by Thomas Fay
‘Let’s get up to the control room,’ I said. ‘We need to see this through to the end.’
54.
The third Proxian strike force had engaged the Centaurian command ship. Despite being the most powerful ship the Centaurians had, it was still vulnerable. Several of the attacking ships’ weapon strikes had penetrated down to the lowest layer of shielding protecting the command ship’s hull. Even the highly advanced Centaurian shielding could only take so much damage. I silently urged Selize and the Centaurians to hurry up. I could sense the buzzing sensation at the base of my skull building.
‘We’re reading another Proxian strike force approaching,’ a Centaurian systems specialist, whom I recognised through the telepathic bond as Helena, said. She could have been Selize’s twin.
‘Any sign of the Space Navy?’ I asked.
‘Not yet. Wait, I’m reading another set of ships—more Proxians! A wing of fighters. They’re heading for the star port. Our forces are encountering heavy resistance inside of Dyson Alpha. Looks like it’s an all-out fire fight in there and the capital ships are focusing their fire power on us out here.’
‘They must have sensed that the Centaurians have joined together. They know this ship is the key. Can you patch me through to the Space Navy?’
‘Coms open.’
‘This is Rear Admiral John Stanton. We’re under heavy attack by Proxian forces at Dyson Alpha. Where the hell is our relief?’
‘Stanton? It’s Vice Admiral Scholtzer. The Proxians are running. Best we can tell, they’re converging on your location.’
‘Then come and help us!’
‘I’ve sent ships to assist you. Admiral Jess has locked down the Sol system until the situation on Helios is resolved. Our covert ships have destroyed another gateway anchor and our forces are holding at Omicron Alpha, Sigma Alpha and the Epsilon Centauri shipyards. Unfortunately, the Proxians’ dark-space craft are proving more effective than we thought.’
‘Damn it, Scholtzer! The Centaurians are the best bet we have for ending this invasion.’
‘I’m sorry, Stanton. My priority has to be to destroy their means of entering the system and protecting the most important strategic assets.’
‘I’ve invoked Omega Protocol.’
‘And we’ve acknowledged it, Stanton. Two Zenith-class frigates are on their way from Epsilon Centauri. I’ll send more once I can. Scholtzer out.’
The coms switched off.
‘He’s doing what he thinks is right,’ Roger D said.
‘I know. It won’t help us though.’
‘What’s Omega Protocol?’
‘It’s a protocol reserved for the Space Navy’s senior personnel. It requires any friendly units to assist when the protocol is invoked. It’s not something that can be ignored and not something to be used unless the situation is absolutely critical.’
‘I’d say this qualifies.’
On the view screen, the Proxian fighters were acting in unison with the capital ships. In between heavy bombardment from the capital ships’ fusion cannons, the fighters would sweep in and concentrate fire on parts of the command vessel. Each time our ship shuddered but its shields held. Another wave of fighters weaved in between the battery fire from the command ship. They skimmed the Gemini Alpha’s hull, deploying kinetic missiles. A series of dull thuds resonated through the hull. Then an explosion rocked the giant ship. I reached out to grasp the console next to me, careful not to drop Sonya.
‘Engines are down! They’ve managed to disable our propulsion systems. We can’t make a run for it,’ the Centaurian pilot, Kendra, shouted.
‘Where are those frigates?’ I asked.
As I stared at the Proxian ships on the view screen, a cold fear began to spread throughout my body. I grasped Sonya tighter as I realised there was an increasing likelihood we wouldn’t survive this. Sonya stared up at me. I realised she could sense what I was feeling. I forced myself to relax.
It’s going to be okay.
Sonya smiled and closed her eyes, drifting off into the peaceful slumber of newborns.
‘We’re reading two ships on long-range scanners,’ Helena said.
‘Space Navy?’ I asked.
‘They’re big. Quad ion trails. Moving very fast.’
‘It’s them.’
In that moment a voice resounded throughout the command deck.
