by JD Clarke
I pulled the ships around in another ninety-degree turn. We were clear of any still-active mines now and ready to make another pass at the enemy. It was only then that the devastation became fully evident to me. Their formation was scattered; several ships were in retreat. Other ships were trying to regroup, and three were adrift with orange and yellow flames flickering through the breaches in their hull as explosive compounds burned from ruptured missile heads; many of the compounds were rich in oxygen, and they burned relentlessly with no hope of extinguishing them.
“Two ships destroyed, three adrift, twelve ships severely damaged and retreating at reduced speed. Twenty-three ships attempting to reestablish attack formation. The enemy is in weapons range.” Sybil was efficient in her report of the enemy, but I had already assessed the situation.
“Launch missiles. Gunners, coordinate your targets. Increase speed and hold formation.” Eighty missiles launched from our group of twenty warships as we again closed in on the enemy. They were not yet coordinated, and their ships were not facing us. They were not in firing position. The Unity did not handle surprises well.
“Gunners, fire at will,” I ordered, and the dark of space lit up with glowing lasers and the blazing blue of charged particles from our cannons. The enemy had a busy time targeting our missiles with their lasers, and their reaction time to return fire against us was diminished. We had gotten in a free hit. “Continue firing.”
We passed through their formation a second time and immediately began a 180-degree turn to set up for the next pass. “Minimal damage to ships. Tempest received no hits. Legion reports the previously damaged ships have completed rearranging shields to cover hull. All ships operational.”
“Enemy status, twenty ships operational, three ships are retreating. Correction, one destroyed, two retreating.” Sybil updated her report as we came about again.
This time, both formations began firing upon each other as the enemy turned to meet us head-on. The Tempest buffeted and rocked from side to side as a volley of particle cannon fire smashed her forward shields.
“We’ve received heavy damage to the forward section. All forward particle cannons out of action,” Sybil calmly reported. She continued firing our lasers and now exposed the pulse cannons from their protected positions. They began a constant fire of armor-piercing explosive projectiles.
“All ships release second load of mines,” I ordered, and our warships dumped their final load of ten mines each into the black of space behind our ships. We dove through the enemy formation and turned away, accelerating again as we went.
Despite the second load of mines being less in number, the damage they did to the already-compromised enemy fleet was even more impressive this time. Nine ships immediately went up in a brilliant flash of light, throwing glowing hot metal in all directions. Three other ships collided in an attempt to avoid our wake of destruction.
“Three ships destroyed, seven ships disabled, all other ships are in retreat.” Sybil then turned to a report of our own fleet’s damage. “Four ships report all forward particle cannons out of service, two ships have only one cannon functioning. All ships reporting damage to forward shields, but all ships serviceable.”
“Legion, Klanton, take your squadrons and finish off the stragglers. Looks like the rest of them have had enough. Mako, take your flight back to the jump gate and escort the cargo vessels back. We’ll begin our assault on the planet-side defenses in thirty minutes.”
Assault
“Sasha, you will remain in high orbit with your squadron. If any other Unity warships show up, alert us immediately. Do not attempt to engage them on your own. Contact me first,” I ordered.
Mako had returned with the supply ships and taken up position behind my squadron. Legion and Sergeant Klanton were also in line. We would assault the ground defenses in four waves, one squadron at a time. This would allow each wave to cover the previous wave as it was leaving. By the time the fourth wave made its attack run, the first wave would be back in position to make another run and cover their ass. The most heavily damaged ships would remain with Sasha in high orbit, out of the range of the planet’s defenses; they were replaced with warships from Sasha’s squadron.
“Sybil, do your scans verify our previous information?” I asked her.
“Yes, Commander, the western approach has fewer defensive guns, and the terrain provides better cover for our attack. We should maintain as low an approach as possible, minimum altitude.”
“Keep to the plan, everyone. Concentrate your fire on enemy particle cannons first. Secondary targets are defensive lasers, and tertiary targets are any laser tanks. Avoid unnecessary damage to the facilities. Manage your missile stores. Don’t use them all on the first pass. Stay in formation.”
“OK, Mom, can we go now?” Sergeant Klanton cracked.
Without responding, I abruptly changed course and made a nosedive for the planet below. Our squadron had the lead, and we used the planet itself to shield us from the facility’s defenses. We would have to circle a third of the planet to make our approach on the Unity’s base, but at our speed, it would not take long. As we approached the base, we decreased our altitude until we were just skimming above the surface, using valleys and canyons to provide cover.
We popped over a small rise and were suddenly hit with a barrage of laser and cannon fire. The base was in view. Sybil loosed a dozen missiles, and our pulse cannons targeted an enemy gun tower. I saw it explode in a fireball as I tried to jink our formation from side to side, but there was little room for evasive maneuvering.
