With No Warning

By Robert A.V. Jacobs

The destruction of an unarmed merchant vessel, with no warning, shocked everyone, and Vice Admiral Gale Harkness, is sent to investigate.
What she finds is a single dust cloud that is all that remains of the EV Harmonica.
Then two more ships, but this time of military origin, disappear in the same way, and Humanity, together with their Shi-az-ee allies, prepare for war.
A deserted colony, a mysterious empty building, a strange ion trail, ships that leave no jump signature, and another unwanted promotion, are just some of the problems that Gale has to face before the mystery can be solved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert A.V. Jacobs
• Release date: May 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463036686

Book preview

Chapter One

The Humanity under the command of Captain Gale Harkness moved up alongside the Fleet flagship, ‘The Argos’. Several months had passed since the death of the last living Taldi’na, and Gale’s current assignment was patrolling the Prenzia system to ensure the safety of the fledgling race being created on the moon of the third planet. Well not actually being created but hatched from the eggs that had been left in the care of an artificial but sentient computer that the humans had named Crystal.

Teams of experts from the human planets, together with those from the Shi-az-ee were overlooking the entire operation. Further Teams, consisting of terraforming experts had also been despatched to Prenzia One, now re-designated as Prenzia Prime, to guide the planet to a viable environment as it slowly established its final orbit and began to cool.

It was intended that this should be the future home for the Taldi’na at the end of the several hundred, if not thousands, of years that the project was estimated to take.

A civil war had decimated the Taldi’na, ending in the total destruction of their two home planets and the virtual extinction of their race. The single survivor that remained had slowly gone insane, believing that it was destined to be the only organic creature alive in the Universe. To this end, it had made it its life’s work to seek out and then destroy all other lifeforms as soon as it encountered them. There was no negotiating with it, or reasoning with it. If you met it, it killed you, whether in its real form or in one that it could copy. Being a particularly long lived species, with its oldest recorded member having lived for eighteen hundred years, time didn’t mean as much to it as it did to the relatively short lived humans.

The Argos, under the command of Captain Bernice O’Reilly, was the only ship in the Fleet that was big enough to ferry the amount of equipment, supplies, and personnel that were needed for the project. So temporarily, she was relieved of her ‘Flagship’ duties, with the position being picked up by the Frigate FS York. The FS in the name, designated it as a ship of the combined Earth and Mastreel fleets, and stood for ‘Fleet Ship’. The current Rear Admiral responsible for operational command of the fleet wouldn’t stop moaning at the cramped conditions, and was beginning to exasperate Admiral of the Fleet Simon Patrick. It had got so bad, that virtually all of the command team were holding their breath and waiting for him to be relieved.

But on-board the Argos, which was currently approaching the moon of the third planet, Captain O’Reilly grudgingly acknowledged the presence of the Humanity, and then continued on course for the moon. It would be a prolonged stay in orbit, while its two shuttles ferried everything down to the surface, where ships stationed there would move everything to where it was needed.

This was the fifth trip for the Argos, and it was estimated that a further five would be required, before it could be returned to its normal role. In terms of time, approximately six months would elapse before that would be possible. Because of the importance of this project a special ship had been commissioned for later on-going operations, and was currently under construction in the ship yards.

"Captain Harkness ahoy," the thought sounded cold and distant through her CI, with a distinct emphasis on the ‘Captain’.

"Harkness," Gale’s thought acknowledged.

"We’ve brought the ‘Harrogate’ with us in the cargo bay." she heard Bernice say, It will be taking up patrol duties here. You are relieved and are required to report to Fleet as soon as possible.

The transmission ended. All signs of their previous friendship were gone. As it had been with a great many of her other friends, since she had resigned from her position as Rear Admiral and Operational Commander of the Fleet. It seemed that all Captains aspired to higher office, and when someone walked away from it, as Gale had done, those same Captains lost all respect. Gale was disappointed that Bernice had taken the position that she had, hoping that there would be some understanding, but it obviously was not to be.

