“Yes, Consul,” Tavia said. Hatch was starting to understand human standard speech and knew what was wanted. She led Tavia over to the weapons panel and began speaking to her in serpent. Tavia pressed some button on the console and Hatch whistled and clicked. The Romani could hear mechanisms deep in the ship activating. “Weapons are activated, Consul.”
“Good. Can we fire the railguns into that knot of attackers?”
Again, a discussion and Tavia pressed a button and a small joystick came up that allowed her to move the railguns as the target reticle appeared in a bubble in front of her. All she had to do is move the reticle over the target and press the button on the top of the joystick. She looked at the missile controls and asked Hatch some questions. “Consul, I can target the rail guns at the enemy troops but not the missiles. I can lock them and fire on their ships though.”
Lorenzo gave that some thought. “Fire the railguns at the enemy troops until they retreat.”
“Yes, Consul.”
Tavia immediately placed the reticle over the knot of attackers and pressed the button on the joystick. The ship mounted railguns fired into the enemy. The railguns on the ship were meant to damage other ships and fired a massive projectile compared to the personal weapons carried by the serpents. No one in the hangar heard the ship’s guns fire. Normally they made a loud hissing sound as the shots were magnetically propelled down the barrel. Had there been an atmosphere, they would have heard the projectiles break the sound barrier. Since the range was only fifty meters to the enemy, the shots covered the distance instantaneously. When the shots reached the enemy, they plowed through them as if it was a bullet through butter. No amount of armor could withstand the railgun slugs and several attackers were literally shredded by the impacts. The sudden fire from a ship in the hangar was so unexpected that it took a moment to realize where it had come from. As the attackers turned to face the new threat, enough time had passed for the railguns to reload and Tavia sent the next cluster of three shots into the attackers. More were dismembered by the impacts and they started to fire at the ship, ignoring the defenders, who then redoubled their fire. The Romani could hear the enemy rail shots hitting the hull, but they were in no danger from them. Tavia fired the next set of ship rail shots at the enemy and those that still could, ran out of the hangar and headed for their ships.
“Tavia, lock missiles on their ships and fire.”
“Yes, Consul.”
The ever-efficient Tavia had already locked one missile each on two of the five ships. She pressed the button on the console that fired the missiles and two fired from the front of the ship under the bridge and flew out of the opened hangar doors and over the heads of the retreating enemy. They impacted two of the ships standing outside the base and detonated against their hulls, resulting in interior explosions. The flames lasted only a second in the vacuum but they did massive damage and one of the ships collapsed on its landing gear. The retreating serpents stopped in their tracks when they saw their ships explode. Of the other three ships, two were damaged by the mining base defenses. Only one ship was still intact and Tavia was ready to take that one out, when the remaining enemy dropped their weapons and went down on their knees with their heads hanging. The serpents surrender posture. The surviving defenders went out and rounded them up. Tavia powered down the guns and secured the missiles that had been auto loaded into the tubes.
“Excellent work, Primary Scout Tavia MacDougal,” Consul Lorenzo said formally.
Tavia snapped to attention and turned to face the Consul. “Thank you sir,” she said and saluted smartly. Lorenzo returned the salute. “The weapons have all been powered down.”
The mining crew repaired the force field and it went up and sealed the hangar. After pressurization, the Romani left the bridge and went out on the wing. Captain Artok came over to the ship. Only two of his crewmembers returned with him. He told Lorenzo that two had died in the battle.
“Sss. You saved our lives. We had ship crews with us and none thought to use the ship weapons. How did you make the weapons work?”
“Tavia and the hatchling worked together,” Lorenzo responded.
“Sss. She is an interesting human.”
“That she is. I am concerned there may be more ships coming. When do you think we can leave?”
“Sss. We cannot. Two of my crew are dead. I must find new ones who are willing to leave. The miners have many dead also.”
Lorenzo look thoughtful. “I am sorry to hear that. They lost their lives because of us, I can never forget that.”
