Chapter 19
“Sir, the courier ship is slowing down!” Zerov said from his sensors station nearly fifteen minutes after the brief battle and Garret lifted his head from the left-side computer console to stare at him in surprise.
“What do you mean?” Garret asked him.
“It looks like one of his engines just flamed out and he’s only able to proceed at half-power sir.” Zerov answered. “The explosion slowed him down some too.”
“We could catch him now, if we used the boosters.” Markna reported a moment later. “To do it, we’d have to begin acceleration in forty-five seconds.”
“What if the enemy ships increased their forward acceleration?” Garret asked. When he’d landed on the Adamant, the enemy had only been a half-hour away, but they’d changed their rate of acceleration to a near-crawl and were now hours away. If they sped up, they’d close a lot faster. Garret knew damn well that the only reason they’d not done so yet was a fear of the planetary defense batteries firing more long-range shots.
“They’d catch us before we caught the courier.” Zerov said glumly and Garret just nodded his agreement.
“Incoming hail from a group of fighters and shuttles just leaving the planet’s atmosphere.” Markal reported. “A Major Matriklos is requesting to speak with you personally, sir.”
“Put him on screen.” Garret ordered while he unconsciously straightened his coveralls and sat up a bit straighter in his chair.
“Audio only, sir.” Markal replied and a sigh of relief escaped Garret’s lips. “On bridge speakers now.”
“Professor…” Garret’s voice trailed off as a very familiar voice crackled over the bridge’s loudspeakers.
“It’s Major now, Commodore, I’ve been reactivated.” The gruff voice was slightly distorted, a familiar sound of a pilot wearing his full combat protective gear. “I have the honor of leading the Academy’s contribution to the defense of Peladon, and I have to say how proud I am that it’s one of my favorite students leading this hopeless mission. We need fuel and I’ve got a little present for you too.”
“My logistics staff will put you in queue for a tanker.” Garret assured the man. “It’s good to have you up here with us.”
“Your logistics staff sucks so far, Commodore.” Matriklos snorted with his usual candor. It was why he was a good instructor, and had never gotten past the rank of major despite being one of the best pilots in the galaxy.
“Thanks for the notification, but they’re doing their damn best and not too bad considering they really are not trained for this.” Garret said defensively and was treated to that humiliating laugh he remembered very well from his time at the Academy.
“Boy, considering that a few hours ago they were civilians on a starliner, they’re doing a damn fine job.” Matriklos retorted. “Hell, after this is all over, send them to me for a few weeks and they’ll probably be the best damn c and c team in the fleet, but you ain’t got a few weeks for me to do that. The two shuttles behind me are filled with the third and fourth-year students who have had those weeks of training and are more than ready to do what needs to be done. Clear your landing bay for them.”
“This is Commander Harrington.” Alexandra spoke up. “Our landing bay is full right now, please have them come alongside to our port docking hatches. I presume that if these are shuttles cared for by the vaunted Academy they’ll be able to make a soft-seal docking?
“Yes, and the ground teams back on the planet would love to have those shuttles back.” Matriklos grunted. “Damn good X.O. you got there, Commodore.”
“I…” Garret started to agree with him, but Markal interrupted.
“Sir, we’re being hailed by the Fleet Admiral.”
“Sorry Major, got to go.” Garret said while signaling Markal to switch the calls. Admiral Lumbardon’s face appeared on the screen.
“Give me a report, Commodore.” Lumbardon stated in a critical tone and Garret resisted the urge to groan.
“Sir, I ordered the fighters to allow Leonev’s jumper access to the station, hoping to get the code that would allow other ships to undock.” Garret explained briefly about his recent actions. “That part worked, and I laid an ambush for when he left the station, but he got lucky.”
“It was worth the shot.” Lumbardon said. “Those officers in that fleet of his aren’t going to just give up, knowing very well that they’ll be executed.”
