by G. P. Hudson
The attackers had suddenly turned into defenders, some taking cover, while others retreated. Jon crashed into their positions like a bull after a running matador. His speed and accuracy made short work of the disoriented security forces, and within seconds the siege was over.
Seiben came out from behind the counter and said, “What the hell is going on? Why are DLC security forces coming after us now?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out,” said Jon. “AI, can you access DLC security systems?”
“Those systems are restricted, Captain.”
“I don’t care anymore. Bypass security systems, but don’t trigger any alarms. I don’t want to tip anyone off to your presence.”
“These systems are not sophisticated enough to see me, Captain.”
“Of course, AI. I should know better,” said Jon, shaking his head at the size of the AI’s artificial ego.
“Who is this AI you’re speaking to?” said Seiben.
“My ship’s artificial intelligence.”
“You mean a computer?”
“I am not a computer,” said AI. “I am as self-aware as you are. Perhaps more so.”
“Careful,” said Jon. “You don’t want to offend her.”
“Uh, I’m sorry,” said Seiben.
“Apology accepted,” said the AI. “I have gained access to the DLC security systems, Captain. There is a warrant out for your arrest.”
“My arrest? For what?”
“The murder of Mr. Jansen.”
Jon was stunned. Of all things he hadn’t expected this.
“But we spoke to Mr. Jansen today,” said Seiben. “Jon’s been here the whole time.”
“I am merely relaying the information I have found. Protesting the Captain’s innocence to me is pointless.”
“AI, do you have access to DLC security deployments?” said Jon.
“Yes, Captain. I am monitoring their movements and communications.”
“How long do we have until more show up?”
“There is a team approaching the building from the ground. I advise the roof as an optimal escape route. Several vessels are located there that can be commandeered.”
“Get Darla and the girls. We have to leave now,” said Jon.
“But if they’re just after you then we can probably stay here,” said Seiben.
“There is a warrant out for your arrest as well,” said AI.
“Me? For what?”
“You and your wife are considered accomplices to the murder. As is Breeah.”
“Wonderful,” said Seiben.
“AI, who is in charge of the station now that Jansen’s dead?” said Jon.
“Mr. Kulberg has taken Jansen’s position.”
“That slimy son of a bitch,” said Seiben. “I should’ve known he was behind all of this.”
“All the more reason why you or your family can’t stay here,” said Jon. “We have to go. Now.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” said Seiben. He turned and headed to the bedroom to retrieve Darla and the girls.
“AI, track our progress and continue to feed me updates on DLC security movements.”
“Understood.”
Seiben emerged from the bedroom with Darla, who gripped her girls to her side. The two girls both cried inconsolably.
Anki came out as well and ran to her mother. Breeah took her into her arms and picked her up, giving her a big hug. She then looked at Anki and said, “This has been a scary day for you, little one. Are you alright?”
Anki tried to put on a brave face, and nodded. She then buried her face in her mother’s neck.
Jon looked at them all. “Ready?”
They nodded. He turned and headed out of the apartment with the group following closely behind.
Chapter 49
There were several vehicles on the roof, but the ones that caught Jon’s attention were the DLC security craft. The team that attacked the apartment likely arrived in these vehicles. Jon led the group toward one of them, keeping a wary eye out for any hidden threats.
He was pleased to see that the vehicle was armed with two Gatling guns, similar to the one that shot up their apartment earlier. It also looked like it might have some armor plating on its body. He tried to open the doors but they were locked. Jon took off his comm and placed it on the vehicle.
“AI, can you access this vehicle’s computer systems.”
“Yes, Captain,” said AI.
“Unlock and turn power on. Give me clearance to operate all its systems.”
“Clearance granted. You may enter the vehicle.”
Jon reclaimed his comm and ushered everyone into the vehicle.
“Captain, I am reading several security personnel approaching the building’s roof.”
The last of the group got in and Jon jumped into the driver’s seat. He took hold of the security craft’s controls and powered up its forced air jets. The vehicle lifted off just as the first of DLC security made it onto the roof. He immediately started taking fire, so he turned the craft around, pointing the nose at the attackers and accessed the Gatling guns mounted on either side.
He opened fire. The bullets ripped through the men foolish enough not to take cover and the glass structure housing the lift. He turned the craft to face the other security vehicles and fired, perforating them in mere seconds. Satisfied that he had caused sufficient damage, he turned the vessel and flew away from the city.
Breeah climbed into the passenger seat and looked over at him. “What do we do now?”
“We take everyone someplace safe, and plan our next steps.”
“Captain, an attack drone has been launched and is closing in on your position,” said AI.
“Are we being tracked?”
“I’ve disabled the hovercraft’s tracking beacon, but DLC security can still track your vehicle without the beacon.”
“Can you disable their ability to track us?”
“I can, but doing so will alert them to my presence.”
“Will that be a problem?”
“Of course not, Captain,” said AI. “They will try to remove me, but they will fail.”
