Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (20 page)

Tallos tended to the various flowers planted in his yard. While it could not compare to his gardens back home on Diakus, it still gave him pleasure. As far as planets went, New Byzantium was better than most. It had large oceans, even though they were trivial compared to the ones on Diakus. Still, water covered most of this planet, and while some would find that a problem, to a Diakan it was a blessing. Tallos loved the water, as did every Diakan, and for this world, the fact that four fifths of the planet surface lay underwater saved it from the over-colonization typically found on other expansion worlds. That meant a clean atmosphere, and a smaller population. Yet it was no Diakus.

How long will I stay here
? Tallos wondered. Prime Minister Sallas had given him this house, thankfully located in a remote location, away from curious human eyes. Sallas wanted to court favor with Diakus, which was wise, although his association with Jon Pike would hurt that aspiration. Nonetheless, Sallas seemed convinced that Diakus, or Space Force, would eventually find New Byzantium. The only question was how long it would take. It could be many years before then. Would this planet survive that long?

New Byzantium had many enemies. Tallos had learned of the threat the other worlds posed, and that they planned to attack. Foolish humans. They squabbled amongst themselves while greater dangers lurked in the darkness. The Kemmar threatened too. Where an invasion from that Kemmar Empire could not be far off, these humans prefer civil war, instead of united defense. How could the Great See’er believe such creatures would rise to power?

So this world stood alone. If contact had been made with Diakus, New Byzantium could be given Galactic Accord membership. They would be protected by Diakan might. Alas, it seemed that it would not survive long enough to enjoy that privilege. Sadly, that meant that he too would perish here, far from his gardens on the home world. He did not fear death. He simply wanted to see the home world one last time.

A sound broke his train of thought. It came from the bushes outlining the perimeter of the property. He had noticed that there were a few scavenger species on this planet, and some of those animals had gotten into his garden as of late. They came and dug up his new plants almost daily. Apparently they liked chewing on the bulbs. Tallos figured it was time to teach the pests a lesson. He quietly walked toward the bushes, ready to dispense quick justice on whatever he found hiding there, when he realized someone stood behind him. He wheeled around to find Jon Pike standing no more than a foot away, smiling.

“Hello, Tallos,” said Pike, then everything went black.

Jon stared long and hard at the unconscious Diakan he had tied up to a chair. General Tallos. The cause of much trouble. Jon knew that there was a reason why Tallos was put on the Hermes, but up until now he didn’t know what it was. Jon was certain that the role of adviser was a ruse. But why? Why pick a Diakan General to masquerade as an adviser? Oddly he felt the creature’s contempt for Tallos.

I thought you were a Diakan symbiont
, thought Jon.

Not anymore
, it replied.

Communication with the symbiont had improved over the last few weeks. Jon wondered whether it had the ability to communicate before, and merely ignored it, preferring to use pain instead. Now that it had no more power over Jon, it was forced to communicate. Somehow this made it easier to get along with. Was this the harmony Doctor Ellerbeck referred to? Jon felt its rising excitement, and knew it eagerly awaited what was about to happen.

Jon reached out and slapped Tallos in the face. No reaction. He slapped him again, harder this time. “Wake up, Tallos. We have important matters to discuss.”

“What… what is happening?” said Tallos, slowly coming back to consciousness. He shook his head from side to side, tried to move his hands, looking down at them when he realized they were tied to the chair. Raising his head, he focused on Jon. “You. You assaulted me. Why?”

“Relax, Tallos. I didn’t touch you. I just used a neural agent to knock you out.”

“Why? Why did you need to do all of this?” said Tallos, gesturing to the energy restraints binding him to the chair.

“Let’s see. I knocked you out because I didn’t want you to call for help, and I tied you to the chair because I might need to torture you.”

“What? You’re crazy.”

“I’m not crazy, Tallos. You know that. You Diakans made me what I am. Remember?”

“So this is about revenge?”

“No, not revenge. I’m not emotional like that. I may not like you, but this is about information. Information that you probably won’t want to share.”

“What information?”

“We’ll get to that. First, tell me, how do you like New Byzantium?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve got a nice house here,” said Jon, looking around the room. “Looks very comfortable. And the yard looks great. Are you a gardener?”

“You’ve lost your mind, Jon Pike. I cannot wait until the day Diakus catches up to you. I’ll be in the front row watching your execution.”

