Birthright: Battle for the Confederation- Reprisal Page 36

  “Great,” replied Garrett.

  “And we’re getting married,” added Cory.

  “Well,” stammered Garrett, at once without a comeback. “That’s good, too.”

  Elsewhere in orbit, Torino fired a twenty round volley of highly explosive, magnetically contained energy down towards the planet’s surface.

  Torino was successful in her mission as well, completely destroying the research facility and digging a crater fifty feet deep into the ground. Whatever was going on down there was finished.

  Torino, Avenger, and the destroyers angled out of the Callidor System on different routes, spreading out the unprepared Priman forces. The Avengers of Cory’s Warbirds squadron had destroyed the production facility, plus a medium freighter which had been conscripted into service as a mobile production lab for the DNA virus. Retrieving the Intruders much the same way as the Perfect Moment, Avenger made one last heading change and accelerated past light speed.

  Chapter 15

  Representative Tash was awakened from his sleep by blaring alarm klaxons, the kind that warned of impending destruction and not some overzealous night watch commander’s desire to show his skill in drilling his subordinates.

  Dressing quickly, he made his way to the bridge of the large command ship that was Commander Velk’s own. Representatives were expected to reside on that ship instead of any other if in orbit, and Tash was nothing if not aware of managing his image.

  He arrived to find Commander Velk himself just emerging from the corridor attached to his private quarters, saw the Commander bark commands to a subordinate. Tash felt the great ship rumble and move beneath him and knew that the ship was getting ready for maneuvers. Who would attack Callidor? Why?

  “Representative,” beckoned Velk, and Tash hurried over to his Commander’s side. “We have been the victims of a sneak attack. The Confederation has destroyed the facility on the surface where we were performing DNA research. It is a total loss.” Velk paused to let that sink in, and Tash knew that, despite his insurance policy of a small sample, that could very well spell the end of the weaponization program. “In addition, the production facility has been neutralized as well.”

  Tash could see that Velk was enraged, and he couldn’t think of a time he’d actually seen him this angry before. He controlled it admirably, but it was obvious that the Commander was furious. He spoke directly to Tash, mindful to keep his voice from carrying too far. “I know most did not share my reluctance to use the technology being researched there, but this is our facility, our pacified domain. If the Confeds can strike us here, this far into our claimed territory, what can we say we’ve accomplished? They should be beaten, consolidating their territory and mourning their losses, not launching a sneak attack on our facilities!”

  Velk growled once more, then turned to Tash. “You will go to the surface and investigate our facility. Find out what we lost, what happened, and who did this. Someone will pay!”

  Tash nodded obediently, then immediately took his leave and headed for a docking bay. Yes, someone would pay, Tash thought, but it wasn’t who Velk would have expected.

  A day later, Avenger was still celebrating. Once again attached to the Ninth Fleet in orbit above Delos, she was undergoing the remainder of her repairs required to be released to front line duty.

  The whole ship was permeated with a festive mood, though most of the crew didn’t know why. They simply knew Avenger had been part of an important mission, a hit and run attack behind enemy lines above Callidor, that it had been wildly successful, and everyone was being allowed time to stand down and relax as the ship was taken off combat status for her repairs.

  Loren was even enjoying being XO. He had grudgingly moved into the XO’s quarters, though he had kept a memento from his friend Commander Marks, the former XO who had been killed by a torpedo hit fired by the Enkarran ship Union over seven months ago. It was a simple artifact, a polished metal drinking stein with Delgin’s name on it, identical to one Loren possessed as well. All the officers in Loren’s OCS class had obtained them, and while they were in school the mugs resided on a special shelf attached to the back wall of the bar near the Academy where the officer trainees went to blow off steam, congratulate, or console. Loren’s mug sat next to it. He wasn’t overly sentimental, but felt as though the simple honor of being remembered in such a way would please his friend.

  His shift over, Loren was headed to the Warbird’s ready room where a celebration was taking place. It was a combination of promotion party for Cory, as well as the official announcement of the engagement between her and Merritt. He was in good spirits as he walked through the doors and into chaos.

  There was some odd music in the background, which Loren recognized as being from a band that hailed from his home planet of Toral. If one liked the music, one would call it an industrial group, with metallic notes and mostly electronic, synthesized sounds. If one didn’t like that type of music, one would most likely say it sounded like an animal was trapped inside a live hyperdrive reactor and both were in the process of exploding. Loren was actually rather partial to it.

  He rounded a corner and stumbled into a group of a half dozen pilots and even Garrett Drayven, with Merritt at the center in the middle of telling some sort of story.

  “And so I opened the hatch, and there he was, wearing nothing but his flight helmet and boots!” The crowd roared with laughter, then just as abruptly fell silent as they noticed Loren standing there. Loren recognized the story- it was the first time he had met Merritt, and Loren had been celebrating the promotion of Delgin Marks to XO of Avenger. Why Merritt had chosen off-duty hours to report to Loren’s quarters was beyond him, and by that point of the night, Loren had been beyond caring. He vaguely remembered draping an arm around Merritt’s shoulders and guiding him into the room where he was greeted by a number of other Avenger officers. It had been a good night.

