25_Zu'har

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Diaho
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25_Zu'har

Post by Diaho »

Zu’har

It was a half hour before Lafiel regained consciousness. At first her thoughts were disconnected and confused, but after another ten minutes she seemed functional enough for me to let her try standing on her own. She moved back to Scholar’s desk and said.

“That’s one hell of a way to tell someone something of that importance. I’m guessing that was a mind fusion?”

Scholar nodded.

“I thought the use of that technique was prohibited? You’ve violated your own laws to give me this information. Why?”

Scholar rose and faced Lafiel. She said there were times that one had to do what they thought was right no matter the personal sacrifice. She asked Lafiel if she felt well enough to travel, if she did they were heading to the Residence without further delay. Lafiel said she could travel and we left the Village five minutes later. I have to admit on the trip to the Residence Lafiel showed a composure she had never before she was almost too calm though I wondered how she’d react once she was home.

*********
I heard the shuttle making the overhead approach. I knew no one else was out flying which told me Lafiel had returned. I went next door to find Sobbash out in her garden staring skyward. I asked her to join me; we were at the dock in time to see the shuttle land. Once secured the door opened and not only Lafiel but Scholar and Mia left the craft. Lafiel walked past me and faced Sobbash. Their eyes met and she said.

“It’s happened hasn’t it?” Sobbash nodded and Lafiel continued. “You’ll bring me up to date right now.”

Sobbash and Lafiel had a frank discussion that lasted about five minutes. Once that was done she approached me and said.

“Noel gather the rest of them, bring them to me and be quick about it.”

There was no anger in Lafiel’s eyes just genuine concern something I hadn’t seen in a very long time. I made my way to the Residence and returned with Jinto, Samson, Risch and Dai. Once we were settled in Lafiel asked that we pay close attention to her words.

“I’ll admit throughout my life I’ve suffered from bad timing. It seems no matter what I try to do to improve myself while I’m doing it something always comes along and stops me. This time I had fate removed from my hands. Mia and Scholar intervened and although I’m upset I wasn’t here as this started to unfold I’m also glad that I finished something I started for once in my life.”

Lafiel smiled and continued.

“Scholar has explained the big picture in generalities. Sobbash has given me her assessment and now I’d like each one of you, one at a time please, to tell me your thoughts. Also does anyone know my brother’s fate?”

Dai stood silent she had tried in vain to gain access to the long range communications network and found it jammed, or those frequencies that weren’t, were so full of traffic that it was impossible to get a word in edgewise. She turned away and Lafiel sought her out.

“Duhiel’s a survivor; you know that as well I. Something is telling me he is alright. I’m putting you in charge of establishing communication with the Empire. Use whatever means needed to accomplish that task. I must know what the Capital is thinking.”

Lafiel walked over to Jinto placed her arm around him and said for all to hear.

“When was the last time I told you I loved you in public?”

Jinto didn’t answer he smiled and placed a kiss on Lafiel’s lips. Visibly moved by his response she continued.

“I know from what Scholar told me, you’ve had doubts about what you were doing and really wanted me to take charge. As far as I can see you’ve done a good job so far. I won’t interfere; I’ll just add my advocacy to what you are already doing.”

Jinto took a step back this wasn’t what he figured Lafiel would do. His thoughts were, she would rush in and take charge pushing aside everything he’d done. His surprise brought this from Lafiel.

“You told me about team work years ago, I never understood the true meaning until now. Being with me all these years you’ve adopted some of my thinking and still have kept your individuality. Lets go with what you’re planning and if need be we can work on something different together.”

Lafiel faced us with Jinto by her side she seemed at peace not only with herself but with everything that had been done so far. Her final question was the current location of Spoor and Kufadis. I told Lafiel I’d purposefully left them at the Residence. I figured she was not in the mood for Spoor’s war mongering attitude. Lafiel nodded but then added this.

“Noel, under normal circumstances you would be correct however Painiach is the only one of us who has seen this nemesis and has dealt with them. I need to know exactly what we are dealing with.”

