Authors: Rick Bentsen
2.10.2136
2310
Gamma Epsilon Station
Admiral Bonetti’s Quarters
J
OHN was lying in bed trying to fall asleep. He was tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable.
“Admiral Bonetti,” the admiral’s wristlink squawked. “There is a Star League ship on fast approach to the Gamma Epsilon Station. Markings indicate that it’s the White Knight.”
“I’m on my way,” John said as he tapped his wristlink.
He got dressed and hurried out of his quarters.
2.10.2136
2329
Gamma Epsilon Station
Command and Control.
John Bonetti strode into Command and Control, fidgeting nervously as he took the command seat. It was rare that the station commander actually was in command and control, but this was a special case.
“ETA of the White Knight?” he asked.
“They just requested docking clearance. They should complete docking in about half an hour,” a station tech said, swiveling in his chair.
“Grant clearance for Docking Bay 12. And have Colonel Bonetti and Commander Sykes report to my office as soon as they dock,” John ordered.”
“Understood, Admiral,” the tech said.
2.11.2136
0004
Gamma Epsilon Station
Admiral Bonetti’s office.
John paced his office as he waited for Commander Sykes and his son to arrive. He’d been hoping to put this moment off a bit longer, but now that it was here, he had no choice but to go through with it. As soon as the door chime sounded, he straightened his uniform and sat behind his desk.
“Enter,” he called.
The door slid open and Erin and Mario stepped through into the office.
“Commander Erin Sykes and Colonel Mario Bonetti reporting as ordered, Admiral,” Erin said, snapping to attention. Mario followed suit and stood at attention, although a bit slower than Erin had done.
“At ease,” John said. “Sit, the both of you. We have a couple situations that need to be worked out.”
“Situations?” Erin asked.
“Yes, Commander. First of all, do you have the security plans drawn up for the peace conference?”
“Yes, Admiral.”
Erin passed over a data pad with the security plan on it. John took it and looked it over.
“It looks good. Except that there is one small problem.”
“Problem?” Erin asked, furrowing her brow.
“Yes. You’re going to have to reassign some of these duty assignments. Colonel Bonetti will not be staying on the station.”
“I won’t?” Mario asked.
“No, Colonel, you won’t.” John sighed. “You have orders directly from President Jameson, Colonel. You are being temporarily reassigned to the Creighton.”
“That’s Tom Keevan’s ship, isn’t it, Admiral?” Erin asked.
“Yes, it is. The Creighton is being sent to Brentax III. It seems the president is most anxious to have a certain package that was left on the planet returned to Star League space.”
The light that seemed to go on in Mario’s eyes told Admiral Bonetti that the young colonel was more than happy to get the change in orders.
“Why send the Creighton and not the White Knight?” Erin asked.
“I would think that it’s because the Creighton has a much more extensive battle record against Duhari class heavy cruisers, Commander,” Mario said. “It makes sense. Send the ship you know can handle the situation the best.”
“That’s right, Colonel,” John nodded. “Since the Creighton has taken out two Duhari class cruisers this week alone, that makes them the best ship to handle the mission.”
“Mario,” Erin said. “Make sure you keep an eye on Tom. Don’t let him do anything stupid, OK?”
“I promise, Commander,” Mario said. “I will do everything I can to keep Captain Keevan safe.” The colonel looked at Admiral Bonetti. “If I may be dismissed, I need to go get ready. I have some, ah, supplies I need to get from my quarters.”
“The Creighton’s docked at Bay 3. Dismissed,” John nodded.
Mario stood and hustled out of the room. John turned to Erin and smiled weakly.
“Don’t worry about the peace conference security, Admiral,” Erin said. “I have my best people on it.”
“I know you do, Commander,” John smiled. “I just have a bad feeling about it is all. Let’s go over the procedures involved anyway.”
2.11.2136
0055
Gamma Epsilon Station
Docking Bay 3
Mario huffed into the docking bay, two rucksacks in his hands. Jack Benton was in the docking bay waiting for him.
“Colonel Bonetti, Captain Keevan’s waiting for you,” Jack said. The big security chief broke into a broad smile when he saw the two rucksacks. “I see you brought some supplies with you. Good. I like to see someone who’s prepared.”
Jack led the way on board the Creighton, smiling at Mario.
“Just a couple things I thought I might need. Some, ah, extra firepower,” Mario grinned.
“I’ve heard about your extra firepower. You’re the envy of half the security chiefs in the Defense Force,” Jack winked. “myself included.”
“Well, I do have a way with weapons,” Mario snarled. “And this is personal.”
“I know. That’s why you’re going to be planning the rescue mission itself.”
“Captain Keevan trusts me that much, eh?” Mario said.
“Well, you’ve been on Brentax III. You know where Captain Bryce is likely to be. You’re the best person for the job.”
“Thanks, I think.”
Jack and Mario arrived on the Creighton’s bridge, and headed right over to Captain Keevan’s chair in the center of the bridge.
“Colonel Mario Bonetti reporting as ordered, Captain,” Mario saluted.
“At ease, Colonel. Briefing’s at 0900 hours tomorrow morning. Jack will show you to your bunk.” Captain Keevan looked Mario over. “I hope you’re as good as everyone thinks you are, Colonel. Dismissed.”
Mario nodded and slung one of the rucksacks over his shoulder. Jack led him off the bridge.
2.11.2136
0115
Gamma Epsilon Station
Guest Quarters 2335-A
Commander Erin Sykes was dead tired by the time she got to the quarters she had been assigned on the Gamma Epsilon Station. She flopped on the bed and laid back.
