by Ryan Krauter
His reverie was interrupted by a chime and a message icon blinking on the desktop in front of him. He tapped it and the message opened. It was from Admiral Bak, naturally. Since yesterday when Captain Montari had sent his after-action report in to Confed Navy HQ, Elco had been expecting the call. He assumed the admiral would want a more detailed debrief on the battle, the tech General Horle had given him, or perhaps had another mission already in the works. The message in front of him, though, was the last thing he'd expected to see.
"Say that again, please, but slower this time?" Loren replied to Captain Elco. They were in Elco's day cabin, where the two had been finishing up the last of the reports and admin work before making ready to leave Lemurian space. Already a pair of Confederation class cruisers had arrived to relieve them, to be joined by another Crusader class vessel in a few hours. Their time here was drawing to a close, and while Loren had expected Elco to reveal their new orders, they'd caught him off guard.
Elco chuckled. "We've been ordered to the Delos system." The captain set down the data pad he was holding, absentmindedly arranging the contents on his desk as he talked. "Navy HQ wants us to drop off the original data chip to their R&D facility in the asteroid field, which has finally had enough Priman mines cleared to be open for business again. Then we're supposed to orbit Delos. Senator Dennix and the Governing Committee want to congratulate us personally for our role in acquiring the Lemurian technology. Maybe they want to parade us in from of the media for a bit; I'm not sure about their motives, really. But either way, we make way to Delos. After that, it's off to the shipyards in the asteroid belt for repairs."
Loren still didn't know what to say. "Is this good or bad?" he finally asked.
Elco pursed his lips as he thought. "I really don't know."
"Why do you insist on bringing Avenger here again?" Senator Dennix asked Tana Starr from the other side of his desk. She noted that he'd been edgier, more suspicious since Enric Shae had been dispatched with much fanfare for his 'treaty talks' in Priman space. Without having his minion to lean on, Starr noted, he'd become much more nervous. That could be used against him if need be. Enric Shae was on a Priman mother ship deep in Enkarran territory learning more about Priman history and their plans, minus the part about complete and total subjugation of everyone who stood in their way. He was being subtly indoctrinated during his time with them, being treated well with the intent that he would become more malleable and cooperative than Dennix had become. There were plans to install Shae as their governor over Confed space if Dennix didn't stay with the program, and Shae's time in Priman space was being put to good use.
"First off, and most importantly," Starr began wearily, for this wasn't the first time she'd had to explain herself and sure as the sun burned hydrogen it wouldn't be the last, "we need to take Avenger out of action for as long as we can. We tried ordering her to a backwater world and she still involved herself in matters that interfered with us. So, parking her in orbit around Delos takes her out of the game. There's nothing I can do about the Lemurian technology she's bringing in, but perhaps I can find a way for you to get a look so we can start working on countermeasures. Second, you need to start getting some of your conspirators to look into charging Avenger and her commanding officers with disobeying orders or something that will tie them up here."
"How do I do that?" asked Dennix. She couldn't tell if he was being defiant or incompetent; the difference was immaterial. His days were numbered.
"You seriously need me to think of everything for you?" she replied with disdain, letting anger creep into her voice. "They got involved in a military conflict between my people and a third party, one you have no mutual assistance treaty with. They're not a member world of the Confederation and you were under no obligation to help them, and yet your three captains involved themselves in a battle at the request of a Lemurian military officer, not a representative of their civilian government. As a result, we lost ships and people in what should have been a simple police action where there should have been zero Confederation presence. Need I remind you that the Confederation and Primans are involved in treaty talks right now? It's a very public spectacle, your reports from Mr. Shae that you give the people every few days. And while you're talking to us about a cease-fire, your military engaged in combat against us. Does that not seem like a problem to you?"
Dennix stiffened at her words. While he knew it was a sham, the peace talks were central to his designs to stay in power. "That task force wasn't aware of the talks before they dispatched for their mission," Dennix replied weakly.
"They should have been," Starr replied instantly. "Regardless, here's what you're going to do." She collected herself for a second, then continued. "Have one of your Senators start a movement to charge your three captains with disobeying orders, perhaps operating outside the scope of their commands. Whether it sticks or not, they will be tied down here. But I'm telling you this: I want an investigation into those three ships. We'll being them here and you can congratulate them and tell their captains what a great job they've done, then one of your lackeys will ambush them with the charges and we'll see how long we can tie them up. If I can't destroy them or their crews in combat," she conceded, "at least I can keep them off the front lines."
Representative Ravine stood somewhat nervously in front of the hatch to the Commander's office. She had returned with the battered remains of her force to the Callidor system and had presented herself to the Commander for a debriefing, and was now preparing herself to be ready to answer any questions he may have. She felt as though she'd failed, even though operationally the responsibility belonged to Captain Vol. Still, she had to answer for her inability to pacify all the targets on her list as well as her force's destruction at Lemuria.
Finally, knowing she could do no more to prepare herself, she touched the key on the door frame that signaled the Commander he had a visitor. Here in his inner sanctum in the government complex, there were few people who would call on him directly.
