by D. J. Holmes
“She will be punished,” Wal-sma answered. “She may not be allowed back onto the two city ships in this system. But unless her people vote to remove her from command, she will keep Dancer.”
“That’s good to know,” Emilie responded. “We had to hurt some Kalassai during our escape. I would be thankful if you could pass on our apologies to them if you see them again.”
“I’ll certainly do so Captain,” Wal-sma replied. “It looks like we’re about to move out of range of one another. May I wish you a safe journey home.”
“I’d appreciate it,” Emilie said. “I wish you luck on your journeys. May-sic explained what you are attempting to do. I hope that it works.”
“So do I,” Wal-sma said. “For my people and yours. I have a present for you by the way. I’ll transmit it momentarily. Farewell Captain.”
“Farewell,” Emilie replied just before the COM channel ended.
“Were getting a rather large file from Wayfarer,” Intrepid’s COM officer informed her. “The computer is translating it now. “Whoo,” she couldn’t help but say.
“What is it Sub Lieutenant?” Emilie asked as her curiosity got the better of her.
Rather than answer, the Sub Lieutenant sent the information to Intrepid’s main holo projector and pointed at the image that appeared there. “It’s a star map.”
Emilie slumped back into her command chair as she stared at the massive image. There were hundreds and hundreds of systems in front of her. Thousands in fact. Far too many for her to make sense of what she was looking at. “Maguire?” she queried as she turned to Intrepid’s Second Lieutenant.
“I think it’s a map of the Karacknid Empire. At least as much of it as the Kalassai know about,” Maguire said after a few moments. “Here is Damial and the Conclave species’ systems.” In front of Emilie a small portion of the map flashed. It was a tiny fraction of the sectors of space that were mapped out. “This is marked as Karacknid territory,” Maguire continued. Nearly two thirds of the map changed color to have a red background. “There are details about many of the systems. Including estimates of fleet strengths, defenses and orbital stations,” Maguire said, awe filling her voice. “It looks like there are historical records as well, fleet movements going back years.”
Emilie shook her head. She didn’t know what to think. The size and scale of the Karacknid Empire was absolutely massive. And, from what she knew of the intelligence the Mindus and the Varanni had, the borders she was looking at wouldn’t even match up with the borders they had mapped out. The Karacknid Empire truly was a behemoth. And yet, as daunting as taking them on was, the information Wal-sma had just shared was priceless. The Kalassai had mapped out at least a third of the Karacknid Empire, and now she knew where all their systems were! More than that she knew the likely location of their main fleets as well as their supply depots and construction yards. “We need to get this back to Earth immediately,” she said. “Immediately,” she couldn’t help but repeat. “This could win us the war.” Glancing over at Alvarez she shared a look with him. As happy as she was to see him again, she was even happier at what they had just received. The purpose of their mission; the reason why they had spent so many months out in the middle of unknown space searching for the Kalassai; the reason why they had been kept apart for the last two months was sitting right in front of them. They had found what they had come to look for! Even if the Kalassai wouldn’t fight with them, the information was worth hundreds of warships all by itself. Perhaps even thousands, Emilie thought. From the look on Alvarez’s face, he was thinking the exact same thing.
Chapter 38
The Varanni dark-matter repeller technology dramatically shortened the shift space travel times between the Empire’s systems. As a result, they gave Alliance and Imperial fleets a huge defensive advantage. Yet it was in its offensive use that the technology really played a key role in the War of Doom.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
IS Drake, outer edge of Alpha-three system, 7th April 2483 AD (six days after battle for Alpha-one).
“This is not what we were expecting,” Captain Fisher said as everyone on Drake’s bridge stared at the holo projector. Drake and the more than one hundred and fifty warships in Somerville’s fleet were sitting thirty light minutes from the edge of Alpha-three’s mass shadow. For the past ten minutes the ships’ passive sensors had been filtering through every piece of electromagnetic energy washing over them from within the system.
“No,” James agreed as he took in the view before him. There were two hundred Karacknid ships defending the main supply depot that orbited one of the system’s gas giants. A further forty were defending the second gas giant and the gas mining station in orbit around it. In addition, twenty frigates were actively patrolling the shift passage that James’ fleet was in. Combined, it looked like the Karacknids had received thirty additional warships since the scouts had discovered the system. That was not what had everyone’s attention though. Not at all. Everyone was looking at the sensor contacts on the other side of the system. There was no doubting what they saw there. The Karacknid invasion fleet had arrived. It couldn’t have jumped into the system more than half an hour ago. But they were there, and they were making their way towards the depot.
