The Pike Chronicles - Books 1 - 10

by Hudson, G. P.

  “This is obviously a surveillance probe, Sir,” said the young, dark haired engineer. “It has been scanning and recording everything in this system. The recordings have been sent to Intelligence for analysis.”

  Pierce looked over at Hurley. “Looks like we’re going to get some answers after all.”

  “Yes, Sir,” said Hurley.

  Pierce thought he saw a hint of scrutiny in Hurley’s expression. Do I need to keep an eye on him? He chased the thought from his mind. The last thing he needed right now was paranoia. If he couldn’t trust his XO, he couldn’t trust anyone. Besides, a veteran like Hurley would never betray his Captain. The Commander barked orders over his comm at some poor crewmember who wasn’t living up to Hurley’s standards. Am I living up to his standards? Pierce clenched a fist and silently cursed himself for being so suspicious.

  Chapter 19

  Captain Pierce, Commander Hurley, Security Chief Elvera Sanchez, and the Diakan, Major Ilthos, sat expectantly in the secure briefing room. Standing in front of a wall screen was Chief Simon Pratt, head of Military Intelligence on the Vanguard.

  “After analyzing the probe’s recordings, we have isolated some key events that explain what happened in this system,” said Pratt. The wall screen suddenly came to life displaying a still picture of a massive warship. “This is an alien battleship belonging to a previously unknown race called the Kemmar.”

  “She’s massive,” said Pierce, in awe at the sheer size of the alien vessel.

  “Yes, Sir, she is,” said Pratt. He started the video and the battleship floated in space while a buzz of activity took place around it. “Here the battleship appears to be deploying multiple probes, like the one we recovered. We believe that at this point the battleship is conducting search operations.”

  “Do we know what they were looking for?” said Pierce.

  “We think so, Sir. It’ll become clearer as the video progresses.” The feed continued to play and the activity around the Kemmar battleship seemed normal, until a warship suddenly appeared behind it and opened fire.

  “A jump ship,” said Pierce.

  “A Space Force jump ship,” added Pratt.

  “Is that the Hermes?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  We found her, thought Pierce. He looked on in surprise as the Hermes unleashed a maelstrom of missiles and energy weapon fire at the battleship. Why is she attacking this monstrous alien ship?

  Just as suddenly as the Hermes appeared, she was gone.

  “Do we know why the Hermes is firing on these aliens?” said Hurley.

  “We have an idea, Sir, but we’re not sure. I’ll explain as the video progresses.”

  They watched as the Hermes returned and opened fire on the stationary vessel. This time the battleship fired back with its own missiles, but the Hermes vanished before any of the Kemmar missiles found their mark.

  He’s using the jump ship to even the odds, thought Pierce. Well done, Captain Pike.

  Gasps filled the room as the battleship separated. What was once one giant starship now turned into six smaller vessels. Pierce held his breath as the Hermes reappeared on the screen, this time outnumbered and surrounded. He watched in horror as the alien ships swarmed it, firing at it from all sides. Pulverizing it. They boxed it in, denying it maneuverability. One of the ships latched onto it from underneath.

  “They’re boarding her,” said Security Chief Sanchez.

  Pratt merely nodded in return.

  The video continued and just when it looked like the Hermes was done for, it vanished, along with the alien ship attached to its belly. Pratt paused the video.

  “Has Chief Engineer Sang viewed this video?” said Pierce.

  “Yes, Sir,” said Pratt.

  Pierce turned to Hurley, “I want to know the limits of what we just saw. How big of an object can jump with us?”

  “I’ll have Sang put together some projections for you, Sir,” said Hurley.

  Pierce nodded, turning back to Pratt. “Carry on.”

  Pratt continued. “Some time passes here without the Hermes returning. The battleship returns to its previous behavior, but remains separate, presumably as a defense against the return of the Hermes. Then we find out what they were searching for.” Pratt runs the video again which has jumped forward in time to show the five remaining Kemmar ships moving toward the system’s asteroid field. They enter the field and begin opening fire. Pierce leaned in, trying to make sense of what the Kemmar were shooting at. The reason for their fire soon becomes apparent, when a previously camouflaged asteroid colony appears situated on some of the bigger asteroids.

