Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6)

by D Patrick Wagner

“Now, we just need crews. Gopai, get to the shuttle. I’ll drop you off. Get with your volunteers. Divide them into two groups. Let them know that they need to be ready in the morning.”

  “Aye, aye, Commander,” Gopai responded as he released his harness, jumped out of his gravity chair and hurried towards Griffin’s gangway.

  “Igaklay, Where do we stand with the Mortek cruisers?”

  “Two more will be completely upgraded within eight days, Commander.”

  “Get me Rizzman and Emoli.”

  The images of the two captains flashed onto Griffin’s main viewing screen.

  “Rizzman here, Hawk. What can I do for you?”

  “Captains, did you learn something?”

  “I sure did, Hawk. Those Mortek ships are tough. But they don’t stand up to our Stingers or Griffin.”

  “I concur with Captain Rizzman, Commander Marston. Against a Mortek fleet of that size, its defeat is almost assured.”

  “I want you and your crews to study your intel of the Dorogon battle. You are to know, in detail, every order and every action. You are then to write an analysis of the conflict, complete with evaluation, critiques and recommendations. Have them ready in two days. Understood?”

  “Roger that, Hawk.”

  “At your command, Commander Marston.”

  “Other than that, enjoy your down time. You may assign shore leave at your discretion.”

  “Thank you, Commander.”

  “Out.”

  Igaklay broke the link.

  “Keiko, you and me. We need to talk the Vice-Admiral out of this hairbrained attack.”

  “Exercise in futility, Krag.”

  “I know. But, sometimes efforts must be made. Ready?”

  Krag and Keiko joined an excited Gopai at the shuttle.

  Aboard Vengeance – Ballison

  The ritual repeated. Krag stepped off Griffin first. This time, he wore a newly-created nano-suit resembling the Federacy dress blues, but now in a deep burgundy with Elonian-mustard striping. Keiko joined him in her newly-created deep burgundy power suit.

  A fleshed Buster and Igaklay also wore deep burgundy nano-clothing, theirs being one-piece flight suits, complete with Griffin and HEBA patches. Mack and Sue matched. Their flight suits also sported the HEB Alliance Science and Engineering Group patch.

  Second Lieutenant Collins stepped forward, came to attention and saluted.

  “Welcome back, Commander, Ambassador, gentle beings.”

  “Good to be back. Permission to come aboard, Lieutenant.” Krag returned the salute.

  “Permission granted, sir.”

  “I take it Vice-Admiral has requested our presence on the bridge?”

  “His ready room, Sir.”

  “Does my technical crew have permission to inspect Vengeance?”

  “Yes, sir. We will drop them off as we walk the ship.”

  “You heard the Lieutenant. Igaklay, Buster, you’re with us. Mack, Sue, destinations?”

  “Engineering, Cap.”

  “Bridge, please,” Sue voiced.

  “Lead on, Lieutenant.”

  Lieutenant Collins led. First Mack then Sue dropped off and began their inspections. The four remaining crewmates followed until they reached Vice-Admiral Weiskoff’s ready room. The Lieutenant opened the hatch, waited for Griffin’s crewmates to enter, closed the hatch and returned to his communication station.

  Krag came to attention and saluted. Weiskoff gave him a nod and pointed to the overstuffed chairs and couch. Krag and Keiko took the chairs closest to Weiskoff’s desk. Buster and Igaklay chose the couch.

  The three sat back, their body language telling Krag that he was the lead negotiator.

  “You called the meeting, Marston. What do you want?”

  “We want you to postpone your Bridgelen assault.”

  “Can’t be done. I’m attacking in three days. The Mortek are expanding their fleet. Any day now, they could push into another system. They could take back Cencore. Maybe Arium and Tolimar. We need to let them know that there is a force out here ready to fight.”

  “I understand your reasoning, Vice-Admiral. However, with only three active cruisers, you can’t bring enough tonnage and firepower to the table.”

  “It’s not about firepower, Marston. It’s about the message.”

  Krag turned to Igaklay. “Preceptor, when will the next two cruisers come off the line?”

