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Free Fleet Box Set 2

Page 71

by Michael Chatfield

She blossomed in ravaging fire, she placed trust in the crew to keep her systems running and her safe as she did everything possible to fight for their lives.

  Rick pulled the workload off of In Sook, firing information from ship to ship. Commanders released control to their crews, letting them rain free.

  Each ship blossomed in fire, wrath, and anger. They overstepped their abilities when they attacked the Kalu. They knew that, but they were angry, the kind of rage that made creatures yell into the black's face and ask for more.

  These creatures had been trampled more than once and that anger now took form in their defiance of the Kalu's fleet around Heija.

  The Fleet rose from the surface of Heija, streaming atmosphere. Their cannons, PDS, and missiles adding to the fleet in orbit's fire.

  The Kalu waded through that fire and kept coming.

  Rick knew that the Kalu would eventually overrun them if they waited.

  It was time for their last remarks.

  The last ship exited atmosphere, powering for the Jumplimit as fast as possible.

  “All ships, this is the COS, move to protect the fleet and head towards the jump limit. Resilient will cover. Gunners, I think we should give the Kalu Salchar's gift.” Rick watched as rail cannons paused and turned towards Heija, towards the Star Warriors that were now being swarmed with Kalu, some starting their ascent towards the departing fleet.

  Those cannons seemed to fire as one, rounds heated up in atmosphere, gravity aiding them slightly as they rained down like hell's own hail.

  ***

  Foshunti let out a grunt as the acceleration lessened and he was able to fully breathe again.

  He looked at Heija as it fell behind him. Ships from the second fleet moved into position around his battered squadron.

  “Plot us a course to the nearest jump limit Nav,” Foshunti said, slumping in his seat. He would've taken wake-up if he wasn't past the maximum dosages and it had little effect on him now.

  “Fifty percent across the board. Get some damned sleep and a detox people,” Foshunti said, sitting upright, his own voice hoarse.

  The reinforcing fleet fired at the Kalu Warriors and Fighters that were coming after them, numbering in the tens, they were little compared to what Foshunti had fought the first time entering this system.

  The Star Destroyers were being weighed down by gravity and their own mass. Still they tried to get out of atmosphere and chase the second fleet which had cleared the planet.

  “We are getting a live feed from Resilient. On screen,” Foshunti said, life returning to his body as he leaned forward, “broadcast it to every ship.”

  “Already done,” Communications said.

  Foshunti nodded to himself as rounds which had to be from Planetary Rail cannons hurtled towards the junkyard looking arrangement of Kalu Star Warriors and random Star Destroyer.

  The forward elements of the Kalu that had chased the Free Fleet just made it back to their ships when the rounds smashed them. The penetrator rounds exploded, cracking dozens of Star Warriors and an unlucky Star Destroyer. Power plants lost containment as smaller rail cannons fired onto the mass.

  Dozens of reactors let go with the power of minuscule suns, they triggered other power plants to fail as fusion reactor after fusion reactor released the suns power that they mimicked. Sensors dialed back and out, some blacking out from the white destructive light, mushroom clouds warred with one another as the surface of the planet seemed to fight the Kalu.

  Ships that were in the atmosphere were thrown, some touched by nuclear explosions, other by the storms of fire and air pressure.

  Heija burned, like the hellish place it had become to the Free Fleet.

  Foshunti stood, two fingers snapping to his head, silently others on the bridge followed their commanders lead. Unknown to Foshunti, his image was now being broadcasted to every ship as they to saluted Heija.

  “Let you not go into the light peacefully, but go knowing that the full fury and love of the Free Fleet will be with you. May your fires burn ever brighter as we take on your promise, to banish the black and strive for the light,” Foshunti said the old prayer of the Personal Defence Force.

  “Strive for the light,” others that knew the prayer responded.

  Foshunti let his hand dropped as he turned to his command screens, watching as Rick and his fleet put their acceleration systems to work.

  “How long until Rick reaches us?” Foshunti asked.

  “Thirty minutes.”

