Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) (7 page)

“I told you they’d need you one day,” said Lynda Wolfe, standing beside Captain Pike.

“Yes, you did,” said Rajneesh Singh, the former Chief Engineer of the Hermes.

“Who are you talking to?” said Jon, looking over his shoulder.

“Don’t tell him anything,” whispered Lynda, walking over to where Singh sat. “He’ll try to break us up if he finds out I’m here.”

“No one, Sir,” said Singh.

The two men sat facing each other in an interrogation room. Other than the two chairs on which they sat, the room was stark, though Singh knew there were tiny hidden cameras and sensors hidden in the walls. He wasn’t a Juttari engineer, but he was confident he probably knew more about this ship than anyone else on board.

“I have to say, I’ve got some real concerns about you, Mr. Singh,” said Jon, his voice ice, his eyes lethal. “You were going to give the secret of the jump system to the Kemmar, and tell them the location of Earth. The only reason you haven’t been executed for treason is because you’re obviously unstable.”

“Don’t forget, he left me to die on the Hermes bridge,” said Lynda.

He did
, thought Singh.
He’s the only traitor in this room.

“Unfortunately, I need your expertise.”

“What do you need me to do, Captain?” said Singh.

“I realize you don’t know much about our current situation. We have found the lost colonies. They’re in danger of invasion. So, we need to retrofit some of their warships with jump systems. That’s where you come in. I need you to show us how to complete the retrofit.”

Singh stayed quiet for a moment, soaking in what the Captain was telling him. He could leave the brig. He could work with engines again.

“Be careful,” said Lynda. “He needs you. Don’t let him have you for free.”

Singh tried to look the Captain in the eyes, but looked away, feeling intimidated. “What do I get out of this?” he said, staring at the floor.

“You get some measure of freedom,” said Jon. “You get to redeem yourself. Isn’t that enough?”

“Stay strong,” said Lynda.

“No, Captain. It is not enough.”

“What happened to you? You were my Chief Engineer. I relied on you. What turned you into this?” said Jon, stretching out his hand toward him.

“You left her,” Singh said in a low voice that was almost a growl. He locked eyes with the Captain, holding his gaze this time, letting his hatred show.

“Left who?” said Jon, looking confused, even caught off guard.

“Lynda,” said Singh, leaning forward, clenching his fists. He wanted to pounce on the Captain, and part of him foolishly believed he had a chance.

“Lynda? Commander Wolfe? She died on the Hermes bridge when we crash landed. I couldn’t save her.”

Singh pointed a finger at the Captain. “Yet you were fully capable of saving yourself, weren’t you?”

Jon’s eyes widened. “That’s it. I understand now. I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out sooner. That’s why Commander Wolfe volunteered to serve on the Hermes. You two were in a relationship.”

The words stung Singh and rage transformed into grief. “I wish she never came aboard the Hermes. She’d still be alive now.”

“I am still alive, Rajneesh,” said Lynda.

Singh looked at Lynda. “No, you’re not. I wish you were, but you’re not.”

Disappointment spread across Lynda’s face and she placed a hand on Singh’s shoulder.
It feels so real
, he thought.
How can it feel so real?

“Wait a second,” said Jon. “That’s who you’re talking to, isn’t it? You see Commander Wolfe.”

Singh nodded his head as a solitary tear traced a path down his cheek.

“She’s not here, Chief. You know that don’t you?”

“I do. At least a part of me does. But she is so real. I can see her. She’s as beautiful as ever. I can smell the shampoo on her blonde hair. I can hear her voice, as clear as I can hear yours. I can feel her touch.” He looked at the hand on his shoulder. “It’s as gentle as I remember. How can you tell me she’s not here?”

“She’s not. I’m sorry, Chief, but you have to let her go.”

“I can’t,” Singh whispered, bringing a hand up to wipe away the tears now streaming down his face.

“I’ll never leave you, Rajneesh,” said Lynda. “Never.”

“It’s going to be okay, Chief. I promise. You need help. I’m sorry. I wish I had known sooner. I’m going to send Doctor Ellerbeck to see you. She’ll be able to do something about these hallucinations.”

“I can’t lose her again,” whimpered Singh.

“I know, Chief. I know.”

“Prime Minister, I must object. This idea puts the whole planet at risk,” said General Calledonius, looking every bit the grizzled old veteran.

Sallas knew the General wouldn’t like the idea of a separate, independent fleet. He had gained control over the entire New Byzantium armed forces after the coup. The last thing he would agree to now would be a parallel military that wasn’t under his control. “General,” said Sallas, trying his best to sound respectful and conciliatory. “New Byzantium is already at risk. We cannot hope to prevail against both the corporations, and the Kemmar. We need this jump technology.”

