Vaaka stood over him, shaking his head. “Mr. Hardy, you have just caused me a lot of work.”
Mace said, “The console shorted out. I did exactly what you said to do���I pressed the alarm.”
Vaaka sighed. “Yes, I suppose you should be commended for your actions, although they have caused us a problem.”
Mace replied, “How so?”
Vaaka walked back toward the reactor room. “Come with me. I will explain.”
As they entered the room, Vaaka pressed several buttons on his arm pad. “The sparks you witnessed coming from the console were a simulation. I was expecting you to call for assistance.”
Mace rolled his eyes. “A simulation? Heck of a way to test someone.”
Vaaka pressed a reset button and the console came to life. “I’ve manned this station for seventeen years, Mr. Hardy. Hundreds of trainees have come through here. You are the first to run for the next reactor. We will have to reevaluate our procedures. This was to be your final test. Simply notifying your supervisor was the desired action.”
Mace scowled. “So I failed? That doesn’t seem fair.”
Vaaka shook his head. “On the contrary, you passed with flying colors. It was I who failed to stop you at the doorway.”
Mace half smiled. “Yeah, sorry about knocking you on your ass. All I could think of was ‘reactor breach,’ and that we were sitting in orbit. Not a place I wanted to lose power or blow up.”
The console came back to life. All controls were functioning normally. Several minutes later the horn stopped blasting, and the door to the adjacent reactor opened.
A supervisor was standing at the door. “Great stoppage of Josep���s hearts! Vaaka! What were you thinking?”
Vaaka stood and bowed. “My apologies, sir. The trainee knocked me down before I could stop him from setting the alarm in the adjacent reactor room. He followed procedures precisely. The Humans are just big and fast. He reacted well and did just as he was supposed to do, and in record time, I might add.”
The supervisor asked, “Did he call for you?”
Vaaka replied, “He did not. Nor do I believe he should have. Had it been a real emergency, early control can mean the difference between saving a reactor and saving the entire ship. I suggest we warn the other instructors to be prepared for such actions.”
The super scowled before stomping off down the hall.
Mace said, “You talk a good game, Vaaka. I think he was looking for someone’s head to roll.”
Vaaka replied, “I take that as a Human phrase to mean he expected to punish someone?”
Mace nodded. “Yes, but you handled him well, and in a calm manner.”
Vaaka said, “I only told the truth.”
The remainder of the training went as well as could be expected. The first graduating class of Humans earned the certification required to crew a Mawga cruiser, and afterward returned to the surface to the center at RAF Holbeach.
The comm on Mace’s arm warbled. An image of Bontu appeared above it.
“Mr. Hardy, congratulations. You have done what most Mawga never have a chance to do. And in a time that has our commanders praising your capabilities and intelligence.”
Mace replied, “Thanks, Chancellor. It was an interesting few weeks. Any word on when we’ll get a ship?”
Bontu returned a confused look. “They didn’t tell you?”
“Didn’t tell us what?”
Bontu replied, “Didn’t tell you when you would take possession of a ship of course.”
“What are you trying to tell me, Bontu?”
The gray alien tilted his head to one side. “I wasn’t telling, I was asking.”
Mace shook his head. “Gotcha. Never mind. They haven’t told us anything. Say, what are the chances we can get a pick-up for a ride across the pond?”
Bontu asked, “Are you referring to the Atlantic? Is there something you need?”
Mace nodded. “As a matter of fact, there is. We want to put on a sort of celebration here for ourselves. I was hoping to access some of the distilled alcohol we have back at our residence.”
Bontu smiled. “Perhaps I could bring that to you, Mr. Hardy.”
Mace grinned. “That would be awesome, Mr. Montak. It’s in the gift shop building where you would normally meet me. I think we probably need twenty-five of the jugs you will find there. A key to get in is up under the first step in a metal container.”
