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| Science Fiction Writers forum This are is for those of you who like to write scifi or create a history or backstory as part or your design process |
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Published by spartan303 08-18-2006 | ||||||||||||||
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By
spartan303
on
08-18-2006, 06:06 AM
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| We've been working on this story for a while now so I'll post the first few chapters.  |
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By
spartan303
on
08-18-2006, 06:38 AM
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| Chapter 1 Flight of the Daedalus Chapter 1: Flight of the Daedalus September 2004. Space;it is both majestic and incomprehensively vast, with stars that light the sky like fireflies trapped in a abyss. Space holds many wonders as well as many dangers yet despite this for many years the people of the Tau’ri have looked to those same stars and dreamt or worlds beyond their little blue ball in their small corner of the Galaxy. Aboard the United States Air force Battlecruiser Daedalus orbiting that said planet Dr Lindsey Novak stood transfixed at the sight of Earth before her. Novak a former NASA engineer stood at 5ft 4in tall with blonde hair brown eyes and a nervous personality. She had been recruited by the SGC the year before and had quickly proven herself to be a great asset to the program despite her nervous nature. Her work in designing interfaces between Earth built systems and Asgard technology had been a major breakthrough for Earth, and the fulfillment of a dream of hers; to fly among the stars. Novak had been so transfixed by the view before her she never heard the person who approached from behind her. "Can I help you?" A strong yet feminine voice said behind her. Novak startled from her revere, turned coming face to face with the ships primary pilot and first officer Major Karen Foster. Foster a 14yr veteran of the Air force had started her career flying the F-15 Eagle. 3yrs ago she had been handpicked by Space Command to be one of the lead helmsmen for the then "Prometheus project". After a 1 1/2 aboard Prometheus (in which it saw more time in dry-dock than space) Foster was reassigned to Stargate Command for additional training just missing the battle with Anubis's fleet. Now several months later she was the primary Pilot aboard the "Daedalus" Earth's second battlecruiser, it was something she was immensely proud of. "Oh! Ahhh… hello…I'm Doctor Lindsey Novak I'm hear to replace Chief Hernandez for the continuation of Daedalus's Shake down cruise." Novak stuttered slightly caught off guard as she extended her hand to Foster who promptly returned her handshake. "I'm aware of who you are doctor but I was wondering what you are doing on the bridge." Foster countered getting straight to the point she like many in the Stargate program tended to go straight for the jugular. "I'm Looking for Colonel Caldwell, I was told to check in with him once I settled in. I thought this would be the most likely place to find him." Novak offered meekly. "Colonel Caldwell is currently reviewing the AAR (After Action Report) pertaining to our mock battle against Prometheus. He should return momentarily." Foster informed her. "So…how'd it go?" Novak asked innocently trying to make conversation. The sharp pointed look she received from Foster told her the subject was still a sore point with her. Novak held her hands up in mock surrender "Ok...touchy subject." In Truth the Daedalus's performance had been less than stellar when facing off against the more experienced crew of Prometheus. Colonel Ronson, who’d been pulled from the Vandenberg training facility specifically for this test, had been able to fight the Daedalus to a standstill despite all of Daedalus’s technological advantages over the Prometheus. That coupled with an accident in engineering at the conclusion of the exercise that injured Chief Engineer Jose Hernandez was the reason Daedalus was back in Earth orbit, and the reason Novak had been reassigned to the Daedalus. "Well since he's not here at the moment could you tell him I stopped by to check in?" Novak asked hopefully. Before Foster could respond a powerful male voice answered from behind her. "That won't be necessary doctor." The voice of Col. Steven Caldwell called out as he approached the two. Novak turned to find herself face to face with the Ships commander. ”Welcome aboard the Daedalus doctor I’m Col. Caldwell. You come highly recommended by General Hammond." Caldwell said extending his hand. At 6ft 2in tall balding, Col. Caldwell carried a Presence about him that screamed Command. Caldwell a 22yr Air force veteran had started his career in the Air Force flying various types of fighter bombers. When the Gulf War kicked off then Major Caldwell had been assigned to a squadron of F-117 dropping ordinance deep into the Heart of Baghdad. 2yrs later he transferred to the new B-2 spirit bombers based out of Whiteman Air Force base. Then LtCol. Caldwell was one of the first pilots to fly the B-2 during the Bosnian and later Kosovo campaigns. After the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 Col. Caldwell led the squadron during combat operations in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban. Shortly after combat operations had concluded he had been recruited by Space Command and later selected to command the Daedalus. Novak took the Colonels hand “A pleasure to meet you sir, thank you." she said slightly intimidated by his presence. “Doctor I’ve assumed you’ve read up on the accident in Engineering following our mock battle against Prometheus?” Caldwell asked getting down to business. “I have Colonel and I believe it’s a flaw in the ships secondary power distribution system, specifically the control crystals. Chief Hernandez bypassed the safeties causing EM feedback in the reactor control crystals. It’s the same little Trick LtCol. Carter used on Prometheus last year to…” “Doctor.” Col. Caldwell said cutting her off before his annoyance got the better of him. “Bottom line, how long is it going to take to fix my ship?” he asked to keep her focused on the matter at hand. “Well Colonel I’d have to do a diagnostic of the entire power distribution system, check the integrity of each crystal, possibly replace several naquada relays and realign….” Novak trailed off after noticing the annoyed look on the Colonels face. “Ahhhh 2 days, maybe 1 depending on how bad the damage is.” She stammered. Col. Caldwell paused to take in what Doctor Novak had told him. 2 days to fix the power distribution system then Daedalus would be back in fighting form. “Very well doctor, get it done and report back when that’s accomplished.” Caldwell ordered. “Yes sir.” Novak replied in a hurry to get to Engineering, she had almost made her escape before Major Foster called after her. “Doctor Novak.” Major Foster called out as she reached the doctor. Both women exited the bridge heading down the main corridor from the bridge. “Yes Major Foster?” Novak asked as Major Foster came up along side her. “You do know we have an Asgard Engineer aboard the Daedalus right?” Foster asked. “He’s here to assist us in operating the Asgard technology integrated in Daedalus’s design.” Foster informed her. “Yes I was briefed about it just before taking on this assignment.” Novak answered “I’ve worked with several Asgard in the past when designing the interfaces for their systems.” Novak said then a thought occurred to her “I believe his name is Hermiod?” “I see.” Foster said. “But have you met THIS particular Asgard?” Foster asked emphasizing Hermiod. “No I Haven’t.” Novak answered. “What’s so special about this particular Asgard?” Novak asked catching the emphasis. “Just that he’s very opinionated and not afraid to voice those opinions.” Foster said. Both Women reached a corridor that branched off into different directions and stopped turning to face each other. “Is that a problem?" Novak asked slightly confused. “I thought the Asgard liked us?” “Most of them do.” Foster responded. ‘But not all of them.” At Novak’s confused expression Foster continued. “You see Hermiod was an Engineer of high esteem among the Asgard.” Foster began. “His primary mission was to design new weapons and technology to defeat the Replicators. When SG-1 intervened on behalf of Thor, Hermiod was one of the more vocal critics of their involvement. After SG-1 defeated the Replicators at Dakara he lost considerable support among many in the high council. Then as if to add insult to injury he was reassigned personally by Supreme Commander Thor to help in the Construction and Operation of Daedalus.” Foster finished. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess he’s not too pleased about that?’ Novak asked with dawning realization. The smile on Foster’s face told her she hit the nail on the head. “Don’t worry Doctor I’m sure he’ll respond more favorable to you than he did to any of us.”Foster said. “I feel comforted already.” Novak responded dryly. “I’m sure you’ll be fine Doctor.” Foster responded otherwise the little guy is going to eat you for lunch Foster thought to herself. “Lindsey.” Novak said after a brief pause. “I’m sorry?” Foster said slightly confused. “My first name is Lindsey.” Novak said. “What’s yours?” “Karen.” Foster replied warming up to the women by a few degrees “Look I apologize if I seemed rude on the Bridge earlier. We’re a tight nit group and the loss of Chief Hernandez has hit the crew pretty hard, it’s going to take some getting used to.’ Foster admitted. “I understand.” Novak said. And in truth she did, this crew had trained together for the better part of a year, in that time the crew had become very close almost like family. She could understand them being somewhat resentful of an outsider coming in and taking over for one of their own. “I’ll do my best.” Was all she could think say. “I’m sure you will Lindsey.” Foster said genuinely. A beeping coming from her right wrist caught her attention. She brought her arm up to look at her watch before returning her attention back to Novak. “Look I’m off duty now so I’m about to hit the Rack I’ve got the nightshift tonight. I’ll see you around Doctor.” Foster said by way of departing. “Have a good night Karen.” Novak responded. The two women separated at the intersection each heading for their respective destinations. For Lindsey Novak it was engineering. Four minutes later and five decks down through a virtual maze of corridors Novak arrived at her destination. As she entered engineering she spotted Hermiod immediatelywho was working on his console. If he was aware of her presence he made no acknowledgement of it. “Uhh hello I’m Doctor Lindsey Novak I’m hear to replace Chief Hernandez.” Novak said with a little too much cheerfulness in her voice. Hermiod stopped whatever action he was doing bringing his full attention to Novak. He seemed to scrutinize her for a moment before narrowing his eyes and muttering something under his breath in his native Asgard before returning his attention back to his console. The fake smile Novak wore on her face melted into a grimace after being completely dismissed out of hand like that, just as she remember something Foster told her a few minutes earlier oh yeah he’s really starting to warm up to me. 48 hours later “Try it now!” Novak said. She had just finished realigning the reactor control crystals and this was the first full power test to see if the flaws had been “Ironed Out” It had been a frustrating 48hours made even more so by the condescending attitude of Hermiod as he continued to belittle her work. “It is not working. Your calculations are out of sync by .2 degrees.” Hermiod said in condescending tone of voice. As he was talking he made the necessary modifications to the system which brought them back into sync negating 3hours of work done by Novak. Novak bit her lip to fight back and angry reply. She took a deep breath to calm herself before she spoke slow and deliberately “If you could have done that 3hours ago why didn’t you?” “It is not my responsibility.” Hermiod replied evenly “I am merely here to observe that Asgard technology is not abused. Occasionally I can and will advise you, but as you humans say ‘This is your show’. Novak had to bit back an angry retort"you know we also have another saying, there is no I in team.” she said trying to reason with him. “I have just told you I am not a member of your team.” Hermiod responded as if talking to a child. “I am merely here to Advi… “Advise! Yes I know.” Novak said cutting him off. ‘But you have to understand that anything that affects this ship and crew will affect you too.” Novak said trying to press the point “Whether you like it or not." Before Hermiod could respond the Voice of Col. Caldwell came over the loudspeakers “Engineering, Bridge.” Tapping her earpiece Novak spoke into her mike "engineering, go ahead.” “Doctor what’s your status?” Caldwell demanded getting to the point. “Colonel Repairs are complete and we are ready to proceed.” Novak responded tossing Hermiod an annoyed look which he promptly ignored. BRIDGE “Understood Doctor Good Work, Bridge out.” Col. Caldwell said rising from his command chair. The atmosphere on the bridge was one of anticipation as the various crewmen carried out their tasks with a sense of urgency, it was game time now. Walking towards the forward view port on the bridge Caldwell took a moment to take in the view of Earth one last time before turning back to face his crew. “Major Foster!” Caldwell snapped. “Sir?” she replied from her station. “Prepare to break orbit, set course for the Asteroid belt full military thrust.” Caldwell ordered before retaking his seat. “Setting course 030 mark 113, engaging sub light drives to full sir.” “Proceed.” He ordered. Daedalus’s sub light Ion based drives ignited propelling the ship forward allowing the Daedalus to break orbit, Her Inertial compensator systems meant her crew only felt the slightest hint of her rapid acceleration. That same inertial dampening technology also allowed her to maintain her orientation in space as well as vector her inertia. This meant the ship could turn on a dime with out the use of heavy RCS thrusters. It also meant Daedalus could maintain her velocity no matter which direction she turned without losing her momentum. It was the same system pioneered on the F-302s and it made all the difference when maneuvering in space. 45 minutes later Daedalus arrived at her intended destination; the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. “We have arrived at the designated coordinates sir.” Foster Reported. “Very well, Weps begin a scan of the asteroid field; let’s do this by the numbers.” Caldwell stated. Weps (aka) Lt Shane Miguel of the United States Navy had been a last minute addition to the Daedalus. The Navy having almost no role in the Stargate Program (unless it meant recovering alien ships from the Ocean floor), had been waging a battle at the highest levels beaurocracy know as the Pentagon to gain control of the growing space fleet. The Navy argument had stated that while the Air Force should lead the way in research and development of new technologies (such as the 302 and 303s). It was the Navy that had the resources, manpower and expertise to draw upon to effectively make the prospect of a space fleet a reality. While the Air Force did have good people it didn’t have them in sufficiently large numbers to make a space fleet under their control a viable option. All the navy had to do was retool their training programs, and facilities for spaceflight operations instead of the Blue water operations it was tailored to suit, a task they conceded would take years unless they had the help from the Air Force. The Navy was also looking into the prospect of retooling its current ship yards and infrastructure to enhance shipbuilding production in a “Post Disclosure” world; so far the Joint Chiefs were currently reviewing the proposal. An officer exchange program had already been agreed upon by both services (mostly to help the Air Force which had been hemorrhaging for military trained personnel). Currently the first batch of naval officers and enlisted crew were currently serving aboard both Prometheus and Daedalus alongside their Air Force counterparts. The newer ships still under construction; Odyssey, Nemesis, and Argo would boast significantly more naval personnel, a trend that was liable to continue as the Navy's involvment increased. One of them being Lt. Shane Miguel. Miguel a 6 yr veteran of surface warships in the Navy was used to working on the AEGIS systems mounted on Ali Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga cruisers, having “Grownup” aboard just such a cruiser the USS Shiloh (CG-67). During operation Enduring Freedom he had been the Weapons officer who’d launched Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan. That had pretty much been the extent of his “combat experience” which was the primary reason Col. Caldwell paid particular attention to his performance, to bring him up to par with the more experienced personnel. The systems of the Daedalus though insanely more advanced and powerful than what he’d been used to, were familiar to him. It didn’t take him long to adapt and utilize the systems to their maximum potential, right now he focused all his concentration on his display as the laser and microwave scanners of his Radar and Lidar probed the asteroid field. The scanners themselves were next genration Radar and Lidar technologies boosting all of the latest inovations learned from Goa’uld scanners from a Al’Kesh SG-1 had recovered a year ago. The study of the sensor systems had advanced Radar/Lidar Technology immensely. However if there was a need for more detailed scans he could always use the Asgard sensor pallets integrated into the ship sensor suit. Currently he decided to stick to the more familiar human built systems. “Colonel I’m reading multiple contacts; Tally 13 asteroid fragments 7,000km off our bow, starboard side 10 degree “up” angle sir.” Miguel reported. “Do any of these fragments correspond to the specifications LtCol. Carter provided?” Col. Caldwell asked. “Yes sir, 2 of them I have both targets designated sierras 1 and 2 sir.” Lt. Miguel reported. “Very well, initiate a full spectrum scam of target sierra 1 Thermo graphics, Microwave/lidar and even the Asgard sensors; let’s put them through the paces.” Col. Caldwell responded. “Yes sir." Lt. Miguel responded, with just a hint of excitement. After several seconds information began pouring across his displays. “The asteroid is a mix of mostly high levels of nickel and Iron, with scattered readings of copper. More than 40 of its surface is covered in ice sir.” “The perfect target to test out the Rail guns wouldn’t you say weps?” the Colonel asked. “Picture perfect sir.” Lt. Miguel replied. “Alright then, Arm all Rail Guns prepare to fire.” “Yes sir.” Lt. Miguel said. “Hold Colonel.” The voice of Hermiod came over the ships loudspeaker. “What is it Hermiod?” the Colonel asked. While Hermiod may be an arrogant pain in the ass he typically didn’t interrupt training unless he had a good reason. “I am picking up an anomalous reading emanating from with in the asteroid field.” Hermiod reported. “What kind of anomaly?” Col. Caldwell asked pressing for details. “I am unable to determine at this