Cadets: 2 The Ship of the Gods

by Edward Miller

  “It’s not over yet,” said Niles. “Plus we still have an ace up our sleeve with the ship they’re getting ready back on Earth.”

  “Sir,” said Barnes, “three minutes until we begin our attack.”

  “Ms. Barnes,” said Thompson, “patch me through to Supreme Commander Granthaxe.”

  “Yes, sir,” replied Barnes. “I have him on the com, sir.”

  “Supreme Commander,” said Thompson. “Before I address both fleets I want to personally thank you for your assistance. Your ships and your crew-members have fought with bravery and valor. It has been an honor to serve and fight alongside you. On behalf of my people, I want to thank you personally.”

  “Admiral Benjamin Thompson,” said Granthaxe, “you need not thank me. We all did what was needed of us. A common enemy has threatened to annihilate both of our species. We did what we have been trained for. The honor of fighting alongside of you and your people against a common enemy is one we both appreciate. May the gods smile upon us today and lead both our people to victory. As your kind would say, we will talk of the courage and fortitude that brought us a victory against insurmountable odds amongst our children and children’s children one day. And in the event that one of us or both of us should not survive, I will see you on the other side, Admiral Benjamin Thompson.”

  The com went silent. “Put me through to the rest of the fleet, Ms. Barnes. Our fleet and the Altarrans,” said Thompson.

  “Patching you through now, sir,” she said.

  “Thank you Ms. Barnes.” He paused briefly. “This is Fleet Admiral Thompson. We’ve been through some tough times in the past, but nothing like what we are experiencing now. Two worlds, two complete species are depending upon what’s left of our combined fleets to hold off our enemy as long as possible. I can’t stress how proud I am of each and every one of you, as well as all of all those brave souls we have lost to the enemy. Remember, once your shields have been exhausted you are to break off your attack and retreat to the training planet. We need to destroy as many as the enemy ships as possible without losing any more of our people. In the event that we lose the war, we will need ships to defend what remains of our combined civilizations in any future altercations. Good luck to all of you and God bless us all. Prepare to move out in ninety seconds. Thompson out.”

  Niles came alongside Thompson. “Well said, Ben,” he said. “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve with you all these years. I’m going to head down to engineering since we no longer have a chief engineer. Being that I used to be an engineer, I think I’d better get down there and give them a hand.”

  “It’s been my pleasure as well, Niles,” said Thompson. “Now what do you say we kick some butt?”

  “Let’s do it,” said Niles.

  Thompson watched as his exec made his way off the bridge. Hopefully he would see him again. “Mister Romano,” said Thompson, “pull up alongside the Arizona and prepare to engage attack pattern as per our tactical display.”

  “Aye, sir,” said Romano. “Moving into position now.”

  “The Arizona has acknowledged us and is ready for departure,” said Barnes.

  Pausing briefly, Thompson scanned the bridge. He was proud of each and every member of his crew. He had no expectations of surviving the upcoming battle, but he’d do everything in his power to see that as many of his ships and the Altarrans’ made it back safely while destroying as many Karang as possible. He looked at the ship’s chronometer. It was time to go.

  “Mister Romano,” he said. Engage full sub-light speed now.”

  “Aye, sir,” said Romano. “Full sub-light speed engaged.”

  “Mister Diego,” said Thompson, “bring all weapons to combat status. Full power to shields.”

  “Weapons are hot, sir,” said Diego. “Shields are online and currently at seventy-five percent power and climbing. We will have full shields in ten seconds.”

  “How long until we are in weapons range?” asked Thompson.

  “We will be in weapons range in two minutes, sir,” said Diego. “I am detecting sensor scans. They know we are coming.”

  “Have any of their ships altered their course?” said Thompson.

  “Negative,” replied Romano. “They are staying in formation and maintaining their current course and speed.”

  “I expected that,” said Thompson. “If there’s one thing I can count on it’s their pompous and egotistical attitude. They do not see us as a legitimate threat. Hopefully in the end game that will be their downfall.”

