“Maybe we’ll switch to chess.”
“No!” Both Clemence and Ben shouted in unison.
John threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I give up.” He looked at Derek again. “You want to babysit?”
Derek laughed. "You've been parents again for less than a week, and already you need a night off?"
“Hey, I’m old.”
“Physically you’re younger than I am.”
“Eh, semantics. So, where you been?”
“Ummm, just admiring the sights.”
“Mmmm hmmm,” John said, staring past Derek. “The sights, huh?”
Derek turned to see Selene walking to get in line for food. Her hair was disheveled and she wore trousers and a tight-fitting t-shirt with no bra. He turned back to John, his face heating.
“Must be some sight.”
Ashley threw a corn puff at him. “Shhhh, little ears.”
“What? I didn’t say anything bad.”
Ashley gave him a look.
“I’m going to get more food,” John announced. As he passed by Derek he stood between Derek and Ashley and put out his fist.
Derek reluctantly fist-bumped with him. Then he sat down next to Ben.
“Have you and John been busy?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Yes, despite appearances,” she gestured to the cards. “We met with the mage-guard commander and assessed our magical capabilities.”
“And?”
Ashley sighed and shook her head. “They’re good enough with terrestrial or ship-based magic, and were useful combating the acid from the Krai’kesh projectiles, but void-based manipulation seems outside their capabilities.”
“Did you test them?”
“Yes, we tested several. The problem with the void is there is solar wind but not atmospheric wind they’re used to, no heat like they’re used to and any water vapor is frozen. There is no one else who can manipulate light like John and there has never been. That leaves earth magic, but again those mages in the fleet with a propensity toward that school just couldn't wrap their minds around rocks in space in terms of manipulation."
“I see. Can they be taught?”
Ashley shrugged. “In time, perhaps. When we get spare time,” she laughed, “we’ll try to train them to expand their awareness and work magic in the void of space.”
Selene came up and sat on the other side of Clemence.
“Hey there, sleepy head,” Ashley said. “Looks like you slept well.”
Selene blushed and shot a “what did you tell them” glare at Derek.
Derek shook his head as if to say “nothing, I swear.”
“Yeah, it was relaxing. It’s nice to rest after so much mental strain these last few days flying.”
“I’m sure,” Ashley smiled. “What do you think about the news that the Krai'kesh commanders are human, or near-human, wearing an organic armor?"
“It’s interesting,” Selene said as she shoveled carrots into her mouth. “But I have to wonder if this means we can have diplomatic relations with them.”
“I doubt it,” Derek said. “They didn’t seem like the talkative types. More like the slash first and slash later.”
“It could be a language barrier,” Selene said. “We should at least be open to peace or we’re no better than they are.”
“Wait, you’re defending them?”
“No,” Selene’s tone was ice. “I would never defend the monsters that killed most of my friends, my fellow pilots. However, there comes a time in war where continuing to the end becomes costlier than ending through diplomacy. That’s all I’m saying.”
Derek fell silent.
Ashley cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause an argument. The fact is there is a lot we don’t know about them, and until we capture one there will be a gap in our knowledge. I agree we should at least be open to an end to this war which doesn’t involve absolute annihilation of the Krai’kesh or us, but we need to be prepared to go all the way.”
“I agree,” Derek and Selene said in unison.
“Who wants dessert?” John said with a smile as he approached carrying an entire apple pie.
Chapter 5 - 3:10 To Yushon
“Shift,” Admiral Martin Rigsby ordered.
“Shift underway,” Zigana reported. He relayed the command and moments later a void portal filled the viewport of the Independence and she passed through. Yushon IV glowed in the distance.
“Contacts?” Martin asked.
“Multiple contacts at bearing three one zero.”
Behind us? “Friendlies?”
“We’re detecting the Kyoto’s signal at bearing five one zero.”
“Show me.”
