by Ben Winston
"Please let me know when it's finished, Sir. I would like to visit as well," Ian replied.
Goya nodded. "Commander Serena, since Ian is sending you to convey us to the meeting, we will depart in the Zephyr and make rendezvous with the Prometheus. I'll send you the exact coordinates in a couple of hours. You will need to depart as soon as you can if we are to make it to the meeting on time. Ian, I know you just said you were protected, but I’d feel better if you let me order the Zephyr to continue on to Sol Sector to provide additional protection. There is much we need to get done before we leave and little time. I'll see you both very soon."
"Be safe, Sir," Ian replied.
"We will be ready to depart in an hour, Admirals," Serena replied.
"That's good, Serena. Please don't think you’re getting off the hook here though, I'll want you back once this mission is over!" Ian said.
Goya chuckled. "I'll make sure she gets to come home, Ian. In fact, I'll even send a few more officers and crews with her when she does!" Goya said.
After getting off the comm with Serena and Admiral Goya, Ian next called Colonel Anders. He actually thought either Mel had become psychic, or she had been listening in on his conversations because of the speed in which Ty appeared on his monitor.
Ty saluted as soon as he saw Ian. "Good afternoon, Sir. What can we do for you today?"
"Ty, how can you always be so damn cheerful when you know that every time I call, I end up ruining your day?" Ian asked.
"With respect, Sir, it isn't you that ruins my day, it's some asshole somewhere that needs a lesson in manners," Ty replied reasonably.
"If you say so, Colonel. How many Raptor teams do you have sitting around?" Ian asked even though he already knew the answer.
"Seven, Sir. Currently, I have one of them babysitting the new guys, three are on leave, and the other three are assisting the instructors with training."
"Put them all on alert, one team will be reporting to Commodore Hawkins for duty as he sees fit. The rest are to load up for a long term mission in the dragon's den. They are to report to the Tiamat for transportation to the insertion point.
"I'll need you to come along in an advisory capacity. When you're packed, please come to my office for the full mission brief," Ian ordered.
"It sounds like a balloon went up," Ty replied.
Ian shook his head. "It's far worse than that I'm afraid. I'll tell you about it when you get here."
"Yes Sir, I'll be there in an hour," Ty replied.
Ian nodded and ended the transmission. "Mel, tell me, who am I going to ask you to call next?"
"Based on your calls so far and the information I've seen, you will be wanting to speak to Commodore Belirus next," the young woman replied.
"So that's how you've been able to anticipate me, huh?" Ian asked.
"Yes Sir, may I ask how long we'll be gone?" Mel asked.
"Plan for a month, but hope for a couple of weeks," Ian replied. "Although, I can pretty much guarantee three weeks minimum."
"Understood, Sir, do I alert your family?" Mel asked.
"No, I'll handle that. None of them will be going along this time; they all have duties they need to attend to here. I'll explain it to them tonight. Please put me through to Commodore Belirus now," Ian asked.
"Right away, Sir,"
The gruff visage of Belirus appeared on the monitor, he was in his ready room. "Admiral, may I assume we'll be leaving soon?"
Ian smiled. "You know, this could have been a social call."
Belirus grunted. "I'm too much of a bastard to associate with socially! So what's happening?"
"The ARC Council has called an emergency meeting of all member’s leadership to discuss the current situation with the Empire. I'll need the Tiamat to transport myself, Ty Anders, my intelligence and operations officers, as well as several members of the ruling council to the meeting. You will also be hosting an additional six Raptor teams that will be going on separate missions after we get there. Make sure you have all your fighters and Marines on board, as this will be a solo job," Ian explained.
"Hmm, a meeting like this could be a perfect time for the Empire to wipe out the leaders of ARC. Are you sure we can't take anyone else?" Belirus asked.
