Michael and Vargev laughed. “Something like that.”
Six weeks, Michael thought, I hope there will be an E.D.F left by the time we get there.
“When we get there, the war will be waiting for us comrade,” Vargev said, as if reading Michaels’ thoughts.
“That’s a bit of a turn around, you were all for taking the Liberty and using it against the Krenarans as soon as we captured her.”
“Let’s just say we have a bit better chance now. When the Liberty and the rest of the Solarian fleet start smashing into the Krenarans they’re not going to know what hit them.”
“And the Solarian government shouldn’t have too much trouble in maintaining popular support for our involvement. Krenaran attacks on our borders have been growing for some time and the government just needed an excuse, conveniently, you gave them one,” Kerulithar added.
Chapter 10 Liberty Resurgent
They arrived back at the apartment; Kerulithar ushered the two men inside.
“This calls for a celebratory drink,” the Solarian reached toward a cupboard which opened automatically and took out a bottle of a yellowish coloured liquid. He handed each of the two men a glass, and poured them each a drink, which the two men eyed with even more suspicion.
“Don’t worry; it’s not Atollos. This is Gimva whisky from Celius II; I was given it from the Governor there for helping to mediate a dispute between two rival terrorist factions.”
Michael and Vargev gingerly sipped from the glass. It was not like an ordinary whisky, this was smooth and slightly fruity, but it still had the warmth that traditional whiskies had.
They spent the night in Kerulithars apartment once again, Michael asked the ambassador the question he had been pondering all day, “why six weeks?”
“Solarian space is vast, there are 125 planets spread out across nearly 400 light years, six weeks is the minimum that the warhost could be mustered.”
“Now I understand,” Michael said feeling a little stupid.
Next morning they awoke and had breakfast, “I’m going to take some of this with me.” Vargev said as he ate the sorgrest mash with gusto.
“Unfortunately it only keeps fresh for a week.”
“Damn.”
“You might be able to find dried sorgrest on Omicron though. But the drying process takes some of the taste out.”
After they had breakfast they were making ready to depart back to Omicron.
“I wonder what gadgets they are going to put on the Liberty,” Michael thought aloud.
“The likelihood is they will explain what the technology does, and how it operates, then they will give you the choice of whether you want it or not,” Kerulithar said.
“The first thing I’ll want is all the controls in plain English,” Michael smiled.They arrived back at the Allathas spaceport again and despite the bustling crowds, managed to make it to pad ‘B’ where the shuttle was located.
Kerulithar opened the hatch once again, and all three of them went inside, the Solarian pressed a control and the hatch gently closed behind them, once Kerulithar had took up his position on the pilots’ seat he keyed in a few more controls and the shuttle began to gradually power up.
He contacted the Spaceport and requested clearance to depart. After a short pause while launch control checked that it was clear an affirmative came. The Solarian keyed in a few more controls and the gravitic engines slowly powered up with their customary whine; the shuttle began to lift off, quickly gathering speed.
Michael peered out the side window next to him and looked down at the shrinking form of Solaria city below. Feeling a slight sadness at leaving, at the possibility of not getting to experience the beauty and majesty of Solaria again, and he wished Jana and Theo were there and could see what he had seen. He also wondered if one day humanity could build something anywhere near as beautiful.
The shuttle punched through the cloud cover; soon enough they had achieved orbit of Solaris IV, the familiar multitude of vessels and facilities that crowded the orbit of the planet greeted them once again, and Kerulithar had to manoeuvre the shuttle around several large bulk transports and freighters, before they put enough distance between them and the planet to clear the throng of vessels.
The journey back to Omicron was once again an uneventful one; with the three of them swapping places again to take turns between resting and piloting. Two days journey later and they had arrived back at the Omicron repair facility.
It was slightly busier than usual. Already a dozen sleek Solarian battle cruisers had formed up in close formation near to the facility.
