by Ryk Brown
“There’s no way they’re going to attack any allied systems,” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda insisted. “Not after the warning you sent.”
“Unless old Griogair thinks I’m bluffing,” Nathan replied.
“Were you?” Cameron asked.
“Yes,” Nathan admitted, “and no.”
“How long until he upgrades all of them?” Jessica wondered.
“We decimated most of their orbital service and support facilities, so it will be slow going,” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda insisted.
“What do you think they’ll do to them?” Nathan asked.
“Based on what we know so far, I’d at least upgrade their power generation and shields,” Cameron stated.
“If they’ve just acquired these ships, then they’re not tooled up for the upgrades,” the lieutenant commander stated. “They’ll have to conduct detailed scans of the systems before they start tinkering with them, and then engineer the upgrades and program their replicators. All of that takes time.”
“Assume they have more capability than we think,” Nathan urged.
“If they just do power and shields, a couple of weeks each.”
“So, if they can muster up the resources to work on all six ships simultaneously, we could be in a completely different game in less than a month,” Nathan realized.
“A more reasonable assessment would be a few months,” Lieutenant Commander Shinoda insisted.
“One thing’s for certain,” Nathan sighed. “I’m going to have to go to Earth and speak with Bowden now and start the recruitment drive later.”
“You can’t hope to fight Lord Dusahn in less than a month,” Cameron questioned.
“Not even if he trained twenty-four seven,” Jessica commented.
“Thanks,” Nathan told Jessica. “I just need to know my options, and the only way to do that is to go back to Earth.”
“That is not without risk,” Cameron warned. “If Galiardi catches you…”
“No worries,” Nathan assured her. “Jess will protect me.”
* * *
Lord Dusahn slammed his fist on the table. “This is not acceptable!”
By now, Commander Jexx had become accustomed to his leader’s behavior and no longer jumped at the slightest inference of displeasure. “This was expected,” he replied calmly. “You cannot adequately assess the readiness of a warship in a few hours, even with the best technical scanners. We fully expected modifications and repairs would be needed prior to putting these ships into service. There is nothing on that list that cannot be resolved, it will just take a little longer than we’d hoped.”
“Meanwhile, the Alliance moves about freely, and we have but one ship to defend our interests,” another officer in attendance stated.
“The Chekta protocol protects us,” Lord Dusahn insisted.
“Against the loss of Takara, yes,” Commander Jexx pointed out.
“The Alliance wouldn’t dare attempt to liberate any of the other cluster worlds,” the other officer insisted.
“Perhaps not,” Lord Dusahn agreed, “but they will attempt to ally with other worlds in this sector, at which point we will have to travel greater distances to find new systems worth conquering.”
“We have jump drives,” the second officer began, before being cut-off by his leader.
“The more spread out the systems we control, the more difficult it will be to hold them,” Lord Dusahn continued. “Especially with such a measly fleet,” he added, tossing the data pad containing the list of needed upgrades onto the table before him. “I will not allow Captain Scott to get in the way of our rightful destiny.”
“What do you propose, my lord?” Commander Jexx inquired.
“We must locate the world that is supplying the Karuzari with their advanced technology and conquer it, making all of its technology our own.”
“We haven’t heard from our scouts in nearly a week,” Commander Jexx reminded him.
“They will not initiate contact unless they have something positive to report,” Lord Dusahn insisted.
“My point is that it may take some time to find this world. In the meantime, we must take whatever steps necessary to ensure we are ready to take action when that day comes,” Commander Jexx replied.
“These modifications will take time,” Lord Dusahn said, pointing at the data pad on the table.
“Several months,” Commander Jexx agreed. “During which time we will no doubt find ourselves having to deal with the Alliance or any other entity that seeks to take advantage of our weakened defensive state.”
“They would be fools to do so,” Lord Dusahn boasted.
“There has never been a shortage of such.”
“And how would you alleviate us of this potential problem?” Lord Dusahn asked, realizing that his newly minted commander was leading up to something.
Commander Jexx took a deep breath, knowing that what he was about to suggest would not be well received. “We must seek a cease-fire agreement with the Alliance…if for no other reason than to buy us the time we need to complete the modifications.”
The other officer looked at Commander Jexx, then at his leader, waiting for the explosion of anger that was undoubtedly to come next.
Lord Dusahn stared long and hard at Commander Jexx. “A cease-fire, with the intent of negotiating a lasting peace treaty,” he stated.
“My lord?” Commander Jexx asked, suddenly finding himself uncertain.
“Such negotiations usually last months if not years,” Lord Dusahn continued. “During this time, the Alliance will become complacent, confident in their superiority. That is when we shall reverse our fortunes.”
“Very wise, my lord,” Commander Jexx agreed, happy that he was not executed on the spot for once again suggesting what his leader would normally consider a sign of weakness.
“But the negotiations must be with Captain Scott,” Lord Dusahn added, “in person.”
