"How long until they reach our position?" Jon asked.
"About ten minutes Sir," Tactical said.
"Have you scanned for suit beacons?" Jon asked.
"Yes Sir, nothing," Tactical said.
Jon watched the two Buranis cruisers slowly spiral out as they searched for them. They were going to have to do something and fast.
"Plot a jump back to Ghost Station, fastest route," Jon said.
"Aye Sir," Helm said.
"What is our shield status?" Jon asked.
"Shields are at forty percent," Tactical said.
"I've rerouted all available power to the shields," Mike said. "They're recharging but it's going to take time."
"Time we don't have," Jon said.
"Sir," Helm said. "I have two possible routes. One of them is a bit longer but only by an hour."
"Put them on the table," Jon said. He watched the jump points come up on the panning table. The fastest route was closest to the cruiser and the longer of the two was a bit further out. "What do you think Carex?"
"The obvious choice would be the one away from the cruisers," Carex said.
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing," Jon said. "They will expect us to go for the one they're not close too."
"So, what do we do? Go for the one closest?" Carex said.
"Tactical based on the last engagement with the cruisers. Can we make it to the closer of the two points?" Jon said.
"Our shields should hold unless they start pinpointing their fire again," Tactical said.
Jon stared at the hologram once again watching the two cruisers.
"Jon?" Carex said.
Jon blinked his eyes as he looked over at Carex.
"Are you ok?" Carex asked.
"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Jon said.
"I was just worried. You've been staring at the hologram for five minutes not moving," Carex said.
"That long?" Jon said.
"Yeah, that long," Carex said.
"Let's get this show on the road. Helm, take us to the farthest fold point, best speed," Jon said. "Tactical prepare to engage the enemy."
Atlantis left her hiding spot as her engines flared to life. As soon as the cruisers seen her they turned to intercept. Jon watched the events unfold on the hologram floating above the planning table.
Terri stepped off the transport tube and walked up next to her brother. She was watching the two cruisers as they closed.
"Are we going to make the fold?" Terri asked.
"They will engage us before we reach our fold out point," Tactical said.
"More power to the engines," Jon said.
"Bringing engines to one hundred and ten percent," Mike said. He looked over to the reading scrolling across the screen to his right. Some of the reading started flashing as they climbed. "I don't know how long I can keep this up though, the engines are heating up."
This was one time Jon wished they had a hyperspace engine, they didn't require a specific point to jump from. Hyperspace engines created an event horizon and allowed a ship to enter subspace and travel. It was a bit slower than folding but it allowed continuous travel from one point to another.
"Push them until they can't handle it," Jon said. "Then push them some more."
Mike was too involved in watching his screens and making adjustments all he managed was a slight nod.
"Should I get my pilots ready to engage them?" Terri asked.
"No, we won't be around long enough for you to deploy," Jon said.
"Sir, our new speed will put us at the fold point just as they engage us. They're adjusting their course to intercept us," Tactical said.
"Bringing secondary reactor alpha online and feeding power to the shields," Mike said.
This was part of Atlantis' primary functions and now the engineering crew had to fill in all the little gaps since she was offline. The amount of monitoring and adjustments were staggering and made Mike want to turn her back on. He had to assign half the engineering crew to monitor the Atlantis' systems and make manual adjustments. He now understood how the Eutharans were able to run their ships on what appeared to be skeleton crews.
"Just keep those shields up long enough for us to Fold," Jon said. He watched the two Buranis ships close in. One of the ships seemed to be falling behind a bit as though it was having some type of trouble.
"Are we going to make it?" Terri asked.
Jon put an arm around his sister, "Of course, we should be able to hold out long enough to fold."
Terri leaned her head on Jon's shoulder, "I hope so. But, just in case, I'm going down and prepping the fighters for launch."
Jon nodded, "Launch Control, bring fighter status to stand-by."
"Yes Sir," Launch Control said.
Jon hugged Terri on last time, "Go get your people ready. Just pray we don't need them."
Terri smiled as she separated herself from her brother, "Of course we won't and I just want to be ready in case we do." Terri turned and started for one of the transport tubes as she passed Carex she whispered, "You take care of my brother or you'll deal with me when this is over."
Carex paled, not from fear, but for other reasons no one else save one person on board knew. "Ye ... Yes Ma'am," he stuttered.
