Space Brigade

Admiral Torre and Rear Admiral Las patiently waited in the Supreme Commanders anti-room. Lieutenant Commander Caroline Bradly had already announced their arrival.

As Bradly sat tapping at her com-console, Torre pondered on how pristine her uniform was. Her crimson tunic was immaculate, every regulation crease in order, her long blonde hair hung down her back to her waist in a knotted ponytail, and blended with her tunic perfectly. She seemed to Torre to be far too young to hold such a high and trusted position. She could’ve only been twenty-two at most, probable not long out of the academy. He wondered why she’d replaced First Admiral Spate’ former aide; he’d been reassigned quickly, and without any formality.

A sudden chime broke the silence, and then Bradly said.

“ The First Admiral will see you now gentlemen!”

Admiral Las moved first, Torre followed close behind. The door to the First Admiral’ office slid quietly aside.

“ Come in gentlemen, have a seat.” Spate said motioning to the two seats opposite him.

ve ave ave ave ave ave ave ave a, has been Supreme Commander Network for the past fifteen years, and would continue in the position until his death. The supreme commandership is a life position; even the Coalition President can’t remove him from office.

Spate is in his late years, coming to his present office at the age of fifty. Above his right eye is a small red scar about two centimetres long, a reminder from his earlier years as a line officer, his thin silver grey hair didn’t quite hide it. Spate’ word is law in all things military, and he is accountable to no one. On the left breast of his emerald green tunic hangs the Coalition Tri-planet emblem, and just below, the Network military cross and blazoned comet. These awards are only given for acts of extreme bravery and outstanding valour in the face of the enemy. Spate is the only Network officer to hold both honours, awarded to him after his involvement in the battle for Salatino Minor.

As this was the first time Torre had been privileged to enter Spate’ office, he let his eyes wonder. Spate sat behind his overlarge olden dark wood desk, its red baize top was spotless. A miniature of his last command starship sat ominously on one corner.

The complete left wall of the office is a large computer, its many blinking lights blinked on and off systematically. It is capable of interfacing with all military computers, and most Coalition civilian ones. It could probably hack into the covert computers on Jurass.

To Spate’ right, the wall was adorned with several military trophies suspended around a large holographic star-map depicting Coalition space. It showed all the aligned planets and their frontiers, the no-go zones of the Executive and the Aurian Bloc. Small blue blips flickered constantly, these blips marked the location of every starship in the Network. Dispersed between them were four red blips, these depicted the four star-carriers, one of which would be the Phoenix.

Behind Spate, he had a panoramic view of Agar central, the steel-glass wall unbreakable. Immediately below were the well preserved flower parks, where Spate would retreat for moments of un-interrupted peace, a place where he could drop his official mask and be his self without the stress of being responsible for the safety of the Coalition.

Torre had almost become engrossed with his thoughts, had almost forgotten he wasn’t alone; he dragged his attention back to the others just in time.

“ So Torre, I trust Rear Admiral Las has told you what is required of the Phoenix?” Spate said without raising his eyes from the data-pad he was using.

Las quickly replied before Torre could speak.

“ I thought it best he should hear it directly from you sir.”

Spate slapped down the data-pad, stood and crossed to the steel-glass window. He stood gazing down at the secluded flower parks as if in deep thought then spoke.

“ Two days ago, the Coalition space liner Pacificator was attacked and destroyed in Waii free space. Onboard was a diplomatic envoy from the planet Tanteee on his way to meet with President Lurth. During the attack, the envoy somehow managed to eject an encrypted log, which was subsequently found by a Waii shipper and forwarded to the Tanteee Empire. The log named the aggressors as the Quat-tar!”

Admiral Torre opened his mouth to interrupt, but changed his mind.

Spate worked his way back to his desk, sat and continued.

“ The Tanteee Emperor has demanded we mount an operation to rescue the envoy. I have agreed to this demand. This envoy is the first Tanteee ever to be taken by the Quat-tar, they will use whatever means necessary to extract Tanteee’ planetary defence shield codes from him.

If they are successful Tanteee will become vulnerable to Quat-tar invasion, and that would be extremely unfortunate for the Coalition. The assembly has negotiated for years to get the Tanteee to enter the Coalition; their planetary resources would be invaluable to us alone. The Quat-tar must not be allowed to gain the upper hand.”

Torre lent forward and inquired.

“ Do they know who they have sir?”

“ I would think so. The Quat-tar isn’t in the habit of breaking Waii free space. They must have had prior knowledge of the envoys travel plans.”

Torre shook his head slowly.

“ Then he’s either dead or talking. It doesn’t take the Quat-tar two days to get any info they’re after, besides the chances of retrieval from them are negligible.”

“ Nevertheless we must try, to do nothing would be considered a direct insult to the Tanteee Emperor, and would result in him declining entrance to the Coalition!” Rear Admiral Las affirmed.

“ The Phoenix must attempt this retrieval, we have no option!” Spate added adamantly.

Torre pursed his dry lips as he mulled the assignment over in his mind, then finally said.

“ Do we at least know where they’mindmindmindmindmindmindmindmind in his chair as if trying to get comfortable.

“ Best guess would be Secunda. Although we are awaiting confirmation from the DOC. Director Quinn is pulling out all the stops on this one, he’s assured us he’ll have confirmation within hours.” Las answered.

“ Well let’s hope it is Secunda, if it’s Quat-tar Prime we’ve no chance, other than a full military invasion.” Torre responded.

“ If the ambassador is indeed on Quat-tar Prime, then it will fall to the diplomats to secure his release. At this time we are not prepared to launch a full-scale offensive, although that may be an option at a later date. I think Raga’ Pierce Force would stand the best chance of pulling this off, have them recalled immediately and put on standby. Rear Admiral Las will coordinate the operation, and as soon as we have the location, he’ll let you know. The Phoenix will leave for Torok within the next four hours!” Spate ordered.

Rear Admiral Las stood and motioned Torre to do the same.

“ This is most important Torre, the Quat-tar’ invasion of Tanteee could cost the Coalition dearly. It’s up to your Pierce Force to put an end to this!” Las remarked as they headed for the exit.

As they walked to the turbo-lift that would take them back down the forty stories to ground level, Torre said.

“ The First Admiral is asking a hell of a lot!”

“ Oh I wouldn’t worry too much, he knows full well what he’s asking, and has probably considered every possible alternative. Now, the Cortez, the Wildstar, and the Aries are currently on a mission that is directly linked to yours. When they’ve completed, they are under orders to rendezvous with the Phoenix on the Quat-tar frontier. There will also be a Tanteee craft waiting for you when you reach Torok. They say they can get your pathfinder teams in without alerting the enemy.”

Torre frowned and asked, as the turbo-lift passed the twelfth level.

“ Do we have any intelligence on this Tanteee vessel. Limitations, range, speed, armaments, reliability?”

“ No, nothing except it will be waiting, and will accompany the Phoenix.” Las responded.

“ Any chance of the Atlantia following as a buffer force?”

“ I’m afraid not. The Atlantia is scheduled for another mission, besides I can’t afford to risk two carriers on this one. If things should get out of hand, then you are to withdraw immediately no matter who’s left behind. Is that understood?”

“Yes sir, I understand.” Torre replied.

He understood all right, he’d just been ordered to abandon Pierce Force and any other troops if the Phoenix came under too much fire. He didn’t like the order, and would try to avoid it at all costs, other than the complete destruction of the Phoenix.