Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (25 page)

The repairs took longer than expected, requiring several weeks to complete. Doctor Ellerbeck’s biobots had time to do their work and heal Chief Engineer Singh. Even before he’d fully healed, Singh had insisted that he return to duty. The thought of the destroyed jump system nagged at him, and kept him from resting. In the end, Ellerbeck relented, figuring it would be better to simply let Singh go to work, than have him pacing in sick bay.

Singh worked tirelessly on the jump system replacement, and allowed only his best engineers to watch and learn. Redundancy would be best if something happened to him again. It wasn’t that he had to build the jump system by hand, that was what the fabricators were for. Singh needed to make sure the design and specifications were correct. The equations were complex, taking into account the ship’s mass, as well as the configuration of its engines. In the end, the Freedom’s jump system was replaced before all the other repairs were completed, and before Singh was himself one hundred percent. Even Kevin came around, and let go of his suspicions toward Singh.

Singh poured himself into his work and moved on to completely outfit each of the Freedom’s fighters with its own jump system. Jon was certain that made her the very first carrier with jump enabled fighters.

Commander Konos wasted no time, and had all his pilots working overtime, learning how to use their new jump ships. While the jump system was still a new technology, the number of battles fought by the fleet, and all the ships separately, including the Hermes, created a treasure trove of tactical and strategic knowledge. Konos made sure that his pilots had as much of that knowledge as he could cram into their heads.

With the repairs almost completed, Jon called a meeting of the fleet’s commanders. Each man traveled from their ship to the Freedom, and they all now sat at the board room table in the Freedom’s briefing room.

“We will have to travel through Kemmar space,” said Jon. “I want to avoid conflict with the Kemmar on this mission. If we run into any warships, we continue jumping. Our goal is to get to Sol in one piece.”

“We can reach the jump gate with two jumps,” said Colonel Steeg. “That ensures we are still jump ready when we cross through the gate.”

“Yes, the Kemmar will have warships stationed on the other side,” said Jon. He remembered the battleship he fought with the Hermes when he tried to save the Reiver colony.

“They had a warship stationed there, but my ships destroyed it before we crossed. I am sure they have sent reinforcements by now.”

“Agreed,” said Jon. “It shouldn’t be a problem. Our jump systems will have enough capacity for another jump. We won’t have enough to reach Sol, but we will have enough to avoid the Kemmar.”

“What happens if we reach Sol and find a Juttari armada stationed there?” said Kevin.

“That is where our AI comes in,” said Jon. “AI, at what range can you infiltrate a Juttari ship?”

“If we are in range of their broadcast, I can travel across it as a data stream, gain access to their ships, and the Chaanisar on board.”

Steeg nodded. “Then our brothers will be liberated, as we have been.” Sounds of approval came from the Chaanisar in the room.

“Yes. If my presence remains undetected, I will be able to free the Chaanisar on board those ships.”

“The Juttari are too powerful to be defeated by an external force,” said Steeg. “Which is why we will destroy them from within.”

Jon listened quietly to Colonel Steeg. He understood the man’s emotions, and he felt them too. If there was a way to destroy the Juttari once and for all, he would be first in line. He worried that the Chaanisar might be overly optimistic. Still, he chose not to say anything. He wanted everyone motivated for this mission, and if this motivated the Chaanisar to succeed then he would not speak out against it.

“Commander Konos,” said Jon. “How are your pilots adapting to their new jump systems?

“They are coming along, Sir. I have drilled them extensively on jump tactics. They’ll be ready,” said Konos.

“Good. Then we wait to finish repairs, which should be complete within the next two days. We leave as soon as they’re done. Any questions?”

Silence.

“In that case, let’s get back to work. Dismissed.

“Advise all ships to sync their jump systems with the Freedom’s,” said Jon, standing on the bridge by his console.

“Fleet jump systems are synced,” said Kevin, standing a few feet away at his own command console.

“Very well. Let’s get started. Helm, initiate jump.”

“Initiating,” said Ensign Richards at the helm.

On the viewscreen New Byzantium hung in space like a glistening blue Christmas ornament. A split second later it was gone. Replaced by the empty void and the distant stars.

“Report,” said Jon.

“All ships have successfully made the jump,” said Petrovic. “We are now in Kemmar space. Reading no contacts.”

“Well that’s good,” Jon said to Kevin. “I fully expected a Kemmar fleet to be waiting for us.”

“This might turn out to be a boring mission for a change,” said Kevin.

Jon chuckled. “That would be a change, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Are all ships still synced to our jump drive?”

“All ships are reporting that they remain synced, Sir,” said Kevin.

“Helm, initiate the second jump. Let’s see what’s waiting for us at the jump gate.”

The ships jumped and landed at the location of the jump gate.

“Contacts!” said Petrovic. “Reading ten warships dead ahead.”