“Then negotiate for it. There must be something they would be willing to trade for.”

“I’ve tried, General. They do not want to trade.”

“Why not?”

“Because, they are afraid the technology will fall into the wrong hands.”

“Nonsense,” said Calledonius. “I would personally ensure the security of the technology.”

“I know you would, General, but with the recent coup you can understand their concerns.”

“The military has been thoroughly cleansed. All traitors have been arrested.”

“How do you know that?”

“Excuse me?”

“How do you know that all traitors have been arrested? What if there are still elements in the military who support return to corporate rule?”

“I have extensive files on every coup supporter.”

“Yes, and how long have you had those files?”

“We had our suspicions. My people were building cases against the traitors. We didn’t expect them to act so quickly.”

“So you were surprised by the coup?”

“Yes.”

“Then there were some gaps in your intelligence.”

“I wouldn’t say that…”

“If there weren’t, you would have known about the coup. Did you know about the coup, General?”

“Of course not.”

“Then there must have been gaps in your intelligence, which means you may have, in fact, missed some of the traitors.”

“Speculation.”

“Perhaps, but you can see how some can be concerned,” said Sallas. “This really is the only way we’ll get access to the jump system, and probably the only way New Byzantium has a chance of surviving.”

“We are fully capable of fighting our own battles,” said Calledonius, but Sallas knew the statement was more bluster than anything else.

“I know we are,” Sallas lied. “But this will give us a greater advantage. The new fleet will fight alongside your fleet. One jump ship turned the tide in the battle against the coup. Can you imagine how effective several ships can be?”

“They definitely provide a tactical advantage.”

“Which is why I’ve made my decision, and I fully expect parliament to support it. What I really need now is your cooperation.”

Calledonius grunted. “Of course, Prime Minister. What do you need to make this happen?”

“First off we’re going to need battle ready warships. At least two to start.”

“I have a carrier that was undergoing repairs. Last I checked the repairs were almost complete. It would give them a great deal of firepower. I can also add a destroyer. What about crews?”

“That was the second part of the request. We’re going to need recruits for the fleet. Captain Pike does have enough personnel to man a second ship, but there aren’t enough for a third. I would prefer they came from our military, as we don’t have time to train people.”

“I can make the option available, but it would have to be voluntary. Captain Pike may have enough people to man a destroyer, but a carrier is a much larger ship. It’ll need a crew and it’ll need fighter and bomber pilots. It would be best to propose the option to her existing crew first. They’ll have the necessary expertise.”

“How many do you think would accept?” said Sallas.

“I’d be surprised if any refused. With the jump system they would be serving on the most advanced ship in this region of space. I know I wouldn’t say no to such an opportunity.”

“The sooner the better, General. I don’t know how much time we have to get ready.”

“I will have all crew members contacted immediately.”

“Thank you, General.”

“I also have a destroyer in mind for Captain Pike. It was one of the coup destroyers. It sustained minor damage during the battle, but I believe most of that has already been repaired.”

“I’m sure it is a fine ship,” said Sallas.

Calledonius rose to his feet. Sallas marveled at how fit and intimidating the man looked, even at his age.

“I’ll make the necessary preparations, and ensure the ships are ready,” said Calledonius. “If that is all?”

“That is all, General,” said Sallas. “Thank you.”

General Calledonius nodded, and marched out of the room.

Sallas breathed a sigh of relief as the old warrior left. The encounter actually went better than he had thought. He had feared the General would put up more of a fight. In the end, however, Calledonius understood the situation. They needed the jump system. The important thing was to gain access to the technology now. If that required concessions, so be it.

Sallas tapped the console on his desk, requesting a communication link with the Ronin, and Captain Pike. The display quickly came to life and Captain Pike’s scarred face appeared.

“I’ve spoken to the General,” said Sallas. “He’s agreed to contribute two ships. A carrier and a destroyer.”

“A carrier?” said Jon. “I thought that was his flagship?”

“There is another carrier. It has been undergoing repairs. As has the destroyer.”

“What about recruits?”

“He’s agreed to recruiting on a voluntary basis. He is going to give the option to the carrier crew first.”

“Good. Their experience will be valuable, and we’ll need the pilots

“I’ll arrange access for your people to the two ships. You should be able to begin the retrofits soon. Do you have everything you need?”

