Gray Panthers: Earths Revenge

by David Guenther

  “He’s either negotiating badly or he’s getting ready to pull a sneak attack on our ass. In exactly fifteen minutes we will fire on them. Contact every battery to be ready to fire with us. Notify the world governments to get their people underground now.” Turning to Abby, Dan continued, “When I got up this morning I did not think I was going to lead the last battle for Earth or I would have had a better breakfast. Dusty, when the Beamers and rail guns start firing launch the shuttles.” Turning to a communication troop Dan ordered, “Connect me to the Bia, Red fireworks are starting in a few minutes you are free to sit this one out thirty to one odds are not good. Do not reply in case they can monitor your location."

  One last look at the clock showed only a few seconds left when the first batteries began firing. Initial hits surprised the Libras as the newly modified Beamers cut through their hulls with impunity as the rail guns also drew blood. The shuttles had to be careful to avoid friendly fire as they opened up. Seven ships initially were destroyed or damaged as the fleet quickly jumped out of range. The remaining 23 ships launched so many missiles it blotted out the sun as they targeted the shuttles. Missiles began to cut enormous swaths through the shuttles as the shuttles ignored the danger to themselves and instead concentrated on closing with the enemy. In ten minutes, half the shuttles were destroyed with only three enemy ships destroyed in trade.

  Dan looked at the numbers in disgust. The enemy was out of range of the Earth base weapons and was chewing up the shuttles.

  “Recall the shuttles while we have any left. Order the shuttles to make every effort to protect themselves. Cease all firing until they come back in range,” Dan said tiredly. “I’m afraid of what next they have up their sleeves next.”

  “Earth Dog, you will pay for your treachery,” Was broadcast from the enemy fleets commander as his ships began to break any semblance of formation.

  “Grub, any idea what they are getting ready to do?” Dan asked.

  “Sir, each ship is on a heading for an asteroid. I believe they are going to tractor them in on us. We will be able to destroy most of the asteroids but some will get through especially the largest ones. The best that we will be able to do is break those up but not destroy them.”

  “Sir new development, the Bia is attacking while their fleet is disbursed. They have drawn blood. Two of the medium sized ships appear out of action. We have twelve asteroids inbound the Bia has broken off her attack and is trying to destroy them. Enemy fleet has recovered and attacking the Bia. Bia is taking heavy damage. Bia appears to be venting atmosphere and has stopped returning fire. All shuttles are launching from the Bia, it appears they are abandoning ship. The enemy is not firing on the shuttles. Sir the shuttles are forming and heading towards the enemy ships. The shuttles have started to fire on the enemy fleet. Numerous enemy ships appear damaged one destroyed. Enemy ships are now firing on the shuttles. "

  Dan collapsed in his chair. The loss of the the Bia with her Captain, Commander Caleb “Red” Erickson and the crew hit him hard. The realization the bloodbath of Earth itself was next was physically painful as he fought back the urge to puke.

  "Sir, the enemy has just destroyed the last surviving shuttle. New ships are now dropping from FTL. There appears to be an additional thirty ships. New ships are joining with the formation, no; the new ships are attacking the Libra fleet. Libras are taking a pounding. Two, no, three ships destroyed.”

  “Grub, can we distinguish between the new ships and Libra ships, if so let's get our shuttles back into the fight.”

  “Shuttles have been launched sir,” Grub stated.

  “Sir enemy damage is continuing to mount the new attackers have destroyed or damaged all but four of the enemy. The enemy are engaging their FTLs, enemy has departed. We have communication coming in from the new ships.”

  “Gray Panther Command, this is Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard of the Dixie Fleet. I am at your disposal, sir.”

  “I’m damn glad to see you Admiral; can your forces commence rescue operations on the Bia? Is there anything we can do to support your people, Admiral?” Dan asked as he fought the racing in his heart and the dizziness brought on by the turn in events.

  “We are in good condition. We only took minor damages as it seems you took all the fight out of the Libra. We are sending damage control parties onboard the Bia. I will report back when we know anything.”

  Dan just slumped down into his chair as reports of asteroids being destroyed or moved to new trajectories were reported. Reports continued to roll in and had no effect on Dan as he mourned the loss of the Bia, until the Dixie commander reported in an hour later.

  “Gray Panther Command this is Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard of the Dixie Fleet.”

  “Go ahead admiral this is Daniels here.”

  “Numerous survivors found on the Bia. They were in emergency shelters towards the center of the ship. When their ship was knocked out of the fight they went to their emergency shelters. They used their shuttles as their last weapons to fight back against the Libra. I salute the courage and tenacity of your warriors sir. We are sealing the external leaks to the ship and will try to have power restored soon. Your ships are like your people, built tough. Commander Caleb “Red” Erickson would like you to know he will report in when the ship is back online.”

  “Thank you again admiral, any chance to pursue the enemy and destroy him? We know their destination,” Dan said ready to plead.

