Sirens Journey: The Founder Saga

by Thomas Fay

  ‘At least wait until the star port has been evacuated.’

  There was a momentary silence.

  ‘We will create a diversion to cover our retreat and allow your ships a chance to evacuate the star port. After that—you’re on your own.’

  Roger D clenched his jaw as his fist floated over the coms switch.

  ‘I swear if those ships don’t make it out of here in one piece …’

  ‘Save your threats. We’ll do what we can but I’m not sacrificing my ships for a hopeless cause,’ Captain Soh said. ‘You may want to stay away from the closest enemy capital ship. Soh, out.’

  Roger D switched the coms off. Silence permeated the cabin as the battle raged on the view screen. We were now less than ten thousand kilometres from the command ship.

  ‘Have the last two free-merchant ships cleared the star port?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, sir. I’m reading three Proxian fighters heading towards the star port. It appears they are attempting to intercept the free-merchant ships.’

  ‘I sure hope Soh knows what he’s doing.’

  ‘Something’s happening. Mason, zoom in on the Tenebrarum Eternal,’ Roger D said.

  As the powerful mercenary ship expanded on the view screen, the extent of damage to its support ships became even more apparent. One of the ships’ graviton flux generators had to be at breaking point, as its shielding flickered. Large sections of hull plating spun harmlessly around it. The other support ship was in even worse condition. Considering the gaping hole in its aft section, it was a miracle it was still functional. The Tenebrarum Eternal appeared unscathed. Whatever legal and illegal defensive modifications it had been outfitted with, they were clearly a match for the Proxians’ weapons.

  ‘I’m reading exotic particles emanating from the Tenebrarum Eternal, sir,’ Mason said.

  On the view screen, the front section of the mercenary ship was undergoing a transformation. As the hull plates slid apart and folded back, an intricate weapons array was revealed.

  ‘What the hell is that?’ Roger D asked.

  I stared at the design of the weapons array, including the central focusing crystal.

  ‘It can’t be …’ I whispered even as the ship accelerated away from the star port. The support ships followed close behind, dense shielding springing up around them. Clearly they had reserve graviton flux units. The level of redundancy in the ships was truly staggering, matching the best of the Space Navy heavy combat vessels.

  ‘John?’

  ‘It’s photonic technology.’

  ‘Photonic? I thought that was just theoretical.’

  ‘So did I.’

  The Tenebrarum Eternal continued to build speed. Its support ships opened fire on the approaching Proxian fighters, destroying all three of them. The Tenebrarum Eternal aligned on the closest Proxian capital ship. Its photonic weapon charged rapidly, the light emanating from it mirroring a distant star. Reaching full charge, the weapon unleashed its pent up energy in a single blinding flash of light that struck the centre of the Goliath-class frigate. A ship that was a hundred times larger and heavier than the mercenary vessel attacking it. A ship that had shielding powerful enough to deflect weapon strikes from orbital defences and other capital ships. A ship with hull plating so dense it could survive impacts from asteroids fifty metres in diameter.

  Against photonic weaponry, all of that meant nothing.

  The Goliath-class capital ship’s shielding dissipated and a gaping hole melted through its hull plating. The photonic charge penetrated deep into the core of the ship, breaching the containment chamber around its particle drives.

  The ship exploded.

  Fighters on both sides were thrown off course as a massive energy particle shockwave erupted outwards. The other capital ships’ shielding expanded to protect them. The Helios Ark was thrown off course as Dayna fought to align us on the Gemini Alpha command ship.

  ‘Dayna!’ Roger D bellowed.

  ‘I’ve got it!’

  ‘Mason, did the free-merchant ships get away?’

  ‘Yes, sir. They are on course for the frozen moons.’

  ‘Looks like Soh did it. Son of a bitch, where did he get that technology?’ Roger D asked.

  ‘That’s what I’d like to know. That kind of tech is—’

  A pair of fusion lances struck the Helios Ark. The ship lurched to the side, the majority of the amber warning lights turning a solid red. The alarms changed to a high-pitched evacuation tone.

