OMEGA Hostile

by Stephen Arseneault

  The colonel bowed her head. "We will begin this process immediately."

  I moved south in anticipation of the reserve troops coming up. Fifteen minutes later, I had two hundred thousand fighters at my disposal.

  Colonel Mellu stood beside me as I said, "OK, we attack just up there, between those transports. We force our way through and continue for another three rows. We plant a defense at that point and turn north. We keep moving until we reach the last transport in the row, then we start making our way back west. At that point, we send back runners and you move your troops in from the front. We'll see if we can crush them from both sides."

  The colonel nodded and bowed.

  I said, "Go now, prepare your troops. Give them a good motivational speech. If we pull this off there will be a field promotion in it for you."

  Mellu replied as she again lowered her head. "My only desire is to serve my emperor."

  I took a deep breath.

  Once the colonel's troops had fallen back, I gave the order for our assault to begin. I cringed as the first two dozen troops to surge forward were wiped out by a multitude of orange particle beams. But my fighters pushed forward. I repeatedly raised my GPR, pumping a heavy gravity beam into a hot pocket of Kergan troops. We reached the end of the third transport in three short minutes. Defensive positions were taken and the bulk of my column of troops turned to the north.

  They moved quickly from ship to ship, taking us deep into enemy lines. We reached the last transport sooner than I had anticipated. The Kergans countered with a push of their own. With one quick enemy maneuver, I found myself trapped, cut off from our reserves, with only two thousand fighters under my command. The Kergan counter-offensive had successfully pushed through our column, leaving us to fend for ourselves.

  Joni blinked in. "Got yourself in a pickle!"

  I replied, "A what?"

  Joni rolled her eyes. "Never mind. I have an idea. I'm going to make you a way out, going through these two transports first, and then any others we want as needed. Rush that door and get all of your people aboard. I'll make an exit hole for you on the other end. Use the ramp to get on the next one and again I'll make you an exit. You'll have to fight your way onto each one of these ships, but that should only be through a handful of fighters. With luck, I can keep you just ahead of the bulk of their troops."

  I replied, "You get us out of this and I'll give you a field promotion!"

  Joni hesitated. "A what?"

  I laughed. "Never mind. Just get us out of here."

  We fought our way up a ramp onto a transport and then inside. Joni took out the guards as they appeared. When she reached the front of the ship. She aimed her tungsten coil gun and began to push the walls forward into the bridge and then out beyond. Violent explosions rocked the forward part of the transport as its framing and infrastructure was blown away. After repeating the process on the third ship, the resistance began to thin.

  Joni said. "Where to from here? I can take you south again if you want."

  I shook my head. "Just keep going. Every one of these ships we do this to will have its guns offline."

  Joni replied, "It's only six more to the end."

  I asked. "How many rows are disabled at the end?"

  Joni hesitated. "Three."

  As I ran forward I said, "Then we stop at the fourth and work our way south."

  As we reached the next ship I glanced back. There was no one in pursuit. The particle cannons of the surrounding ships began to fire in unison. I looked up to see fifty Kergan transports firing back as they headed for the northern flank we were running from. One after another the transports crashed into the northern ships.

  I yelled out, "Keep moving!"

  Our small force moved off the transport we occupied as one of the attacking transports piled into the west end of the ship. I gave the order to just run south on foot. We fired at any Kergans we encountered as they ran about in confusion.

  As we reached the seventh line of transports running south, I could see the fighting just to my west. We huddled into a tight wedge between two transports as thousands of fleeing Kergans came our way. Blue bolts were traded for orange beams as the fleeing fighters turned either north or south from our direction. We had broken their line. They were in full retreat.

  I said to Joni as we rejoined the bulk of our force, "Go check on the Gruntas. We should have all of these transports offline soon. Come back in fifteen and we'll see if it's time to shut down the inhibitor and bring in the grunts."

  I gave new orders to my commanders. "Board every ship and disable their cannons. If they manage a counter-offensive, we can at least keep them from defending against the grunts."

  The new orders went out over the comm.

  Chapter 19

  * * *

  The last two dozen Kergan-controlled transports were soon under siege.

  Joni returned with status. "The Kergans have pushed us almost to our transports. If they get in there and wreck them, your people are stuck here."

  I replied, "Go tell Grunta Command to expect a field termination. Then shut it down. I don't think the last dozen ships here will be a problem for more than a few minutes."

  Joni nodded. "I'll come back as soon as I can. Oh, and the battle topside rages on. The Moddle have been all but eliminated. The Grumar and Grotus are down to their last thousand ships and the Salton fleet stands at about three thousand. The Kergans still have over six. Unless something happens, they will come out on top."

  Joni blinked out and was gone. I turned my focus toward capturing the few remaining Kergan ships. The fighters of the northern flank remained the stubborn holdouts. It was time to try a new tactic.

  I called for a ceasefire. The seemingly continuous stream of blue ion flashes turned to nothing but Kergan orange. After a minute of holding back by my troops, the Kergan commander called a similar halt.

  I yelled out, "Can we talk peace?"

  The Kergan commander yelled back in a language I could not understand.

