The Slaver Wars: Retaliation (The Slaver Wars Book Five)
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“We should be leading this attack!” muttered Second Leader Jaseth, feeling frustrated and betrayed by the role they were taking. “Our most powerful ships should be taking on the humans. Honor should be reserved for our strongest!”
“Patience,” spoke Versith, looking over at the young Hocklyn. “There will be plenty of honor for all of us before this day is out.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to die,” First Leader Trion added as his cold, dark eyes turned to face Jaseth. “Honor comes to those that don’t rush into battle rashly. You must learn to observe and learn.”
“The humans have nothing to teach me,” spoke Jaseth, scathingly. “They only need to die!”
For a moment, Versith contemplated having Jaseth removed from the War Room. The young Hocklyn’s hatred for the humans was overshadowing his judgment.
“I will watch him,” First Leader Trion spoke quietly.
“Very well,” Versith replied as he turned his attention back to the tactical hologram. The war wings were nearly within range of the satellites.
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Six thousand Hocklyn fighters neared the Human defense satellites. Suddenly, from one hundred and twenty Klave missile platforms, seven hundred and twenty nuclear tipped missiles launched. The missile launch took the Hocklyn fighters by surprise. Before they could respond, the missiles penetrated their highly compact formation and detonated. Seven hundred blazing nuclear explosions tore through the tightly compacted Hocklyn fighter formation, wiping out entire war wings. The formation broke apart as frantic war wing leaders tried to get their fighters away from the exploding missiles.
Seeing the disarray, all seventy-three human destroyers in the outer satellite grid opened fire with interceptor missiles and laser batteries. They were followed seconds later by hundreds of defensive satellites as the Hocklyn fighters came within range. But the Hocklyns were not helpless. Entire war wings had escaped the deadly nuclear attack and these released their full complement of missiles on the defense grid. In moments, explosions covered the grid as satellites exploded in blinding flashes of light as the Hocklyn missiles found their targets.
Hocklyn fighters and defensive satellites died in high numbers. The satellites died from missile strikes and the fighters from the deadly fire of the satellite’s lasers. Space was full of the orange-red flashes of the lasers and the savage explosions of detonating missiles.
The rest of the Hocklyn fighters quickly reformed as the nuclear fire died away. They fired hundreds of missiles at the grid; a number even targeted the human destroyers. In less than ten minutes, the satellite grid was nearly annihilated, and a massive hole had been created for the Hocklyn fleet to come through. As soon as that had been accomplished, the Hocklyn fighters did a one hundred and eighty degree turn and flew back toward the approaching warships to rearm.
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“What did we lose?” Hedon asked as he watched the Hocklyn fighters land on their ships.
“They blew a massive hole in the outer ring of satellites and also took out six of our destroyers in the process,” Colonel Trist reported.
“How many of their fighters did we get?”
“Nearly eighteen hundred,” Clarissa reported. She had been keeping a special watch on the damage caused by the nuclear strike as well as the defense satellites and destroyers.”
“That won’t work again,” sighed Hedon, knowing the Hocklyns still possessed a lot of fighters.
“Enemy fleet will be in engagement range in ten more minutes,” Clarissa reported.
“Move us back between defensive rings two and three,” Hedon ordered. Defensive ring three contained all twenty-four of their satellite battle stations. It also held another one hundred and sixty additional missile platforms, only these missile platforms were equipped with ten devastator class missiles, each with a ten-kiloton warhead.
Hedon then activated the ship-to-ship com to speak directly to Admiral Adler. “Jacob, ready your bombers; we will need them shortly. They will be going in with all of our remaining fighters.”
“We’re ready,” Jacob replied.
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“The humans are pulling back,” First Leader Ganth spoke as he watched the movement of the human ships on the tactical display.
“They seek to trap us again,” Fleet Commodore Resmunt replied, determined not to be tricked again by the humans. “I suspect that ring also contains missile platforms. It also has those twenty-four large satellite stations.”
“What do you recommend?” asked Ganth, turning to face Resmunt.
