Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 15: Difference between revisions

The Terran Knowledge Bank
Jump to: navigation, search
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{infobox Novel Chapter
{{infobox Novel Chapter
|faction = terran
|faction = terran
|title = Chapter Fifteen
|title = Chapter 15
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|parts = 3
|parts = 5
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Fourteen|Chapter Fourteen]]
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 14|Chapter 14]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Sixteen|Chapter Sixteen]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 16|Chapter 16]]
}}
|pages = 112-119
}}


== Dramatis Personae ==
== Dramatis Personae ==


* [[Christopher Blair]]
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Jeanette Devereaux]]
|-
* [[Paul Gerald]]
!
* [[Bokoth nar Kiranka]]
! Part 1
* [[Thiraka nar Kiranka]]
! Part 2
* [[Corey Obutu]]
! Part 3
* [[Jay Sansky]]
! Part 4
* [[James Taggart]]
! Part 5
* Unnamed Kilrathi Tactical Officer
|-
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Helmsman
! POV
* [[William Wilson]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Thiraka nar Kiranka]]
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Jay Sansky]]
|-
! Speaking
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<BR>
Merlin
|valign=top|
[[Bokoth nar Kiranka]]<br>
[[William Wilson]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Paul Gerald]]<br>
[[Jay Sansky]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Paul Gerald]]<br>
[[Jay Sansky]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]
|-
! Non-Speaking
|valign=top|
Unnamed Marine Corpose
|valign=top|


== Text ==
|valign=top|


<B>PEGASUS STATION</B>
|valign=top|


<B>WRECKAGE</B>
|valign=top|
[[Corey Obutu]]<br>
Unnamed Helmsman
|-
! Mentioned
|valign=top|


<B>ULYSSES CORRIDOR</B>
|valign=top|


<B>MARCH 17, 2654</B>
|valign=top|
Unnamed Tactical Officer
|valign=top|


<B>0400 HOURS</B>
|valign=top|


<B>ZULU TIME</B>
|-
|}


<B>9 HOURS FROM</B>
== Text ==


<B>CHARYBOIS QUASAR</B>
{{infobox wcm
 
|line1 = PEGASUS STATION<BR>WRECKAGE
<B>JUMP POINT</B>
|line2 = ULYSSES CORRIDOR
|line3 = MARCH 17, 2654<BR>0400 HOURS<BR>ZULU TIME
|line4 = 9 HOURS FROM<BR>CHARYBDIS QUASAR<BR>JUMP POINT
}}


=== Part One ===


"Go on," Deveraux whispered to herself. "There's nothing in this mouse
"Go on," Deveraux whispered to herself. "There's nothing in this mouse
hole. Beat it."
hole. Beat it."


The Kilrathi ship continued probing, its beam throwing a green halo
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kilrathi ship continued probing, its beam throwing a green halo
over the asteroid.
over the asteroid.


A thump from the port side caught her attention. She shuddered as a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A thump from the port side caught her attention. She shuddered as a
figure dressed in Confederation Marine Corps armor floated near her
figure dressed in Confederation Marine Corps armor floated near her
wing. She looked away before the face rolled into view, but her stomach
wing. She looked away before the face rolled into view, but her stomach
dropped anyway—and not from nausea. The Rapier had begun drifting.
dropped anyway--and not from nausea. The Rapier had begun drifting.
Unable to fire retros that would reveal her location, she watched as the
Unable to fire retros that would reveal her location, she watched as the
starboard wing brushed against an uneven valley of ice and rock with a
starboard wing brushed against an uneven valley of ice and rock with a
Line 60: Line 106:
colliding."
colliding."


She waited. Waited some more. Became an authority on waiting. Knew
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She waited. Waited some more. Became an authority on waiting. Knew
the details. The frustration. Could tell you all you wanted to know about it.
the details. The frustration. Could tell you all you wanted to know about it.
Could tell you that in the end there was, of course, nothing to do but wait.
Could tell you that in the end there was, of course, nothing to do but wait.
Line 72: Line 118:
seconds.
seconds.


The asteroid's halo grew brighter.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The asteroid's halo grew brighter.


