Striker

by Lexi Ander

  Over the com, Zeus listened to the countdown. "And we will come to a full stop in five ... four ... three ... two ... one."

  As a passenger, Zeus sensed nothing different, but a blinking green dot came to life on the navchart. The overhead vid screen that wrapped around the upper perimeter of the bridge blinked, and the view of space could be seen in all eight directions.

  "Oethra 7, access codes to bay door four have been entered." Zeus would recognize Azaes's voice anywhere. "Be careful, little brother. We will see you planet-side."

  "Brother," he barely forced out.

  "Brother." Azaes and Mestor repeated together.

  "Gaex, once we are cleared of the bay, stay close to the engines. They will hide our heat signature until we break away."

  "Leaving the bay now," Gaex announced.

  The overhead changed, reflecting the switch from The Gorgon's telemetry to the Oethra 7's systems. The hull of The Gorgon skimmed the top of the view screen as Gaex move them into position. The com stayed open, so they overheard the chatter between The Gorgon and any ships they encountered. So far, nothing seemed unusual.

  Red dots began to appear on the navcharts. Ten in all. Zeus breathed out slowly.

  Mestor's voice sounded over the com, his tone brisk and strong. "Galactic Patrol, this is the starship The Gorgon of Atlainticia, requesting permission to approach Valespia's space dock."

  "Prince Zeus." He glanced at Sohm'lan. "Four targets have been identified as satellites: foreign unauthorized units. They are highlighted in yellow on the navigation screen."

  Four of the red dots around the planet of Valespia changed to yellow. Zeus turned his gaze to Europa.

  "They have already leapt to the closest device. I am receiving data now," Europa replied to his unasked question.

  "Four of the vessels have been identified as human battle cruisers, with one vessel of T'Sali origin," Sohm'lan said as he continued to tap on his screen.

  Focused, Zeus pressed his lips together. T'Sali had been with the V'Saar on the boarding party that attempted to take over The Gorgon. How deeply were they involved in this conspiracy?

  When Galactic Patrol failed to respond to Mestor's hail, Mestor tried again. One red dot remained undefined.

  "Why has the last vessel not been identified?" Zeus studied the map. The human ships began to maneuver, heading toward The Gorgon. Could the starcraft withstand an attack from the dissimilar weaponry of the Terren vessels?

  Mestor's voice sounded determined and strong over the com-link. "Identify yourself. Terren battleships are not allowed outside of the Milky Way. Explain!"

  "Prince Zeus." Sohm'lan drew his attention. "The last ship has been identified as Chtichlian. As you can see, it is hidden behind a gas giant. The humans do not seem to be aware of its presence."

  "What are they doing here?" Zeus asked the question aloud, not expecting an answer.

  "Atlaintician vessel The Gorgon, this is Commander Ji Huang-fu. Valespian space is now under the control of Qing-Nian Tech and Baldassare Operations of the Earth-Sun Alliance. Power down your weapons and prepare to be boarded. Any resistance will be met with extreme force."

  Zeus glanced to Europa when she made a noise of disgust. "Arrogant fools," she spat, with more vehemence than Zeus thought the Feteine could feel. They were intelligent, albeit sentient, robots, and this was the first time he had seen one of them express a strong emotion.

  "Your presence here breaks the Twenty-Year War Treaty," Mestor warned.

  "Prince Zeus." Axis pointed to the satellites on a navchart. One yellow light changed to green, then a second.

  "Abechan, use the frequency I gave you and hail my father. Put him on the left screen when you reach him."

  "This is your last warning Gorgon. We will use force if necessary." On the map, the Terren vessels converged on Azaes’s starship.

  The goading tone clear in his voice, Mestor replied, "We are escorting the Fal'Amoric imperial family. I have a feeling you do not want them caught in the crossfire. So no, you will not be using excessive force."

  The left screen flickered, the view of space replaced by the image of Zeus’s father, standing next to a slightly taller male with long, white hair and dark mahogany skin. A pair of stunning wings, seemingly part biotech, flared in the background.

  "Abechan, open a private com-link to Prince Azaes," Zeus commanded before giving his full attention to his father. "Are you well?"

  "The planetary defense grid has not been broken," his father replied.

