by Ken Lozito
Connor glanced at him questioningly.
“Our solution is to take one of our most powerful weapons and not use any of the systems that make it effective in the first place,” Sean said.
The Vigilant was a second-generation Colonial Defense Force heavy cruiser. At four hundred and eighty thousand tons, it out-massed every ship in the CDF fleet. It was a floating fortress, capable of taking on battleship-carrier-class vessels of the old NA Alliance military. The ship had taken significant damage and was about to make its final run on the enemy space gate. They still had point-defense systems and mag-cannon turrets. The remaining Talon-V squadrons sped ahead of the battle-weary heavy cruiser.
“All remaining HADES V missiles have been… jettisoned,” Lieutenant Russo said.
Since they were essentially dumping their most powerful missiles and trusting that a short maneuvering thrust would keep them on target, they were leaving quite a bit up to chance, despite the most extensive calculations. The Vigilant increased its velocity, leaving a trail of HADES V missiles in the ship’s wake. Sean looked at the main holodisplay and saw a detonation countdown that was synchronized for all the missiles. They’d essentially been reduced to floating mines that should reach the gate after the Vigilant transitioned from this universe. If any of the Talon-Vs survived their attack run, they were to go to the gate before the missiles arrived.
“Engines at maximum capacity,” Lieutenant Burrows said.
What his operations officer hadn’t specified was that their engines had already been reduced to forty percent capacity. They would build up speed, but they’d never outrun the enemy ships. Even at true maximum capacity, Sean suspected that the enemy ships were much faster than what the CDF Space Fleet could accomplish.
“Tactical, target the nearest enemy ships, group Alpha for the priority,” Sean said.
Since they were reduced to using mag-cannons and a single graser, they would at least make the enemy pay for every kilometer of space gained on them.
“Is that it?” Connor asked, gesturing toward the live video feed on the main holodisplay.
In the distance were four massive cubes, connected by a shimmering beacon in the center. Sean had seen it before and knew that the metallic cubes could move to make the gateway large enough to accommodate massive ships or even fleets. The energy signatures were off the charts. Dr. Volker had theorized that the enemy was using some type of Casimir effect to power the gateways. Sean didn’t understand the science but promised himself that he’d learned all he could if they made it back to New Earth.
“Comms, shift tight-beam control to Dr. Evans’ workstation,” Sean said.
“Transferring control now,” Specialist Sansky said.
Oriana looked at him. “I have control, Colonel. Waiting to transmit.”
Sean watched the distance to the space gate diminish. They had automated defenses that were being managed by his two tactical officers, as well as the ship’s AI. There wasn’t anything he could do at this point.
“Colonel, the three enemy ships are on an intercept course,” Lieutenant Burrows said, her voice going high.
“Transmit the override now,” Sean said.
“We’re not close enough yet. Thirty seconds,” Oriana replied.
“They’re waiting for us,” Connor said, and Sean looked at him. “They’re waiting to see if we get through, and then they’re going to follow us.”
Sean’s gaze flicked back to the main holoscreen, and a snarl began to pull on his lips. The bastards were toying with them. Lives were being lost for an elaborate game.
“Colonel,” Gabriel said, “I estimate that Mr. Gates’ instincts are highly probable.”
“Well, now I’m convinced,” Sean said dryly. “Comms, what’s the status of that secondary array?”
“Still off-line, Colonel.”
“Ten seconds,” Oriana said.
If the override didn’t work, they’d transition to wherever the enemy had the gateway set, which wouldn’t be home. It was all or nothing.
“Override sent.”
Sean watched the main holoscreen. The seconds went by like quicksand, and the cubes didn’t respond. Sean’s eyes flicked to the comms array status, and it was still showing as off-line. The Vigilant was closing in on the gate, and if this didn’t work, they would collide with the massive machines.
A beacon of light blazed for a moment at the center of the massive cubes and they pulled away from each other. There was a star field beyond, but there was no way for Sean to determine whether it was home.
The Vigilant went through the gate, and like before, they didn’t feel a thing. Sean wasn’t the only one on the bridge who glanced around, trying to find some kind of indication that they’d crossed a threshold into another universe.
The remaining Talon-Vs sped through the gate in ones and twos. Sean looked at the countdown timer for the missiles, silently urging it to go faster. Then, the first enemy destroyer came through the gateway, followed by another. Soon all six destroyers were through, and the missiles still hadn’t detonated. The scanners showed the destroyers scattering as soon as they emerged. The timer went to zero, and a bright flash washed out the rear video feed. The blast reached beyond the gateway, swallowing several Talon-V space fighters in its wake.
“Ops, can you tell if the gate is closed?” Sean asked.
“Negative, Colonel.”
“Colonel,” Specialist Sansky said, “I have reports from several Talon-V pilots that the gateway is closed. They report it has disappeared completely.”
Sean looked at the status of the sensor array and saw that it was still cycling. He looked at the forward video feed. As the cameras swung to the side, a bright blue planet came into view with rings of shimmering silver around it. They were home.
“Colonel, secondary comms array is back online,” Specialist Sansky said.
