CHAOS AT BRUMUS

Chapter 26 of Starfighter! The Iconoclast

 

By: Tom Sczepkowski

 

With editing and clean-up by: Frederick P. Kopetz                                                                   

 

Copyrights: STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is © 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be copied without the author's permission.  

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To any battlefield commander or historian, the Comet Empire siege on planet Brumus was one more of inner circle politics than an actual campaign.  It was more of a display of force for the benefit of Desslok and Talan, as the defenses of the small base collapsed very quickly from the salvo of hundreds of Scorpion fighters.

 

All that Master Sergeant Benton Marvin Knox of the 22nd Space Marines knew was that they were running out of options. Knox made his way to the communications center, which was now also serving as the infirmary and base operations.

 

Knox walked into the center where he found many of the enlisted marines just standing around. He looked into their eyes they were afraid, untested never having seen combat. The small room was in utter chaos as everyone was shouting over each other and running about without purpose.

 

“What the &@*# are you dumb asses doin!?” Knox shouted “Shut the &^%$! UP!”

 

“The Colonel and Major are dead, Sarge,” one of the Marines said.

 

“Officers, So &^%$#^ What!?” Knox said “I didn’t like the bastards when they were alive.”

 

“Sarge!” another Marine shouted. “The radio got knocked out right after I sent the SOS.”

 

Enraged, Knox grabbed the young radio operator.

 

“We don’t call for help!” Knox growled. “They call us! We’re going to make our stand here!”

 

 

Vaught sat at his station and watched the Brumus campaign unfold. He clenched his fist as anger and hate surged through his body. He knew he should be down there, and he knew what the marines were going through.

 

He knew he had the power to stop it.

 

Behind him there was an argument ensuing between Wildstar, Nova and Sandor . Wildstar called for his Superstar fighter to be ready. He was going to lead the Black Tigers in the rescue of the Marines.

 

Nova argued the point that Derek could not jeopardize his own personal safety as commander. Sandor concurred. Vaught was only half listening…Nova was right even though for the wrong reasons. It was a debate he would not engage in. He stood up and exited the bridge almost unnoticed.

 

Within minutes he had his special flight/exo suit on including the helmet and mask. As it made its usual ominous breathing sound, he walked past several Black Tiger pilots who looked at him with their eyes wide and mouths open.

 

He could sense their fear and cracked a smile under his mask. Then, he walked into the main hanger. There Inferno waited as Vaught pointed to her and the canopy opened by itself.

 

Vaught did not break his stride as he walked and climbed into Inferno; almost in an instant the canopy went opaque and tactical information on the enemy’s movements began to be displayed.

 

Inferno’s impulse engines came to life making it’s usual but uncharacteristic loud whine as Argo’s hanger bay opened revealing the planet Brumus beneath them. As he touched a button and loud rock music filled the cockpit.

 

Mother
Tell your children not to walk my way
Tell your children not to hear my words
What they mean
What they say
Mother

Mother
Can you keep them in the dark for life
Can you hide them from the waiting world
Oh mother

Vaught pushed forward on the throttles as Inferno glided out of the Argo’s hanger deck and into space.

 

 

Father
Gonna take your daughter out tonight
Gonna show her my world
Oh father

 

The music played on as Inferno free fell through Brumus’ magnetic and gravitational fields while Corsair quickly armed Inferno’s weapon systems. As some of the Scorpion looking fighters started to turn and intercept him.

 

Mother
Tell your children NOT to hold my hand
Tell your children not to understand
Oh mother

 

 

The weapons system computer read his thought impulses and in an instant Inferno’s Phaser cannons blew apart several of the horshoe crab looking fighters….they were not his objective….His objective was on the ground…with the other marines.

 

Father
Do you wanna bang heads with me
Do you wanna feel everything
Oh father

 

Vaught looked up as he saw on the tactical screen the Argo begin to intercept the fighters. He knew by her specifications that the enemy ships were well within her firing range however, the Argo was not firing her guns.

 

Vaught began his offensive as Inferno’s phasers began cutting through the enemy fighters and landing craft as Vaught opened a channel to Argo

 

“Corsair to Argo.” Vaught said through the mask’s breathing apparatus “Argo, if you need it I can give you a firing solution.”

 

“They are not in our effective range yet, Corsair.” Wildstar said.

 

“Begging the Captain’s pardon but they are,” Vaught replied.

 

“Our range is 7.5!” Wildstar snapped.

 

“Not anymore,” Sandor said turning around “We’ve improved the range to 10 Mega meters.”

 

“$#@!” Wildstar muttered under his breath as he barked firing commands to Dash as the Guns maneuvered into place.

 

Vaught watched as the night sky over Brumus lit up with flashes and explosions .

 

Vaught was fast approaching the base when he saw multiple signals come up on his tactical canopy.

 

“Tanks,” Vaught said “Now, the game’s afoot.”

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Ok Tanks, now they’re talking,” Knox said “We know this terrain; those aliens don’t We got guys that are trapped in section C they want out and were gonna get em out! I want 10 volunteers with your RPGs assembled in three minutes!”

