“Which one was it?” Ricket asked.
“Ask Gunny. She was in charge of phase-shifting the teams.”
Granger spoke for several moments in lowered tones, nodded, and then turned back. “I have the ship, it’s the Lorial.” Granger pointed to a lone ship, visible off in the distance.
Ricket raised his brow and Jason nodded. “Go ahead … do it!”
Ricket returned to working on the station.
Jason quickly surveyed the bridge again, which was surprisingly similar to the Minian’s, though more the same size as The Lilly’s. He seated himself into the padded command chair.
The bridge brightened as four blue continuous plasma bolts flashed into sight, coming from above and below, and right and left, of the Parcical’s bridge. Off in the distance, the energy streams converged into a single plasma bolt.
“Can you zoom in?” Jason asked. The Lorial now filled the forward part of the display, the vessel’s shields beginning to glow from excessive heat.
“Her shields are failing,” Granger said.
A moment later, with her shields gone, the Lorial first glowed orange, then red. Almost anticlimactically, the ship disintegrated before their eyes: No explosion—no indication that the Lorial had actually occupied space mere seconds earlier.
“Open a channel to the other fleet Omnis, Granger.” He did as asked and nodded.
“This is Captain Jason Reynolds, aboard our newly-acquired Alliance Star Watch vessel, the Parcical.” He briefly let his words sink in. “You will cease any and all aggressive action. The next Omni to bear its weapons will only live long enough to bring about, and experience, the same fate as the Lorial upon his own ship. Now prepare to be boarded. Each captain will then be relieved of his command.”
Jason leaned back and looked out where the Quantum Lark had once sat in open space. He wondered what he was feeling now. Relief? Probably. His thoughts turned back—to the mad rush of getting everyone off the ship. Boomer! He’d sent her away—back to Medical on the Quantum Lark—out of harm’s way. Oh my god … I forgot about Boomer. Did she get out safely?
Chapter 41
High Orbit Over Alurian, Gracow CD1 System
Parcical, Bridge
__________________________
Jason sat forward in the command chair and listened to Billy over his NanoCom.
“You know Boomer. She wanted to stay on board until you left, but rest assured, I watched her phase-shift off the Quantum Lark and verified her arrival onto the Minian,” Billy said.
“I can’t believe I didn’t check on her myself.” Jason shook his head.
“When was the last time you slept? I’m betting it’s closing in on twenty-four hours. Cut yourself some slack … you’ve had more than your hands full, Cap.”
Jason rubbed the stubble on his chin and, indeed, suddenly felt the lack of sleep closing in on him. “There are some things I need to take care of first. I’ll catch some sleep in a few hours. How’s it going with all the Caldurian vessels?”
“I have security teams locking things down on each one. So far, no resistance; in fact, everyone seems fairly happy to have us on board. Not sure what that’s about. Have you given any thought to who’s going to command those ships?” Billy asked.
Actually, Jason had. “It’s next on my list. I’ll be back in touch with you within the hour.” Jason cut the connection, sat back, and thought about Boomer again. He was glad she was safe. His thoughts turned to Dira.
“Ricket!”
Ricket, seated next to Granger, and in a deep discussion about something, looked up. “Yes, Captain.”
“I need you to head back to the Sol system right away.”
Ricket looked across at Granger, then back. “What is it? Have I done something wrong?”
“No, absolutely not. You’ve been extraordinary. It’s Dira … she’s … she’s not doing well. She was caught in a secondary explosion on Jefferson Station.”
Ricket’s face fell and his eyes filled with moisture.
“They managed to get her into a MediPod and stabilize her, but there was too much damage. She’s lost too many body parts to repair. She’s going to die. It’s just a matter of time, if it hasn’t happened already.” The words caught in Jason’s throat. He was suddenly hit with the full weight of losing her—all over again. That, and sheer exhaustion, made it hard for him to talk—to keep himself together.
