HADRON Revelation

by Stephen Arseneault

  The admiral leaned toward the camera. “You will have to make do, Mr. Hardy. Mawga citizens are dying.”

  Mace sat back in his chair with a scowl as the bridge crew waited for a decision. “Mr. Hobbs, prepare to follow the admiral through their wormhole. Mr. Mueller, have that cannon ready to fire. And Mr. Mallot, I want a scan of the area on the other side of the wormhole before we get through.”

  Mace turned to the comm camera. “Show us the way, Admiral.”

  Jordan Crawford came over the comm. “Mr. Hardy, what do we do? I’d rather stay close to the Rogers if possible.”

  Mace nodded. “Follow us through then take yourself to a safe position. If pursued, jump back here and wait.”

  The comm closed as a wide wormhole opened in front of the Dellus Muhatha. Two Callista were the first to move through, followed by a dozen cruisers. The Rogers followed next with the Gerty just behind.

  Humphrey said, “We have three dreadnoughts, almost the size of the Muhatha, eight destroyers, And that’s new… a small carrier. I count twenty-eight fighters moving in and about. They’re harassing two Mawga cargo haulers.”

  The Muhatha moved immediately into battle. A United Front destroyer was the first victim as five plasma rounds overwhelmed her shields. Three of the eight decks in the center of the ship were left exposed and in flames. The destroyer attempted to turn away, taking another three hits to her drives, one, exploding in a fiery blue flame as the fuel that powered it ignited.

  Mace said, “Mr. Hobbs, let’s do a flyby of one of those dreadnoughts. All decks! This is Hardy! Strap yourselves in! This could get rough!”

  Mace turned back to face Hans Mueller, “Mr. Mueller, make full use of that cannon. Pick targets at will.”

  Hans grinned at the opportunity. “Yes, sir!”

  As the Rogers flew within range of the first of two United Front dreadnoughts, the warship began firing her weapons. Two intense microwave beams impacted the dampening field, sending a heavy rumble through the ship.

  Humphrey reported. “No damage, Mr. Hardy. But they did push our shield level to almost 70 percent.”

  Mace said, “Mr Hobbs, keep us moving. Let’s not give them an easy target!”

  Hans Mueller let fly the first of three plasma rounds. The initial plasma charge missed its target, with the two that followed striking the ship aft on the port side as the Rogers pulled closer.

  Hans pushed an image to the wall display. “Two hits. Only modest damage. Looks like we could have used those cannon updates.”

  Mace replied, “Keep up the pressure, Mr. Mueller.”

  Johnny said, “I’ve attempted hails but received no response.”

  Mace nodded. “Keep trying. If there’s a way to talk rather than fight I’m all for it.”

  The Dellus admiral opened a comm. “Mr. Hardy, I see you are attempting to talk to the interlopers.”

  Mace replied, “Wouldn’t we be better off if they would just surrender or leave?”

  The admiral replied, “No. They have invaded our territory and a price must be paid. Thousands of Mawga citizens are already dead in this raid. They destroyed a transport with twenty-five hundred farmers aboard. Military Command has ordered their complete extermination.”

  Mace frowned, “And what if they surrender?”

  The admiral huffed. “As I said, they must be punished for the crimes they have committed.”

  Mace shook his head. “So long as they are resisting we’ll fight, but we’ll not be a party to your retribution. As to this attack, we’re assisting in good faith. This wasn’t part of our agreement. The deal was we would help you to destroy that station guarding the rift.”

  The admiral scowled and closed the comm.

  Johnny laughed in disbelief. “That was rude.”

  Mace replied, “Yeah, well, I guess we might see it differently if they were attacking Earth.”

  Hans yelled, “Scratch one dreadnought! I managed four successive hits on the same area. The ship has gone dark and is in a slow uncontrolled roll. Secondary explosions continue.”

  Liam said, “Taking you to the second dreadnought, Mr. Mueller. Fifteen seconds!”

  Mace asked, “Mr. Mallot, tell us how the Dellus ships are doing.”

  Humphrey replied, “I show six fighter kills, and two destroyers. And it looks as though one of the Callistas is taking a beating. Six of those destroyers are in hot pursuit. Half of her guns are no longer functional.”

