ASC Chesapeake Command Center
November 10, 2505
09:45 GST-Z
"Battle stations, battle stations, set condition one throughout the ship," the ship's AI droned.
"Recall the captain to the CC, now," Commander John Harrigan ordered Lieutenant Commander Galen McDonald at the comms position.
"Aye, Captain. Captain Braggart is en route," McDonald replied. Harrigan appreciated the use of Captain for whomever was in the chair, per Astro Corps tradition.
"Lt. Orvant, sitrep." Harrigan turned his monitor to the tactical screen to see what Orvant was seeing. The Remunion officer's tone matched the icy cold of his pale blue skin.
"Three IB warships—one Mohammed-class and two Sultan-class—are outside the traffic corridors. They are on approach to Jupiter Station. Their combat shields are active."
The CC door swished open, and Captain Braggart bounded up the steps to the command island. Harrigan stood to offer the command chair back to his superior officer.
"Hold your position, John. I've got XO." Braggart slid into the XO chair. He activated the restraints and brought up tactical displays and the ship's internal damage control monitors.
"Close on the IB ships at combat sub. Bearing one-four-zero, forty degrees above their plane. Bring us in fast and high on their bow. That should bring us down over their heads," Harrigan said, turning to Braggart. Braggart nodded.
"Comms, open a channel to the Mohammed-class ship."
McDonald keyed in the codes and opened an audio channel. "Channel open, Captain."
"This is Commander Harrigan of the ASC Chesapeake. You violated the Treaty of Cypress City travel corridors. Return your course to bearing one-two-six immediately. If you do not return to one-two-six, we will be forced to open fire." Harrigan felt his heartbeat increase. He had drilled many times and been in many sims practicing this very scenario.
"ASC Virginia and Ulysses are closing and will be in firing range in three minutes, Captain," Lieutenant Commander Katie Miller said from ops.
"Tactical, ready port-side broadside pulse cannons and proton missile bays for salvo firing. Target forward pulse batteries across their flight path. We will warn them before we fire on them."
"Good idea," Braggart said beside him.
"McDonald, warn them off one more time."
"Sending warning, Captain."
Aiming its port-side broadside, the Mohammed-class ship executed a turn. The enemy commander's gall unnerved Harrigan. The Mohammed-class was the IB's largest battleship. It matched Chesapeake in length and tonnage, but it had nowhere near the armament to challenge an Astro Corps heavy cruiser.
"Fire across their flight paths," Harrigan barked.
Chesapeake lashed out with pulse cannon fire. Slashes of blue-white beams shot out from the cannon mounts, hitting the IB ships' bows. The shots had been close enough to cause a flare in the ships' magnetron shields.
The Mohammed-class ship returned fire. Chesapeake's shield grid was hit by the blasts, but they didn't penetrate.
"Shield grid down to ninety-six percent," Chief Parker reported as he keyed the sequences to keep the grid active.
"Just a glancing blow. He's baiting us into engagement. I don't know if this mother fragger is brave or stupid," Harrigan said aloud.
"Return fire, sir?" Orvant asked, his calm Remunion voice a salve for Harrigan's nerves.
"No. He wants it too badly. Helm, continue to bear down on them. Mr. Orvant, ping your broadside target locks. Let them know you have him in sight." Harrigan tapped his hand against his leg. This is the moment. They either retreat, or we're dragged into a fight.
"IB ships turning to bearing one-two-six. They are burning at combat sub," Miller reported.
"Helm, stay tight at combat sub. We follow them back into the corridor. Lieutenant Miller, position of Virginia and Ulysses?"
"They are forty seconds out and adjusting course to match us."
"IB are back inside the travel corridor and speeding up to full sub light speed."
"Helm, parallel them and stay with them until they pass weapons range of Jupiter Station." Harrigan sat back and let out a deep breath. Braggart smiled at him and gave a soft clapping motion.
"Good job, Captain Harrigan," Braggart said, his smile touched with pride.
"Out of weapons range of Jupiter Station," Miller chimed in.
"Stand down to condition two." Harrigan turned toward Braggart. He felt odd giving the order, but at that moment John Harrigan was the captain of the Chesapeake.
"Aye, Captain. Setting condition two." Braggart pressed the status controls.
"Stand down condition one. Set condition two throughout the ship. Stand down condition one. Set condition two throughout the ship." The AI's tone shifted as red lights ceased flashing and panels reflected normal operations.
Harrigan rose from the command chair. He motioned toward Braggart. "Would you like your throne back, sir?"
"Absolutely. Commander, I have the conn. You are relieved."
"I stand relieved, Captain."
The AI, serving as the ship's quartermaster officer, logged the change. "Command transfer from Commander John M. Harrigan to Captain Ezekiel L. Braggart at 1006 hours GST-Z."
"Good work, Commander. Few would have restrained themselves from opening fire and dragging the ship into a firefight. That was captain's thinking, Mr. Harrigan."
"Thank you, sir." Harrigan returned to his customary XO station.
"Our little Johnny is growing up," Katie Miller said at ops. Harrigan turned and she gave him a wink, her grin lightening the air. Harrigan blushed, and Braggart chuckled.
"Katie, behave over there," Braggart said.
"Oh, Captain, I'm just having some fun. Seriously, Exec, great job."
