That’s him. What was it he said he was working on?
The dossier for the man was one of the most varied he’d seen. It wasn’t just naval experience. The man was a certified expert in siege weaponry, defensive technologies, and had even participated in the early experiments with T’Kari technology to produce the artificial gravity units now used on the largest warships. He was so wrapped up in his read; he barely noticed the voice of the communications officer.
“Admiral, I have Lieutenant Commander Sanlav Erdeniz, from the Naval Research facility on Terra Nova. His ship is on course to enter the T’Karan Rift.”
“What ship?”
“He’s aboard ANS Endurance, I think. Yes, the Endeavour class engineering vessel. They are there to work on a classified project.”
“Good work, put him on my screen.”
The image of the Lieutenant Commander Erdeniz appeared in front of him. The man didn’t look particularly familiar, but there was keenness, almost something frantic about his eyes.
“Admiral Lewis. We’re about to leave the system, along with all other non-combat ships. Is there something I can help you with?”
Admiral Lewis almost choked as he tried to answer.
“That remains to be seen. You are part of the alternative project team, seconded to Endurance, are you not?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I take it you’ve seen the reports on C34?”
“No, Sir. We’re running a closed loop here, no contact in or out unless authorized by High Command. We’ve been pretty busy for the last few weeks preparing for these tests.”
Admiral Lewis checked a page of data relating to the project. Only parts of it were accessible to those outside of direct involvement. What he could see was that the ship had initially been stationed in T’Karan, where it had been siphoning energy from ANS Beagle for its projects. There was nothing about why it had been stationed inside Helion space, and he wondered if the subtle messages from Anderson had been intended to draw his attention to the mysterious ship.
“I see. Well, a section from C34 has broken away onto a modified course, and it will impact Helios Prime in less than fifteen hours. We have already checked its angle of attack, which is almost exactly at what would appear to be a ninety degree angle.”
Commander Erdeniz shook his head in disagreement.
“That can’t be right, Admiral. The energy required to change the course of a sizeable chunk of comet is, well, at that range it would be incredible. With what we know, it just isn’t possible.”
He lifted his hands and sighed.
“Son, I’m not interested in the science, right now. That thing has already ejected a number of Arks that are moving into position around four planets in this system. The first is responsible for a full-scale invasion of Spascia, and more will follow shortly. This enemy has a technological capacity far in excess of our own.”
Erdeniz didn’t seem particularly surprised.
“I understand, Admiral. My work here has been to assess the potential work of this project to be used in alternative ways. The information obtained from Hyperion confirms the enemy is vastly more advanced than we are. Their understanding of fusion technology and direct energy weapons and applications is incredible. This is why I was brought here on the orders of General Rivers himself, after the first trials of this system were reported.”
That confirmed just one thing to Admiral Lewis, that this man and the ship might officially have been designated a science research vessel, but it had also been positioned there for something else, something that only an open-minded weapon designer might come up with.
“Commander, I’m more concerned with the remains of this comet. In fifteen hours it will hit, and based on its size, it will almost certainly be a…”
“Planet Killer, Sir.”
“Not quite, but close enough. It will certainly cripple our ability to conduct an aggressive campaign against the Biomechs, let alone cause terrible casualties on Helios Prime. What I need to know is about this research of yours. How far along is it, and can you put it into the field?”
There was a moment’s pause while Commander Erdeniz checked the Admiral’s clearance for the project. It seemed excessive, but it only took a few seconds to confirm he was on the list.
“Well, Admiral, my research aboard ANS Endurance has just been a side project from the main research here. The team has been working on a miniaturized Rift generator system that incorporates elements of the technology taken from Hyperion.”
“And?” Admiral Lewis asked.
“So far the system isn’t working quite as predicted. We can produce Rifts that last a fraction of a second, but they are unstable and will not focus correctly at anything but short range. Worse though, the energy requirements are substantial. After three or four attempts, we have to reset the entire generator assembly. The cooling is an even bigger issue. If we don’t…”
“Commander, what exactly are you trying to say?”
Lieutenant Commander Erdeniz looked intently at the camera.
“ANS Endurance has the ability to produce a tear in space, but only for a brief moment of time. So far, we’ve managed to send two drones through. All other tests have left them disintegrated when the Rift collapses. Every time the system is used there is a chance of major damage to the ship.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, Admiral. Quite what were you hoping for?”
“Something I could use to deflect this comet with before it kills everything on Helios Prime.”
“No, Sir, the system wasn’t design to do that. Right now, we can only produce an entry and exit point up to a kilometer apart, and in a direct line from the emitters. Against the comet, we would have little effect in the time we can keep it open. We thought of using it in that way months ago, perhaps as a way of changing the course of the comet. The comet is more than just ice and rock though, isn’t it? We know they have a means to control it, rendering our project useless.”
Admiral Lewis looked almost crestfallen at this news.