  Loren just smiled, a disarming gesture that he could tell put some of the more worried people at ease. “Just because tonight’s your special night, Merritt, you can tell that one a few times. But remember, I must be respectable now, so we can’t have the whole fleet knowing that I occasionally did crazy things.”

  “Your secret is safe with us!” replied a relieved Merritt.

  Loren made his way over to the duty station, where he knew Cory would have set up shop. Not disappointed with his reasoning, he found her there talking with several pilots. They stopped to acknowledge his arrival and he walked right up to Cory.

  She stood and he wrapped her up in a big bear hug, finally dropping her back to the deck. “Officially, congratulations,” he said with a wall to wall smile.

  Cory thoughtfully placed a mug of some sort of fermented beverage in his hand, and he raised it to her in a casual ‘cheers’ gesture.

  “I hear there’s something going on in the Toral System,” she said in a hushed tone, not wanting to spread the need-to-know information around too much.

  “Yeah,” Loren replied, “our scans show major Priman movements, but it’s hard to say what it means. The Twelfth Fleet just fought them to a standstill here, but they’re still at fighting strength and have a ton more hulls than we do, so they’re reorganizing and will probably be causing problems for us again very soon.”

  “That could be very good,” Cory said, hopefully.

  “I agree. It’s just been so long since I thought about us taking the system back; I try to stay realistic, but I keep hoping for some flash traffic saying we’ve done it.”

  Cory reached out and touched his forearm. “You’ll get her back soon, don’t worry.”

  After listening to Merritt’s story, Garrett had sought out Web. Thankfully, Halley was not in the immediate vicinity, and Garrett figured he had a minute to talk to the other man.

  Web appeared cautious, but let Garrett led him to a quiet corner of the crowded room.

  “I never did formally thank you for helping us out down on Callidor,” Web began, taking the initiative.

/>   “Well, I was hired to do a job,” Garrett replied, “and I take that seriously. But I admit it was rewarding, in a sort of helping the helpless sort of way,” he risked a smile. “Not something I could do every day, you understand, but I can see how it might be alluring to some.” Though the words were serious, he managed to say it with just the slightest grin.

  “So, does this mean we’ll be seeing you again, or are you off to your usual work?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know anymore. I never take sides, it’s bad for business. But I will say that after seeing all of you work together, I understand why you fight for each other, and what motivates you. That kind of dedication is rarer than you’d think, as is the skill with which you do it. It reminds me of some of the great musicians I’ve seen, who individually are masters of their craft, but when they combine their efforts, the result is a perfect product.” Garrett looked at Web’s bemused expression, and continued. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all emotional. I’m just saying that if you truly believe in this so much, maybe I might take a shot at it, too. Could you tell Halley that my answer is yes? She asked if I’d be willing to keep helping, and I promised her an answer before I left the ship.”

  Web nodded solemnly, but Garrett wasn’t done. “Look, with you and Halley, I know you were probably not that thrilled that I kept after her, but I’ll tell you this. She and I are too far apart in a few critical ways. Yes, I’m quite amazed by her, but that’s as far as it would ever go. And even I can tell this; you two have a chance, you’re both very similar. And by that, I mean slightly disturbed.”

  “Thank you for the compliment.” Web extended his hand, which Garrett shook. Then, with one last nod to Web, he turned and headed out towards the Viper’s hangar bay, where a transport was waiting to take him and a handful of others down to the surface of Delos. Garrett had a business to run, after all, and he was several days behind on his work.

  In a corridor just outside the ready room, Halley was waiting for Web to return from his talk with Garrett. Out of respect, she had dialed down her hearing so as to not eavesdrop on their conversation, but she could imagine what it was about. She just hoped it was settled between them, since she felt sure enough they’d see each other again someday.

  “Mr. Exeter,” she said with a flourish as he approached. “So nice to see you having a good time at the party.”

  “Well, it’s better with good company,” he replied, and reached around her waist in what for him felt like a bold move. He didn’t draw her in towards him, but he didn’t release her immediately, either.

  “You know, a scholar on an out of the way planet I once visited had a saying. Take your joy in whatever amount you can, for you never know how long it will have to sustain you.”

  “Sounds like good advice. Enjoy life every chance you get. Find joy when you can. I’ll remember that ”

  “Exactly.” She leaned in and closed the small gap between them. “I think now is one of those times. I think I’d really like to spend some time living life to the fullest with someone whose company I truly enjoy.”

  The idea was not lost on Web, and he glanced down the corridor looking for the first private place he could identify. Finally, he saw a small debriefing room, and guided them over to it. Standing before it, he discovered the electronic lock didn’t respond to his authentication code.

  “Ready to live life to the fullest with you, Web, but you need to get that hatch open.” Halley teased.

  Without a second thought, Web drew his SSK and pointed it at the touchpad. Halley quickly pushed the barrel down with her hand and then tapped in a code herself. The door obediently swished open, revealing a darkened room beyond.

  “There’s a few backdoor codes that are hardwired into just about every Confed ship,” she said as she led him by the hand into the room. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you how I know that.” The door closed and locked behind them.

