Final Duty

by Kyle Pratt

  “Amy,” Scott called out.

  “What?” she replied irritably, her eyes half closed.

  “Amy, look.”

  “What?” she said rubbing her eyes.

  He pointed to the bulkhead behind her. As she turned, she saw Marcus staring at the wall.

  Over the commlink came the announcement, “Normal power is being restored.” The lights flashed back on eliminating all shadows.

  “Did you see it?” Scott asked Amy.

  “See what?”

  “Did you see it, Marcus?” Scott asked.

  “I’m…I’m not sure what I saw.”

  “Turn off the lights. Switch on the emergency light,” Scott commanded. As they did, the card players attempted to explain what they had seen. Marcus remained silent. When only the emergency light again illuminated the compartment, no phantom materialized.

  As she marched out of the wardroom, Amy said over her shoulder, “You guys need some sleep.”

  Arriving at her cabin, she collapsed on the bunk. After several minutes, she reached over to the nightstand, turned the framed picture of her father so that it faced her, and clicked on a holo of assorted images of her parents. She watched the images materialize and dissolve with her head on the pillow. He’s coming home with me. Mom and I can finally put him to rest.

  She rose and walked to the shower. As the water rained down on her the tears that had earlier come slowly, came in a torrent. Fatigue overpowered her as she toweled the moisture from her body and eyes. She crawled under the covers, and continued to stare at the holo as her eyes slowly closed in sleep.

  Amy smiled as she looked up at the clear blue sky. The sun felt warm on her face. Her right hand held his left at the level of her head. It was pleasant, but a part of her knew that all of it was wrong. “Where are we going, Daddy?”

  “We’re going home, Amy. We’ll be there soon.”

  Amy looked around. They were walking across a park she had played in as a child. She glanced back over her shoulder and, as she expected, saw her primary school. She looked forward. Beyond those trees is our house. At the edge of the park, between them and home stood a plain door hung in its frame.

  That’s odd. “Why is the door there, Daddy?” Amy asked as she pointed.

  “That’s the way home, sweetheart,” he said picking up the pace a bit. “Come on.”

  This was a dream, but she was content to walk in it with her father. Amy looked up at him towering over her. His face appeared sharp and vivid, unlike the vague and shadowy images of dreams or old memories.

  He looked down at her and smiled, “I’ve missed your mommy. Will she be there when we get home?”

  “Sure. Why wouldn’t she be there?”

  “I’ve been away a long time.” He said with a frown.

  They were alone in this dream world, but the real world seemed to sneak in occasionally with an indistinct sound or voice, like hearing bits of a conversation from the other end of a long hallway. Amy couldn’t understand most of what was said but the voices sounded worried. She looked up at her father. His face was drawn and tight.

  “Daddy you’re squeezing my hand.”

  “Sorry honey. We need to hurry.”

  Clouds in various shades of black and gray billow with unnatural speed on the horizon.

  Taking her eyes off the storm clouds Amy looked for the doorway home, but couldn’t find it. “Daddy, where’s the door?”

  “It’s gone,” he said as thunder rolled across the park. Concern etched his face.

  “Can we still go home?”

  “We may need to be brave for a little while longer.”

  “I can be brave,” she said as thunder echoed about them.

  “I know you can,” he smiled as the first gusts of wind hit their faces.

  Lightning struck nearby. Amy wrapped her arms around her father’s leg.

  “They’re here,” he said without emotion.

  “Who?”

  His face was stoic as he stared at the dark clouds rolling towards them. “You need to go,” he said without looking down at her.

  “No, I don’t want to leave you.”

  “You’ve got to go. They’re here.”

  “Who? Who Daddy?” She followed his gaze to the far side of the park and screamed. Dozens of spider-like Hex searched the far end of the park were the door had once been. As they searched, they moved towards them. She could already hear their mandibles clicking together as they talked amongst each other. Amy yanked on her father’s arm. “Run,” she screamed.

