by Sid Kar
He had to get a message to Remus with all the information his investigation had revealed. He loaded a card on his ship’s computer, turned on the signal machine and scrambled and encrypted all his data. He pressed the key to relay the signal to Nestor and a second later the two rockets slammed into his spaceship blowing it to smithereens.
Chapter 15: Commodore
“Battlestations!” Dorrvyk repeated over the ship’s intercom.
All the officers and the soldiers, the entire crew of thousands and thousands of ship personnel, dropped what they were doing and rushed to their predetermined positions and places.
“This is not a drill!” Dorrvyk said, “I repeat, this is not a drill.”
“I should get scooting and clear the desk and chair for the officer,” Antrar said and the medical officers helped him to his feet.
“Com. Antrar there is a seat on top next to my desk,” Raptor said, “I will help you walk up there.”
“I am just a civilian now,” Antrar smiled.
“If anybody belongs in this command room along with VC Barryett, it is you,” Raptor said. Barryett was looking at the scanners when he heard the words and came over, “Com. Antrar it would do wonder to the morale of the crew to know that you are here.”
“What do you want out of me?” Antrar asked.
“I want to appoint you as a battle advisor,” Raptor said.
“You don’t have to ask Com. Raptor,” Antrar said, “This is a warship and you are the commanding officer. You can conscript any civilian. All you have to do is order.”
“I rather you volunteer,” Raptor said.
“I do. Fighting for Starfire Nation will always be my duty no matter what clothes I wear, uniform or not,” Antrar said. Raptor put his shoulder under Antrar’s and helped him up the stairs. As he was walking up he asked, “What is the estimated time of interception.”
“T minus 30 minutes at the same acceleration,” Overyk said.
Raptor and Antrar reached up at Raptor’s station. He helped Antrar in a seat then he stood behind his desk and examined his room.
“Let’s make these buzzards risk their engines,” Raptor said, “capitan Flyptar, accelerate to the safe-maximum speed of 5,000 light speed.”
“Yes sir,” Flyptar replied and along with the engine officers began adding more fuel to the two fusion engines that powered this Starship.
Raptor watched on the front screen the data displayed from the gravitron scanners and saw that the pursuers had also accelerated behind them. Raptor knew that 5,000 light speed was the safe-maximum for all but a handful of spaceships in the galaxy and nobody made better space engines than Starfire Empire’s mega-factories. He wanted to exact a toll from the three spaceships which could hurt them later.
“Strangers accelerating at a higher rate,” Overyk said, “they will break safe-maximum.”
“We should send a signal just to make sure there is no misunderstanding,” VC Barryett suggested.
“Do it,” Raptor said.
Dorrvyk sent out signals over gravity waves but received no reply. A few minutes passed as the chase continued with the pursuers closing distance. Starship Conquistador accelerated to 5,000 light speed and held steady but the pursuers went beyond and kept closing distance.”
“No doubt they are hostiles,” Raptor said, “Mark the three spaceships as Enemy One, Two and Three.”
“Tagged the three unidentified spaceships as Enemy One, Two and Three,” Overyk said, “Refresh the screens.”
A moment later the tags in small subscripts were visible under the three dots on the display screen. The dots kept getting closer at a steady rate.
“They must have hit 6,000 light speed,” Antrar said, “I don’t know any battleships that can do safe-maximum at 7,000 lights.”
“Load the battle command program known as Falcon,” Raptor said.
“Battle command program known as Falcon loaded,” Artificial Intelligence officer Zurryvk replied.
“Activate Falcon’s voice,”
“Falcon live with audio,” Zurryvk said.
“Battle AI Falcon reporting for duty, sir,” a voice beamed from the speakers of the command room.
“Falcon, give me a read out on the Enemy One, Two and Three.” Raptor said.
“Combined enemy strength is approximately 2.1 times ours,” Falcon announced, “the three spaceships appear within 10% of the strength of each other and are between 15.35 and 16.81 miles long on their longest axis.”
