Assault on Ambrose Station: A Seth Donovan Novel (36 page)

“Hold still, you might be concussed.” she said as he groaned and opened his fluttering eyes. “Mel, try and get me a damage report! Get onto Cuts and see why we’ve lost controls. Crege, keep goosing those thrusters in case we get them back suddenly. Only small bursts, I don’t want to get smashed by the acceleration if they come back suddenly.”

She was unbuckling Fel’negr as she spoke and began to lower him to the deck. She dashed over to the compartment’s emergency locker and pulled out a medkit. Fel was fully awake by the time she returned, and she started to wipe his face clean of blood. His eyes were different colours, she noted, one an amber tone and the other blue.

“Can you talk?”

“Mur…” he managed.

“You took a blow to the head. Hold still while I use this synth skin.”

She used a small canister to spray a fine mist over his forehead, covering his eyes with her other hand. The bleeding stopped almost immediately, sealed by the medical nanites in the spray.

“My neck.” he said, “What happened?”

“We got hit. You have whiplash. I do too, although I managed to avoid knocking myself out.”

“The marks we receive in the school of experience are mostly bruises.”

“You all right?”

“I’ll live. What’s our status?”

“Mel?”

“The Argen report that a round penetrated the hull directly amid-ships, Deck 2. They’ve patched the exit hole, but the entry point passes through engineering. Engineer Cutler reports that we’ve lost our primary propulsion mode, although the hydrogen catalyst sections appear unaffected. He estimates that the control system issue for the thrusters is electrical, and he is assessing the possibility of a workaround.”

“Can we see what’s happening out there? Why did the Calliope stop firing?”

“From what I can gather, the Astral Spider launched her missile barrage. The damage is unknown, as there is a large debris cloud.”

“How much debris? Did he get it?”

“Unlikely, the debris is consistent with multiple Class 3 missile detonations, most likely they were shot down by the Calliope’s anti-missile defences.”

“Did
any
get through?”

“Possibly, waiting for the Calliope to move out of the debris to see.”

“I want to know how much shit we’re in as soon as possible. It won’t take much for the Ghantri to shoot off a few shots to finish us.”

“I will remain diligent in my observations, Captain. Might I suggest limiting the amount of active sensor sweeps we perform, though?”

“Yeah, don’t want them to know we’re still alive. Good thinking.”

She helped Fel’negr to his feet and then climbed back into her chair.

As Fel sat down with a wince, he called to Max. “Incoming communications from the Astral Spider, Captain.”

“Can’t risk it. We’re no good in this fight at the moment any way, the Spider is on her own for the next few minutes.”

She switched her console configuration into two views – a status overlay of the ship and the optical sensor image of the raging battle. The number of spiking laser shots from the Astral Spider had lessened, although many of the drones were destroyed. She could make out damage to the corvette.

The frigate had begun to exit the debris cloud, and she could make out several gaping holes on various parts of the hull. It had rolled again to turn the starboard battery at the Astral Spider, and snapped off a barrage as she watched. At the last moment, before the rounds reached the Spider, the corvette ignited the two large propulsion nacelles and shunted away from the shots. The Class 1 lasers started to rake the enemy’s hull, although the damage was minimal.

“Is our beamer operational?” she said.

The Votus glanced at his console then nodded, “It has not suffered any damage, and it is charged to one-hundred percent. I advise against firing…”

“Bring in one of our Interceptor drones - I have an idea.”

“But if the Ghantri think…”

“I’m not stupid, Mel. Just do it.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

“When she gets an idea,” explained Fel, “It’s best to just go with it. She hasn’t let us down yet.”

She rubbed Fel’s arm as she stood to leave, nodding her thanks.

“Where are you going?” asked Melafenaseance.

“To put a message in a bottle.”

He looked confused, which Max found rather comical. She couldn’t contain a giggle as she left the compartment.

58.

The whistle of venting atmosphere filled the air of Deck 1 as Max ran headlong down the passageway. She stopped at an emergency locker and grabbed a canister of polycrete foam, plugging any holes she could find along the way. She made her way down to Deck 2 and dashed through the mess deck. She skidded to a halt when she saw the level of damage the ship had sustained – her heart suddenly in her throat. Denno nodded to her, as the two Argen were patching holes around the compartment.

“Clean through, Captain,” he said, “Cuts says it’s mostly superficial.”

“Superficial does not mean a hole right through my ship.”

“Sorry, Max. I just…”

“No, don’t be. I’m sorry. It just caught me off guard is all. You two are doing a great job. I plugged most of the drone damage up top, but if you get the chance can you head up and make sure?”

“Sure thing, Cap.”

She headed aft, passing the medlab and making her way to engineering.

Cuts,
she texted,
where can I find you?

Number three crawlspace, second junction.

How does it look?

We’ve taken worse hits. Main scoops are offline, but we can still use the water tanks. And, of course, the puff drive.

