by Ryk Brown
“What? That I was wrong?”
“Yup.”
“I’m wrong more often than you realize, son.”
“Perhaps, but I don’t remember you admitting it,” Nathan said, “at least not very often.”
“It’s a hard thing to do, at times,” his father explained. “As a father, your children look up to you, expect you to have all the answers. Same thing holds true as a politician. Everyone expects you to know the right thing to do, and to do it. But the world is never black and white, right or wrong. Most of the time, you’re choosing the lesser of two evils. That’s what your brother hated the most about politics.”
“I’d rather not talk about Eli, if you don’t mind,” Nathan said as he took his seat behind his desk.
“You’re going to have to eventually, Nathan.”
“He sold us out, Pop. His entire world. What the hell is there to talk about?”
“He must have had his reasons, Nathan. He must have thought…”
“Not right now, okay?” Nathan objected. “Not the night before we go toe-to-toe with that damned platform.”
“Alright,” his father acquiesced. They both sat there in silence for several seconds. “You know, the people have stopped making an effort these last few weeks.”
“What do you mean?” Nathan asked.
“The volunteers have all but disappeared. The markets are empty. People that have jobs aren’t showing up for them.”
“Why?”
“They’ve given up hope.”
“I thought the arrival of the Karuzara served as an inspiration?”
“It did, to some extent,” his father said. “But the Karuzara, as impressive a facility as it may be, is still just a rock with some guns on it. The platform headed our way is designed to destroy worlds, and the people know it.”
“So what are they doing?”
“Those who are out are hoarding whatever they can get their hands on.”
“Yeah, Telles warned me about that.”
“He was wise to not try and stop it,” his father said. “Those who aren’t out scrounging up what’s left are either hunkered down in whatever safe place they could come up with, or they’re out whooping it up, having as much fun as possible before they die at the hands of the Jung.”
“Kind of pathetic, don’t you think?”
“Can you blame them?” the president said. “They’ve been pounded three times now, and they’re barely surviving down there.”
“But they are surviving,” Nathan said. “That’s the key word.”
“Millions of people have lost everything, Nathan. How do you deal with that? How do you carry on without a purpose in life?”
“You just do,” Nathan insisted. “Life isn’t about a purpose. Life is about living. It’s about being alive. It’s as simple as that. There is no grand scheme that is being played out.”
“Not everyone feels that way. Some people need more. You know as well as anyone… Hope is a powerful motivator, just as hopelessness is as destructive as any weapon.”
“I will defeat that platform this time,” Nathan promised.
His father looked at him, hearing the conviction in his son’s tone. “You truly believe that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. I will not turn and run this time, and I will not leave the Earth to be wiped clean from orbit. I retreated once. I will not do so again. I can’t.”
“And suppose you don’t. Suppose you stand and fight, and win. What then?” his father asked. “The Earth will again suffer. Again we will try to recover and rebuild. The Jung will come again.”
“Not this time,” Nathan swore. “We will defeat this platform. Then we will seek out and destroy every Jung asset within twenty light years of Earth. That will buy us the time we need to recover and rebuild… To become stronger. We will liberate the other core worlds as well, and they will stand with us, making us stronger still. Together, we will stand as one against the Jung. We will continue our attacks, spreading destruction outward until all Jung forces have been eliminated, and the Jung threat is no more.”
“And how many people will die in the process, Nathan?”
“Not people,” Nathan objected. “Jung.”
“Are they not people?”
“Not people worthy of mercy,” Nathan said.
“And what about the innocent people who will die as well?”
“I don’t like collateral damage any more than the next guy,” Nathan said, “but this is war, and we both know that fewer innocent people will suffer if we defeat the Jung now, rather than later.”
“They will still number in the millions, Nathan,” his father warned. “Especially if you carry this campaign to the core worlds of Earth as well.”
“It cannot be helped, Pop, and you know it. As long as the Jung have strongholds spread out across the Sol sector, they shall be a threat to us all. You said so yourself, just before we took down the previous platform, when you told me not to sacrifice my ship to save the Earth.”
“You do realize that you just made an argument not to stand and fight to the death to save the Earth?”
Nathan said nothing, only stared at his father.
Dayton Scott sighed. “Your life was not supposed to turn out this way, Nathan.”
“You’re wrong about that as well,” Nathan told him. “I admit, when I first took command, I wanted nothing more than to get back home and hand off the responsibility to someone else. But now I know… This is who I am. This is what I was born to do. Call it fate; call it destiny; call it the will of God if you want, but this is exactly how my life was supposed to turn out.”
His father shook his head, sighing yet again. “I’m glad you feel that way, Nathan.”
“Heck, you should be happy,” Nathan explained. “You always wanted me to go into politics, didn’t you? Isn’t war just a continuation of politics by other means?”
His father smiled. “Who said that?”
“Carl Von-something. A couple thousand years ago, I think,” Nathan said. “You hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“I’ll have the chef whip up some molo dishes,” Nathan told him. “I have a feeling you’re going to be eating a lot of it in the future.”
