Talosian Chronicles 6: Armageddon Page 26

  “My aide just informed me that the same thing is happening here, only on a much larger scale. However, the Imperial fighters are heading for Mars,” Ian replied. "The fleet there is sending fighters to keep an eye on them."

  “Well if this is really the end of the battle, let us know and we can send more help. We lost a lot of good people, but we’re still here,” Ty said.

  Ian mopped at his face with his hands; he was getting tired. “I’m sorry for not asking sooner, Colonel. How are your forces?”

  Ty smiled slightly to let his commander know that no offense had been taken. “We lost Four Battleships, twelve cruisers nine light cruisers and nine hundred twenty fighters. Eight more cruisers are damaged but functional. We managed to pick up the escape modules for the ships and seven hundred forty three pilots. Our marines gave better than they got, but still lost three hundred ninety four. As of the last report, we have no civilian casualties.” Ty paused. "Sir, the Zephyr was one of the light cruisers. There's been no word if John made it."

  "Damn, how's Tabby doing?" Ian asked. John Harris had been Ian's flight operations chief when he took command of Star Dancer. Tabitha Harris was John's sister and one of Ty's old SEAL team members.

  "She's worried sick, but holding together for now. Operations is still searching the list of rescued and recovered for her," Ty replied. "We'll find him, I just hope he's still alive when we do."

  “Please tell your people how well they’ve done.” Ian paused to think for a minute. “I think if this is a withdrawal and not some ruse, I’d like for you to send two or three more cruisers here. We could use the help picking up the pieces. I’m afraid the rest of the ships will have to be released back to Alliance High Command as soon as we can get them fixed.”

  “Sir, we’re receiving a request for communication from the Imperial Commander,” interrupted the female tech.

  Ian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Hang on Ty, let’s hear what he has to say. Put it through, Gail.”

  “Human Commander, I am Shara Clan Force Commander Rayse, of His Majesty’s Imperial Navy. I am ordered to inform you that we are withdrawing from this fight and returning to our own galaxy. However, we have sustained too many losses to retrieve all of our fighters. The excess have been ordered to uninhabited planets, and to destroy their ships and await capture by you. My Lord Emperor has requested that they be taken care of until such time as they can be retrieved safely from your care. He also requests leave to continue our withdrawal peacefully. We will no longer fire on your ships unless we are fired on first. Is this acceptable?”

  “Force Commander Rayse, I am Admiral Ian Williams of the Terran Defense Force acting as Alliance Commander for this operation. Those terms are acceptable and we will do our best to care for the ones you are leaving behind,” Ian replied.

  “I am to ask what is to become of our original Commander? My Emperor would like him returned so he can answer for this loss,” Rayse asked.

  Did they mean to execute the commander for losing a battle? How barbaric were these people? “I’m afraid they will have to stay with us for the time being, Force Commander. Since he was captured during the fighting, we consider him a prisoner while your pilots will be considered guests.”

  “Not unexpected, Admiral. Our forces have been in this galaxy for many of your years and it will take time to organize the withdrawal. We currently estimate a minimum of half a cycle to evacuate to our embarkation point. As of right now, unless in self-defense, a general cease-fire has been issued to all Imperial forces in this galaxy. An Ambassador from the Emperor will contact your Alliance High Council to conclude the negotiations,” the being finished.

  “Am I to understand that it is your intention to fully withdrawal from this galaxy?” Ian asked astounded.

  “Yes, Admiral. My Lord Emperor has used his foresight. He knew that if this battle were to be lost, it would mean the total destruction of our Empire. It is his hope that this withdrawal will remove that possible future.”

  Ian was shocked to silence for a moment. “Uh, Please inform your Emperor that I will pass along the information, but I have no authority to order a total stop to the fighting. However, I will inform Alliance High Command immediately. It may take a few days for the news to reach all the forces involved.”

  “You have been a cunning and tenacious adversary, Admiral. Surprisingly, I feel no shame at admitting defeat to you. We will jump out of your space as soon as we have made sufficient repairs and retrieved what we can. Good day to you, Admiral.”

