by Ken Lozito
Kyle looked over at Scraanyx. "How much longer can they hold out?"
Scraanyx studied the tactical display on the main holoscreen, his mouth forming a grim line and his brow furrowed. He didn't respond, but Kyle didn't need the Boxan to confirm what he'd already suspected.
"Tactical," Kyle said, "I need multiple firing solutions on the three Dreadnoughts. Prioritize Dreadnoughts that have sustained the most damage. They are only to be superseded by the ships that pose an immediate danger to the Boxan flagship."
"Yes, Colonel," Major Stephens replied.
Scraanyx turned toward Kyle.
"We're here to officially join the Alliance. I’m not going to stand by and watch the Confederation destroy that ship," Kyle said.
Scraanyx brought his fist to his chest and gave a slight bow of his head, and the Boxan gesture of acknowledging a superior officer was not lost on Kyle. "Battle Commander," he said, "I would best serve by aiding Major Stephens at the tactical workstation."
"Very well," Kyle replied. "Ops, I need strike-fighter raptor squadrons ready to deploy ASAP. They are to assist in the defense of the flagship. I also need predator combat shuttles prepped for an assault run. Targeting confirmation will be provided in flight."
Captain Young confirmed the orders and began coordinating with the flight decks.
"Colonel, I have firing solutions alpha and bravo with designated targeting priorities," Major Stephens said.
Kyle glanced at the tactical display on the main holoscreen. "You are ‘go’ for firing solution alpha. Let's get the Titan SW-1s in tubes one through eight."
"Yes, Colonel, firing solution alpha," Major Stephens replied.
Kyle looked at the most recent scanner data and saw that there was an Alliance Dreadnought on its way to assist the flagship. Their cyber warfare suite provided an estimate on the time it would take them to be in support range of the Boxan flagship. They didn't have enough time.
"Helm, put us on an intercept course between the flagship and the nearest Confederation Dreadnought. Best speed. Let’s see if we can ease the burden until help arrives," Kyle said.
"Yes, Colonel. Intercept course laid in," Sergeant Fuller said.
"Tactical, I need a close-quarters firing solution on that alpha, and where are my missiles?" Kyle asked.
"Titan SW-1s are loaded in tubes one through eight, Colonel," Major Stephens said.
"Fire."
Eight Titan SW-1s left the tubes carrying their heaviest fusion warhead payloads and blazed a path toward their targets. Kyle watched the plot as the missiles raced toward their targeted Dreadnought. The tactical display showed more Titan SW-1s being loaded into the tubes.
"Fire the next package," Kyle said.
The second group of Titans was fired as Kyle watched the status of the first group of missiles.
"Direct hit, fusion warhead detonation confirmed," Major Stephens said.
Several members of the bridge crew cheered, but Kyle maintained his focus on the main holodisplay. This was just the beginning, and he knew there would be less cheering when the Confederation started firing back at them.
"Colonel, raptor strike-fighter squadrons have launched and are en route to the Boxan flagship. Predator combat shuttles are being armed, and the flight chief estimates they’ll be ready in fifteen minutes," Captain Young said.
"Acknowledged," Kyle said. They needed to get that time down, but he couldn't do anything about that right now. "Tactical, approve bravo firing solution for the next Dreadnought."
He looked at Captain Young in the operations work area. "Ops, I need the status of the alpha target."
Captain Young's hands flew through the interface while she pulled up the necessary data. "Scan data shows significant damage on the forward sections of the Dreadnought, Colonel."
"Outstanding. Have the predator combat shuttle groups target the forward sections when they launch. And give the flight chief a kick in the ass to get those ships going," Kyle said.
"Colonel, we have incoming missiles from the alpha Dreadnought," Major Stephens said.
A klaxon alarm sounded on the bridge and throughout the ship, signaling imminent impact.
"Acknowledged," Kyle said.
The Lincoln's combat AI would already be readying their countermeasures and point-defense systems. Trusting a combat AI was new for any of Earth's militaries. Kyle, however, had seen it work firsthand and trusted it, but he had the urge to give the orders anyway. The main holoscreen showed that their point-defense systems were already active and targeting the incoming missiles, and Kyle watched as several of the missiles were taken out.
