The Hope Island Chronicles Boxed Set
Page 106
“Moe, detach and break away to starboard.”
The boat shook violently and hauled over to port.
Sensing the danger signals Nathan rolled the boat over. An E boat had snuck up on his stern. Enemy pulsars brutally raked his boat. Firing its forward pulsars he tore at her weapons array.
“Our shields are failing,” Krause yelled.
“Berkner, do we have pulsar heads loaded?”
“Yes, sir. All tubes.”
“Good man.” Nathan locked onto the enemy and fired all six weapons.
The enemy boat fired her torpedoes at the same moment. They crossed one another’s paths. Nathan fired at the enemy torpedoes, but at such a close range could hit only one. The rest exploded just off his bow.
E 692 pitched up on her stern as the torpedoes ripped into her innards.
“Captain,” Bessel said from engineering, “the reactor has scrammed. I’m working on it.” A slight pause. “Winkler’s dead.”
“Captain,” the DCO reported, “our weapons are gone. That last shot tore through deck two like a knife through butter. We have casualties down here.”
“Get them to sick bay.”
While Nathan received the bad news he fitted his helmet and locked it in place.
“Willet, what’s the condition of the enemy boat?”
“That last salvo took out my forward sensors, Skip. I’ve got nothing.”
“Moe, I could use some help.”
“I’ve got an E boat on my six, so I’ll have to get back to you.”
Nathan sensed that his opponent was as damaged as he. Without the means to finish each other off they simply sat toe to toe like two beached barracudas. Feeling confident that he wouldn’t expose his boat to danger Nathan rotated her through her axis.
“Kellerman, are you and Hoppe on the guns.”
“Aye, Skip,” Kellerman said.
“Captain,” Willet said, “stern feeds show the other E boat is severely damaged. Her shields are down and her weapons bay is a mess.”
“Captain,” Bessel said, “auxiliary generator on line. It’ll keeps us alive for a while but not much else.”
“Mag maneuvering? Weapons?”
“I can’t guarantee how long it’ll hold out if you overtax it.”
“Understood.”
“Moe, just listen,” Nathan said. “If you can locate us, bring the enemy to me. Get him to follow you over my stern. Then we can both hit him at the same time.”
“On my way,” Moe said.
“X-O, prepare to open the boat bay hatch.”
“Standing by.”
Using the few thrusters that were still operable Nathan, brought the boat around to point in the direction where his senses said Adroit would be coming from.
“I’ve got you on visual,” Moe said. “I’ll pass over your bow in ten seconds.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Kellerman, any second now.”
“Roger that.”
He couldn’t see the enemy vessel that dogged Moe, but he felt it, seconds away.
“X-O, now.”
***
Moe brought Adroit skimming over Nathan’s topside. Cutting her engines, she hit the forward mag plating and threw in the bow thrusters. The boat shuddered as her speed dropped.
“Now.”
The landing bay hatch snapped open and the marines opened up with their L 50’s, tearing into the enemy’s weapons array. Nathan’s people shot into her engines. She hauled over to port bleeding debris and vapor.
“Her shields are down,” tactical reported. “Captain, her reactor is going critical. She’ll blow at any moment.”
Nathan’s boat looked as if it had been chewed up and spat out. Too close to the enemy vessel, with no shields, he wouldn’t survive the E boat’s destruction. Moe brought Adroit about and latched a tractor onto E 692. Applying full power to her one remaining thrust engine, she took both boats away from the blast zone. She hadn’t gotten far when the enemy boat exploded. Adroit bucked as debris from the dying boat struck out and peppered her hull with shrapnel. Her one remaining thrust engine died and she slowly drifted to a dead stop. The tractor had also been damaged. Moe activated her stealth engines but knew she couldn’t latch onto Nathan’s boat with her undercarriage while using them. Both boats wallowed in open space waiting for the enemy to finish them off.
“Damage control,” Moe said. “Estimated time to repair the tractor.”
