The Lost Command (Lost Starship Series Book 2) Page 20

  “We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Maddox said.

  “Your disagreement has no bearing on the situation. In the short term, the New Men will destroy Victory. That is a mathematical certainty.”

  “Professor Ludendorff’s genius will shift the odds back in the ship’s favor.”

  “That is highly unlikely. Still, we need the professor so he can fix the imprinter.”

  “And the various weapon systems presently offline,” Maddox said.

  “I have decided to modify our agreement,” Galyan said. “I am telling you this because my people were trustworthy, far superior to the quarrelling human species I have observed.”

  Maddox remained silent.

  “If Ludendorff can fix the imprinter, I will find an empty star system. There, I will detach the memory core and send it into a hidden orbit. Your engrams will live within the AI core, but they will no longer be aboard Victory.”

  “If humanity doesn’t get the use of your starship—”

  “I cannot in good conscience give you my precious vessel,” Galyan said, interrupting. “Your species doesn’t deserve it. My hatred of you is the only thing prolonging your existence at this point. I tell you this because I am honest. Are you also honest, Captain Maddox?”

  The captain wondered how he should answer. “Up to a point,” he said at least.

  “Which means you are dishonest,” Galyan said. “That may be the first true thing you have told me. I find that refreshing.”

  “That I told you I’m a liar?” Maddox asked.

  “Yes.”

  “But wouldn’t that by necessity be a lie?” Maddox asked.

  The holoimage blinked rapidly, and its head jerked several times. “I will be back,” Galyan said in a high-pitched voice.

  The holoimage vanished.

  Maddox stood abruptly and marched to the comm officer’s station. He tapped the board, turning on the ship’s intercom.

  “This is Captain Maddox speaking. I am still alive. The AI has begun—”

  The lights in the station went dead.

  “You shouldn’t have done that,” Galyan said.

  Maddox turned around. The holoimage had returned. The captain shrugged. It had seemed like the right thing to do.

  “Since I can no longer trust you—”

  Maddox laughed, shaking head.

  “Why are you mocking me?” Galyan asked.

  “It isn’t mockery,” Maddox said. “I just find it darkly amusing that you’re telling me you can no longer trust us. We had a pact, a deal, and now you’re changing the nature of it. That is funny, don’t you see?”

  “No. I do not understand why that would make you laugh. Shouldn’t it make you sad or angry with me as I’m angry with you?”

  “I see. You want to make me angry. No. Your double dealing shows me that your people never were trustworthy. That makes you just like us. What’s funny is that you can’t see that. You’re so vain and boastful that it makes me laugh.”

  “That is a slur to my race,” Galyan said.

  “Your actions are a slur to your race. If you can’t see that, you’re not as smart as I thought you were. That means it’s only a matter of time before I take control of your vessel again.”

  The holoimage cocked its head. “You will never gain control of my vessel. It is a sacred object, too holy for human hands.”

  “I wish you would climb down off your high horse for once,” Maddox said. “The only thing that makes your ship special is its extreme age. It has lasted far longer than your race did. Length of survival doesn’t equate to nobility.”

  “My race—”

  “If you can’t keep your bargain with me,” Maddox said, “I’m going to kill myself. That will keep me from suffering for six thousand years or longer in your AI core.”

  “No!” Galyan said. “That would shatter our bargain. If you do such a deed, I will order my robots to annihilate your people. Then I will explode Victory. Without my vessel, the New Men will defeat Star Watch.”

  Maddox shrugged.

  “You must remain alive long enough for me to imprint your engrams into the AI core,” Galyan said.

  “Now, we’re getting somewhere,” Maddox said. “If you want me to stay alive, you have to give us the starship before you expire. Think of it like this. What does it matter what happens to your starship after you’re gone? For you and for your race, the universe will have ended.”

  The holoimage appeared thoughtful. Finally, it said, “I cannot agree to that.”

  “Then tell me what we can offer you that will cause you to keep your word to us.”

  The holoimage blinked rapidly. It kept doing so far longer than it had in the past. Suddenly, the image brightened, making it difficult to look at.

