Beth smiled. “Never better, particularly when we returned from the Delton rescue mission and told them I was pregnant. Wade’s mom calls nearly every day to check on Erick, and I take him over to see them whenever possible. They love having a grandchild.”
“Perhaps someday Marken and I will have grandchildren if my plans work out for the clone.”
A noise attracted their attention as Wade and Marken came back into the living room. With a sigh, Harnett stood up and handed the still sleeping Erick to Beth. It was time for her to finish preparing their meal. Harnett had a special one planned for the four of them. She also had to be a little careful, as their Human friends didn’t care for some of the spices Kiveans enjoyed. Therefore, she would season their food a little differently. Going into the kitchen, Harnett looked back at Beth, who was making little cooing sounds at Erick. Someday, she hoped she would be doing the same thing. She was also convinced that Marken would make a great father.
-
Two days later, General Mitchell was meeting with President Steward, Fleet Admiral Kelly, Commander Pasha, Fleet Commander Achlyn, and General Pittman in his office on Centerpoint Station. “Have all of you read the message Colonel Nelson sent about what Marken and the other Kiveans believe the Zaltule will do?”
“Yes,” Fleet Commander Achlyn said. “I have spoken to some of my Delton officers, and they’re all in agreement with Marken’s assessment. They feel there is a 90 percent probability the Zaltule will strike here.”
“I’m in agreement,” Commander Pasha added. “If the Zaltule can conquer the Solar System, then the Alliance will be a much easier task.”
“Six thousand battlecruisers,” muttered Fleet Admiral Kelly, shaking his head. “How do we stop that many ships?”
“We can’t,” answered General Mitchell. “At least not alone.”
“What are you suggesting?” asked President Steward. “We can’t ask the Alliance to send ships here. If the Zaltule find out we’ve significantly reduced the size of the Alliance fleets, they could decide to attack them instead.”
“It’s a quandary,” admitted General Pittman, cocking his eyebrow. “Our biggest problem is we have too many places to defend. There’s the Moon, Mars, Vesta and half a dozen other asteroids with large Human colonies as well as the asteroids our Kivean, Talt, and Delton friends have taken up residence in.”
“We also have Centerpoint and Freedom Stations,” added Fleet Admiral Kelly. “We can’t risk either of them being destroyed.”
“I’ve authorized the installation of more ion cannons and other weapons around our colonies,” said President Steward in a voice showing his deep concern about the possible Zaltule attack. “Is there anything else we can do to protect our people?”
General Mitchell looked around the group. “We need a plan. Colonel Nelson says the Kiveans will be looking at developing a new weapon system to use against the Zaltule battlecruisers though they’re doubtful in the short time we have that it’s possible.”
“I’ll have our Delton scientists offer their assistance,” proclaimed Fleet Commander Achlyn.
“Our scientists will help as well,” declared Commander Pasha. “This solar system is our home now, and we must see to its defense.”
General Mitchell leaned back in his chair and then spoke. “Let’s assume we have four to six months before the Zaltule attack. What can we do in that timeframe?”
“That’s assuming Admiral Adamson is successful in drawing their attention back into their empire for a few months,” pointed out Fleet Admiral Kelly. “That plan may not work. We could be facing an attack much sooner.”
“I have to believe that it will,” Mitchell responded. They needed that extra time. His eyes narrowed and then he continued. “I want all current warship construction completed in four months and all ships fully crewed. If we have to rob from our defense installations to do that, then we shall. The same for any ion beam cannons or other defensive measures around our colonies and bases. I want all of those projects completed as soon as possible.”
“We need a better way to protect the civilian populations on Mars and the Moon,” commented President Steward with a deep sigh. “They’re our most vulnerable colonies.”
“We have deep shelters in place already,” commented General Pittman.
President Steward looked over at the general. “Will the deep bunkers stand up to a twenty-megaton antimatter strike or multiple strikes?”
General Pittman frowned and slowly shook his head. “They might be able to stand up to one direct strike, but multiple strikes would eventually penetrate the bunkers.”