"Currently, four of the main Alliance battle fleets are stationed there for the meeting. I'll give you a full briefing on the situation after we depart, but they're pretty rattled there. I imagine security is going to reflect that," Ian replied. "Maybe I should check to see if there is another Def-Net Assembler ready to go with us?"
"Four? I'm surprised they could spare that many from the front lines. Anyway, we'll be ready, Sir. I'll contact Phoenix Base about that Assembler for you. Would you like me to ask for any extra fighters or Marines just in case?" Belirus asked.
"No, I'd rather they remained here in the case that they are needed here. I'm sure we can make do with just your single small ship," Ian said fighting a grin.
"Hah!" Belirus barked. "As you say, Sir, we'll be ready when you are. When will the Raptor teams be arriving?"
"Actually, they could start arriving just about any time. But I only just got off the comm with Colonel Anders so it might be a few minutes yet."
"Understood, Sir. We'll be ready. I'll make sure the VIP quarters are ready as well. Oh, I had the twins set aside four of the VIP Cabins and converted one of the bedrooms into offices. In that way, important passengers will still be able to conduct business," Belirus replied. "I'm sure you will be comfortable, Sir."
Ian grinned back at him. "Uh huh, you just want to keep me off your Bridge!"
"Well, we can't have our honored passengers simply wandering around, underfoot, and getting in everyone's way," Belirus said in his normal, almost pompous way. Everyone else thought it made him an ass, Ian thought it made his jokes even funnier.
Ian burst out laughing. "You got me there, Commodore! Unless you have any questions, I'll see you sometime tomorrow."
Belirus gave him a small smile. "I look forward to it, Admiral."
The channel closed and Ian couldn't help but chuckle. At least he understood the gruff old Commodore's sense of humor.
TDF Tiamat
Hyperspace Transit vector
Almaas Quadrant
Commodore Belirus, Commanding.
Ian relaxed into the padded seat in the hot tub. He was taking a break after his martial arts practice session with the members of Raptor Apache. He was nowhere near their level of proficiency with the art, but they were patient with him and still gave him a good work out. After getting a shower, Ian saw the hot tub and decided to take a soak. Across from him in the tub Major Jana Cromwell of the Apache was also enjoying a good soak.
"There was something I wanted to speak to you about concerning our mission; I think I might have an idea as to where to begin our search," the woman said.
Ian raised an eyebrow. By their very nature, all Raptor mission were considered classified, but this one was so general in its scope that it really wasn't an issue. "Oh, did we miss something?"
Jana shook her head. "I don't think so, at least not intentionally. I had Gouyen take a closer look at some of the data we had about the arrival of the Imperial ships in the attacks. She used the angles of each of the hyperspace events as a reference point in order to determine a point of origin. In all the cases we have data for, they all intersect at one point deep in enemy space at a system they captured very early in the war. It's a system near a low radiation star field identified as the Failspire Nebula; that nebula would help hide the device from scanners. On Alliance charts, the system is called Grimaria. Alliance intel believes that system to hold a major Imperial base. The nebula is seven or eight light months from the system and would be an ideal place to launch these attacks from."
"Is that where you plan on heading first then?" Ian asked.
Jana nodded. "I was going to ask if I could take one of the other teams along, one of us could check out the base while the other looks for this device. Maybe
we can get more information on the enemy."
"It does sound like something that might be too good to pass up. We can't really launch until I discuss it with ARC Command, but check with the other teams and see who you can get to go with you, but keep it limited to just the two of you in the event that you don't find anything. Let me or Ty know whose going," Ian replied.
She nodded. "Will do, Sir."
Ian's comm beeped from beside the tub and Belirus' voice was heard. "We'll be dropping out of hyperspace in ten minutes, Admiral."
Ian touched the reply stud on the device. "Thanks, I'll be up there in a couple minutes."
"Take your time, Admiral; because of the amount of traffic, we were asked to drop out further out than is normal. We're looking at a two hour cruise to our final destination," Belirus replied. "I can understand it too. I don't think I've ever seen this many ships in one place before. Should I offer our assistance for traffic control? It seems to me that our flight control AI, Pyrania, could really help these folks out."
