by T J Bryan
"And the discharge? I've never seen something like that. What is it?"
Again Emmitt shook his head. "I wish I knew. I asked Nomi and she gave me an equation which Dilli tried to explain. But even with my background it made no sense."
"What did Dilli say it was."
"Fluid. Dimensional fluid."
"What?"
"Dimensional fluid. That's what he called it. He claims its not from our world at all, but from some other dimension. Sound's nuts, but Nomi's gravity jar is supposed to have some kind of n'th dimensional attribute."
"If it already killed a worker why were you running it today?"
"We were trying to recreate the conditions that led to Dixon's death, but without someone standing in the wrong place."
"And you were successful? In recreating the conditions?"
"Yes and no. The first test was at partial power and when we realized that Dixon was in the wrong place I could shut it down from the control panel. But this time it just took off on its own. Pulling the power did no good as you saw. Only smashing the control systems seemed to work and I am not entirely sure why."
"What do we do now?" asked Abel.
Emmitt thought a moment and pulled a handkerchief from his coveralls. He wiped his forehead again. "We are going to need to run the tests outside the Habitat. It is simply too dangerous here. Out on one of the abandoned asteroid mines."
"And the schedule. The delay that will cause?"
"Two weeks at the least. Probably more."
Abel shook his head as he thought of the rapidly depleting munitions supply and their inability to produce replacements for the 'K's or the casters.
Emmitt continued. "And having to shuttle the units out to the remote test site as well as the test engineers will set us back even further."
Emmitt took a hard stare at Abel. "Abel we are messing with stuff here we don't really understand. This is really dangerous and god knows what will happen when we have 128 of these things all pointed toward the same point and running at full power and discharge. We might just open a hole in the universe and fall into it."
At first Abel thought Emmitt was making a joke, but Emmitt's face showed he was deadly serious.
Chapter Ninety Nine
New Horizons - Destructor New Hildr - Year 3248 March 4 ET 23:03
Farn sat on the bridge of New Hildr. She had decided she had until four days to nibble away at the Megra fleet. The question in her mind was to take on the two dumbbells that were assaulting Saint Vardan and the city of Breaking Dawn, or take on the four ships above resting or gathering rocks for kinetic bombardment. If she attacked the ships below she would have help from Saint Vardan's powerful rail guns and if she could trap the two dumbbells between her fire and that of Saint Vardan she might destroy them with the ships above not knowing what had happened. But instead she decided to take on the four ships above. Attacking the two below might end up with Farn being boxed in if the ships above descended.
The Megra did not know that the OCN had arrived in system with two ships and after talking with the High Navarch of the Armada Farn realized that some of the ships might be sleeping while others were off in the distance gathering rocks. The operative word Farn realized was the term 'might.'
She had discussed her attack plan with Captains' Siggy Ivar and Elan Masters at great length. They went over the plan again and again and discussed all the alternatives they could think of, but they knew that any plan was just that a plan. Battles always had a way of messing up even the best plans.
With the four Megra somewhere between the second and third dust and gas shell above Breaking Dawn, Farn decided to enter the third layer, separate the two ships by some distance and then drift downward very slowly and see which ships became exposed. They had three options planed in advance. First if the opportunity presented itself and they found a single ship or even two they would open fire with 'K's and close in with plasma cannons. A second option was if all four were present they would use Alexander the Great's great trick. New Hildr would remain in the gas cloud, Mist would descend and fire 'K's and then run. If the dumbbells pursued, and Farn knew they would, they would fly directly below the obscured New Hildr. With 24 tubes and twelve 60 centimetre plasma cannons the attack should be devastating. Once again the operative word was 'should'. The third option was what they called the 'Abel' option and that was if they were out of position or something went very wrong they would simply run, rendezvous above the sixth layer and consider their options.
