Nemesis (First Colony Book 2)

by Ken Lozito

Reisman’s mouth hung open. “That’s likely to be a one-way trip.”

  Connor leveled a look at him. “With as many ships as we’ve snuck aboard, is this any different?”

  “Very much so. We don’t even know who’s flying those ships,” Reisman said.

  “Exactly. We need more intelligence,” Connor said.

  “Let me guess. You want to lead the team over there,” Reisman said.

  Connor frowned and leaned back.

  “It’s not appropriate for a general to be on the away team,” Reisman said.

  “Fine, I’ll promote you to general and demote myself. Either way it’s gonna happen. There’s no one more qualified to lead a team for that,” Connor replied.

  “We’ll see about that,” Reisman said.

  Lieutenant LaCroix glanced at both of them, looking extremely uncomfortable. “I don’t want to get in the middle of this,” he muttered.

  Connor looked back at LaCroix. “Carry on, and remember what I said about those firing solutions. Do you need additional support?”

  “That won’t be necessary, sir,” LaCroix said.

  Connor headed back to the command area and Reisman followed him.

  “It’s neither here nor there unless we can find them. Otherwise, we’re going to keep picking away at the Vemus. They’re not searching that hard for us given that they just keep heading toward Titan Space Station. Have you found a way to contact the Banshee?” Connor asked.

  Reisman gave him a bored expression. “Of course. Just need the final word on the plan and the coordination involved.”

  “I’m thinking fire and run,” Connor said.

  “Major Cross won’t like that. She likes to fight,” Reisman said.

  “She’ll get her chance. Let’s go over the message. Are you sure it won’t be detected?” Connor asked.

  “Oh, it’ll be detected, but they won’t be able to read it,” Reisman said.

  Connor gave him a look.

  “Shouldn’t be able to read it.”

  Connor nodded. “Alright, let’s not give the enemy abilities we can’t confirm they

  have.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Major, we have an encrypted-channel, one-way communication from the Vigilant,” Lieutenant Daniels said.

  The bridge of the Destroyer Banshee became quiet. Major Savannah Cross looked up from her terminal.

  “Send it to my screen,” Savannah said.

  They’d gone into stealth mode, or as stealthy as any ship of the wall could go. At least the Banshee was designed to loiter in enemy territory.

  Savannah waved her XO over.

  John Elder returned to the command area and looked at Savannah’s screen.

  “Message header looks authentic,” John said.

  “I concur,” Savannah said and opened the message.

  She read through her orders twice and allowed John to take a look.

  “They want us to strike out and then retreat to Titan Space Station,” John said.

  “Evidently, General Gates would like to use us as a distraction and as bait. We’re to get the enemy forces to commit their forces to the space station,” Savannah said and sat back in her chair.

  She hated those orders but agreed with them at the same time. The preliminary scans they’d managed to salvage from PRADIS showed a huge fleet of ships heading right toward New Earth.

  Savannah opened a broadcast channel to her ship. “Crew of the Banshee, this is Major Cross. We’ve just received our orders from the Vigilant. Our enemy is called the Vemus. It’s the only word that could be deciphered from recorded transmissions. Our orders are to strike at the Vemus’s frontlines and draw their attack in toward Titan Space Station, at which time we are to report in to Colonel Douglass on Titan. Stand by for additional orders. We stay at Condition One. Cross out.”

  Savannah closed the broadcast comms channel. “Tactical, in a few minutes’ time we’re going to get targeting data from a scanner drone. We’ll enable PRADIS for a short burst. Then you’ll have a small window in which to formulate a firing solution,” Savannah said.

  “Ready, willing, and able, Major,” Sergeant Brennan said.

  “Helm, plot a course to Titan. Best speed,” Savannah said.

  “Yes, ma’am, best speed to Titan,” the helmsman replied.

  Savannah glanced at John Elder. “You’ll want to strap yourself in.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Captain Elder said and hastened to his seat.

  Savannah kept her eyes on the main holoscreen, waiting for all hell to break loose.

  “Drone activation in one minute, General,” Sergeant Browning said.

