The Phoenix Rising

by Gary Caplan

  Admiral Peregrine displayed further tactical data through the presentation system.

  Sheppard could see that Peregrine was pained by the loss of crew and ships to these new enemies.

  “Later, when I studied the sensor logs and energy scan readings to determine tactical significance, it seems the largest of their ships were actually not using their full attack capacity, and only two appeared to release any fighter craft, even though they were most probably present,” stated Peregrine. “I will also mention we scanned two types of heavy starfighters—one type we are designating Raider-class and the other Marauder-class. Several Marauders were able to fight and destroy a Waterway-class light cruiser. These must be some form of heavy assault fighter, and we estimate they have a small onboard crew. The smaller Raiders seriously damaged and destroyed many of our fighters before being taken out.”

  He wiped his brow and paused to look at the display. “It’s likely I could have regrouped if it were only the Varlon, as they would be more concerned with digging in on the targeted planet and beginning a ground assault than chasing after my fleet. These new alien ships and a Varlon strike fleet continued to pursue, until we were driven from the core ward portion of the Rhendal sector. During the retreat, we had little time for offensive combat. Eventually, the Varlon moved to consolidate their new acquisitions and deal with the remaining planetary defenses and orbital defense stations, and they stopped attacking my remaining ships. At about that time, the unidentified alien ships stopped their attack as well.”

  Veiss the Betellian stood. “My I add a comment?”

  “Yes, please do,” said Admiral Peregrine.

  “I know these starcraft; they are Accadian vessels. I am not pleased that they are involved. As Admiral Peregrine indicated, their starships have excellent metallo-organic hulls almost equal to our own. From the few ships you have shown us, the two largest are of Jiyarr design, with Accadian marking symbols, and they have hulls and shielding as effective as—or perhaps even better than—ours. “I ask your patience, but we must go to our ship and inform my government’s Preceptor Council.”

  Several murmurs broke out, and there were a few hushed discussions as the Betellians prepared to leave.

  Sheppard was becoming both nervous and annoyed that Alliance of Worlds forces had been lost in the Rhendal sector.

  Another officer asked to speak.

  “Yes, Commodore Slenpsa,” Peregrine acknowledged him.

  “I too have seen these vessels,” said Slenpsa.

  Sheppard had met him two years ago. Slenpsa was in the officer exchange program, and he was from the Lyramenian Republic. The Lyramenian had more advanced technology than the Alliance of Worlds and were considered as advanced as the Karratins, Estrians, or the Quarran and were part of their ancient Hegemony but were considered more interactive than the other three civilizations. His people who dwelled in water worlds had a special type of affiliation treaty with the Alliance of Worlds. Lyramenians were descended from an amphibian-like ancestor, and they wore a special uniform that provided them with additional moisture, since they could handle lowhumidity environments for only a few hours.

  “I was patrolling three years ago with my pod fleet on an exploratory mission and came across a mining operation near Cynz space,” said Commodore Slenpsa. “The ships did not attack us, but they were taking threatening postures. We had brief communication and soon left the area. They had attempted to mask the events on the mining facility, but we were able to obtain some information in any case. They were mining and refining some titanium and osmium and other elements and were evidently in an early stage of operation. They had masked their presence until we actually passed through that area of space. Our reliable sensor systems noted the mining base, and we may have also caught them off guard, as we were performing a series of scan and jump maneuvers.”

  “Thank you for that information, Commodore Slenpsa,” said Grand Admiral Jeroloh. “If you could, I would like a copy of the particular log and coordinates of the base.”

  Slenpsa nodded and removed a handheld database to collate and send the information to a secure uplink point where those with computer interlink devices or mind-uplink units could access the information.

  Sheppard looked over toward where Garfield had been sitting and noted he had evidently had just left. Admiral Braddock had an “Oh my!” expression on his face and seemed none too happy. Admiral Peregrine was asked a few other questions, and then the meeting concluded.

  Commodore Brandon was paged on his commlink as he was leaving. “We will have a celebration dinner for your promotion soon, Bob, but right now I have some pressing work. We may actually be ready to catch one of these saboteurs.”

  Sheppard was escorted back to his quarters by a very attractive female Myranarr security officer. Sheppard had always liked cats, and the Myranarr were very catlike.

  C HAP TE R 7

  LOGISTICS AND SECURITYDIVISION CENTRAL SECURITY COMMAND STAR ONE

  Sheppard went to the central security command to speak with his good friend Commodore Brandon Avery. They had just begun to discuss some issues that had been brought to light by the Admirals Board.

  “You know, Brandon,” said Sheppard, “I was wondering why these Accads have increased activity in our galaxy. Is it just conquest; do they desire territory; are they just vicious; are they following orders from these Jiyarr we have heard about?”

  Commodore Avery looked about to say something, but Sheppard continued.

  “I did some research and found out that there have been hostilities in both the Magellanic cloud and Andromeda galaxies, according to reports we were eventually allowed to access from the Estrian’s galactic situation network.”

