by John Walker
Deva scowled at the readings. “They’re firing!”
“Evasive.” Kale maintained his calm tone, despite the circumstances. Deva admired him. She could barely keep from shouting every update.
Athan engaged the thrusters and moved but two purple beams connected with their shields. The entire ship began to shake. Deva checked the shield power level and noted that it was dropping quickly. The percentage began crawling downward, reaching eighty percent in mere moments.
“They’ve modified their continuous pulse beam!” Deva shouted. “The upgrades Durant gave us aren’t helping. We’re at eighty percent shields…seventy five!”
“Thaina,” Kale said. “Would you mind finishing them off now, please?”
“I’m firing, sir.” Thaina did something at her terminal and the ship shook even more violently as every turret went off at the same time. The scout took a tremendous beating as all but a handful of pulse blasts struck their shields. A wild flare blocked them out of sight and Deva slapped her console hard enough to hurt her hand.
“Their shields are down and their reactor is melting!”
“Where are our shields?” Kale asked.
Deva’s shoulders slumped. “Forty percent and still plunging!”
“Is that all you’ve got, Thaina?” Athan asked. “C’mon!”
“The missiles haven’t gotten there yet,” Thaina replied. “When they do, that thing’s done.”
True to her word, less than a few seconds later several heat coronas filled the screen and slammed into the scout. Coupled with their reactor problems, the scout went up far more spectacularly than it should have. The shockwave of the explosion rocked The Crystal Font, causing further shield damage.
The enemy beams stopped.
“Shields are holding at twenty-five percent.” Deva got on the com with engineering. “I’m working to recharge as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you,” Kale said, standing up. “Wena, inform The Behemoth that we’ve taken care of our targets and are charging up before we rejoin the fight. What’s the ETR for shields, Deva?”
“Five to ten minutes…less if I get more power from engineering.”
“Give them that figure,” Kale added. “And we should be good to go. I’d like to ensure our escorts are nearby as well. Strangely stressful battle considering the size of those vessels. Well done everyone. We’ve got a bit further to go but I think we’ve made a good start. Let’s see what else they’ve got in store, huh?”
Chapter 7
Trellan made his way through the station, hurrying toward the rendezvous with Krilan. Men rushed about him, carrying weapons as they prepared to defend the place. He paused in the hallway at one of the terminals and checked the situation, noting an alarm at one of the lower perimeters where an exit to the asteroid sat.
Safety override engaged. Breach at airlock six. Trellan grinned. He knew what that meant. Marines were here, already landed. Whoever Siva sent proved to be efficient and not bothering to take any chances. This attack was an all out assault and that meant they’d probably be successful.
I’m glad to see my intelligence was put to good use. Trellan tapped at the terminal and locked out several sections of the base, preventing Orion’s Light troops from converging on the entry point of the marines. It wasn’t much and it would only delay them but every little bit helped. Directly assisting his true side felt good for a change.
He tried to connect to the control center but the security was too tight to hack from there. I could’ve taken down their space defenses. Oh well. I’ll have to keep an eye out for other opportunities along the way. Krilan’s waiting.
Trellan tapped his com as he got moving again, connecting with the rogue commander. The man answered immediately.
“What is it?”
“This is Trellan,” he announced. “I’m on my way but I just found out marines have landed and are about to breach the base.”
Krilan paused a beat. “How’d you find out?”
“An alarm went off in this section. I checked a terminal and saw that an airlock was open. A quick look at the cameras showed intruders.”
“Clever. Thank you.” Krilan hummed. “I need to divert people there.”
“Be careful. They’ve sucked the air out of their entry points so anyone you send will need an environmental suit.”
“Understood. What’s your ETA?”
“Less than two minutes without distraction,” Trellan said. “What’s the plan when I get there?”
“We get to the flagship and finish this.” Krilan spoke through gritted teeth. “Once and for all, we will crush this annoying Earth ship. I believe I’ve escalated the time table for obliterating their planet as well. They deserve to suffer for all the setbacks.”
“Understood.” Trellan shook his head. He arrived at an elevator. “I’ll speak to you shortly, sir. Trellan out.”
He’s an idiot. Two capital ships are knocking on his door. Marines are entering his home and he’s considering how he’ll make one of the two cultures pay for the audacity to attack known terrorists. Amazing. Trellan boarded the elevator with another officer, a man who sneered at him.
“Where are you going?” The man asked.
“I’m meeting Lord Ar’Vax,” Trellan replied. “What about you?”
“He’s asked for you personally?” The officer seemed offended. “And here I am going to command the defense forces against the attack. It seems unfair that you will be with the supreme commander and I will be with grunts.”
“Someone’s gotta do it?” Trellan shrugged. As the man turned his back, muttering his complaints, Trellan drew his weapon quietly. It drew the man’s attention just in time for him to see the barrel aimed right at his face. A round discharged, blood splattered the wall and the man dropped to the ground. Don’t need you giving those conscripts direction.
