Starfire and The Planet Killer

by Christine Westhead

  "Yeeehaaa!" yelled Jed Cloud from the Rising Star. He had followed the Grennig and fired all guns into the gaping hole that Hal had made. He scored a direct hit and the mid section exploded. Several more explosions followed it and Jed pulled the Rising Star out to starboard and kept pace with the Grennig. "That's the ammunition stores gone up," he said. "Good shooting, Hal."

  "Get us out from under, Lieutenant," said Erion, temporarily blind to the action, hidden beneath the Battle Cruiser.

  "Getting out from under, aye," answered Starfire. She pulled out to port and accelerated, closely followed by the Rising Star, to leave the Battle cruiser far behind in seconds. They were instantly engaged by three fighters, who attached from above. Delta Ten increased their shielding, but the ship slowed down as he took power from the engine thrusters. Hal took out one of the little fighters and Captain Jakoral took care of the other two.

  "Another Federation battle cruiser has entered this system," stated Delta Ten, calmly. "It will be withing firing range in six point four minutes."

  "We're getting low on ammo, Major," warned Hal.

  "And fuel," added Starfire. The Grennig, although much faster than most ships of her class, could not keep up the dodging and weaving up indefinitely. It was a corvette, not a fighter, and Starfire had been keeping close eye on the fuel tanks.

  "I hear you, Lieutenant," began Erion, "try to keep us in one piece and able to jump, that's all I ask."

  "Captain Raan is approaching Lumis," called Delta Ten from his station.

  "Keep me informed, Del," said Erion, her attention still on the raging battle outside.

  "The fighters surrounding the planet killer moved slightly away from it and Raan lengthened the tow rope as he moved closer to the little moon. One of Rimek's fighters seized his opportunity and fired on the Planet Killer. The rear of the ugly little shuttle burst into flames and Raan, timing the manoeuvre to perfection, released his tow line and banked away to watch the Planet Killer crash silently onto the moon's surface below.

  "The Planet Killer's gone!" he yelled into the com. "Major, they hit the Planet Killer!"

  "Damn it Captain, I said to protect it at all costs," snapped Erion.

  "I'm sorry Major there were just too many of them," put in Callon Cloud. Another chime sounded in the pilot section of the Grennig and Delta Ten called out,

  "Proximity alarm, Major. A third Battle Cruiser has entered the Katraian system."

  "We're out gunned," stated Hal from his station.

  "You would be wise to surrender, Major Dubois," Rimek's voice droned. "You will soon be overpowered. Surrender now and I will show leniency."

  "A quick death instead of a slow death," put in a helpful Hal.

  "How long till that second cruiser can fire on us?" asked Erion.

  "Five minutes, Major. Maybe less."

  "This isn't over, Commissioner," snarled Erion. "Retreat! all Alliance ships retreat!" She had chosen her words carefully and two battle damaged Tiger Sharks and two stolen Katraian Wasp Fighters, along with The Grennig and the Rising Star, gave covering fire to the departing alliance fighters.

  Buck had set off for the battlefield as soon as he heard that the Planet Killer had supposedly been destroyed. This was his signal: the fighting was over and it was time to run for home. Of the twenty Wasp fighters of the Rebel Alliance, only eight had survived. Buck picked up Raan and Callon in their fighters along with six others, went to light and disappeared in a rainbow of colours. The Grennig and the Rising Star gave covering fire to what remained of the little departing Katraian fleet. They followed the fighters down to the south of Katraia Prime, where the pilots had arranged to land. There were more tunnels there that could hopefully shield them when Lumis exploded.

  "The enemy cruiser will be in strike range in ten seconds, Major," called Delta Ten, calmly.

  "We're good to go, Erion," said Starfire.

  "Then go," she answered. She looked towards the second Federation Battle Cruiser as it approached them at full speed, then turned her head toward Lumis. She saw it blossom like a huge flower an instant before they made the jump to light speed.

  "I think it worked," she gasped. "I saw the moon go."

  "The aft scanners confirm," called Delta Ten.

  "We'll have to wait till we get to normal space before we'll know for sure."

