by John Walker
“Yes,” Salina replied. “Just the bow is currently undefended. The other emitters are holding but I have to warn you, with the front down, the other generators are straining to compensate. I’m going to redirect power until we get that fixed. That will only take me a few moments. Engineering has just reported they are evaluating the problem now.”
“Tell them they don’t have much time,” Desmond replied. He clenched his fist, considering the next course of action considering the situation. Falling back might be best. If they fired that weapon again, they’d simply tear through another part of their defenses. Still, such a thing must’ve drained considerable energy. “Cassie, what was that cannon?”
“I’m not sure,” Cassie replied, “however, there was a massive energy surge when they fired it…enough so that they seem to have committed quite a bit to making the shot. I don’t think they’ve got the power to do it again soon. We could be in luck. I’m guessing they hoped they would kill us in one go.”
Vincent scoffed. “If they would’ve been patient and took some regular shots first, they might’ve.”
The gravity of his comment wasn’t lost on Desmond. “Inform the Pahxin vessels of what we just encountered. If those other ships have such weapons, they’ll need to know. For now, give us some distance on this guy and let’s see if we can’t hold off on another round. Let the smaller ships handle some of the fighting.”
***
Admiral Reach strained against the bonds holding him in place to a chair. He sat beside Raeka in an empty cell with metal walls. The door across from them slid to the left and they’d been led there by a couple of fiery soldiers who roughly dragged them down the hallway. Once inside, they were forced into the chairs and cuffed at the wrists then left alone.
Christina was wrong about the prisoner transfer. When the ship landed, it was inside the facility and ten armed guards arrived, aiming their weapons at the prisoners the entire time. They were led through the subterranean hangar and into a set of holding cells where they were deposited separately.
Not even ten minutes passed before Reach and Raeka were taken away, leaving Christina behind in her own cell. I’m surprised they haven’t killed her already. They only need us if they want to make a statement. Why hold on to the help? The thought infuriated him but he couldn’t help but feel pessimistic.
Several hours of waiting allowed misery to settle in. Reach’s back hurt and his stomach growled. Thirst made his throat dry and his head swam. Are these bastards going to leave us in here to starve to death? What’s their game? He turned to Raeka, clearing his throat to get the man’s attention.
“Can you understand me?” Reach asked. “Hello?”
“I understand you,” Raeka replied in a soft voice.
“Do you have any idea what they’re doing? Why they’re holding us like this?”
“The Tol’An wear their prisoners down,” Raeka said. “We have not consumed in a long while and they will allow us to continue to suffer under these conditions. They believe it makes a man more pliant when questioned … when pressed for information. We are to be interrogated, make no mistake but they will only do so when they believe we are prepared to talk.”
“What could they possibly want from us?” Reach shook his head. “This makes no sense! Do they think they can get military secrets from us? Some kind of security clearance? What will they be after?”
“While I know their methods, their madness is beyond me.” Raeka sighed. “It is impossible to say exactly what they will need but I can promise you only that it will not be pleasant. Even if we speak, I sincerely doubt they will treat us with the proper formalities of what prisoners should endure.”
Reach was about to ask something else when the door opened and a man stepped in. He wore a black robe, the hood drawn low enough to obscure his face. He approached, standing silently in front of them for a good minute before turning his back on them. There again, he did not move and remained silent.
“What do you want?” Reach asked. “What is going on?”
“Ah,” the Tol’An said. His command of the English language was disturbing. “You would like to speak. That is good. I am here to ensure you do. Shall we begin with introductions? My name is Gizan.”
Raeka gasped. “Gizan Relik? But … it cannot be so! You were pronounced dead many years ago!”
“It is true, ambassador.” Gizan said the word as if it were a curse. “And I have been living my life in defiance of what you have just described ever since. My master has changed but my purpose has not. I will bring order to the galaxy. The Tol’An will prevail and the two of you are in a position to help the cause.”
“We cannot help you!” Raeka shouted. “Your kind, your people … They are nothing more than …” The rest of his statement devolved into Pahxin and Reach couldn’t understand but he got the gist of it. It may have been profanity or just some particularly nasty comments but either way, it made Gizan take note.
The robed man spun in place and slapped Raeka across the face, halting his verbal onslaught. Blood coated the ambassador’s pale cheek and he didn’t
“That is quite enough out of you,” Gizan said in a soft voice. “You should speak in the tongue this man understands. That way he might see what a monster you and your people are. In any event, we will now discuss a few key points about your facilities and how they are set up. I am particularly interested in how humanity defends technology.”
“Well enough to drive you scum off,” Reach replied, scowling up at the man. “Did you read the report about how we knocked out your little invasion force? Then hopped over and took the other Orb from under you?”
Gizan’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, but we were not discussing effectiveness, were we?” He drew a knife from within his robes. “My master tasked me to bring you both back alive though he did not specify unharmed. Continue your defiance and you will meet him not entirely whole.” His body seemed to tremble but a deep breath settled him. “Shall we try again?”
Reach met his gaze and shook his head. “Do your worst, you bastard. I’m not telling you a goddamn thing.”
