Sacrifice:The Shenkar War (33 page)

             
“
Sir? I have an idea,” said the officer behind him.

             
Turning, Krailsha regarded the officer for a few moments. He was small for a Shenkar warrior, and although he cowered at Krailsha’s gaze, Krailsha noted a keen intelligence in those eyes--an intelligence much higher than the typical warrior.

             
“
And your idea would be?” he said finally.

             
“
Well, I have been monitoring past comm traffic up until now, and most of the serious engagements have involved an enemy squadron under the leadership of someone named Ghost. Perhaps if we can ambush this Ghost and eliminate him, then maybe the loss of one of their great warriors would strike a blow.”

Krailsha stared at the officer again for several moments. Yes, his assessment had been correct
--keen intelligence.
“
That is an excellent idea. What is your name?”

             
“
My name is Scyren, sir--not worthy of your acknowledgment, Supreme Overlord,” said the officer in a deliberate voice.

             
“
Tell me, Scyren, why are you a lowly officer? And dispense with the meek performance. I can see the intelligence in your eyes.”

             
Scyren smiled an evil smile at the Supreme Overlord’s statement as he rubbed his hands around each other.
“
Well, Supreme Overlord, some time ago I made the mistake of offending a prominent science officer of the upper echelon. He made sure I was assigned to the farthest reaches of space and beyond, working a station below my intelligence. I should be an Akron scientist,” Scyren said bitterly.

             
“
Well, Scyren, that all changes now. I need an adviser who will be honest with me. Also, I could use an Akron scientist for possible endeavors. Would you like the job?”

             
“
Well, that depends,” Scyren said as he surveyed the dead bodies lying about the command deck.

Krailsha understood Scyren’s meaning and let out a low guttural laugh.
              “
I promise I won’t kill you if you displease me,” Krailsha said, then thought for a moment and added, “Just don’t displease me too often. Even I have my limits.”

             
“
Yes, Supreme Overlord,” said Scyren, adding a slight bow of his head to his words.

             
“
Now tell me your plan.”

Hidden Asteroid Base of the EDF

             
Liam sat at a table of the rec room, drinking an energy drink as he surveyed the tactical reports of the recent battle and losses. Three shuttles were destroyed, with two more disabled but recovered safely. The pilots were hurt but would suffer no long-term damage. Several fighters were damaged heavily, and some of the pilots suffered minor burns, but they too would recover.

             
“
Anything interesting, Commander?” came a gruff voice from behind him.

             
Turning, he quickly came to his feet in a salute as Admiral Kelvin walked toward him.
“
At ease, Commander. Anything interesting?”

             
Sitting back down, Liam indicated the seat across from him for the Admiral. Once the Admiral had seated himself, he spoke.
“
Just the reports of the battle. I wanted to analyze them to see if we could have done anything differently. We lost three shuttle crews--that’s six men and women. I would have preferred not to lose anyone.”

             
“
Relax, son, you couldn’t have done anything different. From what I have read, Mr. Wellmo had predicted a much higher loss of life in his plan. What we have accomplished today was incredible. Do you realize that with the losses we dealt out previously and with what we did today, we have effectively changed the timetable? The defense force should have a fleet to match the remains of the Shenkar fleet in one more month.”

             
“
So we don’t have to be out here for two more months?” asked Liam.

             
“
Well, no, technically we wouldn’t need to, but we are going to be. You see, all this means now is that in a month, the EDF will have a fleet to match the Shenkar fleet. I would prefer to give them more time and the edge if we can, and that means continuing the job we are already on.”

             
“
Yeah, I can see your point. I guess every day we slow them down is another ship they could have ready for the defense force back home. So we go on and do what we do.”

             
“
Yes, Commander, we go on and do what we do.”

EDF
Sacrifice
, Asteroid Field

              Kimino Sukita quickened her pace as she made her way toward the hangar bay. She hadn’t seen Steve in almost two weeks, and she had been surprised at how much she had missed him. She had been cursing herself for allowing herself to care for the man. After all, he was up here on a mission that would eventually lead to certain death.

             
She really hadn’t seen much of Steve since the day they had slept together. After that night, she had carefully avoided being alone with him. She hadn’t been ashamed at what had happened; it was just that she didn’t want to get involved. Well, she had certainly messed up that plan. When they had to fold away suddenly, she had regretted how she had acted toward him. She had worried constantly that she might not get the chance to rectify how she had treated him.

             
Now was her chance. She had just got word that he was approaching the
Sacrifice
with the rest of Necro Squadron. Necro Squadron was the first squadron from the asteroid base to return since the
Sacrifice
had returned to System 238. Rounding a corner, she entered the hangar bay just as Steve climbed down from his fighter. She watched as he joined his wingmate, Darren, and they made their way to the exit as they talked. It wasn’t until Steve was almost on top of her that he noticed her standing there. He came to an abrupt halt, the smile on his face faltering, and just looked at her.

