The Lost Fleet: Into the Darkness

by Raymond L. Weil

  The battleships fired a flurry of particle beams at the attackers. In the Simulin fleet, the particle beam fire from the battleships slammed into the main part of a Simulin battlecruiser, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space. Three of the massive spires disintegrated and then the ship blew apart.

  “Simulin battlecruiser is down,” reported Lieutenant Ortega.

  On one of the viewscreens, another one of the battlestations was under heavy attack. Its energy screen glowed brighter and brighter and then a Simulin energy beam penetrated, blasting a huge glowing crater into the side of the station. The station seemed to shudder violently and then blew apart as a Simulin antimatter missile detonated inside the damaged area.

  “Battlestation T-16 is down,” reported Ortega gravely. “The stations are taking a lot of damage.”

  “Our battlecruisers are joining the battle,” reported Commander Blanton as the ten vessels took up supporting positions around the six battleships.

  “Order the battlecarriers to hold position behind us to cover the support vessels. They’re to keep the light cruisers with them but I want the strikecruisers here pronto.”

  “Message sent,” reported Lieutenant Brenda Neal from Communications.

  “All of our fleet has made transit,” reported Commander Blanton as the friendly green icons appeared in the tactical display. “Ceres and New Tellus fleet are making transit.”

  “I want their battleships and strikecruisers in this battle as soon as their shields and weapons are up,” ordered Jackson. “The rest of their ships are to form up with our battlecarriers and support ships. We need to end this battle quickly.”

  The Dauntless shuddered again as several Simulin antimatter missiles slammed into the ship’s energy shield.

  “Energy shield is holding at ninety percent,” reported Captain Lance. “Firing power beams.”

  “Battlecruiser Phobos is under heavy attack,” Commander Blanton informed Jackson as she listened to various commanders over her mini-comm, which was set to fleet-wide. “They’ve suffered an energy beam hit to secondary engineering and have several fires out of control.”

  “Put her up on a viewscreen,” ordered Jackson, shifting his attention to the front wall of the Command Center. The powerful battlecruiser appeared and Jackson grimaced as he saw the top section of the ship explode and debris started drifting away from the ship. “Order the Phobos to pull back!”

  “Too late,” Commander Blanton replied as an antimatter missile slammed into the stern of the battlecruiser and the ship vanished in a fiery explosion.

  “Battlecruiser Phobos is down,” reported Lieutenant Ortega in a shaken voice.

  “Our strikecruisers have arrived,” Commander Blanton reported as the twenty green icons spread out around the battleships and battlecruisers.

  “Intensify our rate of fire,” ordered Jackson firmly. “Hit them with everything we have!”

  -

  The space between the Simulins and the human ships became filled with weapons fire. Exploding missiles slammed into the screens of both sides and occasionally a particle beam or an energy beam would slip through, damaging the unfortunate ship. From the vortex, more ships emerged and as they did, warships were sent up to assist Admiral Jackson in his battle with the Simulin fleet. As the minutes passed, the Simulins began to lose more ships as they were now vastly outnumbered.

  -

  “What does the battle computer say?” demanded the Simulin High Commander.

  He’d not been expecting to face a fleet of this size. His ships had been on patrol in the system when the vortex had activated and twenty small spheres had come through. He’d instantly engaged them thinking this was some type of probe force.

  “Chance of victory is at eight percent and dropping,” the ship’s second in command reported. “The battle computer is recommending an immediate withdrawal.”

  The Simulin High Commander winced as one of the viewscreens was covered in white light as an escort cruiser exploded from an antimatter strike. “If our other fleets were still in position we could destroy these organics,” he proclaimed as he gazed with hate at the numerous red icons flooding into the system through the vortex.

  The other fleets had been pulled back to participate in the invasion of the AI galaxy, the same galaxy these ships were coming from. He had no reinforcements to call upon.

  “We know where they’ll go,” the second in command replied. “The battle computer predicts with a ninety-five percent certainty these ships will proceed to the nebula where the other organics and the AIs have taken refuge.”

