The Price of Liberty (Empire Rising Book 4)

by D. J. Holmes

  It felt like a tsunami had hit. The g-forces from the explosive force slammed James’ head back into his command chair and threatened to make him black out. Within seconds, the bridge was filled with a wave of noise as alarms went off from almost every section of the ship.

  “Damage report,” James requested over the COM channel to the auxiliary bridge. “Mallory, what’s going on? Where did that missile hit us?” James demanded when Mallory didn’t reply.

  “The missile hit us amidships,” Becket reported. “It penetrated four reinforced bulkheads before exploding. I’m afraid it reached the auxiliary bridge. I’m not getting any readings from that section of the ship. From the size of the explosion I fear the auxiliary bridge is gone.”

  Becket’s last words echoed in James’ ears. Gone? James thought, not Mallory?

  For a moment the situation almost overwhelmed him. Then, as the alarms from Endeavour’s bridge penetrated his mind, he pulled himself back to reality. “Send damage control teams to that section of the ship,” James ordered. “Sub Lieutenant King, take over damage control from your station. We still have a battle to win.”

  “Aye Captain,” King responded with a deadly serious look on her face.

  “Shut those alarms off,” James ordered. “I can hardly hear myself think.”

  James focused on the holo plot. Discovery had taken care of the Indian medium cruiser and was now hammering the two frigates nearest her. James’ last salvo had taken out one of the Indian destroyers. The final Indian destroyer and the frigate keeping station to it were the only ships between him and the nine troop transports. A flashing graphic on the holo display told him that his flotilla was just fifty seconds away from entering plasma cannon range.

  Sensing the danger, James quickly opened a COM message to the four ships that were left of his flotilla. “We’re going to fire all our plasma cannons at that destroyer in thirty seconds,” he ordered. “We’ll just be outside maximum effective range, but if we all fire hopefully some of our bolts will penetrate the destroyer’s armor. If we wait until they can fire on us, there is likely to be nothing left of us to engage the troop transports,” he concluded.

  James didn’t wait for the Captains to respond, each of their ships had taken proximity hits and even one or two plasma bolts would put an end to their commands. Instead he looked over to Becket. “What’s the status of our plasma cannons?”

  “Two are still operational,” Becket answered. “As far as I can tell the third is not damaged but we’ve lost power to it.”

  Not bothering to reply, James took control of the two operational plasma cannons and fed them new targeting data. When the time came, he pressed the button and shouted, “fire,” over the COM channel to the other ships in his command. From Endeavour, the destroyer and the three frigates still operational, eleven plasma bolts shot towards the Indian destroyer. On the visual feed, it looked like most of them struck their target. Initially nothing happened and when James zoomed in a number of deep scorch marks were clearly visible on the destroyer’s hull, though none of them penetrated its armor. Panning out, James spotted two holes that went deeper into the destroyer. As he watched, a fireball erupted from one and the entire destroyer disappeared in a massive explosion.

  Zooming out, James focused on the remaining Indian frigate. It was likely to have at least one functioning plasma cannon. It would only take one shot to destroy what was left of his command. Gritting his teeth, James waited for the inevitable as his ships entered effective plasma cannon range.

  James stared at the visual display not comprehending what was going on. Instead of firing, the Indian frigate was turning away from his flotilla. She was presenting her vulnerable stern to his command. Seconds later all nine of the Indian troop transports did the same.

  “They’re surrendering,” Sub Lieutenant Malik cried out. “They struck their colors. That Indian frigate is squawking like a magpie over the COM channel demanding we don’t fire.”

  “Tell them we accept their surrender,” James said after shaking himself. “Order all the Indian ships to power down and stay away from Haven. Let them know we will be sending over marine boarding parties momentarily.”

  “Look,” Malik shouted as he stood and pointed at the main holo display. “One of the Indian battlecruisers has struck its colors as well. The other warships around her are doing the same. It looks like the rest of the Indian fleet is pulling back. They are running for it.”

  Malik’s analysis was correct. The Indian fleet was a shambles. Many of the forward elements were surrendering. Others were adrift in space, clearly damaged. Those still under power were in disarray as they fled. The battle was over, the Indians had lost. Glancing at a clock on his command chair he saw the time was 11:05pm. The Indians had arrived in system just six hours ago. James let out a deep breath, his body felt like it had been more than a week.

  He flung himself into coordinating with the other Captains under his command as they prepared to take charge of the surrendered Indian ships in front on him.

  When he was finally happy things were under control, he gave the order he had been dreading. “Send me our casualty report,” he asked as he prepared himself for what he knew would be a very difficult read

  *

  11:02 am. ISF Shiva

  “Some of Khan’s ships are pulling back Admiral,” one of Kumar’s aides informed her.

  “What?” she almost screamed. Since Lakshmi had been knocked out of the fight and Admiral Kapoor had been killed the Indian fleet had been coming apart at the seams. She had just managed to get her forward elements under control and working together again. The British had hammered her ships with two focused volleys of missiles. She needed Khan’s ships to get closer to her and provide support. “Show me,” she demanded as fury seeped into her bones.

