The Rise of OLMAC
Page 31
times more effective. Suld monitored all this, and as the last shuttles full of civilians left, he turned to Uld, who was sulking in his chair, facing a corner.
^What’s wrong, little man?^
Uld tried to wipe his blood-caked nose with the sleeve of his shirt, to no avail. ^Happy?^
^You have no idea. I’m going to give the TELREC a pummeling they could never have imagined.^
^You are, are you?^ cast Uld, letting out a tired sigh. ^I don’t think so.^
^And why not?^
He turned, his legs sprawling, absently clicking his polished black boots on the floor. ^I may not like you, but I respect the organization you run. It’s full of people who believe in you and your beliefs, as my people do in me and mine. But the TELREC have a Holis in their midst. Mal guides them, inspires them. They fight as the fanatic, uncaring about death, or glory. You show your cowardice by using clones—your people don’t want to die.^
^The TELREC use clones. They also don’t want to die.^
^They use clones as cannon fodder,^ retorted Uld tiredly, ^to assess the strength of your forces. Look at you! All your ships, neatly lined up, for all to see. They know what they are up against, you do not know what you face.^
Suld smiled wryly. ^You think I have no surprises?^
^You aren’t that creative.^
^Watch and learn. OLMAC has had three thousand cas to prepare for this battle. What you see is merely a small fraction of the ships I command. I will show my hand slowly, as the TELREC show theirs.^
^Mechle,^ cast Hildnic. ^We have three TELREC capital ships advancing on this position, surrounded by . . . fifty, no seventy-thousand fighters.^
^Capital ships?^ cast Uld, whistling in awe. ^Looks like they’re serious.^
^So the TELREC have capital ships. Dimensions?^
^As big as five oreships,^ responded Hildnic, downloading the specifications to Suld. ^One has broken formation, and is accelerating to our position.^
The crew on the nexus immediately grew more focused, their minds gaining firm control over the ship’s systems and the clones throughout the fleet.
^Link scopes to the cast-net.^
In moments Suld had a mental image of the massive TELREC capital ships. They were things of beauty to behold; they seemed to sail through the void like graceful primitive wind-borne ships of old. No utilitarian features interrupted their designs, their proud, wide sculpted fronts faded back by strong arcs creating two wing-like features. Their nexus sat high and proud in the center, near the rear, their central support columns arcing to the front, where their massive main emdec cannons lay. Sculpted within their hulls were openings for fighters and meta to launch, integrated seamlessly into the design. Not even NnuG barrier projectors interrupted the flow of the design. Engines half as big as an oreship laid in the rear, and Suld knew they were probably some of the fastest ships created, despite their size.
Seems a shame to destroy it.
He let his mind linger on it a while longer, appreciating the sunlight flow over their hulls.
^Do we have ship registries on those?^ he asked.
^Beacons state the lead approaching us is designated as LN-01,^ responded Saeren Ilasko, now seated next to Hildnic around the table. ^The others are LN-67 and LN-33.^
^Just like Mal to deprive such beautiful ships of a personality. It the lead in range of the mines yet?^^Yes.^
^Engage the mines,^ ordered Suld, leaning forward.
Around the massive capital ships, small asteroids suddenly turned, and gathered around their hulls as fireflies around a flame. As they drew close enough, they detonated, illuminating the void in quick lightning bursts, thin arcs of energy rippling along the ships’ shields.
^Nine hundred detonated, negligible damage.^
^As expected,^ cast Suld. ^Is the carrier ship Ajaitain in place?^
^Yes sir.^
^Deploy all fighters. How long until the meta carrier Doxcha arrives?^
^Now twenty mroas,^ replied Ilasko, surveying the ships’ positions, ^along with the Intrepid and the Ou-lini.^
^Keep them in reserve outside of parcel five. Initialize all ground-based meta. Theia—^
^Yes Suld?^
^Engage LN-67 and LN-33 with your dromons. The fighters and the oreships will engage LN-01. Keep the fight close, and watch out for them to deploy battle-meta against you.^
^Understood,^ she replied.
^Suld?^ cast Ciluo, drawing Suld’s attention.
^Yes, friend? Are your forces gearing to assist us?^
^We do not think this is the time.^
^What do you mean?!^ demanded Suld, growing heated, the rage building. ^The TELREC are attacking my home, the bedrock of this company! You gave your word we would be allies! If they attacked your home, we would be there, helping you defend it.^
^We believe you have enough resources to defend Gan-Elldon without us.^
Suld looked into his blank, metal face, knowing it was useless to argue with it.
