by G. E. Stills
There was no graduation ceremony on his last day. He woke at three, but instead of exercises, he went straight to the classroom. Trish waited there.
“Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander you have passed the course. There is a car waiting to take you to a shuttle which will deliver you to the Slayer. Sorry, no fancy sendoff, but Gina and your mission are waiting for your arrival. Good hunting, Commander.” She shook his hand.
“You’re wrong, Trish.” He grinned.
“About?”
“I still don’t hate you.”
She smiled and escorted him to the aircar.
****
He reached up and felt the dog tag snuggled against his chest. If you had asked me before I went through that course, I would have told you there was no way a mind could absorb this much knowledge let alone collate and break it into bits and pieces of usable information. I would have been wrong.
Gina stepped up beside him and whispered, “I know the last thirty days have been intense, then I pulled you up here to start our mission. If you need to rest I will understand and let you retire to your quarters.”
“And miss the initial launch of our ship? Not a chance. I’ll be fine. I’ve grown used to getting no rest.”
Gina laughed and strode away to look over the shoulders of the bridge crew.
****
The PD Slayer slipped from her berth into the blackness of space. Gina stood in front of the wide view screen watching the ship back away from the space dock. Beside her stood Joren, her second in command, in his new black and silver uniform.
Glancing down at the screen in front of him, he reported. “Everything is nominal, Captain.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Commander. Please have the Brazil and Vancouver informed we will be joining them shortly. The bridge is yours. I’m going to go check on our passenger to see she is comfortable.”
“Yes, ma’am. The bridge is mine.” Joren broke protocol for a moment. “Tell Becky hi for me.”
Gina smiled. “I will.” Spinning on her heel, she left the bridge.
Joren keyed his transceiver implant so they could talk in private. “See you later, hon.”
Gina smiled. “I can hardly wait. Your cabin or mine?”
“Surprise me.”
“That I’ll do. See you later.”
“How will I know which one you’re in?”
“Oh you’ll know. You will certainly know.” Her smile widened when she began thinking about the sexy negligee she intended to wear.
Walking down a wide hallway, Gina halted in front of a cabin door. “Ship’s captain to see LC Mitchell,” she announced to the door.
“Access granted,” a robotic voice answered seconds later and the door slid open. Gina stepped across the threshold to greet the woman waiting on the other side.
“Captain,” Becky said.
“Lieutenant commander,” Gina answered. The door slid closed and the two came together in an embrace.
“I’m so proud of you, Gina. Gosh your own ship. Wow.”
“I doesn’t suck.” Gina chuckled. “Not at all. And what about you. Head of security for our ambassador delegation to Ormel?”
“That doesn’t suck either.” Becky grinned. “Although if all Mistia are like Joren I doubt a security detail will be needed.”
“Probably not, but your position is still an honor.”
“I know and I intend to represent Teelan-Earth to the best of my ability.”
“You will. I have complete faith.”
“So where are you headed after you leave Ormel?” Becky asked.
“I can’t give you an exact location. That’s need to know only. Very few people know where we’re heading. Among them is Aunt Blaise. She’s the one that assigned the mission.”
“You know Auntie will tell me, Gina. We’re very close.”
“I know, you shit. I’ll only tell you this. We’ll be deep into Men-gar territory. Anything else you’ll have to find out from her.”
“Actually, I already talked to her. I know what you’re going to be doing.” Becky grinned. “You’re going to lie doggo and observe our enemy. That is what the new design of the Slayer is all about. With the systems powered down, your ship will be pretty much undetectable. I know you, though. If the opportunity presents itself, you will attack.”
Gina rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I should have known you’d already talked to Aunt Blaise. You’re right about attacking, but only if it doesn’t jeopardize the mission.”
“Coffee?” Becky asked.
“Sure.”
The two left the room and drifted toward the galley still deep in conversation.
****
Gina padded barefoot across the cabin and stood before the mirror. “Lights out.” The room plunged into darkness. A smile crept across her face. A dim glow illuminated the room. It came from the iridescent glimmer of her white negligee and the glitter that covered her bare skin from head to toe.
“Room, this is Captain Gina Mitchell do not energize lights until I countermand this order.” She smiled. When the lights did not come on automatically it would tip Joren off that something was up. That and seeing me glowing in the dark. Gina pulled down the covers and lay spread-eagle across Joren’s bed waiting for him. Her fancy negligee barely covered the vital areas. A smile of extreme happiness split her lips wide. She was the captain of a new ship on a mission she could scarcely wait to begin. In addition, the love of her life was onboard. Life doesn’t suck at all Becky.
CHAPTER TEN
The Slayer slipped into the system. After a brief burst of her jets to point her toward the planet, she went silent. Shutters slid into place over all the ships windows so that no light escaped from her interior. She drifted deeper into the solar system toward the Men-gar populated planet fourth out from the sun. Drift was an inadequate term used to describe her approach at a significant fraction of the speed of light, though.
