Alarms suddenly sounded on the sensor console. “Contacts!” called out Kia, her voice filled with alarm. “They just appeared from behind the gas giant in the habitable zone. There’s an energy buildup!”
“Lieutenant Masterson, get us out of here!” ordered Captain Erickson, his hands gripping the armrests on his command chair.
“It’ll take a minute,” Brett replied as his hands flew over his console.
“Confirming four Trellixian battlecruisers,” reported Kia. “They’re jumping!”
Captain Erickson switched his gaze to Major Dolan. “Major, fire as soon as you have a target.”
-
Mark took a deep breath as he readied himself to fire the ship’s weapons. Beside him, Ensign Carter and Ensign Rhymer waited expectantly. The Vengeance was about to go into battle.
-
In space around the two Human ships, the four Trellixian battlecruisers suddenly appeared, and almost instantly all four fired their energy weapons. The brilliant beams lanced out, striking the ships’ energy screens. The screens lit up with a brilliant light, but the beams failed to penetrate. More energy beams flicked out as the Trellixians tried to penetrate the energy screens of the smaller Human vessels.
-
“Lieutenant Masterson?” said Captain Erickson in a strained voice as the Vengeance shook violently.
“Almost there,” Brett replied as he entered the jump coordinates into the navigation computer.
“Shield is holding,” replied Major Dolan. “Firing energy beams.”
-
Energy beams from the Vengeance and the Constellation struck two of the Trellixian ships, cutting right through the enemy ships’ energy screens. The beams penetrated deep into the hulls, setting off secondary explosions before exiting the other side. Glowing debris and a few bodies drifted away from the vessels. The beams then moved across the two battlecruisers, slowly carving them up. Suddenly the energy shields failed, leaving the two vessels defenseless. Moments later they drifted powerless in space as their engineering sections were burned away.
At that moment both the Vengeance and Constellation accelerated away, entering Fold Space, leaving the Trellixian vessels far behind.
-
Mark felt a sense of immense relief as they passed out of weapons range of the enemy vessels. He glanced at the damage control console, everything was still green.
“Why didn’t we launch any missiles?” asked Captain Erickson, looking over at Mark.
“The enemy ships were right on top of us,” replied Mark. “I didn’t want to risk knocking down our own shields when our missiles detonated.”
Erickson nodded, leaning back in his command chair. “This is the second time we’ve run into Trellixian vessels where there should be none.”
Lieutenant Commander Barrington turned toward the captain. “They must be searching for us.”
“But how are they finding us?”
“They’re searching the same types of star systems we are,” Brenda said. “They must be staking out systems capable of supporting habitable planets, guessing that’s where we will appear.”
Captain Erickson folded his arms over his chest. “What does that mean for our mission? We can’t risk a space battle every time we drop out of Fold Space.”
“I wonder why they’re expending such efforts to find us,” said Lisa, her brow furrowed in a frown. “It just can’t be a coincidence the Trellixians were in this system. They must have hundreds of ships watching systems along our flight path. It’s almost as if they want to prevent us from going somewhere.”
Captain Erickson stood, staring at Lisa. “Do you think it’s possible the Trellixians are engaged in a war with some other species, and they don’t want us to encounter them?”
“I don’t know,” replied Lisa, looking thoughtful. “They could believe we’re on a colonization mission, and they don’t want to risk us establishing a colony anywhere.”
“Seems like a lot of effort to prevent a single colony,” said Lieutenant Commander Barrington. “They must know, from the size of our ships, it would be a very small one.”
Captain Erickson shifted his gaze to the main viewscreen revealing a sea of stars. “Our answer is out there. I don’t think we have any other choice but to continue on.”
“Our sensors reach out about one-half light-year ahead of us,” said Brett. “I would suggest, when we drop out of Fold Space, we do so far away from any planets we detect and immediately prepare to jump back out if we detect Trellixian warships.”
“That’s a good suggestion,” answered Captain Erickson. “We should also set the emergency jump coordinates to a star system we know can’t harbor a habitable planet. That will decrease the likelihood of us encountering Trellixian warships if we must flee from a star system.”
“Then we’ll continue on our mission?” asked Lieutenant Commander Barrington.
Captain Erickson nodded. “I don’t think we have any choice. I believe our primary goal now should be to find out why the Trellixians have taken such an interest in our current course. If they have committed hundreds of their warships to stop us, then I want to find out what’s out here.”
-
A thrill of excitement ran through Lisa. Was it possible the Trellixians were engaged in a war they didn’t want the humans to find out about? Her gaze returned to the main viewscreen filled with stars. Was the answer to saving Earth closer than they thought? This was a wonderful find as they were already nearly two and a half months’ travel time away from Earth. Technically they needed to start their return trek at the end of their third month on this mission to make this the six-month-long exploration that Professor Wilkens expected it to be.
So they needed to find this potential ally within the next month.
Taking a deep breath, Lisa decided, when her team met in the lab later, they needed to talk about a first-contact scenario and what that would mean.
-
Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss was on board his flagship, making preparations to get under way. More reports had come in from some of the more distant scout ships. It seemed the Trellixians were concentrating more of their ships in a small area just outside of Voltrex space. Whatever was coming in this direction was assuredly expected to pass through that region.
