After the mauling of Cepheus, the Ikoma
gathered its battle-worn crew and returned to Earth.
While it underwent repair, the crew was granted a much-needed respite.
Scout ships, dispatched to numerous galactic coordinates months earlier,
began to send back reports about enemy activity.
Vicious attacks, false alarms, bizarre radio transmissions, and strange
solar events led to increased galactic patrols, including that of the 137th
space fleet led by the flagship USS Dunkirk.
The tale resumes as the fleet travels swiftly along the Dust Lane of Centaurus
A.
If only it could be this quiet forever.
Jacob Fuller sat comfortably in his quarters with his greatest indulgence spread across his lap. Dense passages—laid out in bold font on dull yellow paper—stared neutrally back at his forlorn expression. With a careful hand, he turned the crisp but delicate page. A half-glass of spicy red wine stood on the table at his elbow. His peacoat and hat lay casually across the bed.
Fuller sighed and leaned his head back.
He found himself reading the same passages over and over again.
What a bittersweet age we live in, he thought.
Earth was mightier than ever, yet it felt like the end of a golden
era, the end of being free from war and the relentless struggle for survival.
Military greatness was a thing of which to be proud, but do we ever
really hope not to use it? Now
Earth was being tested again. In
some ways, nothing had changed. Fuller
sipped some wine. I’ll fight
again, he thought, but for what? So our children can do it all over
again?
Unbidden images spun themselves like a web and clouded his concentration further. His mind drifted to reports he had heard about this new threat. There had been so many awful and bloody deaths. From briefings, he remembered pictures showing the effect of a virulent plague at several of Earth’s colonies and one of its military bases. The skin of all the victims had been swollen and speckled with discolored welts (that moved to the touch, he had learned, even after death). But that was all. There had been no invading forces. No one came to pilfer resources or to maim and destroy. He found it difficult to understand the enemy’s cat and mouse games. Their veiled intentions irritated him.
So did the strangeness of these times.
Seventy-eight days into the patrol, one of the reconnaissance ships stumbled upon an unusual find. The coordinates were sent to the main fleet and it arrived several hours later. Dunkirk’s main bridge buzzed with activity.
Admiral Fuller settled into his chair. “Report,” he said.
“Initial data indicates a massive field of debris,” said radar operator Coarsin. “We’re identifying…now,” she continued, and paused while analyzing the information. “It’s—wow—Dominion ships! Looks like a whole fleet was destroyed here.”
“Life signs?” said Fuller.
“That’s a negative. The van Batenburg is circling around the perimeter—should have some visuals soon.”
Fuller turned to Communications. “Weber, set up a link to the nearest satellite. Start patching the images through as soon as we get them.”
“Aye, sir,” Weber answered. After a few minutes he announced that the channel was open. “We have pictures. Activating video.”
All eyes on the bridge shifted to the screen. Despite copious amounts of cosmic dust and other matter, the crew could see the outlines of derelict hulls. Most of the enemy vessels seemed intact but exhibited signs of battle damage. Debris floated aimlessly among them. The view altered as the van Batenburg’s position changed.
Helmsman Shaefford whistled. “That’s some graveyard there! I hope we don’t run into the same problem.”
Admiral Fuller reviewed logs of past patrols in the area. Nothing out of the ordinary had been reported. He ordered preparations for a salvage mission. This is the break we’ve been waiting for, he thought. Finally, we can dig up some real facts on this menace.
While the fleet battleships navigated carefully through the graveyard, three task forces were deployed to begin collecting material. The marines began to prospect for a suitable Dominion ship to board. Fuller instructed ten of his ships to form a half-ring around the graveyard perimeter and stand guard. A lengthy undertaking was before them. All ships were on full alert.
Two hours later, Coarsin was busy analyzing and cataloguing data as it continued to stream in. Her attention was divided between several different places, and at first she did not notice the new blip on her screen. She reached up to tuck a lock of brown hair behind her ear but paused midway.
Now there were two blips.
“What the hell?” she murmured. She ran a full scan. Then another. Her stomach leaped. The screen was lit up like a swarm of fireflies. “Admiral! We have company!”
Coarsin was not alone in her assessment. The communications board sprang to life with chatter from across the fleet. Radar was picking up movement from the location of the enemy ships.
“That’s no graveyard, Admiral,” said Coarsin. “I don’t know how we missed it, but those ships are live.”
Science station reported in; Tennyson’s voice sounded strained. “I’m detecting energy build-ups. Looks like every last one of them are coming back on line!”
“Dammit!” Fuller growled. It was a trap! “Red alert! Recall the task forces. Helm, get us out of here!” The Admiral ordered the fleet to pull back and assume battle formation.
But it was too late. The Dominion pounced and attacked with fury. Most of Fuller’s ships were already surrounded, as they had ventured deeply into the opponent’s midst. Enemy cannons discharged firepower that swept through the fleet like a sandstorm. Hull after hull was pummeled and gouged. Fuller watched helplessly as his ships burst into flame and smoke. Then the lives of he and his crew were taken from them. The 137th fleet was obliterated entirely.
