Resurrection (The Inherited War) (40 page)

“I am coming with you, you know that right?”  She said

“What?  Back to Home, of course.”

“No, when you go to fight these creatures in your friends system.  I will be going with you.”  It was a statement not a request.

“Sure, you have earned the right just as much as anyone.  I will take anyone who wants to go, unless they are pregnant.  All pregnant women will be staying behind.  That is assuming I go in the first place.”

“They are your friends are they not?”  She asked him.

“As far as I knew they were.”

“What has changed then?”  She prodded.

“They never came.  They left me, you, Split and all the rest of them.  They never came.”  He repeated again.

“Why not?”  This woman was maddening Cole thought to himself.  Why couldn’t she leave it alone?

“I don’t know, I have been out of the loop for a while.”  Cole angrily shot back.

“Then don’t judge.”

“Come again?”  Cole said incredulously

“Do not judge their actions until you know why they never came.  They may have a more important reason that kept them from coming.”

“Better be a damn good one then.  Look I know I am going to go help them, Hal knows it and now you know it.  But there is going to be a reckoning between myself and some others.  I am angry and I will stay that way until I have answers.”  A low chime interrupted their conversation.  “Hal, let them know we are about to warp.”

Hal complied and announced the impending warp to the passengers.  As soon as he finished, Hal engaged the warp engines.  For a brief moment that lasted forever, time seemed to jerk to a halt and the universe when grey and started to fade out.  Just as fast/slow it popped back into focus.  Normal space, they had made it back home.

Cole reconnected with the Smash and scanned the space around him.  Emptiness all around with the familiar asteroid belt to his front.  Cole smiled, it was over.  He was finally free.  He sent his communications net out and connected with Home Base.

“I warned you Hal, if you steal those ships don’t ever come back.”  The defense AI was in a fury.  “But do you listen, no.  Well I can’t be blamed for this; it is part of my job.”  Suddenly Coles warning sensors went haywire as every defense node in the system locked onto his ships.

“Shit Hal, what did you do?”  Cole swore at his friend.

“Oh yeah I forgot to tell…”  Hal began but Cole interrupted him.

“Never mind.  I will deal with you later.”  Cole got on the Home Net.  “Home base this is Hotel Actual, stand down, I repeat, stand down.  Authorization One, One, Bravo. Acknowledge.”  Cole rushed to get the code out.

“Wait, Cole is that you?  Damn it Hal, you weren’t lying after all.” The Home AI sounded genuinely stunned.  Cole noticed that all the active targeting systems were powering down as well.

“Good to be Home, I am glad you took your job to heart, as it were Home Base.  But I am back and in charge again.  I need the personnel area turned on and warmed up.  Get the bots making room for eleven-thousand humans to occupy the barracks area.  Get the hospital on line and the med bots up and studying up on human physiology.  I also want a detailed log of everything that has happened since I was last here.”  Cole paused and thought for a moment.  “Also a list of any ships that are ready for launch.”

“Yes, sir, and may I say that it is wonderful to have you back sir.  I knew they couldn’t keep you down.”  The AI recomposed himself after his shameful, to him, outburst.  “Everything will be ready for your arrival, sir.”

“Good we will be there in thirty minutes.  Cole out.”  Cole guided both the Smash and Grab through the defense network that surrounded the asteroid field.  He flew his ship unerringly into the asteroids and landed in the open bay.  Split settled his ship in perfectly next to Cole’s.  The outer doors closed and breathable air was pumped back into the room and warmed to a comfortable temperature.

The landing bay was huge, bigger than the plateau they had spent the last month or so living on and could easily accommodate the large crowd about to debark from the ships.  Cole waited until everything was perfect outside before he opened the cargo door of his ship.  He asked everyone to disembark and gather at the front of the ships.

Cole disconnected from the ship and followed Anastacia off the bridge and down the ramp to exit with everyone else.  It took a while for all of the humans to gather their things and move from the ship to the hanger bay.  Once everyone was off and in front of the ships, Cole separated from Anastacia and moved to the exit of the bay.  He turned and faced the crowd of human faces looking at him expectantly.  He began to speak.

“Welcome home.  Temporary as it may be, it is home for now.  This,” he held his arms wide, “is the legacy left for us by our ancestors.  This is what will ensure our continued existence in the galaxy.  Twenty thousand years ago our ancestors foresaw their inevitable defeat at by the forces rallied against them.  With foresight and careful planning they paved the way for their return, our return to the galaxy.  This facility has lain dormant for those twenty thousand years, waiting.  Waiting for humanity to return and seize the technology left in these walls.  To invariably help us return to power in the universe.”  Cole had their complete attention.  He could almost see the visions of their once mighty race flitter through their heads.

