Space Brigade

The Phoenix was nearing the end of their uneventful passage across Executive space. They had as ordered remained on the same vector as when they had entered, although they had done a little unauthorized snooping with their long range sensors.

They had discovered several small planets in close proximity; Captain Mittvn had wanted to launch a class-one explorer probe to investigate, but Torre had declined his suggestion, not wanting to chance angering the touchy Exec.

It was a decision well taken, for soon after activating their sensors, an Executive craft suddenly pulled along side. It was similar to the one they had previously encountered, but

was quite smaller.

The Executive craft whipped in front of the Phoenix, forcing them to halt. It ignored all other ships, and began sensor sweeps on the Phoenix.

“We are being scanned!” Mittvn announced from his console.

“Take no action, it may be read as provoking.” Torre answered.

Shortly after the sensor sweep ended, the smaller craft reversed course and sped away. Within seconds it was replaced by the original ship, appearing as if from nowhere.

It loomed in front of them and must have been shadowing the Network force without their knowledge, probably on a parallel course, but far out of range of the Phoenix’ scanners.

“Admiral we’re being hailed.” Lieutenant Norret stated.

Torre nodded and gestured for her to put it through.

“Network craft, you have used your sensors to infiltrate our system. Our sister ship has scanned your computer and has found evidence of this. You will download your records to us immediately, or you will be destroyed!”

“We could try and run for it.” Mittvn suggested quietly to Torre, then added.

“We’re close to the frontier!”

Before Torre could respond and as if the Exec ship could hear Mittvn, although ship-to-ship communications had been muted. Four more Exec ships of the same size as the original appeared, blocking the way to the frontier.

“I don’t think we’re going anywhere Captain!” Torre stated, then after a few moments thought continued with.

“ Download any information we have on this system in our records, and transmit it to them, and do it quickly.”

Mittvn instantly complied, and while he did so, the Clemmence, Wildstar, and Firebird made contact, asking what action to take if any. The immediate response by the Exec was to jam all ship-to-ship communications.

Once the download was complete, the Exec ship commander announced.

“Any further attempt to infiltrate with your sensors will be dealt with harshly. You may continue, but you may not return!”

All Exec ships disappeared simultaneously, fading from view as if they had just been holographic images.

“Sir, if we can’t read them on our sensors, then how do we know they’ve gone and the way ahead is clear?” Mittvn inquired as he tinkered with the sensors control.

“None of our ships are now between your present position and our frontier. You will proceed!” The Exec voice announced from nowhere.

It was now obvious the Exec could communicate without the use of ship-to-ship channels, and could probably listen in without the Networks knowledge. Resigned to this fact, Torre ordered the taskforce forward.

Within a short time they reached the frontier and moved safely out of Exec space. As soon as they did, they brought their sensors back on line. Torre had not liked travelling blind, and aft sensors still did not register any Exec ships.

“Helm, take us to jump point.” Torre ordered.

The Aries was waiting at the rendezvous point when the Phoenix arrived. Admiral Toove made a full report on the Ormacronis raid, and the presumed loss of the Cortez. The Firebird was ready to penetrate Quat-tar space; General Xel was on the horn to Torre.

“Your teams have had their final briefing, and we are ready to make our pass.”

“Good luck General Xel, we’ll be waiting for your call sign.” Torre responded.

“As soon as we have deposited your teams we will rejoin you for the final assault.” Xel replied then closed the communication.

Torre watched as the Firebird broke ranks and made the final jump to hyperspace; within thirty minutes they would drop back to normal space within two hundred kilometres of Secunda.

Sat next to General Xel on the Firebird’ bridge was Colonel Chazz, Torre’ observer. Xel had at first objected to Chazz’ forced presence, but at the instruction of Lal, and on the authority of the Intelsect Colonel had capitulated.

Chazz sat in the seat normally reserved for the Firebirds captain, who was now fortunately busy at another station.

Colonel Chazz had finally familiarized himself, as best he could, with every detail of the bridge. He had almost become Xel’ shadow, something that had infuriated Xel several times since Chazz had come aboard, but so far had not stopped him following him around. Xel though it better Chazz was by his side, than roaming freely around his ship unchecked.