“I do not know if I will be able to help her. I am not a doctor, Captain.”
“The admiral suggested that if anyone could help, it would be you. Perhaps you could use one of the newer MediPods on this ship? Hell, everything on board here is far more advanced.”
“I can try, Captain.”
“I’d like it if you’d hurry. Go now—take whatever you need.”
“I can ask Leon to take me back in the SpaceRunner, perhaps have one of these advanced MediPods phase-shifted into its hold,” Ricket replied, already getting to his feet. On his NanoCom, and speaking in low tones, he began making arrangements.
Jason sat back and tried not to think about Dira. There was still too much to do here, before he could personally return to see her. I’m sorry, Dira … I’m so, so sorry. Feeling his eyelids get heavy, he shook himself awake. He heard a familiar soft ding in his head—his NanoCom messages awaiting playback. Then he remembered the urgent incoming hail from his father. Shit! He played back the message.
There was a clattering of sounds and then his father’s out-of-breath baritone voice came across: “Jason … I don’t know where you’re at or if you’ll even get this message in time. We arrived in the Manilaise system and everything was fine—until the shit hit the fan. Maybe I’ve been gone too long, or I’m too old to command. Captain Oz has outsmarted me at every turn. We came into this system outnumbering his fleet two to one, now we’re getting our asses handed back to us. With so much that was mothballed, there’s not much left of our military within the Alliance that I didn’t bring with me. It’s a bad situation here, son. I’m not sure what you’ll even be able to do, what with the Minian gone. We’re being picked off like ducks in a pond … we need help. We need help now!”
Jason immediately tried to hail his father, but without success. He left him a NanoCom message: “I’m coming, Dad … I’m bringing help.” He replayed his father’s message again and felt the effects of too much adrenalin coursing through his veins.
Ricket, now gone from the bridge, left only Granger.
“Granger, quickly bring me up to speed on this ship.”
“She’s highly advanced. I’ve been looking over her capabilities and I’m having a difficult time absorbing everything. There are five primary decks and several sub-decks. She’s roughly the size of The Lilly, at approximately three hundred and eighty feet long, but she’s taller, and meaner.”
“Meaner?”
“Her weapons systems, as you witnessed with the destruction of the Lorial, are quite powerful. This is a warship like no other. First of all … she’s mostly virtual.” Granger used his knuckles to knock on the panel in front of him. “Yes, it all seems solid, but it’s really not, which makes this vessel incredibly light and fast. The ship can be cloaked from virtually all external scans and sensors, and she is invisible to the naked eye.”
Jason nodded in appreciation.
“There’s more … a lot more. Similar to The Lilly and the Minian, the Parcical has a large flight bay that spans the width of the ship. Inside are three shuttles, three two-man fighters, and ten one-man fighters. There are also seventy-five unmanned drone fighters. The ship has an advanced phase synthesizer on board; a habitat Zoo—not nearly the size of the Minian’s, but since so much is virtual, there are actually more habitats available: close to five hundred, accessible via four portals, which access any and all habitats. There are various laboratories, and also something called a MicroVault, of which I have first-hand knowledge. It’s for storing an unlimited amount of anything—including items as large as the Minian.”
“I figured as much. I better get back to it.”
Jason looked around the empty bridge. He hailed Orion.
“Go for Gunny.”
“I have a simple question for you; answer me honestly.”
“Sure, Cap … I’m always honest with you.”
“Do you want your own command?”
“You mean command of my own ship? Like one of those ten Master Class ships, sitting out there?”
“I mean exactly that.”
“I don’t have the appropriate rank for that. I’m not an officer.”
“You’re the most qualified person I know to skipper a vessel.”
He waited for her to answer, knowing it was a complicated situation. She had Billy to consider, who was as close to being her husband as possible, without actually being married. There were also the dynamics she and Jason had on the bridge. They were a good team—an amazing team. There was no one else he could count on to the same extent.
