Retribution (3 page)

Dave didn’t respond. Finally Kirkland added “All right, I’ll come but I need an hour and can you get Packer direct from Niku?”

“Yes Sir. I’ll see you here in an hour and a half. I appreciate this.”

“Alright Captain. I have to go.”

As soon as he ended the call Dave was hailed by Gunter “Sir, we’ve just brought the damaged life support systems back on line. We should have a working atmosphere in the aft of E deck in a few minutes. So it’s OK to let the folks back in.”

“Good work Gunter.”

Chapter 2. Resolute over Assam 1530, 25 May

Dave Warner made his way down to G deck where the shuttle bringing Justine Packer was arriving. His mind was tired. It had been operating at high revs the whole day. It was crying out for rest but he knew he was not going to get any.

The elevator door opened and he strode out into the forward shuttle compartment from where the light shuttles, the Warthogs, operated. Whiskey 1 had already landed and the wiry frame of Justine Parker was exiting the hatch. Justine was a mature woman but Dave could see that she was a little frail. He put that down to her mistreatment at the hands of Bane.

Dave had spent some time with Justine on the Hermes. She was then accompanying Commodore Pious ostensible to extend an offer of peace to the sleth. He remembered the surprised look on her face when instead of the sleth they encountered the rogan.

She had a reputation of being a tough politician. It was said she accepted the moniker of ‘ice-maiden’ with pride. Her toughness was certainly proven in this latest encounter. But Dave had come to know her softer side, which had been brought to the surface after her romance with Cdre Pious.

Dave walked towards her as she was getting her bearings. She saw him and smiled. Dave offered her his hand but she opened out her arms and they hugged instead.

“Thank you” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you for saving us” and she gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. Dave knew that the “us” was both personal and generic. His forces had managed to both free her and Pious from the clutches of Bane and assisted in putting down the rebellion that had seized control of Niku, where she was head of the governing council.

As they parted Dave could see the shaven head of Harry Kirkland poking through the hatch. He was dazzled by the bright lights within the landing bay but after cupping a hand over his eyes he found what he was looking for and strode toward Dave.

“Welcome to the Resolute, Sir” said Dave as he saluted.

“Impressive ship Captain.”

“Would you like a tour Sir?”

“One day for sure but I’m afraid it will have to wait. Let’s get this business over with…if you don’t mind.”

“Of course Sir. If you and Councillor Packer would follow me.”

He led them the short distance to the G deck briefing room where two military police stood guard over Felis Draag. 2
^nd
Lt Ivan Kiralenko, the ships Communications and Intelligence Officer stood to attention as they entered.

Introductions were made. However, neither Justine nor Harry accepted the outstretched four fingered hand offered by Felis. He withdrew his hand behind his slender body. By rogan standards Felis at 1.6m was tall. The rogan appeared similar to humans, having two legs and two arms. But they were smaller in all proportions save for their head. Felis’s head had a long face with a large cranium that tapered at the top and extended back a long way. His pale complexion flushed for a moment at the slight he knew he had to endure. He took his seat when Dave indicated. His dark, almond shaped eyes scanned the enemy in front of him. They were angled slightly down into the centre. He kept his hands below the table.

Dave looked to the General and then to Justine, but both were content to let Dave run the show, so he opened his console where he had a transcript of his earlier conversation with Felis when he offered to surrender. “Commander Draag, previously you said and I quote that not all rogan were in favour of this conflict and that you would offer your services as an emissary to seek peace between our two races.”

“That is correct Captain” replied Felis.

“What did you mean by not all rogan?”

“The Imperial Rogan Fleet is a proud organisation but not all of its officers and crew are proud of what they have had to do. It used to pride itself on honour but honour is in short supply these days. You have to understand that in the Imperial Rogan Fleet an Admiral in charge of an independent fleet has total power over his subordinates. Failure to obey results in summary death.”

“Admiral Soola wielded his power ruthlessly. He was not an honourable rogan. He was ambitious. He saw that if he could add the sleth and human territories to the empire he would be rewarded with a promotion to the high council.”

Dave listened with a great deal of scepticism. The expressions on Justine’s and Harry’s face left him in no doubt that they were also sceptical.