^Then why are you still here?^ he asked, dumbfounded.
^Myself, and all my brethren present on the battlegrid are yours to command. I believe we should take Uld down to a detention facility on this ship, away from the nexus.^
Suld grudgingly agreed. Ciluo cast on a private channel to Suld.
^I also need to remind you, that you may be the Mechle of this company, but Hildnic is the General, the man you appointed to govern this encounter. You are usurping his power.^
Suld glanced over at Hildnic, sitting in his chair, a face as stone observing the battle.
^You’re right. He wouldn’t even cast anything, he is a loyal and faithful friend as well as a talented soldier.^ Suld sighed, placing a hand on Ciluo’s shoulder. ^Your people will have much to answer for after this encounter, but I thank you for your words of wisdom.^ He looked down at Uld. ^Get this pathetic waste of flesh out of my sight!^
Ciluo picked him up, carrying him off the nexus.
^Suld,^ cast Ciluo quickly, ^when you have weathered their assault, the meta will share with you more detailed surveillance of Malhrer.^
He was shocked to nest that revelation, more so that it was kept secret from him. ^You were able to penetrate Malhrer?^
^Yes. You will not be happy with what we have discovered.^
Suld watched as the meta dragged Uld out, his resolve shaken for a moment. He composed himself, and came next to Hildnic.
^I’m sorry, old friend. It is difficult to relinquish control.^
Hildnic smiled. ^I know. I don’t mind, you know. It is your company, your resources.^
^But this is our fight, our way of life, and I trust you with it,^ he pointedly cast. ^You have my support, and my faith.^
They shook hands.
^Thank you, Suld.^
The first group of OLMAC fighters began to engage the rogue TELREC capital ship. They pirouetted gracefully around its hull, dancing wildly to avoid cannon fire but kept in a tight formation. A few were hit, but withstood the impact. They fired relentlessly in an angry staccato once in position, fruitlessly attempting to compromise the ship’s NnuG barrier. The thirty-eight dromons advanced to LN-67 and LN-33. Newly constructed, the dromons were the sleekest ships on the battlefield. With compact hulls, recessed cannons along their lengths, and small but immensely powerful engines wedged beneath their armors, they moved with grace and ease through the void, dancing through the attacking TELREC fighters, powering up their main emdec cannons for the assault.
^Mechle, LN-01 coming within weapons range of the oreships,^ cast Ilasko.
^Please refer all tactical information to Hildnic, the general in charge.^
^Sorry sir. General, LN-01 will be in weapons range in two mroas.^
^Master Controller, send out the next two battalions of fighters, and have sections one through four engage the capital ship.^ cast Hildnic, sitting back in his chair, with Suld’s approving gaze next to him.
The next group of fighters also engaged the ship, all their movement coordina
ted by the master clone controller. The void was thick with the small bodies of the fighters, interweaving with each other. They avoided two sections, through which the attacking oreships fired their main guns. The emdec cannons shuddered with the force of the blast, the mighty ships rocking to one side or another. But the blasts had little impact on the capital ship.
^LN-01 within close range to oreships Raicvhe and Mougu,^ cast Ilasko.
The capital ship opened fire on the Mougu, its heavy weaponry devastating the ship’s NnuG barrier. The impact of its cannons sent shockwaves though the oreship’s hull, its plating buckling in places as it listed to one side. The main guns on one side were completely destroyed, waves of energy cascading out into the void until power was shut down.
^Barrier down! Barrier down!^
^Bring in fighters to support!^ cried Hildnic. ^Get the Mougu out of there.^
^It’s too late, General. Colvition sensors register heavy ment-dex usage. All vitals of the crew have faded to zero.^ The oreship drifted in the void, its power becoming erratic. ^We’ve definitely lost the crew. Orders?^
^Abandon the ship,^ grumbled Hildnic, irritated at such an early defeat. ^Keep the oreships engaged on the capital ship but bring all fighters away to wipe the skies of TELREC fighters. They’re of no use against those capital ships, at least until we can get their shields down.^
^Understood.^
The fighters moved off, assembling in a tight triangle formation as fifteen oreships engaged LN-01. Intense fire was traded between the ships, the oreships concentrating on the capital’s underbelly, trying to avoid the more potent cannons. They traded fire for what seemed to be an eternity, the crackle of NnuG barrier energy