Gizan stepped in front of Raeka. “Do you share his sentiments? I believe he is a soldier while you’re just a diplomat, a useless tool for the government. Will you accept pain to avoid answering questions?”
Reach examined his fellow prisoner and didn’t like the look of him. His eyes darted about furtively, as if he might explode with anxiety. He strained at his bonds for a moment, hands clenching and loosening before his head dropped and his chin tapped his chest. Terror and physical discomfort must’ve gotten the better of him.
“What do you want to know?” Raeka asked. “You must understand, I am told little! Please, you know this! You used to work with us, Gizan!”
“Indeed.” Gizan stepped forward and lifted Raeka’s face, menacing him with the knife. The ambassador began screaming in his own tongue, struggling in vain as the blade slid over his ear. Blood flowed freely, covering his neck as his tormentor stepped back to give him some room.
Raeka gasped and moaned, his shoulders tensed up from the pain.
Gizan turned his attention back to Reach. “Do you see what I will do to my own people? They are like me…born of the same planet and species but you … you are little more than an animal. A back world germ allowed to cultivate too long. The things I am willing to do to you will be legend. Tell me what I want to know about your military force!”
Reach opened his mouth to offer up more defiance when an alarm went off overhead. Gizan’s eyes widened and his head spun about like an animal cornered in its den. The expression made the admiral smile. “I seem to recall a similar situation for us not too long ago. You’re not expecting company?”
“How?” Gizan shouted. “How did they find us!” He grabbed Raeka by the throat. “How! You will tell me now!”
The door opened and a soldier leaned in. Reach couldn’t understand what he had to say but he rattled on and on for several moments. When finally he fini
shed, Gizan backed away, aiming the knife at both men. “I will be back for you soon. Do not think you have been given a reprieve. This inconvenience only delays the inevitable. Believe me. You are both doomed.”
And he left.
“What did the soldier say?” Reach asked. “What’s going on?”
Raeka struggled to speak, trembling before he finally found his tongue. “He stated they had a problem … that my people have arrived and deployed shuttles. The Tol’An were unable to muster their defenses in time to stop them but they are moving what vessels they have against our potential rescuers. Gizan was called away to guide the men here on the surface.”
“How? How’d they find us?”
“Implanted … tracker …” Raeka coughed several times before continuing. “My people inject them into dignitaries when they do not trust the negotiations.”
“Your government thought we might try to kidnap you?” Reach shook his head. “Thank God for paranoia.”
“In this case, I will not apologize.”
“Nor should you.” Reach grinned and turned away, peering at the floor. I’m sure you’re out there with them, Desmond. There’s no way you’d let them pull a rescue without the Gnosis. I need to find some patience and wait for the cavalry. Great timing … There’s no other way to say it.
***
Cassie scanned the surface of the planet, surprised to find that there were no other sentient settlements. There were ruins, like other systems they visited, but no people. The Tol’An lived like rodents in the walls of an abandoned home, unnoticed and forgotten. She wondered how many other worlds they occupied in a similar fashion.
It must be plenty. The AIA has plenty of information on terrorist organizations. These guys are acting exactly the same.
She hoped to find Christina and the Admiral. Two humans among so many Pahxin shouldn’t have been difficult. Unfortunately, their physiology proved too similar to differentiate between them in the compact facility. There were plenty of life forms but the specific ones she cared about were buried amongst them.
Scratch me helping the marines find the friendlies. I guess I’ll focus on the dangerous ship blasting us with those insane weapons.
Thayne provided some feedback, letting her know that they must’ve used separate generators to power the weapon. None of the other Tol’An equipment showed an increase in their energy efficiency. Shields still operated roughly the same as the Pahxin vessels. That meant an independent source specifically for their new attacks.
Which also meant taxing their systems wouldn’t necessarily take the weapon out. They could continue firing it long after the rest of the ship was disabled, even life support. Of course, that was contingent upon their power source remaining intact throughout combat. They needed to target it specifically.
Such a power source is likely to cause some serious damage if we take it out, too. Cassie thought. Like a power core going up.
She ran a scan over the destroyer, focusing on any energy buildups. As the weapon had to be recharging, she hypothesized that it would be somewhat obvious. Several key areas of the enemy vessel appeared on her screen and after a good twenty seconds, she started to get frustrated. Maybe they have it shielded against this type of thing.
But then she found it. A red blob in the middle of their hull, close to the power core itself. In fact, it seemed to be a second reactor on the ship. Further data came in, showing her that the strain from the weapon would’ve drained the ship completely, leaving nothing for any system aboard. If they hadn’t installed the second source, the weapon would still be a theory.
Cassie related what she found to the captain.
“If we could take out the secondary reactor,” Desmond said, “we’d be able to handle the first one and this wouldn’t be a problem.”
Vincent spoke up, “I can have the bombers give it a go. A couple bombs should take those shields down.”
“I’m all for it,” Desmond said, “but again, if we can do that, then we don’t have to worry about the weapon. Taking the shields down will destroy the whole ship. One thing’s for sure, the bombers will have a much easier time evading that thing. Unless Cassie has something to say about their targeting abilities?”
