Gray Panthers: Dixie (31 page)

League of Planets ship Diplomacy, in Earth space

24 November 2128

The Arizona Space Ship Bia instantly detected the ship as it came out of FTL space. The League of Planets ship Diplomacy began to hail on all channels that it was on a diplomatic mission.

“Attention, Diplomacy. This is the Arizona Space Ship Bia,” said Commander Caleb “Red” Erickson. “You are instructed to prepare your diplomatic party for pickup. If you attempt to advance or withdraw, it will be viewed as a hostile move and we will destroy your ship. What are the requirements for your species’ life support?”

Erickson had heard of Dan Daniels’s capture and escape from the League and considered blasting the ship.

“Bia, our representatives are able to breathe the same gas mixture as humans. They are also comfortable in the same temperatures.”

I wonder if I could accidentally space these guys?
Erickson thought as he replied. “Bia understands representatives are compatible with human environmental conditions. Shuttle will be sent in ten minutes.”

Dan sat in amazement at his desk. Red Erickson had just informed him that the League of Planets had sent a team of representatives. He laughed as the implications of this development hit home.

“Bia, this is Daniels. Escort the diplomatic delegation to the lunar base. Full diplomatic courtesies, but they are not to come in contact with any humans. Ensure that they are quarantined. Coordinate this with lunar base administrators.”

Dan distrusted politicians in general, and these particular politicians he had every reason not to trust. As he headed for Peary Crater Lunar Base in his shuttle, he wondered if he had missed something. Did the League have a trap planned for him, or for Earth?

“Peary Crater, Daniels. I want a conference room set up with a standard-size table. On the visitors’ side of the table I want a single long bench that is five inches shorter in height than the seating on our side. I also want a five-man detail of the tallest personnel on the station. They will sit at the table and say nothing. Ensure that gravity in the room is slightly higher than Earth’s normal gravity, and the temperature should be slightly cold.”
Okay, I set the playing field. Now let’s see what type of team they brought,
he thought.

“Daniels, Peary Crater acknowledging you need conference table, short bench, high gravity, chilled, and our basketball team.” Dan listened at the reply and laughed at how it sounded.

“Peary Crater, you have it correct. The fate of Earth depends on correct compliance. Daniels out.” The operations officer in the command post went from feeling smug to feeling extremely nervous as he received the last of Dan’s message. He set about getting everything that had been requested as quickly as possible.

Dan felt satisfied, figuring he’d already won the battle that would start once he entered the conference room. His shuttle landed and as he exited the docking area, he saw his team waiting for him.

“Okay! Who has the basketball?” he asked. The men looked confused, and Dan laughed aloud. He briefed the team as he led them briskly toward the conference room. “Your mission, gentlemen, is to accompany me into the conference room and try to look intimidating. I will do all the talking.”

“Open the hatch, please.” The smell inside the conference room was nauseating, and Dan was forced to take a step back for a breath. The Switians’ fear-inspired perspiration was toxic. As Dan stepped back through the hatchway and headed for his seat, he noticed how badly the bright yellow creatures were trembling and his anger turned to pity. The little bastards had the courage to keep going, despite their obvious fear. He could respect that.

“Good day. Welcome to Earth space. How may I help you today?” Dan tried to avoid sounding threatening.

“Dan Daniels, we have come to you to be our emissary to the Jacka,” the lead delegate of the Switians began. “We know of your interest in the well-being of the Jacka, but we also believe you are sincere in your goal of a League of Planets that can help all our peoples. We need teeth not only against our enemies, but also to ensure that our members do not attack each other. May we give you our offer for the Jacka?” The little creature looked like he was ready to collapse.

“Please, you do not have to stand out of formality. Sit and read me the offer you have.”

“We propose that the Jacka accept the responsibilities of the protection of the League of Planets and all member planets. The League will compensate them by allowing a permanent seat on the main council to be opened for the Jacka home world.

“Each member state will provide compensation in the form of five percent of their planet’s gross planetary product. This will be provided as currency, material, or service, as negotiated by each planet and the Jacka.

“The Jacka will enter into this agreement, providing all required materials and equipment as needed. How does this sound to you, Dan Daniels?”

“I appreciate that you did not try to cover up your words with those of lawyers,” Dan responded. “Here is what will be accepted:

“The League will act as agent and will collect seven percent of each planet’s gross product in the form of currency or ten percent in materials or service.

“The League will cover the initial cost of setting up the  navy, which will consist of twenty-six warships and support bases.

“The army will be considered minimally manned at one million soldiers. The initial cost of weapons and equipment are to be covered by the League.

“Salaries and benefits of the soldiers will be based on civilian equivalency careers from throughout the League.”

