<Good evening, Captain Manet,> Julien had sent.
<I was waiting for your contact, Julien. Well, either you or the Admiral.> When Julien didn’t reply, Edouard knew that the SADE was waiting for his explanation. <You know the extent of the retrofit of the Outward Bound, Julien. I am of the opinion that even the Admiral doesn’t know what you’ve done. This is one-of-a-kind ship. I have never seen it’s like in the Confederation.>
<I am glad you appreciate the design, Captain.>
<I understand that you did this for the Admiral, Julien, and I can appreciate why you did it. Now we need to make use of it.>
<The craft is untested at this intensity, Captain, and may need servicing earlier than expected. And your crew is not made of metal and circuits; they are human and need rest.>
<I’ve made arrangements for that, Julien. Lieutenant Tanaka is not operating as my copilot, but as a pilot. We have been operating in pairs, one pilot and one tech on the bridge, while the other pair takes a nap. Julien, please, I ask you this for our people. Every extra flight is 200 more people that we save.>
“A moral crisis” were the words that had occurred to Julien. Before he met Alex, Julien would have simply reported the unsafe operation to his Captain. A shuttle pilot was exceeding the proscribed safety limit for flights per day. It was a simple fact that would have generated a simple response. Julien had reviewed Edouard’s plea in light of Alex’s intent to save the people of Libre and weighed the risks.
It wasn’t that this was Julien’s forte, but he had one library to rely on. Whenever crew members invented new techniques within the implant games, the opposite team would often challenge the invention. Their challenge was lodged with the referee: Julien himself. In the beginning, Julien had been uncertain how to decide the issues and had sought Alex’s advice. He had listened to the discussions between Alex and the inventive crew member. What Julien had learned was that intent was critical. What had the crew member intended to do? Had they realized what would happen?
Edouard’s request was not in the same category as that of the players’ challenges. Here, there was a risk not only to the crew and shuttle, but to its over 200 passengers. Furthermore, if they lost the shuttle, hundreds to thousands of even more Librans might be left behind.
Edouard had sat waiting in the cockpit. Only the Admiral was known to pose questions to Julien that required the SADE take time to answer. He never thought that one day he would find himself asking such a question of Julien.
<I suggest a compromise,> Julien had finally said. <You are flying two extra flights a day, allowing only four hours of sleep. If you will fly only one extra flight a day, then perhaps this piece of data may become irrelevant.>
<Agreed, Julien. Thank you.> Edouard had ended the comm before anything more could be said. He had expected to be shut down and reprimanded. The compromise was a gift and he would take it. A gift from a SADE, Edouard thought. What have you done to us, Admiral? Edouard had slowly shaken his head in disbelief.
Today, the Outward Bound’s liftoff was going to be different. It had started with the removal of the safety engine locks while at the orbital station, with Julien guiding Edouard and the techs through the steps. The crew knew that the Admiral had done the same thing on the Rêveur to escape the silver ships at Bellamonde, and they hoped they had the same good fortune.
The Outward Bound landed without the need to exceed normal power levels. The techs were supervising their refueling and running preflight checks. Edouard, Miko, and Pia, who had kept the crew going with nutrient and stimulant injections, were loading the passengers. Unlike previous flights, often with a single passenger to each seat, they placed children in their parents’ laps and sat young adults in the aisles and the galley. When Miko signaled all full, Pia looked at the middle-aged woman on the ramp with her two teenage sons and motioned them forward. Edouard and Miko threw Pia incredulous looks as she and her latest passengers threaded their way down the aisle, people edging out of their way. Pia walked to the refresher, opened the door, and motioned them inside. The teenagers hurried past and took seats on the deck. The woman touched Pia’s face gently as she edged past and sat between her sons, placing an arm around each of them. The image of the mother and her sons seated on the deck of the refresher, smiles on their faces, burned into Pia’s mind and was carefully saved in her implant.