Far to port, past teeming knots of rubble, something glimmered. Was it
=== Part Two ===
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Far to port, past teeming knots of rubble, something glimmered. Was it
just more durasteel from the Pegasus Station? A second look proved
just more durasteel from the Pegasus Station? A second look proved
Blair's suspicions. The Kilrathi ConCom ship had paused near Deveraux's
Blair's suspicions. The Kilrathi ConCom ship had paused near Deveraux's
position. "What do they see, Merlin?"
position. "What do they see, Merlin?"


"They don't see anything. Switch on your thermal scanner. They're out
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They don't see anything. Switch on your thermal scanner. They're out
of range to detect it."
of range to detect it."


He slid the HUD viewer over his eye and tapped on the scanner. Not
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He slid the HUD viewer over his eye and tapped on the scanner. Not
much of a view: the glimmer once more, the asteroids among twinkling
much of a view: the glimmer once more, the asteroids among twinkling
shards of metal…
shards of metal ...


There. A fading red glow shone through the massive rock shielding
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There. A fading red glow shone through the massive rock shielding
Deveraux. "They've spotted Angel's heat corona."
Deveraux. "They've spotted Angel's heat corona."


"Two more Kilrathi closing fast," Merlin said anxiously. "Probably
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Two more Kilrathi closing fast," Merlin said anxiously. "Probably
fighters."
fighters."


Blair's gloved fingers traveled quickly over his instrument panels.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair's gloved fingers traveled quickly over his instrument panels.
Displays rose from darkness. Scanners flashed data to him. Engines
Displays rose from darkness. Scanners flashed data to him. Engines
hummed in their warming sequence. The communications system gave a
hummed in their warming sequence. The communications system gave a
Line 99: Line 147:
weren't changing their minds.
weren't changing their minds.


Deveraux's wide eyes filled his display. "Can't spot them, Blair. Call it."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deveraux's wide eyes filled his display. "Can't spot them, Blair. Call it."
The blips moved closer.
The blips moved closer.


"Jack in the box," Blair instructed. "On three. One… two… three!"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Jack in the box," Blair instructed. "On three. One ... two ... three!"


The Rapier's engines ignited with a thundering roar. Jagged stone
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Rapier's engines ignited with a thundering roar. Jagged stone
wiped past him as he skimmed along the asteroid's surface. Once clear of
wiped past him as he skimmed along the asteroid's surface. Once clear of
the rock, he corkscrewed straight up, out of the field and into a starry sky.
the rock, he corkscrewed straight up, out of the field and into a starry sky.
"Form on my wing," Deveraux ordered.
"Form on my wing," Deveraux ordered.


"Yes, ma'am!" Wheeling around, Blair rocketed toward her fighter,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, ma'am!" Wheeling around, Blair rocketed toward her fighter,
strangling more thrust from his Rapier. As he neared her position, he
strangling more thrust from his Rapier. As he neared her position, he
spotted two Dralthi fighters escorting the ConCom ship.
spotted two Dralthi fighters escorting the ConCom ship.


Without giving the enemy pilots time to blink, he and Deveraux
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without giving the enemy pilots time to blink, he and Deveraux
squeezed off Dumb-fire missiles. Her rocket tore past the left Dralthi's
squeezed off Dumb-fire missiles. Her rocket tore past the left Dralthi's
shields to swallow the fighter in a fireball. His missile caught the other
shields to swallow the fighter in a fireball. His missile caught the other
Line 121: Line 169:
then splayed itself over a valley.
then splayed itself over a valley.


Charging through the still-lingering blast waves, he and Deveraux
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charging through the still-lingering blast waves, he and Deveraux
targeted the ConCom ship. Even as his sensors indicated that she had
targeted the ConCom ship. Even as his sensors indicated that she had
ignited her missile, Blair jammed down his trigger. Their projectiles
ignited her missile, Blair jammed down his trigger. Their projectiles
Line 128: Line 176:
ConCom's powerful shields absorbed them.
ConCom's powerful shields absorbed them.


"Well, they're awake now," Blair said. He checked his radar display.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, they're awake now," Blair said. He checked his radar display.


"I've got two more bogies coming up from the brown dwarf. Engaging."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I've got two more bogies coming up from the brown dwarf. Engaging."


"Negative! I count fourteen unfriendlies inbound. Looks like two
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Negative! I count fourteen unfriendlies inbound. Looks like two
destroyers. We are out of here!" Her exhaust ports flared as afterburners
destroyers. We are out of here!" Her exhaust ports flared as afterburners
engaged.
engaged.


