Where We Go One, We Go All

by Robert Boren

  “I’m thinking two,” Estes said. “While one is launching, your people will be loading the next. Based on the size of the Zephyrus airlock, these should be able to handle about forty per launcher. Might make sense to have a solution that uses more than just two. My engineers and I have some work to do. I’d probably better leave this call and get to work.”

  “Go ahead, Estes,” I said, “and thanks.”

  “Thank you, Captain. Your outside-the-box thinking might just save our bacon.” His image left the holographic frame.

  What does bacon have to do with this? Human metaphors are something?

  JJ burst out laughing.

  “Let’s break for a while,” I said. “Time to eat something, and let our brains rest. Any final thoughts?”

  “Just one here,” Nolan said. “Why aren’t we hunting for their bases in the Central Authority Zone? You know they’ve got to have some. They couldn’t hide so well without them.”

  “We’ll get to that,” I said. “Remember our objective. It’s to force them to send ships back to their zone. If we start blowing up their bases in this zone, it’ll likely draw more of their ships here.”

  “We should have another ship queued up to attack those right after the Clan ships leave,” Nolan said, “which means we’ll need to bring Simone into this. We don’t have enough ships without her.”

  “Hold that thought,” I said. “Until we get back together. We need to get away for a while.”

  We ended the meeting, JJ and I going to the kitchen for food.

  “This could actually work,” JJ said.

  “It will work, if we can find the targets,” I said as we walked.

  “Should we contact the Chairman about our plans?”

  I chuckled. “Drake probably already knows every single detail.”

  A group of twenty Clan ships just entered our zone. Same path. They’ve got a well-used highway through the Free Zone. We have a good chance of following them right to their destinations as they send ships back there.

  I shot JJ a glance. She looked back at me, worried.

  “They must be able to cloak. We’d have seen them otherwise.”

  “Of course they have some cloaking capability,” I said. “Figured that out as soon as we found them in the scans.”

  We got our food, both of us quiet as we ate, my mind going over and over our discussions, trying to back away and look at the situation in different ways.

  “What now?” JJ asked.

  “Maybe we should get with Vermillion. I want to talk to him about the possibility of bringing Simone into this mission.”

  Butch, ask Dojo to send Nolan to my stateroom, please. I’m going to wheel the holographic communicator back in there for a call.

  Done.

  “You’re bringing in Nolan but cutting out everybody else?”

  I smiled. “It was Nolan’s idea, remember?”

  We walked onto the bridge. Izzy and Tim were there with Deacon.

  “Sounds like we won’t have to get rid of the shielding after all, Cappy.”

  “Probably not,” I said. “We’ll see.”

  “Taking the communicator back to your stateroom?” Izzy asked as I pushed it towards the door.

  “For a little while. It’ll be back here later.”

  Nolan was waiting for us when we got to the stateroom.

  “Did something new break, Captain?”

  “Not that I know of. I wanted to chat with the Chairman about bringing Simone in.”

  Nolan smiled. “Oh. Hope that won’t be the death of us.”

  “Me too, but we don’t have a choice. We’ll need to strike in both places. Maybe it’ll be enough to make them flee.”

  We got set up inside the stateroom and I paged Vermillion. His face showed up after a moment.

  “Hi, Captain. Problems?”

  “No, an idea that Nolan had.” I filled Vermillion in on the strikes in the Central Authority Zone, and the possibility of bringing Simone into the mission. He sat silently for a few minutes, getting up to pace around his office.

  “We need a moving camera for you,” JJ quipped.

  Vermillion smiled. “Perhaps we do. My gut tells me the negotiations with Simone aren’t far enough along to let her in on the Nano technology and the flight suits.”

  I agree. She’s been playing both sides a little too much for my comfort. We do need to hit in both zones, though.

  “That’s where my head was going,” Vermillion said. “That means Captain Clarke needs to be on the New Jersey for this mission, and Andrea will command the Zephyrus.”

  “We’re going to use the New Jersey?” JJ asked. “Isn’t that a little risky?”

  This entire mission is of the highest risk. The best chance at success is to use the New Jersey here. I am in favor of asking Simone to join in. We can share the Clan drive profiles with her and she can attack them.

  “If we don’t help her tune her Razor ships, she might lose them,” Nolan said.

  Vermillion paused for a moment, thinking. “I’ll approve the tuning help, if Drake has no objection, but we’re not going to reveal the Flight Suit technology or details about our Nano technology.”

  Here’s my suggestion. Simone goes after Clan battleships. The New Jersey goes after Clan bases and whatever ships are near them. I don’t want us fighting side-by-side, though. We’ll give her sectors isolated from the bases. That will keep Clan ships from flying to the rescue.

  “That makes a lot of sense from a tactical standpoint,” I said. “Assuming we can find their base.”

  “What if there are more than one?” JJ asked.

  “There will be more than one,” Nolan said, “but I suspect there will be one major installation and several satellite installations. I think we need to look around by Devonia Axxiom. I’ve already seen higher than average Clan ship traffic near the Capitol.”

  “We’re not going to use those enhanced Variant Four Nanos on Devonia Axxiom, I hope,” JJ said.

