Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series

by I. G. Roberts

  "Your President, I hope he's all right."

  "He's okay Sir. I believe he'll want to meet you before you leave if it's at all possible."

  "I suspect I'll be here for a while Commodore. Once we understand what’s needed, I'll ask Sankarah for help. I don't know how much help they can send you though. The Pirates raided colonies right throughout the region."

  Cambridge Naval Headquarters Bunker

  After Henry finished talking to Admiral Dalkasan, he returned to monitoring the situation on the ground. Many of the Pirate troops on Cambridge had already surrendered. The only ones left were the die-hards, troops intending to fight until the end. He looked again at the target list DNI extracted during prisoner interrogations. Henry was one target, and so were the President, Sonya and Colin. Well, Henry believed himself safe while he stayed here in the Headquarters Bunker, there were two Battalions of Troopers guarding it with multiple layers of defenses in the surrounding country. Sonya's safety in the hospital when she reached Cambridge Station would be acceptable. The President's security was beefed up after the attack so his safety was assured and Colin was safe on FNS Theseus. Henry knew Colin wanted to come down to the surface soon to help, and he'd want to check on Julia, which might be a problem.

  In the meantime, Henry continued working his way through the reports. All Cambridge's ships were damaged during the battle, except for two that arrived with Reserve Fleet. There weren't enough people to prioritize ship repairs yet. Everyone who was available needed to concentrate on the job of pacifying the remaining Pirates. Henry noticed Colin was close to docking with Cambridge Station and called DNI for advice.

  The voice on the other end said, "DNI, James Hamilton speaking. How may I help you, Sir?"

  "James, I have a small problem and need your advice on the best way to solve it."

  "Sir?"

  "FNS Theseus, with Commander Gordon on board will dock with Cambridge Station in a few hours. If I know Colin, he'll be coming to the surface as soon as he can to see if he can help. He won't ask permission, he'll just arrive on our doorstep. Now the problem is that Commander Gordon is on your list. Colin is the one man we can least afford to lose right now."

  "I see your problem. You need to assign the Commander some security. Given who he is, and what he does, I’d suggest a Marine platoon would be the best choice. I think they'll be the only ones who can keep up with him. Given who's targeting him, Marines are the best equipped to deal with the threat."

  "Marines, I hadn't thought about them. Good, thank you for your help James."

  "My pleasure Sir."

  Henry's next call was to the Marine Commandant. Thirty minutes later, Lieutenant Kevin Stark was standing in front of Henry with a curious look on his face. He and his platoon had been operating nonstop for too long now. He thought his troops deserved down time. Unfortunately, this obviously wasn't happening.

  Henry began, "Lieutenant Stark. May I call you Kevin?"

  Kevin thought, 'Okay, what's he buttering me up for?'

  Instead, he replied, "Of course, Sir. What can I do for you?"

  "Kevin let's not stand on formality. For the duration of this meeting, call me Henry."

  Kevin nodded, not trusting himself to speak as he thought, 'Oh boy, this is gonna be bad.'

  "It isn't all that bad Kevin. I have a small security job for you. Before I explain it, read this report."

  Kevin thought, ‘God, he's reading my mind now,’ as he took the report and began reading.

  He soon realized why he was here but misread who his platoon would run security for. He thought it would be the President, or perhaps the Commodore. Kevin nodded as he handed the report back.

  "Kevin, Commodore Nicholson is out of reach, and both the President and I have good security already. Commander Gordon however, has none, and he's about to dock at the Station. Unless I'm very much mistaken, he'll be turning up on the ground soon afterward. So, do you see my problem? For now, the Commander is the one person we can least afford to lose. People believe in him. Losing Colin might shatter morale on Cambridge."

  "I would have to agree with you there S... ah, Henry. When we raided the Shuttle Port, we rescued several civilians. Some of them asked if Commander Gordon was coming soon. You're right, we need him safe. We’d suffer a major blow to morale if someone assassinated him."

  "So, can you do it, Kevin? Will you do it?"

  "Sir, we'll do the best we can, and our best is superb, even if I say so myself."

  "Thank you, Lieutenant. I'm aware of how good your best is, that's why I've asked you to do this."

