“We expected that,” General Mitchell replied. “This is a big decision, but we firmly believe it’s the right thing to do.”
“How soon can you be ready to go if we approve it?” Mason asked. He knew, after thinking about it for a few moments, that they might not have much of a choice, not if they wanted to save all the survivors on Earth.
“Four more weeks,” General Mitchell replied. “Major Nelson will be taking four hundred marines with battle suits aboard two transport ships. We’ll need the Armageddon and six of the assault ships if we want this to succeed.”
“How hard is this going to be?” Mason asked. He didn’t see how four hundred marines, even equipped in the powerful battle suits, could take a station with a crew of over one hundred thousand.
“We left a few surprises behind in the station’s computer systems,” Marken confessed with an all knowing smile. “If we can take out the disk ships, we can take the station.”
“Keep in mind that there are also nearly fifty thousand military personnel still in stasis there as well,” Nelson added. He badly wanted to rescue them; they didn’t deserve to go through what his marines had experienced.
Mason nodded. “Make your plans and I will talk to the others. You will have your answer tomorrow.” Mason leaned back and closed his eyes briefly. He just hoped they were making the right decision. If they approved this crazy mission and it failed, they might have just signed the death warrant for the entire Human race.
Chapter Seventeen
Major Nelson was aboard one of the assault ships standing next to Marken. For this mission, it had been decided he would command the marine operation from Marken’s ship, which was acting as the command vessel. On board the two large transport ships were four hundred marines under the command of Lieutenants Williams and Jeffries. Beth had agreed to command one of the marine detachments, as she was intimately familiar with the Type Three battle suits and the station. Unfortunately, only two hundred of the marines would be wearing the Type Threes, the rest would be in the Type Twos.
“Your people seem very resilient,” Marken commented from his position at the command console. “I don’t know if mine could have done as well if it had been our planet, which had been destroyed.”
Wade nodded and then spoke. “There are some politicians at Luna City demanding an immediate declaration of war against the Kleese. I don’t think that would be wise at this juncture.” Wade had been impressed how Mayor Silas and Mason Randle had isolated the surviving politicians so their constant bickering would not interfere with the rescue operations.
“Your people on Earth must be rescued first and your fleet built up,” Marken said, agreeing with Wade’s assessment of the situation. “Once we have built new homes for your people on the Moon, Mars, Vesta and the other asteroids then we can discuss war with the Kleese.”
“That was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” asked Wade, focusing his attention on Marken. “You needed a highly aggressive race to take the war to the Kleese Empire so your world can be free someday.”
Marken was silent for a long moment as he contemplated his answer. He knew his best option was the truth. “Yes,” he replied evenly. “We needed a race that was very forceful and would not fear the Kleese. We’ve waited many years for such a race to appear. The Kleese and the other two Galactic Empires have controlled the galaxy for too long. They expect all the other races in the galaxy to serve them. That must come to an end.”
Wade nodded; the answer was what he had been expecting. “After the Kleese destroyed our world they should have made certain there were no survivors. My people will never forgive the Kleese for what they took from us. The war you wanted will someday happen. We won’t rest until we have destroyed their Empire.”
“In time,” answered Marken, knowing the Kleese had made a terrible error in judgment with the Humans, one that someday they would pay grievously for. “For now we must seize the station; it will give us the resources to save your people and someday build the ships we will need for the war.”
“What part do you see your people playing?” asked Wade, curiously. He knew that Marken’s people were not very aggressive or good at war. Even their fleet operations lacked finesse.
“My people are highly innovative and love research,” Marken responded as his eyes wandered around the Command Center. “We’ll help in this war in every way possible except actual combat. We will design new weapons and power systems to allow your ships to meet the Kleese on an equal footing.”
There were half a dozen Human military officers present. Several were operating the weapons systems under the watchful eye of a Kivean, and the others were operating other key consoles. There were eight assault ships, two large transport ships, and the Armageddon in the fleet. Marken had suggested that the Humans be the ones to operate the fleet’s weapons and Commander Kirby on the Armageddon would command the actual battle.
“What do you think the Kleese’s response to this attack will be?”
Marken turned to face Wade. “They will not expect it. It’s been centuries since anyone dared to attack the Kleese or the other two Galactic Empires. If we can successfully take the station and move it to Earth, it will set the Kleese back years in their continued exploration of this sector.”
“The Kleese are bound to search for the station, and the logical assumption will be that it has been moved to Earth’s system,” Wade pointed out. “They will know or strongly suspect that we are responsible.”
“Eventually, they will send a fleet to retake the station,” Marken admitted as he studied the instruments on his console. They were nearing their drop out point. “The fleet will consist primarily of assault ships like this one. They’ll expect an easy victory. Our scientists are even now making further changes to the other assault ships as well as the Phoenix. We are strengthening the defensive energy shield, increasing the power to the pulse fusion weapons, as well as adding more particle beams.”
“Will there be Kleese ships in the attacking fleet?” Wade asked with concern. No one, not even the Kiveans, had ever seen one participate in an actual fleet battle.
