Final Conflict

by Raymond L. Weil

  Several antimatter missiles struck the shield of a Zadole medium cruiser, knocking it down. Pulse fusion fire then riddled the ship, leaving it a drifting wreck. All across the Human formation more ships were dying under the unrelenting fire from the Zaltule battlecruisers.

  The Human light cruisers turned broadside and opened fire with their main batteries, quickly scoring several hits with their pulse fusion weapons and energy turrets. The space between the two fleets was covered in bright explosions and energy beams. The two fleets themselves were lit up from the numerous explosions of antimatter missiles, each as bright as a star.

  -

  The Dauntless shuddered as two antimatter missiles hit her energy shield, severely jarring the ship. A Zaltule pulse fusion beam penetrated the weakened shield, blowing an energy beam turret to shreds and blasting out a gaping hole in the hull. The screen seemed to flicker and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.

  Amelia looked quickly around the Command Center to see if everyone was okay. Several appeared shaken but were still performing their duties.

  “Damage control teams are en route to the damaged area,” reported Commander Hill. “We have a ten-meter hole in our hull and the surrounding compartments have been sealed off.”

  “Casualties?”

  “Unknown at the moment,” Hill replied. “There were personnel working in that area of the ship and several in the section where the hull was penetrated. Several injured are being taken to med bay.”

  Looking at the viewscreen, Amelia saw several more Zaltule assault ships had been eliminated. “What are our losses so far?”

  “We’ve lost two of our standard battlecruisers, three light cruisers, and seven assault ships. The Zadole have lost two of their cruisers and five assault ships.”

  On the screen, one of the remaining Zaltule battlecruisers was under heavy attack. Antimatter missiles were exploding against its energy shield and pulse fusion and particle beam cannons were seeking an opening.

  “Firing plasma cannon,” reported Captain Smith.

  Instantly on the screen a brilliant beam struck the Zaltule energy screen and then penetrated. It smashed into the Zaltule hull, setting off a massive explosion. At the same time the Zaltule energy screen weakened, allowing more pulse fusion and particle beams to penetrate. Additional explosions rocked the Zaltule ship and then two twenty-megaton antimatter missiles impacted the hull, exploding in two brilliant flashes of light. When the screen cleared the Zaltule ship was a shattered wreck with visible fires burning where oxygen was escaping. The fires rapidly died out.

  -

  Minor Overlord Lazorth stared in shock as another one of his battlecruisers was destroyed. Two more were reporting major damage. His own flagship had suffered from several energy beam strikes. The Human fleet was losing many of its light cruisers and assault ships but they still had the numbers. With growing frustration, he realized he did not have the ships to defeat this fleet. He could destroy most of it but it would cost him many if not all of his own ships.

  “Prepare the fleet to enter Fold Space,” he ordered. His multifaceted eyes seeming to glow red with anger. “We must return to Warmik and inform Supreme Military Overlord Tetus of what we have discovered.” Even as he spoke he saw two more of his assault ships vanish from the tactical display.

  -

  On the Dauntless Amelia winced as she watched another of her heavy battlecruisers under attack. The Vindication seemed to lurch as its energy shield was hit by several antimatter missiles. The shield flickered and the battlecruiser took a massive hit to her bow, losing most of her heavy weapons, she quickly turned broadside and opened up with her remaining pulse fusion beams and energy weapons firing upon the Zaltule ships. The Zaltule retaliated with more pulse fusion beams, penetrating the weakened shield ripping open compartment after compartment. Internal explosions started rupturing the hull.

  -

  Aboard the Vindication Commander Brindle fought to keep his ship alive. The damage control board was covered in red lights with more appearing every second. The ship was shuddering and he could hear the sound of metal being ripped open and explosions.

  “We have numerous compartments open to space and our energy shield is down to 20 percent,” reported Second Officer Wright. “We’re losing the ship.”

  “Weapons?”

  “We’re still firing,” reported Lieutenant Murphy. “We’re down to only a few energy turrets and four missile tubes.”

