Londuo was escorted into a guarded room, which had a number of padded tables lined up against one of the walls. She had been there many times before for her regular mind-scan.
I hate mind-scans. They freak me out,
Londuo thought
.
‘Antaio,’ she said, pleasantly surprised. ‘You’re not usually assigned to do mind-scans.’
‘Hi, Londuo. Look I need you to lie on the table as usual, please.’
Londuo got up on the padded table and lay down.
Five minutes and it will be over
, she thought. A headset was placed over her head, and her arms and legs were strapped into restraints.
‘Londuo, we need perform a deep scan, I’m afraid.’
‘What! They’re dangerous. Why the deep scan? Why not the normal scan?’
‘Sorry Londuo, orders,’ Antaio replied. ‘Milonri thinks you could be the Dreh agent. A deep scan will prove it one way or another.’
‘But I’m not a Dreh agent! Antaio, a deep scan can cause brain damage.’
Londuo suddenly felt concerned and her heart quickened. Adrenaline coursed through her. She wanted to escape, but the restraints stopped her.
Calm down. At least it’s Antaio doing it. What am I thinking? It doesn’t matter who’s doing it. It’s still dangerous!
‘Are you ready, Londuo?’
‘No, Antaio, I’m not. Please don’t do this!’
She looked at him pitifully.
Antaio was about to say something but then decided not to. He looked away.
James! I wish you were here.
She looked towards the door hoping he would enter.
Where are you James?
Londuo, it’s me,
a voice said suddenly in her head.
‘Who’s that?’ Londuo said out loud.
She saw Antaio glance back at her.
It’s me, Kalrea. I’ve managed to get into the system. Look, once they start they’ll detect me, so I don’t have much time. I promised James that I wouldn’t let them hurt you. Please don’t worry. I have to go now, but I will be with you, Londuo.
Thank you, Kalrea.
Londuo composed herself. She felt relieved knowing Kalrea was there. She felt a pain behind her eyes, and her vision became blurred, before she fell unconscious.
*****
Londuo’s vision cleared. ‘Where am I?’
She looked around.
‘I seem to be at the top of a stairway.’
She caught sight of a partial reflection in a nearby window. She looked down at her hands. They were old and wrinkled.
‘I’m old, how can that be?’
A figure started up the staircase but, upon seeing Londuo, stopped abruptly.
The figure stared at her, before saying,
‘Who are you?’
Londuo looked closer at a figure standing on the stairway below her.
‘James. Is that you, James?’
‘I said, who are you?’ James’ voice was raised.
‘James,’ she said.
‘What are you doing here?’ he questioned.
‘I don’t know...’
She felt a sharp pain behind her eyes. She closed them and pressed her hands against the side of her forehead. The sound of a fighter’s drive made her open her eyes.
‘What am I doing here? How did I get here?’ she said, peering down at the controls of her fighter.
Laser fire flashed across the fighter’s path. She glanced back and saw ten Treitan fighters closing fast.
‘Where did they come from?’
‘Who are you?’ echoed over the fighter’s communication system.
‘Who’s that?’ Londuo asked.
‘I said, who are you?’
The laser fire stopped abruptly. The Treitan fighters had disappeared, but now she was flying in a cave. There was a bright light behind the fighter.
‘An orange light! What’s that?’
‘You’re going to die!’
The pain was now unbearable.
‘Who said that?’ she said.
‘On Dagnamk, you’re going to die.’
The orange light intensified. It looked like a river of fire was approached from behind the fighter. In an instant, the fighter was engulfed.
‘Please stop the pain.’
‘Then, admit you’re a Dreh agent!’
She blacked out for a moment.
Londuo was now inside the ejected cockpit of her fighter, floating in space. In front of her she could see the
Lonori
on fire.
‘Who are you working for?’
She was finding it hard to think straight.
‘No... No one... I’m not an agent. James, where are you?’
‘Why James?’ the voice asked.
‘I need you.’
‘Why do you need him?’
‘Because… Because I love him.’
‘No, that’s a lie!’
‘But I do love him.’
Londuo started to cry but there were no tears.
‘James is dead.’
‘I don’t understand.’
The pain increased.
‘He died on Earth.’
‘No, he didn’t. You’re trying to confuse me.’
‘He will die. Now, tell me who you really are.’
Londuo screamed in pain.
‘Stop this. Please stop this! What do you want from me?’
‘The truth! Who are you?’
‘Londuo Besic.’
Intense pain swept through her head.
‘It feels like my head is going to explode!’ she screamed.
Her entire life flashed quickly through her mind.
‘Please stop the pain! I want to die. Please just kill me. I can’t stand the pain any longer.’
‘Take my hand,’ a familiar voice said.
Londuo could see a young woman floating beside the fighter. She had long blond hair and was wearing a white habit.
