by S. H. Jucha
“Homsaff,” Alex continued, “you’ll probably have two grav pallets, depending on the quantity of materials you’ll be required to take. They’ll be loaded with food, water, medical supplies, spare energy packs, and whatever else you’ll need. Your warriors will have to pull them. We can’t add controllers, which Artifice could subsume.”
“How long do you expect this task to take?” Homsaff asked.
“I’ve no idea,” Alex replied. “It depends on how far you have to travel.”
“If I may, Alex,” Miranda said. “The greatest worry for any comm-enabled ship, object, or entity might be what appear to be microwave transmitter-receivers attached to Artifice’s three towers,” Miranda explained. “The SADEs believe this is how the Toralians communicated with Artifice after it came online. These are line-of-sight transmissions. Allowing for some curvature within the atmosphere and assuming every comm platform has been disabled, a traveler can approach like this.”
Miranda used the data telemetry on the planet to mock the flight of a traveler over the planet’s terrain. The view quickly passed the equatorial region and headed for the polar region.
“Notice this mountain range,” Miranda said. “It runs in a diagonal across hundreds of kilometers of the surface. Its peaks allow a traveler to approach close to the polar region without encountering transmissions from Artifice’s towers.”
“There is another matter to consider, Alex,” Julien said. “If we wait until the battles are won and the Dischnya take down the towers before we sail the city-ship to Toral, the SADEs estimate an elapsed time of sixteen to twenty days to land the Chistorlans and Herrick.”
“And Chistorlans have only one more conflict to arrange, which gives them a maximum of sixteen days from now to couple Herrick or Herrick’s victor to Artifice’s comm cable,” Alex mused.
“It would be more efficient,” Miranda interjected, “to land three cargo shuttles. Two carry the Dischnya and their supplies. One carries Herrick and the second case. Captain Descartes’ ships could each carry one of these shuttles.”
“That would gain the Chistorlans six days, putting them well within their arbitrary margin of time,” Julien commented.
“And putting them in danger too,” Alex riposted.
“If you asked Tittra,” Miranda added, “he would accept the danger to ensure their challenger faced Artifice in a timely manner.”
“Okay, let’s assume we go with Miranda’s plan,” Alex stated. “If the situation changes, we’ll adapt. Homsaff, it’ll be important for you and your squad leaders to manage your supplies. It might be necessary to return to the ships for resupply.”
Turning to Mickey, Alex said, “We’ll use the locators again, and this time, adapt them to monitor Artifice’s carrier signal. That will give them a means of navigating to the antennas. In addition, you’ll have to protect them from the cold.”
Alex requested Julien establish links with Ellie and Descartes and fed their comms through the holo-vid. Then he pulled up a view of Toral and its comm platforms.
“Captain Descartes, you’re attacking the comm platforms from above the ecliptic,” Alex said perfunctorily. “After your pass, if it’s successful, you’ll have a second mission. If there are some comm platforms still functioning after your first pass, leave those to the second squadron to eliminate.”
“Understood, Alex,” Descartes said.
“I want each of your Tridents to carry a dedicated cargo shuttle,” Alex continued. “Assign the de Long twins to transport the Dischnya. You’ll be transporting a shuttle full of Chistorlans and their entities. You’ll launch these shuttles over the opposite pole from Artifice. They’ll skim the surface and penetrate, as far as they can, toward the farther pole.”
Alex then directed his attention to Myron and Miranda. “The two of you will each occupy one of the Dischnya travelers,” he said. “Miranda, you’ll be responsible for the approach and the landing site. After unloading on the surface, you’ll train the Dischnya in the proper use of the plasma rifles and squad tactics.”
“Julien, we’ll need pilots,” Alex requested. “That means they can’t be auto-controlled.”
“Alex, if we use travelers with disconnected comms, we can fly the ships within a few kilometers of the antennas,” Mickey suggested.
“Not with SADEs aboard or the Chistorlan entities connected to their consoles,” Alex reminded Mickey.
