Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series

by I. G. Roberts

  “Ask her for help, but the responsibility is still yours.”

  “Thank you, Admiral. I’ll make appointments and get him there.”

  Colin heard the discussion, but it didn’t penetrate his consciousness. He longed for home, the conversation wasn’t relevant. While Henry gave instructions to Anne, Colin zoned out again. He felt tired and struggled to stay awake.

  Before Henry left, Anne was busy pinging the doctor’s assistant, arranging an appointment. The secretary recognized Colin’s name and told her boss. The Navy’s medical branch had speculated, wondering how long Commodore Gordon would keep going. It appeared they had their answer now. The Psych team knew Colin’s history, he hadn’t had a decent break for years. During that time, the Commodore had fought multiple engagements, often against overwhelming odds.

  Colin lasted far longer than anyone predicted. It impressed them. Now, they needed to put Commodore Gordon back together, the man deserved the best available help. Doctor Brad Fallon contacted Anne, asking to come visit Colin. She gave the address and went back to looking after her boss.

  Anne knew he missed his home, maybe he could fix the place and move back now.

  Fallon arrived thirty minutes later. He examined Colin visually, with instruments and talked. The last was harder than Fallon expected. Colin’s mind kept drifting to another place, and he sometimes took a while to answer questions.

  After giving Colin a thorough examination, the doctor gave his patient something to help him sleep. With Anne’s help, the doctor moved Colin to his bed before he passed out.

  With Colin sleeping, Fallon said, “Lieutenant, bring him to my office tomorrow morning. Bring him early, there’s plenty to do, but he will make a full recovery. The Commodore will be stronger when we’re finished with him, but he is fragile now. The sooner we start, the better the outcome. If you have problems with him overnight, call me. Do you have questions?”

  “No doctor, he’ll be there in the morning.”

  Sonsberg Hospital

  The next morning, Anne and Julia bullied him into waking and dressing for the trip to Sonsberg hospital. He wanted to argue but couldn’t summon the energy. Colin knew what his problem was, but didn’t understand how to resolve it. He followed orders because it was easier.

  Doctor Fallon appraised his newest patient. Colin had fallen into a heap. The most interesting facet was the way Colin crumbled in a matter of minutes. He stopped in the middle of a conversation.

  Fallon ventured to ask, “Commodore, can you explain what you think is troubling you?”

  Colin sat, staring into space for a moment before the Doctor’s words penetrated. His eyes focused on Fallon before he replied, “My family. I remembered how much I miss them, and everything else crowded in around me, I can’t explain more.”

  “I see. Is there anyone here on Cambridge you trust? Anyone you can to share your problems?”

  “I… I’m not sure, Anne… Lieutenant Fraser, Julia, a few others, they are my quasi-family.”

  “Will you let me bring Anne and Julia in here? They might help you.”

  “I trust them the most. Those women know everything.

  “Good, I’ll bring them, you need a support network for this.”

  Fallon invited Anne and Julia to the room. After everyone settled, Fallon explained the steps they would follow to help Colin recover. When he finished his explanations, the doctor dosed Colin with drugs before leading him to a room and settling him for the night.

  Over the next week, the doctor Fallon’s ministrations stabilized Colin’s condition to a point where he could return home. It would take much longer to resolve his state, but he could return to work again. When the hospital discharged Colin, they ordered him to take an extended rest and only undertake light duties. Colin wasn’t permitted to make world-shattering decisions or responsibilities until he recovered.

  Colin didn’t mind the doctor’s orders too much. He understood he needed the rest.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHANGES

  Rewarding News

  FNS Hidacki and FNS Vasta made their slow way to Cambridge Station after entering Cambridge. Haflon Sydnasi sat in his command chair on FNS Hidacki’s Bridge. He examined data from his Sensors as he searched for threats. Sydnasi was far more cautious since Pirates ambushed him a year earlier. Cambridge was a hive of activity, with freighters heading in and out, and Patrol-Boats on their Patrols.