<Now we can go, Captain,> Pia sent. In the beginning, Pia had kept the crew amused with her inventive messages and images. Lyle and Zeke called her the ship’s “comedian,” which Miko had to explain to Edouard. But Pia was now as exhausted as the rest of them, and it had been days since she had entertained the crew with her mental games.
Lyle and Zeke signaled all ready as they retracted the gangway ramp and locked the hatch. Lyle picked up the young boy who had been sitting in his seat, and held him in his lap for liftoff.
Edouard took the pilot’s chair for their first overburdened lift, with Miko in the copilot seat. Together they piloted the Outward Bound skyward, the engines straining to lift the overburdened shuttle. They glanced at one another as the engine power display passed 100 percent, turning from green to yellow and finally to red.
But as adrenaline-pumping as that first liftoff had been, the crew quickly fell back into their old routine. Unfortunately there was no room to nap, so the crew slept in their seats. Edouard wanted to abandon the extra daily flight they had been allowed so his crew could get some rest, but their hard-eyed stares convinced him to abandon his offer.
By day three of the deadline, neither the red lights of their controller’s power display nor the roar of the straining engines frightened the crew anymore. They became sleepwalkers, flying rotation after rotation. The passengers climbing the Outward Bound’s gangway ramp to board would exchange concerned looks at the hollowed eyes and listless motions of their Captain and his crew.
-23-
Once the Stern Licht exited the Bellamonde system, the Stern Vagabund was left to maintain the watch over the alien ships as the drones cleared atmosphere and made their way to the mother ship. With its immense diameter, it would have been logical to assume that the number of drones circling the mother ship would be able to enter through a multitude of bays, but it wasn’t so. The drones used a single point of entry and slipped through the iris-style hatch one at a time, with a distinct pause before the next fighter could enter.
Patrolling silver ships made their way from across the system to rendezvous with the mother ship. As they arrived, they joined the other fighters circling the mother ship’s massive circumference, waiting for their turn to enter.
Before they’d left Arno, Captain Azasdau and Captain Hauser had met with the Admiral, per his request. The request had seemed unusual, as the Bergfalk Captains had their instructions and could not conceive of the Admiral modifying Leader Stroheim’s orders. But the Captains discovered the Admiral didn’t wish to issue orders or directives. Instead, they were requested to carefully observe the mother ship and her drones, and ask themselves why the enemy did things.
Captain Azasdau thought it was a strange request until he found himself doing just that—wondering why. Most inefficient, Asu thought as he regarded the fighters waiting to enter the mother ship, and the odd behavior engaged his engineering training. So why would you only allow your drones to enter one at a time through a single point of entry? Asu wondered. One would think you don’t trust your minions, he thought, directing his words at the mother ship, and I think you’re going to be upset when I tell the Admiral about your strange little habit.
Asu recalled the first time he viewed the Admiral’s vid of the subterranean-like nature of the aliens. Now, as he’d watched the silver ships cluster around the mother ship, acting in their submissive fashion, he saw the truth in the concept. They behaved like a colony of burrowers he had investigated as a boy. When moving to a new location, the creatures clustered protectively around their queen, driving all intruders away.
The crew of the Stern Vagabund had passe
d the days waiting for the mother ship to gather its drones, and counting down the remaining ships. Rosette, the ship’s SADE, was able to identify subtle differences in each hull. So despite the fact that some silver ships were out of sight when they circled behind the mother ship, she could maintain the count. The significant number, according to the Admiral, was ten.
<Captain,> Rosette sent, <the count is eleven. The next silver ship that enters the mother ship will leave the defenders at ten as we have been warned.>
<Thank you, Rosette,> Asu sent.
Captain Azasdau had always treated his SADE with courtesy and found it had paid off for him over the decades. Rosette was very proactive in suggesting small things that kept his ship receiving commendations for efficiency.
“Captain, should we go to active telemetry and determine the mother ship’s course to negate the delay?” the First Mate asked.
<Rosette, your opinion?> the Captain asked.
