Space Chronicles: The Last Human War

by Dean Sault

  “That was close. We’re almost through the shield.” Simon kept everyone informed. “Doc, Vipers all over the place up here.”

  “Use Tanarac’s shield for our protection. Stay close to the shield and duck into it every time a fighter gets too close.”

  Simon made several evasive course changes, as he flew dangerously close to the first planetary shield with hull polarity in absorption mode. Several times, he slowed, suspended polarity and dropped into the shield as his only safe way to avoid impact. As soon as he re-emerged, he pushed velocity as high as he dared, easily outrunning trailing space fighters.

  “Doc, we’re faster than the Vipers, but there’s so many of them we’re trapped next to this shield. I can’t get deeper into space.”

  Dr. Boroski knew he had to calm his pilot.

  “You’re doing a great job. We’ll be able to make a run for the next shield shortly. Be patient and just keep doing what you’re doing until the right opportunity develops.”

  As predicted, the nearest Viper soon blinked out of sight on the trailing horizon. Simon did not need further instructions as he took the initiative to make a run for the second shield.

  They were on the dark side of the planet now and nearby space appeared especially black and ominous.

  The holo-scientist kept up his encouragement.

  “Excellent, young man. We’re approaching the second shield. After we penetrate it, there will be another flight of Vipers on the far side and one final shield to penetrate. You can use the same approach on this group as you used on the last. Remember, be patient and stay close to the second shield until we have a clear path to the top force field.”

  When the human ship passed through the second protective barrier, they found the entire Tanarac fleet on the other side. Some warships were immense, bigger than anything the Simon could have imagined.

  Vipers closed on them from every direction while he followed his now familiar tactic, accelerating past a half dozen fighters, only to duck into the safety of the planetary shield when rockets approached.

  These fighters fired particle beam volleys in addition to rockets. Energy weapon pulses simply vanished into the hull of the human ship, just as Dr. Farnthal predicted.

  Simon brought his vessel around the planet to the sun side. He thought he saw a break in Viper coverage, and, without hesitation, changed course upward toward the final shield.

  The human spacecraft accelerated so fast his passengers passed out. Even the rugged Kerl-Ga got lightheaded from the maneuver.

  Dr. Boroski saw the danger first.

  “It’s a trap!”

  “I see it. I’ll get back down to the second shield.”

  Again, the young pilot made extreme course changes trying to avoid a dozen Vipers that suddenly dropped down from hiding within the sensor-blinding top shield.

  “Doc, there’s more!”

  Another ten Vipers emerged from the shield below cutting off all paths to safety. They were caught between two fighter forces with no avenue of retreat.

  Rockets came at them from multiple directions. Simon used his extraordinary spatial skills to dodge one rocket after another but the situation became desperate.

  “Tanarac ships, Tanarac ships . . . we surrender. Stop firing on us.”

  Simon continued avoiding rockets while waiting for an answer to his offer of surrender. The time had come for them to accept the obvious.

  The attack stopped.

  “Human ship, come to a dead stop.”

  Simon complied, bringing his craft to a complete stop midway between the second and third planetary shield. Several Viper squadrons took sentry positions orbiting the human ship while others closed off every possible path for escape.

  A giant deep space warship settled in above them.

  “Human ship, this is Viper squadron commander, Tal Jand. We are waiting for instructions from command. Do not move from your position.”

  Dr. Boroski spoke slowly.

  “Thank you for your efforts, son. We were close, very close indeed, but you made the right decision. There was too much risk to continue. Follow Tanarac instructions, and, when you reach their base, select a place to land as far as possible from any buildings. I will restrict access to this command bridge while Kelly restores our passengers from stasis.”

  The newest human pilot listened to the hologram but continued to watch the nearby Vipers. He was ready. If they left him an opening, even for a split second, it was all he needed. The doctor may have thought Simon had given up, but he was mistaken. The hologram had yet to see the young man’s full strength of will. Quitting was never in his character.

