That was close! Kalrea said, sounding relieved.
Find the base, Kalrea! We may not have much time, James thought.
Searching.
James looked at the Dagnamk landscape covered with deep rocky canyons, which criss-crossed the ground, like large hollow veins. Large mountain ranges and dormant volcanoes rose high into the bleak night sky. The rocky and sandy surface exhibited very little vegetation and there was no sign of animal life.
The Aurora suddenly banked over and accelerated. It thundered across the planet contours, kicking up sand from its dry surface, which swirled in large vortexes in the wake of the ship.
Two minutes to target. Nine fighters dead ahead, Kalrea informed James.
The front laser of the Aurora fired. Streaks of flame and plumes of smoke filled the view ahead as the fighters were destroyed, one by one. The Aurora swept over a large mountain and descended rapidly towards the base. There, stretched out below, James could see a concentration of buildings laid out in a large square matrix, like a gigantic chessboard at least three kilometres square. Most of the buildings were very low and appeared to be partially buried.
What are the defences? James thought.
Our scanners shows plasma batteries, lasers in the towers and—
Suddenly streaks of light lit the path of enemy missiles fired at the Aurora forcing it to bank away from the base. The missiles flew harmlessly by.
Access their systems. Collect all the data you can, Kalrea. I need to know how to destroy that base.
I’m already on it.
Kalrea paused for a few seconds.
I’ve found only one sure way of destroying the entire base. We need to breach the reactor.
Right; where is it? James thought eagerly.
James, it’s not going to be that easy. What you see are just the access points to the base. It covers an area of over one thousand cubic kilometres beneath the surface. The reactor is located two point four kilometres inside.
Damn! How are we going to get to it?
I’m studying the plans of the base now, Kalrea replied. It’s well protected.
You must find a way, Kalrea! James thought.
As the Aurora sat high in the night sky the batteries of the closest building fired again but they weren’t energy missiles.
Suddenly an alarm sounded.
‘SIXTEEN INCOMING!’
Lomip mechanised missiles. They’ve locked on to us, Kalrea said.
What? James said in surprise.
Jamming, Kalrea said.
The Aurora held station as the missiles approached. They suddenly veered downwards and exploded beneath the ship.
There’s no way of reaching the reactor, Kalrea said. It’s just too far underground.
James felt frustrated.
Then, we’ll have to just destroy as much of it as we can.
The main control rooms are deeper within the base than the reactor. We can’t do any serious damage, James.
I don’t believe this. We have to do something, and soon! We can’t wait here forever!
That’s it! Kalrea said suddenly.
What do you mean, ‘that’s it’? James thought.
Kalrea replied,
The answer’s in the history of Dagnamk.
You’re not making any sense, Kalrea.
Look at the landscape. The mountains and in particular the volcanoes, Kalrea said. Up to two thousand sykals ago Dagnamk was a very violent planet. Lava once flowed throughout the entire planet and across the surface in large rivers. Many of those volcanoes you see are registering signs of activity.
Yes, but I don’t see how that helps us?
The lava has retreated near the core, but Dagnamk is still very active deep underground. If we could release the lava near the base it would do the job for us.
You’ve got my attention. How do we do it?
Beneath the surface there’s a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns where the lava once flowed. They lead deep into the planet, down to within metres of the active lava. If we break through, the pressure of the lava will force its way to the surface. Anything in its path will be consumed. I’ve mapped all the tunnels in this area. There’s an entrance we can use below us.
James viewed the craggy split in the rocky ground below. It’s not very big.
No, Kalrea replied. The Aurora is far too big to enter.
Could a fighter make it?
Yes, but it would never get out in time. The fighter would be able to outrun the lava but not the explosion from the reactor, when the lava reached it.
There must be another way, James thought.
There is, Kalrea said. I can control a single fighter remotely, but because of the distance below ground, I would need another to act as a booster; a relay node halfway.
You can control the other fighter? James thought, optimistically.