“Transmit Alpha Priority message to CDF COMCENT. Zulu. Zulu. Zulu. Along with my identification code. Ops, send out the prepackaged comms drone to Lunar Base using CDF beta protocols,” Sean said.
His orders were confirmed.
“Colonel, the enemy destroyers have regrouped. They fired combat drones…” She paused for a moment. “The count is still rising—one hundred fifty and still climbing,” Lieutenant Burrows said.
Sean felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. They couldn’t repel so many combat drones. The CDF fleet had to mobilize. They had to respond.
42
The CDF lunar base was Command Central for the CDF Space Fleet and planetary defense platforms. Command Central was more commonly referred to as COMCENT by the CDF military. Lunar Base was home to over two thousand residents. What had started out as a military installation was becoming a separate colonial city in its own right. However, despite the significant civilian presence on New Earth’s only moon, Lunar Base was still run by the CDF.
Colonel Celeste Belenét sipped her coffee from her workstation at the main Command Center. She had the early morning duty officer shift, which was usually pretty quiet. There were manufacturing and shipbuilding platforms on the lunar surface, as well as ongoing support for the orbital defense of platforms. One of the foundations of the CDF was learning to do more with fewer resources, particularly efforts requiring human interaction. Whereas the militaries of Earth had had billions of people to draw from, the colony of New Earth only had several hundred thousand. Automation and innovation were crucial to the defense of the colony. They would never have survived the Vemus War if it hadn’t been for the technological prowess of the colony’s most precious resource—its inhabitants.
“Colonel Belenét, we’ve just received a beta broadcast from a communications drone. Alpha Priority message. It has Colonel Sean Quinn’s identification, and the serial number matches that of the heavy cruiser Vigilant,” Corporal Wilson said.
Celeste set her coffee down. The Vigilant had gone missing over two days ago, and the entire CDF had been at Condition Two, per General Hayes’ orders.
The CDF Space Fleet had been at a heightened state of readiness since the loss of its most combat-effective ship.
Celeste quickly reviewed the message header, which also contained a summary of the attached data package, including tactical information. As she read, her pulse quickened. “Operations, set Condition One throughout the fleet. Mobilize all defenses. Imminent attack present.”
Klaxon alarms blared throughout the base. As per Condition One protocols, the Alpha Priority message was forwarded to the CDF headquarters at Sierra. Colonel Quinn was a decorated war veteran, and if he said there was an imminent attack on the colony, they were all in danger.
“Captain Jing, I want a tactical assessment of the coordinates I’m sending to you now. Distribute that to your team.”
Jing acknowledged the orders and began directing his staff. It had been over two years since the CDF had fought a battle in space. Since then, maintaining a readiness status had been one of their top priorities. Orbital defense platforms began targeting the coordinates.
“Corporal Wilson, have you been able to contact the Vigilant?”
“Negative, Colonel. They haven’t responded.”
Celeste swung her gaze to the left where the tactical response team sat. “Captain Jing, the enemy is at our back door. I want eyes on the target, now!”
The main holoscreen showed that the unknown attack force was at an area of space between the moon and New Earth.
“We have eyes on the Vigilant,” Captain Jing said. “They’re being pursued by six contacts. Unknown ship design. Scans indicate significant damage to the Vigilant. Colonel, they might be on their last leg. Their trajectory is taking them toward the planet. What are your orders?”
Celeste’s mouth formed a grim line. “We have an uninvited guest. I want them taken out immediately. Zulu protocol authorized. Upload targeting data to orbital defense platforms.”
As there was an imminent threat to the colony and she was the senior-ranking officer on Lunar Base, she essentially had the authority to shoot first and ask questions later.
43
Noah didn’t have to watch the display of force for very long. The creature hadn’t revealed anything other than an almost primal fear of the underwater arch. Noah had no idea what that meant. The NEIIS was already weakened, and he quickly lost consciousness. They took the alien out of the holding cell, but Lars left Noah and Dash there. The door was locked and they couldn’t leave.
“What do you think they’re going to do to us?” Dash asked.
“I’m not sure,” Noah replied.
He’d been using his implants to probe the computer systems of the base. He’d set the automated distress signal in his C-cat on a countdown timer before they’d left it, but their check-in interval wasn’t going to expire for six more hours.
Dash looked to have been on the verge of asking Noah a question several times, only to clamp his mouth shut. They were likely being monitored.
“What happened to him? Your friend. Why does he hate the NEIIS?” Dash asked.
Noah kept trying to probe the base computer systems, but he was having trouble gaining access. His neck still ached from the stun baton, and his skin felt raw, as if he’d been burned.
“I don’t know. He thinks—”
The door opened to reveal four armed guards standing outside. They each had combat helmets on, so Noah couldn’t see their faces. One of them spoke.
“You’re to come with us.”
“Where are you taking us?” Dash asked.
“You’ll be quiet unless spoken to or I’ll have you gagged.”
Noah bit back a reply that would likely end up with him being in more pain than he was already in. They left the room, and the guards guided them out of the large storage warehouse, leading them to the landing field they’d scouted earlier. One of the armored troop carriers was being prepped. Their escorts gestured for them to wait, and Noah glanced up the loading ramp. He saw three NEIIS that were bound and cordoned off to the side.