  The High Commander nodded. He’d made his decision. “In a few more weeks we’ll have gathered sufficient forces to annihilate all within the nebula. We’ll withdraw and take part in that attack. No technologically advanced organics can be allowed to survive. Once our invasion fleet reaches their galaxy there will be no more ships of the organics coming through this vortex.”

  -

  “Strikecruisers Nimrod and Voltaire cover battlestation T-14,” ordered Jackson as he saw the station being attacked by six Simulin vessels. In the last few minutes, six more of the battlestations had died fiery deaths. They’d served their purpose in keeping the Simulins away from the open intergalactic vortex, though they were paying a steep price.

  -

  The station was fighting valiantly against its attackers, firing particle beam after particle beam with its missile tubes in auto mode. Antimatter missiles were being expelled at a rapid rate, lighting up the Simulin energy shields with cascades of exploding energy. Suddenly one of the Simulin shields weakened and several bright blue particle beams penetrated, raking the ship’s hull and opening up numerous compartments to the vacuum of space. Then one of the station’s antimatter missiles shot through a hole in the screen generated by a particle beam and the Simulin escort cruiser vanished in a massive fireball of uncontrolled energy.

  The remaining Simulin ships continued to press the station as they moved closer, firing every energy beam they had at the battlestation. The station’s screen exploded in a cascade of colors as energy was spread across it. However, the firepower from the Simulin ships was too great. A Simulin energy beam penetrated the weakened shield, blowing a particle beam cannon to shreds and blasting out a deep glowing gash in the station’s armor. Several more particle beams slipped through the energy screen, tearing open major sections of the hull. Finally, twin Simulin antimatter missiles flashed through the now minuscule screen and exploded. Two glowing suns appeared as the station vanished under the onslaught of the released energy.

  -

  “Battlestation T-14 is down,” reported Ortega.

  “The strikecruiser couldn’t get there in time,” said Commander Blanton sadly.

  “Simulin fleet is withdrawing,” reported Lieutenant Ortega as vortexes began to appear on his sensor screens.

  “Let them go,” ordered Commander Jackson not wanting to risk losing any more of his valuable ships. “How many of the battlestations are left?”

  “Only seven,” reported Commander Blanton, shaking her head at the losses the stations had taken. “Two of them are reporting significant damage.”

  “Pull the crews off the two damaged stations and have several of the battlecarriers move up and attach the other five to their hulls. Once the two damaged ones have been evacuated, I want Devastator Threes set to destroy them. Also, check the wreckage from the other stations to see if we need to eliminate any of it before we leave.”

  “All fleets have made transit,” Lieutenant Ortega informed the admiral. “I’m also not picking up anything on the long-range scans except the retreating Simulin fleet.”

  Jackson nodded. That gave him enough time to organize his fleets and set out for the nebula. He was surprised there hadn’t been more Simulin ships waiting for them. From the data Admiral Strong had sent, the Simulins normally kept several fleets nearby. He wondered where they were.

  -

  In a ne
arby star system, an AI sphere slowly rose up out of the thick concealing atmosphere of the gas giant it had been hiding in. Its long-range sensors had detected the arrival of more Federation fleets and the ensuing brief battle with the Simulins. The AI in command immediately ordered an FTL message to be sent to the nebula and to stand by to make a hyperspace jump to the Sigma System. They would make contact with the new arrivals and escort them back safely to the nebula where they would be taken to Gaia. The AI in command was curious as to why such a large fleet had been sent. There was no doubt it would please Admiral Strong and the other organics, but the AI was interested in finding out just why this fleet was here.

  -

  Deep in the heart of the blue giant cluster, the gathered Simulin fleet waited inside the Dyson Sphere. Several times small vortexes had been established with the AI galaxy as tests were run to ensure everything was as it should be.

  The massive fleet’s High Commander gazed impassively at a viewscreen showing the now inactive vortex. His fleet was ready and would be making the journey in waves with numerous ships transiting within seconds of one another. If there were an organic or AI fleet waiting, this method would ensure enough ships survived to carry the attack to the enemy. As rapid as the transit was planned, it would take only a few minutes to allow them to overwhelm any waiting opposition.

