The Battle for the Ringed Planet (43 page)

Dekker: “Keep it tight! Stay on course!”

Tang: “He’s going to hit …”

Dekker: “Open up now!”

Valkrie: with a broken transmission: “Got one! He’s bailing!”

Skydemon: “Dammit just missed me, going after …”

Dekker: “Negative stay on Valkrie’s wing … got one.”

Tang: “There is one on my tail!”

Dekker: “On it, keep on my wing!”

Tang: “Can’t shake him! Hit my engine …” then there was static.

Dekker: “Valkrie … move up into Tang’s position!”

Valkrie: “One on my six …” static “Thank you Skydemon.”

Dekker: “You roll like that again Skydemon and you’ll end up like Tang! I’m on two, get in here Valkrie!”

Skydemon: “I count three coming … 3 o’clock …”

Dekker: “Burn one …”

Valkrie: “I got the other …”

Dekker: “Scattering … Alpha Flight is in trouble, moving up.”

Skydemon: “There are three on our six…”

Dekker: “Break Skydemon pull them away from me...”

Skydemon: “That was close! They’re all over me!”

Dekker: “Hold them for another second …”

Skydemon: breathing heavily …

Valkrie: “Hit one, but he’s still in the game.”

Dekker: “Finished him; on to the other.”

Skydemon: “Turning inside … all stop!”

Dekker: “Good move … now take him!”

Skydemon: “Got him!”

Dekker: “They’re moving off to the flanking cruisers; let’s get back with the others!”

There was silence for a moment on their frequency, but then Dekker broke in with a sigh, “CAG’s gone. I have the squadron.”

--

“The Juno has successfully tunnelled out, sir.” Thomas turned away from his holo and looked up at the Admiral who was pacing.

“Good, inform the Cordelia that she is next. How are the fighters?”

Lars cut in, “About 25 Starhawk losses so far and a dozen pilots floating out there.”

“Can we get to them?”

“They’re too scattered, sending in a Spacemaster in the middle of the battle would be suicide.”

A flash went off seen from the big rectangular shielded transteel windows of the bridge, and Master Specialist Rhonda Birk peered up at the admiral who was near her consul, “The Camulos just took out another Emperor class cruiser … that’s 5 in total for the God of War cruisers …”

Thomas added, “Several enemy cruising are veering course and heading towards the Camulos, along with dozens of fighters.”

“All right Thomas, call them back.”

“Aye, sir.”

--

Agent Tass watched the holo as the Cordelia tunneled out. Each battle cruiser required a great deal of space to create a big enough wormhole to encompass the entire vessel. He moved the focus of the holo to dozens a streaks and red and white flashes of the ongoing fighter battle. Then he zoomed in on a line three separate battle cruisers with huge guns protruding from their noses firing into an approaching fleet of a dozen enemy warships. He knew the three were in trouble.

Siiri sat with her knees to her chest in the corner listening with apprehension to the audio feed of the Black Knight Squadron. They had just lost their leader and the cocky ace pilot was taking the lead, driving them into the middle of the fray. He was suicidal, yet his vessel remained unscathed as he scored direct hits on enemy fighters.

“As long as he sticks with that ace, Torian should be fine.” Tass tried to reassure her.

“I’ve seen that one in action. He doesn’t give a damn about anyone with him.” She wiped away a tear.

“Really, you’ve seen him fight?”

“Over the city.”

Watching the action unfold between cruisers, he sucked in his breath, “Wow, those three cruisers are getting beat up badly!”

--

Thomas glanced at the admiral with a worried look, “The Camulos is in trouble, sir.”

Martin strode over to the sergeant’s consul, “Get out of there, Brynn!” He spoke aloud to himself.

 On the holo, the Mars and the Peron were moving off, but fighters surrounded the Camulos and four Immortal Fleet battle cruisers were moving into firing range.

“There are more than thirty fighters on her!” Lars came up from behind.

“Get me the captain.” Martin ordered Thomas and almost instantly, a floating screen of the Camulos Bridge appeared o the main holo. Smoke and fire raged and Captain Brynn Mostyn barked out orders.

“Brynn!” Martin called, “Those cruisers are lining up for a broadside! Get out of there!”

Grinning, the red haired captain with a blackened face replied, “That’s why I’m turning nose first, almost point blank, they won’t have a chance!”