"Enter," came the Commander's voice through a hidden speaker on the panel where the buttons were.
Ravine did as instructed, the door swishing closed behind her and sealing her in. She walked confidently up to the Commander's desk, which was expansive, polished to a shine, and free of any objects on the surface. The Commander himself sat in a modest chair behind it, big enough to hold him but not overly stuffed or adorned.
She stood rigidly at attention before his desk and waited.
"Representative," Commander Tash began neutrally, remaining seated comfortably, "you are here to report on your mission."
"Yes, Commander."
"Well, then, have a seat," he gestured to the chair she stood next to, and after a moment's hesitation she reluctantly did as asked. She wasn't sure she should appear to be relaxing so much, especially considering her performance, but she wasn't going to argue with the Commander either.
"Obviously," Tash continued, "your mission did not go as planned. I read the formal reports, but I wanted to hear your insights firsthand." He sat there, patiently waiting.
Ravine resisted the urge to shift in her seat, something that would be seen as nervousness and not befitting a future Commander such as herself. "My mission went well enough until Lemuria, Commander," she proceeded slowly, building confidence in her actions as she spoke. "We encountered a combined Lemurian and Confederation force, and the short version, Commander, is that we lost. I could go making excuses and analyzing every order given, but in the end the results speak for themselves."
Tash nodded slowly, impressed with her for taking blame where appropriate. Now, the trick was to let her learn but not dwell on failure. "And what did you learn from this?" he asked.
Ravine hesitated. Again, she wasn't sure how much freedom she had to speak. Was she expected to criticize a decision that the Commander himself might have made? Well, she would have to learn to stand by her decisions, so she decided to just tell him what she'd seen. "I believe there are several issues
we could address, Commander," she said, sitting even more upright and rigid, if that were possible. "The Confederation, as do most navies in this galaxy, possess varied ship types suited to different tasks. Our time in exile necessitated a simplified shipbuilding program of one or two ship types, but my time here has made me realize perhaps we need to do the same with ours. We faced a battleship, heavy with firepower and defensive abilities. We faced a stealthy, maneuverable hunter/killer that was hard to hit, and another that was a general purpose vessel such as ours are. They had fighters and advanced torpedo technology. I would humbly suggest we investigate something similar."
Tash smiled approvingly. She had promise, that was for sure. Now, he'd have to make sure she didn't go getting too bold until he was ready to step aside in his good time, for ambition in a future Commander was cherished, but it would also make him nervous, considering how he himself had ascended to command.
"You'll be please to know we've addressed some of these issues already," Tash replied. He appreciated the way her eyes widened at his response. "You already know about our anti-fighter Reaper units. We are also developing what the locals would call battlecruisers; our heavy cruiser spaceframes modified with more offensive weapons and fewer secondary systems. They will be slower and less versatile, but they will fill a certain class of ship which we lack. We are also building escort carriers; it's a term employed by the local inhabitants. We are gutting the insides of heavy cruisers and outfitting them with hangar bays for fighter craft. Our future fleets will be much more rounded." He paused before continuing, a bit regretful that he'd have to lie to her about the next assignment she wold receive.
"You'll also be pleased to know we have a plan in place to attempt a rescue of Representative Velk." This time, he was not as pleased to see her expression. There was clearly a bit of hero worship in her, and he realized he was right not to give her the exact details. "You will be my point of contact with Tana Starr, an operative I have in the Confederation government. She will be heading up the rescue. You will provide her with anything necessary should she ask. When the mission is complete, she will signal you for extraction." He slid a data chip across his deeply lacquered desk's surface. "There are already assets in place, and this is everything you will need to know. Just provide any assistance she asks for, and hopefully we will have our Representative back soon."
A few more details, and the meeting was over. As soon as Ravine left, Tash leaned back in his chair and tried to clear his mind. There would be a rescue, since the Council had mandated it. However, Tash still couldn't allow Velk and his more measured and tolerant attitudes towards the inhabitants of the galaxy to return and build support. He would become a rallying force to all those who believed the best answer was not in fact extermination or assimilation, but something more accommodating. He just couldn't have it. So, during the attempt to leave the planet, Starr would arrange for Velk's ship to be destroyed; she'd plant a bomb that would vaporize it, and the Council would be none the wiser. But first, she'd have to find out if Velk had any accomplices or plans against Tash and his own agenda. And she'd get to use any means necessary to do so.
Three days later, Avenger, Majestic, and Cobalt appeared on the outskirts of the Delos system, capital of the Confederation. They made their way to the naval yards among the vast asteroid field halfway into the system which separated the solid planets from the gas giants. Cobalt was directed right into a repair slip where the special tug that had pushed her through hyperspace separated and left without fanfare, for there were other vessels also in need of her services. Captain Rese joined Captain Montari on Majestic and formed up with Avenger to head into Delos orbit. Normally, the captain would stay with a damaged ship upon arrival, but the request from the Governing Committee was not to be denied; Rese's XO would handle the preliminaries until she returned. Captain Montari's XO would also be remaining behind on the ship while he himself went down to Delos. Avenger, having been in the most serviceable condition, was in the capable hands of her chief engineer. During a brief comm exchange between Elco and the captain of Majestic after leaving the repair yards, Montari had been unusually quiet. A quick private message from Captain Rese had followed explaining that the yard engineers had informed Captain Montari that Majestic was to be decommissioned and scrapped for parts, her damage deemed too vast to reasonably repair. Elco had never lost a ship himself, but having fought his share of engagements he could only do his best to understand what it would feel like to be told your home, your command, was going to be broken up for parts.