  Chapter 23

  Two hours later, what was left of the Alliance fleet met up at a pre-determined location in the darkness of space. Callon's tanker, along with it's cargo of fighters was just ahead of the Grennig, which emerged from hyperspace and slid to a graceful halt next to the Rising Star.

  "Any contact with Katraia?" asked Erion.

  "Nothing from that area of space at all," answered Delta Ten, long fingers brushing the controls in front of him.

  "That's good then, isn't it?" asked Starfire, hopefully.

  "Or really, really bad," suggested Hal. It earned him a dirty look from Erion which went right over his head. Callon's tanker also carried fuel reserves, and the Grennig and the Rising Star filled up with enough to get them to the Gateway.

  " Ahoy Grennig, we're heading back to the Cantina," called Jed Cloud. "You better take Raan back before he bankrupts us. That boy can surely play Pan."

  "Oh, for Frag's sake!" muttered Erion. "He couldn't just be a normal passenger, could he?"

  "I'll go get him," smiled Starfire, rising from her seat. She returned ten minutes later with the unabashed Captain and he slid into the co pilot seat with a grin.

  "Hey Jed," he called over the com, "the drinks are on me when we get back to the Cantina."

  "We're all meeting at the Gateway Base first," Jed's voice came over the com, "but we'll take you up on it after. We might as well drink with you, seeing as it's our money anyway."

  "We said we would wait here for twelve hours," began Erion. "Raemond said he would try to contact us if he could."

  "We'll meet you at the Gateway then, Major," answered Jed. "See you on the other side." The Grennig's crew watched as the tanker and the Rising Star turned away and jumped into hyperspace.

  Almost twenty four hours later, the Grennig landed on a pad at the Gateway Base. Identity checks over, they took the short ride to the main briefing room. Elkrist was waiting for them just outside the doors.

  "Any news?" asked Erion.

  "Not directly from Katraia," began Elkrist, "but there is news from the Federation. We'll talk in the main control room. We've been waiting for you." The doors opened to reveal a large room with a raised dais at one end. Seated on it and behind a long, white desk, was Gant, along with Jeddoh Cloud, Thirty Seven and several other high ranking officers of the Alliance. The rest of the room was taken up by several round tables about which sat dozens of Alliance members. There were some in flying gear, some medical workers, some in uniform and some not. They all sat around their tables, facing the little stage. Elkrist pointed Erion and her crew to a table at the front and left them to walk up to the dais and take her place facing the audience, next to Jeddoh Cloud. Gant nodded to her, then to the crew of the Grennig and stood up. Instantly, all chatter ceased and all eyes looked to him.

  "Firstly, I would like to say well done to Major Erion and her crew and also to Colonel Cloud and his crew for the success of their mission." There was polite applause and Gant turned up his lips in a rare smile, "and also well done to Thirty Seven on his first undercover mission." Thirty Seven, now painted in his usual colours, nodded politely, then was urged to rise and bow to acknowledge the thunderous applause and cheering. Gant raised his arms, gently lowered them and the applause died down. "You all know about the mission. I can tell you that the Planet Killer did its work and the moon, Lumis, was totally destroyed. We have decoded several messages from the Federation which confirm this." There was more applause. "Since Lumis was destroyed, we have not been able to directly contact Katraia or any of its moons." The crew of the Grennig looked at each other worriedly. Gant caught Starfire's eye and winked. "This does not mean
, however, that we do not know exactly was is happening on Katraia. He turned to his left and put out his hand to a young couple who entered the room from behind a screen. For a moment, the Grennig crew did not recognise the handsome couple, dressed in fine Aurian silks, then Raan nudged Erion and shouted,

  "It's Rae and Rigondal!" Gant bowed to the couple and turned towards the audience.

  "I would like you to meet the newest members of the Alliance. I introduce to you Princess Rigondal of Mur and Lord Raemond of Prime, from the planet Katraia." They bowed low to Gant and then to the audience. There was much clapping and cheering until Gant raised and lowered his arms again to restore peace and quiet to the ceremonies. Rigondal seated herself next to Gant, and Raemond composed himself and walked forward.

