by Ken Lozito
Command Center had a large observation area with a clear view into the great expanse of space. Noah glanced over and, even from this distance, still saw an ocean of stars beyond the station. He often took some time to go and take in the view from the observation decks on the station. They weren’t constructed specifically for the station but had, in fact, been repurposed from the Ark. The view was spectacular and humbling at the same time.
They found Colonel Kasey Douglass standing amidst a throng of CDF personnel. He was speaking to them and gave Noah and Kara an acknowledging nod as they closed in. Then the colonel dismissed the people around them.
“Good, I was wondering if you two were going to make it on time. Walk with me,” Colonel Douglass said.
The colonel was a tall man, trim and extremely professional. Kasey Douglass had been part of Connor’s infamous Ghosts special ops team that had been shanghaied onto the Ark by Admiral Mitch Wilkinson. The soldiers of the Colonial Defense Force had their roots in the NA Alliance military and aspired to the same level of professionalism that people like Connor and Kasey exuded. Once given an objective or committed to an objective, they worked toward it, leveraging all the resources at their disposal. Noah had found it interesting that the old Ghost Platoon still supported Connor in his belief that an extinction-level event had happened in Earth’s solar system. Noah still believed as well and didn’t care for the wavering loyalty that the current political climate fostered in Sierra.
“I think we’ve got it, Colonel,” Noah said.
“You’ve increased the accuracy of the HADES IV?” Colonel Douglass asked.
“Yes, with modifications to the existing missiles we were able to increase their accuracy substantially,” Noah said.
“But,” Kara interjected, “there’s a potential impact to the range of up to twenty percent, Colonel.”
Colonel Douglass’s gaze darted back to Noah.
“That’s right, but based on the simulation variables for an engagement, you get a fifty percent gain in accuracy over what you had before,” Noah said.
Colonel Douglass pressed his lips together in thought. “How do these changes affect the field envelope for potential targets? Is the fifty percent gain persistent regardless of the distance, or does it waver the farther out we go?”
Noah took a moment to think about it. “It really depends, and I know you hate that answer, so please bear with me for a second.”
They headed to Titan’s Central Command cradle, which was the heart of all the space station’s activities.
“It’s better if I show you,” Noah said and went over to a vacant terminal. He powered it on and expanded a blank canvas so he could draw freestyle. “Let’s say that this circle here is us and these guys way over here are the enemy,” Noah said and pointed to his rough drawing of a ship. “Right now, we launch our missiles and update their targeting systems while the missile is traveling at near relativistic speeds. If the enemy detects the incoming missile, they’ll launch countermeasures and decoys that can effectively blind our missile so it will most likely miss its intended target. This is why a barrage of missiles is sent—in the hopes that at least one of them will detonate its warhead in proximity to the intended target.” Noah drew multiple lines from the space station to the enemy fleet.
Colonel Douglass arched an eyebrow. “Get to the point. Tell me how you increased the accuracy.”
Noah swiped his hands to the side, clearing what he’d just drawn. “What I did was modify the missiles with secondary and tertiary targeting systems that are shielded respectively. The missiles are launched in groups and are networked together so they can receive a signal from us, as well as communicate with each other. As each sensor array is blinded by countermeasures, the secondary systems are engaged and so forth for the entire group. So, if we sent twenty missiles to target a battleship cruiser, or anything really, the missiles would get new eyes on the target and adjust their trajectory accordingly and then communicate the most up-to-date information within the group; thus, giving you a higher chance of hitting your target,” Noah said and finished his drawing with the decimation of the enemy fleet. He added a smiley face for good measure.
Colonel Douglass rubbed his chin in thought and then glanced at Kara. “What are your thoughts on this, Major?”
“We’ve run the numbers and all the simulations support it, Colonel,” Kara replied.
“How long would it take to modify the HADES IV missiles for proof of concept and”—Colonel Douglass elevated his tone before Noah could quickly answer—“will this work on smaller, mid-range missiles like the HORNET IIs?”
“We could work on that,” Noah answered. “My first thought for the smaller missiles is to only have a secondary targeting system and lose the tertiary. That way, even if our sensors were blinded for some reason, they could still target an enemy ship.”
Colonel Douglass nodded. “Okay, you’re cleared for the second phase of this project. Since you’re using existing technology, the test bed can be larger than we normally would try. How long would it take you to modify a hundred HADES IVs?”
Noah’s eyes widened and he glanced over at Kara.
“If I assign a few teams to it, it should only take about six hours for the group. We have a process written out. We just need to go over it with the teams; otherwise, the timeline would be much shorter,” Kara said.
Colonel Douglass smiled. “Excellent work, you two. I’m really quite impressed, or I will be if it works as well as you say it will. So, I guess I’m hopeful.”
Noah swallowed hard. “Thank you, sir.”
“Colonel, has there been any word from New Earth regarding the additional power generator?” Kara asked.
The lines of Colonel Douglass’s face became grim. “Our request was denied for a further twelve months.”
Noah’s mouth hung open. “Twelve months!”
