by Ryk Brown
“No apologies are necessary, Mister Galbrith,” Casimir assured him. “Except one from me to you, for arriving unannounced. Unfortunately, I had to abide by the wishes of my security detail.”
“Yes, of course,” Mister Galbrith agreed. “A wise precaution, indeed.” The prime minister’s chief of staff turned toward the entrance to the minister’s office, stepping to one side as he gestured. “Shall we wait in the prime minister’s office?”
“Thank you,” Prince Casimir said. The prince paused as two members of his security detail stepped forward. Understanding their intent, the two Corinari guards at the doorway pushed the doors to the prime minister’s office wide open and stepped aside to allow Prince Casimir’s detail to check the room. A minute later, one of the Takaran guards nodded his approval back toward his charge, and Casimir stepped forward into the room.
Although Corinair was still in the process of rebuilding itself after the fall of the empire, Casimir immediately took note that the office of the leader of the entire Darvano system showed no signs of recent turmoil. The room was quite large, with vaulted ceilings and massive windows that overlooked the capital city below.
“An amazing view,” Casimir said as he strolled closer to the windows.
“It will be even more amazing a year from now,” Mister Galbrith insisted. “There is still much rebuilding to be done.”
“As it is with all worlds in the cluster,” Casimir added, a note of sorrow in his voice. He turned away from the windows and back toward his host. “Time,” he added with a more positive tone, “time and persistence.”
“Indeed,” Mister Galbrith agreed as he gestured to the sitting area. “Would you care for something to drink?”
“No thank you,” Casimir said as he took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs. “Maybe later.”
“I detected a hint of guilt in your tone a moment ago,” Mister Galbrith said. “Surely you don’t feel responsible for what has happened?”
“Would you expect me to feel otherwise?”
“Yes, actually.”
“My actions did lead to the deaths of millions, possibly even billions of innocent lives,” Casimir explained.
“My understanding was that you did not start any of this,” Mister Galbrith said. “You were only trying to end the tyranny that your brother had begun.”
“But at such great cost,” Casimir said, staring out at the landscape through the great windows once again.
“You made a call to action, and the people followed. Willingly, I might add. You brought justice and freedom to us all.”
“But did I do so for the right reasons?” Casimir wondered.
“I think you proved your reasons were just when you gave up your position as leader of Takara,” Mister Galbrith insisted.
“Again, at what price?”
“You could not have foreseen what was to come from such a noble gesture.”
“Noble.” Casimir laughed. “Sweet irony.”
“The so-called nobles of your world are protecting their own interests,” Mister Galbrith explained, “greedy and self-centered as they are, it is still what most men would do, especially in such a time of interstellar chaos.” Mister Galbrith shifted in his seat. “Surely, though, the leader of the house of Ta’Akar did not come to the leader of Corinair to seek forgiveness.”
“Quite right,” Casimir agreed. “I came to seek your assistance.”
“Our assistance? In what way?”
“The Earth has suffered tremendously at the hands of the Jung. Their entire society is on the verge of complete collapse. Their infrastructure is all but ruined. Only a few of their nation-states have managed to survive. Millions upon millions have died, and millions more fight for food, shelter, water, and what little medical care is still available.”
“The entire planet?”
“Most of it,” Casimir said. “There are places that seem untouched for the most part, but they are quickly becoming overrun by the refugees from areas harder hit.”
“What can we do?”
“Food, water, clothing, medical supplies, medical care…”
“We are doing better than before, much better, in fact,” Mister Galbrith said, interrupting the prince, “however, we are far from being able to offer aid to others.”
“I know, and I do not mean to belittle your own situation, especially since I feel, to some degree, responsible for your plight. But trust me, Mister Galbrith, compared to the state of the Earth, Corinair is a mecca of prosperity and comfort.”
“Then I would imagine that Takara is even more so,” Mister Galbrith said with one eyebrow raised, “by comparison.”
“I cannot deny that Takara is much better off than any of the systems in the cluster,” Casimir admitted. “However, there is little I can do to affect change in that regard.”
“Are the nobles of Takara unwilling to send aid?”
“The nobles of Takara are unwilling to do anything that does not directly benefit the nobles of Takara.”
“Surely, helping the Earth to survive and in turn defeat an enemy that may someday threaten them as well is reason enough.”
“One would think,” Casimir admitted. “Unfortunately, that is not the case.”
“But you are a prince…”
“In name only,” Casimir corrected.
“You are also the leader of the most powerful house in the entire Takar system.”
“Which is why I can offer the people of Corinair payment for that which they provide.”
Mister Galbrith cocked his head to one side. “My dear prince, the amount of assistance you desire would require substantial payment, indeed. It is my understanding that you have already spent a great deal in getting the Karuzara loaded, staffed, and under way.”
“Your intelligence serves you well, Mister Galbrith.”
“It was not our intelligence services,” Mister Galbrith admitted, “but our financial reports.”
“I have indeed spent a sizable portion of my family’s holdings,” Casimir admitted, “however, I have not yet spent it all.”
