Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (21 page)

“Yes, Sir,” said Petrovic.

“In the meantime, rearm the bombers with Scorpion torpedoes, and have them ready to jump in again.”

“Bombers are returning to hangar bay to be rearmed.”

“I imagine it will be a while until they feel safe enough to move again. Let’s do what we can to reinforce the ship’s armor where it’s been weakened.”

“Crews have already been dispatched, Sir,” said Kevin.

Jon allowed himself a smile. Kevin had really adapted to his role as XO. Jon never doubted that he could do it, but it was still good to see.

His thoughts returned to the symbiont. What was the damn thing talking about? Was he being arrogant? Was he foolishly putting everyone’s life at risk? Would they suffer the same fate as the Hermes? The thought troubled him, but this wasn’t the Hermes. They were seven ships, not one, all with jump systems. Everything was different. Their mission was dangerous, but he had no doubt that they would succeed.

Foolish
, said the symbiont.

I wish I could put a damn muzzle on you,
Jon replied.

The repairs continued for some hours, and the comm drone had not returned. A general feeling of restlessness seemed to permeate the fleet.

“The comm drone didn’t take this long the first time, Sir,” said Kevin.

“I know, but they hadn’t lost nine ships the first time. They may have decided to stand their ground and wait us out,” said Jon. “Which is fine by me. Waiting suits us better than them.”

Restlessness turned into impatience as the hours passed.

“They might have spotted the drone, or it could’ve malfunctioned,” said Kevin.

“Maybe. Let’s find out,” said Jon. “Ensign Petrovic, deploy another comm drone. Jump it to the same location as the previous drone, take scans, and jump back.”

“Yes, Sir. Deploying drone,” said Petrovic.

The Freedom launched a second comm drone which immediately jumped away. Moments later it reappeared.

“Drone has returned,” said Petrovic. “Receiving data stream.”

“Send tactical information to my console,” said Jon.

“Forwarding data.”

Jon’s display transitioned to show the tactical data the drone had captured. “There’s the fleet,” Jon said to Kevin, pointing at the red icons on his screen.

Kevin stepped over to Jon’s console. “Where are the fighters?” said Kevin.

“I don’t know. Looks like they’ve returned to their carriers. Speaking of carriers, look here. That carrier is still unprotected.”

“Why would they leave it unguarded? Are they trying to bait us?” said Kevin.

Jon chuckled. “I think you’re right. They want us to attack again.”

“They must have some surprises waiting for us. Do they think we’re that stupid?” said Kevin.

“They figure an isolated carrier is too tempting to pass up. And they’d be right.”

Kevin looked up at Jon, surprised. “Sir?”

“Think about it. They’re leaving that carrier exposed, waiting for us to take the bait. What does that tell you?”

“Uh, that we shouldn’t take the bait?”

Jon smiled. “It tells us that whatever they have planned is focused on that carrier, which gives us a great opportunity.”

“We attack elsewhere,” said Kevin, realization sweeping across his face.

“That’s right,” said Jon, slapping Kevin on the shoulder. “We’re going to attack here instead.” Jon pointed to the right flank and circled the strike group positioned there. He then tapped the screen and sent the image to the other ships. When the commanders acknowledged that they understood the orders and were jump ready, Jon said, “Initiate jump.”

Major Karlin Vogel strode through Engineering with purpose and urgency. After a lifetime as an officer in the military, he knew how to exude confidence and leadership, and it went a long way toward making people believe that he belonged. It turned out that these were valuable skills in the world of intelligence, not to mention counterintelligence. As he walked by, busy engineers didn’t give him a second look, if they even noticed him. They continued with their duties, which would be many on a ship of this size.

All had gone well thus far. He had memorized the ship’s schematics and followed the layout of engineering he had burned into his memory. He had taken off his comm, positive that it tracked his movements, and couldn’t risk consulting a computer for directions. Memory would be his only guide, and that would be enough. Up ahead the room was divided with a corridor leading to another section. The section he needed to reach. He picked up his pace and entered the corridor. As he walked through he looked out the other end and his heart rate increased slightly. A Marine sentry stood off to the side, just past the exit of the corridor. The man was armed, but thankfully he was not wearing any body armor. Either way, the Marine was confirmation that Vogel headed in the right direction.

