Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) (13 page)

She walked along the corridor to his room and gave a gentle knock. She waited, heard nothing and so knocked a little louder. Eventually she heard some movement. Felis opened the door ajar. “I was trying to get some sleep” he said.

“I haven’t been touched in over two years. What are you going to do about that?”

A big smile came across Felis’s face. He reached out and took her hand, drawing her in. A flick of his foot closed the door behind them.

Chapter 48. Neeblo 0630, 15 September

Felis was lying on his side when he woke. He smiled as he registered the heat being applied to his back from Evie’s body as she cuddled into him. He shook his head in mild disbelief. If he had asked himself two weeks ago he would have estimated the chances of him finding love again at less than one in a hundred. But here he was – here they were. She was ten years his junior but somehow it didn’t matter. He felt good in her company. No he craved it.

He registered some stiffness in his shoulder. He must have been lying in that position most of the night. He rolled onto his back gently rolling Evie onto hers. She murmured something but otherwise remained sleeping. ‘My world has changed’ he said to himself ‘and so much for the better.’

Chapter 49. Cornucopia to Polaris 0815, 15 September

“No, let’s talk about you for a change” said Charles.

“My life is not as interesting as yours” said Merry.

“That depends on your perspective. I’m interested in you.”

Merry gave him a sweet smile. “OK, what do you want to know?”

“Why a doctor?”

“I like to care for people and things. I have a hydroponic garden on board…got a bit of a green thumb.”

“Huh” said Charles with a smile. “So what, you grow your own weed?”

“No!” she said in a disapproving tone. “Why would I, when I can get my hands on narcotics and just about every other upper and downer you can think of.”

“Good point. So what then?”

“Tomatoes.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “They’re not bad either.”

“I like tomatoes.”

“Well that puts you in good company with just about the majority of the human race.”

“See, I can do common.”

She chuckled in response. “Tomatoes, the great leveller.”

“So apart from tomatoes, what else do you like to eat?” 

They spent the next half hour exchanging information about their favourite foods, music, movies etc.

“Ooh, I better get going Charles. Really nice talking to you. Tomorrow?”

Charles nodded with a smile.

Chapter 50. Neeblo 1100, 15 September

“Excuse me Sir” interrupted the young lieutenant.

“Yes what is it” said Felis.

“You said to be on the lookout for any volunteers with prior military experience.”

“Yes have them report to Major Kronious.”

“Well actually they are both senior officers Sir.”

“Really” said Felis. “Have you checked their bona fides?”

“Yes Sir.”

“OK, bring them over then.”

Felis did not recognise either of the two. The first was introduced as ex Colonel (Col) Bonitis Chennig. He was getting on in years but had a spark in his eyes that struck Felis in a good way. The second was ex Commodore Rotina Wislitus. She looked younger and reminded Felis of his aunty.

“Yes Sir” said Bonitis “my last posting was Chief of Staff to the 2
^nd
Sniltus Bde.”

“That must have been a long time ago.”

“Eleven years.”

“Wasn’t it overrun on Gunmeyan?”

“Six months after I retired Sir.”

Felis noted the change in expression on Bonitis. ‘Obviously a sore point’ thought Felis. “How fit are you?”

“Well, let’s say I’m probably best suited to a staff role than command” responded Bonitis with a bit of a smile.

“OK and what about you Rotina?” asked Felis.

“I’m still fighting fit Sir” said the middle aged rogan. “But my specialty is in logistics. I was the Log officer at Cheklin High Command for four years till ‘09.”

“If you don’t mind me saying so, you don’t look old enough for retirement.”

“Why thank you Sir. No I resigned…personal matters. But I’m more than ready and willing to serve.” She scanned the room quickly and then added “It doesn’t look like you have a lot of experience here Sir.”

Felis smiled “No we don’t. OK you’re hired Rotina. Take charge of logistics. Just about all the defence batteries and fighter squadrons have come over to us. They are your number one priority for logistic support. You need to get in touch with the missile facilities and ensure they ramp up production. Oh and find some transport for the 3
^rd
Ecrustian Bde.”

Rotina responded with a big smile and a hearty “Yes Sir.”

