Ep.#1 - Escalation (The Frontiers Saga: Rogue Castes)

by Ryk Brown

  “Incoming message!” Jessica announced, interrupting them.

  “Thank God,” the Sergeant exclaimed.

  Jessica studied the incoming signal for a moment, waiting for an ID code.

  “Who else would it be from,” the Lieutenant said.

  “What does he say?” the Sergeant wondered.

  “Hold your horses,” Jessica replied, “I still have to decrypt it.”

  “One-fifty and closing,” the Lieutenant warned.

  “Just a few more seconds,” Jessica begged, “I’ve almost got it.”

  “The gunship will have range on us in fifteen seconds,” Lieutenant Latfee reminded her.

  “Ready the escape jump,” the commander ordered.

  “Already done,” the lieutenant assured him. “Five seconds…”

  “I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Jessica shouted.

  “Jumping!”

  The jump shuttle’s windows instantly turned opaque as the ship disappeared in a blinding flash of blue-white light. “Please, tell me that was Dumar,” the Sergeant said nervously, as the turret bubble surrounding him cleared again.

  “Jesus, Torwell,” Jessica sneered, “you should stay away from recon work. You don’t have the nerves for it.”

  “Were you under the impression that I volunteered for this mission?” the Sergeant replied dryly.

  “Well, was it?” the Lieutenant wondered as well.

  “Yup,” Jessica replied, “it’s from Dumar.”

  After several seconds of silence, the lieutenant and the commander turned and looked aft of the cockpit. At the same time, Sergeant Torwell rotated his gun turret around and peered downward between his feet at Jessica.

  “Well?” the Sergeant asked again.

  “He made contact with Montrose,” Jessica told them. “Yanni, Lael, the baby, Sato and Megel… They’re all safe, for now.”

  “Is that it?” the sergeant wondered. “We risked our asses for that?”

  “There’s more,” Jessica replied, as she swung the comm console to the side and leaned back in her seat. “Just get us the hell back to Burgess for now.”

  “Well, I hope Dumar’s got some idea how to rescue them,” the commander said as he turned back around in his seat, “because this place is crawling with Jung.”

  * * *

  “The sudden, unexpected arrival of Ambassador Delhay at the presidential compound here in Winnipeg has many speculating that his visit is somehow connected with the sudden deployment of the Aurora, the Cape Town, and several other Alliance ships. While President Scott’s press secretary insists there is no connection, and that such impromptu meetings are common, it is rare for the ambassador to leave the Jung Embassy compound, especially after last year’s attempt on his life, and the lives of his family.”

  “Well, it didn’t take long for them to put that together,” Miri said, as she picked up the remote from the president’s desk and turned off the view screen.

  “I will never understand how the press manages to keep tabs on the position of all our ships,” the president said, shaking his head.

  “All it takes are a few well-placed telescopes and the jump-comm-net.”

  “Ah, yes,” the president sighed, “the double-edged sword of near real-time interstellar communication.”

  “Mister President,” the guard standing just inside his office door called. “The ambassador is on his way up.”

  “Thank you.” the president turned to look at his daughter. “How do I look? Hopefully not as tired as I feel.”

  Miri straightened his tie and smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit jacket. “You look fine,” she assured him. “With just the appropriate amount of concern on your face.”

  “I’m getting way too old for this.”

  “You’re only as old as you feel,” Miri reminded him.

  “Today, I feel about a hundred and forty.”

  “The ambassador is in the outer office,” the guard updated him.

  President Scott took a deep breath, letting it out slowly in an attempt to put himself in a new frame of mind. He moved out from behind his desk and into the middle of the room, readying himself to greet the ambassador.

  A moment later, the main doors to his office swung open. Two more guards moved just inside the doors as Ambassador Delhay entered the president’s office.

  “Mister Ambassador,” President Scott greeted with a smile, his hand extended.

