by S. H. Jucha
“Let me think on it, Captain,” Jess replied. “We start the training tomorrow.”
“You’ve more of your gas-propelled weapons already?” Gregich asked, in surprise.
“No, they’re being collected from another planet, where Omnian engineers and SADEs have a manufacturing operation,” Jess replied. “The purpose of tomorrow’s exercise is to test your energy weapon’s effectiveness.”
“We can do that now,” Gregich offered.
Jess smiled wryly. “Test it on an insectoid, Captain.”
“Oh,” Gregich muttered and sucked his teeth in thought.
The following morning, Sharon lifted with nearly a full load of passengers. She carried the veterans, which included the Dischnya, and the federacy leader, captains, and first officers.
“While the Packeoes boarded, Jess spoke quietly with Gregich to identify the individuals who concerned the senior captain. He stored their images in his implant, pleased with his increasing skills. Then again, he had a private teacher, who, if truth be told, was a rigorous one.
Sharon headed for Jess’s test site, which was Gregich’s first choice for landing. When she reached the target location, she dropped the rear ramp, and Jess, Tacnock, and Sam peered over the edge.
“Safe,” Tacnock pronounced. As a Jatouche, he had the keener eyesight as compared to humans.
“For now,” Sam remarked.
Those at the ramp stepped aside. The warriors flew past and were followed by Homsaff. They created a circle, leaving openings at the front and rear.
“Packeoes, you’ll follow us. You fill the circle, and you stay inside it at all times,” Jess ordered. He scanned faces for recognition that their newly acquired ear wigs were translating.
Jess, Lucia, Tacnock, and Sam stepped off the ramp, walked through the circle, and took up positions at its head.
“Captain Gregich, your weapon,” Jess requested.
By previous agreement, Gregich was the only Packeo carrying a weapon. Jess didn’t want a repeat of the incident with the plasma rifle, which had been discharged by an Omnian.
Jess hefted the short-barreled energy weapon that resembled the Omnians’ stun guns, and he briefly examined it. Then he turned and faced the Packeoes. “Stasnich, step forward,” he ordered.
“Leader Stasnich,” the Packeo corrected, stepping beside Jess.
“No longer,” Gregich said harshly.
Jess extended the weapon to Stasnich. “I presume you know how to use it?”
“Certainly,” Stasnich replied curtly, snatching the weapon and activating it.
When Stasnich demonstrated that he knew little about weapon safety, Jess pointed toward the woods and growled, “The insectoids will come from there. They’re your targets, not us.”
Stasnich was infuriated by the teeth-sucking derision of many of the other Packeoes. He imperially tipped his muzzle in the air and swung to face the trees forty meters away.
“Advance,” Jess called out.
The veterans’ circle moved forward, forcing the Packeoes to walk with them. While the federacy crew members swung their heads, looking every which way, the veterans trained their eyes on narrow visual arcs in front of them, which were their responsibilities.
Jess halted the group twenty meters from the trees. The veterans remained alert even as time passed. The Packeoes’ tenseness at facing the enemy for the first time slowly subsided, and many became bored.
When the insectoids attacked, they came in a rush. Three reds and seven grays slithered from the woods. They covered a third of the distance to the circle before the first gas darts left the Loopah weapons.
“Shoot,” Jess yelled at Stasnich, who was frozen in place.
Finally, the leader reacted. He screamed, dropped his weapon, and raced through the circle. If he hadn’t been grabbed by two first officers, he’d have broken through the protective ring.
Jess’s hands tightened on his weapon to eliminate a gray that was headed for him. He halted when he heard the sizzle of an energy weapon beside him.
Gregich held his weapon at arm’s length and sighted along its short barrel. He struggled to hit the slithering gray, whose body continuously moved in curves. His weapon’s strikes burned the grass around the insectoid.
The veterans eliminated the other attackers, except for the gray racing toward Jess and Gregich. Lucia sent an order to hold, and let Jess handle it.
Jess’s finger itched to touch the firing button on his Loopah weapon. Despite multiple attempts, the senior captain kept missing the insectoid.