  "Fellow members of the Alliance," he began, "I am speaking to you as a representative of his Royal Highness, King Lendus and the Royal House of Mur. I can confirm that the plan to explode Lumis and cut off Katraia from the outside world has been a complete success." There was more cheering and it took Gant a full twenty seconds to get the crowd to sit down again. "As predicted by Delta Ten, the trianite and other metals inside Lumis has surrounded Katraia in the form of several rings and now acts as a damping field. I can report that the Federation has gone from Katraia." He looked towards the Grennig crew and tried to speak again. "When we asked the Lady Erion for help, we never thought…. We were uncooperative and unkind…" he tailed off, clearly choked with emotion. It was left to Rigondal, who stood and took Raemond's hand. She nodded to the Grennig crew, who were shifting their feet in embarrassment. All, that is, except Hal, who lounged in his chair, smoking a cigarillo and showed no emotion at all.

  "As Raemond said, we treated you badly, disobeyed your instructions and almost got you all killed with our foolishness." At this, Gant caught Erion's eye. None of this had appeared in her report and he decided to de-brief Delta Ten as soon as he could. "We thought we were invincible in our own little system. We didn't think anyone would dare to disturb our little world. We didn't think we needed anyone else. Well, we were wrong. I speak for my father and for all Katraians when I say to the Alliance, thank you with all our hearts." She sat down to more applause and Gant rose to speak again.

  "We have scored a great victory for the Alliance, but we can never speak of it outside this room. The Federation must believe the destruction of Lumis was a grave mistake on our part. If Rimek suspects for one minute, this was all part of a plan, he will return and take his revenge. We must not forget that many lives were lost on both sides. Some of you have lost friends and comrades, but the cause was just. They will not be forgotten. Once again, I thank you all for the part you have played in this triumph. Now, please, go to the Cantina and enjoy your success. You have all earned it." There was the sound of many chairs scraping back as people rose and slowly left the room. The party from the dais stepped down and mingled with the Grennig Crew.

  "So," Raan broke the silence, "What's the damage to Katraia then?"

  "It's pretty bad, Raan," answered Raemond. "Earthquakes in land and Tsunamis in the coastal areas."

  "At least the people are safe," put in Rigondal. "Everyone who could hid in bunkers and safe underground tunnels. We knew what to expect and we were prepared. People lost their lives but it could have been a lot worse. There is much rebuilding to be done, but we are free of the Federation."

  "We will help all we can," Gant handed her a computer tablet. "We have come up with a plan to help your planet get back on its feet." Rigondal took the tablet and looked questioningly at Gant. "Your Golden Bearmyl has been contaminated and many of your buildings are gone or too damaged to repair," he began. "We would like you to take a proposal back to the Royal Council for their perusal. We would like to suggest that Katraia becomes a rest and recuperation destination for our battle weary troops." Rigondal and Raemond exchanged glances. Their expressions were confused at first, then broad smiles broke out on their faces. "From what Major Erion tells me, your way of life is calm and quite beautiful," continued Gant. "If you are in agreement with our proposal, Thirty Seven will finance the rebuilding of your structures, keeping to the original as much as possible of course. The Alliance will provide hospitals and the staff to run them for our wounded soldiers and we will staff them until your own people can be trained. We will provide you with as much help as you need to get back on your feet for as long as you wish. We will also plough a sensible path through the rings so that our ships can easily reach Katraia. Known only," he smiled "to the Alliance and its friends of course."

  "And we can keep our way of life?" asked Rigondal, "I mean if you are paying…."

  "A loan only Your Highness," put in Thirty Seven. "We can work out the fine details at a later date. We are not the Aurian Federation. We will help you as long as you wish, but you are free to run your planet any way you choose and if you do not wish the Alliance on your planet, we will leave."

  "Not on your life!" said Raemond. "I'll take your proposal back Katraia, but I'm pretty sure they'll go for it. We hadn't thought much past getting the Federation off our planet, but this sounds like a great deal."

  "We will also benefit, Lord Raemond," said Elkrist. "Katraia can become a haven of peace and tranquillity and a welcome escape from the trauma of battle. If you tell us your requirements, I'm sure we can come to a mutual agreement. Firstly, we must arrange some method of communication between us, now that direct beaming is impossible. I'm sure Delta Ten will be happy to assist."

