ALTERNATE TALES OF THE STAR FORCE
STAR BLAZERS---RAGNAROK
Being the eleventh and final part of THE RIKASHA INCIDENT--- BY: Frederick P. Kopetz
ACT TWO: FIRST MOVEMENT OF A SYMPHONY IN A MINOR KEY
I. DEPARTURE FROM GANYMEDE
EDF Ganymede Base
Space Battleship Argo
Sunday: April 25, 2202
1632 Hours
On the bridge, Venture spoke to Captain Peronada. "We're ready," he said. "We can take off at sixteen forty-five. Then, we'll warp."
"I see," said the Captain. "Where is Commodore Wildstar?"
"Busy. But, he'll be speaking to you soon."
"Good…I can't wait to speak to him on our base at Triton, Neptune's moon. Let's hope he gets done soon. Good luck, Commander Venture."
Mark nodded. "Good luck, Captain."
Nova looked at Aliscea. "I thought we were friends," she said.
"We were, but not when we stand at cross-purposes," said Aliscea. "Shoot, Commodore Wildstar!"
At that, Derek prepared to shoot.
He was so enraged that he was about to try attacking Aliscea.
The conflict between them had gotten that bad in a very short time.
And Nova had no idea what could be done as she stood there with her dagger, with the pain from Aliscea's slap and Ekogaru's stab ringing through her like a dark, terrible torment as she stood there barefoot and very cold in her thin Pellian robe.
II. O, SWEET BIRD OF PARADOX!
Mother Town
Planet Iscandar
November 30, 2231
1634 Hours: Earth Time
"Look at what I can do!" sang the young, slender twenty-one year old Pellian in a near see-through gown at a formal reception on a beach near Mother Town on Iscandar. She had just made a hole appear in space-time. Images ran through it.
"Katrina, don't show off, please," said Novalia Rosstowski, who was Katrina’s stepmother, after a fashion, while she stood next to Paul. She looks so much like her mother did, thought the somewhat older but beautiful Pellian who had been close to Aliscea. I wish things would have gone differently…and that she would still be with us…and with her daughter.
"But I have to!" said Katrina as she stamped her bare foot. "And I'm a lady of high rank! Don't you have to listen to me, Mother?"
"I'm not sure…when it is, perhaps, a questionable decision, Lady…" said Astra of Iscandar, who was, for the time being, reigning as Queen, because of where Starsha was. She was both alive…and not alive, yet she was at the gathering, albeit in a different form. Astra was now a bit older, but still looked beautiful. Will this help explain so much of what happened in those times? Astra thought quietly.
"Aliscea would have wanted it, I think," said Alex with a nod. "Permit it, my Queen."
"Go ahead then," said Astra.
"Yes, go for it," added Sasha with a grin as she held the hand of Deke Wakefield, her life mate.
"You would say that," said Astra.
Princess Sasha stuck her tongue out at her elder sister. Not far away, Astra and Connor's adopted son (who had experienced another great loss in 2208) Jonathan Hartnell-Iiyama Wildstar, now grown, was talking to Ariel Wildstar, who looked very much like her mother Nova at that age, down to the First Star Force Living Group uniform she wore in gold and black.
Then,
another couple came up, one of them in a black peacoat with many medals, and
the other one, in a translucent blue gown that somehow resembled the sort Queen
Starsha had worn on warm days on Iscandar; a gown that was nothing more than a
gossamer thing that showed the elegant, otherwise unclad body beneath the gown.
They made an interesting couple; a full Admiral, and a woman who now shone with Light as a Queen of a world and people she had adopted. Ariel and a young man in a Star Force Combat uniform with wild brown hair but his mother's eyes nodded in deference to them…after all, one has to respect one's parents at a party. The Admiral wore a slight moustache, and the Queen wore a White Orchid in her hair.
"Stop, right there!" commanded the Admiral. "My God…I looked crazy then."
"Yeah, you looked a bit like me, Dad," joked Alex Wildstar III, who was named after his uncle. But that was a story for another place...another time.
The woman looked. "I know what this is! I have to step through. Katrina, please hold that open for six minutes!"
"It's dangerous!" said the Admiral. "Don't!"
"I have to," she said. "If I don't everything we have now will cease to exist in one shot…a shot you're about to fire, by the way! Oh, by the way, I know I come through this all right. I remember now. After twenty-nine years, I finally get my answer! I'll be back."
And, at that, the Queen, also now a physician, strode confidently through the time-space portal that Katrina Rosstowski had just created, and she walked back exactly twenty-nine years into her own past…
"Believe me, I will. I'll bloody shoot you!" said Derek with gritted teeth.
"Derek, can't we think about this?' said Nova.
"It's us…or them," said Derek.
Suddenly, all of them saw a strange pinkish-yellow column of something like gas appearing in the semi-darkened room. "Trust me," said a somewhat muffled, but audible feminine voice from inside the gas. The, the cloud changed shape. It looked like a door.
"Huh?" said Derek as his eyebrows went up.
"Aliscea, is this some trick?" Nova asked.
"No, it's not," said Aliscea as she put down her arms. "I swear…it's not…"
A moment later, a shape appeared in the gas.
A somewhat older woman, with very youthful features but the confidence of young middle age walked out of the opening. She had blond hair, and wore an interesting gown…a translucent, long dress in blue that looked a bit like one of Queen Starsha’s gowns, which was so gossamer that her trim, lightly gleaming nude body showed beneath the gown. She skipped along off the sand of the beach in bare feet, and somehow looked a bit younger than her true age of fifty-one. It looked as if she had just come from a formal function of some type (and, indeed, she just had; a ball held by the Queen of Iscandar was certainly formal enough!)
"Hullo? Do I hear a fight here? Sorry about the time paradox," she said in a soft voice that all of them recognized, since it was Nova's own voice, albeit just a little bit older, like the woman herself. The older woman spoke in a voice in a somewhat more matronly manner than her younger counterpart as she looked on and calmly said, "You see, I am here because I just learned you'd need a little push for everything to make sense. I'm the future that we'll see if you do this, Nova…and if you just calm down and chill out, Aliscea! There is hope! Ekogaru can be defeated! I've seen it! I've lived it! Where I come from, he is now dead!"
"You're…me?" said the younger Nova. "I don't believe it! Derek, I don’t ever know if I’d run around in such a thin dress in public!"
"Believe it, "said Aliscea, who looked frightened by the figure. "I sense….this is real…and I don't know how or why this is happening, but I think she is…"
"Need my ID card, Nova?" chuckled the older Nova. "Don't you believe the evidence of your own eyes? Of course, due to the Blinovitch Limitation Effect, I can only be here with you for five minutes. But, then again, I know you were always a little hard to convince when you were scared. And as for you, Aliscea…calm down! You're acting like your father now. We don't need this!"
Nova looked the older woman up and down, while Derek looked at her with his eyes going wide. Nova finally said, "So, you're…?"
The woman in blue smiled, sighing. How could I have been so dense? Nova thought. "Yes…I'm you, Nova. Or will be if Earth makes it through this."
"Which means I have to calm down," said Aliscea with tears in her eyes. "Calm down and think rationally, that is."
"That's right," said the older Nova. "You put down your hands and stop wanting to kill everyone. You're acting like your dead, evil father! Nova, we have to put down that knife. Please give it to me."
The younger Nova hesitantly gave her older self the knife. Not knowing how she would learn to do that, she watched as her older self flung it over her shoulder into the portal. "Don't worry about that," said the elder Nova. "That's not going where I just came from."
"And where'd you come from?" asked the younger Nova.
"Can't tell you; that's a secret," smiled the elder Nova. Then, she walked up to Derek, who still stood holding his gun. "As your ship's surgeon, I order you to put the safety on and put that thing away, Derek."
"But you don't have an MD degree yet!" protested Derek.
"She doesn't, but I do!" said the elder Nova. Paul stood open-mouthed as the very dignified woman with the air of a much prettier (and sober) Doctor Sane walked forward until Derek's gun poked her in the stomach. "Come on, Derek…cooperate with me. Or, if you're too tense, just hand it over?"
