Everything was shaking non-stop. Behind her she heard yelling.
“Get out of there!” Sonya said over the comm link. “You need to get out of there!”
“We are trying,” Sarah said back, watching the ghostly display. Her voice sounded calmer than she felt. Berry and her Marines were moving so slowly.
“There is an alien warship embedded in that juggernaut,” Sonya said. “A squadron of Allied battleships are trying to dig it out and destroy it. Destroying that ship is more important than the lives of your Marines.”
“Who made that damned decision?!” Sarah said.
“The alien ship is killing allied battleships one at a time. We have lost three so far,” Sonya said. “Trust me, I don’t like it, but we don’t have a choice.”
“Shit,” Sarah said and changed channels.
“Berry better get your ass in gear,” Sarah said.
“Moving. . . As . . . Fast. . . As. . . We. . . Can!” Berry said in between breaths.
“Move faster,” Sarah said, and she didn’t catch Berry’s response.
“I’m serious Lieutenant,” Porter said. “You can monitor their progress from a shuttle. I would feel better if you were away.”
“No,” Sarah said. “I’m not boarding until they board. I’m not leaving my Marines behind.”
“I agree,” Porter said. “No Marine left behind. But at least get near one of the shuttles.”
Sarah nodded.
As she entered the hangar Sarah looked around. Besides the constant rumbling and lack of gravity nothing seemed amiss. Pushing herself toward the shuttle the Major had directed her to she noticed it was a New Alamo shuttle. Magnetic clamps held it in place and a pair of warbots stood near the ramp, ready to grab and pull in anybody nearby.
The other New Alamo shuttle was full of casualty pods. A pair of New Alamo medical bots were busy maneuvering in a pair of casualties in coffin like pods. Sarah wasn’t sure the pods would fit, but in the blink of an eye the pods slid into an open space she hadn’t seen.
“That’s all the casualties that can fit,” Porter said. “I’m launching shuttle two as soon as I can.”
“Roger that,” Sarah said looking at her display. Yes, Berry had moved, barely.
“The squadron commander says they will keep firing until it explodes,” Sonya said. “You need to get out of there.”
“Not without my people,” Sarah said.
“The explosion is likely to destroy the entire asteroid,” Sonya said.
“Not without my people,” Sarah said again.
“Contact!” a Marine yelled as one of the hatches to the hanger opened and a Battle Singer drone drifted in. Sarah saw another drone behind it as she fired.
“Hurry Berry,” Sarah whispered as she stitched the first one with fire, almost pushing it back. New Alamo warbots fired as well. With that much weapons fire, it was unlikely they could escape now. Her Marines were about to be trapped aboard the juggernaut.
“The Jupiter Marines are heavily engaged,” Captain Sonya Hoffman said. “They are having problems extracting. Several drones have reached the hanger and are attacking. They are preventing the Marines from escaping.”
Luke scowled. The Battle Singer could be lightly damaged for all he knew and about to resume firing. The hard radiation, shattered nickel and other debris made it impossible to tell what things were like under the constant plasma lance fire. If the Tigress had heavier weapons, he would use them. The Battle Singers plan was obvious now. Use the Jupiter Alliance Marines as a human shield and give the rest of the fleet a reason not to attack while the ship fell behind. When the main fleet was past the fourth juggernaut, it would enter the killing field and be decimated. Why hadn’t he seen it?
“What if one of the other juggernauts have Battle Singers embedded like this one?” Pavlis asked.
“We will worry about it later,” Luke said.
“Incoming missiles,” Halsey reported and Luke saw the point defense weapons unleash on the incoming volley. Sensors would degrade any further and if there were any shuttles that left the dying juggernaut now they might be destroyed.
“Admiral,” Gray said. “Let me take a company to reinforce the hangar. I can have them there in twenty minutes. I already have them loaded and prepped.”
“Do it,” Luke said. “After this volley, but you stay.”
“Aye Admiral,” Gray said, sounding less than happy. There would be a window, not much of one.
A cloud of hard radiations swept across the battleships and none of the Caliphate missiles made it.
