...and they are us 3: HiveWorld
Page 6
The young woman turned to her uncle. “We’ll be staying, if Zed has room for us on his crew.”
He almost said no. Then he recalled the name of her ship, and the fact that a ship of the same name, with the same crew requirements was sitting snugged into the lower docking berth of the Belerophon at that very moment. “I can’t guarantee your safety, Caithlexa.” He said softly, remembering another blond haired young woman he’d accepted into his crew.
“Life is filled with uncertainties, Zed.” She returned just as softly. Her eyes were exceptionally blue at that particular moment. “You saved us… saved me from burning up in the atmosphere. We’re you’re crew if you’ll have us.”
His throat was suddenly very dry. “It just so happens that I have a scout saucer in a lower berthing bay that has your name on it, literally. Her name is the 7651J Rose of the Dawn. She was named after my last ship.”
Caithlexa’s face went white, then red, and then back to white. “Thank you Skipper.” She whispered, just before she fled the bridge to hide her tears.
Beside him Jafral smiled. “That’s three I owe you. You just gave my niece back her soul.”
Zed sagged. “I almost didn’t give her the job. I met a young woman back on Chamdar, and recruited her into my crew. She could have been Caithlexa’s twin. She was killed in a space battle with the Creednax… following my orders.”
Jafral gave him a sympathetic look. “And you still feel guilty, and it still bothers you.” His eyes widened. “You loved that young woman from Chamdar and you’re afraid you’ll fall in love with Caithlexa.” He laughed aloud. “She’s a big girl, Zed. She can take care of herself, and now she has you to look after her.”
Zed gave him a flat look. “Your shuttle is here, Fleet Commander.”
Jafral slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll see you around, you pirate.”
“I still have my booty to collect, don’t forget.” Zed shot back as the man entered the lift.
Zed was very aware of Caithlexa and Azriel sitting in the back of the bridge as they prepared to exit the system. Only Mike was aware of what was going on in Zed’s mind when it came to the tall blond young woman. “Ship status, LOLA.”
“The Belerophon is fully operational, Zed. Crew now at 58 percent. Magazines and energy reserve for weapons 100 percent.”
“I assume that you retrieved the location for Eacrorth from the Tildan computers?”
“Aye Skipper.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Maximum standard cruise, LOLA. Sensors at maximum, shields up.”
“Engaging drive.” The stars blurred.
“ETA at Eacrorth, LOLA?”
LOLA sniffed. “Based on these rather indifferent calculations I uploaded, 77 hours.”
“Good.” He turned in his seat to face Caithlexa and Azriel. “You’ve both been introduced to LOLA. We have a few days before we get to Eacrorth. You should get acquainted with your new ship, don’t you think? LOLA will be your pilot, at least the first few times.” He smiled as he saw the excitement light in their eyes. “LOLA will show you where the berthing bay is located.” The two stood and almost ran off the bridge.
LOLA said quietly in his mind.
It was Sindiix Tran all over again.
LOLA growled something unintelligible that sounded vaguely obscene.
Zed leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes.
Still chuckling at the irony, Zed opened his eyes and watched the young Tildan crew discover the joys and idiosyncrasies of the small scout saucer. Zed had spent enough time there to know every single one.
~~~
“Sensors are detecting signs of a battle, Zed. Compared to the assault on Tildan, there are significantly fewer discharges from defensive weapons. I’d say that the Eacrorths are getting their asses kicked… so to speak.”
“Here we go again folks.” Zed commented to the bridge in general. “Caithlexa, please keep your eyes open and tell me whatever you can about the Eacrorth forces you see.”
“Aye, Skipper.” Her soft reply was very close to his left ear, and it made him jump.
“LOLA, engage cloaking, and reduce our speed to standard cruise. Arm all weapon systems, and you might as well sound General Quarters.” Somewhere an alarm echoed.
“I was right, Skipper.” LOLA didn’t sound at all pleased with her correct judgment. “The Eacrorth fleet, what’s left of it, is on the point of destruction. Planetary bombardment has already begun.” Ugly mushroom plumes rose across the planetary surface of the once beautiful jewel colored world.
“What is the population of Eacrorth, Caithlexa?” Zed asked over his shoulder, never taking his eyes from the screen.
“Their population was slightly larger than ours.” The young woman’s voice was stricken. “I would guess at 600,000.” Another blinding flash lit the surface of the world, and an angry red cloud boiled skyward. Zed heard Caithlexa’s breath catch.
