Striker (19 page)

Zeus and Sohm'lan strode to the lift where Europa waited. Thankfully, they all rode in companionable silence to the command deck, giving Zeus time to adjust and calm his emotions. Before they stepped through the door to the bridge, Zeus placed a staying hand on Sohm'lan's arm. The mission to take the Fal'Amoric to Haven could go wrong, even though they had attempted to plan for every contingent they could think of.

"If something happens to me," Zeus looked into Sohm'lan's blue eyes. "My family ..."

Sohm'lan covered Zeus’s hand on his arm with one of his own. "With my dying breath."

He nodded his thanks, his throat constricting so he was unable to speak. Pulling his hand free to tug on the end of his jacket, Zeus cleared his throat and entered the bridge.

He could hear the chatter from The Gorgon's command deck. The similarly-connected overhead vid screen would be blank until they dropped out of hyperspace. Axis sat at navigation, his plume of red and gray feathers lay flat on the crown of his head, showing his concentration. He glanced up at Zeus over his wide, orange, boney-plated nose, giving a slight nod of greeting.

Abechan, the Shia M'arr communications officer, sat primly at his station. Zeus believed there was not a situation in which Abechan did not appear vain. His delicate, long-fingered, green hands were clasped before him when Zeus met Abechan's ancient gaze. The blue of his robes perfectly matched the glossy, bone-plated ridge circling the crown of his head.

The pilot, Gaex, approached. "All systems checked. We are ready to go." Half the height of Zeus, Gaex sat in the small child-like leather seat that automatically raised him to the height of the control panel.

Axis spoke over his shoulder. "Three minutes before The Gorgon drops out of hyperspace."

Zeus reluctantly took the captain's chair and buckled in. Europa stood along the wall near his left. Zeus heard her magnetic boots engage.

From where he sat, Zeus could clearly see all the workstations. His chair sat behind and slightly above the pilot's station, giving Zeus a clear view of Gaex as he flicked a couple of switches, which seemed to cause the meters to climb from red to yellow and then finally, green. "Zeus, all systems have checked out and are in the green. The Oethra 7 will be ready to lift off when you give the command," Gaex announced.

Sohm'lan claimed a seat to Zeus’s left, near Abechan at communications, overseeing the defense system. "Al'haska is manning the turret. You already regulated the hull ionization to disperse an EM charge, or netting. The guns will not be useful unless the enemy is close or we hit atmosphere."

"Let us hope we do not need either," Zeus replied. "Axis, do we have the charts?"

The area over the navigation table began to light up with a three-dimensional map of Valespian space. "Chart data is loading now. When The Gorgon drops out of hyperspace, she will appear on the map in green. All Galactic Patrol ships have a unique signal, and they will appear in blue. Other unknown vessels will be red dots. As we identify the unknown, the data and the specs will be sent to the Warlord's station."

Over the com, Zeus listened to the countdown. "And we will come to a full stop in five ... four ... three ... two ... one."

As a passenger, Zeus sensed nothing different, but a blinking green dot came to life on the navchart. The overhead vid screen that wrapped around the upper perimeter of the bridge blinked, and the view of space could be seen in all eight directions.

"Oethra 7, access codes to bay door four have been entered." Zeus would recognize Azaes's voice anywhere. "Be careful, little brother. We will see you planet-side."

"Brother," he barely forced out.

"Brother." Azaes and Mestor repeated together.

"Gaex, once we are cleared of the bay, stay close to the engines. They will hide our heat signature until we break away."

"Leaving the bay now," Gaex announced.

The overhead changed, reflecting the switch from The Gorgon's telemetry to the Oethra 7's systems. The hull of The Gorgon skimmed the top of the view screen as Gaex move them into position. The com stayed open, so they overheard the chatter between The Gorgon and any ships they encountered. So far, nothing seemed unusual.

Red dots began to appear on the navcharts. Ten in all. Zeus breathed out slowly.

Mestor's voice sounded over the com, his tone brisk and strong. "Galactic Patrol, this is the starship The Gorgon of Atlainticia, requesting permission to approach Valespia's space dock."

"Prince Zeus." He glanced at Sohm'lan. "Four targets have been identified as satellites: foreign unauthorized units. They are highlighted in yellow on the navigation screen."