  “We believe that the Hermes was defending the asteroid colony,” said Pratt. The video continued, showing the Kemmar hammer the colony’s defenses. Shuttles were then sent to the surface to capture any survivors.

  “Do we know anything about this colony?” said Pierce. “Or why the Hermes was defending it?”

  “No, Sir. Our best guess is that the Hermes found the colony before the Kemmar arrived.”

  “But why side with this colony against the Kemmar?”

  “We think the Kemmar likely forced Captain Pike’s hand. They may have even fired on the Hermes first. We don’t know. The probe didn’t start recording until after the chain of events were in motion. And even then, it wasn’t close enough to give us a better view of the colony.” Pratt paused the video again. “This operation lasts for several hours, so I’m going to jump ahead.” The video resumed, showing the five Kemmar ships rejoining to form one larger vessel. It moved and Pierce almost jumped out of his chair when the space in front of the battleship shimmered, forming into an immense translucent field.

  “A jump gate,” Pierce said in awe.

  “Yes, Sir. A previously unknown jump gate.”

  “Astounding,” said Pierce. Save the one found in the Sol System centuries ago, before the Juttari invasion, no new jump gates had been discovered. Between the Diakans and the Juttari, it had been assumed that all jump gates in the galaxy had already been plotted.

  “This is an incredible discovery,” said Major Ilthos, breaking his silence. “This jump gate must link this system to Kemmar space.”

  “That is our assumption as well,” said Pratt. “As you can see, the Kemmar battleship is now entering the jump gate, presumably on its way back home.” The battleship disappeared behind the translucent field of the gate, and in short order, the gate itself vanished, leaving no evidence of its existence.

  “What about the Hermes?” said Pierce. “Does she return to this system?”

  “Yes, Sir,” said Pratt. “If we jump ahead in the video we see the Hermes return.” On the screen the Hermes reappeared.

  Pierce noticed that she had undertaken some emergency repairs while away. Just like us, he thought. He watched as she entered the asteroid field and examined the devastation left by the Kemmar. “They’re obviously interested in the same thing as the Kemmar,” said Pierce. “Just what is so special about this colony?”

  “I don’t have an answer, Sir. They do spend some time here, presumably analyzing data, so we’ll fast forward a bit more.” The video now showed the Hermes outside of the asteroid field and the jump gate reappearing. The Hermes moved toward the gate, entered, and vanished.

  “They’re going after the battleship,” said Pierce.

  “It would seem that way, Sir,” said Pratt.

  “What about the wreckage we found?” said Commander Hurley. “Nothing in this video answers that question.”

  “Yes, Sir,” said Pratt. “For the answer we need to move forward again.” The video jumped ahead in time to depict another Kemmar battleship crossing through the jump gate into the binary system.

  “They want to control this system,” said Major Ilthos. “These Kemmar are expansionary.”

  And it’s only two hundred and fifty light years from Earth, thought Pierce. If they get their hands on a jump system, Earth might end up fighting on two fronts.

  “The batt
leship appears to be a sentry,” said Pratt. “In fact, it continued to stand guard until a few days ago.” The video jumped ahead to show the battleship in the same position as before, when the four Juttari warships that attacked the Vanguard appeared in the system.

  “The goddamn Juttari,” Pierce muttered to himself.

  On the wall screen, the Juttari ships moved toward the Kemmar battleship and, without warning, the Kemmar battleship opened fire.

  “They’re outnumbered,” said Sanchez. “Why would they open fire?”

  “Good question,” said Pratt. We have no knowledge of this race, and we assume the Juttari don’t either, so this is a first contact scenario. It makes no sense for the Kemmar to pick a fight. And we soon see why.”

  On the screen the Juttari ships reacted to the unprovoked attack. The Juttari battleship stood toe to toe with the Kemmar ship, while the three cruisers swarmed it.

  “Maneuverability obviously isn’t a Kemmar strength,” said Hurley. “They’re just sitting there.”