“I think it’s time for you to come out of the shadows, AI. Take whatever steps necessary to destroy their ability to track us.”
“With pleasure, Captain.”
“Oh, and can you do something about that drone?”
“Unfortunately the drone has its own independent tracking system. I do not have access to its systems.”
“Wonderful,” said Jon. “Everybody brace yourselves, we’re going to have a bit of a bumpy ride.”
The drone approached at blistering speeds. Jon watched its progress on his dashboard display and waited. He hoped he was right about the craft having armor. His question was answered when the drone overtook them, strafing the side of the vehicle with gunfire. The vehicle’s integrity withstood the attack. There was armor.
The drone sped off in front and then turned to face them. Hovering in front of them it fired its guns again. Sparks flew as bullets hit the armor plating. Jon knew that, armored or not, the vehicle couldn’t withstand much more pounding. He fired his Gatling guns in return, scoring direct hits on the floating killing machine. That made it move to get out of the way, all the time still firing on their vehicle.
It circled the security craft, firing from all angles. Inside the sound of screaming from the back seat was deafening. Jon spun the craft the opposite way so he could have another shot at the drone. When it came into view he fired again. The drone took more damage, but didn’t stop its advance. Alarms rang out from Jon’s dashboard telling him that the drone had ruptured a critical system.
The security craft started losing altitude and the drone followed, still spraying it with gunfire. Jon banked the craft and got the drone in his sights. He fired and his twin guns finally did some significant damage. The drone started spinning out of control, still firing its guns, but now the bullets flew out in all directions. Jon fi
red again, killing the machine. He watched as it fell from the sky.
If he felt any satisfaction it was extremely short lived as the alarms told him they weren’t out of danger yet. Their craft still lost altitude and he couldn’t stop its descent. They were going down.
Chapter 50
“Ship’s sensors are not picking up any Space Force beacons, Sir,” said the Chaanisar helmsman.
The Chaanisar Heavy Cruiser had jumped into an empty region of space following a pre-plotted escape pod trajectory.
“Is there anything on long range scans?” said Bast, hiding his frustration. The last few searches had found nothing. No beacons. No escape pods. He knew that finding all the pods was a long shot, but each one they didn’t recover might be one that contained the Doctor.
“Picking up two contacts on long range scans, Sir.”
“Could be a clue,” said Chief St. Clair, with a hopeful expression.
“Agreed,” said Bast. “Helm, jump us to the location of the two vessels.”
“Yes, Sir. Initiating jump.”
Bast knew that a warship appearing out of nowhere would be a surprise, but he didn’t want to waste time playing games.
They appeared just in front of the two vessels. They faced each other, floating in space, not heading anywhere. One dwarfed the other in size. It was a gigantic commercial freighter that looked to have taken heavy damage. The other was smaller, but an obvious warship, and likely responsible for the scars on the freighter.
“Looks like we interrupted the party,” said the Chief.
Bast nodded in agreement. “Hail both vessels,” he ordered.
A human man’s face appeared on Bast’s console display. He glared at Bast, visibly angry. “What’s wrong? One ship’s not enough? You need two? I don’t care if you bring a hundred, you’re not getting my cargo!”
Bast hesitated, still stunned by the fact that he was looking at another human. “Slow down. We mean you no harm.”
“Don’t toy with me you raider scum.”
“Am I correct in assuming that you command the freighter?”
“Very funny. Of course I command the freighter.”
“What’s your name, Sir?”
Bast’s politeness seemed to surprise the man. His eyes seemed to reassess Bast, and some of the hostility dissipated. “I am Captain Santos. Is that some kind of military uniform you’re wearing?”
“A pleasure to meet you, Captain Santos. I am Colonel Bast, and yes, this is a military uniform.”
“So you’re not raiders?”
“No, what are-“
“Sir, the warship is moving toward us,” said the tactician. “They’re firing weapons.”
Bast switched to his tactical display. The warship fired energy weapons at the Chaanisar cruiser. Red energy bolts connected causing the floor to jolt under Bast’s feet. His tactical display lit up as several missiles streaked toward them.
“Launch countermeasures and return fire,” said Bast, calmly.
The missiles were not sophisticated enough to beat the Chaanisar drones and each one followed the decoys, exploding harmlessly in open space. The warship continued to strafe them with its energy weapons, but did not have enough piercing power to burn through the heavy armor quickly.
The Chaanisar returned fire, hitting the enemy ship with its own powerful energy weapons. At this close range the blue beam was at one hundred percent charge. The enemy’s armor didn’t prove to be much of a match and quickly melted under the intense heat. Cobalt colored lightning carved a long, broad gash across the ship’s hull. Equipment and personnel were sucked out of the breach into the frigid void.
“Hold your fire,” said Bast. He tried again to communicate with the warship. “Unidentified vessel, call off your attack or you will be destroyed.”
