The Black Guardians: Book 4 in the Black Guard series, page 22
"Yes, sir," I managed to squeak out while trying to process what he said and absorb my new responsibilities and authority.
"Now, would you like to explain in detail how you destroyed the Outpost triad's great plan to further diminish the Jax navy?"
I spent the next hour explaining my discussions with Sitala and Bishipe and then our attack approach. When Noam finally departed, Sitala came up to me, smiling.
"Congratulations, Commander Quinn, and you didn't even have to apologize or ask forgiveness. I would suggest, however, that you may want to put a few streaks of grey in your hair. It may help." She laughed. "I plan to depart for Outpost as soon as your new squadrons are on board. This should be interesting, maybe even exciting, but definitely not boring."
That night, I decided to go to the recreation area and, as usual, wore my working uniform: black short-sleeve shirt, pants tucked into black boots. Then there were the required cloth patches: name patch on the left side, two duty patches (the Black Guardians with a Black Guardian insignia, and the Black Guardians with a senior pilot insignia) on the right side, a rank tab (with a silver oak leaf) hanging in the middle, and a command patch on my right shoulder (Jax Special Operations Command with crossed tridents and waves extending out on either side). I felt and was sure I looked ridiculous. In reality the only thing different was the color of the oak leaf, so maybe no one would notice. I considered buying some casual civilian clothes but was sure that would only increase the number of men vying for a hookup.
"Hi, Kat. The rumor is that Admiral Noam approved the AFS training course," Carland said with an excited grin on his round, youthful face.
"He thought it was a good idea. One that might keep me busy and out of trouble," I said with a lopsided grin. "After we get settled at Outpost, I will finish up the course. There is only a week or so left to cover."
"Outpost! You’re kidding, aren't you?" Carland exclaimed loud enough to attract the attention of several people nearby.
I didn't think it was a secret, but most didn't seem to know. "Yes, someone has to keep the animals from leaving their cage."
"Who else is going?" a short, stocky lieutenant asked. He was wearing a weapons duty patch and grinning in anticipation, as were many others. Now that I had let the cat out of the bag, I hoped it was supposed to be loose. Oh well, in for a milliliter, in for a liter.
"Does the crew of the Sabretooth, who have been awarded the Jax Battle Ribbon, need backup?"
Just then, Captain Sitala walked into the room, and silence spread like a tangible blanket had been thrown over the room. Sitala said something into her comm device, and the hallway and recreation speakers were connected to her comm. She smiled. "Attention, all personnel. Commander Quinn has just announced that Admiral Noam is recommending the Jax Battle Ribbon for the crew of the Sabretooth's successful engagements against the League of Skulls and the Outpost triad. Since Admiral Noam is Kat's boss, a full admiral, and on the Jax Military Committee, it does appear like a done deal. Congratulations to all for a job well done."
When she finished, she wandered over to me.
"Sorry, ma'am. I'm still wet behind the ears," I said and felt my face heat to its melting point, hearing snickers and soft laughs from the nearby groups.
"The space gods help us when you dry off," Sitala said in an amused tone, causing laughs and more whispered comments. "Kat, I'm informed that your new squadrons will be arriving in the next several hours. They are a newly formed AFS-4 under Commander Felix Shaw and AFS-7 under Commander Axelle Munro. Pepin Kerr will command AFS-8 when it is formed."
Sitala gave me a questioning look. I nodded her toward a vacant area which became even larger as we approached.
"The advanced fighter pilot school is also a secret audition for a position in J-SOC. Anyone who earns a with honors certificate is eligible. The class I'm teaching on the Sabretooth has five possible candidates."
"You people in J-SOC are sneakier than the Apaches," Sitala said, shaking her head.
"That's why we are assassins," I quipped.
New Command
"Kat," Ryan said, holding me by the shoulders and looking at my uniform. "Did you know the oak leaf on your rank tab lost its gold leaf and is now silver?"
