Nn'tik said proudly."Behold the last of the Battle Moons of the Klack Hegemony, once we had 50 of these, but that was almost 12,000 years ago. We lost 48 in the first Y'All war and during the Red night, the darkest years of Klack history, about 7000 years ago, we lost the knowledge and the ability to build new ones. One is in permanent orbit and no longer able to fly, but this currently refurbished and restored in a secret project by Union Fleet engineers. It is not done yet, and will take many years to complete."
Marcus snapped."We will honor the Klack and this awesome ship later, Nn'tik. Hail them so we can get inside. Communication to all Auxiliary craft of the Ivanhoe, approach that Behemoth and see if they let us in!"
"Already receiving hangar guide beams Sir! That hangar just opening would have room for the Devi!"
"I think I am going to kiss you, Nn'tik!" Marcus said and then added." And I promise I be on Klackt next time the Queen celebrates her birthday to honor her!"
It took the Siucra a few moments to digest what they saw, but one of them released a bolt of Holy Fire and the bolt penetrated the shields of the huge ship and burned a tiny but visible hole into the huge ships armor!"
Olnatar screamed in delight."Big it is, yes. But no match for Holy Fire! It will just make a bigger explosion when it goes! All Ships close in and fire!"
N'Vaant was well aware of the limitations of his huge ship. The N' Toothal was very old and her Armor had was only replaced by thirty percent with Union Ultronit. The rest was simple steel. The shields were original Klack, the new Para Dim shield generators were still being manufactured by SII, and since the ship was considered a private ship, not a Fleet unit. It had not received modern military grade weapons. He simply hoped he could buy enough time for the crew of the Ivanhoe, until the 12th fleet arrived. The good thing was that the N'toothal had only 100 Klack crew and the simple Steel armor was almost 100 meters thick. He had received the Intel reports of the Fleet and the analysts on Arsenal III were certain the cannons used by these aggressive aliens were of the UNI that long gone highly advanced species. His Computronic calculated that the 1000 alien ships would have to fire three times each to cripple the ship. And since they had to recharge after each shot, he thought he had a good chance to collect the stranded crew and go to Trans light." He silently listened to the damage reports of his officers from each shot from the alien fleet. So far nothing vital had been hit." Hail the Ivanhoe crew and tell them to hurry up!"
Olnatar could not stop laughing. The weapon fire of the huge ship was sporadic and so far had only destroyed one of his ships, a ship that went to close. It was obvious that this giant had no weapon that could reach as far as the Holy fire could. He told his fleet to take no risk. And concentrate fire on one side of the ship only."If that was meant to impress us they failed. They build big but that iron ball is slow and primitive!"
"Grand initiator, there are new contacts on the Feeler horizon. This time tiny little things, but very fast!"
"First an Iron ball that is slow and now gnats, what will they send next to amuse us?"
"This is Bobcat, Attack wing Alpha calling the USS Balmung. We arrived at engagement area. The Klack monster is in trouble but they just managed to take the last Aux craft of the Ivanhoe aboard. Do we have attack permission?"
"This is Admiral Strother. All Wolf Craft, engage to destroy. I repeat engage and destroy. No mercy no quarter! The Long range sniper bun boats are in range in T-13."
Bobcat switched to Wing channel."All wings you heard Wild Bill, the first kill gets a case of beer!"
Olnatar was not concerned even though these tiny ships that now approached were faster than anything he had ever seen. What race would put resources in such a big ship and then build so small ones? What could these little one possibly do against a Siucra Battleship?"
The first Siucra battle ship exploded right next to his flag ship, it suddenly expanded like an inflatable toy and then disappeared in a sun bright explosion!
Grand Initiator, our targeting calcmatics find it difficult to predict the course of these little ships! We cannot bring the Holy fire Casters fast enough into the right direction!"
Another Siucra ship exploded then five right after that. There was no detectable weapon fire from these little ships, yet he got reports that antimatter explosions suddenly occurred inside the ships engine rooms!