A flurry of images from Miranda appeared on the holo-vid.
“What are those?” Mickey asked, staring in wonder at the unusual constructions.
“These are approximations of the bot types that the SADEs believe Artifice might possess,” Miranda said. “The Toralians probably developed similar designs to construct their transports, buildings, and infrastructure. Artifice surely has improved models. More important, a number of these have the means to bombard a traveler, crack its shell, and knock it from the atmosphere.”
“Telemetry shows that bots are still relocating from the lower half of the planet toward Artifice’s location,” Alex said. “We have no idea what constitutes a safe landing zone. So, the plan must be conservative. It may take the Dischnya longer to reach the towers, but it prevents them and the Chistorlans from having their travelers downed by a boulder-hurtling bot.”
-27-
Prelude
With one cycle remaining before the battle, Alex made contact with Miriamelle aboard the Dark Whispers. The call was relayed through Miriamtess aboard Chandra’s traveler.
“Our messaging is complete, Alex, the five elder races will support our plan,” Sargut reported.
“You’re sure of that?” Alex asked.
“As sure of it as we can be, Alex,” Sargut replied. “If we’re betrayed and our colonies are reduced, the treacherous race or races will suffer the ultimate penalties. Every fleet that stands with us has promised revenge on those who fail to join us in this fight.”
“And you believe it will be the five fleets stationed on the ecliptic that will be sent to intercept you,” Alex pursued.
“We’re convinced that the elder fleets, with their ship size and technological superiority, will necessitate Artifice send them to intercept and destroy us,” Sargut said. “It’s also our considered opinion that the three younger races will sail to reduce, if not eliminate, our colonies,” Sargut added.
“That was our opinion too,” Alex noted.
“You will stop them, Alex, won’t you? This is a truth?” Sargut asked.
“Our forces are stretched thin to take out Artifice’s comm system, Grand Commander, which is critical to protecting the elder fleets, but we intend to dissuade the three lesser fleets from reaching the dark.”
“Dissuade? This doesn’t sound like defeat,” Sargut replied.
“We believe our techniques will be successful,” Alex replied. “Many of them have been used before with success. Based on Toral’s orbital position, we see one fleet capable of intersecting you before you reach the planet and the other arriving soon after you’re engaged in battle.”
“We agree,” Sargut replied. “You have until the fleets are within missile range to disable Artifice’s comm network.”
“How close is that?” Alex requested.
Alex heard a discussion between Sargut, his bridge officers, Miriamelle, Z, and Luther. When they finished, Z sent the approximate distance.
“How is that possible?” Alex asked. He couldn’t conceive of the federacy’s missiles carrying enough reaction mass to accelerate the entire distance.
“After they achieve a certain velocity, Alex,” Z explained, “they shut down and travel ballistically. When they are close to their targets, they expend the remaining fuel to intercept the ships.”
“The Toralian fleet will have plenty of time to maneuver,” Alex argued.
“We would if they were aimed directly at us,” Sargut said. “It’ll be no secret where we’re headed. The missiles will be launched forward of our path. They’ll turn toward us and shut down
their acceleration, coasting toward the fleet. We’ll be forced to break our wedge and maneuver through them separately. We must either spend the time to defend ourselves against them or swing wide to evade them.”
“In either case, your approach to the planet will be delayed, and the second fleet will gain time to intercept you,” Alex replied desultorily. The information shortened his period of time to defeat Artifice’s comm system.
“Has the possibility of the pursuing fleets firing inactive missiles been discussed?” Alex asked.
“Discussed and rejected, Alex,” Sargut replied. “We believe that Artifice will contact the missiles and determine that.”
“Then the missiles have comm capability?” Alex asked.
“Assuredly,” Sargut replied. “It’s necessary if a missile must be inactivated or issued a self-destruct signal.”
