When Miftra glanced in confusion between the females, Gramab said, “Artifice is sending battleships. Our planet is to be destroyed.”
“But Artifice would have no reason for destroying us. We’ve been too careful,” Miftra vehemently protested.
“Tittra ona Hagra swears his team has been careful, and I believe that,” Gramab said. “If our conjectures are right, and there is a fleet coming to decimate this planet, then Artifice has concluded that it needs to be done. It doesn’t matter how or why it came to that conclusion.”
“Can we survive belowground?” Miftra asked fearfully.
“Do you think Artifice would send ships that couldn’t adequately end our people’s existence?” Lipsit asked rhetorically.
“In hindsight, I can see what Artifice might have noticed that led it to send a fleet,” Gramab mused. “It thought that we were nearly decimated after the first extinction event. Then it would have observed through its probes that we quickly returned to the surface. Our aboveground structures, although few, are well crafted and indicate sophisticated engineering. Seeing our quick recovery would have led Artifice to believe that we would become a threat again someday. Therefore, why not end us sooner than later.”
“What I would like to know,” Lipsit added, “is how the race aboard these smooth-hulled ships knew of Artifice’s intentions and managed to arrive here first.”
* * *
When no more battleships joined the original eighteen, which were now inbound, Tatia maneuvered the commands to face them. Aboard the city-ship, Tatia, Reiko, and Cordelia planned how to take on the battleships.
“Remember, what was done at the opening of the battle at the New Terra system,” Reiko said.
“At a cost to us,” Tatia reminded.
“But their sacrifice was invaluable,” Reiko persisted.
<Your pardon, Admirals,> Killian sent. <I would suggest a review of our scout ship’s effort at Talus. It might be more enlightening.>
Tatia smiled to herself. She was reminded of Alex’s words. He often said that what one SADE knew, all SADEs would know. In this case, it was real time, as Miriam handled the conference comm and shared with the Sisterhood, and all mobile SADEs had a link to their ship’s sister.
<Killian has a good point, Admiral,> Cordelia said. <Recognize that, except for the carriers and their fighters at the New Terra system, we’ve seen nothing but battleships in the federacy’s arsenals. And, here again, we face the same type of ships.>
Tatia considered the idea. She was still searching for a strategy to counter the eighteen battleships, despite the number of ideas submitted by her admirals. <I want an analysis of the Vivian’s Mirror’s encounter with the battleships at Talus, and I want it quick,> she sent and ended the conference call.
There was no need for Tatia to assign the request. The SADEs would tear into the data, which resided on the Freedom’s massive array of storage crystals, analyze it, and then involve their human counterparts for a discussion on strategy.
The battleship fleet approached the Omnian fleet from across the ecliptic, which forced it to skirt the system’s star, making the trip longer.
Cordelia kept a running chronometer for the admirals. It counted down the approximate time left before the battleship fleet entered the Omnians’ engagement envelope.
<Admiral Tachenko,> Genoa, a scout ship SADE, sent, <three, black-hulled battleships have transited near our original entrance.>
When Renée heard, she sighed deeply, relieved to hear of the Toralians’ arrival.
Tatia and Reiko hurried to the bridge.
<Genoa, do you have a connection with Alex?> Tatia sent.
<Negative, Admiral. There’s an energy disturbance around the black ships, but it’s dissipating quickly,> Genoa sent in reply. <We’re under maximum acceleration to close the distance and relay Alex’s communications.>
Tatia made the bridge in time to hear a static-filled call that sounded like Alex. Her mind flashed back to the days as a major in Terran Security Forces. I’m spoiled, she thought, considering the decades she’d spent immersed in Méridien comm technology.
<I repeat. Are you receiving me?> Alex’s voice was understandable this time.
<We read you,> Tatia sent in reply.
<What is your status, Admiral?> Alex asked.