“If the Zaltule show up with six thousand warships we’ll only have a few hours’ notice,” Steward said, referring to the Fold Space detection system. “There’s no way we can get millions of people into the deep bunkers that quickly. If the Zaltule attack with a force that large, we’re going to lose a lot of people. Mars Central is an example of what could happen to the Moon as well as the other cities on Mars, including the bunkers.”
The room was silent as they thought about President Steward’s ominous words. They were facing a nearly unstoppable force in the Zaltule, one that wanted the Solar System wiped out of existence.
Chapter Seven
Admiral Adamson took a deep breath as the Constellation and her fleet dropped out of Fold Space into an orange dwarf star system. They had dropped out an equal distance between the two systems that the Marines would be targeting. So far the fleet had remained undetected.
“System is clear of contacts,” reported Lieutenant Percy Lash. “It’s an orange dwarf spectral class K with a mass of .78 percent that of Sol. Sensors have located three planets and a small asteroid field. There’s also a moderate sized moon orbiting planet number two.”
“Are any of the planets life sustaining?”
“No,” Lieutenant Lash replied. “The system has a very small Goldilocks Zone and all three planets are outside of it. One is a gas giant similar to Neptune and the other two are much smaller, about the size of Mars.”
“Take us to Condition Three,” ordered Adamson since there were no obvious threats. “We’ll remain here for two hours and then launch our attacks on the two systems. I don’t want to stay in this sector of space any longer than necessary as we can’t risk our fleet being detected.” The area of space they were currently in had a number of advanced space-going races, all of which were controlled by the Kleese. There was also a Kleese trading station a little over three hundred light-years away.
“Going to Condition Three,” reported Commander Shepherd as she made the announcement over the ship’s comm as well as communicated the order to the other ships of the fleet. “I’ve ordered all departments to begin preventative maintenance checks to ensure all equipment is functioning properly.” This was standard procedure each time the Constellation dropped out of Fold Space.
Admiral Adamson nodded his head in acknowledgment. “Lieutenant Travers, get Colonel Winfrey on the comm. We need to make our final preparations for the attacks.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Lieutenant Travers a she turned toward her communications console.
Adamson leaned back in his command chair. He would be dividing the fleet into three task groups. Task Group One would consist of the Constellation, two battlecruisers, and four light cruisers. They would be escorting two of the Marine assault cruisers to the first target.
Task Group Two would consist of the heavy battlecruiser Callisto under the command of Commander Bree Symington. Her fleet makeup would be the same as the Constellation’s. The remaining ships would remain in this system under command of Commander Greer, who was on the troop assault ship Defender. If it was necessary for the Defender to respond to a call for additional aid from either of the two attack groups, then the command of the ships remaining in the system would fall to Commander Kevin Melvin on the battlecruiser Falcon.
“I have Colonel Winfrey on the comm,” Lieutenant Travers reported.
The plans for the attacks
on the two Kleese controlled worlds had already been made. All Adamson wanted to do was check with Colonel Winfrey to ensure everything was still on schedule.
-
Hours later, Captain Ryan Nelson was in the Command Center of the Deliverance as the three hundred fifty-meter assault cruiser dropped out of Fold Space close to their intended target.
“Unknown starships detected,” called out Ensign Donna Edwards from the sensor console as alarms began to sound.
“Weapons online,” reported Lieutenant Samuel Michaels from Tactical. “Energy shield is powering up.”
“Constellation and her escorts are moving in to intercept the unknowns,” reported Ensign Edwards as the tactical screen flashed on and began updating.
“Energy shield is online and at full power,” added Lieutenant Michaels.
“We have tentative identification of the unknown ships,” reported Ensign Edwards. “Four Kleese assault ships are in orbit as well as a number of what appears to be civilian craft; probably cargo and passenger ships.”
The tactical screen began displaying the contacts. There were contacts spread throughout the system. Captain Durham looked questionably at Ensign Edwards.
“All the contacts in the outer regions of the system are confirmed to be cargo ships and a few passenger vessels, probably ferrying crews to the various mining installations.”
