Solbidyum Wars Saga 7: Hunt for the Reduviids (37 page)

“Ah, there you are, Tibby,” Regeny began.  “I was asking Wabussie, here, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning.  I was in deep asleep when he called me.”

“My apologies to you all,” Wabussie began, “but I don’t think this information should wait until morning.

“Báihuā contacted me a little less than an hour ago.  She spent yesterday with Sisopan getting briefed on Brotherhood plans.  She said their training base on Epsirt is larger than any of us expected, and they have several thousand Reduviids in training at the moment.  The Brotherhood has either bribed or compromised anyone in the Epsirt government who might know of their activities, so they operate unchallenged by the government.  The citizens of the planet know nothing of the Brotherhood’s existence or operations among them.

“Theyre planning to attack the last known position of the Cantolla Gate Station, as we assumed.  So far they do not know it’s been relocated.  At the same time, they will attack both planets Porpoatr and Locola and make a massive Reduviid assault on Megelleon at the Cantolla Gate to the Capitol Station, with hopes of getting at least one body bomber through the gate.  They also plan to have two innocent-looking freighters in the area that are equipped with torpedoes to attack the station, should one of the Reduviids get through and manage to disable the shields.  This is the largest scale attack the Brotherhood has planned to date.  Sisopan's Reduviids will attack the Capitol at the same time she is kidnapping Norcar’s children.  Ming is leading the attack on the Cantolla Gate stations and Roritat is leading the fleet attacking at Porpoatr.”

“By the stars,” Regeny exclaimed.  “Can we handle attacks of this scale?”

“I don’t know, sir,” I said.  “I need to know more about the sizes of the attacking fleets along with other details.”

“Báihuā was pretty good about getting us this information,” Wabussie said.  “Ming’s fleet will attacki the Cantolla Gate Station site with five asteroid-ships and nearly 300 other large ships plus their compliments of fighters and patrol ships.  Roritat will attack Porpoatr using three starships, eighty corvettes and one frigate.  Another officer we’ve not heard of before, named Kawl, will be leading a similar-sized fleet to attack Locola, while Sisopan’s Reduviids attack on Megelleon.

“However, here is the other part of their plans that we managed to learn.  The attacks to be carried out by the fleets are coordinated with Sisopan’s plan to kidnap Norcar’s children.  Once she has the boys secured, she will notify the fleets to launch their assaults.  The Brotherhood believes that with all four events taking place simultaneously, there is no way the Federation will be able to respond to every event and that they will succeed with at least half their objectives, if not all.  Their greatest hope is to destrop the Cantolla Gate Station to cripple the movements of the federation at a key hub.  Of course, we know that won’t work because the station is not there.  Their second hope is to destroy the Capitol Station, but they admit that’s a longshot.  Porpoatr is a possibility.  They know the Senate has voted to beef up security there, but the Brotherhood hopes to carry out their attack and lay the planet to ruin before security can be strengthened.  Locola is a new one to us.  It’s clean across the galaxy in a remote sector and it has no close neighbors.  It’s principally a mining planet that produces korgadite.  The planet also hosts several esteemed universities and is a religious retreat for the Gyocite religion.  I have no idea why the Brotherhood would go for this planet, other than its easy pickings.”

“Did Báihuā say why the Brotherhood wants this planet?”

“No, but she has the impression it was near the region where the Brotherhood manufactures their asteroid-ships and that korgadite is a material significant to the Brotherhood’s fabrication of the asteroid-ships.

“That could be useful information.  Marranalis, pull up the 3D display and let us see the locations of these planned attack sites,” I said.

“How soon are these attacks to take place?” Regeny asked.

“Two to three days, depending on when Norcar’s children are in place to be kidnapped,” Wabussie answered.  While they were talking, I examined the 3D hologram Marranalis activated.  As usual, I could not see a pattern that helped in any way.  Finally, I said, “There is nothing I see here that helps us.  Only by paying close attention to detail and gathering complete data as to all directions of retreat by the enemy ships beginning immediately after the attacks will we be able to gain the necessary advantage to turn this situation around.  Now that we have ships fast enough to keep up with them, I want the enemy followed back to their bases.”