The two ships traveled the six hour journey at a slow speed together and ascended through dust layers one and two and traveled in the gap for a considerable distance. Travel in the gap was reasonably safe although pilot Hilde Einarsson had her hands full dodging and avoiding rocks and debris. Above them in the third ring they passed two massive electrical discharge storms. To a lesser extent there were minor, but still deadly storms in the second shell. Occasional lightening strikes actually passed between the two shells. Anything in their path would be vaporized. These were the storms that the High Navarch said would pass over Breaking Dawn the following day. Farn had no intention of remaining in the third layer any longer than needed to attack the Megra.
After six hours New Hildr and Mist separated by 20,000 kilometres but both rose higher into the third shell just foreword of the storm. The gas and dust shell was 30,000 kilometres thick in most places although a bit more in some spots and a bit less in others. They hugged the layer just enough to be totally obscured from scans or visuals from below. Eventually they manoeuvred to a place above Breaking Dawn that placed Mist forward and New Hildr toward the rear. Then Captain Ivar called for a dead stop. Slowly they descended toward the planet below and very slowly leaving the obscurity of the third shell.
"Mr. Dahl, launch our passive probes," said the Captain.
"Aye aye, Sir." and moments later the passive probes gently left the slowly descending New Hildr. Farn knew that Mist was doing the same.
"Mr. Motts, please confirm our weapons status?" Siggy asked without really needing to.
Molly Motts replied, "12 casters and 12 'K's loaded. Plasma cannons' capacitors at 97%. Seeker mines ready for launch."
"We are about the clear the gas layer," called out Siv Dahl on defence.
Siggy replied, "Mr. Einarsson, hug this boundary layer, but try to keep us obscured but still able to ping the passive probes."
Hilde responded, "Aye."
Captain Siggy Ivar had ordered the vid screen to split in such a way the she had a 360 degree view of the entire space around the ship. Above, forward, and behind he could see nothing but gas and dust. Below the view faded in and out as the uneven boundary layer passed by.
Farn wanted to stand, but knew it best for a Commodore to remain calmly sitting.
"Ping the probes Mr. Dahl," called out the Captain.
"Probes are responding. We have three dumbbells below. Two are very close together and are not moving. I repeat two are stationary and are directly below. A third is headed in the direction forward and under where Mist should be about now."
"Crew of New Hildr, prepare to attack the two below," said Farn almost at a whisper.
Siggy Ivar said, "Mr. Einarsson and Mr. Motts. Prepare to descend on those two ships below at best speed on my mark. Fire a full volley of 'K's at both those ships also on my mark. Split the 'K's between the two ships and fire a second volley immediately after."
Siggy waited a moment and then called out 'Mark."
12 'K's immediately left the ship and looking out the vid screen and below the crew caught a glimpse of them as they sped toward the dumbbells. Time to impact of the first volley had been estimated to be 23 seconds and as Molly Motts began to call out the time to impact the second volley launched and raced toward the dumbbells.
"Mr. Einarsson, call out our closing speed. Mr. Motts call out our first volley impact please. Mr. Motts fire our plasma cannons when we are 70 kilometres out." Siggy knew their plasma cannon had a kill zone startin
g at 65 kilometres, but there might be some damage even at the greater distance. Any plasma damage would aggravate any damage the 'K's might inflict.
Hilde Einarsson began to call out the closing distance which was 6,200 kilometres.
As the countdown for the 'K's reached 10 seconds one of the dumbbells began to move, however its' mass and its' inertia kept if from moving at any speed or any distance before four of the six 'K's impacted on what they called 'M1'. Two had detonated prematurely as they ran into and cleared debris. M2 was, Farn had read someplace, 'dead in the water'. Three of the six 'K's targeting M2 exploded prematurely due to other debris in the system, but three others hit the ship and she staggered. Eight seconds later the second round of 'K's came descending on M1 and M2. All 12 hit their targets. The first volley had cleared the fire zone of debris. M1 was simply vaporized and M2 began to stream plasma from her spherical engine compartment.
Moments later as New Hildr descended on M2 she could no longer fire 'K's as they would be within the damage zone of the explosions, however M2 seemed unable to defend itself and when New Hildr reached 70 kilometres her plasma cannons began a rippling fire. Each cannon fired then recharged its capacitor. Cycle time was 11 seconds. But by ripple firing the M2 Megra ship was continually hit by plasma from New Hildr's twelve cannons.
