by Saxon Andrew
• • •
“Leader, the fleets are sending ten of the giant vessels to accompany the tankers.”
“Will our attackers arrive before them?”
“No, Leader, they will not.”
The Builder Supreme Leader fought off his rage and said, “Call off the attack.”
“But…”
“We have not prepared enough Attack Globes to take on that many of the giant vessels. By the time we prepare enough and get them positioned close to those tankers, they’ll be close enough to the approaching fleets for them to take part in the defense. Call it off.” The contact disappeared from his link and he heard, “Why were you going to attack those fueling vessels?”
“It was my hope to delay them further and give us time to build more Attack Globes.”
“I see. When will we start our exodus?”
“The moment we see the assembled Black Vessels start moving toward our galaxy. Have all the Worlds moved to the construction sites?”
“They have already been moved to the sites.”
“Once the order is given, I want all of them completely demolished so the enemy cannot learn anything of our technology.”
“The weapons to accomplish that task are armed and aimed appropriately.”
“Make sure all the populated Worlds remain inside our communication range.”
“They will stay within a light day.”
The red light disappeared from his link and he felt himself regain his composure. He pulled up a hologram of the giant gathering and wondered if they would be able to keep up with his forces as they fled. He didn’t think they could. All of the former meetings with them showed their speed was not equal to his vessels. He’d soon know the answer to that question.
• • •
Captain Jock McTremble sat in his chair on the Braveheart and saw Pacsah look at him, “Captain, the Builders are going to flee this galaxy the moment the Black Fleets start moving this way.”
Jock nodded at the Bosrean, “How are they going to do it?”
“The Populated World Warships will destroy all of the structures they’ve build in the galaxy and then run toward the Carand Galaxy. When the Black Fleets arrive at the galaxy, the Defense Satellites will turn and accelerate away to follow the fleeing Worlds.”
“Notify Admiral Heinrik on the Berlin of what you’ve just told me.”
Pacsha nodded and began sending his thoughts to the other vessel. After a moment Pacsha turned back to Jock, “Admiral Heinrik has ordered us back to the Admiralty.”
Jock’s eyes narrowed, “We’ve only been here two weeks.”
“He says we are not going to get involved in the fighting and Admiral Connor is going to have to get the Fleet organized.” Jock stared at Pacsha and the Bosrean shrugged, “Captain, the probes we leave behind will keep us informed if anything changes.”
Jock’s lips tightened and he looked at Lt. Champion, “Fall in behind the Berlin.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jock was weary of the years of waiting. Hopefully, the wait would soon be over. He looked at the Tactical Monitor and saw Candy fall in smoothly behind the Berlin. They left the Builder’s Galaxy and went to full speed in intergalactic space.
• • •
Amy’s frustration grew and she started shaking her finger at John just as Timmy entered her office. Timmy and Jenny came to attention and Amy lowered her hand, “Timmy, it’s good to see you. Jenny, how are you doing?”
“Fine, Admiral. I’m going through the simulator training on piloting the new Prophet Class Warship.”
Amy rolled her eyes as John said, “See! We should have been given one of those ships!”
Amy stared at him and then looked at Timmy, “Do you feel the same?”
Timmy shrugged, “It is depressing to see your subordinates being promoted ahead of you.”
“That’s not the question!”
“I guess I’d like the promotion but I’d need to learn how this new ship functions before I could make a rational decision.”
Amy nodded slightly and looked over her shoulder, “Computer.”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“I want you to load the attack simulation from the Prophet Warship simulator.”
“Loaded.”
Amy looked at John, “Take my seat, John. Here’s what you need to know, the Prophets aren’t nearly as maneuverable as the Essay Warships. Keep that in mind.”
John tilted his head, “There’s got to be a bigger difference than that.”
“No, the weapons all operate in a similar fashion and the zones of coverage are alike. You have 40,000 Attack fighters at your disposal and half of them are currently involved in attacking a group of ten Black Motherships.” John took his mother’s chair and put on the helmet sitting on the table beside the display screen. John watched the screen and began issuing orders. Amy walked around the console and went to Jenny, she gave her a hug and smiled, “It really is good to see you. Are you going to visit the Manatees?”
“Yes, as soon as John finishes visiting.”
Amy looked over her shoulder and then turned back to her, “He should be done shortly.”
Timmy looked at John, walked around the console, and stood behind him. He stared at the monitor over his brother’s shoulder and watched the battle unfolding. Jenny smiled, “They are quite competitive.”
“Tell me about it.” Suddenly they heard a loud ping and Amy smiled, “Game over.”
She turned around and heard from the wall speaker, “Simulation terminated, ship destroyed, no survivors.”
