by G. P. Hudson
Danny turned to face Korinna. “We need a favor.”
Chapter 23
Danny and Gerry waited for the starship to put some distance between it and them before activating their jetpacks. Leventis’s scanners would not pick them up as they plunged through the sky in freefall. In the meantime, Danny maintained his neural link to the ship’s computer.
“It’s incredible that you can do that,” Gerry said over her comm. “Did Isaac ever say what kind of range the connection has?”
“No,” Danny said, looking over at his close friend’s plummeting figure. At the same time, he monitored the ship’s activity through his neural link. He retained full control over the starship. He could fly it, and use any of its instruments, including its external sensors and cameras. “Although there’s already considerable distance between us and the ship.”
“We should fire up our jetpacks before we become part of the scenery below.”
“Agreed. I’m sure it’s safe now. On three. Three, two, one.”
The two clones fired their thrusters first, slowing their descent until they came to a stop, hovering in the sky.
“Let’s go see what kind of party Mr. Leventis has thrown for us,” Gerry said.
The two clones fired their main jets and took off, streaking through the sky toward the designated coordinates. They stayed low to the ground, hugging the contours of the landscape to avoid detection. They had both trained in stealth insertion tactics while at Zeta and were confident that they could sneak up on Leventis without being spotted.
“The ship is landing,” Danny said. “I’m scanning the area.”
Danny swept the area with the ship’s sensors, looking for any overt threats. Gerry watched as well through their neural link.
“I’m picking up an aircraft approaching from the southeast,” Danny said.
“I see them,” Gerry said.
“The ship’s systems are not picking up anything else. Do you think Leventis is actually dealing honestly?”
“Ha! That man is a snake. He is up to something. We just don’t know what it is yet.”
“I hope you’re wrong, sister.”
“That’ll be the day.”
“Aircraft is coming in for a landing. Everything still looks good.”
They watched the small plane land, as they stealthily approached the meeting site. A hatch opened on the plane, and people started to file out, including Mr. Leventis.
“I don’t see Isaac,” Danny said.
“Neither do I.”
Danny accessed the starship’s systems and activated its external speakers. “Where is Isaac, Mr. Leventis?” Danny said through the ship.
Leventis seemed surprised but quickly regained his composure. “He’s coming. Why don’t you come outside so we can talk face to face?”
“I prefer speaking this way.”
“Oh, come on now. Don’t you trust me?”
“Are you trying to be funny?”
Leventis frowned. “Look, you two did some excellent work on Aurora station. Awe-inspiring work. I have nothing but gratitude.”
“Then tell me where Isaac is.”
“Soon. First I want to talk business.”
Danny reached out with his mind and tried to connect to Isaac’s brain implant with no success. Either Leventis lied about Isaac coming, or he wasn’t close enough to establish a neural link yet. “There is no business to discuss. We did what you asked, and now it’s time for you to deliver.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. There’s always business to discuss. I have another job for you two.”
Change course. Let’s come in behind them, Gerry said through the neural link, and the two clones altered their direction, looping around the coordinates.
“Sorry. We’re not doing any more jobs,” Danny said through the ship.
“Why not. You two are mercenaries. Why waste your talents? Look, I get that you’re not with Zeta anymore, and I don’t blame you. Masterson exploited you. That was a terrible relationship for you two. But that’s no reason to not become free agents. Do you have any idea how much money you can make?”
“Do you really think that hiding Isaac is going to encourage us to work for you?”
“I’m not hiding him. I told you. He’s on his way here.”
“When will he get here?”
“Soon,” Leventis said.
Danny’s annoyance got the better of him, and he accessed the ship’s hidden plasma cannons. Machinery whined as hidden hatches were flung open and the two turrets slid out of their hiding place. The two guns swiveled and locked onto Leventis.
“I’m not playing any more games,” Danny said.
Leventis smirked, surprising Danny. “I think you should rethink that.”
