Implacable, page 30
“Not yet. Patch me through to Armus.”
“Done.”
Captain Armus’s image smiled at Geary. “My ships are ready, Admiral. Once Boundless begins moving we will slowly converge toward blocking positions between her and Rogov’s ships. It will not look like a chase or an attempted intercept.”
“Thank you, Captain. The moment Boundless starts maneuvering you are free to maneuver as well. Geary, out.”
Captain Matson shook his head. “Why would they attack us? So what if Boundless is no longer under their control? We’re not a warship.”
“It’s the symbolism, Captain,” Geary said. “They’ll have lost control of the only ship they managed to take over. We’ll have regained control. That’s a loss for General Julian no matter how it’s viewed, and Julian isn’t the sort to easily accept even a minor loss. Taking Boundless and silencing the ambassador was also the only one of their objectives that they’d succeeded in carrying out. That success is now going to be reversed. Win-win for us, lose-lose for Julian and Rogov. Attacking us as a result would be a dangerous overreaction, but from Julian’s record we have to assume he might try it to salve his pride.”
“You’re moving four battleships into position to block an attack?” Matson said. “That should deter any attack.”
“It should,” Geary said. He turned back to the comm controls. “Dauntless, give me a secure transmission to the fleet. All units, this is Admiral Geary. Boundless is once again under our control, without any boarding operation or casualties. We are going to maneuver Boundless deeper into our formation, an action which could trigger an impulsive attack by some of General Julian’s ships. Do not strengthen your own shields, do not power up weapons. We will not take the first aggressive steps. But be prepared to rapidly reach maximum defensive readiness on very short notice if General Julian decides to attack ships loyal to the Alliance. Geary, out.”
Webb gave Geary a raised eyebrow. “Wasn’t what you did technically a boarding action, Admiral?”
“I came aboard for a surprise personnel inspection,” Geary said.
“My mistake,” Webb said, his grin exposing his canines.
“Captain Matson, are you ready?”
Matson nodded, looking extremely unhappy. But he smoothed out his expression, changing it to a blandly calm, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary look, before walking to stand next to Colonel Webb.
Webb nodded to Matson, his own discomfort clear, but then also changed his look to that of someone confident and in control. “All Alliance forces, this is Colonel Webb aboard the Boundless. I am notifying everyone that myself and my unit are responding to the orders of Admiral Geary. Boundless is once again under the control of Captain Matson and the civilian crew. There has not been any action. No one has been harmed. As you can see I remain armed and free, as do my soldiers. Admiral Geary has expressed his confidence in us. We will protect this ship, and all of the Alliance citizens aboard it, in accordance with orders issued by Admiral Geary. I freely urge all of my fellow officers on other ships, and all of the enlisted with them, to do the same. To the honor of our ancestors. Webb, out.”
Geary gestured to Matson. “Let’s get moving.”
Matson nodded. “Lauren,” he called to one of the crew. “Get us going. Make it as gentle as if there was a diplomatic banquet underway and we didn’t want any wine to spill.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Thrusters fired to shift Boundless onto a slightly different heading, then the main propulsion lit off at so low a setting that Geary had to check nearby displays to confirm that the ship was very slowly being nudged onto a new vector, moving away from the ships controlled by Captain Rogov, and deeper in among Geary’s fleet.
Alerts flashed on the same displays, showing that the battleships Colossus, Encroach, Redoubtable, and Spartan had also begun maneuvering. Spread out behind and to all sides of Boundless’s original position, the four battleships were converging, easing into new positions that would form a diamond between Boundless and Rogov’s ships.
“When will we know if we’re safe?” Matson asked Geary, his eyes on the displays as he tracked the relative movements of all the nearby ships.
“If nothing happens within the next few minutes—” Geary began.
More alerts flashed.
Thrusters were firing on Renown, Intrepid, Invincible, and Fearless. Rogov’s battle cruisers were about to move.