‘This is Captain Tobias Wassen of the Space Navy frigate Demeter. We are on station and ready to assist.’
‘Open coms,’ I said.
‘Open.’
‘Rear Admiral John Stanton here. Glad you could join us, Captain. We could certainly use some help.’
‘Acknowledged, Rear Admiral. Do you require evacuation?’
‘No, our engines are offline but our shields are holding.’
‘Understood. Moving to engage Proxian ships.’
The coms switched off.
‘They cut it a bit fine, don’t they?’ Roger D observed.
The two frigates overshot our position, their quad ion trails dissipating as the large capital ships reversed thrust. In the midst of their deceleration, they deployed their entire complement of Raptor heavy fighters. The powerful two-seater deep-space fighters ignited their twin class C engines and accelerated into the fray. Space around us erupted with munitions discharge as both sides fought for their lives. The buzzing at the base of my skull was now like the dull roar of a thermal injection coil spinning at high speed. I could almost picture the gigantic magnets rotating at over ten thousand revolutions per minute.
I looked at Roger D.
‘I can feel it too. Do we have enough time?’ he asked.
‘I hope so. Look! The Space Navy frigates have managed to punch through the shields of that Proxian capital ship. It’s imploding!’
The dark-hulled Proxian frigate’s shielding dissipated as a weaponised beam of energy disappeared inside its hull. The ship began to fold in on itself as its internal structure collapsed. As the beam reached the central fusion particle reactors, the entire ship exploded in a fiery sphere. Several Proxian fighters were caught in the shockwave and exploded, their shields unable to withstand the blast of radiation and debris generated by the destruction of the Proxian frigate. The remaining capital ships were buffeted by the explosion. Our ship lurched violently.
‘Our shields are down to less than ten per cent!’
‘Another Proxian strike force—ten fighters and three capital ships!’
‘Reports of another gravitational disturbance. More fighters!’
I could sense the fear spreading throughout the Gemini Alpha command ship. It was contagious. I gripped Sonya tightly. I knew she could sense what was happening. I hated the fact that there was nothing I could do but hope that our shields held long enough for the Space Navy ships to gain the upper hand.
I’m sorry, Sonya. I wish there was—
Then I felt it.
The roar from the Centaurian telepathic union was everywhere. It felt like the inside of my head was being swept along the surface of a Jovian super-storm. All the Centaurians were linked. All except for Sonya. She would be spared this start to her life and for that I was grateful. Then, through the noise, I heard Selize’s voice.
We’re ready.
55.
The unleashing of the Centaurian psionic wave was impossible to describe. One moment, the inside of my head was overflowing with noise. The next, it was clear and the noise travelled outwards in a rush of psionic energy. I, along with the Centaurians, rode that incorporeal wave. It passed through the hull of the command ship and travelled outwards in all directions. Reaching the Proxian fighters, it passed through their shielding and hulls. Reaching the Proxians within, it overloaded their synapses. The Proxians screamed in pain. But the wave was relentless; it continued outwards, passing through the capital ships. It travelled through the invading Proxian fleet, ship after ship. From Dyson Alpha, to the Epsilon Centauri shipyards and Omicron Alpha, the invisible wave of psionic ene
rgy sought out each and every single one of the Proxian invaders, targeting the unique signature of their brainwaves that distinguished them from other species.
Finally, it reached the edges of Alpha Centauri space and the wave began to slow. Then it broke apart, dissolving on the invisible particulates of deep space until there was nothing left. The Centaurian link disappeared as well, the sheer effort of unleashing the psionic wave overloading their telepathic abilities temporarily.
I opened my eyes. Sonya was still holding onto my finger. I wiggled it and she giggled in that way only newborns can. I felt a rush of happiness I hadn’t felt for a long time as I looked at the beautiful baby girl in my arms.
‘Is it over?’ Roger D asked.
‘Yes. There isn’t a Proxian left alive within Alpha Centauri,’ I replied. My voice was subdued with the enormity of what we had just experienced. The Centaurians were a truly amazing species with incredible and deadly abilities.