The holo map morphed into a tactical view as sensors fed it. An icon representing the Kyoto and multiple smaller Federation vessels faced off against an equal-sized group of red contacts. Smaller red dots peppered the green Federation icons. “Put me through to the Kyoto.”
“Yes, sir,” Zigana said.
The image of Captain Kamlyn Yamaguchi appeared on the display. She wore the same Federation uniform as in the distress message, her Sagami heritage evident in her yellow tan skin and pitch black hair. “Captain Rigsby, are we glad to see you.”
“It’s good to see you as well, Kamlyn. It’s acting admiral now.”
“Oh.” Captain Yamaguchi saluted. “My apologies, sir.”
“At ease, we have more pressing matters to attend. What is your status?”
“We have sustained heavy damage. Our fighters are all but gone, the enemy is swarming us and wreaking havoc on our point defense system. Our laser weaponry isn’t effective.”
Admiral Rigsby nodded. “Yes, we have run into the Krai’kesh twice now. Old style projectile weapons work, but their void shields absorb energy from lasers and even slow missiles.”
“Did you say the Krai’kesh?” Kamlyn asked.
“Yes, Captain, the Krai’kesh have emerged at long last. Trust me, I didn’t want to believe it at first either. But the evidence is indisputable. We’ve notified fleet command and hope they are sending support, though we’ve heard no word from them. But enough talk, we are deploying to assist. Hang in there.”
“Yes, sir,” Kamlyn saluted and the conversation ended.
“Launch all fighters, Zigana. Have all equipped ships fire a railgun volley at the Krai’kesh capital ships. Let’s get their attention.”
“Yes, sir.”
***
“Raptor Squadron away,” Selene reported as she and eleven other starfighters launched from the Independence. She reviewed the roster as she flew. Only two veteran pilots from the original Raptor Squadron remained, not including herself. The other nine pilots were transfers from other decimated squadrons or raw recruits from Eligar II. Either way, they hadn’t had time to become a cohesive team like her squad had been only days earlier. They’d have to make do.
"Remember to conserve ammunition, Raptors," Selene said over the squadron channel. "We're spread thin with the retrofits to the entire fleet. If you're out, you're a sitting duck and should return to the Independence, understood?”
Clicks from the other pilots acknowledged her words. She missed the conversations, even with the now-dead Raptor Six Brianne Earling.
Raptor Squadron raced toward the dogfight surrounding the Federation battleship Kyoto. Her own fighters were nowhere in sight, while the desperate support corvettes and frigates tried to pick off enemy fighters, with little success due to their laser turrets. “They’re sitting ducks,” Selene muttered to herself.
Selene armed a missile and launched it toward a cluster of enemy fighters. As it neared them, she fired a short burst of coilgun shells, and the missile exploded in their midst, sending several careening off-course and destroying two. “Wake up call, bastards,” she said. She focused on one of the injured fighters and sent a volley into it at point blank range. The velocity of the projectiles overcame the gravitational pull of the
void shield and slammed into the organic hull, shattering it. The enemy fighter broke apart.
She took a moment to review her HUD. Already one Raptor, Raptor eight, was down. She didn’t even remember the name of the pilot but made a mental note to check if, no, when, she made it back to the Independence. She launched another missile toward a second cluster of Krai’kesh, but they veered away from it and the explosion caught only one fighter. “Ah, so the bastards are learning. Oh well, just makes it more fun for me.” She targeted one enemy and fell in behind it. She fired a burst and destroyed it from behind.
An incoming projectile alarm activated. Selene activated her side-burner and veered to the left while spinning so she came face-to-face with her assailant while the enemy projectiles flashed through the space she had been in moments earlier. She locked on and fired a burst before they could get another lock, destroying them. Without their void shields, they were weak.
Two incoming projectile alarms activated. Her HUD showed two red icons falling into place behind her. She did a 180 degree turn and fired a missile, then rose to fly over the enemy projectiles. She detonated the missile as it passed between the enemy fighters.
