Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  Chapter 21

  Solruku

  “Vice Leader Di with ten warships have arrived!” Shonya announced on the Bridge of the Solruku. Everyone looked at the viewscreens on the wall.

  Tumil was in the Command Center standing behind First Leader Montu and two other crewmembers who had helped subdue First Leader Utor and Second Leader Seeto before injecting both of them with the counter nano-agent. They all looked out the Command Center windows to see sudden, fiery explosions all around them in the distance.

  “They are attacking the Yoyka warships still in the area,” Montu explained looking at the monitor displays which identified the attacking force as Holtu warships and fighters.

  “Send the Emperor’s ID code to get permission to leave the docking platform, Shonya!” First Leader Montu immediately ordered.

  Shonya sent a message with fake ID code as instructed. Hopefully, with all the confusion breaking out around them from the attacking enemy warships, nobody would question the Emperor’s decision move the Solruku to a safer location.

  The authorities on the space docking platform acknowledged the request and quickly verified the ID code. The Solruku was permitted to leave immediately per the Emperor’s instructions, which were completely fabricated by Shonya.

  “We have permission to leave the space dock, First Leader Montu. I am initiating thruster power,” Shonya announced.

  “How soon can we leave?” Tumil suddenly interrupted. “We have company coming our way!”

  Montu looked at his viewing monitors. It was true. One Yoyka warship was heading straight for the space dock along with dozens of Spitka fighters. To make matters worse, three large Yoyka troop transport shuttles appeared from the surface of Yoykan. It was clear the shuttles were coming straight to the space docking platform.

  “We have a problem, First Leader! The space dock authorities are requesting we do not leave before the troop shuttles land inside our hangar bay,” Shonya said relaying the message from the authorities.

  “Ignore the request. Fire the reverse thrusters now! We must leave immediately!” Montu responded.

  Shonya increased the reverse thruster speed and the Solruku slowly began to move away from the space docking platform.

  Suddenly, a video communication from the Bakutu appeared on the Bridge monitors. It was from Vice Leader Di. “Solruku, we are engaging the Yoyka warships and fighters nearby. You must leave immediately. The USS Illinois will provide covering fire and escort you to Qum. Good luck and safe journey!”

  Everyone on the Bridge looked at the viewscreens around them. The Yoyka warship and Spitka fighters heading toward them were now under attack by the USS Illinois a few thousand kilometers from Yoykan. The more immediate danger was the three Yoyka transport shuttles fast approaching their position. It was clear they were not going to stop before reaching the Solruku.

  Another urgent voice message sounded over the speakers, this time from one of the transport shuttles. “Solruku, this is the Imperial Guard. Open your hangar bay doors immediately and prepare for our arrival!” the Yoyka commander ordered.

  First Leader Montu studied the situation and knew they could not leave the space dock fast enough before the three shuttles reached the Solruku. He also knew they did not have any offensive weapon systems to fire at the troop transports. He asked Shonya, “Will the USS Illinois be able to help us stop the shuttles from boarding us?”

  Shonya analyzed the data and said, “No! They are too far away and cannot fire any weapons at the shuttles because we are blocking the targets.”

  Tumil looked at Montu and they both realized they would not be able to stop the Yoyka Imperial Guard troops from boarding their ship. Even if they did not open the hangar bay doors, which they will not do, the troop shuttles are designed to ram warship hulls and tear openings for boarding purposes. They all knew if the Solruku could not escape Yoykan, then the starship must self-destruct with all on board to avoid recapture.

  Tumil and the others were willing to accept their fate when First Leader Utor spoke up. “There is a way to stop the shuttles from boarding the Solruku, but it must be done now.”

  Montu looked perplexed, but asked anyway, “How can we do this?”

  Utor looked at all of them and said, “There is a Yoyka troop transport shuttle in the hangar bay. It is heavily armed with weapons. It was used by the Yoyka guards on board the ship to oversea my crew. Let me take the shuttle and stop the Yoyka troops long enough to allow you to escape.”