  He smiled at her, but it quickly faded. “No, you go. I’ll stand watch till I know you’re safe.”

  “No!”

  “Duty calls. Now go!”

  Heart racing, Amy jerked awake. She stared up from her bunk covered in sweat. Had it all been some strange dream? She rubbed her eyes and eased herself from bed. Walking to the sink on the bulkhead, she splashed water on her face.

  Duty calls.

  Her head jerked up to see her father standing behind her in the mirror. She spun around to see the faintest hint of a shadow fade to nothing on the bulkhead.

  She dressed quickly.

  Entering the bridge, she paused. Technicians darted about. Instead of the holographic projection, there was a blank gray bulkhead at the far end of the compartment. Red lights flashed at most workstations while several monitors spelled out WARNING in blinking crimson letters. Seeing Marcus on his back under the navigation console she hurried over to him. “What happened?”

  Without standing he said, “We had power fluctuations when engineering tried to open the wormhole. Most stations crashed. We’re rebooting and doing manual re-starts.”

  “Where’s the Captain?”

  Marcus shrugged. “He was coming back from engineering when it happened,” he said while working on the console. “The commlink is down.”

  Amy checked the environmental systems. Temperatures on the ship were steady. The heat radiators still functioned but the atmosphere plant had shutdown. Damn. She knew a technician was on duty in the compartment. They would be working to restore the system. She moved to the engineering console. Data was beginning to come in. The fusion reactor was down and the Bias Drive had shut down. She looked around. Sensor displays were black. Red lights flashed on the panels beside them.

  The Hex in the dream were so vivid. Were they out there even now? We’re so blind. Taking a deep breath, she tried to reassure herself that it had all been a dream.

  Over her shoulder, she could see people working on various sensors but none were on line. She wanted the sensors restored. She needed to see what was out there. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Ramon had the holo projection up but, without sensors, it looked like the entrance to a black tunnel.

  Was the dream a warning? It all felt so real. She looked at her systems. There was enough air for another hour. If it wasn’t a dream do we have an hour? Her shoulders and neck ached. Her every muscle was tense. Dad was real. I was awake when I saw him.

  “Commlink restored,” A technician announced. “The Captain advises he is on his way to the bridge.”

  Amy turned to Ramon and asked, “Do you need help?”

  He nodded.

  She left her post and walked over to him.

  “I’ll have the main array online in a minute. Could you synchronize the sensor inputs with the holo projection?” Ramon asked.

  “Sure.” She put the system in standby.

  Moments later Ramon said, “I’m sending visible light data on channel one.”

  “I see it here.” She stared at the readouts. She dedicated one of the projectors for visual light display, switched it back online and sent data from the output panel to the projector. Amy looked at the display as the image formed before her. The dream was a warning. Fighting to control her panic and her voice she announced, “Sound general quarters and rig for stealth”

  As the klaxon sounded, Captain Harris walked onto the bridge with an air of command.

  Amy
reported to him as he entered, “Three stealth AI mines currently conducting a search.”

  “They converged on where we attempted to open the wormhole,” Marcus added. “Our sensors are still coming back online but, I believe, they’re using only passive sensors,”

  “Good, then they don’t know where we are.”

  “We saw them just in time to rig for stealth and stay out of their search pattern,” Amy said.

  “Excellent.”

  “I think we’re dealing with mines that are keyed to the energy released when a wormhole is created,” Marcus stated.

  “I agree,” the Captain said. “Maybe we can make them believe we jumped out of the system.” Turning to the helmsman he said, “I want a minimal thrust course to take us behind that rock.” He pointed to a large asteroid between them and the Hex mines.

  “Aye sir, I’ll make it look like we’re a rock drifting in that direction.” Slowly the Mirage moved towards the nearby asteroid.

  “And get all the sensors back online.”

  “We’ve just restored the last one,” Amy said and returned to the engineering and environmental bridge stations.

  Marcus looked up from the sensor display. “Their search pattern uses the wormhole event horizon as the center point. Two mines are moving generally away from our position. One mine is headed towards us.”

