Storymania - The Galactic Empire Chronicles by Nathaniel A Miller

The Galactic Empire Chronicles (2)
Nathaniel A Miller

“Let me get this straight, three garrisons, Sir?” He asked, “Is this a suicide mission or what sir? What you are asking with a team this size, against a force that large, is suicide.”

“How do you mean?” Seth asked, and the Gunny continued to stand there.

“What I mean, sir is by the time we get there, and drop on the planet, we’re walking into a serious force that will slaughter us before we can complete it.” He replied, “Who set up this mission, sir? It sounds like a lemon.”

“The mission comes from the Intelligence Staff at Headquarters and approved by the council.” Seth replied, “But I see your point, we’re going in covertly, hitting the station, their reactor, and the mine processing, then we’re retreating. We won’t be attacking any of the garrisons stationed on the planet and will be dropped there covertly by Star Cruiser that has a cloaking device.”

“Command figures that by the time they know we were there, it will be too late. The explosive power should eliminate the garrison and any ship there.” Seth said, as he passed out print outs of the technical data to each member of the crew. Each member scanned the sheets and examined the copy of maps that was with them.

“With the data you are suggesting and equipment you requested, you have a lot more firepower than needed.” Gunnery Sergeant Sanders pointed out, “Have you been updated on the weapons of this century, sir? It seems you are asking for a lot of indigenous personnel to be eliminated with the Cybertron. The blast will wipe out the garrison and half the planet if the numbers are right.”

“The numbers are right, Sergeant and the Captain is aware of the casualties that will be brought about for the indigenous personnel on the planet. He and I were briefed personally by the General Command Staff and Intelligence Staff on this mission.” Manual replied sharply, “It is acceptable losses, according to how command sees it. The mission is on and we have our orders that we have to carry out.”

“But, sir…” He said, and Manual gave him a look, making him fall silent.

“Look, I am not too crazy for this mission, or the losses that are to be inflicted on the planet population.” Captain Aguilera said, “Your concerns are not falling on deaf ears, I already brought this to command’s attention, and they are saying acceptable it is acceptable losses. So if Command thinks it has to be done, and can be done successfully in a raid, we have to follow through and carry them out. Let’s just try it, maybe we won’t have to do what they plan and find a better solution as we do the mission. It will be better now than having more people lost on the ships assigned to take the planet and system.”

“I’d rather kill the enemy, but not men, women and children, sir.” The Gunnery Sergeant said, “I think I speak for the rest of the team on this point.”

“Your concerns are duly noted. We do have a job to do, and the mission was deemed strictly volunteer.” Seth said, “Zero-G training is at sixteen hundred followed by a weapons check afterward. Holodeck three… Dismissed--”

The team stood respectfully around the table as Seth stood and the young Captain nodded, motioning to Manual. The young Lieutenant sidled over to his side. Seth waited till the team cleared before he whispered to his friend from his team of stasis so long ago.

“Keep an eye on the team, and in line during training, I want these hits to go off without a problem.” Seth told him.

“You suspect a problem?”

“Possibly.” The Captain replied, “Command is eager for these hits to be completed before the Cybertron have a chance to fortify their positions, and we do not need any problems with members of the team who won’t carry out orders.”

“I hear that.” Manual replied, “I will keep an eye out.”

“Thanks man.” Seth replied, clapping the Lieutenant on the shoulder as he exited out the door, heading to the team where they gathered for duty. Manual walked down the corridor of the station toward the changing rooms for the Holodeck and as he approached the door he paused at the hatch. Taking in a deep breath, he turned to step toward the hatch that obediently opened for him and he stepped in. He had a job to do.

Back in space, the Star Cruiser Class Starship, the U.S.S. Magellanic Clouds approached Earth at impulse speeds. On the bridge, the Captain sat in the command chair, commanding the ship on its trip back to Earth. For this journey, Lieutenant Sibrina Rodriguez sat in a chair adjacent to the Science Station in which she assisted Felonious in analysis duty.