John stood up and ripped the helmet off his head. He looked to Amy and she lifted her right shoulder as she said, “You went in to defend your Attack Ships, didn’t you?”
“I was going to lose all of them if I didn’t!”
“No, you were going to lose half of them. You still had fifty percent around the ship in defensive formations.” John stared at her and Amy said, “Tell me how you lost the ship.”
“I couldn’t get out. The remaining Motherships gathered in front of my vessel blocking my exit and I couldn’t move vertically enough to go over them.”
Timmy stared at the screen with the expanding ball of gas that was once a Prophet Class Warship and turned to Amy, “What should he have done?”
“He should have recalled his Attack Ships and fled.”
Timmy looked back at the monitor and shrugged, “He would have still lost a huge number of Attack Ships if he did that.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I don’t know if I could have done that, Mom.”
“You couldn’t. And neither could, John.” John stared at her and Amy said, “Would you like to try it again?”
“You’d just set it up…”
“Nothing will change. Want another go?”
“Yes!”
“Press the yellow button on the monitor to reset the simulation.” John put the helmet back on and pressed the yellow button. Timmy stood behind him and began offering advice.
Amy looked at him and Timmy quickly said, “Is that not allowed?”
“All the others that go through the simulation do it alone. However, since we’re alone, give it a go.” Amy looked at Jenny and she leaned in and whispered to Amy, “It won’t make a difference, will it?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
This time it took an additional fifteen minutes for the Ping to go off as they heard Timmy yelling, “PULL UP!! PULL UP!!!”
“I AM!”
Timmy looked at Amy and said, “One more time.”
Amy sighed and waved her hand at him as she took Jenny’s arm and pulled her toward the door, “Meet us in the cafeteria when you’re done.” The boys nodded as they stared at the monitor.
• • •
An hour later, Amy saw them enter the cafeteria and pick up a tray. Jenny turned around and then turned back to Amy, “They don’t look very happy.”
“No, they don’t.”
> The boys came over to the table and John said, “There’s no way to win that simulation.” Amy shrugged. Timmy nodded, “He’s right, there’s no possible way to win.”
“That depends on what you call winning.”
John’s eyes narrowed, “I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
“John, what is your prime mission as the Captain of an Essay Class Battleship?”
John looked at Timmy and then turned back to Amy, “To destroy the enemy.”
Amy nodded, “Now that you’ve flown one of the Prophet Class Warships, what do you think its Commander’s prime mission would be.”
John shook his head, “To destroy the enemy.” He heard Timmy sigh next to him and he turned and looked at him. “Do you think I’m wrong?”
“I’m afraid I do. The mission of the Prophet’s Commander is to not lose the ship while he’s destroying the enemy.”
“But…”
“John, the main part of that is not losing the ship. Fighters can easily be replaced; that carrier can’t.”
Amy nodded, “Did either of you not go in after those Black Motherships?” John and Timmy shook their heads. “If you go in, you die.” John stared at her and after a few moments of silence, Amy said, “If you had remained where you were and recalled your Attack Ships, the Motherships would have followed them into the full defensive fire of the carrier. If you had done that, you would have destroyed all of them.”
Timmy nodded and John shook his head, “How is that possible?”
“Because the Prophet Class is twice as long as the Essay Ships and carries double the defensive weaponry. A smart Commander would have sent his Attack Ships in to draw them out into the crossfire of the defensive arrays.”
“I just don’t see that, Mom.”
“Once you finish eating, go back and try it like I just told you.”
John stood up, “I’m not hungry.” He walked out of the cafeteria and Timmy looked at Amy, “We’re not suited to command one of those vessels.”
“No, you’re not. Or you would have been promoted to command one of them.” Amy looked at Jenny, “It looks like your Manatee visit will have to wait until tomorrow.”
• • •
Forty minutes later, John came back in the cafeteria and he sat down next to his cold tray of food, “You were right. I found four ways to win that simulation as long as I didn’t attack with the main ship.”
“Do you want to command one of them?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Forcing myself to stay away and not attack was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I wouldn’t trust myself to do the right thing in the heat of combat.”
“Timmy, what about you?”
“No, I think I could do it but I’d hate every minute of it. I’m where I belong.”
Amy looked at John, “I have some more bad news.”
“What is that?”
“One of your squadron commanders has requested a transfer to Admiral Holiday’s Ship.”
John closed his eyes and started shaking his head, “Alexandra?” Amy nodded. “Isn’t there someone on another ship that you could take?”
“She passed the simulator, John. I’ve only found three that could pass it and Admiral Holiday is one of them. I have four more Prophet Carriers going online in six months.”
“I understand.”
Amy stood up, “Why don’t we go to my quarters and take some time to get up to speed on all that’s happened while both of you have been on duty.” The four stood up and Amy didn’t tell Timmy that Jenny had also passed the simulator. She’d leave that up to Jenny.