“There he is. There’s the Tallos I know. And I thought all this domestic stuff had made you soft.” Jon had to admit he was having fun messing with the Diakan’s head, but playtime was over. “Now that the real Tallos has shown up, why don’t we get started?”

“Did you know that Diakus has different types of executions, depending on the crime?” continued Tallos. “If you are deserving, they can make your death last for long, excruciating hours. Even days. Can you imagine something like that? You should get used to the idea, because that is what is going to happen to you, Jon Pike.”

Jon pulled a small device out of his pocket, stretched out his arm, and pressed the end against Tallos’s neck. The Diakan instantly lit up with blue energy. Arching his back he let out a guttural groan, but to Jon’s surprise, he did not scream. “Impressive,” said Jon, pulling away the device. “I definitely had you pegged for a screamer. I guess I was wrong. Do you still want to tell me about Diakan executions?”

Tallos took several shallow, gasping breaths, but didn’t respond.

“Good. Now, tell me about what Diakus is doing with the jump system.”

“The jump system? Why are you asking me that? You know the answer already. Diakus and Earth built the Hermes, and you commanded it.”

“Fine. We can go down this route. It’s related anyway. Then explain to me why Diakus put one of their generals on board the Hermes?”

“You know that answer as well. I was supposed to act as an adviser.”

“That’s bullshit, Tallos, and you know it. If that’s all they wanted they could’ve easily assigned another starship Captain to assist me.”

“Regardless what you may think, I’m telling you the truth.”

Jon reached in and pressed the device against Tallos’s neck, causing blue energy to arc through his body again. To Jon’s surprise Tallos still refused to scream.
He’s tough, I’ll give him that much.
Jon pulled the device away as Tallos gasped for air.

“This is an interesting little device. The Chaanisar gave it to me. Can you imagine me using a Chaanisar torture device? I would’ve never dreamed it possible. Anyway, it has the ability to inflict pain without killing the subject. So, we can do this for as long as it takes. It’s up to you.”

“I told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Tallos.

Jon reached in again and pressed the device against Tallos’s neck. This time he held it there much longer, and Tallos howled in pain. “There’s the scream. I have to admit, you did impress me. But someone of your rank should know that everybody breaks. It’s just a matter of time. And we have time, Tallos. Time for a lot of pain and screaming.”

“I was assigned to the Hermes to ensure you stayed on your mission.”

“I already know that.”

“No, it is more than that. The Great See’er saw you.”

“The Great See’er? Isn’t she some kind of religious figure for you Diakans?”

“She is the light that guides us on our journey.”

“Uh huh. Okay, whatever. What did she see.”

“She saw that the humans would rise to power. And she saw you as the force behind that rise.”

Jon sat back in his chair, stunned. “What are you saying? She’s made me out as some kind of prophet?”

Tallos laughed. “You are no prophet, Jon Pike.”

“Then what?”

Tallos stopped laughing. “You are the eye of the coming storm.”

“That makes no sense,” said Jon, baffled by what he heard.

“Oh, I agree. It is considered blasphemy to question the Great See’er, but I look at you and cannot help but think she has made a mistake.”

“So, they sent you to keep an eye on me?”

“Yes, and to make sure you stayed away.”

“Why?”

“The Great See’er saw the human rise as inevitable. For Diakus, however, there were two paths. We had the option of terminating the humans before they gained power, thereby preventing the rise altogether. Or, managing it, and ensuring our place within the new order.”

“Let me guess, you chose to terminate.”

“I did not have the option of making a choice, but yes, to me it seemed the logical choice. The galaxy is vast, as is Diakus’s reach. In comparison, the Sol System is insignificant.”

“Yeah, I get it. I take it Diakus didn’t agree with you?”

“The Great See’er spoke of an unknown threat. One that the humans would contain, but that would otherwise eventually destroy Diakus.”

“Better the devil you know, huh?”

“Correct.”

“So if I’m the linchpin in all this, why keep me away?”

“Diakus believed it would give us time to prepare.”

“You mean build a jump ship fleet.”

Tallos didn’t respond at first, but then Jon reached forward with the device and Tallos answered. “Yes. You are correct. The human invention was seen as evidence of inevitable human ascension. Diakus believed that if we could slow human progress, while at the same time building up our own capabilities, that we would be better positioned.”

“So you sent me and the first jump ship away on a mission to find a legend.”

“Yes.”

“That was why you had Space Force make me the Captain of the Hermes.”

“Correct. Nobody in their right mind would give an assassin a starship to command. Surely you questioned the logic of the post yourself.”