CHAPTER TEN
The starry, black background of space began to warp slightly, the stars themselves shifting and stretching in abnormal fashion at an increasing rate until suddenly, a Jung battle platform with one of its six arms heavily damaged, appeared as if from nowhere. Within seconds, more than two dozen missiles, tiny by comparison to the massive platform, left its core and headed toward Earth.
“Multiple contacts!” Ensign Kono reported from the Celestia’s sensor station. “Just past the orbit of Jupiter. Jung battle platform…”
“They’ve launched missiles,” Lieutenant Delaveaga reported from the tactical station. “Thirty of them.”
“Target?” Cameron asked.
“They’re headed for Earth, sir.”
“Odd. Why launch from so far out? It will take more than two hours for those missiles to reach Earth.”
“Closer to three, sir,” Ensign Kono corrected.
“Maybe they’re trying to draw us out, away from Earth?” Luis suggested.
“Possibly.” Cameron turned aft. “Comms, notify the Aurora and the Karuzara.”
“Already done, sir,” Ensign Souza answered.
“Celestia reports the battle platform has entered the system on the expected course, just past the orbit of Jupiter,” Naralena reported as Nathan stepped onto the bridge from his ready room.
“Sound general quarters,” Nathan ordered as he passed Jessica at the tactical station and headed for his command chair.
“Celestia also reports thirty missiles inbound, fired the moment the target came out of FTL,” Naralena added.
“What?” Nathan exclaimed. “From out there, it will take hours for those missiles to reach Earth.”
“They probably just want to leave us something
to remember them by after we kick their asses,” Jessica commented.
“Where’s the Celestia?”
“Just inside the orbit of Mars, on an intercept course,” Jessica reported.
“Comms, tell them to hold course and speed for now. Do not intercept.”
“Aye, sir,” Naralena acknowledged.
Captain Nash stood behind his sensor operator, Ensign Agari, looking at the display screen. “Are you sure Toosh?”
“Yes, sir,” Ensign Agari assured him, “straight and true. They burned for a while after launch, but they’re coasting now. At their current speed, it will take them five and a half hours to reach Earth.”
“Why would they block their own path to Earth?” Commander Eckert wondered. “With those missiles in their way, they can’t go to FTL and transition in closer.”
“They’re taunting us,” Captain Nash said, “trying to get us to come out to them. That’s why the missiles aren’t accelerating. They’re hoping we’ll come out to destroy those missiles before they reach their targets,” the captain explained. “Keep an eye on those missiles, Toosh. I’m betting something is going to change.”
“Like what?” Toosh wondered.
“They’re either going to accelerate, or they’re going to change course.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t fall for it, Scott,” the captain said under his breath.
“Flight, Captain,” Nathan called over his comm-set. “Launch all Falcons. Task to intercept and destroy the inbound missiles. Make sure they wait until those missiles are out of range of the platform’s point-defenses.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Mister Chiles, ten degrees port, five up relative,” Nathan ordered.
“Ten to port, five up relative, aye.”
“Mister Riley,” Nathan continued, “Our first jump will be to the orbit of Jupiter, about a light minute abeam of the target, I suspect.”
“Aye, sir,” Mister Riley answered. “Plotting jump.”
“We’ll jump as soon as the Falcons are away,” Nathan added.
“Aye, sir.”
“Ready those antimatter mines.”
“They’re already in the port cargo airlock, ready to jettison,” Jessica reported.
“Very well.”
“Message from the Aurora, Captain,” Ensign Souza announced. “We’re to hold course and speed, do not engage.”
“Very well,” Cameron answered.
“The Aurora has jumped,” Ensign Kono reported. “She launched Falcons before she jumped, though. They’re jumping as well.”
“He’ll send the Falcons to deal with the missiles,” Cameron commented.
“Why not just wait and deal with them later?” Luis wondered.
“He wants them to think that their tactic is working, that we’re going to fight a defensive battle.”
“Jump complete,” Loki announced as their jump flash subsided.
“Coming to starboard,” Josh said as he started a lazy turn.
“Thirty seconds until their missiles are beyond the range of their point-defenses.”
“Their big guns will still be able to reach us, if they get lucky,” Josh insisted.
“Uh, oh,” Loki said. “Their missiles are changing course. They’re spreading out.”
“So? We just jump a little shorter, right? They’re still easy pickings, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, but why are they spreading out? That’s what I want to know.”
“Turn complete,” Mister Chiles reported from the Aurora’s helm.
“Attack jump plotted and ready,” Mister Riley added.
“Port-side cargo airlock reports ejection mechanism is armed, and the outer doors are open. The antimatter mines are ready for deployment,” Jessica announced.
“Jump when ready, Mister Riley,” Nathan ordered.
“Jumping in three……two……one……jumping.”
Nathan kept his eyes glued to the main view screen as the jump flash washed over them.
“Jump complete.”
“Contact,” Mister Navashee reported. “Platform is two kilometers ahead, two to port, closing fast.”