“I’m looking at it now, Skipper,” Fish said. “It took a pretty severe hit and I don’t think it can be repaired.”
“Can you doing anything with it, Fish?” Moe asked.
“Even if I had the time, I don’t have the parts.
“Very well.”
Without her tractor she couldn’t save Nathan.
“Captain, another E boat coming in, slowing,” her T-O said. “It looks to be picking up survivors from the damaged light carrier.”
Her comm beeped. “Captain.”
“How is your boat?” Nathan asked.
“Both thrust engines gone. Tractor badly damaged.”
“Stealth engines?”
“Working.”
“Contact, Captain,” her T-O said. “Destroyers closing.”
“Time to go,” Nathan said.
“I won’t leave you.” Moe’s heart broke. She knew he was right.
“Moe, you are Captain,” Nathan said.
Moe was captain and as such the responsibility for the crew of fifty-nine rested firmly on her shoulders. If she tried to fight off the destroyers, for the sake of her love for Nate, Adroit’s crew would die along with the E boat’s.
“Moe, time’s up. Those destroyers will be within torpedo range in thirty seconds. Go.”
Tears clouded her vision as she brought both stealth engines online and brought the boat about.
“I love you, Nate,” she said, her voice cracking with grief.
“I love you too,” Nathan said. “Hang on.”
Moe’s comm beeped. “Adroit and E boat, maintain your positions,” Captain Garner said. “We’ll take care of the destroyers.”
Moe almost wept with relief. Once again, Nathan had been snatched from the jaws of death.
Streaking past her, the fifteen Cimmerian stealth ships opened up on the destroyers. Hundreds of torpedoes sped toward the enemy. The destroyers fired a massive salvo of anti-torpedo fire destroying half of the Cimmerian weapons. The other half locked onto their targets and detonated simultaneously. The five closely packed destroyers were obliterated in a massive wash of nuclear fire.
Garner brought her ships about, surrounding the two damaged boats.
“You two look as if you’ve lost a fight with the school bully,” Garner said. “I’ll detail two ships to lock-on tractors and tow you home.”
“Much obliged, Captain Garner,” Nathan said.
“Yeah,” Moe said, “what he said.”
Kamoras latched onto the boats and set course for the I-M. The rest of the Cimmerian ships held their positions surrounding them, maintaining a shield of ships between the two battered boats and any enemy vessels foolish enough to approach them.
She keyed her L-M. “SMC, give me a secure channel to Captain Telford on the E 692.”“Channel open,” the computer said.
“Nate, are you still up?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll stay on the bridge until we reach the I-M.”
She knew the price he paid whenever he used his Knack. “You must be exhausted.”
“I’m okay,” he said.
Okay? He’s been on that boat too long.
Moe tried to organize her thoughts.
“Hey, you know when I said, you know, what I said, I didn’t mean -”
“It’s all right, Moe,” Nathan said.
He knows how I feel about him. He probably always has. The realization stunned her. All this time, he’d known. I love him like an unreq
uited lover. He loves me like a friend. And it will always be that way.
“Hey, we did good today, didn’t we?” Moe said, digressing.
“We did good,” Nathan said. “Even the League of Allied Worlds can’t cover up this act of aggression like they did with Cimmeria. We could be at war by the time we get home.”
“Another war,” Moe said. “I wonder if this will be the war to end all wars.”
“It’s a nice thought, isn’t it?”
Yeah, he doesn’t believe it either.
“I’m going to grab some coffee,” Moe said, “so I’ll catch up with you on Cimmeria.”
“Good idea. I think I’ll do the same. E 692, out.”
Although the boat’s coffee tasted as foul as ever it helped to keep her awake. It had been quite a day. Her comm beeped.
“Allied vessels,” a strong though elderly voice said. “Admiral Symonds of the sixteenth Athenian battlegroup. Are you in need of assistance?”