Commander Todo Daijiro turned off the screen after the last image from the Dust Lane ambush faded. He motioned for an aide to brighten the lights. Todo resumed his seat and addressed the Earth Defense Council. “So you see, this is what our forces are up against. This is one of multiple strange incidents that have occurred in the past year. The destruction of the 137th was the most blatant attack since Cepheus. Despite being less bloody, other incidents are no less perplexing. Council members, on the monitors before you is a report summarizing every known attack instigated by this Dominion, as we call them, for lack of a more accurate description—”
“Sounds accurate enough to me,” said the President.
The Commander nodded. “What we are puzzled by is the apparent lack of objective. We don’t know if or when Earth will be targeted.”
“I assume you have a plan, Commander, otherwise why convene the Council at this time?” asked member Hayami.
“It is precisely the lack of objective that concerns me. If we knew what the Dominion wanted, we could more strategically plan our campaigns. At this rate, it’s difficult to predict where and when our troops will be needed most. Ladies and gentlemen, this is what I’d like to propose.”
Standing on the porch, Mamoru stuck his head back through the front door. “Hurry it up, Miyuki!” he shouted. “We’re waiting!”
Miyuki flew down the steps, feet pounding. “Coming!” She fastened the top of her dress uniform as she ran to the door (but not without a quick check on her appearance in the foyer mirror). She slammed the door behind her, and joined her parents and brother in the air car.
Miyuki clamored breathlessly into the back seat. “Sorry,” she said. She leaned into the front between her parents. “So where are we going?”
Kodai smiled at her and then eased the car out of the driveway. “To the base. That’s why I wanted you to change.”
Miyuki turned to her brother. “See? Papa’s the one that made me late!”
Mamoru laughed. “Oh, please!”
Miyuki started fishing through her mother’s purse. She took out a container of lip gloss. “What’s at the base?” she asked, while busying herself with more grooming.
Yuki smiled, but her tone was somewhat guarded. “It’s a surprise.” She glanced at Kodai, and her eyes lingered on his face for a moment.
Miyuki sat back in her seat and was quiet. After a minute or so she exclaimed, “Oh, I know! Papa, you got promoted!” She looked from her father to her mother expectantly.
Mamoru put his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “It’s a surprise. It means they’re not going to tell us.” When she shoved him away he only laughed.
The car sped on, weaving its way during the healthy thirty minutes to the base. On arriving, checkpoint staff casually waived Kodai through. After parking the car, he led them to the underground dock. Before long, the ruse became clear. Mamoru was the first to spot her and he yelped in surprise.
Yamato.
Strong and proud she stood, resting in the farthest port. Yamato of legend, different, yet still the same, re-birthed for a new era.
Mamoru and Miyuki stared. Mouths agape, they were speechless for several minutes. Their eyes were glued to the sight of her as they neared, even as Kodai explained how she had come to be there. Nearly two years earlier, when the danger that currently faced Earth was still an elusive whisper, a team of military engineers, led by Mr. Sanada, traveled to the Sea of Aquarius. They salvaged the compass and other components that had not been damaged during Yamato’s final day. Her hull they left as tribute, but otherwise took what they could to build anew what had been Earth’s greatest salvation. Every piece—from bulkheads to computer dials to the slopes of her form—were lovingly reconstructed. The engineers not only rebuilt her, but also improved on the efficiency of the original engine and weapon plans. Here was a sleeker battleship, a more powerful Yamato, who would blaze new trails of deeds and stories.
When Miyuki recovered she jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “This is so exciting!” She grabbed her father’s hand and dragged him after her. “Come on! Let’s go inside!”
Walking at a rapid pace, Mamoru and Miyuki volleyed a barrage of questions at their parents on the way, some of which they answered, some of which they promised to respond to later. As they toured the ship, the family greeted the working technicians whom they met along the way.
After several hours of exploring, they reached the main bridge. They had it to themselves, and Kodai gave his children leave to study it on their own. While Miyuki and Mamoru argued over who would be the first to sit in the captain’s chair, Kodai went to stand at his old station. Yuki walked over to him and slipped her hand in his. They exchanged a few words, but their children could not hear what was said. Yuki’s head leaned against Kodai’s shoulder and stayed there.
Miyuki stood watching them. She nudged her brother and motioned for him to lean closer. “Momma and Papa are acting funny,” she said in a low voice.
Mamoru gave her a swift look of disapproval: “Don’t you remember all the stories? This is where they fell in love. This is home to them as much as Earth is.” He turned his attention back to the controls.
Seeing her parents thus, Miyuki suddenly felt very lonely. Her mind drifted to Alois, and the many months between them. She wondered if she dared hope to see him again. “I wish…” she said, and bit her lip.
“You wish what?” Mamoru asked.
Miyuki shook her head. “Nothing. They look so happy.”
They were interrupted when Kodai called them to him. He was beaming. “So what do you think?”
“It’s fantastic!” Mamoru told him. “This is such a tremendous honor to be standing here. How long have you known about this?”
His parents chuckled. “About a year,” Kodai answered. “Yamato just docked here late last night. I can’t tell you how difficult it was not to tell my own children!”
