Book 2: Chapter 65: Before the Storm

Book 2: Chapter 65: Before the Storm

USD: A Day later

Location: Nu Crateris, 92 Pegasi jump point, Tears of Fire

Alex tapped the arm of her seat and bit her lip.

We will have the support of the ground-based point defenses. The lasers can reach orbit. The platforms the colonists have built also have close range defenses and should be capable of avoiding long range kinetic strikes.

Thraker shook his head, a grim look on his face.

Captain, weve been over this already. I have every desire to do what is in my power to help the colonists. But I do not see how we could save the colony. Even if the Iron Horse was in as good a shape as your ship, which it isnt, the tonnage is entirely in their favor.

Alex shook her head. We have to do something. We cant just leave and let them kill everyone.

Thraker let out an exasperated breath. Alex. Sometimes there is nothing you can do. I have a responsibility to pick the companys battles carefully and not get my men killed needlessly. The most likely outcome would be that we all die while achieving nothing.

Alex felt defeat in her chest gnaw at her. She could not think of a time when she had not been able to convince someone to her point. To fail now when it was most important

Captain-Major, please

No. Im sorry, but I cannot help. The IHMC appreciates your help with repairs. Well do our best to repay the favor when we are able, but we will not be going back with you.

Thraker let out a breath. I would suggest you discuss your course with the rest of your crew. A decision such as this shouldnt be made alone, even as small as your crew is.

Alex nodded. She hadnt talked to Elis about it yet, either.

USD: The Same Day

Location: Nu Crateris, IFRB-Post Packet Boat RT-33, breaking from PF-131

Fallon settled into his station on the bridge of the small packet ship. He had replaced the original crew with his own hand-picked men and a few that had followed him since leaving Ackman Station.

He had gained permission from the Commodore to commandeer the vessel. That had been easy because the man had decided to rely on him to propel his new narrative that would justify the glassing of a planet and cover-up of his own failures. Not that the Commodore was terrible in a strategic sense, but he had filled his roster of commanders perhaps too heavily with those who had more money than talent.

It was one of the major failings of the system, in Fallons opinion. Not that there would be a lack of men and women to fill the void. And a future void there would be, Fallon was sure of it.

He had rankled at the continuation of the operation after the task forces failure to restrain and take the Strogiy and secure the 13 Centauri jump point before the confrontation in 90 Pegasi. That failure should have been the end of it, but the Commodore had been determined to press on and secure a success.

Never throw good money after bad, was the ancient saying. It was just as likely that the Commodore had overreached and thrown more than he could stomach losing.

It was almost certain the Solarians would have a fleet moving to intercept already. Whether they were in 90 Pegasi or Theta Corvi right now, it didnt matter. They might even be cut off by another Corporate task force themselves, but PF-131 would still have to find a way past them.

And they had known how many ships the task force had, as well as detailed telemetry from the escaped Grazhdanin class.

The only bright point was that he himself was likely to make it out safely now. The packet boat was distinctly prepared for long voyages and quite stealthy when rigged for silent running. The fool of a Captain that had obeyed Walkers orders should have reversed course and went dark until the conflict passed long enough to let them through.

The package of information he had compiled would likely be enough to keep any of his own failings from the last months from biting him as well. Especially if things were about to play out as he suspected.

The sudden arrival of the mysterious FedTech ship and its captain

They had fled so they could strike at The Entity itself.

Her heart raced as she faced her memories.

The population on Dedia was not even a drop in the sea compared to the ones they had abandoned. But if they could try, she wanted to.

She felt like she was broken inside, somehow.

[Interrogative: Why is Elis unit not attempting to stop Avatar from possible destructive course?]

The sudden question from the NAI surprised her, and she spilled her previous thoughts almost without thinking.

I think I might be damaged, too.

[Notice: This unit has detected no damage to Elis unit.]

Not that kind of damage. The emotional kind that isnt visible.

[Informative: This unit lacks proper human-psycho analyzation capabilities. It will, however, attempt to make repairs with the consent of Elis unit when such capabilities become available.]

"Thanks I think.

USD: The next day

Location: Nu Crateris, en route Dedia IV, Tears of Fire

Alex watched the relief on the Governors face as she agreed to assist the colony.

I will require full operational command of all the colonys military assets. If we are going to have a chance of success, we need full coordination and cooperation.

Brigadier Taverson spoke up. That is a mistake. If anything, you should be under our command. This is our plane

Governor Tyler cut him off. Shut up.

The looks shared between the two men could have been setting off sparks in Alexs opinion, but ultimately, the Brigadier looked away first.

The vid conference remained silent for a few seconds more before the Governor looked back to Alex.

We will cooperate and place all our ground defenses and orbital platforms under your command, Captain Myers.

Alex nodded. Thank you. The Tears is over twelve hours out from the planet, and we will have approximately fourteen hours to prepare. I have already made plans with H32 on what we need to do.

One of the colonys military officers that Alex didnt recognize voiced the question, H32?

The Commander for SRs ground base defending the Tifara Hive. It is preparing a large number of launch platforms, but if we can use the space elevator, we can speed up the process of

Alex paused and leaned back in her seat, the attention of the entire virtual conference squarely on her.

Let me start from the beginning with my plan. We dont have much time.