“Really? I Disagree.”
“Because I’m the one who had those cannons installed.”
“They’ll kill you all the same.”
“While that is true, it is also true that you will die immediately after.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why don’t you use that augmented brain of yours. If I installed the plasma cannons, then I already know they’re there, and I’ve already anticipated you pointing them at me. Your ship is currently in several crosshairs. If you kill me, or if I give the command, you and your ship become glass.”
Danny thought about all the women on board. What if Leventis was telling the truth? Could he risk their lives?
“Look, just listen to my offer,” Leventis continued. “That’s all I ask.”
“Fine,” Danny said. “But the guns stay pointed at you, so don’t try anything cute.”
Leventis nodded in agreement. “A competitor of mine in the Sol system is expecting a shipment to arrive in the near future. I want you to ensure that it never does.”
The clones landed a safe distance from the meeting site and proceeded the rest of the way on foot to avoid detection.
“What type of shipment?” Danny said, hoping to keep Leventis talking while they closed in.
“Weapons,” Leventis said.
“Is that all?” Danny said sarcastically. “A shipment like that is bound to be heavily defended.”
“Yes, that is true. That’s where your fancy Zeta battleship comes in.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on. You’re not fooling anyone. I know you stole a Zeta battleship when you escaped the Pallian system. Well done, by the way. Now that battleship has more than enough firepower to intercept that arms shipment and stop it from reaching Sol. It should be easy enough to do so while it’s traveling through metaspace.”
“I see,” Danny said. “Look, I don’t know who you think we are, but killing a scumbag like Erbakan was one thing, and blowing up ships with who knows how many people on board is another.”
“Blow up? Who said anything about blowing anything up? Clearly, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t want you to destroy the shipment. I want you to steal it.”
“Steal it? In metaspace? Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”
“Of course, I do. You have a ship full of Zeta combat clones. Boarding a ship in metaspace is child’s play for you.”
Danny wanted to wrap his hands around Leventis’s throat and squeeze, but they had to get Isaac first, and then they had to make sure the women on board the ship got away safely. As the meeting site came into view, the two clones circled around to sneak in behind Leventis’s aircraft.
“So, let me get this straight. You want us to hijack a weapons shipment for you in return for what? Money? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there isn’t anywhere to spend that money in metaspace.”
Leventis laughed. “No. I’m offering you something far more valuable. Zeta clones.”
Danny and Gerry exchanged startled glances as they furtively approached Leventis from behind.
“That makes no sense,” Danny said while he and Gerry pointed their plasma rifles at Leventis and his men.
Leventis wheeled aro
und in surprise and put out his hands, gesturing for his men to stand down. “Okay, that was impressive. Well done.”
“Cut the bullshit, Leventis,” Gerry said. “Or I’ll burn a hole through your left eye.”
“Do that, and you won’t see your friend.”
“Your story makes no sense,” Danny said. “Why would Zeta send clones to a criminal?”
“They’re not giving him the clones,” Leventis said. “He is helping them to covertly insert clones into the Sol system. If hostilities break out again between the Empire and Zeta Corp, Masterson wants to have assets in place in the Sol system so that he can strike at the heart of the Empire.”
“That’s all very interesting,” Danny said. “But it makes the mission a whole lot harder. Capturing a smuggler’s ship is one thing but boarding a ship full of Zeta combat clones is another.”
“Isaac thinks you can do it,” Leventis said.
“He agreed to the mission?” Gerry said.
“No. Not exactly. He said he had to speak to you two first. But he believed that it could be done.”
Danny’s connection to the ship warned him of another aircraft approaching their coordinates. “Someone’s coming.”
“That would be Isaac,” Leventis said. “Good. Maybe now we can have a more civilized discussion.”
Danny reached out with his mind and tried to establish a neural connection. Isaac, is that you?
