by John Walker
“Captain,” Paul spoke up. “The enemy ships are on the move. They’re closing in.”
Everly scowled. “Maybe they think their little boarding party succeeded.”
“Or maybe not,” Gray replied. “They might be moving in to finish the job. I don’t know if the invaders wanted to take care of the patient or cause havoc but they dramatically underestimated our people. They’re about to make the same mistake again. Power up the shields and get us ready. Let’s finish this once and for all.”
“How soon before the Protocol Seven is ready?” Everly asked.
“Olly’s got it installed on the Silver Star…er…Tam’Dral…whatever it’s called.” Paul paused. “We’re at seventy-five percent on our end.”
Gray frowned. “What’s the delay?”
“The universal code had to translate it first. The algorithm itself is simple but interfacing it with our systems…that takes time.”
“We don’t have much,” Clea said. “Will it be ready before they’re within range?”
“I…think so.”
Gray rubbed his forehead and sighed. “Fantastic. Hurry, Paul. That’s not a request.”
Clea moved over to Paul’s station and looked over his shoulder. She scowled at the figures moving across. “Here,” she pointed, “you can optimize this compiler. It’s lagging.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Then, prioritize the network traffic there.” Clea pointed. “That should enhance data flow and get this installed before we die.”
Paul looked sheepish. “Thank you, Ma’am.” He performed the tasks she suggested. “Captain, we’re up to eighty-five percent.”
“Does that mean you can give us an ETA?” Everly asked.
“Yes, sir.” Paul paused. “Sixty seconds.”
Gray stood. “Redding, range to targets?”
“Ten seconds for extreme range. Thirty for optimal.”
“Maneuver us to engage. Have the Silver…” Gray frowned, “the Tam’Dral form up. Ensure we have a forward firing arc on both sides of their ships. I don’t want them to do to us what we did to them. Position will be everything in this conflict.”
“Don’t like the real name?” Clea asked.
Gray shook his head. “It’s not as romantic as mine.”
“Fighters, sir?” Everly asked.
“Have all patrols come back aboard immediately.” Gray checked the tablet and Clea leaned over to see. There were still fifteen ships combing the area. “Pretty sure the enemy will be meeting us in this full on exchange. Small vessels won’t have anything to contribute.”
“We are at extreme range,” Redding announced. “Enemy has opened fire.”
“Hold fast,” Gray said. “They can’t do any appreciable damage yet. They’re just trying to make us flinch.”
Pulse blasts glanced past them, disappearing into the ether. Those few which connected with their shields were absorbed harmlessly, barely causing a tremor as the Behemoth plodded along, racing toward their fate. The Tam’Dral kept pace with them, spreading out to give them some distance.
Clea leaned forward, clasping her hands in her lap as she watched the screen. Even if Protocol Seven didn’t work on the Behemoth, it was installed and prepped on the Tam’Dral. And while they may not have the same advantage, their weapons still hurt the enemy defenses. Their part of the fight would remain conventional but effective.
I have faith in Lieutenant Darnell. He wouldn’t have sent this algorithm if he didn’t believe in it.
“Protocol Seven ninety-two percent installed,” Paul announced.
“Enemy moving into optimal range, sir.” Tim made the comment. He leaned back in his seat and stared at his own console as if something might leap out and grab him at any moment. Redding’s left hand poised over weapon control, her other operating their maneuvering thrusters. Tension in the bridge made it clear the real fighting was about to begin.
“Let’s give them a false sense of hope,” Gray said. “Redding, turn and give them half a broadside. I want the weapons recharged when Protocol Seven is ready.”
“Aye, sir.”
Gray leaned toward his com to speak to the Tam’Dral. “Do not fire until we give the order. I want this to be a real surprise for our friends so I’m going to let them think we’re still all operating under the same rules.”
Clea sat up straighter. “You mean to show them their men were successful in killing the patient, if indeed that’s why they were there.”
Gray shrugged. “Why not? It may give them the confidence to go back on their wild offensive they seem to like so much.”
“Which would lead them right into a blast of fire their defenses won’t stop,” Everly smiled. “Good idea, sir.”
“Let’s not count the explosions before the shots are fired,” Gray replied.
The Behemoth pivoted, moving away from the Tam’Dral so they opened their port side to the enemy. Redding swiped up with her left hand and tapped something at the top. Half their weapons engaged, pulse blasts ripping through vacuum toward their intended targets. A number of direct hits flashed against shields, harmlessly absorbed.
“Direct hits,” Paul said. “Damage to shields, as expected. Their power reserve dropped to eighty-five percent but is already recharging.”
Tim squinted. “They’re picking up speed!”
“Looks like your ploy may have worked.” Clea fought not to tap her foot nervously. A bead of sweat formed on the side of her head which she did her best to ignore. Never before had she been so anxious to see a result. It wasn’t fear but something else driving her emotions. Perhaps I’m allowing myself a lot of hope. If this works, my people may be saved.
“Enemy is engaging on both fronts,” Paul said. “They are attacking the Tam’Dral and us, sir…they also seem to be charging.”