  Mace said, “What of the Muhatha?”

  Humphrey replied, “She’s chasing a destroyer along with the other Callista, Mr. Hardy.”

  Mace took a deep breath. “Crap. They won’t even assist their own. Mr. Hobbs, set course to assist that Callista. Mr. Mueller, target the destroyer closest to her. Take out the drives first. After that we’ll come back for the dreadnought.”

  As the Rogers closed, Humphrey yelled out. “I have explosions on four, five, no, seven decks. She’s… breaking apart! Whoa!”

  The Callista listed to one side before half the ship disintegrated in a bright blue flash.

  Humphrey said, “That was her storage well.”

  The six destroyers moved in to relentlessly pound the remaining portion of the once powerful Dellus ship.

  Fatso Geerok shook his head. “Fifteen hundred crewmen just perished.”

  Mace said, “Mr Hobbs���”

  Liam replied, “Already on it, Mr. Hardy. Should be engaging that dreadnought in twenty-three seconds.”

  Humphrey pushed an image to the wall display. “They are targeting those cargo haulers, Mr. Hardy. Should we divert?”

  Mace asked, “Can we save them?”

  Humphrey Mallot replied, “No chance, sir. They’re defenseless. Both ships are… coming apart.”

  Hans Mueller said, “I offer this in retribution!”

  Two powerful plasma charges left the cannon tip of the Rogers lone functional high power cannon. The first round was a glancing blow, offering only minor damage to several decks midship as the United Front dreadnought turned toward the Rogers. The second round impacted the bridge, setting the decks above and below afire as the plasma charge devoured the shields and vaporized the external armor. All microwave cannons went silent at the same moment.

  Liam steered the Rogers up and over the approaching ship as Hans placed two additional rounds into the already impacted bridge. Explosions coming from both sides showed the fate of the once powerful warship. A final round as they passed took the still functioning drives offline.

  Mace said, “Mr. Mallot, status?”

  Humphrey replied, “The dreadnought, seven remaining destroyers, and the carrier are turning back toward the station.”

  Mace said, “Gentlemen, let’s take out their drives. If they won’t return our hails, we’ll see if we can bring at least one of them aboard.”

  Liam replied, “We have a significant speed advantage, Mr. Hardy. Should overtake the closest destroyer in forty-two seconds. After that we’re another thirty from the carrier.”

  Jeff ran onto the bridge. “Mace! We lost two of our people! David Yancy and Elana Craft!”

  “How? What happened?”

  Jeff stopped, leaning over as he tried to catch his breath. “Hold on. I think I might be sick.”

  Several seconds of dread followed with Jeff Moskowitz standing up straight. “Those microwave rounds. They penetrated the shields, there was no external damage, but anything water based in the rooms adjacent to those strikes heated up to about four hundred degrees. David and Elana never had a chance. They were cooked almost instantly.”

  Humphrey said, “We didn’t get any warnings from the internal sensors.”

  Jeff shook his head. “It was microwaves, they cooked from the inside. The room, other than a horrific smell, was undamaged.”

  Mace lowered his head. “I brought David to this.”

  Jeff replied, “You can’t for a second blame yourself, we’re in the middle of a war!”

  Hans said, “The des
troyer is offline. Setting up for the carrier. And Mr. Moskowitz, when will I have that updated cannon?”

  Jeff replied, “We’ll need at least twenty-four hours once we’re done here. We can’t work during this fight as we’re all strapped in.”

  Mace opened a general comm. “Listen up, everyone. We just lost two of our crew to a microwave burst from the ships we’re fighting. I want everyone who’s in an exterior room to move inward if possible. If you can’t, let Mr. Moskowitz know. He’ll be coming around to assess your situation.”

  Mace turned to Jeff. “See if we can move monitors or consoles to a safe location. At a minimum, I want everyone back out in the halls if they have nothing critical to do at the moment. After that, get with Mr. Klept and see what we could possibly do to shield ourselves from those weapons. Whatever the Front has on that station is likely to be even more powerful.”

