Space Chronicles: The Last Human War

by Dean Sault

“You see, my young friend, we have plenty of water. There is also plenty of food and shelter in the jungle. At night, while you have been sleeping, I have been carefully drinking every drop of dew that runs down these leaves. It takes most of the night to receive enough water for the next day’s travels. Each morning, I have had plenty of water. I simply need a few rest spells during the day, so I am prepared for another night of sipping from the leaves. Look at your hacha. You stripped the leaves off your vines.”

  “Doesn’t that make water your first priority?” Shilgar wasn’t ready to admit defeat.

  “Let me answer your question with a question. Have you seen any water during the day?”

  “No. Dew only settles only at night in the jungle and . . .” Shilgar suddenly understood.

  The senior scout completed his lesson.

  “The world does not conform to our needs. Quite the contrary, young man. If you learn to manage sleep, you will be able to take advantage of opportunities as nature presents them, regardless of the time of day. While you slept, I took water. I can sleep any time, but I can only get water when the jungle provides it.”

  Shilgar took one last look at the sky above Prime Six and slipped into the shallow sleep of a seasoned scout as he waited for genetic material from Dr. Hadje.

  Chapter 35

  General Tragge woke from a restless slumber. In the fog of waking, he dared hope all the recent events might have been a bad dream. Reality quickly set in. He rose with urgency. Something was going to happen, soon. He could feel it.

  The War Room seemed normal, humming with routine sounds and activities as soldiers stood or sat at their stations. All came to attention when the general entered.

  “At ease. What’s the latest on the 9th retreat?” He crossed the room to his command station.

  “We’ve been tracking them between asteroid belts, sir. Admiral Paad is giving the Heps fits. He’s setting active mines right at the edge of each belt. When the Heps come out, they’re getting nailed before they can maneuver. He’s taken out three heavies so far.”

  “Heavies?”

  “Yes, sir. For some reason, Heps are leading with heavies.” Even the low-ranked liaison officer recognized this to be an unusual tactic for space warfare.

  “Do we have an open comm link with Admiral Paad?”

  “No, sir. The 9th is inside the last belt right now. Comm should restore in less than an hour.”

  “Any communications from the 10th and 11th?”

  “Nothing, sir.”

  “Ludic, what’s the status on those shield upgrades for our starships?”

  “We’ve got enough upgrade retrofits in low orbit for all the heavies in the 9th. I’m trying to get more launched now for the 10th and 11th when they get here. It’ll take about an hour to upgrade each heavy, and we can do four heavies at a time.”

  “Good job, Ludic.”

  “General,” a technician called out. “Friendlies are moving back into the gap between asteroid fields one and two. What are they doing, sir? They’ve gotta know the Heps’ll be coming outta that rock field any second. It’s on screen six, sir.”

  The excited technician punched a couple of keys and a large monitor above him filled with a view of space from a relay satellite positioned in the void between the first and second asteroid belts. It showed a dozen Tanarac medium-class warships emerging from the rock field of the first asteroid belt in formation.

  As soon as the ships cleared the last of the space debris, they accelerated across the empty space between the two asteroid belts. It was a strange sight. Mediums never traveled alone. At least one heavy starship and a squadron of Viper fighters usually accompanied them. The satellite camera tracked them as they completed the crossing at full throttle, maintaining a classic three-tiered diamond formation, only with no heavy starship at the center position.

  The squadron throttled back in perfect unison and swung behind a large asteroid just inside the edge of the second belt. They compressed their formation until entirely hidden behind the mountainous space rock.

  “Sir, they powered down completely. Do you want me to contact them?”

  “Negative. That might put them at risk. I have an idea what the admiral is up to.”

  “What’s that, sir?”

  “Buying us time, son. He’s buying us time.” General Tragge spoke with deep respect for the deadly strategy between Admiral Paad and Rotaga.

  “General, a Rahl’s coming outta the second belt.”

  A lone, enemy starship ventured cautiously into open space between the two asteroid fields. It came to a dead stop midway across.

  “I’m detecting a broad spectrum scan, sir. She must be looking for mines.”

