“One minute to target,” reported Kevin. That was the signal to begin.
“Reduce speed to factor one,” ordered John. “And have all ships except the NA’LU do the same,” referring to one of the Quix cruisers that was part of the fleet.
“Speed down to factor one,” reported Kevin.
“The fleet has reduced speed to match ours,” said Julie. “The NA’LU should reach weapons range of target in thirty seconds.”
“Jacks, Rudov, look for any sign that the Screen has detected the NA’lU,” directed John, who then looked to Tim. “Program two hundred of our fighter bots for planetary bombardment. All buildings are fair target except for the communications structure.”
“Yes, captain,” acknowledged Tim.
“NA’LU exiting jump,” reported Julie. “They’re beginning their assault.”
They watched on the holographic display over the operations table as the Quix cruiser began its attack. It fired its ruialon weapons and struck the planet below.
“The NA’LU has hit all four of its targets,” said Tim. “All fighters have been destroyed.”
“The Screen are beginning to scramble,” reported Jacks.
It worked. Quix vessels were difficult to pick up on sensors while they traveled faster than light, which is why John had a Quix ship begin the initial assault. He wanted to take out the Screen fighters before they could launch, and he correctly figured sending in a Quix starship would surprise the Screen.
“Coming in on target,” announced Kevin.
“Exit jump,” ordered John. “Assault group A, begin your run on the planet. Group B, stand by.”
Six ships, including the PHOENIX, began their attack on the planet. Fighter bots launched from the human starship towards the planet. The Screen on the surface raced to activate their ground defenses, but were too late. The bots fired and their descending energy blasts obliterated what few defenses the Screen had.
“Ground based defenses have been disabled,” reported Tim.
“I’m not picking up any hostile vessels in local space,” added Julie.
“What about communications?” asked John.
Rudov spoke up. “No communication signals outside the system. I am picking up a distress transmission being sent from the planet. I have blocked it.”
“What’s the status of the soldiers on the surface?” asked John.
Julie checked her display. “The soldiers are scattered everywhere. Most of them are retreating to the surrounding jungle area.”
“They may attempt to regroup for a counterattack,” advised Tim.
“But we have the advantage.” John motioned to Jacks. “Notify the hangar to launch the assault shuttles. Rudov, contact the YIUGO. Onixin cruisers can operate in a planetary atmosphere and I want one over the island to give our Screen friends something to worry about.”
“Yes, captain,” said Rudov.
Moments later the YIUGO descended to the planet, followed by a group of assault shuttles from the PHOENIX. As the shuttles touched down, soldiers streamed out of them and began occupying the training facility.
“Ground teams are reporting resistance, but it’s minimal,” said Julie.
“Have them secure the area, with priority to securing the communications tower.” John moved close to Korifluxinina. “How’s it looking, Unarnu?”
“I am not detecting any damage to the tower,” reported Korifluxinina. “Based on my readings, it appears it will serve our purpose.”
“Once we’ve secured the area I want you down with the first engineering team,” said John. “The sooner we test your hypothesis about Screen communications, the better.”
Julie called John’s attention. “Based on the ground activity, we should have the island within the hour. And we don’t need to worry about the Screen soldiers. They’re retreating deeper into the jungle.”
“The sight of an Onixin starship has scared them,” said Jacks.
“Establish a perimeter of fighter bots three kilometers around the tower,” instructed John. “We can’t risk the Screen counterattacking and damaging it.”
“I’ll assign some of the fleet to begin patrols of the system,” said Julie.
John nodded. “Good idea.”
A little over an hour later, the fleet had taken command of the island. A team of engineers, along with Korifluxinina, went down to the planet and began working on the Screen communications system, which survived the attack undamaged. With nothing to do but wait for the engineers to make a breakthrough, the crew went about their duties.
Julie took some time to sneak away for some meditation in the coilquin. She was elated to see Thresha there, sitting in one of the pews. Although the soothing meditation sounds had been absent for months, Julie still found refuge in the temple as a comforting place.
“Hey,” Julie whispered as she took a seat next to Thresha. “I haven’t seen you in awhile. It’s good to see you.”
“I am happy to see you too, commander. I am sorry we have not seen more of each other recently.”
“Don’t worry about it. I hear you’re been pretty busy with the committee trying to elect a new Yearden.” Although Thresha had removed herself from the committee, they requested her consultation as they were still unable to select a new spiritual leader.
“We have come to a consensus,” revealed Thresha.
“Really? That’s great.”
“It has been decided that a new Yearden will not be chosen until after the threat of the Screen is over.”
Julie was perplexed by this decision. “Why? The mission to find the Screen shouldn’t interfere with your cultural practices.”
“Their continued threat to all of us prevents the harmony necessary to open our eyes to a Yearden,” explained Thresha. “Until the Screen have been dealt with, we cannot make a choice.”
“That could take a long time,” Julie reminded her friend. “Have your people gone this long with one?”
“From what little we know of our history, no.” Thresha bowed her head and Julie could tell she was sad.
