by Chris Fox
Hannan and Izzy tensed, both sensing the possible conflict for command. Nolan ignored them, staring hard at Fizgig. It was her opinion that mattered, after all. If she acquiesced he'd be in charge, if not...well things would get very interesting. There was a time just a few weeks back he'd have relinquished command to the venerable Tigris, but he was a different man now. He had a responsibility to see this through, and to keep his few remaining men alive.
"You've proven capable," Fizgig replied. She gave him an appraising look. "I will follow you into battle, as will Izzy."
"Lena?" Nolan asked, turning to face the scientist.
"I'd be dead if not for you. You have earned my trust, Nolan," Lena said, giving him what was probably meant to be a warm smile. It was more than a little creepy, with so many sharp teeth.
"Hannan?" he asked, turning to face the petite Marine.
"I told you when we first met," Hannan said, shooting him a lopsided grin. "I'm tactics. You're strategy. Captain suits you, sir."
"Primo," Nolan said, facing the VI. "Register me as ship's captain."
"Done," Primo responded instantly. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Hail the Claw," Nolan commanded. He waited patiently for several seconds.
The holographic display shifted. Half still showed the battle, but the other half now showed the bridge of the Claw. It was a mess. A haze of smoke covered everything, and most of the crew was either dead or unconscious. Only the pilot's chair, and the ops station were occupied. The Tigris in the captain's chair wasn't moving. Nolan recognized him immediately. It was Khar.
"Nolan, is that you?" Dryker's voice called. He stepped away from the ops station, and into the center of the view.
"Yes, sir," Nolan said, grinning. He couldn't believe Dryker was alive. "Mission accomplished. We've seized control of the Void Wraith vessel."
"Sit rep?" Dryker asked. He looked pale and exhausted, but his face was etched with grim determination.
"Dire," Fizgig called, stepping up to join Nolan. "I see you've commandeered my ship."
"I'm sorry, Fizgig, but after Khar went down there was no one else," Dryker said.
"It's understandable, especially with your own vessel destroyed. The Johnston was a fine ship," Fizgig said, giving a respectful nod.
"The very best," Dryker agreed. He gave a sad smile. "She died well. We have a saying, one that dates back to the earliest human navies. 'A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what a ship is made for.' Johnston was a destroyer, and she went down swinging."
"Sir," Nolan interrupted. "We don't have a lot of time. That big vessel powering for the sun? It's a bomb, and we believe it's headed for Primo space."
"What do you plan to do about it?" Dryker asked. His bridge shook again, and a wave of sparks erupted from a nearby terminal.
"We're betting it's headed for Theras Prime," Nolan said. He glanced at the battle map, then back to Dryker. "It looks like you can circle wide, then make for the Helios Gate."
"You want me to retreat?" Dryker said. His expression turned sour. "I'm not even sure this ship can survive passage through a sun."
"We don't have any other choice," Nolan protested. "We need someone to warn the Primo, and you're the only vessel that can make it through the Helios Gate in time. The rest of the Tigris are engaged and being overwhelmed. This fight will be over in minutes."
"There is another vessel that can do it," Dryker shot back. "Yours."
"We've got a cloaking device, sir," Nolan said. He took a deep breath, realizing in that instant that he wasn't going to take orders, not from Dryker or anyone else. He knew what needed to be done. "I'm going to stop that bomb, or die trying. You're going to warn the Primo in case we fail."
Dryker's face was stony for a long moment, then he gave an affectionate smile. "You're becoming a hell of a leader, son. We'll do our best to reach the Helios Gate. Dryker out."
Chapter 71- Nolan
"Captain, there is an event occurring you may wish to be apprised of," the VI said, mildly.
Nolan closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. He wasn't sure how many more "events" he wanted to know about. "What is it, Primo?"
"Two Harvester-class vessels have de-cloaked and are moving to intercept us," Primo replied.
"Cloak us," Nolan shot back. "Now."
