Chapter 4
Return to Earth
When he came to Marlais Beach, Leek Lanzia had been fairly certain he wouldn’t get the long holiday that he’d been promised, but he’d still expected more than a couple of days. But General Zitor was his good friend, and Leek didn’t want to take out his frustration on him. He assumed that either Threebeard or Lorin had intentionally sent his old friend, probably to blunt his reaction to being summoned back from holiday so soon. Their trick angered him even more.
“So, what’s the bad news?” Leek asked despondently.
“I’m afraid all negotiations with Intergalactic Command have broken down and their departure from Clarion is imminent.”
Leek took a deep breath. “Well, I can’t say that surprises me. I thought the negotiations would go on a little longer, though.”
“As did I, but apparently Evohn Cystrom is wielding more influence with his fellow officers than we expected. He may be trying to step into his father’s shoes.”
“But there are four or five officers of superior rank at Clarion, aren’t there?”
“Yes, but none as ambitious and determined as he, I’m afraid.”
“So, when do you think they will leave?”
“Soon. Particularly after what happened this morning.”
“Why, what happened? I didn’t hear about anything.”
“I was just informed of it myself. Apparently Rupra Bruda has escaped.”
“What! How did that happen?”
“I don’t know the details, but they got him while he was being transported to the airport to be flown to Shisk for trial.”
A horrible feeling came over Leek. “Oh, Sandee! That means we have another spy in Central Command!”
“You think so?”
“How else could they have known when he was to be transported?”
“Hmm. You may be right.”
Leek fell back into his chair in despair. “So, now what do we do? They surely will be headed to Earth.”
“Yes, that’s Lorin’s and Threebeard’s fear, too. That is why our three operational shuttles are being readied for immediate departure for Earth. If we can get there before the Intergalactic Fleet, we can warn the governments there and help them put up a defense.”
Leek leaned forward. “Yes! That’s a good idea.”
“The only one that’s feasible, I’m afraid.”
“Right. I need to be on one of those shuttles, General. I’m the only one who can immediately make contact with the proper authorities on Earth.”
“Through your father?” General Zitor asked.
“Yes. He has contacts with the American CIA, the agency handling the Tarizon Repopulation Project. With my father’s help we can warn the Americans of the danger, and they’ll believe us. Any other approach would take too long, and time will be critical.”
“Well, command of the mission is yours, if you’ll take it.”
Leek frowned. “Why wouldn’t—oh, Sandee. I can’t leave Lucinda and Tokin again. Not so soon.”
Leek shook his head dejectedly.
“I would say take them with you, but it would be dangerous.”
“I’d like them to come and meet my family, but with Earth under attack I might end up getting them killed.”
“True. It’s a difficult situation. You’ll have to discuss it with Lucinda. I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the day to consider it, but you must leave tonight to make it to Earth Shuttle 26 before it launches.”
Leek nodded thoughtfully. “Okay, thank you, General. I’ll be ready.”
The general left and Leek went to look for Lucinda. He found her in the bedroom watching Tokin sleep. She didn’t look up. He sat on the end of the bed and sighed.
“Did you hear the news?” he asked.
“No. I couldn’t bear to hear it.”
“The Fleet is about to embark. Our only hope is to send our three shuttles immediately to Earth to warn them of the attack.”
“What good will that do?”
“It may not do any good, but with our help they might at least have a chance of defending themselves.”
“Might? What are the odds realistically—a hundred to one that the attack will be successful?”
“Lucinda, listen to me. Earth is my home. My family is there. If the odds were a thousand to one I’d still have to take that chance. I have to be on board one of those shuttles when it leaves.”
She lowered her head and sighed.
“You’re right, of course. You don’t have a choice.”
“No. I don’t.”
“So, we’ll come with you,” she said forcefully. “I don’t want to be left alone again. Tokin needs his father.”
“But it will be incredibly dangerous. I couldn’t in good conscience put you two in such danger.”