Blair lit his own burners and banked suddenly, following her back
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair lit his own burners and banked suddenly, following her back
toward the <I>Tiger Claw</I>. He switched his left VDU to the rear turret
toward the <I>Tiger Claw</I>. He switched his left VDU to the rear turret
display. A swarm of glowing specks descended upon the asteroid field.
display. A swarm of glowing specks descended upon the asteroid field.


<center><B><nowiki>* * *</nowiki></B></center>
=== Part Three ===


Standing in the center of the <I>Grist'Ar'roc's</I> bridge, Captain Thiraka nar
Standing in the center of the <I>Grist'Ar'roc's</I> bridge, Captain Thiraka nar
Line 146: Line 194:
regularly turned him inward, in search of a response. Oh, yes, he knew
regularly turned him inward, in search of a response. Oh, yes, he knew
what he wanted to do now. But he also considered what the admiral would
what he wanted to do now. But he also considered what the admiral would
do—another response altogether. In the unlikely event that Thiraka and
do--another response altogether. In the unlikely event that Thiraka and
Bokoth agreed upon their next action, then Thiraka might honestly believe
Bokoth agreed upon their next action, then Thiraka might honestly believe
that he did have a future with the Kilrathi military. But as the past had
that he did have a future with the Kilrathi military. But as the past had
Line 152: Line 200:
recent events would not change that.
recent events would not change that.


He moved cautiously toward the rear of the bridge, where Kalralahr
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He moved cautiously toward the rear of the bridge, where Kalralahr
Bokoth crouched on bent knee below a meter-high statue of Sivar, whose
Bokoth crouched on bent knee below a meter-high statue of Sivar, whose
fearsome personage stood on a pedestal and loomed over the bridge like a
fearsome personage stood on a pedestal and loomed over the bridge like a
Line 161: Line 209:
so heinous that humans could never comprehend them.
so heinous that humans could never comprehend them.


Waiting at the proper distance, Thiraka hoped the admiral would
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Waiting at the proper distance, Thiraka hoped the admiral would
notice him soon. Bokoth could choose to meditate for another hour, and
notice him soon. Bokoth could choose to meditate for another hour, and
Thiraka would have to remain, neither able to interrupt Bokoth nor
Thiraka would have to remain, neither able to interrupt Bokoth nor
Line 169: Line 217:
Shintahr?"
Shintahr?"


"Sir, our lead ConCom ship has engaged a Confederation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir, our lead ConCom ship has engaged a Confederation
reconnaissance flight in sector seven. Fighters from two of our destroyers
reconnaissance flight in sector seven. Fighters from two of our destroyers
were dispatched to intercept."
were dispatched to intercept."


"And the reconnaissance patrol escaped."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And the reconnaissance patrol escaped."


Thiraka nodded and ground his long teeth. The admiral had not
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thiraka nodded and ground his long teeth. The admiral had not
listened to Thiraka's wish and continued to have intelligence beamed
listened to Thiraka's wish and continued to have intelligence beamed
directly to his quarters, overstepping his authority. Thiraka considered
directly to his quarters, overstepping his authority. Thiraka considered
Line 181: Line 229:
trying to quell the thought.
trying to quell the thought.


With a slight growl, Bokoth forced himself to his feet. "So the <I>Tiger Claw</I> is here."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a slight growl, Bokoth forced himself to his feet. "So the <I>Tiger Claw</I> is here."


"Yes, sir. The merchantman we tracked earlier jumped into this sector
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, sir. The merchantman we tracked earlier jumped into this sector
by using a gravity well. And the carrier jumped here through a pulsar."
by using a gravity well. And the carrier jumped here through a pulsar."
"Do we have a fix on her signal?"
"Do we have a fix on her signal?"


"Yes, sir."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, sir."


The admiral turned to the command chair, where, cloaked in shadows
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The admiral turned to the command chair, where, cloaked in shadows
and nutrient haze, a figure stirred. "Your friend is dedicated," Bokoth
and nutrient haze, a figure stirred. "Your friend is dedicated," Bokoth
said, his words translated into the hoots and squeaks made by humans.
said, his words translated into the hoots and squeaks made by humans.
Line 196: Line 244:
is what he trained for. Prepare the ambush."
is what he trained for. Prepare the ambush."


