Dawn of a New Age (37 page)

“Normally, I have no trouble sleeping before a battle, but I can’t help thinking about you and what will happen to you if I fail.  If we fail, I mean.

“I fear for you and for my sister.  You will be directly in the line of fire if we do not succeed.  I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety.  But then, you already knew that.

“I hope I can come to see you soon, but I don’t know when I will be able to.  I think about you all the time, and can’t wait to see you again.

“I think I’m going to try to go to sleep now.  I’ll send this off as soon as I’m able.  Computer, end recording and save.”

K’Alan rubbed his eyes and headed back to bed.

6.7.2125

0900

SLS Quintanilla

The Bridge

The mood on the bridge was one of quiet desperation and apprehension when K’Alan walked onto the bridge to take what would be his station for the upcoming battle.  K’Alan checked over the systems on his console before nodding to the captain that he was ready for what was to come.

“All systems ready, Captain,” Colonel Jameson noted to Thane Starlos.

“Good,” Thane nodded.  “Kim, signal the Argus that we’re ready to proceed.”

“Aye, sir,” the communications tech nodded and proceeded to relay the message.

“Lieutenant, signal the alert to the pilots to prepare to launch,” Thane said as he turned to face K’Alan.

“Aye, sir,” K’Alan nodded.  He flicked a switch on his console.  “All pilots report to your fighters immediately.  Repeat.  All pilots report to your fighters immediately.  Be ready to launch on my signal.”

“Response coming in from Commodore Bonetti, Captain,” Kim Ericson announced.

“Holo,” Thane ordered.

“Aye, sir.”

“Captain Starlos,” Commodore Bonetti said as he appeared on the small holopad by the Captain’s chair.  “Is the Quintanilla ready for your part of this battle?”

“Yes, Commodore,” Thane nodded.  “We’re ready.”

“Good,” Bonetti smiled.  “The Argus, Haphaestus, and Arden Lake II will head in first and start attacking the Duhari class heavy cruisers, leaving you and your fighters to take on the Kovat class light cruisers.”

“Understood,” Thane acknowledged.  “When do we begin the battle?”

“Soon,” Bonetti said.  “The Haphaestus has some last minute repairs they need to finish then we’ll go in.  Perhaps an hour.”

“Good.  We’ll be waiting for the launch order.”

“Good,” Bonetti nodded.  “Commodore Bonetti out.”

The bridge continued its pre-battle preparations.  Bridge officers hunkered over their stations checking settings and making sure everything is in readiness.

“Nervous, Lieutenant?” Thane asked quietly.

“Shouldn’t I be?” K’Alan countered.  “It’s a bit different being on this side of the battle instead of out there in my fighter.”

“Yes, I know,” Thane nodded.  “I once felt the same way that you do now.”

“I bet all fighter pilots that turn into command personnel feel the same way,” K’Alan chuckled.

“Yes,” Thane grinned.  “It’s that way with all fighter pilots.  Every one I know that came up through the ranks of the fighter pilots felt the same way.  It’s normal.”

“I also feel like I’m abandoning my squad mates,” K’Alan sighed.

“I can understand that too,” Thane nodded again. “But you’re not abandoning them.  You’re simply with them in a different way now.”

“Honestly, I’d rather be out there protecting them in my own Starfire,” K’Alan chuckled.

“I’m sure,” Thane winked.  “Just keep your mind on your task at hand.”

“I will,” K’Alan said as he gently laid a picture of K’Itea on the top of his console where he could see it but it wouldn’t interfere with his normal duties.

“Good,” Thane nodded.  “We’re all counting on you, Lieutenant.  As the acting XO, you’re a key figure in this battle.”

“I know, sir,” K’Alan said, before turning back to his console and running one last system check on the station.

“Captain,” Ensign Ericson announced.  “Commodore Bonetti just signaled to proceed into the Corathi system.

“Acknowledged,” Thane nodded.  “Helm, flank speed ahead.”

6.7.2125

0935

SLS Quintanilla

Alpha Launch Bay

“OK, folks, it’s the real deal,” Stephanie Westphalen said to the rest of the assembled pilots.  “We just got the word that we’re going in.  Mount up and be ready to launch in five minutes!”

There were assorted cheers as the pilots grabbed their helmets and climbed into their fighters.  Stephanie, chuckling softly to herself at their enthusiasm, jumped into her own cockpit and sealed herself in.  She signaled to the bridge that she and the rest of her squadrons were ready to launch at a moment’s notice.

“Commander Westphalen to Lieutenant Bryce,” she called over her commlink.  “How are things up on the bridge?”

“All things considered, ma’am, I’d rather be going out there with you,” K’Alan chuckled over the comms.  “This is gonna be rough on me.”

“You’ll get used to it.  And you’ll do fine, Lieutenant,” Stephanie laughed.

“That seems to be the message of the day, today,” K’Alan pointed out.  “And while I’m glad I have all of your faith in me, I still don’t want this job.”

“Do you think I did the first time I was given that job, Kal?” Stephanie asked, a touch of almost motherly tenderness in her voice.

“Not really, Steph,” K’Alan said.  She could almost hear the smile in his voice.  “But as they say, a soldier has to do what he or she is ordered to.”

“This is true,” Stephanie nodded.  “At any rate, we’re all ready to launch on your order.  Remember, let me know immediately if anything happens to Captain Starlos.”

“Acknowledged,” K’Alan said.  “Bridge out.”

6.7.2125

0937

Draxus Porida

Main Bridge

On the bridge of the Draxus Porida, Commander M’Tak Jolan drummed his fingers on his chair in complete boredom.  His ship was the flagship of the fleet currently in the Corathi system.  It had been a very easy victory taking the Corathi system, but now the fleet’s commander was bored.

