Ep.#4 - Freedom's Dawn (The Frontiers Saga), page 9
It was a dire prediction, but the Prime Minister’s aide translated Tug’s words to his leader. Nathan could tell by the expression on the Prime Minister’s face that he did not consider such actions beyond the capabilities of the Ta’Akar Empire.
Nathan watched the Prime Minister. His expression did not change. He showed no signs of horror or denial at the dire forecast-only an increasing look of determination to do what was best for his people. There was a strength in this man. It was the same strength that Nathan had noticed in the flight crew of the airship that had brought them to this facility little more than an hour ago.
“The Prime Minister agrees with your assessment of the situation, sir.” The response was aimed at Tug, and ended with a nod of respect by the aide. He turned his attention back to Nathan. “He also asks what it is that you suggest we do.”
“We will do all that we can to defend your system, but we have suffered much damage over the last week, and we have many casualties. Unless we can make significant repairs before the Ta’Akar return, we shall not prevail.”
“I am sorry, Captain,” the aide responded, “but we ourselves are quite overwhelmed at the moment. Until we can get control of the current crisis, there is little we can offer you.”
“Can you provide medical assistance?” Nathan asked. “My first officer, she was critically injured during our battle to defend your world. Our ship’s physician has done all that she can. But Mister Tugwell here has suggested that your doctors might be able to help—that your facilities might be more extensive, and maybe even more advanced than those on board our ship.” Nathan immediately noticed the look of disbelief on the Prime Minister’s face as his aide translated Nathan’s request.
“Captain, forgive me, but a civilization that can instantaneously travel between the stars must surely have more advanced medical technologies than even the Ta’Akar, let alone our meager world.”
Nathan had expected this reaction, as most of the locals they had met thus far had been surprised to find that most of the Aurora’s technology was outdated in comparison with their own. “An understandable conclusion, sir, but our jump drive technology is a recent break through, an accidental discovery if you will. In addition, our own medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties. Believe me when I tell you that any medical assistance you can offer would be most helpful.”
Nathan waited anxiously as the aide translated his words. Tug had assured him that the Corinairans had medical capabilities that exceeded those he had seen on board the Aurora. He only prayed that Tug was correct.
“As you might expect, we are also facing a medical crisis due to the bombardment of our world. However, we will dispatch a medical transport to your ship immediately, Captain.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister,” Nathan said with obvious relief in his voice.
“It is the least we can do, considering all that you have sacrificed on behalf of, not only our world, but others suffering under the oppression of the Ta’Akar.”
“Might we be allowed to contact our ship, so that we might alert them of your approach?” Nathan asked. “They are still in a high state of combat readiness and I would not want to see them mistakenly fire on your medical transport.”
“Of course. One of the guards will escort you to the communications center.”
Nathan turned to Jessica. “You go. Fill Vlad in on what’s happening down here.”
“Yes sir.”
Nathan returned his attention to the Prime Minister’s aide. “My security chief will handle the task, if you don’t mind. That way we can continue our discussion about how to defend your world.”
“As you wish, Captain.”
* * *
“You realize you are wasting your resources,” Captain de Winter stated quietly so that no one but the commander would hear.
“Despite your belief to the contrary, Captain, my reasons for capturing some of this worlds radiological weapons have nothing to do with your so called mission.” The commander stood up from the planning table and turned to face the captain. “The fact that I am willing to task some of those missiles for your purposes is a courtesy as much as anything else. I suggest that you remember that.”
The captain had been hovering over the commander’s shoulder for nearly an hour now, and it was becoming quite a nuisance. The commander understood Captain de Winter’s goals, and he certainly understood the strategic importance of either denying the Corinairans use of both the Yamaro and the Aurora or gaining control of them for the Ta’Akar. However, his mission was to take control of this world, and ultimately the entire system, and place it under the direct rule of the Ta’Akar once and for all.
“This is maddening,” Captain de Winter exclaimed.
You’re telling me, thought the commander.
“This is a highly advanced world, with thousands of space faring vessels. Surely your men are capable of hijacking something that can reach the Aurora.”
“Acquiring a ship that can reach the Aurora is not the issue, Captain. Being allowed to come close enough to board her is the problem. Considering what she has been through, and what she must surely know is going on down on the planet below her, she will be ready for trouble. I’m afraid the best we can hope for is to get a civilian ship carrying a nuke close enough to detonate and permanently disable if not destroy her.”
“There has got to be a way,” the captain insisted. “I must have that ship.”
“Sir,” a subordinate called as he approached the commander, “we just received this message from one of our deep cover agents.” He handed a small data pad over to his superior.
The commander frowned momentarily as he realized the implications of the message. As much as he hated it, the captain was going to get his wish after all. “This must be your lucky day, Captain.”
“What is it?”
“It seems the Corinairans are preparing to send a medical shuttle up to the Aurora to ferry down one of her wounded.”
“That’s our way in!” the captain exclaimed.
“Perhaps,” Commander Dumar admitted. “A transport is being dispatched from their command center to the local hospital to pickup medical personnel. If we can get a team assembled and get them to the spaceport before the transport arrives, and if we can take control of the medical shuttle, then you might be able to get on board.”
