Star Crusader: Battle Fleet Victorious

by Thomas, Michael G.

  Not the way I wanted to go.

  Two missiles exploded nearby, and then shots came in towards him, but he ignored them, firing again and again at the hypersonic torpedoes. The closing distance dropped to three kilometres, and then two. Now he could see the shapes, highlighted by the long pale exhaust fumes from their engines. Nate's guns did their work, and one of the weapons split up and spun out of control as its fuel ignited internally, scattering fragments to the void.

  "Yes!"

  "Good work, Star Crusader. Our lateral guns are off-line. You have to stop the next one. They're carrying atomics."

  Nate gulped at hearing the news. If the weapon breached Furiosa's armour, it could cripple the ship and kill many of his friends. He angled his nose a few more degrees and fired. At that moment, DuFarl rushed in from the left and hit the rear of his fighter with a single shot from his 75mm cannon. The projectile punched through the armour and into the ammunition feed, instantly crippling Nate's remaining weapons.

  "Failed again!" DuFarl said.

  Nate punched the mute button on his system and hit the burners, sending his fighter on a suicidal ramming course towards the torpedoes. The closing range was eleven hundred metres away when the flash warning came in from Furiosa.

  "Ironclads, get out of here, now!"

  Nate pulled back on the controls, using every remaining ounce of power left to pull away from his present position. The two Mantis fighters did the same, even though it moved them into the path of their pursuers' guns.

  "We've got incoming."

  Nate's eyebrow's narrowed as he tried to imagine what could be coming. Space travel was a slow affair, and it was almost impossible to bring a ship or weapon into a battle without being spotted.

  Must be another dormant ship. How many of them are there?

  The shapes materialised in front of him, and he found himself completely numb with surprise as he looked at them. At first he thought they were just blurred objects, but they slowed to halt in the path of the torpedoes.

  "What?"

  Guns opened fire from the ships as scores of turret systems activated, and everything around him filled with bullets. These were a mixture of Gatling gun turrets, as well as direct-energy particle blasters, a technology still in its infancy.

  It can't be, can it?

  Friendly IFF signatures followed their arrival, instantly marking them out as Alliance ships. Nate gasped as the shapes became clearer. They were massive vessels, brutish in shape and equipped with large ring-like structures to their rear. The onboard computer showed a tactical schematic that confirmed they were approximately four hundred metres in length, and perhaps the ugliest ships he'd ever seen. He'd heard of them but never once expected to see the experimental assault carriers in action.

  Spartan's warships? It can't be, and three of them?

  Then he spotted another two ships, each nearly two-thirds the size of the warship. They appeared to lack the heavy weapons, or stern mounted rings of the bigger ships, but were just as heavily armoured and carried incredible numbers of point defence turrets. The guns of the five ships surrounded the area with streaks of gunfire as they targeted missiles, torpedoes, and even the enemy fighters. Nate's thoughts were interrupted by a gruff-sounding voice, one that put a massive smile on Nate's face.

  "This is Colonel Gun of the Alliance Warship Victorious. Cease fire immediately."

  Two cruisers continued firing, but the others activated their main engines and accelerated away from the battle. Many of the fighters raced away to join the retreating ships, some heading inside their landing bays. Nate desperately wanted to give chase, but already they were five kilometres away, and the distance increased exponentially by the second.

  "This is your last chance," said the Colonel, "Close your gun ports, or face my wrath."

  The voice boomed over the sound system, and even Nate felt intimidated by the creature. He knew the Colonel by reputation, and it was something of a legend in the Alliance.

  You'd better surrender. Nobody messes with the Colonel.

  The two monitors didn't have the luxury of retreating like the others. Instead, they turned away from Furiosa and joined forces with the two remaining, and already heavily damaged cruisers.

  Are they insane? Surrender. You can't win this.

