Rescue in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 5)
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 By Daniel Wagner, all rights reserved.
Reproduction or transmission of this book, in whole or in part, by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or by any other means is strictly prohibited, except with prior written permission from the author.
You may direct all inquiries to:
dpwagner@dpwpublishing.com
This book is a work of fiction. All names, places and incidents described are products of the writer’s imagination and any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.
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D. Patrick Wagner’s Website
Books by D. Patrick Wagner
The Marston Chronicles
Book 1: Sleeping in the Stars
Book 2: Waking in the Stars
Book 3: Meeting in the Stars
Book 4 Battle in the Stars
Book 5 Rescue in the Stars
Book 6 Victory in the Stars (February, 2020)
Table of contents
Contents
Copyright
Books by D. Patrick Wagner
Table of contents
Map
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
To Be Continued
Books by D. Patrick Wagner
Map
Chapter 01
Ballison
The entirety of Ballison’s leadership gathered on the courtyard just outside of the giant, silver pyramid, with Griffin’s crew standing, backs to the cargo ramp of Griffin. The Elonian leaders, commanders and masters faced them, ears flat and tails humped, showing concern for their Human and Ballisonian friends.
“May Bashia’s light shine on you and your travels, Captain Marston. And all of your crew.”
“Thank you, Lady Kaporine,” Krag Responded.
“And may you find peace and harmony here, on Ballison, Lord and Lady Kaporine.” Keiko placed her hands together in prayer fashion, touched her thumbs to her forehead and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Ambassador Suzume.” Lady Kaporine bowed and held her head in that position longer than was to be expected.
“You had better come back safe. Or I will send Sir Mahajani to bring you back!”
“Of course, Lady Analyn. That is exactly our plan,” Keiko answered, while seeing the worry in the young Elonian’s eyes.
“Ya, Princess. I’ll make sure Cap flies the straight and true.”
“I’m not a princess, anymore, Mack.”
“Well, I don’t care what those slimy snakes back on Elonia say. To me, you’re ‘Princess’. That’s all I’m sayin’, girl.”
“Enough, Mack. Time to go. Let’s get this show on the road.”
So saying, Krag smartly saluted the Kaporine Royalty, about faced and marched up the ramp, followed by his crew. Passing the eight Kaporine Guardsmen, he again saluted as they came to attention.
After reaching and climbing the ladder, Krag took his seat in the Captain’s chair and watched as her crew took their own positions of responsibility. Pre-flight jitters and pre-combat anxiety pumped his adrenaline, put the ex-fighter pilot on edge.
“Mack, Buster, Igaklay. Systems check?”
“Already done, Cap. We did a full work through this morning. Iggy took a whole minute.”
“Do you sign off?”
“Buster and Iggy said ‘yes’. So, we’re good to go, Cap.”
“Gopai, weapons?”
“My board reads that all is ready, Captain Marston.”
“Sue, Navigation?”
“Plot calculated and passed to Keiko, Captain.”
“Per our plan, outside of Yeni Persia? In the dark?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Tribune Ambakai. Are your warriors in position?”
“Yes, My Liege.”
“Sue, Take us up.”
“Aye, aye, Mon Capitan.” Keiko’s humor brought a soothing to the stress that everyone felt.
On the ground, the Kaporine Royalty, along with their retainers, watched Griffin slowly lift, angle towards the stars and rocket through the atmosphere. Turning, they slowly strolled up the wide steps leading to the silver pyramid.
“I hope they will be alright.”
“They will be just fine, Little Fire. You have become close,” Liege Kaporine stated the last as fact.
“We have become very close. They have become my friends and confidants.”
“They are extraordinary beings, Anyl. If anyone can get Kokali’s remains and return, they can.”
“I hope so, Mother.”
“As I have heard Mack say on many occasions, no moping, Little Fire. We have a community to build.”
By this time, everyone had entered the Ballisonian pyramid.
“Igaklay, are you still with us?”
“Of course, Liege Kaporine.”
“Then, let’s begin. Captain Kakkarna?”
With the Quant-com installed in Wisdom Seeker, her Captain heard the inquiry.
“Yes, My Lord?”
“Please send the Kaporine Elders down. And Master builder Embrani. We need to begin our plan for relocation.”
“Immediately, My Lord.”
“Also, please open a ship-wide channel.”
“It is open.”
“Fellow Elonians! For more than a month, we have been crammed into Wisdom Seeker, pursuing an ice flow of safety during these perilous times. And now we have arrived at Ballison. Today, the Kaporine counsel is meeting with the Ballisonian A.I., which you all know as Igaklay.”
Liege Kaporine took the proffered cup of human tea from Johi, took a swallow and, again, enjoyed the minty taste. After the slight pause, he continued.
