by GARY DARBY
“Terrania Five, in the opposite direction, at twenty-nine light-years.”
Teng Rhee studied the imagery for several moments before he straightened and crossed his arms. “If what I’m thinking is even remotely correct, general, your scouts are in grave danger. More than ever.”
“From what?” Rosberg demanded.
“This may be nothing more than pure speculation on my part,” Teng conceded, “and I fully admit it’s only a guess, but it’s the one thing that would make sense.”
“I’m listening,” Rosberg answered in a gruff voice, “but I don’t put much stock in wild hunches or guesses.”
“I understand, sir,” Teng replied. “When I was interrogating the Faction prisoners at Epsilon Four, one of them offered up some information that at first I assumed was pure nonsense.
“In fact, I thought the man had gone through one too many radiation storms that had fried his brain.
“But on the off-chance that there might be something to it, I correlated his information with other pieces of data that had come into SOG and found that there was enough of a measurable probability that I needed to look into it.”
He gestured toward the vu-screen. “I shared what little I knew with Admiral Stannick, and she let me use the Intrepid in the search. That’s how we found the SlipShip.
“However, I wasn’t looking for the SlipShip, but something else entirely. And after what’s happened to the Imperium, the High Council, and now this, I’m beginning to think that I wasn’t that far off.”
“Go on,” Rosberg ordered, “what are we talking about here?”
“That the Faction has acquired at least one nova device,” Teng said soberly. “Or maybe more, and they intend to use it on Sarpens Two’s star as a demonstration to the rest of the inhabited worlds of what will happen if they don’t accede to the new order.”
There was complete silence in the room for a few seconds before Teng gestured toward the hologram.
“The demilitarized zone between the Combine and the Sadocs would be a perfect place to detonate the device. It’s sparsely populated in terms of stars and inhabited worlds, and what’s more, almost all of Imperium space would see the explosion.
“It would also accomplish two other things. First, it’s no secret that Adiak Peller hates the Star Scouts. To him, putting all his rotten eggs in one place is an obvious tactic to rid himself of your scouts in one fell blow.
“Second, next to the Imperium, the Sadocs and the Combine have the most powerful military forces. Show them what you’re capable of doing to their civilization by exploding a star and whatever notion they had of carving out their own empire would be gone in mere seconds.”
Stannick leaned toward the vu-screen. “Teng, in all honesty, at the time you were trying to convince me that the Faction was trying to acquire a nova device I thought you were pulling on some mighty thin threads to weave that story.”
She met Rosberg’s stare with a little nod. “Sorry to say, Ty, but it does add up.”
“How did the Faction make contact with the Mongans?” Shar sputtered. “What could the Faction possibly offer in exchange for a nova device?”
“Doesn’t matter, Shar,” Rosberg muttered with a brusque wave of his hand. “Rhee’s rationale, frightening as it is, makes sense. We’ve been wondering how the High Council could simply abdicate power and authority to Peller, let him dissolve the council and the Grand Charter.”
He clenched and unclenched his fists. “This is the answer. He blackmailed them. Held it over their heads that if they didn’t, he’d blow up someone’s home star. Who knows? In his insanity for supreme power, he might even have threatened to destroy Sol for all we know.
“Peller’s got the Mongan technology, and now he intends to use it. To show everyone in and out of the Imperium what their fate will be if they resist.”
He turned anguished eyes to Stannick. “Cait, I can’t just sit here and do nothing while that madman makes plans to slaughter thousands of Star Scouts. I hate to ask, but can you help us out?”
Just then, a Navy commander entered the vu-screen image and whispered in Stannick’s ear. She nodded and mumbled something in return.
With a curt nod, the man hustled away and Stannick turned back to the discussion. “Sorry for the interruption. That was my senior flag aide, Commander Manley.”
Her face and lips tightened to match her eyes. “Ty, a few hours ago I was tipped off to the fact that our beloved supreme leader ordered my arrest and immediate return to Earth to meet his so-called fair and equitable brand of justice. Meaning, of course, my execution.”
