by John Walker
“Captain,” Olly announced “They’re trying to jump out of here!”
Redding shook her head. “Not today.” She made some adjustments on her console and fired again. The Behemoth’s weapons fired in tandem, each one slamming into the enemy vessel at the precise coordinates of the energy build up. Olly didn’t need his scans to see the impact. The shields flared and dropped then bouts of flame erupted from the vessel, orange bubbles against the darkness.
The power surge went dark.
“They’ve been disabled!” Olly shouted.
“Thank you,” Gray said, “but try to relax.”
The Final Star fired, their cannon splashing against the Behemoth’s front shields. Olly held his breath, hoping Durant was right about being prepared. The weapon hit them for a good ten seconds before dropping off. Shields remained at a steady seventy-eight percent, far better than they would’ve fared before.
I love having Durant on board!
“No appreciable damage!”
Agatha spoke up, “our pilots report they’re moving to engage the enemy fighters but apparently, the Orion’s Flight forces are falling back.”
Gray frowned. “I wonder why. They’ve got our people out matched right now. Why not take them on?”
Adam stared at the screen of his station and inhaled sharply. “Our smaller turrets have engaged them. They’re charging us, Captain!”
Durant turned to his own screen and nodded. “Commander Everly is right. They’re coming straight for us and they are not slowing down.”
“Olly, shift shields to that side,” Gray gestured. “Hurry!”
Olly tapped his controls as quickly as he could, making the necessary adjustments to their power allocation. He noted a screen out of his peripheral vision showing the scans. The turrets took one out but they couldn’t get them all. Any second one of the enemy fighters would hit them and depending on how their reactor went up, it could cause some pretty serious damage.
He finished the task just as the first of the fighters slammed into their defenses. The resulting impact made the ship shake but the shields held…at sixty percent. They’re not recharging as quickly as they were a few moments ago! Olly checked the load balancing Durant was using and it was dipping.
Olly lifted his hand. “The shields are having trouble recharging after that!”
“I know,” Durant replied, waving his hand at him. “I’m working on it!”
“Work faster,” Gray said. “This isn’t a situation where we get a second chance.”
Another ship slammed into them, this time reducing shields to forty percent. The Final Star fired again just as Redding let loose another series of blasts at the other ship. She began to move them away from the damaged vessel, giving them some distance from both the potential explosion and the enemy pilots intent on throwing their lives away.
How do they have the resources to lose these people?
The answer to his question seemed simple enough. With Orion’s Light, the ends justified the means. If they blew up the Behemoth and it cost them a few fighters, then they were definitely ahead. Olly checked the turrets and saw they had taken down another three of the enemy, each of which potentially could’ve brought their shields down completely.
When the Final Star’s attack hit their shields, this time there was cause for alarm. The ship itself shook more violently and the lights flickered overhead. Olly checked the damage and noted that the forward living quarters took the brunt of the blow. Though the hull remained intact, a variety of systems read offline down there, including the power to lights.
I hope no one happened to be down there when we got hit by the other weapon.
Olly’s eyes widened. “If they get another chance to hit us with that beam thing, these secondary shields might not hold.”
“A thought I had too,” Durant said. “I have some good news. The ship with that weapon currently can’t fire it. They’re barely able to maintain life support. The bad news is that the load balancer is on the verge of failure. I’ve patched it in to some emergency relays…the power we used for the temporary shields around those three sections. However, we need to wrap this up fast. We might not have the energy for much more.”
“Understood,” Gray said. “Redding, redirect your fire to the Final Star. Before they get their special cannon back on us.”
***
Chapter 10
Clea worked with Agatha throughout the fight, attempting to reach Dubaris. The interference required them to move through a variety of frequencies, attempting to get through with well over a dozen techniques Clea had never heard of. The communications officer really knew her job and when they suddenly established a connection, Clea wanted to hug the Ensign.
“I’ll present the situation,” Clea told her, taking a deep breath while Dubaris greeted her with some concern.
“We thought we might’ve lost you all out there,” Dubaris said. “What’s been going on?”
“We engaged the rebel battleship but before we could take it, Orion’s Light ships showed up and destroyed it.” Clea frowned. “We’re engaged with two of them now and are in pretty bad shape. However, the reason I’m contacting you is to say that the rebels have been duped. The Orion’s Light didn’t care about their cause, they just wanted to create chaos out here.”
“Do you have some proof of that?” Dubaris asked. “It’ll be hard for me to convince them otherwise.”
“Yes, from our operations on board the space station and down on the surface of your home world. We have Orion’s Light bodies and records of their involvement. Furthermore, they were trying to destroy your planet. They didn’t want anyone to occupy it. Only to cause you enough grief to keep you from helping the alliance.”
“I see.” Dubaris cleared his throat. “Anything else?”
“They stole a prototype weapon and have used it on us,” Clea replied. “Getting that weapon was likely the primary purpose of the terrorist’s operation. We’re lucky to be alive right now however, the ship they installed it on is nearly destroyed. They shouldn’t be able to escape with it.”
“That’s good news but I’m sending ships to make sure just in case. Can you hold out?”