<Captain, at present, we are in alignment with the mother ship and Arno. I would be concerned that active telemetry would attract the mother ship to us and perhaps direct her choice between Libre and Méridien. However, the Admiral’s SADEs have calculated that the mother ship is sure to direct its course for Libre.>
The Stern Vagabund’s officers regarded one another, considering variations on Rosette’s advice. If the active telemetry were to attract the mother ship and help persuade its direction, which way should they attract it? Méridien was their home world, but the people they were charged with servicing and protecting had been deserted by the Confederation Council. So who should be sacrificed? The officers were quite content to let their Captain decide.
<Switch telemetry to active mode, Rosette,> Asu ordered.
Hours later, they had their answer. <The mother ship’s course, Captain, indicates Libre,> Rosette sent.
The Captain had Rosette send a preliminary announcement to Libre and remained on station for several more hours to confirm the mother ship’s trajectory.
The enemy remained on course for Libre, and Rosette sent the confirmation just before the Stern Vagabund entered FTL. Without an update, Asu had no way of knowing the state of preparation of his people, House Bergfalk and the Independents. We are all in the same predicament, he thought.
* * *
The Stern Reisende exited FTL, arriving midday on day five. Captain Hauser immediately signaled Leader Stroheim. In turn, Leader Stroheim requested Z add Alex, Tomas, Renée, and the other two SADEs into a conference. He was doing his best to anticipate the Admiral’s needs.
<Greetings, Leader Stroheim,> Lillian sent, <we received the unfortunate announcement from the Stern Vagabund while we were in transit. So the mother ship and her brood are coming our way?>
<That’s affirmed, Captain,> Eric sent, appending the conference list for the Captain’s benefit.
<Greetings, Admiral,> Lillian said.
<Welcome back, Captain. Do you have any new information for us other than your message?>
<I have nothing to add, Admiral. Elizabeth is transferring the vids of the rising to Julien, as requested.>
<I appreciate the cooperation, Captain.>
<We are pleased to do what we can to help. What are my orders, Admiral?>
<Captain, you have Bay-3 on Bau Ein next to the Stern Licht. You will need to immediately load supplies for 350 passengers plus crew from around the station. Do not expect shuttle deliveries for your supplies. Use every storage space available. Check in with Captain Schmidt if you have any questions. After supplies are aboard, contact Z. He will assign your crew work positions supporting the Unser Menschen until it lifts. You will be delaying your departure until the last possible moment. Your passengers will come from shuttles landing at the station after the Unser Menschen launches. Follow our SADEs’ directives carefully, Captain,> Alex said, emphasizing this last command.
<May I ask, Admiral, how we are managing the exodus?>
There was silence for the moment on the comm. <We have our challenges, Captain, but we are working to meet them,> said Alex.
<Understood, Admiral. We will endeavor to help you meet those challenges.>
* * *
Mütter had coordinated the landing of seven Daggers into her two bays not more than three hours before the Stern Reisende’s arrival. Per the Admiral’s order, Sheila sent three Daggers to the Rêveur, led by Lieutenant Hatsuto Tanaka, her flight second. She kept Robert with her.
When Tatia questioned Sheila about Tanaka’s assignment, her Squadron Leader responded, “Robert has done a great job training the recruits. From now on, that’s his job. And Tanaka is good, probably as good as Jase, and somewhere along the way, he’s gotten his ego under control.”
“Well, it’s your decision, Commander,” Tatia replied.
“Thank you, Commander,” Sheila replied before Tatia’s words sank in. “I’m sorry, Commander, what did you call me?”
“Admiral’s orders, Commander, and at this rate you may not have to wait the year out to reach that top position you joked about when you made Squadron Leader.”
Tatia left a stunned Commander Reynard in her wake and checked in for deployment orders with Andrea.
<How do you want to manage officer assignments, Captain?> Tatia sent to Andrea.
<One moment, Commander,> Andrea replied as she linked Alex into the comm.
Alex linked Mickey, who was just returning to the Money Maker from the Unser Menschen. <Give me a status, please,> Alex requested.
