by Ken Lozito
Connor smoothed his features and nodded at Major Hayes. “Alright, give it to me straight.”
“Prior to this mission, Colonel Howe and I were working on fine-tuning the PRADIS detection system. We were actually talking about it when . . . we got sick. This anomaly disappeared once we detected it on our PRADIS systems. We know that the accuracy of PRADIS is significantly reduced when hitting the fringes of its range. It got me thinking: what if the anomaly we first detected is able to cloak itself somehow and become invisible to PRADIS?” Major Hayes said.
“You can’t cloak a fleet of ships. The NA Alliance military spent stupendous amounts of resources trying to achieve what you’re saying and failed to do so,” Connor replied.
“You’re right, we can’t, but perhaps someone else could,” Major Hayes said.
Connor felt his stomach clench at the thought. “You’ve got my attention, Major.”
Major Hayes nodded, clearly relieved that Connor was going to hear him out. “You had us moving at a slower speed already as a precautionary measure. What I ordered our taskforce to do was to slow us down even further so we’re now moving at a fraction of our former speed. You see, our forward motion can interfere with PRADIS detections.”
“This is the first I’m hearing of this,” Connor said.
Colonel Reisman raised his hands in front of his chest. “Give him a chance to explain.”
Connor nodded for Hayes to continue.
“PRADIS looks for a hard return in order to register a contact; then our cyber warfare suite attempts to catalog the detection with known vessels. This didn’t work before and we didn’t get enough of a signature to be of any use. So, instead of using PRADIS to scan for active contacts, I have LaCroix updating the parameters to look for evidence of ship wakes instead,” Major Hayes said.
Connor frowned as he thought about it. “So you think that if there is a fleet of enemy ships out there that can avoid contact with PRADIS, they’ll be unable to mask the effects of their ships flying through space?”
“Precisely,” Major Hayes said.
Connor glanced at Reisman, who gave him an I-told-you-so look. “Alright, let’s see what we’ve got.”
He wasn’t going to start congratulating anyone just yet, but Connor had to admit that it seemed like a clever tactic.
“Tactical, what’s the status of PRADIS?” Major Hayes asked.
“The PRADIS system has accepted the updated parameters, sir,” LaCroix answered.
“Put the output on the main wallscreen,” Major Hayes said.
The PRADIS output showed a three-dimensional field out away from the Vigilant. Nothing showed up in the scanning field. Connor and the rest of the bridge crew watched for a few minutes. He glanced at Reisman and arched an eyebrow, but then there was an audible chime. Connor’s gaze snapped toward the main holoscreen, which showed the first contact. Another contact quickly followed, until the chimes for additional contacts detected became almost one continuous stream. Each chime was like a shot to the gut, describing what could only be the wake of a massive fleet coming right toward them.
The PRADIS output continued to show the wake fields of starship engines. Connor darted his gaze to the data output on the PRADIS system.
“They’re not going very fast,” Colonel Reisman said.
Connor went to the command chair. “They don’t need to if they think we can’t see them,” he said and brought up the ship command interface. “Action stations, action stations. Set Condition One throughout the ship. This is not a drill.”
Connor heard Sergeant Boers repeat the ship alert as she transmitted to the battle group.
“Tactical, I want a firing solution for that group nearest us and the main group,” Connor said.
“Sir, it’s going to take a few minutes because PRADIS is just finding the engine wakes and not the actual ships themselves,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“Understood, Lieutenant. I need those solutions as soon as you have them. Major Hayes, please double-check the firing solutions once they’re ready,” Connor said.
“General, may I have a word?” Colonel Reisman asked.
Connor gestured for him to come closer. “Comms, I need our targeting data sent to both the Banshee and the Wyatt.”
“Yes, sir,” Sergeant Boers said.
Reisman leaned in and spoke softly. “Sir, should we spend more time learning about the potential hostiles?”