‘She’s beautiful. Like an angel. Am I dead?’
‘Londuo, take my hand.’
The woman held out her hand, which passed through the front of the fighter’s cockpit as if it was not there.
‘Who are you?’ Londuo asked.
‘I’m Kalrea. Now, please take my hand and stop this.’
She grabbed hold of the hand. There was a flash of light.
*****
Londuo suddenly awoke from the mind-scan. Panicking, she tried to move, but the restraints stopped her. She breathed quickly, and her heart was racing faster than she could ever remember.
‘Help me, please help me, Kalrea,’ she shouted. ‘Stop the pain, please stop the pain.’
‘Londuo, stay still or you’ll hurt yourself,’ Antaio said. ‘It’s all right; it’s finished.’
James returned to the
Aurora
.
‘Kalrea, how is Londuo?’ James asked, feeling very concerned and stressed.
He exited the pojin lift and entered the bridge.
Kalrea replied over the
Aurora’s
address system,
‘She’s just being returned to her quarters. The—’
‘What about the mind-scan?’ James said, interrupting.
‘James, please let me finish! The scan was negative.’
‘Is she all right? I mean, did they hurt her?’
‘Londuo’s fine. I managed to force an early termination of the scan. She has no long-term damage.’
‘I need to see her,’ he said.
‘James, she’ll need to have rest. The scan drains your energy, and we have a crucial mission tomorrow. You need to rest too.’
‘It’s just that I’ve been so worried. I can’t stop thinking about her. I could have lost her.’
‘She’ll be fine by the morning. Trust me.’
James sat down in one of the seats in front of a console.
‘Kalrea, I need to ask you something,’ James said. ‘What do you think of Londuo?’
‘She commands a squadron of fighters, has received five awards for bravery—’
‘No,’ James said, interrupting. ‘That’s not what I meant. Do you like her?’
Kalrea laughed.
‘Why are you laughing, Kalrea?’
‘Sorry, James, I’ve just read your thoughts.’
‘Well then…?’ James said, slightly agitated.
‘I can sense she loves you,’ Kalrea said. ‘That’s what you’re really asking me, isn’t it?’
‘Yes… it is,’ James replied. ‘You said you sense she loves me, but do you know if she really loves me?’
‘James, I cannot read other people’s minds, but you must have noticed the way she looks at you. I think everyone on this ship has!’ Kalrea said cheerfully. ‘I know you love her.’
‘Yes, I do, and I want nothing more than to be with her.’
‘But you haven’t told her,’ Kalrea said.
‘I was afraid she may not love me,’ James said. ‘I’m still afraid.’
‘I believe she loves you, James, and you need to tell her how you feel. I want you to be happy and she makes you happy. I know how lonely your life has been.’
‘Thank you, Kalrea,’ James said appreciatively. ‘Then you will also know I love you, too.’
‘I know, James; I know.’
James was impatiently pacing around the bridge of the
Aurora,
with his head bowed, waiting for Londuo. They were now nearing Dagnamk, and he listened to the ship to ship communications being relayed over the
Aurora’s
address system.
James stopped when Londuo entered the room. They looked at each other for a moment before James rushed over to her.
‘I was so worried,’ James said, embracing her.
Londuo raised her head and smiled.
‘I’m all right… Really.’
‘ONE MINUTE TO TARGET.’
‘This is it,’ Gulino said, securing himself into one of the seats.
James and Londuo were still hugging each other, and he said quietly to her,
‘I wish you could be safely in the seatra with me.’
‘I couldn’t, James. What about Gulino,’ she replied. ‘It wouldn’t be right.’
‘I know,’ James replied.
‘Look, Londuo… I need to tell you something,’ James said nervously.
‘What is it?’ Londuo replied.
‘I… I’m sorry,’ James said.
Go on!
Kalrea suddenly said in his head.
She’s not going to bite! Tell her!
James smiled.
‘Londuo… I’m in love with you.’
Londuo looked into his eyes and smiled.
‘I love you too, James.’
James’ smile widened. He felt relieved and elated, and a tear formed in his eye.
‘I want to be with you for the rest of my life,’ he said.
‘I would really like that, James,’ Londuo replied.
Their heads slowly edged closer. James kissed her and looked into her eyes. She smiled at him, and then they kissed passionately.
James climbed nervously into the seatra. Kira jumped in and lay beside him.
Yes, you know, don’t you?
James thought, as he looked at Kira and then over at Londuo, who was strapping herself into her seat. Londuo looked back at James and smiled nervously.
*****
On the bridge of the
Lonori,
the final preparation for the attack on Dagnamk had just been completed. Isistia’s headset was patched into the ship to ship communication systems ready for her to make an announcement.
‘This is Executive Captain Isistia Hirniol.’
She paused for a moment.
