Euthara (18 page)

“Mark,” Jon said. “Let her explain, we still don’t know what she was doing.”

“Iwassendingtroopstoassistatthefighter,” Nefeit said. She said it so fast it was all one word and it took a second for Jon to realize what she had said.

“Troops?” Mark said. He blinked his eyes in confusion.

A small grin crept up on Jon’s face as he realized he had another Deatra on his hands and in a way he liked that.

“Yes,” Nefeit said. “Ijazida troops to be exact. They’re our people’s elite shock troops. Heavily armored in special combat suits, we use them in situations such as these.”

“That is my call to make,” Mark said. “I’m the military commander here on Euthara and I don’t like people over stepping me.”

Nefeit looked up at Mark as she spoke, “I realize you don’t know me very well and I don’t know you very well. However, I’m Jon’s wife and in my culture that makes me his voice.”

“That’s not how it works…Owww,” Mark said. He stopped short as pain flared in the hand that was grasping Nefeit.

Jon had turn and began issuing orders to the troops at the site of the downed fighter. He decided to let Mark and Nefeit work things out on their own. He still had a small smile across his face as he waved the two marines out of the room. They both bowed and left the room.

“It is how it works,” Nefeit said. She had Mark's hand in her other hand and was twisting in slightly. “I have led over fifty campaigns in my life time. That makes me qualified to make my own choices when it comes to my people. You are all now my people and I take that very seriously.”

“You have no right,” Mark said as he twisted his hand in enough of a move to free himself from her grasp.

“I have all the right,” Nefeit said as she released his hand and snatched her com unit from his other hand. “My troops, my choice.” She raised the com unit and spoke, “Deploy the troops now to target location. They will take orders from the ground commander there on scene and from Captain Anders in the command center. Once they are recalled they will be on station planet side until future notice.”

Mark’s jaw dropped and Jon’s smile widened.

“One more thing Captain,” Nefeit said. “You ever touch me without my consent or orders from Jon you will be sorry. Contact like that with someone in my position is considered a crime. You don’t want to know what the punishment is.”

“You’re a part of the ADF and we do things a bit differently here,” Mark said. “Jon’s safety and everyone else’s here is my first priority. You interfere with that and I’ll have you thrown in the brig with or without Jon’s permission.”

“You both can stop measuring now,” Jon said. “You’re both right and wrong. Mark, like it or not she is in a position of authority and I have no problems with that as she is from a warrior race. You might even learn a thing or two from her and her people. Nefeit, Mark is my security chief and in command of all my forces and he has final say on military matters.”

“But,” Nefeit said, but stopped when Jon held his hand up.

“However, your position allows you certain leeway and he’ll have to deal with that in his own way,” Jon said. “I hope that’s understood by both of you.”

They both nodded and Nefeit took up her position next to Jon as Mark stepped up to the end of the small table. He was still rubbing his hand as he turned his gaze down towards the table.

“Sir, Terri’s fighter is lifting off and returning home,” one of the officers said. “It’s taking heavy fire from the Eutharan forces.”

“Have our troops lay down heavy covering fire,” Mark said.

“Inbound unknown ship,” another officer said. “They’ve taken up position below the fighter and seem to be deploying troops.”

“On screen,” Jon said.

An image of a very large black shuttle filled the screen. Troops could be seen dropping to the ground under it without any type of repelling gear. As they struck the ground the impact made small clouds of dust. The hull on the shuttle shimmered as it blocked the ground fire from the Eutharan troops.

“Those are my shock troops,” Nefeit said. “This battle will be over soon.”

Large shapes began to fall from under the shuttle, their impacts creating a dust cloud obscuring them from view.

“What the hell are those?” Mark said.

“Anti-Grav tanks and other assorted support vehicles,” Nefeit said.

“How many troops?” Jon said as the rain of bodies continued.

“I ordered a small deployment,” Nefeit said. “That is about six hundred troops and supplies.”

“Holy shit,” Mark said. “That’s a small army.”

“That is half the special forces on my ship,” Nefeit said. “When the Narissis and Ossata arrive they will have four times those troops and an additional five thousand regular each.” Nefeit was smiling now as she knew Jon might need the troops. It was the reason she had those ships deployed here moments after Deatra’s departure. “The Randasu and Brijas are on their way to support Ghost Station. They’re carrying mostly support personnel although they have about half as many troops.”