“Our effectiveness is diminished without our forward particle cannons. We are taking heavy hits. Forward shields are failing. Hull will be exposed within two minutes at the present rate of degradation.”
“We’ll be out of here in less time than that, Sybil. Continue firing.” I knew that she would. Sybil often pointed out the benefits of alternatives, including retreat, but she never wavered in her duties.
My left wingman suddenly exploded into a shower of smoke trails, glowing metal, and bits of blackened hull.
“Our hull’s resistance to particle cannons is reduced at the higher temperatures within the planet’s atmosphere. Shield integrity is critical,” Sybil commented. “Shall I remind the others?”
“No, Sybil, they just got a reminder.” I knew the others would be monitoring our lead.
We completed our run and made a hard turn to make our exit to the north. I could feel the heavy pounding our sides were taking. At least the shielding there was undamaged so far. As we left the next squadron made their assault. We would make a wide sweeping circle and take up a position behind Sergeant Klanton’s squadron. Mako had just finished his run, and Legion’s squadron was beginning their attack.
“No ships lost in Mako’s squadron. Two ships have lost forward particle cannon capability. One ship has hull exposure but is realigning shields effectively.” Sybil paused for a moment as Legion finished his run. “One ship lost in Legion’s squadron.” Sybil paused again as the Sarge began his attack. “Our shields have been realigned to provide optimum coverage of the forward section, but the shielding along the port side is minimal in coverage. I had to take the needed shields from that section, Commander.”
“Enemy status?” I asked as I monitored Sergeant Klanton’s squadron.
“Four enemy particle cannons destroyed, two particle cannons operating at less than 50 percent, one laser tower destroyed. Five particle cannons are still operational, and seven laser towers operating at full intensity.” That was all the time Sybil had for reporting as we then started our second run against the Unity base. It was a sight of massive destruction as it came into view—blackened metal walls, smoke billowing up where turrets once swiveled round, searching for targets. The air was filled with dust from our disabled missiles striking the ground and exploding; none had made it past the laser defenses. The thick fog of dust and debris lessened the effectiveness of the bases’ lasers.
“Launc
hing the last of our missiles, twelve away.”
“Good work, Sybil.” We made two more circuits of our attack on the base before silencing all of their cannons and lasers. Each wave was more effective than the last as the base lost more of its heavy weapons and our gunners had more time to target the more lightly protected targets. On our final assault wave, all ships formed up across from the base with our weapons locked on any possible threat. We hovered there only a mile from the factory perimeter. Our ten battered warships would provide cover for the ground troops’ arrival. The atmosphere shimmered above the cratered and distorted armored shields, still hot from enemy laser strikes. “Legion, order your troops to land their cargo ships just behind us and begin their assault.”
“I have just given the order. They are on the way, Jason.”
I would normally be impressed by Legion’s efficiency, but I strangely felt annoyed. Should he have waited for my order?
“Commander, I am picking up movement. Factory doors are opening. Unity laser tanks are being deployed.”
“Thanks, Sybil. They must be registering our cargo ships on their sensors.”
“Give ’em hell,” Sergeant Klanton sang out, and his squadron opened fire on the laser tanks. The laser tanks approached us on four legs, awkward in their turtlelike stance and gait. Their turreted lasers were weaker than the fixed guns. They were no match for the firepower of our warships, and none were left by the time Legion’s Warriors disembarked from the cargo ships and started a mad dash toward the factory.
Within minutes, they were reporting success in securing the factory. The Unity had never been good at internal security. Once we broke through their outer defenses, there was little resistance inside. I signaled the remaining cargo ships to land in the secure area near our warships.
“The Unity are signaling their surrender, Commander. They request that you cease your assault on the base, and they will in turn cooperate with you if you guarantee their safety and survival.”
“Sybil, notify the Unity that we will be taking control of this facility. They will not be harmed as long as they cooperate, and terms for their continued operation at this base will be forthcoming.” Unity members always did what was best for them and their survival. They had little loyalty beyond their own self-interest. No doubt they had computed the cost of a lengthy battle and chosen the least costly option. I smiled at our success and gently landed the Tempest. Stepping out of my ship, I surveyed the damage with my own eyes. The air was thick with smoke, and the haze made it difficult to see. Small flakes of ash landed on my helmet’s visor. Unity ash or ash from our own losses, I couldn’t tell.
Inside
“Sasha, any sensor readings?” I asked. I would keep her on station until we had set up the planetary defenses. Her sensors would get a better scan of the surrounding space, and I knew I could count on them. I would not be trusting of anything within the Unity base until we were in complete control.
