Gray Panthers: Dixie (34 page)

Arizona Space Ship Beater, in Earth space

27 November 2128

Captain Johnson listened as Lieutenant Horton explained how to find the exit from inside the wormhole. Horton then announced that the sensors had detected the opening.

“Good job, Lieutenant Horton. Commander Poland, set us up for a straight shot to Earth after we exit the wormhole. Lieutenant Horton, signal Earth that we need an immediate conference with Mr. Daniels when we get there. Looks like local time will be nineteen hundred hours when we arrive.”

As Dan sat in his office waiting for the captain of the Beater to arrive, he couldn’t help but wonder what grim news the captain would have to share. What new fire would need to be put out?

Juanita let the captain in, and Dan offered him a drink.

“No thank you, Mr. Daniels, but I think you may want one. On November 24, we were assisting a pair of Dixie destroyers in Libra space when we picked up the following message, which was playing in a loop.”

“Criminals of Dixie, you will release your Libra hostages, as well as all Jacka contractors, before we will further communicate with you. You will also turn over the criminal responsible for the genocide committed against the peace-loving peoples of the Gas Giant Rewards. This concludes our reply to your demands upon us. The Libra Alliance Grand Council.”

“Sir, we think it means the Libra have either executed the captives or, more likely, have already sent them in as cannon fodder in one of their wars. I expect the Dixie council will get that message on November 29.”

The prospect of the Dixians attacking the Libra full force scared the hell out of Dan. If his Fire Warriors got in the way, there would be heavy bloodshed on both sides. He didn’t want to see his plans ruined so close to fruition. He tossed back the drink, thanked Johnson, and then walked him out.

“Hercules, brief Abby on the meeting I just had. I’m leaving immediately for planet Glory. I want Abby to send Admiral Bad to Dixie on the Nike. If he’s not able to stop the Dixians, he is to join their fleet with the Nike. Hopefully he can keep the Dixians and the Fire Warriors from destroying each other if he is with them. Have a shuttle meet me on the roof to take me to the Grub. Alert Abby five minutes after I have left the system. Oh, and alert Master Sergeant Thornburg to have his team ready immediately.” Dan waited to make sure that Hercules understood his instructions.

“Sir, brief Abby on your mission and the need for Admiral Bad to go on his own mission with the Nike. A shuttle is already on the way to the roof. General Black has had Master Sergeant Thornburg billeted on the Grub with two squads since your last mission aboard it.”

“Good job, Hercules. Don’t let things fall apart while I’m gone.”
Now, how many things have I forgotten?
Dan asked himself as the elevator rose toward the top floor.

Gray Panthers headquarters, Arizona

28 November 2128

Captain Johnson looked at Commander Poland and shrugged his shoulders as they waited outside Dan’s office. They’d received orders to report as soon as possible and had been sitting there for ten minutes. The door finally opened and Dan’s chief lieutenant motioned for them to come in.

“Gentlemen, Dan has mounted his stallion and is charging at windmills. I need for you both to come to his rescue. He left for Glory last night with the news you brought, in case the Dixians decide to attack the Jacka as well as the Libra.

“I don’t know if you are familiar with our latest weapon, Abby Artillery—I didn’t name it. It consists of three of our heaviest beamers on a platform similar to a shuttle, and it’s directed by its own AI. I sent a dozen of them to connect to the Beater so you’ll have additional firepower if you need it.

“So just get to Dan and have his back. Transfer half of the artillery to the Grub when you get there. Any questions about your orders?”

“What if Dan tells us to take a flying leap?” Johnson asked.

“He’s smarter than that, but if he orders you to leave without a direct assignment, then your orders are to remain in Libra space at captain’s discretion. Captain Johnson, I did a quick review of your last mission, where you destroyed three escape pods. I think that not only were your actions justifiable, but that without those actions the Dixie ships would not have made it back. Good hunting.” As Abby rose to lead them out, he got the feeling that he wouldn’t see them again.

Arizona Space Ship Beater, in Earth space

28 November 2128

“Damn! Look at those things!” Johnson said to Poland as their shuttle approached the Beater. “I want a dozen more!” He was surprised by how huge the Abby Artillery looked, attached magnetically all over the ship’s hull.

“Beater, this is Johnson. How are we looking for personnel?”

“All personnel are on board the ship, Captain.”

“Great! As soon as our shuttle arrives in the bay, jump us to the wormhole and enter it. We’re in a hurry!”

“Understood, Captain. Jump to wormhole, then enter en route to League of Planets space.”

As the shuttle entered the bay, Johnson saw two shuttles parked near the nine Darts. “Oops, I guess we have an extra shuttle for this mission.”

The two men got out, and Johnson laughed as he watched the now-empty shuttle exit the bay to return to Earth. “That’s one smart shuttle. It must’ve known the odds and decided it didn’t want to come with us.” Johnson felt cold as he stopped laughing. “I don’t think I’ll be missed if I get myself a mug of coffee. I’ll see you on the flight deck, Commander,” He could feel a headache coming on, and he hoped the coffee would take care of it.

