Galactic Freighter: Scourge of the Deep Space Pirates (Contact) (35 page)

Katakan's army quickly learned they were superior to the Pagmok in house-to-house fighting. Pagmok warriors preferred an open battlefield where their tactic of a frontal assault usually discouraged the enemy. Not here. Tenkiller's soldiers, while not winning, were not losing.

The space battle was quite a different matter. Both Katakan light cruisers had withdrawn no longer combat effective.

"What do we know about these Pagmok and Kalazecis?" Buck asked. Since told the Pagmok were the fighters on the ground, intelligence had tried to get any information possible. So far, they had what Ricknei and Tenkiller had supplied.

Buck blew a slow breath and punched the blinking icon.

"Sir, I finally got some information," the comm said. "Found it buried in the archives. Really old files."

Buck and the bridge crew listened to a long recitation including that these two races were responsible for destroying New Earth years earlier.

"Kalazecis are the control, Pagmok do the fighting," Buck said pensively. "They’re meat eaters, and fierce warriors." Learning it was the Kalazecis and Pagmok who killed Maria Presk and destroyed their home world, touched a long buried memory. He studied a spot on the deck for minutes; Danko Ravits motioned everyone quiet.

"Admiral, can you identify the Kalazecis leaders on the ground and target them?" Buck asked triggering the comm.

"Targeting isn't a problem if we can find them," Dennis said. "Give me a minute, Minister." Admiral Dennis often used lord or minister interchangeably when addressing Buck.

Buck suspected he was interrogating, no consulting, with his new computer.

After a few minutes, Dennis was back on the comm.

Buck sat upright in his chair as the comm said, "The Kalazecis lead from the rear. They stay away from the fighting."

"Admiral, I suggest you detach four ships to protect our flanks. We'll make the high-speed run, as planned, straight through Mahoney's low orbit ships and then have the flanking ships attack the rear echelons of every Pagmok force as the Marines land," Buck said. "Spare nothing."

"Lord Fryman, the fight is in the cities," Admiral Dennis expressed his concerns. "To implement your order means civilians will die."

"I understand, Admiral." Buck's voice displayed no emotion and brought looks from the bridge crew.

Recognizing the apprehension, Buck said, "If the Marines attack the Pagmok in an open area, that cedes the advantage to the enemy and most likely would result in the Marines defeat. Then the civilians would pay an even higher price."

That put an end to the discussion and Admiral Dennis dispatched four ships as ordered. The balance of his fleet would make the run through the enemy.

Buck would deal with the Kalazecis ships on the other side of the planet as they became a factor.

"You think that without their leaders, the Pagmok attack will stall, is that it?" Dennis asked.

"Something like that," Buck said. "I suspect they won't quit fighting, that doesn't seem in their nature, but lacking coordination their attack will become so haphazard that our forces should be able to disrupt their assault. How many Marines do we have aboard this flotilla?"

"Average fifty aboard each ship, so that means one thousand," Dennis responded.

The Admiral issued orders for the troops to join the fight after the high-speed run through the enemy. That meant some ships would have to protect the landing at Government House.

"Get Captain Tenkiller's groups functioning: then they can join up with the army," Buck said. "Our Marines should be able to show the Pagmok a thing or two. Our attack on Mahoney's ships will keep them from supporting the Pagmok."

The enemy fleet vastly overpowered the Ionian's in mass but not firepower. Mahoney had moved his heavy cruisers to high orbit for cover. The five converted ships pursued the two Katakan light cruisers.

"I see what Mahoney had in mind," Buck said. The ships Mahoney had in support of the Pagmok ground attack would take the brunt of the attack. Splitting what ships the enemy had on this side of the planet worked in Buck's favor. On the surface, fighting had become house-to-house with suppressing fire from the Ionian ships on low orbit. Targets were difficult to identify but those that came under Ionian fire died. Mahoney wasn't to be underestimated but the man had made a major tactical error splitting his fleet. Outnumbered, the Ionian ships still had their speed, maneuverability, and superior weapons.

Buck took his seat on the bridge and answered the comm.

"Lord Fryman, the Cochise will lead. I suggest the Molly Celeste form up behind destroyers."

