“How should I know? You haven’t even proposed,” Keiko joked.
“I think I should talk to your family.”
“I won’t stop you. Just be prepared for failure.”
Just then, a moping Mack wandered onto the bridge.
‘Oy, mates. I dinna know what Sweet Sue is going through. She’s acting all mad at me. But, she won’t tell me what for. Wee-One, has she talked to you?”
“No, Mack. Sorry. I’ve noticed that she is a little moody, too. It’s probably just a phase. Let her work through it. She’ll come around.”
The three heard the ding of the communications console. Tapping an icon, Keiko responded.
“Griffin.”
“Get Marston.”
“I’m here, Vice-Admiral.”
“We got the intel from the last run.”
“How did it go?”
“You’ll see in the report. Sending it now.”
“Received, Vice-Admiral,” Keiko responded.
“Out.”
“Eh, Cap. Our war-monger definitely has a knot in his tail when it comes to you.”
“He always has, Mack. He always will. Back to work. Keiko, would you get Galactic Express?”
“Hey, Hawk. Are we ready?”
The three Griffin crewmates saw Galactic Express’s female captain on the screen.
“Yeah, Rizzi. We’ll put together some coordinates for you. Is the cargo secured?”
“Yup. It’s all tied down and sitting cozy. I am definitely loving our gravity generators.”
“Let’s plan on jumping in thirty.”
“Copy that, Hawk. Later.”
“Mack, go get Sue. It’s time to go back to work.”
Aboard Ravage Maker – Bridgelen
The anger radiating from War set the entire crew of Ravage Maker on edge. The bridge, more so. Logistics and Intelligence sat in a corner, quietly discussing possible reasons for the soft skin’s attack on Nest One. They also discussed possible responses.
Against this backdrop of anger and worry, Communications received another packet of data from the same soft skin jump-ship. The four-legged insectoid waited until the transmission completed before he delivered the news to his Overlord. Once the packet finished its transference, he left his station and deferentially entered War’s ready room.
“My Overlord, the jump-ship is back.”
“I suppose it has sent another packet?”
“Yes, My Overlord. I have transferred it to your console. Also, this time, the jump-ship is accompanied by a much larger jump ship.”
“Tell Logistics, weapons and Intelligence to get in here.”
“At your command, My Overlord.”
After bowing and backing out, Communications turned and hurried to complete his task. A short time later, the three called subordinates entered War’s ready room and took their familiar stools.
“Another video from that damned annoyance.”
War angrily smashed a button and the video played. The four saw the destruction of all six destroyers. they saw one almost escape, they watched as one of the absconded cruisers made multiple jumps, achieved its firing solution and launched its nuclear missile. That destroyer also became a ball of nuclear scrap, steam and gasses. They witnessed the added destruction of surrounding civilian ships.
“The soft skins are systematically destroying our defensive fleet at Nest One.”
“I can see that, Logistics.”
“So far, the soft skins have not made any demands,” Intelligence offered.
“They can play their game for one more day. Then the rest of our fleet will arrive. Then they will see our might.”
War’s console beeped.
“Yes!” War demanded after tapping the communication icon.
“The soft skin has opened a communication channel, My Overlord.”
“Put the screecher on.”
“This time, video is included, My Overlord.”
“Very well. Put it up.”
War’s ready room view screen came to life, showing the soft skin which had caused him so much aggravation.
“War.”
“Food.”
“You have bragged about you destroying all of Humanity on all of the worlds. Watch.”
The view changed. The large soft skin ship’s bay doors opened. A good-sized asteroid floated out. Once distance between the ship and the rock was achieved, the rock reoriented and blinked out. Instantaneously, it blinked back into existence a quarter of a mile from the Mortek assault carrier, World Vanquisher. It immediately accelerated to six-tenths the speed of light and slammed into the ship’s mid-section.
With the speed and mass of the asteroid, World Vanquisher’s spine broke. No explosions occurred. No fiery release of gasses or liquids marked the assault carrier’s destruction. The one, large ship simply became two floating remnants.
