by D. J. Holmes
“What about you Ferguson, did you manage to find any useful information?” James asked.
“Not really Sir,” Ferguson replied. “Farks invited me to his family’s plantation in the countryside. I got to see more of the planet but every time I tried to turn the conversation to Haven’s history they changed the subject.
“Maximilian joined us for an evening, but even then all Farks and Maximilian did was try to impress me with their wealth. I think that if they thought they could get away with it, they would try and buy Endeavour from us. They are desperate for new technology.”
“Yes, I have gotten that impression,” James said. “I hope you put that notion out of their heads.”
“Of course Sir,” Ferguson said, but when James met his eye he looked away.
Dismissing the thought that came into his mind as silly, James pressed on with the meeting. “Anyone else find out anything more about Haven’s history and how they managed to get their colony ship here so quickly?” he asked.
When no one answered James nodded to Lieutenant Scott to present her findings. “In that case, let’s come to the real reason why I gathered you here.” James said before she got up. “Endeavour is battle ready again. We need to decide what we are going to do next. Sorting out Haven is important but our real priority now is the Vestarians. We need to decide what we are to do about them. To do that Lieutenant Scott has some interesting findings I want her to discuss with us.”
As James sat down Scott stood and powered up the holo display. “I have been analyzing the electromagnetic discharge from the Vestarian’s shift drives. As I reported earlier their tech is very primitive and inefficient. Their shift drives release a great deal of waste electromagnetic energy when they enter and exit shift space. As a result, it is possible to identify where and when a Vestarian ship initiated its shift drive, weeks after it made the jump. That is how we were able to confirm the Havenites story about the Vestarian attacks.
“Since then I have analyzed some of the wreckage we and the Havenites recovered from the alien ships. We found a partially damaged shift drive yet there was enough of it intact for Chief Driscoll and I to make a theoretical model of how it works.
“As a result, I believe I can predict the direction a Vestarian ship jumps in when it enters shift space. In short, we should be able to track the Vestarian fleet that fled Haven. To calibrate my predicative model we will have to find where the fleet exited shift space after it jumped away. Then I can correlate the shift space speed with the waste energy discharge. Once we have that information we will be able to follow the Vestarian feet wherever they went.”
“Really?” Becket asked. “That’s great, we can find their homeworld and see just how strong their fleet is.”
“Indeed,” James said. “There is one caveat though. How long will we be able to detect the waste electromagnetic energy?”
“Up to three months Captain,” Scott answered, “after that the energy becomes too dispersed to be able to backtrack it to its point of origin.
“So we have a limited timeframe. If we don’t go after this fleet now we will lose the opportunity. I’m inclined to take the chance but I want to hear other opinions,” James informed the rest of his senior staff.
“I say go for it,” Becket said with her usual enthusiasm, which brought a smile to James’ face.
“I agree,” Mallory said to James’ surprise. “Endeavour was built to explore. We’ve already discovered a lost colony, why not add an alien homeworld?”
Mallory was surprised at himself for speaking up; he knew that the recent battle had impacted him greatly. His experiences on the planet while James had been touring the system had told him that much. Yet he thought it had only been his admiration for James that had grown, now he found himself excited about the prospect of chasing after an alien fleet. I guess not everyone is as excited, Mallory thought to himself as Ferguson weighed in on the conversation
“I know this is a great opportunity,” Ferguson said nervously, “but at what point do we overstep our authority? We were sent out to locate Chang. We have done that. We were not trained for a first contact situation. For all we know, following these aliens in a warship could make the situation far worse. I think we should return to Earth and await new orders.”
James knew Ferguson had a point but the fact that Ferguson still couldn’t look him in the eye troubled him. It was true the British government liked to keep a close rein on her naval commanders. They were meant to fight the Kingdom’s enemies, not dictate policy. Yet James also knew his uncle, the First Space Lord. Jonathan Somerville had strong views on how the Admiralty should be run and how Britain should face her enemies. In his view the Captain on the ground had a far better appraisal of a situation than some bureaucrats hundreds of light years away. Plus, James thought to himself, it was Jonathan who got me into all those 18th century naval novels. In the age of sail before the invention of the telegram or radio communications it had been the norm for captains to find themselves on their own on the far side of the world making up policy on the fly. He can hardly blame me when I get inspiration from his books.
“Your point is taken,” James said. “But I don’t think we have time to return to Earth. I’m not suggesting we go and attack these aliens’ homeworld. All I want to do is locate it. Then we can hightail it back to Earth and let those higher up make the tough decisions.
“Any other objections?” he asked.