“Excellent! We must depart immediately! How many men can you spare?”
“Weren’t you accompanied by twelve of the best officers the Ta’Akar nobility have to offer?”
“Those are command staff, commander. I doubt any of them even remember how to hold a gun.”
“Then I suggest you refresh their memories, and quickly.”
“Commander, surely you can spare a few men?”
“I believe I made my position quite clear on that point, Captain.”
“Need I remind you, Commander, of the importance of this mission?”
He didn’t. As much as he hated to admit it, the commander knew that the captain was correct. The capture of such technology would make the Ta’Akar nearly invincible. As well, great rewards would be bestowed upon those responsible for her capture. However, he was also aware of the danger such technology presented—not only to his empire, but to anyone who opposed the holders of such capabilities.
“Five men, Captain. That’s all I can spare at the moment. But they will be five of my best,” he assured him. “In fact, they could probably take the ship without the help of you and your command staff.”
“Thank you, Commander.”
The commander turned to face de Winter once more, a serious expression on his face. “Be forewarned, Captain. Should you fail to capture the Aurora, I will do everything within my power to destroy her. Even if you’re still on board.” Especially if you’re still on board, he thought.
“A reasonable precaution, Commander.”
“I will give you one hour, one hour from the time you touch down on her flight decks. If I have not received word of your success, I will do my best to destroy that ship.”
“I shall take that ship,” the captain promised, “or die trying.”
Captain de Winter turned and exited the room to prepare for departure. The commander watched him leave, confident in as well as grateful for the knowledge that, regardless of the outcome, he would not be seeing the pompous nobleman again.
“Corporal,” the commander called to a nearby aide, “who’s next up?”
“That would be team four, sir,” the corporal responded.
“Get them geared up for a boarding action and on the pad in ten minutes. And get Sergeant Tukalov in here immediately. I’ve got a mission for him.”
* * *
Vladimir was frustrated. Ever since Nathan had left the ship to go to the surface of Corinair, nothing had gone right for him. Systems were failing all over the ship—not critical systems, just minor things. However, the constant reports of insignificant system failures were making it impossible for him to get anything done. Every time he would get started on a project, another call would interrupt him. The most he had been able to accomplish in the last hour was to coordinate his repair teams. This frustrated him further as he preferred to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty as well. As short staffed as they were, everyone needed to be fixing something.
“Cheng, Comms,” the comm-officer called.
Vladimir put down his data pad yet again, rolled his eyes and tapped his headset to take the call. The bridge had been particularly bothersome, calling him every five minutes to update him on one thing or another. “Yes, this is Cheng. Go ahead.”
“Sir, I’ve got Ensign Nash on comms.”
Finally, Vladimir thought, a real reason to interrupt my work. “Put her through, Ensign.”
“She’s broadcasting over an open frequency, sir. No crypto.”
“Understood.”
“Vlad, are you there?” Jessica’s voice called over his comm-set.
“Yes. Jessica? Is that you?”
“Who the hell else would it be?”
“What is going on? You are overdue for check in. Is everything okay?”
“I wouldn’t say everything is okay, but we’re fine.”
“What do you mean? Why are you broadcasting on this frequency?”
“We’re deep in a command bunker. Things are nuts down here. Riots everywhere,” she told him.
“Yes, yes. I’ve been getting reports from Naralena in signals. Something about Loyalists clashing with Followers or something.”
“Yeah, it’s complicated. Listen, did the shuttle make it back okay?”
“Sort of. Please, tell Nathan not to let Marcus fly anything. He does not know what he is doing.”
“Sorry, that was my idea.”
One of the junior engineers stepped up beside Vladimir, a look of concern on his face. “Excuse me, sir.”
“One moment, Jessica.” Vladimir turned to his subordinate, irritation on his face. “What is it, Mister Musavi?”
“Sir, we keep having problems with the containment systems on reactor one. It’s flirting with the red line, sir. If it crosses the line—”
“Yes, I know, this entire system will be erased from existence,” Vladimir finished for him, somewhat overdramatically. “The magnetic field emitters will need to be re-calibrated,” Vladimir told him.
“Yes sir, I know. But it’s the only reactor still running. The other three are still offline while repairs are being made to their distribution systems.”
“Then we will run on the reserve fusion reactor.”
“But we’ll be without main propulsion, sir. We wouldn’t even be able to break orbit, let alone operate the jump drive.”
“But we will not disappear from existence. And it will only be for an hour, two at the most. It must be done, yes? Better to get it done now. Go!”
“Yes sir.”
“I am sorry, Jessica,” he said, returning his attention to the comm-set.
“Everything okay up there?”
“No, nothing works, as usual. Every time I get things working, Nathan manages to find someone else to shoot at us. I think I deserve a raise… maybe a promotion as well.”
“Vlad, listen, I have a relay from Aurora Actual. Message reads: Vehicle from your college days will arrive within Romeo zero six mikes. Tango X-Ray, X-Ray Oscar, to surface for Romeo X-Ray by friendlies. Do you copy?”
