“They have set down in front of us,” Dabak said as he studied their surroundings. “They must have detected our energy rifles.”
Lasall nodded. “They will be coming for us. Let us find a spot we can defend and wait for their arrival. We will take as many of them down as possible. This is the hunt and it is our time of honor.” Lasall felt great sadness at not being able to return home to his clan and family. As with any mission a Carethian set out on, there was always the possibility of not returning home but going on the Great Hunt instead.
“There were some boulders and several large fallen tree trunks back a ways. That will give us some cover and allow us to extract the maximum toll on the Eternals.”
Lasall knew of the place Dabak was speaking of. “Let us go there and wait.” With a deep sigh, Lasall knew their part in the hunt was about to come to an end.
-
The Eternal warrior robots continued to advance steadily through the thick forest and tangled underbrush. Each robot was nearly ten foot high and possessed an energy cannon in one arm and could fire explosive rounds with the other. They were a dark gray in color with hints of black around the joints. Several times they stopped and used their energy weapons to clear a path. One robot was severely damaged when a tentacle from a vine wrapped itself around the robot and pulled it high into the air before the robot was able to use its energy weapon to free itself.
From the deep shadows of the forest, a crashing sound was heard. The robots paused, turning toward the noise. A huge creature suddenly appeared and promptly attacked one of the robots, tearing it apart with its large teeth and the pressure from its jaws. The creature was promptly blown apart as it was struck by numerous explosive rounds from nearby warrior robots.
-
Lasall heard the life-ending scream from a large creature amidst the sound of small explosions. He knew the Eternals had encountered one of the dangerous animals this forest hid. With any kind of luck they would take some losses before reaching the waiting Carethians.
“There’s movement in front of us,” said Dabak, pointing his arm toward some underbrush a hundred meters away.
Suddenly the underbrush was pushed aside and a large robot appeared. While in many ways it was similar to the ones the Originator AIs had provided to use against the Simulins, this one looked bulkier and was covered in thicker armor. On both sides of the robot, others appeared.
“Robots,” muttered Dabak with concern and disgust in his voice. “I don’t know how effective our energy rifles will be against them. Our best target will be their heads. Their chest armor may be too thick for our weapons to penetrate.”
“Only one way to find out,” Lasall said as he took aim with his rifle and fired at the nearest robot. The beam struck the robot squarely in the head. It hesitated and then collapsed, its head a smoldering piece of wreckage.
The rest of Lasall’s group began firing. More robots fell to the ground, unmoving. Energy beams that struck the robots torsos did little damage due to the armor as Dabak predicted. Only the heads were vulnerable.
The robots seemed to hesitate and then they began returning fire. Powerful energy beams and small explosions raked the area where Lasall’s group was hidden. A tree trunk blew apart, killing one Carethian. Two energy beams caught Dabak in the chest, killing him instantly.
Lasall ducked as several nearby explosions threw rocks and debris over him. When he stood back up, he saw he was now alone. Looking toward the robots he saw them advancing. They would shortly reach his position. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out into the open firing his energy rifle. “For honor!” he shouted just as an explosive round struck him in the chest.
-
In orbit, the commanding officer of the Eternals frowned as he listened to the reports from the surface. Possible survivors from the battle in space had been encountered. Unfortunately they had been armed with some type of energy weapon, which made capture impractical. A number of warrior robots had been destroyed in the short, pitched battle.
“Have the remaining warrior robots continue to search the forest. There may be more survivors.” The commander was determined to search the entire planet if necessary. “Send a message to the nearest patrol fleet. We need their vessels and robots. I intend to comb every kilometer of this planet. If there are more survivors, we will find them.”
-
Grayseth stood gazing out over the forest. In the distance, he could hear the sounds of a battle. After a few minutes the sounds died away and he knew Lasall and his group were no more. “Pull the energy cartridges out of the energy cannon and take them deeper into the cave; same for the ones for our rifles. If we see the Eternals start up the slope we’ll bring them back for our weapons.”
Hawthorn nodded and quickly did as ordered.
Grayseth stepped back from the cave opening. He had hoped someday to return to Marille and take her for his mate. In time their den would have been full of cubs. Now none of that would happen. Grayseth took solace in the knowledge his clan would take care of Marille. It was an honored tradition to take care of the mate of a fallen warrior.
-
Jeremy was in the Command Center as the Avenger crossed the first hyperspace sensor line of the Eternals. All ships in the two fleets had their stealth fields activated and their intergalactic hyperdrives at full power. The fleets flashed up to the sensor line and then rapidly across it.
“Any signs of detection?” asked Jeremy, feeling tense. If they were detected the mission would be over.
Both Aaliss and Ariel were quiet for several long seconds.
“No,” Aaliss finally answered. “There is no evidence we were detected.”
“We’ll continue to monitor with our long-range sensors to see if any Eternal warships appear,” added Ariel.
“There’s nothing currently on our sensors,” reported Kevin, who was watching his sensor screens intently. “Everything’s clear out to thirty-two light years.”
“We’re at Condition One,” said Commander Malen, looking over at Jeremy. “How long should we stay at the higher alert level?”