“This time we will use our fighters to destroy any missiles they launch,” the Fleet Commodore responded. “Order half of our fighters armed with long-range missiles to destroy the satellites and the other half armed with short-range interceptor missiles to take out any inbound nukes.”
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One hundred million kilometers away from the planet, the eight AI ships waited. They had reached a tactical decision. When the Hocklyn and Human ships were heavily engaged they would jump back in and finish off the humans. Only a few of their ships would be allowed to escape and lead them back to the human worlds. The AIs readied their ships. This time the humans would experience the full ferocity of an AI attack. They had also determined which human ships were a threat and those would be the first ships targeted. Once destroyed, the humans would be at the AI’s mercy, and the AIs did not know mercy.
Chapter Sixteen
Fleet Commodore Resmunt watched the tactical screen intently as the first wave of fighters passed through the destroyed outer layer of defense satellites. He had 4,200 surviving fighters and he had divided them up into two waves to assail the human satellite defenses above the fleet base. Behind the fighters came the five hundred Hocklyn warships that had just jumped into the system. Escort cruisers were first, shielding the heavier units from attack.
His own updated fleet was also advancing and would mop up any human survivors that might attempt to escape. Commodore Aanith had also been ordered to spread his ships out and be prepared if any of the human ships attempted to exit the gravity well. He knew that according to the AI plan he had to allow a few human ships to escape so they could be followed back to their home worlds.
“Those twenty-four large satellites concern me,” First Leader Ganth spoke, his large eyes watching the tactical display. “We should make them a priority target; they may be some type of command and control facility for the satellite defenses.”
“You may be correct,” Resmunt responded in his rasping voice, agreeing with the First Leader. “Order the fighters to take them out.”
Already the first wave of fighters was nearly in attack range. In just another few minutes, the final battle for control of the fleet base would begin, and Resmunt did not intend to withdraw until he had won a victory.
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“Launch all fighters,” Admiral Streth ordered grimly over his ship-to-ship com. He couldn’t let the Hocklyns destroy the satellite grid, at least not until after the missile platforms had launched.
From the twenty-three battlecarriers, 2,080 Anlon fighters launched from the flight bays and quickly formed up into their respective squadrons. Once formed up, Major Arcles quickly passed on the order to attack.
“All squadron leaders we will engage the lead formation of Hocklyns,” Arcles ordered in a calm and commanding voice. He knew the two massive waves of Hocklyn fighters had his squadrons outnumbered two to one. “Make every shot count. We have to keep them away from the defense grid until the missile platforms can lock onto their targets and fire.”
“At least we’re back in fighters,” Lieutenant Lacey Sanders spoke in a pleased voice over their private channel.
“Just stay on my wing, Lieutenant,” Karl reminded her. Lacy was an excellent fighter pilot, but he still had a tendency to look out after her. “Don’t do anything reckless.”
“I won’t,” Lacy promised. “You don’t have to babysit me. Let’s go kick some Hocklyn ass!”
The massed squadrons of
fighters leaped forward as they flew through the defense grid and locked onto their Hocklyn targets. A steady green light on Arcles’ targeting system indicated his fighter had a positive missile lock on its target. “Missiles away,” Major Arcles ordered as he pressed the missile release button on his console.
Instantly, from each human fighter a Hunter interceptor missile launched, targeting a Hocklyn. At almost the same instant, the Hocklyns launched missiles also. Space between the two became full of rapidly moving missile trails.
A warning alarm went off in Karl’s cockpit as a Hocklyn interceptor missile locked onto his Talon fighter. “All squadrons go evasive, and then mix in with the Hocklyn formation. Steak dinner on me to whoever has the most kills.”
Missiles from both sides locked on and many found their helpless targets. Balls of fire began to erupt in both formations as fighters died. Then the two groups merged and the real battle began.
“Locked on,” Lacy called out as she launched off one of her two interceptors.
