The Garoden War. (SpaceFed StarShips Series) Book 6. An action-packed follow-on story that sees the Earth's Space Navy in action.: ‘Into the Fire.’

by Gerry A. Saunders

  Chapter 15

  A Cry in the Darkness

  The Garoden Pathfinder ship hung in space, bathed in the pale orange glow that permeated through the bridge’s windows. To the left of it, the orange star Delta Pavonis shone like a jewel in the blackness of space.

  Draxon, the ship’s Techo, instructed his brain companion to cancel the numerous contact alarms that were sounding. Then, to concentrate on the alien ships that they could see orbiting their destination point, the fourth planet.

  ‘Well?’ Kronon, the Overseer of the vessel asked, waiting impatiently for his Techo to finish analyzing the data coming from their ship’s scanners.

  ‘They are inferior ships,’ Draxon informed him.

  ‘Hum. Still, we’ll hold off sending the Execute order to the fleet, until we are sure they aren’t a threat.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  Both companions were now gathering data on the ships that were in high orbit around their target planet. And, on the other vessel, that was located well away from the rest.

  Draxon seemed perplexed.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ He asked.

  ‘One ship seems to have left… Even though, there’s no tracking data showing this… Unless of course, it has Stealth capability?’

  ‘I’ll give my companion the task of finding it,’ Kronon replied, and instructed his Companion to search.

  ‘One of the two Spherical ships has started moving out of orbit now, and appears to be heading our way,’ Draxon warned Kronon. ‘That means our stealth coating can’t be a hundred percent efficient in this star’s light.’

  -Ω-

  “Frank. I’d say that the alien ship is supposed to be in Stealth mode. Perhaps Pavonis’s color is different enough for mosaics, or whatever they’re using, not to be one hundred percent efficient. What do you think?” Andromeda asked him.

  “That’s possible, and hopefully, they haven’t realized that they can be seen.”

  Frank then noticed that one of the two Solveron ships had left orbit and was rapidly moving out and towards the alien vessel. As they watched it closing in on the ship, Andromeda spoke again.

  “Frank, why do you think that alien ship has only extended its shield just enough to protect itself?”

  “Saving power?”

  “My sensors say different.”

  Frank didn’t answer.

  “Is it a trap?” Susanna ventured.

  Hmm, its field strength does seem dangerously lacking for a ship that’s entered into unknown territory, Frank thought to himself.

  “Andromeda, see if you can contact that Solveron ship’s Commander,” he ordered and waited.

  “Done. His name is Commander Sodran, Frank,” she told him.

  “Commander Sodran,” Frank called.

  “Yes, Captain, how can I help you?” Sodran asked, with his words having been auto-translated by Andromeda.

  “We think you could be heading into a trap, Commander,” he warned the Solveron. “I would suggest that you run your Disruptor Screen, even if it’s only run at a low level.”

  “We are prepared, Captain.”

  “I hope so.”

  “We will try a friendly approach first, Captain. Please note that our data flow, together with your concerns, are being transmitted from our sensors to Solvera Command.”

  “Very well, Commander. And, as we say on Earth, good luck.”

  “Thank you. I’ll leave a comms and data channel open to you, Captain.”

  “Thank you, Commander.”

  The Solveron ship stopped one hundred kilometers from the alien vessel and started transmitting the universal greetings message, across a broad spectrum.

  There was no response.

  However, on seeing that the alien’s force field was still set to a minimum. The Solveron ship started to move slowly forward to within fifteen kilometers of the vessel.

  Then Sodran’s ship stopped, once more, and began transmitting the greetings message, again.

  -Ω-

  Draxon carefully studied the blue colored spherical vessel that was just sitting there, not moving.

  ‘It’s no match for us, Kronon,’ he stated.

  ‘You are right Draxon,’ Kronon replied, then brought his companion’s attention back from searching for the missing ship.

  ‘Companion,’ he instructed. ‘On my mark, extend our force field to encompass that vessel.’

