Space Rescue One (28 page)

      "Ah, I understand, I think. That's not to get even with him for some of the things he pulled on you before, is it?" asked Isaac.

      "Now would I hold a grudge, Isaac? I thought you knew me better than that," Ralph answered.

      "I do. That's why I let him take the blame the first time we got you with a gag," Isaac said.

      "You glued my boots to the deck?" asked Ralph.

      "Well, I glued the right one. Gene did the left one. It was his decision to take all the blame when you fingered him as the culprit," Isaac said.

      "Well, I'll be. I never suspected you. Isaac, you're on my payback list now for sure," Ralph said.

      "I'm looking forward to whatever you come up with," Isaac replied.

      "Now that the two of you have settled that, can we get back to business?" Richard asked.

      "Sorry, sir," Ralph said.

***

"Looks like rebel resistance is getting stronger," Jimmy said.

      "They're getting more desperate," Alex said.

      "You're right about that, Alex. They're also getting their damaged ships back for quick repairs while the rest of their fleet holds off Admiral Thurman."

      "So, that's how they're doing it."

      "Partly, I suppose. Most likely, they're getting fresh crews while the repairs are being made," Jimmy said.

      "Yeah, I can see how that would make up for some of the disadvantages they have."

***

"Captain Saber, this is Admiral Thurman calling."

      "Go ahead, Admiral," Richard replied.

      "I must ask you to keep your two rescue ships together and farther from the battle. Our intelligence indicates that the rebels have repaired
Space Rescue
Two
and intend to use it in battle. So long as your two ships remain together, I've ordered my forces not to fire on you. If you separate, they might think you're the enemy trying to fool them. Some of them might not ask before firing."

      "I understand, Admiral. Our ships will remain together and somewhat farther from the battle. I hope you understand that will hurt your people's chances of survival more than the other side."

      "It can't be helped. You've done good for both sides. Now I'm trying to do you a favor for your own survival."

***

"Chief, aren't we going to try to get to those ships?" asked Alex.

      Chief Dickson replied, "I wish we could. We're lucky that we got both sides to permit Shelly through to Venus with her load of survivors. If Tim's ship was full, he'd be sent on to Venus now, too."

      "Tim's starting to fall apart, isn't he, Chief?" asked Alex.

      "You noticed it, too, Alex?" Dickson asked.

      "Yes, I thought I detected some deep anguish on his part," Alex answered.

      "That's why I put him in charge of the second ship we took over and off rescue duty. He's too young to see this much needless death," Isaac said.

      "Aren't we all," said Alex.

***

"Team Chiefs to the Captain's briefing. Team Chiefs to the Captain's briefing."

***

Chief Dickson entered the briefing room where Chief Brunner was already seated along with several of the Chief Surgeons. He took a seat just as Captain Saber got to the head of the table.

      "There's been a new development in the battle. Admiral Thurman is dead. Admiral William has taken charge," Richard said.

      "How's that affect us?" Chief Brunner asked.

      "I'm not sure. Admiral William stated to me that he intends to honor our neutrality just as strongly as Admiral Thurman did. In talking to our resident amateur expert, I'm certain that it isn't a good thing for the Earth fleet. They're taking a shellacking out there. In the meantime, we can't do much to help anyone. Some of the ships are falling into the atmosphere of Venus where they have no chance of survival. I don't know if we could do anything for them even if we were closer. We're only getting to about one out of five of what we used to reach because of the extra distance," Richard answered.

      The briefing room hatch opened and a crew woman entered. "Captain, the Earth fleet is retreating!" she exclaimed.

      "Patch the radio into the briefing room so we can all hear what's happening," Richard ordered.

      Moments later, the briefing room was stunned by the rapid messages flying back and forth among the units.

      "All Earth units pull back to Point Hotel. Use box formation. Verification Fox Delta Tango. All units pull back to Point Hotel. Use box formation. Verification Fox Delta Tango."

      "We can't move! Can we have some assistance? Anyone? Space Rescue, can you hear us? Please acknowledge."

      "VMA forces will fire on any disabled ship that does not surrender immediately. Signal by radio or with blinking running lights if you are willing to surrender."

      "Anyone, please anyone! We have an onboard fire. Please respond."

      "Excuse me, I think we need to find out if General Budakov is going to recognize neutrality any longer or not," Richard said. Without wasting any time, Richard left the conference room and made his way directly to the radio on the bridge. "This is Captain Saber of
Space Rescue One
to General Budakov."

      "Go ahead, Captain Saber. This is General Budakov."

      "I wish to know if you are going to permit us to tend to the survivors on board the disabled ships."

      "Captain Saber, I am more than willing to permit your teams to enter the area to tend to the survivors. However, I want their surrender first. Any ship that indicates it is willing to surrender will be permitted to have your services rendered."

      "General, that's blackmail. I don't intend to put up with it, either. I fully expect you to adhere to the established rules of engagement originally proposed by the Venus-Mars Alliance and accepted by both warring sides. Accordingly, my ships are entering the area where the disabled ships are at. If you or any of your forces fire on us, we will return fire. Am I understood?" Richard replied.

      "Captain Saber, I think you're being foolish and reckless. You have only two ships. I can call on fifty to attack you with."

      "Do that and you'll turn public opinion against the VMA in a heartbeat. I'm sure you don't want that to happen. I really can't believe that you're willing to sacrifice the gains you've made in public support on Earth for the sake of forcing some crews to surrender when they're going to be interned anyway. I'll give you a few moments to think that over before my ships move in."

      There was a slight delay. Richard was halfway back to the briefing room when the radio came alive again. He stopped and returned to the radio.

