“Well, that’s it. There isn’t anything within a day’s warp.” As Ella looked across to Warner from the display, the penny dropped. “Oh you think they can warp faster?”
Warner smiled back. “Don’t you?”
She nodded and projected the vector further. They both stared at the central display with the vector line reaching back to an asteroid belt about three days warp away.
“Shit” said Warner. “If we allow for standard comms duration, that means they can warp at least three to four times as fast.”
The significance of that fact was not lost on anyone there. An enemy with that advantage could easily gain the initiative in any campaign. But ideas were forming in Warner’s mind.
He turned to his ops officer. “Chase, come up with some options for getting to this location from Klaster.”
“Sure Sir, but I can tell you straight up that whatever route we opt for it will take us at least a week to route around that cloud.”
“Understood.”
“Ella hand over to Ms Bellard and join Chase and myself in the conference room in twenty minutes.”
Twenty minutes later Chase and Ella were in the conference room. Chase had arrived with a few options but really only one he would recommend. Warner entered. “It’s imperative that we find out more intel on the enemy. How many and what type of ships they have. This was obviously a scout to check up on their sensor. The fact that we hit and hurt means they now know we are onto them. They will probably come back in greater force tomorrow. We need to be ready for that. But I also want to wrest some initiative by paying a visit to this location of theirs. It’s probably just a staging point or RV. But we need to follow up asap.”
“How strong a force do you want to commit to this Sir” asked Chase.
“Just one frigate. I’d like to send two but that will leave us too vulnerable here and our primary mission is the defence of Klaster.”
“We can be ready to go later tonight, Sir, after we replenish” said Ella.
“No. The Sydney should already be back on Klaster.” Warner paused and was in deep thought.
Ella noted this. “Are you wondering if they will be up to the task Sir?”
Warner nodded. He knew that this would be a very dangerous mission and it needed to be handled just right. He really hadn’t had enough time to assess Herb Debeck.
“For what it’s worth Sir, you don’t have much choice. As you say, it’s not our primary mission and that requires you and the Hermes to remain here. The Washington won’t get back till early tomorrow.”
“Good point Chase. OK …”
“But Sir” interjected Chase “should we really be dividing our force at this stage? They could have a god dammed invasion fleet only one day’s jump away.”
“Yes, they could but I doubt it. If their strategy was to wait till the Federation and Alliance wore themselves down in conflict then it would have been too early for them to commit such a force. And they couldn’t just leave a large force hanging around without a logistics base to support it. How long ago was it that we swept that area?”
“About six months ago Sir.”
“OK there is a chance they could have setup a staging base in that belt but I doubt that it would be sufficiently developed to support a large fleet. Most likely it could support a small flotilla of frigates or scout ships. What do you think Ella?”
“I agree with you Sir. But we are only speculating. We need some hard facts and we need that asap. I think that if they do have a small base there then we can expect a visit tomorrow from a few light ships. However sir I would recommend we hold off sending out a recon until the day after. That way we will be able to field our maximum force tomorrow.”
Warner was impressed with Ella’s logic. “Agreed. Chase?”
“Yes me too and I’d recommend Sir that we maintain a CAP over Klaster from now on.”
“Yes good idea. OK signal the Sydney with instructions to replenish and provide CAP over Klaster. Signal the Washington and instruct them to replenish and be ready for combat ops by 1100 tomorrow. Relay those through Klaster Control so they get them on arrival.”
“Will do Sir.”
“Ella, get us back to Klaster asap, replenish immediately. Be prepared to relaunch within 30 minutes’ notice as from 0600.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Have we covered everything?”
“What about advising Fleet?” suggested Chase.
“And Alliance HQ too Sir” added Ella.
“What is this, a tag team?” and he gave them both a warm smile and they responded in kind.
“OK Chase, see to it. And make sure you forward the data analysis of the enemy ship as soon as it is completed.”
“Good work both of you.”
Ella walked out of the conference room with a little extra spring in her step and a smile on her face.
Chapter 12. Klaster 2000, 22 May.
Warner met Rihan in the officers mess. Dinner had finished but both were tucking into some leftovers. Warner had already briefed Rihan about the engagement and his immediate plans to have the Sydney on CAP and to ready the Washington as soon as possible after it arrived.
Warner continued “I’m assuming that the enemy will come back in force tomorrow. With what I don’t know but I’m guessing it will be light craft only, probably two or three frigate class ships. Given that we don’t know what capabilities they will have I think it prudent to have the base force warp away to Alpha Phi beforehand.”
“But that will mean losing the equivalent of three days build up and you don’t know for sure if they will in fact come tomorrow.”
“Yeh but if we lose the base force we could lose the war. How about, you have it on ten minutes’ notice to warp from 1100.”
“OK will do. But I really want to get the rest of the marines down.”
Warner nodded. “What about the batteries?”
“Down and deploying. Group one is already deployed around the main facility. Group two is deploying along the ridge tonight. They should be operational by 1000. But they’ll be exhausted.”
“Better tired and potent, than fresh and impotent.”
“How do you think Fleet will react to this latest?”