“I can assure you that General Gates had quite a few more colorful metaphors to describe what he thought of that decision,” Colonel Douglass said.
“I bet, knowing Connor,” Noah said.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Colonel Douglass said, looking at Noah. “You’re being recalled back to New Earth. You’ll be shipping out in a few days.”
Noah felt Kara stiffen at his side. “Back to New Earth? Did they say why?”
Colonel Douglass speared him a look. “Yes, of course, every bit of the general’s thinking was explained to me in detail. No! You go where you’re ordered to go.”
Noah straightened his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Colonel, I just thought I’d be here for another six months.”
Colonel Douglass’s face softened. “I certainly don’t want to lose you and I doubt others are ecstatic with the decision, but that’s the way it is.”
Noah nodded. While he didn’t exactly love life on the space station, he had reasons for wanting to stay. He glanced at Kara and her face might have been carved from stone for all the information it yielded to him.
Colonel Douglass dismissed them and they left the Command Center, hardly uttering a word to each other. Kara walked behind him and Noah resisted the urge to turn around since the corridor was hardly the appropriate place for what he wanted to say. CDF personnel were walking to and from the Command Center in a steady stream. Noah felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. They reached a set of elevators that for once weren’t crowded with people waiting for them, and he pressed the button to summon the car with only a slight shake in his hands. He risked a glance at Kara. Her honey-brown eyes were staring at a fixed point in front of her and her normally full lips formed a thin line.
Noah glared at the progress indicator that showed the elevator taking about two hundred years to reach them. Eventually the speaker above the elevator doors chimed and they opened. Noah stepped inside and he allowed his shoulders to slump. Kara stood next to him and glared out the open doors. There were a couple of CDF personnel who approached the elevator doors, but upon seeing Kara’s expression they decided
to wait for the next elevator.
The doors closed and Noah felt the elevator begin its slow descent.
“So, I guess I have to leave in a few days,” Noah said while staring at the floor.
He glanced at Kara and saw that her shoulders were drawn up near her ears. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder and she winced. She turned toward him, her eyes intense.
“Shut up,” Kara said and grabbed his shirt, pushing him against the wall and proceeding to kiss him until he forgot he was in an elevator.
A few minutes later they reached the engineering level and the elevator doors opened. Kara pulled away from him. “This isn’t over, Barker,” she said and stormed out.
Noah stepped away from the wall and saw more than a few people grinning at him from outside the elevator. He left them behind and had to run to catch up to Kara. If he’d had any doubts about whether she wanted to return to New Earth with him, they were now gone. All that stood in their way was whether she’d be allowed to come with him.
13
The next seven hours were packed with so much work that Noah had hardly any time to see Kara. The engineering deck was flooded with teams tasked with learning the process to modify the HADES IV missiles. The actual modifications only occurred after the engineering teams went through and provided their input on Noah’s process. A few of them made some good points, which Noah had to concede. He even got a head start with the modification proposal for the HORNET II missiles, which was going pretty much as he suspected. Due to the size and sophistication of the missile, he was limited in what he could get away with. He could add only one additional sensor array and targeting computer core for the missile. It would help, but they wouldn’t see the improvements they expected to see with the HADES IV.
Noah was on his way back to the Command Center. They were going to test five HADES IV missiles for a live proof-of-concept test. The high-yield payloads were removed so they wouldn’t be wasted. The purpose of the test was to prove that the modified missiles could retarget an objective after standard countermeasures and point defense protocols were used. Noah knew all eyes would be on him since he’d boldly made the claim that it was not only possible to improve the accuracy of long-range missiles but that he could have it done in a matter of a few weeks. This fed the reputation he had of being a loudmouth and a show-off, but if this worked, it would shut a few of those doubters up.
Noah sucked in a deep breath as he strode toward the Command Center doors. They seemed larger than they’d been before. He should have gotten something to drink before coming up here. Had they applied the guidance software patch before loading the missile into the tubes? He needed to check that.
Noah glanced around. He was supposed to meet Kara. She’d been supervising the teams doing the modifications, so they hadn’t had much of a chance to talk. He stood right outside the Command Center doors. It was quiet here, and he knew once those doors opened there would be no turning back. He’d either prove that he was worth the reputation he’d earned over the past seven years, or he’d be a laughing stock who was amusing to those in power for a time.
The metal doors split open as someone left the Command Center, and the peaceful quietness of the corridor vanished. Noah walked inside with a determined stride and saw that the Command Center was fully staffed, with all teams being brought on deck for this test.
Noah went straight toward the cradle. Colonel Douglass was pacing with his hands clasped behind him. The colonel gave him a grim nod as he approached.
“Still confident this will work?” Colonel Douglass asked.
No.
Noah met the colonel’s gaze. “Yes, sir. Get ready to be wowed.”
Colonel Douglass blinked a few times. “Connor warned me you were a bit unorthodox. Alright, take that workstation right over there and let’s see if you’re as good as you think you are.”
Noah went over to the work area nearest the colonel and collapsed into the chair, although he preferred to stand while he was working. He used his implants to authenticate to the workstation and the holoscreen came on.
