Sol Shall Rise (The Pike Chronicles Book 1) (13 page)

Repairs on the Hermes were completed ahead of schedule, but Jon waited until the Kemmar deadline. He wanted to see their response before choosing his course of action. As he expected, the Kemmar reacted with complacency, comfortable in their ability to defeat the human ship.

“Sir, the Kemmar ship is hailing us,” said the communications officer.

“Patch them through,” said Jon.

The Kemmar transmission was translated through the ship’s AI. “Your deadline has passed. You are hereby ordered to leave Kemmar space immediately.”

“Commander, I ask you again to please reconsider your decision. If we could be allowed access to the gate it would be a great help to us.”

“Your needs are no concern of the Kemmar Empire. You are ordered to leave Kemmar space immediately.”

“If you could just give us some more time to complete repairs…”

“No more time. If you do not leave Kemmar space immediately you will be destroyed.”

“Commander, are you saying you will fire on us?”

“That is correct. Leave now, or you will be destroyed.”

“Understood. We will comply.”

The comm link was disconnected by the Kemmar. Jon looked around the bridge. He saw no apprehension. They were ready. “Helm, take us out of this system.”

“Taking us out, Sir,” said Richards.

The ship’s reactors kicked in and the emitters lining the hull created an FTL bubble around the ship allowing it to travel faster than the speed of light. The ship’s inertial dampeners ensured that none of the reality of the ship’s speed was felt on board. For everyone on the bridge it felt like the Hermes stood still.

On the viewscreen the asteroid field disappeared as did the planets and their moons. The binary star blazed across the screen and then it too was gone too, leaving only the empty region between systems, and the uncountable stars shimmering in the distance.

They needed to be convincing without giving away their hand. Even at FTL speeds it took a lot of time to travel the immense distances between planets and planetary systems. Jon knew it would be a while before the Kemmar finally turned to the asteroid field. He wanted to be convincing so he waited until there was sufficient distance between the Hermes and the Kemmar. After several hours of travel Jon decided to spring his trap.

“Jump system status?” asked Jon.

“Jump system is at one hundred percent. We are jump ready,” said Yao.

“Plot a jump directly behind the Kemmar ship.”

“Course plotted, Sir.”

“Tactical, load all missile tubes. Rail guns in offensive mode, and ready energy weapons.”

“Missile tubes loaded, Sir. All weapon systems are ready.”

“When we jump into the system we will immediately fire all missiles at the Kemmar ship, and engage them using attack pattern Sigma.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Navigation, once we conduct our sortie I want to jump out of the system. A couple of light years should be good enough.”

“Yes, Sir. Coordinates are plotted.”

“Sound general quarters. Helm, initiate jump countdown.”

“Jump countdown initiated Sir.”

The lighting on the bridge took on a red hue to reinforce the general quarters order. The ship’s computer began counting down. Jon could smell the fear and anxiety in the air. So long as noone panicked, a little fear was not a bad thing. It kept everyone focused and motivated. He looked over at Wolfe who refused to sit down and paced the bridge, keeping a watchful eye on the crew.

“Jump complete.”

The viewscreen instantly filled with the rear of the Kemmar ship. Jon couldn’t help but feel awed by the sheer size of it. Why would anyone need a ship that big? It couldn’t be practical. Perhaps these giant ships were intended to merely intimidate. After all, who would be stupid enough to stand against anything that big? As if on cue, eight missiles appeared on the viewscreen and streaked straight for the massive ship.

“Missiles away!”

The Hermes began its assault. It raced towards the top of the ship, blue energy bursts impacting the giant ship’s hull, rail guns pulverizing it with a barrage of uranium. The Kemmar were taken completely by surprise and could not launch any countermeasures. The missiles found their mark. The battleship was rocked by jarring concussions. The behemoth had been hurt, but not defeated.

As per Jon’s orders the jump countdown began. Before the Hermes could take any return fire, the Kemmar battleship disappeared from the viewscreen. Sporadic cheers broke out throughout the bridge and the fear felt minutes before had been replaced by the euphoria of imminent victory.

“Focus people, the battle isn’t over yet,” said Jon. The bridge quieted, but the taste of victory still hung in the air. “They’re going to be ready for us the next time. Switch rail guns to point defense mode and load all missile tubes.”

