“I wouldn’t mind being in on that conversation,” Henry replied. “I never thought the admiral had all this in him.”
“Connor, did Cole mention anything about the Barathists?” Lee asked, a new thought occurring to him. “Are there any plans for an invasion?”
“He didn’t mention it, but Jack ain’t always been forthcomin’ with information. I didn’t ask either.”
“What are you thinking, Lee?” Henry asked.
“Trinity came into the Ixloab system with that big gun and wiped them out because Lellda didn’t report in,” Lee started. “They had a full fleet and news coverage. The Alliance wanted to be sure the whole galaxy saw them take out the bad guys.”
“Yeah,” Henry said, baffled at the statement of the obvious. “So?”
“So why ain’t they done the same to the kittens?” Connor answered.
“Exactly. If Sylvester had been found out, his signal would have gone off and the Alliance would have come running. Since they haven’t yet, whoever the third contact is must still be there and still reporting in,” Lee explained.
“So that means whoever it is might be waiting for word from Chang,” Henry said. “The Barathists must be seeing the same thing we are on the news. If the Alliance is going after separatist groups, they might start looking for spies.”
“There’s more,” Lee added. “If Sylvester is still out there and reporting back…”
“Who’s he reportin’ to?” Connor finished, a dangerous edge entering his voice. “I’m starting to think there’s a lot more than we can handle here, Lee.”
“We’re on our own,” Lee replied with a grim expression. “I think we need to get the last spy out of there. I’m going to need everything we have or can get on the Barathists. Henry, can you get Farthing in here?”
“Sure,” Henry replied. “Of course, one of these days you’re going to have to visit the bridge too.”
“Later,” Lee replied, shaking off the intended joke. “Connor, I know you have some contacts on Aleinhelm…”
“I’ve already made the call,” Jakes replied. “I gotta ship on the way that might be good in a fight. Where should I send ‘em?”
“I got it!”
Lee was startled to see Alice standing on the table, pointing to a series of embedded equations. She waved her hands, turning the equations into an elongated arrow shape. Almost instantly, the numbers changed into a solid shape. Melaina tapped controls, bringing up the engine model Lee had seen before. This time, however, the M-space engine was surrounded by strange shapes. The whole construction seemed more organic than machine, but flowed from the basic sphere design. The new shape merged with the magnetic containment device and spread out. The new assembly shifted other parts as the equations retooled the entire structure into a hive-like design.
“There’s still too much missing here, but I might be able to extrapolate from this and formulate a purpose for the whole thing.”
“I don’t mean to intrude, but are you sure it’s supposed to look like that?” Lee asked, stepping back towards the table. “It doesn’t look like Alliance tech. Could it be Ch’Tauk?”
“The Ch’Tauk can’t innovate like this,” Melaina said. “They needed the Engineers to design everything for them.”
“What about those guys, then?” Connor asked. “The little guys were pretty smart for trans-dimensional beings with the powers of gods.”
“Your guess is as good as mine on that, but I don’t think so,” Melaina said, peering closer at the design and running more equations through the imager. “I worked with them for a year and didn’t know anything about them, so it could be possible, but I don’t think so.”
“Why?”
“Ch’Tauk engines are constructed different from ours, but not like this,” Melaina said. “When the Engineers created the design, they were less elegant and more utilitarian. A Ch’Tauk engine room looks less like ours and more like a small arena with a spinning disc in the center. This looks more like one of ours but built by someone who thinks in a different way.”
“What do you mean?”
“The basic constructs are all here,” Alice explained. “It just seems the whole thing has been integrated into an organic structure. It’s why it looked mostly standard when we ran the simulation earlier. The computer is trying to recognize things it knows. This batch of data changes the shapes into something else and the computer now has to accept the new format. Without the rest, this is what we have.”
“So what do we have?” Lee asked, still trying to make sense of the image. “It looks like an M-space engine. Is it a new revision to the standard design?”