Clea turned to the scanners and honestly didn’t know. “If you can microjump, that would be a very good thing. We don’t have time if you’re going to take the conventional route.”
“Understood. I’ll come personally. Hang in there.”
Clea leaned back and turned to Gray. “Reinforcements are incoming.”
“Not a moment too soon,” Gray muttered.
Another fighter struck their side. This time, the lights went out and were replaced by the emergency beams on the edges. The computer screens provided more illumination. Olly called out that the shields were down to environmental, meaning all defensive capabilities were essentially out. Though casual debris couldn’t get through, weapons were another story.
Clea turned to Durant, her eyes wide. He glared at his console, intent on his work as he tapped away. She’d spent a lot of time with him but never saw him so fully engaged. He likely never felt the same pressure as he did in that moment. Durant never served on board a combat vessel and as a result, his closest brush with death might’ve been when Orion’s Light invaded his little sanctuary.
“I hope you’ve got something good going,” Gray said. “Because I’m not even sure our weapons are going to be at full power at this point.”
“They won’t,” Durant said. “But I’ve got another idea. It’s a crazy one but it just might work.”
“I’m all ears,” Gray muttered.
“The Behemoth isn’t equipped with a full on tractor beam, the type the alliance vessels use to pull things in. You guys prefer to do it the old fashioned way, essentially with tug ships.” Durant explained.
Final Star fired on them, hammering the ship with a series of pulse blasts. The entire vessel shook and Olly began to call out heavy damage on several decks. No key systems were taken out but it
was only through the virtue of the ship’s size that kept it safe. That and the Final Star’s inability to target specific locations.
Krilan won’t make that mistake too many times.
“We don’t have time for a long winded lesson!” Clea interrupted.
“Well, I have to give some of it,” Durant complained. “Anyway, I just reprogrammed one of our communications emitters and super charged it. This will give us a ten second burst to grab something and move it. I can’t guarantee it will work exactly as I suggested since the equipment wasn’t designed for it, however, it’s worth a shot.”
“What do you propose we grab?” Adam asked.
“The ship with the prototype.” Gray’s eyes narrowed. “Will it handle something so big?”
“It’s space.” Durant shrugging. “We should definitely give it a try.”
“The enemy fighters are all gone,” Olly said. “The last of them have been destroyed by our pilots and the turrets held up.”
“At least that’s over,” Gray replied. “Durant, make it happen.”
“I’m coordinating with Miss Redding,” Durant said, turning his attention to the pilot. “If you wouldn’t mind getting ready to provide maximum thrust to the er…starboard side? Away from the ship we’re grabbing.”
“Go for it, Redding,” Gray confirmed.
Redding shook her head, tapping the controls and leaning back. “We’re ready.” She poised her fingers over the throttle and waited for Durant’s mark. The engineer worked for a good twenty seconds, sweat covering his face. He grimaced a few times, then turned from his position and pointed at the view screen.
“Er…thrust it!”
Marcus muttered, “pretty sure he meant gun it.”
“Can it, Ensign,” Adam grumbled.
Redding initiated full thrust, the ship veering to the side at the same time. Olly put the starboard side up on the view screen. They watched as one of the emitters cast a massive light on the ship beside them. Their movement compelled the ship into motion, sending it away from the Behemoth and into the path of the Final Star.
The act made their enemy fall back and move, buying them a few moments as the damaged enemy ship very nearly collided with the Orion’s Light flagship. As the dance continued outside, Durant didn’t take time to celebrate. He continued working feverishly, speaking with the people in engineering.
“Captain,” Agatha spoke up. “We’re being hailed by the Final Star.”
“Time to buy a little more time,” Gray said. “On screen.”
Krilan Ar’Vax’s face appeared before them, looking as smug as he did when he murdered one of their pilots in cold blood. He sat in his chair, totally relaxed despite the fact his ship had just narrowly avoided being smashed into. He tilted his head, as if taking in the scene aboard the Behemoth before speaking.
“We’re a little busy,” Gray said. “What do you want?”
“No greeting?” Krilan clicked his tongue. “I’m disappointed. But if you wish to get straight to the point, I’m willing. We know you have Durant Vi’Puren aboard. Hand him over and we’ll go our separate ways. Fair trade. One kielan life for your entire crew. That would be the ones we haven’t already killed, of course.”
Clea felt Gray’s rage beside her but he took a steadying breath, never revealing his feelings through an expression.
“Interesting proposition,” Gray said. “And what, you’ll just leave the system? How’re you going to get your disabled ship out of here?”
Krilan sighed. “You don’t have to worry about that, do you? After all, my deal involves you saving your own lives. Not mine. Don’t worry about them. They’ll be fine.”
“I’m having a very hard time trusting you.” Gray shrugged. “Call me cynical. What kind of terms are you going to give me that I can trust?”
Durant waved Clea over and she stepped closer to him. He lowered his voice, whispering to her. “The generators are back online. I’m rigging the load balancer to give us full weapons and enough shields to handle at least a single shot. Engineering is directing from our actual engines. In other words, the core itself.”
“Which normally charges the generators which distribute the energy,” Clea confirmed.
“Yes, I’m just bypassing the regulators and essentially fast starting them.”
