1924: Tau Past, #5

By Richard R Lockwood

The Tau Fleet expands its reach and learns about  the huge area between Earth and the Orion nebula. Boris Kosakov, rescued from a Bolshevik prison in 1920, joins the Tau Fleet as an Ensign. Lothar von Richthofen fights the Battle of Monkey Bureaucracy. After the battle a new prize is discovered, Asgard, a region of space with a dozen engineered worlds. Operation Bifrost begins to claim it. The alien Leepa are discovered and become allies of the Tau.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard R Lockwood
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215622452

Richard R Lockwood

Was born in Miami FL. Worked for the University of Florida until I retired. Been married to the lovely Cecelia for 40 years now, proof that I'm a lucky guy. Now living on the Nature Coast in Citrus County. Enjoy all kind of wildlife, especially reptiles and insects, so I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place. When I'm not writing I enjoy wood carving. Both of the heads beside me in the picture are cedar from the Chassahowitzka Forrest. I also love to walk my dog Bark Anthony. Probably need to go do that now. A Chronology of the Twins Alternate Universe novels and some thoughts and rationales - https://www.ricklockwood.net/Chronology.html My Books on Books 2 Read - https://books2read.com/ap/RaZ9Br/Richard-R-Lockwood  

Book preview

Tau Past - 1924

1

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Boris Kosakov was expecting a summons from the Commandant and was not too worried when it arrived. He checked himself over in the mirror of his quarters from reflex but the habits he had learned at VMI once again came in handy; his gray cadet utility uniform was in order. Get right and stay right, he thought as he took a floater up to the Admiral’s office.

Kopje’s secretary waved him in as he arrived and when he came into the Admiral’s office with a polite rap on the door frame he was waved to a chair by the desk. After a minute to finish up a report Kopje said, Well, Cadet, I’m not surprised; your marks are the highest of any class graduating this year. Any commander in the fleet would be happy to have you, but before we get to your wish list I need to say that the fleet has just changed the protocol for graduates of the academy. Starting with this class, every graduate will begin their career as an ensign unless they have significant prior military experience. Do you have any issue with that?

Sir, Admiral Kosciusko often says, ‘Everyone has issues that I don’t need to hear about’.

So what’s on your wish list?

Carrier duty, sir. If I start somewhere else I may never get a carrier slot.

"Any particular carrier, Boris? Your brother is Flight Boss on the Suvorov, might be awkward."

"If I have my choice, sir, it would be Freya. Captain von Richthofen demands the best, that’s what I want to be."

"I know you two are friends. Lothar is a different person on duty-he’s all business-but I don’t think you’ll have any problem there. There’s an opening in his third wing. Freya is about to start a new tour so if you want that spot you’ll have to forego the usual one week leave after graduation. After graduation in the morning you’ll be expected to join her within the hour, understood?"

Yes sir, and thank you.

Now I don’t usually have any other conversation with a cadet but you are a special case considering your family connections. The fact that you’re on a first name basis with most of the Fleet leaders will mean nothing while you’re on duty. I’m sure you already know that, but it needs to be out in the open. Clear?

Yes sir.

Good. Any questions?

"Where is Freya now, sir?"

The Tactical Response Group is gathering at Hell Station. Lothar likes to start there and see if there’s anything new in the kitchen.

2

After a short graduation ceremony in the morning Boris was met by his squad leader when he stepped through the portal from Crimea to Freya. He had noticed in the portal station that there were two portals to the carrier and a marine had explained that one led to the Captain’s ready room. The other was for ‘everyone else’ and led to Freya’s reserve deck.

Lieutenant Dun was a small man trying to grow a mustache but Boris was familiar with the Gurkhas and knew not to underestimate them. Dun extended a hand and said, Welcome, Ensign. Come with me.

Boris looked around as he stepped onto a pad with Dun and saw he was surrounded by gunships and Pebble craft.

"Freya has a different ship’s complement than the original carriers, said Dun, noticing his look. Here on the reserve deck are ships for people who might just come and then go out, like the special ops people. Two portals makes it quicker than having them come on board by the bridge and then come down here. Easier to move their baggage, too."

They traveled up through the main transit tunnel on the carrier past the bridge and dining decks until they reached the third wing deck. Boris could see the eight black cruisers crowding around the central bay like being inside the cylinder of a revolver. The five wings all have eight cruisers and each cruiser stows two fighters in its hold. The Captain feels that’s the quickest way to get a strong force on the scene and then multiply that force if necessary. I got another new guy last week, you’ll both fly with me for this tour. You know we’re at Hell, right?