There! Two Siucra battle ships managed to fire and hit one of the little ships, the withering energies simply made a purple energy bubble visible for a short millisecond then the small fighter ship was gone and two more of his fleet's ships exploded!
Now on the furthest magnification horizon of their Visualizer 100 wedge shape ships appeared, shaped exactly like the Plato ship he had destroyed but by magnitudes bigger!
"Giga loads authorized! Giga loads authorized!" Came the speaker message. The main battery crews of the USS Balmung grabbed their anti static rags and gleaming red aluminum casings came up the bomb elevator. Sergeant Nick Stone grinned at his Petharian partner." It's big boy time!"
The Petharian with his four arms wiped like a whirlwind and growled back." They picked the wrong Admiral to mess with; Our Wild Bill loves his Giga loads!"
Nick wrote: Greetings from the USS Ivanhoe with a grease pen on the case as it slid into the dematerialization breech. The next red casing came up the elevator.
Commander Marcus had reached the Command center of the N' Toothal and stood next to the Klack. They and the rest of the bridge crew saw the USS Balmung slowly drift to fire lee as all her main batteries, all 20 giga load cannons simultaneous displaced. Twenty small suns bloomed between the Alien fleet where ships once were. "That is for you Captain Saxa!" He said with a constricted throat while the crew behind them cheered.
There was fear in the voice of his Distant Speaker Operator." Great Initiator, we lost 345 ships already! And there are more of these Plato ships coming! We must retreat! The Holy Fire does not penetrate whatever protection bubbles they have."
"Tell the other ships to fight to the end, while we return to Holy Space and get more ships!" He said that knowing deep inside, that all ships of the Siucra would make no difference. The insectoids was correct after all. Who or whatever these Terrans were, he wished now he did not anger them. But there was one more option he would ask the High Protector of Koken to contact the Kermac. They would then come to assist their most obedient thralls and then destroy these terrans and the Plato with the wraith of gods!
Admiral "Wild" Bill Strother, COWACOM (Coreward Fleet Command) had personally taken command of the 12th Fleet and made the USS Balmung, BBG-31 his flag ship. He didn't like to sit even though regulations required everyone on the bridge to be secured in a Battle station chair during General Quarters. There were a few perks that came with his three stars and not to take every regulation as strict as a Cadet was one. Besides if there was something that could throw him off his feet standing in the best protected area of a super dreadnought Arsenal class ship, he would not be much safer in a battle seat. He had his hands rested on the railing surrounding the so called Command Balcony. Behind him was Captain Bernhard Sassoon, completely disappeared inside his CONN seat cocoon. It was those moments he wished he was a captain again. Yes he earned his rank and for the most part liked the fact that he was done with work every day at 1600 hours and could go home into a nice little house by the river, but in times like this he itched to be back in the thick, back in a command chair. It was there where he earned his nick name, no one dared to say in his face, but everyone said it with loving respect behind his back, Wild Bill.
Then he thought of it and said to the XO. We do have four of the new Barracuda Destroyers aboard don't we?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Ready the Crew, I am taking one out in the Command Seat."
Olnatar had left his shrinking fleet behind; his Ship was gaining speed for Trans light when the Space Feeler Operator said."Sir we are being followed by an enemy ship slightly smaller than ours but it is gaining fast. We will not make it to
Translight before they arrive. We still have fully charged Holy Fire!"
"Smaller you say"
"Yes!"
"Turn around and take aim. Let us teach them not to follow me!"
Olnatar paid for all his sins in this universe as a 5 kiloton Anti matter bomb at the point of detonation materialized right under his hanging bar.
Sixty hours later the last transmissions of the Siucra Fleet and Olnatar arrived at Koken Moon and the first protector listened to them with great concern. The entire fleet of 1000 ships that went out to eradicate the renegade Plato slaves had been destroyed, even Olnatar had not returned.
