Conflict: Rise Of Mankind Book 4

by John Walker

  At least we’re providing them a distraction. For now. That’s all we can ask for. Buy some time…and stay alive.

  Chapter 9

  Harrington waited in the hallway while Tim had a chance to think about his situation. Adam and Marshall stood nearby, doing their best to remain quiet but he could tell it wasn’t easy for them. They wanted results but needed to be patient. Even if they could do anything to the Lieutenant, he wouldn’t give up his secrets instantly.

  Adam couldn’t help himself and finally stepped forward. “May I remind you of what’s at stake here?”

  “Of course, sir.” Harrington nodded. “But I know my job. If we want the truth, we have to be patient and get it the right way.”

  “Commander,” Marshall pulled him aside, “let me talk to you about this over here.”

  They left Harrington alone and he turned his attention back to Tim. The ship began to vibrate for a moment as the engines engaged. Another tremor made him touch the wall, though it wasn’t quite bad enough to put him off balance. That was a hit. Okay, so the fighting’s real. I get it guys. You don’t have to convince me I need to hurry.

  Another tactic came to mind, one which catered to their urgency. He entered the interrogation room again, this time slamming the door behind him. Tim looked up with wide eyes and when Harrington slapped the table, he jumped.

  “I’m sure you just felt those two tremors and you know what they mean. Right now, you have an opportunity to come clean while it matters. I’m going to give you a new piece of the deal. If you don’t fess up before the fighting’s done, I’ll ensure you do the maximum sentence for aiding and abetting.”

  “I…what…”

  “If you’re curious, the sentence will depend on what the person you’re protecting did. It could mean execution.”

  “You’re not serious!”

  “I’m dead serious, Collins. This is getting stupid. You’re not a petulant child waiting to be scolded for skipping class in primary. As an officer in the military, you have expectations you’re not living up to. One of them involves conducting yourself with honor. Right now, your silence isn’t doing anyone any favors.”

  “Maybe I need to take the consequences for this.”

  “So you considered your self preservation and came up with this? That you want to go down for someone else? Know that they’re going to get caught, Collins. It’s just a matter of time.” The ship shook again. “Another shot. Come clean, Lieutenant. This is your last chance because when I walk out that door this time, I’m going to help real soldiers in this fight and you can rot.”

  Tim clenched his fists, his expression full of torment. Harrington started to count. When he reached ten, he’d walk. The lieutenant had that much time to make a decision and save himself from the worst penalty his crime might warrant. Either that or the Commander would come in and beat the hell out of him, stick him with needles…any of that was out of Harrington’s purview.

  Anything an interrogator got without a conversation should be considered suspect anyway. A man would do anything to stop a beating and drugs weren’t reliable. Confessions under the influence of most narcotics didn’t hold up in court. Harrington saw many cases overturned when doctors testified to the inefficiency of injections.

  However, to get some quick information, he recognized their usefulness.

  Harrington reached nine and turned to leave when Tim spoke up. “Wait! Sir…wait…”

  “Make it fast, Lieutenant. Wasting my time right now won’t endure you to me. I’ve got no more patience.”

  “They said they only wanted to show an inefficiency…something to stir up trouble between the alliance and Earth.”

  “Okay, you want to talk motive first, you can but if you don’t have names at the end…” Harrington let the threat hang there, not bothering to tell him specifically what might happen. In cases like this, imagination worked far better than actual threats. “Go.”

  “The order came just before we left the mining facility. A coded message to a select few people.”

  “Really. How did that get covered up? All incoming communications are monitored and recorded.”

  “The on duty com officer took care of that,” Tim muttered. “Ensign Amos Roper.”

  “That’s one name.” Harrington tapped it into his tablet. “So he deleted the message?”

  “After copying it, yes, sir. He brought the information to Lieutenant Conway. She shared it with both of us but I…I didn’t want anything to do with it.”

  “Are you saying you didn’t help them?”

