Along the Watchtower: A Gritty Space Opera Adventure (Frontier's Reach Book 4) Read online

  “Jason Cassidy, actually,” he said.

  “Jason? Our files—”

  “Are out of date. Tyler died responding to a CDF distress call.”

  The commander eyed him. “I’m sorry to hear that. You understand we’re all here because of what happened at Orion V.”

  “Obviously.” Jason stared back at her. “The stompers are a bit much, aren’t they?”

  She turned to the Marines and nodded. They all departed through the hatchway. “I’m Commander Hariri. I’ll be overseeing your debriefings.”

  She put out a hand.

  Jason glared at it then shook it. “I guess we have little choice in the matter.”

  Hariri frowned. “You do not.”

  He chuckled. At least she’s honest. “Doctor Tai is in our infirmary. She’s—”

  “Already being taken to the sickbay aboard the Repulse. She’ll then be transferred to Outpost Watchtower when we arrive.”

  “The Argo—”

  “Will be repaired, so that after your debriefings you’ll be able to go on your way without inconvenience.”

  He hadn’t expected that. “And my people?”

  “Will be treated as guests on the Repulse while you’re here.” She peered around the bridge. “Does that satisfy all your inquiries?”

  While Jason could never be completely content with everything in their current predicament, it would have to do for now. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Aly clutched his hand, and Jason looked into her eyes. “Just answer all their questions truthfully, and we’ll get out of here.”

  I hope…

  Chapter 3

  UECS Repulse

  Javier couldn’t take his eyes away from the paraphernalia in Admiral Kostecki’s office. Medals, guns, and hunting trophies adorned every bulkhead. It was the home of a man of war.

  “Professor Petit, please sit down.”

  Javier took a chair on the opposite side of the desk, while the admiral studied his data tablet, leaving the room in an awkward silence.

  Javier cleared his throat.

  “Sorry, Professor. I’ve been reading over the report you submitted to Commander Hariri.” Kostecki put the tablet down. “I must say, you’ve had quite the adventure.”

  Javier bristled. “I would hardly call what we went through an adventure.”

  “No. The losses on Orion V and the crew of the Vanguard…” He stopped, tapping his fingers on the desk. “Captain Marquez is a great loss. And these Seekers…a scary proposition to say the least. What’s most disturbing is we don’t truly know who they are. In your report you state they were using the native inhabitants of Psi-Aion as slaves.”

  “And Christian Nash as well.”

  Kostecki nodded. “You couldn’t determine how they were controlling these individuals?”

  “No.”

  “Do you believe we’ve got further cause for concern?”

  “Admiral?”

  “You destroyed their super weapon and one of their ships. In your report, the Seekers sent a message to a distant star system before their destruction. Might they come searching for redemption?”

  “That’s something only the Seekers can answer.” It’d been something Javier had thought about as well. “But from everything we saw, they viewed us as a lower life-form. They—”

  “A lower life-form that threw a spanner in their works,” Kostecki interrupted. “This trans-space technology they wield. Should they want to take revenge…”

  “As I said, Admiral, that’s not a question I can answer.”

  “Hmm.” Kostecki glanced back down at the tablet. “Speaking of the transient space method. You replicated it. Could you do it again?”

  Javier knew the question was coming. “I was working with an already created aperture. By using the Iota particles I’d salvaged from our first journey, I was able to reopen it for the return trip.”

  “And creating one from scratch would be more difficult?”

  “A technological impossibility, at least for now.” Javier didn’t expect him to understand.

  Kostecki stared at him. “Moving on to Kione. Your theory regarding his connection to the sphere is a little murky.”

  “Theories tend to be that way.”

  “But you believe his people created the sphere?”

  “Since it was his genetic code that opened it, I would assume it likely.”

  “But this artifact is six million years old.”

  “That doesn’t mean his species don’t still exist.” Javier peered around the room at the trophies Kostecki had collected on safari and wondered how many of them would be around in six million years.

  “Do you believe he’s a Seeker?”

  Javier smiled. “Since we don’t know what a Seeker looks like, that’s difficult to determine. However, by the way Christian Nash regarded him, I would assume it unlikely.”

  “Regardless, it’s unsettling to think of the power his people are capable of, not to mention the mental abilities he wielded when he was in contact with the sphere.”

  “Those abilities have since disappeared with the sphere’s destruction.”

  “For now…” Kostecki didn’t sound convinced.

  “Yes, well, once we reach Watchtower and they can treat Doctor Tai, she’ll be able to determine for sure—”

  “No doubt. All right, this seems to be all for now. I’m sure as the debriefings of the Argo crew get underway, I’ll have more questions that’ll need answering.” Kostecki placed the data tablet in front of Javier. “Please read this carefully.”

  Javier inspected the nondisclosure agreement. By signing, it bound him to absolute secrecy in regards to everything that had happened from the attack on Orion V to the moment he’d walked into Kostecki’s office. He’d signed many throughout his career.

  He placed his thumbprint on the data tablet and slid it back over to the admiral. “What about the crew of the Argo?”