  The Clan base is not on Devonia Axxiom.

  “How do you know that?” Nolan asked. “Based on Dojo’s analysis, it might be.”

  There is traffic near there, and shuttles have been coming and going from the capitol city. We’ve been triangulating from several of our scanning locations. This is a clever enemy, but not clever enough.

  The solution dawned on me suddenly. “Butch, please find out where the enforcement of the Neanderthal controls has been implemented so far.”

  You mean where the Central Authority has already rounded them up? Oh, never mind, I understand. On it.

  Nolan shook his head. “How did I miss that?”

  “Don’t feel bad, Nolan, I only just thought of it, and don’t forget who suggested we hit their bases in the Central Authority Zone right after we hit them in the Clan Zone. That was you.”

  All right, I need to get back to work. Please proceed. I’ve been briefed on the plans so far by Estes and I approve. Talk to you soon.

  He’s gone.

  “So strange how he does that,” JJ said.

  Vermillion laughed. “He might not have a body anymore, but he’s still a genius, with all of his genius quirks. Need anything else from me?”

  “Anybody?” I asked.

  Nolan and JJ shook their heads.

  “Okay, talk to you soon, Mr. Chairman.”

  His face disappeared, and I shut down the holographic communicator.

  “Well, that’s that,” Nolan said. “When Dojo figures out where that base is, I’ll ping both of you.”

  “Thanks, Nolan,” I said. “Hold the door open for me.”

  He did that, me pushing the chair through, taking it back to the bridge. JJ followed me, Nolan going down to engineering.

  “Everything okay?” Tim asked.

  “Yep. Are we making good time?”

  “We are,” Tim said.

  Bingo.

&n
bsp; “What’d you find?” I asked.

  All the Neanderthals have been rounded up on Oollanders.

  “Which isn’t that far from Devonia Axxiom,” JJ said, smiling until she saw my expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “That planet has the largest infantry base in the Central Authority. They’re getting ready to invade someplace.”

  It’s the largest, but it won’t be enough. After I’ve finished looking for Neanderthal arrests, should I look at other worlds with large populations of ground assault forces?

  “Yes, please,” I said. “Bring Emerald in to help.”

  He’s already using me, and not giving me credit as usual.

  JJ snickered. “You’ll get credit from me. Thank you.”

  Let’s go, girlfriend.

  Don’t push it, Junior.

  I took JJ back to the stateroom.

  “You okay?”

  “Hold me for a minute,” JJ said.

  I took her into my arms. “Don’t worry, we’ll be okay.”

  “The Central Authority Zone is on the verge of a ground invasion, and Earth will probably be hit first.”

  “They might not want to mess with Earth,” I said. “We’ve got hardened battle stations there.”

  “But we don’t have an army.”

  “Actually, we must,” I said. “Remember how many flight suits are sitting at the Rocky Mountain Base?”

  “I hope you’re right. Can we get some sleep?”

  “That’s why I brought you back here,” I said.

  We got undressed, cuddled for a little while and drifted off.

  Butch buzzed me a few hours too soon.

  Wake up, I’ve got some good news.

  “Go ahead,” I said as JJ woke next to me.

  Emerald and I were just looking at Satorious Rin. A Clan battleship jumped in while we were looking. Guess what else jumped in?

  “I’m too tired to guess.”

  Pansy. Three troop transport ships. Now I’ve got their drive profiles. Emerald is scanning for them now, and we passed the data to the other scanning posts.

  I sat up in bed, my heart pounding, my fists balled up. “Yes! Nice job, you two.”

  At least he gave me credit this time.

  “How is this something to be happy about?” JJ asked, trying to shake off the sleep.

  “We’ll splatter those transports all over the zone,” I said. “When we’ve finished this initial mission, I think it’ll be time to hunt down Prime Minister Aeon.”

  “Maybe he’s being forced.”

  I thought about it for a moment. “Maybe, but I doubt it.” I got out of bed and dressed.

  “Done trying to sleep already?”

  “There’s no way I’m getting back to sleep now.” I zipped up the Nano suit, feeling it tighten. “Funny how much more secure you feel when the suit fits to you.”

  “It’s like swaddling,” JJ said, getting out of bed.

  “You don’t have to get up yet.”

  JJ smiled. “I’ve got the same problem you do. Should we call up the Chairman?”

  “It’s still pretty early. Butch, you still awake?”

  I am.

  “Good, then compile the positions of all Clan ships you’ve found, and put it on a map that we can display on the bridge’s main screen.”

  Yes sir.

  “Emerald, wake please,” JJ said.

  Good morning, JJ. You should try to catch a nap later. Three hours of sleep is not enough.

  “I know, believe me.”

  We left the stateroom, heading for the bridge.

  Shall I share the info with Dojo?

  “No, let Nolan sleep for a while longer.”

  We entered the bridge. Caraway was covering.

  “You’re up pretty early, Captain,” he said.

  “Butch gave me some info. Ruined my sleep. Oh, and AIs, you can go on speaker.”

  Thank you, Trey. The map is almost ready, but perhaps we should use all three screens. I can sew the map together.