Trellan had become very familiar with the scent of blood but he never got physically used to it. He stopped being genuinely ill but such close proximity still made him a touch nauseous. The lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling did little to help either. All the people he killed, most of them had a fighting chance. The few he flat out murdered needed to be but it didn’t make it easier to stomach.
Yet I do it without hesitation. What a strange world I’ve come to live in.
The elevator doors opened and he stepped off into a crowd of low rank soldiers about to get on. Trellan widened his eyes, gesturing back at the man. “Be careful! We boarded the elevator and enemy marines started taking shots at us! They caught him in the face but we got two of them! They’re dead on level four!”
“Let’s avenge him!” One of the conscripts shouted. “For the cause!”
Trellan nodded. “For the cause, guys. Get in there! I have to report to Lord Ar’Vax.”
The soldiers piled onto the elevator, not even bothering to move the body. They slapped a button and started psyching themselves up for what they must’ve assumed would be a real fight. Level four didn’t have any activity. The marines broke in at ground zero. Those fools on the elevator might survive the engagement because they’d be cautiously taking an empty floor.
A few less people to shoot at for my side.
Trellan hurried along, wondering how many people Krilan might have at his side. Every extra man was one more variable capable of saving the target’s life. The best way to proceed involved being alone and finishing him off but chances for such an easy take down seemed slim.
I’m doing this the hard way and the sooner I get that through my head, the better off I’ll be. Trellan’s com chimed and he noted that Krilan was reaching out. Speak of the devil. Were your ears burning?
“Trellan here.”
“Where are you? This situation is getting dire.”
“I was attacked by marines. They’re dead now and I directed a squad to clean up that floor. I’ll be along in a moment.”
“Good work but hurry. We need to get aboard the ship now. The longer we delay, the better
chance these vermin have of taking us down.”
“Understood. I’m on the same floor now and nearly half way there.” Trellan paused. “See you soon and stay safe.” I wouldn’t want someone else to do my job for me at this point.
More soldiers rushed down the hall, each of them moving for the elevator in staggered groups. They’d be standing around waiting for each other and if not, when they got on board, the marines would likely cut them down before they could even disembark. These undisciplined idiots deserved what they got but Trellan couldn’t help but feel somewhat sorry for them.
Many of these people didn’t want anything to do with Krilan and his cause. Yet here they are, suffering through it regardless. Conscripts into this army represent the absolute worst war crime the Orion’s Light has perpetrated. Forcing innocents into this kind of action is beyond reprehensible.
A light burst through a door up ahead and he caught sight of Krilan standing with three guards. That’s not too bad. I can handle that many. As he approached, one of them began to wave at him. “Hurry up! We’re waiting on you!”
Trellan picked up the pace and burst into the room, lifting his hands when one of the guards aimed a rifle at his face.
“Stand down, fool!” Krilan barked. “Trellan, are you alright?”
“Yes, but it’s wild out there. We need to go. Now.”
“Of course.” Krilan gestured to the door on the opposite side of the room. “Lead the way to the flagship, men. Let’s make haste. Use your scanners so we don’t stumble into a trap.”
The base shook as if something hit it. Krilan’s eyes widened. Trellan checked his computer and frowned. “We’re okay but one of our fighters crashed into the asteroid surface not too far from the actual base. That caused the tremor.”
“Their pilots are skilled…” Krilan sighed. “They brought talent, that’s for sure.”
“Orion’s Light justifies the best,” Trellan said. “So it’s time we showed them they don’t have anyone who can match us.”
“Indeed.” Krilan slapped his arm. “Hurry! We must finish this.”
“After you.” Trellan gestured, taking up the rear. When they reached the airlock, he’d strike. The tight quarters would make it hard for the others to respond to his attack and they’d be dead before they could pull the trigger. As for Krilan himself, he wouldn’t take much to deal with. In a few short minutes, the leader of Orion’s Light would be dead.
Looking forward to a mission accomplished…soon.
***
Gray watched as the enemy fleet closed in on them. Redding repositioned them, offering up a broadside for when they came within range. He waited patiently as Olly marked the most dangerous ships based on their weapons and power output. This helped the targeting computer prioritize who needed to be shot first.
“Thirty seconds to range,” Olly called out.
Gray nodded. He’d already given Redding the command to fire when ready. Now, he waited for it all to play out and see what new variable might require his attention. I’d appreciate it if Kale could join us for this round. The Crystal Font had their own dilemma to deal with when they held off a first wave attack but they did state they were on their way.
They had yet to receive any word from Siva’s operative. Had he been discovered? Was Krilan Ar’Vax already dead? Part of Gray hoped the monster made it. He desperately wanted to meet the man in combat again and this time finish the fight for good. Some part of him wanted satisfaction, revenge for all intents and purposes.
Duty compelled him to shove that aside and focus on the task at hand.
“Firing,” Redding announced. “First broadside.”
The ship rumbled, a little vibration as every gun on their side cut loose. Pulse blasts ripped into the advancing fleet, slamming into the painted targets. Two of them went up instantly, destroyed by the sudden attack. Others weathered the damage with shields flaring but they did slow down.