Derek nodded and let the future version of his wife take the gun out of his hand. The elder Nova put the safety back on and handed it to her younger self. "You'd better hold this."
"Uhhh…what are you really like?" asked the younger Nova as she took the cosmo-gun from her older, more serene counterpart. Everyone's desire to fight had faded away as the two women stared at each other, with shock in young Nova's eyes, and familiarity in the elder Nova's eyes.
"I'm like you, with three kids, a Medical degree, more rank, and a ton of experience I can't tell you about, since you have to live through it. Or, rather…we do."
"What are you like as far as…psionic power goes?" whispered young Nova. "Did you… go through with what she proposed? You seem like a more powerful personality than me."
The older Nova nodded. "I did. It changed me quite a bit. I have some sense of intuition that I didn't have when I was your age, and other gifts. Or, maybe you have them already, but don't know how to focus them yet," said the future Nova. "I can't tell you everything…except…except if you do it, you'll give us hope. We'll make it. You just have to have the courage we've always had…the courage to do something new, and to ignore the Dark Lord."
"Ignore him?" said Aliscea.
"Yes," said the elder Nova. "Don't you know this is his handiwork, silly? I do. Calm down, have hope, and forget the hatred he is trying to cause, and trust each other, damnit! That goes for both of you, got it?"
Aliscea looked at both Novas and sighed. "I'll…repent of what I said. Paul, I'm sorry."
"I hope you are," he said. He looked at her, but wouldn't hug her. He was still seething inside at her betrayal.
"Derek…sir...I'm sorry, too," said Aliscea. "Nova, I'm sorry I struck you."
"I can forgive you…I think," said Derek. "But I can't speak for Nova. It's up to her. Do you want to forgive her, Nova, or have her leave?"
"Let her stay," said young Nova after a long moment. "Aliscea …I'm going through with it. I'm sorry."
"And we will do it," said Aliscea. "Then, I need to rest…"
"Good, Aliscea. Nova, I knew you would…or I knew I would," laughed the future Nova. "I guess you just needed a little push."
"How'd you get here?" asked young Nova.
"You'll find out," said the older Nova impishly as she kissed her younger self on the forehead. Then, she walked up to Derek and winked at him. "You'll see me again in about twenty-nine years. Of course, you'll look pretty good then, too. You'll also look…nice with a moustache, Derek."
Then, the future Nova gave Derek a very passionate kiss while they hugged. "Do your best," she said. "Where I'm at, here, this could still fail in a minute, and I'll never be. But, I think you can do it…both of you. Good luck."
At that, the future Nova broke the embrace, turned away, and said, "I'll be back, Nova…if this works out. If you want to see me in the future, just look in the mirror."
"Bye! Just to let you know again, I'm going through with it!" said the current-day Nova.
"Great…I knew you would…"
The future Nova stepped through the portal and left.
"Aliscea, if this is so important, let’s get this over with, shall we?" said Nova.
Aliscea nodded. "Thank you."
Then, she paused. "Put your arms around me. Then, relax. Derek, I need your help. Stand behind her."
Commodore Wildstar nodded.
Aliscea wiped away her tears and said, "First, I must apologize for the way I spoke to you. If you truly don't want it, I will find someone else. Please forgive the way I spoke to you and your husband."
Aliscea knelt and kissed Nova's toes. "No…you don't need to do that!" said Nova. "That's silly!"
"Silly? I need to atone."
"Get up, Aliscea," said Nova. "We'd better get on with this. It seems that we have orders that go higher than my wishes, or even Derek's. Derek, if you don't want to see this, you can leave. But I just want you to know I am doing this of my own free will."
"All right," huffed Derek. "I guess I can't stop you…if this were anything less, I'd order you to your cabin…"
"And I'd refuse and you could court-martial me later," said Nova.
"We're not doing that, so let's not talk like that," said Derek. "Let's be cool."
"Good for you, you cowboy of outer space," laughed Nova. :"Okay. Let’s all make up with the lady…shall we?"
"Aliscea, I'm sorry I lost my temper, " said Derek.
"Aliscea, if you're sorry, I'm sorry too," said Paul.
"I'm sorry," sobbed Aliscea. She and Paul embraced.
Derek smiled. Then, he said, "Can I kiss Nova before this…rite begins?"
"Apology accepted. And, yes, you can kiss her," said Aliscea. "Pardon me…I need to get into a ceremonial robe like hers. I will return."
About two minutes later, Aliscea returned, clad in a white robe like Nova's, and also barefoot. Aliscea came forward with a small bottle of oil. Both women stretched a little, and then, Aliscea gently put Nova's arms around her waist. "You have to be touching me for this to work. I don't know if this will work, but we need to be ready in case I die…in case the healing trance I am going into soon does NOT work. Mind you, I am trying to keep alive. It is better I fight Ekogaru. But, if not, you must do it. And, if I am about to die, I will know it, even in the trance, and will transfer the Matrix and my powers to you before I die. Just as Ekogaru empowered Yvona, the Matrix can empower you."
"It's always been women who have shared this?" said Nova
Aliscea nodded. She put a hand on Nova's forehead. "Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns…"
"From the Book of Genesis?" said Nova.
"Yes, although our ancient ancestors actually heard Jacob firsthand when he said those words. It seems that, deep, deep down, long ago, in your mother's side of the family, there was an old ancestor of yours from the Tribe of Naphtali…the same tribesmen from whom I am descended. There is a family link between us, although about seventy-five times or so removed…funny, I also read a trace of Pellian blood in you, too. Maybe some of us came back?"
"I don't know," said Nova.
"Another mystery, for another time," said Aliscea. "If we share blood, even in the distant past, it makes the likelihood this will work even better…."
"I'm, still kinda…scared," said Nova. "Lord, I'm sorry…I don't know if I have the courage to do this…or…not…"
"Nova…please," said Derek.
"But, I'm going through with it," said Nova.
"Good," said Aliscea.
What Aliscea didn't tell Nova was that if the semi-sentient Pellian Matrix rejected her as a successor…it would probably kill her, and Aliscea might die along with her.
At that, Aliscea put her hands on the small of Nova's robed back, above the buttocks, and began to recite a slow song in Pellian.
The ritual had begun.
Outside, in the world around them, the Argo disengaged from the dock as she had many times before.
The wave engine came up.
I wonder where Wildstar is? Mark thought. What is going on?
Outside, the transport carrying Carol Venture and her survivors took off. Mark saw it leaving, and said, "All hands…salute."
The bridge crew saluted.
"All hands, prepare for takeoff!" said Venture a moment later. "I'll signal the crew in two minutes, Sandor."
"Very good," said Sandor from his post on the not entirely-full bridge; both Wildstars, Dash, and Paul Rosstowski were missing. Dash was still working on the first gun turret along with some technicians from Mechanical Group.
"Port and starboard engines are coming up," said Yamazaki. "The wave motion engine will be up in five minutes."
"Good," said Venture. He looked back at the radar; Holly was at the cosmo-radar now. "Mrs. Venture," he said with a lump in his throat.
"Yessir?"
"Commence your scans now. Make sure our course is clear. We'll meet the rest of the fleet at seventeen hundred; and we'll warp at seventeen-forty-five."
"Got it," said Holly.
Nova shivered pleasantly as oil ran down her body on top of and under her robe; Aliscea was pouring oil on her head while she recited a slow song in Pellian. There had been a few ritual washings with water, some incense had been burnt, and incantations had been recited.
"Now, for the formation," said Aliscea in Terran English. "This will form the psychic bond between us that will last for five days, unless I break it. It will enable me to transfer the Matrix to you if needed. Do you accept?"
Nova nodded.
Derek looked on with apprehension as Aliscea carefully placed her hands on Nova's forehead. Then, she sang, "A'led, A'led…d'matrrnsha manshta…l'chaim…l'chaim….l'entrevalshta l'morgat…enval-estha…wa tralan vaaashta…va'sthla…amed…"
Nova felt warm, safe, and accepted as Aliscea then embraced her. The Pellian kissed her cheeks, and thought, silently, Nova…can you hear me?
Yes…I can…Aliscea. This is wonderful!
