“Most will take several days to get here,” replied the communications officer. “By then the battle should be over.”
“I am aware of that,” answered Lydol. “However, if the Originators succeed in eliminating our fleet, the weapons of this shipyard should be able to hold off the enemy vessels until more of our ships can arrive.”
Lydol returned to his command chair. The inbound enemy ships were now showing on the main tactical display. It was obvious from the number of ships the Originators were committing to this battle that they intended to destroy the defending Eternal fleet as well as the shipyard and the planetary base. Lydol was determined not to allow that to happen.
-
“Four minutes to hyperspace dropout,” reported Commander Sutherland. “The Eternals are gathering their ships around the shipyard. Current count is an estimated twelve hundred battlecruisers.”
Hailey nodded. “We’ll outnumber them considerably. I want our ships to fire in groups of five. One dreadnought and four battlecruisers will coordinate their fire on the enemy ships. The remaining battlecruisers will spread their fire out across the Eternal fleet.” Hailey knew the Eternals had a slight advantage in firepower due to the size of their warships. Hailey planned on neutralizing that by firing in ship groups of five. That would more than even up the disparity in firepower between the Originator ships and the Eternal vessels.
“Commander Zafron is suggesting we hit the Eternal ships and shipyard from three directions,” reported Lieutenant Denise Sparks. “He’s sending coordinates of where he wants us.”
“Tell him we’ll be at our assigned position,” replied Hailey.
“Two minutes to hyperspace dropout,” reported Caria.
“I want weapons firing as soon as we drop out of hyperspace,” ordered Hailey. Hailey knew in this type of engagement seconds mattered.
“All three fleets should drop out of hyperspace within a few seconds of one another,” added Commander Sutherland. “By attacking from three directions we’re forcing the Eternals to divide their fire and preventing them from bunching up their ships into a more defensible formation.”
Hailey’s eyes shifted to the tactical display. It was now showing the Eternal shipyard and warships in much more detail. They would have a five to one advantage in ships and nearly a two to one advantage in firepower.
“Dark matter missiles loaded in the launch tubes,” reported Major Marks. “All battlecruisers in our group of five will hit the same Eternal warship.”
“Just don’t hit the shipyard,” cautioned Hailey. “We want to capture it intact.”
The two minutes passed and the Victory emerged from hyperspace.
“Energy shield is up and weapons are firing,” reported Major Marks.
On the main viewscreen, the Eternal shipyard was visible as well as scores of enemy ships. Brilliant explosions began to march across the Eternal fleet formation as dark matter and antimatter missiles struck their energy screens.
Almost instantly the energy shields on several Eternal vessels failed and both vessels exploded as dark matter missiles ripped the ships apart.
Hailey felt the Victory vibrate slightly as several Eternal energy beams struck the ship’s energy screen. She glanced over at Major Marks.
“Shield is holding at 92 percent.”
Hailey nodded. She looked back at the viewscreen as the battle intensified.
-
The three attacking fleets had eight hundred dreadnoughts and six thousand battlecruisers forcing the Eternals to spread out their weapons fire. Space became lit up from the flurry of explosions sweeping across all four fleets. The Eternals were launching 100-megaton antimatter missiles while the Originator ships were returning fire with 100-megaton antimatter missiles and the more powerful 400-megaton dark matter missiles. Both sides were using various types of energy beams trying to find weak spots in energy shields. Occasionally a weak spot would be found and when that happened the unfortunate warship was blown apart almost instantly.
-
Originator Admiral Lydol was feeling confused. The enemy were concentrating their fire on his ships and only a few energy beams had been directed at his shipyard. “Launch antimatter missiles and fire our energy beams. Concentrate our weapons fire on their dreadnoughts.” If the enemy were not firing on the shipyard, he was going to make them pay for that error in their strategy.
Around the massive shipyard, dozens of missiles hatches slid open and antimatter missiles began launching. Energy beam turrets rotated and began firing upon the approaching Originator battlecruisers.