 

It took less time then that for the Marines to begin their offensive against the tanks. Knox knew it was a hopeless cause. But if it were going to be the end for him and his Marines he would rather it not take long. The enemy forces proved too powerful for them as the Fighters who were supporting the tanks were pinning down the small group of dwindling Marines. Knox dived behind a rock formation as the tanks fired small explosive devices at advancing Marines who screamed and then by disintegrated totally as the devices found their marks. Enraged, Knox tried shooting his RPG at the tank. The Tank exploded and was on fire; however, it continued to advance on the Marine’s station.

 

Knox fired his rifle, growling and cursing as one of the fighters started shooting at him. Unwillingly, he turned his attention to the rapidly descending fighter as laser fire shot around him. Then as fast as the shooting started, there were two loud bangs as the enemy fighter burst into a thousand pieces. The ensuing explosion threw Knox to the ground.

 

He shook his head for a moment as the yelling and screaming subsided.

 

He heard someone giving orders…someone with an ominous Voice with a heavy mechanical breathing sound. This sound was followed by the faint sounds of his fellow Space Marines shouting his name.

 

Knox opened his eyes and looked at the dark figure standing above him with his hand outstretched.

 

“Are you with them or are ya with us?”  Knox said.

 

“I am Lt. Col. Corsair…” Vaught said. “Of Starflee…..Of the Star Force. Who’s your CO?”

 

Knox accepted Vaught’s hand as Vaught helped him up as he noticed a Marine-type insignia on the ebony chest plate of Vaught’s suit. It was not an insignia he was totally familiar with but he could recognize the Marine emblem anywhere.

 

“You are.” Knox said “I’m Sergeant Knox.”

 

“What is your status?” Vaught asked.

 

Knox looked around then back at Vaught “You’re looking at it.”

 

Vaught looked around the battered Marines. Some were patching holes in their space suits with duct tape others, while others were limping, using their rifles as canes.

 

“We still have 10 men trapped in the communications module.” Kane said

 

Vaught nodded as he looked towards the communications module.

 

“Sergeant, get your men ready for evacuation. It has been a hard day for the 22nd Marines, but I promise you we will live to see another fight.”

 

Vaught started walking towards the communications module.  When Knox blocked his path.

 

“What are you doing?” Knox said “The enemy has at least 100 troops in there by now.”

 

“Leave them to me,” Vaught said, “I shall deal with them myself.”

 

“Look, Colonel those are my guys in there,” Knox said. “I trained them; you’ve gotta let me come along.”

 

Vaught didn’t even need to think about his request. He understood how he felt.

 

“Permission granted, Sergeant,” Vaught said. “Let’s get your men.”

 

 

Tribune Terrazzo Naska walked around the communications module.

 

It was his first victory. He looked down at the remaining five Earth Space Marines who were beaten and bound, and he nodded in approval.

 

He looked towards one of the Scorpion pilots whom he recognized and nodded to him.

 

“Mazear.”

 

“Tribune,” Mazear replied.

 

“Victory,” Terrazzo said. He stared at the captured Space Marines. “Tell me Mazear, have you ever seen what happens to a human when one is thrown out into a environment of 150 degrees below with no atmosphere? It is quite interesting!”

 

“No Tribune.” Mazear said “Another time perhaps. I must return to my unit.”

 

“It is your loss.” Terrazzo said.

 

Mazear saluted and left the room.

 

Terrazzo turned towards the battered space marines.  “It is finished. Your planet is lost, and your home world is doomed…You have fought valiantly which is enough to join our ranks in our Empire. If you do so, you will be allowed to live and you will be treated well.”

 

The five Marines looked at each other then burst out laughing.

 

“What B movie were you watching today, buddy?” One of the Marines asked.

 

“Be warned humans,” hissed Naska. “Where I come from; there is a saying…Resistance is Futile!”

 

“Yeah?”  The second Marine said “Where I come from we also have a saying… Kiss my ass you green face jolly green giant looking Shakespeare yappin, Mother *&^$%! son of a bitch!”

 

“Shakespeare yappin?” The second Marine asked the third Marine.

 

“Forget it he’s rolling.” The third Marine said.

 

“Ah….Earth Humor.” Naska said. “I see it is the same in this universe as well.”

 

“Hey Punk.” The first Marine said “I didn’t lay down for the Blue balls, and I ain’t taking any crap from you. You got something to do, Do it! We’re getting bored here.”

 

Terrazzo gritted his teeth “You Humans make a brave noise.” He said as he grabbed what looked like a whip. When activated, it’s band looked white hot. He started beating the first marine who gritted his teeth and tried to take the pain as Terrazzo cracked an evil smile as he continued his flogging with a hard savage vengeance. He was interrupted by a small explosion followed  by the door exploding as two Cometime Soldiers flew through the air and against a wall. Vaught was the first in the room. Two more Cometime solders charged him. He simply extended his arm and opened his hand and they two went flying as if they were picked up by some strong wind.

 

Then all hell broke loose.

 

Cometine after Cometine started charging the room, and from Knox’s point of view, Vaught was about to be overrun.