We can exchange thoughts, as long as needed to ensure I can pass the Matrix to you if I am about to die. If that happens, you can then enter Shalinskar with Derek as you form a bond with him.
Will this keep me safe from Ekogaru?
It will… Nova. My presence was weakened, so that's how he got through before. But now, I am leaning on you a little, and our defenses are up again.
"Now, I must ask all of you to leave except Paul," said Aliscea as she hugged Paul. "I will not be available for the next day. Neither will Paul…he must stay with me here to help me through the trance, and we must renew our bond at that time, too, since it was not broken but was compromised by our serious killing discord before. Commodore Wildstar take Nova into the other room. I will give you privacy. After you dress her again in her nurse's clothing to restore and undo some of what Ekogaru did to her, it is important that you take her to your cabin."
"I understand," said Derek.
"There, you must strip her yourself, tend her wound and bandage it, and bathe her in your shower in warm water as soon as possible, both to take the oil off her and relax her. Then, you must dress her in her regular uniform and help her to the messhall and make sure she eats a full meal. Then, her strength shall return. Be gentle with her…she is in a very vulnerable state right now," said Aliscea as she handed Derek all of Nova's nurse's uniform.
"I understand," said Derek as Nova walked over to him. She looked very dreamy and relaxed, and did not seem to be fully aware of her surroundings.
Paul and Aliscea turned away as Derek walked Nova into their bedroom and shut the hatch. In the semi-darkness, Derek held his wife on the carpet and gently dressed her like a rather sick child. "I hope I make it through this, Derek," she whispered while he put her dress on her and closed the fastening. "I'm so sleepy…"
"Aliscea said it was normal. No, don't pick up your shoes…I have to do that."
"Will I be able to return to duty?" asked Nova is a very drowsy voice. All she wanted to do now was sleep, not caring that she was sitting half-dressed with Derek on Paul and Aliscea Rosstowski's carpet.
"I think so," said Derek as he finished dressing her by putting her foot in her shoe and buckling it. "Can you walk?"
Nova nodded. "I'll have to lean on you." At that, she yawned.
Derek held her hand. He brought Nova back out, and then looked at Paul and Aliscea, but not for long. Aliscea now had nothing on, and she sat in Paul's lap having her hair stroked. Wildstar simply felt he had to avert his eyes from this inadvertently-seen moment of tenderness between the Rosstowskis.
"Take care, you two," said Paul with a wink while hiding the most delicate parts of Aliscea's willowy body.
"We will," said Derek. The Commodore gently grasped Nova's hand as she stumbled along in what seemed to be a sleepy state. So different from the way she was before on that coffee, he thought. I wonder what that ritual did to her?
Aliscea remained silent, but she smiled at Nova and Derek as they left.
"Now, I can heal in peace," sighed Aliscea. "I'm sorry I said those things before, Paul. You may divorce me if you wish."
"I don't want to do that!" said Paul hotly. "You're tired…you're sick…and you need me…don't you?"
"Yes, I need you. Do you need me?"
Paul nodded his head, with tears in his eyes.
"Good," said Aliscea. "We need each other." Then, she smiled, and sent, Carry me to bed, Paul.
I will.
And, Paul?
Yes?
please hold me. I don't want to make love now…all I want…is to enter my trance and sleep.
I love you, Aliscea. Please come out of it all right.
I think I will, she sent back.
III. TO NEPTUNE, AGAIN
The Solar System, Past Jupiter
Space Battleship Argo
Sunday: April 25, 2202
1806 Hours
The First Bridge of the Argo was back to normal again, but rather quiet.
Derek Wildstar sat at the Combat Group Leader's post next to Venture in his plain Star Force uniform. Dash had returned from the first gun turret and he sat at the Artillery post for the first time in a long while as Derek had requested…"for now" he said.
Nova sat at the
Cosmo-Radar again, back in her normal Star Force uniform and boots. Eating a
good meal after the ritual washings had helped her regain her strength, and
Derek's treatment meant the wound no longer hurt under the small gauze bandage
she wore under her uniform, but everyone noticed she was fairly quiet and
subdued. Finally, Eager sat at the battle radar post near Sandor.
"You know what?" said Dash.
"What?" said Homer.
"This is the first time we’ve all been back in our normal spots at the same time since the Comet Empire. No offense to Yamazaki, who is good…but won't quite replace Orion…but…it feels nice, being "home" again, for a bit. Why did you ask this, Wildstar?"
"Because I think being back where we all began will help us for a while…at least until Paul can come back again."
"Nova, did Wildstah try some new perfume with you?" asked Eager. "Ya smell different!"
"Eager, no offense, but I don’t want to talk about it," said Nova in a very soft voice. "There's some things between Derek and I that should stay secret."
Homer and Eager exchanged playful leers behind Nova's back at that one. "Okay," said Eager. "Ya wanna hear about the reunion that mah girlfriend Lisa and I had?"
"Not right now, Eager," said Nova She was lost in thought, thinking of a day when she would apparently need glasses. What made me like that? Nova thought. What makes me a figure…who can put a stop to a war like that? Do I acquire the Matrix? Does Aliscea die?
"You all right?"
"I've had a weird day, that's all," said Nova. "Believe me, you wouldn't want to be in my shoes today. It was a rough one."
"Yeah…I bet it was rough," said Sandor.
"Trust me," said Nova. "That's why I don't want to discuss it…"
"Is it time?' asked Commodore Wildstar.
"Just about," said Venture. "Nova?"
"The Bolivia, Mogami, Danube, and the escorts are keeping station," replied Nova from her radar.
"They say they're ready," said Homer.
"Good," said Derek. "Make preparations for warp."
"Sir?" asked an officer on the Mogami. "We’ve received the order to warp. Are we ready?"
"Warping," muttered Captain Borland. "Yes…warping our…"
"They need that all-clear ASAP!" said the comm officer. "Wildstar's in a rush!"
"Sir?" said the ship's Deputy Captain. "The Commodore is requesting that all ships send an "all-hands-ready" signal before the fleet warps!"
"Oh…sorry, Mr. Belknapp," said Borland. "Yes…let Wildstar know we're ready!"
"Ten seconds to warp!" said Venture on the Argo.
"Homer, what's with the Mogami?" asked Wildstar.
"They're reporting now! All-clear!"
"Five…four…three…" counted Venture as the dimensional indicator went up and down the valleys.
"Voice channel open!" commanded Derek.
"Open!" snapped Homer.
"two…one.." said Venture. "Ready!"
"All ships! This is Wildstar!" snapped Derek. "Warp on my mark!"
Then, Derek looked around; everyone was ready. He snapped, "WARP!"
"WARP!" repeated Venture.
The Argo, as well as the rest of her fleet, faded as one into hyperspace in a blaze of color.
A few minutes later, after completing the warp and after some cruising in normal space, the cold disks of Triton and Neptune loomed large in the Argo's bridge windows.
"Where's the rest of the Task Force?" asked Derek. "They're supposed to be here."
"They should be here any minute," said Nova. "I've just acquired them on radar. The new group joining our fleet consists of one carrier, one more space battleship, two patrol cruisers, eight destroyers, and ten gunboats. Range, nine hundred megameters!"
"Thirty-two ships in all Wildstar, including us," said Dash. "We're gonna pack a punch, aren't we?"
"Yes, this Force will hit them with over a hundred and seventy fighters total if we achieve surprise," said Derek.
"That's way more than we had at Titan, ain't it?" said Eager.
"No, actually just a little less," said Derek. "Remember…we don’t have a full complement now, and we have just one carrier with a full load of sixty strike fighters and twenty-four torpedo planes along with those Jamaica class space battleships, which can't carry as many planes as the Argo. We had more carriers at Titan, remember…three carriers, as opposed to just one.
"Sir," said Homer. "We're being hailed by the Lexington."
Derek stood. A moment later, the image of a youngish African-American man in a Captain's peacoat faded in. "Commodore Wildstar," he said. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. Captain Jameel Spears at your service."
"Are you related to Admiral Spears of Third Fleet?" asked Derek.