  The ship shook violently and the lights dimmed then brightened back up.

  “We just took an energy beam strike near Engineering,” reported the damage control officer. We have several major fires and the fire suppression equipment has failed. We’re venting a lot of atmosphere out into space.”

  An explosion rattled the Command Center and several consoles exploded, sending showers of hot sparks across the room.

  “Inbound missiles!” called out the sensor officer.

  “Take them out,” ordered Commander Brindle. “Our shield can’t withstand an antimatter strike.”

  The weapons officer shook his head. “Defensive turrets are down. We can’t stop the missiles.”

  Commander Brindle knew his ship was doomed. There was nothing he could do.

  -

  “More incoming sublight missiles targeting the Vindication,” warned Lieutenant Jones.

  Amelia looked in anguish at a viewscreen showing the stricken heavy battlecruiser. The missiles struck and the Vindication exploded in a series of bright white fireballs. When the fireballs died away there was nothing left but some twisted wreckage.

  “We lost the Vindication,” said Commander Hill grimly.

  “Zaltule are leaving,” reported Lieutenant Jones, sounding relieved.

  Amelia looked at the tactical display, seeing it was true. The remaining Zaltule battlecruisers and assault ships were entering Fold Space and leaving the scene of the battle.

  “There are a few Zaltule assault ships too heavily damaged to escape,” reported Commander Hill, noticing the red icons on the screen.

  “Destroy them,” ordered Amelia. There was no thought of asking them to surrender.

  A few minutes later the battle was over. Looking at the tactical display, Amelia drew in a sharp breath. There were no red threat icons anywhere on the screen. Unfortunately the green icons representing friendly ships were far fewer than at the beginning of the battle.

  “Get me a status on all fleet ships and the condition of their crews. I want to know the causality figures.” Amelia knew they would be heavy. Eighth Fleet was a shattered remnant of what it once was. However, it had succeeded in forcing the Zaltule to withdraw before they could do any more damage to the planet.

  “See if we can contact our ambassador on the surface and see what assistance we can provide.” Amelia knew there was little her fleet could do but she still felt she needed to make the offer.

  -

  A few hours later the remains of Eighth Fleet were in orbit around Zadole Four. Rear Admiral Amelia Stinson now knew the terrible cost of the battle. She had lost two heavy battlecruisers, three standard battlecruisers, eight light cruisers, and fourteen assault ships. The Zadole had lost three of their medium cruisers. In return they had destroyed four Zaltule battlecruisers and twelve of their assault ships. Many of the ships remaining in her fleet were damaged; several would need extensive yard time before they could leave the system.

  “Zadole Space Command has given permission for us to dock our damaged vessels,” reported Lieutenant Williams.

  “The shuttle we sent down to the ambassador’s compound has reported back,” said Commander Hill. “All embassy staff were found dead and the ambassador is missing. It’s believed the Zaltule took her.”

  Amelia let out a deep sigh. If that was true then in all likelihood the ambassador was dead.

  “Let’s get our ships repaired,” said Amelia. “We’ll stay here until the Alliance can send some ships and do an invest
igation of what the Zaltule were after.”

  “It can’t be good,” said Commander Hill. “I suspect the war against the Kleese is about to change and not for the better.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right,” said Amelia. She shifted her eyes to the main viewscreen showing a sea of stars. She wondered what new threats they might be hiding. Fleet Command back on Centerpoint would have to now plan new battle strategies. Fighting the Zaltule was not like fighting the Kleese. The Zaltule were much more deadly and better at combat. The war had just taken a much deadlier turn.

  Chapter Eight

  Corporal Thomas Nelson stood at attention as their new training instructor began to speak. From what Thomas understood she had just returned from a seven-month tour of taking worlds back from the Kleese. She was also wearing a Type Nine battlesuit without the helmet.

  “She looks tough,” said Leah, who was standing just behind Thomas.

