Dawn of a New Age (32 page)

2.13.2136

1400

SLS White Knight

The Bridge

K
’ALAN settled in his command chair and nodded to himself.  He looked over the two levels of the bridge and made sure everyone was at their station and ready.

“Launch,” he ordered.

He felt the floor throb as the engines started and the powerful ship undocked from the station.

“Captain, we have four Duhari class heavy cruisers on long range scanners,” Masha reported.

“The Creighton has launched,” Kath reported.  “Captain Keevan on the line for you.”

“Patch him through, audio only,” K’Alan said.

“Audio only,” Kath acknowledged.

“What’s your plan, K’Alan?” Tom asked.

“We’re gonna sandwich them, Tom.  I want you to flank them one hundred eighty degrees,” K’Alan said.

“I can do that,” Tom acknowledged.  “We’ll catch them in between.  Good sound tactic.”

“Keep this line open, Tom.  Audio only.  We’ll coordinate this way.”

“Understood.”

“When you’re in position, launch all your fighters,” K’Alan said.  “The Brentax will likely send out theirs too.  Our pilots will be badly outnumbered, but their job is to distract the fighters while we take on the base ships.”

“Understood.”

“Commander Sykes,” K’Alan said.  He turned to look at his executive officer.  He knew she was going to be happy with what he was about to say.  He knew a lot of other people would be happy about it as well.  “You’re in command of the fighter detachment.  I want all fighters ready to launch in ten minutes.  As of this moment, you are Gamma Strike’s strike leader.”

“Yes, sir,” Erin nodded.  She flicked a switch on her console.  “All fighter pilots report to the flight bay in full flight gear immediately.  We hit space in ten minutes.”

Erin ran off the bridge towards the flight bay.  K’Alan watched the activity on the bridge with pride.

“Tactical holo,” he ordered.

Masha nodded, and the tactical holo appeared in the center area of the bridge showing the four Duhari class cruisers accelerating towards the Gamma Epsilon Station.

“Helm, keep us between those cruisers and the station,” K’Alan ordered.  “Masha, give me full defensive screens.”

“Screens up,” Masha said.

“Start targeting the lead ship, Masha.  Weapons and engines, please,” K’Alan said.

“You got it, K’Alan.”

“How’s the Creighton doing?” K’Alan asked.

“They’re nearing position,” Kath reported.

“Let’s just hope they get there quickly.”

2.13.2136

1412

Erin Sykes’ Starhawk

“Barnes, Danang, bear hard right, you’ve got raiders on your tail,” Erin barked into her ships commlink.  “Jenkins, Tags, engage those raiders.”

“Commander,” Ensign Jennifer Harrison called from the other cockpit.  “We’ve lost Lancers 4 and 7.”

“Damn,” Erin swore.  “All right, guys.  Everyone watch your six.  We’re getting pummeled.  Where the hell are the Creighton’s fighters?”

Erin put the Starhawk through its paces weaving in and out of the attacking fighters and taking out a number of them.  More than once, she had to pull a slick maneuver to avoid being shot down herself, and she watched with frustration as some damn fine pilots bought it at the hands of the Brentax.

“Commander, this is Jenkins,” a high-pitched male voice called over the comms.  “One of those bastards just shot my right high engine.  I can’t keep a constant thrust.”

“Pack it in, Jenkins.  Land on the White Knight as soon as you can,” Erin called while blasting a raider.

“Aye, Commander,” Jenkins replied.  “I’ll see…”

There was a loud explosion on the line and then silence.  Silently, Erin cursed as yet another promising young pilot died in battle.

2.13.2136

1420

SLS White Knight

The Bridge

“Captain, our fighters are taking heavy casualties.  We’ve lost fifteen fighters already,” Masha reported.”

“Damn.  Keep firing on that base ship, Masha.”

2.13.2136

1423

SLS Creighton

The Bridge

“
C
APTAIN, we’re in position,” the helm officer said.

“Good.  Launch all fighters,” Tom ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Jack said.  “Fighters are launching.  Captain, they’re badly outnumbered.”