  His companion acknowledged the order.

  While Draxon smiled at the simplicity of his Overseer’s command.

  -Ω-

  Frank watched and listened for signs of any progress in Commander Sodran’s attempt at communication with the alien craft. Then felt Charlotte mentally forcing herself into his mind.

  “Frank. Order that ship to withdraw. Now,” she instructed him.

  Frank, surprised at the ferocity of her tone, nevertheless reacted immediately.

  “Commander Sodran. Move away from that ship. Now,” he ordered.

  “Quick, get your ship as far away as possible,” he reiterated, with his order being relayed to Sodran’s ship by Andromeda.

  But his warning came too late. As the alien ship’s force field rapidly expanded to encompass the Solveron ship, and Frank realized exactly what Charlotte must have sensed was going to happen.

  Screams could be heard, through the ship-to-ship tight-beam comms. But the screams were cut short as the Solveron ship, trapped in the expanded disruptor force field, slowly dissolved until only a grey fog remained where the ship had been. Before, even that, slowly dispersed.

  “Oh, no,” Susanna gulped, as tears ran down her cheeks.

  “Andromeda. Broadcast an intruder X warning to all planets,” Frank ordered. “Then send out an urgent call for reinforcements.”

  “On it, Frank.”

  ‘Charlotte. When you gave me the warning, did you sense, anything else?’ he mentally asked, and waited for her reply.

  ‘Yes. There are only two lifeforms aboard. Cindy and I are confident of this. However, we have detected four active brains.’

  Frank thought that one over, before sending a question back. ‘Could you be picking up an implant like ours, but somehow, different?’

  ‘We don’t think so, Frank. But Cindy and I will try to get more info. It’s going to be difficult, however, as the stealth coating on that ship appears to be organic and is hindering us slightly.’

  ‘Organic? In Space?’ He queried.

  Well, maybe not organic in the way we understand,’ she replied. ‘I’ll come back to you,’ she finished, and her mental link was gone again.

  “That’s exactly what Argonaut’s Professor Sims reckoned, Frank,” Susanna pointed out.

  “Yes. But their sample was dead. This one definitely isn’t. And it’s surviving in Space.”

  Having seen what was going on, The Crillon Battleship, Carga, and its two Battlecruisers then started to break out of orbit, leaving the remaining Solveron Sphere on its own.

  Once well away from Dpav4, the Crillon ships Sublight drives flared into action, and Frank groaned, as he saw that the ships were still using the old Photon drive. And, worse still, they were heading for the alien’s vessel. He cursed under his breath, knowing this was bad. If it came to a dog fight or the need for a quick exit from the area, then the Crillon ships would have far less maneuverability than any of the Earth vessels.

  The three Crillon ships were by now, closing in rapidly on the surprisingly, still stationary, alien ship.

  Then, the alien ship’s force field suddenly sparkled, as minute particles of space dust collided with its outer boundary.

  It was now evident to all of them watching that her force field screens were at full power and infinitely capable of protecting the ship.

  -Ω-

  Overseer Kronon grinned as he watched the next three alien ships as they headed their way.

  “Shouldn’t we signal the fleet or, at least, move?” Draxon asked him.

  “No, Draxon. Our companions did wel
l. No, we will see what else these creatures have to offer.”

  ‘Companion. Send to fleet… Little opposition. You may join us.’ he mentally instructed. Once again, interrupting his Companion brain’s search for the missing ship.

  “Have you had a change of mind, Kronon?”

  “No. If we can engage these creatures without any trouble at all. I’m sure our fleet, with all its firepower, well…,” he stated, shrugging his shoulders.

  Draxon grinned. Yes, it had already been a good day, he thought to himself. It could only get better.

  The massive Crillon Battleship Carga followed line astern by the two Crillon Battlecruisers, swung in an arc to enable the Carga to fire its Antimatter weapon. All the while making sure that it kept well out of range of the alien ship’s force field.