"They must have detected us when we de-cloaked to speak to Dryker," Fizgig observed. She folded her arms, studying the holographic battle map.
"Lena, we need a way to disable that bomb. What can you give me?" Nolan asked.
"I'm not sure," Lena said, her tail swishing. She looked at Primo. "Can you bring up a schematic?"
"This is the approximate makeup," Primo said, and a corner of the holographic wall showed a cutaway of the bomb. Data scrolled by next to it, a series of numbers and metrics that was gibberish to Nolan.
Lena moved closer to study the schematics, so Nolan turned back to the battle. The Tigris were losing, badly. Only two of the human ships had been disabled, and three Void Wraith vessels were operational. At least the Claw had made it safely away. It had reached the safety of the sun's corona, and disappeared.
"I can't see a way to stop the bomb," Lena said, eyeing Nolan soberly. "This new element isn't explosive on its own. It's designed to work with a star's core, and is basically inert until that point."
"We could attempt to destroy the thrusters," Fizgig mused, studying the schematic with those unreadable eyes. "They'll likely destroy us in the attempt, unless we do it ourselves by ramming the bomb."
"I doubt that would work," Nolan said, sighing. "We might temporarily disable the engines, but the remaining vessels could tow the bomb into the sun. We need a more permanent way to stop it. Lena, what about the Helios Gate itself?"
"That might work," Lena said, blinking. "A Helios Gate can only sustain one wormhole at a time. If we open a connection to some other star, then the Void Wraith can't take the bomb to Primo space. They'd have to let it denote here, or in the star of our choosing."
"If we keep the connection open," Izzy said, hesitantly joining the conversation. "Wouldn't both stars go nova?"
"I hadn't considered that," Lena said, smiling at Izzy. "You could be a scientist, sister. If we open and sustain the connection, then the reaction would spread to both stars. This system and the destination would go nova."
"They'll try to stop us from keeping the connection open," Fizgig said. Her tail swayed back and forth. "I've never done battle in a Helios Gate. It will be tricky. If our shields drop, we'll be incinerated instantly."
"That will be true for the enemy as well," Hannan said. Nolan had almost forgotten she was in the room. "We could set the connection, go through, and then ambush anyone who comes through and attempts to sever the connection."
"That's workable," Nolan said, nodding. "Lena, how long will this reaction take?"
"I'm not sure." She turned to the VI. "Primo, when the bomb detonated in the final war, how long did it take?"
"Our measurements weren't precise, but given the data from that explosion and from this bomb I'd postulate that twenty minutes would be sufficient for the reaction to begin," the VI said. "Once the reaction begins, there is no way to stop it."
"So if we can keep the connection open for twenty minutes, then we win," Nolan said, smiling for the first time in what felt like days.
"There is a further consideration," Fizgig said. "What about us? Both systems will be destroyed."
"If we're fast, we might be able to outrun the nova," Nolan said.
"That still leaves us stranded," Izzy pointed out. "If the Helios Gate is destroyed, we'll have to use sub-light thrusters to reach another Gate. That could take years."
"Primo, locate two Helios Gates in close proximity. Ideally, within a light year of each other. Closer is better," Nolan ordered.
"Done," Primo said. "The Hexonis system is within a quarter light year of Nerat Prime. The two stars' proximity matches your criteria."
"Excellent. Se
t a course for the Helios Gate. When we get there we'll open a connection to Hexonis," Nolan said.
Chapter 72- Countdown
"We're entering the core, captain," Primo's pleasant voice said. "Total transition time, four minutes and fifty two seconds."
Nolan folded his arms, watching the holographic display. The Void Wraith vessel was far more efficient than the Johnston, and had made the trek through the star in approximately one third of the time a human vessel could manage.
"If it were me," Nolan mused aloud. "I'd move the bomb surrounded by the fleet, just in case. That would mean doing it slowly, at the speed of the human vessels. I'd estimate fifteen minutes if that's the case."
"I'd use the same strategy, were I in command of the enemy forces," Fizgig agreed. "That would mean that we'll need to hold the connection for five minutes after the enemy force reaches it."