"Enemy missiles have launched countermeasures," Major Stephens said.
Kyle's mouth formed a grim line as he watched the main holoscreen. The Lincoln's point-defense systems took out another missile and he watched as several more flew steadily closer.
"Brace for impact!" Kyle shouted.
Confederation missile warheads detonated. A powerful shudder went through the battleship-carrier and the impact could be felt on the entire ship. Kyle clenched his teeth and held onto his seat. They'd bloodied the enemy, and now the enemy had decided they were a threat that couldn't be ignored.
"Damage report," Kyle said.
"Forward missile tubes one and two are off-line. Decompression in compartments on decks thirty through thirty-two. Bulkhead doors have sealed. Engineering crews are heading to the damaged areas for a full assessment," Captain Young said.
This is it, Kyle thought. We’re in this fight. They'd taken their first hit and survived. Now it was time to show the Xiiginns what they could really do.
"Colonel, I'm receiving multiple reports from raptor strike-fighter pilots that Confederation Dreadnoughts bravo and charlie have ceased firing their weapons on the Boxan flagship," Major Stephens said.
Kyle narrowed his eyes and glanced at Scraanyx, but the Boxan strike commander looked as bewildered as he did. Why would they suddenly stop firing their weapons?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kaylan and Ma'jasalax had left the Mardoxian chambers and were standing on the bridge of the Boxan flagship. The flagship had been under heavy fire, with some of the damage impacting the area near the bridge, which included the Mardoxian chambers. During the battle, she'd lost power in the chamber again, and that time it had never returned. But she was happy to be out of there because she’d been feeling too isolated. Kaylan doubted that Ma'jasalax or any of the other Mardoxian priests had those types of issues, but she'd accepted that there were significant differences between Boxans and Humans. Perhaps it was just her, but she needed to be around other people.
They kept receiving reports of Confederation ships suddenly ceasing all hostilities toward the Alliance fleet. Some had even surrendered, but most hadn't communicated anything at all. The beacon where the Athena had been had vanished, and Kaylan could find no trace of the ship. With so many Alliance ships fighting, it was difficult to get a status on anything in that area. She hoped Zack and the others were safe.
She had noticed a change in the Boxans on the bridge. They were no longer merely fighting another battle or staging one final onslaught against an enemy they'd been combating for so long. Each report of infighting among the Confederation ships brought with it a feeling of hope—something they hadn't dared believe was ever possible.
The species of the Confederation were finally waking up to what the enemy had been doing to them. All the lies and all the hate were collapsing in on the Xiiginns. Somehow, an environmental systems update that also included changes to artificial gravity had helped generate a field that negated the Xiiginn influence. Not only had they been able to decipher what the update had done, but Battle Leader Salevar had made sure to send the update directly to the Confederation space station. Most Confederation ships had multiple species serving aboard, with the exception of several core Xiiginn battle groups. Salevar focused their offensive on those ships, and even some of the Confederation ships began to attack the Xiiginn f
leet.
"Comms, please thank the commander of that ECF battleship-carrier," Battle Leader Salevar said.
Kaylan was glad the commander of the ECF ship had listened to her and come to the Boxan flagship’s aid. She watched as the battleship-carrier traded blows with the Confederation Dreadnoughts, giving the Boxan flagship some much-needed breathing space.
"Battle Leader, the commander of the ECF battleship-carrier wants to speak with you," Varek said.
"Put him through," Salevar said and gestured for Kaylan to join him.
Kaylan walked over to stand next to the battle leader and couldn't keep the smile from her face. They weren't out of danger, but this would be the first time she’d seen another Human besides the crew of the Athena in almost two years.
The head and shoulders of a man wearing a blue uniform with golden tips on the collar appeared on the main holoscreen. He had dark hair and brown eyes, and exuded the bearing of a career military man. His gaze immediately went from Salevar to Kaylan.
