General Rivers shook his head angrily.
“What do you mean? We are already committed to action on a number of fronts,” he snapped.
The others were stunned by his lack of diplomacy, but the General continued.
“We have only just helped them win their fight for freedom on their world, and now you say there are more pressing concerns than the wiping out of all life on Helios?”
It was clear from the expression on the Secretary of Defense’s face that this was exactly what he was thinking.
“We benefit greatly from our contact with our comrades in Helios, as well as the other worlds. Don’t forget the Biomechs intervened politically and technologically in our last internal conflict. We cannot adopt an isolationist viewpoint right now, if ever,” General Rivers added quickly.
The Secretary of Defense moved his head slowly as though he was disgusted by what he had heard.
“General, do not suggest this regime will abandon its friends. Trade is booming between our colonies and these new regions. The number of ships moving through the Prometheus-T’Karan Rift is in the hundreds a day now. That is why we have started construction work on a whole new layer of support Rifts that will link every colony world in less than a decade.”
All of them waited for the ‘but’.
“Even so, based on recent events, it is imperative that our military capabilities are prioritized, and it is the view of the President that the top-priority for our entire military effort should be on one place.”
The conversation was already starting to drift off-topic, and it led General Rivers to think the Secretary of Defense had an ulterior motive in bringing it up.
“The Black Rift, Mr. Secretary?”
The room fell silent once more.
“Yes, that is correct. The Black Rift is the elephant in the room. With the increasing trend in newly discovered Rifts and isolated occurrences of Biomech warships, our citizens are becoming concerned. Helios is important but is irrelevant when compared to the great threat of the Biomechs themselves. Does the lack of this supply base cause us additional problems at the Rift?”
Admiral Jackson shook his head.
“No, we have the 4th in the Helios system with ample resources coming through the Rift to T’Karan. Our remaining Strike Groups are undergoing deployment or taking part in a number of exercises. We’ve never been stronger.”
“We said the same in the Uprising, and it went on for years,” General Rivers hissed through his teeth.
“The fact of the matter is that the Black Rift is more than just a Spacebridge to what we are told is the home system of the Biomechs. It is the longest range Rift we have ever come across, one that we cannot begin to match in terms of our own technology. From the information given to us by the T’Kari, it would take over a millennia to build enough conventional Rifts in sequence to get from Helios to the Biomech homeworld. Because of this vast range, the Rift generator equipment requires vast reserves of power to open, and is incredibly volatile. It can only be opened within a short range of the guard station, and with the express permission and access data from one of the five Powers.”
Admiral Jackson ignored the General’s previous retort.
“On top of that, the defensive measures are impressive. Any Rift within a light year can be collapsed in less than seven seconds, with the destruction of anything in it. According to the logs of the Helions, the Biomechs have never attempted the creation of a Rift back to Helios.
The Secretary of Defense seemed a little more relaxed at this information, but General Rivers couldn’t see why. None of it was new, other than the comet and the threat it presented.
“Why not? Surely it would be worth trying from time to time.”
General Rivers lifted his hand slightly.
“If I may,” he started. “The T’Kari say the station build by the Narau is more than just a way of controlling the Rift to the Biomechs. It is a doomsday weapon, one that has never been used. It can render the area of space useless for at least a millennia if they choose to trigger the device. This is the threat that stops the Biomechs from coming.”
Admiral Jackson nodded in complete agreement.
“This is true. The Biomechs are an ever-present threat. Their ability to encourage support from many directions is impressive. We have seen ships in other parts of space that are loyal to them, and this comet has arrived at just the time when the Helions prophesied the return of the Enemy. This is the matter that concerns me the most, and I feel the comet and the safety of this sector are the same thing.”
The Secretary of Defense looked at his watch and sighed before looking back at him.
“Yes, why?”
“What if this prophecy isn’t the Biomechs, but instead is for the comet itself? It could potentially destroy Helios and with it the only military power in this sector. If Helios falls, a Biomech assault could soon follow, and can we rely on the others to help?”
Even as he said the words, it was clear this was what the man had been thinking about all along. He gave a grim, barely visible smirk as General Rivers finished making his thought known.
“So why did we only just hear about this threat, if it was so important? Surely your commanders in the Navy are capable of spotting dangers in space, isn’t that what we pay you for?”
Admiral Jackson rose to his feet, but General Rivers lowered his hands to get him to remain seated.
“I think we all know the value of the Navy, Mr. Secretary, and technically only the private sector workers pay for our armed forces. We are all public servants, paid for by the public purse.”
He walked over to the image of the comet.
“I’ll answer you again, Mr. Secretary, but the facts haven’t changed. Everybody, including us, missed this object, but all of this is irrelevant. We are here to discuss the security implications for Helios, the Orion Nebula, and the Alliance, and I think it is clear from the thoughts of the Joint Chiefs that the comet is a clear and present danger.”
The Defense Secretary rose to his feet to leave without saying a word. He moved to the door, turning back to look at them.
