by Chris Burton
The yacht joined the space way, within twenty-five minutes of take off. Jake placed the vessel on autopilot and joined Carla in the kitchen area. They sat down and enjoyed the lunch Carla prepared. Jake was hungry. More importantly, he wanted to know what would happen next with their relationship.
“Carla, we need to talk.”
“About us, you mean. Yes, we do. Let’s finish lunch and then we can have a proper chat.”
* * * *
As Jake and Carla enjoyed their lunch, the AUSWAS research vessel exited Titan control space and powered up its stellar drive. On board, Professor Nigel Winterburn and five of his fellow Collective members, including Joely, waited patiently for the commander to complete his pre-stellar speed checks. Satisfied, the commander set course and engaged the stellar drive. The AUSWAS vessel was en route to the Tri-Star System.
No one—Carla, Jake, nor the five collective subordinates—knew the true reason why Winterburn took this flight. If they had, they would certainly have tried to stop him.
* * * *
Jake asked Carla if they could sit in the cockpit to have their chat. He felt uncomfortable with self-shift auto pilot and, in a busy shipping lane with a non-Alpha maintained ship, he couldn’t risk leaving the ships NAVCOM to deal with the whole spectrum of problems that could manifest in this environment. Jake liked to fly himself and, if he was not flying, he wanted to see what went on.
“So how do you feel about us?” Carla asked.
Jake exhaled. “I don’t know…it feels so right. It’s like it has always been this way. We are friends Carla. Are we spoiling our friendship? Then there’s Steve.”
“Yes, but I am not with Steve. I know we are on a ‘temporary split’.” Carla emphasized the words mockingly. “That is only to pacify Steve. To be honest, I have felt like this about you for a long time,” Carla breathed a sigh of relief. “There, it’s out.”
Jake was slightly taken aback and paused before replying. “I guess I knew something was going on, even before Maria. I tried to read the signs, but, hey, I am only a man, what do I know?”
“This the age of common emotional awareness,” she said as she put her head on his shoulder.
They embraced and Jake said. “Yes, you are right and I feel the same way. The question is: what are we going to do about it?”
“Well, I don’t want it to stop. We will just have to be careful.”
“Are you suggesting we don’t tell Steve?” Jake asked.
“Yes, we can’t tell him. It would break him thinking his best friend and his ‘girlfriend’ are seeing each other behind his back. We need to keep it to ourselves until after graduation.”
“That is nearly six months away, Carla. We can’t creep around like this for half a year…can we?”
“Yes and no. We can, but it will be difficult. Steve thinks we are not together, and I will have to break it to him that the split is permanent, which I must do before too long. That will hurt him, I guess, but it’s unfair to keep him hanging on.”
“How do you feel about him? You have been together for three years. Are you sure the relationship is over?”
“Yes, I am. I have known for some time. I love him, but not like that; not anymore. I care about him more as a friend. The passion ended in our relationship a long time ago. I just wish he would wake up and grow up a little. This is a serious game he is playing. Flying jump ships is a grown up and dangerous profession. I don’t need to tell you that.”
“To be fair to Steve, he has bucked his ideas up lately. He really knuckled down with his Geometrics and caught up with most of his other classes.”
“I know, but you still get the impression he could let rip suddenly…at the wrong time and endanger himself or others.”
Jake paused before commenting further. “Do you think your feelings for him are on hold because he is too much of a risk taker?”
“No, it’s not just the risks. It’s his overall attitude. He needs to grow up. The ‘Steve’ I know will never come back.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. He is immature sometimes and takes too many risks. He is stubborn, obstinate. It doesn’t matter anyway. I love someone else. ” Carla looked at Jake and laughed as he looked slightly confused. “It’s you, dammit!” she cried.
They embraced again and then Carla sat on Jake’s lap. Time for the autopilot, thought Jake. “Shall we come off the space way? We are in no hurry to get home.”
“Yes”, said Carla. “I am definitely in no hurry to get home.”