“If they were hesitant about responding yesterday then this will shake them into action. But I’m pretty confident they will have already begun mobilising.”
“I do hope so. It’s starting to heat up.”
“Come on. I’m pretty tired. Let’s hit the sack.”
Chapter 13. Shangri La 0600, 23 May.
Dave Warner turned off his alarm before it fired. He rolled out and sat upright on the edge of the bed. He went into the bathroom, washed his face and returned to sit for meditation. To his surprise Rihan was sitting on her pillow next to his asana. He looked to her in the half light.
“I thought we should do this together” she said pre-empting his query. He smiled, sat cross legged and adjusted his posture till he had a straight back and then placed his hands palm down on his knees with his thumb and forefinger touching in the chin mudra position. She copied him.
When she was settled Warner got her to close her eyes and gave some meditation instructions. Aware that this was her first time he added “And if thoughts arise just let them go like a cloud across the sky and bring your focus back to your breath.”
He felt their breaths in sync rising and falling to a steady rhythm. He had forgotten the pleasure of sharing meditation. He was so grateful that she had joined him. He recognised the significance of her actions. It was an act of commitment, an act of union. He felt as one with her and the tears rolled down his cheek. With his eyes closed and his inner eye focussed on the void, wave after wave of energy rolled over him. It was as though he was being bathed in love. The blue light he saw intensified with the waves and he was now riding them towards the Blue Pearl. He was moving at speed down and then up and over on and on. He was in rapture and didn’t want it to end. He started making a soft slow “hmmm
” sound.
Rihan was finding it difficult to control her thoughts. She remembered Dave’s instructions and refocussed on her breath but no sooner had she done that and another thought would enter her head. ‘What if I allocate another shuttle to the replenishment task…..did I remember to ask X…what about Y’. ‘Oh why can’t these thoughts just stop’ she thought in frustration. But then she remembered something he had told her about it being the nature of the mind to think and that you shouldn’t fight it. You had to make your mind your friend. Give it something to focus on, a simple task - hence the breathing. She once again took a deep breath in and let out long. She repeated again and then let her breath return to its natural rhythm.
At that moment she heard Dave making a sound. With her eyes still closed she focussed on the sound he was making. It carried contentment, peace and even delight. She had never heard him make that sound in meditation before. He sounded like he was in a state of bliss. She was so happy for him and so glad she had made this effort. If she could have seen her own face she would have seen the biggest of smiles. But in that moment she had shifted. The hyperactivity of before had gone. Now there was only deep stillness. She wasn’t even aware of it till a few minutes later when she heard Dave stirring. She slowly opened her eyes and turned to him.
He was looking at her. Tears of love were rolling down his cheeks. He leaned over and taking her face between his hands kissed her gently. They remained in gentle touch for a while, then smiling they rose to face the day.
Chapter 14. Klaster 0730, 23 May.
Warner accompanied Rihan back to her office in the morning. On arrival Rihan was accosted by her aide and several other staff. He left her to it, promising to touch base before he boarded the Hermes for launch.
“Make sure you do” she pleaded to him through the heads that surrounded her. She knew too well the perils that his ships would be facing today.
“I will” said Warner. He could see the worry in her eyes. And he blew her a kiss across the throng of people.
He headed down the corridor towards where he though Art had his office. But he wasn’t there. So he hailed him and Art asked him to meet him in Charlie Wing. This was an area now setup to house the various staff for the summit. Most of the rooms he stuck his head into were empty. Just the remains of packing crates left on the floor. He heard some noise further down and finally found Art giving some instructions to one of the mining staff. Art saw Warner and sent the fellow on his way.
“Hi Dave. It’s a bit frantic at the moment relocating all this stuff.”
“How’s that going?”
“We’ll be days shifting everything but we’ve knocked over a good chunk of it. I’m more worried about the defences. Battery Group 2 deployed overnight and I have one platoon of marines here fortifying as best they can. But I’m, worried they’ll be destroyed in the initial bombardment. So I have them on 5 minutes standby to relocate down to level 1 of the mine via the facility elevator. I’ve another partial platoon at the Pulton 1 main entrance but we need the rest of the company down on the deck asap.”
“Rihan’s doing her best to make that happen. There’s such a shortage of shuttles and she’s had to give priority overnight to replenish my ships.”
Art nodded. “Nervous?”
“Yeh. Just don’t know enough about what this enemy is, what he has and what he’s capable of.”
Art just nodded. There was little he could add.
After a moment’s pause Warner added. “Art, there’s a chance we may have to warp away.”
Again Art nodded.
“I know you are going to be busy but can you keep an eye out for Rihan. Don’t let her stand here and fight. That’s her nature but I couldn’t bear to lose her.”
“Don’t worry Dave. I’ll look out for her even if I have to club and drag her out caveman style” said Art smiling and trying to make light of it all.
Warner put his hand on Art’s shoulder. “Thanks Art. You are a good friend. And please no heroics from you either.” They hugged.
“You take care too” said Art.
Warner smiled back and left. As he walked back to the dock he felt a small measure of relief.