"Commander Farrow, I'm so glad to see you alive. I’m Colonel Kyle Matthews of the Earth Coalition Force. I have someone here who's been anxious to see you."
Colonel Matthews gestured toward someone offscreen and the breath caught in Kaylan's chest as Michael Hunsicker came onto the video feed.
"Michael," Kaylan said, her throat becoming thick. She felt her eyes tighten at the spike of emotions in her chest. She’d had no idea he'd survived being left at the Boxan monitoring station. She'd hoped he was alive, but seeing him after all this time sent her soaring with happiness.
"Kaylan, I can't believe it's really you," Michael Hunsicker said. His eyes glistened with tears that nearly made Kaylan falter.
"Battle Leader, Confederation Dreadnought is readying its weapons," Varek said.
Kaylan's gaze swooped toward the tactical holoscreen. Another comms window opened and the face of a Xiiginn appeared.
"Garm Antis, have you come to offer your unconditional surrender?" Salevar asked.
"Battle Leader Salevar, I didn't think you’d ever crawl out from under that rock you've been hiding under, along with the rest of your pathetic species," Garm Antis said.
"You look a bit haggard. I guess this armada you put together isn't working out so well for you," Salevar said.
Garm Antis ignored the jab and turned his gaze toward Kaylan. "The Human with the Mardoxian potential I've heard so much about."
Kaylan scowled at the Xiiginn and used her neural implants to access the tactical workstation. Salevar was waiting for their damaged weapons systems to be able to lock onto the Confederation Dreadnought, but the flagship had taken too much damage. She opened a secondary comms channel back to the Lincoln and sent one clear and decisive message.
"I should really thank you," Kaylan said, stalling for time.
Garm Antis frowned in confusion for a moment. "We'll have plenty of time to get acquainted. I know the primary weapons systems on that ship are off-line—"
"You were the catalyst for all this," Kaylan said, interrupting him. "When you attacked Earth, you set all this in motion. Even if you somehow get out of this, you'll find that your reception at my home star system won't be as warm or as easy as you thought it would be. One of the things we Humans are good at is adapting to a threat like you. You've only faced one of our ships. We've built plenty more and they're all coming for the Xiiginns," Kaylan said. She had no idea how many ships they had back home but wanted to keep the Xiiginn talking.
"So, the Boxans have given you a technological leg up. We'll see how well you adapt to technology you're not ready for," Garm Antis said.
"You won't get to find out," Kaylan said.
She'd gotten confirmation back from the Lincoln and she saw Garm Antis turn away from her as he spoke to someone offscreen. He suddenly swung his hateful gaze back toward her and then his video feed abruptly cut out.
The Lincoln had fired its weapons at the Confederation Dreadnought, joined by the remaining Alliance ships in the vicinity. The Dreadnought hadn’t stood a chance. Garm Antis was dead.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Zack had no idea how many hours had passed before Etanu found them. Both he and Hicks had fallen asleep, strapped into the uncomfortable seats in their escape pod, and were awakened by the sound of a master alarm. The pod had sustained so much damage that they'd been leaking atmosphere, and Zack had found emergency life-support attachments in their spacesuits. All they’d had to do was enable their helmets and attach the life-support boosters to their suits, which gave them enough oxygen for two days. Zack hadn't been impressed with the length of time their emergency oxygen would last, knowing how long it took ships to travel anywhere. They'd manually enabled the emergency beacon in short bursts because there was still a massive space battle being fought.
Zack and Hicks used the shuttle's emergency hatch to get inside.
"We owe you one," Hicks said.
Etanu smiled, which, on a Nershal with their large, pumpkin-colored eyes, made him look more vicious than friendly. "A courtesy between soldiers fighting on the same side, Major Hicks. Zack and I are even now."
Zack didn't reply and slowly sat down in one of the rear seats. He heard Hicks advise the others to give Zack some space and that irritated him even more. How could the others be like this? They'd just lost a member of the crew and it felt like they didn't even care.
His ribs hurt and he opened the medical kit to search for painkillers. He poured two small pills into the palm of his hand and sighed. He couldn't swallow the pills without something to drink.
"Here," Etanu said and handed him a canister of water.
"Thanks," Zack said without looking up. He swallowed the pills, along with several mouthfuls of water.
Etanu moved Zack's helmet from the seat next to him and sat down. "At least you had a helmet this time."
Zack's eyebrows pulled together and then he grinned. "Ow! Are you ever going to stop reminding me of that?" He looked up at the Nershal who had become his friend.
Etanu handed Zack a brown satchel. "Efren asked me to give this to you. Said he didn't want it anymore and thought you'd rather have it."
Zack took the satchel and opened it. Inside was the three-dimensional model of the Athena. He remembered picking it up for the first time, newly created out of the fabrication unit. Athena had been testing a new alloy that looked like gold but Zack knew better. He felt heat rise in his cheeks and his eyes tightened. He looked away from Etanu and quickly wiped his eyes. They were already becoming puffy. "Damn it," he said and clenched his fists. He held up the model of the Athena. The AI had been so much more than a ship. "She sacrificed herself for all of us. She could have taken control of the ship and left us all behind. Instead she . . ."
Hicks and Efren joined them, then Cardaleer looked over. "The AI was beyond anything we created."
"She was beyond what the Drar created," Zack said.
"But I thought the Drar enhanced the Athena AI along with the rest of the ship," Efren said.
"They did, but she was already a variant of the Boxan AI. She cared about all of us," Zack replied.
"Zack," Etanu said in a level tone, "the AI was a machine."
"No, she wasn’t—"
"Just listen to me for a second," Etanu said. "Remember when Athena tried to make a duplicate of herself so I could try reintroducing the benefits of AI to my species? The Xiiginns had purposefully hindered our progress so we'd remain dependent on them."
"Yeah, but what Athena provided was working for you," Zack said.
"Yes, it’s working, but our own AI wasn't anything like Athena. It does the job, and more of my species are using what you've given us, but you say Athena is alive and I'm saying she isn't. She couldn't do the most basic things that all life can do. She couldn't reproduce. She couldn't make another version that was just like her," Etanu said.
Zack shook his head. "You're wrong. Athena sacrificed herself so we could survive."
"She had an objective to ach
ieve and worked toward a successful outcome," Etanu replied.
"It was more than that. She did what the Drar AI never could. You saw that place. It was thousands of years old. That AI was stuck because it was bound by its programming to carry out a specific task. Jonah staying behind was the only reason the Drar AI found peace. Yes, Athena had an objective, but she also conveyed emotion. She acted from the supposition that we were worth saving, even if it meant her own life. Just like any one of us would do for the other. And," Zack said, holding up his finger to silence Etanu before he could interrupt, "she was afraid to die. It wasn't what she wanted at all. That behavior could only mean she was alive."
Etanu regarded him for a moment, then turned around and began to walk toward the front of the shuttle.
"You make a compelling argument," Cardaleer said, and Zack saw Etanu stop. "What we have here is a philosophical debate. What is life? Both you and Etanu represent two equally valid viewpoints. Perhaps that’s as it should be."
Etanu looked at Zack. "I'm sorry for your loss. I know Athena meant a lot to you."
"She meant a lot to all of us," Hicks said. "She was our home and our friend. I can't pretend to understand what separates an AI from the rest of us, but to me, if it seemed like it was alive, then it was. Courage, sacrifice, duty—these are all pillars, and Athena never faltered in any one of them. And I suspect she went to great lengths to shield us from other stuff as well."
Cardaleer grinned. "Such an interesting discussion."
"What do you think Athena was?" Etanu asked the Boxan.
Cardaleer was about to reply when a comms channel chimed from the front of the shuttle. They all moved forward.
"Athena shuttle, this is Colonel Matthews from the ECF battleship-carrier Lincoln. Please respond."
Zack's mouth hung open.
Hicks responded. "Acknowledge, Lincoln. Did you just happen to be in the neighborhood, or were we that easy to find?"