"Aye, aye, sir," said the younger Spears. "I'm his son. How's he doing?"
"Fine. I saw him about two weeks ago on Titan."
Spears sighed. "Looks like Dad's getting ready for the balloon to go up back there with his fleet, huh?"
"He is." Wildstar's so young, thought Spears. The guy looks like one of my lieutenants and he's our commanding officer! He must be thirteen years younger than I am. Let's see how the legendary cowboy of outer space does commanding us out in the interstellar gulf. Anyone else that young, and I'd be scared out of my wits, man!
"Well, if we see him in this, or you do, send him my regards, sir. What are your orders?"
"Take your carrier group and escorts down to the base. I want to meet with you and the other Captains at nineteen-thirty so we can get together on our intelligence and what I'll need you to do."
"Of course," said Spears. "It'll be a pleasure, sir."
The two men exchanged salutes and then the conversation ended.
It was nineteen-ten when Commodore Wildstar sat in an office just off a briefing room on the base. He was looking over all of the intelligence on the R'Khell carrier force that they had gathered from their scout ships, as well as intelligence that both the Rikashans and Gamilons had given them.
I wish we knew more, thought Derek as he wiped his chin with an edge of his dress ascot. More about their tactics, full number of planes they have on each of those things, and what they do in battle. Cha'rif told us on Rikasha that their priesthood was very secretive. I wonder what it's like to be some kind of warrior priest pilot? Maybe these guys do go into battle on drugs like they once falsely said my ancestors did back in the Pacific. Even the Gamilons told us that these people are fanatics. Like we didn't know that already, Desslok.
A knock came at the door. "With all respect, please, I'm busy!" snapped Derek. I wish I could've done this on the ship, he thought. You could fall asleep in one of these offices!
"You're even too busy for your yeoman to see you, Skipper?" chided a familiar voice through the door.
"Oh…you. Come in."
The door opened, and Nova stood there in her whites and red ascot with a tray that held a coffeepot, cups, and several notebooks. "Do I get a tip for running this stuff off the ship?"
Nova set down the tray and Derek kissed her on the nose. "Will that do? And you didn't have to put on your class A's for this."
"I wanted to look really good for that meeting, probably a bit vain, but…well…I thought my bandage showed in my regular uniform….that thing is so tight. Half the Fleet doesn't need to know I'm hurt."
"Sorry."
"That's okay. You'll owe me more later."
"You're perky."
"Too much of my own coffee, I guess," said Nova as she poured them two cups after inserting a message capsule in a computer. She felt a bit jittery. "This is the latest from the patrol cruiser Nile," she said. "They got this visual scan on their time radar an hour ago. They're out there tailing these guys. I don't think they know we're on to them…yet."
"Wonderful," said Derek with a smile as he looked at a visual of many red R'Khell carriers. "Right there in the Centaurus System. Do we have a tactical on that?"
"Not officially, but I got IQ-9 to do one."
"What did you bribe him with?"
"A hug," said Nova as she sat back down. "If I didn't have to sit at that desk running the projector in front of all those Captains, I wouldn't have changed." She pulled up a computer mouse and clicked on it. "Here they are…big, red and ugly."
A detailed tactical scan came up, complete with estimated tonnages and numbers of planes on the enemy carriers.
"Tinwit's good at this," chuckled Derek.
"I told him it was for me…I think he gave me the extra mile," said Nova. "What's that group doing off over to the side?"
"Cha'rif says that formation is called a D'Vahldehaz."
"D'Vahl what?" said Nova.
"It translates to "Assassin Group," said Derek. "He told us that based on what he knew of the secret R'Khell tactics, they always keep a core group of carriers in reserve with planes ready to launch for Fleet ops."
"In other words, they've got a ready-made Combat Air Patrol," said Nova. "Are they in flight like our patrol planes?"
"They're ready to go at all times, even when they refuel the other planes on other carriers." said Derek. "Very nasty tactic, but, unlike us, they don't keep much more than a token force of planes up at all times…they don't keep the equivalent of two squadrons up like we do. Big mistake. They depend upon those pickets to engage an enemy force and spot it. We'll have to hit those four carriers first, hoping that the scanners on the other twenty-eight don't get our planes. Too bad Desslok's not around for this battle. SMITE would be a great weapon to sic on those guys."
"We'll need a good recon group to go in first and spot them and then raise the alarm…people who can fly like maniacs and get out of there fast…and who aren't afraid to play strike fighter, too."
"Any suggestions?"
"Sandor, Lubyanska, and Angie and Bryan Hartcliffe… Steve and IQ-9 will lead them in. I'll remain on the ship and keep an eye on the time radar, regular radar and other sensors, of course."
"Good idea. I'll sleep on it," said Derek.
"Don't sleep too long, we've got a meeting," chided Nova. "C'mon…drink your coffee?"
"Do I have to?" said Derek in a tone of voice like that of a spoiled child.
Nova just nodded.
Derek began to drink his coffee.
Then, another tap came on the door.
"Yes?" said Wildstar. "Come in."
"Sir," said Captain Borland. "I had some questions about my role in this."
Nova's eyes locked on Borland's face and she stiffened a little. My God, that's him! She thought. The same man I found at my father's law office yesterday stealing things!
"Um…Ensign…are you all right?" said Borland. "Sir, does your yeoman require smelling salts or something? What kind of help are they giving you…kids who've never gotten their noses out of their books?"
"I beg your pardon, sir?" asked Nova.
"You beg my pardon?" snorted Borland. "Listen, I'll only say this once!" Borland banged the table and put his face right in front of Nova's. "Take your Goddamn mouth and shut it! You are the biggest snot-nose kid in a skirt I've ever met! I'm trying to talk to a Flag Officer you stupid scum, Miss…."
"That's Mrs," said Derek.
"Oh? Sir? Is her husband in the Fleet? Would you tell him this little female rat of a damn secretary just ruined her career as of now?"
Secretary? Nova thought. She was very insulted by this particular Captain. He's worse than Knox was! Much worse! Derek, you'd better stick up for me!
Borland snorted. "Wait until I talk to her CO and get her a damn fitness report that'll ensure she's assigned to Outer Mongolia by herself in a forgotten base supervising the ordering of toilet supplies!"
"Captain, you don't recognize one of my top officers, who also happens to be my wife?" said Derek in a soft voice as he took Nova's hand and squeezed it. "Lieutenant Wildstar, holder of the Sunburst of Honor and the Iron Cross? And do you always talk to women that way?"
"Oh…" said Borland. "I see, sir. You don't rate an ordinary yeoman, do you? Sorry!" said Borland.
"Did we meet somewhere before, sir?" said Nova in a "pleasant" voice as she kept her temper in check.
"I don't remember ever meeting you, Lieutenant," chuckled Borland. "Not ever in my…"
"Something about slamming drawers?" said Nova softly.
"Where was I slamming drawers?" said Borland pleasantly.
"In my father's law office, when you were rooting through drawers in a filing cabinet that was supposed to be locked?" said Nova pleasantly. "What were you doing there?"
"I…I…I…I did not come here to be accused of something by…"
"A Goddamned Office Lady?" said Nova softly.
"You damn nosy Parker you! Sir, with all respect, please teach her how to respect her superiors!" snapped Borland. "Like…with your belt?" he snorted as he rooted through the inner pockets of his peacoat. He dropped some papers on the floor before he angrily pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit up.
"Captain, the smoking lamp is NOT on in here!" snapped Derek. "Put that out! And show some respect to your superiors!"
Borland got up and stalked out of the room without any military courtesy whatsoever, slamming the door behind him hard enough to make a picture of Commanding General Singleton fall off the wall.
"A belt, a Goddamn belt?" said Nova with shock in her eyes after she picked up the papers. "He was advising you to use a belt? What rock did he just crawl out from? I felt like killing that creep!"
"Yeah…something's rotten in Denmark," said Derek. He thumbed a button on the desk. A moment later, an enlisted female yeoman showed up in a uniform similar to Nova's. "Sir?"
"Sergeant, get me the personnel jacket on a Captain Borland of the Mogami. You can give it to the Lieutenant after the meeting."