time, the sensor returns are very weak due to the amount of debris within the asteroid field, we will have to move further within the field for more detailed information.” Hermiod reported over the ships loudspeaker. Caldwell considered his options for a moment before turning his attention to his weapons officer. Lt. Miguel was frantically working his controls trying to bring up any information on the anomaly Hermiod had reported, after about 30 seconds he brought his attention to Col. Caldwell and shook his head. “Sir I’ve got nothing on my scope.” Lt. Miguel reported frustrated. “You will not find the information you are looking for with your primitive microwave and laser based sensor systems.” Hermiod berrated.” I am sending you the information I have from the better equipped Asgard based scanners.” “Receiving.” Lt. Miguel stated as the information scrolled across his display. “I’ve got it, it’s very faint though, and it’s only present when we radiate the active scanners. What were getting back is…well the best way I can describe it is a sort of echo sir.” Lt. Miguel reported trying to make sense of the information scrolling across his display console. “A crude but apt comparison.” Hermiod added over the net. Colonel Caldwell remained silent for a moment as if considering his options before returning his attention back to Lt. Miguel. “Lieutenant have our targeting scanners been recalibrated?” “It was the first thing done after the Mock battle against Prometheus sir.” Lt. Miguel answered. "Hermiod I need you to transfer control of the targeting scanners to weps." Col. Caldwell ordered. "Transferring full control Colonel." Hermiod reported over the loudspeaker. "Foster plot the quickest route to the anomaly." Caldwell ordered "Aye Colonel, be advised our ability to maneuver will be seriously hampered by debris within the asteroid field the further in we go. "Acknowledged." was his only reply. Then bringing his attention to Lt. Miguel. "Weps set shields to maximum, arm all Rail Guns, load VLS tubes 1-6 with mark 8 tacticals, tubes 9-18 with standard anti-ship ordinance.” Aye, Sir!” Lt. Miguel responded. “Sir I have the coordinates locked in.” Major Foster announced. “Proceed best possible speed.” Caldwell ordered. “Yes sir.” Foster replied. Daedalus’s engines once again flared to life as the ship began to move deeper into the asteroid field. Several times Major Foster had to adjust her course from colliding with a nearby asteroid; the damn things were constantly in motion. After several nerves racking minutes Daedalus had managed to close the range with the Anomalous reading. “Weps have you got anything?” Colonel Caldwell asked “Yes sir it should be just on the other side of this asteroid as we pass it.” Lt. Miguel said. “Contact is definitely firming up.” The Daedalus rounded the large asteroid to starboard only to come within a huge area of open space with no form of debris to cloud the Daedalus’s flight path. Surprising as that was it wasn’t as surprising as what lay before them. “Sweet Jesus!” Lt. Miguel gasped when he saw the monstrosity come into view. “My God!” Major Foster whispered to herself. Colonel Caldwell rose from his chair and walked forward until he was facing the forward viewer, to say he was stunned at the majestic sight would be an understatement. He had expected a surprise Goa’uld attack, or one of a hundred different scenarios playing out, but not this. The Object for lack of a better word was oval shaped with a hollow center; similar in appearance to a stargate but not quit. It floated freely in space and had a smooth texture to it that appeared at first glance to be silver in color. Upon further inspection Col. Caldwell noted as his eyes moved to the center of the object that it bore a metallic grey color. The object was adorned in strange writings that the Colonel couldn’t make out but seemed familiar. Turing to his Weapons officer he spoke “Weps what have you got on scans?” After taking a few seconds to review the data on his display Lt. Miguel turned his attention back to his Co. “Sir our Radar and Lidar scanners still don’t read anything. I’m only getting returns from the Asgard based scanners.” “Spit it out weps.” The Colonel ordered. “The Object is about 3 miles high and 4 miles wide. It is comprised mostly of Naquada and some Trinium. There’s also some other element I can’t determine, sensors don’t recognize it at all but it’s very similar to Naquada.” Lt. Miguel reported. “Naquadria?” The Colonel asked bringing his full attention to bear on the object floating before the Daedalus. “No sir.” Lt. Miguel replied “What ever it is, it’s completely stable. I’ve never seen anything like.” Lt. Miguel announced in wonder. “I bet I know someone who has.” Colonel Caldwell said to no one in particular as he activated his comm. Link to engineering. “Hermiod, this is the Bridge are you receiving this?” Daedalus Engineering In engineering a picture of the object floated on the master display screen as both Hermiod and Novak studied it in wonder. “Indeed I am Colonel.” Hermiod responded. “Have you seen anything like this before?” Caldwell asked over the loudspeaker. “I have not Colonel.” Hermiod answered “However I believe the device is Ancient in Origin.” Hermiod responded, answering the unasked question. “We will have to get closer to the device if I am to get more detailed readings to determine its function.” “Is there any threat to the ship?” Colonel Caldwell asked with noticeable concern in his voice. “None that I can determine Colonel, the device is completely inert; there is no cause for concern.” Hermiod responded. “Very well, conduct you scans and report once you have something, Bridge out.” Caldwell said cutting the link. “So do you need any help?” Novak asked enthusiastically. “I am more than capable of handling a few simple scans.” Hermiod responded. “A simple no would have sufficed.” Novak shot back. Several minutes had elapsed as Daedalus cautiously approached the object, Her Asgard sensors probing the device intimately; however what no one had anticipated was that the device was sensitive to certain subspace frequencies, certain frequencies that the Daedalus was currently probing the object with from her Asgard Scanners. BRIDGE “Wow!” Lt. Miguel gasped as he looked at his display. “What is it?” Col. Caldwell asked catching the surprise in his voice. “Sir the damn thing just lit up like a Christmas tree! Thermo graphics reading a massive energy buildup within the device!” Lt. Miguel announced. “Foster get us out of hear Max thrust!” Colonel Caldwell ordered “Max Thrust yes sir!” she responded while frantically working her controls, but the ship remained stationary. “Foster why aren’t we moving?” Colonel Caldwell asked with growing alarm. “I’m not sure Sir. I engaged the sub light drives but nothing happened, I’m reading full power to the drives sir!” Foster reported “Hermiod what the hell is going on?” Col. Caldwell demanded. “The device has encased the ship in some sort of focused gravitational beam. We are unable to maneuver as long as the device contains us.” Hermiod reported. “Hermiod I don’t care what you and Novak have to do but I want my ship free and clear.” Col. Caldwell demanded. “Sir Energy readings are off the chart, Reading some sort of highly focused EM emissions sweeping the ship!” Lt. Miguel reported. “Jam it!” Col. Caldwell ordered. “It’s extremely powerful sir, it’s cutting through our ECM field as if it wasn’t there.” Lt. Miguel reported. “Standby hyper drive, get us back to Earth Foster.” Col. Caldwell ordered. He took a glance out the window to notice 4 points on the object glowing a bright white while the inner edges of the device glowed a softer yellow color, and with each passing moment they continued to get brighter. “Colonel this is Novak in engineering the gravitational and magnetic field is interfering with our ability to create a hyperspace window. In addition if we don’t power down the sub light drives soon they’ll overload!” Novak exclaimed over the net. “Understood doctor. Hermiod I need options now.” Caldwell said. “I have none to offer Colonel; I can find no way to break the gravitational field with the limited means at my disposal.” Hermiod reported. Colonel Caldwell sat back in his command chair feeling totally helpless, there was nothing they could do to escape what ever fate awaited them but maybe they could warn Earth. “Foster! Flash dump our logs to the SGC they have to know what happened hear.” Caldwell ordered. “Unable to comply Colonel, the object is interfering with out bound communications I can try to……. She never got to finish her sentence because at that same moment 4 beams of light struck the Daedalus and pulled it into a familiar rippling pool of water and the world seemed to end in light. |
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By
spartan303
on
08-18-2006, 06:46 AM