-
Eternal battlecruisers turned broadside to bring more weapons to bear. They opened fire with numerous energy turrets while antimatter missile after missile blasted away from the ships targeting the inbound Originator vessels. Energy beam fire from the battlecruisers slammed into the main part of an Originator dreadnought, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. The top section of the ship exploded sending more debris hurtling away from the ship. Secondary explosions began blowing out huge sections of the hull. At the same time two Eternal antimatter missiles arrived, turning the stricken dreadnought into a miniature nova and leaving only glowing remains behind.
An antimatter missile slammed into the stern of an Originator battlecruiser, leaving the ship powerless and helpless in space. Eternal energy beams quickly riddled the vessel leaving a drifting and lifeless hulk. Other Originator ships were dying as well. The sheer number of weapons being fired were overwhelming energy shields and killing ships. The battle was intense as well as brutal.
-
In the Eternal fleet ships were dying as well. Missile fire as well as energy weapons fire were knocking down shields leaving them open to attack. Throughout the defending Eternal formation, battlecruisers were exploding as deadly weapons fire tore them apart. The entire Eternal defensive front seemed to be on fire. Dozens of nova-like explosions marked the location of dying ships. However, so far the Eternal battlecruisers were preventing the attacking fleets from breaking through to the shipyard.
-
On board the Dominator, Kazak stood nearly motionless as he directed the fire of the ship’s blue energy spheres. He was using the spheres to strike the densest part of the Eternal fleet formation. Numerous Eternal vessels had already been reduced to black space dust with more in the process of being annihilated. On the main viewscreen, the blue spheres could be seen striking the Eternal vessels, normally two per ship to make the destruction occur faster. Kazak felt no remorse for the pain he was inflicting on the Eternals. To die from the blue energy spheres was a gruesome death as the very body cells of the Eternals were turned into black dust.
“Continue to fire,” ordered Commander Zafron as he directed the three fleets. “Try to avoid hitting the shipyard.” Even though all the ships were aware of that command a few energy beams were still inadvertently striking the shipyard.
“We’re taking a lot of fire from the shipyard,” reported Captain Grayson. “Energy beam fire as well as antimatter missiles.”
“I’m aware of that,” replied Commander Zafron. “As soon as we’ve destroyed the Eternal fleet, we’ll move in closer and attempt to take out their weapon emplacements. We need that shipyard for a base in this galaxy.” Zafron knew by not firing on the shipyard it was costing him some ships. However, in order to maintain control of this galaxy he needed the shipyard captured intact.
-
The Dominator shook violently as it was struck by several antimatter missiles but the ship emerged from the explosions unscathed with its weapons still firing. Around the Dominator dreadnoughts and battlecruisers were pouring their fire into the Eternal fleet.
An Originator battlecruiser blew apart as its shield failed. A dreadnought was under heavy fire from several Eternal vessels when an energy beam penetrated, blasting out a large hole in the hull. Several more beams penetrated opening up numerous compartments to space. Then a violent explosion shook the shi
p, breaking it in two. Eternal antimatter missiles quickly turned both sections into brilliant fireballs of raging energy.
The Originators firing in five ship groups were consistently knocking down the energy shields of the Eternals. The Eternals were losing ships at a two to one rate over the Originators. Very slowly the Eternal vessels were being forced back toward the shipyard.
-
Admiral Lydol stared stoically at the tactical display as well as a series of viewscreens showing the battle. It was obvious his forces were losing. The Originators had too big of an advantage in warships. “How soon before our first reinforcements arrive?”
“At least six hours but no major fleets for at least thirty,” replied the communications officer.
Lydol knew by then his fleet, the shipyard, and the planetary base will have been destroyed. The firepower from the Originator fleets was far greater than he had expected. “Continue to fire our weapons. We must take as many Originator ships with us in death as possible. We are the Eternals and we shall die for our Empire.”
