“There!” he swore under his breath. The computer had already analyzed the station and pinpointed likely areas for power generation and ammunition supply. All the weapon systems, including the main gun that was proving so devastating, were drawing power from this section. He tapped each of his ships on the display and connected to their commanders.
“All ships, on my order, concentrate your fire on this location.”
Each returned an acknowledgement. He swallowed as he realized his voice sounded distorted. The mainscreen showed the other Crusader class warships were moving around him in a wide crescent formation, each presenting their bows to the enemy. The previous ship designs had been equipped with their main weapons on the flanks. These new designs could only be used from the bow or stern, as the systems ran most of the length of the ship. As the heavy warships edged closer and closer, they moved apart so that they could strike from six directions. This had the effect of putting hundreds of kilometres between each of them.
“General, we’re in position,” said Lieutenant Scookins, the ship’s helmsman.
General Daniels nodded. It was his first major command, but commanding a battle fleet was something he’d never expected to have to do. With The Admiral out of action, and the Captain killed, he could either take charge or rely upon one of the other ships’ captains. In the Alliance, the Marine Corps and Navy were closely entwined, and it was assumed that senior officers would exchange roles if required in combat.
Is this what the Admiral would do? he thought, a moment of doubt entering his mind. He looked back at the CIC and spotted two marines carrying out the XO. He was quickly reminded of how many losses they’d sustained.
“Lieutenant, how is the XO?”
The officer shook his head and continued towards the door.
“Not good, General, he took an impact in the throat. He’s gone, Sir.”
That was all he needed to hear. The Alliance ships had taken a pounding, and still the enemy refused to stop the attack.
Maybe this will make you think twice.
He shouted down the intercom in a tone that was much louder and angrier sounding than he intended.
“All ships, open fire!”
All six Crusader class warships opened fire with their powerful particle beam weapons. In an instant, a series of flashes and blasts appeared across the outer sections of the station. The high-energy pulsed beam of subatomic particles from the capital ships triggered a single massive explosion that tore a large section from the station. It was a powerful attack, and General Daniels pondered on how many Helions would have been killed by its ferocity.
“Admiral, an emergency signal from the civilian fleet on the other side of the Rift. They are under attack! A dormant vessel is heading for the Rift.”
Anderson looked back at the video feed of the stable Rift. It was still operational, though he doubted it was safe to use this close to the Helion station, except under the direst of circumstances. T’Kron had already reminded him twice that all of the eight races had the technology to destabilize the Rifts.
“General, something is coming through!” Lieutenant Powalk called out with a nervous groan.
Daniels looked back to the mainscreen that had now shifted focus behind the fleet and toward the Rift they’d entered from. The small group of T’Kari ships was already slinking back through the Rift. He cringed at their approached and tried to move the thought aside of what would happen if the Rift was destabilized when the vast bulk of a ship crashed through. One of the scout ships was instantly disintegrated before they could change course to avoid its massive size.
“What the hell is that?”
“Unknown, Sir, checking the computer now,” said Commander D'Vani.
“General, the guns, they’ve stopped firing,” said Lieutenant Powalk, looking intently at the second display. “No, wait, they are turning their flak weapons onto the new ship!”
General Daniels looked at the mainscreen so intently that he didn’t even noticed the form of Admiral Anderson at his side. The battered and slightly unsteady officer reached out to rest his hand on the General’s shoulder. He spun around to spot the blood-soaked man.
“General, what the hell is going on?”
“Admiral?”
Anderson moved two steps forward and held onto the outer rim of the unit supporting the tactical display. He spotted the massive ship exchanging gunfire with two of his Crusader ships that had already turned on it.
“That is a Guardian ship, the class used as a heavy warship by the enemy that attacked us in T’Karan,” he explained, pointing at the newly arrived ship.
Lines of gunfire from the heavily damaged station ripped into the monstrous vessel, yet little damage seemed to be caused.
“Look!” said Commander D'Vani.
A stream of energy shot out from the Helion station below and directly into the mouth of the Rift. The effect was slow to start as the shape started to shake and distort. Then with a bright flash the entrance to the Rift turned into a raging storm of energy. Admiral Anderson opened his mouth to speak and then stumbled. General Daniels caught him and moved him to one of the chairs. A marine rushed over to assist, but he waved the man off.
“No, I will not leave until this battle is decided. The T’Kari, where are they?”
“All gone but T’Kron, Admiral,” explained General Daniels. “His ship stayed back and is in position well inside our defensive line.”
“And the Helions? They have turned their fire on the Guardian ship?”
He nodded in reply.
“Yes, but we’ve already destroyed their primary weapons. I doubt their last point defense systems will do anything but scratch its surface. At least nothing else will be coming through.”
Admiral Anderson sighed, more out of frustration at their situation than toward any decision that had been taken.
True, but now we cannot get back.
“Very well, this is our one chance. We need to let them know we are with them, not against them. A few volleys of fire should do the trick.”
