“Yes, Hal, we are ready and waiting. Jon Carly will co-ordinate from here. I will put him on speaker for you.”
“Hey, Terrellian guy,”
“Call me Hal,”
“We’re all waiting here for your passenger ships. What’s your cargo space?”
“We have three passenger ships with five hundred seats each. We stripped everything out but the seats so we can carry a hundred thousand units of cargo as well. I’ll leave it to you to sort out what’s coming and what’s staying.”
“We’ll be ready with passengers and loaders, Hal. See you in two hours.” Kaura came back on.
“We have arranged a violent storm to pass over the Federation compound at two fifty five which should keep them close to their base,” he said. “If you send in the passenger ships one at a time, we will be able to shield them from the Federation scanners while they are on the surface.” There were smiles all round. “However, our shield generators are not powerful enough to shield their approach.”
“Understood,” said Erion, “It will help, your majesty. Please do not be concerned if ships appear to attack the compound at that time. It will be the Rebel Alliance, causing a diversion.”
“May fortune smile on you,” said Kaura, and cut the link.
“Del, can you send a copy of that transmission to General Cloud, please.”
“It is done, Major.” He came on five minutes later.
“This is the Rising Star. I listened to your message, Major. Are we going in as shadow cover now?”
“That’s what I thought, Jed.” Erion hastily rearranged her tactics. If the freighters were hidden from view while they were on the ground, all The Grennig and Rising Star had to do was evade detection themselves while they were being loaded up.
“We should be able to shadow the transports when they fly in and out,” Jed Cloud watched his brother, Callon at the ship’s computer interface, reconfiguring their engine signature to match a Class Five Pirate Raider.
“That’s what I was hoping, General,” said Erion, watching Delta Ten do the same.
“The tanker’s here, Jed,” they heard Jed Cloud’s brother, Buck, acting as co-pilot.
Space shifted for a split second and a massive supertanker, towing another, slid slowly to a stop next to them. The Rebel Alliance did not have any battle cruisers. The largest fighting ships they had were the Rising Star and the Grennig. They relied on stealth and speed for their little victories of which there were many, and ferried their fighter fleet about using modified tankers. They watched as the sides of the tankers lifted, and twenty, Class Six Wasp fighters emerged.
Space warped again and other, smaller ship came to a halt beside them.
“Hey,” shouted a voice from within it, “The band really is back together now,”
“Tranter!” yelled Raan, in surprise, “what are you doing here?”
“I balanced these engines and rigged up an autopilot. I got some guns working too. She’s quick, real quick.”
“Maybe Tran could go in on the first shadow run,” said Jed.
“So that's what we're doin'?" muttered Tranter. "Yeah, I know my ship ain’t as big as a corvette, but reckon I can reconfigure my signature long enough to fool their scanners on a shadow run.”
“Good,” said Erion. The tight little knot of tension in her stomach was rising, but the plan was all set out in her mind and it started to clear for the mission ahead.
“Two minutes to go,” said Delta Ten’s calm voice.
“This is General Cloud,” he was using his formal voice and all com chatter ceased.
“I am handing over command to Major Dubois.” She cleared her throat and spoke into the com.
“Light up your tails, please,” she said. I’d like three wings. Seven Red fighters to go with the Josie Dog, seven Blue to go with the Rising Star and six Green to come with us. Separate on my mark. Mark!” The little fighters lit their wing tips and tail fins with the appropriate colours and made their way to their designated ships.
“Good luck, everyone,” she said, “Head for asteroid twenty nine.” The little fleet turned towards Serrell and started across the heavens.
Chapter 15
“Contact Kaura,” said Erion. “Tell them we’re three minutes out.” Asteroid twenty nine was an uninspiring planetoid, black and barren, but it was big enough to hide the fleet from the scanners on Serrell. The Federation used it as an early warning system, but Delta Ten had hacked it and it was sending standard messages and pictures of the entrance to the system on a loop.
“Go Tranter,” said Erion, and the Josie Dog, accompanied by the passenger ship, Antelope and its little band of fighters, set off for the dark side of Serrell.