  Dr. Boroski continued discussing preparations for an impending surrender.

  “When the ship is empty, I will erase the database and initiate a self-destruct sequence. Please warn the Tanaracs about this process. I do not wish to harm them, but I cannot allow this technology to get into anyone else’s hands. It has been a pleasure knowing you.”

  Vipers circled the human ship as if waiting to feast on a kill. Simon continued watching for a weakness in their coverage until Dr. Boroski’s last comment sank into his consciousness.

  “Erase the database? Won’t that end your program, too?” The old hologram had become his friend. “Why can’t you just destroy critical data without ending your program?”

  “I’m afraid there is no choice. Research that went into this vessel is an integral part of my memories. This technology must be destroyed to prevent reverse engineering. Even though I am only a hologram, I, too, have developed a fondness for you. I never envisioned having feelings when I created this program.”

  “There’s gotta be another way.”

  Vipers circling the human ship suddenly began departing. Whole groups peeled out of formation simultaneously, leaving one lone fighter sitting directly in front of the human ship.

  “Striker Twelve, do you read?”

  It was a deeper electronic voice, not like that of the pilot in the nearby Viper.

  Simon responded cautiously. “Uh, yeah. This is Simon of Striker Twelve. Who is this?”

  “Hello, pilot. That was a good bit of flying you just did. I’m impressed. If you ever need a job, call me. I could use more pilots like you.”

  “Who is this?” Simon asked. Even Dr. Boroski cocked his head wondering who this was.

  “This is General Tragge . . . Byn Tragge. It has come to my attention you are a human ship. That true?”

  “Yes, sir. We don’t mean any harm. We’re just trying to get into space, so we can find a new home world.”

  “I know. Hadje just told me. I called off our fighters, and you’re free to leave any time you want, but I’m not sure it’s such a good idea. There’s a whole fleet of angry lizards out there, and they don’t much care for humans. You might want to stay and join us in this fight.”

  “Thank you, General, but we’ll take our chances in space.” He carefully avoided revealing the secret technology of the human ship.

  “I hope you know you’re committing suicide,” the general said angrily.

  “We know it’ll be dangerous, but we think we can make it. Besides, we are free, and can never return to captivity.”

  “Look kid, we can work out that captivity nonsense later. Right now, I’ve got a lot more important things to do than argue with a stubborn human. Suit yourself. You’re welcome to return, or go kill yourselves. I really don’t give a damn! We’re sending you the coordinates for the return. Take em or leave em. Tragge, out.”

  Simon looked at Dr. Boroski in stunned silence.

  The remaining Viper peeled off toward the big Tanarac deep space cruiser nearby, leaving the small human vessel alone, dead in space.

  “What are you waiting for?” the hologram said. “We’ve got a free pass. Use it.”

  Chapter 47

  The Tanarac general wasted no more time worrying about the human craft. He looked at the monitors in his War Room.

  Rotaga knows he can defeat u
s in a straight space battle, he thought. He also knows a stalemate cannot be avoided if my forces remain under our protective cloak. Rotaga, you risked, and lost, three deep-space heavies trying to create that open space fight. You’re desperate.

  General Tragge tapped his finger on his armrest as he thought.

  “Ludic, what’s the status on those light ships?”

  “They’re outfitted, sir, and holding in sun-side orbit.”

  “Get me Admiral Klav with the 11th.”

  The general transferred fleet command to the admiral and briefed his new senior space officer about the secret plan.

  “We’re hoping to disable that flagship with those fast attack light ships.”

  “I understand, sir.” The admiral offered his own assessment. “We can win if we can get that command ship out of action. I’ll stage the diversion attack from the southern hemisphere. Good luck.”

  General Tragge set the human-inspired plan in motion.

  The entire Tanarac fleet began maneuvering above the southern hemisphere of the planet. The general wondered if, three hundred years before, his human counterpart felt the same apprehension when he ran this gambit against Heptari forces.