“What!?” Rosberg’s exclamation was a loud bellow. “Those—”
Stannick held up a hand to stop him. “Fortunately, the executioners haven’t arrived yet, and I’m not going to be here when they do.
“I hate to turn tail and run, but real justice died with the Grand Charter’s demise, and I’m not going to sacrifice myself just to face an inquisition stacked with Peller’s Faction lackeys as judges.
“And I’m not going to start a civil war between my loyal commanders and those who are in bed with the new regime. As of right now, I can offer only limited help.”
She motioned with one hand toward Federov. “Captain, you’ve heard the score, are you willing to accept one last order from me?”
Federov straightened and without hesitation answered, “Absolutely, ma’am.”
“Good,” she replied. “This is a little odd but under the circumstances it seems to make sense. I’m detaching you from the fleet, and at this moment attaching you to Star Scout Command under General Rosberg. You’ll take your orders directly from him, is that understood?”
“Perfectly, ma’am.”
She turned to Teng Rhee. “Teng, I’m turning the SlipShip over to Rosberg as well. You may not like that, but in my opinion, it’s what we need to do.”
Teng nodded in understanding. “Given the circumstances, I concur. We certainly can’t let it fall into Peller’s hands.”
“Cait,” Rosberg asked as he peered at Stannick, “what are you planning?”
“In about two minutes,” she replied, “I’m going to be on my personal corvette making a hole in space. Then, we’ll see how many of my fleet commanders are willing to throw their lot in with me, all very covertly, of course.
“After that . . .” She shrugged as if implying she didn’t know what the future held.
Nodding in understanding Rosberg turned to Tuul. “Shar?”
“Waiting for your orders, sir,” Shar replied.
Rosberg turned his head to peer at the cosmic hologram. “You and your team meet me at Orionus Three,” he ordered. “That’s on the d-zone’s border. Do you have any ideas or plan in mind to save our scouts?”
“As a matter of fact, sir,” Shar replied, “I’ve got a crazy scheme that I’ve been thinking about that just might work.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” Rosberg responded. “We’ll talk about it once we link up.”
Rosberg drew in a breath and turned sad eyes to Stannick. “Cait, I’m─”
Stannick raised a quick hand to stop him. “Ty, we’ve never had soapy goodbyes before, let’s not start now. But I had to make sure you received this message first before I boosted outta here.”
“And I sincerely thank you for that,” Rosberg replied.
She gave them all a quick nod. “Stannick, out.”
Rosberg raised a hand in farewell as the screen went dark. He stared at the vu-screen for a long time before muttering, “Our world seems to splitting apart around us, Scoutmaster.
“Peller has the ability to destroy a star and our scouts without a second thought. And now Cait Stannick is running for her life from a government that she served with complete loyalty for over forty years.”
“With all due respect, general,” Tarracas answered. “Who and what sits at Geneva now bears no resemblance to those she or we once served.
“We owe no loyalty there
; instead, our loyalty must now rest squarely with each other and our imperiled scout mates.”
“You are right, Scoutmaster,” Rosberg conceded. He glanced around and asked Federov, “Captain, is Zephyr Four on board yet?”
Over the communicator, Federov questioned his officer-of-the-deck before replying to Rosberg, “Yes sir, just cleared the airlock for set down.”
“Good,” Rosberg replied. “Have my scout officers report here, plus yourself, Commander Jeth, and our two Sha’anay friends.”
A few minutes later, a grim-faced Rosberg stood before the small group and repeated Stannick’s and Shar Tuul’s message.
“We’ve got two immediate problems facing us. First, to save our scout mates on Sarpens Two. Colonel Tuul says he’s got something up his sleeve, so we’ll see what that is when we link up. But we can’t forget about Captain Marrel and Lieutenant Thorne.”
His jaw and neck muscles visibly tightened and his voice was a throaty rasp. “Obviously, time is not on our side, so we’ve got to come up with a strategy that we can execute quickly.”