“Well Colonel, in a short while we will be able to see Secunda!” Xel stated loudly.

“But will they be able to see us General?” Chazz asked quickly.

Xel permitted himself a dry smile that bared his blackened teeth, and said.

“I think not. Gorches initiate stealth.”

Captain Gorches complied with Xel’ order. As far as Chazz could tell, nothing had changed.

“The Executive is not the only species with superior technology!” Xel stated blandly.

“You have a cloaking system?”

Xel raised one shoulder, but did not verbally confirm the inquiry.

“We are approaching Secunda; enemy long-range sensors are being bypassed successfully.” Gorches advised.

Xel grunted something inaudible, then commanded.

“Prepare for velocity enhancement.”

Gorches flipped several switches and reported.

“All sections stabilized. Velocity enhancement at your command.”

“Lock down.” Xel ordered.

As soon as Xel had issued the order, energy restraints ignited round Chazz’ legs and arms. A band of white energy wrapped tightly round his chest forcing him back into his seat. He struggled, thinking this was some kind of betrayal as he fought to free himself.

“Do not struggle Colonel it is only a safety measure.” Xel said.

Chazz stopped struggling and relaxed slightly noticing Xel and the others were also caught in the grip of the chest bands. Only Captain Gorches remained unhindered and able to move freely.

“It is a necessary precaution Colonel, we do not want you flying across the bridge and breaking something!” Xel explained.

Chazz tried to speak and found it difficult as the restraint was nearly crushing his rib cage.

“Relax and the restraint will ease a little.” Xel declared noticing his discomfort.

Chazz done as he was advised and the restraint eased; not much, but enough to allow him to breath more normally.

“You could’ve warned me!” He said hoarsely.

“My apologies. I am not used to having uninitiated passengers on my bridge!” Xel replied almost jokingly.

Chazz accepted the half-hearted apology, then asked.

“Why isn’t Captain Gorches restrained?”

Xel replied without looking at the captain, who was busily making adjustments on his terminal.

“Someone needs to be free to run the ship. If you look closely you will see he is protected by a personal energy shield.”

As soon as Xel brought it to his attention Chazz recognized the faint shimmer of the personal containment field. He was impressed; as yet the Network boffins had not perfected such a system; perhaps this was one technology the Network should try to acquire, along with the stealth mode, Chazz thought.

After a short silence, he asked.

“Why only the Captain? Why not give everyone a personal shield!”

“Power consumption. One shield alone uses most of our auxiliary power; all other is channelled to the engines for enhanced velocity. Our scientific pedagogues have yet to create shielding that does not warrant immense amounts of energy”

At this point in the explanation, Gorches interrupted Xel.

“Approaching drop point. Velocity enhancement imminent!”

Xel gripped his armrests on hearing Gorches announcement. Chazz, not knowing otherwise followed suit.

The Firebird dropped from hyperspace, but instead of slowing, it shot forward at a rapid speed. The tiny dot of far off Secunda became larger and larger as they raced nearer. Within seconds they were skimming Secunda’ atmosphere, the large grey sphere filling the Firebird’ forward view-screen.

The grey turned to a dark murky black as the Firebird entered Secunda’ night sky. Breaking through the lower layer of magnetic clouds they began to slow.

“Velocity enhancement off line; stealth mode intact. Releasing lock-down, and regulating gravity.” Gorches announced.

“Take us below sensor levels.” Xel ordered.

As the ship headed for the surface, the restraints shimmered and dematerialised; Chazz stretched his arms and legs at his new freedom.

“Adjust trajectory and level off.” Xel ordered as he joined Gorches.

Chazz watched the surface as it came nearer; an immense barrier of red-green vegetation grew before them. The Firebird came to a full stop over a small clearing, and held at twenty feet.

“Drop zone one.” Xel said into the intercom.

Here Pierce Force would disembark and traverse the dense barrier to locate the prison. Chazz heard the whip crack of the tractor cables as Pierce Force lowered down to Secunda’ damp soggy jungle surface.

Two minutes later Colonel Raga’ voice announced from the Firebird’ internal speakers.

“Assent complete. Pierce Force advancing. Out.”