Danny, my boy. Yes, it is me,” Isaac replied as the neural connection was established. And I see that Gerry is with you. Good. I am looking forward to seeing both of you.
You’re okay? Gerry said. You haven’t been mistreated?
Not at all. Mr. Leventis has been a gracious host.
Danny and Gerry both lowered their weapons, and Leventis smiled in response. “I see you have spoken with Isaac already. That’s good. Maybe we can finally come to an agreement.”
The aircraft hovered briefly above the group and gently dropped down to the surface. Danny cautiously watched the hatch open, his hands tightening their grip on the plasma weapon. He still didn’t trust Leventis and kept his guard up. If anything appeared that he didn’t like, Leventis would have Danny’s gun in his face again with no guarantee of restraint on Danny’s part.
When Isaac finally appeared, he flashed his trademark smile at the two clones, putting them both at ease. “You don’t know how happy I am to see the two of you again, healthy and unscathed.”
“The feeling’s mutual, Isaac,” Gerry said. “Now what’s the deal with all this talk of covert clones and weapons transports.”
“It is quite a disturbing development,” Isaac said. “One that I honestly believe we cannot ignore.”
“Then what Mr. Leventis says is true. You are in favor of the mission.”
“I am.”
“But Isaac,” Danny said. “Capturing a ship in metaspace is no easy task at the best of times. How are we supposed to commandeer a ship full of combat drones in metaspace?”
“We’re not,” Isaac said, smiling mischievously. “The Zeta clones on that ship are going to commandeer it for us.”
Chapter 24
Admiral Reynolds stood stoically on the bridge, happily gazing at the tactical display before him. Premier Reese stood at his side, sharing in his glee. So far, their surprise attack of the Tran system was unfolding flawlessly. Reynolds implemented the same plan he had drawn up for the Avar campaign, only with a few modifications. Instead of having his capital ships jump in to attack one of the minor planets, he used the few available Avar capital ships.
Premier Reese had come up with the idea, and while he didn’t fully trust her, she continued to impress him. He knew he was taking a chance by following her recommendation, and that those ships could warn the Tran about the coming invasion. Still, he thought it worth the risk. He had a feeling about this woman, and he wanted to put it to the test. He could just throw her in the brig if she betrayed him.
So far, he had been proved right. Reynolds had no illusions about Premier Reese. He was no love-struck schoolboy, and he knew that Reese was a shark. She was using him, plain and simple, but he didn’t care. He enjoyed her company, and not just the time spent in his bedroom. She was brilliant, ambitious, and intense. A natural leader. In her, he saw the strength of will that was so sorely lacking in everyone else around him. With her at his side, he felt unstoppable. She was more ally, than lover.
He had done his homework and knew all about her background. Her rise from poverty. Her skillful manipulation of the most powerful in Avar society. Like him, she was a commoner who had risen by merit alone. And, like him, she hated the nobility and everything they stood for. How far could those shared values take them?
When three Avar battleships jumped into the Tran system, it surprised the Tran military but had not set off the same alarm bells a flotilla of UEDF ships would. As the battleships headed for their target, they ignored the Tran hails. It didn’t take long for the Tran to realize something wasn’t right and send in ships to intercept. When the battleships launched missiles at those ships, the Tran fears were confirmed.
The Tran would have known about the UEDF conquest of the Avar system by now, which made their half-hearted response that much more puzzling. The three battleships, while powerful, did not have the necessary muscle to take on the Tran fleet. But they still had enough firepower to inflict a lot of damage if they weren’t dealt with swiftly and decisively.
The Avar battleships continued to approach their target planet, despite Tran efforts to stop them. Tran missiles chased the behemoths, only to be destroyed by the Avar point defense systems. When they fired on the planet’s orbital defenses, the Tran military had seen enough.
More ships were dispatched to deal with the intruders. As anticipated, those ships came from the force defending the jump gate. The Tran military sent their own flotilla to take out the Avar threat. Overcompensating for their earlier mistake, the Tran responded with overwhelming force, intent on crushing the trespassers.