"In time," Bokoth said, raising his own paw and withdrawing a nail.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In time," Bokoth said, raising his own paw and withdrawing a nail.


"That ship is the only thing that stands between us and the success of
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That ship is the only thing that stands between us and the success of
this mission. It's yours for the taking."
this mission. It's yours for the taking."


Bokoth absently tugged on his whiskers, purring into a thought. Then
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bokoth absently tugged on his whiskers, purring into a thought. Then
he abruptly answered, "That ship is insignificant. That hate of your kind
he abruptly answered, "That ship is insignificant. That hate of your kind
blinds you. All things pass. Let it go."
blinds you. All things pass. Let it go."


The ape took a step closer. "You're wrong, old man. Most things pass:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ape took a step closer. "You're wrong, old man. Most things pass:
love, passion, anger, life. One is eternal: hate."
love, passion, anger, life. One is eternal: hate."


<center><B><nowiki>* * *</nowiki></B></center>
=== Part Four ===


"What's the matter?" Blair asked Deveraux as they walked swiftly down
"What's the matter?" Blair asked Deveraux as they walked swiftly down
the corridor. "Are <I>we</I> in trouble?"
the corridor. "Are <I>we</I> in trouble?"


She wouldn't answer as she made an abrupt ninety-degree turn to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She wouldn't answer as she made an abrupt ninety-degree turn to
march onto the bridge. She went to the viewports and came to attention
march onto the bridge. She went to the viewports and came to attention
as Gerald and Sansky left the radar station. Blair arrived at her side, held
as Gerald and Sansky left the radar station. Blair arrived at her side, held
his shoulders high, and saluted his approaching superiors.
his shoulders high, and saluted his approaching superiors.


The captain and commander simply eyed them a moment, then Gerald,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The captain and commander simply eyed them a moment, then Gerald,
firing up his usual implacable glare, said, "We read your After Action
firing up his usual implacable glare, said, "We read your After Action
Report. And I, for one, am unimpressed. You knew what the orders were.
Report. And I, for one, am unimpressed. You knew what the orders were.
Line 224: Line 272:
this ship."
this ship."


"Sir. I had no choice. The enemy had spotted Lieutenant Commander
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir. I had no choice. The enemy had spotted Lieutenant Commander
Deveraux's heat signature, sir."
Deveraux's heat signature, sir."


"Really," Gerald said, half-singing the word. His gaze shifted radically.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Really," Gerald said, half-singing the word. His gaze shifted radically.


"Angel, how sure are you that the Kilrathi had you targeted? Given the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Angel, how sure are you that the Kilrathi had you targeted? Given the
lieutenant's background…"
lieutenant's background ..."


"Excuse me?" Blair bristled.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Excuse me?" Blair bristled.


Gerald's head slowly shifted like the turret-top cupola of a tank,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald's head slowly shifted like the turret-top cupola of a tank,
bringing its weapon to bear. "It's well documented that Pilgrim saboteurs
bringing its weapon to bear. "It's well documented that Pilgrim saboteurs
have been responsible for much of the Confed's problems in this war. I'll
have been responsible for much of the Confed's problems in this war. I'll
be sure to download that information to your account, Lieutenant."
be sure to download that information to your account, Lieutenant."


"Did they have me targeted?" Deveraux demanded, turning to face
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Did they have me targeted?" Deveraux demanded, turning to face
Blair. "Or did you just get trigger-happy?"
Blair. "Or did you just get trigger-happy?"


"Trigger-happy? What kind of an operator do you—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Trigger-happy? What kind of an operator do you--"


"Enough," Sansky said. "This is sterile conjecture. The Kilrathi are
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Enough," Sansky said. "This is sterile conjecture. The Kilrathi are
aware that Rapiers are short-range fighting craft assigned to cap ships.
aware that Rapiers are short-range fighting craft assigned to cap ships.
They know we're close by." He focused on Blair. "Tell me again about this
They know we're close by." He focused on Blair. "Tell me again about this
communication you claim to have heard."
communication you claim to have heard."