  The big ship began moving again, very slowly, toward the final asteroid field protecting the Tanarac home world. A hush came over the War Room.

  On the right side of the view, twelve small Tanarac attack ships huddled silently behind their space rock while the left side of the screen showed the single Heptari warship stopped dead in space just short of entering the last asteroid belt.

  “Sir, Heps are scanning into the edge of the last belt. They aren’t gonna find much with all those rocks in the way.”

  The general encouraged his subordinates.

  “Gentlemen, it looks like Admiral Paad got their attention with his traps. They’re taking precautions now. Very interesting.” General Tragge rubbed his chin. “Heptari commanders are not known for caution. Seems our admiral has gotten into Rotaga’s head.”

  “Sir, they’re sending a narrow-beam signal back into the second asteroid belt.”

  Moments later, the immense enemy fleet began emerging from the tumbling rocks. Heavy starships appeared first, followed by hundreds of smaller military craft of every size and description.

  General Tragge continued his assessment aloud. “They haven’t changed tactics. Still leading with heavies, only with more caution now.”

  The general moved to a position directly behind the technician on Monitor six and watched the entire Heptari fleet move slowly past his concealed Tanarac vessels.

  When it seemed like the space between the two asteroid belts was completely filled with enemy vessels, one last ship came into view. This thing was immense. It dwarfed a nearby Rahl, formerly the largest of the Heptari deep-space class.

  “Prime . . . Skah . . . Rotaga. Welcome to Tanarac,” General Tragge spoke with sarcasm.

  He studied the ship housing his Heptari counterpart. Nothing he had ever seen came close to its size.

  “General, our Kyels are powering up.”

  As quickly as those words filled the room, twelve medium vessels swung out from their hiding place and accelerated at full throttle directly toward the giant command ship. Their cannons blazed at maximum recharge rates, all firing on the same target, the big ship’s communications array.

  Rotaga’s ship began evasive maneuvers, slowly rolling away from the flight of fast attackers. It raised shields, but they were too late. The Kyels got close before the command ship’s shields reached full density, and Tanarac weapons had full effect on their target. Gaping holes appeared in the big ship’s main communication disk. It began to disintegrate. Pieces of metal, ceramic tile, transmission cones . . . all kinds of debris spun off wildly into space. More importantly, the pesky Kyels were inside enemy shields and pressed their attack to full effect.

  Radio chatter between the Tanarac ships sounded across the War Room.

  “Good job, Stinger group! Target one destroyed. Engage target two. Repeat, engage target two. Flight Ekka, you’re on decoy. Flight Nuro, you’re on high cover. Flight Bekaa, you’re with my group, form on my squadron. On my mark, break!”

  Three of the attacking Tanarac ships peeled off from the diamond formation and flew at breathtaking speeds toward the nose of the huge enemy ship. They fired on every target of opportunity—gun positions, command windows, lesser comm arrays, matrix projectors.

  The remaining nine Kyels headed toward the tail
of the big spacecraft. Six of them dropped from formation to fly close to the surface of the big ship. They weaved dangerously between superstructures and gunnery towers while the three remaining fast attack craft followed above in top cover over the same course. Their responsibility was to intercept Heptari fighters in defense of the attack group below.

  “This is Flight Nuro leader, here they come. Shields to max. We’re on top cover so let’s make every shot count.”

  Six Kyels flying below focused their weapons on the large spherical bulge of the command ship’s antimatter reactor. Firepower from all six ships concentrated on a single spot on the large dome while they circled to maintain continuous fire on the target.

  General Tragge watched his brave little ships, taking on impossible odds.

  Heptari fighters correctly saw the threat and ignored the three decoy ships attacking the front of the command ship. Instead, they stayed close to the big mother ship and proceeded at flank speed, going after the growing Tanarac threat to the antimatter chamber.

  Kyels on top cover swooped down in front of the enemy fighters, cutting them off. Shields glowed white hot on both sides as a ferocious exchange of firepower ensued. Some Heptari fighters attempted to bypass the top-cover mediums, but their rear shields were no match for the accurate Tanarac gunners. Several burst into fragments while others, damaged beyond control, spiraled into the side of their own command ship.

