A Faded Star

by Michael Freeport

  Despite the man's intolerance of anything other than strict military discipline and bearing, she found herself unable to dislike the man. He had the perfect balance of leadership, presence and charisma needed to maintain a warship. Hanlon gave herself a shake and reminded herself the assignment was unlikely to be a lengthy one. “Second watch,” She said. “Let's get the system modifications done as soon as possible, people.”

  Engineering and weapons crews aboard all five ships got very little sleep over the next twenty hours, but by the beginning of first watch the next day, systems modifications were complete and ready for testing.

  Hanlon and Drogue walked onto the bridge. She'd expected Drogue to be well rested, but his eyes were red-rimmed, and he walked stooped over as though he had gotten very little sleep. The pair sat down side by side on the bridge. Hanlon leaned over to Drogue and whispered, “Are you okay, sir?”

  Drogue spoke back at a normal volume level. “I'm fine, Captain. I have warned you about whispering in my ear. Do not do it again.”

  Hanlon sat bolt upright in her chair, biting off her immediate response. Most of the officers and crew glanced nervously at the two senior officers of the expeditionary force. “Ah, my apologies, sir. I'm just-”

  “You're used to a peacetime military. This is not a peacetime military. Keep your bearing, captain.”

  Hanlon fixed her eyes forward and did her best to assume an expressionless facade of unflinching military bearing. She wondered why Drogue was dressing her down in front of the crew. His actions flew in the face of accepted senior officer interaction. She stole a sidelong glance at the admiral only to see him staring at her. She jumped and turned her attention back to the forward display.

  Drogue turned and addressed the tactical officer. “Kelper, is the weapon system modification ready for test firing?”

  “Yes, ah, yes, sir,” Kelper stammered from her station chair. Her head was down over her console as if she was refusing to look anywhere else on the bridge.

  “Excellent. Begin with a five percent power test on target alpha one.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  Hanlon turned and said to Drogue, “Sir, could we speak in private, please?”

  “After the weapons test, captain. Direct the exercise.”

  “Aye, sir. Miss Kelper, prepare for your first test shot.”

  “Aye, ma'am. Charging.” There was a pause of ten seconds. “Weapons charged. Firing at five percent.”

  There was an audible click, and a puff of dust erupted from the surface of the target asteroid.

  “Report,” Hanlon said.

  “Minor alignment issue between section two and three of the canon banks. It will take a few minutes to reset the timing.”

  “Very well, Miss Kelper. Adjust and re-fire in your own time.”

  “Looks like we have time for our chat, Captain. Come with me.” Drogue stood and walked to the office just off of the bridge.

  As Hanlon closed the hinged door behind her, Drogue stood ramrod straight regarding her. “Captain, don't bother to sit down. This will be brief. I presume you are concerned over my speaking with you in front of the crew.

  “Yes, sir. I-”

  “You will be given leave to speak when I need your input in private, captain. I provide guidance on your lack of military bearing and leadership abilities as I see fit. No member of this crew is without need for improvement, and everyone assigned to my command must be aware that fact. I didn't notice during our trip out as we only spent time in private discussing our strategy. Once we made it to the alliance base, I have seen you exhibit questionable behavior for someone in your position. I expect nothing short of instant obedience and an utterly exemplary image of military bearing from you, captain. I've become increasingly aware that you have a habit of situationally inappropriate humor and poor boundaries of leadership with the department heads and crew. This may seem like a good way of gaining their trust and respect, but it makes them question you and your decisions. In peacetime, this hesitation may be appropriate and acceptable, but when we're on a wartime footing, officers and men cannot question the leaders they follow. Is that clear, Captain?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “If you are unable to perform within the guidelines I have specified, I will be happy to appoint another officer to your post and place you in command of the Rapier. The decision is yours, Captain.”

  “I'll remain at my current post, sir.”

  “Very well, captain. Now let's get back out there and get these ships whipped into fighting form. We must be able to beat the crabs.” Drogue walked around Hanlon and back onto the bridge, not bothering to look if she was coming or not.