"Thanks, Katie. I appreciate the confidence. A captain is only as good as his crew." Harrigan sat back, finally relaxing his muscles.
"Damn straight, and don't forget it." Davy Olson at the helm glanced back with a smile.
Harrigan and his crew had been together for the past five years. Braggart had saved him from the IB on Mars twenty-three years before. Now Harrigan had saved Braggart's ship from the IB. It seemed fair.
Braggart leaned toward him, lowering his voice. "Join me in my office in about thirty minutes. I need to talk to you."
"Am I in trouble, sir?"
"Yes and no. Well, you'll see." Braggart smiled. If he were still smiling, Harrigan wouldn't worry. Don't borrow trouble.
He opened his monitor and filed his after-action report. He would send it to McDonald for submission to Astro Corps Command. It would hit the daily comms briefing on IB incursions. These were on the rise lately, and something inside Harrigan told him these incursions were not random. We are being tested.
Captain Braggart's Office
10:38 hours GST-Z
"Commander Harrigan, have a seat." Captain Zeke Braggart motioned him toward the chair in front of the desk. Harrigan had been through plenty of these meetings over the past five years. He sat down, drumming nervous fingers on his thigh.
"Well, John, we've known each other a long time, haven't we?"
"Yes, sir. Ever since that day on Mars." Harrigan's eyes dropped to the floor. Mars always brought back painful memories. Captain Ezekiel "Zeke" Braggart had been a lifeline since that day. He had kept tabs on John, visiting him through high school and sponsoring his admission to Astro Corps Academy. For the past five years he had been his captain.
"That's right. I got you on this ship as my XO as soon as I could."
"Yes, sir, and I've appreciated the opportunity." Harrigan leaned forward. He knew Braggart well enough to sense the conversation was about to turn.
"Well, John, it seems the time has come for our partnership to be dissolved." Braggart cast him a grim look.
"How so, sir?"
"The brass is moving me upstairs. I'm being promoted to commodore, put in charge of Home Fleet logistics in the Sol sector. I'll be behind a desk at HQ for the rest of my tenure."
"Sorry to hear that, Captain."
"Nonsense, John. I'm looking forward to it. I'll take a promotion."
"Of course, sir. I didn't mean to—"
"I know. Look, I've been driving ships for years. I need a change. The brass agreed to my request. I wanted to tell you this myself before I inform the crew."
"Sir, I am grateful for that. Thank you. I'm honored." Harrigan smiled, glad his mentor was getting recognition.
"Well, I put your name in for Chesapeake."
"Sir?" Harrigan blinked in surprise.
"Don't look so surprised. You'd have been a captain two years ago if I wasn't a selfish bastard. I kept you here longer than you deserved."
"Why, sir?" The admission stung more than Harrigan expected.
"One, you're the best damned XO I've ever had. You anticipate what I need like no one else. You make me look good, and you keep the crew sharp. Running this ship has been easy with you at my side. Look what you did just an hour ago. How many other officers would I have let handle a potential battle scenario like that?" Braggart pulled a bottle of Jack Daniels from his desk and set out two shot glasses.
"I appreciate the compliment, sir, but I cannot see how that made you selfish."
"The brass asked me two years ago if you were ready for command. They wanted to hand you an old Heritage-class cruiser. I told them you weren't ready. Truth is, I wasn't ready to lose you. And I didn't want your first command to be some relic. You deserved something better. So I put you in for* Chesapeake*. The brass turned it down."
"That's too bad, sir. I would love to command this bird." Harrigan sighed.
"John, I didn't say the brass turned you down this time. They're extending you an offer. It's just not for Chesapeake. It's something more prestigious."
"Really? What could be more prestigious than this ship?"
"Let's drink first. Here's to me finally getting off the line and behind a desk. A rest well earned." Braggart chuckled as the glasses clinked. Both men downed the whiskey. Braggart handed Harrigan a datapad.
"Here. Read this." He poured two more shots.
To: Commander John Michael Harrigan, ASC Chesapeake
From: Office of Grand Star Marshall J. T. Pinkerton
Commander John Harrigan, you are given the rank of captain. Fleet Logistics will certify the ASC Galaxy, a Saturn-class cruiser, and complete its shakedown trials. Upon their completion, the ship will assign you as her commanding officer effective February 1, 2506.
Signed, Grand Star Marshall J. T. Pinkerton, Astro Corps HQ
Harrigan read the datapad again and again, eyes fixed on the words* ASC Galaxy*, Saturn-class cruiser. Not only had he earned his first command, but it was aboard one of the newest, most advanced warships in the fleet.
"Captain, this is incredible." His voice shook despite himself.
"A hell of a first command, don't you think?"
"Yes, sir. But how? Two years ago I wasn't ready."
"Bullshit. You were ready then. I told the brass I held you back for my own reasons. I got a dressing down for it. I can't frag with a junior officer's career as a flag officer." Braggart grinned wryly.
"I will make you proud, sir."
"Of course you will, John. Just do me a favor. Look like you enjoy the job. You're so damned intense. Relax, or it will eat you alive."
"I will endeavor to try."
"Well, that's a start. One more drink. Here's to Captain John Harrigan. May God have mercy on your soul." They clinked glasses again and drank, then sat together remembering old times. Soon, the* Chesapeake* would lose the best command team she had ever known.