Retribution (42 page)

“No I don’t. I want you to get those nukes to Chelora by the fastest possible means and order the Resolute and the Phantom to carry out those strikes as soon as possible. That means with no delay.” Malissa stared point blank at Lisa.

“Very well Chief Minister. I will have that new plan ready for your approval by close of business. Is that agreeable?”

“Very little about this meeting has been agreeable, wouldn’t you say?”

“Will that be all now Maam?”

“Yes” said Malissa.

Chapter 20. Resolute over Chelora 1315, 30 June

“Are you sure? Check the scanners Crystal” ordered Dave a few seconds after they warped back in.

“There are no ships here…well just some bits…but none that will fly under their own power” said Crystal. “They’ve buggered off Sir.”

“I told you” said John with a know-it-all grin.

“Launch a probe” ordered Dave “Send it around.”

“Probe away” said Jasmin. The probe accelerated rapidly to its cruising speed of 120 kps. It headed for the far side of the planet, maintaining an orbit of 60,000 kms to avoid interception from ground based missiles. It would travel around the planet, a journey of just over 420,000 kms, and return in just under an hour. It would beam back data on the surface and on any ships or sats it encountered in the space above.

“Probe deactivating cloak” advised Jasmin a minute later. With the probe now actively emitting, any enemy radar on the planet would be alerted. But all they would know is that there was a probe. The Resolute was still cloaked as was the Phantom.

“Getting our first feeds on the ground installations” said Jasmin. The holo was being updated as the detections were being filtered, assessed and fused into enemy unit icons or facilities.

“You know what would have been good” said Dave “is if we could load a message onto the Probe to be broadcast once it begins emitting. We could use that to actually send instructions to the Phantom. Can you look into that later Jasmin.”

“Sure.” But Jasmin’s focus was on the data being received. As it came in the AI assessed and fused detections into enemy units and facilities. She had also programmed it to do a comparison with the data they had received from Cmdr Felis. “Data’s checking out Sir” she advised. “Over 80% accuracy so far.”

“Well that’s comforting” said Dave.

At 1523 the probe emerged from behind the planet. “All clear” advised Jasmin.

“Shall we go ahead with the ground operation?” asked Chase.

Dave rubbed his jaw with one hand while he pondered. “I wonder…”

“What Sir” asked Chase.

“Jasmin are their radars still active?”

“Just the one at the prime facility…nothing at the others” she replied. “Do you think they might have evacuated?”

“Maybe….in which case it would be a shame to destroy everything. Have the probe conduct a low level pass of the main facility.”

“If there is anyone down there we’ll probably lose that probe Sir” advised Jasmin.

“Understood…OK just have it loiter for now and get me an open channel. I want to see if we can make contact with anyone down below.”

“That will uncloak us” warned Jasmin.”

“Yes I understand that. Just do it.”

“It’s ready Sir.”

“Chelora this is the Federation Fleet Ship Resolute. This is your one and only chance to surrender prior to our attack. If we do not hear a response within five minutes we will attack.”

“Chase” said Dave “If we don’t hear back, activate the plan.”

“Roger that.”

They waited in silence watching the timer count down above the holo. A few minutes passed.

“Resolute this is Commander Bata Atune” said the female Rogan voice “Umm…I am the senior Rogan officer here on what you call Chelora. I am a doctor. The only combatants remaining are injured. Please do not attack. We surrender. Can you provide medical assistance?”

“This is Captain Dave Warner. I will send down medical assistance with our first wave. Please advise coordinates for all your units and advise them to lay down their arms. Under no circumstances should you offer any resistance to my forces. Is that clear?”

“Yes Captain. All survivors are located at …294682, 8365541. I will have someone meet your shuttle.”

Dave terminated the call and hailed “Jim, the enemy have surrendered. According to them there are only non-combatants and injured remaining. Even so be on your guard.”

“Right Sir. At the first sign of any trouble, we’ll be pulling back and leaving it to the fighters.”

“Good luck.”

Dave nodded to Chase who activated the plan he had been modifying while Dave was on his calls. The fighters were first out followed by the warthogs with a platoon of marines and then the droid pods.

Dave waited and watched the icons on the holo make their way down to the planet. He was relieved when he got confirmation from Jim that they had landed safely. Half an hour later he received another call from Jim.

“Sir I’ve just been to their … medical facility and it’s a mess. There are thousands of injured down here. Mary said to send down the other teams.”

“Have you secured all weapon systems?”

“Yep.”

“What’s your best estimate on total numbers down there?”

“Commander Atune has a medical staff of 122. She reckons there are another 200 or so admin and logistics staff and about 600 soldiers from various units. We’re disarming them at the moment. She’s press ganged a hundred of them digging graves. She also reckons she has over two thousand patients. Most of them are just lying on whatever floor space they can. It’s shocking…the conditions…even for the enemy.”

“All right Jim I’ll organise the med teams.”

“Oh there’s this Lieutenant Commander who wants to talk to Plentun. He says he has information for her.”

“What information?”

“Won’t tell me. Just says it’s important.”

“The plot thickens” said Dave.

Chapter 21. Washington DC 1615, 30 June

“So Julian” said Malissa “have you reached a decision.”

“Can’t you see how dangerous this is” said Julian. “They will only come back and nuke twice as many cities as we do. We won’t be so lucky next time and billions will die.”

“The bully must be taught a lesson.”

“I think we just did that. We decimated their combined fleet.”

“It’s not enough…not for me anyway, nor for the full council.”

