One after another the enemy ships winked out, vanishing from his screen. The bridge was silent. They were all powerless to do anything except watch, and no one said a word. This was beyond them.
The acceleration was intense. The spin combined with fast forward motion was starting to make Thomas’ vision gray out around the edges. He held on to consciousness, grinding his teeth together to cling to it. Even though there was nothing he could do to impact this fight, he was determined to see it through to the end.
Four fighters left. Then a missile took one out, leaving three. A gun shattered one. Just one fighter left. The Intrepid spun, bringing another anti-missile weapon into alignment.
It fired.
The stream of rounds smacked into the enemy fighter, tearing off a wing. That sent it into a spin of its own, but it was still on course. They were going to be hit.
“Brace for impact!” Thomas said, forcing each word out painfully. The weight on his chest and pain in his head from the acceleration made it hard to speak.
The impact was enough to lift him from his seat and smack him firmly back down again. Alarms blared in his helmet. He saw air spinning around the bridge and realized that had to be frozen moisture. They’d been holed. The ship was losing air, and the hit had been near enough to the bridge that the room was decompressing.
Thomas looked around. All his people had helmets on. Aside from whatever damage the impact itself did, his crew ought to all be safely in suits. The spin stopped, and acceleration came back down to a single gravity of forward thrust. He leaned forward in his seat, letting the harness hold him up. His back and chest hurt like hell. Thomas ran a hand over his shoulders. There were going to be bruises there from the harness, to be sure. But without it he wasn’t sure he would have survived.
He had, though. The ship was intact, and…Thomas had a feeling he knew who he had to thank for that.
“I have helm control again,” Melson said, his voice shaking.
“Good. Steady as she goes. Let’s get a damage report. And bring our fighters home, if we can,” Thomas said.
“Bays one and two are gone, but we’ve lost enough fighters that we can land all the remaining ones in the other two bays,” Edwards said. His voice was grim.
“Damn, that bad?” Thomas asked.
“It was nasty out there, sir,” Edwards replied.
What about Kel? Thomas tapped his console, hating that he had to worry about her at all. But she was still alive, still in one piece, guiding the rest of her people home again. Thank god.
He tapped the console again, opening a private communication link. Thomas had a feeling he was going to want to keep this next conversation between the two of them.
“Yes, Admiral Stein?” Gurgle said.
“Gurgle. I have a feeling we have you to thank for that amazing display of gunnery and targeting,” Thomas said.
“How would Gurgle do that?”
“That’s an excellent question, and one I’d like you to answer for me - later. For now,” Thomas said, taking a long breath. It had been a hell of a day, and he didn’t have the heart to berate the strange being who had just saved his ship and the lives of everyone on board. “For now, I just wanted to say thank you.”
There was a long pause. “Gurgle say Admiral welcome. Gurgle like helping friends.”
“And I am damned glad you do, Gurgle,” Thomas replied.
Twenty-Three
Thomas stared at the screen, unable to believe their luck. One of the dreadnoughts hung there in space, burning slowly. The other was gone, smashed into fragments. He ordered a few torpedoes fired at the asteroids to deflect them from their path. They were still almost a light-hour from Earth. Even the small alteration in course that impact gave was enough to send them floating harmlessly elsewhere.
The planet was saved.
“Contact Earth. Tell them the good news,” Thomas said.
“Actually, sir - we’re getting a broadcast from them now,” Edwards said.
“Put it on-screen,” Thomas said. What could they be sending to him? Earth was an hour away. His heart jumped, wondering if the planet had been hit by alien jump-capable ships while he was away.
The enemy only had two of those ships left in the system - so far as he knew. They could have brought in more via the gate, but Earth had a sizable defensive fleet in orbit. It ought to be able to handle any smaller alien force.
The face that came on the screen was as familiar as his own. It was his father, Nicholas Stein - president of the United Nations for the past two terms of office. Thomas was glad to see his father, but worried at how tired and worn he looked. Carrying the cares of the entire world on his shoulders hadn’t been easy for him, especially in these dangerous times.
“Admiral Stein,” his father began. Always the proper one, for full titles and courtesy even with family. “As you receive this, you’re likely already engaged with the enemy. I hope you have proved victorious.”
“Damn right we did,” Melson said with a grin that vanished as Thomas shot him a glare. The young pilot ducked his head between his shoulders and made a zipping motion in front of his mouth.
Thom shook his head, more amused than angry. Had he ever been that young and reckless? He rather thought so, recalling some of his earlier adventures. How the hell had he survived all that?
“Regardless of the state of your mission, however, you’re ordered to return immediately to Earth,” his father went on. “If you’re engaged, break away. If you’ve won, we need you back here. If you’ve lost, I…”
The old man’s face crumpled, and for a moment Thomas stood there aghast at his father’s image, wondering if the man was going to shed actual tears. Then it passed, and Nicholas Stein stood up straight again, staring into the camera.
