Steele's Hammer: The Glory Game, #1

By Dietmar Arthur Wehr

Steele's Hammer is the first volume in the action-filled, military SF series, The Glory Game. Ex-Captain Damascus 'Mac The Knife' Steele has been offered the position of Captain of an armed freighter by an ex-admiral who has a reputation of being reckless. The mission is to liberate a colony world that has been taken over by space pirates who may not be what they seem to be. If Steele takes the job, his ship would be outnumbered and outgunned. This may be Steele's last chance to restore his tarnished reputation as a space officer. What could possibly go wrong?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dietmar Arthur Wehr
• Release date: Jun 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781988998091

Dietmar Arthur Wehr

Dietmar started writing SF novels when he was 58 after a career in corporate financial analysis. He got tired of waiting for David Weber to write another Honor Harrington series book so he decided to write some military SF of his own. He lives near Niagara Falls, Canada. In his spare time, he dabbles in steampunk cosplay, pursues his interests in science, history and free energy. He can be contacted via his website.

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Cast of Characters:

Hereditary Republic of Caledonia:

President Ferguson

Vice-Admiral Akane Hara

Vice-Admiral Stanten

Vice-Admiral Fletcher

Rear-Admiral Montoya

Captain Damascus ‘Mac the Knife’ Steele

Captain Eric Mitchell

Captain Samuel Christopher

Captain Trevain

Lt. Commander Damien Chilton

Lieutenant Sanchez

Stellar Alliance:

Carter Tyrrell

Captain Hernandez

Lieutenant Nagumo

New Troy:

King Bernhard Dejanus

Princess Rebekka Dejanus

Major Sugaro

Revolutionary Council Chairman Franco Soklov

Captain Convar

Paradyne interstellar/Trajan’s Mercenary Force:

Chairman Calvetti

Executive Director Brody Morganon

Jordan Talavera

Commodore Mako Trajan

Captain Julius Hassell

Captain Tembo Umbaro

Captain Villanova

Cmdr. Syllar

Lieutenant Reilly

Lieutenant Schaffer

Lieutenant Crawford

Glossary of Terms:

CO – Commanding Officer

XO – Executive Officer

TO – Tactical Officer

EO – Engineering Officer

HO – Helm Officer

TacComp – Computer programmed for solving tactical problems

NavComp – Computer programmed for solving navigation problems

AstroComp – Computer programmed for astronomic queries

Doppler Effect – Tendency for sound or light waves to stretch or compress depending on whether the source is moving closer or further away.

Background Briefing:

By the middle of the 21st century, two discoveries that had been made in the previous century were tested and found to enable faster than light travel between star systems. The first of these was electro-gravitics, discovered by Thomas Townsend Brown in the 1950s. By creating a positive charge at the front of a metal disc with a negative charge at the opposite side, the disc moved forward due to what Brown described as ‘sliding down a gravity hill’, although surfing down a gravity wave was a better analogy. And although the U.S. Air Force was rumored to have used electrogravitics to extend the range of its B-2 bombers, EG was not tested for spacecraft until SpaceX tested a prototype in the mid-2020s. It was the EG drive that made colonization of the moon, Mars and the asteroid belt a practical reality.

Even back then, some were proposing using EG drives to accelerate as close to the speed of light as possible as a way of making interstellar voyages. While the theory was sound, practical realities prevented a spacecraft from reaching the 99.999999% of light speed that would be necessary to make the multi-lightyear journey short enough—from the crew’s perspective—to work. The longer the trip, the more food, water, air, life support, etc. the crew would need, all of which would require more space, and therefore a bigger ship, and therefore more power for the EG drive, etc. Navigation was also problematic. How do you aim your ship when the star system you’re traveling to would have moved a considerable distance by the time you got there?

But the biggest obstacle was avoiding collisions with even the tiniest dust particle, which at the speed required would have been equivalent to a commercial airliner’s jet engine hitting a bird in flight. The solution turned out to be a discovery made by Russian scientist Yevgeny Pokletnov in the 1990s that led to a gravity beam projector whereby electrical energy could be converted to a beam of gravitic energy that could be focused and aimed. Further tests by other scientists proved that this beam not only pushed against matter that was in its path, but it also pushed against the ether that underlies all space. Since Einstein’s Special Relativity was the result of a stationary ether field, if the ether could be made to move at velocities exceeding the speed of light, then any object within that moving ether could also exceed the speed of light.