“Shuttles launching,” Gray said.
“Why aren’t we punching through the hull?” Leonessa asked.
“Just keep firing,” Luke said.
Bronkaw Fleet Marshal Tkral had taken command and was leading the remains of the fleet at the second juggernaut which had turned and was trading mass driver round for plasma lance and mass driver.
The second juggernaut was taking a beating, it was spewing atmosphere and fire but it was still fighting. Cruisers and frigates tried to impede the Allied fleet, but they were being smashed aside.
“Juggernaut two can’t last much longer,” Halsey said.
“Neither can the fleet,” Morals said.
Luke kept his attention at the juggernaut in front of the Tigress.
“Analysis Shum?” Luke asked.
“I suspect the Battle Singer vessel is using the asteroid as extra armor,” Shum said. “There are technologies that let it maintain the cohesiveness of other materials, which would thus provide a greater degree of protection.”
“But why isn’t it firing?” Luke asked.
“Perhaps power requirements, or heat problems,” Shum said. “Increasing the cohesiveness of surrounding material would also prevent heat venting. Firing the wormhole gun generates heat. I suspect heat would be more of a problem for the Battle Singers than energy.”
“So how long can it hold us back?” Luke asked.
“Until they cook,” Shum said.
“That is not informative,” Luke said.
“I do not have the Battle Singer technological specifications,” Shum replied.
“Want me to take a shuttle over to the ship and ask?” Musashi said.
Luke ignored Musashi.
“Keep firing,” Luke said, but the Eighth Fleet ships were pushing hard and launching another volley.
“Do you have any suggestions about those ships?” Luke asked Pavlis.
“Surrender to them,” Morals said. “The Eighth Fleet is composed of the most trusted members of the Jupiter Alliance. They cannot betray the high standards of the Jupiter Alliance.”
“No,” Luke said glancing back at Morals. “I kinda doubt they are working for the Jupiter Alliance anymore, and they haven’t asked.”
“Have you tried to hail them?” Morals asked.
Luke stared at Morals.
“When you shoot at me I kind of assume you don’t want to talk,” Luke said looking Morals. “Firing missiles is the universal way to say ‘I want you to die’.”
“The Jupiter Alliance is the future of the human race,” Morals said. “The Jupiter Socialist party wants what is best for all humans. If Eighth Fleet has turned on Fifth Fleet and joined the Caliphate, then there must be a reason. I have always questioned the loyalty of Fifth fleet and those officers.”
“Then the Eighth Fleet shouldn’t submit to alien rule,” Luke said.
“Like New Alamo?” Morals asked. “They must have a reason. We should find out what that is.”
Luke laughed, but this conversation was pointless. Morals was throwing dangerous looks toward Suresh. Morals had too much trust and respect for the Eighth Fleet. They had turned traitor, there could be no other explanation.
“Then you call them and tell them to abort their attack run,” Luke said. “Tell them to help us. I’m identifying that battleship coming at us as the JAS Beshir Imanov.”
Luke’s InnerBuddy reported that Beshir Imanov was a Soviet police c
olonel general and Luke didn’t care to learn more as a flight of missiles followed a plasma lance strike into the crater being dug out of juggernaut four.
Morals opened a Jupe channel and Luke listened with half an ear as Morals tried to contact somebody. The defenses of Luke’s squadron seemed to be holding but the attacking ships would get lucky and a missile would slip through.
Who would name a battleship after an ancient socialist police officer?
“Next volley that comes from those assholes towards us will get a response,” Luke said. He would have to do something. As they got closer, they would get more dangerous, and he didn’t dare ask Fleet Marshal Tkral to support him. The Fleet Marshal had his own problems.
“Why won’t they answer?” Morals said. “They should have my identity and authentication on file. Are we being jammed?”
“Negative,” Halsey said. “They aren’t replying. Would you reply to someone you betrayed?”
“No,” Morals said. “If they received my message, they would reply.”
“Maybe they aren’t fighting for the Jupiter Alliance anymore,” Luke said.
“They don’t have a choice,” Morals said in a tone of voice that chilled Luke.