“This is potentially the most powerful weapon in our arsenal, and your ship is near the T’Karan Rift entrance. There has to be a way.”
“Uh, there is one other possibility, Sir. It is dangerous, but my research suggests it is certainly possible.”
“Go on.”
“If we create a Rift entry point inside the comet, and an exit point nearby, we can effectively move a section of the comet.”
“And?”
“When the Spacebridge collapses, it will tear the section inside apart. My data suggests we would create a bubble of a size proportional to the energy expanded prior to the collapse.”
Captain Marcus heard the last part and watched as the Commander showed them a short video demonstration. It was relatively simple, but showed an entry and exit point within two hundred meters of each other. A small ship moved halfway through and then the Rift collapsed. The middle section of the ship ripped apart as though a blade had cut right through it. Explosions struck both sides as the derelict vessel tore apart.
“You seriously think your research could be used like that from your science vessel?” Captain Marcus asked.
Commander Erdeniz inhaled slowly.
“If my research is correct, then there is an eighty-two percent chance it would work on the first cycle. Each additional use would suffer diminishing returns, and also increase the chance of major failure.”
Admiral Lewis looked to his XO.
“Well, what do you think?”
Captain Marcus wasn’t convinced, but that didn’t give him even a moment’s doubt as to what they needed to do.
“We need everything we have for this one. I say get them in position and fast, before it’s too late. We can work out the details later on.”
Admiral Lewis considered it, but not for long.
“Commander, get your research ready. I need to speak with your project leader and your Captain. I need you and your ship to join our fleet as f
ar away from Helios Prime as we can manage. Every hour is critical, Gentlemen. This fragment is less than three million kilometers away from Helios Prime. Get to work!”
Commander Erdeniz vanished, and Admiral Lewis turned back to Captain Marcus.
“I want the fleet away from the planet and as close to Object Thunar as we can in the time we have.”
The XO nodded and moved away. Admiral Lewis then turned his attention to his communications and science officers who waited patiently for their own orders.
“In the meantime, get me in touch with every science team we have within thirty minutes. I want you to coordinate everything coming in. We don’t have time for passing information up for debate. Get me options and numbers, fast!”
Finally, he looked to the communications officer.
“I need to speak with Admiral Anderson in T’Karan and High Command on Terra Nova. This needs to be an urgent flash message through the Rift network. If we can’t think of something, they’d better had.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The CIC had already been busy, but now they moved with a purpose unlike any so far. They were not getting ready for a space battle or a planetary assault. They were gearing up for a showdown with a massive comet and no workable strategy. The comet was a threat like no other, but that did little to interfere with their routine. He looked at them as they moved to their computer systems. They were fast and efficient, but he knew that didn’t guarantee a workable solution.
We need a detailed plan, and within the hour.
He then moved his attention back to the image of Object Thunar and shook his head. He imagined the carnage caused by the massive object, and for a brief moment managed to forget about the fleets of ships and legions of enemy warriors that would also be arriving not long afterwards.
One way or another, we’re bringing that thing down, even if I have to lose the entire fleet to do it!
* * *
Wictred and Vadi moved along the rubble that provided the last barrier to the open ground around the town. He’d patrolled this stretch four times now and was beginning to find the entire process a little boring.
“When will they come?” Vadi asked.
Wictred paused for a moment and looked out to the horizon.
“The Biomechs? Who knows? They will keep fighting until more help arrives.”
His intercom crackled. It was Captain Carter.
“Corporal, we’ve just heard from Helion Command. They are sending armored units to all outlaying regions. We’ve been designated two NHA units, and they’ll be arriving by surface transport within the hour.”
Wictred pointed off into the distance. Vadi watched and then nodded when he spotted the shape. It was the vessel from before, yet as it came down, it landed harder than expected, as though it was in some kind of distress.
“Biomechs?” he asked.
Wictred nodded and then activated his throat mic inside his helmet.
“Captain Carter, the Hunter-Killer is back. It looks likes it’s landing two kilometers to the east, behind the dunes. They must be preparing for an attack on this location.
“Good work, get back here. We’ll be ready for them.”
Wictred considered his response, but something grated, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. The Bioray was a big craft, yet it hadn’t been trailing smoke, and there were no fighters near it. There was no reason for it to have come down so fast and so heavily.
Fuel, they must have run out and landed outside of this area. That, or their crew is weaker than expected.
“Captain, what do you think about attacking the thing before they can organize themselves?”
There was a moment's pause as the Captain considered his words.
“You want to move in on a grounded Biomanta?”
“Well, Sir, it’s intact, and I suspect it’s weakened since it first arrived.”
“Good point, Corporal. The NHA are en route, so we could of course just sit it out until they arrive?”
“What if they were forced to land? They might simply go to ground and blow the ship. If we’re fast, we could be there in thirty minutes. How useful would an intact Bioray be to Military Intelligence?”