  Tim hesitated but finally shook his head. “No, sir. I can’t say that. I helped…”

  Harrington sighed. “Okay, so you’ve admitted to helping saboteurs mess with the jump module. Explain to me how each of you took down security to make it happen.”

  “Lieutenant Conway didn’t have clearance for the engine room but Amos had the computer knowhow to get past that. She altered the security feeds and gave herself someone else’s clearance, Clea An’Tufal.”

  “Is it sufficient to say you were hoping to set her up?”

  “Yes, sir. That was part of the plan but Commander Everly didn’t seem to believe it when he conducted his investigation. I think he wanted to…but the evidence was thin. I told them that too. I mentioned any attack on Clea would probably not work. She had plenty of opportunities to cause trouble and never did. Why now? No answer would be sufficient, especially for the captain.”

  “I’m going to keep my curiosity to myself on that last part,” Harrington muttered. “So Conway screwed with security and gained access. What part of this master plan did you have to do with?”

  “I provided her an alibi. I didn’t know it at the time but three weeks ago, when she invited me to stay with her…I just thought we were getting together. I always thought she was attractive. She had plans, of course…and they came from a reputable source but she didn’t tell me until we were already seeing each other for a week.”

  “Not exactly a long time to convince someone to commit treason.”

  “The orders, sir…” Tim clenched his fists again. “They came from…from Admiral Jameson.”

  “I hope you idiots kept those orders.”

  “I made a copy, sir. Lieutenant Conway doesn’t know.”

  Harrington smirked. “You might’ve just saved yourself from a death sentence. Naturally, you’re going to have to testify against Conway and Roper. Are you prepared for that?”

  “Yes, sir.” Tim looked down. “I hated what we did…but I wasn’t going to come forward.”

  “One of your many mistakes.” Harrington moved to the door. “I’m going to report this and you’ll be moved back to the brig. Good luck, son. I’m afraid you’re going to need it.”

  ***

  The first enemy blast shook the ship but the shields held. Gray narrowed his eyes as Redding unleashed another attack of their own. Out there somewhere, fighters engaged in a life and death struggle even as the bombers got into position to help them take down this foe in one of their first toe to toe battles.

  Luckily, the other ship seemed occupied trying to take on the other fleets. They maintained their defenses, even as they tried to withdraw but it was only a matter of time before they went down. Gray turned to Clea. “Do you think there’s anything you and Olly can suggest to those folks about recalibrating their power and protecting themselves for a little longer?”

  “I doubt it, sir,” Olly answered. “Their technology, while less potent than ours, isn’t close enough to the way we do things to offer much in the way of ideas. We might well cause more harm than good.”

  “It’s worth looking into,” Clea added. “We’re on it, sir.”

  “Thank you.” Gray turned to his own computer and read a report from Adam. The words made his heart sink and his stomach ache.

  Lieutenant Collins confessed. His co-conspirators were Lieutenant Theresa Conway and Ensign Amos Roper. It seems they were all operating under Admiral Jameson�
�s orders. The goal was to frame Clea for the event. We’re taking the other two into custody shortly and will stow them in the brig.

  Gray rubbed his eyes. God damn it, Tim! You had a bright future, kid! Why did you throw it all away? They are not going to go easy on you, even with your confession! You’re done!

  Clea gently touched his forearm. “Captain, are you okay?”

  He turned to her and nodded. “I’m fine, Clea. Sorry, the fatigue…”

  “And whatever you just read,” Clea finished for him. She nodded. “Understood, sir. When and if you need to speak about it, do let me know…after the fight of course.”

  Gray managed a thin smile. “Indeed. Let’s get focused on the task at hand.” He wrote a message back to Adam, a simple one word comment. Understood.

  A hint of rage tickled his heart, anger at his officer for betraying them. He decided to take it out on the enemy, to focus on them and consider all the possible ways to end the fight quickly. They already had a good plan for the first one. The trick came from who would take down the other’s shields first.