  “Acknowledged,” Connor replied.

  A timer appeared in the upper right corner of the main holoscreen. The onboard computer systems were about to get a heap of much-needed targeting data. Six rail-cannons reported “status ready.” HADES IV missiles were loaded in the remaining tubes. Engineer Hatly had assured him that since they kept the reactors hot the engines could be quickly brought online. Connor didn’t dare give the order before the scanner drone started broadcasting.

  The timer dwindled down to zero and a connection status of “waiting for data” appeared on the main screen. Connor counted off in his mind. They were about to get a peek into the battlefield as it was in real time.

  Vemus contacts began populating the tactical screen.

  “You have thirty seconds, Lieutenant LaCroix,” Connor said.

  Connor put up another timer on screen. As the enemy contacts continued to show up on screen, he knew LaCroix was working up a firing solution.

  “Fifteen seconds, Lieutenant,” Connor said.

  The tactical officer’s fingers flew through the interface as he kept updating the targeting parameters with more Vemus ships.

  “Ready for launch,” Lieutenant LaCroix said as the timer reached zero.

  “Fire!” Connor said.

  HADES IV-B missiles shot from their tubes. No sooner had the order been given than another countdown timer appeared. LaCroix was already hard at work identifying additional targets for the next wave of missiles.

  “Ops, you’re going to bring PRADIS back online. Active scans,” Connor said.

  PRADIS came back online and the Vigilant’s computer system fed the data from the scanner drone into it.

  “Scanner drone has gone offline,” Sergeant Browning reported.

  That hadn’t taken the Vemus long. Connor watched the PRADIS output and didn’t know if it was an act of providence that had spared them from having any Vemus ships around them or if they were just lucky, but they were alone for the time being.

  A second wave of HADES IV-Bs fired from their tubes.

  “Helm, bring us about, toward the Vemus fleet,” Connor said.

  “Yes, sir, bringing us about,” Sergeant Edwards replied.

  “Sir, I’m showing HADES IV missiles have been launched from Titan Space Station,” Sergeant Browning said.

  “Acknowledged,” Connor said, thankful Kasey hadn’t wasted any time engaging the Vemus. “Tactical, account for the incoming HADES IVs from Titan into your targeting solutions.”

  “Yes, sir,” LaCroix answered.

  “General, one of the Vemus ships has broken away from the front and is on an intercept course for us,” Reisman said.

  “Ops, target that ship with the rail-cannon. It’s big enough for us to hit it even at this distance,” Connor said.

  The rail-cannons were bolted into the superstructure of the ship. It was the only way they could be fired without tearing the ship apart.

  “Colonel, any sign of the Wyatt?” Connor asked.

  Reisman peered intently at his own holoscreen. He looked up at Connor. “Negative, sir.”

  “Understood. Helm, hold this position for twenty seconds and then plot a course toward Titan Space Station, best speed,” Connor said.

  Sergeant Edwards echoed his command. Connor watched as the Vemus battleship carrier drew steadily closer.

/>   “Confirm hits with rail-cannon, sir,” Sergeant Browning said.

  “Good, keep pelting it. Tactical, what’s our missile status?” Connor asked.

  “All our birds are in the air, sir,” LaCroix said.

  They’d gone through their HADES IVs already? Connor glanced at the main holoscreen. There were still so many enemy ships. They had to get out of there before they were caught in the crossfire of their own weapons.

  “Sir, I’m detecting a faint comms channel from the Wyatt,” Sergeant Boers said.

  “Can you lock onto their signal?” Connor asked.

  “Yes, sir. Ship has been identified,” Sergeant Boers said.

  Connor looked back at the main screen. On the other side of the Vemus line, drawing steadily toward Titan Space Station, was a signal from the Wyatt. “Helm, plot a course to that signal, best speed. Tactical, make use of the Hornets as we go but keep twenty percent in reserve,” Connor said.

  This mission could go to hell at any moment. The Vemus ships were scrambling to find them. Connor had no illusions that this was a battle he could win. He was just determined to take down as many of the enemy as he could.