She paused then asked Jinto if he had questioned Spoor on this issue. Jinto replied that was the next thing on his list to do. Lafiel smiled and decided that she would go with Jinto while he talked to Spoor. They walked towards the Residence the rest of us, except for Scholar and Mia; they took the shuttle and returned to the Village, following still in a bit of shock. Was this the new Lafiel or would Spoor’s attitude return the old Lafiel back to us. Personally I liked this Lafiel and would stop Spoor from giving us back the old model.

*********
Captains log: 2235 on the …. Ah the hell with protocol, we’ve been on the run for the past seventy-two hours out of the twelve ships I commanded four still survive. We’ve made it to the Hyde system, the complete opposite direction of which the battle lay. Paveryua’s work crews are repairing the worst of the damage and although communications are a snarl I’ve managed to contact Father. He’s survived this encounter as well and is heading in this direction. We’ll meet on the fuel depot and plan our options. We lost five of the crew in the unprovoked attack. My First Officer lies clinging to life in the medical ward on the fuel depot. She valiantly secured a reactor breach before it could occur; radiation is not the cause of her ailment. The subsequent explosion that followed propelled her into the bulkhead and fractured her spine. She’s not responded to our treatment. The Depot was the best place to leave her. But we would not be here if it wasn’t for her actions. For what its worth I’ve recommended her for a medal, I just hope she lives and the Empire survives so she may wear it with pride. Log ends.

I finish my log and noticed the comm. light is blinking on the console. It’s Paveryua with more bad news; I knew one ship was badly damaged and I have to admit I was surprised when we exited the Sord to see it still with us. He’s informed me that salvage was all the ship would be good for. The only way to repair it was a complete refit and this outpost didn’t have the facilities to accomplish it. He was requesting to move the crew to the depot and salvage what was salvageable, and then he would destroy the rest.

I granted permission and informed the crew of the ship to leave their fight behind them. I reassigned them among the other ships and took their First Officer for my own. Extra crew members were placed on the depot until my Father arrived I’m sure if he saw battle he’d have personnel missing. I sit here, in my cabin, Lafiel and Jinto’s picture sits in front of me. I hope my sister is well, I hope Dai is well. Father will be here in ten hours I’ll try to sleep.

*********
A sigh of relief echoed throughout the war room when the shuttle from Martine arrived. Lafiel and Dai hugged each other when the news was received. We also had more good news, the original loss figures were in error, although the Abh’s suffered a defeat it wasn’t the crushing blow we heard initially. Of the fifty fleets that engaged the Zu’har ten were destroyed, another eight suffered substantial damage and the rest managed to leave the field of battle with little damage.

Spoor was not impressed with the report she was heard saying. “Leave the field of battle? What a bunch of hooey, in my day we’ve called that retreating in the face of the enemy. Well that’s what they get for having the inexperience lead the inexperience.”

*********
For the past two days, Lafiel and crew have been learning the Guardian’s ships systems. On the whole the incorporation of an Abh A.I. unit and a little re engineering of systems and this ‘starship’ functions almost like one of our own. However the fire power it contains is years beyond anything I’ve ever seen.

I’m concerned about the promise Scholar gave the Guardian to gain access to this weapon. We must completely remove the Zu’har from the universe I wonder how long or how far we’ll have to go to accomplish this seemly impossible feat.

Paveryua also sent word that Martine was suffering from civil disorder because of the lack of trade with the Abh. For the moment he’s been able to supply the basic necessities to Martine but he said without a reliable supply line the planet would fall into chaos with in six months or less. I’ve reviewed his list most of the things Martine would need can be acquired in this system.

When this started I had Atosuryua bring the Ku Dorin planet side it is presently sitting on a large lake fifty kilometers southwest of the Residence. Spoor said she could spare six ships to act as escort however not knowing when or where the Zu’har may attack I can’t in good conscious send them to what maybe their deaths in order to save my home world. These past nights have been sleepless ones; Lafiel knows of my dilemma and has left me to my thoughts. I don’t want to ask for her help until I’ve exhausted all possibilities. Given my present mind set I’m about to go ask for help.