  “Mister President,” the ambassador replied, smiling back. He reached out and took the president’s hand in the customary gesture of friendship. “It is a pleasure to see you once again. I am pleased to see that you’re in good health, despite the rumors often perpetuated by your news media.”

  “I may be old, but I’m not dead yet,” the president replied with a light chuckle. “I hope you are also doing well?”

  “Indeed, I am. Life on Earth seems to agree with me.”

  “And your family? I assume they are also doing well?” the president asked, attempting to keep the small talk going while the others cleared the room. “Please,” he added, gesturing toward the sitting area.

  “Yes, yes, they are all quite well, thank you,” the ambassador replied, taking his seat opposite the president, on the other side of the small sitting table. He was well aware of the required choreography of such meetings. While the effectiveness of their conversations required complete privacy, the president’s guards would be watching the ambassador’s every move. Once the customary handshake had been completed and the ambassador had taken his seat, he would no longer be able to approach the president without being immediately overrun by guards bursting through the doors. “I was quite surprised by your request to meet. I do hope the purpose of this meeting is nothing dire.”

  President Scott paused a moment, waiting for the last guard to exit and close the soundproof doors behind him. Once he was satisfied the room was secure, he spoke. “I’m going to get straight to the point Mister Ambassador. There have been four separate sightings of Jung ships on this day alone. Near the Mu Cassiopeiae system, the 82 Eridani system, the 41 Arae system, and even more troubling, near the Alpha Centauri B system. As you know, these encroachments upon Alliance space constitute serious violations of the cease-fire agreement, and represent a great threat to the ongoing peace that both our peoples have shared for the last seven years, and hope to continue sharing long into the future.” The president paused a moment, studying the reaction of the ambassador.

  “Are you sure that your detections were accurate?” the ambassador asked without missing a beat. “It is not uncommon for…”

  “Two Jung cruisers near the Mu Cassiopeiae system,” the president said, interrupting him, “a cruiser and two frigates near 82 Eridani, and a battleship each in the 41 Arae and Alpha Centauri B systems.”

  Concern began to creep into the ambassador’s expression. “You are saying that these detections were indeed confirmed.”

  “Not only were they confirmed,” the president replied, “but in three cases these detections were engaged, and at least two of them were destroyed by our warships. So, Mister Ambassador, you can understand the nature of my concern.”

  Ambassador Delhay fought to preserve his neutral facial expression. After a moment, the look of mild concern that had spread across his face moments ago disappeared altogether. “Mister President, I can assure you that I have no knowledge of the positions of our warships. Furthermore, I am unaware of any such purposeful incursions on the part of my government into Alliance space. I can further assure you that the Jung Empire respects the cease-fire it currently enjoys with the Alliance and has no desire to see it come to an end.”

  President Scott contemplated the ambassador’s response. It was exactly the answer he had expected. “Mister Ambassador, I shall take you at your word, however, I find it difficult to believe that your government is unaware of these incursions.”

  “I believe we have stated, on more than one occasion, that we cannot guarantee all of our ship c
ommanders will honor the terms of the cease-fire…”

  “And we accepted that, in the beginning,” the president replied, cutting him off midsentence, “as it took time for new instructions to reach every ship in the Jung fleet. But, it has been seven years now. That excuse is no longer valid.”

  “There is still much animosity among our warrior caste,” the ambassador reminded him.

  “As there is among my people toward yours.”

  “It would not surprise me if one or two commanders chose to demonstrate their ability to penetrate deeply into Alliance space in the hopes that our leaders might reconsider their ‘peaceful coexistence’ policy in regards to the Sol-Pentaurus Alliance.”

  “We are not talking about one or two ships, Mister Ambassador,” the president argued.

  “I’m not defending their actions, assuming these alleged ships are indeed ours, however, I’m also not going to lie to you, Mister President. The majority of the Jung general population still despises your Alliance, in particular the people of Earth. In the warrior caste this animosity is nearly unanimous.”