  The majority of the Priman motherships were now in Callidorian orbit. After the sneak attack on their labs, the Primans had decided to fortify the system as one of their key strongpoints. Now, space above the planet was choked with warships, among which floated the colossal motherships.

  Commander Velk was aboard one now, the same one he had been on a week earlier when the Council had spoken to him about his progress in the conquest of this galaxy. The summons to appear before the Council was not entirely unexpected, but it was also something not to be taken lightly. Coming on the heels of the setback on Callidor, he assumed it would be to suffer through another official rebuke from the council.

  Entering the chamber, he expected to see just a handful of soldiers and the Council itself. Instead, there were hundreds of people. They were organized and respectful, but there was an air to the place that he didn’t like. Warning bells went off in his head. This was more than he was expecting.

  For the purposes of this meeting, the usually gloomy chamber was lit up brightly, so much so that even the spaces near the exposed framework high overhead were visible. The Council table was also illuminated brightly, and he imagined the heat that the Council members must be suffering through with all those watts on them. Something serious was going on, and since most serious things wouldn’t end well for him, he braced himself for the worst.

  At their gesture, Velk marched solemnly down the center aisle towards the table. The gathered crowd stood and gazed at him respectfully as he passed.

  When he reached the front, he took his place.

  “Commander,” began the Council member in the middle of the table. “This Council has convened on your behalf. We recognize the achievement that the House of Velk had claimed, leading our crusading warriors into this galaxy to take back what is ours. Yours has been a difficult, and many times thankless task.”

  The vote of confidence was good to have, especially with so many gathered, but Velk knew they didn’t invite him to praise him. Doing a quick search of the silent crowd, he realized that there were a great number of ship captains present. Were they here as witnesses?

  “However, all things must come to an end. As your House’s assigned role was to invade, it is another’s to finish the job and then rule. The Council has decided that you have fulfilled your role, and that it is time for your successor to claim the title of Commander.”

  Velk was speechless, and it took every bit of his willpower to hold his composure steady. He was being relieved! His job wasn’t finished. Somehow he had been maneuvered out of the job of Commander. And since that would most benefit one person, it likely meant that the force behind it was…

  “Representative Tash, enter.”

  At their beckoning, Tash entered the great chamber, dressed in the same Commander’s uniform Velk now wore. Tash’s, however, fit him entirely different that Velk’s. Tash’s was tailored, cut and adorned to conceal the lack of physical substance that Velk carried naturally. It was at one glance the most visible evidence of their styles- Velk was a fighter, Tash was a schemer, and the uniforms showed that fact.

  Tash stepped front and center next to Velk, nodding solemnly to the soon-to-be-former Commander as he turned to face the Council.

  “Representative Tash, we hope you will forgive the Council for our curtness in the formal declaration of your position. As Representative, you were next in line to lead, and have had time to prepare your own ideas, as well as serving the current Commander by acting as his counsel. While tradition dictates a three day long ceremony, we do not have that kind of time available to us as of this moment. As of this moment, we confirm Commander Tash and his advisor, Representative Velk.”

  The Council speaker leaned back in his chair a bit to address the gathered soldiers in the chamber. “Priman soldiers! We have become mired in our efforts here. We have just today withdrawn from Toral, a Confederation planet that we captured in the opening battles of the war. The Confederation has become increasingly troublesome, and we have elected to declare a new strategy which our new Commander will enact.”

  The s
peaker became silent, looking at Tash as an invitation to continue.

  “This morning, we made a marked change in our strategies,” began Tash, who had rehearsed the speech all day in anticipation of this ceremony. “We will switch to a stalemate tactic with the Confederation, and instead force our way through the Talaran Collection. We have successfully destabilized their government through economic attacks, and with their economy in a freefall we will press on through their territories towards the core, where we can attack in any direction we choose.”

  He continued on for a bit, highlighting how they had done it and who was receiving credit, but all Velk heard was that he was being shifted back down to Representative years earlier than he had expected. His plans for this galaxy needed time to develop, and he had cautioned repeatedly that with such unpredictable inhabitants, opportunities would present themselves that the Primans wouldn’t have had time to ever consider. Tash was too heavy-handed, too reliant on the stick and not the carrot. To be sure, violence would be required to convert or conquer this galaxy, but Velk believed that there was room for both methods of persuasion. Tash’s more brutal methods could be what galvanized a resistance that would become unstoppable. If he had any true appreciation for how fight a war, he would have known that.

  He snapped back to the present when he heard Tash’s next topic.

  “To that end,” the new Commander began, “this morning, after I had been advised that I would be commanding our forces, and as our ships were withdrawing from the Toral system, I issued new orders based on a strategy I had the foresight to begin planning for just days ago.”

  It took all of Representative Velk’s self control to not yell out in rebuke.

  It was in the early hours of the next day, and Loren still couldn’t sleep. Aside from his usual problems with sleeping, he knew something was happening in the Toral System, and he wanted to know as soon as any intelligence reports were distributed. He had wandered down to C3, and was trying to not to hover around the communications station and crewmembers there.