Seated at the Helm, Veloxa sat at his console, as his experienced claw-like appendages piloted the ship on course, while his mate, Thrac Antilliac sat at the Navigation Console. At the Communications Console, Hi’Mthsss T’Larra, the Captain’s daughter sat at her station.

“Hi’Mthsss, signal the space dock control, we’re ready to start docking procedures” Grinning eleated, Hi turned to click the console.

“Space dock control this is the Magellanic Clouds, ready to start docking procedure.” A voice crackled over the intercom.

“Roger Magellanic Clouds.” Ihsss turned to Veloxa and Sibrina who sat at the Helm and Navigation console.

“Activate automation.” Ordered the captain and the helmsman, a large insectoid, his claw-like hands clicked the switches. Above them, the lights flashed.

“Space dock, you have control.” Ihsss said.

“Affirmative Magellanic Clouds, sit back and enjoy the ride, and welcome home.” Captain T’Larra grinned again.

“Magellanic Clouds confirms with thanks.” Ihsss smiled when she remembered something in Earth Literature that echoed this very situation a long time ago; a science fiction TV show she saw on Earth TV. Here the young reptilian woman shook her head.

“Naaah.” She thought, grinning and managing a chuckle. Outside the small ship entered the large space dock doors, the ship hardly noticeable as it entered. Ihsss of course hated automated entry into space dock. Veloxa was the best damn helmsman and Thyrac the best damn Navigator the Clouds and now the Earth Federation had.

“They could easily pilot it in.” She managed to think and grinned. To the young captain the automation was nothing more than a pain in the ass than actually doing any good. Still she used it anyway, because it was regulations.

Slowly the ship entered and behind hem the huge space-dock doors closed and inside many other types of ship lines the docks of the port. In one section, many decommissioned ships lined a tenth of the bay itself and the others are active duty Starships that make up the fleet.

“Docking bay ten,” Ihsss managed to mutter and turned her head to Hi’Mthsss her daughter who sat at her console. In the lounge, amidst many people who sat here, they all stood as they heard the announcement. ”Magellanic Clouds, now arriving docking bay 10...” They stood, as if in homage to the battered Star Cruiser, unable to believe they were seeing the clear signs of heavy battle. On the bridge, the crew busily worked.

“Veloxa, activate all moorings.” Ordered the captain and turning the Insect-like helmsman nodded.

“Aye captain.” The Insectoid Helmsman replied in an accented voice.

“Gantry is activated, as is the dock walkway.” Sibrina reported.

Outside the ship again, as it hovered in the bay assigned for its arrival, a large gantry moved from the sleek white side of the Space dock and level to the port side missile launchers that the gantry connected with the hatch there.

“Gantry in place and in sealed lock position.” Veloxa reported and hit the console, grinning.

“Inform all hands that repairs will be starting work at sixteen hundred. All off-duty personnel can start leave and duty sections must be off-line when repair crews come aboard.”

Hi’Mthsss turned from the console. “Captain, subspace message, private and scrambled arriving for you. Admiral Blitz.” She said. Ihsss rose from her chair quickly, and headed to a nearby hatchway.

“I’ll take it in my ready room.” She said, and stepped through the hatchway where a small office stood. She sat down at the desk and clicked the console.

“Alright Hi… pipe it through.” She ordered and after a moment the face of Admiral Blitz appeared on the monitor.

“Captain T’Larra.” He said, nodding to her.

“Greeting Admiral.” She said, returning the nodded greeting.

“I got word of your report, and you and your first officer must come to Headquarters at once. We have a lot to discuss, on the battle that took place, numbers and ship type.” He said.

“Yes sir.”

“Please come to my office at Headquarters at fifteen hundred hours.” Ordered the Admiral, “as for your crew, I am offering them extended shore leave. We have an important job lined up for you and your gallant crew.” Ihsss smiled.

“Aye Admiral, I’ll do that.” She said.

“See you then.” He replied and with a blink the terminal view screen went dark.