  “The upgrades and modifications will be complete eight days from today, Commander.”

  “Vice-Admiral, wait for the next two ships to become available.”

  “Nope. With two to four days of testing, those ships won’t be ready for another two weeks. That’s too long. From Heimdallr’s intel, that Mortek fleet has grown by half. We send our message in three days.”

  “We’ve cleaned out Dorogon. No more ships are coming from there.”

  “What about Yeni Persia? When was the last time you reconned that system?”

  “Not for a month or so.”

  “How do you know that they don’t have a fleet there?”

  “Good point. One moment. Preceptor, please connect me to Gazelle.”

  “Gazelle, Actual.” With Igaklay’s informing her of the current discussion, Jean dropped into formal conversation.

  “Commander Marston, here. Have the Stingers reached Tolimar?”

  “All present and accounted for. I have enlisted Fairstar for a supply and munitions run. We will be fully reloaded within five days, Commander.”

  “Excellent. We need a look at Yeni Persia. We need a complete count on military and civilian ships. By size and class.”

  “Understood, Commander. I will task three Stingers for an in-depth recon.”

  “The sooner, the better, Senior Captain.”

  “No more than thirty-six hours, Commander.”

  “That will do. Please forward all intel to Vengeance.”

  “Copy that, Commander.”

  “Out.”

  Krag looked back at the Vice-Admiral.”

  “Intel will be arriving in less than two days. We’ll know what’s in Yeni Persia.”

  “That doesn’t change anything, Marston. I’m still leaving in three days.”

  “There is nothing I can say to change your mind?”

  “No. I am in command of the Federacy fleet. We sail in three days. Anything else?”

  “No, Vice-Admiral.”

  “Dismissed.”

  Krag led Griffin’s crew in standing. With a quick salute, he pivoted and headed out. Lieutenant Collins met them in the passage. Once away from Weiskoff’s presence, Krag used his quant-com to contact Mack and Sue.

  ‘Pack it up. I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to.”

  “Meet you at the shuttle, Cap.”

  “Same here, Commander.”

  “No joy, Commander?”

  “None, Lieutenant. Keep your head down. You’re dropping into the soup.”

  “Understood, Sir. This way.”

  Being closer, Mack and Sue had already boarded the shuttle when the other four arrived. Once everyone had buckled in, Keiko lifted the shuttle and headed out of Vengeance.

  A sombre group rode the shuttle back to Griffin.

  Chapter 28

  Ballison HEB Alliance HQ

  Hiding in the quarters at the top of the silver pyramid, Krag and Keiko lounged in complete laziness. Even at noon, they still wore their night clothes, sipped morning drinks and did nothing.

  “Gods, I could use a week of this,” Keiko commented in between sips of her hot tea.

  “I’d like to grab the Bailey’s RV and run away. Just the two of us,” Krag responded.

  ‘Sounds romantic, cruising the stars. No responsibilities.”

  “It’s been a tough year-and-a-half.”

  “Yes. This next year is going to be tougher.”

  “Don’t even think it.”

  “Commander, I am very sorry to interrupt,” the two heard over the speakers.


  “It is never an interruption, Igaklay. What can I do for you?” Krag asked.

  “Taishou Suzume wishes to speak to you.”

  “Put him through, Igaklay.”

  “Hello, Father. How is Mother?”

  “We are both fine, Keiko. Where are you now? What are you doing?”

  “We are back on Ballison. It is a star system over two hundred and forty lightyears from Bridgelen. And, for the first time in a long time, doing nothing.”

  “That places you almost four hundred lightyears from us. And you travelled that in less than two days. Astounding.”

  Keiko laughed.

  “Lord Kaporine uses the same word, Father. Over and over.”

  “I can understand that, Little Bird. It seems that you and Commander Marston have had quite the adventure. Your mother and I are astounded at what you have discovered and where you have been. So is the Emperor and his Counsel.” Keiko’s father snickered at his reuse of the word ‘astounded’.

  “It has been an adventure, Father. Some good, some bad.”

