Talosian Chronicles 5: Raptor Squadron

by Ben Winston

  After speaking to Noren and Goya, Ian called ARC High Command to make a verbal report to Fleet Admiral H'joles and answer any questions he might have as he had time to read the reports that had been filed. After he finished, he told operations to make sure everything was ready for them to depart before turning in for the day.

  He took a late meal in the infirmary while visiting Cindy. Beth, Jenny, Talena and the kids all joined him in visiting Cindy. She was overjoyed with the company, but quickly got tired and Beth chased everyone out to let her rest. Jenny was getting pretty tired too so the family returned to their quarters for the night. Jenny was only two weeks from delivery and was having trouble getting comfortable, which worried Talena. (Jenny was carrying Ian and Talena's child.) Just to reassure her, Beth asked Jenny to come down to the Medbay the next day, after the jump, just to make sure everything was going smoothly, and proceeded to help Jenny get comfortable.

  The next day was as big a circus as Ian expected it to be. With all Terran Defense ships in system cloaked, the Planetary Aide ships were allowed in system. Ian met the Talosian Representatives on planet to officially return the planet to Talosian control. After she took a tour of the facilities and discovered everything that had been done as well as the continuing efforts, the Benesian woman leading the Planetary Aide Unit praised Ian and his people on their efforts.

  Ian and his guards climbed back into the standard, unmodified Marine assault shuttle and returned to the ship. After they returned the shuttle to the Marine unit that would be remaining on the planet, the pilot told Ian that she had felt naked without her 'normal' shuttle. An hour later, Ian ordered the fleet to return to Sol Sector.

  As she had been asked, Jenny reported to Medbay after the fleet made the jump. A soon as she was on the examination table, and Beth had entered the room, Jenny went into labor. Her due date was still two weeks away, but even with the advanced medical knowledge the doctors had, babies still insisted on keeping their own schedule. Jenny delivered a very healthy baby girl with silver hair and deep blue eyes.

  Talena was overcome with joy and boldly kissed Jenny and Ian both on the lips in her happiness. She named the baby Sara Marelynn Williams, in honor of her mother. Ian arranged for Talena to have some time to be with Jenny and the new baby.

  Gold squadron held a small party in the ready room in celebration of the birth, and the morale on the entire ship was raised even higher.

  Two days before the fleet dropped out of hyperspace at Sol Sector, Laorna died as a result of the damage done by radiation exposure. Under guard, Ian allowed the prisoners to attend the funeral of their friend after the fleet returned to normal space. Before being escorted back to their cells, the three women thanked Ian for allowing it.

  Star Dancer and Prometheus took up a parking orbit around the planet Atlas in the Centauri system. There, they began unloading the wounded, the extra soldiers they had taken, and said good-bye to three new friends.

  Shies M'orel and her two consorts made themselves more than just passengers during the trip home. They spent time moving around the ship, speaking to people that had had a hard time in the battle, they spent time in the make-shift clinics Beth had set-up, helping the staff to take care of the wounded. Shies was there when Laorna passed, and it was clear the Benesian woman had helped ease Laorna's pain at the very end. When she finally closed her eyes for the last time, Shies said a prayer for her.

  "Ambassador, it has been a true pleasure to have you with us these last few days. On behalf of the crew, have a safe journey," Ian said kissing her cheek as was custom.

  "It has been a treat for us as well, Admiral." She smiled sadly and cocked her head gently to one side. "Ian, we will be returning to this sector as our Ambassador to your people. There is something coming, something very dark. When I return I will be bringing many women with me, and they will become your people; and your soldiers. I don't understand this vision because our people do not fight, yet I know these will. They will be fighting here, for all of us."

  Ian looked at her in confusion. "Are you certain, Shies? I know you have the gift of foresight as well, but none of our people have seen anything like that yet."