  “We’re talking about seven warships,” the president said. “Seven of them, Mister Ambassador, not one or two. Seven warships, in four different locations. All of them well inside Alliance territory. Territory agreed upon in the formal cease-fire agreement that both our peoples signed. I suppose an argument could be made that four of those incursions were merely navigational errors—although that would be a bit of a stretch—the incursion near the Alpha Centauri system can only be interpreted as a purposeful violation of the cease-fire agreement.”

  Ambassador Delhay did not respond at first, and instead took a moment to carefully consider his words. “Mister President, what is it that you wish me to say? I was honest with you when I said I had no knowledge of these incursions prior to this meeting.”

  “And I believe you,” the president replied.

  “Speaking only from my own personal opinion, and not representing the opinions of my government, I would be quite surprised to learn that these incursions were ordered by our leaders.” The ambassador looked at President Scott, looking directly into his eyes. “Especially since they are aware of the numerous kinetic kill vehicles your Alliance has trained upon not only the Jung homeworld of Nor-Patri, but also numerous other worlds and tactical assets. Such actions would be tantamount to suicide.”

  “Please do not take what I say personally, Mister Ambassador, but the Jung Empire has demonstrated on more than one occasion, a general disregard for human life, especially when those lives stand between the Empire and its goals.”

  “You are suggesting that the Jung Empire would willingly sacrifice millions of its own citizens in order to justify a war that would most likely cost millions more lives? The very idea is absurd!”

  “I’m not suggesting anything, Mister Ambassador,” the president replied calmly. “I am merely stating facts. Surely you cannot dispute that the Jung Empire has, in the past, taken such actions.”

  “Again, I ask you, what is it that you ask of me, Mister President?” Ambassador Delhay said with forced patience.

  President Scott stared at the ambassador, trying to identify a sign indicating he was lying. He knew it was unlikely that Ambassador Delhay was aware of either the actions or intentions of the Jung leadership cast, or those of the Jung warrior caste. The ambassador was at great disadvantage due to the limitations of linear FTL-based methods of interstellar communication. Because of this, President Scott, against the objections of Admiral Galiardi, had authorized the use of a dedicated jump comm-drone long ago to provide near real-time communications between Ambassador Delhay and the Jung homeworld. However, it was unlikely the Jung would allow any sensitive communications to be conveyed by an Alliance controlled jump comm-drone. “I realize you will first need to communicate with your leaders,” the president began, “however, I need your assurance, and the assurance of your leaders, that these versions were not authorized, that they shall not happen again, and that the commanders of the ships who committed the incursions will be properly dealt with by the Jung Empire.”

  “I am confident that once I have communicated with my superiors, such assurances will be forthcoming,” Ambassador Delhay promised.

  “I must also inform you that our KKV platforms, along with our entire fleet, has been put on alert, and that we are now at defense condition two.” A stern look came over the president’s face. “It is not only the terms of the cease-fire that require me to issue such warnings, but also my own sincere desire to maintain the peace that has existed between us all these years.”

  The ambassador stared at the president for several moments, squinting, unable to read his political adversary. “I assume that such a provocative move was at the behest of Admiral Galiardi?”

  A controlled look of disapproval came over the president’s face. “Do not assume for a moment that the people of the Alliance are not in control of their military forces. It would be a grave mistake on your part.”

  President Scott leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. Ambassador Delhay studied the president’s calm, confident demeanor. For a man approaching ninety Earth years of age, he was a picture of strength and resolve and, like his son Nathan, was not a man to be taken lightly.

  “I will communicate all that we have discussed with my leaders,” the ambassador promised. “I shall contact you as soon as I get the reply.”

  “That is all I can ask of you,” the president said, as he rose from his seat.

  The Jung ambassador stood up. “Mister President.” He paused a moment, waiting for the guards to enter the room once again before he offered his hand to the president.

  “Thank you for coming, Mister Ambassador,” the president said, taking the ambassador’s hand once more.