With a flagrant turn of his head, Blair flicked Gerald a look of raw
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a flagrant turn of his head, Blair flicked Gerald a look of raw
repulsion. "It was a ULF signal emanating from the vicinity of the <I>Tiger Claw</I>, sir."
repulsion. "It was a ULF signal emanating from the vicinity of the <I>Tiger Claw</I>, sir."


Sansky swung toward the navigation station, though the computer
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky swung toward the navigation station, though the computer
would detect his voice no matter where he projected it. "What about it,
would detect his voice no matter where he projected it. "What about it,
NAVCOM? Were any communications sent from this ship?"
NAVCOM? Were any communications sent from this ship?"


"Negative, Captain. There were no communications sent by the <I>Tiger Claw</I>."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Negative, Captain. There were no communications sent by the <I>Tiger Claw</I>."
Gerald smirked and gave a nod.
Gerald smirked and gave a nod.


"Sir, I tell you—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir, I tell you--"


"You tell me nothing, Lieutenant," Sansky said. "Nor does your flight
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You tell me nothing, Lieutenant," Sansky said. "Nor does your flight
recorder. A Rapier's scanners are not equipped to detect ULF
recorder. A Rapier's scanners are not equipped to detect ULF
transmissions. Your reliance on your PPC—unauthorized equipment, I
transmissions. Your reliance on your PPC--unauthorized equipment, I
might add—does not convince me that the signal exists. PPCs are not
might add--does not convince me that the signal exists. PPCs are not
standard military issue and are vulnerable to a number of viruses. What
standard military issue and are vulnerable to a number of viruses. What
you thought you heard—"
you thought you heard--"


"But sir—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But sir--"


"—could've come from any number of natural sources."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"--could've come from any number of natural sources."


"This was not a natural—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This was not a natural--"


"Dismissed, Lieutenant."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Dismissed, Lieutenant."


Blair saluted and rushed off the bridge before foul language landed him
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair saluted and rushed off the bridge before foul language landed him
in the brig.
in the brig.


Granted, Sansky and Gerald didn't want to waste time chasing down
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Granted, Sansky and Gerald didn't want to waste time chasing down
false leads, but to ignore something of this importance seemed absolutely
false leads, but to ignore something of this importance seemed absolutely
foolish. Then again, trusting in a half-breed and possible saboteur without
foolish. Then again, trusting in a half-breed and possible saboteur without
proof of his loyalty would be equally so. Deadlock.
proof of his loyalty would be equally so. Deadlock.
=== Part Five ===


Captain Sansky took a moment to recover from his argument with the
Captain Sansky took a moment to recover from his argument with the
Line 291: Line 341:
Mr. Gerald?"
Mr. Gerald?"


"That ConCom's running point for the battle group. Their fleet won't be
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That ConCom's running point for the battle group. Their fleet won't be
far behind. As you said, they know we're here, so I say we send them a
far behind. As you said, they know we're here, so I say we send them a
message. I can have my fighters up in thirty minutes."
message. I can have my fighters up in thirty minutes."


"Twenty," Deveraux corrected, her self-confidence revving even higher
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Twenty," Deveraux corrected, her self-confidence revving even higher
than Gerald's.
than Gerald's.


"That would be a mistake," Taggart said, lifting his head from the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That would be a mistake," Taggart said, lifting his head from the
helmsman's screen. "Without her fighters, this ship's vulnerable." He
helmsman's screen. "Without her fighters, this ship's vulnerable." He
stood, approached Sansky, and began shaking his head.
stood, approached Sansky, and began shaking his head.
Line 305: Line 355:
longer side.
longer side.


"You're a civilian scout," Gerald reminded Taggart, "not a naval officer.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're a civilian scout," Gerald reminded Taggart, "not a naval officer.
Tactical operations are our concern."
Tactical operations are our concern."


Taggart's face grew rigid, and his tone plunged to warning depths.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart's face grew rigid, and his tone plunged to warning depths.


"There's a great deal more at stake here than you seem to understand,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There's a great deal more at stake here than you seem to understand,
Commander."
Commander."