Dan sat back down and waited for the counteroffer.

“We could never afford that! The League would be bankrupt in the first year.” The little yellow alien was so angered, he forgot his fear.

“I am taking into account the best interest of both parties,” Dan replied firmly. “I admit that one side did try to capture my planet. I also remember the other side trying to sell me to the Libra—the same Libra that are slowly carving up the League. Here is my final offer:

“Everything stays the same as my last offer. I will accept payment for the ships and initial equipment for all the troops in the form of the planet Flem. The owners of the planet have fled, leaving it abandoned. It is in space under the jurisdiction of the League of Planets. I therefore submit that by the League of Planets bestowing upon me ownership of a planet, it will put to rest any other group trying to justify ownership. You will get a fleet and an army, and we are both happy. Does that make it a better deal for you to swallow?”

Dan grinned as the delegates began to argue among themselves. Many of them had never even thought of owning the planet.

“The planet has great value,” the lead delegate said to Dan. “Many cities have yet to be discovered. The technology of the Flem—“

“The technology of the Flem is lost,” Dan interrupted, “as are the cities that were destroyed when they were buried under a thousand tons of rock. The Flem also imported all their resources, so we both know there is no mining opportunity there either. The planet is off the main transportation hubs. The surface of the planet is barren and ugly, so there is little hope for agriculture or tourism. The planet does have an atmosphere my people can breathe, and the radiation from when the Libra bombed the surface should be diminished in a couple hundred years. Now do not try to tell me how great the planet is because we both know it’s worthless.” Dan smiled as they took him at every word.

“We will accept the twenty-six warships and outfitting one million soldiers as payment for the planet,” the delegate conceded. “You realize what you are buying, and there cannot be any withdrawing from the deal once the contract has been signed.”

Dan laughed as he listened to the little alien. “That will not be a problem,” he said. “I will of course demand free access to and from Earth. The planet will also be under the protection of Earth. Does your delegation have the authority to sign a contract or treaty?”

“Of course we do,” the alien replied indignantly. “It would certainly be a waste of our time and yours just to talk. Are you authorized to sign a contract and treaty as well?”

Dan laughed at the realization that he really didn’t have the authority, but he was the only one who could actually get the deal done.

“I guess when your fleet arrives you will know for sure,” he said. “I took the liberty of sending the first four to planet Glory to protect it from any angry Libra. The rest will be there soon. I’m sure all of you gentlemen have thought of the profit to be made as well from this deal. Warships need ports to get repairs and fuel. Sailors on those ships have money to spend. Imagine having an army base on your planet, and think of everything you can sell to the troops, as well as selling to the base itself. And there would be jobs for your people to maintain those bases. It’s an economic windfall.”
Now they will have something to justify the agreement to their people,
he thought.

The delegates talked softly among themselves. Eventually, the lead delegate looked at Dan and smiled. “If you have a contract, we will review it now and take it under advisement,” he said, failing in his attempt to hide his excitement as he spoke.

“I will have the contracts created shortly,” Dan said as he stood up. “Please excuse me, and I will go take care of that.”

The delegates, once again in deep whispers among themselves, didn’t even notice him leave.

Dixie Ships Georgia and Virginia, in Libra space

24 November 2128

Captain Woods listened as the captain of the Virginia went through a list of repairs needed. With a sinking feeling he knew there was only one safe answer. Planet Glory was five days’ travel at maximum impulse. While there was no love lost between them and the Jacka who had invaded Dixie, the men figured they could use the Jacka’ help. It was no secret that Earth was in an alliance with the planet, and they could use that to their advantage. The only alternatives were to scuttle the Virginia or hide it and return with the parts for repair.

“Captain Woods, I agree it doesn’t look good, but we have full impulse as well as weapons and shields. Let’s take the chance on making it to Glory.”

“Five days through enemy space is a long shot. We would have to transfer over all but a minimal crew so that in the worst-case scenario we would lose the fewest lives. Do you agr—”

The ship’s sensor operator interrupted the captain with bad news. “Captain, we have two Libra patrol ships that have just arrived from FTL space. They have set course for us. Ten minutes, if they don’t jump.”

Woods thought they might have a chance if they could capture one of the ships. “Battle stations, everyone! When the two ships approach, we destroy the first one and try to capture the second ship. Virginia, do you understand the orders?”

“Virginia understands. Destroy first ship, capture second ship. Good hunting. Virginia out.”

“Sensors, what are we looking at for the patrol ships?” Woods closed his eyes as he waited for the report.

“Sir, both ships are approximately three-quarters the size of the Georgia. Each is lightly armed, compared to our ships. It’s suicide for them to attack us.”