He turned to Tor’al and asked, “Elder, is there anything your people could do to help us out? I know it’s asking a lot, and it’s not necessarily your fight, but we would be forever grateful for whatever help you could provide.”
Tor’al hesitated and didn’t respond. Instead, he brought one hand up to stroke the fur at his chin in a thoughtful manner. When he did reply, it was a slow, throaty rumble.
“I will send a message to the Korha’pec letting them know of the evil ones here. Of a certainty, they will send a sizeable task force to deal with the Mongans.
“On the other matter to which you speak, the council must decide whether or not to send the Sha’anay against your enemies in the Sarpens system.
“But if you will provide transportation for the cub and me, I will go to my House and bring back my warriors to fight alongside you.”
Rosberg laid a grateful hand on Tor’al’s big arm. “Thank you, Tor’al, we are in your debt. How soon could you get your people to the demilitarized zone?”
“Unfortunately, it would be several of your days,” Tor’al answered, “perhaps more.”
“Several days,” Rosberg muttered, “I’d hoped for sooner.”
“Sir,” Teng spoke up and stepped forward. “What if we used the SlipShip to transport Elder Tor’al and El’am? It might cut down on the time.”
Rosberg turned to Jeth. “Commander, if you had the approximate location of Tor’al’s ships, do you think you could work out the matrix connection points?”
Jeth got a faraway look in her eyes as if she were visualizing the problem. “If we did it in short jumps, I think we’d avoid the problem of over- or undershooting. Yes sir, I believe we could do it.”
Rosberg turned to Tor’al and asked, “How about it, elder? Are you willing to take a ride on the SlipShip back to your people? We could definitely use your help on this one.”
Tor’al gave a quick nod in answer. “I understand your thoughts, Rosberg, and I believe that this is what my adopted son Dason would also desire, that we make every effort to save his clan mates. So yes, I am willing to take the chance.”
Teng Rhee took a quick step forward and addressed Rosberg, “Sir, with your permission, I’d appreciate the opportunity to accompany the elder. I’ve gotten pretty familiar with the SlipShip flight controls; this would give me additional training.”
Rosberg eyed him for several seconds before giving him a nod of assent and a quick, “Granted.”
He then turned to Federov. “Captain, please make the necessary preparations to get the SlipShip underway with our Sha’anay allies and Mr. Rhee aboard. I’ll be down shortly.”
With that, Federov led Tor’al, El’am, Teng and Jeth out, leaving Rosberg facing the remaining scout leaders. “There’s an old military axiom warning commanders to be wary of splitting their forces just before the battle.
“However, under the circumstances, I don’t see any alternative. Before we split up, there’s a matter that I need to address in front of this company.”
Motioning with one hand, he had Alena step forward. “Lieutenant Romer, given that you and I may not ever meet again, and that I may never have a chance to say this in the future, I had best take care of this matter now.”
He paused to let his eyes meet hers. “I don’t know all of the circumstances of why you forsook your scout oath, or why you felt the need to conduct yourself in a manner unbecoming to a Star Scout officer.
“There is no doubt that you broke your oath, committed acts that were unworthy of one of my officers and that cast shame on a brave and loyal Star Scout, your mother, Star Scout Sergeant Bethany Simms.”
At the mention of her mother, Alena’s whole body jerked as if Rosberg had taken a whip to her back. She hung her head, unable to meet Rosberg’s penetrating stare and several sharp breaths escaped her lips.
“However,” Rosberg continued, “just before your team boosted to the planet, Lieutenant Thorne transmitted a recording to me that he had made a few days earlier.
“In it, he gave a full accounting of your actions since the AP planet. In addition, each of your team members offered their own testimony of your behavior and actions.
“Lieutenant Thorne also provided his official recommendation for a resolution of the matter.
“I have given careful consideration to this report, which in essence states that you accorded yourself with distinction and that your subsequent actions have been in full harmony with the Scout Oath. Therefore, I will fully endorse his recommendation.