“If we are to provide the amount of aid you seek, you shall,” Mister Galbrith warned. “I’m not even sure we can provide the amount you seek.”
“Yours is not the only world from whom I am requesting assistance,” Casimir assured him. “Ancot is my next destination.”
“Your nobles will not be happy,” Mister Galbrith warned. “They depend on Ancotan crops.”
“I doubt my purchases will interfere with the flow of grain to Takara,” Casimir insisted, “although it may drive the price up a bit.”
Mister Galbrith smiled. “That will certainly get their attention, as will the sudden reduction in the flow of medical nanite technology. I assume you will wish to purchase that as well?”
“Indeed,” Casimir agreed. “However, I should warn you, Mister Galbrith, that my financial resources are not unlimited. In fact, when compared to the enormity of the Earth’s needs, they may be wholly insufficient.”
“I’m sure we can come to some agreement,” Mister Galbrith promised. “Profit alone is not always the best motive, and had the Aurora abandoned Corinair when challenged by the Yamaro, the Earth might not be in such dire need.”
“Indeed.”
“In addition, the establishment of new routes of trade is always in a world’s best interest, is it not?”
“Also quite true,” Casimir agreed. “As is political capital.”
* * *
“Final tracking data is coming in from the Falcons now, Captain,” Lieutenant Eckert announced from the Aurora’s tactical station. “I’d say we’ve got a nice clean track to use.”
“Very well,” Nathan answered. “Update your calculations and prepare to begin the attack run.”
“Aye, sir,” Mister Riley answered. “It will only take a few minutes.”
“Sound general quarters, and pass the word to the Celestia,” Nathan added. “Have those Falcons move to observation positions
and stand by.”
“Aye, sir,” Naralena answered as the accent lighting all around the Aurora’s bridge turned red.
“All weapons are charged and ready,” Lieutenant Eckert reported. “Firing patterns are programmed and loaded.”
“All four reactors are running at ninety percent,” Mister Chiles announced from the helm.
“No other contacts in the area,” Mister Navashee reported from the sensor station.
“First jump point in three minutes,” Mister Riley announced. “Jump sequence will be updated and ready in ninety seconds.”
“All compartments report manned and ready, Captain,” Naralena announced. “XO is in combat, COB is in damage control. The ship is at general quarters.”
“Very well.”
“The last Falcon just jumped away,” Mister Navashee added.
“Celestia reports general quarters as well,” Naralena announced.
“Two minutes to first jump point,” Mister Riley reported.
Nathan took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as his bridge staff continued to update him on the status of his ship. They were about to put more firepower onto a single target than ever before. If anything, he should have been confident of the outcome. But at twenty kilometers across, the target was also one of the largest ships they had ever faced, and the last time they had attacked this very platform it had not gone as well as expected. Once again, he was counting on luck to win the day.
“One minute to first jump,” Mister Riley reported.
“Celestia reports her jump sequence has updated, and her battle clock is synchronized,” Naralena announced.
Nathan turned slowly in his command chair as he heard footsteps behind him.
“Just thought we’d watch the show,” Jessica said as she and Lieutenant Telles stepped up next to Lieutenant Eckert at the tactical station.
“Thirty seconds,” Mister Riley updated.
“I hope it’s a good one,” Nathan told her.
“One hundred and twelve plasma shots at once?” Jessica exclaimed. “That’s got to cause something worth watching to happen.”
“Ten seconds.”
“Starting our pitch maneuver,” Mister Chiles added.
Nathan rotated his chair forward again. There was nothing for him to do, other than watch the status displays along the bottom of the main view screen, and listen to the voices of his crew as they executed the preplanned attack.
“Three……two……”
“Pitch rate established,” the helmsman interrupted.
“Jumping.”
The blue-white flash of their jump fields washed over the bridge. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Eckert immediately fired his weapons. The fading blue-white flash was quickly followed by the red-orange light of their plasma shots as all eight of them streaked away into the blackness of space.
“All weapons away!” the lieutenant reported.
“Jumping in five…”
“The Celestia has also fired,” Mister Navashee confirmed.
“…Four…”
“Four torpedoes and two cannon shots,” the sensor operator added.
“…Three…”
“Pitch rate holding constant,” the helmsman reported.
“…Two…”
“All weapons show ready to fire.”
“…One…”
“Celestia’s jumping,” Mister Navashee reported.
“…Jumping.”
The jump flash washed over them once again.
“Firing,” Lieutenant Eckert reported.
“Jumping in five…”
“Celestia has fired.”
“…Four…”
“Maintaining pitch rate.”
“…Three…”
“All weapons ready to fire.”
“…Two…”
“Celestia is jumping.”
“…One……jumping.”
Nathan sat quietly as the Aurora jumped again and again, his tactical officer firing all four forward plasma torpedo tubes as well as all four of their plasma cannons, all at the same time, after which his crew would jump the ship forward the exact distance necessary to execute the next firing sequence. Over and over, they repeated the process, sending waves of plasma charges hurtling toward their target between each jump, all of which were timed to deliver their weapons onto the target simultaneously.
