“This is the third time he’s requested that,” Colonel Greerman commented with a concerned frown. “We’ve accommodated him for the last two, but what if the Kleese detect our ships?”
“It’s a risk,” Rivers admitted. “But we’re gaining some valuable intelligence, and those Kleese controlled worlds won’t be suspicious of assault ships dropping into their systems. The Kleese use them all the time to keep watch on their conquered worlds. Go ahead and send two to each one. Inform the commanders we’ll wait for their return.”
“Yes, sir,” Greerman replied as he headed off toward Communications.
-
Wade was in the Command Center of the Defender waiting for Admiral Rivers’ response. So far, the admiral had been very accommodating to Wade’s requests.
“Admiral Rivers is dispatching four assault ships to monitor communications in the two inhabited systems,” Ensign Eve Snider reported.
Wade nodded at the Communications officer and then turned his attention back to Commander Greer.
“What are we hoping to accomplish from this?” the commander asked.
“Marken wants us to monitor as many systems as possible as we go deeper into Kleese space,” replied Wade, folding his arms across his chest. “He believes a rift is growing between the regular Kleese and the Zaltule.”
“For control of their empire?”
“Precisely,” Wade answered. “Marken believes there’s a major disagreement over the war with the nonaligned worlds.”
“So we’re monitoring communications and using sensor scans to search for Kleese exploration ships and Zaltule battlecruisers in each system.”
“Marken wants to know,” Wade replied. “We’re going to be passing close to the trading station for Sector Six in the next week and Marken wants observations of that also.”
“A trading station!” echoed Captain Alicia Damon, the executive officer. “Won’t that be dangerous?”
“Possibly,” conceded Wade. “Particularly after we recently took two of them. I would expect security to be very high.”
“So what’s the plan?” asked Commander Greer.
“We’ll drop several assault ships far away from the station,” Wade explained. “They’ll take some quick scans and then jump back out. We don’t want to do anything that might tip the Kleese off to the fact we have a fleet this deep in their space.”
Captain Damon nodded. “I realize the information we’re gathering is important, but I hate taking all of these risks.”
-
The two assault ships dropped out of Fold Space in the outer region of the Dagon system. The system had seven planets, the second one in the liquid water zone and inhabited.
“Beginning scans,” the sensor operator reported as she manipulated the controls on her console.
“Contact!” she said almost immediately. “We have a Zaltule battlecruiser at twenty million kilometers.”
“Crap,” muttered the ship’s captain, his face becoming covered in a worried frown. “Continue scans and keep me informed if that battlecruiser moves in our direction. Helm, be prepared to jump back into Fold Space at a moment’s notice.”
For twenty minutes, the two assault ships held their positions, gleaning all the information they could from the system. The captain kept a nervous watch on the tactical screen, keeping his eyes focused on the large red threat icon.
“Any movement?” he asked the sensor operator.
“No, they’re just sitting there.”
“Captain, I’m getting a message from the Zaltule battlecruiser asking to identify ourselves and to report why we haven’t gone on in toward Dagon.”
“Send a standard reply that we’re calibrating our systems and are preparing to move inward.” The captain hoped that would satisfy the Zaltule for the short term.
“The battlecruiser is communicating with the planet,” the Communications operator said as she listened to the additional activity from the Zaltule ship. “I think they’re trying to check up on us.”
“Time to leave,” the captain said. It was obvious the commander of the battlecruiser hadn’t bought their story. “Send a message to the Harden that we’re bugging out.”
“Message sent.”
“Sir, the battlecruiser is beginning to move,” the sensor operator reported nervously. “They’re heading toward us.”
“We’re out of here,” the captain said. “Helm, all ahead full and take us into Fold Space.
The two assault ships rapidly accelerated and then activated their Fold Space Drives as they quickly exceeded the speed of light.
“I didn’t care for that at all,” the captain said, relieved they’d left the system. “That was too close for comfort.”
The others in the Command Center nodded their heads in agreement. The two assault ships wouldn’t have lasted long in combat against a Zaltule battlecruiser.
-
The Zaltule commander watched as the two assault ships vanished from the battlecruiser’s sensors as they jumped into Fold Space.
“Should we report this?” asked the Zaltule, standing in front of Communications.
“No,” replied the commander. “I’m sure it was some conscripts off course. These inferior races can’t even navigate an assault ship. They should all be eliminated.”
“If our Military Overlord gains control over the Council of Overlords, then perhaps that shall come to pass.”
“It would be a great day for our empire,” replied the commander, shifting about on his six legs on the Command Pedestal. “Set course for the next world on our patrol; we’ve wasted enough of our time in this vermin infested system.”
-
Wade was on a teleconference call with Marken and Beth. He was reporting to them the results of the latest observations of the two Kleese controlled systems.
“A single Zaltule battlecruiser,” Marken said thoughtfully.
“There were also no assault ships in orbit above either of the two planets,” Wade added.
“Strange,” Marken said. His eyes looked down as he entered the information on a small handheld computer pad. “Normally the Kleese would have at least one assault ship in the system to monitor the inhabited world and to ensure it was producing whatever products the Kleese had demanded the world furnish for their empire.”
