by Ken Lozito
Diaz hastened over to the sub for a closer look.
Connor opened a comlink to Gordon. “Have you found anyone inside?”
Gordon sighed heavily. “There’s no one here. Looks like they had an issue with the power, because nothing will turn on.”
“We found some tracks out here that lead away from the sub. As soon as you and your team can get out here, we’ll follow them,” Connor said.
The comlink closed. Alder squatted to the ground a short distance from them, peering intently. Connor and Diaz came up behind him.
Alder glanced up and waved them over. “This doesn’t look like any colonial track I’ve ever seen.”
Connor peered at the strange footprint. It was wide at the front and bigger than a human footprint. He felt his brows furrow as he stared intently, refusing to let himself jump to conclusions, but the answer in his mind wouldn’t change. He’d seen footprints similar to this before.
Diaz walked a few steps away from the others and then turned around, the same disbelief showing in his eyes. “NEIIS.”
Connor’s gaze swept over the ground, and it seemed as if all the imprints sprang to his attention at once. There were multiple NEIIS tracks, and they surrounded the footprints of the colonists.
“Holy…” Alder gasped.
Gordon and the others joined them. “What is it? What did you find?”
Connor looked at the man for a moment as he tried to figure out how to tell him that his wife might be a prisoner of the NEIIS.
29
They left the conference room, and Major Brody headed away from the bridge.
“Excuse me, Colonel, but won’t Major Brody be joining us?” Dr. Volker asked.
Sean didn’t want Volker on the bridge. The man might be a brilliant scientist, but he couldn’t handle the pressure.
“No, Major Brody will be on the secondary bridge.”
Dr. Volker glanced at Sean and then toward the door to the bridge. “I’ll keep my team on standby should you need our assistance.”
“I appreciate that,” Sean said.
Volker began to walk away, but Tokiwa lingered for a moment. “Why does Dr. Evans get to stay?”
Because she’s brilliant and can keep it together under pressure were Sean’s first thoughts. Well, that and the fact that he liked having her near him. Sean looked at the young man and interrupted as Dr. Volker began to speak. “No, it’s okay, it’s a fair question. Her insights into our current situation have been invaluable, and I want her on the bridge as long as she’s willing to be there.”
Oriana tilted her head.
“I’d like to help, Colonel,” Tokiwa said.
“Alright, you can report to Major Brody on the secondary bridge. But you’ll do so under the following conditions: You will do exactly as Major Brody says. He will not tolerate any outbursts or differences of opinion, nor will he be able to explain all his decisions to you. You’re there to provide input on the data we have on hand when he asks for it or if you believe it’s crucial to the safety of this ship. If you can function in that capacity, then you can help.”
Tokiwa glanced at Dr. Volker for a moment and then smiled. “Yes, sir. The secondary bridge is…?”
“I’ll help you find it,” Dr. Volker said and led Tokiwa away.
Sean entered the bridge, and Lieutenant Scott returned to the tactical workstation. “Lieutenant Russo, I want you at tactical as well. Use the aux workstation.”
Lieutenant Russo quickened her pace, going to the auxiliary workstation.
“Where should I go?” Oriana asked.
“You’ll join me in the Command Center at the alternate workstation,” Sean said, gesturing toward the open seat next to the commander’s chair.
Oriana glanced at the workstation and then looked at Sean. Even with her gaze slightly narrowed, her face was still sweetly angelic. “Colonel, I’m not sure that would be best,” she said quietly and gave him a meaningful look.
Sean gave her an amused smile. “I can handle it if you can, Dr. Evans.”
She leveled her gaze at him, and Sean felt the heat rise in his chest. “Can you?”
Sean let out a slight grin. “Seriously, it’s the most convenient place for you to sit.”
Oriana glanced around the bridge, looking for an alternative. “It just happened to work out like that?”
Sean sat down in his chair, and the smart cushion molded itself to his body, providing superior comfort and support. “If you prefer, I could call Tokiwa up here and you could go to the secondary bridge with Major Brody.”