  I’ve got an idea. Gray got Group Commander Estaban Revente on the line. “I need you to consider something. What do you say to coordinated bombing runs to tear down their shields? Swarm them with waves of ordinance?”

  “We can make it happen, sir. I trust you want to coordinate with Redding as she fires the pulse cannons?”

  “You’ve got it. You’ll need to get some escorts for them though. As soon as the first wave hits, they’re going to focus their attention on the bombers and try to take them out.”

  “Understood. I’ve got the crew for the job. I’ll have the wing commanders link up with Redding. Revente out.”

  Gray leaned back and took a deep breath. If this tactic worked, they’d be able to chew through the enemy vessel. He anticipated the other one would flee or at least start moving to make themselves a much more difficult target. At that point, they’d pursue and the fighting would be mostly on them.

  I’m sure I’ll come up with something else by then though. For now, one battle at a time.

  ***

  Rudy received the orders to take his wing out of waiting and prepare for a bombing run. Each bomber wing was expected to coordinate with the bridge, firing their bombs at the right time to ensure pulse turrets connected close to the same time as their attacks. He understood the idea but after the second wing fired, the rest would be in serious jeopardy.

  I wish Meagan were out here right now.

  “Who’ll be our escorts?” Rudy asked. “And when will they be here?”

  “You’re going to have to trust me,” Revente said. “I’ll have the fighters there but you won’t see them until the enemy sends theirs against you. Then I’ll have ours engage. Hopefully, that’ll limit the number they send. I’m guessing they figure you guys are sitting ducks against their faster vessels.”

  “We are,” Rudy replied. “Make no doubt about it, this is a dangerous plan.”

  “I thought you liked dangerous stuff, Rudy,” Revente said. “This is the kind of mission heroes are born from.”

  “Or die in,” Rudy muttered. “But I trust you, sir. We’ve got the armor and shields to take a few blows. Don’t worry about us.”

  “Alright, I’m sending everyone out there your place in line and when you’ll do your first strike. We don’t stop until you run out of ordinance or that thing blows up. And guys? Be sure to get out of range before any major shockwave takes you. I don’t want search and rescue looking for you because you got caught up in an explosion.”

  “Understood.” Several voices joined Rudy as the other wings prepared themselves for the attack. He steadied himself and waited for his turn, third on the list. The first wing rocketed ahead, their heat coronas flaring as the moved. Rudy tapped his foot nervously, listening to the coordination between Lieutenant Commander Redding and the leader of Wolf Wing.

  “I’m firing in five seconds,” Redding’s voice echoed in Rudy’s helmet. “Fire now!”

  The first barrage of heavy rockets departed eight bombers, each craft pulling up and jamming the throttle forward to fall back. This meant Bull Wing was up and they started their run, just as the turrets from the Behemoth opened fire. The resulting blasts rocked the enemy ship, causing their shields to flare so brightly, Rudy had to look away.

  They returned fire, unleashing their own version of hell on the Behemoth. Redding moved the craft but it wasn’t exactly fast and though she did get them to hit a different section of shielding than the last time, the resulting blast seemed nasty to Rudy. Even if the defenses held, that one had to give everyone on board a good shake.

  I hope we’re treating these pricks to a similar dance.

  Bull wing moved in and the time it took them gave the Behemoth a chance to recharge. Redding’s voice came over the line again. “Ten seconds to firing. Count down five and shoot.”

  “Roger that,” Bull Wing replied. “We are ready on your mark. Closing in on optimal range.”

  “Fire,” Redding maintained perfect composure, her tone remaining all business. Rudy didn’t know if he could be so calm considering what she was doing. The act of coordinating such a mission made his heart race. If she had any adrenaline rushing through her blood, she didn’t let on. Just one more reason she’s got that job, I guess.

  “Opening fire,” Bull Wing replied and again, Rudy saw the massive flare up as rockets from all eight craft launched at the enemy. His turn was next and as he watched the enemy get hammered again, he saw them move ever so slightly to the Starboard, away from the attack.