  “They’ll be debriefed as you’ve been. I’ll collate all information so we can have an accurate picture of what happened.” Kostecki rose from his chair. “Now, the Repulse will arrive at Outpost Watchtower in the next few hours. You’re welcome to go aboard the station. After I conclude the debriefs, we’ll be returning to Earth so we can take you back to TIAS.”

  “And Doctor Tai?”

  “If she’s well enough to travel, she’ll come with us.”

  Javier nodded his appreciation and walked from the office. His thoughts returned to Jason Cassidy and his crew. He hoped their debriefs went as smoothly as his own.

  *

  November 2, 2213

  Outpost Watchtower

  Commander David Ortega walked to the large viewport in the operations center. In the distance, the Repulse grew steadily bigger as it approached.

  “Commander, the Repulse’s opening a commlink,” Ensign Brock, the station’s communications officer, informed him from the other side of the operations center.

  David approached him. “Let’s hear it.”

  “Repulse to Outpost Watchtower, requesting clearance to enter security perimeter.”

  David perused the exit and entry lanes surrounding the station. He knew they were clear, but for safety purposes he had to be absolutely sure.

  “Clearance is granted, Repulse,” he said. “Our medical team will stand by for Doctor Tai’s arrival.”

  “Affirmative Watchtower. Repulse out.”

  “Instruct Doctor Lenard to proceed to the hangar deck.”

  Brock nodded and did as instructed. David made his way into the central elevator shaft of the space station. He wondered about Jason Cassidy. He’d got himself caught up in something that was being kept very quiet. Even Watchtower’s CO hadn’t been told about it.

  It had to be in relation to the attack on Orion V. But what?

  The elevator doors opened, and Doctor Lenard stepped in along with her medical team and a mobile stretcher bed.

  “Have the doctors from the Repulse sent all
the information you require?” he asked her.

  The doors to the elevator closed, and they were back on their way. “Yes, they have.”

  He expected her to elaborate, but she said no more. David found it odd, but considering the top-secret nature of everything, he wasn’t surprised.

  The elevator came to a halt at the top deck of the space station, and the transport pod from the Repulse made its final approach. The large hangar doors closed behind it. As it safely landed at the center of the bay, the deck pressurized, and Lenard and her team got the green light to exit the viewing gallery.

  Doctor Tai came out of the rear airlock of the transport pod with the Repulse’s medical team. Lenard exchanged pleasantries with her opposite number before going their separate ways.

  As Lenard led her team through the viewing gallery, David got a look at the prone body of Tai on the medical stretcher. A pang of guilt had festered away in the pit of his stomach ever since he’d received the first transmission from the Argo. He knew if it wasn’t for him giving Jason the data regarding the Iota particles, he wouldn’t have got embroiled in this mess.

  Chapter 4

  UECS Repulse

  Jason paced around the small set of quarters, admiring the surrounds. They were pleasant and much more spacious than anything he’d had when he’d been aboard the Raptor. He would’ve loved to serve on a fleet carrier during the war.

  But even with the soft lighting and modern décor, it was just an elaborate cage. The door was locked from the outside, and a pair of Marines stood guard in the corridor. He thought of the others and hoped they were being treated well.

  He picked up a piece of chocolate on the counter of his kitchenette and unwrapped it. At least the food’s good.

  A knock came from the door, and it opened. One of the Marines stepped in. “Commander Hariri will see you now.”

  He broke a chunk of chocolate off and followed the guard out. The other stomper escorted him to his destination. He ushered him through a door and into another room.

  It was bright but spartan, except for a table sitting in the center with a chair on each side.

  Jason chuckled to himself. It may not be dark, and there was no light dangling from the ceiling, but it was still an interrogation chamber.

  The door behind him opened, and Commander Hariri walked in with a case in her hand. She strode past him and sat on the chair on the opposite side of the table.

  “Take a seat, please, Mister Cassidy,” she said.

  He eyed her warily and sat. She put the case on the table and pulled a pair of data tablets from it. She slid one over to him.

  “Please place your thumbprint on there and state your full name for the record.”

  He did as instructed. “Jason Benjamin Cassidy.”

  “Thank you.” She took the tablet and looked it over, no doubt confirming the details. She then placed it back in her case.

  “Now, before we begin, I’d like to make you aware that I’ll be recording this debriefing. All questions asked must be answered truthfully.” She pointed to a red light emanating from the bulkhead behind. “If you don’t, I’ll know about it.”

  Jason glanced at the PLD-4000. It could read his speech, body language, facial features, perspiration, and skin alterations. A foolproof piece of military and intelligence hardware.

  “Are you ready to begin?” she asked.

  Jason nodded.

  “Excellent.”

  “Your flight manifest has you listed as a passenger. When the Repulse found you, it was assumed you were the Argo’s commanding officer.”

  “My brother, Tyler Cassidy, was owner and captain of the Argo. I’m taking over temporarily.”

  “According to our discussion aboard your ship earlier, you claim he was lost along with Captain Marquez when they attempted to escape the Seeker weapon ship’s destruction.”

  A lump formed in Jason’s throat. “Correct.”

  “I’m sorry, Mister Cassidy.” Hariri appeared genuinely saddened. “Can I ask why you were a passenger aboard the Argo?”