When Johnson made his way to the flight deck a few minutes later, he shared the news with the rest of the ship. “All crew, this is the Captain. Mr. Daniels went on a mission to the Jacka home world. We have been tasked to back him up. There’s a possibility that our allies, the Dixians, may attack the Jacka. We will be there to stop any bloodshed. Blessed are the peacemakers. Johnson out.”

Dixie Ship Georgia, en route to Dixie

29 November 2128

Captain Woods watched the ship’s chronometer, waiting to give the order to drop from FTL space to normal space. He didn’t look forward to debriefing the admiral. He also had decided that when the war was over, he was going to do something else with his life. A career as a space fleet officer had lost its luster.

“Captain? It’s time.” Woods glanced at the chronometer and saw that he had lost thirty minutes while in thought.

“Helmsman, drop the ship.” The appearance of stars and space boosted Woods’s morale as he issued new orders.

“Helmsman, take us home, maximum impulse.” The home world looked tiny as it orbited the gas giant. Numerous warships and Libra wreckage slowed their approach.

“Dixie Command, Georgia.”

“Georgia, Dixie Command. Go ahead.”

“Georgia returning with Virginia. Virginia will require inspection after damages resulting from mission. I will need an audience immediately with Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard.”

“Captain Woods is directed to shuttle to main spaceport. Transport will be waiting to deliver him to fleet headquarters. Georgia is to assume orbit. Virginia has been instructed to return to spaceport for major inspection. Dixie Command out.”

As Woods climbed into the shuttle he checked his pocket to make sure he had a copy of the Libra message.

When the shuttle arrived at the main spaceport, Woods was still trying to figure out the oral report he was going to give the admiral. He saw the admiral’s vehicle pull up, and the admiral’s aide waved him to the vehicle. A short time later, they were at fleet headquarters.

“The admiral has decided to have others sit in on your debrief,” the lieutenant informed Woods as they approached the main briefing center. He then opened the door for Woods to enter.

Not far from the door was a podium that faced two hundred filled seats, with the exception of two in the front row. It looked as though every officer from the rank of captain on up was in the audience. A door in the back of the room opened. The admiral and the president entered and made their way to the pair of empty seats.

A young man addressed Woods, jarring him from his thoughts. “Captain Woods? I’m the theater technician. Do you need anything from me?” Woods resisted the urge to ask for a bottle of bourbon, instead handing the young tech the media.

“Thank you, sir. I will be to your left. Signal me when you want me to play the media and when to stop.”

Woods realized that no one was going to announce him, so he marched briskly to the podium and grabbed it in a death grip.

“Good morning. I am Senior Lieutenant John Taylor Woods, captain of the destroyer Georgia. This is a short debrief of my mission into Libra territory.

“Upon arrival in Libra Alliance space we did not find any enemy as we launched our buoys with their message for the Libra command. The Georgia and the Virginia then proceeded to the Libra Two mining colony. While dropping from FTL, we found ourselves caught in the planet’s gravity well, though we managed to jump clear. The Virginia dropped even closer and had to use thrusters to escape the gravity well, sustaining damage—”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant Woods, as the mission commander, how did you let something like that happen?” Woods appraised the man who’d asked the question. His uniform identified him as having a support command function.

“Sir, the last updated navigational data we had for the area we jumped into was from approximately 1864. I’m assuming there was unrecorded drift brought on by gravitational shift by their sun in the last two hundred and sixty-four years.” Woods didn’t hide his disdain for the desk-bound warrior.

“Lieutenant Woods, please continue. No one who has been given the privilege of attending this debrief will interrupt you again,” the admiral said, cracking a half smile before sitting back down.

“After dropping, I ordered the Virginia out of the immediate combat area. I then began to receive inbound small missiles from unknown cargo ships as I proceeded to destroy all cargo ships. The Georgia then took out a ground-based missile battery and the spaceport. Our limited attack on the mine’s atmospheric dome resulted in the destruction of the colony when the atmosphere accidentally caught fire.

“The Georgia then retired to assist the Virginia, when we were attacked by two patrol ships. One was immediately destroyed and the other seriously damaged. We hoped to recover parts from the damaged ship for repairs on the Virginia.

“When that failed, we set course for the Jacka home world for possible assistance. We were intercepted by the Arizona Space Ship Beater, which rendered aid by replacing the needed part.

“At that point we received the response from the Libra to the message we had sent. Here is the recording.” Woods nodded to the tech to play the message.

“Criminals of Dixie, you will release your Libra hostages, as well as all Jacka contractors, before we will further communicate with you. You will also turn over the criminal responsible for the genocide committed against the peace-loving peoples of the Gas Giant Rewards. This concludes our reply to your demands upon us. The Libra Alliance Grand Council.”

Upon hearing the message, the president and admiral rose and left in a hurry. Woods nodded to the tech to give him the media. He then thanked the audience and vacated the podium before anyone could ask any more questions.

