Admiral Hartmann received the signal with relief. The standoff with the Consortium Fleet could have gone either way, but now she could bring it to a close.
“Reinforcement at last — and ahead of theirs. Signal all ships. Battle group will assemble in accordance with my Deployment Order in Formation Twelve. Cruisers on the wing position and destroyers to seek targets of opportunity once we have engaged their battle squadron. The Tromp and the Parramatta will remain in reserve to protect the LSPs. We move as soon as the newcomers have joined and been brought up to date with my orders and formations.”
“Very good, Admiral.” The Flag Lieutenant and his staff were already carrying out orders.
“Signal just in. Rear-Admiral Heron intercepted a Consortium force and damaged or destroyed most of their ships, and is driving them away from this region.”
“Enemy ships have powered up their drives, Admiral.” The scan officer’s report cut across the Command Centre even as, throughout the ship, the action stations began to sound.
“Enemy ships are going hyper, sir.”
“Track them and maintain scanning,” the Admiral ordered. “All ships prepare for pursuit.”
“They’re entering transit — looks like they’ve had enough.”
“Damn!” the Admiral exclaimed. “Order the pursuit. I want to finish this.”
Aboard the Khamenei, Admiral Gratz watched the scan reports for any sign of pursuit. He was annoyed that his reinforcements had failed to arrive, but he realised their delay was due to having been intercepted by the superior Fleet. How that had come about would have to be investigated since the ships had been routed through a sector that Fleet ships did not use under normal circumstances.
“No pursuit, sir,” reported the scan officer. “The decoy drones have worked. We’ve given them the slip.”
“Alter course. Make for the repair base at Archaelos. We’ve achieved our purpose. We pulled them away from the Peiho System and New Babylon. Our Assault Group succeeded in getting troops onto the planet and capturing it. It’s a bonus that the ships we took on will have to be put into repair.” He stood up and made for the door. “I’m going to get some rest. Signal our course and destination to the Chairman’s office.”
Aral Clarke settled at the workstation and applied himself to the task given him by the Consortium’s lab supervisor. It was boring and unrewarding, but it was something that at least broke the isolation from his fellow survivors and took his thoughts off his concerns about his wife and their future.
“New set of samples for you, Aral.” The supervisor pushed some vials across the worktop. “How was the last batch?”
“All tested within the parameters you gave me. I’ve filed the report.” Pulling the sample tray toward him, he glanced at the label. “These aren’t for a fuel cell system. What are they?”
“Something we more or less scrape off the surface in some of the driest areas. Damn good for making plants grow, so we hydroponics nerds take all we can gather.” She laughed, turning to go, then paused. “It’s the most useful thing we’ve found on this planet. It’s very rich with it. The agri-haulers ship it away for use on some of the worlds where the soil quality is too poor for crops.”
“Good to know I’m doing something useful then.” Clark could barely suppress his snarky tone. The supervisor ignored him and chose not to reply, and left him to his task.
Placing the first of the samples into the machine, he entered the material code and waited for the unit to run its checks. The Consortium had set up some huge manufactories on this planet to build fuel cells for their strike craft, weapons components for projectors and a few other things, plus this fertiliser the planet seemed to have in abundance, which he’d heard was great for growing plants but was poisonous when ingested.
His mouth stretched into a smirk that accompanied his snort of derision. With a bit of luck that damned Heron and his gang would poison themselves eating it.
Chapter 19 — Explosive Reunion
Harry found Rasmus preparing to turn in for the night. “Rasmus, I’m sorry to burst in on you like this, but I know where Ferghal is held, and we must rescue him now. I have a plan, but we will need all the explosive devices we can carry.” He grinned impishly. “And we will need them to be the most easily used, not the overly sensitive sort you have tried, if you please. They must be safe to carry upon our persons.”
“They are, mein freund. We have made the powders and the fuses. Herr Winstanley has a large supply of the devices. All that is required is to insert the fuse.” He looked puzzled. “Why now? Can’t this wait till morning?”
“There is not a moment to lose. The Consortium has researchers on their way to try some new experiment on Ferghal, and I cannot permit it.”
Harry and crew assembled in the transport chamber. They were short of sleep, but the grenades, mines and torpedoes would give them the edge in the assault —he hoped. To his surprise, several of the Canids were present, and evidently intent on accompanying them.
The human contingent was almost indistinguishable from the Canids in their new garments. Turning to the Coxswain, Harry announced, “Mister Winstanley, I am told we will be travelling by the below-ground transport to a place near the structure in which Ferghal is held. We shall arrive at dawn. You all understand the use of these grenades? Once you have struck the fuse, it cannot be extinguished. You must place the bomb and take cover.”
“We get you, sir,” the Coxswain replied. “But it’ll be a learning on the job exercise for us. This business of starting a fuse and then chucking the bomb isn’t what we’re used to.”
“I know, Swain,” Harry said. “It’s a bit old fashioned, but it’s all we have for now besides the few weapons we took from our enemy, and you know the reason we must be careful of those. Who has the charges I want placed?”
