They had taken out five Destroyers, wounded fifteen, and they were just starting. To an outside eye it was chaos, to Smith it was the greatest show in the universe. Jump fighters hit Destroyers from one direction, using their agility and devastating weapon systems to fly in, hit their targets and fly away as another jumper came in from another direction.
Death by a thousand cuts, well rents, and damned big ones.
Smith checked the report on the first Destroyer he had hit. It was fighting with only its armament, none of the Kalu fighters could get in or out of the bays.
Smith's face went hard as his screen popped an alert up, three jump fighters had fallen so far.
“Tighten it up people, as soon as you're down to one capacitor, or twenty percent ammunition, pull back to your designated rally points,” Smith reminded them, knowing that a number of them were going to push for more time on target.
While Jumpers packed one hell of a punch that came at a cost. They ate through ammunition and power at an alarming rate when they were in combat.
Smith was coming in on a Destroyer that had just been hit by three Jumpers already, a group of fighters were swarming around the ship to come at Smith. He started inputting commands for wormhole generation as well as basic commands, he knew what hell he was going to put on his body.
Better to hurt than be dead. He thought, charging his rail cannons, firing plasma right up the Kalu Destroyer's back end, alarms rang as he depleted his capacitor's his rail cannons fired their normal rounds.
“Take this your fuckers,” Smith said, firing three of his four remaining multi-missiles at the swarms directed towards him. His last two remaining laser-missiles followed them.
Smith initiated his braking-wormhole plan, his Jumper flipped, its drive going to max as it shot out double charged bombs to slow his momentum.
Smith fought to stay conscious as his jumper created a wormhole, the jumper shook violently, causing Smith to pass out.
He gasped, looking to his star-map, seeing the Carrier Rolund waiting.
Jumpers were transiting near the carrier, heading straight for it. A few jumpers were already emerging, plotting their routes and jumping back into the fray.
Smith powered his drive and headed for resupply, forwarding his information across.
He looked over his displays and overall information feed. Cheerleader and Boot were just about to join into the fray.
***
“Transition complete ship reports coming in,” Werv said beside Cheerleader, his head bent over the incoming reports.
“Boot's carriers have brought the largest concentrations of Kalu forces under fire and are deploying their fighters and bombers,” Jorvut said from his sensor pit.
“Very well, we shall follow engagement plan Rodeo,” Cheerleader said, looking to her star maps, her voice and expression like granite. The joking carefree Cheerleader was replaced by the true commander that had learnt under Salchar and been trained in the bloody battles with the Syndicate.
The three solid formations split without issue, turning into search and destroy squadrons.
Her fleet had transited into the system damned close in terms of space, but it would still be a matter of hours before they closed in on the Kalu formations.
The Jumpers were doing what they did best, bringing havoc and chaos down on their enemy. The fifty destroyers and their fighters were doing everything possible to crush the jump fighters, but they were too fast, too unpredictable for the Kalu to handle. They had got about seven fighters, but the fighters had left at least ten destroyer's lifeless.
The fighters concentrated on Star-destroyer's far from the Free Fleet formations as MEF's and brand new bombers joined the fight.
Good luck Boot. Cheerleader said, looking at the targets that separate squadrons had designated and going over reports of ship issues. With a fleet this size there was bound to be some.
Thankfully none of them were critical, yet.
***
Commander Boot transited into the system, Cheerleader's forward elements passing through their own wormholes.
“Tactical, would you please announce our presence to these Kalu bastards,” Boot said conversationally, knowing full well his words would be passed around at almost the same speed as his true orders.
“It would be my pleasure commander,” Tactical said, pressing a command for all tactical commanders and gunners on the twenty seven corvettes, thirteen destroyers, eight Battle cruisers five Battle-carriers, two true carriers and one super-carrier that made up Commander Boot's fleet.
“Gunners do what you do best!” He barked, pressing another button which fired a pre-set barrage in every direction, the missiles adjusting onto their targets in flight as the carrier's cannons were run out, firing at almost the same second they were declared as ready.
Fighters and Bombers that had been clamped to the carrier's exterior, released their clamps.
Their deployment took a matter of seconds instead of hours.
Fighter commanders worked together to guide their wings onto targets as Boot watched, as the shocked Kalu were greeted by a wall of nuclear blasts and composite metal rounds. For a minute his prim and proper mask fell as his manipulators moved in calculated glee.
“That'll show those Kalu fuckers,” He murmured, not seeing Tactical's own Avarian grin as he passed on his commander's words, knowing full well the effect it would have on the gunners and pilots as they hammered the Kalu which had been some terrible nightmare.
The new bombers fired a barrage of missiles as they closed with the enemy, there was a bomber to every wing, all of them loaded with laser missile's targeted at star destroyers.
MEF's battled Kalu fighters, deploying their new multi-warhead missiles, or splitters as some had come to call it.
The Kalu fighters were thrown apart, in their attempts to swarm back together, they were run down by coordinated fighter wings.
Cheerleader's squadrons were now bringing the Kalu under fire, cannons released their gunner's anger on the Kalu, Star Warriors staggered like drunkards as rounds ripped through them. Main cannons blared their defiance, tearing into the thickest armor and exploding, ripping sections of Destroyer apart.