First K’Alan and now Tom, Erin sighed. All the people I care about are going into danger.
She stared at the ceiling for a few minutes before pulling her boots and socks off. She padded over to the food dispenser, her bare feet sinking into the deep plush carpeting.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something on the desk. Furrowing her brow, she went over and picked it up. It was a small box, about five inches to the side.
“A holocube,” she chuckled. “Now who could have sent me this?”
She placed the holocube on the floor and hit the button on the side with her foot.
“Hello, Erin,” the life size hologram of Tom Keevan said as soon as it appeared. “I’m sorry I’m not here to talk to you in person. But Admiral Bonetti was shipping us out to bring your captain back as soon as you guys arrived.
“I’m pretty nervous about this, even just recording this hologram. I’ve come to care about you a great deal.
“Inside the holocube, you’ll find a ring. I’ve scrimped and saved. Even a captain’s salary isn’t that much these days. But I hope you find the ring satisfactory.” The hologram knelt down in front of Erin. “The next time you see me, you can give me your answer to this. But what I want to ask you is will you marry me?”
2.11.2136
0322
Roid Skimmer Ganthus
“
T
HESE controls are crazy,” K’Alan sighed. “I suppose I shouldn’t complain, but nothing’s where it should be.”
“Can you fly it?” Crovax asked, his sibilant voice anxious.
“Oh, I can fly it, but I’ll need help. Crovax, can you handle the scanners?”
“Yes, I can, K’Alan,” the Cor’vat said.
“G’Kiron, I need you to work the communications and weapons arrays,” K’Alan said.
“Um, K’Alan?” G’Kiron said. “This may not be the best time to mention this, but roid skimmers aren’t armed.”
“Not armed?” K’Alan raised his eyebrow. “All right. I suppose we will just have to pray we don’t run into any trouble then. Man the communications array at any rate. I’ll need to concentrate on piloting. Crovax, make sure I know about any Brentax contacts.”
“You will know, K’Alan,” the Cor’vat assured him.
“Let’s see what this thing can do.”
K’Alan took a deep breath and pushed the control stick forward, launching the roid skimmer spaceward.
2.11.2136
0730
Gamma Epsilon Station
President Jameson’s Quarters
T
HE president of the Star League had woken early. Eager to get the peace talks underway, she hadn’t been able to sleep. She got up and padded over to her desk.
Kerrin knew something needed to be done to prevent something like this lengthy war from happening again. She wanted to be remembered for ending this war, it was true. But she wanted even more to be remembered for quick thinking and for preventing such atrocities from happening again.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a memo from Admiral Bonetti. The memo had been on her desk for some time, but she had not given it more than a cursory glance before now. She picked it up and read it over thoroughly, smiling to herself.
2.11.2136
0855
SLS Creighton
Main Briefing Room
M
ARIO was standing at the viewscreen looking over a street map of Brentacchia when Tom Keevan walked in, leading the rest of the senior staff.
“That’s Brentacchia, Colonel?” the captain asked.
“Yes,” Mario nodded. “Although this map’s not the best, it’ll be good enough to plan our assault.”
“You have a plan in mind then, Colonel?” Jack asked.
“Yes,” Mario smiled. “I’m planning a full out frontal assault. I brought some extra supplies that I think we might need.”
Mario took the two rucksacks he brought on board with him and began to empty them on the conference room table. Weapons and equipment of all kinds were soon piled on the table.
“Some extra supplies my arse,” Tom chuckled. “You brought an arsenal.”
“You get me to Brentax III and give me five good men, and I’ll get the captain out, Captain,” Mario smiled. “I promise you that.”
“Good,” Tom said. “Jack, pick four more men to go with yourself and Colonel Bonetti. Colonel, you are in command of the ground mission.”
“Understood,” Jack and Mario said in unison.
“Captain, we’re nearing the jump gate,” a bridge officer called over the captain’s wristlink.
“Good. As soon as we get to the jump gate, engage jump engines.”
“Acknowledged.”
2.11.2136
1106
Roid Skimmer Ganthus
“SO do you have a plan?” Crovax asked for what felt like the hundredth time. K’Alan thought the Cor’vat was even more impatient to leave Brentax space than K’Alan was.
“Yes,” K’Alan said. “We’re going to hide and hope someone comes to get us.”
“Good plan,” Crovax grunted. “I--” The Cor’vat stopped and looked at the scanners. “K’Alan, we’ve got trouble.”
“What?”
“Three Duhari class cruisers are headed our way,” Crovax reported.
“Great,” K’Alan grumbled. “All right. There’s not much we can do about that. Find me a good asteroid to land on.”
“Working on it,” Crovax said. After a few minutes, the Cor’vat said, “I have one. You should have the coordinates on your console now.”
“I got them. G’Kiron, can that communications array send a low frequency coded transmission?” K’Alan asked.
“Yes, but it would have to be very short. No more than one or two words,” G’Kiron nodded. “You’d have to be very specific with the message, K’Alan.”
“Leave the text of the message to me,” K’Alan said. “You just be ready to send that message at a moment’s notice.”
“I will be.”
K’Alan guided the small craft to a surprisingly gentle landing on the surface of the asteroid.
“All right,” K’Alan said. “I’m going to cut power except for life support and minimal scanners. We’ll be harder to see that way.”
The other two nodded and K’Alan flipped the switch, cutting the power. The lights dropped to almost nothing. Crovax monitored the scanners, and all three held their collective breaths as if that would help the Brentax from finding them.
“They’re heading this way, K’Alan. Slowly, but they are,” Crovax reported. “They’re checking each and every asteroid in the belt.”