“Me, sir,” Josh Moroti responded. “And I have the igniters as well.”
“Good. I’ll want you to stay close to me once we get there.”
Their Canid companions gathered their packs and assembled at one end of the room. A few minutes later, the leader growled in Harry’s direction followed by a series of yips, whines and guttural sounds. The translation device did its job from within the pouch Harry carried, and said, “Follow us. The vehicle is here.”
An opening appeared in the wall where the Canids stood. In Harry’s mind, it was rather like the iris of a great eye, or some sort of gullet opening to swallow them. They boarded the large tubular vehicle, which sealed once they were inside. As on their previous journey, seats emerged from the floor, and they seated themselves.
In his thoughts, Harry heard the host saying, “You will be transported to your destination where we will guide you toward your friend. Tell your companions they must secure themselves — the distance requires speed.”
“Secure yourselves in the seats,” Harry instructed his team. “I am warned this journey will be swift.”
The team looked for straps but found only appendages that sprouted from the seats and embraced them in the manner of belts. The seats moulded around them to provide support for their backs and heads, and the vehicle accelerated.
A new group had arrived at the lab with their aggressive and overbearing leader. Ferghal could hear the man demanding that the Guard Commander remove Ferghal from his cell and transport him to the laboratory so that the man and his team could immediately begin a series of experiments on the specimen, as he referred to Ferghal. The guard was equally determined he would not permit any experiment without the authority of Brigadier Newton.
“The Brigadier doesn’t have the authority to stop us,” snapped the man whom Ferghal now realised was the infamous Dr. Johnstone. “I tell you, the Board have sanctioned it!”
“So you say, but I have written orders from my commanding officer that I must have her authority before I can allow this.”
“Damn your orders! I want that man in my lab now,” the doctor stormed. Turning to
the technicians, he snarled, “Take him out of that cell and get him into the lab.”
“Sentry!” the officer barked. “Shoot anyone attempting to remove the prisoner.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” shouted Dr. Johnstone. “This is vital research.”
“Don’t push your luck, Doctor.” The Guard Commander had reached his limit. “Under my orders I have the authority to lock up you and your staff — and I don’t give a damn who you’re connected to on the Board. I’m not going to stand by while you commit murder.”
The doctor’s appeal failed to work because Ferghal had told the Guard Commander what had been done to him and to Harry on Pangaea by Dr. Johnstone’s scientists. It disgusted the Guard Commander, though he kept this to himself.
Ferghal, listening to the argument between the two men, was startled to hear Harry in his head.
“Ferghal, you wished to speak to me?”
“That I did, but how did you know?”
“It seems our new ally, the Provider, knows your thoughts and mine,” Harry told him. “What is afoot?”
“Harry, no less a person than Johnstone himself is here and demanding my removal. Thus far, my guard is refusing his request, but I am not certain they will continue to do so if the orders are changed. It seems the Consortium’s leaders are here as well, and this spáilpín has the ear of at least some of them.”
“We are nearing your prison and, with luck, will be with you before they may act. Courage, my friend, we will be there soon.”
“I have no choice,” Ferghal responded. “But if they seize me with that stun weapon again, I am lost, I’m thinking.”
“Then help us — tell me what you know of the facility and its defences so that we may strike effectively before they can prevent us.”
Ferghal gave Harry all the information he knew, and then he added, “I am able to use the monitoring part of the system to locate their people, and I can guide you to my cell.”
“Better and better,” Harry replied.
After emerging from the vehicle inside an artificial cavern, the group checked their equipment. Like the city they now lived in, this place had a similar structure and arrangement, though it was much smaller, and the population evidently engaged in different activity to those at their home base. The Canid leader signalled that they must follow. Obeying, Harry told his team what he had learned from Ferghal.
Following the Canid guide, they arrived at a position from which they looked down on the small fenced facility. They lay on their stomachs for camouflage against the ground.
“Daylight’s going, sir.” The Coxswain joined Harry and the leader of the Canids. “They’ve got surveillance on those towers. Be tricky evading them.”
“I see them and the defence system.” Harry turned his head to address the Canid. “We need to destroy that power plant and the cables to those defence emplacements.” He waited while the translator yipped and growled.
“You wish to use these devices on the poles beneath the power unit, and at the weapons? What of the other systems?”
“My people will insert the torpedoes under the cables and the masts. The power unit will need a different approach. They are familiar with these systems, and know how to neutralise them.”
The Canid grunted. “We will observe. We must learn to use these devices.”
“Thank you.” To the Coxswain, Harry said, “Swain, when I give the signal, your people may fire the igniters. They will have two minutes to clear the field. Please ensure they understand it is vital they are behind substantial cover within that time.” To the Canid, he added, “Your people should fall back once the devices are planted. I do not want them injured by the explosions.”
“We will use the opportunity to acquire some of their weapons. Go well!” The Canid growled into his translator, listened to a reply, slid back, pulled a cloak over his head and vanished.
“Bloody hell, that’s creepy.” The Coxswain stared at the place where the Canid had been visible moments earlier.
