Death Never Leaves a Calling Card Read online

  Walt stared at Gamgel on the monitor and said, “Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”

  “There’s something else you should know.”

  “What is that?”

  “Have you considered the effect a Tronan Warship would have if it rammed a scout at the speeds they move?”

  “No.”

  “We accelerated a piece of Tronan armor to their normal speed and even the chairs anchored with Bellingham anchors ripped out of the floor.” Walt stared at Gamgel and he said, “I thought you should know.”

  “Thank you Senior, Engineer.”

  Gamgel nodded and looked at Randy, “It is good to see you, Randy. Come and visit. It’s always good to see those that survived Heaven’s destruction.”

  “I’ll be by, Gamgel.” The monitor went dark and Randy looked at Walt, “Before we continue training, what are you going to do with this information? You don’t appear to be overly distraught by what you just heard.”

  “I will have to train my scouts to hit one of the Tronan Warships at half-speed and get out.”

  “Are you aware Admiral Oliver has ordered the delay on the Eggs to be increased to three-seconds?”

  Walt’s smile was instant, “Really?” Randy nodded. “That’s good. Now they can take out two Tronan Warships before they escape the blasts.”

  “What about being rammed by Tronan Warships?”

  “That’s really not an issue. That’s why I didn’t ask Gamgel to investigate it.”

  Randy stared at Walt and Emily asked, “Why not?”

  “All our scouts will have to do to avoid the ramming warship is to simply turn its bow to the rammer. It will puncture the rammer’s hull and the scout can sit inside until it chooses to leave if there are multiple rammers gathered around.” Randy’s head went back and Walt shrugged, “What can they do? The scout’s hull is impervious to their most powerful blasters. The scout can choose to leave the warship at any angle it chooses and leave an egg behind to take out the warships that are clustered together.”

  “What happens if the scout doesn’t have time to move before it’s rammed?” Emily asked.

  Randy looked at her, “I can answer that. A scout won’t attack a Tronan Warship that has other warships close by; no warship can move close enough in time to where our scouts can’t spin the bow around. You know how fast these scouts can turn.”

  Walt nodded, “I have read about their maneuverability. We can also program our computers to automatically spin the ship should the situation call for it.”

  Randy started laughing and Emily looked at him, “What do find amusing?”

  “Can you imagine what one scout can do to a group of Tronan Warships? It will give them fits.”

  Walt nodded, “Just before it destroys them. However, even with our best efforts, we’ll be facing numbers of enemy warships that staggers the imagination. I suspect that we will lose some crews. Tronan warships will be moving on different trajectories and keeping track of all of them will be next to impossible. We’ll also have to insure none of our ships fall into enemy hands if the crews are killed.”

  Randy looked up, “Computer, are you capable of self-destruction if your crew is killed?”

  “Yes.” Randy smiled until the computer said, “If you can come up with a way to do it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know of an explosive strong enough to damage the hull.”

  Randy looked at Emily and she shrugged. Walt said, “Computer?”

  Yes.”

  “Would it be possible to program you to allow yourself to be taken on board a Tronan Warship in the event your crew dies?”

  “Certainly.”

  “And once you’re on board, to drop an Egg and blow out of the ship before it detonates?”

  “That would be simple.”

  “And once the battle is over, you will return to your Transport and open your port where you crew can be taken and buried with honors?”

  “That is also simple.”

  Randy smiled, “Computer, instead of returning to your transport, would it be possible to allow the vacuum of space inside your hull and then fly back to Romania?” Walt looked at Randy and he said, “These scouts can fly indefinitely without needing anything. The crew will not need provisions and I suspect the Transports don’t need those ships landing during landing and launch operations.”

  “What happens if the crew is severely injured?” the Computer asked.

  “Then you go immediately back to your transport for medical attention! You would not attack Tronan Warships in that event,” Emily said.

  There was a pause and the Computer said, “All of the things you’ve suggested are simply a matter of programming. I see no reasons why they can’t be done.”

  Walt smiled, “Those were some great ideas, Randy.”

  Randy nodded, “Let’s get your training completed and I want to sit down with you and discuss tactics.”

  “Why don’t you come with me while I train my fleet?”

  Tasha said, “I have a better idea. I’ll record every training session and have it sent to you. If you have any questions, contact us.” Walt looked at her with his eyebrows lowered and Tasha said, “You are going to have to gain the respect of our sailors and if there is a higher-ranking admiral present, they will defer to him instead of you.”

  Emily said, “You go, girl. We saw that when Admiral Oliver was present during Randy’s training classes.” Emily looked at Randy, “We need to do it like she suggests.”

  Randy nodded, “That’s how we’ll do it. Walt, take control of the scout and start making radical turns.” Walt’s console illuminated and he grabbed the stick. This was going to be fun.

  Chapter Three

  The Fleet Director looked at the young Tronan and said, “Are you sure you’re ok with this?”

  “You’re one of us now. You and your warriors have proven themselves to be honorable. You have my approval if you choose to do this. However, you must make sure of what you’re doing.”

  “I will. Will you make the contact?”

