Earth Fall_To the Stars
Page 16
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Out beyond the orbit of the Moon the Trellixian fleet waited. Sensors scanned every part of Earth and the space around it. What was revealed was eye-opening.
Trellixian Battle Commander Traven was in his flagship, the Vindicator, looking over the latest scans. This was his opportunity to redeem himself. The High Command had agreed to allow Traven to lead this mission, based on his familiarity with the Humans and the possibility the failure of the last mission was more Battle Commander Balforr’s fault than Traven’s.
“The Humans have a number of small ships in orbit as well as what appears to be a very powerful defensive grid,” reported Second Officer Baalon.
“How large are the ships?” Traven found it hard to believe the Humans had warships in orbit. Where did they come from? When he had left the system, the planet was in ruins, its industries smashed.
“Three hundred meters and we’re detecting twenty-four of them as well as six small battlestations.” Baalon gestured toward the tactical display of the planet surrounded by a myriad of small red threat icons. “The battlestations probably control the satellites in the planet’s defense grid.”
Battle Commander Traven shook his head, his razor-sharp teeth bared to show his displeasure. “Battle Commander Balforr should have conquered this planet. He had the forces both in battlecruisers and troops. Our five colony ships in Florida were lost on his watch.” Yet Traven was still angrier at losing nearly his entire ground force. Out of the over 184,000 foot soldiers he had sent into battle, nearly one-third were killed by one of their own, when Balforr’s first Malken missile was dropped on Colorado without evacuating the Trellixian foot soldiers beforehand. That, plus the surprises the Humans had for the Trellixians in their underground bases worldwide, led to only 12,000 being safely evacuated. The rest had died on the planet.
“We’re detecting additional Human ships launching from several points on the planet,” reported Koldar from Sensors as an alarm sounded.
“More?” said Second Officer Baalon, turning toward the sensor officer. “How many?”
“Six so far.”
Battle Commander Traven leaned back in his command chair. No need to hurry in launching his attack. For the time being, he would keep his fleet where it was and observe the planet. Once he was satisfied the Humans had no more surprises, then he would move in with his fleet. However, the Humans had taught him two things: the Trellixians were not quite as invulnerable as most battle commanders believed, and the Humans should not be underestimated.
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“We’ll have sixteen more battlecruisers in orbit within the next two hours,” Captain Nelson reported as he finished talking to the officers in charge of the new spaceports being built on Earth. “Six have already taken off, and the rest are waiting for their crews to arrive.”
Admiral Edwards turned his attention to the tactical display. The Trellixians were staying put, making no moves toward Earth. No doubt they were still analyzing the defenses and Earth’s battlecruisers. “We’ll keep the fleet at Condition Two for another couple hours. If the Trellixians remain, we’ll rotate half the fleet to Condition Four so the crews can get some rest.”
Captain Nelson nodded. “Do you think we can handle this fleet?”
“Yes,” Edwards replied. “I don’t want to risk major fleet losses at this juncture. When the Trellixians make their move, we’ll fall back to the defense grid, which will give us more energy cannons as well as the missiles on the missile platforms.” The energy beam satellites and the missile platforms would be easier to replace than one of Earth’s limited number of battlecruisers. Currently the fleet orbited four thousand kilometers above the defense grid.
“What about the battlestations?” A highly trained crew of twenty manned each station.
“Same for them except I want two stations at Condition One and the rest at Condition Four.” Due to their smaller crew sizes, Edwards wanted them rested when the Trellixians finally attacked.
Captain Nelson gazed at one of the viewscreens revealing a magnified view of a Trellixian battlecruiser. The two-thousand-meter-long cylindrically shaped ship was designed for war. “What if they make a short hyperspace jump to launch their attack? They could jump in right on top of us or even inside the defense grid.”
“I don’t think they will,” Edwards replied. He had already considered this danger and dismissed it. “We would detect the power build up before they jumped. The Trellixian fleet would be slightly disoriented when they exited hyperspace, if only for a second or two. That would be long enough for us to get in the first strike, and, with our Jelnoid weapons, that could be devastating to the Trellixians. They won’t take the risk.”
“If they believe we have Jelnoid weapons,” replied Nelson as he turned to carry out his orders.
Admiral Edwards let out a deep sigh. Nelson was right. There was no guarantee the Trellixians were aware the Earth ships possessed Jelnoid weapons. However, their current hesitation to attack indicated otherwise. Edwards leaned back in his command chair. He would remain in the Command Center for another few hours and then go to his quarters to get some rest.
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Over the next several hours the designated battlecruisers at the spaceports took off and went into orbit with the rest of the fleet. When Admiral Edwards finally left the Command Center, forty of Earth’s battlecruisers were ready to face the Trellixians. He just hoped it was enough.
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“Forty of those small ships,” uttered Trellixian Battle Commander Traven, as he gazed at one of the viewscreens focused on a Human vessel. “What do our scans indicate?”
“Definitely Jelnoid technology has been used,” Second Officer Baalon reported. “The power readings coming from those vessels are higher than ours.”