  "Can you give me any idea where he's likely to go while he’s here Sir?"

  "I expect here, Sonsberg Hospital and his house. Someone is hiding in his home. He'll want to retrieve her. I understand you need time to prepare, so I'll delay him as long as possible. I'm going to the Station for a meeting with Admiral Dalkasan tomorrow morning. I'll ask Colin to come with me. You'll have at least until tomorrow afternoon before he's likely to arrive. I'll explain the need for a security detail before then."

  With the conversation over, Stark saluted and left to begin preparing. His platoon wouldn't be euphoric but too bad. They would have to deal with it.

  Sonsberg Hospital

  Dave lay on the bed, conscious but barely aware of his surroundings. If his head was clear enough for him to have coherent thoughts, Dave may have wondered why he took the risk rescuing the President. When Dave acted, there was no expectation of a reward. He’d settled into life in Cambridge now, even made a few friends and liked living here. He especially liked not having to be so alert for trouble, or constantly protecting Julia.

  Keg sat beside his friend watching, waiting for Dave to regain his senses, while contemplating how they ended up here. Dave called out a few times, asking for Julia. Nobody knew where she or any of the others with her had gone after they left Keg's parent's house. Kegs mom worried because after they departed, nobody saw them again. They’d been missing for over a week now. Keg heard a slight, almost inaudible sound from near the door. He looked up to see a Lieutenant wearing an unfamiliar uniform beckoning him. The uniform was imprinted with a digital camouflage pattern that seemed to change as the man moved, making him almost appear to blur when he walked out into the hallway. Keg followed the Officer outside with a quizzical look on his face.

  The Lieutenant said, "People call you Keg, don't they? Do you mind if I call you by that name?"

  Keg's senses were telling him this Officer was a dangerous man, so he answered, "That's fine Sir."

  "Good. Keg, I need you to come with me to somewhere more secure than here. I’ll explain why I'm here to you after we arrive there. Then I intend asking you some questions. Don't worry, you aren't in any kind of trouble, I need information I hope you can give me."

  Keg looked back toward Dave's room but realized he didn’t have many options, so he followed the Officer. Keg walked beside the Lieutenant down the hallway, leaving Dave's room behind. Eventually, they arrived at a quiet part of the hospital where two dangerous looking troops guarded a closed door. When the soldiers saw the Lieutenant and Keg, they nodded as the Lieutenant led Keg into the room. Once there, the Lieutenant waved Keg toward a comfortable chair before taking another for himself. For his part, Keg decided to cooperate until he understood what this Officer wanted, so he sat quietly waiting for the Lieutenant to begin.

  The Lieutenant said, "Keg, I'm Lieutenant Stark of the Cambridge Marines. I have orders to mount security for Commander Gordon. I think you can help me understand the difficulties a little better. I believe your family lives close to where the Commander's house is. Have you ever visited his house?"

  "Twice, Sir, although the Commander wasn't there when I went. I went with my friend Dave to see his girl, Julia. She lives in the house. I think Julia is the Commander's housekeeper or something."

  "Good, now describe the house and surrounding area in as much detail as possible, please. I have house plans, and maps of the area,
but they can only tell us so much."

  Keg knew better than to lie or try hiding anything. He wracked his brains for the information the Lieutenant wanted, telling the man whatever came to mind. Sometimes, Lieutenant Stark interrupted Keg to clarify various points. The interview lasted for two hours until Stark was satisfied.

  Stark said, "Thank you for your help Keg. I believe the Commander intends visiting his house? I understand your brother and two sisters are missing. We might find them if we go there, perhaps even bring them back with us."

  "Yes, Sir, I'd like that. My mother is worried, nobody knows where they are."

  "I'm sure we'll find them safe and well Keg. You can return to your friend now. We'll be in touch."

  CHAPTER TWO

  SECURITY DUTY

  Harmon

  Henry Fraser realized he couldn’t delay his conversation with Colin any longer. He sighed and placed a call to Theseus. Although Henry asked for Colin, Anne took the call.

