Gray Panthers: Dixie (30 page)

Dart Flight, near the Finey home world

22 November 2128

Suzy Hagen was finally going to lead her own ships and was excited at the thought. “Dart Flight, Dart One, looks like we have a bunch of targets ahead. Everything looks civilian. Dart Three, take half the Flight and start shooting up the heavy transports while we stay with the surprise,” she instructed. “Darts Four, Five, and Six, this is Dart Three. Form on me in trail formation.”

Looking at the way the ships were dispersed, Hagen rethought her plans. “Dart Six, form on Dart Five. Dart Five, take out the targets on our starboard side.”
Okay. Now it’s time to play,
she thought as she pushed her fighter down and to port, lining up on a large cargo ship.

“Dart Four, we’re going in line abreast. Form up on my three o’clock now. Commence firing when I fire. Keep an eye out for hostiles. Beamers only. Save guns for later.”

Hagen fired but saw she was too close, managing to fire off only a short burst before having to pull up. She saw another cargo ship ahead and reduced speed to give herself more shooting time. The center of the ship turned red as her beam continued to fire on it. To the right, an identical red spot was growing where her wingman was firing. She checked to her left in time to see a small missile just as her warning screen showed the threat.

She pushed her throttles to max and dove toward her target. As she glanced to her right, she saw that her wingman was tight on her. Proceeding under the target, the pair pulled up and to port.

“Dart Flight, keep your eyes open,” she cautioned. “We have a missile launcher on one of the ships, so there may be more. Dart Three out.”

Hagen launched a new attack on the ship ahead of her when she saw it launch missiles. Changing weapons from beamer only to beamer and guns, she tried to target the missiles as her wingman copied her actions. The 40mm shells took out the missiles and she directed all of her weapons on the ship.

“Dart Four, let’s take this bitch out!” Hagen stopped her forward movement, rocking her ship left and right as she fired. Parts of the ship exploded outward. Dart Four connected with the missile porthole as a large explosion tore off a small portion of the ship.

Andrews monitored the action behind him as he waited for the enemy to come up from the surface of the planet. Directly ahead, a pair of small destroyers dropped into normal space, and Andrews knew it was time to go.

“Dart Flight, Dart One, time to vacate immediately,” he advised. “We have two destroyers that just dropped out of FTL space. Dart Three, take your formation and withdraw toward rendezvous point.”

Andrews banked hard and checked to make sure his flight was with him as the remote-controlled Dart headed on toward the planet. To his chagrin, cargo ships they had passed earlier were now firing lasers and missiles.

“We don’t have time to play with these guys. If you have a shot, take it, but do not slow down,” he ordered. “Any time now, those destroyers are going to figure out they can jump in front of us. Now let’s beat feet!” He was sweating hard and felt cold.

The scanner revealed the other formation of Darts in the distance making a clean escape as a huge new target appeared before them.

Gipe cruiser Starburst, Finey home world space

22 November 2128

“Attack stations all ready, Admiral.”

“Very good. Now we can find out what’s going on. Drop the ship to regular space.”

“Admiral, signs of battle ahead. We have four of our interceptors behind us fleeing the battle and four more retreating toward us.”

“Interceptor flight, identify yourselves.”
What is going on?
the Admiral thought, waiting for an answer.

Andrews saw part of the fighter’s original secure communications panel light up, and then he received the message. Praying that his translator would translate his reply, he pressed the button to talk.

“Alert. Alert. Two Finey destroyers ambushed our diplomatic mission. The ship with our entire delegation was killed. They fired on the pods as they escaped the ship. The destroyers are right behind us. The ambassador’s last words were, “We are at war—”

The two Finey destroyers came out of FTL space as the cruiser turned to port, launching all missiles and firing all lasers as the destroyers returned fire.

“All weapons target the center of the first destroyer. Then we’ll target the second ship,” Admiral Tonk ordered.
This is as it should be,
he thought, watching the destroyer begin to break apart as his attack officer redirected weapons and fired toward the other ship.

