Destroyer (The Void Wraith Trilogy Book 1)

by Chris Fox

  "Everyone able to stand, get into the ready room, now," Dryker ordered.

  He tried to help Nolan in that direction, but Nolan shrugged off his hand. He picked up a Tigris rifle, then moved to a male Tigris--Khar, Dryker remembered--who lay crumpled at the base of a console. Nolan looked up at Hannan. "Get me a medical kit, sergeant."

  Hannan nodded wordlessly, pulling the red and white box from the wall. She tossed it to Nolan, who caught it by the handle. That was a good sign. Dryker had been worried that the commander was too injured to keep fighting, which would have made the next part of the plan tricky.

  Nolan withdrew a syringe from the med pack, and slammed it into the cat's thigh. The Tigris yowled, his eyes shooting open. Nolan withdrew the syringe, and helped the cat to its feet. "Come on, Khar. You're not done protecting humans."

  "The count is not done, Commander," Khar said, nodding respectfully to Nolan. He picked up his rifle, and limped after Nolan into the ready room.

  Dryker made sure everyone else had cleared the bridge, then stepped into the ready room himself. He spun the wheel, and set the lock. The hatch wouldn't slow down the Judicators for long, but it would be long enough if his plan held.

  "Eyes on me," Dryker yelled. A room full of exhausted Tigris and humans stared at him. Most sat, and those who didn't leaned against the wall. It was a pitiful crew, but it would have to do. "We're about to attempt something Fizgig considers suicidal."

  "And foolish," Fizgig said, her tail swishing behind her.

  "What do you have in mind, captain?" Nolan asked. He leaned against the wall, using the Tigris rifle like a cane to keep himself upright.

  "The Johnston is lost," the captain began. "We can't fight off the Void Wraith. So we're going to take the fight to their ship."

  "Come again?" Hannan said, looking up from the weapon she was servicing.

  "How will we even reach their ship?" Nolan asked. "The Judicators aren't likely to let us by."

  "You're taking a space walk. We have six EVA suits," Dryker replied. "Nolan, you'll lead a strike team over to the Void Wraith vessel. While you were fighting, Lena identified what appears to be a docking port near the rear of the ship. Since we're putting up heavy resistance, it's a safe bet that most of the fighting forces have left their vessel to subdue ours."

  "Now I see why Fizgig thinks this plan is suicidal," Nolan said. He wiped soot from his cheek, but only succeeded in creating a larger smudge. "When do we leave?"

  "Now," Dryker said.

  "Wait a second," Mills said. The sniper pushed his bangs out of his face, meeting Dryker's gaze. "There are only six suits. What are the rest of us supposed to do?"

  "Fight," Hannan said, glaring at Mills. "It doesn't matter if that means staying here or taking a space walk. We fight, regardless of where the captain assigns us."

  "The following people will suit up," the captain said. "Lena, Nolan, Fizgig, Hannan, Edwards. Fizgig, we'll also send a second Tigris. You'll have to pick which one goes."

  Fizgig looked at the two remaining Tigris. The first was the big, golden-furred brute Nolan had helped to his feet. The second was a lean, white-furred female who was sticking close to Hannan.

  "Izzy, you will accompany us," Fizgig finally said. She turned to the large yellow. "Khar, your strength is needed here. You must stall the Void Wraith as long as possible. The longer they are here fighting, the more time we have to reach the bridge of the Void Wraith vessel.

  "Captain, I can't believe you're doing this," Juliard said. She was cradling a broken arm, and her eyes were alight with fury. "How could you give two of those suits to the cats? We wouldn't be here if not for them. Those should go to loyal crew."

  "None of us would be here without the Tigris," Nolan shot back, glaring at Juliard. "They saved our asses repeatedly on that bridge. You'd be dead right now if they hadn't helped us. Besides, this isn't a lottery for escape pods. The people putting on those suits need to invade the enemy vessel, fight their way to the bridge, and try to seize control of it. Most likely, we'll all die in the attempt. You're wounded. Could you even make the EVA?"

  Juliard looked away from Nolan, slipping into sullen silence. A few of the other bridge crew looked just as angry, but none spoke.