FIFTEEN
HIS link to Dauntless was still open. “Admiral, their shields are at maximum and they’re charging up their hell lances,” Desjani said. “If they accelerate you’re only going to have a few minutes before intercept.”
She didn’t say the obvious, that he was not aboard a battle cruiser, or any other warship. The famous Black Jack was facing a potential intercept by four battle cruisers aboard a converted passenger ship with minimal shields, no armor, and only a few close-in defense weapons that wouldn’t stress the shields on any warship.
“They want us to shoot first,” Geary said.
“If we don’t,” Desjani warned, “their first shots might rip apart Boundless. Admiral, we’re between a black hole and a supernova here.”
“I’ve noticed that.” He gazed at the displays on Boundless, trying to think through options. How desperate would General Julian be to avoid the symbolic loss of Boundless? How much influence would Rogov have to caution Julian against taking that last critical step that would result in open warfare? How willing would the officers and crews on those battle cruisers be to open fire on other Alliance ships?
Unknown after unknown. What could he do that might deter attack and not provoke it?
Battleships were cumbersome as warships went. They weren’t used in swift attacks. In the Alliance fleet, battleships were widely viewed as defensive, mobile fortresses in a way, whereas battle cruisers were seen as swift offensive weapons.
“Captain Armus,” Geary transmitted, “I want you to power up the shields on your ships and turn them to face the vector Captain Rogov’s battle cruisers would have to come down to reach Boundless. Continue to move into blocking positions.”
“Understood, Admiral,” Armus said, looking and sounding grimmer than usual. “Powering up the shields on the ships of the Fourth Battleship Division.”
“What about the rest of the fleet, Admiral?” Captain Desjani asked.
“The rest of the fleet will remain at their current readiness status,” Geary said.
Colonel Webb had come to stand closer to Geary, aware of how the civilians on the bridge of Boundless felt about Webb now and probably seeing Geary as a refuge of sorts. “Will you open fire, Admiral?”
“Only if I have to.”
Captain Matson turned a worried gaze on Geary. “Should we increase velocity?”
“No,” Geary said. “You can’t outrun them, but if it looks like you’re trying it might encourage an attack.”
“Admiral,” Captain Desjani called in, “Rogov’s battle cruisers have finished powering up weapons. All four are lined up on the right vector, but none have lit off main propulsion yet. Captain Armus’s battleships are at seventy-five percent shield strength and building. His hell lances are not powered up.”
“Incoming call from General Julian,” one of Boundless’s crew called out.
Geary nodded to Matson to tell him he should accept the call, then stepped out to the side so he wouldn’t be visible to Julian.
“This is Captain Matson.”
General Julian didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “Where is Colonel Webb?”
“Here.” Webb stepped into Julian’s view.
“Get that ship back where it belongs! In fact, bring it in among my ships!”
Webb inhaled slowly. “General, with all due respect, I regret to inform you that my orders come from Admiral Geary.”
“What did he promise you, Webb?” General Julian demanded. “What did Geary offer you to make you turn traitor and dishonor your family?”
Geary could have told Julian that sort of frontal attack was a bad idea against Webb. Colonel Webb straightened, his eyes fixed on Julian. “The only thing the admiral offered me was respect, General. Respect, and the opportunity to ensure my honor was not tarnished.”
“You’re a coward, Webb! Weak!”
“Anytime you wish to measure my courage against yours on a field of honor, I will be happy to accommodate you,” Colonel Webb shot back, his jaw tight.
Challenges to duels of honor between officers had been outlawed. But, Geary realized, Webb hadn’t challenged Julian. He’d stated his willingness to accept such a challenge.
Julian turned his head to speak to someone else. “Get them moving!”
A pause while someone replied.
“I told you to get them moving!”
Geary made a call of his own. “Captain Armus, power up the hell lances on your battleships.”
“Understood, Admiral. My ships are going to full combat readiness.”