“May I ask why?”
Lord Dusahn smiled as he contemplated the ideas floating in his head. “First, I wish to meet this man face to face, to get a feel for his presence and character.”
“And second?” Commander Jexx wondered.
The smile on the Dusahn leader’s face grew wider and more sinister. “So that I can watch him die.”
* * *
Nathan entered the Aurora’s mess hall and glanced about the room. As expected, there were few people dining, as it was in between normal mealtimes.
In the far corner, he spotted Naralena, sitting alone with a beverage and a muffin, engrossed in whatever was displayed on her data pad.
Nathan moved to the serving counter, pouring himself a mug of coffee and grabbing a small snack of his own, before heading over to Naralena’s table.
“Can I get you something, Captain?” the mess tech behind the counter offered, surprised to see the captain at this time of day.
“This is enough, thanks,” Nathan replied, heading for Naralena’s table.
Naralena felt his approach and looked up from her data pad. “Captain,” she greeted, surprised to see him. “I wasn’t aware you had returned.”
“Yeah, one of the advantages of ditching that ‘Aurora arriving’ crap,” Nathan replied. “May I?”
“Of course.”
“What are you reading?” he asked, making polite conversation.
“Essence of Extremes,” she replied.
“Never heard of it,” Nathan admitted.
“I wouldn’t expect you had,” she chuckled. “It’s a classic, Volonese novel about the religious wars that plagued our world a few decades after Volon was first colonized.”
“Fact or fiction?”
“It’s a work of fiction, but it’s historically accurate. It’s more philosophical than anything else.”
“In
what way?”
“It examines the belief that one’s cause can be so compelling as to justify extreme measures to achieve their goals.”
“A common human affliction,” Nathan agreed.
“I’ve read it before,” Naralena admitted.
“Not much of interest in the ship’s library?” Nathan wondered as he sipped his coffee.
“Sometimes I just feel like reading something in my native tongue.”
“It must be rough not having anyone around who speaks Volonese.”
“When you speak as many languages as I do, your native language holds less meaning. I just enjoy the nuances of Volonese. It is a very simple yet elegant language, with lots of room for interpretation.”
“Sounds rather imprecise,” Nathan observed.
“It can be, but that is part of its beauty. The way that something is said can make all the difference, though the words and syntax are identical.”
Nathan thought for a moment, a long-lost memory from his teenage years suddenly appearing in his head. “Funny, I remember not being very good at languages when I was young. Now, they seem easy to pick up.”
“How many languages do you speak?” Naralena wondered.
“English, Takaran, Corinairan…Jung, of course. I even know a bit of Gorsa.”
“The old, Palean language? I wasn’t aware anyone still spoke it.”
“There was an old man who ran a bar near the spaceport on Palee. The ale was absolute crap, but his wife made the most wonderful kella stew. I used to go there every time we made port for a bowl of that stew and a hunk of mina bread. I picked most of it up listening to the old man argue with his wife.”
“Interesting. I wouldn’t mind adding Gorsa to my repertoire.”
“Well maybe I can teach you some.”
“Like either of us has the time,” she said.
“Well, we may be spending a few days together,” Nathan told her, “assuming you’re up for it.”
Naralena looked suspiciously at Nathan. “Up for what?”
“An away mission.”
“To where?” Naralena inquired, still suspicious.
“Earth.”
“Earth?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Why?” she wondered.
“I need some detailed information about the Jung, and I can think of only one person who would know.”
“Gerard,” Naralena surmised.
“That would be the one.”
“And you think my presence will make him more willing to provide you that information.”
“That was the idea, yes.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Captain. He and I didn’t exactly part on good terms.”
Nathan sighed. “I don’t mean to pry…”
“He wanted me to stay on Earth with him, but I needed to return to Volon to take care of my father.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t go to Volon with you,” Nathan said.
“That might be because I didn’t invite him.”
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all,” Nathan decided.
“It’s probably just as well,” she said. “He’s probably married with a family by now.”
“According to Cameron, he never married,” Nathan told her. “At least he hadn’t when the Aurora left the Sol sector.”
Naralena thought for a moment, skeptical. “How important is this information?”
“Very important,” Nathan assured her. “I wouldn’t be taking the risk if it weren’t.”
“Then there is some risk involved?”
“Very much so,” Nathan replied. “In the eyes of Galiardi and the EDF, I’m persona non grata.”
“Then it’s going to be a covert insertion,” Naralena realized.
“It is.”
“Jump sub?”
“Yup.” He could see the concern in her eyes. “A lot of improvements have been made in them since your mission to Kohara.”
“Why are you going?” she asked. “Wouldn’t it be safer if Jessica and I went?”
“That’s the same thing Jessica said,” Nathan chuckled. “Honestly, yes, it would be smarter if just the two of you went. But I need this information firsthand. A lot is riding on it. Quite possibly everything. And when I decided to take this command again, I swore to myself that I wasn’t going to sit on the bridge and send others into harm’s way unless it was something that I could not do myself. This I can do myself.”
