Dawn of a New Age by Rick Bentsen Read Free Book Online

Duterius Prime.”
    K’Alan whirled to face Kath, a look of panic on his face.  He turned back to his own station and pulled up a copy of the transmission.
    “Holo!” Thala barked.
    In the open area in the center of the bridge, a holographic image of K’Itea Bryce appeared and began to slowly rotate so that everyone could see her.  Even though he’d already seen the transmission, K’Alan had to restrain himself from reacting as she looked as if she were positively panicking.
    “This is High Gentlewoman K’Itea Bryce of Duterius Prime requesting assistance from any nearby Star League Defense Force vessel.  We are under attack by unknown attackers.  I do not know how much longer planetary defenses can hold out.”
    “Masha, are there any closer ships that can respond?” Thala asked, pointedly ignoring K’Alan’s pained expression.
    “We’re the closest ship, Captain,” Masha reported after checking long range scanners.
    “Lieutenant Commander Yeuid, open a channel to Duterius Prime,” Thala ordered.  She stood up to face the holo.
    “Channel open, Captain,” Kath reported.
    “High Gentlewoman, this is Captain Thala Ker’sal of the SLS White Knight.  We have received your distress call and are en route.”
    “Thank you, Captain,” K’Itea said, relief flooding through her voice.
    “Captain, may I?” K’Alan asked after going over what little information was provided.
    Thala nodded to K’Alan, indicating that he should say what he needed to say.  She only hoped that he’d stay professional and not go all mushy on her.
    “Kit, can you send us whatever the planetary scanners have been able to record of the attackers?” K’Alan asked.  His tone was all business, even though his eyes clearly betrayed how worried he was.
    “Kal?” K’Itea’s voice registered a pleasant surprise at hearing her husband’s voice.  It was a comforting sound to her.  “Consider it done.  Just hurry please!”
    The holo fizzled out and K’Alan started going over the data K’Itea had sent.
    “Holo disconnected on their end, Captain,” Kath reported.
    “Ms. Silvermaine,” Thala turned back to her navigations officer.  She gripped the railing as she looked down to the lower level.  “How far away is the nearest jump gate that will take us to Duterius Prime?”
    “About ten minutes at maximum fusion drive, Captain,” Mara Silvermaine reported after checking what jump gates were in the area.
    “Set course and feed it to the helm.  Ms. Barros, I want maximum fusion drive immediately,” the captain barked out orders fast and furious.  “And prepare the jump engines.”
    “Aye, Captain,” Tyla reported.  “Maximum fusion drive is ready on your mark.”
    “Go,” Thala nodded.  She began drumming her fingers on her chair’s armrest impatiently.
    “Kit?” Kath whispered as K’Alan stepped over to her station.  “You speak so informally to the leader of your people?”
    “Only because I’m married to her,” K’Alan smiled broadly.  He activated the shipcall.  “Lancer, Falcon, and Hawk squadrons, scramble and meet in the flight deck in twenty minutes in full flight gear.  This is not a drill.  I repeat.  This is not a drill.”
    “Jump engines are ready, Captain,” Sarah reported from an engineering station.
    “Good,” Thala nodded tersely.
    Minutes ticked by slowly.  The bridge crew focused on the task at hand and K’Alan fidgeted nervously.  The wait seemed almost forever.  Soon the jumpgate loomed ahead of the White Knight, its iridescent gray energy swirling angrily.  Thala closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves for the first jump in a new ship.
    “Jump!” she ordered.
    K’Alan ran off the bridge towards the flight deck as the ship lurched towards the yawning jumpgate.
    “ETA to Duterius Prime, Ms. Barros?” Thala asked.
    “Thirteen minutes, Captain,” Tyla reported.
    “Brentax,” Thala growled.  She punched the armrest for emphasis.