“What do you mean?” Luke said, his attention focusing on Morals. Was the Jupiter Alliance now a client of the Battle Singers?
“What I said,” Morals said standing up. “I hereby order you to surrender your vessel to the Eighth Fleet.”
“No,” Luke said.
Morals reached for his holster but Musashi stepped forward and in one smooth motion drew his sword, severing Morals’s head.
A spray of blood splashed against the ceiling and then fell forward as Moral’s body collapsed. Luke stared at the body for several seconds as the battle continued around him, uncaring about the close personal death.
Teleklos was standing behind Pavlis and Luke knew if Pavlis made any sudden movements he would be as dead as Morals. A small pistol had fallen from Moral’s hand and lay on the deck, accusing.
Luke looked at Pavlis who remained motionless and silent as the blood stopped flowing from the corpse.
Musashi flicked his wrist, and the blood flew off his blade. In another smooth motion, Musashi sheathed his sword and looked at Pavlis.
Pavlis glanced at Morals as the point defense weapons aboard the Tigress fired non-stop again.
“Do you have anything you want to add?” Luke asked.
“I don’t know what he was talking about sir,” Pavlis said and Luke had to admire the man’s calm as Musashi came closer. “I do know there were some new cybernetics being tested in Eighth Fleet, according to rumors, but that is all I know.”
“Perhaps it would be best if you spent the rest of the battle in a more secure location,” Luke said.
“I understand,” Pavlis said. Musashi motioned Pavlis to stand as a pair of Teleklos’s officers moved forward to take custody of him and escort the JAS Officer off the bridge.
“You made a mess,” Gray said to Musashi.
“I am not unhappy about it,” Musashi said with a quick glance at Luke. A team of maintenance bots arrived to remove the body and clean up the mess. The smell of blood was thick in the air.
Rounds slammed into the shuttle as Sarah ducked back. Another Marine flashed on her command display as killed. There was no way Berry and her Marines could make it across the bay unless those alien drones were stopped. They were accurate and their energy weapons could punch through Marine armor with ease.
“Reinforcements inbound,” Porter said.
“What?” Sarah asked, not believing it. How could reinforcements get here?
A pair of small anti-personnel missiles zipped into the bay, crashing into one drone and the hatch they were coming out of. Another New Alamo assault shuttle slid into the hanger and then spun, its ramp already down as a platoon of warbots leapt out of the opening. It took a second before the alien drones fired but they were met with an almost overwhelming barrage of fire from warbots with heavy weapons pouring out of the newly arrived shuttle. Another New Alamo shuttle was trying to fit in but already warbots were leaping from it to secure the hangar. The one shuttle with the casualties slid out of the bay and a third New Alamo shuttle came in to take its place. More warbots poured out directed by what looked like New Alamo Marines.
“Reinforcements are here,” Porter said. “Now if we can just get your Marines out of here before this ship explodes we might be okay.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said. “You get out of here Major. There are enough warbots to keep this area secure and open a pathway for my Marines.”
“I will leave when you leave Lieutenant,” Porter said. “No Marine gets left behind. Jupe or Namo.”
The New Alamo warbots and Marines pushed into the hatch where the drones had come from while another platoon moved out to intercept Berry’s Marines.
Berry was so close.
“Energy build up in the juggernaut,” Halsey said as the Tigress shook.
“We’ve lost plasma lance three to overheating,” Leonessa said.
More missiles from the Imanov were coming in. Most were being picked off, but some were making it through.
“The juggernaut is going to blow,” Halsey said as Luke braced, looking toward Leonessa. She was strapped in and braced.
“What about the-” Luke asked, and the juggernaut exploded. The Tigress shook and Luke knew it would be fatal for any shuttles in open space.
“We recovered six of them,” Halsey said as the Tigress was slammed around. “Although they were crashed into the hanger bay to get them out of space. I suspect most of the occupants will survive. Two shuttles were lost however.”
Luke nodded. There would be time enough after the battle to learn their names.
