Dawn of a New Age (36 page)

So she sat on this particularly sunny day watching the birds in her courtyard, silently thinking about her husband.

“You’ve been very quiet lately, K’Itea,” S’Era Bryce said as she soundlessly walked into the courtyard behind K’Itea.

“I’ve been worried about your brother, S’Era,” K’Itea responded without turning.  “I hope he comes back to me safely.”

“I do too, of course,” S’Era said, gently placing her hands on K’Itea’s shoulders.  “He is my brother after all.”

“I know.”  K’Itea turned to face S’Era before continuing.  “Which makes what I’m about to ask you that much harder.  I must have your word that you will not tell K’Alan what I am about to tell you unless I tell you to.  He’d give up his career if he were to find out, and I can’t do that to him.”

“You have my word, K’Itea.  You know that,” S’Era nodded.  “But it must be quite a secret if you’re that worried about his reaction.”

“I’m with child, S’Era.”

“An unexpected turn of events,” Kiara said as the holosphere faded to black. “A child complicates things a bit.”

“It will be a son,” Michael said, his eyes closed in deep meditation.  “And he will not know his father.  Yes, this child will complicate things, but it will also make some things easier for K’Alan.”

“Is he the one we seek, Commander Roberts?” Kiara asked.  “Is he the one that is spoken of in the words of Ugata?”

“It is difficult to see, Kiara,” Michael intoned.  “But yes, K’Alan is the one spoken of.  Things have begun to be set into motion…”

To be continued…

A Gamma Strike Short Story

6.5.2125

0815

SLS Quintanilla

Main Conference Room

K
’ALAN Bryce strode into the briefing room, wondering why he was being called into the senior staff meeting.  He took a seat at the far end of the table and waited patiently.

“Now that we’re all here,” Captain Thane Starlos grinned at K’Alan.  “Let’s begin.  In two days, the Argus will be leading an attack wing to try to liberate the Corathi system from the Brentax.  We’ve been assigned to the attack wing.  It’s important that we get this system back because of how close in proximity it is to several key systems in the Star League, including the Duterius system.”

K’Alan started at the mention of his home world which he had just left.  He locked eyes with his Captain as if to say that he’d do anything to keep his home world from harm.

“What kind of force are we dealing with here, Captain?” Commander Stephanie Westphalen, the second in command on the Quintanilla, asked.

“All we know is that a large body of Brentax forces is currently holding the Corathi system,” Captain Starlos said softly.  “We don’t even know the nature of the ships holding the system.  Every ship we send to do reconnaissance doesn’t come back.”

“This doesn’t sound like a good tactical situation for our side,” K’Alan pointed out.  “I’m guessing that Commodore Bonetti is counting on the element of surprise?”

“Yes,” the captain nodded.  “But from what I gather surprise won’t be easy to achieve.”

“So what is our assignment in this glorious battle?”  Colonel John Jameson, the ship’s tactical officer asked.  “Is there a specific quadrant we’re supposed to be attacking?”

“Our specific battle orders will be coming in soon.  For now, we just need to be prepared for anything.” Captain Starlos turned to K’Alan before continuing.  “You will not be going out in a fighter this time, Ensign.  As part of your training, I want you on the bridge.  You’ll act as my second-in-command during this battle.”

“Sir?” K’Alan asked, surprise evident in his voice.  “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Ensign.  The command staff has discussed this and it was felt that you should get the experience,” Thane smiled.  “Of course, you’ll need a promotion to go with it.  Can’t have an Ensign acting as my executive officer, can I?  No, I’d think you’d need to be a Lieutenant at the very least.”

K’Alan wasn’t sure how to react to this.  Certainly it was the last thing he was expecting when he walked into the briefing room.  He looked around at the rest of the officers in the room.  Each one was smiling at him.

“Are you sure, sir?” K’Alan asked, trying to grasp why this was suddenly happening.  “I’m not overly sure I’ve earned this.”

“I’m quite sure.  Your performance evaluations have been exemplary, and I have to take what happened on your shore leave into account.”

“I’m not sure you should, sir,” K’Alan frowned.  “I did kill a man down there.”

“Yes, but it was in the line of duty,” Thane smiled.  “I’d consider saving a prominent member of your government as being in the line of duty.  Besides, everyone at this table is of one mind about this.  Face it.  You’re being promoted whether you want it or not.”

“Yes, sir!” K’Alan grinned.  “I just hope I won’t disappoint you.”

