-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr grew concerned. In the last thirty hours, six small Voltrex scout ships had been detected and destroyed.
“The Voltrex are aware we seek the Human ships,” Second Officer Jaltor said. “That is the only explanation for the number of their scout ships we have detected and destroyed. They may be searching for them as well.”
“We can’t allow them to find the Human ships before we do.” Balforr turned toward the large holographic display of his fleet’s position in space as well as where the two Human ships were supposed to be. They were shown with a small red icon, and Balforr’s fleet by a large green one. The two came closer every hour.
“We should shortly be at the system we believe they’ll drop out of Fold Space in,” Jaltor said. “We’ll arrive several hours before they do.”
Balforr nodded. “Find a place in that system where we can hide. We need to jump in and disable their space drives before they can flee.”
“The system has several large gas giants as well as numerous small asteroid fields. The Humans will most likely drop out of Fold Space in the outer section of the system. Two asteroid fields might be suitable.”
“I want ships in each one,” ordered Balforr, his eyes glowing red. “The Humans must not escape.” Too much rode on capturing at least one of the two Human ships.
As Second Officer Jaltor sent the orders to the ships of the fleet, Balforr returned to his command chair, sitting down. There was a very good possibility, before this was over, that his fleet would be involved in a battle against the Voltrex as well. It might be necessary to bring in more ships to ensure the Voltrex did not spoil his plans to capture one of the two Human ships.
-
Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss worried more with every passing hour. Reports from the scout ships indicated the Trellixians were consolidating their forces around the star system, which Kamuss believed the foreign ships were headed for. In the last few hours, two more scout ships had been discovered and destroyed by the Trellixians.
“We will exit hyperspace one light-year from the system,” he ordered as he studied a star map of the region. “That will put us outside the sensor range of the Trellixians. “Order four of our scout ships to take up positions in the asteroid fields the system reportedly has. They are to inform us when the ships we seek put in an appearance. As soon as they do, we’ll jump our fleet to that position.”
“Probably right into a fleet of waiting Trellixian warships,” warned Lieutenant Commander LeLath, not pleased at the thought.
“Most likely,” Kamuss replied. He grinned, baring his teeth. “No one said this mission wouldn’t be interesting.”
Looking at the tactical display, he had six battleships and twenty battlecruisers to pluck these mysterious ships out of the hands of the Trellixians. He just hoped it was enough.
-
In the Command Center of the Vengeance, tensions ran high as the ship prepared to exit Fold Space. The star system they approached was a K-class star or an orange dwarf, the type of star which very likely had inhabitable planets in the liquid water zone because of their long stability.
“The long-range sensors are picking up over fourteen small asteroid fields, six planets, three of which are gas giants, and numerous small moons. Two of the planets are in the liquid water zone. However, one is four times the size of Earth with a rapid rotational period of six hours,” reported Chloe. “The remaining planet is 20 percent larger than Earth and is in an ideal location to be inhabited.”
Captain Erickson looked stunned. “How can you know all this?” Erickson kept looking for a female crewmember and had to continually remind himself Chloe’s voice emitted from Lieutenant Keys’ computer console.
Before Chloe could reply, the ship dropped out of Fold Space into the outer region of the star system.
“Energy shield activated,” reported Major Dolan. “Weapons coming online.”
“No Trellixian ships detected,” added Kia.
“Artificial power sources detected in the asteroid field near us,” reported Chloe, her voice filled with concern. “Confirmed as Trellixian ships.”
“I see them,” reported Kia. “Power spikes. They’re jumping!”
On the tactical display, Captain Erickson saw twenty-one red threat icons suddenly blossom into being. “Lieutenant Masterson, jump us to the emergency coordinates!” With a feeling of dread, Erickson knew they should have skipped this system.
“Jumping in twenty seconds,” Brett replied. It would take that long before the Fold Space Drive was charged sufficiently.
“Contacts all around us!” called out Kia. As she watched the sensors, her heart sank and her breathing quickened.