  “Enemy missiles detected! Danger close! Brace for impact!” Reisman shouted.

  Connor checked his seat straps to be sure they were securely fastened. It had been only a matter of time before the Vemus fired back at them. Now it was a matter of how long their luck would hold.

  Connor felt a violent shudder spread across the bridge and then his body jerked hard against his restraints. He watched helplessly as Sergeant Browning crashed into his workstation panel and then slumped over in his chair. Connor gritted his teeth and held on. As the ship stabilized, Sergeant Boers and several others went over to help Sergeant Browning.

  A massive overload registered on Connor’s terminal. He opened a comlink to Engineering. “Damage report,” Connor said.

  “Sir, we lost two of our main drive pods. The system is completely overloaded. Main engine power down to twenty-five percent,” Engineer Hatly replied.

  Connor’s mouth went dry. “What about the other two drive pods?”

  “One is fully operational and we’re attempting to reroute power to the other one. Pods three and four are completely gone, sir,” Engineer Hatly said.

  “Understood. Get me that other drive pod ASAP,” Connor said.

  He cut the connection to Engineering and looked over at the Ops station. Sergeant Browning was awake and back in his chair.

  “Ops, I need a damage report,” Connor said.

  “Looks like they concentrated fire on our stern engines. Missile tubes six through fifteen are offline,” Sergeant Browning said.

  “Understood,” Connor replied and looked at Reisman. “They’re trying to disable us, and they knew where to hit us.”

  “Agreed. I think it must be what they did to the Wyatt,” Reisman said.

  Connor looked at the PRADIS readout. The ship that had the com signal from the Wyatt had disappeared.

  “Comms, are we still receiving a signal from the Wyatt?” Connor asked.

  Sergeant Boers worked with a frantic frown. “Negative, sir. They’re no longer broadcasting any signal,” Boers said with a shaky voice.

  The Wyatt was gone. Two hundred CDF souls aboard.

  “Sir, I’m showing waves of HADES IV missiles making their final approach. We need to get out of here to achieve minimum safe distance,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.

  “He’s right, sir. With the Wyatt gone, we should head back toward Titan Space Station,” Reisman said.

  Connor clenched his teeth. They were still just inside the Vemus front lines, and the enemy fleet hadn’t increased their speed. “Helm, plot a course for Titan Space Station. Best speed. Execute as soon as you have it.”

  “Yes, sir,” Sergeant Edwards said.

  Connor ran the numbers on his terminal. With only one drive pod, even at best speed they only stood a slim chance of clearing the detonations of the HADES IV missiles.

  “Come on, Hatly, get me that other drive pod,” Connor said softly.

  Reisman heard him and gave a grim nod. They needed that engine or they were going to die.

  “Sir, I’m showing drive pod two is now active!” Sergeant Edwards said.

  “Punch it!” Connor said.

  The Vigilant lurched forward as the magneto-plasma drive pods sucked in power from their remaining reactors. Connor felt a shudder under his feet and he watched the plot as the Vigilant slowly moved ahead of the Vemus fleet.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Noah had remained in the command center and continued to assist Caleb at the tactical workstation. He glanced at the time on one of the main tactical holoscreens that were tracking the missiles they’d launched at the enemy fleet. When Noah first joined the CDF, he’d assumed that missile deployments were effectively straightforward affairs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even with the increased accuracy he’d been able to achieve for the HADES IV-Bs, they still had to reach their relative positions. Colonel Douglass hadn’t gone for the simple and direct approach, which would have been to fire all the missiles in their arsenal. Each wave of missiles had an effective targeting location and they flew at different speeds in order to hit the enemy fleets all at once. There was a delicate balance of timing and precision that Noah had come to appreciate.

  He glanced at the PRADIS screen, and none of the enemy fleet had broken formation.

  “Colonel, I’m showing a CDF responder coming just ahead of the enemy fleet’s front line. It’s the Vigilant,” Caleb Thorne said.

  Noah’s eyes widened in excitement. They hadn’t heard from the Vigilant since the attack first began.

  “Sir, I have a comms channel from the Vigilant. It’s General Gates,” Lieutenant Foster said.