Bontu nodded. “Given the circumstances of this affair, and that I was instrumental in bringing you to this point, I would be honored to bring this to you, Mr. Hardy. The Emperor has taken personal notice of this exercise, and my name has been mentioned to him several times. Gaining favor with the Emperor is a difficult thing to do, Mr. Hardy. I shall be thanking you again when I arrive.”
Two hours later a shuttle landed in a field beside the RAF building. Bontu’s crew carried the moonshine across a lot and into the mess hall the Humans occupied.
Mace held up the first jug. “Ladies and gentlemen, let the celebration of the first Human warship crews commence! It has been an honor to train with you all, and I look forward to serving with each and every one of you!”
Cheers rang out as the celebration got underway. Laughs, jokes and camaraderie abounded. Particular attention was paid to the stories of fear that arose from the sounding of the reactor alarm.
Mace walked up to Bontu. “Mr. Montak, I can’t thank you enough for making the beer run for us. After the intensity of the last few weeks, everyone was in need of blowing off a little steam.”
Bontu replied, “You have earned the celebration, Mr. Hardy. And I just talked with the admiral. They are preparing a ship for you to crew.”
Mace turned and yelled, “Hey, everyone! They���re prepping a ship for us!”
The crowd cheered.
Mace turned back. “Can I offer you a drink, Mr. Montak?”
The gray alien held up a hand. “I shouldn’t, Mr. Hardy. We don’t know if the substance you are consuming is compatible with our systems.”
Mace pulled back. “What? You don’t have alcohol in the empire?”
Bontu nodded. “We have many such beverages, Mr. Hardy. I just don’t know that I should.”
Mace laughed, lightly patting him on the back. “And here I thought you Mawga were all macho. Come on, Bontu, show us some spirit!”
Bontu Montak accepted a glass with a nervous look in his eye. Mace poured in a healthy serving.
Bontu held the glass up, sniffing with his small nose while wiggling his whiskers. The glass was put up to his thin lips and turned back. In a single gulp, he downed the full glass.
Mace stepped back, shaking his head as he laughed. The small alien turned his face away for several seconds. When he turned back, his large black eyes were watering.
Mace said, “That might not have been the best idea. That stuff will knock you in the dirt in a hurry. Especially with you weighing in at fifty-five pounds.”
Bontu replied with a slight burp. “Fifty-seven, Mr. Hardy. I weigh fifty-seven of your pounds.”
Mace pointed to a chair. “You might want to sit down for a bit. You aren’t looking so good.”
Liam Hobbs came over. “Don’t worry, Mr. Montak. Take a little with you and in the morning have a sip of the hair of the dog that bit you!”
Bontu held up a hand. “I will be fine, Mr. Hobbs. I have consumed my share of similar drinks in the past, although I will say that one in particular burned all the way down.”
Mace smirked. “That would be the little bit of Tabasco we add in. Gives it that extra kick.”
Bontu nodded as he began to slump over. “Indeed.”
Mace turned to the chancellor’s aide. “I think you might want to get him back to the ship and get him some help. What he drank would knock most Humans on their ass.”
The aide enlisted the help of several of his crewmen. The Mawga chancellor was carried out to the shuttle and was soon on his way up for medical assistance. Mace returned to the
party, which lasted well into the evening. It was an unwinding of tensions that everyone was in need of.
Chapter 27
*
The following morning saw numerous hangovers. A call from the admiral came over Mace’s arm pad. “Mr. Hardy, we have prepared a ship for your crew. Shuttles will be landing momentarily to bring them aboard. The Lousy is sitting in orbit awaiting its new command.
Mace rubbed his eyes. “Wait ��� did you say the Lousy?”
The admiral nodded. “It was named after one of our oldest and most celebrated families. It is not our newest vessel, but it is capable. And we do ask that you take care of her. Her captain and crew were displeased with the decision to turn her over.”
Johnny stood behind Mace as the comm closed. “I wonder if it’s infested with yakotas, too.”
Mace replied, “Yeah, not the name I would’ve picked for a warship. It’s ours, though. I say we take possession first thing. I’ve had the feeling a number of times they weren’t expecting us to do so well.”