“We are over the co-ordinates given to us by Kaura,” said Tranter, “I’m going down. Red squadron, stay up there and keep watch. If anything comes too close, let me know before you engage.”
“Red leader, understood.” Tranter took his little freighter down. It was night time and the grey clouds parted to reveal a small. Flashing beacon. Tranter did a slow fly over and then a strip of light appeared on the ground. It lengthened and widened until a sloping tunnel appeared from the ground below. A man walked out of it, raised his wrist and spoke to them.”
“This is Jon Carly. Is that Hal, the Terrellian guy?”
“No, Carly, this is Captain Tranter in the Josie Dog. Are we cleared to land?”
“You sure are, Tranter. Go for it.”
“Antelope, you’re cleared to land.”
“You got it, Tran.” The battered looking passenger ship dropped slowly down, its downward thrusters almost knocking Jon Carly over. As soon as the Antelope touched the ground, all its ramps started to lower and people began to stream from the underground tunnel. Hover trolleys zoomed toward the rear cargo hold and disappeared inside, only to reappear empty and go back down the tunnel for more boxes. While all this was happening, Jon Carly and another, well-built Terrellian woman, herded everyone toward the ship. A small dog broke loose and ran back down the tunnel, closely followed by the child that owned it and the woman caught the child and turned it back, struggling and screaming for his pet.
They had allowed thirty minutes to get everyone aboard and everything seemed to be going according to schedule. Fifteen minutes passed and Erion leaned slightly forward and spoke into the com.
“You’re up next, Jed,”
“We’re on our way, Major,” he said. “Blue squadron and Valliant, follow me.” The Rising Star reached the landing point, passed the Josie Dog going the other way and the two pilots acknowledged each other.
“We’ll be back soon,” said Tranter. “We’re just going to escort the Antelope out of the system and see her into hyperspace, then we’ll be back.
“So far, so good,” said Erion. “If it stays this quiet, we’ll be home free in less than an hour.” Jed manoeuvred the Rising Star into position above the passenger transport ship, Valiant, and they went their quiet way to Serrell.
The Valiant touched down near the tunnel entrance and began to lower her ramps.
“Targets approaching, Jed,” said Lon Cloud, sitting at the gun console on the Rising Star.
“Shit, I knew it was too good to be true,” Jed Cloud spoke into the com. “All ships, head out towards the Federation site compound. We got company coming.” He turned to his young brother, “How many?”
“Just six, Jed.”
“Okay, aim to miss, little brother. We don’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest.”
“You got it.” Lon Cloud, the youngest of the brothers, peered into his firing grid and caressed the joystick, just like his hero Hal had taught him.”
“You hear me, Blue Squadron; shoot to miss and head away from Asteroid Twenty Nine. We got to make ‘em follow us.”
“Jon Carly, are you down there?”
“I’m here.”
“We’re gonna have to leave you for a while, but we’ll be back when you have to take off. Just stay under that shie
ld and wait for us. Hopefully, we’ll be on our own.” Jed nodded to his brother Buck, “Get Erion, will you Buck.”
“What’s up Jed?” she asked, warily.
“We got company, Major. Don’t worry it’s only six little wasps. No problem for us, we’re going to lead them away and head around to shadow the transport on its way back.”
A bored operator on the Aurian Marine base on Terrell had picked up the ship movements and sent out six fighters for a look.
“Yes Sir,” he told his commanding officer. “It looks like six Wasps and a Class five Corvette Raider but it must have been upgraded Sir, the way it moves.” There was a short conversation and the young tech said,
“Yes Sir, six wasps with it. Yes Sir, they’re running away. We’ve seen them off, sir. No, they aren’t damaged but I don’t think they’ll be back.”
Jed left it as long as he could, then returned to the landing site on a circular route. He flew over the Valiant, just as it rose up from the surface. With perfect timing, The Rising Star manoeuvred itself perilously close, just behind the passenger ship as it lifted slowly into the night sky with the six wasp fighters spread out on either side.
