The lost fleet box set, p.41
The Lost Fleet Box Set, page 41
part #1 of The Lost Fleet Series
“That’s why we’re not staying long,” declared Clarissa, as she powered up the ship’s weapon systems.
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The three Simulin battlecruisers were part of a blockade force ensuring the unknown interloper could not flee down the energy corridor. Two unconfirmed reports of a single unscheduled vortex opening at the energy-collection station outside the dark matter cloud and one inside the cloud near one Simulin ship’s present position had been detected. For hours the Simulin fleet had searched, but no trace had been picked up of an interloping vessel. The search would continue until every kilometer of space around the ancient artifact was pronounced clear.
Alarms abruptly sounded on all three Simulin battlecruisers as a glaring red contact suddenly appeared in the midst of the three patrolling ships. Weapons systems went hot as automatic targeting systems found and locked on the nearby ship. The interloper had been located!
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“Firing!” reported Clarissa. “Activating hyperdrive.”
The two bow particle beam cannons locked on and fired upon the Simulin ship farthest away. At the same time, ten power beam turrets on the main hull of the exploration dreadnought fired upon a second enemy vessel. Space was suddenly full of deadly energy beams seeking to destroy their targets.
Four power beams struck a Simulin energy shield, causing it to erupt in a fusillade of colors, as it struggled against the sudden onslaught of energy. The shield shifted and wavered, then two beams flashed through the fluctuating shield, blasting deep holes in the ship’s hull. Moments later the other two beams penetrated, and a massive explosion rocked the Simulin vessel. The enemy ship’s Engineering section was hit, and it suddenly went dead in space as it lost its power. Detecting this sudden weakness, Clarissa launched two sublight Devastator Three missiles, and the Simulin ship ceased to be, as it was blown apart.
The second Simulin ship rocked under the weaker attack of the Distant Horizon’s secondary power beams. Two beams managed to penetrate causing minor damage but its shield managed to hold.
“Vortex is opening,” reported Lieutenant Parker, as a blue-white vortex formed in front of the Distant Horizon.
“Accelerating into the vortex,” reported Clarissa. She winced as the unharmed Simulin vessel fired its powerful energy beams at the exploration dreadnought. Their ship shook violently, and several red lights appeared on the Damage Control board. Then they were in the vortex and on their way down the tunnel.
Almost before the crew could relax, the ship exited the end vortex, reappearing in normal space.
“Contacts!” yelled Captain Reynolds, as the ship rocked violently, and alarms sounded.
“Multiple breaches along the forward hull. We’re venting atmosphere,” the Damage Control officer reported.
“Firing full spread of Devastator Threes,” responded Clarissa, as she turned the ship away from the approaching Simulin battlecruisers.
“We have twelve Simulin battlecruisers bearing down on us,” reported Captain Reynolds, as the glaring red threat icons appeared in the two tactical displays.
“Energy shield is up,” reported Commander Grissim. “Damage repair crews are en route to the damaged areas.”
On the large viewscreen, space suddenly lit up as eight Devastator Three missiles detonated just short of the Simulin vessels.
“The missiles detonated prematurely,” uttered Colonel Leon angrily.
“No,” replied Clarissa, as she rapidly accelerated the ship. “I used them to blind their targeting sensors. Stand by for hyperspace entry.”
“At this speed?” said Commander Grissim with worry spreading across her face. “It’s impossible!”
“Not for me,” Clarissa grated out, as she activated the ship’s hyperdrive and hit the swirling vortex just as it was forming.
Kathryn heard the ship scream in pain and the sound of grinding metal, and then the deep purple colors of hyperspace appeared on the big viewscreen.
“Get me a ship status,” she ordered. Looking at Clarissa, Kathryn saw the strained look on the AI’s face.
“You did well, Clarissa,” Kathryn said sympathetically. “No one else could have gotten us out of that mess.”
Clarissa nodded. She’d just checked, and sixteen crewmembers were missing from the forward sections where the Simulin energy beams had hit. It pained her to know she had been the cause of their deaths.
