“Yes, Admiral,” Mays responded, as she started speaking to her tactical people.
Kurt pressed the ship-to-ship comm on his command console. “Captains Marsh and Owens, the Dallas will target the drives on the two detainee vessels, while the Johnas is to target the hyperdrive on the cargo ship. It’s imperative that we disable the drives on all three ships. Once you’ve confirmed the drives are out, you’re to come to the aid of the Star Cross, if we’re engaged with any enemy ships. I’m hoping our sudden emergence from hyperspace will take them by surprise and our hypermissile attack will do them in.”
“We’ll be ready,” answered Captain Marsh.
“I hope this works,” Andrew said uneasily. “We have a lot riding on them not having their screens up. We’re taking a chance jumping in so close.”
“We’ll find out shortly,” responded Kurt. “The hypermissiles have the speed to hit the enemy warships before they can fully activate their energy shields. We’ll only have a few seconds to do this.”
“Eight minutes to hyperspace emergence,” announced Ensign Styles, as he worked with his navigation computer so all three ships would come out within close combat range of their intended targets.
The Condition One alarms sounded, and Captain Randson made the announcement over the ship’s comm. Across the ship, the crew raced to their battlestations. Safety bulkheads slammed shut, and damage control teams put on self-contained suits, in case they had to enter damaged areas no longer in an oxygen environment. Marines retrieved assault rifles from the ship’s two armories and took up positions at key locations throughout the vessel.
Andrew turned off the alarms and flashing lights, and turned toward Kurt. “Ship is at Condition One, and all stations report ready for combat.”
“Very well,” Kurt replied, as he buckled his safety harness. The others in the Command Center did the same. “Stand by for combat maneuvers.”
“Hypermissile strike is set up,” Lieutenant Mays reported.
“Four minutes to hyperspace emergence,” said Ensign Styles, as he double-checked their course and the projected dropout points for all three ships.
Kurt felt his heart speed up, and he took several deep breaths. Around him, the tension increased in the Command Center as they neared the time for battle.
“Enemy ships are holding their position,” confirmed Andrew, his focus on the tactical screen.
“Two minutes to dropout,” reported Ensign Styles.
“All ships, stand by for combat,” Kurt said over the ship-to-ship comm. “Shields up as soon as possible.”
The last minute crawled by, and then Kurt felt the familiar gut-wrenching sensation, as they dropped from hyperspace. On the viewscreen a background of stars suddenly appeared.
“Targets!” called out Lieutenant Mays. “Target locks! Launching hypermissiles!”
-
On the Star Cross, six hatches slid open over her converted missile tubes. The missiles exited the tubes and then seemed to blur, as their hyperspace drives kicked in. Two missiles carrying fifty-kiloton warheads slammed into the nine-hundred-meter-long Profiteer battlecruiser. Two fiery glowing suns appeared as the ship was torn asunder. One missile each struck the pair of six-hundred-meter-long escort cruisers, turning them into molten wrecks. The final two hypermissiles hit the Dacroni battleship. However, the ship had its energy shield up, and the missiles exploded harmlessly fifty meters from the armored hull.
The Dallas and the Johnas both managed to disable the hyperdrives on their targets using their defensive laser batteries. Several pinpoint blasts ensured the cargo ship and the two detainee ships wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.
The Dacroni battleship slowly turned toward its attacker. Missile ports slid open, and energy projectors powered up.
-
“Profiteer battlecruiser and both escort cruisers are down,” reported Lieutenant Brooks excitedly and then, in a more concerned voice, said, “The Dacroni battleship had its energy shield up, and both hypermissiles detonated fifty meters from the hull. It’s turning toward us!”
“Crap!” swore Andrew, looking intently at the tactical screen. “I was afraid of that. We’ll have a fight on our hands.”
“Targeting battleship with our particle beam cannon and main KEW batteries,” reported Lieutenant Mays, as she swiftly passed on new orders to her tactical team.
“Captain Owens and Captain Marsh are reporting that their targets have been disabled,” added Andrew, as he listened to the two captains over the ship-to-ship comm. “They’re moving to assist us against the battleship.”