  “Admiral,” said Diego from the weapons station, “we will be in weapons range in thirty seconds.”

  “Understood,” said Thompson. “Ms. Barnes, inform all ships to break into their assigned attack patterns now.”

  “Sending message now,” said Barnes.

  Thompson braced for the sharp maneuvers. This was it, the moment of truth, the final stand. With the Arizona at her side and the remaining fourteen ships pressing forward, the fleet leaped into action.

  “I have a weapons lock,” said Diego. “The Arizona has also confirmed that they have the same ship targeted.”

  “Open fire,” said Thompson. “All forward cannons and torpedoes. Full spreads. As soon as we pass, fire all aft weapons as well.”

  “Aye, sir,” said Diego. “We have multiple incoming weapons fire coming our way.”

  “Evasive maneuvers,” yelled Thompson. He felt the ship dive and bank to his right. Even with the skill of their helmsman, Romano, they took multiple hits.

  “Shields down to fifty-three percent,” said Diego.

  “Hard about,” said Thompson. “Follow tactical display to secondary target. Ms. Barnes, is the Arizona still with us?”

  “Bringing her hard about,” said Romano. “Coming up on secondary target now.”

  “The Arizona is alongside of us, sir,” said Barnes. “Captain Tuckerson reports they have forty-nine percent shield power. All ships are still intact and preliminary reports show ten enemy vessels dead in the water.”

  So far so good, he thought. One more pass, two tops, before their shields and the rest of the fleet’s would be compromised.

  “Coming up on our target’ sir,” said Diego.

  “Admiral,” said Romano, “the Karang are breaking formation. Looks like your plan to slow them down is working.”

  “That only means they are preparing to send multiple ships after each one of ours,” said Thompson. “If we’re lucky we’ll get one more pass at them.”

  “Target acquired,” said Diego. “I have a firing solution. Bringing all forward weapons online and firing.” The entire ship recoiled as they fired a full barrage of weapons at their enemy. “Direct hit.”

  “Admiral,” yelled Romano, “the enemy has broken into groups of multiple ships and each group is bearing down on each of ours. They are already in weap—” He never got to finish his statement as the UEDF Constitution took multiple hits simultaneously.

  Thompson was thrown from his chair. Sparks flew from multiple stations. “Report, Ms. Barnes.”

  “Sir,” said Barnes. “Shields are at eighteen percent. I have injury reports from multiple decks. Numerous ships are reporting damage and shield power gone or almost non-existent.”

  Thompson knew it was time. They were done. To try and take another run at the Karang would bring total destruction to their entire fleet. “Have all ships break off their attack and fall back.”

  “Sending message fleet-wide, Admiral,” said Barnes.

  “Mister Romano,” said Thompson, “take a defensive position on the retreating ships. Let’s try and buy them some time.”

  “Aye, sir,” said Romano. “Plotting course—”

  He wasn’t able to finish his sentence because the ship took numerous hits.

  Barnes called to him. “Sir, I’ve got Niles on the com. Putting him through to you now.”

  Ben,” said Niles, “we’re cooked. Shields are gone. Engines are offline. We took a direct hit in engineering.
I have engaged the emergency systems but we barely have enough power to keep the systems on. We’re venting oxygen as well.”

  “Thanks, Niles. Shut down everything we don’t need and prepare to abandon ship.” Thompson was about to give the order when another blast rocked them. He felt something hard slam him in the back of the head. As he fought to maintain consciousness, the ship went dark. He could hear the emergency sirens blaring and the ship’s computer activating emergency power. His vision was blurry but he could see smoke on the bridge and some of his crew on the floor. Then he lost consciousness.

  Supreme Commander Granthaxe knew their time was running out. They had given the Karang all they had but he knew it wouldn’t be nearly enough. “How much shield power do we have left?” he asked.

  His weapons office continued to fire, never taking his eyes off his monitor, but replied instantly. “Our shield strength is down to a mere forty-two percent Supreme Commander. At best we have one more run at the enemy before our shields become non-existent.”