The Siucra did not have that many more ships and most of all not enough crews to man them if they did. The holy task to protect Koken was in jeopardy. He knew that the Kermac had been here only recently to make the call, but they had not taken the Nuthrum Device that was buried deep. He would make the sacrilege and go to Koken and have it dug out. With it retaliation and revenge was certain! It could open a gate and bring the Y'All much faster!
Chapter 23: On the Bridge
"Your arm is as good as new and those nasty burns on your back are all patched up in a few more minutes." The CMO of the Shetland was obviously pleased. The Old Admiral, the Captain of the Shetland and three Yokuta elders stood there waiting till the doctor was done. I didn't like them watching me getting medical aide but seeing the clouded face of the Admiral. I was certain this was the least of my worries. To me most Yokuta looked alike but I was certain, this was the Speaker of the Elders. He seemed impatient and said." I am sorry human Cadet, for being here while you receive medical attention, I was simply curious about the marvels of your advanced medicine and I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible."
The doctor checked my back." Sorry gents, but the liquid metal burned deep holes in the young man's back, and that takes a little more than just patching skin, there are nerve endings and a tendon to be fixed, so that will take a little longer. His ear is also still mending."
Two of the Yokuta were fascinated by extreme close ups of my wounds and tiny robots weaving tissue. The third one spread his ears." I analyzed the recordings of the earlier procedures and I know it was you who saved my life and that this was no exercise, as so elegantly suggested. While I understand the reason why the Psionic suggestion was made, it robbed me of the chance to thank you. Even though I am old I do like to live and prefer not to be shot in the back. You prevented that and I owe you my life!" He glared at the Admiral. "Now I learn that Kermac Agents tried to establish a secret base on our world before it becomes Union, so they would have a backdoor into Union communications before Archilerb becomes inaccessible for them. Three cadets on the search for Yokuta music stumbled upon their operation by chance. The Kermac afraid their cover will be blown, neutralized the Cadets full knowing that three missing Cadets would cause a detailed search. To cut their losses. They wanted to detonate three Psi Spore bombs. Making the entire world including the present Union crews susceptible for their psionic controls. One cadet single handedly cleared the situation and instead of celebrating him as a hero I am told this cadet are facing an investigative hearing. All this is will be addressed when we stand before your assembly!"
Admiral Mc Elligott slowly shook his head." High Debraman and Chairman of the Yokuta. You are correct we overstepped our boundaries when we Psi suggested you and I apologize for that. Yes the Cadet has saved your life and yes the Cadet who tried to kill you is a bigot and should not have been brought here." They talked about me, with me present as if I was not there, but I kept quiet for now. The oldest officer of the Fleet continued." Chairman, the main problem was the time frame for this meeting. You wanted a selection of young beings talk during your freedom celebrations. It was my decision to select a bunch of first week cadets, without any track record and barley any military education, but Cadets and therefore military personnel they are!" Now he did look at me, but talked to the Chairman." We must act upon our laws and procedures and the young Cadet will have an Investigational hearing. This is our way and our laws. Two Cadets are dead and we owe it to the parents and the families of these Cadets that we have done all things to determine why and how they died and what could have been done to prevent it."
"Then I demand that these hearings be held here right now before we leave to Pluribus! I have seen the security camera recordings and the report of your Marines. This Cadet has saved this world, many lives and I might add yours too! The fact that he destroyed half the cities mail was more than a fair trade off! We won't hold that against him."
Mc Elligott faced the CMO." How long till we can move these procedures to a more suitable venue?"
"Sir, with all due respect, I am already violating patient rights by making his treatment a public spectacle. If we talk regulations here not even you, Sir can tell me what to do when it comes to patient treatment." Then he said." He is well enough to leave now, but I like to see him for a check-up and remove the Nanites."
The wish of the Chairman was granted. The hearing was held right away. It was a three Officers panel. I wondered how many first week cadets ever had a Flag mast hearing with the Old man of the Navy in the first week. This wasn't the start I thought I would have in my chosen profession. Even if I survived that hearing it would certainly end up in my records. Not a very good thing for someone who wanted to become a Star ship captain.