  "Speak to Janet Laskar and your wife. Although Jenny is not aware of the dreams yet, they are the reason for young Sara's early arrival. Very soon, Janet will need your help dealing with the anxiety this will cause her. I cannot see any more than I have already spoken of, so I cannot say more, save this; prepare your world, Ian. Begin preparing your own defenses and building your own weapons. You will need them," she finished as a tear slid down her cheek.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Apache Squadron

  Deep Space Transit Vector

  Imperial Space

  "Majors, we will only have five minutes to destroy our pursuers and return to Hyperspace if we wish to break the lock they have on us; theoretically. Again, we do not know their exact capabilities," Gouyen explained.

  "Well, it's still worth a try," Jana said. "If nothing else, we'll learn more about their tracking capabilities."

  "Agreed, if we're caught in a trap, we should try to learn as much as possible until we can escape it," Carl replied. "We might also want to consider building some decoys; equip a missile or something capable of mimicking our signatures to help confuse them."

  "At present, we do not have enough replicator materiel to build the devices you mentioned. We would need to resupply from a gas planet rich in hydrogen. Asteroids or other planets would work as well, but it would take longer to build up sufficient replicator stock," Alfred explained.

  "How much time are we talking about here?" Cathy asked. "We are being chased."

  "Using a hydrogen rich source, it would take roughly eight hours to build up the needed supply. Building the devices would take two days and require the use of the hold; we would have to jettison the land rails," Gouyen replied.

  "Wait, we can't empty our holds; where would we put the teams living there?" Carl asked.

  "The devices would be built only in the holds of the Zulu and the Apache. That is why it would take two days. Our existing missile supply do not have sufficient power systems for the task, we would have to build each device from a design," Gouyen explained.

  "Well, let's worry about what's behind us for the time being. If we need to, we can work on the drone idea later," Jana said. "So, how are we gonna take out four light cruisers in under five minutes with them being suspicious of a trap?"

  "Can we pull it off in a straight up fight with them?" Thomes asked.

  "Probably not," Gouyen replied. "The Imperial ships will most likely exit hyperspace spread out widely in order to reduce the potential of ambush as well as to maximize their scanner effectiveness. This will make them difficult for us to destroy in the time required."

  "Do not target their ships," Sizani said. "We place ourselves in position to fire anti-matter into the event horizon of their interface."

  "The timing would have to be perfect; we'd actually have to fire the missiles before they began translating," Thomas said, thinking.

  "I was not thinking of using the missiles, my friend. Because of our position, we allow the mass drivers their maximum possible speed. If we can place ourselves within ten light-seconds of their interfaces, we can destroy them as they translate," Sizani explained. "We use the remaining time to get clear of the area so we, ourselves, can return to hyperspace."

  "That is possible," Gouyen replied.

  "It would require that our hyperspace engines be completely off-line during the attack in order to avoid damage. After the attack, we would need to select a new heading and proceed at maximum power. I would suggest we leave another tracking probe here in order to assist us in our own jump as well as what the Imperial response would be," Gouyen replied.

  "Do we have enough time to set this up?" Carl asked.

  "Yes, but we need to get into position immediately, the enemy will arrive here in seven minutes," Alfred replied.

  "Let's do this. Good luck
everyone," Jana said as she returned to the cockpit. Gouyen and Officer Redfeather, the Apache's gunner, followed her.

  The first thing Jana did was shut down the hyperdrive engine.

  As Redfeather climbed down into the gunnery station, Gouyen was setting their new course. "Major, we've worked out the most probable positions for the enemy to interface. Each Raptor will take one of those positions. We still need a new heading to go in after the attack though."

  "What is the second closest Alliance controlled area?" Jana asked.

  "There is an abandoned Cronian military prison facility in the Shamini system. Alliance forces withdrew from the system during the invasion. The Empire never took it because there is no value in it. The only functioning equipment there are a listening/tracking station. At present, it is the closest point in Alliance space."

  "If the others agree, use it. If nothing else, it'll get us out of the lion's den," Jana replied.