-
In space, a dark blue particle beam flashed from the Star Cross to strike the Dacroni energy shield. It was followed by number of large KEW rounds from the ship’s bow batteries. Brilliant flashes of light lit up the battleship’s shield as the rounds struck at 10 percent of the speed of light, releasing massive amounts of kinetic energy.
The two light cruisers moved up and added their own weapons to the attack. Two more particle beams lashed out and more KEW rounds hit the Dacroni energy screen too.
From the Dacroni battleship, four white energy beams leaped forth to strike the Star Cross’s energy shield.
-
The Star Cross vibrated sharply, and warning alarms sounded on the damage control console.
“Energy beam penetrated the shield,” Andrew reported, as reports of damage came in. “We have several compartments open to space.”
“I’m having all three ships fire their particle beams at the same spot on the battleship’s energy shield,” Lieutenant Mays reported. “I’m hoping we can overload that one section. We’ll follow up with a barrage of KEW rounds.”
“Do it!” ordered Kurt, as the Star Cross shook violently. Kurt could hear his ship crying out in protest from the onslaught of Dacroni weapons fire. The hull seemed to ring with every strike to the energy shield.
“That was a fifty-kiloton hypermissile,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, her face turning pale.
“Energy shield is at 70 percent and dropping,” warned Andrew with concern on his face. “We’re not designed to take on a fully armed battleship with an active energy shield.”
“I know,” answered Kurt grimly. “But what other choice do we have?”
“Firing particle beams,” called out Lieutenant Mays.
On the main viewscreen, three particle beams stuck the same section of the enemy battleship’s energy screen. The shield glowed brilliantly in cascades of exploding colors, and then a single KEW round struck the side of the vessel. The impacted section of the ship blew apart, and debris scattered.
“We got a hit!” called out Lieutenant Mays, as she tried to fire more rounds into the damaged section, only to see them explode harmlessly against the energy shield.
“Hypermissile tubes are reloaded,” reported one of the other tactical officers.
“Sir, the Johnas!” called out Lieutenant Brooks in alarm, pointing toward the viewscreens in the front of the Command Center.
Looking at the indicated viewscreen, Kurt saw the ship under heavy attack from the battleship. A hypermissile suddenly slammed into the stern of the light cruiser, and the ship vanished in a fiery explosion.
“Johnas is down,” reported Lieutenant Brooks in a stunned voice.
“Firing all hypermissiles,” Lieutenant Mays said in a steady and commanding voice.
Almost instantly the Dacroni energy shield lit up under the massive release of energy. At the same moment, the Star Cross fired her particle beam cannon. The dark blue beam struck the fluctuating energy shield and penetrated, drilling deep inside the enemy battleship. A huge section of the hull split open, and secondary explosions rattled the vessel. More KEW rounds penetrated the shield, opening up compartment after compartment on the enemy ship.
“Enemy energy shield is down,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, as she read the information coming in over the short-range sensors.
“Firing all weapons,” said Lieutenant Mays in a
vengeful voice.
A few moments later the Dacroni battleship exploded, as her power reserves were compromised. A huge blast ripped apart the ship from the inside, leaving the vessel a torn and mangled wreck.
“Dacroni battleship is down,” confirmed Lieutenant Brooks with relief in her eyes.
“Cease fire,” ordered Kurt, taking a deep breath.
“It’s over,” Andrew said, his face still white from witnessing the Johnas’s destruction.
“Secure from Condition One and take us to Condition Two,” ordered Kurt. “Shuttle some Marines to board that cargo ship and the two detainee ships ASAP. Capture the crew and don’t harm them unless they offer resistance.”
“Shuttles will be leaving shortly,” Andrew replied, now speaking to the lieutenant in charge of their flight bay, where four small shuttles were.
