Chapter 10: Prelude to a War

Chapter 10: Prelude to a War

The Tirosians and Detterex had pulled out of the fight early in the game, and were nowhere near the battle zone. Seeker's Phase-Wave sensors paced the Tirosian-Detterex fleet easily as it sped away on a curving course away from Earth. Though Commander Tomoguchi kept close track of them, he still breathed a sigh of relief as the immediate danger of the Empire was removed. He turned back to plotting the course of the retreating invaders on the map in front of him and continued tallying losses.

"Give me a damage report on all decks," he said.

"Five turrets on level three overloaded and are unusable, Seekers comm officer replied. We were hulled aft of the shuttle bay, but damage control got to it right away: all bays are usable. Shield generators at ninety-nine percent: power is currently off on deck seven, but the Chief Engineer's crew is working on it."

"Nothing major then. Never mind that now. How about our people?"

"Sickbay reports thirty-seven minor injuries, and none in serious condition. We have one casualty, thought - one of our fighters got taken out in the battle, but the others report all well. Our landing parties also report all well."

"It could have been worse. How about our other ships? How are the carriers from the Constellation and Hermes doing?" he asked.

"There are casualties there, I'm afraid, Commander. Captain Dupont has pulled his people out, but Hermes' ships can't lift off yet. Landing party says the battle's pretty fierce and they're going to have a hard time getting back to their carriers. One of them has already been blown away. They've requested fighter cover to protect the other carriers."

"Have our fighters responded, yet, Lieutenant?"

"The two squadrons from Constellation and Hermes are already on the way, sir."

"Good. Tell the Constellation and Hermes that as soon as all our people have vacated the enemy ships, to regroup on Seeker, and to start collecting damage reports."

"Aye, sir."

"Give me status on the aliens."

"The Empire fleet is retreating, Commander, and are now on a slow course away from Earth. We've taken out ninety of their fighters and damaged their mother ships. Three Tiros cruisers and one Detterex cruiser have been taken out. One tanker and three escort ships are damaged beyond use, no survivors reported. They still have nine cruisers, four escort ships and one tanker. Internal damage, we don't know, but I think we've hurt them."

"But not enough to make them go away faster."

"No, sir. The Tiros and Detterex flagships have taken substantial damage, but the others escaped almost untouched."

"All right, how about the Federation ships?"

"There are three Elyran cruisers left, and the two Dixx cruisers survived."

"The two Arachnian ships?"

"Just radioactive debris, sir, though we got some electronic activity in one of them. Our probes have detected a large sphere in the center of both wreckages. According to the readings, they're either very dense, denser than anything we have, or they're very heavily shielded."

"Let's risk a pulse and see just what we have."

"Aye, sir," the lieutenant said, and started working on her console.

"Seems like we have a live one, sir. Variable electromagnetic signals in one of the spheres, indicating electronics and machinery."

"Damn. Try to find a chink in their armor, Lieutenant, or at least a thin spot, so we can send a radio message to them."

"Aye, sir."

"Give me the chief engineer."

"Aye, sir. Chief Engineer on-line."

Tomoguchi turned to the ceiling mic. "Chief, we'll be making a ship-to-ship rescue. Can you rig four or five carriers for radiation?"

"Radiation, sir? Against how much?"

"As many R's you can shield against, Chief. We're going to rescue some aliens from one of the two Arachnian cruisers."

"Sir? Those two radioactive hulks? I cannot guarantee..."

"I realize that, Chief. Just do it."

"Aye, sir."

"Get me the Captain, lieutenant."

"Aye, sir. Captain on-line."

"Captain, this is Tomoguchi. We have detected some signals coming from a shielded area in one of the radioactive Arachnian derelicts. We think there are some survivors there. I've started rescue operations."

"Survivors? Good, Commander. Keep me posted. I won't be coming in with our other pilots. I'll be escorting some Elyran fighters back to their flagship."

"Aye, sir."

"The transmission. Ahhh, yes. We have several questions about that. Perhaps we can talk about it later?"

"Of course. Well, after we sent the transmission, we have been waiting for some sort of expedition from the Federation. We knew where the bulk of the Federation planets were, and were able to calculate the general area of space that you would be coming from, provided that you left the Federation almost immediately after the broadcast."

"The 'general area of space?'"

"Well," she smiled, "there was also a great deal of luck involved."