  “Thank you,” Foshunti said, falling into his seat.

  “Shake out the fleet into formation, I want PDS and weapons inter-linked. Any of the bastards that want to so much as touch us have to pay the fleet price,” Foshunti said, like a creature that had lived and breathed in savagery for so long that it had become a part of him.

  The Free fleet came into formation, any Kalu ship that came into range, tasted the fleet's rail canons.

  ***

  “Orshpa was unapproachable, not even Darsoo tried to talk to his War-leader who stood like some statue, watching the Free Fleet as they powered away from Heija.

  Three hundred thousand Kalu had been destroyed trying to overpower the Free Fleet, in the Free Fleet's final surprise.

  “The Kalu in this system are to reform their forces and attack any planet they can find. Now we will wage this war how it was supposed to be fought. We will tear from them their weakest and bring their true forces to bear against ours, we will spread them thin and attack them everywhere they reside. Change our heading towards the jump limit. We will rally our fleets and our clans, and we will crush these creatures that have used trickery and deceit to wither our strength,” Orshpa physically shook with anger, as he continued to look at the main display.

  Darsoo saw that his war-leaders commands were carried out.

  Ashota had been right about one thing. We should have gotten more information before we came back to Union space, Orshpa thought with disgust.

  ***

  As soon as The Kalu fleet had fled, Boot turned to his next objective, getting behind Kalu lines and letting his ships loose. It also seemed that Cheerleader didn't need War station to make sure Rosho was clear. She’d sent it and any ships she could spare under Whorst’s command to make sure they didn't double back, or attack a protected system.

  So, not wanting to waste time, Boot had collected his Fighters, moved around War-station and begun their journey. The Jump ships had however been sent ahead, which was why Commander Smith was now hailing a tired sounding Commander Bregend.

  “Good to see you Commander Smith,” Bregend said. He had just hit his third system, three Yards lay destroyed in the same way that he'd hit the first Kalu yards.

  “You too Commander Bregend.”

  “Get your people sorted out and then come see me for some...food,” Bregend said, giving a look of momentary confusion making Smith think that the Commander had actually forgotten what meal he was supposed to have next.

  “Certainly Commander,” Smith replied, Bregend tapped a salute before the channel ended. Smith couldn't transmit video inside his jump ship, the jelly and the fact he was lying down would mean that someone could only see his helmeted head if there was a camera.

  It was another few hours before Smith pushed his shuttle aboard a Battle-Carrier, got showered and on a shuttle towards Bregend's Dreadnought. It was one of the ships that had been salvaged from the fleet of mashed up ships Bregend had found, and then started rebuilding. A number of those ships were still being hauled off to the Free Fleet's yards to be upgraded or gutted. The Yard in the system made sure the ships were able to move and pushed them on. Being so close to the front lines there was no guarantee when the Kalu might show up and attack. Having fifty ships in partial fixes was less useful than having thirty already moved into Fleet controlled areas with more people and resources dedicated to them, instead of a myriad of ships.

  The shuttle settled in the Dreadnought's shuttle bay, the ramps lowering as materials and personne
l were dropped off.

  Smith stepped off, seeing the mountain of a man that Bregend was, talking to a cargo master by their battle suit.

  Smith caught his eye as he made his way towards him.

  Bregend finished his conversation with the cargo master before turning to Smith.

  “It's good to see you Commander,” Bregend said, putting out a hand, cutting off Smith's Free Fleet styled salute.

  “You too commander,” Smith said, smoothly changing from his salute to offering his own hand. Bregend's hand, while powerful, was thankfully not tight as some larger men put a bit more effort in than was needed with shaking hands.

  “Well let’s get some food and talk about what plans I have for you and your jump ships,” Bregend said, turning and leading the way.

  Smith followed as Bregend raised his hand to a few people in acknowledgement, marshalling his thoughts before he talked.