“Captain Garner, Cimmerian navy. Thank you, Admiral, but no assistance is required. We have two disabled boats with casualties aboard. We are returning to Cimmeria for repairs and treatment for our wounded.”
“Very well, Captain,” the Admiral said. “You didn’t leave much for my battlegroup to clean up. Well done. Now we’ll finish the rest off.”
“Admiral Symonds,” Nathan said. “Excuse me for cutting in. It’s Vogel of the E 692.”
“Yes, Captain, I’ve been briefed as to your situation by ... a mutual acquaintance. What can I do for you?”
“Sir, I’m all for eliminating the threat but some captured ships and talkative crews might be prudent.”
“I’m two steps ahead of you, Captain,” he said. “Good lord, your boats look dreadful. Are you in need of assistance.”
“We’re fine, sir,” Nathan said, “thanks to the Cimmerian navy.”
“Very well,” the Admiral said, “I’ll see you on Cimmeria once I’ve finished mopping up. Symonds out.”
The massive battlegroup passed by the small attack ships, on their way to deal with what remained of the enemy Armada.
Cimmerian landing boats docked with the damaged boats and evacuated their wounded.
In two days they would be back on Cimmeria and could set about repairing their damage. And burying their dead.
As soon as they entered hyperspace Moe called her relief, stepped into her quarters, removed her armor and V suit then fell into her rack with a bone weary groan.
CHAPTER 82
Date: 15th January, 327 ASC.
Position: En route to Pruessen, Imperial space.
Orson lay on his bunk, his eyes staring at the overhead. The scale of the disaster had been beyond imagining, and the responsibility for it would drop squarely onto his shoulders. His one great chance to achieve eminence within the family had slipped through his fingers. No, not slipped. It had been snatched from his grasp, by Telford. Instead of hearty congratulations from his masters, and all of the attendant rewards that would come with it, he would be lucky if they didn’t destroy him. It would be a miracle if this disaster did not propel the Empire into total war with the League of Allied Worlds.
With the aid of vastly superior forces, the battle should have been a foregone conclusion. Telford should be rotting in a cell. Instead, Telford would be the one who would received tribute. He would continue to live out his days, where Orson would probably die a slow and unimaginably painful death. His masters did not look kindly on failure. A catastrophe of this magnitude would no doubt awaken their dark wrath. Orson shuddered at the thought of the horror they’d inflict upon him.
He had come to understand something about the Athenian. He hated Telford. Hated him with a single-minded disgust he could feel, churning through his body and mind, like a vile corruption. If he’d been allowed to kill him, the story would have had a happier ending for Orson. His masters wanted the Athenian alive. Why? He was just another southern naval officer. Skilled at survival, to be sure, but not one of the elite. How the devil had he managed to consistently out fox an Associate?
Somehow Orson determined that he must survive the horror to come. His manifest destiny demanded it.
A low growl rose up from the pit of his stomach. Retribution was his goal now. A single focused purpose that would drive him forward, past all and any obstacles. Yes, that thought brought a type of closure to Orson’s troubled mind.
CHAPTER 83
Date: 19th January, 327 ASC.
Position: Pruessen naval base, Virtus. Imperial space.
From his balcony window, Captain Dermot Winstone gazed out over the immense complex that stretched to the horizon. The scale of Pruessen’s largest naval facility sent a shudder down his spine.
The League of Allied Worlds could never stand against the Empire’s might. Acknowledging this most obvious of facts, Winstone reconciled his treachery. All that he knew, he had given willingly to his hosts. No dark smelly cell for him. The Pruessens proved to be a pretty decent lot once he’d gotten over his initial fear. A comfortable apartment had been provided for him, together with the finest food and drink, and women. Oh, so many willing slaves. Yes, life within the Empire was good, for those who cooperated. He didn’t see himself as a traitor, but more of a rationalist.
