Retribution (22 page)

“Look Sarg I appreciate what you’re trying to do but really I can handle him.”

Jules cast an appraising eye over Madge. “Yeah, I reckon you probably can. But we don’t have time to put up with such crap. If he keeps giving you a hard time let me know.”

Madge nodded and they went their separate ways.

Chapter 13. Niku 2130, 11 June

“No Julian you can’t” said Justine Parker. “I won’t allow it.”

Julian Pious continued packing. “I must my dear. It’s my duty. I am needed.”

“For what? You don’t even know. It’s not good enough. They treat you like dirt. You’re in no condition to be going.” Justine was beside herself. She knew how pigheaded Julian could be and she knew she was losing this argument.

She leant down beside him and he turned to face her. He knew this was causing her pain. “God knows dear I don’t want to cause you any more pain but I must go. The Admiral would not have asked me if there was an alternative.”

“You say it as though he cares about you. He doesn’t. You’re just another resource at his disposal.”

Julian gently stroked the side of Justine’s face. He shook his head gently. “You’ve never met him. That’s too harsh.”

A tear rolled down her cheek and Julian wiped it away with his thumb. He gazed compassionately into her eyes. “You and I we both serve.” Justine nodded. “I didn’t want you to go to that demonstration, remember.” Justine nodded. “But you went anyway. It was your duty. This is mine. Let me go.”

With tears rolling down her cheeks Justine hugged Julian. “You’re such a stubborn man Julian” she said softly in his ear.

“I’ll take that as a yes then” he replied with equal softness.

Chapter 14. Nova Vista 2220, 11 June

Back in his apartment in Nelson’s Tower, despite his best intent, Phil could not relax. He was agonising over what to do with the Phantom. He knew now that the retaliatory strike directive was bogus. The imperative for doing a deal with the rogan was now removed.

‘They are going to hit us hard in a couple of weeks’ he thought. “Who wants to do a deal with these bastards anyway” he said out loud. ‘We certainly could use the Phantom here in defence of Polaris.’ He strummed his fingers on the side table next to his lounge chair.

‘But even if we pull off a victory and destroy or maul their Fleet, the war will go on. Eventually, their numbers will tell. Unless…’ He picked up the glass from the side table and went to drain it. It was already empty. ‘Unless we can do a deal or cause their empire to implode.’

‘If I let Aubrey go, she’ll end up arriving after we’ve had our battle. She won’t know whether our position is very strong or very weak.’ “Blast I should have thought of that” he said out loud and almost slammed down the empty glass. ‘How can I stop her without giving the game away?’ “Fuck it” and he slammed his fists into the arm rests.

‘You’re too tired Phil’ he said to himself. ‘Go to bed.’

Half an hour later, Phil lay under his covers. Still he was thinking. “Oh shit”. ‘I need to contact Rose. But how?’ He threw off the covers, and went out to the living room. He opened the window and smelt the warm humid air as he breathed in deeply. There was a hint of a sea breeze, but nothing in it really.

There was renewed vigour in his body. He sat down at the table and fired up his console. ‘I should have thought of this earlier’ he chastised himself. He drafted up a message to Rose’s private account, from his private account.

‘Dear Rose, I am sorry for putting you through all this. Remember Pegasus. Only now can I tell you. My voice and vision were impaired and our friends still listen in. But our friends, they are coming. If my calculation is correct, they should be here by the 25
^th
. It would be great if you could rustle up the entire family and be here by then. I am sure we would have a wonderful bash. Your desperate friend, Phil.’

He then created another message. This time it was to Julian Pious’ private account.

‘Dear Julian, I trust this finds you in good health. I know I promised that you and my niece could go on that nice adventure. But my health has deteriorated and I need you both back here to look after me. You can return with your cousins, so long as you all hurry. Your good friend, Phil.’

He reread them both, nodded to himself and hit the Send button. He got back in bed and slept like a baby.

Chapter 15. Outer Polaris 0010, 12 June

The parasitic AI on the Arcwright satellite churned tirelessly as it processed all comms in and out of the transponders. The latest batch of outward bound messages, including those from philY@Home, was processed without any triggers firing.

