Triumphant (Battle Born Book 14)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Do you agree to stop firing on our planet and leave this solar system?” one of the others countered.

  “The general’s first reaction was to contact us rather than blowing this building to kingdom come, which we all know he’s capable of doing,” the American pointed out. “I think we should hear him out.”

  Sedrik fought back a smile. Morgan Hoyt’s fingerprints were all over this reaction. She’d agreed to discretely contact a few of her contacts within and respected by the U.N. so they could validate his motivation once the crisis was over. Apparently, this female was one that Morgan had contacted.

  Well, unfortunately for both of them, he wasn’t here to negotiate. “The conversation will be mercifully short, I promise.” He faced the spokespeople, but projected his voice to the room at large, “I’ve come here to accept your unconditional surrender.”

  Gasps traveled the room again, but the male ambassador looked angry. “We are not powerless against you,” he sneered. “Many of our weapons can reach your ships.”

  “Fire even one and I will retaliate one thousand fold.” Sedrik moved even closer. He leaned over the table as he snarled, “I am finished indulging you humans. If you doubt my sincerity or my resolve, perhaps you’ll be more impressed with this. Behold my power!”

  Hearing the prearranged signal, Tyrale deactivated the Triumphant’s covert shields.

  Sedrik paused, waiting for a reaction. The sounds took a moment to reach the council chambers, but soon screams, shouts, and running feet rang out in the corridors surrounding them. It hadn’t been his intention to cause widespread panic, only to shake things up a bit.

  “What have you done?” the male demanded.

  “Nothing. Yet. If you care to keep it that way, surrender.”

  Tyrale deactivate avatar. He pushed the thought into his first officer’s mind.

  The linking signal blinked out and Sedrik found himself back at central command on the Triumphant. Tyrale had switched the largest section on the viewscreen grid to an exterior shot of the United Nations Headquarters. People rushed out of the building, spilling off the sidewalks and into the curved driveway. Most pointed their phones at the sky, but the ship was so large it blocked out the sun, making their primitive devices useless.

  Time for phase two.

  “Sector commanders, tell your fighters to deactivate covert shields.”

  “Sector five, copy.”

  “Sector three, copy.”

  The other four quickly followed.

  “Let’s see how long it takes their media to explode,” Sedrik muttered under his breath.

  The answer was eleven minutes. New York television stations broadcast images of the Triumphant first, followed almost immediately by cities all over the world reporting smaller ships in the sky. Soon the entire planet was buzzing with worry and speculation. Other than some minor automobile accidents and the inevitable stampede of frightened onlookers, the “crisis” had been controlled and effective.

  “What now, sir?” Tyrale asked softly.

  “Now we wait for reports of this commotion to reach the Evonti. If they’re half as proficient as I fear, it won’t take them long to mobilize their forces.”

  * * * * *

  “That was much better,” Skyla’s voice was calm and sincere. “But you’re still distracted.”

  “Can’t imagine why.” Rebecca shook her head. The holo-image of Skyla was so lifelike it was easy to forget they were on different planets. Rebecca sat in one of the armchairs in the living room of the cabin she shared with Sedrik. The sofa was for relaxing and snuggling with Sedrik, so she’d deemed this her training chair. “My mate is on the command deck picking a fight with the Evonti.” Rebecca narrowed her eyes as an interesting possibility occurred to her. “Do you have any insight into the outcome of all this? I’d be less distracted if I knew everything was going to be all right.”

  Skyla’s image was seated in the other armchair. “Sorry, dear. My gift has revealed nothing, and believe me I’ve tried to see the outcome.”

  “Didn’t hurt to ask.”

  After studying Rebecca for several minutes, Skyla said, “Why don’t you print a mug of something soothing and we’ll just chat?”

  “I’d appreciate the company, but the only thing I’d find soothing is booze and it’s way too early for that.”

  “Fair enough.” Skyla crossed her legs and relaxed her pose, pressing back into the chair. “Have you made friends with any of the other females? It’s not healthy to stay locked in these rooms night and day.”