“I know,” Tom nodded.  “Let’s see what we can do to help them.  Jack, start firing on the closest base ship.  Target their weapons, engines, and fighter bays.”

“Aye, sir.  Proton torpedoes locked on target.”

Five proton torpedoes arced from the Creighton and slammed into the closest Duhari class vessel.  The torpedoes impacted on the vessel’s shields.

“Sir, the White Knight has taken some damage,” Jack reported.

“Nothing we can do about that, Jack,” Tom said.  “Just keep firing on that ship.”

“Captain, there’s another ship coming in fast,” Jack reported.

“Can you get a read on what it is, Jack?”

“Trying, Captain,” Jack said as his fingers flew across his console.  “It looks like the Atlantia, sir.”

“K’Alan, do you see that?”

“Yeah, Tom.  Great timing for her to show up,” K’Alan responded.

“This a boys’ night out or can anyone join in?” Laura Goldthorne cut in on the comms channel.

“Come on in,” Tom called.  “We could use the extra firepower.”

“I should have known that you’d be sitting here on your arse, Swamp Rat,” Laura chuckled.  “I’ll launch all our fighters as soon as we arrive.  Let’s take it to them.”

The battle raged on, fighters from both sides turning into clouds of ash and metal debris.  When the Atlantia arrived and launched her fighters, though, the tide seemed to turn to the Star League’s favor.

“They’re running!” Erin called from her Starhawk.  “Shall we pursue?”

“Negative,” K’Alan called over the chan.  “All fighters return to your respective ships.  Let’s pack it in and see if they can salvage the peace conference after this.”

2.13.2136

1704

Gamma Epsilon Station

Main Conference Room

“
W
ITH the opposition from the last vestiges of the old Brentax Empire quashed,” M’Bek Tarmos began.  “I would like to take this moment to welcome a new era of peace in this quadrant.”

With that statement, M’Bek Tarmos signed the peace accord between the Brentax Empire and the Star League.  There was great applause as President Jameson also signed the treaty.

“Captain Bryce, may Admiral Bonetti and I have a word with you?” the president asked as she walked over to where K’Alan was standing with Captain Keevan and Captain Goldthorne.

“Yes, of course, Madame President,” K’Alan said, bowing slightly in respect to the president.

‘You’ll have a full briefing on this by the time you return to the White Knight,” Admiral Bonetti began.  “But we need to talk to you about it.  The White Knight will be carrying the Star League Advisory Council as it was originally supposed to.  We need to assign two permanent support ships to the White Knight in case of emergency.”

“We’d like you to request two ships,” Kerrin finished.

“Well,” K’Alan thought for a second before continuing.  “I can’t think of two better ships than the Atlantia and the Creighton.”

“Done,” John nodded.  They’ll be reassigned within the hour.  You will have full command of the fleet with a promotion to Commodore.  Congratulations.”

“Er, thanks.  I think,” K’Alan stammered.

“You’ve earned it,” John smiled, clapping K’Alan on the shoulder.  “Your rank insignia will be waiting for you in your office on the White Knight.”

“Have you talked to the Duterians about who their representative will be?” K’Alan wondered aloud.

“No,” John said.  “But I think I can imagine who it will be.”

K’Alan nodded and smiled.

“Well, I should get back to the White Knight,” K’Alan said.  “Tom, Laura, we’re going to need to have a meeting to talk about the new assignments.  But not tonight.  Tonight, we have a party.”

“Sounds good to me,” Tom smiled.

2.13.2136

1800

SLS White Knight

Main Bridge

“
C
OMMODORE, the President is about to speak,” Kath said.

“Holo,” K’Alan said as he settled into his chair.   He briefly looked around the bridge, noting all his officers were where they belonged and he smiled to himself.  It was good to be back on board the White Knight.

President Kerrin Jameson and Brentax Supreme Commander M’Bek Tarmos appeared in the holoprojector in the center of the bridge.  They were standing next to each other, and both were smiling.  President Jameson stepped forward and began to speak.

“Today, the Star League signed a peace treaty with the Brentax Empire.  A copy of the treaty will be made available to all Star League citizens.  This is a historic accord that will be spoken of for years to come.