Captain McKenzie, the Admiral and a Klack Commander made up the hearing panel. Once again I stood in epicenter of events and didn't like it one bit.
It was clear from the face of the female Captain, that she didn't like to be here and that she didn't like me. I had no idea what the Klack was thinking or feeling. Someone once told me that it would take years to understand the subtle ways the Klack used their feelers to express their emotions.
A field screen showed an obviously edited version of what had occurred and it was the Klack who gave the narration." What we see here is are the events that took place earlier today at and below the Yokuta Nool Nort Space Port and the Nool Nort Main Courier and Mail service warehouse and distribution facilities. The Cadets were ordered to wait at the space port lobby for a Union ship to take them back to the Academy. There was a waiting time of approximately six hours. Three of them, Cadets Ninio Diobane, Potsema Pe and Rodney Barack asked for permission to explore the space port with the plan to shop for Yokuta music. They were told to be back within the hour.
The three cadets did not find any open shops but miss interpreted a sign for shop and train station, but it read mail receiving station and Conveyor belt intake, which are similar words in the native language. They stumbled upon a Kermac Spy operation, and were captured by them.
The Kermac becoming aware of the possibility that Archilerb is going to be a Union world, planned to establish a secret intelligence post right there with access to mail and the space port. They planned to be established before this world would develop and Union security would make it more difficult to establish a major espionage base inside Union territory. They knew there would be a major search for the missing cadets and opted to go to plan B and detonate three PSI spore bombs. These spores originated from the Piostla war but have been developed and upgraded by the Kermac ever since. The basic effect of these spores is that they turn even shielded and those immune to telepathic suggestions into willing slaves. The spores are very hard to detect, especially once they are inside a body. In other words. If the Kermac would have succeeded, you the Yokuta would now be willing slaves and we would have carried psi spore infected individuals at the command to other Union Planets."
The screen focused on the three metal cylinders and Union specialists with containment fields and special suits securing them. He continued:" Now after the hour had passed, Cadet Deadan concerned about his friend Ninio went to search for them. He did not ask for permission to leave, found the same sign, interpreted it wrongly the same way and stepped into a trap. The Kermac needed time to set up their bombs, Deadan resisted the packing machine and was killed
by the Kermac, by overloading his cerebral cortex with a kill pain command, a very nasty and evil way to go.
"Now cadet Plemo notices that the Cadets had gone for a long time and wakes his friend Eric. Both cadets decide to leave without informing their superior officers of their intentions and I want you to keep that point in mind for later."
The visual recording was cut together from various security camera footage and showed different ankles of the events that followed.
"As you can see Cadet Olafson bashed and shot his way through killing and maiming Kermac and Yokuta under the Psionic influence of two more Kermac agents, gambled with all our lives by trying to disarm weapons that he knew nothing about and came too late to save Cadets Deadan or Barack. Now this is not how we want our future officers to act. The only decision he should have made was to wake the Instructors and tell them about the missing cadets, or at least ask them for permission to search for them. When he was certain there was trouble, after killing two Kermac with head shots. He should have returned with Cadet Plemo to deliver the report. While he saved the planet and perhaps half the Union, I recommend full Court Martial. Now an experienced officer could have weight every action against his orders, but I propose that he was just lucky and acted reckless."
That was it! My days in the navy were over! Was I supposed to say something or defend my actions?"
The Captain with her sinister staring look on her face got up and said."I don't like Cadets, I don't like snot nosed want to be officers and I am not too fond of fresh Ensigns right out of the academy. Granted previous experience made me prejudiced. When Admiral Mc Elligott asked me to sit in on this hearing I was ready, just like my XO N'Utrtrn to break the stick over that cadet."
She spread her arms."But truth to be told, he saved my ship. Saved me from carrying that cursed Kermac seed into Union space, giving Kermac access to the most powerful ship and all its secrets that alone earned my eternal gratitude. Yes rules are rules, but to be fair he doesn't know the rules yet."
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 250