 

“Get your men to safety,” Vaught said.

 

“What about you?” Knox said.

 

“Don’t worry about it.” Vaught replied.

 

“At least take my rifle, Damnit!” Knox said.

 

“I walk a different path.” Vaught said as he grabbed his lightsaber and activated it.

 

All the Marines could do was watch in amazement as Vaught outmaneuvered and out-fought the Cometines with much ferocity and vengeance.  It was as if they insulted him personally, Blood and appendages splattered throughout the room while high pitched alien cries resonated in the Marines’ ears as Knox lifted up the first Marine.

 

“Who the hell is this guy?” The second Marine said.

 

“Just be happy he’s on our side!” Knox said. “Let’s get the hell out of here!”

 

Terrazzo Naska felt sheer terror as he ran out and raced down the hall. Fumbling for his radio he stuck the ear piece in his ear and started screaming for backup personnel.

 

There were none.

 

He raced to the end of the hall to an airlock when he realized that his space helmet was back in the communications module. Knowing he was out of options he drew his pistol and waited for his fate.

 

The lights suddenly went dark in the corridor as the less than adequate red backup lights illuminated, followed by an all-too familiar sound to him. It was the dreaded sound of Darth Hawk’s Mechanical breathing apparatus. Naska watched Vaught turn the corner.  Vaught then touched a switch on an armband as the mechanical breathing stopped and the Mask unmorphed around him revealing his face.

 

Starfleet has no jurisdiction here!” Terrazzo yelled as he fired his pistol.

 

Not even breaking his stride, Vaught kept raising his hands, deflecting the laser bolts as he came. When the weapon had been fully discharged, he extended his hand and the solid gold laser pistol flew out of Terrazzo’s hand and into Vaught’s where he crushed it and threw it to the ground. He said nothing to Naska as he reactivated his life support system and the mask re-morphed around him. The mechanical breathing began again. Terrazzo, in a last ditch effort, grabbed his knife and tried to thrust downward into Vaught’s chest. However Vaught simply caught his wrist and crushed it as the knife fell to the floor.

 

Naska’s pleas for mercy went unanswered by Vaught as he grabbed Terrazzo by the throat lifting him off the ground. Terrazzo fought and clawed at Vaught’s arm, which was around his throat like a vice. Vaught lifted him off the ground letting him dangle there for a moment as he turned his head toward the airlock and pointed to it as the airlock opened.

 

 “No!” Terrazzo rasped and screamed as he fought and struggled more violently shouting for help that would never come. Vaught walked into the chamber with his unwilling hostage, waited a few moments as Naska withered with terror in his grasp. Then, Corsair opened the outer airlock door. He walked outside as he watched Terrazzo Naska shudder violently with his hands clasped around Vaught’s as orange blood began to escape from  his nose and eyes freezing solid instantly. After a few moments, he stopped moving as ice crystals formed around his body while his skin went from green to frost colored.

 

Naska was now frozen and lifeless with his mouth open in terror. Vaught released his grip as the Cometine officer dropped to the ground and shattered into many pieces in the hyper-cold environment.

 

“All too easy,” Vaught muttered.

 

Corsair then continued to walk to the assembly area where Inferno was. His fighter was now joined by several medical transports from the Argo.

 

Vaught saw Sandor and Dash talking to Knox. He overheard their conversation, saying that if it weren’t for Vaught’s help….

 

“Status, Commander,” Vaught asked Sandor.

 

“We’ve got the lead ships on the run,” Sandor said “But radar has more ships approaching.”

 

“They want this planet.” Vaught said. “Do you carry any orders for me from the Captain?”

 

“Just to make your report to him when you get back on board.” Sandor said.

“Oh, and if I might say so, I think you could get it published and put on the best seller list.”

 

 “I’m returning to the Argo.” Vaught said dryly.

 

Vaught turned and walked to Inferno, which immediately came to life. Vaught climbed into the cockpit and closed the canopy. Thirty seconds later Inferno was airborne and making it’s way to the Argo.

 

“Who was that masked man anyway?” Knox chided as he walked into the transport.

 

***********************************************************************

 

Talan felt a disturbance in the force so intense it brought him to his knees.  An aide went and called Desslok who immediately came rushing out.

 

“I’m alright, Leader Desslok.” Talan said, reassuring him.

 

“What was it?” Desslok asked. “Talan, did you see something through the Force?”

 

Talan shot him a look of annoyance as he stood back up. “Sire, when did you take an interest in the Force?”

 

“Because I was hoping it was only that and not your heart again,” Desslok said in a quiet sincere tone.

 

Talan just looked at him and said nothing, which upset Desslok more.

 

“Talan, I assure you, not all of my intentions are sinister.”

 

“Well you sure could have fooled me, Leader Desslok.”

 

Desslok sighed. “I’m not going to keep having this debate with you, Talan.”

 

“I’m not asking you to.” Talan said. “I’m asking you to stop this offensive at once and come to Iscandar.”

 

Desslok was about to shout and then, he suddenly stopped, as he looked into Talan’s eyes.

 

“I see fear in your eyes, my friend, but it is not for yourself.” Desslok said.