“Colonel, we’re go for Icarus test at your command,” Noah said.
“Acknowledged,” Colonel Douglass said. “Tactical, is our target in place?”
“Yes, Colonel. The broadcast beacon has been checking in for the last half hour.”
Noah looked over to see who was working the tactical workstation and saw Caleb Thorne.
Noah glanced back at the colonel.
“Go ahead, Captain.”
“Yes, sir,” Noah said. “Tactical, I’m showing HADES IV-B missiles are in tubes one through five. Can you confirm?”
“Confirmed. Ready for launch,” Thorne said.
“You’re go for launch,” Colonel Douglass said.
“Yes, sir, HADES away,” Thorne said.
Noah watched the data output as the five missiles successfully launched from the tubes—not surprising because all they’d done was add a few more systems on top of the existing missile structure.
“Targeting package has been beamed to the missile group alpha. Target reference is zeta,” Thorne said.
Noah waited for the status update to be sent back from the missiles. “Showing that all five missiles have good connections.”
Confirming the successful network connections between the missiles was the first step. The real test would come after the first waves of countermeasures were launched.
“Missiles locked on target, Colonel,” Thorne said.
Colonel Douglass stood next to Noah, watching the holoscreen. “Deploy countermeasure package bravo and have zeta move to coordinates beta.”
Thorne confirmed the command and executed. There was nothing for them to see other than the data on screen, but Noah tried to imagine the missiles barreling toward their target and the bright flashes of countermeasures being fired to thwart their targeting systems. This, of course, was completely inaccurate as to what was truly taking place. Standard ship countermeasures were for blinding sensor arrays, with broad-stream lasers designed to sweep the area the missiles were coming in from.
“Missiles still on target,” Thorne said.
“Launch second set of countermeasures and have zeta move to the next series of coordinates. Proceed on automation, initial time interval fifteen seconds,” Colonel Douglass said.
Noah watched as the missiles continued to close in on zeta, but after the third set of countermeasures, they failed to update their trajectory to align with zeta’s new position.
“Confirm the secondary targeting computer has been brought online,” Noah said.
The missiles were moving at a fraction of the speed that was possible, which made it possible for them to manually execute the test and monitor the engagement. Otherwise, the engagement would be over in only a few seconds or less at this distance.
Noah hardly dared to breathe. This was a crucial step in the test and would happen almost simultaneously. The missile track showed a change in course toward zeta, but Noah knew the countermeasures would be fired more frequently, attempting to blind the missile systems. The duration between updates became shorter, and those in the cradle watched the mock battle unfold on the large main holoscreen.
Noah pressed his fist to his lips as he watched. The targeting updates showed the zeta darting to a predetermined set of coordinates and the missiles course-correcting as they closed in. The blips seemed to spontaneously move about the screen until the zeta ceased to report its position, followed by the confirmed detonation signal sent from the missiles.
Noah felt a wide smile spread. There were cheers from those CDF personnel working in the cradle, and Noah turned toward Colonel Douglass.
“I see the general’s confidence in you is not misplaced in the slightest. Amazing thing you’ve done,” Colonel Douglass said and looked at Lieutenant Colonel Donnelly. “I want all the HADES IV missiles modified as soon as possible.”
“I’ll put four teams on it, sir,” Lieutenant Colonel Donnelly
said.
Colonel Douglass turned back toward Noah. “I don’t think you fully realize what you’ve accomplished.”
“But the impact to range. There’s got to be a way to maximize that deficit,” Noah said.
“Oh I’m sure there is, and I know Major Roberts is more than up to the task. I’m sorry to see you go,” Colonel Douglass said.
Noah felt a mix of pride and a growing lump in his throat. He wanted to request that Kara return to New Earth with him, but he knew that not only was it not appropriate for him to make the request but when Kara found out she’d be livid with him. Noah believed she wanted to come with him, but her sense of duty would win over and she’d remain here on the station.
Noah glanced around, trying to find Kara, but she was nowhere to be seen. More than a few people came over to congratulate him. Noah returned to Caleb Thorne, who had his hand pressed against his ear so he could hear someone else on his comlink.
Caleb glanced over at him and jutted his chin up in greeting.
“I think you owe me a beer, or three of them,” Noah said.
“You’re the man of the hour. In thirty minutes, I’m buying,” Caleb replied and then frowned as he looked away from Noah. “Seriously. I’ll put it on screen.”
Caleb made a quick swiping gesture toward the holoscreen and all the data was swept away. Noah watched as a live feed from the PRADIS console came on. The console showed multiple groups of unknown ship signatures.
“Multiple contacts, Colonel,” Thorne announced.
Colonel Douglass turned from the conversation he was having and glanced at the screen. A hush swept over the CDF personnel in the cradle.
“Action stations. Set Condition One throughout the station,” Colonel said.
Months of training drills kicked into gear. Noah went back to his workstation and waited for orders. Klaxon alarms sounded in the Command Center and Noah knew they could be heard throughout the station. CDF personnel ran to their posts.
