“Are we the only ones experiencing ‘turbulence’?” asked Drillyn holding onto his station as the entire ship rocked from still another impact.
“No sir,” replied his Second. “It appears all our capital ships are under attack.”
“Under attack?” repeated Drillyn. “What are you talking about? Put the Courageous on the screen! It’s the closest dreadnaught.”
The main viewer shifted in response to the order. Despite being hindered by his restraints Drillyn leaned forward at what he saw. Framed in the screen was the flagships sister ship, one of the Swarm’s four dreadnoughts. Explosions were seen flaring over its armor. From the rocking of the flagship he assumed it was also being hit. “That’s missiles, not asteroids!” he exclaimed. “Swarm status!”
“The Swarm has lost two Battle Cruisers and two are damaged,” was the report from Lieutenant Remander. He was one of Drillyn’s aides and had strapped onto his saddle when the alert had sounded.
“Our armor’s holding but it’s taking a beating,” reported Captain Altain. “We can’t take much more of this before they’re into the hull.”
A console in communications began smoking and emitting sparks. The operator quickly cut power to his equipment and the sparks stopped. He grabbed for a fire extinguisher.
“Cancorlin, boost scanning power to maximum,” called Drillyn over the noise of the explosions. “Look for stealthed vessels. The boosted power may also help point defense locate and stop those missiles.”
Moninco looked over from his console. His communications link allowed him to be heard over the din of explosions and reports. “Stealth ships?” he asked. “Skipper technology?”
“That’s what I think,” confirmed the acting Swarm Master. “The Kthpok are using our own technology against us.” He gave a disgusted snort. “We gave them that technology so they could recapture their home planet.”
“We’ve lost the Glorious,” announced Lieutenant Cancorlin. Drillyn winced at the loss of their first dreadnought.
“Courageous reports their armor’s being breached,” called out Lieutenant Remander.
“I think the planet they want is ours,” commented Moninco.
“Not if I can help it,” was Drillyn’s reply.
It was as if the enemy knew the Courageous was losing its armor. Ten capital missiles raced for the dreadnought in five pairs of two. None of them were seen by the scanning crews in the Swarm. The first missiles struck, blasting a huge hole in the hull. Atmosphere, debris and bodies erupted out of the gash. Power surges raced through wiring exploding equipment. Metal fragments pierced shells and severed limbs. Operators at consoles jerked and trembled as electricity overpowered their shells natural insulation. The second flight arrived and detonated. Iidx were thrown about by the explosions breaking limbs and cracking shells.
Lieutenant Funtel in Communications went to report but the Swarm Master waved him off. Everyone could see their sister ship was in trouble. Air, flames and debris continued to flow through the breach in the blasted hull. Life shells began to erupt from the stricken vessel as another flight of missiles raced in. Drillyn watched as more fireballs appeared on the ship. Then a large explosion appeared amidships splitting the Courageous in half. The stern spun away narrowly missing a trailing cruiser. Anyone left aboard the dreadnaught died when the inertial compensators failed.
Fragments from the Courageous were blown in all directions. Some of the ragged pieces hit two escorting destroyers but their armor held. Drillyn continued to watch as the fireball of burning gas and vaporized metal that had been the Courageous expanded and began to fade. In frustration he pounded a clenched fist on his console and looked over at Scanning. “I want a target!” he thundered. “Where are those missiles coming from?”
“There’s still nothing on the scans, sir,” replied Lieutenant Cancorlin. His antennae waved his own confusion and frustration. “I’ve got my equipment at full power and there’s nothing out there!”
“Close up our formation then!” said the acting Swarm Master. Moninco and Lieutenant Funtel in Communications began working to pass on Drillyn’s orders. “If we can’t find the source of the missiles point defense has to do a better job.” A moment later icons in the plot representing the Iidx Swarm shifted into a compact mass and the shaking began to diminish.
“The bombardment seems to be ending,” observed Moninco. “The new formation should give us a better chance to see the missiles. That might be why they’re stopping. And if we can spot those missiles we can kill ‘em.”
