by Ryk Brown
“Combat jump two, ready,” Mister Jakoby announced.
“Three away…”
“Impacts!” Ensign Kono reported with excitement.
“Four away…”
“We caught them by surprise, sir,” Ensign Kono exclaimed.
“Execute jump two,” Cameron ordered, paying little attention to her sensor operator’s exclamation.
“Jumping in three……”
“All of them! Direct hits!” Ensign Kono continued.
“Two……”
“Target is breaking up!”
“One……”
“Well done, Ensign,” Cameron congratulated.
“Jumping.”
Nathan watched the main view screen as his first target broke into several large pieces. Explosions from deep within broke those pieces up even further, sending debris out in all directions along the frigate’s original path of travel. Nathan felt a rush of adrenaline as the Aurora made its first kill of the day.
“Frigate one is destroyed,” Mister Navashee announced.
“Jump two in five seconds,” Mister Riley followed without missing a beat.
“Very well,” Nathan said calmly. The first kill had gone according to plan. He imagined the Celestia on the other side of the Alpha Centauri B system, executing the same maneuver and tearing apart their target with similar ease. The jump drive had always given them a significant advantage over the Jung, but now, with the addition of their new weapons, their advantage was even greater. Frigates and gunboats were no match for the Aurora or the Celestia. Neither were cruisers if they were caught by surprise, as they fully intended to do this day.
The jump flash washed over the Aurora’s bridge, dissipating as quickly as it had come.
“Jump two complete,” Mister Riley reported.
“Contact, cruiser one, seven kilometers to starboard and one point five down.” Mister Navashee’s voice was calm and professional. “Transferring track to tactical.”
“Firing solution in three seconds,” Lieutenant Eckert reported, “locking all forward torpedo tubes and plasma cannons on the contact.”
“Second contact, cruiser two, one hundred and fifty-eight kilometers ahead, it’s on the same orbit as cruiser one,” Mister Navashee added.
“I have a firing solution,” Lieutenant Eckert reported, “firing all forward tubes.”
Red-orange flashes of light illuminated the Aurora’s bridge as twelve plasma torpedoes, in four groups of three, streaked over their heads on the main view screen.
“Firing all plasma cannons,” the lieutenant added.
Nathan glanced slightly to his left as larger balls of red-orange plasma left what were once the forward openings of the Aurora’s port-side fighter launch tubes. “Execute jump three,” Nathan ordered. It was a waste of breath, as his crew knew the battle plan inside and out, having rehearsed it repeatedly over the last twelve hours.
“Jump three, in three……”
“Arming aft tubes for triples,” Lieutenant Eckert announced.
“Two……”
“Pitching up,” Mister Chiles added.
“One……”
“Torpedo impacts,” Mister Navashee reported.
“Jumping.”
“Locking aft torpedoes on target,” the lieutenant said as the jump flash dissipated.
“Jump three complete,” Mister Riley added.
“Maintain visual on the aft track.” Nathan watched the main view screen as the image suddenly shifted to the feeds from their rear cameras and instantly zoomed in on the first Jung cruiser that now lay behind them as the shots from their forward plasma cannons broke the ship apart.
“Cruiser one destroyed,” Mister Navashee announced.
“Stand down aft torpedoes,” Nathan ordered, “execute jump four as soon as possible, Mister Riley.”
“Jump four, aye. Three seconds.”
“We’re off to a good start, people,” Nathan said. “Let’s keep it up.”
“Turn complete,” Ensign Hunt reported from the Celestia’s helm.
“Jump three, Mister Jakoby,” Cameron ordered. “Helm, start your yaw maneuver and bring our nose down slightly.”
“Aye, sir, yawing to port and pitching down,” Ensign Hunt acknowledged.
“All forward tubes ready to fire,” Ensign Delaveaga added.
“Jumping,” Mister Jakoby reported as the Celestia’s jump field emitters sent the blue-white light of the jump across their hull. “Jump three, complete.”
