Nanomachine War series Box Set

by Don Viecelli

  Doug looked out the window. Mars was receding swiftly behind his ship. In another few seconds, they would reach light speed and enter hyperspace and leave the solar system behind. He was almost used to this new type of space travel now. It still amazed him how much things have changed in the last year since the arrival of the alien starship Solruku. No one on his ship knew what the Qumru had done for the human race and he would not tell them until he was authorized to do so. Maybe they would hear rumors from someone else that friends and family members were once again alive back on Mars and Earth. He knew it would upset some people from the shock of it all, but he also knew how he felt now. He could fight the enemy without fear of death; only the fear of losing the battle. He was determined to wreak the same fear upon the enemy they inflicted upon so many other enslaved races in the galaxy. He would not stop until the Yoykan Empire fell or the Yoyka race was exterminated just like they did to others. If it took some sort of nanoweapon to end this war, then so be it. It would serve them right!

  The trip lasted ten hours as expected. The USS Illinois exploded out of hyperspace and entered the Qum solar system. They were greeted by the normal security scan and clearance by the Holtu patrol ships. Doug gave orders to proceed to Qum and enter orbit as directed by one of High Leader Altek’s leaders.

  A few minutes later, the USS Illinois settled into a high orbit around Qum joining a dozen or so similar warships. He received further instructions from Vice Leader Di on the comdisplay.

  “Vice Leader Di wants me to join him on the Iconda in one hour to meet with High Leader Altek. I will need a shuttle,” Doug said to his XO.

  “Do you know when you will return?” Drake asked.

  “No, not yet. I’ll send you word after I arrive. Put the ship and all crewmembers on standby duty until you hear from me. We may be here for awhile and there’s no need to stay on high alert.”

  “Yes, Captain. I will wait for further orders.”

  Doug left his seat and headed for his stateroom to get ready. Drake would stay on duty and be in command of the ship until he returned. Doug was looking forward to meeting with Altek and hearing what the plans were for the offensive against the Yoyka. He was ready to fight and hoped he would be able to participate in the first strike against the Yoykan Empire.

  The Iconda was orbiting Qum nearby the Bakutu, so Doug not surprised to see Vice Leader Di at the meeting with Altek. He was surprised to see First Chair Cleota who arrived just before Doug. Altek greeted Doug with the traditional Holtu salute. “Welcome, Captain Martin. It is good to see you here in command of your warship.”

  Doug saluted Altek back and responded, “It is only temporary until Admiral Weston is well enough to return to duty, High Leader.”

  Altek nodded his head and said, “First Chair Cleota is attending our meeting as well to hear our plans for the invasion of Yoykan space territories.”

  Doug bowed and smiled. “It is good to see you again, First Chair Cleota. I hope all is well on Qum.”

  Cleota answered, “We are rebuilding as best as we can considering the loses we sustained from the Yoyka attack. It will take a long time to bring back all the lives we lost to the nanomachines. First, we must eliminate any future threat from the Yoykan Empire.”

  Doug wanted to say more about what Cleota did to allow the use of the Onutu technology for his people, but wanted to do it in private after the meeting.

  “Please take a seat. Let us begin,” Altek said to his quests. Three other Holtu warship Leaders were attending the meeting, who Doug recognized, but did not know personally. Altek introduced them to the group.

  “I have invited my warship fleet First Leaders to this meeting. Each Leader will command a fleet of seventy Holtu warships. Captain Martin will lead the five UN Space Strike Force warships under Vice Leader Di’s command during the coming battles.”

  Altek turned on a holographic image of the Yoykan Empire, which appeared above the conference room table for everyone to see. Different colored icons represented the Yoyka warship fleets and their locations. A total of fifteen solar systems were represented, all within a five thousand light year distance from Yoykan solar system.

  Altek continued, “The Yoykan Empire encompasses fifteen solar systems, but only twelve have habitable planets with intelligent life. All of these habitable planets have been enslaved by the Yoyka nanomachines. Qum was the last race the Yoyka enslaved with their nanomachines.”