‘The UEP gateway is powering up,’ Helena advised.
‘What’s happening?’ Roger D asked.
‘It’s the First Fleet,’ I said. Even as I said it, the gateway sprang to life, the exotic particles creating a stable wormhole across space. From that rift appeared a steady stream of ships. Zenith-class frigates, Halcyon-class cruisers and wings of Raptor heavy fighters. Finally, in their midst appeared the flagship of the fleet. It was almost as wide as the UEP gateway and over five kilometres in length. Gigantic rail guns ran across its hull while batteries of thermal lances and banks of kinetic missile launchers were dispersed between docking ports. A series of quad banks of class E ion drives ignited as the ship emerged from the gateway.
‘There must be almost two hundred ships!’ Roger D exclaimed.
‘We’re reading one hundred and ninety-five ships in total,’ Helena said. ‘Including a Behemoth-class command ship.’
‘I’ve never seen a Behemoth-class command vessel before. How does that thing even move?’ Roger D asked.
‘The Zenith-class frigates have quad banks of class E engines. The Behemoth uses a series of quad banks of class E engines combined with a class F hyperdrive.’
‘Class F? I’ve never heard of those.’
‘There’re only two in existence—one for each of the fleets’ command ships.’
Roger D scratched his chin, deep in thought.
‘And no, before you ask, there is no way we could fit a class F engine into the Helios Ark!’ I said.
We both laughed at that.
‘Communication from the Space Navy,’ Helena said. ‘They’re asking for you, John.’
‘Put it through,’ I said.
‘Stanton? What the hell happened?’ Vice Admiral Scholtzer demanded.
‘The Centaurians defended themselves, sir. No Proxians remain alive within Alpha Centauri. The invasion is over.’
‘It’s over?’
‘Yes, sir.’
There was a momentary silence. Then: ‘Alright, we’ll finish dismantling the gateway anchors and get the salvage crews in here to clean this mess up.’
‘I believe one ship may have escaped back into Proxima Centauri space. I also believe Lars Marvik was on board that ship.’
‘Marvik? Isn’t he the one who started this mess?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘I’m sending Spectre Squad Delta after him.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘Don’t thank me yet. You and I need to have a long talk, Stanton.’
‘Yes, sir. Not really looking forward to it, sir.’
The vice admiral grunted. Then he ended the communication.
‘I need to get back to the medical bay,’ I said.
‘I’ll come with you,’ Roger D said. We made our way back through the ship. Entering the medical bay, I found Selize sitting up on the bed. Jeni and Dayna stood next to her, along with Commander Alyssia and the two medics.
‘John,’ Selize said.
I placed baby Sonya in her arms. She held her close as I put my arm around them both.
‘That was … incredible,’ I said, quietly.
Selize’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at our daughter.
‘I wish there had been some other way. So many lives, so much destruction …’
‘I know, but you had no choice. The Proxians would have continued the invasion. The Space Navy would have had to engage them but the casualties throughout the system would have been so much higher. If the Proxians had managed to capture one of the outlying star ports then the invasion could have dragged on for years. No, we did the right thing, the only thing we could have done.’
Selize rocked baby Sonya back and forth in her arms. She emanated a feeling of happiness, underpinned by a sense of sadness and infinite loss. The feeling was mirrored by the Centaurians in the room and aboard the ship. A part of me felt it too. But mostly, I was glad we’d survived.
‘John? What is it?’ Selize suddenly asked.
‘Nothing, it’s just …’
‘Yes?’
‘How am I ever going to explain all of this to the Space Navy?’
Selize smiled. Then she laughed and I knew everything would somehow turn out alright. I suddenly remembered my promise to Jeni. Leaning down, I kissed Selize on the forehead.
‘I’ll be right back,’ I said.
‘John, where are you going?’ Selize asked.
I looked at Jeni.
‘I need to make a call. I made a promise to someone and I intend to keep my word.’