Oriana didn’t answer him, but she did sit down. She crossed her legs and angled her body away from him, but the gesture just made him more aware of how her uniform hugged her supple curves. Sean resisted the urge to make another comment. This was hardly the time or the place for that sort of thing.
“Ops, are all our birds back on the ship?”
“Yes, Colonel, all ships accounted for,” Lieutenant Burrows answered.
“Helm, set a course for New Earth, best speed.”
“Yes, Colonel, best speed to New Earth will take twenty minutes.”
“Very well, Lieutenant Scott. Passive scans only on our approach to New Earth.”
They hadn’t received any communications from COMCENT, and if they were in another universe, the issue with communications became moot, and New Earth was, in fact, safe. There was no way to confirm the status of the colony until he returned to New Earth, but he wouldn’t go in with scanners blazing, announcing the Vigilant’s presence to a potential invasion fleet. He hoped New Earth was safe, even if it meant that they were in some other universe.
“Colonel,” Oriana said.
Sean arched an eyebrow in her direction.
“Won’t active scans give us a better idea of what’s happening on New Earth?”
“They would, but they might also give away our position to a potential attack force. Best to make our approach as quietly as possible. We still have no idea what we’re going to encounter, even if your theory is correct.”
Oriana nodded and looked back at her holoscreen.
They were leaving Sagan, and though they hadn’t detected any of the salvage teams, Sean did wonder if somehow they were leaving someone behind. It was a strange feeling, given the evidence that suggested otherwise. Wormhole theories could explain much of their current situation, aside from the high probability that there was no way for them to survive going through one. If the Vigilant had transitioned to another universe, he was at a loss as to how it had happened. They must be missing something. He suspected the answer was in the asteroid field, but they couldn’t afford to linger. In accordance with the CDF mandate for the fleet, protection of New Earth was the Alpha priority. They could always return to Sagan if they had to.
A short while later, they began their final approach to New Earth. Sean had put the high-res video feed on the main holodisplay, and much to his relief, the familiar blue-and-white ball surrounded by planetary rings came into view with all the clarity their equipment could muster. Everyone on the bridge looked at the main holodisplay with a sense of relief.
“Colonel, I’m getting energy readings on the lunar surface, but our approach vector isn’t allowing for a complete passive scan,” Lieutenant Scott said.
“Understood. Comms, try to reach COMCENT again on encrypted channels.”
“No response, Colonel,” Specialist Sansky replied.
“Tactical, do an active scan sweep.”
Sean waited a few moments while keeping an eye on the main holoscreen. Suddenly, several alerts chimed from unknown contacts. Three unidentified ships were in orbit around New Earth.
“Comms, try to hail them,” Sean said. After a moment, he added, “Tactical, I want a passive firing solution on those targets.”
“Colonel, no reply to broadcast hails. No confirmation that they even received them,” Specialist Sansky said.
“Colonel, they’re scanning us,” Lieutenant Russo said from the
aux workstation.
“Ops, are you able to identify those ships?”
“Negative, Colonel. The ship design doesn’t match anything in our records,” Lieutenant Hoffman said.
“Colonel, they’re breaking orbit and heading our way. Our scans indicate that they’re of a size and mass similar to our destroyer-class vessels.”
Sean pressed his lips together. The Vigilant could take on three destroyers of the CDF fleet, but he didn’t know the capabilities of those ships or what their intentions were. He used his implants to open a communications channel. “Attention, unknown vessels, we’ve tried to contact you but haven’t received any response. If you do not respond, we will take aggressive action to defend ourselves.” Sean closed the communications channel.
“Firing solution ready, Colonel,” Lieutenant Scott said.
Sean glanced at Specialist Sansky, who shook his head. The three unknown ships were heading directly for them.
“How do you know if they can respond?” Oriana asked.
Sean kept his gaze on the main holoscreen. “I don’t.”
30
Sean stared at the holoscreen, trying to glean some sort of impression as to the unknown ships’ intentions. If he fired his weapons first, he would be the instigator of hostilities. “Lieutenant Russo, scan the planet and look for any signs of colonial chatter on the known frequencies.”