“The Kemmar?” said Jon.

“Yes, Sir. All ships have Kemmar signatures except one.” Petrovic looked up at Jon. “Sir, I’m reading a Space Force signature.”

“What? Where?”

“It’s a battleship, Sir. Definitely Space Force.”

Jon tapped his console and Steeg’s face appeared. “Colonel, is that the Space Force battleship you engaged when attacking Sol?”

“Yes, Admiral. That is the jump battleship.”

“Sir, the ships are moving to intercept,” said Petrovic. “Even the battleship.”

“Sound General Quarters,” said Jon. “Launch fighters. Advise them to adopt a defensive posture. Engage point defense systems. And hail that damn battleship.”

“Sir, the battleship is ignoring our hails.”

“Tell them it is Captain Pike, from the Hermes.”

“They’re acknowledging our hail now, Sir.”

“Feed it through to my console.”

A man in a Space Force Captain’s uniform appeared on Jon’s screen. He had graying blond hair, and pale blue eyes. He had a no nonsense look about him that gave the impression of strength. “This is Captain Pierce, of the Space Force Battleship Vanguard. Who am I speaking to?”

“I’m Captain Pike, of the Hermes.”

Pierce frowned. “That is no Space Force uniform, and your ship is not the Hermes. Moreover, you are traveling with Juttari warships. The same ones that attacked the Sol System.” Pierce leaned in, the hatred now clearly visible in his eyes. “If you think I will fall prey to Juttari deception, you are sadly mistaken, Chaanisar.”

“What? I am not Chaanisar. Look at my ship. It is not Juttari design. I assure you I am Jon Pike. I found the colonies. This ship is from the colonies.”

“Where is the Hermes?” barked Pierce.

“It was destroyed. By the Kemmar.”

“More lies. The Kemmar are our allies. Why would they destroy a Space Force ship? And how do you explain your Chaanisar companions?”

“These Chaanisar have revolted against the Juttari. They have slaughtered their Juttari Masters, and are free of their mind control. They fight for us now.”

“And who is ‘us’? Your uniform is not Space Force, nor is it Juttari.”

“It is from the colonies. Half my crew is from the colonies. They’re real, Pierce. The colonies exist. I found them, and the Kemmar are threatening to invade them.”

“Clever lies, Chaanisar.”

“Goddamnit, I am not Chaanisar. What do I need to do to prove it to you?”

“Stand down and let us board your ships?”

“Surrender to the Kemmar? That’s not going to happen.”

“Because you know we will discover that you are Chaanisar?”

“No. Because the Kemmar will slaughter us, or turn us into slaves, like they tried to do to my Marines.”

“I have read Captain Pike’s file. If you are Captain Pike, then you’ll be able to answer some questions.”

“Of course.”

“What happened to your wife and children?”

Jon took a step back, as if he had been struck by a heavy blow. “My wife and children were killed,” he answered in a quiet voice.

“How?”

Jon’s chest tightened as he recalled the memory. The grief returned, as if it had all happened yesterday. His beautiful wife, and his sweet daughters. Gone. Forever. He looked back at Pierce, wanting to reach through the screen and throttle him. He held back his feelings, and calmly recounted the tragedy. “A Chaanisar hit squad. They came to kill me, but I was away on a mission. They killed my family instead.”

Pierce nodded. “And you expect me to believe that a man who experienced this is now on the same side as the Chaanisar?”

“I told you, they are no longer Chaanisar. The Chaanisar are Juttari slaves. They were forced to do what they did. As free men, the first thing they did was kill their Juttari oppressors. These are not the same men who committed those atrocities.”

Pierce shook his head. “I don’t know what’s worse. You being a Chaanisar, or you being Captain Pike and having turned into an apologist for the Juttari.”

Jon glared back at Pierce, barely able to control his temper. “Watch your words, Pierce. Do not provoke me.”

“Or what? You will open fire on my ship and prove you are Chaanisar? If you are Jon Pike, then tell me what happened on the other side of this gate. Why did you attack the Kemmar?”

“I was protecting a human colony. These Kemmar, who you call allies, are an Empire of slavers. I could not stand by and allow humans to be enslaved by aliens.”

Pierce turned his head to speak to someone. Jon saw him nod to whatever was said to him, and turn back to the screen. “There were Diakans on board the Hermes. What was the name of their leader?”

“Tallos.”

“I would like to speak to him.”

“He is not on board. He is back on the colonies.”

“How convenient. Why wouldn’t you bring him with you?”

“Tallos and I disagree on how things should be done. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Pierce turned his head again. Someone was feeding him questions. “What do you have inside you?”

Jon smiled. “A Diakan symbiont. I thought I was answering your questions, Pierce?”

“You are.”

“No, I’m not. These are Diakan questions. Why don’t you let me speak to the Diakan?”