  Rebecca sighed. She’d thought the other females who were isolated aboard the Triumphant would jump at the opportunity to spend time with other females, but their reactions had been tepid at best. “There are only three. I’ve met each one, but they seemed even more overwhelmed than me. I didn’t want to add to their stress.”

  “Sometimes all people need to feel more comfortable is to realize that they’re not alone. Besides, you’re not just another mate. You’re the general’s mate. It’s your responsibility to reach out to them and make them feel more at home.” Skyla would know. Her mate was a retired general. She’d spent decades in the role of charming hostess.

  Rebecca nodded. “I could set up an informal lunch for the four of us. We do have a lot in common. Maybe they’ll open up more in a group.”

  “Excellent idea.”

  Sedrik arrived a few minutes later, planning to spend his midday break with Rebecca. Skyla asked him a few questions, then ended the holo-com, not wanting to intrude on their stolen moment.

  “How did this morning really go?” Rebecca asked once they were alone. “The answers you gave your mother were suspiciously vague.”

  “There were more injuries than I’d intended,” he admitted. “Two of the victims are in critical condition. I’d forgotten how easily humans panic.”

  His frustration and guilt trickled into her mind, allowing her to share in his struggle while still shielding her from the intensity. “Rodyte medicine is far superior to human,” she pointed out. “Can you send them a medic?”

  “Great minds think alike,” he said with a quick smile. “The critical cases were put in medical stasis so they could be transported to the Intrepid and three field medics are assisting the human physicians with the other casualties.”

  “The human governments allowed you to take victims off-world after you threatened them with the Triumphant?” She was surprised and sounded it.

  He shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “I didn’t ask their permission. I spoke with the physicians treating the patients and they were glad for our assistance. That’s what’s so frustrating about this U.N. nonsense. It doesn’t reflect the feeling of most of Earth’s people.”

  “That’s typical, my love. The vast majority of Earth’s politicians only care about themselves. They tell their constituents whatever they want to hear so they’ll show up at the polls, but the only thing that ever gets done is the politicians get richer.”

  “Then why do the people continue to vote for them?”

  His brows bunched up, making his forehead crease. The expression was so endearing it made her smile—and lose interest in politics. “Human voters might remain frustrated, but I’m glad the wounded are getting what they need.” He just nodded and his expression smoothed, becoming distant, almost vacant. Pushing to her feet, she went to him, wrapping her arms loosely around his waist. “Shall I print you something to eat? You rushed off without breakfast.”

  He waved away her concern. “I ate a couple of protein bars, and I’m too wound up for anything else.”

  Disappointed by his answer, yet understanding, she motioned toward the couch. “Shall I rub your shoulders. See if I can help you relax?”

  He ignored the offer and started pacing. If he was too stressed out to counter with a sexy remark, they were in serious trouble. The room wasn’t that large so he only went a few steps before he had to turn around and start back in the other direction.

  �
��What is taking them so long?” he grumbled. “I thought they’d respond within an hour and it has been three.”

  “If the roles were reversed, how long would it take you to mobilize an invasion force?”

  “I don’t know how the portals work, so I can’t answer that. They’re stationary on Earth, but what if they can be opened from anywhere on the other side.” He threw up his hands and kept pacing. “It’s more likely the portals are stationary in their dimension as well, which means they need to be guarded.” He paused for a long, loud sigh. “All the facts, and most of the supposition, lead toward a fast reaction. So where in hells’ rings are they?”

  Rather than dwelling on the source of his frustration, she moved on. “How long will you wait? And what’s plan B?”

  “If they haven’t taken the bait by morning, we’ll destroy the remaining portals and focus on Earth. With the exclusion of the injuries, that part of the plan went off without a hitch.” His gaze shifted to a spot beyond her and a smile slowly parted his lips. “Understood. I’m on my way.”

  Apparently, the Evonti had decided to show up after all.