 

A lieutenant snapped his heels at attention announcing himself as the two men looked over to him.

 

“Apologies, it is a transmission for Leader Desslok.”  The lieutenant said.

 

“That is probably General Naska who is going to gloat over the outcome of the battle of Brumus.” Desslok muttered with dread in his voice.

 

“He didn’t seem to be in a festive spirit,  The lieutenant whispered to Talan

 

Desslok heard the remark however his attention turned to the desperate and rather distraught image of General Naska on the viewscreen.

 

Surrounding him people were running all over his bridge and also around him there were smoldering fires as an evil smile pursed Desslok’s lips.

 

“The Star Force?” Desslok said.

 

Naska simply nodded.

 

“What were your losses?” Desslok teased.

 

“My Losses? Naska said “I have lost my whole world!”

 

“Your son?” Talan said.

 

“YES! The reports said that Terrazzo was murdered on Brumus by the Earthlings!”

 

“Well I’m sure you did the best you could.” Desslok said sarcastically. Have you made your report to Prince Zordar? It’s important that he knows what happened.”

 

Naska simply glared at him with rage and nodded.

 

“I’ve transmitted my report.” Naska said

 

“Well I guess we won’t be speaking any time soon,” Desslok said. “Farewell I say, and may your gods help you, General Naska.”

 

There was a brief pause when Naska quietly said.

 

“May your God forgive you…Leader Desslok.

 

The transmission ended.

 

“We have just received figures on the Brumus campaign.” The Gamilon lieutenant said. “Sire, His entire detachment was wiped out. Although, granted, they did take the planet.”

 

“If they took that planet it was because the Star Force didn’t care about it,” Desslok said .

 

“Although establishing a base on the outer edge of the galaxy would be beneficial to them like our base on Pluto was, sir,” said the lieutenant.

 

“We lost our base on Pluto,” Desslok said as he turned to the lieutenant. He nodded as if to dismiss him, but the young officer stood his ground. Finally, Desslok said, “There is something more?”

 

“Yes sir.” The lieutenant said. “It is for General Talan.”

 

“If it has to do with the Star Force, you may make your report to me,” Desslok said with a sardonic smile.

 

“I don’t have all the facts yet, Leader Desslok. I wanted to consult with the General first before burdening you with it, sir.” The young Gamilon lieutenant said while looking at Talan nervously then back at Desslok. 

 

“Go ahead, son.” Talan said

 

“Earlier, I had been monitoring the Cometime campaign at Planet Brumus when the Star Force came on the scene. However before her Black Tiger squadron was deployed, there was a single fighter launched.”

 

“Probably just Derek Wildstar’s “Super Star.” Talan said. “It is a good plane but not the most efficient thing in space. Still, the boy likes it for some reason.”

 

“That’s what I initially thought, sir. But Captain Wildstar never left the bridge. I know this because there was chatter between him and this fighter named Inferno…What this craft can do, the human’s science or Iscandarian science couldn’t even conceive….but I recognized part of her power signature and it is very similar to one of Iscandar’s interplanetary craft. The same one that Astra of Iscandar used up until she was shot down by General Lysis.”

 

Talan and Desslok looked at each other as the young officer paused.

 

“You have my interest, Lieutenant,” Desslok said “Go on.”

 

The young lieutenant cleared his throat and continued. “The bigger mystery, other than this fighter, is her pilot. With lighting speed, this Inferno punched through the Cometines’ perimeter, then its pilot ejected from the craft and took out several tanks and an entire battalion from General Naska’s detachment.”

 

Desslok was taken aback. “That’s over 150 very armed men.” He said while looking at Talan “A Starfighter? Could this man be a Starfighter?”

 

“Possibly,” Talan said. “But a greater concern is where he comes from. Before I left Iscandar, Starsha was fearful about retribution from an alien power because of technology she stole.”

 

“The Cosmo DNA and the Wave motion Engine?” said Desslok.

 

 “Yes.” Talan said, “She also inferred that these same aliens may have been the original masters of the Defiant.”

 

Desslok shot Talan a look of surprise. “Really…could it be possible…that the rumors were true and there really was a government cover-up?”

 

“You would know.” Talan said.

 

I tried to find out but the records were lost when the Isturis continent was destroyed by

that volcanic eruption. But perhaps now…….”

 

Desslok was quiet for several uneasy moments when Talan broke his concentration.

 

“Sir?” Talan said as Desslok looked at him.

 

“During one of Prince Zordar’s intelligence briefings, Gorce and Dire were debating. Gorce was concerned with a foreign power that he believed had enough strength to disrupt their campaign for Earth.”

 

“And you think that this same foreign power Gorce feared is what is threatening Queen Starsha and has joined forces with the Star Force?” Talon said.

 

Desslok pondered Talan’s question for a moment, and then he nodded.

 

“Lets find out,” Desslok said “Lieutenant, send General Gorce our intelligence and ask him for identification of this unknown personage.”

 

Talon looked him surprisingly.

 

Desslok gave him a sinister smile. “I’m dying to hear his answer.”