“Yes sir.” Garret agreed as a text message appeared on his left-hand console. It was from Harrington and was brief. “Sir, we did manage to damage all of his escorts and my marines are in the process of boarding their ships now. I’ve just received a report that one of the ships included Speakers Willart and Moon. They are being taken prisoner and returned to my ship as soon as the assault shuttle swings back around.”
“Well, it wasn’t a total loss.” Lumbardon replied. “Good job Commodore. Hold those two closely, and drop them planetside when this is all over. I prefer to execute them down here.”
“Will do sir.” Garret said as the image winked out.
“The Academy shuttles are docking now.” Harrington said quickly. “O’Malley’s assistant reports the CIC is about done, and I’m having some of Mjolnar’s marines escort the new crew there. You can take command of the CIC in about ten minutes once they all get settled. The major’s fighters are cleared for refueling off of our starboard side as well. One more thing, I’d like your permission to dump our cargo.”
“What?” Garret asked with alarm. “That cargo is worth a lot of money!”
“If we do it right, we’ll emergency jettison it right into the bay those ships just fled from. It’ll keep there and the space station can safeguard it for us. Nothing’s going to be destroyed, although a few things might be damaged. Still, it’s better than having it in our bays when we go into combat.”
“Do it.” Garret muttered, wondering how much money that would end up costing him. Then again, if they lost this little fight, would it really matter much at all?
“We should interrogate them, find out what Leonev is planning.” Masako whispered into Garret’s ear, and he frowned at the thought. She was right though.
“You’re right.” He admitted softly.
“I will see to that.” She told him grimly and stood to leave the bridge.
“Where’s she going?” Harrington asked him.
“To interrogate the prisoners when they return.” Garret told her and her eyes widened briefly.
“We’ll jettison cargo as soon as we’re done taking on the new crew and refueling the squadron of fighters.” Harrington reported. “That’ll give the cargo master time to set things up so there’s as little damage as possible.”
“Very well.” Garret sighed as he checked the deployment of the opposing forces.
“Sir, we’re getting data from the station on what ships will be ready to launch in the next half-hour.” Markal reported and Garret ordered it funneled into Ada’s databanks. Two minutes later he was reviewing the data directly and he was breathing a little easier.
“Crew loading is complete, and we’ve fueled half the squadron.” Harrington reported a few minutes later. “They’re ready for you next door in the new CIC. It’s the starboard side lounge.”
“Very well, you have the bridge, commander.” Garret said as he stood, his eyes roaming the bridge before leaving. This was the bad part of his role, he wouldn’t even really command his own ship in combat. That would be Harrington’s job while he commanded the fleet and the overall battle.
“Attention on deck!” A young voice called out as he entered the starboard lounge. He whistled in amazement at the equipment that had been hastily assembled there, including an oblong holo-display table, several tactical boards, and over a dozen consoles for various functions. Already, they were all filled with young officers in Academy coveralls, working hard at getting the current situation displayed appropriately. Several Adamant engineers were still in the room, working with the new crew on making sure everything was operational.
“As you were.” Garret called out and strode over to the main display table where a young man with fourth-year pips on his collars stood talking to Ensign Borgnine, the blond female who worked as one of O’Malley’s assistants.
“Sir, I’m Cadet Montagne.” The young cadet said. He had short brown hair, a square jaw, and very stocky build. The young man was probably no more than seventeen, and looked even younger, being nearly as short as Garret.
“It’s good to have you here, Cadet.” Garret responded. “Ensign, where did all this equipment come from?”
“Salvage from Lemos, sir.” She answered with a smile. “Gospedene Blashame sent it to the Adamant about a month ago as part of our spoils. It’s all equipment the Republic gave the Federation to allow their mother ships to work with us during the war. We’ve been refurbishing it for the last few weeks, and O’Malley was thinking of turning it into a display attraction for our passengers. Most of them would never know it was all operational and hooked up to the ship’s systems. Commander Harrington thought it was a good idea to have it here because we never know what kind of trouble we’ll get into when you’re in command.”
“Your confidence in me is appreciated, Ensign.” Garret said and she paled at the apparent rebuke.
“I didn’t quite mean it like that.” Garret told her, not really an apology because officers didn’t apologize to subordinates.