“As we enter a new era of peace with our Brentax neighbors, we must look forward towards a new future.  And now we know that it will be a future marked by a lasting peace in this quadrant of space.

“To this end, I announce the formation of the Star League Advisory Council.  The six core races of the Star League and the Brentax Empire will all send representatives to the Star League Advisory Council.  This council will meet to oversee disputes between Star League races.  It is our hope that this council will prevent conflicts like the long war with the Brentax Empire that we have just ended.

“We have all faced great losses in the past several years, and we now have time to mourn.  And mourn we all will.  But now we also have a chance to shape a future that all of our children will grow strong in.”

The smiling president took a step back and the holo faded.  K’Alan flipped a switch on his chair.

“Good work all,” K’Alan said over the shipcall.  “It’s time we all celebrated.  There will be a party in Soran’s Bar this evening at 2100 hours.  All crew members not on duty are invited to attend.”

Mario stood up and headed up to the second level of the bridge from where he’d been sitting at the damage control station.

“Kal, I’ll see you at the party.  There’s something I need to do before I head to Soran’s Bar,” Mario said, a twinkle in his eye.

Without waiting for a response, Mario strode off the bridge, whistling quietly as he went.

“Commander, you have the bridge,” K’Alan called to Erin.  “I have a baseball game to play.”

2.22.2136

2112

SLS White Knight

Soran’s Bar

All of the tables had been cleared out of the bar, and it was festively decorated, with gold and silver decorations on all the walls.  Despite the size of the room, and it was one of the largest single rooms on the ship, there were quite a few people pressed together in the bar.  Crewmembers from all three ships, the White Knight, the Creighton, and the Atlantia, were all having fun celebrating the new peace with the Brentax Empire.

Soran was making the rounds and making sure everyone had the drinks they wanted.  He glided over to where Masha was talking with Jack Benton.

“Masha, can I get you something to drink?” he asked, noting that Jack already had one.

“Yeah, Soran.  Maybe a soda?” the security chief winked.

“A soda it is then,” Soran chuckled and went to pour one.  Masha turned back to Jack as the barman swept away.

“So tell me the truth.  Did you really rig the torpedo launchers to do an automatic rapid fire?”

“Yes, and you should have seen Captain Bryce’s face when he came on board.  He was white as a sheet.  You see, we were shooting at a bunch of fighters close by him at one point.”

“He must have had a fit.”

“Yeah,” Mario said breaking into the conversation.  “He told me later that if he ever found out who was shooting like that, that he would personally kick that person’s arse. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was me.”

“You were manning the weapons console?” Masha snorted.  “I would have loved to have seen that!”

“It was great,” Mario grinned.  “The modified torpedoes worked perfectly.”

K’Alan and K’Itea walked in.  Soran swept over to them, happy to see his long-time friend and his wife.

“Captain Bryce,” he smiled, then corrected himself when he saw the rank insignia on K’Alan’s dress uniform.  “Commodore Bryce.  Welcome back.  This is the first chance I’ve had to welcome you back.  Planning for this party’s been taking up much of the past couple days.”

“I understand, Soran,” K’Alan smiled.  “And it’s good to be back where I belong!”

“Yes, I’m sure it is.”

Soran smiled and swept over to another group of officers that had just entered.

“You and Elam looked like you were having fun in the park tonight, K’Alan,” K’Itea said.

“Yes, I think he likes baseball,” K’Alan chuckled.  “I think he may end up being a better pitcher than his old man.”

K’Itea laughed.  She looked around at all of the people in the room.

“Mario,” she called.  “Come over here please.”

“Anything for the High Gentlewoman,” the colonel smiled, bowing.  S’Era was at his side, looking dazzling.

“S’Era, you look marvelous tonight,” K’Alan said.

“Thank you, brother.  I borrowed the dress from K’Itea,” S’Era said, twirling so they could get the full effect of the dress.

“Mario, I have to ask,” K’Alan said.  “Where did you go when you left the bridge this evening?”

“I had to go make sure someone came to the party tonight.”

“Oh?  Who?” K’Alan asked, very curious.

“You’ll see.  Surprise for Soran.”