             
Darren looked from Kimino to Steve.
“
Ummm . . . I think I am going to go get my personal effects so I am ready for when we return to the asteroid base,” said Darren uneasily.

             
Kimino was startled at this news. She had thought they would be once again stationed on the
Sacrifice
. As Darren hurried away, Kimino spoke to Steve.
“
You guys aren’t staying on the
Sacrifice
?” she asked.

             
“
No, we are only here long enough to gather our personal effects, then we are headed back to the asteroid base. The Admiral feels we would be more effective based away from the
Sacrifice
. It makes sense, seeing as the
Sacrifice
isn’t supposed to be used in combat. So what are you doing down here?” he asked, a bit standoffish.

This is what she was afraid of
--she had hurt him by the way she had acted.

             
“
Steve, we need to talk, especially about how much of a major bitch I have been.”

             
“
I wouldn’t say that you have been a major bitch, maybe just a minor bitch,” he said with a slight smile returning to his face.

             
“
Shall we walk and talk? I know you have things to do.”

             
The two set off toward Steve’s quarters in silence. After a few minutes, Kimino spoke.
“
I am sorry how I acted after that night, but I was confused. I didn’t want to get involved with anyone . . . especially a Templar Knight. I mean, you guys came here knowing you weren’t coming back. But then I met you and I began to care for you . . . it scared me,” said Kimino, tears forming in her eyes.

             
“
I care for you too, Kimino. I wish we could have more time together,” said Steve sadly.

             
Kimino took his hand in hers and they walked in silence the rest of the way to his quarters before she spoke again.
“
What time do you head back out?”

             
“
In just over two and half hours,” he replied.

             
“
Well, we have this time together at least . . . let’s not waste it.”

             
Leaning up, she kissed him on the mouth, pushing him slowly backward through the door to his quarters.

Necro Squadron, Surface of N-6

              Liam guided his fighter slowly along just below the surface of N-6. Looking around, he remembered the last time he had been here--to ambush a warship of unimaginable size. To this day, he still couldn’t believe they had survived the mission, never mind succeeded with such minimal losses. Now here he was again, sitting in wait to ambush a Shenkar supply ship.

Looking at his scanner, he once again made sure the two squadrons accompanying him were still there. He had fought this particular mission specifically due to those two squadrons. The two French squadrons were stationed exactly where they were supposed to be
--a small miracle. A chime from his headset got his attention, then a voice spoke to him.

             
“
Ghost, this is Vampire--do you read me?” said the voice of Tim Wellmo.

             
“
I read you. Did you find something?” Liam asked.

             
Tim had been stationed just below the surface so he could monitor travel routes.

             
“
Yes, sir, I am reading a Shenkar convoy just entering the system. Three supply ships accompanied by twelve Creeza fighters and two Drelai gunships.”

             
This news made Liam uncomfortable--that was way too light of an escort for three convoy ships. Keying his comm unit, he spoke to Tim.
“
Are you sure that is all? Nothing locked onto the convoy ships?”

             
“
Nope, I ran a scan, and the convoy ships are clean. What I saw is what’s out there. Kind of odd, don’t you think? That is a ridiculously small escort, especially when the Shenkar know we are still around and could easily destroy it.”

             
“
Yes, I know. Something isn’t right about it. I need to think about this.”

             
“
What’s to think about, Ghost? It is an easy kill, I say we kill them and head home, or are you afraid?” came the voice of Pierre.

             
Liam gritted his teeth at the interruption; he had expected this.
              “
Last time I checked, I was the one in charge of this mission and not you. Also, I shouldn’t have to remind you that I am your superior officer. We will move on this when I am positive everything is okay.”

Pierre’s only response to Liam was silence. The Shenkar convoy continued its slow path into the system. Liam couldn’t help but wonder what it was about this that was bothering him. It was an easy kill, but the Shenkar never made anything easy. Weighing the ships in the convoy, Liam decided that it wasn’t a supply that he counted worth the risk; he would let them by. Keying his comm unit, he spoke to the three sq
uadrons present.

             
“
Okay, something isn’t right about this, so I am calling off the strike.” As soon as he finished the sentence, the roar of engines sounded above him. Looking up quickly, both French squadrons flew by, heading up and out of the gas giant’s atmosphere straight toward the convoy, afterburners alight. Swearing profusely, Liam keyed his comm unit.

             
“
Lieutenant Petiot, I command you to get that fighter back here now!”

             
Pierre’s snide voice came back immediately.
“
Sorry, Commander. You may be my superior officer, but we have a mission to complete. We have been sent here to disrupt all Shenkar forces when it is possible. You may not have the stomach for this command, but I know what we must do. Enough of this. I am not afraid.”

And with that, the comm connection went dead. Swearing yet again,
Liam keyed his squadron channel.
“
Okay, Necro Squadron, I have a feeling we are going to need to bail him out of this. Everyone, follow me.”