“Sss. They lost their lives for our clan. If you cannot bring help from the Romani, we will lose our eggs. That affects all.”
“Then we must leave at once. To fly you will only need a navigator and a sensor tech. Tavia and the hatchling can service the weapons. Will that work?”
Humans could not tell when serpents looked thoughtful, or had any other expression for that matter. Lorenzo hoped that the long pause meant a thoughtful attitude. “Sss. Tavia is like one of our clan. She can help with ship. We will leave at once. Let me gather crew and tell miners.”
Captain Artok left and went over to a cluster of serpents. After a short time, she came back with three serpents. Lorenzo assumed two were the crewmembers, but had no idea who the third was. The serpents jumped up to the wing and Captain Artok sent his crew to the bridge. He and the third serpent then came over to the Romani. “Sss. Romani friends,” Captain Artok began. “This is the commandant of the mining base. She does not speak human but wishes me to thank you on behalf of the whole base for saving them.” The commandant then came over to Tavia and bowed her head deeply and Tavia returned the salute by bowing slightly less deeply. She then went to Lorenzo and did the same, which he returned, following Tavia’s example. The same transpired with Raul. Captain Artok then continued, “You will always be remembered in our songs of valor.”
“Please express our thanks to the commandant.”
After a short exchange between the serpents, the commandant jumped off the wing and went back to her duties. Captain Artok motioned them to enter the ship and the hold was sealed. They all returned to the bridge where one serpent went to the navigation console and the other to the sensors. Rather than sit in the captain’s chair, Captain Artok went to the cloaking controls. Tavia and Hatch stood at the weapons console. As soon as they received clearance, the ship lifted off the hangar deck and flew out of the force field into the vacuum of the planetoid. The navigator angled the ship away from the surface and into space. Before they lost sight of the enemy ships, they could see the mining crew already starting to salvage any parts they could use. In space, everything of value must be salvaged, since it takes a long time to get parts and supplies from the home worlds. Due to the size of the planetoid, it rapidly faded in the rear cameras and quickly became just one of many points of light in the large asteroid belt surrounding the central stars. They now had an uneventful transit to the outbound slipstream and no new enemy ships were detected. Just under two weeks later, they were in the inbound slipstream to the serpent system containing the trade station, one passage from the Rubicon system, and a return to Nova Romae space. Just before exiting the slipstream, Captain Artok made them invisible. They knew they could not hide their mass in the slipstream from being detected, but they could suddenly change course after entering the system and thus confound detection. They did this when they exited the slipstream and began reading the system. They detected the carbon star and the four gas giants. The serpent trade station was still dark and there were no automated freighters. They are programmed to return to human space if they are not called by the station within a human day period.
Lorenzo asked the captain, “Captain Artok, are there any invisible ships in the system?”
The captain pressed some keys on the panel and whistled a tune. “Sss. No invisible ships are in the system; there are no ships at all. The station is not transmitting any signals.”
“It was abandoned when we c
ame through before. I think the ships left when they were told they missed us,” Lorenzo said. “We need to get to the Rubicon slipstream as soon as possible. We are not safe until we are back in human space.”
They set course for the outbound slipstream and reached it in 12 hours, 27 minutes without incident. They could finally all breathe a sigh of relief as they sailed into the slipstream to Nova Romae space.
Chapter 6 – The Senate and People of Nova Romae
Lorenzo decided they should exit the slipstream, into the Rubicon system, visible. This was intended to make certain that there were no misunderstandings, in case the senate had decided to send more patrol ships out, given the total closure of trade with the serpents. As they dropped out of the slipstream, the Rubicon system came into view. The serpent on the scanning station said something and Captain Artok looked at Consul Lorenzo, “Sss. There is a very large ship near us, Consul.”
Before the words were totally out of Captain Artok’s throat, the message console indicated an incoming message, which immediately came through the bridge speakers. On serpent ships, there were no private messages. “Unknown vessel, this is Captain Paul McMann of the Nova Romae dreadnought Invicta. Identify yourself and your intentions.”
