Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (10 page)

“Sound General Quarters,” ordered Captain Pierce.

“General Quarters, General Quarters! All hands man your battle stations. This is not a drill,” Hurley barked over the comm system. A shrill klaxon followed and all sections of the ship were bathed in a ghostly red glow.

“Helm, ping the jump gate,” said Pierce.

“Pinging jump gate.”

On the viewscreen the space directly in front of the Vanguard shimmered and shifted into a large, circular translucent field.

“There may be hostiles on the other side,” said Hurley.

“Agreed. Let’s take a peek and find out who’s waiting for us. Tactical, dispatch a surveillance drone through the gate,” said Pierce.

“Dispatching surveillance drone,” said Ensign Michael, the tactical officer.

From underneath the bow of the Vanguard, a tiny craft appeared and sped toward the shimmering celestial sea, eventually disappearing. The surveillance drone’s speed, small size, and stealth technology allowed it to cross through a jump gate undetected, gather intel on the other side, and cross back unnoticed. While its stealth capabilities could disguise it for a short time, it would be found out if it lingered long enough.

The drone reappeared, immediately broadcasting video and sensor data back to the Vanguard.

“Surveillance drone data is showing all clear,” said Commander Hurley.

“Very well, dispatch a communication drone back to Space Force Command with a full report. Include the probe video, our analysis, and the surveillance data from the other side of the gate. Let them know that we will be crossing the gate into what we assume to be Kemmar space.”

“Yes, Sir,” said the communications officer. “Loading drone with required data.”

Is Space Force still in control of the Sol System?
wondered Pierce.
If not, the Juttari will intercept the drone
. He shrugged.
If the Juttari have taken Sol, we’re all fucked anyway.

“Data successfully loaded onto communication drone, Sir.”

“Launch drone,” ordered Pierce. “Program immediate jump initiation.”

“Communication drone is away. Initiating jump system in three, two one.”

On the viewscreen the drone moved steadily away from the Vanguard, and simply vanished as its jump system activated. The smaller craft didn’t have the same range, but it would cover substantial ground, and reach the Sol System in a few days.

“Helm, take us through the jump gate,” ordered Pierce.

The Vanguard’s powerful engines fired, pushing the battleship steadily forward. As its nose entered the gate, a blueish white halo enveloped the giant vessel, drawing it into the gate’s mouth and swallowing the entire ship.

“Report,” said Pierce, as the Vanguard emerged on the other side. “Where are we?”

“Initial analysis shows us to be nine hundred light years from our previous location. Eleven hundred and fifty light years from the Sol System,” said Ensign Balian, the navigation officer.

“How far away is the nearest star system?”

“Three point two light years.”

Pierce looked over at Hurley. “What do you think, Commander? Should we make a house call?”

“Might as well see if anybody’s home, Sir,” said Hurley.

“Jump system status?”

“Seventy-five percent.”

“Very well, Ensign Balian, plot a jump just inside that star system.”

“Coordinates plotted, Sir.”

“Maintain General Quarters. Tactical, I want weapons ready. Let’s assume the natives are hostile.”

“All weapons ready, Sir.”

“Initiate.”

The stars on the viewscreen blinked and reoriented, with a yellow star and several planets now appearing.

“Combat! Tactical scans reporting multiple high yield weapon discharges.”

“Evasive maneuvers. Prepare to return fire.”

“Correction. Weapons are not targeting the Vanguard. Repeat, we are not the target.”

“Ensign, what the hell is going on?” said Hurley, his tone threatening.

“I’m sorry, Sir. It’s the Juttari. They’re fighting the Kemmar.”

“On viewscreen,” ordered Pierce.

The display zoomed in on a section of space near the third planet. There, the four Juttari warships were fighting a battle against a squadron of Kemmar ships. As in the previous encounter, the Juttari battleship stood its ground while the cruisers employed jump tactics to frustrate and swarm the Kemmar.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend
, thought Pierce. “Load missile tubes and ready coil guns. Ensign Balian, jump us directly above the Juttari battleship, vertical orientation with our bow pointed down at the battleship.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Tactical, once we appear I want you to activate our point defense shield and fire missiles and coil guns at the battleship. I want that ship broken in two.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“What about the Kemmar?” said Hurley.

“Hopefully they’ll appreciate the help. We might be able to turn them into friend.”

“They don’t seem like the friendly type, Sir.”

“Maybe they’re just misunderstood?” said Pierce, a half grin forming on his lips.