  Jane came over the comm to Jeff. “Gnaga and I can rotate turns in the hallway.”

  Mace shook his head. “I want you both in the hall. If you have to stick your head in to take the occasional look then so be it, but keep exposure to a minimum. There’s no running away once it starts, and those reactors don’t need that close a looking after.”

  Jane replied, “Got it.”

  Bontu Montak came onto the bridge. “Mr. Hardy, my crew would like to volunteer for any duties that require personnel in the outer compartments. They feel they owe as much for all the sacrifices everyone has made, and for everyone making them feel welcome.”

  Mace nodded. “Follow Jeff. For anyone who’s identified as critical, have them split time with someone from your team.”

  Bontu bowed and left the bridge.

  Johnny turned in his chair. “You do realize this bridge is an exterior room, right?”

  Mace looked around. “I don’t see where we have a choice but to be here.”

  Johnny shook his head. “Not true. Each of these stations can be operated from elsewhere in the ship. There are two consoles in the maintenance rooms, there’s a console in the dining hall and a console in a shielded room inside each of the docking bays.”

  Mace said, “Mr. Mueller, how long until next target?”

  Hans pressed the fire button on his console. “One moment… destroyer is offline. Next target in two minutes twelve seconds. Another destroyer.”

  Mace nodded. “Johnny, you and I will take maintenance. Mr. Mueller, bay one, Mr. Hobbs bay two, and Mr. Mallot bay three. And let’s make this happen fast.”

  The consoles were closed and the bridge emptied. Mace and Johnny settled into the maintenance room.

  Mace rubbed his nose. “Smells a little funky in here.”

  Johnny nodded. “Yeah, haven’t been in here since training. Forgot what it was like. Wanna move up to bay four?”

  Mace frowned. “Not enough time. Open the comms to the others.”

  Johnny typed away on his console, linking the five comms. “We’re all online.”

  Mace looked at the small display in front of him. “Already miss that big wall display.”

  Johnny laughed, “Never did much for me, since I was mostly facing away from it.”

  Hans reported. “Weapons station is ready, Mr. Hardy.”

  Liam was next. “Nav is online. Thirty two seconds until we’re within range of the target.”

  Humphrey said, “Sensors are all green.”

  Mace opened a general comm. “We’re coming up on a target in fifteen seconds. I want everyone who’s in an exterior room in the halls until we’re past.”

  Hans was next to speak. “In five… four… three… two… plasma away. Impact in seven seconds… destroyer drives are offline. They don’t seem very interested in evading those shots.”

  Johnny said, “Well, don’t do anything to encourage them. I’m kind of enjoying the fishing.”

  Liam said, “Next up is the other dreadnought. Fifty-five seconds.”

  Johnny stood. “Crap! Where’s my dog?”

  A general comm was opened. “Everyone! If Derwood is in your area, please report!”

  The comm was silent for several seconds.

  Jane replied, “Molly is here with me. Last I say Der was in the dining hall hitting up Tres for a snack.”

  Mace waved. “Go get him! I’ve got you covered.”

  Johnny raced out of the maintenance room into the long hall going forward. After hustling up three flights of stairs he entered the dining hall.

  Johnny yelled, “Derwood! Where is he?”

  Tres pointed, “He just rounded the corner heading for the bridge.”

  Johnny turned, sprinting up the hallway toward the bridge.

  Mace’s voice came over the general comm. “Target in range in fifteen seconds! Clear the exterior rooms!”

  Johnny slid to a stop on the bridge deck, scanning the room for his four-legged friend. “Der?”

  The dog, lying beside his console, looked up from scratching its ear and barked. Johnny crossed the room in five long steps, scooping the Dachshund up with his right hand as he turned back toward the doorway. The ship rumbled from the impact of a microwave blast as Johnny slammed into the wall in the hallway, falling to the floor, all the while protecting his precious friend. As he came to a stop, the dog wiggled free of his grasp and barked with excitement.

  Johnny looked up and laughed as he shook his head. “Nuh-uh. We’re not doing that again.”

  The dog was scooped up with Johnny’s big hand and carried along as he made his way back to the maintenance room.