-
Hailey was thrown forward against her restraints as the Victory was struck by numerous antimatter weapons and energy beams. Several alarms began sounding and red lights started appearing on the damage control console.
“We had two energy beams penetrate the screen and strike the hull,” reported the damage control office. “We have a large hull breach at brace seventeen, sector four. My board is showing two compartments open to space. Emergency bulkheads have engaged and the compartments are now sealed off.”
“Casualties?” asked Hailey.
“Two crewmembers, both AIs,” reported Commander Sutherland as he listened to reports coming in.
“Energy screen is back up to 83 percent and rising,” added Major Marks.
Hailey turned her attention back to the battle. Most of the Eternal ships had been destroyed and the few surviving ones were backed up nearly to the shipyard. The Dominator moved forward and was using its blue energy spheres to destroy the last vestiges of the Eternal fleet. As Hailey watched it only took a few minutes to turn the last Eternal battlecruiser into drifting black space dust. She shuddered slightly, glad she was not on the receiving end of one of the blue energy spheres.
“Eternal fleet destroyed,” confirmed Commander Sutherland.
“Commander Zafron is ordering all dreadnoughts forward. Energy beams only are authorized. We’re to fire on the shipyard’s weapon emplacements until all have been eliminated. Once they have, the Marines and combat robots will be sent in.”
“Take us in,” ordered Hailey. “Let’s finish this up before more Eternal warships show up.”
-
The Victory surged forward along with the other surviving dreadnoughts of her fleet. Energy beams began to fire at the shipyard trying to penetrate the protective energy shield. At the same time the shipyard was replying with more antimatter missiles and its own energy beams. The battle was far from over.
-
“Dreadnought Vincent reports heavy damage,” reported Lieutenant Sparks.
“Put the Vincent up on the viewscreen,” ordered Hailey.
On the viewscreen, the Vincent appeared. It was under heavy attack and already numerous compartments had been holed, leaking atmosphere into space. Several fires could be seen raging deep inside the vessel. As the atmosphere was depleted the fires flickered and then went out. Secondary explosions were shaking the ship.
“Order the Vincent to pull back,” commanded Hailey, leaning forward in her command chair.
“They’re trying,” reported Sparks. “But their sublight drive has been hit and they’re trying to move back using their remaining maneuvering thrusters.”
An antimatter missile struck the bow of the ship, causing the entire vessel to vanish in a brilliant explosion. When the explosion died away the front third of the ship was missing and the rest was a mangled wreck.
“They’re gone,” said Commander Sutherland in a subdued voice.
Hailey let out a long and deep sigh. She wondered if capturing this shipyard was going to be worth the cost. “Change the viewscreen back to show the shipyard.”
Looking at the viewscreen, Hailey saw a few energy beams were now penetrating the weakening screen of the shipyard. Weapon emplacements were being blown apart and missile tubes were being fused shut. Over the next few minutes the weapons fire from the shipyard gradually diminished and then finally came to a stop. A few well-placed shots from the Dominator had destroyed most of the station’s emitters, which powered the shipyard’s weakened energy shield. It was now defenseless and ready to be boarded.
“Assault shuttles are launching,” reported Captain Adams. “Marines and combat robots are going in.”
“They’ll have to breach the hull,” said Commander Sutherland. “Or blow some of the cargo hatches.”
-
On board the shipyard, Admiral Lydol studied the viewscreens as well as the damage done to his command. All of his battlecruisers were gone as well as the weapons emplacements on the shipyard. The shipyard itself had only suffered minor damage.
“We’re detecting shuttles approaching us,” reported the sensor officer. “I believe they’re going to board us.”
Now the Originators’ tactics began to make sense. “They want to capture the shipyard. Activate our warrior robots. We’ll make them pay for every section of this station. Also, set up four antimatter warheads to detonate upon my command. I will not allow this shipyard to fall into enemy hands. We are the Eternals and we shall not surrender.”