“Nothing, Jason. I spread out our ships to make our sensors more effective. I’ll let you know if we pick up anything.”
“Legion, how is your troop deployment coming along?”
“We have a perimeter set up, but we are spread thin. I have not located a good placement for the troop carriers and the quick reaction troops.”
“Well, get on it. We don’t know how much time we have before the Unity responds, but Sybil assures me they will respond in force. This is a major production facility.”
“Jason, I would like to use the warships to reinforce the weakest portions of my Warriors’ line. Their weaponry would be of great benefit.”
“Good idea, Legion. Keep the pilots on board and ready to form up again in case we need them to intercept a Unity warship fleet, at least until Mako gets the time shield in place.”
“Mako, how long until you get that time shield in place?”
“Don’t know, Jason. It may take me some time to locate a suitable power supply and install the device. I may have to reroute the power of several sections of this facility. Noomi and Claire are assisting me.”
“Well, make it pronto. We’re sitting ducks until you get that working.”
“OK, Jason, I will do my best.”
“Sybil, I want you to order the androids to exit the cargo ships and install their holographic processors at various points in the base. They should make maximum contact with the Unity members here and share their experiences of having an android body and working alongside humans. Share the information with as many Unity members as possible. Then offer the extra android bodies we brought with us to anyone that will swear allegiance to us.”
“Does that include the male android bodies we brought with us?”
“Yes, and tell them that we will be making more android bodies at this factory.”
“I will do so immediately, Commander.”
“Sergeant Klanton, where’s my report on the inventory? I want to know what this factory was producing and how much we can use.”
“Holy shit, Jason, you’re not going to believe this! We hit the jackpot. I’ve only been able to get to one of the loading platforms, but I’ve already counted fifteen brand-new warships completed and ready for action. They only have to be loaded with ammunition and computer units, and they will be ready for service.”
“We knew it was probably a warship-production factory. Guess we were due for some good luck, Sergeant. I’ll send an android to assist you. She can jack in and access the base’s computer for you. Try to get a list of ammunition and materials on hand. Then get those warships loaded for action.”
“You got it, Jason.”
The weakest link in my plan was being vulnerable to attack between the time we captured the base and the time we got the time shield operational. After that, the Unity would be forced to attempt a ground assault to recapture the base. I decided to pay Legion a visit while I waited on Sergeant Klanton to get the new warships ready. Then we could put our battered warships in for repairs.
The Unity base was huge, four times larger than any city on Earth. The entire complex was devoted to factory production with four levels belowground and four levels aboveground. Defensive towers armed with particle cannons and turrets equipped with lasers and rail guns were scattered across the top of the facility. There were also missile launchers hidden behind double doors. The outside was notably devoid of any windows. Artificially intelligent workers don’t appreciate a view. Inside were massive machines, the actual fabrication machinery. There were also huge bins of raw materials. Throughout the factory, a network of rail tracks provided access to the machinery; and a constant flow of automated vehicles, looking like some kind of nightmarish train, were constantly delivering materials or moving parts from one area of the factory to another. An army of smaller robots skittered about, doing maintenance or moving smaller parts from one station to the next. Every nine hundred yards or so, there was a group of holographic computer processors clustered around a power supply. These were the Unity members, the only sentient part of the facility. They directed, organized, and managed the base. All the other robots were simple single-task machines that followed the directions of the Unity members. There were no internal defensive weapons.
Along the perimeter of the base was a heavy wall with two-story double gates of solid metal. The gates were placed evenly around the outside wall, every three hundred yards. Large laser tanks normally sat inside the gates. These were the base’s only ground defense. The Unity were not used to fighting anything more menacing than primitive inhabitants or wild beasts on most of the planets they controlled. Indeed, most planets were uninhabited. I used a runabout from the Tempest’s cargo hold to get around the base. There was plenty of open space within the facility.
I found Legion directing the new fast assault vehicles into a formation just inside the northern end of the factory. The vehicles were essentially a single huge wheel twenty-four feet in diameter with the drive unit attached to the inside of the wheel’s rim. The center of the wheel was op
en. The vehicle operator sat inside an armored cockpit located near the top of the wheel, approximately the two o’clock position (the three o’clock position being the leading edge of the wheel). It was armed with twin pulse cannons. It was highly maneuverable and could negotiate very rough terrain. It was also extremely fast on open terrain.
“Legion, why are you setting up here?”
“Hello, Jason, this area has the thickest walls and will protect our vehicles when Unity warships attack from above.”
“But it puts them a long way from the western side of the factory. That’s the weakest area in our defense and the most likely direction from which they will attack.”
“I have looked at the base. This is the safest place for them and their drivers.”