  As the movements of Khan’s warships were projected onto the main holo display of Shiva’s auxiliary bridge Kumar let out a string of expletives. “That bastard is abandoning us,” she finished.

  Before she could give any orders, another volley of British missiles exploded. Two proximity hits struck Shiva, throwing Kumar about in her command chair. As the sensors cleared to show that she had lost another two warships, Kumar let out another expletive. I’m not dying for you pigs, Kumar thought as she stared at Khan’s flagship. He would make sure she got the blame for this defeat. Kapoor would go down as an Indian hero, killed in the line of duty. All the culpability would be placed on her.

  “Send a message to the British fleet,” Kumar said as she ground her teeth together in anger. “Tell them,” she began to say. “Tell them we surrender,” she forced herself to finish despite the bitter taste those words left in her mouth.

  “Admiral?” one of her subordinates asked, looking at Kumar with horror in her eyes.

  “Can’t you read the tactical display?” Kumar shouted at the junior officer. “We’ve been betrayed, the British are going to destroy us if we don’t surrender now. Do it, do what I order.”

  As her subordinate turned and frantically obeyed her Admiral’s last order, Kumar slumped into her command chair. Her career was finished. She knew she could never return to Indian space. If Prime Minister Devgan managed to hold onto power after the fiasco Haven had turned into, he would probably have her executed. If he failed to stay in power, whoever succeeded him would throw her into prison to be forgotten about.

  Kumar struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. Thousands of good men and women had died under her command today and their deaths would now count for nothing. Just as bad, her anger towards the British had not found a release. Yet they were now her only hope. She would have to throw herself on their mercy and seek asylum in exchange for whatever military secrets she could offer them.

  “Admiral?” the same subordinate said to get Kumar’s attention. “What should we do now?”

  “Now?” Kumar said. “That’s no longer up to me. Do whatever the British tell you,” she said quietly. No longer ab
le to handle the looks her bridge officers were giving her, she stood and stormed out of Shiva’s auxiliary bridge. Her career was over.

  *

  11:02 am. HMS Churchill

  “The lead Indian battlecruiser is signaling us on an open COM channel,” one of Cunningham’s officers said. “They're offering to surrender.”

  “What about the warships around it?” Cunningham asked.

  “They’re doing the same, all of them are surrendering,” the subordinate answered.

  “Quickly,” Cunningham ordered. “Send an order to our last broadside of missiles. Redirect them towards the rear half of the Indian fleet. It looks like they’re abandoning their comrades.”

  “We have another salvo ready to fire in a couple of minutes Admiral,” another bridge officer reported. “Shall we target it at the fleeing Indian warships as well?”

  “Yes,” Cunningham ordered. “If they haven’t surrendered they’re not having any mercy from me.”

  For a moment Cunningham entertained the idea of pursuing the Indian fleet. A cursory glance at his own fleet dissuaded him. Churchill had suffered a direct hit and a further four proximity detonations. His other battlecruiser, Justice was in worse condition. In total, of his remaining three heavy, four medium and seven light cruisers, only two light cruisers hadn’t suffered any damage. There was no way his fleet could continue the battle.

  “Once we fire our final salvo,” Cunningham said, “see to the rest of our fleet. Let’s make sure we don’t lose any more ships to secondary explosions or malfunctions. Launch every shuttle we have. There are survivors out there, let’s get our people home. Send a message to the Indian ships that have surrendered. Tell them we will send boarding parties once we’ve rescued our people. Let them know they can launch shuttles to rescue as many of their own as they can.”

  With a couple of touches to his command chair, Cunningham altered his personal holo display to show Captain Somerville’s flotilla. Somerville hadn’t disappointed him. What was left of the Indian troop transport squadron had surrendered to him. It looked like Somerville had lost almost half the ships assigned to him, yet Cunningham was sure the young Captain had done what he thought best.

  Overjoyed at the fact the battle was over and that more than half of his fleet was still intact Cunningham stood and turned to walk out of the auxiliary bridge. “Where are you going Admiral?” one of his flag officers asked.

  “I’m going to speak with the Prime Minister,” Cunningham said, turning to address his questioner. “He will want to hear from me straightaway.” As he went to head out of the bridge, Cunningham pulled himself up short. With everything that had been going on he had lost himself in his own thoughts. It took a couple of seconds for the real reason behind his subordinate’s question to register. The battle was over and he hadn’t addressed his fleet.

  “Open a COM channel to the fleet,” he said.

  “It’s over,” he began as he addressed his fleet. “Nearly half of the remaining Indian warships have struck their colors. We have battered them into submission. I want you all to know you have done me proud. You have more than lived up to my expectations. What’s more, I’m sure Captain Foley and everyone who lost their life in the New Delhi system would be proud of your actions today. We have beaten the Indians and secured Haven’s freedom. The price has been high but victory is never cheap. See to your ships and your wounded but remember this day. I know I will never forget it. You all have my thanks. Admiral Cunningham out.”

  “If you have any questions send them to my Flag Captain,” Cunningham said to his bridge officers. “You’ll be in good hands.” With that he turned and left to tell his Prime Minister of their victory.

