"Heard about the rest of the pilots?" Hawkins asked.
Nate nodded.
"Yeah. Thunder took a beating and Corsair Squadron lost four fighters at least."
Ensign Hawkins lifted his lip as he nodded.
"We all took a hit out there. We're down to just the ten of us now."
They continued on through the ship, but as they passed the crew, there was a completely different mood. When they arrived at the Rift there was something close to euphoria, now it had become dark and sombre. Cassandra looked bedraggled, and her head tipped down as she walked.
"Knighthawks."
Nate stopped and looked to the right. A small compartment door lay open, and the interior was full of the veteran pilots and crew of Corsair Squadron. They were hatless and wearing their off-duty tunics. At the doorway was Lieutenant Commander Holder. Nate instinctively began to move his hand to salute, but another of the pilots popped his head out through the doorway.
"Where are you going?"
Matilda moved towards the front of the group and stopped in front of the man.
"To our quarters, we've got eight hours off."
There was silence for a moment, with little but the voices and quiet music coming from inside the dark room. Lieutenant Commander Holder looked at Nate carefully and tightened her brow as she thought.
"I thought you were on standby?"
Nate shook his head.
"No, Sir. We took over after you. It's Thunder Squadron's turn. They have two topside and a pair ready on port side, just in case."
"I see."
It was all the Lieutenant Commander had to say on the situation. Normally, a full squadron on standby would have fighters ready on both flanks, as well as the top deck. This would allow six fighters to be launched in less than a minute. With losses and combat damage, the squadron had just a third of its strength on standby, with the rest taking a well-earned rest. As was the norm, the central recovery deck would remain sealed during the high-speed journey to their destination.
"What's going on?" Ensign Augustyniak asked.
Rex looked to the pilot and shrugged.
"No idea. Some kind of problem with the Corsairs."
The commander of Corsair Squadron tightened her brow in irritation, sipped at her drink, and then moved away, saying nothing more. Nate looked back at his comrades, but the clicking of a finger turned him back around. The man at the doorway lifted his hand and wagged his finger.
"I don't think so, pal."
He then looked back into the darkly lit room and called to his comrades.
"We've got Knighthawks out here."
Nate and Hawkins took a step back and prepared themselves for trouble. Billy moved to Nate's flank, his hands out of his pockets and waiting down at their sides. Each adopted a relatively passive stance, one that looked unthreatening, but they were ready for whatever might come at them. Rex and the Foss brothers were next and moved to Billy’s flank. There was no conversation, but the shared linked between the ten pilots was more than enough. Lieutenant Commander Holder vanished inside and was replaced by a pair of heavily tattooed men. They were in their thirties, and one held a glass of green fluid.
"Come in," said the first before retiring inside.
Nate looked to the rest of his squadron, and then without checking, stepped through the doorway. A hand grabbed at him, but it was too late. He moved through the threshold and found himself looking at the combined membership of both squadrons. Music played quietly in the background, and a single pilot waited behind three crates handing out drinks to those nearby.
"Be ready," said Rex.
His voice was calm and ever so quiet as they spread out. Nate knew the regular squadrons had established some kind of area for themselves, but this was much more than he expected. There were posters of the wall, covering everything from fighter diagrams to images of cities. Against one was a series of commercially made Star Crusader pods, of the type Nate had often used in arcades back home.
"Not bad," said Jaren.
Once inside, half a dozen of the Corsair pilots moved towards them in a loose line, with each looking at the young pilots of the Knighthawks. One, the tallest of the group looked to Cassandra and smiled.
"You guys kicked some serious ass out there. I saw you take on their heavy fighters and put out some pain."
Cassandra glanced over to Nate who seemed equally surprised. Lieutenant Commander Holder moved from her position at the side of the room to join her pilots.
"I think what my friend here was trying to say...was welcome to the family."
For the first time she gave them a smile, and this was not a faked grin, but something that actually meant something to Cassandra, Nate, and the others.
"Join us for a bevy or two and relax."
"Yeah!" yelled a short female pilot who leaned against the far wall.
"Only eighteen hours to go until we go back in. Enjoy yourself, pilots...while you can."
Without having to be asked, the group split apart, and any sign of tension vanished in seconds. Nate watched, relieved as his pilots began chatting with those of the other squadrons until just he, Hawkins, and Rex remained with the Lieutenant Commander. She nodded over to the crates with her glass, where the drinks were being handed out.
"It's homemade and not bad."
"Alcoholic?" Ensign Hawkins asked.
She laughed and then surprised him by pushing him firmly in the middle of the back towards the opposite end of the room.
"You're a funny guy, Hawkins. Of course it's not alcoholic. Admiral Churchill will not tolerate alcohol in the fleet. Don't forget, we're on duty in less than eighteen hours, and this time the mission is going to get crazy."
She marched the three of them to the drinks and whistled to the pilot filling the glasses. Nate thought about her words as they walked across the room. He'd seen the briefing, just like everybody else.
"Three large ones for our friends here."
She looked at the three youngsters.
"So...tell me about yourselves."
