won’t,” Jess replied. “The largest human is Alex Racine, the Omnian leader. The largest female is a SADE, Miranda. She protects Alex. The human female is Admiral Tatia Tachenko. She commands the warships above. The other human male is an engineer, Mickey Brandon. He’ll help us with compound protection.”
“What a
bout the fierce one with the tail?” Phette asked.
“She’s Queen Homsaff of the Dischnya,” Jess replied. “She’ll fight, and she brings thirty of her kind with her.”
“A good start, but not enough,” Phette lamented.
“The strategy we discussed has a chance, Phette. Don’t lose hope,” Jess said.
“You should be bigger, like the Omnian leader,” Phette said, staring up at Jess.
“Why?” Jess asked.
“Your heart needs more room,” Phette said.
Jess turned toward Phette to reply, but the little Pim was fixed on the approach of Homsaff.
“Please, Captain, the queen is imposing,” Phette urged.
Jess knew what Phette wanted. He casually stacked three crates on top of one another, as if he was handling cargo. With his back to Homsaff, he extended a forearm to Phette. The Pim jumped from his crate, to the proffered arm, and onto the stack. Phette would be eye-to-eye with the queen.
“Greetings, Captain,” Homsaff said.
“Hello, Queen Homsaff. This is Phette, our chief scout and ambassador to the Pim communities,” Jess replied.
Phette puffed up proudly at the mention of the elevated titles.
“A valuable asset,” Homsaff acknowledged.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Phette replied.
“In private, as we are, I’m Homsaff, Phette.”
Phette nodded his understanding.
“Are we ready, Captain?” Homsaff asked.
When Jess replied in the affirmative, Homsaff signaled the assembly. Once again, Jess was reminded of the power of the Omnian implants.