  Epilogue

  The Fourth Battle of Haven: A British fleet of two battlecruisers, four heavy, nine medium and twelve light cruisers engaged an Indian fleet of three battlecruisers, six heavy, thirteen medium and sixteen light cruisers. The British fleet drove away the attacking Indians. They lost one heavy, five medium and five light cruisers. The Indian fleet lost two heavy, four medium and five light. A further two battlecruisers, four medium and three light cruisers, were captured. In the end, it was a resounding victory for the British and spelled the end of the Indian government’s ambition to dominate their area of explored space.

  -Excerpt from Empire Rising 3002 AD

  22nd January 2468 AD, Haven.

  James squeezed Suzanna’s hand as Clare stepped up beside Major Johnston. Suzanna squeezed back. Though Haven, the British marines and the navy were still mourning the losses they had suffered in the last several months of fighting, everyone had been looking forward to this day. It was a sign of the new beginning everyone hoped was in store for Haven.

  Though their surroundings were very different, James’ mind couldn’t help returning to his own wedding. It seemed impossible to believe it had only been ten months ago. He and Suzanna were in a large open section of the gardens surrounding the Havenite Council Chambers. Over five hundred guests sat in two makeshift aisles. Everyone was looking towards the gazebo where Major Johnston stood in his finest military uniform. Clare was wearing a beautiful white wedding dress. The seamstress who made the dress by hand had lost her shop as the British marines fought to drive the Indians out of Liberty. Nevertheless, when she heard about Johnston and Clare’s intention to marry, she had insisted on working non-stop to produce a new dress for the occasion.

  As the Minister said a few words, James’ mind drifted to the beautiful gardens around them. The Council Chamber gardeners had almost finished putting the gardens back to the way they had been before the war. They have certainly done a good job. Fixing the rest of the city wouldn’t be so easy though, he thought as his eyes drifted beyond the gardens to the hundreds of buildings in view behind them. Some buildings had survived the months of guerrilla warfare and the final cataclysmic battle between the Indian soldiers and the British marines. Yet they were few and far between. The vast majority of buildings in Liberty, at least those that weren’t rubble, carried scars from plasma bolts and missile detonations. Estimates suggested it would take at least five years to rebuild the city. Even then, sections would likely remain abandoned until Haven’s economy picked up enough to attract new investment in the city.

  Movement in front of him drew James’ attention back to the wedding. Johnston and Clare were exchanging their vows. As James looked at the wedding party he couldn’t help thinking of his own wedding again. Lieutenants Mallory and Julius had both been a part of his and Suzanna’s wedding. Yet now both of them were gone. Endeavour had lost fifty-two crew members in the battle with the Indian fleet. Every one of them were faces James had come to know well. Yet, he knew he would mourn Mallory and Julius far more than the others, Mallory especially. More than once in the last month he had found himself opening a COM channel and beginning to ask Mallory for an update on his ship’s repairs.

  Acting First Lieutenant Becket stepped up beside Johnston to hand him his ring, James was grateful she had survived the battle. He didn’t know what he would have done without her help over the last month. The wedding would have had a very different atmosphere without her. She and Johnston were very close. If she had been unable to be here today it would have cast a shadow over Johnston’s mood.

  With a smile and a wink, Johnston took the ring from Becket and turned to place it on Clare’s finger. She in turn took her ring from Councilwoman Pennington before placing it on Johnston’s finger. The vows and rings exchanged, the Minister pronounced Johnston and Clare husband and wife. As they kissed, cheers erupted from the crowd.

  Though James’ and Suzanna’s wedding was the first union between a British and Haven citizen, Clare and Johnston’s wedding was just as significant. Almost all the Havenites who were present knew Johnston. They had seen him fight alongside them for months on end. In many ways they looked on him as one of their own. That he was marrying another hero of the resistance only enhanced the importance of this day. In one-stroke, the wedding wa
s a symbol of the new relationship that was budding between the British Star Kingdom and Haven, and a sign of new beginnings. Out of the destruction and ashes of the Indian occupation, Haven was rebuilding and looking to the future.

  Looking at his wife, James suspected she was filled with the same thoughts as tears ran down her cheeks. As James squeezed her hand again she looked at him. “We did it,” she said. “All the sacrifices have been worth it, just so we could see this day.”

  “Yes,” James said as his mind went to Mallory, Julius and his other lost crew members. “Now it’s our job to make sure our two nations make the most of the opportunity they have given us.”

  “It is,” Suzanna said with a determined look. It was a look James had come to know well.

  Neither Fairfax nor Admiral Cunningham were present at the wedding. Fairfax had returned to Earth just two days after the battle. He had wanted to bring the result of the Havenite referendum before Parliament to be ratified. Cunningham had left two weeks later when a reinforcement squadron under Rear Admiral Hayes had arrived. Taking his flagship, many of the less seriously damaged British warships and the captured Indian ships, Cunningham had left Hayes in charge of Haven’s defenses. Cunningham had also left orders for the rest of the British ships needing time in a repair yard to follow as soon as they were able.