Escape of the Relentless Page 8

  “Shit,” cursed Catton.

  “I’ve moved the remaining Thunder survivors to an open VIP stateroom and placed one of Pi-ce’s Marines as a guard.”

  “For their protection or ours?” asked Catton.

  “Honestly, sir, I have no idea.”

  “After all these years, it only takes one rumor to send us back generations,” grumbled Catton. “We’re better than this, XO.”

  “If you’re talking about we as a society, I hope so,” replied Halstrom. “But as individuals, we’re all just one step away from the other animals.”

  “Isn’t that a little pessimistic?”

  “You tell me, sir. I just put our Engineer of the Quarter in the brig for punching a logistics tech because of the solar system their family is from.”

  “Rami?” Catton shook his head. Rami was one of the most promising young crewmembers onboard.

  “Every minute we’re stuck here we run the risk of our own crew being more of a danger than the Qua-la,” said Halstrom.

  “We need to stop this now,” said Catton. “I want everyone not on watch to assemble in —”

  Another buzz at Catton’s door interrupted him.

  “Who the hell is it now,” griped Catton as he opened the door. “I —.” He paused. At the entrance was Queen Xendi, a massive Hardian Marine behind her. “Yes, my queen. What can I do for you?”

  “May I enter, commander?” she asked.

  “Of course,” replied Catton.

  Xendi entered the room, with a smile toward Halstrom.

  “My escort informed me that Marines have been assigned to the survivors from Thunder. Do we have more information regarding possible traitors?”

  “No,” replied Catton. “Lieutenant Commander Halstrom assigned them because we are starting to see problems with the crew related to old family loyalties and —”

  “What is the nature of these problems?” asked Xendi.

  “The rumors of a traitor tied to the Janis family have a few of the crew questioning the loyalty of others from the Valari system,” answered Halstrom.

  “Because of the Janis family resistance during the Unification,” said Xendi.

  “Yes,” replied Catton.

  “Do you believe any of your crew to be traitors, commander?”

  “No, my queen. I do not.”

  “But they are now questioning themselves,” said Halstrom.

  “We cannot allow that to happen,” declared Xendi.

  “That is why I am preparing to speak to the crew. They need to be reminded that the only family that matters the Relentless.”

  Xendi turned toward Halstrom. “May I speak to the commander privately?”

  “Yes, my queen,” replied Halstrom, turning to Catton. “I’ll pass the word to have the crew gather in the hangar bay

  “What can I do for you?” asked Catton as Halstrom exited.

  “I would like to address your crew, commander.”

  Catton let out sigh. “Queen Xendi, I think this is one of those times where I need to —”

  “Please understand,” interrupted Xendi. “This is not about me usurping your role as the captain. This is about the ruler I need to be.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” replied Catton. “I just need to focus the on the mission.”

  “I must disagree, commander,” said Xendi.

  Catton’s body tensed. He had to stand his ground. “Your maj —”

  “You said you wanted to make your crew understand the Relentless was their family?”

  “Yes, my queen,” answered Catton. “I have to get them focused.”

  “Might I suggest a different focus, commander?” said Xendi.

  Catton could tell it was no request. Xendi had grown up in world where her requests were understood to be orders.

  “Of course, Queen Xendi.”

  “I believe the talk of family is warranted, but it should not be bound to the Relentless.”

  Catton took a breath. “A ship must be a family or it will not survive in combat.”

  “The same goes for our Empire, commander,” replied Xendi matter-of-factly. “And that is what I want your crew to understand.” Catton looked down at the petite blonde girl who exuded a stoic power few admirals possessed. “They need to understand that I am not the Queen of Gali or Trava Moon … or even Runan proper.” She paused. “A farmer on Donat must feel that I am their queen just as the noble on Runan or the warrior on Harda. If I cannot make your crew understand this, how can I make an entire Empire?”

  Once again, she had trumped him. “As you wish, my queen.”

  “I only have one additional request,” added Xendi.

