“That would be the best,” Kamuss replied. “Just let me warn them it’s coming first.”
Mark nodded as Kamuss stepped over to the comm system, and Ensign Smith quickly put him through to Defense Commander Kallon.
After a few moments Kamuss turned around. “You have permission.”
“Chloe, send the file,” ordered Mark.
“I’ll send one on the fusion reactor as well,” replied Chloe. “I hope I didn’t offend anyone.”
“No,” replied Lieutenant Commander LeLath. “You just took us a little by surprise is all.”
Derek looked at Kamuss and LeLath. “She’s still learning and full of questions.”
Kamuss shifted his gaze to Major Dolan. “Some computer specialists in the shipyard would be deeply interested in speaking to Chloe.”
“We can arrange that,” Mark replied.
“I should also inform you the Trellixians will most likely launch a full-scale attack within ten to sixteen days,” added Chloe, surprising everyone. “The probability is nearly 92 percent.”
The Command Center became deathly quiet, and then Mark spoke to Fleet Commander Kamuss. “Can we be ready by then?”
“Our ships can’t,” replied Kamuss with grave concern.
“But your battlestations and the two shipyards can,” said Chloe. “The power systems on the stations and the shipyards can handle the Jelnoid energy cannons with just a few slight modifications. I suggest we focus on primary cannons. It will take four days to set up the assembly line in the shipyard, and then we can turn out ten to twelve of the cannons per day.”
Fleet Commander Kamuss thought furiously, muttering to himself, “Ten to sixteen days is not a lot of time.” Without questioning Chloe, he said, “I’d better get to Commander Kallon’s office and get things moving.”
“I’ll stay here for a while,” said LeLath. “I want to talk to Chloe some more, if that’s okay.”
“I would like that,” replied Chloe. “I want to make new friends.”
As Mark watched Fleet Commander Kamuss depart, Mark couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for the future. It would be at least one more month yet before they could return home. A lot of work needed to be done in that time, including surviving the Trellixians.
Chapter Eighteen
Admiral Edwards flinched as another energy beam satellite blew apart in a fiery fireball from a Trellixian twenty-kiloton missile. So far seven satellites had been destroyed in this attack. However, five of the satellites were decoys. In the last month hundreds of fake satellites had been placed in orbit to take the pressure off the authentic ones. Even so the Trellixians were still targeting the satellites in every one of their attacks. On the viewscreens, energy beams flashed as the humans took out the last Trellixian missiles.
“They’re pulling back,” reported Lieutenant Williams from the Sensors. “Second group will jump in shortly.”
Over the last several weeks the Trellixians had developed a pattern in their attacks. Twenty battlecruisers would jump in and hammer the orbital defensive grid with their missiles. Once all their missiles were expended, the squadron would jump out past the orbit of Mars, and the next squadron would jump in. Currently 327 Trellixian battlecruisers were in the system as well as a number of large cargo ships. Every so often one of the cargo ships would leave and another would put in an appearance. No doubt the cargo ships transported more missiles for the battlecruisers.
“No variance in their attack,” reported Captain Nelson grimly. “They’re still targeting the defensive grid.”
Edwards let out a deep sigh. Even though Earth’s two cargo ships were bringing up decoy satellites on a routine basis, the defensive grid had still been degraded. The orbits of the missile platforms had been adjusted until they were all just below the second defensive ring. Additional energy beam satellites had been deployed around the six battlestations. Two battlecruisers had also been assigned to defend each station as well. So far the Trellixians had not targeted the small battlestations.
“Including the ones we lost so far today, that’s nearly 30 percent of our defensive energy beam satellites,” said Captain Nelson. “That’s about what we have in reserve.”
Edwards’s brow furrowed as he thought over what needed to be done. Each day more Trellixian missiles got through, particularly since they were now launching them from thirty-five thousand kilometers instead of fifty.
Leaning back in his command chair, Edwards shifted his gaze to the tactical display. If he deployed the reserve satellites, he could shoot down more of the Trellixian missiles. However, once these satellites were gone, he could not replace them. It was still several months yet before the Vengeance and the Constellation were supposed to return—an optimistic three months or a fatalistic seven. He needed to hold out until then. General Mitchell had made it clear that the deployment of the rest of the satellites was up to him.
“Contact General Mitchell and order him to send up the rest of the defensive satellites. We’ll use them to buy us some more time.”
Captain Nelson nodded and stepped over to the communications console.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Traven felt his flagship drop from hyperspace. Almost instantly missiles left the ship’s missile tubes. On the viewscreens small explosions marked where the energy beams from the Human ships and their defensive grid were destroying his missiles before they reached their targets. Occasionally one would penetrate, and a large explosion would mark the destruction of one of the defensive satellites. Unfortunately these larger explosions were extremely rare. Battle Commander Traven knew it was the distance they were being forced to launch from. They were far beyond the rated effective rate of the missiles.
“Some of those satellites we’re destroying are decoys,” reported Second Officer Baalon. “We’ve determined that approximately 40 percent of the satellites in orbit are not firing at our missiles.”
