Chroniech! (23 page)

The beam then turned its attention to the destroyer that had been the source of the missiles. With pinpoint accuracy it vaporized the section of the ship where the missiles had come from. Stricklen was impressed.

"Coms, get me the captain of the GP. I don't want to interrupt if he's busy so make that clear to them when you transmit," Stricklen ordered.

After a brief moment, the face of Captain Mulgany appeared on Stricklen's screen. As soon as he noticed the connection had been made Mulgany said, "Thanks for the assist Ken. We took a beating but we'll be okay. We've got several hull breaches and, at last count, 23 casualties. The power grid is intact and we're still holding most of our air. She'll need a few weeks in space dock but at least we'll make it there under our own power."

Stricklen was relieved. Tension flowed out of him as he listened to the captain's report. "I'm glad we were able to assist. We took some damage of our own but it was all pretty minor. We should be back in orbit in a couple of hours. If you need any assistance, just yell."

"Your offer is appreciated but from the reports I'm getting, our damage control teams are handling the cleanup just fine. We may need some spare parts after we assess the damage. I'll let you know. Mulgany out."

Stricklen directed his next question towards his communications station, "Any word from the surface?"

"We are still getting good data from the Tri Star," the communications watch reported. "Sorbith's onboard computer reports negotiations are still underway and it has transmitted a recording of what has transpired since their arrival."

Ken was anxious to see what had been going on down on the planet but he wanted to do so in the privacy of his stateroom. "Very well, keep me informed. I'll be in my stateroom. Inform me when we've achieved orbit."

13 - Loss of Unity

Just as he reached his stateroom door, a voice from his earpiece said, "Captain to the bridge! Sensors have picked up additional incoming ships."

Cursing softly the whole way, Ken retraced his steps. "Report!" he barked as soon as he cleared the doorway.

The main viewer had switched to a tactical display and showed a large group of ships approaching. The tactical officer looked up from his console. He had a very worried look on his face. "We've identified at least thirteen incoming ships, one of which is so big it must be a juggernaut. The drive signatures are Tholtaran."

Stricklen paled when he heard the word juggernaut. These ships were simply too huge to comprehend. The Tholtaran's had built five of these practically invincible battleships. Each one was a massive weapons platform measuring nearly 20 kilometers in diameter. Most of the ship's functions were automated, which meant the vast majority of the internal space was machinery.

During the Human — Tholtaran war only one juggernaut had ever been lost in battle, and only at a tremendous cost in lives and ships. Stricklen had a personal dislike for the juggernaut since his grandfather had died at the hands of one. As far as Stricklen was concerned, a juggernaut was virtually indestructible.

"Contact Sorbith immediately!" he ordered. "I don't want to hear any excuses for him not responding. I want to see his face on my monitor in 30 seconds."

Stricklen got the second best thing. Sorbith's voice rang out from the console, "What is it captain? Your crewman informed me it was a matter of life and death that I speak to you."

"That's putting it lightly," Stricklen replied. "We have picked up a large group of ships heading this way. One of them is a Tholtaran juggernaut. I suggest we conclude our negotiations at a later date so we can leave this area of space post-haste."

"A Tholtaran battle fleet?" Sorbith replied, his voice full of surprise and anger. "I hope like hell they can explain what they're doing here. I'll transmit a demand for an explanation personally. My ship informs me the communications delay will be about 15 minutes. I'll let you know what their reply is."

"Just in case they are up to no good do you want us to make preparations to leave?" Stricklen asked.

"Negative, standby," came the terse reply.

Stricklen could not understand what Sorbith was doing but, being a good officer, he waited. Looking up at the tactical display he noted the juggernaut would be within weapons range in just under 5 hours. Stricklen wanted to be long gone before then.

His patience had almost run out when Sorbith finally replied, "Remain as you are captain. The Hess assures me it can handle the threat. After what I've seen down here, I believe it."

"It?"

