by John Walker
“You take the fun out of living,” Rudy joked. “I’m starting to wish I’d taken up with Meagan’s wing. She gets to risk her life constantly.”
“I’m sure she’ll trade places,” Revente said. “Get your people in position and wait for my mark.”
Rudy repeated the orders to his wing and they headed out to the designated coordinates sent to their computers. Other ships flew around them, the smaller, more agile fighters providing escort. He felt thankful to see them, knowing his own vessel lacked their maneuverability. The bombers carried plenty of armor, enough to withstand a lot of punishment but prolonged engagements meant certain death.
“Hey, Rudy,” Meagan’s voice crackled in his ear. “I heard you get to actually be useful this time around.”
“Glad to see you too, Meagan.” Rudy smirked. “Let me guess, you got escort duty?”
“Sort of. My people are going to help hurtle those satellites at the bad guys. Looks like I finally get to know what it feels like to throw bombs around.”
“A lot more scary than your little blasters, I assure you.”
“We’ll see.” Meagan flew over him, practically little more than a blur. “See you soon, buddy!”
“Don’t take too long!” He called. “We’re sitting ducks on this line here.”
“I know. We’re flying as fast as we can.”
Rudy brought them up on his long range scans, putting a camera on it. It zoomed in enough so he could see the first ship launch a tow cable, attaching it to the first satellite. As the pilot gunned his engine, he pulled the makeshift bomb away from orbit and off toward the enemy ships fast approaching.
Jesus, this is going to be closer than anyone thinks. Those guys are really hauling ass!
His own computer warned of the energy surge on the planet’s surface, a massive power build up leading to an explosion. Whatever their opponents thought they could do, command disagreed. They said the process was irreversible. Whatever went on down there was going to happen regardless.
“All pilots, this is Panther One,” Meagan’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “We along with the Tai’Li have attached cables to all available satellites and are moving them into position. Bomber standby to unleash your barrage.”
“Just keep out of the way,” Rudy said into the com. “We are tying our guidance and detonators to the enemy signal but they’re still fast moving projectiles.”
“We’re pretty good at avoiding those,” Panther Two spoke up. “Don’t worry about us, just get your big butts back to base safe and sound.”
“That was quite the alliteration,” Rudy said, “did you come up with it all on your own?”
“Cut the chatter,” Revente’s voice interrupted. “Focus on the mission. We’ve got too much at stake for joking around.”
Rudy smiled, mostly because he knew Revente too well to think he was actually angry. Stories of his past indicated he’d done some pretty outrageous stuff as a young pilot, up to and including some pretty insane heroics. Because of his results, often the type that won battles, he got promoted. Rudy always thought it was to get him out of a cockpit and into something where his experience would survive.
“Alright, everyone,” Meagan said. “We are beginning our attack run. We’ll reach maximum velocity then release our cables. When we give you our mark, let them go. We’ll get out of the way.”
Rudy focused, engaging his computer and preparing to unload every bomb in his payload. He tapped into his wing. “Okay, guys. You know the drill. Enough thrusters to avoid recoil from deploying. No one departs until all bombs are deployed. Fall back together and form up for RTB, got it?”
His wing acknowledged.
The enemy vessels charged toward them. Fighters led the way, providing a screen. If they only launched a few bombs, they might be a problem but they barely provided little more than obstacles in this case. The massive ordinance they planned to send against them wouldn’t be a fight, it would be an explosive moment of chaos.
Meagan’s wing and the Tai’Li suddenly pulled up, their cables dangling behind as they reeled them in. “Fire, now!” Meagan shouted.
“You heard her!” Rudy yelled. “Go, go, go!”
His ship began to shake as the bombs were deployed, one after another ejecting from his vessel and speeding off toward their target. They rarely did carpet bomb tactics, never fired in such a manner because two or three pieces of ordinance did plenty of damage on their own. If half of what they fired landed, it would cause some serious trouble.
Sixteen bombs each, a grand total of one hundred twenty-eight bombs. As their destructive fleet headed toward their targets, they saw over a hundred glowing turbines driving them onward. “Form up and RTB!” Rudy pulled up, rendezvousing with his wing. “It’s on you, Meagan.”
“We’ll clear a path but we can’t do it long…See you soon, Rudy.”
***
Meagan felt the cable detach and yanked back on the controls. The satellite flew beneath her, speeding toward the enemy ships. “Fire now!” She shouted to the bombers as her own wing formed up. They needed to address the fighters, clearing them out so the bombs didn’t get wasted on smaller targets.
“Get some of those bastards, guys,” Meagan called. “Two on one. They like to solo so let them die alone.”
Mick took her wing and they closed on their first target, spinning in behind him. The ship tried to climb and bank but her first two shots clipped it’s wing, sending it into an uncontrolled dive. It collided with one of his own men and both exploded in a spectacular fashion. They turned, preparing for another engagement.
Blasts erupted around them, flying past the cockpit and nearly taking her out. She made a minor correction, diving enough to avoid the attacks but to keep him on her six. “Get him, Mick. I’m not in the mood for what he’s selling.”
“On it, boss.” Mick flipped around and she saw him blur off as another barrage surrounded her.
