Probe Predators (29 page)

“Yes Sir.”

“Four, three, two, one, and MARK!”

“Got it.”

“Give all they can handle, Mac.”

“Sir, are you sure about this?”

“It has to be done.”

“Yes Sir.”

• • •

Katy heard a beep and looked up at the main wall monitor and saw Dee Montgomery, “Your Highness.”

“I was wondering if you and your staff could look over some plans and tell me if you think they might be successful.”

Katy looked at Jim and Gil and looked at the Monitor, “I’ve cleared our tactical table. Can you send it to me?”

Katy watched the table activate and she shook her head, “Oh, my God!”

“I know; we’re going to launch a barrage at the fleets gathered above the planet and the Battleship will go in on the opposite side of the planet at FTL and launch the penetrators. Do you think it will work?”

Katy looked at the timing of the attacks and looked at Jim who nodded. “Your Highness, it has a chance. However, that battleship is toast.”

“You’re sure about it having a chance of success?”

“Yes, it should get off a shot before it’s attacked.”

“Thank you, Admiral. I’ll make sure Admiral Tollervar knows your summation.”

“Why does he need to know?”

Dee stared at Katy and said, “He is the one commanding the battleship. I understand he came to see you; he volunteered for this mission immediately afterwards.” Katy’s face turned white. Dee looked at her wrist unit and said, “He’s launching in three minutes; you might want to say goodbye.”

Katy saw the frequency on her panel and she slammed her hand on the communicator. Jinx appeared and she yelled, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!”

The corner of Jinx’s mouth turned up and he shook his head, “It just seemed like the thing to do at the time. I wish you luck on your coming attack, Katy. I love you.” The display went dark and Katy pressed the communicator over and over. After a few minutes Jim went over and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him with wide eyes and he shook his head, “He’s launched, Sir.” Jim caught Katy as she collapsed. He ordered a medic in and lowered her to the floor. He looked at Gil and shook his head. Katy was taken out on a stretcher and Jim and Gill pulled up the feed from the attack that had just begun.

Gil looked at Jim, “I understand her now.”

“I understand him as well. Sometimes the universe is not a very friendly place.”

“All of us already know that.”

Jim kept his eyes on the table, “I know.”

J
inx looked at the main display as the battleship accelerated at super light speed toward a distant speck of light. “Computer, are you locked on the channel?”

“I am.”

Jinx turned to the Weapons Leader, “I want you to program the computer to launch the first penetrator as soon as it slows to light speed.”

“Sir?”

“The first penetrator will go in as we decelerate. When we’re a second behind the first penetrator, launch the other two. And immediately jump away.”

“We might not be able to do that if we’re inside the effects of the planet’s gravity well.”

“Then you need to make sure we’re decelerating fast enough to stay outside it.”

The Weapons Officer looked at the Drive Officer as he pushed buttons on his panel. He looked up and shook his head, “Sir, it’s going to be too close to call. We’ll probably be fired on as we arrive at that limit.”

Jinx smiled, “I know this isn’t much of a chance; but it’s the only one we have. If we don’t survive, I want all of you to know that I’m proud to have done this with you.”

The Ship’s Captain said from the second command chair, “Thank you; we feel the same way, Admiral.”

Jinx leaned back in his chair and saw Katy’s face in his mind. He was at peace. He couldn’t bear watching Katy die when her fleet attacked the Thresher’s Home World. This way, he would be spared having to see it.

• • •

The Secondary Fleets appeared in normal space and accelerated at light speed toward the distant planet. In an instant they were two thousand miles out and they launched every Peg in their inventory. They disappeared as the two fleets from M87 launched a massive barrage of penetrators from above and below the giant gathering of Thresher Warships. They immediately jumped away before they could be attacked.

• • •

Jinx felt the ship drop below light speed and sensed the bump as the first penetrator was launched. The planet was growing in size at an incredible speed as two more heavy penetrators were launched. He felt the small vibration as they flew ahead of the battleship and Jinx saw the jump field appear around the ship. Three Orange Warships came in from the sides, turning their blasters and firing at them. He saw the beams come in and felt a massive jolt that threw his head back against the Command Chair’s head rest; then there was nothing but darkness.