“We have six compartments open to space,” reported Colonel Leon, as she spoke to the Damage Control teams responding to that section of the ship. “Two power beam turrets are damaged and have ceased functioning, as well as four energy beam turrets. There’s no way to tell how bad the damage is until we send someone out to inspect the actual hull.”
Kathryn nodded. “Clarissa, do you have any cameras on the outer hull in that area that can show us the damage?” There was no way they could send someone out on an EVA while in hyperspace.
“Checking now,” the AI replied, as she checked the numerous cameras on the hull of the exploration dreadnought.
Suddenly on the main viewscreen, the damaged area came into view. As the camera panned over it, Kathryn felt her heart stop. A massive, glowing hole—easily twenty meters in diameter—was carved into the hull. Three smaller rips in the hull were nearby.
“Damn,” Major Weir uttered, as he looked at the damage. “That’s definitely an energy beam hit.”
“We can only seal off the affected areas,” Commander Grissim said with a grimace. “It will take a fleet repair ship or the Clan Protector to repair that damage.”
“There used to be a power beam turret there,” added Major Weir. “I believe the power cables to the other power beam turret and the energy turrets have been destroyed. They ran through the compartment directly beneath that energy beam strike.”
“I’ll see if I can reroute the power,” Colonel Leon said, as she moved to a console. “I should be able to do it from here.”
Kathryn nodded. “Do what you can. I’m not certain we’ve seen the last of the Simulins.”
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Kelsey and Katie looked with concern at one another. They were on their way back to Jeremy and Kevin, but were they leading the Simulins to the task group as well? Neither said anything; they had been friends for so long they didn’t need to say any words. Both knew what the other was thinking.
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Ariel was watching the sensors with a frown. At any time the Distant Horizon could be returning, and the task group would then return to Gaia. Checking on Kevin, she saw his eyes were focused intently on the sensors as well. Her friend was deeply concerned about the danger the exploration dreadnought might be in. Ariel wished all five of her friends were on board the Avenger, but she knew Clarissa would do everything in her power to protect Kelsey and Katie.
She was about to say something to Kevin when the ship’s sensors picked up a sudden energy spike.
“Spatial vortex forming four million kilometers off our port side,” called out Kevin in an excited voice.
Ariel watched intently as a ship exited the vortex. “It’s the Distant Horizon,” she announced happily. The ship had made it back, and she was already establishing communications with Clarissa.
“More vortices forming!” warned Kevin, his eyes growing wide with fear at the implications.
“Simulin battlecruisers are emerging around the Distant Horizon,” Ariel reported, as she sounded the Condition One alarm. “The Distant Horizon has also been damaged.”
“Power up all weapons,” ordered Commander Malen, as Jeremy came bursting into the Command Center. “All task group ships prepare to go to the Distant Horizon’s aid.”
“Status!” barked Jeremy, seeing the single green icon surrounded by over a dozen red blips.
“It’s the Distant Horizon,” reported Ariel grimly. “A short time after they emerged from hyperspace, fourteen Simulin ships showed up. They are circled around the exploration dreadnought. There’s also a large hole in the Distant Horizon’s hull from what appears to be an energy beam strike.”
Jeremy took a deep breath and then sat down in his command chair. Activating his fleet-wide minicomm, he spoke to the ships of the task group. “All ships prepare to do a short hyperjump to the Distant Horizon’s location. Ariel will be transmitting the jump coordinates momentarily.” Jeremy looked at Ariel with an intense gaze.
“Transmitting jump coordinates,” the AI replied. “Hyperdrives are powering up. We can jump in twenty seconds.”
“Distant Horizon is under attack!” called out Commander Malen. On one of the main viewscreens, energy beams became visible, targeting an object in the center of the Simulin formation.
“Rear Admiral Barnes is reporting their hyperdrive has been disabled. It will take them ten to fifteen minutes to get it back online,” Angela reported with concern in her voice.
“Stand by to jump,” ordered Jeremy, determined to rescue the exploration dreadnought.
