by Libby, Seth
The resulting explosion engulfed a fleeing cruiser, burning the cruiser’s shields away. With no shields, several nearby enemy fighters launched torpedoes into its side, and the resulting explosions cracked the ship into flaming pieces. A second asteroid hurled into the mix as Overlord Trikreca attempted to salvage his remaining warships. The Overlord’s battlecruiser turned expertly, narrowly avoiding the asteroid as a third asteroid emerged from the field and slammed head-on into the bow of Trikreca’s battlecruiser. The asteroid ripped through shields and metal, tearing off the first third of the warship before it exploded.
October 6, 2012, 10:31a.m. ESTNecro Squadron
Evan targeted a nearby cruiser as it attempted to turn and retreat. A lock signaled, and he depressed the button his thumb had been hovering above. A torpedo streaked away and slammed into the aft section of the cruiser, collapsing the cruiser’s shields. A second torpedo followed and exploded against the hull of the cruiser. Great chunks of metal tore free of the side of the warship as a third torpedo flew into the opening and exploded within. Fire burned through the decks, leaving a burned-out dead husk of a ship.
“Yeah! Die, bastard, die!” yelled Evan to himself.
Turning his fighter, he engaged his afterburners and streaked free of the field of death. Once free, he surveyed the battle. Then after a moment, he keyed his comm unit and spoke. “Ghost, this is Zombie. We have a Shizrec-class cruiser making a break for it near you.”
“I see it, and we are on it” came back Liam’s voice.
Evan watched as Liam, Tim, April, and Michael launched one torpedo after another into the fleeing cruiser. The shields failed after the second torpedo, and the aft section of the cruiser exploded when the two remaining torpedoes struck home. Another cruiser down--and who knew how many left. Liam’s voice spoke through his comm unit.
“Necro Squadron, form up. We are done here. All enemy warships are burning dead in space or have fled the battle.”
“Sir, we can still catch those three remaining cruisers that are running,” came the voice of Dimitri.
“That’s a negative, Demonknight. We need to get out while we can. They still have a ton of ships out there, and we need time to get away while we have the chance. Make no mistake about this . . . we hurt them bad today.”
Necro Squadron formed up and broke for open space, giving the illusion they were returning to the Sacrifice. Once beyond the asteroid field, they used the field interference to swing around and reenter the field, making their way to the secret base.
October 6, 2012, 10:35 a.m. ESTShenkar Command Base, above N-3
Screaming in fury, Krailsha gripped the side of the holographic table and heaved. The holo-image died as the table ripped free of the deck and was flipped over. Grabbing a nearby Shenkar warrior, he crushed his throat, then threw the body against a nearby bulkhead. Shenkar bridge crew fled before the Supreme Overlord’s fantastic fury. When he finally calmed his rage, he surveyed his surroundings. Five Shenkar bridge crew lay in crumpled heaps, dead. The holographic table lay turned upside down, sparks spitting from where it once sat. Finally, Krailsha spotted an officer ducking down behind a console and he spoke in a low voice. “Get me a status report now.”
The Shenkar officer stood and quickly walked to a nearby console. With furtive glances over his shoulder, the officer brought up the section of space where the battle had unfolded. After a quick assessment of the situation, the officer turned and spoke.“It appears that Overlord Trikreca is dead, along with the entire crew of the Dryan. We also lost the Battlecruiser Shytec, along with five of the cruisers. The Battlecruiser Dricon seems to be intact yet is floating dead in space, engines completely destroyed. The remaining three cruisers are returning now--all suffered some damage, but nothing too extensive. The enemy battlecruiser isn’t showing anywhere on the scanners--probably recovered her fighters and folded away.”
