by D. J. Holmes
“We brought our entire fleet at the request of our benefactors,” Ya’sia replied. “Our initial mission is purely diplomatic. We wish to open negotiations with the Flex-aor and find out why they are so hostile towards our neighbors. If diplomacy does not go well, we have other instructions from our benefactors. Though now that we know a little bit more about the number of ships the Flex-aor have, we may have to reassess those options.”
“Perhaps,” James began as he stared at the star map. An idea had come to him. “Perhaps your fleet might like some company on your mission. Our experience has told us that diplomacy will not work with the Flex-aor. However, if you wish to try, we would be more than happy to encourage the attempt. If diplomacy fails, I know my leaders would be happy for our ships to fight alongside one another. My species has no desire to commit genocide against the Flex-aor. But, if your intentions would be more along the lines of wiping out their orbital industries and ability to make war against their neighbors, that is a goal we could join you in achieving. I couldn’t think of a better way for our two species to begin developing a relationship with one another than fighting side-by-side.”
Once again Ya’sia looked at her subordinates and then back to James. “That is an interesting proposal. Normally I would think such a proposal would be moving too quickly. However, if what you have said about the numbers of ships the Flex-aor are able to field is correct, then they are a much bigger and more imminent threat than my species’ benefactors or indeed my own leaders realized. Perhaps working together may be necessary. However, that is a conclusion I am still a long way from reaching. And my mission is of paramount importance. I cannot at this time enter into long diplomatic negotiations with you. I’m not sure that we could come to any kind of agreement quickly enough for your suggestion to be feasible.”
“I have the authority to take my fleet to the Flex-aor homeworld now if I so desire,” James replied. “There’s no need for me to wait for diplomats from Earth to arrive to negotiate with you. My fleet is well supplied. I believe we could continue with you to the Flex-aor homeworld today if you allowed us to accompany you.”
Ya’sia brought her hands together in front of her chest as she had done during the holographic COM conversation earlier in the day. “My species normally never moves this fast. Before we could contemplate it, I and my subordinates would have many questions for you.”
James smiled. He was more than willing to answer a few questions if it would give him a shot at the Flex-aor homeworld. “Ask away,” he replied.
*
Four hours later James realized that for the Crians, many really did mean many. Ya’sia had picked his brain dry of almost everything he knew about his species’ history and characteristics. At least, everything that he had felt he was able to divulge. Likewise, all of his subordinates had been interrogated. In turn, James and his staff had asked many questions of their own and the answers he had received had astonished him. The galactic community the Crians were a part of, and the interdependent societies and cultures they have built together, was simply beyond his comprehension. Even many of the technologies Ya’sia spoke of sounded more like magic than reality. When Ya’sia finally called an end to the discussion, she made it clear that it was only so her staff could return to their ship for refreshments. She intended to return for another round of discussions as soon as possible. This is going to be a long couple of days, James thought as he stood and embraced Ya’sia with the quasi handshake she had taught him. Though the idea of more discussions was daunting, it was also exhilarating. He was certain that meeting Ya’sia and the Crians was the most monumental thing that had ever happened to his species. Just knowing thirteen other species existed relatively nearby to Earth would cause a paradigm shift in Humanity’s thinking. The prospect of actually joining such an intergalactic community would change everything.
Chapter 7
Sensor and stealth technologies are improving all the time, there is a constant war going on between the two schools of engineers and scientists working on them. Occasionally a unique or weird solar system throws its own features into the mix. The best commanders always make use of all three variables in any engagement.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
UNS Golden Hind, X-61 system, 16th July 2478 AD.
James was on Golden Hind’s bridge when the battleship jumped out of shift space into the seventh new and unexplored system James’s fleet had travelled to. Immediately reports came in from the ships already in the system. There were no signs of any Flex-aor warships or other threats. After taking ten minutes to sort themselves out, the Human and Crian fleets set off towards the far end of the system and the next shift passage they intended to traverse. Several smaller ships split off from the two fleets and headed for other shift passages. They were tasked with scouting the nearby systems to make sure no Flex-aor fleets would suddenly appear in the rear and cause havoc.
As his battleship powered up and got underway, James could hardly believe how fast things had progressed. Yes, the discussions with Ya’sia had been taxing and, in the end, had lasted four days. But once the Crian Admiral made up her mind, she was determined. Within a day, their fleets had set off together towards the Flex-aor homeworld. James had dispatched Rear Admiral Tianpei’s second battlecruiser squadron with a number of escorts back to X-38. Tianpei was to gather together a resupply convoy and follow the Outer Defense Fleet. With the exception of Tianpei’s ships and those destroyed or damaged engaging the Flex-aor fleet, James had every other ship with him on this mission. If someone had told him a month ago he would be heading straight for the Flex-aor homeworld with his entire fleet, he wouldn’t have believed it possible. Yet here he was. Moreover, he was working side-by-side with an entirely new alien race that he hardly knew.