  I think we just jarred them! Those pricks are going down!

  “Bear wing,” Redding said. “Begin your attack run in five seconds.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Rudy sent the signal to the rest of his wing and counted it down for them. At one, he pressed his throttle forward, peripherally aware of the other ships keeping pace with him. They spread out in a vanguard formation, which allowed them to blanket a larger area with their rockets. As they drew closer, they heard Revente’s voice over the line.

  “There they come, Cougar and Lion! Get in there and protect those bombers!”

  Crap, that means the fighters are here. Just our luck that we get to be the first ones worrying about taking a blast in the face from a bunch of bees.

  “Ten seconds on recharge,” Redding said. “Get ready to fire.”

  A fighter flew by Rudy so fast he couldn’t tell if it was one of theirs or the enemy’s. He didn’t risk a look, not even at his scanner. He remained intent on the target, prepared to unleash what he hoped would be the final run on this bastard to take down their shields. The fourth wing’s attack definitely had enough force to pop their hull if their defenses dropped.

  Coupled with another turret round from the Behemoth and we’d be in serious business.

  “Fire,” Redding said. “Now.”

  Rudy gave the order and his wing opened up. He felt the ship jolt upward as his rockets dislodged from the bottom of his ship and jetted forward. “Pull up, everyone and let’s get back to the line!”

  “Bear One, this is Bear Four, I’ve got a problem.” The message came through as private. Lieutenant Harlon Mitchell had been with Rudy’s wing since the beginning. He was a young pilot but damn good at his job. Definitely one of the braver bombers for sure.

  “What’s the deal, Bear Four?”

  “My linkage is jammed. They didn’t release the rockets.”

  “What?” A sense of panic gripped Rudy’s chest. “Okay…did they arm?”

  “I’m afraid so, sir.”

  Rudy cursed. “Use your manual over ride! Jettison all ordinance.”

  “I can’t sir, I already tried.”

  “Bail out, Bear Four. That ship’s going to blow.”

  “I’m arming the rest of my ordinance, sir,” Harlon replied. “And ensuring I aim right at the enemy ship.”

  Rudy hesitated to reply but had to admit the idea was sound. Not only would t
he bombs do damage but the reactor might mess them up too. If Harlon survived, it would be a miracle though. Bailing out with such a shockwave…his escape pod wasn’t exactly equipped with anything more than basic maneuvering thrusters.

  Surely not enough to get him a safe distance away from the destruction.

  “You bail out and I’ll get you out of there,” Rudy said. “Just send me your beacon the second you pop the canopy, okay?”

  “Sir…” Harlon cleared his throat. “You and I both know that’s not practical.”

  The young man was right. His bomber wasn’t fast or maneuverable enough to get the pod out of there in time. They’d likely both die as a result. He checked his com and patched into Lion’s wing leader, keeping the channel private for the moment. The fact that it took all of five seconds to connect annoyed him.

  “What’s up, Bear One?”

  “Listen, I need one of you to help Bear Four. His rocket linkage jammed up and he’s basically flying a live bomb. He’s going to bail out but I can’t get him out of there in time. One of you has to do it.”

  “We can do it,” Lion One replied. “I’ll lock onto his coordinates and take care of it myself. I trust we’re racing a shockwave? Whoa!”

  “Lion One, do you copy?” Rudy felt frantic as he and the rest of his wing moved away from the enemy vessel. Blasts danced all around his hull, and he did his best to evade them. Something exploded to his left and he swore it was Bear Four for a moment but then he realized someone just saved his life.

  “Yeah, I’m still here, Bear One,” Lion One replied. “Sorry, had to kill something. I’ll get your guy, don’t worry about it. We’ll talk later.”

  Rudy cursed as the man cut the connection and he filled in Revente on what happened.

  “Damn…Harlon’s going to be okay,” Revente said. “Trust Lion One.”

  “Doing my best…but the next bomber wing’s about to head in.”

  “I know. Just focus on staying alive and getting into position for your next run.”