“Do you think this is the split we’ve been hoping for between the two Kleese castes?”
“Possibly,” Marken replied. “We need more observations, especially of the Kleese trading station in Sector Six.”
“I will pass on the request to Admiral Rivers,” Wade responded.
“We’re taking a lot of risks,” Beth said worriedly. “What if the Kleese figure out where these assault ships are coming from? They could begin searching for our fleet.”
“It’s a low possibility,” Marken replied. “The Kleese will not be expecting us to be this deep in their empire, especially after taking two of their trading stations. They will suppose we are preparing for them to attempt to take the stations back.”
“What if they do make the attempt while we’re gone?” Beth asked.
She was deeply worried there would be a major attack while they were on this mission. Her mother and Wade’s parents were still at Vesta though the asteroid was the heaviest defended colony in the system. She still worried about them, especially considering how long they might be gone.
“They won’t,” Marken assured her. “Their Supreme Military Overlord is on his way back to their home system with his human captives. “He’s the one who will lead the attack. Once we reach Delton, we can send a few ships to the Kleese home system to watch for developments.”
“The Kleese home system,” repeated Beth, pursing her lips. “I still can’t believe we’re contemplating attacking it.”
“It’s a calculated risk,” Wade responded. “Once we do, the Kleese will be searching for us with every vessel they have. We’ll probably have to make a run back to the Alliance with a large Kleese fleet nippin
g at our heels.”
Marken nodded. He well understood Beth’s nervousness. However, when he and his fellow Kiveans had freed the humans, this was one of the things they’d hoped for, a race that could take the war to the Kleese. The attack upon their home system would be vindication for what the Kiveans had risked and sacrificed in setting the humans free.
-
Ryan let out a deep breath of frustration. They’d just narrowly missed coming into combat range of a Zaltule battlecruiser.
“Suggestions?” he asked, looking around at the shaken Marines in the Command Center.
Most of the stations were now staffed as a number of Marines had been identified who could help with the operation of the ship. Ryan knew it normally took a crew of fifty to operate a human assault ship. He was trying to operate this one with twenty. The rest of the Marines didn’t have enough flight or technical experience to be of much help other than to watch consoles and report when anything looked odd to them, which was quite often.
“The Kleese are obviously searching for us,” Lieutenant Guthrie said with a deep sigh. “That’s the third Zaltule battlecruiser we’ve come across in the last four days.”
“They know we’re trying to get home and are putting ships between us and our route back to the Alliance,” Casey said. She was now sitting at the ship’s Communications console. Casey was beginning to grow deeply concerned that it was only a matter of time before they exited Fold Space within weapons range of a Zaltule warship.
“We need to fool them,” muttered Corporal Parker, who was trying to learn how to operate the tactical console.
“What do you mean?” asked Wade, shifting his eyes over to Alexander. “How do we fool them?”
“What if we go deeper into their space?” Alexander suggested. “They wouldn’t be expecting that.”
“It’s an idea,” Autumn said, nodding her head slightly. “We’re going to have to stop for supplies sometime no matter what we do. There’s not enough food on board to get us back to the Alliance.”
“Deeper into Kleese space,” Casey said, her eyes widening at the thought. “Won’t that be dangerous?”
“Probably not,” Wade said as he thought about Alexander’s suggestion. “The Zaltule won’t be expecting that. If we go far enough in toward the center of their empire, we should be relatively safe. We can find a world to set down on and wait until the Zaltule have given up searching for us. Then we can set a course for home.”
“What if this assault ship breaks down?” asked Lauren worriedly. “We don’t have the technical expertise to make major repairs.”
“We find a nonaligned world and see if we can find some help,” Autumn suggested. “There are some even this deep in the Kleese Empire.”
“Unfortunately all of those nonaligned worlds are now under Kleese control,” Ryan said. “If we land on one we’ll have to be very careful who we contact.”
“I think it’s our only choice,” Casey said after a moment, not caring for the options they had available. She didn’t like the fact that going deeper into the Kleese Empire was putting more distance between them and the Alliance. “We’re more likely to find help on one of them than anywhere else.”
“Lieutenant Adams, plot us a course farther in toward the center of the Kleese Empire,” Ryan ordered. “Let’s see if we can lose our pursuers.”
Lauren turned back toward her console and begin calling up more astrogation charts.
Ryan glanced over at Casey, seeing the concerned look upon her face. Going deeper into Kleese controlled space was a calculated risk. If it succeeded, they might just be able to lose the Zaltule. If it failed, they would be very close to the Kleese home world where the Zaltule had been taking them in the first place.
Chapter Sixteen
Ryan looked closely at the list of supplies they were beginning to run out of. They’d spent several weeks heading deeper into Kleese space and had quickly lost their pursuers. The Zaltule hadn’t considered the possibility of the assault ship going deeper into their space instead of fleeing back toward the safety of the Alliance. Ryan was also growing concerned as there were a number of systems on the ship, which weren’t functioning properly any longer. The assault ship did have a number of backup systems so they were in no real danger, but it was becoming rapidly evident that without some technical assistance they would never make it back to the Alliance.