  “The reason for my call is that we have decided to take Commander Marston’s advice and wait for the arrival of the Tolimar Defense Forces. The videos and accompanying information which Preceptor Igaklay provided proved to be very compelling.”

  “That is very good to hear, Taishou Suzume.”

  “The other reason that I called is about another Mortek fleet. From the fleet configuration which Preceptor Igaklay provided, a full Mortek fleet arrived from Yeni Persia and is currently heading towards the Bridgelen gate.”

  “Are the Mortek leaving any ships in Dorogon?”

  “It does not appear so, Commander. The fleet is sailing in formation.”

  “That will practically double the size of the fleet in Bridgelen. Vice-Admiral Weiskoff needs to know.”

  “You are in contact with the Vice-Admiral?”

  “Yes. Odin has been destroyed. But we gave him the Mortek fleet we seized in Cencore. One of the cruisers is his flagship.”

  “Humanity has a chance.”

  “Yes, Father. Because of Commander Marson’s leadership and the Elonian and Ballisonian technologies, Humanity may overcome this invasion.”

  “We will do our part, Little Bird. Commander Marston, through his Chancellor, our Emperor has decreed that, whatever you need, we will supply.”

  ‘Thank you, Taishou. We appreciate the offer. What may we do for you?”

  “Nothing until we receive your fighting force, Commander. Until we meet again.”

  “Under more peaceful circumstances, I hope, Taishou. Out.”

  Igaklay broke the link.

  “Damn. No more hiding. I need to get Weiskoff updated. He is due to leave tomorrow.”

  “Are we following him?”

  “Griffin along with Galactic Express and Cosmic Traveler aren’t battle-ready yet. But I want them to observe the Federacy cruisers in action. Igaklay, would you please contact Den Griffin, Galactic Express and Cosmic Traveler? Have them prepare to launch tomorrow morning at oh-nine-hundred?”

  “We will be ready, Commander.”

  “The time between the Bridgelen and Dorogon gates is nine days. We have time. Let’s call today off for lack of interest, Big Guy.”

  “Your wish is my command, half-pint.”

  Aboard Ravage Maker – Bridgelen

  War, the insectoid leader of the invasion effort, left his quarters and clomped his way down Ravage Maker’s main hallway towards the bridge. His four metal-booted legs clip-clopped as they rose and fell on the metal decking. Clicking his claws in impatience, he marched forward, eager to make something happen.

  The moment he stepped through the hatchway, all bridge members stood on their own four legs, turned and smashed their left claws into the center of their thoraxes. With a quick return salute, War clomped to his command chair. The crew returned to their functions.

  “First Sensor. Where are my reinforcements?”

  “From First Nest’s signals, the fleet should have arrived in what the soft skins call Dorogon. Nine First Nest days from now, that fleet should be arriving here.”

  “Weapons, where do we stand with our nuclear missiles?”

  “All ships are fully stocked with the Fission rockets, My Overlord. Between our defensive formation and the nuclear weapons, those jump-ships are no longer a danger.”

  “You haven’t tested them, yet. How are you able to make that pronouncement?”

  “We have tested some on local asteroids, My Overlord. Their penetration capability is beyond anything we have ever created. The two-piece design will penetrate the soft skin blue clouds. We will be successful.”

  “We shall see. In nine days, our fleet will double. Then we will begin taking back that which is ours.”

  War slapped his claw on his console as though he struck the orb of Pronouncement, making a proclamation.

  Aboard Vengeance - Ballison

  After almost half a year of inactivity, the crew of Vengeance worked and scrambled to fulfil their preparations for battle in record time. Although having only ten days to learn the workings of the Mortek cruiser and to understand the alien technologies, they finally reached a modicum of proficiency.

  At first, the disembodied voice of Preceptor Igaklay constantly echoed around the ship, explaining and educating the over-one hundred men and women in the intricacies of this new, far superior ship of war. As the days passed, his guidance was needed less and less. Finally, the day of departure, Preceptor Igaklay’s voice remained silent.