Liam Hobbs walked up. “Was that the final call to arms?”
Mace nodded. “I believe it was. Admiral says shuttles are on the way.”
Liam turned, slapping his hands together loudly. “OK, little lambs! Time to rise! Our chariot comes to carry us to glory!”
Grumbles could be heard throughout the building as the red-eyed Humans woke. More than one expletive was shouted at the Brit who walked around clapping his hands together and yelling. Minutes later, they began to gather outside.
Mace waited for the last few to arrive. “For what it’s worth, I’d like to say how proud I am of all of us. The Mawga didn’t have a single complaint about the training. And I’ve been told we finished much sooner than they expected. So congrats to you all.
“Now, on to the business of piloting and running a warship. I know it isn’t exactly the same, but Mr. Daughtry will be my first officer. And, yes, that makes me the captain, a position I didn’t seek, but was told it was a requirement for the ship to be turned over. If I flop, I want you all to be keeping an idea in your head of who would make a good captain. This will be new for us, but the training should make it doable.
“Once we’re aboard, I want stations assigned. I want the leaders of each of our groups to decide on who they feel would be best for each position. And, everyone, this isn’t a pissing match, this is for the defense of Earth, so take whatever duty you are given and do it to the best of your ability. Adjustments can be made later if necessary.”
Coran raised his hand. “Captain Hardy, if during our assignment discussions there are any contentions, I would think it best that you make the final decision. We will all respect that.”
The group nodded with approvals.
Johnny placed his hand on Mace’s shoulder. “Mace Hardy, starship captain extraordinaire. The first Human warship commander. Piloting the Lousy, Earth’s best hope.”
Mace smiled. “I just hope we’re doing the right thing here, Johnny. If we go into a fight, I don’t want to be responsible for the deaths of these people. They’re the best of what we have to offer.”
Four shuttles settled in the field beside the RAF building. The new Human warriors walked aboard and were soon on their way up. As the shuttles docked and unloaded, the admiral was standing on the bridge, a gold sash hanging from one shoulder and crossing his chest. In his hands he held a half meter long sword.
“Captain Hardy, please come here.”
A gold sash with blue stripes was placed over his head and shoulder. “In the battles that will follow, may your praka be covered with symbols of your great victories. And may this sword give strength and courage to your crew in battle.”
Mace looked over the sash on the admiral’s chest. “These are from the battles you’ve fought in?”
The admiral shook his head. “Only the victories, Captain. We do not honor defeat.”
Mace nodded. “Very well, I’ll do my best to cover this sash with great victories for Earth. Has there been any further word from the rift about the Kaachi ships?”
The admiral frowned. “Only that there are now fifteen ships waiting, a force roughly equal in size to our own. I am concerned we will be well outnumbered before they attack.”
Johnny asked, “You don’t have any more ships coming?”
The admiral looked around at the stations of the bridge. “We are only given what we have available, Mr. Tretcher. The empire has other engagements that have needs, as well as the general defense of the colonies. We may have the vessels to spare, but we don’t have the means to get them here in a timely manner. The materials used during wormhole generation are precious, and costly. They are used sparingly, more often for communications than the actual movement of ships.
“Captain, I would advise that you man your stations as soon as possible and begin simulated drills. When you feel comfortable with your crew, we can bring you into some of the fleet simulations we run. And so you don’t worry, you will be the last ship in the line should the Kaachi arrive. We will do our best to end the fight before you are called in.”
Mace replied, “Don’t do anything on our behalf, Admiral. You protect your ships and crews. We’ll take care of the Lousy.”
Over the week that followed, stations were assigned and simulations run. The crew of the Lousy was settling in.
Drills were underway when troubling word came up from the surface. Four of the community centers, including the massive center in D.C., had been overrun, looted and destroyed, the occupants herded into the streets like cattle before being abandoned. The fusion generators powering each complex had been ripped out and carried away.
