“They're moving into combat formations,” Colonel Grissim reported as she watched the tactical display. “Ship counts are as follows. Twenty two hundred Hocklyn, nine hundred and seventy Borzon, and sixty AIs. Hocklyn ships include one hundred and twenty dreadnoughts, four hundred and seventy warcruisers, and one thousand six hundred and ten escort cruisers. That matches what the scouts reported. The Borzon have only one ship class and those are all of battlecruiser size, and then of course there are sixty AIs.”
“That’s a hell of a lot of enemy ships,” Colonel Trist muttered as he gazed at the swarm of red threat icons shifting around on one of the tactical displays. “I hope you have a plan to deal with them.”
“I always have a plan,” Hedon replied with a tightlipped smile. He just didn’t know if Admiral Nagumo’s part of it was going to come through. If not, then they'd all probably die here in the Carethian system. Hedon allowed himself a quick glance at Janice. No, he wouldn’t allow that to happen. Even without Nagumo, he had to find a way to win this battle.
-
Admiral Sheen gazed at the most recent message from Hedon. The enemy had arrived in overwhelming numbers. There was no doubt in her mind that they would try to overpower Admiral Streth’s forces and then launch nukes at Careth to purge its surface of life. She shuddered at the thought, recalling how the original Federation worlds had been nuked from orbit, killing the majority of the civilian populations, as well as the defending military.
Amanda turned toward Lieutenant Trask and ordered her to notify all commands to stand by to jump. They would jump to within six light years of Careth and then message Admiral Streth as to the situation in the system. At that point, they would make their final plans to hit the enemy fleets from the rear. Letting out a long sigh, Amanda allowed her thoughts to momentarily think about Richard back in the New Tellus system. If they survived this coming battle, she would ask him to come to Careth to spend a few weeks.
Benjamin and Angela looked knowingly at each other as the WarStorm prepared to jump into hyperspace. They were about to go into battle again. Last time, the battlecruiser WarStorm had been lost when Commander Evans rammed an AI sphere, causing the destruction of both.
“Benjamin,” Angela began in a serious voice. “If we survive the coming battle, we need to decide if we're going to stay with the Fleet.”
“I know,” responded Benjamin, looking over at Angela and nodding. “Once this battle is over, we'll discuss it.”
-
On board the battleship Avenger, Jeremy waited as the large ship moved toward the swirling blue-white spatial vortex in front of the ship. For this battle, at least, all five of them would still be together.
“Vortex entry in six seconds,” Ariel spoke in a calm voice from his left side where she stood with her hands on her shapely hips.
“I wish I'd taken the time to eat,” moaned Kevin over their private channel.
“Hamburger and fries?” Angela teased with a smile from her Communications console.
“As always,” Katie chimed in. “I think someday he’s going to turn into one.”
“He had two for supper last night,” Kelsey reminded them. “Next thing you know he'll be having hamburgers for breakfast.”
“Breakfast!” responded Kevin, with a thoughtful look upon his face.
“No!” Katie said emphatically. “At least one meal a day you’re going to eat something healthy.”
“But I don’t like fruit for breakfast,” whined Kevin.
“Jumping,” Ariel spoke as she listened to her friends talk. She knew this battle was probably the last time they would all be together on the Avenger. Kelsey and Katie were being reassigned to the bears' space station.
Jeremy felt the normal queasiness associated with a jump into hyperspace and glanced at one of the main viewscreens showing the dark, swirling purples of hyperspace. Glancing over at Kelsey, he smiled. Their married life so far had been wonderful; more than he'd expected. Hopefully, soon Kevin and Katie would be tying the knot. Even Angela was getting serious about her marine captain. For the Special Five, life was changing. They'd come so far since their days at the Fleet Academy and the disastrous New Horizon mission. Jeremy wondered what else was waiting in their future. However, before they could have a future, they had a battle to win.
-
Fleet Commodore Versith gazed at the tactical display as it began putting up the disposition of the Human forces. There were other ships being displayed that were plainly not Human or Alton.