Then in a demonstration of resolve and courage, Gregich stepped toward the gray to shorten the distance. When the insectoid rose up on its three-meter length to strike at its adversary, Gregich put a shot between its visual sensors, and the Colony member crumpled.
Jess walked to Gregich’s side, and the circle advanced with him.
Gregich was visibly shaking. When the senior captain glanced at Jess, he hefted the weapon and said, “I believe these are inadequate for our defense.”
Jess laughed and patted Gregich on the back. The Dischnya barked and yipped in celebration of Gregich’s bravery.
Homsaff explained the warriors’ response to the Packeoes, lest they take offense.
“The test is over. Board,” Jess announced.
Sharon returned her passengers to the new Packeo enclave.
While the Packeo weapon had been proven ineffective, the test did accomplish something crucial. Ex-leader Stasnich was proven unwilling to fight for the crews. His influence was over. On the other hand, Gregich’s feat of daring spread among the crews. Naturally, with each telling, the length of the insectoid increased incrementally.
Jess had sufficient Loopah weapons to train a small cadre of Packeoes who Gregich personally selected. They were a cross section of officers, weapons’ crews, and engineers.
Training proceeded precariously. The veterans had to restrain their honed responses and give the Packeoes an opportunity to respond to the insectoid attacks.
Despite grueling periods of practice beforehand, the Packeoes turned out to be terrible shots. Inevitably, they had to fire two or three times at stationary or slow-moving targets.
“We should have requested more darts from Mickey,” Tacnock remarked after the latest outing.
“I don’t think Mickey and his engineers can stick around for the next five years to keep the Packeoes supplied with enough darts to rid Quall of the Colony,” Sam grumped.
“Training will take longer than I expected,” Jess agreed.
The only ones delighted with the Packeoes’ poor field performance were the Dischnya. Frequently, the Packeoes failed to hit a fast-charging insectoid, and the warriors eliminated the striking red or gray within a meter or two of them. Often, they were sprayed by the exploding tissue. It became a betting game to see who was more fully drenched by the end of the cycle’s encounters.
When the Rêveur and a Trident squadron returned from Pimbor with a load of Loopah weapons and darts, Jess was tremendously relieved. He requested a priority drop from the Rêveur, and to his surprise, Menous stepped off the first traveler to descend.
Jess and the Norsitchian commander clasped forearms in greeting.
“I can’t tell you happy I am to see you, Menous,” Jess said.
“As we arrived, we were updated about your challenges,” Menous replied. “It would seem you need more than weapons ... maybe trainers?” He grinned and displayed his broad, square teeth.
“How are the brassards faring?” Jess asked.
“Your concern for my forces commends you,” Menous said, touching a palm to his chest in respect. “I command four full units, and they’re here to assist you.”
“That’s good news, Menous. How goes the fight on Pimbor?” Jess asked. He worried about the small Pims.
“It continues, and the Pims have become a
marvel,” Menous replied, barking a laugh. “You’ll recall the timid individuals we first met. Many are that way no longer. Now, males and females alike ride their shadows as if they advance into battle. Mickey and his teams continue to produce improved versions. He’s sent ten of his newest shadows and requests your report.”
Jess quickly scanned with his implant. He detected the shadows aboard the cargo traveler on which Menous arrived. He signaled them, and the shadows scuttled out of the ship and surrounded their assault commander. Jess laughed and clapped his hands at their welcome sight.
“You speak to them with your mind,” Menous said, aghast at what he’d witnessed.
“Yes, courtesy of the Omnians,” Jess replied.
“Could we ... could I ...” Menous began, touching his chest with a finger and unable to finish. Then, drawing himself upright into a commanding stance, he said, “I’ll speak to Alex Racine.”
“I’ve a better idea, Menous,” Jess said conspiratorially. “Talk to Renée de Guirnon.”
39: What Now?
Alex joined the attendees sitting around the table in one of the Freedom’s largest conference rooms.
