Pray for the Prey (29 page)

“I want to send one of our new battleships to the White Civilization in M-87.”

George indicated a chair and they sat down. “Am I to assume that you want to send one with our new beams and computer?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do.”

George stared at him and after a long moment he said, “Ok.”

RV did a double take and said, “Now you spoiled all the arguments I’ve worked on to try and persuade you.”

“I understand why. Our survival is tied to them. We need to make sure they have every benefit we can offer. However, they may not need it.”

“They need it, George. Our new ship is more advanced than theirs.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am. I’ve been studying the scans I made of them when they had us surrounded and their force field is strong, but no stronger than the one on the former ships. If beam development is at the appropriate level, they are behind us now.”

“The only reason our beams are so much stronger is because of the Federation.”

“That’s a fluke in development. I don’t believe they have the advantage of the Federation to help them.”

“You will not be the one to deliver it.”

RV sighed, “I know. I’ll choose some good pilots to do it.”

“How are those pilots going to escape?”

“We’ve designed an Attack Craft around the new reactor. I don’t even think we could catch it.”

“Are you going to have Needles and Attack Craft on the ship you deliver?”

“It will be fully armed and the computer will have the plans on how to build duplicates.”

“Better have red lights on it.”

“We’re going to paint the ship blue.”

“Ok, handle it. Was there something else?”

“Yes, uhhhhhh…Cyanna and I are going to be married and I don’t want her to have to move to another ship.”

“Congratulations, RV. That’s outstanding. Of course you’ll stay together. Chris and Jillian serve together on the Jukebox; I see no reason why the two of you can’t continue on the Havana.”

“Current regulations forbid it.”

George said, “Meisa.”

Meisa came in and said, “Congratulations, RV.”

RV looked back and forth between them and George said, “She left the room but I never exclude her from any of my conversations.” Meisa pointed to a small device in her ear.

RV slowly shook his head and George said, “Issue an addendum to fleet regulations that will allow married couples to serve on the same ship.”

“Is that a good idea?”

“It appears that thousands of sailors are finding their mates on the ships they serve on. They are refusing to marry and be forced apart. This is the right thing to do, especially with the lengthy tours of duty while on alert status.”

“They shouldn’t fly in the same wings.”

“That can be easily handled, RV. When’s the wedding?”

“I don’t know. Cyanna is handling the details and she’s not forth coming on what she’s planning. She says she wants to surprise me.”

“That will be extremely difficult to do. I don’t know anything that’s ever gotten by you.”

RV shook his head, “I know nothing. I’ve not been able to find out anything. All my sources have dried up.”

“Well, if I find out anything…”

“I know; you’ll keep it a secret.”

George laughed and said, “You know me too well.”

“I just wonder what she’s up to.” George just shrugged.

• • •

“Are you ready?”

“I am.”

“This is just as important as the first event.”

“Maybe more so.”

“Have you taken any other precautions?”

“The fleet will be used this time.”

“I hope it’s enough.”

“We’ll soon see.”

• • •

Two young pilots stood at attention in front of Arvolo and Cyanna. They had gone over fleet records and had determined that these two were the best pilots in the Navy. Their flight scores were so close that Reibe was only a thousandth of point ahead of Beth Hemer. RV looked up at the two pilots and said, “At ease. Take a chair.”

Riebbe looked at Beth and knew who she was just as she knew him by name. A good pilot always knew their competition. They both wondered what was going on.

“You two need to relax. You’re making my coffee nervous.” The two pilots chuckled and sat back in their chairs. “I’m sure the two of you know of each other even if you’ve never met. For all intents and purposes, the two of you are our best pilots. I have a voluntary mission I am ordering you to take.”

Beth said, “Did you say voluntary?”

“I did and I can always pull the next one on the list to do this.”

“Oh no, Sir; I was just trying to make sure I understood my orders.”

“You’ve been chosen to deliver a ship to a civilization in M-87.”

Riebbe looked at Beth then turned back to RV and said, “What kind of ship?”

“One of our newest main battleships; you will board a modified attack craft and attempt to escape after that delivery.”