If only the orders would come down to attack the Duterius system, he snarled to himself.  That would indeed be a welcome change to this boredom.

“Commander,” the sensor tech called.  “I’m reading Star League vessels on fast approach to us.”

“Well, then,” the commander smiled.  “Perhaps the boredom will end quickly.  Hail the rest of the fleet.  Prepare for an attack!”

6.7.2125

0942

SLS Quintanilla

The Bridge

“Entering the Corathi system now, Captain,” the helmsman said.  “Five minutes to contact with Brentax forces.”

“Understood,” Thane nodded then turned to Colonel Jameson.  “Colonel, target the two Kovat class light cruisers.  Begin with weapons, shield generators and engines.”

“Yes, sir!” the Colonel barked.  His fingers flew across his console and he acquired several target locks on each ship.  “Targets acquired, Captain.  Ready to fire on your command.”

“Hold fire until the order is given, Colonel,” Thane said.

“This is Commodore Bonetti to all ships in the Argus fleet,” the voice of the Commodore drifted in the stillness of the bridge as he addressed the fleet on fleet wide communication.  “Find and acquire your targets and commence operation.  Launch all fighters and attack!”

“That’s our cue, people,” Thane grinned.  “Colonel, start firing on those two Kovat class cruisers.  Lieutenant Bryce, issue the launch order to our squadrons.”

“Aye sir!” K’Alan and Colonel Jameson said in unison.

“All fighters, launch when ready,” K’Alan said as he flicked a switch on his console.  “Prepare to engage enemy fighters when they launch from the Brentax vessels.”

They could all feel slight shudders as all of the fighters on the ship rocketed down the launch tubes into the coldness of space.

“Fighters away, Captain,” K’Alan announced.

“Good,” Thane nodded.  “Colonel Jameson, concentrate your fire on the right hand Kovat class cruiser.  Target engines only.”

“Aye, sir,” Jameson said, nodding slightly.  “All weapons firing now.”

“Now, let’s see what damage we can do,” Thane grinned.

6.7.2125

1001

Draxus Porida

Main Bridge

“Commander, the Brecos is starting to take serious damage from the SLS Quintanilla,” the sensor tech reported.

“Fire a series of cluster bombs at the Quintanilla then turn our attention back to the Argus,” Commander M’Tak Jolan ordered.

“Aye, sir!”

6.7.2125

1012

Commander Stephanie Westphalen’s Fighter

Commander Westphalen ducked her fighter under the fire of two Brentax fighters and swooped around over them, firing her lasers as she came around.  The laser blast lanced through one fighter, and the ensuing fireball took out the second.”

“Two for one meal deal!” she shouted into the comms.  “God, I love my job sometimes.”

“Commander, you’ve got a Brentax on your tail,” Ensign Mark Roderick cautioned.  “I’m in persuit.”

“Thanks, Mark!” she called as Roderick’s fighter destroyed the Brentax that was tailing her.  “I was feeling a bit closed in there.  Men never give you the space you need.”

“I think I resent that comment, Commander,” Roderick snickered.

“I think you resemble that comment, Mark Roderick,” Sergeant Kelly Winters cut in.

“Yadda yadda yadda,” Mark retorted.

“Clam it you guys,” Stephanie admonished.  “Let’s just concentrate on these fighters.”

“Commander, the Quintanilla just took a bad hit,” Roderick reported.  “Looks like it hit near the bridge.”

“There’s not a lot we can do for them, Mark,” Stephanie said, frowning.  “We’ve lost communication with the Quintanilla.  I just tried.  Let’s just keep the fighters off her back for now.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

6.7.2125

1019

SLS Quintanilla

The Bridge

The smoke was very thick on the Quintanilla’s bridge.  Support beams had crashed into the center of the bridge, causing dust and sharp shards of metal to be thrown into the air, making breathing even more dangerous.

“Damage report,” K’Alan ordered through the dust.

“Structural damage to decks 3 and 4, Lieutenant,” Jameson coughed.  “Repair teams are already working on it.”

“Casualties?” K’Alan asked, forrowing his brow.

“Casualties report coming in now, sir,” Kim Ericson announced.  “Looks like mostly bumps and bruises.

It was then that K’Alan noticed the Captain’s chair had been thrown off its moorings.

“Someone check on the captain,” he ordered, doing his best to maintain control of the situation.

Kim knelt beside the Captain, who’d been thrown near her console.  She felt his neck for a pulse and frowned.

“There’s no pulse, sir,” she said softly.  “He’s dead.”

“Lieutenant, we’ve lost communications, sensors and weapons,” Jameson frowned.  “We have minimal shields, and we’ve got full maneuverability, but we’re in trouble.”

“Kim, start working on the communications array.  I want to be able to talk to our fighters,” K’Alan began issuing rapid-fire orders.  “Colonel, get to work on the weapons, and have a team start working on the sensors.”

“Aye, sir!” Ensign Ericson and Colonel Jameson said in unison.

“We’re in trouble, Kit,” K’Alan said in a soft voice as he gently touched the picture on his console.

6.7.2125

1028

SLS Argus

The Bridge

“Commodore, the Quintanilla’s in trouble,” Tom Nichols noted from his tactical station.  “We can’t raise her, but she took a direct hit.”

“Captain Starlos can take care of himself,” Commodore Bonetti said with measured tones.  “Keep an eye on her, but we need to focus on these Duhari class cruisers.  Report if there’s any change in communications status with the Quintanilla.”

“Aye, sir.”

6.7.2125

1038

Commander Stephanie Westphalen’s Fighter

“Commander, I’m in trouble!” Kelly Winters called over the comms.  “I seem to have three suitors.”

“You’re too young to have that many men interested in you at once, Kelly,” Stephanie chuckled.  “Let me cut in.”