Verron_Birth of a Nation

by Douglas Varnell

  The Klelta Fighters were more heavily armed than a Light Destroyers. There was only a one man crew and the space normally used for housing a squad of Marines and additional ship’s crew was filled with extra missiles, torpedoes and those monster sized 100mm rounds for Klelta sized Gatling guns. The twenty ships spread out and began to launch FTL Plasma Missiles into the huge battleships. The damage was substantial in the beginning but soon decoy drones were launched by the thousands and the missiles began to seek the hotter targets with stronger ship transponder signals. The Klelta pilots continued to fire missiles with at least 50% accuracy into any ship they could now target. Soon they were within range to use those armor piercing Gatling guns. Having never actually fired on another ship, the first volley amazed even the pilots using the weapons, while their smaller 10mm Laser Machine Guns were kept busy shooting down a constant barrage of incoming missiles. They were quickly turning everything they hit into scrap metal. The only problem was there just weren’t enough of them to handle so large a number of big ships and thousands of missiles. During the battle, most of the 200 small nimble fighters managed to break-away and were headed for Klelta flying defensive support for the 150,000 soldiers spread out in 200 troop landing ships that had also managed to escape. While the fleet of ships behind them did battle with an invisible enemy, 200 fighters and all the accompanying ground troops were on a path direct for their targets and were determined to carry out their mission.

  When the distress call came into Verron it was received by the communications officer at the Air Force Command Center in the valley by the spaceship factory. He immediately called General Zarman who was somewhere off surface running trials on the latest Gljarne Class Destroyer, finished and completely armed two days earlier. When he got the call he wasted no time sending out a signal to all available ships and crews ready for immediate departure. Ninety-nine was flying with his 16 man fighter squad, doing chase and pursue with Katelyn and Tala. That made a total of 18 fully armed fighters that immediately formed a gateway and exited in the Klelta lower orbit. Amber quickly manned another Gljarne Class Destroyer completely crewed by Xhondarians who were being trained by Dalhia. In moments there were two Gljarne Class Destroyers headed to assist the 20 struggling Klelta. Shortly afterwards, a dozen more Fighters and four Light Destroyers were leaving Verron airspace. Lucy was given authorization to make a gateway for the ships just as she had for General Zarman. There simply wasn’t enough time to mobilize additional ground troops or ships. While others prepared for battle the call went out for every available ship and Marines to make ready for departure. General Zarman was greatly disappointed that so few had made flight in the short span of time. He had no idea what was waiting on the other side of his gateway, he just knew that he had everything immediately available entering the Klelta system: 2 – Gljarne Class Destroyers, 4 – Light Destroyers and 30 – Class X Fighters. He was soon to find out just how good his pilots and ships were when he immediately faced three hundred totally functional enemy ships and a few dozen still trying to fight.

  General Zarman’s four Light Destroyers switched to stealth mode and jumped into the fight with the Klelta Fighters. The two Big Gljarne Class Destroyers spread out drawing extra-heavy enemy fire since they were the only visible enemy. His 10mm Gatling Gun Missile Defense was firing non-stop at the thousands of missiles coming his way, as he began to methodically work on the mammoth two mile-long Battleships. He looked out the bridge window to see Dalhia and Amber doing the same. None of them could imagine 100 ships that big and the amazing firepower they carried. The General knew immediately that Paul Verron was not mistaken when he predicted that Verron would need a lot more ships very soon.

  The 30 Fighters from Verron added to the 10 Tecalna Fighters already in place were soon faced with an approaching battle group of 200 enemy fighters and 200 of armed troop landing vessels. It was almost impossible to get through the maze of defensive Fighters as they moved closer and closer to the planet surface. It soon turned into an incredible dog-fight, as the 40 smaller and more maneuverable Verron Fighters dodged in and out of the on-coming spray of missiles and laser fire. No one knew just how well their forcefields would work until missiles and laser rounds began to ping harmlessly off the shield protecting each Verron Fighter. Unfortunately for the Qualoc fighters, their shields were not operating with the same capabilities as the defenders and the Verron targeting system rarely failed to find its target. One by one, the Qualoc fighters began to be blown apart by Verron and Catmando Fighters. Tala was by far the best in the fight thus far, but 99 and Katelyn weren’t far behind, as their laser Gatling guns and 120mm plasma rounds pulverized the attacking fighters.

