Judgment the chohish war.., p.27
Judgment: The Chohish Wars, page 27
Taking a deep breath, Zeke let it out slowly before replying. “The Soraths have threatened to withdraw their forces from this theatre of operations if the RGN takes the stance I proposed. Instead, they would redeploy them with their other fleets fighting the Chohish on the other approach. Without the Soraths, the Irracans do not feel the necessary resources are currently available to take on a Chohish home world and would stay out of the upcoming action.”
“And then there are my people. That is why I was delayed until now to hunt you down. The ruling council running the planets while I am gone is adamant about what must happen. You will not get any additional resources from them if the RGN follows your approach.” Placing his hand on Zeke’s arm, he squeezed it in reassurance. “I could override them, but then my people would demand my return. And I vowed I would not until this has been settled. We will stick by your side no matter what is decided. That includes Hu’de and his battleship.”
Patting Uv’ei’s hand, Zeke smiled. “Thank you, my friend. You may be the only ones. But it may all be for naught. I am not sure I will even have a warship to command if they vote against my recommendations.”
A voice at his side spoke up. “The Fox is yours to command, no matter what they decide. Meghan and Anne informed me that before we arrived here. I did not put any pressure on them. They said pretty much said what Uv’ei said. They wanted in until this is settled.”
“I thank you, my friends, I really do. But I do not see what three warships will be able to do,” he lamented. “If they take the Lucky Strike away from me, the Jackal would surely be reassigned.”
“I think you will have more than that.”
Turning quickly, he looked around for who said that. A pair of shadows near the entrance moved into the light. “Admiral Chadsey and Rear Admiral Okeke, it is good to see you.”
The two Admirals walked over, where they nodded to the Kolqux. “Uv’ei, Uv’ek, it is good to see you again. Glad you are here. It will save me from having to review this with you later. And please, just Katinka will do. We have been through too much together to bother with titles when in private. Same for Nkosana.” Pointing to a sectional near the back of the room. “Would it be possible for us to get to more comfortable settings?”
After they had grabbed some drinks from the self-service machines at the rear of the observatory, they all made themselves comfortable around a pair of crescent sofas.
Blowing on the hot espresso, Katinka breathed in the rich aroma. “Ahhh, I have missed this. Your ship is the only one I can find that carries this flavor. You would think my staff would make sure it was available in more places after I made it known it was one of my favorites.”
The feminine laughter from behind them caught them all by surprise. Then, turning, they saw Hawke standing there with Bridgette, Nkosana’s wife, leaning on his shoulder. “Good thing we were not assassins, Hawke. Are you sure these are the ones feared throughout the Chohish empire? And Katinka, your staff cannot get that flavor because of the minimal availability. Only one planet has the soil to produce it. You have to know the family to be able to get any.”
Looking back at her expresso, she laughed. “Now that I think about it …., it was on this ship that I first had it and,” turning to look at Zeke, “you were kind enough to scrounge up a case for me somewhere.”
Shrugging, Zeke raised his hot chocolate in salute. “My parent’s company does not export that flavor. The soil needed to grow the beans only exists on one island. Distribution is limited to the planet only. It is a close favorite behind the cocoa.”
Waiting for the two new guests to grab their own drink and grab a seat, they all looked at each other to see who would break the silence.
Jeanne slammed her cup down on the table, breaking the silence. “Oh, come on, really? Admir… Katinka, you cannot tell me that all the main individuals showed up here by accident. You, or that sneaky one over there, Bridgette, arranged this. I would bet on Bridgette, who also probably told you where Zeke was. She is part of intelligence, the sneaky type, isn’t she?” The look of innocence from Bridgette only got a glare from Jeanne in response.
That brought a snicker from Katinka. “Looks like she has you figured out, Bridgette. Yes, I did arrange this impromptu meeting. The meeting we just came from went as Nkosana and I predicted. The RGN is in disagreement with the majority. Maybe it has to do with our own complicated history. But we do not intend to start wiping out races as a solution to a problem. There has to be another way.”
