by Don Viecelli
Montu holstered his laser gun and checked the monitors. No alarms were pushed. He used his comlink to call his team on Level 2. They reported Third Leaders Binto and Coltron had also been given their shots and were passed out at their work stations.
Montu reported in to his other officers and waited to see if the four Yoyka guards on other deck levels had been found and taken care of. All reports game back positive. The guards had put up a fight and had to be killed before they could send out an alarm. Montu was a little surprised at how easy the takeover of the Solruku had been. He knew the next part of the plan would be much harder. He called Tumil and waited for him and Shonya to appear on the Bridge.
A few minutes later Tumil walked onto the Bridge. He summoned Shonya.
“How do we get deep space QTL communications up?” Tumil asked.
Shonya said, “Utor must give us the code when he wakes up. If I try to break the code it will set off alarms to the Yoyka.”
“Can we start up our engines and leave the space dock?” Montu asked looking at the viewscreen monitoring the docking station.
“As soon as the Solruku starts the QVT thrusters, the Yoyka will know something is wrong unless authorization codes are sent from the Emperor.”
“Then we are trapped. The Yoyka will shoot us down before we can leave orbit,” Montu commented.
“We must send word to Holtu about Qum before we attempt to escape,” Tumil finally said. “Then we can try to leave. Perhaps our shields and cloaking technology will protect us long enough from any Yoyka warships to reach hyperspace.”
Utor began to stir. He opened his eyes. “What is happening?” he asked.
Tumil explained slowly to Utor what was going on. Fortunately, Utor’s memory of past events was not all lost to the effects of the nanomachines. He could remember what he did the past few days, but nothing before the time he left Qum when the Yoyka attacked.
“Can you help us unlock the long distance communications channels to send a message?” Tumil asked.
“Yes, I remember the code. However, once we send a message the Yoyka will know.”
Tumil looked at Shonya. “Can you send another message without the Yoyka knowing?”
“Certainly. I did it before without anyone knowing.” Shonya’s hologram actually smiled.
Tumil instructed Utor to unlock the quantum transmission link while Shonya blocked any alarms going out to the Yoyka. As soon as that was accomplished, Tumil prepared a message to be sent to Holtu informing them of the imminent threat to Qum.
Tumil entered the message to be sent. He looked at Shonya. “It is ready. Send it now.”
Shonya verified the QTL channel was secure. She sent the encrypted message to High Leader Altek with the push of a mental thought. “It is done. I requested verification it was received.”
A moment later, she received acknowledgement and another message. “High Leader Altek has sent a reply. He says Vice Leader Di is at Qum with a fleet of warships. They will help us escape Yoykan. We must wait for Di to contact us.”
Montu smiled for the first time since he awoke from his sleep chamber. Escape may be possible after all.
Chapter 19
Qum
Vice Leader Di received an urgent message from High Leader Altek while returning to Qum. He read the message and immediately called Admiral Weston on the USS Illinois.
“Admiral, I just received a message from High Leader Altek that says Tumil is alive and well on board the Solruku. Tumil is warning us of another attack by the Yoyka at Qum soon using their new nanobot drone weapon. Altek wants us to try and help Tumil escape on the Solruku, which is still docked at a space ring orbiting Yoykan.”
Admiral Weston put the call on the speaker so Doug could hear the conversation as well. Jason said, “First, we must prepare for the Yoyka attack. We need more warships from Holtu to defend Qum. Did the message say when the attack is coming?”
“No, not yet. Tumil said the Yoyka are moving their warships to an unspecified location to prepare for the attack.”
Admiral Weston thought for a moment. “If we can find out the location, we could strike them first. It could allow us a chance to help Tumil and the Solruku to escape.”
“That is worth considering, Admiral. I will send word back to Tumil and see what he knows. The message said Tumil and Shonya were able to take back control of the Solruku and will destroy the starship if they cannot escape.”
“Tell Tumil to wait until we develop our plan of attack. Maybe we can distract the Yoyka warship fleet long enough for Tumil and the Solruku to escape,” Jason suggested.