Terri nodded as she stepped into the tube and disappeared from sight.
Jon looked at Carex and raised his eyebrow.
Carex smiled, "She was just telling me she was happy I was taking care of her brother."
"Uh, huh," Jon said grinning. "Somehow I think there was a bit more to it than that."
Carla snickered quietly.
"Two minutes until intercept," Tactical reported.
Jon glanced back at the tactical display above the main table. "Alright snickers," Jon said. "Take command of the Secondary Bridge."
"Aye Sir," Carla said.
"Give me ship wide," Jon said as Carla left the Main Bridge.
"Ship wide active Sir," Comms said.
Crew stopped briefly in their tasks as Jon's voice echoed across the ship.
"Crew of the Starship Atlantis and all other personnel aboard, we're about to engage an enemy that is blocking our exit from this system. We're out numbered and at a slight disadvantage. With any luck we will be folding shortly to make our way back to Ghost Station."
These people we're fighting, the Invaru and Buranis, are the people who attacked our home planet and are enslaving our people into a life time of servitude. I plan to make this very painful for them. I plan to make them pay for every life they have taken. I will make them pay for every step they take forward. I want them to regret the moment they attacked Earth. I formally declare war on the Invaru and their Buranis allies."
A cheer echoed through the ship as Jon spoke those last words. Hope glimmered in the eyes of the people they had rescued. Some of former military leaders of Earth shook their heads. They believed Jon didn't have the power or authority to do such a thing. Sure he owned a pretty space vehicle and had even showed them he can hold his own. However, that didn't change the fact that Earth still technically had a government and they represented several of those governments. Several of them resolved to take this up with him once this little crisis was over. They would begin restructuring the government as it should be. They would find out they had a lot to learn about Jonathan Hunter and the people who followed him, including Atlantis and Ghost.
"Thank you and God bless us all," Jon concluded.
'Condition Red all crews report to battle stations. This is not a drill, ' a bland computer voice said across Atlantis. Bright lights dimmed and took on a deep red hue throughout Atlantis. Marines jumped into action as they spread out to position themselves at key points throughout the ship.
The Hammer pressed her advantage as the Scythe fell behind. Beams lanced out striking Atlantis in several spots as she fired back. Undeterred Atlantis spearheaded straight towards the fold point.
"Sir," Tactical said. "The Scythe has not entered engagement range. She seems to be having power problems and her engines are fluctuating."
"How long until we reach the fold point?" Jon said.
"Thirty seconds Sir," Conn said.
Atlantis shook as the Hammer's weapons struck her shields once again.
"Shields at fifteen percent," Mike said. "I'm rerouting all available power from non-critical systems."
Atlantis shook again and klaxons began blaring.
'Warning, main reactor coolant leak. Sealing emergency bulkhead doors Engineering Section Five through Engineering Section Ten. Main reactor offline, ' a bland computer voice said.
"Shields down, engines offline!" Mike yelled. "Switching to secondary reactor."
"How long until shields are back up?" Jon said. "Kill those klaxons."
"Less than a minute," Mike said. "We have a fire in secondary Engineering. I'm dispatching fire crews and maintenance bots. We need to bring Atlantis back online without her the bots have no real direction."
"No, she's not to be brought back online until we work her quirks out. That is an order. Dispatch additional personnel if you have too, but she stays offline," Jon said.
Atlantis shook again as her hull was struck.
"Hull breech decks three and four. Closing emergency bulkheads," Mike said.
"Get those engines back..." Jon said as he disappeared in a shimmering light.
Mike's jaw dropped as Jon's personal bodyguards ran towards the place he had been standing. "What the hell was that?" Mike said.
"Transporter," Carex said. "Get those engines back online now. All weapons stand by to fire on the Hammer."
"online and get us to that..." Jon blinked as everything shifted. He found himself standing on a foreign bridge surrounded by armed guards. They all had their weapons trained on him.
A squat Buranis with deep reddish brown hair stepped between the guards as he spoke, "Welcome to the Hammer Captain Hunter." Grin spread across the face of the Buranis.
"I'm Captain Jodeas. Helm, bring us about and jump to hyperspace immediately."
"Yes Sir," Helm said.
"What about the Atlantis Sir?" an officer asked.
Jodeas glance up at the large screen which showed the Atlantis drifting in space as her lights flickered.
"Leave her, the Emperor wants the Princess alive," Jodeas said. "We have something that will give us the keys to Atlantis and Ghost Station." Jodeas looked at Jon again and grinned.
"I doubt that, I won't help you in anyway," Jon said. He folded his arms in an act of defiance.
Jodeas smiled as he spoke, "So you do have Ghost Station. Tell me, how did you manage that?"
Jon's eyes narrowed he had slipped. He was going to have to watch himself around this man. Jon was almost kicking himself in the ass Ghost Station wasn't ready to defend herself.
"You're pretty quiet," Jodeas said. "Don't feel bad all men make mistakes."
"Do Ewoks?" Jon said.
Jodeas raised an eyebrow, "Ewoks?"
"Yes it's a small furry creature that looks like a big cuddly teddy bear," Jon said as a smile cracked his face. "Kind of the way you look, short, cuddly and cute."
"I take it that was supposed to be an insult?" Jodeas said.
"Oh, look you also share their intelligence," Jon said. "Smart, yet so stupid at the same time."
"You know I could have you shot and say you escaped," Jodeas said.
"Yes, you could," Jon said. "However, I doubt the Emperor would like that very much. The ships logs show I arrived here safely."
"Logs can be altered," Jodeas said. "How about we just try to get along. I have nothing against you Captain Hunter"
"Sorry, I don't play with Teddy Bears," Jon said.
"Fine, maybe a few hours in the Brig will cool you down," Jodeas said.
Jon looked thoughtful, "Or really dolls of any type. My sister on the other hand..."
"Sir," Tactical said. "The Atlantis is turning to intercept."
Jon looked up at the large screen and almost gasped as he watched the Atlantis turn towards them as the Marudas appeared behind them. "No," Jon muttered. "Fold ... fold..."
"Looks like we might actually get the Princess too," Jodeas smiled. "Helm, belay the hyperspace order and bring us about. Tactical engage the Atlantis, try to limit damage to engineering and weapons. I want her disabled not destroyed."
"Sir," Com said. "The Marudas is hailing us."
"Put them through," Jodeas said. He had returned to his command chair and sat down. Jon was now off to the side with only a couple of the guards covering him.
The main screen switched to display a large Invaru. He had his upper arms crossed in front of him and his lower arms crossed behind his back as he paced the bridge.
"Captain I have the Hammer," a voice said.
The Invaru turned and faced the screen. "Captain Jodeas," he said flatly.
"M'Lord Prasuh," Jodeas said. He knelt as did everyone on the bridge. Only Jon was left standing, though weapons were still trained on him.
Prasuh's eyes snapped to Jon as a frown crossed his face.
Jodeas noticed it immediately and spoke as he indicated Jon, "This is Captain Hunter." Jodeas stood and stepped up to Jon as he spoke quietly, "Captain please kneel."
Jon looked into Jodeas' eyes as he shook his head, "Never, I only kneel to the Porcelain God of Ralf and only on very rare cases. I'll not kneel to my enemy."
A grin broke Prasuh's face as he spoke, "All in good time."
Jon raised his middle finger and scratched an eyebrow as he spoke, "Never in a million years. However, you can kneel to me if you like."
Jodeas' eyes widened as he glance back at Prasuh as he spoke quickly. "Please Captain, I beg you not to provoke him."
Something in Jodeas' voice caught his attention and Jon stared at Buranis.
Prasuh laughed at Jon's comment. "Is there anything else I can do while I kneel to you?"
"Well, since you're offering I accept," Jon said not taking his eyes off Jodeas.
"Accept what?" Prasuh said. A questioning look formed on his face.
"Why, your unconditional surrender," Jon said. Jodeas flinched as Jon finished speaking.
"And why would I surrender? I have you and your ship right where I want," Prasuh chuckled.
Jon shrugged as he turned his attention back to Prasuh, "I have no idea. But, hey I was taught not to look a gift horse in the mouth."
"A gift horse?" Prasuh said.
"It's an old saying from my world about not looking to close when you get something that was unexpected and helps you," Jon said. "Or something like that."
"Oh, I see," Prasuh said, devoid of emotion. "I'm sorry Captain Hunter; there will be no surrender from me. However, if you wish to..."
"I'd rather piss glass," Jon said.
Prasuh grinned, "As you wish Captain. I can see we're not getting anywhere." Prasuh's eyes shifted to Jodeas. "Captain you're ordered to return to Omvaled and turn the prisoner over. We'll take care of the Atlantis, take the Scythe with you."
Jodeas bowed, "As you wish M'Lord."
"Bring us about and prepare to engage the Atlantis. I want her intact if at all possible," Prasuh said as the screen faded.
"Sheep," Jon muttered.
"Excuse me," Jodeas said.
"You're a lap dog. You and your people are nothing but puppets to them," Jon said.
"From where I'm sitting my position is a lot better than yours Captain Hunter," Jodeas said.
"Maybe, maybe not," Jon said. He watched the Marudas turn to engage the Atlantis. "We have an old saying on Earth Captain."
"Yes and what is that?" Jodeas asked.
"Never count your chickens before they're hatched," Jon said. He winced as a beam lanced out and struck the Atlantis, tearing a gap in her hull. Escaping atmosphere drifted in space briefly before it dissipated.
"Interesting, I'll keep that in mind if we ever meet again," Jodeas said.
"Oh, we will I'm sure," Jon said.
"Sir, Scythe is reporting ready for hyperspace," Com said.
"Com, give them the signal to jump. Helm, jump us to Omvaled," Jodeas said.
Both ships entered hyperspace at the same time leaving the Marudas and Atlantis behind.
"So, what now?" Jon asked. He turned to look at Jodeas who was watching him carefully.
"Depends," Jodeas said.
"On?" Jon said.
"Are you going to cooperate?" Jodeas said.
Jon looked around the bridge and the marines spread out. They were all watching him, waiting for him to make a stupid move. "Doesn't look like I have much of a choice," Jon said. "Not like there are a lot of places I could go."
"Good," Jodeas said. "Then you're my guest until I have to turn you over. However, I hope you don't mind if I keep the guards around."
"Understandable, I would do the same thing," Jon said. He took a seat that Jodeas offered to him.
"So, Captain Hunter, how did you become in possession of the Atlantis and Ghost Station?" Jodeas said.
"By accident," Jon said in a guarded tone.
"Come now Captain," Jodeas said. "Certainly it isn't a huge secret and matters little now."
Jodeas was right Jon realized. It didn't matter how he got control of them and nothing could change that now. Jon sighed, "We had a boating accident on my home world and Atlantis' AI brought us aboard and patched us up. From there she promoted me to Commander of the base and we began to repair her. We collected crew from people we knew, some of the brightest minds on our planet."
"That's when the attack happened and she launched herself. We had no idea she was a starship and were completely taken by surprise. She folded to avoid destruction. However, in her damaged state it stressed some of her systems beyond their abilities and she made her way to Ghost Station for repairs. I was given the command codes for the station and became to command of it as well.
"After repairs were completed on Atlantis we made an attempt to rescue some of our people on our home world. In the battle we got lucky and were able to do enough damage to a Titan class vessel. It drifted to close to one the gas giants and was destroyed. The rest you know."
"Modest," Jodeas said.
"What?" Jon said.
"You're being modest," Jodeas said.
Jon noticed everyone was listening to him as he explained the events. It was as though all activity had stopped on the bridge.
"No," Jon said. "We were just doing what we thought was right."
"You also destroyed two cruiser class vessels in the system where Ghost Station is at. How you did that we are still discussing. However, the thing that has the Empire buzzing is the destruction of the Il'las. That is something that has never happened in my life time or for that matter the life time of anyone alive," Jodeas said. Several of the Buranis nodded as Jodeas spoke. "That feat speaks volumes about why you were chosen to Captain the Atlantis."
"It was bound to happen sometime," Jon said. "Everything can be destroyed or defeated."
Jodeas eyed Jon for a second before he spoke, "You have no idea what you did do you?"
"I destroyed a ship and rescued some of my people. That is all I did," Jon said.
"No," Jodeas said. "You destroyed a vessel that has never been destroyed and with a ship that shouldn't have been able to do anything but scratch it."
"I caught it unaware," Jon said.