  “You’re right, Bob,” Brandon replied, “but according to my sources—mostly from Karratins and Lyramenians working with Admiral Garfield—they think there is some large offensive being planned. The extra galactic sensor web the Karratins and Estrians set up has detected another Accadian fleet coming from Andromeda. It

  48 should arrive in a few months, and they said there were some Jiyarri ships in that fleet, probably being used as command baseships. These Jiyarri vessels are slowing, evidently matching the main fleet's speed, even though—according to the K & E—those Jiyarri vessels could be in our galaxy’s Beta quadrant in a month's time. Lord Admiral Garfield is calling these baseships or super dreadnaughts Kad’jiah-class.

  “More aliens with aggressive tendencies … between this and the new Varlon threat, I think we have some problems brewing,” replied Sheppard. “With what I can infer from my new orders and this promotion to commodore, I’ll be in the thick of it. Additionally If the Varlon are in an expansion mode, It’s good for us the Viridian are almost in a state of war with them since the Varlon are likely to attack easier targets like the Viridian.”

  “I agree about both, Bob,” Avery said. “By the way I heard that Grand Admiral Pendragon, Fleet Admiral Peregrine, and a few other top admirals are deciding whether to promote you and a few others to temporary higher command positions. Another Admirals Board is going to convene in the coming month. I happen to know, since I’m involved with the security arrangements.”

  “That’s interesting,” replied Sheppard. He knew that the senior command staff losses had forced the present situation. “Any information about Varlon forces near our borders?”

  “Well, it seems they are traveling on the edge of Alliance of Worlds space. Sometimes Varlon patrols have gone across small sections of Alliance of Worlds space to attack strategic or valuable systems of Viridian space that borders close to Varlon claimed space. As you know, the Viridian may have ship numbers, but they are no real match for the Varlon.”

  Sheppard nodded in agreement.

  “Intel also reports Varlon moving across Alliance of Worlds space to maintain their presence in subjugated colonies bordering or beyond our space.

  “Yes, you’re right,” replied Sheppard. “I was reviewing logs on the Endeavor before passing co
mmand at Star One, and those updated reports from my task force noted a curtailed Viridian presence on our border patrols.” The Varlon must have gotten tired of attacking the Karratin with poor results and decided to pick on easier targets.”

  Sheppard asked, “Brandon, what about our fleet command staff? I just recently received my promotion and command four task forces of starships. I know there have been several high-ranking officers killed, including the two vice admirals of the Sixth Fleet.”

  “Sadly, you can add the recent replacement fleet admiral for the Sixth Fleet, and two senior commodores from the sixth as well,” replied Commodore Avery. “Those saboteurs and assassins are clearly on board some of our starships. They seem to be targeting high-ranking officers and ministry staff.”

  “This sounds ominous, Brandon. I've only received my initial briefing over a secured channel, and it was minimal in content. Has someone actually broken that many security codes?”

  “Yes,” came the reply. “Twice, security has been breached here at central, and several times on docked ships we only later found out were sabotaged. The Karratin officers assisting Vice Admiral Garfield say it’s a combination of a large group of those andro-synth Jiyarri androids and those aliens that can face shift or alter skin color and features. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this, but there have been a few more assassinations than have been made public.”

  Sheppard nodded and he straightened his posture. He understood there were other implications such as fleet morale. “I realize we need to keep up appearances for morale and to reduce panic,” he said.

  “That's right, Bob. We lost the chief of my department, Admiral Kyath'n. He was a Rigezon, you know, and the deputy chief was taken as well. We have had to change protocols three times. It’s becoming hell. I've been running things with Commodore Nuglea. His methods are different. Luckily, those Orange skinned Erandi’s are good at keeping secrets. Now that Admiral Garfield has taken over as acting chief in order to track down and apprehend the groups responsible, I feel somewhat safer.”

  “I didn’t like the security arrangements the last time we met,” Sheppard commented.

  “Well, we had to be sure it was you. There were instances of identity theft and individuals masquerading as others. In light of the presence of these shape-shifters, I’m glad we took the extra precautions,” replied Brandon.

  He went on. “You will receive a full briefing between the secured orders being personally delivered to you. With the multiple assassination successes and only one of the perpetrators found, a few other senior seasoned officers like you are being considered for brevet ranking above their present duty. I happen to know that if you are promoted, you will have a priority mission to locate any new Varlon bases and ascertain the potential threat of the Varlons’ new allies.”

  “That’s good,” Sheppard said. “I like ascertainment missions. By the way, I’ve noticed that the Star One starship yards are working overtime. They will need good commanders, considering all these deaths."

  “You're right, Bob, about the starship yards. And Bob, you are not just a good starship commander; you're one of our best.”

  “Thanks for the compliment,” replied Sheppard. “Why didn’t they promote you yet, Brandon?”

  “As you are aware, availability of postings in security division in my present career path will tend to come up more often than starship command,” Commodore Avery said. “I was recently offered promotion to vice admiral; however, I delayed acceptance of the promotion. After all, it’s a promotion as the result of events, not because of merit and time in grade, like your recent promotion to commodore.”