As Farn, Siggy, and the crew watched in amazement the plating of the entire forward sphere of the dumbbell M2 parted and what they believed was the crew quarters simply fell apart with multiple small explosions. M2 was dead.
Farn knew they were lucky. Neither ship had managed to fire a shot in defence. The term 'sleeping at the wheel' came to Farn's mind. They would not be so lucky next time.
Siggy called out. "Mr Einarsson, best speed to support Mist."
Farn knew Mist was in for a different experience with M3 since the Megra ship had been in motion, its' crew was alive and probably alert and Mist was outgunned. Further the destruction of M1 and M2 was easily seen even at a distance.
Farn spoke, "Try to raise Mist please Mr. Dahl."
"Aye," replied Siv. "Static is all I have. No contact. I will keep trying."
As they proceeded through the clear zone at an almost dead slow pace they remained high in the zone in order to duck into the third shell if needed.
Siggy said, "Ping Mist's probes please Mr. Dahl."
Dahl responded, "Intense multiple plasma discharges ahead. Random cycle times. Must be M3 and Mist slugging it out."
"Mr. Einarsson, how long for us to close on M3 for plasma discharge?"
Hilde responded, "With all this debris it is difficult to estimate. 10 minutes best time."
Farn found herself standing and she was annoyed at this lapse in command presence. Rather than sit and draw attention to herself she remained standing. The forward vid screen remained obscured by wisps of gas and dust from above as well as debris in their path. But as they moved forward flashes of light became apparent in the distance. There were slight color variances in the discharges and that told Farn that both ships were pummelling each other.
"I have a probe contact," called out Siv Dahl. "I'll put it on vid."
The vid screen displayed a distorted image obscured by rocks, gasses, and dust but Farn could see that Mist was getting the worst of the battle. Mist had only four plasma cannons with a range of 40 kilometres and with her fusion engines provided a cycle time of 32 seconds. Farn counted the cycle time of the dumbbell and it seemed to be about 22 seconds and M3 had what appeared to be six plasma guns.
Siggy studied the scene for only a few seconds. "Prepare to fire a volley of 'K's please. Make sure they see Mist's transponder in their targeting. On My mark."
Siggy waited as long as he could and as soon as the debris field cleared slightly he fired.
24 seconds later the first three of twelve 'K's hit debris and prematurely exploded. 3 seconds later a fourth detonated. Then two more failed to reach the target. Almost within the kill zone of M3 two more hit debris. The remainder were jinking and dodging around the debris and Farn estimated their impact in another 15 seconds. A few seconds later the last of the 'K's hit debris and detonated. But then the dumbbell began to move. Clearly it had seen the 'K's exploding behind and decided to make a run for it. M3 was disengaging from the slug fest with Mist and heading down. Down toward Saint Vardan, Breaking Dawn, and two other dumbbells. The dumbbell and Mist had some speed and the change in direction by the dumbbell was swift. However as Farn watched Mist launched four 'K's and one hit the connector. The ship separated out of control and disappeared into the gas and dust of the second layer.
A good hit thought Farn, but with the destroyed ship falling through the gas cloud and toward Saint Vardan the two other Megra ships below would know that something was up. And Farn knew there was another Megra ship up here somewhere gathering rocks and Farn simply had no idea of where it might be.
After five minutes New Hildr and Mist were close enough to communicate. Mist had taken dozens of plasma hits but her armor, good Greayson armor, had held. Mist had lost one of four fusion engines but Farn knew the ship was fully functional with only two engines.
Farn decided to disengage and go hunting for the remaining ship above. They still had 20 some hours before the weather changed and the storm moved in.
For a brief moment both New Hildr and Mist were able to communicate and they ascended again into the third shell of gasses and dust. It was unlikely that the remaining dumbbell would be within the gas field and more likely to be found in what Farn had taken to calling the 'rocky garden' between shells three and four. At dead slow they rose and for a moment both ships cleared the layer of gas did a quick scan and then descended just enough to remain obscured. The scans had revealed nothing. The fourth upper level dumbbell was not there.