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The Distant Horizon shuddered as two Simulin antimatter missiles hit the energy screen, severely jarring the ship. The screen seemed to waver, and then the flickering vanished as the screen returned to full power.
“All weapons, fire!” ordered Kathryn, as she tried to save her ship. The sudden appearance of the Simulin battlecruisers had stunned her.
“Betrem reports ten to twelve minutes until the hyperdrive is functional,” Colonel Leon reported.
“We won’t last that long,” Commander Grissim said tersely, as the ship shook violently, and the hull seemed to ring from the sound of the impacts to the screen.
“Energy screen is down to 60 percent,” Major Weir reported.
Every weapon the exploration dreadnought had was firing nonstop at the encircling Simulin battlecruisers. On the primary viewscreen, particle beam fire slammed into the main part of a Simulin warship, setting off massive explosions and hurling glowing debris into space.
“How did they follow us?” demanded Kathryn. “Our sensors should have picked them up.”
“Unknown,” replied Clarissa. She wasn’t currently in command of the ship, but she was doing everything in her power to ensure all the ship’s weapons were on target.
“Task group is jumping in,” reported Captain Travers from Communications. “We’re to join their formation.”
“Sublight drive?” asked Kathryn, looking at the Helm station.
“Still functional,” answered Lieutenant Styles.
“Vortices forming,” called out Captain Reynolds. “Task group is twelve thousand kilometers off our starboard bow.”
“Get us there,” ordered Kathryn, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. If they could make it to the task group, they just might survive this.
“All weapons target Simulin battlecruiser at X-axis 17 degrees, Y-axis 40 degrees,” ordered Major Weir. “Fire on the turn.”
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As the ship turned to starboard and accelerated toward the task group, every weapon the ship had was fired upon the Simulin battlecruiser blocking its path. Power beams, particle beams, energy beams, and Devastator Three missiles pummeled the ship, breaking down its shield. Moments later two Devastator Three missiles detonated against the Simulin hull, turning the vessel into a glowing cloud of gas.
“Target destroyed,” reported Captain Reynolds.
“We’ll make it,” said Colonel Leon, as she watched the ship’s tactical display.
“We’re being bracketed by the remaining Simulins!” warned Captain Reynolds. On the tactical display, the enemy ships were rapidly closing the range to the Distant Horizon. It was obvious they didn’t plan to allow the Federation ship to escape.
The Distant Horizon took a massive hit to her bow, losing most of her heavy weapons. Warning alarms sounded, and more red lights appeared on the Damage Control console.
“Energy beam strike to our bow,” reported Commander Grissim grimly. “We’ve lost our particle beam cannons and two of our primary power beams.”
“We have numerous compartments in the forward section open to space, and there are several fires out of control in adjoining compartments,” reported the Damage Control officer. “I’m initiating the fire-suppression systems in those areas.”
Major Weir fired a broadside at the nearest Simulin vessel with the ship’s secondary hull weapons. Power beams and energy weapons fired upon the Simulin ship, ripping open compartment after compartment.
Just then, the deck heaved under Admiral Barnes, and she found herself flying through the air and crashing to the deck. The lights in the Command Center seemed to flicker and then steadied. Struggling to stand, Kathryn stumbled back to her command chair. Her safety harness, which was supposed to hold her in place, was torn in two. Looking around, she saw smoke and sparks everywhere. Alarms were screaming from the Damage Control console, and red lights were rapidly blinking on.
“Sublight drive is out,” reported a shaken Commander Grissim. She had a dark bruise on her forehead.
“Energy screen is at 20 percent and falling,” added Major Weir. “It won’t last much longer.”
“Medics to the Command Center,” Colonel Leon ordered, as she saw a number of the crew were unconscious and possibly injured.
“Simulins are closing,” reported Captain Reynolds, a strained look upon his face.
Taking a deep breath, Rear Admiral Kathryn Barnes prepared to die. Her ship would not withstand another missile strike or energy beam. She looked around the Command Center, seeing the knowing looks on the faces of her crew.
-
Kelsey looked at Katie. “I’m sorry, Katie,” she said in a soft voice.