“Tell me one thing; has Báihuā been able to pinpoint the exact location of the Reduviids under-ice base so we can attack it?” I asked.

“Yes, and it makes us look stupid for not seeing it.  Báihuā said that Sisopan and the Brotherhood make a big joke of how we’ve gotten so caught up in our technology that we overlook the simplest things.  They’ve clearly marked their base location for their ships to land; only we don’t see them, because we’re only looking for them using all sorts of sophisticated sensors.  They’ve marked the landing area using an ultraviolet dye on the ice and snow.  To the naked eye it's invisible, but with ultraviolet filters on the cameras they pop out like beacons.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I said, completely dumbfounded.  “All this time that we’ve been searching for them all we needed to do was to utilize low-tech cameras sensitive to the ultraviolet range?”

“Yes and according to Báihuā, Sisopan says that the Brotherhood marks all sorts of things that way, including their urban headquarters and supply centers and their hidden bases within in asteroid clusters.”

I put my hand to my forehead and closed my eyes.  How had we overlooked something so simple?

“By the stars”, I muttered.  “We should all be fired for incompetence.”

“So what are you going to do now?” Regeny asked.

“I’m going to call a meeting of the fleet admirals to develop strategies for countering these assaults and define a coordinated defense that will prevent the Brotherhood from succeeding with any of these attacks.  Furthermore, I will need to talk to Admiral Slater.  He is to take the lead on the ground and coordinate troops at Megelleon to fight the Reduviids. 

“Admiral Wabussie, I think you should join in on that meeting.  We'll need FSO cooperation on that front.

“Speaking of Slater, where has he been?  I’ve not seen him in a very long time.”

“I’ve kept him busy developing new mechanical armor units and providing more ground training to our troopers,” Regeny said.  "You’ve been concentrating a lot on the space end of things; but we need effective ground troops in place, as well, and Slater had experience there.”

“Hmm, good thinking Admiral, you’re right,” I said.

“Oh, Admiral Wabussie, what’s the word on Captain Dranda Gandrop?”

“She was advanced to the rank of Admiral yesterday,” Wabussie said.  “Admiral Regeny personally saw to her advancement.  She’ll officially takes up her duties on the Cantolla Gate Station later today.”

“Good, I think she should be apprised as to what is happening.  In fact, I think it would be a good idea if she were to attend the meeting I’ll with the fleet admirals.  Marranalis, will you see to it that she is included on the list?  I want to meet with all of them in three hours.”

Three hours later, I had all the fleet admirals and Admiral Dranda Gandrop assembled in the gallery area of the War Room.  Behind me, the 3D holographic model of the galaxy rotated slowly, showing the upcoming combat sites as brightly illuminated areas across the model.

“Admirals, before we begin, I would like you all to meet newly commissioned Admiral Dranda Gandrop.  Admiral Gandrop assumes command of the Cantolla Gate Station effective today.  As all of you know, the Station has been relocated and the Brotherhood is about to attack the area where the station was last located.  What we have learned is that, in less than 48 hours, the Brotherhood has planned concurrent attacks on the Capitol Station at Megelleon, as well as major attacks at Porpoatr and Locola.” As I briefed the admirals, each of the illuminated locations in the 3D model shown brighter.  “In addition, the Reduviids are planning the kidnapping of the two sons of Chief Banker Norcar of the Weccies in an attempt to blackmail him into assisting them.  All of this is scheduled to transpire at the exact same time, in order to create chaos and render us helpless in the confusion.  I do not plan for that to happen.

“Admiral Kophious, you will be taking one third of your fleet to Porpoatr.  Your ships will be joined by a quarter of the ships from the fleet in Sector 4.  Admiral Wingette, you will take one-third of your fleet to Locola; there you will be joined by the squadron of Ruwallie Rasson fighters led by Captain Nybidong.  The fighters are already underway to the rendezvous point, as they require additional time to complete several complex transfers before arriving.  Each fleet will proceed to their respective planet, remaining cloaked at all times, and configure into close orbit to await the arrival of the enemy.  Close orbit around the mass of the planet will serve to mask the gravity signatures of your ships until it’s too late for the Brotherhood to retreat.