*********
With my three surviving ships and Fathers six we’ve decided to make a run towards Shahrazad not to see Lafiel but to transfer our wounded to the hospital there. I know that they’ll have the extra space needed and their expertise dwarfs that of the fuel depots medical wards. Paveryua has also stated that if the system should fall into chaos they may have to leave at a moments notice and having wounded around was not a good idea. I tend to agree it’s taken us seven hours to transfer the wounded aboard our ships in a hurry they would have had to be left behind.

Refueled and rearmed as best as Paveryua could supply, we slip into the Sord. Not knowing what we’ll find we only plan on making the transition to the Ilea system, and then precede in normal space till we reach Shahrazad, five days away. I hope the planet is there when we arrive.

*********
Lafiel wanted to name the ship the Guardian's supplied us but they wouldn't allow it, so for now the it is known by its production number; 'Four of Twelve'. I'm sure Lafiel will 'unofficially' change it once we are underway. The ship is an amazing engineering feat even though it’s based on thousand year old technology which has been modernized as well. I’ve added one little surprise, a surprise the Guardians didn’t know about until I activated it. The wise ones watched as the ship, which was sitting on its pad, vanished in a Suran cloak. We could be invisible, well at least to visual indications; we still left an exhaust trail which Samson and I were trying to disguise as well.

Lafiel shook her head; her opinion was warships did not need to be stealthy. This ship being one of a kind, well as far as I knew, needed every advantage possible. They can scoff all they want but if we end up in a position that stealth becomes a necessity one flip of a switch and we vanish. I’ll feel better about roaming around with that option aboard.

Engineering aboard this ship is very simple and straight forward. Sub light engines and a Star Drive similar to what Samson and I developed from the Suran plans which I’m beginning to believe were procured from the Guardian or a race they shared information with. There are too many similarities to be just coincidence.

Weapon and protective systems, now here is where this ship out classes anything the Empire has. The shields can with stand the ion cannon aboard the Lashkau at point blank range. We have several delivery systems as far as defense goes. Lasers of rotating frequencies, photo ion bombs with the destructive power of several ships of the line are just a few of the systems aboard.

This ship can also carry weapons of Abh design. Spoor brought five planet killers with her; she has never explained why she had them either. I hope we don’t have to use all of them but I also know the Zu’har home world is a prime target and no notice will be given. I’m having a problem with delivering certain death and giving no warning. I wonder if Lafiel can be that cruel to launch an attack without notice or scanning to know exactly what we are destroying. The Guardian has provided all the navigational data to find and remove the Zu’har home world. It will be up to us to find their outposts, if any, and remove them as well. First off we’ll need to defeat their fleet. There shall be no survivors. I’m glad I’m not commanding this mission.

*********
The first salvos went across our bow followed by the stand fast and identify your self message. Once I got Lafiel on the comm. link I informed her that she was trained better, one should identify before they fire. She told me that I was lucky to be alive arriving six hours before our expected time. Duhiel was monitoring the link once the exchange was over he shook his head and said.

“Father I do believe I mentioned the fact that Lafiel doesn’t like surprise visits no matter who it’s from.”

I took note of what my son had said about his sister. We entered low orbit and transferred our wounded planet side. Duhiel would stay in orbit, while I who was under no orders preventing me from seeing Lafiel would do so. Another thing the Council will hear about if we survive this ordeal of all the lame excuses to punish Lafiel cut off contact with those she holds dear. Personally I hope those who had that brilliant idea some how met their fate at the hands of the Zu’har.

Jinto greeted me at the dock; most of our wounded were at the hospital however the last ones were being transferred as I arrived. Among those was the woman who not only injured my daughter but also saved my sons life. I was torn between saying something and letting it go for now. I chose the latter and followed Jinto to the Residence.

As we walked Jinto told me of Lafiel’s vacation and I was to expect a different personality when I met her. Considering a mere four hours ago she had tried to vaporize me I wondered who I would see and would there be a change.

*********

We’ve taken in seventeen injured Abh from the ships in orbit. Ten are stable, but in critical condition. The other seven how they survived the trip here, let alone the water landing is beyond me. Doctor Sasoum and her staff are treating them I’ll await her report. We’ve never have had this many cases at once but I’m happy that the staff is working efficiently to treat everyone including the twin boys that were delivered in the midst of the Abh’s arriving. I’m facing a few sleepless nights so while there is a lull in the work load I’m grabbing a nap.