“Another hour,” answered Jeremy. “If we don’t detect any Eternal vessels by then we can safely assume the new material our ships are coated with has gotten us safely past the line of sensors.”
“We’ll be at the system the fleet battle occurred in late tomorrow,” Malen said as she checked some data on her command console.
Jeremy blinked his eyes as he gazed at the nearby tactical display. All it showed were the green icon of the two fleets. Tomorrow he would know if his Bear friend and fellow clan member had survived.
Chapter Five
Jeremy watched anxiously as the Avenger and the two fleets with her crossed the hyperspace detection field surrounding the Median Galaxy. His eyes were focused on the long-range sensors to see if there was any response from the Eternals. The crew was quiet with everyone’s eyes focused on the screens.
“I don’t believe we were detected,” said Aaliss after a few moments.
“I can confirm we’ve crossed the detection field,” added Ariel. “We’re proceeding to the planetary system and should arrive there in four hours.”
Jeremy drew in a deep breath. “Keep an eye out for Eternal vessels. We know they have a lot of ships in the region we’re going to. I expect us to be detected before we arrive in the system. The longer we can delay that detection, the more time we’ll have to find Grayseth and any other survivors from the Warrior’s Pride.”
“I’ve plotted a course which keeps us well away from regions we detected Eternal ships the last time,” replied Ariel. “However, the closer we get to the target system the more Eternal ships we’ll begin to encounter.”
-
The hours slowly crawled by as the fleets flew deeper into the Median Galaxy. Several times Ariel made course adjustments when Eternal vessels were detected by the long-range sensors. Each time they managed to avoid detection.
-
Ariel looked over at J
eremy as she made another course correction. Four Eternal vessels had been detected at the far edge of the sensors. “We’re encountering more Eternal vessels,” she said. “It’s only a matter of time before we’re detected.”
“How far are we from the system?” Jeremy was growing more concerned every time they detected Eternal ships. There seemed to be far more around than expected.
“Twenty minutes,” Aaliss replied.
Suddenly alarms began sounding on Kevin’s sensor console.
“We’ve been detected,” Kevin said worriedly. “We have three Eternal vessels passing us at sixteen light years out. They have definitely detected us and are altering course.”
Jeremy looked over at Commander Malen. Kyla nodded her head as if expecting the next order.
“Take the fleets to Condition One and prepare for combat,” Jeremy ordered. The two fleets had been at Condition Two.
Almost immediately red lights started flashing, and klaxons began sounding. In a calm voice Commander Malen made the announcement of the setting of Condition One over the ship’s comm system and to the other vessels in the two fleets.
“Condition One is set throughout the fleets,” she reported.
“What are those three Eternal vessels doing?”
“They’re out of range,” answered Kevin. “But it appeared they were turning toward us. They won’t be able to catch us before we reach the target system.”
Jeremy leaned back in his command chair. He could feel his heart beating faster. It seemed they would have to fight the Eternals sooner than he had thought. At least it was only three ships but there was a chance they were already calling for reinforcements.
“When we come out of hyperspace, the dreadnoughts will proceed to the planet and immediately begin scanning it for any signs of Grayseth. The battlecruisers will hold back just short of the planet to engage any Eternal vessels that show up. If it comes to a major fleet battle, the dreadnoughts will join the battlecruisers to engage the Eternals. Once we’ve determined Grayseth is not on the planet or the odds turn against us in the fleet battle, we will withdraw.”
“I’m sure we’ll find Grayseth,” Ariel said. “Marille is expecting us to bring him back to her.”
Jeremy had spoken briefly to Marille before they left. She was deeply in love with Grayseth and anxious to become his mate. She had told Jeremy she and Grayseth would have many cubs together. Jeremy wondered how Ariel and Clarissa would handle that as any children of Grayseth’s would be around the children of the Special Five much of the time. He hoped he would get to find out.
-
The fleets dropped out of hyperspace two million kilometers from the planet. The long-range sensors had already detected the two Eternal battlecruisers in orbit. In addition, a fleet of twenty Eternal vessels had been detected inbound toward the system and would arrive within an hour of the Avenger and her fleets.
“It’s going to be a fleet battle,” Commander Malen said as she studied the tactical display near her. “There’s no way we’ll be able to complete our mission before that fleet arrives.”
“We have the numbers at the moment,” Jeremy responded as he gazed at the red threat icons showing on the tactical display. “Take the dreadnoughts in and let’s begin our search.” They had some time but probably not very much.
“The two Eternal battlecruisers in orbit have detected us and are leaving the planet and moving out to rendezvous with the inbound Eternal fleet when it reaches the system,” said Ariel. “The fact they were in orbit of the planet indicates they were searching for something.”
This concerned Jeremy. There could only be one thing they were searching for and that was Grayseth and the survivors from the Warrior’s Pride. It also indicated there were survivors on the planet. He felt his excitement rising as he realized he might soon get to see his friend.
“We have three additional Eternal battlecruisers that just turned up on the long-range sensors,” added Kevin as three more red threat icons flared up in the tactical display. “They’re the ones we encountered earlier. They’ll be arriving in about ten minutes.”