  Rotaga’s fleet remained at a safe distance but mirrored the Tanarac shift of position to the south. In doing so, two of their capital ships moved away from the big command ship. The general directed the specially equipped light ships to leave orbit on the sun side of the planet.

  On cue, the entire Tanarac fleet rose through the upper shield and rushed directly toward the nearest capital ships of the Heptari fleet.

  Enemy commanders seemed perplexed by the sudden act of aggression. They instinctively formed a classic Heptari defense perimeter around Rotaga’s command ship. It consisted entirely of their heaviest Rahl warships. Only Cosh cruisers maneuvered to meet up-rushing attackers.

  Heptari ships turned to fire their deadly heavy cannons directly into the lead ships. Tanarac vessels with enhanced shields absorbed the cannon fire without damage. As they passed the first of the exposed enemy cruisers, they unleashed a barrage of particle beams into enemy shields. No vessel on either side suffered serious damage.

  The second wave of Tanarac ships closed quickly on the Cosh cruisers while the first wave circled for a second attack run. With the Rahls guarding Rotaga’s command ship, Tanarac forces enjoyed numeric superiority in a battle for the first time.

  After several attack exchanges, an enemy cruiser began listing out of formation with damage to its propulsion system. Three Tanarac ships sensed its vulnerability and closed in for the kill. Multiple onboard fires filled the enemy ship, and it stopped maneuvering.

  Heavier Rahl class warships remained out of the fight, despite growing success of the Tanarac fleet. Only after a third Cosh cruiser exploded from concentrated Tanarac firepower, did Rotaga realize he had no choice but to commit his more powerful Rahls to the battle.

  At first, only a couple of Rahl’s left the command ship to join the fight. One circled the space battle in classic Heptari strategy to cut off retreat by enemy ships.

  The general watched his monitors closely as several more big starships left screening duties to join the space battle. In every instance, they maneuvered in such a way as to attack the rear of the Tanarac vessels. The general’s worst fear became reality. Heptari gunners knew the primary vulnerability of the new shield configurations.

  Rahls quickly disabled two Tanarac heavies on their first pass and finished the job on a subsequent attack run.

  Admiral Klav adjusted fleet tactics to take advantage of superior speed and maneuverability of his ships. They attacked enemy vessels from the rear, avoiding direct exposure to the deadly Heptari cannons.

  Rotaga countered with formations allowing them to cover each other’s flank using overlapping fields of fire. Battle tactics fell into a classic standoff of power versus speed.

  “Get me, Admiral Klav. Ludic, what’s the status on the Fir and Palb?”

  “Sir, fusion mines are activated for impact detonation. Just say the word.”

  “Has the last Rahl left the command ship?”

  Another officer answered. “Yes, sir. The command ship is alone.”

  “Klav here.”

  “Admiral, see if you can hold out for ten more minutes. We’re springing the trap.”

  “Sorry, sir, we need to break off now. They figured out our shield mods, and they’re targeting our engines from staggered picket formations. We can’t maneuver. My ships are reporting serious shield degradation. Request permission to pull back while I still have a fleet.”

  “Permission granted.”

  Monitors showed Tanarac ships disengaging with slower Heptari warships in pursuit.

  “Status.” General Tragge needed to know how many ships this ruse cost him.

  “Sir, three enemy Cosh class destroyed or disabled. We lost two heavies and two are struggling to make it back. The admiral is using the fleet to cover the two damaged ships. Sir,” the young officer pointed to the monitor showing the lone Rahl guarding the retreat path, “our guys still have to get past that ship.”

  Chapter 48

  “Prime Skah, Rotaga. The enemy is fleeing. We destroyed two ships and heavily damaged two more. At this rate, they will soon run out of capital ships. Our enemy is disorganized. This might be a good time to attempt another shield penetration.”

  “I agree.” Rotaga saw the opportunity too. “Direct the fleet to attack Tanarac shield arrays.”

