Coming Home (Free Fleet Book 2) (35 page)

“Sir, Engineer Rous says that as long as we make smooth transitions, we'll be good.”
Or we won't be and it won't matter anymore,
Mills' eyes said.

Bregend nodded once. “Very well. I want to be underway in ten minutes.” Rapid orders were yelled across the ship. Bregend hadn't been just sitting on his hands. He'd made sure that his people were ready for such an emergency where time mattered, and right now every second did.

Chapter Unexpected Guests

“We have jump point emergence!” The sensor commander squealed in excitement. Monk knew that it would wear off soon enough.

“Getting bounce back from IFF; they’re Syndicate.” The sensor commanders previous excitement was now replaced with business like tones.

“Prepare Commando teams and inform ship Captains I want them ready to move. Tactical, get those gun platforms ready.”

Monk remained where he was, holding his reinforced staff as he sat on one leg, his face calm like untouched water as around him Parnmal prepared for battle. Min Hae and Felix came from their departments as Monk accepted a message from Karl that the Commandos had segregated and isolate the old inhabitants of Parnmal into their cells.

“Min Hae, Felix.” Monk nodded slightly as Min Hae move to his station and Felix came to Monk's chair.

“We've got a hundred and twenty planetary cannons ready to be deployed,” Felix said into his data pad.

“You've been quite busy.”

Felix looked up.

“Just a lil.” He grinned as Monk sported a small smile.

“I will leave it to you to deploy them.”

Felix nodded as he left the command center. Probably to harass someone to get his cannons deployed. He undoubtedly wanted to test out his new toys.

It was still a few hours until the Syndicate ships message reached Parnmal.

“Incoming transmission, putting onscreen,” Hulio said

“To the band of idiots in Parnmal, as you have missed your shipment, Lady Fairgate has deigned it that Jorsht and his command staff will die. The first one to bring me their heads will get a portion of the new controllers trades.” The transmission stopped as the ships continued to advance into the system, directly towards Parnmal.

What would Salchar do? Distract, deter, but back it up with some facts.
A small grin spread over Monks face as he sat up.

It would still be some time until his sensor buoys reported back what the ships were, though there was a rough count of over a hundred and fifty ships from wormhole emergence sensors which worked FTL.

“Hulio, I need to have the hologram ready to go. Min Hae, I want to know who that was,” Monk said as they both worked.

“Hologram is ready, Commander,” Hulio said.

“Thank you, now, shall we begin?”

“Ready when you are.”

“I see that the Lady Fairgate has sent her lapdog to once again bite at my heels. Now listen here, Parnmal is no longer under her command. Try to take Parnmal and I will use your hulls for my own. Tell the Lady Fairgate that I will soon be thanking her for the additional use of her shipyard. It will come in use to build my fleet.

“Now, go home and tell the Lady Fairgate of Jorsht's control of this sector.” Monk looked to Hulio who cut the recording, checked it and sent it to the oncoming fleet.

“His name is Captain Kelu; he is completely loyal to Lady Fairgate and one of her eight admirals.”

Monk rubbed his head.

“Thank you, Min Hae.”  Min Hae nodded as he turned to other work.

Monk had people at twenty-five percent readiness, there was no use in having them tired out before a battle. He also had approved all of Felix's extra needs. The planetary cannons were twice as powerful than the Reslient's own and could take out a destroyers shield in two or three hits.

Monk didn't move from his position as the sensor reports finally came in.

“Seven dreadnoughts, fifteen BC’s, thirty destroyers, forty cruisers, and a hundred and thirty-five corvettes.” Noise went though the command center, but Mad Monk cut it in the bud.

“As of now, we are all on level two readiness. Machine shops are to concentrate on getting craft combat ready and creating weapon platforms as well as power sources. Training Commando units should be used to bolster the guard for the Syndicate prisoners for when they find out and to stop their meddling.

