The fighter went into a slight dive and two missiles launched from its underside.
“Collins, incoming!” Andrew shouted.
The next instant, the missiles turned the spot where Collins and the kung beasts had been into a bright flash. Andrew felt himself being lifted off his feet and slammed into a tree behind him. He collapsed on all fours, trying to regain his senses.
Smoke rose from the crater where the missiles had struck. Andrew got to his feet and staggered towards it, his legs shook and he felt dizzy. He heard someone calling his name, Lieutenant Clark. He ignored her and continued to stagger forwards. The smoke had cleared enough for him to see into the crater now. The three kung beasts lay on their sides, one stirred feebly for a moment, then lay still.
Near the center of the crater, Andrew could see Collins’ crumpled form. She was laying face down, her arms splayed at her sides. He walked over to her, picking his way through the dead kung beasts. When he reached her, Andrew knelt down and slowly rolled her over onto her back.
The front of her armor was covered in scorch marks. Numerous charred holes showed where plasma had burned through her legs and abdomen. Her armor’s face plate cleared and he could see her eyes open half way. Andrew reached down and gently lifted her head. She reached out and grabbed his free arm. The nanites in her armor linked with his. Medical diagnostics from her suit filled his HUD. She had massive internal injuries, the nanites in her body and armor were doing their best to repair the damage, but it wouldn’t be enough.
Collins opened her mouth to speak. Her armor’s com system was damaged, but through the nanite link, Andrew was still able to hear her.
“I need you to do something for me,” she said in a hoarse voice.
“What?”
“There’s a girl on New Berlin, name’s Amy.”
Collins coughed and blood trickled from her mouth.
“Tell her, tell her.”
She coughed again.
“Whatever you’ve got to say, you’ll be able to tell her yourself,” said Andrew.
Private Collins smiled.
“I’m dying Williams and we both know it.”
Andrew opened his mouth to speak, but Collins cut him off.
“I don’t have a lot of time, tell Amy. Tell her I love her and that I’m sorry, promise me that Williams.”
“I will, I promise.”
“Good and you’d better not forget, or I’ll come back and kick your ass.”
Her grip on Andrew’s arm slackened, he reached out and grasped her hand in his.
“Goodbye Private,” she said quietly.
She closed her eyes and her vital signs ceased.
Andrew jerked awake, his eyes snapping open. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling of the Twilight’s crew quarters. For a moment the image of Collins, lying in a smoldering crater, flashed before him. He sat up and looked around, the rest of the Twilight’s crew were all lying in their bunks, fast asleep. Andrew checked the screen on the com panel next to him, they were still three hours out from Borealis. He rubbed his eyes, it felt like forever since he’d had a good night’s sleep.
Chapter 33
The swirling tunnel of light collapsed and disappeared, as the Twilight entered the outskirts of the Borealis system. Anna surveyed the image on the bridge's main view screen. In the distance, Borealis's star gleamed brightly. Around the system’s second planet, Anna could make out a small ring of minuscule dots.
“System's check,” she ordered.
“Navigation on-line,” replied Ensign Aziz.
“Sensors fully functional,” reported Dolohov.
“Engines and rector fine, at least as far as I can tell,” came Chief Nolan's voice over the intercom.
“Can you be a little more specific than that?” Inquired Anna.
“Wish I could Commander,” replied Nolan.
“Our new friends made a few upgrades down here.”
There was a brief pause, during which everyone on the bridge turned to the young woman.
“I really have no idea what they're for,” Nolan went on.
“Everything else seems to be in perfect working order.”
A long deep note emanated from all around them.
“They are working fine,” the young woman translated.
“Sensors,” said Anna.
“Engage active scanners, give me a full sensor sweep and get me a close up image of that shipyard.”
The image on the view screen changed to show a ring of orbital stations around a planet. The stations seemed to go around the entire length of the planet's equator. They consisted of enormous metal frames, made up of a lattice of crisscrossing beams. In the center of the frames were large spherical central hubs, with smaller structures spaced further outward along the frames. As Anna watched, one of the smaller hubs on the nearest station repositioned itself.
Inside the frame she could make out the skeletal outline of a ship, a destroyer. The image on screen zoomed in further and they could see the hub that had just repositioned itself open a hatch on its surface. Out floated three figures in vac-suites. Each pulling behind them a long hose with a nozzle at the end. The three figures positioned themselves around an unfinished section of the destroyer's superstructure. What looked like a fine mist emanated from the hoses. It hung there in space for a moment, then congealed and formed itself into a crisscrossing section of support beams, before attaching itself to the rest of the unfinished ship.
Saskill let out a low hiss.
“Impressive, I wish we could build ships like that.”
“How do they do it?” Asked John.
“The smaller hubs contain large tanks of nanites,” Anna explained.