Though she looked at each of them in turn, her eyes focussed on Nate for the longest. At the same time, a few of her pilots wandered over to listen.
"Tell me that story again, how a group of part-timer OTC cadets and civilian videogamers came to form their own squadron."
Nate was going to answer, but he could already see Rex was keen to say something. He placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Rex tells the story best."
With an unusually polite smile, Rex acknowledged Nate's comments and then began.
* * *
Arcs of powerful energy lashed against the side of Relentless, punching through her armour plating with ease. With every impact, another system went off-line, or a crewman flew across the CIC, screaming as they went. The impact shook the ship so violently that Captain Galanos called out in terror, and in doing so woke herself from her slumber. As soon as her eyes opened, she knew it had been a dream.
Not again.
Captain Galanos sat up in her bed and reached for the glass of water. She still wore her duty uniform, but without her jacket and hat. This far into enemy territory necessitated being ready for whatever was sent her way. Perspiration dripped down her forehead, and her limbs felt warm and clammy. She'd been trying to get some rest for three hours now, yet each time she fell asleep, the alarms would sound in her mind, and she would wake up expecting trouble. This was the fifth time, and as she sipped the water, she groaned in irritation.
Just an hour’s sleep, that's all I asked for.
She swung her legs out of the bed and let her feet touch the cool metal of the floor.
"Lights."
They activated gently, slowly increasing the illumination so as not to cause her discomfort or distraction. Only then did she spot her Secpad bracelet pulsing away gently where it rested on its charging plate. It made a low noise that increased in tone before starting again, indicating a priority message. She leaned over and tapped
it.
Great, so that's what woke me up.
Even before the unit activated, she checked the time to make sure she hadn't overslept.
No, four more hours to go.
A videostream of Admiral Churchill appeared before her eyes, and her first thought was that something awful must have happened.
"Admiral?"
"Captain Galanos. I am sorry to disturb you. I need to begin an urgent conference call?"
The Captain rubbed her forehead and sipped the water again.
"Of course."
The Admiral nodded, and then his image shrunk to be joined by the images of the other captains. Once they were all lined up and active he spoke.
"We're four hours from the Nozu-Kuba, but the new long-range scanners aboard ANS Dauntless have picked up something that is...well, problematical."
Captain Galanos shook her head.
There's a surprise.
"Captain Achilles, if you will."
The captain of the renowned Crusader Class warship ANS Dauntless nodded politely, and then began speaking.
"As you know, the scanners fitted to Dauntless are the latest and most power X Band scanners in the fleet. We can detect ships more than a day away at full-speed."
He swallowed and looked directly ahead with a slightly nervous expression.
"We have detected three formations of ships heading to Nozu-Kuba at full burn. Our systems confirm they will arrive within three hours of our arrival, and more are coming."
The image of Admiral Churchill took precedence, and the faces of the other captains reduced in size.
"It gets worse. A formation of nine ships, including two troop ships is already there. We might already be too late."
Captain Galanos inadvertently sighed as she heard this. While the Admiral continued to speak, she activated the bedside computer projector and brought up the latest data on the planet. Just as described by the Admiral, there were indeed nine ships at the planet, and some of them looked like they were getting ready to make landfall.
Not good.
"The Star Empire knows we are coming, and it would appear that Centurion Naciss escaped on board one of their capital ships and is calling for all ships in the region to assist. We have more than a hundred ships heading for the planet, and no matter how good we think we are, we cannot fight odds of that magnitude."
He licked his lips before speaking even more slowly and carefully.
"I have orders from Orion Command to get the battle group back into Alliance space at the earliest opportunity. Command is nervous we're leaving our own territory unprotected. And I'm seriously thinking of doing that."
Captain Galanos shook her head violently.
"Admiral, we cannot simply turn and run. The fleet cannot turn on a dime, and if we abandon the Byotai, we will long be remembered as treaty breakers. The Byotai have a long memory."
Admiral Churchill paused, considering her thoughts.
"You are correct, Captain, and that is why against my better judgement, I've decided on a modification of the plan."
He pointed to the map that flickered next to his face.
"Whatever we do, though, the forces of the rebels are heading to the surface, and they can only be going there for one reason, and I doubt it's to pick a fight with us."
"Prince Kratha," said Captain Galanos.
She'd meant to keep it to herself, but it simply blurted out. The other captains might be there, but so far few had even tried to speak.
"Exactly," said Admiral Churchill, "And we have a problem. The first of these fleets will arrive an hour before us. I cannot let the fleet become embroiled in a battle we will lose."
He let out a long breath as he let them come to the same conclusion.
"So...this is no longer a mission to assist the Byotai regime. We are not here to prop up what remains, or to fight alongside them. This is a smash and grab operation, plain and simple. We cannot, under any circumstances let them capture of kill the Prince, not unless we want a massive and unopposed new faction on our doorstep."
What is he thinking? We have to leave, and fast.
"I was torn between cancelling the op and pushing ahead. In the time it would take to change course, we could already have reached the planet, and that is why I am modifying the plan for a three-hour window, and not a second more. Win or fail, we get one shot at the mission, and then we are gone."