*********
“Debeusec I see you’re in one piece and none the worse for you experiences.”

Spoors voice rang across the garden and into my ears. Jinto tried to keep her at bay but she had something to say to me and actually I’m glad she said it now instead of later as Jinto was planning.

“Ramaj and Kenesh have to be in panic mode about now. Why they kept the Zu’har from the rest of us is beyond my thinking. We’ve managed to get here and take ten of their ships out in the process. How well did you fare?”

I told Spoor the Jemkau was in orbit with five others and Duhiel had three ships. I also informer her that while she faced ships that had previously tangled with the fleet. We were jumped by surprise and almost overwhelmed.

“Painiach, ten fleets covered our retreat. We sacrificed those ships and crews to save the balance of the fleet. This enemy has no compassion, all they exist for is to conquer and destroy. The Capital is safe for the time being. I was hoping you would put your efforts into helping us defeat these monsters instead of belittling the Empire which, like it or not, you are still part of.”

Spoor turned quite red spun on her heels and returned to the garden. Kufadis who was standing off to the right side came forward and addressed me.

“Admiral…”

I stopped him; on this world military titles were not used. I knew that from the last ear full I got from Lafiel.

“Kufadis call me Debeusec it will be easier for both of us especially when Lafiel is around. Now what did you want to say to me?”

Kufadis informed me he wasn’t with Spoor on this trip and he wanted to know what we were facing. It was at that moment Jinto suggested we go to the Residence and finish the conversation for the rest to hear. I agreed and the three of us made our way up the path.

Spoor was last seen sulking in the garden. I was sorry to have to lower the boom on her but she was either going to be a team player or an outsider, well at least in my opinion she was, what Lafiel was planning I did not know but I was about to find out.

Lafiel sat at the table behind the Residence and as we approached she stood and moved towards me.

“Hello Father, is Duhiel as well as you are?”

I told her he was physically fine however he has suffered a very emotional event having eighty percent of your command destroyed in a battle that lasted ten minutes is enough to turn the strongest commander to think about his ability to command.

“Lafiel, Duhiel retreated he’s never had to do that before. He’s been handed a loss most commanders don’t recover from. He could use your support although communications directly between you are not allowed I’m sure I can slip him a message.”

Lafiel nodded she came face to face with me and said.

“Father although you and I haven’t seen eye to eye in the past, in this decision, I’ll follow your lead. Before you leave I’ll have a message for Duhiel, and Father I do love you even thought I’ve not shown it I do love you.”

She gave me a hug and placed a kiss on my cheek. We entered the Residence and I told her staff about our encounters with the Zu’har.

*********
“In one on one encounters we lost. The only way to defeat them was a three on one approach. The lead ship would engage them almost head on while the other two ships would attack from astern and amidships. If you could knock out the engines then you stood a chance of taking them out. Unfortunately all of our early encounters we were out numbered and took losses that made three on one impossible, it was only later, when we encountered smaller groups, where we had numerical superiority that the plan I talked about earlier worked.”

Ekuryua was drawing on an electronic tablet the entire time I spoke. My curiosity peaked I moved to her side to see what she was drawing. A representation of a Zu’har ship was on the tablet with targeting data that, how did she know this? My explanation was not in that much detail. She looked me in the eyes and said.

“The Guardian has had a run in with these vessels before. You should know you’ve described the tactical approach they used almost a thousand years ago against them. It would seem the Zu’har hasn’t learned from their mistakes.”

My mind was tired there had been little time to rest between the initial attack and our arrival at Shahrazad. Ekuryua had just overloaded an extremely exhausted mind and now unbeknownst to me Lafiel was about to deal the death blow.

“Father you up to taking a little trip?”

My answer was yes, however had I know where I was going and what I was about to see. I’d requested that we go after I had some rest. The shuttle trip took almost two hours and all the time Lafiel was gleaning information about our encounter with the Zu’har. There was little time for rest.