“Send a fighter to watch them out of the system, Commander,” said the voice on the com. “Wait until they’ve gone to hyperspace.” Listening in on the com through Kaura’s system, Erion called Jed.
“Let out some smoke, Jed. Let them think you’re battle damaged.”
“They’re on fire, Sir. Yes, I can see a bit of smoke, Sir. The fighters are keeping near it.”
“Get them out of my system, Captain.”
“Rigg,” Jed called the Captain of the Valiant on a closed beam.
“Yes, General?”
“Get ready to go to warp as soon as we’re past the asteroid. Blue Squadron, go with them.”
“This is Blue leader, message understood, Sir.” Rigg and his co-pilot took the passenger ship as close to Asteroid twenty nine as they dared, conscious that the Rising Star was right behind them.
“I’m letting out more smoke,” said Jed. “Are you guys ready?”
“Yes General.”
“Hard to starboard, Buck,” he said calmly. As the Valiant left Asteroid twenty nine behind, Jed let out a cloud of thick smoke and slipped to the right as the little fighters all closed in on the Valiant.
“Going to light now,” said Rigg. The Valiant shot forward and disappeared with the seven fighters right behind it. Back on the Federation base on Serrell, word of the skirmish had reached fighter command on the Marine base on Terrell.
“They’ve gone sir,” said the lead Federation fighter.
“What do you think they were?”
“Typical Raiders, sir. Looked like a class five to me. It was pretty beat up. I don’t think they’ll be back. They turned tail and ran as soon as we gave chase.”
Hiding behind the asteroid with green squadron, Erion, watched her scope.
“Is Kaura still shielding our transmissions?”
“Yes, Major,” answered Delta Ten.
“Good,” she said. “As soon as Tranter comes back with the Josie Dog, let him know there are six wasps on patrol out there somewhere. Get him to meet us here. Captain Raan,”
“Yes, Major?”
“Contact the pilot of the Diamond. We’re up next.”
“Aye, Sir.” Raan leaned forward a bit and spoke into the com. “Diamond, this is the Grennig. Come in please.”
“This is Captain Rune of the Diamond.”
“Stand by,” said Raan. He looked to his right as Starfire sat shaking her head, slowly. “Star?”
“Of all the places,” she muttered, then saw Raan looking at her. “Forget it, Captain, now isn’t the time.”
“Captain Rune,” Erion was on the com. “I’m afraid you drew the short straw. We’re going last and the Federation is on its guard. They’re going to be vigilant and there’s more than likely going to be shooting. You must get those civilians out of there. Do not wait for us. Do not try and help us. Your duty is to get those people clear.”
“I understand, Major. You can count on me.”
“Huh!” muttered Starfire, not quite under her breath.
“Go to the same co-ordinates as the Valiant,” said Erion “They’ll be waiting for you and the landing site is shielded. You won’t be seen while you are on the ground.”
“Aye, Sir.” The Diamond, a modern looking ship that looked like it was once a cruise liner, headed off in a direct line to Serrell.
“Have you met Captain Dune before?” asked Erion, perceptively.
“Let’s just say our paths have crossed, Major,” answered Starfire.
“Lieutenant, if there’s anything I should know before we start,” she began.
“It was a long time ago, Major. And she’s a very good pilot.”
“Right,” said Erion. “If you have issues, wait until this is over.”
“Aye Sir,” mumbled Starfire, half to herself. They set off, the Grennig flying just above the passenger ship and the fighters behind in close formation. It was obvious, visually, but the Grennig had much more powerful engines and would fool the scanners on Serrell into thinking there was only one big ship and some fighters on their scopes.
“Del, would you contact Jon Carly and tell him our new ETA?” asked Erion. Having to wait until Jed had gone past their asteroid had put back their departure. “Wake up, Hal, we’re on.”
“Aye Sir,” he drawled, irreverently. Erion spun around in her seat to see him throw a lazy salute to her. She sighed and shook her head.
“We’re half way there, Major,” said Delta Ten.
