Winter: Tau Past, #9

By Richard R Lockwood

Suma, a Malay girl adopted by Admiral Rafael Ortega, joins the Fleet as an ensign just as Earth comes under a devastating attack. Their spider foes in this timeline are being aided by other time traveling spiders. This requires a strong response and the new Tau Fleet gears up to deliver it. Suma becomes a fighter pilot as part of the crew of the Fleet Warmoon Ragna Rock.
Admiral Kosciusko's children are coming into adulthood, more or less. They become involved in the effort to survive a new glacial age. Admiral Kosciusko siezes Antarctica and proclaims himself royal head of the Kingdom of South.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard R Lockwood
• Release date: Oct 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215428665

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 - Winter

1 - August 1936

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Cadet Suma Ortega stood at parade rest in the front row of the Academy’s main hall, bored and excited at the same time. Her father, retired Admiral Rafael Ortega, was with a few other notables in the VIP section to one side, watching her and the other 22 graduating cadets about to become ensigns in the Tau Fleet, and she appreciated him taking the time from his busy schedule as the King of Borneo and leader of the Malay Federation. Her mother had, not surprisingly, skipped the ritual. Well, it’s a Fleet thing, she thought, refusing to be annoyed. She stole another glance at him while Captain Madison droned on about their responsibilities, but he was looking bland and respecting the speaker. Well, he is part politician, like most senior fleet officers. Wonder what I’ll be like if I ever get that rank?

She knew the underclasses were seated behind her and watching the backs of the standing graduating seniors. Things moved pretty quickly at the Fleet Academy; you had to be a distinguished college graduate or have extensive military experience in one of Earth’s armed forces to get here, then it took a year with the cadets upgrading their status each quarter. She sent a quick message to her friend Jin Fei, a junior seated behind her. *Still following my lead?*

*I’m worried about you,* came the reply. *You haven’t gotten into trouble today, are you feeling alright?*

*Should I break Antonenko’s arm again before I leave?*

*Let me think about it, he has been behaving lately.*

But something had interrupted Madison’s speech and he got the faraway look of someone getting a message that took his whole attention. Suma glanced over to the VIP section in time to see her father with a grim look on his face. Even though he was retired he was still plugged into Fleet message traffic and he abruptly stood. A second later, without glancing at her, he was making his quick efficient way to the side of the room, presumably headed for the portal from Hell Station back to Earth.

The Commandant demanded their attention with a booming Cadets! The underclassmen stood to attention and all eyes were riveted on him. "Earth is under attack. Enemy jump ships have gotten through the Near Fleet’s defenses. One has smashed into the Pacific and another has glanced off the Arctic ice cap. Seniors, you are now ensigns. Pick an underclassman and head for Jaguar. I’ve ordered Lieutenant Palmer to fall out of the system for a safe jump point; he’ll take you to Earth where you will assist in whatever needs to be done. I’ll follow you in Panther when our system defense wings are aboard. Remaining underclassmen will assume Hell System defense duties under Professor von Lettow-Vorbeck."

Their two training vessels had been transformed into Fleet carriers and the seniors into Fleet officers. Suma turned and looked behind her, her eyes meeting Jin Fei’s almost at once, but as she moved towards her friend a lean ferret-faced blond junior moved into her path.

Pick me, said Alexander Nikolaevitch Antonenko, this will probably be dirty work.

Suma looked at her friend, considering in an instant what a sweetheart she was unless you got a higher score on a test than she did, and made her first decision as a Fleet officer. Both of you, come with me. Hell isn’t under attack. Without waiting for an answer she started running for the wide exit from the hall.

Jumping down through the central upper passageway-her father was nowhere in sight and once again she marveled at the way the man could move-she let her uniform harness slow her when she reached the proper floor and moments later she stopped in front of the marine guard at the portal entrance. "We’re commanded to Jaguar, Corporal Hogan."

Aye, miss, he replied, snapping to attention, Godspeed.

Word of disaster travels fast, she thought as she stepped through the entrance and headed for Jaguar’s portal. Automatically she braced for any gravity differential as she stepped through, then relaxed as she felt the standard quarter gravity of most Fleet vessels.

