Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  One Senior Leader named Erlatu protested. “High Leader Altek, I do not like stationing some of our fleet so far away from Holtu defenses. They could be attacked and quickly overwhelmed by Yoyka forces. They would be of better service protecting our home bases.”

  Altek was not angered by the comment. He respected Erlatu’s opinions, but he had a reason for the strategy. “By being stationed where they are, the Yoyka will think we made a tactical error in our defenses. The Yoyka always look for the weakest point in a battle. They will think by separating our fleet, they can easily defeat us. I also want the Yoyka to think we are unprepared for attack before ordering the warships withdrawal to Holtu.”

  “That will only make the Yoyka send their whole fleet towards Holtu. We will be quickly overwhelmed,” Brendu interrupted with serious concern on his face.

  “You are partially correct, First Chair, but we only need to delay the Yoyka attack—and make them commit the whole fleet in the attack on Holtu.”

  First Chair Cleota saw the whole picture in an instant. She said to Altek. “You want the Yoyka to send all their warships to attack us without holding any back to protect their flanks, don’t you?”

  Altek smiled briefly. “Yes, First Chair Cleota. It is important that the Yoyka believe they have us trapped and outnumbered. They must commit their entire fleet in the attack. Then we will hit them from behind with our fleet from Earth!”

  “Can our defenses hold them off long enough for the fleet to arrive?” Brendu wondered out loud.

  “I believe our Holtu defense systems are capable of preventing the Yoyka from breaking through to attack Holtu directly. Our warship energy shields are ten times stronger than the Yoyka energy shields. We will be able to reduce their numbers as they attack.”

  “What about their Spitka fighters? Can we hold them off as well?” Vice Chair Penda asked.

  “Our home world and other military surface based Zoltu fighters will be able to join in the attack as needed. They are all complemented by human pilots fully trained in our weapon systems. We need not fear the Yoyka Spitka fighters in the coming battle.”

  Altek looked around the table. He had one more thing to tell them regarding the ingenuity of the humans from Earth. “We have a new weapon we plan to use against the Yoyka fleet. If it works as expected, the space battle would be short and decisive. If not, the Yoyka may well defeat us and all will be lost.” Altek thought it would be wise to inform the leaders now what they had developed with the help of the humans in order to boost everyone’s morale in Holtu before the coming battle. Sometimes, morale and hope of victory decided the outcome of the battle before it was even waged. Altek hoped this was true and not a human myth, for it was surely going to be tested in the coming battle with the Yoyka.

  Chapter 47

  The Yoyka Arrive

  “We are ready to exit hyperspace, Imperial Leader!” High Commander Anahta announced on the Bridge of the Yoykan Malee Ta. “All weapon systems ready to fire!”

  The moment the entire 460 Yoyka warship fleet had waited and trained for had finally arrived. The Yoyka battle fleet had finally reached the Holtu star system. They were ready to destroy the Holtu androids and subjugate the rest of the Qumru race with their nanomachine weapons as soon as the Holtu were defeated.

  The lead warships exited hyperspace first to make sure no Holtu warships were nearby to fire on them. They sent the all clear message and the rest of the fleet followed with the imperial dreadnaught in the lead.

  “Bring up the star map!” Emperor Rahta commanded from his seat next to Anahta.

  The AI system heard the command and instantly opened a hologram of the star system. It automatically scanned the entire star system and populated it with color coded planets, moons, asteroid fields and all Holtu warships and other enemy ships in the system. Overhead displays scrolled text with types of spaceships, weapon system locations and numbers of each. It was essentially a 3D military war board and map operating in real space time.

  “Just as we expected, Imperial Leader. The Holtu have most of their fleet protecting their home world with a smaller number of warships patrolling further out. They detected us now and are trying to outflank us,” Anahta said calmly.

  “A useless tactic!” Rahta gloated.

  “I am sending a force to block them now, Imperial Leader. See, they are turning back and fleeing back to their main force.”

  “Fire missiles at them anyway—the cowards! Maybe a few of them will be destroyed,” Rahta hoped.