Connor frowned. “Potential hostiles,” he repeated. “The fact that they’re trying to sneak up on us pretty much states their intent.”
“Understood, sir, but we’re not exactly sure what we’re dealing with. I’m just trying to say that we should take a few moments and see if we can learn more about them,” Colonel Reisman said.
Connor pursed his lips in thought. “We have an opportunity here. If we start sending probes to take a closer look, we’ll give away the fact that we know their positions. I’d much rather send a stronger message.”
Connor watched as his long-time friend tried to come up with another argument for delaying the inevitable.
“I know what you’re saying, Wil, but the criteria for engagement have been met. Hails have already been sent from Titan Space Station, and if this force intended to answer, they would have done so by now,” Connor said.
Reisman swallowed hard. “Yes, General.”
“Tactical, I need that firing solution,” Connor said.
Connor watched as Major Hayes and Lieutenant LaCroix worked. After a few moments Major Hayes looked over at Connor. “We have a solution, sir, but it’s not pretty.”
“Let’s have it,” Connor said.
“We send the first wave of HORNETs into the area we expect the enemy ships are and hold the HADES IVs in reserve until we can confirm targeting,” Major Hayes said.
Connor brought up LaCroix’s console on his own screen. “Negative, Major, lead with the HORNETs, then hit them immediately after with the HADES IVs. No delay. Relay the firing solution to the rest of the battle group.”
“Yes, sir,” Major Hayes said.
Less than a minute later, he heard, “Weapons systems ready, sir.”
“Fire,” Connor said.
The Panther-class heavy cruisers were similar in construction to most of the other warships humans fielded. The hull was roughly cigar shaped, though flattened to provide a narrower side profile and a wider top and bottom upon which to mount the super structure and the mag-cannon turrets. Between the turrets were the missile tubes, which at this moment were launching the first salvo of HORNETs. The mid-range missiles were being used to paint the targets.
Connor watched the countdown for the HADES IVs.
“Targeting profile uploaded to the HADES IVs to track the HORNETs, sir,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“Very well,” Connor said.
The timer chewed down to zero and then the HADES IV missiles launched. Connor looked at the statuses for the two destroyers. They were ready to fire but were waiting.
“Helm, plot a course back to Titan Space Station,” Connor said and looked back at the plot as the missiles fully engaged their engines. Missile systems were delayed from main engine burst to make it harder for the enemy to determine where they’d been fired from.
“Comms, send a data burst back to Titan Space Station with our current status,” Connor said.
“Yes, sir, sending now,” Sergeant Boers said.
Connor looked at Reisman. “Now, we wait.”
“You don’t want the Banshee and the Wyatt to fire their missiles?” Colonel Reisman asked.
Connor shook his head. “No, I want them to fire theirs on the second wave after the enemy has given away their position.”
Connor noted the time after the missiles began their initial burn. “Ops, begin visual scans of the enemy force with the high-power optics.”
“Sir, I’m not able to get confirmation that Titan Space Station has received our data burst,” Sergeant Boers said.
Connor peered
at the main screen. “Request current status of the Banshee and the Wyatt.”
Connor watched as Sergeant Boers did as he asked. She looked back at him helplessly.
“Sir, it’s the same thing. We’re sending the data, but we’re unable to get confirmation.”
Connor glanced at Reisman and saw the same grim acknowledgment on his face that he was feeling.
“Sir, the Banshee has just gone offline—make that the Wyatt, too. Both destroyers are no longer reporting,” Sergeant Boers said with rising panic in her voice.
“We’re being jammed,” Connor said.
Reisman’s eyes widened.
“Helm, all ahead one half. Go evasive,” Connor said.
“Confirmed, all ahead one half, evasive,” Sergeant Edwards said.
“Contact!” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
Connor’s eyes darted to the main screen. For an instant, the screen showed a looming, irregularly shaped mass that Connor thought could be an asteroid or other natural formation.
“Sir, target is maneuvering,” Lieutenant LaCroix reported.