 

 

Vaught let the Inferno’s computer fly to the Argo as Vaught researched some of the metal fragments from the tanks and transmitted the information to Sandor.

 

Upon arriving on the Argo, Vaught powered down and secured Inferno.  The landing bay was choked with Astro Fighters and Black Tiger spacecraft unloading wounded Space marines, Vaught, for some reason, had felt a little dizzy and there was pain coming from his left shoulder. His attention turned from his shoulder pain to Sgt Knox who seemed to take an instant attraction to Nova, who was dressed in her very short nurses’ uniform dress which seemed to add to that attraction. Vaught was reminded suddenly of their first meeting in Key West when other marines were talking to Nova in an inappropriate fashion. Dr Sane was too busy attending to some more of the critical patients to derail the large Marine’s advances.

 

Nova, having had enough of his proposal held her hand up as if to say “enough.” Instead, Knox felt himself move backward as if some one invisible had pushed him. Before Knox could reassert himself he heard Vaught call him.

 

“Sergeant!” Vaught said 

 

After seeing Vaught fight, Knox didn’t want to pursue the matter with Nova, who cracked a smile at Vaught.

 

“That’s an EDF Lieutenant you’re tampering with,” Vaught said. 

 

At this point, Dr Sane had a free moment when he discovered what was transpiring as Vaught took two steps back.

 

“I was just admiring the scenery.” Knox said.

 

“Well do it somewhere else!”  Sane said. “Why are you even here?”

 

Knox pointed to a small scratch on his face.

 

“I was wounded in battle.” He said sarcastically.

 

Vaught sighed and shook his head.

 

“You call that a wound?” Sane said. “Nova, give this brave solider some attention.”

 

Knox closed his eyes and smiled thinking he was going to get something else other than what he got. But, Nova smirked an evil grin and sprayed right at his face with an antiseptic spray.

 

“WOOOW!” yelled Knox, that stings! YOOOWWCH!”

 

Nova primly said, “You must have a delicate face. It doesn’t bother most Marines.”

 

As Knox yelled, Vaught laughed.

 

“Very good, Nova,” Vaught said, as he began to walk away. As he did so, Nova noticed a spurt of fresh blood coming from under the left shoulder plate of Vaught’s black armor.

 

“Is that your blood?” Nova said with concern as she pointed to Vaught. He looked at his shoulder then shrugged and started to walk away.

 

“Vaught!” Nova shouted “Get back here, now!”

 

At that, she grabbed his other arm and sat him down and removed his suit revealing a large shrapnel wound in his shoulder.

 

Dr Sane was looking at Nova as he was tending a marine’s leg. Then, Nova turned to him. Her face was riddled with confusion and astonishment. Then, as Sane walked over and looked at the wound as his eyes went wide.

 

“Tank Mortar……Christ.” Sane said. “Vaught…why didn’t you say something?”

 

“I don’t even know how I got it,” Vaught said matter-of-factly “ I might have caught some of it when I hit the first tank. Is it that bad?”

 

“BAD?!” Sane said. “You’re going into surgery right now!”

 

“No surgery,” Vaught said. “Just clean it out and wrap it up and I’ll be on my way.”

 

“Vaught,” Nova said. “You’ve lost a lot of blood. You might need a few units’ worth.”

 

“Just somebody get me some orange juice,” Vaught said “I’ll be fine.”

 

Nova pointed to IQ-9 who quickly exited as Sane and Nova removed the rest of the exosuit revealing something fascinating as they stared in horror at Vaught’s back.

 

Nova gasped slightly as Sane shook his head as Vaught’s back revealed numerous old deep scars from laser and radiation burns.

 

“What?” Vaught asked as IQ-9 came back with the orange juice.

 

“I see you are no stranger to combat,” Sane said as he began to work on Vaught’s shoulder, while he turned to Knox.

 

“Now don’t you feel like quite the jackass, Sergeant?” Sane asked.

 

Knox just bowed his head in silence.

 

**********************************************************************

 

The other Marines looked on as Doctor Sane worked on Vaught’s shoulder as he did not even once move or even wince. He did carry on other conversations with the other Marines as they tried to follow by his example. The Marines took an instant liking to Vaught, as he took the sting out of their defeat on Brumus. To them, Vaught was a kindred spirit. He was not like the other officers and definitely not like a fighter jock. Regardless of where he came from, he was one of them.

 

When Sane was finished, he wrapped Vaught’s arm and shoulder in a bandage and put the arm in a sling. Now wearing a Star Force Black Tiger’s uniform, he thanked Doctor Sane just as Nova was about to give him a shot for pain. Of course he held his hand up in refusal.

 

“Oh, come on.” Nova said “If I had a wound like that, I’d be begging for a shot like this. Just take it.”

 

“I’d rather get that tonight when I go to bed. I don’t need to be all funny right now,” Vaught said.

 

“Funny thing is that you are on your way to bed right now!” Sane said.

 

“I have a report to make to the Captain first, Doctor Sane.”

 

Nova immediately crouched down and squeezed his right shoulder firmly but gently.

 

“Hey!” She said barely above a whisper. “No one is trying to baby you. That shoulder is in pretty bad shape; if you start moving around it could open up.”