  When Henry asked for Colin again, Anne said, “Captain Gordon is sleeping Commodore. He’s been awake for seventy hours straight. The work has exhausted him Sir, he’s zoning out when we talk. Please don’t make me wake Captain Gordon yet.”

  “Okay Anne, let him sleep. Tell him Admiral Dalkasan wants to meet him in seven hours so you must make sure he’s there. I’m expected too; the Admiral is most insistent.”

  “Okay Sir, I’ll make sure he comes.”

  “Thank you, Anne. How have you been?”

  “I’m tired, sleep is in short supply here Sir. We took damage during the battle and have a persistent air leak near the hold. We’ve sealed that area off, which means we have little room for the crew to do their mandatory exercise.”

  “Anne, I know you only have four Officers there, but you all need to have adequate rest, or somebody will have an accident. We lost too many personnel with the invasion, I don’t want us losing more because of mistakes made by exhausted Officers or crews.”

  “Commander Gordon is making sure everyone has enough sleep Sir. Sometimes, it’s hard to make him follow his own advice. He listens if I push though.”

  “Okay Anne, relay my concerns to the XO will you and stay on Commander Gordon’s case.”

  “Will do, Sir, Theseus out.”

  FNS Sundara

  Colin arrived at the correct airlock to request admittance to the Admiral’s Flagship. FNS Sundara’s XO met Colin and escorted him to a meeting room where several Reserve-Fleet Officers waited. When Colin entered, they rose and applauded him before Dalkasan spoke at length about Colin’s achievements since he arrived in the Federation. After the Admiral said his piece, Henry discussed Commander Gordon’s impact on the defense of Cambridge. The gathering lasted for a while longer before they parted company. After the others left, Henry mentioned that Julia was missing and winked at Colin. Colin knew her location. It was then that Henry told Colin he’d assigned him a security detail of Cambridge Marines.

  When Henry mentioned Marines, Colin did a double take, then asked, “Marines?”

  Henry chuckled before replying, “You won’t find tougher troops anywhere in the Federation.”

  “I don’t need security. Why would I need security?”

  “Colin, there’s an Alliance Special Operations team somewhere in Cambridge. DNI says you, Sir, are their prime target. We’re looking for them, but Spec-Ops people are experts at staying hidden. That’s why your security team are themselves, Spec-Ops people.”

  Colin sat, considering Henry’s explanation for a while before concluding he didn’t have a choice. Colin suspected, even if he tried to arrive on the surface unannounced, he would find the Marines waiting when the Shuttle landed. Besides, he’d already been the target of an assassination attempt on Sankarah and understood that he would’ve been dead except for his security. Colin cooperated. The Marines weren’t to blame for their assignment to keep him secure. It wouldn’t be fair if he gave his security more headaches.

  His primary concern was the risk to the troops who protected him. Being an assassination target was no fun. Colin considered it unfortunate he’d upset the Peschal Alliance leadership so bad they wanted him dead. He wasn’t even in the Federation by choice. If anybody asked, Colin would have said he wanted to go home to his family on Earth.

  After further consideration, Colin turned to Henry and said, “Damnit, Henry, I’ve only ever wanted to return home to my family since I came to the Federation. If the Alliance kills me, I’ll never see them. It looks like I have little choice but accept the security.”

  “That’s true, you don’t, we can’t afford to lose you. Colin, people here in Cambridge believe in you. Your welfare has become a matter of morale.”

  Colin looked at Henry, incredulous at the statement. This made little sense to him. How did his welfare impact morale? Henry observed the play of emotions cross Colin’s face as he looked on in amusement.

  Henry continued, “Don’t you understand how people here feel about you, Colin? Don’t answer that, it’s a rhetorical question. Col, you need to move things along on Cambridge. Go to the surface and find Julia. We both know where she’s hiding, but you should retrieve the girl. It’s better if you and I keep this to ourselves. Go visit Dave Bach in the hospital too. That young man is a bona fide hero. He saved President Constantin’s life.”

  Colin nodded in acknowledgment before departing for a Shuttle.

