Earth Fall_To the Stars

by Raymond L. Weil

  “General Mitchell wants us to wait until the Vengeance and Constellation get back.”

  “They may never come back,” replied Major Lorre, her eyes narrowing. “For all we know, they’ve already been lost.”

  Katelyn returned to her desk, sitting down. “Make preparations to launch them as soon as they’re ready. I’ll make the final decision at that time.”

  Major Lorre nodded and left the office.

  Katelyn looked at Secretary of State Maggie Rayne. Maggie had been listening but remained quiet.

  “What do you think, Maggie?” Katelyn was a little confused as to why Major Lorre was in such a hurry to launch the ships.

  “I don’t know. I’m inclined to listen to General Mitchell and Professor Wilkens. If we launch all the colony ships together, along with a powerful fleet to defend them, it would seem to make more sense. A large colony would have a much better chance to survive than a small one. Those two cargo ships we’re converting will only hold eight hundred colonists a piece plus the crews. Add the four battlecruisers which will be going as protection and we’re only talking about 2,400 to 2,500 people. That’s not much of a colony.”

  Katelyn leaned back, folding her arms across her chest. “I wish we knew more about the Vengeance and the Constellation.”

  “It’s unfortunate we don’t have a way to communicate with the two ships. You can always put off the launch until the time the ships are supposed to come back.”

  Katelyn closed her eyes, her forehead creasing in a frown. “As long as we control the orbital space above Earth, that’s not a problem. But if the Trellixians manage to put their battlecruisers back into orbit, it will change everything. We may have no choice but to launch early before that happens.”

  -

  Later Katelyn was alone in her office, going through the stacks of paperwork on her desk. All across the planet people had become accustomed to their new lives. Most had been taken to the cities protected by energy shields, though a few had decided to remain in their homes. Some smaller cities had less than a dozen inhabitants, though the surviving governments throughout the world were trying to keep track of everyone. Industries were back into operation; food was being grown, and even a few television stations were on the air.

  However, all the underground complexes were still being maintained. In Complexes One and Two the population numbers were still the same. No one wanted to leave, and Katelyn strongly suspected it was because of the security the two complexes offered, plus a life very close to normal. Katelyn had only been out of the complex a few times to inspect some of the cities people had been taken to. She needed to get out more often, but her job weighed her down.

  Throughout the mountains, all tunnel refuges were being restocked and additional fortifications put in place in case a retreat into the mountains was necessary again. Katelyn hoped that never happened. If it did, it meant Earth had fallen to the Trellixians once more. The numerous underground bases had been restocked with supplies and weapons as well as updated. All the bases now had a good quantity of pulse rifles and small pulse cannons. Additionally many of the civilians had been taught how to use the pulse rifles. If the Trellixians ever landed troops again, they would face a much stiffer resistance than they had the first time.

  With a deep sigh, Katelyn leaned back and closed her eyes. Still so much to be done. She also needed to nominate a vice president and fill some of the vacant cabinet posts to take some of the workload off her. A few posts had been filled, but she needed to fill the rest soon. She had asked Maggie about the vice president’s job, but she had turned it down. It would also be necessary to create some additional cabinet posts in this new reality. At the moment the country was still under martial law and would continue to be for the foreseeable future.

  Opening her eyes, Katelyn eyed her phone. She would order some food and continue to work. She was also anxious to hear what this latest Trellixian attack was doing to the defense grid.

  -

  Admiral Edwards winced as another energy beam satellite blew apart into hundreds of pieces. The Trellixians were now sending twenty ships in at a time to launch their missiles at the grid. Between the human battlecruisers and the energy beam satellites, the humans were intercepting and destroying nearly all of them. But occasionally one would slip through and detonate against a satellite’s energy shield, destroying it.

  “The last Trellixian squadron is pulling back,” reported Captain Nelson. “That should be the end of their missiles.”

  Admiral Edwards nodded as he examined the damage caused to the defensive grid. “We lost fourteen energy beam satellites.”