  I raised Garrett on the comm. "Are the grunts in the air? And did we manage to record any conversations the ambassador had with the Kergans?"

  Garrett replied, "Just launched. Let me check... got them. Pushing them to you now."

  On my arm pad, I passed the conversations to the AI translator program and quickly received a match. I turned up the volume so the Kergan commander could hear.

  Again I said, "Can we talk peace?"

  The Kergan replied, "What did you have in mind?"

  I continued, "How about no more killing of each other for a start?"

  After a moment’s hesitation, I heard a reply. "Haven't we already achieved that?"

  I laughed. "I guess we have. Look, this war was not of the choosing by the people we have down here on this planet. We were thrown into this and are just looking to survive. Our real enemy was the Grumar and Grotus."

  The Kergan yelled back. "And yet your ships fight side by side with the Grumar and Grotus against us. And that after turning on a deal that had been made between us."

  I held up my hands and walked slowly out into the open. "The people down here are not fighting for Harden Salton and his empire. They are fighting for themselves. Why do you think the Salton ships have made no effort to protect them?"

  The Kergan stepped forward slowly. "What about the other warships you have down here? At this very moment they attack my fellow troops."

  I said, "If you are willing to call off your troops, I'll call off my fighter ships. And if you have to think about that, just remind yourself that your people are dying by the thousands out there right now. I'm not looking for a surrender. Just a peaceful process where we can bring this killing to an end."

  The Kergan stood before me. "And how do I know that you will keep your word?"

  I shrugged. "The way I see it, we have the upper hand right now and we have this all but won. When those fighter ships are done with your ground troops in that forest, which won't take long, they will be co
ming here. We are already taking a big risk by just offering this to you. Call your troops off in that forest and I'll call off the fighter ships."

  The Kergan spoke into his comm.

  I opened a comm to Garrett. "Do you have a visual of the Kergan fighters? If so, tell me what they are doing."

  Garrett replied, "They have broken off and are running back toward you."

  I said, "Call off the grunts. And tell the Gruntas to hold their ground."

  Garrett replied, "Call them off? What?"

  I yelled into the comm. "Just do it! Now!"

  Garrett looked away from the comm camera and then back. "OK, it's done. Grunts are going into a holding pattern. I sent a request to the Gruntas to hold their position. Looks like everything is quieting down."

  The Kergan looked at me curiously. "Why is peace so important to you?"

  I took a deep breath. "Because this is my people's home planet. The ruins you see down here on the surface are from our civilization, about three thousand years ago. The Grotus are a near identical species to ours that shared this planet with us at that time. After a horrific civil war, my people were swept away to another planet. The Grotus took to the stars. They are still our mortal enemies. Now, under the guise of the New Alliance and its efforts to expand, we have been returned to our home world. All we want is peace. And we are not to be confused with the New Alliance, although they currently consider us their subjects."

  The Kergan offered a somewhat confused look. "There has to be a lot of information being left out of that story."

  I nodded as I said to Garrett, "Get the autobots working on their prior task."

  Garrett replied, "They're already on it."

  I looked back at the Kergan. "Tell me, what do your people want with this planet?"

  The Kergan huffed. "For several years our planet Bolitha has been under attack by the Grumar. We finally assembled a fleet large enough to not only push them off Bolitha, but to confront them on their own worlds. Your ambassador convinced us we could considerably weaken them with a fight here, making our attack on their worlds easier. Had the Alliance stuck to the deal that had been made, the Grumar would have been defeated and we would be on our way to their home worlds. This planet wasn't even a consideration before the deal was struck."

  I nodded. "I will tell you what Harden Salton wants. He wants to run this whole galaxy."

  The Kergan scowled. "How could one empire control an entire galaxy? That is ludicrous."

  I laughed, "Well, actually, no, it's not. Our current empire spans six galaxies in their entirety. Only... at the moment, our empire is divided between a dozen wealthy families that are continuously breaking deals with each other."

  The Kergan huffed. "Six galaxies? I am supposed to believe such drivel? You don't talk peace, you talk nonsense!"

  Joni blinked in beside me to which the Kergan stepped back. "What is this?"

  Joni said. "This is just a sampling of one technology we have. We also have the ability to open a wormhole portal, allowing us to travel wherever we want."

  Joni vanished.

  The Kergan waved his hand where Joni had previously stood. "A stealth suit. Impressive! But hardly a wormhole portal. You will have to do better."

  I shook my head. "We don't control the portal. Harden Salton controls the portal. And once he has control of the Moddle empire, the Grumar and Grotus, and your worlds, he will build a fleet big enough to take through the portal to consolidate his power in our galaxies. After that, he will return to conquer the rest of this galaxy."

  The Kergan grumbled. "And why should I believe that you are an authority on Harden Salton?"

  Joni blinked back in. "Because I am his niece. So, here is what's going to happen. Your people can return to your transports. No attempts will be made to repair your weapons or to leave. The fight up above will continue. Your ships are winning and will continue to do so. Once you have defeated the other fleets, including the Salton ships, we will talk serious peace between the people on this planet and the Kergan Empire.

