When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (108 page)

             
“Goddamnit
!”
Cameron pulled his fighter higher, putting distance between himself and the anti-air troops
.“
Torch, we need to pull back. We are
n’
t having any effect
.”
He looked over his shoulder at the remaining enemy tracks.
Damnit, I have to buy Kaileen more time.
The Phoenix pulled left as he banked out of the climb. An alarm chirped, alerting Cameron to a sudden movement off to the side
.“
What in the hell
?
”

             
“Torch one
,”
a pilot came on
.“I’
ve got bandits on an intercept course
.
”

             
Cameron could see the same red dots appear on his screen. It seemed the Boxti were
n’
t done yet. A familiar shape began to grow on his port side, morphing into the Ace. Camero
n’
s heart beat a little faster
.“
Torch, w
e’
ve got to buy that shuttle more time. Give it everything yo
u’
ve got
.”
He reversed direction, charging headlong into the fray with guns blazing. He was
n’
t going to let them gain a single inch.

*              *              *              *              *

              Eruk stood on top of the Scorpion tank, staring out at the wood line ahead. Somewhere in that dense forest lurked the enemy. If nothing else, it would provide him with a nice distraction until it came time to leave. The cycle would be up in an hour, which would leave just enough room for a quick fight. Overhead, the clash of the Hornets and the humans echoed down. The pulsating murmur of the Druuma let him know that an Ace was among the flight group. That was good; the enemy would
n’
t stand a chance.

             
“What is the delay
?”
Eruk asked
.“
Why are we not engaging the enemy
?
”

             
“Warlord, another group of humans crashed in that area not too long ago
.”
The Boun commander looked more at peace around his own soldiers
.“
Our scouts report that they were responsible for destroying the Druumatan birthing pools
.
”

             
This made Eruk smile, a hideous expression for a Cthanul
.“
Then we will get the honor of being heroes as well as victors, and avenge our fallen Flek
.”
He hopped to the ground, grabbing a  pair of rifles off the side of the tank and striding forward toward the front
.“I’
ll take two squads of your best to flank the enemy
.
”

             
“Sir, do
n’
t you want to let our tanks lead the charge
?
”

             
The Warlord growled and bared his teeth
.“
A Cthanul never lets a lesser-being steal the glory, and a Ruall always fights first
.”
He tore off toward the trees, two weapons held in his lower arms. Five of the rock soldiers joined him, eager to please their leader and be rid of this world once and for all.

-                           
XI                            -

              Hiro read the latest report with a pained expression. The death toll continued to climb, and thus far only a few Arks had managed to clear the gravity well and jump clear of the system. Admiral Walker had wanted to stall the evacuation longer, until Fleet could better protect the fleeing civilians, but now it seemed they had waited too long. The unfathomably large Boxti vessel had fully opened its many arms and loomed like a spider over the planet. Every Terran in the system held their breath and waited for the final blow.

             
“
Dubai
just lost primary engines, Commodore
!
”

             
Hiro snapped back to reality. He was in charge of the combined might of humanity; there was no time for regrets while so many still needed protecting. He put down the tablet and looked at his digital display of the fight. Dozens of human ships drifted aimlessly, completely shattered by enemy fire.
Valley Forge
was on its last legs as it went toe-to-toe against the Boxti giant. Even with the support of every missile frigate in the armada, the Terrans were barely making a dent.

             
On the bridge, the temperature rose toward sweltering. A rocket attack had crippled the oxygen filters, and power had to be rerouted from the support systems. Another blast could easily turn
Midway
into so much scrap, but they had no choice but to fight on. Every Ark that made it out alive was a victory unto itself. Hiro would gladly die to see humanity survive this encounter. A loud scream jerked his attention to the door, where the Admirals stood and watched the battle unfold. Perhaps he was willing to go down with the ship, but he could
n’
t allow the best military minds to fall as well.