No response. The warship came around for another pass and spit out a second round of missiles and energy weapon fire. The missiles were again tricked by the drones, and the bridge shook with the impact of the energy weapons, as they slowly degraded the armor’s integrity.
Bast sighed. While the warship was weaker, it could damage his ship. That damage would eventually cost Chaanisar lives. He couldn’t allow that. He had warned them of the repercussions. Now he had to make good on his promise.
“Return fire,” he said, dejected by the unnecessary loss of life.
The Chaanisar Heavy Cruiser unleashed another powerful energy burst, slicing through an adjacent section of the enemy warship. This time the weapon caused multiple explosions on board the vessel. The warship broke off its assault, but the concussions continued to rock it, tearing open massive sections of its hull. The ship continued to lose integrity as its sections began to break apart. Where there was once one ship there was now only large chunks of debris, making any hope of survival for the crew impossible.
Bast looked over at Kevin who had an awed look on his face. “What do you think?”
“They’re human,” said Chief St. Clair. “You know what this means don’t you?”
“Yes, we’ve found the lost colonies.”
Kevin nodded his face looking like he had seen a miracle.
Bast switched back to Captain Santos, who’s previously hostile countenance had changed to one of astonishment.
“You destroyed them,” said Santos, his voice filled with wonder.
“It was an unfortunate outcome. We had no quarrel with these people,” said Bast.
“No quarrel? But they were raiders?”
“What exactly are raiders, Captain?”
Santos eyed him skeptically. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
“No, we most certainly are not.”
Santos nodded, but he didn’t seem to believe him. “Raiders are pirates. They prey on freighters in these shipping lanes heading for the station.”
“The station?”
Santos raised an eyebrow. “DLC Station. It’s the main commercial center in this region. It’s where we were heading when the raiders attacked us and disabled our engines. Say, you wouldn’t be able to help us with repairs, would you?”
“I’m afraid we are on a time sensitive mission. But we might be able to help you in another way. Let me look into it and I will get back to you.”
Santos frowned, ending the transmission.
Bast turned to Kevin. “When you battled the Kemmar battleship and it split up into smaller ships, the Hermes jumped away while it was being boarded and took the Kemmar vessel with it.”
Chief St. Clair nodded. Yes, that’s true. You’re not thinking of trying that with this freighter, are you?”
“Why not?”
“It’s enormous. That thing’s got to be three times our size.”
“You don’t think it can work?”
“I don’t know, but I do know someone who might.”
Chapter 51
Former Hermes Chief Engineer Rajneesh Singh examined the room in which he found himself. He spotted some of the hidden cameras in the walls, and realized he had been taken to an interrogation room.
“They’re going to torture me,” he said.
“Stay calm, Raj,” said Lynda. “Let’s see what they want before we jump to any conclusions. Remember, they need you.”
Singh tried to stay calm, but his anxiety levels were too high to get under control. The memories of the Kemmar interrogator and his needles were still fresh in his mind. He was lucky to have escaped that experience, but here things would be different. If they chose to torture him here there would be no last minute rescue.
“They won’t torture you,” said Lynda, as if reading his thoughts.
“I wish I could believe that,” said Singh.
A door opened and a Chaanisar officer walked in. A colonel. Singh remembered him from the planet. He was the Chaanisar leader. The Colonel sat in the chair directly opposite Singh. There was no table between them, just the two of them facing each other.
“I am Colonel Bast, commander of this vessel.”
&nb
sp; “See, he is being polite,” said Lynda.
“Hello,” said Singh, clasping his hands together to keep them from trembling.
“I’m sure you are wondering why you were brought here. I wanted to talk to you and thought this would be more comfortable than your cell.”
Singh stayed silent, waiting for the inevitable question, threat, punishment progression.
“I understand you are a jump system expert.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Lynda bent over and whispered into his ear, “He needs you.”
Singh turned to her and said, “You already told me that.”
Bast had a puzzled look on his face. “Who is it you are talking to?”
“Commander Lynda Wolfe.”
Bast looked in Lynda’s direction and said, “I see.” He turned back to Singh. “I need to ask you a couple of questions about the jump system, Mr. Singh.”
“This is how you prove your worth to him,” said Lynda.
“When the Hermes fought the Kemmar the Hermes had jumped away taking one of the Kemmar ships with it. Do you remember?”
“Yes, of course.”
“How was that accomplished?”
Singh took a breath and relaxed. Perhaps Lynda was right. They weren’t going to torture him. “The jump system creates a field around the ship. This is similar to an FTL bubble in theory. The difference being that the jump system is in effect folding space, and anything within its field travels with the ship to the other side of the folded space. The Kemmar ship had attached itself to the Hermes. As far as the jump system was concerned the two ships were one. It enveloped both ships with the field, transporting them to the other end of folded space.”
“Do the two ships have to be connected for this to take place?”
“No, not necessarily. The field actually radiates out from the ship’s hull, so anything within its radius would be affected.”
“Are there limits to how much larger the other ship can be?”