Once Raga had finished, the Firebird moved off to its next target, to deposit Telson’ commandoes near Tormac-sol.

The Rapacious headed the Quat-tar fleet towards the Tanteee frontier. All Tanteee outposts had been quickly neutralized. Admiral Keetor paced his bridge more impatiently with every passing moment.

“How much longer do they expect us to sit here waiting? Loutar should’ve gotten the codes by now!” He said angrily.

“I’m sure Commander Felton will contact us when they have them!” Captain Mator replied.

“Well he’s fast running out of time!”

The communications officer suddenly turned and advised.

“Sir long-range sensors have two craft just coming from Tanteee.”

“What’s their heading?” Mator inquired.

“Three one four mark six two.”

“I wonder where they’re going?” Keetor mumbled.

“Their course is taking them on a direct vector to the Theeka system.” Mator responded quickly.

Keetor thought for a moment, running the Theeka system through his mind, then realized they were heading for Empress Clin’ home world and quickly ordered.

“Dispatch two ships to intercept. If I’m correct one of those ships is carrying a most valuable cargo!”

“You suspect one is transporting a member of the Imperial house?” Mator asked, he too had thought the same thing.

“ I think Zix would do anything to protect his spouse. Why else would they be making for Theeka?”

Mator grinned, he agreed with his superior’s assumption.

“Raise the Terris and Pogrom,” he ordered.

Within seconds the communications officer responded.

“Captains Telparoon and Bleemac await your command Sir.”

Mator hit his seats com-unit.

“Telparoon, Bleemac, intercept those two Tanteee ships. We want whatever they are carrying.”

On the view screen the visuals of Telparoon and Bleemac stood at attention.

“At once.” Telparoon, the senior of the Captains replied.

The view turned immediately to show the Terris and Pogrom, both light cruisers and fast enough to intercept, break off and shoot away in pursuit.

“If they fail, I’ll make sure they spend the rest of their miserable existence on the lower levels of Secunda, as corpse carriers!” Keetor stated quietly.

He hated any form of failure, and despised any attempt at excusing such failures.

The Tanteee starships Karna and O’tec had moved cautiously through sub-space, and were now preparing to make the jump to hyperspace. Suddenly, the Karna shuddered violently.

“ What in the name of Trashka was that?” K’Sheer demanded.

Commander Latosa was quick to respond.

“Torpedo hit on our port side. Two Quat-tar cruisers off our port bow and closing.”

“Raise shields. Evasive, flag speed.”

The Karna shot to full speed as Commander Latosa calculated new jump co-ordinates.

“Damage reports Latosa?” K’Sheer asked.

“Minor increase in coolant temperature in engineering. Several portside life pods have been jettisoned due to seal failure. Engineering is coping with the increase.”

“ And the O’tec?”

“She is engaging the Quat-tar.”

“How long to new jump?”

“Three minutes, thirty seconds.”

The O’tec swung her powerful quantum lasers onto the Pogrom. The energy beams cut easily through the Pogrom’ shielding. A long charred gash appeared along her side. At the same time the O’tec let loose two torpedo salvos at the Terris.

“Keep us between them and the Karna. How’s are our shields holding?” Captain Hanzess shouted.

Second Commander Atan swung round from his station and announced.

“Shields down to sixty percent.”

The Terris and Pogrom began working in unison on the destruction of the O’tec. She was buffeted from side to side under the intense barrage. Onboard the Terris, Lieutenant Wrelor reported.

“Captain, the other ship is getting away!”

Captain Telparoon swung from the targeting computer, and looked at the view-screen.

“Break off, standby tractor beam.”

Wrelor complied and the Terris’ tractor beam reached out and caught the fleeing Karna.

“Why are we not making headway?” K’Sheer demanded urgently.

“Tractor beam!” Latosa confirmed.

K’Sheer punched his armrest intercom.

“Engineering more power. Transfer from elsewhere if you have to, but get us more speed.”

The Terris’ vice-like hold on the Karna held no matter how much extra power her engineering re-routed. The Terris opened up on her and began bombarding the Karna’ shields.

“Captain we are at maximum power, any more and the engines will collapse!” The Chief Engineer stated solemnly over the intercom.

