by John Walker
“Fascinating.” Gray rubbed his chin. “How close are they to firing?”
“Oh, they’re…” Olly stiffened. “Sir…their weapons are online. Preparing to fire.”
“Are we out of range yet?” Gray turned to Redding. “Tell me we’re out of range!”
“Pretty far,” Redding said. “I’d estimate…borderline extreme range with them, sir.”
“Ensign White, ship wide warning,” Gray said. “Brace for impact. This is probably going to hurt.”
***
Clea finished the final module and turned to the technician. “Well?” She asked. “Are we going to explode?”
“One moment, ma’am.”
“We don’t have a moment,” she insisted. “Finish the test! Speed it!”
“I’m working as fast as I can!” He cried. “Wait! I…it’s done! It shows green!”
“Are you sure?” Clea moved over beside him and checked the results. The test completed successfully. They’d fixed the shields. Not a moment too soon! She rushed back to her console and slapped a button, powering up the shields to cover the ship. If we were wrong, we won’t have long to lament it. “Clea to bridge, do you copy?”
“We’re here,” Gray said, “I hope you have some good news?”
A message broadcast throughout the ship from Ensign White. “Brace for impact. Incoming enemy fire!”
“I’m raising the shields as we speak! Estimated time to full defenses, less than ten seconds!”
She heard Gray ask aloud, “how long before they fire?”
“They’re firing!” Olly shouted. “Right now! First shots…clean misses!”
“Keep tracking!” Gray yelled. “Redding!”
“I’m moving as fast as I can, sir! This isn’t a fighter!”
Clea held her breath, tapping her computer into the bridge scanners. She watched as a blast nearly connected with the Behemoth, skimming the hull. The next one would be a direct hit. It raced against the defenses, half a second would tell whether they took a dangerous blow or allowed the shields to absorb the impact.
A light flared outside. The shields came up, defending them from the blast. Technicians cheered around her and she relaxed her shoulders, slumping against the wall. We did it! I can’t believe we did it.
“Great work, Clea!” Gray shouted. “Now, get me some weapons so we can finish this son of a bitch off!”
“We’re on it, sir.” Clea turned to the other technicians. “You heard the captain, guys. Divert all available power to the weapons. Let’s win this battle so we can go home!”
***
Raeka watched his screen intently, the magnification at maximum. He witnessed the dramatic explosion of something striking the enemy vessel and both ships slowing to square off. Tiny flares of action erupted moments later then blasts from the nearly defeated enemy. The Behemoth pulled away, evading the attacks…then dramatically deflecting one as their shields came back online.
This is an intense fight.
The others on the bridge seemed just as awe struck by the action, waiting on the edges of their seats to see how it played out. Raeka put his money on the Behemoth. They’d been daring and wily so far. He had no reason to believe they’d be anything but during this all out brawl.
They need weapons. The enemy seems to still have no shields! Maybe we can help.
“Helm, how long would it take to get out there?”
“Over an hour at this distance, sir. I don’t even know how they got that far so fast.”
Their technology is out of control, Raeka thought. “Even the scouts?”
“We’d be there long after the fight ended.”
“Understood.” He sat back in his chair and watched, helpless and frustrated for it. Even if the humans didn’t win, the Emancipated fleet was safe. The enemy was all but combat ineffective at this point. They could just cruise over there and finish it off. Which we should start planning on doing just in case. “Lay in an intercept course. Just in case. Leave search and rescue. I want to be there in case this doesn’t go our way.”
***
Meagan flipped her fighter and took out one of the enemy vessels. She barely pulled off the maneuver, the ship she was flying didn’t quite have the same feel as her own. Mick came up behind her and saved her from an attacker on her six. They raced off together, looking for more trouble.
***
Olly watched the power climb in the weapons, recharging faster than he’d ever seen. They were nearly there. He turned to Redding. “Seventy percent and climbing. I recommend we get into position for optimal firing range.”
“Captain?” Redding asked. “Permission to close?”
“Granted,” Gray said. “Let’s get in there and finish them off.”
They lumbered toward the enemy, picking up the pace. Adam spoke into his microphone. “Revente, tell the pilots to disengage and start back toward us. We’re about to make the final push.”
“This is it,” Gray said. “You ready, Redding?”
Redding nodded. “Weapons are online in five…four…three…two…one…Ready to fire on your mark, sir.”
“Fire when ready.”
Redding took a moment to aim, getting the targeting computer to help. She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward as she stared at one of the screens on her console. As she pulled the trigger, she held her breath and so did Olly who watched her intently. The ship hummed and rattled as every turret fired at the same time.
They watched the screen as pulse blasts lit up space. They struck the unshielded enemy directly on the side, splitting it in the center like an egg. A massive crack opened in the hull and it began to separate, flames filling in the gaps. Redding turned the ship and used the maneuvering thrusters to get them away, giving them some space for when the enemy core blew.
A moment passed before the entire enemy ship went up in blue-purple flames. It flared for a good minute before going out, leaving behind only debris and ashes. Olly let out a whoop and clapped his hands. Gray relaxed into his seat and Redding just smiled. This was a major victory, hard won to be sure.