There was only a few of her original crew still serving aboard her ship, and amongst them was Lieutenant Commander Natalie Saltis, who had been promoted from Lieutenant when Gale had appointed her as her XO. Lieutenant Commander Jake Taylor, who would have simply gone anywhere that Natalie had, was on Tactical, assisted by Able Seaman Arthur Cross. Arthur’s reasoning was quite simple; he just fancied the pants off Gale, and would kill to be on the same ship as she was whatever it was tasked with doing. She didn’t know this of course, all she knew was that he would protect her with his life, and just felt better when he was around. The fact that she fancied the pants off of him and he didn’t know it, in fact neither did she yet, was irrelevant.

Chapter Two

We’ve been recalled Natalie, said Gale, acknowledge our departure to the Argos, set course for Fleet and get us underway as soon as you’re ready.

Aye, Aye, Captain, said Natalie, then directed her voice to her CI, as she accelerated the Humanity away from the Argos, Acknowledged Argos, we’ll be out of your hair directly…

As soon as her instruments told her that the ship was clear of the Planet’s gravity well, she directed her voice to her CI again. All crew secure for transit to hyperspace, and then pausing just long enough to know that all was in order, she continued, transit to hyperspace in three… two… one… now.

The Humanity emerged from hyperspace slightly less than five million kilometres outside of Fleet’s gravity influence, and immediately began broadcasting its transponder signal. This part of the Galaxy had been peaceful for a while now, but Fleet’s primary task was the protection of the Human race, and all of the officers and men and women who worked there took it very seriously indeed, and their guard was never down.

The familiar form of the Leicester came into view off their port bow, and a few seconds later, the Trent drew up on their starboard. Both Frigates were part of the permanent defensive umbrella that existed around Fleet, and being suspicious of all transponder signals had popped by to verify the Humanity’s identity.

Welcome home Humanity, came from Captain Carter on the Trent, and satisfied, both ships peeled away to continue their patrol.

I have received instructions to land on a ground cradle, said Natalie, trying hard not to show her surprise.

Visiting ships, usually berthed at one of the bays on the orbiting shipyards, with personal being taken down by regular scheduled shuttles. To Natalie’s knowledge no one had ever been given permission, let alone instructed, to directly use a ground cradle. She chuckled, as did Gale who added,

They’ve been out of use for so long, that I can just imagine the number of guys that there will be crawling all over them to make sure nothing is rusted up.

Yes, but why the urgency? asked Natalie.

No idea. said Gale, smiling again, They’re probably going to sack the lot of us.

Well just in case it’s our last trip Captain, hold on to your hat we’re going in hot.

The ship had coasted into orbit while they were speaking, and its nose now dipped and it rocketed down through the atmosphere,

But don’t kill us will you Natalie?

I shall try my very best not to, Ma’am,

With the air screaming past the hull the ship blasted across the landing zone at supersonic speeds, and arced around a thirty mile radius, bleeding off speed as she did so, coming to a halt directly above the landing cradles. Under Natalie’s expert handling she dropped to settle into the vacant cradle with hardly a bump.

It seems that all of that rushed pilot training paid off Natalie, observed Gale, I had a feeling you’d be good at it. I couldn’t have done better myself.

That’s true. said Natalie, grinning, As my test scores were the highest ever recorded, I doubt there is anyone still alive who could.

Modest to her last breath, commented Gale, retrieving her uniform jacket from the back of her chair, but let’s get off of this ship before your head is too big for the airlock.

Natalie had been Gale’s Flag Lieutenant and Communications Officer when Gale had held the rank of Rear Admiral, but when that came to an end she found herself without a definable role. It was true that she had effectively stolen Jake from Gale, but seeing the two together had quelled any desire Gale may have had for revenge. She liked Natalie, liked her a lot, and she was not going to let a man interfere with that, instead, she used what influence she had left, and got Natalie into command school. She had turned out to be outstanding, and her test scores were indeed the highest ever recorded. So even though said in jest, her comments were no more than the simple truth.

As soon as her training was complete, Gale had heard of her capabilities, and immediately offered her the position of XO, which she had readily accepted. Under Natalie’s tutelage the Bridge assignments changed dramatically. She had engineers redesign the layout to include communications into the XO’s command console, and consequently the crew on the Bridge reduced from six to four. It was much more efficient, was recognised by Fleet Command as so, and was being rolled out to the remainder of the fleet.

