“Good hunting, Fleet Commander,” said Commander Keevha.
“Same to you,” replied Kamuss. “I’ll leave several of my heavier escorts here to help protect the station”—Kamuss had decided to do this without direct orders—“while we take the fight to the Trellixians.” Turning, he hurried from the Command Center. Time to get back to the Claw of Honor and prepare for battle.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr waited impatiently for Battle Commander Ulvan to give the order to attack. All three fleets were gathered just a few light-years from the Voltrex system.
“Four planets in the habitable zone,” said Second Officer Jaltor. “The High Command will be very pleased. This system can hold billions of colonists.”
Balforr did not reply. Battle Commander Ulvan would get the credit and recognition for conquering the system. It would do little to help Balforr’s tarnished reputation after the debacle at Earth. He was still very curious to find out what had happened to the observation ships watching the planet. Strange for them not to report in.
In the condition Balforr had left the Human planet, he could not see any way the Humans could be the cause for the failure of the observation fleet to communicate with the High Command. There had to be another reason, though Balforr could not think of what it could be. A quick trip by an exploration vessel would easily answer the question as to what was wrong. While the Humans had access to Jelnoid technology, Balforr just could not believe they had the capability to build enough ships to threaten the observation force.
“Message from Battle Commander Ulvan,” reported Carmol. “We’re to enter hyperspace, drop out near the ninth planet in the system, and destroy the Voltrex fleet currently in orbit around that world. Battle Commander Ulvan and Battle Commander Dramm will destroy the Voltrex vessels over the primary inhabited world. Once all the Voltrex warships have been destroyed, we’re to sweep the system and annihilate all cargo ships and any other vessels capable of escaping.”
“Is it wise to split the fleets?” asked Second Officer Jaltor. “Our scans indicate most of these worlds have sizable defense grids. We have no idea of the power of those defenses.”
“It is Battle Commander Ulvan’s decision,” replied Balforr indifferently. If Ulvan failed in this attack, Balforr could always point to Ulvan’s decision to split the fleets. “Set a course, but come out of hyperspace thirty thousand kilometers from the planet. Once we exit hyperspace, I want detailed scans of the defensive grid, the ships in orbit, and that large space station.”
Since facing the Humans, Battle Commander Balforr had become more cautious when encountering an enemy. The Humans had taught him Trellixians were not as invulnerable as Balforr had once believed.
-
Moments later Balforr’s battlecruiser, the Conquest, and its attending fleet made the transition into hyperspace. Their next target would be the ninth planet of the Bator System and its inhabitants.
Chapter Eight
Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss had just received his orders from Commander Kallon at Defense Command. Until the Trellixians actually showed up with a full battle fleet, he was to remain in orbit of Bator Nine. Kallon was rushing two more cargo ships loaded with additional defense satellites to help protect the large space station.
“The two cargo ships will enter hyperspace to get here quickly enough,” Meela reported from Communications. “Defense Command is expecting an attack within the next twenty hours. Commander Kallon has also sent a message to Fleet Commander Masurl to come with whatever ships he has. His arrival is expected in thirty hours.”
Lieutenant Commander LeLath frowned. “The battle may be over by then.”
“We have strong defenses throughout the system,” Kamuss replied as he studied the tactical display. “Meela, contact the two squadrons of patrol ships. They’re to take up defensive positions around the space station until further notice.” The small patrol ships were only two hundred meters in length with no hyperdrive. They possessed two main energy cannons, twelve defensive cannons, and were armed with six missile tubes.
“We’ll use our fleet to meet the Trellixians, if they attack. We’ll do everything we can to keep them away from the station.” Kamuss hoped, with a little luck, the patrol ships and the weapons on the station would be sufficient to handle anything that got past his fleet. “Metriic, move us out ten thousand kilometers past the station, keeping the station between us and the planet. We’ll put the fleet in our standard defensive formation with the battleships and the battlecruisers screened by our support ships. Fleet will stay at Battle Condition Three until further notice.” This would keep the fleet at a higher alert level with the full crew ready to go to Battle Condition One upon detection of any Trellixian vessels.