  The bridge was utterly silent as Hanlon took her seat again.

  Kelper was the first to speak. “Sir, weapons have been realigned and timing has been reset. Ready for next test shot.”

  “Very well, Miss Kelper. Proceed,” Drogue said.

  “Aye, sir.” Kelper worked on her console for a moment and then said, “Firing.”

  The shot, this time, was far louder than before. A huge gout of debris blew out from the facing side of their asteroid.

  “Looks like a clean shot this time,” Hanlon said.

  “Yes, ma'am. Final amplification is right on three hundred forty percent above sum power. Higher power shots should result in a somewhat higher compression reaction.”

  “Begin a series of test shots slowly building to one hundred percent rated power. Make sure the timing and alignment is correct for each shot.”

  “Yes, ma'am.”

  It took the better part of an hour until the combined shots began to take on the familiar shriek of energy Hanlon remembered from Rampart. The destructive power was still somewhat less than Rampart was capable of, but it was a massive improvement compared to what had been originally provided.

  At last, Hanlon was able to report, “Primary armament is now ready for combat, admiral.”

  “Excellent, Captain. Prepare to begin maneuvers for our first exercise. We have four more hours on first watch.”

  “Aye, sir. Sending the signal now.”

  “Get me a report from the other ships on their progress.”

  The report only took a moment to come back. “All ships report ready, sir. Also, I have the independent suggestions on how to reconfigure the demolecularizing beams for hull strength.”

  “Very well. We'll work on them during second watch. Have Miss Kelper pull second shift in command.”

  “Aye, sir. Miss Kelper you are in command for second shift.”

  “Aye, ma'am.”

  Drogue said, “Have the simulator technician input our estimate of hull strength improvement into the simulation. Also, begin maneuvering to the exercise area.”

  “Aye, sir,” Hanlon said

  The squadron moved into a position far out into the star system. A formation of fifteen alliance ships waited there, with their systems were set to simulate crab ships.

  As the offensive squadron moved into position, Admiral Drogue said, “Put me through to all ships, captain.”

  “Aye, sir.” She tapped the console by her chair for a moment and then said, “You're on with the entire squadron, Admiral.”

  “This is Admiral Drogue. We are about to engage the alliance formation in an exercise to simulate attacking a crab convoy of ships in deep space. They have no idea what kinds of changes or modifications we've made to these ships. The computers have been programmed to simulate our increased firepower and survivability. We are about to give the alliance commanders a glimpse into what humans can do. I know the last two days have been exhausting for most of you, and I just want to say well done. We have one more thing to do before we can take a short rest. Let's make this the shortest combat exercise in history.” Drogue nodded at Hanlon, and she closed the comm channel.

  The trip to the outer system took less than an hour. Once the ships were in position and all combat simulation computers were interfaced on the same network, Admiral Drogue g
ave the order for the simulation to begin.

  “Captain begin a single strafing pass through the enemy convoy. Simulate weapons at sixty percent power to reduce re-fire time.”

  “Aye, sir. Shall we prioritize larger ships first?”

  “Yes, captain. Let's punch them out in a single pass if we can. Coordinate with the destroyers to maximize coverage and point defense systems.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  The offensive squadron formed up and began their attack run, their point defense systems set in an interlocking pattern designed to maximize the active defense, and simulated power pulsed to their newly improved hull armor. The silent approach to the convoy was almost eerie. Quiet orders spoken into a tense anticipation of sudden action. Drogue seemed completely unaffected. He watched the status displays calmly until they entered weapons range.

  “Weapons free, captain.”

  “Aye, sir. Miss Kelper, fire at will per priority.”

  “Aye, ma'am. Firing now.” There was no discharge as the systems were actually unpowered for the exercise but the simulated sensor results were breathtaking. The convoy ships took astonishing damage and were completely destroyed by the time the offensive squadron had completed its first pass. The convoy of ships, now drifting, unpowered and helpless as the computers had denied access to systems deemed destroyed by the offensive squadron A few minutes after being 'destroyed', the lead ship of the alliance formation sent a transmission to the Broadsword.