“Jess has an announcement, and so do I,” Alex said. “You first, Captain.”
“According to the SADEs, who’ve been monitoring the Quall dome, it appears to have been deserted,” Jess said. “Telemetry has recorded no movement in the dome or firing of the platforms. We speculate that the Colony calculated that they’ve no defense against us after their ring is destroyed. In which case, they’re now choosing to vacate the premises.”
“We still have to occupy the dome and lock the Colony out,” Lucia pointed out.
“True,” Jess replied. “Sharon will destroy a shuttle, and we’ll enter through the tube. The new shadows will lead, and we’ll take control of the dome.”
“It’s good to have your enemy respect you, if not fear you,” Reiko remarked.
Eyes turned toward Alex, who said, “At this time, we’re here to discuss what’s next for this fleet. I’ve asked Tatia to head a group. They’ve been tasked with devising a plan that would implement what this fleet has been doing on a broader scale.”
“How broad?” Tacnock asked.
“Everywhere,” Tatia replied.
“You’re intent on establishing a galaxy-wide security force?” Ophelia asked.
“That’s the idea,” Tatia replied.
“How?” Patrice asked.
“With difficulty,” Tatia said with a long sigh. “Julien, if you would?”
“The plan requires the cooperation and involvement of hundreds of races across a tremendous swath of space. It’ll require starships, stations, infrastructure, support, and more credits than the Omnians can possibly provide,” Julien replied.
“As was to be expected,” Alex announced expansively, “but now we’ve an outline to follow.” He sat back in his chair, with a satisfied expression.
“So, what’s next?” Olawale asked.
“Next, we divide forces again,” Alex said. “The Dischnya and the Norsitchians wish to remain on Quall and help the Packeoes. This is a good thing. The Packeoes can use the influence. Mickey, his teams, the Crocians, and the Sylians will be involved with the Pims for a while.” He regarded Tatia, and added, “I need one command to accompany the Freedom and the Earther Tridents. The other command and some freighters will stay in alliance space.”
“You’re headed for Sol,” Patrice said excitedly.
Alex grinned at Patrice, and said, “That’s where Tatia and her group’s plan will begin. Sol has much of what we need ... manufacturing capacity to build starships, not just warships; personnel with the right attitude; and a societal desire to join the galaxy’s races.”
“All that and more,” Patrice said earnestly.
“What Tatia’s plan requires to work are leaders,” Alex said, and he scanned the faces of the veterans — Lucia, Jess, Tacnock, Sam, and Aputi. Then he paused and regarded Olawale, Patrice, and Ophelia. “In addition, we’ll need administrators who’ve experience with the difficult problems of race integration. So, who’s interested?”
— The Silver Ships series continues in Earthers. —
Glossary
Crocians
Bortoth of the Logar – Dome administrator
Daktora of the Logar – Senior console operator
Dischnya – Sentient species in Omnian system
Fenero – Squad leader
Hessan – Squad leader
Homsaff – Queen, leader of the Dischnya warriors
Neffess – Lieutenant, pilot, heir to Nyslara and Pussiro
Nyslara – Queen, matriarch of Neffess, mate of Pussiro
Pussiro – Wasat, patriarch of Neffess, mate of Nyslara
Simlan – Squad leader
Sissya – Queen
Earthers/Sol – Humans
Nikki Fowler – Rim governor
Oleg Tenard – Trident senior captain
Patrice Morris – Sol Enclave envoy, expedition co-leader
Sharon Reems – Traveler pilot, lieutenant
Egettes – Race in system where Omnians encounter Packeoes
Egom se Essess – Egette premier
Hyronzy (her-on-zee) – Burly alien race hosting the Tsargit