  Anahta knew it would not be effective, but ordered the warships chasing the Holtu ships to fire a few nuclear tipped missiles at the fleeing warships anyway. He ordered the rest of the fleet to move towards Holtu. A moment later he gave the order to fire missiles at the main Holtu fleet. Following that, he gave the order to release half of his 50,600 Spitka fighters.

  *****

  High Leader Altek stood on the Bridge of the Iconda looking at his viewscreen at the approaching Yoyka warship fleet. He knew the Yoyka warships outnumbered his fleet by one hundred sixty warships. That did not concern him at the moment.

  First Leader Orentu announced, “Missiles on approach, High Leader. Energy shields at maximum power!”

  Altek was prepared for this. “Fire nuclear missiles at the enemy. Initiate AIC energy laser beam defense systems.”

  None of the Yoyka missiles were heading for the planets, except for the two military space stations, which were heavily fortified and protected by laser beam antimissile defense systems.

  It was time to go on the offensive. Altek’s fleet was spread out in a semicircle several thousand kilometers in front of both Holtu and the two space stations. Altek ordered twenty warships to stay behind to help protect Holtu and the space stations from attacks. He ordered the rest of the fleet, 250 warships, to form up behind his lead as he sped further away from Holtu to deeper space.

  “The Yoyka fleet is turning to intercept us, High Leader,” Orentu said.

  Altek smiled in spite of the obvious view on the monitors. “So are their missiles and Spitka fighters. Send the order for all warships to release the Zoltu fighters. Prepare to fire laser guns, First Leader?”

  Thousands of nuclear tipped missiles were heading toward their fleet. Moving at high speeds helped disperse the heavy concentration of missiles speeding towards them, but it did not interfere with their targeting systems. There was no way to outrun enemy missiles at this stage of the battle. It would come down to how effective their energy shields were at protecting them.

  Altek had never experienced anything on such a massive scale as this space battle. The Holtu had rarely encountered other alien races intent upon violence or warlike action. The Holtu androids were not created to be aggressors or world conquerors. They were created by the Qumru to serve and protect and explore the universe. It was not in their nature to destroy other living beings, but they would do so to protect their race.

  The Yoyka were not like the Holtu or the Qumru. Altek sensed they were more like the Human Race, but lacked the morality to let other races coexist peacefully in the galaxy. The Holtu would fight the Yoyka to the end of their existence if need be. Altek knew the humans would fight to their death as well. It would not be so easy for the Yoyka to defeat them now.

  The Yoyka could not have known that all of Altek’s warships now had humans serving as crewmembers and pilots on board. It would be a supreme test of their loyalty to the Military Alliance against the Yoykan Empire. Holtu androids controlled the warships, but enough fully trained humans could replace any android that fell in battle. In time, the humans would have their own fleet of Holtu designed warships and could defend their star system on their own. Soon, now, Altek thought, he would know just how loyal and battle worthy the humans were.

  “Missiles are within laser anti-defense firing range now, High Leader!” Orentu said calmly.

  Altek acknowledged the First Leader and said over the speaker system, “Fire lasers! Prepare for impact!”

&n
bsp; Automated, AIC controlled laser beam weapons fired continuous bursts of concentrated energy beams at the missiles headed toward the Iconda. Multiple missiles were targeted at all Holtu warships in the fleet. Zoltu fighter pilots were also firing their lasers at the oncoming missiles trying to protect their warships, but they also had to prepare for the thousands of Yoyka Spitka fighters heading their way behind the missile attacks. Nothing was going to stop all the missiles on both sides. Many were about to die in this space battle.

  *****

  “Our missiles are hitting their targets, Imperial Leader!” High Commander Anahta announced to Emperor Rahta.

  Rahta sat entranced at the magnitude of the space battle displayed in front of him on the viewscreens. He had never experienced anything like it in all his years of conquests over other weaker alien races. He was euphoric and couldn’t hold back his excitement. “We will destroy this android fleet and conquer Holtu quickly, High Commander. Order the Spitka fighters to fire their nanomachine missiles at Holtu as soon as they are clear!”