 

“I promise that I am rack bound as soon as I make my report.”

 

“30 minutes!” she said. “Then I come and get you!”

 

“In that case, can I make the report to the Captain?” A heavily bandaged Marine said.

 

“I’m sure the Captain would enjoy watching that.” Vaught said looking at Nova.

 

“He’d probably pay them to.” Nova muttered as Vaught chuckled.

 

“Someone have Mr. Royster join me on the bridge,” said Vaught as he left.

 

************************************************************************

 

Vaught made his way to the bridge, where Sandor, Wildstar, Conroy, and Royster were already into their meeting. When Vaught walked in, everyone on the bridge applauded.

 

“Welcome officially to the Star Force.” Wildstar said. Vaught smiled and nodded politely, however, quite frankly, he didn’t know how to respond. He normally wasn’t the center of attention. He was usually more of a behind-the-scenes man.

 

“That…. was incredible.” Royster said while shaking his hand.

 

“Well Inferno is an impressive weapon.” Vaught said

 

“Yeah so are you.” Conroy said “I think you got more tanks than Audie Murphy ever did.”

 

“Well….” Vaught said “The Force was with us today…..However I did a preliminary scan on this metal and it is not native to this universe.”

 

“So It’s not ours, and it’s not Gamilons,” Sandor said

 

“Nor is it the Dominions or the Cardassians or the Romulans,” Vaught said.

 

“Whom I take it, are the bad guys in your neck of the woods?” Wildstar asked.

 

“Yes. Along with the Borg, the Breen, the Tholians….and sometimes the Klingons.”

 

“Sometimes?” Royster asked.

 

“They’re a little moody,” Vaught said.

 

“So where does that leave us?” Wildstar asked.

 

“Simple. We have a new enemy, vastly superior than anything we have ever encountered.” Sandor said

 

“And we just handed them a brand new base.” Wildstar said.

 

“They were going to take that planet anyway, sir.” Conroy said. “Right now, we’ve got to get wherever we’re going to find out what’s behind the enemy fleet. They couldn’t get this far on their own without any logistical support.”

 

“Or perhaps it’s the reverse,” Vaught said “These ships could be logistically supporting the main body with intelligence and softening up our defenses. They’re too well organized to be a raiding party…there’s power behind it….but whatever the speculation is gentlemen, we now have sufficient evidence to take to your Earth Defense Command.”

 

Venture snickered “And you think that they’re just going to sweep the whole thing under the rug?”

 

Vaught met Venture’s gaze. “They don’t have any choice.”

 

“What about your guys?” Wildstar said.

 

“That’s a little more complicated…. The threat is to your Earth, but not to mine. Although my clearance does not restrict me to observe the Federation’s Prime Directive, it also prevents me from calling on someone else to disregard it, unless there is a direct threat to the security of the Federation. If we can find the person or group responsible for these so-called ‘Distress calls.’ they might give an origin to our adversaries.”

 

There was a beeping on Homer’s console and Wildstar knew that Vaught was right.  He had a nagging feeling that somehow Vaught’s people were involved in this. Maybe not directly, but he felt Vaught was leaving something out. Something that happened on the planet. He looked at Vaught’s shoulder and he realized his high degree of loyalty, which now left a sick feeling in his stomach as an idea came to mind.

 

“Is that General Singleton?” Wildstar asked Homer who nodded yes.

 

Wildstar turned to Vaught and paused for a moment as he met his gaze.

 

“I want you to make the report to the general.” Wildstar said.

 

Sandor and Royster looked at each other, as Venture turned around from his station.

 

“Hey, wait a minute…that’s very Un-cool,” Royster said.  

 

“He’s right.” Sandor said.

 

“That’s enough!” Wildstar snapped.

 

“Bullshit!” Royster said. “If these Clowns are from his side of town, and they’re listening in to our communications, and the Colonel is making reports; they’re going to think that his boys are behind him being here!”

 

“Also,” Venture said. “If his government is listening in and they find out he’s involved, that could mean extra trouble.”

 

“You know, Mr. Venture,” Vaught said. “One of the things I like most in our relationship thus far is that neither of us lets sympathy get in the way.”

 

“Ah.” Venture said.

 

“In any case it is irrelevant.” Vaught said. “You’re all forgetting the Battle Satellite that Inferno blew out of the sky……I think the secret is out.”

 

“But at least,” Wildstar began. “When you are making the report to the General and if Starfleet command is listening then they’ll know what’s going on! If we can’t get support from Earth Defense Headquarters, then maybe can get some help from these…Star Fleet guys! Who gives a rats-ass if the bad guys see him! Now put General Singleton through.”  Wildstar said as he and the others walked to the other side of the bridge, so that they would not be seen by Singleton.

 

Singleton’s face seemed one of bewilderment and annoyance mixed together when he saw Vaught. Since Vaught couldn’t salute, he bowed slightly As Singleton nodded at the attempt of Vaught’s sign of respect.

 

“Corsair isn’t it?” Singleton said.

 

“Yes General.” Vaught replied.