Two options presented themselves to Farn. Either the dumbbell had descended below which was likely, or it had moved elsewhere within the system. If elsewhere in the system, where and why she did not know. Then Farn realized that the dumbbell might itself be hidden in the gas and dust shell. Hidden or perhaps transiting from one location to another.
New Hildr and Mist closed their distance and once again were able to communicate. Farn, Siggi Ivar and Elan Masters of Mist talked at length about their options. Perhaps the approaching storm had made the dumbbell move to a more safe position which would be higher, perhaps above the sixth level or further to what was the west as the storm moved from the east to the west. If she moved to the west she would need to keep moving as the storm proceeded in that direction, therefore Farn concluded she must be still higher above. Moving west might delay her return in time for the moonless night bombardment of Breaking Dawn and Farn knew the dumbbell would not miss out on all the fun.
Farn decided that continued hunting for the fourth dumbbell was fruitless and ordered the ships to rise above the sixth and outermost shell and await the passing of the storm. The High Navarch had indicated that the adverse weather would pass within 24 hours.
Two hours later they were well above the sixth shell of gases and dust. The space above the shells was cluttered with rocks and debris, but the density of the debris was less than that found between the shells. The only relatively clear space was between the lowest shell and the surface of the planet where over the galactic ages the gravity well of the planet had pulled much of the debris down to the surface.
Executive Operator Sohail had remained sitting in a jump seat on the bridge and was very quiet, but Farn noticed an enormous grin as the third dumbbell was destroyed.
"Executive Operator?" asked Farn. "You mentioned that a few of your fleet might have survived the initial attack?"
"Yes, a few. A very few."
"And other ships as well like freighters, mining trucks, dispatch ships?"
"Yes. The Megra were too busy targeting our warships to bother with freighters and mining haulers."
Farn thought a moment. "Executive Operator do you think we might be able to contact any of the survivors. They might well
play a role, a decisive role, in defeating the remaining Megra.
Sohail appeared puzzled but replied, "We can try. I know the frequencies they use and a few of the surviving captains I know well. That is if they are still alive."
"Lets give contacting them a try."
Two hours later Sohail managed to convince three mining colonies that the OCN fleet was an ally and that they had already destroyed three Megra. There had been great reluctance to respond to Sohail's hail of the outer planets and planetoids, but he proved convincing after many questions were asked and successfully answered. The dialogue with the three colonies revealed that one Armada warship had been seen in the outer regions of the system and they thought it might be the De Volta. However they had heard nothing from the ship in the past month. Additionally they revealed that six ore haulers and two freighters had taken refuge by orbiting a moon of one of the gas giants.
Farn had asked the speed of the freighters and found them too slow to arrive in time above Breaking Dawn to serve as bait in a sneak attack. The ore haulers were even slower. But Sohail said that the De Volta, if she could be contacted could well rendezvous with New Hildr and Mist before the storm was fully past. Further the Executive Operator of De Volta was Sohail's uncle. It seemed to Farn that the New Horizons Armada had been something of a family affair.
Farn asked Sohail to continue hailing the De Volta and given her probable distance there would be a significant time delay for any conversation, let alone an attempt to provide them with sufficient information to ensure that the hail was not a ruse.
Farn was unsure of what the two dumbbells above Saint Vardan and Breaking Dawn might do once they saw the remnants of one of their ships falling to a fiery death through the planetary atmosphere of the Mother. The might stay put, but Farn was reasonably sure they would at least try to investigate the cause of the failure. If they had decent scanning equipment, which Farn knew they did, then they would know that the ship had been destroyed in an attack. Remaining below, with little room to manoeuvre and the potential of being caught between Saint Vardan and an enemy above they would undoubtedly move. However the storm was moving in above them and their ability to ascend in the system was effectively blocked for the next twenty hours.
