“Navigation, why don’t we see about coming out at these coordinates, it’s going to be a bit hotter, but we’ve been given these nice shiny ships, might as well see what they’re capable of,” Drux said.
“Yes sir,” Navigation said.
Min Hae had been watching as Kalvin’s forces emerged, powering right towards the supply ships and firing their lasers to try and get a bead on them.
The supply ships had powered up and were now rushing to meet Kalvin’s forces. Min Hae’s coordinates would put the Free Fleet off to the side of the Supply fleet’s path, allowing them to bring their broadsides to bear.
“Jump point is good to go, ready for transition,” Navigation said a number of minutes later, it was nearly an hour after Kalvin had left. His forces were still two-hours from crossing the other Kalu fleet’s lines.
“Very well, let’s go kill some supply ships,” Drux said.
The corner of Min Hae’s mouth twitched upwards in approval.
“Gogs, what is the status of second squadron?” Min Hae asked.
“All ships are ready to go and awaiting our order,” Gogs replied. Ashota looked to Gogs and Min Hae.
“Something I should know about?” Ashota asked.
“Had to play a few things close to our chests, this is not meant to just destroy the Kalu supply ships,” Min Hae looked to Ashota. He had been the one to tell Min Hae about how certain elements of the Kalu independent leadership thought that the Free Fleet was weak. They had only seen them in battle once, and then it hadn’t been much of a fight against anything like the kinds of fleets that had waded into the Union.
The Free Fleet needed to show their strength and prove that they were a force to be reckoned with and respected.
Min Hae’s earlier amusement cooled as he thought of how Earth hadn’t understood the power of the Free Fleet and disregarded it. Hurting them in the rear while they were readying for their fight with the Kalu. It could have ended a lot worse. Yet it instilled into Min Hae that trust was nice, but a healthy amount of respect for your allies’ abilities to whip your ass if you turned on them, also had its useful qualities.
***
“Looks like our battle brothers have decided to show up,” Lox, one of Kalvin’s aide’s vented. Kalvin let it slide. Lox was probably half taken away by the combat hormones of his youth.
They are late, what kind of honorable group looks to coming into battle later than possible. They talk of tactics, but what use are they when they do nothing but make them look pretty.
Kalvin clamped down on his anger, the Free Fleet had helped out the independents more than they could have hoped for. The leaders were thinking about trying to apply to be part of this Union the Free Fleet were building. He had seen the cowardly tactics that killed, maimed, and destroyed more than four fifths of the Kalu’s massed military power. It had been a big display, but the Free Fleet ships had stayed at arm’s reach, hit the Kalu and slinked away.
This would be the first time since the Destroyer yard was stolen away from the Kalu Traditionalists, that the Independents would see the Free Fleet in combat. So Far Kalvin was far from impressed.
“They’re formation is turning to bring their sides to face the enemy. The Supply ships are largely ignoring them,” Lox said. Why shouldn’t they? His tone and actions asked as he shook his mane in annoyance.
“Lox, I understand the hormones of the younger, and while I am not happy with the actions of our allies, it does look to me that they are closer to our enemy. Let us see what happens,” Kalvin said, not making a commitment to either liking or disliking the Free Fleet.
“As you say war-leader. I am sorry for my outburst,” Lox said, bowing his head to him. Kalvin waved the gesture off, noticing how Lox wasn’t giving the Free Fleet the same kind of respect.
Maybe they earn it, maybe they show that Lox has a right to be angry. He thought, watching as the Pyramid of Free Fleet ships moved as a single entity, all of them swinging their broadsides as the lead ship was pointed to the Kalu supply ships.
“Incoming Wormholes, twelve of them all along the Kalu formation’s line of acceleration,” Haru grunted in shock.
“Message from Ashota,” Lox said.
“Show,” Kalvin growled, he was not one to like surprises sprung on him.