  “We attack in twelve hours,” the High Commander spoke, satisfied with the reports from the last test. “Our battle computer predicts a ninety-six percent probability we can successfully make transit and eliminate any waiting opposition.”

  “It is as it should be,” replied his second in command with little emotion in his voice. “We shall go to this new galaxy, find its Great Sphere, and then begin our war against that galaxy’s organics.”

  -

  Hours passed and Race was pacing in the Command Center as much more time had gone by than he’d thought possible before the expected Simulin attack. Glancing at one of the main viewscreens, he could see three massive globes floating in space. All three of the capacitor stations had been moved inside the weakened area of space where he expected the vortex to open.

  “Admiral Korrel is demanding to know what you’re waiting for,” reported Lieutenant Travers with a disgusted look on her face. “He’s threatening to send another FTL message to the Federation.”

  Before Race could reply, warning alarms began flashing and red lights appeared on the sensor console.

  “Vortex activation,” reported Lieutenant Davis. “Massive vortex is forming.”

  “All ships, go to Condition One,” ordered Race over his fleet-wide mini-comm. “Stand by to fire weapons.”

  Immediately more alarm klaxons began to sound and additional red lights started to flash. The Command Center came alive with intense activity as the crew prepared for battle.

  “Order all noncombatants to jump out,” ordered Race. The fleet repair ships, Simulin science vessels, and the supply ships would make the jump to the Astral System.

  “Simulin ships making transit,” reported Commander Arnett as red threat icons began to appear in the tactical display near her.

  “All ships, hold your fire,” ordered Race as he prepared to implement his plan.

  Colonel Cowel looked at Race in confusion but passed the command on to Tactical.

  “Two hundred and forty Simulin battlecruisers,” reported Lieutenant Davis as the sensors identified the enemy ships. “More ships making transit. Our noncombat ships have jumped.”

  “What is the first group doing?” demanded Race. He needed them to stay in the weakened area of space.

  “Forming a defensive globe around the vortex,” Madelyn answered as she studied the tactical display.

  “They’re scanning the capacitor stations but haven’t fired upon them,” added Lieutenant Davis.

  “They’re not armed so they’re not a threat,” explained Race, nodding his head in satisfaction.

  He had hoped the Simulins would ignore the stations. More than likely, they’d want to board them and check out the technology to see if there was anything they could add to their own.

  “More ships making transit,” Colonel Cowel said worriedly as the tactical displays began to fill up with red threat icons.

  “Admiral Korrel is demanding permission to open fire,” reported Lieutenant Travers.

  “All ships, hold your fire,” Race ordered again, knowing some of the crews were probably getting trigger-happy.

  For long minutes, the Simulins continued to make transit and then finally, after the last ship had come through, the vortex collapsed and disappeared.

  “Detecting three thousand two hundred and twelve Simulin vessels,” reported Lieutenant Davis in a stunned voice.

  “Admiral Korrel is requesting permission to withdraw,” added Lieutenant Travers.

  “That figures,” muttered Madelyn.

  Race was quiet for a moment and then, leaning forward, typed in a code on his command console. Instantly a signal was sent to the three waiting capacitor stations. Inside each, a dead man switch was activated. Power conduits opened and energy was allowed to flow unrestricted through the massive stations. In just a few microseconds, all three stations detonated in blasts as bright as a supernova. The sudden release of energy spread out around the stations, encompassing a number of Simulin vessels. There was also a powerful blast wave radiating outward from all three. Filaments of fire spread out across the weakened area of space, consuming nearly everything it touched.

  “Confirmed detonation of all three capacitor stations,” reported Lieutenant Davis as all the screens in the Command Center were suddenly covered in static. The ship shook briefly, lights dimmed, and then everything settled back down. For a few moments, there was silence and the screens began coming back to life. Race looked intently at one of the viewscreens showing three glowing suns in the center of the weakened area of space. Around them hundreds of smaller fires seemed to be burning.

  “All units, open fire!” he ordered. “Lieutenant Davis, get me a count on the surviving Simulin ships.” It looked to Race that the damage the capacitor stations had done to the Simulins was far more than he’d hoped.