Hydrogen ions it is. I’m going to use the drone bays for a while, where can I get some tools?

All you need should be in the drone bay – Seth keeps it pretty well stocked.

She climbed up on the mezzanine and walked around to the drone bay. It was not really a separate section, just a bench near where the Interceptors were stored. The drones would line up on an automated rail that fed a small airlock when not in use.

She pulled opened a few of the drawers under the workbench until she was familiar with the tools there. After a few minutes, a red light started to flash over her head and a metallic clunk told her that the drone had docked

Cuts, are there any AI Cores here?

Should be a couple of idle cores in Eric’s trunk by the life support console.

She climbed down and found the container. She pulled out a black plastic case and checked to see if the core was inside. By the time she returned, the Interceptor had rolled to the first drone rack. She pushed a button on a control panel near the rack and the drone lowered to the workbench. Working fast, she unscrewed several bolts from a cover plate and opened the drone up. Next, she unlatched the case and pulled out the AI Core.

As far as AI’s went, these were fairly rudimentary, capable of only the most simplest of tasks without supervision. They
were
handy for automating some processes on the fly, however.

She thumbed the activate button and waited for it to awaken, then synced it with her overlay.

DonCrest Galactic Corporation Advanced Intelligences Division, Model 392, Serial Number 64327122 at your service.

Activate audio communication.

“Audio systems online.” said the AI in a monotonous synthesised voice.

“Good. I need you to link up with this Interceptor drone and use its wireless link to communicate with the Protectorate vessel registered as Astral Spider.”

“Error – there are no vessels of that registration within range…”

“I know there isn’t, which is why you’re going to get closer to connect.”

“Warning – if I use the wireless link to connect to the vessel, you will lose remote functionality of the drone…”

“Which is why you’re going to also control the drone.”

“Query – What is the nature of the communication?”

“I’m going to explain our situation, which you’re going to relay to the Astral Spider, and then you are going to give them this plan that I’m about to deliver via my interface overlay.”

“Parameters defined. I must point out that it is far more efficient to transmit this data via standard communications protocols. If you wish for me to set up a communications channel using the Dreaming of Atmosphere’s systems…”

“No. Please just do as I ask.”

“Parameters clarified. Awaiting input.”

She pulled the core free of the case and positioned it within the drone’s chassis. She made sure it was secure, sent it the plan she had concocted and bolted the cover plate back on. A minute later, a tinny, muffled voice within the drone reported that it had successfully linked with the drone’s systems. She pressed another button on the control panel by the bench and the drone lifted back up into the racking.

Heading back to the command module,
she texted to Cuts,
I want regular updates.

You’ll have them. I think I know how to get manoeuvring thrusters back.

Good, I’ll let Crege know.

No need, I’ve been talking with him through all this.

Great, I’m off.

She left engineering and returned to the command module once more. Fel was flicking through several switches on a control bank above his console, while Crege was in the middle of rebooting his pilot’s console. The many displays about his station were flickering to life, showing the spiralling view of the outside. The view rotated repeatedly between the raging battle and the purple nebula that dominated the Gossamer System.

The Votus seemed bored, flicking his console between the fire controls and the passive sensor feeds.

“How does it look down there?” asked Fel as she sat down.

“We’re either the luckiest spacers in the galaxy, or we’re a magnet for damage.”

“Warrior was too close to
calak.
” apologised Crege.

“We knew it was a tight one. Don’t sweat it, Crege. You did great. How are those controls?”

“Human says this should work. Had to shut down for a few minutes while he bypassed damage sections of system.”

“Captain,” said the Votus, “I must insist you share your plan with us. I fail to see how placing a message within a bottle will be beneficial to our current circumstances.”

“You old races have no imagination.” she sighed.

“Enlighten us.”

“So long as that starboard battery still functions, that frigate can tear us and the Astral Spider up. If we can take it out, we’re gold.”

“That much is evident. It is a risky shot, however…”

“I haven’t finished. Sure, taking it out is harder to do than to talk about it. One way to manage it is to set up that frigate so we’ve got the perfect shot. I just loaded an AI Core into that Interceptor, which will fly over to the Astral Spider and tell it all about our status and where our beamer is able to fire upon. If Garner can get his ship to come about, I’m betting the frigate will want to keep turning to face those starboard arcs at him. If we can get the jump on them, we can burn that battery to slag before they realise we’re not out of commission.”

“Why the drone?”

“So any signal the frigate may pick up,” surmised Fel, his eyes the bright white of admiration, “will appear to be coming from the Interceptor and not us. It will still think we’re disabled.”

Max nodded, “Should give us one good shot to take out those guns. It’s all or nothing. If we miss, the Ghantri won’t hesitate to finish what they started. They’ll shoot at life pods if they think they can get away with it.”

“What is warrior’s task?” asked Crege.

