The Void War (Empire Rising Book 1) (26 page)

It would take almost an hour for the message to reach the approaching destroyer so James sat back into his command chair to see how things were going to play out.

Twenty minutes after the destroyer should have received the message it was still accelerating towards the colony ship. Knowing his ship could never stand up against the destroyer James still felt trapped. Everyone on board expected him to help the colony ship. Hell, they probably expected him to find a way to save the day! Yet he knew better, how could
Drake
come out of this in one piece? They would all die. His dreams for the future would evaporate. As he hesitated he could feel everyone on the bridge watching him. Could he live with the shame of running away? He would have to face a court martial when he got back to Earth. They might find in his favor. Revealing his presence would certainly end in the destruction of his ship. If he fled any inquiry would have to admit that he took the most prudent decision. Yet, the court martial would be a public affair. All of Britain would know he ran away. How could he ever hope to marry Christine then? What choice did he have then? He was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.

All of a sudden his thoughts turned to the Damang Incident. Captain Turner had not hesitated in charging straight for the Chinese cruisers in order to protect his freighters and he had had no hope of surviving. That was what was expected of a British naval officer. James had gone through the academy knowing that but he had always thought the rule applied to others. He was the heir to a Dukedom. His life was too important to be thrown away so easily. Yet, now he knew it wasn’t so simple. If he ran he would lose everything, Christine and the navy. Neither would look at him the same. He could already feel the questions of the bridge officers. Every one of them had been trained to throw themselves into harm’s way; they would already be questioning his delay. But no matter what way he looked at it he really had no choice.

James struggled with the decision for another two minutes. As every second passed by he could feel the pressure from the bridge crew building. They were waiting for orders. Finally he made the only choice that seemed to offer him any hope of still having a future with Christine, slim as it was.

“COMS, get us a laser link with the colony ship. Tell them not to do anything that might alert the Chinese to our presence and get me Governor Olsson on the line.”

Seconds later the governor’s face appeared on James personal holo display. “Governor, it appears you could use some assistance,” James said putting on a brave face. If he was going to do this no one else needed to know how close he had come to backing down.

Smiling, the governor replied, “I’ve been fighting tooth and nail to keep your RSN ships out of our new system but boy I am glad to see you Commander. How did you get so close to the planet without my warships spotting you? And more importantly can you handle this Chinese destroyer?

“For the first, you know our stealth is good Governor,” James answered. “And for the second I’m afraid not. I command HMS
Drake
, a survey frigate. We only have a couple of missile tubes so the Chinese Captain can handle anything we throw at him. The best I can offer is that we can add our point defenses to yours. It’s not much but if I guess right the Chinese Captain will not want to waste any more missiles on you than he has to. I suggest you evacuate the two supply ships and put their defenses on automatic. You need to take the colony ship out of orbit and make it look like you are making a run for it. We should be able to match your speed while remaining in stealth. With luck the Chinese ship will only fire one salvo and turn to re-join its buddies. If some of the missiles are targeted at the two supply vessels, we might have a chance of taking out the rest between us. That’s the best I can offer you.”

Nodding, the governor accepted James’ plan, “Very well Commander, I don’t think I have much choice. Don’t think I don’t know you could stay in stealth and avoid any danger. On behalf of my people I want to thank you, whether this works or not.”

*

Forty five minutes later as James and Gupta were reviewing their final plans, Fisher suddenly shouted out excitedly to the rest of the bridge. “Six ships have just begun to accelerate rapidly into the system. It looks like they are coming in under full military power. I recognize the drive harmonics of one of them. It’s the medium cruiser
Voyager
. Wait. The three Chinese destroyers have just gone to full acceleration, they’re trying to get away.”

Switching to look at the gravimetric display, James saw that fortune was on the Chinese’ side. The British ships had jumped into the system several light hours from the point the Chinese ships were heading towards to jump out. At full acceleration the British ships would get the chance to fire off one missile salvo but it would be touch and go as to whether the missiles would actually reach their targets before the Chinese managed to jump away.