  "I know this is a tough pill to swallow." Dryker said. "No one wants to remain behind." He squared his shoulders. "But we're Fleet. We have a job to do. If that means we all die doing it, then so be it."

  Chapter 54- EVA

  "Listen up, people," Nolan said. Everyone swiveled to face him, including their new Tigris allies. They were in various stages of dress, each pulling on a suit of the bulky EVA armor from the Johnston's armory. "Next to your suit, you will find a small grey pod, like the one Hannan has on her right wrist."

  Hannan held up the pod, making sure they all saw it.

  "Fix the handle to your suit's right glove before putting on your left," Nolan explained, attaching the pod to his own suit. "You'll notice two buttons, a red and a blue. The red button causes the pod to fire a thrust from the bottom, so make sure its angled away from you. The blue button will cause a smaller burst from the top, which will help slow your momentum if you are coming in too hot. We'll be using these to make the EVA."

  The Marines all nodded, but the Tigris were a different matter. Lena, Fizgig, and Izzy all looked ready to throw up. Nolan couldn't blame them. The suits were human sized, and Tigris generally loathed tight, confined spaces.

  "Here, let me," Hannan offered, stepping over to help Izzy fasten the pod to her suit.

  Fizgig watched, then did the same to her own suit. Lena turned to Nolan with a helpless look. He gave her a smile, and helped fasten the pod to her suit. She smiled, fangs flashing, then held up a small black satchel. He showed her how to attach it to a pair of small rings low on the front of the suit, where it wouldn't get in her way. She nodded gratefully, then turned away to deal with her helmet and her other glove.

  "Once you finish fastening your suit, a green light will come on in the base of the face plate. If this light turns red, it means the suit has been breached, and that you are losing oxygen," Nolan continued. He pulled on his own helmet, but kept the face plate open. "Each suit has a comm link, which you can access in the left glove with your pinky."

  Then he closed the helmet and walked into the airlock. It was going to be crowded with six people, but they'd make it work. He stood by the control panel, waiting as each of the others finished donning their suits. About two minutes later, Fizgig stepped into the airlock. She was the last.

  Nolan turned back to the panel, and keyed the lock button. The door leading into the Johnston sealed, and the scrubbers began sucking the air from the room. All six faces peered nervously at each other, though Nolan was careful to keep his neutral. What they were about to attempt was suicidal. It made sense only because no better option existed. As his father would have said, they were throwing the Hail Mary.

  The light on the airlock panel shifted from red to yellow, indicating that the atmosphere had been completely drained. Nolan stabbed the Open button, and the outer doors rolled back. They were looking at empty space, and it was terrifying. Not because Nolan feared space; he'd done dozens of EVAs. No, it was terrifying because below them lay the crackling inferno of a star. He could feel it tugging at him, and knew that if he lost his pod he'd be pulled relentlessly closer until he left the Johnston's inductive field.

  Nolan focused on his destination, the Void Wraith vessel. It was perched over the Johnston like a preying mantis, its long wings buried in the destroyer's hull. That meant that they only needed to cross about a hundred and fifty feet of open space before they'd reach the rear portion of the Void Wraith ship. Once there, they could walk around to the airlock and force their way in.

  He turned back to the others and gave them a thumbs-up, then kicked off the deck and into space. The star's gravity immediately began to tug him, so he angled his pod and fired it at full thrust. It righted his course, carrying him closer and closer to the
giant blue ship. Just before he reached it, Nolan pressed the blue button three times, each two seconds apart. His velocity slowed, and he bent his knees. A small shock went through his legs as he hit the hull, then the magnetic clamps sealed and he was anchored.

  Nolan turned back to the others and gave another thumbs-up. Edwards was the next into the gap, shooting towards him with unerring precision. Fizgig went next, then Lena. By that time, Edwards was landing.

  "Edwards, you're coming in too hot," Nolan said over the comm. Edwards fired his pod, but it was too late.

  He slammed into the hull, and began to bounce away. Nolan released his magnetic clamp and kicked off the deck. He grabbed Edwards's outstretched hand, which caused them both to spin. Nolan waited until the spin had carried him to the right angle, then fired his pod. The thrust pulled them back to the hull, and he whipped his feet down in time to lock against the hull. This time Edwards fared better, snapping onto the deck next to him.

