Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series

by I. G. Roberts

  Zhavan assigned a prize crew and tasked them with returning the ship and freed slaves to Kislara. Engineers from the Task-Force boarded the Pirate to make it safe for the trip home. A week later the small prize vessel began her journey back to Kislara with a junior Lieutenant as the Captain. He was short crewed on a tiny ship. The voyage home was an odyssey and made him a hero.

  With the prize ship on its way to Kislara, Zhavan ordered the Pirate prisoners spaced, and the Task-Force began its long journey to Hangelore.

  Cambridge

  Colin followed Sonya back to Harmon the next day. By then, Henry had met Colin’s doctors and decided on the way forward for his friend. FNS Harmon’s psychologist met Colin’s doctors at Sonsberg Hospital where they briefed him in great detail about the problems Colin faced and transferred the medical records. Commodore Gordon visited Headquarters at the appointed time and presented himself at Henry’s office. Sarah gave him a bright smile and took him in to meet the Admiral.

  Henry looked up from his desk and said, “I have a small job for you, Colin. Can you stay out of trouble?”

  “So, you heard about my brain snap then, Sir.”

  “Yes, Colin, I did. I’d be angry with anyone else, but you’re a special case. This is not your typical behavior, so I’ll cut you a little slack this time.”

  “Thank you, Admiral. I don’t know what I thought when it happened. Maybe I wasn’t thinking. For what it’s worth, I realized the mess I’d created before Sonya reamed me out.”

  “Sonya gave you a reaming? She didn’t tell me that.”

  “Yes, Admiral, she did. I deserved it.”

  “At least you recognize the fact. Now, we need you to act as a Flag Officer. You will take FNS Harmon as your Flagship. Four Patrol-Boats, Theseus, Thor, Forseti, and Magni, plus FNS Fortitude, will make up your Task-Force. You will execute several tasks. First, you are to patrol the space between here and Sankarah. Take a roundabout route and watch for Pirate activity. Capture or kill any Pirates you meet. The second task is to show FNS Harmon off to Admiral Hanadon at Cotoni. Next, present FNS Harmon to Admiral Dalkasan at Sankarah. You might give the System defense at Sankarah a fright. Your final task during this voyage is to develop the best ways of using the Harmon class Destroyers. This last job is a background activity. Questions?”

  “Only two, Admiral. Will I receive these orders in writing? When do we leave?”

  “Colin, let me answer your first question with one of my own. Does it matter if the orders were only verbal?”

  “No Admiral, it doesn’t matter.”

  “Excellent, but I’ll forward you written orders within twenty-four hours. To answer your second question, leave within two weeks. That’ll give you time for planning with your Captains and let the ship crews enjoy a little leave before departure.”

  “I’ll contact the Task-Force commanders and plan. Thank you, Sir, I need something to occupy my mind. If I have time to think, I miss my family, and things spiral out of control. I’m improving though.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, Colin. Now, don’t you have work?”

  “On my way, Admiral.”

  Colin returned to his office and said, “We have a job, Anne. I’m pinging you the details now. Contact the Captains of Harmon, Theseus, Thor, Forseti, Magni, and Fortitude. Tell them we’ll meet on FNS Harmon at 0800 hours tomorrow. When you’ve done that, contact the rest of our team and give them the same message. Then cut orders for us and arrange a Shuttle to take us topside this afternoon.”

  “Yes, Commodore.”

  Meanah System

  FNS Harmon Down-Jumped into Meanah System. By then, Colin’s small Fleet was six weeks from home. They’d progressed along a random course, Jumping from one System to the next. At least, the course was unpredictable given the patterns presented by the Jump-Points themselves and the need to progress toward Cotoni. So far, they’d seen vague signs of activity but no Pirates. Colin’s estimation of Dave Bach and his abilities on Sensors rose as the young man found things where nobody else could.