“What about missiles?” asked Lieutenant Commander LeLath. “Should I have all the tubes loaded?” Normally the missiles were kept in their secure bunkers until needed.
Kamuss nodded his head. “Yes. We don’t know how close to the planet the Trellixians will exit hyperspace. It could be right on top of us or several million kilometers away. I would guess they will exit hyperspace far enough out to allow them to scan us first before attacking.” Still much about the Trellixians and their battle techniques was unknown.
Lieutenant Commander LeLath shifted her gaze to the viewscreens. One showed the space station, another one their escorting ships, and the rest were views of the stars. “Can we protect the station and the planet both?” she asked, her tone betraying her growing concern. Nukes or fusion missiles striking the surface would be deadly to the small colonies and mining operations.
“We’re going to try. That’s why I want to intercept the enemy far enough away and engage their fleet before they can fire on either. As the battle progresses, we will fall back to the space station and take advantage of the patrol boats and the station’s own weapons.” Kamuss was worried about defending the planet. The space station and the resources of Bator Nine could not be lost. Four hundred defensive satellites were in orbit; he wished there were twice as many.
Lieutenant Commander LeLath let out a deep sigh. She should be home raising her first cubs, but instead she was here, on board a warship, preparing to fight a battle. “Why is there a race like the Trellixians?”
Fleet Commander Kamuss had asked himself that question numerous times. “Billions of stars are in our galaxy,” he answered LeLath. “Many of them probably have life-bearing planets. There may be races out there even worse than the Trellixians.”
“But there should also be races like us,” suggested LeLath, her gaze hopeful. “Races who, if we could find them, could help us against these aliens.”
“Probably,” replied Kamuss. “However, most of the inhabited worlds we’ve found have all been very primitive. In our explorations we’ve yet to encounter another space-going race.”
LeLath gazed at one of the viewscreens revealing the stars. “We sent our colony ships far off. Is there any chance they could have encountered another starfaring race by now?”
“Perhaps,” responded Kamuss. “But they were sent away with strict orders not to contact us or to send any ships back. The Trellixians must never learn we sent out colony ships or where they might have gone.” Kamuss hoped by now the colonists had found a suitable world and had established a thriving Voltrex colony. Even if the Voltrex civilization in this part of the galaxy was destroyed, it would continue far away. Only this colony would know of the Trellixians and would someday be prepared for the next encounter.
“I have two cargo ships exiting hyperspace,” reported Zalurr. “They must be the ones with the defensive satellites.”
“Meela, contact them and inform them to emplace the satellites around the station. I greatly fear we’re running out of time.” Kamuss leaned back in his command chair. He suspected this battle would be far more deadly than the last one. The Trellixians would not be committing a fleet unless they believed they could win, and this time a world was at stake.
; -
In space, Fleet Commander Kamuss’s ships moved into formation with escorts protecting the larger vessels. The two cargo ships hurriedly placed the defensive satellites around the station, the captains on the vessels knowing their time was limited. On the surface of the planet, the population evacuated into the mines or into deep shelters long since built just for this threat. Hand weapons and energy rifles were distributed in case the enemy attempted to land. Across the Bator System, everyone waited to see if the Trellixians were indeed coming. Cargo ships had orders to go silent and to shut down their power once the enemy was detected. For the first time in the long history of the Voltrex, one of their star systems was actually in danger.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr felt restless. His fleet was in hyperspace and would soon exit into the newly discovered Voltrex system. His nervousness was caused by Battle Commander Ulvan who had never fought a fleet battle. Ulvan was confident in the superiority of the Trellixians and that no race had ever stood up to them in the past. After speaking to the battle commander, Balforr had gotten the impression Ulvan believed this battle would be a simple matter of dropping out of hyperspace and destroying the enemy. Just the fact a colonization fleet was already on the way was further indication of Ulvan’s lack of experience in battle.