  "Thanks, Commander," Edwards said, his voice wavering. Nolan gave him a thumbs-up.

  Fizgig landed gracefully a few feet away, the expression on her face full of pity when she looked at Edwards. She reached up as Lena approached, pulling the scientist down onto the deck next to her. Nolan was genuinely impressed, and gave her a respectful nod. After a moment she returned it.

  Nolan looked back at the Johnston. Izzy was coming over next, with Hannan not far behind her. Izzy's thrusts were wild, and her quick shallow breaths grew more ragged over the comm.

  "Relax, Izzy," Hannan's voice crackled over the comm. "I've got you."

  Hannan glided up to Izzy, seizing the back of her suit. She fired her pod in short, controlled bursts, and the pair drifted to the deck not far from the rest of the team. Izzy's eyes were wild, but she seemed to be keeping it together.

  "Let's move," Nolan said. He began slow, magnetic steps toward the airlock. Release, step, lock. Release, step, lock. It took long minutes to get to the airlock, and he tried not to focus on the Johnston during that time. The crew he'd just gotten to know was likely being slaughtered right now, and there wasn't a damned thing he could do about it.

  Chapter 55- Gauss

  Captain Dryker picked up the TM-601 and checked the action. Edwards's weapon was scratched and dinged, the black paint chipped in many locations. The internals, though, were extremely well cared for. The weapon reminded Dryker of his time in the infantry, a lifetime ago.

  "How many rounds do you have left, Mills?" Dryker asked.

  "Sixteen," Mills replied in that flat, emotionless voice. Dryker had never been sure what to make of the dour sniper, but at least he was calm. The others needed to see that right now.

  "Khar, what about you?" Dryker asked.

  "Eleven. After that I can use the bayonet," the burly Tigris rumbled. He looked tired, and his fur was matted with blood, but he was still on his feet.

  "Juliard, you're left handed," Dryker pointed out, walking over to his comm tech. Her left arm was in a sling, and she clutched a pistol in her right. "Holster that thing. You're more likely to shoot one of us than any of them."

  "How am I supposed to defend myself?" Juliard asked. Her eyes flashed a challenge, carrying the weight of anger and fear she'd accumulated since they'd first encountered the Void Wraith.

  "You trust the Marines around you," Dryker countered, staring her down. Juliard broke eye contact. "I need you to do what you do best. Focus, lieutenant. Use your tablet. You're going to find us the safest route to the magnetic housing in the gauss cannon."

  "Sir?" she asked, furrowing her brow. Then her eyes widened with understanding. "You're going to blow it up, aren't you?"

  "That's right. For that to happen we need to move, and move quickly." Dryker didn't wait for the others to comment. He slung the TM-601's strap over his shoulder and moved to the hatch that led into the wreckage that used to be the CIC.

  Dryker flipped the lock and spun the wheel, then kicked the hatch open. This was the critical moment. If the Void Wraith had already sent reinforcements they were done. He stepped boldly through the hatch, scanning the room with the barrel of his TM-601. Nothing visible moved. The place reeked of ozone, and streamers of smoke still rose from a few small electrical fires, making his eyes burn.

  "Move, people," Dryker said, striding through the CIC. He stepped over Ezana's body without pausing, then moved into the corridor. Still no sign of resistance.

  Dryker increased his pace, taking a right at the T intersection. That took him towards the engines. It was out of the way, and he hoped that would mean fewer encounters with the enemy.

  "Gunshots," Khar rumbled from behind him. "They're faint. Two decks down, maybe."

  "Not good," Mills said, joining them. "More gunfire means more resistance. If it's fading, then so are we. They've moved into the cleanup portion of their attack. We need to keep moving."

  "Take point, Corporal," Dryker ordered.

  Mills trotted obediently ahead, and they moved down the corridor until they reached the first causeway. Mills paused at the door, holding up a clenched fist. A moment later he lowered it, and darted through the doorway. Dryker came next, with Khar and Juliard trailing after.

  "Contact," Mills yelled from the far side of the causeway. He dropped to a knee, aiming his rifle at a target down the stairwell. The rifle kicked and a boom echoed through off the metal walls. Mills leapt to his feet, yelling even as he dove back onto the causeway. "Get down!"

