TASCOM Book 5: Declarations

By Christopher Vickers

The Alliance has been attempting to avoid it at all cost, and now the inevitable war against the Phoenix Empire has begun. It began with the Zerelli declaring their independence against the Empire, and numerous other attacks against the Empire. Now, TASCOM answers to another call to arms as the war is now on!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Vickers
• Release date: Feb 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311538611

Christopher Vickers

Christopher Vickers was born in Omaha in 1971; and was raised in Colorado Springs. He currently lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Dorothy. He enjoys spending time with both sides of the family, and occasionally shooting pool with his brothers and his grandfather.

Book preview

TERRAN ARMED SERVICES COMMAND

Book #5

Declarations

Written by Christopher Vickers

Published by Two If By Sea Productions

Via Smashwords

ISBN Number: 978-1-304-63607-2

All stories in this publication are works of fiction. Any resemblances to persons living or dead is unintentional and coincidental.

Cover art by the author.

Other TASCOM books:

Resurrection

System of the Lost

Avenging Angels

Return to Omega

First edition, first release

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

In loving memory…

The entire TASCOM series is dedicated to the memory of SPC William L. Bailey III (1977-2007). He was a hero in every sense of the word, and died as such serving the United States in Iraq. He was a cousin, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a firefighter, and a soldier. He has family that misses him dearly to this very day, and to that end I dedicate my work to his memory.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13, NIV

Prologue

Part 1

Chapter 1

Zerell System, Frontier Sector

Zerell Confederate Fleet

01 May 2512

Captain André Pennington stood at the section forward of the Crow’s Nest, wondering what was holding up the Imperial Fleet that had threatened to enter the system in an effort to retake it for the Phoenix Empire. He had known of this threat to the Zerell Confederacy for nearly a year now. The Confederacy had been gearing up for the attack on the system, and was seemingly ready for it; the First Fleet was positioned at the System Frontier, where a fourteenth planet had broken up. They had the Vorkaan Turrets implanted in asteroids, where they could draw on unlimited resources to replicate their cluster missiles. The Fleet was just there to back up the cluster missile turrets.

They had been working on defense systems for the past year, as the asteroid frontier was not enough. The Zerelli had to boost defense, and the Second and Third Fleets were positioned inside the Frontier zone, ready to defend the bases the Alliance had been repaired and reprogrammed for them two years ago. André was waiting for the situation to escalate because of the Empire, and according to some alerts, they were two days late as it stood. Pennington had no clue as to why they were late, as he was a creature of punctuality. The question going through his mind was, What is keeping the Empire?

Commander Thomas Hudson, his executive officer, had been keeping up with the ANSWERS broadcasts within the GSA territory, and knew that they were being counterattacked at every point in the quadrant. The situation was steadily worsening, but the Empire was determined to take their star system back. Fortunately, however, the Marauder Fleets had been on alert for any starships escaping into the Zerell System, so Captain Pennington was bound to end up with a rather boring tour of duty.

What the hell is holding them up? he asked as he made his way back to the Crow’s Nest of the bridge. They’re two days tardy.

The Alliance has been preventing the Imperial Fleets from making even to the Nekkrin Sector, which is where one of the cells has rigged a lean-to palace as they’re trying to sprout up.

They’re minutes away at maximum Hawk, Pennington said.

But launching an attack now would jeopardize our gaining a seat in the ACA, Tom said. We can’t take that chance right now, as the Senate is still deliberating our position.

So we’re to remain in our system for the time being, Pennington said, putting the facts together, Not only to defend the system, but to preserve our standing with the ACA. I would say to Hell with them, but I try not to bite the hand that has fed us.

According to the ANSWERS wires, we’re not even to defend the system; we’re to allow the turrets designed by the Vorkaan admiral to do their duty. By the military reports, TASCOM is doing a hell of a job with preventing them from entering our star system. Just judging from the military reports, I’d say the nearest fleet is days away, even at Hawking drive speeds.