The Challenger space yacht was not designed as a passenger ferry. It was at its best when taken off the space way, when its occupants’ wish was to observe planetary systems, galactic phenomena, etc. Jake switched off the NAVCOM and transferred all navigational, communication and drive to manual systems. The yacht drifted, aided occasionally by the thrusters which automatically kicked in whenever the craft deviated fractionally from its current course. This was what the vessel was designed for.
They made love passionately and fell asleep together in the yacht’s master bedroom. Six hours later, Carla got up to take a shower.
Jake lay in bed, wondering what the future would hold. He was still concerned about Carla and had doubts about her explanation on what happened to him after he blacked out. It was not that he didn’t believe her. Someone fed her false information. His concern was, whether she had fallen in with the Collective far more than she realized—and all Winterburn must do was click his fingers for her to come running. His overall state of mind, though, was a happy one. He and Carla were together. He had not felt this way since Joanna, and he felt a really strong bond was already developing between them. He also felt guilty because he exploited Admiral Black’s generosity.
A proximity alarm suddenly sounded in the cockpit and Jake jumped off the bed and charged along the main living accommodation corridor to the command center of the yacht and the cockpit. The yacht had moved to within the thousand kilometers of the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. Because only thrusters were in operation, there was no immediate danger.
Jake was furious with himself for missing something so fundamental. He learned the solar system in his first grade and plotted his first safe navigation through the asteroid belt, via space way six when he was fifteen. This should have been second nature. He was losing his touch.
He plotted a new course to take the yacht back towards the space way using the auxiliary power drive, without intersecting the asteroid belt. After checking all critical systems he re-engaged the NAVCOM and returned to the accommodation block to see if Carla were okay.
Carla had dressed and stood on the observation platform, gazing out into space. She stared right through the spectacle of the asteroid belt and beyond. Clearly she is troubled but now is not the time, Jake thought.
“So are you ready to go home yet?”
She smiled “Yes, I am. We are going to have to be really careful you know. We will need to take our chances when we get them…lots of quickies” she said cheekily.
If she is still thinking about Joely and Winterburn she’s covering it well, Jake thought. “Yes, and Christmas will get in the way.”
“Don’t you like Christmas?”
“Yes, I do, but…it’s been a tough year and there is a lot going on. Christmas is just a distraction. Do you know what Steve is doing over the festive period?”
Carla frowned. “He and I had planned to stay in a rented cottage in Scotland and then take in some skiing and, Hogmanay. Has he said anything to you?”
“No. We don’t want him to spend it on his own. Are you retuning to Oz for Christmas?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to three weeks with my folks and plenty of relaxation, although it is oppressively hot down there. Are you spending Christmas with your parents?”
“I’ve got to, really. I have missed out for the last few years. Maybe I should invite Steve to spend it with me? It’s only one night and the rest of the time I will be on campus.”
“That’s
if he’s talking to you after the Top Gun showdown.”
“He is going to be really fired up, but I am equal to the challenge.”
Carla avoided eye contact and any conversation about their relationship. Collectively, they assumed their parts in the deception. They only needed to be cautious in public. In private they could relax and be as intimate as they liked, so why had Carla suddenly switched off?
“Carla is everything okay? You went a little cold on me.”
Carla smiled and apologized. “I am sorry Jake. I have a lot on my mind. I don’t want to lose Joely again, and now I am here and she is probably already en route to the Tri-Star region. Maybe I should be with her?”
She sought approval and Jake knew better than to put her off. It was best to humor her, but ignore her and hope that she didn’t try anything stupid like turn the ship around.
“Okay, let’s get this ship back on the space way and get ourselves home.” The strategy worked. Carla joined Jake in the cockpit and helped him to set up the NAVCOM.
The remainder of the journey was straightforward enough. Jake’s priority clearance allowed a swift re-entry and landing. Carla agreed with her father that she would keep the yacht and use it to return home at Christmas. She already rented temporary hangar space and maintenance services at the space port.
