by Terry Mixon
The commanding officers of the two light cruisers flanked Breckenridge: Captain Justin Macumber of Titan on the right and Captain Paul Cooley of Shadow on the left. The destroyer commanders flanked them: Commander Scott Roche of Ginnie Dare and Commander Ryan Stevenson of One Bullet on the right and Commander Eliyanna Kaiser of New York to the left. There should’ve been one more destroyer to make for an even set, but it had been detached to escort one of the other exploratory expeditions.
Based on the maps he now had of the Old Empire, the other three expeditions were probably safe from running into anything dangerous. Unless they found an unexpected path deeper into the Old Empire like Athena had. For all the distance a flip point could traverse in a moment, they shepherded the direction of travel to a greater or lesser degree. The other expeditions were moving away from the Old Empire.
Jared cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming. Let me start with the basic rundown of our situation. The next system over, the Erorsi system, was under the control of the Pale Ones until two months ago. We’ve defeated them and destroyed the artificial intelligence controlling the system. We blew up one orbital and captured two shipyards, one of them completely intact. The other one is repairable. The planet took a major kinetic strike, though. The damage to the ecosystem is extreme.”
He brought up a diagram of the Erorsi system. “The green diamond is the flip point leading to Pentagar. The red diamond is the flip point leading deeper into the Old Empire. The yellow diamond is a weak flip point leading to areas unknown. As you can see, any vessels coming through from the Old Empire will need to go quite some distance into the system before they will be able to detect anything about the planet or the orbitals around it. In fact, they will need to pass directly through the system’s asteroid belt.
“After consultation with the Pentagaran Fleet officers, we decided the best course of action was to place one force behind Erorsi and another in the asteroid belt. Once the freighter and any possible escorts are between the forces, we can strike and hold them from escaping. Because that’s the key factor in this engagement. We want the contents of the freighter, but under no circumstances can we allow any information about our presence to get back to the rebels.”
Macumber raised his hand, earning a sharp glance from Breckenridge. He continued in spite of the warning. “What kind of firepower are we looking at? A ship like this one? Something bigger? Or perhaps only a destroyer?”
“We don’t know,” Jared said. “Communications logs we recovered only indicate that this yearly resupply mission sometimes has an escort. If this were a Fleet mission, it would probably be a destroyer. We can’t count on that, though. If they send a battlecruiser like Courageous, this is going to be an exceptionally deadly fight.”
Breckenridge sniffed. “Let’s say that we do capture this freighter. What’s its cargo? And better yet, how do we access the computer on board it to get the information we need to make better choices going forward? In other words, Captain, what is your long-term plan?”
The subtle emphasis he placed on Jared’s title made his repugnance clear. Jared ignored it. They needed to bury their problems or they’d never get home. “Without information on what lies further into the Old Empire, it’s not easy to develop a long-term plan. There are several possible routes leading back to Avalon. Once we have an idea of what we face, we’ll be able to pick the appropriate direction to go.”
Captain Cooley earned a glance of his own from his commander when he spoke. “If these artificial intelligences are that advanced, how do we intend to get access to the records at all? And as the commodore asked, what exactly is the cargo on board this freighter?”
Kelsey spoke up for the first time in the briefing. “The computers on board the ships are accessible through our implants. Based on what I’ve seen, we’ll probably have to have physical access as well. And by that, I mean someone with implants will need to be on board the freighter to gain access to its systems. Either Captain Mertz or myself will need to be included in the boarding party sent to secure it.”
Breckenridge shook his head. “Unacceptable. Under no circumstances will I risk the life of a member of the Imperial Family like that. Neither of you will be allowed into the other system until we have secured it. My task force is quite capable of handling any problems that come our way. Once we have secured the freighter, we will send word and Captain Mertz can come do whatever he thinks necessary.”
Kelsey leaned forward. “And that is unacceptable as well. I cannot stress how important it is that no word of our incursion filters back to the rebels. Whatever plan you decide to go forward with, Commodore Breckenridge, it needs to include Courageous. This vessel is faster than any of your ships and her scanning gear is infinitely better. As are her weapons.
“I understand that you have no desire to cooperate with us on this matter. You’re going to need to modify that attitude. Allow me to stress that you have no idea how deadly Old Empire technology can be. This ship is quite capable of exterminating your entire task force. If one like her accompanies that freighter, it’s entirely possible that it would leave the system as the sole survivor. Whether or not you include Courageous in the initial attack, she needs to be present so that she can deal with any threats that you cannot.”
They glared at one another. Breckenridge relented. “If that is the case, then I insist that you not be present on board this vessel, Highness.”
“Agreed,” Jared said before Kelsey could argue.
Kelsey frowned at him. “Excuse me?”
Just play along, he sent to her implants.
Once she sat back, Jared continued aloud. “Commodore Breckenridge is correct. If Courageous is going to fight, we can’t risk losing both of the people with implants. In any case, you’re the least expendable of the two of us. You’re in command of the Imperial forces in this sector.”
Breckenridge grunted. “Now that we’ve settled that, we need to discuss the possible contingencies in this battle.”