“Or it could be that whoever’s shooting at us has exhausted their supply of missiles,” said Drillyn drily. “What’s the Swarm status now?”
“The attack’s hurt us sir,” replied Lieutenant Remander as he continued to work his equipment taking in reports. “We’ve lost two Dreadnoughts, three Battle Cruisers and a few destroyers. The remaining dreadnoughts have sustained moderate to severe damage but can be repaired by the ships damage control parties.”
The flagship shuddered under yet another hit then the thunder of explosions died. Everyone paused what they were doing to look around wondering if that was the end of the bombardment. Minutes passed with no more impacts.
“Good,” said Drillyn nodding his head. “It appears to be over.” Acrid smoke hung in the air from the electrical fires. Power to the few sputtering consoles was cut. He turned to his Second. “Slow the Swarm’s speed and get the SAR into space to pick up life shells. I won’t have my people thinking they’ve been forgotten and left behind.” Moninco acknowledged the orders and bent over his console to get the rescue ships in space.
“Remander,” said Drillyn continuing to give orders, “get me what our damages are. Then have Damage Control work on fixing it. Concentrate on our pulsers, missile launchers and point defense. I want all our ships ready to meet the Kthpok Swarm.”
Remander swung away from his console to stare at the acting Swarm Master. “We’re still going to meet them sir?” he asked and his antennae drooped. “They’ve got more capital ships than we do now and we’re damaged!”
“They’ve got damage as well Lieutenant but that doesn’t matter. We have to meet and defeat the Kthpok. They’ve already struck at Main Hive killing thousands of our people. We’re damaged, yes, but there’s no where we can go to make repairs that the Kthpok can’t find us. We have to eliminate the enemy Swarm.”
The acting Swarm Master paused and looked around the busy control room knowing that although they were busy everyone in the room was paying attention to the exchange. “The only reason the Kthpok’ve stopped bombarding our cities and killing our people is that this Swarm is a threat!” Drillyn held out his true-hands. “Thousands have died; perhaps tens of thousands.” He looked back to the officer. “If we don’t attack and kill them they’ll just return to Main Hive and resume killing civilians to draw us in.”
Lieutenant Remander thought for a moment then nodded. “We’ll face the Kthpok with ships that’ve been repaired and magazines full Swarm Master,” he said. “They’ll be burned from the skies.”
As the Lieutenant turned back to his console the rest of the Command Staff moved to get the Swarm ready for battle. Acting Swarm Master Drillyn settled back onto his saddle. “We’ll burn them from the sky,” he whispered, “only if we’re very lucky and they’re very stupid.”
Chapter 19
It’d been several days since the Swarm had been attacked by the Kthpok stealth ships. During that time the Iidx had paused long enough to pick up the Iidx who’d been able to eject from fatally damaged ships. Then, when he was convinced all his people had been rescued, the Acting Swarm Master ordered his force to continue for Main Hive. While the rescue was ongoing and afterwards, as they were making their way towards Main Hive Drillyn had every crew member who was able making repairs. The Iidx commander was determined to be prepared when his Swarm faced the Kthpok again.
The Acting Swarm Master turned away from his console to examine the tactical plot for the eig
hteenth (or was it the twentieth time?) in the last few minutes. The display reflected the rather unusual formation he’d ordered the Swarm to adopt. He knew the screening destroyers were out further than doctrine allowed but the introduction of stealthed vessels by the Kthpok required that doctrine be adjusted. Besides the unusual formation every ship in the Swarm was using active scanners to scour space in order to find, if possible, if there were any more of those stealth ships.
The ever shortening distance between the opposing forces gave the active scanning an added boost. It allowed his people to circumvent any EW the Kthpok were using. As a result he knew exactly where the main enemy force was along with the count and type of ships the Swarm had to face. Knowing what the enemy had in relation to his own strength made him feel a little easier and gave him a chance to prepare. A counter at the bottom of the Plot gave the time for the anticipated engagement. Drillyn gave a slight bob of his head. The battle was only a few hours away if the speed and course of both forces remained constant.