The first officer met with his captain. “Sir, I’m concerned about these raids. I’ve talked with my people in Melbourne. They say they were not responsible. Another organization seems to have appeared, which is being run by other holdouts who want the Mawga gone at all cost. And they’re gaining in number.”
Mace replied, “I’ve been in discussions with both Bontu and the admiral. Both are increasing their presence around the community centers, but they don’t have enough ships or men to guard them all. Too many are tied up in their struggles in Russia and China.
“Thankfully, they can’t arm the zombies. One of the effects of the drug is to make you passive. Worst you would do is spout-off at the mouth. The ships that responded to those raids were fired upon and damaged. I see hesitance in the Mawga.”
Johnny asked, “So maybe the Russians and Chinese had it right?”
Mace shook his head. “Hardly. Their militaries and weapons stockpiles have mostly been wiped out. Bontu says they’re down to the last few thousand holdouts, and their ability to fight has been greatly diminished over time. Meanwhile, starvation has devastated their populations. New estimates place China at no more than eighty million people. That’s way less that 10 percent left. In fact, there has been a mass migration of Indians into many of the southern Chinese provinces.
“The Russians haven’t fared tremendously better. I think 14 percent is what Bontu said. And the Iranians are even worse off. The admiral said they were down 95 percent. The remainder, though, are now under control of the food. So the Iranian threat is gone. They expect to mop up the Russian and Chinese operations in the next month or two. These other raids have them scurrying for ideas of how to stop the attacks.”
Johnny scowled. “Let me guess, our first real assignment will be to put down one of these uprisings?”
Mace replied, “They haven’t asked, but I can see that coming. And if it comes down to a request like that, I won’t be firing on our own people. What we need to do is figure out how we can leverage these attacks. How do we take advantage of them?”
Liam Hobbs stood from his nav station. “Sir, you said the raiders took away the reactors? Since they automatically shut down when being moved, how do they plan on using them? What could they possibly use them for?”
Mace took a deep breath. “Good question, Mr. Hobbs. When your sh
ift is done, assemble a team or two and discuss it. See what you can come up with. If anything sticks, bring it forward.”
Liam smiled. “Good job, sir. I do like a decision maker.”
A hail from the admiral came over the ship’s comm.
Mace replied, “Good morning, Admiral.”
Fatso Geerok said, “Captain. Overnight there has been another raid on the community centers. This time the one in Charleston. You are familiar with a certain master sergeant there. We would like you to take the Lousy down and park a kilometer above the city as a show of support for our efforts. The weapons that have been used against our diplomatic vessels can’t harm the Lousy. We believe a showing of strength by our Human counterparts might help bring an end to the attacks. If your people know that Humans are our allies, perhaps they can bring pressure on those who raid and destroy the community centers.”
Mace nodded. “We were just discussing this, Admiral. I have no issue with a show of strength as such. Just don’t ask me to return fire on my people should they attack.”
The admiral replied, “That will not be necessary, Captain. As I said, the weapons in use should not cause harm to the Lousy. She is a warship, and as such is built to withstand worse.”
When the comm had ended, Mace turned toward his first officer. “Mr. Daughtry, please direct us to Charleston.”
The warship soon hovered over the smoldering remains of the Charleston center. A shuttle took Mace to the ground, where a meeting had been arranged with Master Sergeant Jack Holmes.
Mace extended his hand. The sergeant looked it over and refused a shake.
“Sorry, Mr. Hardy. Seeing you in that suit and coming down in that ship is a bit much.”
Mace nodded. “Understandable, Sergeant. But we are our own crew. All Human. There are no Mawga aboard.”
A missile fired from a suburban neighborhood shot up, exploding on the bottom of the Lousy’s hull. Other than a black smudge, no damage was evident.
Mace looked up at the ship. “Hope those aren’t your people, Sergeant. If it is, they’re wasting their weapons. That hull is many times thicker than that of the diplomatic vessels.”
HADRON Axiom Page 25