  Shortly, Gouyen reported. "Course set. Two minutes to enemy arrival. Velocity restrictions on the mass drivers are removed. Anti-matter rounds set for twelve second self-destruct."

  "That should be plenty. Are you ready down there Redfeather?" Jana asked.

  "As ready as I will ever be, Major," the man replied.

  "Shawn, I am putting up a marker in your display where the event should occur. I will adjust it as I can. I will tell you when to begin firing at it," Gouyen replied.

  "Thank you Gouyen, that will help greatly," the gunner replied. "I have your marker locked, I am ready."

  "Early exit, event forming to the rear! Shawn: turn around and begin firing!" Gouyen said urgently.

  Jan heard and felt the heavy cannon under them begin firing, and quickly asked for a rear view.

  She felt her heart sink when she saw that the rounds were falling short of the target. The Imperial ship had exited hyperspace more than twelve seconds early.

  "Adjusting duration of the rounds," Gouyen reported as the light cruiser began to emerge.

  As Jana watched, the bright white line of rounds from the mass driver dimmed slightly and extended out to hit the ship, tracking along it and into the event horizon.

  The explosion was very bright and the optics of the raptor dimmed. Jana reset her view and pushed the throttle control all the way forward. "Target destroyed, going to maximum power."

  "Major, two of the other targets are emerging later than expected and further away. They will not be destroyed in this manner," Gouyen reported.

  "Fuck! Are we close enough to the others to help?" Jana asked.

  "Adjusting course, linking to Acadia AI for coordination," Gouyen reported. "Check speed, reduce to point five."

  Jana got back to work flying and reduced her acceleration profile.

  A few seconds later, Jana felt the scream from the mass driver again, louder this time as the top mounted gun was also used.

  "Targets destroyed. All raptors, return to escape profile and go to maximum power," Gouyen said. "Two minutes, forty-nine seconds to jump, initiate hyper-drive unit start-up."

  "That puts us over the time limit by almost forty-five seconds," Jana asked as she began the hyperdrive start-up procedure.

  "Correct. It is possible we may not lose the tracking lock, however, the attempt should still be made," Gouyen replied. "Recommend we do not fly in formation, rather more spread out, to lessen mass and energy signatures."

  "So where are you taking us again Jana?" Carl asked.

  "Gouyen says there is an abandoned Croanian Military Prison the Empire hasn't bothered with yet that is the closet point to us right now. I thought that if we were successful in breaking the tracking lock the Empire had on us, it would be a good place to head for. If we haven't broken the lock, then we can always change course and make for our original destination as planned," Jana replied.

  "I've taken this opportunity to do a little research on our destination," Sizani said. "It would be an ideal location for a base from which to strike out at our enemies. With a little work it could easily be made very difficult for the Empire to attack."

  "How so?" Cathy asked.

  Sizani nodded. "The system is little more than a massive asteroid field, it has three planets, two are hydrogen rich gas planets, and the last is a massive ice world. In a pinch, the ice world could be used to produce hydrogen as well as a few other rare elements.

  "The large number of asteroids could easily lend itself to the setup of multiple automated weapons systems, targeting and tracking sensors. The system itself was used to mine the materials used to build Croanian warships. Most of the original equipment is still there, it has just been shut down. Given it's spacial location, it would be an ideal place from which to stage missions deep into Imperial held space."

  "That is definitely something to think about. Why don't you write up a report on your idea and send it off to the Admiral. If we were to do something like that, we'd need permission from the Croanians anyway. My only concern would be the Empire noticing the increase in activity in the system. If they attacked before we could get the defenses set up, it could be a very bad thing," Jana replied. "The other issue I'd have is that given our current location, how hard would it be for the Empire to figure out exactly where we went?"