<We have seven Daggers and full missile loads for them with a newly reconditioned ship, Admiral,> Tatia reported. <Commander Reynard sent you the veterans. Lieutenant Tanaka is on his way to you with the three Daggers you requested.>
Both Alex and Andrea read between the lines of Tatia’s message. Robert wasn’t going to be an active pilot.
<Commander, what’s your personnel assessment under the circumstances?> Alex asked.
<Captain Menlo and his XO are going to have their hands full with the freighter and their run to the exit point. Our new Commander will be flying point for any defensive maneuvers. That leaves no seasoned officers on board to manage and troubleshoot bay operation and any fighter issues. Mickey and I are of the opinion that we need to stay aboard the Money Maker.>
<Commander, Chief, you understand the Money Maker is one of the slowest vessels in the flotilla,> Andrea said, giving them the opportunity to change ships.
<We understand, Captain. If the silver ships catch the freighters, our seven Daggers might buy us enough time to make exit, but the pilots and flight crew will need all the support they can get.>
<We’ll support your decision, Commander,> said Andrea.
Andrea, standing next to Alex, glanced at him. She could sense the pain Tatia’s statement caused her. When Alex said nothing, Andrea knew it was her call.
<Understood, Commander. We’ll expect him back aboard the Rêveur shortly.>
Tatia closed her comm and went to meet Alain at the waiting shuttle.
Alain wasn’t pleased about returning to the Rêveur and took his time holding Tatia in a close hug. “With this ship’s limited velocity, you must urge the Captain to launch as soon as the Admiral permits,” Alain said.
“We have orders to leave now. As soon as your shuttle is off, Alain, these bay doors will close and we’re gone,” Tatia replied.
“That’s good. Be safe, my heart,” Alain replied. “If this craft is not fast enough to beat the silver ships to the exit point, I expect you and Mickey to get out and push. Put your oversized selves to some good use.>
Tatia laughed at his joke, but inside, her guts were knotted. She kissed him good-bye. Alain, long since having lost his reticence for public displays, returned it until her toes warmed. Alain waved to her from the shuttle’s gangway ramp, and Tatia waved back. The moment the shuttle hatch was sealed, she marched for the bay’s airlock and signaled the Captain
.
Within a half-hour, the Geld Hersteller—or if you asked Mickey, the Money Maker—turned onto a course to employ Libre’s gravity to help it accelerate, chasing her sister ship, the Lange Strecken, to the exit point.
* * *
Tomas had met with Terese and asked her to stay aboard the Freedom with him.
“Your offer is most appreciated, Tomas,” Terese had replied. “I would like nothing better if we were at peace. But until our people are safe and need fight no longer, my place is aboard the Rêveur.”
“You are a woman of great honor,” Tomas had said. “There is much I like about you.”
“And I care for you, Tomas,” Terese had said, touching his cheek.
“Please inform the Admiral that I would consider it a personal favor if he would keep you safe.”
She had laughed at that. “You should know by now, Tomas, that few know how to tell the Admiral anything, but that is his strength. He isn’t burdened by the strictures that our society gave us. So I will tell him that you send your regards.” She had kissed him warmly and made her way to the shuttle bay.
Terese had joined Renée, Étienne, and the other Rêveur crew members boarding the aging Libre Station passenger shuttle, which the Rêveur would keep. It’s why Alex had only ordered three Daggers, housing two in the starboard bay and one in the port bay.
Their shuttle landed in the Rêveur’s port bay, sliding forward to make room for the Dagger’s exit. As Terese walked down the gangway ramp, Renée took her hand in sympathy. It had hurt Terese to leave Tomas, but she didn’t regret her decision. She knew where she had to be.
* * *
On the morning of day six, Captain Cordova ordered the crew and passengers, who had been scavenging the station for supplies and useful material throughout the night, back to the Freedom. Some of the last to board from the station were fourteen runners, each child carrying a potted plant retrieved from the Station Manager’s offices to decorate their cabins.