  A nearby crewman called out, “Prime Skah, two light ships, approaching our stern.”

  “What armaments do they have?”

  The Heptari leader stepped over to look at his technician’s monitor.

  “We are detecting standard weapons but their shields are unusually strong. They might be planning to ram us, sir.”

  “They’ll be crushed when they hit our shields at those speeds,” Rotaga said as he returned to his command seat. “If they slow to pass through our protection, they can be destroyed when they drop defenses for field penetration. They are too small to be of any threat to my flagship.”

  Rotaga’s tactical officer relayed his commander’s orders and personally took control of the weapons console.

  The small ships approached gunnery range, but proved to be elusive targets, changing course often while remaining just outside the command ship’s shield. As they reached the center of the big ship’s stern, both small vessels made an abrupt turn, flying directly up the thrust wake of two giant engines. The tactical officer ordered his tail gunners to destroy the pesky ships.

  One shot after another dissipated harmlessly off nose shields of the small ships.

  “Prime Skah, our tail gunners are unable to penetrate their shields.”

  Rotaga took three long strides to reach the weapons monitor. At first, he was not concerned.

  “They will be destroyed when they hit our shields. If they slow to penetrate the field, they will have to drop their shields. Then, your gunners can destroy them.”

  The Heptari leader watched two small ships decelerate to penetrate the command ship shields when a nearby soldier called out a warning.

  “Sir! Sensors detect extremely high levels of radiation from the cargo holds on both vessels. It is consistent with old-style fusion bombs.”

  Rotaga recognized the threat immediately.

  “Starboard, full throttle. Recall one Rahl. Gunnery center, make sure you destroy them when they drop shields.”

  The gunnery captain maintained a running monologue for the Prime Skah.

  “Sir, engaging our shields, now. Preparing to fire as they exit. Exiting—fire!”

  The first of the small attacking ships vanished in a brilliant fireball, as it and its deadly cargo vaporized. The second ship was nowhere to be seen. Rotaga thought it may have been destroyed in the secondary explosion from the first ship’s fusion mines.

  Suddenly, the second Tanarac vessel burst out of the center of the fireball, its shields at fu
ll power. It rapidly accelerated toward one of the huge ship’s tail thrusters.

  “Destroy it!” Rotaga demanded.

  Heptari gunners hit the small ship in a steady stream of particle beam blasts, but enhanced Tanarac shields did their job. The vessel vanished into the cavernous right main thruster of the big command ship. Several tense moments passed, when the entire command ship shuddered from detonation of fusion mines. One main engine shattered into a spray of space rubble.

  Rotaga raged. He threatened to take the heads of all his tail gunners. Then, he turned his wrath on the command deck personnel. No one dared speak. Finally, Rotaga settled into his command chair, fuming at his setback.

  “Get me a damage estimate. Recall the fleet. Raise the Tanarac commander.”

  Chapter 49

  “General Tragge, the Heptari commander is haling you.”

  A gruesome reptilian head appeared above the War Room holo-pad.

  “Tragge, you are a worthy adversary. It is too bad you are not Heptari. I could use a subordinate like you. I will spare your head if you surrender now. Your foolish attack on my command ship produced minor damage. We both know, you have nothing to compare with the power of this vessel. I am giving you one last chance to end this conflict. If you force me to attack again, I will use the full power of this flagship to incinerate your planet.”

  “What’s the matter, Rotaga? Are the Royals going to have your head if you lose any more ships? I intend to give them good reason. You can’t defeat us. Why don’t you take your slimy friends, and go back to Heptari while you still have your head?”

  General Tragge knew Heptari culture. Rotaga would be disgraced and killed if he lost. If he won, he could be elevated to the royal house. The Tanarac general hoped against all expectation that there might be a middle ground. Otherwise, this would be a fight to the death.

  “I doubt the royal Codae will reward you,” the general continued, “for delivering a burned out planet and losing most of your fleet. They will probably take your head, even if you win.”