"Of course, sir. Do you require anything else?"
"Yes…Two sets of Form 205's…and get me the personnel jacket of any Captain here on TDY who can command a ship of cruiser tonnage or upwards. Preferably someone I can trust at my back."
"Why, sir?"
"Because I don't trust that guy," said Derek with a slow smile. "Nova, do you think he'd like orders to Outer Mongolia?"
Nova nodded. "And do assign him a job in Logistics ordering toilet supplies?"
Derek nodded slyly. "I'll do that. But I'm also having him investigated. Something about him…doesn't smell right."
"Definitely not," said Nova. "I know he was up to no good now. I just know it."
"Did I miss something, sir…ma'am…?" asked the Sergeant.
"No you didn't," said Derek. "Carry on, Sergeant."
"Aye, aye sir," said the young brunette as she walked off.
"Wonder what these are?" said Nova as she looked over the papers.
"His laundry list?"
"I don't think so…I…"
Then, Nova opened the papers and looked at them. "Oh, my God," she said softly. "Derek…look!"
He looked. Then, he slowly unfolded the papers. "A report to Sandberg and a second one to your crazy Aunt Yvona…what a brazen traitor! This says he's communicating to the enemy with a portable miniature comm unit. He's not getting out of this building, he's…" said Derek in a flat voice as he picked up a phone.
"What? said Nova.
"Going to be very useful…let's let him communicate to the enemy one last time."
"But he'll give away all our information!"
"Not if I give a false execute time at the meeting…"
A while later, Nova sat at a side desk in the good-sized briefing room while Derek addressed the other thirty-one ship captains of Task Force 1.1.
"And this is the latest intelligence we have," he said as Nova brought up the image of IQ-9's tactical diagram. "They have a D'Vahldehaz, or, Assassin Group of four carriers off to the side flank of the main group, about ten megameters away. This Group provides advanced cover for the others while they refuel or prepare weapons."
"Where's their
Combat Air Patrol, sir?" said Captain Hiroshi Udagawa of the battleship Potemkin.
By an interesting twist of fate, the same ship that they had once fought under
Yvona's command was now repaired and part of their Task Group.
"They don’t have much of one, oddly enough," said Derek. "They're more like pickets…I understand they raise the alarm and then the planes ready to go at all times on the decks of that Assassin Group launch to get any enemy planes coming in. That gives us a quick margin of error if we can silence those enemy planes and then hit those decks really fast before they launch."
"Classic carrier tactics, sir," said Commander Avram Steinmetz, the new skipper of the cruiser Danube, he was a younger man in standard blues who sat next to Captain Udagawa. "Is that right?"
Derek nodded at that, tapping the screen with the pointer. The young Commodore thought, What am I supposed to do with this naval hat on my head? I feel like an idiot in this. Hope I'm not showing it.
"What's our role in this, sir?" asked Denise Carroway of the Dragon. Some were surprised to see her in command of a new gunboat, not familiar with the battle near Procyon that led to her being ordered to turn in the battered Valkyrie for repairs at Brumus on the 18th of April. She sat in her blues and white peacoat some distance away from Steinmetz, to his right.
"I'm sending in four gunboats to back up the fighters and torpedo planes when we attack that main fleet, and you're leading them in" said Commodore Wildstar. "Your job will be to finish what we and the other planes start with the main force. I don't want a single carrier deck left working in that fleet when you get back. Then, we'll take care of the rest of them with some long-range space naval gunnery to make certain they never get home again. The attack time will be around 0200 tomorrow morning as soon as we spot the enemy. Got that?"
"Thank you, sir," said Carroway.
"And, sir, notwithstanding our discussion earlier," said Captain Borland as he stood up. "What sort of role will the Mogami play?"
"Escorting my flagship."
"Sir, we're a patrol cruiser," said Borland as the other skippers began to mutter amongst themselves.
"Patrol cruisers can act as Fleet cruisers in emergencies," said Wildstar. "That's your job, Captain, and you'll do it. Got that?"
"Yessir," said Borland as Wildstar glared at him for a minute.
"Are we clear on our mission objective?" said Derek.
Everyone nodded.
"Great," said Wildstar as he took off his cap. "I'll see you in space. Dismissed."
The group stood and saluted.
"Borland," said Derek. "Don’t leave yet."
"Sir?"
"This way, Captain. Back to my office…I…no…let it wait for ten minutes. Get some coffee, then meet us there."
"Yessir," said Borland with a smile.
Borland slipped into the men's head a short time later and took out his transmitter.
"Sandberg?" he said.
"Read you loud and clear, son. When are they hitting?"
"Oh-two hundred tomorrow morning. Can you get a trap ready?"
"We'll be in position by twenty-three hundred, and we'll have some fighter cover up by then. We'll finish them!" chuckled Sandberg.
"Twenty-three hundred," said Borland as he got out another slip of paper and wrote down the rendezvous time. "I'll find an excuse to slip away and meet you then…I have more info for you."
"Good show," said Sandberg. Looks like we have them!"
"Yes…we do…"
A while later, Borland sat in shock in Wildstar's office. "Commodore!" he yelled. "What is the meaning of this?"
"It's simple," said Wildstar. "I don’t want someone who makes a habit of rooting through strange offices for classified plans in my command in any capacity. As you can see, you're relieved as of now. I just got off the phone with Captain Ghiradelli. He'll be overjoyed to take your place in my Task Force."
"Is this because of my stupid argument with your wife?"
"That too."
"Why not?"
"No one who has a predilection to hit defenseless women can really protect the planet," said Derek.
"Also, you dropped something, sir…" said Nova.
"What did I drop?" asked Borland.
A tap came at the door. "Come in," said Derek.
Two fully armed Space Marines strode in, accompanied by two MP's. Derek stood. "Sergeant, please arrest that man right away on espionage and treason charges." Derek handed one of the MP's the papers Nova had picked up beforehand. "This is evidence he's been aiding the Josiah cult and our enemies…and evidence he was planning to attack us when we got into space…and then compromise the whole operation of our task force. Search his pockets…he might have more information."
"What?" yelled Borland. "Wildstar, this is the most stupid adolescent bullshit I've ever heard in my Goddamn…"
"Shut up!" said a Sergeant. He patted Borland down. "He's got this, sir," he said, pulling out a transmitter and the sheet of paper he had just noted the R'Khell rendezvous time on in the men's head.
"Great! I'll take that," said Derek. "Sergeant, get this spy out of my sight."
"Yessir," he said as he and his men led Borland away. "Come on now…"
Derek looked at everything. "A Rikashan transmitter…and this sheet of paper. I…well…"
"What?"
"They're gonna be waiting for us at twenty-three hundred. We'll have to be there then," said Derek. "I'll notify the other commanders by comm signals when we take off. We'll execute early, so we can trap them rather than their trapping us."
"You know what's bothering me?" asked Nova.
"What?"
"Are there any more like him in the Fleet?"
"I don't know," said Derek. "God…I don't know! But, I think our trick will work. Trying to trick us…"
"We’ll get them," said Nova with a confident smile.
Back on the Argo, Venture sat back in shock as Wildstar stood in his black peacoat, telling his tale. "So he was the spy?"
Derek nodded. "Good thing we found him, too. Otherwise, we would have been walking into a trap at 0200."
"We're executing earlier?" asked Sandor.
"Yes…we're hitting them at twenty-three hundred now. Homer, notify the Task Force."
"Roger."
The bridge doors opened; Paul Rosstowski showed up.
"Sir, permission to return to my post?" he asked.
"How's Aliscea?" asked Derek.
"In her trance; before she went under…well…I want you guys to know she's very apologetic about what happened earlier."
"She's forgiven."
Nova showed up a minute later, in her regular Star Force uniform. "hey guys! Are we ready?"
"Just about," said Venture. "Yamazaki, make preparations for takeoff."
"Yessir," said the middle-aged engineer.
Dash took Combat again while Rosstowski took his post. "Looks like you'll have to sit back there again, Skipper," teased Dash.
"Would you guys cut that out?" chuckled Derek. "Hardy," he said into his microphone at the Captain's console. "Get ready to execute earlier than we planned. We're on our way now."