  “But they lost thousands of their missiles,” replied Nelson. “Every one of their ships participated in this attack.”

  “Missiles they can easily replace,” responded Admiral Edwards with a growing frown. “This was no doubt a test to see if they could use long-range missile attacks to destroy our defensive grid.”

  Captain Nelson mulled over what Admiral Edwards said and then replied. “Should I order new satellites from Earth to replace those destroyed?”

  Edwards shook his head. “No, let’s wait. When we do, I want to place the satellites around our six battlestations. The energy beam turrets on the stations can help protect them.”

  Captain Nelson looked back at the tactical display and the Trellixian fleet. “They’ll probably bring in some large cargo ships full of missiles. They’ll set up a routine bombardment of the defensive grid. It might be wise if we go ahead and put a couple battlecruisers close to the battlestations to aid in their defense.”

  “Let’s wait and see how the next attack goes,” said Admiral Edwards. “The battlestations have full-strength energy screens, and the missiles the Trellixians used today will put little stress on them. These were twenty-kiloton warheads. If they resort to more powerful missiles, then, yes, we need to defend the battlestations better.”

  “What about the moon base?”

  “The Trellixians know we’ve been doing some work on the Moon. We’ll continue to strengthen the base and add more primary energy cannons to disrupt any Trellixian force which comes too close. The moon base and what it holds will be a major surprise to them and could buy us some valuable time.”

  “Let’s hope so,” replied Nelson.

  “Take the fleet back to Condition Three, so the crews can get some rest. Two of the battlestations can stay at Condition One until we’ve decided what the Trellixians will do next.”

  Nelson looked at a view of Earth revealing the Atlantic Ocean. “Do you ever wish you were still on an aircraft carrier?”

  A weak smile crossed Admiral Edwards’s face. “Things were much simpler back then. The cruises were long and, most of the time, uneventful. We just had to worry about a few terrorists every now and then.”

  “Admiral, I have General Mitchell on the comm. He wants to launch both cargo ships to bring more supplies and materials to the moon base early tomorrow. He’s requesting using more battlecruisers for an escort.”

  “We’ll take care of it,” Edwards answered. He then turned toward Captain Nelson. “I want six battlecruisers escorting those cargo ships. The cruisers will stay in orbit until the cargo ships are ready to return to Earth.”

  “Do you expect the Trellixians to attack them?” asked Nelson.

  Edwards shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. Besides the Trellixians have most likely expended all their missiles. This will be a good time for the two cargo ships to go to the Moon.”

  “I’ll pass on the orders,” Nelson replied.

  “I’m going to my quarters to get some rest. I’ll be in the Command Center when the cargo ships launch. Make sure you get some rest between now and then as well.”

  Nelson nodded. “I will. I’ll have everything ready for in the morning.”

  Admiral Edwards stood and left the Command Center. He would grab a quick bite to eat and then try to get some much-needed rest.

  -

  Trellixian Batt
le Commander Traven studied the results of his missile attack. His battlecruisers had destroyed far less of the defensive satellites than he’d hoped.

  “We could move in and launch our missiles from a closer range,” suggested Second Officer Baalon. “It would give them less time to target the missiles.” Their missiles being launched from the current range just didn’t have the speed to get past the defensive fire.

  “We’re not sure what the effective range of their Jelnoid missiles are,” Traven replied. He recalled how his first attack had been devastated by the deadly missiles. “I don’t want to risk losing any of our battlecruisers at this stage.”

  Baalon studied the tactical display showing the disposition of the Human ships around Earth. “We launched this missile attack from fifty thousand kilometers. I suggest we launch the next one from thirty-five thousand. That should still keep us out of their weapons range and will greatly improve the effectiveness of our missiles.”

  “They must have some defensive satellites in reserve.” Traven did not trust the Humans. They were too devious, as evidenced by their destruction of the Trellixian colony ships on the ground in Florida. “We have two more fleets arriving in ten days. They will bring a number of cargo ships full of missiles. We’ll use those missiles against their defensive grid and then launch a full-scale attack against their fleet. Once we regain control of the orbital space above the planet, we’ll bring in sufficient troop ships to invade the planet. Sometime soon we’ll begin colonization.”

