by Ryk Brown
The Dusahn soldier yelled again, becoming increasingly nervous as his world came apart before his eyes.
The general said nothing, taking one last step forward as he stretched out his right arm and placed his weapon on the floor.
The guard moved the child slightly to his left, his eyes on the general’s gun.
General Telles pulled his right hand back slowly, then suddenly, in a one fluid motion, reached back and grabbed his combat knife from its quick-draw sheath on his right hip and sent it flying in an underhanded throw at the Dusahn soldier’s face.
The knife landed in the middle of the soldier’s right eye, causing him to release the child and grab for his eye while screaming in agony. General Telles charged forward as the soldier pulled the knife from his eye and raised his weapon to fire.
The general went straight for the little boy, scooping him up and crouching down on the floor, his back to the enemy as the half-blinded soldier opened fire.
Three blasts struck him in the back, bouncing off his body armor. He could feel the heat from the blasts build, as well as the force of their impacts, but he held firm, shielding the child from harm.
Another shot ran out from the doorway, and the Dusahn soldier fell, after which Specialist Knaff charged into the room to make sure the enemy combatant was dead.
“Clear!” Specialist Knaff yelled.
General Telles eased his grip on the child, dropping to one knee and looking him over. “Are you unharmed?” he asked the little boy.
The little boy stared into the general’s face, wide-eyed and unafraid as he reached out to touch the general’s visor, in awe of all the tactical symbols glistening on its inside surface.
General Telles picked the child up and carried him over to a nearby bed, setting him down, as Sergeant Spira and Corporal Smida charged into the room from the opposite door.
“First three floors are clear,” Sergeant Morano reported over comms.
“Fourth floor is clear,” Sergeant Spira replied.
“Blue Alpha, I want a sweep of the entire facility,” Sergeant Morano ordered over comms. “Blue Bravo, secure the external perimeter until Alpha finishes the sweep.”
General Telles turned and headed for the exit, passing Sergeant Spira on the way.
“Why didn’t you take the shot, General?” the sergeant asked. “It would have been far more efficient.”
General Telles stopped, looking at the sergeant. “Sometimes the most efficient way is not the best way,” he replied, before continuing out the door.
Red-orange balls of plasma energy streaked out from under the Aurora’s bow, traveling the few kilometers between the Aurora and the doomed battleship within seconds. Each plasma torpedo ripped the old battleship’s hull open a bit more than the previous one, igniting secondary explosions deep within her. Red-orange bolts of plasma energy, from the Aurora’s forward turrets, carved into the enemy hull’s already-open wounds, breaking the ship up even further.
The aft section was the first to give up the fight, exploding into multiple pieces. The midship section collapsed, and the forward section broke off, tipping downward, as more explosions ignited within.
The Aurora suddenly ceased fire and began to glow a light blue. A split second later, that light blue covered the entire ship, turned to a brilliant white flash, and then disappeared along with the Aurora. A split second after that, the battleship’s reactors lost their containment, resulting in a blinding white explosion, which spread outward for tens of kilometers in all directions, dissipating almost as quickly as it had come.
“Jump complete,” Loki reported with a sigh of relief.
“Three operational Orswellan cruisers, dead ahead,” Jessica warned. “They’re locking weapons on us.”
“What the hell are they doing?” Josh wondered. “There’s nothing left to defend!”
“They may not know it, yet,” Nathan pointed out.
“Our forward shields are still only at nine percent,” Jessica reminded him. “Shall I target them?”
“Target, but do not fire without orders,” Nathan instructed.
“Aye, sir,” Jessica replied.
Nathan turned to Kaylah. “Status of Orswella?”
“The antimatter event has caused no significant damage to the planet,” Kaylah replied. “We took them out just in time.”
Nathan continued turning to face aft. “Comms, all channels and frequencies.”
“All channels and frequencies,” Naralena replied, nodding at him.
“Orswellan Guard ships, this is Captain Scott of the Karuzari Alliance ship, Aurora. The Jar-Razza has been destroyed, and the Dusahn troops on your planet’s surface are being dealt with by our ground forces. Stand down, and your crews will be spared.”
Nathan waited patiently for a response, but received none. “Are they still targeting us?” he asked Jessica.
“Yes, and they’re still closing.”
“Orswellan Guard ships, I assure you that you cannot defeat us. Your deaths will serve no purpose.”
Again, there was no response.
“No change,” Jessica added.
“The fact that they haven’t fired means they’re thinking about it,” Nathan insisted.
“Perhaps I should speak to them?” Commander Andreola suggested.
“Give him a comm-set,” Nathan said.
“Commander,” Naralena offered, handing a comm-set over her console to the commander.
Commander Andreola donned the comm-set. “Orswellan Guard cruisers, this is Commander Andreola of the Amonday. Authorization code one five seven five, strike four, alpha seven zulu. Confirm.”
A moment later, a voice replied. “Stethan? This is Captain Yofferst of the Twellaby. You are on the enemy vessel?”
“Affirmative,” the commander replied.