Alerts appeared on the displays as the main propulsion units on Julian’s battle cruisers lit off.
“Are we authorized to engage any attacking ships, Admiral?” Captain Armus added.
“No,” Geary said, his eyes fixed on the displays. “Not yet.”
The four “enemy” battle cruisers were accelerating, but not all out. They were charging ahead at roughly three-quarters full propulsion. But they were coming right along the vector that would lead Renown, Intrepid, Invincible, and Fearless between the battleships Colossus, Encroach, Redoubtable, and Spartan in order to reach Boundless.
Tactically, it was a stupid move. One on one, battleship versus battle cruiser, sacrificing the battle cruisers’ advantages in maneuverability and maximizing the battleships’ advantages in shield strength, armor, and weapons. The battleships probably wouldn’t stop any of the battle cruisers, but they’d do a lot of damage.
Physical damage, that is. The other damage that would do, Alliance warships firing on Alliance warships, Alliance sailors killing other Alliance sailors, was impossible to calculate.
“The battle cruisers will be within firing range of the battleships in eight minutes, Admiral,” Captain Desjani told him.
Was that outcome now inevitable, impossible to stop?
He heard Victoria Rione’s voice in his memory. From their first meeting, long ago. I’ve heard all about you. You’re a Hero. I don’t like Heroes, Captain. Heroes lead armies and fleets to their deaths.
He should have died a century ago. Maybe that long-ago debt had still to be paid. Geary looked at the displays, knowing only one thing might be able to stop what was about to happen.
“Give me a broadcast to every ship out there,” Geary told Matson. “From this ship.”
“Very well,” Matson said. “You’re on.”
Geary looked steadily ahead, speaking as calmly as he could. “This is Admiral Geary. As you can see, I am aboard the Boundless. Any attack on the Boundless will be an attack not only directly on me, but on the Alliance. Not just the physical Alliance, but the ideals, the honor, of the Alliance. If four battle cruisers strike Boundless, they will probably destroy the ship in a single pass. They will also certainly destroy the Alliance.”
He took a deep breath. “I am standing on the bridge of Boundless. I will not leave it. I will not depart this ship and allow the Alliance citizens on board it, and the soldiers commanded by Colonel Webb, to die while I seek safety. They are my responsibility. Every Alliance citizen, every Alliance sailor, Marine, soldier, aerospace member, is my responsibility. I will stand with them. I will stand with the Alliance. I will not order my ships to fire. Because the crews of those battle cruisers are also my responsibility.
“The eyes of our ancestors are upon us all. Do what is right, to honor them, and to honor our actions this day. To the honor of our ancestors, Geary, out.”
A moment of silence followed.
“Four minutes until the battle cruisers are within weapons range,” Captain Armus sent. “Request instructions.”
“Hold fire,” Geary said. “Do not engage.”
“I understand do not engage,” Armus said. “May the living stars stand with you, Admiral.”
The four battle cruisers were coming on, still accelerating, swooping along the vector aimed at an intercept with Boundless.
Ambassador Rycerz called up to the bridge. “Admiral? What is going on?”
“You saw my message?” Geary asked. “That’s what is going on. I’m sorry we didn’t have time to get you to safety.”
Rycerz took a moment to reply. “I guess I should close out my files. Do you think there’s a chance it will work?”
“There’s a chance,” Geary said.
A chance that seemed to recede in the next instant. “Renown, Intrepid, Invincible, and Fearless have locked their fire control systems on Boundless,” Captain Desjani reported.
He had trouble looking her in the eyes, knowing it might well be the last time. “Thank you, Captain.” He paused. “Thank you for everything.”
She met his gaze steadily. “It was an honor, Admiral.”
Damn. I didn’t deserve her, Geary thought, looking back at the displays.
“Is this accurate?” Captain Matson asked, his voice rough. “We’ll be within range of those battle cruisers thirty seconds after they pass the battleships?”