The Hocklyn fighter in front of her exploded as the missile impacted. Lacy hit her turbos and turned sharply, bringing her 30 mm cannons in line with another target. She pressed the firing button and a line of bright tracers spread from her fighter until it intercepted the Hocklyn. She could see bright flashes where her shells were stitching the enemy fighter. Then it suddenly seemed to lose power as she hit something vital and it started tumbling. Satisfied, she turned to another target. Everywhere she looked were Human and Hocklyn fighters dueling it out.
“Keep the pressure on,” Karl ordered as he tried to keep track of the battle. “We have a second wave that will be arriving shortly.” He grimaced as he saw several fighters from his squadron vanish from his tactical display.
However, the second wave was in the process of going around the fighter melee and targeting the defense grid. Missiles were locked on and fired, and then the Hocklyns discovered the purpose of the large satellites as they took control of hundreds of laser satellites and returned fire. Space was full of missile trails and bright orange-red laser beams. The destroyers had also been spread across this section of the defense grid, and they quickly added their own defensive fire to the satellites. Hocklyn fighters quickly began to die, but not fast enough. Satellite after satellite blew apart as Hocklyn missiles found their mark. A series of bright explosions rolled across the satellite grid as hundreds of satellites were destroyed.
The defensive battle stations were firing their lasers as well as interceptor missiles non-stop, wiping dozens of Hocklyn fighters out of existence. Then missiles began striking the battle stations, weakening their energy shields. Several shields failed and enemy missiles began striking the armored hulls, destroying weapons emplacements and causing internal damage.
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“They’re going to take out the satellite grid sooner than we expected,” Clarissa reported to Admiral Streth.
“What about the missile platforms?” he demanded with deep concern in his eyes. Even as he watched the tactical screen, four of the large defense battle stations flared up and vanished as they were overwhelmed by Hocklyn missile fire.
“They’re stealthed,” Clarissa replied as she checked her sensors. “They are not being targeted.”
“That’s good,” Colonel Trist spoke with obvious relief on his face. “We need those if this plan is to work.”
“Enemy fleet units are nearly in range of the missile platforms,” Colonel Grissom reported from where she was standing next to one of the four tactical displays. “Their lighter units are in the lead, followed by their heavies.”
“All ships standby to advance,” Hedon ordered over his mini-com. “We will engage the Hocklyn fleets as soon as the missiles have launched. Admiral Adler, you are to launch your bomber strike as soon as the missile platforms fire. Your bombers will lead the way; primary targets are damaged Hocklyn warships and then focus on their war cruisers. Order your pilots to stay away from the dreadnoughts; we will handle those.”
“What about the crews of the battle stations?” Colonel Trist asked as he watched another two vanish from one of the tactical displays. It was obvious the Hocklyns were targeting them.
“Crews are to place their stations on automatic and use their evacuation shuttles to escape,” Hedon replied, not wanting to sacrifice the brave men and women on the stations. “They are to rendezvous with the nearest carriers.”
“Hocklyn fleet is in missile range,” Clarissa reported as she checked her sensors one more time. She felt fear and wondered what it was like to die. So many humans had faced death today, and now even more were dying.
“Fire platform missiles,” Hedon ordered his face resolute. “Jacob, launch your bombers. All destroyers, form up around Third Fleet; all ships, advance and engage the enemy!”
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Fleet Commodore Resmunt watched without surprise as hundreds of missiles suddenly launched from hidden missile platforms all across the battered human defense grid in front of his fleets. However, this time he was prepared. “All fighters break off and engage the inbound missiles; all ships, fire interceptors! Destroy those human weapons!”
Hocklyn fighters suddenly peeled off from their attacks on the defense grid and the human fighters and turned their targeting systems on the rapidly approaching missiles. While they were doing this, they became easy targets for the human fighters. The humans quickly took advantage of the situation, and hundreds of Hocklyn fighters began to die as interceptor missiles and cannon fire struck them.