  Tumil faced Utor and saw immense sadness in his eyes. He knew it was not from fear of death, but something else. He asked, “Why would you do this? We are not asking for you to sacrifice yourself alone to save us or the Solruku.”

  Utor looked directly at Tumil first; then the others on the Bridge. “I know what I have done in the past from what you have told me and what I have seen. It is clear I caused many deaths from my actions. I wish to atone for what I did and this is something I can do for all of you.”

  Tumil considered the offer, looked at Montu and said, “I have no objections. I am willing to do this as well to save the Solruku.”

  “You are too valuable to our people, Tumil,” Second leader Seeto interrupted. “I will go with Utor. He cannot operate the weapon systems and fly the shuttle at the same time. I also wish to make amends for my past actions.”

  Tumil knew what Utor, Seeto, Binto and Coltron did in the past was not their fault. They were all under the control of the Yoyka nanomachines. Still, he was not ready to let Utor and Seeto die for what happened. The only positive was Onutu technology could bring them back to life in the future if the Solruku survived or the Holtu warships stayed in the vicinity long enough to upload their memories over the quantum link.

  Time for thinking was up. Shonya simply said, “You must leave now to accomplish your purpose!”

  Without another word, Utor and Seeto quickly stood up and ran to the elevator to take them down to the hangar bay. When the doors opened on Level 11, Utor led the way to the Yoyka transport shuttle parked in the middle of the hangar. Utor opened the shuttle door and entered the ship with Seeto right behind him.

  Utor sat in the pilot seat while Seeto sat behind him at the weapon systems console. Utor started the engine and waited for the hangar bay doors to open in front of him. It took seconds to leave the hangar and make sure the doors closed behind them. Seeto turned on the weapon system controls and watched the monitors as she locked onto the three Yoyka Imperial Guard shuttles approaching the Solruku at a high rate of speed.

  Utor headed straight for the three Yoyka shuttles. The speakers came alive with an urgent warning, “Transport shuttle, what are you doing? Change directions immediately. You are headed straight for us!”

  Utor did not respond or change course. Instead, he looked back at Seeto and said, “Are you ready to fire missiles?”

  “Yes!” Seeto responded.

  “Fire all missiles now!” Utor ordered still on intercept course.

  The three Imperial Guard shuttles were taken by surprise. They immediately changed directions to avoid the nuclear missiles heading toward them and initiated laser defense systems to shoot down the approaching missiles. Then they all fired missiles back at the shuttle that was attacking them.

  It was too late to avoid destruction by the missiles. Within seconds, nuclear missiles detonated near each shuttle obliterating all of them.

  Utor and Seeto watched the destruction of all three shuttles with satisfaction with only a few seconds left before missiles reached their shuttle. They knew the Solruku was far enough away to avoid damage from the explosions. It was safe and would get away. Then the missiles reached their shuttle and exploded.

  The Onutu nanites in Utor and Seeto’s minds uploaded their memories in an instant to the quantum computers on board the Solruku as it increased thruster speed and met up with the USS Illinois. Both ships entered hyperspace at the same time followed by Vice Leader Di’s nine warships as soon as all surviving Zoltu fighter
s were on board.

  They would all arrive safely at Qum in one hour.

  Chapter 22

  Return To Qum

  The mission to return the Solruku and Tumil to Qum was a success. Doug was happy to see on his display the Solruku exit hyperspace with the USS Illinois safely and settle into orbit around Qum. Shortly afterwards, all nine of Vice Leader Di’s warship fleet followed. Admiral Weston put out a call to Di to see how much damage their fleet suffered at Yoykan.

  “Vice Leader Di, it’s good to see all our warships returned safely. Damage to our ship is minimal. No loss of Zoltu fighters. The Solruku is safe as well. Tumil is on board. What is the status of your fleet?”

  Di’s image appeared on the vidcom. “Two of my warships suffered minimal damage. I lost five Zoltu fighters with all crewmembers in the battle. We destroyed four Yoyka warships and dozens of Spitka fighters. I am glad the Solruku is safe. I will call them now. Stay on the call.”

