by Lee Guo
Vin again nodded. Navtron technology was an excellent technology that could only be used in normal space. Basically, navtron used tachyon pulses to predict where the enemy was in real time, therefore increasing accuracy many folds. In a conventional space battle occurring in normal space, utilizing navtron technology was tantamount to success.
“Against the Garolan battlefleet,” Hayet went on, “we’ll be facing three times as many warships, so much of our ability to win the battle will rely on our use of the star fortress, its missiles and zpturrets, and the laser platforms. Commodore Willock?”
A person at the other side of the table stood. “Hello. I am Commodore Ansel Willock in command of the Vega star fortress. How we use our weapons will depend on how the enemy uses theirs. Their predicted course of action is to send everything they have towards Vega III, in which case we’ll be forced to unleash everything we have right when they enter range of our fortress’s zpcannons. In this ‘order of battle’ scenario, we’ll launch our missiles so that they’ll intercept the enemy fleet right when they enter maximum range of the fortress’s weapons and the planetary turrets. Since most of the system’s construction infrastructure is located in orbit around Vega III, we predict the enemy will do exactly that and attack Vega III. That’s all I have to say, sirs and ma’ams.”
“What other possible orders of battle are there?” Vin asked.
“Well… your Majesty,” Commodore Willock replied, “there is a chance that they’ll maneuver their fleet so that they come within zero-point cannon range of the planet at the exact opposite side that the star fortress is located. In this scenario, the star fortress won’t be able to fire at the enemy fleet because the planet is blocking the way, and the enemy will be able to destroy 30% of the orbital construction infrastructure and not any more as long as they don’t come within point of fire of the star fortress. They could leave the star fortress for last after they destroy all the laser and zero-point cannon turrets. Or they could evade the star fortress entirely and move to the next system.”
“What will our missiles be doing in this scenario?” Vin wondered.
“Our missiles will be able to attack them any time we wish, so the antimatter navtron warheads won’t be blocked by the planet.”
“I see,” Vin said.
“What we do will depend on what they do, your Majesty,” Fleet Admiral Hayet interjected. “Of course, we will position our main fleet so that they fight most of our assets all at once instead of one at a time. That is the best case scenario. Over all, there is not much we can do. We have to respond to them, as much of our assets are stationary. Only our fleet and our missiles are mobile.”
When the meeting was over, Vin saw the various flag officers’ holograms blink away. Eventually, he was left with only one other person in the room – Fleet Admiral Hayet. “What do you think of our chances of winning this battle and repelling the invaders?” he asked the Fleet Admiral.
Hayet stared back in earnest, then he sighed. “I don’t know, your Majesty. A lot of this depends on what they do and what assets they have and have hiding. Since they’ve already shown themselves to be deceptive of their battle technology, there’s no telling what new sublight technology they have stored for us when they enter the system. As much as I’d like to be confident, I’ve been taught by our enemies that confidence may be pointless. I am forced to fight on the tip of my toes, so to speak.”
“I understand,” Vin said. “I hope we are able to repel them here.”
“So do I, your Majesty… Has the palace AI Kal had any luck recruiting new allies to come to our aid?”
Vin blinked. “I don’t know. I intend to speak to him next.”
“Inform me what he says as soon as possible, your Majesty. It is vital I know as well.”
Envy’s Curse
Private Messaging Room
The hologram room was dark.
“Lights,” Vin called out.
The room brightened. It was not a large room – only capable of holding several people. It was only several yards wide.
“Computer, connect me to Earth Communication System, Imperial Palace, Kal.”
“Authorization required.”
“Vin-288.”
“Connecting.”
Suddenly, the room changed. No longer was it a small quarantined space. Now, it looked massive, with a wide opening that led to the imperial gardens. It was sunny outside.
All holograms, thought Vin. How he wished he could be there.
“Hello, your Majesty,” a voice said. Kal materialized in front of Vin. Dressed in Imperial uniform, the hologram looked immaculate as ever.
“Good afternoon, Kal. Are you successful in getting other nations to come to our aid?”
The AI looked apologetic. “No, your Majesty. I have not.”
“None of them will aid us with their fleet?”
“That much is true, your Majesty. I do not know why, but they all fear reprisal attacks from the Garolans.”
Vin flinched. It must have been the news broadcasts. The whole sector was watching the war between him and the Garolan Armada. Perhaps if he had won that space battle, he’d have more support… “What exactly do they fear from the Garolans?”
“I am only conjecturing, your Majesty, but I believe they fear that they will be the next to be invaded if they aid us in our war with the Garolans. All the national leaders I’ve spoken to wish to remain neutral.”
“I see…” Vin sighed.
“I will continue working to boost your ranks, your Majesty,” the AI said.
“Please, do so. Is that all you wish to report?”
“Yes, sir.”
Vin shook his head. How could this be? That not a single ally was willing to aid him in the most crucial moment? “Is Maylene within the palatial grounds?”
The AI nodded. “Would you like to speak to Maylene Nestario, sir?”
“Yes, can you transfer me to her?”
