by S. H. Jucha
Descartes’ idea would require one of his squadrons to fly a Trident into the face of the lead missile. Under no circumstances would he order or request the twins to do it. Moreover, his desire to exist, to live, was so great that he sought other options.
At this moment, Descartes received the benefit of having teamed with the twins. While they had depended on his efficient logic, he’d worked to adopt their intuitive, out-of-the-box thinking.
Such was the de Long twins’ union with their senior captain that they didn’t reply but acted. Three Trident crews raced to eject a banisher from a bay and signal its activation.
Descartes linked to the three banishers, as they accelerated blindly forward. The sleek, automated craft were seeking the signal of a probe, and Descartes changed their programming to focus on each of the three lead missiles. It might be overkill in executing his plan, but Descartes wasn’t about to challenge the laws of probability, not in this instance.
As soon as the banishers’ reorientation was complete, Descartes ordered the retreat of his squadron to take up stations beside the city-ship.
When the first banisher slammed into the lead planet killer, as Rieko had described the huge missiles, the explosion was fierce. Seconds later, the next two missiles were destroyed by the second and third banishers. The following missiles flew into a cloud of hot gas, debris, and nuclear energy, setting off a chain reaction of explosions that blotted out most ships’ telemetries.
Even before the fierce, white-hot light faded, Cordelia had the city-ship underway.
Cordelia managed to put hundreds of thousands of kilometers of additional space between her vessel and the site of the missiles’ explosions. Descartes’ Tridents had raced ahead of her, and they tucked close to her bow to use her ship as a protective barrier. By utilizing the Tridents’ grav drives, the sisters closed the distance between their warships and the city-ship to mere meters.
Cordelia flew the ship with its narrow profile facing the wave of energy and particles that reached out for her vessel. At the final moment, she flared the city-ship’s enormous engines, creating a backwash against the nuclear wave and forcing it around and away from the Freedom’s hull.
The passing wave had the energy to buffet the Freedom, and Cordelia immediately focused on the ship’s hull sensors. She was relieved to see that her efforts had paid off. Only a minimal amount of radiation was detected. It was something the ship was prepared to handle.
“We’re safe, Admiral,” Cordelia said to Tatia.
Relief flooded through the bridge personnel at the potential disaster that Cordelia had averted.
Renée crossed the bridge and gave Cordelia a fierce hug. “Well done,” she whispered to the SADE.
“Me too,” Reiko added, and embraced Cordelia.
“Don’t expect to get these often,” Tatia said gruffly, as she took a turn to throw her arms around Cordelia.
“Admiral Reiko, have Descartes’ squadron protect the travelers, with the city-ship’s families aboard, and the freighters,” Tatia ordered. “Admiral Cordelia, get us out to the battle site. We’ve Omnians to support.”
-11-
Where Are You?
Alex had watched the battle unfold via Miriamette, who was aboard their traveler in the Dark Whispers’ bay, and he’d received Cordelia’s final tally of the damage. His anger threatened to overtake him. Most of it was directed against himself. He’d grown tired of seeing Omnians sacrificed for a possible safer future that might never be achieved.
Sargut’s ship had yet to receive the battle’s telemetry, but the grand commander knew the Omnians had. So, he asked Alex a question.
Alex warded Sargut off with a hand gesture and leaned against the bridge’s rear bulkhead. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply to cool his anger. Regaining control, Alex gathered the emotional heat. He let it harden and kept it to fuel his desires. When he opened his eyes, his expression was as hard as the cold he felt.
Tormheth, who stood close to a bridge corner, witnessed Alex’s shifting moods, and he pressed his back into the bulkhead until his wings were impinged.
“Continue to the Chistorlan home world now, Commander,” Alex ordered, which came out as a growl, and Sargut jumped to obey Julien’s translation. “I want to see who we saved and why it was worth a quarter of my ships and their crews,” Alex added.
The Toralian battleships would sail for days to reach the requested planet. During the Toralians’ third shift, they received their first images of the battle. Across three battleships, commanders, officers, and crews were focused on their monitors. In the furious encounter, they witnessed the destruction of an entire battleship fleet. It was an unthinkable outcome.
“Had you considered, Senior Commander Sargut,” Taralum asked, “before you brought the Omnian’s ship aboard the Dark Whispers that it could have easily destroyed your ship?”
Sargut was taking the call with Taralum and Sugatar in his quarters.
“I was informed by Alex, the Omnian leader, that his shuttles were in fact fighters with beam weaponry,” Sargut replied. “He made this clear before the traveler, as the Omnians call their fighters, was launched from his great ship.”