  All the airtight doors on the ship were sealed. Amy knew she could not go to the atmosphere plant, but she now had to ensure it came back online. She tore herself from the drama of the mines and called over the commlink, “AP plant, report.”

  A moment passed before she heard the voice of the leading petty officer, “All plant personnel are present. We’ve restored the control system and we’re working on the ventilation.”

  “Keep me advised.” She turned back to the holo and the approaching mine.

  “We’ve matched course and speed with the asteroid,” the helmsman advised the captain.

  “I’m getting a weak sensor signal that seems to be curving around the asteroid,” Ramon announced.

  “The mines have switched to active sensors,” Marcus said.

  “Weapons ready?” Captain Harris asked.

  “Yes sir.” The fire control tech responded.

  “Active sensors now clearing the asteroid horizon,” Ramon called out. “The mine has locked on us and is on an intercept course,”

  “Fire!” The captain commanded.

  A whoosh was immediately heard.

  “Helm, maximum thrust.”

  The Mirage shuddered as speed increased.

  “Helm, bring us around to the far side of the asteroid.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Ramon, begin active sensor sweeps.”

  A white flash on the holo projection confirmed destruction of one mine.

  Mirage creaked, moaned and gradually changed course.

  As the ship came into view of the enemy Ramon called out, “One of the mines has formed a communications wormhole—they’re transmitting!”

  “Take them both out. Fire,” the captain commanded. Mirage shuddered as missiles flew from their tubes.

  As the projectiles hurtled towards the mines Ramon announced, “Three Hex cruisers have dropped into normal space off our port.”

  The missiles hit and destroyed the mines in a flash.

  “The Hex cruisers have weapons lock.”

  The captain cursed under his breath and turned to Amy. “XO I need maximum thrust and then we’ve got to jump.”

  Amy checked her console. “The Bias Drive is still down.” Pressing the commlink she said, “Chief, I need the fusion reactor and Bias Drive, now.”

  The Captain stared at her. “The Hex have a lock on us, either we jump or I go kamikaze.”

  The Chief’s voice came over the commlink, “Just a few minutes, that’s all I need.”

  Turning his back on Amy and the commlink the captain said, “Evasive maneuvers at maximum thrust. Do we have weapons lock?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “They’re firing,” Ramon called out.

  “Fire at will,” the captain commanded. “Helmsman, bring us as close to that large asteroid as you can. It may provide some cover.”

  The ship shuddered as more missiles flew from their tubes and debris from incoming missiles hit the hull.

  Amy steadied herself in the chair. The ship rumbled and shook. She grabbed the control panel in front of her to keep from falling as the Chief worked with her to bring the reactor back online.

  “Decompression on deck four, frame 83,” the damage control officer advised.

  “The lead ship sustained damage to their port engine and is falling back, but continues to fire,” Marcus said. “The other two ships are closing and flanking.”

  “Sir, we’re down to our last missile!” The fire control tech called to the Captain.

  “Damn,” Captain Harris exclaimed, “Hold your fire on the last missile. Helm, plot an intercept course to the nearest Hex ship.”

  Silence reigned on the bridge.

  The helmsman and captain locked eyes. “Aye, sir,” he said slowly.

  Amy turned her stare from the captain to the image of enemy ships on fast approach. It had been all for naught. We’re not going to make it. We’re not going home.

  “Intercept course plotted sir,” the helmsman advised.

  “Engage at maximum thrust.”

  The ship creaked and then shuddered as it turned to face the closest Hex ship.

  Amy realized Marcus was standing beside her. Their eyes met. He seemed to want to say something. What could someone say to another at such a moment? Goodbye? His lips moved.

  Over the commlink came Chief Zengal’s voice, “We’re ready engage!”

  Amy had programmed in wormhole coordinates so with only a few adjustments she engaged the Bias Drive. Turning around Amy saw the wormhole created by the bias drive. The way home. However, as she watched it slid from view as the Mirage turned to face the oncoming Hex ship. “We’re ready Captain,” she announced.

