by S A Pavli
“You have a copy of the Earth Defence Forces tactical manual? I thought that was highly restricted.”
“All Earth ships may be called on to carry out military duties,” he said.
“Right. Reserve Captain Alfred of the EDF.” I smiled at the thought of Alfred in a smart military uniform. “Can we communicate some of these ideas to Cora? If they are not restricted material.”
“The detail is restricted, but the general ideas are not. We can, as they say, play it by ear.”
“Alfred, please communicate with Cora and offer her your expertise. Any results from the viruses yet?”
“I am continuing with the viral attack, but I cannot intrusively monitor the system. This may reveal my activity,” he replied.
“Play it safe for now,” I suggested.
The enemy missile attacks were occurring more regularly now. It did appear that the enemy had an inexhaustible supply of missiles. I anticipated that once the enemy fighters arrived, things would start to get very nasty. I could see and hear the nervousness spreading amongst the Hianja crew. This was their first taste of war for ten thousand years and they had been conditioned all their lives against any form of violence. The situation must be very traumatic for them I thought. Not that I didn’t feel nervous and apprehensive!
If I was the enemy, how would I carry out this attack I asked myself. I wasn’t a military expert, but it seemed obvious. I would attack one spot intensively in order to break down the defensive network and get my fighters behind it. And if they knew where the Settang Despass was moored, that would be the spot they would attack. Things were about to get very hot!
I went over to Hamolatonen. His crew were doing their best to stay in touch with what was happening with the Settang but having handed over control of the starship to Cora as part of her defence network, there was little they could do.
“Hamo, I think the enemy will focus their attacks on us, which means they will attack the asteroid we are sheltering behind with everything they have, Can I suggest that if things start to get too hot, and before they break through, we move to another shelter, and keep moving. That will confuse them and diffuse their attack. Can you suggest that to Cora?” He looked keenly at me before giving a nod of agreement.
“That’s good thinking Paul. I will suggest it to her.”
“Also, just to let you know, I have asked Alfred to analyse the situation and he has some tactical suggestions for Cora. We’ll try to hold them off until the viruses start to take affect.”
“That gives us more hope. Thank you Paul.” His crew had heard our conversation and there was an exchange of remarks and appreciative looks in my direction. If it gets our spirits up that will be something I thought. At least we are not totally powerless.
“Also, if Cora loses control of this ship, can your crew take over manual control? I mean, it will not be stuck in automatic, if you see what I mean?”
“That is no problem,” said Hamolatonen. “We can instruct our AI any time to hand control back to us.”
“How do you fly this thing?” I asked.
“We all have implants with standard coded instructions for communicating with the ship’s AI. Each of the crew is responsible for different ship functions. Prinza here…” he indicated a young blonde female to his left. “… is the pilot. Trandey is the navigator.” He pointed to a dark haired male who grinned broadly in my direction. “Gevvs is the power man, he balances the Agrav with the fusion rockets and Brennly is the systems engineer.” I nodded to the individuals as he pointed them out. “The AI obviously flies the ship but we retain overall control.”
I was aware of the differences between Hianja ships and Earth ones. Alfred had total control of the Lisa Jane and did not need my input in any areas, although I was free to offer it. It was the reason why, as an AI, he was so much more sophisticated than his Hianja equivalent. Hianja were reluctant to totally trust their computers, which made the Peacekeeper thing such an aberration. And perhaps explained why it had become such a disaster.
“Looks like you have things well under control,” I said. “Good flying.”
“Thank you Paul, we will do our best.” Hamo looked pleased by my little intervention and I was also pleased that he and his crew had not taken it as interference on my part.
Manera was in conversation with Colrania and I went over to them.
“Ladies,” I greeted them with a relaxed smile.
“Captain,” Manera gave me an intimate smile. “Are you spreading self-confidence amongst the troops?”
“One does one’s humble best,” I said. “But my indomitable friend Alfred is the real hero.”