  Nate wanted the fight to be over, but some of that rage and anger still burned inside him. Awful as it was, he still wanted to see his enemy suffer, even though his wishes would see so many of them killed. He could pretend it was just another simulator battle, where they could joke about the victories or losses later. Except that it wasn't, this was real, and the deaths would be final. There was no coming back for defeat out here in the voids. Unlike the cruisers, the monitors were designed for short-ranges and lacked engine power and speed to get away from any of the ships engaged in battle. The first of the monitors opened fire, scoring direct hits on the bow of the nearest new arrival.

  "As you wish," said Colonel Gun.

  Vertical stabiliser arms took up the front of each Confederate Class ship, and protruding from the front of these were their primary weapons. One by one they fired, and Nate found himself speechless as they pounded the first monitor. He double-checked the computer to confirm they were using heavy particle cannons. These terrifying weapons were a product of space-based combat, and the most powerful known weapons available to any warship.

  Look at that.

  The flank of the first monitor exploded as though a massive warhead had just exploded against the hull. Then it happened again, and again until the entire vessel was engulfed in blasts. As the area filled with dust and debris, he could just about see the particle beam as it pulsed on and off, each time hitting the target with accelerated particles travelling at the speed of light. Then came the secondary weapons, a pair of massive 255mm mass driver bombardment cannons. Each of the ships carried a pair of the great weapons, and every volley sent heavy projectiles deep into the monitors, cracking them open like shellfish.

  "All fighters pull back. Leave this to the heavies," said Commander Higgins.

  Nate needed no further encouragement and changed course to the battleship. He watched the engine trails from the Mantis fighters as they did the same. Even from this distance, he could see Furiosa had taken a beating. They'd been involved in two major actions in less than a week, and he was astounded the ship could still function.

  "Ironclads. Your landing pads are clear. Recovery drones are heading out for the others. Welcome home."

  Nate gulped at hearing of the others. In the middle of the fear and excitement of battle, he'd completely forgotten about them. They'd gone into the fight with five spacecraft and returned with just three, all of which showed major signs of damage. The Lieutenant Commander was out there, and knowing she was stuck in a frozen pod, hopefully still alive, pained him.

  "Negative, Furiosa. I'm going back for them."

  Both Mantis pilots confirmed they were joining Nate. The three fighters pulled away from the battleship at the last moment and moved off towards the last known location of the escape pods.

  "Nate," said Valdis, "Dogg is gone."

  It felt like a knife to the heart. Nate knew her fighter had gone, but deep down he hoped she'd escaped the attack. He tried to speak, but his throat closed up, leaving him unable to say much other than groan.

  Water.

  A quick sip of tepid water from the tube near his mouth helped, but there was still that feeling of nausea. He'd known Dogg for a short time, but like all the female Byotai, he'd become quite attached to them.

  "There is the wreck."

  Nate scanned the horizon, but it took the computer to find the scattered remains of the beautiful spacecraft. As they moved closer, he found his eyes drawn morbidly to the largest section at the rear. The rest was gone, presumably blown out into space by the blast.

  "I'm sorry," said Nate.

  There was no reply from Valdis, so Nate altered course and smiled as a new IFF signature activated. T
he data popped up on the screen, but the part he was really interested were the life signs, and according to the computer, everything was normal.

  There she is.

  Nate keyed his transmitter and did his very best to hide his excitement.

  "Ironclad Leader, we have you on the scanners."

  "Finally," came back the reply, "I thought you’d all forgotten me. Give me a hand back to Furiosa."

  Nate nodded to himself.

  "That's affirmative, Ironclad Leader. We're coming in now."

  * * *

  Imperial Battleship 'Furiosa'

  1 hour later

  The ship’s third maintenance hangar was a sombre place. It was attached to the far end of the lower deck, and designed to serve as the central repair and servicing area for spacecraft. It should have been filled with crew, equipment, and fighters, but instead consisted of just a dozen people, none of whom made much in the way of noise. Nate sat on top of a motorised pilot transporter, a small autonomous vehicle that could drive them around the cavernous interior. Next to him was Valdis, while Lilija walked back and forth in front of her own damaged spacecraft.