  A sharp explosion bloomed from the bottom of the stairwell. White and orange flame shot up the stairs, and the staircase distended as it heated. Dryker seized the railing with his free hand, and wrapped one leg around one of the metal bars anchoring it. Then the causeway snapped. The portion where Mills had landed dropped forty feet, and slammed into the floor.

  Juliard wasn't able to anchor herself, and began sliding down the causeway. She picked up speed on the way down, struggling in vain to catch herself against the railing. Her training finally took over, and she extended both legs beneath her, knees bent. Juliard rolled with the landing, tumbling across the floor with a pained cry. She landed in a heap not far from where Mills had fallen. Juliard was still moving. Mills was not.

  Dryker uncurled his leg, and used the railing to guide himself to the floor in a controlled fall. He landed easily, hefting his rifle as he stood back up. Khar landed next to him a moment later, still cradling his huge rifle.

  "Where are we?" Khar asked, looking around him.

  "Right where we need to be," Dryker replied, nodding towards the enormous magnetic generators a few dozen feet away. "That was a shortcut, though a costly one."

  He moved to Mills, placing two fingers against the sniper's carotid artery. Nothing. The Marine stared sightlessly upward. Dryker sighed, then closed the Marine's eyes.

  Chapter 56- Harvester

  Nolan knelt next to the Void Wraith airlock, studying the mechanism. It was unlike anything he'd encountered, just a series of glowing crystals set into the metal. He thumbed his comm, looking up at the others. "We might have to cut through, unless anyone has an idea to get this thing open."

  "I've got something we can try," Lena suggested. She reached carefully down and opened the black satchel Nolan had helped her affix to her suit, slowly withdrawing the data cube they'd recovered from Purito. "The VI is similar to what we've seen of Void Wraith tech. What if we wire it up to the lock?"

  "If you think you can do that, give it a shot," Nolan said. He stood back up, and took two magnetic steps away from the lock to give Lena room. "Time is critical. I don't know how long Captain Dryker can hold off the Void Wraith, and we need to get inside and try to reach the bridge before their boarding parties return."

  Lena nodded, her golden fur floating around her in the suit as she knelt next to the lock. She began attaching wires from the cube to the door, her fingers moving more deftly than Nolan would have expected given that she was wearing bulky EVA gloves.

  Nolan glanced back at the Johnston, but there'd been no cha
nge. The destroyer was still grappled by the Void Wraith on one side, and the Tigris vessel on the other. The Tigris vessel had taken a lot of damage from the Void Wraith strafing attack, but still appeared functional. The Johnston was worse off, the cumulative damage from all the recent fighting painfully evident from this distance. Gaping holes dotted the hull, from the aft wing to the wreckage of the turrets on the starboard side. It was amazing she hadn't yet come apart.

  "Fizgig, what are the odds that your crew would move over to the Johnston to help hold off the Void Wraith?" he asked, turning to face the grey-furred cat.

  "They'd obey orders, but I'm not sure I should give them," Fizgig said over the comm. She blinked once, glancing at her ship, then back at Nolan. "If I broadcast a signal, it's possible the Void Wraith will pick it up. We shouldn't risk revealing our location."

  "Point taken," Nolan said. He knew himself well enough to know that this was just his mind trying to find things he could control. He turned back to Lena. She'd wired up the cube, and was now feeding a wire into the comm unit mounted to the EVA's chest.

  "I've got it," she called happily over the comm. "The VI is linked to my suit via the comm panel, so we can issue orders. I've told it to find a way to open the door."

  A moment later, the crystals next to the door shifted from red to white, and the door slid back into the hull. Inside was an empty airlock, very similar to the one on any Fleet vessel. Nolan jumped inside, the artificial gravity dropping him to the deck as soon as he broke the plane to the airlock. He inspected the inner airlock door; unfortunately, there was no window, and thus no way to know what was on the other side.

  "Everyone else inside. Edwards, you're last," Nolan ordered over the comm.

  One by one the rest of them dropped inside. Lena came first, and she immediately started working on the inner door. It took even less time, perhaps because she now knew how the VI could interface with Void Wraith tech.