“But there’s more,” said Yuki. She looked at her husband.
“Right,” he said, and placed a hand on each of his children’s shoulders. His tone was serious. “We have orders.”
Miyuki’s eyes grew wide. Mamoru’s brow furrowed as his eyes searched his father’s face.
“Command is sending Yamato out to learn the origin of this new threat. She departs in a week.”
“Tell them the rest,” Yuki prompted him.
“Yes, well, I’ve been assigned to captain her— ”.
Miyuki and her brother cried out in excitement.
He raised a hand to quiet them. “Your mother is assigned as ship’s doctor— .”
Unable to contain herself, Miyuki rushed over to embrace her.
“And assuming you can hold still long enough to receive your orders, Lieutenant,” Kodai said to his daughter, “you’re also assigned to sickbay.” His face was stern but his eyes twinkled.
“What about Mamoru?” Miyuki asked.
Kodai turned to his son. “Command was so impressed with the leadership skills you demonstrated on Cepheus that you’ve been approved for the Chief Combat position.”
Mamoru gaped. “Papa!” he said, and his voice was filled with wonder. He abruptly pulled himself into a salute.
Kodai saluted back. Miyuki, still clinging to her mother, wondered if she were supposed to salute as well. She relaxed after Kodai let down his arm and drew Mamoru to him in a brief embrace.
“So how many strings did you pull to get us all assigned here?” Miyuki asked.
Everyone laughed. Kodai reached out and tousled her hair. “You’re here on your own merit and you know it. Besides, I…I don’t think I could do this without all of you near me.” His voice sounded strange.
Miyuki looked at her father curiously. Is he going to cry? she wondered. At that moment the elevator door opened. A crowd of people in uniform surged forward and spilled onto the bridge.
“Kodai! Yuki!”
Mr. Sanada led the pack and rushed forward to meet his old comrades. Following him were Ota, Nambu, Aihara, and others who years ago had made the fateful journey to Iscandar. These same would soon board Yamato to challenge the Dominion. Tokugawa, newly assigned as Yamato’s Chief Engineer, led a second group onto the bridge and it quickly overflowed with people. Dr. Sado appeared, and despite having to maneuver with a cane, held several bottles of sake. Analyzer rolled along behind him carrying a whole caseload. Miyuki ducked behind her mother.
Amid the clasping of arms and stories of old rekindled, sake was poured round for toasts. They paused in remembrance of captains and comrades who had gone before, and made wishes for a safe and worthwhile passage as Yamato met her new foe. Later, the crowd dispersed into smaller groups that either planted themselves on the floor to talk, or wandered from station to station conducting informal inspections.
Standing by his father and the other senior officers, Mamoru listened closely as they discussed Yamato’s pending launch. Mr. Sanada was reviewing the ships capabilities and firepower potential. Mamoru could sense the excitement in them. He could see the past un-spooling before him as they settled into old military habits and ways of relating to one another. These were the men he had grown up with, as close as uncles because of their unique connection to his father.
Mamoru was introduced to Tanaka Isao, who would navigate Yamato on this new mission. Mamoru thought he detected shades of uneasiness in the man, who was not much older than he. I guess I’d be nervous, too, he thought, if I were expected to fill a certain navigator’s shoes. Mamoru stood and talked with him about fellow graduates they both knew from the academy. After a while, Aihara came up to them and tossed his arm about Mamoru’s shoulders.
Aihara grinned at him. “So, is there a special lady in your life? Anyone I should know about?” He leaned in conspiratorially. “That Keiko you dated was a little hottie. I wish you’d go out with her again!”
“Come on, leave the kid alone,” Ota chimed in. “Isn’t there anything else you think about besides women? Or is this just a big old show when your wife’s not around?”
Mamoru and the others started laughing. Aihara looked perplexed. “What else is there to think about?” He tried to coax agreement from them but received only some good-natured jeers in return.
Miyuki sat with Dr. Sado, cross-legged as he was. She had begged him for tales about Yamato, most of which she had heard from him while growing up. But the older Miyuki became, she had found that each telling was richer and more satisfying than the one before. Well into his seventh or eighth story, he poured more sake into her outstretched cup (her fourth) but before she could drink, her mother plucked it out of her hand. Yuki sat down and handed it back to Dr. Sado with a disapproving glance. He shrugged and drank it himself.
“I’m sorry I won’t be coming with you this time,” Dr. Sado said. “Promises to be quite an excursion from what I hear.”
“Which would make it too much of a strain for you, Doctor,” said Yuki.
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me that, Doctor,” he said, with a knowing smile. He turned to Miyuki and looked at her over his glasses. “See that you pay close attention to your mother. You’ll learn a lot from her!”
Miyuki nodded solemnly. “But Dr. Sado, what’s the most important thing I should remember out there during battle?”
Dr. Sado pushed his glasses up on his nose and thought for a moment. Then he reached over to grab a sake bottle. He planted it firmly down in front of Miyuki and nodded. Miyuki’s eyes widened; but when she looked at her mother they both started to giggle. The joke passed like wildfire around the bridge, and upon that note, everyone celebrated late into the night.
END
OF PART II