by David Buck
‘Attention all ships, remain in section positions and you are to target the closest thirty frigates with spinal mount weapons. You will open fire using section protocols on consecutive frigates. All nuclear missiles are to be retained until my command and the turreted guns are to fire as they acquire targets.’
Terse conversations occurred as each of her six section leaders assigning themselves targets, even as the forward turrets on the destroyers opened fire. The closest section of Jerecab ships changed formation as they approached in an attempt to get through the Earth destroyers. A series of powerful electronic charges raced harmlessly around the shields of her ships as the enemy frigates fired their active scanning technology. Mary was well aware of what this unknown technology could do to either badly damaged destroyers or lighter shielded supply ships, and she was hopeful of obtaining this technology providing humanity survived the invasion attempt.
Suddenly thirty two spinal mount weapons lashed out at their selected targets and Lieutenant Commander Griggs quickly provided his first report.
‘Admiral, the first six frigates are heavily damaged in their engineering modules and are slowing down. We are switching targets to the secondary targets and the Jerecab will be within their own weapons range in three minutes. Unfortunately the outer Jerecab frigates have destroyed eight of our closest corvettes.’
Three minutes of waiting saw the recharge timers for the spinal mount particle cannon creep to sixty five percent. Mary noted that several of her destroyers were already opening fire with their turrets as well, when the space around them suddenly erupted as the Jerecab ships now returned fire. Lieutenant Commander Griggs now began to call out the shield status of their leading destroyers over the next two fraught minutes.
‘The Cairo is at ninety percent, the Memphis is at eighty percent, and the Berlin and the Exeter are at eighty five percent….’
The lieutenant commander paused for several more seconds before he spoke again, even as Mary nervously eyed the new data on her console.
‘Admiral, the surviving Jerecab frigates have each launched four missiles and they are inbound. Estimated impact in four minutes…’
Mary noted that their own earlier scenarios had not been as difficult as they had factored in a larger number of Jerecab frigates being present. The recharge timers chimed, the large particle cannons fired, and six more Jerecab ships tumbled in ruin in nearby space.
One hundred missiles raced towards her destroyers and the admiral noted that the point defences of the destroyers were taking a savage toll on the Jerecab missiles. Mary was relieved that her commanders were concentrating their defences on their own lead ships. A series of powerful explosions rocked several of her own ships and Mary felt anxious for several moments, before an updated shields report showed that none of the destroyers were badly damaged.
The admiral then noted that the sixty other Jerecab frigates were now closing quickly and gave another series of orders.
‘All destroyers are to turn for the hyper jump point and each launch six nuclear missiles only at the undamaged nearby ships, each under section leader control. The reload operation will occur immediately afterwards and the second launching will be sabot fragmentation missiles. Our turrets are to attack the forward sections of each frigate.’
Mary knew that her earliest instructions from the two now dead admirals had been to destroy all disabled ships. However she was confident that the twelve disabled Jerecab ships nearby gave their own admiral an un-wanted dilemma this far from his own worlds. Admiral Neilson knew that her theories were to be proved or disproved in the next few fraught minutes. The destroyers each fired their first wave of missiles, and Mary watched tensely as they crossed the short distance to the Jerecab frigates.
A storm of point defence fire erupted from the enemy frigates as they sought to bring down the wall of missiles racing towards them. Griggs calmly called out the shield status of the destroyers he was worried about.
‘Cairo is at forty percent, the Memphis and the Berlin are at fifty percent. The Perth and the Montreal are at eighty percent. Several other ships are at ninety percent and slowly losing shields….’
The nuclear missiles arrived at the Jerecab ships even as the reload lights for all destroyers finally lit up. John Griggs looked at Mary, who nodded, and he then keyed the second missile launch command. The sabot missiles left their launch tubes as a series of powerful explosions in turn rocked the Jerecab ships. The admiral could see that half their missiles had been destroyed in the first wave as Griggs now reported on their strikes.
‘Admiral, most of the eighteen forward ships has been hit by at least two missiles, and four of them have been hit by at least three missiles. Their shields and point defences are heavily affected and the sabot rounds will explode in three minutes.’
Admiral Neilson gave her next orders, along with cautious praise as she again eyed the distance of the other approaching destroyers.
‘The Cairo, the Memphis and the Berlin are to immediately enter hyper space and clear the arrival point. All other ships are to repeat the fusion missile launches in five minutes. We will target the slightly closer second formation of enemy frigates. The next sabot missiles will be launched four minutes later and two minutes later we will enter hyper space. Our efforts are having a significant affect on our enemies and you are all to be congratulated.’
Mary watched as the three destroyers entered hyperspace and the sabot missiles arrived at their targets. Another series of explosions bracketed the eighteen Jerecab ships and her commanders could soon tell these ships had had been badly damaged. Mary commented on the displayed information as the next missile countdown continued.
‘I show all eighteen frigates have heavily reduced shields and weapons capabilities. Their point defences are heavily compromised and the forward sections of these ships now show significant structural damage.’
