by John Migacz
CHAPTER 21
“Sir, scanners indicate a large unidentified object has just dimgated into the quadrant,” said the communications officer. He looked up quickly. “It’s jamming our communications.”
Captain Arslac blinked it up on his screen. “Red alert,” he ordered. “Increase scanning power on it and see if you can get an ID. How long until it’s in range?”
“At current speed it will be in Kali cannon range in ten minutes and laser range in fifteen,” she answered.
The Captain watched the object on his screen. “It’s not moving very fast… Navigation, plot a course toward the bogie, best angle for all weapons to bear. Let’s not wait for him to take the first shot. Perhaps – ”
“Sir,” interrupted the information officer, “the computers have identified the object as a Class Thirty-six Kraken dreadnought.”
“Class Thirty-six?” he echoed. “We haven’t seen that class in two hundred years.” The specter his imagination always created had been short-sighted this time.
“Send all info to HQ if you can break through the jamming. Get all the data we have on the Class Thirty-six and pipe it to the bridge officers.” Raising his voice for all to hear, he said, “People, study the data on the Thirty-six. Learn its weak points and see if you can find any more.” He blinked through the dreadnaught’s data and grunted at the stats. A Class 36 Kraken dreadnaught was a huge, heavily armored laser and missile weapons platform. It took a lot of firepower to knock one out. Quick calculations showed the Reliant didn’t have enough. He glanced at his bridge staff. Their faces told him they had come to the same conclusion.
“We have a speed and maneuverability advantage on this beast. We’ll try to hit and move. We can’t go toe to toe with it.” He considered giving them a positive speech about the two hundred years of advanced weaponry the Reliant carried, but knew his crew was already confident in their ship and their abilities. If he distracted them with unneeded rhetoric, they might begin to wonder.
He blinked and switched to another comm frequency. “Kali weapons group leaders, keep your men sharp. Most of our computing power will go into laser defense against their missile attacks. If you think you can score a hit, take it. Don’t wait for computer confirmation. This is not a time to conserve ammunition. I’m sure the taxpayers won’t mind.” That brought a thin smile from the bridge weapons officer.
He blinked to the bridge comm link. “You’ve all seen the data on the Thirty-six. I’m sure they haven’t changed their attack mode. When in range, they will launch a massive missile assault followed immediately with a smaller salvo probe, then another massive missile launch. Following the last salvo, the Kraken will close to laser range and try to finish the job. Any suggestions?”
“Sir,” the weapons officer offered, “how about using the Kraken Cross as cover for their missile attacks. We could pop up and shoot, keeping the Cross between us and them.”
“Good idea, Jake, but if we stay in one place it will allow them to get into laser range and they’ll stomp us flat. Besides, we’re still getting plenty of data from our people on the Cross. If it weren’t for that, we would take a couple of long range pot shots and skedaddle ‘til the fleet arrives. Any other suggestions?” A few more ideas followed about improving computer tracking and fire control, but they all knew what kind of a fight they were in for. “All right people, let’s go to work.”
With a burst of hot plasma, the Reliant accelerated to intercept. The Kraken dreadnought did not alter its course. “Navigation, prepare to come about, course Z-nine-zero, on my mark,” said the Captain with a voice steadier than he felt.
“Aye, aye, Captain!”
“All Kali guns, fire on my mark.”
He watched the range close and was oblivious to the absolute silence on the bridge. For most of his crew, this would be their first major engagement with a Kraken. Tension on the bridge increased. The very air felt heavy. Finally, the stress snapped with one word.
“Mark!” shouted the captain and watched the stars shift on the main screen. His feet felt the tremor of the Kali guns through the ship’s deck as the broadside commenced.
“Fire missiles!” ordered Captain Arslac.
Waves of incredible energies washed over the Kraken dreadnought as it plunged ahead on its course. With its shields badly stressed, shells slammed into the surface. Spots of molten metal blossomed on the hull but its huge size simply absorbed the damage. The Kraken rolled over to bring its missile tubes to bear. Its skin rippled as ports opened and scores of missiles spouted from the side of the ship.
“Full speed astern!” yelled the Captain as he watched the streaks of light closing on his ship. Hopefully he could widen the distance, allowing his defensive lasers to do their job. Distant stars were the backdrop as the Reliant’s lasers found their targets and bright-white, silent explosions blanketed the black sky. Captain Arslac watched the computer screen and tried to will more of the streaks to explode. Too many missiles were getting through the laser screen. He knew they were going to take hits – how bad it would be he couldn’t yet determine.
The shuttle beamed views of the engagement to Commlead Haridep at the center of the Kraken Cross. As the two ships closed, her throat tightened. “How are we doing, Strikedag?” she said.
He glanced up. “Almost down, Ma’am.” The faint glow around the wall suddenly winked out as the shield collapsed.
She walked to the bare wall and placed her hands on it, pushing gently, then harder. “Get me inside!” she exclaimed, her fear and the raging battle outside forgotten as her excitement rose.
“Aye, aye, Sir.”
“I’ll help you cut, Dagger,” said the Lancelead. The Strikedag pointed to where the Lancelead should start, then fired up his own laser.