“Are you staying on … the Parcical?”
“Yes. It’s the best option for me.”
“Well, then the answer is no. Put me on dual-duty—tactical and as your XO. And make sure Billy is on the Parcical too.”
Jason smiled at that. “Don’t you think you’re getting a little pushy at this point?”
“You want the best?”
“I do. Okay, XO Orion, come over and help me figure out who should command the other ships.”
“I’m on my way.”
* * *
Jason was well aware the U.S. fleet could already be destroyed, or be very near so. His father might even be dead. It took all his resolve not to rally the fleet of Caldurian warships and charge headlong into battle. He also knew that Captain Oz was in a league all by himself. If he didn’t think things through thoroughly first, get his fleet prepared for the upcoming battle to the best of his ability, he’d potentially be handing the enemy a fleet so powerful, it would change the course of billions of lives, including those on Earth. No … he needed to be smart. Maybe smarter than ever before, and if that meant sacrificing what was left of the U.S. fleet, and his own father, then so be it.
It took Jason several minutes to find the captain’s ready room on the Parcical. It was one deck up from the bridge, at the top of the vessel, accessible via a DeckPort. It was also unique—not similar in the least to the ones on the Minian or The Lilly. Although it adjoined the impressively appointed captain’s quarters, it also had the largest onboard conference room he’d ever come across. The vessel was clearly designed to be a command ship—one that facilitated big meetings with other fleet officers. The glass, or facsimile of glass, conference table could seat up to forty personnel. There were virtual displays, inset along much of the curved bulkhead around the compartment, and something else: a massive viewing window, or portal, that looked out to vast space beyond. An identical matching portal was on the other side of the ship, where the captain’s living quarters were situated.
* * *
Every seat within the Parcical’s ready room compartment was filled. Several late arrivals stood along the bulkhead. Heads were turning this way and that, taking in the accommodations, and, of course, the floor-to-ceiling window view, which was impossible not to be mesmerized by.
Jason said, “We need to move things along.” As all heads turned in his direction, he continued, “I’m sure you are all aware of recent events, when we brought the Caldurian fleet of thirteen vessels, now eleven, under our control. What you may not be aware of is that Admiral Reynolds, and the bulk of the U.S. fleet’s some forty-four warships, has come up against a powerful adversary, in the nearby Manilaise system.”
“You’re talking about the Darion Cartel and Captain Oz, Captain?” Lieutenant Grimes asked.
“That is correct. We need to come to the admiral’s aid ASAP. But before we can do that, we need to place our own officers, some permanently, some temporarily, on board our new Caldurian warship acquisitions.”
As if anticipating what was coming next, the atmosphere in the ready room had grown even tenser.
“The Parcical will take over, becoming my primary Star Watch command vessel. I’ve designated the ten remaining Master Class vessels new names. If you don’t like them, blame Boomer … she came up with them.”
All heads turned toward Boomer, seated at the far opposite end of the table, across from her father.
“Lieutenant Grimes, you will take command of the new U.S. warship, Gemini. You have been promoted to captain. Is that acceptable, Captain Grimes?”
She flashed a quick surprised smile and nodded. “Yes, sir. Absolutely, sir!”
“Good. You will also assign three others as temporary captains, which may turn to permanent rankings in time. Select three of your fellow senior fighter pilots. Their vessels will be the Pisces, the Aries, and the Leo. You are dismissed, Captain Grimes. Please assemble your selected commanders and get them situated onto their respective vessels. Also note, you will have existing Caldurian bridge crews, as well as ship crews, on board and under your command. Former Caldurian bridge captains will be providing backseat support. See my new XO, Lieutenant Commander Orion, after this meeting; she’ll be everyone’s point of contact for this transition.”
Jason waited for Grimes to hurry from the room before continuing: “Ensign McNeil, you will temporarily be promoted to the rank of Commander and will captain the Virgo. Do well and we’ll talk about making this a permanent position.”
