Star Rover-Chosen to Die (Lens of Time) (19 page)

“Why are you telling me this; you know that will cause deep suspicion from our Leadership?”

“And you sending probes into our galaxy wouldn’t do the same thing? We assumed that if you wanted to come take a look at us, you were inviting us to do the same. However, that’s not the real reason I’m telling you this.”

“Then why?”

“You need to know that we aren’t going to see anything we don’t already know. If you want to know the full extent of the strange probes, we’ll need to find them all.”

The Ship Leader tilted his body right and the Third nodded for him to speak, “You’re going to try and bait the ones that sent them to send a ship.”

Dat was impressed, “Very good. Just finding probes in your galaxy won’t tell us where they came from. We’re going to have to cover every probe with a field that prevents them from communicating. That should cause the ones that sent them to send a ship to investigate. We’ll have probes around your galaxy and we will find that ship and follow it back to where it came from.”

The Third stared at the Ship Leader for a long moment and said, “Why are you willing to help us find them? I would expect you to hope they will attack us and weaken our defenses.”

“We’ve thought about that but there’s too much unknown to hope that will happen.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.”

“If someone has sent probes to spy on you, they must not be too frightened of your capabilities. If that’s the case, would they then come after us once they disposed of you? We need to know just as much as you do.” The Third was silent for a moment and Dat said, “You’ll know if you’re being set up for an attack by the number of probes they have in your galaxy.”

The Ship Leader leaned slightly back, “He’s right; if there are thousands of probes in our galaxy, they’re planning an invasion.”

The Third looked down at his communication panel and saw the Masters standing around the table. They had listened in on the exchange and the Lead Master said, “How do we know you don’t have probes in our galaxy as well?”

Dat heard the new voice and tilted his head, “Actually, you don’t. However, we removed all of our probes when you sent the new probes to our galaxy. Currently, we don’t have any probes or ships in your galaxy. Now I’d be remiss in not telling you that we were planning to launch a huge number but your last visit made us pause.”

The Third looked at the Ship Leader and turned light yellow, indicating a smile. He looked at the Lead Master and waited for him to respond. “You may send your probes and ships to find the probes here. I request that you keep the one there with you informed of your progress. He will give you a frequency where he can be contacted.”

“Are you planning an invasion of my galaxy?”

The Lead Master paused and said, “We were planning to do just that but your behavior has us confused. Your willingness to assist us and your blunt honesty needs to be evaluated. However, you are right about one thing. Before we attack each other, we need to see who is spying on us. I suspect they know about you.”

“If their probes are worth anything, they would see your trips here.”

Angel looked at Dat and whispered, “There is a probe a thousand miles out from that Blue Ship.”

Dat muted the communicator, “Have a probe scan it down to the smallest molecule and then destroy it.”

Dat unmuted the microphone and said, “Don’t get alarmed but we’re going to fire a beam in a moment.”

The Ship Leader moved quickly into his Command Chair and started to activate the ship’s force field but saw a blast a thousand miles away. He looked at the Third and said, “We were followed.”

Dat said, “We’re changing the number of probes we’re sending to fifty thousand.”

The Lead Master understood the significance of the Third Master being followed by one of the strange probes. There had to be large numbers in order to send one to follow a ship leaving the galaxy. “You may send small ships and probes; do not send your major warships.”

Dat’s nodded, “We’ll do as you request. I’m ordering them to launch within a day. Send me the frequency to stay in contact.”

The Ship Leader pressed his panel and nodded. The Third said, “I just sent it to you.”

“I’ll let you know as soon as we jump in.”

“Do you think that probe heard our discussion?”

“I’m sure it did. However, my probes did not detect it broadcasting. It was probably programmed to record and send the data later. I suspect the ones that sent it will soon be warned that their probes can be seen when this one doesn’t report in. We need to start moving quickly.”

“I’ll be waiting or your update.”

Dat watched the Blue Battleship jump away and said, “Just when you think the universe is a safe place, BAM! Two new adversaries appear.” Dat turned to Angel, “You need to get back to your competition. I’ll handle the probes with Admiral Hull.”