“Transfering, sir.”
The view of the imperial gardens disappeared. Now, he saw one of the guests’ bedrooms.
“Maylene.”
“Vin,” Maylene Nestario said, dressed in black Imperial garb.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, Vin.”
Vin gulped his saliva and prepared to say what he dreaded. “Bad things have happened, Maylene. The battle… has gone all wrong. I’m sure you’ve seen it over the news.”
Maylene nodded. “I have.”
Vin gulped, again. Perhaps it was too early to do what he had planned, but there was no telling what danger Earth was in. What if the Garolans evaded Vega and attacked Earth next? What if they succeeded in destroying Vega and proceeded to hit Earth? What if they sent some hidden ships with new technology to Earth? “Listen Maylene, I have a plan. I’m going to evacuate you and mother in an imperial shuttle. Don’t say no. It’s dangerous to be on one of the core worlds at this time. The shuttle will have good amenities. It’ll be like staying at home… will you –?”
“—I accept,” Maylene spoke.
Vin nodded in relief. That’s good, at least I can save some of what I value most if all goes wrong, he thought. “Thank you, Maylene. I don’t know when I’ll speak to you next. The battle of Vega could happen anytime. The battle of Earth could happen next just as likely.” I don’t even know if I’ll survive, he wanted to say, but he bit his lips. “It’s a very dangerous world we now live in.”
Maylene nodded. “Come back safely, Vin. I miss you.”
“I will.” Vin smiled. “How is Azares?”
“He’s good. I will take him with me when I leave.”
“Is he well fed?”
“Of course…”
The conversation continued for a little longer. Eventually, Vin closed the channel and thanked the palace AI for keeping tabs on Maylene’s safety. He left the holographic messaging room and headed towards his quarters. The battle of Vega could happen any moment, so he wanted to get as much sleep before
it did…
Chapter 10
Star System Vega
0800 Hours
On the outskirts of the system, 2895 Garolan warships translated into normal space from 0-space with limitless cascades of photons exploding in every direction. Immediately, the Garolan ships tachyon scanned the system for its defenses and tactical points and beamed the information to its flagship where its leader, High Admiral Vargasithisisagwa, monitored the system relentlessly. Then, the High Admiral came to a decision. Within an instant, the alien fleet accelerated inward, towards the third planet where the majority of the system’s defenses and orbital infrastructure were located…
Main Human Fleet
Envy’s Curse
Bridge
“There they are, sir,” the communication ensign announced.
Vin saw Fleet Admiral Hayet nod. This is it. The enemy fleet has arrived. The Battle of Vega has started. Vin only hoped that the defensive preparations have been enough. If not, then Vega III was doomed. The planet would be destroyed through orbital zero point bombardment. Billions would die. He shuddered. He did not want to be in the shoes of the people on the planet when Vega III was bombarded – if the human fleet lost the battle.
The planet had zero point shields to protect all the major cities, but with enough firepower, they, too, could be overwhelmed when the enemy fleet got within range.
Death through zero point singularity bursts was not how he wanted to go – it was not pleasant.
With a sigh, Vin gazed at the enemy units on the holomap. They were speeding inward, heading straight for the orbital battlestation encircling Vegas III. It looked like they weren’t going to evade it. They were going straight for the system’s production jugular. All the orbital nanufactory facilities hovering around the orbital battlestation above Vegas III… they were aiming for that.
In a way, it was the best case scenario. This way, he didn’t have to worry that the enemy would evade the orbital battlestation and attack the orbital nanufactories indirectly. This way, all of the human forces could attack and potentially overwhelm the enemy all at once.
Vin glanced at Fleet Admiral Hayet through his helmet’s armor and nodded to the fleet admiral’s nod.
Here goes nothing…
“All units, commence with battle plan A,” the Admiral stated.
Vega System
1000 hours
The Garolan fleet accelerated inward, deeper, further into the inner system and its inner planets. They were merciless, relentless, and they, too, had a plan.
Perfect, thought High Admiral Vargasithisisagwa. The Humans are predictable as always…
Battle Fortress Tri Epsilon
In orbit around Vega III
“Eject all missile pods!” the Fortress Commander, Commodore Willock ordered. He stared at the enemy fleet. Sublight battle was a little different from 0-space battle, and Willock was an expert in sublight battles. He saw the one thousand strong human fleet behind him and felt confident. But the enemy was three thousand strong. His battlefortress could not make up the number difference alone, and he knew that as well.
Everything would depend on how much damage his antimatter missiles and zero point turrets would inflict.
The people of Vega depended their lives on it.
He’d use them well, he would. He had to. It was a matter of necessity.
Oh, glorious King. I won’t fail you in my greatest hour. Watch me fight.
Main Human Fleet
Envy’s Curse
Bridge
“Willock has launched the missiles,” the sensor lieutenant said.
“How are the Garolans responding?” Fleet Admiral Hayet asked.
“They’re… reacting now – forming a ball!”