We arrived at the Guardians home. When I saw what was sitting in the afternoon sun it was then my mind finally shut down. The ship was of a design I’d never seen before. A quick tour was given and then I was privileged to meet the Wise Ones. Our conversation went on for another hour, half of it I’ve already forgotten. I now sit in the shuttle; Jinto said we were about an hour from the Residence. I can no longer stay awake. They place me on a stretcher and moved me to the Residence. It was shortly after sunrise that I awoke to the sound of thunder.

*********
Jinto and I were out running along the lake when the storm came out of nowhere. It took a few minutes to find cover and when we finally did we were drenched. I forgot how wonderful it was to stand in the rain, especially this shower, it was warm and I decided to enjoy this momentary pleasure. Jinto joined me we tried to catch rain drops in our mouths and once the shower stopped we made our way back to the Residence. The sun reappeared as we passed the garden we stood among the flowers and I took Jinto into my arms.

I forgot how good he smelled I know what I’m saying might seem a little strange but Jinto has always smelled really good to me I think its why when we left Clasbul in the coffin I didn’t complain. My passion peaked, that combined with not being with him for an extended period of time I got very romantic but it was short lived.

“Lafiel the Zu’har are on the move they’ve been spotted exiting the twelfth ring.”

Noel’s voice echoed throughout the grounds not knowing exactly where we were or what we were doing she played it safe and announced loudly. There are times I’m so happy the island is just that an island where only those of us here can hear what goes on. Noel yelling in Abh at the top of her lungs was enough for me to become very thankful of that fact.

“Sorry Jinto seems I owe you a….”

Jinto placed his fingers across my lips then kissed me. He took my hand and we went towards the Residence. Noel upon seeing us smiled and followed us inside. Jinto and I changed in dry clothes and I met Noel in the war room my hair in a towel.

“Plot their course, then find somewhere we can have a full scale battle remembering the maneuvering room the ships will need.”

Noel found a system close enough to us that we could establish an ambush yet far enough from Shahrazad that should we should we need to retreat we could cover our tracks.

“Find my Father and Painiach; we depart with in the hour. Get me Scholar and inform the Guardian we are on our way. Noel plot a course for the attack group to follow and make our intercept course as well.”

I didn’t notice Jinto standing behind me I turned and he was there, our eyes met and a smile crept across his lips.

“So you’re going to run the show, charge off into battle, without consulting me?”

My heart sank he was right we had agreed to be a team in this effort yet I had take the bull by the horns and was ready to ride him into the ground. I went to speak and I was greeted with a kiss.

“One hopes you’ll do your hair before you charge out of here your Alpha won’t fit over the towel. By the way I am coming with you I hope you know that?”

I was torn, I wanted Jinto to stay here incase something happened there would be someone to watch over the planet but it seemed that Jinto had his own plans. Samson and Sobbash would stay behind and Scholar would be joining us. I’ve been out maneuvered; Jinto has out thought me. I gave in and accepted the fact I would have one engineer and my best tactician would stay planet side. I went back to my room and fixed my hair we left for the ship eight minutes later.

*********
“Duhiel make ready to depart we are going to support Lafiel in taking out the Zu’har.”

Father’s communication startled me I though we had agreed that our ships were no match for the Zu’har unless we were in force.

“Captain, you better see this.”

My first officer was pointing at the main viewer; from behind Shahrazad appeared a fleet the bright red Kau class told me who Lafiel’s cavalry was. Spoor and her hand picked defensive fleet. Two hundred of the best equipped ships in the galaxy, with crews who the word retreat had no meaning. Lafiel was indeed going to war with the Zu’har however the biggest surprise was yet to come.

Father’s message was confusing at first. We were to depart at once and Lafiel would rendezvous with us before the attack. Needless to say we left orbit while I was trying to figure out how Lafiel could catch up with us.

*********
We boarded Four of Twelve and launched three hours after the fleet left our plan was to run at light speed to a point past the fleet and then rendezvous with them outside the Sord. On the plot it looked simple; however this was our first time in actual operation. For the past week, all of the training had been in the simulator. The ‘real’ ship has a few unexpected surprises in store for us. Once in orbit we found out why leaving had to be done slowly with precision that Abh ships didn’t require.

