Wizard Scout (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 3)

by Rodney Hartman

  We cannot reliably control the freewill of the lifeforms, thought some parts of ‘the One’.

  We do not want to, said the presence. We must work with their freewill to develop variables.

  The presence gave the others of ‘the One’ algorithms. ‘The One’ was satisfied. It had a path to success.

  But the probability of success is low, said parts of ‘the One’.

  And the time grows short, said other parts.

  I know, said the presence. However, the algorithm is our best chance to complete the mission. Are we agreed?

  We are agreed, said the others who were part of ‘the One’.

  Chapter 31 – Squadron Commander Liz

  _____________________________________

  The three young naval cadets followed their senior officer into the main engine room. They hung on her every word. They were fresh from the naval academy on their first internship assignment. It would be another six months before they would graduate and get assignments to their permanent ships. With the war going on, they had little doubt they’d see action soon after graduation. Although their current ship, the destroyer Blaze, was twelve hundred light years behind friendly lines, they still needed to perform well. Anything they learned now from their seasoned officer could well mean the difference between life and death later.

  “Lieutenant commander,” said the braver of the cadets as she pointed to the massive engine reactor at the end of the engineering deck. “According to the engine readouts, the Blaze’s fuel rods are down to twenty-five percent. The instructors at the naval academy told us standard procedure was to overhaul the star-drive when its fuel rods go below thirty percent.”

  Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Bistos eyed the young cadet. The cadet was eager and inquisitive. All three of her charges were. Liz wondered if she had appeared the same on her first internship.

  Liz smiled. Unlike some officers, she encouraged questions from her young charges.

  “And you’re wondering why we’re still classified combat ready?” said Liz.

  All three cadets nodded.

  “It’s a valid question, Mr. Drake,” said Liz. All cadets were called mister regardless of gender.

  Liz pursed her lips as she sought the best words. The cadets were like sponges. If she gave them hastily worded information it might come back to haunt them later.

  “I guess the easiest answer is the Empire’s outgunned three to one in combat starships,” said Liz. “The Empire can’t afford to follow the book’s recommended maintenance schedule. Our current orders are to keep a starship in action until its fuel rods go below fifteen percent.”

  “Sir,” said one of the male cadets. “That’s cutting it close, isn’t it? Even a small jump in combat overdrive will deplete ten percent of a starship’s fuel rods.”

  “Which is why the Imperial High Command attempts to assign starships whose fuel rods are at less than twenty-five percent to milk runs like the one we’re on now,” Liz said. “That’s why we’re orbiting Regalos. We’re not quite out of maintenance limits yet, but the Blaze is too close to risk having us on a frontline mission. Regalos is too important to leave unguarded, but it’s not important enough to assign a squadron of fully combat-ready ships.”

  The male cadet thought for a moment before saying, “I was on the bridge last night when the Destiny arrived. The Empire now has two full squadrons orbiting Regalos. Why, sir?”

  Very inquisitive, Liz thought.

  “That’s above my pay grade, mister,” Liz said. She smiled again. “I suspect it’s above yours as well.”

  “Yes, sir,” stammered the cadet. “I didn’t mean–”

  Liz raised her hand and silenced the cadet. “You’re too serious sometimes, Mr. Carter. It’s not a secret. It’s politics. Admiral Trimerka is to be wed to the daughter of Prime Minister Sentor of Regalos. I believe the Imperial High Council hopes the union will solidify Regalos to the Empire’s cause.”

  “But you don’t think so,” said Mr. Drake.

  “Does anyone?” said a voice approaching from their rear.

  Liz didn’t have to turn to know the voice belonged to Trinity. She smiled. The wizard scout and she had become fast friends since the fiasco at the Velos spaceport.

  “Perhaps you’ll enlighten them,” said Liz.