The Finey battleship captain found it hard to believe his home world was being attacked as he responded to the distress call of a pair of destroyers. He launched his small flotilla of ships into FTL space, using the destroyers’ coordinates as the target to drop into normal space.

“All ships, this is Superior Fleet Captain Dew. All ships are to hold fire unless fired upon once we reach our destroyers.”

“Prepare to drop … now!” The small flotilla entered normal space behind the cruiser, with the exception of a patrol ship that materialized into the side of the cruiser. Both ships immediately experienced explosive decompression.

“Damn. What a waste,” Andrews said as he watched the ships burn. “Begin rescue operations on our ships. After that, we’ll assist the enemy survivors.”

Andrews was relieved to see the Beater drop out of FTL space, and he adjusted his heading toward it. Thinking of Scotty Scholl, he silently said a prayer of thanks for what should have been a one-way mission.

Johnson monitored the last of the battle as he waited for the Darts to return. The mission was a total success.

“Well, looks like there’s a cruiser and a couple of destroyers we don’t have to worry about in the future. I’d love to see how this plays out,” he said, “but we don’t want to be remembered as being here.”

The last Dart landed and Johnson ordered the ship to engage the FTL drive for their next target.

Dixie ship Galveston, near Earth space

24 November 2128

General Black watched from his cabin’s viewing screen as the Jacka prisoners from Dixie were delivered to the moon’s penitentiary. They were being shipped thirty per shuttle to get the job done as soon as possible.
I wonder what those Jacka are going to think when they get to the moon and are greeted by more Jacka?
he thought.

Major Strike was among the Jacka who were still on the moon awaiting their assignments. He and the others had agreed to indoctrinate the new Jacka into the Fire Warriors.

“Welcome, warriors of the Fang Clan. I am Major Strike, of the Fire Warriors. Once the rest of your people have been transferred here from the ship, I will speak to you all at once.”

Some of the Fang Clan looked at Strike with resentment, thinking he was their warden. Others looked at his tan uniform and wondered if he had been thrown out of his clan.

When all of the Jacka prisoners were together, Strike addressed the group. “My fellow warriors, I am Major Strike, of the Fire Warriors. Soon, we will be in a great war. We will have our own ships, as never before. Our weapons will all be new. Our leaders will be our own people, not petty dictators using us as they wish and throwing away our lives. No longer are we Jacka mercenaries. We are Fire Warriors, fighting for our world and our Great Council.

“The Great Council is an ally of Earth, so you are no longer prisoners of war. The humans of Earth you just fought with found you worthy and rescued you from the government of planet Dixie.

“I know this is new to you and hard to believe. Already, we have sent four warships home with most of the Fire Warriors who were here. Those who remain do so only because we wait for our own ships to crew. Those of you who wish to support your people may join the crews of the ships along with us. If you do not wish to support the Fire Warriors, you may take passage home on those same warships. Then you will have to wait to join the effort. You will also have to explain to the Great Council why you were not willing to join them now. Do you have any questions?”

“Why do the humans fight us, then support us? That is strange behavior,” one of the warriors asked suspiciously.

“We all know aliens are weird,” Strike answered, shrugging, and the crowd roared with laughter. “The humans hate the Libra and are at war with them. They know with us at their side they will win.

“The humans have spent much time with us and have learned some of our ways,” Strike continued. “I believe Colonel Blade convinced the humans to give us the four ships we now have, as well as the twenty-plus that we are waiting for. We will be the army and the navy of the League of Planets. The League will now not only give us the respect we have earned, but we also will be represented in the main council there. The world of the Fire Warrior will be changed forever!”

The Jacka roared in excitement at the prospect of a new future.

The Gray Panther guards were having trouble getting the Libra prisoners to board the shuttles for the Galveston. An angry Gray Panther finally pulled her sidearm, aimed it at the foot of a petulant Libra, and fired, missing by mere inches.