Chapter 16. Phantom to Beta Phi 1410, 12 June

Aubrey had been using her time in warp to conduct interviews with her crew. She had worked her way through the officers and was now into the SNOs.

Warrant Officer 2
^nd
Class (WO2) Eugene Montgomery closed the door behind him, took the seat opposite Aubrey and sat at attention with his fists closed, knuckles down on top of his knees, back straight and said “Maam.”

“Thank you Chief Montgomery. You can relax. I thought we could have a chat and try to get to know each other.” Eugene nodded. “It says here in your file that you’ve been in the marines for eighteen years.”

“That’s right Maam. Enlisted straight out of high school. Been loving it ever since.” Eugene kept a straight face.

“Good to hear” said Aubrey. “You saw action in Bopar in 06 and received the Fleet Star for gallantry. How did that happen?”

“I just got picked out for some reason. They could have chosen any of us survivors really. Two others were awarded in that action. We were just the representative sample, if you know what I mean.”

Aubrey read some more. “I think your being a little modest their chief. All of the terrorists were killed if I recall?”

“That’s right Maam. Those that weren’t killed in the assault retreated to the baggage handling area at the spaceport and blew themselves up. I lost a good friend then. He should have got the Star, not me.”

Aubrey nodded. “I see this is not your first time heading up a marine detachment on a frigate.”

“That’s right. Last two years on Dartmoor but pretty routine stuff Maam. You know escort duties, inspections, the odd facility clearance but no real action.”

“Are you looking for combat chief?”

“If it comes, it comes. I’m a marine through and through. Combat’s our business. It’s what we do.”

Aubrey nodded. “Thanks chief. It’s good to meet you. Sorry it’s a bit rushed today. I will aim to catch up with you tomorrow or the day after. In the meantime, could you work up a training schedule for the detachment?”

“My pleasure Maam.”

“Thanks Chief. Can you ask Sgt Meyer to step in.”

Chapter 17. Niku 2015, 12 June

Julian Pious heard the chime of the incoming mail and leaned over to his console on the side table. He read the strange message, looked at the sender’s address. It was not in his contacts address book. But then a smile appeared as the penny dropped.

“Looks like I’m not needed on that safari dear – just a trip back to Polaris” he said.

Chapter 18. Niku 1400, 13 June

Julian Pious was waiting at the old fighter base in Niku. Memories of his recent treatment there came flooding back like it had just happened. But he called on his own immense mental discipline to shut out the thoughts.

Despite his recent physical ordeals he walked out onto the apron maintaining his customary straight back. His gear, he left on the trolley in the shade near Bay 4 as Control had advised. Julian mused that it was amazing the control tower was still standing. Just about every other building had either been destroyed or damaged in the battle for its control.

Several construction crews were busy repairing the Interstellar terminal. It had been damaged the least. Since he had been standing there he had seen a steady stream of trucks moving north and then turning east to the terminal. There they would be sucked dry and join the stream of trucks heading back south past the freight terminal with its huge collapsed roof and finally out of the spaceport.

He glanced at the time on his communicator. He had to be careful about radiation exposure or so the Alliance Public Media broadcasts kept saying.

“Commodore” hailed Niku Control “they have just warped in. They will be down in 20.”

“Thank you” hailed Julian. He stepped back into the shade afforded by the fighter base terminal building – well the wing that was still standing. There were still scorch and burn marks all over the wall from the droid assault.

Julian could be a patient man but patience had been a cultivated virtue, not one that came naturally. So while he waited he deliberately turned his focus to the implications of the message that Yomoto had sent him. He was still unaware of what the original mission was. He had a fair guess though. But now that was being abandoned or suspended for a higher priority task – the defence of Polaris.

He knew that the Admiral would not have abandoned this mission unless things were critical. He wondered if Beta Phi and the other Alliance systems would be attacked too. He worried for Justine. He knew she would not forego her role as Council Head in Niku. ‘And she called me stubborn!’

He fumbled getting out his communicator and cursed his hand and forearm for their lack of dexterity and control. ‘Thirty percent loss of function, which may over time be lessened’ he said to himself parroting the surgeon’s advice. He did not regret his decision to resist Bane but he did regret the fact they didn’t capture him alive. He would have so dearly liked to repay the favour.’

