“They managed to land thousands of troops,” Gray said. “It’s a mess. I don’t know how long we can hold out.”
“As long as possible,” Luke said.
“Aye, aye Commander,” Gray said. “I’ve taken heavy casualties. I’m down to maybe two companies. Maybe less. Too much short-range jamming from both sides going on to know for sure. Butler is also a confirmed kill when he led an attack against Caliphate reinforcements.”
“Guerrilla warfare if you have to,” Luke said. Butler was one of his first droids. Another friend lost.
“Lieutenant Daly is dead,” Gray said. “I haven’t heard from Lieutenant Puller in about forty-five minutes and he was leading an assault against a headquarters. Captain Upshur is also gone. . . I’m running out of officers to direct the battle droids.”
“Don’t give up,” Luke said. “Drag it out as long as you can.”
“Aye sir,” Gray said. “The Caliphate bastards are bleeding for every millimeter of this colony. Semper Fi Commander. We will hold the line.”
“Semper Fi Colonel Gray,” Luke said not trusting his voice further.
He watched as the Athena entered the wormhole and closed his eyes.
“The new fleet is on course for the wormhole,” Nelson said. “The fleet fragment led by Amir Serkan is holding position near the wormhole.”
“Proceed to coordinates seven, seven, eight, two five, three,” Luke said looking over the plot.
“Aye, setting course for seven, seven, eight, two five, three,” Nelson said. “You have a plan.”
“Maybe,” Luke said.
“That’s the middle of nowhere,” Leonessa said checking the board.
“That’s not where we are going,” Luke said. “Maximum speed.”
“Maximum speed, aye,” Nelson replied, scanning the board, looking for what Luke was looking planning. There was nothing there.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Sol System, CS Khalid
“Incoming transmission from the White Horse,” the communication officer said to Amir Serkan.
This was the conversation Serkan knew would be the end.
“It is the Amir ul-Umara Mukhlis,” the Communication Officer said. “He wants an open channel to the bridge.”
“Open the channel,” Serkan said. There were no other options, no excuses, and no escape.
“Imam Khulus,” Amir Mukhlis said and Imam stood even though Mukhlis could not see him. “You are to replace Serkan as the commander of the exploration fleet. You are to place Serkan in custody and you are to defend the wormhole while we secure Athena. Serkan has failed for the last time. Defend the wormhole and insure NO infidels come through it behind us. You can handle one damaged infidel battle cruiser can you not?”
“I can Amir ul-Umara Mukhlis,” the Imam said. “Insha’Allah.”
“Insha’Allah,” the Amir Mukhlis said.
The Imam looked at Serkan who stood. Serkan was tempted to shoot the Imam dead and order the crew to follow his orders at gunpoint but that would accomplish nothing. He nodded at the Imam and went to his quarters, glad the Imam had not seen fit to send him there under guard. He thought well of the Imam and wondered just how the Imam would deploy the fleet and what Serkan’s eventual punishment would be.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Sol System, Battlecruiser Leonis Ultio
“Caliphate juggernaut is entering wormhole,” Nelson said.
“Set course for the wormhole,” Luke said. “Flank speed. Repair priority to forward shields and armor.”
“Are you going to try to transit?” Leonessa said counting the battle cruisers guarding the wormhole. There were two battle cruisers and five standard cruisers.
“You can’t make it,” Brita said. “We will have to slow down before transit or it could rip the ship apart.”
“To say can’t is to fail before you begin,” Luke said with a feral smile.
“You plan on suicide?” Nelson asked.
“No,” Luke said with a smile. “The best way to piss off your enemy is to live well.”
“We are likely to die,” Nelson said. “I thought we discussed your suicidal behavior.”
Luke shrugged. “Yea, well, I never said it would be easy, or risk free.”
“You are planning on the Topa helping?” Brita asked, looking for hope.
“Nope,” Luke said. “The Topa are done. We either succeed or fail. This is a human problem. We deal with it or die.”
