by Chris Burton
“No. The information I disclosed is more than sufficient. Leave now, brief your President and his Admiral, and return swiftly. I do not know how long this diplomatic process will be allowed to continue.”
Harrington and Carla were once again escorted promptly from the Kryl vessel and as they boarded the Senate shuttle, he gave the order for the return to Alpha One. It was time to brief his superiors again.
Chapter Forty-Six
The Tri-star System
Doctor James Cameron stared at the special anomaly. It was not the blue wormhole, the two surrounding wormholes, or any of the three stars and their planetary systems. He was looking at the void.
A huge hole had appeared in the fabric of space, a void of nothingness, brought about by the mass discharge of sub space weapons in the system. In just one week, the void was threatening to engulf several of the planets and one of the outer wormholes. His job, to close the blue Wormhole, had become very complicated indeed.
“Can we stop it or slow it down?”
“Not really. We could try sending some positively charges ions directly into it, but I am not sure what effect it would have. Left as it is, it will devour the system and the wormholes before it slows down.”
His colleague Doctor Katherine Porter was a sub space weapons expert from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. A lifelong friend of Cameron’s, she was here at his invitation because this was her field.
“And then the galaxy. Is that at threat?”
“No. It will slow down and begin to dissipate before then. It could take out half the system though which could be serious.”
“Yes, I agree, we need to deal with both aspects. However, our prime concern is to close the blue wormhole. We need to calculate how long before it hits it and what effect it will have.”
“Right now the void is increasing in size exponentially. We need to monitor its growth rate over say the next twenty-four hours, before we can come up with any predictions. As for what effect it will have, I suggest the wormholes will all become part of the void and cease to exist.”
“Perhaps we should have called you in when we tried to close it last time!”
“Yes and no. Your solution was correct and the yield too. It just missed its target. A much higher yield would take out the system and have a much wider implication for the galaxy as a whole.”
“Okay then. Kathryn, the lab is yours to use as you see fit. If you feel we need to take any remedial action, then let me know.”
“Thanks. It’s been a long time but I just knew we would work together again someday.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
The Conflict Continues
Jonathan Hoskins stood at the window of his ready room, watching the battle continue to unfold. He felt relief that Admiral Shenke resumed command of the fleet. He relished the challenge initially, but it was becoming likely that this battle could not be won, and no one wanted to be the leader of the losing side.
While the pressure of the situation was still far from over, he at least knew his son was okay, having contacted Sarah during the brief communications timeline that existed when they first arrived at the system. He still missed them of course, especially with the outlook for Earth looking decidedly bleak, but at least Oliver was okay. This eased the pressure on his relationship with Obeya too. She knew he was pre-occupied and kept a low profile but they had been together last night. Strange how, when things seemed better at home, he somehow apportioned greater validity to his relationship with her.
Weirdly the biggest problem he faced as he reflected recent events was why the Halo 7 remained untouched. As far as he could determine, there was no direct weapons fire targeted at his ship. There was overspill and defensive Kryl fighter fire but nothing from the cruisers directly and no targeted fighter strategy. Losses were therefore confined to her Jump Ships. Even these had been fewer than other ships within the Alpha fleet.
Was there any substance to his conspiracy theory? Certainly, he had Jake Carter and Jen-Luc Jacques back on board which led to his initial theory. Did the fact they were deliberately protected from harm add to this? Perhaps it was time to speak to Carter about his theory. If there was something in this, Carter was the key.
Commander Jacques appeared at the ready room doorway and Hoskins put his reflective mood to one side.
“What’s the status Number One? Shields still at max?
“Yes, very much so. To be honest the crews are beginning to talk and I wouldn’t be surprised if fleet noticed too.”
“Umm. It could just be we have been lucky. There is historical precedent to this you know. The French ship, the Dumasse remained undamaged during the entire colonial wars in the last century, despite being in the thick of it for most of it. Let us hope this luck continues.”
“I agree, but what happened to your conspiracy theory?”
“Do you think there is anything in it?”
“I didn’t. I am quickly learning that strange events are not unusual when it comes to the Kryl.”
“And the rest of the fleet?”
“Lighter losses than of late. Shenke’s arrival allowed our flanks to spread out and we are no longer sitting in the middle of a Kryl ambush. I still think that battlefield sub-space charges could help.”
“As do I, but we need to consider our location. The system is a gateway to the galaxy.
Do you mind if you hold onto the con, for another half hour or so. I want to walk the ship and perhaps have a chat with some of the crew.”
“Of course, take your time. Is this more of your conspiracy theory?”
“Maybe, just maybe.”
Hoskins did not get far, before he was called back to his ready room. Admiral Shenke had opened a secure comm. link.
“Hi Jonathan. There were some developments, which I wanted to bring to your attention.”
“Anything serious?”