“War-leader Kalvin, I have been informed that the Free Fleet advise that the Kalu supply fleet will not be a problem much longer. They ask that you refrain from shooting at the ships emerging from the wormholes,” Ashota’s message ended.
“Do as he says,” Kalvin said, the first ships came out from the wormholes, the second rank followed.
All of them are in those Pyramid formations, and there are so many of them! I thought that the Free Fleet had less than five-hundred ships.
Still, there are more than Thirty-Thousand Kalu supply ships, nearly a hundred thousand fighters swarming out from their freight-holding Star-destroyers, he consoled himself.
The first triangle, the one that Ashota was presumably on, and that weasel Min Hae, opened fire.
“It looks like the first triangle is firing,” Lox said, it was hard to track lasers that were travelling through vacuum.
Their results were easier to track.
By the silent clans, Kalvin thought, seeing Star-Destroyers gutted with a single shot.
The wormholes closed and Kalvin looked at the newly organized numbers, there weren’t thirty-seven Henry-classed Destroyers, there were over six hundred.
Triangles opened up in series, and that was where Kalvin learned the beauty of not only rudimentary tactics, but tactics that made him actually step back in horror.
It was a systematic destruction.
The laser cannons fired on angles, two pyramids were firing at all times, allowing the other gun’s time to cool down before it came back to them. Every Cannon would fire on preselected targets, even with the odd miss here and there, every four minutes, five hundred or so shots landed.
The supply ships seemed to forget Kalvin’s much larger twelve-thousand-strong fleet and turned to the Free Fleet pyramids.
Kalu fighter swarms struck out like lances headed right for the same pyramids.
The Free Fleet’s shields flared with hits, ships were getting wounded. Those taking the worst hits pulled back, the ships further back pushing up to cover their position as they affected repairs.
There was no dishonor in asking for help. Instead they looked to help one another.
The Independent Kalu aimed to help one another, but this was almost instinctual.
Streaks of missiles rose and headed for them, stopping the fighters in their tracks, PDS opened up. Through all of this the Free Fleet never budged from their pyramid formations, only altering their direction to get a better shot on the reduced supply fleet.
They never chased, never retreated, they were plows, opening the Kalu fleet to the darkness of space. Like one of the farmers opening the ground to plant seeds.
The supply fleet seemed to cross some invisible line and the destroyer’s laser cannons doubled and their railguns added to the onslaught.
Not one Kalu ship crossed the Free Fleet’s forward pyramids. A wake of debris, broken ships and Kalu laid in an expanding path towards Kalvin’s fleet and out towards the Free Fleet’s pyramid.
Only twenty-three of their ships had been destroyed, sixty-seven were affecting repairs, many, if not all had lost their shields. Yet they had won against their enemy.
There wasn’t a noise on the Star-Destroyer’s command deck.
“We have an incoming channel from Ship Commander Drux,” Lox said, sounding as shocked as everyone else on the command deck.
“Open it,” Kalvin said, trying to shake off the confused feelings he was having.
“War-leader Kalvin, thank you for your assistance. We will be departing from the area shortly,” Drux stopped, as if he was remembering something.
“Oh and Commander Min Hae reminded me to ask you about the Kalu Independents joining the
Union and that if you ever have any problem with any Kalu we would be happy to help remove them if they demonstrate a threat to the Union or the Free Merchant Fleet’s assets,” Drux finished.
Kalvin looked behind Drux, seeing Min Hae’s calculating and cold stare. There was no mercy in those eyes only cold logic. Kalvin had seen warmth in them when Min Hae was talking to other members of the Free Fleet, but never for any potential threat. Kalvin hid his fear, making a silent promise to never become an enemy of Min Hae, or to kill him before then.
“Thank you Ship Commander, we will make sure that no other supply ships appear. I believe the other leaders will be contacting the Free Fleet shortly about talking with the rest of the Union and applying to be a member.” Kalvin saw Min Hae’s head nod in agreement, some of the fear falling off of Kalvin’s shoulders.