Lars walked around from the other side of the loading ramp. He had his hand over his ear and spoke quietly. After a few minutes, he came over to them.
“I decided to take you with us. We’re going to the NEIIS site at New Haven,” Lars said.
Noah jutted his chin toward the NEIIS. “Why are you bringing them?”
“So we can find Connor. They’re the only ones who seem to know what that place is. They might be able to give us a clue as to what happened to the research team.”
“You just want to find Connor?” Noah said, unable to keep the disbelief from his tone.
“I do. I’m not a monster. What I’d like is for you to join us. Review what we’ve learned and then share it with the rest of the colony.”
Lars didn’t give Noah a chance to respond. Instead, he walked up the loading ramp and they followed him. Noah and Dash were seated at the rear of the troop carrier, not far from the NEIIS. There were armed soldiers, but Noah didn’t recognize any of them. He assumed they were from the CDF, and perhaps a few people from Field Ops and Security. Aside from a few glances in their direction, Noah and Dash were ignored except by the two soldiers who sat directly across from them. Noah guessed there was a full squad of twenty-four, and he decided they must be mercenaries. If they weren’t affiliated with any of the colonial agencies, what else would they be?
“Are you thinking about it?” Dash asked.
Noah frowned. “About what?”
“Joining him.”
“Right now, all I’m thinking about is how to get us out of this alive.”
“I wasn’t able to access their systems. I don’t know what they could’ve learned.”
“Neither was I,” Noah said.
The fact that Lars was even making an effort to bring them along to win their cooperation or loyalty meant that he still believed his cause was justified.
“Keep your eyes open and pay attention to what’s going on. Field Ops Search and Rescue should still be in the area looking for Connor,” Noah said.
Dash nodded.
Noah looked at the young man, who seemed calm by all outward appearances. Then Noah remembered that this wasn’t the first time Dash had been held prisoner. The young man wasn’t a soldier by any means, but he wasn’t exactly helpless either. Noah would have to keep that in mind.
He’d go along with what Lars wanted until he saw an opportunity to escape, but it was likely that Lars would expect this, so he had to be careful. What had Lars learned from the NEIIS? How many of them had he questioned and tortured? Who had he been speaking to on the comlink? Noah took a gamble and tried to access the troop carrier’s systems. Unexpectedly, he was able to reach the comlink logs. The identification of the person Lars had spoken to wasn’t available, but the location the comlink had originated from was Sierra. There must be a chain of command for whatever Lars had gotten himself involved in. He made a note of the time Lars had taken the call and put it in the file for later consideration.
The troop carrier left the base and Noah glanced out the loading ramp door as it closed, getting one last glimpse. They weren’t packing up the base, so it appeared that Lars really was trying to recruit him. He seemed to actually believe that Connor would condone the brutal actions he’d taken. Noah had seen a ruthless side to Connor, but he couldn’t imagine him going along with any of this. He guessed it would be different if they were at war with the NEIIS, but they weren’t. What Lars had done was pull NEIIS from stasis pods and begin questioning them, trying to learn all he could about who they were by any means necessary. Noah spent his time going over all the motivations Lars had convinced himself of in order to do what he thought he needed to. But the one thing he kept going back to was how he could’ve missed such a change in his friend. It made him wonder what else he’d missed about other people he knew. Franklin Mallory had noted a change in Noah, but he guessed he shouldn’t be too surprised that Franklin hadn’t noticed a change in his own son.
Noah glanced at the other people on
the troop carrier. They were all part of this, which meant that Lars wasn’t exactly an outlier in his convictions. Noah shuddered at the thought. When had the colony become a place of secrets and brutality? Was it for this that they had survived the Vemus invasion? To become like this? He felt something twist in his stomach.
It didn’t take them long to reach the inland sea near New Haven, and Noah guessed that they’d already done a quick survey. As they made their final approach to the landing area, he heard several drones leave from the repository under the ship. A few minutes later, the troop carrier landed and the loading ramp doors opened to a darkened sky. It was early evening. A large group of mercenaries guided the NEIIS out of the ship.
Lars, along with his own escorts, gestured for Noah and Dash to follow him. The inland sea waters gently lapped against the shore, and the humid air felt cool. The nearby forest echoed with the sounds of New Earth’s nightly critters, and in any other situation, Noah would have found that soothing. Several ships flew in the distance, but they were too far away for even his enhanced vision to see clearly. They were likely Field Ops Search and Rescue doing another sweep, trying to locate the missing research submarines.
The three NEIIS were lined up, and Noah noticed that they were slight of build compared to Siloc and much smaller than the NEIIS soldiers they’d encountered in the military bunker. He wondered which faction they belonged to.
He took a few moments to glance around at their surroundings. It looked like they were at a northern bank with foothills not far from them. There were cliffs a short distance away, easily visible in the moonlight and the light of New Earth’s rings.
Lars sent a small group of mercenaries to scout the area. The NEIIS glanced around, not appearing to know where they were.
“They might not recognize this place,” Noah said.
Lars glanced at him. “Why not?”
The mercenaries lined the NEIIS up, and several holoprojectors were stuck into the ground.