  Acree lifted a small device and pointed it at the sky. A probe holding position in orbit above the planet immediately sent out a squeal burst.

  “Admiral, I’ve received a squeal burst message from the probe at the Tronan Planet.”

  Sam jerked his head up and shouted, “Get the ship moving, now! Get us out of orbit.”

  Lydia looked at him, “Sir, we’re going to need Angel or one of the McGregors.”

  “Contact Gregor and ask him to meet us at the short-cut.”

  Lydia nodded and began speaking. A few moments later, Angel appeared on Sam’s monitor, “Sam, Gregor and Kaylee’s ships are being modified and they aren’t able to come. I can have one of the scouts being coated here to bring me to you. What’s going on?”

  “I’ve received a squeal burst from the Children. It’s only supposed to be used in the event of a dire emergency. The Adults must be attacking them!”

  “I’ll meet you.”

  “Hurry, Angel.”

  “I will.”

  Sam shook his head and Jek thought, “It’s been close to six-months since we left them. I would think if there was going to be trouble, it would have happened by now.”

  “Then why did they use the emergency beacon?”

  “I have no idea.”

  • • •

  Sam flew at maximum speed and met Angel at an intersection. She exited the scout and sent it to be hardened. She looked at Sam and he shook his head, “I have no idea what’s going on.”

  Delilah’s Sword flew at maximum speed to the short-cut filament and moved at maximum speed toward the planet. After a few hours, Jek looked at Sam, “The Tronan Fleet Leader is awaiting your arrival in a shuttle above the planet.”

  “Has he taken the children hostage?”

  “We’re too far out for me to see what’s in his mind. I can sense he’s there waiting for you.”

  Lydia looked at S
am, “Sir, I have a message coming in from the planet.”

  “Put it on the monitor!” Sam ordered. The Tronan Fleet Director appeared and Sam said forcefully, “What have you done to the children?!”

  “I apologize for causing you stress but the Prime Director had no other way to contact you.”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed and he said, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!”

  The Fleet Director smiled, “The only mechanism you left for him to contact you was the probe in orbit. He knew it should only be used in an emergency but I convinced him that there was an emergency.”

  Sam fell back in his chair and said, “What emergency.”

  “Admiral, I believe that is your title, I have twenty-thousand warships that are going to die of starvation.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “I believe they are worth saving and my Prime Director agrees with me. It took a while for him to see that this planet changes those who come to it but he now trusts me and my warriors. We have been accepted into his society and I want to see if you will help me save those poor crews trapped in that star system.”

  Sam stared at the monitor and tried to slow his heartbeat. Angel looked at the Fleet Director, “How do you know they will accept the new Prime Director?”

  “You will assist me in making sure they do.”

  “And just how will I do that?” Sam demanded.

  “I see the warrior present on your vessel who is a telepath. He will hear the thoughts of my Ship Directors and know if they will make the pledge honestly. Those who lie, will be destroyed along with their crews.”

  Angel shook her head, “That seems severe. Why not just kill the Ship Leader?”

  “Because their crews are forced to follow their Ship Director. If the head of the beast is bad, the rest of the body is bad as well.”

  Jek looked at the monitor, “How do you normally go about removing a Ship Director?”

  The Fleet Director hesitated and said, “You relieve him with another of the same rank.”

  “How many Ship Directors do you have on the planet?”

  “Three-hundred and twenty-five; one was killed by a predator.”

  “Then bring them with you and use them to relieve the ones that don’t agree.”

  The Fleet Director slowly shook his head, “I suspect there will be many more than that who refuse to join us.”

  “How many crewmembers are on each ship?” Angel asked.

  “About seven-hundred.”

  “Then you’ll save more than two-hundred thousand of them by using your Ship Directors to replace some of them,” Jek replied.

  “Why has the Prime Director agreed to them coming to his planet?” Sam asked.

  “Admiral, there is a certain number needed in our societies to insure a good genetic pool for us to build a healthy civilization. We do not have the necessary numbers to make that happen on our new planet. The additional crews will give us that and allow us to make strides in taming this planet.”

  Sam looked at Jek and he shrugged, “He’s being honest, Sam.”

  Sam rolled his eyes, “This is getting out of hand. I never thought this many Tronan would be brought here!”

  Angel put her hand on his arm as Jek said, “The Fleet Director hates his former civilization more than Acree.”

  Sam’s head went back as he heard the Fleet Director say, “You are right. We’ve been made into monsters by the Great-Lie. My species has done unimaginable horror and the Prime Director that fostered this lie centuries ago knew it was a lie. I carry a shame I will never forget.” The Fleet Director looked at Sam, “If you will grant my humble plea, you may destroy all of our warships. I have no desire to ever return to my former civilization.”

  Sam stared at the Fleet Leader, then looked at the bridge crew. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, “Use the shuttles to bring your Ship Directors to my vessel.”

  Angel said, “Should we go in one of his ships, Sam?”

  The Fleet Director interrupted her, “NO!”

  “Why not?” Jek asked

  “Because the Prime Director insists that you are a part of his civilization and I agree with him. He hopes that one day you will accept us into your community, after we have proven ourselves. Those that choose to come here must accept you before they are allowed to come. We must go in your vessel.”