“It looks like they are also using Omicron as a staging point; more ships will be arriving soon,” Kerulithar pointed out.
He contacted the station requesting docking clearance, and it was heartily granted.
“Apparently the news of our deliberations with the council has reached here already.”
Michael and Vargev simply smiled, hey at least the good guys are finally beginning to get some support in this goddamn war, Michael thought.
The shuttle slowly glided into a hangar bay almost full of other shuttles and fighters all lined up; and it gradually touched down in an empty space near to the other shuttles. The hangar bay doors slowly closed behind the small craft.
Once the doors had closed, and the bay was re-pressurised, Solistis made his way across the hangar bay as they disembarked the shuttle to greet them, “Welcome back,” he said warmly. “Commander Ralavas has been expecting you.”
“No doubt he has,” Michael said with a smile as they walked with the Solarian officer once again.
“We heard what happened on Solaria; news is spreading fast throughout the Confederacy. An alliance with the Terrans and war with the Krenarans; repairs are also going well with the captured Krenaran vessel.” He said as he walked.
“The Liberty,” Michael corrected him once again; he wondered how many times he would have to do this. “As for an alliance; that is for our governments to decide between themselves, all we asked for was aid.”
“Of course, my mistake.”
“It does feel good to finally be able to take the fight to the Krenarans though,” Vargev interjected.
Eventually they arrived at Commander Ralavas’ Office once again.
“Ah, Michael Alexander and Nikolai Vargev if I remember correctly; welcome back to Omicron, I trust your stay on Solaria wasn’t too hectic?”
“Well apart from the council,” Michael replied. “You have one hell of a city over there.”
“Thank you. It’s one of our proudest achievements, though personally I have never been there.”
Michael was genuinely surprised at this news, a high-ranking Solarian Commander that has never been to his homeworld before, but then again being the Commander of a repair facility the size of Omicron; Ralavas mustn’t get out much.
“I have just received the repair report on your ship the Liberty.” The Commander continued, picking up a small display device. “Exterior hull damage is eighty percent complete; the primary sub-light drive however was damaged beyond repair so with your permission I would like to replace it with a Solarian negative Ion propulsion system.”
“What benefits would it give us, and how long would it take to fit?” Michael asked.
“Solarian propulsion units have been found to be thirty percent faster than typical Krenaran units, as well as being more reliable. However they do use more power, so we would have to upgrade the primary power source on-board,” Ralavas said.
“May we see the Liberty?” Vargev asked.
“Of course.”
They made their way down to the lower repair docks, and stood by a large viewing platform. There in all its dark brooding glory, rested the Liberty.
Unmanned repair drones controlled by Solarians on board the station crawled over parts of its hull that were damaged in the fighting. Flashes from the drones’ welding arcs could be seen reflecting off the Liberty’s dark hull.
“S
oon we will strike back against those Krenaran scum,” Michael whispered with malice, almost as if he was talking to the ship.
“We have drawn up a list of upgrades as advised by the Solarian council that we would like to carry out to the ship,” the Commander said as he passed the data pad over to Michael after re-configuring it so that he could read it.
Michael took the list and began reading through it; a new negative Ion propulsion system, and replacement of the Krenaran thruster system with Solarian Ionic ones. Replacement of standard Krenaran torpedoes with new Solarian high energy launchers, and finally replacement of the standard Krenaran particle cannon with a Solarian fusion cannon.
Ralavas ran through the relative advantages of each. “The Solarian Ionic thruster system, especially when linked with the negative Ion propulsion system, allows the vessel to turn within approximately half its current turning circle.”
There was a slight pause as he fumbled for words, “what is that saying you Terrans have? Turn on a sixpence.”
Michael and Vargev both smiled.
Ralavas continued, “Solarian high energy torpedoes have a forty percent higher yield than Krenaran ones, and an eighty percent higher explosive force. We would like to replace both launchers and install automatic feeds, with 30 warheads per launcher,” he said watching the two humans nodding in agreement.