The way that Breckenridge assumed that Kelsey would do what they decided amused Jared. His real plan for Kelsey might give the older man a stroke. Once the Imperial task force deployed in the Erorsi system, he’d make certain that Princess Kelsey was available in a marine pinnace. If the ship had to fight, his sister would be safe in the asteroid belt. Undetectable at low speed, but able to get to the freighter quickly if needed.
Once they got into the details of planning the ambush, some of tenseness in the air bled away. Aside from Breckenridge, Jared found the Fleet officers competent and knowledgeable. They examined the Erorsi system layout as a group, and suggested refinements to the attack plan, as well as contingencies based on certain possible reactions by the other side.
After about an hour, they had what Jared believed to be a workable plan. One that wasn’t too different than the plan he’d already worked over with the Pentagarans.
Commander Kaiser pointed at the weak flip point in the Erorsi system. “What about that thing? Should we send a probe through just to be certain that nothing is going to be coming after us while we’re fighting?”
Jared shook his head. “Nothing has come out in the last two months and I’d rather not provoke something on the other side that we’re not aware of. The Pentagaran forces are already in orbit around Erorsi. We’ve moved the probe that we had monitoring the rebel flip point to a safe distance so that any ship coming through won’t spot it.
“It’s in range to detect any incursion and signal the forces around the planet, as well as the probe waiting here at the flip point to Pentagar. We need to proceed to the Erorsi system as soon as possible and take up our positions. Every minute we delay leads to a higher possibility that the enemy will arrive before we’re ready for them.”
“Status change,” Courageous said from the overhead speakers. “Transition detected in the Erorsi system at the enemy flip point. Two vessels are currently proceeding towards Erorsi prime. ETA five point seven hours.”
“Dammit,�
�� Jared muttered. “This couldn’t have come at a worse time. We need to get over to the other system as soon as possible.”
“Wait,” Roche said. “At that speed, they won’t be into scanner range of the planet to see the damage for most of the trip, unless their scanners work completely differently than ours. How long did the AI wait to signal them before?”
“We have no idea.”
Roche nodded. “It’ll take us a few hours to get to the Erorsi flip point if we leave right now. If we keep our speed down on the other side, we might be able to cut them off. It doesn’t matter what they do in the system if they can’t get back out the way they came.”
Breckenridge nodded decisively. “Excellent points, Scott. So long as our course and speed allow us to beat them to the other flip point, we win. From what I’ve seen, they’ll attack at the first sign of enemy activity so we should be able to lure them into coming after us. Or the Pentagarans could do the same. We’ll just have to improvise.”
Hearing that word come from Breckenridge’s mouth made Jared a little ill. The other man wasn’t good at all in a free form tactical environment.
Captain Breckenridge rose to his feet. “Signal the task force, Commander Meyer. We boost for the Erorsi flip point at flank speed.” He shifted his attention to Kelsey. “You can get off here or at the fortresses defending the flip point, Highness. I don’t care which. Commander Meyer will accompany you.”
Without waiting for a response, he headed out of the conference room. The other ships’ captains hastily followed him out.
Kelsey growled. “He’s really beginning to irritate me.”
“Will you be getting off here or at the stations around the flip point, Highness?” Meyer asked.
Kelsey grinned. “Neither. I’ll go with Courageous.”
Commander Meyer jerked a little. “That wasn’t the agreement. You agreed with Captain Breckenridge that you wouldn’t go in exchange for this ship being included in the attack plan.”
“Jared agreed to that, not me. Besides, there are two ships. You might need a second person with implants. The survival of everyone in this task force might depend on it. We do it my way.”
The slender officer looked torn, but he reluctantly nodded. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
“Based on my observation,” Jared said, “almost certainly.”
Chapter Ten
Kelsey sat at one of the observation consoles to the rear of the bridge. Part of her attention was on the scanner readings from the Erorsi system, but they were too far away from the enemy ships to detect them directly. She only hoped the reverse was true.
The task force was leading the way, with Courageous following at a more sedate pace. One that Jared could make up for if he needed to.
The rest of her attention was on Commander Meyer. The tall man was watching her. She raised an eyebrow. “Can I help you, Commander?”
“I’m curious what you’re doing.”
“Right now? I’m watching the system through the ship’s scanners and wondering if this ambush is going to work.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Forgive me, but a few months ago, your relationship to Captain Mertz was poor at best. Now you’re working with him as though you’ve been together for years. Surely the events of the last few months haven’t erased the troubles between you.”
She focused her full attention on him. “That’s fairly blunt. And none of your business.”
“I disagree,” he said diffidently. “If I don’t understand the full situation, I can’t explain it to Captain Breckenridge. People don’t trust what they don’t understand.”
“Are you saying you don’t trust me? That’s awkward.”
He shrugged. “I’m being up front. Your authority is somewhat…sketchy with the captain. If he decides that you’re a danger to the Empire, he might refuse to accept your leadership. I’m coming to see how advanced this ship is, but it’s only one ship. It would be far better for everyone concerned if the two of you built some bridges.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. “Okay, if you want this plainly stated, I’ll do that. Yes, I came on this mission with a chip on my shoulder toward Jared. Everyone knows the history between him and my family. In fact, it’s so widely known that people assume they know everything about it. They don’t.