Art found Sue at the entrance to the mine elevator in the facility. She had posted a team of marines along with a heavy pulse gun. They were busy fortifying themselves, which in this case amounted to tearing down panelling from a room down the corridor and in conjunction with some furniture creating a makeshift series of barriers that forced all traffic to the elevator to channel in a zigzag fashion. Two marines were busy stringing some mesh from the roof to hinder the lobbing of grenades. Another was affixing mines and booby traps further down the corridor. It stretched for about 40 metres before turning. Enemy approaching would have to run the gauntlet of these devises and then be channelled into a very constricted killing zone.
“How’s it going?” asked Art.
“Pretty good” replied Sue.” These guys should be ready soon. I left the second team down at the bottom on level 1. They’re preparing the welcome should the enemy get through here.”
“And what about the third team?”
“I’m planning to use them to delay the enemy’s initial approach up here. They’ll essentially fire and move their way back to this position. This should allow any people still on top to make their way down the elevator.”
“What’s the capacity of the elevator?”
“About 2 tonnes. It can take a light vehicle or 20 people or 15 fully laden troopers.”
“Gee that’s not many is it? How many people will remain up top after the initial warning is given to evacuate?”
“Apart from the fourteen troopers in these two teams, there will be 5 from Klaster Control. The Battle Systems team’s another three. Base Commander and her aide take it to 10 and there’s a demolition team of another three plus myself. So 14 plus 14 equals 28 all up.”
“That’s going to mean two runs down. How long for a return trip?”
“About ten minutes.”
“That’s a long time under fire.”
“Yes it is” agreed Sue. “But come with me” and she led Art down the corridor and around the corner. A further 20m and she opened a locked door. Turning on the light revealed the room packed with explosives. Art looked a bit puzzled. “I’ll trigger this once the last person comes through” she said and with a wicked smile added “It should buy some time.”
“You’re a dangerous woman Sue Chalker” said Art as he took her in his arms and kissed her.
“Enough, lover boy. Can’t have too many sparks flying around this lot” and she pinched his backside .
Chapter 15. Hermes 0830, 23 May.
“Welcome aboard Sir” said Ella Apell. “We’re fully replenished and ready to launch on 10.”
“Thanks Ella. Any news?” said Warner.
“Sydney’s aloft on CAP. No news from the Washington. They’re due in at 1100. There’s a message from Fleet HQ. They have begun mobilising the Enterprise and Arc Royal Groups. Enterprise should be ready to depart later today and ETA Alpha Phi in ten days. Arc Royal will be another three days behind.”
“Alpha Phi?” queried Warner. “Any reason why they have chosen to warp there rather than here?”
“No Sir. I was thinking that perhaps they are concerned about warping into a trap themselves.”
Warner nodded. That made sense. “That means no relief from Federation forces till now plus 11. Any news from Alliance re the Wasp Group?”
“No Sir but the Commodore might have some when he arrives.”
“Very good. I want to have a face to face conference with the Commodore and ship commanders as soon as the Washington arrives. So have Lt Commander Debeck shuttle back down to Klaster by 1100.”
“Roger that Sir. By the way Lt Kiralenko wants to speak with you about the alien sensor device. Apparently it just turned itself off in the middle of the night.”
“Interesting. OK I’ll see him now. Thanks Ella.”
/> A few moments later Warner found Kiralenko in the tech lab. He was glued to some data on a display. “So Ivan this beast just up and died on you?”
“Looks that way Sir. There were no recorded transmissions to or from it. Well none that we can detect. My guess is it must be some form of standard protocol that deactivates if it’s been tampered with.”
“Did you tamper with it?”
“Well not physically, not yet. I had it undergoing a full spectrum analysis. But I don’t reckon it was anything to do with that.”
“In any event, I think it best if we handed this beast over to Fleet. Do you agree?”
“Yeh they’ve got a lot more resources for this kind of thing than we do. I’ll have it loaded onto one of the return shuttles.”
“I take it your scans didn’t reveal any explosive material?”
“No Sir. Various metals, plastic and diamonds.”
“Well if all else fails we may get some value when it’s scrapped” joked Warner.
“I wouldn’t count on getting rich from those Sir.”
“Oh well. Not to worry. I’ll let you get on with that and you’d better hurry.”
“Right O Sir.”
Warner left to find Chase Hanlon. He was in the battle lab programming in some contingency plans as Warner had asked him to. “Won’t be long Sir” he called out as Warner entered. Warner looked over his shoulder to see the event matrix Chase was modifying. There was a list of actions to be taken if the enemy was inferior, another if equal and a much longer list in the event that the enemy appeared with superior forces.
“How did the war gaming go?” asked Warner.
“I’m worried Sir that without any real intel we’re really just guessing blind.”
“I realise that but we have to have some courses of action already programmed in. There will be precious little time if we encounter a major enemy fleet.”
“Understood Sir. I’ve created three different notional enemy forces. One is based on the equivalent of our flotilla, one is just a single enemy frigate and the other is a task group the size of the Wasp Group. Anything bigger and this will all be moot.” Warner just nodded.
The Awakening: Book 1 of Warner's World Page 25