“Plans change.  Murphy’s Law states, a battle plan will never survive first contact with the enemy.  Also, anything that can go wrong will go wrong.  Our plan has changed, slightly.  Frankly I don’t care if we ever return to the level of power we once held.  Being there before only painted a giant target on our collective backsides.  I propose this.  Our priority now is to ensure the survival of the human race.  Second; to ensure our enemies are defeated, and finally, to ensure our continued survival for centuries to come.  I promise you this, right here and now.  I will spend every last breath ensuring these things happen.  I will devote my life to protecting yours.  I do not expect the same from you.  You have many choices at the moment.  Though I do ask that you remain here until your babies are born.  If you do not wish to raise the children that have been forced upon you, then no one will make you.  If you do not wish to stay here and live with us until a suitable world can be found, I will provide you with a ship and any information you need.  If you choose to stay then hear me and understand.”  Cole took a breath.

“I am in charge.  I decided what happens and when.  I will not force you to fight with me but if you stay under my protection you will obey my orders.  We are a people weakened to almost extinction.  We
walk the fine line of obliteration and I will not allow us to falter.  We will make a new home in this galaxy and we will fend for ourselves.   Our security will be ours alone and we will trust but a few.”  Cole pointed at Split.

“This noble being is one, we can trust to make decisions to protect us.  We shall find more like him and use their knowledge and experience to our benefit.  Twenty thousand years ago our ancestors were nearly wiped out because they trusted all life to behave like them.  I will not make the same mistake.  I have given you much to think on and now I will give you time to do just that.  If you look down you will see a glowing blue line, follow it to the barracks.  There is plenty of room for all.   If you don’t read English ask the computer to change it into your native language.  The base is yours to roam as you will.  There are some unused areas that will remain closed until they are needed.  Everywhere else is fair game.  There are extensive scientific and mathematical archives stored here that may intrigue some of you.  There is also a very handy galactic guide that has extensive information on the worlds and races of the galaxy.  This place is also a factory so if anything is needed that isn’t already here let the base AI know and it will find out if it can be made.”  Cole looked gravely at his people.

“There are some things I need to handle and plans to be made.  I will leave you to think on what I have said and will let you know what our situation is in a day or so.  Again, welcome home.”  Cole stopped speaking and for a moment there was absolute silence.  Then, from the front someone began to clap. Quickly others picked up the applause until the hanger was overwhelmed by cheering and the sound of hands clapping.  Cole stood proud and accepted the appreciation they were showing him.  He had a feeling no one would be leaving and all would be helping.  He smiled and waved at the crowd and signaled to Split to follow him as he left the room behind.

Minutes later Cole found himself in the command section of the base.  From here Cole could monitor the entire base and is surroundings.  He could control the shipyards, factory and defense grid.  He was poring over the report he had asked the Home AI to prepare for him.

“You’re sure it was Fury?  And he was calling it the Savior?”  Cole was getting mad all over again.

“Yea, the little,” the AI caught himself before he said what he really want to; “he was calling himself an Admiral, can you believe it?  He said you were dead, well he didn’t, but the other one did.”

“What other one?”

“He said he was an Administrator, Fire that was his name.  He said you were dead and the human fleet was now his.  He demanded the rest of the ships here.  I showed him what he could do with his demands.  Chased them right out of the sector and told that ship of his to forget how to come back.”

Cole grunted.  “Good job.  I am going to have to have a chat with this Fire and Admiral Fury.”  Cole continued reading the report.  “Two new ships, good job.  Are they ready to go?”

“Yes sir, I had them field tested myself just a few days ago.  All they need are crews.”  The AI responded proudly.  “A replacement for the Retribution and your new super battleship class.” 

“Good, good.”  Cole typed something on the keypad in front of him.  “The first is the name of the command ship the second is the battleship.  Have them painted on ASAP.  Hal, I need West and Anastacia up here as soon as possible, which means right now.”

Split set down the data he had been looking at.  He sighed and rubbed at his temples.

“That bad?”  Cole asked.  “Can we effectively help or are we just as doomed as they are?”

“We may tip the scales in their favor, but much is unknown.”

