Reconnaissance in Force (Book 6 of The Empire of Bones Saga)

by Terry Mixon

  Zia could certainly agree with that.

  “What about the military computers?” she asked. “Any luck?”

  He shook his head. “No. We might still get in, but I wouldn’t count on it. We’re just going to have to use the data I’ve pulled out of the freighter.”

  Charlie looked around the lab. “What about the FTL coms? Have you figured out how to link them together so we can talk over multi-system distances?”

  The young man waggled a hand. “Yes and no. The process of handing off the com signal isn’t perfect. Not yet. It might work all the way, or it might become garbled. I haven’t experimented with that, yet. I’d say we can use it, so long as we don’t count on it working when we get too far away.”

  “What about self-destruct charges?” Zia asked. “We can’t afford for the Rebel Empire get their hands on this technology.”

  “That I can do,” the young man said. “A probe will have several methods to kill it. First, we can just tell it to blow up. The charge is miniscule, so unless someone is right on top of it, they’ll never know. Second, if a ship not transmitting the appropriate codes approaches, it can be made to kill itself. Lastly, we can set a timer. If the time period expires without someone countermanding the order, it will end it all.”

  Charlie smiled. “That sounds good. Do you have the people to get a dozen of them constructed?”

  The young man nodded. “I’ve been working with Captain Baxter. He’s got me covered. I can have a few ready by tomorrow. The rest will take a day or two.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  “What about ship-to-ship FTL?” she asked. “That would’ve been helpful during the last fight.”

  Carl nodded. “I imagine so. Those are easier, since they’re just direct links. I have a few on hand and can build more on the way. Certainly enough for all lead elements in the fleet.”

  “Excellent,” she said. “Have you spoken with Angela after the wedding?”

  He shook his head. “She’s on her way to Persephone. I’ll head that way once I finish the file search. Why?”

  Zia smiled slyly. “Weddings do funny things to women. Expect the unexpected.”

  The two men frowned at her.

  “What does that even mean?” Charlie asked.

  “Let’s just say that I’ll bet she has her own future in her mind tonight. She seems like a direct kind of woman. She might just propose.”

  Carl paled. “Jesus.”

  She laughed and headed for the hatch. “Tell her I have a dress, just in case she needs a maid of honor.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Brandon roused, unsure of what had woken him. He lay in the dark of his bed, listening. Had something changed in the normal sounds the ship made? Not that he could tell.

  That’s when he heard it. The soft sound of someone else breathing in the room. No, in his bed.

  Oh, crap.

  The memory of the evening came flooding back. The late dinner with Annette, his growing attraction to her, and her determined seduction. One he had to admit he had aided and abetted.

  Now, outside of the heat of the moment—and it had been hot—he wondered if he’d made the wrong choice.

  Almost at once, he rejected that thought. It had been the right choice. Whether things worked out in the long term or not, allowing himself to care—to desire—wasn’t a mistake.

  He had no idea what she might feel like now. Had she been looking for a night of passion or something more? Brandon had no idea.

  No matter what happened, they had to work together, so he wouldn’t be a jackass.

  She rolled over and pressed against him. That completely disrupted everything he’d been thinking about.

  “Are you awake?” she asked sleepily. “It’s early.”

  “I just woke up.”

  After a moment, she sat up a little. “And you’re worried.”

  That hadn’t been a question. “Maybe a little. I thoroughly enjoyed what happened, but I don’t know what you want long-term. Hell, I don’t know what I want.”

  She turned the light on and he realized he wasn’t in his room. They were in her bed.

  “Then I suggest you don’t panic,” she said with a smile. “I hadn’t planned on this, either, but I’m open to the possibilities. We’re both professionals. We can—and will—keep our heads about us. If things work out, I’ll be thrilled. If they don’t, I’ll be sad. In either case, we’ll be okay as long as we don’t overthink this.”

  That was a little more cool-headed than he’d expected. It was also somewhat disconcerting.

  Annette rose from the bed and headed for the bathroom. “It’s almost time for breakfast. You can either join me in the shower or skulk back to your place.” She glanced back at him from the doorway with a smile. “I’d prefer it if you joined me.”

  The view from where he lay was stunning, so there was really only one choice. “We might be late for breakfast.”

  “I can snack on the run.”

  Brandon rose to his feet and trailed after her.

  * * * * *

  Saying goodbye to Elise had been the hardest thing Jared had ever done. One night alone wasn’t nearly enough, but he couldn’t delay. Events were moving faster than he’d like, and he couldn’t afford to let the Rebel Empire pin them down.

  This was a lot different from the reconnaissance that Admiral Yeats had envisioned. He’d reported the most recent events, and the admiral had endorsed his new plan.

  This morning, once he’d finally torn himself away from his wife, he’d found a new message from the admiral waiting for him. Well, one of many. Everyone he knew—and more than a few he didn’t—had sent some form of congratulations.

  He’d eventually have time to go through them all, but today he only had time to focus on the most pressing. Since the most recent message from Admiral Yeats might be part business, he played it first. He managed to wait until he was on his cutter and on the way back to Invincible.

