Alpha One - Chris Burton [96]
Jake took the opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of his parents and Barrat. He stayed two nights and was pleased to see his parents called a truce in terms of attacking his chosen route of graduation. The Academy and his studies were mostly off the agenda for the duration of Jake’s stay, although the subject of both Maria and Carla did come up. Jake decided not to mention his new relationship with Carla. He was certain they would disapprove if he told them his best friend and Carla were no more because she was with him. On Boxing Day morning, following a cooked breakfast, Jake left his parents and headed back to the Academy. He arrived at his apartment, just as Steve arrived at the door. Here we go, Jake thought. It’s back to reality.
Chapter Forty-One
The Sect Arrival
The Sect Legion arrived in the Tri-Star system about two hours before Admiral Shenke’s mini-task force. They immediately joined forces with the Sentinels’ small patrol force and set out their stall, pending the arrival of the Alpha/Nexus ships and the more considerable threat pursuing them from the Ionian System.
The majority of Sect vessels were interceptors, all of the same design, with patent black livery and a blacked-out cockpit. They were essentially ghost ships, barely visible and unbecoming, bearing in mind they were piloted by members of the Betanic Order. They were fast, capable, adaptable and powerful. They would be a real handful for any similar-sized adversary. Their pilots were superbly trained—handpicked at birth and taken under the wing of the Sect Military. Here they were raised, educated and trained as killers, still versed in the teachings of the Sect, but qualified as guardians and protectors of the Tri-Star region itself. They were the gatekeepers, and their job was as clear today as it ever was.
Amongst the mass of Black single-seater ‘interceptors’ flew Sect Command ships. These were the nerve system of the Legion and housed the Sect Commanders, the Betanica Priests themselves. Also taken from birth, they were trained to command and lead the offensive against the Kryl should they be allowed through the Void Hole. There was one larger vessel, where the High Priestess herself resided. This ship, with the majority of the interceptors, formed the main defensive force should the Kryl attack.
The Nexus Alpha research vessels neared the system; the convoy of ships was considerable. They were led by two Eagles, followed by the two Nexus Survey vessels. Behind this, Alpha brought with them eight support craft and the Alpha research vessel, Botanic. The Botanic was really the hub. The senior Nexus scientists and their watchful executives were based here, together with the Alpha scientific and military contingent. The Botanic became a military vessel, with fifteen jump ships and a considerable arsenal of teutonic and ballistic missiles, as well as her conventional defense systems. Her shields were up to Battle standard and she housed a contingent of two hundred fifty troopers, ready and waiting to be deployed in whatever scenario came to pass.
The Odysseus project leader was Dr. James Cameron. Cameron was a consultant with no direct connection to either Alpha or Nexus, and was brought in after a disagreement as to who should run things. He was a leading specialist in his field and a natural leader, known for his no-nonsense approach to problems.
They would arrive in the Tri-Star System in less than twenty-four hours, and his team thought they were ready. Cameron was clear he wanted further diagnostic tests run before they reached their destination; he was concerned about reports from Alpha commanders that a Sect Legion was in the system. We may only get one chance, he thought, and failure is not an option.
The AUSWAS survey ship neared the Tri-Star system. The Collective came before as guests of the Sentinels. Winterburn