Krailsha stared out the nearest port in silence, making great efforts to hold his temper. These humans truly were a race worthy of combat. In his career, he had never met a race like this. The races he had subjugated or destroyed collectively hadn’t done the damage these humans had dealt out. After he finished this current campaign, he would make every effort to find the home world of these humans and he would show them what it was like to feel pain. He would seek out every human colony, destroy them, and then set their home world on fire. The planet would be purged of life, with every tree or bush burned, every lake or ocean vaporized. The world would be burned to cinders, with all life destroyed.
“We need to deal a deadly blow to these humans, something to demoralize them,” muttered Krailsha to himself.
“Sir? I have an idea,” said the officer behind him.
Turning, Krailsha regarded the officer for a few moments. He was small for a Shenkar warrior, and although he cowered at Krailsha’s gaze, Krailsha noted a keen intelligence in those eyes--an intelligence much higher than the typical warrior.
“And your idea would be?” he said finally.
“Well, I have been monitoring past comm traffic up until now, and most of the serious engagements have involved an enemy squadron under the leadership of someone named Ghost. Perhaps if we can ambush this Ghost and eliminate him, then maybe the loss of one of their great warriors would strike a blow.”
Krailsha stared at the officer again for several moments. Yes, his assessment had been correct--keen intelligence. “That is an excellent idea. What is your name?”
“My name is Scyren, sir--not worthy of your acknowledgment, Supreme Overlord,” said the officer in a deliberate voice.
“Tell me, Scyren, why are you a lowly officer? And dispense with the meek performance. I can see the intelligence in your eyes.”
Scyren smiled an evil smile at the Supreme Overlord’s statement as he rubbed his hands around each other. “Well, Supreme Overlord, some time ago I made the mistake of offending a prominent science officer of the upper echelon. He made sure I was assigned to the farthest reaches of space and beyond, working a station below my intelligence. I should be an Akron scientist,” Scyren said bitterly.
“Well, Scyren, that all changes now. I need an adviser who will be honest with me. Also, I could use an Akron scientist for possible endeavors. Would you like the job?”
“Well, that depends,” Scyren said as he surveyed the dead bodies lying about the command deck.
Krailsha understood Scyren’s meaning and let out a low guttural laugh. “I promise I won’t kill you if you displease me,” Krailsha said, then thought for a moment and added, “Just don’t displease me too often. Even I have my limits.”
“Yes, Supreme Overlord,” said Scyren, adding a slight bow of his head to his words.
“Now tell me your plan.”
October 6, 2012, 1:30 p.m. ESTHidden Asteroid Base of the EDF
Liam sat at a table of the rec room, drinking an energy drink as he surveyed the tactical reports of the recent battle and losses. Three shuttles were destroyed, with two more disabled but recovered safely. The pilots were hurt but would suffer no long-term damage. Several fighters were damaged heavily, and some of the pilots suffered minor burns, but they too would recover.
“Anything interesting, Commander?” came a gruff voice from behind him.
Turning, he quickly came to his feet in a salute as Admiral Kelvin walked toward him. “At ease, Commander. Anything interesting?”
Sitting back down, Liam indicated the seat across from him for the Admiral. Once the Admiral had seated himself, he spoke. “Just the reports of the battle. I wanted to analyze them to see if we could have done anything differently. We lost three shuttle crews--that’s six men and women. I would have preferred not to lose anyone.”
“Relax, son, you couldn’t have done anything different. From what I have read, Mr. Wellmo had predicted a much higher loss of life in his plan. What we have accomplished today was incredible. Do you realize that with the losses we dealt out previously and with what we did today, we have effectively chan
ged the timetable? The defense force should have a fleet to match the remains of the Shenkar fleet in one more month.”
“So we don’t have to be out here for two more months?” asked Liam.
“Well, no, technically we wouldn’t need to, but we are going to be. You see, all this means now is that in a month, the EDF will have a fleet to match the Shenkar fleet. I would prefer to give them more time and the edge if we can, and that means continuing the job we are already on.”
“Yeah, I can see your point. I guess every day we slow them down is another ship they could have ready for the defense force back home. So we go on and do what we do.”
“Yes, Commander, we go on and do what we do.”