  “Maintain full weapons fire and continue with our assault until our shield strength drops to fifteen percent,” said Granthaxe. Then to his helmsman he said, “When that occurs break off all attacks and fall back.”

  “Yes, Supreme Commander,” replied both officers in unison.

  The battle raged on for a few more minutes. It was only a matter of time before they’d have to retreat. The sheer numbers of the enemy overwhelmed the small attack force. The ship shook violently from multiple hits when Granthaxe’s weapons officer called out, “Supreme Commander, our shield strength is down to sixteen percent. We can withstand one, maybe two direct hits before we take on serious damage.”

  Granthaxe was angry but knew what had to be done. “Disengage attack patterns,” he ordered. “Fall back now.” Turning to address his communication officer he told the rest of the Altarran ships to retreat as well.

  His com officer turned to face him. “Supreme Commander, I fear Admiral Benjamin Thompson’s ship has sustained serious damage. They appear to be losing speed and power.”

  “May the gods be with him,” said Granthaxe. “For now retreat to a safe position, as ordered. Once we can access the situation I will make a final decision on our next course of action.”

  “Executing maneuvers as ordered, Supreme Commander,” said the helmsman. “We will be out of harm’s way within seconds.”

  “I have received acknowledgment from our other seven ships that they have disengaged from combat and will rendezvous with us in fifteen minutes,” said his communications officer.

  Granthaxe knew the battle was over. Now all of the hopes for both worlds rested on Amanda Williamson and Kyron getting the Ship of the Gods operational before the Karang reached Earth. If the Karang made it to Earth before the ship could be used, they would destroy it along with any hopes of defeating them.

  “Supreme Commander,” said his communications officer, “three of the human vessels are motionless. I can detect that some escape pods have been jettisoned from the damaged ships. The other five are en route to the rendezvous location.”

  “Maintain scans and monitor the situation,” said Granthaxe. “Keep me informed of the location of the enemy fleet. Have they resumed their trajectory towards Earth?”

  “They appear to be returning to formation and headed back on their original flight path,” said the weapons officer.

  “Keep me informed of any changes in their flight pattern,” said Granthaxe. “I want to know every move they make.”

  “Yes, Supreme Commander,” said his weapons officer.

  It took thirty minutes at light speed until they reached the rendezvous point. All eight Altarran ships survived the battle. The five remaining ships from the UEDF arrived almost simultaneously.

  “Supreme Commander,” said the communications officer, “I have Captain Avery Tuckerson from the Earth vessel the Arizona on the com channel. She is requesting to speak with you.”

  Granthaxe was still trying to grasp the idea of a female being in charge of a battleship. He didn’t think he’d ever understand it, but now was not the time for a debate on the issue. “Put her through,” he said.

  “Supreme Commander Granthaxe,” said Tuckerson, “it is an honor to speak with you.”

  “What can I do for you, Captain Avery Tuckerson?”

  “As per the Fleet Admiral’s orders, we are preparing to make our way to the cadet training planet,” said Tuckerson.

  “I am aware of Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson’s plan, Captain Avery Tuckerson,” he said. “What of the survivors from your damaged vessels?”

  “Before he left Pluto, the Fleet Admiral informed Captain Haywood to wait for the enemy fleet to leave the area. The minute they were gone he was to send out shuttles to rescue any survivors.”

  “A very sound plan,” said Granthaxe. “Do you know if Fleet Admiral Benjamin Thompson survived the attack?”

  There was a slight hesitation before Tuckerson answered. “Unfortunately I do not, Supreme Commander. Fleet Admiral Thompson’s orders were explicit. Complete radio silence and retreat. Those were his orders.”

  Before he could respond his weapons officer called to him. “Forgive my interference, Supreme Commander. It appears that three of the enemy vessels are turning back and heading for the damaged vessels. I would assume they left the area as a ploy. As soon as they detected the rescue vessels coming from Pluto, three of their ships reversed their course.”

