Explorations- the Lost
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Rear Admiral Olsen had arrived with her fleet to reinforce Admiral Zafron’s forces. Unfortunately by the time she arrived the Dominator had been destroyed as well as nearly 73 percent of Zafron’s fleet.
Her juggernauts hit the front of the Eternal fleet formation like an avenging angel. Blue energy spheres began turning hundreds of enemy ships into black space dust. Dark matter missiles and antimatter missile were turning Eternal ships into fireballs across the entire front of their fleet formation.
“We’re still outnumbered by over four to one,” reported Marvell.
“How many of Admiral Zafron’s juggernauts are still combat worthy?”
“Only eight,” answered Major Burns.
Olsen had hoped for more. “Have them join our formation. We’re going to try to hold this Eternal fleet here until we can get reinforcements.” She had already seen on the tactical display the fleets from the Dyson spheres were jumping in. Very soon the hyperspace interdiction fields would be activated, trapping the Eternals at the hub. Trapping all of them at the hub.
On the main viewscreen, she could see an Eternal battlecruiser being riddled with energy beam fire as its shield failed. On another viewscreen, an Originator dreadnaught had lost its energy shield after being hit by numerous Eternal dark matter missiles. In a massive explosion, the ship blew apart, sending glowing debris across space.
Madelyn took in a deep breath. This battle was a long ways from over. There was still a lot of dying to do on both sides. She just hoped when all of this was over it was the Eternals who did most of the dying.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Admiral Trope was not surprised to see all the Originator ships which had just appeared out of hyperspace make the short transition to defend the Shrieels and other Originator facilities. In front of him another of the Originator forty-kilometer battlestations was dying. He had managed to ram it with seven of the special cargo ships. It had cost him several hundred battlecruisers but considering the damage the battlestations could inflict the losses were minimal.
“Launch the assault shuttles,” ordered Trope. They were close enough now they could make the short flights to a large number of the Originator facilities.
“Admiral,” said the sensor officer with concern in his normally steady voice. “The Originators have activated hyperspace interdiction fields locking us out of hyperspace. Scans indicate the fields are coming from the four Shrieels.”
Trope frowned upon hearing this. All indications were the Originators were tying to set some type of trap. It was fortunate he had brought so many warships. “We will continue to advance. First priority is destroying their larger battlestations and then the smaller mobile ones. While we’re doing that our warriors and warrior robots will be landing on their science facilities, manufacturing facilities, and their shipyards. Our next priority is taking one of their Accelerator Rings. We must discover the science behind them.”
“Shuttles launching,” reported First Officer Novast.
From the large Eternal fleet over six million assault shuttles began launching. Their targets were the large hub constructions of the Originators.
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On the Warhawk warning alarms began sounding as the tactical holograms suddenly began filling with small red threat icons.
“Eternals are launching the rest of their assault shuttles,” reported Colonel Williams. “We’re looking at nearly six million of them.”
Race turned pale upon hearing the numbers. “All stations and ships are to concentrate on destroying those assault shuttles. We can’t let them land that many warriors and warrior robots or this battle will be lost.”
The Warhawk shook slightly as several dark matter missiles detonated against the energy screens. “Inform Admiral Mann and Rear Admiral Cross they’re to hit the Eternals as hard as possible.”
“Message sent and acknowledged,” reported the communications officer.
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Hailey’s fleet had been greatly reinforced with the addition of ships from the Dyson spheres.
“Eternals are launching their assault shuttles,” reported Captain Adams.
Hailey had already noticed as the tactical displays were filling up with small red threat icons. “Have all ships target those shuttles, we need to take out as many as we can.” While the facilities at the hub had large numbers of Marines and combat robots to help defend them, she knew they were looking at millions of Eternal warriors and tens of millions of warrior robots. If the defenders were to have any chance of holding against the coming attacks, the number of Eternal assault shuttles had to be markedly reduced.
“The Eternal fleet is inbound as well,” Commander Sutherland informed Hailey. “If we concentrate on the shuttles we’ll leave ourselves exposed to heavy fire from their fleet.” Hailey’s fleet had maneuvered up and around the Eternal fleet so they were once more in front of it.
“Can’t be helped,” answered Hailey, pursing her lips. “If we want to win this we must stop those shuttles!”
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In space, the three fleets continued to pound each other. The Eternals were concentrating on the Originator warships while the Originators were trying to destroy as many of the shuttles as possible. Space was full of furious explosions as thousands of assault shuttles were blown apart. However, there were so many of them it was impossible to target them all. Soon some began to penetrate the Originator fleets and head for the Originator facilities the fleets were defending.
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Hailey felt the Golden Knight suddenly begin to shake violently. On the damage control console numerous red lights began to appear.
“We’ve taken several energy beam hits to the hull,” reported Jade. “I’m taking power from life support to strengthen the shields.”
On the viewscreens, Hailey could see more ships of her fleet dying. Dreadnaughts, battlecruisers, and even some of her juggernauts were being destroyed in growing numbers.
The Golden Knight shook violently and in the distance Hailey thought she could hear the sound of explosions.