"Actually, it's a new oak leaf. I got tired of the gold look, so I'm giving it to you. I decided to trade mine for a shining silver one." I grinned and continued before he could speak. "I have your orders in my room, and I think you should be in proper uniform when the new squadrons arrive."
"Did I get the promotion because I survived being your weapons officer…" Ryan stopped and shook me. "What new squadrons? You are going way too fast, again, for me to keep up."
"We are going to Outpost as gatekeepers to ensure the nasty Outpost cruisers don't run away from home. They are under house arrest. Our boss is giving us two more squadrons in the event we need help. I told him it wasn't necessary, but he insisted. He is also giving us Pepin Kerr to form AFS-8 in the hope I will have enough with honors graduates to begin putting together another squadron."
"Outpost. No wonder he gave me a promotion. I would rather he had given me a full-time shrink instead of the promotion. You commanding one squadron is exciting enough. I cannot imagine you commanding three squadrons when Outpost has at least six cruisers, and maybe more we don't know about." He tried to look serious, then grabbed me in a hug and laughed. "I guess the message is that if I can survive you, I can expect to retire a commander. Who and when do they arrive?"
"I am told it’s Felix Shaw with AFS-4, Axelle Munro with AFS-7, and Pepin Kerr to form AFS-8," I said, looking forward to seeing Axelle from the old Rex clique. "They are scheduled to arrive in the early hours of the morning. Captain Sitala is eager to be on her way to Outpost before the triad decides to leave the reservation." I smiled.
"They probably have their entire remaining force consolidated to defend Outpost," Ryan said, looking off in thought. "They could be on alert and attack us the minute we arrive."
"Oh, don't be so damn cheerful," I teased. "They have probably abandoned their cruisers and are hiding on Outpost."
"My dream and your nightmare." Ryan shook his head.
"Let's go down to the Besra bay and let everyone know the good news, and prepare the new squadrons for an imminent attack upon our arrival."
New Arrivals
The AFS-4 squadron, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Felix Shaw and Lieutenant Peter Williams, his weapons officer arrived shortly after two-hundred hours and were parked in Bay 5 with AFS-1.
"Welcome aboard, Felix," I said when he departed the Besra with Peter. "I'm glad you and Peter survived.”
"Thanks, Kat. Congratulations on the promotion," Felix said, pointing to my rank tab. "I understand you are now in charge of the three squadrons.”
"Yes, it's just a precaution in case the Outpost cruisers decide to try and force their way out in a last-ditch attempt to attack Jax. I rather think the Jax Committee would like that option. It would preclude a lot of tedious discussions with the Helix Alliance to justify what we know is going to happen."
"What's that?" Williams asked. "Scorch the planet?"
"No," I said, knowing Outpost was not above such behavior, but genocide was not in Jax's nature. "Destroy their cruisers and their spaceship manufacturing facilities, and establish rules and procedures for monitoring their merchants. The biggest point of contention will be what to do with the ruling families."
"I hope your Captain Sitala is less hung up on being the lord and master of her ship than Captain Blatt. He didn't like my age and would not recognize my right to independent command. He was directly responsible for the destruction of my two Besras and their crew and the Crouching Tiger. He threatened to destroy the Besras if we launched before he gave permission. We were last after he released the fighters. Although I called for the squadron to scatter to avoid the thirty-plus fighters in the immediate area, one must have gotten a lock on one of the Besras, which ignited its missiles and destroyed most everything in the area. Peter and I were lucky to have survived.”
As we talked, AFS-7 arrived. Axelle was first to depart and ran over and hugged me. "Damn, I miss the clique. This growing up and getting responsibility is for adults, not young kids like us. Look at you. That level of rank is for a person in their late thirties or forties."
Before I could reply, Lydie, Axelle's weapons officer, grabbed me in a hug. "Don't let Axelle fool you. She is chomping at the bit to see action."
After Pepin Kerr and Richie Ross arrived, I took everyone to Sitala's conference room.