After he spoke with Defense Commander Kallon, more ships had been added to Kamuss’s fleet. They had also sent a message back to Fleet Command, expressing their belief that the Trellixians were attempting to prevent some unknown ships from reaching Voltrex space. They did not know if this was another race the Trellixians were fighting or a possible fleet of refugees. Fleet Command had ordered Kamuss to go on the mission as planned, and they would rush additional battlecruisers to the Bator System to help protect it while Kamuss and his fleet were on their search mission. They had also increased the size of his fleet.
“We have six battleships and twenty battlecruisers,” reported Lieutenant Commander LeLath. “That should be enough warships to allow us to get in and rescue whoever the Trellixians are searching for.”
“If we can find them in time,” replied Kamuss as he sat down in his command chair. “Let’s get the fleet under way.” This would be a dangerous mission as they would be going deep into Trellixian-controlled space. Additional scout ships were being sent out, which would be in constant communication with Kamuss’s fleet. With a little luck they would find the mysterious ships the Trellixians were searching for.
Kamuss watched Lieutenant Commander LeLath at work. He knew she had been involved with a young officer on another warship. They had planned on joining as one after their tours of duty were over. Several times he had heard LeLath talk of having cubs, once she returned home. Then the Trellixians came, and all that ended. Now they fought for their very survival.
“Fleet is ready to enter hyperspace,” LeLath reported.
“Take us in,” ordered Kamuss.
Moments later the Claw of Honor and the other ships of the small fleet entered h
yperspace to undertake the dangerous journey into Trellixian space. As Kamuss watched the viewscreens, he couldn’t help but wonder what they would find.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr studied the latest reports from the various fleet units searching for the Humans. The Human ships had been spotted again. This time the Trellixian squadron in the system jumped to the Humans’ location and opened fire. Unfortunately their energy beams were unable to penetrate the Humans’ shields. However, that was not true of the Humans’ weapons. Two Trellixian battlecruisers were so heavily damaged in the brief engagement that they had to be abandoned.
“Definitely Jelnoid energy shields as well as energy weapons,” Jaltor said as he read the report. “That explains what happened to Battle Commander Alnod’s fleet. It wouldn’t take too many of these small ships to destroy one of our battle fleets.”
“This will make capturing one of these vessels even more difficult,” replied Balforr. “It’s obvious our energy beams cannot bring down their shields. However, our new fusion missiles might. If we can detonate enough fifty-megaton warheads against their shields, it might weaken them to the point our energy beams can take out their engineering sections.”
Second Officer Jaltor nodded his agreement. “I will send the order to our squadrons.”
Balforr stood and walked to the holographic display showing the estimated course of the two Human ships. It continued on into Voltrex space. “Concentrate our ships on either side of this line. We know their approximate course and speed. Somewhere along that line we will find them.”
Balforr returned to his command chair. There was no doubt in his mind that they would find the two Human ships. He just needed to capture one of the vessels to reestablish his position with the High Command. The crew would be eliminated since all he was interested in was the technology on the ship. It still amazed him that a race as primitive as the Humans had even figured out how Jelnoid technology worked. Soon they would pay the price for their arrogance. They would all be dead.
Chapter Twelve
Admiral Daniel Edwards watched the tactical display with a tense look on his face. An hour earlier a large Trellixian fleet had dropped from hyperspace just outside the orbit of the Moon.
“Ninety-seven battlecruisers,” confirmed Lieutenant Williams from Sensors. “They’re currently holding their position.”
“Most likely scanning us,” said Captain Nelson with a deep frown. “Should we summon the rest of the fleet?” They were rotating the fleet with parts of it in orbit and others on the ground, so the crews could have some time to relax.
Admiral Edwards let out a deep sigh. He had hoped it would be several weeks yet before the Trellixians showed up with a battle fleet. “Yes, contact all ground commands and request the primary ships of the fleet join us in orbit.” That would leave a reserve on the ground as well as a few surprises for the Trellixians. “Contact General Mitchell and inform him that we expect the Trellixians to attack at any time.”
Edwards had twenty-four battlecruisers currently in orbit. Even though the ships were covered in a special material which made scans difficult, the Trellixian ships were close enough to detect the Earth ships. They could also detect the defense satellites as well as the missile platforms.
“What about the moon base?”
Edwards looked at Captain Nelson. “It’s not ready yet. They’re to remain silent. Let’s hope the Trellixians don’t detect them.” The moon base was a good month from being operational. For now it was best if they remained hidden. Most of the base was hidden deep under the lunar surface and should escape notice by the Trellixians. There was no reason for the enemy to suspect there might be humans on the Moon.
-
General Mitchell was just outside Salina, Kansas, near the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, almost in the center of the state. The city of sixty thousand was protected by an energy shield, two primary Jelnoid energy cannons, and four secondary cannons. The city had a few vital industries as well as being responsible for much of the food raised in the surrounding area in its massive fields of wheat, corn, and soybeans. In addition several large cattle and hog operations were in the vicinity.