“Course plotted and on the screen Captain.”

Noel turned to me I unconsciously looked for Sobbash and then remembered she wasn’t with us.

“Take us out of here Risch maximum speed.”

The reactors came on line the ship moved only slightly and computer sounded this warning.

“Unable to engage star drive within the gravitational field of the planet below, you must be ten thousand kilometers distance before the main engines will function.”

“Damn it Risch, get this thing moving and Noel re plot our course.”

We cleared the gravitational field of the planet and before engaging the star drive, I asked the computer if it was okay to do so. The computer concluded all speeds through light were now available. I stood pointed at the rendezvous point and said.

“Mister Risch light speed… Diasele!”

The sub light engines accelerated us to the jump point and a second later we were at light speed. When I enquired about our speed I was told by the computer we were at factor one point seven – five. This ship had a top speed of factor seven why were we going so slowly? My answer came before I could think. The sub light engines cut in and we arrived at the rendezvous almost two and a half hours ahead of the main fleet. Our total time from start to finish a mere thirty-nine minutes not even enough time to properly think things through.

“Attention crew we’ve arrived at the rendezvous point. I want to run a battle simulation drill.”

Lafiel stepped towards Dai who was weapons and tactical officer. Sitting next to her was Noel handling the helm. Scholar was in the communications and long range scanning position. Risch was below in engineering and I sat behind Lafiel watching the ships systems.

“Dai find an asteroid I want to test the defensive system; the simulator was one thing now I want to see what this ship can really do. Scholar sound battle stations, Dai shields, bring the main weaponry on line. Jinto ships status.”

I reported everything was ready, shields at one hundred percent, weaponry on line as well. Noel steered us on a parallel course with a large asteroid. Lafiel’s plan was to get close and observe how the shields functioned then once she was satisfied she would blast it into space dust, something she hasn’t done in years. The shield test went as planned; it was when Lafiel ordered the asteroids destruction that everything went haywire.

“Target acquired awaiting your orders.” Dai said. Lafiel saw the target come into viewer center and said, “Fire!”

From my position I saw the main phase weapon charge and try to fire it was then the entire ship went dead. Environmental systems were out; artificial gravity ceased; I found myself floating out of my chair. Lafiel was floating in front of me the emergency lighting casting a blue green shadow around everything making it difficult to judge distance. She head butted me and we crashed into the bulkhead.

“Jinto what happened??” Was her first question, I didn’t have an answer it was then Risch came blaring out of our creunoc’s.

“Jinto get down here pronto and stop by supply for the box we brought aboard, looks like Samson guessed right.”

Lafiel held my arm tightly. “Explain guessing right, before you leave my side!” I turned her so the light reflected of her face and said one word, Sabotaged. Her eyes grew wide, her lips quivered; she released her grip and said as I left.

“We are all depending on you Jinto.”

I floated to the starboard maintenance hatch pried it open and made my way to the supply locker. One thing about the gravity being down the box Risch and I had trouble bringing aboard floated beside me as I made my way to the Engineering department.

“Jinto, I know why we left Samson home now I hope you remembered what we taught you.”

I floated the box next to Risch, he tethered it to the floor and we opened it. A spare main computer was in this box. The reason we brought it was something Samson found on his last operation check. There was an anomaly in the central core something he couldn’t pin point but it lead him to program a backup unit of our creation, not the Guardians, just incase. Now it was time to switch out the units however unplugging the one that failed was going to prove difficult.

“Jinto take care the inputs from the power core are live. We don’t have time to take the mains off line. This will be a hot swap so to say.”

Time was our enemy, we sat dead in space, our oxygen supply becoming contaminated, and the ships temperature was already down twenty degrees. If we didn’t succumb to lack of oxygen we would surely freeze to death. Risch had already isolated the defective computer now all we had to do was gently lift it out of its cradle and lower the new one in all the time remembering that the ships power was live and less the five inches away.

Success at last; the new unit sat in its mating cradle and we pushed the circuit breakers in one by one. With in five minutes we had control of the ship once again. Environmental was first on line followed by navigational and scanning. I returned to the bridge to find Lafiel in a tizzy.