“Commodore, we’re ready for orders.” Montagne said quietly, but effectively ending an uncomfortable dialogue.
“Very good, Cadet.” Garret said. “The ship’s AI will begin downloading our battle plan to your stations now. Make sure everyone understands them. We will have a briefing in ten minutes. I will want to be introduced to everyone at that time.”
“Aye aye, sir.” Montagne said as he snapped to attention. Garret turned to the holographic display table and looked at the situation. It was oblong in shape, and nearly six feet long. Above the surface of the table, a display glowed representing the Adamant in the middle, with everything else around her for two million kilometers. It was primarily fed from the ship’s sensors, but also from sensors that were being linked from other ships, stations, satellites, and any other source Ada could find and bring in to the loop. Smaller displays on the bottom could be used to zoom in on certain areas without disrupting the overall picture.
“Our updated Order of Battle, sir.” Montagne said as he pulled up a list and visual display of the various ships that were now powering up in the space dock. The situation wasn’t quite as desperate as it had been, but it was still nowhere near being in their favor.
“Very good, Cadet.” Garret said as he struggled to place the slight accent in the young man’s voice. “You’re from Calos, right?”
“Anbar province, yes sir.” The Cadet said with a smile. “If I may say, we’re awful proud at the thought that you’ll be calling our planet home, sir.”
“You and your family?” Garret asked and he nodded.
“Plus most of the province, sir.” Montagne added. “I know the city folks are of mixed opinions still, but us folks in the rural areas think it is about high time we had a Great House or two on the planet. I don’t know why you picked Tremere to come with you, but if you’re willing to work with him, we’ll give him a chance.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Garret said as a piece of another puzzle clicked into place. It also confirmed some of the things Morevan had been saying the last few weeks.
“The bridge reports they are done refueling.” A young female cadet called from one of the round tables that had two portable consoles now set up on the table top. “Commander Harrington reports they are preparing to jettison cargo into the empty bay of the space station.”
“Inform me when that operation is completed.” Garret ordered, raising his voice just a bit. She nodded and returned to her console.
“Sir, this plan, it’s…” Montagne said as he moved closer to Garret. His voice was just a whisper. Borgnine was now under the table, trying to fix one of the sub-displays that were slightly out of focus.
“Insane?” Garret offered and the man shook his head.
“It depends on a lot of uncontrollable variables, sir.” Montagne said carefully. “Are you sure you want to use something that exists on so many suppositions?”
“Can you come up with a way that a little more than a hundred fighters, a dozen destroyers, a couple of cruisers, and two planet assault ships can defeat two carrier battle groups?”
“No sir.” Montagne said with a sigh. “It’s just that…well even in a war game I don’t think anyone at the Academy would use something this…daring.”
“I see you finally found the right word.” Garret said and the cadet started to blush. That was almost endearing, if Garret wasn’t going to be counting on the kid’s professionalism to get them through this battle. “Look, Cadet, desperate situations call for desperate measures. I’m betting that Leonev will want to take as many Speakers as he can in this battle, and that will be a high priority for him. This lures him into a trap based on that, and if it works…”
“If it works this rebellion ends today.” Montagne agreed with the final conclusion of Garret’s plan. “It’ll definitely do that, if he takes the bait.”
“Incoming call from the Supreme Commander, sir!” A kid who looked like he should have been in second year, but had third-year pips on his collar, called out from the station at the opposite end of the table from the female cadet that had spoken earlier.
“On station six of the command console.” Garret ordered, checking to make sure that was the right station. It was, and a much smaller holo appeared on the base of the table.
“How are things coming along, Commodore?” Lumbardon asked.
“Much better now with a real CIC staff, sir.” Garret said. “When they decide to move in, we’ll be ready.”
“I’ve reviewed your plan and can carry off my part of the plan.” Lumbardon said, although he was frowning. “Are you sure about this? You’re going to lose half your fleet just baiting the trap, leaving you and your ship to face overwhelming forces, especially if I can’t get the planetary batteries working correctly.”