  Once in position, it would fire its Antimatter weapon. After which, it would follow up with a ferocious broadside of Particle beams as it passed by the alien ship. The two following Battlecruisers would then finish the job.

  The Carga’s captain, Akron, stood watching his screen, as they came about to fire their Antimatter weapon at the alien vessel. When he saw, they had reached a valid firing point. He yelled, “Fire.”

  Then came a slight delay before their Fire control system took over. This system would automatically fire the weapon when it had computed the optimum firing point for them to achieve a successful hit.

  The crew of the Carga felt a slight vibration, as their Antimatter beam flashed through the tube at the center of their Battleship and sped on towards the alien vessel. The short duration Antimatter beam hit the alien ship’s screen.

  Then they watched, in horror, as the Antimatter beam just disintegrated. In the process, causing several nuclear explosions, as Positive and Negative matter collided. This, eventually dissipating in Space, without causing damage to the alien ship.

  “Damn,” Akron exclaimed. “Fire particle beams at will, as we pass,” he desperately ordered.

  The Battleship Carga only had about a two-second window to make her particle beam salvo count, as the two ships would pass each other too fast for anymore.

  Space boiled around the alien ship’s force field, as the high-powered particle beams hit, but none of them were able to penetrate its protective screen.

  Then, before the Carga had passed safely by, a salvo, of what appeared to be five missiles, left the alien ship.

  “Gunners, take em out. Quick,” Acron shouted out. To no avail.

  The five missiles seemed to sense the Carga’s targeting weapons fire, and used evasive action, to significant effect.

  Just two of the Carga’s particle beams managed to hit and destroy one of the cylindrically shaped missiles. But the other four continued relentlessly on towards the Carga,

  “No time to charge our weapons, Captain,” Akron’s gunnery officer called out.

  “Brace for impact,” Captain Acron shouted, too late.

  The missiles passed through the Carga’s shield as if it wasn’t there. Then hit the Carga, one by one, in a straight line along her hull. Captain Akron screamed out as he and his crew vapourised in a ball of fire as the missiles tore through the hull and exploded, one after the other.

  The Crillon Battleship Carga, carried on, slowly tumbling in Space, and venting smoke and debris from the still hot holes along one side of her wrecked hull.

  Chapter 16

  Misguided joy

  Frank and Susanna were stunned as they watched the destruction of the Crillon Battleship, Carga. The two Crillon Battle Cruisers had already safely veered off, having seen they had no chance against the alien ship.

  “Solverons, and Crillons, all of them useless against it,” Susanna muttered, wiping a tear from her eyes, again, as, even though Frank and Susanna hadn’t met any of the Carga’s crew, it was sad to see so many Crillons snuffed out this way.

  Meanwhile, further out and towards Delta Pavonis’ fifth planet. The new Earth Space Federation’s StarShip, the Michigan, dropped into Normal space.

  The Michigan remained stationary while it assessed the current situation and communicated with the Argonaut.

  “We haven’t anything better than the Crillon or Solveron ships, Frank.”

  “I know, Sues. But I need to stop and think, right now.” Frank said. He had formulated a plan in his mind that deep down he knew was a bit hare-brained, and shouldn’t work. But, he’d decided that it would be worth airing the plan with Charlotte and Cindy.

  Charlotte had told him that, although there were only two beings on board the alien ship, there were definitely four brains.

  He remembered that she had speculated that each of these beings had an implant or something that seemed to be another brain, albeit inferior. She had also sensed that this other brain, or implant, had some sort of control function. So, maybe it was an operator. Either way, she was sure it was not an extension of the being’s real brain.

  Thinking on, Frank decided that he must stop the new StarShip, Michigan from trying to do anything that could only end in disaster.

  ‘Andromeda. Maximum stealth mode. Then move us to within fifty kilometers from the alien vessel,’ he ordered and sensed her acknowledgement.

  Then contacted Hector, on the Argonaut, bypassing his implant.

