The shock hit Warner like cold water over a man asleep. He knew too well to intervene. Parinya needed to focus on the challenges at hand. He shuffled forward to look over her shoulder. He could see the two red icons on the screen and the smaller red lines of the two missiles fired. They were over 1000km away but at Mach 25 they could close that in under two minutes against a stationary target. But the warthog was anything but stationary.
Parinya gunned the warthog’s engines and shifted to the max speed possible given the angle of attack. She had to try and increase overall separation while at the same time try and achieve escape velocity into space. After one minute, Parinya realised that the missiles were gaining on her. They probably had fuel for only a few minutes more burn. But at the current progress that would suffice. She got a lock onto the first enemy missile and fired her own Storm missile. The warthog only carried two of these. A few seconds later she had released the second one at the other enemy missile.
The Storm arced a full 180 over a ten click turn and bore down on the approaching enemy missiles. With each pair moving at Mach 25 they would close the gap in under a minute. Time stood still for Parinya. Her eyes were glued to the display. She knew the enemy missiles would deploy their own countermeasures and try and avoid or deflect the oncoming hostiles. But the Storms were state of the art with their own smarts. They detected the first bogey signals and dismissed them. Their hardened shields, resisted the burst of close range emp and then they exploded as their proximity fuse determined the enemy missiles were within lethal range. The missile tracks disappeared from the screen. The enemy fighters were pursuing but unable to match the warthog’s speed. The battle was over.
Warner patted Parinya on the shoulder and said over the net “good work corporal. You’ve just earned yourself a third stripe.” Parinya tried to smile but the stress still had hold. She shuddered the upper part of her body back into her seat. She had been completely unaware that for the entire engagement she had been leaning over as if to get closer to the screen. She scanned the display again, noted her current trajectory and speed. Then she saw her energy levels. The active cloak had been draining them at a prodigious rate. She deactivated it. It had been activated too late anyway and there was nothing the enemy fighters could do about it now.
The warthog was leaving the atmosphere now. Parinya decelerated a little. She had to conserve her fuel as well. The engagement had burned up a lot. She checked the charts and locked in the auto-pilot for the last waypoint to Hermes. Only then did she make an audible sigh. “20 minutes to docking” she advised over the net.
Warner’s heart rate too had returned to normal. But before he could return to his mission analysis, Hermes hailed the warthog. “It’s the XO for you Sir” said Parinya “patching it through now”.
“Sir, we’ve just received a message from our probe. It’s detected multiple ships entering warp speed from Alpha Phi” There was a tension in Rihan’s voice. “Could be corvettes or it could be the Wasp. ETA likely to be four hours.”
“Acknowledged. We should dock in under 20. Have the doc ready to receive Chalker. She’s in a coma. Shot in the leg at close range. Lost a lot of blood. Stabilised but needs urgent treatment.”
“Roger that. Do you have Manger?”
“Yes we do and another even bigger problem. I’ll advise on arrival. Out.”
‘Yes, that other problem’ thought Warner. If the Alliance wasn’t responsible for New Hammersley, then who, or what, was. What are the possibilities? Could it have been another Federation ship? As far as he knew the Hermes was the only one in the sector at that time. But that will need to be verified. It couldn’t have been a ground detonated device. They had clear evidence of a ship to ground missile signature from what everyone had assumed was an Alliance cruiser. That left just two other options. It was a Gelk ship or ship belonging to some other yet to be identified race. Shiiit. As if things weren’t complicated enough.
Why would the Gelk after two hundred years of peaceful coexistence decide to attack? They already had a very rewarding trade pact. As far as he was aware they were getting all the precious raw materials they could use. God only knows the mining corporations were having a field day supplying their needs. Maybe they were charging too much and the Gelk had had enough. But they had not made any demands to better the terms. So this appeared unlikely. Besides the Gelk weren’t the belligerent type. It was the humans who rattled the sabre and beat their hairy chests. Every Gelk he had met was more interested in making money or having a good time. There were others amongst them who focussed on intellectual pursuits. Hence the expression, ‘don’t be a geek when you can be a Gelk’. It just didn’t seem like it could be them. But Warner knew that he had not had recent contact with the Gelk. It had been four years now since his time in the inner reaches that bordered between the Gelk systems and their own. He would need to check on this.
