Right on cue, Harrier said, "We have been deceived. Computer, open fire!"
The growling of the white ray as it left the spines was eerie. At light speed, the energy beam leaped instantly across the 1,000 mile distance.
It struck Destinnee amidship as if the FORCE Logo was a bullseye. A huge hole appeared as the ray bored through the structure, dissolving decks and bulkheads alike. Smoke and flames exploded into space from the interior, and the remaining outer lights flickered and winked out. The burned out tunnel was so large, twinkling stars could be seen through the tear in the hull.
"Direct hit," Harrier bellowed.
The Destinnee began to list as its power failed. A cloud of debris developed around the hole burned through the craft. Arcing, blue-white electrical discharges leaped over areas of the structure.
"Severe damage with one well-aimed shot," Harrier crowed.
"I can't believe the dishonesty of the aliens. They lured us; took advantage of our good faith," the Navigator stammered. "The Princess. Do you think she still lives?"
"We can only hope," Harrier responded with as much sincerity as he could fake. "Prepare to transport our troops to the hulk. Orders are shoot to kill any and all enemies found alive. Search for the Princess. Find her!"
"Sir, LOOK!"
Following the pointing finger, Harrier's eyes bulged. The Destinnee floated undamaged before him. All its exterior lights were ablaze except for the original mangled area in one of the logos. There was no space debris; no drifting cloud of smoke. Nothing.
Harrier moved to the Science Officer's panel and twisted dials to enhance the image. The only change was the detail became clearer.
Without warning, a deep growl thundered from the speakers. It was the menacing, rumbling snarl of a ravenous beast, and its primal sound sent chills down the Bridge crew's spines.
The animal noise was followed by a deep, angry voice, "This is General Tom Blunt speaking to you on the Alpha Channel. You're pathetic attempt to destroy us has failed and served only to provoke our thirst for revenge."
There was a pause and the only sound was the harsh breathing of the maddened beast.
"Because of your deception, I have summoned sufficient reinforcements to insure your punishment is focused and painful."
With those words, ships identical to Destinnee began popping into existence. Five, ten, twenty more Destinnees appeared until the Communications Officer reduced the screen magnification to accommodate the vast armada.
Desperation began twisting and gnawing at Harrier's gut. "Computer, fire all weapons. Target the center of each enemy craft!"
Just as the spines twisted into position, all of space went black. One moment the view screen depicted multiple Destinnee sister ships moving into attack formation, then there was nothing. The black was complete. Featureless. It was like looking about a cave where no light had penetrated for thousands of years.
"What happened to the view screen?" Harrier demanded.
The Communications Officer flipped switches and studied readouts. "All systems are functioning normally. I have attempted to verify our position with known star patterns and satellite telemetry. Communications are inoperable."
Sounding uncertain, Harrier said, "Computer, fire weapons at the last known enemy ship coordinates."
The familiar growling sound denoting discharge of the weapons vibrated through the ship. The white beams could be seen clearly against the midnight black of the space surrounding Thorncutter. The ebon cloud proved solid. Instead of blasting holes through it, the rays reflected and bored back into Thorncutter. Damage alarms began wailing, and the sounds of running feet could be heard in the companionway outside the entry hatch.
"Weapon fire ineffective," the computer said. "The black cloud is acting like an imperious mirror."
"Reverse course. Move us away from the enemy ships."
As the Thorncutter increased the distance separating it from the Destinnee, the black cloud became tenuous. It faded away as the ship passed the 1,200 mile separation point.
Harrier licked his dry lips and thought furiously. The effective range of his white ray was only 1,000 miles. At this distance its use would simply annoy the Humans.
Fumbling through his pocket for the transmitter, he clutched it in desperation. Stabbing the green button to arm the bomb, he pressed and held the red one. A light winked on confirming the bomb timer was activated and hope swelled in Harrier's breast.
With a contemptuous frown, he said, "Navigator, emergency retreat. We cannot hope to win this battle."
Like a scared bird, Thorncutter disappeared at light speed on a predetermined course designed to make pursuit difficult.
***
"Do you think the decoy will work?" Boottall asked.
"We'll see. Now be quiet. You're making me crazy," Janniss replied.
Marshalling all her drone flying skills, she maneuvered Thurrggood to a dead stop 1,000 miles from the Asiddian ship. Doing her best to keep the tiny drone in one spot; she waited.
Heinbaum had been very specific. Any unplanned yaw or pitch would disrupt the depiction of the fake Destinnee being projected by Thurrggood. Any movement had to be slow and deliberate, or the ruse would fail. The Asiddians had to believe what they were seeing was the real Destinnee.
Makayla O'Connell piped through the radio chatter to help her keep the Destinnee projection in sync with the instructions being given to the shuttle pilot.
"Asiddian shuttle, please proceed to Docking Bay 60. Confirm."
"Confirmed. Docking Bay 60."