Looks like the vacation’s over and we’re back in the fight.” Monk said as he wished he had a couple of corvettes to send to PC, but with the Syndicate fleet there was no way the corvettes would get to the wormhole line before getting cut down.

“Is the fleet moving?” he asked shortly.

Sensor Commander Wast answered. “Once entering the system they grouped together and shot at the sensor buoys in range.”

Monk and Min Hae shared a look, Min Hae's face turning dark. “It seems that they are waiting for reinforcements.”

As Monk had learnt from Syndicate logs, it was very rare that the first group at an objective would strike, they would build their numbers until victory was assured, such was the way of pirates.

“Prepare message for Salchar,” Monk said. Hulio declared his readiness after a few minutes.
Now I just hope we have the time for it to get to you and for you to get here.

Chapter I Hate Surprises

The first thing I saw as I walked into the conference room were two Kuruvians yelping in joy as well as the other commanders in the room.

“Well, I guess something’ ms good?”

“You bet, Commander Salchar!” Rick said, a glint in his eye as he smiled, bringing both his thumbs up and others grinned.

“I did not know that your people were so learned, that some actually went to gain more knowledge. Let alone that your people build and create such fine machinery.”

“Thaaanks,” I said, quirking an eyebrow at Silly.

“I have never seen so many people so interested to learn more and move to the stars. Your race is certainly an interesting one,” Shrift said.

“How many? Trainees?” I asked as the people who had applied to the Free Fleet had finally calmed down.

“Three-point-two billion for civilian jobs,” a third Kuruvian, who was on his data pad, said. His coveralls and insignia put him as a trained engineer, communications tech, and quartermaster.

“Wow.” I was going to need to find someone to manage all of this and I thought I might have the man for the job. It would bare looking at it later.

“Indeed! We will have the Nancy, Defender Moon Base, and Hachiro slowed down at first to train these people, but once they are trained, they will change the system,” Silly said, excitement bubbling over as Shrift and the commanders grinned.

“May I ask how many applied to be in the Free Fleet?” I looked to Rick.

“Two hundred and forty three thousand extra. Though I believe many will change later as their contracts expire.”

I nodded.

“In other news, what is the status of the ships?” I asked as I took my seat at Hachiro's conference table, ,ommanders took theirs as well.

“The Resilient has been put in Nancy for some fixes. With the work Eddie's done, it will take four months to have it ready. Dreadnought Bastille is also nearly completed; it seems the engineering race has done them both a world of good. BC's Veritable and Ilentr are now at sixty percent and they’re working on them as they can, including the Rebirth. Twelve corvettes, four destroyers, and five cruisers are nearly done. Their engineering crews are doing the final internal work. The remaining repairs and rebuilds, we can expect slowed rates as workers are taking up classes to teach the new workforce,” Silly said.

I made a note on my data pad before I continued talking.

“When I pass through Chaleel, I’ll let them know of the job opportunities and tell the recruiting center there to contact you, via the FTL relay, for you to transport the ones that have undergone space testing.”

“Understood. Now-”

“Point emergence reported from Nancy,” came through both my comms implant as well as the conference room table. Everyone stood as we rushed out of the doors. Commanders to their stations as I went to Hachiro's command center. Commander Whorst was there. I'd had Kawaga transferred to Parnmal to pass on his marksman skills to the advanced Commandos that the previous Sarenmenti Special Operations Mechas were teaching.

I came in as Sensors were confirming the wormhole emergence data.

“It's the messenger corvette,” they said.

“Just what message do they have?” Rick asked behind me as I looked to him. “I'll get the fleet ready,” he said before I could say anything. I didn't have time to think on how he'd said what I'd been thinking as commanders began filing in information on the full conditions of their ships.

The corvette's transmission came in five hours later.

“It’s a single corvette flashing fleet IFF. Carrying a message for Commander Salchar.”

My collar piped in and Monks voice asked, “What is life?”

“Mecha Assault,” I answered without thought

“Family?” he asked, his voice calm.