      "This is General Budakov. On second thought, you are right, Captain Saber. We will fully honor the rules of engagement as previously stated. See to the survivors. Then please leave our space."

      Richard heard the cheer from the briefing room before he turned back to head for it. He walked back inside it to see his team chiefs smiling over his victory.

      "Attaway, sir!"

      "You told him off!"

      "Okay, we've got work to do. I know why he wanted to do it the other way. It just took him a few minutes to realize that he was losing more than he could gain," Richard said.

      "Why did he want it the other way?" Chief Dickson asked.

      "He needed to show a decisive victory. We're still going to put the personnel we rescue on the surface of Venus just as he would have. The only difference is that we rescued them without them surrendering. They'll respect us for that minor dignity we salvaged. For now, let's get back to work," Richard answered.

***

"Chief Brunner, I have some bad news for you. Please sit down," Richard said.

      "Yes, sir? What bad news? My mother?" asked Ralph.

      "Your mother is all right as far as I know. The news I have is that your brother was attacked while on Venus. He was injured severely, but he's alive. Venus authorities have promised me that they'll make every effort to find his attackers and prosecute them to the fullest since he was properly identified as being neutral," Richard answered.

      "My brother? How bad was he hurt?" asked Ralph.

      "I don't have all the particulars on that yet."

      "Does he know who attacked him?" asked Ralph.

      "That's unknown as yet, too. Apparently, he's still unconscious. As soon as they determine the extent of his injuries, they'll let us know. If he can travel, they'll transport him to us to take back to
Earth Station One."

      "But, he's going to live?" asked Chief Brunner.

      "As far as they know, yes, he'll live."

***

"Whoever did that to Gene ought to get the same thing as punishment," Jimmy said.

      "A lot of people aren't going to like it when they hear just what happened. Will that have any effect on the war?" Alex asked.

      "Not that I can see. Gene's just one person and he wasn't killed. His situation will get lost real quick in the shuffle. Right now, everyone is concerned about how badly Admiral William lost after Admiral Thurman got the fleet all the way to Venus against everything the VMA had to throw against it. William lost more in one day than Thurman did in a week. From the looks of it, I wouldn't be surprised if William changed the plan to how he liked it instead of following what was already in motion."

      "So, Admiral William is in the shit house then?"

      "Looks like it. His only chance is to manage a strategic withdrawal without losing too much more of the Earth force. Losing close to seventy ships isn't a good start on that," Jimmy answered.

      "So, is this the decisive battle that dictates who will win?" Alex asked.

      "It probably is. With the amount of hardware floating around Venus right now and between here and Earth, the VMA can double the size of its force before Earth gets any real military ships built and into space. Even that might not do the Earth any good seeing as the VMA will have plenty of combat veterans available to man their ships. From the looks of it, the VMA can claim to have won the war."

***

"Admiral William, do you surrender?"

      "Negative, General Budakov. We will not surrender. Not while we have a ship capable of resisting."

      "That's a pity, Admiral. I really hoped that you would be reasonable and save some lives. I don't really want to turn this rout into a slaughter. If that's what you really want, I will oblige you. However, I'm willing to give you an hour to reconsider. My forces will hold their positions for that long before we attack again. Think of the men and women on board your ships. Too many of your ships are damaged. Your crews are tired from constant fighting. My ships are in better condition. My crews are fresh. Please, be reasonable and reconsider. You have one hour," Budakov replied.

***

"Jimmy, is the Earth fleet that bad off as General Budakov states?" Richard asked.

      "Sir, I think General Budakov is correct. He does have fresh crews and his ships are in better condition even if he does have fewer. Admiral William is trying to fight a strategic withdrawal with crews who've been fighting for twelve days and nights. I think they're at their end of resistance. If they try to fight back, it just might be a slaughter as General Budakov says it will," Jimmy replied.

      "I see. In that case, I wish Admiral William would take the offer and surrender. He could save a lot of lives," Richard said.

      "Sure he would, but he'd end his military career, too. He just might prefer to die than surrender in disgrace."

      "But he'd take all those men and women with him!" Richard exclaimed.

      Jimmy replied, "I know that, but they take their orders from Admiral William. They don't have anyone else to lead them. Some of them might try to surrender to General Budakov, but I wouldn't bet on more than a very few ships with crews brave enough to go against the Admiral's orders."

***

"Admiral William, your hour is up. What is your decision, sir?"

      "General Budakov, my mind is unchanged. We will not surrender. We still outnumber you. You might hurt us some more, but you don't have the strength to defeat us."

      "Admiral William, you don't know the full truth. Until now, I've only opposed your force with half of what I have at my disposal. The other half is between you and Earth. You might try to make an end run around them, but you can't escape the force confronting you now. Sooner or later, my other force will catch up with you. Then I will slaughter your fleet. I'm sorry that you will not take my offer and surrender your command. Perhaps in another life we shall be friends."

      "Excuse me for interrupting. This is Captain Saber of
Space Rescue One.
General Budakov, may I have a minute to speak before you resume your attack?"

      Budakov answered, "Er, yes, Captain Saber. Please try to talk some sense into Admiral William. I will give you a minute. In fact, I'll give you five minutes."

      "Thank you, General Budakov. Admiral William, I've seen the condition of crews from both sides. I'm not a military genius, but I hardly think it takes one to see the difference between the crews from both sides. General Budakov isn't kidding when he states that his crews are fresher. They are. When he states that your crews are tired, he's talking sense. We all know that your force has been fighting around the clock for the past twelve days now. Your crews are drained of energy. They can't fight at peak efficiency anymore. I doubt if they're managing even half that. Will you please reconsider? I'm asking you to save the lives of crews whose deaths won't change the outcome of what's happened one iota," Richard said.