Assuming he retained command after the fleet conference that would have to be held. Now, when the external threats were so critical, he knew that he had to deal with an even greater level of internal threat.
They couldn’t linger in Ixion for even an extra moment, and they wouldn’t get out of Ixion without losing a lot more ships. Beyond Ixion, if any Alliance ships made it out, there seemed no way to throw off the Syndic pursuit this time, no way to justify the sacrifice of all of the ships lost at Lakota. All around him on the bridge of Dauntless he could see the watch-standers gazing at each other with helpless expressions, looking scared and beaten as they absorbed the current condition of the fleet.
They couldn’t stand, and they couldn’t run.
And just like that, Geary realized what the Alliance fleet had to do. To hell with the fleet conference. I’ve made up my mind, and everyone’s going to follow orders.
He took a deep breath, took a long look at the battered ships of the fleet fleeing the jump point, then calmly pressed his controls. “All ships in the Alliance fleet, this is Captain Geary. Reverse course, immediate execute. I say again, all ships reverse course by turning up and over immediately.”
Captain Desjani gave the orders to her crew automatically, then turned to stare at Geary with a baffled look. He didn’t have to see anyone else’s face to know they were reacting the same way. “Sir?” Desjani asked. “Reverse course? If we’re going to try to plant the mines left in the fleet—”
“We’re not planting mines,” Geary stated. “There’s not enough left in our inventories to make a difference.”
“Captain Geary,” a message came in, “this is Captain Duellos on Courageous. Please confirm your last order.”
“Confirm. All ships, reverse course, immediate execute. Let’s move it.”
Geary wondered if any of his ships would keep going, fleeing farther into Ixion Star System, but no place offering refuge or hiding could be seen, only the vast emptiness around Ixion, and it seemed no one wanted to risk being left alone in that emptiness by ignoring the order. He saw his ships curving up and around. They weren’t in much of a semblance to any formation now, but he didn’t have time to try to reorganize them. Even at the relatively slow speed with which the fleet had exited the jump point, it took far longer than Geary liked, but eventually the fleet was pointed back toward the jump exit.
“This is Colossus. What are your intentions, Captain Geary? Shouldn’t there be a fleet conference as soon as possible? There are critical command issues to address.”
“This is Conqueror. Concur with Colossus.”
“Thank you for your input,” Geary replied. “There’s no time for a conference. We’re leaving this star system.” He paused just long enough for everyone to hear that and wonder what he meant. “All ships in the Alliance fleet, this is Captain Geary. We’re not going to retreat even one more kilometer. This fleet has unfinished business at Lakota. We’re going to jump back toward Lakota, and when we get there, we’re going to kick in the teeth of any Syndic flotilla present there and then see how many of the crew members of Indefatigable, Audacious, Defiant, Paladin, Renown, and the other ships we left back there can be recovered, and then this fleet will continue on its way back to Alliance space no matter what the Syndics throw at us.
“He took another deep breath, wondering what everyone was thinking right now. “We’ll go through jump right like this to save time and ensure we surprise the Syndics. On exit at Lakota, all ships are to turn starboard immediately eight zero degrees and be ready for combat. We won’t be leaving Lakota again until we’ve given the Syndics a lesson they’ll never forget on how the Alliance fleet can fight.” And maybe provide a lesson about how hard humanity could be to defeat for the unknown aliens as well. Even if they had spies all over this fleet, those spies wouldn’t have much chance to tip off their bosses with the fleet going right back into jump. The battle would be a little more even this time without the aliens helping the Syndics.
“Yes, sir!” Desjani was grinning and thrusting one fist high in the air. The watch-standers Geary could see on the bridge of Dauntless were yelling and punching each other’s arms. He could hear a low roar that he gradually realized was the sound of the crew of Dauntless cheering their lungs out.
Geary looked back and saw Victoria Rione staring around as if she had suddenly found herself in an insane asylum. “Captain Geary,” Rione protested in a strangled voice, “your fleet is low on ammunition, low on fuel cells, and has many damaged ships. And you’re taking it back to Lakota?”
“That’s right,” Geary stated. “We can’t stand and fight here, we can’t run and get away, so we’re attacking.”
Rione looked from Geary to the celebrating crew members of Dauntless, her expression horrified. “But that’s madness! What if there’s a superior Syndic force still awaiting us at Lakota?”
“I guess that’ll be too bad for them,” Geary replied, knowing that whatever he said would somehow find its way around the fleet. It wasn’t a moment for caution or reflection or doubt. I need to lead this fleet. May the living stars grant that I’m not leading it to destruction, but if so, we’re going to die fighting, not running. Desjani was smiling proudly at him as the ships of the Alliance fleet reached the jump point again. Another fleet officer, and a very good one, she understood something that Rione probably never could. “All ships,” Geary transmitted, “I’ll see you in Lakota.
“Jump now.”
APPENDIX
The Alliance Fleet
Captain John Geary,
Commanding (acting)
As reorganized following the losses suffered immediately prior to Captain Geary assuming command in the Syndic home system.
Ship names in bold are those lost in action, with the name of star system of their loss given afterward.
SECOND BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Gallant
Indomitable
Glorious
Magnificent
THIRD BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Paladin
Orion
Majestic
Conqueror
FOURTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Warrior
Triumph (lost at Vidha)
Vengeance
Revenge
FIFTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Fearless
Resolution
Redoubtable
Warspite
SEVENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Indefatigable
Audacious
Defiant
EIGHTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION
Relentless
Reprisal
Superb
Splendid
TENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION