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

  “I didn’t think that was possible.”

  “Nor did I, Apparently, with the fixed ring being flush mounted, there’s enough clearance over the tapering hull to allow field creation.”

  “We’ll, that’s news to me… Makes sense, though.”

  “Frank, while you’re on. Is the expected exit time for the Garoden ships still the same?”

  “Looks that way, Hector… Anyway, you know as much as I do, seeing that both of our ship’s AI systems are talking to each other.

  “So, Frank. I suppose we’re the only two ships on the block, now,” he jokingly said.

  “Maybe. Although, the Michigan's on its way back,” Frank replied. Then checked, “Yeah, It’ll be here in about four minutes,” he confirmed, surprising Hector.

  “That’s accurate,” Hector remarked, grinning knowingly.

  “Of course. Anyway, you’ve seen our strategic scenarios. But, I personally think there are too many, ifs and buts.

  Like, will the Crillon’s fleet 5 arrive? How many Earth ships can we count on? What will Captain Sitrea’s part in it, be? And so on. So, what do you reckon?”

  “We’ll just have to wing it, Frank.”

  “I reckon you’re right,” Frank replied, smiling to himself at the idea. He’d known Hector for many years, and it felt good to be able to let off a little steam with him.

  “Seriously, though, that object attaching itself to Savron’s ship worries me…And, how the Garoden’s got it through the Solveron’s disruptor shield, beats me.

  Just make sure that none of our ships head back to Earth, Hector. Just in case, they try to track them.”

  “Good point, Frank,” he agreed. Then seemed to study something off screen.

  “Frank, my AI’s recorded the instant that the Garoden missile attached itself to Savron’s ship, and it looks as if the Solveron’s turned their disrupter field off, just before they jumped.

  The other strange thing is that our Temporal sensor detected a Temporal spike at the same moment in time. But, we’re not sure of its relevance.”

  “Odd. Still, any information is better than none. Thanks, Hector.”

  With that, Hector was gone.

  Then Brian Water’s Icon flashed, and his face appeared on Frank’s screen, next to Hector’s.

  “Frank, I’ve finally decoded the encrypted ‘SAB’ message from Commander Procard. Do you want me to run it now?

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. When I run it, it will automatically open up a secure one-to-one link.”

  “Well done Brian. Run it.” Frank ordered, then directed his thoughts to Andromeda.

  ‘Make sure this link is heard by everyone, including the Argonaut’s crew.’

  ‘Done,’ came her mental acknowledgement.

  Frank heard static crackling for a moment as Brian’s decryption unit auto opened the secure link.

  Then, the face of the Crillon Fleet 5’s Commander, Procard, joined the other two on Frank’s screen.

  For an instant, Frank thought that he was looking at Tripicac. Until he remembered that all adult Crillon males looked similar. It was only when you looked closely at them that the differences became apparent.

  “Richardson,” Procard called. At first, seeming to bellow, before Andromeda then modified the data rate to compensate for the Hyperlink transmission.

  “Commander Procard, I assume… You’re early.”

  “Yes. We’re two light-years out, in Normal space and receiving a visual from our survey drone… Where are you?”

  “Well our two ships, are in stealth mode. We’ll send a tracking ID burst before you exit. That way, you’ll be able to locate us.”

  “Excellent, Richardson. I’ve heard a lot about you from Commander Tripicac.”

  “All good, I hope?”

  “So much so, that I’ll be happy to listen to any plans you have before we make any attempt to destroy these, Garodens. I believe that’s they’re called.”

  Just then, Charlotte moved into Procard’s camera view.

  “Commander, you must not act on your own,” she firmly instructed.

  Frank could see that Procard appeared alarmed, on hearing this command.

  “Devil women,” Procard replied, almost snarling.

  Frank was taken aback by Procard’s violent response. And, at Procard’s use of the plural, in particular.

  Then Frank started to sweat. Why did Charlotte say that? He wondered.

  Come to that, how did the Crillon know about these two females in the first place?

  Something was wrong, he decided. Are we all being played like puppets?

  ‘No Frank,’ Cindy said, pushing his thoughts to one side. He could sense that Cindy was right. And, he now felt Susanna adding her assurance to Cindy’s statement.

  Yes, of course, they were right. He knew he had to be over reacting.

  Then Frank answered Procard, “The two female assets are on our side, Commander Procard. How safe is your link?”

  “Understood, Captain. And, yes, our Link is secure. I assume you don’t intend for us to just sit out here?”

  “One moment, Commander,” Frank urged.

  Then his brain went into overdrive. He knew that both Andromeda’s and Argonaut's AI’s could do far better than either he or Hector could, with regards to actual fighting.

  Even so, this time, he needed a creative, or out of the box, approach to be taken in deciding how to destroy, at least, one of these two ships. And, as a result, hopefully, obtain the invaluable information that their successful destruction of the Garoden vessels might yield.

  He looked at his wrist chronometer and noted that the Michigan and Neutron would exit jump in just over two minutes.

  Knowing the parameters of the Crillon’s warp drive. Meant that he also knew the Crillon’s Fleet 5 would take around eight minutes to traverse the two light-years.