His antennae waved back and forth as he pondered the situation he faced. How was he going to engage the enemy? He couldn’t consult the Hives historical records because there’d never been a battle between forces this large. And there definitely was no record of a war with an alien species.
Drillyn looked at the plot’s statistics again. Lieutenant Cancorlin’s reports indicated the Kthpok had sent every warship they had with the exception of three large transports. That force included several missile colliers which were lagging far behind. He nodded again, this time in approval. That’s exactly what he’d be doing; or would be doing if he had ammunition ships.
Besides the numbers he knew that the enemy warships that brought the Kthpok had been refitted with automation. All the new construction had been designed to include the upgrades. If Swarm Master Zelof’s reports were accurate that new construction only had a command crew and damage control parties aboard; everything else had been automated. That made a crew of less than three hundred for a destroyer where a comparable Iidx destroyer had seven hundred.
There were advantages and disadvantages to that level of automation. The computers running the ship had a quicker reaction time for one. That much was obvious. Of course, it meant fewer people could control more ships so if a ship was lost fewer people died. But it could be easier to knock out one of those more automated ships. Drillyn considered this for a moment. If his people could take out a ships automation center they could eliminated the ship.
The Swarm Master checked the count of ships showing on the Plot’s sidebar again. Both Swarms appeared to be closely matched. He shook his head in wonder. With the number of vessels on both sides this was going to be the largest space battle ever fought in Iidx history. Of course the only space battle the Iidx Swarm had ever fought was with a renegade Queen.
After a few moments of studying the course and formations showing on the Plot Drillyn took a deep breath. He let it out his side vents then reached over to touch a button that linked him with Combat Control. “We’ll go with Adamant,” the Swarm Master said before an acknowledgement could be made.
“Yes, sir, you’re activating Adamant,” repeated Commander Peltorat in Combat Control and cut the link.
The Swarm Second who’d been monitoring the Command Deck from Auxiliary Control keyed his private link. His image appeared on a secondary screen of Drillyn’s console. A reciprocal screen in Auxiliary Control showed the Swarm’s commander. “Swarm Master,” Moninco said, looking at his Commander. “Is Adamant really necessary?” Drillyn’s antennae gave a jerk of annoyance at the question but he said nothing. The Second didn’t notice his Commander’s reaction and continued. “I mean a missile duel? We have two damaged dreadnaughts and they have three that may or may not have been damaged. In addition, all of their ships have been given our best upgrades in armor and weaponry. The only thing we have the advantage in is screening elements. Shouldn’t we use what we’re strong in and attempt raids? Hit and run?”
Drillyn turned his attention away from Moninco and made some adjustments to his console. An attention tone sounded throughout the Swarm’s command ship; a signal of an announcement from the Swarm Master. At a nod from Drillyn Lieutenant Funtel in Communications worked to open a link to the other ships of the Swarm.
“This is Swarm Master Drillyn,” he began when Funtel confirmed the network to the Swarm had been set up. His voice echoed through the corridors and compartments of all the ships in the Swarm. Iidx serving the missile launchers and in the armories, in the lasers and medical center paused in their duties to listen or stare at screens which were showing the Swarm Master. Most of his staff on the Command Deck turned away from their consoles to look at their commander. The rest continued working but listened. “I’m sure everyone is aware we’re at war,” he continued. “It’s painfully obvious the Swarm has been attacked and scuttlebutt passed the word we’ve experienced serious losses. Although we’ve been unable to detect our attackers we know who they were.” His voice dripped with hatred when he said, “the Kthpok.
“These are the beings that entered our system with damaged vessels and injured personnel after being exiled from their own planet. Or that was their story they gave the Queens. We welcomed them into our homes. We provided medical assistance and supplies, technology and weapons.