"Remain aboard your ship. We will escort the Princess to you. Any attempt to debark will be met with deadly force."
"Understood. Approaching designated docking coordinates."
"The shuttle is getting too close for comfort," Janniss muttered.
"Just be alert," Boottall said as he put his hand on her shoulder. "We passed into the danger zone minutes ago. You're doing fine."
His reassurances were calming. She liked his company. Her thoughts were cut short by a warning from Destinnee command.
"Ship is approaching outer perimeter of projection. Ten feet, four, one."
Everyone knew the false Destinnee image would fail the moment the shuttle touched the projection. It failed as predicted.
The radio broadcast of the Asiddian reaction played from the speakers.
"Wait a minute! Something's wrong. We're encountering electronic interference. Our cameras are being jammed."
Janniss and Boottall were concentrating on the shuttle when the white ray fired. Even though the ray was aimed at the FORCE Logo on the projection, it looked like it was coming straight at Thurrggood.
In a reflexive move, Janniss and Boottall ducked. The controller slipped from her hand and skittered across the deck. Scrambling to pick it up, she looked in dismay as the drone listed to starboard and with it the Destinnee image.
"Oh no!" she wailed, as she regained the controller and the drone began to straighten.
"I'll never live this down," she cried as tears dripped down her face. "Jumping at the sight of a killer energy ray coming at you is one thing, but dropping your controller is another. I'm a complete idiot."
"I think you're fantastic," Boottall said as he squeezed her shoulders. "I couldn't do what you do, and I don't think anyone else could either."
Covering Boottall's hand with hers, Janniss smiled. At least she knew someone had her back.
"Brilliant flying," Heinbaum bellowed from the speakers. "You sold the shoot-down. Letting the drone waiver and drop to starboard completed the illusion of damage. Wonderful work!"
Turning to Boottall with wide eyes, Janniss was speechless.
Boottall spoke toward the microphone, "Janniss just demonstrated why she is the best drone pilot we have – except for me."
“OH!” This time, Janniss threw her controller at Boottall’s head. Laughing as he ducked, he lost his balance and tumbled to the deck.
“Ok, maybe we’re tied for b
est,” he grinned.
Helping him to his feet, she smiled and winked. “You wish.”
Kissing him on the cheek, she became aware everyone in Bowler Central was watching them.
“You’re Bowlers won’t fly themselves,” she said with a little embarrassment as she returned to her seat with her controller. “Let’s bring on the new Destinnee fleet and see what kind of reaction we can get.”
***
"Should we pursue them?" McPherson asked.
"Not yet.” Tom replied. “We can catch them once they stop trying to evade us and settle down on a set course. Heinbaum and GooYee’s forcefield trick must have scared them silly. Who would have thought of protecting us by surrounding them with an impervious bubble? I wonder what it was like to be cut off from every energy source."
"I don’t care. I just want to get my hands on Harrier. He needs to learn what dead feels like."
"You may have to get in line. Jason, Doug, Becky and Whatsit are already ahead of you."
The intercom buzzed and Tom said, "Yes, Dr. Heinbaum, what is it?"
"Dr. GooYee has discovered something of interest. Go ahead and tell him."
"Something isn't kosher," GooYee said. "The shuttle mass is anomalous."
"Explain," Tom said.
"Sensors indicate the mass of the shuttle based upon its dimensions and power module should be 22,680 kilograms. According to my instruments, it has a mass of 50,000 kilograms. It appears our Asiddian friends have left us a present."
"You two meet me in Docking Bay 60. McPherson, come with me."
***
The Asiddian transport looked innocent under the bright lights of Bay 60. Its crew had been removed, and nothing appeared unusual about the exterior of the craft.
Heinbaum and GooYee stood to one side making snarky comments about the craft's design. They decided it looked more like a locomotive without a smoke stack than a spaceship.
Tom and McPherson spotted Doug and joined him near the shuttle's main hatch.
"Has the crew been questioned?" Tom asked.
"Yes," Doug replied. "Princess Peregrine herself interrogated them. She was as shocked by their stories as they were to see her free and unharmed. It looks like General Harrier convinced them the Princess was our prisoner and in fear of her life. The rescue party is all volunteer. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for her safety. They would do nothing to harm her and are unaware of any weapons on the shuttle other than their sidearms."
Becky stuck her head around the side of the open shuttle hatch and said, "We found something hidden in the hold. Better get Heinbaum and GooYee in here on the double."
***
"I think I've seen one of those before," McPherson muttered as he squeezed into the shuttle's hold. "It looks like the torpedo fired at us by the first Asiddian battleship we encountered."
"Get Dr. Corvus in here on the double," Tom ordered. "We need to disarm this thing."
"If I recall correctly, the explosion obliterated the Ponndomer system. If this device is one of those, we need to dispose of it as soon as possible," Heinbaum said.
"You're ability to understate must be a Human weakness," GooYee replied as he placed a portable sensor near the top of the torpedo.
