The Veritian Derelict (Junkyard Dogs) (38 page)

"And me, Sir?" asked Harris.

"You'll be on a two-man utility sled, in battle armor, and will be ready to evacuate Carlisle from the
Lexington
and then move her to another charged weapons emplacement on the
Dallas
or the
Santiago
if one of the other teams is compromised.

I plan to station Amanda and Faiza on the
Istanbul
where they'll be monitoring what's left of the Scrapyard video surveillance system to help you both keep track of enemy activity. All three of you equipped with wrist computers will be wearing the cranial nets and the two of them will be in constant contact with you. They will also have schematics at hand for the various ships you may be on and, if you need help, they'll be able to help you negotiate the wrecks. Onboard the
Istanbul
they should be relatively safe and with access to all those video cameras they'll probably have the better view of the Scrapyard than anyone. Any questions?"

"What about the mining ships?" asked Carlisle, her concern evident.

"They are going to lay low and make like they're part of the Scrapyard. I've told them to run for it if things look like they're going too badly. I don't know if those big mining lasers will be effective in a fight or not."

"
How are you planning to use the Marines, Sir?" asked Harris.

"I have split the marine contingent into two teams and they
'll be operating the two assault cannons, one from each of the
Rovers
. I've got Chief Allen piloting the
Rover I
and Chief Jenkins on the
Rover II
. With all of his big game experience, Clancy Davis-Moore showed the Marines that he's a better shot with those rigs than any of them, and they've made him the gunner on team one. Their instructions are to remain hidden in the Scrapyard and to fire no more than two pulses per cannon before moving to another location. With any luck, they'll be able to stay ahead of the enemy. Those cannons obviously can't do much damage to the destroyers, but they should be very effective against the yacht and any armed merchantmen or, more importantly, any boarders, even those in battle armor." Here Kresge stopped again and contemplated his two young officers.

"I can't tell you how important your job is and
just how desperate our situation is. Those big guns on the wrecked cruisers are our best hope for any kind of offense. The
Istanbul
has the best shields and the four beam projectors that she's powering up are going to be capable of dealing some real damage. Unfortunately, the emplacements themselves are vulnerable and even with the
Istanbul's
shields extended to cover them, more than one good hit on either turret will probably take the emplacement out. If they aren't able to destroy or disable the enemy ships, or if the enemy takes out the
Istanbul'
s weapons, it will be up to you two to do what you can. Your main task, however, is to work with
Greyhound
and the ambush plan. You're only going to have a limited number of shots and as soon as you shoot any of those guns you'll almost certainly be drawing fire, so make 'em count."

"When do we
take our position, Sir?" asked Harris.

"When the enemy microjumps towards the Scrapyard, that will be your signal."

Chapter 53.

On board the yacht
Carpathia
somewhere in the Heard's World Star System, December 15, 2598.

The Sheik of Barsoom looked out
through the front viewport of his yacht at the small but formidable fleet of warships and support vessels that he had managed to scrape together over the last couple of years or so and nodded his head in satisfaction. He and the rest of his forces had been waiting for the arrival of the
Perseus
, one of the Meridian destroyers that had defected from the current government almost two weeks ago and, shortly after defecting, led the attack on Federation forces at the Santana Nexus, the action that had kicked off this entire campaign. The Sheik had seen the unmistakable flash of a ship coming in through the Whitney hyperlink point just a few minutes earlier and had received a communication from her Captain. He knew that the
Perseus
was waiting for the rest of them at the rendezvous point near the hyperlink gateway.

"Program the microjump to the rendezvous point, Captain," said the Sheik. "It is time to begin our preparations for the final victory which will give us complete control of the Santana Quadrant
!"

"As you wish,
my Sheik," replied the Captain.

***

Two and half hours later the Sheik made his way down the main corridor to the conference room onboard his aging but still very opulent yacht. The Captains of all five of the ships of his Strike Force were gathered, along with the beautiful and deadly Fahada and the leader of his small and fanatical band of Marines.

"We
jump to the new Ceylon System tomorrow morning," he announced, "and we attack the forces in that accursed junkyard soon after. Our intelligence tells us the system is poorly defended. All of you know Jubayr, the head engineer on my yacht and now of the
Skorpios,
he will brief you on what to expect."

"As far as we know," began the young engineer, "they have only one armed vessel and it is a very old Bombardier cargo ship.
"

At this point he brought up a video clip from one of the gun cameras on the
Skorpios
taken during the second of her altercations with the armed cargo ship. The clip showed an ancient and battered tramp freighter with a low-profile, twin pulse beam turret grafted onto her top surface.

"
We do not know exactly what they have done to her but, based on the performance we observed during two encounters between this ship and the
Skorpios
, they have most likely replaced the power and drive units with military grade hardware. She has also been armed."

Once again t
he engineer couldn't hide a hint of admiration as he pointed to and described the transplanted weapon.