  Trinity laughed. “Perhaps I will. But then again, perhaps I’d get in trouble if I said assigning two squadrons of combat-ready starships was overkill. And, perhaps I’d need to avoid saying the dreadnaughts Destiny and Falcon are desperately needed on the frontlines. Having them twelve hundred light years behind friendly lines for a mere show of force is probably costing lives as we speak And, perhaps I’d regret saying I think both the Imperial High Command and the Imperial High Council have their heads up their collective asses for putting politics over military decisions.”

  Trinity smiled. “Now tell me, lieutenant commander. Are really you sure you want me to enlighten these cadets further?”

  Liz smiled back. Trinity was not one to bow to political niceties. She was already infuriated two quads of wizard scouts had been assigned as an honor guard for Admiral Trimerka.

  “Oh,” Liz said, “I think you’ve told them plenty for today.” After a pause she added, “You don’t normally make it down to the engine deck. What’s up?”

  “Captain Andrea asked me to escort you to her quarters,” said Trinity. Looking at the cadets, she added, “See what happens when you get assigned to a ship that’s only at twenty-five percent combat readiness?”

  The cadets looked confused.

  “You get relegated to messenger duty,” said Trinity. “Now off you go my little children. The adults have things to do.”

  From anyone else, the dismissal might have irritated the cadets. But Trinity got along with pretty much everyone. Since the wizard scout was neither an officer nor enlisted, everyone tended to view her as a peer.

  Must be nice, Liz thought as she sent her charges on their way. Most of my time is spent getting sired or saying sir.

  “Well, Trinity,” Liz said as she took a last look at the engine room. “What say we see what the captain wants?”

  * * *

  “Lieutenant Commander Bistos reporting as ordered, sir,” Liz said as she snapped to attention and gave her commanding officer a crisp salute.

  Captain Andrea looked up from her desk and smiled. Liz thought she looked like a pet cat that had just eaten the family’s pet bird.

  What’s she up to? Liz wondered.

  “At ease, Liz,” said the captain. “And thanks for coming.”

  Liz relaxed. She liked the old woman.

  “You sent a wizard scout to fetch me, captain,” Liz said grinning. “I could hardly refuse.”

  The captain laughed. She had an easy laugh. From the year she’d worked under Captain Andrea, Liz knew her captain was too politically incorrect to rise up the ranks even during wartime. But in Liz’s opinion, there weren’t any better captains in the fleet. The captain cared about her crew; officers and enlisted alike. Woe unto any senior officer who tried to screw them over.

  “Sorry about that,” said the captain. “And my apologies to you as well, Trinity.”

  Trinity said nothing. Instead, Liz noticed her friend nod her head at the captain in acknowledgement of her apology.

  “I wanted to talk to both of you at the same time,” said Captain Andrea.

  The captain pointed to two chairs strategically located in front of her desk. “Sit down, please. Both of you.”

  The captain didn’t speak again until both Trinity and Liz had made themselves comfortable.

  “All of the senior combat officers along with most of the junior combat officers will be attending a variety of functions on Regalos this week. I’ve authorized a liberal pass policy for the crew while I’m planet side. They’ve seen a lot of action the past few months. Some free time on Regalos will do them good. The other captains are doing the same.”

  Liz had recently been promote
d to second officer of the Blaze. As such, she’d been tasked to remain on board the ship and keep it running while the captain and the first officer attended to tasks on Regalos. Liz didn’t envy them. She’d gotten more than her share of pomp and circumstance three weeks earlier on Velos.

  “I understand,” Liz said. “The first officer briefed me earlier this morning.”

  “I have no doubt she did,” said the captain with a nod of her head. “Lieutenant Commander Jacobs is a good officer.”

  The captain gave Liz a strange smile.

  Again Liz wondered about her captain’s demeanor. What’s the old fox got up her sleeve?

  “But did the first officer tell you that for a two hour window, you’d be the acting squadron commander?” said the captain.

  Liz was rarely taken by surprise, but this time she felt her jaw drop before she caught herself.

