Countdown by John Walker (feel good fiction books txt) 📗

in behind. “I want to remind you also that we don’t have a lot of time. So please work quickly. We’ll be leaving soon.”

“Do you have a time frame?” Harcourt asked.

“Not at this exact moment. But it’ll be soon. We’ve received word of multiple attacks, so we have to take action quick. Especially if we want to end this with the least amount of bloodshed.”

“I would appreciate that,” Trenik said. “Our people should not suffer for the actions of a few.”

“No culture should,” Noah agreed. “Anyway, what you’re about to find out could help us out in more ways than one. Do everything you can to identify it, find a way around it, then report back ASAP. We might have to use it in combat.”

“I know what you are saying,” Trenik replied. “This equipment sounds extremely dangerous… as in it would normally tear a vessel apart. What if you emerged too close to an object? Passing by it in hyperspace may not matter but appearing beside some large object may well obliterate the craft. No, this is not an ethical tool.”

I’m glad he feels that way, Harcourt thought. It helps his case when trying to prove he’s on our side.

“That’s how I felt about it,” Noah said. “Though I didn’t know the implications of what it could potentially do beyond the basic understanding.” They arrived at the hangar. Nina Larson stood nearby. Harcourt only just met her when they came aboard earlier. “Nina will escort you the rest of the way. Thank you, guys. I look forward to hearing from you.”

The captain departed. Nina motioned. “Shall we, gentlemen?” They approached a shuttle. People milled about, working on different fighters and performing other maintenance tasks. The place felt insanely busy though it proved far quieter than Harcourt imagined such an area might.

“You have just ascended to this rank,” Trenik said, “is that correct, ma’am?”

“Yes.” Nina nodded.

“Due to injury?”

“Our former first officer had to go home,” Nina replied. “Why?”

“I have also found myself in that position before.” Trenik sighed. “I do not envy you this responsibility given all that is happening right now.”

“Uh… I appreciate it.” Nina picked up the pace, moving ahead of them. Harcourt could tell she wasn’t all that comfortable with Trenik. Likely, she saw him as the enemy. She’d only just been elevated from a field pilot. Old habits, and frankly prejudices, didn’t die easily. And she’d lost friends to his people.

Those feelings are going to be our biggest obstacle when we finish this.

Both sides had grievances. The ervas didn’t like how humanity used ether, but there was probably some military posturing as well. Their soldiers wanted to prove themselves, to win against a foe they didn’t necessarily understand.

The human governments wanted to survive and thrive. They had their own problems. Multiple factions vying for power, a conglomerate capitalist group exploiting their differences, and two ideologies that had to find a way to meet halfway. Harcourt didn’t envy the politicians. All that could wait.

The first step involved winning the battle.

Nina handed Trenik a tablet as they boarded the shuttle. “Here are the technical readouts we were able to pull from the device so far. These are deep system scans, showing many of the inner workings. Between the two of you, we’re hoping you’ll have an explanation. Or at least the means to counter it.”

Trenik frowned as he looked over the information. “I am certain a jamming signal will do what you ask. Look at this, Harcourt. This appears to be similar to the research your Whitaker person had been doing to counter us.” They exchanged a look. “You do not think our people stole some of that, do you?”

“I wouldn’t put it past anyone to get data.” Harcourt shrugged. “We’ll know more when we see it in person I’m sure.”

Nina added, “Did the captain tell you we’re on a time crunch?”

“Yeah, what is it?” Harcourt asked. “What’s happening?”

“When the Confed fleet arrives, we have to move out. So this is more of a distraction than any real information gathering, I’m afraid.” Nina turned to look out the window as they took off.

“You have wasted a resource,” Trenik said. He handed the tablet to Harcourt. “I should have been involved in more of your conversations. Instead, I have been sidelined. You have the best resource for fighting my people in me. And you are giving me an assignment that does not matter?”

“So make it matter,” Nina replied. “Prove us wrong and show us that this device thing is of value.” She shrugged. “Or don’t. We have the location of the enemy. We can take it from here with or without your help.”

Trenik grunted but didn’t reply.

“You must understand,” Harcourt jumped in, “he can help when we arrive. There’s no reason to destroy the planet. I hope you realize that.”

“That’s on the Captain,” Nina said. “I’m here to do my job.”

“Just a soldier,” Trenik sneered. “One that will not be taking responsibility for her part in all this. Is that it?”

“Listen.” Nina leaned forward. “As far as I’m concerned, your people started this fight. They could’ve tried diplomacy. Told us how better to use ether. But no. They had to attack. Kill innocent people. Start a war. So forgive me if I have little sympathy for the plight of the ervas. They brought this on themselves.”

She’s got a point.

Harcourt didn’t say it, but he had to agree. He also understood why Trenik struggled with the situation. The man had friends, probably family back there. They had no idea humanity was on their way either. So getting them to safety wasn’t going to be a priority.

They didn’t talk again until they docked. Nina escorted them down to a laboratory just off the main hangar. The device took up more than half the room, about half the size