“It’ll work, Admiral.” Garret assured him.
“Well, it’s approved from this end, for all that’s worth.” Lumbardon announced. “I am having four shuttles loaded with all the appropriate materials and personnel. They will lift off on cue. There is some good news, though.”
“What’s that Admiral?” Garret asked.
“Well, the ground battles are going much better than expected.” Lumbardon explained. “Many of the clone units under command of officers loyal to Leonev have been exposed to recordings of the Deliberatorium’s actions. They know Leonev is a traitor, and they’re rebelling against their officers in order to remain faithful to the Republic.”
“That’s good to hear.” Garret said, and an idea began to form in his mind as the holo desolved. Ada?
I can do it for the ships that don’t have AI. She replied almost immediately. The ships that do have AI, they may listen and they may not. Those that do listen, may let their crew listen as well, but each will have to choose. Already we are insulting each other, or they are insulting me, at least.
After I meet my new CIC staff, we’ll do it. Garret told her. Pull up the proper recording, and talk as many of them as you can into listening.
“We about ready?” Garret asked the senior Cadet who nodded.
“Review formation!” Montagne called out in a loud voice and there was the scrabble of chairs and boots as the assembled cadets formed up on the other side of the command table. They were in formation from senior to most junior, and Montagne stayed glued to Garret’s left side as he moved around the table to get a better look at them.
“I am Commodore Garret Lars-Atrix.” Garret liked to use the hyphenated name for business that didn’t totally belong to Atrix. He liked the symbolism of remembering where he came from. “I am also Speaker of House Atrix, and a former student of the same Academy you are now attending. I do not need to know if you are qualified for the jobs you will perform. The simple fact you wear the uniform I once wore tells me you will be more than competent performing your duties. I would know your names, and places of origin, so that those who fall under my command may always be remembered.”
“I am David Montagne, son of Ivan and Lilyanne Montagne, of the Anbar Province, Planet Calos.” Montagne began, and the next senior cadet in line introduced herself as soon as Montagne finished.
“I am Harry Leslie, born on Peladon.” The last cadet, barely fifteen years said with pride shining in his hazel eyes. “Today I die for the Republic, or I live for the Republic, either way, the Republic shall continue another day because I perform my duties to my last breath.”
“For the Republic.” Garret joined everyone else in saying. It was an Academy ritual, and one that the likes of Ensign Borgnine rarely ever got to see. Her eyes were wide when Garret turned around and saw her standing on the other side of the command table. She was smart enough, at least, to keep her mouth shut.
“Sir, what are your orders?” Montagne asked as they went back around the table. It was obvious without anyone saying anything that the courier ship had now reached the enemy fleet, and Leonev was probably talking to Robinnton right this minute. They’d act soon, most definitely within the next twenty minutes. If they started accelerating at maximum burn, Garret might have two hours until combat actually started. The ship where Leonev’s courier had docked was the Indomitable, one of the most powerful ships ever built by the Republic. Near her was the great battleship Merrimac, veteran of nearly two-dozen combat encounters. It had been the Merrimac that had destroyed an Earth combat group that included two of their best battleships.
Now both those powerful ships were on the opposite side of the conflict as Garret, and while Ada was a grand warship, she stood no hope in a toe-to-toe slugging match with either ship, much less both, and all their escorts.
If that’s what you want me to do, I will. Ada assured him.
“Sir, bridge reports cargo dumping completed and we’re clear for maneuvering.” Lola Genevieve said from her converted dining table.
“Very well.” Montagne replied for Garret. “Orders?”
“Prepare to execute Phase One of my combat plan.” Garret ordered. “Also, Ada is placing a call for me. While this call is in progress, I would appreciate as much silence as possible.”
“Understood, sir.” Montagne replied before relaying his orders. When things had gone relatively silent, Garret mentally gave the ‘go-ahead’ signal to Ada.