When no one spoke up James stood. “My decision is made then. We will break orbit by the end of the day and follow the Vestarians’ trail. As you all know I will be appearing before Haven’s Planetary Council to receive the People’s Recognition
Award and the Haven Military’s Star Cross. It is going to be broadcast live across the planet.
“To help Councilor Rodriguez’s efforts to undermine Maximilian I plan to make a scene. One I think you will all enjoy,” James said, smiling.
When everyone looked at him confused he pressed on, “Becket, I need you to prepare a stealth recon drone. I want you to fly it around the planet and locate the stolen freighters. I want to have visual recordings of the freighters ready to release onto the planet’s data net after I receive my awards.”
“No problem,” Becket said.
“Lieutenant Scott, how easy would it be to hack into the planet’s datanet?” James queried.
“Very easy Sir,” Scott answered. “The only thing that has stopped us so far is that it will be immediately obvious what we have done. If they have good technicians supervising the datanet they will be able to throw us out pretty quickly and make it hard for us to try again.”
“Ok then, once I begin my speech I want you and your team to hack into the datanet. According to Rodriguez the council debated whether or not to accept Chang’s request for asylum. I want you to see if there are any audio or visual recordings of that council meeting. If you can find any, steal them. We’re going to release them to the public too.
“It goes without saying,” James added. “If you can find anything about this Gift, get it too.”
“Yes Sir,” Scott said.
“Everyone else, get Endeavour ready to leave,” James ordered, dismissing the meeting.
When everyone left James went through the briefing room into his quarters. His steward Fox was already there laying out his dress uniform. “Time to look the part,” James said as Fox helped him get ready.
*
Three hours later James was standing on the First Councilor’s Podium listening to Maximilian. He was addressing the entire planet, his face and words being beamed throughout the system.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Council and citizens of the Haven Collective. It is with great joy that I address you this evening for we are gathered here to honor one of the greatest heroes in the history of our colony.
“Captain Somerville of the Royal Space Navy fearlessly led his ship into harm’s way in our defense. When he could have turned aside and left us to fend for ourselves he
risked all on our behalf. His ship single handedly destroyed more than ten of the dreadful alien warships that tried to rain down death and destruction on everything we and our forefathers have labored to build here. Let us honor this man and his crew, each of us owes them our lives.”
Maximilian looked out over the assembled crowd, enjoying their attention. “I come before you now and on your behalf to present Captain Somerville with the People’s Recognition Award. Normally this yearly award is given to the citizen who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of our colony, but you, the people, have almost unanimously voted to honor Captain Somerville this year.
“Alongside the People’s Recognition Award, Admiral Harris will present Captain Somerville with the Haven Navy’s Star Cross. The highest medal for valor and bravery our government can bestow. No man has ever been awarded both but no man has ever deserved them more.”
As rehearsed, Maximilian stepped to the side of the podium and allowed James to step forward. As he stepped up a rapturous round of applause broke out from the assembled councilors and those gathered in the chamber. Turning to his right James bent over to allow Maximilian to place the People’s Recognition medal over his neck.
Turning to his left James faced Admiral Harris, who stepped up with the Star Cross. As he reached up, James held up his hand, stopping Harris from getting any closer. Instead James turned back to the assembled council.
Suddenly an overwhelming desire to turn and run came over him and to hell with the consequences. He hated public speaking, especially in front of so many important people. His father had forced him to make a number of addresses to important gatherings as he had been growing up and every one of them had been a horrible ordeal. On more than one occasion he had simply run away before he was due to give his speech.
Despite his years in the RSN and the numerous times he had addressed his crew, this felt like something different. But then he thought back to what Suzanna had said about him. He knew he had changed, he wasn’t the running away type anymore. And if he was going to return to Earth and fulfil his role as a Duke of England he was going to have to get used to addressing important councils and gatherings. Taking a deep breath, he found Suzanna and fixed his eyes on her to calm himself.
“It is my honor to stand before you all today and receive the People’s Recognition award,” he began as confidently as he could. “I and my crew would be willing to sacrifice our lives and our ship a hundred times over to protect you and your planet. That is the Royal Space Navy’s tradition. In the days since the battle I have had the opportunity to see your beautiful colony and marvel at all you have accomplished. I take your thanks seriously and you honor me with this award.
“However, I will not accept anything from your government.” James said and a deathly silence descended on the chamber. Before anyone could interrupt him James went on. “Your First Councilor along with some of your elected representatives have been engaging in open piracy against freighters belonging to Earth nations. Let that sink in,” James stressed as he poured contempt into his next phrase, “your leaders are pirates. They would steal and destroy in order to advance their own goals. I thought your forefathers left Earth to escape such men.”