“Mecha Tail.”

The message loaded onto the main screen.

“Salchar, I am sending this message as Parnmal is under attack, and I am not sure if I will be able to hold off the attackers. I have attached below their disposition at the time I send this message and in a secured file our own force. Please, make your best speed. Monk out.”

I was moving out of the command center as the transmission ended, my face a mask as I connected with Resilient's comms, mentally making a list of battle from the reports the ship commanders had given me.

“This is the Resilient,” Walf, my communications officer said through my implant and I accepted it. After the Second Battle for Earth I had memorized every person on my bridge's name.

“Connect me to Combined Arms.”

“Sir?” In Sook asked.

“I want these ships ready for combat,” I said as I sent a file from my data pad.

“Understood.”

I got on a transport rail which sped off towards the shuttle bay. I changed to Rick's channel as I watched sections of the Hachiro speed past me. “I'm having the ships loaded with ammunition and having the ships that are going with us made priority at Nancy; get any repairs we really need done. Engines and hauling gear are priority.”

“Uhh, sure.”

“Also, I want you to sort out who will replace Boot.”

“Consider it done, amigo.” 

“Good, Salchar out.” I jumped off the transport rail and marched towards my shuttle as everyone got out of my way, Krom and Dave marching behind me.

Walf buzzed my implants and I accepted it.

“Sir, it looks like some representatives from Earth wish to talk with you.”

“Their timing is impeccable,” I muttered.

“Commander?” he asked, his voice relaxed. He had clearly heard me but was overlooking it.

“Connect them to me.” 

“Commander Salchar, we would like to talk to you about the… recruiting you’ve been doing,” someone said.

“Cut the shit. Yes, I took your people and gave them jobs in space, so what?”

“It could destabilize the economy!” the first one said

“It very well might, which is one of the major reasons why none of you really wanted to go into space, and that now it’s on your doorstep you’re trying to stop it. Well, let me tell you something. These people are free and they can choose to do as they wish. I’m offering them employment and adventure if they want it, and they’re going to have to work their asses off to get it.”

“But you’ve hired most of our ship builders and maintainers, people that keep the worlds resources moving,” someone else complained. I was getting bored of politicians. I was also beginning to think that the all had slightly whiny, annoying voices.

“Then use something else. Mag trains, shuttles, all will move materials a hell of a lot faster and, once built, a hell of a lot cheaper. Now, I don’t have time to talk. I have work to do.”

“Ah, yes, that brings up another point.” I felt my eyes flash with anger as I fought to keep my composure. I brought my harness down with more force than was needed as the shuttle buttoned up and the airlock depressurized.

“Yes?” I asked, keeping my annoyance out of my tone.

“We would like to put and observer on your ship to see if you act in the way your people say you do.” Since Evelyn had taken up the position of independent reporter for the Free Fleet there had been an out pour of news people trying to get a gig with the fleet.

We hadn't taken any of them. We instead took the real reporters who wanted to show the worst of the Free Fleet. It made it so that everyone knew that we didn't pay them off or bribe our reporters if they were busy pulling us apart and reporting on the places that we went.

Governments had shortly followed the public outburst with wanting to get their own people to 'observe' the fleet, as if Earth was somehow more important than the other worlds I was dealing with.

“You want to give me a babysitter? You’ve signed the document giving you protection and you, one planet, want to have the authority to give me a watchdog? I’m interested, who would this watchdog be?”

“Mr. Keith Edwards,” one said, another leader quickly following him.

“Yes, and if you do not allow him to board, then we will cut the agreement and all ties to the Free Fleet. Denying you the ability to recruit on Earth.”

Which means I will lose most of my forces as they will be cut off from their families, and they can't get back up here.

If I had more time then I'd be able to figure something out, but for now I didn't have the time. So, for now, I was going to have to walk the line, but it didn’t mean I had to be happy about it.”

“Very well.” I stared at the bulkhead in front of me. “Krom, record.”

