Gunter and Loraine entered the lock and closed the hatch. Dave saw them disappear from view as they opened the far door of the lock.
“Sir I found it” hailed a triumphant Gunter.
“What is it?”
“One of the heat exchangers has packed it in.”
“It’s supposed to be brand new.”
“True Sir but these things either last forever or fail in the first 500 hours. We’re just unlucky.”
“Can we replace it?”
“Yes Sir. Loraine has just put in the order.”
“What and the delivery boy will be here in a moment then.”
“Pretty much Sir but it will take us an hour to get the old one out and the new one in.”
“Good work Chief, I mean Lt. You too Sgt.”
“No worries Sir. You better get back and get your beauty sleep.”
“Did I tell you we don’t pay you enough Gunter?”
“Yes you did Sir. In fact with this promotion of yours I’ll be getting less pay.”
“Really?”
“Yes really.”
“Leave it with me Gunter. I’ll look after you.”
“Thank you Sir.”
Chapter 21. Resolute in warp to Klaster 0800, 14 May
Dave yawned as he entered the mess for breakfast. He should have been there half an hour ago but like many on board had overslept having lost two hours sleep in the wee hours.
Jasmin came in shortly after and Dave asked her to join his table.
“Well done Jasmin for last night or should I say this morning” said Dave and he promptly yawned.
“Thank you Sir. Does that happen a lot?”
“What my yawning?”
She smiled “no Sir the gravity well failing.”
“No very rare. It’s only the second time it’s happened to me in fifteen years. You’re just lucky.”
Ivan sat down at their table next to Jasmin and gave her a warm smile. “An eventful night” he said.
“Yes it was” said Jasmin. “I was wondering how I was going to stay awake but that little drama did the trick. I didn’t bother knocking on your door. I hailed the Captain.”
“That’s OK, next time.”
Dave couldn’t help notice Ivan’s eyes locked onto Jasmin’s.
Chase came running in, grabbed a plate of cereal and a juice and sat down next to Ivan. “Don’t forget we’re due for that training session in fifteen?”
“Well you better get a move on buddy” said Ivan as he took a leisurely mouthful of his own cereal.
Chase leant forward craning his neck to see across Ivan “Good morning Jasmin.”
“Good morning Chase.”
“I told you things happen around here.”
She laughed “so you did.”
Ivan motioned to leave. Chase stayed seated. “Training session!” said Ivan.
“Yeah save me a seat.”
Ivan gave him a disapproving look that Chase was deliberately ignoring.
“Come on ol’ buddy. Get going” said Ivan as he grabbed his collar and lifted.
“Alright, I’m coming. See you later Jasmin” said Chase.
“Sure” said Jasmin.
“Yes see you later” said Ivan.
“You too Ivan” said Jasmin and she gave him a smile.
As Chase passed Ivan in the corridor back to their cabins he said “that was a nice smile she gave me.”
“In your dreams Chase. In your dreams” said Ivan.
Chapter 22. Resolute in warp to Klaster 2235, 14 May
The lights were out in his cabin and Ivan lay in his bed reflecting on the day. This was something he did most nights now. He put it down to his introverted personality. But then a thought occurred to him, ‘I didn’t do this that much when I had Sherri.’ A wry smile came over his face when he realised that was because they were too busy being with each other, talking or making love.
A minute later after his train of thought had gone elsewhere he realised that normally he would have dipped into a sad spot after thinking about her but not this time. It was over a year now since he had lost her and yet his memory of her was still vivid. ‘Something’s happened’ he observed to himself. But he couldn’t pick it.
He recalled how he and Chase had both been attracted to Jasmin earlier on. ‘He’s such a boy.’ But then Ivan had to admit that Chase was only a couple of years younger than him. ‘We’re both young men and yet we’ve both seen and done so much in the last year. It’s been a brutal business so far and all the prospects are that it’s going to become even more so.’