The analogy that was widely disseminated to the public at the time was that of a rowboat floating on a calm lake. Using oars to propel the boat would be equivalent to using an EG drive in space, and speed would be limited by the drag of the water (the inertia of a static ether field). But if the rowboat encountered a fast-moving current of water, then the combination of the current (super-luminal ether) and the oars (EG drive) could achieve much faster velocity. A spacecraft carrying a very large gravity beam projector could generate a tunnel ahead of the craft where ether was moving at super-luminal velocities. And since the craft itself was also in the tunnel, not only could the EG drive accelerate it up to super-luminal velocities (from an external observer’s point of view), the gravity beam would also push any matter that lay in front of the craft away from it, thereby avoiding all collisions.

Once the FTL concept was successfully tested, governments lost the ability to control interstellar travel as first dozens, and then hundreds, of starships were built by private companies and organizations. A mass exodus took place, which resulted in the colonization of hundreds of planets over the following two centuries. That process did not prevent conflict, and wars fought between planets quickly became so destructive that all planetary governments signed a treaty prohibiting the use of nuclear warheads against ships or planets.

An unanticipated consequence of that treaty was the rise in space piracy now that the risk of being vaporized by a missile fired from a pirate’s victim was gone. The answer to the piracy scourge was the formation of the Stellar Alliance and its Navy. Planets further out from the center of the Alliance preferred to keep their independence by building their own navies.

The discovery of wormholes in 2284 sent shockwaves through the political and economic landscape of Human Space. Not only could star freighters make some trips much faster by taking a wormhole shortcut, military power could also be projected more quickly, and control of wormholes, which seemed to be limited to super-giant red or blue suns, also had the potential to generate considerable wealth from the collection of transit fees from ships using the wormholes. As planetary governments and interstellar corporations began to jockey for position, demand surged for mercenary warships.

Chapter One

C aptain Damascus Steele ?

Steele looked up from his meal to see a man and a woman, both very well dressed, standing in front of his table. It was the woman who had spoken.

That’s correct.

The woman smiled and said, I’m sorry for bothering you while you’re eating, Captain. My name is Rebekka DeJanus. My father is the King of New Troy, and this is my bodyguard, Major Sugaro. May we join you, Captain, to discuss something vital to me and which could be of interest to you?

Yes, please be seated. As the bodyguard held her seat for her while she sat down, Steele asked. Am I correct in thinking that I should address you as Princess Rebekka?

A somber look came over her face. I suppose you should, although I’m not certain it’s warranted any longer. You see, my title depends on whether my father is still King of New Troy. A few days ago, I received word that New Troy has been conquered by an organized group of pirates. My father surrendered to the pirates when they threatened to bomb the capital with missiles armed with...what was that description, Major?

The bodyguard, who had remained standing behind his princess, leaned forward and said in a low voice, Cee-fractional kinetic-energy warheads, Princess.

Yes, that’s it. Thank you, Major. That’s all we know, Captain Steele. My source of information was a freighter that was outbound from New Troy during the attack. It managed to get away, but all transmissions from the planet ceased after the pirates accepted the surrender and landed troops. I don’t know if my father is still alive or not.

For a second, she seemed to be on the verge of tears, but she recovered her composure quickly. Steele was surprised that pirates would organize themselves into a force large enough to take on a whole planet. To the best of his knowledge, that had only happened twice before.

I’m very sorry to hear of your family’s misfortune, Princess Rebekka, but I’m not sure what I can do to help you. I’m curious, though, to know who referred you to me.

The princess managed a small smile. I understand your confusion, and I’ll be glad to explain. My father sent me here to Caledonia to study at the University. Since New Troy and Caledonia don’t have formal diplomatic relations, Major Sugaro and I are traveling as private citizens. When I heard the news, I immediately rushed to your government’s Foreign Office and asked for the Hereditary Republic of Caledonia Navy to intercede. I was told that President Ferguson’s government was trying to reduce its off-world entanglements, not increase them and that therefore no military assistance was possible.