“Thrusters half second blast get us away from that thing.”

It would seem Risch and I got the ship on line just in time the asteroid was less the eight thousand meters from us and on a collision course. Lafiel was not happy to see me and she informed me of that fact.

“You and Risch jeopardized our safety on a hunch? What if it hadn’t gone as you expected? I should throw you out the airlock. Also, next time, we bring enough spacesuits for the entire crew. You’re too trusting of this machine, remember it’s not Abh built.”

Lafiel’s verbal assault lasted another three minutes. Normally Sobbash would have intervened and defused the situation but Sobbash was on Shahrazad hopefully carrying out the second part of the objective. I needed to notify her of what had happened but normal communications were still jammed that is where Scholar came in she had a link established between the ship and the planet using, well, non standard communications, and let it go at that.

*********
“I wonder how long can we stay cloaked without doing damage to the ship?”

My words bounced off Seelnay she seemed in a trance I knew she and Scholar had a long conversation before the warship left but here we were about ten kilometers from the Guardian’s base and cloaked for the past eight hours. I was beginning to become concerned the ships normal rhythm had changed I hoped we didn’t suddenly uncloak; it was something I didn’t want to try to explain.

“Sobbash I’ve heard from Scholar, the ship was sabotaged main power failed on their first weapons discharge. We’ve been instructed to continue observing and…”

The Guardian’s complex had just suffered a power failure. The monitoring system and force fields were down. Before I could say anything a lone ship exited the underground complex and was heading at high speed towards space. We were in pursuit with the objective of capturing the ship and it passengers however that was not going to be the case.

“Sobbash they’re transmitting we must silence them before they can summon the Zu’har.”

Seelnay’s words brought the only response possible, since we were not close enough to jam them, our only choice was to disable their ship and hope the transmission would cease. I targeted the power source and fired the ship exploded something that should not have happened. My blast should have disrupted the power not destroyed the ship.

We communicated our outcome to Scholar then we were instructed to seek out the Wise Ones inform them of our observations and I didn’t believe this when Seelnay said it but we were to keep them confined and allow no outside communications. I thought the Wise One’s were on our side yet after what Seelnay said you were lead to believe otherwise.

*********
I don’t like surprises, Jinto of all people should know this well yet he’s surprised me once again. Our system failure was almost certain yet nothing was said. The ship was placed in danger for reasons I do not fully understand. Now Scholar has informed me that Sobbash and Seelnay have destroyed a shuttle departing the Guardians complex and those two have placed the Wise Ones under house arrest. My blood is boiling as I stand in the middle of the bridge. All eyes are watching my movements trying to figure out what I’ll do next. However fate is playing this hand before I can act Dai sounds the alarm.

“Incoming formation computer identifies them as hostile there are fifty of them all heading for our position.”

Fifty to one, not the best of odds but it was apparent this was a trap set with the hopes of finding us vulnerable to attack. Since Jinto seems to know more than I about this mission, I turned towards him and said.

“Options Jinto, do we run, fight, just what do you have planned for us?”

Jinto’s blank stare told me this was as far as he had planned. The ball was now in my court and we were running out of time. I opened the ship wide link and said.

“Battle stations Risch does the cloak function? If so cloak us now! Noel plot a course towards the support fleet maximum sub light speed. Scholar inform Spoor it’s a trap, Dai scan them give me accurate numbers, Jinto ships status.”

Information poured into my brain, we were cloaked heading at maximum sub light speed towards the support fleet with the Zu’har following our trail, yet they really didn’t know where we were. Dai’s scanning must have given them a real fit as well. Spoor has acknowledged our communication and is setting up an ambush five light seconds ahead of us. We have fifty ships mostly fighter types but there are three ships of the line accompanying them. My plan is to uncloak before the ambush Spoor has set and engage them in combat while we continue into the ambush. Our firefight should give the support fleet cover and the element of surprise. I want those three ships of the line, I want them very badly.

“Dai time to uncloaking?”

“About ten minutes Lafiel.”

“Jinto ships status.”

“We are fully operational all positions manned and at the ready.”