"Welcome to the Sabretooth," I began when everyone had a chance to get something to eat and drink and sit. "We are headed for Outpost, where I am told the triad has its six remaining cruisers. Ryan, my weapons officer, believes they will have all six at the Wave exit ready to destroy any Jax cruisers that appear." I paused to let the comments die down. "I believe they will have their cruisers in orbit around the planet to protect the leaders, who think their lives are more important than anyone else. In either event, I want to ensure we have our act together and are all on the same page. First, does everyone have the new antenna and monitor for inter-Besra communications?"
I scanned the conference room table and saw that everyone signaled they did. "Good, now I want to go over the several standard attack tactics I developed for my squadron and discuss any alternative ones you may have."
"Your squadron is the only one that has been in an engagement," Axelle interjected to general nods.
"All right," I said. "The first one is a standard three on two…” I finished with the Punch Through technique.
"I'll bet Ryan loves that one," Lydie said to general laughter. "Not that I blame him. That sounds like a number ten adrenalin pumping high."
"Actually, Lydie, you need that adrenalin high to get your heart to start beating again and unfreeze your paralyzed brain," Ryan said with an exaggerated look of horror. "Truth be told, her flying scares me to death, but I know in my subconscious mind she will get us home safe."
Since there would potentially be six cruisers attacking, I added several more standard attacks. I stopped in time for everyone to have eight hours’ rest and to have four hours to make any last-minute adjustments before we were due to reach the Wave exit into Outpost.
The Entry
“Captain Sitala, in case my paranoid weapons officer is correct and Outpost's six cruisers are waiting at the Wave exit to ambush us, I would like to send my three Besra squadrons in an hour before the Sabretooth enters Outpost space," I said, conceding Ryan could be right, although I didn’t think so, but better safe than sorry. It would be a major clusterfuck if the Besras were in the fighter bays when the attack began. Commander Shaw was proof of that scenario.
"What are you proposing, Kat?" Sitala asked, waving me to sit.
"If the six are at the Wave exit, I will order a Punch Through, which will remove the threat. If not, I plan a recon of the area and to leave one squadron in a position to attack their rear if they later choose an all-out assault of the Sabretooth."
"You want to be released while we are still in the Wave?" Sitala asked, frowning.
"Yes, ma'am. The Besra is a fully functioning cruiser, although a midget."
Sitala laughed. "Well put, Kat. I'll let you know when it is time.”
Eight hours later, Sitala contacted me on my Mfi. "Commander Bishipe informs me if we launch you in ten minutes, it will get you there approximately an hour before the Sabretooth."
"Thank you, Captain. We will be ready."
"Listen up," I said on an open channel to all Besras. “If Ryan is right and they are waiting, I will signal for AFS-1 and AFS-7 to execute Punch Through while AFS-4 and AFS-8 stay in reserve in case we miss anything. If they are not waiting at the Wave exit, I want AFS-7 to find a place halfway to the planet to power down and wait to see what they do. AFS-7 will be in a position to attack from their rear if they choose to advance en masse. AFS-1, AFS-4, and AFS-8 will survey the area to see if we can find where the six cruisers are parked and not powered down someplace close to the Wave.”
An hour after we entered Outpost, the Sabretooth entered, only minutes after I was satisfied that the six cruisers were in orbit around the planet. I sent, "All clear. The six triad cruisers are in orbit close to Outpost."
63 – Alliance Meeting
“Captain Logan, I need to stop at each of the Helix systems to deliver an invitation to a Jax meeting to discuss the Helix Alliance," Geller began when Logan had assembled his staff: Commander Cundry, XO, Colonel Ortega, marine commander, and Lieutenant Commander Medee, fighter squadron commander. "No need to stop at Valhall, Lariw, and Outpost. They are no longer participating members of the Helix Alliance. Consequently, the alliance needs to be restructured or replaced or disbanded.”
"Some in the alliance aren't going to like that, and what about the triad? They still have cruisers. At least six, which is more than Jax has at the moment, even when including the Deathstalker," Captain Logan said.