  Mace looked up as he entered. “Reactor room was struck. Jane’s fine but one of Bontu’s men took a bad hit. Didn’t quite make it out.”

  Johnny frowned. “And the dreadnought?”

  Mace said, “Two direct hits from Hans. It’s in a slow roll at the moment. We’re moving in for a grapple.”

  Chapter 15

  *

  Johnny and Jane, connected to tethers, crossed the twenty meters of void to reach the United Front warship from the ramp of the shuttle.

  As they began to cut through the hull, Johnny said, “Not making much progress.”

  Jane replied, “Same here. This hull is thick compared to the Union ships.”

  Mace came over the comm. “The Muhatha is chasing the other destroyers. We have time.”

  Forty minutes later a cutout was complete.

  Johnny said, “That’s almost as thick as my forearm is long.”

  Jane reached up with her foot, kicking Johnny backwards and off the ship’s hull. He slowly spun end over end, moving away, before the tether was used to pull him back to the Rogers. A Mawga crewman standing in the open airlock doorway took a powerful microwave beam to the midsection. He screamed out as his insides began to boil.

  Jane flipped an AR-15 from around her back and unloaded into the open hole, yelling into her comm, “We have a major problem out here!”

  Johnny planted his gravity boots on the hull of the Rogers before turning his own weapon back toward the opening. A magazine was quickly emptied and a new one slapped into place. Jane followed with several shots from around the corner of the hole.

  Two Mawga reeled in the tether fastened to Johnny as another beam came through the cutout. Jane countered with another three round burst. Johnny was soon aboard the Rogers and the airlock closed as another beam impacted the hull of the former Kaachi cruiser.

  Jane yelled, “I can’t see in there!”

  Mace replied, “Hang on! We have a team on the way!”

  Johnny said, “Open that airlock and push me across!”

  Jane again yelled, “No, you don’t! They have that door sighted. You come through and you get fried!”

  Mace and four others exited from bay three, landing on the hull of the dreadnought before turning toward Jane and the opening.

  Mace was the first to arrive. “Step back!”

  Four plasma rounds exited his rifle before a hand grenade was shoved through after. An explosion with debris exited the hole. Mace spun, diving through
. Three plasma rounds found their mark as he rolled across the floor to a corner.

  “Clear! Bring it!”

  Jane came through, followed by two of Jordan Crawford’s men.

  Mace pointed. “Looks like they came through that door. They must have an override for pressure loss.”

  Jane picked up one of the microwave rifles. “That’s a nasty weapon.”

  Mace nodded. “These battlesuits aren’t metal, we’ve got no protection from that.”

  Jane asked, “Well, how is it we’re protected from the radiation out there?”

  Mace shrugged, “A coating that blocks certain frequencies? Don’t know.”

  Jane gestured toward the door. “Might as well hit it before they have any more time to regroup.”

  Mace stood. “You two, over here behind me. Jane, open that door on three. And watch for a pressure blast just in case that other side still has atmosphere.”

  Jane moved to the back side of the door. Mace grabbed the knob and slowly turned. The door opened. Jane pulled it wide.

  Mace nodded, jutting his head around the corner for only an instant before pulling it back. Multiple microwave beams shot through, sparking heavily as they impacted the back wall. Holding his blaster out to his side, half a dozen rounds were fired through the open doorway. Jane followed with another magazine from her AR-15.

  Rafael Ramirez handed Mace another grenade. “Last one we have on the ship, Mr. Hardy. Make it count.”

  The pin was pulled and the grenade tossed through the doorway, clanking along on the steel-grated floor as it bounced and rolled. An explosion against a far wall was followed by Mace diving through the door onto the floor on the other side. Two plasma rounds from his rifle saw the end of two injured United Front crewmen.

  Jane raced in, followed by Rafael and Tek Holmes. Two doors led out of the battered room.

  Mace stood. “Let’s move.”

  The door to the right was opened, leading into a long hall. Two plasma rounds saw to it that heads poking out from doorways were jerked back inside. Jane followed Mace as Rafael and Tek turned down the other way. As they rounded a corner, plasma rounds could be heard reverberating through the walls.