“Gunners, fire one long-range missile at the first patrol ship, and let’s see what they do.” The crew watched the monitor as the missile closed in on the patrol ship. A counter missile was fired that destroyed their missile at the last moment.

“Sir, first ship appears to have minor damage. Both are continuing their approach.”

“Hold fire until they’re in range of medium missiles, then let them have it with both missiles and lasers.” Woods waited as the ships continued to approach.

“Sensor operator, when the enemy is in range you may give the order to fire.”

“Virginia, when we destroy the first ship, get in close to the second ship so it can’t jump. You will approach from port while the Georgia approaches from beneath to avoid each other’s fire.”

“Fire all batteries!” The sensor operator looked embarrassed for having shouted the command. Woods smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.

A dozen missiles streaked toward the patrol ship and the laser gunners began to score hits almost instantaneously. Eight red beams crisscrossed with eight beams from the Virginia. The missiles and beams the enemy ship returned were ineffective, as laser fire quickly blew up the missiles.

“First target appears dead. Join on the second ship. Avoid the center of the ship if possible,” Woods instructed. He winced at every hit the Georgia took as they gained on the Libra patrol ship. The Virginia beat them to it, and as the patrol ship tried to maneuver, the Virginia kept side by side with it.

“Bring us closer, helmsman,” Woods ordered. “We can’t let her jump. Rotate ship so our starboard side is facing the bottom of the ship. Marines, get ready to board the enemy ship.” As he watched the small monitor on his seat, he saw two shuttles ready to launch from the port hangar.

As the patrol ship tried to ram the Virginia in desperation, the Georgia collided with it from below. All three ships were locked together when two shuttles from each destroyer launched their shuttles filled with marines.

Lieutenant Patterson was sweating as the shuttle locked onto the hull of the patrol ship. The pilot waved back to signal the show was all his now.

“Let’s open this can now!” Patterson called out. The shuttle hatchway opened and two of his men attacked the enemy ship’s bulkhead with heavy lasers. The metal melted away until there was an opening.

“No prisoners! We need to secure this ship as soon as possible. Don’t waste any time. Two-man teams. Now move it, move it, move it!” Patterson shouted.

The marines’ first sight as they entered the Libra ship was smoke being drawn by the vacuum from the new hole in the hull. Small materials and bodies floated toward them as they spread out and headed away from the hole.

“Everyone make sure your boots are locked down. Projectile weapons only. I don’t need anyone launching themselves from their own recoil,” Patterson instructed. A beam of white light streaked by his head and he heard a short scream over his headset. Pointing his shotgun in the direction of the shooter, he pumped shot after shot. Drawing his pistol, he ran as best he could toward the source of the shot. A single figure was floating in front of him, the faceplate of his helmet shattered. Patterson watched the blood seep out of the helmet and float like bubbles as he pressed on.

“We have the engine room secured,” Patterson advised a short while later. “We need technicians over here. Engine room is in the aft section of the ship. I’m placing a marine at the entrance of the ship to escort technicians there.”

Woods heard the message and sent his third shuttle filled with technicians and tools. The Virginia did the same.

“Helmsman, slowly take a ninety-degree heading one mile only away from the patrol ship. Sensor operator, are you picking up anything?” Woods asked. He was anxious to leave the area.

“Nothing yet, sir. Correction. I have three pods from the patrol ship heading for the colony.”

“We can let them go. Any signs of life from the first patrol ship?”

“Nothing, sir. Would you like to send a probe?”

Woods thought for a moment. “No, I want to get out of here as soon as we can. I don’t want to waste time recovering a probe.”

Technician teams from both ships entered the engineering section of the Libra ship at the same time and agreed that the FTL drive was incompatible with the Virginia’s systems.

“Damn. We’re wasting our time here. All technicians head back to the shuttles. Be sure you get on the right ones.” He knew he had to let the captain know. “Virginia, Chief Dawson here. There is nothing to salvage from the ship. Returning home.” 

Woods listened to the message to the Virginia and felt empty as he gave the new orders.

“Virginia, once you’ve recovered all personnel, take a heading of two hundred and forty degrees at maximum sustainable speed. We’ll catch up with you.

“Helmsman, approach the first derelict and bring us into contact with it gently. After that, set a heading of sixty degrees toward the planet, then stop so the derelict will continue on its own toward the planet. After that, perform the same maneuver on the second derelict.”
Hopefully, they won’t see the wrecks initially and will waste time looking for them. At least they won’t be able to salvage them,
Woods thought cheerfully.

An hour later, the Georgia headed toward the Virginia and planet Glory. The crew held out little hope for their sister ship.