James could feel his officers’ concern and fear. One thousand two hundred Karacknid warships would be enough to push through Humanity’s defenses and threaten Earth. And if there is a fleet here, there may be others on their way to the other two depots, James figured. As he stared at the massive fleet of alien ships on the far side of the system, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Goosebumps made their way down his arms and legs. This was the first time he had faced a Karacknid fleet since the Battle of Earth. For more than a year he had been running around dealing with political issue after issue whilst others fought on his behalf. Now, finally, he was facing the Karacknids. Vengeance might have been the name he had given to Lightfoot’s flagship, but it was what James had been thirsting for. “Prepare the fleet to jump in twenty seconds,” he said to his command staff. Whatever the rest of his officers were feeling, there wasn’t a lick of fear in his words. Nor in his heart. “We’ve come here to destroy this Karacknid depot, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.” As he spoke, the tingling across his shoulders and back increased.
Fisher and Miyagi looked at him with questioning glances. “Either we stop this fleet here, or we fight them over Earth. Which would you prefer?” James asked. Neither answered verbally, instead they both nodded and turned back to their command consoles. As they did, James performed some calculations in his head. The Karacknid fleet had to traverse the whole system before getting to their main depot. On the other hand, the end of the shift passage his fleet was in was almost right beside the depot. There will be time, James concluded, not much, but hopefully enough. A peace settled upon him. The chances of his fleet making it out of the system were slim. Very slim. But that was a small price to pay. One others have already paid on my behalf, James thought. There was no way he was letting this Karacknid fleet get to Earth. Not after everything he had done to rebuild what the Karacknids had already destroyed. Not when Christine is there. James knew that if the Karacknids did push through into Human space Christine would never flee from Earth. Not when it was now the Imperial capital. If the Karacknids nuked it again, Christine would die with her people.
“The fleet is ready to make the jump Admiral,” Miyagi informed James. James nodded to give his approval. Everyone was thrown forward slightly as Drake entered shift space. Then another jolt threw them back less than a second later as the battleship reverted to normal space. Destroyers peeled away from the fleet as they charged the nearest Karacknid patrol frigates. The rest of the fleet powered up their engines and followed Drake as the battleship turned towards the main Karacknid supply depot and engaged her engines.
“Prep all fighters for launch,” James ordered. “We’ll stick to plan Gambit One until we see how things develop.”
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“Understood Admiral,” Miyagi replied.
“The main Karacknid fleet is responding,” Lieutenant Anderson informed everyone. “It looks like they are breaking formation.”
“They’re dispatching their faster ships,” James predicted. “Their commander knows what we are here to do.”
“The ships orbiting the third gas giant are breaking orbit,” one of Drake’s sensor officers added. “They’re setting course for the main supply depot.”
Fisher turned to James. “They’re abandoning one of their gas mining stations. We could take it out with a single destroyer.”
“The main depot probably has all the munitions, fuel and supplies the fleet needs to begin their offensive. That’s their priority. It’s also ours. No matter what happens today, that depot must be destroyed.”
Fisher nodded solemnly and turned back to the display of the depot. “I understand Admiral,” she replied. “No matter what happens.”
James followed her gaze. Now that Drake’s passive sensors had had time to examine the gas giant, it was clear the Karacknids had built even more stations since the scouts had discovered this system. There were more than eighty large orbital stations. Many seemed to be made up of large fuel cells, whilst others were designed to store missiles and other war materials. There were even four large stations that each had multiple dry docks. Clearly they were designed to carry out repairs and get warships back into action as quickly as possible. James couldn’t help but shake his head at the massive amount of work that had gone into developing the base. The Karacknids had almost built as many new stations in the system in the last year as Humanity had in the Sol system over the same amount of time. And this is just a small cog in their war effort, he knew. A small cog that is going to cause them a headache, James promised his opposite number as he imagined what the Karacknid fleet commander was thinking. No doubt he would be concerned. The depot had to be important to them. Especially if Lightfoot was right and the Karacknids were planning to push through Human space and attack the Alliance from the flank. Given the amount of activity James could see in orbit around the Karacknid main base, he was certain Lightfoot was right. Which meant the Karacknid fleet in front of him was probably just the vanguard of an even larger force!
“Commodore Maleck is requesting to speak to you Admiral,” Lieutenant Beckford, James’ COMs officer informed him.
“Send it to my command chair,” James replied. “Commodore,” he said as he gave Maleck a nod of respect. “It seems we have arrived just in time.”
“Just in time to face overwhelming odds,” Maleck responded. “But if we are to face them, I’m happy to do so with you at my side.”
“And I you,” James replied with a grave smile. They both knew the dangers of what they were about to attempt.
“My ships still have a slight edge over yours in speed. Do you want us to run interference for you?” Maleck asked.
James let out a breath. He had known this was why Maleck was calling. Indeed, James had hoped the Commodore would make the offer, but, even so, he did not like it one bit. He nodded again. “I cannot order you. But it will give us the best chance.”
“Then that is what we will do,” Maleck replied. “It is why we were sent to your space. We know we are defending our systems as much as yours. My people will do their duty.”
“Of that I am sure,” James said.