“Undoubtedly,” replied Marken, letting out a deep breath. “They will not be prepared for what we’ll have waiting for them. If we can defeat the initial attack, then we’ll have sufficient breathing room to prepare a real battle fleet.”
“I hope so,” responded Wade, wondering if one of those big Kleese ships could be defeated. There was still a dark shadow hanging over the future of the Human race. Wade just hoped the Kiveans could deliver on their promise for more and better weapons.
“We will be dropping out of Fold Space shortly, Major,” Marken spoke. “You may want to prepare your marines.”
Wade nodded; there was a squad of marines on the ship that would be going with him to capture the station’s Command Center.
-
On board the Armageddon, Michael watched tensely as the final seconds ticked by. Colonel Stehr, his executive officer, was standing behind him at the main tactical console. There was an air of tension and anticipation as they prepared for their first battle against an alien race.
“Our foremost targets must be any Kleese ships that are not docked to the station,” Skagern informed Michael. “They will be fully crewed and capable of firing upon us once they realize we are a threat to the station.”
There were a number of Kiveans on board serving in advisory roles since much of the equipment was so new, particularly the Space Fold drive and the weapons systems. Michael was glad they were on the ship in case something went wrong. “What type of weapons does the station have?”
“Only a few,” Skagern responded. “The station has a few dozen energy beam turrets, but their main defense are the assault ships in the bays. Once we drop out of Fold Space Taalon will send a signal to the station’s computers via a back door into the Kleese computer, sealing the hatches to the majority of the bays except the two that we are going to use.”
“Drop out in five m
inutes,” one of the Kiveans at the main computer station reported.
“Weapons on standby,” Michael ordered.
“Charging particle beam weapons,” Colonel Stehr responded as he passed on the necessary orders to the weapons crews.
Michel knew the Armageddon carried the largest particle beam weapons, and he was anxious to see how the new weapons performed. The Kiveans had promised that the beams would have a devastating effect upon the Kleese disk ships. They had also furnished the exact areas on the Kleese ships to strike to cause the most damage.
The last few minutes passed rapidly by and then, suddenly, the station appeared just ahead of the Armageddon. On the main viewscreen, the station swelled until it filled the entire screen.
“Six Kleese ships detected,” Ensign Bree Fullerton reported from her sensor console. “Three are docked to the station, the rest are in orbit around it.”
“Target the nearest,” Michael ordered firmly. He activated the fleet com system, which would allow him to communicate with all the ships of the small fleet. “Designate them as bug one, bug two, and bug three. Bring us around thirty degrees and close on bug one; all weapons fire upon target lock.”
In space, the eight assault ships took up supporting positions around the Armageddon with the two transport ships falling in behind. From Marken’s ship, a signal flashed out to the Kleese core computer on the station, ordering all of the flight bay hatches to shut until further notice. Additional communications went out powering down the energy cannons on the hull of the massive structure.
-
Inside the station Command Center, the Kleese on duty looked confused as key systems suddenly refused to respond. A warning alarm sounded, indicating that ships had been detected approaching the station. The Kleese quickly passed on the order to their armored conscripts to protect the Command Center. They then turned to the computer system seeking to find why it was not functioning.
-
The Armageddon quickly turned until its bow was facing the first Kleese ship, which was only now beginning to notice the new fleet that had dropped in unannounced.
“Fire particle beam cannons!” Colonel Stehr ordered as several green lights glowed on his tactical console indicating they had a firm weapons lock on the Kleese ship.
From the Armageddon, two dark blue beams lashed out and struck the hull of the nearest disk ship. Massive explosions tore through the ship’s hull, staggering it. The beams blinked out and then moments later fired again. They struck the same spot on the enemy ship’s hull, driving deeper and deeper into the heart of the ship until it struck one of its main fusion reactors. A massive explosion rocked the Kleese ship as a major segment of the hull was blown off into space.
“Fire main railguns!” ordered Stehr, wanting to inflict as much damage on the Kleese ship as rapidly as possible. “Retarget particle beam cannons to secondary target!”
On the bow of the Armageddon, the four large railguns belched forth their deadly three thousand pound tungsten rounds. The rounds struck, smashing large holes in the disk ship, causing secondary explosions as delicate systems inside the ship were compromised. Power conduits exploded and the ship began bleeding atmosphere.
“Keep up the pressure,” Michael ordered, his eyes glued intently to the main viewscreen. They had taken the Kleese completely by surprise and Michael wanted to press the advantage.
He could see now that the other ships were firing and numerous particle beams were striking the now nearly defenseless Kleese ship, smashing its hull. The Kiveans had been right; the Kleese’s energy screen was having very little effect upon the particle beam weapons or the large railgun rounds.
“Antimatter missiles launching,” Colonel Stehr reported. “The energy shield on the Kleese ship is down.”
Michael knew the sublight drives on the antimatter missiles would allow them to travel the short distance to the Kleese ship almost instantaneously.
From the Armageddon, two antimatter missiles launched, striking the unprotected hull of the Kleese ship and detonating. Two twenty-megaton explosions lit up space as the Kleese ship writhed under the punishment of the twin fireballs. Moments later, the fireballs died down, revealing a slowly expanding mass of gases and wreckage.