  Ambassador Delhay released the president’s hand, nodded politely, and exited the room. President Scott waited until the doors had closed before returning to his desk.

  “Do you think he is telling the truth?” Miri asked as she entered the office from a side door.

  “I believe that he believes he’s telling the truth,” the president replied as he sat at his desk. “We’ll see if his position changes after he speaks with his superiors.”

  * * *

  Strange voices echoed throughout the ship. Distant voices, speaking in hushed tones, as if from the far side of a large room. The voices sounded familiar, yet he was unable to identify them. The voices were pleading, crying out, begging him to protect them, but from what he did not know.

  He found himself on the Seiiki’s bridge, alone, but the voices were still there. He gazed out the forward windows at the Jung ships in the distance. The vessels grew larger with each passing moment. Flashes of blue-white light obscured his view of the approaching warships. Rail gun rounds collided with his shields, causing them to glow with brilliant yellow opacity. Then the shields failed, and the projectiles found the Seiiki’s hull, ripping it open.

  Captain Tuplo found himself sucked through the hole and into space. The first thing he noticed was the overwhelming cold. Everywhere, everything, cold. He could see his ship being torn apart by Jung rail gun fire. Chunks of the Seiiki’s hull were flying in all directions. Her hull opened in several more places. Passengers were swept out as well, joining the sea of his ship’s debris as it came apart under the constant rail gun bombardment by the Jung ships. Their bodies were motionless, faces frozen in horror, lives immediately extinguished.

  Yet Captain Tuplo was still alive, floating unprotected in the void of space, watching his ship, his crew, and his passengers.

  How am I still alive? He had only the question, but no answer. Why am I still breathing while they are not?

  The Seiiki continued to break up, until finally the enemy gunfire found her antimatter reactors. There was a blinding flash of bright white light, as the release of antimatter instantly annihilated all matter in the vicinity. The white light washed over the captain as he floated in space, ye
t he felt nothing.

  His head began to spin, his thoughts becoming confused. Nothing made sense. Why did the Jung attack his ship? Why was he still alive? What did he do wrong? Why was he unable to protect the only people he cared about?

  And what the hell is that beeping noise?

  Captain Tuplo sat bolt upright in his bunk, his body drenched in a cold sweat. He blinked several times, then turned toward the beeping sound. The hatch alarm. The captain jumped out of his bed, slipped on his shoes, and grabbed his weapon from its holster hanging from the wall as he exited his cabin.

  Once in the corridor, the captain headed aft for a few steps, just far enough to reach the door to Josh’s cabin. He pounded several times on the cabin door. “Josh! Wake up!” The Captain headed forward again, moving quickly down the corridor and through the hatch of the forward end. He made his way alongside the forward passenger section, raising his weapon and pressing his charge button as he approached the boarding hatch.

  The captain could hear muffled voices from outside. A moment later, Josh came stumbling down the corridor, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He spotted the captain, noticed his raised weapon, and turned around to run back to his cabin.

  Captain Tuplo looked at the boarding hatch control panel. The outer door was open, but the inner door was still locked. The captain stood at an angle, trying to get a clear look at the intruders, but they were both huddled to one side, working to override the door lock. He glanced at the boarding hatch control panel again, noticing that three of the six numbers required to unlock the inner hatch had been successfully entered.

  Josh came running back up the corridor, his own gun in hand. Captain Tuplo gestured for him to slow down and be quiet. The captain pointed at the inner door and held up two fingers, indicating there were two men trying to break in. He moved back around the corner, held up his weapon and took aim at the inner hatch. Josh did the same, moving into the galley hatch and training his own weapon in similar fashion.

  A fourth digit appeared on the boarding hatch control panel. Josh charged his weapon and held it steady, aiming at the inner hatch. Had either of the intruders taken the time to occasionally peek through the window, they would’ve spotted at least one of the two armed men inside, and would have quickly abandoned their efforts. But thieves were rarely so intelligent.