The wounded Admiral beckoned for General Daniels to approach. He did so with haste; now starting to worry the massive ship that was already increasing in speed would strike them.
“What is their course?” called out the Admiral to the crew still standing in the CIC.
“Best estimate is the asteroid belt at approximately twenty-seven astronomical units away. They have fixed their course, and their main engines are powering up,” replied one of the junior officers that had arrived with the replacements.
Admiral Anderson didn’t recognize the tall man, but he had neither the time nor inclination to find out more. He looked at the plotted location and spun around to face General Daniels.
“The Rift!” said both of the senior commanders at the same time.”
“T’Kron has an urgent message,” announced Commander D'Vani, who now operated a science station as well as communications.
Admiral Anderson nodded, and the image of T’Kron appeared.
“Admiral, they must be stopped!”
Anderson wiped some of the blood from his face and replied.
“Really, and why is that?”
T’Kron paused as though what he was about to say was some great secret. The enemy vessel must have encouraged him because his voice turned to a high-pitched squeal as he spoke. It took even longer than normal for the translators in his suit to convert the sounds.
“The ship, we have detected captured T’Kari technology deep inside it.”
“So what?” said General Daniels abruptly, “Where can they go? The Helions will finish them off in this system. Or maybe they’ll escape. So?”
He looked at the face of the T’Kari, looking for a hint or sign of what the alien was thinking.
“You don’t understand. The ship could open up the Black Rift. They have obtained copies of our coding equipment for their Rift.”
Anderson sighed and shook his head knowingly.
“
The what?”
“The Black Rift, it is the entrance to the outer domains of the Enemy. The Rift was sealed during our war with them. Only one of the remaining races can open it using our technology. If the wrong codes are used, the Rift destabilizes. Like that one.”
He pointed behind him, and Anderson could only assume the Rift lay in that position. He took a deep breath, as if only just realizing he hadn’t been breathing.
“If they can reach the Black Rift with this ship and our technology, it could allow their forces to enter the Helion system. Only my people and the Helions have the technology to open, close, and destabilize these Rifts, and it is our most guarded technology. Only the elders of our societies have access to it.”
“Great, and from here they can spread through this Network and hit our worlds, right?” asked General Daniels.
Before T’Kron could answer, Admiral Anderson lifted his hand.
“Why now? Why not fifty years ago?”
T’Kron waved his hands in an agitated fashion.
“They followed us through our own Rift, one that we have hidden all this time. They must have tracked out expedition to this point. You must trust us, Admiral. If they reach the Black Rift, every one of our worlds will be turned to ash.”
Admiral Anderson wiped his face once more, this time removing sweat rather than blood. The information wasn’t a complete surprise to him. The attacks from the Raiders already told him they wanted something, either information or technology.
He turned to General Daniels.
“These Guardian ships cannot be easily stopped. We hit the last one for a long time and still it got away. It was only the T’Kari and their technology that destroyed it by collapsing the Rift around it. Now we only have five fully functioning warships. We need something more permanent. Stop that ship, and the Helions will listen to us.”
“Uh, Admiral. The ship is powering down and changing course.”
“What? Where are they going?”
The officer seemed stunned by what was happening, much to the fury of the Admiral.
“Answer me, dammit!”
“The ship is coming back this way, and their weapons are powering up.”
Anderson swallowed, his mouth now feeling like ash at the news. The warship was easily five times the size of the Crusader ships, perhaps even bigger. He remembered what had happened the last time Alliance ships had engaged one, and at that point the ships had all been undamaged and fully functional.
“He’s right, the ship is setting a course between the Rift back home and our ships,” Lieutenant Powalk added.
“They mean to stop us pursuing them before they continue on to the Black Rift. Is there no way the Helions can intercept them?”
Helmsmen Scookins shook her head.
“The nearest major ships are days away. There is a group of frigate-sized vessels heading this way, but it will take them at least an hour. They will never be able to reach them. The only chance the Helions have is if they have something major protecting the Black Rift itself.”
General Daniels nodded at this part, “and if they don’t, the ship could travel through.”
Admiral Anderson looked disappointed at the news. He considered the options available to him, but there were few, and none particularly appealed to him.
“Very well, General, what do you suggest?”
General Daniels did his best to smile before providing a response.
“The only way to decide this will be here and now. I can hit the vessel with an assault force. The 17th, under Gun and Morato, are directly in the path of the ship. They can have marines on her in minutes.”
The weapon systems of ANS Victory were now firing at full capacity. Both the particle beam weapons and the myriad of turrets pounded the Guardian ship. Even as the commanders discussed strategy, they could see the flashes across its massive structure. Large pieces of metal were blasted off or even melted to slag, and yet still it continued onward.
Admiral Anderson nodded, “A captured Guardian ship, now that would be a prize.”
The ship shuddered as a double burst of gunfire from the port gun batteries of the Guardian ship raked the ship’s hull. The armor stopped the worst of it, yet nearly two-dozen hardened rounds breached the layered armor and exploded inside.