Melaina stepped up. “No. This is something brand new. I think when we have the final part of this we will see something entirely different.”
“So what is it?”
“I’m not sure. I thought it was an M-space conduit system, but the simulations … well, you saw.”
The door opened again and Henry entered with Farthing in tow. The two men took a moment to stare at the simulation before coming over to Lee’s side. Farthing seemed taken aback by the sight. Lee noted his crest had sprung up almost immediately before he regained his composure.
“Commander,” Lee began. “We need to know everything about the Barathists.”
“Yes sir,” Farthing replied, tearing his gaze from the strange geometry. “I anticipated your request and accessed the Allied News network data files.”
“You are getting to be a good pirate yourself, Farthin’,” Connor said with a grin. “If I didn’t have the twins around I might recruit you.”
“The Barathists are a breakaway sect of the Vadne government,” Farthing said without responding to Jakes. “They are led by a former senator named Gourahaardt.”
“Gourahaardt?” Lee said. “That doesn’t sound like a Vadne name.”
“It is a mnemonic for his real name. As you know, Vadne names are usually assigned after we have been assigned to a fleet. My own name was given by my father. They represent things of value to the people we work with. The Barathists do not believe in this. They use names derived from their original names, which are unpronounceable by most species.”
“So they’re traditionalists,” Henry asked. “It seems they are like both the Ixloab and the Raoists. They are Vadne for Vadne.”
“In a way, yes. However, where the Ixloab and Raoists are inclined to violence, the Barathists are pacifistic.”
“So they couldn’t be behind the explosion on Vadne?” Henry asked.
“Not exactly. It is an interpretation of pacifism most would disagree with. While they themselves do not believe in committing acts of violence, it doesn’t mean they couldn’t have contracted the action through others. Intrigue is an old art form practiced on Vadne.”
“So the Barathists could have hired mercenaries to disrupt the peace conference,” Lee added. “It still doesn’t make any sense. They wanted the Ch’Tauk to defeat the Terrans so they could absorb the Ch’Tauk Empire. Now that the humans have won, why don’t they join back into the Alliance?”
“The situation is more complex, sir. By having the Vadne come to the aid of you humans, the Barathists were shamed. It is now more a matter of pride. There are more items they protest, in any case. To the Barathists, the Alliance is too egalitarian. My people came to the aid of the humans and thus, as far as they are concerned, the Terrans should now be the governed.”
“Where are these people headquartered?” Lee asked. “If we wanted to pay a visit and see the sights.”
“The coordinates have already been entered into the navigational array, Captain,” Farthing replied. “The planet is called Grakii. It is part of a binary system and quite warm as I am led to understand. Perfect for my people.”
“Commander,” Jakes asked. “You wouldn’t be havin’ second thoughts about this mission, now would you?”
“Captain, I would be lying if I didn’t have reservations after what happened to the Ixloab,” Farthing explaine
d. “I am your first officer and will do what is needed, but I would ask that we try to keep the violence to a minimum. The Barathists might be separatists, but they are my people.”
Lee stared at the tall felinoid for a long time. The noise of the scientists working on the encryption seemed to fade as the captain looked to his most trusted officer. A slight tremor entered into Lee’s hand as he moved it away from his side. He held his hand out to Farthing, waiting for the other man to grasp it. When he did, Lee pulled the Vadne in close.
“Commander,” Lee whispered in the Vadne’s long ear. “I understand what you are saying, but if you ever imply again what I think you are implying, I will personally shove you out the airlock. We have been friends for too long for this to get in between us. Do you understand?”
The crest dividing the top of Farthing’s skull rose slightly before the man calmed. In the years they had been together, Farthing had never questioned his captain’s orders, nor had he given cause to make his friend angry. The threat was real, though, and Farthing knew better than to question it. He pulled back, looking at the human with large eyes.
“We can get underway as soon as you give the order,” the Vadne said. “I can get us going as soon as I get to the bridge.”