  Silmar Cadapon had learned the same lesson as Sydnasi. He too, watched the Sensor displays as the Destroyers made their way to Cambridge Orbital. A Picket Boat hailed the new arrivals on entry into the System and instructed them how to proceed. Both Captains understood the reason for the instructions, so they complied without demur.

  When they contacted Cambridge Navy Headquarters, they spoke to Admiral Henry Fraser. The Admiral welcomed them and asked them to come see him after they docked. Both Captains wanted to visit the planet, so they agreed.

  Four days later, the two Destroyers docked to Cambridge Orbital. When they enquired about allowing their crews to go on leave for rest, authorities explained the dangers but permitted the influx. With a place available for their people to relax, the Captains set their XO’s to create a roster, so everyone had an opportunity for a break while they stayed in Cambridge.

  Meanwhile, Cadapon and Sydnasi boarded a Shuttle for a trip to the planet. When they exited the Shuttle, an escort waited to take them to Headquarters. Neither Captain expected this. They both noticed they had armed guards. They asked why, and the guard commander explained the problems they had with the roving bands of Pirates security forces hadn’t captured yet.

  At Headquarters, the guards took Cadapon and Sydnasi straight to Henry’s office where he extended them a warm welcome. After offering them refreshments, and taking time to chat for a while, Henry came to the point.

  Henry said, “No doubt, you’re here for a reason. Can you enlighten me?”

  Sydnasi replied, “Yes, Admiral, I believe we can. Admiral Hanadon ordered us to include Cambridge in our Patrol route to deliver this data to you and to ask for an update on progress with the new Destroyers. Sir, there’s a high level of anticipation regarding these ships around the Navy. Your Patrol-Boat performance took everyone by surprise. People hold high hopes for these new ships.”

  “So, Admiral Hanadon is impatient for the new ships, is he? Progress is excellent, the design is ninety-five percent complete. The yard has come far with the first ship’s construction. We built on the lessons learned from the Patrol-Boats. Predictions based on what we know suggest the Harmon class Destroyers will make the older ships obsolete. They carry more Weapons, a better Point-Defense, better Shielding, better armor and we can reconfigure them for different missions. Sensors are better too. I think it fair to arrange more detailed briefings for you before you leave. You’ll make these ships successful.”

  Cadapon said, “Thank you, Admiral. We appreciate the offer a briefing and look forward to understanding the capabilities these ships will add. Admiral Hanadon asked us to visit Colin Gordon while we’re here. The man impressed the Admiral.”

  Henry checked the data Sydnasi gave him, then looked back at the Captains who sat opposite him. His face clouded for a second then cleared again.

  With a sigh, Henry replied, “Colin is ill. It’s not contagious, but I will need to check with medical to see if he can receive visitors. I’ll tell you if he’s available after this meeting. Now, before you go, let me review this data you bought me.”

  Henry opened the files, skimmed over them and smiled. He said, “Excellent, good news. Many of our people lost so much during the invasion, this will help our economy recover. Now, I’ve arranged accommodations for you at a place we keep near St. Clair. Stay on the planet for a few days, we can brief you on the Destroyers, and you can see Colin if that’s possible. Go, settle in and relax while we make the arrangements. Your crews are on the Shuttles.”

  The two Captains thanked Henry before leaving to cont
act their ships.

  Tourists

  Anne stood in front of Henry’s desk waiting for him to look at her. He wasn’t an Officer who played power games with lower ranked Officers, so she waited. After a moment, he looked up from the pad he read and smiled at her.

  “Anne, you did well during your last few cruises with Commander Gordon. The prize money has arrived, and your share amounts to a large sum. You’ll receive official notification tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you now. Now, I invited you here to discuss Colin’s recovery. We have visitors who wish to meet him. If he’s well enough for light duties, he can brief them on Destroyer capabilities. If Colin isn’t well enough, I’ll go to Plan B.”

  “Plan B, Sir, what is Plan B?”