“Then what makes you think we will survive?” Leonessa asked staring at the screen. Luke could see the doubt in her face. If the Caliphate ships demonstrated any tactics, they could savage the Leonis Ultio and damage her wormhole drive. Luke paused for a moment, people were asking if they would survive, not if they should find another plan. Luke locked away his doubts and fears, now wasn’t the time for them.
A grim smile came to Luke's lips. “Sometimes you have to have faith.”
“You are getting religious on us now?” Nelson asked and then glanced at Musashi. The black droid just shrugged.
“I’ll let you know later,” Luke said looking at the holographic display. Lights flickered, and it cycled through current trajectories and locations in thirty minute increments. “What is your analysis about the ships being left behind?”
“They have suffered damage, their wormhole generators might be damaged and inoperative, and the main fleet commander is pissed at Serkan's failure. Serkan has been ordered him to stay and prevent us from coming through. The fleet commander wants to claim the glory of capturing Athena for himself,” Nelsons said. “There are only seven ships remaining. Two battle cruisers and five of the older model cruisers.”
“Good,” Luke said. “That is my assessment. Serkan had his chance for glory and has bungled it. The fleet commander has already replaced him.”
“What are you thinking?” Nelson asked.
“If we can get through the wormhole, we might gain on that monster since we have a better wormhole generator. We cannot come out ahead, but if we come out close behind them, we can fire our plasma lances up the tail pipe, cripple the engines. If we are close enough, we can then ram the bitch and escape on the life pods. In the confusion and wreckage, we can play dead and slip past the surviving ships. Their propulsion engine is one thing they can’t cover with armor and coming out of a wormhole into a strange system they are not likely to accelerate away from the wormhole until they have a better picture of what is around them so it is likely to be at minimal power and more vulnerable to attack.”
“That’s your plan?” Brita asked. “Hope we don’t get blown up entering the wormhole and then attack a massive asteroid ship from behind by ramming it?”
“Can you think of a better way to get crammed into a life boat with three beautiful women?” Luke asked with a smile.
Brita smirked, Leonessa laughed while Carmichael gave Luke a dirty look.
“You assume we can make it through those guards,” Brita said. “Lot of ‘what ifs’ there, Commander.”
“We still have a decent amount of missiles, the plasma lances are operational, and we have a few secondaries. With our velocity, we can ram our missiles down their throat before theirs can reach us. We can use the fighters and frigates to shield our advance. Our magazines have more missiles and they have got to be running low.”
Nelson nodded. “You are relying on luck too much.”
“This is new?” Luke asked smiling at Nelson. “You know how much I like simple.”
Nelson shook his head. He was used to Luke being like this. Nobody else was.
“You act as if this is end game,” Nelson said. “As usual. Victory or death. I would have thought with other humans on ship you would have changed a little.”
“It might be end game,” Luke said seriously. “I doubt there is anything in the solar system that can stand up to that behemoth, probably nothing in the Chonka system either. Athena is defenseless. We still don’t know who is in command of it. Leonessa?”
&n
bsp; Leonessa shook her head. “The Caliph keeps his admirals on a short lease and competing. If one were to gain control of the fleet, they could bombard the planet and proclaim themselves the Caliph.”
“Do you think the Caliph has left his ivory palace?” Luke asked starting at the wormhole.
“I think he brought it with him,” Leonessa said. “That ship is a monster.”
“You think he would leave Earth?” Luke asked. “Is it still Riyasat?”
“I don’t know,” Leonessa said. “He is immortal and young from treatment, but his power base is Earth. Too many risks out in space.”
Luke nodded. Killing the Caliph would throw the Caliphate into a civil war.
“Twenty minutes to engagement, prep the area with the plasma lances Nelson,” Luke said. “Launch missiles as soon as we come into range. I want at least one volley of missiles left when we enter the wormhole,” Luke said. “Leonessa, I want you to raise Serkan, piss him off. Brita and Carmichael try to identify and raise the other ship commanders. Piss them off. Let them know women are beating them. I want them mad and not thinking. I want to give the frigates and fighters a chance to reduce their missile strikes. I don’t think they have many and I want them to waste them.”
