Chapter 30 – This Madness Ends
Imperial Dreadnought—Phalanx
Quintus entered the command center. Bodies lay across the deck, some motionless and others groaning. Five minutes earlier the centurions from a loyalist ship stormed the bridge and took control.
Decimus nursed a burn to his shoulder, but otherwise stood firm.
“Quintus!” the Sub-Commander approached as though about to hug him and caught himself. “Bridge and engineering are secure. Only stragglers remaining throughout the ship. The centurions report they’ll be dealt with soon enough. What are your orders?”
“Get these stations crewed, Decimus. In the meantime, take the helm. Track the United Fleet ship which departed Phalanx. Bring us five thousand meters off the receiving ship’s starboard beam and hold position. Stand by to receive a direct hail from them and follow their instructions. No deviations.”
“At once, sir. Do you know what’s happening?”
“That ship will escort us beyond the United Fleet frigates. We’ll make the jump to warp immediately once we’re clear.”
Quintus moved to the centurion commander. “Put everyone in the cargo bay, we’ll sort loyalties out once we’ve departed.”
“Yes, Lord Commander.”
Quintus forced himself to sit in the command seat as Decimus summoned the loyal crewmembers to crew the bridge stations.
****
Lee paced the tube carrying him to the bridge. He forwarded the Commander’s orders to Vee while docking. He’d prefer not to shoot any United Fleet ships, but his commander told him by any means necessary get Quintus home, and that’s what he was going to do. He stormed onto the bridge and took the weapons station. Alvarez dropped into the command seat and engaged his harness.
“Orders, sir?” Miroslav asked, looking at Alvarez.
“Our orders, Ensign,” Alvarez said, “are to ensure Phalanx is safely through the United Fleet blockade and warping to Imperial space. By any means necessary. We all know what’s at stake. Aaron has all but given his life to ensure this madness ends here and now. Quintus Scipio must return to the Empire. Some of you may not be comfortable fighting against our own, but consider the alternative if this escalates to interstellar war. Many more of them and our people will die. Disabling fire where you can, Mr. Lee.”
“Aye, sir. Railgun magazines are full. Kinetic barrier is charged and ready,”
“Full power available,” Miroslav said.
“Phalanx, this is Phoenix. Begin breaking maneuver,” Alvarez said.
Phalanx accelerated along a parallel axis and matched speed with Phoenix. The formation was precise. It didn’t take long to get a reaction from the closing United Fleet ships.
“This is Senior Captain Jackson, acting Commander of the United Fleet. What the hell do you think you’re doing, Rayne?”
“This is Lieutenant Commander Avery Alvarez, Acting Captain of Phoenix. The Imperial ship Phalanx and the remaining Imperial ships are under our protection and will be withdrawing to Imperial space. Do not attempt to interdict. This will be your only warning.”
He cut the comm.
Moments later several nearby United Fleet heavy cruisers fired railgun salvoes, but the kinetic barrier activated and the slugs bounced harmless away in starburst. The incidental single strikes to nearby ships wouldn’t be enough to penetrate armor.
“Sir, several frigates are moving to bracket us,” Miroslav reported.
“There’ll be no warning shots, Mr. Lee, keep our path clear. Small bursts. We don’t want to do more damage than necessary.”
Phoenix and Phalanx continued accelerating, but didn’t move beyond combat speeds as they needed to maneuver around and between ships spread across the immediate area. Attempting to maneuver at peak sub-light speeds wasn’t feasible. A full burn might cause a disastrous collision.
“Maintain burst fire along our escape path,” Alvarez said. “Don’t let them block our acceleration vector. If they choose to waltz into a railgun spread that’s their own undoing.”
The frigates moved to block the acceleration of Phoenix and Phalanx to warp threshold speeds. Once they cleared the grouping of United Fleet ships they would accelerate to warp thresh hold and make the jump to light speed. If the frigates got in the way, there’d be a devastating collision even at sub-light speeds.
One United Fleet frigate decided to test Alvarez’s resolve and caught a full burst of tungsten from Phoenix, blowing the frigate off its flight vector.
The other clearly knew Phoenix wasn’t fooling and veered off the intercept vector.
Scipio’s voice filled the bridge. “Phoenix, tell your Commander the next time I see him, it will be at the peace table. We’re making the jump. Honor above loyalty. Phalanx out.”
Miroslav counted down the seconds.
“Phalanx, jumping in three two one. They’re away, sir.”
Alvarez nodded. “We’ve done our job. Signal the Acting Fleet Commander. We submit to his authority.”
Chapter 31 – No One Lives Forever
Three months later
USSF Headquarters
Sol
The red cape flowed an inch above the red carpet splayed along the long gangway leading into the expansive conference hall. The golden breastplate reflected the overhead lights. The gleaming Imperial Standard above his left breast sparkled.
He searched the crushing mass of bodies ahead. Supreme Commander Shepherd stood in the center, flanked by his aides. Representatives of the United Star Systems member worlds stood behind them. Then, he saw him. A friendly face among a sea of strangers approached.
“Lieutenant Commander Alvarez, always an honor to be in your company,” Quintus said, removing his golden ceremonial helmet.
“Lord Commander, the honor is mine,” Alvarez said, bowing slightly.
“Quintus, please.” Quintus said, smiling.
He and the Lieutenant Commander had developed a close relationship during recent negotiations. The United Fleet officer always insisted on formalities when greeting him for the first time in a long while.
Avery nodded and smiled. “Quintus.”
The Lieutenant Commander led Quintus and his personal guard to a VIP room adjacent to the conference hall and they sat opposite each other. The guards remained outside.
“Tell me, Vee,” Quintus said. “As my liaison, what is the mood of the Representatives now? As opposed to three months ago when we held the secret conferences on Atlas Prime.”
Vee smiled. “They’ve come a long way since then. I believe Emperor Soto had a great effect on our ambassadors by attending the last two himself. It showed them just how serious he is about long-term peace, cooperation and dialogue. I think we will silence the remaining naysayers when our borders finally open and our people reunite. It will be challenging initially. The military and governments will pose the most problems, but I think once our populations see beyond the propaganda of the past 70 years, it will become natural.”