  ‘Shields down to ten per cent, sir,’ Mason Turk said. ‘The generator is close to shutting down.’

  ‘That came from one of the capital ships!’ Roger D exclaimed. ‘Looks like they’ve recovered and are trying to shoot down the remaining fighters with heavy fire. Our shields are no match for that kind of weaponry. We need to get aboard the command ship. Now!’

  Dayna steadied herself at the controls and pushed the power upwards. I was continuously recalibrating the Helios Ark’s modified class E engine and re-routing power to ensure it remained operational. The heavily damaged ship leapt forwards, heading directly for the command ship. Two of the remaining Centaurian fighters formed up alongside us as the command ship filled the view screen. Two more weapon strikes from the Proxian capital ships destroyed our Centaurian escort. Another beam struck the Helios Ark.

  ‘Shields down to two per cent, sir,’ Mason Turk warned. Even his synthetic voice seemed to finally show some concern at our situation. The Helios Ark would not survive another hit.

  ‘Docking with the command ship in ten, nine, eight …’

  As Dayna counted down, the lead Proxian capital ship targeted us. I could see the energy building within its fusion lances.

  ‘Seven, six, five …’

  The fusion lances reached full charge. The ship was locked onto us.

  ‘Four, three, two …’

  The Proxian ship fired. The beam lanced out in slow motion, an elongated line of dense plasma weaponised to tear through shields and hulls. My eyes opened wide as the beam accelerated towards us.

  The last remaining Spectre ship, the lead ship under the command of Captain Michael Argus, re-entered normal space. The fusion lance struck the matt-black stealth ship. For a split second, its damaged shielding absorbed the immense energy contained within the beam. Then its shielding failed, having sustained too much damage from the Proxian onslaught. The beam sliced through the Spectre ship’s hull, cutting through to the inversion drive inside. The ship exploded.

  ‘… one!’

  The Helios Ark flew into an open landing bay aboard the Centaurian command ship. The hull doors sealed shut behind us and the damaged free-merchant vessel came to rest on a docking cradle, locking into place with a reassuring thud. Roger D stood up. He gripped my shoulder.

  ‘We won’t forget their sacrifice, John. They saved us,’ he said.

  I nodded absently. I could still see the Spectre ships exploding one by one until the final desperate act by Captain Michael Argus saved us. Whatever my issues with the Space Navy, I couldn’t fault the crews of Spectre Squad Alpha. They had given their lives to protect others. To protect me and my family. I would never forget that.

  ‘Thank you,’ I whispered.

  The intercom crackled to life.

  ‘John, hurry!’ Jeni’s voice carried over the coms.

  I sprang to my feet.

  ‘We need to get Selize to the medical bay as quickly as possible,’ I said.

  ‘We’re with you, John,’ Roger D said. He cast a critical eye over the system failure lights glowing throughout the main deck. ‘Mason, stay with the ship. See what you can do.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  Roger D, Dayna and I hurried out of the main deck.

  52.

  The Gemini Alpha’s medical bay was as alien as the rest of the ship. The sweeping angles and curves of the walls and ceiling seemed more organic than industrial. Selize lay on a curved medical bed. A shimmering holographic overlay floated above her, highlighting
her critical status. Two Centaurian medics hovered over her, while her mother, Commander Alyssia, stood next to the bed, holding Selize’s hand. Jeni and Dayna stood beside her.

  ‘Will she be alright?’ I asked.

  ‘You got here just in time,’ Commander Alyssia said. ‘Any later and we may have lost them both.’

  I nodded, too thankful to say anything. Roger D walked into the medical bay.

  ‘What’s the status out there?’ I asked.

  ‘The last of the Centaurian fighters has been destroyed.’

  My eyes flicked to Commander Alyssia.

  ‘I’m sorry …’

  She shook her head.

  ‘Do not apologise. If it weren’t for your actions, then we would have suffered even greater casualties and been overrun. Thanks to you and the Space Navy, we have managed to hold the invaders at bay. And you saved my daughter. For that, you have my eternal gratitude.’