  Everyone studied the holographic images. Qum and Yoykan were identified by name. Altek pointed to two other planets that were identified as Synor and Qoria. “These two planets were recently attacked with the new Yoyka nanoweapon; killer nanobot drones (NDW). Both races were completely wiped out by the Yoyka as an act of revenge against the rebel forces still fighting the Yoyka. We could not save them, but we can do something about this now and win the support of any rebel races that still have warships willing to support us. We need their warships to increase our strength before we can attack Yoykan.

  “The strategy I am proposing to win the war against the Yoykan Empire and defeat their warship fleet is to first free some of the enslaved races still fighting the Yoyka. Once this is accomplished, we will strike the Yoykan solar system directly and defeat them.”

  The rest of the meeting continued the discussions how best to free the enslaved races and how to contact them. At this point, Altek said he already was in contact with the Synoran rebel leader Koral who agreed to meet with other races willing to join them. It was a start.

  As the meeting adjourned, Doug walked up to First Chair Cleota. He had something he wanted to say. “First Chair Cleota, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude for saving my wife and son and allowing the use of the Onutu technology to be given to my people.”

  Cleota smiled and reached out her hand to touch Doug’s arm. “Your people saved the Qumru race and our Holtu androids with your human tenacity and ingenuity in battle. We all agreed your race must be saved if we are to have any chance at all of defeating the Yoyka. It would have been morally wrong to withhold the science of Onutu from your race.”

  Doug held both of Cleota’s hands and squeezed tightly. “We will not disappoint your people or the Holtu, First Chair Cleota. We will help you defeat the Yoyka no matter what the cost.”

  It was time to return to his ship. Doug said goodbye to everyone and left the meeting.

  Chapter 46

  Luzern Solar System

  Doug knew the battle to win the war against the Yoyka was just beginning. Sitting in his command chair on board the USS Illinois as they transitioned through hyperspace gave him time for thought. His crew had prepared well for the coming battles. He was leading men and women into battle not knowing if any of them would survive to fight another day. Regardless of the outcome, he knew the Yoyka would be fighting for their very survival. They would not be defeated easily.

  “We’re almost there sir,” Commander Drake said looking at the viewscreen. “We exit hyperspace in two minutes.”

  Doug was in command of ten warships, four built by UN Military defense contractors on Earth and on the Moon. They were based on Holtu design and equipped with the very best AIC systems, FTL hyperdrive systems, latest weapons, Zoltu fighters and one battalion of UN Space Marines.

  “Very well! Sound the alarm. All hands to battle stations. Have the Zoltu fighters ready to depart as soon as we exit hyperspace.”

  Doug looked at his viewscreen. They would exit hyperspace in the Luzern solar system located 17,000 light years from the center of the galaxy. Luzern was a large solar system with thirteen planets, two of them suitable for life. Luzern was home to over twenty billion souls, which were humanoid in appearance and were about to enter the space age when the Yoyka attacked their two home worlds with nanomachines and enslaved the race.

  “Exiting hyperspace now!” XO Drake announced. “Scanning the system for enemy warships.”

  It only took a few seconds before Control announced, “Six Yoyka warships identified. Locatio
ns on 3D hologram.”

  Two of the Yoyka warships were orbiting the main home world of Luzern. Four others were travelling between both home worlds on what looked like normal patrols. The reason for all the activity was obvious. Luzern and the second home world called Tezan were primary suppliers of heavy metals and other building materials necessary for manufacturing Yoyka warship components and weapon systems. The flow of goods had to stop and Doug’s mission was to put an end to the supply chain without destroying the two home worlds and the enslaved race doing all the work for the Yoyka.

  Doug did not hesitate. He gave the order, “Tell the Commanders to release their Zoltu fighters!”