  “Yes, of course, ship and task force commands are not quite as plentiful as security command postings. That’s why you’ve moved up the ranks more easily than officers in the command path like me—a career starship officer,” replied Sheppard, smiling with a hint of jealousy for his friends easier promotion pathway.

  Avery smiled back knowingly and nodded in acknowledgement, then returned to the subject at hand. “The problem is that these assassins are too damn efficient and seem to have a priority of killing high-ranking officers. The five star cluster grand admirals, four star cluster fleet admirals, or three star cluster vice admirals—all seem to be targeted with the same degree,” said Brandon somewhat dryly. “I’ve been allowed to delay the promotion for a year, although I will gain the actual responsibility in a few months. Remember, I am in security and I have to watch my own personal security if I want to reach old age.”

  “I see.”

  “I believe these assassination plots will be resolved soon, perhaps in a few weeks at most. I'll keep my two star clusters for now, thank you,” Brandon said with a slight smile.

  “So you’re going to play things really safe, Brandon?” Sheppard observed lightly, but with a slight note of disdain in his tone.

  Brandon replied, “Yes I am going to play it somewhat safe for know. I was one of the people who originally noticed that senior ministers or those with three or more star clusters were more likely to be targeted. The attack rates did go down after we increased security after the initial losses, but the pattern is still present,” he said.

  Sheppard nodded, recalling his friend was very cautious.

  They ended their meeting, and both headed to a recreation facility for some exercise.

  C HAP TE R 8

  STARSHIP SELECTION

  Sheppard was thinking about his potential command ship when the door chime indicated someone wanted to enter. The outside sensor indicated no one outside, and no image was present on the viewer, but Sheppard, as a Star Knight, sensed the presence of someone outside his door but he could not resolve any details.

  The voice of Garfield, one of the dukes of Karro, came across the audio register. “May I enter?” the voice asked. Lord Garfield was up to his old tricks, masking himself to Sheppards Star Knight senses.

  “Surely; please enter.” Garfield had once been one of Sheppard’s academy professors. In addition, he was one of a select few of Sheppard’s Star Knight instructors and mentors.

  “I did not think you would have time to give me some advice, with your inspections and investigations,” stated Sheppard as he rose. He formally greeted his friend and teacher in the Karratin way and then went to shake his hand in an Earth-style greeting.

  Garfield was dressed in Karratin garb, including a cloak. It was typical for him, although this time it reminded Sheppard of an updated version of something Sherlock Holmes might wear.

  “I don’t have a lot of time, but I’ll make an exception for you, Robert,” replied Garfield. “I have several projects going on. My staff is 53 currently following leads, and we are basically in a waiting or watching mode. The saboteur cells have gone to ground and are lying low. They will make a mistake eventually, and then I will close the traps.”

  “It’s good the Alliance of Worlds has someone like you looking for the saboteurs. Do you have any further indications of what they are?” Sheppard asked.

  “Security forensic section acquired a viable biologic residue and was able to obtain a partial genetic scan. I went over the results with my own database and equipment on board Zeloc and verified we are dealing with an adaptive life form capable of altering its physiology and its external physical form, to some extent. They are called the Quarlusian, and their biologic and physiologic abilities are more convincing and longer lasting than the mentallic and psionic Star Knight disciplines that we are both aware of which can temporarily enhance one’s physical abilities or modify appearance,” replied Garfield.

  “So they are what one could call a shape-shifter.” For a moment, Robert Sheppard looked as if he were remembering something from his past.

  “You could say that, Robert.”

  “I spent some time on one of the Quarlusian worlds when I was a new junior lieutenant, but I never directly observed any morphing or shape shifting,” stated Sheppard.

  Garfield nodded at the comment. “Using some Star K
night disciplines and my own Karratin telepathic ability I have performed an enhanced remote sensing, including a mass mind scan to locate and view potential problems,” he said. “What I extracted could be described as a precognition of a planned assault on the station’s primary fusion reactors. Because of the intense physical security, these saboteurs have been able to cause only minor damage to some of this station’s matterantimatter stations. Some of the saboteurs are more like terrorists and seem to relish damaging or destroying station systems.”

  “I agree with you; some of their actions are not specifically targeted at facilities but are more geared to create fear,” replied Sheppard.

  “When these saboteurs begin moving again, my agents will be ready,” Garfield said. “I am still concerned that there are several enemy agents present who have the natural ability to blend in by knowing how to adapt and by using methods or devices for scanning alteration and reflection to move about freely. They are those andro-synths I mentioned at the Admirals Board meeting.”

  Just then, the chime sounded. The viewer reflected the threedimensional image of Commander O’Brien in his standard dress uniform. O’Brien was another of Commodore Sheppard’s friends who had worked with him in the past.

  “Well, I guess it’s time to inspect a few starships,” Sheppard said. “I wasn’t sure you would be able to get away, so I asked Matthew O’Brien to join me. I’ve decided I would like Matthew as chief engineer for whichever of the three ships I have been informed I will be able to select.”

  O’Brien walked through the door and saluted his superior officers respectfully, then shook the commodore’s hand. O’Brien was a brawny fellow of Irish descent, with fiery red hair and moustache.