"At least I don't test my theories on live subjects," Heinbaum growled as he thought back to the Wi-Fi incident.
"Stop being jealous. My tests lead to meaningful data."
Heinbaum's response was interrupted by the arrival of Corvus. The moment the fussy scientist saw the torpedo shape, sweat began glistening on his forehead.
"What's a Pile-Driving Booby doing here?" he squawked.
"Your General Harrier sent it. Tell us what you know," Tom demanded.
Corvus didn't answer. Without hesitation, he grabbed a ratcheting screw driver from a nearby workbench and began trying to remove a panel near the top of the bomb. He was so nervous, the driver slipped from his shaking fingers. McPherson grabbed the driver and finished removing the retainers. Prying the cover from its recessed niche revealed a countdown timer. It read 7:59.
Corvus' eyes went dull, and he hung his head. "Make your peace with whatever gods you have. We will all be dead in 8 minutes."
McPherson grabbed Corvus and slammed his face against the bomb housing.
"Stop it."
"I can't. Once the timer is activated, the detonation sequence is locked. Any attempt to deactivate it triggers the explosion."
"Then we simply chuck it into space and FLIT home."
"What about Chrysalis?" GooYee asked. "It will be annihilated along with everyone on the planet. The whole solar system will be destroyed as well. You can't do it."
"We don't have enough time to install a FLIT drive in the thing. It will take a couple of minutes to get everyone out and space it. We'll barely have time to FLIT away as it is!" Tom bellowed.
The timer ran down to 6 minutes and 50 seconds.
"I have a plan, but I will need some help," GooYee said. "I will I-FLIT the bomb to Cuddlur, but with the mass involved, it will require two of the devices to effect transport."
"I will go with you," Heinbaum replied. "I won't let you take all the credit for saving Chrysalis with my invention."
"Doc," McPherson said. "You can't be serious. There's no time left. The odds of you gettin’ back alive are too slim."
Putting his hand on the big man's shoulder, Heinbaum smiled. "Don't try to deny me. You know GooYee and I are the only ones who have the knowledge to pull this off. You've protected me from danger all these years. Please let me protect you for once."
Tears welled in McPherson's eyes, and he made no attempt to wipe them away. Grabbing the skinny scientist in a bear hug, he held him tight.
At long last he backed away. GooYee took a position near the front of the torpedo, and Heinbaum stood near its end. The timer showed 5 minutes and 30 seconds remaining.
"Lloyd, are you ready?" Heinbaum asked.
"Yes, Doctor. I have the Cuddlur coordinates calculated. Ready to execute."
GooYee and Heinbaum placed their hands on the torpedo.
"Lloyd, enlarge our I-FLIT fields to encompass the entire mass of the object. Is there sufficient overlap?"
"I-FLIT field calibrated to encompass the mass of the bomb. Overlap is within acceptable parameters," Lloyd responded.
"Doc!" McPherson cried.
Heinbaum straightened his shoulders. "See you on the other side my friend. Execute!"
There was a loud popping sound, and they vanished along with the bomb. A strong breeze ruffled past the people left behind. McPherson dropped to his knees and sobbed.
Chapter 22 – Clean Slate
"How many more minutes should I continue Random Flight Mode?" the Navigator asked.
"Continue until I order otherwise," Harrier commanded.
His abrupt tone brought questioning looks from the other officers on the Bridge. Harrier felt the need to explain.
"My concern over the fate of our Princess is tainting my tone of voice." Pulling his disintegrator, he gazed around the Bridge. "Do I need to demonstrate my distress somehow?"
Everyone returned their attention to their data panels. Harrier's worried look remained as he holstered his weapon. It wasn't that RFM was difficult to maintain or resulted in damage to the ship. The problem was crew morale. Long periods of RFM signified retreat; a desperate maneuver to escape from an enemy with the power to destroy Asiddians. The bitter taste of defeat lingered on his tongue.
"Have you detected any pursuit?" Harrier asked.
His question was framed to elicit a response such as, "No but we detected a cataclysmic explosion in the Chrysalis system."
It had been over 40 minutes since he had activated the Pile-Driving Booby and its detonation should have registered on the energy discharge sensors. The fact there had been no explosion was ominous. Worry lines began creasing his forehead.
"I'll be in my Ready Room. Let me know of any change in status."
As soon as the ha
tch closed, the Communications Officer said, "The rumor mill is ripe with tales of Human gods. I heard some of them less than an hour ago. They're whispered, but they speak of specters with flames pouring from open hands. Giants laughing as they rip arms and legs off bodies. Appearing and disappearing like ghosts."
Nodding as if to confirm his own memories, he looked scared. "I saw what really happened with my own eyes, but if someone asks me what is true - I would have to agree with the specter description and the flames. The stories are getting wilder."
Evolution of F.O.R.C.E. (The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. Book 3) Page 24