“Get those pilots on board,” Gray said. “And let’s head back to our new allies. I think we’ve got some people to pick up and some loose ends to tie up before we get back home. Thank you everyone, for a job well done. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
As do we all, Olly said. As do we all.
Epilogue
Panther Five bailed out successfully and was found by one of the search and rescue shuttles. Leslie broke her leg but was otherwise unscathed. They brought her back to the Behemoth and admitted her to the sick bay where she was treated with a prognosis of a one hundred percent recovery.
Bear Four was no so lucky. They did eventually find debris from his escape pod but the majority of it was vaporized by the bombing run. Harlon Mitchel died a hero but that didn’t comfort the rest of his wing. They mourned him when they got the news but Rudy took it the hardest. He promised to speak to the pilot’s parents in person when they returned so they could hear first hand how bravely he faced his final few minutes.
Lieutenant Theresa Conway died of her wounds. Ensign Amos Roper survived and was locked in the brig once the medics stabilized his injury. He and Timothy Collins would be turned over to Earth military police upon arrival home and charged with treason. The evidence against them was damning but not nearly so bad as what they had on Admiral Jameson.
Gray intended to take that all the way to the top if necessary.
They connected again with Raeka from the Emancipated fleet after they combed the battlefield and assisted them with recovery of their own downed crew members. Gray sat in his chair, exhausted and ready for sleep but intent on tying up a few loose ends. He greeted the other commander with a smile.
“Hello again, Raeka. Glad we all made it.”
“Our losses were heavy but not as bad as we’ve seen before,” Raeka said. “I understand you had few casualties?”
“Some of those hits
took lives,” Gray replied, “but we came out fairly well. I hope you realize this isn’t the last you’ve heard from those guys. They will be back eventually and you’re going to need some help if you want to stand a chance. You can’t fight amongst yourselves and hope to do battle with them too.”
“We understand that,” Raeka replied. “Our two governments will have a lot to chew on with the data we’ve collected. Will you stay and assist us?”
“I’m afraid we’re not in any position to do that right now,” Gray replied. “But we will certainly send help as soon as we return. The alliance has vessels specifically for this and now that we know you’re out here, they’ll make contact. You’re not alone in this fight, I want you to understand that.”
“We’re honored by your willingness to sacrifice yourselves for us,” Raeka said. “You could’ve left at any moment but chose to stay. That was unexpected…even after we fired on you.”
“I couldn’t let civilians suffer…not while we were combat effective.” Gray stood from his seat. “We’re preparing to go now, but you’ll hear from us soon. I promise.”
“Until we meet again, Captain Atwell.” Raeka placed his hand over his chest and briefly bowed his head.
“Of course, Captain Anvinari.” Gray saluted back in the traditional Earth way. “I look forward to a conversation under less…dire circumstances.”
“As do I. Safe journeys, my friend.”
Gray cut the com and turned to Adam. “You okay to take the con for now?”
“Yes, sir. I’m doing okay.” Adam smirked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so tired.”
“I’m guessing that being the first person to try the shot the Doctor gave us probably didn’t mean she had it right yet,” Gray said. “I’m going to get some downtime. Let’s get well away from the two fleets prior to jumping. Say…four hours out?”
“Sounds good, sir. I’m on it.”
“Sir?” Clea stood up. “Do you mind if I walk with you back to your quarters?”
“Not at all, Clea. I wanted to talk to you anyway. Let’s go.”
They left, boarding the elevator. Neither spoke until it opened and even then they got a good ten feet before Clea finally broke the silence. “I would like to apologize for not relating the sabotage to you immediately. I was just distracted with everything else going on.”
“It’s fine,” Gray replied. “I’ve already forgotten about it. Water under the bridge.”
“I’m surprised about the traitors…about what they were willing to do.”
Gray nodded. “Me too. But if Jameson’s behind it, he can be persuasive with his hate fueled rhetoric. He’ll go down for this. I’m only sorry they tried to use you as their scapegoat. I’m glad they failed to establish any real evidence. Doubt can be as bad as guilt to humans at times.”
Clea nodded. “So I’ve seen. Thank you for standing by me. And trusting me to fix the shields.”
“You were the only person who could do it.” Gray paused. “I should check on Maury.”
“Chief Engineer Higgins is asleep,” Clea replied. “I tried to call down to speak to him but the doctor said he’s been given a sedative to rest. They stabilized him and he’ll be fine.”
“What about that other crewman Conway shot?”
“They’ll make it but it was touch and go for a time.” Clea shrugged. “Apparently, she missed anything too vital…but it was close.”
Gray shook his head. “Thank God.”
“What do you think is going to happen when we get home?”
“We’ll deliver our cargo, turn over our prisoners, testify on Jameson and wait for the next mission.” Gray clapped her on the shoulder. “I don’t think anything’s changed in that regard.”
“Good…” Clea smiled at him. “I’m not ready to go home yet.”
“I wouldn’t want to do this without you.” Gray gestured to his quarters. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep before we head back to Earth. See you later?”
“Count on it, sir.” Clea offered him a salute. “Good night.”