“Nav, it does seem that our targets are thinning. If you and sensor's find us a new hunting ground it would be much appreciated,” Boot said in his usual calm tone, restraining himself from jumping up and whooping. A commander must keep up appearances after all.
“Yes Commander Boot!” Helm sounded as if they had been given a damned present instead of a demanding task that they were only too pleased to complete.
Boot allowed his manipulators to twitch, a feeling of knowing that this was where he was meant to be, and that this was what he was meant to do filling him with purpose and drive.
He revelled in hard decisions and issues, not because he liked them, but because he knew he would take them all on to protect his people.
***
Orshpa ripped the banister in front of him apart and into a console.
“We make for Xentar,” He barked to his people, even though it was clear that the majority of the Kalu fleet were engaging these silent clans be damned Free Fleet.
“What do we tell them?” Darsoo said, knowing full well that not many Kalu would want to leave a battle other than for a damned good reason.
Orshpa paused before answering, knowing that Darsoo was asking not to challenge, but rather look out for his war-leader.
“We must tell Xentar and our people of this Free Fleet's betrayal. Otherwise we will be cursed as we become the silent clans own. Cowards and the dishonourable will use our traditions against us in this battle. We must tell others so that they are not also tricked by these creatures,” Orshpa's voice rose to an almost blood-crazed yell.
Darsoo and Orshpa made eye contact, Darsoo looking away quickly, Orshpa made a noise in his throat that made Darsoo look up into his war-leader's eyes.
Orshpa tilted his head slightly, indicating his understan
ding of Darsoo's devotion and ability to think when he had not, and the promise that he would be rewarded for his insight.
Darsoo quickly lowered his eyes in reverence to his war-leader.
Orshpa made another growling noise that told Darsoo he was effectively dismissed.
Darsoo got on the talker-Kalu who passed the word to the fleet. As well as orders to form up and head for the jump limit through the Free Fleet's ships.
Turning and running from their guns would have been tantamount to Orshpa committing suicide. By running through the Free Fleet's position, it at least showed their willingness to fight. Something that a new War-leader needed to prove immediately. Having Kalu thinking that their war-leader cared more for their lives than attacking the enemy. It didn't put a war leader in the best position.
It took time and Orshpa having to talk to a few of the Kalu ship-leaders to get his people moving, but they did, Forty Star Warriors lost to the black, an just twenty two star destroyers remained.
“Full acceleration,” Orshpa said as most of his Kalu had answered his call.
The enemy groups were closing in on the Kalu mess, their rail cannons fired, ships turning to bring fresh batteries into position as the last cannon batteries checked their weapons.
The Kalu's lasers weren't in the kind of massed fired that could penetrate the ship's shields, especially in the manner that the Free Fleet ships moved to cover one another, sharing the damage over multiple shields and crafts.
It spoke of damned good discipline, communication and command.
Bombs were deployed, pushing the Kalu through the enemy formation faster and faster. Fighter's and newly armed bombers launched their payloads into the oncoming Kalu ships. Orshpa watched with dark satisfaction as lasers caught some of those damned ships out. His own fighters were largely useless, as combat had cut them down, and the destroyers’ numbers were so low that many fighters were going to be left for dead. Those fighters were using themselves as piloted missiles against the Free Fleet ships. Some of them got through the scathing PDS fire, crashing into shields, a few overpowering those invisible barriers and striking the ship underneath and taking it out of commission, most of them permanently.
Then the Kalu's passage seemed to slow.
“What is going on?” Orshpa barked as readings started coming in and seers started roaring at one another.
“They're using an acceleration system similar to our own. They're breaking themselves using it and keeping us in range. We will clear their guns but it will take longer,” A seer said.
The sooner this Free Fleet is wiped out, the better. Orshpa thought darkly. Knowing that while the Free Fleet mounted weapons on every side. The Kalu didn't mount weapons on any side other than their front, and had weaker armor on their sides.
The rear armor was only for acceleration. Something that the Free Fleet seemed to have picked up as cannons targeted this rear armor. Cracking it before Kalu leaders could realize what was going on and stop their accelerating bombs from deploying. Instead of accelerating the ships, the bombs used the weakened armor as shrapnel as the by-products of nuclear bombs spread through the internal areas.
Orshpa winced as his star-destroyer groaned and shook with impacts. The decking shuddering as the craft continued through the mayhem.
Eighteen star Destroyers and two hundred and twenty seven Star Warriors remained.
“Get those fighters secured and ready a wormhole plan,” Orshpa said, disgust with the outcome as his first action as war leader of the combined clans, clear.
“Wormhole emergence straight ahead,” A seer said.
“Damn them and their damned ability to rise out of the black like damned silent spirits!” Orshpa's words acid. Finally looking up at the main screen.
How, by the silent clans, can that move? He thought as cannons fired.
***
“Alright Commander Whorst, your turn,” Commander Cheerleader said.
“Helm, Nav, you heard the commander. Tactical I want those reports. Fighter Command, final checks,” Commander Whorst said, the area around his upper body became a sphere of holographically projected windows.