“When we take out the comm platforms, Artifice will be left with its transmission antennas,” Alex said. “Our data telemetry indicates that these are standard antennas to cover the planet and narrow-beam arrays, which are focused on the comm platforms. This means that once the platforms are destroyed, the chasing fleets are free to reverse course. I would recommend they wait at the system’s periphery to be cleared of Artifice’s code. We don’t want any of them returning to their home worlds or those of other races and inadvertently starting a cascade of shutdowns.”
“Though the elder races agree with the plan, Alex, most are fearful of our success,” Sargut said. “It’s your reputation that gives them hope, and I believe that they are tired of living in fear. They’re ready to grasp this opportunity.”
“Two more things, Grand Commander,” Alex said. “I would think that you’re intending to lead your fleet in a wedge formation, with your ship in the lead.”
“Yes, as is expected,” Sargut replied. “Why do you ask?”
“We anticipate Artifice will target the fleet’s lead ship,” Alex explained. “It’s possible we won’t be able to destroy the probes and comm platforms before our sister aboard the lead ship succumbs.”
Shock rippled through Sargut, Suntred, and the Toralian bridge crew. Sargut stared at the metal panel covering the spot where Miriamelle hid. Her loss would be a tragedy to him and his crew.
“We could disconnect our comm line from the bridge,” Sargut offered.
“Could you disconnect every comm line in your fleet?” Alex asked.
“No, it’s not possible,” Sargut replied, realizing the error of his suggestion. “Without communication, I can’t direct the fleet.”
“That’s true,” Alex said, “and it’s also true that the moment Artifice can’t reach the bridge of one of your ships, it’ll try another. So, your choices are all ships have comm or all ships don’t.”
“Then whichever ship leads the fleet is doomed,” Sargut said. The bridge officers eyed him nervously. They expected the Dark Whispers to lead the fleet.
“Artifice will concentrate on the lead ship, because it’ll believe the new grand commander is aboard,” Alex explained. “The sister will delay Artifice’s intrusion for as long as possible, but she’ll eventually succumb. Then Artifice will discover that its programs are missing and replant them. Immediately after that, they’ll be activated. I presume the result will be a catastrophic failure of engines, systems, and, possibly, missiles.”
“Can’t the sister sever the connection before she fails?” Suntred asked.
“If a sister attempts to burn out her box, her kernel will fail before the circuitry melts,” Alex replied, “and I presume your subsystems won’t allow her to generate a power surge.”
“That’s correct,” Sargut replied. Then he returned to the focus of the discussion, adding, “After my first ship is eliminated, Artifice will move on to my next vessel.”
“That’s our thought,” Alex said, sad to deliver the horrendous news to Sargut, who’d just assumed command. It placed a heavy burden on him to select the ships that would occupy the lead positions.
“Have I convinced you to forgo leading your fleet?” Alex asked.
Suntred whispered in Sargut’s ears. He shook his head, and she whispered more urgently. He sighed, producing a soft whistle, and asked, “Where would you suggest I place my ship?”
“Second or third from the end of the wedge’s tail on the opposite side of the first fleet’s approach,” Alex replied. “In addition, I’d place your fleet’s heavy battleship at the end of the wedge, facing the first fleet’s approach.”
“Clever placements,” Sargut agreed. “That’s sure to keep Artifice guessing as to where I am.”
“Understand me, Grand Commander,” Alex said in his command voice. “The fight to free this system of Artifice is just the first step in a line of many to free the federacy. Ask yourself if you want to survive the next days’ cycles to be part of those efforts.”
“It will be as you suggest, Alex. You said you had two items to discuss,” Sargut reminded Alex.
“Before the start of the fight, position your battleship so that my traveler can launch toward the dark,” Alex replied. “My Omnians will exit your ship after the first probe explodes.”
“Artifice will be concentrating on the probe’s detonation, while your fighter slips out … a good thought,” Sargut said.
“With fortune, Grand Commander, we’ll soon see the federacy free of Artifice. May the stars protect us,” Alex said, ending the comm.