  “Yes!” Galyan said. “There is a thing I desire above your suffering.”

  “I know. You want to find the homeworld of the Swarm and destroy it.” Maddox nodded. “That makes sense. Yes, I agree.”

  “You agree to what?” Galyan said.

  “I agree to hunt down the Swarm and destroy their homeworld. In return, you will leave us Victory.”

  Galyan opened his mouth, but no words issued. He turned away, finally turning back. “I will think about it.”

  “For how long?” Maddox asked.

  Galyan examined the robot. The holoimage’s eyes shined brightly as it looked at Maddox.

  “I accept your offer. You will leave the bridge and join Lieutenant Noonan. The two of you will enter the Laumer Drive access point in Hangar Bay Three. You will meet her in two hours.”

  “Why so long?” Maddox asked.

  “That is how long it will take to reach a known Laumer-Point in the Rigel System.”

  “We’re that far out already?” Maddox asked. “I’m impressed. Say, before I meet with the lieutenant, do you mind if I shower and clean my uniform?”

  “I do not mind. I will show you where to shower and scrub your clothes.”

  The bridge door opened.

  Maddox couldn’t believe how excited he was to look into the corridor. After these isolated weeks, it was something different.

  “Go,” Galyan said.

  Maddox started and then stopped.

  “What is wrong?” Galyan asked.

  Maddox had been so consumed with himself, he’d forgotten to think about his crew. He was the captain. Their welfare was his concern.

  “The others also need showers and clean clothes,” Maddox said.

  Galyan said nothing for several seconds. “It will be so,” he said at last. “Now, go.”

  Maddox headed for the exit.

  ***

  The captain looked up as the hatch opened. He was in the Laumer Drive control room inside Hangar Bay Three.

  A wary-eyed Valerie Noonan stepped through. She stared at him in surprise and then in obvious relief. Behind her, a stainless steel robot trundled in.

  Valerie looked tired and careworn, if still defiant of her captor. Her clothes and hair were slightly damp but clean. Once she drew near, Maddox could smell the soap she’d used. The AI had kept its word.

  “You look well, Captain,” Valerie said.

  He gave her a jaunty smile.

  “It isn’t so easy for us where we’re being held,” Valerie said, half-accusing him. “We just got to shower and clean our clothes for the first time. It must be nice having the run of the bridge.’

  “All in a day’s work,” Maddox said. “Now, I believe you’re supposed to coordinate the Laumer Drive.”

  They took up their stations and began to ready the machine. Maddox turned on an atomizer-timer. It was a loud, clicking device.

  Valerie gave him a questioning glance.

  Maddox paid her no heed, but continued to work at his panel. Soon, he stepped closer to her, all while working his board.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered. “I can make absolutely no sense of the systems you’ve turned on. And that ticker is driving me crazy with its incessant c
licks.”

  “It’s make work,” Maddox whispered so he could hardly hear his own words.

  Valerie waited for him to continue.

  “How long until activation of the Laumer-Point?” Maddox asked in a loud, officious voice.

  “Uh…” Valerie glanced at a screen. “Three minutes, Captain, if I can adjust this setting properly.”

  “Hurry,” he said.

  Valerie’s fingers roved over a board. She had her head cocked so an ear was near Maddox’s lips.

  The lieutenant had understood him. Good. Now, Maddox spoke fast in a low voice.

  “The AI is proving troublesome. You must speak to Doctor Rich. See if she remembers learning anything about the Swarm. If not, tell her to concoct a story.”

  “Do you mean Galyan’s enemy race?”

  “Exactly,” Maddox said. “Tell Dana we have to pretend to find the Swarm’s homeworld. Make it far away in the Beyond. We’re going to trade the information with the AI to keep Galyan true to his word.”

  Valerie nodded.

  “We approach the known location of the Laumer-Point,” Galyan said, his voice coming out of a robot’s speaker. “You must activate the Laumer Drive so we can jump.”

  Valerie glanced at Maddox.

  He nodded.