Sansky threw up a hand. "The XO is right. I'm sorry, Mr. Taggart.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky threw up a hand. "The XO is right. I'm sorry, Mr. Taggart.
Destroying that ConCom and its escorts will slow the Kilrathi. Deveraux
Destroying that ConCom and its escorts will slow the Kilrathi. Deveraux
will lead a strike force. You will accompany her." He crossed back to
will lead a strike force. You will accompany her." He crossed back to
Lieutenant Commander Obutu, who kept vigil over his screens. "Con, plot
Lieutenant Commander Obutu, who kept vigil over his screens. "Con, plot
a course for the rings of Planet Four-fifteen. We'll find good cover there."
a course for the rings of Planet Four-fifteen. We'll find good cover there."
{{novelindex/wingcommander}}
[[Category:Wing Commander (novelization)]]

Revision as of 23:52, 2 April 2024

Chapter 15
Movienovel.jpg
Book Wing Commander
Parts 5
Previous Chapter 14
Next Chapter 16
Pages 112-119


Dramatis Personae

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
POV

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux

Christopher Blair

Thiraka nar Kiranka

Christopher Blair

Jay Sansky

Speaking

Christopher Blair

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Merlin

Bokoth nar Kiranka
William Wilson

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Paul Gerald
Jay Sansky

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Paul Gerald
Jay Sansky
James "Paladin" Taggart

Non-Speaking

Unnamed Marine Corpose

Corey Obutu
Unnamed Helmsman

Mentioned

Unnamed Tactical Officer

Text

PEGASUS STATION
WRECKAGE
ULYSSES CORRIDOR
MARCH 17, 2654
0400 HOURS
ZULU TIME
9 HOURS FROM
CHARYBDIS QUASAR
JUMP POINT


Part One

"Go on," Deveraux whispered to herself. "There's nothing in this mouse hole. Beat it."

     The Kilrathi ship continued probing, its beam throwing a green halo over the asteroid.

     A thump from the port side caught her attention. She shuddered as a figure dressed in Confederation Marine Corps armor floated near her wing. She looked away before the face rolled into view, but her stomach dropped anyway--and not from nausea. The Rapier had begun drifting. Unable to fire retros that would reveal her location, she watched as the starboard wing brushed against an uneven valley of ice and rock with a sickening creak. She shushed her fighter and looked up. "You didn't read that," she told the Kilrathi. "And if you did, it was just two rocks colliding."

     She waited. Waited some more. Became an authority on waiting. Knew the details. The frustration. Could tell you all you wanted to know about it. Could tell you that in the end there was, of course, nothing to do but wait. And react. And sitting in the cramped cockpit felt very much like hiding in her old closet, back at the orphanage. Sister Fleurette would come with her red and swollen eyes, with her wooden paddle, and with her breath that reeked of alcohol. The door would swing open. The light would rush in. Squinting, Deveraux would watch the paddle eclipse the sun. She shook off the memory, seeing now that the Rapier floated away from the rock, widening the distance by a meter every two or three seconds.

     The asteroid's halo grew brighter.

Part Two

     Far to port, past teeming knots of rubble, something glimmered. Was it just more durasteel from the Pegasus Station? A second look proved Blair's suspicions. The Kilrathi ConCom ship had paused near Deveraux's position. "What do they see, Merlin?"

     "They don't see anything. Switch on your thermal scanner. They're out of range to detect it."

     He slid the HUD viewer over his eye and tapped on the scanner. Not much of a view: the glimmer once more, the asteroids among twinkling shards of metal ...

     There. A fading red glow shone through the massive rock shielding Deveraux. "They've spotted Angel's heat corona."

     "Two more Kilrathi closing fast," Merlin said anxiously. "Probably fighters."

     Blair's gloved fingers traveled quickly over his instrument panels. Displays rose from darkness. Scanners flashed data to him. Engines hummed in their warming sequence. The communications system gave a readiness beep. "Angel. They've spotted us. Two more bogies coming in hot. Six o'clock." He stole a glance at his radar display. No, the Kilrathi weren't changing their minds.

     Deveraux's wide eyes filled his display. "Can't spot them, Blair. Call it." The blips moved closer.

     "Jack in the box," Blair instructed. "On three. One ... two ... three!"

     The Rapier's engines ignited with a thundering roar. Jagged stone wiped past him as he skimmed along the asteroid's surface. Once clear of the rock, he corkscrewed straight up, out of the field and into a starry sky. "Form on my wing," Deveraux ordered.

     "Yes, ma'am!" Wheeling around, Blair rocketed toward her fighter, strangling more thrust from his Rapier. As he neared her position, he spotted two Dralthi fighters escorting the ConCom ship.