  The Verron forces managed to destroy a few of the troop transports but were being so preoccupied with the five-to-one odds, over a dozen of the large ships made it through. Ninety-nine had already killed a dozen Fighters and ended up the hero of the day. Tala and Katelyn already had ten Fighters each but decided to pursue the troop ships as they entered Klelta atmosphere. With only a few enemy fighters remaining, Ninety-nine commanded that the group split up. Ten stayed to finish the battle with the remaining fighters, ten chased and destroyed as many troop transports as possible, the remaining 20 headed out to the big battle with General Zarman.

  It was a big battle. The monstrous ships could take a tremendous beating. Some were almost half destroyed and dead in orbit, but continued to fight with everything they had left. When 99 and his fighters arrived they immediately focused on close-in fire aimed at the missile launchers and cannon ports. They knew better than to think they could completely destroy one of the big ships, but they were making it very difficult for the larger ships to keep fighting. It was obvious that the crews aboard the Qualoc armada were now in environmental suites. All five hundred ships were now either completely destroyed or floating harmlessly in space. There wasn’t a single ship that could make a run for home, much less keep up a sustained fight. General Zarman commanded his ships to back away and hold their fire. He then tried in several different languages and several frequencies to offer them terms of surrender. He soon got his answer; one by one the dead and dying ships began to explode into the bright lights of disintegration, as each blew their antimatter reactors. None would be going home to face an angry Emperor in defeat. In all his years of fighting wars had he ever seen such self-inflicted destruction; based on the size of the ships and estimated crew size, there were a minimum of 250,000 dead. He knew he and his ships had inflicted probably half that number, but the pointless destruction of so many he couldn’t understand. He commanded the Klelta fighters and his Light Destroyers to head to Klelta to join in any ground battle that may still take place, while he and the other Gljarne Class looked for survivors or even any pieces of retrievable debris. He was also concerned with any possible rear attack from ships that may have not yet revealed themselves.

  In spite of the efforts made by Klelta, Catmandoes and Verron Fighters, several of the troop transports made it to the surface. There was a heavy cloud cover at 40,000 feet and they split in a dozen different directions to improve their odds of making it to at least some of their selected targets. One of those targets was the Palace of the god Ares. If anything needed to be destroyed, it was made clear by the High Commander that it had to be the Palace. With the number of Verron, Klelta and Tecalna fighters in the air attempting to protect possible targets, it had become next to impossible for any of the Qualoc to remain in the air. Seven ships made it to within four miles of the Palace and their ground invasion force quickly spread out and headed for the Palace, with orders to kill every man, woman and child that was in their way. Heavily armed tanks with 150mm laser cannons lead the way, followed by APCs armed with automatic plasma machine-guns. A force of 70,000 heavily armed and motivated Qualoc were on a mission. The commander knew that they were the best, hand-picked for this mission, to avenge the Emperor’s brother, knowing full well that soon their target would be reached. The Commander was preparing for their victor
y celebration, until suddenly, directly above them at about 100 feet, appeared a dozen troop carriers. His troops were terrified as hundreds of 8 to 10 foot-tall giants began to jump out of the ships wearing full body armor and firing weapons at the APCs and tanks as they leaped to the ground. Without losing stride upon impact, the horrifying monsters charged directly into the soldiers blowing holes the size of cannonballs through everything they shot. Without warning another smaller group of transports flew to the front of them and normal sized soldiers in body armor leaped from the ships landing in the tops of trees or on top of the tanks and APCs, firing their weapons as they descended. The Qualoc commander could swear that one of them was hurling giant plasma balls that completely engulfed tank after tank.