Fistonia (fis-tōn-ia) – Hyronzy station director
Jatouche – Pyreans’ closest allies
Tacnock (tac-nock) – Veteran fighter, friend of Jess Cinders
Méridiens – Humans of the Confederation
Allora – SADE, sentenced to be isolated for her rebellion
Bartosz Rolek – Leader, close associate of Gino Diamanté
Darse Lemoyne – Leader, antagonists of Gino Diamanté
Emilio Torres – Leader, close associate of Gino Diamanté
Gino Diamanté – Council Leader, partner of Katrina Pasko
Katrina Pasko – House Leader, partner of Gino Diamanté
Lawrence Teressi – Leader, antagonists of Gino Diamanté
Mahima Ganesh – Ex-Council Leader
Pericles – Brixton House SADE
Rayland – SADE, psychopathic personality
Shannon Brixton – House Leader, develop SADEs
Winston – SADE, ex-Council
Norsitchians – Alien race that has a dome overtaken by the Colony
Chosmous (chōs-mōs) – Trooper
Jarmonin (jar-mon-in) – Tsargit lead councilor
Menous (men-ous) – Commander of the brassards
Omnians – Humans/SADEs
Adrianna Plummer – Rear admiral
Alain de Long – Senior captain, twin of Étienne, partner of Tatia Tachenko
Alex Racine – Omnian co-leader, partner of Renée de Guirnon
Alphons Jagielski – Rear admiral
Beryl – Lead scout SADE
Bethley – Scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Celsius – SADE aboard the Deliverance
Cordelia – SADE, rear admiral, captain of the Freedom, partner of Julien
Darius Gaumata – Rear admiral
Deirdre Canaan – Rear admiral
Descartes – SADE, commodore
Edmas – Senior engineer, partner of Jodlyne
Ellie Thompson – Vice admiral, partner of Étienne de Long
Emile Billings – New Terran biochemist
Esteban – SADE, business partner of Edmas and Jodlyne
Étienne de Long – Senior captain, twin of Alain, partner of Ellie Thompson
Franz Cohen – Fighter command rear admiral, partner of Reiko Shimada
Genoa – Lead scout SADE
Hector – SADE, fleet admiral, captain of the Our People, partner to Trixie
Jodlyne – Senior engineer, partner of Edmas
Julien – SADE leader, Alex’s close friend, partner of Cordelia
Juliette – SADE
Killian – Lead scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Linn – Lead scout SADE
Lizzi
e – Omnian paired with Jess Cinders
Lucia Bellardo – Trident commodore, partner to Jess Cinders
Luther – SADE, Mickey Brandon’s assistant
Lydia – SADE, advisor to Hector
Mickey Brandon – Chief engineer for Alex Racine, partner of Pia Sabine
Miranda – SADE, partner of Z
Miriam – SADE, Mickey Brandon’s assistant
Nalia – SADE in the medical suite
Nata – Lieutenant, pilot, eldest of the wild ones on Omnia
Olawale Wombo – Expedition leader, ex-Earther
Orbit – SADE, aboard the Judgment
Pia Sabine – Fleet chief medical officer, partner of Mickey Brandon
Reiko Shimada – Vice admiral, partner of Franz Cohen
Renée de Guirnon – Omnian co-leader, partner of Alex Racine
Sam Fleetfoot – Security lieutenant aboard the Rêveur
Tatia Tachenko – Fleet admiral, partner of Alain de Long
Trium – Scout SADE aboard the Vivian’s Mirror
Trixie – SADE, partner of Hector, Omnian representative
Wes Standish – Security major
Yousef Dakar – Security sergeant on Judgment
Z – SADE, partner of Miranda
Packeoes (pack-ē-ōs) – Federacy aliens
Bastich (bass-tich) – Second officer on Gregich’s ship
Damich (dam-ich) – First officer on Gregich’s ship
Daminich (dam-i-nich) – Fleet commander, senior military commander
Gregich (greg-ich) – Lead ship senior captain
Ptorvich (tōr-vich) – First officer
Rischvoss (rish-voss) – Lieutenant, shuttle pilot
Stasnich (stas-nich) – Expedition leader
Pimborians – Small burrowing aliens
Oforum (ō-for-um) – Veteran rider of shadows, mate of Phette
Phette (fête) – Veteran rider of shadows, mate of Oforum
Pyreans – Humans in alliance territory