“What about the nuclear strikes on New Hammersley? This was an unprovoked attack” accused Dave.

Felis nodded shamefully. “I did counsel against it but my advice was ignored. I regret the loss of life that ensued.”

Dave could feel his own anger rising. “I lost my first wife and two children in that strike” said Dave. He tried to slow his breathing but it was useless. Raising his voice he blurted out “They were innocents indiscriminately slaughtered along with millions of others.” Dave’s eyes were boring into Felis’.

“I am sorry Captain” responded Felis. He wanted to avert his eyes from Dave’s hostile gaze but a lifetime of discipline forced him to maintain the eye contact.

“And what about the slaughter of my people” asked Justine. Her voice carried real venom.

“Not to mention the way your crony Bane murdered and tortured our leaders here on Beta Phi” added Harry.

“I am sorry for that too” said Felis. “But not all rogan are dishonourable. As I said, I am prepared to assist a peaceful settlement. This will not be without personal risk to myself.”

“Why should that be the case?” asked Dave.

“There are factions within the Imperial government who are bent on conquest. They will not want peace. They too are ruthless with a lot to lose if the empire fails to keep expanding.”

“So the likelihood of peace is slim?” queried Harry.

“No, not slim” said Felis. “Many of the old order want to return to the old ways. They want peace. They represent a significant bloc of influence.”

“But not significant enough to have prevented this” added Justine acerbically.

Felis shifted in his seat. Dave could see that he was struggling with something and he thought he knew what it was. “Will they support the resistance?”

Felis reacted with alarm, surprised that they knew about the resistance. ‘So the sleth have shared their intelligence’ he concluded. He looked at the faces arranged against him and decided he would have to give more. “Some are already doing so” he replied.

Dave nodded with a degree of satisfaction. It was nice to have confirmation about the resistance. It corroborated the advice from Evie Plentun, the resistance leader protected by the sleth. It also helped to justify the loss of Dave’s first independent command, the FFS Hermes, in the defence of the sleth over Fulmar.

“Assuming that we want peace – and that is not a given – how would you facilitate it?” asked Dave.

“If you permitted it, I would use the Kunter to communicate with a contact I have in the Third Imperial Rogan Council. I will seek their advice on how best to proceed.”

“Where is this?” asked Dave.

“On Cheklin, a planet in the Sturam system of the Karnu sector. Do you have a starmap? I could show you.”

Dave nodded to Ivan who fired up the holo display and brought up the starmap that now included the data on the rogan systems provided by the sleth. He centred on their current location. “We are here” said Ivan.

“Right” said Felis as he tried to orient himself. “Then Chelora is in that direction.” Ivan nodded and navigated to bring Chelora into view. “Yes that is Chelora. Keep moving in the same direction and you will come to the sleth home worlds.” Ivan obliged. “Now change direction port 40 up 10 and keep going.” Ivan kept moving through a lot of empty space. Eventually, a few stars appeared and then some more. “This is the Rizbarb sector. Port 60, down 20.” Ivan eventually brought a richly populated constellation into view. “This is Karnu” and pointing to a particular star he said “and this is Sturam.”

“Comms with there is going to take months” said Harry. “Any negotiations would drag on for years.

“Not so” responded Felis. “It will take days each way.” Felis noted the interest on their faces that this capability had engendered. “Perhaps the transfer of such a capability could form part of any peace terms.”

“Perhaps” said Dave trying to cool any anticipation. “Right now we need to seek advice from our governments.”

Harry rose at this point and said “I have to be getting back Captain.”

“Of course Sir” responded Dave. “Ivan, can you secure Cmdr Draag.”

Ivan nodded and Dave led the way out of the briefing room. As they walked back to the shuttle Dave could see the frown on Harry’s face. “What did you think Sir?”

“They are certainly different to us, aren’t they? No honour…no real contrition if you ask me.”

“I don’t know about that Sir. He looked genuinely sincere when he apologised to me.”

“I will raise this issue with the Alliance Supreme Council” said Justine. “It’s worthy of pursing in my view.”