“That’s correct,” Geary said.
“Isn’t there anything you can do?”
“I’m doing it.”
Colonel Webb took another step closer. “Thank you for the honor of dying in such good company, Admiral.”
“You’re welcome,” Geary said. “But there’s still a chance you may be denied that honor this day.”
“Sure.” Webb didn’t sound like he believed that.
The bridge of Boundless was silent, the crew members staring at the displays, their horrified feelings plain to see. Webb said nothing more, standing by Geary’s side as if prepared to escort him into the dark.
And Geary himself waited, not even praying because it was too late for that. These are Alliance. All of them. They can still do the right thing.
And, if not, his example would hopefully ensure that any civil war would be extinguished in a heartbeat.
It was really the last thing he could do, the last thing he could hope for.
He saw the four battle cruisers tear past Armus’s four battleships. As ordered, Armus held fire.
Less than thirty seconds.
Geary breathed in slowly, nerving himself to stand still, to not flinch.
Ten seconds.
He kept his eyes open despite an instinctive urge to shut them as the battle cruisers roared within range.
And flashed by on all sides.
For perhaps several seconds after the battle cruisers tore past Boundless, not releasing a single shot, everyone stood silently, as if all were unable to believe they were still alive.
“The four battle cruisers are altering vectors,” Captain Desjani called, her voice sounding just a little rushed. “It looks like they’re going to climb out of the top of our formation. We’re detecting a lot of messages being exchanged between the battle cruisers and their main body, but can’t break the encryption yet.”
Geary finally let out his breath, feeling dazed.
Others on the bridge of Boundless were laughing, crying, and shouting at each other.
Colonel Webb spread his hands. “You were right, Admiral. It’ll have to wait for another day. By your leave, I’m going to check on my people.”
“Do so, Colonel,” Geary said. “Well done.”
Webb grinned, saluted, and hastened off.
“Something’s going on in Rogov’s formation,” Desjani reported. “Some ships are powering up hell lances. Others aren’t. There doesn’t appear to be any pattern.”
“Incoming message from, um, Commander Hasan on the Gusoku,” one of Boundless’s crew announced.
Geary saw the image of the woman he’d only seen once before, during the meeting where he’d invoked Article 16 and she’d been relieved of command and arrested by special forces on her ship at General Julian’s orders.
“Admiral Geary,” Hasan said. “This is once again the commanding officer of the heavy cruiser Gusoku. My crew released me from confinement. The special forces did not resist. Our war is not with others loyal to the Alliance. Gusoku is at your command, Admiral.”
Other ships were broadcasting, the messages showing up at different times depending on how far off the ships were and when they transmitted.
“This is Renown! We do not fire on other Alliance ships! Article 16!”
“This is Topaz. We are not blindly obedient robots. Awaiting orders from Admiral Geary.”
“Julian is losing them,” Desjani said. “He pushed them too far, and you didn’t take the bait.”
“It was a brilliant and courageous plan, Admiral!” Captain Armus sent.
He didn’t feel particularly brilliant or courageous. “I guess I should take the shuttle back to Dauntless now,” Geary said.
* * *
AS soon as the shuttle docked on Dauntless, Geary raced up to the bridge, still escorted by Gunnery Sergeant Orvis and the other Marines clearing a path for him, hearing cheers following him down the passageways. “It’s a bit premature to celebrate victory,” Geary grumbled.
“Admiral,” Gunny Orvis said, “they’re not cheering victory.”
He reached the bridge, pausing only to dismiss the Marines and thank them, then hastening to his fleet command seat. “How does it look?”
Desjani gave him a calm glance, as if he’d just come from his stateroom. “Three of the battle cruisers, two of the battleships, six of the heavy cruisers, and all of the destroyers have asked for your orders. Rogov and Julian still, technically, command two battleships, a battle cruiser, and a heavy cruiser.”