“The enemy gate is active again. They’re bringing in more ships. It’s the decision of the UN council that we pull all resources back to Earth orbit to defend our home planet,” the president said. “That includes any and all ships under your command.”
The message ended, and the screen went blank. Around the bridge, everyone stared at Thomas to see what he would do.
They ought to continue the campaign. If the enemy was bringing in more ships through the gate, then time was the enemy here. The longer they waited to strike the gate, the more ships they would have to face. It made no sense to retreat.
But he had his orders - and maybe there was a good reason for them. Thomas warred against himself for a few moments. That younger version of himself that he’d just been recalling would have ignored the orders and jumped into battle. But the older admiral was not as willing to disobey direct orders. His father had led them through times as deadly as these.
“Make a jump for Earth. Send the coordinates to Knauf so we can jump together,” Thomas said. “It seems I need to discuss strategy with my father.”
It was half an hour after their arrival before Thomas could get an open line to the UN president. He gnashed his teeth while he waited. When the call finally came, he had Edwards put it through to his ready room and stalked off the bridge to take it. By the time his father’s face appeared on the screen in front of him, Thomas was beyond pissed.
“Dad, this is nuts. Why am I back here instead of out there?”
Nicholas Stein blinked, gave him a half-smile, and replied. “Good to see you in one piece, Thom.”
“Thanks. Glad to be in one piece. Now answer my damned question.”
The older Stein sighed and looked away. Thomas had never seen him looking so old. When had that happened? His father had been a bigger-than-life figure in every memory he had. He was always sure of every decision, always able to make the tough calls well.
This man was different. He wasn’t just tired. Nicholas Stein had a look in his eyes that Thomas had never seen there before. His father looked defeated.
“Dad, talk to me. What’s happened?” Thomas asked.
“The council happened. The Earth-bound idiot politicians happened,�
� his father spat. “They’ve created a new coalition. Liberal and conservative branches alike, working together.”
I blinked. “How did that happen?” I couldn’t imagine stranger political bedfellows.
“I’m not sure. It feels like there’s someone moving pieces around behind the scenes, but I can’t prove it,” Nicholas said. “And without proof, I can’t do anything to override their decision.”
“What, precisely, do they want?” Thomas asked.
“They’re afraid of the aliens. They’ve seen footage of what happened to Mars. They don’t want the same fate for Earth,” his father said. “And they figure the best way to keep their worthless asses safe is to have every ship in humanity’s fleet hovering over their heads.”
It made no sense. The enemy wasn’t getting weaker while we waited. Their force was only growing. I’d seen the reports. Two more small ships and a dreadnought had already come through, and the gate gave every indication of building power for another activation. Given enough time they’d rebuild their forces.
Next time, though, Thomas doubted that they’d rush in. They’d already tested the human defenses more than once. They knew about everything humanity could throw at them. There were no more secret ships or weapons he could pull out of a hat. The aliens likely knew that, too, or at least guessed it. No, they’d wait until they had enough firepower to completely overpower humanity, and then strike.
By the time these politicians realized they’d made a mistake, they could be facing a score of dreadnoughts instead of one.
“Dad, this is going to kill us all. This is a suicidal plan,” Thomas said.
“I know,” Nicholas replied. “There’s nothing else I can do. The orders will stand.”
Thomas thought about what his father had said about a force moving behind the scenes. That had a familiar ring to it. “We never found Choi’s fighter, you know.”
“I am well aware. We’ve looked everywhere, but it went dark after the battle over Jupiter and never resurfaced.”
“Yeah, which doesn’t mean he’s gone,” Thomas said. “This is sort of his style. Manipulation behind the scenes, I mean.”
His father’s eyebrows shot up. “You could be right. It fits his modus operandi. But to what end? If Earth is destroyed, he loses too. Choi wants power over Earth, not the obliteration of the planet and everyone on it.”
“I’m not so sure it’s power he was after,” Thomas said. “Remember how he used to go on about how humanity needed to come together as one?”
His father nodded. Thomas filled him in on the way the aliens had acted, so close to Earth insect hives. The more he told about them, the more his idea rang true.
“What if Choi wasn’t just trying to seize power? What if he was trying to deal with these aliens - maybe by making us enough like them that they would see us as allies instead of foes?” Thomas asked.
“It’s possible. He got tech from them, somehow,” Nicholas said. That was where humanity had first learned how to build the Alcubierre drive as something more than a theoretical construct, and other technologies. “I’m not sure how that helps us, though.”
“I don’t know that it does. But I’d be careful. Choi is out there somewhere. I doubt he’s given up politics. Watch your back, Dad,” Thomas said.
“You, too,” Nicholas replied. “Now, I shouldn’t have to remind you that you are duty bound to obey all lawful orders given by the UN. You’re an officer of the UN Navy. Remember your oath.”
Then he signed off.
I smiled, already knowing what he was talking about. The UN Navy had adopted an oath very similar to that used by the old US military. I swore to defend humanity against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That part of the oath came first, before all others, because it held priority over all others.