‘We are about to enter the space around Dagnamk to strike back at the Treitans for what they’ve done to us and many others. For some of you this is your first mission; for others we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder many times. I know, though, that one thing unites us all.’
She paused again.
‘This is the biggest challenge any of us will ever face. But we have the belief that we can make a difference. We have the belief we can help those planets threatened by the Treitans. I know if we work together we will succeed! Your souls are strong, and I am honoured to be with you all today.’
‘The fleet reports ready,’ Adonti said in the background.
‘All ships power weapons!’ Isistia ordered. ‘May Atui be with you all!’
The announcement finished.
Isistia viewed an image of the fleet and its position in relationship to Dagnamk on a nearby monitor.
‘Commander, prepare to drop from light speed and reverse drives in sixteen seconds. I’m going to get as close as I can to Dagnamk.’
‘Ready, Captain,’ Adonti replied.
Isistia waited, with her eyes fixed on the decreasing numbers displayed on the monitor.
‘Now!’ she ordered.
The rapid deceleration, made the
Lonori
shudder and creak. Isistia looked at Adonti.
‘Tactical report?’
Adonti viewed the scanners.
‘There are seven heavy cruisers and four destroyers in orbit around Dagnamk, two light cruisers and a destroyer near the smallest moon, Reig3.’
‘Damn, that’s far more ships then we expected,’ Isistia said.
‘Captain! They’ve seen us,’ Adonti said. ‘Four of the heavy cruisers orbiting Dagnamk are changing course and are now on an intercept vector.’
‘How long before they’re within firing range?’ Isistia said.
‘Seventy-two seconds,’ Adonti replied.
‘Time to Dagnamk?’
‘Two minutes, twenty-four seconds.’
Isistia ordered all captains to take position for the attack formation and asked Adonti to deploy the frigates. Immediately, the
Rellopila
and
Horopila
moved ahead of the
Lonori,
and the
Atenopila
slowed.
‘The ships near Reig 3 are also turning towards us,’ Adonti said calmly. ‘They’ll be in range in forty-one seconds.’
‘Captain, the Treitan cruisers have launched their fighters,’ a lieutenant reported.
‘How long before we engage their lead cruisers?’ Isistia asked.
‘Thirty-two seconds,’ Adonti said and added, ‘Our frigates have cleared the bay.’
‘Launch our fighters!’ Isistia ordered.
Isistia watched the fighters emerge smoothly from their bays on a nearby monitor. Once they cleared the ship their single drive ignited, before they turned and quickly moved ahead of the fleet.
‘The other Treitan heavy cruisers are now leaving Dagnamk. Fighters approaching,’ Adonti said.
All seemed quiet for a second. Then, suddenly red and yellow laser lines filled the void ahead of the fleet.
The
Lonori
defence batteries opened fire, pumping out shot after shot, tilting and turning rapidly, trying to hit the Treitan fighters. They destroyed one of the enemy fighters and barely had time to stop before they began targeting another.
‘All ships hold current speed!’ Isistia ordered.
*****
Londuo could see that Gulino looked troubled.
‘Are you all right?’ she asked him.
‘Yes, I’m worried about Frasin; she’s out there now,’ Gulino replied nervously. ‘I hope she’ll be okay.’
‘James, is it possible to see if Frasin’s all right, please?’ Londuo asked.
James voice replied over the address system,
‘Yes, of course. Kalrea will put the view from the nose of Frasin’s fighter on the monitor in front of you. You’ll also be able to hear her squadron’s communications.’
The
Lonori
had six fighter squadrons, each with six to eight fighters. Frasin’s fighter, code name Gamma Two, was part of one of those squadrons. The view from Frasin’s fighter appeared on the monitor in front of Gulino. Her squadron was just behind two Qinant frigates, which were rapidly approaching the lead Treitan cruiser.
‘Gamma fighters, form up! Watch your backs!’ the squadron lead ordered. ‘Keep behind the frigates for as long as possible. Prepare to target the enemy lead cruiser’s bridge and primary defences.’
‘Sir,’ Frasin said. ‘I have six… no, ten Treitan fighters coming from the port side… inclination twenty-three degrees.’
‘Gamma One, Two, Three, Six and Seven, break off and engage those fighters. All others prepare to attack the cruiser,’ the squadron leader ordered.
The Qinant fighters split into two groups, and a shower of laser fire lit up the void. Suddenly the chaos started.
‘Sir, they’re everywhere,’ Gamma Eight reported.
‘We’re closing too fast,’ Gamma Four said.
‘Hold formation,’ the squadron leader ordered.
‘Gamma Six, you have one on your tail,’ the pilot of Gamma One shouted.
‘I have him, Gamma Six,’ Frasin said.
‘TARGET LOCKED.’
Pulses of light from Frasin’s fighter aggressively followed the Treitan fighter, as it twisted and turned.