“We’ll always be in danger wherever we are. What if those marauding ex-TGA soldiers we heard about yesterday find out that the Liberator’s mate and son are in town, alone? Don’t you think that kidnaping us would at least cross their minds?”
“You’ll be protected.”
“Sure. Like I was protected the last time you left me.”
Lucinda’s words stung Leek. Tears welled in his eyes. She was right, of course. He’d left her, and she’d ended up in Pritzka Prison. He couldn’t imagine what she must have gone through, the horror she must have felt. Whenever he’d asked her about the details of her ordeal, she’d refused to talk about it. It was too traumatic to even think about, she’d said. She’d gone through therapy and been released, but there were scars left that would always be there.
Leek sighed. “Okay, then. I guess that settles it. I can’t turn my back on Earth and my family, nor can I leave you again. I just pray to God and Sandee that we’re doing the right thing. I will die if anything happens to you or Tokin.”
Lucinda took Leek’s hand and smiled gently. “If something happens to us, then chances are we’ll all be united in heaven.”
“I don’t know. Can a soldier responsible for so much blood and death go to heaven?”
“Don’t talk like that. You had no choice. And you were fighting on the side of God and Sandee!”
Leek lowered his head, struggling to compose himself. “I don’t know about that,” he said softly.
Lucinda put her arms around him and held him tightly.
After a while, Tokin woke up and began to cry. Lucinda let go of Leek and went to him.
“You better tell Tehra and Brina what's going on. I’ll start packing,” she said.
When General Zitor arrived early that evening in a Grinden 230, Leek, Lucinda, and Tokin were nearly ready to leave. But they hadn’t yet said goodbye to Tehra and Sophilo.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving us,” Tehra said. “I wish I could come with you.”
“I thought about that,” Leek said, “but frankly, I don’t want to be responsible for my parents’ divorce. It would be very awkward for everyone, and I don’t think my mother would forgive Dad for fathering a child with another woman, whatever the circumstances.”
“I understand,” Tehra replied. “I promised your father he’d never see me again, anyway.”
“I know he’d love to see you and Sophilo, but not at the expense of his marriage. He loves my mother.”
“I know he does.”
General Zitor coughed. “We’re going to miss the shuttle if we don’t get going.”
Lucinda and Tehra hugged each other, and then everyone piled in the Grinden for the short ride to the air terminal. On the way, General Zitor briefed Leek on the latest developments.
“Earth Shuttle 26 has been stocked and fueled and is ready for departure. In fact, I’ve arranged for the ship to pick us up at the air terminal here. That will save several kyloons.”
“Who’s our captain?” Leek asked.
“Captain Shilling. There wasn’t time to find a new captain and get him up to speed.”
“I thought she was handling the sabotage of the Fl
eet.”
“She’s done all she can do at this end. Now it’s up to the people on Clarion. If they fail, we want our best captain at the helm of Earth Shuttle 26.”
“When will the other two shuttles be ready?”
“Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, they’ll be under way. Now all we have to do is delay the Intergalactic Fleet’s departure as long as possible.”
“Even with our head start, is there a chance the Fleet could beat us to Earth?”
“No. There haven’t been any advances in FTL drive technology since the shuttles were built. Space exploration hasn’t been a top priority since the great eruptions. You should still arrive at Earth ahead of the Fleet.”
As they approached the air terminal, they saw the huge Earth shuttle sitting on the tarmac. It was a familiar sight to Leek, as it had been his headquarters during the civil war. But it looked much bigger now. Previously, he had only seen it when most of the ship was buried underground at its Doral Mountains site.
The saucer-shaped giant measured some 360 feet across at its mid section and 90 feet from top to bottom. There were five decks, and when fully loaded it could carry over two thousand passengers. The crew occupied the top deck, where the bridge was located. The bottom deck was for ship’s stores and cargo; it also housed the FTL drive. The three middle decks were designed for passengers. During flight, most of the passengers were put into deep sleep to maximize the number who could be transported. On this mission, however, with less than 500 passengers aboard, nobody would be sleeping.