  Granthaxe was seething. Not only were the Karang devious murderers, they were spineless cowards who would attack defenseless prey. He slammed his fist on the arm of his chair. “Inform our fleet to turn back. I will not stand idly by while these low-life scum murder helpless victims.”

  “As you wish, Supreme Commander,” said his communications officer.

  “Supreme Commander,” came the voice of Captain Tuckerson. “The Fleet Admiral gave us specific orders. We must obey them.”

  Granthaxe tried to maintain some sort of civility. Not so long ago he would have ordered someone put to death for questioning his orders. But Altarrans and humans reacted differently and he of all people had learned that the hard way.

  “Forgive me, Captain Avery Tuckerson,” said Granthaxe. He realized he was yelling, so he took a deep breath. “While I appreciate Admiral Benjamin Thompson’s orders, they no longer pertain to us as the battle is lost. Also, we are not part of your military, therefore we do not have to follow his orders any longer. Now if you will excuse me, I have vermin that need to be exterminated.”

  “I understand, Supreme Commander,” said Tuckerson. “Be safe and send those bastards to hell.”

  “With pleasure, Captain Avery Tuckerson.”

  Turning to his helmsman Granthaxe ordered the ship to engage light speed. It was a long shot that they would get there in time to stop the Karang from capturing or killing the survivors, but he considered it his duty to try. While they had eight ships against three of the Karang’s without much shield power left in his ship and the fact that most of them had completely exhausted their shields, the outcome was doubtful at best. But one thing he was sure of: if there was any chance of saving his friend’s life, he was going to take it. Even if it meant sacrificing his own.

  Ryan nervously paced the bridge while maintaining a constant watch on the sensor array at the weapons station. His father’s fleet along with the remaining Altarran ships had destroyed fifteen of the Karang battle cruisers, but it was obvious that they couldn’t keep up the attack. Two of the Earth ships had been damaged and the crews were abandoning ship. He watched helplessly as the remaining Altarran and UEDF ships broke off their attack and retreated. Then he saw his father’s ship take three massive missile hits and come to a dead stop. He felt the way he had when he was fifteen and watched his mother die in front of him while he stood by and did nothing. Anger and frustration welled up inside him. He certainly wasn’t going to allow something preventable to happen a second time, albeit, this time it was his father. Ord
ers be damned.

  “Nicole,” said Ryan, “set a course for Pluto. Make it a circular approach. I don’t want the Karang to figure out where we’re headed until the last second. Prepare to engage light speed on my orders.”

  Nicole hesitated for a split second. “Yes, sir,” she said. “Plotting course and approach now. As soon as I’m done I’ll prep for light-speed drive.”

  Tanner walked up beside him. “Ry, remember your father’s orders.”

  Ryan had had enough. He stood up and glared at Tanner. “I made a similar mistake before and I swore I’d never make it again.” He could tell that his statement was having the desired effect. Everyone knew exactly what he was talking about. “Jill,” he said, “contact Captain Sturgeon and tell him to fall back towards Earth. I’m changing the plan. As of now I’m in charge of the fleet. Tell him he’s to contact Admiral Williamson and inform him that I ordered the remainder of our ships to fall back to protect the Ship of the Gods. In the event that the ship is operational and en route to intercept the Karang, they are to rendezvous and cover them at all costs.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Jill. “Contacting him now with your orders.”

  “Once you get done with Sturgeon patch me through to Paul in engineering.”

  Jill nodded as she was still on the com with Sturgeon.

  Ryan noticed Tanner next to him. “Sorry about biting your head off, Tanner, but at the very least we have to help with any casualties.”

  “You don’t have to explain yourself to me Ry. I totally get it,” said Tanner.

  “I’ve got Paul now, Captain,” said Jill.

  “What can I do for you, Captain?” said Paul.

  “Make sure our shields and engines are at full strength. I’m taking us back to Pluto. A few of our ships are damaged and may need—

  Before he could finish he was interrupted by Rawlings at the weapons station. “Sir! Three of the Karang ships have turned back and are headed towards Pluto where our damaged ships are. They’ll be sitting ducks.”