“We have enough food for another week,” Casey announced. She was standing next to Ryan, and they were both examining a computer screen with a long detailed list of ship stores. “A lot of the food that’s on board isn’t suitable for humans.”
“What would happen if we ate it?”
Casey shook her head at Ryan with a distasteful look on her face. “Nausea, diarrhea, possibly even food poisoning.”
“Crap,” muttered Corporal Parker. He knew they were getting low, but not that low.
“We have to find a place to land to replenish our supplies as well as someone who can modify and repair this assault ship,” Lieutenant Guthrie added. Autumn was busy giving Lauren some additional training on how to operate the ship’s flight controls.
“The question is where?” Ryan said, folding his arms across his chest and gazing over at Autumn. The ship needed some serious work done to it so it would be more comfortable for humans. The assault ship had been equipped to be operated by Nabians, who were an average of seven feet tall.
“Corporal Adams and I were looking over the astrogation charts earlier and there are half a dozen former nonaligned worlds within easy reach. I would suggest we pick one and see what kind of help we can find.”
“There will be a Kleese presence on all of those worlds,” Ryan quickly pointed out. “Not only that, how can we get anyone to help us? We’ll have to offer them something.”
“The Kleese explosive collars,” Autumn answered simply. “If we offer to remove them, we might find some people willing to assist us.”
“It might work,” Casey said, looking at Ryan. “It’s the only real thing we have to offer. We’ve got to have food, and I’m tired of sitting in chairs that make me feel like a child.”
“If my command suit can remove them,” Ryan said in an uncertain voice. “I don’t know if it can analyze a collar’s release code from a distance.”
“It’s worth a try,” Lauren said. “We have to do something. At least right now we can pick our destination; if this ship breaks down or we run out of consumables we might not have a choice.”
“What nonaligned worlds are close to us?”
“Tranton, Lexcoll, Delton, Canus, Martell, and Flaxen,” Lauren answered.
“Delton,” replied Ryan, his eyes growing thoughtful. “We’re familiar with the Deltons and know quite a bit about them.” He had met several Deltons during his last leave on Vesta.
“We’ll really stand out on Delton,” Autumn commented with a concerned frown. “They’re a very short race and we’ll look oddly out of place on their planet. We’ll be spotted immediately if we go near their cities. The planet Tranton has a humanoid race that’s very similar to us.”
“But we know a lot about the Deltons,” answered Ryan, reaching his right hand up to rub his forehead. “If we could locate some of Fleet Commander Achlyn’s family, they might be willing to help us.”
“That’s a long shot,” Autumn said doubtfully. “We’ll have to land some distance from any major city and use the ship’s systems to monitor their communications in the hope of someone mentioning them. We have no idea where they live on the planet.”
“We can use the drop ships to move about the planet,” Corporal Parker suggested. “They’re a lot smaller than the assault ship and won’t be so easy to detect. We could land late at night and go in under the cover of darkness.”
“Delton is a highly advanced world,” Autumn said not caring for this idea. It sounded like too big of a risk. “They’ll detect us as soon as we drop out of Fold Space. If we try to land anywhere on the planet, they’re bound to
track us to our landing site. The same goes for a drop ship.”
“I say we take the risk,” Casey said. “At least with the Deltons we know what we’re getting into.”
“I agree,” Lauren said, agreeing with Casey. “At least we know the Deltons; we don’t know anything about the people on Tranton.”
Autumn didn’t reply, she merely glanced at Ryan waiting for his decision.
“Set course for Delton,” Ryan ordered. “We’ll drop into the outer regions of the system and take some scans before going to the planet. If we deem it’s not safe, we can always jump back into Fold Space and try Tranton.”
This seemed to satisfy Autumn as she nodded her head slowly in agreement. “I’ll need a course for both of them,” she said, looking expectantly at Lauren. “If there are Kleese ships in the Delton system we may need to jump back into Fold Space immediately.”
“I can do that,” Lauren said. “Just give me a few minutes.” She went back over to the navigation computer and began calling up the astrogation charts for this area of space. It wasn’t long before she found what she was searching for and had the coordinates loaded into Autumn’s flight control console.
“Ready to enter Fold Space,” Autumn reported as her fingers adjusted the controls. “All primary or secondary systems operational.”
“Do it,” Ryan ordered. They needed to get the ship repaired before something major stopped working, stranding them in space. If that were to happen, they would be easy prey for the Kleese.
-
Casey was sitting with Ryan in the ship’s single mess hall toying with her food. As had been normal since the Kleese had originally abducted them, she had no idea what she was eating. The food she had chosen today had a highly salty taste with a sharp flavoring with which she was not familiar.
“How long are we going to stay on Delton?” asked Casey.
She’d made it a habit to stay away from Ryan’s personal quarters, as she didn’t trust her emotions. She wondered at times how normal humans handled their feelings. At times, her desire for Ryan nearly overwhelmed her. When she’d mentioned that to Lauren, her friend had only smiled and indicated she should pay a visit to Ryan’s quarters. Casey wondered why they didn’t teach clones more about how to deal with these powerful emotions.
Galactic Empire Wars: The Alliance (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 4) Page 23