“Yes, sir.”
One of the ships sped ahead of the others. The front of the ship was an elongated oval shape that seemed to maintain consistent form toward the stern. The light brown hull had accents of dark brown outlining sections at the front. The ship appeared sleek and symmetrical. Sean squinted and could just barely make out structures along the hull. Several green, glowing objects flashed as they exited the mouth of the unknown ship.
“I’m showing six marks have left the unknown vessel, Colonel. Their current velocity is slightly faster than that of their ship,” Lieutenant Scott said.
The main holodisplay highlighted the marks. Their cruising speed didn’t indicate that they were a weapon of any sort. Perhaps they could be drones.
“Orders, Colonel?” Lieutenant Scott asked.
“They look to be drone-sized. If they come within point-defense range, I want them taken out,” Sean replied.
“Yes, sir, point-defense suite has targeting information.”
The status on the main holodisplay indicated they had a lock on the six approaching vessels. They were small. Sean briefly considered sending a squadron of Talon-Vs to intercept them but ruled it out.
“Still no reply to our attempts to communicate, Colonel,” Specialist Sansky said.
“Colonel, I’m seeing a power spike from… The drones are on an intercept course. Impact in thirty seconds,” Lieutenant Scott said.
“Engage point-defense firing solution. Take them down. Fire weapons at the lead ship.”
Sean watched as their point-defense systems tried to destroy the attack drones speeding toward them. They were fast. The cyber warfare suite tried to use predictive algorithms to anticipate where the targets would be and fire their weapons accordingly. Point-defense lasers locked onto the drones but were ineffective. The cyber warfare suite switched to the railguns, and the enemy drones took evasive maneuvers to avoid being shot down. Bursts of high-speed projectiles were fired at the drones, taking one out in a bright flash, and the remaining drones increased their speed. Five glowing enemy attack drones disappeared from view on the main holoscreen, and Klaxon alarms blared as the impact was registered on the ship’s systems.
“We’re hit!” Lieutenant Scott said. “Penetration through the lower decks… Make that through the upper deck. Colonel, it plunged through the outer hull!”
Sean’s mouth tightened. Two more enemy drones went dark. At least they were vulnerable to the railguns.
“Four HADES V missiles are away,” Lieutenant Russo said.
“Impact near midships from the three remaining drones,” Lieutenant Scott said.
Sean didn’t know if the enemy drones were burrowing through the decks or just burning right through everything in their paths. “Gabriel, have they altered course inside the ship?”
If the drones could punch through all the decks, they might be able to change course, wreak even more havoc, and destroy the ship.
“Negative, Colonel. Their paths are straight. Automatic bulkhead doors are closing and sealing the breaches.”
The viewer on the main holoscreen switched to a live feed midships, and Sean watched in horror as the enemy drones plunged out through the bulkhead. Point-defense railguns bellowed streams of marked shots taking out another one. Only two remained.
“Tactical, I want HADES Vs in all available tubes. Helm, emergency thrusters full. Put us on an intercept course with the enemy ships.”
Sean heard Oriana gasp but didn’t spare her a glance. The Vigilant lurched forward in a sudden burst of speed, which took the attack drones by surprise. They bounced off, unable to penetrate the armored hull as the Vigilant sped ahead. Railguns locked onto the drones and unleashed a hellfire of solid projectiles that decimated them.
“Attack drones have been destroyed. Enemy ships have taken out two of our missiles, Colonel,” Lieutenant Scott said.
“Detonate remaining missiles now. Don’t wait for them to hit their targets.” If he couldn’t get a clean shot, he might at least be able to blind them. “Launch another volley. All tubes active now.”
Armored hatches burst open on twenty-four of the Vigilant’s twenty-eight tubes. Launching thrusters shoved the HADES V missiles out. Then the mains kicked in, and the missiles raced toward their targets.