Before anyone could force him off the stage he pressed on with his speech. “Worse, your entire Planetary Council voted to take in and harbor a wanted war criminal. Former Politburo Intelligence Minister Chang Lei is wanted by the UN and the British government for war crimes. He was responsible for starting the Void War, for the bombardment of a British colony, an unprovoked attack on a defenseless colony ship and the death of over ten thousand civilians.
“The very things the Vestarians tried to do to you, Chang did to the British Star Kingdom. Yet your government welcomed him to Haven with open arms. My ship is releasing all the proof you will need to corroborate these claims onto your datanet. You will be able to see for yourselves who really rules you. I for one want nothing to do with such men. I gladly accept the people’s thanks. But I will take nothing from your government.”
When he stopped speaking it was as if everyone had broken out of a trance. A great commotion broke out in the chamber as everyone began shouting at each other and at James. Maximilian was fuming and as James looked at him and smiled, he thought the First Councilor was about to punch him.
When he didn’t move, James turned and stepped away from the podium.
“Wait,” a voice called over the others and James recognized it as Suzanna’s. She had activated her booth’s speakers.
“Where are you going Captain? Haven still needs your protection,” she asked.
Wanting to reassure her James turned back. “While your politicians scheme and plot I go to find the alien’s homeworld. We defeated them over Haven, that’s true. But if we don’t end their ability to wage war they will be back. Their actions have already proven they are willing to destroy entire planets to get their way. Endeavour won’t let that happen.”
With that James spun on his heels, and quickly made his way off the podium and out of the council chamber. Just through the doors Major Johnston was waiting with a squad of marines. They weren’t armed but anyone would be a fool to try and tangle with them. A shuttle from Endeavour was landing outside the council chamber. It was against all their regulations but James didn’t want to risk Maximilian getting any ideas. Endeavour could blow what remained of the Haven fleet out of space easily but the First Councilor probably wasn’t thinking straight at the moment.
As the group set off down the corridor towards the exit an angry voice shouted after them. “What do you think you are doing?”
James turned to face the First Councilor. “Ending your political career,” he said. “Next time you want to harbor war criminals and pirate our freighters you had better be prepared to deal with the Royal Space Navy. And this is only the start, the RSN will be back, that I can promise you.”
Without waiting for a reply he spun on his heels and left Maximilian in a rage. Outside, the shuttle was hovering next to the stairs that led to the Council Chamber. Its plasma turrets were open and actively tracking the few security guards who were standing outside watching it.
When James appeared, it dropped to the ground and four marines in combat armor jumped out, hefting their plasma rifles threateningly. Jumping onboard James made his way to the front of the shuttle and sat down beside the pilot. “Take us back to the ship,” he ordered.
As soon as the shuttle set down in Endeavour’s hanger bay James opened his COM and contacted the bridge. “I’m back safe and sound, take us out of orbit.”
“Yes Sir,” Ferguson acknowledged.
James’ COM beeped, informing him that he had a personal message from the planet.
Good luck.
James broke into a large smile as he made his way to the bridge. He was pleased Suzanna approved of his performance.
Chapter 16 – Vestar
Tachyons are strange particles, even now we know so very little about them.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
29th June, 2466 AD, HMS Endeavour, unnamed system.
James sat in his office peering at the holo map of local space, wondering what to do. Endeavour had spent the last six weeks following the trail of the Vestarian fleet. Things had gotten off to a good start. They had found where the fleet had exited shift space after their first jump and Scott had been able to refine her predictive model. They had then set off in hot pursuit of the alien fleet.
Their main problem had been that they were forced to slowly make their way along each shift passage mapping out the dark matter. As they didn’t know the length of each jump the alien ships were making they didn’t know how far it was safe for them to jump Endeavour along the same route. Mapping the dark matter was taking a significant amount of time. Time James had known they didn’t have.
They had discovered eight new shift passages and seven new systems. Ordinarily such discoveries would be monumental but now they were just obstac
les. Each day spent traversing systems or mapping dark matter had allowed the alien fleet to get further and further away. Each time they reached a point where they detected the tell-tail signs of a Vestarian jump into shift space, the signal was weaker.
Yesterday they had come to a dead end in the shift passage they had been traveling down. That meant they had passed the point where the Vestarian fleet had exited shift space and made a course change, yet they hadn’t detected any sign of them. Part of the problem had been Scott’s assessment of the Vestarian’s shift drive. The first jump away from Haven had been down a particularly long and straight shift passage. This allowed the Vestarians to charge their shift drives to their full capacity to traverse the shift passage quicker. The extra energy released from the jump to shift space had therefore been greater than the subsequent jumps they had been tracking, making them harder to detect.
