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No matter how many times he heard them, Alvon hated the alarms aboard warships.
Even inside the Dawnstrider, every alarm that rang across the IITA Unity was heard. Every drill, every jump, every action had some corresponding alarm or other.
Alvon was no soldier. He’d never been in a position to serve, and the Gargarm family had no soldiers of any sort for generations. Civil servants, workers in numerous industries, and even some medical assistants and nurses were in his family history. But there was zero military background.
The alarms were meant to get your attention. Hence, they were loud and quite literally alarming.
Each alarm was followed by an announcement. These could be nearly as disconcerting as the alarms themselves.
This one had been particularly distressing, though, as it had called Alvon out by name. “All hands, general quarter. All hands, general quarters. Jump in ten, repeat, hyperspace jump in ten minutes. Deputy Director Alvon Gargarm, please report to the CIC immediately. Alvon Gargarm, report to the CIC.”
Alvon and Tara had been speaking with a Zathru pilot, part of a squadron temporarily aboard the Unity. She had been telling them that Humans were not at all what she had expected, as those aboard the Unity were the first she’d ever met.
Then there was the alarm, and Alvon and Tara were quickly making their way to the CIC.
Alvon was just glad that running was not expected.
He suspected what was going on. There was only one reason they would be preparing for an immediate hyperspace jump from where they were. Despite that knowledge, he felt completely calm.
The combat information center was abuzz with activity. It reminded Alvon of the CSA’s situation room, but more frenetic. There were various NCOs and officers at stations, as well as others moving purposefully about.
Near the center, at the primary command station, Navarch Dromm and his senior officers were standing before a three-dimensional star chart. The Zathru Mek Muv Meq and a holographic projection of Gavana Ruk Ruv Ruk were there as well.
Alvon and Tara joined them. “Navarch,” he addressed respectfully.
“Alvon,” Dromm said. They had, working together as closely as they’d been, become familiar. “We’ve gotten word from the Xorcerizts.”
“They know where the Difufgne will deploy the weapon?”
“With over ninety percent certainty,” said Dromm, frowning. “Aravusq.”
Aravusq, Alvon knew, was a heavily populated Ravusq world in their Ravusq Q’suvar Ai sector.
“Navarch,” someone called. “All ships confirming ready to jump in nine minutes.”
“Very good,” Dromm called back. He looked to Alvon. “The Gavana and I were having a discussion about something we’d not previously planned.”
“What would that be?” asked Alvon.
The hologram of the Gavana looked to Alvon. “We feel that once the IITA fleet arrives at Aravusq, a general distress call for any and all assistance should be sent.”
Alvon considered that a moment. “Begging your pardon, your honor, but haven’t the Ditufgne closed off communications during most of their previous attacks?”
“They have,” agreed Dromm. “However, the number of ships we are bringing, coupled with the population center that is the system surrounding Aravusq, should render that sort of jamming ineffectual.”
“Most of the early attacks had ship-based communications only,” an officer Alvon didn’t recall the name of said. “Aravusq is within a heavily populated sector. Jamming everything is statistically impossible.”
“They’re choosing a high-profile target,” said Tara. “They intend this to be a clear message to everyone.”
“That’s our assessment,” said Dromm.
“When you jump to hyperspace, I will send a signal to Director Hectir,” stated the Gavana.
“Is there anything else?” asked Alvon.
“We would request that you send the signal,” stated Dromm.
Alvon was the ultimate neutral representative who would be at the battle. In some respects, he was the liaison between all the forces, whether IITA or from another world.
It was disconcerting, but not unexpected.
“Of course,” Alvon replied. “I will transmit after the Dawnstrider leaves the Unity’s bay.”
“Thank you, Deputy Director Gargarm,” said the Gavana.
Alvon nodded to his hologram. “Anything more you need from me here?”
“No,” said the Navarch. “We’ll not be in hyperspace long. You should let your crew know to prepare.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Alvon.
He and Tara left the CIC and headed for the bay where the Dawnstrider was berthed.
Though it looked like utter chaos, Alvon knew that it was anything but. Dromm ran a tight ship, and he had a reputation for being one of the best commanders in the galaxy.
They reached the Dawnstrider. The ancient starship looked tough, bristling with new weapons and hull plates for added protection. It may not have been a warship, but it was ready to go to battle.
Glancing up, Alvon saw Jeck and Lu at their stations.
He looked to Tara. “Ready?”
“As ready as I will ever be,” she replied.
They ascended the ramp to board the ship.
Lii Aeshar awaited them. “Alvon, Tara. The captain told me to wait for you. Do you need anything?”
“No, thank you, Lii,” said Tara.
“Come with us to the flight deck, please,” said Alvon.
The trio reached the flight deck. Jeck, Lu, Ashira, and Ervik all turned to look their way.
“We know where this is going to happen?” asked Ervik.
“Yes,” Alvon replied without preamble. “Aravusq.”
Lu closed her eyes, and a moment later a holographic image of Aravusq’s sector appeared in the middle of the control deck.
“Aravusq is Ravusq,” Lu said. “Population on the order of eight billion. They were heavily attacked during the last conflict with a neighboring Q’suvar sector. A couple of moons, which are colonized. Five other planets in the solar system, which have mining operations and an outpost or two. It’s a very populous system.”
“Moreso than the system where Kamatsa used to be,” remarked Ervik.
“That is a whole lot of lives in the balance,” said Ashira.
“Yes, it is,” agreed Jeck. “But the IITA is bringing the largest space fleet ever assembled to take on that thing. I’ve been in several battles over the years, even one or two joint operations with the Gardarran Pulsar Confederation. But this is going to make those look like the mere skirmishes they were.”
“Between IITA forces and the Xorcerizts, we haven’t actually got a full accounting of ships,” stated Alvon.
“Save that we know it’s a lot,” remarked Ervik.
“How many make up a lot?” asked Lii.
“Nothing like what we will be part of today has ever been attempted before,” said Jeck. “Representing at least six unique races, fielding some of the most powerful weapons ever devised. Though the threat itself is huge, our response is just as impressive. If the best and brightest of this galaxy, alongside a race comprised of our genetics, cannot stop this threat in this battle, then they are truly unstoppable. And I am flying with the best-damned crew among all of them. So, we will be talking about the history made today for years to come.”
“I just hope we won’t be seeing another planet banished to the void,” said Tara.
Alvon Gargarm had known one system, one planet, for most of his life. Before his kidnapping, enslavement, and everything else Alvon had seen and experienced since, he would have been utterly terrified. But now he felt only determination.
“Billions of lives are at stake on Aravusq,” Alvon said. “But potentially billions, if not trillions more are at risk if we don’t stop that superweapon. We’re as ready as we can be to stand in the middle of making galactic history, whatever the outcome might be.”