  “Sir, we have an incoming comm request.”

  “Put it up, captain.”

  Commander Ktenu's face appeared on the screen. Without any sort of pleasantries, he said, “Admiral, I demand to see your simulation data.”

  “May I ask why, Commander?” Drogue looked utterly unmoved by Ktenu's abruptness.

  “We suspect you may have inadvertently entered incorrect data into your side of the simulation.”

  “You mean you think we intentionally gave ourselves an advantage.”

  “In effect, yes, Admiral. The data, please?”

  Drogue nodded. “Send him the data, Captain.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  As the data scrolled through the stream, Ktenu's eyes flickered back and forth. He began waving his arms up and down, a truly comical sight. Had Drogue not been on the bridge, Hanlon would have laughed quite a bit.

  “Admiral! Your stated offensive and defensive capacities are completely outside the capabilities of the ships provided to you. You must restart the simulation with corrected values.”

  “Let me see, commander.” Drogue made a show of looking at the data on his chair mounted screen. “I don't see anything wrong with the values entered. Perhaps a small demonstration?”

  “Demonstration, admiral?” Ktenu looked confused. “I'm not sure what you could demonstrate but, very well. Proceed.”

  “Captain, maneuver to point our main gun in a safe direction.”

  “Aye, sir. Turning ship now. Helm, come to one-seven-seven by zero-zero-zero.”

  The helm repeated the order and the ship turned onto a new course within a moment. Ktenu's face continued to look out at the bridge with a growing sense of impatience.

  “We're steady on course, admiral.” Drogue nodded, and Hanlon continued, “Miss Kelper, charge main gun to one hundred percent and fire a warshot along ship's heading.”

  “Aye, ma'am. Charging.” Kelper paused for a few seconds while the energy levels built and then said, “Firing.”

  The familiar shriek of super-compressed plasma filled the bridge. Hanlon looked to see a commotion on the bridge of Ktenu's ship. Everyone was standing and shouting. A Gol was waving a tablet in front of Ktenu that looked to be displaying the energy output of the main gun from the brief flash Hanlon saw.

  Ktenu took the tablet and looked at the energy display for a moment. “I don't know how you have done it, Admiral, but your species lives up to its reputation. We will be ready for the exercise tomorrow.” The screen flicked to a standby image.

  “What does that mean?” Hanlon asked to no one in particular.

  “Captain, there is a piece of this puzzle we need. Somehow, the alliance is aware of humans in a way we haven't been told about. I want you to detail Mister Watkins to search for any information the alliance may have on humans.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Prepare casualty drills for second watch and free time for third. Night shift is to be minimum watch standers. Let's get our hull armor modifications done on second watch if possible, captain. I want a chance to test it out before we return to space dock.”

  “Will we be firing on one of our own ships, sir?”

  “I believe it may be a necessary step, captain.” Drogue sighed deeply. He continued, “We have few options. Normally, firing on a friendly ship full of our own people would be unconscionable. Unfortunately, we are using alliance technology in a way they would never dream of. We'll take as many precautions as possible. We won't be firing any full power shots at any ship, captain. Rest assured of that.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  The next morning found the Broadsword floating over a tiny gas giant, being used to simulate the target of a planetary bombardment. The squadron had been broken into two subunits. Three destroyers were moved into a picket line to defend the assaulting force. Broadsword and Rapier were attacking the planet, using their main guns and simulated torpedoes to decimate a simulated crab surface installation. A response force of roughly expected strength was stationed and would be played once again by a portion of Ktenu's force. During the intelligence briefings, three destroyers were expected to be far more than would be needed to destroy a small squadron of scouts and a single corvette sized ship the crabs appeared to have stationed in the system they were practicing for.

  The ships took up their starting positions and signaled to the remaining ships in the exercise.

  Admiral Drogue said, “Begin the simulation, captain.”