“Of course Maam” said Harry “but we need to tread carefully…very carefully.”

Chapter 3. Resolute over Assam 1800, 25 May

It had been one hell of a day. Dave was done in. He entered the officers mess on B deck, saw the line up at the servery and opted for once to pull rank. He plonked his big frame into a chair at one of the tables and caught the eye of Corporal (Cpl) Cranky Jack Keogh, the mess steward.

“You want me to get your dinner Sir?” asked Cranky in anticipation.

“Please…whatever’s going.”

Cranky could see the fatigue in his boss’s face. The dark rings under the blue grey eyes and the tension on his broad forehead were testimony to the long hours and acute strain that Capt Warner had been under. “Leave it to me Sir” and Cranky scurried off.

Ivan came over with plate in hand. He was tired too. He sat down opposite his commanding officer, smiled briefly and tucked into his dinner. After swallowing his first mouthful he said “Good news about Art and Buster.”

Dave nodded “Yep but they’re both going to be out of action for some time.” Cranky placed a plate in front of Dave, who nodded his appreciation. “It was a steep price to bring that bastard Bane down.”

Ivan nodded and added “He had to be stopped Sir. Just look at what he did - insurrection in Niku and Assam. He almost got away with it.”

“Sir” hailed 2
^nd
Lt Gunter Rapperberg, the engineering officer.

“What is it Gunter” said Dave. “I’m eating my dinner.”

“Trouble Sir. Big trouble. The life support systems are failing.”

No sooner had he said that and 2
^nd
Lt John Conrad’s voice came over the ship wide intercom “Alert fire on E deck. Life support systems affected. All personnel in aft sections of E, F and G decks, evacuate immediately.”

“I thought we had this hand” asked Dave.

“I’m sorry Sir” apologised Gunter “I thought the fire on E deck was out but it flared up again after we turned back on the oxygen.”

“Alright I’m on my way” said Dave and terminated the call. He shoved in a mouthful of the stew and grabbed a piece of bread as he stood up.

“Do you want me to come with you Sir?” asked Ivan.

Dave shook his head. “No point in both of us ruining our meal. I’ll hail you if I need you.”

Dave turned left out of the officers mess. He walked across to his cabin, opened the door and grabbed his suit that always hung next to the door. He climbed into it and sealed it before donning his helmet. He then headed to the aft elevators.

He hit the button for the lift just as it arrived and opened. Trooper (Tpr) Justin Grimshaw was in the lift all suited up, replete with helmet. Dave could see by the status lights on his collar that his suit was sealed, save for the visor. As one of the military police on board he had been assigned to secure the elevator in the event of a fire.

Grimshaw looked even more stocky that usual in his suit. He was a jovial chap by nature. Dave recalled the last time he had seen him suited up. He was then being carried out wounded after their action on Alpha Phi. “More drama Sir. You’ll be wanting E deck I presume.”

“Yes Justin.”

Justin hit the control to seal his visor and Dave did likewise. At E deck the elevator doors opened and Dave entered the ante chamber whose doors were now sealed to provide an air lock. Dave waited till the lift doors closed and then he opened the outer doors. The main lighting was problematic, off in the main corridor, but sometimes on, off or flickering in the lateral access corridors. The emergency red lighting lit the way along the guidelines embedded in the passageway floors. There was no one in this immediate section.

Dave walked to the bulkhead door and hailed “Gunter, I’m on the rear side of E32 access door. Is it safe to come through?”

“Wait Sir. Someone will open it for you in a second.”

Dave waited patiently. A good minute passed before a suited Sgt Loraine Tumoresq opened the door and beckoned Dave through in a hurry. She closed the door and waved for him to follow her.

There was still a strong burning smell.

“Haven’t we vented this section?” asked Dave.

“Yes Sir we have” responded Loraine. She clipped the words in a matter of fact way as she moved quickly down the corridor using her helmet light and the floor emergency light to navigate by. “But we have a problem with the carbon scrubbers. They were smouldering after the last fire, though we couldn’t tell. It’s a new system and the materials used are supposed to be fire resistant but if you ask me they are crap at it Sir.”

“That’s a technical term is it Sergeant?”