Stand Into Danger: Empire Rising Book 0 by D. J. Holmes Page A
Authors: D. J. Holmes
Tags: Science-Fiction, Space Opera, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Exploration, Space Exploration, Galactic Empire, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Colonization
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used it the Russian ships who had fired the missiles had already been destroyed. No one had seen what Jensen had done. Now the Russians knew they had copied their idea. It wouldn’t work again.
Back in the present, Somerville suddenly grew concerned as the sensor feed for Aurora updated. It looked like the Russians had sent another fleet ahead of the Behemoths to secure the system. There were over fifty ships accelerating deeper in the inner system. Aurora was the last system in the French colonies. The next shift passage lead to the Alpha system, which, in turn, lead back to Earth. As such, the French had built a sizeable military base here on a rocky moon that orbited one of the system’s gas giants. It was a natural target for the Russians to secure.
His fears were relieved when he spotted the two small battlestations the French had built to protect the military base. If they were still intact and there were no missiles flying between them and the fleet that was approaching the base then the ships must be friendlies.
“Navigation plot us a course for the French military base, take us there at eighty percent thrust,” Somerville commanded.
“Aye, sir,” came the reply.
Achilles was over four light hours away from the fleet that was heading into system and so it would take that many hours for any communication from whoever was commanding the fleet to contact them. His crew could enjoy their first hours of safety in peace.
“Communications, open a ship wide COM channel,” Somerville requested.
When the officer nodded to say the channel was open Somerville took a deep breath and began, “ Achilles , it is my pleasure to report that we have rejoined the fleet.” Pausing he allowed the cheers to echo around the ship. Even the bridge crew joined in. The last few weeks had been taxing on everyone, never before had a British spaceship had to fight its way through not one but three occupied systems. Every crewmember was now a veteran of interstellar war. There wasn’t an enlisted man or woman in the RSN who had seen more combat than Achilles’ crew.
“In celebration, I am doubling the food rations for the day. I want all of you to prepare a feast for yourselves in your off duty hours. I also want to add how proud I am of you. We drilled hard for our war games with the Indians. Little did we know what was going to follow but you all handled yourselves marvelously. The Admiralty will be impressed with the report I am sending them and I’m sure the news broadcasters will want to interview many of you. Well done everyone. Enjoy yourselves, you have earned it. Somerville out.”
Looking up at the bridge crew he held everyone’s eye for several seconds. It happened that Jensen was on watch again and when he looked at her he added, “And especially well done to you Lieutenant. Without your quick thinking those four destroyers at New France would have had us.”
As she looked down in embarrassment, Somerville moved on to survey the rest of the bridge crew. When he was done he stood and turned to Hamilton who had been on the bridge in case they had run into more trouble at Aurora. “You have the bridge First Lieutenant, I’m going to retire to my quarters.”
“Aye sir,” Hamilton said. As Somerville stood he stood too and saluted his Captain as he left. “Thank you for getting us home sir,” he added.
*
When the communication from the fleet arrived Somerville opened it in his quarters. He was surprised to find that it came from the French Admiral Villeneuve. Villeneuve was well known among the British naval officers. There were regular war games between the two navies and Villeneuve was regarded as the best the French had. Somerville had assumed he had died at New France. The last he had heard the Admiral had been posted there. It was encouraging to know the Admiral would be leading the fleet into battle.
Somerville was ordered to report on board the
Back in the present, Somerville suddenly grew concerned as the sensor feed for Aurora updated. It looked like the Russians had sent another fleet ahead of the Behemoths to secure the system. There were over fifty ships accelerating deeper in the inner system. Aurora was the last system in the French colonies. The next shift passage lead to the Alpha system, which, in turn, lead back to Earth. As such, the French had built a sizeable military base here on a rocky moon that orbited one of the system’s gas giants. It was a natural target for the Russians to secure.
His fears were relieved when he spotted the two small battlestations the French had built to protect the military base. If they were still intact and there were no missiles flying between them and the fleet that was approaching the base then the ships must be friendlies.
“Navigation plot us a course for the French military base, take us there at eighty percent thrust,” Somerville commanded.
“Aye, sir,” came the reply.
Achilles was over four light hours away from the fleet that was heading into system and so it would take that many hours for any communication from whoever was commanding the fleet to contact them. His crew could enjoy their first hours of safety in peace.
“Communications, open a ship wide COM channel,” Somerville requested.
When the officer nodded to say the channel was open Somerville took a deep breath and began, “ Achilles , it is my pleasure to report that we have rejoined the fleet.” Pausing he allowed the cheers to echo around the ship. Even the bridge crew joined in. The last few weeks had been taxing on everyone, never before had a British spaceship had to fight its way through not one but three occupied systems. Every crewmember was now a veteran of interstellar war. There wasn’t an enlisted man or woman in the RSN who had seen more combat than Achilles’ crew.
“In celebration, I am doubling the food rations for the day. I want all of you to prepare a feast for yourselves in your off duty hours. I also want to add how proud I am of you. We drilled hard for our war games with the Indians. Little did we know what was going to follow but you all handled yourselves marvelously. The Admiralty will be impressed with the report I am sending them and I’m sure the news broadcasters will want to interview many of you. Well done everyone. Enjoy yourselves, you have earned it. Somerville out.”
Looking up at the bridge crew he held everyone’s eye for several seconds. It happened that Jensen was on watch again and when he looked at her he added, “And especially well done to you Lieutenant. Without your quick thinking those four destroyers at New France would have had us.”
As she looked down in embarrassment, Somerville moved on to survey the rest of the bridge crew. When he was done he stood and turned to Hamilton who had been on the bridge in case they had run into more trouble at Aurora. “You have the bridge First Lieutenant, I’m going to retire to my quarters.”
“Aye sir,” Hamilton said. As Somerville stood he stood too and saluted his Captain as he left. “Thank you for getting us home sir,” he added.
*
When the communication from the fleet arrived Somerville opened it in his quarters. He was surprised to find that it came from the French Admiral Villeneuve. Villeneuve was well known among the British naval officers. There were regular war games between the two navies and Villeneuve was regarded as the best the French had. Somerville had assumed he had died at New France. The last he had heard the Admiral had been posted there. It was encouraging to know the Admiral would be leading the fleet into battle.
Somerville was ordered to report on board the
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