  Nevertheless, his own face appeared on Hector’s comms screen. Hector was puzzled by this, having realized that Frank’s call hadn’t come via the usual channel.

  “Yes, what do you want, Frank?” He asked. “I see that you’re not using the tight-beam ship-to-ship comms link,” he added.

  Frank ignored his comment. “Hector. Make sure that neither the Michigan nor any of the other ships out there, try to attack that alien vessel,” he ordered.

  “They won’t succeed, trust me,” Frank added.

  “The Michigan and Argonaut will do as you order, Frank. But, I can’t vouch for the Crillons or the Solverons.”

  “You’re right. I’ll see if Andromeda can communicate with them,” Frank replied.

  “Okay… And then what?”

  “Punch everything you have when I tell you.”

  “Do you have a plan?”

  “Yes, and I need every ship that has reasonable firepower, to surreptitiously move out to a position where they can be sure they’ll be able to hit the damn thing. Then wait for Andromeda’s command to fire.”

  “Come on, Frank. Andromeda’s no match for that ship. She doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “We’re not talking about using Andromeda, Hector. If we succeed in our attempt, she’ll just tell you when to fire.”

  “Fair enough. I won’t ask what you're hoping to achieve.”

  “Good, just make sure everyone’s ready,” Frank ordered. Before redirecting his thoughts to Andromeda.

  ‘Andromeda. I’ll need you to decide exactly when to send the Fire command to give us the best chance of destroying the alien vessel. Because, if things work out as I hope. Neither I, nor Susanna, or even Charlotte and Cindy will be able to break our mental task without warning the aliens.’

  ‘That’s all very well Frank. But, I can only do that if I can mentally follow your progress.’

  ‘True. However, Charlotte sent you the live link when we saw the ship in the rift. So, hopefully, she can help with that again.’

  ‘What can I do?’ Susanna interrupted, feeling left out.

  ‘Be ready, in case we are able to Quad-Sync?’

  ‘Charlotte…Cindy,’ Frank mentally called. ‘I need you now.’

  -Ω-

  Kronon, the Garoden ’Pathfinder's overseer, was puzzled. “Why aren’t those ships attacking us, Draxon?”

  “Perhaps they’ve realized that it would be futile.”

  “I wonder,” Kronon irritably muttered to himself then contacted his companion. ‘Where’s that other ship?’ He snapped.

  ‘I can’t locate it. It’s either left or has an extremely efficient stealth capability,’ his companion sent back.

  That startled Kronon. Had he ma
de an error in signaling the fleet that it was safe to come here, he wondered. Then decided that he hadn’t.

  He knew that his Pathfinder ship was nowhere near as heavily armed as a Garoden Star-Destroyer. Unfortunately, he also knew that his ship was expendable in the eyes of the Garoden Command. That part made him angry.

  “Draxon, there’s something amiss here,” he suddenly snapped. “Those alien ships don’t appear to be taking any notice of us.”

  Draxon had had the same thought, so didn’t answer.

  ‘Companion. Send an Imaging Drone out, to about three kilometers,’ Kronon ordered. ‘That alien ship’s stealth may be limited, and perhaps it will show up on a full-width, double-image scan.’

  -Ω-

  “Frank, the alien ship has launched an object that my sensors categorize as an imaging probe,” Andromeda said, interrupting Frank’s discussion with Charlotte and Cindy.

  “Keep me posted,” he ordered and carried on his conversation with the two girls.

  ‘Charlotte. Let’s say that you are right in assuming the aliens both have a second brain, and that these have a control function. Okay?’

  ‘Understood, Frank. And?’

  ‘Could we, between us, make either or both of the second brains shut down their ship’s force field? If so, then more importantly, can we make them shut it down at a moment in time that we would specify?”

  Neither of the girls replied, at first, so he waited patiently. Having learnt not to push them when they were mentally locked together. A minute or so later, Charlotte was back in his mind.