  War Room staff stood in awe at the sight.

  “Sir, our guys killed seventeen fighters so far,” a tech said with a touch of optimism.

  Just as he called out the kill tally, three new flights of enemy fighters appeared. The Tanarac top-cover group fought bravely, but soon fell to sheer numbers of attackers.

  Six Tanarac Mediums attacking the primary reactor core now came under direct assault. They already penetrated the outer hull of the dome and were trying to breech the reactor core itself, when Heptari fighters pounced. The group commander rallied his spacers.

  “Maintain fire on the reactor. Ignore the fighters. All fire on the reactor. We gotta blow this thing. We can do it. Maintain fire. She’s cracking—keep it up!”

  One by one, each Kyel fast attack destroyer lost its shields and exploded. Despite intense enemy firepower, not a single Tanarac ship let up in their relentless attempt to breech the antimatter containment chamber.

  Even after the last Kyel lost its main engines, her crew continued firing into the gaping hole they had created until she exploded without completing her mission.

  The decoy squadron harassing the front of the command ship knew their mission was over.

  “Stinger Group Ekka. Break off. Decoy squadron, repeat, break off. Run for the rocks!”

  The three Tanarac decoy ships at the nose of the Heptari ship headed for safety of the nearby second asteroid belt.

  During the battle, a Cosh-class, heavy cruiser had maneuvered close to the command ship to offer support. It could not do much while the Tanarac ships were under Rotaga’s shields, but, when the Kyels exited protection surrounding the enemy flagship, the cruiser opened fire.

  A single blast from its main cannon obliterated two of the small Heptari ships instantly. The third tumbled slowly in space, its engines damaged beyond function but shields still intact. The ship’s commander requested contact with the Heptari cruiser.

  “Heptari ship. Heptari ship. This is Tanarac Ekka Group leader. We surrender. Repeat, we surrender under terms of Galactic Law. Please acknowledge.”

  The Heptari vessel slowed to a stop near the immobile Kyel.

  “Tanarac ship. Drop your shields. Prepare to be boarded.” The Heptari voice crackled through the translator.

  “Complying.”

  On General Tragge’s monitor, a lighted area around the Tanarac ship showed the Kyel’s protective field. It suddenly blinked off as the small ship’s commander obeyed instructions to drop shields in accordance with Galactic Rules of Engagement.

  “Heptari ship. Our shields are down. We depressurized aft loading bay for boarders.”

  In a brilliant flash, the Heptari ship vaporized the defenseless Kyel.

  The mood in the War Room ranged from stunned silence to seething anger. Everyone came to the same frightening realization. Galactic Law no longer protected Tanarac. A firm resolve settled over the War Room.

  “Sir! Admiral Paad’s ship is exiting Belt One. He’s on the comm.”

  “What’s your status, Lorm?”

  “We’re slowing them down, but it’s tough out here. Any word on the 10th and 11th?”

  “Not yet. We expect them soon. We’ve got shield retrofits to improve survivability. Send your heavies directly to space dock as soon as they clear the field.”

  “We’re in the middle of a war. I don’t have time to put my capital ships in space dock!”

  “Calm down, Lorm. We’re only talking a couple hours. You’ll have your ships back before Rotaga’s forces get here.”

  “How the hell are you gonna do shield overhauls in two hours?”

  “Let us worry about that. We have good people down here. They’ve busted their asses to get this ready for you. Now, get your damn capital ships into space dock. That’s an order!”

  General Tragge respected his friend, but this was not the time for debate.

  “Yes, sir,” the admiral responded indignantly. His comm remained open while he relayed the command to his heavy ship pilots. When the frustrated admiral returned to the conversation, his tone of voice was more subdued.

  “Byn, do you have any intel on a group of mediums I sent into ring sector two? I set a little ambush for their command ship.”

  “They did one hell of a job. Heps never saw them coming.”

  The general described the enemy ship damage to the admiral.

  “I’m afraid none of your guys made it.”