  ***

  Catton stood next to Queen Xendi at the entrance to the hangar. Behind them stood Lieutenant Pi-ce and Captain Dra-xe.

  “The crew is ready, my queen,” said Catton. He looked down at her. He saw a flash of panic in her eyes. Catton turned back to the Marine officers behind them. “What is the duty of every Hardian?”

  “To defend the Empire!” they boomed, rattling Catton’s bones.

  “And who is the Empire?” he continued.

  “The queen!” echoed through the passageway.

  He turned back toward Xendi. “With them behind you, my queen, you have nothing to fear.”

  “I am ready,” said Xendi, with a smile. “And thank you.”

  The doorway to the hangar opened and Halstrom’s voice yelling ‘standby!’ reverberated through the packed hangar.

  Catton stepped inside to the sound of ‘Attention on Deck!’ Followed by Queen Xendi and the two Marines, he made his way to the left center of the formation and stopped at the head of his senior officers.

  This was not his show.

  Xendi walked confidently to the center of the formation with the crew positioned by division in front of her with the senior officers to the left and the chief petty officers to the right. She turned to face the crew with Pi-ce’s Marines, in full combat uniform, standing behind her.

  A pin dropping on the deck would have sounded like a gunshot.

  “Bring them in,” rolled Xendi’s soft but firm voice across the hangar.

  As Xendi has requested in Catton’s stateroom, the victim of the recent assault, a bruised Logistics Technician Czarak, limped into the hangar bay. Behind him walked Engineering Technician Rami, the ringleader of the attack.

  The two men stopped in front of their queen, bowing slightly before coming to attention.

  “Turn and face your shipmates,” said Xendi.

  As the two faced the formation, Xendi continued.

  “During Unification, over three-hundred thousand supporters of the Esparza family …” she paused, turning toward the Marines, “… including twenty-five thousand Hardians, died in the final battle to quell the Janis rebellion.”

  Catton swallowed hard. What was Xendi doing?

  “Where are you from, Technician Czarak?” asked Xendi.

  “Janis, my queen,” he said softly.

  “Face me,” said Xendi.

  Czarak slowly turned to face the queen.

  Catton’s heart pounded in his chest. Was she going to cause a mutiny on the very ship that was trying to save her.

  To Catton’s surprise, Xendi stepped forward and embraced Czarak.

  After a short embrace she stepped back. “Please turn again to face your family.”

  She continued, now addressing the crew.

  “This man is a member of the Relentless crew, and as your captain tells me, that makes him part of your family.” Xendi cast a quick glance toward Catton before turning back to the crew. “But he is more than that,” she continued, the volume of her voice increasing. “Above all, Technician Czarak is a subject of the Runan Empire, as are all of you.”

  Xendi’s voice began to echo through the hangar.

  “Technician Rami, face me,” growled Xendi.

  Rami turned to face her.

  An audible gasp rolled over the formation as Xendi b
rought her open hand crashing down against Rami’s cheek.

  “Kneel!” shouted Xendi and Rami quickly complied. “You think you have served the Empire — served me — by injuring another of my subjects?”

  Xendi stepped past Rami, closer to the formation. “What he has done is disgraced himself, and our Empire.”

  She turned back toward Pi-ce. “Hardian, what is the penalty for brining dishonor to the Empire?” She glanced down at Rami. “To your queen?”

  “Death,” replied Pi-ce as she stepped forward, her hand resting on the ax on her waistband.

  Xendi raised her hand to stop Pi-ce. “That won’t be necessary, lieutenant. This one does not deserve your blade.”

  Catton’s gaze was glued on Xendi and she knelt in front of Rami.

  “Do you understand that you have failed your Empire … that you have failed me?” she said softly.

  “I am sorry, my queen,” he stammered, tears rolling down his face.

  “Then you will not make this mistake again,” she said before rising to address the crew again. “Harming another subject from Ida-Ra in my name without just cause is a crime against your fellow shipmates. It is a crime against the Empire.” She moved to within a few feet of the first row of the formation. “It is a crime against your queen.”