Captain Durham nodded. From his briefings, he knew the system had a robust asteroid mining operation.
“Admiral Adamson is advising us that they will take out the four assault ships and then we’ll be clear to begin landing operations,” reported Ensign Jacob Ernst from Communications.
Caption Durham turned toward Ryan. “Get your Marines ready, we’ll be sending out the drop ships shortly.”
Ryan nodded. “We’re ready; Lieutenant Guthrie is loading and inspecting the troops as we’re speaking.” He took a deep breath. Very shortly they would once more be engaged in combat. The last time Ryan and his Marines had been in a battle, they were kidnapped by the Kleese. Ryan hoped everything went smoothly this time.
-
In one of the ship’s two flight bays, Autumn was seeing to the loading of the two drops ships and the cargo drop ship that she was responsible for. Twenty Marines each were in the process of boarding the three ships and in preparation for the coming combat drop. Sergeant McElroy was on board the cargo ship, which contained both of the Marines’ two hover tanks. In the other bay, two other drop ships were loading as well.
Autumn had assigned Sergeant Casey Hunter to help supervise the loading in the other bay until Ryan arrived. She had the experience to make sure that nothing was being overlooked. In her bay, Autumn watched as Sergeant Katy Lewis and Sergeant Harmon Dewey hurriedly finished getting the last of their Marines up the loading ramps and into the two drop ships. She was anxious to see how the two sergeants did on this deployment as neither had much combat experience.
-
Corporal Alexander Parker watched as the Marines under his command took their seats and buckled themselves in. The descent of a drop ship was quite rapid and sometimes very turbulent. With a wolfish grin, he stepped over to where Private Richards was struggling to get one of the harnesses fastened over his chest armor.
“Private Richards!” barked Alexander, the smile leaving his face. “Do you know the danger of dropping without your safety harnesses fastened?”
Alexander knew since the private was in a Type Four battlesuit very little harm could come to him, but the private might not know that. Also, Lauren was in the other drop ship and couldn’t use her charm to protect the private.
“No, sir,” stammered Richards, fearing he was going to be doing additional duty when they returned from this mission. He was getting very adept at doing pushups.
Alexander reached down and grabbed the wayward harness and after a few hard tugs had it fastened securely. “Easy as pie.” He then turned and walked back to where he could see the other Marines. While it had been tempting to lay it on Private Richards, Alexander had decided that now, right before a combat drop, wasn’t the best time. However, he would remember this little incident and take appropriate action when they returned to the ship. With a frown, he wondered just what Lauren saw in this aggravating private.
-
On the Constellation, Admiral Adamson studied the tactical screen briefly before turning toward Commander Shepherd. “Four assault ships are in orbit around the planet. We’ll take the battlecruisers Cygnus and Cepheus in with us. The four light cruisers will stay with the two assault cruisers and give them protective cover if needed.”
“We’re at Condition One, and all weapon systems are primed to fire,” reported Commander Shepherd. “We can be in weapons range of the first assault ship in twelve minutes.”
Adamson turned his gaze back to the tactical screen and the four red threat icons it showed around the planet. He was certain that by now the Kleese had detected the presence of the Human ships. “Order the Cygnus and Cepheus to take up supporting positions on our port and starboard sides. We’ll go in together and launch a coordinated attack against the assault ships. We should be able to take their shields down rather quickly.”
Commander Shepherd spoke over her comm to the two commanders of the battlecruisers passing on the admiral’s orders. “Ships are ready.”
“Take us in,” ordered Adamson as he settled back in his command chair.
-
On board the Kleese assault ship, R-4572, Minor Overlord Tanel gazed in anger at the tactical display. “Identify those unknown ships!” No ships were allowed to enter the system unscheduled. Whoever had authorized these ships would suffer greatly as soon as Tanel found out who it was.
Tanel was the only Kleese on board the vessel as its Command Center and other essential systems were manned by Nabians. The Nabians were a little over six feet tall with clean-shaven heads and small, elfin-like ears. Their eyes, nose, and mouth looked nearly human. Their skin had a slight greenish tint to it, and they were completely devoted to the Kleese.