  “They all volunteered,” the admiral said. “Knew it was a one-way mission. They were only supposed to take out the Hep comm array unless they saw a better target. I guess they wanted more. They were good spacers.”

  “Yes, they did a great job. Completely destroyed the comm matrix and almost got the flagship’s reactor core. Send me the rosters for those ships. I’ll make sure they are nominated for the Vaal-al Book of Honor.”

  “Thanks, Byn.”

  Again, the admiral left his channel open while he relayed the general’s directions to his staff. Then, he resumed discussion about the retrofit.

  “My heavies are en route to your docks. How much can we expect in shield upgrade?”

  General Tragge made eye contact with Ludic to confirm his statements.

  “I’m told at least forty percent. I know it’s not a lot, but it will improve your survival odds until reinforcements arrive.”

  Ludic motioned to the general to get his attention.

  “Hang on a minute, Lorm. What Ludic?”

  “Sir, if the Admiral’s commanders are willing to reduce field extension by half, they can double overall shield strength.”

  “You hear that, Lorm?”

  “Yeah, but if I reduce shield extension, won’t my engines be exposed?”

  Ludic presumed to answer the admiral directly.

  “Yes, sir, but your helmsman can let you know if any threat develops to the rear, and you can restore normal field extension to protect the engines. I admit it’s risky, sir, but it’ll protect your weapons and reactor core from those big Hep cannons.”

  “Alright, set them up with standard field extension, and give my ship commanders the ability to compress shields on command. Is this stuff proven?”

  “Uh, no. It’s all theory, sir.” Ludic sounded apologetic.

  “Oh, that’s just great!” The admiral’s voice rose. “We’re about to fight the most important battle in the last three hundred years, and I’m working with a bunch of experimental crap.”

  General Tragge jumped to Ludic’s defense.

  “This guy is good. He saved the planet during the first Hep attack. Besides, if
I recall, weren’t those mines you used yesterday experimental?”

  “Point taken,” the admiral conceded. “Speaking of mines, do you still have satellite access in the second corridor?”

  “Heps haven’t found the one we used to watch your Kyels attack the command ship.”

  “Turn it toward the last asteroid field. Watch the fireworks.”

  General Tragge’s satellite tech panned the camera per the admiral’s instructions.

  “We’re seeing a bunch of Hep ships in holding formations. Your guys did a good job on their central command links. I think you’ve gotten into Rotaga’s head.”

  “Keep an eye on that first asteroid belt,” the admiral said. “I figure we’ve frustrated them pretty good by now. If I’m right, Rotaga will try to make up some time after they fix their command ship array. By the way, I set some mines for the Heps a few belts back. Figured they might lead with their heavies since we couldn’t hurt those ships in the first engagement. I was hoping we might thin em out a little. Did you guys get any results?”

  “My people tell me you took out three heavies.”

  “Great. I think they’ll stop leading with heavies now. It’s too risky, so I left some light ships inside the asteroid field. We’re gonna get a few more heavies when they come through.”

  “How are light ships going to take out anything that big?” General Tragge appreciated the admiral’s ingenuity, but matching light ships against heavies was a bit of a stretch.

  “We can’t use space mines near the planet, so I dumped the fleet’s entire mine inventory inside the asteroid field.”

  General Tragge reacted angrily. “You know that’s a violation of—”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know the drill. It’s a violation of the Galactic Rules of Engagement, but we can’t beat these lizards unless we’re willing to jump in the mud with them.”

  “Won’t they detect your minefields and stay out of range?”

  “Nope. That’s where my small ships come into play. Space mines are only detectable when they’re actively scanning, so I turned them all off. They’re totally inert, just a few more tumbling rocks to any sensor. I’ve got one Bak assigned to each minefield. They’re on visual protocol, completely powered down. They’ll let small ships pass, but if any heavies get within range of the mines, my pilots will power up the local field. For every heavy we nail inside the belt, our odds get better. You guys are gonna see some fireworks when their heavies start moving into that last rock field. My flagship’s about to dock for that shield overhaul. Got to go.”