‘TARGET LOST.’
‘TARGET LOCKED.’
Frasin’s fighter fired again, hitting the side of the Treitan fighter. It banked away but was struck again. It exploded.
‘Yes. Right, who’s next?’ Frasin’s adrenaline was pumping.
‘WARNING! ENEMY LOCK DETECTED. COUNTER MEASURES ACTIVATED.’
‘Damn,’ Frasin said.
She looked back at the Treitan fighter closing fast.
The drive pulsed and her fighter suddenly climbed and accelerated. A flash of light swept across its path.
‘ENEMY LOCK LOST.’
Frasin’s fighter turned rapidly and she managed to target the pursuing Treitan fighter.
‘Got you!’ Frasin said, firing the rear multi-directional laser.
The right drive of the Treitan fighter was blown apart. A plume of yellow plasma lit the fighter’s path as it spiralled away out of control.
‘WARNING! ENEMY LOCK DETECTED. COUNTER MEASURES ACTIVATED.’
Frasin’s fighter twisted and dipped.
‘Where is it? I can’t see it!’ she said in a concerned voice.
Suddenly, there was a sharp thud. Metal fragments pierced the cockpit, striking Frasin in the arm. She cried out in pain.
‘WARNING! HULL HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.’
‘STABILIZER FAILURE.’
‘DRIVE FAILURE.’
‘REACTOR BREACH. EJECTING!’
‘EJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE.’
‘WARNING! SIX SECONDS TO FATAL EXPOSURE.’
Fire erupted in the cockpit.
‘Gamma Two ejecting—’ Frasin’s voice stopped abruptly, and the monitor Londuo and Gulino were watching suddenly went blank. There was a moment of stunned silence before Gulino said with urgency,
‘Did she eject?’
‘Yes,’ James replied. ‘Frasin’s all right, Gulino.’
*****
Treitan and Qinant ships were now in close combat. It was a tangle of lasers crossing from all directions, crashes, explosions and debris flying away.
Isistia was completely focused now and addressing the fleet, ordered,
‘Target their lead ship. Fire at will!’
‘Incoming!’ Adonti shouted.
A wave of plasma missiles hurtled from the Treitan cruisers. The
Lonori
banked rapidly and twisted, and the
Horopila
climbed steeply.
‘Captain, the other Treitan ships have changed course. They’re moving to the port side,’ Adonti said.
‘Commander! Watch those ships! Captain Keivom, move the
Thardopila
over to the port side of the
Lonori
.’
‘Captain, the
Rellopila
and
Horopila
have both taken hits,’ Adonti said. ‘The
Horopila
is reporting severe damage to the front plasma tubes, engineering and port stabilisers.’
In the distance the lead Treitan cruiser was hit again. It started to rotate out of control; explosions erupted from its hull.
‘The Treitan ships off the port side are turning towards us.’ Adonti said. ‘Twelve seconds until they’re in range. The
Thardopila
and
Beruopila
are launching fighters— Incoming!’
The Treitan ships advancing off the port side opened fire. Each of the Qinant ships took action to avoid the approaching plasma missiles.
‘All ships hold formation!’ Isistia ordered. ‘They’re trying to scatter us.’
‘Captain, the defence batteries are overheating,’ a lieutenant said.
‘Incoming!’
‘All stations prepare for impact!’ Isistia said.
One of the defence batteries intercepted two of the missiles and another whistled harmlessly by the
Lonori.
Suddenly, a missile struck the side of the ship and it exploded with a deafening roar.
‘Damage crews, move to sections twenty-one and two!’ a lieutenant ordered.
‘Incoming!’
‘Commander, what’s the status of the
Horopila
?’ Isistia asked.
The
Lonori
twisted again.
Off to the port side, a Treitan light cruiser was hit by a volley of torpedoes from three frigates.
‘Captain, two Treitan heavy cruisers have just dropped from light speed, twenty thousand kilometres to starboard,’ Adonti said, looking over at Isistia.
Isistia looked at a monitor.
‘They’re trying to outflank us— Time!’
‘One minute three seconds to primary target,’ Adonti reported. ‘Captain, the
Horopila
is in trouble, it’s slowing,’ Adonti said with concern.
‘Alter course,’ Isistia said with urgency. ‘Alpha and beta fighter squadrons, give the
Horopila
cover. Commander, lay down covering fire! Captain Gurlio, report!’
Captain Gurlio of the
Horopila
appeared on the monitor.
‘We’ve lost all power to the drives… We’ve already taken seven hits on the port side… The ship can’t take much more of this.’
Four missiles struck the
Horopila
rocking it, just then its event horizon drives restarted. It started to bank quickly away from more incoming missiles.
‘Captain Gurlio, get your ship out of there!’ Isistia said impulsively.