“And you were going to tell me when?” Jon said.

“I was going to tell you right after I deployed the ships,” Nefeit said. “But, this happened and I didn’t get the chance.”

“So, you took it upon yourself to decide where to place the ships and troops?” Mark said.

“Well, you need support personnel at the station and the extra security couldn’t hurt,” Nefeit said. “I thought you would need the smaller force of troops here.”

“Thanks,” Jon said. “How about next time you let me know though.”

“Wait smaller force?” Mark said. “Just how many troops can you field?”

“Currently?” Nefeit said.

“Uh, yeah,” Mark said.

“Well,” Nefeit said. “I would have to say just shy of two hundred thousand shock troops and seven hundred thousand normal troops. That includes air forces and all equipment. Now that we’re in the ADF I can step that up and multiply those forces by half again.”

“Mother of God,” Mark said.

“How many ships can you field?” Jon said.

“Home fleet is about ten ships carrier class down and ships abroad is what I just mentioned including my vessel,” Nefeit said. “That is one area we’re hurting in. We have the crews for more vessels but most of our fleet was destroyed by an unknown force while they were on deployment. My people aren’t ship builders, however we’ve been slowly replacing the ships we have lost. It’s a long process as we build them on one of our moons and launch them into space. It’s not as fast as a having an orbital ship yard, something we’re working on. We’re learning from trial and error as we do things.”

“I find it a bit strange that you don’t have your own ship yards,” Jon said. Jon was still watching as the battle slowly came to a halt as the Eutharan troops began to surrender. The screen switched to a Drovasian male in heavy armor. He saluted once he realized the connection was live.

“My Queen,” he said as he knelt and bowed his head.

“How dare you!” Nefeit said.

The man looked up eyes wide as stunned silence filled the command center.

“You know better than that,” Nefeit said. “I’ll not put up with breaking of customs from anyone. You’re relieved of your command and will report to me directly when you return.”

“My Queen?” the man stood up and bowed. He left the view of the camera as Drovasian female took his place and saluted and knelt head bowed.

“My King,” she said. She rotated slightly and spoke again. “My Queen, may the Gods protect you and your family.”

“That’s better,” Nefeit said. She motioned to Jon.

Jon blinked once as he regained his thoughts. “Where is Lieutenant Jalash?” Jon said.

“He’s dead Sire,” the female said. “He was too far gone when the Med-techs got to him.” She flashed a brief smile as her eye lost contact with Jon for a brief moment.

Jon frowned as he spoke, “Something funny… I’m sorry I don’t’ know your name or rank.”

“Lieutenant Eaowu, Sire,” Eaowu said. “No, nothing is funny.”

Jon glanced back at Mark who was standing there his mouth open and eyes wide. Jon gave the bottom of Mark’s jaw a nudge with his elbow as he said, “Might want to close that before a fly flies in.”

Mark blinked and shook his head. “Sorry,” Mark said as his face colored slightly.

“You know it’s not nice to stare,” Nefeit said.

“Sorry,” Mark said his face reddening even more.

“Now that you have stared at her you’re bound by our customs to take her out on a date,” Nefeit said.

“Custom?” Eaowu said, but Nefeit cut her off by raising her hand.

“I uh,” Mark said.

“Do you want to insult her?” Nefeit said.

“No,” Mark said. “But, a date? I don’t even know her.”

“What better way of getting to know her?” Nefeit said. “Do you not like her? Do you think she’s not pretty?”

“She’s beautiful,” Mark said.

“So, what’s the problem?” Nefeit said.

“Nothing,” Mark said. “If she would like to go on a date I’d be happy to take her out.”

“Fine it’s a date,” Nefeit said.

“She doesn’t get any say? What if she doesn’t want to go out with me?” Mark said.

“Ask her you oaf,” Jon said.

“Eaowu, would you like to have dinner with me?” Mark said.

Eaowu smiled and blushed a bit as she said, “Of course I would.”

“Fine, congrats you two, now can we get on with the report?” Jon said.