“What if we manned both The Smash and Grab and the two new ships?  We could staff the battleship with AI, like we did for the Battle of Nixa.  I can put you in The Smash and leave the other AI on the Grab, I will take the battleship and West and Anastacia can hold down the fort on the command ship with Hal’s help. With the blockade runners running amok in their formation, and the new super battleship nailing them with barrages from a distance, we should be able to kill a lot of Esii.  Once the others realize it’s help, they should pounce too.”   Cole was gauging Split’s response when Eric West sauntered in the command room.

He stopped and noticed the looks on both Cole’s and Split’s faces.  “Is everything okay, you guys look a little tense?”  Split ignored the comment and responded to Coles query.

“Possibly, but only if Thalo gets the Home Fleet Moving fast to come to our aid.”  Split nodded his head as if he were listening to someone.  “We can insure that Thalo gets the message.”

“Good, let’s do it then.”  Anastacia walked into the room seconds later.

“Are you two coming on our mission?”  Cole asked the newcomers to the room.

“Yes,” they said in unison.

“Great, Captain West and Captain Fedorov, report to the med bay for nanites implantation and gene therapy.  I will need you ready to go in two days time.  Hal, see to their medical needs.”

“Wait, what’s going on?”  West said confused.  “What about nanites and gene therapy?”

“You are in the human navy now, sorry no army at the moment, and in order to use this tech you have to have the right genes.  The nanites are handy little buggers to have.  They will keep you alive with even the most horrendous of wounds.  They also make repair damage to your body and make it stronger.  You are going to need them out there.  Now follow Hal to the med bay and get started.  You only have two days to learn your new jobs.  Dismissed Captains.”  With nothing better to say they saluted Cole and turned to follow Hals voice to the med bay.

“Alright Split, here is what we are going to do.” 

CHAPTER 29

They had formulated their plan off of the information the Nixa scout had reported to Fury.  The Vengeance and Payback would be the two ships that would make the journey to the Esii homeworld to rescue Cole.  Two human ships should be more than enough to deal with the twenty or so remaining Esii cruisers.

Now all they had to do was wait.  The armistice was only a few hours away from becoming official and the Worlders were not very happy with their new neighbors. Over the last forty hours or so the Esii fleet had repositioned itself around their home to be, the fourth planet out from the central sun of the system.

The Worlders, who hammered out the terms of the treaty, had poured over every scrap of information they had on the planet.  It was a lifeless rock with zero atmosphere.  It was, however, honey combed with tunnels, tunnels that could be sealed and filled with air and whatever else the Esii needed.  Once they were inside that rock it would be hard to get them out.

The documents had been drawn up and as Supreme Commander of local forces, it was up to Suns to oversee the signing of the accords.  He was on hand to witness the Worlders government sign and would have a remote viewing from the bridge of the Justice, when the Esii ruler signed his part.

Until the truce was signed they could not risk any ships leaving the system.  So they waited.  Thalo was on the bridge of the Vengeance with Sky, Snow, Gavreal and Jeth.  They all stared restlessly at the clock.  One hour to go.  As soon as the transport carrying the signed treaty was safely on board and verified, Thalo would give the order to launch.

“It seems so long since the Battle of Nixa.”  Sky said quietly.  “I miss him so much.”

“We all do, hell I even miss Split.”  Thalo said absently.  “We are almost there, one hour to go.”

“I am looking forward to finally meeting him in person.”  Snow added.  “I have heard so much, it is almost like I have known him for as long as you guys.”

“He, he is amazing.  To live through the struggles he has lived through amazes me still.”  Gavreal laid a protective hand on Sky’s shoulder.  He had helped her through a rough time of her own and was very in tune with her emotions of late.

“I, too, am anxious to meet the descendant.  It has been a long time since I have spoken to a Creator; it will raise my spirits as well.”  Gavreal smiled at his companions.

Silence overcame the bridge again as the weighty matters of the moment descended on the group.  Time ticked by, ever slower it seemed.  Finally at the thirty minute to go mark, a flurry of activity flashed across Thalo's monitor.

“There she is, the transport is away.  They will go slow and take all thirty minutes to get into position.  I guess Suns didn’t want to spook them.”  Thalo mumbled to himself.

They all watched the track of the craft on the monitor.  The green icon that represented the transport steadily moved away from the fleet and to the designated meeting area.  As of yet no ships had detached from the Esii battle group to meet with the ship.  The ship crawled across the screen.  When the countdown clock hit zero the ship came to a halt.

Still no response from the Esii, nothing stirred on their side.

“Second thoughts maybe?”  Snow asked.  “I don’t understand why they started talks in the first place.  We have all seen Esii commit suicide rather than be captured.  Why should they care if they die in a futile war with us?”