Latosa checked the read out on his terminal and announced.

“The O’tec’ shielding has failed. She has several breaches along her hull.”

The Karna’ helmsman struggled hopelessly to free them from the tractor beams hold.

“Full reverse thrusters!” K’Sheer ordered suddenly.

The helmsman turned and looked at his captain. Latosa gave him a look of confusion.

“DO IT!” K’Sheer commanded adamantly.

The helmsman turned back to his post and carried out the order.

The Karna picked up speed as it worked with the dragging force of the tractor beam, and raced towards the Terris.

“Latosa, stand by to fire all aft torpedo banks.” K’Sheer stated calmly.

Onboard the Terris, Wrelor realized what the Karna was attempting. He swung round from his station and shouted.

“The Tanteee ship is on a collision course with us!”

Captain Telparoon was busy watching the destruction of the O’tec and did not hear the irate Wrelor.

“Sir we are going to collide!” Wrelor reiterated louder.

“WHAT? Visual!”

The Terris’ view-screen changed from its aft view of the O’tec, and now showed the fast approaching Karna. Five fluorescent dots suddenly ejected from her.

“CUT TRACTOR BEAM. ALL POWER TO THE FORWARD SHIELDS!” Telparoon screamed in panic.

Wrelor fumbled with the control, then frantically thumped the tractor beam switch, but was too late. Guided by the tractor beam, the Karna’ torpedoes struck. The Terris’ shields glowed crimson and collapsed, the force of impact shoving her back. Instantaneously, five more blue shinning dots shot towards them, and impacted on her unprotected hull.

The Terris now listed to port, long sparks shot from a gaping hole in her side. Her weapons failed to respond; weapons control had all but been obliterated.

“She’s going to ram us!” Wrelor screamed.

“EVASIVE!” Telparoon screamed.

“PULL US UP. PULL US UP!” K’Sheer shouted gripping tightly onto his armrests.

The Karna trembled at the sudden attempt to drastically alter trajectory, her engines whined with the strain. Closer and closer she moved towards the Terris. The bridge crew watched with bated breath as the rear view-screen filled with the awesome bulk of the Terris’ burning hull.

Slowly, the Karna responded to the helmsman’s desperate fight, and began to arc upwards. Climbing to avoid the certain fatal collision. Gradually the Terris’ hull dropped from the view-screen.

“We are not going to make it!” Latosa remarked in almost a whisper.

Everyone heard him, but no one answered, they just watched in silence. There came a grating sound as the Karna’ keel scraped across the Terris.

“We are clear!” The helmsman shouted in relief.

“Damage report?” K’Sheer asked quietly.

“Lower shielding has buckled. Two manoeuvring thrusters have broken off. Running integrity diagnostic now.” Latosa answered as he expertly worked two computer terminals at once.

The Terris capsized as the Karna cleared her. The crew were thrown into the bulkheads. Alarms screeched throughout the ship, smoke bellowed from the bridge controls. Telparoon was thrown from his seat and was struggling back to his feet. Blood trickled from a small, but deep gash above his right eye, he wiped it away while shouting.

“Helm, fire port thrusters. Right us.”

The helmsman did not respond. Secondary lighting flashed on. Several crewmen lay injured or dead. One had impaled himself on his own claw.

Wrelor scrambled over a dead body, reached for the helm control and fired thrusters. His frustration grew when nothing happened. He hit the control again and again.

Onboard the Pogrom, Lieutenant Narvel announced.

“Sir, the Terris has capsized.”

“They will have to take care of themselves. Concentrate all weapons on this ship.” Captain Bleemac answered, he was not about to let the O’tec escape just to save Telparoon’ hide.

The Pogrom fired all her lasers at close quarters, targeting the O’tec’ bridge. Torpedoes zipped from her in quick succession.

Captain Hanzess studied his severely damaged bridge. It was filling with thick acrid smoke; many of the crew were dead.

“Engine’s are off line; life support failure imminent. Hull breaches throughout the ship. Weapons failing to respond!” Lieutenant Atan reported in between coughs.

Hanzess punched the intercom.

“All remaining hands to the life pods. Abandon ships, I repeat, abandon ship!”