Kurt unfastened his safety harness and looked around at his command crew. Many had shocked looks on their faces from the loss of the Johnas. It had always been a risk that one or more of the enemy ships might have their shields up. Captain Owens had been a good commander. He had brought the warning to Newton, when the Profiteers had first struck Earth. He had just barely made it to Newton in his heavily damaged light cruiser. His perseverance had held the shattered ship together until they could warn the colony.
“Once the convoy ships are secure, we’ll hold a brief memorial service for our people we lost today,” Kurt announced. “Their deaths will be remembered.”
Leaning back in his command chair, Kurt watched as three shuttles left the Star Cross and docked with the convoy ships. There was no resistance, and shortly all three were under the Marines’ control. Once the memorial service was over, he would dispatch the Dallas to Newton to escort the waiting cargo ship and the two passenger liners here to the disabled ships. It would take fourteen to fifteen days before the Dallas and company could return to this system. During that time, the Star Cross would keep a protective watch over the captured convoy ships.
Kurt knew, sometime shortly afterward, High Profiteer Creed would learn that his convoy fleet had vanished. If the High Profiteer responded as expected and sent ships out searching for his missing convoy, then it might buy Earth and Newton the time needed to prepare for the next step in the war: the freeing of Earth from the Profiteers.
Chapter Twenty-One
The Star Cross dropped out of hyperspace just two million kilometers from Newton. Moments later the Dallas, the cargo ship Graham One, and the passenger liners Empress and Stardust also put in an appearance.
“All ships have emerged from hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Brooks, as she gazed at the green icons on her sensor screen.
Kurt nodded. They had been gone for nearly twenty-eight days, and he was relieved to be returning to Newton.
“It’s good to be home,” Andrew said, as he listened to the different departments check in over his comm.
Suddenly Lieutenant Brooks looked over at Kurt with growing alarm on her face. “I’m picking up additional contacts around the planet! I have what appear to be ten large cargo ships of Kubitz design, four battleships, and ten battlecruisers, and two other ships I can’t identify.”
“The defense grid and our new ships,” Andrew said, his eyes lighting up. “I thought the ships would come at least a few weeks to a month after the defense grid arrived.” Andrew was pleased to see them, as it meant that shortly Newton would be safe and so would his family.
Lieutenant Brooks looked relieved after hearing Andrew’s announcement. “I believe you’re correct, sir.”
“I don’t know why they’re here so early, but I’m glad they are,” said Kurt, as he looked at the tactical display and the numerous new icons showing up in orbit around Newton.
“I’ve got Rear Admiral Wilson on the comm,” reported Ensign Pierce. “He’s confirming the large ships are Kubitz cargo ships, two construction ships, and the others are the new fleet.”
“Take us in, Ensign Styles,” ordered Kurt. He was anxious to inspect the new ships personally. “Ensign Pierce, inform Graham One, Empress, and the Stardust that they’re to proceed and dock with Newton Station.”
“I wonder how long it will take them to install the defense grid,” Andrew said, as he shifted his gaze to the viewscreens.
On the main screen one of the massive cargo ships suddenly appeared. The vessel was nearly two thousand meters in length and four hundred meters in diameter, shaped like a giant cylinder, with engines on the rear and a Control Center in the slightly curved bow.
“That’s a big ship!” commented Lieutenant Mays, as she glanced at the viewscreen in awe.
“I’m detecting energy screen emitters on the cargo ships,” reported Lieutenant Brooks in surprise. “Earth and Newton cargo ships don’t have energy shields.”
“As big as those ships are, I’d bet they’re armed also,” commented Andrew, looking at the ship on the screen. “I’m sure the arms dealers on Kubitz wouldn’t want to risk losing one. I would hate to think of the cost of them.”
“Captain Randson is correct,” confirmed Lieutenant Brooks, as she studied additional sensor data. “I’ve detected two powerful energy projectors on the bow of the ship, plus twenty missile tubes that probably contain hypermissiles.”
“Rear Admiral Wilson reports that a Controller named Nirron is on board the lead cargo ship and requests a meeting with you at your earliest convenience,” said Ensign Pierce.