On the tactical display, the Vengeance and the Constellation were suddenly surrounded by red threat icons.
The Vengeance shook violently when hit by multiple fusion missiles and energy beams.
“Returning fire,” reported Mark as he launched missiles while Ensign Carter fired the ship’s energy beams.
-
In space the weapons fire between the two Human ships and the Trellixian battlecruisers escalated quickly. Trellixian fifty-megaton fusion warheads smashed into the energy screens of the two Human vessels, detonating in brilliant flashes of light and released energy. Energy beams probed the wavering energy shields, searching for a weakness.
A Trellixian battlecruiser suddenly exploded as a Human forty-megaton warhead penetrated its energy screen, blowing the ship apart. Energy beams riddled a second Trellixian battlecruiser, leaving it drifting in space lifeless. Four Trellixian fusion warheads detonated in the same spot on the energy screen of the Constellation, allowing two energy beams to penetrate. They struck the engineering section and ripped a hole through part of the Fold Space Drive. A few moments later the same thing happened to the Vengeance.
-
“Fold Space Drive is damaged,” yelled Lisa as the red lights appeared on her computer screen, indicating the drive was nonfunctional. From her console she could monitor every major system on the ship. Her heart was thudding in her ears.
“Engineering reports at least an hour to repair,” reported Lieutenant Commander Barrington as he spoke to the chief engineer. “We have several compartments open to space, and repair crews are en route.”
On the main viewscreen, another Trellixian battlecruiser blew apart as a missile detonated against its hull.
“Constellation reports their drive is damaged as well. At least two to four hours to repair,” reported Ensign Smith.
“Damn!” said Captain Erickson, his face turning pale. “They’re trying to disable us. Major Dolan, take out as many of those battlecruisers as possible. Lieutenant Masterson, activate our subspace drive and see if you can put some distance between us and those battlecruisers.”
On one of the viewscreens, the Constellation hammered a Trellixian battlecruiser with missiles and energy beams. In a massive explosion the battlecruiser split in two, with secondary explosions rattling both sections.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr’s eyes were red with rage. While it was obvious the two Human ships had suffered substantial damage, they were still tearing apart his fleet. “All ships, focus every weapon on the same ship we’re targeting. We will destroy it and then capture the remaining one.” Balforr’s ship shook violently, and multiple red lights appeared on the damage control console.
“Energy beam strike to the bow,” reported Second Officer Jaltor. “We have numerous compartments open to space.”
-
In space, the remaining Trellixian battlecruisers focused their energy beams and missiles on the Constellation. For several long minutes the ship’s energy screen resisted as it glowed brighter and brighter. Two more Trellixian battlecruisers fell to the Human ship’s weapons, and then disaster struck. A Trellixian energy beam penetrated the shield where it was under stress and destroyed one of the major energy couplings to the energy shield. The s
hield instantly collapsed, leaving the ship unprotected.
In a fiery explosion, the Constellation blew up. Most of its hull and interior turned into plasma and glowing gas from the intense heat of the fusion warheads.
-
Lisa stared in shock, her mind numb at the shattered remains of the Constellation, thinking of the scientists on board she had known. All were handpicked by Professor Wilkens. The Vengeance shook wildly, and more red lights appeared on the damage control console. Lisa realized there was a good chance she was about to die.
-
“Status,” uttered Captain Erickson, holding onto his command chair as the Vengeance shook violently. Erickson gazed at the main viewscreen in terror-stricken fascination at the fiery remains of the Constellation. He found it hard to grasp that Captain Baker and his ship were gone. The Vengeance was now by itself.
“They’re trying to knock down our shield,” answered Lieutenant Commander Barrington. “We have multiple fusion hits to the energy screen.”
“They want to board us,” said Major Dolan. “They have the firepower to destroy us, like they did the Constellation.”
Lieutenant Commander Barrington nodded his agreement. “They want our Jelnoid technology.”