“They use magnetic fields to herd them trough the hoses and into the approximate area where they need them. Each batch of nanites is given a specific set of instructions by the shipyard's central computer system, based on what part of the ship they're supposed to become. Once released, the nanites produce their own small magnetic fields and use those to orient themselves accordingly. They then latch onto one another with a series of microscopic hooks, finally connecting to the rest of the structure in the same way.”
Andrew was scrutinizing the view screen.
“Where is the shipyard’s defense force?” He asked.
Lieutenant Graham tapped a few buttons on his console and the image on screen shifted. It showed a tactical view of the system. Small triangles indicated the location of ships. Miniscule writing above them corresponded to the transponder codes the Twilight was picking up.
“I'm reading three ships,” reported Graham.
“Two destroyers and a carrier, there might also be some more on the other side of the planet.”
“And the communications relay?” Asked Major Clark.
“Sensors detecting Imperial relay,” Dolohov reported.
Graham fiddled with his console once more and the view screen now showed the Imperial communications relay, orbiting the planet. It was further towards the planet's northern pole, well away from the shipyard.
“Why is it all the way over there?” Asked John.
“Imperial com relays have to open miniature dimension vortexes in order to send a point to point laser transmission to a relay on the other side,” Graham explained.
“Given the constant opening and closing of multiple dimension vortexes around a relay, it's very dangerous for anything to get too close to it.”
“We're being hailed Commander,” said Dolohov
“I'll handle this Commander,” said Major Clark.
“Lieutenant, connect me to them but make sure all they can see is me,” she added with a glance at John and Saskill.
The face of an older man appeared on the view screen. He had short silver and white hair, with blue eyes and a pronounced chin.
“This is Captain Reynold of the Imperial Carrier Atlas, to Imperial Stalker ship Twilight,” he said in an authoritative voice.
“This is Major Cl
ark, how can I help you Captain?”
“What is your business here Major?” Reynold demanded.
“That is on a need to know basis Captain,” said Major Clark curtly.
“With all due respect Major,” replied the Captain.
“We weren't expecting any ships today and this is a high security facility.”
“Captain, you will do as you're told,” Major Clark cut him off.
She tapped a button on her wrist pad.
“I have just sent you a file Captain,” she went on.
“It should leave you in no doubt as to my authority here.”
Captain Reynold looked very annoyed, but glanced down at the file he had just received and promptly straitened to attention.
“Yes Major,” he said saluting her.
“Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.”
“I will Captain.”
The view screen switched back to show the tactical layout of the system.
“Dolohov,” said Clark.
“Establish a link to the relay and then patch it through to the briefing room.”
“Yes Major, establishing link.”
“I'll need to speak with Admiral Constantine alone at first, however he may wish to speak with you,” Clark added, looking at the young woman.
She nodded.
“Very well then, let me know if our friends out there do anything suspicious,” said Clark and left the bridge.
Andrew spoke up.
“I think I'll head down to the cargo bay, see how much of the equipment down there is still intact, if that's alright with you Commander,” he added.
“Go ahead Sergeant.”
“Perhaps this would be a good time for me to pay a visit to chief engineer Nolan,” said the young woman.
“I could help him get a bit more familiarized with the upgrades we've made.”
“I'm sure Nolan will appreciate that,” said Anna.
“Just make sure you're available if Admiral Constantine needs to speak with you.”
The young woman nodded.
“Well if big sis doesn't mind I'd like to go with her, get a look at some of those upgrades myself,” piped up John.
“Fine, just don't get in their way.”
John grinned and followed the young woman and Andrew off the bridge.
Anna turned to Dolohov.
“Continue with the active scans, I want to know the minute one of those ships out there does something strange.”
“Aye Commander.”
Sarah sat down at the table in the Twilight's briefing room and switched on the view screen in front of her. She logged into the Imperial com relay and used Admiral Constantine's seal to flag the transmission as top secret. The connection took a long time to establish, finally Admiral Constantine's face appeared.
“Major Clark!” He exclaimed.
“This is a surprise, I hadn't expected to hear from you so soon.”
“I hadn't expected to call you so soon either Admiral,” she replied.
“But things have gotten a lot more complicated.”
The story was told in around ten minutes. Admiral Constantine leaned back in his chair and exhaled loudly.
“You weren't kidding about the complicated part,” he remarked.
“You’re telling me, recounting it now the whole thing seems a bit crazy. I'm not sure I'd believe it myself.”
“Don’t think I’m not tempted Major,” Constantine said wryly.
Sarah shifted in her seat.
“Do you wish to speak with the, ah-woman I guess would be the right word?”
The Admiral leaned forward.
“Yes, first however, is there anything else you can tell me? What’s your general impression of her?”
“I really don't know what to think,” Sarah admitted.
