The Broken Peace

With a bright flash, the Eurotas emerged from the FTL jump. Within moments the remainder of the fleet likewise completed their jumps. Tasso watched from the viewports as the ships came into view. Silently he counted each ship, knowing in the back of his mind he could not see them all.

"Admiral, jump four is complete. All ships are accounted for," reported the navigation officer.

"Good. How long until our next jump?"

"FTL drives will be recharged in one hour and twenty minutes, sir."

"Very well. Let's get the CAP active."

"Yes, sir, combat air patrol launching now."

To his right, Tasso spotted Security Officer Ellison standing near him. "So, are you going to follow me around again?"

"Every ship has a Security Officer, sir. The Crown Prince selected me because of my familiarity to you."

"You're not planning on using that stun device on me again, are you?"

"Do I need to, sir?"

"I'm not sure you needed to the other times you used it. Tell me, why did you join the Krypteia?"

"Why? You don't think a woman can handle it?"

"Not at all, but the Krypteia is known for its heavy-handed methods and, let's be honest, cruelty. So what's the attraction?"

"We keep the people safe. We keep order in society by rooting out the crown's enemies. Our methods may seem cruel to outsiders, but we keep society from destroying itself."

"Yes, but how can people who say they value freedom support a secret police force?"

"We are hardly a secret."

"You still didn't answer my question. Why did you join the Krypteia?"

"Admiral," came the voice of the communications officer, "I'm picking up a distress signal."

"Put it through," Tasso said.

"It's an automated distress signal, sir."

"This is ...Nestor...our power systems..."

"Is the ship in visual range?" Tasso asked.

"Barely, sir, calling it up now."

The ship drifted along in a slow corkscrew, trailing a plume behind it. Tasso noticed scorch marks along the sides of the ship. Its running lights flickered off and on. "Scan the ship for any signs of life, and get Search and Rescue in the air. Comms, try to get a response from anyone aboard."

"If I may, sir," said Captain Irving.

"Of course; what are you thinking?"

"They were attacked."

"Yes, but by whom?"

The scanner operator reported, "Sir, we're detecting a radiation leak. It's small, but their reactor is compromised. I'm not sure how much time they have."

The rescue shuttle proceeded with all possible speed toward the stricken craft. "Eurotas, this is Fireball. We are en route to the craft. Estimated five minutes to arrival."

"Roger that Fireball, proceed with rescue operations. Be aware there is a small radiation leak. It's within tolerable levels, but use caution."

"Copy that, Eurotas. Fireball out." He looked at his co-pilot, "You heard the lady, Misfit; proceed with caution."

"Yeah, sure," he responded. "Radiation, nothing to worry about, I'm sure."

"Standard operating procedure, as usual," Fireball said. "Lynx," he called to the radio operator, "anyone answering on that ship?"

"Not yet," she said. "I, hey, wait, I've got something. Unknown ship, this is Rescue Shuttle One, repeat your last transmission."

"This is cargo vessel Emilie Nestor, our comms...aged...Reactor is...field is failing."

"Their comms are damaged. I can't be sure, but I think he's saying their containment field is failing. We better put a rush on this, Fireball."

"Right, tell them to get ready for evac. Try to find out how many crew we need to expect."

"Emilie Nestor, this is Rescue Shuttle One; how many survivors?"

"Sixteen, most with minor wounds. All the others are dead. We..."

"Lost them. There are sixteen survivors in need of medical attention."

"Alright, get ready," Fireball said as he made his final approach to the ship. Moving toward the airlock, he situated the shuttle and extended the boarding bridge. "We've got a hard lock; let's move people. Time is of the essence."

As the hatch to the airlock opened, survivors began pouring into the shuttle. "Let's move, come on," said a sergeant at the airlock. "You, I count fourteen survivors. Where are the others?"

"Captain Lane and Crewman Sims are coming."

"Fireball, there's a surge in the radiation leak. The reactor won't last much longer; we've got to go," said Lynx.

"Fireball, the captain, and another crewman are on their way. I see them."

"Come on, people, move it," Fireball said as sweat began to bead on his brow. He looked uneasy at Misfit.

"Fireball, we have them. Hatch is sealed. Let's get out of here."

"Breaking seal. Hold tight, people. This is going to get interesting."

The shuttle banked away from the vessel, and Fireball accelerated to full speed. No sooner had they broken away, the Emilie Nestor exploded, sending a shockwave that put the shuttle into a spin. Fireball pulled on the flight stick, trying to get the shuttle under control. "Misfit, help me. We have to get it under control, or we're done." Their muscles strained as they tried to control the craft. At last, with their strength near the end, the pilots brought the shuttle under control.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Fireball leaned back in his seat, exhausted. "Well, that went well," he said. "Hell of a piece of flying, Misfit." The other looked over at Fireball in disbelief. "Eurotas, this is Fireball. Mission accomplished. Returning to the ship."

"Admiral, Fireball reports mission accomplished. All survivors aboard."

"Well done. I want that rescue crew on the bridge as soon as they are cleaned up. Have the medical teams meet the shuttle and begin treatments."

Turning to Ellison, Tasso said, "I guess we'll have to get to know each other better later. Captain, you have the bridge. I'll be in my ready room. I want any information on that ship sent to me. Once they are situated, I will go to the med bay to talk with the captain."

"Aye, sir."