  "I have been thinking on that as well," Sizani replied. "If Zulu and Apache were to go to two separate occupied worlds and stage an attack, it would greatly confuse the issue for the enemy. They would have to spread out their forces in an effort to attempt to either capture us, or reacquire the hyperspace lock. Meanwhile, Acadia and Dynasty proceed to the Echelon system and begin fortifications pending Alliance approval. If the Alliance does not approve, then we can all simply return to base. However, I feel this is an opportunity that should be considered since it has presented itself to us."

  "If we were to build an entirely new facility under the ice of the third planet, the composition of the ice itself would help in masking our presence. Alliance records of the chemical analysis show a large occurrence of deuterium and tritium; these two substances would serve to scatter the signatures of our activities there while leaving the original facility appearing abandoned. Provided it was deep enough under the ice, a substantial base could be built in this system," Alfred replied.

  "We still have the problem of two destroyed Raptors and a team leader to replace," Cathy said quietly. "Team Ithica will have to return to Hades, and the Raptors can only be built at Phoenix Base."

  Jana nodded her agreement. "Yes, they will. Let's wait and see what Command has to say about this plan. Once that's decided, we can figure out how to get the teams back there and replace the two missing ships." She paused in thought. "Okay, how about this; we hold off making a decision until we know if we're free of the lock. Until then we look for targets for Zulu and Apache and plan out how to build the base. If we're lucky, we'll get word on this whole plan before we know if the Empire is on to us or not."

  The rest of the Majors agreed and began their tasks. Major Sizani compiled his report and sent it off to both Admiral Williams and Admiral T'rolith. In the meantime, Jana and the other team leaders searched for likely targets for them to hit to distract the Empire from the Echelon system.

  The next day, the AI in the group reported that it appeared that the Empire had lost them, but they were beginning to search in this direction. The clock was now running for the plan. If they were going to build this base, they needed to distract the Empire as soon as possible.

  With the agreement of the other Majors, Jana and Sizani changed course for the targets they had decided on. One was a poorly defended Imperial supply point. The other was a minor reinforcement and repair facility. They were both in the same general direction they had originally been heading before destroying the light cruisers, yet both targets were also some distance from the other. By destroying these facilities, it should thoroughly confuse the Empire as to the squadron's actual location.

  Finally, two days from Apache's attack, which would be the first of the two, orders we
re received from Command in the form a prerecorded data burst.

  Jana had Gouyen decode it and play the message in the common area.

  The first image to come up was that of the Raptor Section Commander, General Ty Anders.

  "Let me begin by telling all of you that you are definitely living up to your reputations. You're in the middle of running from the enemy, and you want to stop and set up a Bed and Breakfast. Well, you're getting your wish.

  "Currently, we are refitting a medium freighter with enigma armor and stealth systems in order to deliver hard to get supplies to the Echelon system undetected. It will be flown by unassigned Raptor personnel in order to keep your exact location as confidential as possible. We will also be assigning two additional teams, as well as support staff, to you once the base is built. The replacement Raptors will be on the first load sent to you. Team Ithica is to return to Hades for retraining as soon as Circe is installed and verifies the new ship.

  He paused and looked down a moment. "We all feel the loss when one of us doesn't make it home. Major Rathbone has been added to the wall. I feel I should tell you that Officer Ben Conan of Raptor Damocles died of injuries sustained in action on the planet Hyperion. Major Williams was also gravely injured but is responding to treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

  "In a moment, the Admiral will fill you in on the particulars and other pertinent info you might want to know. So, in closing, I want you all to know how proud you have made me. I am honored and humbled to be your commander. Good work, and God speed."

  The next image to form on the screen was that of Admiral Ian Williams. "Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to you, the planet of Hyperion has been returned to Alliance control. Even with your amazing actions, the fight did not go well." He told the teams about the battle and the strange troops that appeared at the end as well as the civilian losses. "What happened at Hyperion will not be allowed to happen again. Now that we know of these strange suicide troops, we will be taking measures to prevent their interference in future battles.