Which would prevent us from getting into the fight for certain, Pennington said. That’s unless we go after the cell in the Nekkrin star system before too much longer to deliver the message: we’re not taking their crap any longer, and we’re an independent state.

Such a message isn’t going to help our seats in the ACA, Hudson said.

Sometimes, you have to take the chance with that, Pennington said. Taking your chance with the seats may be unwise, but in the case of our independence against the Empire, it’s all we have to send them a message.

Sometimes I feel that there isn’t anything I say that can dissuade you from targeting the Nekkrin system if the Empire doesn’t strike, Hudson said.

Your feeling’s right, Pennington said. However, we have to get the word from the Fleet Admiral in that regard. If we don’t get it, we don’t go to the Nekkrin system.

They’re too easy a target, Hudson said. That’s unless they got their star fleet built up.

I doubt that highly, Pennington said. From what you’ve stated in the ANSWERS wires, the TASCOM fleets have been preventing the Empire from building up or even repairing what they have in defense of the general public on any of the planets.

The base you’ve outlined is marked for movement, the helm officer said.

Hold that thought, Lieutenant, Hudson said. Unless Captain Pennington makes policy on it, we’re going nowhere.

You’ve got that right, Pennington said. We don’t even know if the Empire is going to plan an attack.

The threat is there, Hudson said, but we’re uncertain where the attack is coming from.

Eighth Marauder Fleet

12 light days from Zerell Star System

Admiral Andrea Gardner stood at the Crow’s Nest of the bridge, wondering if any more cells were going to get brave enough to attack the area. As it turned out, the Empire was beginning to fear the Marauder Fleets, as they were seeing their doom the minute they attacked. This was becoming a very popular section of space to attack, as the Zerell system used to be an Imperial colony until the strike on the Empire two years ago. Getting them to stand down from counterstrike posture was going to be difficult, as the Senate had threatened them with their seats in the ACA too many times to count, and they had maintained that posture for a year now.

She was apprehensive about going to the Zerell System to alert them that they weren’t going to get their chance at a counterstrike as the nearest cell was nearly two months away, even at Hawking drive speeds. They had not only defended the system successfully, but they had also stopped the delivery of a star fleet to the Nekkrin system. It was also inadvisable for the Zerelli to launch a strike on the Nekkrin base at all, as it would jeopardize their positions in the ACA.

Not one person on the bridge could blame the admiral for being apprehensive about notifying the Zerelli; it was something that they could not picture with the way the Zerelli were about the counterstrike. They had been massing a fleet at the System Frontier, waiting for the Empire to try their strike on the Zerell System. They were ready for a battle, and to send them home with a message that declared independence.

Everyone in TASCOM knew that the situation with the Zerelli was growing more tenuous by the day. They were eager to make the declaration, but the ACA Senate was protesting their even defending the system against the Empire. They were eager to admit them into the ACA, but a counterstrike like what the Zerelli were planning was enough to cost them their seats.

Gardner knew that the Zerelli didn’t care about such a trivial political move; they were more concerned about maintaining their freedom from the Empire. They had been free for 200 years, but only knew about it for about two of those years. Now that the Empire was trying to reclaim the star system, the Senate was trying to prevent a counterstrike against them by the Zerelli. The President of the Confederacy, however, was one that didn’t care that the Alliance Senate was being so damned petty about the situation.

She also knew that preventing their delivery of their message was something that couldn’t happen. It was bound to be delivered one way or another, and they were going to fight to keep their freedoms. They couldn’t prevent the counterstrike no matter what political threats were made. The Zerelli were an independent people, and they were willing to make that declaration under any circumstances.

They’re not going to like what we’ve done, Gardner said.

We defended the Alliance, her XO said. By definition, that includes a commonwealth state like the Zerell Confederacy.

Yeah, but we stopped all fleets within a week of the system from making a move on the Zerell system. They are bound to lash out on the Nekkrin base upon finding out about it. Such an attack is an affront on their seats in the ACA. The Senate won’t sit still for the strike if they make it.