Di considered the suggestion before speaking. “We are almost at Qum. As soon as we exit hyperspace, come to my warship. We will discuss plans to defend Qum and attack the Yoyka warfleet. I will send a message to Tumil to wait for further instructions.”
Doug and Admiral Weston took a shuttle to the Bakutu as soon as they returned to Qum and went into orbit around the planet. Di and First Leader Miata were waiting for them in Di’s stateroom. Di motioned for them to sit down at the conference table.
“I am calling High Leader Altek now. We have much to discuss and time is of importance.”
A 3D viewscreen appeared in the middle of the table. A moment later High Leader Altek’s face and upper body filled the screen. He was sitting in his command seat on board the Iconda. He said, “Vice Leader Di, I am ready to discuss your situation at Qum. I see Admiral Weston and Captain Martin are with you.”
“Yes, High Leader. They joined my fleet to visit Qum and bring back First Chair Cleota. I received your message sent by Tumil. We must prepare to defend Qum once again.”
“I agree. I have already instructed two hundred of my warship commanders to depart for Qum immediately. They will arrive in thirty Earth hours. I hope it will not be too late.”
“We are not certain how soon the Yoyka will attack Qum. I have sent surveillance probes to try and locate the Yoyka warship fleet. I do not think the Emperor will send his whole battle fleet here. I believe he intends to use his new NDW nanobot drone weapon on Qum to finish what he tried to do with his nanomachines and failed.”
“I read your report what the Yoyka did to the people of Synor. This new weapon is a serious threat. Do we have any way to stop it from killing our people?” Altek asked.
“Not as of yet, High Leader. However, we do have samples of the NDW we received from Senior Commander Koral from Synor. Our scientists will study the samples in our labs on Qum. Koral commands a small fleet of Synoran warships and has offered to join us in our war with the Yoyka.”
“Very well. What about Tumil and the Solruku. Can they be rescued?” Altek finally asked.
“Admiral Weston and I will discuss how to do this and let you know. It will be difficult, but possible if we can locate the Yoyka warship fleet first and provide a distraction.”
“Then I won’t take anymore of your time. Defend Qum at all costs, Vice Leader Di. If Tumil cannot be rescued, you must destroy the Solruku. The Yoyka must not learn how to use Onutu before we defeat them in battle.” Altek ended the call.
Di turned to Admiral Weston. We must meet with our warship leaders and discuss our strategy to defend Qum. I am of the mind we should attack the Yoyka space fleet before they attack us if there is time to do this.”
“I agree, Vice Leader. We can hit them with our kinetic energy weapons and destroy as many warships as we can before they come here. Maybe it will dissuade Emperor Rahta from attacking Qum.”
Di turned to Doug. “While we discuss strategy up here, I would like you to take some of the NDW samples down to Killian and Jopar on Qum and have them start working on a counter measure. They are both experts in the field of nanotechnology. The only defensive weapon we have against swarm drones would be nuclear missiles. I will advise First Chair Cleota you are coming to meet with her and the scientists to let them know what may happen.”
“I will leave now, Vice Leader. Is it possible, Tumil might know how to st
op these nanobot drones?” Doug asked as he prepared to leave the room.
“I will ask him in when I reply to his message to High Leader Altek.”
On that note, Doug left the meeting to pilot a shuttle down to the Capital City of Ollala to meet with First Chair Cleota, Killian and Jopar.
First Chair Cleota was discussing the reason for the sudden meeting with Killian and Jopar in her office when Doug finally arrived and knocked on her door.
“Come in Captain,” Cleota said.
Doug walked into the room. Cleota was dressed in her official government robe attire. She greeted Doug with the usual bow and hand gestures. Doug reciprocated.
“Thank you for seeing me so quickly, First Chair Cleota. It’s good to see you both again, Killian, Jopar. I assume Vice Leader Di told you why I am here?”
“The message was cryptic, Captain. Di said the Yoyka are planning to attack Qum again, this time they plan to use another type of nanobot weapon. Please fill us in with what you know.”