     Without giving the enemy pilots time to blink, he and Deveraux squeezed off Dumb-fire missiles. Her rocket tore past the left Dralthi's shields to swallow the fighter in a fireball. His missile caught the other Dralthi as it began veering off. The explosion tore away the ship's engine housing to send it spiraling out of control. It glanced off the asteroid Deveraux had used as cover, shedding plastisteel like a cybernetic snake, then splayed itself over a valley.

     Charging through the still-lingering blast waves, he and Deveraux targeted the ConCom ship. Even as his sensors indicated that she had ignited her missile, Blair jammed down his trigger. Their projectiles trailed ribbons of exhaust as they traversed the thousand-meter gap. But they stopped short, detonating in useless ringlets of energy as the ConCom's powerful shields absorbed them.

     "Well, they're awake now," Blair said. He checked his radar display.

     "I've got two more bogies coming up from the brown dwarf. Engaging."

     "Negative! I count fourteen unfriendlies inbound. Looks like two destroyers. We are out of here!" Her exhaust ports flared as afterburners engaged.

     Blair lit his own burners and banked suddenly, following her back toward the Tiger Claw. He switched his left VDU to the rear turret display. A swarm of glowing specks descended upon the asteroid field.

Part Three

Standing in the center of the Grist'Ar'roc's bridge, Captain Thiraka nar Kiranka reflected on the report from his tactical officer. Bad news regularly turned him inward, in search of a response. Oh, yes, he knew what he wanted to do now. But he also considered what the admiral would do--another response altogether. In the unlikely event that Thiraka and Bokoth agreed upon their next action, then Thiraka might honestly believe that he did have a future with the Kilrathi military. But as the past had already proven, he did not think like his superiors, and he suspected that recent events would not change that.

     He moved cautiously toward the rear of the bridge, where Kalralahr Bokoth crouched on bent knee below a meter-high statue of Sivar, whose fearsome personage stood on a pedestal and loomed over the bridge like a brooding rain cloud. Banners of the Kiranka clan hung behind the candlelit effigy in testament to fallen and future glory. The banners' asymmetric symbols told stories of death, conquest, and domination; stories of sterilized worlds and territorial ambitions; stories of civil wars so heinous that humans could never comprehend them.

     Waiting at the proper distance, Thiraka hoped the admiral would notice him soon. Bokoth could choose to meditate for another hour, and Thiraka would have to remain, neither able to interrupt Bokoth nor retreat. Death awaited any Kilrathi who violated that precept. But Bokoth had heard his approach. As though emerging dizzy from a vision, the admiral craned his pale, oblong head toward Thiraka. "Kal Shintahr?"

     "Sir, our lead ConCom ship has engaged a Confederation reconnaissance flight in sector seven. Fighters from two of our destroyers were dispatched to intercept."

     "And the reconnaissance patrol escaped."

     Thiraka nodded and ground his long teeth. The admiral had not listened to Thiraka's wish and continued to have intelligence beamed directly to his quarters, overstepping his authority. Thiraka considered Bokoth's quick murder followed by his own suicide. He breathed deeply, trying to quell the thought.

     With a slight growl, Bokoth forced himself to his feet. "So the Tiger Claw is here."

     "Yes, sir. The merchantman we tracked earlier jumped into this sector by using a gravity well. And the carrier jumped here through a pulsar." "Do we have a fix on her signal?"

     "Yes, sir."

     The admiral turned to the command chair, where, cloaked in shadows and nutrient haze, a figure stirred. "Your friend is dedicated," Bokoth said, his words translated into the hoots and squeaks made by humans. Stepping forward, the hairless ape in the atmospheric suit raised one of its stubby, glove-covered fingers and replied, "My friend is a Pilgrim. This is what he trained for. Prepare the ambush."

     "In time," Bokoth said, raising his own paw and withdrawing a nail.

     "That ship is the only thing that stands between us and the success of this mission. It's yours for the taking."

     Bokoth absently tugged on his whiskers, purring into a thought. Then he abruptly answered, "That ship is insignificant. That hate of your kind blinds you. All things pass. Let it go."

     The ape took a step closer. "You're wrong, old man. Most things pass: love, passion, anger, life. One is eternal: hate."