"We sent the Sabretooth to Outpost to ensure they don't interfere with my visit to the various systems and the subsequent meeting at Jax," Geller said, and a small smile appeared on her lips.
"One ship? Madam Admiral, that won't contain them, and they will be loose to roam. They could pick off the Deathstalker or any other lone Jax cruiser," Captain Logan said, concern evident in his tone and darting eyes. The other three also looked concerned. Geller almost giggled, the first relief she had felt in years.
"Relax, gentlemen. The Sabretooth has three squadrons of Black Guardians aboard, which Admiral Noam assures me is more than enough to destroy the six triad cruisers on Outpost. Over the past month, the Sabretooth has had two engagements, destroying four Skulls in one and three triad cruisers in the other, without scratching its new paint job."
"How?" Logan asked in disbelief.
"We have the Jax Military Committee, specifically Admiral Noam, to thank for anticipating Outpost's long-term treachery years ago and for addressing the issue. His solution was the Black Guardians, which is turning out to be the Black Guard of space."
"But fighters?" Medee, the fighter squadron commander, asked.
"That is the general perception," Geller said and smiled. "That nothing that can fit into a cruiser's fighter bay is going to determine the course of a war. For your information, the Jax Committee would prefer that everyone continues to think that is true." She looked amused. "Now that concern is settled, I would like to visit Blackwood, Chancel, Safort, Haven, and Kaycia."
Blackwood System
The Deathstalker entered Blackwood space a day and a half later and contacted the planet to speak to the planet leader. Twenty minutes later, Omom Nastya was on the communication network.
"I am Omom Nastya, the religious leader on Blackwood. I understand you are from Jax and would like to speak to me," a soft voice said.
"Omom Nastya, I am Admiral Geller, in charge of the Jax navy and a member of the committee that manages the Jax military. I am sending you a formal invitation to attend a meeting on Jax to discuss the Helix Alliance given recent events. If you would like to talk to me in person, I'm available and have more information on the specifics of the past month. If not, I will be leaving for the Chancel system within the hour."
"I believe I will attend, Admiral Geller. The Gurks will be a problem if the alliance is dissolved, and the concept of an alliance navy did make sense."
"I look forward to meeting you in person," Geller said, breaking the connection. "Captain, you are free to proceed to the Chancel system.”
Chancel System
One day later the Deathstalker entered the Chancel system, and again contacted the planet to speak to the planet leader. Twenty minutes later, a heavyset giant of a man was on the communication network. "I am High Priest Idadu-Bida, the religious leader of the Holy Church of Bida, Lord of the Universe. I am told you are from Jax and would like to speak to me," a strong bass voice said.
"That is correct, High Priest Idadu-Bida. I am Admiral Geller, in charge of the Jax navy and a member of the committee that manages the Jax military. I am sending you a formal invitation to attend a meeting on Jax to discuss the Helix Alliance given recent events. If you would like to talk to me in person, I'm available and have more information on the specifics of the past month. If not, I will be leaving for the Safort system within the hour."
He was silent for several minutes, which she assumed meant he was reading our prepared message. "Are you implying the Helix Alliance declared war on the Jax?" Idadu-Bida demanded.
"Actually, High Priest, I do not know as no formal declaration of war was declared on Jax. What I know is that Outpost, Valhall, and Lariw, who are members of the alliance, began using packs of three cruisers to destroy lone Jax cruisers who were in the systems transporting Black Guards to Jax contracts, whereas the alliance cruisers had no reason to be in those systems in hunting packs," Geller said in a conversational tone.
"I will attend. I too would like to understand. To my knowledge, Jax does not interfere with legitimate governments or support rebels."
"Thank you, High Priest Idadu-Bida. I look forward to meeting you in person and discussing the issues. We leave within the hour to Safort." Geller nodded to Captain Logan.
Safort System
Safort was less than a full day's travel, and the Deathstalker arrived early in the morning. Geller contacted the Safort Upper Chamber and asked to speak to the present chairperson.