Hardly might be going a bit too far, he thought as he allowed himself a small chuckle. Given the amount of time he had spent with Ya’sia, he thought he knew her pretty well. It appeared that in general, Crians and Humans were able to get along with each other pretty well. A lot of work had gone into making sure both fleets could operate well together. With so much contact between James’ senior officers and Ya’sia’s there had been ample opportunities to observe how each species interacted with the other. Though there had been a few incidents, both sets of officers worked relatively smoothly with one another.
As their journey continued, both fleets and their senior officers had settled into a comfortable routine. Before either fleet entered a new system, James’ six stealth destroyers moved in and observed the system for several hours. Having never needed to develop stealth technology of their own, this was one area where Humanity’s technologies were far more advanced than the Crian’s. After the stealth destroyers reported no enemy contact, Crian frigates were sent in. Their more advanced sensor technology allowed them to scan more of the system. When it was confirmed there were no threats, both main fleets moved in and continued towards their final destination.
James’ main problem came from some of his subordinates. In order to carry out useful battle simulations with Ya’sia’s fleet, James and Ya’sia had to share technical details about their weapons systems. Quite a few of James’ officers had been unhappy with that idea. James understood but to him it made no sense to hold their capabilities back. If and when a battle took place, the Crians would get an up close and personal look at the capabilities of Human warships. It made more sense to share those capabilities now so that both fleets could work together. It seemed Ya’sia had no qualms with sharing information about her ship’s capabilities. James suspected learning the true number of ships the Flex-aor could field had shaken Ya’sia’s confidence in her fleet’s strength. The technologies Ya’sia shared had surprised James. In some ways, the Crians were much more advanced than Humans. In general, the technologies James saw as more commercial or civilian in nature were way ahead of what Humanity had. Yet when it came to military technologies, they weren’t so advanced. Their propulsion and sensor technologies
were impressive yes, but not so their missile technologies. The strength of their warheads and ECM was actually slightly behind Humanity. All in all, it meant that there were some ways in which James’ warships could complement Ya’sia’s, and others in which her ships would complement his.
“Admiral, a COM message is coming through from Handmaiden,” Emilie informed James.
James nodded. “Put it on the main holo projector.” Handmaiden was Ya’sia’s flagship. She rarely requested a COM channel unless there was a good reason. As her face appeared, James sat up straight in his command chair.
“Admiral,” Ya’sia began. “One of my scouts has detected some anomalous readings around the system’s smaller star. The anomalies were detected almost as soon as our fleets began to accelerate.”
“Enemy scout ships,” James guessed. The system they were traveling through was a binary system. Any ships stationed between the two stars that tightly orbited each other would be almost impossible to detect unless they started moving. Even then the gravimetric signatures from their engines would be severely distorted. “If I wanted to keep an eye on the system, that’s where I’d station some ships. We’re two systems away from their homeworld. The Flex-aor would be fools not to have some ships guarding the system.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Ya’sia replied. “What course of action do you recommend?”
James turned to Lieutenant Dzedzyk. “Show me a map of the system. Project a least time route from these anomalies to the shift passage towards the Flex-aor’s homeworld. Assume there are Flex-aor frigates among those anomalies. How quickly can they get to the point where they can jump to shift space?”
On the holo projector images representing Flex-aor ships appeared and a dotted line traced its way around one of the system’s stars, used the sixth planet in the system as a slingshot and disappeared right on the edge of the system’s mass shadow adjacent to the shift passage James’ and Ya’sia’s ships were heading towards. Dzedzyk looked around at James as soon as her calculations were finished. “They would be able to jump out in two hours. Even if we dispatched our fastest ships right now, we couldn’t catch them.”
“Thank you,” James acknowledged and then turned back to Ya’sia. “We can’t catch them even if we wanted to. Though I suspect you can. That means the decision is yours. The question is, do you want the Flex-aor to know we’re coming? If we can make it to their homeworld and enter discussions we would be speaking from a position of strength. If they have time to gather their forces and meet us outside of their home system, we won’t have as many cards to play.”
Ya’sia didn’t answer right away. “I’m not sure,” she finally said. “I know the Flex-aor opened fire on my allies and then my own people’s ships without provocation. But now that their world is under threat, perhaps they will be more amicable. I think I should at least try and open communications with these ships.”
“You can try,” James replied. “But I think it will be a waste of time. Our experience with the Flex-aor has told us they have no interest in communicating. They understand only one thing. Force. If you try and communicate with them, I think we will come to regret it.” Even as he spoke, James’ own thoughts were solidifying. His species was in a state of war against the Flex-aor. Technically, so too were the Crians. It made no sense to try and communicate with whatever ships were in the system and allow them to escape with news of the threat heading for their homeworld. They needed to be wiped out. They would have no authority to make any lasting decisions anyway.
“We may come to regret it,” Ya’sia conceded. “But I have to try. If possible, a peaceful solution to the Flex-aor’s aggression would be preferable.”