“Then, you are a prisoner?”
“No, Marlon, I am not,” the commander insisted, “and the Karuzari Alliance is not our enemy. They, too, fight the Dusahn, and they have liberated our world.”
“The Dusahn will return,” Captain Yofferst replied.
“And the Karuzari Alliance will defend you,” Nathan promised.
“I’m sorry, Captain, we did not wish to fire upon you, but we have no choice,” Captain Yofferst said. “Our families…”
“Are free once again,” Nathan interrupted. “Stand down, and vacate your ships using your escape pods. Once clear of their blast zones, we will recover them and rescue your crew.”
“That will not be necessary,” Captain Yofferst assured him. “Our escape pods are programmed to return us to Orswella.”
“Then we shall standby to assist if needed,” Nathan replied, “but we cannot remain for long. There is a Dusahn battle group on its way to another allied system, and we must defend them, as well. However, one of our support ships will be arriving in a few hours. In the meantime, our forces on the surface will provide assistance, as well, and our heavy fighters will remain to protect your world until we return.”
“The lead ship is powering down its weapons,” Jessica reported.
“I will contact the other ships,” Captain Yofferst promised. “I am certain they will comply.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Nathan replied. “I look forward to meeting you, once things have calmed down a bit.”
“As well I,” Captain Yofferst replied.
Nathan looked to Commander Andreola. “You believe him?”
“I have known Marlon Yofferst for most of my adult life,” the commander replied. “He is a man of his word.”
“The rest of the cruisers are also powering down their weapons,” Jessica reported. “All Orswellan ships are lowering shields, as well.”
“Very well,” Nathan said. “Helm, take us to a safe blast distance and hold station. Comms, contact General Telles and see how they’re doing.” Na
than glanced at the clock. “We’ve got about an hour before that battle group finishes decelerating and attacks the Rogen system. I’d like to get back before that happens.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ten Sugali Nighthawk fighters were parked in two lines on either side of the Ranni Corp flight operations pad on Rakuen. Portable lighting was clustered around the last two ships on the line as technicians and pilots, alike, worked together to complete their modifications.
“How’s it going?” Cameron inquired of Commander Prechitt upon approaching the flight line.
“We had a few problems with the shielding on Lieutenant Cristos’s ship, but Deliza came up with a workaround.”
“Then all ten ships will be ready?”
“Looks like it,” the commander replied. “Have you heard anything?”
“Not a peep.”
“It must be difficult for you to be on the ground while your ship is in battle.”
“Agonizing would be a better word,” Cameron countered. “Make sure your pilots get a chance to rest a bit and grab something to eat. We have no idea what’s ahead of us.”
“Doubtful it’s anything easy,” the commander agreed.
“You need to take a break, as well,” Cameron added, continuing on her way. “We’ve got less than an hour, now.”
Cameron traveled down the line toward the hangar, entering the office in the corner.
“Captain,” Talisha greeted.
“Miss Sane,” Cameron replied. “How is your project going?”
“I’m pretty sure Leta has things figured out. She’s in the process of writing mission-specific algorithms, right now, based on the Dusahn ship intelligence you’ve provided. When she’s finished, she should be able to recommend the most efficient way for us to bring down the enemy’s shields without getting blown to bits.”
“That would be preferable,” Cameron agreed.
“Captain,” a man called from the doorway to the communications room. “Incoming call from Aurora Actual.”
“Finally,” Cameron exclaimed, heading to the communications room. She donned the comm-set handed to her and tapped the side of it. “Actual, Taylor, welcome back. How did it go?”
“The shipyards are gone, and the Jar-Razza is destroyed,” Nathan replied. “Telles is cleaning up on the surface, but doesn’t expect any problems.”
“What about the Orswellan cruisers?”
“We disabled one, and the others surrendered and abandoned their ships, once the Jar-Razza went down and they learned the Dusahn troops on the ground were no longer a threat.”
“How’s the ship?” Cameron wondered.
“Not a scratch,” Nathan bragged. “How are things going down there?”
“The Dusahn battle group is still maintaining their rate of deceleration, and the last two Nighthawks should be ready shortly.”
“We need them ready, now, Cam,” Nathan insisted.
“The Dusahn won’t be down to maximum attack speed for another fifty-four minutes.”
“We need to deal with them while they are still going too fast to jump in and attack the Rogen system. The last thing we want is to be forced into playing defense.”
“Give us fifteen minutes,” Cameron told him.
“No more,” Nathan insisted. “And get back up here as soon as possible. I need my XO.”
“On my way,” Cameron replied. “Taylor out.” Cameron turned to the communications officer. “Alert everyone, the Nighthawks depart in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
“This is dumb,” Nathan commented as he studied the latest images from the Falcon. “Why would they bunch everyone up like this?”
“Strength in numbers?” Jessica suggested. “It does reduce the amount of exposed area of nearly every ship in the formation.”
“Yeah, but it makes it really easy to attack multiple targets at the same time,” Nathan insisted.