A shift drive wouldn’t engage within the mass shadow created by a system’s star. Yet the actual size of the mass shadow was determined by the sensitivity of a ship’s shift drive. As technology advanced, the shift drive continued to be fine-tuned, allowing it to engage further and further into a system, slowly decreasing the mass shadow of any given system. Over the last one hundred years the gains had been negligible yet it did mean that the RSN wasn’t exactly sure how far out from a system’s sun the Chinese could engage their shift drive, if they took all the safeties off. If RSNI data was to be believed the missile salvo from the British warships could catch them in time but it would be close.

The fourth destroyer on the other hand, was in a lot more trouble. Every second it delayed making a break towards the mass shadow it decreased its likelihood of escape. In theory it could continue to charge into the system past the colony ship and head towards the far side of the mass shadow. Outside the Void that would be the logical course of action and it would ensure
Drake’s
destruction, as the Chinese destroyer would have ample time to fire salvo after salvo at her and the colony ship. Yet, being in the Void meant the perusing British ships could simply make a couple of shift jumps to the other side of the system and lie in wait for the Chinese ship. The Chinese Commander’s best chance of escape would be to fire one salvo at the colony ship and then turn tail and run for the mass shadow at full speed.

James contacted the governor and passed on the latest developments, informing him that their plan was still the best chance they had. Now all they had to do was wait.

The crew were able to occupy themselves during the initial stages of the destroyer’s approach by watching the unfolding chase between the British forces lead by
Voyager
and the fleeing Chinese ships. A collective groan escaped from the bridge crew as the Chinese ships all disappeared twenty seconds before the British missiles reached them. They had been able to jump away just in time. With that drama over, everyone’s attention was focused on the lone Chinese destroyer.

A further fifty minutes later and James’ prayers were answered. The Chinese destroyer had started to decelerate to come to rest at her maximum missile range. Without wasting any time, she fired five missiles after the fleeing colony ship and boosted away, making for the shortest route to the edge of the mass shadow. The Chinese’s Captain’s actions had assured that if he wanted to come back for another salvo he would be guaranteeing the British warships caught him. Hopefully, that would mean James only had to deal with the one salvo heading for them.

Fired from maximum range and towards a target fleeing the opposite direction it would take the missiles over thirty minutes to catch them. A long time for the bridge crew on board
Drake
to watch nervously as almost certain death approached. Ten minutes out James keyed his console to open a ship wide channel.

“All hands, this is the Captain. By now you all know what we face. We have five missiles coming for us seeking to reign down death and destruction. Beside us are almost forty thousand civilians. We didn’t ask to be their protectors but that is where we find ourselves. I’m not going to lie, none of us may be walking away from this but if we die we will die knowing we have done the duty of a British warship.” Pausing to regain control of his emotions James continued to put on a brave face, dismissing thoughts of Christine. “If any of you have yet to transmit your personal messages to
Voyager
do so now, the Chinese missiles are less than ten minutes away. It has been a pleasure commanding all of you. Commander Somerville out.”

As he finished he saluted, knowing that many of the crew were watching his last words to them on holo displays throughout the ship. As he looked up James saw that the entire bridge crew was standing to attention saluting him back, Gupta included. Momentarily at a loss for words, James simply motioned them all back to their seats. “Thank you everyone, I know you will all do your duty.” Inwardly, James felt ashamed. He thought his crew had deserved the words he had given them but he knew how close he had come to running away and he knew his real motive for staying. He didn’t deserve their respect and it shamed him. Still, he thought to himself, we are in it now. There is nothing to do but put on a brave face and live up to everyone’s expectations.

At five minutes out, it became clear two missiles were targeted at the two supply ships. That left three for
Drake
and the colony ship to handle.

At three minutes out, the missiles all went into evasive attack patterns and switched on their ECM to confuse the defensive fire that was about to try and swat them out of space.