Traven gazed at another viewscreen of a few small debris fields still in orbit around the planet’s moon. These were the remains of Battle Commander Alnod’s fleet. There was no doubt in Traven’s mind the Humans had, indeed, destroyed it. Already a report was on the way to the High Command with recordings of the sensor readings the fleet had taken as well as Traven’s belief the Humans had destroyed Alnod’s fleet. This would only confirm what the exploration cruiser had reported a few weeks back.
“When do we attack?” asked Second Officer Baalon.
“Tomorrow,” Traven replied. “We’ll continue to observe the planet for twenty hours and then launch our attack.”
Baalon gazed at the tactical display now full of red threat icons. “We will take some losses.”
“Unavoidable. The Humans have become too powerful with their use of Jelnoid technology. We will test that technology tomorrow. If our losses are too heavy, we will withdraw and request additional battlecruisers.”
Traven was determined not to make the same mistakes Battle Commander Balforr had. Even at the end Balforr was convinced he could defeat the Humans. His tactics had resulted in disaster and a massive loss of ships as well as losing most of the ground troops committed to cleansing the planet. This was Traven’s opportunity to regain his status with the High Command, and he intended not to fail.
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General Mitchell was back in his Command Center. The last few years had been difficult, but Earth was well on the path to recovery from the initial Trellixian attack. Industries were coming back online; crops were being grown, and nearly every able-bodied man and woman could now fire a pulse rifle.
“They’re still just sitting there,” General Briggs reported.
“We’ve detected numerous scans of our defenses,” added Colonel Fields.
“What about our special assets?” asked Major Jase Thomas. “Should we launch them?”
Mitchell shook his head. “No, I don’t believe they’re needed yet. Our fleet and the defense grid should be able to handle this Trellixian fleet.”
Mitchell sat, gazing at the tactical displays and the numerous viewscreens. Somehow or another he needed to keep the Trellixians away from Earth long enough to make the plan
et impossible for the Trellixians to conquer. It was a mind-boggling task and one which might very well be impossible without outside assistance.
“What’s our estimate on the current location of the Vengeance and the Constellation?” The best chance Earth had of surviving was for one of the two ships to find allies. Once out past Trellixian-controlled space, the two ships would split up in order to cover more star systems in their search.
“They should be nearing what we believe is the edge of Trellixian space,” Colonel Fields replied. “That’s assuming everything on the two ships is working properly. Keep in mind we have no idea how the space drives on the two ships are functioning, and both ships are far from home. If there are any mechanical issues, they will solve them on their own.”
“Professor Wilkens picked the scientists on the two ships,” General Briggs said. “I’m certain he made sure to include the necessary talent to keep the ships functioning.”
Mitchell nodded. He had already received a message from the professor that he wanted to speak about his recent meeting with the president and Major Lorre. “When do we consider the mission a failure?” That question had dwelled on Mitchell’s mind ever since the two exploration ships had left the solar system. He was also aware Major Lorre favored launching the colony ships sooner rather than later.
“Ten months,” replied Colonel Fields. “They have supplies for six months, and we assume they’ll come across a few planets they can replenish their food stocks from. I don’t think Captains Erickson or Baker would stay out past that point.”
“The longer they do, the less likely they’ve found any help,” said General Briggs, cocking his eyebrow. “If they go out too far, any allies they find might not be able to help us.” General Briggs looked at General Mitchell. “You’re asking because the president wants to launch the colony ships as soon as they’re ready.”
“Yes,” Mitchell replied. “The two cargo ships we’re converting will be finished in another few months. The other colony ships being built in Complex One and Two won’t be ready for at least another year or more.”
“Maybe it would be smart to send them out, like the president is suggesting,” said Major Thomas. “Then next year we launch the others. That way we’re not putting all our eggs in one basket.”
“We would need to send out several battlecruisers with them for protection,” said Colonel Fields. “That will weaken our defenses around Earth.”
“How many?” asked General Mitchell.
“Four,” suggested Major Thomas. “That’s the minimum number to ensure the colony ships can get away safely.”
General Briggs sighed. “I think we should wait at least six months—the earliest estimate for our exploration crews to return—unless we see we’re about to lose control of the orbital space around Earth.”
“I agree,” replied General Mitchell. “Let’s not assume the Trellixians will become a problem that soon. We still have some assets we haven’t committed which will cause them a few problems.”
“What about the moon base?” asked General Briggs. “We’ve only got a few Jelnoid primary cannons installed.”
“They stay silent for now,” replied General Mitchell. “If we can drive this Trellixian fleet away or seriously reduce its numbers, then we’ll rush the moon base’s completion. It could come in very handy in the future.”
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The next day Trellixian Battle Commander Traven stood in his Command Center. Time to attack the Humans and see just how powerful the Human ships were as well as the defensive grid which protected the planet. “Move the fleet forward,” ordered Traven. “Open fire as soon as we get in engagement range. Target both their ships and their defense grid.” Traven suspected the Humans must have limited resources. Losses of ships as well as defensive satellites would most likely be difficult to replace. It should make subsequent attacks easier.