  Xendi returned to the position behind Czarak and Rami.

  “We are beyond petty familial and regional squabbles. We are now at war with an enemy that does not see us as inhabitants of Harda, Donat, Runan, Gali, Ida-Ra, or any other planet or settlement. If our enemy does not care, then why should we?”

  “Long live Queen Xendi!” shouted Captain Dra-xe, his voice carrying across the hanger like a wave.

  “Long live Queen Xendi!” roared the Relentless crew.

  Chapter Seven

  Catton took a deep breath as the door to her room opened. After dismissing the crew back to their duties, he had immediately made his way to Xendi. She had done a better job of uniting the crew than he could have and wanted to thank her.

  The slid open and he stepped inside.

  “Queen Xendi, I —”

  Catton paused. Xendi was sitting on the side of the bed, trembling.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, kneeling in front of her.

  Xendi looked up, her eyes wet with tears.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “I hope I didn’t make the situation worse with your crew,” she sniffled. “I was never supposed to lead. My brother … it should have been his place to take …” She lowered her head, unable to speak.

  Catton hesitated, then gently placed his hand on Xendi’s forearm.

  Xendi jerked, started by the contact. “I’m sorry,” she replied, regaining her composure. “I’m just not used to, uh …”

  “I’m sorry, Queen Xendi. I didn’t mean —” Catton paused as he felt Xendi’s hand on his.

  “Thank you,” said Xendi. “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just …” She exhaled heavily. “Ever since …” She paused again. “I am afraid every decision I make or action I take could be a mistake that damages the Empire.”

  Catton chuckled. “That is leadership, my queen. If you feel comfortable, you are probably doing it wrong.”

  Xendi forced a smile. “Most royal advisers are admirals, generals, or nobles … but I guess I’ll have to do with a commander.”

  Catton rose. “I am always at your service.”

  “Of course you are,” replied Xendi, her air of royal confidence restored. “And I —”

  “CAPTAIN, YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED IN COMBAT,” blared over the ship’s announcing circuit followed immediately by the bong-bong-bong of the general alarm.

  “I’m coming with you,” declared Xendi just before another the TAO’s next announcement: “GENERAL QUARTERS. GENERAL QUARTERS. ALL HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLESTATIONS.”

  ***

  Catton, with Xendi close behind, rushed into Combat.

  “What is it TAO?” he asked, lookup at a blank RADIUS screen.

  “We picked up a Qua-la long-range fighter on the edge of the RADIUS range. It was in detection range for just a minute or before jumping but —”

  “If we saw it, then it probably saw us,” said Catton. “Good call on going to Battle Stations.” He activated the comms circuit and selected Engineering. “Engineering, Captain. What is the status of the FTL?”

  “Bringing support systems on line now,” came Braca’s response. “It will be up in ten minutes but with no retests.”

  “All stations manned and ready,” reported the TAO.

  “Very well, TAO,” replied Catton.

  “RADIUS contacts!” reported the AIR DEFENSE officer. “Ten Qua-la fighters and …”

  Catton saw the RADIUS light up with multiple contacts. His heartrate increased, but he had to remain calm. He watched as RADIUS’ computer identified four Stinger class frigates, twenty more fighters, two Wasp cruisers, and an Arachnid Battlecruiser. “It’s okay, ensign. Just acknowledge the identifications.” As more enemy ships appeared on the screen, Catton turned toward the TAO. “TAO, designate all as hostile. Weapons free.”

  “Uh … aye, sir,” stammered the TAO.

  Catton understood the TAO’s concern. They were caught and Relentless didn’t even have enough ammunition for all the enemy ships on the RADIUS screen.

  “Are all of those enemy ships?” asked Xendi, turning toward Catton. “What are we going to do?”

  The TAO looked up toward the queen with a blank stare. No training scenarios or tactical manuals would have prepared his crew for this.

  “TAO,” ordered Catton. “Place all defense systems in automatic. AIR DEFENSE will report and track all fighter and missile engagements. GUNS will cover the frigates, and STRIKE will track and confirm LANCER launches on the big boys.”

