Jethro 3: No Place Like Home (28 page)

“A few, ma'am. Or so he says.”

“Right. Something tells me their luck hasn't completely run out. Tell him...” she tapped at her lower lip with her fingertips for a moment. “Tell him to put me down for ten they'll survive.”

“Ten Captain?” The rating squeaked in surprise.

“You heard correctly.”

“Aye aye, ma’am. I'll let him know,” the rating said, returning to a professional tone. The Captain winked at the XO. “So, what other trouble can we get into. Damage report?”

---( | ) --- ( | )---

“Incoming call from Bounty. It's the Admiral ma'am,” Firefly said.

“Put him on the main vid,” the Captain said, getting out of her couch and standing at parade rest. She noted motion out of the corner of her eye and turned enough to see Commander Logan stand as well. She turned and noted her entire crew were now standing.

When the image of the Admiral came on, the bridge crew saluted as one. Irons blinked briefly and then something passed through his face. Respect and thanks before he schooled his features and returned the salute.

Irons looked good; in his skin suit and no worse for wear the Captain noted in approval as he struck the salute. She followed suit. “Small universe, Admiral,” the Captain said grinning and cocking her head.

“I was thinking the same thing,” the Admiral replied with a chuckle. “Good to see you. All of you.”

“I see you've made some friends and enemies, Admiral,” Firefly said.

“True to both Commander. It's a long story,” the Admiral replied, sounding amused and thoughtful. “How did you end up in the nick of time?”

“Again, long story, sir. We received intel of this fleet and well...” the Captain smiled.

“I see.”

“It looks like you did a good job taking care of it ahead of us.”

“Well, almost,” Irons replied wryly.

“Biting off more than you can chew, Admiral?” Captain Mayweather asked. “Even for you this is a bit much. I know engineers think they are miracle workers and all...” she said smiling. He chuckled. “Didn't anyone tell you using a tin can and a couple corvettes against a cruiser task force is suicide?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” the Admiral replied with a Gallic shrug and smile. “The idea was to hit them hard and fast, then get past them to jump to Pyrax and warn you folks. That part we were got hung up on,” he admitted.

“Well, it
almost
worked. Emphasis on almost,” the Captain reminded him with a smile.

“Well, not to brag or anything, but with you here it did indeed work. So all's well that ended well. At least for our side. Again though, why are you here? Not that I'm not grateful, but the timing...”

“We heard about the imminent attack when we were in Antigua and convinced Commander Logan to let us take a look,” Mayweather replied dryly. “It took a lot of convincing though.”

The Admiral nodded, face a bit stern. He was surprised they had been in Antigua; obviously like the Captain had said, there was a story there. If he knew Horatio it had taken quite a bit of convincing to let his most powerful asset go in alone. He was surprised Horatio had let them go to Antigua. “Good. A reconnaissance in force. Me too. Glad you aren't standing on the defensive. Thanks for the rescue.”

“It was a pleasure, Admiral,” Captain Mayweather replied, sounding bemused. She looked to her side, off camera. Commander Logan was frowning over a tablet. “Admiral, I've got some post battle chores...”

The Admiral nodded. “Repairing battle damage and such, I know Commander. Get on it. We'll be in touch soon. Coordinate your efforts in the captures and the Marines through Commander Sprite and Lieutenant Gustov.”

“Aye, sir. Glad you are back.”

“That...remains to be seen,” the Admiral replied, then waved as she looked at him curiously. “A matter for a later moment. Duty calls.” She nodded as he disconnected.

---( | ) --- ( | )---

“Odd,” Renee said as the Admiral disconnected. She puzzled over that briefly.

“In what way?” Shelby asked, sounding distracted. She had been busy checking in with Chief Chowler and damage control. Fortunately, they had gotten off lightly. Most of the damage had been to the shields. The shot that had breached their shields had done some damage though. An EPS conduit that had connected two nodes on that side had overloaded with them and exploded, unfortunately killing two ratings and injuring several others. Doctor Standish in infirmary had his work cut out for him.

Before the Captain could answer, the com officer interrupted her. “We're getting a request from Bounty. It is Commander Sprite requesting our log,” the communications officer Sampson reported.

The Captain frowned and then motioned to the ship's AI. “By all means send it Commander. Sitrep?”

“We're still getting reports and a headcount is tentative. We've got two trapped crewman DCC is working on digging out now. They are the last.”

“Understood. CIC, sitrep?”

“Arboth is holding station with the Queen Adrienne as are we. Bounty has some shield harmonic issues as well as some severe battle damage. We're reading heat spikes and atmospheric venting in her stern. Fighters are on station with the Horathian fleet train. Warhawks have made delivery and are returning. We've gotten a signal; they are encountering stiff resistance but have gotten penetration of the target.”

“Good.”

“Glad I'm not in their shoes right now,” Shelby murmured. Her Captain looked at her. She shrugged. “Don't get me wrong, I like a good fight, and I'd love to see that ship. Hell, command her maybe someday. But right now?” She shook her head. “I know my limits. My place is on the bridge,” she said, indicating their surroundings.

“My sentiments exactly number one. Let the professionals do their jobs.” She turned to the engineering rating. “Once the Marines are off and we've picked up any criticals, have our people standing by for prize duty. And contact the Bounty, ask them if they need help with damage control.” The last order was directed to the communications officer.

“Aye, ma'am,” Sampson replied with a nod.

“Doctor Standish here. All wounded crew are stable now. I'm setting up the least injured in a temporary ward in the rec room with one of my SBAs. The critically injured have been stabilized and placed in stasis for the time being. I'd appreciate Commander Firefly looking in on them from time to time. I have a feeling I'll be busy,” the doctor said over the intercom.