“Assuming you’re crazy enough to jump in between them.”
Nathan smiled.
“Not a good idea, Nathan,” Jessica objected.
“Aurora?” Nathan called.
“Yes, Captain?” the Aurora’s voice answered.
“What is the probability of successfully jumping in between any two of the ships in the Dusahn battle group?”
“For the purpose of attack?”
“Yes.”
“The best course would be between the number three and four battleships, here,” Aurora explained as a course plot appeared on the tactical display. “If you jump in ten seconds prior to passing between them, it will provide adequate time to adjust course to avoid a collision, should such maneuvering be required. Assuming this course of action, the probability of success is seventy-four percent.”
“Can you do that jump, Loki?” Nathan asked.
“If Aurora backs me up, yes.”
“You’re only going to have a few hundred meters of clearance on either side,” Jessica pointed out.
“I didn’t say it wouldn’t be close,” Nathan retorted.
“Plenty of room,” Josh boasted.
“Why not play it safe and just attack from outside the formation?” Jessica wondered.
“The first attack is the best opportunity to inflict maximum damage,” Nathan insisted. “After that, every gun will be up and ready, and every captain will be trying to anticipate our next move…and some of them will.” Nathan sighed. “We’re threading the needle.”
“I just have one question,” Jessica said. “Why does the Aurora sound like Cam?”
“It doesn’t sound like Cam,” Nathan insisted. “It just has a similar accent.”
“I think she’s right,” Josh said. “It does sound like Cameron.”
“Nobody asked you,” Nathan snapped.
* * *
“Max?” Commander Prechitt called over his remote as he walked out of the pilot’s lounge, in full flight gear.
“Yes, Commander?” his ship’s AI replied.
“Power up, and prepare for immediate takeoff.”
“Powering up and preparing all systems for takeoff,” Max acknowledged.
“Have all the attack algorithms been shared with the other AIs?” the commander asked Talisha.
“Yes, sir,” she replied, “and we’ve received the order of attack from the Aurora. All AIs are programmed and ready to go.”
“Good work,” the commander congratulated. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” Talisha agreed, picking up her helmet and following him to the door. “Leta,” she called over her remote. “Power up for departure.”
“Powering up for departure,” Leta responded.
Commander Prechitt exited the hangar offices and strode out across the flight deck. All ten Nighthawks were already powered up, their navigation and ground safety lights flashing and blinking in the early morning darkness. With the work lights gone, the effect was somewhat surreal as Jonas and Talisha walked to their respective ships.
“Good luck, Commander,” Talisha said, stopping at the access ladder to her fighter.
“To you, as well,” the commander replied as he continued walking.
A few moments later, Commander Prechitt reached his own ship, ducking under the port section of the split nose, and turned to face the gaping open-front cockpit that awaited him. It was the weirdest cockpit access design he had ever seen, but there was something simple and elegant about its concept.
The commander climbed up the few rungs, stepping onto the small ledge in front of the pilot’s seat, turning around to sit. He donned his helmet, plugged its umbilical into the side of the cockpit, and then fastened his restraints. “Close her up, Max,” he instructed. Max didn’t reply, but simply activated the cockpit’s canopy motors, causing the clamshell-like top and bottom canopy secti
ons to close, trapping the commander inside.
Once closed, the walls of the cockpit came to life as the Nighthawk’s sophisticated external cameras and sensors created the illusion of being surrounded by a clear bubble. The commander could see the split nose of his ship, as well as its fuselage and wings, just as if it really were a transparent bubble. Green icons indicating friendly ships appeared to his left, and directly ahead and left, each icon centered on one of the other Nighthawk fighters on the flight line.
“How are we looking, Max?” the commander asked.
“All systems are functioning normally,” Max replied. “The ship is fully armed, fully fueled, and ready for departure, as are all other ships in the squadron.”
“Very well,” the commander replied. “Squadron comms, please.”
“You are connected.”
“Razor One to Razor Flight. Depart by the numbers,” the commander ordered.
“Would you like me to take us up?” Max asked.
“No thanks, Max,” the commander insisted, easing his lift throttle forward. “I’m saving you for the actual battle.”
“Of course.”
Commander Prechitt smiled as his ship rose from the ground. “You with me, Nikki?”
“Always,” she replied.
The commander twisted his flight control stick slightly to the right, causing his ship to yaw ninety degrees to starboard. At the same time, he increased his lift throttle slightly, then eased his main drive throttle forward, increasing his rate of acceleration with each millimeter of movement. Finally, he rammed the main drive throttle to its stops and, after a few seconds, pressed the jump button.
* * *
“XO on the bridge!” the Ghatazhak guard at the door announced with a smirk on his face.
Cameron exchanged glances with the man as she passed. “I’m having a hard time figuring out Ghatazhak humor,” she confessed as she approached the tactical console.
“It takes a while,” Jessica assured her. “Wait until you see Nathan’s plan to deal with the battle group.”
“I heard that,” Nathan said from his command chair as he studied the step-by-step replay of the battle plan on the main view screen.