Dad reminding me to follow my oath was his way of telling me to get out there and deal with this threat before it could wipe humanity out.
Twenty-Four
Sam sat by herself in the shared virtual space on board the Intrepid. Usually there were at least a few other people around, but not tonight. She wasn’t sure where everyone else had gone, but she wasn’t asking questions either. There was too much she had to think about. Having company around would only be a distraction. That last mission had been a terrific success! They should have gone on from there to strike again, to hit the enemy while they were hurting. Instead, they retreated back to Earth. Soon the alien fleet would be just as strong as it had been at the beginning of this mess. If not stronger.
She slammed her fist down on the table. It was like everything they’d done and every life they’d lost fighting in the past days had all been for nothing. All that sacrifice and effort wasted in an instant by a bunch of bureaucrats. Sam had half a mind to get all her people out into their Wasps and launch their own strike. It might take them a few days to get out to the ring, but hell, that would be better than cooling their heels on Earth waiting for the aliens to show up with six bazillion ships.
A beep sounded, the tone telling Sam she had an incoming message. She flicked her eyes to the left, an action that had become a reflex for her. It activated the HUD in her virtual vision. She glance-clicked the icon for email and saw the mail was from Samantha.
“Well. That’s unexpected,” she said.
Should she open it? She wasn’t sure. Could she afford the distraction of worrying about whatever her human ‘sister’ wanted right now? As Harald had said, they were in the middle of a war to the knife out there. It wasn’t the best time for dealing with a personal issue.
On the other hand, there might not be another time. If life in Valhalla had taught Sam anything, it was that death could come at any time, for any person. Out in the real world again that death would be permanent. She wasn’t afraid to die, not really. But Sam didn’t relish the idea of losing her life either. Life was frustrating and confusing. But it was what she had, and she wanted to make the most of it.
“Let’s see what my sister is up to then, shall we?” Sam said to herself. She opened the email.
Sam,
Hope this letter finds you well. I’ve heard bits and pieces about the battles. Sounds like you did well out there, but there’s more to come. Be careful as you can, OK? I want to see you again when this is all over.
This may sound strange, but I wanted you to know that I’ve told our parents. About you, I mean. I tried to explain it all to them, but I’m not sure they understood entirely. They recorded a short video and asked me to forward it to you. I think you should watch it, but it’s up to you.
Good luck,
Samantha
Sam found herself holding her breath. She let it out with a sigh, marveling in the feeling of air that didn’t exist leaving lungs that weren’t really there. The simulation felt real enough that it was comforting, but there were enough nagging differences from her memories that it was only mostly right. Which made even the comfort somewhat illusory.
She was procrastinating and knew it. The video was right there, attached at the bottom of the email. Damned if she wasn’t terrified to open it and watch, though. She’d faced down hordes of giants, massive dragons, AIs-turned-goddesses, and alien invaders.
“You’d think I could handle a video from mom and dad,” she whispered. But this was scarier than anything she could recall facing.
What if they hated her? If they were afraid of her or pitied her, or any number of things, she wasn’t sure she could stand it. Every memory Samantha had of their childhood, Sam had too. She recalled her mother making them pancakes, fishing with Dad, birthday parties, a knight-in-shining-armor Halloween costume, and more. All of the memories of a reasonably happy and normal childhood. Oh, there were crappy days too. She’d had to scrap her way up from a poor South Boston background to win entry into one of the hardest colleges in the country. It hadn’t been an easy road.
But every memory she had of her parents was a cherished treasure, even the bad ones. Now they knew she existed, and all of t
hat might be tainted and turned into something else.
“Well, it’s already been done,” Sam said aloud. Her voice echoed hollowly in the empty room. Samantha had already told their parents about her. It was what it was. The only part left to her was to discover just what it was. She clicked the link.
A video window opened in her vision, like a TV screen floating in the air in front of her face. Her parents were both there, sitting on the same stupid old sofa she’s told them a hundred times they ought to replace. She’d even offered to buy them a new one, but they said the threadbare wreck was comfortable and refused. Sam smiled now, feeling a little sense of comfort from that familiar beige monstrosity.
Her parents were close together and holding hands. They looked nervous, glancing at each other and then back at the camera. Finally, her mother spoke.
“So, Samantha has told us she’ll send this clip to you, my dear. She’s told us that she was…copied? Her mind. And that you’re her. Sort of. Except now you’re a different person,” her Mom said.
“She calls you her sister,” her Dad added. “We didn’t even know you existed until now.”
Her mother nodded and went on. “We didn’t. But now we do. Listen, dear. We’re not sure we understand everything about what’s going on with this. It all sounds very complicated. But Samantha says you’re part of her. And that you’re risking your life right now to help save all of us.”
“Which is very brave, and just what our Sam would do,” her father added. “Anyway, we want you to know that if you’re Samantha’s sister, even sort of, then you’re also our daughter. We want you to know that we love you.”
Ghost Squadron Page 10