“I’m reeling from having watched the Omnians forfeit their lives to defeat the battleships,” Sugatar commented.
“I believe the Omnians comprehend Artifice’s insidious nature, and they’ve chosen to bring the fight to it before their worlds and structures are consumed by its great orbs and programs,” Sargut explained.
“If we were unsure of the Omnians’ commitment to the future struggle, we’ve undeniable proof now,” Taralum said. “I’ll lend my full support to your report to the grand commander.”
“And you have my support,” Sugatar added.
“Your confidences are appreciated,” Sargut replied. “But I warn you that our work here is not finished. Alex and the Omnians could have launched their fighter from our hold. I’m told it can cross the system nearly indefinitely. Only food, water, and personal resources are required for the human pilot and passengers.”
Sargut could hear the whistling intakes of the other commanders, who were taken aback by what he’d said.
“Alex has requested we sail to the Chistorlan home world,” Sargut continued. “Or rather I should say he ordered us to journey there.”
“Ordered?” Sugatar asked, in confusion.
“His anger was palpable, Sugatar. He’d received word of the loss of a significant portion of his fleet, which he received instantly, by the way. It didn’t seem appropriate to question his right to order our ships,” Sargut replied.
“What do you believe Alex wants?” Taralum asked.
“The human has a fluid nature when it comes to designing strategy,” Sargut explained. “Alex wants to know why Artifice chose to eliminate this planet, and he wants to clear your ships of Artifice’s code. I think he’ll continue to form his strategy as information unfolds.”
“Do you expect to receive an update from Alex after he investigates this planet?” Sugatar asked. The response he heard was the quick intake and exit of breath through Sargut’s teeth, displaying the senior commander’s laughter.
“I’m beginning to understand Alex,” Sargut replied, “and I can tell you that we’ll receive a personal update. How, you might ask? Alex has requested Suntred and me join him on the planet.”
“Have you accepted?” Sugatar asked.
“My first thought was that I’d be risking my wings if I refused,” Sargut replied. “But the truth is that I want to hear what Alex learns, and I want to understand how he stra
tegizes.”
“I’ll be interested in what you provide us on your return,” Taralum said.
Sargut’s whistle was brief before he said, “It’ll be sooner than you expect, Taralum. I’m requesting you join me.”
Several concerns went through Taralum’s mind — leaving the fleet in the hands of a junior commander, meeting an unknown group of aliens, and her transport to and from the planet left in the hands of the Omnians. Yet, she considered Sargut’s offer a boon to her, an opportunity to be treated as an equal on this mission.
“I’d be honored to accompany you, Senior Commander Sargut,” Taralum replied formally.
“Excellent, Commander, we’ll be sailing aboard the Omnian fighter before our ships reach the Chistorlan home world,” Sargut replied.
While the Toralians sailed inward, the Freedom and the Tridents recovered survivors. There weren’t many traveler pilots to rescue, but there were Trident crews in need of recovery. Damaged travelers were taken aboard the city-ship. The freighters set up shop above the planet to provide repairs for the damaged ships, and Pia Sabine and her medical staff prepared to care for the wounded.
The Toralian battleships would reach the Chistorlan home world before the return of the Freedom and the fleet, but Alex couldn’t wait. He was anxious to start his investigation.
“Are you ready, Commander?” Alex asked.
“We are, Alex,” Sargut replied. He’d made final preparations, while the battleships were on approach to the planet. Those preparations started with a heated exchange between Tormheth and him in Sargut’s quarters.
“What do you think of the Omnians now, Subcommander?” Sargut had asked, after the results of the battle were revealed. “Are they still not to be trusted?”
To Sargut’s surprise, Tormheth had offered a weak response, which failed to acknowledge the Omnians’ sacrifice. That’s when Sargut realized that he had a greater problem on his hands. His subcommander lacked the judgment necessary to support a joint effort with the Omnians. He considered that, at the moment, it might be a matter of Tormheth’s pride. His subcommander had made and announced decisions that had been proven wrong. Those pronouncements had cost him the crews’ support.
It saddened Sargut to acknowledge that Tormheth’s career was over. He’d be taken to a Toralian colony world and deposited there to seek other work.
Before Sargut joined Alex, he left clear orders with the Toralian squadron officers that Sugatar was in charge. For his crews’ sake, Sargut made that announcement on his bridge in the presence of his officers, including Tormheth. The officers had glanced guiltily at their subcommander, who despite wishing to hiss his displeasure had held his breath.
Alex had one duty to perform before he launched.