About half the AI ships will listen, and all of those will let their officers and crew listen as well. Ada reported. All the smaller ships without AI, their crew and officers will have to listen. They’ve stopped jamming so they can communicate with their forces on the ground, and I can override their communication controls long enough to force the message through those ships. Indio refused to listen, or to even tell her officers and crew you are broadcasting. You are now broadcasting.
“Soldiers of the Republic, this is Garret Atrix, Speaker of House Atrix, and Commodore of the Peladon Defense Force.” Garret said in a somber voice that he hoped resonated authority. Indio was the name of the AI on Leonev’s flagship, the Indomitable. If the ship was being stubborn and not playing this message for them, he might even have a chance of this working since Leonev’s officers on that ship wouldn’t know about the transmission until it reached them. At this range there was a delay of nearly five seconds between transmission and reception.
“I know you are loyal soldiers of the Republic, but I regret to inform you that your officers are leading you in treason against the Republic herself.” Garret continued, using the line that would shock most of the clone crews of the ships in the enemy fleet. “A few hours ago, the Deliberatorium met in an emergency session when Banner General Abraham Leonev began an attempted coup against the Republic’s rightful government. Twenty-seven speakers, a seventy-percent majority as required by law, voted to convict Abraham Leonev on the charge of High Treason. The Speakers with him were later convicted by unanimous vote.
“Soldiers of the Republic, any officer who follows the orders of Leonev or the Speakers with him are guilty of inciting Treason.” Garret wrapped up his speech quickly, knowing if he took too long, it would be cut off. “Do not be drawn into their treason with them. I, Garret Atrix, Speaker of House Atrix and Commodore of the Republic Navy hereby authorize any loyal soldier of the Republic to arrest and detain any officers who obey their orders. Loyal officers should remove their ships from the fleet now threatening the rightful government of the Republic.”
Transmission sent, as well as the records of the votes. Ada told him as he finished. Now it was a wait and see game as Montagne looked at him with a curious gaze.
“That wasn’t in the plan.” The young cadet said.
“Plans change.” Garret said with a smile. “Remember that, plans change and if you don’t seize the chance given by those changes, things can go very badly.”
“I’ll remember that, if this works.” Montagne said before scanning the room. “People, watch their fleet for any responses to the Commodore’s words.”
“While we wait, get those ships still in the station out here.” Garret ordered the Cadet who nodded before issuing orders to the appropriate Cadets crewing the various consoles.
Oh my. Ada’s voice was odd, almost like she was embarrassed.
What? Garret phrased the mental question.
Indio’s pissed as hell. Ada answered him with a hint of smugness. She’s calling me every name in the book because Mary just opened her security doors letting some troops onto the bridge. They’re arresting the senior officers there, and Mary’s saying there’s a Lieutenant Commander who is still loyal that will be taking over in a minute. Now Indio has to tell Leonev that and he’s not happy.
“Montagne, keep a close eye on the Merrimac.” Garret said with a smug expression, just as the Republic Battleship changed color on their display from red to blue. A few seconds later, laser fire arched out from Indomitable, the closest ship, scoring hits on the great battleship’s upper armor. A squadron of bombers turned around from their patrol pattern in front of the formation, streaking for the battleship. A small destroyer opened fire on the bombers as they passed nearby, blowing four away before the rest took evasive action from its missile batteries. A nearby frigate turned and fired on the destroyer with its torpedo tubes only to have its anti-fighter laser batteries open fire on two of the bombers that had come within range of its weapons. Meanwhile the Merrimac took several hits from the battle carrier’s Type IX lasers, its armor boiling away but the shots not penetrating into the hull.
Then the Merrimac found her voice and opened fire on the battle carrier with her massive Type XII lasers. The great lasers cut through the carrier’s hull like it was tissue paper, and three of the carrier’s engines were gone. Two nearby cruisers joined the carrier in firing on the battleship while another destroyer tried to make up its mind whether it was going to launch torpedoes at the battleship or if it was going to shoot down more fighters. Garret knew that was because the defense systems were usually de-centralized, fired from local stations manned by clone crewers while the bridges of warships usually held mostly True Born officers.