  “Plan B, Anne, is for you and Lieutenant Downer to brief these visitors. Colin’s wellbeing must take precedence, but if he’s able, Colin has my preference for doing this. It shouldn’t be stressful for him, but the doctors, you, and Colin decide. I’ll need an answer tomorrow.”

  “I’ll check Admiral. The hospital only discharged Commodore Gordon this morning, he’s at home resting now. He needs something to occupy his mind though. If the Doctor gives permission, then I’ll see if Colin is up to it.”

  “Thank you, Anne, I appreciate your candor. Let me know what you decide.”

  Anne left the Admiral’s office and contacted the doctor. After she explained the proposed duties, he asked many questions but accepted Colin could do it with conditions. With the physician’s permission, she went home and asked Colin.

  For the first time since he fell ill a week earlier, Anne noticed a spark of life in her boss’s eyes. He needed to be wanted, and the considered the burden he presented to the surrounding people abhorrent. Since falling ill, Colin had lost weight, and his eyes had dark circles under them. With the news of a useful role for him to fill for a short time, he appeared to inflate, even regaining his color. Colin agreed to the task, so Anne made the arrangements to collect Captains Sydnasi and Cadapon the next day.

  Their first view of Commodore Gordon shocked Cadapon and Sydnasi. Colin noticed their reactions and smiled to reassure them. They traveled to the training school first. Dave showed the Passive Sensors to the visitors. Cadapon and Sydnasi struggled to believe what they saw. The clarity and detail the Sensor displays showed were unprecedented in the Federation. They saw movement across Cambridge System, at least those parts in the Sensor’s field of view.

  The live feed impressed the Captains. This presented an incredible advance in Sensor technology. They would’ve felt concern if they knew of Dave’s background.

  After the Sensor demonstration, Colin briefed the Captains on the planned capabilities for the Harmon class. The two Naval Officers realized Admiral Hanadon struggled to grasp the full significance of the advances the people of Cambridge had made. This one ship promised to turn current Navy Doctrine on its head. They expected to be spending a significant part of their future learning how to use this new weapon.

  The following day, Colin, along with his security and Anne, took their guests to the Orbital Shipyard to view the Destroyer that was taking shape there. By then, construction crews had sealed much of the interior, and the ship was undergoing fit out as workers installed the controls, Sensors and other equipment.

  Cadapon and Sydnasi recognized this a much larger ship than theirs. She sported a revolutionary Hull shape and bristled with Weapons and antennae. Colin explained each part of the vessel, even explaining design decisions and the compromises. The visitors left the Shipyard with their heads full of data and much to consider. They returned to their ships from the Yard to allow other Officers to descend to the planet for a short break.

  Charity begins at Home

  The day after he returned Captains Cadapon and Sydnasi to their ships, Colin received a message from Henry asking if he was up to a visit. Colin liked Henry, so sent an invitation in return.

  When Admiral Fraser arrived, he wore a very pleased expression on his face. Colin studied his friend for a few moments before curiosity asserted itself.

  “Okay, Henry, you appear pleased. Would you care to share it with me?”

  “Oh yes Colin, it’s the reason I’m here. You, my friend, are becoming a wealthy individual. We received notification detailing the prize money for the ships you’ve retrieved from the Pirates in recent times. Your share, coupled with rewards you received earlier, is substantial.”

  “Admiral, this money means more for those ruined during the invasion. I don’t need it.”

  “Maybe, Colin, but the money is yours. What you do with it after you receive is your choice. Remember, you are not to be making any world-shaking decisions until the doctor releases you.”

  “This is something I’m aware of Sir. Anne will help make these decisions.”

  “Anne has received a significant prize windfall too Colin. Ask her to help you with the arrangements. I need not tell you, we want you to regain your health. Beyond notification you’ll make a full recovery and a timeline, I don’t understand what’s wrong or how serious your condition became. My only choice is to decide based on the doctor’s advice.”

  “Henry, you’re my friend and my boss, you have a right to know. Things crowded in around me and my mind overloaded. No matter what I did, I couldn’t make my mind work. The doctor says I need rest, but I’m worried I’ll have too much time to think. I’m missing my family and want to go home to them, but I can’t?”