“This is getting close, Mick…”
A series of blue colored attacks flew past her, pulse shots from Mick’s fighter. Jesus, I’m going to get taken down by friendly fire!
An explosion shook her from behind. For half a moment, she thought she might’ve been hit. A quick check indicated all systems read normal. “Thank God…And thank you, Mick.”
“No problem.” The bombs flew past them, wrecking fighters that didn’t get out of the way fast enough. Such fast moving weapons cut through anything in their path, ripping them apart without so much as diverting their courses. Quickly, the fighting stopped as enemy fighters tried to get out of the way while the Behemoth shots blew them away.
“Whoa,” Meagan shook her head. “We have to get out of here, guys. Fall back. Now!”
They turned toward the Behemoth, burying the throttles as they flew away. Behind them, lights flashed as ships exploded, those who couldn’t get out of the way. According to her scanners, they were trying to take out the bombs but there were too many. The satellites helped mask them, making the attack all the more effective.
Her computer began a countdown, a rapidly declining number in the triple digits indicating when they’d reach the minimum safe distance. Five hundred kilometers…four-fifty…three hundred…When the explosion happened behind them, none of those fighters wanted to be in that shockwave.
“Everyone with me?” Meagan tensed up, struggling against the g forces. “Minimum distance approaching.”
“I’d like to be a little further,” Mick said, “if it’s all the same to you.”
Meagan smiled despite herself. “Yeah, I’m with you on that…”
They pressed hard, waiting for the inevitable explosion and what may or may not lead to them being tossed off course and killed. Small concerns, huh?
***
“Bombs are away,” Olly announced. “We’re ready.”
“Redding, are you locked on?”
“Yes, sir. We are just within extreme range.”
“When those things blow, jam the thro
ttle and unleash on them.” Gray turned to the com. “Crystal Font, you on board?”
“We’re on it, Behemoth,” Kale replied. “Enemy locked, we’ll take the one on the left.”
The explosions started shortly after, shields flashing on the hulls of the enemy vessels. Redding throttled up, compelling the ship forward. Olly doubled the energy to their forward shields, preparing for the shockwave from the different bombs. With that much ordinance, everything within ten thousand kilometers would feel the blast.
“Fighters have reached minimum range,” Olly stated.
“Adam, have Revente order them to get behind the larger vessels and hold there.”
Redding turned to the left slightly, opening up with one side of their pulse cannons. The ship rattled from the motion, and as the weapons discharged, the hull hummed. As soon as they discharged their first volley, Redding juked the controls the other way, tilting so they could fire another volley.
Before the first of their pulse blasts reached their targets, the second barrage headed out. The Crystal Font followed suit, their purple energy lancing through the darkness of space. The bombs exploded and the satellites detonated as well. Shields dropped. The enemy’s weapons fired but it wouldn’t be enough.
As pulse damage riddled their hulls, Olly put the damage on screen. They watched as red began to litter every system. They cracked, bulbs of explosions erupting all over them. The shockwave expanded out in a great dome but dissipated long before it reached their vessels. Their target erupted suddenly, listing to the right then exploding in a spectacular display.
The Crystal Font fared just as well, their weapons piercing straight through the unprotected hulls. A moment passed before it also erupted, shaking a moment before the massive explosion scattered debris in every direction. Gray leaned back in his chair, feeling no small amount of relief as the two went down.
“Thank God,” he muttered. “Let’s pick up our ships and get back to the surface. We can finally do something at our leisure.”
“Captain,” Agatha spoke up. “I’ve got Doctor Brand on the line. She said that the patient is in recovery and may wake up shortly.”
“More good news.” Gray said. “Is he awake?”
“Patching her through.”
“Can the man speak?” Gray asked. “Is he good?”
Laura sounded annoyed, “really, sir? This man barely survived some of the worst trauma I’ve seen in a long time. He’s sleeping.”
“Can you wake him up? Even for a moment? We need to know who the traitor is, Doctor. It could be important.”
“I can make it happen but you’d better ensure we don’t get him up long.” Laura paused. “Just ensure you do not take long. I don’t want to lose him after everything we’ve done.”
“As long as we find out what he knows, it’ll be fine. How long before he’s awake?”
“Give me five minutes,” Laura replied. “I’ll get him up.”
“If he tells you who it is, let me know. That’ll be plenty.”
“Affirmative.” Laura cut the channel.
Adam looked over. “Let’s hope it works out. Whoever’s betraying us can still cause a lot of trouble.”
“You’re telling me.” Gray shook his head. “I can’t even imagine who has the nerve to do this. Considering everything else we’ve got going on, we have to deal with this too? I’m not much of an advocate for the death penalty but in this case, I’d be the first in line to pull the damn trigger.”
“Yeah, and believe me, there would be a cue.” Adam sighed.
“Um…” Olly cleared his throat. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news…”
“What now?” Adam asked. “What could it possibly be?”
“The enemy fleet has entered the system,” Olly said. “I’ve picked up a massive reading…ships incoming…oh my God! Are you joking?”
“Early? Really? What is it?” Gray asked. “How many?”
“Thirty-six, sir! And they’re all incoming.”