Doug took a seat at the table and explained everything he knew. None of them seemed shocked at the news. They all knew what the Yoyka were capable of. Doug finished his report by handing samples of the nanobot drone weapon collected from Synor to Killian and Jopar. The samples were in two small sealed metal containers,
“Do not open these unless the room is sealed and quarantined. The nanobot drones will attack living organisms and consume them to replicate. We do not know if they will attack all living organisms or just what they are programmed to kill. We need to know everything about them quickly; then how to stop them.”
Killian took one of the containers and said. “Jopar and I will begin analyzing the samples immediately. One thing is certain. The nanobots use some form of AI to run their programs. Unfortunately, they are controlled by QTL communications, which we will not be able break. We will have to search for some new way to defeat them.”
Doug said he understood and added, “Let Vice Leader Di know what you discover as soon as possible. Di and Admiral Weston are preparing for the Yoyka attack and will defend your planet and people to the end. As I mentioned, High Leader Altek is sending a fleet of two hundred warships to help us fight the Yoyka. Di will try to stop the attack by striking first in Yoykan space territory and try to free Tumil and the Solruku if at all possible. I am confident Tumil could help us find a solution to the drones as well if we are successful. That is all I know. I must return to my ship. I will be in touch.”
Doug stood up to leave the room. He bowed to everyone and departed. He was anxious to return to the USS Illinois and help prepare for the coming battles with the Yoyka once again. It was time to take the war to the Emperor.
Chapter 20
Holtu Surprise Attack
Vice Leader Di was facing a dilemma. His surveillance probes reported a large Yoyka warship fleet assembling just outside the Yoykan solar system. That was the bad news. The good news was fewer warships were still patrolling Yoykan space where the Solruku was docked. Di had to make a decision whether or not he could save Tumil and the Solruku or have to destroy both if necessary as ordered by High Leader Altek. He decided to confer with Admiral Weston on the USS Illinois first. He made the vidcall.
“Admiral Weston, we must leave for Yoykan as soon as possible, but not before Altek’s fleet has a chance to arrive before the Yoyka attack Qum.”
Jason looked at Doug who stood beside him on the Bridge before answering, “What do you plan to do, Vice Leader?”
“We will attempt to help Tumil and the Solruku escape from Yoykan. It will require one of your human “hit and run” tactics as you call them. We will take ten warships, including the USS Illinois. Our warships will exit hyperspace just outside Yoykan’s gravity well. While my ships attack the Yoyka warships nearby, you will take your ship and protect the Solruku as it leaves the space dock. It must all happen soon or the plan will not work. Are you willing to participate in this plan?”
Jason did not hesitate in his answer. “Certainly, Vice Leader. It’s worth trying.”
“Then prepare to depart in twenty hours.” Di paused for a moment before adding, “One more thing, Admiral. If the plan is not successful, we must destroy the Solruku before leaving Yoykan.”
Jason turned to Doug who nodded his head in agreement. “We understand, Vice Leader. We will be ready to depart when you are.”
Di ended the call. Jason said to Doug, “Have the Wing Commander recall all Zoltu space fighters to the ship. Make sure all weapons are ready for action.”
“Yes, sir. I will make preparations for departure and check all weapon systems. We’ll be ready for battle, sir.”
Doug left the command center. He wanted to visit Wing Commander Drake in person to tell him what needed to be done before they left Qum space.
There were no Space Marines still on board the USS Illinois. They were all on the surface of Qum under the command of Marine Colonel Shirley Tills. Commander Drake was waiting for Doug in the main Flight Control Tower on Deck Level 10. He saluted Doug when he appeared in the doorway.
“Good to see you Captain.”
“Good to be here, Wing Commander. I need you to call back all the Zoltus outside the ship. We leave in twenty hours on a mission to Yoyka space.”
Drake did not seem surprised at the request. “Are we finally attacking the Yoyka warfleet?”
“New mission orders. The Yoyka are preparing to attack Qum soon. We plan to disrupt their plans and try to save the Solruku in orbit around Yoykan.”
“Yoykan will be heavily guarded, sir. How many warships will we be dealing with?”