“No, sir,” Cassie said. “Only how they power it.”
“They’re coming in again,” Salina said. “Moving toward us.”
“Vincent, redirect one of the bomber squadrons right away.” Desmond gestured toward Zach. “I want full speed. Keep us out of their range and draw them back from the fight. With any luck, the Pahxin won’t have to deal with them and can take out the rest of the force. We’ll take the hard one, I guess.”
A brief moment of pressure jostled Cassie in her seat as the ship picked up speed. She glanced at Salina’s screen, swallowing hard at what she saw. The enemy was giving chase and they weren’t slow. She didn’t want to contemplate the stakes of the race they were getting into or the deadly implications of the rising meter representing the opponent’s cannon.
***
Dennis Arden found himself back with his normal squadron, waiting for the chance to get into the action. Tol’An fighters had been deployed but they were brawling with the Pahxin, and dramatically outnumbered to boot. Raptor squadron went after the incoming bombers, Charger provided air support on the planet which left Mustang in reserve.
He wondered if Dala was out there as well. After her ship had been damaged, he figured she might be grounded but perhaps the Pahxin were able to carry plenty of spare. Their vessels were built for war, after all and though the Gnosis certainly came prepared, exploration always was the primary focus.
“Mustang One, this is Commander Bowman, do you copy?”
Dennis cleared his throat before replying. “I copy, what’re our orders, sir?”
“I need your squadron to conduct some concentrated fire against the destroyer. Coordinate your attack runs with Rhino squadron. I’m sure you saw that weapon they fired at us.”
“The beam,” Dennis said. He watched it hit the Gnosis and was surprised when it lingered, continuing to cause damage until the shields visibly cracked. Luckily, Zach was able to get them turned so they couldn’t get another shot off to the undefended portion of the vessel. “Do we know what it is?”
“We know it has a dedicated power source and they’re charging it up,” Vincent said. “We’re also pretty sure they won’t be able to target something so small as the fighters and bombers. That’s why you’re getting your shot on it.”
“Won’t this attract the attention of the enemy fighters?”
“Maybe, but we don’t have a lot of choice. Besides, their smaller ships are pretty busy fighting with the Pahxin. You should have plenty of time to cause some trouble…even if it’s just a distraction, we need some space to breathe if we hope to win that brawl.”
“Understood. Rhino One, did you catch that?”
Nolan Coplan led the bomber squadron and he piped in. “Affirmative, but we’re en route to the surface for our attack run. I’m sure we’re not all needed for that. Do you want me to divide the forces to support Mustang?”
Vincent answered, “yes, make that happen and keep a tight report cadence. I want to provide frequent updates to the captain, especially as we’re trying to contend with that weapon. Good luck, men.”
Dennis drew a deep breath before engaging his thrusters. “I think you guys heard that,” he said to the rest of his team. “Follow on my lead. Alicia, you especially. I want us coming at it from multiple angles to avoid their defenses as much as possible but be sure you’re coordinating your shots. When the shields are weak, the bombers will hit them.”
“Their shields should be way too much for us,” Lieutenant Kate Zeller spoke up. “We need Raptor in here … maybe Charger.”
“Charger’s providing air support on the planet,” Dennis said. “And Raptor’s screening for the Gnosis. We’ve got a lot of firepower in six ships. Remember, we’re trying to strain their power, not take it down completely
.”
Nolan added, “we’ll time our bombs to make the most of draining their power too. You weaken them, we’ll do the rest.”
“There you go,” Dennis replied. Scans came back, showing three sets of turrets on the bottom and top of the ship. They had good coverage but there was a small blind spot in the front, rear and sides. He tapped his computer, drawing out an attack vector for the other pilots that minimized their time in the path of the enemy’s defenses. “Follow those directions and we should be golden.”
***
Squadron Leader Dimitri Gerrit received a promotion to lead Raptor squadron after his predecessor died on their first mission. Since then, there weren’t many opportunities to hone his command skills. He’d participated in their last mission but they were primarily backup, with only a little dogfighting.
This time out, they were in the thick of it back at the space station and his team was assigned to take on the bombers rapidly approaching the Gnosis. He took the lead, getting his people into a wide vanguard formation. The blips on their scans were large, roughly one and a half times the size of their own ships.
They had a good three minutes to kill before the enemies would be in range to shoot and Dimitri used the time to his advantage, trying to gather all the data he could on his targets. The computer suggested their maneuvering thrusters were not powerful enough to allow them flexible mobility but they had tough shields and thick armor.
It’s going to take a few shots to bring them down.
Five bombers in total approached and six fighters raced to meet them. Time to target for the Tol’An was six minutes. Raptor had a tight window to finish them off before they could deploy their payloads and potentially destroy the Gnosis completely. Considering what the initial beam weapon did, the danger was very real.
The bombers housed defensive turrets and what the scans indicated might be countermeasures. This limited the use of missiles, at least initially. Depending on how they used their defenses, the bombers might not be able to fend off a large barrage. Dimitri’s gut warned him that he had no idea what to expect from their opponents though.