Chapter Three

It seems that you are required to report to the Admiral of the Fleet, Captain, and the rest of us have been told to go and play, until you are ready to return, she said, as she responded to the feed from her CI.

Gale didn’t bother monitoring communications to the ship when it was in flight, after all that was what she had an Executive Officer for, so she wasn’t aware of the exact words that had been used.

Well I doubt they said ‘play’, but I get your drift, she returned.

Actually that’s exactly what they did say. smiled Natalie.

Ten minutes later, Gale found herself sitting in the Fleet Admiral’s outer office, waiting to be called. She didn’t have to wait long, and was ushered into his office by an overly efficient Flag Lieutenant. Ignoring the Flag’s quick glance over her to make sure that she was correctly dressed, she stepped in front of him, and entered the office.

Sit down Gale, he said, glowering, and shut up!

She opened her mouth to say, but I haven’t said anything, but closed it again when he raised his hand.

Five months ago we, or rather I, sanctioned your request to be demoted back to Captain. Since then I have been pounded by the powers that be un-mercifully. Both of my masters, on Mastreel, as well as on Earth, have ordered me to reverse that decision, he paused, and I’m quoting: ‘whether the woman likes it or not’. There were even protests from the Shi-az-ee would you believe?

I won’t accept it sir, she protested, and if you force me to, I will resign.

Let me tell you of some of the comments that were made. he responded, smiling for the first time, Any resignation will be refused... We will have her forcibly dressed... Chain her to her damn chair... Shanghai the woman if she won’t see sense... She’s a bloody hero for Christ’s sake, how do you think this looks to the public...? and those are the ones that are repeatable. My favourite had to be from the Shi-az-ee, whose spokesman said ‘that if she is not reinstated, then a state of war will exist between us again’… He was joking of course, but I’m not sure that the political suits understood that.

The Shi-az-ee, were a Mantis like race, only marginally bigger than a human being, who had been at war with humanity for a disastrous few months based upon a lie. Nen-par-se, one of their Admirals, had eventually realised the error, and took it upon himself to reach out with the hand of peace. Since then, both sides had found that despite their bizarre differences they had more in common, than that which separated them. As a further step to cement their friendship, the ships from both species, had adopted the practice of having a liaison officer, from each other’s ranks, on board at all times.

Look sir… she started, realising that even though he was smiling, his demeanour was that of a deeply unhappy man. He did not like what he was being forced to do, so perhaps she could help, by finding a way out. Desperately she searched through her mind, Arthur Cross suddenly reared his head, and she surprised herself by seizing upon it eagerly, … I would seriously like to jump the bones of one Able Seaman Arthur Cross, but how can I do that if I’m a Rear Admiral?

"Well apart from the fact that you won’t be a Rear Admiral, you shouldn’t be doing that even as a Captain. he said, dashing any thought of a reprieve, My advice is, don’t tell anyone."

But I’ve just told you sir. she replied reasonably, If you aren’t going to reappoint me then, what’s all this about?

He reached for some papers on his desk, handed them to her, and then to her horror announced,

This is confirmation of your appointment to Vice Admiral, and what was it that you were supposed to have told me? I’m damned if I can remember what it was.

Gale sighed. She was defeated and she knew it. From his expression she had no doubt that, if the worst came to the worst, she would be the only Vice Admiral in the fleet operating in chains. Her only course now was to accept the promotion with good grace, and get on with it. She took the documents from his outstretched hand.

What will I be responsible for? she asked.

Nothing, he said, a watery smile on his face, leaving Gale with the impression that this he really did not want. If you were a politician, you would be without portfolio. But actually you will report only to me and the Parliaments of our two worlds, and take on any nefarious and dirty job that no one else will. You will retain command of the Humanity, and you can go where you like and do what you like, until we have something for you. The only difference is that you will not be required to have a Shi-az-ee liaison on board.

While it would appear that everything that she did from now on would be shrouded in secrecy, it might just be counter-productive not to have a Shi-az-ee on board. They were a pretty sensitive race, and might just be mortally offended by the action if they found out.

Chapter Four

Thank you sir, Gale muttered, not really wanting to thank anyone, "But, I would really prefer to have a Shi-az-ee on board. Perhaps their government could be approached, and someone appointed on the same terms as me. And having said that, I suppose my uniforms are