“Antimatter missile managed to penetrate our screens and strike the hull,” reported Jade. “We have a hole two kilometers across and nearly a kilometer deep in the side of the ship.”
“Caria, turn the ship so that side is facing away from the Eternals,” ordered Commander Sutherland. Sutherland then turned toward Hailey. “I would recommend we pull the Golden Knight back while we initiate repairs.”
Hailey shook her head. “We need all the firepower we have to deal with those shuttles and the Eternal warships.”
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Admiral Trope smiled to himself when he saw the dilemma the Originators now found themselves in. By launching his assault shuttles he had given them too many targets to deal with. “Novast, call up more of our special cargo ships. I want to hit every one of those mobile battlestations while they’re occupied with our shuttles.”
Novast quickly began passing on the orders.
On the tactical display, large numbers of the special cargo ships began to move up through the formation. Now was the time to strike.
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“Enemy cargo ships are beginning to make their ramming runs,” warned Captain Adams.
Hailey looked at the tactical display seeing hundreds of the Eternal cargo ships were making their way through the Eternal formation under the escort of several thousand enemy battlecruisers.
“All juggernauts are to switch their fire from the shuttles to the inbound cargo ships,” ordered Hailey, leaning forward in her command chair. The fleet could not afford to lose too many more of their juggernauts. “Same for the dreadnaughts.”
Instantly the weapons fire on the front of the Eternal fleet intensified just as the cargo ships, escorted by their battlecruisers, began to emerge from the fleet formation. The battlecruisers took the lead protecting the cargo ships from attack. However, the blue energy spheres from the juggernauts soon had the entire phalanx of escorting battlecruisers turning into black
space dust. Behind them the cargo ships accelerated and headed toward their individual targets. Almost every one of the cargo ships was hit by blue energy spheres but their forward momentum was so great even as they began to be turned into space dust they slammed into the shields of the juggernauts.
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On the main viewscreen, Hailey could see eight cargo ships inbound toward the Golden Knight. All eight had been hit by the blue energy spheres and were already being turned into black space dust. Two of the cargo ships suddenly blew up as dark matter missiles struck their hulls. Three more died as energy beams tore them apart. Then two of the disintegrating cargo ships struck the energy shield of the Golden Knight, causing the shield to fluctuate widely. Then the final cargo ship penetrated the weakened shield and slammed into the hull.
In the Command Center, alarms were sounding as the power began to fluctuate. The ship was shaking wildly as internal explosions began taking down more systems.
“Severe damage to the hull,” reported Jade. “We have a hole seven kilometers wide and four deep. Hull integrity is compromised. Shields are at 42 percent and dropping. Forty-eight percent of our weapons are offline.”
Taking a deep breath, Hailey gave her next order. “Pull us back. We’re no help in our current condition.”
“Admiral!” called out Captain Adams, pointing at the viewscreen. A second group of cargo ships escorted by even more Eternal battlecruisers had emerged from the Eternal fleet formation.
“Can we get away from them?” asked Hailey as they rapidly grew larger on the viewscreen.
Commandeer Sutherland shook his head. “No, our drive systems have been damaged. We can’t outrun them.”
On the viewscreen, weapons fire began to take out some of the battlecruisers and a few of the cargo ships. Hailey knew if her ship was hit again it would not survive. Looking at the tactical display, she saw a large number of her juggernauts had already been hit by enemy cargo ships. This next attack would finish many of them off, including the Golden Knight. She also noticed Rear Admiral Cross’s juggernaut had not been hit as of yet.
“Communications, notify Rear Admiral Cross I’m turning command over to him.” On the viewscreen, the enemy battlecruisers and cargo ships were nearly to the Golden Knight. “Tell him it’s been an honor to serve with him.”
Antimatter missiles and dark matter missiles took out many of the inbound battlecruisers and even a few of the cargo ships. The first cargo ship struck the wavering energy shield, knocking it down completely. Then three cargo ships in succession struck the Golden Knight. Huge explosions ravaged the hull and then the flagship blew apart in a massive explosion of light.
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“Golden Knight is down,” reported Commander Garratt, looking over grimly at Fleet Admiral Tolsen. “The ship was hit by multiple enemy cargo ships.”
Race blinked his eyes. Hailey had been one of his best admirals. She was also a good friend. Her loss was going to be difficult to deal with.
“She turned over command to Rear Admiral Cross before her ship was destroyed,” added Colonel Williams.
“Send to all commands; begin a gradual retreat toward the Dyson spheres. It’s time to allow the Eternals to discover the facilities here are all heavily armed. We need to reduce the size of their fleet so our mobile forces can finish them off.”
The officers sitting in front of the tactical holograms began relaying the orders to pull back.
Race leaned back in his command chair wondering if what they were getting ready to do would work. There was no doubt in his mind they would lose some Originator facilities but this was the only way he knew of to deal with their fleet.
“How goes the battle on the Dyson spheres?”
“Still heavy fighting on all four,” reported Commander Garratt. “So far the Eternals have not managed to break inside.”
Race nodded. “Let’s hope it stays that way.