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| Chapter 1 c Sol system, Earth Alliance. November, 2266 “What I want to know is why?” Captain Susan Ivanova complained. “Why we are still here in Earth space after completing trials, after proving our readiness and after making sure none of us were President Clarks ultra loyal nut case freaks!” She sighed heavily and slouched in her command chair, the monitors beside showing the peaceful scene in Earth orbit as ships gathered. “Well, at least you weren’t one of Clarks nut case freaks.” Commander Alan Morton offered helpfully and earned himself a scathing look from his Captain. “Or any kind of nutcase freak at all.” He added quickly. “Its just you know, we joined Earth force to see the galaxy, sure we have to expect the odd fixed post, but as a Starship Captain I expected to move a round a bit, see the League and maybe even travel to Minbar.” Ivanova waved her hands. “But no, we haven’t left the home system in three years! Its getting a little boring.” “I guess sitting on Babylon 5 all those years must have been dull.” Morton suggested. “I wish!” she exclaimed. “One thing B5 never was, was dull. But it was different, when I transferred back to the fleet I expected more, especially with this new ship.” Ivanova was referring to her command, the EAS Titans, one of the first of Earth forces new Warlock class heavy destroyers build up to the limits of human technology. They were formidable ships quantum leaps beyond vessels from just a few decades ago, but they had never been tried in pitched battle and had a troubled history with numerous redesigns since their origins in the Clark era. The Titans had been a test bed for all these trials and modifications and as such had spent as much time in dock as on deployment. “But at least we’re looking good now.” Morton smiled helpfully. “Our gravitic drive and artificial gravity are all checked out thanks to the ISA programme, and the class is in full production now.” It had taken a while, but the Warlock project had become Earths new frontier in both science and defence with massive retooling of the old Omega yards to begin full construction of the new destroyer by the hundreds. The galaxy was at peace, but it seemed that tensions were still growing especially with the Centauri Republic which seemed to be collapsing in on itself. Raiders were still hitting the occasional shipping line and there were constant rumours of left over Shadow technology and weapons in the hands of their left behind servants. For the Earth Alliance the more recent concerns had revolved around the break up of the Psicorps and the large number of dangerous Telepaths roaming Earth space and beyond trying to destabilise the government with hidden assets. One or two Psicorps mother ships had been found and destroyed, but there were potentially dozens more floating around hiding from detection. “All the more reason for us to be out there doing something.” Ivanova waved her hand directionless towards the front of the ship. “Not sat in Earth orbit on another exercise.” She had decided that no ship in history had gone through so many exercises, it seemed Earth force command wanted to play out every possible scenario with the early Warlocks to see how they behaved before letting them loose on the galaxy, and she was getting sick of it. “This is a punishment you know,” she continued. “Give me this fine ship and adequate first officer, and then lock me up at home and not let me take it out for a spin!” “Well thanks for the praise.” Morton half smiled, he was used to Ivanova’s odd humour but also recognized no one could be as cool as her in a crisis. On a few occasions some of the more experimental systems had suffered major faults and Ivanova’s calm and rapid response had averted disaster. She also had an incredible combat record thanks to her time on Babylon 5, just about anyone from that station was a hero and serving under her command on Earthforce’s best ship was a real dream assignment, one Morton was damn glad to receive despite the lack of adventure. “I mean we got everything working a year ago, its time we took up the frontline duties we trained for.” She said with exasperation. “Well look on the plus side, this is a massive exercise, and real short notice.” Morton grinned. “Kinda exciting.” “Yeah. Woohoo.” Ivanova groaned. “Its on the Presidents direct request.” Morton said, “I’ve never heard anything like it.” “President Luchenko?” she asked with a frown, speaking of the Earth Alliance leader. “I thought it was General Denisov’s idea, he gave the orders.” “No and no.” Morton said, pleased to be delivering the information. “Its from President Sheridan, I think you used to hang out together once or twice?” “So I recall.” She said flatly. “Wonder why he’s making ripples in Earth space, I’d have thought Luchenko wouldn’t have released so many ships at once.” The fleet at Earth was truly impressive, hundreds of Earth force destroyers had gathered along with a wealth of allied vessels ranging from Brakiri cruisers and Drazi Sunhawks right up to the over bearing Minbari Warcruisers, still an intimidating sight after all these years and the source of a deep seated unease among most humans. Some wounds took a very long time to heal. “They must have called in every single ship in range.” Morton agreed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “I have,” Ivanova gritted her teeth. “Couple of times, didn’t tend to end pretty.” “But this is an exercise, I wonder what it’ll be based on?” “A surprise attack on Earth I guess.” She shrugged. “I dunno, but all these ships here mean the patrols aren’t out there, it’ll be open season for raiders and Pirates. What’s John thinking?” From their right hand side on the bridge a chime sounded, the duty officer gave it her attention and read off the report. “It’s a jump point, reading two vessels, unknown configuration.” “Get a scan of them.” Ivanova said as she stood. The Warlocks had basic artificial gravity but couldn’t generate Earth normal, it was closer to Martian gravity which made moving around a cautious affair but overall much better than the zero gravity of other vessels which lacked the rotating simulated gravity sections in Earth force. She and Morton stopped by a computer display as a three dimensional image of the new arrivals appeared. “Wow.” Morton gasped. “Look at the size of that thing!” The display showed a tri-winged design that didn’t quite follow any pattern Ivanova could discern, it had Minbari elements to it, Human elements, even a hint of Vorlon looking at some of the protrusions near the bow. To her eyes it looked like a war machine, a lean killer of the space ways spoiling for a good fight. “Guess we’re not the baddest ship in orbit anymore.” She sighed. “Captain, we have a signal.” Ensign Patel reported from the communication post. “President Sheridan is aboard one of those ships, he’s talking to fleet command.” “Sheridan?” Morton raised an eyebrow. “Thank God, I was worried we’d have to fight them.” “That’s the John Sheridan I know,” Ivanova half chuckled. “Always makes a good entrance.” “Do you think he wanted to test those new ships then? That’s the exercise?” Morton half asked and half stated. “Where the hell did he get those from anyway?” He didn’t get to answer, two dozen warnings and caution alarms flared at once across the large bridge area, drawing both them back to the centre. “We’ve got a major incursion,” Lieutenant Rossdale barked from the weapons stations. “Jump points opening in Lunar orbit.” “What type of ships?” she snapped. “Part of the exercise?” wondered Morton. “I don’t think this is an exercise.” Ivanova said slowly, eyes fixed on the tactical display rapidly filling with red dots. “Confirmed.” Said Patel. “This is for real, battle plans feeding through from fleet command.” “Transfer data to tactical, sound battle stations.” Ivanova ran off orders. “Do we have ship I.D’s?” “Best guess would be Drakh vessels, thousand plus, and something I’ve never seen before.” Rossdale replied. “What do you mean?” Ivanova settled in her chair, Morton taking up his station to her left. “Patch through a visual.” For a moment the screen remained black and it took Ivanova a minute to register what she was seeing. The blackness was shifting and moving, slowly passing the moon. It wasn’t a mistake and it made her blood run cold at the memory, she had seen this before. “Ah Hell.” “Alyt Shaleth! Look!” From the command room of his Warcruiser the Minbari officer snapped his head around at the warning. Like most of the other fleet members he had been studying the newly arrived warships recognizing some standard Minbari technology fused into their hulls. The strange hybrids had distracted him from thoughts about why the ISA wanted him here, thoughts which were quickly answered when he looked up. “Valens name!” he exclaimed in awe. The fleet of Drakh ships alone would have given him a moment of pause but it was the terrifying black mass behind them which really caught his breath. “It cannot be!” “Our sensors confirm it sir.” His second, Tuvan, answered. “A Shadow Planet killer.” “But the Shadows are gone, driven from our galaxy in defeat.” “It seems they did not take everything with them.” Tuvan suggested. “President Sheridan is arraying our forces for battle.” The Shai Alyt nodded. “It is somehow fate that he leads our fleets once more in battle against the darkness. Order our ships into combat formation, we focus on the enemy cruisers to our front.” “The heaviest ships are taking the point of the fleet.” Tuvan said. “Sheridan is looking for us to open up a path.” “Then we will not disappoint.” Shaleth nodded, he had fought at Coriana 6 with Sheridan and he’d seen these planet killers in action, he would not allow it to strike one of the founder worlds of this great new Interstellar Alliance. “Full attack.” “Primary batteries charged and ready.” Rossdale announced. “Missiles armed and ready to fire.” “Very well,” Ivanova said formally. “At this time I am authorizing use of strategic nuclear weapons. Take off the safeties and make ready to fire.” The fleet had begun deploying in a tight cone shaped formation designed like a three dimensional wedge to stab through the wall of Drakh ships preceding the Death Cloud. The point of the cone had the best ships in the assembled fleets, Earths Warlocks and the Minbari Sharlin warcruisers, along with Sheridans new prototype warships. Supporting them were the Omega class ships flaring back on all sides of the heavy hitters covering their flanks and adding their own strength to the assault, and