“Our orders are to ship you back to Libra. I am as willing to ship you back in parts as I am whole. Now move, damn it!” The fact that an angry warrior did not kill the Libra and let slip that they were on the way home got the prisoners moving eagerly to the shuttles.

“See, boys? In a hundred and eight years, you learn how to motivate folks,” Master Sergeant McGuire said. Having fixed the slowdown, she laughed as she left the prisoner detail and returned to her cabin.

Dixie Ships Georgia and Virginia, in Libra space

24 November 2128

Captain John Taylor Woods was excited at the prospects his orders afforded him. Once he dropped to normal space and sent out the communication buoy to the Libra home world, it would be open season on the enemy. There would be no restrictions.

“Captain Woods to crew. We will be dropping out of FTL space into normal space long enough to launch our buoy. We’ll then return to FTL space and head for Libra Two.

“Libra Two is a mining colony. Our intelligence on the planet is limited. It may have slave labor or POWs working the mines, so we will take a look before taking action. Prepare to drop into normal space and launch the buoy in five minutes. All stations report their status to the first officer.”

Woods nervously played with a coin in his hand until the first officer signaled that the ship was ready. “Drop into normal space,” he ordered. “Launch buoy. Do we have any contacts?” He was working on automatic now and felt comfortable.

“Sir, only contact is the Virginia, approximately one hundred miles aft,” the weapons officer reported, continuing to scan the area “No other contacts or signals other than the transmissions from the buoy.”

“Notify the Virginia we jump in five minutes, as planned.”
I am ready to do this,
Woods told himself.

“Sir, jumping now. Estimated duration of jump is one hour ten minutes.”

“Secure from battle stations. We will resume when we drop out of FTL again in an hour. I suggest everyone get something to eat or drink,” Woods advised. He was certain there would be targets when they dropped out of FTL. After making his way to the galley for a bite, he caught himself checking the time every few minutes.

The mood in the galley was one of excitement. Woods had expected the crew to be apprehensive, but they were looking for revenge. He decided he would make it his mission to satisfy that desire. Checking his wrist computer, he saw they would drop from FTL in five minutes.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be dropping from FTL in a few minutes. Time to finish up. Time for revenge!” He rushed to the flight deck as the battle stations alarm started.

The duty officer vacated the captain’s seat as Woods entered the flight deck. “Sir, we’re ready to drop out of FTL now.”

“Let’s drop, ladies and gentlemen,” Woods replied.

The ship dropped into normal space and immediately was pulled to starboard.

“Captain, we’re too close to the planet,” the duty officer advised. “We’re caught in its gravity well. We need some distance. Recommend a two-second jump.” The officer was sweating profusely.

“Pilot, two-second jump straight. Now!”

The ship emitted a loud groan as it jumped into FTL space, escaping the planet’s grasp.

“All stations report now. Do we have any contacts, Sensor Officer?” As he received the first report, Woods could see that his crew was shaken up.

“Sir, numerous targets in the area. No sign of the Virginia. No communications or wreckage.” Woods sat in cold fear as he imagined the Virginia coming out of FTL space into a planetary body.

“No speculation at this time,” he told the crew. “We’re here, and it’s time for revenge. Send the display to the main screen. What do we have here?”

“Sir, looks like two dozen small ships,” the duty officer reported. “A large ship is coming out from behind the planet. It looks like the Virginia!” A loud chorus of cheers erupted from the crew as they realized the ship had not been destroyed.

“Virginia, please do not do that again,” Woods commed. “Form up on my port side and we’ll sweep the ships from this area, then destroy the mines. Like the Libra, we are not under any restrictions. Georgia out.” He melted into his seat in relief as he prepared to destroy all targets.