  The vid was of Yeats at his desk, so business just became a lot more possible.

  “Jared, let me start off by extending my most profound congratulations. Princess Elise seems like a wonderful woman and a great partner for you. I wish you many, many years of happiness together. I suppose with nanites, that might even extend to centuries.”

  Jared hadn’t considered that, but the thought made him smile. That would be terrific.

  “I wish that were all that was on your plate,” the admiral continued. “Unfortunately, it’s not. No matter how you cut it, you’re about to make the Rebel Empire very much aware of our existence. The missing fleet would do that, too, but they can’t possibly miss your ships when you get to the Dresden system.

  “Luckily, Erorsi and Pentagar are in an isolated cul-de-sac, to the best of the Rebel Empire’s knowledge. They’ll know something happened, but be unable to get through the flip point blocker.

  “They won’t understand the technology any better than we do, but they will think their problems are isolated. Thankfully, the FTL coms will allow you to close the flip point once you leave and then signal for admittance when you return.”

  Jared had been considering that very thing before he’d found out the wedding was last night. The FTL coms gave them an incredible advantage over their enemies. He needed to have more brainstorming to figure out how to best utilize it.

  “In any case, I’m giving you full authority to do whatever you feel best. Work with Princess Kelsey to be sure she thinks any strategic decisions are the correct ones.

  “This is going to be hard, no matter what happens, but I’m counting on you and the princess to at least give us a shot at ultimately winning. Good luck and I’ll see you when you get back.”

  The vid ended.

  The next message was from his father. Unlike the admiral, the emperor was seated on a comfortable chair and not in any kind of official garb.

  He smiled widely. “Jared, I just finished watching the ceremony. Elise looked radiant, and I’m so
happy for you both. I wish I could have been there, but I take solace in the fact that I’ll get to do so when we repeat the ceremony here.

  “I wish you had all the time in the world to luxuriate in your bliss, but I know you’ll be departing shortly. Just don’t let your duty keep you from enjoying the fruits of joy that life sends your way. Once they pass, it’s a rare thing to have a second chance.”

  “But not unheard of.”

  That hadn’t been the emperor.

  His mother sat down beside his father, her eyes shining with tears of joy. “I am so thrilled for you, Jared. You deserve to be happy. I so wish I could’ve been there, but I understand the press of time.”

  Her expression grew fierce. “Don’t think that means I won’t have my hands all over your wedding when you come back to Avalon. I’m your mother and I will have my moment in the sun. I realize Elise doesn’t have her mother still with her, so I’ve already spoken with her. She has given me permission to meddle to my heart’s content. And I will.”

  Karl Bandar nodded. “I wouldn’t try to fight this, if I were you. Your mother is a very determined woman.”

  Jared knew that for a fact. What he was learning, however, was that things had changed back on Avalon.

  It didn’t take a genius to see their body language. The fact they were sending this message together was also telling. The emperor and his mother were exploring a renewed relationship of their own.

  A year ago, he’d have been aghast, but now he found himself nodding in approval. They’d made a mistake all those years ago. One that had hurt them both. They’d more than paid the price for their sins. Let them find what happiness they could in this life.

  “Well, we know you’re very busy, so we’ll let you get about it,” the emperor said.

  “We love you,” his mother said. “Be careful and come back safely.”

  He thought about the message, and all its unspoken parts until the cutter docked with Invincible. Times had changed, and he approved. Not that things would be easy. It only took one thought about Kelsey’s mother to end that pie in the sky view.

  Now all he had to do was give them a fighting chance. With the ability to make more Raider implants, they might be able to pull this off. He’d best be about it then.

  * * * * *

  Kelsey hated having to split up from Talbot, but he had his own preparations to take care of on Invincible. Not the least of which was getting his initial implants.

  The message from her father was sweet and to the point. He seemed genuinely happy for the two them. Oddly, he also had an air of conspiracy about him. She wondered what surprise he hadn’t wanted to mention in advance. He had a terrible poker face.

  Ominously, there was no vid from her mother. She was undoubtedly displeased about not being invited, not planning anything, and likely unhappy about her daughter’s choice in mates.

  Too bad.

  If the woman thought Kelsey was going to let her anywhere near her wedding on Avalon, she was sorely mistaken. She might love her mother, but it was hard to feel it right now. Particularly with what she knew.

  Of course, that wouldn’t stop the woman from making herself an Imperial pain when Kelsey got back to Avalon. Their problems still needed to be settled, but that was for another day.

  Angela was waiting for her as soon as she stepped out of the pinnace.

  “Did you have fun?” she asked with a sly smile.

  “Duh. How are you feeling?”

  “The optical implants are still screwing with me, but I’m getting a handle on the auditory ones. The pharmacology unit is what it is.”

  Kelsey led the way to the lift. “It was just about the reverse for me, and those are the easy parts. Next comes the bone reinforcement and artificial muscles. Those are going to be very hard to learn. Trust me on that.”