“Yeah, I did,” said Jon, flinching at the memory of the Hermes’s destruction. “What about the symbiont? Was that part of the plan to control me too?”

“No, the symbiont was thought to be a lucky coincidence. You had volunteered for the procedure, if you remember. I don’t believe the Great See’er had foretold of your importance yet. But when she did, Diakus thought that the symbiont might be another way to control your actions.”

Those bastards were pulling my strings all along
. “That’s why I was never given the medication I needed to coexist with the symbiont.”

“Yes. As I said, it was another way to control the situation.”

Adrenalin coursed through Jon’s bloodstream as blind rage took hold. He thought of all the suffering he endured at the hands of the symbiont. All the pain it had inflicted on him, so that he would follow its will. All of it avoidable.

Tallos seemed to notice. “None of this was my decision. It all predated my involvement. I knew nothing about the prophecy, you, or the Hermes until I was summoned to the Sol System.”

Jon glared at Tallos, trying to decide whether he should believe him.

He lies. Kill him and be done with it
, the symbiont coaxed.

The creature’s words reminded Jon of all those he had killed at its command.
No. I will not kill him,
Jon replied to the monster. He felt the symbiont’s disappointment, but for some reason he felt that Tallos was telling the truth.

“How big a fleet has Diakus built?” said Jon.

Tallos seemed to relax, somehow realizing that Jon had spared him. “I do not know. That information was not shared with me. But rest assured, they will have made significant progress.”

“Good, because they’re going to need it.”

“Why do you say that?” said Tallos.

“Because the Juttari have launched a massive invasion spanning across multiple Galactic Accord systems, including Sol. They are building a jump ship fleet of their own.”

“What? How do you know this?”

“Four Juttari jump ships recently appeared in the New Byzantium system. Like Colonel Bast’s crew, the Chaanisar on board have killed their Juttari Masters and joined my fleet.”

Tallos stared back at Jon, speechless, and Jon smiled as he saw the realization spread across Tallos’s face.

Jon stood on the Freedom’s bridge. Several days had passed since his meeting with Tallos, but he had decided to keep the information to himself. He did not want to be seen as some kind of messiah. How could he even know if the prophecy would come true? He wasn’t a Diakan. Why should he believe anything the Great See’er said? Yet how did this Great See’er even know who he was to begin with? He knew it could all drive him nuts, so he focused on the work at hand instead.

The repairs to his ship and the others had been completed, and Singh had managed to get a few of the smaller jump systems built and installed. Since they did not have enough time to outfit all the fighters and bombers, Jon chose to focus on the bombers first. Singh had built enough to make the entire bomber squadron jump capable, along with a few fighters. Jon now had a long range strike force that could be deployed for a surprise attack before the real fun began. Jon had also requested that Singh build some jump enabled comm drones.

They had received word that the corporate fleet had grouped and was now en route to New Byzantium. General Calledonius had already begun deploying his fleet, along with a few orbital defense systems, to prepare for the inevitable attack. Jon knew that where his own fleet was concerned, the best defense would be a good offense.

“All ships have reported in, Sir,” said Kevin. “All are jump ready.”

“Have them synchronize their jump systems with ours,” said Jon. Singh had come up with a way to have the separate jump systems align themselves with one, rather than having to rely on each ship separately entering in its own coordinates. The group could jump together and maintain formation, thereby simplifying much of the process.

“Jump systems synced,” said Ensign Petrovic, from his tactical station.

Jon looked around the bridge. He didn’t sense any fear. They were a seasoned crew. True veterans. He couldn’t ask for more. “Initiate jump.”

The seven warships landed in a star system several light years away. “Report,” said Jon.

“Conducting long range scans, Sir,” said the sensor operator. “No sign of enemy fleet.”

Jon shrugged. He knew they likely wouldn’t have gotten this close to New Byzantium, but he needed a starting point. He didn’t want to overshoot through carelessness. “Very well, prepare to jump to secondary coordinates.”

“Coordinates loaded,” said Ensign Richards at the helm.

“Initiate.”

The armada jumped again, covering several more light years, this time landing in an empty patch of space. They conducted scans, but found no sign of the enemy fleet. So they jumped a third time.

“Contacts,” announced Ensign Petrovic. “Range, five hundred million kilometers and closing. Reading one hundred and fifty contacts in total.”

Jon looked at Kevin. “There’s our fleet.”

“That’s a lot of ships,” said Kevin, his face pensive.