Yes sir.

"McKenzie is here with us, and when the Bee Hive gets here tomorrow we’ll pick up Victoria at Churchill, then head out to Longwei and a scouting trip for the TRG around the nebula. Over there is the wing ready room and next to that is the simulation training room. Lieutenant Yan has the rest of the squadron there on an exercise right now; we’ll stow your bag in your cabin and come back and introduce you."

The deck had big numbers painted before the cruisers and Dun floated up to the bridge of Seven. Here you get cabin Three, he said as they floated across the bridge and down to the cabin level, or you can stay in one of the deck cabins, they’re about the same.

Boris tossed his bag into the doorway of the cabin and turned to Dun, This is fine.

They returned to the simulation room where his other squadmates were seated at four stations. Lieutenant Yan ended the exercise when she saw Dun arrive with the new guy, then stood to be introduced.

Tiny thing, thought Boris, I guess she may feel a bit bigger standing.

Yan Zhu, said Dun, nodding at her, "my assistant squad leader. A graduate of the Phoenix Academy and served on the Bee Hive before joining us. Kaspar and Rolf, he indicated the two men, two ignorant louts from the Jaegers."

Too true, said one of the men, extending his hand, I’m Kaspar, so he must be Rolf, I think.

Boris, he said shaking, still wet from the academy.

Ah, the little brother of the famous Countess Kosakov, said Rolf, extending his hand. Do you play poker?

Sometimes, but usually it’s easier to just throw my money out the window.

There are no windows here, so...

Are you familiar with fighters, Ensign? broke in Yan.

I have one of the Captain’s designs, the biplane simulator, at my home, ma’am.

Dun said, Yan is in charge of training. I have things to do so she’s going to assess your skills. He turned around and left.

We do not fly toys here, Ensign, continued Yan. They are the latest design. You will be my wingman against the Huns, and she strode for the door, then turned around and waited.

I think I heard an order there, said Kaspar as he rose from the station.

Rolf followed him and said, Just like old times, right Russki? clapping Boris on the shoulder as he passed.

The two Germans took a pad up to the bridge of cruiser Eight while Yan led Boris back to Seven. I will use Seyoum’s fighter, he is in training with the Chief Navigator.

Seyoum? asked Boris.

Your wingmate, an Ethiopian. He is doing pilot simulations. Every officer takes the pilot training, but only those who show an aptitude are scheduled for bridge duty. They floated up and through the bridge, then down into the hold. The lights came on and Boris saw two big black eggs taking up most of the hold. They were designed to just fit two in a standard cruiser. Larger motors, better inertial dampeners and shielding, one big laser in the nose. Both craft opened their hatches like the eye on a reptile and Yan waved Boris to one.

After they were both seated in the cockpits Yan gave an order to the carrier and the hull section where the cruisers were attached rotated outward. The cruiser hold opened and Yan led Boris out into space, then the cruisers rotated back in.

Yan immediately sped off and Boris took after her. We will head for the back side of Hell Four she sent. The Germans may attack us at any time. Do you know what a wingman does?

Boris almost told her he’d been Captain von Richthofen’s wingman more than once but choked it back, Yes ma’am.

She spoke no further and Boris assumed he knew as much as he needed. He adjusted his fighter’s defense sensorium for two thousand kilometers-twice the effective range of the lasers that would be attacking them-then moved above and to the right to follow her.

For the next hour she sped on, circling the dark green planet and constantly changing vectors without warning, seemingly oblivious to the attacks that came every few minutes from all directions. Boris was killed numerous times but managed to keep her alive through most of the attacks; losing her only twice before he was destroyed. Then she sent, Now it is your turn, kill them.

Boris was familiar with the fighter now, and attack was always more fun, but still he died six times while killing Kaspar twice and Rolf once.

Enough, sent Yan, "now I know where you need work, return to Freya."

Okay, thought Boris, typical new guy treatment so far. After they stowed their fighters in Dun’s cruiser they floated up to the bridge to exit. Boris saw a black man sitting in the cruiser’s command chair with his boots up on the display railing. Yan stopped the pad to introduce him as the man stood up and said My new friend, I am Seyoum!

Boris saw a man of moderate height, about five centimeters less than himself, with sharp features and a dusky brown skin. Boris, he said shaking his hand.

You did very well, said Seyoum. Yan will not tell you but I will. Rolf swore you would not touch him, but now I am the new owner of a house in Bavaria, God knows what I will do with it.  

You bet on the new guy? asked Boris.

No one else would, said Seyoum with a grin, so I got good odds.

