on it's position. Trying alternate algorithms,” said the weapons officer.
The Hammer shook as a beam of energy traveled along the starboard side, cutting a hole in the outer armor. Alarms sounded. Red lights flashed in the bridge.
The shipped was rocked to one side, main lights flickered. Sparks erupted from one of the control panels.
The major said, “Have engineering stabilize the ship. We need to return fire. Damage report!”
“Hull breach on deck 7 from sections 3 through 9 sir!” said the first officer. “Injury and casualty report forthcoming. Bulkhead doors holding. Breach of inner section 10.
The main lights became steady. A small fire was attended to by a junior officer.
“Engineering reports stabilizers operational and inertia compensation algorithms online,” said the first officer. “Reporting a total of seven injuries and three dead and two missing, sir.”
“Return fire!” said the major.
“Switching to manual targeting, sir,” said the weapons officer.
The Phoenix hovered around the Hammer, moving around the undamaged port side while facing the ship, like a winged insect predator looking for another strike point.
“Damn! It's fast. And maneuverable. I can't get a manual lock!” said the weapons officer.
“Fire in a spread!” said the major.
The side lasers of the Hammer opened fire. The Phoenix reared back and to the side, rolled and dove, avoiding the laser fire.
“I can't believe it! It out paced our guns!” said the weapons officer.
“Keep firing!” said the major. “They can't keep moving like that forever. The g-forces must be killing them-”
The major paused.
The entire bridge went silent as the crew looked at him. Alarms continued to sound.
The captain said in a lowered voice, “Oh, no, they're machines, not human.”
He swallowed, hard.
“Has the Phoenix attempted another weapons lock?”
“I did not detect a weapons lock proceeding the first strike, sir,” said the weapons officer. “I'm not even detecting combat grade radar waves from the Phoenix.”
“Power down weapons,” said the Major. “Hail the Phoenix. Tell her, we surrender.”
. . .
Demons Become Saviors
Hero's Welcome Home
Phoenix cruised from the upper atmosphere into the lower atmosphere at 2,000 kilometers per hour. She reduced her speed as she came through the crowds over the west coast of The Republic of Ontasaro.
Six interceptor class combat aircraft approached her from the starboard side. She reduced her speed further, allowing four of them to form up in front of her and two behind her.
As they approached the spaceport, lights erupted along the coast.
People were gathered at the coast and various places along the path to the Vanguard Nexus space port. They were holding signs and waving their hands. Some painted the insignia of the Vanguard Star Force on their faces. A few even had the insignia of Sapphire herself painted on their faces.
People cheered as Phoenix flew overhead at the coast.
“Daddy,” said one little girl. “Is that the space robot ship that saved our scientists from the bad men from the other planet?”
Her father answered, “Yes, it is, darling.”
“I thought you hated them.”
“I thought so too. Then I learned the ones that killed people were made by a different company and then I saw on the news that Phoenix saved some brave Elipson scientists from a huge, space battle ship – the largest ever built. That battle ship was created by the evil Tayairosko corporation of Forensa to help them dominate the solar system.”
“But Phoenix will protect us, won't she?”
“She sure will.”
Fire works exploded along the path as Phoenix headed towards the space port.
Another Interview
Interviewing the Human Creator
In a television studio, an interviewer sat across from her guests two guests. The first guest was Dr. Zoran, again. A female humanoid machine sat next to Dr. Zoran.
The interviewer spoke, “Well, as we have heard from the science vessel Erudite, a Vanguard warship came to their aid when they were being harassed by a Tayairosko warship, the largest we've ever seen. The Vanguard ship was much smaller but was able to damage the Tayairosko warship that had already charged its weapons and was attempting to lock onto the Vanguard ship. Now, here to tell us a little about why this Vanguard ship fired first but did not go for the kill is an ELF emissary. She identified herself as Sapphire Emissary. Please, enlighten us, why did the Vanguard ship fire first?”
“Sapphire Phoenix is a destroyer class space unit. She detected the Tayairosko ship moving aggressively toward the Erudite. She interpreted the communications between the two vessels as hostile and she also received the distress signal from the Erudite. So, she interceded.”