“They repay our kindness with death. They return our aid with destruction. The Kthpok attacked without warning or consideration for civilian casualties and our losses have been great.”
He paused for a moment then continued. “Word has come from Swarm Master Zelof that our orbital defenses over Main Hive have been destroyed. By destroying the ODP’s the Kthpok can sit in Main Hive orbit and obliterate our people with ease. Our major bases likewise have been attacked. But that isn’t the worst. Using explosives planted by their ‘cultural liaisons’ the Kthpok attempted to assassinate the Council of Queens. They were partially successful. Only two of the Council survive and are being protected by Swarm Master Zelof at Wartten. I have seen and spoken to them.
“As part of their betrayal the Kthpok drew our Swarm into the outer system chasing a fictitious Swarm then launched attacks to kill our people. Only the threat of this Swarm has stopped the slaughter of our people for the moment. And now the Kthpok Swarm is between Main Hive and us. Our mission is simple: Destroy the Kthpok Swarm and return to reclaim our Hives.
“Our task will not be easy for we armed the Kthpok. Their treacherous attacks from hidden vessels hurt us but it will not be enough to stop us from clearing the Kthpok from Main Hive’s skies. In a short time this Swarm will engage the Kthpok. When the alert sounds and you report to your posts remember Main Hive, remember this is the enemy who attacked our cities. Every missile launched will go out to kill those who would incinerate our hives. Every pulser mount fired blasts those who would irradiate our offspring. Every ship destroyed reduces the threat to our people.”
The Swarm Master paused again; his antennae sagged as he gave a deep sigh. “Not all who hear my voice today will return to their homes. That is one of the sad realities of war which cannot be avoided. Take a few moments to meditate on the teachings of the Creator. Then, when we engage the Kthpok remember Main Hive; remember our families. For if we fail our people die. It’s obvious the Kthpok intend to cause our extinction. Swarm Master out.”
Drillyn cut the link and turned to face his Second who was still being shown on the screen linked to auxiliary control. “Does that answer your question?” he asked.
The two opposing forces continued to close. Anticipating this to be the conclusive battle for control of the star system both commanders prepared their people. Formations were adjusted, last minute repairs seen to and weapons readied.
Although his Swarm had been hurt by the earlier ambush Drillyn ordered his screening vessels and escorts to close in. He couldn’t allow them to be dedicated to search for those stealth ships with a battle looming. In a missile fight the smaller ships would be better employed in missile d
efense.
Drillyn watched the tactical screen of his console just as his Kthpok counterpart, P’Mar watched his. Both screens had a shaded area which indicated the distance to the extreme limit of their missile drives. That shaded area was rapidly diminishing. A countdown was shown on the screen as well. When both forces crossed their respective line the two commanders held their fire and confirmed their checklist as they waited for the next line in the Plot.
“Have all missile controllers confirmed their targets?” asked the Swarm Master.
“All launchers are crewed,” said Commander T’Xada, Battle Officer for Fleet Admiral P’Mar. “Missiles are loaded and targets confirmed.”
“Damage Control at standby,” ordered P’Mar. “Ready Point Defense.”
“Point Defense is active,” announced Lieutenant Remander from his station in the Iidx command ship.
Drillyn watched his Swarm near the designated fire line. Just as his lead ships entered the colored area of danger he swung to face his EW officer. “Activate counter measures now!” he ordered. “Full power.”
“Countermeasures on line,” announced T’Xada.
“Fire!” ordered Drillyn and P’Mar at almost the same instant. In response the external launchers in both forces erupted.
“All externals launched,” reported T’Xada. “Shipboard launchers ready.”
“We have incoming!” called Commander T’Bre from Scanning. “Count is three hundred missiles.”
“Maintain fire!” ordered P’Mar.
The Swarm Master swiveled his valentine shaped head around to look at Lieutenant Cancorlin in the Scanning Suite. “Any missiles coming in from unexpected vectors?” he asked.
“All missile trajectories are consistent with the observed Kthpok Swarm,” was the immediate report.
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