  “Aye, sir. Helm, set course for the planet and take up geosynchronous orbit for planetary bombardment.”

  “Aye, ma'am. Engaging engines now.”

  The Broadsword and Rapier moved towards the planet while Dirk, Saber, and Poniard moved towards a small moon orbiting the planet. The moon should give the three ships cover from an incoming force.

  The first part of the orbital assault went exactly as planned, the simulated installation taking extensive damage from simulated cannon fire. A hitch in the plan developed as Ktenu moved his defensive force in for the expected counterattack.

  “Sir, Ktenu has mobilized his entire force against the picket,” Hanlon said.

  “When an enemy is on the field, no commander can expect battle plans to proceed uninterrupted, captain. Ktenu doesn't appear willing to play by the rules. Signal Dirk, Poniard, and Saber to defensive formation and retreat towards us. We will move to join them. Set up to orbit the planet at maximum thrust. By the time we come around, we should be on a similar trajectory and speed.”

  “Aye, sir.” Hanlon took a few seconds to work out the variables so their ships would have a seamless integration at the rendezvous point. “Helm, orbit the planet at an altitude of two hundred seventy kilometers and increase our thrust to ninety-four percent.”

  “Aye, ma'am,” the helmsman said.

  “That should get us into formation with the destroyers with only slight course corrections, sir. That's if they can hold them off for that long, sir.”

  “We're about to find out. Time for completion of orbit?”

  “Eleven minutes, sir,” Hanlon said.

  “Very good. Prepare a little surprise for the system defenders. Work out the angle we need to have some torpedoes intercept them, assuming they continue their pursuit of the destroyers. Launch the torpedoes using their chemical thrusters only so Ktenu's formation won't detect the launch.”

  “Aye, sir. Inputting firing order now. Miss Kelper, launch six torpedoes in seven minutes, thirty-seven seconds, chemical thrusters only. Set evasive seekers and short rang
e attack envelope against Ktenu's force.”

  Kelper tapped the simulated firing pattern into her console. “Firing sequence locked in, ma'am.”

  “Very well, Lieutenant.”

  The minutes passed quietly, routine reports coming and going. Ktenu single-mindedly pursued the three destroyers, inflicting a fair degree of simulated damage. The Saber was critically damaged by the time torpedoes were launched despite the simulation acknowledging their enhanced hull strength. Broadsword and Rapier swung in with the crippled picket force. On Drogue's order, all five ships swung their bows, firing simultaneously. The five largest ships, all rated as battleships were 'destroyed' instantly, while six of Ktenu's screening destroyers were heavily damaged by the torpedo launch he hadn't detected. Follow-up shots from Drogue's force reduced Ktenu's offensive capability to zero effectiveness.

  Drogue's five reduced Ktenu's twenty to simulated wrecks in less than five minutes. Drogue lost the Saber and Dirk in the exchange and all his ships except the Broadsword herself would have been scrapped from the damage received.

  Watkins said, “Sir, Commander Ktenu is requesting communications.”

  “Put him through, Lieutenant.”

  Ktenu's face appeared. He was standing quite still. If Hanlon could have put any emotion to his expression, it would have been cold, seething rage.

  “Admiral, your ships are clearly cheating during the exercise. I don't know how you got the simulation computer to accept such high defensive values and hull strength values, but they're far in excess of what those ships are capable of. You cannot convince me otherwise.”

  “Very well, Commander. Would you prefer a live demonstration?”

  “What do you mean, live demonstration?”

  “We've prepared a low power shot intended to demonstrate the enhanced hull strength of these ships. We used the excess EM field generation capacity from the demolecularizers previously installed. The inverted field, applied to the hull provides a remarkable degree of strength and energy absorption.”

  “How do you plan to make this demonstration? Surely not by firing on one of your own ships with a live shot!” Ktenu's tiny, triangular mouth was hanging open and his eyes looked ready to roll out of their sockets. “Admiral! I protest. You cannot fire on one of your own ships!”