  “Do it, thanks.”

  Caraway eyed me. “Something new to worry about?”

  “Yes and no. Butch, send the entire conversation to Caraway’s AI. What’s his name again?”

  “Saint Patrick, sir.”

  Break out the green beer.

  “Who told you about that?” I asked.

  You did, via some good memories.

  JJ laughed. “Seriously? Saint Patrick?”

  “Got to keep my Irish up,” Caraway said.

  You don’t have to be called that all the time.

  Oh, I don’t know, it’s a heroic name.

  Whatever. Caraway, the data Butch sent is ready to display on your visual cortex.

  “Proceed,” Caraway said. He sat silently, looking into space for a moment, his eyes getting wider. “Invasion.”

  “Yep,” I said. “Where’s that map, Butch?”

  Patience. I’m including the latest scan data. There have been recent developments.

  “Uh oh,” JJ said.

  He’s being overly dramatic as usual.

  Here it is.

  The three screens lit up with a map of the Central Authority zone, red and green colored markers showing up in numerous places.

  Red markers are Clan battleships. Green are troop transports. It’s the latest info, and all of these ships are in jumps.

  “I don’t like the looks of this,” Caraway said as he studied the screen. “What are we gonna do?”

  “Butch, send the conversation thus far to Saint Patrick, and have it ready to hit the AIs of all other crew members when they are awake. I want everybody to know what’s going on, but hold back those items that Chairman Vermillion and Drake have labeled secret.”

  Yes sir.

  JJ turned to me after looking at the screens. “See that troop transport heading in the direction of Earth?”

  “Yeah, I noticed, but they might not be going there. I’m a little worried that we won’t be ready in time.”

  { 12 }

  Nano Mods

  C araway’s eyes widened as our situation sunk in. “We won’t be able to start the mission for two weeks? Then we’ve got the jump to the far end of the Free Zone? That isn’t a hop, skip, and a jump.”

  “Yeah, we’ve got a problem,” I said. “The Clan thinks they’re invisible. They aren’t escorting all the troop transports with battleships.”

  Yes. We have information about those transport ships. Would you like me to display it?

  “Yes, on one screen. Make it the right-hand screen. The parts of the map I’m most worried about are the center and left.”

  As you wish.

  The right-hand screen showed a picture of the transport ship, with data below it.

  “Wow, capacity of two-hundred thousand troops with equipment.” Caraway said.

  “Butch, do you have information on their shuttle capacity and defenses?”

  The shuttle capacity is their weakness. It would take five full days to drop off a full complement of infantry and equipment onto a planet surface.

  “Defenses?”

  The Zephyrus could easily destroy them, as could the Tristar. The New Jersey could destroy them from a long way out. Three just came out of jumps.

  “Where?”

  Oollanders.

  “All of them?”

  Yes.

  “Is that close enough to do a bio-scan?” JJ asked.

  Probably, but they might be well shielded. I’ll try.

  “No active scans,” I said.

  Understood, Captain.

  “Butch, how would Mark V fighters do against those transports?”

  Now you’re using the old bean. They’d have an 80% chance of destroying them before they
could jump away. Better if they’re trying to off-load infantry.

  “I’ll bet the Central Authority ground forces have Clan bionics now,” JJ said.

  Again with the gambling metaphors. Something doesn’t add up here.

  “Stand down,” I said.

  Private. I wasn’t going to say it over the speakers, but we’re on the same wavelength. This is why neither the Chairman nor Drake trust Simone.

  We need proof of the stories that Simone’s forces displayed the rabid routine on Devonia Axxiom. So far all I’ve heard is hearsay.

  Agreed.

  JJ nodded at me, having heard the conversation.

  Nolan came in, stopping in his tracks when he saw us. “What’s going on?”

  Data released to Dojo.

  “We didn’t want to wake you, Nolan. You’ve got the data.”

  Nolan nodded, sitting at his station, reading off his visual cortex.

  “This is really bad,” JJ said. “We should go call the Chairman and Drake.”

  No luck with the bio-scans. They’ve got decent shielding. I tried the closest hits we’ve seen. Nothing.

  “Let’s go to the stateroom. Nolan, come along.”

  “Yes sir.”

  We left the bridge with the holographic communicator, getting to our stateroom in a couple minutes. I turned on the communicator and paged Vermillion, who was awake, getting on in a few seconds.

  “Something’s wrong,” Vermillion said.

  I’m watching it too. Nice job on finding the troop transport drive profile and frequency.

  “We might not have time to do the Clan Zone attack,” I said. “Can’t tell you if those troop transports are full or empty, though.”

  They’re shielded, but we might be able to get around that. I’m working it.

  “I’m guessing the ones orbiting Oollanders are empty, ready to make a pickup,” Nolan said. “We’re probably out of time.”

  We’ll continue with plans for the Clan Zone attacks, but the action in our zone must happen first.

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” I said. “We could use fighters to destroy the troop transports.”

  “What if they’re empty?” JJ asked.

  “Then we’ve taken their infantry transportation away from them, and we can see when replacement transports come in.”