Sacrifice:The Shenkar War

by Libby, Seth

  December 21, 2012, 12:35 p.m.Shenkar Command Base

  Krailsha seethed with anger at having to withdraw from battle. Not once had the mighty Shenkar fleet ever had to retreat from battle. How was it that this one planet was able to fight them into a standstill? The Shenkar ruled over thirteen worlds, covering eight star systems, and now one small planet’s inhabitants had actually stopped the Shenkar fleet? Not today--never under his rule of this fleet. In truth, the deciding factor had been the two massive defense platforms and their vast array of weapons. The platforms were unmanned, controlled from a military base on Earth. They needed to be removed and removed soon if he was to succeed this day.

  “How many ships are at full capacity?” asked Krailsha

  “All but three battlecruisers and four cruisers are at fighting capacity. Those ships are running at one-third power, and most of their weapon systems are down. They should be repaired within the day once they have docked with the command base.”

  “Belay that order. I want all ships to form up in front, screening the command base against enemy fire. Have the damaged ships out in front. They are to position themselves into the path of any enemy torpedo that is targeting this command base. When all ships are formed up, then we move out . . . including this command base. Fire control, I want all weapons to target the defense platforms. When in range, open fire with everything we have. I want those platforms blown out of my sight.”

  December 21, 2012, 12:40 p.m.EDF George Washington

  Fleet Admiral Saunders studied the report he had been given on the status of the defense fleet. In addition to the losses they had suffered, an additional battlecruiser, the EDF Yamamoto, was out of commission. While the Reagan had managed to rescue her from destruction, she had suffered extensive damage. They were forced to pull her back to the shipyards where dockworkers immediately went to work at repairing her. In addition to the Yamamoto, the Atlantis and Sydney, two heavy cruisers, also were pulled back and were under repair. Saunders was hoping that with a little luck the shipyards would soon have them repaired and returned to duty. There were also three medium cruisers and two destroyers that were dead in space and were currently in the process of being towed to the docks, but Saunders felt there would be no chance they would return before the Shenkar renewed their assault.

  In the meantime, it was now becoming a waiting game. Saunders was close to his fifteenth year in the service: fourteen years in the Navy, with the past six months in training for space combat. After the world had been devastated by the bird flu, he had risen to the ranking of Fleet Admiral in the Earth Defense Force. A few of the countries had argued against his appointment, as this was a combined world effort. But countries like the UK and Japan had argued the opposition down, and he was appointed. He had always wondered if he would lead a warship into combat. Now he was leading not just a warship but an entire fleet against an enemy assault force from space. How he hated this waiting game, but at the same time, he wanted them to hold off long enough to get reinforcements here to back his fleet. His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of his second-in-command.

  “Sir, the Shenkar are on the move. It appears they aren’t going to wait to renew their assault. They are coming now, and it seems they are bringing their command base with them.”

  Pulling his personal display to him, Saunders studied the holographic map. From the looks of it, the entire Shenkar fleet was screening the command base, but he didn’t think they would be able to stop everything they fired at him. Keying his comm channel, he spoke. “Platform control, target all torpedoes on that command base and fire!”

  Seconds later, forty-four torpedoes launched from the tubes and sped off toward the oncoming Shenkar command base. Immediately, enemy fire began to return at the incoming threats. Explosions began registering on the display, but even with the heavy Shenkar fire, many torpedoes were still closing.

  Suddenly, one of the forward Shenkar battlecruisers moved into the path of four torpedoes. Explosions registered across the bow of the battlecruiser before the battlecruiser exploded. The resulting explosion destroyed four more torpedoes that passed close by. Almost immediately, a second battlecruiser moved into the path of three torpedoes, destroying the battlecruiser and all three torpedoes. The few torpedoes that did penetrate the Shenkar defenses exploded against the command base’s shields but failed to do any real damage.

  “Sir, no damage to the command base but two battlecruisers destroyed.”

  “How long until the platforms will be ready for another salvo?”

  “Two minutes, sir.”

  “All ships, fire at will!” commanded Saunders over the fleet net.

  All Earth ships opened up with everything they had, and once again, the fierce battle resumed.

  “Sir, the Shenkar fleet and the command base just launched torpedoes numbering in excess of one hundred!”

  “Fire all energy cannons targeting any incoming torpedoes.”

  “Sir, none of the torpedoes are targeted on us . . . they seem to be split up between the two defense platforms.”

  “Damn it! Target as many of those torpedoes as we can and fire. If we lose the platforms, we lose this battle.”

  Immediately, all weapons of the Earth Defense Force turned toward the Shenkar torpedoes and energy began to lance out. Soon the energy began to connect, and explosions lit up against the starry background. However, it didn’t take long before it was apparent they were just not intercepting enough of the torpedoes. Explosions began to bloom all over the shields, and seconds later, the shields failed. Great chunks of metal were ripped away from resulting explosions. Impact after impact followed, and almost in unison, both orbital defense platforms exploded. For all the strategies Saunders had been given, none had included a command base.