“Recording.”

“I, Commander Salchar, do accept a watchdog, who is duly appointed by Earth’s governing bodies, by the name of Mr. Keith Edwards. Is what I say correct? State what you govern as well as your consent.”

They each did so.

“As with any contract where personnel are placed in the command structure of the Free Fleet they are subject to Free Fleet rules and codes. Thus, if your watchdog does not follow these rules and codes to the letter you all, who agreed on his behalf, will be subject to the full penalty that he will enjoy, up to and including execution.” I paused as they began whining again. “They will also not be allowed to reveal military secrets or other military information.”
Think you were the only ones that could pull a fast one,
I thought to myself as I enjoyed the imagined looked on their faces.

“A shuttle will be sent momentarily. He will be on that shuttle.”

“Why so fast?” someone complained.

“Because my fleet is needed elsewhere. Have a good day.” I cut the channel as I stood, the shuttle was moving through Nancy's superstructure and towards Resilient's hangars.

“Do you have it all?” I turned, looking to Krom.

“Yes, sir. I have made backups in Hachiro and made sure Commander Whorst is made aware of it.”

“Good.”

“I will stop recording now,” he said as he fiddled with his Mecha.

“I thought you already had.”

“I’ve never used it before, damn thing’s finicky.”

I half grinned as he opened the hatch with Calerd walking in with my Mecha. “Get that shuttle down to Pendleton to pick up the watchdog. Have the Rebirths armorer ready to outfit him with a battle suit and Mecha.”

Calerd grunted. “Once more into the flames.”

I rolled my shoulders and moved, knowing that for the foreseeable future my movement would be much more limited.

“Alright, strap me in,” I said as I connected with my nerve ports and the others strapped, tightened, and clamped me into my Mecha.

I felt the reactor's power supplied to the systems as the servos whined with my movement.

“Damn, I thought I got rid of that,” I grumbled as I walked through the shuttle bay. The noises of deadly machines making their way across the deck made me grin as Commandos and personnel moved through the armories and off to other jobs.

No one saluted as I came in as per action orders. Though, I did see a few twitches.

“How long for the cross loading and finally work up?” I asked as I walked in.

“Six hours,” Rick said.

“Make-”

“I've already made sure that everyone knows how long it'll be.”

I nodded as I took my seat. My comms buzzed. Yasu was calling me.

“I see that I'm not on the roster,” she said in a tone which made it clear that she should be.

“I need to have Commandos and personnel to keep this fleet going. Earth is where we're getting most of our trainees from. You're the best trainer of Commandos that I've got.”

“So it has nothing to do with not wanting me on the front lines?”

“Probably partially, but it is also the best use of you.”

“I am...” She took a breath as she calmed down. “It does make sense, as much as I hate to admit it. Though, I want to be back with the fleet once you're done getting Parnmal back.”

She says it as if I'm going for a walk, not going up against a proper fleet.
“Yes dear.”

“Good, I love you.” And my brain left my skull as I sat there, repeating those words over again. “You going to say anything?”

I kept myself from grinning like an idiot. “I love you too.”

“Good.” I could hear the smile in her tone. I, however, needed to keep up appearances sitting on my bridge.

Supplies, last minute and vital fixes continued as Boot moved to join his patrol group to mine. I had a destroyer commanded by Kalel with three corvettes underneath him to continue their survey of the nearest systems to wormhole to and provide security for the Free Fleet and Earth.

Sparks flew from a panel as it blew out.

“The fuck was that?” I asked.

“Eddie is having the new power plants put online,” Rick said.

“Why didn't he do that earlier?”

“Well, he didn't exactly expect us to be moving so quickly.”

I nodded. “Understandable.”

“He's replacing the two that were scrammed during the last fight,” Rick continued as I pulled up a work order Eddie had submitted.
Well, at least I'll know I can move and shoot at the same time now. I'm going to need that extra thrust.