Warrior One - Fleet Action Pt. 04

"What defenses does the station carry," Admiral Cook asked.

"It's mostly classified, but as you can see for yourself, they have a couple of hundred four terawatt cannon and another couple of hundred five terawatt cannon along with a couple of hundred two terawatt cannon. Along with assorted missile and torpedo tubes. One thing you can't see is the fourteen squadrons of fighters. I saw a squadron take off out of one of what looked like shuttle bays. Scans then showed thirteen more on board."

"Didn't Captain Mac Nisse complain," Admiral Cook said his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"No. Actually, he's not a fighting man, he's a scheduler. His first officer would fight the ship, not him."

"His first officer? What rank does he hold?"

"Captain. He's also longer in grade then Mac Nisse."

"How does that work?'

"Mac Nisse takes care of the workings of the station, his first fights and flies the ship."

An orderly entered, handing Admiral Fitzgerald two flimsies.

"Thank you, Yeoman." He paused to read the messages on the paper. "Well, it seems the Gar really aren't willing to give up Rigel. A two-man scout ship is... was tracking fifteen hundred Gar ships inbound. They will arrive in a month."

"Holy... " Admiral Lowery started to say. "Fifteen hundred!"

"From what the scout ship says, they are spread across that many light years, approximately six thousand light years down the spiral arm."

"What does the other message say?" Ezra asked.

"It's from a one-man scout in approximately the same position as the two-man. He confirms the sightings and adds there is a group of Saxon ships headed toward the Gar ships from the spiral arm to the east."

"Saxons?" M'lat squawked.

"The beings you described to us as opposing the Gar, yet they ignored you. You should have gotten an update about them. They have provided us with invaluable information about Gar movements."

"Ah, the unknowns. Yes, yes, I seem to remember a message about them. Why do you call them Saxons?"

"That is the region of one of our landmasses where their original ancestors came from on our home world."

"They are human?"

"Yes. And they may be about to betray us."

"I don't see how. Wherever we have gone, if the... Saxon's... encountered a Gar vessel or vessels, they attacked without quarter. We assumed they hated the Gar with all their beings."

"We'll see. The two scout ships are on their way to Rigel for resupply. There is still one more out there. We are waiting to hear from him. Or her."

Chapter 91

The scout ships Seeker and Searcher arrived at the same time. Both were surprised by the Donegal. As the two ships landed on a platform in the giant sphere, the three men looked at each other.

"Do you believe this place?" Doyle Farrell said raising his voice to be heard over the cacophony that surrounded them.

"Too right," Pat Egan shouted.

Nolan Tóla just nodded as he turned toward the entrance to the ring, where they were directed by a dock worker on the platform. Once through the door, the space was suddenly quiet. So quiet in fact you could hear someone whispering across the room they were now in.

"Gentlemen, check in here please," a woman in a Lieutenant's uniform called out.

"Right," Nolan said, turning toward the counter.

"Sign in, place your ID cards on the scanner. You will be assigned quarters and will be notified when your ships have been serviced."

"We must leave at 0700 hours first thing in the morning," Commander Tóla said.

"Your ships will be serviced as soon as we can."

"Lieutenant, you don't understand, our ship must be ready for us at 0700. Fleetserv directive 405.67."

"I know the regs, Commander... "

"Is there a problem here Lieutenant?" a man with Captain eagles on his collar said.

"No, I was just explaining... "

"That we will wait our turn for service. Unfortunately, we must be ready to leave first thing in the morning, sir. 0700 hours, sir."

"Well, we might be able to get to them by then, but it might be a couple of hours later, enjoy your stay," the Captain said, turned and walked away.

Doyle Farrell was about to chase after him, but Nolan grabbed his arm and held him in place. Nodding to the Lieutenant, Nolan dragged Doyle over to the bank of communication devices on the far wall. They were there for guests to use. He used one.

Fifteen minutes later, Admiral Fitzgerald was staring at Captain Kevin Mac Nisse as he stood at rigid attention. Behind the Admiral were Commander Tóla and the Donegal's first officer.

"Do you understand Captain?" Lonan asked quietly.

"But sir... "

"Do you understand?" Lonan asked through clenched teeth.

"Sir, yes, sir," Kevin said suddenly realizing the trouble he was in.

"Good. Now, pick up the phone and tell your people to fuel and restock the Seeker and the Searcher before they do anything else down there."

"But... yes sir of course."

"And from now on, when a scout ship comes in for resupply, you will do them immediately. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, just don't stand there make that call," Lonan shouted.

Turning away from Mac Nisse he wondered how he had gotten this command. Lonan walked across the room indicating the others to follow him.

"Tell me something Flynn, how did he get command? You really don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"His father sits on the Senate. And he is a good project planner. He just doesn't understand that there are exceptions to plans."

"Ah... yes. I thought the name sounded familiar."

"Is he telling you lies about me," Kevin had finished his call and was closing on them.

"You are still at attention Captain," Lonan shouted.

Kevin halted, looked confused and snapped to attention.

"Now... I can see this just won't work out. Kevin Mac Nisse, I relieve you of your command and reduce your rank to Lieutenant Commander... "

"You have no authority... "

"CAPTAIN! If I might sir, advise you as I am supposed to?" Flynn Ross said.

"Of course."

"I would follow the Admirals orders to the letter if I were you, sir."

"Thank you First, I will take that under advisement. Admiral, I still believe you have no authority over me or my command... "

"Lieutenant... "

"Captain, sir."

"Lieutenant JG Mac Nisse, you will report to your quarters... no belay that... you will report to the brig - this ship does have a brig?"