The stiffing of the feathers on Hawke was not lost to anyone there. But where Zeke saw no reaction from the Kolqux, he was surprised.
Seeing the intense scrutiny from Zeke, Uv’ei smiled. “I am in agreement with Katinka. I will not become what I have hated all my life. There has to be another way.”
Now it was Zeke who became suspicious. Glaring back and forth between the Kolqux and the two Admirals, then around at all present. “You all met before coming here, didn’t you?”
Now it was Katinka’s turn to raise her cup in salute. “See, I told you he would figure it out.”
“I think we are being played here, Jeanne,” stated Zeke. Grabbing her hand in his, “I am afraid to hear what they want from us.”
“Nothing more than what you have been doing. Well, maybe a little more,” answered Nkosana. “As you heard, a large allied fleet is parked over Drecholea. We have entered into a mutual defense and trade agreement with the Fassoin. There are no plans to move that fleet.”
Looking at his wife, Nkosana asked his wife to continue. “Chicken. Anyway, he was saying that the fleet in that system would not be used for offensive actions. We believe it is large enough to stop anything that may be sent against it. There is another fleet entirely made up of RGN ships on its way. That fleet will be tasked with continuing the action against the Chohish. All we are missing is someone with knowledge of the Chohish tactics to lead it.”
It was not lost on Zeke, whom she was talking about, not with all three looking at him with smiles. “Are you talking about assisting with the planning or actually leading it?”
All three answered it at the same time. “Both.” Then all, except Zeke, laughed when Zeke looked bug-eyed at the Admirals like they were crazy.
“When is this other fleet supposed to arrive?” asked Jeanne.
Pulling a data pad out from a side pocket, Katinka handed it to Zeke. “Tomorrow. It is in the system next to this one right now. I expect the fleet will require several days to regroup and resupply.”
Moving closer to Zeke so she could see and read what was on the data pad, Jeanne whistled at the size and makeup of the fleet. “Do these numbers include the fleet that is already in this system?“
Shaking his head negatively, Nkosana explained. “No, just the fleet that will be arriving. The tenders and support ships will stay here. They will be tasked with building defensive platforms for the planet since they have decided to come out of hiding.”
Running his finger down on the data pad to scroll through the personnel listing, Zeke stopped when he reached the end. “I am familiar with some of the officers here. There are quite a few that I would be glad to serve under. Would I have to leave my ship?“
“Yes, you would have to transfer to a command ship. Most likely a battlecruiser,” responded Katinka looking at Zeke closely.
Zeke’s response was instant after he heard that. “You honor me with the command offer, but I will have to decline.” Looking up at the Admirals, he handed the data pad back to Katinka. “I will be glad to assist with any planning, but I would like to stay with my crew if allowed. We started this together, and I would like to end it with them.”
“We understand and respect your decision. I believe I would have done the same if in your position,” said Nkosana. “We would appreciate you being part of the planning going forward. Speaking of that, with your latest exploits, did you get any idea of the numbers in the Chohish forces we may face?”
Shrugging, Zeke explained that the forces he saw were a few hundred warships but was sure many more were on the way. Jeanne added that even then, were they part of the rebellion or to put the uprising down?
What surprised them most was the question from Uv’ei. “Esteemed Admirals, you do not seem too concerned about the withdrawal of the Soraths. I understand why you wouldn’t be for my people. What they can contribute would be minimal anyway. But the Soraths are a different matter entirely.”
It was Katinka who answered. “You misinterpret our reaction, my dear Uv’ei. The loss of the Soraths will affect us dramatically. Many more will die because the Soraths will not be there to supplement our forces. The war may drag on for additional months or even years without their assistance. But, like Zeke, the RGN will not be part of race extermination. Especially not now that we know that not all Chohish agrees with how their people have been acting.”