Angel nodded and said, “We’re jumping back to our fleet competition in five, four, three, two, one, and now.”

• • •

The three Flagships arrived back at the competition to discover it was over. Dizzy appeared on Angel’s display and said, “Admiral, I wonder if you would mind helping us.”

Angel saw something in Dizzy’s expression, “What do you want me to do?”

“The ship that won the competition has been ordered to remain inside the exercise’s boundaries and I was hoping you and your two brothers would go in teach them some humility.”

Angle looked at Bret and saw him smile. “Don’t you think just one of us could do it?”

“Well, actually, I don’t think all three of you can do it but I think you’ll learn a lot from the effort.”

Angel’s eyes narrowed, “Are you serious?”

“As a skunk in Rover.”

Angel lowered her visor and saw the Jukebox in the center of the exercise area. “Arve, Grest, did you hear what Admiral Banks just asked?”

“I did and let’s have at it.”

Grest said, “I did as well and look forward to the challenge.”

Angel smiled and pressed the blue button sending all hands to battle stations. She saw everyone report in and said over the ship’s intercom, “All weapons will be changed to training mode. We will be participating in a pursuit momentarily. Make us proud.” She looked at the microphone on her visor and activated Dizzy’s frequency, “Call it out, Admiral.”

“Admiral Arvolo, please move your three ships inside the boundary of the exercise and prepare to start in one minute.”

• • •

Mark looked at Jillian and tilted his head, “The Arvolo Triplets are the best pilots in the Fleet.”

“They could be the best in the universe and still not defeat our tactics, Sir. How do you want to handle this?”

“Play it straight; we’ll flee and have them give chase. Admiral Banks didn’t warn them about what we’re doing so it should work against them.”

“I’ve seen the videos of their training exercises. I suspect one of them will jump ahead of us as the others push us toward them.”

“Let’s play it straight. The Admirals need to see what we’ve developed. We won’t pull any special jumps to set them up.”

“Yes Sir, who has tactical?”

Mark smiled, “Lieutenant, show them your stuff.” Jillian smiled and grabbed the wheel and watched the countdown reach zero. She accelerated away at full speed and then made a hard right turn. The Arvolo’s cut the corner and moved in quickly on the Denver. Jillian watched them move in and turned directly away from them, “Rear blasters, launch a barrage.” The barrage left the ship and Jillian whipped the Denver around and went to full power on the starboard thrusters.”

Angel said, “Arve, jump ahead.” The Melbourne disappeared as the Wellington went over the barrage and the Haven went under. Both ships were immediately hit by eighty training beams each and their computers announced they were out of the competition. Angel saw the Denver flying sideways in front of her and saw the ship was still out of range of her blasters. How was that ship flying sideways?

• • •

Arve jumped in ahead of the Denver and saw a massive barrage moving toward him. How the heck had they managed to fire that large of a barrage from the bow blasters? He had no choice but to immediately go vertical and his computer recorded a hundred training beam strikes and fifteen training penetrator hits. The exercise was over in less than three minutes after it started. Angel activated her communicator, “Dizzy, what just happened?”

“Don’t feel bad, Sir. The last five hundred and fifty ships in the competition ganged up together to take out the Denver and all of them were defeated. It appears that ship has developed a new tactic in using their Jukebox. They can hit ships before they can move into range to fire on and knock them out.”

“How does that happen?”

“If twenty or more blasters hit a ship in a short time, the cumulative effect is enough to break through a force field. By flying their ship sideways, they have more than a hundred and forty blasters to fire in any direction. Targeting thirty blasters on ships chasing them is child’s play.”

“This sounds like a defensive maneuver.”

“Sir, they knocked out the last hundred and fifty ships in the exercise by chasing them down flying sideways.”

Angel looked at Bret as she said, “Have all four Admirals meet on board that ship. I want to have a discussion with that Captain.” Bret nodded and opened a channel to the Denver.

• • •

Mark and Jillian met the three Arvolos on the bridge and the crew came to attention. Angel said, “As you were!” She looked at Captain Anderson and her eyebrows lowered, “Captain, where did you come up with this new tactic of flying your ship sideways?”

