Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (2 page)

“Jump complete,” announced the computer.

Everyone stared at the viewscreen. Silence. No words. No enemy ordnance pounding the Vanguard’s hull. No alarms. Just the serenity of the surrounding stars impassively marking the passing of the eons.

“Report,” said Pierce.

“We have landed in the Glies system, fifty light years from Earth,” said the navigator.

Fifty light years. Incredible
. “Why did we jump here?”

“This is the location of the first jumpspace beacon deployed by the Hermes. It was preprogrammed into our systems.”

The Hermes. Our mission. Does it still matter? I have to get back to Earth. I have to save Jessica
.

“We need to keep jumping, Captain,” said Ilthos.

“What are you talking about?” said Pierce, becoming increasingly agitated by Ilthos’s interference.

“I’m talking about the mission, Captain. We have to complete the mission. I’m also talking about the Juttaari. They will follow. We have to stay ahead of them.”

“The Juttari are busy attacking the Sol System, which is exactly where we need to be.”

“Captain, the Space Force is fully capable of defending the Sol System. The Juttari jump ships will try to destroy the Vanguard first. Only then will they turn their attention back to Earth.”

Pierce glared at Ilthos. “Commander Hurley, how long will it take to repair those hull breaches?”

“Despite being short staffed, we do have all our repair drones, but the damage is extensive. We’ll need at least three days to seal all the breaches.”

“What about weapons? How long until all our weapon systems are online?”

“At least two days.”

“I thought you said thirty minutes?”

“That was for the point defense rail guns. They only need minor work. To have all our weapon systems online will take a minimum of two days.”

“That’s unacceptable,” snapped Pierce. “The Vanguard should have been ready for battle.”

“With all due respect, Captain, we weren’t supposed to leave space dock for another couple of weeks.”

I need to calm down
. “Of course, Commander. I understand,” Pierce said in a conciliatory tone. “Dispatch repair teams-”

“Contact!” announced the tactical officer. “Reading one… no… reading four Juttari warships off our starboard bow. They’re firing weapons.”

The drumming began again in earnest.

“Captain, you need to jump now,” said Ilthos.

Pierce stared at the Juttari ships on his viewscreen and knew Ilthos was right. They had to jump. Farther from Earth. Farther from Jessica.

“Initiate jump,” ordered Pierce.

One second the Juttari warships were moving into formation, the next they were gone.

“Report.”

“We have landed in the Valen system, one hundred light years from Earth,” said the navigator.

“Reading all clear. No contacts,” said the tactician.

“Are we still following the Hermes beacons?” said Pierce.

“Yes, Sir,” said the navigator.

“Plot new coordinates for our next jump. I want to head in the same general direction as the Hermes, but I want to land a few light years away from the beacon.”

“You think the Juttari are following the same beacons?” said Hurley.

“Don’t you?” said Pierce.

“Makes sense to me, Sir.”

“Coordinates loaded, Sir,” said the navigator.

“Hold position. Let’s see if the Juttari crash the party again.”

They didn’t have to wait long. Within moments the tactician announced new contacts and the four Juttari warships appeared on the viewscreen.

“Initiate jump,” said Pierce.

Seconds later the warships were gone. They were now one hundred and fifty light years away from Earth, in an empty region of space. No nearby stars, or planets. The perfect location to lie low and nurse the Vanguard back to health.

“Hold position. I want new coordinates plotted and ready, just in case. Commander, dispatch repair crews immediately. Let’s get this ship back in fighting shape.

“Yes, Sir.”

Pierce turned around to find the Diakan gone. Scanning the bridge, he found Major Ilthos conversing with another Diakan, both of them standing over a station apparently going over data.
At least he knows when to back off
.

Pierce turned back to his console and brought up the crew manifest. It actually wasn’t as bad as he first thought, but not good either. They had close to three fifths of their crew on board, including most of the senior officers. They would prove their worth, he was sure. Plenty of double shifts waited for them. Engineering was fully staffed, which made sense. He was happy to see that he had a full contingent of Marines already on board. Two hundred battle ready leathernecks. You can never have too many Marines. Medical was understaffed. That would be a problem. It was likely already a problem after what they just went through. He figured he should head down there and lend a hand.

“Commander, you have the bridge,” said Pierce. “I’m going to pay a visit to the sick bay.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Hurley, his face as hard as ever. “You should probably get those injuries looked at.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your shoulder wound, Sir. Energy weapon wounds can leave nasty infections if they’re not treated. I don’t know that there’s much to be done about your nose.”