Four of the red dots around the planet of Valespia changed to yellow. Zeus turned his gaze to Europa.

"They have already leapt to the closest device. I am receiving data now," Europa replied to his unasked question.

"Four of the vessels have been identified as human battle cruisers, with one vessel of T'Sali origin," Sohm'lan said as he continued to tap on his screen.

Focused, Zeus pressed his lips together. T'Sali had been with the V'Saar on the boarding party that attempted to take over The Gorgon. How deeply were they involved in this conspiracy?

When Galactic Patrol failed to respond to Mestor's hail, Mestor tried again. One red dot remained undefined.

"Why has the last vessel not been identified?" Zeus studied the map. The human ships began to maneuver, heading toward The Gorgon. Could the starcraft withstand an attack from the dissimilar weaponry of the Terren vessels?

Mestor's voice sounded determined and strong over the com-link. "Identify yourself. Terren battleships are not allowed outside of the Milky Way. Explain!"

"Prince Zeus." Sohm'lan drew his attention. "The last ship has been identified as Chtichlian. As you can see, it is hidden behind a gas giant. The humans do not seem to be aware of its presence."

"What are they doing here?" Zeus asked the question aloud, not expecting an answer.

"Atlaintician vessel The Gorgon, this is Commander Ji Huang-fu. Valespian space is now under the control of Qing-Nian Tech and Baldassare Operations of the Earth-Sun Alliance. Power down your weapons and prepare to be boarded. Any resistance will be met with extreme force."

Zeus glanced to Europa when she made a noise of disgust. "Arrogant fools," she spat, with more vehemence than Zeus thought the Feteine could feel. They were intelligent, albeit sentient, robots, and this was the first time he had seen one of them express a strong emotion.

"Your presence here breaks the Twenty-Year War Treaty," Mestor warned.

"Prince Zeus." Axis pointed to the satellites on a navchart. One yellow light changed to green, then a second.

"Abechan, use the frequency I gave you and hail my father. Put him on the left screen when you reach him."

"This is your last warning Gorgon. We will use force if necessary." On the map, the Terren vessels converged on Azaes’s starship.

The goading tone clear in his voice, Mestor replied, "We are escorting the Fal'Amoric imperial family. I have a feeling you do not want them caught in the crossfire. So no, you will not be using excessive force."

The left screen flickered, the view of space replaced by the image of Zeus’s father, standing next to a slightly taller male with long, white hair and dark mahogany skin. A pair of stunning wings, seemingly part biotech, flared in the background.

"Abechan, open a private com-link to Prince Azaes," Zeus commanded before giving his full attention to his father. "Are you well?"

"The planetary defense grid has not been broken," his father replied.

Europa moved to stand next to Zeus’s chair, her hands clasped behind her back. Zeus fought not to show how uneasy her nearness made him. "Prince Vipre Des De Vorn, I am Europa Astarte. If you request it, the Feteine will give aid."

Prince Vipre inclined his head regally. "We would be honored to have your assistance, for it is desperately needed."

Europa bowed respectfully. "I have already sent word to our fleets."

"Many thanks."

"Father," Azaes's voice broke over the com-link. "What do you command?"

"The people?" their father asked.

"Are with me. I will bring them planet-side," Zeus replied.

Abechan interrupted. "Prince Zeus, a psi-tracker is attempting to hack our communications."

Europa strode to Abechan's control panel. Leaning around Abechan, she pushed and flicked buttons and switches. Within seconds, he had ceded the chair, obviously recognizing her expertise.

Axis pointed to the navcharts, the movement attracting Zeus’s attention. "Three Atlaintician starships have exited hyperspace." The newly-arrived ships appeared on the map near to where the Chtichlian vessel hid.

"Atlaintician starship The Gorgon, this is Empress Ashari Vondorian of the starship Medusa. We are at your disposal, son." Zeus grinned at the sound of Meme's voice. His father gave a whistling-hiss, seeming to bristle with pride on the screen.

"Prince Zeus." He heard the urgency in Axis's voice. "Smaller vessels have appeared: dozens of them. They must have been hiding, because there is no hyper trail. "

"Mestor, do you see them?" Zeus asked over the com-link.

"We will try to get as close as possible to the planet, then you must fly, little brother," Mestor replied.

Zeus glanced back to the screen Prince Vipre. "The Oethra 7 requests permission to come planet-side."