“Yes, sir … I won’t let you down, sir.”
“I’m sure you won’t. Okay, Lieutenant Commander Perkins, please have the Assailant closed up and parked in open space. You are promoted to the rank of Captain and you will be commanding the Minian.”
“Thank you, sir,” Perkins said. He stood up and hurried from the ready room.
Jason turned to the one Caldurian still seated at the table. “Granger, you have proven yourself loyal and are an extraordinary asset. You are promoted to Captain and are assigned to the Aquarius. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, sir. I am honored.”
“Stay seated, Captain Granger, for just a moment.” Jason then called out, “Bristol.”
Bristol nervously scratched at his face, looking uncomfortable being the subject of everyone’s attention. “Um … yeah?”
“No, you are not promoted to captaincy rank.”
Bristol instantly relaxed and laughter broke out around the table.
“But you are highly valued. You will remain under my direct command, on the Parcical, promoted to Ship’s Engineer.”
“Captain Granger, you will make yourself available to Bristol, on an as-needed basis, to bring him up to speed with any Caldurian tech that may be new to him.”
Bristol nodded and then said the title aloud, “Ship’s Engineer. I like it!”
“You are both dismissed.” Jason continued on, “Leon Pike is scheduled to return from the Sol System any time now. Temporarily, he will be captaining the Libra. That leaves three warships—the Scorpio, the Taurus and the Sagittarius; we still need to find captains for all three. Rest assured, by the time we move out, we’ll have those positions filled. We have a lot to do, people, in a very short amount of time. Let’s get going.”
Chapter 42
Sol System, Jefferson Station
Auxiliary Space Platform, Hospital
__________________________
Ricket awoke, feeling somewhat disoriented. Looking around the SpaceRunner’s comfortably appointed cabin, it took him several moments to remember where he was … what he was doing there. The vessel jostled, a sensation Ricket was familiar with. The small ship was being locked into place onto a spaceport. He sat up. How long have I been asleep? He knew in an instant—four hours. It was the most sleep he’d had at any one tim
e in weeks. He stood and made his way down the forward passageway, where he found Leon, Hanna, and the mecher, Trommy5, on the bridge. All three rose to their feet.
“Have a nice nap?” Hanna asked, with a sympathetic smile.
“Yes, I believe I did. Thank you, Hanna.”
Nearby, out the forward observation window, Ricket could see one of the many Auxiliary Space Platforms, or ASPs, that flanked Jefferson Station. They were typically located twenty to fifty miles out. The platform itself was nondescript; a utilitarian assemblage of pre-engineered light-gray modules. Ricket was aware of at least thirty of these large support ports. Some were designated specifically for spacecraft maintenance and repair; others were off-station barracks for crews and military personnel; and several others, such as this one, were designated as space hospitals. He saw the familiar large Red Cross emblem stenciled onto the platform’s hull.
Leon said, “I’ve ordered a flatbed hover cart and several grunts to transport the equipment. We’ve got this. Why don’t you go on ahead?”
Ricket nodded. “Thank you. I will see you all soon then.” He went out the same passageway he’d just entered. Once back in the passenger cabin, he descended the circular stairway to the lower level.
The SpaceRunner’s side access hatch was just in the process of opening up. Beyond it lay one of the platform’s numerous connecting narrow causeways. Without hesitation, Ricket proceeded forward and followed the slightly curved passageway—first left, then right. Ahead in the distance he saw another open hatch, where the causeway opened up wide into the primary platform concourse. He saw movement ahead—busy people, scurrying from one place to another.
He stepped into the open concourse, uncertain which direction to go. There were five large passageways, branching off from the concourse, which was temporarily filling in as a reception area for those arriving. In the middle of the expansive compartment was a small grouping of several couches and chairs. Ricket stopped in his tracks when he saw who was seated there.
Ricket (Star Watch Book 2) Page 26