“We will depart now,” Maleck followed up. “The more time we have to dance with them, the longer we’ll be able to hold them off.”
“Then go with my blessing, and our hopes,” James said. “And do not be afraid to ask for help. If we can spare any ships, then you will have them.”
“Of course,” Maleck replied, though from his tone of voice James could tell Maleck knew the offer was all but empty. Both of them would need every ship they had to stand any chance of accomplishing their goals. “Farewell for now Admiral. I’ll see you on the other side of this.”
“As I will you,” James replied as he fought to keep the sorrow from his voice.
James watched the forty-four Alliance ships of Maleck’s squadron break away from his fleet. They increased their acceleration rates and settled onto a course that would intercept the destroyers and frigates pulling away from the main Karacknid fleet.
“Five to one odds,” Miyagi commented, his voice full of respect. “Those Alliance boys are brave.”
“Four to one I’d guess,” James corrected him. Though there were nearly two hundred Karacknid ships attempting to get to the main depot ahead of his attack, none were larger than a destroyer. With Maleck’s heavy cruisers and battleships, the odds were closer to four to one. “But that will make little difference,” he added.
For the next half an hour, each group of ships continued on without deviating from their courses. The forty ships from the Karacknids’ second depot settled into orbit of their main base. The remaining eight patrol frigates who had survived the scuffle with James’ destroyers continued to fall back. The massive Karacknid fleet trundled on towards the supply depot while their forward frigates and destroyers raced as fast as they could to try and prevent their supplies from being destroyed. “All right,” James said when his fleet got close enough to the main Karacknid base. “Launch fighters and roll out our missile pods.”
“Wing Commander Chen reports all fighters formed up and ready to proceed,” Lieutenant Beckford reported just a couple of minutes later.
“They may begin their maneuver,” James replied. Back on Earth he had tried to talk Chen into remaining behind. The fighter pilot Academy needed experienced pilots like him to train the next generation of combat pilots, plus, as James had told him, he had already risked his life more than enough. The Chinese pilot had flatly refused. As James watched the one hundred and twenty fighters and bombers of Chen’s attack force break away from Drake, he hoped the pilot would survive the coming battle. Having met Chen’s family at the ceremony where Christine had awarded him the Medal of Honor, James didn’t want to have to meet them again under very different circumstances. As Chen’s fighters left, they did so at an angle perpendicular to the Karacknid depot. When the time came, they would turn and charge the depot so that they were coming in at a different heading compared to the missiles Drake would soon be launching. The idea was to force the Karacknids to split their point defense fire.
“I’m picking up new contacts breaking away from the main Karacknid fleet,” a sensor officer reported. “There must be some problem with our gravimetric sensors. Their acceleration rates are off the scale.”
James swung around to the gravimetric sensor display. A small group of contacts was rapidly moving away from the large Karacknid fleet. The text scrolling alongside them suggested their acceleration rates were twice that of anything they had detected a Karacknid ship doing before. “Can we get mass estimates on those contacts?” James demanded.
The sensor officer shook her head. “Not if there is a glitch in the gravimetric sensors.”
“Assume there isn’t a glitch,” Captain Fisher said, picking up on what James was thinking. “And that the Karacknids haven’t developed an entirely new drive system. What does the computer estimate their size to be?”
“Less than fifty tons,” the sensor officer replied seconds later. She then looked up at James and Fisher.
James answered her unspoken question. “Enemy fighters. It has to be.” The acceleration rates weren’t quite what Spitfires could put out, but they were close. “They might not have our inertial dampeners, but they figured out some way to make such small craft work.” As he spoke, James thought through the implications. The fighters were aiming to intercept Commodore Maleck’s ships. If they were as effective as his fighters, they’d rip through Maleck’s force. Perhaps half of Maleck’s ships would survive, but that was assuming the Karacknid fighters were roughly analogous to Spitfires. If they were more agile and harder to hit, or carried a more powerful punch, it could be far worse. And if Maleck losses half his force, he w
on’t be able to delay the Karacknid warships. Then we are done for, James concluded. The Karacknid destroyers and frigates that had left the main fleet would arrive at their depot about twenty minutes after James’ ships would get into missile range. They’d be able to drive James’ fleet off before he could really get to grips with the depot. “Get me Captain Black,” he requested. Just seconds later the interceptor pilot’s face appeared on his chair’s holo projector. “You’re seeing what we are seeing I presume?” he asked.
Black nodded. “Enemy fighters.” She smiled. “It looks like you brought us along for a reason after all.”
“What do you think, can you take them by yourselves?” James asked. “Assume they have similar capabilities to our Spitfires.”
Black screwed up her face. “I want to say yes,” she said after a moment’s pause. “But that’s bravado speaking. We could tangle with them all, but if they tried to split their forces we’d be hard-pressed to stop some getting past us.”
“That’s what I thought,” James said with a nod. “Who are the best dogfighters among our squadrons?”
