Patrolling
© 2021 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


“Zogat, Gartabin,” Subcaptain th’Ner said as Varan entered the command center. A few of the bridge staff glanced up as the Command-Second relinquished the center chair to the vir. “Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Zogat, Tabin,” Varan said, smiling. “We have orders.” Ears perked. “The Bōank will be part of a tiret-tīl, and we will be patrolling this part of the ceasefire boundary for the next thirteen days.” The fingers of her left hand danced over the controls on the arm of her chair, and the tactical plot displayed the volume of space that was their designated patrol area.

Th’Ner gestured comprehension. A ‘six-finger,’ also known as a ‘two-hand,’ was a standard formation when the Fleet Department decided to test an opponent’s resolve. “Overall command?” the kam asked.

“The force commander is Captain p’Shar, aboard Gethrrit,” Varan replied. Th’Ner glanced at her, and Varan smiled. “I’m still far too junior, Subcaptain, so I didn’t even think about it. I’m quite happy to learn from others.” She shielded her mouth with her tail as she yawned.

This drew an amused chuckle from her executive officer. “Up late playing that Terran game?”

“No, I made certain that I got enough sleep, but the orders came in before I woke up.”

“How goes the game?”

Varan gave a flick of her tail. “At an impasse right now. I spent some time testing out several ideas.” She smiled. “It’s an interesting game, and it does give some insight into how they think.”

“Aka?”

“Ulnt. Very logical and rational at one end, and completely insane and random at the other extreme. By contrast, we have trouble managing that at times.”

Th’Ner thought for a moment. “Rational and insane at the same time. It certainly explains how they managed to get so far from Terra so fast. Aka, were there any other orders?”

“Yes, the group is to depart Point Mu Station in forty-five cycles. Ship status?”

“Full weapons stocks, Ma’am. We are still loading supplies,” and he thought for a moment, “and I’m certain that we’ll have sufficient aboard for the patrol period.”

“Excellent, Subcaptain.” She grinned up at him. “Does that include henal?”

He matched her grin. “Liquor stores will be brought to full before we leave.”


***


“Hyperspace contact, Ma’am,” the Sensor Officer said two days later, and the object appeared in detection range within the tactical plot. It was ‘below’ and to the right, ahead of the cruiser. “Light cruiser, Terran City class,” and he glanced at Varan. “Confed.”

Varan frowned. The six heavy cruisers had been keeping scrupulously to the assigned patrol area, and this was the first time an enemy ship had come within detection range. “Duty Officer, set Step Two,” she ordered, and an alert sounded briefly. “Communications, challenge.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” The command crew watched as the challenge was issued, and the light cruiser immediately turned and darted away.

“Smarter than they look,” the Weaponeer remarked with a chuckle.

“Message from Gethrrit, Captain, requesting a contact report.”

Varan gestured. “Send the records to the Gethrrit with my compliments to Gartabin p’Shar. Pilot, resume patrol pattern.” The Bōank and the other five ships went back to what they were doing.

While Varan g’Raf sat in her seat in the command center, thinking about the encounter and what the Confed might be up to.