“New fleet detected,” Nelson said and Luke scowled.
“It better be good news,” Luke said.
“Initial scans, yes and no,” Nelson said. “There is a fleet inbound from Jupiter. Maybe about thirty different ships. Bad news, they are about nine hours out.”
Luke nodded. “Ensign Carmichael, can you raise them and give them a full system report? Tell them about the Conglomerate and likely Conglomerate response. They will not get here in time to make a difference though. Maybe they could stop the Caliphate from attacking the Conglomerate.”
“Aye, aye Commander,” Carmichael said.
“Good bounce back Meat Sack,” Musashi transmitted.
“Thanks metal head,” Luke replied.
“Plasma lance strike on a standard cruiser,” Nelson reported and Luke smiled. He had not expected any hits this soon. The cruisers were not moving fast and were holding position around the wormhole, which made it a little easier. Without it being active, it was just an empty but large volume of space. The cruisers were orienting toward him, very uncharacteristic of an aggressive defense. It was a quandary for them. They had to defend a point in space. If they accelerated out to meet him, they would leave it defenseless, and he had the maneuverability to get around them. If they stayed, they were sitting ducks. They had to stay close to keep him from transitioning since he would have to slow down, but they were not spreading out or establishing a formation.
“Launching missiles,” Nelson said and Luke watched the missiles spread out from the Leonis Ultio. There were two of the newer cruisers left and four of the older style. Even half destroyed Luke thought the Ultio could win unless they maneuvered or had a trick up their sleeve.
How much did the Caliph know about the Conglomerate? There were too many new vessels equipped with wormhole generators, including the massive new juggernaut.
“It doesn’t add up,” Luke said staring at the display.
“What?” Nelson asked.
“The juggernaut with a wormhole drive,” Luke said.
“No, it doesn’t,” Leonessa said. “That fleet of new cruisers could destroy Athena. Do you think they planned to hunt down New Alamo?”
Luke shook his head.
“Any wormhole physicist would tell them the chances of finding New Alamo are astronomical,” Luke said.
“Unless they believe Allah wills it,” Brita said. “I watched them pull some stupid stunts on Mars. A lot of them died hoping for Allah’s intervention, but some actually succeeded. They put a lot of faith in their invisible friend.”
“Do you think they knew about the Conglomerate and planned to attack it all along?” Nelson asked.
“That is far-fetched,” Luke said. “Considering how long the wormhole to the Josaka system has been open it puts way too much competence in the Caliphate’s lap. I think their vendetta with New Alamo makes the most sense. The cruisers to find New Alamo and the juggernaut to destroy it.”
“They will be eradicated by the Topa long before they get anywhere near New Alamo,” Brita said.
Luke nodded and looked at the Jupiter fleet.
“Do they have wormhole technology?” Luke asked Carmichael who was waiting for a response from the fleet.
Carmichael shook her head.
“No sir, not unless they just got it. They appear to be a relief force sent to protect Athena. They have troop transports and a strong warship task force, but the commander said they can’t follow the juggernaut,” she said.
“Crap,” Luke said. “It is up to us then.”
“Incoming Caliphate targeting lock,” the Ultio computer announced and Luke silenced it.
The fighters and frigates moved ahead of the Ultio to act as sensors and a screen against Caliphate missiles. With the enemy cruisers trying to maintain station on the wormhole, they could not spread out much, and neither could their missiles, which would make them all an easier target. There were no enemy frigates or shuttles to deal with. Only cruisers. The supply convoy under Serkan’s command had joined the juggernaut’s fleet, leaving behind only combat ships.
“They have launched thirty missiles,” Nelson said.
“Is that all they can muster?” Brita asked with a smirk. “This will be like shooting fish in a barrel. They won’t be able to spread out much.”
Luke nodded.