"The weapon they have mounted on the ship is a twin mount
Bofors rapid fire unit. This weapon is really quite dangerous and repeated hits from it can severely stress shields or cause damage, even to our three destroyers. Those of you in any of our support ships and on this yacht should be careful to keep your distance until we have destroyed or disabled this ship which, of course, will have to be one of our first priorities. Captain Noori of the
Skorpios
will have the responsibility of locating and engaging this ship."

"Are there any other ships we need to be concerned about?" asked the Captain of the
Perseus
.

"
There is another freighter, a Mark V Cargomaster from the Kiwi system but it has not been modified in any way that we know of. We would like to capture that ship intact if possible."

"
Tell us about the Ambassador's ship, Captain Hassad," said the Sheik.

"The
Istanbul
is a modern military unit based on a Meridian
Cutlass
class cruiser that was converted to a diplomatic ship before they finished building her. According to our latest information, she does not have any weapons mounted either. The ship still retains the same drive systems and other hardware of the
Cutlass
class and therefore has the shielding and armor of a heavy cruiser. The main batteries of our destroyers are capable of penetrating the shields of this ship eventually but doing so will require repeated pulse strikes and a coordinated attack. With the modified cargo ship out of the fight, it should be, however, only a matter of time before we force her to surrender. Naturally we want to take Ambassador Saladin alive but as a last resort, we can destroy the ship. With the number of diplomats and other noncombatants on board, I expect them to surrender long before the ship would be destroyed."

"What about other forces?"
someone asked.

"There is reportedly a small contingent of Federation Marines
," replied Fahada. "They could prove to be quite formidable, all are of Spacer origin and they are probably equipped with some of the ancient battle armor that the defenders acquired when Ezra Brimstone and his group attempted to capture the system a couple of months ago."

"
I apologize that we do not have more information on the Marine contingent," said the Sheik. "Our informant on the
Istanbul
has only seen them once or twice as they have generally been kept busy on one of the two cargo ships or working out in the Scrapyard on various projects."

The Sheik
wrapped up the briefing, "As I see it, we should have little difficulty taking over the Scrapyard and capturing or destroying the meager defenses. As many of you know, the Meridian Prime Minister has surrendered. With Ambassador Saladin dead or captured, we will have eliminated much of the opposition and will be able to assume control of the Meridian government and thus make headway towards our eventual goal of taking over the Islamic Alliance. From there we should have little trouble consolidating our control over the entire quadrant. This is our goal and our destiny!"

The entire assemblage came to their feet and shouted
with the Sheik, "Long live the revolution!"

Chapter
54.

UTFN Reclamation Center, onboard Federation Auxiliary Ship
Greyhound,
December 15, 2598.

"All Command Staff are to report to the bridge immediately! A ship has just come in through the Whitney jump zone! Preliminary long-range scans indicate that it is an Islamic Alliance destroyer. This ship has not responded to our hails and is therefore considered to be hostile!"

Small tasks were left undone and meals abandoned as the summoned personnel dropped whatever it was they were doing and double-timed it to the bridge.

***

The command crew on the bridge of the
Greyhound
monitored the unidentified destroyer for nearly two hours before there was any additional activity. During that time, the enemy ship had ventured no further into the system, remaining in the near vicinity of the hyperlink point, presumably to perform last minute, long range reconnaissance before the main body of the enemy force arrived. Sure enough, after the ship had been in the system for a full two hours, the hyperlink point literally came alive with repeated ship transports. CPO Jenkins counted five additional vessels before the activity ceased. With the information that had no doubt been collected by the destroyer before the remainder of the force came through, Kresge was convinced that the entire force would probably be on the move after a short delay to share the latest intelligence and finalize the plan of attack.

"Carlisle, Harris come with me to my ready room," said Kresge.
"Right away, if you please, I don't think we have much time."

The two younger officers
left their respective stations and followed the Commander. Behind them, their posts were smoothly and immediately occupied by other members of the command staff. Kresge held the door open for them and motioned towards two chairs that were placed facing his small desk in the makeshift command room. He closed the door behind them and rather than taking a seat behind the desk, sat partially on top of it, one leg still on the floor. Hands folded in his lap, he looked the two of them over for a moment, concern written all over his face before diving in to the difficult task ahead of him.

"The enemy is going to be
here in just a matter of a few hours," he began. Both junior officers nodded.

"
Is it time for us to get ready?" asked Harris.

"Not
just yet," replied Kresge. "I'd make it about an hour, give or take, before they jump towards us, however long it takes for them to discuss the new information they gathered and make any modifications to their plan of action. As soon as they jump, then you'll have to get into position. After that, I don't know how long you'll be out there. Get over to the mess area and have a good hot meal before you go." He paused again for a moment and continued, "None of us asked for this, but it is what it is and we have no choice but to deal with it. Whatever happens, I want you two to know that it has been an honor serving with you." He paused for a couple more seconds before adding, "I suggest you get your affairs in order, if you know what I mean..."