  Then, there was, of course, the Garoden fleet, but that was still about twenty-six minutes away.

  He hesitated, before speaking, aware that he could see Commander Procard on his screen, and that he was still waiting for a reply.

  “Charlotte. As we haven’t had a go at the other Garoden ship yet. I assume they wouldn’t know how to react to our mental attack. Do you think that assumption’s correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, based on that assumption. Do you think that the four of us could confuse the Garoden’s enough to allow Procard to try to wreck that ship?”

  “If you mean, to completely destroy it? Yes. It’s worth a go.”

  ‘Worth a go,’ he muttered to himself, repeating her words. He was surprised by her statement. It was the first time that he’d realized Charlotte and Cindy didn’t really know how this engagement would end… And that worried him.

  No one spoke while he verified the exact location of the two Garoden ships with Andromeda.

  Once satisfied that he had the right information, he quickly updated, then ran through this new strategic scenario on his tactical pad. While making sure that Andromeda was still in the loop.

  After which he mentally shot his plan to the other three in the room, and waited for their reactions.

  All the time being aware of the fact that Commander Procard was still patiently waiting.

  The whole thing seemed to take ages, to Frank. Even though, in reality, it was only a matter of seconds before all three of them agreed to his plan.

  “Andromeda. Send this scenario to Argonaut. And, to both the Michigan and Neutron if and when they arrive,” he ordered.

  Then turned his attention back to the Crillon Commander.

  “Commander Procard.”

  “Yes, I’m still waiting.”

  “I’m sending you a strategic scenario based on our plan of action. It’s risky. We believe that it will work… But most likely, just once.”

  “Very well, go ahead.”

  Frank then touched the icon, to bring up Brian’s image on his screen.

  “Brian, are we still sec
ure from your end?”

  “As far as I can tell, Frank.”

  “Good enough,” Frank replied and tapped his icon off.

  “Okay… Andromeda, send my scenario to Commander Procard, now,” he ordered. And, in less than thirty seconds the message had been hyperlinked to the Crillon Commander.

  On receipt, Frank could see that Procard’s attention was focused on absorbing the information he'd sent him.

  Then Procard looked up, his eyes wide open in disbelief.

  “You’re joking, Richardson?”

  “I never joke, Commander.”

  “But, what you're asking me to do would be sheer suicide.”

  Chapter 31

  Another’s Plan

  Verice brought up the timeline that had been updated again, and which showed him that the rest of his fleet were close.

  ‘Not long, now. Just twenty-two minutes,’ he noted, pleased that everything was coming together.

  Captain Stugron’s Star-Destroyer Z190, was already stationed some eighteen kilometers off the bow of Viceroy Verice’s Star-Destroyer Z183.

  At the moment, Stugron was monitoring the alien’s progress towards its home planet, courtesy of the tracker unit that they had successfully attached to the alien’s blue vessel as it dropped its disrupter field to Jump.

  Viceroy Verice’s companion brain had made sure that the tracker’s data flow was also being recorded in real time, and would be backed up by Z183’s memory banks. It had also set up a command to automatically transmit Verice’s modified plan and instructions to his Star-Destroyers, Z187, and Z188, on their exit from warp.

  Thus ensuring that his two ships would immediately jump, and go after the alien’s blue ship.

  Then Verice imagined the sight as his Star-Destroyers, Z187, and Z188, suddenly opened their gigantic wormholes to exit warp, when they finally reached the alien’s planet.

  He was confident that his two ships would destroy this alien’s homeworld, before triumphantly returning here.

  Verice was pleased that no other vessels had tried to attack him. Even so, he knew there were others out there. Unseen, and surely waiting for him to do something.

  They’ll have to hold on, he thought. Let them see his instruments of death arrive.

  He had to admit, he could hardly wait to see the spectacle of the rest of his fleet’s dramatic exit from warp. Knowing that, when they arrived, they would have enough particle beam weapons to blanket-fire Space around the other alien’s cloaked ships, and destroy them.

  He decided that even though it had been a long and arduous journey to get here. He knew it would be worth it, to see the demise of these creatures.

  Then Griken, his science officer, interrupted his thoughts.

  “Excellency, the full scan of that fourth planet is now complete.”

  “Physical display,” Verice ordered.

  Instantly, a virtual holographic representation of the planet formed and floated in front of Verice.

  ‘See,’ Griken said as he mentally pointed to four areas on the surface. ‘These are habitation areas.’

  “Not very industrialized, are they,” Verice remarked aloud.

  Griken took the hint.

  “No, and no threat to us either, Excellency… Just one object in orbit… Our scan looked for weapons. But, there are none.”

  “Just as well we didn’t waste energy in going there.”

  “True, Excellency.”

  “Excellency.” Navigator Cratic interjected. “Just nineteen minutes to exit.”

  “Very well… Griken, prepare to execute my battle plan on the fleet’s exit.”

  “Of course, Excellency… Captain Stugron has already set Z190’s companions to battle ready.”