Sub-Lieutenant Duarte was waiting for her and her small group on Jaguar’s reserve deck. First wing leader! he announced, ignoring the underclassmen, then, Move it!

She knew the next four cadets to arrive-no, ensigns, she corrected herself-would be assigned as wing leaders, then the rest would fill their wings as they came in. It was the way they practiced emergency drills.

Jaguar was falling out of the system and heading for a safe jump point as Suma led her small group to the first wing deck and number one cruiser. She ordered the cruiser to have the latest news from Earth on the main display as they floated up to the bridge entrance.

A cruiser over the southern Pacific was sending the results of the impact there. Fortunately the hit was almost in the center, but chaotic seismic activity had begun all around the ocean basin and a wall of water was heading west. Energy estimates predicted it to be about 300 meters high when it reached New Zealand in 45 minutes and whatever was left of the wave, probably most of it, would reach Australia six minutes later.

It must have hit at quite an angle, said Antonenko as he took a seat at a bridge station.

Yes, replied Suma, measuring vectors by eye. No wonder my father left so quickly. Borneo should not be threatened, but the Philippines, as usual, is right in God’s bowling alley.

And the east coast of China, added Jin Fei, Formosa...

I’m sure the Empress is doing everything possible, replied Suma as confidently as she could. The Fleet and local authorities had plenty of experience blunting the force of hurricanes with their atmosphere fields, but a 300 meter high wall of water... She tried to imagine it but decided she was wasting time; they would have video soon enough.

The Philippines and Formosa have a lot of mountains in the east, commented Antonenko, that will help. But the north island of New Zealand will be swamped.

Suma remembered that Antonenko had been a Russian naval officer for some time in the Romanov fleet before he made it to the academy. What can you find out about the Arctic? she asked him, settling down into the command chair and reading her ship’s status feeds.

He switched the display to a Polar view from an observation satellite. After a moment studying data feeds, A glancing blow, as Madison said, but enough to shatter the ice cap into several pieces. I think we’ll have smaller waves around the Arctic coasts. Smaller, as in 20 to 50 meters. My old friends in the Russian Coast Forces will be busy, but 20 meter waves are common in the Arctic.

Message windows popped open on Suma’s screens as her wing members reported in. She was pleased to see ensigns Shaw and Kung, not so pleased about ensigns Minelli and Morapnitz, but knew they were all competent. She checked Jaguar’s status and saw the carrier was two minutes from her first jump. I guess the definition of a safe jumping off point has changed. Fleet protocol called for 20 light minutes from a primary, but this only gave them about 10. Everyone strap in, she ordered her wing, Battle stations. Wait for orders.

A grim silence followed her commands and she decided she may have been a little harsh, Not what we were expecting, she commented to lighten the atmosphere on her bridge.

True, said Antonenko, I could almost taste a beer after the ceremony.

Suma looked at Jin Fei and saw she was looking back with a speculative smile, and we were getting ready to miss each other. Last night had been so warm and ... *Won’t be any time for that, girl,* she sent.

Jin Fei raised a delicate eyebrow but was still smiling as she turned back to the display.

Lieutenant Palmer interrupted their visual feed with a message from the carrier bridge, The Home fleet will be conducting evacuations in the western pacific. Volcanoes are lighting up in Peru and Chile, we’re headed there to aid rescue operations. I want everyone in battle suits.

Suma cursed herself for missing an obvious step and ordered three suits from the bridge fabricator. Better stop thinking about someone’s little sweetness.

2

Jaguar swallowed the Hell Road in rapid 75 lightyear jumps, pausing about ten seconds between each one to verify navigation, and was assigned an arrival point above Sol as she passed traffic control at the O’Neal System. As soon as Jaguar arrived at her assigned arrival point Palmer ordered everyone out. Top speed for the carrier was .85 light, the cruisers could make .87. Ordinarily it wouldn’t matter, but now...

Suma put her game face on just as Palmer sent her a message, The whole west coast of South America is exploding and we have almost nothing there. Take the first wing to Ecuador. Chimborazo, Cotapaxi, and a few others are lighting up. Second and Third will take Peru, Fourth and Fifth will cover Chile. Do whatever you can to help.