“Bonitis” said Felis “I could really do with some help controlling our ground forces. Can you handle Ground Ops under Commander Balun here?”

“Certainly” said Bonitis.

“Mmm…” said Felis as he pondered something.

“Is there a problem?” asked Bonitis.

“No, not at all” said Felis. He called Kraag over and introduced him to the new staffers. “Kraag I see a real problem here don’t you?”

Kraag looked at him without a clue. Then he twigged. “I’d be more than happy to serve under the Colonel.”

“No Kraag that won’t do” said Felis. Kraag was confounded. “But we have to do something about your rank don’t we?” Kraag was still not catching on. “Commodore is the appropriate rank don’t you think?”

“What me?” asked Kraag.

“Yes you.”

Kraag beamed a huge smile.

“You know I quite like this part” said Felis with a grin.

Chapter 51. Washington DC 1500, 15 September

Julian Morrow went straight back to his office after the cabinet had decided on the PME submission. Obeida and Glen were waiting for him. They both tried to look detached as Julian entered the ante room where they were waiting. He motioned to them to follow as he marched straight into his office.

“Right, Cabinet approved option C, full disclosure.”

“Wow” said a surprised Obeida.

Glen just nodded with a serious face. He had already accepted his role in this whole endeavour and realised the significance of what he, in part, was setting in train. He wasn’t surprised by the cabinet’s decision. To him it made sense. What the enemy thought of their motives was largely irrelevant to him. He knew he was doing it for the right reasons.

“But only if we have to” added Julian.

“So everything is still Top Secret till things go pear shape” said Obeida.

“That’s about it” said Julian. “OK you have your funding, the ships you need and the green light to use the site. I know you can’t guarantee a set date, but this time next year will most likely be too late. Just go like the clappers will you?”

Obeida smiled as she stood up. “You betcha!” she said. “Come on Glen, we’re out of here.”

Julian sank back into his chair after they exited. He gave a smile to himself. ‘I do like the way she gets on with things.’

Chapter 52.  Neeblo 1830, 15 September

Felis and Evie were dining together in the old factory cafeteria, now pressed back into service. His communicator rang and he quickly picked it up. It was the watch officer. “Incoming ships Sir, lots of them.”

“I’m on my way” he responded and terminated the call. “We need to move now.” With the siren blazing they ran across to the operations room. Felis said “Make sure Meelanda’s safe!”

“Yes but you stay safe too” said Evie as she trotted off to Meelanda’s quarters.

Felis plonked himself down into his seat in the operations room and quickly scanned the holo taking in the pertinent facts.

Kraag who had been taking a shower came running in with a towel around him and clutching his clothes. With no sense of embarrassment he quickly dried himself. Under any other circumstances that would have garnered some attention but not now. “What’s happening up there?” he asked as he pulled on his trousers.

1st Lt Selinta Wisorium, the young watch officer blurted out “We’ve identified seven caps, 11 lights and a carrier warped in 2.2 million kilometres away here” and she highlighted the icons on the holo. She dared to peek at Kraag, caught his eye as he was glancing at the holo, then she averted her gaze back to her terminal. “That carrier is the Batlasan, Sir, 1
^st
RIF.” She cast another quick glance at Kraag as he pulled on his top.

“Why so far away?” asked Kraag, now pulling on his boots.

Selinta hadn’t really thought about that. Felis jumped in. “You will find that Admiral Titlun is very methodical. He takes few risks and likes to be very economical with his resources” said Felis. “I served under him for three years. He doesn’t throw away the lives of his subordinates if he can afford it. That makes him popular with his troops but don’t be fooled. He’s absolutely ruthless. Right now he’s playing it safe just in case the local defences have turned. Wasn’t that wise of him?”

“Alas yes” said Kraag tucking his top into his trousers.

“The Werensun has just warped away” advised a shocked Selinta. “The bloody cowards” she cursed.

“So we’re down to two caps and one frigate” said Kraag as he slid into his seat.