“You wouldn’t be getting this promotion if I thought you’d disappoint me, Lieutenant Bryce,” Thane grinned.  “Your main duties during the battle will be coordinating the fighter squadrons.  After the briefing, coordinate with Commander Westphalen about the squadrons.”

“Yes, sir,” K’Alan nodded.

“If no one has anything else, then this briefing is concluded.  We’ll meet again when we have more concise orders regarding our involvement in the coming battle.”

The other officers nodded and started to shuffle out, smiling and offering their congratulations to K’Alan as they walked out.

6.5.2125

1127

SLS Quintanilla

Captain Thane Starlos’s Office

“Something on your mind, K’Alan?” Thane asked as he looked at the man standing at the opposite side of his desk.  “You don’t seem as happy about this promotion as I thought you’d be.”

“I know you gave your answers to why you promoted me in the briefing, Captain,” K’Alan started.  “I just don’t feel that I’ve earned it.”

“I didn’t tell you all my reasons, Kal,’ Thane smiled.  “There was one reason I purposefully omitted, but I’ll tell you now.  You have the makings of a great command officer.  I want to start grooming you for that.”

“Command?” K’Alan’s eyebrow shot up.  “Are you sure?  All I really want to be is a fighter pilot.”

“Power is never given to those who seek it, Kal,” Thane said.  “Remember that.  It goes to those who have earned it.”

“I think I understand,” K’Alan nodded.  “It’s just that it’s so unexpected.”

“Do you really think Commander Westphalen would have been delegating so much of her paperwork to you if it weren’t at my instigation for you to learn it?” Thane winked.  “Thing is, Steph loves her paperwork.  She didn’t want to pass it off to you until I made it an order.”

K’Alan chuckled.

“Somehow, I have no trouble believing that,” K’Alan said, still chuckling.  “My only concern is making a mistake.”

“We all make mistakes, Kal.  It’s what we do when we make a mistake that make us the people we are,” Thane said as he leaned back in his chair.  “I think we’ll find that, when you make mistakes, and you will, make no mistake about that, we’ll find out the man you truly are.”

“I wish I had your confidence, Captain,” K’Alan frowned.

“That will come with time,” Thane said softly.  “Do you think I was this confident when I was given my first taste of command?”

“Probably not,” K’Alan admitted.  Then he winked.  “But then we all know that was hundreds of years ago.”

“I’m not even going to dignify that with a retort, Lieutenant,” Captain Starlos glared.  “Now, you should probably go get some sleep.  Tomorrow will be a long day of preparations.”

“Yes, sir!”

6.6.2125

0829

SLS Quintanilla

Main Conference Room

K’Alan frowned as he looked at the tactical display.  The senior staff was discussing the fighter deployment for the battle.  He brought up a specific quadrant on his personal monitor and frowned deeper.

“I’m not sure this is the best tactical configuration to use,” he said.  His sudden outburst silenced the rest of the senior staff.  “We’re leaving delta quadrant open to attack.”

“We are?” Thane asked, startled at the sudden comment from K’Alan who’d been silent most of the briefing.  He brought up the quadrant on his monitor and frowned as deeply as K’Alan was.  “So we are.  Well, that’s not good.  The Brentax could easily slip in and attack the Quintanilla directly.  What would you suggest then?”

“If we shift the squadrons slightly like this,” K’Alan said as he tapped some commands on his terminal.  A new fighter configuration appeared on the main tactical display.  “We’ll have more complete fighter coverage on all quadrants.  We’ll also be able to both attack and defend with all squadrons.”

“Very good, Lieutenant,” Commander Westphalen nodded.  “Apparently your tactics classes have been paying off.”

“I’d like to think so,” K’Alan grinned.  “I’ve been learning from the best.”

“But as you’ve just noted, even the best can make mistakes, Lieutenant,” Colonel Jameson chuckled.  “None of us noticed what you pointed out until you mentioned it.”

“True enough,” K’Alan chuckled.  “Perhaps I should take that to heart.”

“Perhaps you should indeed,” Captain Starlos nodded.  “And therein ends the unintended lesson.  Now, let’s get back to the business at hand.  The Brentax have four Duhari class heavy cruisers and two Kovat class light cruisers defending the system.”

“That’s a
lot
of firepower for one system,” K’Alan noted.  “Other than being a good jumping off point for attacking the Duterius system, what strategic importance does the Corathi system have?”