"Good," said Erion. She was about to call Jed when Hal spoke with the tone he used when he meant business.
"Ten class six wasp fighters have just entered the Terrellian System, Major. Their signature is Galactic Police.” Erion sighed,
“I knew it was too good to be true. Green squadron, wait until the last minute before breaking off. Captain Rune, get down to the surface and pick up those passengers. I’ll tell you when it’s clear to lift off. If you haven’t heard the order in an hour, wait for the enemy fighters to leave and pick your time.”
“Aye Sir,” The Grennig, painted up in Pirate colours, to look exactly like the Rising Star, led the procession towards the dark side of Serrell.
“Those fighters are going to catch up with us before we get to Serrell,” said Hal from his gunnery post.
“We need to speed up, Diamond,” said Erion. “Keep with us. Del, increase our speed so that we reach Serrell before those fighters." She leaned forward slightly, although it wasn't necessary, "Jed, we have ten class six Police fighters heading our way."
“Shit, Major, do you want back up?”
“Not yet, Jed, maybe when we’re on our way back.”
“Understood. I’ll wait here for your orders.”
“Just our luck to meet a returning patrol,” said Raan. “What’s the plan, Major?”
“We all aim for the Serrell Compound as if that is our target but we’ll speed up and overshoot when the Diamond lands and lead them away. Hopefully they’ll be in chase mode and won’t see her. Del, contact Kaura and see if they can raise the height of that shield of theirs. The Diamond needs all the help it can get.” They watched the Diamond sink down and disappear. “That’s her safe for now,” said Erion. “All ships, change course for the Badlands.”
The Grennig and her fighter escort overshot the landing site and headed out to the nothingness that was called The Badlands. Composed mainly of dead planets and wandering asteroids, it was a place favoured by pirates to hide out until the coast was clear. There seemed to be something in there that confused electronic equipment and it was best to stay well away from the place. Pirates were known to traverse it and used old fashioned, non-electronic navigation skills to find their way around, but it was still risky. Many a ship had been lost forever in there and it wasn’t travelled much, now that the Aurian Marines had built a base on Terrell.
Erion didn’t plan on going in very far as all navigation equipment was vulnerable inside it and she wasn't that sure of Delta Ten's ability in their either.
“This is Green leader,” said a voice on the com. “They’re following.”
“Good,” said Erion as the Grennig bucked from a laser strike, “let’s give them a run for their money.” She caught Raan’s eye. “Combat positions please.” Raan took his place at the port gunnery station and Delta Ten slid into his co-pilot seat on Starfire’s left. “Transferring engineering control to navigation,” Erion waved her hands swiftly over the crystals on her console. “Starfire, evasive tactics. Hal, Raan, take them out.”
Five of the enemy fighters were blown out of the sky in the first five minutes. The six Alliance fighters, together with the firepower of the Grennig, took them by surprise. They were expecting to confront pirate raiders and found themselves against a coherent fighting force. Of the remaining five, Hal took out two and the Alliance fighters chased the others back to their base, damaged and on fire.
“How are we doing for time?” asked Erion.
“The Diamond is ready to take off,” answered Delta Ten. “I would recommend haste as a further squadron of Wasp fighters has been despatched to our position. They will be in range in thirteen minutes.
“Did you hear that, Diamond?” asked Erion. “We’re almost at your position.”
“I have thruster problems, Major,” Dune sounded stressed.
“Well get them fixed. The Federation will be back with re-enforcements any minute.”
“My co-pilot is unconscious, Major. He hit his head when we landed. I’m on my own here.”
“They’ll be here in twelve minutes, Major,” said Delta Ten.
“All you have to do is get back to Asteroid Twenty Nine, Captain,” snapped Erion, “then you can go to hyperspace.
“Hal, how are we for ammunition?”
“We need six more minutes to recharge the cannons, Major,” he said. “Del, rev her up.”
“We have less than fifty percent fuel,” put in Delta Ten. “Sustained running of the engines will deplete our supply by a further thirty percent.”
Starfire and the Space Dragons: A Grennig Crew Adenture Page 19