<A fleet is inbound. It’s composed of sixteen, equally sized battleships, which we suspect are armed with a variety of missiles,> Tatia sent. <They protect two much larger battleships that could be loaded with fighters. Admiral Shimada believes those two ships, which she calls heavies, might carry missiles capable of destroying the planet.>
<We’ll try to speak to the commander of that fleet, Admiral,> Alex sent. <If we’re unsuccessful in dissuading them, do you have a strategy prepared?>
<Several, Alex, although we could always use some new ideas,> Tatia sent.
Alex and Julien shared glances. They could detect the concern in Tatia’s voice. The Omnians reviewed the imagery from the scout ships, as they climbed their way to the Dark Whispers’ bridge.
“Each of these battleships possesses hundreds of armament ports, Alex,” Julien commented. “If each port is able to deliver ten or more ship-to-ship missiles, then the fleet can launch more than forty thousand missiles. Depending on their sophistication and range, it would be difficult for our Tridents to survive a head-on fight.”
Alex only grunted in reply as he and the rest of the Omnians hurried the final ninety meters to reach the bridge. With the approach of battle conditions, the Toralians’ limited communications with the Omnian fleet was proving to be a serious detriment.
“Alex, there’s no need for haste,” Sargut said, when the Omnians burst onto the bridge. “We’re awaiting updates on the system. We can collect you from your fighter when they arrive.”
“Julien,” Alex requested, and the SADE extended his arm and activated a portable holo-vid.
“This is the Chistorlan system,” Alex said, pointing to the representation. “We’ve arrived here.” He signaled Julien, and the SADE enlarged the display.
“This is the Chistorlan home world. It’s on a near pass to us,” Alex continued. “The Omnian fleet is positioned inward from the planet. It’s preparing to meet a battleship fleet that is crossing the ecliptic toward our ships. According to my SADEs, the battleships are about two-and-a-half Omnian cycles from contact with my fleet.”
Sargut, Tormheth, and Suntred, along with a few bridge officers, crowded around the holo-vid.
“You can collect and display real-time data?” Sargut asked.
“No,” Alex replied. “But we have the means to transmit the data between ships in that manner. More important, can you reach the Omnian fleet before the engagement?”
Alex knew the answer before he asked, but there was something else he wanted to know. As he suspected, it was Tormheth who revealed the answer.
“It doesn’t matter, Alex,” Tormheth declared. “We can’t assist your forces. If we do, and this new battleship fleet is not defeated, then our race will pay the price for our treachery against Artifice.”
Suntred glared and hissed at Tormheth.
“The two of you are about to be confined to quarters,” Sargut said sternly. “I command this ship, and Grand Commander Tranimus appointed me to decide the actions of our battleships.”
“Navigation, time to reach the Omnian fleet?” Sargut requested in a demanding voice. He continued to eye Tormheth and Suntred, daring either of them to speak.
“At maximum acceleration, Commander, it will take four point eight cycles,” the navigation officer replied.
“Z,” Alex said.
The SADE accessed the data on the Toralian system, calculated Toral’s cyclical nature, and converted it to Omnian time. “About three-and-a-half days, Alex.”
“Black space,” Alex, Franz, and Mickey swore simultaneously.
Sargut stared at Julien, waiting for a translation. “Omnian humans are upset that your ships will reach
our fleet too late to be of aid to our forces,” Julien said.
Tormheth sucked air between his teeth, pleased by the calculation. His gloating died in his throat, when Alex closed on him until they were centimeters apart. Tormheth didn’t need an exchange of words to recognize that the alien leader appeared ready to tear him asunder.
<At the moment, Alex, there are more important things that require your attention,> Julien sent.
Alex turned his head slightly to gaze at Julien.
Sargut and Suntred, who were transfixed by the vehemence radiating off Alex, deduced that Julien was communicating with his friend.
Alex spared Tormheth a final glance. Then he uncurled his fists and turned his attention toward Sargut.
“Can we talk to the commander of the invading battleship fleet?” Alex asked.
Sargut stirred from his daze and called to the senior bridge officer. “Did we receive a translation program for the inbound fleet?”
“Negative, Commander. Artifice didn’t supply it,” the officer replied.
“Julien, link the SADEs,” Alex requested.
