Death Never Leaves a Calling Card Read online

  Zek started shaking his head, “That’s…ludicrous.”

  “My trainer said that it’s been proven to be true. The reason they won’t be detected is that they only exist inside the receiver and the transmitter.” Tam paused, “Every one of the ships in our fleets and all of our scouts have been given a specific wave-length. All of our facilities and forces are being converted to the new communication system and our system is updated on them as they come on line. The computer lists them as they are received and all we have to do is ask the computer to connect us with any one we choose.”

  Zek stared at Tam for a moment and then said, “Computer.”

  “Yes.”

  “Connect me with Zel.”

  Zek waited and after a moment shook his head, “I don’t…”

  “Who is on my panel?”

  “WHAT?”

  “It showed an active call but was only receiving silence. Is that you, Zek?”

  “Yes, it is. I just wanted to see if your communicator was installed.”

  “It was activated last week.”

  “I just wanted to let you know that I miss you.”

  “Awww, I miss you, too.”

  “I’ll contact you later, Love. I was checking to see if you were online.” Zek saw the light on his panel go out and looked at Tam, “You aren’t going to yell at me for an unauthorized communication?”

  “Zek, communication silence is no longer an issue. Contact whomever you wish.” Tam paused and said, “Have you ever heard that the filaments are not a natural creation? That some agency created them?” Zek nodded. “I’ve been thinking that they weren’t created to just move around the universe but that their primary purpose is to communicate.”

  “That’s a little scary”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Zek smiled, “This should help with the boredom. I’m going to contact the Ghosts and see what’s going on.”

  Tam nodded and smiled, “Put them on the speaker.” Zek smiled and said, “Computer, contact Ghost one in our unit.”

  “Lieutenant, your vessel is Ghost One.”

  Zek snorted, “Then connect me with Captain Silva!” The light on Zek’s panel illuminated and he said, “Captain, please give us an update on your findings.”

  Tam listened to Alex start speaking and knew Zek had a new toy. He was right, though; the boredom was not going to be as bad.

  • • •

  Tommy sat on the bridge of the Dragon’s Maw and saw Leb was nervous. It wasn’t easy to determine a Dragon’s emotional state but when they started fidgeting, they were concerned. “Is there something wrong, Commander?”

  “We’ve just passed into Tronan Space and they can’t miss detecting my ship from a long way off, Admiral.”

  “The Ghosts have not found anything ahead of us. We’ll have enough warning to get out of the filament and move out of their scanner range in normal space.”

  “I’m worried about something coming out of a filament into an intersection between them and us.”

  “I’m having a Ghost to stay at every intersection until we pass it.”

  Leb nodded and took a deep breath, “I’m getting off the Death Filament at the second intersection we find. I understand that is the one where the Sand Civilization is located.”

  Tommy nodded. It wasn’t going to be much longer before they arrived. He thought back to the meeting two-weeks earlier, with the new Commanders of his scouts and exhaled the breath he was holding.

  • • •

  “Sir, we’ve looked at the data on the Tronan Fleets in the Sand Civilization’s star system and we’ve determined that each fleet is divided into five compact formations of one-thousand warships each. With twenty fleets, that makes a hundred formations we’re going to have to attack, if nothing has changed.”

  “Have you looked at the recording of those fleets, Admiral?”

  “We have, Sir.”

  “What did you notice about the formations they’re in.”

  “Sir, we’re concerned that the Tronan Formations may be radically different now than when they were last scanned.”

  “Why is that?”

  “The records say that Jek left a data-cube giving the Sand Civilization the blueprints for building scanners. If they’ve started using them, the Tronan Fleets would be forced to move further away from the planet to avoid being hit by those positron-blasters. If that is the case, they would be forced to bring in more warships to surround the planet from further out.”

  Tommy lifted his wrist unit, “Computer, connect me with Captain Montgomery.”

  “Connected.”

  “Captain, have your Ghosts arrived at the Sand Civilization’s system?”

  “We’ll be arriving at the intersection in two days.”

  “I want an update the moment your Ghosts arrive.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Tommy looked at Admiral Nettles, “Tell me what you think we’ll find.”

  “Sir, if the Sand Civilization is not using the scanner, everything should be the same.”

  Tommy lowered his eyes, “But…”

  “Sir, from all we’ve seen, the Sand Civilization is more highly advanced than any civilization ever discovered. It’s been more than a year since our last contact with them and they must have brought a scanning system on line during that time.” Netty looked at the other five Officers and said, “We could be wrong about that but we don’t think we are.”

  “So, what do you think we’ll find there?” Tommy asked.

  “If the Sand Civilization built a scanning system, then they’ve used it to attack the Tronan Fleets surrounding them and has caused massive damage to them.”

  Tommy nodded, “Go on.”

  “The Tronan could have lost two-thirds of their warships if that happened. The survivors would have fled further out from the planet outside the range of the Positron Blasters. If they were committed to containing the Sand Civilization, they would have been forced to bring in more warships to contain them.”

  Tommy nodded, “They would have to do that because it would take more warships to surround the planet from a greater distance.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Has your team estimated how many?”

