by K M Dean
“There would be some retraining necessary, but nothing that should be a challenge for you and your people. You and your staff officers would be a vital part of the defense of your systems.”
“That arrangement would be completely agreeable for me.” Said General Gwof Haern. “how about you Admiral Zural?”
“I agree that is a very workable solution Admiral.” Said Admiral Bitze Zural.
“Very well.” Said Admiral Miller. “I suggest we adjourn for the time being until we hear from our respective governments. I will reschedule this meeting as soon as we have more information available. Is that suitable to you both?”
“It is fine for me Admiral,” said General Gwof Haern.
“Yes, Admiral Miller, I agree,” said Admiral Zural I can use the time to talk to my staff and get their feedback on the proposal.”
Admiral Miller said, “alright then, I will contact you both when we are ready to proceed. Rest assured, no matter the outcome of the meetings with the politicians. The Federation Navy will find a way to protect your systems.”
The next day Admiral Miller received a message from Premier Tauxav. It read:
“Admiral Miller, the Asterion System and the Zariah Retori System governments have agreed to your proposal for the defense of their systems. Please implement them at your earliest convenience.
Sofol Tauxav, Federation Premier”
About an hour after receiving the message from Premier Tauxav, Admiral miller pinged Captain Whites’ neural implant. “Isaac, we have received our orders regarding the Asterion and the Zariah Retori Systems. Ask General Haern and Admiral Zural if they can meet us in my office in two hours, that would be about eleven hundred hours. Once you have contacted them, come to my office so we can go over some details.”
“I will see you in a few minutes Admiral.” Replied Captain White.
Twenty minutes later Captain White tapped on Admiral Millers door. “Come on in Isaac. Have a seat. Have you spoken to Admiral Anderson about our crew and ship requirements?”
“Yes, I have Admiral, there will be a total of twelve ships available. Four battle cruisers and eight destroyers. I recommend one battle cruiser and two destroyers operate as an element. We would place two elements in the Asterion System and two elements in the Zariah Retori System. I believe that will be sufficient fire power to discourage the pirates.”
Admiral Miller said. “Do you ever miss it Isaac, I know you commanded a cruiser in the Eldirelian troubles. I know you were injured in the last battle, but according to your fitness reports you have fully recovered. I just wondered if you miss it.”
“Admiral, I do miss it at times sir. I enjoy my current duties and I realize that this is a plum assignment. Working for you has made me realize how much more goes in to running a huge operation like the Federation Navy. It is a job that must be done, and I am learning a lot. I have no regrets.”
“Well Isaac, this is what is going to happen. I want you to take command of one of the Battle Cruisers. You will also command both elements. Those elements will be operating in the Asterion System. I have spoken to Admiral Anderson and he agrees you are the perfect choice. If you accept this assignment, you will leave three days from today for the Gamma Remidian System. Admiral Anderson has come up with enough ships to provide for a protective fleet for the Asterion and Zariah Retori systems. The ships will be last generation and your crews will be green, but you will have experienced department heads. What do you think Isaac?”
“I accept Admiral, I appreciate the opportunity you have given me here, but I really prefer to be in space. If possible, sir I would like to take Commander Chojan Quon'gog as my Exec. He had experience with me in the Eldirelian conflict. He is a first-class officer and a good friend.”
“All right Isaac, I will have the orders cut. Please stop by and see me before you leave.”
“Aye, aye sir, and thank you again for this opportunity.”
Chapter Ten
Aboard the Barracuda in unknown space
Commander Indira Sukhov awakened in pain. Pain like she had never experienced. She realized her right arm was twisted at an abnormal angle. She had a headache like she had never experienced before. She was still strapped in to her command chair, but the chair itself was lying on its side. She glanced at Gunnar. She realized that as badly as she hurt, Lieutenant Commander Gabrielli was in much worse shape. She thought for a moment about the other crew members but realized that she had to take care of Gunnar and her ship first.
Captain Sukhov said, “ROXXi[25], is there anyone on the ship in a position to help us?” There was no answer from the ships computer
Convinced that she had to do something now, Captain Sukhov began to move around. With an effort that nearly made her pass out, Indira was able to disconnect her safety harness. It took all her remaining strength to get to Gunnar. He was breathing, but just barely. She felt she had to get him to sickbay and let the Autodoc deal with him, but how to do it was the question. The computer was not responding, and she had been unable to raise anyone on her temporal unit. She had obviously injured her arm. She tried to move it, but the effort nearly made her pass out again. Finally, with a herculean effort she was able to release Gunnar’s safety harness.
Unfortunately, Gunnar fell towards her and landed on her injured arm. Indira thought briefly just before she passed out, “What now?”
Hours later Indira awoke in sickbay. As she tried to sit up she cried out in pain. Lt. Commander Jane Roderique pressed her back in to her bunk. “Captain, you had a severely dislocated shoulder, a broken arm, a concussion and a few other injuries that need to heal before you start moving around. We have everything under control, just relax and get some rest.”
“What about Gunnar?” Asked Indira.