An unexpected benefit came when the formation broke and the ships went off in various directions. This limited their ability to concentrate firepower and only a few remained on a direct course for them. No real leaders to push them. Ar’Vax must be dead…or at least not in the field yet. Indeed, Gray hadn’t seen the flagship nor had anyone found it on scans yet.
Maybe they’ll surrender shortly. There must be some sane men on those ships.
Redding withdrew from the ships, falling back to give their guns a chance to recharge. All part of the plan. The enemies tried to regroup but they clearly didn’t have any guidance. Instead of keeping their formation loose, they tightened up again, closing together within a few hundred kilometers of one another.
Most of these people seem to have no idea how to conduct battle in space. Gray sighed. This feels wrong on so many levels. The men on those ships need help, not execution. They’re suffering from Stockholm Syndrome or simply terrified.
“Captain,” Olly said, “The Crystal Font is nearly here. I’d give them an ETA of less than a minute.”
“How many ships do we have left coming at us?”
Olly hesitated a moment. “Thirty five. Six were destroyed in that initial strike. There’s an additional twenty lingering near the hangar of the base but that’s on the other side of the asteroid.”
“What’re they waiting for?” Leonard asked. “Why not engage?”
“Because their commander’s there,” Adam said. “That must be where Ar’Vax is keeping his own ship. He’s probably just not had a chance to get aboard yet. We’re making excellent time after all.”
Gray nodded. “Very likely. We’re going to have to get in on that fight now. Those ships can’t escape or at least…not that many.”
“What about a microjump to the other side of them?” Leonard asked. “I can plot that right away. Then, those final ships will be trapped between us and The Crystal Font. They won’t have anywhere to go.”
“Sound plan,” Adam said. “Give these guys another broadside, deploy the bombers and jump. What do you say?”
Gray rubbed his chin in thought, checking his own computer. The idea did seem like a good one and they had to get those other ships into the fight. He just didn’t want to leave The Crystal Font with over thirty ships to face on their own. Even with fighters and bombers, that was an intense number of vessels.
“Get Kale on my line. I need him to buy into this.” Gray gestured. “And keep up the fire, Redding. Don’t stop on my account. Let’s even up the odds as much as we can before we go looking for more trouble.” Lord knows we’re good for it. I only hope Kale’s just as gung-ho…and just as crazy.
***
Kale listened to Gray’s plan in silence, frowning throughout. He agreed with the need but didn’t like the idea. The Crystal Font would essentially have to step into the fray and hold off the mainstay of the enemy fleet while The Behemoth drove the others back into a proverbial kill box. If it didn’t work, both ships might be in a lot of trouble but if it did, they might just win the conflict.
“Hold on, Captain,” Kale said. He turned to Deva. “What’s the ETA on full shield restoration?”
“Three minutes, sir. Engineering managed to give me a little extra.”
Kale turned clicked the line back on. “During our encounter with one of the ships back here, they were able to give our shields a real knock. We’re almost back to full power and I’d really prefer to be there before I take on so many vessels.”
“Understood,” Gray said, “but we really don’t have much time. You can get here in three minutes, I’m pretty sure. Engage as soon as you’re in range. We’ll start the microjump procedure, okay?”
Kale sighed. He didn’t like cutting things quite so close, especially when they were the only ships in the area. However, they didn’t have time for a big debate. He needed to backup Gray and that meant taking a risk in this situation. Personal feelings aside, he needed to play things less safe to get this job done.
“Very well. We’re underway. Give us a ping before you jump
out.”
“Thank you, Kale. We’ll stay in touch.”
The line went dead and Kale turned to Athan. “Full speed, catch up to The Behemoth. Thaina, get ready for some real shooting. We’re engaging the enemy fleet.”
“We should make short work of them,” Thaina said, “with both our ships.”
“Unfortunately, it’ll just be us for a few minutes.” Kale gestured at the screen. “There’s still a sizable force out there we have to account for. The Behemoth is going to push them our way while we hold off the others.”
Deva looked at him with wide eyes. “That’s a lot of ships, sir!”
“The Behemoth was handling them, I’m pretty sure we can too.” Kale leaned back in his seat. “When we get close enough, let’s get all our bombers out there to help even the odds. I want to put a dent in this fleet as quickly as possible.”
Kale checked the numbers as they flooded his terminal. Most of the incoming vessels were small though modified much like the scout and destroyer were. Some would be easy, barely a distraction but he knew the crowd contained some which presented considerable more danger, the types that might very well lay down heavy fire from weapons too powerful for the frames holding them.
He had Deva perform a scan for any unusually high energy readings, probing for ships that might have overcharged reactors or some other form of power. They had another few moments before they’d engage and he wanted to go in as prepared as possible. Shields were restored to one hundred percent just as he got the new report.
At least five of the ships nestled amongst the others exhibited cause for concern. They were larger, defying classification as they were too big for freighters but not large enough to be considered warships. These modified vessels made it difficult to gauge their threat level but he prioritized them and sent the list to Thaina.
“Ensure that when those are in range, we put our efforts toward finishing them first,” Kale said. “With any luck, by the time they get that close, The Behemoth will be at their back to put some pressure on them.”