  “There’s still a lot of interference,” Davis reported as he tried to interpret the data coming in.

  “Just how big were those explosions?” asked Commander Arnett as she gazed in awe at the viewscreens. “I’ve never seen anything like that, not even when Admiral Strong destroyed the Translation Station of the AIs.”

  “I don’t know,” Race replied. “Not even Pelel was certain what would happen when we released all the stored energy in the capacitor stations. I know it was far more than a thousand antimatter missiles all detonating at once.”

  “At least sixteen hundred Simulin ships confirmed destroyed,” Davis finally said as his sensors begin to give him some data. “Many of the others are heavily damaged or adrift.”

  “All ships, move in and finish them off,” ordered Race, feeling the tension ease. “All battlestations and particle beam satellites are to open fire.”

  “We lost some of the particle beam satellites in the blasts,” Commander Arnett reported.

  “That was to be expected,” Race replied as the fleet opened fire on the now disorganized and nearly helpless Simulin ships. Most of their shields were down and with the firepower he had available, they wouldn’t be able to last long.

  His trap had worked. As he gazed at the viewscreens, he felt great sadness. While he had in all probability eliminated this Simulin threat to the galaxy, he’d permanently marooned the Lost Fleets and the relief fleets in the Triangulum Galaxy. There was a good chance they would never be heard from again. The explosion of the three capacitor stations in the weakened area of space had ensured no vortex could ever form there again.

  Chapter Twenty

  Jeremy stared in amazement as the relief fleets continued to drop out of hyperspace into the Gaia System. Ship after ship exited swirling blue-white vortexes and joined their fleet formation
s. It had been necessary to shut down twenty percent of the hyperspace disruption emitters to allow the fleets entry into the Gaia System. As soon as the last ship made transit, the signal would be sent to reactivate them.

  “There are so many,” spoke Kelsey, staring in disbelief at the large viewscreen in the Command Center of the Distant Horizon.

  “Admiral Jackson is leading the fleets,” commented Kathryn as a large number of Carethian ships began to appear.

  “There are colony ships, supply ships, and even ten fleet repair ships,” added Kevin. He was standing next to Katie at her computer console.

  “As well as some Alton colony ships,” added Andram with a big smile. “I am told twenty thousand members of my race volunteered to come to Gaia.”

  “But look at this,” Kathryn said as she adjusted the large viewscreen. Instantly an Alton battleship came into view pulling a partial sphere behind it.

  “What’s that?” asked Angela not recognizing what she was seeing.

  “Part of an Indomitable Class Battlestation,” answered Clarissa. She was standing next to Kathryn with her hands on her shapely hips. “When reassembled there will be ten of them.”

  Jeremy was silent for a long moment. “Admiral Jackson is more senior than I am. He will now be in command of our fleets.”

  “Surely he won’t take command away from you!” uttered Kevin, showing shock at Jeremy’s statement.

  “It’s his right,” Jeremy replied in calm voice. “I want to set up a meeting with all fleet admirals on the Clan Protector in four hours. That should give the relief fleets sufficient time to go into orbit.”

  “Four hundred and sixteen ships,” confirmed Captain Reynolds.

  “Why are they here?” asked Commander Grissim. Anne looked at Jeremy questionably.

  “I don’t know,” answered Jeremy.

  It was great to see the ships from home, but he was deeply concerned they were here for another reason rather than just to colonize Gaia. He suspected he would find out when he spoke to Admiral Jackson.

  -

  Four hours later, Jeremy and all the admirals of the fleets were gathered in a large conference room upon the Clan Protector. Looking around the room at those present, Jeremy couldn’t help but feel a big chunk of the leadership of the Federation fleet as well as their allies were present in the room. From his own forces, there was Grayseth, Daelthon, Rear Admiral Marks, Rear Admiral Barnes, Admiral Cleeteus, the Command AI, and himself. From the relief fleets, there were Admiral Jackson, Admiral Bachal, Admiral Sithe, and Admiral Calmat.