"Why?"
"Intelligence indicates they're setting a trap. But I think we can get them first…"
In the meantime, out near Centaurus, the R'Khell fleet was drawing closer to the planet.
On the slightly smoky
but burnished bridge of the heavy R'Khell spacecraft carrier Hehrendal,
Lecha Voton put on his Marshal's cap and stood as, from Earth, a green-haired
R'Khell agent named Tevlatz (who looked rather Terran) stood in regular Terran
civilian clothes, reporting in from one of the underground cities.
"What is it, Tevlatz?" asked Voton.
"Sir, I thank you for inserting me here three days ago. I have been monitoring EDF frequencies from this semi-abandoned comm station here under Vladivostok."
"And?"
"They expect to have Wildstar meet you at 0200 Hours, sir. You should have plenty of time to ready your attack, my lord. In the meantime, my first and second groups will be ready with more bombs to greet your fighters and bombers when they come through tomorrow morning. Is our purpose conquest?"
"No. Sheer punishment."
"Punishment?"
"Ekogaru the Great, our Lord and Master, wishes to destroy Earth as retribution for their helping Aliscea and their refusing his offer of eternal life. I will have you off-planet before it is destroyed, but our purpose is now to neutralize the defense effort so that his Lordship can wipe them out. Then, afterwards, we will turn on our disloyal brethren from Rikasha and force them to repent and obey Ekogaru."
"Of course, lord," said Tevlatz. "I await your bombers."
"Thank you," said Voton. "That is all."
"In the Name of Ekogaru, may you be blessed," said Tevlatz. Then, the screen went dark.
"How goes it?" said Sandberg as he appeared.
"Wonderfully," said Voton.
"I am so glad," said Sandberg. "Soon, we shall have our revenge."
"Yes. We shall."
IV. ANOTHER SHOT IN THE DARK
The Vicinity of Alpha Centauri
R'Khell Carrier A'Venda
Sunday: April 25, 2202
2306 Hours
"So, we're on patrol," said a R'Khell pilot named Venlatz. "Commander, what do we have?"
"More planes taking off in ten minutes," said his squadron leader as the wedge-like red planes flew over their mothership, the carrier A'Venda. "This time, they want a full patrol up. They want to make sure we trap those Terrans like rats."
"Yes…they'll die…the whole stinking lot of them. And Ekogaru will be so pleased," said Venlatz.
"What?" said his commander. "I'm getting blips."
"Did the other carriers launch yet?"
"No."
"Then what…?"
"I see you, mate," said Bryan Hartcliffe as he smiled wickedly. "Angie, it looks like they're just taking off from that lovin' carrier," he said. "Do you and Smitty wanna kick some tail?"
"Yup…but let's notify Sandor first."
"Right," said Bryan. He got his microphone. "Sandor?"
"Why are you calling in? We're supposed to maintain radio…"
"RWA-255…four carriers, one of them just launching planes. And I detect lots of indistinct signals ten megameters away at RWG-243 on the grid, sir."
"IQ-9, confirm that," sand Sandor.
The robot scanned for a minute. "We have them, Sandor."
"Great!" smiled Sandor. "Let's go! Return to base!" Then, after reporting back to the Argo, he smiled and said, "We're on our way back now…"
"Enemy planes approaching," said Lubyanska. "There's twelve of them!"
Sandor took a deep breath. He thought, If we run, they might get on our tails. But, if we fight, we might be caught in something we don't want. We're a recon squadron….and…
"All planes, repel the enemy," said Sandor. "Then, make a move to head back to base before they can get more planes up. We don't need to press this attack…we'll have backup in two minutes. Go!"
"Well, here we go," smiled Bryan. He turned on some very loud heavy metal and secured his faceplate.
Then, a minute later, he and his flight rushed in like demons to confront the enemy planes, followed by Sandor and the others.
Venlatz never knew what hit him as Hartcliffe's missiles blew his plane apart.
The R'Khell Flight Commander evaded the missiles and said, "Captain, I don't believe it…"
"Believe what?"
"Twelve Earth planes just appeared from nowhere. Can we expedite the…?"
He screamed a moment later as missiles from Angie's plane blew his fighter apart.
Then, on the R'Khell carrier, missiles from Bryan Hartcliffe's Tiger began to blast apart the flight deck.
"What are you doing?" snapped Sandor over the comm circuit. "We have planes coming…we're not supposed to attack the fleet! This is a recon mission, Mister!"
"Any chance we 'ave, sir…and we're here! We need to guard our backs, sir!"
Sandor considered again. He has a point, he thought. All right…
"All planes!" he said. "Press one attack, and then we'll leave. We need to protect our backs and keep this small group from launching any more planes!"
"Yeah," said Lubyanska. "In we go!"
The A'Venda was soon a burning wreck. But, she had gotten the alarm out.
On the other three carriers, the deck crews worked like mad to ready the planes and launch. The R'Khell carriers' deck guns put up laser flak to keep away the Tigers as they blasted in to do their deadly work.
What happened next was fast and stomach-wrenching. Sandor, both Hartcliffes, Lubyanska, and the others dodged the laser beams from the R'Khell carriers and fired in missiles, all of which struck home. The second carrier was burning a moment later as the A'Venda blew apart, and the other carriers were also burning torches. Only one R'Khell shot hit home; the Earth pilot known as "Smitty" got it. The other eleven planes got away after shooting up the R'Khell escort cruisers in the "Assassin" Group and thus neutralizing the first level of the R'Khell Fleet's Combat Air Patrol. It must be noted that burning carriers can't launch planes, and exploding cruisers can't fight.
"What should we do?" asked Sandor rhetorically. "I think we've guarded our backs, and they can't pounce on us now. Let's go! We can't attack that main fleet."
Sandor's voice came up on the Argo's bridge a moment later. "This is Sandor," he said. "We've neutralized the R'Khell guard squadron and destroyed their carriers. I think we should back to base now."
"Go for it," said Wildstar. "Break off the attack and head home! What's their location?"
"RWG-243," said Sandor.
"Confirmed," said Nova. "Enemy fleet at RWG-243; distance seventeen megameters. I read twenty-one heavy carriers, ten light carriers, ten space battleships, twenty cruisers, and a hundred destroyers. A hundred and sixty-one ships total."
"They're not playing games," said Venture.
"No shit,"
said Dash next to him.
"We'll have to get those carriers first…" said Commodore Wildstar. "We'll take care of the escorts when we get in closer and those planes are unable to launch. All squadrons…concentrate on the carrier flight decks."
"Just like at Phoebus," grinned Hardy. "Okay, here we go!"
A moment later, the rest of the Black Tigers launched, followed by the Green Hornets, Jolly Rogers, and Widowmakers from the Lexington, the Hell's Belles from the Bolivia, and the newly reformed Bloody Cossacks from the Potemkin. The Valkyrie-class gunboats followed the angry EDF planes. The planes flew in formation with the heavy spaceships for a moment, and then they broke away to head off on their attack runs.
Ten Minutes Later…
The space near Centaurus was filled with light, flame, and confusion as Earth plane after Earth plane, gunboat after gunboat, and missile after missile methodically but quickly ruined Lecha Voton's "beautiful" carrier fleet. Most of the carriers were unable to launch now, and some of the cruisers were also disabled.
On the now-burning Hehrendal, the would-be High Priest and Marshal of the R'Khelleva was in a rage as report after report of carriers that would never see R'Khell space again came in to his bridge.
"Sir?" asked an officer. "Should we withdraw yet? Our Number Two Engine is burning."
"Damn you!" raged Voton. The R'Khell tyrant shot the erring officer dead with a single shot through the heart. "Anyone else?"
"I thought you said we had fighter cover up!" yelled Sandberg. "Where'd these guys come from? Borland said they wasn't gonna be here for another friggin' three hours!"
"Your Borland was wrong," snapped Voton.
"Another two carriers are destroyed!" yelled a radar officer. He fell screaming as Voton shot him, too.
"They're only telling the truth," said Sandberg. "That damned chivalrous Wildstar somehow got us with our balls out in the open!"