The admiral's decision made sense as the Ionian ships greater firepower would make the difference. Buck ordered the helm to do as the Admiral said.

"Military speed," Admiral Dennis ordered.

The Ionian fleet sped toward the daylight side of Katakan and Mahoney's fleet.

"All weapons, continuous fire, pick your targets as they come to bear," Buck told the weapon's officer.

He watched the plot as Admiral Dennis's battleships opened fire.

The enemy hadn't anticipated the high-speed run through their formation. That was not a recommended tactic since the ships could not deploy to support each other. Totally unprepared for the frontal assault, concentrating on the ground war, they could not change their positions in time to defend themselves or escape. The Ionian fire power, a magnitude of four better than anything Mahoney had, devastated the enemy ships, killing seventeen as they swept through, made a military stop, and reversed course for a second run.

This time they sought and found targets of opportunity.

Mahoney's ships or what remained, bottled up as they were and unable to maneuver, could only die. By the end of the second run, forty enemy ships were dead and the few that remained no more than floating hulks.

It took the better part of five hours to get the Marines dirtside. Admiral Dennis detailed two ships to provide landing cover. Loaded aboard launches, the Marines headed for Government House.

Mahoney's far side ships made the daylight orbit and formed up for an attack.

Buck countered the new threat, positioning the Katakan and Seltsam ships on high orbit, effectively sandwiching the enemy against the Ionian battleships and heavy cruisers on low orbit, and met the enemy fleet attack.

The low orbit ships released torpedoes on the lead ships, clearing a path for the homing missiles from the high orbit ships.

Mahoney's converted civilian ships lacked missile-seeking weapons and had no way to protect themselves or avoid Ionia's killing power.

The combined Ionian fleet, one million kilometers above the planet, release a second fuselage of homing missiles, destroying Mahoney's trailing ships. The Ionian Navy would determine the outcome within the next few hours.

"Incoming. Mixture of missiles and torpedoes," said radar. "Impact in eight T-minutes."

"Launch anti-missile weapons." Dennis's finger traced the incoming missiles path on the plot board. Directed-energy weapons had the advantage of destroying more than one missile with their range and ordinary missiles either exploded or lost navigation and shut down, rendering them useless.

The Cochise rocked as it took a hit starboard and forward of the engines.

Buck listened as casualty and damage reports from their ships poured into the command center. So far, no ship had taken a lethal hit. Even with inferior hardware, a lucky hit could kill a smaller cruiser. One missile hit on the propulsion containment on any ship regardless of size or how well built could take out a battlewagon—possible but not likely.

"The Liberty is venting." comm's announcement drew the attention of all the bridge crew.

Dennis asked for and got a damage report. "Liberty took a direct hit on the bridge. CIC is in control."

That meant the bridge crew died in the blast.

"Captain Baseman," Buck said. "Good man. Drive it down their throats, Admiral. Let's end this now."

Dennis ordered every ship to launch torpedoes and missiles with continuous fire from the energy weapons.

Buck's eyes never left the plot board.

Highlighted dots signaled hits and then disappeared from the board. "Seventeen enemy ships destroyed," a calm voice announced. "It appears a number have broken off the fight and are running."

Over the next ten hours, a dozen enemy ships surrendered. Others chose to run. Those that did neither, died.

"Sir Fryman, do we give chase?" Admiral Dennis asked.

"Yes, even it means entering another planet's space. Destroy them. We break the rebellion here and now."

"Considering the difference in our individual ship's mass fire power I'd give four to one odds none get away. Think we can talk Mahoney into surrendering?"

"No," Buck responded. "He's beaten and knows it. He'll run before giving up.

"The ten Katakan ships are sufficient to take care of Mahoney. Time to put an end to the ground fight."

***

Captain Tenkiller greeted the landing Marines and commed General Ricknei. "What is your situation?"

Ricknei knew the Marines, outnumbered two to one, would add little against the almost four thousand Pagmok, but welcomed them. "Wait until the fleet attacks the Pagmok. I'll have a better feel for where to use them," he said referring to the Marines.

Captain Tenkiller watched his vid screen as the Ionian ships attacked the rear of every Pagmok group to kill the Kalazecis command and control.

Within an hour later, the warriors coordinated offense broke down. The chaos Buck had predicted unfolded as the enemy attacks faltered.

