Chapter 27: Death Grip — Part 2

The view screen went blank, and Jerem returned his attention to the port screen.

“They’ve cut communication. I’ve got a course for Vodia plotted out. We should be able to get help back here in a few hours.”

“I don’t think we should do that. The Baron hasn’t got pulse deflectors for such an offensive. He came in a peacetime vessel to show us good faith. We’ll just have to return that faith, and maybe in the process teach the General a lesson in respect.”

Kris sent Jerem a strict warning. We can’t fight seven cruisers. We may have some serious technological advances, but we’re not in a war ship by any stretch of the imagination.

Jerem had no intention of leaving innocent people to die. He didn’t like the General, because the General assumed authority where she had none. Think of what they’ll do to him! I can’t let him destroy the Baron’s ship — especially this close to our territory. I will not show weakness where there is none.

Kris smiled like a wolf. I wouldn’t expect you to. You give the orders, and I’ll do what I can to keep us alive.

Pull away, like we’re leaving the sector, then pull us around and put us between General Riley’s ships and the Baron’s. Maybe we can give the Baron a chance to escape.

Kris pushed the keyboard away and took hold of the battle controls, calculating a course that would put their strongest defenses and offenses to the enemy. The General fired on the Baron’s ship almost as soon as the Intrepid started its departing arch. The ship had plasma fires across its bow before the Intrepid could turn back in and shield it from the General’s assault. Jerem’s ship shook violently, but armor and energy deflectors held against the first rush of arsenal. Devon put all power to the pulse deflectors, and started to calculate attack strategies. The attack stopped abruptly, the General repositioning her ships so she could hit Thompson without hitting Jerem.

Kris moved the ship into a new position to absorb the worst of the General’s assault, issuing careful orders. “Retune the deflectors so they provide cover for the Baron’s ship. We can’t protect him from all sides.”

While the Intrepid shook under fire, Jerem opened communications with Baron Thomson. The Baron’s face was covered with blood, and he shouted orders at any of his crew that was able to take them. With uncanny strength, the man yanked a steel beam from the ground, freeing a body from its grip. He paused, realizing that his ship was no longer being bombarded, and that he could take the moment to try to save some lives. As he tossed what must have been two hundred pounds of alloy titanium beam remains into a corner, the Baron looked at his port view, as if surprised to see the Intrepid on his forward screen.

“We’ll cover you while you jump to twisted space. But please do hurry, they’ll start firing full force in another two minutes, and from all sides. Our deflectors will overheat some fifteen to twenty minutes after that, and we won’t be able to block them for long once they burn those out.”

Baron Thomson turned, and looked back, his face even paler than normal.

“We can’t. Our drive took a direct hit. The engine room has no atmosphere and the drive is off-line. They own us. You’d best bail out while you still can.”

Kris turned back to Jerem. “We can’t guard them and fight. We’re out gunned and out numbered. You make the call, ambassador.”

“We hold here.” Jerem said. “We hold even if it means going on the offensive.”

“What we really need, are reinforcements.” Devon said, savoring the moment.

Jerem agreed with the plan. “Then let’s not think of this as a battle, instead let’s focus on staying alive as long as we can. Devon, try to take out one vessel at a time. Kris, I don’t know much about strategic navigation. Make our pulse deflectors last longer, give Thomson the best possible coverage. Give us the time we need.”

Then his thoughts extended out to Devon. You have the closest link with Susan, try to get a long-range telepathic burst to her. We’re going to need help, and fast. Kris, you try to reach Laura, if you can spare the concentration. I know you got a text pulse out before they started jamming long range broadcasts, but we can’t trust that the message got through.

Devon sat down and concentrated. I’m no long-range telepath. He admitted.

Long-range telepaths were rare — none of Susan’s family had long-range capabilities — except Susan, and hers were somewhat limited. He had to hope she could hear long-range thoughts as well as transmit them. If she couldn’t, then his desire to reach her would be unfulfilled.

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