“Would it be appropriate to ask why we’re doing this?”

“No, it would not; that information falls under state security. Are you willing to do as you’re ordered?”

Beth started laughing, “I certainly volunteer, Sir.”

Riebbe looked at her and said, “I do as well.”

“Can’t stand to let her get an advantage can you?”

Riebbe turned red and said, “I must maintain my ranking.”

“Your job is to deliver the ship. The attack craft located above the bridge has been modified to carry four fully powered ultrabeams and the force field matches a main battleship’s. Its speed is the fastest in the fleet. You will board that craft and leave immediately after your delivery.”

“When are we going to do this, Sir?”

“You’re going to the ship after this meeting and jump to the coordinates in the drive board.”

Riebbe smiled, “Good, I hate long waits.”

Cyanna pushed a button and an ensign came in the room, “Take them to the ship.”

“Yes Sir,” She turned to the two pilots, “If you will follow me.”

RV watched them go and said, “Who was that Ensign?”

“Graduated number one from the academy yesterday.”

RV laughed, “Kate is going to be furious.”

“You snooze; you lose.”

• • •

“Beth, what do you think about this assignment?”

Beth reached over and turned on the power switches to the manual controls, “I don’t know what to think. If there was ever an example of turning over top secret items, this is it. We have no defense against this ship and we’re giving it away. Whoever is getting this must be highly trusted by our leaders.”

“Giving away that new beam concerns me. It is a leap forward in weapon technology. I just hope our force field technology catches up soon.”

“By the way, it’s good to finally meet you. I’ve often wondered what you were like.”

Riebbe smiled, “The same for me; you’ve been a name I’ve been swapping places with in the standings. I know you must be talented.”

“Have you been offered a promotion?”

“I have but I’ve been able to avoid taking it. I just hate to give up flying the Attack Craft. I do love that bird.”

“Me, too. I suspect after this mission we may not be given a choice.”

Riebbe thought for a moment as he checked the reactor’s level and said, “I hope you’re wrong.”

“Do you want to fly the big bird?”

“No, you take the honors; I’ll fly the attack craft coming back.”

“I’ve heard that this ship is as maneuverable as an Attack Craft.”

“No way.”

“Way; we’ll check her out before we make the final jump.”

Beth looked at him and said, “Havana, we’re ready for initial jump.”

“Hurry home.”

Beth hit the jump pad and the huge White Ship disappeared.

• • •

After flying the giant ship through tight maneuvers for thirty minutes, Beth brought the giant ship to a stop. Riebbe said, “Wow! That was incredible flying. How in the world did I get to number one?”

Beth smiled, “You were lucky.” After a moment she said, “You could have done this too. This ship is remarkable. I want one.”

“The computer flies the ship. We wouldn’t be allowed to fight it.”

“Only if the fleet is linked, Riebbe. The pilots fly the ships until that happens.”

“I haven’t heard that. Why are they doing it that way?”

“Pilots are better at prioritizing targets. If a battle becomes a ship-to-ship fight, the pilots take the ships and the computer handles the weapons.”

“Are you ready to make the jump?”

“I am; you better strap in.”

“Onward and outward.”

The giant ship disappeared…and reappeared in orbit above a planet. It was surrounded by a globe of white ships. “What’s going on Riebbe?”

“It appears the locals were waiting on us. I’m lowering the ladder to the attack craft.” Riebbe pushed a button on his board and a ladder came down from the center of the bridge.

“Riebbe, look at this!”

Riebbe came back from the ladder and saw the scan that Beth had on her display. There were millions of large White Ships in formation out from the planet but millions of other ship began appearing in front of their lines. Suddenly the ships rushed forward attacking the White Ship formations. “It looks like we’ve touched off a war.”

“Millions more are arriving.” They watched and saw masses of ships jumping in to the system. The White Ships were holding the invaders off but thousands of them were being destroyed. “We’ve got to do something.”

The huge globe of ships surrounding the battleship left and joined the lines of defenders above the planet.

“Beth, our orders are to drop it and immediately leave.”