Steele was not surprised to hear that. With Ferguson busy mothballing whole squadrons of everything from destroyers to superdreadnoughts now that the war with Socorro was over, he was hardly likely to give the Navy a new task that would justify keeping more ships in commission.

I was referred for advice to Vice-Admiral Stanten, who, like you, was discharged and is also on half-pay status. He referred me to Rear Admiral Montoya, who referred me to Senior Captain Mitchell, who referred me to you, Captain Steele. Once I tell you what I want, you’ll refer me to a Commander I suppose.

She paused, and Steele took advantage of that pause. If you tell me what it is you think I can do, I’ll have a better idea how to respond.

She nodded. Well, given that a lot of Caledonian Navy personnel have been taken off active service and are on half-pay, I was hoping that I could find an officer who would organize a Relief force.

Steele waited to see if there was more, and when it became clear that she had said all that she was going to say, he sighed and said, What ships would this Relief force have, and where would it get those ships, Princess?

She turned to look at her bodyguard. Major? You’re better informed than I am to answer that question.

Certainly, Princess. The Kingdom of New Troy has paid for and was in the process of arranging to take possession of a surplus light cruiser that the Stellar Alliance Navy no longer wants. If the Relief force personnel show up and identify themselves as members of the Royal Trojan Navy, along with presenting documentation from the Princess attesting to their status, it should be possible to take possession of that ship.

Steele almost laughed but managed to resist the impulse. If the SA was disposing of a ‘surplus’ light cruiser, then it was almost certainly an obsolete version not worth upgrading to the latest standards. He wanted to reject her proposal right then and there, but the hopeful expression on her face stopped him.

A surplus light cruiser. Hm. Do you know what the pirates have in the way of naval forces, Major?

Sugaro looked unhappy as he replied. The best information we have available is that they have one heavy cruiser, two light cruisers, and we’re certain that they’ve captured at least one, and maybe both, of the two destroyers that made up the Royal Trojan Navy. He carefully avoided meeting Steele’s gaze. Steele couldn’t prevent his expression from showing his dismay.

Do I understand you correctly, Princess, that you seriously expect me and fellow officers and crew to take one obsolete light cruiser and win against a force that outmatches us in tonnage by probably at least six to one? Do you have any idea of how unlikely that outcome is?

Her hopeful expression turned into a frown. Well, I thought...that they’re just pirates, and you’re...doesn’t the HRCN have a tradition of winning against superior odds?

Steele said nothing as he pondered her reply. The HRCN had tried hard to instill a tradition of victory in its naval officers, and a case could be made that it had helped to win the war against the Royal Socorro Navy, but he had never felt infused with that notion. His career in the HRCN had been less than spectacular. Yes, he had eventually been promoted to Captain (junior grade) but only due to the demands of the war. And with the subsequent command of a missile resupply ship instead of a real warship, it was obvious what the Navy Brass thought of his worth as a combat commander. And while he had scored above average in strategy and tactics at the Academy, his overall score and final standing were below average. Not having a senior officer acting as his mentor had been the final strike against him. When told of his promotion to Captain (j.g.), the personnel officer had informed him that he was the last member of his Academy class, of those that had not been killed in the war, to make it to that rank. That distinction hurt badly. And to top it off, now there was an opportunity to show what he could accomplish, and he was ready to blow it off. That realization generated a wave of anger at himself. He forced himself to focus again on the Princess.

My apologies, Princess. You’re right. The HRCN does have that tradition. I suppose that if I were to ask around, I might be able to find officers and technical crew who would be attracted by the sheer challenge of the task. However, that still doesn’t alter the fact that our chances of success would be slim. While he paused to think about how to respond next, both the Princess and the Major waited patiently.

Before I decide whether to take on this project, I’d like to ask a few more questions, if I may.

She nodded. Certainly, Captain, the Major and I will be happy to answer whatever questions you may have.