  “Aye,” answered the TAO.

  Catton continued. “Transfer steering and propulsion control from the Bridge.”

  “Sir?” asked the TAO.

  “All ahead flank, TAO. Put us right between those two cruisers,” ordered Catton. “It will be harder for the fighter to engage and the frigates will back off once we get in range of the cruisers’ self-defense guns.” He paused. “We won’t last very long going toe-to-toe with two cruisers, but it will be longer than fighting all of them out here in the open.”

  “We’ll give ‘em a fight, sir,” said the TAO.

  “Yes, we will,” replied Catton as he activated the ship’s announcing circuit. “All hands, this is your captain. Prepare to engage multiple enemy vessels. Remember your training, do your duty, and trust the crew members next to you to do theirs’.”

  Catton selected Engineering. “CHENG, we need that FLT now.”

  “Yes, sir,” replied Braca. “Five minutes.”

  “Incoming missiles!” reported the AIR DEFENSE officer. “Engaging with EAGLES.”

  Catton saw missiles inbound from multiple directions as fighters, attack craft, and one of frigates opened fire.

  “EAGLES FORTY through … BINGO EAGLE air defense missiles,” reported AIR DEFENSE.

  “BINGO?” asked Xendi, the pitch of her voice raised.

  “It means we’re out of anti-missile missiles,” replied Catton.

  “Thirteen missiles killed,” reported AIR DEFENSE. “Seven still inbound. Point Defense systems engaging.”

  “ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT,” echoed over the announcing circuit.

  Relentless rocked to starboard. Catton looked toward the FTL status.

  One light.

  “MISSILE HITS FORWARD AND MIDSHIPS,” was reported over the announcing circuit.

  “Engineering, Captain. Report status,” ordered Catton.

  “Energizing capacitor wells,” reported Braca.

  “Five missiles inbound from Qua-la capital ship,” reported AIR DEFENSE.

  “Nukes?” asked Catton.

  “No, sir,” replied AIR DEFENSE. “Reading biologicals onboard.”

  “Shit!” cursed Catton. �
��Launch all counter-measures.”

  “All?” asked the TAO.

  “Do it,” ordered Catton.

  “Countermeasures deployed,” reported the TAO. “Point Defense systems engaging.”

  “Four missiles killed,” reported AIR DEFENSE. “One inbound.”

  Catton watched as the missile traced a line toward Relentless.

  Then he turned toward the FTL status. Two lights.

  “Engineering, Captain. Report FTL status.”

  ***

  “Capacitor wells energized!” reported Chief Oda.

  “INCOMING MISSILES. ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT.”

  “Reset the coils and shut the primary breakers,” ordered Braca.

  Braca was knocked to the deck as a metallic BANG echoed through the engineroom followed by an ear-piercing shriek of grinding metal.

  As the rush of air from a small hull breach flowed over her skin, Braca pulled herself to her feet and looked toward the port bulkhead. The housing of a missile jutted into the space.

  Braca regained her footing and saw Oda race toward the damage.

  Climbing over a railing, Oda activated a breach repair canister and began coating the gaps between the missile housing and the hull.

  “Engineering, Captain. Report FTL status,” blared over the comms circuit.

  “Energizing now,” she reported, charging the primary coils for the main-line breakers. “Standby —”

  A cylindrical cell fell from the missile housing with a clang.

  The cell opened and a swarm of black and yellow exploded from the canister.

  ***

  “Approaching Qua-la capital ships,” reported the TAO as Relentless began to shudder from multiple impacts.

  “Closer!” ordered Catton.

  “Main fire control down,” reported GUNS.

  “It doesn’t matter,” replied the TAO. “Go manual; you don’t have to aim from this distance.”

  ***

  “Run!” shouted Braca to Chief Oda, but it was too late, as the swarm of boarding wasps engulfed him.

  Braca glanced toward the escape hatch behind her and then to the breakers for the FTL on the other side of the wasps. “Fuck it.”