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The Trellixian fleet moved cautiously forward, its sensors reaching out in front of it, seeking any signs of a trap. The fleet was in a pyramid formation with the apex forward. Battle Commander Traven’s flagship, the Vindicator, was in the center and well protected. It only took a few moments for the fleet to pass the pockmarked moon and orientate on the waiting Human warships.
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“Trellixians are advancing,” reported Captain Nelson as Admiral Edwards entered the Command Center. The red lights flashed, and klaxons sounded, calling the crew to Condition One.
Admiral Edwards glanced quickly at the tactical display. “Pull the fleet back to the defensive grid. Contact the battlestations and have them prepare for a missile strike.” Edwards could not afford to get into a prolonged battle with the Trellixians. He needed either to heavily damage or to destroy the inbound fleet in the opening round of the battle. The Jelnoid missiles the missile platforms were equipped with were his best bet. The Trellixians would not be aware just how far the human missiles outranged their own weapons.
Edwards walked to his command chair and sat, looking around the Command Center. The crew came alive with intense activity as they prepared for battle.
“Energy shield is at full power,” reported Lieutenant Jefferson from Tactical. “Weapons are ready to fire.”
“Fleet is pulling back to the defense grid,” confirmed Captain Nelson.
“Engagement range in eighteen minutes,” added Lieutenant Williams. “Trellixians have formed up in a pyramid formation with the apex pointed toward us.”
Captain Nelson looked at the tactical display revealing the red threat icons of the Trellixian ships. “Interesting formation. Why would they use something like that?”
“To protect the ships in the center of the pyramid,” Admiral Edwards replied. “I bet whoever is the battle commander of this fleet has his flagship tucked away there. As soon as we reach the defensive grid, have our ships form a cone with its apex toward the Trellixian pyramid.”
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The Human fleet reached the defensive grid and rapidly formed into a cone, facing the advancing Trellixian ships. The enemy ships were nearly in engagement range, locking their weapons on the Human fleet.
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On board one of the battlestations Major Bella Stark studied the tactical display intently.
“Missile range!” called out Lieutenant Livingston from Tactical. “I have missile lock with the missile platforms.”
A wolfish smile spread across Major Stark’s face. The Jelnoid missiles had a much farther range than any weapon the Trellixians possessed. She knew just how many missile strikes it took to destroy a Trellixian battlecruiser. She had 220 missile platforms. Each platform had six Jelnoid missiles with a forty-megaton warhead. However, only half of her platforms were in range of the enemy vessels, and she didn’t want to use up all her missiles.
“Lieutenant Livingston, spread out our missile fire over sixty of the inbound battlecruisers. Fire four missiles from each platform. That will leave two in reserve.” The platforms could be reloaded from the cargo ships. “Make up the difference from the battlestations.”
A few seconds passed, and Lieutenant Livingston reported ready to fire.
“Fire!” ordered Major Stark.
Instantly 440 missiles launched from 110 missile platforms and accelerated toward the inbound Trellixian fleet. From three of the battlestations an additional forty missiles launched.
Major Stark leaned back, folding her arms across her chest. She gazed at several viewscreens, waiting to see the results of her missile attack. She figured she would lose a few missiles to defensive fire; it was one of the reasons she had fired extra missiles.
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“Missile launch detected!” warned Koldar from Sensors. “Tracking nearly five hundred inbound missiles.”
Battle Commander Traven leaned forward in his command chair. The Humans must be desperate to launch their missiles from such a distance. Then he saw how rapidly they were covering the distance from their launch points to his fleet. “Shoot them down!”
“We’re
having trouble getting a target lock,” reported Handel from Tactical. “The missiles must be covered in some type of Jelnoid shielding. They’re also accelerating at a fantastic rate.”
“Fire our defensive weapons!” ordered Battle Commander Traven, now realizing how Battle Commander Alnod’s fleet had been destroyed. The Humans’ missiles far outranged Trellixian missiles.
“Firing, but we won’t have much success.”
Traven turned his eyes to the viewscreen just in time to see the front of his fleet formation erupt in fire. Massive explosions tore into the fleet, tearing at the energy screens protecting the massive two-thousand-meter-long battlecruisers. He winced as one of his battlecruisers was blown apart.
“Forty-megatons,” reported Koldar. “Each one of those detonations is a fusion explosion of forty megatons.”
“We’re losing ships,” called out Second Officer Baalon, as a number of green icons on the tactical screen expanded and then vanished.
Battle Commander Traven’s gut tightened. “Are we in range of their fleet?”
“Just barely,” replied Koldar.
“Return fire!” Even if he lost some ships, he needed to know the strength of the Human warships.
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The effect of the missile attack was devastating. Jelnoid missiles slammed into Trellixian energy screens, overloading them and bringing them down. Subsequent missiles crashed into the now-vulnerable hulls of the Trellixians battlecruisers, erupting into bright fireballs of destructive energy. Ship after ship was gutted from the stupendous amount of energy released. The entire front section of the Trellixian formation seemed to be on fire.