Aye aye, sir, she acknowledged, then passed the order to her wing. Jin Fei, see if you can pick up any radio traffic from Ecuador. Alexander Nikolaevitch...

Sasha, please. I think we can be friends now. Even my wife told me I deserved it, sometimes I can be...

Shut up and get into the fighter in the hold. When we arrive I want you to do perimeter watch. Stop any looters or anyone trying to take advantage of the situation. Keep me informed and tell me if you think I’m missing anything.

Aye aye, ma’am. He rose from his station and took the central bridge exit to the hold.

The bridge display began to fill in with hundreds of icons for Fleet and civilian traffic, almost all of it heading for Earth. I bet Uncle Bob is pissed, Suma said softly.

You’re not? asked Jin Fei.

All of this, Suma waved at the display, "is not my responsibility. I’m supposed to be the newest and lowliest ensign on Ragna Rock. But you’re right, I’m a little angry. If it’s the spiders again..."

Jin Fei gave a small shrug, No one else would dare. The Tau Fleet is unmatched in space.

Pugachev will be pissed as well. Somehow they got through the Near Fleet so the Tsar will be mad at him, too.

It’s likely they upgraded their power generators to something like ours. If they can jump rapidly like we can, who can stop them? Fleet HQ in Crimea is probably just now getting the warning signals from their passage.

Suma snorted, In which case they’re pissed too. I wonder why the spiders didn’t attack McKenzie? It’s closer to their space.

It would be a waste. Earth is the source of the human fleets and timeline empires that are attacking them.

It’s been ten years since their last attack that reached Earth. Uncle Bob has slowed down Fleet recruiting since then. He’s taking just enough to keep up with retiring and departing officers. I bet that will change.

What kind of odds would I need to bet against you? Jin Fei cocked her head to one side as she considered. No, it would have to be the spread. Will the next class at the Academy be over 100, or over 200?

Have you picked up any radio traffic from Ecuador?

I’ve identified a government broadcast. They are telling everyone to keep calm.

Good advice, most of the time. In New Zealand people need to head for high ground. Here, the high ground is exploding. She set up a conference call to her wing; the faces of Shaw, Kung, Minelli and Morapnitz, appeared in their own screen message windows. Any advice on how to calm down a volcano? she asked.

Shaw and Minelli shook their heads. Kung Tien spoke, Volcanoes must be a sign of disturbance in the Chi of the Earth.

Suma assigned that to the completely irrelevant category and looked at the mantis like form of the Leepa, Ensign Morapnitz. Any ideas?

We do not have volcanoes on Demeter, replied Morapnitz, they seem unnecessary.

Shaw, Minelli, you take Cotapaxi. Morapnitz, you’re my wingman at Chimborazo. They’re the two worst volcanos right now. Send your underclassmen out in the fighters to look around, and everyone try to think of what we can do to help. I’m thinking maybe we can use the laser cannon to dig channels to control the lava flows, and the shields to protect populations if we need to.

If we turn on our class A shield to protect a population, then the cruiser will be stuck in one place until the volcano is quiet again, Hester Shaw replied.

Come up with a better plan, Hester. Don’t forget to tell me what it is.

Aye aye, Suma was her reply as she cut her message window.

The wings had been approaching Earth as they talked and now they curved around the planet’s surface to reach South America and  Ecuador.

Great, it’s night, thought Suma, should be easy to find our volcanos. She was right, they lit up the sky like flares, at least eight major ones and several minor ones pushing lava and ash clouds straight into the upper atmosphere. The night sky was filling with particle clouds and lightning as the Earth vented its anger at the insult.

I don’t think we’ll channel that, said Jin Fei in an awed voice.

Suma was just as awed, then remembered her father and Uncle Bob saying the same thing - ‘When it falls apart, something is better than nothing.’

I’ll take Quito, she told her wing. Guayaquil is the biggest town but it doesn’t seem threatened at the moment. Morapnitz, take Santo Domingo. The rest of you pick a town and englobe it. You’re right Hester, we’ll be stuck until the Fleet can send help. You’ve got 30 seconds to come up with a better plan.