within the cone were the older Earth and League ships acting as reserves. Sheridan had also deployed the Whitestars and Vree saucers as a fast moving strike force designed to rapidly move across the battlezone and offer their firepower to weakening parts of the front. The whole thing had taken Earth totally by surprise, and while a powerful force was seconds away from engaging a sizeable number of ships just weren’t ready for battle, they were either re-supplying in orbit or had barely a third of their crews on board, the rest enjoying shore leave on the planet below. The massive defence platforms began their charging process and the battlestations launched fighters and readied their own Particle cannons, but the whole thing could have been a total disaster, one which would finish Earth as a habitable planet. They were unprepared for war, and Earthforce was sending ships into battle that were not fit to fight, something which hadn’t happened for nearly twenty years, not since the Battle of the Line. The Battle of the Line. It was an event engraved in humanities consciousness as deep as anything in history, it had been a defining moment for all of human civilization, the moment when it had all nearly ended. Since that day the entire defence strategy of Earth had revolved around making sure it never happened again, that humanity would not face that possibility and if an enemy did reach Earth it would be met with all deliberate force. The GOD network had been the most visible response to that threat, but also the fleet elements of Earthforce had trained again and again for this possibility, re-fighting the line with newer technologies and ships so that if the unthinkable happened then Earth had a chance to live. Now the unthinkable had happened, a massive force of advanced weapons was at the door and beating it down, Earths defences would be put to the ultimate test and despite the surprise they swung professionally into action. The fleet had assumed one of its standard formations, something every Captain could do in his or her sleep. The waypoints and ranges in near Earth space were already locked into the ships firing systems, the territory as familiar to each of them as the back of their hands. They were on their home ground and they knew what that meant, nobody was running from this battle. “We’re in range.” Rossdale announced. “Launch missiles.” Commanded Ivanova. “Ripple fire all tubes, get them out of the silos so we don’t have to worry about them, then standby particle cannons.” The EAS Titans fired the first shots of the battle, its missiles being pushed out of their tubes by a quick magnetic surge before their engines engaged and flung the nuclear warheads at the incoming fleet. Earth force was past the stage of worrying about spaceborne weapons of mass destruction and with the new ISA the main galactic authority had been negotiating an amendment to the treaty of Omelos banning Weapons of Planetary destruction. While still technically in force Earth had made sure its frontline ships were equipped with the best weapons in the arsenal, including Nuclear weapons. Those missiles flashed into brief lives as they blasted the first group of Drakh vessels, The Titans sisters following suit. Cruisers died to direct hits and raiders were blasted to scrap by the nuclear fire, but more ships raced through undaunted and closed further into range. “Fighter squadrons formed up Captain.” Morton relayed. “Deploy them aggressively,” Ivanova nodded to her XO, “its more important to take out enemy ships than to cover us, our defence grid can handle itself, tell them to hit any targets of opportunity and watch Sheridan’s command.” The Thunderbolt fighters acknowledged and broke off forming into a loose strike formation. Time was critical in the battle and the Earth defence fleet had to throw everything it had into the fight with the aim of causing maximum losses to the enemy before they hit the defence grid, even at the price of protecting their own ships. The Minbari war had shown that caution usually meant losing your fleet, while aggression also tended to cost you your fleet but at least you could make the enemy bleed for it. It was a tactic as desperate as any humans had executed before and didn’t help with their chances of survival, but if it saved Earth it was worth it. A pair of Drakh cruisers fired on the Titans, their energy weapons thumping on the armoured hull. The ship was knocked a few degrees off course, an error that was rapidly corrected, but overall was largely unaffected, the heavy hull armour taking the hits without failing. “Return fire!” Ivanova yelled over the ringing in her ears left by the hits. “Forward guns, engage at will!” The lights dimmed slightly as power surged to the Particle cannons, the hungry weapons drawing energy from across the ship to reach critical firing charge before unleashing two spears of energy bound heavy particles. The red hued beams punched through the first cruiser with ease, burning clean through and winging the ship behind it as the primary target was consumed by the massive firepower. The GOD cannons were designed as one shot kill systems, and this was their first real test, a test they seemed to be acing. “Target destroyed, but more inbound.” Commander Morton kept up his commentary. “Attack ships sweeping around and more cruisers ahead.” “Keep firing, we do not let them break through our formation!” Ivanova pounded her fists. “This isn’t going to happen on my watch, I want them dead!” The Titans was hit again, this time its turreted guns swung around and sliced four raiders out of the sky, the remaining ships broke away and blundered into a fearsome shower of antimatter bolts from a Vree escort. As the fast moving Drakh raiders reached the allied lines the vastly superior Whitestars were ready to meet them, drawing them away and keeping them from massing their fire on the bigger warships of the main force. A dogfight developed with the allied fighters helping out as they could, weaving between the Destroyers and cruisers as they fired on the Drakh fleet. The railguns on the Titans burst through one of the flowing Drakh ships, its crystalline armour terribly vulnerable to the solid shot and fracturing with each impact. Pulse and laser fire from the vessels multiple turrets maintained a heavy barrage on the approaching lines while the twin Particle cannons fired as quickly as they could charge, clearing the path before them. The EAS Mage began to slow, its engines suffering repeated hits by the Drakh forces causing it to lose thrust. It fired defiantly, cutting down an enemy cruiser but it was essentially out of the battle, just an obstacle which would be overcome later should the Drakh win. Of the eleven Warlock class destroyers that had made it back for the battle, eight had been fully operational with the number now reduced to seven. The other ships had been incomplete and only partially armed, and so they like the Mage would form the final part of the defence expected to use any tactic to stop the Drakh, including ramming and jump engine overloads. Ivanova felt the ship take two more hits, the last one causing secondary explosions somewhere. They were taking losses and hadn’t even reached the main threat yet, the great death cloud billowing before them. She gritted her teeth and set her resolve, she would not lose this fight. Shaleths cruiser elegantly angled its course to pass the wreck of one of its sisters, the blue form ragged and burning red hot after repeated strikes from Drakh warships, air and fuel feeding the flames that died quickly in vacuum, almost as quick as the ships crew. He held his thoughts, looking beyond the wreck to the mass of Drakh ships ahead and the great enemies most terrifying weapon. Space was littered with dead ships and the constant flashes of brief fires sent more friends and enemies into the next generation, it was not a truly sad moment for his beliefs told him they would return to life once more, but if the cloud reached Earth a whole planets worth of souls would be racing into the afterlife, a notion which awed and terrified him. Minbar was a part of this galaxy now, as a founder of the Interstellar Alliance and its most powerful member it was expected that the Minbari would take a lead in matters including the defence of other members. Sheridan lead, Delenn ever at his side tempering his decisions with wisdom and Minbari ideals, it was a perfectly measured government and one to which the Minbari people had enthusiastically embraced, and today was the first test of their resolve sending their people to die for a former enemy. Two Whitestars raced past, their crews the first symbols of the unity between Humans and Minbari, and with them followed a squadron of ageing Starfuries which looked like they had been in service since the last time an alien force had hit Earth, a force had had been part of. But that was the past, right now the present demanded his attention. “Sustained fire.” He commanded. “The Drakh are enemies to us all, destroy them.” The green of Minbari neutron weapons joined the red and orange weapons fire of Earth force, concentrating their considerable fire power on the very centre of the Drakh block formation directly ahead of the fleet. The ships secondary weapons swatted raiders from the sky as an afterthought, two Drakh heavy warships falling to Shaleths attack in a few moments. A sudden increase in the Drakh losses drew his attention, from his command deck he had a panoramic view of Sheridans two new vessels opening fire in support of the vanguard units, their bow guns equal to his own primary weapons. They pierced through Drakh armour in seconds tearing apart the inner workings of the formidable enemy ships and leaving them bent and burning wrecks. He admired the skill and power of their attack, watching them part the Drakh lines and open gaps for the lesser Earth ships to exploit and widen. Sheridan kept his ships mobile, predicting where the Drakh would try and counter attack and always making sure at least one of his new warships was ready to meet them. The humans were fighting well, he even had to admit the League were performing far better than expected though only the most modern ships seemed to be making a difference. It was a true allied effort, though the Humans provided most of the forces as was appropriate. Two further warcruisers had arrived since the battle started, Shaleth assigned them to take the place of destroyed ships in his formation and noted with satisfaction they immediately engaged and proved their worth, destroying more Drakh ships. The fleet was almost in place, a few more minutes and they’d be upon the cloud itself, and from there it was in Valens hands. |