Pierce suddenly became aware of the Diakan, Major Ilthos, watching him from the other side of the bridge.
Don’t get in my way you green bastard,
he thought. Thankfully, Ilthos didn’t look like he was going to object.

“Initiate,” ordered Pierce, and the Vanguard vanished. She reappeared exactly where Pierce hoped, and the screen filled with the top side of the Juttari battleship. The viewscreen lit up as a salvo of missiles shot forth toward the alien ship, just as the Vanguard’s massive coil guns opened fire.

The Juttari point defense shield already protected the battleship, destroying many of the Vanguard’s missiles. The point defense shield was no match for the velocity and mass of the projectiles fired by the coil guns, however, and they crashed into the battleship with devastating results.

“Direct hits. Reading multiple hull breaches. Battleship is returning fire.”

That’s it. Let’s slug it out and see who’s left standing
. “Reload coil guns. Continue firing missiles,” said Pierce.

Suddenly, the Juttari cruisers engaged with the Kemmar jumped away, landing all around the Vanguard. The ship shuddered as Juttari ordnance slammed into it from all sides, the point defense shield no match against a simultaneous attack from four warships.

“Deploy countermeasures. Keep your fire focused on that battleship.”

Concussions reverberated throughout the ship as the Vanguard began taking heavy fire.
You’ll have to do better than that
, thought Pierce. On the viewscreen the Juttari battleship was venting oxygen, and bodies spewed from the numerous ruptures in its hull.
Don’t worry, it’ll be all over very soon
.

“Coil guns loaded,” announced Ensign Michael.

“Fire,” said Pierce.

Projectiles the size of a small vehicle surged forth, devastating the alien battleship, yet somehow it held on. Sensing its destruction, the Kemmar turned their weapons solely on the battleship. “Reload coil guns,” said Pierce.
One more round should do it.
Pierce almost licked his lips in anticipation of its destruction. He watched the crippled warship like a starving man eying a steak on a grill.
I’ll teach you to attack the Sol System
.

“Coil guns loaded.”

“Fire,” ordered Pierce, a savage grin forming on his lips.

The powerful guns fired, the projectiles erupted forward, and the battleship vanished.

Pierce slammed a fist into his command console as the projectiles sailed through empty space. Gaining his composure, he realized the Juttari cruisers were still firing on his ship. “Target cruisers. Fire at will. Reload coil guns.” But as the coil guns came online all three cruisers vanished as well.

“Juttari ships are no longer in this system, Sir.”

Pierce exhaled sharply. “Very well. Hail the Kemmar.”

“Sir, the Kemmar are locking weapons on us.”

“Stand down. Do not lock weapons on those ships.”

“Kemmar are responding to our hail.”

“Send to my console.”

A vicious looking face appeared on Pierce’s display, all teeth and orange fur.
Damn, they’re almost as ugly as the Juttari.

“I am Lord Tark, of the Kemmar Empire. Why do you side with us against your own kind?” said the Kemmar. The information gleaned from the Kemmar probe had already given the Vanguard computer enough to understand and translate the Kemmar language.

“My own kind? The Juttari are our enemies. We fight against a common foe.”

“Your kind has attacked our ships multiple times. Each time using your vanishing ships.”

He’s talking about the Hermes. How much havoc has Captain Pike wreaked in this region of space? “Lord Tark, forgive me, but I have no knowledge of these attacks. Our quarrel is not with the Kemmar Empire, but with the four ships you fought against. They are a race known as the Juttari. They are our enemies, not the Kemmar.”

“Yet you trespass in Kemmar space.”

“I assure you, Lord Tark, we mean no offense. We are here because we have been pursuing our enemies. Now your enemies. Perhaps we can work together toward a common goal?”

“We are the Kemmar Empire. We do not require your assistance. We will hunt down these Juttari ourselves, and slaughter every one of them.”

“I’m sure you will, but the fact is that they have ‘vanishing’ ships, and you don’t. But we do.”

Tark looked away, speaking to someone off screen. “Stand by,” said Tark, terminating the communication.

“Well done, Captain,” said Major Ilthos, the Diakan.

A compliment. Imagine that
. “Thank you, Major.”

“A strategic alliance with these Kemmar could prove very useful. They may even be worthy of Galactic Accord membership.”

“Wait, slow down there. I’m just trying to get some information here. They might know what happened to the Hermes.”

“It sounds like the Hermes is still fighting them,” said Hurley. “Did you hear what he said about the vanishing ship attacking their ships. That must be the Hermes.”

“Yes, Commander, I heard,” said Ilthos. “While it is very important that we find the Hermes, we must also keep the larger strategic situation in mind.”