Apparently, they don’t seem to care what the Senate thinks of them, the XO replied factually. They’re willing to prove it by launching an attack on that lean-to shack of a base the Shukerev Cell has built on Nekkrin Four.

It’s bound to cause a stir in the ACA, the helm officer said.

Especially with the Senate, Gardner said. "They’re the absolute worst at getting the hint about war with the Empire."

They sure are, the XO said. Try telling me something I don’t already know about them.

It’s becoming the battle of the damned, the XO said. We can’t attack the Empire without being harassed by the Senate, but if we don’t, the implications are equally damning.

You’ve got that right, Gardner said. It’s going to be hell attempting to keep the Empire at bay without catching heat from the Senate.

"Try impossible, the XO said. They have been on our case pretty much since Remington’s attack on the Empire."

That’s President screwed Remington in his day, Gardner said. He did the right thing and was condemned for it. I don’t even think that President Adelwake got any redemption for her mistake, as it resulted in an all-out war in Quadrant III in the years to follow.

She never did; her policies were absurd to say the least.

Politicians have been declaring people like Captain Remington as insane for attacking the Empire; even some of the more celebrated warriors from the First Orna’akian War were looked at as delusional.

That’s the worst case of political profiling I’ve ever heard of, the science officer said. They’re considering every war hero of TASCOM as mentally incompetent! That’s so damned wrong!

You’ve got that right, Gardner said.

* * * * *

Galactic Systems Alliance Congressional Assembly Complex

Senate Meeting Hall

03 May 2512, 13:07 Hours North American Eastern Time

Chief Senator Robert Couchman couldn’t believe what he was hearing from the other Senators. Because the Zerelli decided to take matters into their own hands with the Shukerev Cell in the Nekkrin system, the Senate had voted early to deny the Confederacy their seats in the ACA. The ANSWERS wires had confirmed the Zerelli had attacked the Nekkrin system, and any attack against the Empire by the Zerelli was enough to deny the seats on the part of the Senate. He saw the votes and it was a landslide against the seats being granted. He presented the information to Senator Ronald Tidwell and said, You’ve got to be kidding me.

We’re not, Tidwell said. The Senate had delivered warning after warning over the past year, and an attack of this nature is exactly what we were trying to prevent! You can’t possibly consider standing there and telling me that this was a move you don’t condone!

"I don’t condone it! Robert said. This vote is a making a joke of the Senate, as it’s one more in a laundry list of things the ACA is in hung jury over because of our vote!"

We are the more sensible part of the ACA, Ron said. You may call us a joke, but we’re making the more sensible votes!

No we aren’t! Robert thundered. "We’ve been voting down war since Davis took office three years ago, and we’re gunning down every single act that indicates a war is already being fought."

That’s a war that needs to be stopped so that we can find a more peaceful avenue…

That was exhausted to the point of nausea during his predecessor’s tour of office, to the point of her suicide. We can’t ignore the Empire, and you’re saying we can’t declare war! We need to topple the Empire while they’re vulnerable; if they get an Emperor before we can drive them out of the galaxy, we lose.

If you think this is a race against time, then you’re mistaken. The Empire doesn’t seem to be gaining an Emperor any time soon, Bob.

Wrong, Senator! Robert said. The Empire is showing us daily that they have declared war on us. Unless we declare it as well, the Alliance could be toppled because of the ongoing war.

You’re talking like time is running out.

"It is running out!"

That got to Tidwell, but getting to the other people in the Senate was going to be next to impossible. They had to be convinced that war was the only inevitable outcome against the Empire. They were putting the screws to the Alliance and Robert knew it. However, with the vote being against war in the Senate, they were keeping the military from doing its job.

This constant pressure on the military to stave off war was nearing its boiling point with Grand Commander Frasier and Robert knew this much, as he was threatening to give the order for the military to go renegade against the Senate. Frasier was outraged at the Senate being as defiant as ever to the Alliance. They were trying to hand the Alliance over to the Empire, and had been voting war down. They knew it was the only outcome, but they were delaying the inevitable.