“The Esii will sacrifice each other or themselves to protect the greater good of the race.  They are sacrificing in a different way now.”  Gavreal continued.  “Their goal is the continuation of the species and they would do anything to accomplish that.  They lost something important on their home and think they have found it here.  They would return to barbarism if it meant in ten thousand years they would return to
the stars as the scourge they are.  Do not waste time trying to understand them, just know they are evil and will never turn down an opportunity to better themselves.  Even if it doesn't seem that way to us.”

“Then why aren’t they moving?”  Snow asked.

“They may perceive some advantage from taking their time.  Or are conversing with our leader before leaving.  It is not for us to know but to wait and watch.”  Gavreal was right; all they could do was waiting.

“Something isn’t right, I need to call Suns.”  Thalo opened a channel to the Commander and was about to speak when he heard a voice.  Not in the com’s or from anyone in the room.  It sounded inside his head.  He turned to Jeth.  “Did you hear that?”

“Yes, yes I did.”  Jeth responded.

“What.  I didn’t hear anything.”  Sky and Snow said in unison.

“Never mind it’s a Worlder thing.”  Thalo reopened his channel to Suns.  “Commander, do you copy.  This is Thalo over.” 

“Not now Thalo I am talking to the Esii.”  Well that explained the delay. 

“Can the Esii hear me?”  Thalo asked.

“No they are conferring and will be getting back to me shortly.”  Suns said angrily.

“Good, sound general quarters and man battle stations immediately.  Do not change course and do not give away that you are going to battle stations.  Above all, keep them talking and away from that transport.”  Thalo shocked the admiral into silence.

“What are you saying?  Attack?”  Suns asked incredulously. 

“That’s exactly what I am saying and if you don’t do it I will.” 

“You have no authority here.  I will not jeopardize your people’s safety for hasty action.  I want you off my ship, now.”  Suns roared over the com.

“Sorry sir, not going to happen.”  Thalo switched to the security channel on the Justice.  “Security, I want the Supreme Commander arrested and locked in his quarters.  Turn the command of all ships and units over to Worlder commanders.  Any Nixa that refuses to obey orders is to be arrested on the spot and secured immediately.”  Thalo switched channels again.  “To all ships AI’s, I am taking command.  Authorization Hotel Actual, One, One, Bravo.  Bring your weapons systems online and wait for instructions.  Command ship is incoming and will coordinate the battle.”

“Thalo, what are you doing?”  Sky was yelling at him.  “Why are you arresting my people?  Why are you attacking the Esii?  Damn it, don’t ignore me.”  She slapped him in the face.

“Sky, park it.  I don’t want to have you locked up too.”  Thalo turned back to his monitor.

“Why?  Why are you doing this Thalo?”  Sky was sobbing as Gavreal held her in place.  Jeth had his arms around Snow and was holding her still as well.

“Why?  Because your people betrayed us again and Cole is on his way to fight the Esii and we are going to help him.”  Sky sucked in a breath and held it. 

“No,” she breathed out, “you’re lying.”

Thalo never heard her; he had connected with The Vengeance and had transferred the command to her bridge.  He was watching the empty space, waiting for the signal.   The voice he had heard still thundered in his head.  It had been Split, Thalo was sure of it.  His message was short and to the point.

“The Nixa betrayed you, prepare to attack.”  And the last bit was the clincher.  “Cole is coming, take command.  Hotel Actual, One, One, Bravo.”

~

“You ready West?”  Cole asked over the com.

“I think so.  Shit, here it goes.”  West said as he connected to the ship.  He suddenly felt himself pulled from his body and was now floating in space.  He could feel every inch of the ship.  His awareness expanded to encompass it all.  He could feel the cold of the void, he could see for thousands of miles in every direction.  He had become the ship.  “Oh my God, this is unreal.”

“Yeah, it takes some getting used to.  I spent two weeks puttering around here initially getting the hang of things.  You have the next few hours so let’s get to it.”  Cole was faced with nearly the same challenge.  He was connected to the bridge of his new Super Battle ship, The Missouri while West was helming the command ship Resurrection.  Anastacia was on board with Cole and the volunteers who formed the small but steady core of men that trained on Esii.  Split helmed The Grab, while an AI piloted the Smash. 