“We are beginning the plans for our new community and for bringing you all down to establish new homes and dwellings. As we plan, I will give you immediate reports on our progress. Please be patient for a little more time. Our flight, in all sense of the word, is over. We are safe. Thank you for your loyalty and patience. Captain Kakkarna, you may end the channel.”
“Liege Kaporine, the shuttle should arrive within the sedeca.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Turning back to his group of people, Liege Kaporine asked, “Shall we eat while we wait?”
Partially into their meal, everyone looked up to see the three Kaporine Counsel Elders formally walk through the irised opening, each followed by a single retainer. Everyone saw that their Counsel of Elders had dressed in their formal togas, left harm rigid, supporting the draped palla trailer. Trailing behind, another elderly Elonian followed, him trying to copy the formality of Clan Kaporine’s ruling Counsel.
Fighting to retain their regality and not to appear as gawkers, the three Elon
ians Elders held their form as they entered. But seven sets of eyes darted around, taking in their surroundings, widening in wonder of this new, alien environment while seven sets of ears flicked in all directions, soaking up every sound.
Everyone currently seated around the dining table rose and welcomed their new guests.
“Welcome to Ballison, Elders, Master Builder Embrani.” Liege Kaporine spoke as he performed the Elonian salute.
With all four newly arrived guests returning their own salutes, Elder Anupi answered, “Thank you for inviting us to this wondrous world.”
“Have a seat. Something to eat.”
The four looked in confusion at the dining table without any vacant chairs.
“Igaklay, would you please do your magic and create chairs for our quests?”
“At your wish, Your Lordship.”
Everyone heard the voice echo around the chamber. Then four Elonians jumped when silver streams flowed from the walls, formed swirling masses then withdrew, leaving four Elonian chairs, complete with tail slots.
“Incredible!”
“See, Naliana? Incredible,” Liege Kaporine mindspoke to his bond-mate.
“Silly male, Waahai. You just wanted to see them jump.”
“Perhaps a little, love of my being.”
“Sit. Order anything you wish,” Liege Kaporine ordered. “Do not concern yourselves with availability or expense.”
The four, after a month of Wisdom Seeker food and cramped eating spaces, did. The table became more cluttered with the dishes of extravagant meals.
After the first bite, Elder Anupi exclaimed, “Marvelous!”
“Yes, Waahai. Marvelous.”
Liege Kaporine laughed a tooth-covered laugh at his Bond-mate.
For the next couple of sedeca, Everyone passed the time eating sumptuous food, catching up on the latest news and telling tales of past events. After the last bite was swallowed and the last liquid drank, Liege Kaporine took over the meeting.
“Now, Elders and Master Builder Embrani, we begin planning our new settlement.”
Aboard Ravage Maker
Sitting just inside Tolimar space, the Mortek flagship overlooked Purifier of Stars and its three cruiser escorts. War sat on his control stool and watched as the assault carrier, World conqueror, steamed towards the sole inhabited planet and enjoyed his feeling of power as he watched his ships of war perform admirably.
“Intelligence, still no change?”
“No, My Overlord. No soft skin ships have been located. Space is still ours.”
“Flight?”
“I agree with Intelligence, My Overlord. We control this system.”
“Whoever captains that soft skin ship has shown his true wings. A coward to the last.”
“I agree, My Overlord. These soft skins are no match for Mortek might.”
“World Conqueror is just achieving orbit. Shall I order a launch?”
“Yes, Flight. Launch the assault.”
Aboard World Conqueror
Like every navy of every race, rumors move faster than the speed of light. Fifth Assault Leader knew about Fourth Assault Leader’s near failure on the soft skin planet, Latinia. He always knew that Fourth Assault Leader’s arrogance would one day cause his downfall. That day had come. And Fifth Assault Leader vowed that this would never happen to him.
Turning on his stool, Fifth Assault Leader addressed his commanders.
“Launch Sensor.”
“Yes, My Leader?”
“Have you mapped the populous of this planet, this ‘Tolimar’?”
“Yes, My Leader. Originally, the soft skin populous covered one of the two continents. There are multiple communities scattered all over this continent.”
“How large is the populous?”
“From prior analysis of other soft skin planets and their communities, then comparing the results with this planet, less than a million. Closer to half a million.”
“Have you detected any heavy weaponry? Any heavy transports?”
“None, My Leader. Just the heavy armament on one fortification.”
“Flight Leader. Can this fortification be attacked from the skies?”
“After consulting with Launch Sensor, I believe that it can be done. With a very high cost.”
“Why the high cost?”
“The settlement is pressed up against a very tall mountain, deep within a valley. That mountain is part of a curved range of mountains which protects the fortification on three sides. To be efficient in our attack, we must attack from a single direction, Straight into the fortification artillery. We could conquer it from the air, but only through extreme attrition.”
Fifth Assault Leader pondered this. All his Leader group waited.