Captain Erickson drew in a deep breath. “Major Dolan, set the self-destruct. If it looks as if we’ll lose the ship, I’ll detonate it.” In the heart of the ship, a forty-megaton warhead was set to detonate if activated from the Command Center. On Erickson’s command console a red icon in the shape of a bomb flashed. All he had to do was press it, and, thirty seconds later, the fusion warhead would explode.
“Subspace drive is only operating at 20 percent efficiency,” reported Brett. “Too many power couplings have been damaged or destroyed. We can’t put any distance between us and the enemy.”
“Energy shield is wavering in too many places,” added Lieutenant Commander Barrington. “Trellixian energy beams are penetrating and destroying our weapon emplacements.”
The Vengeance suddenly jerked sideways like a powerful hammer had struck the ship. Several consoles in the Command Center exploded, sending showers of sparks across the room. A massive beam broke loose from the ceiling. Lieutenant Commander Barrington lunged forward, pulling Captain Erikson from his command chair and shoving him out of the way. The beam came crashing down, smashing the chair and pinning Barrington to the floor, while striking Captain Erickson a glancing blow to the head.
Alarms and klaxons sounded as the room rapidly filled with smoke. A few small fires burned in several consoles.
“Get those fires under control!” yelled Major Dolan as a medic on standby in the Command Center rushed to check on Lieutenant Commander Barrington and the captain.
On a viewscreen, Mark saw another Trellixian battlecruiser explode when struck by one of the ship’s last missiles. Taking a deep breath, Mark contacted Lieutenant Brown. “Stand by to repel boarders. Issue the rest of the pulse rifles to qualified members of the crew.” All crew on board the Vengeance could use the deadly rifles. However, only a few had been trained to use them on board the ship. Mark knew the situation was desperate and rapidly getting worse. “How’s the lieutenant commander and the captain?”
The medic stood, leaving Barrington, and hurried over to the captain, checking his pulse. “Lieutenant Commander Barrington is dead, and the captain might have a severe concussion. We must get him to the med bay.”
“Major, I’m detecting more vessels inbound on the long-range sensors,” reported Chloe. “They should be dropping from hyperspace in four minutes.”
Ensign Carter took Mark’s place at the tactical console. Nearly 60 percent of the ship’s weapons were nonfunctional, and only a few missiles remained. Mark stepped to the command console, gazing at the blinking red icon in the shape of a bomb. He would not allow the Trellixians to take control of the ship.
-
Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss gazed at the long-range sensors in shock. The four scout ships had reported the Trellixians were engaged against two very small warships. They were about the size of a Voltrex support vessel. However, what was shocking was how the two small ships were destroying the Trellixian vessels attacking them.
“Their weapons are unbelievable,” said Lieutenant Commander LeLath. “If our scans are correct, their energy beams are cutting right through the Trellixians’ shields.”
“Their missiles are extremely powerful as well,” added Zalurr. “Our computer indicates they have a yield of around forty megatons.”
Suddenly on the tactical display, one of the icons representing the small ships swelled up and vanished.
“They destroyed one,” reported Zalurr. “The other is under heavy attack.”
“I don’t believe the Trellixians are trying to destroy it. They must want to capture the vessel,” said LeLath.
“They want its technology,” replied Kamuss. “That explains why they don’t want those ships to reach us.”
“We’ll drop from hyperspace in a little over four minutes,” said LeLath. “What do you want to do?”
“Drop us out right on top of the Trellixians. We’ll use a tractor beam to grab the small vessel and pull it into hyperspace with us.”
“That’ll take a few minutes,” replied LeLath. “We could lose a lot of ships in that time.”
Kamuss nodded. “I’ll inform all our ships that the future of our Federation lies in retrieving that vessel. We must make whatever sacrifices are necessary to save it.”