As the Indomitable fought to maneuver away from the deadly battleship, chaos erupted amidst the enemy fleet.
“By the little Buddha, what did you do?” Alexandra Harrington’s voice came over the commlink from the bridge. Garret just chuckled, knowing Ada was proudly filling her in on what had happened. Meanwhile, Garret watched the large tactical display and smiled.
“Cadet Montagne, redeploy our fleet.” Garret ordered seeing most of the ships were now moving out of the space station. “How many fighters have tanked up on fuel?”
“Sixty-three are reporting full fuel loads.” Montagne said as he called up the information on one of the command table’s smaller displays.
“What about the tankers?” Garret asked while chewing on his lower lip. It wasn’t something he usually did, but then again this was his first time as the commander of a fleet.
“All dry and heading back to base.” Montagne replied.
“Damn.” Garret swore. “How many ships have refueling points for fighters?”
“Four, including Adamant.” Montagne answered after five seconds of searching for the data.
“I want a domed spearhead formation with all four ships capable of refueling in the center positions.” Garret ordered after running through several options. “What acceleration are our slowest ships capable of making?”
“The slowest ship is Tarawa at five point three kilometers per second.” Montagne replied without having to consult his console.
“Sir!” One of the other cadets at a temporary console chimed. “We’ve got wave-fold jumps occurring approximately One hundred thousand kilometers below Peladon’s South Pole.”
“Identify!” Garret snapped as a sudden chill swept over him. One hundred thousand kilometers was a healthy distance, if no one moved. That was just under fifteen minutes of travel time at maximum acceleration of his fleet from a dead stop. The enemy fleet, which was decelerating further as ships broke formation to fight each other, was technically further away, but not by much.
“Sir, we have a total of six ships jumping in, led by the escort carrier Slava.” Montagne said after a few seconds pause. “We’re being hailed by the commander of the Slava.”
“Put the transmission on screen.” Garret ordered, and a moment later a section of the command table presented her image in the hologram. She was a middle-aged woman with dark hair tied back in a bun, and a few strands of gray visible as she sat in her command chair.
“Commodore Atrix, I am Gunhild Yaroslaj, Commodore of Task Force Sixty-Three.” She said formally. “My ships were preparing to jump on patrol from near Arhhold Point when we received the broadcasts of the special meeting of the Deliberatorium. The Slava and five of her escorts, all battle cruisers and cruisers had the jump range to reach Peladon. We stand ready to assist you in whatever way you need.”
“She graduated from the Academy.” Montagne said after pushing the mute button on their end. Garret snorted and pushed the button again so it was active.
“Thank you, Cadet, I do know the alumni list as well as any current student.” Garret said, knowing she’d hear him. “Greetings Commodore Yarolsaj. Your timing is as impeccable as one would expect.”
“I thought you might need an extra stick of gum.” She replied with a wicked smile that almost made Garret blush. Montagne snorted, and then had the grace to look sheepish. “I see the Academy is failing in its efforts to teach proper discipline these days.”
“Yes, it does appear that way to me as well.” Garret added his own teasing and joined her in laughing after a prolonged beat.
“Commodore, how can we assist?” She asked. “I understand from my ship’s AI you have been appointed Commander of Peladon’s space defenses.”
“I need your ships to meet up with my fleet, we’re moving out.” Garret said directly, accepting her offer of help without qualm. He knew if they were commanded by an Academy graduate, they were worthy of his trust. It took him another thirty seconds to explain his inciting the clones on the opposing ships to take over, and she nodded her approval to the rest of his plan.
“Let’s get a move on.” She said when he was done. “If we max accelerate we’ll meet you twenty minutes before contact with the enemy, and we can then launch our fully fueled fighters before recovering some of yours. Between the landing deck on this carrier, our three tankers, and your fleet’s refueling capabilities we’ll be able to hit them with over one hundred and twelve fighters. With the losses they’re taking, we should be about even.”
“You could be stuck with fighters being fueled on your flight deck while we’re in combat.” Garret did the math in his head. Even with expert crews working hard, it would take forty minutes to recover the fighters, fuel them and turn them around for launch.