With the Pagmok concentrated in the city center, General Ricknei positioned the Marines into a ring surrounding the Pagmok, setting up devastating kill zones. Without leaders, the Pagmok chose to fight in the open instead of using the natural defense offered by the buildings, making them easy targets. Attack launches de-orbited from the Ionian ships adding unchallenged killing power to the exposed Pagmok.

By the end of the third day, not one Pagmok warrior remained alive. The Pagmok fought where they stood and died the same way—not one offered to surrender, not one was taken captive. The cost to the Katakan army troops was high, two thousand dead and three times that number wounded. Still, victory had been achieved.

Capital City had rid itself of Mahoney and his ill-fated war.

Chapter Thirty-Five:
Myslac

B
uck Fryman, in his cabin, paused before the computer. Hesitant, he placed his hands on the pads.

'Captain Fryman, it is good to have contact with you again. Your hesitancy in sharing with me is cause for concern. How may I help you?'

"Computer, I never did ask if you have a name or do I call you computer?"

"Computer is fine, Captain."

"Computer," Buck said, "Any conversations between us that involve my actions, as concerns making use of your talents, or anything personal, you are not to share with your counterparts or anyone. Is that understood?"

'Yes, Captain Fryman. Although you must understand I consider that a disappointment. It seems you do not trust me. Admiral Dennis has given my counterpart aboard the Cochise, control of the vessel. Would you like to give me control of the Molly Celeste?'

"No," Buck said. "I'll keep that. You may verify our astrogation computer's calculations, but that's it."

'That is not exactly an endorsement. I am many time faster and more accurate than your on-board computer.'

"Take it any way you want, just make sure you obey the order." With that, Buck withdrew his hands, stepped through the hatch, and made his way to the hanger.

One hour later, departing the aircar he walked up the palace steps as the Marine opened the door.

Inside, he joined the War and Foreign Ministers. Polins, War, seemed pleased to see him but Marcellus, former Prince presumptive, appeared less so.

The three followed the secretary into Emperor's office.

All bowed as Sebastian entered and sat behind his desk.

"Lord and Ministers please be seated. Buck, you've been a busy man. I understand Katakan is free of these beings and that you have concerns on how we should pursue this menace. Am I correct?" Sebastian, clearly pleased with the latest goings on, patted his growing belly. "Got to do something about that."

"Majesty, I waste your time," Buck said in an affable voice.

That brought a hearty laugh from Sebastian and smiles from the ministers. "Nonsense. Have you briefed these gentlemen? Minister Polins seems to think with you as Minister of Inter-World Transportation there's little need for a war ministry."

Buck didn't take that as a compliment and said, "My apologies, Minister. I could never do your job. I am a freighter, no more. If my actions have caused you problems or embarrassment, I sincerely regret that and assure you I meant no disrespect."

"Don't give it another thought," Polins said minus his usual grin. "Admiral Dennis said having you aboard and not on his payroll was strictly a plus. Besides, if we are to learn how better to apply our tactics, we should make use of our most capable minds. The maneuvers with Seltsam and Sixth fleet were instructive and appreciated."

That brought a round of agreement. The banter came to a close following a hand slap on the desk by Sebastian. "On to business gentlemen. What of these Kalazecis and Pagmok? From the information we obtained from captured ship computers, we have a number of grievances. They attacked Katakan without provocation, killed many of our subjects, and destroyed a large part of the Capital City. What do you recommend, gentlemen?"

Buck stifled a blanched look as the Emperor turned to face him instead of one of the ministers, a clear signal he wanted to hear the freighter’s thoughts. Buck wanted to deflect the question, but how? He wasn't qualified to decide if the Kalazecis deserved Iona's attention. As far as he was concerned, the question belonged to the War and Foreign Ministers. Sebastian's gesture left him little wiggle room.

Obliquely, Buck offered comments that brought the two ministers into the conversation. A lively discussion followed and Buck intentionally let the other two ministers do most of the talking. They realized a foray to Myslac was a long term commitment but if the Kalazecis were a threat to Iona's outlying worlds a
visit
could make the difference. Resupplying the fleet at that distance was never far from their minds if hostilities resulted.