The remaining twenty nine destroyers finally launched their second flight of nuclear missiles as the next countdown was reached. Griggs continued to provide rolling reports and Mary made another decision before quickly updating his personal records. She watched the swarm of missiles race for one of the two approaching sections of enemy, as Griggs made two tense reports.
‘Admiral, our destroyers will be reloading their missiles in two minutes… The section of ships we are not engaging is now attacking both the Perth and the Houston as they hold down our right wing section. The Jerecab appear to be launching missiles concentrated on this section, and over one hundred and fifty missiles have been launched.’
The admiral wasted no time in giving her next orders.
‘All ships are to provide covering fire for the Perth and the Houston, and these ships are to take full evasive action. Switch all turrets to their missile defence role. The Perth and Houston will not be leaving here early as there is not enough time for them to clear the arrival point in the solar system.’
The admiral knew that in the missile bays of the fleet powerful hydraulic rams had loaded the next missiles into their tubes at speeds of several metres a minute. The missile chiefs would then run the fast boot ups on the missiles before they were flagged as being active and fully loaded. Mary read through the status of several destroyers before the reload timer chimed, and the second flight of sabot missiles launched out towards their enemies.
Griggs continued reporting on the status of shields among the fleet, just as the second wave of nuclear missiles arrived at their Jerecab targets.
‘The Perth and the Houston each have shields just over forty percent and are taking heavy combined fire from the Jerecab. I predict we will lose these two ships as there are too many incoming missiles.’
The hyper jump timer was already into the last minute before the fleet left, and Mary felt her mouth go dry as several remaining Jerecab missiles each reached the Perth and the Houston. A series of explosions rocked the two destroyers and she watched in horror as they now tumbled violently under a barrage of weapons fire.
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nbsp; The fleet of Earth destroyers entered hyper space and left the Tau Ceti system. After two more minutes the second flight of sabot missiles arrived at their targets. A smaller number of twelve Jerecab frigates were rocked in a series of large impacts, as the heavy uranium and cadmium alloy sabot rounds penetrated their depleted shields. Like the previous missile impacts on the lead group, the exploding rounds punched large holes through the forward sections of the frigates.
Across the Tau Ceti system, a subdued Captain Mark Hammond sadly noted the loss of two destroyers and then logged the next series of reports on the now damaged Jerecab ships. He then called up an outer system map of Tau Ceti and selected a destination well out towards interstellar space. The auxiliary cruiser Long Reach led the two dozen remaining corvettes towards the cold outer reaches of the star system. After another hour the rest of the Jerecab armada arrived and Mark watched their presence from a distance with calculating eyes.
***
Lord Malang’troh stood impassively on the imperial seal; with the Cephrit station master trying to remain calm as he led the two younger Vorinne into the lord’s presence in the main meeting room. The second envoy, Thatak’siema, rested quietly on a large lounge nearby and watched them all. He noted that they both appeared to be in good health and had been issued with merchant cloaks and plain wooden staffs of piety. The Vorinne lord had earlier deactivated and laid his formal staff across the seal and the implied symbolism was not lost on the new arrivals.
Lieutenant Dreshe’ahal looked across at Lady Lahalm’siema, who remained silent as they both bowed low in respect. Lahalm’siema looked worried as she took in Thatak’siema’s obvious injuries, but she deferred to the lieutenant after giving him a nervous tight lipped smile. The Vorinne censure of other races did not apply between themselves, and Dreshe’ahal looked across at both senior Vorinne in turn before intoning the ritual greeting and an observation.
‘Your grace and my lord, it is an honour to serve. You speak with imperial stature I see and we seek your wisdom and authority.’
Lord Malang’troh gave a polite nod to both of the younger Vorinne and then a warm smile as he replied.
‘My grace and I are grateful and relieved that you are both alive. The treachery of Lord Temeroth is many-fold; but under the guidance of the ancient accords we may longer respond to his actions just as he may no longer respond to ours.’
The two younger Vorinne both grimaced as they now understood the reasons for the second envoys serious injuries. The possessive use of ‘my grace’ was not lost on them either. Thatak’siema gave a muffled sob of pain and humiliation that the other Vorinne wisely ignored. Malang’troh kept their first formal meeting brief, and he encouraged Lieutenant Dreshe’ahal to only provide a quick sketch of Lord Temeroth’s other actions.
The Cephrit station master was even more nervous as he soon reappeared leading several Quixxe servants, not slaves in this part of space, and the Vorinne started to relax as the servants served them a decent meal. Malang’troh felt that something was familiar with at least one of the female Quixxe servants, but he could not place it as he began to eat slowly.
After another hour the two Vorinne females gave both their male companions a fixed look that they recognised readily enough. Malang’troh led Dreshe’ahal towards the door as the station master herded the Quixxe servants from the room. Malang’troh gave the Cephrit and the Quixxe a final puzzled look as they went around the nearest corner to a smaller room nearby.
Lahalm’siema had crossed to her older cousin and had taken her in her arms after the door had closed. She tried to hug Thatak’siema gently as the second envoy now broke down and told her what had happened. After an extended and heartfelt conversation, both the females went silent and the second envoy rested in Lahalm’siema’s arms.