Two minutes and thirty seconds out, the colony ship and the two supply ships opened fire with their point defense plasma cannons. The unmanned supply ships ignored the missiles targeted at them and sought to protect the colony ship. Of the five missiles aimed at the colony ship one was hit and exploded.

The next thirty seconds were the longest in James life.
Drake
could drop out of stealth and open fire with her point defense plasma cannons but the plan called for her to wait.

At two minutes out,
Drake
went to full power. She immediately began to launch AM missiles and open up with all her plasma cannons. At the same time her ECM went to full power.

The remaining two missiles targeted at the colony ship seemed to pause for a moment as their targeting sensors tried to burn through the ECM and identify the new target. In those vital seconds one was knocked out by
Drake’s
defensive fire. Yet the last one came on.

Thirsty seconds from impact James knew they weren’t going to get the last one. He almost couldn’t believe the next words that came out of his mouth. “Navigation, move us directly in front of the colony ship. Put us between them and the last missile,” he ordered.

As time slowed down, James thought it strange that even so close to death he was still able to appreciate how Sub Lieutenant Thirlwall immediately obeyed his final orders, even though it sealed her own doom. He then looked over to Gupta to see that she was still fully focused on overseeing the point defenses. The look of determination in her eyes showed she had no thought for what was about to happen, she was focused on the here and now. All across the bridge James watched as his crew were calmly doing everything they could to aid in the defense of the colony ship. Still, it’s not enough, James thought as time suddenly seemed to speed up again and the missile came crashing in. 

Just as the missile was about to impact Sub Lieutenant Thirlwall managed to interpose
Drake
between the missile and the helpless colony ship. The sudden merging of the two targets and the ECM from
Drake
confused the missile enough to cause it to over shoot the colony ship before exploding. The shockwave, however, still washed over
Drake
. On a larger warship such a hit could be brushed off but on a small exploration frigate it was devastating. On the bridge James was flung into the back of his command chair and everything went dark as the thermonuclear explosion burnt off
Drake’s
valstronium armor and tore into her inner hull. Crumpled and without power she tumbled away from the colony ship.

Every naval officer aspires to command their own warship. This is without exception. Yet only the very best will ever rise above their colleagues and attain the rank of Captain.

-Excerpt from Empire’s Rising, 3002 AD

17
th
April 2465 AD, HMS
Drake
, New Stockholm system

Slowly James became aware of a drum beating somewhere in the distance. It began to come closer and closer until eventually it felt like it was being held right up to his head. With an effort he tried to open his eyes. At first nothing happened but then, suddenly, they opened and piercing light flooded his vision. The pain was unbearable and instinctively he moved his hand to cover his eyes. In his groggy state, he misjudged the distance and ended up whacking himself in the face, sending the drum beat in his head firing off at an increased pace.

Noticing the movement, Doctor Wilson came over to stand by his patient’s bed. “I see you are awake Captain. You’ll have to take things slowly for the next few hours; you have received a nasty concussion. I had to put you into a temporary coma in order to stop your brain from swelling too much.”

Concern coursed through James. How long had he been out?
Drake
needed him. Try as he might he couldn’t get his mouth to form the words. All Doctor Wilson heard was “Hl on.”

Having already anticipated the Captain’s first question Wilson was able to decipher the mumble. “You’ve been out for just under twenty hours, Captain. You don’t need to worry, Lieutenant Gupta has everything under control.”

James tried to mull that over but the thumping in his head was still growing in intensity. “M hd, pan.” He managed to croak.

This time the doctor had to pause for a second before understanding. “Yes, you’re going to be in some pain for the next day or so but now that you are awake I can start to give you something for it, hold on.”

A few moments later the doctor returned and pressed one of his instruments to James’ neck. Almost immediately the drumming in his head receded considerably and he felt the rest of his body begin to relax too. After working his jaw back and forth a number of times, he finally felt confident enough to try his next question. “H.. how bad?”