“And the Solarian fusion cannon has been constantly developed, researched, and re-developed to become the most powerful anti-ship weapon anywhere in the known galaxy. However with that we have a slight problem.”
“What’s that?” Michael asked.
“To fit the fusion cannon would require the stripping of the old detention facility on deck five to allow the fitting of the power couplings, fusion coils, and targeting matrices essential to the operation of the cannon.”
“It’s not like we need the detention centre anymore anyway,” Michael replied as he looked at Vargev.
There was still one burning question on Michael’s mind however; how the hell were they going to operate all this stuff.
The Solarians were turning the Liberty into a veritable ship of death. Filling it full of new advanced technology that was light years ahead of what the E.D.F could produce; even now as he looked upon it he swore that the ship took on a more menacing air.
Were they becoming as bad as the Krenarans? He hoped not, he swallowed his pride and said. “Carry out your modifications Commander.”
Ralavas was making his way to the door when Michael turned toward him; remembering another important question. “All the ships functions will be in English, right?”
“Our translation processors are already working on it,” the Solarian Commander gave them a respectful nod, turned and left the booth.
“I am not sure this is right Nikolai, the Solarians don’t just want to go to war with the Krenarans, they want to decimate them. They’re turning the Liberty into a virtual ship of death.”
“It is what must be done comrade,” Nikolai replied. “You saw how they attacked Agemman, and tore apart the fleet in orbit.”
“But in defeating the Krenarans, will we become like them?”
“That; no man can guess, but I honestly believe the E.D.F and E.O.C.A will grow stronger and more powerful from this.”
Michael considered this for a moment, “I hope you’re right Nikolai.”
“So do I.”
Kerulithar returned to the booth bearing drinks for everyone. Michael and Vargev both took one; long minutes were spent watching the repair work being done, the small unmanned vessels continued to constantly repair the damaged parts of the Liberty’s hull.
Michael and Vargev slept in quarters that had been prepared for them during their stay. Michael slept rather uneasily; haunted by the magnitude of the storm they had just unleashed. Would anyone survive it? He simply didn’t know.
Next morning he awoke feeling no better; the three of them had breakfast together in the canteen area of the station, and they spent some more time in the booth watching the repairs and upgrades progress.
Later in the day Kerulithar spoke to the both of them.
“Gentlemen, my work here is now done, the Solarians are going to aid you in your war, however I am an ambassador and not a soldier.” He took a slight breath before continuing, “my place is at the negotiating table. I hope to count you among my friends and I look forward to visiting your planet in the future, as you have mine. I really hope that this trial leads to true friendship between our peoples. I will bid you a good day and good luck in your war.” Finally he said with a nod, “may your people prosper.”
“And yours,” Michael and Vargev replied together; they were sad that Kerulithar was leaving. However they understood his motives; he had no reason to be here. They both hoped they would see him in the future if they survived this war.
“Thank you for all that you have done for us,” Michael said.
“As you Terrans say, it was nothing,” and with that Kerulithar, the Solarian ambassador, left the two humans.
Over the next few days Michael watched as the repair drones and small one man vessels carried equipment over to the Liberty; and as the days and weeks rolled on he watched his pride and joy metamorphose into the lethal killing machine it now was, and he didn’t like it.
He felt like he was slowly selling his soul to the devil, the smaller torpedo launchers at the top of the ship were gradually replaced by two huge launchers. The wrecked primary sub light drive was replaced with the brand new Solarian unit. Great indents were cut into the port and starboard sides of the ship. There the new Solarian Ionic thruster systems sat glowing a bright electric blue as it powered up.
Michael watched as his favourite Roy Orbison song, ‘only the lonely’ he had requested was playing in the background of the viewing platform.
Every spare man was busy on the Liberty; desperately trying to have it ready for the approaching deadline which was just two weeks away.