“General, it is time. The President awaits our briefing and neither this comet, nor the Black Rift itself, respects our schedules.”
The two men left the room, and the two scientists followed shortly after, leaving the three Joint Chiefs behind on their own. General Hammerstein was the first to speak as the three considered what had been said.
“Is it me or is the Secretary of Defense becoming a little obsessed over just one point in space?”
Admiral Jackson smiled curtly.
“Well, he does have a point. If what the Helions and the others say is true, the entire might of the Biomechs is waiting on the other side. Even a comet would pale to insignificance compared to the threat something like that could offer.”
It was a thought none of them seemed to relish.
“What about the fighting on the moons, how is that progressing? I thought we were winning this war?” asked General Hammerstein.
General Cornwallis seemed to almost shudder at this question, as though a cold wind had just touched his skin.
“It’s progressing. We helped the Zathee and their allies win, and win quickly. This insurgency is unexpected, however. We are unable to fight them head on, and they are resorting to asymmetric tactics to nullify our edge in manpower, weapons, and mobility.”
“The home front isn’t much better,’” complained General Hammerstein.
“How so?” asked the Admiral.
“For starters, there are rumors in the Guard that when the Biomechs arrive, they will be the cannon fodder. You can imagine the quality of the people that are left. Recruitment for the Corps or the Navy isn’t a problem, but the Colonial Guard gets none of the glory. If you want to travel and see alien worlds, you don’t become a part-time soldier on Terra Nova, do you?”
General Cornwallis looked unimpressed.
“The Colonial Guard is not a fro
ntline unit, you know that, General. What does this have to do with the Biomechs?”
“The Guard is becoming less and less popular on the homeworlds with the Doomsday Prophecy. The rise in apocalyptic cults is rocketing, and some have turned to violence. We clamp down on them, but we always seem to come out as the bad guys.”
Admiral Jackson finally understood the man’s concerns.
“General, in the end it isn’t up to us to be loved. We have a job to do, and if we don’t do it, you know the consequences. We weren’t prepared the last time, and I’ll be damned if we’ll let it happen again.”
“What are you suggesting?” asked General Cornwallis.
“I don’t know, but the arrival of this comet is no coincidence, and apart from the actual threat it brings, I strongly believe there could be something much worse on the way. I see no reason to disbelieve the warning from the Helions.”
General Hammerstein was unimpressed; at least that was how it looked.
“What if you’re wrong?”
Admiral Jackson grimaced.
“What if I’m right?”
CHAPTER TWO
The capabilities of a warship can only be replaced by technology and equipment to a point. Ultimately, a ship can only be in one place at a time, and this is where the small fleet strategy of the early Alliance began to unravel. Luckily, the resilience and power of the new Heavy Strike Groups would show how a small group of advanced ships could hold their own against greater numbers. In time, the number of Crusader class Heavy Cruisers and its larger brother, the Vengeance class Battlecruiser would come to dominate Alliance affairs in a way no other ship design had.
Naval Cadet’s Handbook
The highly reflective clouds of sulfuric acid that shrouded Venus were a welcome sight for the tired eyes of Spartan. The T’Kari ship’s scanners brought up pages of data, but he already knew the planet he was staring at was one of the most inhospitable places in the Alliance. Its surface was a dry, barren desert, interspersed with rocks and volcanoes. Its dense carbon dioxide-filled atmosphere made viewing the surface impossible from this distance, but Spartan knew the world’s reputation. Even though it was useless to them, he still felt a rush of relief at seeing something, anything that was familiar to him.
“Look,” Khan said in a dull tone.
Spartan watched as the pale orb finally moved out of sight and was replaced by the wondrous blue sphere that was Earth.
“Have you ever seen it before?”
Spartan was surprised at the low tone of reverence his friend used. The old warrior looked exhausted, yet the relief at being in Alliance territory was clearly visible on Khan’s brow. Spartan took a slow breath to avoid the pain that still spread around his ribs. The injuries he’d sustained in captivity were far from healed, and the escape through the Rift and the space battle had done little to improve that. He looked to his friend and shook his head.
“No, not in the flesh. Well, not until today. You’ve got to remember, Khan, until we built the Rifts; it used to take decades to make the trip between Sol and Alpha Centauri. The colonization fleets that went first were on a one-way mission. Lots didn’t even make it there because of the long journey.”
Khan looked to his friend with a single raised eyebrow.
“It’s true. There are stories of some ships with thousands of people on board vanishing on the trip. It took decades with the engines permanently on full burn. Any kind of technical problem, and they were left stranded.”
“So why not stop and pick them up?”
Spartan smiled.
“You never studied, did you?”
Khan snorted.
“And you did? I thought you spent your early years dodging axes on the arena circuit?”
Spartan had to concede that point. He had indeed spent some time on the illegal pit fighting circuit. It wasn’t quite about killing each other with axes. Although people did die, especially in the illegal fights, it was very rare. It was something he hadn’t thought of it for many years, and the images of his last fight on the space station orbiting Prometheus was a painful one. Luckily, Khan’s attention had moved on to their current predicament.