The enemy fighters retreated, streaming across the void between the Yushon defense fleet and the Krai’kesh fleet. “Let’s go after the bastards,” she said through the squadron channel.
“Ma’am, I’m out of ammunition,” Raptor Three reported.
Selene sighed. “Fine, report to the Independence for re-supply then haul ass to get back to the battle. And Raptor Three, you’re in the kitchens tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Raptor Three veered off and headed back for re-supply. The remaining Raptors followed Selene.
An external communication link opened from the CAG. “Raptor One, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Chasing the enemy, CAG.”
“Desist, I say again, desist. It could be a trap to lure our fighters out into the open.”
Selene swallowed her frustration and struggled to keep her voice calm. "With all due respect, sir, we have them on the run. If we don't capitalize on this opportunity, they will get us back later. We have to chase them.”
“No, we don’t. You and your squad are to return to the Independence and take up a perimeter. That is an order.”
Selene gritted her teeth. “Raptor One acknowledges, CAG.”
The link closed.
***
“I say again, Dauntless, return to the Independence at once. Do not pursue the enemy fighters.” The voice of the tactical commander came over the comm.
“With all due respect, tactical commander, we have an opportunity here which is too good to pass up,” John replied.
“It could be a trap, Captain Edgerton.”
“Trap be damned, we’re going after them.” John cut the link.
They raced after the retreating Krai’kesh fighters. In front of them, several Federation starfighters streamed toward the Independence. “What’s your girlfriend doing?” John asked.
Derek gritted his teeth. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Fine. What’s your bunk buddy doing?”
Derek sighed. “How should I know?”
“Let’s get her on the line.” John pinged her fighter. “Hey, sweetie,” he said once the link established. “Got your boyfriend Derek here and we could use help chasing these cowards down. What do you say?”
Selene came right back. “I have orders from the CAG to return to the Independence. I can’t disobey a direct order, you know that.”
“No, but you could take the long way back.”
“I’ll be court-martialed.”
“Good point. Hang on the line, sweetheart.” John put Selene on hold. He turned and gave Derek a wink. “She didn’t deny you were her boyfriend. That’s a good sign.”
Derek just shook his head in resignation. That is a good sign, though.
John re-opened the link to the Independence bridge. “Heya, tactical commander, we’re commandeering some of your fighters. Raptor Squad.”
“You may not do that, Captain.”
"Actually, under article fifteen of the Federation Military Treatise of 22 AF, a Guardian or Eternal has authority to conscript military forces as needed during times of war.”
“We are not at war.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. I guarantee Dawyn has gotten the senate to declare war by now. So therefore, I’m conscripting your Raptor Squad into my team temporarily.”
“That is a dangerous precedent you are invoking,” Admiral Rigsby chimed in. “Are you sure you want to go down that road with us?”
“If you won’t see reason and realize we have the upper hand and should capitalize on it, then yes, I will go down that road. Caution right now will only get more of our people killed, Admiral.”
“And brazenly chasing after the enemy, possibly into a trap, will save lives how?”
“We don’t know if it’s a trap,” John said.
“Exactly,” the Admiral retorted.
John huffed. “Are you going to give us what we want or not, Admiral?”
A long pause preceded the Admiral’s answer. “Raptor Squad will be re-tasked to assist you. But if anything happens to them, I will hold you accountable for the lives lost. Are we clear, Eternal?”
“Crystal,” John replied in an equally frigid voice.
The line closed again.
Selene pinged them a minute later. “I don’t know what you did there, Captain, but the CAG is pissed.”
“That’s what John specializes in,” Ashley said. “Pissing people off.”
“He lent you to aid us though, yes?” John asked.
“You bet. We’re on our way to escort you now.”
“Excellent.” John closed the link.
The Dauntless caught up with the fleeing Krai’kesh fighters. Thud thud went the top quad-linked coilguns. Derek watched the icons of two enemy fighters blink out on the sensor display. A second volley took out one more enemy fighter.