"If it's that bad, please do. People are already too much on edge to allow an accident to happen here," Ian replied.
"Agreed, that's why I asked. I'll give them a call right away. Belirus out."
Ian nodded to Jana as he stood to get out of the tub. He was aware of Jana's eyes on him as he headed back to the lockers to dry off and get dressed. He was starting to wish he'd brought Jenny along.
Thoughts of his mate brought back the memory of the argument they'd had the night before he left. Even Beth and Talena had sided with Jenny, as they had wanted to come as well. But the simple fact of the matter was that Jenny needed to stay while Star Dancer was in refit, Talena needed to remain as the wing commander of the ship, and all three of them needed to stay there for Cindy. When he told them why he wanted all of them to remain, it pretty much took all the fight out of them. None of them wanted to leave Cindy, but they didn't want him to go alone either. In the end, Ian had won, but the women had not been happy about it. He had only been gone six days, however, the encounter with Major Cromwell had reminded him how much he missed not only her advice and support, but the physical closeness he shared with Jenny.
As if summoned, his comm beeped at him again. This time it was the communications officer telling him his wife was calling. He chuckled and had them put her through. He set the small device on the shelf so he could look at her while he finished getting dressed. When her image appeared on the small screen he smiled at her. "I was just thinking about you."
Jenny's beamed a smiled at him. "Now that's the way to answer a call!" Her eyes got big though and she said, "Oh!"
Behind him, she saw Major Cromwell also getting dressed. The major must have heard her because she smiled and waved.
"Jana and I were in the hot tub relaxing after exercising. We just dropped out of hyperspace, so I was getting ready to go to the bridge," Ian explained.
"Wow, she's really beautiful; 'Jana' huh?" Jenny said raising an eyebrow at him. It was clear she was playing with him though.
Jana chuckled. "Relax Commander, I tried, but I couldn't talk him into it!"
"You turned her down?Are you feeling okay?" Jenny asked still pulling Ian's chain.
Ian just shook his head. "Did you call just to tease me, or is something up?"
Jenny chuckled as well. "I love teasing you! The reason I was calling is that Star Dancer is finished. I asked Laura Johnson to rechristen her tomorrow when she launches. Commodore Hawkins has already changed her designation in the official files to 'Battle Cruiser'. You should see Star, she's so proud of the new ship! It’s really nice to see her in such good spirits."
Ian nodded. "Yeah, I know the report we got from ARC about the change in Imperial tactics really seemed to bother her. The attack on the original Talos was a lot like these new attacks by the Empire. It was a surprise attack as well, although the Caldarians had always been targeting the civilians."
Jenny nodded. "That's probably it. I've made sure she can come talk to me if she wants to. She also has Janet she can talk to if she feels the need. Anyway, that's all I wanted to tell you, that and see how you're doing."
"I miss you and our family, but I imagine I'll be pretty busy now, at least until we leave." Ian sighed.
"So accept Jana's offer. It’s not like I don't know who you love. You need to have a clear head while you’re there. Do what you need to do to relax, its fine. Just come home to us soon please," Jenny replied, smiling. "Did you hear that, Jana?"
"Yes I did, Commander. I'll take good care of him for you," the beautiful woman behind Ian said.
"Jenny, you are an evil woman," Ian said.
She nodded. "That's why you love me! Now get to work, lazybones!" She winked before ending the call.
Jana lightly slapped him on the butt before walking out of the locker room. "See ya later, Sir."
Ian shook his head. "I swear, I'm gonna kill that woman!"
He heard Jana laughing as the door closed behind her.
Chapter 17
Alliance of Races Command
Office of the Fleet Admiral
ARC Main Campus
Delle Morsi System, Almaas Sector
Fleet Admiral H'joles was even larger in person than Ian had thought. He had to be at least eight feet tall and he looked to be all muscle. However, he was surprisingly gentle when he shook Ian's hand and welcomed him to High Command.