“Very well War-leader. I hope you have a good day, Ship Commander Drux out.” The channel cut to show the main screen of Free Fleet ship pyramids collapsing, moving to their wounded, those that didn’t have wounded ships were wormholing out of the system.
“Did you notice how they said they would fight any Kalu that threatened them, not just the traditionalists?” Haru asked, he was an old Kalu that had seen many battles, it was always wise to listen to Haru.
“I suggest we share the story of Wugarn and the Free Fleet’s true abilities far and wide for the education of all Kalu that think to betray our first true allies.” Haru was looking to Kalvin, but his words were for everyone on the command deck and the ships in the fleet.
“I believe that would be a wise suggestion Haru. Would you be able to get me a channel to the council? I will take it in my den,” Kalvin turned, leaving that main screen behind.
“Yes War-leader,” Haru said to his back.
***
The crews of the Destroyer yards were in an odd mood.
They had destroyed the Kalu resupply fleet, but not all of those that they had trained with for months had survived.
There were no cheers and pride felt like an empty emotion.
“Alright, that’s enough watching the tube. I am effecting a day off, a full twenty-four hours, then we’re going right back at it. This war isn’t going to be won overnight, but five hundred Henry-classed Destroyers just doubled our Fleet strength and they’re going to help our people out immensely on the front lines,” Silly said, looking around to everyone.
“That said, we all need rest, we’ve pushed hard for weeks to build up some real strength with the Henry-classed Destroyers. We should all be proud about the laser-cannon factory we got into commission, our personal achievements and professional achievements of turning these Kalu excuses for ships into something that will make them piss themselves in fear.” Laughs and chuckles ran through the crowd.
“Alright, now git! If I see you so much as staring at your tools lovingly, I’ll start following my Uncles practice of boot throwing!” He said, his manipulators moving in tired amusement. The engineers laughed and joked, moving in groups as they left the command area of the shipyard.
“How about a beer?” Felix asked, looking as tired as Silly felt.
“That, that would be marvelous,” Silly said, his entire body felt like it had been put through a metal press from the sheer volume of work over the last few weeks. They’d finished the Henry Destroyers, given them two cannons and a slew of weapons which they put on themselves. Then they moved to the next hull and the next.
It was tiring and mind-numbing work doing the same thing day-in and day-out. Yet it had shown results.
“I thought so too,” Felix said, the two of them walking towards the impromptu mess which was the meeting point for the majority of the engineers, the Commando’s commander had opened a tab up for them. She’d seen how hard they’d pushed themselves and she knew how the people on the front lines were going to see the Destroyers for the godsend they were.
Felix and Silly got into their own flavors of beer and sunk into their seats. Two aliens from wildly different cultures thrown together by the Syndicate, the Free Fleet, and their love of building things. It’s odd where you find your best friends.
Chapter Parnmal, again
“I swear we spend more time fighting in this system than we spend passing through it,” I sighed as I looked over the screens. We had exited a wormhole into Parnmal a few hours ago.
The Kalu had done the same a day and a bit ago. Well Falhu’s splinter group, Orshpa’s group was still about five hours behind us. Resupplying had taken its time.
Though unlike the Kalu we had up to minute by minute information from Parnmal. Which allowed us, combined with the AI computing power of our fleet, to jump a hell of a lot closer to Parnmal, meaning we were just seven hours away from coming into range with Falhu’s splinter forces. Instead of twenty-six hours.
“There might be something to that. I think we’ve only passed through the system four times and fought in it three times?” Rick said, looking thoughtful before shrugging. “I’d have to look through the logs for how many times we’ve passed through,” he said.
I knew he didn’t have to look up the number of times we’d fought in the system. We’d both had our share of grief not only for losing those we knew, but those that had followed us and our orders in those battles.
I looked over my side, seeing Krom’s ungloved hand playing with my boy, keeping him from crying his almighty head off. The kiddo seemed to have a good taste in people and had turned Krom into the perfect babysitter. Deadly, six and a half foot tall, preferred powered armor to a battle suit and a big ole softie on the inside.