The Federation starfighters from Raptor Squad soon passed the Dauntless and began dogfighting amid the enemy fighters. The enemy continued on their path, only engaging when a Federation fighter was in their frontal cone of fire, not deviating from their course.
“Are those things on auto-pilot or something?” John asked. “They’re just taking the abuse.”
“Maybe they don’t want to be left behind,” Ashley said. “The enemy fleet could prepare to leave once they’re aboard.”
“Hmmm, but wouldn’t that require the Krai’kesh to have a heart?”
“It’s not about having a heart or not, dear. It’s about logistics. Leave fifty fighters behind or pick them up and not have to replace them.”
“True.”
***
“Second railgun volley is a success, sir. We’ve destroyed another Krai’kesh capital ship.”
“Excellent,” Admiral Rigsby said. “What about our forces?”
“Two frigates destroyed, one corvette heavily damaged. Mages are mitigating damage from the acid on the destroyers and cruiser.”
“Good, that’s good. And our damaged section?”
“The acid is neutralized and nano-bots are repairing the section. We lost five crew members due to decompression.”
“Damn. Okay.”
Martin watched as the enemy fighters neared the enemy capital ships. “Why are their fighters retreating?” he mused aloud.
“I suspect they are preparing to depart.”
“But then why attack the planet if they were just going to run away when we arrived?”
“Perhaps they did not expect our arrival.”
Martin frowned and shook his head. “No, the Krai’kesh aren’t stupid. They would have to know we survived in the Eligar system and that we would come if called. Something doesn’t feel right.” A thought came to him. “Did they land any ground forces on the planet?”
“No, sir, none.”
“That’s not like them.
On Serpentis III and Eligar II they landed ground forces, but here they didn’t. Why?”
“I am unclear what you are suggesting sir.”
“I think they wanted us to come here. They expected us. Which means…”
“It was a decoy?” Zigana asked.
“Yes, damnit.” He slammed his fist on the arm of his chair. “Recall all our fighters, now. We have to return to the Eligar system.”
“But sir, the railguns are nearly ready for another barrage.”
“Fine, fire the next barrage while we wait for Raptor Squadron. I should never have sent them along with the Dauntless.” Deep down Martin dreaded what the Krai’kesh had planned.
***
The Dauntless and the fighters from Raptor Squad continued to chase the enemy fighters as they neared the enemy capital ships.
Suddenly all the enemy fighters scattered, creating a space between the enemy capital ship, Derek assumed it was a carrier of sorts and the oncoming Federation Forces. This can’t be good, Derek thought. “Uh, John.”
“Shit,” John said. “It’s a trap!” He opened a channel to Raptor Squad. “All fighters, scatter, scatter, I think they have something…”
The entire side of the enemy carrier erupted with a hail of small slime-covered rocks shot at high velocity. Two Federation starfighters were close to the hull and didn’t have time to take evasive action before being obliterated. Two more were hit and careened into space while the rest scrambled. “…planned,” John finished as he jerked the Dauntless up to avoid the field of fire.
“We’ve got two EV,” Ashley announced. On the screen two icons showed pilots who had jettisoned their fighters.
“Changing course to pick up two EV pilots,” John announced on the Raptor Squadron channel, which was filled with pilots giving play-by-play statuses as they evaded the barrage or were hit.
“Raptor Squadron, retreat, I repeat, retreat,” Selene’s voice came over the line. “Sorry, Dauntless, you’re on your own.”
"I understand Raptor One. Go," John said. He angled the Dauntless toward the fist EV pilot in their pod. A grappling claw launched out and gripped it with the magnetic tip. He then navigated to the second pilot, but before he could reach them a railgun projectile smashed through that point in space on its way to the enemy capital ship. The pod was obliterated. “Shit!” John exclaimed. “Why the hell would they fire when they know we’re out here?”
Eclipse: Book Two of the Dark Tide Trilogy Page 4