"We'll do our very best, Commander," said Carlisle.

"Of that, I have no doubt," replied Kresge. "Anything else?" There was no response. "In that case, dismissed. Good luck!"

Carlisle and Harris got up an
d silently filed out of the small office.

***

UTFN Reclamation Center, in the mess area of UTFN Auxiliary Ship
Greyhound,
December 16, 2598.

Carlisle and Harris
took the Commander's advice and went to the makeshift mess area of the
Greyhound
. They each loaded up a platter with the day's offering and went over to sit at a table in the corner. The room itself was nearly full, with only two or three of the other tables unoccupied. Neither of them was very hungry but, being military and not knowing when they might have a chance to sit down and eat again, both of them quickly ate as much as they could and then continued to pick at what remained afterwards.

Carlisle
opened the conversation.

"Here we are about to go back out and possibly die again," she began.

"Just like old times," Harris replied. He smirked, "We have to stop meeting like this!" Then, more seriously, he continued, "Do you realize that this is the first time we've had a chance to talk, just the two of us, since the
Istanbul
came to New Ceylon?"

"
I know," she sighed. "We've just been so damned busy!"

"Yeah, if it hasn't been one thing, it's been another. Going to war has that
effect, I guess."

Carlisle
's look turned serious as well, "You're not angry with me, are you?" she said.

"Why would you think that?" replied Harris.

"Because you've seemed kind of moody and you've been avoiding talking to me."

Harris looked at her curiously.
"That's because we were ordered to behave as if we didn't know you, to avoid breaking your cover."

"What? When did that happen?"

"Just before the big meeting we all attended right after the
Istanbul
came to the Scrapyard."

"
You mean it's not because I couldn't write to you? I am so sorry... Ryan. I meant to write, and I did...while I could." Seeing his puzzled look, she explained. "The graduate committee took away my wrist computer the day before for my final exam and the Admiral offered me this mission right afterwards. They wouldn't give me back my wrist computer! Admiral Loftgren said it had too much sensitive information on it. I don't know that I had much choice about the mission if I wanted to stay in the Navy. After I accepted this assignment, they told me I was not allowed to contact anyone, not even you. I feel just awful about it."

"You mean to say that you stopped writing
to me because you were ordered to?"

"That's the truth. I felt terrible but there wasn't
a damned thing I could do."

"That kind of changes
a lot of things." He paused for a moment, swallowed. "You know, I thought maybe we had the beginnings of something."

"You and me?" she replied.
Her look was mildly surprised.

"
Well...why not?" came his response.

"I
've liked you a lot, from the very beginning..." she said.

"Is there someone else?"

"Heavens, no!" she replied immediately.

"Then
...what?"

She paused for a long moment before replying.
"It's because I never thought anyone would ever think of me that way."

Harris looked at her
dumbfounded.

"That's absurd,"
he said, gently. "You have so much to offer."

Carlisle blushed and looked down at her plate.

"But I'm...," she searched for words and came up with: "...I'm pretty damned odd. Besides that, I'm a Spacer and you're..."

Harris interrupted her, gently.

"You, know, I don't remember thinking much about any of that stuff after the first day we met. It's part of who you are and...I like who you are."

She cocked her head and looked at him for a long moment.

"You...You really mean that, don't you?" she said.

Harris nodded in affirmation as t
he conversation ceased and they looked into one another's eyes, neither of them quite sure where to take the conversation next.

At that moment an announcement came over the ship's intercom.
"All hands to battle stations! Repeat, all hands to battle stations! Enemy ships have just gone into microjump!"

Harris
smiled at Carlisle before reaching across the table, taking her hand and giving it a firm squeeze.

"We'll get through this," he said.

She squeezed back before, still holding his hand, she stood up and came around to his side of the table. She used his hand to bring him to his feet and pull his arm around her waist before putting her arms around his neck and embracing him firmly.

"
Oh what the hell!" she said. "Kiss me again, Ryan, like you did that time before I left!"

Harris
closed his eyes and kissed her firmly. After a space of perhaps ten heartbeats, they broke the kiss but continued to hold each other tight, gazing into one another's eyes for a precious few more stolen moments. The entire mess area broke out in applause. The two young officers, belatedly noticing the other people in the room, looked somewhat embarrassed.

The
announcement was repeated over the intercom.

"Battle stations, everyone! Let's get moving, People!"

Carlisle kissed Harris on the cheek and broke the embrace.

"Come on, Lieutenant
," she said, with the intense fire in her eyes that Harris had seen so many times before, "we've got another battle to fight. We can talk more about this if we somehow manage to survive!"

"
We'll survive if I have anything to say about it," he said. "Lead the way!"

They headed towards the suit room to
make preparations for the pending fight.