“Yes, of course.” Pierce had completely forgotten about his injuries. Now, with Hurley’s reminder, he became keenly aware of the throbbing pain in his shoulder. He also had a pounding headache.
I hope it’s not another concussion.

Pierce wondered about Earth as he left the bridge. Did the fleet hold off the attack? If there were no more Juttari jump ships, he figured they stood a good chance of defending the Sol System. The whole Space Force fleet was built with defense of the system in mind. Space Force was full of veterans. Everyone except the new recruits had served during the wars. He hoped it would be enough. Still he couldn’t shake the gnawing guilt he felt for leaving the battlefield.

I should’ve put a bullet in that Diakan’s skull
. The anger festered inside him, and he struggled to contain it. What would happen if he returned to Earth? He could do it. The crew would probably back him. He couldn’t imagine anybody on board wanting to leave the battle. What could happen? Would he really be charged for coming to Earth’s defense? He commanded a battleship, for crying out loud. Something Space Force could use right now. Or was he being emotional? There was certainly some of that. His home was being attacked. His wife was alone and in danger. She didn’t even know what had happened to him. If it weren’t for the attack he would’ve had time to talk to her. To tell her about the mission and say goodbye. As it was, he just disappeared without an explanation.
What if she thinks I’m dead?

Slow down
, he thought.
I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. I’m a Space Force officer, and I need to start acting like one. Think, damnit. The Juttari are hunting the Vanguard. Why? It must be the jump system. Shit. This isn’t just the opening round of a war, this is the opening round of an arms race, and the Juttari want to take the early lead. The Diakan, and the Admiral, were right. I need to protect the Vanguard. I need to find the Hermes. Then there would be two Space Force jump ships. But why only two? Why can’t they build more? Surely the Diakans have the schematics. Why can’t they build a fleet of jump ships to deal with the threat? It doesn’t make sense. There’s something else going on. Something the Diakans aren’t telling me.

Arriving at sick bay, Pierce was shocked at the number of people. The medical team had fallen behind, as there were many injured still standing, waiting for treatment. Scanning the room, he took inventory. Severe burns. Broken bones. Lacerations. Contusions. Thankfully, he didn’t see anything critical. That was good news. He approached a female officer performing triage.

“Where can I find the Chief Medical Officer, Ensign,” said Pierce.

She replied without looking up. “You’ll have to wait your turn like everybody else.”

“Excuse me?”

She looked up and her eyes widened. “I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t know who you were.”

“That’s okay, Ensign. We’re all under a lot of stress.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Just point me in the right direction and I’ll leave you to your duties.”

“Yes, Sir. He’s right over there.”

The Ensign pointed at a balding middle aged man who was working on a leg injury.

“Thank you, Ensign. Carry on.”

Captain Pierce weaved his way through the throngs of injured until he reached the man. He stopped at the foot of the bed. The man had a nasty cut running the length of his thigh, and the Doctor used a medical bot to apply some type of adhesive to it to close the wound.

The Doctor looked up at Pierce for a moment and returned to the leg. “Good day, Captain. I was hoping we would meet under less stressful circumstances.”

“You look like you could use a hand, Doctor. How can I help?”

The Doctor chuckled. “You can help by getting yourself treated, Captain.”

“I’m fine, Doctor. I can wait.”

“Actually, you’re not fine. Your shoulder has third degree energy weapon burns that need immediate attention, and from the looks of your head you may have suffered a concussion. Wouldn’t that be your fourth?”

Damn it. I shouldn’t have come down here
. “You’ve obviously been looking at my medical file.”

“It’s my job.”

“Well you have me at a disadvantage. I haven’t had a chance to look at yours yet.”

“I’m Doctor Jameson. Chief Medical Officer.”

“Doctor Jameson, I assure you I don’t have a concussion. In fact I’m perfectly lucid.”

The Doctor finished sealing the leg injury. “There,” he said to his patient. “That will stop the bleeding. You’ll need a round of biobots to repair any damage to the muscle tissue.” The Doctor then turned his attention back to Pierce. With a scrutinizing expression, he rounded the bed and produced a tiny flashlight. “Let me see your eyes, Captain.” The Doctor flashed the light in his eyes, reminding him of his headache. He then turned the light off and made Pierce follow the small device as he waved it around.”