“Over the last few months, I’ve gotten the chance to see what kind of person Jared Mertz really is. A loyal, honest man who loves the Empire. A gifted tactician and combat commander. A friend. A very good friend. I’m certain that’s not how you see him, but you and your captain are biased.”
“I don’t see my position as biased. Jared Mertz has a reputation in Fleet as a man seeking advancement. One who’s willing to use his birth as a ladder to climb over the backs of more deserving officers. Perhaps you weren’t aware of that.”
Kelsey smiled coolly. “My brother worries about that very thing. He’s wrong to do so, and so are you. Jared has gone out of his way to avoid using his birth to his advantage. So much so that it’s kept him from being where his talent would already have taken him. A task force command.
“Believe me, I looked hard before I came to that conclusion. I wish your commander could say the same. His uncle in the Senate has been there for him, if you know what I mean. If using family to advance your career pisses you off, shouldn’t that bother you?”
Meyer stiffened. “I’ve been with Captain Breckenridge for four years. He is an exemplary officer.”
“He’s arrogant, ill-suited to unorthodox situations, and he nurses a grudge. You’re both still smarting from the ambush Jared sprang on you during the war games. You don’t see his methods as creative. You see them as cheating. Let’s say for the moment that I agreed with you. I’d rather have the universe’s best cheat stacking the deck against the Empire’s enemies than a man who refuses to see the reality of the situation.”
Her frank assessment seemed to take Meyer back. “Well, I’m not certain I share that assessment, but we’re stuck with the cards we’ve been dealt to use your metaphor. I’ll consider what you’ve said. What are your plans going forward into this ambush, if I might ask?”
“The marines are prepping a pinnace. I’ll go with them shortly.”
“Forgive me, Highness, but that’s an exceptionally rash decision. You have no place in combat, even though you seem to have handled every situation thrown at you with exceptional bravery and unnerving competence.”
She allowed herself a smile. “I doubt very seriously that Lieutenant Reese will let me near the fighting this time. I have something of a reputation. Nonetheless, it seems to find me anyway. The question in my mind is, do you have a place on this mission?”
The man straightened. “I’m going wherever you go. It’s my duty to be between you and danger.”
She laughed before she could stop herself. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean that as a reflection on your bravery. The one place you absolutely do not want to be is between me and danger. We need time to fit you into some armor. That means we’ll go down to marine country shortly.”
The tactical overlay she’d been keeping up in the corner of her mind’s eye updated. The two markers for the enemy ships showed more details. One of the stealthed probes had gotten a better reading and sent it on to Courageous via tight beam. The escort was a destroyer.
“Good news,” Jared said, obviously looking at the same information. “We’re only facing a destroyer. While dangerous, it isn’t nearly as bad as a cruiser. Zia, send a tight beam to Spear with the details. Append whatever data we have about that class of ship to it. What’s our ETA?”
“Less than two hours at this speed, Captain. If we can keep them from spotting us for another hour, we can cut the destroyer off from the flip point. Somewhat longer if we take the slower speed of the task force into account. Also, we’ve received a confirmation signal from the Pentagaran fleet in orbit around Erorsi. They’re ready to move out as soon as you give the w
ord.”
The tactical officer glanced down at her console. “Incoming signal from Spear.”
Kelsey rose to her feet. “That’s my cue to depart stage left. Jared, good luck.”
He turned toward her as she headed for the lift. “Stay out of trouble, but be sure to shut them down as soon as possible. Remember, we need that cargo intact.”
“I’ll do my best.”
She led Commander Meyer into the lift and started it down toward marine country.
“You don’t seem worried about the prospect of fighting,” he said after a moment.
Kelsey nodded. “After a while, you either learn to control your fear or you stop fighting. I’m worried, though. Everything has to go just right for us to win. One mistake will let the enemy escape or see the ship we want to capture blown to pieces. Even if we do everything right, people will still die. That’s the hardest part.”
The lift doors opened and she walked down the corridor to marine country. The marines were in the final stages of gearing up. Coulter stood waiting for them.
“Commander, if you’ll come this way, I’ll get you into some combat armor. Highness, we have your armor ready.”
Meyer waved Coulter away. “I want to see this armor first.”
“Aye, sir. This way.”
The marine led them into the armory. Kelsey’s dark grey armor stood ready on its stand. She couldn’t help but compare it to the black armor the woman in the vid had worn. Scratched and scarred as Kelsey’s was, it was pristine compared to the other woman’s. How much hell would she have to go through for them to look the same?
She began shedding her clothes, to the obvious shock of the Fleet officer. “They’ve seen everything I’ve got,” she said bluntly. “And an Old Empire skinsuit makes the armor a lot more comfortable.” She did turn her back on him at the last, though. He wasn’t a marine and she wanted a little modesty.
The snug suit made slipping into the armor a lot easier. It also had sensors built into it that the armor reacted to. Movement was smoother when she wore it. It also had the requisite fittings for her to pass any wastes on to the armor’s sump.
