CassaFire (23 page)

Korden raised his eyes to Seheller. “I know your men have been through a lot, Officer Seheller, but I need to them to work around the clock if necessary. Time is of the essence and we won’t concern the Tgrens until the time is right.”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Dismissed, men.”

Byron allowed the others to exit first. He paused in the doorway.
Sir, may I ask which flagship is joining us tomorrow?

The Firenta,
Korden answered before turning to his computer.

Satisfied with the answer, he joined Seheller in the hallway. They proceeded to the hanger in silence. The news was potentially devastating. If the vessel was hostile, the Rennather could retreat and avoid confrontation, but what about the Tgrens? They couldn’t take everyone in Ktren with them, although Byron knew one person he’d refuse to leave behind. Athee wasn’t just valuable to High Command. She mattered to Byron as well.

As he started his shuttle’s engine, Byron’s shoulders drooped. The flagship Firenta? Damn, it’ll be good to see Ernx and Nintal again, he thought. Just wish it was under better circumstances.

Chapter Twelve

Byron’s mind roused to consciousness. He fought the sensation, unwilling for the day to begin yet. His body felt stiff and ached from lying in one position too long. If he fell asleep again, the soreness would vanish.

A strange sound dissolved his tenuous hold on slumber and his mind grew alert. Suppressing a moan, Byron rolled on his side. He opened his eyes, adjusting his vision to the early light of dawn. His gaze fell at once on the figure stretched out across his floor. Mevine was sprawled on his back, his good arm wrapped possessively around his computer pad. He wasn’t snoring, but his foot twitched in a spastic, uneven rhythm.

Everything about you is a bundle of nerves, Byron thought, rubbing his eyes.

Sleep was now out of the question. He needed to rise anyway. Once the Rennather received a report on the alien vessel, Byron would be expected to transport the prefect to the ship. Perhaps the Firenta would be in orbit by that time. A flagship was far more impressive than a mere exploration ship. It would remind Orellen of the Cassan’s superior power and strength and perhaps keep the man in his place during the meeting.

As he dressed, Byron contemplated waking Mevine. The science team needed to discover if the alien ship was tied to the ruins. Seheller had ordered his men to work late, desperate to discover an answer. Mevine had remained downstairs for a long time, but decided to continue his work in Byron’s quarters to shut out all distractions. Asleep not long after crawling into his bed, Byron had no idea how long the young man remained conscious and glued to his computer pad.

He’s still recovering from injury, Byron thought, reaching for the door. I’ll let him sleep a little longer.

Several men were awake, although it was difficult to tell if it was a result of rising early or a lack of sleep altogether. Byron secured a bowl of food and wrinkled his nose when he realized the lumpy substance was half-baked. Compared to his meal last night, this food was inedible.

He devoured half of his breakfast before depositing the remainder in the trash. It was time he roused Mevine and forced him to eat. The lad was so absorbed with his work, he wouldn’t notice the poor quality of the food.

Byron passed Seheller and another science officer in the hallway. Enough of their conversation reached his ear to realize the men were discussing the data on Detrena’s computer pad. Mevine had not mentioned the deceased officer’s device last night, which surprised Byron. Curious, he paused and waited for an appropriate moment to speak. Seheller noticed him and silenced the other man with a hand gesture.

“
Any progress?” said Byron.

His junior officer frowned. Seheller answered without hesitation. “We’ve discovered a code that we believe triggered the events of two days ago. It appears the scanner sought to verify certain conditions within the Tgren man.” Seheller pressed his lips into a thin line and placed his hands on his hips. “When the scanner couldn’t locate the correct criteria, it malfunctioned. And sent out a distress call.”

“
What did it seek?”

“
Of that we’re not sure,” the senior officer answered, glancing at the other man. “Pezta has worked on it for two days, trying to break the code.”

Pezta nodded and straightened his shoulders. “Right now, I believe it was a lack of technological development in the Tgrens,” he stated with confidence.

Something about the man rubbed Byron the wrong way. His prideful attitude implied superiority. Byron was grateful his friend lacked that quality. Mevine’s doubts threatened to overwhelm him on occasion, but that uncertainty caused him to strive harder to discover the truth.

“
Is Mevine working on the code as well?” he said.

Seheller was surprised by his question, but Petza’s expression bordered on indignant. “Mevine?” he demanded, wrinkling his long nose. “The boy doesn’t even have a year’s experience in the field. He’d slow down our progress.”

Byron decided there was no reasoning with the man. He shifted his attention to the senior scientist.
Officer Seheller?
he entreated in a private thought.

“
Officer Pezta, thank you,” Seheller said, patting the man’s shoulder. “Please keep working on it.”

The man nodded and offered cold eyes to the pilot. Byron’s brows came together in his most authoritative scowl. Pezta did not answer to him, but Byron still outranked the man. The science officer balked and dropped his chin. Byron followed the man’s angry steps as he retreated down the hall.

“
Byron, Pezta is my best analyzer, and his team is top-notch,” Seheller said in a low voice. “I know you’re fond of Mevine…”

“
Yes, because I see a young science officer willing to work until he drops,” Byron replied, not afraid to press the matter. He’d worked with Seheller for many years, He doubted the man would take offense. “He’s passionate, determined, and modest enough to question his own conclusions. Considering the gravity of our situation, I’d think you would want every man possible working on that code.”

Seheller’s thoughts reflected doubt and he squared his chin in defiance. Byron allowed his shoulders to relax, affecting a less threatening pose.

“
Sir, I know Pezta will object, but give the boy a chance,” he said in a calm voice.

“
Pezta will be furious and impossible to work with for weeks if I assign Mevine to the project,” said Seheller, rubbing his forehead. He sighed and nodded his head. “But we need to find a solution soon. I’ll give Mevine the task of breaking the code.”