“The military AIs are dividing their fleet up into four sections of one hundred battlecruisers each,” reported Aaliss. “One fleet will engage the inbound Eternals and the other three will stay back in reserve.”
“Confirm their strategy and inform them to be prepared for more Eternal fleet units to arrive,” ordered Jeremy. He knew by now the appearance of his fleets must be causing a stir with the Eternals. Whoever was in command of this region would be sending reinforcements soon. “And Aaliss, remind the military AIs they are not to sacrifice their ships if the Eternals show up in overwhelming force. If that happens we’re leaving.” Jeremy just hoped if it came to that the rescue effort would be finished and Grayseth would be safely on board the Avenger.
“Message sent,” Aaliss replied. Aaliss could communicate with the military AIs without the need for the ship’s comm system. She had a small Originator designed comm unit inside her, which allowed contact with other AIs in close proximity.
“Commander Malen, is Major Wilde ready to deploy?”
“She is,” answered Malen. “The major has her Marines and the combat robots loaded on board the assault shuttles.”
Jeremy nodded. There were six large assault shuttles in the Avenger’s flight bay. Many of the smaller shuttles had been removed to make room for the larger vessels. “Lieutenant Lantz, send a message to the planet informing Grayseth we are going into orbit and need to know his location.”
This was the most nerve-wracking time of all: waiting for a response that might or might not come. If there was no response then in all likelihood Grayseth had never reached the planet or if he did, he hadn’t survived the harsh environment of this world. However, the presence of the two Eternal vessels that had been in orbit indicated something or someone was down on the planet.
-
Grayseth was near the cave entrance with Hawthorn when Makeb came rushing up.
“Grayseth! I picked up a message on the comm unit. Fleet Admiral Strong is back in the system and he’s requesting we inform him of our location.” A small hidden antennae had been rigged on top of the mountain with a wire running to the cutter in the cave.
Grayseth stepped closer to the cave entrance, looking out. A few Eternal robots were visible at the edge of the forest. So far, none had come up the slope possibly due to the hazardous footing. He took a deep breath. If they responded to Jeremy’s message, the Eternals would know where they were and would doubtless attack the cave. It was a risk they were going to have to take.
“Send a reply and notify Fleet Admiral Strong of our location and current situation. Tell him we expect to be under heavy attack shortly. Also send Shantor, Belmar, and Antolth up here with their energy rifles and some extra energy cartridges. We’re going to need them.”
Maken hurried off to send the message. “Hawthorn, put the energy cartridges back in the cannon. We’re going to have to hold off the Eternal robots unit Fleet Admiral Strong arrives. Once we send the broadcast they’ll know where we are.”
“He has come back for us,” Hawthorn replied as he turned to go get the cartridges. “He is a true clan member.”
Grayseth nodded. “He is my clan brother.” It would be good to see Jeremy again, assuming they made it out of this cave.
-
The commander of one of the Eternal ships in orbit above the planet looked in consternation at the ships that had appeared out of hyperspace. They had been detected only a few minutes before they emerged. He immediately ordered his two ships to move away from the planet. If these were the same ships which had been involved in the battle in this system, he knew they were capable of damaging and even destroying Eternal vessels.
“It’s a rescue mission,” the commander said as he gazed at the numerous red threat icons on the ship’s tactical display.
“There must be someone of great value on the planet,” responded his second in command.
“They risk much coming this far.”
The commanding officer knew he had made a serious error in judgment. He should have called for a much larger fleet when he had confirmed the presence of survivors from the space battle. He would now correct that error. There were sufficient ships in the nearby Stralon Star Cluster; he would summon them immediately. This fleet could not be allowed to carry out its rescue mission and escape. He would destroy it and then find those who were hiding on the planet.
“Activate the hyperspace jamming field,” he ordered. He knew in the first battle in this system, the field had been effective against the enemy vessels for a short time period. The field had been modified to make it more effective. If the field could hold the enemy ships here in this system, then with the arrival of superior Eternal forces the enemy ships would be destroyed. After that, the hidden survivors from the first battle would be taken into custody for interrogation. In the meantime, the warrior robots on the planet would prevent any rescue.
-
For several heart-stopping minutes the crew in the Avenger’s Command Center waited anxiously for a response from the planet. Jeremy was beginning to fear they had arrived too late when the communication console lit up with an incoming message.
“I have a response,” Lieutenant Lantz said excitedly. “Grayseth and the survivors from the Warrior’s Pride are inside a cave in a small mountain. There are twenty survivors including Grayseth.”
Jeremy felt a wave of relief flood over him. Grayseth was still alive! “Anything else?”
“Yes, the Eternals have landed some type of combat robots and they are closing in on the cave. Grayseth expects they will detect this signal and make an assault shortly.”
“We’re in orbit,” reported Commander Malen, shifting her eyes to Jeremy. “We can launch the assault shuttles anytime.”
Jeremy took a deep breath. “Launch them. Tell Major Wilde to bring Grayseth and his surviving crew back to the Avenger.”
The Originator Wars: Search for the Lost: A Lost Fleet Novel Page 7