  “It is so ordered, Imperial Leader! Spitka fighters are orbiting Holtu now.”

  Rahta watched as the Spitka and Zoltu fighters on both sides battled to the death all around them. It was a glorious sight to Rahta’s eyes. It would be a great victory; one that would be mentioned in all of Yoykan Empire history. Rahta would become the greatest Emperor ever; never to be forgotten.

  Rahta could wait no longer. He turned to Anahta with one more order. “I want assault troops deployed now. We must capture the Onutu technology before this battle is over!”

  “I will order it as soon as the Spitka fighters clear a path, Imperial Leader. There are too many Zoltu fighters in the way that must be eliminated first.”

  Rahta snarled in frustration, “I don’t want to wait for the battle to finish. They are defeated. Our numbers are too great. They won’t survive our attack, High Commander. Send the assault troops now!”

  Anahta gave the order to his second in command. Troop shuttles were ready to deploy. They would have to fight through the remaining Holtu defenses, but the Emperor’s order had to be obeyed or severe consequences would follow.

  Anahta studied the battle reports from the warship commanders as they appeared on his monitor. The moment of truth was near. Holtu missiles were approaching their fleet as were Yoyka missiles approaching the Holtu. Nearly half the missiles on both sides were exploding harmlessly in open space due to laser defense systems. Nuclear energy bursts of light and gamma rays were disrupting all communication systems and lighting up dark space with brilliant colors of exploding missiles all around them; all without sound.

  The moment of truth had arrived. Five enemy missiles made it past their laser weapon fire, hit the Yoykan Malee Ta energy shields and exploded violently, sending vibrations and shock waves throughout the warship. Lights dimmed in the Command Center, alarms sounded and seats shook as the warship absorbed the energy from the nuclear explosions. Damage appeared to be minimal and all alarms subsided quickly.

  “We suffered no damage, Imperial Leader,” Anahta reported after studying his readouts. “Shall we continue towards Holtu?”

  Rahta straightened his uniform. It got stretched out of place when his seat moved in the missile attack. He faced Anahta. “What are our casualties?”

  Anahta posed the question to the AI. “Report warship and Spitka casualties!”

  The AI reviewed all warship battle reports. “Twenty-two warships destroyed, thirty-one damaged, but still capable of fighting. Spitka fighters are engaged with enemy fighters. It’s too early to determine number of casualties.”

  “Report enemy casualties!”

  “Ten Holtu warships destroyed and twelve damaged, but still capable of fighting. Number of Zoltu fighters destroyed or damaged not determined yet.”

  Rahta was surprised at the results. “Why so few enemy ships destroyed?”

  The AI quickly responded. “The Holtu energy shields are stronger than anticipated.”

  If this were any other space battle, Rahta would have been furious with his commanders. This time he had reason to temper his anger. “It’s time, High Commander. We must use our new weapon!”

  “The Spitkas are within range now, Imperial Leader. I have sent the order. They are firing all their NEP missiles as we speak!”

  True to Anahta’s word, the nuclear electromagnetic pulse missiles were on their way towards the Holtu enemy fleet and fighters. The results would be devastating to the Holtu. Victory would surely follow.

  Chapter 48

  The Battle Continues

  “We’re losing the battle, Senior Leader Erlatu! Our warship is too damaged to fight on. We must abandon ship!” cried Erlatu’s First Leader on the bridge. He had large gashes over his eyes and his uniform was black from ashes and fire. The Bridge was filling with smoke.

  Senior Leader Erlatu looked around his Command Center for the final time. It was true. They had done all they could to save their warship, but damage reports from his crewmembers were clear. The ship was lost and they must abandon ship or perish. He gave the order over the loudspeaker heard throughout the warship. “All hands, abandon ship. Fill all life pods before departure! The automated alarm system repeated a final warning. “Five tus (minutes) before detonation!” The warning sounded every five tis (seconds). The warship would self-destruct in five minutes.