I’ll take Ambato, Tomaz Minelli replied, it’s about to be covered by lava.

Get your underclassmen out, added Suma. Their job is to encourage the Fleet to send portals. I don’t see any other way to get out of this.

There’s been another strike, said Jin Fei, a direct hit in French Morocco.

Suma sent a quick message to Lieutenant Palmer detailing her plan-she thought he would be too busy to chat-then set her cruiser to hover over Quito. Setting her main shield to 60% she began to block the main force of the ash and fiery rocks dropping on the city. The shield extended a kilometer in all directions from the generator in her cruiser; a determined person could walk through it unless she set it at a higher density.

*You’re building a wall of rock and debris. It’s falling off of the shield around you and onto buildings in the city,* sent Antonenko, hovering above her in his fighter.

*Alright, Sasha, I’m setting down in that square and then I’ll turn up the shield. The air is already getting bad here. Your job is to go get a portal. I’ll drop the shield long enough for you to bring it in when you get back.*

*Aye aye, and God be with us all.*

*My trust is in the Fleet, God’s attention seems to be wandering.*

Earthquakes are shaking the buildings, Suma, said Jin Fei. I’m seeing fissures developing in the streets.

Suma ordered the cruiser down and turned up the shield to 90%. She knew she had killed people with the hardening interface at the town’s new perimeter, but what was the alternative? She didn’t have one. And everyone outside the shield would soon be dead.

3

After Suma set the cruiser down it informed her she was now located in the Plaza Grande of Quito. With the massive two kilometer globe surrounding them and blocking most of the light things seemed to calm down. She managed to take two deep breaths before Jin Fei announced, Massive seismic activity in the mid-Pacific, all along the MOR.

Suma took another breath before she responded, Our job is to stay alive. It might get a lot worse before it gets better, but I want to be around when it’s time to make the spiders pay.

So, stay alive, a good plan, and maybe go talk to these people and let them know?

Suma thought about that for a moment, but decided she was in no hurry. Better to inform herself. Ship, how many information stations can you contact inside your shield?

There are seventeen, Captain. Four of them are in the Carondelet Palace to our northwest.

We’re not blocking video and radio signals, Jin Fei. I’m sure they’re watching the information channels.

The air is getting hotter, Suma.

Suma ordered the cruiser’s shield up to 98%, knowing that the population here was now cut off from civilian message traffic. Any good news?

What I can see of the city seems to have stopped shaking.

Excellent. We’re riding in a bubble on a sea of volcanic chaos.

Almost poetic.

In my memoirs it’ll rhyme. Suma sent for a status report from the rest of her wing. Hester Shaw was sitting in Ibarra, visibly shaken and waiting for orders before taking another step. Kung Tien had englobed Riobamba and seemed to be a bit impatient. Tomaz Minelli had stopped the destruction of Ambato, but just barely. He sent her a view of burning devastation.

Get your medical pod out, Tomaz. You’re all these people have until the Fleet can send some resources.

What about all these fires? The air is already bad out there, anyone I save will probably suffocate.

You joined the Fleet to sit on your butt?

I’ll do what I can, Suma. Minelli out.

Suma took another breath and turned to Jin Fei. What about New Zealand?

Jin Fei took a deep breath of her own and then tuned the display to a view from a transport over Auckland. A broad bay was sheltered by numerous barrier islands to the east. Suma wondered how much protection they would offer from a 300 meter wall of churning water. A cruiser shield globe took up the city center on the western side of the bay and some lesser domes were scattered around. It’s just about to hit.

Suma said nothing, knowing she was about to watch the death of thousands of people. They could not have evacuated more than a fraction of the population in 45 minutes. Was I really 600 light years away in Hell Station 45 minutes ago?

A sudden shadow appeared on one side of the view. The transport must have risen in response to its arrival, even though it seemed to already be about a couple of kilometers up. Then Suma saw why. That wave is at least a kilometer high. The continental shelf must have forced it up. The barrier islands went under without a hint of struggle and then the city was just as easily consumed. The whole area she could see was covered by churning and angry water.