  A moment later Tumil’s image appeared on the vidcom. He seemed relieved. “Thank you for rescuing all of us on the Solruku. We thought we might have to destroy the Solruku when the Yoyka sent Imperial Guard troop transport shuttles to board us at the last moment.”

  “We noticed those shuttles and wanted to stop them, but the Solruku was in the line of fire,” Doug said. “How did you destroy those shuttles?”

  Tumil paused for a moment remembering what happened. He said, “First Leader Utor and Second Leader Seeto volunteered to use the Yoyka transport shuttle on board the Solruku to attack the Imperial Guard troops coming to board us. They gave their lives to give us enough time to escape. It was their decision to do so. We will use Onutu to regenerate their bodies on board this ship.”

  Doug had forgotten about the Onutu quantum computer bays on board the Solruku, which could be used at any time. It still amazed him what the Qumru could do with this technology.

  “We’re glad you are back with us, Tumil. We are in need of your services,” Admiral Weston said.

  “Are my people on Qum free of the Yoyka nanomachines?” Tumil asked.

  Doug explained what had happened since Tumil was captured and explained what the Yoyka did to the people on Qum. Tumil knew some of this from Shonya, but not how many Qumru had been killed by Rahta when Tumil refused to help him. The look in Tumil’s eyes was painful.

  “You did the right thing Tumil,” Doug said. “There was nothing you could do to stop Rahta’s actions. He planned to wipe out all the Qumru on this planet no matter what you did. We barely stopped him from killing everyone.”

  Di finally interrupted the conversation to say, “First Leader Cleota wishes to talk to you as soon as this call is over. Unfortunately, we must prepare for another attack on Qum soon from the Yoyka space fleet. They have a new nanobot drone weapon. It is designed to kill and devour all intelligent life forms under Rahta’s control. We have samples, but have not developed a counter weapon against it. We are sure Rahta plans to try and use it on Qum when he attacks.”

  Tumil was alarmed at this news. “Shonya has informed me of this new weapon when I was regenerated.” Tumil briefly explained what had happened on board the Solruku, how Shonya had revived him using Onutu and how he helped cure the crewmembers still on board the Solruku. It was Shonya’s plan that allowed Tumil and the crew to take back control of the starship. He thanked everyone for rescuing him from the clutches of the Yoyka. Tumil finally asked, “How can I help you stop the Yoyka?”

  Di responded, “After you speak with First Chair Cleota, you must leave Qum before the Yoyka arrive. Return to Holtu and study the samples from this new weapon. We will stay here and prepare for the Yoyka attack.”

  After a few more comments, the conference call with Tumil ended. Vice Leader Di ordered repairs to their warships and told Admiral Weston and Doug to meet with him as soon as the battle fleet from Holtu arrived within the next few hours. No one knew for certain when Rahta would attack. If the Yoyka arrived before the Holtu fleet, all could be lost.

  The next few Earth hours dragged on with intense anticipation of attack from the Yoyka. Surveillance probes reported back to Vice Leader Di every hour. Thankfully, nothing changed as the Yoyka continued to build up their forces never leaving Yoykan space territory.

  Finally, the Holtu fleet of two hundred warships began to exit hyperspace near Qum led by Senior Leader Erlatu who fought at the Battle For Holtu. Di received his call as soon as the fleet dropped out of hyperspace.

  “Vice Leader Di, it is good to see you again,” Erlatu said on the vidcall.

  “And you, Senior Leader Erlatu. I am sure you have been filled in on the situation here. You are to set up defensive positions around Qum and the solar system. We can expect the Yoyka to attack at any moment. However, we do have new information on the Yoyka battle fleet from our surveillance probes.

  “The Yoyka have amassed a large force of warships outside the Yoykan solar system; almost four hundred warships. They seem to be waiting for more forces to arrive. We believe the Yoyka plan to send a small group of warships to attack Qum thinking we only have fifteen warships guarding Qum. Hopefully, they do not know of your arrival. The rest of the Yoyka battle fleet plans to attack Holtu again according to the reports we have.”

  Erlatu did not seem surprised at the news. “What do you plan to do?” he asked.

