Chronicles of Athena Lee (17 page)

Setting a fire in a closed, oxygenated space is never a good idea. We used shipboard simulations in a mocked up hallway and engine spaces. Building the mock up was fun for everyone. We got to use our engineering skills to fashion halls, walkways, and rooms using cargo containers and some of the packaged cargo. The program was quick and dirty but it helped to get the main points across. Space combat is dangerous, people can die. Hearing about our efforts, many of the other departments sent observers. The Captain himself even came to see the training exercises.

Standing on a catwalk, mounted to the cell guides in the hold, I was observing my crew in action. They were clearing debris and trying to rescue trapped crew members. Dry ice simulated the effects of smoke and fire. All my people were in full gear; skin suits complete with full pressure suits and bunker gear. This was to give them the feeling of realism and for them to adjust to the weight. I was making notes on my tablet when I turned and saw that the Captain was standing there! I jumped to attention.

“At ease Lieutenant. Finish what you were doing.” I completed my notes and turned back to the captain.

“Sir, how do you like our mock up?”

“You have done excellent work here Lee. Your group is really shaping up. Of my officers, only about 15% have seen actual ship to ship combat. Thank you for passing your experiences on.” The Captain grew quiet. After a moment he continued. “I am going to have some of the other departments use your mock up so don't tear it down yet. I will inform Commander Xavier that his cargo bay will still be needed. Be sure you write up how this was constructed, we may need to do it again.” At that the captain left the cargo bay.

Following the 'breadcrumbs' left by our supposed pirates, we headed out toward unexplored space the next day. I hoped my team was ready for what the depths of space might throw at us.

Chapter 13

   The first way-point in our quest was a small resupply post on the edge of claimed space called Clew Reach. Outside of our normal patrol area it was built as a security outpost in the last war. Renamed Clew Reach it had become a resupply station. It's owner catered to the needs of prospectors, explorers, and scavengers. Rumor was that it was also a pirate base.

The James Cook paused as it reached the outer marker near Clew Reach. Still out of sight and off their sensors, Captain Gorshin called a meeting.

“Commander Dunne, what do we know about this resupply post?”

“Sir, it was built during the last war, then abandoned. Members of the O'Malley clan led by their matriarch Grace claimed the post. Almost overnight the Clew Reach station was born. It is the only resupply point within two days travel. Since it is outside our government’s area of control, all manner of quasi-legal entertainments are available. Gambling, prostitution, drug running, weapons, and some reports of slavery all have been associated with it.”

Captain Gorshin had a surprised look on his face. “Commander, why was I not informed of this 'place' when we began our mission here? We were searching for pirates and they seem to be located here.”

The commander dropped his eyes to the floor. He didn't want to answer the question.

“Commander? I order you to answer!” Visibly red-faced and mad, the captain was yelling now. “Answer the question or I'll have you up on charges!”

Looking up at the very angry captain, Dunne nodded his head and answered.

“Sir, the reason that Clew Reach was not included in your orders is that the sector Governor has a partnership with Clan O'Malley. In other words, he gets a kickback to provide them with 'prey' and paid off to keep the navy away. Sir, we can't go after them.” Dunne was pleading now. “We just CAN'T. If we do, it will bring down a political shit-storm. Governor Tweed would destroy all of our careers, he has that much influence.”

Captain Gorshin was still very angry. “The navy knows about this? Our navy? This deal with pirates? How deep does this corruption go commander?”

“Deep Captain, very deep. Intelligence is aware of situations like this one.” The officer glanced around. ”There are spies and informers on most of the ships sir. I am not sure who on this ship.”

Deep in thought, the Captain nodded his head. “OK, we will leave them alone. For now. I need to dig into this however. Commander Dunne, you WILL be telling me what you know. Let’s solve one mystery at a time shall we. Commander Freeman, take us to the next way-point. This meeting is dismissed. Back to work.”

This Navy that I joined has serious problems. Was this Governor going to try and kill me too? I think that I have a job for Wilson.

Our ship continued to follow the electronic trail left by the suspected pirates. Our sensors showed a lot more ship traffic than had ever been reported out here. The point in space that we had assumed was a rendezvous spot, was in the middle of three distinct solar systems. None of which were on our charts.

Lt Commander Draper was the ship's Astrophysics Officer. He was assigned to navigation but was rarely seen. Looking at the three systems he spoke to the captain. “Sir, the system on the right is a W class star. It is basically a dying supergiant. The system supports mainly gas planets or those that resemble large moons. This would be a perfect system for bulk mining.” Draper twitched a lot. In some ways he resembled a rodent. It was hard not to think of him that way.

Twitching some more, the commander continued “The star on the left is a class B. The planets should be gas giants and silicon based planets. Life would not be easy in that system. The star in front of us is the big winner. A K class star. Lots of potential for life bearing planets. The star is similar in strength to the one in Sigma Draconis or at Pollux. This may be the system that we are looking for. Sir, permission to use sensors to log the stars for future study?” He was now rubbing his hands in delight.

“Permission granted Lt Commander. You are dismissed.” After Draper had left the captain commented “that is a very unusual young commander.”

Commander Freeman chuckled. “He almost never comes out of his tiny lab in navigation. He's brilliant but not a very sociable person.”

“OK we have our target. Commander Freeman take us toward the K star.”

“Yes Captain. Right away sir.”