“Yes, I understand he had made some tactical suggestions to Cora,” said Colrania.
“News travels fast,” I remarked.
“Cora has disseminated the new tactics to her ships and to us also,” said Colrania. “Our three ships have left the protection of the asteroid belt to take up positions in order to carry out surprise attacks on the enemy, before returning to base. If they can damage or knock out a couple of the enemy, that will balance the odds a little.”
“Good,” I said. “Let’s hope it works. Otherwise, what are you ladies up to?”
“Arranging a night out with a couple of guys Colrania knows,” said Manera with a mischievous smile.
“Aha. Can I come?” I asked. “And bring my date?” Colrania shook her head, a puzzled expression on her face.
“How can you two joke at a time like this?”
“It’s called gallows humour,” I explained. “The condemned man greets his fate with one finger held aloft.” Colrania laughed, clearly understanding my meaning.
“Ah, the finger,” she said. “Universal.” We were all chuckling at this when the screens lit up with explosions and the ship shuddered beneath our feet.
“The Pramasticon and its ships have arrived within close missile range,” announced the Settang AI. “Fighter aircraft have started attacking our positions. We are returning fire.”
“Play time over,” I said.
Chapter 27
The intense fire fight lasted ten minutes, during which time a number of the enemy fighters penetrated our asteroid defence. The ensuing dog fights were spectacular and confusing because we could not differentiate friend from foe since all the fighters looked the same. Fortunately our battlefield computers could. Our fighters were supported by fire from our ship and the moon based defences and the fighters.
But after ten minutes, at the height of the dog fight, we started to prepare to move the ship. But suddenly, the enemy fighters broke off and there was a lull.
“Our three ships have attacked the enemy force from the rear,” announced the Settang AI.
“That’s given them something to think about,” I remarked. “Hamo, this is a good time to move the ship.”
“My thoughts exactly,” said Hamolatonen, and issued the order. We took our seats as the ship started to move, gently at first, and then with increased acceleration. Our fighter escort could be seen, flitting like small birds around a giant whale. We cleared the protection of our asteroid and for a couple of minutes were exposed to deep Space. But the lull continued and the ship swooped around the moon and took up a new position behind another protecting asteroid. Hamolotatonen gave the all clear and we were free to move around again.
“What news on our ships?” I asked Hamolatonen
“Our three ships have attacked two of the Pramasticon’s ships with concentrated fire. One is destroyed and the other has withdrawn, damaged,” he replied. “They have been instructed to break off and return before the other enemy ships can engage them.”
“Good. What is the disposition of the enemy ships?” I asked. He questioned the ship’s AI and a three dimensional display appeared on one of the screens. The enemy had organised their ships in twos, attacking the moon from four directions. Our three ships, lighter and more manoeuvrable without their fighter complement, had taken two of theirs by surprise. Four of the en
emy ships were attempting to cut off their return to the moon base.
“We should lay down some supporting fire for our returning ships,” I suggested.
“Yes, that is in hand,” said Hamolatonen. “We are waiting for them to get closer.” Three against six was still not good odds but the Settang could not directly take part in the action for the time being. Perhaps it may be expedient at some point for the Human and Hanja ‘cargo’ to evacuate the ship so it could take a more active role.
When will Alfred’s viruses take effect I asked myself.
A few minutes later our ships arrived and the attack against the moon and its asteroid defences restarted with increased ferocity. Our previous asteroid came under concentrated attack and its missile and gun emplacements were silenced. Enemy fighters were like flies, the area a maelstrom of flaming burning ships. Huge geysers of flaming rock boiled and exploded into the sky and the asteroid looked in danger of coming apart.
Our defences were penetrated, but the enemy was frustrated to find that our ship was not where they had expected it to be. One of our three starships plugged the gap left by the destroyed asteroid, lying down heavy anti aircraft fire against the marauding enemy fighters. Our long range missile batteries kept the enemy starships at bay for now but they had now worked out that concentrating their fire on one spot in the defensive ring was the right strategy. They began bombarding the neighbouring asteroid to the one already destroyed.