  I nodded. Turning to Roger D, I asked, ‘Did the free-merchant ships manage to get away?’

  ‘Yes. All six ships made it to the frozen moons. Soh’s distraction worked. He’s a slippery one but he kept his word. The only people aboard the star port are security personnel. It looks like they’re going to have one hell of a fight on their hands.’

  ‘Those security personnel are heavily armed and carrying serious firepower. They’ll give as good as they get. What about the Proxian ships?’

  ‘There are two Goliath-class capital ships in high orbit around Dyson Alpha with two dozen fighters. It looks like they’re trying to capture the star port.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘The capital ships have launched troop carriers. They’re minutes away from docking with the star port.’

  ‘At least they’re not—’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Dayna said.

  ‘What is it?’ Roger D and I asked in unison.

  ‘Another Proxian strike force is closing on us.’

  I grasped Roger D’s arm.

  ‘Get up to the control room and get the Space Navy on the coms. Tell them we need immediate assistance.’

  ‘Will they listen?’

  ‘Tell them … tell them I’m invoking Omega Protocol.’

  ‘Omega? Alright, I’m on my way.’

  Roger D raced out of the medical bay. Commander Alyssia looked at me.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

  ‘It’s time.’

  I turned to look at Selize. She appeared so fragile lying on the table, unconscious, barely breathing. I was reminded of Vanessa and the last time I had seen her in the CARIL facility on Luna. I had felt helpless then. I had failed her. Now, I had been given another chance to save the woman I loved.

  Commander Alyssia stood beside Selize as the medical staff prepared to deliver the baby. Several other Centaurians had appeared inside the medical chamber, standing silently around the periphery. A strange sense of expectation hung over the room. Then the familiar buzzing sensation began at the base of my skull as the Centaurians joined their minds together. The buzzing grew stronger, not an unpleasant sensation but one filled with a strange energy. It continued to increase, to build, as all the Centaurians aboard the ship joined together. I could feel them reaching out across space, seeking others. More and more Centaurians joined together.

  That’s when I finally understood what it meant to be Centaurian. I could feel them. All of them. Through my connection with Selize and our daughter, Sonya, I experienced it all. I was still myself, John Michael Stanton. Born on Earth in the year 2447. Graduated from the Space Navy Academy in 2470. Worked on the Erebus Prime space station until that fateful day in 2472 when I was recruited by Space Navy Intelligence. I ran covert ops across the Sol system and did a tour in a secret military asteroid base in Tau Ceti. That’s where I met Lieutenant Vanessa Gage. I was then recalled to the Sol system and didn’t see her again until that horrible day in the CARIL facility in 2484. I resigned my commission a year later after learning that Vanessa had passed away. I came to the Dyson Alpha star port on a two-week transitory pass. And that’s where I met Selize.

  And now, for the first time, I was Selize. I remembered my birth on Omicron Alpha, surrounded by my people, both physically and telepathically helping to bring me into this world. The awareness that I was not alone, that I was a part of this incredible network of living beings, able to share my thoughts and feelings with them. My time on Omicron Alpha had been brief, as my mother took me with her when she was given command of the Dyson Alpha star port. A station designed and built by humans, it, nonetheless, became my home. I spent my time being instructed in Centaurian ways by the most qualified tutors throughout Alpha Centauri, experiencing everything they did while they handled the running of an entire star system. All of it was intended to prepare me for the day I would follow in my mother’s footsteps and take my place on the Centaurian High Council. My life was one of constant study with periods in between spent roaming the Dyson Alpha star port. Through my shared bond I not only prepared for my future role but I watched and learned what others did. How they worked, lived, loved and finally passed from this world. Then one day it was my turn to fall in love. I remembered the day I walked into the star-port bar and saw him sitting there. That was the day I met John.

  The telepathic link didn’t stop there. Although my associations with the rest of the Centaurians were not as immediate or detailed as with Selize, I could still perceive all of them. I could see what they saw. Feel what they felt. Dayna, Commander Alyssia, the two medics, Jacintha and Melinda, and countless others. It was a mesmerising kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and images.