  “Put them through,” Colonel Douglass said. The comms channel registered as active. “I was beginning to think you were going to miss the party.”

  “We had a few shake-ups of our own. The Wyatt is gone. I sent the Banshee to you, but we’ve taken significant damage and I don’t know if she made it,” Connor said.

  “Major Cross has checked in and I told her to stay close to the station. She’ll get to see some more action before this day is done,” Colonel Douglass said.

  Noah’s brows drew upward and he looked over at the colonel. Surely all the HADES IV missiles armed with their nuclear warheads would be enough to severely damage the approaching fleet?

  “What’s the status of the Vigilant?” Colonel Douglass said.

  “The Vemus started to return fire on us. They targeted our engines and we’re down to only two main engine pods left. Our analysis is that they were just trying to disable the ship so they could take us alive. One of the last broadcasts from the Wyatt was that they were repelling boarders. There’s a good chance they’re going to try the same thing on the space station,” Connor said.

  “Understood. We’ll be ready,” Colonel Douglass said.

  There was a long moment of garbled static before the channel was cleared by the comms AI that automatically aligned communications signals for optimum performance.

  “How long do we have, Kasey?” Connor asked.

  Noah frowned at the somberness of the tone. He’d rarely heard Connor break protocol on an official CDF channel before. He looked over at Colonel Douglass and saw that the former Ghost’s mouth formed a thin grim line.

  “Not long,” Colonel Douglass said, his voice sounding thick.

  “I thought so. Our PRADIS array has taken some damage, so not all the scanner fields are working anymore,” Connor said.

  Colonel Douglass muted the comms channel so Connor wouldn’t hear him. “Tactical, will the Vigilant reach minimum safe distance?”

  “Hold a moment, we’re picking up something on our sensors,” Connor said.

  Within moments, multiple contacts showed on PRADIS.

  Colonel Douglass took the comms channel off mute. “We see them.”

  Captain
Thorne worked through the blast radius from the HADES IV missile envelope whose detonation timing was closing in on the Vigilant. “It’s going to be real close, sir.”

  Colonel Douglass nodded. “General, you’re almost at a minimum safe distance. You’re still in this. The noose is closing in standard V deployment.”

  “Understood. The new contacts are moving much faster than anything else we’ve seen so far. They’re smaller vessels. Can’t do the analysis here, but I suspect they’re some form of Talon 5 assault crafts,” Connor said.

  Noah brought up a search on his terminal. Titan’s computer systems held a data repository of all known NA Alliance navy vessels in existence when the Ark left Earth’s solar system. He entered Talon 5 into the search field and his mouth went dry. Talon assault crafts were specifically designed to puncture a hole through bulkheads and deliver troops onto enemy vessels. They were also designed for speed and were highly maneuverable. Soldiers were strapped into place and administered a special cocktail to help them withstand forces that were beyond the inertia dampeners’ ability to compensate.

  “Ops, I need you to confirm that,” Colonel Douglass said.

  “Yes, sir. We’re tracking,” Sergeant Moors said.

  “We’ll attack them from the rear, but you’re going to need to unleash the fury and initiate Jade protocol,” Connor said.

  Noah glanced at Colonel Douglass. He’d never heard of Jade protocol and had no idea what that meant.

  “Understood, General. I’ll be in contact,” Colonel Douglass said.

  “Good luck, Titan,” Connor said.

  Noah watched as Colonel Douglass went over to his terminal.

  “Colonel, the Talon 5s will be here within thirty minutes,” Sergeant Moors said.

  Colonel Douglass broke focus on his terminal session and glanced up. “Understood. Go to Condition One. Imminent attack on the station. Defense protocols authorized.”

  Noah heard the operations officer send a broadcast throughout the station. A new notification appeared on Noah’s terminal with orders for him to report to the main hangar. He glanced at Colonel Douglass and noticed that several CDF personnel began leaving the Command Center. Other CDF personnel sprinted in to fill the vacant posts. Noah closed his terminal session, stood up, and went over to Colonel Douglass.