“Attention all hands, shore leave is extended by order of Admiral Blitz.” Ihsss said quickly into the intercom, “All off duty personnel may disembark and shut down procedures will commence for all duty personnel.” A cheer went up outside the door and toothily, the reptilian woman grinned. “Have a good shore-leave.”

“Felonious Purrtz please report to my ready room.” She clicked the intercom channel closed. A moment later, Felonious stepped through the doors into her ready room and Ihsss’ regarded him in silence. She motioned him through the doorway

“We have to go to headquarters.” She told him and he stared at her.

“When?”

“By fifteen hundred,” Ihsss told him, “It seems that Headquarters wants to put and keep a lid on this.”

“Great. What the hell Ihsss, we went through hell out there, and they’re gonna keep a lid on this.” He muttered, “They must have a reason right?”

“That’s in our debriefing.” Ihsss countered, “Better wear dress uniform, we might have to go before the Federation council, and explain this encounter to them.”

“You bet. We had better.” Felonious replied, “I don’t like cloak and dagger business.”

“You got that right, Felonious, neither do I.” Ihsss replied, “We will be leaving within the hour, however. We have an appointment at fifteen hundred hours.”

“Right.” The Feline First Officer replied, and he crossed his legs, “Do you know what this is about though Ihsss?”

“Blitz was not specific. I assuming it is debrief for the encounter with the Cybertron.” The Reptilian Captain replied, “But I suspect it could mean a prelude to war and our being assigned to a task force pretty soon to see action.” Felonious had a grimace on his face, and he shook his head.

Ihsss checked the clock on her terminal. ’14:45’ it said and she motioned to it.

“It’s almost time Fel.” She whispered, “Have Voloxa monitor repairs while we are away and the skeleton crew on board, as he will be in operational charge.”

“Aye, I will let him know.” Felonious replied, and he nodded his furry head sharply. He stood up and he walked toward the hatchway to the bridge, and Ihsss watched him go as the hatched closed behind him. She had a worried expression on her face and she was a tad uneasy about this meeting with the Admiral at headquarters.

“We will know in a few minutes, what is what.” Ihsss muttered and turned to her console to begin typing out a quick message before she departed.

On Earth, in Headquarters: Lieutenant Montgomery and Lieutenant Watson stood at the window of their room in the Hospital. As they peered out at the San Francisco Bay, they wait for another day for their medical and did not know of the battle that is to come for Earth. They are still recovering from stasis, despite the long period they spent in cryogenic storage. Both still wait any day for release from medical, debrief from stasis and welcome into the new military they now find themselves.

“Damn, this is going to be hell.” Emily grumbled, staring out at the bay window at the spectacular view and at the air trams that streaked across the sky.

“What’s wrong Emily?” Denise asked, glancing at her roommate who stood beside her.

“I don’t know, I am just getting cabin fever, I guess.” Emily replied, and she managed a sigh.

“You shouldn’t be like that Em, you’ll be getting out of here soon.” A voice said and Emily and Denise both turned with a gasp. Lieutenant Commander Angie Stethem stood in the doorway and they glanced at each other before bolting toward her. They ran toward her and embraced the young woman who stood in the unfamiliar light blue, dark blue trimmed uniform. She had a gold braid attached to the uniform at the left shoulder of it, marking her as an admiral’s aide.

“Holy shit…! Angie?” Denise exclaimed, “How can you be here?”

“I don’t believe it!” Emily replied sharply as she too stared at a friend from long ago from a place long and far away.

“I am glad to see you two.” Angie replied, smiling, turning as Amy and Melinda entered, clad in the unfamiliar black and green uniform of the Marines and the gray and green uniform of the EDC Army. They smiled seeing Angie standing in the room.

“I was in another stasis group.” She replied solemnly, “We were put in a year before your group was, and awakened a year before yours. By a strange fate of luck and it’s going to be Stethem-Miller.”

“Wow, I didn’t know there was another group.” Emily stated sharply, and Angie nodded.