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By
spartan303
on
08-18-2006, 06:47 AM
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| Chapter 1 Continued Sol system, Earth Alliance. November, 2266 “What I want to know is why?” Captain Susan Ivanova complained. “Why we are still here in Earth space after completing trials, after proving our readiness and after making sure none of us were President Clarks ultra loyal nut case freaks!” She sighed heavily and slouched in her command chair, the monitors beside showing the peaceful scene in Earth orbit as ships gathered. “Well, at least you weren’t one of Clarks nut case freaks.” Commander Alan Morton offered helpfully and earned himself a scathing look from his Captain. “Or any kind of nutcase freak at all.” He added quickly. “Its just you know, we joined Earth force to see the galaxy, sure we have to expect the odd fixed post, but as a Starship Captain I expected to move a round a bit, see the League and maybe even travel to Minbar.” Ivanova waved her hands. “But no, we haven’t left the home system in three years! Its getting a little boring.” “I guess sitting on Babylon 5 all those years must have been dull.” Morton suggested. “I wish!” she exclaimed. “One thing B5 never was, was dull. But it was different, when I transferred back to the fleet I expected more, especially with this new ship.” Ivanova was referring to her command, the EAS Titans, one of the first of Earth forces new Warlock class heavy destroyers build up to the limits of human technology. They were formidable ships quantum leaps beyond vessels from just a few decades ago, but they had never been tried in pitched battle and had a troubled history with numerous redesigns since their origins in the Clark era. The Titans had been a test bed for all these trials and modifications and as such had spent as much time in dock as on deployment. “But at least we’re looking good now.” Morton smiled helpfully. “Our gravitic drive and artificial gravity are all checked out thanks to the ISA programme, and the class is in full production now.” It had taken a while, but the Warlock project had become Earths new frontier in both science and defence with massive retooling of the old Omega yards to begin full construction of the new destroyer by the hundreds. The galaxy was at peace, but it seemed that tensions were still growing especially with the Centauri Republic which seemed to be collapsing in on itself. Raiders were still hitting the occasional shipping line and there were constant rumours of left over Shadow technology and weapons in the hands of their left behind servants. For the Earth Alliance the more recent concerns had revolved around the break up of the Psicorps and the large number of dangerous Telepaths roaming Earth space and beyond trying to destabilise the government with hidden assets. One or two Psicorps mother ships had been found and destroyed, but there were potentially dozens more floating around hiding from detection. “All the more reason for us to be out there doing something.” Ivanova waved her hand directionless towards the front of the ship. “Not sat in Earth orbit on another exercise.” She had decided that no ship in history had gone through so many exercises, it seemed Earth force command wanted to play out every possible scenario with the early Warlocks to see how they behaved before letting them loose on the galaxy, and she was getting sick of it. “This is a punishment you know,” she continued. “Give me this fine ship and adequate first officer, and then lock me up at home and not let me take it out for a spin!” “Well thanks for the praise.” Morton half smiled, he was used to Ivanova’s odd humour but also recognized no one could be as cool as her in a crisis. On a few occasions some of the more experimental systems had suffered major faults and Ivanova’s calm and rapid response had averted disaster. She also had an incredible combat record thanks to her time on Babylon 5, just about anyone from that station was a hero and serving under her command on Earthforce’s best ship was a real dream assignment, one Morton was damn glad to receive despite the lack of adventure. “I mean we got everything working a year ago, its time we took up the frontline duties we trained for.” She said with exasperation. “Well look on the plus side, this is a massive exercise, and real short notice.” Morton grinned. “Kinda exciting.” “Yeah. Woohoo.” Ivanova groaned. “Its on the Presidents direct request.” Morton said, “I’ve never heard anything like it.” “President Luchenko?” she asked with a frown, speaking of the Earth Alliance leader. “I thought it was General Denisov’s idea, he gave the orders.” “No and no.” Morton said, pleased to be delivering the information. “Its from President Sheridan, I think you used to hang out together once or twice?” “So I recall.” She said flatly. “Wonder why he’s making ripples in Earth space, I’d have thought Luchenko wouldn’t have released so many ships at once.” The fleet at Earth was truly impressive, hundreds of Earth force destroyers had gathered along with a wealth of allied vessels ranging from Brakiri cruisers and Drazi Sunhawks right up to the over bearing Minbari Warcruisers, still an intimidating sight after all these years and the source of a deep seated unease among most humans. Some wounds took a very long time to heal. “They must have called in every single ship in range.” Morton agreed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” “I have,” Ivanova gritted her teeth. “Couple of times, didn’t tend to end pretty.” “But this is an exercise, I wonder what it’ll be based on?” “A surprise attack on Earth I guess.” She shrugged. “I dunno, but all these ships here mean the patrols aren’t out there, it’ll be open season for raiders and Pirates. What’s John thinking?” From their right hand side on the bridge a chime sounded, the duty officer gave it her attention and read off the report. “It’s a jump point, reading two vessels, unknown configuration.” “Get a scan of them.” Ivanova said as she stood. The Warlocks had basic artificial gravity but couldn’t generate Earth normal, it was closer to Martian gravity which made moving around a cautious affair but overall much better than the zero gravity of other vessels which lacked the rotating simulated gravity sections in Earth force. She and Morton stopped by a computer display as a three dimensional image of the new arrivals appeared. “Wow.” Morton gasped. “Look at the size of that thing!” The display showed a tri-winged design that didn’t quite follow any pattern Ivanova could discern, it had Minbari elements to it, Human elements, even a hint of Vorlon looking at some of the protrusions near the bow. To her eyes it looked like a war machine, a lean killer of the space ways spoiling for a good fight. “Guess we’re not the baddest ship in orbit anymore.” She sighed. “Captain, we have a signal.” Ensign Patel reported from the communication post. “President Sheridan is aboard one of those ships, he’s talking to fleet command.” “Sheridan?” Morton raised an eyebrow. “Thank God, I was worried we’d have to fight them.” “That’s the John Sheridan I know,” Ivanova half chuckled. “Always makes a good entrance.” “Do you think he wanted to test those new ships then? That’s the exercise?” Morton half asked and half stated. “Where the hell did he get those from anyway?” He didn’t get to answer, two dozen warnings and caution alarms flared at once across the large bridge area, drawing both them back to the centre. “We’ve got a major incursion,” Lieutenant Rossdale barked from the weapons stations. “Jump points opening in Lunar orbit.” “What type of ships?” she snapped. “Part of the exercise?” wondered Morton. “I don’t think this is an exercise.” Ivanova said slowly, eyes fixed on the tactical display rapidly filling with red dots. “Confirmed.” Said Patel. “This is for real, battle plans feeding through from fleet command.” “Transfer data to tactical, sound battle stations.” Ivanova ran off orders. “Do we have ship I.D’s?” “Best guess would be Drakh vessels, thousand plus, and something I’ve never seen before.” Rossdale replied. “What do you mean?” Ivanova settled in her chair, Morton taking up his station to her left. “Patch through a visual.” For a moment the screen remained black and it took Ivanova a minute to register what she was seeing. The blackness was shifting and moving, slowly passing the moon. It wasn’t a mistake and it made her blood run cold at the memory, she had seen this before. “Ah Hell.” “Alyt Shaleth! Look!” From the command room of his Warcruiser the Minbari officer snapped his head around at the warning. Like most of the other fleet members he had been studying the newly arrived warships recognizing some