Destiny

CHAPTER I

Captain Rem Nilan stared at the video screen without saying a word.  He knew the figure on the ship's screen was waiting for a response, but he just didn't have one yet.

His executive officer, Commander Frederick Yeager, was staring at the screen from behind him.  This time, unlike the countless situations in the past, he did not have a word to say.

What do you suggest? said Captain Nilan in almost a whisper.

Yeager looked away from the screen.  There was no way of knowing whether or not the Empire admiral was able to read lips.  He didn't want to risk it just in case he was.

I suggest you answer his hail for communications, said Yeager.

Nilan turned to his communications officer, a young female ensign.  Patch me in with the Promenade.

Yes, sir, she said.

Seconds later, the communications light turned-on indicating Captain Nilan was in communication with the commander of the Promenade.

This is Captain Rem Nilan of the Eden System Vessel Thurston Seven.  You are entering Fleet territory.  Please identify yourself.

The face of the figure on the video screen displayed a smile.  This is Admiral David Stewart of the Empire Vessel Promenade.  You are ordered to surrender your vessel to me.

Captain Nilan thought to himself for a couple of seconds before he turned back to Yeager.  By how much does he outgun us?

Seven to one, sir.

Can we make a run?

Negative, sir.  Their missiles would destroy us long before we could get any distance between us.

How many shots can we take from their weapons?

Yeager thought quickly.  Without shields, we might be able to take two missiles or four laser blasts.

And with our shields?

Four or five missiles before our shields become defective.  Then, we'll be down to just our armor.

How many blasts can we take from their lasers?

Unlimited, he replied.  Their lasers cannot shoot through our shields.

That might be useful, said Captain Nilan as he turned back to the video screen.  Admiral Stewart?

The figure looked up.  Are you ready to surrender, Captain Nilan?

I would like to discuss the terms for our surrender, he said.

You are wasting my time, said Admiral Stewart.

Captain Nilan turned back to Yeager.  Can we at least reach light speed before they fire at us?

Yeager shook his head no.  We won't make it, sir.

Damn, he said.  I can't believe it's going to end like this.

Sir, might I make a suggestion?

Of course.

Have you considered surrendering?

Never, said Captain Nilan.  We are the only ship blocking the Empire from crossing into Eden.

The communications officer was trying to flag down Captain Nilan.  Sir, we have a scrambled message from Eden Fleet Headquarters.

Put it on the screen, said Captain Nilan before a smile crossed his face.  He realized the Promenade's admiral was still on the screen.  Rescind that order.

Captain Nilan, said Admiral Stewart.  I have been instructed to give you ten minutes to decide the fate of your crew.  You are to surrender or you will be destroyed.

How can I be guaranteed that you will not harm my crew?

Admiral Stewart smiled.  I have a personal message to you from the emperor.  He suspected I'd be running into you.

I'm listening, said Captain Nilan.

So was everyone else on the bridge.  It was not often an Eden Fleet officer received a personal message from the emperor, especially when Eden Fleet was about to go to war with the Empire.

The emperor states that upon surrendering your vessel, you will be flown back to Earth where you will be offered an admiralty with the Empire.  It seems the emperor is quite aware of the many missions you have performed with the Thurston Seven and is just as impressed.

The crew of the Thurston Seven stared at Captain Nilan in awe.  They knew their leader was famous, but not to the extent of being honored by the enemy.

Yeager tapped Captain Nilan on the shoulder.  The crew is willing to do whatever you decide.  If you order surrender, they will give up their arms.  If you decide to fight, they will fight to their deaths.

That won't be necessary, said Captain Nilan.  He turned back to Admiral Stewart.  Please give me fifteen minutes to inform my crew that I will be offering my surrender.

I cannot allow fifteen minutes, said Admiral Stewart.

If I am not given time, my people will believe we are being invaded whenever your boarding party decides to come aboard.  They will fight to their deaths.  You will lose a lot of people for no reason.

Ten minutes, said Admiral Stewart, and then we take control of your ship.

In ten minutes, the ship will be yours, said Captain Nilan.

Do I have your word you will not be pulling any of your famous tricks? said the admiral.

Captain Nilan managed a weak smile, which under the circumstances was the best he could do.  I promise you that in ten minutes, this ship will be yours to take.

The admiral stared at him for a couple of seconds.  All right.  You have ten minutes.

Yeager stared at Captain Nilan.  He could not believe his commander was actually going to surrender.  In all of his years of serving under him both on the Thurston Seven and in combat with the Fleet Marines, he would never have believed the man was capable of surrendering.  Are you sure you're doing the right thing? he said to his long time leader and friend.