“Incoming missiles,” Halsey said as another volley from the Imanov came and mass driver rounds slammed against the hull. “Rotating hull to further shield the shuttle bay.”
In seconds, a volley of missiles would reach the Imanov. The Imanov and her two cruisers did not have any frigates.
The display flashed and the icon of the Imanov and her escorts flashed and became faded red. Dead in space.
“We’ve lost pressure outside the CIC,” Halsey reported and Luke knew the Tigress was hurt bad. But the Battle Singer was dead.
The second juggernaut exploded.
“Can we move to assist the main fleet?” Luke asked Halsey.
“Amazon and Knight are both reporting heavy damage. Crusader and the Cincinnatus are not responding,” Halsey said.
Luke grimaced, he wanted to ask about casualties, but that would have to wait.
“Answer the questions,” Luke said.
“We will be limping,” Halsey said. “Changing course. Amazon is moving into formation.”
Luke stared at the screen, information was still being collected.
“Knight is moving into formation,” Halsey said. “We are getting a response from the Cincinnatus. The vessel has sustained heavy damage and heavy casualties.”
“Do they need assistance?” Luke said, already knowing he probably couldn’t give it.
“Negative,” Halsey said. “The acting Captain, Lieutenant Fry is reporting they are not in any immediate danger.”
“Any word on the Crusader?” Luke asked.
“Negative,” Halsey said. “The ship is dead in space. Minimal power readings and her hull is venting atmosphere in numerous locations.”
“Can we launch a rescue shuttle or two?” Luke asked. The battle was still raging closer to the first juggernaut but nothing was targeting them at the moment.
“Aye Admiral,” Halsey said. “We can. Dispatching them now. Looks like the bridge of Crusader may have taken a hit.”
Luke winced. In space combat that was always bad. He brought up a view of the Crusader. It looked bad.
But there was a battle to fight.
“Suref is gone,” Suresh said. “He has transitioned.”
“How do you know?�
�� Luke asked.
“I know,” Suresh said. “He told me Falra as he left.”
“Falra?” Leonessa asked.
“It is a third path,” Suresh said. “It is neither Val or Nress, it is a third path.”
“Really?” Luke said without emotion.
Suresh smiled sadly.
“What is this Falra path about?” Luke asked and glanced at Shum, against his better judgment.
“I can’t explain it,” Shum said.
Luke stared at Suresh.
“Can you explain genetics and evolution to a monkey?” Suresh asked.
“So, I am a monkey?” Luke asked.
“No,” Suresh said. “I am.”
“Broadcast ranging shots on the last juggernaut and then fire,” Luke said. The Tigress was on the fleet battle net. While the plasma rounds fired from the Tigress would pass the main fleet which was concentrating on the last juggernaut, and suffering for it, the path of the rounds would be sent so no ships wandered into the path.
“We only have a single plasma lance operational,” Leonessa reported. “I expect to have another one up in twenty minutes.”
“Carry on,” Luke said wishing there was more he could do as another New Alamo cruiser exploded under the concentrated fire of a Caliphate cruiser squadron. Luke did not want to bring up the ID of the ship for fear he might know, or not know the Captain. He would worry about it after the battle when the dying was over.
“Fleet Marshal Tkral is persistent,” Leonessa said watching the battle unfold as the Tigress tried to limp faster to get into the fight.
“Very,” Luke said. The Bronkaw Fleet Marshall was doing an excellent job of concentrating the fleets firepower and focusing the frigates and support craft, always maneuvering them to intercept the largest concentration of missiles. It was almost a ballet as he watched the frigates and fighters loop around the formation of remaining battleships and cruisers. The crews of the frigates, if there were any, had to be exhausted and suffering from the hard accelerations, but they were saving lives as the Caliphate attacks became less coordinated and more desperate.
A crack appeared on the last juggernaut and it tried a hard maneuver which caused the crack to widen and eventually a third of the juggernaut separated. Explosions continued to rock the massive ship. Luke let out a breath and leaned back. The third juggernaut was dead. A weight lifted from Luke’s shoulders.
New Empires: Conglomerate Series Book 3 Page 31