  "Will they fly again?" Nate asked.

  Valdis shrugged, but kept her eyes on the Alliance and Byotai technicians as they poured over the three remaining fighters. Even Nate was surprised at how much of a beating they'd taken, but it was the damage to his own fighter that really stunned him. A hole the size of his fist ran from one side to the other, severing the weapon feeds, but miraculously avoiding the fuel lines and power system. Deck Captain Sobiex moved between them before sighing.

  "This is not good. We did what we could before, but you've brought back little."

  Sobiex was a tough officer, old and worn out looking, yet always on the move. At his side lay a low-slung pistol, giving him a roguish look that fitted well with his no-nonsense attitude. He gave Nate a bemused look and then wandered off to speak with his own group of technicians, though anything they did now seemed optimistic at best.

  "Next time you need to learn to roll properly, just look at that," said Valdis.

  The two stared off at the fighter and didn't even notice the arrival of Billy, Matilda, Fletcher, and Cassandra. They filed in and stopped alongside Nate. Only when Cassandra made a sound did he look around and see them coming in.

  "Wondered where..."

  Then he stopped upon noticing the two people walking behind them. At first they looked like any other two pilots, but as they passed under the lights, Nate knew exactly who they were. The first spoke loudly, his voice booming into the interior of the ship.

  "Ironclads..."

  Nate leapt to his feet, but Valdis stayed exactly where she was.

  "Commander!"

  The officer walked closer and then stopped between the fighters and the two pilots. Nate tried to assess what kind of a mood he was in. He'd followed the plan and his orders as expected, all until he'd turned back for their pilots. The gruff looking officer walked away from the fighters and stopped in front of them both. He looked at them, but said nothing. Valdis rose to her feet, perhaps thinking he was waiting for her, and then remembered her comrade.

  "Lilija! Here...now."

  The Byotai pilot said something dismissive in her own tongue and then moved over to join the other two. It was much smaller than the main deck, but still dwarfed the three broken fighters. Each time any of them spoke, their voices carried as though calling inside some great hall or monastery. Once in position, the Commander turned his attention to Valdis.

  "What have you done now? We came here to assist your pilots. There were ten of us back then, and now we're down to eight pilots and no fighters. That is far from ideal, don't you think?"

  He shook his head in mock annoyance at what had happened. Valdis couldn't tell, but Nate knew right away that he was being facetious. So intently were they watching the Commander, they didn't notice a bruised and shaken looking Lieutenant Commander Holder moving in from the right. She stopped next to the Commander, and they quietly exchanged greetings before moving back to the remaining pilots of Ironclad Squadron.

  "Furiosa is in bad shape. There are more than thirty shells still embedded in her flank, and that means no high-speed travel until all of them are removed."

  The Lieutenant Commander then tried to look a little more relaxed.

  "Lucky for us that an IAB taskforce was in the area. Another hour of that and Furiosa would be a smouldering wreck."

  Her left hand rose, and she wiped her brow before continuing.

  "There's still fighting left to do here. She's joining forces with what's left of General Makos' fleet, and together they'll pacify this system once and for all."

  The Commander's eyes moved along the group, assessing each of them in turn. Nate seemed the most disappointed, though. He waited there, assessing the youngster with interest. He'd watched the young pilot in simulation, and in combat, and so far he had little bad to say.

  "Our days aboard this ship are over. We've done what we needed to do, and now it’s time for us to head back."

  Cassandra groaned, and the Commander glanced to her before she lowered her eyes.

  "Nothing I can do about it. Your fighters are totalled, and the Squadron is under strength. We can offer her nothing. I will return to my squadron, and you...well, you shouldn't be here."

  Nate physically shuddered at hearing the news. They had known their time on the ship was limited, but after all they'd been through, he'd assumed they were with the fleet for the duration.

