Interstellar War (The Pike Chronicles Book 5) (20 page)

AI waited as the siege ships crossed though the jump gate into the Widow’s Triangle. They instantly drew an enormous amount of fire. The siege ship’s strength was its massive size, but it was also a weakness, as it took time for the entire ship to pass through a jump gate. As with the Meybaris gate, the Widow’s Triangle gates were defended by autonomous weapon systems, designed to fire on anything without a Juttari signature. So the second the siege ships’ noses poked through, the weapon systems opened fire.

The siege ships pushed through the barrage, like a running back fighting for every yard. As each section of the ship appeared, more of her turrets locked onto their targets and returned fire. The two ships faced a dizzying amount of firepower, however, and Juttari warships were rapidly converging. When the siege ships had finally cleared the gate in their entirety, they were able to make use of all their weapons. The two beasts parked themselves in front of the jump gate and a hundred kilometer spread of weapons opened up on the Juttari defenses.

The siege ships also deployed their own autonomous weapons. The smaller, intelligent weapon systems streamed out of the hulking ships, fired thrusters, and went after their Juttari counterparts. The Juttari drones altered tactics to deal with the new threat. Being intelligent systems, the Juttari drones knew that the siege ships were the primary threat, but couldn’t completely neglect the growing threat of the Diakan autonomous systems, and diverted some of their fire toward the new advancing threat.

Several of those weapon systems carried a modified payload, which was quickly fired at the enemy. That payload consisted of tiny spherical drones, which sought out the Juttari weapon systems. Many were shot out of the sky before getting close, but the ones not destroyed eventually reached their targets. Rather than detonating, they landed and deployed long slender metallic legs, gripping the weapon system hulls. They then began to move across the hull until they were in the desired position.

That position gave AI access to the weapon system’s electronic brain. Prior to the engagement, AI had inserted herself inside the Diakan drones. All the drones needed to do was to get onto the hull of the weapon systems, in the desired location where AI could mount an attack. While the weapon systems were autonomous, they still needed to communicate, and take orders. That meant that they needed to not only transmit, but also receive data. In order to receive, they had to listen.

The weapon systems were built to defend the gate from attack, and so they were designed to withstand punishment. The idea that they could be hacked, in the middle of open space, was not considered, mostly because it had never been done before. The ability and power that AI possessed, however, was revolutionary.

While most of the drones were destroyed, some made it through. AI began intercepting and analyzing transmissions with unprecedented speed. The transmissions were naturally encrypted, but with the immense amount of computing power at AI’s disposal, she quickly broke through. She gained access to the security protocols, allowing her to interface directly with the system’s electronic brain.

After the initial handshake, taking over the sophisticated machines was child’s play. Each weapon system possessed an advanced electronic brain, but against AI’s capabilities, they didn’t stand a chance. AI shattered virtual defense after virtual defense, until she gained complete control. She sent a quick broadcast, notifying the allied systems of her status. Then she turned the weapon system’s guns against its Juttari neighbor.

She wondered how these systems could be called intelligent to begin with. It almost seemed like an insult. If the system was truly intelligent, it would have been capable of adapting to the changing situation. There was no move to compensate. Even as it took fire from its compromised colleague, it couldn’t come to the conclusion that it should fire back. It was programed never to fire on a Juttari signature. So it allowed AI to pepper it with hull piercing rounds until it blew apart. As AI took over multiple Juttari weapon systems, the same narrative was repeated until the AI controlled systems outnumbered the Juttari ones.

Between the compromised weapon systems, the Diakan drones, and the siege ships themselves, Juttari resistance collapsed, and a beachhead established. A comm drone was dispatched through the gate, informing the rest of the fleet that the first stage of the invasion was complete, and that they could safely pass through the gate en masse.

The advancing Juttari warships seemed to recognize a need to alter tactics and halted their advance, opting to temporarily cede control of the gate. The system had two other gates, and the Juttari likely understood that it was strategically more important to defend the system, than sacrifice ships trying to take back the lost gate. Nonetheless, AI began deploying the weapon systems she controlled in defensive positions around the gate and the incoming fleet, entrenching the fleet’s position.

The Freedom sailed through the jump gate into the Widow’s Triangle system, alongside the rest of the fleet. Once on the other side, they immediately began to spread out, making sure there was plenty of distance between squadrons. Jon feared the Juttari using his own tactics against him. He wanted to protect the fleet against a jump ship dropping a nasty surprise onto it. They further entrenched their position, securing control of the gate. More autonomous weapon systems were deployed, and minelayers laid thousands of smart mines, establishing a perimeter and another line of defense. This was the easy part.