October 13, 2012, 2:45 p.m.EDF Sacrifice, Asteroid Field
Kimino Sukita quickened her pace as she made her way toward the hangar bay. She hadn’t seen Steve in almost two weeks, and she had been surprised at how much she had missed him. She had been cursing herself for allowing herself to care for the man. After all, he was up here on a mission that would eventually lead to certain death.
She really hadn’t seen much of Steve since the day they had slept together. After that night, she had carefully avoided being alone with him. She hadn’t been ashamed at what had happened; it was just that she didn’t want to get involved. Well, she had certainly messed up that plan. When they had to fold away suddenly, she had regretted how she had acted toward him. She had worried constantly that she might not get the chance to rectify how she had treated him.
Now was her chance. She had just got word that he was approaching the Sacrifice with the rest of Necro Squadron. Necro Squadron was the first squadron from the asteroid base to return since the Sacrifice had returned to System 238. Rounding a corner, she entered the hangar bay just as Steve climbed down from his fighter. She watched as he joined his wingmate, Darren, and they made their way to the exit as they talked. It wasn’t until Steve was almost on top of her that he noticed her standing there. He came to an abrupt halt, the smile on his face faltering, and just looked at her.
Darren looked from Kimino to Steve. “Ummm . . . I think I am going to go get my personal effects so I am ready for when we return to the asteroid base,” said Darren uneasily.
Kimino was startled at this news. She had thought they would be once again stationed on the Sacrifice. As Darren hurried away, Kimino spoke to Steve. “You guys aren’t staying on the Sacrifice?” she asked.
“No, we are only here long enough to gather our personal effects, then we are headed back to the asteroid base. The Admiral feels we would be more effective based away from the Sacrifice. It makes sense, seeing as the Sacrifice isn’t supposed to be used in combat. So what are you doing down here?” he asked, a bit standoffish.
This is what she was afraid of--she had hurt him by the way she had acted.
“Steve, we need to talk, especially about how much of a major bitch I have been.”
“I wouldn’t say that you have been a major bitch, maybe just a minor bitch,” he said with a slight smile returning to his face.
“Shall we walk and talk? I know you have things to do.”
The two set off toward Steve’s quarters in silence. After a few minutes, Kimino spoke. “I am sorry how I acted after that night, but I was confused. I didn’t want to get involved with anyone . . . especially a Templar Knight. I mean, you guys came here knowing you weren’t coming back. But then I met you and I began to care for you . . . it scared me,” said Kimino, tears forming in her eyes.
“I care for you too, Kimino. I wish we could have more time together,” said Steve sadly.
Kimino took his hand in hers and they walked in silence the rest of the way to his quarters before she spoke again. “What time do you head back out?”
“In just over two and half hours,” he replied.
“Well, we have this time together at least . . . let’s not waste it.”
Leaning up, she kissed him on the mouth, pushing him slowly backward through the door to his quarters.
October 16, 2012, 1:35 p.m. ESTNecro Squadron, Surface of N-6
Liam guided his fighter slowly along just below the surface of N-6. Looking around, he remembered the last time he had been here--to ambush a warship of unimaginable size. To this day, he still couldn’t believe they had survived the mission, never mind succeeded with such minimal losses. Now here he was again, sitting in wait to ambush a Shenkar supply ship.
Looking at his scanner, he once again made sure the two squadrons accompanying him were still there. He had fought this particular mission specifically due to those two squadrons. The two French squadrons were stationed exactly where they were supposed to be--a small miracle. A chime from his headset got his attention, then a voice spoke to him.
“Ghost, this is Vampire--do you read me?” said the voice of Tim Wellmo.
“I read you. Did you find something?” Liam asked.
Tim had been stationed just below the surface so he could monitor travel routes.
“Yes, sir, I am reading a Shenkar convoy just entering the system. Three supply ships accompanied by twelve Creeza fighters and two Drelai gunships.”