Thank you. Let’s talk a bit more about that light cruiser. Where is it now?

She turned to look at Sugaro.

It’s at the Red Shift Unlimited shipyard complex at Midway, Captain.

Steele shook his head. That’s a long way from Caledonia, Princess. If a crew and I are to go there and pick it up, we’ll have to take passage on a star-liner. Do you have the necessary financial resources to pay for round-trip tickets to Midway for a hundred and fifty people?

Her eyes opened wide with surprise. I hadn’t thought of that. That would cost...millions! But wait, why round-trip tickets?

Steele shrugged. "Well, if RSU lets us take possession of the cruiser, then we wouldn’t need the return portion of those tickets, but what if they refuse to recognize our claim to the ship? Without return tickets, we’d be stuck there, and I’ll tell you right now, it would be very difficult to recruit people if the tickets were one way only."

Oh...yes, I can understand that, now that you’ve explained it to me. She sighed. Well, I don’t have enough funds to pay for return tickets. Therefore, I surmise there’s no point in discussing this further. Or is there, Captain?

Steele tried to think of a way around that problem, but nothing came to mind. It does appear to be a dead end. Without that ship, I don’t see any hope of taking your planet back. But let me think about the problem for a day or two. How can I reach you if I come up with something?

It was Sugaro who answered. The Princess and I are staying at the Capital Premier Hotel, Captain. If you call, ask for me, and I’ll make sure Princess Rebekka is informed.

That’s fine, said Steele. I’ll talk to a few people who may have suggestions as to how this might be accomplished. I’d like to ask one more question now before we end this meeting. Can you think of a reason why a group of pirates would want to take over New Troy, Princess? Pirates are normally only interested in immediate gains. If they’re staying on New Troy, then their motivation can’t be short-term gains. It has to be something else. He wasn’t expecting an answer and was surprised when she gave him one without any hesitation.

That’s easy to answer, Captain Steele. About three months ago, a wormhole was discovered leading to a red supergiant star approximately forty-nine light years from New Troy. The other end of that wormhole is within the volume of space that is generally recognized as belonging to the Stellar Alliance. My father was worried that someone would try to conquer the planet to control that wormhole and be able to collect transit fees from the freighters that are expected to use it. That’s why he wanted to expand the Royal Trojan Navy. Not waiting for a response, she stood up. I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Captain Steele, but I’m afraid it hasn’t been. I’m a bit upset, and I’d like to end this meeting now, but please contact me via the Major if you think of a solution. She turned and walked away, Sugaro following behind her.

Steele pondered the problem while he watched them leave. The only thing worse than having one obsolete light cruiser was having no ship at all. When no idea entered his awareness, he sighed and took a sip of his coffee. The café he was sitting in was starting to get busy and noisy. So much for enjoying breakfast and a leisurely coffee in peace.

It was when he was walking back to the small apartment he was temporarily renting that he decided to contact Eric Mitchell, the officer who had referred the Princess to him. He touched the right side of his head just in front of his ear to activate the communications implant the Navy had given him. With the device engaged, he mentally told it to call Captain Eric Mitchell. When the connection was completed, he ‘heard’ Mitchell’s voice in his head.

I wondered if I’d hear from you, Mac. I take it you’ve talked with the Princess?

Yes. She’s just left. I sympathize with her need to help her father and her planet, but I just don’t see how a privately funded and organized effort can liberate her planet. She doesn’t have enough funds herself to even begin to put together something that has a decent chance of succeeding.

I agree. The fact that this light cruiser is at Midway makes that option a non-starter. If there were a ship available in this system, that would make a huge difference. The HRCN is willing to lease surplus ships to carefully vetted parties, but she wouldn’t be able to afford that either, at least not for something big enough to stand a decent chance.

Steele jumped in before Mitchell could continue. I don’t understand why any group of pirates would be interested in controlling New Troy. Even if they wanted to exploit that wormhole, why not just sit on it and collect the fees directly? How does holding New Troy benefit them?

He thought he heard Mitchell chuckle but wasn’t sure. "I’ve been asking myself that too. I’ve come up with three possible reasons.