It was understood by Alex that he wanted every Omnian SADE. When the sisters acknowledged that the SADEs were ready, Alex’s eyes glazed, as he joined them.
Miranda moved toward Tormheth and said, “Stand in that far corner, Subcommander, where you’ll be safe.”
Tormheth was so unnerved by Alex’s confrontation that he woodenly walked to the far point of the bridge and stood there, dubiously eyeing the Omnians.
<I’m seeking two outcomes,> Alex sent. <My first choice is to gain comm access to one of the larger battleships. Succeeding in that, I need a translation program so that I can speak to the fleet commander. The second option would be to gain control of the battleships’ firing controls via their comm systems.>
Cordelia took it upon herself to deliver the bad news. <Alex, we’ve been trying,> she sent. <The first step for either of your requests requires us to intercept comm signals from the fleet, but the ships aren’t broadcasting in the open. A scout ship has been close enough that its telemetry has detected high-frequency beams between the ships. We believe they are using a closed-loop, laser system for communication.>
<Cordelia, add the admirals,> Alex requested.
<I’ve bad news,> Alex sent. <The Toralians’ ships won’t arrive in time to help you, and they have no way of communicating with that enemy fleet. To make matters worse, Cordelia tells me that we can’t intercept their comm systems to reach their ships’ missile control systems. So, Admiral Tachenko, tell me your plan.>
At Tatia’s request, Cordelia streamed the encounter between the Vivian’s Mirror and the two battleships at Toral, and the SADEs aboard the Dark Whispers began analyzing it.
<The two battleships that the scout ship evaded were smaller than any of these sixteen battleships,> Julien noted.
<They don’t appear as sophisticated either,> Z added. <What our people face are larger, more powerful, and more dangerous ships.>
<None of our strategies are giving us a great deal of confidence,> Tatia sent. <We can’t take these battleships on head-to-head. Even if we try, the enemy fleet’s missiles represent a danger to the planet. We can avoid them, and they can run out of propellant, but if they’re on course, they can still strike the planet with devastating force.>
<There’s the possibility they would burn up in the atmosphere, but that could still lead to massive explosions that would impact the surface,> Miriam interjected.
<Which is one reason that we’ve chosen attack scenarios that vector on the battleships from different quarters,> Reiko said. <Based on the information we possess from various federacy encounters, we believe our greatest assets are acceleration and maneuverability.>
<Julien believes that you could face tens of thousands of missiles,> Alex sent. <It would be hard to evade that many missiles in a close encounter with the battleships. Single or dual beam strikes aren’t going to do much damage unless you can hit their bridges or their engines.>
<Several of us disagree with that final assumption, Alex,> Admiral Ellie Thompson sent. <We think the battleships are sailing bombs, waiting to be triggered.>
<Their missiles,> Alex guessed.
<Precisely,> Ellie replied. <The SADEs have mapped out what they consider the battleships’ most vulnerable locations. They’re on the lower decks and amidships. Those are the largest armament ports and should house the bigger missiles. Beam shots there could ignite whatever is behind the ports.>
<You might consider approaches from above and below the battleships that force them to turn and confront you,> Franz sent. <They’ll open their armament posts to fire their missiles. In turn, you launch your fighters. The travelers will multiply your chances of hitting these vulnerable spots. Also, if those two heavies do have fighters, our travelers can catch them exiting their ships. Their limited velocities will make them easier targets.>
<The trick will be getting the battleships to let our Tridents get close enough before they start lighting up the dark with the missile flares,> Admiral Darius Gaumata commented.
Alex couldn’t believe what he was about to say, but there was no other choice, as he saw it, unless he decided to leave the Chistorlans to their fate. And that was unconscionable to him.
<Use the Freedom,> Alex sent. <Set it in the lead. Then form up the Trident squadrons behind the city-ship in a giant wedge.>
There was quiet on the comm, and Alex understood why. The Omnians had always done their best to protect the city-ship. It wasn’t merely for the individuals aboard. The vessel represented their culture — who they were. To risk it in this manner went against years of conditioning.