  “I’m glad I have such a knowledgeable teacher, then,” the tall woman said seriously. “I’ve picked up a lot just listening to you and reading the familiarization materials in the computer. Thankfully, I don’t have my next session for a week.”

  “Any word on what our plan of action is?” Kelsey asked as they arrived outside the bridge.

  “The fleet pulls out in two hours. We’ll make our way by route Bravo, just as I suspected.”

  Kelsey wasn’t surprised the marine had nailed it. She was sharp.

  Once Kelsey was behind the captain’s console, she checked the ship’s readiness. All in the green. Everyone was aboard, too. She’d been the last to arrive.

  “Excellent. What is our order of march? We’re up front, I assume.”

  Angela nodded. “We’ll scout each system as we go and communicate back via the FTL com. We have links to Invincible and Audacious. The latter will be backing us up with the main fleet following them.”

  Kelsey nodded. “All as expected. Since we’re ready, I’d like to pull out early. Signal Jared that we won’t go too far.”

  The other woman smiled. “Already anticipated. We’re clear to depart at your discretion.”

  “Even better. What’s the status of stage two implantation for the crew?”

  She intended to upgrade everyone on her ship to Raiders as soon as possible. That meant she wanted them all to have the auditory and optical implants, and pharmacology units, before they arrived at Dresden.

  “We’ve worked our way through about fifteen percent of the crew,” Angela said. “They seem to be tolerating it well. We should be done on schedule.”

  Kelsey leaned back in her chair. “It’s rare for things to go as planned, so I’ll luxuriate in that for a bit. Take us to the Erorsi flip point and coordinate with Audacious. We’re not going to get to Dresden by sitting on our butts.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Zia watched the scanner feed with more than a hint of dread. The last few weeks had almost brought them to their target. Dresden was one flip away, but this system—unlike the others they had traveled through—was occupied. One misstep here and their surprise advantage would vanish.

  Admittedly, saying this system was occupied might be something of an overstatement. It had no main world at all, so the population was clustered around several mining hubs in the system’s three asteroid belts.

  Old Empire records indicated that one of them had been heavily metallic, so there was a lot to recover, even now. Since it wasn’t the same as the rest of the system, it had probably been a captured body from deep space.

  The belts weren’t even close to orderly, so the evidence of the disaster was still writ large for anyone to see. That made travel more dangerous than usual.

  Under normal circumstances, that would be relatively minor, but they were restricted to using only passive scanners. That left them open to fast-moving bits of debris that were far too small to see in time.

  The relatively empty nature of space meant the likelihood of being struck was small, but not impossible. That led to the current worry on her part.

  The miners were easy to spot by the radio and scanner emissions. So were the ships plying the depths of space between where they worked. All she and the ships with her needed to do was stay far enough out and travel too slowly for them to see.

  They’d hoped that the FTL coms they’d deployed behind them would allow for continuous communication with Erorsi, but the new technology wasn’t mature enough. Or the process didn’t work the way they wanted.

  The FTL signals deteriorated with each retransmission. They could communicate over two or three hops, but more than that didn’t work. Pity. Carl was going to have to work on that when time permitted.

  She turned her attention back to the ship ahead of her. She didn’t want to let Persephone get too far ahead of them.

  “Probe update,” one of the flight officers said. “There’s something at the flip point, and we have a large ship a few hours short of meeting it.”

  Zia accessed the scanner readings and examined the problem. The vessel in the flip point looked like a destroyer. The other one was significantly
larger. Bigger even than a superdreadnought.

  Thankfully, she recognized what it was before her blood pressure spiked. It was a recovery ship, like the AIs had used to move derelicts and captured ships to Harrison’s World.

  This one wasn’t moving a ship, though it did have a cargo of some kind. Probably raw materials from the asteroid belts.

  Taking out the destroyer might announce their presence to the miners, but that wasn’t necessarily a problem. This system only had two flip points, with one leading back toward Erorsi. They couldn’t exactly run and tell anyone else.

  “Signal Persephone that we’ll check them out. If she needs to get moving, I don’t want her pinnaces wandering around.”

  “Copy that.”

  * * * * *

  Annette led the flight of fighters escorting the Raider ship herself. Rightly, she should’ve delegated the duty, but she was their best pilot, and her on-scene evaluation might make a universe of difference.

  The recovery ship wasn’t scanning the area around them. This far out from the belts, there wouldn’t be much debris, but that was careless.

  On the military side, the destroyer was scanning on a set interval. Every fifteen minutes, they’d pulse their scanners and get a look around them. If her fighters got too close, the enemy would spot them.

  The recovery ship was still far enough away from the flip point to approach, but that could change in a moment if someone got curious over there. Or if the destroyer sent a directional scan at the ship and spotted the fighters.

  As they got closer, she saw the recovery ship had a large bundle of ore in its movable arms. They were using it as a glorified freighter.

  She supposed it would be good enough at doing something like that. Picking up or dropping a cargo would only take a few minutes.

  Annette opened a low-powered directional beam to the Raider ship. “Persephone, the recovery ship is carrying unprocessed ore from the mines.”