  “We've been using our jump ships here to seed systems with sensor missiles, this is great in systems where we have FTL relays since we can have practically real-time information on what the Kalu are doing. In other systems we need a jump ship to grab the data from their sensor missiles and then bring it back to us. It's a bit longer but it keeps us in the loop. To date we've put Eighteen thousand Star Warriors and four thousand Star Destroyers out of action. This means that there are a damned large amount of pissed of Kalu in those systems that we have cleared of ships. Though we've barely made a dent. From our reports of the other systems, the Kalu have around forty thousand Star Warriors and sixteen thousand Star Destroyers.” Smith's mind reeled with those numbers, but Bregend barely paused.

  “It is our mission to make sure that as few of those ships as possible make it to the battlefield. Salchar's fleet and Foshunti's Squadron are just now limping back towards Parnmal. The way Ashota puts it, this war will not be like the battles from before. If this Orshpa wins, he owns most of the ships we've been hammering. He will hit every planet he can. The Kalu don't really have children as we know them. They're similar to say an antelope in that regard, well probably a wolf would be closer,” Bregend's tone thoughtful, before shrugging, his fatigue showing through in that moment.

  “The point is, they don’t care for kids like we do now. They see them as useless until they show their ability to kill. Fighting is the first thing that they learn and they fight nearly constantly for their first year, and then they challenge others for mating rights, then leadership roles and such. Progression is learnt through fighting. Talking and reasoning take time to develop. Talking and articulating is only used by leaders since they are the ones that dictate what will happen within their clan, rather than just how to fight a battle.”

  “How is this important?” Smith said, trying to see if there was a point to Bregend's rambling.

  “Yes, sorry, high gravity maneuvers and wake-up can twist the mind some. Anyway, the Kalu have no real concept of children, they see other young that will be raised to fight them. Orshpa will see no problem in attacking any world and eliminating anyone on it, no matter who they are. There are no rules of engagement,” Bregend said, stopping and looking around to make sure no one could hear him before he turned to Smith.

  “This next system will be the last system before we hit manned ships, these will be clan home-worlds and systems transporting Kalu to the front lines. I'm going to need you to show my people to think like jump ship pilots. We're going to accelerate, go through the wormhole at speed, releasing our asteroids and then jump back out,” Bregend said.

  “Why do you need to transit into the system?” Smith asked as Bregend gave him a peculiar look.

  “Well...wait, could it survive?” Bregend held his elbow as he cupped his face in thought of a man that enjoyed figuring out a problem.

  He let out a huff of air.

  “Well aren't I just the smartest commander ever,” he growled, even his self-admonishment wasn't enough to dim the new light that had entered his eyes.

  “I only figured it out after some talking with Dev, coupled with my time spent in a jump ship,” Smith said, shrugging to show that he too wasn't the genius behind the plan, merely the one to suggest it.

  “Fine work that Smith,” Bregend said with a look of pride as he slapped Smith on the back. The force of his blow exercising Bregend's excitement, nearly bowled Smith over.

  Smith stayed upright unable to get rid of the mischievous grin on his face.

  “Well we're going to have to change our tactics, talk to Nav and see how long we could keep a wormhole open and time drop an almighty payload into it,” Bregend's eyes clouded in the expression of a man running through multiple scenarios in his mind.

  “Or putting the wormhole inside the yard,” Smith said quietly. His eyes admiring the ceiling before coming down to look at Bregend's thoughtful nod.

  “It seems that I should be the one listening,” Bregend said, looking at Smith in a new light, even though Bregend was technically Smith's commander. He, like other commanders had learnt when to listen and when to speak, it was probably why they had so many damned insane ideas coming from the lower ranks.

  “But food first!” Bregend said, as if remembering why they were talking in the hallway.

  “Why is it that I have a feeling we're going to be bent over a planning table as soon as we've drained the chefs of everything they've got?” Smith said with a wry grin.

  “Because I don't know a person in the Free Fleet that doesn't like real food. And because commanders must always be working on planning tables, if only to have others roll their eyes and wonder what crazy damned plan we've come up with,” Bregend said seriously as he walked towards the mess, his wink belaying the seriousness of his voice.