“Human,” replied Marlock, the lead Nabian in the Command Center. “Those are Human warships.”
Tanel felt growing concern. Of all the races the Kleese had encountered only the Strell and now these Humans posed a real threat. The Strell had been conquered, but the Humans continued to prove themselves to be worthy adversaries. Tanel had no respect for most of the inhabitants of the worlds the Kleese controlled. Most were barely more than vermin; however, these Humans were different. They dared to challenge the Kleese superiority. It was rumored Zaltule Supreme Military Overlord Harmock even looked at these Humans as equals. Tanel shifted about uneasily upon the Command Pedestal, his six legs making clicking noises upon the metal deck.
“Activate our energy shield and weapons,” he ordered in a cold and uncompromising voice. “Have the other three assault ships join us and prepare for immediate combat.”
“Yes, Overlord,” Marlock answered. He moved quickly to obey.
Stepping off the Command Pedestal Tanel went over to the communications station, pushing the two Nabians there out of the way. He quickly sent a message to the nearby trading station reporting the presence of the Humans. His assault ship was the only one of the four that had an FTL transmitter on board. It would take eight hours for his message to reach the station. Tanel knew that assistance wouldn’t arrive in time to prevent the coming Human attack. However, he was a Kleese and he would not flee.
The Zaltule had made it very plain that every combat action would be examined closely to ensure all Kleese were following the Zaltule code of battle. There were rumors of a number of Kleese being executed who had failed to live up to Zaltule expectations. Tanel then sent a message to the Kleese down on the planet informing them of the approaching threat and what he intended to do. There were fourteen Kleese down on Airad as well as several hundred conscripts in Type Two battlesuits. If the Humans dared to land, they would be met with a hail of weapons fire at the spaceport. They wou
ld find the Kleese on the ground would not be easy to overcome.
-
Admiral Adamson had no desire to risk damage to his warships. He had three major advantages over the assault ships. His heavy battlecruiser was armed with a plasma cannon, particle beams, and multi-warhead sublight antimatter missiles. He intended to make this battle short and sweet.
“Open missile hatches and target each one of those assault ships with a multi-warhead missile. If any survive the missile strike, hit them with our particle beams. Order the Cygnus and Cepheus to hold their sublight missiles and use particle beams only once we’ve launched.”
“Yes, Admiral,” replied Commander Shepherd.
“In combat range in four minutes,” announced Lieutenant Lash.
“Missile tubes one through four open and missiles are ready to launch,” reported Lieutenant Kali Summers from Tactical.
Admiral Adamson nodded. He fastened his safety harness as a precaution. Even these small assault ships of the Kleese were armed with sublight missiles as well as energy beams and could be dangerous.
-
In space, the two small groups of ships rapidly closed. From the Constellation, four sudden blurs in the missile tubes indicated the launch of the sublight missiles. At a major fraction of the speed of light, the missiles streaked toward their targets. Almost instantly, six brilliant flashes of released energy lit up the defensive shields on all four Kleese assault ships. Twenty-four antimatter explosions hammered the Kleese vessels. Each warhead released twenty-megatons of raw energy, which pummeled the shields and quickly overloaded them, causing the shields to immediately collapse. The ravaging energy then stuck the thin armor of the hulls and in a matter of microseconds, three of the Kleese assault ships exploded in fiery blasts. In their places all that remained was molten metal and glowing gas.
The fourth was heavily damaged with numerous blackened scars across its hull and a huge ragged rift that ran for nearly seventy meters and extended deep inside the ship. Inside, fires raged out of control as panicked Nabians tried to get to the ship’s flight bay to escape in the drop ships. In most instances, they found their paths blocked by fires or impassable corridors. Alarms were sounding loudly and panicked voices could be heard coming over the ship’s internal comm system.
Galactic Empire Wars: Insurrection (The Galactic Empire Wars Book 5) Page 9