  “Ah… no, sir,” Liz stuttered. “Lieutenant Commander Jacobs forgot to mention that.”

  The captain gave an easy laugh. Liz thought she had a nice laugh.

  “Actually,” said the captain, “she didn’t forget. I ordered her not to tell you.”

  The captain laughed again. “For once, I wanted to see what you looked like when you were surprised.” She gave another laugh. “You didn’t disappoint me.”

  By the time her captain finished speaking, Liz had regained her composure. She was no closer to discovering what the captain meant. However, she was at least capable of appearing calm on the outside. Her inside was a different story. Her mind was going a hundred kilometers an hour.

  Still grinning, the captain explained. “The admiral wants all available senior officers to attend the wedding ceremony which is three days from now. That means every naval combat officer from first mate on up. As it turns out, for the two hours of the wedding you’ll be the senior ranking naval combat officer not on the planet’s surface. So…”

  “So, technically,” Liz said finishing her captain’s thought, “I’ll be in charge of the squadron for those two hours.”

  “Exactly,” said the captain. “Congratulations. It’ll look good on your record. And come to think of it, you’ll actually be the ranking combat officer in both squadrons. It’s not many lieutenant commanders who can claim they’ve commanded a fleet. Even if only for two hours.”

  Trinity reached over and gave Liz a slap on the back. “Congratulations, acting admiral,” she said laughing. “Should I start saluting you?”

  “Oh, don’t let it go to her head, Trinity,” cautioned the captain. “It’s going to be hard enough to keep her ego in check as it is.”

  With a wink at Trinity, the captain said, “And, the admiral told me to personally inform you he wants his fleet back at the end of the two hours without any scratches. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir,” Liz said.

  Liz knew the position was merely ceremonial, but she still felt a little giddy in spite of herself. Just a year ago, she’d been a lowly shuttle pilot. Now for a two hour period, she was going to command a fleet.

  Hmm, Liz thought. Maybe fleet admiral isn’t a pipe dream after all.

  “What’s my part in this, sir?” said Trinity growing serious.

  “Oh, yes,” said the captain. “The admiral wants both quads of wizard scouts at the pre-wedding ceremony the night before the wedding. It’s a formal affair, so make sure all your scouts are appropriately dressed.” The captain gave a grin. “That means something a little more formal than battle suits.”

  “Yes, captain,” said Trinity.

  Liz got the impression her friend was not all that excited about her wizard scouts being used as ceremonial decorations. Trinity had confided to her often enough during the last three weeks that every wizard scout was desperately needed on the frontlines.

  “Your enthusiasm is underwhelming, Trinity,” said the captain. “Believe me, I understand. I’d much rather be on my ship than playing dress-up and spouting political niceties all day.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Trinity. “We’ll make you proud.”

  “I have no doubt, Trinity,” said the captain. “And just to make you feel a little better, all wizard scouts are excused from the actual wedding ceremony. You can return to the Blaze after the pre-wedding ceremony if you prefer.”

  “Thank you, sir,” said Trinity with an obvious show of relief.

  Although Liz’s temporary assignment as fleet commander was great for her ego, something continued to gnaw at her mind. “Sir?”

  “Yes, Liz,” said the captain.

  “Why me?” Liz said. “I mean, I’m flattered, but surely there are officers more senior than I who will be remaining shipside.”

  “You’d think so,” said the captain. “But you’d be wrong. I’ve double and triple checked. You’ll be the highest ranking combat officer shipside in the fleet. Administrative types aren’t eligible for command as you know.”

  When Liz didn’t respond, the captain added, “If it makes you feel any better, the orders from the Imperial High Command specifically indicated you were to be left in charge.”

  “That seems a little strange, doesn’t it, sir?” Liz said.

  “A lot of things coming from the Imperial High Command nowadays seem strange,” said the captain. “But I saw the orders myself. They came straight from the central computer. They were marked with the Imperial High Command’s seal.”