Vin nodded. This was exactly as predicted. This was the standard counter response – the typical missile defense response when a fleet was surrounded by missiles. Now, it was up to Willock to wait until the enemy fleet entered zero-point blast range of the stationary turrets and the fortress before unleashing the missiles on the ball of enemy ships. But then Vin wondered was where was the enemy’s antimissile platforms? Didn’t they have antimissile missiles or antimissile shooters? Yet, as he waited, he saw none. The enemy had no defense of that nature!
Technically, the Garolans could form a ball and suddenly halt and never approach the third planet and its zp turrets or fortress guns, in which cause the battle would be delayed forever. The missiles would only be used when the enemy’s shields were also saturated by damage from the zp turrets and fortress guns as well. In that scenario, the battle could last for days – or prolonged for as long as the enemy wished.
As Vin gazed at the battlemap, he realized that that slow order of events would not happen. The enemy intended to attack Vegas III immediately. The results and welfare of billions would be decided soon…
6 hours later
1600 hours
The enemy fleet just now entered range of the farthest zero-point turrets. The ZPTs fired their singularity blasts into the forward enemy ships in the balled fleet. The enemy fired back at the turrets as well.
Blasts of white-hot energy shockwaves splashed against the deflectors on both sides. The human zero point turrets were immobile, and therefore could dedicate much more energy into their weapons. For each blast from a human ZPT, 150 gigatons of energy splashed into the ships of the balled Garolan fleet. This time, each blast sent significant damage coursing into the outer hulls of said ships, blowing compartments and destroying forward armored sections. This amount of energy could not be fully contained by the enemy’s zero-point deflectors.
At the same time, however, the enemy’s nearly equally powerful zero-point bursts smashed into the human turrets whose deflectors were not designed to shield against such raw power. The turrets’ armor blew as such incredible amounts of raw energy flung into it. That same energy entered the turrets inner workings and neutralized the power cores, destroying some of the turrets completely.
Yet, for what it was worth, the first human turrets did their job. They destroyed numbers of enemy ships while suffering losses to their own – but these were unmanned and in most cases minimally manned turrets.
And as the enemy fleet entered range of more and more of these said turrets, more and more singularity bursts blasted into the Garolan fleet…
Worse, as the enemy fleet came closer to Vegas III, it entered the range of the Star Fortress as well.
Battle Fortress Tri Epsilon
In orbit around Vega III
“Now! Fire all singularity fortress cannons!” Fortress Commander Willock ordered.
“Yes, sir!”
Commodore Willock grinned. The greatest part of the battle was just beginning. “All antimatter missiles, accelerate to attack velocities! Begin attack runs! Let’s saturate their defenses!”
“Yes, sir!”
Now was the moment, Willock concluded. Let’s see what you have in terms of antimissile countermeasures, my Garolan Adversary!
Garolan Battlefleet
Throneship Predator’s Claw
Bridge
High Admiral Vargasithisisagwa stood perched atop his throne, glancing at the battlemap arrayed before him. He saw the incoming human missiles. He saw the humans’ main battle fortress firing at his ships. He saw the damage that massive battle fortress was doing to the ships in his forward screens.
Yes, human, pretend that you are succeeding. Pretend that your plan is working…
It was perfect.
Yes, the human star fortress was doing immense damage, but that was because High Admiral Vargasithisisagwa allowed it to. He hadn’t yet unleashed his trump card.
As for now, he would first deal with the missiles that were moving on their attack runs…
“All ships,” he chittered, “deploy antimissile platforms. Raise inertial shields. Deploy phase cannons!”
Watch, human, as the battle slips away from your grasp… along with your destiny!
Above Veg
a III
Battlespace
The human battle fortress unleashed a behemoth amount of zero point energy into the forward shell of the Garolan fleet. That, combined with the energy unleashed by the immobile ZP turrets surrounding the planet, destroyed hundreds of Garolan warships within the first minutes of battle.
But the Garolan ships fired back with their own arsenal of destruction, blasting away turret after turret with their uniquely powerful cannons. They focus fired on the turrets, ignoring the fortress altogether.
Then the human missiles came. They arrived on intercept courses, gaining momentum to add kinetic destructiveness along with their antimatter payloads. But the Garolan ships under High Admiral Vargasithisisagwa were ready. Their antimissile countermeasures had already been extended.
As the 40,000 human missile approached the Garolan fleet from all sides, the Garolan phaser platforms fired on the missiles. Hundreds of thousands of point defense nadion burst beams slammed into the paths of the human missiles, destroying the inner workings of the missiles completely. Thousands upon thousands of human missiles were crippled, succumbing to their own singularity drives, dying into nothingness without a single bit of damage to the Garolan fleet. Out of 40,000 human missiles, only 12,000 escaped this fate.
The remaining missiles dove towards the Garolan warships, and slammed into the inertial shields of the Garolan ships. These Garolan inertial shields completely bled away the momentum of the human missiles, eradicating all the kinetic energy of the missiles within seconds so that when the missiles detonated, only the explosive power of its antimatter payload became its destructive fury. For each human missile that hit on target, all its kinetic payload was lost, so its destructive power was cut by half.