“You have fighters all over, your shields can’t hold! Put on full thrusters, we’ll cover you!” Martin waved to Thomas, “Order the Prometheus, Hyperion, and Iowa to break the line and move up.”

“Negative Marty, I only have maneuvering thrusters, they blew out our main engines.”

“What about your tunnel drive, you might be able …”

The beleaguered captain shook his head, “No, that’s gone …” Just then the bridge rocked and flames crept up the wall behind the red haired captain, “Well that’s it, just lost the gun ...”

“Brynn!” Martin stared in disbelief.

The welsh captain continued to grin, “They forget, we have half a magazine full of City Smashers!”

The Admiral strode up to the holo, “Hold out, we have reinforcements …”

“Marty, half my crew is dead, we’ve got breaches all over, there’s just one more thing I can do …”

“No!”

Then the captain looked solemn, “You know where my family lives.”

“Brynn …”

The red haired man shrugged, “It’s been a lovely war …” Then he flicked his hand on a screen and the holo went blank. A huge red flash lit up the space encompassing the entire battle. Shock waves forced the crew in the bridge of the Europa to buckle and the vessel shuddered. Screens and holos went blank and flat panels displayed static for a moment until systems came back on line.

“Damage!” Martin yelled.

“Minimal!” Sergeant Thomas Mal responded.

The main holo came up and there was no more Camulos, but they saw three floating enemy cruiser glowing bright red and Thomas checked his readings, “He took out over 40 fighters and one Emperor class cruiser! Three are badly damaged.”

The admiral nodded, “All right, recall those cruisers except the Iowa, she’s next to tunnel.” He sighed and rubbed his temple and Lars gave him a knowing comforting look, then he turned back the sergeant, “What is the status of the Titan?”

Thomas shook his head, “Still no tunnel drive.”

--

Dekker: “Ok, break right, help out Bravo …”

Valkrie: “Three coming in 12 o’clock high and a whole squadron six low!”

Skydemon: “We’re getting jumped!”

Dekker: “Stay on my wing … and follow!”

Valkrie: “I’m right on top of them!”

Dekker: “I got the leader that should mess them up!”

Valkrie: “I got his wing!”

Skydemon: “You got one on your tail, Valkrie.”

Valkrie: “Busting left … dammitt, took a hit, not bad …”

Skydemon: “Got him …” static.

Dekker: “Skydemon get on my wing.”

Skydemon: “Valkrie is in trouble …”

Dekker: “Do it!”

Valkrie: “I got one on me … can’t maneuver… thruster hit …”

Skydemon: “I’m on him!”

Dekker: “Skydemon get on my wing, now!”

Valkrie: “I can’t shake him!”

Dekker: “There’s a flight below us, sitting ducks …”

Valkrie: “Almost got him …”

Dekker: “They spotted us! I told you to get on my wing!”

Skydemon: there was loud static, “I got him Valkrie you’re free! I’m coming Dekker.”

Dekker: “Four on me … I’m turning inside … Skydemon come at them head on!”

Skydemon: “I see the lead, here goes …”

Dekker: “Watch the one with the yellow nose … he’s an ace, on my tail …”

Skydemon: there was static, “I got the wingman …”

Dekker: “I got on that ace! Wait … I can’t …” then he was cut off.

Skydemon: “They got Dekker! Valkrie, I need help!”

Valkrie: “I’m coming around.”

Skydemon: “Hurry, this guy is good! Tracers right passed me!”

Valkrie: “Sorry, she’s sluggish!”

Skydemon: “Valkrie … taking hits … engine …” then there was only static.

Valkrie: “Skydemon, Torian!”

In the treatment room Siiri bolted up and turned to Agent Tass crying out, “Torian!”

“I’ll see if I can zero in on him …”

“No!” she screamed and tears began to stream down her cheeks and she stood up leaning against the transteel wall pounding it with her fists, “No! Oh please no!”

“I can’t see the fighter … or any of our fighters … they’ve broken through!”

“Torian!” she began to wail.

--

Staring at the main floating screen from the holo at the front of the bridge, Admiral Martin Bennion addressed the form of Captain William Chen from the C.S.S. Titan, “Are you sure your tunnel drive is ready?”

“It’s the best we can do, Admiral. We had to machine our own parts, but my Chief Engineer guarantees that it will work.”

“All right, Bill, move her out and prep your drive.”

“Aye, Admiral.”

Turning away he stepped over to the consul of Specialist First Class Rhonda Birk, “Put it up there.” She complied and they all viewed the Titan as she moved off away from the Europa, the only two remaining battle cruisers.