“Bug one is down,” Ensign Bree reported as the red threat icon representing the Kleese ship vanished from her sensor screen.
“Close on bug two,” ordered Michael, taking a deep breath. “All ships, volley fire upon target lock!”
From the nearest Kleese ship, several bright blue pulse fusion beams flashed out, striking the Armageddon’s energy screen. The screen had been installed by the Kiveans and heavily reinforced with multiple technological innovations. As a result, the screen on the Armageddon was much more powerful than the one on the Kleese ship.
“Shield down to ninety-two percent,” Lieutenant Marsten reported from his station at one of the weapons consoles.
“Target lock,” called out Colonel Stehr. “All ships fire!”
“Two of the docked Kleese ships are beginning to back away from the station and the third is powering up,” Ensign Bree reported as two of the three ships began to show some space between them and their docking ports.
The Armageddon suddenly shuddered violently, and the lights briefly dimmed. A console shorted out, sending a brilliant cascade of sparks across the Command Center.
“Status!” barked Michael, wondering if the ship had been damaged.
“Antimatter missile hit the screen,” Lieutenant Marsten reported. “Shield strength is at forty-two percent and dropping.”
The Kleese ship that had fired the antimatter missile was now under heavy attack from the Armageddon and her fleet. Explosions began to pelt the ship’s hull as railgun rounds and then dark blue particle beams blasted away at the ship. Moments later, two more antimatter missiles finished the ship off in two glaring explosions.
“Bug two is down, and we just lost one of the assault ships,” Ensign Bree reported as one of the green icons on her sensor screen suddenly flared up and vanished. “I believe it was struck by an antimatter missile.”
Michael let out a deep breath. “Close on bug three; we’ll take them out one by one. The other three Kleese ships will be designated bugs four, five, and six.”
“Sir,” I am receiving a message from Marken,” interrupted Lieutenant Jones from communications. “He reports their scanners are detecting a power buildup in the remaining Kleese ship’s Space Fold drives. He believes the Kleese are preparing to flee.”
“All four remaining Kleese ships are pulling away from us,” Colonel Stehr reported.
“Hit bug three with a full spread of antimatter missiles,” ordered Michael, wanting to inflict as much harm on the Kleese as possible while they had the opportunity. He didn’t want them to even think about returning to the station.
He also knew that there was a faint chance that one of these ships might have been the one that had launched the deadly missile at Earth. He hoped that by hitting the retreating Kleese ship with so many missiles at once it might knock their energy shield down, allowing a few to impact the hull.
“Missiles launching,” Colonel Stehr reported.
From the Armageddon, twelve missiles flashed away from their launch tubes. Massive detonations rattled bug three’s energy screen and then four missiles penetrated, laying waste to the hull as they detonated in bright flashes of light.
On the main viewscreen of the Armageddon, Michael watched as the Kleese ship vanished under the onslaught.
“Bug three is down, and the other three Kleese ships have jumped to Fold Space and are no longer showing on sensors,” Bree reported with obvious relief in her voice.
“Contact Marken and tell him he has a go to take the station,” Michael ordered with relief in his voice.
The Armageddon and four of the assault ships would remain on guard duty outside the station while the remaining three assault ships and two transports would enter the two flight bays they had control
over and land Major Nelson’s marines.
-
Marken looked over at Taalon and Kalarn. Both had very pale looks upon their faces. Never had he imagined the Humans would be able to destroy three of the large Kleese ships so quickly. He had expected a long, drawn out engagement, with the Kleese eventually backing down after one of their ships was damaged or destroyed. They abhorred physical harm, and Marken had been certain they would withdraw rather than risk death. Of course, the Humans had not given them that option. Only now was he beginning to realize just what his race had unleashed upon the Kleese. He also knew that next time the Kleese would be better prepared.
“Commander Kirby has given the go ahead to begin the station assault,” one of the Humans at communications reported.
Marken nodded. “Take us into the flight bays.”
-
Wade was the first marine out of the assault ship. The others with him quickly gathered around. “We’ll take the Command Center and Lieutenant Williams will be leading a squad to the Flight Command Center,” Wade informed them. “Don’t kill anyone unless they resist.”
A few minutes later, they were making their way quickly through the massive station toward one of the transit tubes, which would take them close to the Command Center. A dozen Kiveans were with Wade’s squad and after a moment, they requested that he stop.
“What’s wrong?” asked Wade, seeing the distressed looks upon their faces.
“It’s the smell,” one of them replied in distress. “It smells like death.”
Wade carefully cracked open his helmet to allow the outside air to enter his suit. He quickly sealed it back shut again, realizing the Kiveans were right. The air in the station smelled like decomposing bodies. They also hadn’t encountered any of the crew.
“Spread out and search some of the adjoining rooms,” Wade ordered grimly. “I want to know where the smell is coming from.” He also activated his suit com so he could speak to Marken back on the assault shuttle. “Marken, the station smells like death. If I didn’t know better, it smells as if there are rotting corpses somewhere close by.”
Galactic Empire Wars: Destruction (The Galactic Empire Wars) Page 28