by John Walker
“When those shields go down…” Tarkin grumbled. “Ours, or there’s, this battle will be over quickly.”
“Maybe not,” Gahlir said. “Their hulls are armored…I still can’t tell what they are. Our scans won’t penetrate their defenses.”
“It won’t matter,” Raeka replied. “Combining our power with the Behemoth, we’ll overwhelm them. I have to believe that.”
Optimism at a time like this is difficult but what’s the alternative?
***
Gray leaned forward, willing himself to not tap his foot. Redding pushed them to full throttle, coming up fast on the enemy’s flank. Fighter crews were standing by to launch the moment they got within range. Less than two minutes and they’d be in the fight, assaulting their foes. He hoped it would be at least a fraction of a surprise.
Even a moment of shock will take us a long way.
“Bad news,” Olly said. “I’ve run a scan and the Protocol Seven will not work on these guys. They must’ve been updated. I am jamming their communications, however. They won’t be telling anyone about us any time soon.”
“That proliferated fast,” Clea said. “I…honestly can’t even believe it.”
“I’m not surprised,” Gray replied. “These bastards seem geared for one thing: conflict. If that’s the case, the first thing I’d do is share the cure to a weapon our entire fleet. It was a chance, but one we don’t get to rely on. Thanks, Olly. Anything else?”
“Yes, sir. Fighters engaged,” Olly said. “Bombers have conducted their first run.”
“Any appreciable damage?” Clea asked.
“Negative, Ma’am. The shields held…though power output suggests they did tax them.”
“Incredible.” Gray shook his head. “Those bombs can devastate moons, for God’s sake.”
Clea showed him her computer, indicating they seemed to be doubling their defenses. He frowned at the figures on the screen. How had they known to do so? Perhaps they scanned the incoming vessels and decided to do it. The act made them slow down with the turrets which bought the Emancipated and Founder fleets time.
I guess it worked out for the best.
Gray checked his own reports. All sections of the ship reported in, displaying positive reports of all systems remaining operational. Thank God for that. At least we don’t have anything breaking down as we push into a fight. Of course, the real test will come when we start firing our weapons…and more importantly, when we’re hit back.
Engineering stated that the jump module likely could not stand up to microjumping but Gray had no intention of attempting another such maneuver before the engineers back home could really delve into the issues they experienced from them before. They could, however, flee at any time, a comment made by Maury in his quick update.
We’re not abandoning these people, Gray thought. He sent back a message thanking the Chief Engineer for his assessment. He’s one of the few people who knows about the traitor. That must be where he’s coming from. If we don’t know who’s causing trouble, he feels we should’ve left the system to find out.
Prudence made sense. However, just because the objective of the fight didn’t coincide with direct Earth plans didn’t mean it was unnecessary. A skirmish outside the confines of their own territory just meant they were at war and two less enemy ships were fewer vessels to attack alliance or Sol space.
Targets of opportunity. These guys can’t get back home.
“We’re approaching optimal range for a firing solution,” Redding announced. “On your command, I’ll open fire.”
“Olly,” Gray said, “can the fighters launch?”
“Aye, sir. They could be in the fight within thirty seconds.”
“Redding, open fire,” Gray ordered. “When we’re on recharge, get the fighters out there. Coordinate to make sure they’re well away before we’re ready to fire again.”
Both acknowledged and Gray turned his attention to the screen. Their cannons fired, blasting the side of the enemy vessel with all the force they could muster. Shields flared and flickered out and a globe of fire burst from the hull. It didn’t destroy them, not by a long shot, but it did do some damage.
Perfect.
Olly gave the order for the fighters to launch.
Gray tapped his communication console and raised Raeka on the line. “Open fire on the ship we just hit. Give them everything you’ve got and don’t let up until you find yourselves hitting shield again.”
The Emancipated fleet didn’t even respond before firing their weapons. Conventional ordinance hammered the Enemy vessel, decorating the hull with tiny pockmarks of fire and crumpled metal. They were able to fire for nearly fifteen seconds before the shields sprung back to life, preventing further damage.
“How’d they bring their shields back?” Leonard asked. “We hit them hard!”
“They have tertiary generators,” Clea said. “When one goes down, the others kick back on. We have a variable window to hurt them when that happens, anywhere from ten seconds to a full minute.”
“We got screwed then,” Leonard muttered the last part.
“Stow the commentary,” Gray ordered. “Are they focusing on us yet, Olly?”
“Not yet, sir.” Olly really scrutinized his screen for a moment. “They seem to be redoubling their efforts on the two fleets…they want to take that shield down.”
“Why?” Redding asked. “And we’re at sixty percent recharge on weapons.”
Clea hummed. “Perhaps they realize that if they take out the natives, we’ll have no reason to be here. They must know we don’t belong.”
“Won’t matter for long,” Gray said. “Redding, fire at will. When the main cannons are back, hit them again. We’ll keep at them until they take notice or are destroyed.”
“What if they try to flee?” Clea asked. “Do you propose we give chase?”