They spent a brief period of intimacy before departing the yacht and then took the sub rail together to the main campus and made their way to the academies main entrance. Even though the academic term had finished, the Academy remained open, with many students continuing their studies over the holiday period. Jake walked Carla to her apartment and they said their goodbyes, in public and without affection.
Jake walked on towards his own apartment. He missed her already.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Halo 7 In Battle
Commander Jonathan Hoskins was exhausted and so were his crew. The battle continued for over two weeks, but there were no further nuclear blasts and the dark ship capability was removed. Conventional weaponry gave Alpha battle supremacy. Shenke’s mini-fleet were engaged in one to one fighting with the rear section of the Sentinel fleet, twenty-four/seven. The fighting was fierce but the superior quality of Alpha vessels and the overall ability of their pilots was apparent. The mini-fleet took losses, while Alpha’s supply line to the rear of the Sentinel fleet became restricted. The Halo 7 took significant blast damage. Hoskins damage repair teams were constantly in demand.
The jump ships played a significant part and Obeya did a fantastic job as CAG. It’s about time someone told her, Hoskins thought. He left the bridge for only the second time in twenty-four hours and headed to the main hangar bay. Reinforcements were promised to the severely depleted Halo’s jump ship Fleet. It remained uncertain when they would arrive and likely he would have to suspend the Halo’s jump ship capability unless new ships and crew arrived soon.
Hoskins entered the hangar bay just as two damaged Sabres returned from their latest sortie. They were both hit by Sentinel blast cannons, but salvageable and would be back out within two hours. Hoskins watched as the two pilots dismounted and headed towards the CAG.
“Get those two into the repair bay, patch them up and make ready for launch in two hours.” Obeya was in control of her domain. She addressed the pilots. “Good work, you guys. Take four hours rest and then report for active duty.”
The two pilots looked disconsolate. Hoskins realized the morale was draining from his jump ship crews.
“Lieutenant Temsouri, what is the current flight status?” Hoskins walked forward and addressed Obeya directly and formally.
“We have six Rapiers on Sorties, two to come back in within the next thirty minutes, but no replacements until either the five Rapiers or the three Sabres in the repair bays are fixed. I can only send out what I can.”
A huge explosion rocked the hangar bay as flames engulfed one of the jump ship exit tunnels. The blast shields prevented the full force of the explosion entering the hangar, but not fumes and heat. Hoskins felt the skin burning on his face.
“Shut down exit five and shield up,” Obeya ordered. “Commander, sir, we have to shut down our exit tunnels, and we have maximum four ship capability for the next two to three hours. My pilots and repair teams have had limited sleep for the last seventy-two hours. If we aren’t careful we may have a major incident, slap bang in the middle of this ship. We are barely coping.”
Hoskins realized the position was hopeless. His jump ship staff needed rest and they needed to get back up to capacity before they could exercise an effective battle strategy.
“CAG, shut down the jump ship operation for twelve hours. Bring in the six ships on sorties. Get all the ships repaired and let me know when your capability has reached a sustainable level. Make sure all crew and engineers, including you, have adequate rest before you reopen the hangar…and get those exit tunnels sealed up A.S.A.P.”
“You are doing a great job Obeya,” He added informally. “Please get some rest. I need you at your best.”
He spent so little time with her over the last few weeks. He had not shared a bed with her for over ten days and he ached to feel the warmth of her body against his. “Join me for dinner in my quarters at seven, Lieutenant Temsouri. We need to discuss our strategy going forward.” Good, he thought, a rare opportunity and one he didn’t want to miss.
* * * *
The Betanica Sect high priestess commanded the legion of Sect vessels accompanying the Sentinel Fleet. They had not participated in the fighting, avoiding the majority of Alpha’s continuous sorties and the sub-space attack by embedding themselves within the main body of the vessels which protected General Yoshi’s flagship. They remained passive throughout the battle. The High Priestess listened to an Earth secure communications the Sentinels intercepted from Alpha.