“Two times our firepower,” Raptor looked at Antrar, “I want to flee to the next star system and take advantage of the solar objects. What would you say?”
“I would fight but that’s just me,” Antrar said, “With a starship like this, I would have taken them head on.”
“I see,” Raptor said. He watched the display screen as did the rest of the officers.
“We will not make it to next star system before the interception,” Barryett said, “not even if we hit absolute-max on the speed. They picked the right place for an ambush, seem like professionals.”
“Professional fools to attack Starfire Empire’s starship,” Raptor said, “If they destroy us, there will be thirty starships from the Sixth Frontier Fleet hunting them all across the deep space.”
“It is strange,” Antrar said.
“Bastards have launched rockets,” Tollvyk said.
“Just the battle specs please, Col. Tollvyk,” Raptor said.
“Sorry Commodore,” Tollvyk said, “Enemy One, Two and Three have launched 40 rockets each. Approaching fast and closing. Interception at T minus 2 minutes.”
“Horyett take over rocket’s tracking,” Raptor said.
“Done,” Horyett replied.
The choice was now between spending energy on speed or on the shield. Raptor looked at Antrar who said nothing, neither did VC Barryett. He had to step up big time now. He took a deep breath and sat down in his seat.
“Accelerate to 6,000 lights,” Raptor said.
“Accelerating,” Flyptar replied.
The engines would start feeling stresses soon enough as they were over safe-max.
“Rockets at T minus 1 minute,” Horyett said.
“Any signs of spacefighters launch?” Raptor asked.
“Negative,” Horyett replied, “no spacefighters launched from either Enemy.”
Raptor glanced at the crew in the room. They were jittery with drops of sweat forming in their brows but they were holding steady. So far so good, Raptor thought.
“Rockets at T minus 30 seconds,” Horyett said.
“Launch Repeller counter-rockets 1 to 150,” Raptor said.
“Repeller counter-rockets 1 to 150 launched,” Tollvyk said as he and his assistants frantically hit the designated keys.
A group of 150 rockets raced out of Conquistador’s rear tubes and tried to smash into oncoming rockets.
“Rockets Interception in T minus 10 seconds,” Horyett said.
There were a multitude of explosions in space and many incoming were destroyed but a few got through.
“30 rockets still on coming in 15 seconds,” Horyett said and began the countdown, “14 seconds…13…12…11”
“Cut acceleration,” Raptor said.
“Acceleration cut,” Flyptar said.
“Switch energy to the shields,” Raptor said.
“Energy switched to shields,” Shields Officer Avyk replied.
“Dive 90-45-45 followed by a closed circle roll,” Raptor said.
“Executing,” Flyptar replied.
The flight officers dove the Starship down and right and then flew it in a roll, making a circle in the space and bringing it back to the original position. Rockets tried to follow through but a dozen got off path and veered off into deep space.
“6…5…” Horyett counted.
“LaserStorm Full Blast,” Raptor said.
“LaserStorm commencing firing on full auto,” Capitan Alvina replied.
Thousands of laser gun tu
rrets popped out of the Starship’s exterior hull and shot tens of thousands of laser blasts at the rockets. Most of the rockets were hit and destroyed but five got through and rocked the Starship with massive explosions.
Everyone inside shook in place and many lost their balance.
“Falcon, damage report,” Raptor said.
“Shield down to 23%, 46%, 48%, 61% and 73% on the five strike spots,” Falcon announced.
“Route the coordinates and the detailed report to the shield officer Capitan Avyk.”
“Routed,” Falcon said.
Raptor was glad they had a battle AI like Falcon to provide near instant reports. What man could be as fast with calculating damage and preparing a report?
“Switch energy to acceleration, I want 7,000 lights,” Raptor said.
“That’s absolute-max sir, do you confirm?” Flyptar asked. VC Barryett turned to look at him and even Antrar raised a brow.
“Negative,” Falcon said.