“Damage to the starboard particle assembly, just the port gun remaining,” explained Lieutenant Powalk.
Admiral Anderson looked disheartened at the news. The weapons systems on the ship were powerful, but there were only four emitters, two on the stern and two on the bow. Once they were gone, they had nothing but the turrets and the fighter cover remaining.
“We have no choice. You command the assault operation, General. I will return to my position in the fleet and keep our ships operational as long as possible.”
General Daniels held the Admiral’s shoulder, noting how unsteady the man still was on his feet. A junior officer, one he hadn’t seen before, helped to move him closer to the tactical unit. Admiral Anderson held on to it and took three long breaths.
“General, you’re needed for this operation. I’ll make sure our ships and fighters operate effectively as a screen. Don’t take too long though; these ships are only so strong. We fight here, either we win or we lose. I’m not leaving Serenity on her own to die.”
Without even waiting for General Daniel’s reply, he moved to the rest of the CIC crew and proceeded to give out orders to each of his ships. General Daniels seemed almost excited at the news. With the Admiral back in command of the taskforce, he could concentrate on what he’d trained for, major combat operations. He moved a short distance back and grabbed the intercom. With just two taps, he connected to his battalion commanders.
“This is the General, prepare for contested ship boarding.”
He paused for just a moment and connected directly to ANS Savage.
There’s only one battalion that has conducted more than one mock boarding action.
“Commander Gun, Major Morato. It is time. I have a job for you, and it’s the most dangerous job out here.”
* * *
Teresa was uncomfortable inside the cramped interior of the Hammerhead fighter, one of the many new craft being used by the Marine Corps. It was her first trip on the aircraft, and her first impression was not particularly favorable. It was a good deal larger than the Cobra shuttles she’d used in the past for special operations use, yet it could still only carry a dozen warriors. Seated near her were the eleven members of 1st Squad, including Sergeant Arina Nova. All of them were dressed in their almost midnight black APS armor, with only one subtle difference between theirs and the other marines. Rather than the dark grey tiger stripes used by the other squads, this personal protection unit had crimson stripes. Teresa had made the decision, and she was now starting to wonder if she should have chosen something a little darker.
“Major,” said Gun’s voice from the center of the craft.
“Commander, we’re three hundred meters from the target.”
“Good, the 17th made it out first. You’ll hit them sixty seconds before the marines from Crusader and Victory.”
Teresa nodded at the image of her commanding officer and leader of the 17thBattalion. Technically, he wasn’t a commander, but the name had stuck in the War, and it had become more of an honorific title specific to Gun. Teresa looked at the command display and checked the position of the rest of the Battalion. Over four hundred marines were en route from ANS Savage already, with another eight companies on their way from the other two ships. Not all of the marines were coming though. There were, after all, only enough transports for a fraction of the marines at a time.
The mighty Guardian ship was already pulling away from its previous course and heading for the Rift. Scores of gun turrets sent projectiles out to the Alliance ships, as well as the Helion station. In reply, the ships and station struck it with a variety of ineffectual weapons. Its engines glowed a bright blue as it moved into position. Luckily for the Alliance force
s, the ship was massive and took time to move into an advantageous position, and all the while the Alliance ships were scattering to attack from multiple angles.
We won’t have long before they start to cause serious damage to our ships.
Teresa looked at the counter running on the inside of her visor. It counted down the number of seconds at which point they would reach the warship. They had to be inside the vessel before the counter ran down.
“Hold on!” called the pilot.
The lead vessels of the formation were the three Hammerhead heavy fighters. They moved past the stern of the huge ship, continuing about a third the way along its spine before dropping down and settling on a flat area. They came in fast, perhaps too fast, as the impact came as a massive jolt. Teresa felt shudders through the floor as the grav-clamps secured them to the hull.
“Hammerhead One is down. We’re moving in.”
They would normally disembark from the side doors, but this was different. One of the most useful design changes with the marine craft was the ability to board ships once attached. A low vibration was all it took for the thermite breaching charges fitted beneath the gunship to burn a hole two meters wide into the hull of the ship, immediately below the Hammerhead. The center section slid open like a narrow bomb bay and led inside. A gush of air rushed into the craft, but amazingly, the Hammerhead was able to maintain a secure seal, and the pressure quickly stabilized.
“Go, go, go!” Teresa shouted.
Sergeant Arina Nova moved into the hole first, using her magboots to attach and detach from the metal structure and inside the ship. The rest of the squad followed, including Major Morato; each fully encased in the best armor the Alliance could supply.
* * *
Gun stood in front of his tactical display like an ancient general poring over the details of some battle map. The room was only a short distance from the marines’ quarters, and he was acutely aware of how close he was to the many shuttles and gunships that were loading up to take more marines into the fray.
Machine Gods (Star Crusades Nexus, Book 2) Page 24