“We have flight and wormhole plan commander,” Nav said as the Helm was inputting it.
“Very good,” Commander Whorst said, he had been the commander of the Free Fleet forces surrounding Earth. While he did like the challenge that it had given him, he had wanted to do more with his skills. That came in the shape of war-station. The station was too big to be commanded by most ship commanders. But a man that had been a ship commander when the Free Fleet was humans, Kuruvians and Sarenmenti just out of slavery and then taken on the second biggest concentration of personnel and biggest ship building and production system. Well he might just have what it took to take on war station.
“Batteries one through four, and four through eight are operational, all tubes and PDS report readiness,” Tactical reported snappishly.
“Very good Frankeuw. Arfo, could you get me Commander Takahashi?” Whorst said to his communications commander.
“Yes sir,” She said Whorst moving from one window that made up the sphere around him, to another.
It does seem like those command and control games weren't such a waste of time Mum. He thought proudly, whizzing through information, passing down orders and making sure that his massive mobile station was ready to go.
“Commander Takahashi is online,” Arfo said.
“Thank you,” Whorst said, seeing the way Arfo's Sarenmenti tail twitched.
It does seem that a British accent does have that affect. He thought, amused by his own thoughts as he opened the channel to Takahashi by grabbing the window, stretching his hand out and pulling it towards him.
“Takahashi how are our Commandos looking?” Whorst said, shifting to less vital reports and Shrift's reports on power systems and shield generator limits.
“Like the Kalu are going to have a bad day,” Takahashi said, Salchar had warned Whorst to keep a close eye on the Commander, while there was no love lost between Takahashi and Salchar. Stone warrior, as his Commandos called him, was a damned good commander, his fighting skills were also something to be seen.
“That's what I like to hear commander,” Whorst said, a smile reaching his lips, even as his eyes darted between the different snippets at his hands.
“We are ready for immediate wormhole generation on your command sir,” Peck said from Helm, all of his arms poised over controls.
“I will look to my commandos Commander Whorst,” Takahashi said.
“Very well commander,” Whorst said, cutting the channel.
“Alright Devastahli, you ready to get your lumbering ass in gear?”
“I thought you would never ask,” Devastahli said in his deep voice which turned to a growl with minimal effort.
“Peck, if you please?”
“Certainly commander,” Peck said as banks of capacitors drained to rip a hole through the fabric of space and bend it to the will of mere mortals.
Whorst saw Dev's hologram turn to face the main screen, there was no chair, or slouching in his form anymore. Now he stood erect, a savage looking pole-arm in hand, four red orbs visible under his cloak.
Whorst looked at Dev's arm, it was mottled and greyed with reflective metallic parts. Much like War station's hull.
Dev looked to him, cocking his head in a most human nature. The AI's seemed to grasp and mimic another creature's body language the fastest.
Whorst simply smiled, shaking his head and looking to the front screen.
We might live in dangerous and terrible times, but there is no denying they have been the most wondrous and brilliant times of my life. He admitted as the wormhole stabilized and war-station entered the massive wormhole's event horizon, and came out of the other side.
The Kalu fleet was straight ahead of War station as it emerged.
“Dallaho, get those shields up, Frankeuw I believe I am seeing what your people might call a target rich environment. Woul
d you be able to see if they can't do something about that?” Whorst said, some of Boot's sensibilities had rubbed off on him, or maybe the other way around with the time they had been two of the highest ranking commanders other than Silly in Sol system.
“I thought you would never ask Commander,” Frankeuw said, taking a breath.
“Alright you damned gun monkeys! Let's see if we can't give these Kalu a Free Fleet makeover!” He said.
“Shields are fully operational commander,” Dallaho said.
“Sensors are fully linked with FTL relays and sensor buoys, no change,” Zal said, his proper name was Zallavackashnofrarobopulus, the hell if anyone other than an Ershoe would be able to pronounce that.
“Thank you,” Whorst said lightly, checking the flurry of reports from Shrift, it would be a damned long time to charge that capacitor again, but the power plants were already at max, charging it and ready to switch over to weapons.
It seemed as if the gunners had read his mind, as every cannon that was facing the oncoming Kalu, fired as one. A wall of rounds crashed into the oncoming Kalu, it seemed that the shock of War-leader had made even the Kalu pause.
Then the Kalu lashed out with lasers as rounds, from the size of a human's forearm, to that of a dumpster smashed its way through their ships.
The ships seemed to accelerate faster, keen to make contact with War station.
“Fighters are providing close support,” The Fighter commander said, the colors of her holographic display reflecting on her face as she dared not to look away.
“Thank you Folla,” Whorst said, his eyes following the Kalu ships as they fired lasers into the massive planetary shields.
“We are at eighty three percent in forward shields. Helm, request that we pivot five degrees to bring top shields to spread the weapons fire,”
“Understood, shifting five degrees slant forward,” Peck said, thrusters the size of Destroyer's engines fired, the entire mass of the station tilting as batteries were rotated out, new ones were rotated in, mainly the more powerful and larger batteries that ran along War-station's spine.
From the Black (Free Fleet Book 4) Page 33