“Or it could be a trick to get us to attack prematurely,” said Traven. “We will continue this tactic, and, once the defensive grid has been degraded sufficiently, we will launch our attack against their fleet.”
He had already requested a large invasion fleet. His plan was to hit the defensive grid and the orbiting ships with his fleet while starting his troop landings. His invasion fleet would contain a large number of hover tanks and attack craft. In addition, some special shuttles were being equipped to launch smaller tactical nuclear weapons of the one- to five-kiloton range. His forces would land in five key areas on the planet: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, and China. The landing zones had already been chosen.
“The High Command grows impatient,” commented Second Officer Baalon. “We’re using a large number of missiles against the Humans.”
“Missiles are much cheaper than a warship,” replied Traven. He was determined not to take any chances with the Humans. He had spent days going over the events which had occurred on the planet during the first invasion. He would not commit those same mistakes a second time.
For twelve minutes his squadron of ships unleashed their missiles at the Human defensive grid. When the last missile was expended, the squadron entered hyperspace to return to the rest of the fleet waiting outside the orbit of Mars. Once there, all ships would have their missiles replenished from the waiting cargo ships, and then tomorrow they would start the entire process all over again.
-
President Hathaway turned away from the viewscreen revealing the flashes of light in space. “How much longer before the colony ships are ready?” She grew deeply concerned about the constant attacks. While General Mitchell had assured her that Earth was currently in no danger, she greatly feared it soon would be.
Major Lorre checked some notes she had with her. “Three weeks and they’ll be ready to launch. They’re ahead of schedule. The construction crews know how important it is to get them finished. The colonists have already been chosen as well as the crews. Before they’re launched, we’
ll bring down four battlecruisers to accompany them to one of the spaceports. The ships must be prepared for a long voyage, and some of the crewmembers will be replaced with volunteers willing to go. The ships’ systems must be checked over and supplies loaded.”
Katelyn stood and walked to the window. It was night outside, and the city was brilliantly lit from all the city lights. In the streets, electric cars could be seen taking their occupants home from work or to work. The city never slept. Work was ongoing around the clock.
Up above on the dome which covered the city, small pinpoints of light were visible. They were made to look like stars. If one got far enough away from the brighter city lights, they could actually see the lights were in the familiar star patterns one might see from the surface of the planet.
For several minutes Katelyn stood there in silence and then turned to face Major Lorre. “We’ll launch as soon as they’re ready. I don’t think we dare wait.”
“I agree,” replied Major Lorre. “Every day that passes, the defensive grid grows weaker. We must launch as soon as we can.”
Katelyn walked back to her desk. “I’ll inform General Mitchell of my decision.” That was a conversation Katelyn didn’t look forward to. General Mitchell didn’t want to launch the colony ships until at least six months—or better yet, eight months—had passed from the time the Vengeance and the Constellation had left on their mission. She also knew Professor Wilkens would be angry as well.
However, she had to think about the survival of the human race, and sometimes it was necessary to make the hard decisions.
-
In General Mitchell’s Command Center he frowned as this latest attack by the Trellixians came to an end. “I wish we could do something to prevent them from taking out the defensive grid.”
“The missile platforms are still intact,” pointed out General Briggs.
“They’re covered with more of the Jelnoid stealth material due to their larger size, and we’ve moved them into a lower orbit,” explained Colonel Fields. “It makes it harder for the Trellixians’ missiles to lock on. We’ve put a thicker covering of the material on the newer energy beam satellites in the hope that will help them to survive as well.”
General Mitchell looked at Colonel Fields. “Is there any way we can increase satellite production?” He had never expected the Trellixians to attack as they were. When the defensive grid had been degraded sufficiently, they would launch a full-scale attack with their battlecruisers.
Colonel Fields shook his head. “Not without affecting some of our other production lines. The only places we can produce the satellites are in our underground complexes. Currently we have four different complexes producing parts for the satellites.”
“At the current rate, our defensive grid will be down to under 40 percent in six more weeks,” said General Briggs. “Even if we send everything we have into orbit. That’s still a good month before the Vengeance and the Constellation are due back at the earliest.”
Looking at one of the large tactical displays, General Mitchell considered their options. “That’s one hell of a fleet the Trellixians have assembled.”
“I think we should consider moving more people into the underground complexes,” said General Briggs. “We have a pretty good census of the survivors. We need to move as many of our young people as we can to safety.”
“We can install more secondary and primary energy cannons to cover the complexes,” added Major Thomas. “Our troops are now equipped with pulse rifles, and we have portable pulse cannons which can take out Trellixian hover tanks and attack craft. We should be able to hold back any enemy ground attacks from our main facilities and bases.”
“We’ll have the harvests coming in soon,” added General Briggs. “I would recommend we store all excess in the complexes.”
Mitchell looked at his senior officers. “Most of our cities on the surface are now connected with the underground tunnel system. Begin making arrangements to move as many qualified people as possible to the complexes, should it become necessary.” Even if the Trellixians regained control of Earth’s orbital space, all inhabited cities were protected by energy shields. They should be able to hold out for a while or at least long enough that most of the people could be evacuated, even if only into the underground tunnel systems.