-
Across the station, storage holds opened and hundreds of warrior robots exited, taking up defensive positions throughout the shipyard. If the Originators came on board, they were going to pay a heavy price.
-
Captain Derrick Young waited anxiously as his assault shuttle neared the Eternal shipyard. He had ten Marines on board and twenty combat robots. There were nine other shuttles similarly manned. All would be docking close to one another. Once their shuttles were unloaded ten more shuttles would dock and unload their Marines and combat robots. Derrick had no idea what they would be facing once they boarded the station.
“Preparing to dock,” reported the pilot as the shuttle made contact with the station. “Activating breaching charges.”
There was a large boom and a vibration passed through the hull. Then the ramp slid down amid an influx of smoke.
“Everyone out!” shouted Captain Young as he held his energy rifle at the ready.
Five combat robots exited the shuttle followed by the Marines and then the rest of the robots. Instantly one of the combat robots staggered back with a large hole burned though its chest.
“Return fire!” ordered Captain Young.
Using the sensors in his combat armor Young saw several Eternal warrior robots in the corridor firing energy beams at his Marines and combat robots. The combat robots began returning fire and quickly eliminated the two Eternal robots.
“Move out!” ordered Young. He wanted to meet up with more of his Marines who were on the other shuttles. Behind him the shuttle ramp raised back up and two of the combat robots applied a temporary seal over the hole in the hull.
Down the corridor there was another explosion and soon more Marines and combat robots poured in.
“Secure the corridor,” ordered Captain Young. “We have more Marines and combat robots inbound. As soon as they arrive we’ll move out and begin securing the shipyard.”
Several minutes passed and soon two more shuttles docked. The temporary seals were removed and more Marines and combat robots emerged.
“We’ll leave two combat robots at each shuttle to keep it secure,” ordered Captain Young. There was also a pilot and communications officer still on board the shuttles. Both were armed. “Let’s move out.”
The four squads began moving down the corridor to begin securing the station. Caption Young knew there were other squads in other sections of the shipyard doing the
same.
For the first few minutes everything was quiet. Captain Young began to wonder if there were only a few of the Eternals’ warrior robots on board. Suddenly energy beam fire erupted in front of him. A swarm of Eternal warrior robots appeared from an adjacent corridor and began charging toward the marines and Originator combat robots.
“Fire!” shouted Sergeant Tucker, who was with one of the other squads of Marines.
Energy beam fire quickly broke out between the two opposing groups. There was little to no cover in the corridor and the fight was brief but brutal. When it was over three Marines lay dead and five combat robots were down. In exchange they had taken out twelve Eternal warrior robots.
“I don’t like this,” said Sergeant Tucker over the comm. “What if there are a lot more of these the further into the station we go?”
Captain Young wondered about that as well. He quickly contacted some of the other platoons he knew were nearby. Two responded and from the third there was no reply. Both the platoons which replied reported running into stiff resistance. “Secure this corridor. We’re going to have to call in more Marines and combat robots.” Young quickly contacted his commanding officer on one of the two ships that held the Marines and combat robots and reported they were meeting stiff resistance and to send the reserves in. He also ordered the other two platoons to hold their current positions until they were reinforced.
Twenty minutes later another twenty Marines and forty more combat robots came tromping down the corridor. Sergeant Mendez was leading them. “Colonel Thomas says he can send one more round of Marines and combat robots if necessary.”
“Let’s hope it’s not,” replied Captain Young. “Let’s move out. This is a large station and we have a lot of area yet to cover.”
The squads moved out, clearing out sections of the station from warrior robots and the occasional Eternal who was leading them. The deeper into the station they went the higher the casualties mounted. Finally Captain Young called a halt and contacted Colonel Thomas, informing him they were going to need the final round of Marines and combat robots.
The Originator Wars: Explorations: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 19