"That right there takes a brilliant tactical mind. To take advantage of a situation as it presents itself and to make choices on the fly," Jodeas said. "I have seen the vids from the battle and you went back while it was in orbit and got below her guns and finished her off allowing the planet to finish the work you started. How did you know she was that weak or how to attack her?" Jodeas said.
"I don't know," Jon said. "It was a feeling. I had never seen a ship like that. I just got a feeling about what her state was. If you ask me it was because I had never seen a ship like that in action that allowed me to make the call. I wasn't scared of her like the Eutharans were."
"You're an interest to the Emperor," Jodeas said. "That is the only reason you're alive now and not dead. He wants to meet you and speak to you. You're also a nature tactician and that makes you a very dangerous man."
"Not that great from where I'm sitting," Jon said.
Jodeas smiled, "You almost got away. I just had a surprise you didn't expect."
"A big surprise I would say," Jon said.
Jodeas smiled, "You called us lap dogs. Do you know why we serve the Invaru?"
"I have read the Eutharan version of history," Jon said.
"And they told you what?" Jodeas said.
Jon related what he knew about the events of the past.
"Most of that is true," Jodeas said. "Some of it is conjecture. The Buranis used to support their close allies the Eutharans. We shared some of our technology with them and they shared theirs with us. They were superior to us in every way. What they lacked was the want to fight. They saw themselves as the peacekeepers of the galaxy. When the Invaru blockaded our home world and attacked our outer colonies we engaged them. The Eutharan held back to protect their worlds. They knew they were next on the list."
"We had no support and fought our battles on our own. In the last engagement we had, the Invaru threw everything they had at us. The Eutharan showed for the battle but it was too late our home world was destroyed while the battle raged on. The Invaru then forced a treaty and subjugated us under their rule during the battle. We were forced to turn on our allies. Some of the Buranis refused and were quickly replaced by those who would follow Invaru rule. Some of the Buranis saw it as what the Eutharan deserved for abandoning us and coming to our aid too late. I'm of the latter mind, had they acted sooner we might have been able to save our home world and push the Invaru back."
"Maybe," Jon said.
"We're hunting out the last Eutharan world and the Princess is the key to that. If we capture her we can have peace in this galaxy," Jodeas said.
"If there is one thing I know," Jon said. "Peace will never happen as long as the Invaru are around. They're too militaristic to want peace. They will move on to the next conquest after they chalk this one as won. I'm sure there are other civilizations to conquer and they won't stop until they conquer them all."
"Perhaps," Jodeas said. "Some of the Buranis are tired of the fighting and want peace so we can rebuild our home world. Others will continue to fight if that is what is asked of them."
"Which are you?" Jon said.
"The latter of course," Jodeas said. "I love a good fight and plan on sitting in this chair for a while longer."
They were interrupted by the Com officer, "Captain, the Scythe is hailing us."
"Put them through," Jodeas said. He stood up and kneeled in front of his chair.
Jon gave him a surprised look but then understood quickly as an Invaru was displayed on the screen.
"M'Lord, how can I be of assistance?" Jodeas said.
"We just now got communications back on line. When we drop out of hyper space we will be maneuvering closer to your vessel as were still experiencing power fluctuations and may need some assistance. Have your Engineering teams stand by incase we need them. That is all," the Invaru said. The screen blinked off before Jodeas could reply.
"Weird," Jodeas said.
"What?" Jon said.
"Usually he waits for my reply," Jodeas said.
"Maybe their communications failed again," Jon said.
"Maybe," Jodeas said. "Com, have all Engineering teams stand by. Tactical, arm all batteries and prepare to target the Scythe on my command."
Jon arched an eyebrow as Jodeas sat back down.
"I'm very careful," Jodeas said. "Something isn't right. I don't know what but I plan on finding out. The Invaru in command of the Scythe was sent there to take command from Captain Vaes. He was found to be working with the underground resistance."
"Resistance?" Jon said.
Jodeas smiled, "Yes, there's a resistance in the Invaru Empire that thinks it's time to put the fighting to a rest. Vaes is a supporter to that resistance or rather he has been accused. If he is it is likely his crew is with him and it's possible he has take control of the vessel back. We will find out shortly which it is."
"How is that?" Jon said.
"Because, we're here," Jodeas said as the Hammer dropped from hyperspace.