Elco and Loren had then found themselves in a Freedom class transport riding down from orbit towards the center of Delos's government district. There was a large military airfield there dedicated just to moving personnel around the capitol, and Captains Montari and Rese were in a transport not far behind.
The captain and XO were both dressed in their highest class of shipboard uniform, a step up from the more utilitarian jumpsuits and integrated vests most crew wore on the job. The uniforms they wore had separate pants, with a tunic and matching jacket and polished boots. Both wore their ribbons and campaign badges as well as sidearms. It wasn't a dress uniform, but it was presentable in almost any situation.
"Ever meet the Governing Committee?" asked Elco conversationally to Loren.
"Nope," Loren replied quickly. "Never had any such desire to, either."
"Still, it's an honor; a good career-booster," Elco pressed.
"I really don't believe you seriously mean that, Captain," Loren tried his best to remain nonconfrontational to his friend and captain, but the man had to know Loren's own opinions by now as well. "These people, headed up by the man we rescued from the Primans, I might add, are responsible for alienating our allies the Talarans, micromanaging our military, messing with our funding, subtly altering laws and rules to gather power to their office, and I'm halfway to thinking they ordered us into that ambush over Anderson that wiped out seven Crusaders, very nearly Avenger among them." Loren stopped to try to calm down and take a breath. "On the other hand," he continued, "maybe this is a good thing. I'd sort of like the chance to slap some sense into those people."
Elco chuckled humorlessly. To be sure, he'd had to consider the same reasoning, but couldn't come up with why there would be a conspiracy to destroy Confed naval vessels. "Well, until they're voted out of office," he continued grudgingly, "they still get to call the shots."
Loren only grumbled something which Elco thought it best to not try to translate.
Loren and Sirian had waited just inside the vast glass lobby of the military terminal building until Captains Montari and Rese landed, then all had waited together for a military hovertransport to take them to meet Senator Dennix and the rest of the Committee.
"I'm sorry about Majestic," Elco began somberly to Captain Montari as they rode along, him and Loren facing the other two captains in a 2x2 club seating configuration in the surprisingly well appointed vehicle.
"Thank you," Montari replied woodenly. "At least Cobalt will be salvageable," he added, looking for positive thoughts.
"After losing my last ship," Captain Rese replied with a serious look that Loren knew brokered no argument, "I would have gone out there in a vac suit and pushed her home myself if I had to." She inclined her head just a bit towards Montari. "I just wish they'd listened to your suggestions before making their decision about Majestic. She's a great ship, Captain, and fought well."
Captain Montari nodded and touched a finger to his brow in a Trin gesture of thanks and respect.
"Oh joy," Loren said deadpan as the vehicle slowed to a halt. "We're here."
They got out and walked across a vast plaza made of beautiful polished stone. Some sort of marble, Loren guessed. The color varied but was consistently light, with dark veins like spreading lightning reaching across the stone's surface. There were fountains, gardens and a few statues and memorials to famous leaders and occasions in the Confederation's past. The day was bright and hot, uncharacteristically so
for this region of Delos. It was sweltering and humid, so much so that Loren instantly felt soggy. His gun, belt, ribbons and anything metallic was instantly slick as the humid air clung to the metal that had seconds ago been in a cool and air conditioned environment. Just another reason to not like the place, Loren thought. Finally, they reached the block-wide steps into but one of the many entrances to a government complex that took up hundreds of acres of the city's surface.
Loren resisted the urge to check the charge in his SSK as they ascended the steps.
The officers walked and walked, finally coming to a series of doors that announced themselves to be the outer administrative offices of the Governing Committee membership. There were two Marines standing guard, and salutes were rendered all around as Loren and company passed.
They were in a wide hallway with a two story tall ceiling, what would probably be called a gallery for those who liked to use fancy terms. Loren didn't, so it was just a hallway. At the end was an administrative station where several people labored at their terminals, plus another doorway that lead further into the leadership's domain.
They approached, Captain Montari in the lead, and presented themselves to the youngish human female who was at the desk that adjoined the door.
"Captains Montari, Rese, and Elco, plus Commander Stone, here to see Senator Dennix by request," Montari addressed the woman, who looked at each in turn and then nodded.
"IDs please," was her curt reply. They all retrieved their ID tags from the breast pockets of their uniforms and handed them over, which she inserted in a machine to verify. As she handed them back, she beckoned to the Marines at the archway through which they'd passed a minute before, and the soldier smartly turned in place and walked over to them. He retrieved a locking box from a wall area filled with them; it reminded Loren of lockboxes in a bank.