"You had better review what has taken place down here since we've arrived. Your computer should have the recording of our meeting with the Hess. I suggest you look at it. I should also congratulate you on your successful engagement against the Army of Humanity destroyers. Very good tactics. Sorbith out."

Stricklen stared off into the distance for fifteen seconds while he nervously tapped his fingers on the edge of his console. Taking a deep breath he announced, "Well, if that's the way he wants it, that's what we'll do. We are under the protection of the Hess, or so I am told. God help us!"

Without another word, Stricklen walked off the bridge and went straight to his stateroom where he immediately opened a fresh bottle of rum. Before taking his first drink he looked at the gold colored liquid and thought, This job is going to turn me into an alcoholic. I should have followed my Dad's advice and become a lawyer. And with that he tilted the bottle and took a long slow swallow.

Stricklen, however, was not an alcoholic and, despite what some might think, he was always very careful as to how much he drank. The ship's executive officer, who was also a good friend, understood completely. Years ago, Doug had thought Stricklen had an alcohol problem but, after getting to know his captain, he learned otherwise.

Doug understood Stricklen needed to feel as if he was always in control. Alcohol affected that feeling, which was precisely why Stricklen would never allow himself to become intoxicated. Ken simply enjoyed the taste of good rum and the warm sensation it created as it slid down his throat. It was his personal method of dealing with stress.

Ken was still in his stateroom when Sorbith called back. "The Tholtaran's are here to take the Kyrra and the stasis device back to their home planet for analysis," Sorbith announced. "Apparently, the Tholtaran high command has decided we are not handling the situation properly and they are going to take control of things. A strong concern was also expressed about the fact that a Human ship was carrying the device. The high command claims that without the Kyrra technology the Alliance will lose the war with the Chroniech. We have been given four hours to come to a decision."

"What was your reply?" Stricklen cautiously asked.

"You Humans have a good term — I told them to go stuff themselves. I have sent a message to sector command informing them of the situation. As for your orders, they have not changed. The Hess will provide protection. Negotiations are proceeding smoothly and I expect to return within a few days. Until then, sit tight."

Stricklen grudgingly agreed and ended the link. He then settled down to sip his rum and to contemplate his possible future. In his eyes, things had just gone from bad to worse. The self-inspection lasted less than a minute as Stricklen realized why he had come to his cabin in the first place. Putting aside the approaching danger, he instructed the ship's computer to play back the recordings from the Tri Star.

Ninety minutes later, Ken's concentration was interrupted by a report from the bridge. "We have achieved orbit," the bridge officer informed him.

"How are the repairs coming?"

"Sledgehammer three has been repaired. All hull breaches have been sealed and the affected compartments repressurized. All other repairs are proceeding as best as possible."

"Thank you. Have the bodies of our dead been recovered?"

"Only two sir. One was blown out into space. The two that were recovered have been placed in the morgue."

"Thank you — Stricklen out."

Stricklen paused to silently consider the lives that had been lost. This was not the first time he had lost some of his crew in battle and he was sure it would not be the last. The bodies would be held in the cold morgue until they could be delivered to their respective families. He would have to conduct a funeral service for the one who had been lost to deep space. He quickly checked in with Scarboro to make sure the damage control teams were not having any problems and then returned to his review of what had been taking place on the planet below.

Some captains probably would have been out keeping a close eye on the repairs. Stricklen took a different approach. He knew the capabilities of his crew and he trusted they would always do their best. He knew he did not have to oversee their every activity and the crew seemed to appreciate it.

Three hours later, Ken had finished watching the events of the first meeting between the Alliance and the Hess and he was pacing back and forth trying to figure a way out of their situation. The door chime announced that the XO was requesting permission to enter. "What is it Doug?" Stricklen inquired motioning toward a seat.

"The Tholtaran ships have taken up a position just outside the system. We monitored a communications between them and the AOH destroyers. Apparently the Tholtarans didn't want them around."