“Not much,” Colonel Jameson said, bringing up a statistical display of the system.  “There are some important mineral and metal deposits within the system, but nothing that can’t be found elsewhere.  The only real tactical significance of this system is the proximity to your home world, Lieutenant.  I’m afraid the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the Brentax are planning on attacking Duterius Prime.”

“That is the Commodore’s assessment as well,” Thane nodded.  “And that is why it’s so important for us to drive the Brentax off.”

“Captain, I have a personal interest in making sure that we succeed,” K’Alan said, his voice strangled with emotion.

“Yes, and I’m sure your wife will be appreciative of your very best efforts, Lieutenant,” Thane grinned.  “But keep your mind on the battle.  Distractions can only hurt you.”

“I understand,’ K’Alan nodded.  “The Quintanilla would have no problems with the Kovat class ships, but I’m not sure we could take out a Duhari class cruiser.”

“Which is why our assignment is to take on the Kovat class cruisers,” Thane said, a twinkle in his eye.  “Our specific job is to take on the two Kovat cruisers and make sure they don’t join in the battle amongst the larger ships.”

The officers looked at each other, knowing that it would be a tough battle and knowing they’d be depending on each other immensely the next little while.

“That concludes this briefing,” Thane said softly.  “Lieutenant Bryce, you should go familiarize yourself with your new station.”

“Yes, sir,” the young Duterian nodded.  He headed out towards the bridge, leaving the rest of the senior staff.

“Well?” Thane asked the rest of his staff.  “How do you think he’ll do?”

“He’s got a gift,” Stephanie Westphalen said.  “You saw how he caught the flaw in the tactical deployment.”

“Yes, I did,” Thane nodded.  “That flaw shouldn’t have been there to begin with though.”

“That would be my fault, Captain,” Colonel Jameson sighed.  “Commander Westphalen asked me to draw up tactical scenarios for the battle.  I never caught the fact that we would be leaving the delta quadrant open for attack.”

“Well then,” Thane grinned.  “We should be glad that young Lieutenant Bryce has been paying attention to your tactics classes, John.”

“He’s an excellent student, Thane,” John nodded.  “I’ll be honest.  With a little seasoning, he’d be an officer I’d be proud to serve under.”

“I agree,” Stephanie added.  “He’s shown all the qualities of an excellent leader.  He even has the respect and loyalty of all the pilots.”

“That’s a good sign,” Thane nodded.  “I think he’ll do well, also.  Steph, why don’t you go show him the ins and outs of his new station.”

“Certainly,” the dark-haired second in command nodded, smiling.

6.6.2125

1515

SLS Quintanilla

The Bridge

“And this is the tactical holo controls,” Stephanie Westphalen was saying.  “They work exactly like the tactical holos in fighters work, only there are two different systems.  One is the main tactical holo, which the entire bridge sees.  The second is the mini tactical holo for your station only.  I recommend you use that second system as you coordinate the fighters in the battle as you can zoom in on specific sectors without interfering with the general working of the bridge crew.”

K’Alan nodded then pointed to another bank of controls.  “I recognize this.  This would be a communications array so I can coordinate with each individual fighter if I need to.  It looks pretty similar to my Starfire’s comms array.”

“It should.  It’s exactly the same,” Westphalen grinned.  “Colonel Jameson was right.  You are a good student.  You’ll do fine.  Just remember one thing.  If something happens to Captain Starlos, you’re to let me know immediately.”

“I understand.  Believe me.  I don’t want
his
job,” K’Alan grinned.

“Who are you kidding, Kal?” Westphalen chuckled.  “You don’t even want
my
job.”

“True enough.  But just answer me one question, Commander,” K’Alan said with a gleam in his eye.  “Since I do have your job for now, do I get to pawn off my paperwork too?”

6.6.2125

2100

SLS Quintanilla

K’Alan Bryce’s Quarters

K’Alan tried to sleep, but sleep was a hard time coming.  Sighing, he stood and headed over to his desk.

“Computer, prepare to record a message for delivery to Duterius Prime,” he said softly.

“Recording…” the computer announced in its feminine monotone voice.

“Kit, I don’t know when you’ll actually get this message.  I might actually be able to talk to you first before this gets to you."

“I’m about to go into battle.  And this one scares me.  There’s such a high price of failure on this one.  If we fail, then Duterius Prime itself might be the next target.