  The Yoyka warship commanders were taken by surprise, which is what Doug expected. His mission was just one of twelve other missions the Military Alliance was undertaking at the same time. The goal was to free as many enslaved home worlds as possible before the Yoyka Emperor Rahta ordered nanomachine kill codes to be sent to eliminate any or all of his enslaved races. Doug was certain Rahta would do the unthinkable just to prevent the Alliance from taking control away from him. The only option Doug and other Alliance commanders had was to destroy the occupying forces on each planet and bombard each planet with the counter nano-agent Tumil and Janice developed to free the enslaved people on Qum. If successful, the Alliance would win the support of the rebel forces still fighting the Yoykan Empire. This would give the Alliance enough warships to attack Yoykan directly and win the war.

  Space traffic between the two home worlds was heavy. Four enemy warships seemed to be escorting large space freighters in and out of hyperspace to their final destinations. Doug released his fighters to attacked all space traffic and get his own warships into position to attack and destroy the enemy warships.

  “The Yoyka are releasing their Spitkas now, Commodore!” Drake announced. “Our fighters are inbound and will engage the enemy fighters in ten minutes.”

  Doug looked at his viewscreen. His warships all entered the solar system midway between the last planet and the second home world; a distance of almost 250 million kilometers of open space. Travelling at ninety percent light speed, it would take fifteen minutes to reach the enemy warships. Unfortunately, this gives the enemy plenty of time to prepare for the attack.

  Space battles are normally fought in phases depending on the type of weapons used and distance from the enemy. Doug followed protocol. First phase—release Zoltu fighters; second phase—fire nuclear tipped missiles; third phase—fire energy laser beams; fourth phase—use railguns; final phase—hope your energy shields hold long enough to destroy your enemy before he destroys you!

  Doug had two other weapon options the enemy may not have. One was kinetic energy missiles, which when fired at close range at near light speed can literally tear apart entire sections of warships upon impact. The second was the newly developed cloaked drones—Orcas—that carried five nuclear missiles each and could target an enemy warship, change course as needed and take down energy shields. These two new weapons alone could destroy a much large fleet of enemy warships, further increasing the odds for success. Doug planned to use both weapons if needed.

  Zoltu fighters engaging enemy fighters now, sir!” Drake said looking at long range scanners.

  Doug watched as nearly 1000 Zoltu fighters began to engage over 650 enemy Spitkas in open space warfare. The dark space was lit up with laser fire and small explosions as fighters were destroyed in battle. Occasionally, nuclear missiles fired by the Zoltu fighters exploded against warship energy fields as they tried to weaken the shields for further attacks. Large enemy space freighters began to explode as missiles pounded their hulls.

  Doug gave the next order, “Launch nuclear missiles on my count—three, two, one; fire!”

  Doug’s nine other warships were engaging all the Yoyka warships by now in individual fire fights. The enemy was not fleeing the space. They were determined to fight to the last warship and space fighter. They were not accustomed to losing space battles. Doug did not expect anything less. He would have to literally destroy every ship to the last Yoyka before victory was earned.

  “Two enemy warships destroyed, Captain! Two more damaged. One hundred Spitka fighters destroyed,” Control announced over the speakers as fighting escalated.

  “Report on our losses!” Doug requested Control.

  “One warship damaged, but still operational. Fifty-three Zoltu fighters destroyed in battle.”

  Doug calculated the odds. They were still in his favor. “Prepare to fire railguns at enemy warship!”

  The distance between the two warships orbiting Luzern was now less than five hundred kilometers. Doug’s ship would pass the first Yoyka warship in less than two seconds. The nuclear missiles he fired thirty seconds ago reached their target and exploded against a weakened energy shield. The enemy warship was vulnerable to attack.

  “Fire railguns!” Doug commanded as his viewscreen filled with the image of a Yoyka warship appearing on his starboard side.

  The USS Illinois took direct nuclear missile hits as it passed the Yoyka warship. The entire ship shook twice from the hits, but its energy shield absorbed the shocks without major damage. Doug’s seat rocked back and forth. He watched as the railguns fired powerful metal projectiles at 20 kilometers per second that exploded holes across the entire length of the warship causing the hull to violently break into hundreds of smaller pieces before internal explosions completely engulfed the warship. Nothing would survive that damage.