Wilson considered whether to answer this question right away or to wait until James was at least back on his feet. After a lengthy pause that only served to deepen James’ fears he decided the Commander deserved to know. “Personnel wise we were very lucky, only six dead.
Drake
on the other hand wasn’t. The missile that detonated off our bow crumpled the forward twenty percent of the ship. We lost the forward missile tube along with our store of recon drones. Gupta says our point defense has been reduced by sixty percent and the damage to our forward section means we won’t be able to hide from anyone. There was also damage to the forward plasma cannon and one of our fission reactors has had to be shut down. In short, it looks like
Drake
will be spending a lengthy time in a repair dock sir.”

Relieved at the light causalities, James still felt a pang of pain for
Drake
. He had come to love her as his own and now his own had been almost turned into a wreck. “The colony ship?” He asked next.

This time Wilson broke into a smile. “The colony ship survived sir. There were a lot of shaken up colonists but the final missile exploded far enough away that it only damaged the ship’s engines.”

“And the Chinese destroyer?”

“Gone sir, after what she tried to do to us and the Swedes,
Voyager
and her consorts tore her to shreds, they didn’t give them any quarter.”

Lying back in relief, James cracked a small smile himself. He had done it, and against the odds, he had even survived himself. It was almost unbelievable. At the end he had been resigned to his fate. 

After the moment passed, he tried to sit up again.
Drake
needed him, she may be heavily damaged but she was still his ship. They needed to get back to Excalibur and then to Britannia for repairs. That was his duty.

This time he opened his eyes slowly and allowed them to get used to the light of sickbay. Looking around he noticed he was alone with the doctor. “Where is everyone else?” he asked. If there were that many dead there should have been plenty of injuries too.

“Because of the damage
Drake
took, all our injured have been moved to the destroyer
Janice
or to the Swedish colony ship. Lieutenant Gupta insisted that you would want to remain on board,” replied the doctor.

Relieved that the others were being well taken care of, James tried to swing his legs around in the bed to stand up. As he did he lost his balance and almost fell off the bed. If wasn’t for Wilson’s strong arms he would have.

“I do have experience treating stubborn patients Captain. Lieutenant Gupta is doing a fine job. She’ll manage without you for another few hours. This will put you to sleep, when you wake up you should be ready to resume your duties.” Before James could complain, Wilson had thumbed a new command into his medical device and pressed it to James’ neck again. Within seconds James was asleep.

*

Two days later and James was back where he knew he belonged, sitting on
Drake’s
command chair. The repairs had been going well. With the destroyer
Janice’s
help, both
Drake
and the Swedish Colony ship had been made shift space worthy and were about to make the jump to Excalibur. After reviewing the repairs Gupta had been doing while he was in sickbay, James had had to admit to himself she had probably organized things better than he could. Once back on his feet, he had joined her and together they had thrown themselves into the repairs. Finally, he felt like they were a real team.

His first inspection of the ship had been surreal. Not only had he been unable to venture forward past the port missile tube due to the damage, there had also been a lot of missing faces. James had been dismayed to learn that Sub Lieutenant Shannon had been among the six dead.  She had manned navigation and so he had worked closely with her over the last two years as they plotted out
Drake’s
survey routes. As well as the fatalities, twenty crew members had been injured seriously enough to warrant being moved. Eight had been taken to the destroyer
Janice
while the others were aboard the colony ship. That left James with only forty personnel under his command. The gaps were obvious.

James suspected the injured on board the colony ship would be having an exhausting trip back to Earth. Already the crew still aboard
Drake
had been inundated with messages of thanks from the thousands of colonists aboard the colony ship. At least they could ignore the messages. Those members of
Drake’s
crew who had to travel all the way back to Earth among the colonists wouldn’t be getting a moment of privacy.