To her credit, Captain Shilling had anticipated the need for Earth Shuttle 26 to return to Earth, and had ordered it be refitted for military transport duty. It was already equipped with all the necessary equipment to coordinate a military operation since it had served as headquarters for the 3rd Loyalist Army. Now a second deck had been cleared out so that it could carry fighters, missiles, and a variety of combat equipment to support the new mission profile. The third and fourth decks were converted into hydroponics and engineering units, and a training facility for the crew and military personnel had been added.
When Leek and his companions pulled up in front of the main hatch, Captain Shilling stepped out to greet them. A crew member rushed over and opened the Grinden’s door. Leek stepped out and smiled at the Captain. He then took Tokin from Lucinda, held him in one arm, and helped Lucinda out with his other hand.
“Welcome, Commander,” Captain Shilling said.
“Thank you,” Leek replied. “You’ve met Lucinda, haven’t you?”
Captain Shilling nodded. “Yes, briefly. I was glad to hear you were coming. The trip to Earth is always quite boring. It will be nice to have another woman aboard, and a baby to play with.”
“Yes, we are both very excited to be here,” Lucinda said. “Tokin finally will be able to spend some time with his father.”
“That’s right. He’ll be stuck on the ship for the next cycle.”
Leek smiled. “That’s fine with me.”
After the luggage had been unloaded and taken aboard, Captain Shilling escorted them up the ramp and onto the ship. After the hatch had been secured, her first officer, Lt. Lakee, approached her.
“Captain, we’re ready for departure,” he reported.
“Very well, I’ll head straight up to the bridge. Have Lucinda and Tokin taken to their quarters. Commander, will you join me on the bridge?”
“Of course,” Leek said. “It will be my pleasure.”
Leek had visited the shuttle’s bridge several times, but never been in it when the ship was in flight. Today it was a hub of activity, as a dozen crewmen worked diligently, preparing for takeoff. The Captain took her seat in the center of the circular room and directed Leek to sit in an empty chair behind her.
“All systems are go, Captain,” Lt. Lakee advised.
She nodded. “Then take us to Earth!”
“Fire thrusters,” Lt. Lakee ordered.
The ship rocked slightly and then began to rise. Leek still had trouble believing something as large as Earth Shuttle 26 could lift right off the ground the way it did. Of course, he had no idea how a shuttle’s thrusters worked and simply marveled every time he saw them in action.
As the shuttle gained speed, Leek felt substantial discomfort from the rapid acceleration out of Tarizon’s atmosphere. As a fighter pilot, he’d experienced up to 10 Gs of force, but this was far stronger than anything he’d ever encountered. He thought of Lucinda and Tokin and wondered how they were faring.
Finally, the ship escaped the planet’s atmosphere, and the intense pressure eased off. Leek immediately felt a sense of lightness and realized they were in zero gravity. He pushed off from his chair slightly and began to float.
“Initiate artificial gravity,” Lt. Lakee ordered.
Leek fell hard back into his chair. Captain Shilling laughed.
“Sorry about that, Commander. I guess I should have let you float around awhile just for the fun of it.”
“No. That’s all right,” he said, smiling. “I kind of like having my feet on the ground.”
“Me too.”
Leek watched the huge monitor displaying Tarizon as its image grew smaller and smaller. The pale, orange-enshrouded planet, with splotches of blue at its poles, was a magnificent sight and quite mesmerizing. He’d never actually seen Tarizon before from a distance, since on the way there from Earth he’d been in deep sleep. As Tarizon’s image shrank, Leek saw Clarion come into view.
“So, any word on the Intergalactic Fleet?” he asked. “They haven’t left, have they?”
“No,” Captain Shilling replied. She explained to him how she’d convinced some of the workers on Clarion to sabotage the Fleet’s ships. “That should, at least, delay their departure for a while.”