“Not this time,” Lee said. “I think I need to get back to the bridge. In the meantime, why don’t you work with the scientists and see what you can interpret in this data. I’ve been told you are pretty good at this stuff.”
“Yes sir,” Farthing replied, as he watched his captain step through the door and away.
Jakes stepped close. “Farthin’, old friend, I think you may have just found the limit of our leader’s limitless patience.”
“I hope not, Captain Jakes. He will need that patience if he is to deal with the Barathists.”
18
As the energy corona bled off from the shielded hull of Resolute and the view screen cleared, Lee marveled at the beauty of the Barathists’ chosen system. A swollen red dwarf launched plumes of energy outwards in a nearly continual display of solar brilliance. As the streamers of color wound through the inner system, they reflected from icy crystals floating in a halo around the star. Strange energies dissipated the display and spread the over wide swaths of space. Beyond the ring, a rocky, dead world orbited, pockmarked with impacts both new and ancient. At a distance of over six astronomical units, a second star, brilliant and young, orbited in its own smaller system. Nearly midway between the two, the planet Grakii floated serenely.
The planet had two wide seas to the north and south of a band of yellow at the equator. A single moon orbited, shepherding the hot gasses and other objects away from its mother planet. Lee had never seen a system put together in such perfect artistic splendor. He knew Farthing’s home world was mostly desert, and for the Barathists to have found a planet so closely identical was amazing. The moment of wonder passed and Lee was forced to acknowledge their circumstances.
“I want a tactical scan of the whole system on my arm in ten,” Lee ordered the octopod tactical officer. “Farthing, order the Demons to launch. Spread wide and keep their eyes open. They may be pacifists, but I have a healthy respect for your people no matter where they live.”
“Wise philosophy,” Farthing replied, tapping keys on his panel. “Demons report ready and launching in thirty seconds.”
“Josh, get constant coordinates ready for a jump. If I even think Trinity is behind us, I want to be gone.”
“Aye,” Goldstein replied crisply. “I’m running the numbers hot.”
The bridge doors opened and Henry Moore stepped in, followed closely by Connor Jakes. The two men separated immediately, with Henry stepping around the bridge to stand by Farthing’s communications station. Jakes lowered himself into the command well and waited at Lee’s shoulder.
“Cap’n, I just wanted to let you know my ride is due any second,” Jakes began. “I just don’t want you to blow the thing out of space before I even got a chance to ride in her.”
“Just so long as they don’t fly into my crosshairs, Connor,” Lee replied. “What happened to the old one? Couldn’t you steal another one?”
“Peace ain’t real good for pirates, Cap’n,” Jakes said with a smile. “Besides, I think I might try goin’ legitimate for once.”
“I thought the Corsairs were all aboard?” Henry asked from the other side of the bridge.
“Now, you know better than to have all your eggs in one basket and all that,” Jakes replied.
“Captain, I’m receiving a signal,” Farthing announced, breaking the moment. “We’ve got company.”
“Who is it?” Lee said, his attention now riveted on the heads-up display. “M-space translation vector?”
“Negative,” Goldstein said. “They were hiding behind us. Tactical scan didn’t pick them up. I think they were using the interference from the solar eruption.”
“Who are they?” Lee asked, finally seeing the red dots closing from behind. “Alliance or Barathists?”
“They’re Vadne ships, but I’m not sure who. Transponders aren’t registering on our database.”
“Bring the Demons around and get us broadside to those ships,” Lee ordered. “Bring up shields to full and charge the cannons.”
Lee watched as the image shifted on the projection. Resolute could turn in space on a central pivot if needed, and had used the maneuver in combat. In this instance, she needed to expose her ventral cannons to the oncoming ships. Lee’s chair display showed three incoming ships approaching fast. Vadne ships fired solid rods rather than plasma energy and Lee wanted to be sure his weapons were ready to intercept if needed.
“More incoming from in-system,” Josh announced. “We’re jump-blocked. I think I can get us open for both sides.”