Beth looked at him and said, “I know this civilization is important to our leaders. We can’t just leave.” Riebbe stared at her and she said, “You can go without me.”

“I’m not going to take first by default. You take the big bird and I’ll take the sparrow.”

Beth hit a button, “Computer! Activate.”

“Waiting on a name.”

“Your name is Whitey.”

“Name acknowledged. Systems are now active.”

“Go to general quarters and power up all weapons. Scan the battle and offer suggestions on how to assist the White Ships.”

“The best path of support is through the middle of the attacking ships.”

“Show me the plot.” Beth saw the selected path and pressed her com, “Are you ready?”

“The ship is on line and active. Get me through the front line and let me do my thing.”

“Release when you’re ready. Launch in three seconds, two, one, go.”

The main battleship blew past the line of white defenders and into the mass of millions of attacking ships. Whitey began firing the eight hundred ultrabeams and a wide swath of destruction was blown into the ships on each side of it. Forty miles of ships were left burning on each side of the fast moving battleship. Riebbe released the modified attack craft and broke right. He took it through the right wing of the attackers and thousands of ships began exploding and burning. Thousands tried to target the small craft, but it was moving too fast and those that hit it were shrugged of its force field.

“Whitey, I’m going back to the front.”

“Acknowledged.”

Beth swung the ship left in a curve and continued to blow a path through the tightly packed ships. She arrived at the front line of the battle and turned. “Here goes nothing.” The ship leapt forward and roared down the length of ships being held off by the White Ships. The first ten miles of ships were blown apart by the ultrabeams. Some of them were cut in half as the beam was flashed across them as the battleship passed. The beams looked like strobe lights they were firing so fast. Bet reached the end of the long line of warring ships and turned for another pass and saw that there were no longer any attacking ships. The only things remaining were hundreds of thousands of burning ships.

“I’m locking down.”

“Come aboard when you’re locked.”

Riebbe joined her on the bridge and tilted his head, “You’ve got to admit this was worth a court marshal.”

Beth smiled, “Oh yes. Let’s go deliver this baby.” Beth turned the ship toward the White Ship’s front line and they parted to allow her to pass. She parked it in orbit over the planet and said, “Whitey, you will tell the beings from that planet what your name is.”

“Security code authorization.”

Beth said, “one, two, one, four, eight, alpha, alpha, zeta.”

“Code confirmed. Be careful going home.”

“Thanks. Whitey, you did a great job.” Beth opened the landing bay and joined Riebbe on the Attack Craft. She looked at Riebbe as he stood from the pilot’s chair.

“You’ve got to fly this ship. That battleship is awesome, but this…” Riebbe put his three fingers to his lips and kissed them... “Is the bomb.”

Beth took the chair and looked over at the young man sitting next to her. She was going to see him again. She needed to make sure but she felt something in her heart. They killed more than six thousand ships pursuing them before they eventually escaped. By the time they arrived back at Sierra-Garcia, she no longer had any doubts. Neither did he.

• • •

“It appears things have changed.”

“That cannot be argued. Did you expect this?”

“No, but I can see how it happened. We need to get the construction sites going.”

“They’ve been waiting for the ship.”

“I don’t know how much longer we’ll have before they decide.”

“We have some time.”

“How do you know that?”

“They are, if nothing else, consistent. There were more than eighty fleets severely weakened in the attack. They will be removed before they turn to us again.”

“And those that go after the eighty will be weakened and then attacked in turn.”

“Exactly; however, we’ve got to rush. The numbers we’ll need are staggering.”

“The process has already begun.”

Chapter Twenty-One

B
eth and Riebbe were standing at attention in front of the two Admirals again. This time they knew they were in trouble. Unknown to them, their ships had sent a feed back to the Havana and Command Center of all their conversations and actions. Admiral Arvolo had played the recording on the wall display and watched it with Vice Admiral Hardy. Beth winced when she heard herself say she was going to violate direct orders. The recording stopped and Arvolo turned around and said, “I’ll start with you Lt. Hemer; by your own admission, you knew you were violating orders.”