While behind one of the planet’s moons, Slayer fired braking rockets and came to a complete halt powering down all but critical systems. The moon moved in its orbit uncovering the almost undetectable spaceship. In silence and with passive video and audio systems, the crew began monitoring signals from the planet and gathering intelligence. Five giant Men-gar battleships orbited the planet in addition to three unarmed freighters. Data began to flood in to be processed and stored in the computers.
“So this system is the next on the list for Admiral Lucinda’s fleet to attack?” Joren asked.
“That’s the plan,” Gina answered.
The days passed as the computers compiled more and more data. Together Gina and Joren studied the reports. There was no indigenous life on the planet. Either there never had been or the Men-gar had wiped it out. The planet appeared to be a large Men-gar base. Estimates from data compiled placed the number at several million spread over the planet.
Gina paused the monitor screen and highlighted a section of the readout. “It appears one of the primary functions here is to mine and process the ore used to power their ships and weaponry.”
“That’s the same conclusion I’ve reached,” Joren said from beside her.
“Ma’am, the signals officer called her attention. “I’ve located a large prisoner camp right here.”
He moved a mouse pointer across the large monitor mounted overhead. A detailed map was superimposed on the screen. He stopped the pointer at a location about a hundred kilometers outside one of the larger cities. Further magnification showed a large domed structure.
“How many prisoners?” she inquired.
The signals officer glanced down at the console in front of him. “The estimate is about a thousand.”
“Damn,” she said under her breath. Collateral damage was to be expected in the attack. After getting her data she knew Lucinda would destroy the entire pl
anet, not just the population. Gina had accepted there were a few allied prisoners below. That was the Men-gar way. But a thousand in one location?
“Monitor movement there and report further when you have more info.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the signal officer answered.
Gina paced the bridge waiting impatiently. There has to be a way to rescue those prisoners.
“On your screen now, ma’am,” the signals officer announced several hours later.
Gina read the report. During the day the prisoners labored in mines scattered over the planet. During the night they were all housed in the structure.
“So we need to free them during the night hours,” she said to Joren. “That is the time they are gathered together.”
“I concur. I would suggest early morning.”
“I’m thinking the same.”
“But how to go about the rescue?” he asked.
She glanced to the side, viewing the slightly smaller monitor and watched one the freighters drift by in its orbit of the planet below. Two large transfer shuttles took turns rising up from the planet and docking with the freighter. She was certain they were bringing up freight. A plan began to take shape in her mind.
“Robert, Celeste,” she announced over the ship’s pager, “Please meet in my office in ten minutes.” She turned to Joren, “Lieutenant Commander you will accompany me. Tina you have the bridge.”
“Yes ma’am, I have the bridge,” Tina said.
****
She and Joren had just gotten comfortable in her office when Robert and Celeste arrived.
“Take a seat,” she told them after their salute. She looked at Joren and then at Robert and Celeste. “I cannot sacrifice a thousand prisoners without at least trying to save them, so here is what I have in mind…” She started explaining her plan.
Joren scrambled to his feet and roared, “No way. I forbid you to do this. You are my fiancée. Besides you’re the captain and cannot be risked this way.”
Calmly she turned to the two enlisted people. “Robert, Celeste would you please wait outside. I need to speak privately with Commander Joren.”
The two enlisted people stepped out and closed the door behind them. She rounded on him. “I love you, Joren, and so I will overlook your outburst. But don’t you ever forbid or question my authority again. You’re right on one thing. I am the captain and this is not a discussion, it is my decision.” She watched Joren’s jaw tighten and his face flush with anger. His hands balled into fists.
“But Gina…”
“I’m not finished.” She cut him off. “I will explain this time, because I know you’re concerned for my safety, not just because I’m your captain, but because I’m your lover. Robert and I have the ability to become invisible while Celeste has the ability of levitation. We are the best people for the job, plain and simple. If you were best suited I’d have chosen you even though I would be worried sick the entire time. I’m not just risking myself and the people with me. I remind you that I will be leaving you with only four people. I’m not certain that is enough to operate this ship should things go badly and you need to escape to safety.”
“Gina, I love you,” he managed through clenched teeth.
“I know that and I love you, but we can’t let that interfere with our decisions We are at war and sometimes our personal feelings have to take a lower priority for the greater good.” Her stern look softened. “Joren, hon, if you can’t accept that, then, although it will break my heart, I will request you be assigned to another ship when this mission is completed.”
“That won’t be necessary, Captain. I’ll not be insubordinate again. Shall I call the others back in so we can finish hearing your plan?”
Clearly, Joren was still pissed, but he was trying to hide his anger.
“Please do. Oh and, Joren? Later when we’re off duty…I’d like it very much if we made love.”
His expression softened. “I’d like that, too.” Stepping to the door he ushered them back in.
****
Gina glanced at the time, date readout on the monitor. Admiral Lucinda’s fleet should be assembled just outside the system waiting for my report. I hope she isn’t running late.