“Her appearance aside, she seems quite different from any human I've ever come across. I suppose that supports her claim that her people really are a different species, that they merely appear human. But then again, why do they look like us and how did they manage it?”
Constantine nodded.
“Indeed, the question of why especially. I suppose with enough technology you could make your entire species look like another one, but why would you want to? Given your report of the rather low regard some of them hold humans in; you'd think that if they were going to alter their appearance they'd pick something else. Do you think it could be for strategic reasons, infiltration maybe?”
Sarah shook her head.
“No, I doubt that Admiral. They might look like humans, but that strange glowing aura that seems to emanate from them. You might not notice it if you weren't looking too close, but if you know what to look for, it's pretty obvious.”
Admiral Constantine was silent for a moment.
“Very well Major, I think it's time I met her,” he said.
“One moment Admiral,” replied Sarah.
She flicked on the com to the bridge.
“Commander, could you have our guest come to the briefing room please.”
“Yes Major.’
They both waited in silence for about a minute before the conference room door slid open. The young woman stepped inside, looking rather cautious. Major Clark waived her over.
“This is Admiral Constantine,” she explained, getting out of her seat and offering it to her.
“He would like to speak with you.”
The young woman sat down on the proffered chair and looked up at the view screen. Sarah stood behind her and a bit off to the side. Admiral Constantine and the young woman both scrutinized each other for a moment, then the Admiral spoke.
“Greetings, as Major Clark mentioned, I am Admiral Constantine.”
He threw a quick glance at Clark before continuing.
“From what I gather, you represent your people or at least a faction of them?”
The young woman straightened in her seat.
“I am here to speak on behalf of my people, not all of them wish to converse with you, but I and others believe conversation preferable to conflict,” she explained.
“As do I,” replied Constantine.
“However, before we go any further, I should mention that although I am only the head of the Imperial military. I do not in fact, have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Human Empire.”
“I see,” said the young woman.
“I do however have a direct line of communication to those that do,” Constantine went on.
“I can set up a meeting between you and the people that do have that authority, I can also guarantee safe passage for you and any other delegates you wish to bring.”
The young woman regarded the Admiral intently.
“I am the only one of my people who will be making this journey,” she said.
“I see,” said Constantine, seemingly a little taken aback.
“It will take a bit of time for me to set all this up, Major Clark.”
“Yes Admiral?”
“Is it safe for you to remain in the Borealis system?”
“I'm not sure Admiral, we seem to be alright for the moment, but I'd rather not push my luck with Jones still on our trail.”
Admiral Constantine nodded.
“Very well Major, I want you to take the Twilight and head straight for Earth. I'll just have to find a place to stash you and your crew for a few days while I set up that meeting.”
Sarah threw a quick glance at the young woman.
“Yes Admiral, however I feel I should point out that we also have a shengyet aboard. Our guest here may be able to go relatively unnoticed, but if anyone gets a look at Saskill.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” Constantine assured her.
“Contact me as soon as you enter the Sol system Major and I'll give you instructions from there.”
“Yes Admiral.”
“I look forward to meeting you in person,” Constantine said to the young woman.
“As do I,” sh
e replied.
“All right then, I hope to see you both soon,” said Constantine and cut the connection.
“Major Clark to Commander Jackson,” Sarah spoke into the com.
“Prepare for immediate departure.”
“Yes Major, what course shall we set?”
“Earth Commander and make it fast.”
Chapter 34
Lieutenant Harbid threw a quick glance over his shoulder.
“Hurry Ensign,” he said anxiously.
“I'm going as fast as I can,” replied Katie.
They were both standing in front of a public information terminal. Katie huddled over the controls, while the Harbid kept watch. He was all too aware of how exposed they were. The terminal was right out on the street, between a restaurant and the headquarters of a trading company. There were an awful lot of people out here and it only took one to wonder what two Imperial naval officers were doing there.
“I'm in,” Katie announced.
“Good, any decent candidates for a ship?”
“Let me see here, mostly small merchant ships or personal transports, none of these are big enough. Wait, here we go,” she said with satisfaction.
“An old Imperial cargo ship, now in service to a shipping company.”
“What kind?”
“One of the old Star Hauler class ships.”
“That'd certainly be big enough,” Harbid remarked.
Katie nodded.
“Basically a giant cargo hold with a cockpit and engines. It's not pretty or fast, but it's got a Dimension drive and it's big enough for everyone to fit aboard, what more do we need?”
“Personally, I'd like a destroyer with a full fighter escort,” Harbid said dryly.
“But this will have to do, okay Ensign, where is this ship?”
Before Katie could answer him, the sound of heavy approaching footfalls, made them both spin round. As they turned, Harbid saw four uniformed bessra approaching them, their weapons drawn.
“You two,” said the one in the lead.
Imperium: Contact Page 26