  CHAPTER THREE

  KIDNAPPED

  St Clair

  The evening closed in as Cindy walked to her friend's house. She wasn't supposed to be out on her own, but her friend only lived a few blocks away. Cindy's parents kept nagging her to stay indoors at night. How dangerous could it be, the Pirates had gone hadn't they? Like all teenagers, Cindy had confidence in her abilities. She believed her parents understood nothing; they were old and overprotective. She'd walked this way thousands of times and never had problems.

  As Cindy walked past the mouth of an alley, somebody jumped her. She felt something sharp pressing against her throat and froze in fear as her assailants shoved a gag into her mouth and bound her hands. They took delight in pawing her body while doing so. Then, with her abductors pushing her along, the group fled into the countryside. Cindy kept thinking this must be a nightmare but knew it wasn't. Why didn't she listen to her parents? Why take that route? Why leave home so late in the afternoon?

  Cindy’s captors took her into the hills behind the town. They traversed rough ground as they escaped, and Cindy fell many times, collecting bruises and abrasions each time.

  Later that night, Cindy's family reported her absence after her friend called asking if she'd left yet. The local Troopers understood all too well how dangerous it was to wander the streets at night. Several people had disappeared in recent weeks. Sometimes, they found a body, hours, or even days later. The authorities had recovered none alive yet.

  Captain Timothy Sanderson worked organizing search parties. A Lieutenant who exuded a nonchalant air and wearing an unfamiliar uniform wandered into his Command-Post. Sanderson was preparing to challenge the newcomer when he noted the Lieutenant’s eyes as he held out a tablet. Tim glanced at it and realized this man had carte blanch on all his Militia assets. The blood drained from the Captains face as he sank back into his chair.

  Stark looked at Sanderson. He said, "You’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Would you care to explain your problem, Captain?"

  "A sixteen-year-old girl disappeared from the village last night. She left home to visit a friend late yesterday afternoon. Nobody has seen her since she left. I’m preparing a search now."

  "Hmmm, perhaps we can help. Provided it doesn't interfere with our primary mission, we'll do what we can for you. I came by to pay you the courtesy of apprising you of the fact we're operating in this area. For starters, we should put a few of your people with my Marines, and we'll try to pick up a trail."

  Hope welled in the Captains chest as he realized what this Lieutenant offered. He'd he
ard occasional vague rumors about the Marines. Few knew much about them except they’d earned a reputation as the best Special-Ops troops in the Federation. If anybody possessed the skills to find young Cindy, it was these people. Sanderson agreed to the Lieutenant’s suggestion calling in four of his Troopers to help. Stark summoned four Marines, and the briefing began. There were only two routes the girl would follow between her house and her friends. After examining the maps, the Troopers paired off with Marines. The two groups left the Command-Post to search for the missing girl.

  They stopped by Cindy's home first and asked what she wore when she left home. At first, tracking her was a time-consuming task. Too many people traveling on the path resulted in an obliterated trail. One team followed the route the girl should have taken, the safer way. This path posed a challenge because of the high traffic volume. The Marines concluded the traffic had already obliterated any sign Cindy might have left as she passed. The team made frequent stops along the way while the Marines checked side streets and properties.

  A second team followed the other path. Everyone agreed Cindy shouldn't have taken this route with Pirates at large, not so late in the day. Fewer people moved along this route, and the search team saw less traffic. The troops wound their way through neglected, undeveloped land for two hundred metres then along a narrow, unpaved road running past a small industrial estate. Industrial buildings clustered along one side of the road and dense, spiky scrub comprising a mixture of native and imported plant species lined the other. A few buildings crowded close together, separated by narrow alleys. The Marines spotted signs on the undeveloped ground showing somebody passed by and followed the road toward the estate. There was no suggestion of panic, this person didn’t suspect nearby danger. When the trackers reached the industrial buildings, they found vague signs of a struggle, including traces of blood on the ground near the mouth of an alley. While the Troopers reported the find, the Marines cast around, searching for indications of which direction their quarry may have taken. It took thirty minutes to find the next part of the trail. They found suggestions that their quarry tried to hide their tracks but the prisoner, a young, inexperienced girl, hampered their efforts. The Pirates only possessed limited options to disappear into the wilderness. The search party tracked the others as they fled into the wilderness.