“GENERAL QUARTERS GENERAL QUARTERS”

“ALL HANDS TO BATTLESTATIONS, ALL HANDS TO BATTLESTATIONS.”

“THIS IS NOT A DRILL” began to echo throughout the ship. The crew scrambled into skin suits and moved to their stations. Armed marine guards were now stationed at all major access points in the ship. Marine gunners now assumed control of all the ship’s weapons systems.

My request to the captain to return to engineering was denied. Captain Gorshin felt that my research into early spacecraft and colony ships would give him insight if it came to battle. I left Midshipman Bartleby in charge.

As we entered the system we detected a battle already in progress.

Chapter 14

The system was smaller than most, three planets and an asteroid field. Two planets were gas giants, it was the third that held promise of a life giving atmosphere. Strong electronic emissions were coming from that planet. Scans showed a moderate to advanced civilization on the planet. In orbit were several rough-looking space stations and shipyards. The area around the planet was a battlefield filled with the floating remains of burnt and battered ships.

“Status Commander Wang?” Our captain was in full combat mode.

“Sir, scans have identified two groups of combatants. What appears to be local defensive forces and a mixed fleet of aggressors.”

“Commander Wang, what is the makeup of the aggressor fleet? What kind of ships are we up against?”

“Sir, intelligence has identified a half dozen freighter's, one Banzai class destroyer, one Ibuki class light cruiser, and a Charger class carrier.”

With fierce concentration the captain asked “XO, what do we know about the carrier? That class is not familiar to me.”

“Sir, intelligence reports that the carrier is a former AA support ship. It is based on a civilian space liner design. Only four of the class were built. Original armament was defensive only. It can hold up to 30 fighters.”

The captain now had his eyes closed and was clearly concentrating on something. Without looking up the captain asked “what about the defenders? What are we looking at?”

“The defenders appear to be using strictly fighters. Starfuries with War Shot. Several larger ships are in that make-shift shipyard but have not launched. The defense platforms are also equipped with War Shot, and with what appears to be tactical nuke missiles.”

The Captain glanced in my direction and saw me studying the scan data. “Lieutenant, see something that could help?”

“Maybe sir, the carrier only has point defense and the fighters all look like short range surplus: Sky Sharks, Red Falcons, and Fuglies. Take out the carrier first. Those fighters will run out of fuel fast sir. Unless they changed it, the Banzai class has very light armor around its engines. The Ibuki is the problem. It has those turrets fore and aft. Plus it carries fighters.”

“Very good Lee, we will make a tactician out of you yet. I Captained an Ibuki in the war, the Hosho. It is a tough class of ship. Triangular in shape with thick armor on all sides. The only vulnerable spots are the hanger deck aft and flight control surfaces. I wonder which one she was?” Captain Gorshin studied the scan for a moment. “What about the planetary forces?”

“Sir, those Starfuries look like the first model ones. I got to take apart one of those not too long ago. They are high powered and lethal. Aim for the pilot, take him out first.” The captain turned and looked at me with sharp eyes.

“A little bloodthirsty Lee, that's not like you.”

“ No sir, it's practical. The early Starfuries have a backup generator located under the pilot's seat. Even if you disable the ship the weapons can still be fired by the pilot.”

“Ah, sir?” The young Lieutenant had a question.

“Yes, William?”

“May I ask what a Fuglie is?” I had to chuckle at that.

“Lieutenant, a Fuglie is what is generally called a 'scratch built' ship. It is not uncommon out here to take the wreckage of several ships and build one. They are flying scrap heaps. Don't discount them though. Each ship is unique, only the pilot knows what it is armed with until it fires. Watch each one carefully. Communications, start broadcasting who we are to the colony forces, get with intelligence and find their frequencies. Let those people know who we are. Those ships are old but they can still kill us!” The captain pulled up his control console and hit the intercom button.

“Attention, this is the Captain. We are about to thrust ourselves into a battle not of our making. This navy was founded to protect the Empire of Man. We fight pirates and other forces to do our duty. We are going to do our damnedest to prevent the destruction of this colony by pirates or raiders. Follow your orders and trust your training.” Turning the intercom off, the captain turned back to the bridge. “OK, set emergency stations. Fire control teams to your positions. Let’s go. Attack!”

In my head I heard Wilson muttering “...ride for ruin.....red dawn..”

“Wilson. Wilson! Pay attention. I need you to activate the repair droid in my quarters and send it to engineering. Tell it to make repairs as needed. Did you hear me.” As I appeared to be talking to myself, I got several looks from the bridge crew.

“Yes Athena, I heard you. The droid, he snickered, is on it’s way.” I called Midshipman Bartleby and let him know he was getting some help, sort of.

The James Cook was going to war.

Chapter 15

   The pirate fleet was attacking the 'lost' colony world. The pirate light carrier Boadicea, was monitoring the battle from a rearward position. The resupply freighters surrounded the ship. So far the battle was going well. This was a prime target; a rich world that no one knew about.

Captain Amlodi watched the battle monitors with glee. The prize money from this world would set him up for life. As a captain he had first pick of the slaves. He had an asteroid all picked out for his new home. His console beeping roused him from his dreams of an empire. “WHAT!” He yelled at the bridge crew.

“Captain, sensors are picking up a ship closing with us from behind the fleet.” The lieutenant was very nervous as the commander had been known to shoot bearers of bad news.

“That should be one of the resupply freighters coming back from Clew Reach, don't worry about it.”