“And what might that be?” said Pierce, though he knew what the Diakan was going to say.

“The Juttari have the jump system technology. Their attack on the Sol System will spark another galactic war. The four Juttari ships we have fought against have surely sent communications back to Juttari command. It is only a matter of time until the Juttari send their larger battle groups into this region. The Kemmar Empire looks powerful, but they cannot withstand the Juttari on their own. Especially not without jump technology.”

“Wait, you want to give these Kemmar the jump system?”

“No. But if they are members of the Galactic Accord, we can help them defend their territory against the Juttari. Their territory can block any Juttari advance. We can deny the Juttari the use of the new jump gate. If the Kemmar do not join the Accord, this region falls to the Juttari. They would have control of the jump gate, and deny us access to this region of space. A strategic disaster.”

Pierce hated to admit it, but the Diakan was right. The stakes were far greater than any one ship. Greater than the Hermes and the Vanguard put together. The galaxy would soon be embroiled in war. Again.

Pierce’s console came to life, and the hideous face of Lord Tark appeared again. “The Kemmar Empire is willing to discuss your proposal.”

“She’s a beauty,” said Jon, staring out the shuttle’s window at the massive carrier sitting in space dock. It had taken some time to get past all the bureaucracy. The repairs, and the recruiting aspects had been difficult, but looking out at the carrier now, Jon knew it would be worth it.

“You’ll need to rename her,” said Kevin, seated beside him.

Jon gave it some thought. He hadn’t considered renaming the two ships Sallas had given them, but it made sense. They were creating a new fleet, and they had renamed the Chaanisar ship. Why not these?

“Freedom. That’s her new name.”

“Perfect,” said Kevin.

It is perfect
, thought Jon. The Freedom would be his flagship. As big as any battleship, she was well armed and came with a contingent of one hundred and fifty fighters, and a squadron of bombers. Once fitted with a jump system, she would be a terrifying adversary. Between the Freedom, the Ronin, and the new destroyer, they would be a formidable force. A fleet of jump ships. Vanishing ships. A ghost fleet.

“Chief, there’s something I’ve been meaning to speak to you about,” Jon said to Kevin. “I still need someone to command the new destroyer. I want to offer you that command.”

Kevin smiled. “Thank you, Sir. That is very generous of you, but I have to respectfully decline.”

“Decline? What the hell are you talking about? I’m giving you your very own starship. Who turns something like that down?”

“Apparently I do. With all due respect, Sir, my place will be right there, on board the Freedom. Make me the Freedom’s Security Chief, give me my Marines, and I’ll be happy.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. You are not going to be the Security Chief of the Freedom.”

“Captain, I’m really not your best choice to command the destroyer.”

“You’re probably right, but you’re a natural leader. Which is why I’m going to make you the Freedom’s XO instead.”

“The Freedom’s XO? Me? Captain, I’m sure there are much better choices out there.”

“Nonsense. My mind’s made up. I need someone I can trust by my side, and that someone is you. It also means that I am promoting you to the rank of Commander, effective immediately.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“What are you thanking me for? If you took the destroyer I would’ve made you a Captain.”

Kevin laughed. “I’ll strive to make better choices as your XO.”

“You better. Now who do you recommend for the role of Security Chief?”

“Sergeant Henderson, Sir. Without a doubt.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Good. Then your first job as XO is to arrange for our new Security Chief and the rest of the Marines to come over to the Freedom.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Kevin.

“If you’re not going to take command of the destroyer, I’m going to give it to Jonas.”

“A good choice. A Reiver ship makes political sense, and they’re damn good fighters.”

“They are that. It makes sense to give them their own ship. They can do things their own way and still be part of the fleet. They couldn’t have been very comfortable on board the Ronin.”

“Who was?”

Jon chuckled. “Things were a little claustrophobic.”

“Does that mean Breeah goes to the destroyer too?”

“I haven’t talked to her about it yet. Of course I want her and Anki with me on the Freedom, but I can understand if she wants to stay with her people. I won’t stand in her way if that’s what she wants.”

Kevin nodded. “Lots of changes. Have you given any thought to your rank?”

“What about my rank?”

“You can’t command the fleet and remain a Captain, Sir.”

“I hadn’t considered that, but you’re right. We can’t have confusion in the chain of command. Especially with all the new recruits.”

“You’re going to have to make yourself an Admiral.”

“Shit.” Jon thought of some of the Admirals back at Space Force and his stomach turned. They were all yes men, doing whatever the Diakans told them to do. He had followed their orders, but never respected them.
At least this isn’t Space Force,
he thought.
Nobody’s going to be pulling my chain.
“Admiral huh? That’s going to take some getting used to.”