“Sire, the Princess’ fighter is in route back to you under its own power,” Eaowu said. “Princess Hunter however is not in it and nowhere to be found. The Eutharan troops have surrendered and we currently have a head count of thirty soldiers. Only losses on our side were the Lieutenant and six other soldiers.”

“Recall all troops and allow the Eutharan troops to go free, minus their weapons,” Jon said. “Bring their wounded back here for treatment. Tell the current Eutharan commander that they will be released as soon as the doctor approves or they can set something up through Captain Anders to have them picked up and moved to their own hospitals.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Mark said. “We’ll just end up fighting the same men again.”

“They have families and I’m not going to keep them from their loved ones,” Jon said. “I’m saddened that we have any losses and I wish this could have been avoided. I want more scouting parties sent out and I want my sister found and brought back here alive. Double them if you have to, hell triple them. Do whatever it takes. I’m going back to the house.”

Jon wanted to rush out and search for Terri himself. But, he knew that was impossible and Deatra not being here was making him a bit edgy. Admiral Gabriel had arrived and was waiting for him in the house. Jon had been putting that off as he didn’t really want to deal with it. Now that Terri was missing he wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with it at all.

“That was pretty sneaky,” Jon said as Nefeit and he walked back towards the house.

“What are you talking about?” Nefeit said as she smiled.

“You know what I’m talking about,” Jon said. “Mark and Eaowu, pretty slick how you handled it.”

“I know her, she’s never chosen a mate and it was getting to the time I would have to assign her one,” Nefeit said. “Mark on the other hand just needs to get laid. He’s way to up tight.”

Jon busted out laughing.

“I’m serious,” Nefeit said. “I bet ever since this thing has started all he’s been doing is working. I’ll bet he doesn’t have a girlfriend or wife and all he does is work and sleep.”

“That’s Mark,” Jon said.

“They will make a good pair,” Nefeit said.

“You say that like they’re getting married,” Jon said.

“Yup, they’re going to,” Nefeit said. “I’ve seen that look before, love at first sight.”

“Maybe,” Jon said. “It would do Mark good that’s for sure.”

Jon and Nefeit stopped short as a young ensign ran up and saluted them as he spoke, “Sir, the
Atlantis
and
Titan
are reporting they’re under attack from unknown vessels.”

Jon took off at a sprint towards the house followed closely by Nefeit, she was already talking to her com unit. As Jon entered the living room he noticed the Duke seated watching the screen hovering over the coffee table.

“No, I’m ordering you to help the
Atlantis
and
Titan
out Captain,” Andara said. “I don’t care what the orders from the Royal Court are. The Titan is one of our ships and we have a responsibility to protect those Eutharans on it. Doing that means you have to help the Atlantis.”

“I’m sorry Sir,” the male on the screen said. “I have my orders.” The screen went blank and Andara growled he wasn’t used to not being listened too.

Jon reached out like he was grabbing the screen and flicked it towards the larger screen on the wall. Upper right corner showed it was a camera from the station in orbit. The
Titan
was in a bad way and leaking atmosphere badly from multiple points on its hull. The
Atlantis
was trying to shield the
Titan
from most of the incoming fire. Jon immediately recognized Invaru vessels mixed in with the ships. However, they were firing on the other ships and seemed to be protecting the
Atlantis
and
Titan
.

Jon opened a connection to the
Atlantis
,
Titan,
and
Scythe
as he watched the battle playing out. On the
Atlantis’
bridge Carla was standing next to Atlantis as she gave out orders.

“Shields at thirty five percent. Another hit like that and we’ll lose them,” someone said. “The
Titan
has lost her shield again and reports they may not be able to get them back up this time.”

“Bring us about and put us between the
Titan
and the enemy vessels,” Carla said. “Have the
Titan
and
Scythe
jump to alpha rally.”

The bridge on the
Titan
was filled with smoke as Gilas gave out orders to jump. He had a light cut above one of his eyes as sparks flared from conduits hanging behind him. “Recall all fighters,” Gilas said. “Bring us about and jump as soon as possible. Order all remaining fighters to land at the Eutharan base.”

On the screen a beam lanced out hitting the
Atlantis
and leaving a gouge in her hull one quarter the length of it. Atmosphere began streaming out and small eruptions and sparks filled the gap.