<We copy the battleships’ formation, and they’ll assume it will be a traditional fight for them,> Cordelia sent, the tinkling of silver bells announced her amusement.
<Exactly,> Alex replied. <The battleships will focus on the Freedom. The Toralian commander tells me that this is a new race from the federacy’s far edge. There’s no expectation that Artifice would have communicated to it about us. Unless I miss my guess, it’s here to destroy this planet.>
<That means the battleship commanders won’t know what the city-ship carries,> Svetlana reasoned. <They’ll be expecting a massive launch of missiles. If I were them, I’d close ranks to create overlapping fields of fire and stand by for the missile onslaught.>
<Yes, we let the Freedom accelerate at her usual ungainly pace,> Tatia said, excitement tingeing her voice, while she delivered a wink to Cordelia. <And, at some point, when our Tridents are close enough, they accelerate and fly out on different vectors to swing on arcs into the enemy.>
<And the Freedom?> Cordelia asked, knowing her ship would stand alone to face the oncoming fleet.
<Our squadron, Admiral Thompson, would like to volunteer to provide the first line of defense for the city-ship,> Senior Captain Descartes sent.
Alex’s heart rose in his chest. He’d expected no less from Descartes and the twins, Alain and Étienne de Long, who completed his squadron.
<I can employ a similar action as I did at the New Terra system, Alex,> Cordelia sent. <Rotating the ship will provide a more efficient deterrence against missiles aimed our way and that might impact the planet. I can coordinate with Descartes’ squadron, if Admiral Thompson is comfortable with their deployment.>
<I’m not too concerned about the admirals aboard the city-ship, but I’d hate to see anything happen to Ser,> Ellie quipped. <Permission given, if Admiral Shimada agrees.>
<Nice to know where I stand with you, Admiral Thompson,> Reiko riposted.
Alex’s hopes were raised. In the initial conversations, he sensed trepidation. The bantering he heard told him that the admirals and, by extension, the commanders and the captains, were envisioning the possibility of victory against a powerful enemy.
<A final thought, Admiral Cordelia,> Z sent. <Wheel your
ship on the vertical axis. It will present a narrower target and allow your protective squadron to stay closer to your envelope of fire.>
-10-
Engagement
Cordelia observed Tatia examining system deployment — the Toralian ships, the Chistorlan planet, and the advancing fleet. She was focused on the fleet’s freighters. They were nestled close to the Freedom, but they wouldn’t be safe after the city-ship entered the fray.
“Admiral, I’d suggest sending the freighters to the far side of the planet,” Cordelia said. “If our fleet is defeated, they’ll need to exit the system. In addition, our individuals, who are aboard the Toralian warship, will need a way home.”
“Agreed, Admiral Cordelia. Send them on their way,” Tatia said. She studied the holo-vid for a few moments more, and then ordered, “Coordinate the fleet, Admiral Cordelia. Get the Freedom underway now. I want it at the front before the Trident squadrons move.”
Cordelia nodded. She understood Tatia’s orders and Alex’s concept. The city-ship was meant to appear to the oncoming battleships as the Omnian fleet’s greatest military asset. In firepower it might be, but the problem was that its energy beams couldn’t compete with swarms of deadly missiles.
While the Freedom got underway, Reiko spoke privately to Tatia. “What about our fighters? We don’t have Franz,” she said.
“This might be one of the few times the fighter pilots won’t need an admiral,” Tatia replied. “Once they exit the Tridents near the battleships, it’ll be a mêlée and the possibility of strategic coordination will be nonexistent. But you bring up an excellent point.”
<Miriamal,> Tatia sent, linking to Reiko.
<Yes, Admiral,> the Freedom’s comm sister replied.
<The sisters must pay particular attention to strikes against a battleship that start explosive chain reactions,> Tatia sent. <In such cases, it would be incumbent upon the sisters to coordinate the dispersal of nearby fighters to safe distances.>
<The sisters are prepared to take action, in such cases, Admiral,> Miriamal assured Tatia.
<My thanks to the Sisterhood,>