There it was. Julian stared up into the sky. The craft was almost directly between him and the Phi sun. As it moved the sun dazzled his eyes. He turned away and by the time he recovered focus the Phantom was just settling. Julian eyed the craft and he liked its lines. ‘Very slick’ he said to himself.

As if from nowhere, a column of vehicles vectored off the main road and headed towards the ship. Julian was completely unaware as to their purpose. A tall 2
^nd
Lt who Julian had never seen before was first to step out of the ship. The blond officer behind him Julian recognised as the Admiral’s niece.

Martin Lodi was immediately engaged with arrangements for the transfer of goods from the vehicles now waiting nearby. Julian walked toward Aubrey. Aubrey recognised the Commodore and they met halfway.

“What a fine ship you have there Aubrey” he said.

“Why thank you Sir. She is a beauty” said Aubrey as she cut a salute. Julian saluted back. “Where’s your gear and I’ll have it stowed?”

“Over there” said Julian “But there’s been a change of plan Aubrey. Can I come on board and explain.”

“Right Sir. Of course. Follow me.”

Fifteen minutes later, Julian finished explaining the change in plan and Aubrey filled him in on all she knew, including the fact that the rogan were intercepting their comms.

“You don’t look disappointed Aubrey” said Julian.

“No Sir. To be honest I wanted to stay and help defend Polaris. So I’m glad in a way. But I am puzzled as to why the Admiral changed his mind.”

“So am I. Things must be serious. We’ll find out soon enough. I’ve already spoken with Rear Admiral Shepherd. You better report to her now. I believe she wants to warp straight away.”

“Right then, let me confirm your gear is aboard, and then I’ll hail the Admiral.”

After checking with Martin that Julian’s gear was stowed, she and Julian walked down the corridor to the command centre. Evie appeared and after saying hello to Julian she said “So we are finally off on our mission.”

“Actually Evie” said Julian “there’s been a change of plan. We have to return to Polaris forthwith.”

“But why?” said Evie with a hint of annoyance. Her forbearance had been sorely tested these last six months with one mission after another being cancelled.

“I don’t know for sure but I suspect a major attack on Polaris and we are needed to defend it. I’m sorry.”

“Only a change of our government will end these attacks” said Evie forcibly. “If we keep putting this off, it will only get worse not better.” 

“Probably but this recall would not have been done lightly. Rest assured.”

“How can I rest when I am continually denied our goal? Can we not signal Admiral Yomoto? I wish to put forward my case for continuing with our original mission.”

“I’m afraid that can’t be done. Time is of the essence. We must warp back to Polaris now.”

Evie tried to contain her anger. “Good allies keep their word Commodore.”

Julian didn’t take too kindly to her reproach. But he took a deep breath in, summoning up his self-discipline. “Neither do they insist on a course of action that will place their ally in peril.”

“How can the absence of this one ship place your Federation in peril?”

“I cannot answer that without access to the facts and these are on Polaris.”

“We can request the facts and have them here by return signal.”

“Not without informing the Imperial Rogan Fleet” said Julian, himself struggling to remain calm.

“What do you mean by that?” said Evie “Are you implying that somehow I would pass on that information?”

“No I am not” and Julian paused for her to work it out.

“Oh I see. You don’t trust the security of your own communications. Is that it?”

“Precisely.”

Evie changed her tone and tack. “But can’t you Commodore make an executive decision here and now?”

“Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I trust the Admiral. He is the commander on the spot with all the facts to hand. It is his call and he has made it.  He knows, more than anyone else the importance of our mission.”

Evie had the good sense to know that she was not going to change things. “Of course Commodore. Back to Polaris we must go then.”

Chapter 19. Maryland 2020, 13 June

Rose McCubbin read Phil’s message. At first, she thought he was playing some silly game. But the reference to operation Pegasus forced a rethink. It had been a training exercise that she had convinced Phil Yomoto to conduct when she was his ops officer on Earth. The key feature was the loss of comms in and out of the Sol system.