“What do we have for targets, LOLA?” The tactical display lit with the grim story. Most of the dots were red.
“We have four Creednax cruisers, four frigates and a host of assault ships Zed. The cruisers and frigates are deployed equidistantly about the planet, in preparation for the bombardment and the planetary assault.”
“Who’s on the Eacrorth Command Network?”
“I’m receiving several distress calls, and some ship-to-ship chatter.” A handful of blue dots, traveling in a vee formation rose from the surface of the planet. “The small blue formation are surface to orbit exo-fighters. Single man ships, their firepower is limited, and their shielding nonexistent.” As if to emphasize her point one of the small blue dots flared and died from a Cree
dnax frigate’s energy weapon.
“Give me the Command Net.” Zed muttered in a rough voice. LOLA nodded in his direction. “Attention all Eacrorth space forces. If you can, withdraw immediately. This is the Terran Fleet Ship Belerophon, and we are engaging the enemy forces. This is your only warning. Fighters can concentrate on planetary assault craft, if any make it as far as your atmosphere. They have less weapons and shielding. There are more than enough to go around. Bellerophon out.” Zed watched the small formations turn back toward the surface of Eacrorth. Four small blue dots remained unmoving. The blue of the dots were ringed with yellow. “What are those, LOLA?”
Those are Eacrorth frigates that have lost propulsion. They are all, however, still fighting.”
“Let’s try not to kill them.” Zed studied the tactical display. “Since the only moving thing now is the enemy, why don’t we leave a few Spider mines for these Creednax as we engage the ships on the other side of the world? It might not kill them, but it will sure slow them down.”
“I’m programming the mines with the Eacrorth IFF code right now, so there won’t be any accidents. Our munitions will avoid all friendly targets. Mines launched.”
“Pick us a target, LOLA.” The display of the world swung as they accelerated.
“Actually, I’ll pick two targets. Since we’re cloaked and the first strike is free, I’ll take out the two cruisers on the far side of the planet. I have a surprise or two planned when the supporting frigates begin to chase us.”
“Care to enlighten me?” Zed glared at the image of the AI standing beside him.
“And spoil the surprise?” LOLA laughed. “Not on your life.” On Zed’s other side, Mike laughed aloud while others chuckled.
“This isn’t exactly how I envisioned going into battle.” Caithlexa murmured in an uncertain voice. “War is supposed to be a serious business.”
“It is, Caithlexa, a deadly serious business.” Zed replied. “That doesn’t mean you can’t laugh at the stupidity and waste of it all. I’ve killed millions of Creednax, over the years, lost many human ships with hundreds of crewmen and dozens of friends. If I didn’t laugh I’d have to cry.” The faces of all on the bridge had gone blank.
Caithlexa looked around. Even LOLA’s face could have been carved from stone. “I don’t understand.”
“I pray to god you never do, Caithlexa.” Zed replied softly.
“Coming up to launch window. Weapons lock.” LOLA murmured. Green targeting diamonds highlighted two fat red dots. The Belerophon trembled, and then trembled again. The sky swooped as the ship banked on evasive maneuvers, and then dove for the clouds of Eacrorth far below. Behind them the starry sky exploded with light as the two Creednax cruisers vanished in balls of fire. “Creednax frigates returning fire and giving chase. I’m sure they can see our trail through the atmosphere.”
“What are you doing??” Caithlexa swung to LOLA, her face ashen. They’ll catch us and…”
“Sit down, Lieutenant Tall,” Zed barked. “or I will have you removed from the bridge.” She growled something, but sat. “I would fasten my seat belt if I were you.”
The Belerophon pierced a thick bank of black clouds and came to a dead stop. Everyone on the bridge was thrown forward against their seatbelts. “Zee minus 1200 meters.” The ship dropped sickeningly. On the screen the two Creednax frigates charged through the clouds where the Belerophon had been only moments before. “Weapons locked… firing.” The saucer shook as LOLA volleyed the weapons. The clouds blazed with light and the view-screen blanked momentarily. “Enemy destroyed, Zed. Now preparing to engage remaining Creednax forces. You’ll be pleased to note that I took the attack I used from the same book as the front/stern re-attack you used on Creednax frigates in our last battle.”
“Pretty good for a poor dumb race just clawing its way into space.”