“This is a mistake, isn’t it?” said Second Officer Jaltor, coming to stand next to Balforr. “Battle Commander Ulvan’s overconfidence is a threat to this battle.”
Balforr looked at Jaltor. In the past such a suggestion from a second officer would require serious disciplinary action. But, like Balforr, Jaltor had learned from the debacle with the Humans. “It may be. That’s why we will exit a short distance from the planet and use our sensors to see what we’re up against.”
“We must engage,” said Jaltor with a dark look in his eyes. “We cannot disobey the orders of the senior battle commander.”
“We will engage,” Balforr replied, “but in our own way. We will ensure our own fleet suffers minimal loses while Battle Commanders Ulvan and Dramm engage the main enemy forces. If the battle goes against them, then we will withdraw and report back to the High Command. If they are successful, we will join in a full assault on the enemy.”
Jaltor nodded. He well understood self-preservation. “Perhaps after this battle you will be given more authority and additional vessels.”
Balforr hoped so. This war with the Voltrex was an opportunity to regain his lost status with the High Command. While he did not want to see Battle Commander Ulvan fail in his attack upon the Voltrex system, Balforr would not feel sad if Ulvan was, indeed, defeated.
“Hyperspace dropout in twenty minutes,” reported Jaltor.
All three fleets would be exiting hyperspace within a few seconds of one another. Such a surprise should be complete, but, because of the detection of the ships sent earlier to scan the system, the Voltrex had to know the Trellixian fleets were coming. The Trellixians would attack an enemy who would be prepared and waiting.
-
Voltrex Fleet Commander Kamuss watched the tactical display when warning alarms sounded.
“Enemy ships emerging from hyperspace,” reported Zalurr. “Range is twenty thousand kilometers.”
Kamuss leaned forward in his command chair. “How many?”
“Forty-six Trellixian battlecruisers.”
More alarms sounded, and Kamuss looked inquiringly at Zalurr.
“Two more fleets exiting hyperspace near Bator Seven. One with seventy-four battlecruisers and the other with forty-two battlecruisers. The two fleets are nearly in engagement range of the planet’s defenses. Fleet Commander Zolmar is holding his fleet near the defensive grid for its additional firepower.”
“Go to Battle Condition One,” ordered Kamuss, adrenaline rushing through his veins. “We go once more into battle. Metriic, move the fleet toward the enemy. I wish to engage them as far away from the planet and the space station as possible.” The Trellixian battlecruisers had more firepower than his entire fleet combined. Kamuss’s only hope was to inflict sufficient damage so that, when he pulled back to the planet and its defenses, the Trellixian fleet would be forced to turn away.
On two of the viewscreens, magnified views showed the deadly Trellixian warships. Kamuss wondered how much of his fleet, if any, would survive the coming battle.
-
Trellixian Battle Commander Balforr studied the latest scans of the enemy fleet moving toward him as well as the defenses around the planet. He scowled, realizing, while he could destroy the fleet as well as the planet’s defenses, his fleet would pay a heavy price, one Balforr preferred to avoid.
“What’s the status on the enemy fleet?” Balforr didn’t care for all the red threat icons approaching him on an intercept course.
“Four battleships, twenty battlecruisers, and sixty support craft,” answered Maldane from his sensor console. “Two squadrons of smaller craft surround the large space station as well as a number of defensive satellites.”
Second Officer Jaltor turned away from the tactical display. “That station is heavily armed. We’ll take some losses.”
Balforr adjusted the tactical display so it showed more of the inner system, including planet seven where Battle Commanders Ulvan and Dramm’s ships were exiting hyperspace. They had 116 ships between the two of them. Balforr knew it had been a mistake to split the fleets. Ulvan’s arrogance would cost them.
“What type of fleet units are around the seventh planet?” It was the most heavily populated with the strongest defense grid.
“Ten battleships, sixty battlecruisers and 143 support ships. Also numerous squadrons of the smaller support vessels are around the planet’s space stations and in orbit. The defense grid around the planet is massive. Scans indicated sixteen large battlestations in orbit as well.”