He swallowed hard as he realised they were scheduled to warp into Beta Phi in just a week’s time. ‘This could be the last week of my life.’
‘Stop it’ he counselled himself and he rolled over onto his side and recalled that image of Sherri in his cabin aboard the Hermes. That was the image he usually fell asleep to.
A minute later he rolled back onto his back and said to himself ‘It’s not enough any more.’ His hands felt desperate to hold someone. ‘I don’t want to die alone’ and he pounded his chest with his fist and added ‘in here, in here.’
A few cabins down Jasmin Morales also lay on her bed. She too was in a reflective mood. She had always been a ‘serious’ person. ‘A deep thinker’ her mother used to say. But she rarely spoke with her mother these days, not since their falling out over her joining the Fleet. Jasmin wondered what her mother was feeling right now. They had parted badly a year ago shortly after her decision to join up.
She still messaged her father though. He was more tolerant. “She’ll come around” he had said…but not so far. Initially her determination to chart her own course had kept the feeling of rejection at bay. But now millions of kilometres from home, with the prospect of battle looming, it was no longer enough.
‘You are strong’ she lectured herself, mirroring the words her father used to say to her. And it was true, she knew that in her core. But she also knew that strength alone was not enough.
She wanted so much to be held. She recalled the last time she had been. She could still see Richard’s face. It had been a mistake. She had just used him and he her. Two lost souls in need of comfort. That was four months ago now back in Nova Vista.
The emptiness inside her yearned to be filled. Her hands descended to the inside of her thighs and she began to rub upwards to her groin. Then she shook her head and rolled over onto her side. ‘Sleep Jasmin’ she commanded.
Chase stopped pacing around the command centre. His watch had only fifteen minutes to run. He glanced at the screen, nothing had changed. It was as well. He recalled that smile Jasmin had given him earlier in the day. There was a pleasing warmth to it. A smile came across his face.
He paced some more and thought of actually knocking on her door when he got off. But then he knew that wouldn’t go down well. He felt a twinge where he had been wounded and gave his shoulder a rub. The expression on his face changed to annoyed. ‘Fuck this war’ he thought.
If he was honest with himself, and that was not always the case, he was still smarting at having his leave cut short. He had hung out with some of his old uni mates, drinking far too much. They were in civvy jobs, climbing the corporate ladder and they were getting themselves laid regularly. Josh had even got himself engaged. He was envious. ‘Fuck this war’ he said to himself again.
Part 3
Into Battle
March to the sound of the guns my lad
That’s where the enemy will be had
Throw off your reluctance, cast off your fear
Take up your weapon and pick up your gear
Firm your resolve and set your mind
It’s a deadly business you’ve been assigned
Summon your courage and stop that prattle
There’s no time to lose, you’re off into battle
Chapter 1. Resolute over Klaster 0910, 20 May
“Jasmin broadcast all transmissions ship wide” said Dave.
�
��Roger that” said Jasmin.
“Coming out of Warp in 1 minute” said Aubrey. She had the watch. “Initiate cloaking. Fighters standby. Coming out of warp in 3, 2, 1.”
There was dead quiet for the 30 seconds while the sensors detected and the AI processed.
“Two lights, friendly” said John Conrad “Sydney…..and Washington.”
“No active radar detection on us yet” said Jasmin.
“One heavy shuttle in geo stationary” said John.
“No hails” said Jasmin.
Rihan looked with a smile at Dave. Aubrey turned to face him too, also smiling. Crystal was standing behind John’s station and she looked elated. Ivan was smiling and Chase finally said “Yes!”
“Jasmin can you please hail Control. Let ‘em know we’ve arrived”
“My pleasure Sir” said Jasmin. They all listened with delight as Klaster Control was flumaxed. Finally she said “will this help?”
“Deactivate cloaking” ordered Aubrey and a huge cheer went up inside the ship.
“Very funny” said the voice at Control.
“Control this is Resolute” said Aubrey “permission to launch top cover, four Lightnings, Lima Alpha 1 to 4.”