Many multiples of gravity rockets ignited and fired, smashing into the remaining wreckage, causing the pieces to twist and deform into massive lumps of ruin.
In absolute rage, war jumped to his feet and smashed a fisted claw into his desk, leaving an obvious dent. Three subordinates tried to shrink into their stools, tried to become invisible so as not to experience War’s wrath.
The view flipped back to the soft skin commander.
“Remember the destruction the asteroids in Arium did to your fleet. Now, they will be equipped with jump drives and gravity rockets. All Mortek ships which attempt to invade Arium will be destroyed, just as your assault carrier was. Arium and Tolimar are no longer in danger of you and your ships.”
“You will pay for this, Food!”
“Your Sasania fleet arrives tomorrow. Do not attack our systems. Tomorrow, I will return with my demands.”
The screen went black.
“Weapons, why wasn’t the defensive grid activated?”
“It was, My Overlord. The asteroid jumped through the network. If it had been a ship, it would have been a suicide run.”
“Nuclear missiles?”
“The operators had no time to aim and fire them. In less than a click, the soft skins jumped the asteroid and fired its thrusters.”
“Find a way to stop those jump-ships!” War demanded to all three.“
“Science has his entire staff working on the problem, My Overlord.”
“We need results, Logistics. Begin planning on how to overcome these asteroid missiles. If we are to invade this Arium, we will need a solution.”
“At your command, My Overlord.”
“If I may, My Overlord?”
“Yes, Intelligence?”
“After observing this soft skin commander, I believe that he is establishing a premise of survivability.”
“What do you mean?”
“Two points. He is showing that, except for this armada, the soft skins are capable of defeating our fleets.”
“And?”
“The soft skin commander is attempting to establish that we will not be able to conquer all of the soft skin star systems.”
“That vermin can squeal all he wants. He will see true Mortek might and power.”
Chapter 34
Aboard Vengeance – Arium
Vice-Admiral Weiskoff had summoned McCauley and Marston. Doctor McCauley had decided to bring his production manager, Ian Ferguson. Under the prodding of Keiko, he also brought his protégé, Sue’s son, Dean. Commander Marston chose Keiko, Mack, Sue and Igaklay.
Krag also decided that Gazelle should jump from Tolimar to Arium, in case she was needed.
Keiko, flying Griffin’s shuttle, vectored her ship to Gregor’s shipyards. With permission from the control room, she drifted the small transport into the landing bay. Once the massive doors closed and the atmosphere replenished, she dropped the tailgate. As Hank, Ian and Dean approached, Sue rushed down the ramp and pulled her teen-aged son into a tight hug.
“Aw, Mom.”
“Hush.”
Dean hugged back and held until Sue rele
ased her grip.
“Look at you. You’ve grown. An inch? Two?”
“Yeah, well. Mrs. McCauley keeps stuffing me with her dinners. If I didn’t get taller, I’d be fat.”
“You look good. Is Doctor McCauley keeping you busy?”
“Doc runs me ragged, Mom. But it’s fun. And, I’m learning a lot! I get to work on a gravity generator!”
“Mack’s done a lot of work on those. And he has a lot of ideas.”
‘Oy, Dean. Ya need some tutoring, just give me a knock.”
“I absolutely will, Mr. McCauley.”
“None of that, Dean, Me, I’m ‘Mack’ to ya.”
“Okay.”
“Oy, Pa.”
“Oy, Son. Sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of traipsing around.”
“Yeah. Been bumping up against the Mortek. They’re not liking Cap too much.”
“Good to know. When we get back, go see your ma.”
“Planned on it. Sue, too. I want Ma to meet the love of my life.”
Both Sue and Hank rolled eyes and smirked.
“Sorry to break up this reunion, but we have a very impatient Vice-Admiral waiting,” Krag interrupted.
“Spoilsport,” Keiko commented.