Just then, the lift doors dilated open. Tasha stepped out, still in her pilot's spacesuit. She went to Ren, and held his hand. She shut her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief and thanks. She turned and faced the Earthers.

Mia bowed and gestured for her people to do likewise. Tasha acknowledged them and turned to Mia.

"Welcome, Captain. You and your people fight well."

"Our thanks, My Lady."

"You know of our mission here? To your Earth?"

"We know of it, My Lady. In fact, that is also why we are here. I bring the greetings of the whole family of the Human Race, and I bring the invitation of the one who leads us all, to visit our mother world and meet with the leaders of our different kingdoms. It is her fervent wish that you accept this invitation and allow us to escort you to our world."

Tasha smiled, and bowed deeply. "In behalf of the peoples and races that I represent, I am honored to accept your invitation. If it pleases your people, we would invite you to partake of a few refreshments, although I am not sure that you might find them palatable." She laughed.

"My Lady. Forgive me if I offend, but I and my people must return to our ship right away. The battle was fierce and we, as you, must recoup our strength and tally losses."

Tasha smiled. "Politely spoken, Captain. And rightly so. But surely, you and your immediate staff can stay a while?"

"If you insist, My Lady. Commander O'Connell and one of our scientists, Nicholas, will stay with me, if it's all right."

The princess bowed. "We shall be honored."

"Then, if I may, I would like to escort my people back to their ship, and wish them a safe journey home - one of our customs. I hope you understand."

"Of course, Captain." Tasha turned to her swordmistress. "Lena. Escort the Captain and her people back to the hangar bay. See to it that it is speedily done. The Captain has a lot to do. Captain? I trust that I will see you soon."

"You may count on it, My Lady." Out of ingrained custom and reflex, Mia kissed her hand. Tasha blushed to a deep crimson. A dozen of the alien officers were taken aback, most especially Ren. It was too late when Mia realized her faux pas. She contented herself with an additional short bob of the head, and turned to walk out of the bridge.

The walk back to the hangar bay was uneventful. O'Connells carrier was waiting near the hatchway, with Marines near the open shuttle door, at port arms. O'Connell turned over her Detterex charges to waiting Elyran guards. Mia gave final instructions to her people and the shuttle co-pilot, surreptitiously handing over her suits recording chip, observing the same with Nick and O'Connell, went over to her ship, and pretended to inspect it for damage and got a fresh stick from the Miscellaneous Items compartment in the cockpit.

O'Connells Marines stepped into the shuttle, and they and her fighter (the carrier's co-pilot flew her fighter back) sped back to the Seeker.

"Okay," she mumbled, "back to the princess."

-----

"Well?" Tasha turned to ask Ren. "What do you think?"

Ren shrugged noncommittally and turned abruptly away. Tasha smiled and turned to her swordmistress. "Lena?"

"They seem to be people of good stock, though with unusual ideas about propriety."

Tasha raised an amused eyebrow, and Reena nodded in the direction of the prince. "I sense in them a strong will and a strong mind. One thinks of those of the royal blood when you meet them," she said.

"I agree, pilot. But most of them are like that," said Tasha.

Reena smiled. "A race of Bridges. The mind boggles."

Ren turned to face her. "A patent impossibility," he said heatedly. "Science tells us that the probability of conceiving a bridge is about one in three hundred thousand."

Reena bowed. "Of course, My Lord. But they are not Elyran. Who can say what is possible for them."

Ren glowered at her and turned to the princess. "My Lady, I find myself feeling a bit faint from all this excitement. May I be excused? I will retire to our quarters."

"Of course, my love. But make it a short rest. We have to meet with the Captain soon. Perhaps in less than half an hour." Ren bowed stiffly. They watched him leave with faint amused smiles.

"These past events bode well for the expedition, My Lady," Lena said.

"Well," the pilot-navigator murmured. "Much of the fleet has been destroyed, many of our people have been killed, and we have yet to account for all of our missing warriors."

"You mistake my meaning, pilot," Lena said. "I, too, grieve for our lost sisters. But the coming of the Earthers has saved us from an even worse fate. And here they are, apparently ready to talk. Does that not mean well for the expedition?"

"Indeed, yes," Tasha said. "And perhaps we will get to know more of them in the coming days."

Tasha left to change out of her space suit and the rest turned back to their work.