  “This is your problem? Colin, Sankarah is interested in sending a strong fleet in Earth’s general direction. It won’t be this year or next, but it will be soon. The Navy must build a new fleet, so existing protections aren’t diluted. We have evidence, a few Pirate attacks are coming from near there.”

  “They aren’t coming from Earth. When I left, we were barely out of Low Earth Orbit. We had a few robotic spacecraft exploring the Solar System, but nothing more.”

  “Our analysts don’t believe it’s from Earth, but your home world may be under threat if the Slavers find it. With your permission, I will put you forward for that mission. I’m not sure what your role will be, but you have recent knowledge that will prove useful. Now, I must go home. Responsibility for the entire System Defense doesn’t leave me much time for me.”

  Anne arrived home several hours later to find Colin in a reflective mood. For a few seconds, she worried he’d relapsed into his fugue but then he focused on her and smiled.

  “Good afternoon Anne, you’re home.”

  “How are you now? When I arrived, you were sitting there staring into space. You had me worried for a while.”

  “Admiral Fraser called by to tell me I have prize money coming from the ships we captured. My share is too much for one man, but I don’t wish to throw it away. Many charities consume it fast, and a few merchants grow wealthier while those needing help l have nothing to show. The best way is to invest the money and use the income to help others. Money from the trust will be available for charitable purposes. Are you willing to help me with this?”

  “Yes, Commodore, I am. If you wish, we can start tomorrow.”

  “Yes, tomorrow is okay. It’ll give me something to plan.”

  Improving Health

  Two months after Colin started enforced leave, his doctors permitted his return to duty. The doctors still saw him every week to continue tweaking his implant and adjusting drug doses. They expected to continue regular visits from Colin for the next few years. Nobody had seen more action than him, and he needed help.

  During the time away from work, Colin arranged repairs to his home. Damage from looters, and from the attack, was extensive, so he insisted on paying builders to finish the work.

  Colin added bulletproof glass in reinforced frames to the windows then shutters outside the windows. The contractors designed these to deflect small arms fire away from the windows. They strengthened the outer walls, again to make it harder to penetrate and harm the occupants. The entire job was expensive, but Colin held no concern f
or the cost, provided he could pay the bill. Colin considered people more important than money or possessions.

  When they completed the building work, Colin’s house was a veritable fortress. During this time, friendships with the people of St. Clair blossomed.

  Meg Gibson adopted Colin, often inviting him to join her family for a meal. People considered her daughter Lisa, and son Keg minor celebrities in the village. Lisa became famous for the way she defended so many defenseless people when Alliance forces attacked Colin’s home. Keg was noteworthy for his part in Edward and Teri Constantin’s rescue. People in St. Clair were proud of the Gibson clan. The Gibsons are a beautiful family and Colin immersed himself in their love for each other, enjoying the banter and teasing.

  This period proved cathartic for Colin. Since he came to the Federation, Colin had found the people open and friendly. Those he met through the Navy, were people he would risk everything for, but Colin understood the importance broadening his circle. By the time he returned to work, the circle of friends had grown to include many of his neighbors in St. Clair.

  The genuine care Colin’s friends showed him contributed to his recovery. Henry’s hint about a trip to Earth helped even more. Even the gratitude for his defense of Cambridge helped Colin vanquish his demons. Command, is a lonely place. On extended missions, a ship’s Captain has little support. The Captain must always maintain separation from his or her subordinates.

  These factors contributed to Colin’s breakdown and eventual healing. He was smart enough to accept the help when they offered. He took ownership of his own health.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  LAUNCH

  Harmon City

  Sasha Stafford crept behind the houses on Harmon’s outskirts. He’d risked coming here because his contact insisted this was a safe place to meet. Sasha wasn’t sure but needed information. Sasha came, confident in his ability to spot a trap if one existed. If it were a trap, his contact would die a painful death. His attack on Gordon’s house had failed, so he needed to find another way to kill the man.