“Really…of course. Welcome to the friendly skies.”
On the internal channel Chase hailed the fighter ops “launch CAP.”
“Also Control” said Aubrey “permission to conduct fighter exercises for up to 12 Limas throughout the course of our stay.
“Go for it Resolute. The more the merrier. Please advise on each launch and recovery.”
“Roger that Control.” Aubrey nodded to Chase.
“Fighter Ops you are clear to commence exercising. Advise Klaster Control on each launch and recovery” hailed Chase.
“Wilco” said Li Nahn’s ops officer.
Another voice came on line. “This is Cmdr Adair, base commander Klaster, Sunray Resolute please identify yourself.”
“Hello Liz.”
“Captain Warner no less. I should have known. Welcome back. That’s one clever ship you’ve got there.”
“That’s not the half of it Liz. I’d like to show you around and discuss some business. Are you free?”
“Ha, why not.”
“I’ll send down a warthog. Can you be ready in 30.”
“I was born ready Dave. You know that. Have you made an honest women of my predecessor yet.”
“Affirmative.”
“About time. Is she on board?”
“Whisky1 you are clear for launch” hailed Chase.
“Roger that we are oscar mike” hailed Parinya.
“Howdy Liz” said Rihan.
“How did you manage to be hitched and still working together?”
“I’ll tell you all about it when you come up.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Sir I have a Commander Suzuki for you” said Jasmin.
“Put her through.”
“Reina.”
“Sir welcome back. Neat arrival.”
“Yes it is Reina. Can you come over?”
“Sure I’m on my way.”
“I also have the commander of the Sydney for you Sir.”
“Patch him through.”
“LCmd Debeck here.”
“Herb this is Dave Warner how are you?”
“Much better now. What’s this behemoth you’ve arrived in?”
“Come on over the tour starts in 25.”
“I’ll be there. Ooh, I see you have fighters. Things are looking up.”
The command centre was all go as warthogs were despatched and received between the ships above Klaster. Li Nahn commenced rapid launch and recovery drills. In between agreed schedules of these Jim Bucknell slotted in a boarding exercise with three of the warthogs. Julian Smythe hailed Aubrey to complain about the noise on H deck where Jim’s troops were blasting their way through the corridor outside his new workspace.
Mary Chernside seconded Val’s team to serve as simulated patients for a casevac exercise and Gunter’s damage control teams were being put through their paces throughout the ship. In fact Aubrey had to put a stop to the random selection of locations for these because of the interference with all the other activities, much to Gunter’s disgust. Gunter argued about the loss of realism, but it held no weight with Aubrey.
So when Dave and Rihan went down to G deck to greet the commanders of the two frigates it was a busy scene indeed. It was also a noisy scene and after the initial greetings and a quick look around G deck Dave led them out of the hangars for a quick tour of the ship.
In both cases the XO’s of the two frigates accompanied their commanders. During the tour he could not help noting that Gennadi Petrik the Washington XO kept looking at him. Dave sensed that there was some animosity there. Being an Alliance officer he suspected the reason for this was to do with the loss of Ella Apell his former Alliance XO on the Hermes who was killed on Zuon. It was her death that had led to Dave’s fall from grace a year ago. Dave decided to let this pass unless Gennadi took it up.
The tour lasted about an hour all up and they ended up in the A deck briefing room. Coffee was served and everyone was sharing stories. People were talking one on one or in small groups. Dave was talking with Liz Adair and Rihan when Gennadi came up and asked for a word with Dave. When Dave stepped aside to talk to Gennadi, the other Alliance XO, Tariq Murro, joined them.
“What really happened to Ella” asked Gennadi.
“She was killed on Zuon” replied Dave.
“Yes we know that but how, what were the circumstances and why was she there?”
“She volunteered to go with the ground party and control the synth bots that we picked up from the Alliance.”
Art could see what was happening and he walked over to join the conversation.