Jeni’s eyes filled with tears as I turned away, heading to the nearest coms terminal to make the call to Earth, to her husband, Malcolm Firestone.
PART VI: SIRENS TIME
56.
The light from Alpha Centauri’s stars washed across the dark metallic hull of the Helios Ark as we exited the Gemini Alpha’s docking bay. The exterior of the free-merchant ship showed the aftermath of the recent space battle—large sections of its hull plating were warped or missing and most of its solar paint had been burned off. It was only through Mason’s tireless repair work, with assistance from Centaurian technicians, that the ship was able to fly at all. Aligning the damaged ship on the Dyson Alpha star port, Dayna fired up the class E ion drive and propelled us forwards at nominal thrust. There were a large number of space tugs and salvage crews operating in and around the star port, cleaning up the aftermath of the battle. Two Zenith-class Space Navy frigates were positioned to cover all incoming and outgoing traffic from Dyson Alpha, while four wings of Raptor fighters flew regular patrols.
Two standard days had passed since the end of the Proxian invasion.
‘Looks like the junkyards and salvage crews will make a fortune,’ Roger D said, his eyes scanning the wreckage. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Tal sent a few of his people.’
‘Who’s Tal?’ I asked.
‘He’s a trader based in the Epsilon Centauri shipyards. Although calling him a trader might be a bit generous. Scavenger might be more accurate.’
‘Sadly, they’re usually the only ones that benefit from major space encounters,’ I said. ‘Which is why the UEP usually avoids all-out battles. Having the most powerful fleets in the known universe usually means they don’t actually have to fight anyone. It’s definitely a cheaper option than engaging in pitched space battles.’
Roger D grunted as he surveyed the scene outside the ship. I turned to Selize. She held baby Sonya, tightly wrapped in an exotic shawl, in her arms. They looked so alike, I couldn’t help but marvel at the miracle that was our daughter.
She’s so beautiful.
Yes, John. She’s incredible and she’s ours.
I love you. Both of you.
We love you too.
The star port grew closer as Dayna manoeuvred us into docking position. With a solid thud the ship locked into place. The airlock cycled open.
‘I think we’ve all earned some downtime,’ Roger D said.
I grasped Roger D’s arm.
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘F
or saving Selize and my daughter. I’ll never forget this.’
‘You would have done the same for me,’ Roger D said. ‘If the Space Navy doesn’t want you, let me know. My offer still stands.’
I nodded. His words struck home the reality of my situation. I was back in the Space Navy. Only Admiral Jess could release me from my commission and there was no way he was going to do that again. I had to think of something.
‘I’ll be in touch,’ I said. Turning to Selize, who was still holding Sonya, I ushered her off the main deck. As I turned to leave, my eyes caught Jeni’s. I nodded, slowly. Jeni smiled, her eyes glistening with moisture. She mouthed the words thank you.
****
A star-port tech approached us as Selize and I exited the ship. He was dressed in a standard star-port one-piece. He carried no visible weapon. There was nothing unusual about him. But I would recognise Jonas Tan anywhere. He motioned for me to follow him as he walked past us. Anyone without the proper training would have missed the gesture.
‘Selize?’
‘Yes, John?’
‘I need to take care of something. Can you take Sonya back to your quarters?’
‘Yes. Don’t be too long.’
‘I won’t.’
I kissed Sonya on the forehead and hugged Selize. Releasing her, I watched as she disappeared down the corridor. I walked over to where Jonas Tan was waiting.
‘Stanton,’ he said.
‘Tan. Something I can help you with?’
‘There’s someone here to see you.’
‘Who?’
‘They’re waiting in the bar.’
‘I’m tired of these games. Either tell me who it is or you can go see them yourself.’
Jonas Tan’s eyes hardened. While I couldn’t see any weapons, I was certain he was armed and augmented to the point he could survive almost any one-on-one combat situation.
‘This isn’t a request.’
‘And I don’t take orders from you. I outrank you, no matter what your unofficial designation may be.’
