Finally it came, “Alpha base has powered its weapons, and so has the E.D. F fleet. They are advancing in a defensive formation,” Vargev said.
In a defensive formation; that must mean they are going to place themselves between us and the station. Prevent any possible attack on the station itself, Michael pondered.
The Liberty and the rest of the Solarian fleet continued to cautiously advance.
“I suggest we power up our weapons and defences too,” Televis said.
“Negative,” Michael replied with a wave of the hand, still fixated on the viewer. “We don’t want to appear threatening.”
The enormous tower block sized rail-cannons adorning the outer hull of Alpha base slowly whirled into position and locked onto the slowly approaching Solarian fleet, as did the multitude of weapon systems within the E.D. F battlefleet arrayed between them.
“We have an incoming transmission, it’s from the station,” Televis said.
“Patch it through.”
Admiral Mason’s face appeared on the holographic viewer, together with the vast operations deck behind him. “Unidentified fleet, you have hereby violated E.O.C. A Territory, you are therefore ordered to stand down immediately, and prepare to be escorted out of E.O.C. A territory.” He took a short breath. “Any alteration in course, or attack upon E.O.C. A property will result in all necessary force,” the communication abruptly ended.
“Well, there’s your answer comrade, it was nice knowing you.”
And as the communication ended, the huge forms of three hulking Danitza class Battleships slowly turned their massive hulls toward the Solarian fleet, bringing their powerful primary rail-cannon turrets into play, as if to emphasize the point.
“We’re not done yet; contact the fleet, order all stop.”
“Fleet confirms,” Televis replied.
Right across the Solarian fleet, blue Ionic thruster systems glowed brightly; bringing the vessels to a dead stop.
The E.D. F fleet was now plainly visible. As was the massive form of Alpha base, fully one quarter the size of the moon, and the headquarters of the E.D. F for the past two decades. In galactic terms the two fleets and the station were nose to nose.
“Contact the station.”
“Channel open,” a nervous Televis replied.
“Alpha base command; this is Lieutenant Michael Alexander, we mean you no harm, we are here as your allies, repeat we mean you no harm.”
Admiral Mason studied the image of Michael Alexander on the stations own viewer. “He’s a human; this must be some kind of Krenaran trick. Try to get us to lower our defences while they attack. Prepare to open fire on my command.”
The massive gun turrets continued to track the Solarian fleet.
“They have weapons lock on us,” Vargev said with a worried tone in his voice.
Tense, silent seconds passed as Michael Alexander, and the Admiral studied each other over the viewer; finally Michael broke the silence between them.
“Contact the station again.”
The face of Mason re-appeared. “Admiral this is madness, we are not your enemy. We are not Krenaran, and this is not a trick, if we were Krenaran we would have attacked already. Please consider what you are about to do very carefully.” He paused to allow the admiral time to let what he said sink in. “Do you really want the lives of 65 allied ships, and a potential alliance that could change the whole face of this war to fall apart because of one mistake.”
Mason studied him for what seemed like an eternity; deep down he had to admit that this supposed Michael Alexander had a point. He looked over to the arrayed ranks of communications and operations personnel, the stakes were massive Mason already knew that. He prayed he was about to make the right decision, if not he had just handed E.O.C. A over to the Krenarans.
Anxious seconds passed as he went over and over his decision in his mind. “Cancel general quarters, and order the fleet to stand down. Allow the other fleet to dock.” Mason finally said with a sigh, as if the massive weight of that decision was suddenly lifted.
“What? Admiral; are you sure,” the young officer questioned.
“You heard me!” the admiral bellowed, he wasn’t about to be questioned by a junior officer. “Besides, someone has to take his finger off the trigger. There has been enough unnecessary bloodshed in this war already, without any more.”
“Err…yes Admiral,” the young officer complied.
Mason once again looked up at the image of Michael Alexander on the viewer, “Doors open, come on home.”
On board the Liberty, both Michael and Vargev breathed a huge sigh of relief, “thank you, Admiral.”
“Ahead one third sub-light until we are within docking range, then slow to docking speed.” He turned towards the Solarian crewmembers, “welcome to Alpha base.”
Within a few minutes the Liberty had docked with the station, while the Solarian fleet had formed up with the E.D. F one. The highly advanced crescent shaped Solarian battlecruisers were dwarfed by the massive, lumbering battleships of the E.D. F fleet.
Chapter 13
Escorted by a squad of E.D. F soldiers, Michael Alexander and Nikolai Vargev were marched across the vast operations deck towards the Admirals office, which occupied a small room off to the side of the huge main hall.
Once inside the Admiral nodded, and the troops left the three men alone. He rose from his black desk which was covered in a plethora of fleet reports, strategic information, casualty reports and a thousand other pieces of information, all no doubt vital to the war effort; and regarded the two men in front of him.
“Well, I hope you have a damned good explanation to account for all of this.”
“Actually Admiral we do,” both of them replied.
They told the Admiral the full story. Of how Major Vargev was on a training mission with his unit of commandoes when the Agemman colony was attacked. Of how the landing party sent by the Ulysses was massacred, leaving Michael as the only survivor. And of how they were both captured and brought on board a Krenaran ship, which they later succeeded in capturing; killing the second in command of the entire Krenaran military in the process.
And of how they met with the Solarian ambassador Kerulithar, and of the meeting with the Solarian council and of the subsequent alliance; bringing the Solarians into the war, and upgrading their captured Krenaran ship, renaming it the Liberty; and of the long journey back to Delta base and then finally here.
Then finally they told the Admiral what the Solarian council had said; the real reason why the Krenarans had invaded in the first place. Not for territory, or to destroy humanity, but for plain old water, and with it; wealth.
After hearing all of this, the Admiral rested back down in his seat, taking some time to think about the men’s story.
“My god, you guys are genuine war heroes. Somehow between the two of you, you have almost single handedly changed the course of the war. They will be handing out medals for a week for this!” the admiral eventually shouted in jubilation. “You shouldn’t be saluting me, I should be saluting you. And I am going to see to it that you get everything you deserve.”
“Well right now admiral; a rest would be well in order,” Michael suggested.
“Of course, of course; duly granted, take all the time you need.
“Oh and by the way; our fleet is only a small fraction of the total fleet that has come to help us, there are over seven hundred Solarian ships in total. They should be nearing bases right across our territory very soon; you might want to forewarn them. Just to make them aware they are on our side.”
“I’ll have my communications staff send out advance messages to the other bases and stations; it looks like they are going to be busy,” the admiral said with a smile.