“Confirm launch of twenty-four HADES Vs, Colonel,” Lieutenant Scott said.
The HADES Vs were loaded with high-yield fusion warheads. They should be enough to turn those ships into slag, but it depended on what their hull material was made of. A handful of those attack drones had chewed through the Vigilant’s armored plating like it was nothing. The HADES Vs had densely armored tips meant for busting through anything in their paths. Their velocity would penetrate the enemy ships’ hulls regardless of what they were made of. They just had to get there.
“Enemy attack drones have launched from the two rearmost ships. The count is fifty drones and rising,” Lieutenant Scott said in a level voice, but Sean could hear the strain required to keep his fear under control.
Fifty! Sean’s mouth went dry. If those drones were able to reach the Vigilant, they were dead. They’d tear the ship apart.
“Colonel,” Gabriel said, “the attack drones didn’t increase their energy output to penetrate the ship’s hull until they were inside point-defense range. Our fusion warheads could destroy them.”
“Task four of the HADES Vs to intercept the attack drones. Detonate the moment they’re within range of those things.”
Sean’s orders were confirmed, and his mouth formed a grim line. “Reload missile tubes with HADES Vs. I want them ready to launch on my orders.”
Sean’s gaze darted to the Vigilant’s combat readiness status, which showed a pale yellow for empty missile tubes. He knew the time it took to reload those tubes, and it felt like an eternity for them to indicate green.
“Colonel, scanning sweep of the planet is as complete as it can be from this vantage point. No colonial signals detected and nothing from the lunar base,” Lieutenant Hoffman said.
“Understood,” Sean replied and watched the plot. Two groups of HADES Vs rapidly approached their targets.
“Colonel,” Oriana said quietly, “that might not be home.”
Sean swung his gaze toward her, and blood thundered in his ears as he barely grunted an acknowledgment. He had to fight. He had to take out those ships. They could worry about whether this planet was their home afterward.
“HADES V detonation confirmed. Twenty attack drones remaining. Enemy ships have point-defense engaged, and half the remaining drones have altered course. They’re targeting our missiles, Colon
el,” Lieutenant Russo said.
That left ten attack drones they still had to deal with.
“Colonel Quinn,” Gabriel said, “analysis of the enemy attack drones indicates that when a fusion warhead is detonated, they’re temporarily blinded. The lead enemy ship ceased its advance as well, indicating a vulnerability we may wish to exploit.”
Sean frowned. “I don’t see how that helps. We don’t have time to split the missiles apart to blind our enemy and hit them.”
“No, but we could blind them and get away,” Oriana said.
Sean glared at her. “I’m not running away.”
“We don’t even know who they are. What they are,” Oriana said.
Sean blew out a harsh breath and glared at the main holoscreen. Attack drones were taking out his missiles in such a way that it prevented them from detonating. He tried to force a solution from his brain that would allow them to get the upper hand. This was what he excelled at, and right now he was coming up short. Why couldn’t he think of something?
“Sean, please,” Oriana said.
The pleading note in her voice cleaved through his angry, racing thoughts, and he looked at her. She was scared. They all were. It was just that she hadn’t given in to her fear and was thinking clearly.
“Gabriel, can you time the detonation of the HADES Vs to cover our... withdrawal?”
“Affirmative, Colonel.”
“Tactical, keep the HADES Vs in the tubes on standby in case this doesn’t work. Helm, put us on a course that takes us away at maximum burst. Then cut the engines.”
Sean’s orders were confirmed, and he glared at the main holoscreen. “Go.”
“Confirmed,” Gabriel said in a passionless voice. “Detonation in five, four…”
Some of the HADES Vs were close enough to impact the enemy ships, but since they were running away, they wouldn’t know how much of an impact they had. And they risked those attack drones tearing their ship apart.
The Vigilant’s emergency thrusters engaged and the main engine pods blazed as they pushed the ship away from the enemy contacts. The HADES Vs timed fusion detonation put a wall of molten energy between the Vigilant and the other ships. Each blast disabled the attack drones until they lost contact with them.