“Yes, for the same thing as your team. Our group was listed as missing as an explosion in the chamber caused a cave in and killed everyone inside of it.” Angie said, “That’s why your team was created… but anyway…”

“So you are married?” Denise asked, smiling broadly.

“Yes, to me.” Another voice replied and they looked over at a Commander who stood in the door. They stared at the unfamiliar face, and body of the young man who stood there. He has a medium height and build, brown hair and one blue eye on the scarred face. A black patch covers the left eye. His face is rugged looking, and he wears a heavy beard. He wears the same unfamiliar uniform of the space fleet of the Earth Defense Command and on it he also has the ship insignia of the U.S.S. Ridgeback, a Star Cruiser Class Starship, where he has been serving on board as the First Officer for the last year while Angie had been serving at Earth Headquarters.

“Who are you?” Denise and Emily asked together, and he managed a smile finally recognizing their familiar faces from long ago in a different place. He and Angie had been together in Bellbrook High School a long time ago. The Commander knew a few of them in the second group from Bellbrook and also Wilcox who had been in the group.

“I am her husband.” He replied solemnly, “Commander Miller, Nathaniel Miller, First Officer of the U.S.S. Ridgeback, EDCR-312. It is nice to make your acquaintance again, Miss Montgomery and yours too, Miss Watson.”

Emily and Denise stared at the youthful officer, as he embraced Angie warmly, who smiled as he kissed her. Angie turned her head at the perplexed looks of her old friends from another time and place. They gasped loudly. Neither of them had told the Commander who they were.

“How on earth do you know who we are, Commander?” Denise demanded, but stopped, her mind a whirl of thought as she thought of his introduction. She at first had not recognized the name, but thinking on it further, something about him was so familiar from long ago. Emily stared at the youthful, one-eyed Commander who stood before them. She felt the same way about officer too. Something about him seemed familiar to her too. The Commander grinned, despite the heavily bearded face.

“I guess we are old friends.” He told them, “Bellbrook comes to mind, in like nineteen eighty-eight. I was there for three years after all.”

The duo thought about it, and they gasped. Denise was shaking her head.

“No it can’t be…” Emily gasped, “Nathaniel Miller?”

“Nah.” Denise exclaimed quietly, “It can’t be. He can’t be here.”

Emily stared at the young man and after a moment she shook her head, and lunged to embrace the Commander warmly. She laid a passionate kiss on his lips. The Commander inhaled sharply as he struggled, and he took a step back from her.

“Careful Emily, I’m married.” He whispered and she nodded.

Angie looked on, smiling as Emily stepped back. She peered into his eyes. Angie had let the embrace and kiss pass, understanding that it was just the kiss off old friends, reunited after a long time, and it didn’t mean anything. She knew her husband wouldn’t go any further.

“I know… It is you, however. ” She said warmly, “I don’t believe it, but you are actually here.”

“Bet your life, I am!” He chortled as he returned her embrace. Denise stepped forward and she clapped him on the shoulder as their voices echoed around the room.

“So, Commander, what brings you to Headquarters?” Angie asked, “I thought you were at space dock with your ship, making repairs.”

Denise and Emily glanced at each other as he turned to his wife.

“I was. I just had to complete a final briefing here at the EDC HQ for a mission we are undertaking in three days.” He told her, and he glanced at Emily and Denise.

“Seth and his team are shipping out, and my ship is going to do the drop.” He said and Emily gasped. “Seth was an old buddy back in my old neighborhood back in the nineties too, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of him.”

Emily nodded, “If you do, you have my thanks. He’s my fiancé to be too.”

Nathaniel and the others turned and they all smiled.

“Count on it.” He replied, and he embraced his wife, while turning. “Meanwhile, welcome to the twenty-third century.”

Denise and Emily smiled, bowing and he motioned to them to the beds as they took a seat and they began talking, catching up on old times after several centuries of being apart as friends. Now they were together by a fluke of science, and by beating the longest odds in the history of the century. They had finally come home.

WC:6,447

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