Jon looked down at his console, pulling up a tactical display of the enemy fleet. Dozens of red icons appeared on his screen, representing the enemy ships. “They’re in formation,” said Jon. “It seems they’ve learned from their mistakes.”

“You didn’t expect for them to make it easy on us, did you?” said Kevin.

“I guess they’re not in a generous mood,” said Jon. “Their supply ships aren’t exposed this time. They’re surrounded by warships now. Looks like they’ve got ten strike groups in total, each centered around a capitol ship. They’re evenly split between carriers and battleships.”

“There’s no way Calledonius can stand up to something like that. They’ll be slaughtered.”

“We’ll just have to try and even up the odds for him then.”

“Sir, enemy fleet is slowing down,” said Petrovic from the tactical station. “They’re coming to a stop.

“They’ve spotted us,” said Kevin. “They’ll be waiting now.”

“Yes they have. That’s okay. They still don’t know what we’re going to do.”

“More contacts, Sir,” said Petrovic. “The carriers are launching fighters.”

Hundreds of smaller red icons appeared on the tactical display. They spread out in a wide radius encompassing the fleet.

“Interesting they’re using their fighters as a defense against jump attacks. It’s a good defense if they know we’re coming,” said Jon, with a wry smile. “Deploy comm drones.”

“Comm drones deployed, Sir.”

“Ensign Petrovic, do you have enough data on the fleet.”

“Yes, Sir,” said the young Ensign, who now looked much older than when Jon first met him on the Hermes. The experiences since then had aged them all considerably.

“Good. Load coordinates for a jump two light years away, and program the drones for the same jump.”

“Coordinates loaded. Comm drones programmed,” said Petrovic.

“Initiate jump.”

Jon’s fleet jumped and the icons on the tactical display disappeared.

“Jump complete. Reading no contacts.”

“Now we wait for the drones,” said Jon. The comm drones were originally intended to be used for communication by jump ships, but Jon had Singh make modifications to their design. Considering that Singh had created much of the initial design back at Space Force, it wasn’t too difficult to make changes.

“We didn’t get a chance to test them,” said Kevin, with a scowl. “They better work.”

“You still don’t trust Singh?” said Jon, seeing through Kevin’s comment.

“Sorry, Sir. I’m trying.”

Jon nodded. “They’ll work. As soon as that fleet starts to move they’ll capture the information and jump back here. That’s when we strike.” He tapped his comm screen and Colonel Steeg’s face appeared. “Colonel, did you see them deploy their fighters?”

“Yes, Admiral. A sound tactic,” said Steeg, his face as expressive as a block of stone.

“I want to focus on their carrier groups,” said Jon. “We jump in. Isolate one group, take out as many of its escorts as we can, then jump away before they can regroup. I’m only deploying my bomber squadron, so we’ll need your battleship’s heavy guns. The bombers will hit them first, then we follow up with our guns.”

“Understood,” said Steeg. “We’ll be ready.”

Jon tapped the screen again and Commander Konos appeared from within his fighter’s cockpit. “Commander, launch your strike squadron. When we jump, your bombers will launch torpedoes, then jump back to these coordinates. You will then wait for the rest of the fleet to return. No heroics. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” Konos said confidently. “You can count on us.”

“Good. Launch your birds and prepare for jump.”

Jon did not have enough firepower to take on the entire corporate fleet, but he had enough to conduct an effective hit and run operation. He hoped that would whittle the enemy fleet’s numbers down to a more manageable size. Pulling up an image of the fleet’s formation, he drew a circle around the strike group on the far left flank. One carrier with nine escorts. He tapped the screen and all the ship commanders appeared, including Konos. He tapped again to share the image with the group.

“Do you see the strike group I have circled on your screens?” said Jon. “When the drone brings back the data that the fleet has begun to move, we will jump in on their left flank and attack that strike group. Commander Konos, your bombers will jump in close, fire torpedoes at the escorts, and immediately jump away. Once you’re away, we’ll focus on finishing off the escorts. The fleet will not have had enough time to hit FTL speeds, so they’ll respond quickly. We need to be faster. Understood?”

The commanders responded affirmative, and disappeared from the screen. They then waited for the comm drone to return.

“Do you think it’s broken?” Kevin said after some time had passed.

“The comm drone?” said Jon.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. The corporate fleet’s just being paranoid.”

“They should be. They don’t know when we’re going to attack.”

“Yeah, they’ll move sooner or later.”

“They’re going to change their formation after we attack,” said Kevin.