  “We have but the estimate is based on what we guess the range of the Positron-Blasters to be. If we’re wrong about that, the numbers could fluctuate greatly.”

  “Let’s assume you’re right; how many Tronan Warships do you estimate will be there?”

  Netty looked at Commodore Lynch and he said, “There will be close to half-million and they will only be formed up around the planet’s equator. If they choose to englobe the planet like they did before, there could be more than six-million.” Tommy stared at him and he quickly said, “It’s a simple geometry problem, Sir. Even with six-million warships, the gaps between them will be greater than the forty-miles that separated them originally.”

  “How much greater?”

  “Eighty-miles, Sir.”

  “And if they just surround the planet at the equator?”

  “Fifty-miles, if they want to maintain the original forty-mile separation, then they would need three-quarters of a million warships to do it.”

  Tommy stared at them and then said, “They’ll just surround the planet at the equator.”

  The six officers stared at him and Netty asked, “Will you explain to us how you arrived at that conclusion, Sir. It would help us develop our plans.”

  Tammy smiled, “You sound doubtful, Admiral.”

  “Sir, the Sand Civilization frightens me and they’ve said they do not view us as an enemy. The Tronan know they are at risk and I believe they will err on the side of caution.”

  “Admiral, why did they have the planet surrounded by a globe of warships?” Nettie stared at Tommy and then looked at the other five officers. They shrugged. She turned back to Tommy and he said, “They were not there just to contain them when we stumbled across that system. They were there to destroy the Sand
Civilization and you saw the Tronan attempt to nuke the planet’s surface.”

  Nettie nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

  “Destroying the planet is no longer a possibility, or do you disagree?”

  Nettie thought about the question for a moment and then shook her head, “No, Sir…there’s no possible way to get close enough to launch another nuclear barrage and have it reach the planet from the distance they would have to launch.”

  “So, the Tronan are now there for the sole purpose of containing them. They’ll bring enough warships to attack any ships that might try to leave the planet; having a band of warships around the equator will allow them to see anything that lifts off the planet. They can then move around outside the Positron-Blasters range to attack any vessels they detect.” Tommy leaned back in his chair, “At least that’s what I would do.”

  Commodore Lynch was pressing a button on his pad as Tommy spoke and looked up, “Sir, they’ll have to have two bands around the planet to do what you’ve described.”

  Tommy looked at him, “Do tell.”

  “The time it would take for the Tronan to move outside the planet’s blasters range would take too long to arrive before a ship could make it into orbit from the poles. The only way they could do it is to have one band of ships around the equator and another band that goes over the poles. That’s the only way they could cut off any ship before it could escape.”

  Tommy stared at Lynch and said, “Are you sure about that?”

  “The math is sure about it, Sir.”

  “Estimate the number of warships needed to make those two bands, Commodore.”

  Lynch began entering numbers and, after a few minutes, looked up, “If they intend to maintain the forty-mile separation, one point five million warships.”

  Tommy sighed, “That means we’ll be outnumbered more than thirty-seven to one.”

  “Thirty-seven point five to be exact, Sir,” Lynch replied.

  Tommy looked up, “Computer, connect me with Fleet Admiral Oliver.” The six officers’ eyes widened. They were going to be privy to a conversation with the Combined Planet’s highest ranking officer.

  Tommy waited a few minutes and then Sam appeared on the wall monitor, “Yes, Admiral Cranton.”

  “Sir, I’ve just had a strategy meeting with my Senior Scout Commanders and they’ve brought some information to my attention that you should evaluate.”

  “What is it?”

  “Sir, it would take too long to go over it. I’m sending you a recording of the meeting and I need you to determine what is the main priority of my mission.”

  Sam’s eyes lowered and he said, “Send it.”

  Tommy looked up, “Computer, send the recording of this meeting.”

  “Recording sent, Admiral.”

  The monitor went dark and as Tommy stood up, they came to attention. Netty said, “Sir, may I speak with you.” Tommy nodded. Netty said, “The rest of you are dismissed.

  The five left the conference room and Tommy said, “What is it, Admiral.”

  “Sir, I’ve looked at the estimates of how many warships the Tronan have surrounding the Sand Planet. The current estimate is that our scouts will be outnumbered between thirty-seven or forty warships each. It is also a certainty that our scouts will be detected when we move in from the filament…”

  Tommy nodded and said, “Then we’re going to lose large numbers of scouts. The Tronan will band together and attack each of our ships with huge numbers,” Tommy said interrupting her. Netty nodded. “You don’t want to be responsible for the loss of life if that happens.”

  “Sir, I was a Lieutenant a week ago; I’m not prepared for this responsibility.”

  “Who is, Admiral?” Tommy stared at her and said, “I watched the woman I love die making sure our mission was a success. I knew she probably wouldn’t make it but I said nothing to stop her. All of us are going to face enormous sacrifices before this is over. No one is prepared for what we’re going to face. I chose you to lead my scouts because I saw you possessed an understanding and level of intelligence that is rare. Who, other than you, can do a better job. Can Lynch do it.” Netty stared at him and Tommy waited for her to respond. She took a deep breath and shook her head, “No, Sir.”