Hanzess turned to Atan; the pain showing in his streaming eyes.

“Contact the Karna, advise she pull back to safe distance. O’tec to self destruct in sixty seconds!”

Atan sent the coded message as Hanzess tapped in the self-destruct code.

“Now get to a life pod Lieutenant.”

Atan staggered to the exit and held the door open.

“Sir?”

Hanzess waved Atan away without giving him a glance. He had resigned himself to staying with his command.

The O’tec’ bowels rumbled; her superstructure shuddered violently. Several small egg shaped pods ejected as the rumbling grew in intensity. Captain Hanzess smiled as he saw the Karna moving away, then the view-screen flickered and turned black.

Long tongues of fire shot from every crack in the ailing ships hull. Balls of burning debris cascaded in all directions as she exploded.

The Pogrom, caught too near, exploded as huge chunks of the dead O’tec punched through her hull. She became a massive fireball of flickering red-yellow flame for an instant, and then the coldness of space snuffed it out and ripped what remained apart.

The few escaping O’tec life pods set course back to Tanteee and safety. The ailing Terris had finally managed to right herself, but was extremely damaged, unable to use her weaponry, communications, and hyperdrive engines. She channelled most of her remaining power into maintaining life support. She made slow headway back to whence she came.

The Karna moved further and further away.

“Status?” Captain K’Sheer inquired.

“Severe damage to lower decks. Hull breach on port side, deck six. Confinement fields in place and holding. Hyperdrive inoperable. Sickbay reports casualties are high, thirty-two dead, fifty-nine injured. The Empress and Lady Shalee are shaken but unharmed.” Latosa answered.

K’Sheer acknowledged with a small nod. He was relieved the Empress was still in good health.

“In your opinion Latosa; can we still make Theeka?”

Latosa shook his head and responded.

“Unadvisable!”

Then after checking with navigation, added.

“Paragan is our nearest safe planet, but has no repair facilities. I suggest we return to Tanteee.”

K’Sheer trusted his First Officer’ judgement implicitly; if Latosa recommended returning to Tanteee, then there would be no other option to take. Latosa is a professional and would have considered all possible alternatives before making his recommendation.

“Helm, set course for home. Best possible speed.”

Emperor Zix sat patiently on a low stool; waiting for the gathered Nor-trell to finish their meditation. Finally, the aged Nor-trell Vala spoke.

“The O’tec has been destroyed. The Karna is damaged and returning.”

“And the Empress?” Zix interrupted eagerly.

Nor-trell Vala’ eyes screwed up in concentration, pulling the mind resources of the other Nor-trell together.

“We can not see.” He answered lowering his bald shiny head.

The sanctified Nor-trell had long been able to band their minds together to read the forces of other Tanteee, sometimes able to predict future outcomes, sometimes unwilling to do so.

“The saver is coming. We will be saved!” Vala said loudly.

First Admiral Spate was taking his usual afternoon stroll in the Network Headquarters private gardens. He often came here when something was wrong, and nagged at him. Here among the lush violet Thrassa trees, their sweet scents filling the damp air, he could relax and concentrate on the problems pestering him.

This particular afternoon he had left explicit instructions not to be disturbed. He sat on the warm artificial wooden bench under the North arbour.

He watched as differing species of birds vied for the small scraps he had discarded for their interest. He had sat here for the past two hours; not wanting to return to the hassle his office attracted.

The flock of small multi-coloured birds scurried across the ground, pecking at the morsels of food, their chirping music ringing in Spate’ ears. The artificial sunlight beamed down, casting the arbour’s shadow along the broken stone pathway.

This small haven from his daily duties was one of the first alterations he had ordered when he succeeded his predecessor. He needed the tranquil silence, the occasional peace and break from those who constantly called on him for decisions.

“Nice place!” A voice suddenly sounded out.

The silence broken; Spate turned sharply towards the unseen voice. Whoever had spoken had managed somehow to get past all the security systems. Whoever it was had somehow managed to approach without even disturbing the birds. The owner of the voice would be an expert at stealth movement and gaining entrance into highly restricted areas, and therefore was to be deemed dangerous.

“Come out, show yourself!” Spate demanded.

