The Ascent

Chapter 20

No sooner had we formed up and begun our attack, but that the Cacks turned and fled the system. If the physics of the H-drive had allowed it, we might have given chase, but the QWEGs were well past their maximum run time and needed to be taken off-line for inspection and servicing. We returned to the one inhabited world with its sole space station in hopes of finding something useful in the way of supplies, but found the space station stripped bare and the inhabitants too primitive to offer any help.

Engineering crews worked round the clock fixing damage while logistic officers shifted weapons and equipment to ensure that the fittest ships were properly supplied. At Sherman's suggestion, the fleet officers transferred their flags to their best ships which proved fortunate when messengers from Righteous Ruler appeared in the system and signaled a request to speak. Not wanting to expose our weakness, the commanders took only a small force of their best and strongest ships.

"What do you want?" Sherman demanded once we were in com-laser range. He had taken the de facto leadership of the fleet after Shines Like the Sun's death, not because of any deliberate vote on our part, but by an unspoken recognition of his experience and ability. The rest of use waited, watching silently in virtual conference space as three Cack avatars appeared

"Bearing Righteous Ruler's authority, we seek harmonious agreement with you."

"Well then tell you master we'll have to fight first," Sherman said I've had no food today which makes me cranky. It take a pretty brave—or stupid—person to offer us peace without first offering us a meal."

The three Cacks disappeared from v-space and on my monitors and I noticed that one of the ships return back through the gate. It must not have gone far for it returned in mere moments which told me Righteous Ruler was probably very close by.

The three Cacks reappeared in the conference. "Your words are congruent with righteous Ruler's thoughts. With your harmonious agreement, we are unveiling to you systems of sustainment."

"Just to make certain we understand each other," Sherman said, "We will have a truce while the fleet gathers supplies?"

"Yes. The harmonious agreement extends to the moment of Righteous Ruler possessing your last word."

"One moment." Sherman dropped the Cacks from the conference.

"I say we accept their offer," Ormond said.

"Yes," agreed Smith.

"I agree as well," Sherman said, "But we don't want to seem too eager. They may take it as a sign that we're desperate. Let's let them wait awhile before answering."

"You want them to think we are ready and willing to fight them?" Phil said.

"Of course. He seems pretty eager to avoid that."

"I just hope our Cack allies don't start getting nervous," I said.

We waited for several minutes in silence, then Ormond asked a speculative question about what Righteous Ruler must be thinking and how he was likely to deal with such a large force in the heart of his Moiarchy, which led to more speculation and, in the end, we happened to wait quite a bit longer than we had planned. Finally, Sherman waved us to silence and pinged the Cack messengers.

"We have decided to accept your offer. Lead us to these supplies immediately."

* * *

The scouts led us deeper into Cack territory and we wound through systems far from the area of fighting. The commanders grew impatient, especially Sherman, who acted as if he expected a trap and insisted the fleet remain at FAS-Delta. When we arrived at the systems they indicated, the fleets split up to raid different systems. We found tons of supplies, almost more than we could carry, including lots of high-tech raw materials from which we could fabricate many critical parts. Sherman paged us repeatedly requesting updates, seemingly eager to get the fleet back together in case of attack.