“Everything’s done,” reported Colonel Fields, gazing at one of the cannons. “We have chosen twelve cities around the country to install the first Jelnoid cannons. It will give us better coverage to stop an attack. Each city will be protecting a number of nearby cities with the energy cannons we’re installing.”
General Mitchell and Colonel Fields’ cell phones both rang at the same time. They looked at each other and then answered.
General Mitchell listened and then grimaced at Colonel Fields. “The Trellixians are back.”
Colonel Fields nodded. “Wish we had time to get more of these cannons installed.” His gaze shifted to the nearby Jelnoid primary energy cannon pointed upward toward space.
“Well, nothing we can do about that now. Let’s board the helicopter and return to base. They’re just sitting up there for now.”
“Studying our defenses,” replied Colonel Fields. “I don’t think they will attack until they feel they can succeed. They must still be wondering what happened to their fleet around the Moon as well as their exploration ship.”
A few minutes later the two were in the helicopter, heading toward the mountains. General Mitchell had already contacted President Hathaway, informing her of the arrival of the Trellixians. She was unhappy with the news. Over the past months she had been consumed with rebuilding the country. Now it was once more in danger.
-
President Hathaway looked at Professor Wilkens and Major Leslie Lorre. “They’re back. Can we stop them?” She had hoped never to see the Trellixians again.
“Probably,” Major Lorre replied. “The problem is, it’s taken us years to build our battlecruisers and the satellites in the defensive grid. The Trellixians can replace their losses far faster than we can.”
“So, in the end, they’ll be landing troops again.” This was not what Katelyn wanted to hear.
Major Lorre did not reply; she merely looked at the president.
“We just need to buy time for the Vengeance and the Constellation to return,” Professor Wilkens said. He drummed the fingers of his right hand lightly on the president’s desk. “They’ll return with help. I know they will.”
President Hathaway leaned forward, shifting her gaze to the professor. “You’re pretty confident those two ships will complete their mission.”
Professor Wilkens nodded. “You don’t know those scientific crews as well as I do. They were handpicked by me.”
“I guess you’re referring to your five special lieutenants,” Katelyn said. “I believe you once told me that Lieutenant Lisa Reynolds was the most brilliant research assistant you ever had.”
“The other four are not far behind,” Wilkens said. “They won’t let the mission fail. We just need to hold out long enough for them to return.”
“I wish I had your faith,” Katelyn said, standing and walking to the window in her office overlooking the civilian section of Complex One. “I’m afraid I can’t risk our people.” Katelyn observed the human city which filled the large cavern. Then she turned to Major Lorre. “How soon before the cargo ships are converted to colony ships?”
“We’re only converting two of them, and they’ll be finished in three months, when the exploration fleet should be returning to Earth,” replied Leslie. “The other two we’re still using to shuttle satellites and missile platforms into orbit. They’re also needed to take supplies and materials to the new moon base we’re building.”
Katelyn asked, “How many colonists will each of the ships hold?”
“Eight hundred plus the crew,” answered Leslie. “Much of the space on the ships will be taken up by the supplies needed to build and sustain a viable colony.”
Katelyn looked at both Major Lorre and Professor Wilkens. “If the Vengeance and the Constellation are not back in thr
ee months, we will launch the two colony ships with an escort of our battlecruisers to seek out a new world to colonize.”
Professor Wilkens’s eyes widened. “They’re not expected back for at least another three months or longer. Shouldn’t we give them time to return before we launch the colony ships?”
“We may not have the luxury,” Major Lorre replied. “We must retain control of Earth’s orbital space if we want the colony ships to escape. If they leave Earth’s atmosphere under fire from Trellixian battlecruisers, they might not make it.”
Wilkens sighed, staring back and forth at the two women, shaking his head. “You must give them the chance to get back. I implore you not to launch the colony ships until the last minute. If it looks as if we’ll lose control of the orbital space above Earth, then, by all means, launch them. But, if we still have a firm control, we must wait.”
Katelyn was silent for a long moment before she replied. “I will take your recommendations under advisement. That’s all I can promise. We’re talking about the future of the human race. We can’t risk it on the slim probability the Vengeance and the Constellation will succeed in finding allies to help us. From what the Jelnoid database says and from some of the captured files we have recovered from Trellixian shuttles, we know space-going races are few and far between.”
“I think we’re making a mistake if we launch the colony ships early,” insisted Professor Wilkens.
“That’s my decision to make,” replied Katelyn. She was determined the human race would survive, even if it wasn’t on Earth.
“I’ll keep you informed on the progress on the colony ships,” Major Lorre promised.
President Hathaway nodded. “They might be our only hope.”
-
Later Professor Wilkens was on his way back to his lab where he planned on doing some late night work. It was evident the president and Major Lorre had been talking. Lorre had never believed in the exploration mission of the Vengeance and the Constellation, and had convinced the president to see it that way too. He was disappointed that the president was not willing to wait until Lisa and the others got back. The president just did not know them as well as he did. There was no doubt in his mind they would succeed. Lisa’s group knew how important the success of their mission was. Somehow they would find a way to succeed. He just needed to convince President Hathaway. Perhaps it was time to have a long conversation with General Mitchell.
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