“When the frigate is at optimal firing range, you’re going to do your best to steady this tumbling we’re in. Then Mel shoots the beamer. Then we get back into the fight.”

The Votus patted his elbow, a gesture that Max had learned was similar to rubbing one’s chin in thought.

“Thought’s, Mel?”

“It is a sound plan. Are you sure you’re not a gambling woman, Captain Cooper?”

“A good Captain is whatever the situation calls for.”

“You show wisdom. Are you so certain that this shot is within my capability as your gunner?”

“A good Captain must also be perceptive of talent within her crew. I’ve seen you operate. You’re calm and collected, even during high stress situations. That’s exactly what we need in a gunner.”

“I must admit, death does not hold such finality for my kind as it does you younger races. I do not fear it.”

It was Max’s turn to look surprised. “Votus believe in an afterlife?”

“Hardly, Captain,” he said in a chiding tone, “I refer to the immortality bestowed through technology.”

“Fascinating.” said Fel, turning in his chair to listen.

“You’re immortal?”

“No, Captain. Not as such. I can die, although I regularly store my neurological patterns within an implant. It can be removed upon death and placed within a similar chamber in a cloned body, effectively reviving me. Should the implant be irrevocably lost, my latest upload can be used instead. I may lose several months of memory, but I will be reborn.”

“I suppose such a process can be used to prolong biological life, as well?” asked Fel.

“Indeed.”

“How old are you?” asked Maxine.

“This body? Or my overall age?”

“Both.”

“I have remained death free for over thirty seven years. I am unsure of my exact age, however. Relativistic effects can confuse such issues. I will tell you, though, that I was alive when your people first unlocked the secrets of the Jump Gates.”

“That was over one and a half thousand years ago!”

“Really?” he said, eyebrows raised, “It seemed like only yesterday.”

Maxine sat back in her chair, speechless.

“My mind is officially blown.” said Fel.

“Warrior calls bullshit.” said Crege, a trill laugh escaping from his mouth, “Votus smell different when lying.”

Melafeneseance leaned back in his chair, the first signs of a real smile on his face that Max had ever seen.

“What? You’re playing a joke on us?” she said.

“Sometimes, it is amusing to play on the stereotypes you younger races like to use. You should have seen your faces.”

Maxine let out a chuckle. “You know, we’re getting used to having you around. You’re all right when you loosen up a little.”

“I only wish the rest of my people enjoyed humour more often. It is one of the few traits I admire in the younger races.”

“Captain,” reported Fel, “I’m detecting a strange signal originating from the Astral Spider.”

“Is it a series of short and long pulses?”

“Yes.” he said, looking perplexed.

“It’s Morse Code – put it through this program I’m sending to your console.”

“Morse Code?”

“An old Earth custom, long since retired. Old spacers such as Garner and myself keep it alive. It’s a hobby for us types. We like to transmit simple messages into space and see who picks it up or, rarer still, recognises it for what it is. It’s one of our earliest methods of communicating electronically.”

“Translating it now. It’s awfully inefficient.”

“It’s literally thousands of years old, predating Jump tech.”

“All right, Captain. It reads ‘Starting Signal, full stop. Message understood full stop. Coming around your green one seven four north two two, full stop. Time one three nine seconds, full stop. End of message.’”

“We’ve got just over two minutes before Garner brings the Astral Spider to those coordinates. Crege, are flight controls back?”

“Eighty-four percent effective,
kitrak.
”

“Eighty-four?”

“Human reports seven thrusters are unresponsive. Will be enough.”

“Have you calculated the manoeuvre?”

“Analysing vectors and programming thruster activation schedule.”

“Let me know as soon as you have the sequence.”

“Aye, aye,
kitrak!
”

“Fel, you’re going to get ready with those active sensors. I want to paint a bright picture of the Ghantri ship five seconds before we shoot.”

“Booting up the sensor nexus, Captain.”

“Mel, as soon as you have a solid lock on that starboard battery, give it a full burn with the beamer. Don’t stop until it’s slag, or we are.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

She reached for the PA mic. “All hands, secure for action! Cuts, shut down all decks and non-essential systems. Shut down main propulsion and feed all the juice to the beamer. I want all the power you can spare fed into the beamer’s charging banks.”

“Stabilisation sequence programmed,
Kitrak!
”

“Okay, gentlemen. Let’s give this fucker all we’ve got.”

“The Astral Spider is coming around, Captain.” reported Fel’negr, “the Ghantri vessel is rolling to bring starboard battery to bear.”

Biting her lip, Maxine switched her console to show the optical sensors pointed at the pair of duelling starships. She noted with growing concern the level of damage sustained by the Protectorate ship, but she was still travelling with amazing speed. As she watched, the deadly batteries of the Calliope unleashed a torrent of hardlight shells toward the embattled corvette. The last round caught the Astral Spider on the starboard nacelle, and she let out a groan of despair.