  Harmon’s Shields came up to full strength as she entered Meanah. Sensors probed the surrounding space looking for threats, and the Point-Defense was ready to defend against a sudden attack. FNS Harmon had one other trick. If she came under attack, she would Micro-Jump fifteen light seconds then turn to attack after the Cobras undocked. A Harmon class Destroyer with two Cobras presented a significant headache for most foreseeable enemies. As with the earlier Systems they visited, Meanah was empty. FNS Harmon moved away from the Jump exit to leave room for the following ships to exit Jump. FNS Theseus and FNS Magni undocked from Harmon’s flanks and raced off into the System on patrol.

  This was the pattern the small group followed each time they entered a new System. Colin established this trend as he grew into the Flag Officer’s role. The extra responsibility had settled Colin, so he wasn’t plagued so much by his demons. Regular visits to medical helped though not as much as the doctors supposed.

  Forseti, Thor, and Fortitude exited Jump two hours after FNS Harmon. The Captains understood the planned duration of their stay here and the patrolling Cobras would meet the group before they reached the next Jump-Point. Colin’s group coasted through Meanah System, scanning along the way. There were no signs of recent ship transits. The wasted time was annoying. The team made it almost halfway across Meanah when sixteen ships arrived through another Jump-Point. Dave Bach was resting but came when called.

  After adjusting the controls, Dave said, “They’re Federation, Commodore. We have six Destroyers, eight Patrol-Boats, and two Freighters. Sir, the warships don’t look well maintained. Their drive emissions are odd.”

  “You’re sure they’re Federation?”

  “Yes, Sir. They’re Federation unless someone found old Federation ships and is using stolen IFF codes.”

  “Excellent. I suppose we should show ourselves then. Get me Captain Molchaoff, please. After I finish with Captain Molchaoff, contact the other group. I’ll exchange pleasantries and make sure they are okay.”

  Anne said, “Sir, those ships are from Kislara. They’re a long way from home. Take care, sometimes the delanot people can be volatile. I don’t understand why they’re here. In the past, they’ve done the least possible to keep Federation membership.”

  “Now that is interesting Anne. I’ll decide which way to jump after I talk to them. Don’t worry, I’m always careful.”

  Keg, who was on Comms said, “I have the Captain for you Adm… I mean Commodore.”

  Colin looked at Keg to see the man red-faced with embarrassment. He had never seen Keg embarrassed.

  He grinned and said, “Thank you, Mr. Gibson.”

  After ignoring Kegs slip, Colin keyed the switch to connect him to Dimitri and asked, “What do you make of the visitors Dimitri?”

  “Not sure, Sir. I’ve never seen the delanot this far from home.”

  “Well, I’ll ask if they need help. If not in conflict with our orders, we’ll help. Otherwise, we’ll continue on our way. Keep your crew alert, I’m calling the Cobras back, they can guard FNS Fortitude and shepherd her to our next Jump-Point. She’s our weak point.”

  “That’s a good idea, Sir.”

  With his call to Dimitri over, Colin ordered the Cobras to return and escort FNS Fortitude to the Jump-Point. With everything in place, Keg contacted the Kislarans.

  FNS Brina

  Colin’s Shuttle docked to the Kislaran Flagship, FNS Brina. When the hatch opened, he stepped to a line just inside the Shuttle and saluted the Federation Flag painted on the bulkhead. He then asked for permission to board the ship. The Officer of the deck saluted him and invited him to board. Colin returned the delanot Officer’s salute as he stepped from the Shuttle.

  The young delanot said, “Welcome aboard Commodore Gordon. Admiral Zhavan ordered me to take you to her when you arrive. If you will follow me, please.”

  “Lead on Ensign.”

  Colin was familiar with the layout of this Destroye
r, he’d been on the type several times. He recognized they were heading to the Flag section which made sense. Before embarking on this expedition, Colin instructed his people, so they understood how to react to all scenarios. Something seemed wrong, Colin needed to understand what. After walking for several minutes, the Ensign stopped outside a door near the Admiral’s quarters and pressed the call button. The door slid open, and Colin heard, “Enter.”

  The Ensign stepped out of the way and waved Colin into the compartment where several Kislaran Officers including Admiral Zhavan waited to greet him. Colin entered and executed a smart salute to the Admiral. She returned the salute then suggested they sit.

  Colin thought, ‘This meeting is going better than I expected. I wonder when the penny will drop.’