  Now with both defense platforms destroyed, the Shenkar renewed their attack against the Earth fleet, and soon they began to suffer heavy damage. Watching the reports as they came in, Saunders knew if they remained where they were, they would lose the entire fleet and there would be no way Earth would survive. His only choice was to pull back and hope the Shenkar followed, pulling the forces he could deal with away from that command base.

  “This is Fleet Admiral Saunders. All ships, pull back to sector eight two. Admiral Gergi, take the Reagan and cover the retreat of the Apollo--she is heavily damaged.”

  Saunders sat back in his chair as switched off his comm set. Slowly, the fleet withdrew from battle, energy cannons firing as fast as they could. Fleet comm frequencies constantly chattered as ships called for cover or ships called in warnings to other ships. Slowly, the entire fleet withdrew to sector eight two on the other side of Earth. To Saunders’s dismay, the Shenkar fleet didn’t follow as the assault fleet stopped.

  December 21, 2012, 1:05 p.m.Shenkar Command Base

  “Supreme Commander, the Earth fleet has stopped just on the other side of the planet. Shall I order the fleet to follow?” asked the Shenkar comm officer.

  “No, halt all forces here. The Earth forces have the protection of two more of those defense platforms.”

  Turning to another of the Shenkar bridge crew, he spoke. “Have you located the position of the control stations for the remaining defense platforms?” he commanded.

  “Yes, Supreme Commander, location has been identified on the northeastern section of the continent known to these humans as the United States of America. From the information we salvaged from the humans’ battlecruiser, we believe it to be the same location as the training grounds for those Templar Knights.”

  “Excellent. Have Commander Critz bring the transports forward. Inform him I will be leading the assault on the human’s base personally. Have all fighters move forward to engage the humans, as they will most certainly move to engage us. Have all warships begin long-range cover fire upon the Earth fleet. Then have my shuttle prepared. Commander Kruyt, you have the bridge.”

  “Yes, Supreme Commander!”

  Krailsha turned and left the command deck
. He was almost to his personal shuttle when his comm unit chimed.

  “Supreme Commander, we have new contacts inbound. Image recognition shows it to be the Tryliene. We have tried to establish contact, but it appears their communication array is damaged as well as the life support systems. A baseline transmission has come, though, requesting immediate docking and repairs.”

  “Who requested the docking? Was it First Scientist Scryen?”

  “No, sir, no name was given. It was a small burst transmission with no voice. The Tryliene seems to be running on limited power, so it might not have been able to send a longer transmission. Sir, I must also inform you, there seems to be a destroyer-sized ship close in tow of the Tryliene. We are unable to establish a contact with it, but the Shenkar recognition transmitter seems to be intact and is showing it to be the Destroyer Grytica . . . she was reported destroyed, sir.”

  Krailsha thought this over for a few seconds as he entered his private docking bay.

  “If the Grytica makes any hostiles moves, destroy her. As for the Tryliene, have her dock immediately and have Scyren detained. He has a lot to answer for.”

  Krailsha boarded his shuttle and had his pilot take off. As his pilot flew to their destination, Krailsha looked out the view port at the site of the Tryliene. She was just beginning her docking maneuvers as she entered through the massive base doors. Just aft of the Tryliene was the Grytica. Looking more closely at the distant, ship Krailsha immediately noticed something was wrong. The entire ship seemed to be in pieces; he could see stars beyond. Suddenly, with grim recognition, he knew what he was seeing.

  “Get us on that transport now!” command Krailsha.

  The pilot increased the shuttle to full throttle and took the shuttle fast through the transport’s hangar doors. The shuttle set down hard in what would be called a controlled crash that sent Krailsha to the shuttle’s deck. Not wasting any time, he jumped up and exited the shuttle before the shuttle’s hatch was completely down. Knocking two Shenkar warriors aside, Krailsha ran to the transport’s bridge. Upon entering, he quickly grabbed a comm set from the transport’s current Commander.

  “Get me the command base immediately!” commanded Krailsha.

  The connection was established immediately, and Krailsha didn’t wait for his Commander to speak.

  “Commander Kruyt, cease the docking of the Tryliene! Destroy her and that mass of fighters you mistook as a destroyer that is in tow!”

  December 21, 2012, 1:25 p.m.EDF George Washington

  “Sir! The Shenkar fleet is on the move again. It appears they are bringing forth their ground-assaulting transports.”

  “Damn it, will we ever get a lucky break?!” shouted Saunders.

  Looking at the holographic display, he saw that he would need to make a decision and make one soon. If those transports made it to ground, then the Shenkar could overrun what the planet had in terms of military defense. The question now was whether to hold back the fleet and hope the land-based military could hold out or to bring the fleet out of the cover from the defense platforms and try and destroy as many of those ships as possible. He didn’t even have to think twice about it. Those transports had to be destroyed, even if it meant the loss of the defense fleet.

  “Attention, fleet, this is Fleet Admiral Saunders. We have enemy troop transports inbound toward Earth. If these transports make ground, they will inflict heavy civilian casualties. We must stop them. All Earth defense forces, forward!”

  Leaning back in his command chair, Saunders began to pray for a miracle.