• • •
Cameron leaned back in his chair and sighed, “Admiral Connor, I’m not certain we’re up to the sort of maneuvers you’re suggesting.”
“We don’t have much time to get ready for what’s coming, Admiral. Admiral Hart has three candidates on your ship that are being considered to command one of the new Prophet Carriers coming online in six months. You are going to have to get them ready to Command their ships in combat.”
“Who are the three you’re looking at promoting, Sir.”
“Commodore O’Hara, Alexandra Bell, and the new pilot we transferred to your vessel, Jenny Johanson.”
Cam’s eyes narrowed, “Did you say Alexandra Bell?”
“I did. She’s requested a transfer to your ship and I tested her for the right temperament to command one of the new ships and she passed. Her scores were only slightly lower than yours. Do you have a problem with her selection?” Cam was silent and Amy saw something in his expression, “Admiral, I need you to be honest about this. I can see there is an issue with Captain Bell.”
Cam blew out a breath, “Captain Bell and I were an item but I ended the relationship.”
“Why?”
“I’d rather not say, Sir.”
“Admiral, I’m going to place the lives of thousands of my sailors in her hands. You don’t have an option about answering the question; what’s the problem?”
“She was unfaithful and I ended it.”
“What about her command and combat skills?”
I don’t have an issue with those, Admiral.”
“If your relationship is over, why did she request to be transferred to your vessel?”
“She evidently doesn’t want to give up.”
“I need Commanders that can fly the Prophets. They’re extremely hard to find and she has the highest scores of all the ones that have passed the personality profile, other than yourself.”
Cam leaned forward, “Why is it that the three chosen are all females, Sir?”
“You should be able to answer that. I think it’s because females have a nurturing side that gives them an edge in working to keep losses low. We’re running more officers through the tests but we need four prepared quickly to take command of the ships coming online. And that is also the reason why they’re being assigned to your ship. I want each of them to have the experience of commanding your ship in the coming maneuvers. You will work with them in learning how to effectively fight the new carrier.”
“Do they know they’re being promoted?”
“They do not.”
“Sir, have you developed any new attack simulations for the simulators?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“I want the three you’re considering for promotion to go through the new attack simulations and stay with it until they can win each of them.”
“Done. I’ll have them report to the Learning Center immediately. By the way, Fleet is demanding the name of your ship. Why haven’t you chosen one?”
“The one I like might not be appreciated.”
“Why not?”
“Tombstone might be frowned on.”
“Why would you choose that name?”
“I like some of the history that took place in Tombstone, Arizona.”
“What about the Arizona?”
“Not the same thing, Sir.”
“Well, your time is up. What’s it going to be?”
Cam lowered his eyes and said, “Her name will be the Tombstone, Sir.”
“Tombstone it is. Prepare to start the maneuvers tomorrow.”
“I thought they were to get the new selectees ready.”
“They’re also for you. You need the practice of handling ships ganging up on your ship. I’ll send the selectees as they successfully complete the simulator training.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The display went dark and Cam walked out of his conference room to the bridge. He looked at Lyla and said, “Commodore, report to the Fleet Training Center at the Ghost Colony.”
“Sir, what’s going on?”
“You’re going to receive advanced training on this vessel.” Cam looked around and said, “This ship’s name is the Tombstone.” The bridge grew silent instantly and Cam smiled, “We’ll be leaving a lot of them behind us as we pass.”
Lt. Daniels said, “Ours or theirs?”
“The enemy, of course; their blasted vessels will make a good place for an epitaph.” The bridge crew started laughing and then cheered. In less than twenty hours the crew began wearing a patch on their left shoulder with the image of a blasted Mothership and the letters RIP embroidered in red on it.
Cam waited until Commodore O’Hara’s shuttle departed and then he lifted a clear cover on his console and pressed the red button under it. The alarms went off and the wall speakers throughout the ship loudly announced, “Battle Stations, all hands to Battle Stations. Launch all ships, Launch all ships!”
Cam sat and watched as the Attack Fighters shot out of their tubes and assumed defensive formations around the ten-mile long carrier. In less than ten minutes, all forty thousand fighters were launched.
“Doc?”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“How long will it take you to assign our wings to specific targets and set up the defense formations to meet an incoming formation of attackers?”
“How large of a formation?”
“Five to seven hundred Essay Class Battleships and their Hawk Fighters?”
“I’m not prepared to handle that large of an attack, Cam.”
“Then you need to get ready. What will it take to make that happen?”
“I’ll need to have pre-assigned the wings that will be either defensive or attackers. I will also have to choose the squadrons in our attackers that will go after the Essay Battleships and assign the others to target the Hawks.”