The Hocklyn fighters ignored their growing losses and locked their remaining interceptors on the inbound human missile strike. Sixteen hundred missiles had been launched from the hidden missile platforms. Hundreds of Hocklyn interceptors were fired and accelerated rapidly toward the human Devastator missiles. Small explosions suddenly littered space as the Hocklyn missiles found their targets. Nearly six hundred of the inbound Devastator missiles were destroyed before they came within range of the Hocklyn warships.
The Hocklyn warships were ready, and massive waves of interceptor missiles arrowed toward the inbound missiles and more small explosions lit up space as missiles collided. Another eight hundred plus Devastator missiles died, leaving slightly less than two hundred to reach the Hocklyn fleet. Many of these were destroyed by close in defensive fire but others remained and impacted Hocklyn shields. Seventy-two ten-kiloton explosions lit up the Hocklyn ships, causing widespread damage to those that were unlucky to be targeted by multiple missiles. Two war cruisers and six escort cruisers died, and a number of other ships received moderate to heavy damage.
“Only minor damage to their fleet,” Clarissa reported in dismay as she studied the damage done to the Hocklyn fleet. “They were prepared for the missile strike.”
“Their Fleet Commodore is learning,” spoke Admiral Streth, shaking his head. He had hoped the missile strike would have had a far greater effect, now he would have to depend on the bombers to extricate the fleet.
“Bombers are launching,” Colonel Trist added as one of the tactical screens lit up with new green icons. He knew the missile strike had been a dismal failure. He looked over at Fleet Admiral Streth and could tell from the look on his face that the fleet was in dire straits.
Hedon watched impassively as 2,500 Anlon bombers formed up in front of his fleets. They would attack in a massive wave and Hedon intended on taking his warships in at the same time. He knew losses to the bombers would be horrendous, but he had no other choice. For once, the Hocklyns were fighting more strategically rather than by their foolish honor code. “Admiral Adler, battlecarriers are free to engage their main weapons against the Hocklyns,” he informed his longtime friend. “Tell your ships not to take any unnecessary chances; we’re going to need your carriers if we want to get home.”
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Amanda took in a deep breath as Second Fleet surged forward toward the advancing Hocklyn fleets. This battle would be intense, and even at their best combat speed it would take then nearly forty minu
tes to clear the planet’s gravity well. She wondered if any of them would make it.
“All ships go to Condition One, load missile tubes with Klave and Devastator missiles. Save the Devastator Threes until we need them,” she ordered. “Power beams and laser turrets, stand by to fire.”
“Remaining Hocklyn fighters are falling back toward their ships,” Lieutenant Stalls reported as he watched his sensor screens.
“Admiral Adler is ordering all of our remaining fighters to form up in front of the bombers, they will engage any enemy fighters that attempt to attack the bombers,” Commander Evans added as she listened to the chatter from the fighters and bomber squadrons over her mini-com.
“How many fighters do we have left?” asked Amanda, seeing the green icons forming up in front of the bombers were much fewer than they had been a short few minutes earlier.
“Eight hundred and twelve,” Evans responded as she called up data on the tactical display. “Many of them will have to return to the carriers to rearm shortly.”
“We’re passing through the defense grid,” Benjamin reported as he watched his sensors. He noticed that there was not much of a defense grid left in their sector. “The evacuation shuttles from the battle stations are landing on the carriers.”
“Engagement range in two minutes,” Commander Evans spoke as she made sure the ship was ready for battle. “The remaining destroyers are forming up around the carriers.”
Watching the rapidly approaching Hocklyn warships, Amanda couldn’t help but feel worried about how badly they were outnumbered. She had always hoped that someday Richard and she could return to Krall Island on Aquaria. Now she had serious doubts if that would ever happen.
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Fleet Commodore Resmunt watched as the humans came out of their hole to face his fleets. This battle would be short and result in a resounding Hocklyn victory. Much honor would come to his warriors and their families.
“Have our remaining fighters engage the human bombers; they are to ignore the human fighters and fly through them. The bombers are their primary targets.” He did not intend to allow the human bombers to ravage his fleets with their nuclear missiles as they had in past engagements.