 

“Where is Captain Wildstar?” Singleton asked.

 

“The Captain is busy coordinating the evacuation of the Space Marines from Planet Brumus, General.”

 

“And you are serving in what capacity, Colonel?” Singleton asked.

 

“First Officer and Tactical.” Vaught said.

 

“The base?”  Singleton asked.

 

“Destroyed,” Vaught said. “We would like to send all of our intelligence to you.”

 

“You can just tell me the results.” Singleton said.

 

“The base was attacked by an unidentified force. They are well-organized and vastly superior to anything that you have been faced with before.”

 

“But you have.” Singleton said.

 

Wildstar and Sandor looked at each other. Vaught didn’t seem surprised by the question nor did he answer it;

 

“Vessel status is fully operational; we are at Alert Status. Are there any orders for the Star Force, General?”

 

“Now you ask me.” Singleton muttered. “I am…..That is we are very grateful that you and the Star Force have volunteered to undertake this assignment.”

 

There were series of sighs of relief coming from around the bridge.

 

“I didn’t hear that Mr. Corsair.” Singleton said.

 

“That was just the crew’s….excitement of being put back on the military payroll again,” Vaught said.

 

“You should be excited too…..Colonel,  Singleton said.

 

“Of course, General,” Vaught said, understanding what Singleton was getting at.

 

“I am transmitting orders to Captain Wildstar,” Singleton said. “It will state that the Star Force’s mission will be under my direct command and you will report all findings directly to me.”

 

“Then our mission to the transmissions source is to resume, sir?” Vaught said

 

“Immediately.” Singleton said. “Please pass along any new information as soon as you get it.”

 

“Aye, sir,” Vaught said as Singleton’s face disappeared from the video panel.

 

Vaught turned to Wildstar.

 

“Alright!” Wildstar said. “Break’s over.”

 

 

“What the Hell does he think he’s doing!” Necheyev shouted at an image of Admiral Destine.

 

“His job.” Riker said, looking at Iscandar out of the briefing room windows. Then, he turned and looked at Troi.

 

“I don’t recall Starfleet loaning any of our officers to Pirates,” Necheyev snapped.

 

“They’re not pirates,” Destine said “And that transmission may have been for our benefit.”

 

“Just because he is your grandson….” Necheyev snapped.

 

Destine growled as she stood up. “I’d leave that alone if I were you,” Destine said.

 

“What’s the matter Admiral, feeling a little vulnerable without him at your side all the time?” Riker chided “Or are you just nervous that he might finally be thinking for himself?”

 

“Cool it, Will.” Destine said.

 

Necheyev shot Riker a nasty look; as he thought she was about to say something, she turned and left the briefing room.

 

“Nice going,” Destine said to Riker.

 

“Do you think he’s trying to communicate?” Riker asked.

 

“I don’t know,” Destine said. “Vaught usually works in the shadows; I never know what the two of them are up to until three months after the mission is over. I can’t stop what they’re doing because of the tremendous one-two punch they give to the enemy.”

 

“But why be their first officer?” Troi said. “That attachment is something Vaught wouldn’t want to be a part of.”

 

“He could be along for the ride.” Destine said. “But until we can actually talk to him, we’re going to have to have faith that he knows what he is doing…..and watch his daughter. Necheyev is likely to step up her replacement….Speaking of which how is she making out?”

 

“She’s on a tight leash.” Riker said.  “But she is an exceptional and disciplined officer.”

 

“She’s reporting to you directly?” Destine said.

 

“3 times a day.” Riker said as he picked up a data pad. “But we’re a little confused about her last report, which was why we contacted you in the first place.”

 

“What’s the problem?” Destine said.

 

“She asked me about General Order 24. She said Necheyev threatened Queen Starsha with it.”

 

“General Order 24?!” Destine exclaimed “Who in Christ said anything about General order 24!?” 

 

Troi and Riker looked at each other.

 

“My orders were if the Iscandarian government were making use of  Federation technology, that General Order 24 was to be enforced in order to ensure containment.” Riker said.

 

Bullshit!” Destine shouted. “I’ll say this once, I’ll say it again…you don’t fire on anything unless it’s in self defense….we’re not gonna 8-ball that planet!”

 

“I understand, Admiral,” Riker said even though he didn’t understand the term that she was using.  He cleared his throat and continued. “Admiral Necheyev seems to have another agenda. Lt. Corsair believes that Admiral Necheyev is looking for stolen designs to a project called “KOBOL.”

 

“Cobalt?” Destine said.

 

“KOBOL.” Troi said “K-O-B-O-L.”

 

Destine wrote it down on a data pad “I’ve never heard of it, did Starsha reveal anything to you about it?” Destine said.

 

“No.” Troi said. “She was asking us if we knew what it was and there is nothing in the Federation database about it.”

 

“Have you tried Spock?” Destine asked.

 

“He doesn’t know about it, either,” Riker said. “And I wanted to confer with you before I asked Admiral Necheyev.”

 

“I’ll look into this.” Destine said “Tell Starsha that I’m checking it out and that I said to keep it under wraps for now, and have Spock tell Queen Starsha that there are no reasons for the General Order 24 option.”