Again, Nathan felt a strange disconnect. However, it was not as before. There was no threat of enemy weapons fire. No visual of the target. It felt like they were executing a drill, instead of attacking a live target—one that was hurtling toward them at twenty times the speed of light.
“If the platform is in FTL, then we can’t see it, right?” Jessica wondered as they continued to jump and fire. “How did you get the system to fire if there is nothing for it to lock onto?” she wondered as the next jump flash washed over them.
“Firing,” the lieutenant announced.
“Pitch maneuver halted,” Mister Chiles reported from the comm. “Altering course one degree down relative.”
“Final jump in five…”
“We’ve been firing everything in test mode,” the lieutenant told her.
“…Four…”
“The system thinks this is a drill.”
“…Three…”
“Clever,” Jessica said.
“…Two…”
“Celestia is jumping,” Mister Navashee reported.
“…One……jumping.”
The blue-white jump flash washed over the bridge for the ninth time in less than two minutes.
“Jump series complete,” Mister Riley reported. “We are now clear of the target’s flight path.”
“Weapons should impact in ten seconds,” Lieutenant Eckert announced.
“Scanning the target area,” Mister Navashee said.
Nathan sat in his command chair, swiveling to his left until he could see Mister Navashee, Lieutenant Eckert, and Jessica. At their current distance from the target area, even if they managed to destroy the Jung battle platform, there would be nothing to see.
Jessica raised both eyebrows as Nathan’s eyes met hers. “This should be good.”
“Weapons impact in three……two……one……impact.” Mister Navashee continued to stare at his sensor displays.
Jessica frowned slightly, unsure of what was going on.
“Relativity,” Nathan said, noticing her expression. “We’re twenty light seconds away.”
“I guess I’ve been away from the bridge for too long,” Jessica said.
Nathan glanced at the battle clock as they waited for the light from their target to reach them.
“Five seconds,” Mister Navashee reported.
The bridge was deathly quiet. Nathan’s eyes shifted from the battle clock to his sensor operator as the clock arrived at zero. His sensor operator said nothing. “Mister Navashee?” Nathan asked five seconds later.
“I’m getting something,” his sensor operator answered, “but…”
“But?”
“I’m not sure… I mean, I can’t believe what… I need to double-check my readings, sir.”
“What is it?” Nathan wondered. He had never heard his sensor operator sound so befuddled.
“Uh, I’m not sure, sir, but… No but. I’m sure,” he finally said as he turned toward his captain. “Our weapons passed right through them.”
“What?” Jessica exclaimed.
“How is that possible?” Lieutenant Eckert asked.
Nathan took a deep breath. “What exactly did you mean when you said our weapons passed right through them?”
“If I’m interpreting these readings correctly, and I’m pretty sure that I am, our plasma charges arrived at the target point, disappeared for a second, then reappeared again with their trajectory unchanged.”
“Did we miss?” Jessica asked.
“Impossible,” Lieutenant Eckert insisted. “Unless they suddenly changed course on us.”
“Did they
suddenly change course at the last moment, Mister Navashee?” Nathan asked.
“No, sir. I checked. They’re already past us, so we can detect their red-shifted light. They’re still holding the same course and speed, Captain.”
“Are our targeting systems off?” Nathan wondered, looking at Lieutenant Eckert.
“No, sir,” the lieutenant swiftly answered. “I triple-checked them before we started our attack run, and I just ran a systems check a moment ago as well. We fired all sixty-four of our charges right onto the assigned targeting point.”
“The lieutenant is correct, sir,” Mister Navashee assured him. “All our plasma charges arrived on the targeting point, and all within a zero point three second variance. Based on the target’s course and speed from the last Falcon’s tracking data, and the tracking data I just collected as they passed us by, they should have been at the targeting point when our weapons arrived.”
“You said the plasma charges disappeared for a moment?” Lieutenant Telles asked.
“Yes, sir,” Mister Navashee answered. “It was like when a moving light passes behind something, momentarily making the light disappear.”
Nathan looked at Lieutenant Telles. “Does this mean something, Lieutenant?”
“It means the Jung are more advanced than we originally believed,” Lieutenant Telles answered. “I suspect their battle platforms are not using mass-canceling fields to achieve faster than light travel. Instead, they are folding space.”
“How is that possible?” Nathan asked.
“I cannot explain how, as the Ta’Akar do not yet possess such technology. I can only explain the theories. To put it simply, they are manipulating space, both in front of and behind them, creating a bubble of normal space around them in the process. If so, all matter that enters this ‘folded space’ would simply be directed around the platform. That would explain the momentary disappearance of our weapons charges, as well as the fact that they seemed to pass right through the target.”
“Great!” Jessica exclaimed. “How the hell are we supposed to destroy the thing if our weapons just go around it?”
“We must find a way to force them out of FTL just prior to any attack,” Telles said, surprised that they had not already arrived at that conclusion.
Nathan sighed as he looked at Jessica, Lieutenant Telles and Lieutenant Eckert. “I don’t suppose any of you have any ideas on exactly how we can do that, do you?”