standard Minbari technology fused into their hulls. The strange hybrids had distracted him from thoughts about why the ISA wanted him here, thoughts which were quickly answered when he looked up. “Valens name!” he exclaimed in awe. The fleet of Drakh ships alone would have given him a moment of pause but it was the terrifying black mass behind them which really caught his breath. “It cannot be!” “Our sensors confirm it sir.” His second, Tuvan, answered. “A Shadow Planet killer.” “But the Shadows are gone, driven from our galaxy in defeat.” “It seems they did not take everything with them.” Tuvan suggested. “President Sheridan is arraying our forces for battle.” The Shai Alyt nodded. “It is somehow fate that he leads our fleets once more in battle against the darkness. Order our ships into combat formation, we focus on the enemy cruisers to our front.” “The heaviest ships are taking the point of the fleet.” Tuvan said. “Sheridan is looking for us to open up a path.” “Then we will not disappoint.” Shaleth nodded, he had fought at Coriana 6 with Sheridan and he’d seen these planet killers in action, he would not allow it to strike one of the founder worlds of this great new Interstellar Alliance. “Full attack.” “Primary batteries charged and ready.” Rossdale announced. “Missiles armed and ready to fire.” “Very well,” Ivanova said formally. “At this time I am authorizing use of strategic nuclear weapons. Take off the safeties and make ready to fire.” The fleet had begun deploying in a tight cone shaped formation designed like a three dimensional wedge to stab through the wall of Drakh ships preceding the Death Cloud. The point of the cone had the best ships in the assembled fleets, Earths Warlocks and the Minbari Sharlin warcruisers, along with Sheridans new prototype warships. Supporting them were the Omega class ships flaring back on all sides of the heavy hitters covering their flanks and adding their own strength to the assault, and within the cone were the older Earth and League ships acting as reserves. Sheridan had also deployed the Whitestars and Vree saucers as a fast moving strike force designed to rapidly move across the battlezone and offer their firepower to weakening parts of the front. The whole thing had taken Earth totally by surprise, and while a powerful force was seconds away from engaging a sizeable number of ships just weren’t ready for battle, they were either re-supplying in orbit or had barely a third of their crews on board, the rest enjoying shore leave on the planet below. The massive defence platforms began their charging process and the battlestations launched fighters and readied their own Particle cannons, but the whole thing could have been a total disaster, one which would finish Earth as a habitable planet. They were unprepared for war, and Earthforce was sending ships into battle that were not fit to fight, something which hadn’t happened for nearly twenty years, not since the Battle of the Line. The Battle of the Line. It was an event engraved in humanities consciousness as deep as anything in history, it had been a defining moment for all of human civilization, the moment when it had all nearly ended. Since that day the entire defence strategy of Earth had revolved around making sure it never happened again, that humanity would not face that possibility and if an enemy did reach Earth it would be met with all deliberate force. The GOD network had been the most visible response to that threat, but also the fleet elements of Earthforce had trained again and again for this possibility, re-fighting the line with newer technologies and ships so that if the unthinkable happened then Earth had a chance to live. Now the unthinkable had happened, a massive force of advanced weapons was at the door and beating it down, Earths defences would be put to the ultimate test and despite the surprise they swung professionally into action. The fleet had assumed one of its standard formations, something every Captain could do in his or her sleep. The waypoints and ranges in near Earth space were already locked into the ships firing systems, the territory as familiar to each of them as the back of their hands. They were on their home ground and they knew what that meant, nobody was running from this battle. “We’re in range.” Rossdale announced. “Launch missiles.” Commanded Ivanova. “Ripple fire all tubes, get them out of the silos so we don’t have to worry about them, then standby particle cannons.” The EAS Titans fired the first shots of the battle, its missiles being pushed out of their tubes by a quick magnetic surge before their engines engaged and flung the nuclear warheads at the incoming fleet. Earth force was past the stage of worrying about spaceborne weapons of mass destruction and with the new ISA the main galactic authority had been negotiating an amendment to the treaty of Omelos banning Weapons of Planetary destruction. While still technically in force Earth had made sure its frontline ships were equipped with the best weapons in the arsenal, including Nuclear weapons. Those missiles flashed into brief lives as they blasted the first group of Drakh vessels, The Titans sisters following suit. Cruisers died to direct hits and raiders were blasted to scrap by the nuclear fire, but more ships raced through undaunted and closed further into range. “Fighter squadrons formed up Captain.” Morton relayed. “Deploy them aggressively,” Ivanova nodded to her XO, “its more important to take out enemy ships than to cover us, our defence grid can handle itself, tell them to hit any targets of opportunity and watch Sheridan’s command.” The Thunderbolt fighters acknowledged and broke off forming into a loose strike formation. Time was critical in the battle and the Earth defence fleet had to throw everything it had into the fight with the aim of causing maximum losses to the enemy before they hit the defence grid, even at the price of protecting their own ships. The Minbari war had shown that caution usually meant losing your fleet, while aggression also tended to cost you your fleet but at least you could make the enemy bleed for it. It was a tactic as desperate as any humans had executed before and didn’t help with their chances of survival, but if it saved Earth it was worth it. A pair of Drakh cruisers fired on the Titans, their energy weapons thumping on the armoured hull. The ship was knocked a few degrees off course, an error that was rapidly corrected, but overall was largely unaffected, the heavy hull armour taking the hits without failing. “Return fire!” Ivanova yelled over the ringing in her ears left by the hits. “Forward guns, engage at will!” The lights dimmed slightly as power surged to the Particle cannons, the hungry weapons drawing energy from across the ship to reach critical firing charge before unleashing two spears of energy bound heavy particles. The red hued beams punched through the first cruiser with ease, burning clean through and winging the ship behind it as the primary target was consumed by the massive firepower. The GOD cannons were designed as one shot kill systems, and this was their first real test, a test they seemed to be acing. “Target destroyed, but more inbound.” Commander Morton kept up his commentary. “Attack ships sweeping around and more cruisers ahead.” “Keep firing, we do not let them break through our formation!” Ivanova pounded her fists. “This isn’t going to happen on my watch, I want them dead!” The Titans was hit again, this time its turreted guns swung around and sliced four raiders out of the sky, the remaining ships broke away and blundered into a fearsome shower of antimatter bolts from a Vree escort. As the fast moving Drakh raiders reached the allied lines the vastly superior Whitestars were ready to meet them, drawing them away and keeping them from massing their fire on the bigger warships of the main force. A dogfight developed with the allied fighters helping out as they could, weaving between the Destroyers and cruisers as they fired on the Drakh fleet. The railguns on the Titans burst through one of the flowing Drakh ships, its crystalline armour terribly vulnerable to the solid shot and fracturing with each impact. Pulse and laser fire from the vessels multiple turrets maintained a heavy barrage on the approaching lines while the twin Particle cannons fired as quickly as they could charge, clearing the path before them. The EAS Mage began to slow, its engines suffering repeated hits by the Drakh forces causing it to lose thrust. It fired defiantly, cutting down an enemy cruiser but it was essentially out of the battle, just an obstacle which would be overcome later should the Drakh win. Of the eleven Warlock class destroyers that had made it back for the battle, eight had been fully operational with the number now reduced to seven. The other ships had been incomplete and only partially armed, and so they like the Mage would form the final part of the defence expected to use any tactic to stop the Drakh, including ramming and jump engine overloads. Ivanova felt the ship take two more hits, the last one causing secondary explosions somewhere. They were taking losses and hadn’t even reached the main threat yet, the great death cloud billowing before them. She gritted her teeth and set her resolve, she would not lose this fight. Shaleths cruiser elegantly angled its course to pass the wreck of one of its sisters, the blue form ragged and burning red hot after repeated strikes from Drakh warships, air and fuel feeding the flames that died quickly in vacuum, almost as quick as the ships crew. He held his thoughts, looking beyond the wreck to the mass of Drakh ships ahead and the great enemies most terrifying weapon. Space was littered with