"That also means that they'll probably use the human vessels as bait," Nolan said. The view screen showed a wall of super dense, super hot material. Then it faded to black as they entered the Helios Gate's protective bubble. The golden sphere sat in the very center of the star, surrounded by an empty space larger than the earth. "If it were me, I'd send them in first to engage. Once we de-cloak to attack them, I'd send in the Void Wraith vessels to overwhelm us."
"So how do you plan to deal with that?" Hannan asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Nolan said, thinking furiously. He'd been considered an excellent tactician back in fleet academy, but they'd never trained their personnel to deal with unwinnable scenarios like this.
"I have a suggestion," Lena said. She started purring. "All we need to do is power the connection, and cross through. Once we're on the far side we destroy the Helios Gate's limiter."
"Clever," Fizgig said, bowing to Lena. "You prove your intellectual superiority, holy one."
"Why is that clever?" Hannan asked, blinking at Nolan.
"The limiter is how the Helios Gate turns on and off," Nolan said, beginning to understand. "Without the limiter, they won't be able to turn off the Gate. They'd have to repair the connection."
"Exactly," Lena said, her tail rising slowly until it was over her head. It swished in a very satisfied way. "They could repair it, but if we're standing by we can attack anyone who makes the attempt. All we have to do is take pot shots at their repair crew. If we can keep them busy for five minutes, we win."
"Perfect," Nolan said. He was starting to think they might pull this off. "Primo, use the Helios Gate to establish a connection to Hexonis then move through."
The Helios Gate began to vibrate, and the harnessed singularity in the center flared white. On the other side they could see an identical Gate. Their vessel moved forward, entering the wormhole.
Chapter 73- The Core
"Primo, target the limiter," Nolan ordered. The view screen shifted to show a large sapphire triangle embedded in the Gate's golden surface. "We want enough power to disable that limiter, but not enough to further damage the Gate."
"Acknowledged," Primo said. The ship rumbled, then a ball of potent blue energy gathered between the wingtips. It was much less terrifying being in the ship firing one of those blue balls than it was being on the receiving end.
The ball shot forward, shattering the limiter in a shower of brilliant light. Nolan held his breath as he waited for the Gate to blow up. He'd never heard of someone intentionally damaging a Gate. Not only was it against every galactic law in every culture, but doing so was damn near suicidal.
"The connection is stable, and the limiter is offline," Primo said.
Cheers erupted around the bridge. Hannan and Izzy caught each other up in a heartfelt hug. Even Fizgig started purring softly. Nolan finally let out the breath he was holding.
"Focus, people," he said, ending the brief moment of jubilation. "Now we wait."
And wait they did. For several agonizing minutes they studied the connection.
"Two minutes until critical reaction is reached," Primo said, breaking the pregnant silence.
"Here they come," Hannan said, clutching her rifle to her chest.
Four human vessels emerged through the wormhole, each moving to flank the opening. Two showed signs of battle damage, though nothing critical. Then another ship emerged, this one an OFI carrier. It took up a position near the Helios Gate.
"Looks like they're figuring out what we've done," Nolan said. He considered what he knew of OFI protocol. "Primo, can you read the encryption protocol stored in my suit?"
"Affirmative," Primo confirmed. "How would you like me to employ it?"
"See if you can pick up chatter from those vessels," Nolan ordered.
A moment later panicked voices echoed across the deck. "--looks like they've disabled the limiter. We're scanning it now, but there's no way we're going to be able to repair it in time."
"We don't have to repair it," came a strong female voice. "All vessels prepare to attack. If we destroy this Gate it will break the connection to the Ghantan star. They'll be able to open a new connection, and enact the masters' plans."
"Primo, move into position behind the carrier," Nolan ordered. Their perspective began to shift as the VI obeyed. "Once we're in position, I want you to unload everything we have on the carrier. Aim for the junction between the two engines."
"Why there?" Fizgig asked.