  Cali was not about to let anything get past her and the Catmandoes. The defending soldiers were still greatly outnumbered but where doing horrific damage. The commander of the invading force had not yet given up hope until in front and on both sides came a wall of more giants, under the leadership of Prince Hon IV, hurling fireballs and literally throwing damaged APCs into the attacking mass of soldiers. Over half had some sort of a big-bore machine gun with rounds that penetrated body armor, tanks and APCs. He heard his only way out explode, as one after another, the Fighters destroyed his troop transports. It was an absolute massacre. Not a single Qualoc managed to escape the men defending their homeland. No one would have to face the wrath of Emperor Lykios, there was no one left alive.

  The Verron, Tecalna and Klelta Fighters continued to sweep the planet with heat sensors and life-form sensors for any soldiers or ships that may have escaped or avoided detection. The Light Destroyers orbited the planet with sensors operating in order to detect any approaching forces or escaping ones. After 2 days they knew there would be none. General Zarman landed the Big Gljarne Class Destroyer in the Quarry turned landing pad outside the palace. A smiling King Hon III greeted him and almost crushed him with an affectionate hug. Amber and Dalhia had already returned to Verron with the Fighters and Light Destroyers. There were no casualties among the allied troops. Ten Klelta civilians had been killed by falling debris when enemy troop ships had been destroyed. Standing beside his Father was Prince Hon IV. He proudly wore the insignia of Royal Commander on his Dragon Guard collars. On this planet he was now equal to General Zarman’s rank on Verron. They saluted each other with smiles. After the formalities and ceremony for public consumption, the General and the royal family retreated into the palace followed by Princess Cali Verron. Once again there were expressions of sincere gratitude for Verron coming to the defense of Klelta and preparing his Kingdom for what had just happened. It was a rough way to learn a lesson, but everyone now knew that King Verron had been absolutely correct in warning his allies and citizens about impending dangers from other star systems.

  There was no information as to the location of Qualoc; that was destroyed with the battle fleet. None of the ground troops knew enough about navigation to reveal how to get back to where they came from. Even if they had lived, they would have been of little use. What pieces of ships that were salvaged and weapons recovered revealed a very advanced nation, who, with better armaments and slightly more powerful weapons, could have turned the tide of the battle. The sheer number of people and ships staggered General Zarman and King Hon’s imagination. If they could put together an armada like this for one little planet galaxies away, what where their total capabilities? King Hon and General Z both agreed that there was a great need to increase their military strength for future defense.

  It was already over when Paul came back to Verron from a trip to Xhondar I accompanied by Colonel Hall. Hunter and Vladimir arrived the next day from a trip to Poland with 5000 more residents. Before Paul knew anything about the war, upon his return, he was immediately asked by Tala, “Uncle Paul, how many enemy ships do you got to shoot down to be a flying ace?” Paul thought a moment and remembered reading on the internet that the U.S. Air Force considered 5 kills to be an Ace. He looked around the kitchen at 99, Katelyn, and two young flyers he didn’t know by name, staring at him in anticipation, and answered, “Five. Why?” Those present began to laugh and slap each other on the back in celebration, complete with hugs and congratulations. Paul looked puzzled and asked, “OK, what did I miss?” As soon as 99 finished his ridiculous goat/monkey dance, Katelyn stood up and declared, “We are officially Aces. Oh, do armed troop ships count?” Paul nodded that they would. “Then I have 13 kills, Tala has 15, and 99 has 16 and our friends here both got 8. There will be others; over 500 ships were shot down.” Paul, still not knowing what was going on, gave them a dirty look and asked, “Are you going to tell me what happened or am I gonna have to beat it out of you?” The two young lieutenants looked nervous but, Tala just kissed Paul on the cheek and said, “We just had a small war while you were gone. No prob-le-mo though chief. We’ve done won it and every one of us is unharmed; can’t say the same for the other guys.” “Lucy!” Paul screamed. “What war is she talking about?” Lucy replied, “General Zarman, Commander Dalhia, Lieutenant Colonel Amber, Prince Hon, and Princess Cali are waiting for you in the briefing room. They will tell you all about it. By the way Paul you were right. We need more ships and more soldiers.” Paul didn’t bother to walk to the Conference Room. He folded space with a quick jump and was immediately standing in front of a room full of smiles. Colonel Hall had to take the elevator with 99. He looked around him, and thought, “Lieutenant Colonel Amber?”