“Fifth Assaulter. What of your ground forces? Can this fortification be taken?”
“The same problem presents itself as with the aerial attack. The ground forces can attack from only one direction.”
“Then outright victory with overwhelming force is not guaranteed.”
“Flight Leader and I have discussed this, My Leader. We believe that a combined attack, using fighter planes, heavy artillery and an extremely large warrior force can break this fortification.”
“But, it will be costly,” Fifth Assault Leader stated.
“Maybe not. If we hit them extremely hard, extremely fast.”
“We will not replicate Fourth Assault Leader’s failure. First, we will gain control of the entire planet, except for the fortified village. We will use overwhelming force. Launch all of the warrior carriers, giving us three hundred thousand assaulters. Two hundred tank carriers, landing one thousand, two hundred tanks. Launch all two hundred and forty attack ships.”
“Your command, My Leader.”
“Flight Leader. Fifth Assaulter. Launch the moment we achieve orbit.”
Both Sub-Leaders bowed their heads and raised their head combs in compliance.
Aboard Odin
Eleven people huddled in the Emergency Control Capsule. The rest of Odin resembled an empty mausoleum, bereft of any human life. The normal sounds and noises of a fully functioning dreadnaught echoed down empty passageways and around barren rooms.
Externally, Tolimar’s sun beat mercilessly on her hull, heating the interior to unlivable conditions. To anyone or anything flying by, Odin was just another rock trapped in the star’s corona, being slowly destroyed by its radiation and Hades-like temperatures.
After, again, toweling the sweat off his face, Spaceman Bradley increased his frantic gestures, working his console, attempting to sharpen his readings.
“Captain, the carrier is almost in orbit above Tolimar.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bradley. Vice-Admiral, Orders?”
“Send a secure buoy. Contact Heimdallr. Tell them to keep out of the fray. But record everything. Then have them sneak back to Arium. Have them hide in the rocks with Forsythe and the other ships.”
Captain Brewer nodded to his coms specialist who began carrying out the order.
“It’s on its way, Admiral.”
“Get the run started, Captain.”
“Aye, aye, Vice-Admiral.”
Aboard Heimdallr
“Well, Captain. We get to live another day. Orders just came in. Number three wants us to watch from afar, record everything and hightail it back to Arium. Cozy up to Forsythe and her ships.”
“How many ships? Sixteen? Maybe we can all get together. A confab.”
“Eleven, Lech. Hornet lost five pulling Odin’s bacon from the fire.”
“I forgot. That’s on me.” A saddened Brooksy stared at his pilot console. “Where do you want us, Cap?”
“Toast, you got eyes on Odin?”
“Nope. She’s deep in the corona. But I know where she’s anchored.”
“Show me.”
Lieutenant Torres pushed the map of the Tolimar system onto the view screen. A green dot marked Odin’s location.
“Brooksy, Brewer plans on making a
run. What’s it going to be?”
“Well, that alien dreadnaught is sitting high. The three cruisers are just below, fanned, looking for a fight. The carrier just hit orbit. Me, I’d hit the carrier and boogie on out of there.”
“I agree. Toast. Thoughts?”
“Nope. Gods, I hate to say it, but I agree with Brooksy. Brewer is going to hit the carrier.”
“Ok. Odin is here. She slingshots the star, exiting here.” Heimdallr’s Captain marked points on the screen as he spoke.
“That puts him at this angle, just across the outside edge of the one cruiser and straight down the throat of the carrier. What kind of armament does it carry?”
“Don’t know, Captain. In all of the battles, the carrier has never fought.”
“Well, I hope it’s not much. If it’s as tough as one of those cruisers, Odin is in for a world of hurt.”
“You got that right, Cap.”
“Ok. Let’s get to here.” Scott pointed to a low midpoint between Tolimar and its star. “Brooksy. Your best creep. We’re in the little pond with the big sharks, now. Don’t get us eaten.”
“I got the creep, Cap. Toast. You got the hide?”
“Black cat eating licorice in a coalmine.”
“Just don’t let those bugs see your big, green eyes.”
Shar’s New Bar
“Feldmarschal Rosser. How have you deployed our Tolimar Defense force?”
“Inside the walls, twenty thousand, Governor. Those will be the breach responders, stopping any aliens from gaining entry. One hundred and sixty thousand are winged out in the mountains. Most of them are east of us. Only thirty thousand are to the west, as we are so close to the Lang Foss.”
“What about mobility? If they are that spread out, how do we get them into the battle?”
“These are country folk. Range rovers. Everyone has either a truck or a horse. We can move fairly quickly.”
“Horses?”
“Yes, Mr. Roth. Mostly yours. Those that you didn’t prepare as food stuffs, we claimed them and took um into the mountains.”
“So, you’re talking an all-out charge across the plains.”