A few more days passed, and finally they began the first manned test of the vessel. Michael and Vargev both watched on a nearby monitor, as the wreckage of a previously decommissioned, and very old Solarian merchant vessel was towed out into space a safe distance away from the station.
All was quiet; the wreckage of the aged ship simply floated there silently.
Then like a bullet, the Liberty swooped down upon the drifting vessel. Its fusion cannon shot out an incandescent bright blue beam of death, which slammed into the wreckage with tremendous force; the wreckage was smashed to pieces with a huge explosion, the pieces of debris scattered in all directions. The flames slowly dispersed as the Liberty shot past where the wreck once floated.
It was at that moment when Michaels’ will wavered, as he watched the sheer speed and lethal efficiency that it dispatched the abandoned vessel.
Nikolai also watched, smiling, his head nodding in appreciation.
“I’m not sure I want to do this Nikolai.”
The major was beginning to tire of Michael’s despondent mood, “listen to me, you little prick!” The Russian roared. “I have not travelled half way across the galaxy, watched thousands of innocent people be slaughtered and be damned near strangled to death, just for you to quit now.” Fuming, he took a short breath. “Those fucking Krenarans have killed thousands of people; ripped apart my entire unit, many of which were my friends. And you want to go easy on them!”
He paused slightly as he collected his thoughts. “We’re going to take the Liberty, and, with the help of the Solarians we are going to tear apart every goddamn Krenaran we see, no warnings, no prisoners; nothing, period. So you better toughen up real quick.” The Russian said as he stormed out of the room in disgust.
Michael was left alone, his thoughts went to the video of the Agemman attack; of the mutilated bodies lying upon broken streets, just left there to rot, attracting flies and maggots and smelling of charred meat.
What of the attack on Bravo Gamma base at the Aurelias colony, and the destruction of un
armed civilian transports simply trying to find a place to land and a new home, since the one they had; had been reduced to rubble.
His thoughts turned to Jana and Theo, what of them? Would they be ripped apart from the Krenaran weaponry or led away in chains to god knows where.
An angry fire was beginning to rise in him now; he could not, would not, let that happen. The Krenarans were doing terrible atrocities to humanity and they had not deserved it. They had not even known the Krenarans, or the Solarians for that matter even existed two months ago. Humanity was quite happily going along completely oblivious to the races that surrounded them. Settling new worlds and developing new technologies, and just generally getting on with things.
And then this war had to happen, didn’t it; and now because of the Krenarans the whole galaxy is going to hell and a hand basket. Michael wanted to take the Liberty right now and ram its Fusion cannon down the throat of every last Krenaran that dared to stand in his way, and press the trigger. He strode out the viewing platform and said to Nikolai, “let’s show these Krenaran bastards who they’re really messing with.”
An evil smile rose across Nikolai’s mouth, curling his moustache slightly, “that’s better.”
Over the next week and a half they were involved in every major test the Solarians performed on the Liberty; until with just 24 hours to go until the deadline. The work was finally finished.
And there it was; the E.D.F.S Liberty, a mix of Krenaran and Solarian technology. Owned and controlled by the E.D.F. And with it, they would strike the hammer blow that would end this Krenaran war once and for all.
Vargev, Michael and over a hundred Solarian workers stood in the canteen area and had a celebratory drink. Commander Ralavas had come down and led the celebrations personally.
“In 24 hours we will receive the signal to get underway; sixty eight Solarian Battle cruisers have already arrived, and are lined up in formation outside the station.”
He paused for a moment as he regarded the arrayed Solarians, as well as Micheal and Vargev. “Shortly the Liberty will join the formation at its head since the Terrans know their territory much better than we do. Then with a single command the entire formation; together with fleets stationed at other facilities from across the Solarian border, shall fall upon the Krenaran enemies like a great hurricane; blasting everything in its path.”
E.D.F chronicles - The Krenaran massacre. Page 16