  ***

  Min Hae stood on the command deck of a Star Destroyer. It was one of a fleet of four hundred ships. All of them manned by the Kalu Independent's.

  Ashota rested in his chair beside Min Hae. He had pledged himself to the Free Fleet, but he would be spending the majority of his time liaising with Kalvin and his Warriors.

  They were better Fighters than the Kalu Traditionalist's instead of just using their instincts, they were a trained force. They had tactics, which was why they were in the system Pofochura, it was home to the clan Chulari, a clan allied with Orshpa.

  Hopefully for not much longer, Min Hae thought as Independent's Fighters started deploying into the swarm like formations of the Traditionalists.

  For Min Hae and Ashota's plan to work, Kalvin's forces had to act exactly like Kalu Traditionalists. Well at least like Orshpa's clan, which was why a pre-made message of Farova, one of Orshpa's leaders seemed to be talking to the Chulari clan.

  “For too long we have carried your carcass of useless and weak Warriors. Orshpa has deigned to end your existence, so that only the strong may be part of the new great clan,” Farova's simulated creation tossed its head in disgust, as if talking to the Chulari stained him somehow.

  “We will grant you the last honour of falling before the Oltuli clan,” Farova said, the disgust clear on his Kaluian features as the channel was cut.

  “That should get a response,” Min Hae said, looking away from the main screen, it would be hours before the Chulari could respond.

  “That message alone would have incited a blood feud between the two clans,” Ashota said calmly.

  “The power of words is not something to be underestimated,” Min Hae said, raising his voice slightly so Kalvin could hear.

  He had wanted to use his new tactics and ships to bring battle onto the Kalu Traditionalists. Using them to incite blood feuds between the clans.

  Even he couldn't deny that if this went according to plan, it would cause a schism between the clans. Those that supported Edvasho would attack Orshpa, even if he came home and tried to prove that Edvasho died in battle, he wouldn't be listened to.

  Min Hae could see dark happiness in Ashota's eyes.

  Yes it is rather nice to use their own system against them, Min Hae thought savagely. Plus
if Smith, Devastahli and Bregend's plans for wormholes worked...well Min Hae did love when Murphy's designs were for his enemies.

  ***

  Evelyn Sparks looked out from her office in Parnmal. Well looking out was a general term, she was looking as the vid screen display of space, which was a hundred meters of rock and armored plating away from her.

  She and some of her closest friends had been the first reporters attached with the Free Fleet. Since the Kalu had arrived and Salchar's first engagement with those forces, reporters had been unattached to those ships heading into combat.

  Losses were too high and the Free Fleet didn't want to have a dead reporter on their hands while people asked questions. They had a war to fight.

  Yet Evelyn made it clear that she and the team she had built around her would take on those risks if allowed. Monk had given her a gentle but firm no.

  It wasn't as if she didn't have enough content coming in from all over the known galaxy which was just begging to be reported.

  It was the fact that the people of the Free Fleet were the only thing stopping the Kalu from attacking civilized planets, and it seemed that no one had caught on to that yet.

  There seemed to be a general belief that the Free Fleet would deal with it while everyone else got to living on with their lives.

  The battles were in another system, away from people's home worlds, they didn't affect trade routes and could be largely ignored.

  There had even been some that said the Free Fleet were making it up, so as to increase their taxes.

  Evelyn wanted to point out the fact that the Free Fleet's 'taxes' were barely making up the amount of resources the fleet had dedicated to every planet. Something that she made clear with graphs on all systems, the money, and resources the Free Fleet had put in, against what that system had given back.

  Politicians kept on saying it was propaganda, but the people were not having it.

  They had been under the control of others for so long that a lot of politicians were realizing they had damned well better represent the people, or they would be removed from office.

  Evelyn didn't know if it had been the intention of Salchar, but the people loved the Free Fleet. It offered education through the newly created Awakened academy where the Avarian priests had largely renamed themselves teachers instead of priests. People from across the known galaxy went to Avar Interim Hermanti to learn at the academy, they were then offered positions across known space as researchers, teachers, and within their field.

 

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