This news made Liam uncomfortable--that was way too light of an escort for three convoy ships. Keying his comm unit, he spoke to Tim. “Are you sure that is all? Nothing locked onto the convoy ships?”
“Nope, I ran a scan, and the convoy ships are clean. What I saw is what’s out there. Kind of odd, don’t you think? That is a ridiculously small escort, especially when the Shenkar know we are still around and could easily destroy it.”
“Yes, I know. Something isn’t right about it. I need to think about this.”
“What’s to think about, Ghost? It is an easy kill, I say we kill them and head home, or are you afraid?” came the voice of Pierre.
Liam gritted his teeth at the interruption; he had expected this. “Last time I checked, I was the one in charge of this mission and not you. Also, I shouldn’t have to remind you that I am your superior officer. We will move on this when I am positive everything is okay.”
Pierre’s only response to Liam was silence. The Shenkar convoy continued its slow path into the system. Liam couldn’t help but wonder what it was about this that was bothering him. It was an easy kill, but the Shenkar never made anything easy. Weighing the ships in the convoy, Liam decided that it wasn’t a supply that he counted worth the risk; he would let them by. Keying his comm unit, he spoke to the three squadrons present.
“Okay, something isn’t right about this, so I am calling off the strike.” As soon as he finished the sentence, the roar of engines sounded above him. Looking up quickly, both French squadrons flew by, heading up and out of the gas giant’s atmosphere straight toward the convoy, afterburners alight. Swearing profusely, Liam keyed his comm unit.
“Lieutenant Petiot, I command you to get that fighter back here now!”
Pierre’s snide voice came back immediately. “Sorry, Commander. You may be my superior officer, but we have a mission to complete. We have been sent here to disrupt all Shenkar forces when it is possible. You may not have the stomach for this command, but I know what we must do. Enough of this. I am not afraid.”
And with that, the comm connection went dead. Swearing yet again, Liam keyed his squadron channel. “Okay, Necro Squadron, I have a feeling we are going to need to bail him out of this. Everyone, follow me.”
Liam pulled back his throttle, and his fighter exploded forward. The two French squadrons were already far ahead and closing in on the Shenkar convoy. None of the Shenkar fighters were moving to engage the two closing squadrons; none of the supply ships even moved to escape. It was as if they didn’t even see them coming. Something was definitely wrong with all of this.
It wasn’t until the two French squadrons were almost within striking distance did Liam notice movement within the Shenkar convoy. The sides of every supply ship exploded outward, and Shenkar fighters poured from within. Both French squadrons flew straight into a mae
lstrom of energy where they were outnumbered three to one. They were holding their own but were hard-pressed--plainly, these Shenkar pilots were better than average.
Three Shenkar fighters tailed Pierre’s fighter as he jinked and juked in a desperate effort to shake them, Pierre’s energy shields flaring under the constant rain of fire. At the current rate, his shields would fail and he would die. As if to punctuate the dire situation, Pierre’s voice broadcast over the open frequency.
“Ghost, where the hell are you with the rest of Necro Squadron?”
“This is Ghost. Stand by, we are almost to you,” replied Liam.
“We are taking a beating here. I am going to--”
But whatever Pierre was going to say was lost as a Shenkar Shizrec-class cruiser folded directly into his path. Pierre’s fighter crumpled and exploded against the shields of destroyer.
Liam’s warning alarms sounded loud in his cockpit as proximity alerts lit his flight board. Four more Shenkar cruisers folded around the battle. Soon Shenkar fighters were pouring out of the cruisers on a path directly toward the embattled pilots. Liam had known there wasn’t something right about the convoy. This had been an ambush, and they had fallen into it.
Liam targeted one of two fighters on the tail of one of the French pilots and squeezed the trigger. The fighter exploded in a brilliant flash. Energy shot past Liam’s fighter to destroy the second fighter. Liam hadn’t been worried about the second fighter; he knew Tim would destroy it.