Wellington is getting the same treatment, announced Jin Fei. Christchurch will get it in 20 seconds.

Suma thought of what Jin Fei had said a minute ago, If the Mid Ocean Ridge blows up...

Jin Fei did not reply and Suma saw her friend had several message windows on her screen, probably telling her family to get to their ships. Suma recalled from one of her classes at the academy; some of the future versions of Earth were charred cinders, and wondered if this was how it began.

She noticed something happening on the display and then gave a small cheer as shield bubbles began to pop up in the ebbing flood.

How will they get out? asked Jin Fei, apparently done with her messaging.

Good question, my darling, but at least they have air, unlike the people in Ambato.

Some of the bubbles came to rest in the newly washed land. Suma could see no trace of the former city and could not even make out the outline of its bay. It seemed to have been replaced by a vast mud flat, the surface marred by sporadic wreckage, the water uneven and restless and reluctant to withdraw from the scene of carnage.

They watched as one of the bubbles seemed to slowly settle as the owner dialed down the shield. Dirt from the sides began dropping down into the mud and after a few minutes a small hill stood with a large house on top of it.

Someone will have to rescue them from the top of that unstable dirt, said Suma, but at least they’re alive.

I don’t think that will work for us, replied Jin Fei.

Suma tried to imagine a way to a soft landing for Quito if they really were floating in a sea of lava, then gave up, Tomorrow’s problem.

Ensign Ortega? The face of an underclassman appeared on the bridge message screen to one side of the main display. Suma thought she remembered him, a Welsh boy named Cooper. Sasha asked me to contact you, ma’am. I was Minelli’s, um, am Minelli’s underclassman, Terrence Cooper. We’re all on overwatch now, except for Sasha. He’s gone to Fleet HQ in Crimea to get the portals coming.

Good. What’s happening outside my bubble?

There’s a wall of lava pushing mainly against the western side. I’d estimate it at about 25 meters, and all kinds of hot stuff raining down your dome.

And Minelli’s?

Surrounded by lava on all sides at least 200 meters deep. I can only see the top through radar, there’s so much debris.

Tomaz has a tough job, Terrence.

Yes, ma’am.

Let me know if there’s any change.

Aye aye, ma’am. Cooper out.

The bubble with the center of Auckland is three kilometers off the west coast of New Zealand, Jin Fei announced. Christchurch and Wellington stayed in place. Lucky.

Must have been some ride in Auckland. Maybe the others didn’t take their shield to 100% and didn’t sever the rock connection beneath them.

Jin Fei thought for a moment, Perhaps the cruiser found a depression or dug its way in before activating the shield. That would have given them a lip around the rim that might have held better.

I’m sure there’ll be a new class at the academy next quarter. Surviving Tsunamis.

Hmf! I hope there’ll be one on Surviving Volcanoes!

Suma smiled and they watched the news reports for a few minutes. The strike in Morocco didn’t seem to have done much damage beyond earthquakes all over northwest Africa, but the Pacific MOR was violently erupting. Kilauea volcano in Hawaii had fractured in a drawn out spasm of an island in pain, then tripled its output of lava, burning ash, and flying rocks. All the islands were shaking and Maunaloa seemed to be trying to catch up to Kilauea.

Suma, Jin Fei interrupted, There’s a crowd gathering outside around our base. One of them is wearing the Ecuadorian presidential sash, and fits the description of Federico Paez.

4

Suma checked with her wing; only Minelli had left his ship so far, the rest were sitting tight. Don’t go out unarmed, she ordered and then proceeded to follow her own advice. A laser rifle over her shoulder and a pistol at her hip accompanied her as she stepped over to Jin Fei.

She kissed her along her jawline and said, Keep an eye on me, sweetheart.

Is that a legal order, Suma? she replied with a crooked smile.

Maybe, Suma said as she stepped onto the bridge transport pad. She sent it outside and then stopped. The air wasn’t bad; it wasn’t too hot and there were plenty of trees to help freshen it. She looked down at the gathering crowd and then sat down on the pad as she sent it drifting towards them.

Hovering about two meters above the ground with the rifle cradled in her arms she called out Hola! Buenas Dias!

That