There was another possibility. They were encountering another race bent on starting a civil war amongst the human systems. What better way to weaken us before taking over. If this was the case then things were very serious indeed. But we had no prior contact with any other race. Nor, as far he knew, had the Gelk. What technologies must they have that they can remain undetected like that? Shit they must be way more advanced than either us or the Gelk.
His head was starting to ache. The strain and stress of the last 24 hours were taking their toll. He decided to stop thinking. He leaned back, closed his eyes and silently repeated the mantra. He was still repeating it when Parinya started the handshake with Hermes as they approached to dock.
Chapter 12. Hermes 2100, 21 April.
1st Lt Rihan Kabel was there to meet Warner as he disembarked. She had a very concerned expression. Before she could speak Warner said “My cabin in 15. See that Chalker gets looked after.”
Rihan was there because she couldn’t wait to tell her commander the things he must hear. But she knew better than to force the issue. “Will do” she responded waving the doctor and his assistant forward.
Turning back toward the warthog, Warmer announced “Debrief in the battle lab 0900 tomorrow.” Giving no opportunity for any further discussion he turned and walked out of the dock.
He headed for his cabin, threw off his gear into the corner next to the desk, stripped and showered. He was only just finishing getting dressed when he heard the knock. He opened the door to a tentative Lt Kabel. “Do you need more time?”
“No. Come on in and shut the door.” He put his upright finger to her mouth indicating she should refrain from talking. He then commenced an idle chat while he took out a device from his desk and conducted an electronic sweep of the room. The light on the device started to flash near the desk. He bent over and found the bugging device. He left it in place. He continued his patter while he found another bug. This time it was near the vent. Again he left it there.
“OK come with me, I have something to show you.” He stood up and motioned Rihan out the door and headed for the elevator. They descended the elevator to Engineering. There were a series of compartments, each with their own fire walls and bulkheads designed to act as a crumple zone in the event of an engine mishap. They opened the first bulk head door, proceeded in and closed it behind them. They repeated the same process and now found themselves in the still air of the central crumple chamber. Large ducts ran on either side of the central walkway and there were two partition walls running at 90 degrees to the walkway. All manner of tools and equipment were secured onto these. Warner turned right and entered the centre space between the partitions. He beckoned Rihan to follow him.
“I don’t think this area will be bugged. Do you?” said Warner.
“I doubt it. This is getting serious isn’t it?”
“Sure is.”
“I take it you’re not clearing the bugs in you room cause you don’t want to tip their hand.”
Warner nodded. “Now what do you have for me? Do you know who it is?”
“No, the signal was sent from an
unauthorised terminal using an encryption code. I tried running the usual decryptors over it but no go. We’re going to need specialist help here.”
“And you don’t want to trust Kiralenko? He’d be the obvious choice.”
“No, he failed the audit test.”
“OK we need to bring Rapperberg into this.”
“Why Rapperberg? He’s in Engineering.”
“He used to be a cryptologist before he ran foul of his then boss and transferred to Engineering. That was eight years ago but he’s a smart cookie.”
“Gee I didn’t know that.”
“It’s in his files. You obviously get out too much.” Warner smiled.
“Yeh sure” Rihan responded. “But can we trust him?”
“I think so. He’s had a few brushes with authority over the years and that track record is not one you want for an operative.”
“Do you want me to contact him?”
“No, I’ll do that.”
“Who else can we trust?”
“Good question. At first blush I’d say Chase Hanlon and Pug Sterkze. The Bravo team have proven themselves today along with the warthog crew. By the way I owe Puket a third stripe. She saved our bacon on the extraction.”
Rihan smiled for the first time. It was good to hear something positive.