Nolan hesitated before answering. He knew a great deal about OFI vessels, but sharing that information with a rival race was risky. "I'm exploiting a design flaw, one I don't believe your people ever found. There's a conduit connecting the engines. That conduit runs back to the vessel's fusion core. If we can blow up the engines, it will probably force the core to go critical."
"Won't the resulting explosion take out the Gate?" Hannan asked.
"The Gates are far more durable than that," Lena supplied. "They're designed to withstand the stresses of being at the heart of a star. Only a concentrated assault on the outer ring will actually destroy one."
"We're in position, Captain. Shall I fire?" Primo asked.
"Do it," Nolan ordered.
They shimmered into view, the ball of blue energy already forming between their wing tips. Two seconds later, they fired. The ball of crackling blue energy shot into the rear of the carrier. At first there was no reaction beyond both engines going dark. Then a pillar of flame shot out of the carrier's aft side. One pillar became two, then ten. The vessel detonated, and a wave of fire and debris washed over them.
The Harvester was knocked backwards, and Nolan toppled to the deck. "All power to the shield."
If the shield dropped, nothing would save them. Nolan shot back to his feet, glancing around at the walls. The fact that they were still alive meant that the shield had held. The same couldn't be said for the human vessels. The carrier's detonation had hit them with the same wave of force and debris, before any of them could prepare for the blast. Three of the four had lost their shields, instantly blossoming into balls of fire. That added to the explosion, which took out the fourth vessel.
A second wave of flame washed over the Harvester, but this one was weaker. They barely felt it.
"We did it," Hannan said, laughing.
"How long until the reaction is complete?" Nolan asked.
"Twelve seconds," Primo said.
"Get us the hell out of here," Nolan said, leaning against the wall. The adrenaline was already starting to fade. Damn, but he needed a nap.
"Acknowledged," Primo said. Their vessel began accelerating away from the Helios Gate, and into the star.
Chapter 74- Edwards
Hannan couldn't believe it. They'd done it. Not only lived, but found a way to stop the Void Wraith. The victory had been costly, but it was victory nonetheless.
"Captain, I have a piece of business you may wish to be aware of," the virtual intelligence said. It unnerved her, but she suppressed her distaste. The thing had saved their lives, after all.
"What is it?" Nolan said, looking up from where he sat slumped against the
wall. He looked like death warmed over.
"The Judicators assigned to internal maintenance have located a surviving biological unit," Primo explained. "That unit is in critical condition, and scans indicate that its body cannot be saved."
"Edwards," Hannan said.
Nolan met her gaze, and she read the pain there. It mirrored her own.
"What shall I do with this biological entity?" Primo asked.
"What do you mean?" Nolan said. He rose from the floor, and approached the black platform.
"The entity can be recycled. We can remove his consciousness, merging it with a cybernetic body.
"You're talking about turning Edwards into a Judicator," Nolan said. He looked back at Hannan. "What do you think?"
She wasn't sure how to answer. What would Edwards want? She didn't know. He'd want to live, but as a robot? That was a steep cost.
She looked at the VI. "What are the odds of survival if you don't make him into a Judicator?"
"Twelve percent," the VI replied immediately. "If he does survive, he will be completely paralyzed."
"Shit," Hannan said. She looked at Nolan, considering. "I'd say we do it. Edwards would want to keep fighting."
"All right," Nolan said, exhaling. Hannan could see the exhaustion, but the Commander's expression was resolved.
"VI, you can place his body into any Judicator?" Nolan asked.
"Affirmative, Captain," the VI confirmed.
Nolan smiled grimly. "Do it, then. Have him made into an Alpha Judicator, and when that's done have him report to us."
"Acknowledged," Primo said.
"How long until we reach the next Helios Gate?" Nolan asked.
"Eighty four days, using your calendar," the VI answered.
Hannan sighed. That was a long time to wait. Who knew what the Void Wraith would do in that time? They'd stopped them at Ghantan, but she had a terrifying certainty that this was only the beginning.
The real war was still to come.