Tapping on his console, he made a note to send a message to them. It wouldn’t do for them to try and take advantage of the situation. They would need to be on their best behavior. Sub Lieutenant Fisher was also among the injured aboard the colony ship. He would miss her the most but once she got back to Earth she would have the chance to take her Lieutenant’s exam and finally get her promotion. Typing a personal message for her reminding her to keep
Drake’s
crew members under control, James then opened her personnel report. He spent the next few minutes updating it and gave his recommendation that she be immediately assigned to a combat role after she passed her exam.

As he completed the recommendation, James’ thoughts were interrupted by Sub Lieutenant Graham who was manning the COMS station. “Captain, both the colony ship and
Janice
report that they are ready to jump.
Janice
says that we have the privilege of giving the order to jump.”

“Very well,” James acknowledged. As the senior Captain
Janice’s
commanding officer should be the one to order the ships to jump but he was giving
Drake
the honor out of respect. “Navigation, are we ready to jump?” James asked.

“Yes sir, our jump capacitors are fully charged,” came the reply.

“Ok, COMS, order our ships to jump in three, two, one, jump.”

As always, the slight flicker in the inertial dampeners indicated that
Drake
had jumped into shift space. Happy the jump had been successful James began to review the repair plans for the next few days. It would only take three hours for them to reach Excalibur and then another nine to enter orbit. When he had last been at Excalibur, almost two months ago, a number of construction ships from Admiral’s Cunningham’s fleet had begun to build a small repair and resupply facility. It would not be able to handle all of
Drake’s
requirements but it could provide what
Drake
needed to get back to Britannia. James intended to have a full list of their needs ready as soon as they reached Excalibur so they could pick up what they needed and be on their way in good time. He wanted to see
Drake
back in working order as soon as he could make it happen.

After finishing his list of requirements, James began to work on his battle report. He had not had time to work on it since he had left sickbay. All his efforts had been given over to getting
Drake
and the colony ship ready to depart as soon as possible but Commodore West would be expecting a full report.

When the navigation officer announced they were coming up to Excalibur James was surprised by how quickly the time had passed. He had been lost in his thoughts reliving the battle. Writing the report had given him a chance to reflect on the life he had nearly lost. Between Christine, his growing love for the navy and his quest to rebuild his family name he had a lot to live for. He had nearly lost it all. Even though he knew they had saved almost forty thousand colonists he wasn’t sure he would make the same decision again. He had acted in the heat of the moment, not considering the implications of his actions when he had given the final order to close with the colony ship. As he thought about it he wasn’t sure that he was prepared to risk his future with Christine so easily. Still, now he had a second chance to make sure he got the things he wanted out of life.

As
Drake
excited shift space on the edge of the Excalibur system the bridge crew were on full alert. Within seconds the ships passive sensors were flooded with lots of data. “Tactical, what have you got?” James asked.

“Our gravimetric sensors are picking up a number of ships maneuvering around the system sir. They all appear to be following typical routes for system pickets. Around the planet itself, our passives have picked up a number electromagnetic radiation sources. The computer has identified Commodore West’s heavy cruiser
Avenger
and Rear Admiral Jensen’s
Valkyrie
. There are also at least another fifteen warships in orbit.”

“Thank you Sub Lieutenant Becket,” James responded. There were more ships in orbit around Excalibur than he had expected but if there had been a fight at V17 then it was likely some of the damaged ships were here affecting repairs. Satisfied there were no hostile threats in the system James stood to retire to his office. “Becket, you have the bridge,” he said as he turned and walked out.

*

James waited patiently as he sat in the adjacent room to Rear Admiral Jensen’s office aboard HMS
Valkyrie
. As
Drake
had made her way to settle into orbit around Excalibur, he had been surprised to get a summons to appear on board
Valkyrie
. Strictly speaking he was still under Commodore West’s command even though he would have to take
Drake
back to Britannia. Yet here he was. After only ten minutes, the Admiral’s aide appeared at the door and ushered him in before leaving James alone with the Rear Admiral.

As he entered Jensen stood and stepped towards James taking his hand. “Congratulations Commander, you pulled off quite a victory, I’m suitably impressed.”