Delaying the inevitable was also prolonging the Alliance’s agony with that ever-present thorn in its collective side. The Alliance had to declare war on the Empire, but the Senate was voting down the declaration, considering it to be wrong to argue for the declaration of war.

The arguments for the declaration had been damning against the Empire thus far. They had been attacking at every encounter, and taking colonies from the Alliance. The colonies they were taking were of strategic value to the Alliance, and the others seemed to fall in line afterward. They had militia forces to act against the Empire, but they hadn’t the need to use the forces, as they were more required on the planets that the Empire had taken.

Couchman was right about the time running out for the declaration. Everyone in the Alliance knew that was the case, but the Senate was prolonging the agony against the Empire by keeping the vote at a hung jury. The vote being cast was perturbing Couchman to no end, and he was becoming determined to launch a campaign to get war declared. Unfortunately, he knew that the final vote would come out the same way: declining the declaration of war.

Couchman had to take a step that would shake the Senate down to its core: he was going to have to begin firing members of the Senate…again. It was a step he wasn’t willing to take after last year left the Senate cut in half, but he knew that it was going to have to be done. The Senate was consistent about voting the declaration down.

* * * * *

15 Miles North of Edinburgh, Scotland

McBride Manor

The Next Day

Harry, Mike, B’Laeis and the rest of the people that were on the Iowa crew from the time it was docked had met in the courtyard of the manor, where the commanding officer’s yacht was landed. They were packing the craft for launch for the ship, but apparently Mike had said something that angered B’Laeis, as she was not saying anything to Mike, and hadn’t since the packing began.

Harry noticed what was going on between the two, and said to Mike, Michael, she’s mad at you for not allowing her to bring up a discussion about something.

I know what it is, Mike said. I’m waiting until we board the ship to discuss it.

She obviously wasn’t willing to wait that long, Harry said. You might be out of luck getting back to the ship.

Not faarghing likely, Mike thought. Not with what I have in mind once we’re aboard.

* * * * *

05 May 2512, 18:20 Hours Interstellar Zulu Time

T.C.N.V. Iowa [TDNCV-171061], Officer Mess Hall

Mike walked in after stopping by his cabin and, after getting his tray for the meal, stopped by the table Ren and Belle were seated and said, Mind if I join you ladies?

It’s a free galaxy, Belle snapped.

He set his tray down, and circled to Belle, saying, Belle, I know why you’re mad at me, and I can’t say I can blame you for it. He dug the ring box out of his pocket and dropped to a knee, saying, I hope this makes up for it. B’Laeis, will you marry me?

Michael! she said, her tone changing for the better. "I honestly thought you would never ask! You bet your ass I will, and yes, you’re made up!"

They exchanged a kiss as Mike got up, and the mess hall erupted into applause. It was something the entire crew of the ship had been looking forward to, so a public forum was best, in Mike’s opinion. However, Belle didn’t see the proposal coming; this was a complete surprise to her, and made up for the lack of discussion in the matter.

* * * * *

TASCOM Strategic Operations Command [STRATCOM]

19:23 Hours North American Mountain Time

Hudson appeared on the teleport pad. He had a sour look on his face as he said, Angus, this had better be damned good; Pearl’s been at red alert for the past three days.

I know, Angus said. We’ve pieced together the attacks against the Empire for the past four days, and we’re certain that the Zerelli have been in on the attacks.

That would put their seats in the ACA out of reach, Hudson said. Why would they risk it?

To let the Empire know they’re declaring independence, one of the intelligence officers said. They have been enjoying their freedom for 200 years, and are finally putting it all on the line to pay the price for that. Shows that they’re not giving it up without a fight.

Aye, Angus said. That also screws them in the eyes of the Senate.

They evidently don’t care about that, the intelligence officer said. They are only concerned with keeping the Empire at bay within a specific radius of their system.

"This will put the Iowa in the position of launching at Condition Red."

Aye, it will, Angus said.

* * * * *

T.C.N.V. Iowa

This is such a damned inconvenience! Mike thought as he ran out of his cabin, straightening his tie. Red alert out of spacedock is something that I haven’t seen before.