  Doug’s Command Center officers saw the explosions on their viewscreens and let out loud cries of victory with arms raised into the air. Doug let them enjoy the moment before directing the ship towards their next target.

  While the rest of the space fleet finished off the four enemy warships behind him, Doug was now passing the home world of Luzern. The Yoyka warship that was orbiting the planet earlier was now trying to escape on the far side by using the planet as a shield before gaining speed.

  Doug followed the warship and ordered, “Fire two KEMs at that warship!”

  Drake did as ordered and watched as the two Kinetic Energy Missiles shot out firing tubes. The KEMs were capable of near light speed and quickly caught up to the fleeing warship. They both passed right through the warship’s energy shield and hit the hull in two places causing the ship to break apart violently. The warship blew up in a fiery explosion of light and debris.

  “All enemy warships destroyed,” Control announced.

  Doug saw the remaining enemy Spitkas trying to flee to into hyperspace. Most of them were destroyed before they could reach light speed. All the enemy warships were destroyed as were all the Yoyka space freighters. The Luzern solar system was theirs. Now to finish the mission.

  Doug put his ship into obit around Luzern while another ship went into orbit around Tezan. Doug gave a new order to Drake, “Fire all fifty nano-agent missiles as we orbit. Make sure the entire surface is covered.”

  Drake fired the missiles and watched as they penetrated the atmosphere and exploded a thousand feet about the surface over all land masses. The atmosphere gradually turned green as the nanobot mist settled to the ground covering everything it touched, including stunned people on the ground.

  There was one more thing to do. Doug said, “Tell Colonel Tills, she can depart now.”

  The UN Space Marines had one more task to do; clean out any remaining Yoyka warriors still on the ground protecting Yoyka bases. There would not be many, but they would fight to the last warrior. Colonel Tills was biting at the yoke to take her Marines into battle. For many of them it would be the first time they engaged the Yoyka face-to-face without Holtu android help. This would be a good test of their capability against enemy ground forces. It was time to find out what the Marines were made of.

  Chapter 47

  Space Marines Land Assault

  Colonel Shirley Tills was more than ready for this ground assault. Her mission was to capture and hold the main spaceport on Luzern. She commanded a full ba
ttalion of 750 well trained UN Space Marines. She was on the first of eight troop shuttles leaving the USS Illinois as it orbited high above the planet. Each shuttle could hold up to 100 Marines and their military equipment.

  Atmospheric conditions on Luzern were similar to Earth. The air was breathable without the need for breathing masks and air packs. The Marines were dressed in standard military protective armor that provided some defense against Yoyka laser beam weapons and explosive devices. This mission would be the first time humans fought the Yoyka ground forces alone without support from Holtu androids. Colonel Tills was determined to prove the Marines could handle the job with or without Holtu troops, which for the most part were not as experienced in hand-to-hand combat or fighting on ground surfaces as humans were.

  “Landing in three minutes, Colonel!” the shuttle pilot yelled to Tills who was sitting behind.

  Shirley looked out the window. The shuttle was experiencing some turbulence from the high wind conditions and the fact it was flying in at a 45 degree angle at very high speeds. It got worse as they neared the spaceport and started receiving laser fire and ground based missile attacks from enemy defense installations.

  “Hang on!” the pilot shouted as he made quick turns to avoid the missiles heading his way. The shuttle energy shields deflected the laser fire without much trouble while antimissile defense systems took care of any missiles that got too close.

  Shirley looked at her troops. They took the jostling as well as could be expected, but some Marines looked nervous. They were fearless on the ground, but hated flying.

  “LZ one minute, Colonel!” the pilot yelled over the intercom.

  The Marines re-checked their M4 carbine assault rifles. A few were equipped with M203 grenade launchers. Some carried M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR) with rapid fire capability. Others were equipped with M240B machine guns. One three man team had a M224 60 millimeter mortar. A second three man team carried a M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun for extra insurance. Finally, several of the officers each wore a Beretta M9, 9 millimeter, 15 round semiautomatic pistol around their waist.