“Son, you had me with your idea at the start. Meet me at the gatehouse. We move out in three minutes.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The events of the Eos withdrawal had a profound effect upon the citizens of the growing Centauri Alliance. The casualties brought home the price of the battle but also reminded so many of the deprivations suffered in the Great Uprising. Support for anti-Alliance movements dropped substantially, and for the first time the Alliance was effectively united in its aim of unification and peace. All it would take would be final victory around Helios Prime and the total defeat of the Biomechs. For the first time in humanity’s history, the only way forward would be in uniting with alien races, all for the greater good of mankind.
Rise and Fall of Interstellar Empires
Captain Perry had never expected the defense of Helios Prime would fall to him. With the disintegration of Object Thunar, only a quarter of the fleet had been left behind with him to defend the world. Any ships lacking the speed or endurance for the high-speed dash to Object Thunar had stayed back. Half of the ships were Alliance, and the rest were mainly the advanced Helion missile cruisers. His own ship, ANS Royal Oak, was now the flagship of the last line of defense for the planet. As well as the ships, he had the Helion orbital defense stations, a ring of heavily armed platforms positioned around the entire perimeter of the world.
"I'm waiting," he said impatiently.
Captain Harper moved as quickly as he could, stopped and saluted.
"The fighter wings have been briefed, Sir. They are ready to go."
"Finally."
He pointed to the mainscreen that showed the remainder of the comet. Unlike Object Thunar, this was the original comet and it was truly gigantic. He'd already sent a dozen probes as close as possible, but every single one had been destroyed.
"As expected, the course is going to place it in high orbit, perfect to manage a full-scale invasion."
He then altered the angle to show the Rift to Spascia.
"So far eleven ships have come through, and they are pinning down a disproportionate number of vessels. Three are fighting at our entry point as we speak."
He felt tense, and the complexity of the battle for Helios Prime wasn't lost on him. There was the comet and its cargo of Biomechs just hours away, as well as a massive cloud of debris from the smashed Object Thunar fragment. On top of this, there were also the secondary attacks from Spascia.
"All of this is a distraction. They want us weak for the main event."
He was saying it aloud more for his benefit than for the CAG.
"That's why we're going to attack C34 right now. I want every single gun that we have firing. You've given the squadrons their orders. This is a full-scale preemptive assault. Fifty ships plus every fighter and station we can muster."
"But, Sir, the Rift to Spascia?"
"Oh, yes."
He moved the display to show the short battle that was taking place at the Rift. An equal number of ships from both sides fought a small skirmish. The control base to the one side added its own modest arsenal to the fight.
"I suggest that..."
The control station flashed blue as one of the Biomantas rammed the station at full speed. The Rift flickered, pulsed, and then collapsed even as another Biomanta moved through it. As the collapse completed, the remaining half of the ship spun out from the tear in space and collided with a Helion cruiser.
"Animals. Well, it looks like we're on our own now, doesn't it?"
"So is Spascia, Sir."
"Indeed. Check the squadrons one last time, Captain. In twelve minutes we will start the attack."
* * *
It had taken almost a full hour for the Helion Fleet to change course to a direct interception and meet with additional ships from the Rift. For the la
st four hours, they had been accelerating on emergency power, a level that pushed the ships and the crews to the limit. This powerful force included just under a hundred and fifty of the primary warships. Finally, they were closer to Object Thunar than they were to Helios Prime. They were in position though, and ready to begin what had been named Operation Lightning. It was more a joking name by one of the escort captains, but it was apt due to the time it had taken to put it into action. The original plan to intercept in orbit had been scuppered, and the initial strike by the Alliance drone force had failed completely in its attempt to destroy the target. Now they were escorting an unfamiliar ship into battle, with little idea as to what it would do.
As before, the Alliance warships took the lead, with the brand new Liberty Destroyers taking up the vanguard. Out on the right of the formation, and inside a cordon of Crusader class warships, moved the newly arrived Endeavour class science ship, ANS Endurance. The vessel was easily twice the size of the largest ship in the fleet, yet apart from her experimental Rift generators, she was completely unarmed. The small number of surviving drones from the failed Operation Needle circled the ship as a final buffer against a potential attack.
"It's true, then? We've lost contact with Spascia?" Admiral Lewis said.
His bitterness was easy to ascertain, as was his anger.
"Those Helions are a bunch of amateurs. They let the Biomechs get close enough to hit the station. That was their most vulnerable point."
He was angry, but more at himself for stationing Captain Perry and the others too far from the Rift to adequately protect it. He'd been thinking only of what was coming through, that small trickle of enemy ships. Instead, he should have considered what he would lose if it were to be lost.
No point wasting time on a lost cause. Perry will have to deal with C34 for now. Right now, I have this bastard to finish off, or all of this will be irrelevant.
Star Crusades Nexus: Book 07 - Battle for Helios Page 19