“Engage point defense systems. Target that ship,” Connor ordered.
“Sir, the target is appearing on PRADIS now,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“They must have realized we can see them. What’s the status of our missiles?” Connor asked.
“No confirmed status sent back to us,” Ops reported.
“Sergeant Boers, prepare a comms drone for quick launch back to Titan Space Station. We need to inform COMCENT that we’ve encountered a new enemy,” Connor said.
“Yes, sir,” the normally unflappable Sela Boers said in a trembling voice. “Drone is ready.”
“Launch it. Now!” Connor said.
The drone launch registered on the main screen and then the alert immediately minimized.
“Sir, I have sensors back,” LaCroix said.
“Reload the tubes and target that ship,” Connor said.
“Sir, I have confirmed detonation of missiles,” Ops reported.
“Put it on screen,” Connor said.
The main screen showed multiple detonations along the front of the main enemy forces. They must have moved beyond the enemy ship’s jamming signal or they wouldn’t be seeing anything. The PRADIS contact was intermittent, so it was clear they were trying to get another lock on them.
More missiles appeared on the main screen, fired from the Banshee and the Wyatt. Connor watched the seemingly pathetically slow tracks creep across the main display as the computer opened another window to show the Vigilant in relation to the enemy ships.
“Ops, do we have another visual?” Connor asked.
“Negative, sir. With the detonation of our missiles, it’s going to take some time to filter it out,” Ops replied.
“Multiple targets are on the move. They’re tracking toward us,” LaCroix said.
“They’re moving pretty fast. Are the missiles updating their targeting profile?”
“Yes, sir,” Tactical reported. “Tubes one through eight are reloaded.”
“Target the ship tracking us,” Connor said.
“Missiles away, sir,” LaCroix said.
The enemy ship didn’t try and dodge or intercept the missiles bearing down on it. The hardened nose cones of the HADES IVs slammed into the organic-looking hull of the target. The engines would fire one more time to maximize penetration before detonating the warhead. A bright flash swamped the main screen as multiple missiles bombarded the target. Once the flash cleared, the Vigilant’s optical sensors showed the enemy ship’s hull peeled back where the missiles had hit it.
“Sir, I’m getting intermittent transmissions from the Wyatt,” Sergeant Boers said with a hand held to her earpiece and her brows pulled together in concentration. “It’s messy, sir. Something about . . . repelling boarders.”
Connor’s gaze darted to Reisman. “That’s why they haven’t returned fire yet.”
“Maybe, or they could just be seeing what we throw at them,” Colonel Reisman said.
“Sir, the Wyatt is offline,” Ops reported.
“Could they be jamming us again?” Colonel Reisman asked.
“Negative, sir. The signal is clear. One moment they were there and now only the enemy ship is there,” Tactical said.
“Helm, can you plot an intercept course?” Connor asked.
“Negative, sir, not with that enemy behemoth bearing down on us,” Edwards replied.
Connor clenched his teeth. “What about the Banshee? Do we have their location?”
While he suspected the answer wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear, he needed to ask anyway.
“Negative, sir. The last transmission from them was confirmation that they fired their weapons,” Tactical said.
“Helm, push our nose to port by six degrees and punch it,” Connor said. “All ahead full.”
“Ahead full. Yes, sir,” the helmsman reported.
The ship began to shake as the engines came to full power and the Vigilant surged toward their target.
“Sir, our window of engagement just narrowed with the velocity change,” Tactical warned.
“Then don’t miss,” Connor said. “Nav, once we pass the target I need a course best speed to Titan Space Station.”
“We’re running away?” Reisman asked.
“We’re collecting invaluable data,” Connor replied. “Slugging it out with a fleet we hardly know won’t help anyone. We make this pass and see what damage we can deliver.”
“If we survive the pass,” Reisman said.
“Right, if we survive,” Connor agreed.