He had already drawn his sidearm.

From behind the arbour, a stumpy figure stepped. Spate lowered his pistol as he recognized the intruder. The Nailian shuffled to Spate’ side, his grey scaly flipper feet slapped the cracked paving.

“I don’t know how you manage to get this close without making any noise with feet like that!” Spate exclaimed, while gesturing to the Nailian’ wide callus webs.

“I can be quite versatile when needs be.”

The Nailian’ flap nose constantly flapped as he spoke. Around his fat neck he wore a global voice translator. Nailian’ refused to under go surgery to fit universal translators directly into their cortex. His voice was breathless, and the use of a ventilator was needed periodically.

“What do you want Shatrish?” Spate inquired tiredly.

“That’s Commissioner Shatrish if you don’t mind. I prefer to use the formal!”

Shatrish edged his oversized backside onto the narrow wooden bench and said arrogantly.

“Aren’t you going to ask how I got past your security systems?”

“Does it matter? You’re here!” Spate responded calmly.

Shatrish took a deep breath on his ventilator, inhaling the Cotradrellin that enabled him to exist out of his usual gaseous dwelling. Without Cotradrellin, Nailian’ would suffocate, not many Nailian’ ventured from their home world.

Shatrish however is not your usual Nailian. He has been for the past several decades Commissioner of the DCO, number one to Director Arron Quinn.

Once Shatrish’ rasping had ceased, he spoke.

“The Kodo and Waii negotiations have at the moment been put on hold. Diplomatic channels to the Quat-tar have somehow unfortunately broken down. The Director feels that the negotiations should resume as soon as possible and therefore suggests; how shall I put it; suggests you should accelerate the Secunda operation.”

Spate smiled, not a pleased smile but one of utter contempt. He had great respect for the Director and for the authority he wielded, and in certain circumstances had cause to fear him, but Shatrish. He was a menial, a message taker with no real power behind his self-awarded title.

Quinn may well of suggested the operation be rapidly advanced, but would have also recommended moves to achieve that goal. Shatrish was playing with him, trying to get him to ask for any recommendations Quinn may of offered; then Shatrish could add his own scheming designs to gain favour with his boss, and attempt to undermine Spate’ professional closeness with Quinn.

“Obviously Arron made some recommendation as to speed things up. Don’t keep me waiting Shatrish or I might have to have a word with your master about your dealings with the Nomterl Corporation. Dealings that have swelled your own personal fortune greatly; and without the Director’ usual cut I might add!”

Shatrish’ beady eyes dimmed at Spate’ warning. He had no idea Spate knew of the Nomterl deals. He took another deep inhale on his ventilator and said.

“You are to dispatch the Fourth Fleet; under the command of Admiral Handn.”

Spate jumped to his feet; the sudden movement shocking Shatrish.

“That’s a military decision not DCO!”

After retrieving his fallen ventilator from the ground, Shatrish replied.

“The Director assumes you would comply. He said you would understand the long term effect!”

Spate stepped into the sunlight; the flock of birds had fled at his sudden movement.

“I understand all too well. The involvement of the Fourth Fleet means the continued presence of a Network contingent on Secunda. Our plans did not involve keeping the damn planet!”

Shatrish placed his bony hands on his equally bony knees and pushed himself up while saying.

“ Secunda would be a valuable asset to the DCO. We have need of somewhere to do our covert tinkering. Admiral Handn has already been briefed and the Fourth Fleet have been placed on alert; they only await your confirmation order.”

Spate remained silent for some time. Shatrish waited patiently for his answer, knowing Spate would eventually succumb to the Director’ whims.

Suddenly Spate turned to face him; his face was stern.

“Tell Arron I will think it over. For now the Fourth Fleet will remain where it is. Tell him I will meet with him to discuss his suggestion.”

“You will come to Capa Morna?” Shatrish asked surprised.

Spate pursed his lips in thought, and then answered.

“Yes I will come tonight.”

A noise caught Spate’ attention, a rustling coming from a bush behind him. He turned to see a small ground weasel burrowing out of sight. When he returned his attention to Shatrish; the Nailian had gone. Spate retook his seat and sighed; the birds returned.