“Virginia has sustained damage,” the captain of the other ship advised. “Our FTL drive is out, and we have structural damage from dropping into normal space too close to the planet. We were caught in the planet’s gravity well, and it interfered with our drive. We had to escape using impulse only. Areas of the ship are venting atmosphere. We should finish repairing leaks in a few hours but do not have the parts to repair the drive.”

Woods decided at once what needed to be done. “Virginia, take a heading of three hundred and fifty degrees at maximum impulse. We’ll take care of business here and rendezvous with you. Be prepared to evacuate all but a skeleton crew.”

Turning back to his crew, Woods tried to conceal his anger as he put his plan into action. “Pilot, at your discretion, head for the center of the Libra ships. All gunners are free to open fire on targets as soon as they are in range. Do we have any targets on the planet’s surface yet?” he asked as he viewed the main screen.

A pair of small ships launched missiles at the Georgia, but the Georgia’s lasers destroyed the missiles before they had even begun to clear their ships. The resulting explosions damaged the ships, and Woods smiled. “Good start, gunners,” he said. “Let’s not leave any ships behind.” The gunners destroyed the two small ships as the other ships headed for the planet.

“Very heroic of the ship captains to sacrifice themselves for the others,” Woods remarked. “Now let’s make sure it was a wasted effort.”

The lasers began to destroy the ships, at first in ones and twos. The gunners saw that it only took a couple seconds of laser to destroy the ships and adjusted their fire accordingly. Within five minutes there were no more ships. In their place was a huge cloud of wreckage as the Georgia positioned itself to begin firing on the planet.

“Sir, missiles have been launched from the surface. I sent the data to the gunners. They appear to be old chemical propulsion rockets. We should be able to take them out before they even release their first-stage rockets.” The weapons system officer was pleased with the development.

“Destroy the rockets,” Woods ordered. “Then let’s hit the base that launched them. After that, we’ll go for any industrial areas.”

“Captain, the rockets were launched from outside the main area of the colony. The entire colony appears to be under a dome, with the exception of the enemy batteries and spaceport.”

Woods realized what he was going to do next and didn’t like it a bit. “Ensure the gunners have all targeting data and continue firing on the batteries, then the spaceport. We’ll finish by destroying the dome. I think that will keep the colony from producing any war material for the Libra.”

The crew watched as the ship’s lasers jumped from target to target like a spotlight, each time leaving only a small hole. The last laser beam caused a secondary explosion, which created a huge dust storm that encompassed the target area. When the dust cleared there was only a crater.

“Looks like one of our shots hit the munitions storage area,” Woods said. “That certainly made a big hole in the ground. Be sure we’re recording this for the folks back home. I have a feeling this will perk up the home front’s morale.” He had enjoyed the total devastation of the Libra missileers.

The spaceport was out in the open, without an atmosphere, yet not only did the ships catch fire, but the fire spread from one ship to another. Soon it seemed like the entire area was enveloped in fire and destruction.

“How many ships were down there?” Woods inquired. “That was looking like popcorn for a while as they began to burst and burn.” He could feel the crew, like himself, enjoying the carnage they were raining down on their enemy.

“Sir, our best estimate is eighty to ninety ships destroyed.” The weapons system officer almost sang out the number in his glee.

“Have the gunners aim for the farthest edges of the colony’s canopy. Four shots only. We’ll give the colonists something to occupy their time for a while.” Woods was relieved that he had spared the colony as he watched the four carefully aimed laser shots hit the canopy.

“Good shooting. Now let’s rendezvous with the —” Woods stopped and watched in horror as the atmosphere inside the canopy caused a huge fire to flash. The fire appeared to die as quickly as it had started, as there was no fuel left to feed it. Woods fought the urge to be sick as he pulled himself together. “Secure from battle stations. Set course for the Virginia,” he said quietly.

The crew was now somber, aghast at what they had just witnessed. Woods had lost his bloodlust for the enemy. All he wanted now was to do his job and get his crew home in one piece.