“Frigate three,” Ensign Kono reported from the sensor station. “Three kilometers out, five hundred meters to port, coming up fast.”
“Primary yaw maneuver complete,” Ensign Hunt reported. “Our nose is on the target, continuing yaw to track the target as we pass.”
“Fire at will,” Cameron ordered.
“Firing triplets,” Luis answered as he pressed the preprogrammed firing button for torpedo tube one. “One away.”
A group of three red-orange plasma charges streaked overhead along the left side of the Celestia’s main view screen as they raced toward the Jung frigate which was now growing larger on the left side of the view screen. They were quickly followed by three more groups of charges, each announced by the Celestia’s tactical officer as they left their tubes. The Celestia continued yawing to port as she slid by the enemy frigates starboard side, continuing their plasma torpedo barrage as they passed.
Cameron watched with fascination as the bright yellow flashes reported the impacts of their torpedoes against the target’s hull. The Jung ship had also been caught by surprise, just like her sister-ship before her, and each plasma torpedo ripped through the target’s hull with ease, igniting secondary explosions from within. By the time their second round of torpedoes had left their tubes, the Jung ship was already coming apart.
“Frigate three, destroyed,” Ensign Kono announced.
“Cease fire,” Cameron ordered. “Helm, bring our nose back onto her course. Prepare for jump four.” Cameron almost felt pity for the crews of the two frigates they had just annihilated, for they had stood little chance.
Nathan watched as his crew went about the task of destroying the next enemy target. Each station called out their actions as they were performed, not so much for their captain but rather for one another. Occasional glances at the battle clock on the helm and the tactical display just above it on the bottom of the main view screen told Nathan that everything was going according to plan. He had no idea how the Celestia was doing, as her engagement areas thus far were too distant for them to pick up on their sensors during the brief intervals between jumps. He would know soon enough, however, as their respective courses were about to cross.
“Jump six complete,” Mister Riley reported calmly as the Aurora’s jump flash subsided.
“Cruiser two’s shields are experiencing a cascade failure,” Mister Navashee reported, slight satisfaction in his tone.
“Very well,” Nathan answered.
“Pretty sure we took out their main power on that last volley,” Lieutenant Eckert commented as he queued up the Aurora’s stern torpedo tubes to fire. “Firing triplets from the stern tubes. Five, away. Six, away.”
Without Nathan even having to ask, the lieutenant switched the main view screen to the aft cameras once more, increasing their magnification to maximum just in time to see their torpedoes strike the unshielded cruiser’s hull. Bright yellow flashes marked the impacts, followed by internal secondary explosions. The massive cruiser began to break apart, splitting into two massive pieces. The pieces each spun in varying directions as a result of their own internal explosions, forcing gases, debris, and bodies out into space. Two seconds later, the slowly spinning aft section exploded, sending more debris slamming into the forward section of the Jung cruiser.
“Scratch cruiser two,” Lieutenant Eckert said with pride.
“Starting our turn to port,” Mister Chiles announced as he pressed a button on his helm console to execute the prepro
grammed turn that would put the Aurora on course for her next jump.
“Shall we launch Falcon One?” Lieutenant Eckert inquired.
It was the first actual decision Nathan had been required to make since he had given the order to start the attack when they were still at the rally point a mere ten minutes ago. “Affirmative,” he answered. “You may start phase two, Lieutenant.”
“Phase two, aye,” Lieutenant Eckert answered. “Green deck. Launching Falcon One.”
Josh glanced out the left side of Falcon One’s canopy as the outer layers of the Aurora’s hull slid past them from top to bottom.
“Ten seconds to launch position,” the flight controller reported over his helmet comms.
Josh scanned his flight instruments one last time to ensure they were ready for takeoff.
“Jump to rally point, plotted and locked,” Loki announced from the backseat of the interceptor. “Time to jump, twenty seconds.”
Josh looked up as the massive outer doors over them retracted into the sides of the vertical elevator shaft, revealing the star-filled blackness outside the Aurora. A few seconds later, the elevator slowed noticeably, then shuddered to a stop level with the Aurora’s topside. He turned his head as far left as possible, then turned it quickly to the right, scanning the area both around and above them before takeoff.