Part Four

"What's the matter?" Blair asked Deveraux as they walked swiftly down the corridor. "Are we in trouble?"

     She wouldn't answer as she made an abrupt ninety-degree turn to march onto the bridge. She went to the viewports and came to attention as Gerald and Sansky left the radar station. Blair arrived at her side, held his shoulders high, and saluted his approaching superiors.

     The captain and commander simply eyed them a moment, then Gerald, firing up his usual implacable glare, said, "We read your After Action Report. And I, for one, am unimpressed. You knew what the orders were. No contact with the enemy. Now you've compromised the mission and this ship."

     "Sir. I had no choice. The enemy had spotted Lieutenant Commander Deveraux's heat signature, sir."

     "Really," Gerald said, half-singing the word. His gaze shifted radically.

     "Angel, how sure are you that the Kilrathi had you targeted? Given the lieutenant's background ..."

     "Excuse me?" Blair bristled.

     Gerald's head slowly shifted like the turret-top cupola of a tank, bringing its weapon to bear. "It's well documented that Pilgrim saboteurs have been responsible for much of the Confed's problems in this war. I'll be sure to download that information to your account, Lieutenant."

     "Did they have me targeted?" Deveraux demanded, turning to face Blair. "Or did you just get trigger-happy?"

     "Trigger-happy? What kind of an operator do you--"

     "Enough," Sansky said. "This is sterile conjecture. The Kilrathi are aware that Rapiers are short-range fighting craft assigned to cap ships. They know we're close by." He focused on Blair. "Tell me again about this communication you claim to have heard."

     With a flagrant turn of his head, Blair flicked Gerald a look of raw repulsion. "It was a ULF signal emanating from the vicinity of the Tiger Claw, sir."

     Sansky swung toward the navigation station, though the computer would detect his voice no matter where he projected it. "What about it, NAVCOM? Were any communications sent from this ship?"

     "Negative, Captain. There were no communications sent by the Tiger Claw." Gerald smirked and gave a nod.

     "Sir, I tell you--"

     "You tell me nothing, Lieutenant," Sansky said. "Nor does your flight recorder. A Rapier's scanners are not equipped to detect ULF transmissions. Your reliance on your PPC--unauthorized equipment, I might add--does not convince me that the signal exists. PPCs are not standard military issue and are vulnerable to a number of viruses. What you thought you heard--"

     "But sir--"

     "--could've come from any number of natural sources."

     "This was not a natural--"

     "Dismissed, Lieutenant."

     Blair saluted and rushed off the bridge before foul language landed him in the brig.

     Granted, Sansky and Gerald didn't want to waste time chasing down false leads, but to ignore something of this importance seemed absolutely foolish. Then again, trusting in a half-breed and possible saboteur without proof of his loyalty would be equally so. Deadlock.

Part Five

Captain Sansky took a moment to recover from his argument with the insistent boy. He admired Blair's courage in holding his ground, even on the bridge. Yet he also began to fear the boy, perhaps as much as Gerald. With little time to further speculate on Blair's potential damage, he glimpsed the distant asteroids through the viewport. "Your assessment, Mr. Gerald?"

     "That ConCom's running point for the battle group. Their fleet won't be far behind. As you said, they know we're here, so I say we send them a message. I can have my fighters up in thirty minutes."

     "Twenty," Deveraux corrected, her self-confidence revving even higher than Gerald's.

     "That would be a mistake," Taggart said, lifting his head from the helmsman's screen. "Without her fighters, this ship's vulnerable." He stood, approached Sansky, and began shaking his head. Pursing his lips, Sansky contemplated the pros and cons of a first strike, the mental list beginning to blur as he tried in vain to spot the longer side.

     "You're a civilian scout," Gerald reminded Taggart, "not a naval officer. Tactical operations are our concern."

     Taggart's face grew rigid, and his tone plunged to warning depths.

     "There's a great deal more at stake here than you seem to understand, Commander."

     Sansky threw up a hand. "The XO is right. I'm sorry, Mr. Taggart. Destroying that ConCom and its escorts will slow the Kilrathi. Deveraux will lead a strike force. You will accompany her." He crossed back to Lieutenant Commander Obutu, who kept vigil over his screens. "Con, plot a course for the rings of Planet Four-fifteen. We'll find good cover there."