The Kryl Queen

by Chris Burton

  “Have we scanned for any Alpha or Kryl activity in the area?”

  “Yes, both long and short range, but both are clear. Now to crew issues. Of the five hundred and seventy –five crew onboard when we took evacs from the Hermes and the Peking; we now have five hundred and five. The Medical Center has fifty-eight patients, with twenty –two on the critical list.”

  “So, we have seventy crew dead or unaccounted for. What about critical placements. Are we short in any areas?”

  “Yes, I have moved some crew around. We lost six senior officers, including the two bridge crew and our chief medic. We do have another problem though…the environmental controls are faltering.”

  Smith looked concerned. They could deal with most things; but if life-support was compromised; they had no chance.”

  “To what extent?”

  “The standby power generators were both damaged in the battle, one has failed completely, the other is unstable. If we lose it, then environmental and atmospherics will start to fail, not to mention all the ships non drive related critical systems. We need the ion drive back up ASAP, or the clock starts to tick.”

  “Which brings us to the obvious question; how long before the ion drive is up and running, we need an estimate at the very least?”

  “The chief did not want to commit…I guess we will need to start looking for a safe haven?”

  “Yes…but even at maximum velocity on the ion drive, the nearest systems are over a week away. That may not be long enough. Get the chief to commit to a deadline and come back to me. For all our sakes it had better be soon.”

  Chapter Five

  The First Collection

  One hundred and fifty million people received their HSL demand on the first Wednesday in September. Each were called to attend their local collection center, within forty-eight hours. Failure to comply would result in their arrest.

  The collection center in the Augsburg district of Southern Bavaria was, until recently, a large food distribution portal. Now it had re-opened for distribution of a different kind.

  Klaus Meissen was tasked with heading up the center. A Police inspector whose march up through the ranks had stalled in recent years. He was only too pleased to accept the new role, thrust upon him only forty-eight hours ago. He was beginning to regret his decision.

  “How many?”

  “Thirty-seven shuttles; that’s about ten percent of what we are supposed to clear per hour.”

  “It’s not good enough. We have to clear a hundred thousand people through this facility in the next forty-eight hours. Have the arrest warrants been issued?”

  “Yes, but we don’t have sufficient resources. There is substantial resistance to comply and our officers are reluctant to get involved.”

  “That is hardly surprising. Surely, you can compel them to do their duty.”

  “Yes, of course; but take up will still be low. We estimate delivery of a maximum of twenty thousand people by the end of the day. We are going to fall well short of our allotment.”

  “Do what you have to do Martin. I will make sure we process everyone through quickly.”

  Meissen closed down the comm.link. This is not looking good. We will fall well short of our targets and I will not get my bonus. Why did I accept this stupid position?

  He was interrupted for the umpteenth time this morning by one of his processing staff.

  “Sorry to disturb you again, sir. I have another clemency request.”

  Meissen sighed. This was an unfortunate part of his job description. Any filtering of persons at this stage would help the process move more quickly later in. But this was getting ridiculous. That was twenty requests this morning. He sighed. “Show them in…and interrupt me in two minutes, then you can show him out.”

  A bespectacled and balding middle-aged man walked in. Meissen immediately took a defensive stance.

  “Inspector Meissen. I am Dieter Muller and I am requesting clemency.”

  “Of course you are. On what grounds?”

  “Many different ones. I have a family—two children, with a grandchild who need me. I have my civil responsibilities at council and of course I am a Justice of the Peace. It is quite clear that I should not be on this list. I am assuming a mistake has been made.”

  “Are you over sixty?”

  “Yes.”

  “Therefore no mistake has been made. Everyone over sixty is eligible for selection.”

  “What about my request of leniency? Surely my position and family commitments make me an unsuitable candidate.”

  “You are no more or less eligible than the next man…At this stage, no clemency is being authorized because our numbers are below the minimum threshold. I suggest you try again at the Central Collection Center.”

  “But…”

  The aide walked in, just as Dieter Muller was about to launch into a further defense of his position. The subordinate arrived just on time.

  “Your presence is requested at the launch facility, sir. Are you finished here?”

  Meissen was about to agree when Muller interrupted.

  “I am an extremely wealthy man, Inspector.”

  Meissen pondered his position briefly.

  “Tell launch control I will be with them momentarily. I will return Mister Muller to the compound.”

  The aide left and Meissen paused again, before speaking.

  “Are you trying to bribe me, Mister Muller?”

  “Everyone has their price, Inspector. You will understand given my current predicament, I am not concerned particularly about the legalities of this. I can give you One Million Credits, if you can grant me my freedom.”

  Again, Meissen paused. “And how exactly would you achieve this?”

  “You should speak to my daughter. She will give you half now and half when I am released. She is aware that I will be making such an offer”

  “I cannot give any assurance that an offer of clemency from me will be carried through by the Central Collection team or indeed the Kryl. What happens if you pay me half a million credits and the clemency appeal ultimately fails?”

