The Phoenix Reckoning (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 6) (6 page)

“Indeed,” said Sergei. “Remember, history is written by the victor.”

***

“Descending from alteredspace,” reported Sarah from the helm. “Arriving in Aleator System in ten seconds.”

“Excellent,” said Calvin. “Sound General Quarters.”

“Sounding General Quarters,” said Shen. The alert lights flashed on each console, but the noisy klaxon and red lights were limited to the other decks. No doubt every crewmember was currently scrambling to get to their battle-stations.

“Stealth or shields?” asked Miles, giving Calvin a backwards glance.

“Shields, and make those weapons hot. Clear for action.”

“Clearing for action,” said Miles.

“Two…one…” the darkness was replaced by a view full of stars. In the distance some blinking lights could be seen, undoubtedly the station Aleator One. “We have arrived in Aleator System,” announced Sarah. “Deep and close to the station, just as you asked.”

“Very good,” said Calvin. Even though they had sounded General Quarters, he hadn’t strapped himself into his chair, not yet. So he stood up and walked over to the Ops station. “Shen, what do we see?”

“There is a formation of destroyer class ships on patrol, mostly refitted vessels, I count sixteen of them; they are flying no colors,” said Shen.

“Show me on the 3D display,” said Calvin.

The display lit up then focused in on the group of vessels. Calvin recognized them. “Those are friendly ships; ignore them.”

“Are you sure?” asked Miles. “Because I can get us a target lock from here.”

“I’m sure,” replied Calvin. “Those vessels are what the Roscos call a defensive squadron.”

“
That’s
their fleet?” asked Miles incredulously. “We could beat them with our shields down.”

“Better keep those shields up,” said Calvin. “Because we’re the muscle in this operation.”

“And just what, exactly, is this operation?” asked Summers, as she sat in her chair, left of the command position. Although Calvin had explained the basic details to Nimoux—who had since gone below to prepare—Summers had been absent at the time and missed the explanation.

“We’re going to get our repairs, get resupplied, and get those soldiers I asked for,” said Calvin with a bit of glee.

“In exchange for what?” asked Summers, folding her arms. She, quite wisely, didn’t trust the Roscos to be so charitable.

“In exchange for a little help,” said Calvin. “Sarah,” Calvin turned to face her. “Move us ahead to the station and request clearance to dock as soon as possible.”

“Aye, aye.”

“What kind of help?” pressed Summers.

Before Calvin answered her, he had one more question for Shen. “Do we see any other vessels present, besides the patrol squadron and ourselves?” Calvin knew that Grady would have diverted all traffic away from Aleator for the moment, and docked all of his unarmed ships.

“No, sir. No other ships,” said Shen.

“That’s strange,” said Summers, raising an eyebrow. She kept her eyes on Calvin. “This is a den for crooks, thieves, smugglers, and all sorts of riff raff, I would expect it to be bustling with ships of all stripes.”

“One would think,” said Calvin. He returned to the command position.

“Come on, Calvin,” said Summers. “Level with me. What the hell is going on?”

“Well, since you asked me nicely,” he said, “we’re here to assist the Roscos in a battle.”

“A
battle
?” Summers looked bewildered. “Against
who
? And
why
?”

“Why? Well, in exchange for all the stuff I just told you, repairs, resupply, and a soldier garrison. As for the who, it would seem that the Roscos have been having trouble with the Khans lately.”

“What else is new?” asked Shen, obviously wise to the fact that the Khans and Roscos had been bitter enemies and competitors for control of the black market for decades, if not centuries.

“Well, you know how the Roscos have mostly kept to Aleator and the Khans have been, shall we say, more dispersed throughout the galaxy?” asked Calvin.

“Yes,” said Shen.

“Well, their operations still required a central hub; I’ll give you a Q if you can guess where.”

Shen thought about it for a moment. Then he turned to face Calvin. “On Tybur.”

“Exactly right,” said Calvin. “And not only that, it’s no secret that the Khans have always envied the Roscos for having possession of Aleator. It’s much better located and far more established than anything the Khans ever put together. That’s why the Roscos can sit fat and happy, letting the dirty money come to them, rather than having to seek out the seedier clientele of the galaxy themselves.”

“And your point would be?” asked Shen.

“Well, recent events have made Tybur…inhospitable to the Khans. In fact, they’ve been entirely removed from Alliance space—either by the Rotham, the Enclave, or both. That makes them one large, dangerous gang of wandering, violent nomads in search of a home.”

“The Khans are going to attack Aleator,” said Shen. “And we’re going to help the Roscos defend it?”

Calvin gave Shen a slow clap. “Right on the nose.”

“This is absurd,” said Summers. “We have a mission to do; we need to get inside Polarian Forbidden Space and put an end to this vast conspiracy once and for all, and you would have us spend our time, and risk our lives, in some gang territory dispute.”

“Oh, the implications of this battle are much more than that,” said Calvin, his eyes narrowing as he thought about it. “Not only is it in the best interest of the Empire that the Roscos control Aleator and
not
the unpredictable Khans, there is one more dark variable to this equation.”

“And…?” asked Summers.

Calvin required a moment before he could reply. Finally, he spoke. “The
Strigoi
…” he said the word hatefully.

“What about them?” asked Summers.

“They are coming. They’ll be aboard some of the Khan transports when they arrive. The Khans are going to use the Strigoi to take Aleator, and the Strigoi are going to feast on the Roscos, mercifully slaughtering some, while transforming others. This will help grow their numbers. After that…who knows? But it won’t be good. Which is why the line has to be drawn
here
, and the Khans—along with their Strigoi allies—must be stopped as soon as possible.”

