Fri Dec 09, 2005 2:48 pm by Chupa
Chapter 3
“Honestly, we do have a bit of a professional reason to visit you. Those outcasts that attacked you, did you notice anything strange about them?” Asked Juni, a hint of concern showing in her face.
“Well,” said Trent, a bit more serious than normal, “They talked strange, had an odd accent I mean. I only heard them talk when they told us to surrender, and he spoke his S’s as Z’s, and all his E’s were hard. Oh, and they were good pilots, If I hadn’t taken out one to start with, we might have been hard pressed to survive.”
Juni sighed, “That’s almost word for word what the LSF patrol leader said. There’s something strange with that patrol. I know that’s the badlands, but they don’t usually stray that far from Buffalo and the Jump holes. I guess it’s just a feeling I’ve got.”
“Well” King said, “There isn’t really anything we can do about it now. But I think we’re forgetting the whole reason we came here. Trent, do you think you can walk? You’ll enjoy the surprise.”
“King, knowing you, I probably won’t enjoy it, but I guess I’ll come anyway.”
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“Hey, Marcus, You have some visitors.”
Captain Walker sat up as far as he could; a bandage was wrapped around his head and covered an eye. His left arm had been taken off at the shoulder, and his leg was in traction, but a smile still showed in his eyes. “Juni! King! Ahh, and Trent too, you all made it through alive.”
“Well, mostly, anyway”
Juni explained how the order went on to destroy the Nomads by banishing them into the hypergate. The concept interested Walker greatly.
“A Hypergate?” He asked, “Like what they were trying to build between Texas and New Tokyo?”
“Almost” Juni responded, “Except this one worked, and supposedly could link entire sectors, not just star systems.”
“Interesting. I think I know someone who might be able to use the information.”
“The battle wasn’t highly publicized, you’ll have to get permission from Orillian to bring in an outsider.”
“Well, where is he?”
“That’s the catch, no one knows.” Smiled a tall man who’s dark uniform matched his skin. “Captain Walker. I’m glad to see you’re alive.”
“Well, speak of the devil…” Muttered King under his breath, the louder, “Admiral, How did you get in here?”
“Lieutenant King, You should know as well as I that the Order has contacts everywhere. Colonel Trent, how’s your arm? I here you were shot by your own contraband.”
“I’ll never live it down. How are you doing sir?”
“Not good. Colonel Zane, the Horus is missing in action.”
“Wait a minute,” Walkers one good eye had been trying to follow the conversation and looked rather like a pinball. “For the sake of those who have spent the last few weeks dead, what’s the Horus?”
“The Horus was our newest cruiser. As well armed most battleships, yet nearly as maneuverable as a heavy fighter. In theory, it should have been able to take on any three ships its size and come out with barely a scratch. It was down patrolling the southern sector of Omega 5.”
“So what was the problem, no Hessian should be able to scratch a ship like that.”
“Cadiz was gone.”
“WHAT!” The cry rose from every voice in the room.
“That’s impossible!” exclaimed Trent “Cadiz has stood for years, its probably more defended than Crete itself!”
“Nevertheless,” Orillian spoke grimly, “It was gone, reduced to slag. The Horus picked up a patrol of Corsairs who were nearly hysterical. They claimed ships so big and so many that they ‘blocked out the stars.’ A fleet so huge that the Corsairs never stood a chance. Captain Janssen was on the verge of sending the pilots to the ship psychologist, when a ship appeared on radar, then another, and another. It was the fleet the Corsairs had seen, over Two Thousand ships ranging from Frigates to Dreadnaughts, and more. A hundred ships we could only classify as “Super-Dreadnaughts” Big enough to hold the Horus in its cargo hold. They sent this message.”
Orillian plugged a disk into the room’s viewscreen, and a face winked into existence. “Sirius Sector Vessel, this is Golden Admiral Henri Govreux aboard the V.A.G. Checkmate. You have no choice but surrender. If you power down your ship now, we may let you live. There if you attempt to escape, be assured there will be no such option. Govreux out.”
Orillian waved his hand for quite, and continued his narrative. “Janssen had recorded the whole confrontation, and at this point shot off one of our stealth radio drones, which flew out of system and shot off a distress signal. When we recovered it, we immediately flew to Omega Five, but it was too late. There was no sign of the Horus, or this phantom fleet. My friends. We are facing what can only be called a crisis. I need to talk with President Jacobi, but I’ll be in touch. I want the four of you to fly to the Osiris. Kress will give you your briefing there.”
Walker was the first to recover his senses. “Four sir? You want me to go too?”
Orillian nodded “Walker, your experience as a leader will be needed. I’m appointing you Commodore; you’ll know what I expect when you arrive at the Osiris. Oh, and one last thing.”
“Don’t tell me.” King groaned, “The Colonies are about to be engaged in a civil war and the Nomads are coming back?”
“Not hardly, there are new ships waiting for everyone in the hanger. Good luck.”