Again he paused and let the captains think about his plan.
"The fleet will split into two groups. A vanguard of atmospheric flight capable ships, and the heavies as the reserve."
No, he can't be serious?
"Warlord and the heavies will arrive as planned. But the rest of you will accelerate to the planet and then reduce your arrival speed by using an aero gravity assist manoeuvre to bleed off speed. You will then locate the Prince and proceed with a rescue mission."
Every single one of the captains appeared stunned at the change in plan. Though technically superior to the majority of the other captains, she still felt apprehensive speaking out in front of all fourteen of them. She unintentionally shook her head as she spoke.
"One assault ship, one landing ship, four destroyers and three Dragoon class frigates, Sir? Against their local forces?"
Admiral Churchill seemed unfazed at her question.
"You will have local superiority. Dump probes as you reach the planet, slingshot around, and then perform aero braking and a combat drop if you locate the Prince. By the time you hit the ground, I will arrive with the heavies to cover the withdrawal."
"And then?" Captain Ontarus asked.
Admiral Churchill beamed with grim amusement.
"Then, we haul ass back home before Centurion Naciss and his Nozu-Kuba People's Militia know what hit them. So, get yourselves ready, and let's go get ourselves a prince."
The images of the Admiral and the other captains faded one at a time until once more Captain Galanos was alone. She changed her own display to an external view of Relentless. The ship was perhaps not the most attractive vessel ever built, but she was big, heavily armed, and undoubtedly a true ship of the line.
"So, it's battle once more."
She extended her arm and placed a hand on the cool metal of the ship's inner walls.
"And then...I think it’s time you had some time to yourself for a little R&R."
It was a strange feeling, but Captain Galanos cared as much for her ship as she did for every one of the men and women under her command. She contemplated putting her head down, even if only for a few more minutes, but the severity of the mission, and the changes to the approach vector shook her into life.
It's time. We have to prepare.
The Captain reached for her Secpad and pulled it on her wrist. She then activated the unit and connected to the CIC.
"I want a group conference with the captains of the Vanguard in fifteen minutes."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Alliance Armoured Assault Ship 'ANS Relentless'
30 Minutes from Nozu-Kuba
ANS Relentless had never performed an approach like this, and all of her engines now burned brightly with unconcealed rage. Her stern engines provided incredible levels of thrusts, while the flank-mounted engine pods gave additional control and speed. All her gun turrets were fully retracted, and the central landing deck sealed shut and buttressed against any penetrations.
"We're being painted, Sir. Should we prepare to return fire?"
Captain Galanos held on tightly as Relentless struggled to maintain her course. The engines continued to blast away at full power, all while the powerful tug of the planet pulled them ever closer. It was the perfect way to alter velocity, but also an incredibly risky one. Directly ahead was the growing shape of a mining station. It was a huge structure, and Relentless' sensors had already detected multiple weapon systems coming on-line. She looked to her tactical officer and shook her head.
"Keep the gun ports closed and maintain our heading and velocity."
&nbs
p; She then pointed to the main display system at the heart of the CIC. In the middle was a model of the planet, along with any known weapon installations, cities, roads, and landing sites.
"Any contact with the Prince?"
She looked to her right, but all she received was a shaking head.
"Nothing, Sir."
"What about on the surface? Where did those troop ships land?"
Again the answer was a negative.
"Sorry, Sir, we are too high and travelling too fast for our sensors to pick up anything that far down. We need to get closer."
Captain Galanos had expected this, but the idea of putting her battered warship into the planet's atmosphere filled her with dread. Any crack or breach in the outer plates could let in super-heated gases that would burn through the ship quicker than any warship's main guns.
"Very well, Helm, take us in. It's time to light the fire. Send the signal."
The Captain sat in silence as the formation of nine ships made a subtle course change that brought them in even closer to the planet's atmosphere. They hurled past the last moon orbiting the Nozu-Kuba Gas Mines at such high-speed, the local forces had just minutes to open fire. One frigate took multiple hits from the curtain of guns and missiles, yet somehow the formation still continued onwards and away from the defences.
The element of surprise is gone. Now we have minutes to make a final decision.
"How far behind is Warlord?"
"Seventy-three minutes, Sir...uh, new contacts. I've got seventeen warships approaching the far side of the planet."
"On screen."
The single massive holographic unit altered to show the new arrivals. They were similar to the ships at the Rift, yet their outer armour was curved and smooth. Long veins extended out like wings, marking them out as being of Byotai design, but they bore the bright neon iconography of the Star Empire.
"Byotai ships of the line, and some of them are showing as carrying hardened armour."
Captain Galanos swallowed uncomfortably as she listened. Only a small number of ships in the Byotai fleet usually made use of the rare and expensive nanocrystal paste. Most of the material was mined in the Tenth Quadrant and could be used to create a ceramic like paste able to repel significant heat and energy. Only the oldest and most valuable ships in the Imperial fleet were usually reinforced. Even then the cost to harden the armour could be used to buy additional ships for the same expense.
Star Crusader: Knighthawk Squadron Page 22