“General, I have Professor Wilkens on the comm for you,” said Colonel Steward. “He seems quite upset.”
General Briggs looked at General Mitchell. “What do you want to bet that Major Lorre is pressing the president to launch the two colony ships?”
General Mitchell frowned. Major Lorre was a good officer, but she seemed hell-bent on launching those two ships as soon as possible. Unfortunately she had too much access to President Hathaway. Mitchell toyed with the idea of moving her to Complex Two or even to one of the smaller hidden bases. With a deep sigh, Mitchell decided for now to leave things as they were. There was always the slight chance she might be right.
“Tell Professor Wilkens I’m coming to Complex One tomorrow, and we can talk then.”
“I would recommend we increase the fortifications around the four space complexes,” said Major Thomas.
The four large space complexes were currently under construction. One in the US, one in Europe, and one each in Russia and China. Each complex would have the capability to build more of the small battlecruisers as well as to service and repair the ships when needed. Already they were quite useful as the battlecruisers moved back and forth between Earth and their defensive positions in orbit. Each battlecruiser had been assigned to one of the spaceports, so, when it returned to Earth, it had a berth to land in where repairs could be made and supplies loaded.
Major Thomas continued. “Each complex needs to set in a ring of Jelnoid secondary and primary energy beam cannons as well as missile interceptors.”
“They’ll be primary targets,” said General Briggs. “The Trellixians will do everything they can to destroy them.”
General Mitchell folded his arms across his chest. “We’ve put a lot of resources into building those space complexes. I don’t want to lose them.” He stopped for just a moment before continuing. “I want to change up some things,” Mitchell said, reaching a decision. “Order all production on the defensive satellites to come to a stop. Retool the assembly lines to build Jelnoid secondary and primary cannons. I don’t believe we’ll be able to prevent the Trellixians from retaking control of Earth’s orbital space. Their fleet’s just too large.”
Everyone looked at the general in surprise.
“What are you suggesting?” asked General Briggs in alarm. “Are you saying the battle’s lost?”
“No,” replied General Mitchell. “We just don’t have the forces to keep control of Earth’s orbital space. If we could maintain our defensive grid, then it would be a different matter. However, the Trellixians have decided to make that their primary target, and we can’t build new satellites fast enough to replace those being destroyed. I want all four of our space complexes fortified to the max. I want the most powerful energy shield possible protecting each one. Let’s give the enemy four targets they will want to destroy.”
General Briggs’s eyes lit up in understanding. “You want them to focus on the complexes to buy more time!”
General Mitchell nodded. “Yes, I still believe the Vengeance and the Constellation will return. We just hope, when they do, they’re not alone.”
“I’ll get on the comm and speak to our allies,” replied General Briggs. “They won’t like what I’m going to tell them, but I agree. We don’t have a lot of options here.”
Mitchell sighed. “See if they have other options to offer. I’ll hold off until I hear back from you on that.” At that point, he would meet with the president and inform her of his decision. He strongly suspected what he now planned would cause her to go forward and launch the two colony ships as soon as they were built. While he was at Complex One, he also wanted to speak with Professor Wilkens and several of the sc
ientists the professor worked with.
Anything to delay the inevitable retreat from space.
As much as Mitchell didn’t want to think about it, they needed to come up with a plan in case the Vengeance and the Constellation failed to return. A cold chill ran across the general’s back as he thought about that possibility. How long could the deep underground facilities hold out if the Trellixians mounted a new ground invasion?
-
Professor Wilkens was in his lab, along with several other scientists and research assistants.
“I think we finally have the quantum computer figured out,” said Professor Weir. “Derek is on the right path, and it would not surprise me at all if he already has a working model on the Vengeance.”
Wilkens’s eyes brightened. A working quantum computer would only enhance the probability of the exploration mission’s success. “How soon before you can have it operational?”
“Two or three days,” replied Professor Weir. “Amber has been assisting me, and all we need to do is load the final programming and then check the computer’s accuracy.”
“There is one more thing,” added Amber uneasily. “There’s a very good chance the quantum computer will develop into an AI. A very intelligent AI.”
Professor Weir took a deep breath. “We are installing some safety overrides to ensure we don’t lose control of the system. No one knows what a fully functional AI would do, particularly in the situation we’re in.”
Professor Wilkens nodded. “For now we will only build the one until we have sufficient time to study it.”
“The tests on the new fusion reactors are finished,” reported Professor Fournier. “We created several new heat-resistant alloys based on the ones the Trellixians use in their energy rifles. The tests indicate a 28 percent increase in power.”
“What would that mean if we modified the fusion reactors in the ships in Complex Two?” These were the hidden assets General Mitchell was keeping in reserve.
“A major increase in the strength of the Jelnoid energy cannons as well as the energy shields,” answered Amber. “I ran a number of simulations through our computer system, and it was quite remarkable what they indicated.”
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