 

“Very good, Admiral.” Riker said.

 

Destine looked at Riker thoughtfully. 

 

“Ma’am?” he asked.

 

“Would you have opened fire If Necheyev ordered you to?” Destine asked.

 

“I’m not Vaught Corsair.” Riker said.

 

“Yeah….” Destine said “But then again you never lived his life.” Destine said

 

 

Gorce was busy reading a data pad in the Comet Empire’s throne room; namely, he was reading Desslok’s intelligence report. The more he read, the more uneasy he became. He could not hide his uneasiness when Dire came into the room.

 

“There is a data transmission for you from Romulus,” Dire said while he tossed a data tape to him.

 

Quickly Gorce walked over to the reader and inserted the small disk. Then at the monitor on the floor came the transmission of which Gorce showed surprise.

 

 

 

 

   

 

“That cannot be,  Dire said who was looking over his shoulder.

 

“Ah yes, but it is, Dire.” Gorce said. “As I knew it would be.”

 

“Knew what would be, Gorce?” Invidia demanded.

 

“Princess Invidia. I need to speak with Prince Zordar now,” Gorce said.

 

“You dare to instruct me?” Invidia seethed.

 

“My urgency makes my demands, Princess,” Gorce said.

 

“And what is that urgency?” Invidia asked “Long range scans of the area have shown the Star Force leaving the Brumus Region. They are running with their tail between their legs, I am sure.”

 

“We haven’t yet heard from General Naska.” Dire said. “But I am sure that he will report in soon with reports of a glorious victory over the Star Force.”

 

“Yes, especially since they appear to be fleeing,” said Invidia. “But, tell me, why did Naska not destroy them?”

 

“He soon will,” said Dire. “He will, as I said, report in with a victory, and…”

 

“No he won’t,” Gorce said “I believe that the situation has become much more complicated.”

 

“Oh?” Invidia said then sighed. “You inept men, why can’t you defeat the Star Force!? That ship should have been space trash by now!”

 

“I can give you three reasons to your question,” Gorce said as he pushed a button on a remote and the image of three people came up on the floor monitor.

 

 

           

 

 

 

“Your obsession with Starfleet is beginning to annoy me.” Invida said

 

“I warned you that one couldn’t predict when the Federation chooses to show interest. Especially with these two rouge agents of Starfleet.”

 

“Darth Hawk and Admiral Necheyev?”  Invidia asked. 

 

“Yes. The Master Mind and her assassin,” Dire said “They say Hawk kills on her whisper.”

 

“Just a myth.” Invidia said. “No man could be that powerful.”

 

“No.” Gorce said “The Tal Shiar investigated a gutted Borg Cube; its inhabitants were killed and then they were mutilated. From what we could tell by their scans, they were destroyed by a single man within two weeks.”

 

Invidia began to show some interest “The Borg always adapt to their adversaries,” Invidia said.

 

“They couldn’t.” Gorce said “The Borg couldn’t adapt to the power of the cosmic Force.”

 

Dire and Invidia both looked up at him.

 

“The Tal Shiar were also able to confirm the identity of Darth Hawk as this man.”

 

 

Invida looked at the image closely “Who is he?”

 

“His name is Vaught Corsair. He’s a Major in the Starfleet Marines.” Gorce said

 

“What does all of this have to do with the Star Force?” Invida said

 

“Cometime Intelligence reports monitoring a two way transmission between the Argo and Earth Defense Headquarters. The Transmission was in actuality a report made by Vaught Corsair as acting second in command of the Star Force.”

 

Invidia looked at Gorce angrily and gritted her teeth she walked away and out of the chamber angrily.

 

“I think it’s sometimes safer at the neutral zone then in her company,” Gorce said shutting off the floor view screen.

 

“Unfortunately Prince Zordar listens to her.” Dire said “Whether we like it or not, she will one day be our ruler.”

 

Gorce turned and looked out a window. “We’ve all fought so hard.” He said “To have an empire turned over to her whims is…. unthinkable.”

 

Tapping a small thin pointer against the walls Invidia stormed down the corridor to her and Prince Zordar’s private quarters. As she approached the Guards she slashed from left to right, which was her way of telling the guards to move out of the way. They stood at attention as she entered the lavish rooms, walking straight to a table which contained an exquisitely fashioned bottle of green liquid which she poured into a glass and drank heavily. When she was finished she refilled her glass again.

 

She had not noticed at first Zordar sitting there also with a glass in his hand as he drank from it calmly and looked out the windows. She glanced at him slightly startled and began drinking from the glass again.

 

Zordar was now amused with his daughter’s “Bad Mood.” It seemed worse then most days.

 

“When my youngest daughter drinks Aldebaran whiskey this heavily in the morning, it must mean the she received some bad news.” Zordar said.

 

Invida finished drinking from the glass and pounded her hand that was holding the glass so hard on the table that it shattered.

 

Not even noticing the numerous cuts that the shards of glass made in her hand she turned an angry glare towards her father and said,

 

“Star Fleet!”

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Next Chapter: “WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS”

 

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