“It is rather unnerving,” said Harry. “Right then, Swain. Now we discover how well our grenades work.” Pointing out the dome they needed to access, Harry outlined his plan for the strike. “I want you to lead your group to create a diversion. If you cause a great disruption and blow up those facilities there, they are the main barracks. The administration and accommodation domes and the power supply are located there. As soon as the torpedoes explode, commence your attack.”
“Right, sir. Where will you take your team in?”
He pointed out a smaller structure. “From that side.” He indicated the perimeter closest to the dome he knew Ferghal to be in. “And try to take them by surprise to release Ferghal.”
“They’ll put up a tough fight, sir. Those guys are regular troopers.”
“I fear it may be a no quarter situation. We have little choice in the matter. We must not fail.”
“I follow you, sir.” The Coxswain nodded. “I suggest you and your team get going. I’ll move my people into position and make a start on getting our bombs planted as Mr. Rasmus showed us. Is there any sort of electronic perimeter?”
Harry chuckled. “They think there is. Ferghal assures me he has disabled it. Take care, though, as there may be other devices. I would certainly not rely entirely on a single system if I were the guard officer. There may well be patrols.”
“Those I can deal with, sir.” The Coxswain grinned. “That kind of thing is my field — not this poking around in the network’s head, if you’ll pardon my saying so.” He looked at Harry and grinned. “See you on the other side.” He slipped down the slope signalling his people into position.
Harry was puzzled by that expression, and had a flashback memory to when he went from 1804 to 2204 in the midst of a blast of gunpowder, not unlike what they were about to unleash. “I hope not,” he said under his breath, pushing his fears aside.
The twisted shapes of the leathery plants that grew in this area concealed clusters of eroded rocky outcrops that covered the terrain they had to cross. Patches of snow and sheets of ice covered the ground. Against this backdrop, the stark vegetation made fantastic patterns. The cover was sparse, but their clothing helped them blend into the landscape, and they were able to move quietly toward the Consortium Base, their belts and pouches filled with explosives.
Some of the Canids accompanied him, and a larger group went with the Coxswain. Well within the time he had allowed, they were in position. “Ready?” Harry said to his team. “You have the igniters to hand?” He received their assurances. “Very well. Ferghal promises to have the entrance open for us and the other chambers secured. We will go directly to his position, but there is an antechamber adjoining it where a number of guards and researchers are gathered.” He sketched a rough plan on the ground. “All are armed with the stun weapon. We take no chances — I think one of the grenades should disable them, but have a larger device ready if it does not.”
He tried to contact Ferghal to discover what was in progress inside the dome.
“Ferghal?” he said. He waited, wondering whether he had lost his connection to the Provider. When it finally responded, he asked, “Is Ferghal still available?”
“I am here, Harry.” Ferghal sounded anxious.
“Good. We are in position. Can you see anything on the monitors guarding the perimeter? Can you manipulate them so they do not see us?”
“Nothing. Wait — I see some movement at the other end of the compound. There, I have altered the vision on the guard’s monitor. They will not see anything now. What is afoot?”
“Mr. Winstanley is ready. There will shortly be some explosions — at least I hope there will be. Once your guards respond to these, we will strike into your position and release you from your prison. How are you secured? Are you kept in irons? How is the door secured?”
Watching, he caught the signal from the Coxswain’s side, and responded with his own.
“I am secured
only by the door, and it is a lock so simple I can open it in a trice.” Ferghal seemed very excited now. “As to the access to the cell block, I will disable the entry port and secure the doors accessing the rooms entering upon it. Beware, though —Johnstone and his people are all in the chamber where they can observe me.”
“Very well. We will use one of our bombs on them. When you see a grenade flung into the room, take cover behind something solid. We do not know how powerful these will be. Is there somewhere you can take shelter?”
“When I see you entering, I will go to the toilet! I shall hope the saints preserve me from your device there.” Ferghal thought quickly. “One thing I ask, Harry — the Guard Commander has been most concerned for my welfare. Spare him if you can.”
“How will I know him?”
“He is the only man here with the markings of rank upon his uniform. There are three guards. The others are not of any rank that is visible.”
“I cannot promise, my friend. You know I cannot risk our people in trying to show mercy to our enemy, kindly disposed or not. And, as their officer, he must be prevented from rallying his people.”
“I know that, Harry. Do your duty.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a massive explosion at the far end of the compound shook the ground. It was quickly followed by several more. Lights flickered then died as the power plant disintegrated amidst a brilliant flash.
Leaping to his feet, Harry shouted, “Now! Quickly, before they recover!”
He charged through the opening as the low level emergency lights flickered into life. It occurred to him that there could be a problem if someone was waiting on the other side. His blood up, he thrust the thought aside. Errol Hill beat him through the door and was at the far end a few steps ahead of him, the fuse on the cylindrical grenade in his hand already spluttering.
The door opened on a group of people arguing. Their voices stilled as the cylinder sailed into the room and bounced off a wall before it careened toward the furious Dr. Johnstone. Without thinking, he caught it.
Savage Fugitive Page 18