"It does sir," Flynn told him.

"You will report to the brig where you will stay until further notice. Is that clear Lieutenant?"

"No, sir."

"Very well. Captain Ross, please have two marines, one being an officer, report to me here."

"Yes, sir." Captain Ross went to the desk and made the call.

They all waited for the Marines to show up. A Marine Colonel and Master Sergeant showed up not five minutes later.

"Yes sir," the Marine colonel said to Admiral Fitzgerald.

"You report to me Colonel," Mac Nisse shouted.

"Colonel, you will arrest private Mac Nisse and escort him to Warrior Three were he will be held in the brig until a court-martial can be convened. Is that clear Colonel?"

"Yes, sir. Sergeant, call for a shuttle to meet us at port 6."

"Aye, aye sir." the sergeant turned away and whispered in his communicator.

"Private Mac Nisse if you come with me," the Colonel said reaching for Mac Nisse's arm.

"Don't you touch me," he growled.

"Sergeant subdue the prisoner."

"Don't you dar... " The sound of the stun gun cut Mac Nisse off in mid-sentence. He dropped to the floor unconscious.

"Well, sergeant, it looks as if you will have to carry him now," the Colonel chuckled.

"Something funny Colonel," Lonan asked a stern look on his face.

"No Admiral."

"Then carry out your orders."

"Aye, aye sir." The Colonel saluted and followed the sergeant out the door.

"An unpleasant business," Lonan said.

"Are you really going to court-martial him? Sir?" Ross asked.

"That depends on him, but it will probably come to that with his attitude. How do these... never mind. Captain Ross, you are in command of this station now. Do you have someone who can coordinate the goings on in this ship?"

"I do. The man who should have been in charge of the service division. He'll also make a fine first officer."

"Then I leave it in your hands."

"Might I ask why you transferred... "

"Of course not. We had a similar case where the offender was placed in cold sleep, but his "friends" woke him and tried to mutiny."

"I see. Thank you, Admiral. Thank you very much. Captain Tóla, your ships will be ready by 0500 hours."

"Thank you, Captain, Admiral."

"Will you have time to get back out there before the Gar get here?" Admiral Fitzgerald asked.

"We will sir. I will take my leave now. I really need a shower. Thank you again." Nolan turned and hurried out of the room.

"I will take my leave also, Captain."

"Goodbye, Admiral. Stop by anytime."

"I will. Goodbye."

Chapter 92

All ships had their orders extended. They were to stay in Rigel. All ships repairs would be carried out by Donegal. Any ship coming off the cradle at Scara Mensa would be sent to Rigel. It was hoped by the time the Gar arrived that the Federation presence would have increased by at least ten more ships.

Chicago dropped its MedServ pods on the surface of Rigel V and left for parts unknown, with a promise to be back. The supply ships left for Capella station for resupply as did the command battleships. All ships had been resupplied prior to their leaving. That the three Fleets were at more than full strength was only because Fleet Cook had been disbanded for the coming action. It's ships allocated to the three other fleets.

Ezra found himself with two extra destroyers and two extra battlecruisers. He was happy for the help. That one of the battlecruisers was the Mauthe Doog, was a happy reunion, even though it carried a fleet admiral, who now sat across from Ezra in his ready room.

"Ezra, I promise not to get in your way. You fight the fleet as you see fit. I'm a strategist, not a tactician. It has proven well to have tacticians in command during the battle. While we strategists plan before the battle."

"I appreciate that sir. Thank you."

"In fact, I think the fleets should have both assigned to them... each knowing their duties and responsibilities in any action that might take place."

"I see sir."

"Do you? Really?"

"Of course sir. You plan the battle, I attempt to carry out the plan, but I am free to modify it within the context of the ensuing battle."

"You do grasp the concept then. Good. That's exactly how we will play the coming conflict."

"Any word from our scouts?"

"None yet. They should be back in place in another day or so. I have sent two destroyers two thousand light years down the spiral arm to see what they can see. They report the big blob of ships headed our way. They can't quite get a handle on how long they will be. Those scout ships have better sensors than we do."

"They do. They are also much faster than we are in hyperspace."

"Yep. And that info has been classified. New tech. We'll be getting it in about a year. They always use the scouts to test this stuff. Well, I have to get back to my ship, I have a battle plan to put together," Lonan chuckled.

"Of course sir. It was good of you to drop by."

Lieutenant Gillan Saraid sat staring at the screen in front of her. It hadn't changed in the past ten days. She was running short of supplies, yet needed to stay a while longer. She jerked as two blips appeared in proximity to her. The other scouts returning from Rigel. She shook her head. It was time for her to go. Nodding she transmitted her report and pressed the hyperspace button.

Commander Tóla took notice of the flare on his screen. Smiling he watched the Caster head toward Rigel. Gillian was an odd one. She rarely said a word when they ran into each other in port. She seemed to go out of her way not to be part of any of the bullshit sessions. She was perfectly suited to one man scout ships.

Doyle Farrell also took note of Caster's departure. He also noticed Seeker move into position farther down galaxy, between him and the Gar. But, he was much more interested in the blob of Gar ships down galaxy. He could also see the small clump of Saxon ships drawing closer.

Nolan gasped when a small blob of Gar ships suddenly broke off and headed toward the Saxon ships. Then the big blob of Gar ships split again. Half of the Gar ships headed off to the west. After a few minutes, the computer came up with a course. They were headed to Earth. Nolan typed furiously, pressing send when he had finished his report.

Doyle pressed send and heard the comm system whine for the split second it took to send his burst message to Fleet HQ. He also sensed the same message flash from Seeker.

To Be Continued...