dead ships and the constant flashes of brief fires sent more friends and enemies into the next generation, it was not a truly sad moment for his beliefs told him they would return to life once more, but if the cloud reached Earth a whole planets worth of souls would be racing into the afterlife, a notion which awed and terrified him. Minbar was a part of this galaxy now, as a founder of the Interstellar Alliance and its most powerful member it was expected that the Minbari would take a lead in matters including the defence of other members. Sheridan lead, Delenn ever at his side tempering his decisions with wisdom and Minbari ideals, it was a perfectly measured government and one to which the Minbari people had enthusiastically embraced, and today was the first test of their resolve sending their people to die for a former enemy. Two Whitestars raced past, their crews the first symbols of the unity between Humans and Minbari, and with them followed a squadron of ageing Starfuries which looked like they had been in service since the last time an alien force had hit Earth, a force had had been part of. But that was the past, right now the present demanded his attention. “Sustained fire.” He commanded. “The Drakh are enemies to us all, destroy them.” The green of Minbari neutron weapons joined the red and orange weapons fire of Earth force, concentrating their considerable fire power on the very centre of the Drakh block formation directly ahead of the fleet. The ships secondary weapons swatted raiders from the sky as an afterthought, two Drakh heavy warships falling to Shaleths attack in a few moments. A sudden increase in the Drakh losses drew his attention, from his command deck he had a panoramic view of Sheridans two new vessels opening fire in support of the vanguard units, their bow guns equal to his own primary weapons. They pierced through Drakh armour in seconds tearing apart the inner workings of the formidable enemy ships and leaving them bent and burning wrecks. He admired the skill and power of their attack, watching them part the Drakh lines and open gaps for the lesser Earth ships to exploit and widen. Sheridan kept his ships mobile, predicting where the Drakh would try and counter attack and always making sure at least one of his new warships was ready to meet them. The humans were fighting well, he even had to admit the League were performing far better than expected though only the most modern ships seemed to be making a difference. It was a true allied effort, though the Humans provided most of the forces as was appropriate. Two further warcruisers had arrived since the battle started, Shaleth assigned them to take the place of destroyed ships in his formation and noted with satisfaction they immediately engaged and proved their worth, destroying more Drakh ships. The fleet was almost in place, a few more minutes and they’d be upon the cloud itself, and from there it was in Valens hands. |
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By
spartan303
on
08-18-2006, 06:51 AM
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| Chapter 2 A matter of conscience Chapter 2: A matter of Conscience. Space warped and blurred past him in a multitude of blue and white not unlike a trip through the stargate tumbling end over end or so it felt. Unlike a stargate trip instead of the bone chilling cold running through him Colonel Caldwell felt a searing heat pass through him, as if Daedalus had parked itself right next to a sun. During stargate travel you had no sense or your surroundings, no sensation in your body, just the faint hint of stars flying by at unheard of speeds. Colonel Caldwell had once asked LtCol. Carter about it after one such trip through the stargate after a lengthy ten minute explanation about dematerialization and other things that left him more confused than before he asked the question, Colonel Caldwell decided then and there to never EVER let a scientist ramble if he could help it. For reasons unknown to him all this and more passed through his mind as it tried to find something to relate this experience with and came up empty, Then just as quickly as it began it was over. Utter silence greeted Col. Caldwell as reality set in, for the longest moment the only sounds he could hear were his ragged breathing and the beating of his heart. Then realizing he needed to get a grip on the situation his instincts kicked in. "What the Hell was that?" Caldwell asked a bit shaken as he slowly released the death grip around the armrests of his chair. Realizing his crew was a bit slow in recovering from their ordeal he shouted to get his crew back to the here and now. "Status Report?" Like a jolt lighting it had the desired effect the crew came to their senses and focused their energies with renewed vigor to their stations. After several moments reports started coming in. "Scope is clear no enemy contacts." Lt. Miguel responded after double checking his display. "I'm barely able to read the object, its power levels are dropping rapidly, within a few moments I won't be able to read it with our Radar or Lidar. Then after double checking his display again "sir weapons are fully operational." Lt. Miguel reported. "Helm control and Navigation appear unaffected Colonel." Major Foster reported.” I’m receiving status reports from all decks, no damage and no casualties reported. "Colonel this is Novak in engineering thrusters and hyperdrive are fully operational." Novak reported over the loudspeaker. "Very well doctor, do you and Hermiod have any idea of what just happened?" Col. Caldwell asked. "Hermiod is still pouring over the data gathered from the Asgard sensor pallets." Novak reported. "He says it will take him some time to fully analyze it and formulate any theories as to what might have happened." "Get it done quickly doctor I want answers, Caldwell out." he ordered killing the mike. Then shifting his attention to Major Foster “Foster get me Stargate Command." Col.Caldwell orded. "Sir we'll have to clear the asteroid belt." Major Foster countered. "Very well Major plots a course take us out of the asteroid field best possible speed." Caldwell ordered. "Yes sir." was her terse reply. In space Daedalus's engines flared to life as she shot forward heading for the nearest opening in the Asteroid field after about four minutes of dodging asteroids Daedalus cleared the asteroid belt. "We've cleared the asteroid belt." Major Foster reported. "Contacting Stargate Command." after several moments of trying to contact Stargate Command she switched to one of the frequencies used by Nellis Air force base. When that failed she attempted to Raise AFSATCOM which also failed Finally she tried her last option at Vandenberg which also failed. Failing to raise a single station on Earth she reported the bad news. "Sir I'm not getting any response from the SGC. Nor am I getting anything from Space Command or Vandenberg sir." Foster reported. "Nothing?" Caldwell asked. "No beacon signals and no acknowledgment of our hails sir." Major Foster reported. 'I am however reading abnormally large concentrations of tachyons surges in system." ""Tachyons?" Colonel Caldwell asked. "Particles that travel faster than light sir." Major Foster said. "I'm aware of that Major." Col. Caldwell said. "But how are they abnormally high?" the Colonel asked. "I don't know sir." Foster responded. "Colonel I may have an answer for that." Novak responded over the loudspeaker. Engineering. In Engineering Novak had been monitoring the abnormally large concentrations of tachyon particles shortly after she reported the ships status to the bridge. Ever the scientist she had initially been very excited by what she thought was a naturally occurring phenomenon, though something about it seemed vaguely familiar. After serval moments of study she began to notice patterns in the tachyon surges, activating a waterfall display she tried to isolate the various surges and was startled by what she found. Imbedded within each tachyon surge were radio signals, highly complex radio signals, next she tried to tally the number of tachyon surges to begin cataloguing them only to find the number ran into the hundreds. "This is amazing!" Novak said excitedly to herself. Turning her attention to Hermiod she asked "Have you ever seen anything like this before?" "I have not." Hermiod responded. "However the Tachyon surges are artificial in nature. They are being used to boost encrypted radio signals faster than light." "Any idea where they're coming from?" Novak asked resuming her study of the various tachyon frequencies on her display. "They appear to be originating near the vicinity of Earth." Hermiod answered. It was then that Novak remembered what had seemed so familiar to her earlier, just before she had been recruited by the SGC she had read a paper published by Doctor Svetlana Markov. Doctor Markov believed that it was possible to boost radio signals by piggybacking them onto tachyon particles. Unfortunately her work never got passed anything more than abstract theory. If it hadn’t been for the subspace radio’s the Asgard provided to the SGC Its quite possible her work would have generated more interest into a new field of communication, but sadly the Russian Government didn’t have the resources to continue research into that particular field. Tapping into net that linked her to the bridge she had caught Fosters explanation of Tachyons and the Colonels awkward response. “Colonel I may have an answer for that.” Novak responded. “Go ahead doctor.” Col. Caldwell announced through her earpiece. “Colonel, Hermiod and I have been monitoring the tachyon surges and we believe they are being used to boost encrypted radio transmissions to FTL speeds.” She informed |