Captain Nilan turned to Yeager.  "David, I want you to head back into the officers’ quarters and get me a young ensign.  Her name is Laura Bontein; she is one of our security personnel.

Yeager stood a couple of seconds without moving.  Are you sure?

Go, he said.  He motioned for his communications officer to cut-off contact with Admiral Stewart.

Captain Nilan noticed his communications officer motioning to him again.  Sir, we have the message from Eden Fleet Headquarters waiting for your review.

Unscramble it, and await my orders to play it, he said.  Until then, I want you to prepare a personal message to the members of our crew from me.

Yes, sir, she said as she pressed the record button on her console.  Recording now, sir.

"This is Captain Rem Nilan.  Approximately ten minutes ago, we intercepted an Empire battle cruiser heading towards our system.  This same battle cruiser has ordered us to surrender our ship.  This initiated the first act of war between our systems.  Therefore, I order every one of you to rush to the escape vehicles and mini-fighters.  Get off this ship and as far away from here as possible.

"I don't advise you to head towards any of the Empire territories for the obvious reasons, and I don't advise you to head towards Eden.  There is a good chance the Empire will be attacking there within the hour as it always happens whenever a lone battle cruiser hits a border.  The other ships are probably traveling above light speed on their way towards us now.

"I wish each and every one of you luck wherever you go.  I trust you will be ready to unite one day soon when we have found the power and means of fighting back against the Empire.  Until then, please take everything I have taught you wherever you go.  We will unite one day victorious for the cause of peace and freedom.

Captain Rem Nilan out.

The communications officer hit the rewind button on her console.  It is recorded, sir.

When we are down to two minutes, you are to play that message.

Yes, sir.

Captain Nilan turned to his navigator, an older lieutenant.  When this message goes out, I want you to lock-on our missiles to the Promenade's missile launchers and then throw up our shields.  Once you receive the first sign of communications from the Promenade, you are to switch the computer to auto-fire.  The Promenade's crew should be too confused to figure out what is happening.

Then what, sir?

Get off the ship, son, he said.  There's no need to stick around and die.  The lieutenant stared at him with confusion in his eyes.  There's a place for that somewhere else, and in the future, he continued, not here and now.

Yes, sir, he said with a smile.  He figured Captain Nilan wouldn't have wanted him to go down with the ship.

Commander Yeager re-entered the bridge with a young, black-haired woman in a red flight uniform.  There was no rank on her uniform.

Laura, said Captain Nilan.  It's time.

Commander Yeager noticed how he called her by her first name.  He realized formalities were probably not priorities at the moment.

How much time do we have, Captain? she said.

About six minutes before we begin evacuation procedures, he said.

A smile came to Yeager's face.  He realized he should have known Captain Nilan would never give up his ship without a fight.  Still, evacuation didn't sound like the greatest option, even in a no-win situation.

Ensign, said Captain Nilan to his communications officer.  Play back the Eden Fleet Headquarters' message.

She pressed a button on her computer console.

A grey-haired man appeared on the main screen.  He wore the tan robe of the Eden Council, the highest government body in the system.

Captain Rem Nilan, he said.  Our people have received word that the attack has begun.  Therefore, it is necessary to put our operation into effect.  I trust that Ensign Laura Bontein is with you at the present.

Captain Nilan turned to Laura.  The look on her face was serious.

I wish there was some other way we could have done this, continued the Eden Council representative.  However, it is necessary to the survival of our system.  I also trust that Commander Yeager is present.

Commander Yeager's mouth dropped open.  He knew nothing of a plan or why a leader of his government was mentioning him.

Ensign Bontein is completely aware of the mission.  She is to be your source for orders from now on.  Whatever she says is to be taken as a direct order from Eden Fleet Headquarters itself.

Yeager's mouth dropped open.  An ensign giving me orders?

Silence, David, said Nilan.

He stopped talking to listen to the rest of the broadcast.

I can't begin to tell you how important it is that you trust Miss Bontein.  She knows exactly what needs to be done for your mission to be a success.  I can't explain how or why.  That is her choice if she should decide to explain it in the future.  I am sure Captain Nilan has a good idea of why she is taking charge.  Until then, I wish you good luck.  We will be awaiting your success and pray it is sudden considering none of us relish the idea of serving under the Empire for long.

The screen went blank.

Wait a minute, said Yeager.  I'm not taking orders from any 'cruit ensign.

A smile came to Laura's face.

What are you smiling at, Miss? said Yeager.  Who do you think you are?

David! said Nilan.  Not now.

He motioned for Yeager and Laura to follow after him.  They headed towards the door to the bridge.

Captain Nilan turned back to the female communications officer.  Make sure that message gets out at the proper time.  Many lives will depend on it.