  “When the Yoyka fleet arrives at Qum, we will quickly destroy them. Then we must go to Yoykan and attack the main Yoyka force and destroy as many warships as we can.

  “We will be greatly outnumbered, Vice Leader,” Erlatu said.

  “It will be a surprise strike at the main Yoykan forces before they leave to attack Holtu, or Earth. We will destroy as many of their warships as we can and quickly depart. Hopefully, this will give us time to find more allies to fight the Yoyka.”

  It was a great gamble, but Di saw no other way to give them the time they needed to stop Rahta’s space forces from overwhelming them before the Alliance forces were ready. It was time to teach the Yoyka they had finally met their match.

  Chapter 23

  Yoyka Attack

  Rahta was sitting in his stateroom on board the Imperial Dreadnought, Yoykan Malee Tre, reviewing status reports when someone knocked on his door. “Come in!”

  High Commander Anahta entered the room in a hurry. “The Solruku has escaped!” he said bowing his head at Rahta knowing full well how the emperor would react.

  Rahta dropped his report on the desk, stunned at the news. Then he raged, “How could this happen?”

  Anahta straightened up before his emperor and said, “A small fleet of Holtu warships entered Yoykan space and attacked our warships on patrol. Four warships were destroyed and several Spitka fighters that engaged in battle. The Solruku sent your ID clearance code to leave the space dock. It was unauthorized, of course. We are not sure how it was done yet, but the Solruku started its engines and tried to depart before three Imperial Guard troop transport shuttles could board the ship and stop them. They were destroyed as well.”

  Rahta was furious. He stood up knocking his chair back against the wall with a loud bang. He wanted to kill whoever allowed this to happen. “Do you know where it went?”

  “No, Imperial Leader, but we know where the Holtu warships came from. They are the same warships that were guarding Qum according to our spy probes. We should attack Qum now. Maybe the Solruku followed them there.”

  “Rahta considered the suggestion. He replied after a moment, “We were planning to attack Qum anyway and use our new nanobot drone weapon to wipe the Qumru off the planet. Order it so. We attack Qum today. Send fifty warships. That should be enough.”

  Anahta nodded his head in agreement. The latest spy probe indicated there were only fifteen Holtu warships guarding Qum. It would be an easy victory.

  Rahta was upset the Solruku escaped from Yoykan, but he knew the Yoyka scientists had taken the latest Qumru technology they could from the starship. His only concern was Onutu. Before he dismissed Anahta, he a
sked, “Have our scientists figured out how to make Onutu work?”

  Anahta replied, “Almost, Imperial Leader. The only problem is getting the Qumru nanites in the brain to communicate with Onutu computers over the quantum link so the memory transfer is completed at the moment of death. It appears we have to reprogram the nanites to work with new codes we control instead of the Qumru. It is only a matter of time before we have our own version of Onutu technology.”

  Rahta seemed satisfied with the answer and Anahta was allowed to leave the room. Anahta quickly returned to the Command Center and called his most able warship leader, First Commander Diorta.

  “Commander Diorta, take fifty warships to Qum and destroy all Holtu warships guarding the planet. Then use our new nanobot drone weapon to kill anyone living on the surface. You must leave soon before the Holtu send for more warships from Holtu.”

  “As you command, High Commander Anahta. I will leave as soon as possible.” Diorta was a very able and loyal commander who has served under Anahta for many years. He was older and had fought in many space battles. Diorta looked forward to meeting the Holtu androids in battle for the first time. He knew what happened to the Yoyka fleet at the Battle For Holtu. He was determined not to suffer the same fate.

  Diorta selected forty-nine warships from the large fleet assembled in space just outside the Yoykan solar system waiting for finale orders from the Emperor. As soon as Diorta completed his mission, he would rejoin the fleet and together they would put an end to this rebellion against the Yoykan Empire.

  It took the rest of the day to select and organize his fleet for the attack. Finally, orders were sent to all forty-nine commanders. Without wasting any more time, Diorta’s fleet left the area and entered hyperspace headed for Qum. In one hour, the battle would begin.