  “What about the others?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “How do you know this, Admiral.”

  “Because they miss things that I’ve seen.”

  “That’s why you are in your current position. You’ve seen things I’ve missed. You can only comfort yourself with knowing one thing.”

  “What is that, Sir.”

  “More will die if you don’t lead them.”

  Netty’s eyes lowered and she said, “No one should have to bear this burden.”

  Tommy nodded, “That’s why it’s critical that those that do bear it respect it and make the best decisions possible. The man who trained me knew this and eventually got me to see it. Now you are going to have to see it as well. Do you have any other questions?”

  “What was her name, Sir.”

  Tommy stared at her, “Why do you ask?”

  “She had to be something special.”

  Tommy sighed, “Her name was Gloria Hashem.”

  Netty nodded, “Thank you, Sir.” Netty stood up and left the room. Tommy remained in his chair and felt his sorrow embrace him and hold him tight. He remained there for an hour.

  • • •

  Two days later, Captain Montgomery contacted him and said, “Sir, one of my scouts has arrived at the Sand Civilization and found the Tronan Warships are surrounding the planet in two large bands; one around the equator and one over the poles.”

  “Thank you, Captain. I’ll notify you later with what I want done.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Computer.”

  “Yes, Admiral.”

  “Send a recording of the contact with Captain Montgomery to Fleet Admiral Oliver.”

  “Recording sent.”

  Chapter Seven

  The Prime Director screamed, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN’T COMPLETE YOUR TASK!?!”

  “Father, there are not enough provisions to supply the ships being sent on the invasion.”

  “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE’S NOT ENOUGH?!”

  The young Tronan bowed his head, “At no time in the Empire’s history has this many ships been provisioned to take a voyage four years in duration. I yield to your punishment for my failure.”

  The Prime Director stared at his oldest son and said, “Take the provisions that are currently being gathered at invaded planets.”

  “I’ve already ordered that. I’ve also ordered the Fleet Directors of the fleets remaining behind to use their stored provisions.” The son paused and said, “There is also the issue of sending provisions to the Fleets keeping that advanced civilization at bay.”

  “Tell me my options!”

  His son looked up, “Either fewer ships will make the voyage or you will have to open your personal stores to be used.” He lowered his head again and waited for his father’s explosion.

  The Prime Director was silent and said, after what seemed to be an eternity to his son, “If I open my stores, can you keep your schedule?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “How much of my personal possessions will be used?”

  “Ten-percent.”

  “You have my authorization to use them. Notify the Senior Directors leading this invasion that they will replace my stores with triple the amount they use.” The son tilted his head and the Prime Director smiled, “I suspect they have hidden stores they’ve chosen not to use. This should bring them out of hiding.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “There’s no one else that can make this happen; replacing you would only slow things down.” The son bowed and backed out of the Throne Room.

  • • •

  The Dragon’s Maw was a day out from the filament leading to the Sand Civilization. Admiral Nettles had been highly impatient on what
was going on since the day of the last meeting. She needed to know before the attack so a plan could be devised. Tommy told her to go ahead and develop a plan to attack the Tronan Fleets surrounding the Sand Planet. That got her off his back.

  He wondered about the long delay in hearing back from Admiral Oliver. He smiled and made a mental wager. He knew the Admiral and wondered if they thought alike.

  “Sir, I have a communication from Fleet Operations.”

  “At last!”

  Tommy nodded and heard Leb say, “I’d like to hear this, Sir.”

  “Put the call on the wall monitor,” Tommy said as he sat back down in his chair.

  Admiral Oliver appeared and said, “Admiral, we find ourselves in a quandary.” Tommy nodded. Sam stared at him and said, “You don’t have anything to say?”

  “The answer appears to be obvious to me, Sir.”

  “Then go ahead and educate me, Admiral. It’s not so clear to the Leadership Team.”

  Tommy saw Leb staring at him wondering why he was baiting the Fleet Admiral. Tommy smiled and said, “Sir, it comes down to a question of risk versus reward. Our mission has two specific goals; the first is to remove the Tronan Warships surrounding the Sand Planet; the second is to remove the Tronan Communication Line when they invade. Let’s examine the first objective. The reason you want those ships removed from the Sand Civilization is to prevent them from replacing the communication line as we take it out. How am I doing so far?”

  Sam nodded, “Go on, Admiral.”

  “You also wanted my scouts to experience combat before they take on the Communication Line. Now if you decide to go ahead with the attack on the warships at the Sand Planet, you have to be aware that I’ll lose a huge number of my scouts, which may leave me with too few to take on the Tronan Warships in the Communication Line.”

  “Then why would I order you to attack them?”

  “Because if I don’t, they can leave the Sand Planet and prevent me removing the Communication Line.”

  Sam stared at him and then nodded, “We’ve come to the same conclusion.”

  “But if I do attack at the planet, there is a good possibility that I won’t be able to remove the communication line.”