• • •

Jim waited by Katy’s bed and after an hour she opened her eyes. She looked at Jim and he said, “His ship was hit and he’s injured. I don’t know how but his ship made it to the jump point; the Second Fleet held off the Thresher follow up long enough to get the crew off. He’s in the hospital on Euclid.”

Katy stood up and fell back to the bed. “I’ve got to go to him.”

Jim reached over and took Katy’s chin. She looked at him and he shook his head, “Sir, why?”

“Because…because…”

“He can’t handle the thought of you being killed in the coming attack. Going to see him will only remind him and both of you will only suffer more.”

Katy fell back on the bed and closed her eyes, “You’re right.”

“Sir, you don’t have to go…”

“YES I DO!”

Jim stared at her and then slowly nodded, “We’re getting the ships ready. We launch in forty eight hours.”

Katy nodded and forced her way to her feet. “Is he going to be alright?”

“I don’t know, Sir. That is something you will have to ignore until this is over.”

Katy nodded slowly. “I’ll join you and Gil shortly.”

“Yes Sir.”

Katy sat in her room and knew she couldn’t go see Jinx; she’d not have the strength to come back. She took deep breaths and cursed the father that had abandoned her and had left her marked. If she had only trusted her heart…but it was too late. The Zombies deserved her best and she knew she could never let them down. She took on last, deep, breath and went to the Command Room to finalize the plans to attack the most heavily defended planet the Union had ever faced.

• • •

Drey looked at Kragon, “Are the fleets from M87 ready?”

“They are. They have their targets and have designated the appropriate number of ships to each target.”

“What about us?”

“You’ve seen the reports.”

“This is going to be bloody.”

“We have to go in and force them to break ranks around the planet so the Zombies can do their thing. They’ll be waiting for an opening to appear.”

“Second Fleet has really become something special.”

“Admiral Tollervar has made them into a very potent weapon. They will exploit any opening and hopefully provide a channel for the Zombies.”

Drey nodded and left with Kragon to go to their ships. Dee was waiting on Drey and hugged him as he came on board, “Are you sure about this?”

“We need to be there. I can’t expect my fleets to go without me.” Dee smiled and went to her chair. They lifted off Euclid and jumped to the massive ship gathering outside M87.

• • •

The First Leg looked at the initial damage reports and was shocked at the massive loss of warships. The planet was blown up and the fleets were forced to jump to the outer planets to escape the shockwave from the planet’s destruction. The surviving Fleet Claws began calling in asking for orders and he pressed the general frequency, “I share your desire to go and attack the ones that just destroyed our
Weapons Pod. However, most of you are not at full strength and inventories. We will jump to the second Weapon’s Pod and continue rearming. When we are at full strength, we will attack.”

The First Leg saw the Claws were impatient but they knew he was right. The Major Claw had contacted him screaming but he was forced to agree that the fleets weren’t ready. Now…if the enemy would just cooperate; he could take power and end this madness. He knew they had to move soon or he was in trouble.

• • •

Andi looked at Cole on her display and smiled, “If we make it through this, I want some alone time with you; it’s been too long.” Cole nodded and slowly shook his head. “What’s wrong?”

“I should have married you after the first attack.”

Andi smiled softly, “You never asked.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Now is a great time to be asking, Cole!”

“Will you marry me, Andi?”

Andi stared at Cole and nodded, “I will.”

Cole breathed and said, “When this is over.” Andi nodded and the display went dark. Cole looked at the feed from the probe and wondered if anyone was going to survive. He prayed they would make it. He looked at his panel and saw the jump warning had been sent. He contacted the Rear Admirals under his command and began issuing instructions. He looked off in the distance and saw the massive formation of the Second Fleets and knew they were standing by for their attack orders. The Zombies hadn’t arrived but they were always late. He was thankful they were going to do the heavy lifting. He shook his head; not many of them were going to come out of this death struggle. “Admiral, all ships have reported in.”

Cole looked at his Executive Officer, “Set the computers to the jump time.”

“Yes Sir.”