  “Not bad looking either,” added Brian.

  “Watch it Brian,” warned Kinsley. “That kind of talk will get you into trouble.”

  “Be quiet and listen,” said Thomas. “We can learn a lot from what she’s telling us.”

  -

  Lieutenant Sue Adams stared out over the recruits. She had already spotted Corporal Nelson and Private Parker. There were definitely family resemblances. “In seven sorties against planets held by the Kleese Marines died on every one. In recent years the Kleese have come to rely more on their pop-up weapons and have improved their deadliness and accuracy. It is one of the reasons we came up with the Type Nine battlesuits. These are the first suits, which have nanites that can actually repair suit damage. They are also more resistant to enemy fire. The suits might bend slightly or even show dents but the nanites in most cases can prevent severe injury.”

  “These suits are smaller than previous battlesuits,” said Private Stout. “Is there a reason for that?”

  Sue looked over at Private Stout. “Miniaturization. We’ve managed to make everything smaller using technology from the Alliance and the Kiveans. We’ve also increased the power of the energy lance all of you will be carrying into battle.” She reached to her waist and withdrew the lance from its holder. Pressing a small switch, it hummed with energy as a meter long lance of pure energy formed. She swung it, cutting a piece of metal next to her in two. “The lance has also been updated. It can now cut through any known substance except for what these suits are made of. In direct combat against the Kleese we always use the lances. They are deadly and quite effective at taking the head off a Kleese.”

  Sue paused, her eyes moving over the recruits. “We have six weeks to prepare you before your first deployment. I want everyone in their suits in ten minutes and we will work on using the energy lances. If used properly they can save your lives.”

  -

  “More sword play,” muttered Brian. They had practiced some with the energy lances and he had been disappointed to find Thomas, Kinsley, and Leah were all better at it than he was.

  “You need the practice,” said Kinsley, elbowing Brian in the side. “We all do.”

  Brian knew Kinsley was right. In some things he had always been a slow learner. He suspected it was more due to his stubbornness than anything else.

  -

  For the next hour the platoon practiced with their energy lances. They practiced against each other with Lieutenant Adams giving them advice on how to hold the lance and how to best use it to kill a Kleese.

  “The best target to aim for is a sweeping blow to the head, completely decapitating a Kleese,” she said, demonstrating with her own energy lance. “If you stab a Kleese in the center of their chest there’s a good chance they will not go down and end up killing you. In most battles against the Kleese, you will find them wearing highly advanced battlesuits. As we’ve improved our battlesuits so have the Kleese. While they may look like giant spiders they are highly intelligent and conniving. They are also heartless and will show no mercy. If you give them an opportunity they will kill you without hesitation.”

  Brian was dueling with Thomas and continuously losing. He was getting angry and pressed forward. Thomas promptly used his lance to jar Brian’s hand, causing him to lose his grip on his lance. It fell to his side and automatically shut off.

  “Private Parker!” uttered Lieutenant Adams, coming toward him with narrowed eyes. “I would expect better of you. Grab your energy lance and face me.”

  Brian gulped, knowing he was in for it now. He should not have allowed himself to grow angry. His mother had always told him that would get him into trouble in the Marines. Brian grabbed the handle of his energy lance which automatically re-energized itself.

  “Hold it like this,” Lieutenant Adams said demonstrating. “The lance can be used to protect yourself as well. She calmly waved hers a few inches from Brian’s helmet.

  He could swear he could feel the heat from it.

  -

  “Now everyone gather around and watch,” ordered Lieutenant Adams. Sue waited until the entire platoon was gathered in a circle around them. Once she was satisfied everyone was ready she turned back to Private Parker. “Now Private, try to stab me with your energy lance.”

  “What!” said Brian, surprised.

  “Do it,” ordered Lieutenant Adams, holding her lance in front of her.

  -

  Taking a deep breath, Brian stepped forward and tried to stab the lieutenant. She easily swatted the energy lance away, causing brilliant sparks to fly every time the lances made contact. Time after time he tried to strike her battlesuit but each time she deflected his lance.