  Paul didn’t want to have everything repeated twice, so he waited for Justice to show up before he had the General give him a briefing. The briefing began with Prince Hon and Cali explaining the events prior to the alarm going off and everything that happened on the ground. Hon then described the actions of the Klelta Fighters. Ninety-nine arrived with Colonel Hall, and picked-up with the dog-fight and defense against the troop transports. Lt. Colonel Amber Hall was responsible for describing the intense battle that took place in the stars. There was complete video footage from Tala, Katelyn’s and 99s Fighters, as well as the four Light Destroyers and Gljarne Class Ships. After reviewing the footage three times, Paul finally looked at General Zarman and declared, “We desperately need more ships and people who can fly them. I can’t believe we could only respond with 36 ships out of almost 70,000. How long would it have taken to get every pilot we had in the air?” The General looked dejected when he answered, “The air battle lasted over 1 hour and 20 minutes. There were an additional 300 ships ready to leave about the time it ended.” Paul looked at everyone at the table and said, “Not good enough. I’ll leave it to you to figure out how, but we need double, maybe even triple those numbers to be ready in an instant. Next time we may not be so lucky.”

  He turned to Prince Hon and asked, “We need more ships on Klelta. What do think the King would say to building the Klelta sized ships on Klelta, with Klelta labor? It would free up capacity here for more ships and help you to increase your air strength.” The Prince smiled at the idea, and replied, “After what just happened, I believe half the population is ready to contribute to the defense of Klelta. A ship plant will be well supported.” Paul then turned to Princess Cali saying, “I’m really impressed with our friends from Tecalna joining a battle to protect the freedom of one of their neighbors. We need to do something similar on Tecalna. I’ll have the General accompany you there to discuss the possibility.” Last he looked at Commander Dalhia and asked, “Commander, you’ve seen more action than anyone in this room, especially when it comes to space battles. How did we do?” Dalhia sat silent for a moment then answered, “Several on my crew fought at my side during the revolution. They agreed that they would rather fight with your fliers than any they have ever flown with; I agree as well. There is a fighting spirit that you just can’t teach. It has to be deeply rooted in who you are. The men and women I’ve met all have that spirit. The Xhondarians flying with your Air Force intend to go on a recruiting trip back to Xhondar I and make certain the Elders and as many ex-military as possib
le see the footage of the battles. They need to know what you’re doing and that they should be a part of it.”

  Paul thought a moment then told them, “Dalhia makes a good point. Up until now, all anyone has had to go on is my constant harping about the unknown enemy and him attacking one day. I believe some of the people think of me as Chicken Little.” General Z, Amber and Justice laughed in agreement. The others gave him a puzzled look. He next told the story of Chicken Little and the sky falling, only he was the King telling everyone else, the sky is falling; by the looks on their faces, everyone got it but 99. Paul decided he would explain it to him later so he wouldn’t be looking up all day waiting for the sky to fall. He then told them, “I will work with Marcus and General Klrxno and come up with a plan to increase Beriya’s production of cyborgs and drones so we can increase ship production.” Turning to the General, Justice, Dalhia and Amber he said, “We need more pilots in the air. Do whatever you must to get them trained. We need to be able to get every ship on Verron in the air. Over 70,000 pilots are needed now, more as we build additional ships. I don’t know where we’ll find them, but find them we must, and that doesn’t include the crews for those ships. We have our work cut out for us. Spread that video everywhere you can.”