  “I’m sorry Amy, we’re out of time,” the Captain replied.

  “It’s open. The portal is open!” Amy declared.

  She looked toward the Captain as he turned and stared at the holo.

  With the most emotion he had displayed during the battle he commanded, “Abort intercept! Plot a course to the wormhole.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “And fire the missile at the lead vessel,” the Captain ordered with a smile in his voice. Then turning to the helmsman he said, “Take us in.”

  Mirage shuddered as lasers destroyed incoming missiles.

  “Decompression on deck two, frame 18,” the damage control officer advised.

  Mirage accelerated across the event horizon of the wormhole. The black of space became a vortex of colors.

  “Switch to aft view,” the Captain ordered.

  Everyone watched as the event horizon collapsed and disappeared.

  Marcus stated what Amy knew but still wanted to hear. “The Altair event horizon has collapsed; no Hex ships followed us in.”

  Captain Harris broke out in a broad grin.

  Amy relaxed and sat back in her chair. An audible sigh swept the bridge followed by laughter and a few cheers.

  Still smiling, the Captain announced, “Secure from general quarters and set condition three. Turning to Amy he said, “XO, you have the bridge. I’ll need damage reports in my cabin as soon as possible.”

  “Yes sir,” she said as he departed.

  Amy turned away as several conversations sprang up around the bridge. They would be home in a few hours. Back with family and friends. Dad stayed on watch until the last of his crew was recovered, his crippled ship destroyed and I was safe. Somehow she knew she would never sense his presence or hear the whisper of his voice again. He’s done his final duty.

  Amy was once again aware that Marcus stood beside her. She looked up.

  “Is it proper to ask the XO out to dinner?”
r />   She smiled. “I’m just the acting XO.”

  “Well then, how about dinner at the officer’s club when we get home?

  “That would be nice.” She paused and with a sly grin asked, “but will you be ordering coffee?”

  Click here to learn more about books by Kyle Pratt.

  Also by the Author

  Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains, Book 1) Terrorists smuggle a nuclear bomb into Washington D.C. and detonate it during the State of the Union Address. Army veteran and congressional staffer Caden Westmore is in nearby Bethesda and watches as a mushroom cloud grows over the capital. The next day, as he drives away from the still burning city, he learns that another city has been destroyed and then another. America is under siege. Panic ensues and society starts to unravel.

  * * *

  A Time to Endure (Strengthen What Remains, Book 2) The exciting saga of Major Caden Westmore continues in this, the second book of the Strengthen What Remains series. In the first book, Through Many Fires, terrorists use nuclear bombs to destroy six American cities. Now, the nation’s economy teeters on the verge of collapse. The dollar plunges, inflation runs rampant, and the next civil war threatens to decimate the wounded country. In the face of tyranny, panic, and growing hunger, Caden struggles to keep his family and town together. But how can he save his community when the nation is collapsing around it?

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  Titan Encounter Justin Garrett starts one morning as a respected businessman and ends the day a fugitive wanted by every power in the known universe. Fleeing with his 'sister' Mara and Naomi, a mysterious woman from Earth Empire, their only hope of refuge is with the Titans, genetically enhanced soldiers who rebelled, and murdered millions in the Titanomachy War. Hunted, even as they hunt for the Titans, the three companions slowly uncover the truth that will change the future and rewrite history.

  About the Author

  Hello and thank you for visiting.

  I write speculative fiction in a few genres. I started out writing military and space opera science fiction. These include the Final Duty stories and Titan Encounter. Then I moved on to post-apocalyptic/action-adventure.

  My first post-apocalyptic novel, Through Many Fires, became an instant hit, rocketing onto the Kindle Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic list, reaching #10, and the Mystery and the Thriller and Suspense list, reaching #39. The second book in the series, A Time to Endure, has appeared on several genre bestseller lists. The third book in the series, Braving the Storms, is scheduled for release in December 2015. My books are on all major online retailers.