• • •

Drey watched the Union’s fleet form up and knew this was not going to be easy. A lot was riding on the new Pegs. He’d find out shortly if their shaped heads were going to make a difference. Dee put her hand on his shoulder and he looked at her. He loved her so much. He looked back at the massive gathering of ships and knew the Queen did not have to worry about him looking for more wars. The brave sailors going into the jaws of death deserved peace. However, they would have to deal with M87 first. He looked at the M87 Fleet’s order of battle and knew they were going to take a massive beating. He hoped this would be the first step at making the end easier.

The Zombies arrived and he lifted his communicator, “We will jump in five minutes. Admiral Chancellor, I’m expecting you to find the best avenue to get our Penetrators in. Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t, Sir.”

Mac stayed behind the million ships in Second fleet and focused on the main display. “Moe, help me with this.”

“I’ll notify you if I see anything.”

The Zombies waited in their formations singing their war chants over a special frequency. All of them waited for the moment Second Fleet disappeared. That would be their notice that they would be jumping a moment later.

Kragon waited with the Kilper Fleets and contacted all his fleet Admirals to make sure they were ready. He finally realized there was nothing else he could do; they were going to have to do it with what they knew. He hoped it was enough.

The countdown continued and suddenly it hit zero; the giant formations disappeared.

• • •

The Major Claw was yelling at his Fleet Claw when suddenly he went off the air. He looked at his display and saw explosions at the outer ranks of his fleets. He hit his communicator and the First Leg appeared on his display, “We’re under attack; get your ships here now.”

“Surely you can handle the attack with a full fleet?”

“I order you to bring your fleets!!”

“I will get them moving now.” The First Leg waited to see if any of his subordinates contacted him. He had changed the Fleet’s general frequency immediately after the attack on the Weapons Pod and he hoped the Major Claw didn’t have the new frequency. After ten minutes he sat back and waited.

• • •

The Union and M87 warships roared in at Light speed and launched a massive barrage at the Thresher Warships surrounding the planet. Huge numbers exploded but the second rank began firing at the incoming ships. The entire planet was surrounded by a space battle that could be seen from its surface. Thousands of Union and M87 ships began exploding and the space above the planet fell into disorganization as ships began moving to avoid attackers coming at them. The Battleships from M87 launched a massive penetrator barrage at the North Pole as the explosions shot across the sky. The battleships were attacked by thousands of Thresher Warships and they began exploding in a massive wave.

Mac almost pushed the go button but waited to see after the blast’s shock wave blew away. There were still hundreds of thousands of Thresher Ships in the area. He shook his head and then saw another massive explosion above the Capital City. The number of Thresher Warships above the capital was less than half of what was there a few moments earlier. He watched hoping it would happen and then he saw Orange ships to the right of the explosion moving to reinforce those above the capital. He locked in the coordinate and sent it to the Zombies. The Second Fleets disappeared and two seconds later, the Zombies disappeared.

“I see you saw the movement.”

“I did, Moe.” Mac saw his fleets enter normal space and instantly accelerate toward the area to the right of the Capital. The arrived and launched a massive barrage of Pegs and jumped out. The Zombies arrived right behind them and flew at full acceleration into the surviving Orange Warships. Explosions covered the sky as the Zombies chose a target and attacked.

• • •

Jinx limped into the Fleet Control Room. He had a cast around his left arm and another that covered his right leg from his thigh to his ankle. The Medical Vats had knitted his bones but the Doctors insisted he keep the casts on for another week. He suspected Drey had told them to do it to stop him from going with the fleets. He was able to limp with the help of a crutch and it hurt more than he wanted to admit.

He didn’t want to come and watch the battle; he knew what was going to happen, but he couldn’t stop himself. He stood in front of the display and watched the battle unfold. The crossfire from the Orange Ships was devastating. He shook his head but suddenly saw a pattern. The Pegs worked. Every enemy ship hit by a Peg exploded. It was still a blood bath and he lost track of how many ships were being killed. Suddenly, he saw the Second Fleets appear and fire a massive barrage at the planet. A moment later, the Zombies appeared and followed the barrage in to the planet. He closed his eyes; there were still too many Orange Ships in the area they entered. Jinx closed his eyes.