“Though I wish your team leader were present to witness this; nevertheless, in front of your fellow scout officers and in the recording that I will incorporate within the log of this vessel, Star Scout Lieutenant Alena Romer, I am absolving you of all misconduct, and returning you to full faith and authority as a Star Scout officer.
“You have earned a second chance, scout, I strongly suggest that you use it well.”
Alena’s head jerked up, and she stared at Rosberg with disbelieving eyes. Her voice caught, and she had to take a moment before she could answer.
“Sir, thank you. I never expected this, and this means everything to me. Believe me when I say that I won’t mess it up this time.”
“That’s all I ask, scout,” Rosberg muttered.
Tarracas stepped next to her and asked, “Weight lifted?”
Alena nodded at Tarracas, eyes brimming with grateful tears. “Like a neutron star off the shoulders, Scoutmaster.”
“Good,” Rosberg grumped, “that’s settled. Now, let’s get back to work.”
He paused for just a second before he turned to Alena. “Lieutenant, I’m leaving you and Team Thorne behind with Zephyr Four. The remaining scouts are coming with me.
“I want you to restock your scouter with the idea that you could be in for a long haul and might not be able to resupply for some time.
“Your mission will be to monitor the Mongans, and if you have the opportunity, rescue Thorne, and hopefully, Captain Marrel as well.
“If you’re able to do that, inform Marrel and Thorne that the team is to operate independently until you are able to link up with us in the d-zone at or near Orionus Three. Do you understand your orders, Lieutenant Romer?”
“Understood, sir,” Alena answered.
Rosberg turned and pointed at Stinneli. “Doctor, you’re to go with the Zephyr Four crew; there’s a chance that Captain Marrel and Lieutenant Thorne may need medical aid.”
Rosberg held out his hand to Alena for her to shake. “Just do your best. That’s all anyone can ever ask of any of us. Scouts Out and good luck.”
After the other scouts had bid Alena, Shanon and the others a quick farewell, Alena turned to the team. “You heard the man,” she declared, “and as our team leader would say, let’s get to it, we have work to do.”
Chapter Six
Star date: 2443.113
In Search of Jadar Marrel
Raising a limp hand, Dason tried to ward off a steady stream of soil, rocks, and roots that rained down on him. Entrapped in a mound of earth and tangled roots, he struggled to free himself against the weight.
Pushing against the dirt, he reached over to try and grab a stringy vine to help pull himself upright.
Just as he did, a spiny head with gnashing, needle-sharp teeth lunged at him out of the gloom.
Dason jerked his head back with the aqua-monster’s fierce jaws snapping just centimeters from his face.
Yanking his other hand free, he grabbed an arm-sized branch, and beat at the thing’s head. He jerked from side to side to avoid the savage, open jaws from ripping open his flesh.
A final vicious blow brought a fountain of greenish blood, and the creature dropped lifeless to the ground.
Dason pulled himself away from the clinging pile of dirt and roots, and snapped on his vest lights. Sharp light beams caught the black eyes of several more piranha creatures.
Entangled in an overhanging curtain of roots they thrashed and wriggled, trying to free themselves and renew their attack on their prey, Dason.
He had no illusions that the mat of thin roots would hold back the creatures for long. Whirling around, he frantically searched for his L-gun that must have dropped when he fell through the sinkhole.
A glint of dullish gray caught his eye and he dove away from the frenzied beasts to grab his weapon. He spun up on one knee and let loose two scarlet laser beams that tore through roots and the creatures’ dirt-covered bodies.
Dason coughed at the smell of burning flesh that wafted through the air. He reached up with grimy fingers and his forearm to wipe dirt and sweat away from his eyes.
He swiftly surveyed the small space to ensure that he had killed the last of the carnivorous things that had fallen into the pit with him.
Satisfied that there weren’t more of the ravenous beasts, he glanced upward through the ragged hole to the dark sky some ten meters above his head.
He tapped on his communicator. “Zephyr Four, this is Thorne.” He waited but no answer came so he repeated his call. Once again, there was no answer.