  “Dinner tonight,” he vowed. “I promise. I’ll be here for dinner.” He gave her a quick hug, kissed her on the forehead, then jogged out the door.

  * * * * *

  By the time Sedrik reached the control center three Evonti ships were through the portal with more on the way. The veiwscreen was now divided into six equal sections, one for each sector on Earth. Two of the Evonti ships were in sector four, the other in sector two. The Evonti ships were slightly smaller than the Rodyte fighters, but they were more maneuverable and clearly well-armed. Energy pulses streaked across space, damaging everything they touched.

  With six simultaneous views, the noise was deafening. Explosions and overlapping conversations, forced Sedrik to tune everything out.

  The Rodyte ships in sectors three, five and six were being wasted, now that they knew where the Evonti would emerge. “Trant, target your active portals, then relocate to sector four.”

  “Copy that, sir. We’re on our way.”

  Sedrik repeated the order with the still shielded destroyer. With all the portals in the area offline, there was no reason for one of their gunships to loiter in sector three.

  “Zilor report.”

  “All’s quiet in six. Where would you like us?”

  “Sector two.” It was closer to the trackers’ location and Trant’s team was already headed to four.

  That only left sector five. It was unlikely they’d make it to any of the other sectors before the battle was over, but he was sure they would want to try. “Lux to all sector five ships, head toward sector two. I’ll redirect if necessary.”

  “Copy, sir,” the sector leader responded.

  With characteristic efficiency, Tyrale adjusted the main viewscreen to better represent the evolving conflict. One side displayed sector two—the upper half of North America, while the other side showed sector four—Africa.

  Jakkin had his team evenly dispersed and fully engaged with the two Evonti ships. Sedrik glanced at Tyrale. “Did sector four destroy their portals?” He’d lost track while he was relocating the other ships.

  “Yes, sir. There won’t be any more Evonti in sector four.”

  “Excellent.” Sedrik focused on sector two. Kotto was frantically trying to close his portals now that the ship was through. They’d wanted three ships and that was what they had. There was no reason to leave them open.

  Kotto’s Stingers quickly obliterated their targets while the Crusader’s guns held off the Evonti ship. Each target exploded and yet the conduit remained open.

  “What the hells,” Sedrik muttered under his breath. Why wasn’t the damn thing closing? It yawned in the sky, a swirling oval of color and light.

  “I think there’s something inside.” Tyrale pointed to a shadowy shape barely visible in the churning colors.

  Was it some sort of safety function, preventing the conduit from closing while a ship was inside? “Zilor what’s your ETA to sector two?” Depending on what emerged from that conduit, Kotto might really need the help.

  “Fifteen, sir,” Zilor responded.

  “How are they maintaining the signal if the receiving portals are gone?” Tyrale whispered.

  Sedrik looked at Tyrale, then shook his head. “I don’t know. It was too dangerous to keep any of the portals active long enough to figure out how they work.”

  “This doesn’t make sense.”

  Sedrik didn’t argue. A lot about the Evonti didn’t make sense.

  Movement on screen drew his attention back to sector two. The Evonti ship was finally emerging, and the damn thing was huge. It lumbered from the portal like an infant being squeezed through the birth canal.

  “Top speed, Zilor! We’ve got big trouble in two.”

  “Copy. We’ll be there in eight.”

  Sedrik glanced at sector four just in time to see one of the Evonti ships explode in a conflagration of light and sound. The bridge officers erupted in cheers and Sedrik smiled. One down. Two to go.

  The sector four team smoothly repositioned, surrounding the other ship, so Sedrik shifted back to sector two.

  The massive ship was still emerging from the portal. “Set a course for sector two, maximum thrusters.” Zilor’s trackers would help, but the only way to confront a giant was with another giant.

  The navigator set the ship in motion and a hush fell over the command center.

  “Battle stations!” Sedrik ordered over general coms. The words echoed with eerie finality. “Tactical be ready. The instant that thing clears, hit the portal with everything we’ve got. We’ll have our hands full with that. We cannot let anyone else through.”