“There is no-” Pierce turned his head again and nodded. He gave Jon an angry look, and moved aside. Pierce’s face was replaced by a Diakan’s.

“I am Major Ilthos,” said the Diakan.

“I am Jon Pike,” said Jon.

“Perhaps. We still need to confirm that information.”

“I don’t know what else you want me to do?”

“A genetic sample,” said Ilthos.

“What?”

“The Diakan symbiont inside Jon Pike will have altered his DNA. It is not something that can be faked.”

“Fine. I will give you your sample, but first you call off your attack.”

“Agreed. Stand by while we send word to the Kemmar.”

Jon waited, wondering how it must look. Four Juttari warships, and two unidentified warships. How would he have responded?

“Sir, the Kemmar are firing on the Vanguard,” Petrovic said urgently.

“Damn it. Ilthos!”

The Diakan returned to the screen. “It does not appear that the Kemmar want to listen to our request.”

“We are coming to your aid. We can debate my identity later. Do not fire on us!”

“Understood,” said Ilthos.

Jon turned to Kevin. “Advise our ships that we are protecting the Vanguard. They can unsync their jump systems from the Freedom’s, and use tactical jumps to fight the enemy.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Kevin.

Jon tapped his screen and Commander Konos’s face appeared. “Commander, are your bombers armed?”

“Yes, Sir,” said Konos. “Bombers are ready to engage.”

“Good, you are free to engage the Kemmar. Let’s see some of those jump tactics you’ve been working on.”

“With pleasure, Sir,” said Konos with a smile, as his face blinked off Pike’s screen.

Jon watched on the tactical display as the bombers disappeared from their position near the Freedom, and reappeared in multiple locations, each bomber near a different Kemmar warship. They remained long enough to launch torpedoes, and reappeared alongside the Freedom.

Nine bombers, and nine warships
, thought Jon.
What are the chances it’ll be that simple?

“Multiple direct hits on all enemy contacts,” announced Petrovic. “Reading hull breaches on all ships.”

“That’s a start,” said Jon. He hailed Captain Pierce who’s face appeared on screen.

“What is it?” said Pierce.

“Jump to a safe distance. We can handle the Kemmar from here.”

“I do not let Chaanisar fight my battles for me,” said Pierce, cutting the communication.

“You’re trying to piss him off, aren’t you?” said Kevin.

“A little,” said Jon, with a wry smile.

Kevin shook his head. “I thought you wanted him to believe you?”

“They will once they get their DNA sample. I can have a little fun with him in the meantime.”

A flash of white light filled the viewscreen as one of the Kemmar warships blew apart. On the tactical screen Jon saw that the Chaanisar battleship was using its jump system to single out the Kemmar ships. It jumped alongside and pulverized them broadside with its heavy guns. The three heavy cruisers and the Reiver were using their jump systems to tag team the enemy ships, jumping in and surrounding them one by one. Jon’s fighters blinked on and off like fireflies, jumping in and out, firing on the Kemmar ships’ gun batteries, and jumping away before they could be targeted. The Freedom positioned itself within range of the enemy and relentlessly fired its guns and missiles in support.

The Vanguard held its ground at first, seemingly unsure of its next move. But as the fight progressed, the Vanguard made use of its own jump system, adopting the same strategy as Colonel Steeg. The powerful battleship jumped in close, singling out an enemy warship, and ripped it apart with the devastating force of its coil guns. Jon couldn’t help but be impressed. Very few ships were outfitted with big coil guns like the Vanguard. Jon knew they were capable of firing projectiles at an unbelievable velocity. Few ships could withstand more than a few rounds, and its Kemmar victims were no exception. One by one, the Kemmar ships blew apart, until only Jon’s fleet, and the Vanguard were left. The Freedom and the Vanguard faced each other across the void, like two heavyweight contenders waiting for the bell to ring.

Jon tapped his display and Captain Pierce appeared. “Your Kemmar friends didn’t turn out as friendly as you thought, did they?”

“I’ll admit, their betrayal was unexpected,” said Pierce.

“So you believe me now?”

“I’ll wait until after we do a DNA test.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Captain Pierce, you are outnumbered six to one. If we were your enemy, we would not be having this conversation.”

“None of that proves who you are. I’ll admit, your behavior is odd for a Chaanisar, but after what happened in Sol, you’ll understand if I’m not very trusting.”

“Okay, how would you like to proceed?”

“You come aboard the Vanguard so we can test you.”

“No. Sorry. It’s not that I don’t trust you… well, actually it is that I don’t trust you. I have a better idea. Send your Diakan here to conduct the test.”

Pierce looked to the side, presumably at Ilthos, then looked back with a surprised expression. “Major Ilthos agrees.”

“Excellent,” said Jon. “I await his arrival.”