“Five seconds to deployment point,” Jessica announced.
“Stand by to execute escape jump. Five light seconds forward.”
“Three…”
“Escape jump, five light seconds forward, aye,” Mister Riley answered.
“…Two……one……mines away,” Jessica announced.
“Tactical, transmit detonation signal,” Nathan ordered.
“Transmitting detonation signal.”
“Snap jump!”
“Jumping,” Mister Riley answered as the jump flash washed over them. “Jump complete.”
“Scan the target area,” Nathan ordered.
“Already on it, sir,” Mister Navashee replied.
“Helm, come about.”
“Coming about, aye.”
“I have four antimatter events,” Mister Navashee reported, “but no battle platform, and no debris.”
“New contact!” Ensign Kono reported from the Celestia’s sensor station. “It’s the battle platform, sir! They must have gone to FTL just before the antimatter mines detonated.”
“What’s their new position?” Cameron asked.
“Dead even with their missiles, sir.”
“That’s two!” Josh yelled.
“Fuck!” Loki exclaimed. “The platform FTL’d it forward! They’re fifty kilometers out and firing! Break left and down! Now, now, now!”
Josh didn’t hesitate, pushing the Falcon into a tight, diving left turn and pushing their throttles to full power. “Get us the fuck outta here!”
“Jumping!” Loki announced as the jump flash washed over them.
“Where are we at, Lok?” Josh asked as the jump flash subsided.
“I only jumped us one light second, stand by.”
“Okay, I got them,” Josh said, looking at his sensor display. “Aft of us and to starboard, about four hundred kilometers.”
“Oh, shit, Falcon Three is hit!” Loki exclaimed, “And I’m not finding Falcon Five anywhere!”
“Maybe they jumped further out?” Josh suggested as he brought the ship around in preparation for another jump. “Where’s the Aurora?”
“I’m looking.”
“The Aurora’s antimatter mines were unsuccessful, Commander,” the Karuzara’s tactical officer reported. “The target went to FTL before the mines detonated. She is currently slightly behind her own missiles, same course and speed as before.”
“They FTL’d forward just enough to be in range of whomever was sent to deal with the missiles,” Commander Dumar surmised. “How many Falcons?”
“Four,” the tactical officer reported. “Falcons Three and Five are missing. I have debris at Falcon Three’s last known position as well. It could have been worse, sir.”
“Yes, it could have,” Commander Dumar agreed. “If the Celestia had gone after those missiles, she might be missing instead.”
“Damn it,” Nathan cursed. “Is the platform still holding course and speed?”
“Yes, sir,” Mister Navashee reported.
“Comms, message to the Celestia,” Nathan ordered. “Tell them to join us and engage the target. Alternate-X across their bow from ten kilometers out, and fire everything. We’ve got the first pass.”
“Aye, sir,” Naralena answered.
“Set up for your first pass, Mister Riley,” Nathan added.
“Aye, sir.”
“Mister Navashee. Are our Scouts in position?”
“Yes, sir,” Mister Navashee answered. “Either side of the engagement zone, just out of range of the platform’s big guns.”
“Comms, tell Scout Three to adjust targeting instructions based on target’s current course and speed and be ready to launch in three minutes.”
“Retarget current track, launch in three, aye, sir.” Naralena answered.
“What happens if they go to F
TL right when we jump in front of them?” Jessica wondered.
“Hopefully we’ll get spit back out the other side, like everything else,” Nathan replied.
“New targeting instructions,” Wellsy called over the comms. “Retarget current track, launch at thirteen twenty-two plus thirty.”
“That’s just under two minutes from now,” Commander Eckert said.
“Stand by to jump us out to the first KKV,” Captain Nash ordered.
“Already plotting the jump, sir,” the commander replied.
“Tell me the jump board is green,” the captain added.
“Aye, sir,” Lieutenant Scalotti replied. “Emitters, field generators, and reactors… All good to go.”
“Clearing jump, plotted and locked,” the commander announced. “Come to one two seven, down two relative, and maintain speed.”
“One two seven, down two relative, same speed,” the captain answered as he altered the Scout ship’s course.
“Ninety seconds to launch,” Ensign Agari announced. “We’re clear ahead.”
“One two seven, down two,” the captain said.
“Jumping in three……two……one……jumping.” The blue-white jump flash washed over the flight deck. “Jump complete. Stand by for new course.”
“Eighty seconds to launch,” Ensign Agari reported.
“New course, two four seven, up twelve relative, same speed,” Commander Eckert advised.
“Coming to two four seven, up twelve relative, same speed,” the captain answered as he turned the ship again.
“Seventy seconds,” Ensign Agari reported.
“You’re starting to annoy me, Toosh,” Captain Nash said as he continued his course change.
“Just keeping you honest, Captain,” Toosh answered. “One minute.”
“On course two four seven, up twelve relative, same speed. Ready to jump,” the captain announced.
“One moment,” Commander Eckert said as he made the last few entries into the jump computer.