  Zhavan asked, “Have you seen Pirates during your voyage, Commodore?”

  “None, Admiral. My Scan-Techs saw signs that ships passed through before we arrived but they were long gone before we found the ion trails.”

  Zhavan said, “We’re searching for them, they wrecked our colony on Brondar killing or taking everyone, they found. There are one thousand people left and two thousand missing. Altogether, we lost six thousand colonists. I’ve learned the name of their base, and that’s where we’re going. We’ll destroy their base and retrieve our people.”

  “Do you have enough firepower? They attacked Cambridge with sixty ships. Too many escaped. There were at least another thirty performing raids elsewhere. We killed ten or fifteen of those, but the rest escaped.”

  With an acidic tone, Zhavan said, “So you’re a Pirate killer then.”

  There, Colin had found the raw nerve. He let the iron into his voice as he replied, “Only when I must, Admiral. Efficient people and equipment help. Plus, more opportunity has come my way than most Naval Officers see.”

  Zhavan’s eyes narrowed as she considered his reply, trying to decide if he’d insulted her ships, then said, “Join us then, Commodore. Help us eradicate the menace forever.”

  “First, Admiral, I’m under orders. We’re en route to Sankarah to show FNS Harmon to Admiral Dalkasan. Second, I’m not sure you have the firepower to take these Pirates on in their lair even with our help. They are strongest there.”

  Zhavan’s voice grew heated as she said, “You’re a coward. Get off my ship.”

  Colin looked at her, struggling to understand what happened. Without another word, he rose and headed for the door. Colin could see, the Admiral was laboring under tremendous stress.

  Just as Colin reached the door, Zhavan, calmer now, spoke again, “I apologize, Commodore Gordon. My temper is frayed, and I lashed out. I am stupid calling you a coward. Your victories prove you aren’t.”

  Colin paused at the door then said, “Admiral, I implore you, wait, just a while. Let’s do this the correct way and not throw lives away without achieving our goals. Come with us to Sankarah, and we’ll gather reinforcements. Then we can take on the Pirates with high hopes of winning.”

  “I cannot, we must have our vengeance.”

  Colin nodded and left for his Shuttle. Nobody tried to hinder him on the way.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE CHOICE

  Meanah

  After his Shuttle undocked from FNS Brina, Colin was on edge during the return to FNS Harmon. Admiral Zhavan didn’t seem sane to him. An angry fire burned deep within her eyes, and she appeared at the end of her tether. The signs were familiar to Colin, he’d felt that way too often in recent times. He sighed with relief when his Shuttle turned and entered Harmon’s recovery bay. They had reached safety now. As Colin expected Captain Molchaoff had kept FNS Harmon’s Shields active. If Zhavan’s ships painted them with targeting Sensors or Harmon’s AI detected Weapons fire, the Shields should snap to full power, and the Point-Defense activate. Even if the other vessels fired an overwhelming volley at them, FNS Harmon could outrun their weapons.

  Colin alighted from the Shuttle and headed straight to the CCC to see what the other ships were doing. He didn’t hear klaxons so assumed the others continued to play nice. The Scans in the CCC showed FNS Harmon diverging from Zhavan’s Fleet. Colin breathed a sigh of relief. Captain Molchaoff could handle the situation from the Bridge, so Colin turned toward his Ready-Room. Anne recognized Colin’s distress and followed, curious to know what happened.

  They settled in, and Anne asked, “What happened over there, Sir? You look shaken.”

  “It was uncanny, Anne. Admiral Zhavan had a wild look in her eyes. She called me a coward when I refused to go with them and ordered me off her ship. When I moved to comply, she apologized. I tried to convince her to come with us to Sankarah for reinforcements, but she refused. A wish to avenge the losses on Brondar drives the Admiral, and she is in a volatile and fragile state. Her Task-Force can’t stand up to a serious fight. Those vessels aren’t well enough maintained. Hell, the Reserve Fleet is far better maintained than the Kislaran ships. Why have the Kislarans let their protection reach such a state?”

  “I can’t answer that, Sir. The Kislarans were good Federation members, then ten years ago, they slipped away. I visited Kislara with Lady Cotoni before the Pirates captured us. We secured agreements, and they are honoring those agreements, but only as far as necessary to support Federation membership. I suspect their society has deep internal divisions.”