“He is alive Captain, but he is in bad shape. From what we can put together, the plasma blast hit us just as we were slipping in to our FTL jump. It had such a violent effect on the boat that we were all brutally thrown about.”
“Is everyone alright Jane?”
“Almost all of us were strapped in to our work stations or our bunks in our staterooms. We lost Lt. Commander Austin Lindholm. He was apparently in the galley. When the blast hit the ship, he took a fall. He contacted a galley table and broke his neck.”
“The bow of the ship took the worst of the shock. Other than Austin, you and Gunnar have the worst of it. The rest of us just have a few minors scrapes and bruises.”
“Commander,” said Indira. “We need to get back to Apsis Prime. We have no idea how much damage the ship has sustained, and we need to get medical attention for Gunnar.”
Jane replied, “Captain, that may be a problem. We have no idea where we are. Nothing in our database relates to anything we are seeing. We are completely outside of known space, and even if we knew where we are, we are not even certain our FTL system will work. In fact, we haven’t tested any systems since we were hit. Our sub light plasma engines seem to be fine and the stealth system is operating normally. We have put the Barracuda in orbit around a small dead moon. We are trying to keep a low profile until we can do a complete inspection of the ship and systems.” Commander Jane Roderique continued. “Right now, you need to get some rest. I have set the Autodoc for eight hours. We will run the system checks while you are recovering. I will have a complete report for you when you awaken.”
“Jane, wait, I need to help with this.”
“Captain, if you don’t rest you will not be able to function when we need you the most. Stay here and recover. Nothing is going to happen for a few hours and by the time you awaken we will have enough information so that you can make some decisions about what to do next.”
Eight hours later, Commander Indira Sukhov awakened. She felt much better. She was sore, but her headache was gone, and she was finally thinking straight.
As she began to move around, Commander Jane Roderique appeared at her elbow. “Here Captain, let me help you with that. As Commander Roderique began the process of r
emoving Indira from the Autodoc, Indira said, “Jane, how is Gunnar and what is the condition of the Barracuda?”
“He is holding his own for now Captain. But I am afraid that he may need more help than the Autodoc can provide.”
“The Barracuda seems to be in reasonably good condition. We took some heat on the bow and it is deformed a bit.” They proceeded to the bridge. “We have a few other problems we need to discuss as well.” Said Commander Roderique, but we can do that when you have settled back in.
Indira stepped on to the bridge of the Barracuda, it seemed strange to be there without Gunnar. The bridges on the Monitor ships were not much larger than the cockpit in a shuttle.
As she sat down in her command chair, she looked for signs of the hard hit they had taken in the Delta Ceti system. There were none. Her command seat had been restored to its proper position and all signs of the carnage had been cleaned by the cleaning bots. None the less, it seemed strange to be here without Gunnar. After checking out the bridge, Indira pinged the crew’s temporal units, telling them to meet her in the galley for a crew meeting.
Ten minutes later everyone but Gunnar and Commander Austin Lindholm were waiting.
“Alright everyone, let’s have an update on our situation. You begin Commander Roderique.”
Lt. Commander Jane Roderique said, “the ship is in reasonably good condition. We replaced the two torpedoes we fired in the Delta Ceti system from spares, but those were the only spares we had. When they are gone we have no more torpedoes. All sensor have been replaced and passive sensors are up and running. ROXXi was knocked off line but has rebooted and is working at optimum.”
‘Thank you, Commander. Lieutenant Terzo what do you have for me?”
“Captain,” replied Lieutenant Kaitee Terzo. “The plasma engines are working at one hundred percent. As Commander Roderique said, I have replaced all sensors and all systems are working at normal levels. Both reactors are operating at normal levels and the stealth system is engaged and working properly.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, and what about our FTL capability?”
“Captain, the FTL projector optics are misaligned. I have the technical skills to make the required repairs, but I do not have the equipment. We do not currently have FTL capability.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”
“Lieutenant Marshall do we know where we are?”
“Not with any certainty Captain. According to ROXXi, we are somewhere in the Monoceros Ring. The Monoceros Ring is a long, complex, ring like filament of stars that wraps around the Milky Way three times. We believe we are located at the far outside and directly across the Milky Way Galaxy from the Solar system. We are approximately seventy-five thousand light years from the Sagittarius A*[26], the center of the Milky way.
“ROXXi’s calculations indicate we are far beyond any charted systems. ROXXi also says returning to Gamma Remidian at our best FTL speed, if we can repair the system, will take us a little over Thirty-six years.”
There was silence in the galley. Finally, Commander Indira Sukhov said, “Our priority is to take care of our immediate needs first. Are there any occupied planets near our position?”
Lt. Commander Jane Roderique said, “sensors indicate there is an Earth like planet in this system. The planet makes one rotation every twenty-six hours. According to the radio emissions from the planet, one rotation is called a cycle. It has an atmosphere almost exactly like that of the Earth. A mixture of nitrogen (74%), oxygen (25%), and other gases (1%) There is also a gas giant orbiting outside of the orbit of the earthlike planet. That gas giant has a moon with an atmosphere the same as the planet. The planet is nearest our position. Both the planet and the moon show signs of advanced cultures”
“Alright,” said Commander Sukhov. “Commander Roderique, you are now my acting XO.”