"Sir," said another officer fearfully. "Message from the Earth Fleet Commander!"
"Put him on, damn you," said Voton as he sat down. He coughed as his ship took another hit and something exploded on his very bridge, killing yet another crewman.
Commodore Wildstar's image appeared on the R'Khell ship's screen. "I recognize you, Marshal Voton. This is Wildstar. We've met before on Rikasha. The tide has turned against you and Ekogaru today. I am giving you an opportunity to surrender and withdraw with what remains of your fleet before I give the order to turn our guns on you. My officers report that none of your carriers can launch now. You're beaten, and can't attack Earth any longer. Would you like to accept this opportunity to escape with your lives?"
"We still have heavy guns. We have battleships and cruisers. Four battleships…"
"Two," said Wildstar.
"Two?"
Sandberg pointed towards a window. Two balls of flame suddenly appeared in space.
"Two, Wildstah," said a Georgia-accented voice in the background of the Earth side of the conversation.
"Thanks, Hardy," said Wildstar with a smile. "Return to base; that goes for all of you."
Then, Derek addressed Voton again. "You have ten minutes to stand down and call back to accept my surrender terms or face the consequences. That will be all."
Wildstar then faded out.
"Don't surrender," said Sandberg. "We still have guns, don't we?"
"We need time to get them in range," said Voton. "I can arrange to have my cruisers and one of the battleships fire missiles, in the meantime…I only have three carriers…"
Then, there was another ball of flame as Denise Carroway's Dragon got another carrier with her torpedoes. "Make that two," muttered an angry Voton.
"That'll be ten minutes to get everything ready, sir. Shouldn't we unleash one barrage at once to eliminate them?" asked another officer.
"Now you're being sensible. Relay the orders."
"Yessir!"
Ten minutes passed. Wildstar looked at Captain Avatar's old stopwatch, waiting until eleven minutes had passed. I want to give them time to reflect on what they're doing before we attack, he thought.
"Wildstar, it's past the ten minutes," said Sandor.
"Nova, have they stood down yet?"
"No," she
said after taking a scan. "And they're making no move to do so,
either."
"So…" said Wildstar as he shut his eyes. I hate attacking a badly damaged fleet, but if they won't withdraw quietly…
"Communication from the R'Khells!" said Homer.
The screen lit up with Voton's image.
"Wildstar, you may have noticed that I am not standing down. We have a mission to accomplish. And, that mission is murdering you."
"Voton, I have the power to wipe you out; and as I said before…your fleet is badly damaged," said Wildstar. "Why not spare the lives of your men and see reason?"
"Ekogaru does not wish for his servants to be reasonable," snapped Voton. "He wishes you dead, no matter what the cost!"
"Does he?"
"Yes! This is what he wants! Release first barrage!"
At that, the R'Khell fleet fired a huge wave of missiles.
"Missiles approachin' at high speed!" yelled Eager from his post.
"All ships, open main guns!" barked Wildstar.
"They're not in range yet," said Sandor.
"I know. I just want to get those missiles. Okay, Voton," said Derek. "If that's the way you want it!"
"The planes are all in now," said a voice over the Argo's bridge speakers from the Potemkin. "All of the Cossacks came back safely, sir."
"Main guns are ready to fire on your mark; I'm tracking the missiles," said Dash from Combat. Not far away, Rosstowski sat waiting with a smile on his face.
"Good," said Derek.
"Radar data being sent to gunnery," said Nova. "Missiles at five megameters…four…"
"We've got them on target," said Rosstowski.
"FIRE!" snapped Wildstar.
The Argo's main guns went off, with turret number one finally working perfectly. The rest of the Task Force fired a moment later…the quick decision to defend the fleet meant that only one ship, one of the destroyers, was damaged, and the damage was minor.
"The enemy fleet's advancing," said Nova. "They're picking up speed, now at fourteen megameters' distance."
From Analysis, IQ-9 said, "My sensors indicate that they seem to be readying another missile barrage at closer range."
"We may not have enough time to stop that one," said Venture. "Wildstar, what are we doing?"
Derek sat in silent thought for a moment.
"I may have to give them a harsh response," he said.
"Second wave of missiles!" said Nova.
More missiles flew in from the enemy fleet. The guns fired again, but this time, some of them struck home. The Potemkin was hit in her bridge tower, and one of the Lexington's gun turrets was damaged.
"Message from Spears," said Homer. "He wants to know if he should launch again."
"Tell him negative," said Wildstar. "Tell him we're doing something about this, and very soon. Nova, what's the range of the Fleet?"
"Twelve megameters! They're still not in the range of our guns yet."
"They're playing games," said Wildstar. "And I gave him a chance to back down…"
"I hope Aliscea's okay in her trance," mused Paul.
"Yeah…How is Aliscea?" asked Homer.
Paul went silent for a moment with closed eyes. Then, he opened them. "Sleeping but fine," said Paul. "She's reached out to me just now with her mind."
"Must be nice."
"It is," said Paul.
Sandor got up from
his post and he looked out at the enemy fleet on the screen. "I think we
can get them if we get the Potemkin and Lexington in formation
there, and there. The cruisers can come up, Wildstar, and we're in range."
"Not for main guns," said Nova. "They're at eleven megameters' range! They're acting as if they know our range."
"They probably do," said Venture. "Remember that spy you mentioned? That's probably how they know what our range is."
"And they're lying just behind it to fire those missiles," said Wildstar. "What a sneaky trick."
"Looks like they're preparing a third wave," said IQ-9.
"So, what were you talking about, Sandor?" asked Wildstar.
"I wasn't talking about the main guns," said Sandor with an icy smile. He laughed softly and opened an access hatch at his post, withdrawing a pair of goggles. There was silence for a moment. IQ-9 said, "Sensors say they're still getting ready, but I'm not sure why they're taking so long…"
"I don't know why they're not firing, Wildstar. Let's take advantage of it," said Sandor. "Wave motion gun? I think they'll give us enough time to get ready."
"Good," said Derek. "Homer, patch me in to all of the capital ships."
"Yessir."
A moment later, Wildstar's voice could be heard on all of the cruisers, battleships, and the single battle-carrier of Task Force 1.1. "All ships, assume formation Beta. When you do so, stop all engines, and transfer energy to wave motion guns! I've been awake long enough tonight…let's get this game out of extra innings now! Wildstar out."
The Earth ships began to move. The Argo adjusted her course slightly, and then Yamazaki flicked a switch.
The bridge went very dim. Dash worked a lever, and a blued metal firing grip came up into his hand. Then, a moment later, a deadly, slow pulsing noise began to resound through the Argo.
"Energy level at thirty percent," said Yamazaki with a grim smile.
"We will be ready to launch a final barrage in three minutes!" said a voice on the Hehrendal.
"They will be in firing range a minute after that," said another voice. "We know their range is ten megameters in their measure, sir, that is twenty gerad in ours. Thanks forever to that Borland for the intelligence!"
"Seek permission to ready D'IATS cannon after first barrage," said another officer.
"Good, good," said Voton. "We've had some good shooting so far this night from our missile crews." He smiled and drank some wine from a goblet, and teased a barely dressed dancing girl he had called up from the ship's harem chambers. "That is why I don't mind that we begin the victory celebration now!"
Another dancing girl danced around barefoot, ringing small finger gongs as she began to take all of her clothes off right on the bridge with no shame whatsoever. A third dancing girl showed up, playing a R'Khell instrument like a mandolin as she sang hymns to Ekogaru. An officer pulled out a water pipe and began smoking it. Another one began drinking some wine laced with a weird hallucinogen that would have been illegal on Earth. There was a loss of decorum as some of the crew laughed, clapped, cursed and sang in their language while pungent smoke blew about the bridge, making everything seem shadowy, indistinct, and mysterious. It turned off Sandberg a bit. The former government official thought, Why'd I ally with these freaks? Why'd I defect? I thought Ekogaru was the Lord, and that he didn't like aliens. Yvona said so when she was alive. But now…I see he uses very freaky aliens. What sort of being is this Ekogaru?