  Pierce watched the battle unfold, thinking about his own encounter with the Juttari. Four on one, just like this. The Juttari cruisers began taking advantage of their jump systems, appearing and disappearing all around the Kemmar ship.

  They’re not separating, thought Pierce. Likely due to the battleship parked in front of them.

  The battle continued and the Kemmar ship took an awful beating until finally it broke apart in successive explosions. With the vacuum of space extinguishing the flames, all that remained was wreckage and alien bodies. The video jumped ahead some more, the jump gate appeared again, and the Juttari warships vanished into it.

  “The Juttari know about the jump gate,” said Pierce.

  “Yes, Sir,” said Pratt. “We’re not sure how they discovered it.”

  “But why are they entering Kemmar space?” said Hurley.

  “Perhaps we and the Juttari are after the same prize,” said Major Ilthos.

  “The Hermes? Why? To what end?” said Pierce.

  “I can’t answer that, Sir,” said Pratt.

  Pierce stood up. “Well we’re not going to get the answer sitting around here. Commander, activate that jump gate. We’re entering Kemmar space.”

  Chapter 20

  “Sound General Quarters,” ordered Captain Pierce.

  “General Quarters, General Quarters! All hands man your battle stations. This is not a drill,” Hurley barked over the comm system. A shrill klaxon followed and all sections of the ship were bathed in a ghostly red glow.

  “Helm, ping the jump gate,” said Pierce.

  “Pinging jump gate.”

  On the viewscreen the space directly in front of the Vanguard shimmered and shifted into a large, circular translucent field.

  “There may be hostiles on the other side,” said Hurley.

  “Agreed. Let’s take a peek and find out who’s waiting for us. Tactical, dispatch a surveillance drone through the gate,” said Pierce.

  “Dispatching surveillance drone,” said Ensign Michael, the tactical officer.

  From underneath the bow of the Vanguard, a tiny craft appeared and sped toward the shimmering celestial sea, eventually disappearing. The surveillance drone’s speed, small size, and stealth technology allowed it to cross through a jump gate undetected, gather intel on the other side, and cross back unnoticed. While its stealth capabilities could disguise it for a short time, it would be found out if it lingered long enough.

  The drone reappeared, immediately broadcasting video and sensor data back to the Vanguard.

  “Surveillance drone data is showing all clear,” said Commander Hurley.

  “Very well, dispatch a communication drone back to Space Force Command with a full report. Include the probe video, our analysis, and the surveillance data from the other side of the gate. Let them know that we will be crossing the gate into what we assume to be Kemmar space.”

  “Yes, Sir,” said the communications officer. “Loading drone with required data.”

  Is Space Force still in control of the Sol System? wondered Pierce. If not, the Juttari will intercept the drone. He shrugged. If the Juttari have taken Sol, we’re all fucked anyway.

  “Data successfully loaded onto communication drone, Sir.”

  “Launch drone,” ordered Pierce. “Program immediate jump initiation.”

  “Communication drone is away. Initiating jump system in three, two one.”

  On the viewscreen the drone moved steadily away from the Vanguard, and simply vanished as its jump system activated. The smaller craft didn’t have the same range, but it would cover substantial ground, and reach the Sol System in a few days.

  “Helm, take us through the jump gate,” ordered Pierce.

  The Vanguard’s powerful engines fired, pushing the battleship steadily forward. As its nose entered the gate, a blueish white halo enveloped the giant vessel, drawing it into the gate’s mouth and swallowing the entire ship.

  “Report,” said Pierce, as the Vanguard emerged on the other side. “Where are we?”

  “Initial analysis shows us to be nine hundred light years from our previous location. Eleven hundred and fifty light years from the Sol System,” said Ensign Balian, the navigation officer.

  “How far away is the nearest star system?”

  “Three point two light years.”

  Pierce looked over at Hurley. “What do you think, Commander? Should we make a house call?”

  “Might as well see if anybody’s home, Sir,” said Hurley.

  “Jump system status?”

  “Seventy-five percent.”