“Falcon One, Control. You are cleared for takeoff.”
“Falcon One, lifting off,” Loki announced over the comms.
“Here we go,” Josh mumbled as he fired their ascent thrusters for a brief moment. “Off on another incredibly exciting mission,” he added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The Falcon ascended with ease as the elevator pad’s artificial gravity faded away, releasing its hold on their spacecraft. Josh added forward thrust, abruptly as usual, sending them rocketing forward.
“Five seconds to jump,” Loki reported as the Aurora fell away and slid behind them.
“Still feels weird to be calling ourselves Falcon One instead of just Falcon.”
“We’re not the only Falcon any more, remember?” Loki answered.
“Yeah, I know. Still feels weird, though.” Josh checked his instruments, making a final adjustment to their course and speed. “On the marks, ready for jump.”
“Three……two……one……jump.”
Loki’s faceplate went opaque for a split second to protect his eyes from the jump flash. When it cleared, his sensors showed all fourteen Falcons waiting patiently at the rally point just beyond the outer edges of the Alpha Centauri B system. “Falcon One to all Falcons,” Loki called over the comms. “Phase two is go. Good hunting.”
“Alpha Leader copies,” the first voice answered.
“Bravo Leader copies,” the second one followed.
Josh watched as fourteen flashes appeared in rapid succession, less than two hundred meters off their starboard side. “Okay, I admit it. That was pretty damn cool!”
“All torpedoes away!” Luis reported from the Celestia’s tactical station. “Firing plasma cannons one and three!”
“Jump five, Mister Jakoby,” Cameron ordered.
“Jump five, aye… In three seconds,” her navigator answered.
“Torpedo impacts!” Ensign Kono announced. “Target’s outboard main propulsion is offline. She’s venting fuel from her starboard side!”
“Jumping,” Mister Jakoby announced as the blue-white jump flash began to build on the main view screen.
“Helm, flip us around,” Cameron ordered as the jump flash washed over the Celestia’s bridge. She knew it was more of a reminder than an order, as her helmsman already knew what maneuver came next. However, she just couldn’t help herself. Perhaps, given time, she would develop the ability to sit back and monitor her crew’s actions, and allow them to do their jobs, but for now, reminding them what came next made her feel like she was in control. She hoped they would understand.
“Pitching our nose up and over,” Ensign Hunt replied.
“Jump five complete,” Mister Jakoby reported.
“Target is raising shields!” Ensign Kono reported. “They’ll have full power in thirty seconds!”
“I’ll have our nose over in twenty,” Ensign Hunt assured his captain.
“Be ready with those firing solutions,” Cameron urged her tactical officer.
“Plotting them now, sir,” Luis answered as he quickly tapped commands into his console. “All forward tubes and cannons will be ready to fire in five seconds!”
Cameron watched as the Jung cruiser passed over her head from behind, sliding down the center of the main view screen, finally coming to a stop, upside down, in the center of the screen.
“All forward weapons locked on target!” Luis reported.
“Fire at will!”
“Firing all forward tubes! Firing cannons!”
“Target is firing!” Ensign Kono announced. “Forward rail guns and both forward missile batteries! Twelve missiles inbound! Ten seconds to missile impacts!”
“Jump six, Mister Jakoby! Get us out of here!” It was the first time Cameron’s voice had shown the slightest hint of excitement since the attack had begun.
“Jump six, in three……” Her navigator responded.
“Torpedo impacts!” Ensign Kono added.
“Two……”
Cameron glanced at the main view screen as bright yellow flashes appeared, obscuring their view of the shrinking image of the enemy cruiser as the distance between the Celestia and her prey rapidly increased.
“Contact!” Ensign Kono reported with excitement. “Jump flash! It’s the Aurora, sir!”
“One……”
“Target’s shields are down fifty percent!” the ensign added.
“Jumping!” Mister Jakoby announced.