"And their reply?"

"They ignored the Tholtarans until four heavy cruisers broke formation and headed toward them. When it became clear that the Tholtarans meant business the AOH gave up and left."

Stricklen sat down heavily in a chair and motioned for his XO to join him. Ken held a glass containing a tiny amount of gold rum in front of him and swirled it around. After a moment he said, "I'm not going to be the focal point of another war. And that's exactly what's going to happen if we can't think of a way to stop it."

"How do you figure?" Doug asked reaching for a glass.

Stricklen poured a small amount of rum into Doug's glass as he said, "We have a Tholtaran battle fleet waiting to jump us as soon as we leave the protection of Hess space. Sorbith has already called for Alliance reinforcements and the Army of Humanity will no doubt be back with more ships — if they have them. What will happen when the Alliance ships get here? Some of them will undoubtedly be Human, some Tholtaran, and others crewed by who knows which species. Will they remain with the Alliance fleet or will they side with one of the others or will they try to take the device for themselves? How many other races are going to try to make a grab for Kyrra technology? I'm telling you, this is going to tear the Alliance apart before it's over."

Doug sipped his rum before replying. "You're right of course. And right now, a divided Alliance is the last thing we need with the Chroniech on the warpath. Have you reviewed the happenings from below?"

Ken nodded his head and seemed to stare into his glass as if it were a crystal ball. "This entire situation is too much to believe. Technology so advanced it makes ours look almost primitive by comparison; ancient civilizations that existed before we even learned how to make fire; and now the Chroniech. Tell me Doug, why do you think they started attacking the Alliance like they have?"

"I would guess their expanding empire finally ran into ours. You heard what they said. To them, we are nothing more than a disease which needs to be eradicated."

Ken rolled his glass between his hands. "I think their recent attacks indicate there's something more than our just being in the way," he said. "They were attacking outposts and now all of a sudden they have launched an all-out offensive. Have you seen the latest from central command?"

"I have not had the time to review the reports. I figured it would just show more of the same."

Stricklen turned around and activated his computer console. "Dragon, display tactical summary of recent Chroniech activity." A star map appeared on the screen. The information was displayed as various shapes and color codes which, to a practiced eye, quickly showed what was happening. "Do you see what they are doing?"

Doug scanned the display for several seconds. He let out a long whistle as he settled back in his seat. Still staring at the screen he said, "They're working their way into the heart of the Alliance, destroying everything in their path."

Doug examined the data for a moment longer then continued, "Looks like they pick an area, attack the military bases first beginning with the largest, and then systematically destroy everything else. They're making a beeline toward the heart of the Alliance and we don't seem to be slowing them down at all. Aren't we fighting back?"

Stricklen turned the monitor off as he replied. "The Alliance has been at peace for over fifty years. We are mobilizing as fast as possible but it seems the Chroniech have us outgunned for the moment. Incidents like this Tholtaran fleet sitting out there aren't helping us either. Those ships should be protecting the Alliance, not threatening us."

Stricklen abruptly stood up and started pacing as he continued, "The Chroniech seem to have an almost unlimited supply of ships at their disposal. Warships from all parts of the Alliance are on their way to the battle zone, but most are still weeks away.

"The enemy can coordinate their attacks with uncanny accuracy, probably because they can talk to their central command almost as easily as you and I are talking right now, while we have to rely on a communications system that is slow in comparison. Their ships are faster than ours with better weapons and more capable shields. Unless something breaks in our favor - such as assistance from the Kyrra or the Hess - the Alliance is finished."

Stricklen stopped in front of the computer display and angrily waved his hand at it. "Look at the map! At their current rate of progress, the Chroniech will be at Almaranus within two months."

Angry, Doug stood up and set his glass down with a loud thunk causing a small amount of rum to splash unnoticed onto the table top. "I will not accept that! I don't care how old the Chroniech are. We will fight them with everything we have and we will win whether or not the Kyrra help us."