“So, it boils down to revenge doesn’t it? You are letting your emotions rule you here and they will lead to our ruin. That is not the hallmark of a great leader.”

“Don’t you lecture me on what it takes to be a great leader” she said angrily.

“Well if you go ahead with this then I cannot follow you. I won’t be party to this” said Julian also raising his voice.

“Are you threatening me?” demanded Malissa.

“Malissa, what’s come over you” pleaded Julian in a softer tone. “This is not like you.”

“This is war Julian. And the rogan have declared their intention to use whatever means they have to destroy us. It’s them or us, don’t you see that.”

“It doesn’t have to mean that. Yomoto’s reaching out to the rogan resistance. The rogan are a lot weaker now and there is a good chance the Imperialists will implode. But we play into their hands with this retaliatory strike. Please hold off. Give them a chance. Please give us some time. If it doesn’t work out then so be it.”

Malissa stared directly into Julian’s eyes. She had always liked his eyes. They were strong and clear and full of purpose. She knew that his argument was a good one. But there was more than rational argument at play here. It was his emotional and moral plea that finally broke through the armoured plated crust that Malissa had put up around herself. For the first time since hearing the news from Nova Vista the anxiety in her stomach was gone. She took a deep breath and nodded at Julian and took her seat.

“Belinda” she hailed “recall the full council.” She then looked at Julian. “How long?”

“Six months.”

She shook her head. “You have four months and if there is no sign that the resistance is making headway, we WILL retaliate.”

Julian nodded. “Thank you.”

Chapter 22. Resolute over Chelora 1700, 30 June

There was a moment of panic in the Resolute’s command centre when the Mailon warped in. But this was soon replaced by a lot of good feelings. Dave got through the business side of things as quickly as he could. Before the hour was out there were shuttles travelling between the ships and the planet ferrying supplies, stores and medical personnel.

“Ivan, want a tour of the Mailon?” asked Dave.

“Yes Sir” said Ivan enthusiastically.

“From there I want you to escort Evie Plentun down onto the planet to see this Rogan who has information for her. Find out what’s going on.”

“Sure, might be helpful to have another intel officer along.”

Dave looked across at Jasmin who was looking hopeful. “All right you can come too.”

“Chase you have the ship.”

“Eye Sir” said Chase in a resigned manner. “I’ll get a look-see later will I?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“Any chance Sir?” asked John.

Dave waved him to come and he eagerly rose to his feet.

Crystal realised she had been gazumped and gave John an ‘I’m not impressed’ look.

“Next time” said Dave to Crystal.

“Li” hailed Dave “Want a tour of the Mailon?”

“Yes Sir I never thought you would ask.”

When Dave and his small party arrived at G deck Li was waiting with Rose and two other pilots. Li piped up as soon as he saw Dave. “Do you mind if we all come?”

“OK” said Dave.

Parinya touched down in the starboard hangar of the Mailon ten minutes later. After parking in one of the bays she asked “Mind if I come along Sir?”

“Please.”

“And me” asked Alain.

“Why not” said Dave. His small party was now ten strong. Rihan was there waiting to greet him along with Rueben Carson and Grigar. After brief introductions Grigar led them on a tour of the ship. Dave offered Rihan his arm and they walked arm in arm a little behind the others.

“He’s a little too good looking for my liking” whispered Dave into her ear. He was of course referring to Rueben.

“He is, isn’t he?” whispered back Rihan with a cheeky smile.

“Just remember you’re spoken for.”

“Oh Dave, you should know by now. I do my own talking.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Dave laughed and everyone turned around. They both smiled innocently as though nothing had happened.

Before You Go

Thank you for reading Retribution. I’d really appreciate you taking the time to rate the book and share it with your friends. So please respond to the “Before You Go” prompt that will appear on your Kindle as you finish the book.

Dave O’Connor

Acknowledgements

Once again I must thank my wife, Joy, who encouraged and supported my writing.

Peter Winship (author of the John Connor crime books) also provided valuable feedback and advice both in terms of writing style and getting published. He very generously shone a light for me and, coming from someone who has trodden the path already, this was very reassuring.

John Hemry (author of Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet series) gave generously of his time to advise on how I could get published. His ‘pay it forward’ attitude was most appreciated.

The Australian Society of Authors (www.asauthors.org ) provided good advice on being an author and sponsored Steven Lewis’ E Publishing course (
www.taleist.com
www.warpdrivepublishing
)
which I found to be valuable.
 

Book 5 of Warner’s World

The adventure continues in Book 5 of Warner’s World: Audacity.

Commander Aubrey Bellard leads the charge deep into enemy space in her stealth frigate, Phantom, discovering the enemy have used a new weapon of mass destruction on one of their own systems. Seizing the moment Dave Warner secures the Qwantum system and forces Phil Yomoto to change plans. With an empire on the brink, opportunities are rife. But there is no shortage of bold players on all sides willing to roll the die and take advantage.
The Rogan resistance leader, Evie Plentun, along with turncoat Felis Draag is inserted into the Rogan home world of Cheklin to ferment resistance to Imperial rule. A frustrated first consul, Emilius Quazor, plots to free himself from the last shackles of political restraint, while a disgraced former Admiral Sallusam plots his own come back and the head of the Rogan Internal Security Service, Angina Slirinus, plots her own counter coup. In a galaxy of chaos daring is not without risk.

Visit
www.warpdrivepublishing.com
for more details.

Purchase it from Amazon here:
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