“I wish I could have said good-bye to Kevin,” Katie answered in a wavering voice. “He was so happy when we arrived in the Distant Horizon.”
Clarissa didn’t know what to say or what to do. Many of the ship’s weapons were either destroyed or disabled. The sublight drive was damaged, and it would still be another eight to ten minutes until Betrem had the hyperdrive functional again. For the first time in her long life, the AI felt completely helpless. She had sworn to protect the Special Five, and now she was incapable of saving Kelsey and Katie. She sent a mournful message to Ariel, apologizing for her failure.
“Spatial vortices forming off our port and starboard side,” Captain Reynolds said in total shock. “We have two AI spheres dropping out of hyperspace.”
“I have a message from the Command AI,” Lieutenant Travers reported. “It says these two AI ships will buy us the time we need to activate our hyperdrive.”
Kathryn leaned back in her command chair in shock. On the main viewscreen appeared one of the 1,500-meter AI spheres. All of its weapons were firing, blasting away at the Simulins. The Simulins reeled from the sudden point-blank attack. We might have a chance, she thought.
“Commander Grissim, tell Betrem he has five minutes to get that hyperdrive functioning!”
-
Jeremy looked at one of the main viewscreens in the Command Center of the Avenger. It showed a literal firestorm at the edge of the Simulin formation. He knew this was the location of the two AI spheres and the Distant Horizon. He leaned forward, searching for the exploration dreadnought, praying it survived.
“More vortices opening,” Ariel reported. She was fidgeting, as she wanted to close the range to help Clarissa. “Clarissa is reporting heavy damage to the Distant Horizon.”
“Fifteen more Simulin battlecruisers,” reported Kevin, with anxiety in his voice.
“All ships continue to fire upon the Simulin formation,” Jeremy ordered. They were at extreme range for most of their weapons, but, just maybe, they could take enough pressure off the two AI spheres and the Distant Horizon to allow the exploration dreadnought to finish the repairs to its hyperdrive.
A sudden flash of light filled the viewscreen. When it cleared, one of the AI spheres was gone. Also a Simulin battlecruiser was missing. It had been too close to the blast and had been torn apart by the powerful explosion.
“We just lost AI sphere 264,” Kevin reported. If the AIs succeeded in saving the Distant Horizon, he would never doubt their allegiance again.
“Distant Horizon reports hyperdrive is online,” reported Angela excitedly.
“Tell them to jump to the emergency coordinates,” Jeremy quickly ordered. “We’ll follow.”
On the viewscreen a swirling blue-white spatial vortex formed. The Distant Horizon used its remaining maneuvering thrusters to push it into the vortex. Moments later the vortex vanished. At the same time the second AI sphere rammed a nearby Simulin battlecruiser. Both ships vanished in a brilliant fireball of released energy. Two nearby Simulin battlecruisers suffered severe damage from the blast and flying hull fragments drifted away from the site of the explosion.
“All ships, jump to the emergency coordinates,” Jeremy ordered over his minicomm, set to ship-to-ship. He felt vastly relieved to see the Distant Horizon had made the jump into hyperspace.
He would have to remember to thank the Command AI. Jeremy hadn’t ordered the two AI ships to jump in as they did. That had been a decision by the Command AI. It reinforced Jeremy’s belief that the AIs were no longer a threat. When they returned to Gaia, and he had an opportunity to talk to Kurene and Mikow, he would give the order to begin creating more AIs.
Chapter Eleven
Governor Barnes was standing, looking out across the Aquaria habitat deep inside Ceres, but his mind was a million light-years away. In his hand he held two sheets of paper which contained a message from his daughter—a message he’d read countless times since receiving it.
“I can’t believe she’s not coming back,” he said slowly to the fleet officer standing beside him.
In the distance he could see birds flying in the air above the city. Even from here, a few kilometers away, he could see people moving about and electric vehicles driving down the thoroughfares. As a child, Kathryn had always liked to eat at this one Chinese restaurant in the city. He could still picture her opening her fortune cookie and looking expectantly as he opened his. They would then read their fortunes to each other, laughing the entire time.