The bridge crew of the Vigilant watched the main holoscreen tensely as the nearest ship resolved in greater detail. The high-resolution optics showed the asymmetrical hull, the profile of which tugged at the back of Connor’s memory, but he couldn’t make sense of it.
“Point defense engaged. Firing proton beams!” Lieutenant LaCroix called out, startling anyone who hadn’t been watching the range countdown. Several nonessential systems dropped out so the power draw for the proton beams could be met. Connor watched as the projectors heated up under the continuous fire, but he saw parts of the damaged enemy hull get sloughed away by the powerful beams.
“We’ve got a thermal buildup along the target’s starboard side,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“Let’s get a—” Connor’s command was cut off as a brilliant flash lanced out from the enemy ship and slammed into the Vigilant full on the nose of the ship. The main display winked out and all other sensor feeds were cut in an instant. Klaxon alarms were blaring on the bridge and the terminals that were still working were scrolling a seemingly endless list of warnings.
“Some sort of high energy thermal blast. Most of the sensors are out!” Colonel Reisman said.
“Switch to backups,” Connor said and tried to access his own terminal, but it was down. “Get damage control teams to the affected areas and get me a casualty report.”
Secondary sensor systems came online as the armored hatches opened along the forward edge of the Vigilant’s hull. Soon the main holodisplay popped back up. The enemy ship was venting a substance into space but didn’t show any signs of slowing down.
“Helm, once we’re on course, cut the engines. Tactical, go to passive scans,” Connor said.
Reisman frowned at him. “We’re not leaving?”
Connor shook his head. “No. We still have more we can do here.”
“Sir, we can’t make a stand against so many. We don’t have the firepower for that. You’ve seen how many there are,” Reisman said.
“I know that, Colonel!” Connor shouted and clenched his teeth for a moment. “Listen up, and this goes for the rest of the crew. Nothing we’re about to do is going to follow the established procedures for facing an enemy force. Those procedures would have us either tuck tail and run or stand our ground and die, neither of which appeals to me. We still have more damage we can do to the enemy so there’ll be that many fewer Titan
Space Station has to face. We know they’re out there. The fact that they now show up on PRADIS means Titan Space Station knows as well. We’re not going anywhere. The Banshee is still out there and likely went silent to avoid enemy detection.”
Reisman arched a brow and nodded. “The Wyatt’s last transmission had to do with repelling boarders. Whoever they are might be seeking to capture us rather than destroy us.”
“Let’s work the problem. Tactical, bring up the last known position of enemy ships,” Connor said.
The holoscreen flicked on and showed a populated tactical readout of the engagement.
“There it is. This is what we couldn’t see before. They sent out a smaller group for this engagement,” Connor said.
Major Hayes stood near the tactical workstation. “Why are we able to see this now, sir?”
“The cyber warfare AI is still going through the captured tactical data and is now filling in some of the gaps we couldn’t see before,” Connor said.
“Then there’s still more of the enemy in the area and we can’t use active scans or we’ll give away our position,” Reisman said.
Connor nodded. “Major Hayes, you are to be commended. If it hadn’t been for your actions, we wouldn’t have known the enemy fleet was there until it was much too late.”
Major Hayes looked uncomfortable for a moment. “Thank you, sir.”
Connor looked over at Reisman, who was working on something on his own terminal. “We hit their main fleet,” Reisman said.
“How can you tell?” Major Hayes asked.
“We can’t track where the HADES IVs detonated. We can only see the aftermath from the fission warheads. It’s likely their main fleet is as blinded as we are right now,” Reisman said.
Major Hayes glanced at Connor. “Who are they?”
Connor noticed that most of the crew on the bridge craned their necks in his direction. They knew who it was but needed to hear it from him. They needed their commanding officer to confirm it for them.
“You all know who they are. These are the forces we were warned about over seven years ago. A last warning from Earth,” Connor said.
“But these aren’t Earth ships, and their firepower is beyond anything I’ve ever seen before,” Major Hayes said.