“And nine fighter squadrons plus 35 defence batteries. It’s not over by a long shot” said Felis. “Order our flotilla to go into geo over Lewista. Have the Dogon move to within supporting range of the Flotilla. Launch a cap of two fighter squadrons around them and rotate them as required. Hold fire on all batteries unless the enemy ships come within effective range. No speculative shooting.”

“They’re on the move Sir, coming our way” advised Selinta “ETA to engagement range of our flotilla is 9.4 hours. Why don’t they warp in?”

Kraag smiled “because he wants to build the pressure on those ship captains in the hope that more may opt to flee or join him.”

Felis nodded and added “Why risk losing ships when time and weak minds can deliver you your objective.”

“Right, I see” said Selinta.

“But we can use that time profitably” said Kraag “it’s time to implement those civil defence plans.”

The Batlasan began broadcasting a few minutes later calling on all military and government personnel to support the ‘legitimate authority’. Meelanda, Julian and Evie came in at that point and Meelanda said derisively “Legitimate authority indeed. Admiral Draag can we jam their broadcast?”

“We can certainly try. I think it will be a first for the Dogon though” said Felis. Meelanda looked puzzled. Felis smiled “they’re normally jamming stuff coming from the planet not the other way around.”

“Ah” said Meelanda.

“Anyway it will get harder as they get closer” he replied “the Batlasan has probably the most powerful transmitters anywhere in the galaxy. They will probably start jamming us soon too.”

“Do it anyway. We will need to counter that with our own broadcasts while we can. It’s going to be a busy day.”

“I have to counsel against you moving to Lewista. We may well come under bombardment once they get within range and the capital will be a definite target.”

Meelanda pondered that for a moment. “All right I’ll accept that advice but then I need to bring Hecto Tomuson and his public relations team here along with a selection of representatives from the media companies.”

“OK but do it now before they get in range” said Felis and with a smile added “I hear there are some impounded Likta hoppers at the spaceport.”

Meelanda smiled “good idea.”

Julian had been waiting for a break in the conversation. He now chimed in. “I need to get a message to the Phantom.”

“What, she is still here?” asked Kraag.

“I believe so” said Julian.

“Will she stay and fight with us?” asked Felis.

“She would if she had missiles.”

“What?” asked an incredulous Kraag. “You came here unarmed. You humans are either crazy or fools.”

“That will do Kraag” cautioned Felis.

“There was no other way. By now there should be a resupply at Qwantum. There are also the Resolute and two other stealth frigates plus the Maelstrom” The others looked puzzled. “You used to know her as the Mailon.”

“What you have the Mailon?” asked Kraag again confounded. “When were you going to tell us this?”

Felis gave Kraag a disapproving look. Kraag rolled his eyes.

“I have been a tad busy since I arrived here” said Julian. “Let’s leave that aside shall we. What is important right now is how best to deal with our pressing issue – the defence of Checklin.”

“Can we get them here? How long will it take?” asked Kraag.

“It’s not that simple” said Julian. “Their current mission is to secure Q2.”

“So why do you need to secure Q2?” asked Kraag.

Julian took a few minutes to give them a rundown on what had happened there ending with the most recent engagement with the two Imperial frigates. “So you see we have been expecting an even bigger imperial force arriving at any time. The Resolute, Tenacity and the Mailon…”

“Hold on” interjected Kraag “What is the Tenacity?” Felis gave him a warning look but Kraag ignored it, his focus was on Julian.

“The Tenacity is the Resolute’s sister ship. It’s brand new. As I was saying” said Julian giving Kraag a look which said don’t interrupt me again “the 17
^th
Flotilla, our force over Q2, can resupply the Phantom. I propose we send the Phantom back, get it restocked and bring her and the Resolute back here.”

“Commodore” said Felis “is this not a case where we…how do you say…need to throw in the kitchen sink? Is not Cheklin more important that a dying system on the edge of the extended territories?”

Julian felt the heat rising up his neck. “We have made an undertaking with the Resistance on Q2 to provide security for them in exchange for them providing us with a staging base for the next twelve months. You have to realise that most of our fleet does not have the drive technology that your ships have. It’s only the Resolute and the new stealth ships that have that. So it takes us a long time to move here. Our main fleet is in warp now and scheduled to arrive at Q2 at the end of the month.”