  “I would like to more than you realize sir. The parameters of my mission are quite strict. Assist Earth in their defense and not to escalate my mission through any additional operations against the enemy. Sir what do you want done with the survivors on the Libra ships?” the admiral requested.

  “I’d like to space the lot of them but we have a facility for them. We will send our shuttles to deliver them to their new homes on the moon. If you can please monitor those ships to make sure there’s not one playing opossum. I’d hate for one to get away or get in a cheap shot on one of your ships.”

  “We are monitoring them closely and have let them know any treachery will be met with the severest of consequences. Looks like you should have an additional two dozen ships for your fleet when those ships are salvaged and repaired. Perhaps at that time our two fleets can go on the offensive and truly make the Libra pay for their actions.”

  “Thank you again, Admiral. I look forward to future joint operations. I now have to report to my boss what's going on for the first time since we were attacked. The easy part is over. Daniels out.”

  “God speed, Mr. Daniels. Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard out.”

  Dan hesitated as he thought what he wanted to say then had Grub connect him with the president.

  “Mr. President, I have some information for you.”

  “You mean like you just fought a space battle and almost lost?” President Goldstein said vehemently.

  Dan flushed with anger replied back, “No sir, to report that Earth has once again been saved with the blood of my Gray Panthers and that tonight people all over the world can go to sleep knowing they are safe. Our new allies from the Planet Dixie came to our rescue at just the right moment. Once cleanup operations are done we should be able to add another two dozen major war ships to our fleet. After that addition and our own manufacturing program we will be strong enough to not only defend ourselves but take the fight to our enemy and win.”

  “Who are these new aliens? Can we really trust them? Is there any relationship between their name and our Dixie? I’d hate to think we are safe then be taken over by these new aliens.”

  “Sir this communication is set so no one can monitor us. Please let me know when you have turned off all recording devices on your end and that you are alone and I will continue my report.”

  “Mr. Daniels that is not how this conversation will continue, now just—” Dan disconnected from the call. Those around him decided not to bother him as his cheeks and face were flushed with anger. Grub no
ticed his mood but knew that the information discovered on one of the ships could not wait.

  “Dan, I have additional new about the enemy fleet.”

  “Go ahead, what did you find?”

  “There is another fleet of ships carrying troops. The plan was to establish an initial bridgehead from which to ship out humans for their Army. The second invasion fleet as you know never materialized. The initial fleet was able to warn them off. The fleet consisted of two warships and ten huge transports. It also appears they have paid agents in the Republic that gave them information on us. Their agent was able to scan sensitive data that includes information on Dixie…”

  “Grub, get me the admiral now!”

  “Admiral Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard I was just briefed seconds ago that data was discovered on one of the enemy ships that included information on Dixie. Your mission here is done. Please return home now.” Dan practically pleaded.

  “Thank you, Mr. Daniels we will leave post haste. I will leave a squadron of ten ships until your own ships return and I will not waste time debating that decision. Commander Butler will be in charge of the squadron until we—”

  Grub interrupted the communications with vital news. “Sir a single ship has dropped into normal space it is heavily damaged and is from Dixie.” The communications with the admiral was still open and Dan heard the report from the new ship.

  “..the enemy ships dropped into normal space in the middle of the combat patrol destroying the Destroyer New Orleans immediately and severely damaging my ship the Georgia. The fleet consisted of a dozen ships including two huge battle ships. They ignored the Georgia after it no longer was able to fire. They then attacked the planet and hit the entrance for the fleet dock. All the rest of the fleet was unable to launch. Hundreds of enemy shuttles were heading for the planet as their battle ships destroyed anything returning fire. We tried to send a message through the FTL transmission relay station but it appears it was destroyed. Our FTL drive was undamaged so we used it to report to you sir.”

  “Thank you for the report Captain you are to present yourself to the Gray Panthers to request assistance getting your ship repaired. Once it is combat ready you will return to Dixie. So that you do not jump the gun the Gray Panthers doing the repairs will be the one to determine you are combat ready, understood?”

  “Yes, sir, we will report to their docks for repairs.”

  “Fleet this is Admiral Toutant-Beauregard. Dixie has been invaded by the Libra. We shall depart for home in five minutes minus Commander Butlers squadron that will provide protection for Earth until the Gray Panther fleet returns. Dixie shall have its vengeance.”

  From the author:

  I thank you for reading Gray Panthers Earths Revenge. I would like to hear any feedback you have. If you have suggestions or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

  I love reading and writing military science fiction. I try to base what I write mainly from what I saw and experienced as a veteran of over twenty-one years in the Air Force. Many great science fiction authors have opened my mind to what can be.

  The next book in the trilogy will be Gray Panthers Dixie. I am still in the early planning stage of that book.

  If this is the first book of mine that you have read, there is still Gray Panthers Battle for Earth, the first in the series, and the first work I ever had published.

  Thank you again for reading my book.

  David Guenther

  GrayPantherCommander@yahoo.com