“Okay, fly around a bit and get a feel for moving.  Your ship is nimble and quick, you can do some amazing maneuvers with her that other ships can’t.  Let the information flow into you, don’t fight it.  Your brain works differently here, it can focus on many things at once.”  Cole watched as the small command ship, which reminded him of his first ship, slowly built speed and began maneuvering around the outer edge of the asteroids.

“When we warp to the Twin World System you’re going to have two primary focuses.  First is to stay close to the battle so Hal can run the battle computer as accurately as possible.  Your ship will coordinate all the other ships in the fleet so it is essential you stay alive and unobserved.  Which brings me to the second crucial task you have.  You have a stealth package unrivaled in the galaxy.  Use it to keep yourself hidden at all times.  Do not engage the enemy; you don’t have enough experience with the ship yet to be effective in combat.  Hal is going to be doing most of the work, you just need to keep The Resurrection safe.  Myself, Split, and the other ships will do the fighting.”  Cole began to power up his monster and moved her out into the night.

The Missouri was a mobile weapons platform.  It had missile tubes stacked on all sides and plasma cannons from stem to stern.  It was a ship designed to wade into the thick of battle and deal death and destruction from all angles.  It was packed with AI’s who had volunteered to run its systems until a crew could be properly trained. 

“Hal is going to help you learn what you need to know.  We march in twenty-four hours.”  Twenty-four hours, Cole had a lot to learn about his own ship.  He switched to the internal com systems.

“Anastacia, you will handle damage control and the some of the defensive firing weapons.  The AI’s will handle tracking and firing on targets.  I will fly this beast and coordinate with the Worlder Navy.  Let’s get to it.”  Cole feed power to the engines and rocketed away from the dry docks.  They spent the next day cruising through the asteroid belt learning their new ships.  At t-minus one hour Cole called a halt to the training.

“You ready Hal?”  He asked his friend.

“Yes, I believe he can handle his job.”

“Good, you need to get going now.  I want you in position and relaying information as soon as we reenter normal space.  I want priority targeting.  We have to take out their big ships first.  Deploy every decoy and anti-warfare device on board as soon as we revert.  Surprise and confusion are the watch words of the day.  And Hal, good luck.”

“Yea, you too, and don’t be late.”  Cole watched as The Resurrection flashed into warped space and was gone from sight.  One final hour of peace, then, well one way or another this would be over.

~

Thalo was a live wire, he had so much nervous energy running through his body he could have powered a city.  He had just finished talking to the Esii and was watching as their leaders ship flew to rendezvous with the transport that held the treaty.  The two ships silently met in the deep of space and the Esii ship extended its docking arm.

Thalo watched the internal feeds as a team of Esii moved on board and swept the ship.  Satisfied that there were no traps or other deadly devices hidden there in, they signaled for the signatory to come aboard.

“Hurry up Cole.”  Thalo whispered under his breath as the Esii sat and began to read the documents.  Satisfied that the language was correct the Esii reached for the stylus placed next to the treaty.  He was about to make his mark when threat lights blared to life all around Thalo on the bridge.

The massed Esii fleet was actively targeting the human ships deployed in defense of the Worlder System.  Thalo was confused.  What the hell was going on?  He checked his readouts, nothing.  No new ships had jumped in, the Esii had set them up.

“All hands prepare to defend yourselves.”  The Esii fleet suddenly vanished and reappeared well within range of everyone's weapons.  They had done en mass what the smaller fleet had done weeks before.  Pushed the envelope of a warped jump inside a big gravity well and were attacking.  Thalo began to shout orders.

But before the Esii launched their first attack, their ships began to explode.  Thalo looked at the plot.  Three new symbols were intermixed inside the Esii fleet.  Cole had arrived and had brought some new toys.  Suddenly the fleets targeting and information systems clarified and firing solutions refined.  Cole had brought a command ship it seemed, it was coordinating the battle.

“Weapons, follow the prompt for firing.  Hit designated targets.”  Thalo ordered.

“Sir,” that came from the targeting officer, “I haven’t designated any targets yet.”

“I know, we have help and we are going off their target list.  They will be more accurate than we could.  Full ahead, get us in as close as possible to those ships.”  Thalo was nervous.  Cole had only showed up with three warships and one command vessel.  He wasn’t sure it would be enough, until he saw the behemoth smack in the middle of the Esii fleet. 

If ever there had been a ship designed for massed battle, this was it.  Thalo couldn’t keep track of how much fire it was pouring out.  Its cannons and missiles streaked out from all over its surface and connected with Esii ships.  The Esii fleet was in a shambles.  All their targeting had been focused on the defense fleet and they were all desperately turning to face the threat from the middle.