"Repairs are ninety percent complete across the fleet, sir. Also, the last shipment of munitions just came up from the planet. A fresh batch of pilots, three dozen, arrived along with a dozen new fighters. Each pilot will have a fighter and we have a dozen as backup."
"Good. We'll be ready to face the bastards. As ready as we can be," he amended. "I'll be in my quarters if you need me."
"Very good, sir."
Martin left the bridge and made his way to his quarters.
His wife was taking a nap but awoke when he entered. "Martin, what is it, what's wrong?"
Martin smiled. "Nothing, my dear." He came to sit on the side of the bed by her. She had lost the planet she was governor of to the Krai'kesh. He didn't want to burden her with news they were drawing the Krai'kesh to them intentionally. "How are you?"
"Busy but tired, as you can see. The refugees from my world are scattered and I'm negotiating, though it sounds more like begging, for them to be accepted by other worlds. Unfortunately there are still too many without homes."
"Is there anything I can do?" Martin did not have many contacts in the political scene, but perhaps he could enlist help from other fleets or friends in the military.
His wife shook her head. "No, that's okay dear. This is my cross to bear. I am responsible for those people. Are you going to rest for a while, dear?"
Martin walked around to the other side of the bed and laid down. "Yes, I'm going to lay down for a bit." While we wait for the boot to drop.
***
A beep from the communicator woke Martin. He checked the time. Four hours. That was fast. He answered the communicator. "Yes?" He already knew what Zigana would say.
"Sir, several void portals are opening," Zigana reported. Proximity alarms blared in the background.
"Signatures," Martin asked as he rose from bed and exited his quarters.
"Several dozen fleets have just arrived."
The ships Dawyn ordered to our sector.
"Perfect timing. Order them to rendezvous with us."
"There's something else, sir. I'm detecting a second set of void portals. These ships have Krai'kesh and Federation architecture, sir."
Martin arrived on the bridge and turned his communicator off.
"Zigana, put me through to Admiral Bellanca," he ordered as he sat down.
"Of course, sir." The display changed to the face of Admiral Bellanca.
"I see the Krai’kesh contacts, Martin. I'm ordering my fleet to join with yours. How did they find us?"
"Thank you, Grace." He hesitated. Would she be angry at his revelation? "I told the usurpers where we were to draw them into a trap. My fleet is going to fall back closer to the planet. Meet us halfway so that we can better support the planet."
"A trap?" Grace asked, pursing her lips. "And you didn't inform me? This is my system you're putting at risk, Martin."
"I know, and I am sorry. But we needed the Krai'kesh to arrive because they have Emma Edgerton held captive. Her parents are on their way to attempt a rescue. We have to survive long enough for them to do so."
Grace bowed her head. "Whatever you think is best." The link closed.
Martin sighed. Her anger was an issue for another day. A day when they were not under attack and their survival was in question. "Sound general quarters. Raise shields and bring us to the halfway mark. Use a curving path so our backs are not to the enemy. Launch fighters but keep them close as a screen. How soon before the enemy ships are in range?"
"They are five minutes from missile range, sir, ten from railgun. The time will be different as we're moving away from them. They are launching fighters, however."
"As expected. Tell the CAG to keep our fighters close, even when they engage. Keep them within range of our coilgun batteries so we can support them."
"Yes, sir."
The Independence jerked as it turned and began an arcing maneuver that would bring it to the midpoint. The remainder of the fleet followed. Fighters streamed from the carrier and other vessels. He stood and tapped his feet. It wasn't that he wanted to engage the enemy, but the slow maneuvering took its toll on his patience, even after the years of service aboard the carrier. Let's hope this isn't our last journey, old girl.
"Is the gravity ship with the Krai'kesh forces?"
"No, sir, not yet."
"Let me know as soon as it appears." That thing could bring the entire fleet to ruin.
"There is a larger-than-normal ship among them, sir. It is not emitting a gravity signature like the other ship and does not have the same shape. Plus, we have not seen it before."