  I saw the Dyson Alpha star port through a view screen. I saw the Epsilon Centauri shipyards with three Space Navy capital ships floating above them. Another five were in high orbit above Omicron Alpha, the Centaurian home world.

  Images, sights, sounds—I could navigate them all. Suddenly a spike of cold fear passed through the shared link. An image glowed brightly. Then it disappeared.

  Another Centaurian had been killed in the invasion.

  I gasped as that life disappeared even as I realised there was a darker side to the shared link. The Centaurians perceived the death of one of their own as a powerful telepathic jolt. It felt like being hit by a lunar disruptor on its lowest setting. Not enough to knock you out but just enough to hurt like hell.

  I continued to experience the Proxian invasion through the multitude of Centaurians throughout the system. High-speed, high-collateral-damage space battles. Wings of fighters co-ordinating with Space Navy forces to cripple Proxian capital ships. Centaurians sweeping through star ports with heavily armed security forces, flushing out Proxian invaders. I felt it all. The fear, the exhilaration, the pain. It was an incredible sensory experience.

  Then, suddenly, everything changed as Sonya entered the world.

  53.

  We were standing on the surface of the alien planet. Towering cliffs rose up out of the stark rocky ground and clawed at the darkness far above. A pale mist covered the surface, swirling around our feet. I was holding Selize’s hand. She smiled at me. She laughed. She was truly happy. Then I looked down.

  Sonya stood between us. I could see the differences between her and Selize now. While she was clearly Centaurian, there was something else there too. I recognised parts of me in her. The slight angle to her upper lip, something I had inherited down the line from my great grandfather. The shape of her ears. Even her eyes, while clearly Centaurian with their horizontal inner eyelids, reminded me of my mother. Sonya smiled at me.

  I looked around. There were others there, too. Dayna stood next to me. Commander Alyssia beside her. The two medics, Jacintha and Melinda, were there too. And others. Row upon row of Centaurians, standing silently in concentric circles around us on the surface of the simulacrum planet. Its pale-green mist swirled around our legs. The birthing ritual was almost complete. All the Centaurians were joined together. A part of their awareness was here, in this simulacrum world created through the power of thei
r minds, while their physical bodies were engaged in a life or death struggle across the system. An entire race of powerful telepaths linked as one. That’s when it hit me.

  Selize.

  Yes, John?

  Are all the Centaurians joined together?

  Yes.

  This may be our only chance to stop the Proxians once and for all.

  Her eyes narrowed. Slowly, she nodded. Her actions were mirrored by all those around us.

  You’re right, of course. I hate the thought of our daughter’s birthing ritual being used as a weapon against our enemies.

  We don’t have a choice. I don’t like it any more than you do but if we don’t do something then we won’t survive.

  I … we … agree. But, I want you to do something, John.

  Anything.

  Take Sonya out of this. I don’t want her to be a part of this.

  I understand. I’ll look after her.

  I love you, John.

  I love you too, Selize.

  I found myself back inside the medical chamber. Selize lay on the table. Her breathing was even and she appeared to be in a deep sleep. One of the Centaurian medics, Jacintha, was holding our baby daughter. She handed her to me. I took baby Sonya in my arms. She opened her eyes and began to cry. I smiled. Then I began to laugh.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Jacintha asked.

  ‘I’ve never been better,’ I said. I held Sonya close and she stopped crying.

  Roger D reappeared.

  ‘She’s beautiful, John,’ he said, clapping me on the shoulder.

  ‘Thanks,’ I replied, still smiling. Then I remembered what was going on in space around us. ‘Did you send the message?’

  ‘Yes. The Space Navy acknowledged the message. They’ve dispatched two frigates to assist us.’

  I nodded. Sonya had grasped my finger tightly. My mind was a million miles away from what was happening outside. Yet, a part of me, the part that had spent most of my life in the Space Navy, could never truly ignore what was going on.