"Sir, you should see this," said a science officer in the midst of the revelry. Despite the loss of the carriers, Voton still thought they could easily defeat the much smaller Earth fleet.
"See what?" said Voton. "All right. I'll see you later, Vicra."
"Awww," said the harem wench in a sad voice. “Do I have to get dressed now? That was fun!” She asked this since she was the one who had stripped.
Voton nodded. Then, he said, "So? Science Officer? What do you see? Why do you interrupt my pleasures with this?"
"I'm reading a tachyon buildup, sir."
"Tachyons?" said Sandberg. Then, he looked at Voton. "For Heaven's sake, warp us out of here!"
"What?" hissed Voton.
"Wave motion guns!" said Sandberg. "They're preparing our funeral, you fool!"
"Target scope, OPEN!" snapped Dash on the Argo. "Right on target, Wildstar," he said.
"Energy level, ninety percent," said Yamazaki. "One minute to firing."
"The Fleet reports the same thing," said Homer.
"Enemy fleet still holding formation," said Nova as she gazed at the radar through her goggles. "What is with those guys?"
"Maybe they forgot their smart pills?" said Eager.
"Maybe they're drunk," joked Rosstowski, not knowing how close he was to the truth with some of those evil men.
"This could be a trick," said Venture.
"It might…be…" said Sandor.
"Energy level one hundred percent!" said Yamazaki.
"Thirty seconds to firing," said Wildstar. "All ships, release safety locks!"
On the other ships of the Task Force, the firing pistons slid back in all of the capital ships.
"Only four ships got your order to warp!" said F'Randhis, another R'Khell officer.
"Let the rest of them die," said Voton.
"That's cold-blooded," muttered Sandberg.
"WHO RUNS THIS FLEET!" yelled Voton. "You, or I?"
"I…I..I.."
"Ready to warp in ten seconds…" said Voton's helmsman.
"10…9…8…" counted Dash. Everything was ready.
Out in space, R'Khell ships began to break formation and began to try to make a futile effort to run on sub-light power as the flagship and four other ships began to warp out as the helmsmen on those vessels pulled back their warp switches.
"Four…three. Two…"
At that, the Hehrendal vanished into subspace, followed by two other ships.
"Zero!" said Dash.
"FIRE!" called out Commodore Wildstar.
The Argo fired, followed by the rest of the Earth Task Force.
Roaring topaz-colored death whizzed out into space. It was now midnight on Monday, April 26, 2202. Exactly 0000 Hours.
At 0001 there was no more R'Khell carrier fleet left; only explosions and expanding gas.
"We did it!" yelled Dash.
"Yeah!" yelled Rosstowski.
Homer threw off his headset and laughed.
Nova got up and threw herself into Derek's arms with a loud laugh.
Venture banged his board and yelled, "Yeah! Yeah! YEAHH! We did it!"
"Our first victory," said Derek as he caught his breath…Nova was kissing him like New Years' Eve.
Then, a moment later, Homer laughed, "Hey! Communication from General Stone! He sounds mad!"
"Put him on," laughed Derek. Nova stopped kissing Derek, but she just stood beside him, mussing up his hair.
Stone's image came up at Homer's board a moment later. "Wildstar! What's the meaning of this? You left Triton early! Where are you? You're supposed to be getting ready for battle! I'll make sure you're relieved for this…are you having some drunken party up there?"
"We're about to have a party," said Derek. "I'm not going to have it at my post on the bridge, sir."
"Why?" yelled Stone as Doctor Sane ran in accompanied by IQ-9 and a case of sake.
"No, hold that, Doc!" barked Derek. "Nova, you're relieved for now. Eager, take over her post. Take the Doctor and the sake down below to the port side observation deck…you guys get a party ready."
"Okay. How about the holography room?" asked Nova. "We can put tables in there, and there's a new scenic cassette I made up the other day I've been dying to try out for the crew."
"Good idea. You get some Living Group enlisted people who aren't on duty, and get them to help you. Then wait for us. Standing orders apply. Be sure no one has more than one glass tonight and that no one going on duty has any."
"Yessir. When are you joining us?"
"We’ll be below after the change of watch after we assume a parking orbit around Centaurus."
"Aye, aye sir," said Nova. She saluted and left with Doctor Sane.
"Why are you holding a party now?" said Stone slowly. "Wildstar, this is idiotic."
"Send him the feed, Homer," grinned Derek.
"What feed?" said Stone as he turned towards a puzzled Commander Singleton. "Why are they celebrating when they should be fighting?"
"I think we're done," said Commodore Wildstar with a smile. "We won. The whole fleet's destroyed except for their flagship and a few cruisers that escaped with damage."
"What did you do…going out so early?" mumbled Stone.
"Achieved complete surprise. No more carriers, except for the flagship, which warped out with a burning flight deck," said Derek.
"Good job," said Singleton at once. "Brilliant strategy! How did you do it?"
"A bit of intelligence we gained…you can interrogate a Captain Borland about it in the morning. He's a spy we captured. Luckily, we learned the attack plan…from him."
"Very well, Wildstar," said Singleton. "Uh…your next job is that meeting that Desslok's set up, tomorrow, near Procyon. Until then…send some Marines down to Centaurus to establish a new beachhead…we're establishing a base there. Good work. Thank you for keeping Earth safe from R'Khell planes."
"You're welcome, sir," said Derek.
"And…Wildstar," said Singleton.
"Yessir?"
"Don’t let your crew drink too much," said the Commander. "Over and out…and congratulations on our first victory!"
"You're welcome, sir," said Derek. At that, he saluted.
Later on, Derek joined the others in the holography room. Nova had created a rather nice background…it looked like part of their backyard in the evening (which she evidently missed) decorated with Japanese lanterns here and there and festooned with tables with sake, food, and various games that the off-duty crew was enjoying. The Argo was in orbit, and it was about 0200.
"Hey!" yelled Venture from a table near a hologram that simulated the wall around part of the Wildstars' backyard. "Wanna play some go?"
"I'm not sure," said Derek, who had doffed his peacoat. "You always beat me."
"Maybe you’d like your single drink first, sir?" asked Nova. She came up before him with a bottle and a glass, smiling.
Artwork: "Nova: Holography Room" - Based upon art of Yuki Yayoi from Queen Millennia -Computer-Generated by Frederick P. Kopetz
"You've changed
your clothes?" said Derek smiling at the casual outfit Nova had changed
into. He looked at her face and felt some pity and concern; traces of dark
circles were showing under her eyes. She looked pleasant, but looked as if she
was badly in need of some rest. The Commodore felt like telling her "Go
to bed and let the enlisted people handle this" but he was unsure
she'd listen or not.
"I'm not on duty now," said Nova with a smile as she set the glass and bottle on a nearby table. She sat down with him at a table, brushing some crumbs off the seat so her jeans wouldn't get dirty. "Do you guys want to play some go? I can watch."
Mark smiled, eager for a chance to beat Wildstar. Derek, however, shook his head.
"I'll pass until we get home. Nova, did you have your drink yet?"
She shook her head.
"Wildstar," said Hardy as he came up. "I've got Hartcliffe out on patrol with third squadron. No contacts. Everything's clear."
"Good. As for that drink, Nova," said Derek.
"Yes?"
"Please pour one for both of us."
"Right away," said Nova as she poured some sake. She and Derek clinked plastic cups and drank. The sake was hot going down Derek's throat, but right now, he felt he could use it.
"We have so much else to do," he said. "Homer, " he called, looking at his comm officer who sat at a nearby table. "Did the Gamilons call yet?"
"No, sir."
"I wish we would hear from Desslok," said Wildstar. "We need to know what he's up to out there…and we're supposed to meet him soon."
"Yeah, I wish he'd call, too," said Nova.
"This waiting might be the worst part," said Venture.
"You're telling me," said Derek. "Be sure all of you guys get some sleep tonight."
"After a day like today," said Nova. "I'm going to sleep like a rock."
To Be Continued with Act Three: "Second Movement: Addagio"
THERE ARE NOW 3 DAYS TO THE ARRIVAL OF EKOGARU IN EARTH'S SOLAR SYSTEM
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