  “Concentrate, Private,” ordered the lieutenant. “Using the energy lance is more finesse and less about brute force.”

  For another five minutes Brian continued to try to get through the lieutenant’s guard, failing miserably each time. He was feeling frustrated and doing everything he could not to grow angry.

  Finally the lieutenant put down her lance. “Now let me demonstrate. Prepare yourself, Private Parker. Let me demonstrate how easy it would be to kill you if you were a Kleese.”

  Brian raised his lance trying to shield himself as he had seen the lieutenant do. For several moments he succeeded in blocking her lance. Then, suddenly, he felt a searing pain on his neck as she abruptly changed hands and succeeded in striking the neck of his suit. The suit HUD showed the neck area of his suit as amber, indicating damage. After a few seconds it turned back green as the nanites in his suit repaired the damage. Instinctively Brian reached up, touching the neck of his suit.

  “Don’t worry, Private Parker; your head’s still there.” Lieutenant Adams stepped back, preparing to strike again.

  For the next ten minutes the two circled each other. Time after time Lieutenant Adams managed to strike Brian in the neck. “I think that’s enough,” the lieutenant finally said. “Now, Corporal Nelson. I want you to practice against Private Parker. Strike his neck as if he’s a Kleese. You won’t hurt him as the suit will protect him.”

  -

  Thomas stepped forward, grinning. He was much better with the energy lance than Brian and expected this to be easy. He noticed the others were all gathered around in a circle, watching.

  -

  Brian prepared himself trying to emulate what the lieutenant had done with her energy lance. Thomas stepped forward, igniting his lance and promptly attacking Brian. Brian instinctively parried the thrust and for the next fifteen minutes the two circled each other with Thomas continuously on the offensive. Only twice in that time did Thomas manage to land a killing blow. Brian was amazed and pleased he was doing so well against Thomas. He now understood what the lieutenant had been attempting to teach him.

  -

  “Good,” said Lieutenant Adams as she signaled for them to stop. “Over the next week I will be spending time with each of you, teaching you how to properly use the energy lance. Also tomorrow we will attempt Charring Mountain once more. This time we will be using live weapons. The weapons have been se
t so they will not fire if they detect a battlesuit in the line of fire. It’s a safety precaution we use in training. However, out in the field in actual battle situations our weapons are not equipped with that safety feature. We’ll spend the next hour working with our energy lances and then break for lunch. After lunch we’ll be working with our assault rifles. We use three types of assault rifles in combat. One fires an energy beam, another fires explosive rounds, and the third fires armor penetrating rounds. In addition on the back of all suits there is a miniaturized explosives launcher with forty small explosive rounds. Each round has the explosive force of two grenades.”

  -

  Later they were eating lunch and Brian was in a much better mood. “I think I’m going to like this new lieutenant.”

  “You’ve just got the hots for her,” said Leah as she ate her mashed potatoes. “Everyone else in the platoon has turned you down.”

  Brian’s face turned red. “I’m not like that. I just enjoy having a good time now and then.”

  “We’ll the lieutenant did manage to kill you a number of times,” said Kinsley, grinning. “I can’t wait to work with her so I can learn to do the same thing.”

  Brian frowned at her and then glanced down at his food.

  “We all need to work hard,” said Thomas as he cut up his pork chop. “Tomorrow we get to go up our favorite mountain again.”

  “Eat hearty today for tomorrow we die,” said Brian as he took a bite of his potatoes. “I don’t know if we’ll ever make it to the top of Charring.”

  Thomas slowly nodded his head. “It’ll be hard but we’ll do it. It may just take a number of attempts.”

  “I hate those stunners,” said Leah, frowning deeply. “That’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt.”

  Brian looked over at Leah. She was actually quite cute with her dark hair and hazel eyes. “What was it like when you were awoken in the cloning facility? You don’t mind talking about it, do you?”