  “Force Commander, there are a number of defensive systems that need to be deactivated before you can attempt to depart. Please call back when you are ready to make sure it’s safe for you to do so,” Ian told him.

  “So, that’s what happened to our capitol ships. Very well, Admiral, we will notify you once we have completed our repairs and retrieval. Thank you for the warning,” Rayse said and bowed as the image darkened.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Ian said under his breath. “Chloe, order all units to stand down to yellow alert. We'll need to stay on guard until they’ve jumped out, but it looks like it's over.”

  “Orders sent, Admiral,” Chloe said. She had tears in her eyes.

  "Ty, you'll need ot send shuttles and Marines out to round up the Imperial pilots and any surviving troops. Be damn sure to tell them they are not to harm any of them unless they are defending themselves," Ian ordered.

  "I'll handle it. We'll take them out to the Marine barracks until we can get something more comfortable built for them," Ty replied.

  "Good plan, we'll probably be sending you ours as well if you have room. I'm pretty sure we don't at the moment," Ian said.

  "I'll make it happen Sir," Ty said. "Get some rest, Sir; you look like hell."

  “Thanks Ty, Williams, out.” Ian turned to the comm tech. “Gail, get operations to co-ordinate with Neptune Base to assist in rescue operations, and get me a line to High Command. After that, I’ll want to talk to the U.N. Secretary General. If you can’t get through to him, get me Major F’ren aboard the Raptor T’gal. Be prepared to broadcast to the world’s televisions sets again, I’m sure there are a lot of very frightened people down there. I’ll also want a video conference with all commanders as soon as possible.” He sighed, thinking of all the things he needed to do.

  “Sir, if I can’t get the SecGen, you’ll want the T’gal to find him, right?”

  Ian nodded and added, “I’ll need you to pass the word to all units about the cease fire, but tell them to remain on guard. Have them begin rescue operations as well. I’ll take care of the rest during the video conference in say… an hour.”

  “Very good, sir.” Gail smiled as she turned to relay his orders. “Admiral H'joles on screen for you sir.”

  Ian sighed again as he begin the process of rebuilding his forces and the planet. He wondered what was actually left to rebuild.

  Ian once again stood looking out the big bay window at the planet of his birth. If you knew where to look, you could tell the areas that had been hit the hardest, even from orbit. However, they were no longer the ugly scars they had once been. Construction drones had been in constant use cleaning and decontaminating the soil, replanting grass and trees, rebuilding homes. There had been a loud outcry from several of the industries on the planet at the work being done by the drones.

  The construction industry in particular complained at the loss of income they had suffered at not being able to get paid for rebuilding. When Ian offered to recall the drones after an area had been cleaned without replicator assisted reconstruction, the objections stopped almost over night. Ian knew for a fact that there simply wasn’t money available to pay for rebuilding.

  The amount of damage done to the populations on the planet was immense. Economies had collapsed, food production had stopped, and fallout from the nuclear and antimatter bombs had contaminated large areas, including a good portion of the food production area. Ecologically, the war had been a disaster of unparalleled pr
oportions. Millions of people would have starved if not for the billions of tons of food being supplied by replicators at refugee camps and donated by the Alliance. Millions more would have died from the global climate changes that were still being felt a month and a half after the fighting stopped.

  Most of the rebuilding was done, but the damage to the planet was far from repaired. In China, the hard line military was forced to surrender, when the loss of the central party had been discovered. The military had moved in to 'maintain order', and quell the riots and other civil unrest when the aide camps had become overwhelmed. They found themselves facing Alliance Marines protecting the people. All the advanced weapons and armor they had been given had been shut off and rendered unusable a month before.

  Other camps around the planet had been overwhelmed as well, but not to the extent of the Chinese camps. That wasn’t the only problem either; crime was getting out of hand and Ian was wondering if he was going to have to order more Marines into the camps to keep order. You’d think considering the catastrophe that had befallen them, and the fact that money was currently worthless, that the criminals would take a break. Nope, business as usual for these idiots, though the biggest problems seemed to be from gangs trying to reestablish territories.