“It’s a risk I’ll take.” She replied.
“Very well, coordinate your navigation with my CIC staff.” Garret ordered and she nodded before ending the transmission.
“Move the fleet out.” Garret ordered, watching the screen as Montagne issued the necessary orders. For a moment he closed his eyes and remembered another time, another battle where he’d been the Cadet in the CIC of another flagship, and he’d been the one to relay his commander’s orders. That had been Lumbardon, and when Lumbardon had been injured by a hit to their ship, Garret had issued the Admiral’s final orders, and the subsequent ones necessary to carry them out.
If he was incapacitated, would Montagne be able to carry out his new battle plan?
“Do you have a moment?” Masako’s voice was soft and Garret was surprised he had not heard her come in to the CIC. He looked over at Montagne who nodded at him briefly, indicating he had no immediate need for Garret to be there.
“We have a few minutes.” Garret said softly to her, letting her drag him towards the back of the room. “I take it you got something useful from the prisoners?”
“They were adverse to spending their final hours in discomfort.” She said with a shrug, and Garret wondered what exactly she’d done, but he put it out of his mind. Just about anything would be overlooked when it came to this situation.
“So?” Garret pushed and she let out a sigh.
“They did not know much, except what Leonev deigned to share with them.” She told him “These two, at least, were mere pawns, dragged along because the other Houses of their worlds were so in support of Leonev. What they did know is that Leonev has laid plans within plans here. If he was unable to take the majority of Speakers from the Deliberatorium, he planned to retreat to this fleet in space.”
“That’s obvious from events so far.” Garret commented, not wanting to insult her, but being honest that she had nothing he did not already know.
“Yes, he did plan well to make sure there were only enough ships here in orbit to keep us on the planet.” Masako said flatly. “He could not plan the exact date, but he knew the time was coming when we would move to arrest him. That is why he kept rotating ships through Peladon, but never leaving them here long, and he kept three fleets of ships loyal to him nearby at all times. He has told his supporters that he will bring at least forty percent of the fleet with him when he made his move. One of the prisoners says that before we insisted on the new restrictions of his authority, he was promising sixty percent.”
“Not much of a difference, but in a year or two we could have made it all but impossible for him to pull this off.” Garret noted. “Still, that’s neither here nor there, what else?”
“He has more plans that he’s laid in the event he did not succeed in taking Peladon or the Deliberatorium.” She said. “He will run, fleeing to Obduros where he has now a strong power base thanks to the traitorous Houses. From there, and the other two planets, he will seek to bring as many of the other Republic worlds to his side as he can. He will also consolidate his loyal forces there. Supposedly he has a plan to deal with the clones in his forces, replacing them with humans trained to take their places. Leonev cannot be allowed to escape.”
“No, he can’t.” Garret said with a nod of appreciation for what she’d gleaned from the prisoners. “Thank you for getting this information.”
“We all must do our part in trying times.” She said demurely, but she had a fierce smile on her face. “I think I will go find what else I might discover from the recesses of their memories.”
“Good luck.” Garret said as he turned to reenter his CIC. Montagne’s face had a fierce smile as Garret returned to the command table.
“Sir, the enemy’s capitol ships are retreating, leaving their escorts as a rear-guard.” Montagne’s face showed he thought it was a victory. “They’re accelerating as fast as their damaged carrier can go.”
“How many kilometers per second?” Garret asked with a sigh.
“Four point six, sir.” Montagne answered. “They’ll get to wave-fold jump speed an hour before we catch up with them.”
“Order all ships to increase acceleration to maximum.” Garret ordered while closing his eyes. “Tell the fighters to head back to base, and have Slava keep hers on her deck until we get close enough to engage. All ships are to do whatever it takes to get close enough to the Indomitable to destroy that ship, no matter the cost.”
“Sir, are you sure?” Montagne’s voice was almost shaky.
“Do it, Cadet.” Garret ordered, opening his eyes to see the Cadet had paled. Nevertheless, he turned and gave the orders.