“Yes and no. Admiral Griffin and his fleet were lost, but not before discharging a huge sub-space charge directly into the path of the Kryl Fleet. He took out over three thousand Kryl vessels. Unfortunately, the mothership was not one of them. She is on route to us, with the remainder of her fleet. About two thousand ships in all.”
“Did none of the Admiral’s ships make it?”
“Only a cluster of Jump Ships. Before I left, I asked him if he could make the ultimate sacrifice. It seems he did just that.”
“Presumably he waited until the charge detonation was irreversible before they fled.”
“Yes. I think so too. He has done a good job but it still means there are over five thousand Kryl ships remaining. We have halved their fleet, but we must do more. We need to hold them off until we can work out a way to destroy them. We will shortly be joined by Admiral Rodriguez in the Illustrious, with twenty-five cruisers. In addition, some fifty-to sixty ships of the line were recalled from individual tours, some of these are scheduled to also join us, depending on how much longer the battle continues.”
“Rodriguez has a good reputation but he has been Earth bound for a good few years.”
“Yes Jonathan, but we are running out of alternatives. I will remain in command and I want you to act up as our third Admiral. I appreciate that things are happening fast, but that is war.”
“I am happy to accept, Sir.”
“Thank you Jonathan. I will brief you in full shortly. How is the Halo 7 holding up?”
He knows, Hoskins thought, otherwise he would not bother asking. But, this was not the time to reveal his suspicions.
“Very well, Sir. We have been lucky so far. I guess these things balance out over time.”
“Keep up the good work. I am sure it is not down to luck. When Rodriguez arrives, I want a quorum to discuss our options. They are limited, but our position is not impossible.”
“Very well, Sir.”
The line went dead. My God, an Admiral, albeit acting up. Reflecting again, he realized it was time to speak to Jake Carter.
* * * *
&nbs
p; “Lieutenant Carter, I hope you don’t mind me coming to see you when you are off duty. This is just an informal visit.”
“Of course not, Sir.”
“I wanted to run something by you. You know I have expressed concern about a series of coincidences which places the Halo 7 crew wise, in almost exactly the same position as it was when we held Winterburn. At that time, the Kryl could not touch you and now it seems the Kryl cannot touch us.”
Jake looked a little stunned but realization crept across his face when he took in what Hoskins was suggesting.
“It is a little weird, Sir. We know Winterburn had the opportunity to contact his fleet when he first fled this ship. He may have passed on his belief that I was to be his killer. However this would involve their being able to determine I was on board this ship, which I guess is possible. Maybe, it’s simpler than that. Perhaps they believe that as I was on board the ship then, then I am on board now.”
“That would be a more rational explanation. It still does not explain the coincidence that both you and Commander Jacques are back aboard this ship. This is just a theory, but we do know the Kryl can operate in unusual ways. That’s why I want you close at hand. If you are the protagonist in all of this, I feel compelled to protect you because you’re being here might protect us. On the other hand, will they try to get to you? It could be that your being here, is detrimental to the fleet. Do you understand where I am coming from?”
“Yes, I do. I am a bit paranoid, now though. I would prefer to stay aboard the ship if that is okay.”
“Of course. That is why I have placed you at Comms. You are there on merit as well; you are doing a good job, in a pressurized environment. My instincts tell me that is where you should stay, but we will have to watch this with interest.”
Hoskins stood up to leave Jake’s quarters.
“Sir, it is worth noting that neither Carla Stevenson nor her sisters are on board. Carla is on Alpha Two, but Joely is non-Alpha. I am not sure where she is right now.”
“Good point, but who knows whether our paths will cross in the days ahead. Forget about it for now. I just need you to carry on as before. This battle will get harder still in the next few days and we will all need to be on top form.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
SED prepares
Unlike Alpha, Strategic Earth Defense had never been involved in a live conflict. It was looking increasingly likely that this was about to change.
The three divisions of SED were primed at their highest alert level in their existence but it was the Jump Ships who would be called into action first. It would in all probability suffer the most losses and where the other two divisions, the ECG and the population of Earth rested their hopes. It was unlikely that Alpha’s diminishing fleet would be able to hold back the Kryl for much longer. Conflict could be just days away.
“Gentlemen. The greatest number of Jump Ships ever assembled for combat is now in a state of readiness. The vast majority are based here on Alpha Two and we will shortly take the strain of the battle to defend Earth and its colonies. I need hardly remind each one of you in this division, that if Alpha fails and then we fail. All that remains to protect the Earth is our shield system. The buck stops here! We will be involved. We will suffer heavy losses. Look around you, some of you will die in this conflict. What possible incentive is there to go out and fight and possibly die for your planet?”
The orator paused briefly before recommencing his speech. Wing Commander Sony Charland was in his element. Originally as an Alpha Jump Pilot, he had years of combat experience and he could not wait to get out there.
“Ours is a greater cause, a cause composed of the sum of the parts and not just the individual. We will work together in groups, in squadrons and in our divisions to remove the threat and if we as individuals die along the way, we know that our colleagues will continue the fight until the job is done. Our incentive to defeat the Kryl is our incentive to protect our loved ones.”