Gray sighed. “We can’t let them get away…not with the news of our arrival and how ineffective the native’s technology is. They’ll be back and take this place guaranteed.”
“Then I hope we can cripple them quickly.”
Besides, Gray thought, I don’t think these guys know how to retreat…or surrender for that matter.
***
Meagan initiated a spinning barrel roll, disengaging from a group of enemy fighters. Mike tore in behind them, firing off pulse blasts into the group following her. At least one exploded but she was too busy maintaining control of her ship to check the scans. The computer indicated she’d taken a grazing hit to one of the thrusters on the left. It would hamper her maneuverability eventually but for the moment, all systems operated normally.
“We’ve got four more incoming!” Panther Seven shouted. “You got my back?”
Panther Eight replied in the affirmative. We’re all tapped out, Meagan thought. C’mon, Behemoth!
Another shot splashed against her shield, knocking her to the left so hard the inertial dampeners whined as they tried to compensate. She tensed up as the edges of her vision darkened for a moment. When she fully recovered her senses, she pressed the stick forward, disengaging to get a better position.
“Trying to catch you up,” Mick shouted. “You okay, Meagan?”
“Took a shot,” she replied. “Not sure how bad. Diagnostics are running slow.”
“I’m running a scan…whoa!” Meagan turned to look in time to see Mick nearly take a full barrage from two different attackers. His shields flared but held and he pulled away, performing a wild maneuver. He climbed, spun and came around to unleash his own attack. He dusted two of them and the other tried to pull away.
Meagan took the opportunity to move in behind the last of them and fired, tearing through its shields then popping the hull.
“You’re out of control,” Meagan said to Mick. “Amazing flying.”
“Thanks…glad to impress but we’re not exactly coming out of this unscathed.”
“Shit.” Mick sighed. “Check your eleven o’clock.”
Meagan’s stomach sunk as she looked at her scanner. Another five ships came at them, coming in hot. The rest of Panther wing were spread throughout the area, engaged in their own conflicts throughout the combat zone. She checked her diagnostic while she had the chance. She was losing power from the earlier damage.
The read out told her estimated time to engine depletion, five minutes.
That’s quick, Meagan thought. Great. Well…we can at least take these guys before I’m out of the fight.
She sent the report over to Mick’s ship. “We have a problem.”
It took him a moment to reply. When he finally did, he cleared his throat, “then let’s give them hell before you’ve got to sit this out.”
“Looking forward to it,” Meagan replied.
They altered course, heading straight at the enemy. I guess it’s time for some chicken. Meagan tilted her head, taking a deep breath as she focused on what might well be their final few minutes. She hit the targeting computer, letting it zero in on the nearest of the enemy ships. Mick pinged the one on the left.
Who am I kidding? When those things start shooting, we’re both done.
Scans indicated the enemy was nearly within optimal range to fire….
…when one of the approaching fighters exploded.
“What the hell?” Mick looked up. “Whoa, look at friend or foe!”
Meagan risked a glance and felt a surge of relief. Three more wings from the Behemoth joined the fray, tearing through the hordes of enemy fighters. Explosions erupted all around them, purple-red globes of fire that winked out into nothingness moments later. Off to the left, the capital ships engaged, pulse blasts igniting the darkness of space.
“Panther One, this is Cheetah One. Hope you don’t mind the hand. You guys looked like you had this under control.”
“Yeah, we were good,” Meagan joked. “We’re all pretty banged up out here, Cheetah One. We’re going to disengage and RTB for repair and reload.”
“Roger that. We’ll take it from here.”
Meagan gave the order to the rest of her wing to haul ass back to the Behemoth. They made it, surviving some pretty overwhelming odds to buy some time and keep their allies alive throughout. As they started away, she checked her diagnostics again, noting she’d just barely make it back to the ship before running out of power.
Cutting it close. She let out a breath and sent a message to Rudy. “How’re you guys doing?”
“Lost one,” Rudy replied. “The rest of us are behind those shields waiting for our chance to bomb the hell out of the enemy again.”
“Good luck, we took a lot of damage out there so we’re heading back.” Meagan paused. “We’re going to need search and rescue for Panther Five.”
“We need it too,” Rudy replied. “I’m on it, Meagan. Just get back to base. I expect to talk to you later.”
“No problem buddy. Be safe until we get back.”
Meagan knew the chances of Panther getting back into the fight were slim to none. Considering how long it would take to get the ships back in order, the battle may be over. One way or another, they’d either win or be dead. Ah, that pessimism again. Considering what we just pulled off, I can’t believe I’m not all patriotic zeal. Maybe it’s returning with a busted up ship.
Never makes me feel particularly optimistic.
***
“All wings have engaged the enemy,” Olly announced.
“Weapons are recharged,” Redding added. “Firing at will.”
Gray listened to the reports and for the first time since he woke up from the jump event, he felt like things were returning to normal. His confidence lifted and he considered the situation they were in tenable. Not even a month ago, this fight would’ve intimidated him and with his ship in the state it was, victory might’ve been beyond reckoning.