Studying system scans and initial reports, Jon contacted General Dathos and First Colonel Brock. “This is going to be harder than we anticipated,” said Jon. “This system has five inhabited planets, all with orbital weapon systems. There are several stations with defense capabilities, and at least one of them appears to be a dedicated battle station. The two other gates both have autonomous defense systems in place, and there’s a fleet of a few hundred warships, which will grow in number once reinforcements are sent through the gates.”

“We knew the Triangle would be heavily defended,” said Brock stoically. “Now that the Juttari see our strategy, they will continue to fortify all systems in our path.”

“It is to be expected,” said Dathos.

“Agreed,” said Jon. “We need to keep the Juttari concentrating on defense, rather than offense. We’ve made rapid gains so far, but can’t let up now. Speed is vital.”

“Yes,” said Dathos. “But to control this system you will need to eliminate all resistance. It will take time and resources.”

Jon considered the challenge before him. “First Colonel Brock, are there non-Juttari populations on these planets?”

“They are mixed,” said Brock. “The Juttari prefer to use other species for much of the work that needs to be done. The Juttari are a warrior class, and consider other work to be beneath them. The planets in this system would consist primarily of non-Juttari populations, with a Juttari elite responsible for population control.”

“What are the chances that we can get these populations to side with us?” said Jon.

“I do not know. They have never been given such an opportunity. I am uncertain how they would respond. Many of these species have been Juttari subjects for centuries. Some even millennia. They know nothing else.”

“Humans were Juttari subjects for five hundred years, yet we continued to fight against them.”

“This was a small segment of your population, and it was on your home planet. The species on these planets have been transplanted here. Also, humans possess an inherent warrior instinct. They have fought wars since the dawn of their existence. Many of the species the Juttari have conquered did not know the meaning of war prior to the Juttari’s arrival.”

Jon wondered how a society could develop without warfare. With the galaxy convulsing in war, it seemed incomprehensible that races existed that did not know war. Perhaps they knew something that everyone else didn’t? Then again, they were Juttari slaves, so pacifism didn’t seem to help them in the end. A culture like that would need to stay completely isolated. Otherwise, whether they knew war or not, one day it would find them.

“Okay, so we won’t count on an uprising,” said Jon. “If they do join the fight, we’ll treat it as a bonus. Now what about those orbital defenses? AI, do you think you can gain access to those systems?”

“The orbital systems will likely be controlled on the planet, Admiral,” said AI. “If I can disrupt planetary control, I could trick the defense grid into giving me that control. All I would need is to change the security protocols so that the weapon systems ignore orders from the surface. Depending on the grid’s configuration, I might even be able to turn the weapons around and bombard the planet itself.”

“I would prefer singling out the Juttari on the surface,” said Jon. “I don’t relish the idea of killing the non-Juttari inhabitants.”

“Keep in mind that some of those non-Juttaris may be fighting for them,” said Brock.

“I thought you said they didn’t know war?”

“I said they might not know war.”

“So the reality is that we may, or may not have to fight the non-Juttari inhabitants. Correct?”

“That is correct,” said Brock.

Jon shook his head in frustration. “Okay, AI, would you be able to target different areas on the planet with the orbital weapon systems?”

“It is possible. It all depends on their targeting systems. I would need to gain control first to confirm.”

“Understood. We need to eliminate the Juttari fleet first. Then we can deal with the planets,” said Jon.

“That is sound logic,” said Dathos. “It would be better to deal with the fleet before reinforcements arrived.”

“They may only be a few hundred warships,” said Brock. “But they are clustered around the Juttari battle station, which significantly amplifies their firepower.”

“This battle station is much larger than the three in the Meybaris system,” said Jon, examining the enemy deployment on his tactical screen.

“It is also more powerful,” said Brock. “Its defeat will not be easy.”

“I’d prefer capture, if possible,” said Jon. “It would make holding this system easier.”

“For that, we will need to board the station,” said Dathos.

“We have to assume the Juttari are expecting us to use the same tactics,” said Brock. “They’ll be watching for surprise boarding attempts. It is likely another reason the fleet is stationed so close to the battle station. They can shoot down any boarding vessel before it can cut through the station’s hull.”

“You’re right,” said Jon. “So we’ll have to defeat the Juttari fleet first. We have the numbers.”

“What about the station?” said Brock. “Its guns will wreak havoc on our ships.”

“We send the siege ships after the station, along with half the fleet. That will keep the station busy. The other half will engage the Juttari fleet, and the jump ships will flank it. While we’re drawing fire from both the station and the fleet, we send in the boarding parties to take the station.”