  Europa moved to stand next to Zeus’s chair, her hands clasped behind her back. Zeus fought not to show how uneasy her nearness made him. "Prince Vipre Des De Vorn, I am Europa Astarte. If you request it, the Feteine will give aid."

  Prince Vipre inclined his head regally. "We would be honored to have your assistance, for it is desperately needed."

  Europa bowed respectfully. "I have already sent word to our fleets."

  "Many thanks."

  "Father," Azaes's voice broke over the com-link. "What do you command?"

  "The people?" their father asked.

  "Are with me. I will bring them planet-side," Zeus replied.

  Abechan interrupted. "Prince Zeus, a psi-tracker is attempting to hack our communications."

  Europa strode to Abechan's control panel. Leaning around Abechan, she pushed and flicked buttons and switches. Within seconds, he had ceded the chair, obviously recognizing her expertise.

  Axis pointed to the navcharts, the movement attracting Zeus’s attention. "Three Atlaintician starships have exited hyperspace." The newly-arrived ships appeared on the map near to where the Chtichlian vessel hid.

  "Atlaintician starship The Gorgon, this is Empress Ashari Vondorian of the starship Medusa. We are at your disposal, son." Zeus grinned at the sound of Meme's voice. His father gave a whistling-hiss, seeming to bristle with pride on the screen.

  "Prince Zeus." He heard the urgency in Axis's voice. "Smaller vessels have appeared: dozens of them. They must have been hiding, because there is no hyper trail. "

  "Mestor, do you see them?" Zeus asked over the com-link.

  "We will try to get as close as possible to the planet, then you must fly, little brother," Mestor replied.

  Zeus glanced back to the screen Prince Vipre. "The Oethra 7 requests permission to come planet-side."

  Prince Vipre frowned. "Captain Dargon Kal-Turak. Where is he?"

  "He is indisposed at the moment, but safe." Zeus flashed his father a hand message. Prince Vipre leaned toward Zeus’s father and listened, keeping his gaze on Zeus, his brow climbing toward his forehead, his cobalt blue eyes becoming round with shock.

  "Are they still with you?" Prince Vipre gazed at Zeus, his eyes narrowing as he looked Zeus over as if seeing him in a new light.

  "Yes, Your Highness."

  "Will Captain Kal-Turak need medical assistance?"

  "I am unsure at this time." The need to be with Dargon and Alpha clawed at him.

  "Your request is granted. Here are your landing coordinates. Medical staff will be on hand should you need them." Gaex repeated back the sequence of numbers. Prince Vipre seemed as if he wanted to say more, but then only tilted his chin before bidding farewell.

  Axis turned to the virtual map and entered the coordinates. "Prince Zeus, we have to break away now or we will be caught in the crossfire between The Gorgon and the Terren fleet."

  Zeus used the com-link. "Mestor, did you hear?"

  "We did. Unfortunately, he is correct. With the appearance of the additional ships, maneuvering will be difficult. We cannot get you closer, but we will attempt to draw them away."

  Zeus’s chest burned. His meme and brothers would be facing the danger while he ran to the safety of the planet. He had not forgotten the Fal'Amoric depended on him, or at that Alpha was currently birthing their young. This was the first time, and probably not the last, when family and duty pulled him in different directions.

  He hated it.

  Drawing a
long breath, he attempted to find the center of calm he needed to still his warring thoughts before he nodded to Axis. "Plot a course."

  "Son, I will see you soon. Be vigilant." The view screen changed to the exterior view when his father disconnected the link.

  Adrenaline rushed through Zeus’s veins, his heart thudding hard within his chest. "Azaes, Mestor, may your enemies be overcome by your might."

  "Be swift. Be sure. May the blood of those who oppose you decorate your sword," his brothers replied in unison.

  "See you planet-side." Zeus cut the com-link after the twins responded in kind, then turned his attention to Axis. "Get us as close as you can without us being spotted. I would like to keep other ships from sneaking through the planet's defense grid behind us."

  On the navchart, the dots representing the Terrens began to split up between the Atlaintician starships. On the overhead screen, Zeus watched as Gaex steered the Oethra 7, hugging The Gorgon until the two ships parted ways, theirs flying straight toward Valespia and The Gorgon moving to engage Terren battleships.