  “We’re not in range yet, sir,” the tactical chief warned. “But I have the portal targeted.”

  “Very good. Fire at will.” He glanced at Tyrale, surprised to find him tense and pale. Tyrale was usually unflappable. “What’s wrong?”

  “For just a second I had telemetry from inside the portal. There are at least three more ships in line.”

  Shit! Forcing himself to stay calm, Sedrik shared the news with his bridge officers. “We need to shut that portal—now. I need ideas, people!”

  The Crusader was volleying shots with the original ship, but the Stingers were blasting the portal nearly nonstop, to no avail.

  “Energy weapons don’t seem to have much effect,” the tactical officer pointed out. “Have they tried a concussive bomb? The shockwave hitting those ships could disrupt the energy enough to collapse the portal.”

  Tyrale transmitted the suggestion to Kotto and a moment later his Stingers lobbed three concussive bombs into the straining portal. Intership coms picked up the rumble, like thunder on a planetary scale. Then the shockwave hit the ships inside the portal and sector two shook so badly the image blurred.

  The portal gradually folded in on itself taking most of the ships with it. The massive ship, however, was expelled by the force, right into the middle of sector two.

  Tyrale touched Sedrik’s arm and pointed toward the other side of the viewscreen. Jakkin’s team, with a strong assist from Trant Lorag, had just defeated the Evonti ship. Unlike the first one, however, the ship hung motionless in space.

  “Did they surrender?”

  Tyrale nodded. “Jakkin wants to know what to do with the Evonti crew.”

  “Tell him to hold position and wait for backup. No one boards that ship until we’ve done redundant munitions sweeps. The Evonti have a suicide pact. This could be a stunt to lure us aboard their ship.” He turned his attention back to sector two and the massive foe awaiting him. “Are our Stingers ready?”

  “Of course, sir. Do you want them to launch?”

  “Not yet.”

  The larger Evonti ship just hung there a short distance from where the portal had been. Concussive bombs were known to disrupt instrumentation. Were they damaged by the blast?

  As if to answer his question
, launch bays all over the ship opened and the Evonti equivalent of Stingers streamed out. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of the small, ultra-agile ships sped directly toward the Triumphant.

  “Launch our Stingers!”

  The smaller Evonti ship suddenly engaged its hyper drive and disappeared.

  “Run, you useless cowards,” Tyrale muttered.

  Sedrik logged the fact in the back of his mind without taking his attention off the largest Evonti ship. They now had a single target. Unless the vanquished ship in sector four suddenly came back to life, which was still a possibility.

  Kotto swung the Crusader around and positioned it on the other side of the massive ship, which took it out of Sedrik’s view.

  All around them Stingers swooped and spun, pelting their opponents with energy pulses. The grace with which the tiny ships moved was mesmerizing, so Sedrik only allowed himself occasional glances.

  The big ship itself, however, hadn’t fired a shot. Again Sedrik wondered if it had been damaged by the concussive bombs.

  The Triumphant had yet to fire either, but Sedrik was about to remedy that. “Have you located their engines?” he asked Tyrale. “Let’s strike right for the heart of the beast.”

  “I believe so, sir, but these readings are…different than anything I’ve ever seen before.”

  The tactical station acknowledged the information Tyrale sent them, then the chief announced, “I have a lock, sir.”

  “Fire at will.”

  The Triumphant vibrated as multiple weapons erupted simultaneously. The Evonti’s shields deflected the first few blasts, but eventually the insistent blasts began to penetrate.

  Suddenly the trackers flew into view, one moving with far more confidence than the others. Zilor couldn’t help showing off. He was the best pilot in the Rodyte fleet. His ship spiraled up through a shower of Stinger fire and launched multiple bombs at an area far forward, near the top of the Evonti ship. The deafening report of the first bomb was quickly echoed by four or five more. Fire erupted in the shredded openings created by the explosions, only to sputter out as space’s vacuum stole its oxygen.

  “What did he target?” Sedrik asked.