Meanwhile, some of the fighters that had penetrated behind the asteroid defence were attacking the installations on the moon’s surface. A few minutes later, we were alarmed to see one of the screens clear and the image of Cora appear.
“A number of the enemy fighters have landed and unloaded their robot soldiers. They are attempting to gain access to my central computing systems. I need more robot soldiers to defend this facility. The Settang must start to play an active role in our defence. You must evacuate the Settang, bring all the robot soldiers on board with you.” And then she was gone and we gazed at each other in shock. If they gained access to Cora central computing hardware, that would be the end of us. Hamolatonen sprang into action.
“Everybody to the evacuation ship. Paul, you must fly the Epsilon shuttle down. We are going to need Alfred if we survive. Can we get any more soldier bots into the ships?” The last question he addressed to the ship’s AI.
“No, but the ships can return to reload once they have safely delivered you,” replied the AI.
“Right, Settang, you are fully under the control of Cora’s tactical computers. If that should fail, you must revert to full control of the ship and continue the fight against the enemy. I will continue to be available on channel 10 and will contact you as soon as we are secure in our new location.”
“Understood,” said the ship.
“Everybody out,” shouted Hamolatonen. Grabbing Manera’s hand we raced for the aircraft bays. We parted with the others to board the Epsilon while they headed for the lone Peacekeeper fighter with shouts of ‘good luck’ and good wishes. One inside the familiar surroundings of my shuttle, it seemed like coming home. We entered the flight deck and I strapped myself into the pilot’s seat, Manera next to me.
“Alfred, systems checks. Do we have time?”
“No Paul, emergency checks only. Engine warm up begun. We will be following them out. Cora has provided a two fighter escort for us.”
“Does she have a secure location for the shuttle?” I asked.
“It was secure. I think, now, we have to secure it,” said Alfred.
“We are completely unarmed Alfred,” I said.
“I have taken the precaution of acquiring arms,” said Alfred. “The ship has six surveyor rockets, Sundance is armed with his rocket launcher and I have a couple of heavy duty guns for you and Manera. They fire explosive bullets that should knock out even a robot soldier.”
“Good Lord Alfred, where did you get all that from?” I asked.
“They are standard military issue. The Admiral thought you may come across some bother, as he put it.”
“Admiral Crozier? Why would he think that?”
“He remarked to me that trouble seems to follow you and Manera around. Only he expressed it more colourfully.”
“Yes, I can imagine.” I could not help grinning, despite our perilous circumstances.
“When you two have finished gossiping,” said Manera. “Perhaps we can get out of here.”
“Yes ma’am. Alfred, you have the stick.” I could see the Peacekeeper fighter that was transporting our friends manoeuvring to leave. It hovered, turned on its axis and moved smoothly out of the airlock. Its fusion jets flared red and it swooped away.
“Pretty nifty bastards those Peacekeeper fighters,” I observed. “I would love to get my hands on one and fly it manually.”
“If we live through this, I will buy you one,” said Manera.
“Nice, thanks. What would you like in return?”
“Oh, I would settle for a long and peaceful life at the moment.”
“You’d get bored,” I laughed.
“Long, peaceful and boring. Sounds great.”
The Epsilon was a VTOL aircraft and we heard and felt the muted thunder of the jets as she lifted gently of the deck. Alfred rotated her using the manoeuvring jets and applied forward power to ease the ship through the airlock doors. The craggy dark surface of our protecting asteroid loomed around us, almost blocking out all of our view of the star studded firmament. I could see gun and missile emplacements on its surface and a couple of Peacekeeper fighters hove into view, hovering protectively. It all seemed deceptively peaceful. The enemy were concentrating their fire elsewhere, for now.