“Where’re you with my install?” Gray nearly growled. Clearly, his patience ran thin and his military side showed. He wanted to end this as much as Clea did but perhaps more so.
“Ninety-nine percent!” Paul seemed ready to burst with emotion. “Why the hell does it always stop at ninety-nine percent!?”
“Tam’Dral, this is Captain Atwell.” Gray gripped his arm rests until his knuckles turned white. “Prepare to fire on my command. With or without us, use the protocol seven algorithm and tear these bastards apart. Do you copy?”
“This is Lieutenant Oxton, sir,” a woman’s voice replied over the speakers. “I copy. We have weapons lock and are ready to engage. Protocol Seven is ready.”
A blast from the enemy shook the Behemoth, jostling Clea in her seat. She wanted to rush over to Paul’s console again to see where he was at but she refrained, fighting to remain seated. She’d helped as much as she could. The fight, everything happening at that moment, sat squarely on the shoulders of others. Playing the role of observer never felt so frustrating.
“Shields holding,” Paul said. “Power fluctuation on deck three…mess area.”
“At least the ice cream will stay cold,” Redding muttered, drawing a laugh from Tim. The brief moment of levity seemed to cut the tension, if only for a moment. Gray started tapping his knee.
“Paul, you’d damn well better have some good news!”
The enemy started to press into short range and another blast shook the ship. The Tam’Dral took a similar pounding. Time was absolutely running out. Every shot they allowed their opponents to take held a chaotic potential, to take out shields, their weapons or even get lucky enough to blow their pulse core.
“We are now within close range!” Redding stiffened. “Permission to fire at will?”
“Paul!” Gray shouted.
“It’s installed! It’s installed!” Paul bounced in his seat. “Gathering shield readings…inputting to the weapons console…five seconds…three…now! It’s ready now, sir! Now! Fire!”
“Tam’Dral, open fire!” Gray gestured to Redding. “Coordinate the assault! Shoot!”
Redding slammed her hand into the console, tap
ping away furiously as their weapons discharged. Clea held her breath as the pulse blasts raced toward their targets. A moment passed…they saw the Tam’Dral light up, their own weapons lancing through the darkness. Will this work?
No green flash emitted from around the enemy, no indication of shields at all. Just massive bouts of bulbous fire erupting from the metal as the ships were torn into. Large chunks of hull were torn free and though they tried to perform evasive maneuvers, it was far too late. They were in the kill box.
The Behemoth obliterated the one on the left, leveraging blast after blast upon them until their engines stopped and they began to drift. The Tam’Dral showed similar luck though their opponent put up a fight to the bitter end. An exchange of fire ended when several weapons on their opponent’s vessel exploded, allowing bouts of flame to escape for several moments before it went cold.
“Their shields were completely ineffective,” Paul spoke solemnly. “Both ships are rapidly losing power.”
“Now’s our chance to take them,” Clea said, “learn more from their technology, gather prisoners perhaps.”
“Um…we might not have time,” Paul replied. “Sir, I’m reading a massive energy build up from their core.”
“Ruptured?” Gray asked.
“No, sir, this is definitely intentional.”
Everly cursed. “A self destruct!”
“Give me a range of impact,” Gray demanded. “What’s minimum safe distance?”
“Two hundred thousand kilometers,” Paul replied.
Clea closed her eyes. “How long before the explosion?”
“Two minutes.”
“Can we get that far?” Gray asked Redding. “At full speed?”
“It would be close but…no, sir. I don’t believe we can.”
“We have another option.” Clea stood. “Initiate the hyper jump. We can close that distance in a few seconds.”
“That’s a huge risk,” Everly said. “If something goes wrong…”
Clea gestured at the screen. “Something is going wrong.”
“Clea’s right,” Gray said. “Tam’Dral, do you have hyper jump capabilities?”
“No, sir but I know what you’re asking. This ship is much faster than the Behemoth. We’ll be out of the blast range in plenty of time. In fact, we’re initiating thrusters now.”
“Get out of here then.” Gray turned to Tim. “I hope you’ve got a good set of navs for this.”
“Aye, sir. I think I know just the place to get us to safety.” Tim tapped away at his controls. “Course set and ready for your mark.”
Gray hit his communicator. “Higgins, we’re going to do a hyper jump.”
“Is that a good idea?” Higgins asked. “We haven’t tested it before.”
“After taking out the two enemy ships, I got bored and thought why not try now?”
“We’re ready for it down here. Go ahead.”
Redding exchanged a glance with Tim and they began a countdown. Gray took Clea’s arm and gestured for her seat. They both sat down and strapped in, leaning back. She had been in several hyper jumps before but never on an untested ship with an untested crew. The nerves in the room made her tremble.
This is not how I hoped to end my first mission with these people.
“Three…”
Clea watched Redding and Tim work in tandem, each entering in their consoles. Their voices betrayed their fear, even though they showed no other outward signs. These were serious professionals, despite their lack of advanced technological experience. After all, their actions may well destroy the entire ship. They carried such a heavy responsibility gracefully.