My criteria on an ideal babysitter baby sitter might be a bit different compared to others, I thought getting a small chuckle from myself as I looked back to the main screen. Every time I saw Parnmal I was struck by the onward march of progress and our ability to overcome our limitations when we make something pretty fucking awesome. Like having a trading hub, usually with the population of New Jersey. Even with everything going on, the sight of Parnmal wasn’t just reassuring because of the firepower, shields, and armor it sported. No it gave me hope for the people that flooded its marketplaces and called it home.
People can be pretty damned awesome when they work together. Wow I am a sappy bastard sometimes; I guess being a new parent had something to do with the tidbits of wisdom that seemed to be fleeing my brain like people running from a burning building.
Might be the wake-ups I’ve been having for the last couple of days, I wondered, a man couldn’t win.
I got comfortable in my chair a report coming in from Min Hae. I opened it, sitting up in my chair as the report completed.
“Damn, I didn’t think they could do it,” I muttered to myself.
“Do what?” Rick asked, hearing my voice.
“The Destroyer yard finished off those Henry-classed Destroyers. They engaged the supply fleet, which is now drifting components, and five hundred of the six hundred and thirteen ships are coming to reinforce our people across Union space,” I said, sending the report to Qurv.
“Hey Qurv, I think that a few people might be interested in this little video,” I said.
“I think so,” he said, scanning it over before throwing it on the main screen, we watched the sped-up battle play out.
“I am so happy those bastards never understood shields,” Krat said.
“Amen,” Marleen agreed.
Death and Destruction was the currency of the Free Fleet and here we had done ourselves proud. The Henry classed Destroyers weren’t the pretty purpose built machines of war that the rest of the Fleet had been transformed into. They made me think of the days when we had been spending as much time keeping the damned ship from trying to commit suicide as we spent trying to fix the extra damage we’d piled onto them. We’d come a long way, we had used the useless and broken with effectiveness that made me damned proud of my people.
I saw the makeshift ships for the weapons they were, sure they weren’t perfect, but they were a chance.
“R
ick remind me where those ships are going?’ I asked, I knew but others hearing might bolster their efforts and reassure them.
“A hundred will be joining us, the rest of the five hundred will be split between Cheerleader and Boot’s fleet to assist in the tracking down of Falhu’s forces,” he said, his voice loud enough to carry across the bridge.
“So they should be meeting up in Drvntrni in, five days?” I looked to him.
“About that,” he nodded in agreement, referencing his star map briefly.
I looked around the bridge, people weren’t on edge and were talking in more conversational than tense tones.
I glanced to my fleet, we were formed up like the pyramids that had smashed the Kalu supply freighters, though our leading craft was War Station and Super-Carriers with Dreadnoughts flowing behind him.
I leaned to my left side, resting my chin on my fist, my right hands fingers tapping on my other armrest like a wave, leaving the bridge behind and studying my enemy. I had done this for hours as a gamer and spent many sleepless nights studying my enemies over the years. My strength wasn’t in being a stubborn ass, it was exploiting every and any weakness I saw.
“Ben, could you get me a plot showing Orshpa’s predicted entry point and a straight line from that to the Falhu splinter group?” I asked, my eyes moving across the main screens information in thought.
“Yes sir,” Ben said, a change in the plan forming in my head.
***
Wallace Jones looked out of Parnmal’s view screens, he was one of the hundred and fifty ambassadors from Earth that were on the massive station. They were supposed to be making agreements to benefit Earth. Yet after the mess that had occurred between the Free Fleet and Earth, they had been promptly told to fuck off by nearly every other star-system and most of the traders disregarded any interest in trading with them.
He was part of the American embassy, which had meant fuck off was one of the more polite terms the residents of Parnmal used.
From Furies Forged (Free Fleet Book 5) Page 27