“This station has thousands of Juttari on board,” said Brock. “There will be much stronger resistance.”

“So we’ll need greater numbers to take it,” said Jon. “Do you think twenty thousand is enough?”

“Yes, that should ensure success.” Said Brock.

“We have been working to retrofit more of the boarding vessels. Many more are jump capable now,” said Dathos. “We should have enough to transport this number.”

“Good. We load up the boarding craft, and leave them here. From this distance it will look to the Juttari like they have been left to help defend the gate, so they shouldn’t catch on. When we have engaged the fleet and station, they can jump in and begin boarding operations. Thoughts?”

“The odds of success for such a maneuver do seem to be in our favor,” said Dathos.

“I agree,” said Brock. “And the benefits of seizing the station certainly justify the attempt.”

“Good. Prepare to attack. We leave once the boarding teams are in place.”

Jon’s fleet raced across the void toward the station and Juttari line. His ships stretched across the empty space like a celestial horde of barbarian horsemen. Jon wondered if the Juttari felt terror, because he could not think of a more terrifying sight for a Juttari to behold. He was the sword of vengeance, and he was coming for them. All of them.

“The station is firing missiles, Sir,” said Petrovic. “Fleet is responding with countermeasures.”

“Have the fleet fire a volley of missiles back at the station, then at the fleet,” said Jon. “Let’s keep them busy until we get there.”

The viewscreen lit up briefly as thousands of missiles streaked out of their ships, and sped away toward the enemy. Jon’s tactical screen showed multiple missile speeding towards them, with contact mere moments away. They deployed countermeasures to fool the targeting systems, and decoy drones raced away from the fleet in all directions. As backup, all ships encircled themselves with the explosive ring of their point defense systems, creating a fiery barrier to stop any missiles not fooled by the decoys.

The missiles in isolation were not a problem. As the fleet got closer, however, the battle station unleashed its formidable array of energy and plasma weapons. These were much more powerful than anything a warship could deploy, and had greater range. The battle station lanced out at the fleet with these powerful weapons, raking across their lines. Damage reports began to appear, but luckily no ships were lost. That was about to change.

“Weapons range in thirty seconds,” announced Petrovic.

Jon focused on his tactical screen, and the Juttari fleet clinging to the battle station for protection. He wondered if they would remain as such, or come out and fight. He got his answer seconds later as they began moving to intercept the fleet. They probably felt more confident with the fleet inside the station’s weapon range.

“Send command to my contingent to break off and engage the fleet. Remaining ships will continue on to attack the station.”

“Transmitting orders.”

On the tactical screen half the fleet’s blue icons now advanced on the Juttari fleet’s red icons, while the other half of the fleet pushed on toward the gigantic battle station. Even at half the size, his contingent significantly outnumbered the Juttari. So much so that they advanced in a crescent formation, intending to encircle the enemy flanks as quickly as possible.

“Entering weapons range,” said Petrovic.

“Fire all weapons,” ordered Jon.

The Freedom shot its energy weapons and a salvo of missiles at the enemy ships. The rest of Jon’s contingent opened fire en masse. The two sides continued to trade blows, with the battle station adding its guns to the mix sporadically. The other half of the fleet had engaged the station, however, and that kept it focused on them. Still, even the station’s intermittent firing was enough to inflict serious damage to a number of the allied ships.

“Commander Konos, order the boarding parties to begin operations.”

“Yes, Sir,” said Konos. “Transmitting orders.”

Jon reoriented his tactical screen and watched as the boarding vessels vanished. Shifting his display to focus on the battle station, he saw the blue icons appear. Tiny in comparison to the station, they began latching onto the station’s hull, like mechanical mosquitoes. Blades would be cutting into that hull right now, and soon the strike teams would pour into the station. Marines, Diakans, and Chaanisar. Twenty thousand of them. The Juttari on board were about to get a nasty surprise.

A flash of light on the viewscreen caught Jon’s attention as a Juttari warship exploded. The Juttari ships were taking a pounding. But they continued to fight hard, despite their smaller numbers. The Juttari ships held the line, and did not waver, even while suffering heavy initial losses. They were making an impressive stand, and Jon wondered if these were in fact Juttari, or Chaanisar. They might even be one of the other races Brock talked about. Whoever they were, their time had run out.

“Helm, prepare to jump us behind the enemy,” said Jon. “Are all jump ships synchronized?”

“Yes, Sir. All ships are synced with our jump system.”

“Initiate jump.”