New Richmond, planet Dixie

29 November 2128

“Admiral, strategy and tactics are your business, not mine,” President Davis said as he paced the floor. “Today, I am giving probably the only order you will ever receive from me. I order you to take as overwhelming of an attack force as you can muster and leave immediately. You will not return until the Libra home world is destroyed. The five days in FTL space will give you the time needed to plan your attack. Before you depart, you will meet with a team of scientists who will share with you some ideas that I have approved. This will be like the Spartans—come home with your shield high or on it!” He walked around the room a few more times before he continued.

“Admiral, if the fleet is still here in three hours, you will be court-martialed. I will personally pull the lever for your hanging. Now get out of here and come back a hero.”

“Mr. President, what about the Libra Alliance allies, like the Jacka? In our people’s eyes, they are our enemy as well.”

“Admiral, we both know that they were just hired guns. If you can take them out at no loss to us, go ahead. Otherwise, leave them alone. They aren’t worth losing any additional Dixian lives.”

“Mr. President, I’ll take all mission-ready ships. I’ll leave behind ships needing fuel or any type of supplies.” Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard was ecstatic to finally be able to lead his fleet in a real battle, not like that little skirmish saving Earth.

Fire Ship Spark, approaching planet Glory

29 November 2128

“Captain Spear, as a precautionary measure I suggest we go to battle stations for when we drop to normal space,” Hayes said. “We don’t know if the Libra have attacked or not.”

Spear was tired of the human woman always making suggestions to him. But, she would be gone today, so he would humor her.

“Battle stations. Battle stations. Battle stations. This is not a drill. Drop into normal space,” Spear ordered.

“Captain, there are numerous signals for coordinating the home fleet’s disposition,” Hayes informed Spear. “There are also many distress calls. Libra have almost annihilated our home fleet.”

“Sensor operator, do you see any enemy ships?” Spear asked.

“Sir, there’s at least four that I have found. They are the same as our four ships.”

“Give the information for the closest enemy to our gunners.”

“Spear, you need to tell the other ships which targets to attack,” Hayes advised.

“Spear to fleet, attack the same ship as me, and then we can destroy the rest.”

The Libra ship took a major hit to engineering, stopping it dead as the Fire Warrior ships encircled it.

“Spear, the ship is helpless. Move on to the others before they can get away!” Captain Hayes urged, watching in frustration as all ships fired on the lone Libra ship and the rest began to escape.

“Congratulations, Captain Spear,” Hayes said snarkily. “I’m sure the Great Council will heap rewards upon rewards on you … for letting the enemy get away. I recommend that you at least begin rescue operations for survivors on the damaged ships.”

Spear turned to Hayes, eyes wide from the rush of combat. The memory of how she had defeated him in unarmed combat stopped him from advancing on her.

“Send out shuttles to ships requesting rescue. Notify central command that we are here and will assume picket duty so we are not attacked again,” he ordered the crew.

“Sir, there’s another ship coming in,” the sensor operator advised. “It’s still a ways out. The signal from it identifies it as the Grub.”

“We have no ship by that name,” Spear replied. “Prepare to destroy it when it gets within range.”

Hayes looked at Spear like he belonged in the circus. “Sensor operator, are there any ships by that name in your records?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. It is the command vessel for the human Dan Daniels, of the Gray Panthers.”

Hayes grabbed Spear by the collar and pulled his ear to her lips. “You are a stupid, ignorant failure. You let the enemy fleet get away, and then you almost kill the savior of your planet. When we get to the council I am going to recommend that you be transferred to the army. Your only job will be to dig latrines and fill them in when the army moves on. You are through.”

Spear could no longer contain his hatred. He drew his sword and attacked the human. “You will die by my hand, human bitch!”

As Spear raised his sword, Hayes drew her sidearm and fired once, exploding his eye. He stood for a minute and then collapsed.

“Signal the council that Spear is dead,” Hayes told the crew. “Pike, you will be a suitable captain. Have you learned anything here today, Captain Pike?”

“I have watched for many days and learned. Spear was only waiting for you to go, and then he was going to use the old ways. He was prideful, but ignorant. I would have stopped more of the enemy and not destroyed a ship that we could have rebuilt easily.”

“Grub, Spark,” Hayes commed.

“Spark, Grub. Go ahead.”

“Are you ready to go private?”

“Go ahead.”

“These boys need a lot more training. They can run the ship but need to learn how to fight. They let the enemy flee as they ganged up on a crippled ship. After I explained how wrong his approach was, Spear attacked me. I killed him in self-defense.”

“Just let the next one in charge run the ship and advise as needed. We’ll see what the council thinks when I go down there in the morning. I have the feeling they’ll be a little busy the rest of today.”

“Yes, sir. May I have the Spark form up as your wingman, in case there’s any additional trouble?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, but go ahead and do it anyway, so it can be seen as a gesture of friendship between our people. Daniels out.”