  The captain must have thought her second officer was still a little in shock, because she said, “Don’t look a gift pactar in the mouth, Liz.” Then the captain’s attitude changed, and she said, “Now get out of here, you two. I’ve got work to do before I go planet side.”

  Chapter 32 – Chief Instructor Winslow

  _____________________________________

  “One minute,” yelled the crew chief over the intercom as he held up a single finger.

  Richard glanced past the crew chief and looked out the pilots’ windows. At only three meters altitude, Richard could barely make out the tops of a few of the spaceport’s buildings. He’d never come in from the desert side of the spaceport before. Still, he was pretty sure the square building with the dome was the DNA Center. As he watched, the buildings got larger. The pilots weren’t slowing down. Jerad had briefed Richard in route they’d be making a simulated combat assault.

  The three hovercraft in front of Richard’s aircraft continued shifting back and forth as they took advantage of the terrain for cover and concealment. Since they were approaching the spaceport from the desert, there were few populated areas to worry about.

  “These pilots aren’t playing games, are they?” said Telsa with a nervous laugh over the intercom. “Did anyone explain to them this is a simulated combat assault?”

  A glance at his friend made Richard smile sympathetically. Telsa’s battle helmet was in half mode with the visor up. Richard thought his friend’s face seemed rather pale; almost green in fact. Of all his friends, Telsa was the only one without prior military experience. She’d volunteered for the Intergalactic Wizard Scout Academy straight out of the university.

  “They’re marines,” Richard explained proud of his old unit. “They don’t know how to do things halfway.”

  As an ex-marine recon, Richard had been on his share of combat assaults from hovercraft. In order to spend the minimum time under the sights of enemy gunners, the pilots were trained to bring their hovercraft into the drop zone at a hundred and fifty knots and three meters off the deck. Regular assault troops were outfitted with special jumpsuits combined with personal force fields to handle the shock of landing. Richard and his fellow cadets had their battle suits. They were expected to use their telekinesis to slow themselves down in place of personal force fields.

  “Shouldn’t we be climbing by now in order to enter one of the aerial gates?” Richard said. Thanks to Myers, he’d missed the assault briefing.

  “Oh,” said Jerad. “I forgot to mention we’re not using the aerial gates. They’re taking us in through the ground-level gate on the desert sid
e to simulate a blown entry point.”

  “No kidding?” Richard said.

  “Yeah, no kidding,” laughed Jerad. “Although I think my old sergeant major would’ve phrased it a little differently.”

  Richard said a silent prayer for the pilots. The aerial gates at the spaceport were larger than the aerial gate used to exit the airfield’s force field. Even the smaller aerial gates at the spaceport were two hundred meters across. They had to be huge to accommodate large craft and even small starships such as light destroyers and transports. From studying diagrams, Richard knew the spaceport had multiple aerial gates. A couple of them were a full five hundred meters in circumference to handle the large civilian passenger liners. The ground-level side gates on the other hand were only the width of the road and a mere ten meters high. At a hundred and fifty knots, the pilots had to be experts in order to thread even a small hovercraft through the opening.

  “Thirty seconds,” yelled the crew chief. He pointed at the two side openings in the hovercraft. “Sit in the door!”

  Richard unhooked his restraining belt and scooted to the lip of the door. He sat on the edge and dangled his legs outside. A blast of wind threatened to snatch him out of the hovercraft. Richard grabbed hold of the rail built into the floor of the hovercraft. He felt Jerad’s hand on the rail next to his. Telsa’s hand gripped the rail next to his other hand.

  Taking another glance at Telsa, Richard noticed her face was no longer green. If anything, Richard thought Telsa looked excited. He knew the feeling. It was the waiting that sucked. The fear, or at least most of the fear, went away when the waiting was over.

  Telsa must have sensed Richard looking at her. She flashed him a grin.

  “I’m too light,” said Telsa. “The wind keeps trying to suck me out.”