“Lieutenant Marshall plot a course for the Earth like planet. XO take us in. Remain in stealth. We need to know more about the two habitable worlds in this system. I will be in sickbay. Call me when we establish orbit.”
Three hours later, Commander Roderique pinged Indira on her temporal unit. “Captain, we have established orbit around the planet. We are presently monitoring all radio transmissions. We have observed advanced intersystem travel capabilities. There are also several artificial satellites and at least seven manned and armed space stations.”
“I am on my way XO, “replied Indira.”
As she arrived on the bridge. Commander Roderique said, “ROXXi is attempting to translate the native language Captain. There is a good bit of information flowing, but we have no idea what is being said.”
Captain Sukhov said, “ROXXi, how are you coming on the translation, we need to know more about this system before we drop stealth.”
The computer replied, “I have been able to translate the language Captain. I have updated your TUI software so that you can understand their language.
“ROXXI, is there any chatter about us being in their system?”
“No Captain, so far we are apparently undetected.”
Jane said, “have we heard anything on the communication channels that might tell us about the people on this planet?”
“Not really Captain. It appears to be a bit authoritarian. There is nothing overt to support that opinion. They are advanced. Humanoid in stature. Most of the comm traffic deals with government functions. There are a few public comm systems similar to Terran television type programming. Those systems seem to be controlled by the government as well. I would have to say that the government keeps a tight reign for the most part. Unfortunately, I don’t think we have a choice. We need help. We should make contact.”
“Very well then, XO, drop stealth. Let’s say hello.”
As Commander Roderique dropped stealth she broadcast on the predominate frequency. “This is the Federation Ship Barracuda. We mean you no harm. We are visiting your system for the first time and we would like very much to initiate a peaceful relationship.”
There was silence on the frequency for a moment and then, “Hello Barracuda, we were not aware you had entered our system. Please maintain your position and we will get back to you shortly. Do not arm you weapons or attempt to approach Ornia.”
A few minutes later, “Hello Federation Ship Barracuda. Welcome to the Sigma Argosa System, we are the Similublians and this planet is Ornia.”
Captain Indira Sukhov said, “Thank You, this is Captain Indira Sukhov. We are Terrans from the Solar System. To whom am I speaking?”
“Captain Indira Sukhov, I am Araime Deruno, the Supreme Leader of the Similublians. Do you intend to stay in our system for a time, or are you just using our systems as a launching place for somewhere else?”
“We would like very much to spend some time learning more about you and your system. We would also like to establish a relationship between the Sigma Argosa System and the Federation. Would that be possible?”
“Yes, of course, it would be no problem at all Captain Indira Sukhov. We welcome travelers to our system. We would be happy to invite you to our planet. Friends are always welcome. Are you able to approach and land yourself or could we offer you a shuttle to come to the surface?”
“Captain”, said Commander Roderique. “Are you sure we can trust these people, it seems much too easy.”
“I agree XO, but we have no options. We are stuck in this system for the foreseeable future. We need friends. We are here, and this is as good a place to start as any. I will advise Araime Deruno that we would appreciate a lift. I will be going alone.”
“Captain,” said Commander Roderique. “You should take one of us with you. We have no idea what you are getting in to.”
“Jane, I am going alone. If something happens to me, you are in charge. Get the hell out of here. No heroics. Save the Barracuda, you will need everyone still aboard to crew her.”
A short time later a small shuttle appeared. Captain Sukhov had donned her Exposure Suit. She sealed the helmet and entered the airlock. She
pumped the air back in to Barracuda’s supply tanks. When she had zero differential she opened the hatch. Waiting only a few yards away was the Similublian shuttle. The loading ramp was open and a Similublian in a pressure suit was waiting for her. Indira was not a fan of space walks in the best of times, but she had no choice.
Launching herself out of the hatch and using her directional jets to navigate was not one of her favorite things. She had trained for it, had done it several times, however, she had never grown comfortable with it. As she approached the Similublian shuttle the figure in the door reached for her and gently helped her board the ship.
As the pressure in the shuttle hold stabilized, Indira checked the atmosphere. It was comparable to the Barracuda atmosphere. The Similublian reached up and removed his helmet. As Indira removed her helmet the man said, “Welcome to Sigma Argosa System, Captain Indira Sukhov. I am sergeant Prod Zadra of the Ornia Defensive Militia.”
“Thank you sergeant Zadra. It is good to be here.”
Sergeant Zadra said, “We will be going to a nearby space station called Almighty Defender One.”
Sergeant Zadra explained that Supreme Leader Araime Deruno had been in a nearby space station attending a retreat for the leaders of the planet. When the system sensors detected the Barracuda, he was notified immediately. Sergeant Zadra went on to say that the planet had visitors from time to time, but usually the visitors had notified the planetary immigration unit of their impending arrival beforehand.
As the Similublian shuttle approached the space station, Sergeant Zadra said, “Captain Sukhov, please do not be offended, but I must check you for weapons before you can see Supreme Leader Araime Deruno.”