“We have identified two other distinct ship types around Careth,” War Leader Trion spoke, his large, dark eyes showing confusion.
“Two more alien races have joined in the fight,” Versith responded as data concerning the new ship types began to come across a data screen in front of him.
“This becomes more dangerous for the Empire daily,” Trion rasped, his cold eyes focusing on the commodore. “If this threat is not stopped soon, even more alien races may align themselves with the Altons and the Humans.”
“We have the Borzon with us,” Versith reminded Trion. “There are also two more races that the High Leader can call upon for aid.”
“Insects!” swore Trion, shaking his head. “The Borzon are insects and do not think as we do. To them there is only service to their queens, and their queens serve the AIs. I don’t believe the word honor even exists in their language.”
Versith nodded in agreement. The Borzon made him nearly as nervous as the AIs. They stood well over two meters tall with wide, multifaceted eyes upon their strangely shaped heads. A pair of long, narrow wings adorned their backs, and their bodies were covered with a fine, stiff short hair of some sort. They stood on two legs that were bent strangely and had four double-jointed slender arms capable of grasping and operating machinery. Versith had been in a very short meeting with the leader of their fleet along with one of the AIs, High Leader Nartel, and Fleet Commodore Resmunt. It was not one he wanted to dwell upon.
The Borzon had only come to the Empire’s aid after High Leader Nartel had pointed out that the Humans could someday even become a threat to them. Nartel had carefully pointed out it was better to fight the Humans now together than later separately. Even the AIs had not been aware of the High Leader’s request to the Borzon for aid. The AI in the meeting had spoken little, just confirmed that the Humans and the Altons had to be eliminated.
“Fleets are nearly in formation,” the Third Leader reported from his position at the ship’s sensors.
“We will launch all of our war wings when we enter the planet’s gravity well,” Versith ordered.
He'd spoken with Fleet Commodore Resmunt and half the fighters were being armed to fight the Human fighters. The other half were being armed with four small high explosive missiles to use against Human ships. There were even a few tactical nukes being used as warheads. That should be a surprise for the Humans. Versith doubted if the missiles would have any affect against the Altons' more advanced ships.
“This will be a powerful attack,” Trion uttered as his cold, dark eyes turned toward the tactical display. “We shall overwhelm our enemies and bring much honor to our warriors.”
“Even so, I fear many of our warriors will find their final honor in this battle,” added Versith, knowing that large numbers of Hocklyn ships and warriors were going to die. The Humans and their allies would not go easily.
Trion felt confident. Fleet Commodore Versith had worked closely with Fleet Commodore Resmunt planning this attack. Versith was a brilliant tactician and Trion couldn’t see the attack failing. They had two thousand Hocklyn warships plus the Borzon and the AIs. Never had a more powerful fleet been gathered in the long history of the Empire.
Versith gazed across the War Room. He could sense the growing anticipation for battle in his warriors. He looked back at the main viewscreen, showing one of the Alton ships in the Human formation. He knew there was nothing ever certain in war.
Second Leader Jaseth felt a hot rush of blood i
n his veins as he prepared his weapons. He'd long waited for this battle. The Humans would soon die in the thousands along with their allies. His burning thirst for revenge would at last be partially quenched. The Viden had a full load out of the AI’s powerful sublight antimatter missiles and Jaseth planned on making the Humans pay dearly for his family’s loss of honor.
“Move us into the gravity well,” ordered Fleet Commodore Versith as he stood upon the command pedestal. “Launch the war wings.”
-
Hedon gazed impassively at the large viewscreens displaying various enemy ships. What concerned him most were the Borzon and their nearly one thousand battlecruisers. This would be a battle of attrition, particularly once Admiral Sheen and Admiral Strong arrived with their fleets. Looking over at Janice, Hedon just hoped that would be enough along with the new weapons.
“Hocklyns are launching their fighters,” Colonel Grissim reported from where she was standing next to one of the sensor displays. Anne knew their own fighters would be heavily outnumbered.