Vogel emerged from the corridor and covertly glanced around to ensure there were no curious eyes, and that no one else stood nearby. Satisfied, he approached the man. He remained casual, yet still maintaining his air of authority, which wasn’t difficult. He was a major, after all. At least on New Byzantium. If this man was originally from the New Byzantium military, his conditioning should kick in out of reflex, and he would fall into line. If he happened to be one of the Earth Marines, then things would become difficult.

“Corporal, where is Chief Engineer Singh?” said Vogel.

The Marine eyed Vogel warily. “You’re not allowed to be in here, Sir,” said the man, with a hint of menace in his tone.

“What’s your name, Corporal?” Vogel barked, still pushing the commanding officer attitude, while approaching the Marine. The man was roughly the same size as Vogel, but younger. He had a no nonsense look about him that told Vogel he wasn’t going to fall for the act. Vogel closed the gap between them quickly and without any hint of ill intent.

“Sir, you need to turn around, and walk out of here right now, or-” Vogel hit the man with a spear hand strike to the throat, severing his windpipe with the piercing blow. The young Marine fell backward into the wall, clutching his neck, eyes wide, then collapsed to the floor. As the man fell, Vogel followed up with a devastating kick to the trachea. If the man could still speak, this second strike would prevent him from calling out for help. The young man’s body recoiled from the force of the blow, sending him onto his back. Vogel stayed with him. He stomped his foot on the man’s neck and pushed down, applying crushing pressure. The man writhed, and clawed at Vogel’s boot, but he was at too much of a disadvantage to change the outcome. Finally, the Marine stopped struggling.

“Sorry, son,” said Vogel, removing his foot from the dead man’s throat. “Nothing personal.” Vogel grabbed the man by his armpits, and pulled him behind some nearby crates. He relieved the Marine of his sidearm, and looked around for witnesses. There were none. Satisfied that the Marine was out of sight, Vogel walked out from behind the crates and continued on his quest.

The carrier’s engineering section must have been three times the size of the engineering sections on other ships. He hoped his intel was correct, or he’d be wandering around for a while. He knew that sooner or later the Marine’s body would be found, and he needed to be long gone before that.

The floor shuddered as he walked. The Freedom was taking fire. They had engaged the corporate fleet again. He had to act fast. Vogel crossed the room, passing the ship’s monolithic FTL reactors. People rushed around, even more focused on their duties now that they were again in the midst of a battle. No one gave him a second look. It was like he was invisible. Vogel pressed on. According to the layout he had memorized, the ship’s jump system should be straight ahead. From what he understood, it had to tie into the ship’s FTL reactors, so it needed to be relatively close to them. Vogel rounded the final reactor and saw what he came for. The jump system. And standing in front of it was Chief Engineer Singh.

Sing must have heard him approach because he turned around and looked right at Vogel. “Major Vogel? You shouldn’t be in here. Are you lost?”

“Chief Engineer Singh,” said Vogel with a smile. “I need to speak with you.”

“Really? What’s this about?”

Vogel looked at the equipment Singh worked on. “Say, is that the jump system?”

Singh frowned. “Yes, Major. This is the jump system. Now what do you need to speak with me about. I’m very busy right now.”

“You know, it’s hard to believe that something so small and unassuming would be capable of such miraculous feats. I mean, compared to the FTL reactors the jump system is tiny.”

“Yes, Major, and highly classified. Now we just jumped back into battle, so you need to make this quick.”

“Yes,” said Vogel, still looking at the jump system. “I suppose you’re right.” Vogel pulled out the Marine’s sidearm and fired, sending a blue energy bolt crashing into Singh’s chest. Singh flew up, off his feet and tumbled backward. Vogel turned his attention back to the jump system. He reached into a pocket and produced a small explosive device, which he stuck onto the jump system’s side. When the device detonated, it would create a small, very focused blast. Enough to destroy the jump system, but nothing else. After all, the last thing he wanted was to cause a reactor breach while he was still on board. Vogel set the timer, and hurried away before he was discovered.

“Bomber squadron has jumped away,” said Ensign Petrovic from the tactical station. “All torpedoes have hit their targets. Three frigates have been destroyed. Reading heavy damage on remaining ships, including multiple hull breaches.”

“Target those breaches,” said Jon. “Launch missiles. Rail guns in defensive mode. All other guns fire at will.”

The viewscreen lit up with blue energy bolts, streaking missiles, and explosions, as all ships opened fire on the enemy.

“Enemy carriers are launching fighters and bombers. Multiple warships have broken formation and have adopted attack vectors.”