“Seriously, Doctor. You should be looking after the more serious injuries.”

“You are responsible for command decisions, Captain. I would say the possibility of you suffering a brain injury is very serious.”

Pierce sighed. It didn’t look like he was going to get out of this anytime soon. Doctor Jameson ran the Captain through several more tests before ruling out a concussion. “You’re lucky, Captain, you don’t have a concussion. I should point out that the likelihood of a repeat concussion increases dramatically after your third. You need to be more careful.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

“If you sought medical attention immediately after your first three, they could’ve been treated properly. But you waited, and the damage was done.”

“I was a little busy fighting a war at the time.”

Jameson frowned. “Let’s patch up your shoulder. I’m assuming the battle is over?”

“Yes. We should be fine for a few days.”

“Good. That’ll give the rest of my team a chance get on board.”

Shit. He doesn’t know where we are. “I’m sorry to tell you this, Doctor, but the rest of your team isn’t going to be coming on board.”

“What do you mean? Why not?”

“Because we’re one hundred and fifty light years away from Earth.”

“By the Will of the Great See’er, I call this meeting to order,” said Major Ilthos, scanning his team of Diakans. Each Diakan on the Vanguard possessed their own unique abilities, each one vital to the mission. In fact, he had been surprised at the talented individuals that Diakus had assigned to the Vanguard. He still had trouble understanding it all. During the wars he had actively contributed to the liberation of Earth, and what he saw of the humans was unimpressive. They were a feeble species then, and short of a military that had practically been built by Diakus, he saw no reason to think any different. He saw them as the same wretched people in dire need of Diakan help. But the Great See’er saw things differently, and who was he to argue?

The Diakans seated at the table around him bowed their heads in reverence and replied in unison, “By Her Will.”

“The Juttari have moved to intercept,” said Ilthos. “Does this alter the prophecy?”

“It is a variance,” said Imnos, the Diakan cleric. “A fraying of the string, not a severance.”

“But the Great See’er has not foretold of their actions?”

“The Juttari attempt to manipulate destiny, as do we.”

“Then the Juttari can alter the prophecy.”

“Of course.”

Ilthos didn’t like the cleric’s answer. He preferred to deal in facts. The clerics were all the same. You ask them a question, and they answer with a maybe. It wasn’t that he questioned the Great See’er. That would be heresy. And heresy was not tolerated by Diakus. The See’ers had guided their people through the ages. Their visions allowed Diakus to rise in the galaxy. But these new visions… they were increasingly unsettling. Was it possible? Could Diakus actually fall? And these humans. Of all the creatures in the galaxy, how could these meek humans rise to power? The idea was preposterous.
Did I just call the Great See’er preposterous? I must control my thoughts. I must take care lest my thoughts become words, and my future dust
.

Ilthos looked at the rest of the Diakans assembled. “Captain Pierce has accepted our authority. Although the crew may want to return to their home system to defend against the Juttari, I believe they are disciplined enough to follow their orders.”

“The ship is short staffed. This may work in our favor,” said Ketkos, Major Ilthos’s second in command. “Their extra duties will prevent them from pursuing rebellion.”

Ketkos had fought with Ilthos for years, and was the only other Diakan present to have served during the liberation of Earth. If he could trust anyone at this table, it was him. “Agreed. The extra duties we’ve been performing will encourage them to see us as part of the crew. For that reason we need to refrain from interfering with command decisions, unless the decision directly endangers our mission.”

The Diakans nodded their agreement. Major Ilthos turned back to the cleric. The Juttari action was troubling. The Juttari had always been devious, and their theft of the jump system technology was not surprising. Could they successfully intervene? The prophecy was as much of a threat to the Juttari as it was to Diakus. Perhaps even more. For Diakus there was hope, as one of the timelines ensured continued prosperity. For the Juttari, however, there was no hope once events took shape. Their only option was to terminate the threat.
How can the fate of one man hold so much in the balance?
“You are certain, the Juttari intervention has not yet altered the outcome?”

“No, Major. Not yet,” said the cleric.

“But that can change?”

“Yes, Major. It is imperative that we succeed.”

“We will succeed.”

“Can we be certain that he is still alive?” said Ketkos.

“He is alive. The Great See’er has seen as much,” replied the cleric.

“Then we proceed as planned,” said Ilthos. “By Her Will, we will locate Captain Jon Pike.”

“By Her Will,” the Diakans replied in unison.