“Apparently not,” Naralena pointed out.
“You get my drift.” Nathan took a bite of his muffin. “Not exactly mina bread,” he noted. “So, you in?”
After a long pause, Naralena replied, “When do we leave?”
CHAPTER NINE
Nathan stepped through the hatch from the port large flight bay onto the pressure shield deck directly aft. As expected, the open-ended bay was busy with technicians and loaders as final preparations for the Voss’s first official mission were being completed.
Marcus was standing at the base of the ramp, watching several of Vlad’s engineers as they attempted to connect the jump sub to the hastily prepared launch sled.
“How is it looking?” Nathan asked Marcus as he approached.
“If those dumb shits could figure out how to install that thing, it’d be goin’ fine,” Marcus grumbled.
“We all loaded up?”
“Fueled, charged, and loaded. Still having problems with the starboard loaders, and the power to the ventral guns keeps dropping.”
“I guess we’ll have to fix it en route,” Nathan decided. “Everyone on board?”
“Still waiting on Naralena.” Marcus shot Nathan a look.
“What?”
“You sure we need her?”
Nathan looked puzzled. “Since when do you have a problem with Naralena?”
“Nothing personal,” Marcus assured him. “I’m sure she’s a great comms officer.”
“But?”
“Shit seems to follow her when she steps off this ship.”
“Superstition does not become you, old man,” Nathan commented, patting him on the back and continuing up the ramp toward the Voss’s utility bay. As he reached the top of the ramp, he spotted Mori and Kit checking the Ghatazhak combat armor lockers, which they had hung on the wall of the utility bay. “You brought your combat armor?” he questioned, heading toward them. “You do realize this is a covert mission, right?”
“Ghatazhak don’t leave home without their gear,” Kit replied.
“You should see the weapons package they brought,” Jessica added as she stepped into the bay through the forward hatch. “Cam’s on comms for you.”
“Button up and get us under way as soon as Naralena arrives,” Nathan instructed as he continued forward.
“What about the jump sub launcher?”
“Strap the whole thing down, and we’ll deal with it en route,” Nathan told her.
“This is starting off well,” she muttered.
Nathan quickly ascended the ladder to the upper deck, stepping through the hatch into the common room and moving straight to the large table at its center. He picked up the remote on the table and activated the view screen on the far wall. “What’s up?” he called to Cameron on the view screen.
“We just received an invitation,” she replied.
“From whom?”
“Griogair Dusahn. Seems he wants to meet to discuss a cease-fire.”
“Right.”
“It’s bound to be a trap,” Cameron said.
“Undoubtedly,” Nathan agreed. “But we have to go.”
“How do you want to respond?”
“Wait a couple of days, then ask when and where. Play along; make him wait. Argue over the details of the meet; that kind of thing.”
/>
“I know how to stall,” Cameron assured him. “By the way, Vlad just informed me he was going with you. Something about the Voss not being fully ready for action and you needing him. Did you ask him to come?”
“Without asking you first?”
“He assures me that repairs on the Aurora are nearly completed, and that he is not needed here. So it’s your call.”
“I’m sure he’ll be of use here,” Nathan admitted.
“Very well,” Cameron replied. “Safe flight.”
“See you soon,” Nathan said, ending the call.
“Cap’n,” Marcus called over comms.
“Go ahead,” Nathan replied. The Voss’s automated intercom system didn’t require a comm-set, which was a pleasant change of pace. It had always surprised Nathan that given all the technological advances over the last few decades, the comm-sets on the Aurora were still somewhat bulky and uncomfortable to wear for an entire duty shift.
“Naralena is here, as well as Vlad,” Marcus reported. “He’s carrying a duffel. He comin’ with?”
“Yup.”
“Great,” Marcus grumbled.
Nathan turned and headed aft again, stepping into the center corridor and sliding down the ladder to the deck below. Three more steps, and he was back in the utility bay. “Welcome aboard,” he said, greeting Naralena.
“Where do I put my things?” Naralena wondered.
“You’re bunking with me,” Jessica told her. “I’ll show you.”
Nathan stepped aside, making room for Jessica and Naralena to pass by him, then turned to Vlad. “Playing Mom against Dad? Really?”
“I should get to work,” Vladimir answered sheepishly as he passed.
Nathan watched Vladimir disappear through the forward hatch, then turned aft to face Marcus at the top of the cargo ramp. “Close it up, Marcus. It’s time to go.”
* * *
“Good morning,” Nathan greeted Jessica as she entered the Voss’s common room. “Sleep well?”
“Nobody slept well,” Kit chuckled as he sipped his coffee.
“I did,” Nathan insisted. “I find the bunks rather comfortable.”
“The bunks aren’t the problem,” Jessica told him. “It’s all the vibrations. This ship is noisy as hell.”