  Traven gazed at a viewscreen focused on the planet. Someday Earth would be a Trellixian colony world. Nothing and no one could be allowed to resist the Empire. Space was needed for the growing population on the home worlds. Where Battle Commander Balforr had failed, Traven would succeed.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Major Mark Dolan was in the office of Voltrex Defense Commander Kallon, discussing the agreement they had arrived at to share technology. Lieutenants Brett Masterson and Lisa Reynolds were there as well to help with any technical details. Also in the room were Voltrex Fleet Commanders Kamuss, Zolmar, Masurl—and Alassah, who had just arrived with a large reinforcing fleet—and the system governor, Dalorr, attending to represent the civilian population in the system.

  “It is an honor to join with another race against the Trellixians,” Governor Dalorr said, standing and holding his palm out, facing the Humans. “We had long given up hope of finding other worlds resisting this enemy. When we first discovered the Trellixians and what they did to the inhabitable worlds they discovered, we were horrified. It is good you will now join with us against this terrible threat.”

  Mark stood, holding out his palm as Dalorr had. Lisa and Chloe had spent considerable time briefing Mark on the proper etiquette to greet members of the Voltrex race. Fleet Commander Kamuss had provided videos of the customs and history of the Voltrex people. Lieutenant Commander LeLath had come on board the Vengeance and spent part of her time helping Mark to understand her peoples’ customs. They didn’t want any mistakes made in these early stages.

  “My people will be pleased to hear we have found an ally against our mutual enemy,” replied Mark. “I only wish we had more to offer. We have our single world, and it has been severely ravaged by the Trellixians. Billions of our people were slain without mercy. The Trellixians have no honor. They only know how to kill. It is something we will never forget, and we will not rest until the Trellixians have been defeated.”

  “They kill innocents who cannot defend themselves,” said Governor Dalorr in agreement. “They kill unarmed women and cubs. The lizard people must be stopped, so we can go back to our peaceful ways. Our people have always been an honorable species. We have trials by combat, but they are not to the death or even to injure. We seek to know who our most powerful and honorable warriors are. Unfortunately the Trellixians have forced us to abandon parts of our culture which were very dear to us. Our cubs are now trained for war, something I wish was not so.”

  “My own son will soon be joining the fleet,” said Fleet Commander Kamuss. “He would have made a great civilian engineer, but now he studies how to build things to kill.”

  Mark nodded. “The Trellixians have caused many changes. Almost all of them for the worse. On my home world all able-bodied men and women are taught how to use an energy rifle in case the Trellixians ever invade our planet again. It is not how it should be, but what choice have we?”

  “Your people may only have your one world, but the technology you are willing to share with us can and will make a huge difference in this war,” said Governor Dalorr. “I have spoken to the other governors of our colonies and of our home world, and they have all agreed to stand by this agreement we have come here today to sign.”

  Fleet Commander Kamuss stood, making the same hand gesture. “I have seen the power of your weapons. In one of our shipyards is a nearly completed battleship. Our engineers will work with yours to make this your new flagship. The Jelnoid technology placed into that ship will be duplicated and placed in all our battleships and battlecruisers. In order to ensure none of this technology falls into the hands of the Trellixians, all of our ships will be armed with a self-destruct.”

  “The Jelnoid primary cannons are easy to construct,” said Brett. “I would suggest you begin building them immediately and place them on your shipyards and the battlestations. Those alone should ensure the Trellixians cannot conquer this colony. It will not take us long to modify your power systems to handle the energy the Jelnoid cannons consume. I estimate, if we rush the production on the cannons and immediately modify your power plants to the fusion ones, such as those on the Vengeance, we can have the first primary beams operational within two to three weeks. It will take longer to convert your warships.”