“Who asked you to chirp in?” VC Barryett scoffed.
“Capitan Flyptar, I do confirm,” Raptor said.
“I do apologize for my encroachment in your conversation, sir,” Falcon computer program spoke, “But I am programmed to voice correction of all the technical falsehoods regarding this Starship’s capabilities that are spoken in the command room; unless overridden by Commodore or the next in line commanding officer.”
“What falsehood?” Raptor asked.
“Starship Conquistador’s absolute-max is not 7,000 light speed.”
Then the computer program stayed silent. Raptor realized it would not answer unless directly asked.
“Then what is it?” Antrar asked first.
“Question asked by an unauthorized person,” Falcon said and beeped twice.
“I have made him a battle advisor, treat him as an officer,” Raptor said.
“With what levels of privileges and access?” Falcon asked.
“Nevermind,” Raptor said. Each position’s level of access to AI programs was pre-programmed during the Starship construction and he had no time now. “Tell me the absolute max for Conquistador?”
“10,000 light speed,” Falcon said.
“No way,” Barryett said.
“That’s impossible,” Antrar said, “10,000 lights is the top speed for our fastest spy ships. I can’t believe a spaceship this large could accelerate to that.”
Falcon said nothing. It was not programmed to engage in a debate. Raptor was glad for that.
“What are the enemies doing? Launching any more rockets?” Raptor asked.
“Still in pursuit, but the distance is neither closing nor widening,” Horyett said.
“Are we at 7,000 lights yet?” Raptor asked.
“Yes sir,” Flyptar replied.
“That must be their absolute max,” Raptor said, “Avyk, energy is released from the acceleration. Recharge the shield to 100% on each of the strike spots, starting with the hardest hit.”
“Beginning shield recharge,” Avyk confirmed.
“Com. Raptor, I am curious,” Antrar said, “If the absolute-max is 10,000 lights, then ask Falcon what the safe-max is. It has to be more than 5,000 lights.”
“Answer Com Antrar’s question, Falcon,” Raptor said.
“Safe-Max is 7,500 lights,” Falcon replied.
Smiles broke out on the faces of the officers in the command room. If it was really true then they could outrun their pursuers. But the more experienced officers had their doubts.
“Was it certified by the Starship Testing Board of the House of Arms?” VC Barryett asked.
“Negative,” Falcon replied, “Certified by the manufacturer of the reactor engines: Karwyk Fusion Reactor Company.”
“Are they new?” Barryett asked.
“New and experimental,” Falcon replied.
“Wonderful,” Barryett, “Leave it up to our commanders to stick a new, untested engine in a Starship sent on a deep space mission.”
“It’s a very reputable and reliable company,” Antrar said, “My spaceship always had their engines and never had trouble with it.”
“But let’s not count on the company specified max’s, Com Raptor,” Barryett said.
“I won’t,” Raptor replied, “What are the enemy doing?” The lack of any tactical action from the enemy was making him uneasy. Perhaps they were preparing their second plan of attack.
“Nothing,” Horyett replied, “Holding steady at the same distance.”
“That is strange,” Tollvyk said.
“What is?” Raptor said.
“Data is coming in on the magnitude of the force that their rockets were packing,” Tollvyk said, “It’s uniformly 10 megatons. Standard yield for our attack rockets.”
“I know of no other Starfleet in the galaxy that has 10 MTs as their standard yield,” Antrar said.
“Kind of makes sense,” Barryett said, “They want to disguise their identity and we know the standard yields for all the galactic powers’ weapons.”
“Enemy One, Two and Three, launching a rocket each,” Horyett said.
“One rocket?” Raptor looked at Horyett with bewilderment.
“Sorry Com,” Horyett said, “Not rockets but appear to be Micro Black Hole Weapons. Our gravitron scanners are going awry.”
“They have MBH weapons too?” Raptor stood up from his chair, “No outlaw spaceships possess those. It has to be a state power.”