K’Alan raised his eyebrow.

Captain Tom Keevan of the Creighton walked over at that moment.

“K’Alan, good to see you not covered in muck,” Tom chuckled.

“Thanks again for coming to get me, Tom,” K’Alan smiled.  “Have you seen Erin yet?  I think she was looking for you earlier.”

“She was?” Tom swallowed.  “Did she say anything to you about me?”

“No, actually, she was too busy giving me hell over going and doing something dangerous.   And she punched me in the arm.”  He furrowed his brows.  “She said something about never wanting my chair again.”

“That sounds about right,” Tom laughed.

“There you are, Swamp Rat,” Captain Laura Goldthorne called, walking over to the small group.

“Hi, Laura,” Tom blushed.

“So, Swamp Rat,” Laura smiled.  “Commander Sykes was looking for you earlier.  She said she better see you at the party.  I haven’t seen her here yet.”

“Er,” Tom said, looking rather uncomfortable.  “Do you happen to know if she was happy about wanting to see me?”

“I don’t know, Swamp Rat,” Laura said.  “Never was able to read her well.”

“Great,” Tom sighed, fidgeting.  “Just great.”

“Something you want to share with the rest of the class, Tom?” K’Alan said, a twinkle in his eye.

“Not really, K’Alan, but I suspect you’ll know soon enough anyway.”

The door opened and a female Duterian that K’Alan didn’t recognize walked in.

“Well, I’ll be back in a bit, kiddies,” Mario said.  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.  And if Tom spills about what’s going on, make sure you tell me later, Kal.”

“Of course,” K’Alan chuckled.  “Whatever it is, is bound to be good gossip over our next poker game, Mario.”

“Boys,” S’Era groaned, rolling her eyes.

Mario gave S’Era a playful swat on the rump then headed over to the Duterian that K’Alan didn’t know.

“This spot taken?” Erin asked from behind Tom.

“Er, hi,” Tom said, blushing.  “K’Alan and Laura said you wanted to see me?”

Erin nodded.  She held up her hand and smiled.  Tom let out a huge sigh of relief when he saw the ring on her finger.

“Congratulations, Swamp Rat,” Laura laughed.  “And it’s about time, if you ask me.”

“I thought she was going to say no!” Tom gasped.

“Why you—“ Erin never finished the sentence as Tom leaned over and kissed her.

Soran had finished circulating and was standing at the bar, pouring a Duterian Sunmist for K’Alan when Mario stepped up to him.

“Hey, Soran,” Mario said.  “Got a minute?”

“Sure, Mario,” Soran said as he turned.  “I—“

Soran dropped the glass he was pouring the drink in.

“Hello, Soran,” the Duterian woman standing next to Mario said.  “It’s been a long time.  I see you remember me.  I thought I’d never see you again.”

“K’Aria?” Soran asked.  “K’Aria Danare?  Is it really you?”

“Yes,” K’Aria smiled.  “It is.”

Knees shaking, Soran sat on the nearest stool.  Mario left the two alone, unnoticed by the barman.

“I tried to bring you back to the ship, K’Aria.  I went looking for you.  I never wanted to—“

“I forgave you a long time ago, Soran,” K’Aria smiled.  “And I never forgot you.  Colonel Bonetti remembered seeing my name amongst the survivors, and came to find me.  He told me you were on board, and my heart rejoiced.  I had no idea what had happened to you.”

Soran was at a loss for words.  Turning back to the bar, he made her a drink, a Tomarian Moondance, just the way she liked it.

“I remember making this for you a long time ago,” Soran said quietly.  “I’ve never made one since I thought I’d lost you.”

The two old friends continued talking, and Mario, smiling, headed back to K’Alan.

“May I have your attention please?” K’Alan called loudly.  All conversation in the bar slowly ended, and everyone looked towards the captain.  “I wish to propose a toast.  This crew’s been through a lot in the past month, and you have all done far better than anyone could have hoped for.  You are all the best crew a captain could ask for.  To Gamma Strike and to peace!”

There were choruses of “Hear! Hear!” around him, and K’Alan raised his glass in salute to the crew.

His crew.