“Celeste, take the others with you and assemble in the shuttle I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Celeste, Robert and the four others left the bridge. Gina turned to Joren. “You’re in charge here, Lieutenant Commander. I hope the four crewmembers I’ve left you with are sufficient to operate the Slayer should the need arise.”
“They will be, Captain. Don’t worry about us. Just worry about yourselves.”
“Thank you.” The look of love and worry that passed between them was enough. No words needed to be spoken. “Very well, Lieutenant Commander, you have command.”
“Until you return. Good luck, Captain.”
“Thank you.” Pivoting on her toes, Gina made her way to the shuttle.
Celeste waited until the Slayer was behind the moon and then launched the shuttle. With short bursts, she maneuvered and directed the shuttle toward the freighter then went silent and drifted.
“How close do we need to get before you can levitate us?” Gina asked Celeste.
“Five-hundred kilometers for certain. More than that I’m not sure.”
“At five-hundred kilometers then bring us to a halt. Levitate us to the outside hull of the freighter and wait for my signal.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Celeste brought the shuttle to a halt while all of them kept their fingers crossed that the radiation burst would not be detected by the Men-gar. The shuttle remained motionless for some time and then Gina and the five others gathered outside on its hull. Celeste levitated them to the hull of the freighter where they waited patiently.
“Estimation on crew size?” she asked Robert.
“Ten, maybe fifteen at the most.”
“That’s my estimation too,” she answered.
The receiving door in the side of the freighter slid open. Joining hands with two of her team, Robert took the hands of the other two. The six-member team became invisible and floated into the bay. The force field surrounding them vanished.
“Bridge first.” Gina said, “We have to prevent them from communicating.”
Her team nodded in agreement. Bursting onto the bridge, they cut down the five Men-gar they found there. Leaving two of the team to hold the bridge they began scouring the ship for the remaining crew. Five minutes later, they had eliminated an additional eight Men-gar and no warning had been issued. The transfer shuttle rose from the planet and linked to the freighter’s open cargo door. Gina’s team stormed in and killed two of the three-person crew on the shuttle before they even realized they were under attack. The third was able to get off a shot before he died.
With Grant’s help, Gina quickly familiarized herself with the shuttle controls. “Kent?” she asked over her shoulder when Robert joined her.
“Dead, and Tracy is wounded,” he answered.
Damn, two of my team down and we haven’t even landed on the planet.
“Celeste,” she activated her implanted com link. “Change of plans. I need you to levitate over here. Just before you do, I want you to set the shuttle to self destruct on a delay and put it in motion.”
“Understood, Captain. How long a delay?”
Gina did some rapid calculations. “Two hours.”
“Two hours,” Celeste repeated.
She left a wounded Tracy onboard the freighter knowing Celeste would be joining her soon and took the transfer shuttle down to the planet. Just before landing, she deviated from the shuttle’s assigned route. The shuttle surged forward just above treetop level and below detection altitude. In a short time the domed prison came in sight. “Jill,” Gina said to her crewmember rem
aining on the shuttle, “Keep the engines hot and when I signal come get us as quickly as you can. We don’t have time for stealth, people. This is going to be a smash and grab.”
Jill extended the shuttle’s exit ramp and Gina’s team raced down. For the moment before she pulled her night vision glasses in place she gazed out into the darkness.
“Okay here we go, people,” Gina announced.
She, Robert and Sergio dashed from the shuttle into the dark and ran the quarter kilometer separating the prison from them. The otherwise impenetrable prison had a single entrance. Using their invisibility field allowed them to get to the gate entrance. From there on it was a swift and deadly attack.
Fireballs burst from Gina’s fingers incinerating three of the five guards and bolts of lightning from Robert’s digits reduced the other two guards to smoking ruins. Using his water ability, Keith, their third member, froze the locks and hinges of the prison entrance doors. He and Robert then ripped the doors from their casements and tossed them aside.
She triggered her implanted communicator. “Jill bring the shuttle up, right now!”
“On my way,” Jill answered immediately.
The three burst into the prison chamber. It consisted of one large room filled with cots. Several of the prisoners were looking at the entrance doubtless wondering about the commotion. “Listen up,” she shouted to be heard above the murmuring of many voices. “We’re here to take you home, but we need to move fast. There will be a shuttle waiting outside. It’s going to be crowded, but you will all fit inside.”
“We’ll remain here, ma’am. We’re hurt and will slow you down,” one man said.
She glanced at him and the cots with injured that surrounded him. “No one remains behind. Now get busy and move, people!”
“Yes, ma’am,” the man said. He leaned down to the cot beside him and hefted the woman there onto his shoulders. Her legs dangled above the floor. Obviously, she was unable to walk. The man raced toward the exit. More prisoners jumped to assist the other injured.
“I’m here, ma’am,” Jill announced on the communicator.