He glanced at the wall-mounted timepiece. Two-thirty in the afternoon. Helga was overdue for their appointment. Ah, lovely Helga. He would have to chastise her for being so tardy. Yes, he enjoyed spanking her. She was only a slave so he could do anything he wanted to her. The thought brought a pitiless smile to his face.
“Yes, anything I wish,” he whispered.
The door-chime sounded. Winstone strode to the door and hit the admit button. His anticipation together with his smile waned. Commander Meyer nodded as he let himself inside.
“How are you today, Dermot?” the Commander asked. As he did on every visit.
“I’m fine, Hans, but I’m expecting company, so could we make this quick?”
“Helga has been reassigned.”
“Shit,” Winstone said. “She’s my favorite. Oh, well can’t be helped. So, what can I do for you?”
“A decision has been made by my superiors regarding your disposition,” Meyer said. “Frankly, they do not feel that you’ve been totally forthcoming with us.”
“But Hans, I’ve told you everything I know.” For the first time since his capture, Winstone felt the cold hand of fear wrap around him.
“Your everything amounts to very little, I’m afraid to say.” Meyer’s usual relaxed manner suddenly hardened. “Unless you expect us to believe that you were appointed to command an Athenian monitor, one of their most valuable assets, without the requisite training? Athens may be weak when compared to the Empire, but they don’t put incompetents onto one of their most advanced warships. So, we can only conclude that you are lying to us.”
A shudder ran down Winstone’s spine.
“Hans, I swear to you, I’ve told you absolutely everything I know. I swear it!”
“Even if I believed you, my superiors do not. So, effective immediately, your circumstances will be changing.”
As Meyer talked, he walked to the door and hit the admit button. Winstone gasped as the door opened.
Two large brutes stepped inside. From their brown, high-collared tunics and knee-length black boots, Winstone knew who they were.
“Very well,” Meyer said, “perhaps the HRS will have better luck at extracting information from you. Take him out of my sight.”
“No, please Hans, please!” Winstone pleaded. “I swear I’ve told you everything.” He began to weep. “Please, Hans, not this. Not this!”
The door snapped shut behind him as the most feared men in all the Empire dragged him away.
CHAPTER 84
Date: 27th January, 327 ASC.
Position: In orbit of planet Cimmeria. League of Allied Worlds space
Nathan battled against his rising anger.
“They are enemy combatants, Lieutenant,” Admiral Symonds said.
“Not any more. They’ve proved that.”
“What’s this, Lieutenant? Going soft on Pruessens?”
Nathan suppressed a spark of rage. “Pruessens who have proven themselves as allies, yes. Pruessen the society, never. Admiral, if you release them into my custody I will take full responsibility for their behavior.”
“No. And I do not wish to speak of it further.”
Nathan wanted to strangle the old man to death. The hatch to the admiral’s briefing room opened and an officer stepped inside.
“Hello, Nathan,” Commander Spotiswood said. “How’s everything with you.”
“I’d be a lot better, Commander, if my crew weren’t being treated like criminals.”
Spotiswood stared at the Admiral.
“Yes, I’ve heard about that,” he said. “Repairs have been completed to the Acting Captain’s boat so I will be taking it and her crew with me. Be good enough to inform your staff to release them immediately.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and while I think of it, remove their shackles.”
The Admiral nodded. Fear shone from his eyes.
Nathan had never seen such a complete reversal of attitude. Pompous arrogance one minute, meek servitude the next. Spotiswood’s formidable reputation must be even more feared than Nathan had suspected.
“Very good,” the Commander said, and together with Nathan they left.
“Thank you,” Nathan said, as they headed for the lift.
“Your Pruessen crew accounted themselves well. How many did you lose?”
“Two, plus one Athenian. But they were all my crew. They’re good men, Commander.”
“Yes they are. Don’t worry Nathan. The big bad Commander isn’t going to treat them badly. I’ve spoken with Commander Ryden. He’s more than willing to divulge all the intell he has. The boat itself will glean some small fragments of intell but the crew are the gold nuggets.”