It was an inconvenience for the ship to be at red alert in spacedock, but apparently, TASCOM had their reasons, and they were about to reveal the situation to the crew. Mike walked onto the bridge, only to find Harry in the Crow’s Nest of the compartment. He walked up to the Nest and said, Something screwy had to happen to warrant condition red out of the gate.

Aye, Harry said. We haven’t even launched and we’re at red alert. Something is not right about the situation at Quadrant III.

Sounds like the Zerelli are stepping things up out there, Iverson said.

They have been, Mike said. They’re risking their seats in the ACA as far as the Senate is concerned. However, it’s ultimately up to President Davis to decide.

Aye, Harry said, and the Senate’s going to try to affect that decision once the vote gets to his office. Knowing him, however, he probably isn’t going to allow them to have any effect on his decision. That’s half the reason that there are members of the Senate that want him ousted from office.

They are considering impeaching the President?

Yes, Iverson, Mike said. We get close to war, and they’re considering removing him from office? He’s the best one we’ve had since Davenport nearly 100 years ago.

Aye, Harry said. That’s quite a bit before my time, but he was the best President the Alliance had ever known.

Wasn’t he driven out of running a second term by the Senate? Iverson asked.

Aye, he was. This makes me suspect that Davis will be driven out of the running for President when he comes up next year. Warren’s a jackass-stubborn man, however. When he pursues an issue, he doesn’t give up without a fight.

Perhaps, Mike said, that’s the reason for the Senate wanting him out of office; because he’s that stubborn.

I’ve got Grand Commander Frasier, McKira said. "Main channel, and he sounds pissed."

Aye, Harry said. Put him on Screen Two, John.

Frasier’s image appeared on the screen and said, Good to see you, Harry; just wish it were under better circumstances.

Makes two of us, Harry said.

The Zerelli have stepped up big time since they began attacking the Empire; according to the Senate, they’re taking a huge risk with their seats in the ACA. The Shukerev Cell was only the beginning of their swath attack.

They’re making a bold statement with this affront against the Empire, Mike said. It’s making them look like the bad guys in the eyes of the Senate.

The Senate has no idea what it’s like out there, Angus said. We at STRATCOM can only gain a glimpse of it with the military reports, but it seems they’re eliminating cells just to let them know they’re declaring independence against the Empire.

That means they don’t care about their seats in the ACA, Mike said. Please say it gets better.

Aye, Frasier said. "This attack swath is causing the militia forces to rally and upend Imperial garrisons on the other planets. The Senate’s going to have no choice but to agree to the declaration of war before September even comes around. The only trouble is that the Empire’s losing their grip so badly, they’re developing weapons of planetary destruction."

I thought those weapons had been banned since the twenty-first century, Mike said. Long before Earth formed the United Terran Alliance.

Aye, Mike; you’re right, Frasier said. This battle is going to boil over into war before the Senate can even vote on it, if they make good on this latest threat to the Alliance.

It is going to be hell to get the Zerelli to stop the attacks, Mike deduced. They’re going to be leaving behind one hell of a mess.

Aye, Frasier said. It will also pose a threat to navigation unless something is done about it.

Yeah, Mike said. Another threat is the Markev Cell; they’ve been threatening navigation for commercial and alien trading routes in Quadrant III. They’re also transmitting the plans for the weapons throughout the Empire; we would have to take them down to stop the massive threat they pose.

Normally, if the Senate wasn’t such a pain in the arse, I’d agree, Admiral. However, they haven’t declared war in the ACA yet, so be careful with the attacks. The Senate gets word of such an attack and it could be the career of the commanding officer leading the charge.

All hell is breaking loose, Mike said, "and we’re being limited in the type of attack we can launch?"

They would rather we don’t attack the Empire at all, Frasier said. Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any way we can evade attacking them.

I don’t either, Mike said. They’ve attacked at every encounter, and their rule is iron-fisted. There should be some control in regard to the Empire’s movements, and not this standoff that the Senate has us locked into.

