by Chris Burton
Commander Jacques said virtually nothing in the two hours and twenty minutes since they departed, almost as if he was listening out himself for the slightest sign that something was amiss. The journey so far had been free from difficulty. This was about to change.
Jake shifted forward on his seat as his scanners started blinking rapidly. The Patrol ship in sector two just picked something up long range. It was right at the maximum scanning distance, meaning it was tens of millions of kilometers away and yet still within range of the Kryl’s sophisticated scanning systems. Jake waited for confirmation.
“Possible sighting of Kryl fleet, one hundred plus vessels, sector two, grid reference 37AF. Verifying with fleet command…confirmed.”
The order from the Accura came through seconds later: course change, fifteen degrees to starboard, vector point seven three zero.
“Helm, Make it so. Our luck just ran out. They will have us on their scanners. Let’s go to condition blue. By my reckoning ,we have about an hour with the course change…still a long way short of safety.”
* * * *
It took the Kryl just forty-eight minutes to locate, lock on, and catch the Alpha Task Force. Admiral Hoskins gave the order to maintain, as the Kryl fleet came into range. He wanted the fleet to stay connected for as long as possible. The tactic failed just minutes later as hundreds of swarming Kryl fighters surrounded them.
“Take the fleet out of light speed. Battle stations and engage the Kryl. Launch one thousand Rapier and one hundred Sabres. This is it Admiral Shenke, your forecast engagement was virtually spot on. Now, let’s see if your prediction of our success comes true.”
Chapter Sixty-Four
The Presidential Bunker
Roslyn felt as if all his powers had been removed from him. Yet, the burden of responsibility suddenly became much greater. He finally and reluctantly agreed to let go of the reigns just twelve hours before as his chief aide led him to the elevator and to the three hundred meter subterranean bunker. Here he could exist and still run the ECG for an indefinite period. The reality was rather different. There was no communication available at present—a necessary precaution in the early hours of transferring to the bunker according to the security chief and the only elevator entrance was sealed up. It felt like a tomb.
The decision to enter the bunker was finally made because despite the pending arrival of Alpha’s Contingency fleet, the battle on Earth had run its course. Safrec was said to be fuming that the ECG and Alpha had done nothing to stem the tide of the unofficial pitch battles that constantly challenged and killed large numbers of Kryl. Overall, their impact would not change the outcome, but drones were being killed. Safrec had given the order to take both the Presidential Palace and Alpha’s Admiralty building by storm. That was thirty-six hours ago and, as yet, no attack had been made on the Palace.
Roslyn grew impatient. He sent Carla Stevenson to visit the Queen just hours before the rumors of Safrec’s discontent had started and he had heard nothing. He wanted to get back to the surface to see whether any of those rumors were true and to check that Carla had arrived safely. While he had grown quite close to her in recent months; his major concern was the ability to keep the diplomatic process going and Carla’s link to the Queen was critical. It may have even been the reason why the planned attack of the Palace had not been made. His mood changed a little when his chief aide entered.
“Good news. The comms are back up and I can confirm that the Palace security remains intact.”
“Excellent. Then we can get back to the surface. Have security started to remove the barricade?”
“No…the chief remains insistent that we stay down here. We have comms, we just can’t go anywhere.”
“The chief is not the man in charge; I am! Get him to come and see me immediately.”
“He is already waiting outside to see you.”
“Then send him in. Thanks, Kate.”
Special Forces Colonel Chad Balchovik entered. He had been the Presidential Security Chief ever since Roslyn came to power and he knew how far he could push. He suspected the President would not be happy with his security arrangements.
“Why are the barricades not down? We have security here; we need to have access to the surface. I am not even sure we need to be down here at all now.”
“Sir, the threat to you office is intact. The fact no attack has been made yet is probably a smoke screen. They know you will go to ground and want to force you back out. To substantiate this, I have just heard that the Admiralty building was stormed yesterday, some twenty-four hours after the rumors started. We have to err on the side of caution at least for the next twenty-four hours.”
“As always Chad, you are doing your job well…but, I want to be on the surface now. I will take this face-on. Please remove the barricades.”
“I would not be doing my job properly, sir, if I agreed to that. You can order me to comply, but I urge you to remain down here for just a little longer until I can confirm that there is no imminent threat. Remember, we have had no comms too, which means we are still receiving updates on security issues”
Roslyn slumped down in his chair defeated. Yes, he could make an order, but the chief had a point. “Okay, one day more and that’s it. Keep me abreast of other developments.”
The security chief saluted and exited, passing Kate Jones as she walked back in. She waited for the door to close and then sighed before she spoke.
“We have just had an unofficial report advising that the Kryl have destroyed a large Alpha fleet and that Admiral Martin has been killed…there is no word on Admiral Hoskins.”
“Is the source credible?”
“We are still verifying. This does not mean the whole fleet has been destroyed. Some of the ships and their charges could still get through.”
“Let’s hope so. Any word from Carla Stevenson?”
“Nothing as yet.”
This could turn out to be a very bad day, he thought.