“What’s wrong? Are you that upset?”
“It is an enormous responsibility to help select a Yearden. I feel I have failed in this task.”
“Thresha, you said it yourself. There needs to be consensus. I’m sure you’re not the only one struggling with the choice. Your people were shaken by how the Yearden died. It’s going to take time.”
“If that what must…” Thresha stopped and turned around, sensing something very unusual. Julie turned also, curious as to what caught her friend’s attention. Standing in the entryway was a Rifva. He was looking at the pair, his three eyes fixated on them.
“Hello,” said Thresha. “Have you come seeking peace for your thoughts?”
The Rifva said nothing. It continued to look at Julie and Thresha, and the commander was beginning to feel uncomfortable how the alien was looking at them. After staring at them for almost a minute, it left the coilquin. It never uttered a word.
“That was strange,” remarked Julie. “I’m pretty sure that wasn’t Mu.”
“It was not.”
Julie sensed a haunting tone in Thresha’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
“I cannot explain it.” Thresha sensed something unusual about the Rifva, something she couldn’t put into words.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The fleet spent three weeks occupying the planet. During that time, a few Screen soldiers attempted to retake the training facility. But they were easily rebuffed by the alliance ground troops. After two weeks the Screen began committing suicide. John considered intervening to save them but chose to do nothing. It wasn’t because he wanted them to die. It was merely a tactical decision. The priority was unlocking Screen communications protocols. As long as the enemy soldiers didn’t interfere with that mission, John would leave them to themselves, even if that meant letting them kill themselves.
Early the next morning, Korifluxinina contacted the ship to report a breakthrou
gh. Her and the team of engineers had successfully unlocked the Screen communications network. What’s more, they had complete access to Screen transmissions and could triangulate where they were being sent. The messages were routed to PHOENIX, where Doctor Martin and her linguistics team worked feverishly to translate them.
Late that afternoon, everyone assembled in the board room for a meeting called by the captain. Vish holographic form was standing in the center of the table. Once everyone was seated, Korifluxinina began the meeting.
“As you already know, we were able to ascertain the functions of the Screen communications network.” Vish disappeared and a display of this region of space appeared over the table. Various green dots popped up in the map and were connected by lines. “These points in space represent ships or ground stations sending and receiving transmissions. Based on our analysis, ninety seven percent of the focal points are fixed and not moving. This indicates a lack of communications between ships in open space. Doctor Martin.”
The elderly woman stood up. “Based on our translation of Screen linguistics, I can verify Unarnu’s statement. Sometime after the Screen’s defeat at the Ni’s star system, their military recalled all their ships to their homeworld to begin prepping for an invasion.”
“Who are they planning to invade?” asked Chief Davers.
“Earth,” replied John in an emotionless tone. “They’re planning to invade the solar system.”
Everyone in the board room looked at each other in surprise.
“The captain’s correct,” continued Martin. “The Screen have concluded that if they destroy Earth, they can subdue the alliance races again. They believe wiping out humanity will end the uprising.”
“I can assure you the protectorate will never yield to the Screen,” said Quix chief engineer Exquinidunadurana.
“When will they attack?” asked Chris Anne.
“Based on our estimation of Screen time measurements, about two weeks,” replied Korifluxinina.
“It would take us a week to get back to the solar system at maximum speed,” said John.
“Captain,” interrupted Kevin. “PHOENIX can get there sooner.”
“PHOENIX isn’t going back home, not yet.” John nodded to Korifluxinina.
“We were able to identify a large number of communication signals between ships at this location. The image zoomed in on a star system. “Based on the number of signals, a large fleet formation is located here.”
“The Screen homeworld,” assumed Kevin.
“Although we have verified the number of signatures, scans have so far been unable to provide more detailed readings,” explained Korifluxinina.
“We need to know what we’re up against,” said John. “PHOENIX will head there alone to see what we’re facing.”
“What about Earth?” asked Doctor Myers.
“I’ll be taking the fleet to the solar system to warn TERRA,” said Julie. “We don’t know if any of our messages have been getting back home these past few months, and we need to ensure TERRA is prepared for an invasion.” Unless TERRA had somehow gotten a hold of PHOENIX’s schematics and used it to upgrade their capital ships, they’d be no match against the Screen.
“I’ll be making requests to the queen, Onixin Council, and Senfo Commonality to spare whatever ships they can provide,” said John. “PHOENIX will send all information we get on the Screen armada and notify the solar system.”
Rudov stood up. “Captain, we will do whatever we can to protect your homeworld.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
John smiled. “I know you will, all of you.” For a moment, he thought about the Cresorian homeworld, how none of them were able to save it from the Screen. John vowed no other planet would be destroyed by the Screen, a sentiment that was shared by the alien senior staff members.
“Commander Olson will begin coordinating with the fleet for their departure to the solar system,” explained John. “It’ll take them about a week to get back there at full speed. That only gives TERRA a week to prepare.”
“We have a lot of work to do,” Julie said to the senior staff. “Let’s get started.”