“Wait one,” Vladimir told her as he scrambled to figure out the message. After a moment, it all began to make sense to him. “Ah, Da da da.” Vladimir keyed his mike to transmit again. “Message from Actual understood, standing by for Tango X-Ray, Romeo zero six mikes.” He turned to Deliza, “Finally, some good news for once.”
Deliza looked confused, not understanding half of what she had heard.
“We’ll try to check back in later.” Jessica said over the comms, “but I can’t promise when. Just be ready to pick us up when we call for a ride.”
“Understood,” Vladimir said, tapping his comm-set once again to close the channel.
“What was all that about?” Deliza asked.
“It was code,” Vladimir said. “Our captain can be very clever at times,” he added with a chuckle. “The Corinairans have agreed to send a medevac shuttle to transport Commander Taylor to a hospital on the surface for treatment. They will be here in less than one hour.”
“That’s the message you got from all that Romeo, Mike, X-ray stuff?”
“Of course.”
Deliza shook her head. “People from Earth are weird.”
* * *
Jessica removed the communications headset that the Corinairan comm-tech had given her to use and handed it back to the operator, thanking him. She had never heard Vladimir so frazzled, so stressed out. Of all the people on the crew, he was one of the steadiest she knew. Excitable, yes, but reliable and consistent as well. Perhaps he was starting to feel the pressure of all their struggles over the last week. It was understandable, and he wouldn’t be the first crewman to come down with Post Incident Stress Disorder, P.I.S.D., or as they had liked to refer to it, ‘pissed’.
Vladimir would be the last person Jessica would expect to affected. She had seen signs of it on Nathan since day one but he had managed to control it. He had a few outbursts, but then was fine. It was evident in Cameron as well, and she suspected that it was what fueled her desire to turn tail and head home as quickly as possible, leapfrogging it all the way back to Sol.
It happened to everyone, sooner or later. It would probably happen to her as well. They all needed a break, some kind of relief. If they had to go much longer without one, their combat effectiveness, or what little was left of it, was going to disappear rapidly.
Jessica stood from her seat next to the Corinairan comm operator, turning to her escorts. “That should do it, boys,” she announced with a smile. “You can take me back to my room now.”
As she followed them back down the long corridor, she could see through the windows into the various control rooms. There were always many monitors on the walls, each displaying critical information as well as video feeds from strategic locations throughout the city. She tried as best she could to gather some visual intelligence on the way back, but everything she could see was written in the Corinairan language, which was unreadable to her. From what she did see, she could discern one thing for sure. The planet was in turmoil.
* * *
The staging and gear-up room at the secret Ta’Akar Anti-Insurgency Operations Complex in Aitkenna was bustling with activity. Captain de Winter and the twelve members of his recently freed command staff had donned the uniforms of the local Corinairan military, and were being issued weapons by the facility’s weapons master.
“These uniforms are rather unimpressive,” Captain de Winter commented to his executive officer as he sealed up the torso of his flat black jumpsuit.
“Yes, black and gray,” Commander Rishwain said. “Such an imaginative color scheme.” He eyed the emblem on the shoulder patch attached to the captain’s shoulder. “Even their coat of arms is uninteresting,” he added as he picked up the black torso armor from the floor next to him. “And is this what they use for body armor?”
Captain de Winter snickered at the sight of the simplistic vest. It also was flat black, just like their uniforms, and was composed of multiple hard panels attached to a cloth web designed to hold it all together when worn over the shoulders and torso. It was nothing like the hard, polished body armor the Ta’Akar assault forces commonly used. Even their lowest level ground forces were more stylishly adorned than the simple military of this world. “Are the officers expected to wear such garments as well?” he asked, noticing his XO’s hesitation to put on the cumbersome armor.
“You are if you want to live,” a familiar voice called from behind.
Captain de Winter turned around to find Andre, the leader of the team that had freed him and his command staff from captivity an hour earlier. The sight of the brash young sergeant immediately brought a cross look to the captain’s face as he realized the implications of the man’s presence. He too was fully outfitted in Corinairan military garb and was armed and ready for deployment. He only hoped that the young agent was assigned to one of the teams about to infiltrate the Corinairan surface-to-orbit missile bases and not their team going up to board and capture the Aurora. “Sergeant,” the captain began, “I don’t think I ever got your family name,” he added in a tone meant to intimidate.
“Tukalov, sir,” the sergeant answered without hesitation. “And I’d strongly advise you to wear your body armor. Unless, of course, you prefer to be an easy target. In which case, feel free to leave it behind.”
“Do they even work?” Commander Rishwain asked with disdain. “They don’t appear to be reflective at all.”
“They aren’t,” the sergeant explained as he made his way past them. “They’re primarily dissipative—unlike Takaran armor, which reflects incoming energy bolts in countless unanticipated directions. This design doesn’t end up inadvertently killing the man next to you via reflected blasts. The Corinari may not be fashionable,” he added sarcastically, “but they know how to fight.” The sergeant continued pushing his way past them without stopping to even look them in the eyes. “You’d be well served to remember that.”