  December 21, 2012, 1:28 p.m.Hanscom Air Force Base

  Hard and rapid pounding on the door woke Leah from her sleep. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Sitting up, she looked down at the letter in her hands. She could hear Private Jorkins calling her name through the door as he continued his hard knocking. Wiping her face, she stood, walked to the door, and opened it.

  “Sorry, I fell asleep,” she apologized.

  “You must come with me, Ms. Aecrin,” Jorkins said, his voice sounding panicky.

  “I’m sorry--did I get you in trouble? I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I have everything, just let me grab it.”

  “There isn’t time--we need to get to the bunker,” Jorkins said as he reached out, grabbed her hand, and began to pull her down the hall.

  “To the bunker? What do you mean we need to get to the bunker? What is going on?” asked Leah, the worry in her voice plain.

  “The Shenkar have arrived; the fleets are engaged right now!” Jorkins said excitedly.

  “So why do we have to get to the bunker?” Leah asked as she pulled her hand free and stopped.

  Jorkins faltered at this point and an innocent terrified look formed on his face.

  “We are losing the battle. We lost two of the four defense platforms, and the fleet has had to pull back. The Shenkar have pushed our fleet back far enough to allow their troop transports in. Projected inbounds show that two of their transports are headed here. If I take you back to your car, you could get caught out in the open by enemy fighters, and I don’t think Liam would have appreciated me not making sure you’re safe. Everyone is being evacuated to the underground bunker, civilians included,” Jorkins said, once again grabbing her hand and starting to pull her toward the outer door.

  Leah once again pulled her hand free, but this time, she hurried forward and out the door. Quickly, she jumped into the Humvee while Jorkins hurried around the front the Humvee, jumped in, and floored the accelerator.

  December 21, 2012, 1:28 p.m.EDF Squadrons, Terran System

  Liam watched silently as the Tryliene slowly moved into the Shenkar’s command base. When the timer had just about completed its countdown, he keyed the appropriate frequency and spoke.

  “All squadron commanders, we are a go! Our primary targets are the transports--do not let them reach Earth.”

  December 21, 2012, 1:28 p.m.Shenkar Command Base

  Commander Kruyt looked at the view screen as he watched what he had first thought was a destroyer seemingly coming apart into several hundred enemy fighters. He had not understood what the Supreme Commander had warned him about until now.

  “Commander, enemy fighters closing in on our transports from behind!”

  If he didn’t destroy those fighters, Supreme Commander Krailsha would eviscerate him.

  “Order all fighters to disengage with the Earth fleet and return to cover the transports. All energy cannons to lock on to the enemy fighters and FIRE!” commanded Kruyt.

  December 21, 2012, 1:29 p.m.EDF George Washington

  “Admiral, something is going on. The Shenkar command base has begun to fire at something close to them . . . they appear to be fighter craft. All enemy fighters are withdrawing and heading back toward the command base. Long-range chatter on fleet frequency is coming over the fleet network.”

  “Patch it into the overhead; I want to know who that is out there,” demanded Admiral Saunders.

  At first, the comm chatter was unintelligible, but soon the comm officer was able to clear it up.

  “Let’s show them the mistake they made in counting us out and attacking Earth! All squadrons, break and attack! Necro Squadron, follow me in.”

  The comm was scratchy for a several seconds before more chatter was heard.

  “People, watch the crossfire!” came the unknown voice leading the fighter group.

  “Sparrowhawk, you okay? You looked pretty close when that transport blew,” said the voice.

  “I’m good, Arch Angel, Just got my tail singed a bit.”

  The entire bridge was silent as they listened to the chatter of the far-off engagement that was taking place. The silence was broken by Saunders’s second-in-command. “Sir, I can’t be certain, but I believe those pilots are the men and women of the Sacrifice.”

  Saunders smiled at this news, and the heavy knot in his chest loosened a bit. “Well, it looks like we just got our miracle,” said Saunders.

  Keying the fleet net, he
spoke. “This is Fleet Admiral Saunders. It seems the men and women of the Sacrifice have returned. All forces forward full speed; the time for caution is over. We attack, and we continue to attack until either we die or the Shenkar are destroyed.”

  December 21, 2012, 1:30 p.m.Arch Angel, Terran System

  “Let’s show them the mistake they made in counting us out and attacking Earth! All squadrons, break and attack! Necro Squadron, follow me in,” said Liam.

  Quickly, the fighter squadrons broke up and moved to engage the transports. As Liam’s squadron approached their first transport, enemy fire began to reach out in attempts to destroy them from the transports and behind from the command base.

  “People, watch the crossfire!” Liam cautioned.

  Easily evading the fire from the enemy energy cannons, Liam locked his targeting reticule on the transport and squeezed the trigger. Energy splashed across the transport’s shields in brilliant flashes of light. Evan, Crystal, and the rest of Necro Squadron followed close behind, energy pouring from their fighters’ cannons into the rear of the transport. Liam had to admit, the Shenkar made their transports shields strong. But not even these shields could withstand the pummeling they were receiving now. The shields failed under the heavy assault, and huge chunks of armor tore free of the rear of the transport right before the transport exploded in a brilliant flash of light and wreckage.