  "That peace might even be an alliance if we feel you are strong enough to help us keep my uncle from acquiring a foothold here in your galaxy. I know that's a lot to absorb, but absorb it. The people down here want peace. You can continue your war against the Grumar, making use of these troops, after we have peace."

  The Kergan commander stood quiet for a several seconds. "I will have to consult with my command."

  Joni raised a finger before blinking out. "Any attempts at trickery or deceit and we will kill the lot of you."

  The commander bowed his head and moved away for a private conversation.

  I looked at Joni. "They will struggle with your suggestions. Your uncle's treachery will make it difficult for them to trust us. We should make contingency plans should they not agree to our terms."

  Garrett landed the Jess close by and was soon standing beside us. "I have an idea I think we should consider. We send the bots over here to strip these transports of whatever we need to repair ours. That allows us to load up our people and leave. And we can do that before the fight up there ends."

  I shook my head. "I don't believe the Gruntas will leave. They have now shed blood here and will have no interest in giving Jorus up again. Whatever strategy we come up with, it has to include holding this planet."

  Garrett threw up his hands. "Why is it they have to keep choosing the hard way? We have the bots. Let's go find a quiet planet we can make use of for a year, and we'll come back when we have a real fleet!"

  I replied, "For two thousand years they have been living on a planet that is not their own while being ruled by other species. It is only natural for anyone to want a home that belongs to them. It's the place of their history, one they have gone without for generations."

  Garrett nodded. "Exactly, which is why they should be willing to go to all lengths to properly secure it. If they just stay here as is, the Saltons or the Grumar or now the Kergans are going to come and take it away. Your Council is likely to get everyone killed if they are unwilling to look at better options."

  "I don't disagree," I said. "If it was up to me, I would follow a plan such as what you suggested."

  Garrett pointed. "Well... drag your butt back to the bunkers and convince the Council that you're right! This isn't just about staying here. It's about staying and surviving and thriving. Your people deserve a shot at that."

  Joni crossed her arms as she looked my way. "I think he's right. Go see the Council and tell them—no, demand from them that they follow your orders. You have saved them too many times now. They owe you."

  I let out a long sigh. "I will talk to them."

  Garrett gestured toward the bunkers. "Well, you might as well do it now. I don't see the Kergans coming back with an instant decision. And we might want to adjust any deal we make with them based on what the Council decides."

  I looked at Joni. "Let me know if the commander comes back with any word. I'll be in front of the Council."

  Garrett slapped me on the back. "Now we're talking. Come on. I'll give you a ride over there in the Jess."

  We lifted off and were setting down in the valley less than a minute later. I walked down the ramp and for the first time in my last several visits, I was welcomed into the Council's chamber. This time, I was offered a chair to sit in.

  The lead councilwoman began: "Mr. Beutcher, your sacrifices for your people, and your willingness to put your life on the line, have won over some in this council to your efforts."

  I bowed my head. "Thank you. All I do is for my people. And I sit here before you again today to ask you to consider my counsel. The Kergans will win in the heavens above. That will leave us at their mercy should we stay. The bots are rapidly repairing your transports. We can leave here, find a new planet, and begin to build a real fleet and a real defense.

  "We have the Kergan ground troops defeated, but that's only temporary. When they finish the fleet battle, those ships will come here and we will have no way t
o defend ourselves. Come with us. We will find a safe place. We can make a deal with the Kergans to peacefully cede us this planet when we return. From that point on we will have the ability to defend her. We can rebuild the civilization that was stolen from us."

  After spending forty minutes trying to convince the Council of the merits of my plan, I was asked to leave. They would convene a discussion in private, letting us know of their decision when they deemed it necessary. I walked out of the chamber, into the valley, and back aboard the Jess. Decisions about our own fates would have to wait.

  Chapter 20

  * * *

  After lengthy discussions, the Council emerged from the chamber and the bunker. A meeting was set up in a clearing just north of the Kergan transports. The Kergans had refused to meet under any other than completely open terms. The Council accepted, wanting to talk peace.

  The Kergan commander said, "It is unfortunate that our species had to first meet under these circumstances. Your people fought bravely. For that we have respect."

  The lead councilwoman replied, "We wish to discuss terms of peace. If agreed upon, your people and your ships will be free to go. All we ask is to be left alone while we re-inhabit our world. This is our ancestral home."

  The Kergan sat back in his chair. "The Grotus also make claim to this planet. Who are we to believe?"

  The councilwoman looked at the Kergan intently. "We are a sister species to the Grotus. While it is true they originated on this planet as well, they forfeited their rights when they attempted to annihilate my species with nuclear destruction. We survived the attempt, only to be swept away by a third party."

  The Kergan returned a curious gaze. "What third party? Another species?"

  The councilwoman took a deep breath. "An artificial being who called himself the Duke took a number of species from this galaxy for the purpose of having us fight against other species he had also captured. It was all for sport, for his entertainment. The Humans, now the Saltons or the New Alliance, managed to defeat the Duke, taking control of the six galaxies. For two thousand years all sentient species within those galaxies have been at peace, a peace that was taken away when the Saltons and others took control.