“As I expected,” responded Hedon, folding his arms across his chest. “All Federation ships are to launch their fighters except for the battlecarriers. Theirs will be used to cover the bombers on their attack runs. Inform Grayseth he is to hold his fighters back for now. They'll go in with their bombers and small warships.”
Hedon leaned back and let out a long, deep breath. “Move us toward the enemy at ten percent sublight. That'll give us some additional maneuvering room.”
“Passing the order to all ships,” Colonel Trist replied. Then, looking at one of the tactical displays and its myriad of red threat icons, he added once again, “This is going to be one hell of a battle!”
Chapter Twenty-One
The Hocklyn fleet entered the gravity well of Careth with determination, intent on finally annihilating the Human ships that were waiting for them. There would be no retreat this time. Thousands of fighters were launching and taking up defensive positions in front of and around the fleet. The war wings continued to launch, filling open space with their small, sleek, deadly forms. Half the fighters were armed to take on their Human counterparts, the rest were armed with small high explosive missiles as well as tactical nuclear warheads to use against the Human warships.
The Borzon followed closely behind the Hocklyns. With nine hundred and seventy battlecruiser sized ships, the commanding Fleet Leader was confident the Humans could easily be defeated. Once their home worlds were reduced to rubble, he would return home to the Borzon Empire with higher standings. Perhaps he would even be allowed to mate with a queen.
The AIs began moving their ships into the Hocklyn and Borzon fleet formations. Their shields were at their highest level and weapons were ready. Each AI sphere had extra antimatter missiles to use against the Altons. They had strict orders from AI Command at the galactic center that there would be no withdrawals from this battle. Careth and its defenders had to be annihilated.
-
“Our fighters are going to be heavily outnumbered,” Colonel Trist reported as he gazed with worry at the tactical display nearest him. “There are over thirteen thousand Hocklyn fighters in that formation. We have a little over nine hundred unless we order the carriers to launch.”
“Sensors indicate some of those fighters are carrying missiles with tactical nuclear warheads,” warned Captain Reynolds from his sensor console where a red warning light was flashing, indicating nuclear ordnance had been detected.
“Damn,” Hedon muttered, not pleased to hear that. In the past, the Hocklyn fighters had only been armed with high explosive missiles. Turning to Colonel Trist, he passed on a new order. “Contact the carriers and have them launch all of their fighters except one squadron each. That one squadron is to be kept back to help protect the bombers on their bombing runs.”
“That will give us two thousand more fighters,” spoke Colonel Grissim, grim faced, knowing a lot of pilots wouldn't be coming back to the flight bays. “We’re still going to be outnumbered five to one.”
“We’re always outnumbered,” replied Hedon gravely, wishing things were different.
“We could send the bear fighters in,” Anne suggested. She knew the bears had over one thousand fighters at their disposal. “It would help even up the odds some.”
“No,” responded Hedon, shaking is head. He knew Colonel Grissim was trying to keep the pilots alive as long as possible. “We need to save them to go in with the bear bomber strike. If we’re going to win this battle, the bomber strikes have to be successful.”
“That’s a lot of Hocklyn fighters to send the bombers through even with fighter support,” spoke Colonel Trist. “If all of those Hocklyn ships have been updated, the bomber strikes might not be as successful as we’re hoping.”
“It’s a risk we have to take,” replied Hedon, knowing Trist was right.
“Ten minutes to optimum firing range,” reported Major Weir at tactical.
“Fighters are beginning to launch from the carriers,” added Colonel Trist, turning to face Hedon. “They’re not going to last long if the Hocklyns decide to make a fight out of it.”
“They have a job to do,” Hedon replied, his eyes never wavering. “They’re Federation pilots and they know what’s expected of them.”