No. I would need too much bandwidth to control two. Someone will have to fly the fighter acting as my booster. I’ve calculated they would have only twenty-two seconds to reach the surface once the lava is released. The reactor will be breached in between twelve and fifteen seconds. The explosion from the reactor will then take only ten seconds to destroy the base.
And is that the only way we can do this?
Yes.
‘Gulino, we’ve got a problem,’ James said, over the Aurora’s address system.
Kalrea showed the route on the monitor and explained the plan.
‘There are twenty-five bends to negotiate and a thick layer of rock to blast through,’ she added.
Gulino studied the route.
‘Some of the buildings extend into those caves,’ he said. ‘There doesn’t appear to be any automatic internal defences, Kalrea.’
‘No, but the Treitans may work out what we are doing and try to stop the fighters,’ Kalrea said.
‘It doesn’t look very wide in there,’ Londuo commented.
‘In some places the rocky tunnels are barely twice the width of a fighter. You can’t afford to make a mistake,’ Kalrea said.
A point on the route was highlighted.
‘The second fighter will need to hold station here. That’s when it will be at its most vulnerable. You’ll need to be alert because there are buildings nearby.’
‘How are you going to blast through the rock, Kalrea?’ Gulino said. ‘Not even a plasma torpedo could get through that.’
‘I’m working on it at the moment. If I can overheat the fighter’s drive at the last moment and fly the fighter at speed into the rock, the explosion will breach it.’
‘What if it doesn’t?’ Gulino questioned.
‘Then the second fighter would have to do the same,’ Kalrea replied.
There was a moment of silence.
‘This is where the reactor is located,’ Kalrea said, and an image appeared on the monitor.
At the centre of a colossal cavern was the tall slim reactor, stretching from floor to ceiling.
‘What do you think, Gulino?’ James asked.
‘We must have a go; I believe Kalrea’s plan can work,’ Gulino replied.
‘I’m already configuring one of the fighters for my interface,’ Kalrea said.
Gulino rose nervously from his seat.
‘Right, let’s do it,’ he said.
‘Wait, Gulino!’ Londuo said, looking over to him. ‘I’m sorry, Gulino, but you don’t stand a chance of making it out. You’re not good enough—’
As Gulino was about to speak Londuo continued,
‘You know I should be the one to go. I’m one of the best pilots in the fleet. If anyone’s going to make it, it’s me.’
‘I have to go, James,’ Gulino said. ‘I am good enough. I can do this—’
‘Hold on, please; both of you!’ James said, interrupting.
Kalrea? he thought.
Londuo has the best chance of completing the mission, Kalrea replied. She’s an Alpha grade pilot.
James thought to himself for a moment.
; James, remember I can read your thoughts, Kalrea said in James’ head. This must be a very difficult decision for you.
I don’t want to lose her, James replied, wrestling with his thoughts.
But Londuo’s right. If you send Gulino, his chances of surviving are almost zero, Kalrea said. Londuo has a sixty percent chance of making it.
Only sixty percent! Why can’t you promise me she’ll make it?
I’m sorry. I’m not going to lie to you, James, Kalrea replied. Anything could happen. You have to make the right decision. It’s up to you.
Why do I have to make the choice?
Because you’re the captain, James.
James had to make a decision, either to send Gulino, who would most certainly die, or risk losing his lover.
James focused.
‘Londuo will go. Gulino, you’ll stay here.’
‘But…,’ Gulino said.
‘Do I have to repeat myself, Commander?’ James said.
‘No, sir,’ Gulino replied.
‘Okay, Londuo it’s your call, but I don’t want you taking any risks,’ James said.
Kalrea you must breach the rock. Promise me you’ll make sure Londuo has the maximum amount of time to get out of there, he thought.
I promise, James. She will.
James watched Londuo as she headed for the lift.
‘Londuo!’ Gulino said, spinning his seat around.
She stopped for a moment, her back to him.
‘You won’t do anything foolish, will you?’ Gulino said. ‘There’s someone here who needs you.’