  “We would like a list of your most heat-resistant alloys,” Lisa added. “If we can find an alloy suitable to handle the heat, we can greatly increase the power of the Jelnoid cannons as well as the energy shields.”

  “I will put you in touch with our scientists who are familiar with heat-resistant alloys,” replied Governor Dalorr. “We have a number of such alloys we use in various manufacturing methods.”

  “We also agree to send a fleet to aid your world as soon as one can be equipped with the new technology,” added Voltrex Defense Commander Kallon. “How are the repairs on your vessel progressing?”

  “We’ll be finished in another week,” replied Mark. “Of course it’ll take longer to replace our Jelnoid missiles.”

  “I have spoken to some of your weapons engineers, and it will be another month before the new missiles can go into production,” added Brett.

  Governor Dalorr picked up a writing implement. With a flourish he signed the multiple-page document on the table before him. Once he signed, Major Dolan did as well, followed by Brett, Lisa, Defense Commander Kallon, and the four Voltrex fleet commanders.

  “Copies of this document will be taken to our home world,” said Governor Dalorr. “I firmly believe this day marks a turning point in our war with the Trellixians. We are in your debt.”

  “I wish to thank you for your support in the most recent battle with the Trellixians and for your hospitality and your aid in repairing our ship,” replied Mark. “I firmly believe our two species will be friends far into the future.”

  Governor Dalorr bowed slightly, as did Mark.

  -

  Later Mark, Lisa, and Brett returned to the repair bay where the Vengeance was berthed. The Voltrex shipyard was a busy place, with its personnel hurriedly going about their daily routines. There were also a large number of armed Voltrex, similar to a human Marine contingent.

  “Well, at least I didn’t screw that up.” Mark had spent hours rehearsing with LeLath, while Lisa and Brett made suggestions based on what they had learned of Voltrex customs. LeLath had been a huge help in what she had told and shown them. Mark was relieved the signing was finally over and that he hadn’t caused a major diplomatic incident. He was a military officer, not a politicia
n. “I just hope General Mitchell and President Hathaway approve of the agreement we just signed with the Voltrex.” Mark could well imagine his court martial if they didn’t.

  Lisa smiled, knowing how nervous Mark had been throughout all this. “It’s the best agreement we could come up with. Look what we get! The Vengeance fully repaired and rearmed, a new battleship for our flagship, a new and better alloy, a full fleet of Voltrex battlecruisers to return with us to Earth, and a large federation of worlds as an ally. That’s a win to me.”

  “Same here,” replied Brett. “Even Chloe felt this agreement was a good one.”

  Mark let out a deep sigh. “Are we depending on Chloe too much? I know she seems to be giving us good advice, but she isn’t human. She’s a machine.”

  “An AI,” corrected Lisa. “Don’t let Derek hear you call her a machine.”

  They passed several more Voltrex crew personnel. They had noticed both males and females served in their military as well as on the shipyard. The Voltrex were also very friendly. A number of the feline species had been working to repair the Vengeance with the aid of the ship’s engineers. The Voltrex were restricted from a few areas, though those restrictions would now be relaxed.

  Mark looked at Lisa. “I understand you’re meeting Lieutenant Commander LeLath later.”

  Lisa nodded. “Yes, I thought it would be good for us to come to know some of the Voltrex. I’ve spoken to her a number of times, particularly when we were learning more about their culture and what was going on in their war against the Trellixians. She did spend a little bit of time on the Vengeance.”

  Lisa was fascinated with the Voltrex. There was so much to learn about this new species. LeLath seemed very friendly, and Lisa wanted to know her better. Besides, when Professor Wilkens found out about the Voltrex, he would have a million questions. He would expect Lisa to know the answers.

  “I’ve spoken and met with Fleet Commander Kamuss as well,” replied Mark. “We have a meeting scheduled for later tomorrow on how our Jelnoid weapons can be used against the Trellixians. When I mentioned the range of our Jelnoid missiles, I thought he would choke for a moment, particularly when I told him the strength of the warheads.”