Alpha fleet refused the comm link as they maintained radio silence. The message originated from outside the Ionian system and was sent to all transmission sub-stations within its reach. It was easy to break the source code and intercept Earth communications. Sometimes in battle this was a better source of strategic information than even that of an enemy fleet. On this occasion, this was definitely the case.
The broadcast took the form of an information update, advising the status of the battle and other Earth issues. The message was clear, Alpha and an organization called Nexus planned to open the two wormholes in the Tri-Star system.
The High Priestess knew this time would come. She knew there were factions on Earth with vested interest in opening the wormholes and thus the Void Hole which would ultimately give the Kryl access to this galaxy. These factions were varied; they were not just political or economic in their justification. There were some who wanted the Void opened because they wanted the Kryl to come through. These factions now created the right environment, both politically and economically to facilitate their aim. The Sentinel Fleet must be successful. She would demand General Yoshi assume a more dominant position. The Sentinel Fleet must win the battle.
That wouldn’t prevent the humans from opening the wormholes. Although there were Sentinel patrol forces in the region, if Alpha elected to assist Nexus with additional military support, it would be difficult for Sentinel Patrols to prevent the holes from being opened. She had no choice. She must prevent the opening of the wormholes, and this was the main justification for the presence of the Sect Legion in the first place.
She had no choice but to send the Legion into the Tri-Star System to destroy the threat from Alpha and Nexus. Having determined the facts and made up her mind, she stood up and walked to her chair. She summoned her inner circle of senior Sect ministers and gave her orders. The legion would depart the Sentinel Fleet and head directly to the Tri-Star Region.
* * * *
Admiral Koenig briefed Shenke to watch the Sect vessels in particular. It was clear their presence was more to do with the Tri-Star region than combat operations in the middle of the Ionian system. Their sudden departure, with
a clear heading taking them directly to the Tri-Star region, confirmed Alpha’s suspicions. Shenke opened a secure channel to Admiral Koenig forty minutes earlier, and received verification to proceed. He opened a further secure link to Admiral Rose and advised him their departure from the Alpha fleet was imminent.
The suspension of jump ship flights was destined to last a lot longer. The order came from Admiral Shenke’ s fleet command just four hours after Commander Hoskins ordered the Halo 7’s jump ship status to be suspended. They were ordered to regroup and leave the battle, setting a course for the departing Betanica Sect vessels. Hoskins hadn’t realized at the time, but they headed for the Tri-Star region.
From the chaos of battle to the calm of deep space, Shenke’s task force pursued their prey at high velocity. They were joined by twelve reserve ships of the line, together with new supplies, munitions, new jump ships and personnel. The mini-fleet was whole again. They acted alone once more.
The Halo 7 was in a weary state. The repair teams continued to work their way through the damaged sections of the ship, but their relentless task had an ending. The ship was fully operational with a full complement of personnel, together with a full ammunition dock. It was time to take stock and to allow the crew to come to terms with their losses. Sixteen crew members died in the battle, twelve of them jump ship pilots, three CAG support crew and one member of the repair team. Their losses were felt throughout the ship, but the commander shouldered the brunt of the responsibility.
He had orders to send his ship into battle and issued the individual commands. It was he who put a face to those ordered to their deaths. He would do the same again in the name of protecting Earth.
Is it Earth? Hoskins began questioning the rationale behind his command in recent weeks. It was Alpha that was antagonizing the situation, and ECG and the people of Earth were removed from it. They were simply the cattle fodder, Alpha was the executioner and he was Alpha, or part of it.
Hoskins tried to put the losses behind him by doing what he did best. He walked the ship. His job was to restore morale and to bring the ship back to full combat readiness. He visited the mess halls, the repair teams, the medical center, the jump ship hangars and the crew recreational facilities. Each time he stopped and took time with his crew, he shared their conversations and their grief and he began the process of bringing his crew back to life. Shenke wasn’t attacking the Sect vessels so he had time.