“Sir, I looked at how our ships are at a disadvantage when chasing an enemy bow first. There are only eight blasters available and it just seemed like there had to be a better way to utilize the Jukebox’s armament. I explained what I wanted to try and the crew were all on board with making it work. Most of the credit should go to the blaster teams that have done an outstanding job of targeting ships maneuvering around our barrages. Lt. McAfee has done great work in organizing their target zones.”

Tara had left the ships intercom on and the crew listened in on what was taking place on the bridge. The blaster teams were amazed that the Captain didn’t take credit for their success. Their pride in their ship increased with the Captain’s praise.

“This tactic has not been approved by fleet. Who authorized you to use it in the competition?”

Mark stared at Angel and said, “Admiral, if I’m not mistaken, you held this competition to encourage the ships under your command to learn how to handle their ships effectively in combat. Flying sideways is not much different from using the thrusters to spiral away from an attacker. We just turned and didn’t twist the ship.”

Angel stared at Mark and saw he wasn’t intimidated by her. “I’m going to discuss this infraction with fleet to see if any discipline is required. I want all the records you made during your perfecting this tactic sent to my ship immediately. Is that clear?”

Mark’s eyes narrowed and he said, “Yes Sir, it is.”

Angel looked around the bridge and saw the bridge crew didn’t like what she was doing. She looked at Bret and he looked confused. She had read Captain Anderson’s file and saw that he was called The Tyrant by his crew. It didn’t appear they were happy at him being disciplined. “You will keep your ship here at this location until I decide what action I’m going to take.”

“Yes Sir.”

Jillian said, “Sir, I was also involved in developing these tactics. Captain Anderson didn’t do it alone.”

Angel stared at Jillian and saw four officers enter the bridge. She turned and one of them said, “Sir, we were also involved in developing these tactics and whatever discipline you give Captain Anderson, we deserve as well.”

Angel looked around the bridge and said, “How about the rest of you; do you feel the same?”

Tara stood and said, “Yes Sir. We decided to do this as a team. We all chose to work overtime to learn how to operate the ship flying sideways. We deserve whatever punishment he receives.”

Mark said, “Sir, I am ultimately responsible for whatever happens on the Denver. My crew followed my orders and they are not responsible for my decisions. I accept full responsibility for what we’ve done.”

The roar from the crew could be heard throughout the ship. Angel shook her head and smiled, “Captain, what happened to the Tyrant?” Mark was stunned by the question along with everyone on the bridge. Mark didn’t respond and Angel said, “Answer the question, Captain Anderson?”

Mark took a breath and said, “Lt. Connor allowed me to see myself in her.” Jillian jerked her head around and stared at Mark.

“What do you mean?”

“She allowed me to see that the Tyrant was nothing more than my own insecurities controlling my behavior. I saw that I have an outstanding crew and I was not allowing them to be as good as they were capable of being. No one would take a risk out of fear that the Tyrant would punish them. I decided that it was time I grew up. Sir, this new tactic worked because an excellent crew decided to make it work. However, it was my decision to do this and I bear the responsibility for their actions.”

Angel looked around the bridge and saw that the Tyrant was truly dead. This crew would follow their captain wherever he led them. She looked at Dizzy, “You’re not going to allow us to take either of them; are you?” Dizzy smiled and shook her head. Angel looked back at Mark, “That was excellent flying when you defeated us.”

Mark shook his head, “Actually, Lt. Connor was commanding the ship during that maneuver, Sir.”

Angel looked at Dizzy, “Are you sure?”

“I am, Sir.”

Angel said, “Captain Anderson,” She looked at Jillian and said, “Lt. Connor, the two of you are promoted to the rank of Commodore and will each take command of half of Admiral Bank’s fleet. You will immediately train your Task Forces on how to use this new tactic. This ship will be your flagship, Commodore Anderson and Commodore Connor will receive her flagship as soon as she decides which ship she wants to carry her flag.”

The bridge erupted in cheers and the entire crew roared their approval. Dizzy looked at the two new Commodores and said, “What will you need to make this happen?”