“The Ronin’s fabricator is making the necessary parts needed for the jump systems, and Doctor Ellerbeck is helping Mr. Singh.”

“Are you sure we can trust him?”

“No, I’m not. But we don’t have any choice. We need him for this to work.”

“Yes, but what if he sabotages the ships?”

“Don’t worry, Prime Minister. He’ll be watched the entire time. If he so much as twitches the wrong way, I’ll know about it.”

Tallos sat in his cell, meditating on his home. Could he even call it home anymore? He had been away so long that he had difficulty remembering the intoxicating scents of his gardens, or the sounds of the ocean crashing against the rocks below. He saw his children, but knew they looked different by now. Would they remember him? Or was he just another story? The father who loved them, but never came home. Would they ever see him? Or would he spend the rest of his days on this cursed vessel.

He considered his predicament. Imprisoned on a Juttari warship, thousands of light years from Diakus. Even if he could free himself, his chances of reaching home were practically non-existent. Of course, he could try and commandeer the ship and use its jump system to get home. How hard could that be? There was only the few hundred Chaanisar super-soldiers standing in his way. No, his chances were nonexistent. He would rot in here, unless somehow Diakus found him.

That last thought intrigued him. The jump system was created through human and Diakan cooperation. It stood to reason that there would soon be a fleet of Diakan jump ships. How long would it take until one of them found the colonies? Unfortunately, they would have no idea he was here. All they would see was a Juttari warship. Nothing more. No, his prospects were grim indeed.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the brig door opening, and footsteps approaching his cell. He knew those footsteps. They belonged to Captain Pike, the instrument of his misfortune. As the footfalls approached his cell, Tallos opened his eyes. There he stood, the cause of all his troubles. The man who destroyed the Hermes. The man who imprisoned him. Captain Jon Pike. And inside Pike lay his Diakan symbiont. A traitor to its own kind.

“Special Envoy, or should I say General? I don’t know anymore. It’s been a long time since we spoke last,” said Captain Pike.

“A longer wait would have been agreeable,” said Tallos. Did Pike come here to mock him? If that was his game, then he would be sorely disappointed.

“This is your lucky day, Tallos,” said Captain Pike, with a wry grin.

“How can it be lucky if I have to endure your presence?” Tallos spat.

“Apparently miracles do happen. You are being freed.”

“Really, Captain, this is beneath even you. Are you so bored that you need to come here and play such childish games?”

Pike chuckled. “I have to admit, this is funny, in a perverse sort of way.”

“Is that so? Well, now that you have had your fun, perhaps you will leave so I can return to my meditation.”

“Yeah, as much as I’d like to leave you here, Tallos, it’s not going to happen. Don’t get me wrong. It pains me to let you go, but I don’t really have much choice.”

Tallos took in a deep breath. Whatever game Pike was playing, he would not give him the satisfaction of getting angry. “As you wish, Captain. Stay if you like, but I am returning to my meditation.” With that out of the way, Tallos closed his eyes and tried to return to the serene gardens and sweet scents of his home. He’d almost managed, but the sound of his cell being unlocked forced his eyes open again. He watched impassively as the door swung open.
Does he think I’ll try and walk out? Does he actually think I’m that stupid?
“Sorry, Captain. I am not falling for your tricks.”

“Guards,” said Pike, the smile now replaced with a scowl. Two menacing looking Chaanisar approached. “The Diakans are being freed. You are to escort each of them to the hangar bay, where a shuttle will take them down to the surface.”

“Understood,” said one of the Chaanisar.

“Why are we going to the surface?” Tallos said in surprise.
Could he actually be serious?

“I told you, you’ve been freed. Prime Minister Sallas has negotiated your freedom. The shuttle will take you down to New Byzantium where you will meet with the Prime Minister. If I was you, I would kiss his feet in thanks.”

“I don’t understand. Why would this Prime Minister help us?” Tallos tried to grasp the information Pike was giving him. They received no news in the brig, so he had no idea where they were, or who this Prime Minister Sallas was, let alone why he would free them. It didn’t matter. Anything was better than sitting in this cell for the rest of his days.

“You can ask him yourself.” Captain Pike moved toward the exit. He stopped, turned, and said to the Chaanisar, “If any of the Diakans try anything, put a bullet through their goddamn green skulls.”

“Yes, Sir,” said the Chaanisar, looking sideways at Tallos.

“I assure you there will be no need to put a bullet in anyone’s skull,” said Tallos, as he rose to his feet.

Pike let out a grunt, almost a growl, and left.

He actually seems angry about this
, Tallos thought.
I don’t think this day could get any better.