After the pleasantries had been exchanged, Ian got to the point. "Sir, I asked to see you because I would like to launch a mission deep into enemy held space. I currently have six Raptor teams on stand-by. They are briefed and ready to launch, if you approve. I would be sending them out with the specific purpose of locating the device that the Empire is using to move the ships to their destinations. In fact one of my team leaders thinks she might have a good idea as to where to begin." Ian continued on and explained the entire mission to the Fleet Admiral.
When he finished speaking, the large being leaned back and smiled. "With the rest of us on the verge of panic, you alone have come to me with an idea; a plan of action to get us back into this war. I noticed you did not mention what you would have your teams do if they found this device?"
"Sir, the destruction of this device has to be assured. We cannot allow the Empire to continue these terrorist attacks on our people. If we do as the Council is most likely to order us to do and spread the fleets out in order to protect the core worlds and important industrial facilities, we might as well just surrender, we would save more lives that way.
"As long as the Empire has the ability to drop their fleets anywhere they wish without any warning, they would simply destroy our forces by dropping in overwhelming force at each position. Even with the addition of the Terran stations, we could not hope to replace those ships fast enough to make a difference and that doesn't even take into account the lives of the crews.
"I'm not suggesting we do nothing and let our worlds burn. I am suggesting that our highest priority has to be given to finding and destroying that device as soon as possible, or this war is all but over. If we knew for certain that they had a limited amount of assets available or we knew how they were getting them to our galaxy as quickly as they are, then we could work with that, but until we know these things, we have to focus on this one task. I would never suggest such a thing lightly, Sir, but I would even be willing to consider the use a gravimetric bomb to ensure the device's destruction. It's that important."
H’joles was silent for a moment. But slowly nodded his agreement. "There is wisdom in your words, Admiral. But there is a problem." He typed in a few commands on his terminal and a large holographic screen took form behind Ian. In it, there was a very fussy image of three, ring-looking structures with a nebula in the background.
"We just received this from one of our civilian scout ships. While returning from a rebel supply run, they captured this image at extreme distance, in the place your Major Cromwell suggested, the Grimaria system. We believe that these are the devices th
e Empire is using to transport their ships to our worlds."
As he watched, the three devices seemed to light up and pulse. Because of the poor resolution due to distance, little else could be seen. H'joles continued.
"Although we cannot see them, the computers tell us the devices are surrounded by thousands of warships. We could not identify anything else about them, but the timing of this event matches the timing of the last attack, with a five second delay between this event and the arrival of the attack fleet. The distance between the two events is seven hundred and thirty-five light years."
"That's a hundred and fifty lights a second!" Ian said, astounded.
H'joles nodded. "So your Major is correct as to the location of the device. Unfortunately, the use of a gravimetric warhead here would end the lives of almost fifteen billion civilians. The area not only contains an Imperial Base, but there are nine heavily populated planets within twenty light years. No other missile or weapons would be able to get close enough to destroy this facility. I agree with you that it needs to be destroyed, but I don't see how even one of your Raptor teams could get close enough to it."
"With respect, Sir, I wouldn't bet against them. May I call them here to see if they have any ideas?" Ian asked.
H'joles nodded permission. "Just so you know, I already have our fleets on standby to move into protective postures for the core worlds. It is a forgone conclusion the Council will order this move. The public is far too panicked for us to do anything else. I agree with you about what the next move by the Empire will be, but there is not a lot that can be done at this point."
"On my home planet, we deal with terrorists and terror attacks on an almost weekly basis. To date, the only effective counter that has been found is to locate and destroy the support structure that enables them to carry out their missions. In this case, we cannot destroy the Empire, which is their primary support, however, we can disrupt, destroy, and pull off a few attacks of our own.