Bridgette picked up when Katinka stopped. “We learned a long time ago allies may not always agree with you, so plan accordingly. What is the saying? Hope for the best, and plan for the worst. So we did, from the very beginning. The approaching fleet started to be put together when word of the first attack from the Chohish reached us. We had no idea what we were facing. Still don’t, not fully. Every ship is new, fresh out of the shipyards with the latest hardware and software. But where the hardware may be brand new, every crew member has several years of experience.”
“Since you will not accept command, Katinka will be taking command once it arrives with my assistance. Meetings will be started while resupplying to look at our options. Any thoughts running through that head of yours on how you would handle it? I would find it surprising if you have not thought about it,” asked Nkosana.
Grabbing Jeanne's hand, he squeezed it before moving it to rest on his thigh. “Actually, we have. Nothing concrete, as we did not know the size of the fleet or makeup. But let me ask you a question first. Have you ever played three-dimensional chess?”
The two Admirals looked at each other in puzzlement. “Yes, we have. Why?” asked Katinka.
“If you look at all the battles up to this point, they have been two-dimensional until after actual engagement. Only after contact does it change,” answered Zeke.
“I am confused. The plan you set up for the first significant engagement was two-dimensional. Not sure what you are asking,” a puzzled Nkosana.
“That was because there was no reason not to. It was better for our plan to execute it that way. But I think you are missing the point. Every battle has been two-dimensional,” Zeke replied, taking a sip of his cocoa.
The two Kolqux whispered to each other heatedly. It was Hawke laughing at what he heard that grabbed everyone's attention. “Uv’ei, what is the problem?”
Uv’ei smacked his brother on the head before responding. “My brother asked what the hell chess was? I told him I had no idea but thought maybe it was a game. He then asked why are you all discussing a game? Is the meeting over? I told him he was a knucklehead.”
Chuckling, Zeke walked over to Uv’ek. “You are right. It is a game, a strategy game. It is one player battling against another with seventeen pieces of six types on a board marked in squares. Many strategists use it as a reference when putting together a battle plan. Do you have anything similar?”
Thinking about it, Uv’ek took a moment before replying. “I doubt it. We do not have many games. No time for games, spend most of the time working.”
“Well, my friend, that is something that we will have to correct. Once we get a break, let me show you what chess is. In fact, let me have a suite of games you can play online sent to your ship. But for now, let me finish with the Admirals.”
Moving back to stand by Jeanne, he put his hand on her shoulder before continuing. “Forget thinking about what we did. What did the Chohish do? How did they position their fleet?”
The startlement on Nkosana was evident. “Two-dimensional. Every time, their initial setup was two-dimensional. They may never have fought against or used a three-dimensional setup.”
“Not that I can tell. I tested my theory several times, allowing them to have an advantage over us if they did. They never did,” Zeke answered.
“How long have you had that figured out?” asked Katinka.
“He guessed it from the beginning and has been testing it since,” Jeanne answered for him. “He did not want to use it until we needed to.”
Excited, Nkosana slapped his hands. “Setup two-dimensional and change to three before contact. Throw them for a loop trying to figure out what we are doing while we will know their formation.”
That settled, the group broke up to make their own preparations for the arrival of the RGN fleet. All that is except for the two Admirals and Bridgette, who stayed behind. Katinka made the excuse she wanted another cup of that fantastic coffee.
When they were finally alone, Bridgette turned to Katinka. “You were never going to give him command of the fleet. You were testing him, weren’t you?”
“Was I that obvious?” Katinka asked. “Handing him control over so many superior officers would have been detrimental to the cohesiveness of the fleet. We could not afford that since most of the fleet had not worked with each other before. But I wanted to check out your theory about him refusing to leave his crew. Seems you are right. His loyalty is something to be admired. I knew he was special when I first saw his record. Have you seen it? His commanders could not say enough about how impressed they were. And his copilots, they loved him.”
“We did. After the plan he put together in the Pandora system, I had Bridgette send me his files. I agree. It is impressive. And after seeing him operate in person, I know why you were so hot on him. He had no issue with relinquishing control if that gave a better chance to mission success. I like him,” answered Nkosana.