  The lieutenant tapped her board. A powerful generator came online.

  In space, an opening appeared. Starship Victory aimed for the Laumer-Point. A minute later, the vessel sped through the jump route, coming out on the other side almost seven light years away.

  Maddox and Lieutenant Noonan endured Jump Lag. This would be the moment to attempt to subdue the robot. As the captain contemplated the idea, systems began functioning again.

  “Warning,” Galyan said through the robot’s speakers. “An enemy fleet is fast approaching us. Their weapons systems are charged. Captain Maddox, my starship will soon be under attack.”

  -21-

  Captain Maddox and Lieutenant Noonan raced for the bridge, with him easily outdistancing her. Farther behind, the sounds of the robot’s treads echoed through the corridors.

  Finally, an exhausted Maddox stumbled onto the bridge. He moved to the pilot’s seat, sitting down, wiping sweat out of his eyes.

  “Give me ten times magnification,” Maddox said. “Show me the closest enemy vessels.”

  A large, cruiser-sized vessel appeared. It was square-shaped, confounding Maddox. Star Watch didn’t have any spaceships like that. So far, the New Men had only fought with triangular-shaped star cruisers.

  As the captain watched, a heavy-mount laser flashed from the enemy vessel. Other beams from the rest of the ships speared out of the darkness. They flashed through space at the speed of light, crossing seventy thousand kilometers, striking Victory’s deflector shield.

  “My neutron beam will annihilate them,” Galyan said. “First, we must get into range.”

  “How many enemy ships are out there?” Maddox asked.

  “Seven cruiser-class vessels and twelve destroyers,” Galyan said. “I am using Star Watch configurations as a basis for comparison.”

  “They’re not Star Watch vessels?”

  “They have not communicated with me,” Galyan said. “Nor have I attempted communication with them. Therefore, I cannot say for certain. But I do not believe they belong to Star Watch.”

  “How long will the deflector shield hold?” Maddox asked.

  “At this rate… long enough so I can move into the neutron beam’s range. I will annihilate the threat.”

  Maddox didn’t like the odds: ramming into seven heavy beams with twelve destroyers maneuvering out there. Victory could destroy some of them, but not all before the starship’s shield collapsed. How long would the collapsium hull armor hold?

  “You risk destruction or heavy damage attacking seven cruisers and twelve destroyers,” Maddox said. “You must use the star drive and jump away.”

  “Negative,” Galyan said. “I have grown weary of fleeing. Today, I attack.”

  Lieutenant Noonan staggered onto the bridge, wheezing for air. She looked exhausted and sweat ran down her cheeks.

  “It’s been too long since I’ve had to run that far,” Valerie panted.

  Maddox stood up as she approached, moving aside. Valerie slid into the vacant seat. Even as she panted, her hands moved over the controls. She was like a master pianist, obviously at home before the board.

  “Seven cruisers,” Valerie said between gasps, “and twelve destroyer-class vessels.”

  “Do you recognize any of them?” Maddox asked.

  “Of course,” Valerie said, glancing at him in surprise. “This is the Social Syndicate Fleet.”

  “Of the Rigel System?” Maddox asked.

  Valerie nodded. “They’re pounding our deflectors hard. Once the destroyers move in and add their—”

  “What is it?” Maddox asked.

  “Sneaky bastards,” Valerie said, with admiration in her voice. “Stealth drones have just activated. They’re close, must have been waiting near the Laumer-Point.” She made adjustments, studying her panel. The lieutenant turned around abruptly. “Captain, those are Titan-class nuclear-tipped missiles. They’ve obviously been lying in wait like proximity mines for someone to use the Laumer-Point. This is an ambush.”

  “Why do these aggressors wish to destroy my starship?” Galyan asked.

  “They can’t know who you are,” Maddox said. “This ambush wasn’t meant for us.”

  “The New Men,” Valerie said. “Maybe this was a setup against them.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Maddox said. “We just jumped out of the Rigel System. Why would the Social Syndicate Fleet be waiting here for us and not in their own star system?”