“What about the people on Earth, do they still live there? I heard it was a dead world.”
Spartan looked at the blue shape with a mixture of fascination and foreboding. Earth was a wondrous sight to see. Even though the planet’s surface and oceans had been plundered for millennia, it still looked calm and rich when viewed from space. Its toxic clouds were barely obvious, but he knew full well the planet’s dark past.
“Yeah, Earth is still populated. In fact, I think this entire Solar System is still populated, but it ain’t nothing like where we’re from Khan.”
They both watched the blue orb move from view as the T’Kari ship continued to drift in space.
“Remember why our people left this star in the first place; resources, habitable worlds, and a new life. Just look at her.”
He pointed at the shape of Venus as it drifted passed their view once more.
“Venus is a no go area, always has been, even without our help. Only the planets of Mars and Earth have populations still on them. Mercury is suitable for industrial machines robotics, and the others are gas giants; they’re only useful for harvesting.”
He moved his head a little, thinking a little more on it.
“Plus the moons, of course, and then the space stations.”
Khan grinned as Spartan realized he was rambling.
“Look, let’s just say there are still people out in this wasteland. Okay?”
Something struck the ship somewhere very hard. The impact was powerful enough to send a jolt through its structure and forced Spartan and Khan into silence.
“What is that?” asked Khan.
They both looked in the direction of their three T’Kari comrades that were busy managing the ship. None of them paid any attention to them and continued with their work. Another great impact shook the vessel, and then the vast glass window flashed and changed to show a magnified image. Spartan blinked, his brain temporarily confused at the change in the visuals. The glass gave the impression of being a window, when in fact it was a cleverly designed piece of display technology.
“Who are they?” asked Khan; his right arm extended and pointing at the bottom right of the window.
Spartan followed his gaze and spotted the shapes moving toward them.
“Ships! Great, I thought we’d given the Biomechs the slip!”
Thoughts of the planets quickly vanished as they turned their attention to the new threat. They had only just entered the safety of Alliance territory, and already they were in trouble. The escape from Biomech captivity and the collapse of the temporary Rift should have been the end of Spartan and Khan’s troubles, but it seemed their arrival was to be yet another problem waiting to be resolved with violence. Spartan checked his targeting system and tried to return fire. He didn’t want to destroy the attacking ships, but he had to do something, and a burst across their bows might be all that was required.
“I’ve got nothing, what about you?”
Khan smashed his fist onto the display for what must have been the tenth time.
“Nothing. These ships are finishing what the Biomechs started. We need to get off this ship!”
Another heavy impact smashed into them. It was powerful and reminded Spartan of the numerous times he’d been aboard ships when they had been struck by heavy ordnance.
This is strange though. We’re in friendly territory and already ships are upon us. The odds of a ship being even within a few days’ range of us are minuscule.
“Who the hell are they?” he growled.
Spartan tried to get a response from the computer system, but it refused to respond. He had only just about managed to work the gunnery system thanks to Khan’s intervention. Trying to get anything more constructive out of the alien technology was proving impossible. He looked at the T’Kari, but no matter how much he shout
ed, they ignored him. The three aliens seemed to need all their attention focused on trying to get the spacecraft as far away from the attackers as possible.
“You’re wasting your time, you fools,” he snapped and looked back to Khan.
“Those are our ships, Spartan. Don’t you recognize the markings? They look like orbital barges to me, and we’re flying in an unmarked T’Kari Raider. Are you really that surprised?”
Spartan gazed at the fleeting image of the ships that were firing. They didn’t look like current designs, but they had been away a long time, and now they were orbiting Earth, a place he’d never visited before.
Maybe they are using wrecks for defense.
Another group of hardened metal armor piercing projectiles rushed ever closer, each of them traveled at incredible speeds after being hurled into space by the Alliance warships. Spartan finally got a decent view of the ships, and once he could see them in a profile position, he knew what they were. He was used to the newest vessels, having spent so much time out on the T’Kari frontier. These were not the large capital ships of the fleet. They were the protective barges dating back over seventy years that were still in use as orbital defenses. The magnetic railguns that had fired them were simple technology, perhaps even primitive by modern standards. Even so, there were fewer more destructive weapons in space.
“War barges, I thought they had all been scrapped after the Uprising.”
Khan shook his head and laughed.
“Really? I think the three out there would say otherwise.”
The warbarges were an old concept, and one that had fallen out of favor as the human empire expanded out to the stars. Back when the colonies had numbered just a few worlds, it had proven useful to construct large, slow moving vessels with thick armor and bristling with weapons. They usually stayed in orbit and were more like armed satellites than space faring ships. Though they were capable of interplanetary travel, they were not generally equipped or particularly suitable for it. The ships around Earth were third-rate at best. A single turret from the T’Kari ship finally activated, and Spartan watched dispassionately at its rounds embedded ineffectively in the thick armor of the barge.
Star Crusades Nexus: Book 05 - Prophecy of Fire Page 2