Putting her hands on her knees, Katinka pushed her way up to stand, looking around her. “Well, let's hope he survives the next stage. We are going to send him back to see if he can get us a meeting with this Queen Ktissi. And before you ask, yes, on one of our ships. I am not sure how the Chohish will react to that. But I have doubts it will be easy or safe. Hate to lose this group now before this is all finished.”
Trap
“I thought you were joking with us when you first brought it up. This has to be one of the nuttiest things we have ever done,” whined Hawke.
“Oh, come on, you have got to be kidding? You can say that after the last year that we have been through? This is nothing,” retorted Will.
“I guess you have a point there. Oh well, here we go back in the pits of hell,” laughed Hawke.
Talk stopped as they started transitioning back into the Vion System. The feeling of your stomach being flipped, and your eyes twirling to the back of your head, happened once again. The usual buffoonery by Hawke was nonexistent. This was not the time for theatrics.
Exiting the slipstream, Isolde checked on the status of the probes that had been left in the system. Meanwhile, the Jackal and the Fox split off to either side of the Lucky Strike. Fighters flew out to lead the way in the system.
“Probes are still in place. We are not detecting any changes, pretty much the same as we left it,” reported Isolde.
“Put out the request for contact to the Queen. Pass on our request,” ordered Zeke. “Well, we will find out quickly how this will go.”
Some say the most stressful time was not being in a battle but the time while waiting idly by on something you had no control over. Especially when in enemy territory with enemies gathered all around.
When Isolde signaled Zeke, he linked in to hear the Queen talking to someone in the background. When she came on, she was all business. The conversation lasted only minutes between the two agreeing to meet in the middle of the two forces in two days' time. The Queen would arrive in a battleship backed up by two cruisers.
The following eight hours of traveling to the meeting location were spent in preparation. The fighters and bombers had a system and weapons checks run, and fuel was topped off. Battleoids were manned and strategically positioned around the three ships. Marines and army personnel locked and loaded in support of the battleoids. A special contingent of marines dressed in their armor with weapons joined Zeke and Jeanne, who would be traveling to meet with Queen Ktissi on the Chohish battleship.
The two opposing fleets slowed to a stop at the agreed-upon location. Within minutes, five shuttles left the Lucky Strike.
“Well, looks like my escort is back in play again,” Jeanne snarled, looking at Jan and the other four Irracan marines.
Looking at Shon and Michale, Zeke was about to tell Jeanne that he was happy to see them but stopped short when he saw Khaleesi glaring at him. The argument they had earlier resonated in his mind. The Major was angry with his refusal to stay on the Lucky Strike. But he knew he had no option. The Queen was unequivocal in that she would only talk with him in person on her warship.
The flight to the Chohish battleship was short in duration, and upon landing on the vast landing pad, Zeke and Jeanne led a group of marines off. Seeing Queen and Omaw walking toward them with their own guard following, they met them halfway. The Queen's guards and officers were dressed in gold and silver ornamental armor that Zeke doubted could stop a laser blast, let alone a plasma weapon. Their weapon was their standard laser weapon with a giant sword in a scabbard.
While Queen Ktissi and Omaw walked right up to Zeke and Jeanne, the Chohish guards and the RGN marines stood back, glaring at each other in distrust.
“Queen Ktissi, Omaw, I appreciate you ….” Before Zeke could finish, a loud blaring sounded. Omaw swung around, yelling for someone to tell him what the alarm was for. The Chohish guards growled and looked at the humans in suspicion.
A lone Endaen came running out to squeeze through the Chohish guard. Whispering to the Queen and Omaw, the Endaen glanced at Zeke with a smile. This Endaen was the first Zeke had seen from the planet Certh. Checking the Endaen out as he walked with the Queen and Omaw, he did not see any marks nor display fear as he would have expected if he was being mistreated.