“Two…”
Gray reached over and patted her arm. He meant the gesture to be reassuring but she took it otherwise. He never would’ve shown concern in a physical manner, not if he didn’t need the contact himself. If Captain Atwell was afraid, then he knew the possible consequences of what they were about to do. At least he didn’t take it lightly.
“One…”
A mere second away from the largest step in human history: true faster than light travel. What a marvel…and a terrible reason for having to try it on such short notice.
The air crackled around her and the hull hummed with a low vibration. She watched the screen, adopting an impassive expression, one which betrayed far more than such a placid look might on a human being. She confined herself to hope but also, a sense of inevitability. Whatever took place, if they lived or died, they saved Earth and that meant a great deal.
“Engaging!” Redding shouted and hit a button.
Everything seemed to freeze around them. Sound, motion, sensation and even the air. A half a second of nonexistence settled over them like a heavy shroud of winter’s snow. Clea saw it on Earth in the mountains. Great blankets of white, frozen water piled high. The sky and clouds stretched on forever, disappearing into a vast expanse of nothing.
The air in her lungs felt heavy then, as if she tried to breathe while submerged in the sea. Her eyes watered and skin tingled from the biting chill. Gray stood with her then, watching as she smiled at the sensations washing over her. The two of them had been friends for over a year during that trip and he promised to show her something new.
All these thoughts drifted in and out of her mind before a painful rush of existence descended upon her. Computers beeped, the hull groaned and gasps of shock erupted all around her. The suddenness of it all hurt her ears and she leaned forward, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. People spoke around her but she couldn’t understand the words.
We survived.
“We made it!” Tim’s voice was the first she made out and he hooted with excitement. “We’re barely ten kilometers off our target! Way to go, Redding!”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, partner. Good work!”
Gray stood from his chair and stretched before stepping forward. “Everyone, excellent work.” He tapped something on Paul’s console and they saw the enemy vessels on the screen. Hardly five seconds passed before they both exploded in two spectacular green orbs. Everyone looked away as the light faded, leaving behind empty space and debris.
“Excellent work, sir.” Everly approached Gray and shook his hand. “You handed the enemy their asses here today.”
“Only sort of,” Gray replied. “We had a lot of help and some good fortune. The loss of those ships is going to be painful but at least we came away with something. Bodies from the invasion for one, the Tam’Dral for another and all that debris we might be able to salvage something from.”
“We’ll have to get crews out here before it drifts too far,” Everly said. “I’ll work with Ensign White to coordinate it.”
“Get the Tam’Dral on coms as well.” Gray returned to his seat. “We’ve got some people to bring aboard and a whole crew to revive. I think it’s high time those people get on with their lives.” He turned to Clea. “How’re you doing there?”
“Your hyper jump test was quite successful.”
Gray grinned. “Vague answer to my question. You look moved.”
“Did you feel anything during the jump?” Clea asked. “Anything at all?”
“Truth be told, I don’t hardly remember it.” Gray shrugged. “What about you?”
“I…was back on the mountain during our leave time, do you remember?”
“Like…you had a vision of it?”
Clea nodded. “Sort of. I remembered the feeling on my skin and lungs, the view…Not the smell, though. Just the rest. Then we were back here. I’ve never had such a sensation during a hyper jump before.”
“We do it special here on Earth?” Gray joked but his expression sobered. “Maybe you should visit the medical bay. Or maybe you’re just exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
Clea nodded. “It has…full of emotion and stress, I agree. But I’m sure I’m fine. I’ll see the rest of this through before I head to my quarters.”
“Very good.” Gray turned away. “Tim, set us a cours
e for home and have the Tam’Dral rendezvous there. Redding, full speed once you have a heading. Then I want you all to take your relief. This was the busiest shift of our lives and you all deserve some downtime. Thank you again for a job well done.”
Clea sat back in her seat and let herself relax. She felt honored to be part of their crew, to sit amongst them in their moment of triumph. They struggled, lost and won a great deal that day. Their species knew they stood a chance, proved to themselves their capability to survive in the larger, galactic theater. This point in history would be remembered for lifetimes to come and Clea along with it.
Finally, she knew she’d done her family name proud.
Epilogue
Gray reported to Earth command and gave them all the data they recovered. Doctors were dispatched to assist with the revival of the Tam’Dral crew. The shuttle which was used to penetrate the Behemoth hull was taken by technical crews to study and observe along with the bodies of the fallen. They would begin reverse engineering it all soon.
Clea prepared a dispatch for her people including everything they discovered. The Protocol Seven was not sent along but she alluded to it. They would need to come to Earth or vice versa to pass it along. Such information proved to be too valuable to risk it falling into enemy hands.
Salvage crews collected more rare materials from the combat zone than mining operations had managed in two years of constant work. Efforts toward building a second Behemoth were forwarded considerably and many of the roadblocks they faced were overcome. Instead of years, engineers believed they might have the ship operational in mere months.
Fatal casualties numbered low but a few good soldiers did not survive the engagement. Two of the marines died later from the intruder attack and several pilots also gave the ultimate sacrifice. Countless injuries would heal but many were effected by those they lost. Gray wrote letters to their families, condolences and explanations for how they served their people.