For the first time since the sabotage attempt I sat in the command chair, slipping my data crystals into the receiver I got a pleasant surprise. The often tactless and uninformative Guardian computer had been replaced by… Wait this wasn’t possible there was no way that this… but it was true…Jinto and Samson somehow managed to give me my first command computer back… there was no doubt in my mind this was the computer off the Basroil but why?

The answer lay within the computer itself, not only was I greeted by a familiar feeling of peace, but there was a comforting voice as well, the computer spoke to me with Sobbash’s voice and more it had her tactical expertise stored with in the databanks. I sat back smiled and said very calmly.

“Does everyone understand the plan? There can be no miscues if there are we all die is that understood?”

Everyone was in agreement and the battle was about to begin.

*********
“Lafiel’s message said she was bringing company to our little roast. About fifty of them she said with three of them being prize winners.”

Painiach’s message wasn’t understood very well at first, but I did remember Jinto discussing pig roasting parties on Martine and translated the message to my father. We were as ready as we were ever going to be and the Zu’har have just appeared on our long range scanners yet Lafiel’s ship was only a very faint outline.

*********

My conversation with Risch probably had the bridge crew wondering if I was in my right mind or not. What I asked for and received were our firing and shield options in cloaked mode. I found out we could fire cloaked but the cloaking would cease once the weapon was discharged. Defensive shields were no problem Risch would establish those as the cloak fell.

I watched as the ambush point came on the main viewer we had about a minute lead on the Zu’har advance scouts with the main body about another two minutes behind them. The computer and I went over several attack profiles and finally settled on one that would inflict as much damage as possible. I forwarded that plan to Dai’s console she agreed it was the most logical approach to the problem.

The problem was to blind the Zu’har scanners so the support fleet would have the element of surprise and in a pincer move cut them to pieces. Our attack would take out most of the fighters and probably badly damage one of the three ships of the line. At least the computer was confident of our attack and I felt comfortable doing this as well.

*********
Painiach stood taking in the unfolding battle. The computer information from Lafiel was transposed upon the display, if Lafiel was correct the support fleet would have to deal with a few fighters and the ships of the line. Scattered among the asteroids lay the support fleet the Lashkau on the right with three dozen ships the Jemkau on the left with the balance of the fleet. Duhiel and his group watched the escape route just incase this was a trap with in a trap. It had become well know that the Zu’har used very unorthodox combat tactics, Painiach had all the bases covered, she hoped.

*********
The time had arrived we were at the attack point I opened the inter-ship communications link and said.

“It’s time; we all know what we have to do. Let us do this now! Dai load firing sequence Risch ready the shields Scholar notify Painiach we are starting our attack.”

The computer signaled the attack the first volley caught them completely off guard. We did more damage than expected the fighters were grouped in a tight formation and fell victim to the main weapons discharge. Our next salvo disabled the ship on the line closest to the fighters however the other two ships managed to raise defensive barriers and our third attack did only marginal damage. The Lashkau’s first salvo obliterated the second ship and the third fell victim to a cross fire between the Jemkau, Lashkau and this ship. The engagement lasted eleven minutes and was a bitter sweet victory.

Mop up was in progress when Scholar stood suddenly faced me and exclaimed.

“Seelnay’s under attack this was a rouse Shahrazad was the real target all along!!!!”

I stood motionless for a moment then gave a flurry of orders that how the crew understood them all was beyond me. I notified Painiach of the current situation and proceeded to depart for home at maximum speed. I hope we would make it in time.

*********
Lafiel had just made the jump to light when communications cleared, for a brief moment we heard the distress call from Shahrazad. Seelnay was pleading for anyone to respond that a large Zu’har fleet was less then twenty minutes from attack range, the call ended with her repeatedly pleading for anyone to respond. I tired in vain to tell her help was on the way but the static once again blocked communications. Seelnay’s “Help us please help us!” rang in my ears. I didn’t have to communicate this to the rest of the fleet, they already heard and at maximum speed we would be there in two and half hours. Lafiel would be there sooner but would she be there soon enough to be a difference?

To be continued in: The Defense of Shahrazad.

"Ah! You don't know my name?
Its very simple, Lafiel you shall say.
In return I'd like to call you Jinto."


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