Yes, sir, she said.

Admiral Stewart was still staring at the blank-screen when his weapons officer motioned to him.  Sir, do you want our shields up?

No, said Stewart.  We are about to board the Thurston Seven.  There's no need to put up a defense when we're about to win.

The weapons officer stared at Stewart for a couple of seconds not sure of what to say.  Sir, Empire regulations state we are to maintain maximum shields at all times until the enemy vessel is completely under our control.

Stewart glared at the young officer.  Lieutenant!  Don't you ever quote Empire regulations to me!

Yes, sir, said the young man.  He decided not to say anything unless it was absolutely necessary.  He had seen careers destroyed in seconds by Admiral Stewart and did not feel a need to add his own to the list.  Fortunately, Stewart's anger rarely lasted long while the incident would be forgotten within the hour.

Captain Lewis, said Stewart.  What do you think?

Captain James Lewis was the executive officer of the Promenade and the only man Stewart trusted completely.  The two men had been through a lot together.

Captain Nilan is well known for his tricks, said Lewis.  I find it hard to believe he would just surrender his vessel to us that easily.

What can he do? said Stewart.  We outgun him and can outrun him if he should get a wild hair and try to make the jump past lightspeed.

Lewis thought for a second.  We must have overlooked something.  If he's that willing to surrender, he must have some type of plan.

Maybe we've finally caught Captain Nilan in a no-win situation.

Lewis shook his head no.  You know better than that.  With Nilan, there is no such thing as a no-win situation.

Then, what can he do?

Let me run his options through the computer, said Lewis as he turned towards his battle station computer.  Give me a minute.

Yeager stopped and stared at the door Nilan and Laura had just stepped through.  It was the entrance to the civilian flight hanger.

What are we doing here? said Yeager as he rejoined the duo.

Laura Bontein pointed at one of the ships.  That's my ship.

Yeager stared at it for a second.

It was larger than most civilian crafts he had seen on Fleet fighters.  It looked like a mini-fighter with another smaller mini-fighter beneath it.

What is it? said Yeager.

It's a flightship, said Laura.

I know that, he said.  What kind is it?

It's not from around here, said Laura.

She went up to the flightship and punched a code into the access panel.  The cargo door opened wide revealing a long ramp that stretched to the floor of the hanger.

Wait a minute, said Yeager.  If we're going to abandon the Thurston Seven, we may as well get in one of the mini-fighters.  This contraption won't last ten seconds once the Promenade’s scanners pick it up.  We'll never outrun them.

We are not going to outrun them, said Laura.  As a matter-of-fact, we are going to broadcast for their scanners to pick us up.

Both Nilan and Yeager stared at her in surprise. 

Are you going to listen to this, sir? said Yeager to Nilan.

I'm afraid we have to, said Nilan.  Her orders come straight from the Eden Council.

Yeager sighed.  I don't believe this.  She is going to get us killed.

If so, said Nilan, that's part of the plan.

Wonderful, said Yeager as he followed the duo into the ship.

The communications officer pushed the button on her console that played back the message from Captain Nilan.  The small group on the bridge stared at her in silence as the message went out over the ship's intercom.

The weapons officer, the highest-ranking officer still on the bridge, pressed the lock-on missile switch on his console.  Nervously, he edged his index finger over to the shields control switch.

Everyone off the ship, said the lieutenant.  You're not needed here.

The officers on the bridge stared at him.  They were not sure what to do.

The lieutenant turned to the communications officer.  Put the message on auto-playback and get off the ship.  Everyone else, get off the bridge and start getting people into the lifeships.

He turned to the science officer, the only other full lieutenant on the bridge.  Insure the pilots get to the mini-fighters.  They won't do us much good if they jump into lifeships.  We need cover for the people that do escape.

Yes, sir, said the science officer.

Go, said the weapons officer.  Now.

Everyone on the bridge but the weapons officer rushed the door.  The lieutenant watched as they disappeared behind the closing door.

Realizing he was alone on the bridge, he punched the button to generate full power to the ship's shields.

Admiral, said the navigator to Admiral Stewart.  The Thurston Seven's shields just went up.

What? he said.

Sir, their shields just went to full power.

Lewis stepped over to the navigator's viewing panel.  We should have expected it, he said.

Stewart turned to Lewis.  But what can they do?

Let's not take any chances, said Lewis.  We'd better raise shields.

Shields, sir? said the navigator.

The lieutenant on the bridge of the Thurston Seven pressed the auto-fire button and sat back as the first on many missiles hurled itself at the missile launchers of the Promenade.

He smiled to himself as the first one made a direct hit.