Renee looked up. “Good work, doctor. Get your people sorted out and reset. It won't be long before we've got more customers for you,” she said.

“Customers she says,” the doctor muttered darkly. “Understood. Infirmary out.”

“Boat bay, send an available shuttle, pinnace to Bounty. Tell them to take on any wounded they have.”

“Aye aye, ma’am. We've got all remaining shuttles on standby, launching one now.”

“That leaves us one left, Captain. Should we send it out?” Shelby asked. The Captain had kept two shuttles in reserve in case of need, overriding Major Pendeckle's request for all of them. Now she was glad she had.

“No,” Renee replied softly. “I want at least something in reserve. At least for now.”

Chapter 12

The Marines planned to hit each of the ships in succession. The Battlecruiser was the priority; she was still active to some degree and most of the opposition was on that ship. Therefore, she drew their hardest hitters.

Valenko's teams with the majority of their powered combat armor and combat experience drew the Battlecruiser; the remaining Marines would hit the nearest ships once the shuttles became available. That meant getting the Marines in fast and the shuttles on their way to recycle for their next stop.

It also meant they were dangerously overextended, Valenko realized. There was little reserve, and Firefly was at least fifteen minutes out. She was staying carefully out of range of any ship that could come alive again, or worse, scuttle trying to take the Federation vessel with her.

The very real threat of a scuttle had more than one Marine concerned. They knew that they could buy it just as easily with an IED, Gauss round, or a knife though, so the wiser ones did their best to put the concern out of their minds.

As they went in Valenko got an update. He scanned it quickly, noting a highlighted section for his eyes specifically. There was a report of Marines on the Battlecruiser, but the bear wasn't certain what it meant. He checked the IFF as they went in. A handful of blue lights winked on, all clustered in one location. After a moment he started getting a feed from them. “Okay people, by the numbers. Expect heavy resistance. Check your IFF; we've got friendlies on the ship. Jill, you are going to relieve them,” he ordered. The Neocanine nodded and hand signed to her people.

“They are getting hammered and may be punchy so let them know you are coming,” the bear said. The canine nodded. Valenko turned to Jethro. “Gunny, take your squad and hit the reactors; I'll take main engineering. Corporal Wade, you take the bridge.” Wade nodded her head and put her helmet on. “Sergei, hit the armory and secure it.”

“A bit like shutting the barn door you know,” the liger muttered. He hunched his shoulders when the bear gave him a dirty look. “Just saying,” he muttered.

“Quinn take your people and secure the main axis points. Once we cut the bastards off we can go through them one pocket at a time if we have to.”

“Consider it done br'er, bear sir,” the Neo Hyena said.

“Cute. Panashe, secure the CIC and back up bridge. Pick the one you are closest to and then go from there.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Each of you have secondary objectives once the primaries are secured. If we take heavy casualties regroup on Quinn or wherever we've got the largest amount of people.”

“Sir, we're not going in the boat bay or lock...” Private Quiposki said.

“Hell no! Don't do what they'll expect! The pilots know to hit the breaches. Seal up people! Buddy check!” The bear growled, closing his visor.

“Shit,” Sergei muttered, closing his visor and then checking himself and then his buddy.

---( | ) --- ( | )---

“Sir, we've got to do something! They are all over the ship!”

“Damn flea ridden lice! Frack them!” A voice with authority snarled. “We're done for, but the least we can do is take these bastards with us! Engineering! Overload the reactors!”

“Engineering link is down, sir!”

“Then damn it do it from here! Do the same for the engines!”

“Yes, sir! The self-destruct though?”

“It's dead. That damn computer virus took it out. I wish it was online, but this will work just as well. Hell, overpressurize the fuel system and then vent it into the life support.”

“Sir?” A startled voice replied. There was a sound of a smack that even made the Marine wince. If he could hear it from here, even with his enhanced hearing and listening device than he knew it had to have hurt.

“Do it!”

“Aye aye, Sir! Venting...it'll take some time to build up pressure!”

“Just get it done. You two, see anything?”

“Someone's at the door,” a voice growled. “Just waiting for him to stick his head around the corner so we can blow it off,” the voice continued.

Private Bart Quiposki frowned thoughtfully. He had overheard the officers and ratings on the bridge snarling about the self-destruct. He replayed the conversation in his mind as he glanced back to the rest of his squad. Two were down, light wounds. They didn't have a medic with them so Hart and Debs were trying to treat Corporal Wade and PFC Nahele the best they could. That cut their squad almost in half.

“Venting in five, sir!” The rating said. Bart glanced towards the bridge and then sighed, resting his head against the bulkhead briefly and closed his eyes.

“Fine then,” the Horathian officer said. Bart frowned. “If anyone comes in overload the reactors and then destroy your station,” the man growled.

“With what, sir?” the rating asked, voice quivering in fright.

“I don't know! Just hold them off for five more minutes! You can at least do that right?”

Bart frowned. He had to do something, something no doubt stupid. He did a quick inventory. Unfortunately, he was fresh out of flash bangs; the two centimeter spherical grenades were about the only thing he could use on the bridge. He checked the squad through his link but found they were out too. The fighting to get to this point had been intense.

He did a quick peak with the tip of his weapon, under the barrel of his C-42 Impaler was a tiny camera. Gauss rounds hammered into the corner he was behind as he withdrew the weapon. Not good, he thought, checking the recording. They had the hatch and corridor leading up to it bracketed with crossfire. Anyone who stepped into it was dead meat.

Time to buck it up the chain of command. He flipped open his link to the panther. “Gunny, they're working on blowing the ship!”

“Then do something about it!” The panther snarled back. From the background sound he was in the middle of combat and didn't need the distraction.