I’m going to lunch, said Yan, join Seyoum for pilot training afterward, Ensign, and she floated out through the bridge exit.

Seyoum watched her go, then said after she was out of sight, She likes to use the whip I think. But come, let us have lunch, perhaps Rolf is in the dining hall and wishes to congratulate you.

How long have you been in the fleet? asked Boris as they floated on a pad after Yan.

All of my new life, said Seyoum as they entered the dining deck. There is Rolf and Kaspar, and led the way over to their table.

Kaspar nodded when they sat down, Rolf is mad because you hit him once. I am happy you hit me twice, it means you’re better than the last new guy.

Hah! said Seyoum, I think my new friend is not so new, but before Boris could respond the sound of klaxons filled the air, turning the hall instantly into a scene of elbows and fast departures.

3

Captain Jiao McKenzie, Governor of Longwei, Countess of Formosa, Princess and heiress to the Dragon Throne of China, spat the dust out of her mouth and took her place in the batter’s box again. The Texan pitcher seemed to have lost a little speed on his fastball and she managed to hit the next pitch for a line drive into far right field. The runner on second took off and made third but Jiao was picked off before she could get to first. Jiao was applauded by the crowd and her team as she made her way back to the dugout but the next batter hit a pop fly, ending the inning and stranding the runner.

Captain Cornelius Smith was enjoying the game from the Governor’s box behind first base with his son Cole and the captain of the Texas, Commander Eddie Rickenbacker. Several shakpay were enjoying the game from their huge shaded stalls along the outer base lines.

Better do something, Eddie, said Smith, this will be your last chance to beat us for two months.

"I am doing something, I’m enjoying your hospitality and being a good guest. Rickenbacker punctuated the statement by grabbing another cold bottle of beer from the barrel of iced drinks between them. He leaned back and opened it, then took a sip. Twist off tops may be the best technology they brought us from the future."

Smith got a bottle of his own as they watched the Dragons take the field, but then left the top on as he started to get a message from the planet’s command center in the Longmid.

*Several systems ships have appeared between us and the nebula, sir,* said the duty officer. *Between three weeks and four months out, 17, no 18 so far.*

Smith looked over at Ed and saw he was communicating with his ship as a siren sounded over the field. As the most populated human colony in the sector, Longwei had a series of mass sensors around the system and a carrier always on duty. Texas had been due to leave when the Victoria arrived tomorrow. Now pads were coming down and taking the players up to their cruisers for the trip back to the orbiting carrier.

Ed left just as Jiao arrived. Visitors, said Smith to his wife as he got the barge box moving towards the Longmid a half kilometer away. He was being updated by the duty officer, System ships, 29 so far, he told Jiao. They stepped off the barge onto the command center level and made their way inside.

A significant force, that would be half of the All Queens fleet, she commented.

Smith nodded, then looked at the holo display of the Longwei system as Jiao stepped into a refresher. Cole did not want to be sent somewhere safe so he kept his mouth shut; his dad noticed him taking a seat at an empty work station and turned back to the display.

More red dots were populating beyond the outer system as Smith watched, 34 so far. He contacted his second wing leader, *Amar, send a squad to keep order around the pyramid; we’ll probably start seeing people come here to use the portal.* He watched the green dots move as Tasunke, his first wing leader, began forming a cruiser screen between the planet and the unknowns. On the display the Texas broke orbit and began to fall out of the system.

"Freya estimates she and McKenzie will be here in 50 minutes, sir, they’re at Hell right now. The Bee Hive is at O’Neal and estimates 75 minutes. Victoria is at Churchill gathering her crew. Admiral Ortega has declared a sector emergency."

Make sure they can see this display, Lieutenant. Advise the TRG they may want to arrive over them instead of us.

Aye aye, sir.

Smith studied the display and tried to imagine a peaceful reason for such a force as the counter ticked over to 40 of the huge city size ships. Jiao stepped out of the refresher in a clean uniform and came over to stand by him.

Interesting times, she said as he put his arm around her.

The closest one is fifteen light days, he replied. Unless they’re faster than all the others we’ve seen out here, that means they’ll take more than two months to get here. The counter showed 46 as he spoke.

So, no problem? asked Admiral Ortega as he came up behind them.

Hello, sir, said Smith.

My husband does not want Cole to worry, Uncle Rafe, said Jiao. Are you here to contribute?

Ortega raised his eyebrows and moved a step away from her in mock alarm, I’m just here to unleash Lothar. I won’t get in your way.

Smith had long since gotten over the fact that Ortega did not seem to like him and ignored it. The counter seemed stuck on 48 and Smith wondered if others were arriving