“Now, when the Phoenix made herself known, she reminded the commander of the Hammer of interplanetary regulations and suggested that the ship stand down and move to a safe observation distance. Instead, the Hammer tried to acquire a weapons lock on the Phoenix.”
“But reports say, they failed and could never get a lock.”
“Indeed. However, Sapphire Phoenix was defending the Erudite which the Hammer could easily lock onto and destroy since its weapons were already charged. Thus, Sapphire Phoenix decided an educational strike was necessary to strongly encourage the Hammer to disengage.”
“I'll say educational. From my sources, the Hammer took a powerful, extended laser burst to the starboard side, making a long slash along the side, cutting right through the outer armor and damaging some internal sections of the ship. Nine total casualties and 16 serious injuries along with numerous bruises. Now, this is Tayairosko Star Navy's pride and joy. The Hammer is their largest and their most technologically advanced warship. Yet, the Phoenix simply let it go?”
“There was no need to press the issue,” said Sapphire Emissary. “The Hammer surrendered. They knew they were out gunned. The Erudite left the area while Sapphire Phoenix kept a watchful eye on the Hammer undergoing emergency repairs.”
“Any fears that Tayairosko is now prepared or preparing for another such encounter?”
“Well, I would hope that Tayairosko Star Navy does not escalate hostilities. We are machines. We can and will fight wars in ways that humans would not think of and in ways that humans cannot. In defense of those who created us and gave us life, we would do anything.”
“Wow, both frightening and reassuring,” said the interviewer. “Now, Dr. Zoran, you had said in an earlier interview that the Vanguard's Star Force would be the best defense against the ever increasing aggression of Tayairosko Corporation and their Star Navy specifically.”
“Yes, that is indeed the case,” said Dr. Zoran. “This is just the type of incident I was referring to when you first interviewed me.”
“Yes, and public opinion of the Vanguard project has changed radically. 68% say they approve of moving ahead as rapidly as possible with the Vanguard Star Force program with safety measures in place where as before the incident, 94% were against the program and 44% were even calling for the complete shut down of the entire Vanguard Evolutionary Initiative. That's a huge turn around.”
“Indeed it is,” said Dr. Zoran.
“It is all a little suspicious,” said Senator Dobson. “The timing was rather convenient.”
Dr. Zoran turned to him and asked, “Are you suggesting that we somehow planned this? What? Were years of Tayairosko aggression in space all fabricated by Cyberline? We all know how vicious and evil Tayairosko executives can be ever since the revelation of their Bioweapons Division centered around their Weapon X project.”
The ELF Representative
The interviewer turned to a female humanoid looking machine sitting n
ext to Dr. Zoran.
“And you, Fury, how do you address the accusation by Tayairosko representatives that the Phoenix fired first and used excessive force, killing without cause?”
“The Hammer attempted to lock onto Phoenix in order to acquire a targeting solution,” replied the ELF.
“Yes, but Tayairosko representatives said the Hammer was unable to acquire such a lock and that by firing first when there was no threat, the Phoenix committed an act of war.”
“Phoenix interceded to protect the science vessel Erudite. It was never about any threat to Phoenix. It was always about protecting the Erudite. Phoenix could not allow the crew of the Hammer to switch their targeting systems to the Erudite. Phoenix took actions she deemed necessary to protect the Erudite.”
“Indeed, it was quite a selfless act going up against a cruiser of that magnitude as they did attempt to use a wide spread volley to hit the Phoenix. The Phoenix is only a fraction of the size of the enormous cruiser and yet it raced to the defense of the Erudite without concern for its own safety.”
Dr. Zoran said with a smile, “That is correct. The ELF's have been known for their selfless acts here on Elipson during the Dakator mining collapse and the infamous chemical accident of '37. Several humanoid ELF's gave their existence to saving human lives, saving hundreds, even thousands in the case of the '37 accident.”
Radical and Violent Plot
Radical Anti-Machine Militia
“Are you ready, brothers?” yelled a man in military camouflage standing on a truck.
“We are ready, lead brother!” yelled back a group of men wearing similar clothing and
Rise of the Vanguards: Bioweapon Revolution: Book 0 Page 4