Everyone piled in and took seats. Keiko took her pilot seat, worked the console and headed to the Federacy’s new flagship. As before, Vengeance demanded control and floated the shuttle into the landing bay. Again, a spaceman met the eight people upon their arrival.
“Hello, again, Mr. Bradley. Permission to come aboard.”
“Permission granted, Commander. If you would follow me.”
The Vengeance communications specialist led. The rest trailed. This time, the destination proved to be the conference room just off the bridge. After breaking the hatch, Bradley stepped back, letting the contingent enter. After they entered, and not wanting any part of the coming meeting, Bradley closed then relocked the hatch. With a breath, he headed back to the safety of his station.
Seeing Weiskoff at one end, Krag took the other. This time, Mack’s father sat across from Keiko. Mack took his place beside his father and across from Sue. Dean and Ian faced off close to the center of the long table.
Vice-Admiral Weiskoff sat with his adjunct, Vengeance’s Captain, chief engineer and weapons officer.
Once everyone settled in, as usual, Weiskoff took control.
“I’m down to one nuke. I need more. McCauley, where are my missiles?”
“They’re coming, Vice-Admiral.”
The relationship between the current head of the Federacy and anyone from the HEB Alliance dealing with him had been established. Weiskoff displayed his aggression and disdain. Everyone who became his target responded with formal courtesy. The one exception periodically was Krag. But he was constantly constrained by Keiko’s hand.
“Fissional material is hard to come by, Vice-Admiral. We were lucky the first go around. The miners had a small stash that we could buy. Now, with the Mortek gone, they have come out of their hidey holes. And, they are digging for more. We just don’t have that new inventory. Ian?”
“We’ve assembled around five hundred missiles, Vice-Admiral. We’re just waiting on the warhead materials. Once it arrives, we can finish them and get them shipped over to you.”
“Marston, without those missiles, we can’t take out the frigates. Without taking out the frigates, your plan goes to plop.”
“I have a work around, Vice-Admiral. Preceptor, would you please contact Gazelle?”
Igaklay pulled his communication pyramid from his work belt, placed it on the table and activated it. Being in the same system, Jean’s image sprang into three-dimensional form.
“Hawk? What can I do for you?”
“Senior Captain Forsythe, we are in a meeting with Vice-Admiral Weiskoff and his senior staff. We are discussing the Mortek situation in Yeni Persia.”
“I understand, Commander. How may I help?”
“Are your Stingers ready for another run?”
“We’re all a little antsy. So, yes.”
“Good. Vice-Admiral Weiskoff has succeeded in wiping out the cruisers and destroyers. All that’s left are thirty frigates. Do you think that you and your Stingers can handle them?”
“We’ve been reviewing the intel on the last three engagements, Commander. From what we’ve seen, we can do the job.”
“How soon can you get your squad ready?”
“A day? Launch tomorrow evening? nineteen hundred?”
“That’s a little late. But I’ll make it work. Ordinance? Supplies?”
“Maxed out, Commander. Fairstar just finished her reload.”
“I plan on joining you. I’ll contact you at seventeen hundred hours to coordinate.”
“Copy that, Commander.”
“Out.”
Igaklay retrieved his pyramid and returned it to its pocket.
“The HEB Alliance Stingers will clean out the frigates, Vice-Admiral.”
“Where do we stand with your negotiations with those bugs, Marston?”
“Let me respond, Commander.”
“It’s all yours, Ambassador.”
“Studying the Mortek responses to this and other situations, they seem to work through the five stages of grief the same as we humans do.”
“Psycho-babble.”
“Your term. Not mine. Our first presentation resulted in War rejecting what we presented. He ignored us and went into a rant about destroying Humanity.”
“You are stating the obvious.”
“Yes. However, I am also describing War’s state of mind. The first stage of grief and loss. With your second attack, destroying all the cruisers in Yeni Persia, he went into a rage. With your third attack, he remained in a rage.”
“This doesn’t sound like it is getting us anywhere.”