I couldn’t agree more, Frasier replied. Unfortunately, the Senate’s been taking control of what TASCOM could do, slowly but surely. They’ve been giving me orders as to how to handle the Empire. They’re trying to enforce that we only act out of defense, and try not to destroy a cell.

That’s a lot like the Senate all right, Mike said.

We’ve got to find a way that we could launch against the Markev Cell and appease the Senate’s defense-only clause.

They’re a cancer on the galaxy, Kaan said. They need to be removed one way or another.

Agreed, Captain, Frasier said. We have to get rid of them one way or another. But the Senate’s not going to allow us to do our job effectively unless we can do so without attacking the cells of the Empire themselves.

That’s ludicrous, Mike said. Unless we can attack, we can’t really deal with the Empire effectively. They need to be dealt with in an effective manner.

We can’t be effective unless we remove the threat to commercial navigation, and that means removing the Markev Cell; they’re the largest threat to commercial and alien trade navigation. On top of that, they’re the center of the Imperial jamming signal, Harry said.

I’d better let you guys launch, and you can do what is necessary. It’s about a six-week delay over subspace in order for the Senate to find out about it, and another six weeks to get their verdict.

* * * * *

10:30 Hours Interstellar Zulu Time

Mike was more than ready to get the launch underway, and the rest of the crew was more than eager to do the same. Mike stood at the Crow’s Nest as Harry left the bridge and said, Everyone by the numbers.

Yard Command signaling clear sir, McKira said. All frequencies on standby.

Tactical systems ready to go, Iverson said.

Helm ready, Spade said.

Navigation ready, Admiral, Arlington said.

Everyone else reported in one at a time, and Mike said, Spade, clear the moorings, and maneuvering thrusters at station keeping.

Aye, Admiral.

Mike went back to his seat in the aft-center of the bridge, and as he sat down, he said, Thrusters ahead one-third, Mr. Spade; take us out.

As the ship pulled out of the dock, the dockmaster said, "Attention Iowa: the regulation speed limit out of dock is one-quarter speed."

The ship continued to move out at one-third thruster speed, and it sailed through the docking chamber for carriers and past the planet Jupiter. As the ship exited the system, it zipped into Hawking drive space and was gone.

* * * * *

Fleet Command Log, FADM Harold R. McBride:

5 May 2512, 15:23 Hours Interstellar Zulu Time:

After using pulsars for the Omega Drive jumps to make the journey shorter, we have arrived in the sector with the most damage done. Although the Zerelli have been told not to even attack the Empire, they not only have done that, but they’ve cleaned up the mess as well. They have determined to send the message to the Empire that they are declaring their independence, in spite of ACA Senate warnings to not launch any such attack.

* * * * *

The fleet captains had all gathered in the briefing center of the Iowa. Harry began the briefing by saying, Our mission is a simple cleanup of the sectors the Zerelli were in last; they’ve already cleaned up the ones closest to their space, so it seems like they’re cutting our work out for us.

We should also have a task force to take down Lord Markev, Willard McBride said. That’s a major cell around here; covers the communications blackout.

STRATCOM is strictly under the control of the Senate, and that’s who will be calling the shots for this mission, Harry said. It’s a damned shame that the Senate is not allowing the strike on anyone, let alone the one that’s the cause of the communications blackout and the trading embargo.

It’s the only way to open communications back up, Willard said. Whether the Senate authorizes it or not should be immaterial; we have to tear them a new arse-hole to open communications and travel in the quadrant.

You’re suggesting, Harry said, that we breach orders in order to open up the travel lines in the quadrant?

It wouldn’t be a breach of orders if the communications are opened up, Willard said. The sector he’s in is centrally located to keep the commercial traffic at a standstill and to embargo alien trading routes…it’s too damned perfect, and we have to take the son of a bitch down to open communications up in the quadrant.

Just the communications opening up in the quadrant would be a red flag to the Senate.

But it has to be done, Willard said.

"The Senate has ordered