  “Very well, Ensign Balian, plot a jump just inside that star system.”

  “Coordinates plotted, Sir.”

  “Maintain General Quarters. Tactical, I want weapons ready. Let’s assume the natives are hostile.”

  “All weapons ready, Sir.”

  “Initiate.”

  The stars on the viewscreen blinked and reoriented, with a yellow star and several planets now appearing.

  “Combat! Tactical scans reporting multiple high yield weapon discharges.”

  “Evasive maneuvers. Prepare to return fire.”

  “Correction. Weapons are not targeting the Vanguard. Repeat, we are not the target.”

  “Ensign, what the hell is going on?” said Hurley, his tone threatening.

  “I’m sorry, Sir. It’s the Juttari. They’re fighting the Kemmar.”

  “On viewscreen,” ordered Pierce.

  The display zoomed in on a section of space near the third planet. There, the four Juttari warships were fighting a battle against a squadron of Kemmar ships. As in the previous encounter, the Juttari battleship stood its ground while the cruisers employed jump tactics to frustrate and swarm the Kemmar.

  The enemy of my enemy is my friend, thought Pierce. “Load missile tubes and ready coil guns. Ensign Balian, jump us directly above the Juttari battleship, vertical orientation with our bow pointed down at the battleship.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Tactical, once we appear I want you to activate our point defense shield and fire missiles and coil guns at the battleship. I want that ship broken in two.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “What about the Kemmar?” said Hurley.

  “Hopefully they’ll appreciate the help. We might be able to turn them into friend.”

  “They don’t seem like the friendly type, Sir.”

  “Maybe they’re just misunderstood?” said Pierce, a half grin forming on his lips.

  Pierce suddenly became aware of the Diakan, Major Ilthos, watching him from the other side of the bridge. Don’t get in my way you green bastard, he thought. Thankfully, Ilthos didn’t look like he was going to object.

  “Initiate,” ordered Pierce, and the Vanguard vanished. She reappeared exactly where Pierce hoped, and the screen filled with the top side of the Juttari battleship. The viewscreen lit up as a salvo of missiles shot forth toward the alien ship, just as the Vanguard’s massive
coil guns opened fire.

  The Juttari point defense shield already protected the battleship, destroying many of the Vanguard’s missiles. The point defense shield was no match for the velocity and mass of the projectiles fired by the coil guns, however, and they crashed into the battleship with devastating results.

  “Direct hits. Reading multiple hull breaches. Battleship is returning fire.”

  That’s it. Let’s slug it out and see who’s left standing. “Reload coil guns. Continue firing missiles,” said Pierce.

  Suddenly, the Juttari cruisers engaged with the Kemmar jumped away, landing all around the Vanguard. The ship shuddered as Juttari ordnance slammed into it from all sides, the point defense shield no match against a simultaneous attack from four warships.

  “Deploy countermeasures. Keep your fire focused on that battleship.”

  Concussions reverberated throughout the ship as the Vanguard began taking heavy fire. You’ll have to do better than that, thought Pierce. On the viewscreen the Juttari battleship was venting oxygen, and bodies spewed from the numerous ruptures in its hull. Don’t worry, it’ll be all over very soon.

  “Coil guns loaded,” announced Ensign Michael.

  “Fire,” said Pierce.

  Projectiles the size of a small vehicle surged forth, devastating the alien battleship, yet somehow it held on. Sensing its destruction, the Kemmar turned their weapons solely on the battleship. “Reload coil guns,” said Pierce. One more round should do it. Pierce almost licked his lips in anticipation of its destruction. He watched the crippled warship like a starving man eying a steak on a grill. I’ll teach you to attack the Sol System.

  “Coil guns loaded.”

  “Fire,” ordered Pierce, a savage grin forming on his lips.

  The powerful guns fired, the projectiles erupted forward, and the battleship vanished.

  Pierce slammed a fist into his command console as the projectiles sailed through empty space. Gaining his composure, he realized the Juttari cruisers were still firing on his ship. “Target cruisers. Fire at will. Reload coil guns.” But as the coil guns came online all three cruisers vanished as well.