“So far, Vice-Admiral, that is true. We have succeeded in driving War into a rage. The next stage is critical. Can we move him to a position of bargaining? If we can do that, we have a chance.”
“That is not the way to treat the enemy.”
“With all due respect, Vice-Admiral, I disagree. The Mortek have greater numbers in ships and beings. They are more powerful. We cannot stop them if they decide to destroy us. Manipulation is the only way for us to survive without terrible losses.”
“And, what if this scheme of your HEB Alliance doesn’t work? What if the Mortek do not come to the bargaining table?”
“Then, as you keep pushing, it is all-out war.”
“And that’s why I need my nukes. Igaklay, where do we stand with my ships?”
“The final cruiser is ready for a crew and flight test. The same for one destroyer. Two more destroyers are in their final stages with another two just beginning their refit. Another month for those four.”
“You’re saying that I will have five cruisers and five destroyers within a month?”
“That is correct, Vice-Admiral.”
“Then, get me those nukes. I can do some real damage to those bugs.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, Vice-Admiral,” Ambassador Suzume responded.
Aboard Gazelle – Yeni Persia
Three very nervous women sat in their gravity chairs, staring at the thousands of ships encircling Sasania and peppering the Yeni Persia star system. Senior Captain Forsythe worked her console, pulling fleet configurations and ship counts. Sergeant Brown retested her weaponry and rocket launcher. Pilot Mandy Adams, with nowhere to fly, checked on the other eleven Stingers joining Gazelle.
Jean tapped the icon which opened links to all of her squadron.
“Captains, check in.”
Eleven images of eleven captains jumped onto Gazelle’s forward view-screen.
“There are no changes, Captains. There are still thirty Mortek frigates canvassing Yeni Persia. We know what to do. Two gravity rockets each. Jump in, fire once, jump out. No more than a quarter of a second on target. Understood?”
Gazelle’s Senior Capt
ain receive eleven tense affirmations.
“Remember, you and your crews are along for the ride. Be sure to fire immediately upon insertion. You have only a quarter of a second to fire your rocket. Emergency takeover only. Since our view is four minutes old, I’m going to do a quick recon, get up-to-the minute locations of those thirty frigates. Hold steady.”
“Senior Captain, Reprieve volunteers for the reconnaissance run.”
“I admire your courage and willingness to assume dangerous operations, Captain Desinal. However, as the newest member of the Stingers, I need you to watch and learn. Your time will come. This is no reflection on your capabilities or loyalty. For now, study.”
“As you command, Senior Captain.”
“I am building my jump table now, Captains. Stay alert.”
Jean kept the eleven images on the view-screen while she processed the original locations of the thirty Mortek frigates. After completing her projected jump sequence, she turned to Gazelle’s pilot.
“I got your flight plan, Cap. I’m ready when you are,” Mandy stated.
“I have our sensor package active. At your discretion, Pilot.”
Gazelle blinked out. Thirty jumps, eight seconds later, she returned.
“Minor changes, Captains. Just drift variances. I’m sending your individual targets to your control boxes now. We attack one minute after all of you signal as ready.”
All eleven Captains signalled ready. Gazelle’s Senior Captain held her hand over the master control button. A minute later, she slapped down.
Gazelle jumped to her designated target. Jesse fired the gravity rocket. Gazelle jumped back.
“Mandy, get me a count.”
“All Stingers accounted for, Captain.”
“Captains, all sensors and video active. In less than three minutes, we should get our readings and view.”
Three minutes later, light from Sasania reached the Stinger Squadron.
“Ten of twelve, Captains. Well done. Attacking again for the second round in one minute.”
A minute later, the attack repeated.
“Mandy?”
“All accounted for, Cap.”
Three minutes later, the readings and view arrived.
“Eleven of twelve. Ten frigates down, one crippled. Reprieve, take the damaged one. The rest of us, I’m passing your new targets. We go in three. Acknowledge.”
Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6) Page 40