"That could be where Emma is being held," Martin mused. There was no way to know for sure.
The proximity alarm sounded again. "What is it this time?"
"A void signature. It's the Dauntless, sir."
A void signature. He hadn't heard that term in ten years. Only two individuals in the galaxy could enter or leave shadow space without a portal. "They made good time."
"They're hailing us."
"Put them through."
Moments later Captain Edgerton's face again filled the display. It had only been a few hours but seemed like minutes had passed. "Heya, Admiral. We're here."
Martin shook his head. "The travel speed of Isabelle and her mother are legendary, but I did not know she was that fast."
A woman laughed in the background. "My mother is even faster. We travel as fast as thought."
"We are glad for your presence, m'lady. John, we detected a large ship we haven't seen before. Emma could be..."
"She's on there. Ethan can feel her presence."
"Feel her presence?" Martin asked, frowning.
"It's a twin thing," he said, but offered no additional details.
"Well, if you're certain, I suggest waiting until their fleet is engaged with us to strike. Otherwise you will be overwhelmed by their defenses."
John pursed his lips. "I guess you're right," he said after a few moments. "What's it hurt to wait a little longer?"
"My thought exactly."
"On our way to rendezvous with the fleet." The link closed and the icon representing their ship moved toward the Independence.
"Sir, enemy fighters are within coilgun range."
The sensor display shifted to show the cluster of fighters closing on the fleet. "Give those fighters everything we have, Zigana."
"Yes, sir."
Martin watched the sensor display as streaks representing streams of bullets and missiles closed on the cloud of enemies. Several enemy icons winked out of existence. The remaining icons continued their path and were soon intermingled with the rest of the Federation fleet. Outside the bridge viewport light flashed and fighters, both Krai'kesh and Federation, flew past. Brother fighting brother, Martin thought. Why did it have to come to this? Why would they betray their own government? Granted, rebellions had occurred throughout the history of the Federation, and Martin imagined each time someone somewhere wondered the same thing. Did they believe they were "saving" the Federation, were they just following orders out of ignorance or a sense of duty? Martin didn't know, but he could not afford to grant them mercy unless they surrendered. If they wanted a civil war he would give it to them.
"Sir, the first enemy ships are in range of our railguns."
"Federation ships or Krai'kesh?"
"Federation corvettes and frigates."
Why had he asked? It didn't matter. "Target the Federation capital ships. Launch missiles and fire all railgun batteries. Order the rest of the fleet to open fire once they are in range." The more enemies they destroyed or disabled before they reached optimal firing range the better. It was like defending a narrow mountain pass - you had to stop attackers piecemeal if you wanted any chance of surviving.
Zigana fell silent, issuing orders through his implant. A faint vibration rippled up through Martin's legs from railgun recoil. He pictured himself on the wooden or metal ships of old, sailing the seas and engaging in broadside cannon fire exchanges
with enemy ships. What would it have been like? Sure, old holos tried to recreate the feeling, but was that authentic?
"One enemy ship destroyed, sir."
Martin refrained from asking the name of the destroyed ship. Perhaps that would ease the pain.
"Continue firing at will," he said. Soon the bigger enemy ships would come into range and then the real fight would begin.
Chapter 17 - Darkness Within
"The Independence has engaged the enemy fleet," Derek said aloud.
The Dauntless turned sharply and laser fire flashed through where they had been. The top and bottom quad-linked turrets thudded. Two targets disappeared.
"Time to get aboard that big vessel, then," John said. He turned the ship, more smoothly this time, and pointed them toward the oncoming fleet. "Ethan, can you tell where in the ship she is?"
"Not until we get closer. Maybe not even then. She feels…different. She isn’t responding."
"Can't Isabelle just shift us aboard? Or better yet, go aboard the Krai'kesh ship and bring Emma back?" Derek asked.
"No," Isabelle said.
Derek jerked in surprise. He turned to find her standing in the doorway.
"She does that sometimes," John said. "She's like a damn cat, sneaking around."