  “Then I die and you are five hundred thousand credits, richer. You don’t earn a great deal, do you inspector? This amount could change your life, for you and your family.”

  “What makes you think that I am corruptible?”

  “As I said, everyone has their price and this conversation has taken us to places where only the corrupt will go…I have no time for morals Inspector and I am quite sure you are tempted by my offer. Perhaps you would like some time to consider?”

  “No, Mister Muller. I will not need any time. Your offer is acceptable. But I will need more money. If this matter comes out, I will loose my job, my security and my liberty. I need my family protected financially, if I am to take such a risk.

  Dieter Muller had seen this coming. “No. My offer is more than generous and is not itself without risk—especially if you decide not to comply and you report me. There are also others higher up the chain of command who will help me, if you don’t. If I walk out of this room without your agreement, there is no guarantee that the offer will remain in place.”

  Klaus Meissen brought his hand across his face and scratched his forehead. This should be an easy decision. I need the money and there is no reason why anyone will find out.

  “Very well Mister Muller. I will agree to your clemency; but after you have furnished me with your daughters contact details. When I am satisfied that half the funds have been wired, I will mark your file accordingly.”

  Dieter Muller smiled. “That is probably the wisest decision you have ever made Inspector.”

  Chapter Six

  Company of the Fleet

  The Halo 7 joined the main body of the fleet on route to the Styros Cluster. Jonathan H
oskins had assumed command of the fleet of some seventy-five ships of the line and just ordered his ship to pull back one half light year behind the main body to await the final few cruisers behind them. Hoskins was in his ready room and with his first officer.

  “Still no word from the three missing ships I presume?”

  “No, Jonathan. They should be in range by now. Would you like us to send out a Jump Ship Group?”

  “Yes please, Jean-Luc…I think you can start to take the initiative on such things. You are now effectively the Halo 7 Commander, with my new fleet wide responsibilities.”

  “Is that official? Is this my commission now?”

  Hoskins smiled. “No. Don’t try jumping in my shoes yet! But I think day to day command is now yours. I do have another job for you though.”

  “Now, you have my attention.”

  “We need to coordinate the Patrol ships which we will be sending back to Earth. We need to work out numbers required to ensure we cover all comms networks and that our crews are prepared for any eventuality.”

  “The patrol ships are dormant in hanger space at present. Do they have crews?”

  “Yes, across the fleet there are about ten dormant vessels. All with no crews. I need you to seek out crew, train and prepare them for launch in perhaps five or six weeks.”

  “They are all T5 class; so about fifty crew per ship. The Patrol Commanders are likely to have little or no command experience…”

  “Yes. Look for first rate Officers with at least Bridge Command qualification. Which reminds me; how is Jake Carter progressing?”

  “Did you want me to ask Jake to be one of the Patrol Ship Commanders?”

  “No…not really. I guess he will soon be qualified and this would be an interesting side step, but I still want him here.”

  “He will have bridge command status in a few weeks. Perhaps we can review nearer the time.”

  “Very well. Let me know the outcome of the Jump Ship launch today. It would be better if we did not loose three ships before we even get there.”

  The Halo 7’s first officer left the ready room and returned to the bridge and Jonathan Hoskins returned to his fleet responsibilities.

  * * * *

  First Lieutenant Jake Carter had gone off shift and was taking his evening meal in the ships mess hall. Maria just joined him.

  “You look ravenous today. Are you sure I can’t get you another portion?”

  Jake laughed. “It’s been a long shift and I am hungry; but no this will suffice, otherwise I will have to spend two hours in the gym to compensate.”

  “You hardly need it!” Maria looked Jake up and down. Jake looked super fit and she wanted him again.

  “Will you join me for some wine in the officer’s mess after you have eaten?”

  “Yeh, give me forty minutes. I need to take a shower, and then a few drinks would be nice.”

  * * * *

  An hour later, Jake and Maria were on their second glass of wine at the viewing section of the Officers Mess. They were enjoying a heated discussion about Jump Ship command and whether Jake was better off pursuing his current career path or whether he should return to Jump Ships, now that his injuries had healed.

  “In a few weeks, you will have a bridge command qualification. It’s just a short step from there to your first command.”

  “A patrol ship maybe. I am not sure that’s the path I need to tread. If I double up my Bridge Command status with CAG responsibilities, I will have the best of both worlds.”

  “What’s so wrong with Patrol ship command? I overheard the XO talking about setting up some Patrol crews whose job will be to return home to monitor communications. Not that I am trying to persuade you to leave the ship…I enjoy your company, but this could be a good opportunity.”

  “Did you say returning home?”