  Does that means it's over, all of it?

  Commander Higgins turned to Lilija, and his expression softened.

  "I'm sorry about Dogg. She was one hell of a pilot. According to my reckoning, she protected all of you in that fight, and took the bulk of the hits. She's a hero."

  Lilija was unable to speak, so Valdis did what she was unable to do.

  "Thank you, Commander. There are not many of us left. Dogg will not be forgotten."

  She then turned her attention to Nate.

  "It will be a shame to see you go."

  He nodded politely and then walked towards the nearby fighters. Nate's was by far in the worst shape, but the Mantis fighters were little better. All were badly burnt and filled with small bullet holes.

  "We've no spare fighters following the earlier attacks. All of them are little more than scrap, now. Maybe in a few months they can be cannibalised, but right now, they're useless to us. And so, that means..."

  Nate knew what was coming.

  "Furiosa's fighter squadrons are to be officially deactivated until such time as new pilots and fighters can be brought aboard, if that ever happens. Furiosa will undergo emergency repairs, and then carry the flag for Makos and his navy in this sector. She'll spend some time as a gunnery vessel."

  Valdis muttered and began to move away, but the Commander cleared his throat. It was a loud, obvious gesture that caught all of their attention.

  "You put up a good fight out there, a very good fight. According to the General, between you are a total of twenty-four missile and torpedo kills, plus three of the Mahingans destroyed, and an unknown number heavily damaged. By the end, you were outnumbered nearly four to one, and still kept on going. You should be proud, all of you."

  The two senior officers turned and began to walk away. Nate looked after them, a look of disappointment falling over his face. He'd lost his fighter, and now the Squadron. Perhaps even worse that meant he'd no longer be anywhere near his new Byotai friends. The maintenance hangar suddenly felt a lot emptier.

  "That's just great," said Cassandra, "All of that for nothing."

  Billy looked less annoyed than the others.

  "Maybe we get to go back home now."

  Fletcher laughed.

  "Home, which home exactly, your family, or Relentless? I don't know about you guys, but I kind of liked it out here. You want to go back to the Academy after everything you've seen?"

  Nate looked to Valdis, who seemed even mo
re despondent than the others. Svana waited alongside her, saying nothing and just looking at the floor. Valdis' eyes met Nate's, and for the briefest of moments he thought he saw them glistening. She opened her mouth, only to be interrupted by Lieutenant Commander Holder. For some reason she'd returned to them as the Commander walked away. Nate tried to see whom Commander Higgins was now talking to at the entrance of the deck starboard elevator. Then one of them shouted. Two Byotai soldiers ran inside, both yelling at the top of their voices.

  Nate turned slowly, and his eyes met Valdis' for a brief moment. Her hand automatically moved to her side where a Byotai pistol lay loose against her skin. What happened next occurred too quickly for any of them to respond to. A single, bright light flooded the fighter elevator, followed by a massive shudder. Next the gravity, lights, and life support cut in an instant, leaving the ship dead in space. Nate could feel the weightlessness as his body rose from the deck, and he instinctively lifted his hands to protect his face. A small glow emanated from the wall, and then small sections of emergency lights increased in brightness.

  "What's happening?" called out one of his friends.

  Nate looked around. Dark shapes and pieces of equipment were drifting about inside the ship's interior. Then came a loud bang, followed by something pulling him away from where he'd been. Lights raced on by before he realised something was forcing him through the ship.

  "We've been holed! The ship is breached!"

  Nate blinked twice, but his throat dried up in an instant. He'd been scared in combat, and had even seen fighting between soldiers up close. But the one thing that scared him and his friends more than anything else was the idea of being sucked out into the void. There they would suffer a brief but agonising death.

  Helmet!

  Nate lifted his hands to his face, and then remembered his helmet was still sitting on its bracket, right alongside what now remained of his fighter. Something struck his arm, and then he was sliding along a metal surface.