With that, everyone jumped into action. Word spread throughout PHOENIX and the fleet about the Screen’s plan. The crews on all the ships worked feverishly to prepare themselves for what laid ahead.
John was in his office, going over some status and tactical reports. There was so much to prepare for. He knew the Screen would take no chances when they attacked the solar system. They would do whatever they could to wipe out the human race. John had to be sure they were ready for them.
“Captain, I have Private Michaels on the line for you,” announced Vish through his pip.
“Put him through.” A holographic image of Bret appeared over the captain’s desk. “Bret, good to see you.”
“Same here, captain. What’s up?”
“I know when we talked last week the Senfo wanted several more weeks of construction before releasing any of their completed ships from their system.”
“I think I’ve convinced them to move up their timetable,” said Bret.
“We’re out of time,” John said bluntly. “We’ve learned the Screen are planning a massive attack on Earth. We only have a couple of weeks to prepare.”
“Are you serious!?” Bret didn’t expect to hear that sort of news.
“I’ve already sent a message to the commonality informing them of the situation, and have requested them to spare some ships. But I need you to press them.”
“How many?” asked Bret.
“Whatever you can get them to provide. We don’t know how many ships make up the Screen armada, so whatever vessels you can get the Senfo to release.”
“I’ll do what I can,” promised Bret.
“Whatever ships you get from the Senfo, take them and head directly to the solar system,” instructed John. “Commander Olson will be there waiting for you with a fleet of alliance ships.”
“What about you?”
“We believe we’ve located the Screen homeworld. I’m taking PHOENIX there to find out how many ships they have.”
“That’s a huge risk, captain.”
“I know, but we don’t have a choice. We need to know what we’re up against.”
“Ok, I’ll get things moving here.”
“Thanks Bret. If all goes well, I’ll see you back home.”
“Home,” repeated Bret. After almost three years in space, the notion of returning to the solar system seemed like only a dream. “Count on it. See you soon.”
John smiled as he terminated the link. He turned and looked out the window of his office. This was the first opportunity to think about taking PHOENIX back to the solar system. He didn’t have anyone to go back home too, but he still took the Screen’s plan to obliterate Earth personally. It wasn’t going to happen on his watch.
A few hours later, John was in the hangar to see Julie and Jacks leave. The Ni requested to accompany her to the solar system and John didn’t see any reason to decline its request.
Jacks was on board the Ni shuttle as Julie went over their checklist on her holographic DAT.
“The vori of the GUIX just signaled the fleet’s ready to get underway,” said John as he approached his executive officer.
“I’m double-checking we have everything we need,” said Julie.
“So what do you think about going back home?”
Julie tapped her wrist and deactivated her DAT. “I’m not sure. Scared, nervous, anxious, happy. All of them rolled into one. I’m worried how TERRA will react when we show up.”
“They’re not likely to listen to a former cadet,” said John. “You’ll have to convince them to listen to you. You may be just a cadet to them, but you’re a cadet leading a fleet of alien starships.”
Julie chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
John was glad to lighten her mood, but he became serious. “Do whatever you need to do to get them ready, even if it means overthrowing the counc
il.”
She knew what he meant. They didn’t have time to put up with TERRA’s political semantics. Julie needed to pull out all the stops in order to get them ready.
“PHOENIX will hightail it home as soon as we know when the attack will begin,” continued John. “Bret and the Senfo fleet will hopefully make it there in time.”
“We’ll be ready for the Screen when they show up,” promised Julie.
John nodded. He stepped up and hugged his executive officer. “Promise me I’ll see you back on Earth.”
“Count on it,” replied Julie. She broke the embrace and headed into the shuttle. They had come too far, survived nearly being destroyed by the Screen, to get killed now. She would come back to PHOENIX, no matter what.
John watched as the blue gas-like shuttle lifted off and exited the hangar. He felt alone without his executive officer. This would be the first time they would be separated for this long of time since PHOENIX left the solar system.
“Give ‘em hell, Julie,” John whispered to himself. “And if you see Mortino, tell him to suck it.”
The Ni shuttle arrived at the Onixin cruiser GUIX. Shortly afterwards, the fleet jumped away from PHOENIX.
John arrived on the command deck and found Jacks replacement at the operations table, along with Chris Anne and Thresha.
“The fleet’s successfully jumped away,” reported Tim.
“What’s our status?” asked John.
“The interstellar drive is online and ready,” said Lieutenant Gregson.
“I can’t believe we’re finally going to the Screen’s home system,” said Chris. “If anyone else was commanding this ship, I’d tell them they’re crazy. You do know what you’re doing, right?”
“We’ll see,” said John. “Hopefully we won’t be there too long.” He looked to his left where Julie usually stood.
Thresha touched his arm. “You are worried about her.”
John nodded. “She can take care of herself, but TERRA’s going to focus all their aggression at her. I don’t have any family for them to use against me, but she has her dad.”
Fury Of The Phoenix (Exodus) Page 10