  “Oh…oh, now he is suddenly interested. Anything to bring him nearer to his darling Carla. Yes. This is confidential, but I know he is recruiting. I don’t think you would be prejudicing my position if you were to make an approach to him, without making reference to the intended destinations of the Patrol ships.”

  “Surely I am not that shallow? Okay, yes, thanks Maria I will speak to him, but I am still not that comfortable with the idea.”

  “Let’s forget about it for now and finish this bottle. It’s been a long day and I need to unwind a little further.”

  * * * *

  Eight hours later, Jake awoke. It took him a while to recognize his surroundings. The room looked different and then realization struck.

  Oh, Christ…I slept with Maria…How the hell did I let that happen? Jake was furious with himself. That second bottle of wine had been the killer and then he could no longer hold off Maria’s advances. Okay, the sex had been good, very good, but he was with Carla. What the hell was he supposed to do now? It was five am and right now, he had to get back to his room, to try to clear his mind. He had to get off this damn ship.

  The answer became clear as he walked back to his quarters. He would approach the XO and ask whether he could be included in the Patrol ship program.

  * * * *

  “I presume Lieutenant Shavenosky broadcast this to you. I shall have words with her later. To be honest Jake, I had a chat with the CO about you and he said he would prefer to keep you on board. I am happy to include you, but you will need to get clearance from him first.”

  Jake thanked the first officer and returned to his station. The CO was in his ready room. Should he speak to him now? Why did he want him to stay on The Halo 7?

  Half an hour later, Jake was summoned to the ships ready room. The XO had briefed Commander Hoskins already.

  “Ah Jake. I understand you made an approach to the XO, about the vacant Patrol Ship positions. It seems you are keen to take part.”

  “Yes, sir. My Bridge Command training will be complete in a few weeks and while that is good; I would like to do something active if I can. This seems right for me.”

  “How much of this has got to do with Carla Stevenson? Jake, the Patrol missions brief is not to return to Earth or to seek out individuals. The mission is a data hunt.”

  “I know, sir. This is the new front line though and I would like to be involved. Obviously, I would stick to the mission parameters.”

  “You’re damn right you will, Mister Carter.” Hoskins now took a more formal tone.”I know that Kryl influence was to blame for your wanderings last time; but the first time you and I met, was on the back of you stealing a Jump Ship to seek out Carla in the Kryl system! You are a good officer and you have potential to make it to the top. Don’t allow your personal objectives to interfere.”

  “I know, sir and I will not. Are you giving me permission to apply?”

  “Yes, Mister Carter. Don’t let me down.”

  Chapter Seven

  The Pantheon

  The ship was in deep trouble. With no drive systems, a dwindling air supply, and the prospect of further Kryl attack. They were running out of options.

  The ships CO, Wesley Smith was in engineering and was standing over the crouching figure of his chief engineer, whose attention was currently concentrating on the ion drive power couplets.

  “So, what do you think, Chief?”

  “We need to strip down the power couplets and then re-bore, to remove the damaged lining. Once it’s cold, it should be a simple if not laborious task, but you have to remember the temperatures involved here. It will take another twelve hours at least before we can get close to it and then maybe five hours to strip, two to re-bore and three to put back together. Less than twenty-four hours but only just.”

  “That is way too long. With little or no power reserves and now no power generators, we are going to start to have to breathe our oxygen reserves soon. What about short cuts?”
/>
  “Nothing I can do to cool her down any faster…unless…”

  “Go on…”

  “It’s a bit unconventional and it will reduce our air supply, but we could filter out some oxygen from the tanks and direct it into the couplet void. That would reduce the cooling time, maybe cut it in half, but it would also deplete our air resources.”

  “Right now, that is not a problem, as long as we can keep the remaining power generator working. You have a team working on that, yes?”

  “Yes, but that’s a bit messy too. There’s an internal bulkhead resting on top of the block. We are trying to lift it without cracking the cylinder head. Could go either way, but if it cracks, then the generator is down; simple as that.”

  “What about the other generator.”

  “Dead and no prospect of recovery. She was split in two, by the same bulkhead.”

  “Okay. So, how long before we know about the first generator? If it’s cracked will she give out straight away?

  “The bulkhead is being lifted now. If she’s blown, we have maybe two hours more power.”

  “Okay, so we wait to see whether the cylinder head is blocked. I guess we keep fingers crossed.”

  “Yes, let’s keep everything crossed.”

  * * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Smith was in his ready room.

  The comm.link was from the Chief of Engineering.

  “What have we got, Chief?”

  “Sort of a mixed bag. The cylinder head is cracked, but we can fill it. It won’t last forever, but it will hold for a few extra hours and we can now use the oxygen to help cool the ion drive. I’ll get on it straight away.”

  Smith thanked the Chief and summoned his first officer to his ready room.

  “What’s the status with our positioning Number One? Is there a planet or moon within reach, where we can put down?”