Captain Artok looked at Lorenzo and said, “Sss. There are also two smaller vessels and another larger one in system. There are no freighters.”
“Please put me through to the Invicta.”
Captain Artok pressed a button and nodded to Lorenzo. “Captain McMann, this is Consul Juan Lorenzo aboard the serpent vessel Cold Death. We need immediate clearance to land in your hangar, the situation is urgent.”
After a brief delay, Paul McMann came back on, “You are cleared to land on our hangar deck, and we have measured your size and cleared the area needed. Welcome back Consul.”
“Thank you, Captain McMann.”
It still took just over an hour for the serpent ship to reach the dreadnought. Captain Artok then guided the ship carefully into the hangar. The opening was more than enough to allow the ship in, but the floor space on the hangar was limited. They had cleared just enough to allow the serpent ship to land. After the gear touched down and the engines were shut off, the hold was opened and the Romani and the serpent crew came out onto the wing. As soon as they saw the Consul, the troops in the hangar snapped to attention and saluted. The serpent crew never saw so many humans in one place and was impressed with the order and appearance of the troops. The humans came down from the wing, after a ladder was brought by the hangar crew. Lorenzo went over to Paul McMann, who had come to the hangar from his place on the bridge.
“Captain, McMann, why is the Invicta here?”
“When we received word that all trade with the serpents had stopped, the Senate was concerned. They took the precaution of ordering the Invicta with her destroyer and cruiser escorts into the Rubicon system to await further orders,” Paul responded and was about to ask about the Slones, when he saw the serpent crew come down from the wing carrying burial urns. Lorenzo could see him looking at the serpent activity and guessed what was on his mind.
“The ashes of the Romani legionaries and part of the crew of the Draco. The Slones and Centurion Marshal are still on the serpent home world preparing for the evacuation, if the Senate will give their assistance.”
“The evacuation, sir?”
Lorenzo then gave Paul a quick account of what happened on the serpent world and what they needed to do.
“I grieve the loss of our crewmates and legionaries. I also grieve the loss of the Draco. What are your orders, Consul?”
“Leave your escort vessels here and take the Invicta back to Nova Romae, with all haste. We must get to the Senate and back as soon as possible.”
“Yes sir, we will leave at once.”
Paul McMann went to the bridge along with Consul Lorenzo. As soon as they entered, the bridge crew snapped to attention. “I relinquish command to you, Consul.”
“I need some rest, please continue in command, Captain McMann.”
“Yes, Consul.” Paul turned to the navigator sitting at his usual station. “Plot a course to Nova Romae. Tom, contact the cruiser Octavo Cohortis. Tell them we are returning to Nova Romae on orders of the Consul. They and our destroyers are to remain on station until we return or they receive further orders.”
“Yes, Sir.” Tom sent the message and reported acknowledgement.
“Navigator, take us to the outbound slipstream. How long is the transit?”
The navigator did some calculations. “Eight hours, 14 minutes.”
“We will keep a watch until the slipstream. Tom, send a second message to the Octavo Cohortis to keep alert for any incursions and have their serpents keep a lookout for invisible ships.”
After a few minutes, “They acknowledge.”
“Consul, I had the guest cabin prepared for you, unless you would prefer the captain’s cabin.”
“No, Captain. Thank you but the guest cabin will be fine.”
Just then, Tavia entered the bridge with the ever-present hatchling at her side. She snapped to attention and saluted Lorenzo. “Consul, Raul is in the medical unit, they are already cloning his hand. The rest of the serpents have been billeted with the ship serpent. The ashes of the fallen have been stored in the Chamber of the Honored Dead.”
“Thank you for the report, Primary Scout MacDougal. Your actions in this emergency have been exemplary.”
“Thank you, Consul.” Tavia swelled with pride in the way only a seventeen-year-old can, with a mixture of childlike wonder and adult gratitude.
“Now I think I will get some rest. It’s been quite a trip. Captain, wake me only if there is an emergency.”