Byron’s face broke into a gracious smile. “He’ll appreciate it.”

“
You see through the politics and keep it simple, Byron,” the man replied, patting the pilot’s shoulder in a fatherly gesture. “Now to inform Mevine…”

“
I’ll tell him to report to you at once.”

Mevine was still sleeping when he returned to the room. Byron tried to wake him gently, using thoughts to prod his mind. He had to grasp Mevine’s shoulder and speak his name aloud to garner a response. The boy awoke with a start, his eyes wide.

“
Come on, Mevine, time to get up!” Byron said.

His friend moaned. The lad rolled to his left side, uttering a cry of pain as his weight shifted to his injured arm. Byron grasped his right hand and pulled Mevine into a sitting position.

“
Officer Seheller has a special assignment for you,” he announced, retrieving the computer pad from the floor.

That prompted a response from Mevine. With assistance, he struggled to his feet. Byron handed him the computer pad, forcing the young man’s fingers to lock around the device. He was about to speak when Korden’s voice echoed in his head.

Officer Byron! I need you and Officer Seheller in my office now,
the commander ordered, placing heavy emphasis on the final word.

On my way, sir.
Byron thought.

“
What’s my assignment?” Mevine asked with a yawn.

“
Officer Seheller has that information,” Byron cried, grasping the boy’s good shoulder and pushing him toward the door. “But if you don’t go talk to him right now, you’ll have to wait until we return from the Rennather. Now go!”

The young man fumbled with the doorknob a moment before throwing open the door. Mevine vanished down the stairs, his rapid footsteps reverberating within the stone staircase. Byron located his personal computer pad and followed his friend to the first floor. Once Seheller had informed Mevine of his new assignment, he and Byron departed.

When he fired up the shuttle’s systems, Byron noticed a large object on the radar. The Firenta’s in orbit, he thought. I hope the other flagship sent good news.

Byron jumped the shuttle into space and a jolt of surprise escaped the science officer’s thoughts. The Rennather was no longer the largest object in the sky. A flagship a hundred times greater in size dwarfed the tiny exploration vessel, its long frame stretched across the view out the cockpit window. Byron noticed a squadron of Cosbolts below them and regret tugged at his heart. Burying the sensation, he followed the formation on the radar until the squadron vanished behind the Firenta.

The senior officers gathered in Korden’s office. One look at the commander’s face told Byron the news was not good.

“
Commander Tencor is joining us on visual com,” Korden announced, gesturing to his computer screen. The unit’s adjusted angle provided the Firenta’s commander with a clear view of the room. The man’s grizzled features suggested many years of service and a hardened attitude to match.

“
We received a report this morning from the flagship Cortella,” Korden announced, his expression grim. “They intercepted the alien vessel and requested open communications, which received no response. After a thorough scan revealed external weapons and a thick exterior plate, the Cortella assumed a defensive pose. The alien ship ignored all warnings. The commander ordered a laser blast across her bow. The vessel responded with an electrical blast unlike anything we’ve ever encountered.”

Several of the men shifted their feet. Byron’s grip on his computer pad tightened as he considered the implications. Going up against an unknown adversary was always dangerous, and the alien’s weapon sounded all too familiar.

“
Not unlike a disrupter blast?” Anceptor said, giving voice to Byron’s concerns that it shared traits with the Vindicarn’s deadly weapon.

“
No, but that electrical blast reduced the ship’s shields by half,” answered Korden, his words causing a silence to fall over the room. “The Cortella is now following the alien vessel at a safe distance, scanning for weaknesses and any sign of life. Other than the one discharge, there’s been no response. However, High Command issued an order that the ship is to be treated as hostile.”

“
Two more flagships have been dispatched to intercept,” Tencor announced, his deep growl resonating within the small room. “We are to hold position here and prepare for their arrival. The craft is still on a trajectory to reach this planet by tomorrow afternoon.”

“
We have yet to plot the exact location,” Korden said, glancing around at those present. “Although I suspect its destination is the alien site.”

Which places it directly over Ktren, Byron thought, his stomach churning.

“
Officer Seheller, have you anything new to report?”

“
Sir, I’ve a full team working on the data from the master control,” the officer answered. The man’s voice sounded stressed and tired. Byron did not envy Seheller’s position as he repeated Pezta’s theory and possible cause of the device’s destruction.

“
So the approaching alien ship may be a direct result of our tampering with this device?” demanded Tencor.

“
It appears the two events are connected,” Korden admitted with a sigh. “If we can discover what triggered the beacon that summoned this ship, we might be able to stop it.”

“
Is the alien site transmitting now?”

Seheller cleared his throat, his eyes on the computer screen. “Sir, we’ve detected no transmissions from the site. In fact, every system has shut down completely.”

“
Then how do you intend to stop the alien craft with no form of communication?” Tencor exclaimed with indignation.

“
There has to be a way to communicate with this craft, sir…” Seheller offered.

“
Commander Tencor, we’ve requested complete scans of the alien vessel from the Cortella,” Korden offered, coming to his science officer’s rescue. “If this ship and the ruins are of the same origin, then there will be similar features. We may be able to communicate using our own systems.”

“
Sounds like a long shot to me, Korden,” the Firenta’s commander observed.

The commander leaned against his desk. His wrinkled brow and stretched jaw muscles revealed to Byron the man’s heavy thoughts. They’d served together for more than fifteen years and had faced some rough encounters. Nothing compared to the situation developing over Tgren. It affected everyone involved, but Byron’s superior bore the weight of the situation. In his opinion, the commander was doing his best to cope with the crisis.

“
We’re sending our findings to High Command,” Korden announced. “I’d like to set up a conference with Command on the Firenta, so we all understand the situation.”