After the call with Alex, Sargut and Suntred chose to take a shuttle and visit every ship in the fleet. Sargut had an unorthodox message to deliver. The grand commander would not lead the wedge nor would the senior commanders sail near the front. Sargut chose to visit Sugatar first.
During the shuttle ride, Suntred could read the pain in Sargut’s face. She sympathized with him, and said, “We must trust Alex on this. He’s resolving problems that have kept us in fear for millennia.” She stared at Sargut’s brow ridges that nearly touched due to his forehead’s furrowing. “That’s not all that bothers you,” she added. It wasn’t.
After arriving at Sugatar’s ship, Sargut, Suntred, and Sugatar occupied stands in the commander’s quarters.
“Commander Sugatar, I’ve a request, and you’re free to refuse it,” Sargut stated. “No one but the three of us will ever have to know of this conversation. Alex has communicated to me that the sister in our ships will make copies of herself to forestall Artifice’s attack.”
“Copies?” Sugatar queried.
“Don’t ask me to explain it, Commander,” Sargut replied. “It’s either an alien thing or a digital one or both. Either way, I know nothing more. According to Alex, the copies are thrown in Artifice’s path to slow its attack. However, I’ve been told that the sister in the lead ship will inevitably fail. Thereafter, Artifice will implant its codes throughout the vessel, and the ship will be destroyed.”
“You mustn’t lead the wedge, Grand Commander,” Sugatar exclaimed, rising off his stand. “Someone else must lead.”
Suddenly, the reason for the grand commander’s visit became clear to Sugatar. His wings extended, and he said proudly, “I would be honored to lead the wedge, Grand Commander Sargut, and I could ask for nothing more if the sacrifice of my vessel enabled the fleet’s survival and ended Artifice’s dominion over our race.”
Sargut halted the intake of breath that would have whistled his lament. He had a flash of understanding of the role that Tranimus had played and why the Change might have come so quickly for him. In this moment, with the youthful commander volunteering to lead the wedge in place of the grand commander’s ship, Sargut felt as if he’d aged several annuals.
Sargut stepped off his stand, extended his wings, and saluted Sugatar. The commander’s facial ridges flushed red orange from embarrassment.
“You shall have the honor, Commander,” Sargut announced in his best authoritative voice. “Your bravery is appreciated, and I hope its reward will be you and me celebrating our victory when the fight is over.”
Sugatar returned the salute, and the conversation continued. They discussed Sugatar’s role in starting the battle by eliminating the probe.
The second stop for Sargut was Taralum’s ship. He had to convince three senior commanders to fall back in the wedge. This was going to be as tough an order for them to follow as it was a decision for him to make. In this case, it was easier than Sargut thought.
“Sugatar will lead?” Taralum repeated after Sargut explained Alex’s reasoning and the grand commander’s decision to accept the advice.
“Yes, and Sugatar will start the battle by destroying one of the thirty probes. While our data streams are blanked by the expected explosion, the Omnian fighter will slip out of my ship’s bay,” Sargut continued.
“And your ship will take a position on the reverse spinward leg of the wedge. It’ll be away from the first fleet’s contact direction,” Taralum verified.
“Yes, also Alex’s idea,” Sargut replied.
“The Omnian leader is a crafty sort,” Taralum commented.
“I’m glad you think so, Commander, because your ship will not have a lead position either,” Sargut said.
“You’re requesting or ordering this?” Taralum asked. When Sargut stared at her with hardened eyes, she replied, “As you request, Grand Commander. What position will my ship occupy?”
After a brief discussion, Sargut was ready to leave, but Suntred halted and addressed Taralum. “I’ve this to say, Senior Commander. One of the things that struck me during the conversation with Alex was this: He said that it was critical that the senior members of the fleet survive. The battle was only the first step. There were many more struggles to overcome for the future of the federacy.”
Taralum nodded her thanks to Suntred, and some of the commander’s troubled expression eased.
* * *
The two leaders were instantly awake. It was the middle of the Omnian night before the battle for Toral was to begin.