Lee saw the ships now, coming in from the far edges of the display. The Barathists had lived in the shadow of the double system for so long they had learned how to hide in the darkness. As he watched, the ships spread wide, encircling the battleship in a deadly circle. The options were diminishing fast, and Lee didn’t see an exit that didn’t involve blowing things up. He looked to his first officer apologetically. Farthing glanced back, nodding in acceptance of the situation.
“Inform fire crews to target engines and shields. Try to keep us from getting turned into Swiss cheese, okay?” Lee ordered the octopod.
The weapons officer let out a small sound of acknowledgement. He didn’t want to escalate this any further. He searched the display for any route that would take them from battle. The Demons were spread wide as well, trying to keep cover on their mother ship.
“Sir,” Farthing announced. “Incoming M-space translation. Coming in from … above.”
“More company?” Lee said. “We need to get out quick, Josh. Find out who’s sending the blocker signal and target that ship.”
“Aye,” Goldstein replied. “I think I got it. Sending the coordinates over to tactical.”
“This is gettin’ intense,” Jakes said, trying to break the tension. “I’d back off a bit, Cap’n. Have you tried askin’ them who the hell they are?”
Lee looked back at the pirate. In the excitement of the moment, he had completely forgotten to send a hail. Farthing, too, had missed the opportunity in the midst of battle preparations. He wondered when it had happened that they reacted with aggression and not common sense. Looking back to Farthing, he nodded his head at the embarrassed felinoid. Farthing’s crest had risen, but he smoothed it back with a long fingered hand.
“Sending friendship hails,” Farthing said. “In Vadne as well as Common.”
“In the meantime, someone find out who is coming out of that vortex.”
“It’s small, sir. Not much bigger than a private yacht. I don’t think its Alliance, but the Vadne ships are turning.”
Lee saw the ships changing formation. Instead of circling Resolute, they were forming a wide oval which encompassed the vortex. Lee saw the fireball exit the blue hole in space and turn sharply tow
ards the nearest Vadne ship. It was a strange maneuver considering most ships were blind upon exit from M-space. Connor stepped forward around the command chair and looked closely at the vessel.
“There she is,” he said to the bridge. “Sweet Liberty Too.”
As Lee watched, the energy corona evaporated, leaving a smallish vessel with a strange profile. Most private vessels, including Connor’s predecessor to the new ship, were built along the same lines. Graceful curves and folded induction ports created artistic pieces which showed the galaxy the wealth of their owners. The new ship, however, was low and angular. Flattened angles reflected the reddish light of the solar storm. The nose of the ship was a flat wedge with a deep cutout, hinting at hidden weapons ports. A series of short, wing-like projections erupted from the sides of the ship, making it appear like a predatory bird. The hull was black. Lee didn’t think it was painted, but created in that matte color.
“We’re getting overlapping signals,” Farthing said. “I’ve got one from the Vadne and one from the … uh … Sweet Liberty?”
“I can take my call over here,” Jakes said, stepping to the rear sensor console. “Put the kittens on the big screen. No offense.”
“I’ll try not to take any this time,” Farthing replied. “I’ll pipe the Barathists’ signal overhead. It is audio only.”
“Alright. Let’s hear it.”
“Alliance battleship, this is the Barathist defense fleet. We will not initiate aggression, but we will respond with force if such is used against us. Please identify yourself.”
“Barathist vessel, this is the battleship Resolute. We are not here to attack. We are looking for someone and would like to parley for information,” Lee announced.
“That’s a real nice captainin’ voice, Lee,” Jakes said from behind. “It beats mine. I always think I sound like a duck over this thing.”
Lee sent a look of annoyance over his shoulder at the other man. Jakes smiled back before Henry Moore stepped in between them. There was silence from the other ship. Lee hoped the separatists were considering his request and not preparing for another attack. There was a sound from the left and Lee looked to the octopod. The creature was tapping buttons wildly with his multiple arms.
Resolute Alliance (The War for Terra Book 6) Page 15