“Missile tubes loaded, Sir. Rail guns in point defense mode,” said Petrovic.

“Navigation, can you put us directly underneath them?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, enter the coordinates. Helm, when we jump in this time I want to attack their belly, attack pattern Beta.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“As before, prepare to jump right away to this location. Initiate jump countdown.”

The computer counted down again and the Hermes jumped in to attack the Kemmar battleship a second time. The battleship appeared above them this time and as before the Hermes let loose a volley of missiles. The Kemmar were ready with counter measures allowing only one missile to find its mark. The Hermes proceeded to race underneath the ship laying down energy weapon fire as it went.

“The Kemmar ship has launched missiles!”

“Launch countermeasures.”

The Hermes decoys shot out in all directions luring several missiles away from their target. Some of the missiles weren’t fooled and raced after the attacking ship. The Hermes rail guns laid down a wall of point defense fire destroying the Kemmar missiles as they approached.

The Kemmar missiles were numerous and relentless, however, and several made it by the Hermes defenses. Their impact imminent, the Hermes jumped away before taking any damage. As quick as it appeared, the Kemmar ship disappeared from the viewscreen again. While not as successful as the first encounter, the Hermes had not taken any fire and the bridge mood was electric.

“Excellent work everyone. Prepare to jump back in. Load all missile tubes and ready all weapons and countermeasures. Get us in behind the battleship again, I want to go after her critical systems. Attack pattern Gamma.”

The crew prepared for the third strike. Everyone tried to remain composed, the excitement in the air palpable. The battleship was so intimidating that the unexpected success of the first attacks was like a valve, at once releasing most of the tension the crew felt. Optimism replaced anxiety, and the mood turned to one of certain victory.

Commander Wolfe, however, was not celebrating. From the look on her face she didn’t approve of those who were.

Jon didn’t like it either. “Stay focused people,” he barked. “We haven’t won yet. Helm, initiate jump countdown. Tactical, prepare to fire.”

The computer counted down the jump sequence.

The ship jumped.

The viewscreen shifted.

The battleship was gone.

“Contacts! Reading six vessels all around us.”

Jon rose from his chair. “Launch counter measures!”

The incoming ordnance rocked the ship almost throwing Jon to the floor.

“Reading multiple direct hits to our stern side,” said Petrovic.

“Jump system is offline,” said Wolfe.

“Helm, initiate evasive maneuvers. Tactical, return fire. Target the nearest ships. Fire at will,” said Jon.

The Hermes bounded left and right, up and down, trying in vain to avoid the attacking ships. Flanked on all sides, it could not compensate for the onslaught. Suppressing fire from one ship, it took fire from another. Its newly repaired hull receiving a fresh pounding.

The ships individually were no match for the Hermes, but together represented an unbeatable combination. Any advantage the Hermes had in maneuverability against the battleship was now lost as the smaller ships attacked from all angles.

“Sir, these ships, they have the same signatures as the battleship,” said Petrovic.

“She separated,” said Jon, realization dawning on him. “The battleship was six ships in one.”

Breeah and Anki watched the ongoing battle from the windows in their quarters. Breeah didn’t understand how the Hermes had simply appeared beside the Kemmar battleship, and after a brief attack reappeared in another star system, only to do the same thing over again. Based on her knowledge of the jump gate, she understood superficially what was happening, but did not comprehend any more than that. How were these people jumping without a gate? It baffled her.

She looked over at Anki whose face showed the same amazement that Breeah felt. Anki, despite her young age, had seen space battles before. Reiver children were not sheltered from such things. They had to understand Reiver strategy and tactics early on and the best way to learn was to see them in action.

But neither Breeah nor Anki had ever seen anything like this. On the Reiver ships they witnessed raids, and usually the odds were in the Reivers’ favor. She never expected to witness a battle of these proportions. To engage a Kemmar battleship was unheard of. A Reiver ship would have turned tail and run.

First it looked like the Earth ship would prevail, but things now turned against it. This third jump landed the Hermes in the middle of six Kemmar warships. She had heard rumors about Kemmar battleships separating into multiple smaller ships, but didn’t believe it possible. She knew now that those rumors were true.