“We are long past the time to think of them as pirates, raiders and such space junk,” Antrar said, “There are perhaps four empires in the galaxy who can make MBH weapons and one of them is ours.”
“Com. Raptor, Starship engines are consuming higher and higher fuel to keep up the speed,” Flyptar said.
“Cut fuel, let Starship decelerate to 5,000 lights,” Raptor said, “Horyett, give me technical readings on the MBH weapons.”
“I can read out the numbers…”
“Tell me in words…”
“They are powerful but we can escape their gravity pull rapidly with a sudden jerk forward,” Horyett replied.
“That would consume a lot of fuel and we have a long journey ahead,” Raptor said.
“We can wait out the depletion of gravity weapon’s energy,” Barryett said, “Their own fuel will be running out, but it means another round of battle.”
“Com Antrar, any advice?” Raptor asked.
“This is far more serious,” Antrar said, “than I had thought earlier. We can try to destroy MBH Weapons with concentrated lasers. We colloquially refer to them as Micro-Black Holes but they are actually just machines that generate intense gravity fields for a short duration.”
“Not short enough,” Barryett said.
“Smash the machine and their gravity field rapidly dissipates into space,” Antrar continued, “We can try launching rockets but the outcome is uncertain as they are likely to be thrown off-target by the mangled gravity fields of Micro-Black Hole machines and the three Starships right behind. We can use concentrated lasers but then our LaserStorm defense system’s operations will be severely degraded and they will launch another round of rockets. They have already depleted our supply of Repeller counter-rockets.”
“Textbook battle operations, wouldn’t you say Com. Antrar?” VC Barryett asked.
“Question is: whose textbook?” Antrar replied.
“Com Raptor, Starship is at 5,000 lights,” Flyptar said, “permission to restart fuel increase.”
“Permission granted, restart fuel upload to the engines,” Raptor said, “Hold steady at 5,000 lights.”
“We can expect them to launch once they have closed sufficient distance,” VC Barryett said, “Com Raptor, we must do something.”
“You are right,” Raptor said, “Capitan Alvina, concentrated lasers on the MBH machines. Switch to manual targeting and firing.”
“Concentrated lasers,” Alvina said to her officer assistant and they started adjusting the settings on the computers.
“L
aser Operators taking position,” assistant laser officer Pulf said.
“They are going to fire rockets regardless,” Raptor said to Antrar who nodded, “It’s a common factor in all the equations.”
“Sir, laser firing commencing, targeting MBH weapons,” Alvina said.
“Good, keep me updated every time a target is destroyed,” Raptor said. The lasers were less affected by the gravity than material objects like rockets, nevertheless light shifted too. Raptor hoped that their lasers would take out the gravity-weapon machines before the enemy felt close enough to launch another barrage of rockets.
“Sir, a lucky shot, laser struck and shattered one MBH weapon,” Alvina said.
“Great,” Raptor said.
“Why lucky?” Tollvyk asked.
“Col. most of our laser shots are wildly off mark, the operators are veering closer but will take time calibrating on target,” Alvina said.
“Why not let the computer target them?” Tollvyk asked.
“Alvina?” Raptor said. This was the first time he had anything resembling a conversation with her and he wanted to keep it going.
“Sir???” she was intently watching her computer screen and hadn’t heard the question.
“Explain to Col. why we try to avoid computer targeting of lasers with MBH weapons.”
“Colonel Tollvyk,” Alvina looked up from her screen and turned to him, “Computer aims for perfection in targeting and in this case it means it will try to adjust for gravity fields whose math can overload the computer with complex calculations,” she continued, “But if the MBH Weapons are made to vary the strength of their gravity fields then the computers may not be able to calculate a target solution in time and its shots will be really off mark.”
“Very good Capitan Alvina, you know your stuff,” Raptor said.
“Thank you, sir,” she beamed a wide smile at him and Raptor felt a pang of desire. He turned away from her otherwise he would not be able to concentrate on the battle at hands.