* * * *
The Kryl Queen was in her sanctuary. She just returned from her private quarters, where she and Sorgan spent the night together.
She felt invigorated and powerful and was buoyed by the news that the missing Alpha fleet had just been engaged by Commander Tourak. Alpha were outnumbered and would soon be defeated and Sorgan had just been dispatched to join his ship, which would join the other Malchian vessels in the Earth’s Solar corridor. There was no prospect of the radiation getting through. Carla Stevenson had been waiting for her when she arrived.
“Ah, Carla. I trust you enjoyed the hospitality we provided for you again and that your sleep was comfortable. I am pleased that you have agreed to stay with us during these transitional times.”
“Let’s be honest. You did not exactly give me much choice. I do need to remind you that I am here firstly in a diplomatic capacity and I must be allowed to leave today to update the President on your position.”
“You are my guest and my friend, first and a diplomat, second. I am afraid that matters on the ground have deteriorated to such an extent that you are actually safer here. I will arrange for a shuttle to transport you back to President Roslyn to update him; perhaps tomorrow. In the mean time, you must avail yourself of our facilities. I can provide you with drones—male or female—for your pleasure to help you pass away the time when we are not together.”
Carla was angry but tried not to show it. She had to maintain her diplomatic face.”You know full well I am not interested in the other services on offer. I prefer to leave today and return tomorrow. I need to refresh my clothes and carry out a few personal chores.”
“We are at war and personal matters become less important at such times, don’t they? I am sure tomorrow will be fine. In the mean time we have much to discuss.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
The Thru-Space Battle
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br /> The dog fight started with Rapier and Sabre engaging the Kryl at will, spread over a wide theatre, surrounding the two fleets. The Kryl Commander Tourak had learned from previous skirmishes that to defeat Alpha’s Jump Ships; you needed to outnumber the Rapier by at least two to one. Once the Rapiers numbers had diminished they could take care of the Sabres. He had though not anticipated how many Jump Ships the enemy had in this small fleet. With less than seventy Battle Cruisers, they had sent out close on fifteen hundred vessels and this was against his own rather limited supply of ten thousand fighters. They still had the numerical advantage though and they would make it pay.
* * * *
Onboard the Halo 7, the ship was taking a pounding, sitting as it did at the front of the fleet. The CAG had released all the Rapiers in one go, but had once again held back on deploying the correct ratio of Sabres to protect the less agile Jump Ships. It was beginning to tell. Lieutenant Commander Rogers was looking closely at his numbers. He had seventeen Rapiers and six Sabres on sorties, with a further eight Rapiers either at launch pad or in the repair bays The four remaining Sabres lay untouched in the rear hanger bay. Seven of the Rapiers currently engaged were badly damaged and if he brought them in now, there would be no repair bays for them. He had no choice but to fully open the rear bay for repairs, which meant he would have to send out the remaining Sabres. He needed some help and he called for Jake Carter to join him.
* * * *
Jake arrived swiftly and was relieved to hear that Rogers wanted him to CAG the rear bay, meaning he had free will to run the bay as he saw fit. As he made his way down the main ships corridor; he heard the Halo 7’s shields taking a punishing. Surely the shields can’t last long like this. Much longer and The Halo will be the first real victim in this battle.
Jake was the last of the allotted CAG crew to arrive at the rear bay. The four Sabre pilots followed him in and directly into the Pre-Flight room.
“Ladies, gentlemen. Okay, your job is simple—protect the Rapiers and allow them to target the Kryl. If you are in a position to target, take it. Usual rules apply. Come in if you have any damage to the main fuselage, wings or radiation leakage and if you comms system goes down. Limit your run to ninety-minutes and don’t use up all your ammo on one target. Keep safe and bring yourselves and your ship back in one piece. Any questions? Good best of luck. Off you go.”
Jake watched as the four pilots climbed up into their Sabre 4’s and one by one they launched through the access tubes into thru space. The fastest and newest variant; they proved a formidable Jump Ship and one which the Kryl learned to fear the most. These guys are fortunate. Unless pilot error came into play, they will stand a better chance than many of coming back alive. Under normal circumstances he would envy them…but not today. He had bigger fish to fry.
He was brought quickly back to reality as the first of three Rapiers were then cleared through the access tubes and into the repair bays. A medical team stood by for two of the pilots, one of whom was whisked away quickly to the medical center on an automated hover stretcher. Jake had a quick flash back of his own Jump Ship accident.
It all seemed like such a long way away now, before the war had started, before he had even graduated. Then he thought of Steve Costello, for years his best friend, from whom he had stolen Carla and who had then lost his own life in the battle to save the Earth from invasion by the Kryl. It had all been in vane, but maybe, just maybe they could put that right today.
For now, the launch capture and relaunch was all going smoothly in the rear hanger bay and Jake was able to concentrate on the status board. He could start to receive damaged Jump Ships or the first of those coming in at the end of their allotted shift.