  Senior Leader Erlatu was led by his First Leader to a life pod near the Command Center. It could hold twenty crewmembers. Erlatu made sure all his remaining officers on the Bridge made it to the life pod before he stepped aboard. He did not push the escape button until he was assured the rest of his crew made it safely to the life pods and departed. If necessary, he would have left the life pod and personally inspected the ship before leaving. It was his duty as Commander to be the last one to leave his warship. Imminent death would not have swayed his duty.

  The all clear message displayed on the monitor in front of him. All life pods had departed. No life signs remained on board his warship. His life pod was clear to depart. He felt relief and sadness at the same time: relief for saving as many crewmembers as he could; sadness for losing his warship. For an android, his feelings were no different from Qumru feelings.

  As the life pod exploded out the magnetic levitation rails, Erlatu send a final message to High Leader Altek. He needed another warship to continue the fight.

  High Leader Altek reviewed the latest reports from the battle on the Iconda. A great space battle had begun. It was the greatest space battle in breath and scope he had ever witnessed or knew about from Qumru history and knowledge. Never before had two advanced alien races fought against each other in space with the number of warships and fighters the Holtu and Yoyka had brought to bear against each other in this epic struggle. Altek knew the winner would rule the galaxy for centuries to come; either as pure evil or goodness, slavery or freedom. The universe and even nature could endure either one as easily as the next.

  “The battle is turning against us, High Leader!” First Leader Orentu announced finally. He and Altek were standing on the Bridge of the Iconda, currently in the center of the Holtu fleet facing the brunt of the Yoyka attack deep in space beyond the fourth planet.

  Altek looked at his comlink. The battle had started less than one tu (hour) ago. Yet it seemed like days. The missile attacks had destroyed twenty percent of his warships and twice that number of Yoyka warships. His second in command, Orentu, was correct. The battle had turned against them. It was time to even the odds.

  Altek send a fleet wide order to all ship commanders to withdraw from the widely spaced frontal attack and reform into a smaller, compact perimeter that really amounted to a large sphere with warships on the outer edges protecting each other from Yoyka warships now maneuvering to encircle them. In all appearances, it gave the impression they were being herded together before final slaughter and destruction by the enemy.

  The Holtu Zoltu fighters were outnumbered by 10,000 Spitka fighters and
losses were mounting on both sides. It was clear who was winning the battle. Altek ordered his fighters to gather around their home warships and try to protect them from further damage.

  “Send the attack message to Vice Leader Di via QTL, First Leader!” Altek ordered. He had waited as long as he could without giving this command. He noticed Spitka fighters leaving the immediate battle and flying towards Holtu. He knew the Yoyka were about to fire more missiles towards their home world, but he could not stop them. Holtu defenses would have to take care of them. Altek did not believe they would be firing nuclear missiles at the planet. He knew the missiles would be carrying nanomachines that would attempt to infect the Qumru population on Holtu.

  “High Leader, the Yoyka are sending troop transports toward Holtu!” First Leader Orentu said urgently.

  Altek was surprised. This was unexpected so soon before the battle was decided. He could not imagine what the Yoyka were up to until it occurred to him what Emperor Rahta desired above all else—Onutu technology.”

  “Advise Holtu ground troops to be ready for an assault, First Leader!”

  Altek was about to issue another command when the viewscreens filled with multiple missiles fired by Spitka fighters headed their way. Before the AIC defense lasers could take the missiles out, the missiles exploded without even reaching the energy shields.

  “What is happening, High Leader?” Orentu asked.

  Altek had no idea. Within moments the AIC announced nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons had exploded near every Holtu warship. It was clear the Yoyka thought this would disable the Holtu warships and fighters, but they would be wrong. All Holtu equipment was shielded and protected from these types of weapons.

  Before Altek could reply, the EMP raced through the fleet. The warship controls and electronic equipment were not affected, but the real purpose of the EMP was not to disable the warships or fighters. It was designed to affect only the androids.