She chewed on an already gnawed fingernail and watched the Kemmar ships close in. A Kemmar ship dropped directly in front of her, so close that she could see some of their crew. Not as large as the Hermes, it still looked menacing.

It had a long, bulky, rectangular shape, with several protrusions sitting in odd locations. Weapon turrets spread out across its hull, and they all looked like they were pointed directly at her. For a second she froze, and even stopped chewing her nail. Then it opened fire.

Energy beams burst forth and bathed her window in a horrific red light. At the same time it peppered the Hermes with a rapid succession of projectiles. The force of the impacts sent both Breeah and Anki to the floor screaming. Then the pounding started in earnest. Powerful shockwaves rocked their quarters, toppling furniture and turning cups and dishes into lethal missiles.

The sound of explosions blared in her ears, and she clasped her hands over them, futilely trying to block out the uproar. They had to be in the worst possible section of the ship. It would be only a matter of time until the hull gave way and they would be sucked out into the void. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to save Anki.

Where was Anki?

Breeah lifted her head, trying to locate her little girl and spotted her several meters away. She had curled into a ball, her small arms wrapped tightly around her knees, face pressed hard against them. Her body convulsed in gasps and cries. She was panicking. Breeah had to reach her.

“Anki!” Breeah screamed as she began to crawl across the floor to her daughter. “Anki! I’m coming!”

The ship pitched again under the force of the Kemmar onslaught, each impact bouncing her off the ground. She fought back the urge to vomit, her stomach lurching with each bounce. She tried to hang on, tried to continue crawling, but forward movement was impossible.

The Hermes heaved and her face smashed into the floor. Her eyesight blurred and she fought back the blackness, desperate to stay conscious. She tried to see, but couldn’t make anything out.

“Anki!” No response. “Anki!” Still nothing.

Mustering all her strength she dragged herself forward. Something blocked her path. A chair. It had fallen on its side. Gripping its frame she used it as a crutch and lifted herself up. Her vision started to clear and when her head came up high enough she could finally get a view of the room.

“Anki?”

She wasn’t there anymore. She continued to scan the room, but couldn’t find her. Dread climbed up her spine and she fought to keep her focus. Anki had to be in the room. She had to be hiding somewhere. Terrified. But where?

Breeah got up to her feet, adrenalin surging through her. She ran throughout the room, oblivious now to the raging battle. But she couldn’t find her. Anki was gone.

Two Kemmar ships came up alongside the Hermes, hammering it broadside. A third Kemmar ship dropped in front, halting its advance.

“They’re trying to box us in,” yelled Wolfe.

“Concentrate fire on the lead ship. All weapons. Erase that goddamn ship from my sky!”

The Hermes unleashed a torrent of missiles, blue lightning and depleted uranium on the forward Kemmar vessel. Its position gave it few options for evasive maneuvers and the Hermes missiles plowed through its hull, detonating one by one. The Hermes continued to pound it with its energy weapons and rail guns until the ship blew apart.

The force of the explosion bounced the bridge crew around. Ensign Yao was thrown from her chair onto the floor hitting her head. Commander Wolfe ran to her aid and the disoriented Ensign sat up. Yao shook her head and looked back at Wolfe.

“I’m ok,” said Yao.

Wolf nodded and helped her get up off the floor. She resumed her post. Wolfe stood behind Yao watching for a few more moments to ensure she was able to resume her duties.

Around the Hermes the battle continued to rage relentlessly. The remaining Kemmar ships maintained their position and continued to hammer the Hermes broadside. The Hermes was sandwiched in between the two and had few options. At the same time another ship strafed it from below.

“Resume evasive maneuvers,” ordered Jon.

As the vessel underneath it made contact, a massive concussion rocked the Hermes,. Mechanical arms shot out from the ship and sunk long, armor piercing claws into the Hermes’s belly. The arms pulled the enemy ship close to the Hermes, until the two vessels were almost touching. A cylindrical apparatus emerged from the Kemmar ship and made contact with the Hermes’s hull, establishing a secure seal, and powerful blades went to work, cutting a hole through the Earth ship.

Wolfe had returned to her console, but the force of the impact made her grip is sides, in a struggle to maintain her balance. Her display told her she had bigger problems. Tapping her console she opened a comm link, “Security to Deck Lambda. Enemy infiltration underway. Prepare to repel enemy boarders.”