“Good,” Leek said and stood up. “Captain, if you don’t need me for anything right now, I think I’d like to check on Lucinda and the baby.”
“Yes, of course,” Captain Shilling said, and nodded to one of her officers. “Lt. Brigi will show you to your quarters. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Leek saluted casually and took one last look at the receding view of Tarizon before he left the bridge. Lt. Brigi, a short brunette with a pleasant smile, walked briskly through the maze of corridors, with Leek following close behind.
“So, what’s your duty on the ship?” Leek asked.
“Communications, intelligence,” she explained. “I monitor communications channels and also the ship’s scanners. You know: Keep an eye on what’s going on ahead and around us so I can warn the Captain of any potential dangers.”
“Right,” Leek said, following Lt. Brigi through a hatch.“I can’t believe how they’ve reconfigured this ship,” he added, noting the many changes made since he’d last been aboard. “I used to know my way around pretty good.”
“Yes, they completely gutted the interior and rebuilt it for this mission.”
Lt. Brigi stopped in front of a cabin. “Here you go,” she said. “There are no keys. Just stand in front of the door and the sensors will determine if you are authorized to enter the room. Oh. There’s a deck map in your room that you can study at your leisure.”
Leek nodded and stepped in front of the door. The lock immediately clicked, and he turned the handle and pushed it inward. “Thank you, Lt. Brigi. See you at dinner.”
“Yes, sir,” she replied and left.
Leek closed the door and was surprised to see an unfamiliar woman holding Tokin.
“Hi, ah . . . who are you?” he asked.
The woman stood up and tried to salute without dropping Tokin. Lucinda rushed in from the bathroom. “Oh hi, love. Meet Corporal Rushe.”
“You don’t need to salute me in my quarters, Corporal. Glad to meet you.”
“Corporal Rushe came by to say hello, and has offered to watch Tokin whenever we want to get out alone,” Lucinda explained.
Leek smiled. “How nice of you.”
“Oh, it would be my pleasur
e,” Corporal Rushe said. “I love babies and would be honored to keep an eye on yours now and again.”
“Well, we may take you up on your offer. I couldn’t ask our nanny to come on the trip because of the danger involved. I’d be happy to pay you.”
“No, no. I’ll enjoy the time with Tokin. It will make the long trip more bearable.”
“What’s your normal duty?”
“Food preparation, but I work the early shift, breakfast and lunch. I could watch Tokin during dinner so you can sit at the Captain’s table without any distractions.”
Leek looked at Lucinda and raised his eyebrows. She smiled. “That would be wonderful, Corporal,” Leek said. “I’ll get plenty of experience feeding Tokin breakfast and lunch. It would be nice to be able to eat dinner in peace.”
Corporal Rushe nodded and stood up. “Well, I must go.” She handed Tokin to Lucinda. “I know you need to unpack. I’m in Cabin 299 if you need me.”
Lucinda put Tokin against her shoulder and began rocking him. “Thank you, Corporal,” she said.
“You can call me Elann.”
“Okay, Elann.”
“I’ll come back at 2100 so you can go to dinner,” she said and tickled Tokin one last time. “Bye.”
She left and Leek closed the door. “Wow! This is going to be like a vacation. A babysitter. Dinner at the Captain’s table.”
Lucinda smiled. “I know. This is wonderful. I hope we never get to Earth.”
Leek put an arm around Lucinda and pulled her and Tokin close to him. “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to stop the Fleet. Then we’ll be able to settle down and enjoy a normal life.”
Lucinda sighed but said nothing. She knew the odds of stopping the Fleet were remote at best, but she didn’t want to spoil the moment, now that they were finally all together.
Leek forced a smile. All was well for now, but he knew when they finally did reach Earth they’d be incredibly outgunned, and the governments of Earth were ill-equipped to defend themselves against an invasion from outer space. He prayed that somehow God would show him the way to save Earth, just as He had guided Leek to victory on Tarizon.