Chapter 5 Part 1

Chapter 5


Nathan and Cain were going over a set of intelligence reports when the news of the recon probe came in. "Sir," the administrative assistant chimed in. "Admiral Fisk is here."

Nathan and Cain glanced at each other. "Did you say he was on the line or that he was actually here," Cain asked the intercom.

"I am here, gentlemen, the admiral, an elderly but active man said as he barged into the room. "Circumstances have arisen that require my personal involvement."

"Come in, Fisk," Nathan offered. "Tell us what you have in mind."

The admiral removed a disc from his portfolio and passed it to Nathan. "Please display the recon report."

Nathan passed the disk to Cain who set about calling the requested file onto the terminal. At the same time the admiral began to brief them.

"Yesterday morning, per your request, I ordered the Andromeda to launch an unmanned probe past the Jovian system and into the leading Trojan asteroid field." The terminal screen flared and the display was that of the probe's course from the trailing edge of the Galilean moons around Jupiter and outward towards the asteroid field.

"The probe slept for most of the trip after its final boost and was unmolested. But at intercept minus two hours, as is standard procedure, it became active, oriented itself and ran a diagnostic of its capabilities. All systems checked out and for about ten minutes we got a good look at the asteroid field from a distance. Then the probe went dead." The admiral typed a few characters into the terminal. "This was the last thing it recorded as it was about to enter its surveillance mode."

On the screen, the probe was swinging about to bring the asteroids into view when a flash of light arched out from a large shiny asteroid. The steady amber beam swung closer and when it met the probe, the image disappeared.

"Our experts suspect that that was one of the Syndicate's new Petawatt Proton Cannons," the admiral informed his audience. "Whatever they have out there they don't want anyone getting close enough to get a good look at it."

"Is that all we have?" Cain asked.

"No," the admiral answered. He entered a few more commands and the scene played over again at a reduced speed. "Watch closely," he told them.

The scene swung about to include the asteroid field, just as it had done earlier. "Freeze," the admiral said as he tapped the keyboard's pause button. "Enhance grid twelve mark eighteen." The computer blew up the image. One of the asteroids looked just a little too regular.

"A Syndicate Star Carrier," Cain recognized the shape. The craft was long and blocky. with dozens of protrusions along its spine.

"Sharp eye," the admiral commented. "That she is. About three quarters the length of one of our own, but more heavily armed for combat. The Syndicate believes exclusively in fighter craft. They don't need extra space for VRADS."

"Wait a minute," Nathan interrupted. "We have intel reports that both of the Syndicate's carriers are elsewhere."

"It would appear that they now have three of them," The admiral pointed out. "Actually I am somewhat jealous. I wish I had been the one to come up with the idea of turning an out of the way asteroid field into a shipyard."

"Well that is all fine and dandy," Cain agreed. "So we found out that the Syndicate is in the leading Trojan field. That still doesn't explain the proton cannon or the meteors."
The admiral lifted a finger. "Enhance grid nine mark twelve."

Cain followed the request and the screen shifted. The large shiny asteroid came into focus and took on the shape of a massive parasol with the handle pointed towards the sun. Hundreds of artificial lights speckled the length of the structure. The open fabric of the parasol turned out to be an enormous solar collector.

"We estimate that that thing can generate up to two hundred gigawatts per hour of power," the admiral stated. "And if you enhance grid six mark fifteen, you will see the answer to your question."

Cain did so. The screen changed and they were greeted with an image of a large engine attached to the back side of an large rock. "A mass driver," Cain spat.

It was a mass driver. Not a tool of war at all, but a large and powerful engine used to move large chunks of rock about for industrial purposes.

"Rather inventive if you think about it," Nathan commented dryly. "But I have never seen one that large."

"We think that they use it to accelerate massive bodies on their target course, and then detach before reaching the main asteroid belts," the admiral offered.

Nathan studied the screen and thought long and hard. "All right," he stated at last. "I am convinced. We have identified the source of the threat. MIRA's part in this is done. Now it is up to the military." He addressed the admiral. "I will make my report within the hour. If I were you, I would expect orders to come down from the Commander in Chief of SDC not long afterward."

"You are probably right," Fisk agreed. "It will be better if we get a head start on the planning." The admiral gathered his materials. "Gentlemen if you would care to take part, I would value your advice."

"I think I will pass," Cain declined. "I have to get back to what I was doing before all this began."

"I was in Omaha before all this began," Nathan admitted. "So I can't go exactly pick up what I dropped. I guess I'll drop by later and lend a hand if possible."

"You are more than welcome, Nathan," the admiral assured him. "When you arrive at Ft. Leonov, dial this number at the guard shack." The admiral scribbled a number on the back of a sliver of paper. "It is a non-priority comm line to the command post. I will alert them that you will be coming in. They will give you directions." Nathan took the note and watched as the admiral left.

"How long have you two known each other?" Cain asked.

"A fair age," Nathan admitted. "The admiral was an instructor back when I went through flight school."

"I didn't know that you were in the military."

"Oh yes. A long time ago," Nathan reminisced. "I flew and Adder in the 88th Fighting Cobras."

"Adders were single seat fighters, weren't they?" Cain asked.

"That they were. They were good ones too until the VRADs and Sidewinders were developed. Now they are obsolete. Some are still in operation, mostly as reserve craft. And a few others that are still on active duty are scheduled to be replaced over the next year or so."

"Don't feel bad," Cain advised. "The Sidewinders are the most advanced fighters in the Market's arsenal, and the VRADs are still untried in full combat. Their concept is sound, but in reality, who knows?"

"They had better hold up," Nathan warned. "An awful lot has been banked on their development." He stood and left Cain Bostik with those thoughts. "I'll see you around, Cain," Nathan said as he left.