“I bet.”

“You’ll also need to make arrangements for the rest of the Hermes crew to come over to the Freedom.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“It’s not going to be easy. Many of the carrier’s existing crew volunteered to join the fleet, and there are many more who have come over from other ships, so there will be some duplication of roles. You’re probably going to ruffle some feathers.”

“I’ll sort it out, Sir.”

“I know you will.” General Calledonius had taken it upon himself to transfer the volunteers to the Freedom. Some wouldn’t be a problem. They needed pilots for the fighters, and the Hermes didn’t have any. They had to recruit their pilots from New Byzantium’s military.

“Damn, look at the size of that thing,” said Kevin, gazing out the window at the Freedom. “It might even be bigger than a Space Force carrier.”

“You might be right. She is quite the ship.”

“I can’t believe General Calledonius gave us a carrier.”

“The Prime Minister can be persuasive. It doesn’t surprise me, though. They want the jump system, and this is the only way they’re going to get it.”

“I still can’t get over how huge that ship is. You sure you don’t want to pick someone else for XO?”

“I’m sure.” Jon shrugged. “Don’t worry. It’s all about delegating. You know that.”

“I know, but shit, I’m going to get lost in that thing.”

Jon chuckled. “So am I.”

The shuttle slowed as it approached the Freedom’s hangar bay. Landing thrusters fired as the pilot eased the craft through the opening and toward its designated landing pad. Once on the pad, the engines powered down and the shuttle’s hatch opened. Jon and Kevin stepped out of the shuttle into the cavernous hangar bay.

The neat rows of fighters assembled on the flight deck were the first things to catch Jon’s eye. Intimidating and sleek, each fighter was painted jet black, possessing its own energy weapons and rail guns. They carried missiles, which could potentially have nuclear payloads. But their real strength was their speed and agility.

“Captain Pike?” said a dark haired man who looked to be in his mid-thirties, pulling Jon’s attention away from the fighters.

“Yes,” said Jon.

“I’m Major Vogel. I’m the military liaison.”

Jon felt the creature stir. Whoever this Major Vogel was, his symbiont didn’t like him. “I don’t know anything about any military liaison,” said Jon.

“It was a last minute decision, Sir. General Calledonius thought it would be a good idea to have a liaison between the New Byzantium military, and your new fleet.”

Jon gave Kevin a knowing glance. “I see,” said Jon. “Well then, I should introduce my XO, Commander St. Clair. I have a feeling you two will become well acquainted.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Commander,” said Vogel, offering his hand.

“Likewise,” said Kevin, enveloping Vogel’s hand in his own.

“Would you like me to show you around, Captain?”

“That’s alright. I’m sure we can manage. If you’ll just point me to Engineering, that would be great.”

“Of course, right this way.”

Vogel led Jon and Kevin to a wall console and brought up an internal map of the ship. “This is the fastest way to Engineering,” said Vogel, tracing a route with his finger.

“Thank you, Major. I think we can manage from here.”

“Of course, Captain.”

Leaving Vogel, they headed for the hangar bay exit. Once safely out of earshot Kevin said, “What do you think of the Major.”

“He’s a rat if I ever saw one,” said Jon. “Looks like General Calledonius wants to keep an eye on us.”

“Are you going to get rid of him?”

“No. We’ll appease the old man for a bit.”

When the two men exited the hangar bay, Jon accessed the first computer access point he saw. “AI, please take control of the Freedom’s computer systems.”

“Yes, Captain,” said the AI from Jon’s comm. “Override authentication required. Would you like me to bypass?”

“No need, send authorization request to this console. Full network access and administrator privileges.”

“Yes, Captain.” The console screen presented Jon with a series of permission change requests, which Jon authorized, giving the AI full run of the Freedom’s systems.

“I want you to lock down the ship’s systems. Plug any security holes and make sure nobody has installed any back doors.”

“Of course, Captain. Is there anything else?”

“Yes. Restrict Major Vogel’s computer access to security level one.”

“Security permissions have been modified. Would you like me to monitor his activities while aboard the ship?”

“Yes, but nothing intrusive. Just follow normal ship security procedures.”

“Understood,” said AI.

“Speaking of monitoring behavior, how is Mr. Singh doing?”

“Chief Engineer Singh has made substantial progress with the installation of the new jump system,” said AI. “I have not identified any vandalism or destructive action.”

“Good.” Jon turned back to Kevin. “Let’s go see how our new jump system is coming along.”