“I’ll be taking command of the ships waiting at the old Cantolla Gate station; Admiral Slater, under the direct command of Admiral Regeny, will be responsible for dealing with the Reduviids on the surface at Megelleon.  I’ll have one carrier at Megelleon to deal with the two freighters that are reported to be part of the Brotherhood’s attack on the Capitol Station.  Since the bulk of the action is planned to take place on the surface, there is no need for a large fleet at the Capitol.  I expect the rest of you to carry out your patrols and monitor your sectors as always, remaining especially vigilant in the execution of your duties, taking into consideration not only the current intelligence, but also the Brotherhood’s history of employing decoy tactics, random attacks and other such strategies to further their campaign of terror.  Every anomalous observation, no matter how small, is to be reported to me immediately.

“It is my understanding that all of your Federation warships are now equipped with the latest upgrades to shielding, power and cloak technology, which you are expected to utilize to the fullest advantage to repel the enemy and secure the upper hand.  The Brotherhood ships can no longer outperform the Federation fleets. You will fly with enhanced shields and firepower at speeds that match capability with the fastest Brotherhood ships.  I fully expect to see all Federation ships that engage with the enemy capture and hold the offensive advantage, attacking fiercely and with the singular objective to destroy.”

“Sir,” Admiral Prezallie spoke up, “Why is Admiral Slater in command of the defenses for the Capitol ground Cantolla Gates and not another Admiral?”

“For two reasons; first, Admiral Slater is the most experienced of any of us in ground-side operations; and secondly, that’s the way Admiral Regeny and I want it.  Any more questions?”

“Sir, have you considered that all your information may be false and designed to take us into the wrong areas and that the Brotherhood plans to attack somewhere else?” Admiral Prezallie continued.

“Why no, Admiral, the thought has never crossed my mind.  Say, would you like to divide the remainder of your fleet up and defend all those other locations?” I asked sarcastically, while staring him in the face.  There were snickers heard from several places in the room, and Prezallie’s face reddened as he took his seat again.

“So now, if there are no more questions, return to your ships and respond to your assigned positions.  I’ll have written orders coming to each of you within the hour.”

When the meeting finished, I called Admiral Gandrop aside. “Admiral, I want you to beef up security when you take over the station.  Make it look like you’re going to be a hard-ass, if you need to, but don’t let on that the old station location is going to be under attack.  No one serving at the station is aware of current developments; in fact, only a very small handful know that the station has been moved at all – and I prefer you keep it that way.  There may be one or more traitors or Brotherhood sympathizers serving with your crews – most likely among the station maintenance crew.  If there are, it’s part of your job to ferret them out.”

“I’ll do my best, sir,” she responded.

“That’s all I ask.”

The next two days passed quickly.  Norcar and two FSO agents posing as his sons were picked up from the orbiting mercantile station at Weccies by a leased luxury space yacht and, using the star Cantolla Gates, transferred to the nearest gate to Epsirt.  Agents Tabgellis and Mazukam arrived at the Weccies station days earlier where they joined Norcar as his sons.  It was unlikely that Brotherhood agents would have been at the Weccies station; but had there been, they would have seen Norcar interacting normally with his children.  I had to commend Wabussie.  The two men not only looked like they could be fraternal twins, but they also resembled Norcar in some ways.  I thought this remarkable, but when I mentioned it to Wabussie, he laughed and explained that the resemblance was achieved via cosmetic surgery, and that restoration of their own countenances would occur once the mission was over.

As soon as the yacht carrying Norcar and our agents entered Epsirt’s space, they were given immediate clearance to land.  Shortly after landing, Norcar and his imposter sons were whisked away to the estate.  It was Norcar’s first official visit and he was eager to see the expanse of the estate complex.  His reactions were perfectly natural to all that he saw and his delights genuine, which reinforced to any potential spies that the visit was legitimate and the family relationships valid.  Tabgellis and Mazukam conducted themselves with age-appropriate behavior, feigning excitement and interest in their surroundings, while scanning their surroundings to assess threats and identify abnormal movements.