  Captain Brewer looked over his bridge crew. He saw his men and women quietly performing their tasks, finally without the interruptions of ignorance or the questions of operations. Captain Brewer found confidence in his bridge crew’s performance. As all moments of reflection end, so did this one.

  “Captain, prepare for the first jump,” Vice-Admiral Weiskoff demanded.

  “Mr. Connors, contact Retribution and Reprisal. Have them execute their pre-flight checks.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.” Vengeance’s communications officer worked his console and mumbled into his throat mic.

  “Both ships are performing their checks, Sir.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Connors. All bridge members, system checks.”

  Vengeance’s Captain listened to the room full of systems being confirmed as ready.

  “Captain, Retribution and Reprisal have signalled as all systems are a go.”

  “Vice-Admiral, ready to sail.”

  “In formation, jump.”

  “Retribution, Reprisal, jump on my mark,” Captain Brewer ordered.

  “Three, two, one, mark!”

  Three Mortek built, Federacy owned, cruisers jumped to the mid-point on their way to Bridgelen.

  Aboard Griffin - Ballison

  “Commander, Weiskoff’s three cruisers have jumped.”

  “Thank you, Sue. set the jump targets for our ships a good distance from our regular mid-point. I want to watch Weiskoff from a distance.”

  “I’ve set the new coordinates five thousand miles from our normal landing.”

  “Give them to Keiko.”

  “Already have, Commander.”

  “Contact Galactic Express and Cosmic Traveller. Give them their destinations and tell them that we are jumping in five minutes.”

  “Aye, aye, Commander.”

  Five minutes later, another flotilla of three ships jumped out of Ballison space.

  Chapter 29

  Aboard Vengeance - Bridgelen

  The Bridgelen system. Six gates defined the predominately empty space. No star brightened its darkness. No planets occupied its space. A few wayward asteroids travelled their endless journey, circling nothing.

  Three Mortek cruisers, now heavily modified, jumped to its outskirts.

  Remaining strapped in his gravity chair, Vice-Admiral Weiskoff looked over Vengeance’s bridge, focusing on Spaceman Bradley.

  “Sensors, get me all information on the Mortek fleet.”


  “Vengeance’s sensor operator looked at Captain Brewer. He nodded in return.

  “Bringing up all received video and sensor readings, Vice-Admiral,” Spaceman Bradley responded.

  The Mortek fleet jumped onto the large viewing screen.

  “The fleet has grown, Sir.” Spaceman Bradley, not knowing whom to addressed, addressed everyone.

  “Get a count and distribution, Mr. Bradley.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.”

  Everyone waited for Spaceman Bradley’s report.

  These readings are three minutes old, Vice-Admiral. The Mortek flagship is still here. There are three dreadnaught class battle ships, nine cruisers, twenty-three destroyers, ninety frigates and three-hundred attack ships. I have updated the monitor, Captain.”

  A color-coded chart appeared in the lower corner. The Mortek fleet suddenly flashed with multiple colors, reflecting the ship distribution and location.

  “Half again as many ships. They’re expanding their fleet. I was right. We need to put them on notice that we are prepared to defend our systems. Coms, get me Heimdallr.”

  As Spaceman Bradley had done, Spaceman Connors looked to his captain. Captain Brewer gave a slight nod of approval. Connors worked his board and mumbled into his throat mic.

  “Vice-Admiral, Captain Scott is online.”

  “Captain Scott.”

  “Speaking, Vice-Admiral.”

  “I want a last-minute recon of the Mortek fleet. Immediately. Jump to our coordinates and give us a line-of-sight configuration.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir.”

  “Captain, notify Retribution and Reprisal that we are attacking one minute after I receive Heimdallr’s report and we adjust our attack vectors. Tell them to stand by for their target runs.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir.”

  Everyone worked through the few minutes which Heimdallr needed to make multiple jumps, collecting the demanded intel and arriving at Vengeance’s location.

  “Heimdallr reporting.”

  “Proceed,” Weiskoff commanded.

  “The Mortek fleet is holding position, Admiral. No ship movement has occurred within the last fifteen minutes. Your current readings are accurate.”