“And we’re here to make sure their ships don’t make it to the station,” said Summers, seeming to understand.

“Sir,” interrupted Sarah. “We have been cleared to dock with the station immediately.”

“Thank you, Sarah,” said Calvin. “Go ahead and bring us in. Miles, lower the shields so we can dock.”

“You got it, Cal.”

As the view outside changed, the stars themselves seeming to swivel around them from the ship’s maneuvering, Shen said, “Wait a minute.”

“What is it?” asked Calvin, wondering if Shen had detected something on the scopes. He hoped it wasn’t the premature arrival of the Khan fleet.

“You said the Khans were kicked off of Tybur by either the Rotham
or
the Enclave, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“If the Enclave ejected the Khans from their base of operations, why would the Enclave be willing to help the Khans secure a new one?”

“Because the Khans and the Enclave are not enemies,” said Calvin, as if this were common knowledge. He’d discovered this on Tybur himself, personally. And every observation he’d made since had only confirmed his suspicion that the two had struck up some degree of cooperation. So when Grady told him that the Enclave was coming, ferried over by Khan starships, Calvin had no reason to doubt that intelligence.

“I see,” said Shen.

They approached the station and soon Aleator One—in all its hideousness—was looming large in the forward window. As they began their docking operation, Calvin tapped the direct line to SFHQ.

“Captain Nimoux, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear, sir,” replied the living legend himself. Despite still recovering from a gunshot wound, Nimoux had volunteered to go aboard Aleator One and help to organize and manage their ground defenses. His Special Forces training, combined with his intelligence work, made him an ideal candidate for this job, injuries aside.

“Are you ready?”

“Almost. Just briefing my men before we go to the hatch. Have we docked?”

“Not yet,” said Calvin. “But we’ve begun our docking operation. The seal should attach any moment now.”

“I’d better get moving then,” said Nimoux.

“Remember to be careful,” said Calvin. “I cannot emphasize enough how deadly and terrifying Strigoi soldiers can be. Especially once they begin to turn your own people against you.”

“Thank you, sir. But rest assured, I understand the threat.”

“And your men also, make sure they understand,” Calvin would
not
have a repeat of the Trinity. He’d sooner shoot himself in the head.

“They do,” said Nimoux. “And speaking of men, I have a request to pass along to you. Rez’nac wishes to come along and join the fight.”

“Denied,” said Calvin. “Tell Rez’nac that he is ordered to remain here.”

“Understood. I’ll pass that along.”

Even though Calvin was sure that Rez’nac could handle himself, and was a far better warrior than anyone on Aleator One, he was also a Polarian. And the Roscos were infamous for their disdain for aliens. They allowed them aboard their station, were happy to take their money, but all business transactions had to be conducted in Human, and enough Roscos were such extreme xenophobes that Calvin couldn’t help imagining a stray friendly bullet striking Rez’nac in the back of the head during the battle. No, he would not expose Rez’nac to that situation. Once Calvin had his own garrison of Rosco soldiers, they would be professionals, and he shouldn’t have to worry about such an unfortunate incident. But right now, with the entire station on alert and every able man armed for a fight, Calvin knew there would be many of questionable repute filling in the Roscos’ ranks. Men and women who might love a chance potshot at a Polarian warrior.

“Radio in once you are at the hatch,” said Calvin.

“Copy that.”

“Docking operation complete,” said Sarah with a smile that was as subtle as it was proud. “The away team is cleared to board the station.” In total, the away team consisted of Nimoux and the four human soldiers under his command—all the human soldiers Calvin had left. Nimoux had been given strict orders to stay out of the fighting and always maintain a path of retreat to the station’s hangar, should the worst happen; Calvin hoped Nimoux’s men knew their job was to protect Nimoux foremost, and defend the station only as a secondary objective.

“Miles,” said Calvin. The big man swiveled his chair to face the center of the bridge.

“Yeah?”

“What’s the matter?” asked Calvin.

Miles looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re still here,” said Calvin.

Miles continued to appear baffled. His face scrunched comically as he tried to put the pieces together.

“You heard what Sarah said,” said Calvin. “The away team is clear to board the station.”

“What has that got to do with—”

“Gear up and get down there,” said Calvin, deadpan. “On the double, mister, go!”

Miles’s face went ghost white and a look of pure terror overtook him as he stared wide-eyed at Calvin. “You mean
I
have to…” his voice trailed off.

“Summers can handle the defense,” said Calvin. “I need a big strong man like you down on the ground kicking some Strigoi ass.”

Summers clamped a hand over her mouth, evidently to stop a laugh.

To his credit, Miles stood up, as if about to obey the order. Calvin nearly had to tell him it was a joke before the big man put it together.

“Oh, very funny, Cal,” said Miles, returning to his seat. “Summers at the defense post,” he snorted. “Yeah, maybe if you want to
lose
this battle…”

Summers’ mirth disappeared. “Enough chatter,” she barked.

At that moment Nimoux checked in. “We’re at the hatch all geared up and awaiting the go ahead.”

“You have the green light,” replied Calvin. “Just remember, my priority is your safety. The station’s defense is secondary.”

“Understood.”

“As soon as they confirm they’re aboard, Sarah, detach us from the station and seal the hatch. Then move us to a central position, between the station and the Roscos’ defense squadron.”

“Aye, aye.”

“And, Miles, when she moves the ship, activate the stealth system. I want us to take the enemy by surprise.”

“You got it.”

“Let me just go on record before all of this ridiculousness unfolds,” said Summers. “That I strongly counsel the CO against this course of action.”

“Duly noted, Summers, duly noted.”