Dark Echoes - Part 25

Aaen recalled the events from the end of the year prior. The hull shuddered like an 8.0-magnitude Earthquake as Wilson maneuvered Odyssey into position amid a violent barrage of pulsating particle weapon fire.

“Keep ‘er steady!” Sandberg methodically acquired the targets—every weapon this ship had was armed and ready to fire.

After multiple near-misses and a few direct hits, the crew was nearly thrown about the bridge and a flurry of defensive matrix alarms screamed the matrix was about to buckle; the spine-tingling roar of red alert spread like a wave through the bridge as the image in the main viewscreen began to tilt clockwise, contrary to the commands to the helm. Aaen realized his ship was starting to spin out of control, he thought in shock, as a section of the behemoth in the viewscreen hopelessly lit up and Aaen watched as a directed energy lightning bolt tore throw the bridge—

The next thing Aaen knew he woke upright in a panic in his captain’s quarters, breathing hard, his heart pounding against his sternum. His forehead felt damp with a bitterly cold sweat.

The intercom beeped on. “Smith to Captain Winter,”

Aaen tapped the control panel next to his bed, cleared his throat and gasped before answering, “Go ahead,”

“We received a priority-one from a four-star. Will you please come to the bridge?”

“I’m on my way.” With that, Aaen walked fast to take a quick shower in his private bathroom, then dressed in a fresh change of clothing, donned his uniform with a couple of sharp tugs to make sure his jacket looked smooth and professional, then rushed to his bridge. He relished the sound of the air circulation system, the subtle chirps, and beeps of the computers, the professional attentiveness of his now-well-rested crew to their duties, and found his first officer standing behind Hayes. Both officers looked at Aaen with straight faces.

“Report,” Aaen calmly commanded directly. The shock of the previous night’s images lingered in the back of his mind; the sensation was easily dismissed. It was time to get back into his chair.

They would be arriving soon.

Smith handed Aaen a one-way transparent printout. Aaen scanned the document, noting the priority declaration below the usual government and military salutations, then felt his gut sink, his hands suddenly felt cold as he looked up at Smith, who nodded at him.

“It’s legit, sir,”

Where they wanted Aaen to take his ship. . . You had to have a particular security clearance level that was virtually unheard of unless you’re the president. . . Or someone the president decided they trusted. . .

“Is the course laid in?”

“It is, sir,”

“What’s our ETA?”

“If we can sustain maximum translight, approximately three days from our current coordinates,”

As if this trip hasn’t already taken forever. Aaen thought about it for a second, then sharply commanded, “Execute,” with that, he sat in his chair and faced the front of his bridge.

His order was relayed and then carried out in seconds.

Aaen thought about his new orders. .and wondered, “I wonder what this is about?” He sat to the station to his right—his captain’s log computer, and a secure data uplink with the UIA. He started recording a new log entry video.

“Captain’s log—mission date: April 2, 2179; 0800 hours, Zulu. Odyssey’s been at high-transwarp since January second. Our official course is classified—we’re getting close to our destination; we’re about two hours away. The crew is well-rested and focused. The ship’s repairs and refitting were finished just before New Year’s Day. We got a few much-appreciated upgrades to our stealth system, engines, weapons, and the matrix. Our computer specialist decided to retire. A new technical/chief engineer has been assigned: Captain Kennett; he came most highly recommended by Admiral Williamson.

As of this entry, we are on full tactical red alert. We’ve been ordered to recon a suspected illegal shipyard run by in the underground by a group of terrorists who were responsible for the construction of the dreadnought destroyed last year. The escape pods got away. Not sure where the Valiant went. The UIA’s looking for the escape pods, and the Valiant. Intelligence indicates the shipyard is well-fortified. We will first assess the security at the shipyard, then report back. I doubt this mission is going to be as straight-forward as it seems.”

A sensor alert sounded. “Cap! There’s activity at the destination! LOTS of activity!” The crew had never heard her sound so shocked and alarmed. 

With that, Aaen saved the recording in a secure database and then sat in his chair. “Activate the stealth system! Helm: slow to one-quarter.”

The lights dimmed with a subtle, haunting, reverberating hiss as the stars became visible.

“There’s a class-four moon orbiting the planet half an AU to our port quarter. Might be a good place to hide!” The recommendation seemed redundant, considering the stealth system, but it felt wrong not to bring it to Cap’s attention.

Aaen agreed with the suggestion. “You heard her, Commander,” Aaen commanded directly.

“Getting tons of comm traffic. Something’s up in there,” Hayes announced over her shoulder to the front of the bridge.

Aaen exchanged a straight look with Smith. The air suddenly felt chilled—they were truly treading on thin ice amid seriously Dark Echoes. 

*****

Steve H. of Portland, OR told Jordan Foutin, "You are the next Tom Clancy. You really are a gifted writer."

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