  Ian had a plan for those particular assholes. He was sending Raptor teams into the camps that were having the most trouble, to… convince these people that such behavior wasn’t a good idea. He had a feeling there were going to be a few casualties since most of those folks didn’t respond well to 'polite' suggestion. Especially since drones were scanning the camp for illegal drugs and weapons.

  Ian really did hope that the planet would join the Alliance since the change in laws and the enforcement of those laws would improve things greatly. There were still bad cops, and dirty judges; they were just a lot less common. Most law enforcement personnel didn’t want to risk the punishments invoked for that crime.

  Ian sighed; law enforcement wasn’t his job. However, something had to be done on the planet shortly, or it would descend into total chaos. Not only were the criminals causing trouble, but also every religious nut with more than three followers was stirring the pot, trying to gain followers, and thus political power. Some people had even flatly refused any aid whatsoever. “God’s will be done,” they said to the people trying to help them. Ian wondered if they really believed God had willed that their children die from radiation sickness or exposure.

  Behind him, Jenny cleared her throat. “It’s time to go, Ian.”

  Ian turned to his wife, dressed in the formal, dark blue uniform of a starship captain. Damn, she was still so painfully beautiful to him. He finished buttoning up his own jacket, and took her hand. “Are you nervous?”

  She chuckled. “Actually, I am. We haven’t seen these people in over two years and we know most of them, but…” she shrugged.

  Ian and Jenny had received an invitation from their old hometown to come and speak about the war. Jenny had all but begged Ian to accept this invitation. When Cindy insisted that he allow her team to provide security, Talena, Beth, and all the children and even Star wanted to go too.

  Everyone would ride down in the Damocles. Cindy and her team would be in full combat armor, and armed to the teeth. The rest of the family would have cloaked drones following their every move and covering them with a shield.

  Ian laughed at Jenny; “You’re tough enough to take on a Caldarian Supernova by yourself, but are afraid of your old friends?”

  “It does seem kinda silly, doesn’t it?” she asked.

  “Not really, love.” Ian hugged her. “Let’s go impress the hell out of them.”

  The trip down to the surface was short, and uneventful. The family joked and teased each other, just like any family would. The officers of the Damocles were not immune either; much to their embarrassed delight.

  As they were coming into a landing at the town square, Cindy told Ian that something was wrong. There was a large group of people awaiting them, but it looked like they were all just off the set of ‘Night of the Living Dead’.

  Ian asked for a visual and quickly told everyone to change into duty coveralls. The people waiting for them needed help, and from the looks of things, they needed it badly. “Star or Lissa, contact relief command and find out who’s in charge of this area. I’ll need two shuttles here ASAP with as much relief supplies as can be packed into them. Talena, please have the replicator make a big tent, then blankets, food packets, and bottled water. Beth, you better warm up the autodoc; it looks like you might have quite a few patients. I’ll work on getting a relief center here, but the rest of the crew is at your disposal.”

  Lissa ordered the one drone they carried for emergencies to replicate cases of food and the tent while Talena used the replicator in the living area to make the anti-radiation medication Beth asked her for.

  Thus the day began. Ian and his family stayed and gave what aid they could to their home town. The family helped the relief workers in restoring a drinkable water supply and repairing the local telephone and electrical systems. But the hardest part of the day was seeing the condition of the people they had left behind. People they had once called friends were now sickened by radiation and disease from drinking contaminated water.

  When evening began to set in, Ian was wondering if they should return to the ship. The kids were asleep in the bunks aboard Damocles. They had been wonderful today; even the young ones worked to keep the children of the village out from under foot, while the adults saw to the needs of the people.

  Ian was having a cup of coffee while trying to think of anything else to do for these people, when a shadow fell across the table. He glanced up to see the person who had originally sent the invitation; Ms. Elisa Mandrake, Ian and Jenny’s senior high physics teacher.