Doug could only guess at the answer. “We are not positive at this time. It could be ten or as high as thirty. Most of the Yoyka fleet has left their home planet to meet in another location prior to their attack. Vice Leader Di is only taking ten warships including the USS Illinois. Our mission will be to protect the Solruku as it leaves the space dock orbiting Yoykan while Di’s ships attack any Yoyka warships that try to stop us.”
“I see. What about the rest of the Yoyka fleet when they learn we just attacked them?” Drake asked.
“We don’t believe they are ready to attack us at Qum yet. High Leader Altek is sending a large fleet of warships to help us protect Qum. They will arrive in thirty hours. We will have the ships we need to defend Qum, maybe even attack Yoykan. Either war, the battle with Yoyka will occur soon. We must get ready. Let me know when all Zoltus are back on board. Get all the fighters ready for action in twenty hours. Then we leave.”
Doug departed the flight room and headed back to check with engineering; then planned to inspect all weapon systems on board the ship and get the crew ready for battle. Doug knew they were only planning to fight the Yoyka they encountered around Yoykan for a short period of time, but there was no guarantee they would all survive even under those circumstances. Such was the fact or war.
Vice Leader Di and his nine warships were ready to exit hyperspace near Yoykan any moment now. The last surveillance probe indicated twelve Yoyka warships still patrolling the area near Yoykan. All indications were the Yoyka was not expecting any type of attack.
Di prepared for exit from hyperspace. The vortex opened with a flash. Then nine more flashes followed. Outward scans showed enemy warships in every direction, but none were closer than several thousand kilometers. Di ordered kinetic energy missiles to target the nearest two Yoyka warships and fired immediately. His fleet of warships was separated by five thousand kilometers each. They also began firing missiles at any Yoyka warships closest to them. Then the orders went out for the Zoltu space fighters to leave their hangars and begin their attacks. Almost one thousand Zoltu fighters were flying toward enemy warships carrying nuclear tipped missiles and two kinetic energy missiles each ready to be fired as soon as enemy warship signatures were locked on. Then every alarm system on the Bakutu went off in Di’s Command Center. The enemy had fired back with nuclear missiles and their own KEM’s. A fleet of hundreds of enemy Spitka fi
ghters followed heading to intercept the Zoltu fighters. The black space between the two battle fleets began to explode in violent displays of light and color. The heavens lit up like a thousand suns making it difficult for pilots on both sides to see their enemy. Only the sudden impacts of missiles and laser fire destroying their spacecraft registered as lives were instantly snuffed out.
Doug’s attention was focused one hundred percent on his monitoring screens in front of him. Admiral Weston was busy calling out orders for battle reports and position of enemy warships. Their mission orders were to head directly for the Yoykan space dock where the Solruku was still parked and protect the starship as it attempted to escape. So far there were no indications that the Solruku was even powered up to leave the dock. Something was wrong, but there was nothing Jason could do until he got closer.
Jason turned to Doug and said, “There is one enemy warship heading our way. It knows we are headed for Yoykan and will try to stop us.”
“I already alerted Drake. He has our fighters on intercept course. They will attack the warship and try to destroy it.”
“Have them use their KEM’s now! It must be destroyed before the Solruku leaves the dock.”
“Yes, sir. Sending orders to Wing Commander Drake now.”
“I’m trying to contact the Solruku. They are not responding. We need them to power up their engines and leave the dock now!” Jason said.
Doug turned on the long distant camera viewer. He zoomed in on the Solruku. He noticed several Yoyka shuttles coming up from the Yoykan surface heading straight towards the Solruku. It was clear to Doug they were filled with Yoyka troops preparing to dock at the space dock and prevent the Solruku from escaping. Without a moment’s hesitation, he called the Wing Commander. “Drake, I need you to send a squadron of fighters to intercept those Yoyka transport shuttles and prevent them from reaching the space dock!”
It was going to be close. The USS Illinois, the Yoyka warship, dozens of Zoltu and Spitka fighters and three enemy shuttles were are headed in the same direction and would meet in close proximity to the space dock before the Solruku could even attempt to depart. It was not looking good for Tumil and whoever was still on board the starship. Doug said a little prayer for Tumil and could do no more than wait and see what happens in the next few minutes of battle.