“Earth humans.” LOLA said in a subdued voice as they watched the powerless hulks of the Creednax frigates plummet to the planet below. “Are deadly and relentless fighters. Comparing species to species, without taking technology into account, Earth humans are the most deadly, bloodthirsty fighters I’ve ever encountered. That includes the Creednax.” Zed was quiet for several long minutes as he mulled over what she’d said. “Since this is a new ship, I have a new image for her hull.” The zoomed image of burning Creednax wreckage scattered across the planet disappeared to be replaced with the image of a spear bearing helmeted warrior astride a flying horse. Bellerophon astride Pegasus seemed oddly appropriate, and a small chill again stole up his spine.
Zed turned to the bridge staff. “What do you think, ladies and gentlemen?” Slowly every head nodded. “It looks it’s unanimous, LOLA.”
Beside him LOLA smiled. “As soon as we have the opportunity, I’ll have the nanites emboss the hull.” The screens swung from their view of the surface of Eacrorth. “Enough skulking in the clouds.” The saucer slid back up to the enveloping black of space.
“It looks as though the rest of the Creednax have finally taken notice of us.” Mike gestured to a Creednax cruiser peeking cautiously around the curve of the world.
“Where the hell are the rest of the forces?” Zed glared at the screen.
“It appears that a Creednax cruiser and a frigate have powered down and are hiding behind the small Eacrorth moon. They mean to ambush us, I believe. The remaining frigate, damaged and bleeding gases probably from a mine strike, is escorting the planetary assault vessels out of the system.”
“Damn! Can we…” Zed began.
“If we attempt to catch the fleeing frigate, the cruisers will have us.” LOLA injected. Zed growled impotently at the screen.
“We still have two other ships.” Mike Flaherty suggested mildly.
“What?”
“Two scout class ships are more than enough to take a single damaged Creednax frigate.”
“How about one ship?” Zed counteroffered.
“Two will give us more chances of success. We don’t want any Creednax ships to get away.”
Zed sighed. “Okay, but you’re in overall command.” He turned to Caithlexa. “Understand?”
“Yes Skipper.” The young woman replied immediately, a small smile on her face.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Mike, Caithlexa, Azriel and two other bridge members vanished as if by magic. “Well LOLA, you had better call in some of the Bravo Team. We need to get busy.”
“Aye aye Skipper.” Zed glared at the image. Soon two small blue dots detached from the Belerophon, and headed rapidly on the trail of the fleeing Creednax. Zed tried his best to keep his mind from the fate of Sindiix Tran. He stared instead at the small moon.
“What say we ambush the ambushers?” LOLA made no reply, but the Terran warship turned sharply and headed for the moon. “When we hit the cruiser and the frigate, the chances are that the other cruiser will come for us, correct?”
“That’s a logical assumption, Zed.”
“Can you calculate the projected approach the cruiser will most likely take?”
LOLA laughed. “I’m beginning to lay a minefield as we speak.”
“That should give the cruiser something to think about besides us.”
“That it should.” The cloaked saucer slid around the crater-pocked moon. The Creednax cruiser and frigate sat side by side, huge green seed pods hovering just over the surface of the moon, unaware of their impending doom.
“The Creednax aren’t great tacticians, are they?” Zed suppressed his smile. “We however, have the edge in quality.”
“Quantity has a quality all its own.” LOLA replied softly.
“Joseph Stalin said that, if I recall. He was right, unfortunately.”
“The just will prevail.” LOLA rebutted in
a slightly pompous voice.
Zed just scoffed.
“Drive them into the moon, LOLA.”
“Yes Captain, I mean Skipper.” Zed sighed, as depleted uranium rounds struck the perfectly stationary Creednax targets, rupturing the containment in both power-plants. Before him the view-screens flared and blanked, before resetting. “The cruiser and frigate in lunar orbit have been destroyed, Zed. The last Creednax cruiser is changing course to intercept us.” On the screen they saw the massive cruiser pull away from the planet, accelerating hard for the moon. A flash lit the great green hull, and then another. Suddenly a series of six explosions made the saucer’s screens blink off and on, and overload circuits reset. The multi kilometer dreadnought floated in space, great holes venting gasses and burning metals gave the scene an eerie glow.
“Is the cruiser still alive, LOLA?”
“Yes Zed, although it is seriously damaged. Nanites are in the process of repairing it as we speak.”
“Pound them to atoms, LOLA. I don’t want anything left for the nanites to repair.”
The stars swam as the saucer banked on its attack run. “Firing.” The screen glared, and the hull of the Belerophon rang as it was struck by chunks of the ruined warship. “The Creednax have released a swarm of nanites, Zed.”
“Take them with our Point Defense lasers, LOLA, and finish that cruiser with our Main Guns.”