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Captain Minsk was hunkered down in a shallow depression where explosions had occurred during the initial bombardment. There wasn’t a lot of cover unless you counted the pit the Eternals had been blasting in. However, that pit was highly radioactive. To stay in it for any length of time was certain death even with Originator anti-radiation meds.
Already in the last ten minutes the Eternal had tried twice to break through her meager lines so they could resume blasting in the pit. Both times she had lost more Marines and combat robots.
“We’re down to eleven Marines and sixteen combat robots,” reported Corporal Jennings. Corporal Mathews had been killed in the last attack. “We won’t hold against another assault.”
Captain Minsk nodded. “Pull everyone in closer to this position. We’ll make our last stand here.”
Jennings hurriedly called in the survivors and began setting up a small defensive perimeter. They were still close enough to the pit that the Eternals would have to take them out before they could start using it again.
Captain Minsk’s attention was drawn toward a sudden increase in the fighting about a kilometer away from them. It was Lieutenant Bates and the reinforcements Colonel Danforth had sent.
“Do you think they’ll make it in time?” asked Jennings as he came over and joined Captain Minsk.
“I don’t know,” answered Minsk. “It’s going to be close.”
“They’re coming again!” shouted Private Haskins over the comm. “I see both warriors and warrior robots advancing.”
Plasma charges began detonating and energy beam fire swept over the embattled Marines and combat robots. They returned fire with every weapon they had, mowing down dozens of the enemy but the Eternal forces continued to advance.
“We’re not going to be able to hold!” shouted Corporal Jennings. “There are too many of them.”
“Fall back to the pit, maybe that will hold them back.” Captain Minsk knew they could not survive long in the pit, not with the radiation that it contained. However, they would survive a lot less out here.
Everyone began falling back. As they did Minsk saw several more of her Marines go down. The same for her combat robots. She had a sinking feeling this was the end. A sudden explosion threw her through the air and into the pit where she rolled to the bottom. She lay there stunned, trying to catch her breath. Looking around she saw no signs of her energy rifle. With a heavy sigh, she got up on her knees and drew her pistol. If she was going to die she was going to go down fighting.
Looking toward the top of the pit, she saw Corporal Jennings and half a dozen surviving Marines as well as nine combat robots. They were all that was left of the large force she had led to take the pit. Even as she watched she saw one of the Marines grab his chest and slide down further into the pit. A combat robot blew apart as a plasma charge landed at its feet.
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Corporal Jennings turned and saw Captain Minsk down at the bottom of the pit. He quickly ordered the surviving Marines and combat robots to join her. Hurrying down they formed a protective circle around the captain.
“They’ll be here shortly,” Jennings said as he aimed his rifle at the top of the pit. The other Marines and combat robots were doing the same.
They waited expecting to see Eternal warriors and warrior robots come over the pit wall at any moment. Minutes passed and nothing happened.
“Why aren’t they rushing us?” asked Private Haskins. His suit was covered in burn marks.
Suddenly a voice came over Captain Minsk’s comm unit. “Captain Minsk, are you in the pit?”
Minsk breathed out a sigh of relief. She recognized the voice. It was Lieutenant Bates. “We’re still here, those of us who are left.”
“Hold your fire, we’re approaching the pit now.”
Moments later a number of Marines and combat robots appeared at the top of the pit. “Come on out,” said Lieutenant Bates. “We have some anti-radiation meds you’re going to need.”
Captain Minsk nodded. Just maybe she was going to survive after all.
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Adm
iral Trope watched as his assault shuttles began to approach some of the Originator facilities. All were very large and would furnish a huge bounty of information on Originator science and technology. As his assault shuttles began making their approaches heavy weapons fire erupted from the surface of the facilities. In just a few seconds thousands of the descending shuttles had been turned into fireballs.
“The facilities are all armed,” reported First Officer Novast in surprise.
“Continue the landing operations,” ordered Trope. “We must take some of those facilities intact.” His estimates on losses to the shuttles had just sky rocketed. He had not expected the Originators to have their facilities so heavily armed.
“The Originator fleets are all pulling back toward the Shrieels,” reported the sensor officer.
“Let them,” replied Admiral Trope. “We’ll concentrate on taking over their other facilities and then we’ll turn our attention to what remains of their fleet.” There were still sufficient Eternal warships close to the Shrieels to prevent the Originator fleets from bombarding his warriors and warrior robots on the surface.
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Race was pulling his fleet back along with other fleet units he had called in. “Contact Admiral Grayseth and have his fleet rendezvous with ours. The same for Rear Admiral Olsen and the remains of Admiral Zafron’s fleet.” It was time to begin consolidating his forces for the main attack. He had no choice but to allow the Originator science, manufacturing, and shipyard facilities to handle their own defense for a while. He needed them to reduce the size of the Eternal fleet so he could take them on in a final battle.
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In one of the large shipyards responsible for building the juggernauts, Lyla Kadda was in her Command Center watching the approaching Eternal assault shuttles. Major Linda Clarence stood next to her, keeping an eye on the tactical displays as well as on the viewscreens. There were a dozen Originator battlecruisers assigned to the shipyard to help keep the Eternals at bay. Already they were firing nonstop at the horde of inbound assault shuttles.