“And?” asked Gennadi.
“She was in a support position controlling the bots” said Art “when the team sent to take out the air defence got into trouble and called for help. I was in a firefight inside the complex and so Ella went to assist. We found her and Jacinta dead together in the forest from pulse fire.”
“Why were you on Zuon at all” asked Tariq raising his voice. Everyone else in the room stopped and turned to see the source of the raised voice.
“Tariq” called out Herb “what’s this all about?”
“It’s about Ella” he said with venom in his voice.
“We deserve an answer” said Gennadi.
“Lt Petrik” said Reina raising her voice to convey authority.
“It’s alright” said Dave “they do deserve to know the truth. We went down to Zuon on my orders and my orders alone. I deemed it the best course of action.”
“You did it to save her” said Gennadi, pointing at Sue. “She’s alive and Ella’s dead.”
You could have cut the air with a knife. All eyes were now on Dave. “Yes Sue is alive and Ella is dead. That’s a fact. If it had been Ella held captive down there would I have sent a team to try and get her out? Yes I would. Some may argue that risking the lives of the many for the one is not a good decision. In some cases it is not.”
“But if we don’t make an attempt to help our friends and colleagues when they are in need then how can we expect them to support us when we need them. I made this same argument at the time to Ella before the launch and she supported it to the extent that she volunteered for it. She committed to the mission 100%. That she was unlucky and died while trying to help another team member is a very sad thing but if I know Ella I am sure she would do it again.”
There was dead silence for a moment. Gennadi took a deep breath in and exhaled. Then he looked at Tariq who gave a slight nod. “All right Sir please forgive us” asked Gennadi and he extended his hand to Dave.
Dave shook it and nodded. Reina looked exasperated and gave Gennadi a withering look. He withdrew along with Tariq and the two of them sat alone at one end of the room. Both Herb and Reina came over to Dave to apologise but Dave would not h
ear them out.
“There is nothing to apologise for” said Dave. “Excuse me.” Dave walked over to Gennadi and Tariq. “Come on you two. We are one family here and you can’t escape us.”
Gennadi smiled and Dave brought them both over to rejoin the group. Art made a point of joining in and engaged in conversation with both Gennadi and Tariq.
Sue said to Rihan “I want to cry.” Rihan could see her eyes reddening and gave her a hug. Gennadi came over and apologised to Sue. Sue managed to smile back. She took his hand in hers and then said “Excuse me” and left the room. Dave nodded to Rihan and she left to follow Sue.
Things settled down after a few minutes. Rihan and Sue came back in. Rihan came over and moved her head next to Dave’s. “All good?” asked Dave and Rihan replied “all good.”
Jasmin entered the room and went up to Dave. “Sir this is just in from Polaris.” Dave read the message. “Thanks” he said to Jasmin and then in a louder voice said “OK folks can we please take our seats. We have some business to attend to. Jasmin can you please relieve Aubrey and ask her to join us here and send in Chase as well. Thank you.”
Aubrey and Chase entered and Dave then announced “The spaceport at Niku has fallen.” He paused to let that sink in. “All comms with the Alliance authorities on Beta Phi have been severed. There is a report of some group in Niku offering to surrender to the rogan forces. That’s all we have for now.” He paused again.
“Things are getting worse and the longer we allow the rogan to have a free run on Beta Phi the worse it’s going to get. Tomorrow we will warp in to Beta Phi, insert a recon team to ascertain what is going on in Niku. We will warp away without engaging the enemy. The day after we will warp back in receive an assessment from our recon team, make a decision and either warp away, insert more ground forces or engage the enemy depending on the situation.”
“I have orders to take the Sydney and Washington under command for subsequent operations against the rogan fleet over Beta Phi. This will be in two phases. Phase 1 is to recon and harass and phase 2 is under command of the Ark Royal Group to secure Beta Phi.”
Insurrection: Book 3 of Warner's World Page 12