Now, it felt like just another engagement, only made challenging by the introduction of the new culture and the possibility of a traitor. He knew no fight would ever go by as a totally routine affair. There would always be complications but that was all part of being in the military. Overcoming odds was the most important part of his job description.
Tim weighed on his conscience. Gray held him in high regard, considered him a fantastic officer and would’ve thought him beyond reproach. After reading Adam’s brief reports, he felt like something of a fool. How could he have been so blind? He only hoped that the decision to betray the Behemoth came recently…though there were no good reasons to do so.
And no excuses. Whether Tim directly betrayed them or was protecting someone who did, he would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Gray wanted to hold out hope that he might prove to be innocent, that there would be a solid explanation exonerating the young officer but the chances were ridiculously slim.
“Message from the Emancipated captain,” Agatha said. “Their shields are overloading. They’ve had one reactor meltdown. Their technicians estimate they can only maintain their defense for another ten minutes at the current rate of enemy fire.”
“Great. We need to push hard. Let’s get multiple bomber wings on that one ship and see if we can take them out of the equation. I’m sure we can get the other ship’s attention then.”
“I’m on it, sir,” Redding said. “Permission to close on the enemy.”
“Permission granted. Get in their face if you have to.” Gray turned to Agatha. “Tell our new allies to get moving. Spread out to make fewer targets and get ready to hit them hard when we send the word. If all goes according to plan, they can spend some time licking their wounds while we take on the other ship on our own.”
“Panther wing has just boarded,” Olly said. “They sustained some pretty heavy damage and lost one fighter.”
Gray sighed. “Understood. Get a report ASAP and see what needs to happen to make them combat ready again.”
“Tech teams are on it.”
Clea turned to him. “Looking over the readings of the Emancipated fleet’s damage, I think we may want to recommend they create some distance from their ship that lost the reactor. If it blows, I estimate considerable collateral damage.”
“Relay that,” Gray said. “Though I suspect they know.”
“Looking at their tactics, I’m not so sure.” Clea frowned. “There’s another reason they’ll want to move. The enemy is going to realize they have formidable defenses soon and once they do, they’ll change up their tactics. I think you know what that means.”
“They’ll ram them?”
“And won’t even take any appreciable damage in the act.”
Gray nodded. “Let them know that too. I’m starting to get offended that we’re being ignored. I’m hoping we make it pretty clear to them they’re making a big mistake.”
Redding fired the weapons, making the hull vibrate for a brief moment. The volley hammered the starboard side of their target, blasting into the shields. They shimmered from the contact and suddenly, the vessel began to turn, their engines firing up to move on the Behemoth.
“Here we go,” Gray muttered. “Get the bombers in position…when those shields drop, let’s devastate them fast. Don’t let up on them, Redding. Give them everything we’ve got with as much evasive as you can manage.”
“Which basically means keep different shield sections to port,” Redding replied. “I’m on it, sir.”
“We gained control with our sneak attack,” Gray said. “Let’s push our advantage and finish it up, folks. There’s a lot riding on our choices. I don’t intend to let any of them down.”
***
Raeka gripped his seat tightly as their ship rocked from a nearby explosion. One of their ships lost their reactor and blew. The shields held but only barely. Engineering staff worked overtime, trying to keep their equipment cool enough to maintain for another few moments. Luckily, the enemy ship had to recharge so they could not maintain continuous fire.
If they had that ability, we’d all be dead.
They already lost quite a few people, at l
east eight ships in total on both sides. Many may have escaped, depending on how fast the crews got to the life boats but Raeka knew they would hear about a large number of dead when the fighting ended. Their own weapons did nothing against the enemy shields but just like when they attacked the Behemoth, it didn’t stop them from trying.
One never knew when the enemy might lose their defenses and become vulnerable.
The enemy fighters also harassed them quite effectively but the Earth fighters did a good job of driving them off. Fortunately, those smaller ships were effected by the Emancipated fleet’s weapons and though they were hard to hit, they did take a few out here and there. They adjusted their thinking, converting to antiaircraft tactics, which they rarely needed to bother with.
They didn’t employ fighters as these two cultures did.
Maybe we should consider it. No matter how this turns out, we’re going to have to deal with these aliens again. This is only the beginning of a much longer engagement. Anyone who thinks otherwise, is a fool.
Raeka mentally prepared some of his report, taking in the tactics of both the enemy and their new allies alike. Watching the way they maneuvered to keep shield sections out of the line of fire, giving the enemies new targets made sense to him. Their fighters were a devastating part of the battle and frankly kept the Emancipated and Founder fleets alive. Their distraction tactics were nasty, especially since they were capable of hurting their targets.
An interesting way to fight wars. With such destructive and defensive technologies at their disposal, it makes sense that they would have to be creative with how they got around their disadvantages. I applaud them, even as I shudder to think what might come next in the evolution of conflict.
Raeka received another update about a reactor overload. He had them relay the information to the Behemoth so they could understand their situation. No one expected them to disengage to save them, but the information would come in handy. If for some reason the two fleets went down, after all, the Behemoth would be required to face both vessels entirely alone.