“Who do you think?” asked Warner.
“I agree with all of those. But I can’t be positive about anyone else. What about Manger?”
“He’s OK. He’s pretty washed up. He’s been through a lot. He had some very interesting intel to convey.” Warner reached into his pack and withdrew the memory stick. He then explained what was on it and how it appeared that the Alliance could not have launched the attack on New Hammersley.
Rihan sat there lost for words. It was just too dramatic to take in on top of everything else. Warner leaned over and took her by the shoulders, looked into her eyes and softly spoke “It’s alright Rihan. It’s hard isn’t it to have someone pull the rug from under you, to take away the source of your hate.”
Warner knew that Rihan’s parents had died on New Hammersley. So many of the crew had lost loved ones there. They were all destroyed along with Hermes’ base facilities.
He then went on to outline what he saw as the possibilities. Rihan was slowly wrapping her head around it. “Hell what do we do now?”
The bulkhead door nearest the engine room clanged open. Warner quickly leaned forward put his arms around Rihan and pulled her to him planting his lips on hers.
Rihan couldn’t believe what was happening. She was totally taken off guard and off balance. She felt his lips, warm and firm against her own. His hand was pulling her to him. Her breasts were pressed against him. She heard the footsteps behind her. But then lost herself in the embrace. This was something she had missed for so long – to be held tight, to be touched, to be kissed. Her passion was stirring. She parted her lips and probed forward with her tongue.
This sent an electric charge through Warner. Oh how he had missed being kissed. He was surprised but delighted at her move. His tongue met hers and he pressed back.
Cpl Adrian Turner did a double take as he stepped through the bulkhead door. His big broad monkey wrench hands grasped the bulkhead housing and he craned his head, knowing that his blond brush-backed hair would remain perfectly in place. It always did.
Was that who he thought it was? He checked himself, resisted the urge to stop and stare and walked quickly to the other door. He opened it, reversed his stocky frame into it and then tried to gently close it. But that was hopeless. There was never going to be a way of closing that door quietly. It clanged shut as it always did. As he turned and began walking to the next door a huge grin appeared on his ruddy face.
As the door clanged shut, Warner slackened his grip on Rihan. But she was still gripping the back of his head and exploring with her tongue. He pulled his head back and their lips parted. Rihan looked at him tentatively. Warner looked at her tentatively. They both laughed and relished the sheer joy of the moment.
Warner was the first to regain his composure. “I’m sorry for taking the liberty but it was the best I could come up with at the time.” He had a half smile on his face like a puppy seeking approval, unsure of how she would react.
“All in the line of duty, Sir” and then she started laughing again. Warner smiled.
“Oh boy the tom-toms will be beating this through the ship in no time” said Warner.
“Well at least we will have an excuse to meet back here” she quipped.
“Good point” nodded Warner. He laughed lightly. “OK seriously now, I’ll see Rapperberg in the morning after the debriefing.”
The alarm on Rihan’s communicator went off. She raised her open palm to Warner and opened the channel. “Yes?” Warner couldn’t hear what was being said to Rihan, but he could tell that it was something disturbing.
“Three corvettes have just come out of warp on the far side of the planet. Fight or flight?”
“Flight” responded Warner.
“Warp to Klaster. I’m on my way.” To Warner “I have to go. We need to discuss this more.”
“Agreed. Back here at 0800.”
“Can’t wait” taunted Rihan with a smile. She turned and opened the bulkhead door, leaving it for Warner to close. As she reached the elevator she held the door open. Warner got in and after Rihan hit the button to the command deck, he hit the button for the intervening services deck.
“I’m going to drop in to sick bay and see how Chalker’s faring.”
“You did well today” said Rihan.
“Not well enough unfortunately.”
Chapter 13. Hermes 2200, 21 April.
As Warner entered the sick bay he could see its sole patient lying in the semi darkness under white sheets. All manner of devices were attached to her body. The area had obviously been disinfected just a short time before. The ship’s doctor 1st Lt Mary Chernside was at her desk entering something into her console under a low lamp. She motioned to Warner and they moved out into the main corridor.