  “I’d booked passage to Frontier’s Reach.”

  “For what purpose?”

  “I was searching for a clue to the death of Christian Nash.”

  “Yes, I read the Raptor’s mission report, regarding the Nebula TPA-338 incident. A lot of good people died that day, including Lieutenant Nash.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why Frontier’s Reach, of all places?”

  He’d dreaded this moment. With the PLD-4000 staring him down, he would have no choice but to throw a friend under the bus. “I’d received information regarding the discovery of Iota particles in the Reach.”

  “The Iota particles. Who made you aware of them?”

  “Commander David Ortega.”

  “The same David Ortega who’s the executive officer of Outpost Watchtower?”

  “Yes.” Jason hoped he hadn’t put his friend in too much hot water.

  Hariri checked over her data tablet. “Okay, now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s start at the beginning. I’ll need you to explain in your own words everything that happened from the moment the Argo received the distress call from the UECS Vanguard.”

  Jason bit into his piece of chocolate. This is going to be a long day.

  *

  Outpost Watchtower

  David knocked on the door, wondering what waited for him on the other side.

  “Come,” the voice instructed him.

  David pushed it open. At the far end of the luxurious quarters, Captain Lang stood by the viewport enjoying planet Delta-Hera IX’s majestic panorama. He puffed away at a cigar while nursing a drink in a square-sided glass.

  “Isn’t cigar and scotch night Friday?” David approached him.

  Lang passed him with an already filled glass and a fresh cigar.

  David bit the end of his cigar off, and Lang lit it with his old lighter. The captain remained suspiciously quiet.

  “What gives, sir?”

  Lang puffed out a plume of smoke. “I talked to Admiral Kostecki earlier. They’ve finished up debriefing Jason Cassidy. He revealed—”

  “That I’d given out the information regarding the Iota particles before getting clearance.” David took a sip of his drink. “I’m sorry. I should have asked you—”

  “Admiral Kostecki has left it in my hands to discipline you accordingly.”

  David straightened his back.

  “I fought in the war.” Lang put his cigar down on the ashtray. “I know what it’s like to lose colleagues. And friends.” He stared straight into David’s eyes. “Next time, ask me.”

  David smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

  Lang frowned and picked up his cigar. “You’re lucky you have such a soft captain.”

  He was far from soft. To David he was a fair and loyal man. “It won’t happen again.”

  Lang gave him a knowing expression and puffed at his cigar. A knock sounded at the door. “Come.”

  It opened, and Doctor Lenard stepped over the threshold, still in her surgical gear. She had bloodshot eyes and a disheveled head of hair.

  “Seems like you need one of these more than we do.” Lang poured her a glass and handed it to her.

  She promptly gulped it down.

  “Will Tai live?” David asked.

  She passed the glass back to Lang for a refill. “She will. I stopped the spread of damage from the wound on her leg.”

  David and Lang looked at each other with relief.

  “But,” she continued, “she’ll never walk again.”

  “Paraplegia?” Lang gave her another drink. “How’s that possible? Isn’t it a curable condition?”

  “It is. But her body rejected all regenerative therapy I’ve thrown at it. She’ll be able to live a productive life, but it will be from a wheelchair.”

  David shook his head. Lenard couldn’t even tell them what had happened to Doctor Tai and why she was in her condition. The secrecy frustrated him no end.

  “How’s sh
e taken the news?” Lang asked.

  “She hasn’t woken yet.”

  They shared a lengthy silence. The captain offered her another scotch, but Lenard waved it away.

  She massaged her temples. “I’m going to have a shower and go to bed. I don’t want to think about today anymore.”

  “Thank you for keeping us in the loop.”

  “Captain. Commander.” She walked out and closed the door behind her.

  Lang gazed at the smoke billowing from the end of his cigar. “I couldn’t think of anything worse than being confined like that.”

  “Better than being dead…” David mused. Though the captain didn’t appear so sure.

  Lang swished the scotch around in his glass and stared at him. He must’ve recognized the concern on his XO’s face. “What’s on your mind, Commander?”

  David frowned. “Jason Cassidy.” He finished his drink. “Doesn’t all of this irritate you? Not knowing what the hell is going on over on the Repulse?”

  Lang leaned back on the viewport. “I’d say it’s better not to think about these things.”

  It wasn’t really the advice David was after. “That’s easier said than done. The man’s a friend.”

  “I know.” Lang filled up both their glasses. “Maybe a few more of these will help.”

  He hoped the captain was right.

  Chapter 5

  November 3, 2213

  UECS Repulse

  Aly peered across the table at Commander Hariri, waiting. The Repulse’s XO was engrossed with her data tablet. All Aly had done since leaving the Argo was wait. She just wanted to get back to her ship and put everything that’d happened behind her.

  “Alyssa Rycroft,” Hariri finally said. “Or do you prefer Aly?”

  “Aly’s fine.”

  “Good. Now, Aly, during this debriefing we’ll be talking about everything that happened from the moment the Argo came to the aid of the UECS Vanguard through to the time you arrived here. Do you understand?”