The plan anticipated the time required for the Tran to respond, and when that time elapsed, the bulk of the combined UEDF-Avar fleet began to pour through the Tran jump gate. As they did, Reynolds had his capital ships open their own jump points, outflanking the jump gate defenders.
The Tran defenses had already been weakened by their response to the Avar battleships. Even so, the jump gate created a natural bottleneck which allowed a determined defender to fend off a much more substantial force. The Tran ships adopted a cone formation, focusing all their muscle on the comparatively smaller jump gate.
The first UEDF ships to cross through the gate were met with a lethal onslaught of missiles and plasma beams. Outgunned, those first few ships were like sacrificial lambs. They were also heavily armored, more battering ram than combat ship. Despite their thick armor, they suffered significant damage, and several were destroyed at the outset.
They successfully accomplished their task, however, acting as shields for the rest of the fleet. Like heavyweight bruisers, they pushed forward and took the brunt of the defensive fire.
Behind them, the fleet continued to push through. They used speed, to establish a beachhead. Even with the help of the shield ships, they still took heavy fire. Tran plasma beams lanced out at them, raking their hulls with deadly precision. Hull breaches vented equipment and bodies into the void. Still, the UEDF warships flowed into the system. They had the numbers to prevail, and would eventually overcome the defenders, albeit at a very high cost.
It was that high cost, in particular, that had prevented the Empire from taking back the Frontier Alliance systems. No one in the Admiralty had the stomach for such losses. They said it was bad for morale and would send the wrong message. So, they focused on the core systems, where they could be assured of victory.
Reynolds knew that there was more to it, however. The nobility was desperately trying to hold on to their wealth and preferred to let the troublesome star systems go. The Frontier Alliance systems were at
the outskirts of the Empire, and not worth the trouble. More importantly, the nobles didn’t have as much of their wealth tied up in these far-flung star systems and were not hurt too badly by letting them go.
This campaign would be different, though. There would be losses, but not the kind that left the nobles trembling with fear. With the appearance of Reynolds’s capital ships behind the Tran defenders, that outcome became evident to all.
The UEDF capital ships, which included the hulking Zeta battleships, opened fire on the Tran cone formation the second they appeared. Admiral Reynolds and Premier Reese had difficulty hiding their satisfaction as the upgraded plasma beams ravaged the Tran defenders. The Tran found themselves locked in a vice with nowhere to run.
The Tran cone formation fell apart. The ships at the rear of the formation bore the weight of the onslaught and broke rank to save themselves. Reynold took note of their lack of discipline. If the Tran joined his fleet, that sort of cowardice would not be tolerated.
As more UEDF ships streamed into the system, and more Tran ships broke rank, the combined firepower pitted against the gate’s defenders proved overwhelming. Blistering white light bathed the bridge as Tran ships began to succumb to their wounds and blew apart one after the other.
“Sir, President Stohl is requesting an audience,” said Captain Travers.
Reynolds smirked. “What took him so long? Go ahead. Patch him through to my comm.”
A red-faced, heavy-set man with drooping jowls appeared on the display. Glaring at Reynolds, his eyes widened in shock when he noticed Premier Reese standing beside him. “What is the meaning of this? Premier Reese, why are your forces fighting with the Empire?”
“The meaning of this, President Stohl, is whatever you choose to make it,” Reynolds said sternly. “Premier Reese has wisely chosen to save the lives of her people. If you’re smart, you will do the same.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Then I will explain,” Reynolds continued. “I am giving you an opportunity to avoid death and destruction, not to mention prison and execution. If you join forces with me, I will not bombard your cities. Nor will I have you arrested and sent to Earth to be tried for treason. I’m sure you know that you have no hope of winning such a trial and that the penalty is execution. In fact, I will let you keep your title, and you can continue governing the Tran system.”