Isabelle sniffed. "I love you too, Uncle. But to answer your question, Derek, the void shields around those ships acts like a nullification field, only with concentrated gravity instead of negative energy. I can't shift in or out, but can probably shift inside the ship once we've breached the hull."
"So are we just going to blow a hole in the hull?" Ethan asked.
"I haven't though that far ahead," John said. "Sounds good to me, though."
"Unless it's a chamber Emma is being held in."
"Well, I don't think they have airlocks."
"But their fighters must launch from somewhere, right?"
John snapped his fingers. "Smart kid. Derek, can you locate an opening for us?"
"On it," Derek said, turning back to the sensor console. He narrowed in on the enemy vessel, trying for several minutes to find an entry point. A fighter shot out. He traced it back. "Found it. Below the ship."
"All righty then," John said. "Let's do this." The Dauntless neared the enemy cruiser. A railgun shell flashed past. "Geeze, could they have cut it any closer?" He opened a channel to the Independence. "Hey, Admiral, could you not fire on this big ship until we're aboard? You almost hit us!"
"I figured a skilled pilot like yourself could handle flying in a warzone," the admiral said dryly.
Ashley and Isabelle burst out laughing.
John shot Ashley a glare, his face red.
"What? You're not used to being made fun of in return?" Ashley said.
"If there's nothing else, Captain, I have a battle to fight."
John closed the link without saying anything. "Dick."
Ashley punched him in the shoulder. "Oh, lighten up. You're still one of the best pilots in the galaxy."
"Let's go gear up,” Ethan said to Derek.
Isabelle moved out of the way to let them pass, then followed them to the back of the Dauntless where the Marines, Selene, and FIA operatives were strapped in. "We're going to be landing inside the Krai'kesh ship soon," Ethan explained. "Unstrap and gear up. We're in for the fight of our lives."
The Marines nodded, unstrapped, and began checking their weapons. Kimberly, Baillidh, and Corbin rose without acknowledging Ethan's words and geared up. "Oi canna wait ta crush some Krai'kesh skulls," Corbin said.
Selene walked up to Derek, wrapped her arms around him, and laid her head on his chest.
Derek patted her on the back, feeling awkward. Yes, they might be about to die but it wasn't really the time for hugging.
"My father was going to kill me," Selene said.
Derek pushed her back to arm's length and looked into her eyes. That was...terrible. "I'm sorry, Selene."
Selene sniffed and wiped a tear from one eye. "All these years I knew he was upset with me but in the back of my mind he was still my father and I kept believing he loved me, deep down. But no, if I hadn't been rescued I was going to be executed tomorrow."
"Selene. There's more to family than just blood." He looked back toward the cockpit. "I've learned that over the years. Sometimes friends and comrades can become closer than family."
Selene nodded. "I've felt that with pilots in the past and most recently with Emma. But even she was taken from me. Why does everyone I get close to get taken away?"
"I'm still here," Derek said.
"For now. You could die during this assault. Hell, I could die during this assault. How can I have confidence in any relationship now?"
"By not letting fear of loss paralyze you. It's the people in our lives we care about who give us a reason to live, Selene. Yes, you could push everyone away, but then it would be as if those people had died and you would be lonelier than if you made memories with them."
"I suppose you're right." She kissed him and turned. "Let's gear up."
Derek donned his suit and tested his helmet. He checked the mechanism on his coilgun rifle and that his sidearm, grenades, vibroblade, and other accessories on his utility belt were present.
Isabelle did not carry a rifle, or any weapon. A pair of vibroblades hung from her belt but no guns. "Isabelle, you don't use modern weapons?"
She laughed. "I use them, but I'm not burdened by them on my body." She stretched her arms to the side and two pistols formed from shadowy mist. She twirled them both around and then they disappeared. A rifle appeared in her hand next and she hefted it up and pointed it at the ceiling. A moment later it disappeared. "Any other questions?"
Amazing. "No."
"Hang on, everyone," Ashley said over the intercom. "We're entering the ship." Derek felt a rising sensation.