“I know. We’ll adapt.”

“Do the new Chaanisar ships have fabricators?” said Kevin.

“I think so. The Ronin does, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t.”

“If they do, we can use them to ramp up production of the smaller jump systems.”

Jon smiled. “Are you developing a little more faith in Chief Engineer Singh?”

“Just being practical, Sir. If all our fighters were jump capable, they would have a huge advantage against the enemy fighters.”

“You’re right, they would. Once we’re done with the corporate fleet, we’ll get them built.”

“Contact,” said Petrovic. “Comm drone has just returned. Receiving data.”

“Here we go,” said Jon. “Ensign Petrovic, send the data on the fleet’s location and speed to Navigation to plot jump coordinates.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Petrovic. “Sending now.”

Ensign Yao looked over the data at the navigation station. She analyzed and entered the necessary information into her console. “Coordinates plotted,” said Yao. “Sending coordinates to bomber squadron.”

“Sound General Quarters,” said Jon.

Kevin opened a comm with the rest of the fleet. “All hands, sound General Quarters. Man your battle stations and prepare for jump.” When the ships had reported back, Kevin said, “All ships reporting jump ready, Sir.”

“Initiate jump,” ordered Jon. A split second later they landed just ahead and off the left flank of the corporate armada. Jon knew the fleet would stop once they saw his ships, but he needed to make sure they didn’t overshoot him. On the screen he watched the bombers move in, with Commander Konos and a few fighters as escort.

“Fleet is slowing,” said Petrovic. “Torpedoes are away.”

On the screen, the bomber squadron disappeared from view, along with its fighter escorts, as they returned to the jump waypoint. A few seconds later the torpedoes crashed into their targets. Twelve Scorpion torpedoes tore through nine escort ships, which consisted of a mix of destroyers, cruisers, and frigates. The frigates could not withstand the impact, and were each obliterated, creating blinding flashes of white light as their reactors blew. The remaining warships were left with large, gaping hull breaches that vented into space.

“Carriers are launching fighters and bombers,” said Petrovic.

“Rail guns in point defense mode. Focus the rest of the guns on those escort ships.” Jon’s warships pounded the prone corporate ships as fighters and bombers streaked toward them.

“The other warships are breaking formation and moving to intercept,” said Petrovic. On his tactical display, Jon saw the red icons leaving the pack and heading straight for his ships from both sides.

“They’re going to try and swarm us,” said Kevin, studying his own display.

“It’s okay. Just a little longer,” said Jon.

The damaged escort ships tried to fight back, but the torpedoes had severely crippled them, and they couldn’t stand up to the combined firepower of Jon’s ships. The hull breaches had caused gaps in their point defense shields and those gaps were exploited with energy bolts, projectiles, and missile volleys. The breaches were widened, and the missiles flew through the openings, into the ships, detonating deep inside. Internal explosions rocked each warship, fracturing their hulls, resulting in more breaches. One by one, each ship succumbed to its injuries and began to break apart.

The Freedom shook as the first of the responding enemy warships approached and opened fire. Missiles were launched, but the ones that weren’t fooled by the decoy drones were rendered useless by the point defense shield. Projectiles and energy bolts continued to pepper the carrier, however. On the tactical screen, more red icons drew nearer and the rate of fire hitting the Freedom grew exponentially. Two escort ships remained. Both destroyers. Jon wasn’t going to leave until they were taken out. He waited just moments to watch one of the destroyers blow apart, followed within seconds by the other.

“Initiate jump,” ordered Jon, and the enemy fleet was gone, replaced by his waiting bomber squadron. Jon let out a sigh of relief. “Damage report,” he said.

“No hull breaches. The hull took some pounding. There are weak spots in the armor, but everything is still intact,” said Kevin.

“What about the other ships?”

“Reports are coming in right now. No hull breaches. Only minor damage,” Kevin said beaming.

“Outstanding work, people,” said Jon, to the elated bridge crew.
We just destroyed nine warships without sustaining any casualties
, he thought.
That’s unbelievable
. He could tell that everyone else on the bridge thought the same.

Foolish
, said the symbiont.

What the hell are you talking about? How is any of this foolish? This is a great victory,
thought Jon.

Arrogant
, replied the symbiont.

Okay, you seriously need to work on your communication skills
.

“Program jump coordinates into the comm drone,” ordered Jon. “Five hundred million kilometers from the fleet’s present location. Jump when ready. Have it monitor the fleet and jump back the second they start to move. Same as before.”