She turned and smiled.
‘You know me.’
Londuo entered the lift.
What did she mean, ‘you know me,’ James thought. I hope she won’t do anything stupid in there.
James looked at the scanners. Four Treitan cruisers were now very close.
Two of our ships didn’t make it, James, Kalrea said sadly. The Horopila and Thardopila.
What? We lost two ships? I don’t know what to say. James was lost for words. I... I can’t believe all those people gave their lives so we could get here. He felt full of guilt, like he was directly responsible for their deaths. We have to destroy the base, Kalrea. I can’t go back and say we failed. I would not be able to face anyone.
*****
The two fighters powered up their drives. Londuo performed her final flight checks, ready for departure. She was nervous, just like she would be on any mission, but this time she felt different. For the first time, she felt scared.
‘Kalrea’s downloaded full schematics of the caverns and tunnels into your computer, Londuo,’ James said over the fighter intercom. ‘Once you have launched we’re going to move two kilometres to the North, out of range of the base. It’s up to you and Kalrea now. Please be careful, Londuo. I love you!’ he said.
‘Love you too, James,’ she replied.
Okay, here we go. Keep calm, try to relax. You can’t afford to feel afraid. And stop thinking about those dreams, you’re not going to die here on Dagnamk!
The fighters cleared the cargo bay of the Aurora. Led by Kalrea they spun quickly around and disappeared into the dark mouth of the cave. Lights within the nose and tail of the fighters were activated automatically, illuminating the tunnel. The walls were smooth but with some large sharp rocks jutting out. They rounded the first corner and continued through an enormous cavern.
‘Londuo, you’ll have to use full power when you enter this cavern on the way out. It’s long enough for a seven second burst,’ Kalrea instructed.
They neared a smaller tunnel.
‘Use maximum side thrust on every bend.’
It’s tighter in here than a kiol up a knip pipe, Londuo thought.
When they approached another bend, Londuo noticed part of a building cut into the rock. A large walkway was visible to the left. Three Treitans stood motionless while the fighters flew past. They’re watching me. Londuo felt a shiver run down her spine. I don’t like this. It’s too narrow. I can’t manoeuvre.
The ships slowed.
‘All right Londuo; this is where I leave you,’ Kalrea said. ‘Keep alert.’
‘Understood,’ Londuo replied, looking nervously around.
To the right were two large windows looking into a room. A startled Treitan froze for a moment before it slithered from the room.
Kalrea’s fighter disappeared into another tunnel.
Londuo monitored the surrounding area. The scanner was saturated with information.
‘Twenty seconds,’ Kalrea informed.
Come on, Kalrea, hurry up. Londuo glanced out the side of the cockpit. She gasped when five Treitans rushed into the adjacent room. Two were carrying a large tube. They pointed it at her ship.
No, they’re not going to do what I think they’re going to do!
Londuo cut all power, causing the fighter to drop, just before a missile crashed through the window and exploded on the far wall of the tunnel. Rocks rained down on the fighter.
Damn, they did! They shouldn’t have done that! Now that really upsets me.
She calmly selected the front laser. The fighter rose up level with the window and fired. Bright flashes of laser fire showered the interior of the room, cutting everything inside to pieces. Londuo stopped, her heart beating fast as the cloudy room cleared slowly. Dust and debris was falling like snow onto the pierced and distorted floor. The devastation was enormous, and the room had been totally destroyed.
Suddenly, she noticed the lacerated remains of a large Treitan tentacle lying across the nose of the fighter. The end of it twitched. Londuo felt light-headed and rocked the fighter violently from side to side to dislodge it. The tentacle slid slowly to the edge, leaving a thick mustard trail, before disappearing down the tunnel, striking the rocks as it fell.
‘Ten seconds. Raising drive temperature,’ Kalrea said. ‘Five seconds.’
Kalrea’s fighter accelerated and crashed into the rock. There was a large explosion, causing the rocks to split and shatter.