Alex heard water trickling quietly through several levels. It reminded him of a fountain in the foyer of his parents’ home. The sound was Miriamelle’s choice to project her amusement.
When Alex was close to Julien and not in need of a comm transfer through another SADE or sister, he replayed the conversation with Miriamelle.
Alex sent in reply.
Alex and Julien joined the Omnians aboard the traveler. Suntred was already present.
When Sargut arrived, Z gently lifted the commander over the narrow hatch steps. Walking up the aisle, Sargut was surprised to find Suntred comfortably seated and leaning against her wings.
“I would offer you this seat, Commander, which has already adapted itself to me, but you’re larger than I am,” Suntred said. “Sit next to me, and I’ll instruct you how to do this.”
Suntred led the commander through the process of allowing nanites to conform to his body. It took the small technologically responsive structures several minutes to adapt the seat to Sargut’s body. When the process was completed, the commander enjoyed the pleasant sensation. He closed his eyes and briefly dozed.
Stirring, Sargut blinked and apologetically regarded Alex, who sat across from him. “I’m ready to launch when you are, Alex,” he said.
Instead of the expected lurch from the traveler’s lift, Sargut and Suntred were taken aback when the hatch opened, and Miranda exited. Unexpectedly, Taralum appeared on the ship’s deck, helped up by the SADE.
The Toralians traded shocked expressions. Taralum couldn’t believe her comrades were seated. She cringed at the thought of discomforting her wings to that extent. On the other hand, Sargut and Suntred couldn’t understand why Taralum caught a shuttle to the Dark Whispers, when they were prepared to collect her from her battleship.
Alex smiled. It was the first time he’d done so since he’d witnessed the battle.
“Allow me,” Julien interjected. “We’re on Commander Taralum’s battleship, and our seats have nanites.”
The SADE knew his statements wouldn’t fully dispel the Toralians’ confusion, but he knew Alex would be curious to see the interplay between the commanders.
“Sit here, Commander Taralum,” Suntred offered, standing up. “We’re similar in size. This seat will adjust quickly for you.”
Taralum wasn’t immediately convinced, but she was loath to fail to demonstrate her courage in front of the aliens. She gingerly sat on the seat. When it began to move to handle her more ample bottom, she was tempted to jump up. Slowly, she relaxed into the conforming comfort of the nanites-driven seat.
When Taralum finally leaned completely back, Sargut, who had watched her actions, said, “We could have seats like this, Commander. All we have to do is help defeat Artifice.”
Taralum’s wheezing whistle was her reply to Sargut’s point.
“How will we know when we reach the Chistorlan home world?” Sargut asked, and Taralum stared at him in confusion. She thought it was a strange question to ask.
“Our implants a
nd comms allow us to connect with the ship’s controller or sister,” Alex explained. “We can obtain a view in any direction or select any manner of telemetry data. For you, the cabin’s lights brightening will indicate our landing. To clear your confusion about Commander Sargut’s question, Commander Taralum, we’ve exited your battleship and are well on our way inward.”
“How?” Taralum asked, in wonderment, on hearing Julien repeat Alex’s words.
“That’s a discussion for another time,” Alex replied. “Right now, the Omnians, in freighters and travelers, are circling the planet and attempting to determine an optimum landing site for us.”
“Wouldn’t the greatest building density indicate the location of central governance?” Taralum asked.
“That’s the difficulty,” Julien replied. “The surface is nearly devoid of constructions.”
“Why would Artifice want to destroy a planet that doesn’t have a robust civilization?” Suntred asked.
Alex regarded Suntred. He liked her inquisitive mind. He recalled his first contacts with the Swei Swee, Dischnya, and Ollassa.
“I’ve learned through my experiences with new races, Liaison Suntred, that you should never make assumptions,” Alex replied. “Artifice had a reason, and it was great enough that it chose to eliminate the planet. We must discover the reason it feared this race. The sentients might not inhabit the land surface. It’s possible they live in the waters or underground.”
The Toralians thought they could handle a subsurface exploration, but they shuddered at the thought of investigating the waters. Taralum wondered if the Omnian fighter was capable of plumbing watery depths. It seemed capable of doing so much else.
For the next day and a half, the passengers aboard the Omnian fighter fell into an easy routine. The Toralians seemed to enjoy shorter wake and sleep routines than humans. In preparation for the flight and investigation, they’d brought their own food, but Suntred insisted on trying some of the Omnians’ meals. She spit out the first nibble and pronounced the food inedible.
The Toralians watched in awe as Julien sampled their food. The SADE rolled a bit of one of their favored dishes around in his mouth and analyzed it.