“She’s the Aurora’s problem now,” Cameron mumbled as their jump flash washed over them.
Seven jump flashes appeared against the black, starry backdrop of space, revealing seven Falcons speeding toward the Jung battleship less than one hundred kilometers directly ahead of them.
“Get that jump plotted,” the pilot urged his weapons officer. “They’ll know we’re here in twenty seconds.”
“I’ve got it!” his weapons officer answered from the rear of the Falcon’s cockpit, “sending now!”
“Alpha Flight, Alpha Leader,” the pilot called over his helmet comms. “Transmitting jump fix. Execute in five.”
“Weapons free,” the weapons officer announced. “Attack jump in three……two……one……jumping.”
The pilot instinctively closed his eyes momentarily, despite the fact that the brief opacity of his helmet’s faceplate provided all the protection his eyes needed from his ship’s jump flash. He opened his eyes as his visor cleared, and the massive Jung battleship, that only moments ago was nearly one hundred kilometers distant, appeared before him, frighteningly close by.
“Jump complete! Scanning for emitters!”
“Translating down!” The pilot announced as he fired the translation thrusters along the topside of his ship. The Falcon immediately responded, sliding to the hull of the battleship as it passed quickly beneath them. Bright flashes of blue-white appeared all along the surface of the enemy ship in the distance ahead of them. “They’re firing!” the pilot announced. “Alpha Flight! Incoming rail gun fire! Evasive action! Launch weapons and get the hell out!”
“Emitter positions verified!” the weapons officer reported. “Locking all weapons on targets! Firing missiles! Firing nose turret!”
The doors covering the lead Falcon’s port and starboard weapons bays along her underside slid open. Four small missiles popped out from each bay, ignited, and sped off, arching downward toward their targets on the hull of the battleship below. A split second later the missiles found their targets, slamming into eight of the mighty battleship’s shield emitters.
The lead pilot pulled the nose of his ship slightly upward as his nose turret continued spraying the hull of the battleship with deadly charges
of plasma energy, angling for the invisible gap between the enemy battleship’s shield layers in preparation to jump to safety. “I’m on the jump line!” he reported.
“Three seconds to jump!” his weapons officer answered.
“We’re taking fire!” one of the pilots cried out over comms. His cries of anguish were cut short.
“Two……”
“Leader! Six! Five is down! Five is…”
“One……”
“Six is down! Both Five and Six are down!” another pilot reported.
“Everyone! Jump, jump, jump!” the lead pilot ordered as the blue-white light poured out from his own emitters, engulfing his ship in a jump field. His visor turned opaque for a second, and when it cleared a moment later, the massive enemy ship was no longer beneath him, and only the black void of space lay outside his canopy. “Alpha Flight! Alpha Leader! Check-in!”
“Alpha Two!”
“Alpha Three!”
“Alpha Four!”
There was a brief pause.
“Alpha Seven,” the last pilot reported with a sigh. “Five and Six went down hard, sir.”
“Damn it!” the lead pilot exclaimed. “On our first pass!”
“Contact, three kilometers off our starboard side, two kilometers ahead and closing fast,” Mister Navashee reported from the Aurora’s sensor station.
Nathan watched the main view screen as Mister Chiles maintained their starboard yaw in order to keep their forward torpedo tubes pointed at the enemy cruiser as they flew past its port side.
“Cruiser three, Captain. Her shields are down to half strength,” Mister Navashee added.
“All forward weapons are locked on target,” Lieutenant Eckert announced. “Firing triplets on all tubes! Firing doubles on all cannons!”
Again the Aurora’s bridge illuminated with numerous flashes of red-orange light as twelve plasma torpedoes, followed by eight larger, more powerful plasma cannon shots, quickly crossed the icy void between the two ships. As Nathan watched the destruction of the last Jung cruiser in the Alpha Centauri B system, he felt strangely disconnected from the entire sequence of events. There was no remorse for the thousands of Jung lives he had just taken. It was as if he were watching one of the many science fiction videos stored in the Aurora’s entertainment database.