“Okay. How long?”
“Nearly instantly but we’re going to have to do some serious work on those generators when we’re done. They’re going to super heat.”
“Benefit?” Clea asked. “What do you hope to achieve?”
“We can blow up that vessel they’re sitting on top of,” Durant pointed out. “And see what happens.”
Clea nodded, moving over to Redding. The captain continued his conversation, banter with Krilan. He did a good job of keeping the man talking. Luckily, he really wanted Durant or the talk would’ve gone differently. As she crouched beside the pilot, she let her know the plan. Redding nodded glancing back at the captain.
“We have to let him continue his part of this task,” Clea said. “Please, just target the enemy ship here…and here. When we hit them, that will set the ship off. The Final Star might not get caught in the full blast but it should drive them off long enough for help to arrive. Besides, they can’t be allowed to escape with that prototype anyway.”
“Understood, ma’am.” Redding tapped her console. “Target locked in.”
Clea returned to her seat.
“It’ll take me a minute to get Durant ready,” Gray said. “As in I’m pretty sure I’ll have to tie him up. He’s not going to willingly head over to your ship.”
“Very well,” Krilan said. “I’ll give you…”
Durant nodded to Clea. She turned and had Agatha mute the line. “Redding! Go! Fire!”
Redding tapped the controls and the Behemoth launched a massive barrage into the disabled ship. The beams cut into the hull at the key points listed, including engineering and specifically, their core. Olly’s mouth dropped as he peered at his console and he called out a damage report which ultimately meant catastrophic.
“They’re going to blow!” Olly cried out. “Like…big!”
“Pull us back,” Gray said. “Now!”
Redding hit the engines, drawing them away from the explosion. Connection with the Final Star was broken as the enemy pulled away too, everyone retreating from the damaged vessel. Clea gripped her seat tightly, tensing up for the blow she was sure to come. She didn’t entirely trust Durant’s shield part of the equation, despite the fact he’d been right every time so far.
Something about the situation felt like she needed to be cynical but as they drew back from the massive explosion, the shockwave barely even shook them. The Final Star veered around, firing their pulse cannons into the Behemoth’s side. The shields flared, but held. Okay, I won’t doubt the man again.
“Shields deflected the shot,” Olly said, “but we don’t have another one in us.”
“You bought us a last stab in the eye,” Gray said to Durant. “If only they would’ve been closer to that ship when it blew.”
“They’re coming around!” Marcus yelled. “Another pass!”
“Ten seconds,” Olly muttered.
“It won’t matter,” Durant said. “Mister Darnell? I believe your scans have something.”
Olly looked at his terminal, confused for a moment but his face lit up. “Two ships have just jumped into this area! They’re here right now!”
“It’s Dubaris!” Clea said. “The reinforcements!”
“We’ve got this, Behemoth,” Dubaris’s voice filled the bridge. “Hang back for a moment.”
Both ships began hammering the Final Star, tearing into their shields from behind. The attack caused the enemy to break off their attack and head away, engaging full speed to escape. One of the two novalat vessels gave chase and the other remained close by, remaining on protection duty.
“You people okay over there?”
Gray chuckled, “yeah, we’re ok
ay. Pride might be smarting a little but I’m not going to complain about the save. Thank you.”
“You people have done more for us than we can ever repay. It was the least we can do.” Dubaris hummed. “Good news. The rebels have agreed to a cease fire to see the evidence you found. I’m hopeful. Getting them to a discussion table will be a big step toward ending this idiotic conflict. A lot people here would like to rebuild.”
Clea checked the scans and saw that the Final Star was preparing to jump out of the system. Their pursuer couldn’t keep up. Krilan was about to escape again and she knew there was nothing they could do about it. The captain wouldn’t be pleased. Allowing the maniac to continue his operations out there jeopardized the bigger war to come.
He’s going to become a priority and soon.
“We understand,” Gray said. “The alliance will do everything in its power to help.”
“Let’s escort you back to the safe zone where you can get some facilities to initiate repairs,” Dubaris said. “I think you’ve all earned some rest, huh?”
“Once our fighters land, we’ll be ready to fall out. Give us ten minutes.” As the connection dropped, Gray sat heavily in his seat. “That was quite the engagement. You heard the man. Square ourselves away for falling out. We’ve got a lot of work to do before we can finally go home.”
***
Trellan’s new companions engaged the Earth ship, moving in after their shields went down. During the fight, he remained in the crew quarters, out of the way. They didn’t lock him in but the lieutenant made it clear he was not to go wandering the ship. He was expecting to meet Krilan but then they started a brawl.
This might not go well.
He’d tapped into their coms through the computer in the room and listened to the action. They weren’t doing poorly but apparently, they were outgunned…and knew it. This didn’t seem to matter to the zealots who must’ve thought sheer willpower would win the day. Not wise, even with their special weapon.
It turned out the thing worked. They were able to disable or potentially kill a lot of people on board the human ship. This filled Trellan with rage. He hated being amongst a group so ready to casually kill. No matter how long he spent amongst criminal elements, he couldn’t get used to the sheer amount of death involved, even by his own hand.