The explosion rocked the bridge of the Promenade throwing Stewart into the navigator's chair.  The navigator fell to the bridge floor.

Raise shields, said Stewart as he helped his subordinate off the floor.

The navigator slipped back into his seat and reached for the shields control switch.  The next blast threw him to the floor again.

Everyone strap yourself into your chair, said Stewart.  Ship on red alert.

Stewart pushed the alert switch on his chair.  The alarm went off almost immediately.

The navigator was back in his seat strapping himself in when the third blast hit the ship.  This time, however, he held onto the handles of his seat and continued strapping himself in.

Shields up, said the admiral.

The navigator punched the shields control switch.  Nothing, sir.

What?

We've lost control of our shields, said the navigator.

What's the status of our missiles? said Stewart.

Inoperative, sir, said the navigator.  They're firing at our missile launchers.

What about lasers? said Stewart.

The navigator did a quick check on his instrument panel.  Full power, sir.

Lock-on to their bridge, said Stewart.  I'll show them what an Empire battle cruiser can do.

Yes, sir, said the navigator.

Cancel that order, said Lewis to the navigator.

Stewart stared at him for a second.  Lewis was a loyal officer, not known to make rash decisions without forethought.  You'd better have a good reason for canceling my order.

Lasers cannot shoot through their shields.

He thought about the situation for a couple of seconds.  What do you suggest we do? said Stewart.

If they keep firing at us, they're going to cripple us completely.  I'd advise you to move us out of range of their missiles until we can restore shields.

Stewart thought for a quick second.  Get us out of range of their missiles, he said to his navigator.

Yes, sir, said the officer.

One by one, the escape vessels took off from the Thurston Seven's hangers.  Within a couple of minutes, there were over fifty lifeships in space.  There were also ten mini-fighters flanking them.  Minutes later, the space around the Thurston Seven was filled with vessels.  The number was uncountable.

The Thurston Seven continued firing at the Promenade until the target was completely out of range.  Once out of range, the auto-fire device went to computerized hold and waited for the Promenade to come back into range.

Stewart turned to Lewis.  How long will we be without shields?

Ten minutes, he said.

And missiles?

At least twenty, said Lewis.  They took a heavy blow.  If any of their vital points were hit, I can't even promise they'll be restored within the hour.

Get those shields repaired, said Stewart.

Admiral, said the navigator.  Excessive movement is coming from the hangers of the Thurston Seven.

Put it on the screen, said Stewart.

The screen cleared for a second before a computerized picture of the Thurston Seven came up.  The large numbers of escape ships could be seen.

They're trying to escape, said Lewis.

How many do you count? said Stewart to Lewis.

It's probably the entire crew.

Stewart smiled.  That's probably the biggest mistake Captain Nilan will ever make.  It might even be his last.

What are you going to do? said Lewis.  We can't move back in with the ship firing at our missile launchers.  Our shields won't hold up that long.

We'll wait for them, said Stewart.  How long until they leave the protection of the Thurston Seven?

The navigator glanced at the screen and then back down at his own viewing screen.  Ten minutes, sir.

Lewis smiled.  Of course, you realize they will break up once they leave the Thurston Seven's protection?

What does that matter? said Stewart.  We'll pick them off one by one until we get them all.

Lewis shook his head no.  Captain Nilan knew what he was doing.  We'll be lucky if we can get fifty percent of the ships before they start making jumps past lightspeed.

Lewis turned to the navigator.  Prepare to begin assault on the vessels coming from the Thurston Seven.  Use lasers only.

Stewart turned to Lewis again.  Have the sensors ready for readings.  We may as well record each vessel for future use.  The emperor will want to know exactly what it was we were up against.

Lewis nodded and turned to his battle station to program the request.

Yeager was surprised at how small the civilian vessel was.  From the outside, it looked huge.  However, from the inside, it lacked the comforts of having lots of room to stretch out in.

He followed Laura and Nilan into the cockpit that contained a huge video screen that served as a windshield.  It was presently blank.

Don't you have a window? said Yeager.

It's not needed, said Laura.  This ship can activate a forward camera if needed.

That's not wise, said Yeager.  What if your camera should be destroyed?

She turned to him and smiled.  The camera will never be destroyed.

He was about to say something when he realized Nilan was smiling at him.  There are things you don't yet understand, he said.  It will all be explained to you in time.

Yeager sat back and remained silent.  He hated being in the dark, especially when everything was exploding around him.

Strapping herself in, Laura pushed the power switch.  Lights flashed on throughout the cockpit.  Their front view came on through the video screen.

Yeager stared in amazement.  He had begun his career as a mini-fighter pilot and could not