  "Four of the smaller vessels have diverted from intercepting the Gorgon and are headed our way." Axis changed the navcharts to bring the vessels pursuing them into view. The Terren ships were just a little bit larger than the Oethra 7. Two resembled spiny bricks made strictly for battle, if the vessel cannons were any indication. The other two were sleek arrow tips.

  Abechan turned in his chair with a mischievous hint of fang. "Prince Zeus, the humans are hailing us. May I have permission to tell them what they can do with their invasion?"

  A smile cracked Zeus’s lips. "We will maintain radio silence for now." Abechan nodded his acceptance of the order before facing the controls once again.

  "The Terren vessels are gaining." Axis enlarged the picture on the screen.

  Gaex tapped the pilot's control, his hands moving swiftly as they approached the planet and prepared for atmospheric entry. "I have to reduce speed or we will burn up and overshoot our landing site."

  "Warlord Sohm'lan, charge the electromagnetic netting. Release it on my word. Al'haska is manning the turret. He is not to fire until the netting has been released."

  The four ships continued to gain on them, the two with the cannons pulling ahead of the others.

  "Prince Zeus, they are warning that they will shoot," Abechan relayed.

  "The nearest vessel is within netting target," Axis reported.

  "Fire the EM netting," he commanded.

  Everyone, with the exception of Gaex, watched the navchart. The webbing expelled from the Oethra 7's aft and began to unwind, opening up and growing into an umbrella shape before it suddenly snapped out. The lead vessel attempted to steer clear of the trap, but the ship followed too closely and became snagged. The entire vessel glowed as the netting disabled the electrical systems. The craft that moved past the stalled ship was met with turret fire from Al'haska. Points of explosions burst across the battleship. The pursuing vessel was too close to effectively dodge the oncoming fire, not that the small ammo, much like the flurry of a swarm of gnats, would cause much damage.

  On the vidscreen, they could see the wavering image of the shield above Valespia's atmosphere. They had to time their approach and the entry of the access codes precisely. Otherwise, the vessels behind them would slip past the defense screen.

  "Axis?"

  "Entering the codes now." Access granted." Axis's fingers flew over the navigation control board. "Oh, no."

  Before Zeus could inquire, the Oethra 7 shook from an impact. "Report."

  "The battleship attempted to use a magnetic cable to latch onto us. Thankfully, your hull enhancements worked. The device overshot us when it could not lock on," Axis replied.

  "The system is reporting damage to the right aft thruster," Gaex reported.

  "How much?" Zeus could not tear his attention from the screens.

  "The engine capacity is at eighty percent and declining at a rapid rate."

  "Warlord Sohm'lan, are we ready?" Zeus watched as a window opened in the planetary defense shield.

  "On your mark."

  "Axis, give a countdown." The view of the navcharts changed, so the only objects visible were their vessel, the battleship pursuing them, and the shield.

  "In five ... four ... three ... two ..."

  "Mark!" Zeus watched closely to see if the second EM net would catch.

  No sooner than the netting box began to expand, the battleship started drifting to the side. Zeus held his breath. The cable that had damaged the Oethra 7's engine caught on the corner of the rectangular ship. The vessel only partially lit up, blue belts of lightning arching across the hull plating, but the charge was enough, for the ship continued to list and collide with the edge of the planetary shield, cleaving the battleship into two.

  The crew gave excited whoops of joy, but the elation was short lived. The last two ships maneuvered around the splintered battleship and passed through the shield window before it collapsed behind them.

  Abechan immediately opened a communication line. "Valespia Air Patrol, this is the Oethra 7. We are being pursued by two hostile Terren vessels."

  The turret fire began again, peppering the two ships.

  "Oethra 7, this is Valespia Air Patrol, we have a visual. We suggest you take evasive measures to pull out of the line of fire of the ground to air armaments."

  "Right aft thruster at sixty-five percent," Gaex announced.

  "No can do, Air Patrol. We have taken heavy damage," Abechan replied.

  "We are scrambling aircraft to assist you as we speak."

  "Prince Zeus." Gaex's concentration remained on his control panel. "With the engine failing, we are not going to make the landing field."

  "Axis, do you have a surface map?" A hologram appeared, then changed to a three dimensional view.