  “I’m sorry for the reception, Ian. When I sent that invitation, things were a lot different here,” the woman apologized.

  “You don’t need to apologize, Ms. Mandrake. In fact, I should be apologizing to you. We didn’t know we had left such large holes our relief efforts. We had no idea people were still suffering like this.”

  “Well, you’ve done wonders here. In one day this town has gone from a bunch of people waiting to die, to people that have hope again. That big television you set up helped a lot too. We’ve been without power for the last three weeks, and the batteries went out shortly after that, so we hadn’t gotten any news. I was shocked by the amount of damage we’ve taken. Can we really survive this?”

  “Without advanced technology, no. The ecology of the planet is all but destroyed, the soil and atmosphere were so contaminated that a nuclear winter would have set in and that would have been it. Add to it that all of the drinking water would have been contaminated as well, and with no real way to treat radiation sickness, I don’t see how the people here would have survived. But we do have the technology and most of the damage has been either repaired or countered. It’ll still take a few years to get it all back to something resembling normal, but at least that’s possible,” Ian said.

  “Can I ask you a personal question, Ian?”

  “As long as you don’t get offended if I chose not to answer you,” he replied, smiling.

  “How many of the women with you are you sleeping with?” She asked.

  “That was to the point. I’m married to Jenny, what makes you think I’m sleeping with more than her?” Ian asked in return.

  “The way you interact with them. I could see the love between you and the others. I also saw the love between each of them. It takes a special understanding for that kind of relationship between so many people. It’s really none of my business, but I wasn’t the only one to notice it, and thought I would warn you in case someone else gets as nosy as me,” she answered candidly. “What’s it like to fly in space?”

  "Just to clarify things, I really am only sleeping with Jenny. Cindy and Beth have both had children fathered by me, but we have never 'slept' together. Talena's child is also m
ine, but Jenny carried it for her. We do all love each other, and share a very special relationship." He paused to consider her other question. The topic change didn’t surprise Ian; he remembered what she had been like in school. She was one of those people that could carry on multiple conversations while doing four other things at the same time. “Why don’t you come back with us, and I’ll show you what space flight is like in the morning. You and your daughter are more than welcome to spend the night with us.” About this time, Cindy came walking in carrying a sleeping Paula Mandrake in her arms and sat next to Ian.

  Elisa chuckled, “I see you got cornered by my little monster, Colonel. I think I would like to take that ride, Ian. Paula will be thrilled to wake up in space."

  “Great! I’ll put little Paula in with the kids and have Lissa prep for liftoff. I think Jenny is getting antsy being away from Star Dancer this long,” Cindy said, rising carefully so she didn’t wake the sleeping child.

  “Okay, but there is a stop I want to make before we head back; I’ll give you directions once we’re airborne,” Ian said as he led Elisa to the Damocles.

  The Raptor settled gently to the ground just outside of town. Everyone was quiet as Ian, followed by Star, stepped out of the craft. In silence she reached out and took his hand as they looked up at the stars.

  “It seems like it was a lifetime ago, but yet, in a way, it also seems like it happened last night,” he said.

  She led him over to a familiar looking rock and tree and they both sat down this time. “This is the rock you were sitting on when arrived.”

  “What is this place, Ian?” Talena asked. The rest of his family and the team had followed them out of the Raptor.

  “Three years ago, I got lost while looking for a place to take a piss. It was a dark night and I couldn’t see any landmarks.” He turned and pointed to a nearby hill. “I climbed on that hill to try and get my bearings. I met an old man wearing a robe, who told me a very fantastic story.” Ian turned back to his family. “But you want to know something? It wasn’t the knowledge or the technology that saved us; it wasn’t luck or great tactical planning. None of this could have happened without the strongest force in the universe in our favor.” He put his arm around Star, and pulled Talena onto his lap. “It’s love. Without the love we feel for each other, as a people and even the love we feel as a family, we would have lost… everything.”