  "Of course," Del bowed low. He turned to Starfire, "Perhaps we could utilise some more Little Rocks, Lieutenant."

  "Good idea, Del," answered Starfire. "Seventy Eight is a smart cookie. He'd be ideal to head up a new Little Rock group on Katraia." They walked off, still talking about it.

  "Well, that's that then." Raan slapped Raemond on the back. "Let's go to the Cantina and get drunk."

  "We still have much to discuss with the Alliance," said Raemond. His attention wasn't fully on Raan. He caught sight of Rigondal in deep conversation with Hal at the next table and was concerned for her welfare. "Sorry Raan," he said, "I'll be back in a minute." By the time he reached Rigondal, Hal had wandered off to speak to Elkrist and Raemond asked her what they had been talking about.

  "We were talking about Captain Grey," explained Rigondal.

  "Oh," muttered Raemond. So much had happened over the last few weeks, he had forgotten what a little bitch she had been.

  "I apologised most profoundly to Mister Hal for my behaviour and asked if there was anything I could do make it up to him."

  "What did he say?"

  "He told me to promote Captain Grey to Major and put him in charge of my personal protection detail. He said that anyone who was stupid enough to go against him in a gunfight under my orders was probably also loyal enough to lay down his life for me."

  "What did you say?"

  "I told him I would certainly do this."

  "You didn't tell him he died in the fighting then?"

  "No, Raemond. I am ashamed enough of the way I acted then. I could not bear to see the look of scorn on his face if I told him Captain Grey died in the assault on the Pinnacle Port building." Her bottom lip quivered and she was close to tears. "He was engaged to be married, Raemond. He shouldn't have been fighting with his damaged hand. I got him killed!"

  "Come on," Raemond took her arm. "Let's go and find the others." He took Rigondal's arm and they walked over to Raan, Erion and Gant.

  "So the sneaky bastard escaped did he?" Raan turned towards them. "We were just discussing Farrell," he explained.

  "There was no sign of my brother when we finally got back into the Palace," said Rigondal. "We think he went away with all the other Federation troops when they left Katraia."

  "I'll find him," stated Raemond grimly. "When Katraia is all sorted out, I'll go look for him, and when I find him, he'll pay for what he did to Papa and Landa."

  "That'll make you feel better for sure," began Raan, "but don't let it eat
you up, man."

  "I'll make sure it doesn't," said Rigondal, grimly. Her eyes were still bright with unshed tears and Erion spotted it.

  "Are you all right, Your Highness?" Raemond looked down at her.

  "I think The Princess has something to tell Mr Hal," he said softly.

  Rigondal suddenly spun round and rushed after the departing gunman. She caught up with him and they watched her talking, earnestly.

  "What's all that about?" mused Starfire to Delta Ten, as the Princess hurtled past.

  "Would you like me to read their lips, Lieutenant?" he asked.

  "Can you do that? No! You mustn't." Starfire looked up at the expressionless machine and smirked. "Remember it though, will you. In case he won't tell me when I ask him." Starfire watched Rigondal walk slowly back to Raemond, who took both her hands in his.

  "Well, what did he say?"

  "He said, 'War sure sucks don't it?' Then he shrugged and walked off." She looked perplexed and Erion leaned forward,

  "I wouldn't read too much into what Hal says," she said, quietly. "There will be no hidden meanings, just the truth as he sees it. He is not a complicated man."

  "Then he does not hate me?" Rigondal brightened.

  "Nobody knows Hal that well, but I could make an educated guess and say he doesn't care much about you one way or the other, so I wouldn't let it bother you." Erion patted her arm. "Look, we're all going back to the Cantina for a meal. Why don't you come with us?"

  "We still have much to discuss with the Alliance," began Raemond.

  "I'm sure that could wait for a day, couldn't it Sir?" Raan asked Gant.

  "The Cantina awaits, Captain," smiled Gant, "and as we are crowded at the moment, I have asked Elkrist to reserve your usual quarters." He turned to Rigondal and Raemond. "I am sure you will also enjoy the delights of the Cantina and I have reserved a guest suite for you. It will do no harm to delay our talks for a couple of days. Relax and enjoy yourselves." He nodded politely and walked off towards Thirty Seven.