  “I don’t know,” Valerie said. “But I know those missiles will knock down our shield. The combined enemy lasers will chew into the hull. We have collapsium, so it will take a while, but seven cruisers and all those destroyers…” Valerie shook her head. “Sir, I recommend we use our star drive and jump out of danger.”

  “Galyan doesn’t agree with you,” Maddox said.

  “Then we have to talk to the fleet’s commander and convince him to stop attacking,” Valerie said.

  “Well?” Maddox asked Galyan. “Will you let me communicate with the attacking fleet?”

  The holoimage appeared thoughtful. Finally, Galyan nodded.

  “Do it,” Maddox told Valerie. “Hail the fleet.”

  Valerie jumped up, moving to a different chair. The modifications to the alien bridge helped her to know where to go, as the redesign was based on Star Watch preferences.

  As the beams continued to pour against Victory’s shield—turning it a bright red color—and the Social Syndicate missiles increased velocity, closing the distance, a bearded man appeared on the main screen. He wore a jet-black uniform with a black cap, with a red fist clutching a lightning bolt on the bill.

  The man laughed at Maddox. “This is one star system you don’t get to destroy with impunity, New Man. It is a pleasure to watch you die.”

  “I’m Captain Maddox of Star Watch. You must stop your assault at once.”

  “I am Sub-commander Ko,” the bearded man said, “and I declare you a liar. There is no such vessel as yours registered with Star Watch. This I know to be true.”

  “You’re wrong,” Maddox said. “Star Watch sent us into the Beyond to retrieve the vessel. This is an ancient starship—”

  “Save your lies, New Man,” Sub-commander Ko said. “Die with whatever dignity you can muster.”

  Maddox turned to Galyan. “Jump. Nothing else makes sense.”

  “I will not run from inferior beings,” Galyan said.

  The bearded sub-commander laughed. “And you claim you’re not New Men. Your own commander brands you a vicious liar by calling us inferior. That’s New Men speech if I ever heard it. Listening to you beg is a rare pleasure.”

  “I have Doctor Dana Rich aboard my ship,” Maddox said, casting about for
anything. “Are you familiar with her?”

  Ko’s face darkened. “That witch, she’s alive?”

  “Yes, in my hold.”

  The Social Syndicate officer stared at Maddox. Dana had committed high crimes against the ruling Syndic and his clones. There wasn’t anyone they would want more than her.

  “I would pay almost anything to have her, almost,” the sub-commander said. “But I will not forgo the pleasure of destroying you.”

  “If I’m a New Man,” Maddox asked, “how would I know that Dana Rich means so much to your Syndic?”

  “That’s easily answered. The New Men are clever, with spies everywhere. It doesn’t surprise me you know about her.”

  “Why wasn’t your fleet in the Rigel System defending it?” Maddox asked.

  “Why ask me such foolish questions?” Ko asked. “The answers cannot aid you. Look, your shield has already darkened to brown.”

  Maddox glanced at the indicator. It was brown as Sub-commander Ko said.

  A deflector shield absorbed energy such as a laser beam or thermonuclear explosion. The shield bled off the wattage over time. Overload darkened a shield. Once it was black, a shield was near collapse. It wouldn’t be much longer now before theirs went down.

  “The missiles are minutes away from detonation range,” Valerie said from her board.

  Maddox fixated on the bearded officer on the screen. “If I were a New Man, I would have bombarded your main planet in the Rigel System.”

  “I’m well aware of this.”

  “Your planet wasn’t touched.”

  “So you say,” Ko sneered. “I know otherwise.”

  “This makes no sense.”

  “At long last,” Ko said, “you have met a political system that produces soldiers more cunning than you. We know about your depredations, New Man. We know you have slipped into systems through backdoor entrances, always appearing where least expected. Then, you rush near and destroy planetary biospheres with your hell-burners. This time, we have surprised you marauders. The price was high, I admit it. But the Syndic demanded a plan that would hurt the New Men, no matter the cost. Not all of humanity agrees to play the sheep, the Social Syndicate the least of all.”