  Sam rolled his eyes and said, “Start moving your Directors.”

  “I will go to the surface and start the process and then immediately return to discuss how to make this happen. Thank you for granting my request.”

  The monitor went dark and Sam said, “Contact Acree and link me in.”

  He immediately heard in his mind, “I suspect you wonder if I’ve lost my mind.” Sam flinched and heard Acree chuckle, “Jek allowed me to listen in on what was being said.”

  “Do you really trust them, Acree?” Sam asked.

  “The Fleet Director is now my Second-in-Command and he’s earned the position. He’s probably more suited to be the Prime Director than I am.”

  “We won’t accept anyone else!” Sam replied.

  “He said you’d take that position and refused to take my place. He feels that due to my crew never having killed another being that I am more deserving of it.”

  Sam started nodding slowly and then smiled, “We’ll try to make this happen.”

  “I thank you for your assistance, Sam.”

  Sam smiled and Jek ended the link. Sam looked at Lydia, “Send Admiral Hummel a Priority Order and have him meet us here with his fleet of trainers.” Lydia nodded and turned to her panel. Randy was thankful for the new communication system recently installed on the sword. It would speed up getting things done.

  • • •

  “Well, I think you’ve learned about all I can teach you.”

  Walt smiled, “Thank you for all you’ve done. I think we’re ready to handle this new vessel.”

  “RANDY, I’M RECEIVING A PRIORTY ORDER FROM ADMIRAL OLIVER. HE’S ORDERING US TO THE SHORT-CUT FILAMENT AND WE’RE TO BRING OUR ENTIRE FLEET OF TRAINERS WITH US!”

  “What’s going on, Emily?”

  “I don’t know but Lydia says that we may be going into combat.”

  Walt said, “I’d like to go with you.”

  Randy shook his head, “You don’t have an option!! A Priority Order prohibits doing anything but following the order to the letter. Dropping you off before I start carrying out this order isn’t possible. Whatever happens, you’ll be around to see what happens. Emily…”

  “I’ve already delivered the orders and the Trainers are moving to join us. They should all arrive at the short-cut around the same time.”

  “Let me know when the majority have arrived.” Emily nodded and wondered what was happening.

  • • •

  Senior Captain Travis Anderson Montgomery left the Dragon’s Maw and moved at high speed into the Death Filament. His squadron of scouts fanned out behind him and he looked over his shoulder, “Zek, do you sense anything?”

  “No, there’s nothing in my telepathic range.”

  “Tell the Squadron to fan out and move to maximum speed.” Zek nodded and Travis accelerated with the other Ghost Scouts. He smiled at the new name given to the old model of scouts. It really wasn’t the same ship with the new modifications but it served the same purpose. They were tasked with gathering intelligence without being seen. He looked at the massive fins as they rose out of the slots on the bow and went to full coverage. There was no part of the scout that could be seen outside the huge fins’ coverage. The other Ghosts disappeared from his scanner and he focused on the long-range scanner. He moved the booster lever and picked up more speed. “Let me know if you hear anything.”

  “The range of the scanner is further than my telepathic range Tam. You’ll probably see it on the monitor before I sense anything.”

  Travis nodded, “I know. Let me know if the lead Ghosts detect anything on the scanners, Zek”

  “Will do. They�
�re going to max-speed and moving ahead of us as we speak. I guess it helps when you’re in a smaller ship with the same boosters we’re using on our command-scout. You need to settle down and relax, Tam. We’re weeks from Tronan Space.”

  “I know but they could have already launched the invasion.”

  “I rather doubt that.”

  “Tell me why you say that?”

  “I think Admiral Oliver had it right. The Tronan cannot provision their ships overnight and if they’re going to send the expected numbers everyone anticipates, then it will take them more than a year to make that happen.”

  “I want to agree with you but there’s a part of me that anticipates the unexpected.”

  “Admit it, you’re somewhat paranoid.”

  Travis smiled, “I’ve always had that little ‘noid’ on my shoulder warning me to be careful.”

  “That’s just your imagination. There’s no such thing as a noid.”

  “My noid is real, Zek. He’s saved me many times in the past.”

  “That’s just your intuition, it’s not a creature out of a paranoid delusion.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “You don’t believe it.”

  Travis shrugged, “My noid and I have been through a lot together. He’s been there for me.”

  Zek rolled his eyes and stared at his monitor.

  • • •

  Tommy looked at Zel, “Anything from your mate?”

  “No, they’ve not seen anything, Admiral. However, they will soon be out of our telepathic range.”

  Tommy nodded and sat back in his chair; he’d have to use the new communicator if he wanted to know what was happening. He watched Leb move the giant transport into the Death Filament and shoot forward at an incredible speed. It had taken them a week to arrive at the giant filament and he knew Tronan Territory was getting closer. He was pushed back in his chair by the speed of the fast-moving filament’s flow and then felt the pressure disappear. He felt another push as the Maw’s boosters went to full power. They had to get into Tronan Territory before the invasion began.