“Inform Rear Admiral Wilson that the Star Cross will be in orbit shortly. I’ll be glad to meet Controller Nirron on Newton Station.”
“I wonder what he wants,” Andrew said.
Kurt looked over at Andrew and then replied, “I guess I’ll find out when I talk to him. Get us into orbit at our best speed. I’m going to my quarters to send a few messages and prepare for this meeting.”
-
Once in his quarters, Kurt contacted Rear Admiral Wilson to get a better understanding of what was happening in orbit.
“They arrived three days ago,” Wilson explained. “The hypermissiles have already been transferred to Newton Station, and Colonel Hayworth has been meeting with the cargo fleet engineers about where the different units of the orbital defense grid are to be placed. General Mclusky has also flown up to the station to discuss the ground emplacements.”
“I see,” Kurt said, his brow creasing in thought. “Have there been any problems?”
“No, none that I’m aware of. Captain Simms does have a large Marine contingent on the station to ensure security, but, so far, all the people from Kubitz have been quite amicable. An individual called Lomatz keeps asking for a tour of Newton Station and has been very quizzical about the weapons systems we’re installing.”
“Lomatz?” responded Kurt in surprise. “He’s one of their chief weapons dealers, and the one I made the deal with for both the defense grid and the warships. I wonder what he’s doing here.”
“From what you told me about conditions on Kubitz, he’s probably looking for something more to sell us.”
“What about the warships? Has anyone gone on board one?”
“Yes,” Wilson replied. “The engineers we sent to help on the interior design have taken a number of people on tours of the ships. I haven’t gone myself, but Captain Deming of the Callisto toured one of the battleships and one of the battlecruisers. He was quite impressed by what he saw and didn’t foresee any problems with us operating the vessels. I did speak to several of our engineers, and they confirm the same thing.”
“Very well,” Kurt said, satisfied with Rear Admiral Wilson’s report. “I need to speak with Governor Spalding and Colonel Hayworth before I go to Newton Station for this meeting.”
“I’d have Hayworth attend the meeting also,” suggested Wilson. “He’s had the most contact with these people since they arrived.”
“General Mclusky also,” added Kurt. He had to get the defense grid up and functioning, and then begin work on his new fleet.
After talking briefly wi
th Governor Spalding and Colonel Hayworth, finally turning off his communicator, Kurt leaned back and sighed. He had hoped for a few days of rest after returning, but that was not going to be the case.
-
Stepping from his shuttle on Newton Station, Kurt found Captain Simms waiting for him with two heavily armed Marines.
“Marines?” asked Kurt curiously.
Simms nodded. “We have a number of the Kubitz cargo ships’ technicians on board. We’ve been allowing them to eat in the large mess hall on C-deck. The Marines are just to ensure they don’t wander into unauthorized areas.”
As they made their way toward the briefing room where the meeting would be held, Captain Simms filled in Kurt on the Newton Station construction.
“The outer hull is in place for the flight bay, and the Callisto has been returned to duty,” Simms reported. “We have the energy shield emitters in place and have even tested the shield. Everything worked perfectly.”
“What about the particle beam cannons?”
“Coming along,” Simms replied. “We finished one more while you were gone. A curious thing, the cargo ship engineers have been very interested in our particle beam weapons. Surely, as advanced as they supposedly are in the Gothan Empire, they can build them if they want?”
“You would think that,” Kurt answered, as they arrived at the hatch to the briefing room.
“I should warn you,” Simms began, as Kurt opened the hatch. “Your pet Profiteer is in there too.”
“What?” Kurt asked, as he heard a loud gruff voice call out his name.
“Fleet Admiral Vickers, you’re here!” Profiteer Grantz bellowed, standing up and walking quickly over to the hatch to greet Kurt.
“Why are you here?” Kurt demanded. Grantz was supposed to be helping Lieutenant Tenner on Kubitz.
Grantz gestured toward Lomatz, already sitting at the large conference table. “When I heard Lomatz and some of his people were coming to your colony world, I thought I should tag along to make sure they didn’t take advantage of you and your people. I’m the best negotiator you have.”
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