Prince Vipre frowned. "Captain Dargon Kal-Turak. Where is he?"

"He is indisposed at the moment, but safe." Zeus flashed his father a hand message. Prince Vipre leaned toward Zeus’s father and listened, keeping his gaze on Zeus, his brow climbing toward his forehead, his cobalt blue eyes becoming round with shock.

"Are they still with you?" Prince Vipre gazed at Zeus, his eyes narrowing as he looked Zeus over as if seeing him in a new light.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Will Captain Kal-Turak need medical assistance?"

"I am unsure at this time." The need to be with Dargon and Alpha clawed at him.

"Your request is granted. Here are your landing coordinates. Medical staff will be on hand should you need them." Gaex repeated back the sequence of numbers. Prince Vipre seemed as if he wanted to say more, but then only tilted his chin before bidding farewell.

Axis turned to the virtual map and entered the coordinates. "Prince Zeus, we have to break away now or we will be caught in the crossfire between The Gorgon and the Terren fleet."

Zeus used the com-link. "Mestor, did you hear?"

"We did. Unfortunately, he is correct. With the appearance of the additional ships, maneuvering will be difficult. We cannot get you closer, but we will attempt to draw them away."

Zeus’s chest burned. His meme and brothers would be facing the danger while he ran to the safety of the planet. He had not forgotten the Fal'Amoric depended on him, or at that Alpha was currently birthing their young. This was the first time, and probably not the last, when family and duty pulled him in different directions.

He hated it.

Drawing a long breath, he attempted to find the center of calm he needed to still his warring thoughts before he nodded to Axis. "Plot a course."

"Son, I will see you soon. Be vigilant." The view screen changed to the exterior view when his father disconnected the link.

Adrenaline rushed through Zeus’s veins, his heart thudding hard within his chest. "Azaes, Mestor, may your enemies be overcome by your might."

"Be swift. Be sure. May the blood of those who oppose you decorate your sword," his brothers replied in unison.

"See you planet-side." Zeus cut the com-link after the twins responded in kind, then turned his attention to Axis. "Get us as close as you can without us being spotted. I would like to keep other ships from sneaking through the planet's defense grid behind us."

On the navchart, the dots representing the Terrens began to split up between the Atlaintician starships. On the overhead screen, Zeus watched as Gaex steered the Oethra 7, hugging The Gorgon until the two ships parted ways, theirs flying straight toward Valespia and The Gorgon moving to engage Terren battleships.

"Four of the smaller vessels have diverted from intercepting the Gorgon and are headed our way." Axis changed the navcharts to bring the vessels pursuing them into view. The Terren ships were just a little bit larger than the Oethra 7. Two resembled spiny bricks made strictly for battle, if the vessel cannons were any indication. The other two were sleek arrow tips.

Abechan turned in his chair with a mischievous hint of fang. "Prince Zeus, the humans are hailing us. May I have permission to tell them what they can do with their invasion?"

A smile cracked Zeus’s lips. "We will maintain radio silence for now." Abechan nodded his acceptance of the order before facing the controls once again.

"The Terren vessels are gaining." Axis enlarged the picture on the screen.

Gaex tapped the pilot's control, his hands moving swiftly as they approached the planet and prepared for atmospheric entry. "I have to reduce speed or we will burn up and overshoot our landing site."

"Warlord Sohm'lan, charge the electromagnetic netting. Release it on my word. Al'haska is manning the turret. He is not to fire until the netting has been released."

The four ships continued to gain on them, the two with the cannons pulling ahead of the others.

"Prince Zeus, they are warning that they will shoot," Abechan relayed.

"The nearest vessel is within netting target," Axis reported.

"Fire the EM netting," he commanded.

Everyone, with the exception of Gaex, watched the navchart. The webbing expelled from the Oethra 7's aft and began to unwind, opening up and growing into an umbrella shape before it suddenly snapped out. The lead vessel attempted to steer clear of the trap, but the ship followed too closely and became snagged. The entire vessel glowed as the netting disabled the electrical systems. The craft that moved past the stalled ship was met with turret fire from Al'haska. Points of explosions burst across the battleship. The pursuing vessel was too close to effectively dodge the oncoming fire, not that the small ammo, much like the flurry of a swarm of gnats, would cause much damage.