“Fighters incoming, friendly, sir,” Sergeant Thomas Mal glanced at the Admiral.

“How many?”

The slightly grey haired technician manipulated some screens for a count, “Maybe 20 to 25, with over a hundred Solvairs following.”

“And the Immortal Fleet?”

“Battle cruisers are moving in, still out of range for another few minutes. However, we’ll be in range sooner.”

“Order the gunners on the lead cruiser. All defensive guns prep for fighters.”

The XO studied the holo, “The Titan is about to tunnel.”

“Ensure all those fighters get in. Traffic …” he glanced over to a black female sergeant who was responsible for coordinating the fighters and other vessels in and out of the cruiser, “… landings don’t have to be pretty, just get them inside.”

On the main holo, the Titan began to form a wormhole, a giant ring surrounding the large starship, and everything seemed to be going normal until giant bolts of static danced across the hull. As the vessel began to enter the tunnel, the ring began to collapse while the cruiser was only half way in. All eyes on the bridge glued to the holo.

“The tunnel drive is failing!” Lars shouted.

Then the bridge was bathed in bright light as the C.S.S. Titan was cut in half when the wormhole collapsed, trapping the fore section inside, lost forever. The aft end of the stricken vessel then began to break apart in a series of explosions. All the bridge personnel shielded their eyes as more flashes and explosions continued until there was only debris.

“Damn …” Thomas grimaced.

Chapter 30: Siiri’s Fury

She had only known him a few days, yet he was the world to her. In fact, she should have been dead, but he saved her, and then she had experienced a love she never knew could be. Sinking to her knees Siiri cried openly and tears poured down her face.

Tacitly, Agent Tass switched the shield back on. There was speculation in some reports that a high emotional state might bring out dormant abilities, and despite what the admiral ordered, he was going to be prepared. When he got back, the military leader was going to be reprimanded for his actions ignoring the advice he, a trained intelligence operative, had given.

Sobbing uncontrollably, she choked exhaling and glanced up wiping away some tears, then frantically she called out to the only hope she had, “Kayla!”

Stepping up to the transparent wall Tass frowned, “Who is Kayla?”

She continued to cry out, “Kayla! Torian is dead!  Kayla!”

The instruments that Tass had set up to monitor the girl suddenly began to spike and he jumped up examining the readings, “What’s going on?” He stared at Siiri then back at the floating screens streaming columns of numbers. She began to stand, and when Tass turned back, his jaw dropped in disbelief; Siiri’s eyes glowed bright gold. The SIS agent staggered back in shock.

“Siiri …” Kayla whispered in her mind, “… do not be sad, Torian is not dead. The human man exited the fragile craft before it was destroyed. He is floating and in danger. Perhaps I … we can help …”

Smiling and laughing, still wiping away tears she hopped up and leaned against the transteel wall and whispered to herself, “He’s alive!”

--

His combat utility suit, designed for situations like this, ejected from the burning Starhawk, protected Torian floated in emptiness except for the odd piece of debris from other destroyed vessels.

“How much oxygen do you have left?” a floating blue half-naked Tristan folded his arms behind his head.

“You’re wearing swimming trunks out here?”

“Got to catch the solar surf …”

“Six hours, but I don’t plan on dying by asphyxiation, too much of a coward for that.” He drew his pistol and it automatically clamped in place in his right hand glove, linking to his helmet for targeting.

“They all left you, even the Immortal Fleet.”

“I’m sure they’ll be back, once the Europa tunnels out. But they’re not going to take me alive.”

“I hear they’re all eunuchs.”

“So where do the stories of rape and other sexual torture come from?”

“Maybe it’s just the pilots, then.”

“No wonder they’re so suicidal. If they made me like that I’d be happy to ram a cruiser,” Torian checked his limited scanning range checking the debris.

“What are you looking for?”

“Wreckage, there’s a Solvair nose section ahead. An oxygen synthesizer would be nice.”

“Those are in the aft section. And I don’t think the Solvair one is compatible.”

“Thanks for shot in the arm ... hmm …”

“What?”

“Two other pilots ahead, floating, looks like they’re fighting. I’m heading there.”

“Good luck, Torian.” Tristan disappeared as two floating individuals locked in grappling combat came into view a football field away. Torian flicked on his maneuvering thrusters, tiny rockets in the back and front of his suit, and slowly accelerated.