Again, he paused. In front of him, over two hundred jump pilots sat quietly and listened. This was the daily briefing but moreover it was the opportunity to raise the morale to optimum. Charland thought by being realistic his message would get across.
Steve Costello thought otherwise. He was ready and he did not need motivating. He was ready to go out and kill as many Kryl as he could and it did not matter whether he worked as a team or not. This was what he was born to do. It was what his father and his grandfather had done. They were both killed, heroically in active combat. Steve saw no reason to fear the same thing happening to him. His only regret was that he had no son to pass his wings to when he died.
“Of course we are already out there.”
Charland was continuing now.
“We are sending out patrols on mass day in day out and we will not need to wait for an order to attack. If we see a Kryl vessel, we will attack come what may.”
His tone was softening now, expertly, incentivizing, and getting the message across in the same speech.
“But we need to look after each other. If you are a front man, you have a wing man. If you are a wing man, you have a front man. These men and women are your family.
“Do not lose sight of them, protect them and you will work better together. Protect them and you will kill the Kryl.
“I hope you see that I am on your side. I will be out there fighting amongst you; as will your squadron and group leaders. We all carry the same risk. Good luck, everyone.”
A rousing speech, greeted by considerable applause from his audience. This is what they wanted to hear and they had quite forgotten the subliminal message contained within: ‘You will probably die’. Steve Costello hadn’t. He fully expected to die in the forthcoming conflict, but he would take out every Kryl that came within a thousand meters of him and he was ready now.
Chapter Forty-Nine
A Dying Planet
The void had grown faster than expected. Overnight it consumed not one but two planets and the next nearest planet to the biggest of the three stars was under threat.
The proximity of the void to the star had created a maelstrom within the stars burning core, forcing super radiated heat to the surface, sending huge solar flares outwards into the cosmos.
Doctor Kathryn Porter stood at the data screens looking perplexed.
“It’s not all what I had expected James. The superheated radiation seems to be stopping the void from encroaching further on the third planet. It’s almost as if the star is protecting it!”
“Are you telling me that the star has the power to stop the void?”
“That is what it looks like. The void is continuing to grow, but away from the star. It has adapted and is heading toward the wormholes.”
“So, the wormholes will be absorbed, three stars should stay intact, and the void will be contained within the system?”
“I am still not certain whether the wormholes will be absorbed or whether the stars natural defenses will force the void beyond the system and into the next. Remember that despite the super radiation, the void is still growing much faster than I had predicted earlier today. We should know soon. At this rate, we will need to move the Botanic further out and soon.”
“I guess all of your predictions are wrong now?”
“Yes, very! What I can say is that the wormholes will be under threat from the void in a matter of hours. It is not a foregone conclusion. Look, the void is eating into the planet—it is too far out to benefit from the star’s protection.”
“I am loath to move our position, until we have to. I want to see what effect the void has on the wormholes and then we can push back a bit. It’s is going to get a bit close for comfort in here. Are you okay, with that?”
“I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be at this moment!”
The two scientists stood transfixed as the Tri-star System continued to reshape. The void continued to grow and adapt to the changing circumstances, like an air bubble squeezing through a tiny space. Its s
hape was changing but without any regular pattern.
“The star is heating up! The superheated radiation is causing the star to change. It is growing quickly, morphing to a red giant. Something which usually takes billions of years is happening before our very eyes!”
Kathryn Porter was bubbling over with excitement. This was it for her. There was no greater seat in the most spectacular show ever.
Neither the two scientists or the technicians or crew of the Botanic realized quite how close the void came to the ship. The ships commander was the first to notice the new threat.
“Doctor Cameron. The void is closing in fast. We need to move back quickly.”
Cameron turned and blind panic suddenly took over.
“Get us out of here Commander!”
He realized it was too late.
“Get a message to the other observation ship. They must try to stay around to witness the wormholes destruction.”
The void’s unpredictable growth had caught everybody by surprise and as Cameron completed his sentence, the Botanic was consumed by the void.
* * * *
The second observation ship was a small converted Alpha cruiser headed up by Lieutenant Commander Francesca Arianne. It was set well back and was recording readings from the second star and its planetary bodies. She had just witnessed the destruction of the Botanic.
She stood transfixed, staring at her monitor, as it dawned on her, what had happened. They had not stood a chance.
Arianne was an Alpha Research scientist in her fifth year after graduation. She considered it a great honor to be asked to join Doctor Cameron on this trip and that her superiors had trusted her with her first commissioned vessel, to allow Alpha to remain as an integral part of Cameron’s project. Now, she was suddenly thrust into the limelight.
“Helm, move us forward five hundred thousand kilometers. We need to observe the wormholes as closely as possible without placing ourselves in imminent danger. Keep an eye on that void. If there is even the slightest reduction in the gap between us, move us back to safe distance. Do not wait for my order!”