Balforr sucked in a deep breath. It was as he had feared. This system was prepared to be attacked and, in all likelihood, would defeat the Trellixian forces. Balforr estimated they would need twice the available ships to conquer this Voltrex system. He wondered if all of their worlds were defended this heavily. “Move our fleet away from the inbound enemy fleet,” he ordered, weighing his options. “We will not engage until we see what success Battle Commanders Ulvan and Dramm have.”
The orders were quickly passed, and the range between the two fleets increased.
“I have a message from Battle Commander Ulvan demanding to know why we’re not engaging,” reported Carmol. “He is ordering us to close the range immediately and to engage the Voltrex fleet.”
“Slow our speed and let the fleets begin to close but keep us out of weapons range,” ordered Balforr, leaning forward in his command chair. This would quiet Battle Commander Ulvan and allow Balforr to study what happened around planet seven between the two Trellixian fleets and the defenders.
-
Battle Commander Ulvan was not pleased with the actions of Battle Commander Balforr. He was beginning to understand why Balforr had been defeated by the Humans.
“Move us toward the enemy fleet,” Ulvan ordered, anxious to get the battle started so he could add this system to his long list of conquests for the Trellixian Empire. Looking at the tactical display, he noted the enemy fleet wasn’t coming to meet his ships. Instead, they were remaining inside their defensive grid. “If they won’t come out, we’ll go to them.” Ulvan was confident of an easy victory. After all, they were Trellixians, and no one had ever stopped them before. “All ships stand by to fire. Target the enemy warships as well as the defensive satellites.” Once the warships and the satellites were destroyed, Ulvan would have the fleet concentrate on the orbital battlestations and the shipyards.
-
In space, the two Trellixian fleets moved toward Bator Seven. The defensive grid was fully activated, and all warships were at Battle Condition One. Energy turrets swung around and targeted the approaching fleet. Satellites reoriented themselves until their energy cannons faced the inbound enemy warsh
ips. On the sixteen battlestations, hatches slid open, and missiles were prepared to fire.
-
Voltrex Defense Commander Kallon stood in the Command Center of the shipyard, watching the tactical displays intently. Everything was as ready as it could be. “Inform Fleet Commander Zolmar he is released to engage. He is to stay close enough to the defense grid so its weapons can be of use in the battle.”
“Energy shields are up on all stations,” reported Castell from Tactical. “Weapons are ready to engage when needed. Defense grid is activated and ready to fire. All secondary stations have activated their energy shields as well. Battlestations are locking on targets.”
Kallon nodded. The two large shipyards were heavily armed and defended. A dozen smaller stations, which served various manufacturing and research purposes, were in lower orbits. Some of these were also armed, and all of them had defensive energy shields. Nearly 120 of the small two-hundred-meter-long patrol ships were in orbit and tasked with defending the stations. He was confident, when this firepower was added to the defense grid, the Trellixian attack would be thwarted.
On one of the main viewscreens, several Trellixian battlecruisers became visible.
Suddenly the viewscreens erupted with light as massive explosions covered the screens. Voltrex Fleet Commander Zolmar had struck first, using his twenty-megaton fusion missiles.
-
Battle Commander Ulvan reeled in shock as four green icons representing ships of his fleet flared up and then promptly vanished from the tactical display. “What happened to those ships?”
“Destroyed,” replied the sensor officer. “Their shields were overloaded by numerous missile strikes.”
“But those were Trellixian battlecruisers!” It was unfathomable to Ulvan that a lessor race could damage, let alone destroy, one of his warships. “Return fire!”
-
The space between the two fleets lit up with crisscrossing energy beams and exploding missiles. In the Voltrex fleet, two small support vessels blew apart, sending debris flying. Three defensive satellites were torn apart by the scattering wreckage. A Voltrex battlecruiser was pummeled by multiple energy beams until finally its energy shield wavered, and an enemy beam penetrated, blowing out a huge section of the hull. Subsequent beams played over the hull, ripping open compartment after compartment, sucking helpless Voltrex crew personnel into space.
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