-
Major Galvin Brice looked out the cockpit window of his Talon fighter. Everywhere he looked, he could see other fighters forming up into their squadrons. He glanced down at his sensor screen and felt a brief moment of panic. He'd never seen so many red threat icons before; the screen seemed to be a solid mass of red. He fought to control his breathing even as his pulse raced. Human fighters were better that Hocklyns fighters and had better weapons, but these were impossible odds! He wondered how many members of his squadrons wouldn't be returning to the carrier. He closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. After a moment, he opened them and knew he needed to speak to his pilots.
“All fighters form up and proceed on intercept course,” he ordered, trying to sound calm and confident to his six squadrons from the carrier Essex. “All carrier groups will be going in together. We have four Hunter interceptors on our wings. I want two fired as soon as we are in range to help even up the odds. We’re going to hit the edges of the enemy fighter formation. That will help to even up the odds. Stay away from the center; there’re just too many of them.”
“They’re so thick we can close our eyes and fire our guns and probably hit a target,” one of the younger pilots spoke sounding nervous.
“You’re aims no good anyway,” another replied with a laugh. “Look at it on the bright side; we’re all going to become aces today.”
The two large groups of fighters continued to close. At the last minute, the Human fighters broke into two distinct groups and accelerated rapidly toward the wings of the Hocklyn formation.
“Fire missiles!” ordered Major Brice, pressing the missile release button on his small control console. Instantly, a two-meter Hunter interceptor dropped loose from his starboard wing, igniting and arrowing away toward its Hocklyn target. A bright burst of light indicated it had hit its mark. Hundreds of other missiles were being fired from the Human fighters at the densely packed Hocklyn war wings; very few were missing. Fiery fireballs rolled across the Hocklyn formation, indicating dying fighters.
“Vampire, vampire!” screamed one of the pilots in the squadrons as numerous Hocklyn interceptors launched at the inbound Human fighters.
“Break!” ordered Brice, tersely. “Stay with your wingman and engage. Don’t get too far away from your squadron and don’t take unnecessary risks. Return to the carriers to rearm when your ammo starts to run low.”
Brice winced as a sudden fireball engulfed a nearby Talon fighter, annihilating it. He could see other fireballs rolling across the Human fighter formations as Hocklyn missiles found their wildly dodging targets. On both sides, fighters were being blown away in brilliant bursts of light. Dropping in behind a Hocklyn fighter, he pressed the button on h
is flight control and twin lines of bright, 30mm tracers reached out and struck the Hocklyn in its engine. The small fighter exploded and Brice automatically ducked as several small pieces struck his cockpit window. Letting out a deep breath, he pressed his flight control forward, forcing his fighter to angle down at a steep angle. Glancing outside, he saw his wingman was still hanging close. “All fighters engage targets of opportunity.”
A massive swirling dogfight was growing between the two fleets. The Human fighters were faster and more agile, but the Hocklyn had the numbers. Human fighter after Human fighter died as they fell before the massed Hocklyn fighter formation.
-
“We’re losing a lot of fighters,” Colonel Trist reported brusquely as more green fighter icons vanished from the tactical display. “We can’t sustain these types of losses for long.”
“I have an FTL message from Admiral Sheen,” Janice reported from Communications.
Hedon nodded; he'd been waiting for this message. “Tell Admiral Sheen to jump immediately and exit hyperspace behind the Hocklyn and Borzon fleet formation. Their exit point should be one million kilometers outside the gravity well. I will contact them again once they exit hyperspace.”
“Yes, Sir,” Janice replied as she quickly sent the FTL message to Admiral Sheen.
“That’s still another hour,” Colonel Grissim pointed out. “We could lose a lot of ships in that time. We may not have any fighters left at all.”
“I know,” responded Hedon, letting out a sharp breath. “We'll engage the enemy fleet, and then began a slow withdrawal back toward Careth where we can use the firepower from the orbital defenses as well as the space station and the shipyard. I want the Hocklyns and the Borzon trapped in the gravity well when Admiral Sheen arrives.”
“Nearing engagement range,” Major Weir reported from Tactical. “Weapons are locking on enemy targets.”
The Slaver Wars: Galactic Conflict Page 29