Mary was the about the same age as Dave, which made her the oldest woman on the ship. She was a little shorter than average and had a neat trim figure maintained by hard work, daily exercise and a good diet. She hated dieting but she loved a drop and she never needed a reason to party. Her fair complexion still had a smattering of freckles despite the fact that ship life rarely exposed her to the sun. There was a touch of gravel in her voice and her wide mouth was easy to smile. Her green eyes missed little when it came to people and body parts. She had a sharp intellect and was never one to hold back from sharing the benefits of her wisdom.
Assuming the usual question, Mary advised “She’s stable in a coma. The severed artery on her left leg has been partially replaced with an artificial section. Her circulatory systems are now working in her left leg. She has been given a large blood transfusion but she is very weak. Did you know it was the same leg she had received a nasty gash just before?”
“Yes I knew that. Will she have to lose the leg?
“No. But we’ll have to wait and see if she recovers full use of it.”
“Is there anything else she needs?”
“Time and our prayers. She may stay in that coma for days. She may still die. She’s lost an awful lot of blood and suffered severe trauma. Quite frankly, I’m impressed she has made it so far.”
“She’s one tough cookie. She deserves to survive.” After a short silence Warner continued “Did Trooper Riley report to you with his shoulder wound?”
“Yeh just a flesh wound. I told him he was a big boy and that he’d survive.” She smiled.
“Thanks Doctor.”
Warner made his way to the mess. The lights were off. It was all shut up. He opened one of the fridges and grabbed what he hoped was a fresh hamburger from that evening’s meal. The light splashed against the wall and acted as an alarm to Cranky Jack Keogh, the officers mess steward. He pulled himself out of his nearby bunk, dressed
in his robe and shuffled to the source of the light.
He was a thin man, all the more surprising because he was renowned for his pancakes. Nowadays though you had to ask very nicely to get them. His brown hair was all ruffled and his eyes looked even more bulbous than usual because he was straining to see in the half light.
“Can I get you something, Sir” he asked. He looked at Warner’s selection held in his right hand and asked “Do you want me to heat that up for you?”
“No Cranky. It’ll be fine as it is. I’d kill for a cold one though.”
“Sure thing” Cranky said as he turned, bent and, like a magician pulling out the rabbit from the hat, came up with his boss’s poison.
“Magic!”
Before he knew it, Cranky materialised a plate on which Warner then placed the cold hamburger minus a mouthful he was now munching. He opened the beer and took a long mouthful, swallowed and gave a short burp as the alcohol made contact with his otherwise empty stomach.
“Pretty rough down there today I hear?”
“Yes Cranky, it was pretty rough.” And after a short pause Warner added “But we did alright, we all did alright.”
Chapter 14. Hermes 0600, 22 April.
2nd Lt Chase Hanlon buzzed his skipper. After the fourth buzzer sounded inside the ship’s captain’s cabin, Warner woke up grumbling “Get out now!” Then he realised it was a dream and the buzzer was calling for a different reason. He rubbed his eyes and leaned over to open the channel. “Yes, what is it?”
“Good morning Sir, you asked to be woken at 0600.”
“Thanks” said a weary Warner. “Status?”
“Still warping en-route to Klaster. ETA 1100. All systems normal.”
“Thanks Chase.” He closed the channel and was very tempted to lie back down. But he knew he couldn’t. The worst thing about being the boss was you had to drive yourself the hardest. He shrugged his shoulders and steeled himself for the motion that would confirm the transition from slumber to awake. He pulled the cover off and swung his legs out. His feet made contact with the floor. Surely he could roll back in, he found himself pondering. But then he reminded himself of Lord Nelson’s famous dictum about if it’s time to roll over, it’s time to roll out. ‘What a hard bastard he must have been’ he said to himself. Then smiled at his own irony as he completed the act by standing up.
The Awakening: Book 1 of Warner's World Page 7