The ship banked around the bulk of the Settang and accelerated towards the moon‘s surface, just a few miles away. In the distance the sunlight glinted on the sleek shape of the fighter transporting our friends. The moon’s surface loomed silver and black, dark shadows contrasting with glaring sunlight.
Our destination was the entrance to Cora’s domain, the moon base that originally housed the computing hardware for the triumvirate of Peacekeeper AI. It was underground, the entrance being a huge cave like opening in the side of a mountain. The entrance led through a high corridor into a cavern which had an open landing area for aircraft. The entrance corridor was high but narrow, defended by obstructing walls, with ceiling and wall mounted guns strategically placed. Our ships would be allowed to fly through the corridor into the landing area. But only one ship at a time could navigate the high twisting corridor, and it would be a tricky manoeuvre for the Epsilon, without the advantage of AG.
The aircraft carrying our friends had arrived at the cave entrance but hovered above. The reason was obvious; beneath, at the entrance to the cave, a ferocious battle was taking place. We could see two of the Peacekeeper fighter aircraft on the ground and a melee of robot soldiers. Above us we could see a fierce dog fight between our fighters and the enemy. A couple of our fighters broke off and dived down to attack the aircraft on the ground and the robot soldiers.
“Jesus, how are we going to get through that lot?” I gasped.
“We can’t,” said Manera. “We have to clear them first.”
“There is very little we can do,” I pointed out.
“Not us. The fighter ferrying the others. It is fully armed and has a complement of robot soldiers.”
“We can’t ask them to put themselves in danger,” I protested.
“It’s that or we all die,” said Manera. I knew she was right, but it was not up to me, an alien, to suggest that. Manera intuitively understood. She spoke into her comm.
“Hamo, this is Manera. You have to use your fighter to attack the enemy while they are on the ground,” she said. “Can you contact Cora?”
“She does not want us to get hurt,” replied Hamolatonen.
“If we don’t help to clear the enemy from here, we will all die,” said Manera.
“I agree,” replied Hamolatonen. “I will give
her permission.”
“Alfred, we need some temporary shelter, before one of these buggers spots us,” I suggested. “We are a sitting duck.” I was painfully aware that the Epsilon, although an agile and fast aircraft, was completely outclassed by the Peacekeeper fighters. “Get us away from here.”
I was beginning to think we had badly miscalculated in leaving the security of the Settang Despass. Alfred banked the ship and swooped away from the battle. We spotted a deep canyon, its floor pitch black, and Alfred gently lowered the ship on its vtol jets into the dark abyss. Our landing lights revealed a rock strewn floor but nothing too big to prevent a landing. As the ship touched down I sighed with relief and turned to Manera. She gave me a tense smile.
“This is not what you promised me when you kidnapped me and Alfred,” I said. “A sunny holiday by the sea you said. Golden beaches, lots of cocktails. Being attacked by homicidal robots was not mentioned in the brochure.” She giggled.
“That bit was in the small print. Warning, in accepting the terms and conditions, you may be attacked by homicidal robots.” We laughed together, I think, mostly in relief!
“The human propensity for finding humour in the most bizarre circumstances, never ceases to amaze me,” said Alfred, in his best butler voice.
“You should be used to it by now Alfred,” I said, chuckling. “How are our friends doing?”
“I have lost contact with Cora,” he said.
“Hmm, damn! The canyon is blocking the signal. How are we going to know when to try and get back?”
“We can place an external relay at the top of the canyon,” said Alfred. I could put on a Spacesuit and climb to the top of the canyon to place the relay, but it would be much easier to send Sundance.
“It may be a good option for both of you to put on Spacesuits,” suggested Alfred. “If we are detected and attacked, you can try to make it back to Cora’s base. It is only a few miles from here and within the range of the buggy.” I was reluctant to put on a Spacesuit, but Alfred’s suggestion was a good one, and checking out the lay of the land around us may be a good idea.