The Freedom began to shake more violently, as the rate of enemy fire increased. Several blinding white lights flashed across the viewscreen as the injured corporate warships blew apart.

Just a little more
, thought Jon. There was no break in the pounding now, as several ships and fighters were in weapon range. Several crewmembers stumbled, while others held on to their consoles for stability. On Jon’s tactical screen, it looked like his ships were about to be swallowed by a great mouth. Red icons rapidly encircled his ship’s blue icons, and soon they’d be completely enveloped.
We’ll be gone before that happens
, thought Jon.

Another blazing white explosion as the last escort ship blew apart, signaling the time had come to escape. “Initiate jump,” ordered Jon.

“Initiating,” said Richards, at the helm.

The steaming wreckage on the viewscreen remained. The Freedom continued to shake violently. The red icons still swarmed the lesser blue icons.

“Sir, the jump system is not responding,” said Richards.

Foolish
, the symbiont taunted.

Jon opened a comm with Singh, “Mr. Singh, what the hell is going on down there? Mr. Singh? Chief? AI, locate Chief Engineer Singh.”

“Chief Engineer Singh is in Engineering, but his life signs are very weak.”

“Medical emergency in Engineering,” said Kevin upon hearing AI’s response.

“Sir, this is Lieutenant Cheng in Engineering,” came a voice over Jon’s comm.

“Go ahead Lieutenant.”

“Sir, the jump system has been destroyed, and Chief Engineer Singh has been shot.”

“Intruder alert,” said Kevin over his comm. “Security team to Engineering.”

Jon tapped his console and the other commanders appeared.

“Why haven’t we jumped?” said Jonas. “My ship can’t take much more of this.”

“The Freedom’s jump system has been sabotaged. You all need to jump to safety individually.”

“What about the Freedom?” said Jonas. “We’re not leaving you here alone.”

“I’m touched that you care for our safety, but you have to jump, Jonas.”

“The hell with your safety, my daughter and granddaughter are on board your ship. If the Freedom is staying, then so is the Reiver.”

“The Ronin will not abandon the Freedom either,” said Colonel Bast. “We stay as well.”

“Goddamnit, you’ll all be slaughtered. You have to jump away.”

“I have an idea, Admiral,” said Bast. “Colonel Steeg, if you can get close to the Freedom, your battleship should be big enough for your jump system to take the Freedom with you when you jump.”

“Will that work?” said Steeg.

“Yes, we’ve done it before, but the other ship cannot be larger. It is close, but I believe your ship surpasses the Freedom in size.”

“Understood,” said Steeg. “Stand by. Initiating maneuver.”

“Admiral, we need to remain and provide covering fire, or you will both be destroyed,” said Colonel Bast.

He’s right. Damnit
. “Very well, link your jump system’s to the battleship’s so we can all jump together. If there are any problems, you break the link and escape. Is that understood?”

“Understood,” said Bast, and the others.

“Hull breach on level twelve,” said Kevin. “Compensating with containment field.”

The red icons had completely surrounded the blue icons now. On the Freedom the sound of battle became deafening, as weapon fire and missiles pounded it from all directions. The battleship’s blue icon was almost on top of the Freedom’s icon, and Jon looked up to see the hulking vessel fill the viewscreen. A bright white light flashed just behind it.

“We just lost one of the Chaanisar Heavy Cruisers,” announced Petrovic.

Jon looked down at his tactical screen and saw that one of the blue icons was gone. Colonel Lacroix’s ship.
Damnit
.

Arrogant
, said the symbiont.

For once, he agreed with the symbiont. He had let himself become overconfident, and they had lost a ship as a result. Chaanisar who had barely gotten a taste of freedom, before having their lives snuffed out. Never again. Someone was going to pay dearly for this treachery.

Suddenly, the red icons disappeared, and there were no more tremors, or sounds of battle. The maneuver worked. The battleship had jumped the Freedom to safety. Jon stared at the six blue icons on the tactical screen, thinking how he hadn’t even stepped foot on the destroyed Chaanisar cruiser.

“Sir, there was an unauthorized shuttle launch just before we jumped,” said Petrovic.

“What?” said Jon, the statement snapping him back to reality.

“But it looks like they didn’t clear the battleship’s jump field. The shuttle jumped with us.”

The traitor,
thought Jon. “Retrieve that shuttle immediately,” he ordered, the anger now rising up inside him.

“Yes, Sir,” said Petrovic.

“Who is piloting that shuttle, Ensign?”

“It is Major Vogel.”