Londuo noticed the tunnel walls around her shudder. A whistle of air from the explosion reverberated towards the surface. Her heart quickened. She watched the scanners. When the dust settled there was no sign of the lava.
‘It hasn’t worked,’ she said in disbelief.
‘Wait,’ Kalrea replied. ‘Seismic activity is increasing in the area. Londuo, get moving,’ Kalrea said sternly. ‘Get out of there!’
*****
The surface of the planet visibly moved, shaken by a quake. The walls of the base buckled and split. The lava began to run along the caverns and tunnels, melting everything on its way. It rushed relentlessly along corridors and through rooms. Blast doors were pushed aside, like they were made of paper. Within seconds the lava had reached the cavern containing the reactor, pouring onto its floor like treacle. It splashed and pierced some holes into the reactor outer shell and beams of emerald light shone out, like a warning from a lighthouse. The volume of lava increased rapidly and a crack appeared in the outer shell. The reactor’s hum grew in pitch while the crack widened, then suddenly the shell shattered like glass.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tremors moved across the whole surface of the base and some of the buildings started to crumble.
Her adrenaline pumping, Londuo’s mind wrestled with the controls of her fighter, flying as fast as she dared.
Come on, faster. Wait, watch that rock. Reverse thrust, more power. Too many rocks.
She checked the rear monitor and saw a distant flicker of light behind her.
‘Londuo, you need to increase your velocity,’ Kalrea said calmly.
Londuo entered the large cavern near the surface. She noticed the rocky walls starting to move around her, due to the explosion now moving rapidly through the structure of the base and tunnels. Rocks started to fall all around her.
Londuo increased to full power.
One, two…
A wall of flame was rapidly closing in on the
fighter.
Seven… eight seconds of burn time, Londuo thought.
‘You’re four seconds behind my estimate,’ Kalrea informed her.
Come on, I must go faster.
‘Londuo, you’re travelling too fast!’ Kalrea said suddenly.
Londuo reversed the drive momentarily to round the final corner, but the fighter struck a large rock protruding from the tunnel. Her heart raced. Alarms sounded in the cockpit. The fighter ricocheted off a wall, and just before flames enveloped the fighter, she caught a glimpse of the night sky through the exit ahead. She was flying blind.
‘WARNING! HULL HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.’
‘STABILIZER FAILURE.’
‘DRIVE FAILURE.’
‘REACTOR UNSTABLE. VENTING PLASMA.’
‘Damn, I’ve lost the stabilisers. I’m losing power!’ Londuo cried out. ‘I can’t control it. I’m—’
*****
James watched in horror. A ball of flame exited the tunnel and reached high into the sky. Londuo’s fighter suddenly burst from the side of the fire ball. He felt as though his heart had missed a beat when parts of the drive fell from the side of Londuo’s fighter. He watched a bright orange trail in the sky marking its rapid fall. The trail suddenly arched to the ground and there was a distant explosion.
James awoke from the seatra, and the lid rose up.
‘No!’ he shouted, scaring Kira.
She jumped out the seatra and hid behind the consoles.
At that moment the base erupted into the air. Molten debris showered the surrounding landscape. The explosion reached up into the atmosphere, changing night into day.
Gulino freed himself from his harness and moved quickly over to the seatra.
‘Are you all right, James?’ he asked, concerned.
‘I just saw Londuo’s fighter go down. She didn’t stand a chance,’ James said, his hands on his head. ‘I shouldn’t have let her go.’
‘Wait! I’m picking up a faint life sign near the crashed fighter,’ Kalrea instantly informed James over the ship’s address system. ‘Londuo managed to eject but was too low.’
By the time he had climbed from the seatra the Aurora was already accelerating towards the crash position.
‘I’ve analysed the Dagnamk atmosphere,’ Kalrea said. ‘The air is very thin and barely breathable. There’s also a high Olta radiation count. You cannot be outside for more than three to four minutes at the most.’
The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1) Page 23