The two Marines in the quad turrets climbed down and hurried to gear up, while everyone else fell into line behind Ethan, Isabelle, and Derek. John and Ashley came out but wore no armor. "One second," John said. "There probably won't be atmosphere out there until we breach an inner door or something." He went over to an equipment locker and withdrew two disks. He threw one to Ashley. She slapped it on her chest and her armor flowed over her body and solidified. John did the same.
"I want to leave Baillidh behind," Kimberly said. "There's no technology here for him to interface with, so he serves no purpose and would be better off here at the ship in case we need him to fire it up or something."
"Fine with me," John said. He pointed a finger at Baillidh. "Just don't sit in my chair. Got it, B?"
Baillidh nodded. "I will respect your property."
"Smart man. Let's do this," John said. He activated the ramp controls and the ramp descended.
Atmosphere sensors indicated no oxygen beyond the ship. There was gravity, though. The group descended the ramp but found no enemies waiting. "Where are they?" Derek asked through the squad channel.
"Probably waiting to ambush us in tunnels or if we separate,” Ethan said. “That's what I would do. If they'd been waiting out here we could have blown them away with our turrets."
"True." Derek searched the wall for signs of a door or controls. All he saw was a bumpy, organic surface with no signs of a doorway.
"So we gonna blow a hole in the wall or something? I don't see a door," John said.
Ashley went up to the wall and put her gloved hand on it.
"Don't touch it!" John scolded her.
She turned and gave him a glare. "I'm a big girl, I can take care of my...ahh," she shrieked and leapt back as the wall melted away to reveal a circular opening. It stayed like that for several moments before coalescing back into a wall.
"So is the entire wall one big door? Or did Ashley just get lucky?" John asked.
"I don't know. But let's just use that," Ethan said. He poked his rifle through, as if waiting to see if it would close on it. It remained open. The others followed. They found themselves in a corridor with walls o
f the same material as the wall they'd just passed through.
"Which way?" John asked.
"It seems to curve around. So maybe both halls lead to the same place," Ethan speculated.
"Right," John said. He walked to the right. "This is eerie," he said a little while later. "I keep expecting a surge of Krai'kesh to come at us."
"You want them to attack us?" Ashley asked.
"Well, no, but I feel like I'm in a haunted house in a horror movie. You know, where they're ignorant and just go in and, like, the suspenseful music plays and they get picked off one-by-one?"
Derek felt goosebumps on his arm. The enemy ship was quiet - almost too quiet. No machinery hummed in the distance or reverberated through the floor. Strange organic pods which gave off soft light differed from the harsh lights of Federation ships. Silhouettes of circular doors lined the hall but did not open.
The hall stretched on for what felt like forever. I think we walked the length of the ship. At last it opened into a large circular chamber.
A throne sat at the far end of the chamber. A figure sat on the throne, and another stood beside it. The creature on the throne tapped on the arm of it with long finger nails. As the group neared Derek noticed four tentacle-like appendages waving from the rear of the creature's head. It held a staff in its other hand. There did not appear to be any other enemies in the room. "Ah, the heroes of the Federation come at last," the creature boomed.
"Who is this guy?" John asked in the squad channel. "The big kahuna?"
"I'm more concerned with where his guards are. I feel an ambush coming," Ethan said.
"I've seen him before," Selene said. "His name was Overseer Harkesh. He's the one who took..." Selene gasped. "Emma."
Derek looked closer at the figure standing next to the throne. They wore an organic armor but were shorter than the Krai'kesh commanders. They wore no helmet but had hair. Could it be? "Is that Emma?" Derek asked. Her eyes were closed.
"Emma!" Ashley shouted out loud. She took two steps before Ethan grabbed her arm. Wait, Mother, Ethan said through their shared channel.
"Here we are," John said aloud. "You could have just called us up, you know. You didn't have to abduct our daughter to get to talk to us."
Ruin: A Seven Stars Novel (Dark Tide Trilogy Book 3) Page 18