A countdown clock appeared in the holo display as Adamant moved to her top acceleration speed. She’d be one of the first four vessels to reach the enemy fleet, and would dive into the heart of their formation, firing torpedoes and mass driver rounds like mad.
The hours passed by in a crawl for Garret as the ships of his makeshift fleet struggled to catch the fleeing traitors. At three hours of acceleration, four of the older ships had to cut off acceleration altogether because their engines were on the verge of going critical. Only the destroyer Antietam, a sister-ship to Billy’s former command, and of a design similar of that to Adamant was able to keep up with Garret’s flagship. While his CIC and the Adamant’s primary crew rotated from battle stations for meal breaks, Garret snacked on a rather tasteless sandwich while studying the holograms generated by the command table.
Indomitable could normally keep up with Adamant, but had suffered damage from the Merrimac and was only able to make half her normal speed. On orders from him, the ships that had turned on Leonev were attempting to cut a hole through which Garret’s ships would be able to reach the enemy’s carrier. The undamaged carrier under Leonev’s command, the Saratoga, was using her fighters and bombers, as well as her still-loyal cruiser escort to plug that hole.
“We’ll be in weapons range in fifteen minutes, Commodore.” Montagne reported six hours into the chase and Garret let out a sigh of relief. One way or another this battle would be ending soon. Their acceleration was now over one-half the speed of light, and Garret considered jumping ahead of Leonev’s fleet. Unfortunately, Leonev’s fleet would just fly by him at a high speed, and he’d only get one or two shots. No, that wouldn’t work either.
“Commander Harrington, your orders are to take out the Indomitable at any cost.” Garret said through a command relay to the bridge next door to his CIC.
“I understand, Commodore.” Harrington said. Garret wanted to go in there and take command directly, but he was still the fleet commander and he had twelve ships, including the Slava that would join the fight fifteen minutes after his two fastest ships engaged the enemy.
“We’re entering their rear defense zone now.” Montagne reported needlessly since Garret could see that on the screen. The ship shuddered as several laser beams sought them out and came close to actually hitting. Adamant was opening fire with her own lasers, and he watched as the ship changed her orientation in space so she could fire three mass driver rounds at the Saratoga. The carrier dodged two of the shots, but the third hit the traitor carrier. It didn’t destroy the gleaming battle carrier, but it did cause enough damage that the ship turned to begin her own run for safety.
“We’re through their rear defenses.” Montagne stated. Harrington ordered the ship to begin deceleration so it wouldn’t overshoot the primary target. More traitor cruisers found the Adamant in range and opened fire with their primary lasers. Most of the hits were on the bottom hull of Garret’s ship, and the entire vessel shook with the impacts. Ada was now keeping him fully informed of the damage they were taking and he grimaced as her armor began to melt away under the assault.
“We’ve lost the aft laser.” Garret muttered as the entire ship shook and an explosion echoed through the hull. It was painful, but worth it as the mass driver began to fire at the two battle cruisers now escorting Leonev’s carrier. Neither ship could move without giving Adamant an opening for shots at the already damaged carrier.
“They’re almost at jump speed.” Montagne warned and Garret let out a curse. Fortunately one of the mass driver rounds hit an escorting cruiser, disabling it so that an opening appeared. Harrington wasted no time firing torpedoes and lasers at the carrier. What she didn’t expect, and what Garret didn’t expect either, was that the damaged cruiser was now in a position for a perfect shot at Adamant’s underbelly. Four torpedoes impacted, throwing everyone, including Garret, to the deck. Another laser blast from the cruiser shot through the now unprotected underbelly, through every deck from the bottom to the top of the ship, and several systems on the port side of the ship went out.
There goes the swimming pool. Ada moaned with pain. The laser shot right through it!
Those were the last words Garret heard as another explosion shook his ship and he was thrown back to the deck after having just stood up. This time his head hit first, and he lost consciousness, his last sight being the image of Indomitable winking out as it commenced its jump.
Fuck. Adamant protested at the same time Garret blacked out.
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