  "With the calculated reduction of the aft engine, we will be landing somewhere around here." Axis indicated a small, grassy plain lying nestled at the foot of a snowcapped mountain range, the shoreline of the ocean on one side with the remaining two sides against a vast, lowland jungle.

  The original landing strip lay high above the capital city, Haven, on a plateau. The city itself sat nestled in a box canyon with the icy waters of the mountain's glacial melt creating waterfalls on three sides. The galactic capital was comprised of huge waterwheels, glistening blue-green in the setting sun as they flew over. Golden, needle-thin spires overlooked another one hundred manufactured waterfalls, spilling into broad pools shining like polished jewels. The surrounding mountains towered over the beautiful city with their jagged peaks rising all around. The city sprawled down the canyon, until the last of the waterfalls plunged into the ocean.

  Too low to land on the designated platform, they could barely make out the four fighter crafts rising off the ground in a vertical takeoff. They were able to watch on the viewscreen as a volley of ground to air artillery was launched at the two star crafts pursuing them. After several hits, the vessel trailing the furthest behind began to billow dark smoke.

  When the closest ship began to fire on them, Gaex dropped the Oethra 7 low. He then gave a sharp verbal warning before he slowed the vessel dramatically, causing the two Terren ships to blast by them. On the view screen, Zeus watched as four Valespian Air Defense crafts also passed. A heartbeat later, another four buzzed by in pursuit.

  The damaged Terren vessel careened to the left, the ship seeming to list before it lost altitude and disappeared into the forest, a plume of gray smoke rising into the sky moments later.

  The remaining Terren vessel turned. The Air Defense crafts swarmed the starship and blazes of light slashed across the sky like knives, leaving billowing wounds in the cloudless sky. Explosions colored the grey hull with brilliant bits of orange. It appeared the vessel attempted to make a controlled descent but the image was lost when the view screen flickered to the image of a green grassy plain, fenced in by a lush green jungle. The images the screens began to blur slightly as, the view pan
ning from right to left in an ever faster sequence.

  "Right aft engine is at thirty percent," Sohm'lan announced.

  "I can feel it." Gaex did not sound happy. The view of the ground was coming up quickly: too quickly, Zeus thought. "Vertical thrusters engaged; we are coming in too hot."

  The landing jarred Zeus’s teeth, his head smacking the back of the captain's chair. For a moment, his mind froze. His thoughts focused on the kits possibly making their way to Dargon's pouch. Being jostled by the landing would be detrimental to them. The crew began giving reports, pulling Zeus back to the moment. His worries sat in his stomach like a stone.

  "Shutting engines down. Apologies on the landing. We were losing power faster than I could compensate. We came down fast, but the vertical thrusters kept us from crashing. I landed closer to the cliff wall than I planned." Gaex's movements returned to normal speed as he shut down his control panel.

  Sohm'lan unbuckled his restraint belt. "The damaged engine is shutting down correctly. Otho reports all indicators in the engine room read clear. Currently there is no external leakage of bio hazards."

  Zeus released the belt's clasp and drew in a deep breath, his mind cataloguing all they needed to do.

  "Warlord Sohm'lan, please raise my father on a secure communications frequency. Relay to him what happened along with our chosen course of action. Then have the Monticore secure a perimeter outside. Abechan, contact Valespian Air Defense and find out what happened to the last two Terren vessels. If there are survivors, then they could be heading this way. Axis, Gaex, and Europa, get the Fal'Amoric ready to move. There are two shuttles in the hangar bay that can hold five passengers each. We will need to send the younglings and the infirm first. I need someone to calculate the timetable, so I know how long shuttling all of the Fal'Amoric to Haven. Warlord Sohm'lan, the Monticore not assigned to securing the perimeter: send them to help move the Fal'Amoric. I am heading to Dargon's quarters. Abechan, Warlord, report back to me there."

  Zeus left the bridge, confident his orders would be followed. When he exited the lift, the guards were standing outside the captain's quarters as if nothing was amiss. He broke out into a cold sweat and gathered himself together before opening the door to the quarters. Hazy vibrations, not thoughts exactly, leaked through the bond to Zeus, fueling his imagination of what he would find when the door to the cabin opened.