  “This, Anne, is how the Pirates gained so much power. If enough people do the same, they lose their protection, and the Pirates win. I’m always amazed by people’s short memories. After years of peace, they convince themselves the military is a waste of money. The problem is, you can’t rebuild a capable military organization overnight. Our society must keep zero tolerance for Piracy and Slavery, or we’ll lose the fight. Before we’re out of range, I’ll send a message to Zhavan wishing her luck. I believe she’ll need it.”

  Colin composed the message in his implant then pinged it to the Comms system for transmission. With the communication on its way, Colin sat for a few moments running through recent events in his mind.

  He turned to Anne and asked, “Anne, you’ve known me long enough to give an honest answer. Am I still causing problems with our people?”

  “No, Sir, you’ve been okay since Admiral Fraser gave us this mission. I can tell you have a little way to go with your recovery, but you’re fine with the others.”

  “Good, now, it’s time we headed for Cotoni. We’ve messed about for long enough. The Pirates attacked Brondar and went home. They’ll stay away from this region until things settle.”

  “I agree, Sir. Should I relay your orders to the rest of the Task-Force?”

  “Yes please, Anne. I need to rest for a while. Call if you need me.”

  FR-206A

  The Harmon Task-Force worked its way toward Cotoni until it reached the System FR-260A. Dave Bach monitored the Scan station as they Down-Jumped. He always manned the Scan console during these critical periods because he had the most skill. Dave followed a set pattern when they entered a new System. After Down-Jump, he looked for hostile ships, Mines, and incoming ordnance. Once Dave deemed the immediate environment safe, he expanded the Scans. He searched further into the System, looking for ships and other features of interest. Passing vessels leave traces as they transit through a System. These traces vary from the immediate, such as gravitational anomalies, to others that linger long after a ship passes. Dave established that other than FNS Harmon, FNS Forseti, and FNS Theseus, there were no ships in FR-260A. Confident no threats existed, Dave looked for signs of old traffic. His Sensors gathered in the data until an hour later, he saw a pattern emerging. By then, the Scan Techs on FNS Harmon’s Bridge watched for immediate threats, leaving Dave to unravel the System’s recent history.

  Dave found two distinct trails within FR-260A, one small and faint, maybe a single ship. The other was extensive and strong. It came from several vessels flying together. The two trails converged, then the smaller one backtracked along a course parallel to the larger one. Meanwhile, the mo
re significant trace continued on, passing close by FNS Harmon’s current position. Dave called Lieutenant Max Brown over to show him the Scans.

  Max said, “We should tell the Commodore. The smaller trail doubled back on itself.”

  Dave replied, “I agree, Lieutenant. Will you tell him?”

  Brown gathered himself with a deep breath before saying, “I’ll tell him now.”

  Dave watched the young Lieutenant walk toward Commodore Gordon’s Ready-Room. Receiving this information didn’t upset the Commodore, but Lieutenant Brown remained wary after Colin’s reprimand. Max paused for a second before pressing the call button outside the Commodore’s Ready-Room. He’d barely touched it when the door slid open causing him to jump. Colin lay on a settee with his eyes closed when Max entered. This left the Lieutenant confused.

  In a mild voice, Commodore Gordon asked, “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Lieutenant?”

  Max took a breath then answered, “Mr. Bach found Ion trails through the System, Sir. One is small, a single ship, we think the other is several ships flying together. I thought we should tell you, Sir.”

  Colin’s eyes snapped open, and he smiled at the nervous Lieutenant.

  “You should bring me this news more often, Lieutenant. Come, let’s go examine these Scans.”

  Colin sat up and rose from his settee waving Max toward the door. He could see his relationship with Lieutenant Brown needed work. The Officers walked over to the Scan consoles where Dave briefed Colin. Dave surmised the more substantial trail belonged to the Kislaran Task-Force who intercepted and captured a smaller ship in this System and then left. He thought they sent the smaller ship somewhere with a prize crew. Dave suggested this was where the Kislarans learned the coordinates for the Pirate base.