-
Mark stood near the crushed command chair, watching as more red lights appeared on the damage control console. He could see the fear in the eyes of the command crew as they realized their lives could shortly end. Frantic orders went out to repair crews, and reports came in of crewmembers trapped in various parts of the ship. Mark debated going ahead and pressing the blinking bomb icon on the console. It would end all this very quickly.
But he would wait until one of the Trellixian battlecruisers docked with the Vengeance. He was certain, by detonating the warhead at that point, it would destroy the Vengeance as well as the Trellixian warship. Reports of casualties and damage continued to flood into the Command Center. The ship was long past the stage where the surviving crew could repair it.
“Energy screen is down to 28 percent,” reported Ensign Carter. “We just launched our last missile.”
“All but two of our primary energy cannons have been destroyed,” added Ensign Rhymer.
“New contacts,” reported Kia in a distressed voice as more red threat icons appeared on the tactical display around the Vengeance.
“Major, the new contacts are not Trellixian,” said Chloe, her voice filled with surprise. “We’re receiving a First Contact packet over the comm system. I believe these are the aliens we are searching for.”
“Sir, the new ships are attacking the Trellixian battlecruisers!” reported Kia, her eyes filled with hope.
The Vengeance suddenly lurched as if it had been latched on to by some mysterious force.
“One of the aliens’ larger ships has grabbed us with what I believe is a tractor beam,” reported Chloe. “They’re attempting to pull us away from the Trellixians.”
Looking at one of the still functioning viewscreens, Mark saw several of the new arrivals explode as their shields were overloaded. While the new aliens were firing on the Trellixians, it was obvious their weapons and energy screens were not as powerful.
“I have a partial translation of the First Contact packet,” reported Ensign Smith. Lindsay was also a language specialist. “The message attached says they mean us no harm and will try to get us to safety.”
“I can confirm that,” added Chloe. “I should have the entire First Contact packet translated shortly.”
Major Dolan looked at Ensigns Carter and Rhymer. “Make sure you don’t fire on the new ships.”
The Vengeance shook again, and Mark could hear the sound of tearing metal. In the distance he thought he heard someone screaming. “S
eal the hatch,” he ordered the two Marines, standing by the entrance to the Command Center.
The large metal hatch shut with a clanging noise, sealing them in. Both Marines remained outside the hatch as they had their combat spacesuits on. They were also armed with pulse rifles.
“Major, we must get the captain to the medical bay,” said the med tech treating Captain Erickson. “He may not survive if we don’t.”
Mark shook his head. “There’s too much damage to the ship. I don’t believe you can get to the med bay at the moment.” Too many corridors and compartments were in vacuum. Also fires were burning in some areas of the ship where the fire-suppression equipment had failed.
-
The Claw of Honor had the small spacecraft securely in its tractor beam. Already the hyperspace drive was charging for a jump. Around the two ships, the rest of the Voltrex fleet formed up in a close defensive formation, making it almost impossible for the Trellixians to hit the small craft with their weapons. However, with the Voltrex ships so close together, the Trellixians were very seldom missing a target.
Energy beam fire from several Trellixian battlecruisers slammed into the central section of a Voltrex battlecruiser, setting off a massive explosion. Huge pieces of the hull broke off, drifting away into space. On board the ship, emergency bulkheads slammed shut, trapping part of the crew in a vacuum. More explosions rattled the ship as searing heat flashed through the corridors. With a loud scream of tearing metal, the ship broke apart.
Four fusion missiles impacted the stern of one of the Voltrex battleships, overloading its energy screen. The stern of the vessel vanished as it was turned into molten metal. Energy beams then riddled the rest of the ship until a massive explosion blew it apart.
Trellixian energy beams struck another Voltrex battlecruiser, tearing open compartment after compartment. Secondary explosions blasted open huge sections of the ship’s hull. Moments later the power failed, and the ship broke apart into dozens of large pieces.
Even as death walked across the Voltrex fleet, the Voltrex tightened their formation. The survival of their race might well depend on rescuing the small alien ship at the heart of their fleet. Without hesitation they gave their lives for their people.
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