“Yes, Consul,” Captain McMann said. As he watched the Consul leave the bridge, he turned to Tavia. “Consul Lorenzo looks very weary. You must have had quite a trip.”
Tavia filled her friends on the bridge in on the adventures they had. It soon became apparent that their diplomatic mission had been anything but that. The old crew of the Draco was also concerned about the safety of their friends, the Slones. All now knew how important it was to reach Nova Romae as soon as possible, but no one could defeat the physics of the universe. The trip would take two weeks no matter how much they wanted it to go faster. Tavia trained with the eighth cohort, who was always glad to see her. She also told them of their adventures and many of them envied her experiences and hoped they would be going to the serpent home world to fight. Tavia also spent every free moment working with Hatch to try to master her language. By the time they reached the last slipstream to Nova Romae, she was becoming fluent in it. She and Hatch had developed sounds that would replace the ones of the serpent language she could not reproduce. This allowed her and Hatch to converse rapidly, but also meant she could not communicate with serpent electronics. Tavia also noticed Hatch getting bigger. It was now almost two months since she first set eyes on the hatchling and she had gained at least 10 kilograms and several centimeters in height. Whether Tavia wanted it or not, her friend the hatchling was growing up.
As they approached the Nova Romae system, the weapons techs unloaded all of the cannon and secured the cannon shot and missiles. No vessel was allowed into the Nova Romae system with weapons loaded. Any ship that did ran the risk of destruction by the weapons platforms that protected all parts of the system and the inbound slipstreams. All freighters were checked for explosives before final approach to the home world. The time finally came and the Invicta dropped out of the slipstream. A message capsule had been sent ahead when they left the Rubicon system to alert the senate of the problem and the need for quick action. The Senate wanted a firsthand account from the Consul and Primary Scout MacDougal, before making any final decision. Lorenzo had not yet told Tavia she would be called into the Senate chamber. He knew her well enough to know she had no fear, but the Senate gave every Romani pause, since it controlled everyone’s well being throughout Nova Romae space. For most of the Romani, it was only a conce
pt, to be imagined but never seen. To the fortunate few, its reality could be seen and its majesty felt.
Tavia and the Consul were on the bridge when the Invicta entered the system. Planetary Defense Station 28, which was near the inbound slipstream, contacted them. “Dreadnought NR Invicta, this is Sensor Officer Amelia Rudolf of Planetary Defense Station 28. You have priority clearance to the space dock. Welcome back, Consul Lorenzo.”
“Thank you, S.O. Rudolf, it is good to be back,” Lorenzo replied. Navigator, how long to Nova Romae?”
“Transit time is 11 hours, 8 minutes.”
“Captain McMann, set the ship to transit mode and place the crew on transit stations. No need to worry in this system.”
“Yes, Consul.”
Paul McMann gave the orders and all but the watch crew and the secondary bridge crew relaxed. Lorenzo asked Tavia to accompany him to his quarters. When they were there, with the ever-present Hatch, Lorenzo asked Tavia to have a seat and Hatch stood next to her. The hatchling knew that Lorenzo was an important human and actually felt some level of pride that she was associated with Tavia and the Consul. After refreshments were brought in, the Consul decided it was time to prepare Tavia for her visit to the Senate.
“Tavia, I wanted to discuss with you what will be happening when we arrive back on Nova Romae.”
Tavia immediately perked up. She knew the Consul had to address the Senate but she was expecting to see her family and spend more time with little Olivia and little Alan. The children were aboard the Invicta, as usual, but they were asleep most of the time she was off duty. On the trip out from Rubicon, Tavia had spent time with her old comrades from the Draco, but they were now the officers of the Invicta, so they were very busy. Most of the time, Tavia just stayed with the cohort, where she trained and spent time with many of the legionaries she had befriended. She was an exceptional student in the martial arts, and everyone in the cohort liked her. Now she was listening intently to the Consul Lorenzo as he told her what was to come.
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