Lord Malang’troh had led Lieutenant Dreshe’ahal into a nearby smaller meeting room, and the two male Vorinne conversed quietly with long periods of silence between them. The younger Vorinne was mindful of thinking through his words before he quietly replied to Lord Malang’troh.
‘My lord, I can understand the value in remaining out here to see how the Jerecab attack on the human world is resolved. Hopefully the Jerecab will be driven away and we can impose peace for the time being in this part of the sector. The reports about the Fenshilla also concern me as they are a great distance from their own worlds….’
Lady Lahalm’siema now joined them briefly, before Malang’troh discharged them both and sent them back to their quarters.
The second envoy was resting quietly as he walked back into the main meeting room to join her. Thatak’siema raised her head as she saw him, and Malang’troh knew that she was tired but had turned a corner in her recovery. The second envoy looked out the door and thought out aloud about their recent guests.
‘My dear lord, they have both done rather well and I am very proud of them. The lieutenant seems well suited to my cousin in my estimation. We will have to secure protection and status for them both.’
Lord Malang’troh retrieved his staff of office and favoured his intended mate with a deep bow of respect to her superior rank as he softly replied.
‘My grace, the lieutenant will soon be promoted to captain under my hand and with your blessing. He is also to become my second in all matters as he has a particularly good mind. Your cousin has much promise and we should later secure her tenure at the royal court under the guidance of her other cousin the empress.’
The two senior Vorinne regarded each other in companionable silence for several moments, before they slowly left the meeting room for their own apartments. Malang’troh fell by custom two steps behind the second envoy as she slowly walked along with the casts on two of her four legs.
In a nearby monitoring room the Cephrit station master could not believe his luck, for the Vorinne had been careless as they discussed sensitive matters, and he knew that their usual suppression fields had not been activated. The two Vorinne males had even discussed their concerns for the humans in an unguarded conversation in another room. The station master also knew that the attack of the Zronte Battle lord on the Vorinne second envoy was now confirmed, and he now grated his rear plates softly in anxiety as he realised what the repercussions could involve.
***
Greppun could sense the frustration on the bridge of the flag ship as the senior captain, Captain Hallime, spoke formally to his father in cruiser four, despite them both being good friends.
‘Chief Engineer Frennen, I understand that the weapons will be offline, but you must ensure that the cruiser has at least full shields and engines. Otherwise the ship will be quickly destroyed if we have to fight our way out. Also the human fleet has returned and the Jerecab forces cannot be too far behind them.’
Greppun listened silently as his father replied using the informal audio protocol to convey his annoyance. The cadet could also sense the annoyance now present in his father’s mind from several hundred metres distance.
‘My team has down all we can and we will have the cruiser as ready as possible. The power conduit passes all diagnostics, but when we place more than fifty percent power into it the assembly controller fails and then shuts down. We will assist Captain Phebbin by remaining onboard with his reduced number of crew.’
Greppun was feeling worried as he thought about the numbers of Sspol that would still be onboard cruiser four. He knew that his father and his team consisted of many of the best engineers that the Sspol race possessed. The captain was of the same opinion, but kept quiet as his father spoke again.
‘We will run the engines at most of their power and just use enough shields to clear the atmosphere. Once we reach the hyper drive point, we will use the rerouted conduit from the weapons to the jump drive, and that will allow us to safely leave this star system. We will ready to leave in six hours. Greppun, I will talk to you on a private line when you have a moment.’
Hallime thanked Frennen for his team’s efforts and then ended the audio. He turned to G
reppun and made a good natured observation.
‘Cadet, please wait thirty minutes only and then speak briefly with your father, for we do not want to disrupt him too much in his work. I understand he has a request of you relating to your older brother, Ambassador Drannep.
Greppun waited the specified thirty minutes and made the call to the chief engineer.
‘Father, I have contacted you as requested; I have been instructed to keep this conversation brief.’
He knew his father had something on his mind as the audio signal increased in bandwidth to allow the two Sspol to see in sound waves. Greppun could tell that his father was working in one of the sub stations deep inside cruiser four as the engineer replied.
‘Greppun, I am proud of all my children and I know you will do well after securing the cadet role on the flag ship. Ask your older brother on my behalf to keep up his excellent work; for I am concerned about the survival of this ship. Especially Drannep is to remember the hidden reason for our race’s presence in this system as earlier instructed by the colony administrator.’
Greppun now ignored the compound reply expected of him as he fought down worry and made a brief reply. He was well aware that his skin colours were showing his distress.
‘Father your message will be relayed to Drannep if required. The hidden reason is holy to all Sspol and we will remember it.’
Frennen looked at his son with pride for several moments, for he was aware of his son’s anxiety. He ignored commenting on Greppun’s skin colour as he did not want him to be embarrassed on the bridge of his friend’s ship. The engineer instead took a different tack and asked Greppun how his new role was progressing.
The two Sspol had a quick conversation before Captain Hallime sent an interrupt request and the conversation ended. Greppun sought to calm his nerves and his skin finally changed back to a more neutral blue and grey colouring.
Captain Hallime ignored his friend’s son and gave the fateful orders.