“ETA?” Adam asked.
“Less than an hour but they’re picking up speed…” Olly turned to look at them. “We’ve got less than sixty minutes to get everyone on board and jump out of here.”
Chapter 16
“Just another couple hundred meters!” An exhausted tech gasped out the words. Clea felt a wave of relief that almost overwhelmed her misery but not quite. A tiny surge of strength pushed her on and as she saw the light from outside above her, she practically cried. So damn close!
Her scanner said they had less than fourteen minutes to get off the planet. The ground shook from the building energy, making the entire area feel as though it suffered from natural, seismic activity. Hoffner grabbed her arm and dragged her the last twenty meter and as they emerged into the open air, she took a deep breath and bent at the waist.
“Shuttle will arrive in less than twenty seconds.” The pilot’s voice filled her helmet. “You’ve got alliance troops converging on your position. Better ensure they know to keep it orderly. We don’t have time to screw around.”
“Affirmative,” Hoffner called. “Clea, can you take point with the incoming soldiers?”
Clea nodded, unable to respond verbally. She fought to catch her breath and finally stood up straight, looking at the others. A couple of gestures brought them closer and she let out a final gasp before finding her voice.
“Everyone, line up over here. When the soldiers arrive, they’ll take up position behind you and you’ll all board side by side, two by two. The ship will be taking off quickly but don’t stop moving until you reach the back of the cargo bay to ensure there’s room for all of us. Any questions?”
Vora stepped forward. “Will we have time to escape the system?”
“Yes,” Clea replied. “We’re on point to get out of here with plenty of time to spare. Just keep calm and we’ll all get through this.”
Alliance soldiers began flooding the area in a near panic. They aimed weapons at the marines who did so in kind but Hoffner quickly deescalated the situation with a quick shout. “Hold there! We’re getting a ship to take all of you out of here. Lower your weapons and let’s work together! I need a perimeter to hold back any enemies who might show up. Got it?”
The soldiers milled about for a moment before one made it clear they lost their CO in a wild exchange of gunfire. Hoffner acknowledged, holding his hands up. “I get it. You five, watch that path there. The rest of you line up for departure. When the tech crew and others board, you’ll break off from guard duty and get aboard. Let’s move!”
“He has a real command authority,” Vora said. “I’m surprised.”
Clea scowled at her. “You shouldn’t be. Frankly, these people have risked everything to save you and your people. What more do they have to do to earn your respect?”
“They can’t.” Vora paced away. “So stop trying to sell them as useful beings.”
Clea clenched her fist, fighting hard to refrain from punching her sister in the head. The woman had always been infuriating but she took it to new and interesting places now. Perhaps there was no way to bring her to sense. Maybe she had lost any rationality being stuck out there studying weapons so far from home.
Outside the influence of rational people, she became someone else entirely. Clea doubted their family would recognize her anymore.
The shuttle flew by overhead and circled once before landing nearby. The ramp dropped and a voice exploded over the speakers. “Let’s move people, this place is not save. We are about to be overrun in less than a minute.”
Wow! Clea gestured and shouted, “move it! Get aboard now! Go! Go! Go!”
The people filed on, running two by two. The marines and alliance soldiers began firing, blasting away at the advancing enemy. They broke off, two by two, and rushed back to the shuttle. A turret on the nose helped provide cover, blasting away at the tree line, throwing bodies in every direction.
Hoffner slapped his men on the back, getting them moving. He was the last one
to run up the ramp and as it closed, he leaned against it, catching his breath. The ship suddenly climbed and people cried out in alarm as it ascended, the engines belching as it desperately raced to break atmo.
Clea looked at her reading. They had less than two minutes before detonation. The energy readings were off the charts. When the reactor went, it would take the majority of the continent with it. Anyone left down there would be vaporized and anything remaining in the databanks would be lost.
“I hope you’re happy,” Vora said in her ear. “You’ve just lost the alliance a major asset.”
“You’re an idiot,” Clea grumbled back. “There was nothing to be saved there. We just barely escaped. You’re clearly blind.”
“We’ll see how the council feels about all this,” Vora replied, “when we return home.”
“Yes, we most certainly will.” Clea turned away and closed her eyes. Her rage with her sister could not overcome a fear that they wouldn’t make it to a safe distance before the explosion. As the time counted down on her helmet, she began to quietly pray. She hadn’t done so often, but just then…it felt like the right thing to do.
***
“The patient is awake,” Laura spoke to Gray through the com. “But he won’t be for long. I asked him what he knew…he’s talking crazy.”
“What do you mean?” Gray asked. “What did he say?”
“He said ‘An’Tufal is the traitor’. I don’t believe for a second that Clea would betray us.”
Gray inhaled to reply but he paused as a man’s voice filled the com. “Not Clea…” Pain laced the words as he spoke. “Vora…Vora An’Tufal…she sold us out…sent data…let them know…where…we…were…”
“How’s he know?” Gray demanded. “Ask him!”
“Um…how do you know?” Laura sounded uneasy. “What evidence do you have?”
“Recording…recovered just before the attack…at my listening…outpost…I went to report it…when the attackers arrived…they jammed…my…signal…”