* * * *
Back on the Halo 7, Bridge, Jean-Luc Jacques was concerned with the shield status. With the Jump Ships and the Kryl fighters involved in one massive fracas, both Alpha and the Kryl cruiser commanders were targeting their opposite numbers. This is where the battle would ultimately be won or lost, as over time shields finally depleted and enemy plasma fire penetrated the ships themselves. The Halo remained an obvious target, but forward shield levels stood at less than twenty-five percent. He would have to make a decision soon.
“Looks like we have broken through the shields of the lead Kryl ships Jean-Luc. Now the battle can really start.”
“What’s the PBA status?”
“Charging in two minutes. We ought to look at bolstering the forward shields. They are now at twenty-two percent.”
“Let’s get the next PBA charge deployed first. How are our Jump ships?”
A huge explosion rocked the ship, another direct hit on the frontal shields from one of the Kryl cruisers largest plasma cannons and then a further just five seconds later, delayed the XO’s response.
“Shields now at seventeen percent. We cannot take another hit like that Jean-Luc. We have to consider moving back…”
“We have to take a few knocks to make progress. Number One, how are those Jump Ships?”
“I have asked the CAG for an update…I should go down in person to take a look.”
Jacques was about to tell the XO, he needed him here, but he saw the expression on Huber’s face and realized if he lost it now, he could take the rest of the bridge crew with him.
“Go. Get back here ASAP.”
The first officer left leaving Jacques on his own, with no other senior bridge officer available. This was not as it should be, but if his XO couldn’t hack it; he was better off elsewhere. A series of further explosions rocked the Halo 7 from side to side. This was not good.
“PBA charged…”
“Fire at will and recharge. Shield status.”
The reply came, but Jacques did not hear it as the huge PBA array charged and ready, deployed its plasma discharge directly into the foredeck of the lead Kryl cruiser. It was enough to finish her off.
“Shields?”
“Eight percent, sir.”
“Recharge PBA. Helm bring us about and into the body of the fleet and get those shields back up.”
It was too late. A series of explosions hammered into the fore section of the Halo just below the Bridge parapet. The shields failed immediately and a huge explosion engulfed the bridge and its five occupants.
* * * *
“The Halo 7 just took a huge hit, sir.”
“Ship to ship…”
“No response, sir.”
“Keep trying and pull two cruisers in front of her. She is too good a ship to loose.”
“We are making an impact Jonathan.”
“I know, Thomas. We now need to force our advantage. I am going to move the fleet into a parallel column formation. I know that is not what you would do; but if it was good enough for Nelson in Trafalgar, it’s good enough for me.”
Hoskins knew Shenke would not approve. The former fleet commander preferred the tightly packed fleet administering its payload evenly, but staying together as a unit. That strategy had played its part in this battle, but he needed to move things on. By now word would have spread to the larger Kryl fleet in the solar system and to the Malchians. He needed to avoid them at all costs.
“I don’t agree Jonathan. It’s way too early to start breaking out sections of this fleet. We must allow the Jump Ships to gain the upper hand.”
“With respect, time is not on our side and we need to make an impact. I am making the order.”
He waited for Shenke to protest, knowing as the senior officer, he could override Hoskins’s order, if he chose to. He did not and Hoskins made the order. Fifteen of the lead battle cruisers formed in to a column, with the other active vessels, behind and to the left. A third column of reserve ships, including the radiation vessels and the Halo 7 sat further behind, but protected by the second column. The fleet started to advance to the right flank of the Kryl armada.
“Deploy maximum payload to side plasma weapon banks and move PBA’s to the new coordinates. How many Jump Ships do we have in reserve?”
“Five hundred and seventy.”
“Launch four hundred. They need to start getting in amongst the Kryl fleet and breaking them up. Thomas, can you coordinate this?”
“Of course, Jonathan.” Secretly Admiral Shenke was admiring Hoskins’ stance. This would certainly bring the battle to the Kryl…if it worked.
* * * *
Jake Carter had tried to contact both Commander Huber and the bridge for the last few minutes and there was no response. He knew the Halo was out of immediate danger, but something had happened. He could sense it. He looked around and for now everything appeared to be under control and the junior CAG officer, Lieutenant Hui could cope. He needed to get back up ship.
“You have the CAG, Hui. I’ll be back once I have made contact with the main hanger bay.”
Jake sprinted up the main corridor. He knew something was wrong. As he passed the corridor that lead to the main Hanger Bay, he stopped to catch his breath and establish contact with the bridge again. Still no response. This was his priority. He continued on, until he had sight of the bridge deck in front of him. It was still there, which was a relief, but as he entered he realized what had happened.
A medical team were already in situ. The bridge and the whole command deck was exposed to the elements, but protected by the automated emergency shielding which activated instantly when the ship’s skin was breached. This saved the lives of the four of the bridge crew; one had not made it. Commander Jacques lay unconscious on the floor as the medical team worked franticly to save his life.
He looked around. Was the bridge still intact and operational? Yes, subject to a few repairs and specifically a replacement skin at the front of the bridge. Where was Commander Huber?