“It seems too easy,” Leonessa said as Luke’s fleet shot down upon the Caliphate ships.
“I wonder who they replaced Serkan with,” Luke said.
“They aren’t answering my hails,” Brita said.
The Ultio launched another wave of missiles. The first wave of the Ultio’s missiles passed the fighters and frigates that were closing on the Caliphate missiles. Point defense weapons of the frigates fired as the fighters engaged individual missiles. When the missiles deployed, Luke knew he would lose most of his fighters and he winced as he saw them blink out. Another wave of missiles erupted from the Caliphate ships. When the radiation fireballs cleared and sensors could penetrate, Luke saw he only had four fighters left and both frigates were heavily damaged.
“Damn,” Brita said. “Definitely not Serkan.”
Luke shook his head. This would be close. He doubted the enemy would get another flight of missiles out in time.
The missiles from the Ultio entered the Caliphate envelope, and the cruisers fired. Luke could not tell how many missiles deployed but several did and the region was bathed in radiation bursts as missiles deployed their warheads.
“Six incoming missiles,” Nelson said. “Looks like only a single battle cruiser and two of the older cruisers are still moving under power, and none of them are unscathed.”
“They won’t survive the next wave,” Brita said.
A plasma lance pierced one of the remaining cruisers and shattered it.
“We might do this,” Leonessa said with grim smile, watching the Caliphate missiles come closer. “Luck is on our side.”
“Yea,” Luke said sounding depressed. “Usually is. There’s always hope.”
“Which differs from the Caliphate believing in their invisible friend?” Brita asked.
“We do everything we can to stack the deck in our favor and don’t count on it,” Luke replied and Brita nodded.
Leonessa threw Luke a look and then glanced at Nelson who just rolled his eyes.
The last fighters and frigates engaged the second wave of Caliphate missiles firing as fast as they could in attempt to shield the Leonis Ultio.
“Those are aimed at us,” Nelson said as the missiles failed to detonate when they got near the fighters and frigates. “Three made it through our screen. Point defenses firing.”
Luke watched the screen. There was no sign other than flashing lights on a panel showing the point defens
es were firing nonstop.
“Brace for impact,” Nelson said and everyone checked their restraints and slapped on their helmets.
The Ultio shuddered as at least one warhead detonated within range.
“That hurt,” Nelson said. Luke looked at the board and saw more red. The plasma lances were critical.
“Priority to fixing the lances,” Luke said. “If we enter the wormhole at the right speed, it would take us six hours, and we should come out right behind the juggernaut. The last one into the hole was the juggernaut. We should have a clear shot.”
The Ultio’s second wave of missiles reached the edge of the Caliphate defense screen and deployed.
“Die you bastards,” Brita said staring at the holographic display as if her words and stare would make it so.
“Nothing is moving under its own power,” Nelson said with a smile. “Looks like they are all dead.”
Brita, Leonessa and Carmichael cheered but Luke remained silent.
“Can we take shots at them with the lance?” Luke asked.
“It will take a few hours to repair,” Nelson said. “Shall I launch missiles to make sure?”
“No,” Luke said shaking his head. “Save the missiles for the juggernaut.”
“Aye Commander,” Nelson said.
The last battle cruiser drifted near the wormhole and near the entry point Luke wanted to use. The drive was sputtering and there was spin. If the crew were alive, they were desperately trying to survive. There were several plumes of glowing light, fiery atmosphere being fed by a fierce internal fire.
“Max deceleration,” Luke said. “All personnel to gravity stations.”
Luke leaned back and fixed his harness along with the rest of the crew. Even Nelson found a chair as the Ultio flipped with its tail facing the wormhole and began hard deceleration.
Luke heard someone groaning and hoped it was not him as the Ultio pushed hard to reduce speed. On the screen, Luke watched the frigates and fighters shoot past the wormhole and then turn around to rejoin the Ultio.
The Return: The Conglomerate Trilogy (Volume 1) Page 32