  “A bit early,” Verice remarked. “I’m going to my pod, to prepare myself for battle,” he then said.

  “Very well, Excellency,” Griken acknowledged, knowing full well that Verice would be taking juice. Yes, Griken had to admit he was jealous of the misuse of perks by the so called elite.

  Verice showed no sign that he had sensed Griken’s disapproval of him, yet again. He mentally pictured a spot in his personal pod and was instantly standing there.

  ‘Ten minutes,’ he mentally instructed his companion brain to remind him when to return to the bridge.

  -Ω-

  Frank couldn’t help smiling at Commander Procard’s reaction to his suggestion. What you're asking me to do would be sheer suicide, he had replied, his voice expressing total disbelief.

  “Well, Commander… Now you’ve studied it, will you do it?”

  “If it wasn’t for Tripicac. I’d say no.”

  “But?”

  “If, as your plan says, your assets might be able to target ship A’s shield for long enough… Then, very well. We’ll try it.”

  Frank was distracted, for a second, as he saw two Icons suddenly appear on his screen. Then sighed with relief, as Michigan and Neutron’s names appeared adjacent to them.

  “One moment please, Commander Procard… Two of our ships have just dropped in.”

  “Don’t be long, Richardson… Time is not on our side.”

  “Understood.”

  “Andromeda, open the link for Michigan and Neutron,” he ordered, then heard a slight hiss and crackle as the ‘All ships’ secure connection was re-established, and both captain’s faces appeared on his screen.

  “Glad you’re both still in one piece,” Captain Campbell said, a smile crossing his face. “Well, as you can see, Michigan’s up and running, thanks to Captain Sherman.”

  “We noticed… A brilliant maneuver Captain Sherman.”

  “Thanks… What’s the plan?”

  “Both of you move closer to us while I finish discussing the details with the Crillon Commander, Procard.”

  “Will do,” Captain Campbell, acknowledged… “Are the Crillons here already, then?” He asked.

  “Of course, we are,” came Procard’s voice over the common link. “Can we get on with it, now, Richardson?”

  Frank, turned his attention back to Procard. He thought the Crillon Commander was a bit abrupt. But, that was Crillons for you

  “Sorry,” Frank then said, having had to admit to himself that he’d been keeping Procard waiting.

  “Our info shows that we have about seventeen to eighteen minutes before the Garoden Fleet arrives… And, your transit time will be about eight minutes. Is that correct, Commander?”

  “Yes, that’s right, Commander Procard.”

  “Timing is critical. So, you will need to jump, on my mark, as indicated…However, if our part of the plan fails, try out your upgraded weapons, if you can. Then get the hell out of there.

  But, remember to keep your hyperlink open. Then, if we’re not compromised, we can still coordinate our efforts together.”

  “Very well,” Procard replied. “Let's get going. Send your damn timing-marker now, Richardson.”

  “Anyone see any problems, so far?” Frank asked, directing his question to all his ships crews. Thankfully, no queries came back.

  “Send,” he ordered.

  “Sent,” Andromeda’s voice confirmed.

  “Commander Procard. Don’t forget that we will all need to take into consideration the thirty-second transmission delay each way, when syncing our separate operations,”

  “We know that, Richardson… Just don’t be late.” Procard snapped, and his image vanished from Frank’s screen.

  Frank relaxed slightly, even so he knew he only had about eight minutes in which to fine-tune then execute the plan. After that, once the four of them became locked in the quad-sync mental struggle, the rest of the ships crews would be in the dark. With Andromeda alone, being able to pass information and progress reports on to any transceiver implant that was still active.

  An icon lit, in the top corner of his screen, showing the time remaining before the Crillon’s Fleet 5 exited warp. Then, as the countdown started, Frank felt a sense of urgency. Nonetheless, he was hesit
ant to start, at first. Thinking that everyone already knew that a change in command was imminent. But he quickly settled down then got on with his task.

  Frank knew that the Crillons had already received his plan, together with all the data they had obtained so far on the Garodens. Including details on where to fire, and so on.

  They had also been informed about Mark’s theory that the missile-like objects emitted something that interfered with the Crillon’s weapons targeting system.

  Moreover, they had also been given the Garoden’s expected exit timing. So, he was comfortable in thinking that all of this would enable the Crillons to be ready to play their part in the coming attack.

  He started, by instructing Andromeda to transmit his orders and the expected sequence of events to everyone on all of their ships, in real time.

  Then with everyone able to watch, over the link. Frank, talked through the scenario using the screen to confirm positioning.

  He mentally ordered the scene on the main screen to rotate to show a plan view. With the two Garoden ships marked up as A and B. And, even though they were, in reality, only eighteen kilometers apart, they occupied a large central area on his screen.

  Close to the Garoden ship designated as ship A, he then marked a point on his screen, showing the position at which he expected the Crillon fleet 5 to exit warp.

  After which, he indicated the point, where the Crillon ships were to fire a massive bombardment of Particle Beams. Aiming them at ship A, as they passed it. The target on the Garoden ship being where both the Andromeda and the Argonaut had seen the missiles exit the Garoden warship.