“Preferable yes, but unlikely. Perhaps it is even naïve of us to think that such an outcome is possible,” James countered. “In any case, there’s no way the commanders of those ships can broker peace between our species. We should take them out now. If we can get to the Flex-aor homeworld undetected, there will be a much greater chance that we might be able to negotiate some kind of peace.”
Ya’sia screwed up her face. “I’m not sure I agree. If we bargain with the Flex-aor while threatening their homeworld, any deals we make may fall apart as soon as we leave.”
James didn’t have an answer to that one. The Flex-aor seemed far from trustworthy. But Ya’sia’s point hadn’t changed his mind. A part of him regretted putting her on the main holo projector. This was their first real disagreement. He hadn’t intended for it to be so public. Everyone on Golden Hind’s bridge was watching the exchange.
“Perhaps there is a compromising position,” Captain Becket suggested into the silence that was developing between both Admirals. “Ya’sia can send a squadron of her fastest ships to intercept whatever Flex-aor ships are out there. Initially the ships can try and make contact with the Flex-aor. If the Flex-aor refuse to communicate, or just as likely, open fire, then Ya’sia’s ships can take them out.”
James looked from Becket to Ya’sia when she began to speak again. “Thank you Captain Becket, that is an acceptable solution. Admiral?” Ya’sia asked as she brought her gaze back to James.
“That will work,” James agreed. “Just warn your Captains to be careful. The Flex-aor may feign being peaceful to lure them in.”
“I’ll make sure they are careful,” Ya’sia replied. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“It looks like we’re going to see just what these Crian warships can do,” Scott commented as soon as the COM channel ended. “This should be interesting.”
“Indeed,” James responded with a nod.
“Woo weee,” Miyamoto exclaimed, drawing James’ attention to the secondary tactical holo projector. “Look at them go.”
Several other officers made similar noises of appreciation as thirty frigates broke away from Ya’sia’s fleet and accelerated as hard as they could. They were producing acceleration rates at least thirty-five percent higher than anything James’ fleet could manage without overloading their reactors or engines. “They should have no problem catching whatever Flex-aor forces are out there,” he commented.
*
Crian frigate Starscape.
Captain of the First Rank, Cri’tilly was beaming on the inside. Ya’sia had picked him to lead the advanced force she had sent to intercept whatever Flex-aor ships were hiding between the systems twin stars. He was happy to be free from the monotony of keeping formation with the main fleet. His ship had been designed for fast hit and run engagements. Trundling along through system after system at the speed of the slower Human warships had been far from his image of what his fleet’s mission would be when they had left Crian space. Whilst he had to admit the Humans had some impressive capabilities, they were slow compared to Crian ships.
“Do you think we’ve left any mouths ajar behind us?” Starscape’s second-in-command asked. She had a twinkle in her eye.
“I hope so,” Cri’tilly replied with a wink. Neither of them had met a Human in person, though the stories from those who had, had spread through the fleet. On more than one occasion the Humans had been amazed at the technologies they had discovered on Crian ships. Their facial expressions had quickly become a source of amusement to the Crian officers. Cri’tilly could imagine the Humans being impressed at Starscape’s speed. “However, it’s time to put them out of our minds. We have a mission to focus on. Sensors, have we got a firmer idea of what we are after?”
“Not yet captain, the anomalies are still intermittent, but they’re definitely moving. They should be far enough away from the distortions caused by the system’s stars for us to get a better look at them in approximately five minutes.”
“Update us as soon as you know more Lieutenant,” Cri’tilly requested.
When the anomalies cleared the gravimetric distortions and their engine signatures could be detected, Cri’tilly forced himself to keep his face impassive. His COM officer had reported forty Flex-aor contacts. They were all clearly warships. At least two of them were battles
hip size. Whatever the force was, it was much larger than a simple recon force.
“What do we do Captain?” Starscape’s second-in-command asked.
Before he could answer his COM officer informed him Ya’sia had sent a message. “Send it to my command chair,” Cri’tilly requested.
“I’m dispatching a second squadron to reinforce you Captain. They’ll be a bit behind but should be able to support you if any fighting breaks out. Good luck, and remember, don’t do anything to provoke them.”
As he read through the details of the second squadron, Cri’tilly felt reassured. Ya’sia was sending a number of destroyers with the ships that were coming to back him up. Three Crian destroyers were a match for a Flex-aor battleship.
“We keep going,” Cri’tilly said. “Backup is following us. Remember, we are meant to open negotiations with these warships. Not fight them. To that end, begin broadcasting our first contact protocol. Let’s see if they will communicate with us.”
Forty minutes later it was clear the Flex-aor had no interest in talking. Despite friendly messages being sent to them again and again, they had not replied. Twice, Cri’tilly had slowed his squadron slightly to delay coming into missile range of the Flex-aor warships. He was still hoping that they would see sense.