             
“Get me
Valley Forge
on a secure line
.”
Another explosion turned the bridge on its side. Hir
o’
s tether bit into the meaty flesh of his hand as a suicide attack blew out the port-side hangar. He did
n’
t have the luxury of time to waste mourning.
Not yet
, he prayed.
I need more time
. The line connected as the ship righted itself
.“
Sam, i
t’
s Hiro
.
”

             
Captain DeHar
t’
s voice was unusually high as he answered. A screeching alarm nearly drowned out the commande
r’
s voice as he hollered into the radio
.“
Hiro,
Valley Forge
is lost. Reacto
r’
s just about had it
.
”

             
“How long
?
”

             
“Maybe ten minutes
.”
DeHart paused
.“
Joh
n’
s dead
.
”

             
That hit Hiro hard. John Fuller had been DeHar
t’
s friend since they were in the Academy. The Commodore wished he could do more, but the fallen would be honored later
.“
Get to a pod and head toward Primus. As soon as the Arks are clear,
I’
m sending the stations to Sol
.
”

             
“Aye
.”
The line crackled with static
.“I’
ll call you once w
e’
re away
.
”

             
Hiro hung up the mic. He looked at his crew, hoping his face did
n’
t betray the feelings inside. Losing a powerhouse like
Valley Forge
was a heavy blow against the Terrans. As they watched through the monitors, the crew of
Midway
saw the escape shuttles launch from the fractured keel of the supercruiser. A few alien fighters attempted to attack the fleeing humans, but a sortie of Phoenixes drove them away. Still, watching the proud vessel burn away robbed the men and women of their hope. How could anything hope to stand against such power?

             
“Commodore
,”
Earl said
.“
The juggernaut is powering up. I
t’
s preparing to fire
.
”

             
Hiro nodded. There would be time to mourn, oh yes. But now there was need for strength. Before Hiro had a chance to answer, the bridge began to spark. Blue electricity coursed over the panels, shocking some of the crew. The surge stopped after a few seconds. Hiro scanned the room, checking on all of his officers
.“
Is everyone okay? Someone check the main circuit board. We ca
n’
t risk losing power now
.
”

             
An alarm sounded over the command net
.“
All stations this net, all stations this net. This is Primus. Clear the field. I say again. Clear the field. Major energy build up on unknown vessel. Directional laser has sighted a target for attack
.
”

             
God help us,
Hiro thought. Then he saw it. The arms of the monstrous warship began to glow a dull yellow, the colorful light growing in intensity and racing up and down the fins from tip to base. At the same time, the nose of the craft opened and a trident pressed out, crackling with a fiery orange charge. A strange calm flowed over the Commodore as he watched the beautiful display. He barely heard the final call over the Net.

             
“All stations this net. All stations this net. This is Primus. Unknown vessel appears to be preparing to fire on planet. Clear path. All ground forces, incoming
!
”

-                           
XII                            -

              He could
n’
t believe what he was hearing. Of course the situation on New Eden was bad; h
e’
d known that weeks ago. But this, a giant spaceship arriving and opening fire on the surface of the planet? It was terrifying. He had no idea what was about to happen, and only his worst fears to give him guidance.

             
Alexander sat in the parlor with Jonah, more or less in a stupor. He had been brought there to listen to the radio, but for some unknown purpose. Now it all made sense. Jonah wanted him scared, wanted him pliable for any request the demented rebel could think of. Worse yet, it was working. That ungodly juggernaut had appeared like out of some nightmare, and no one knew its capabilities. Alexander was afraid they were about to find out.

             
“The juggernaut is centering over the Abbot Plains
,”
the voice on the radio explained. Alexander did
n’
t know which shi
p’
s transmission they were receiving, but the technician on the other side was clearly terrified
.“
No idea what the
y’
re planning to do. Maybe test-fire a weapon as a show of force? Ther
e’
s no one near that area, so that could be the case. I hope tha
t’
s the case
.
”

             
Jonah turned to Alexander, offering a sympathetic face
.“
I know how you feel, Alexander. I have members of the order on New Eden. Their loss will be a powerful blow to the Red Hammer
.
”

             
“This is more than a billion peopl
e’
s lives, Jonah
.”
Alexander felt tears in his eyes, but knew they were more from anger than fear
.“
How many more humans have to die before you see that
I’
m not the enemy you need to be fighting right now
?
”

             
The rebel shook his head
.“
I
t’
s not about us, Alexander. This war should never have started. We are not ready to take our place in the galaxy, and the Boxti are a not-so-gentle reminder of that fact
.”
He sat up, pointing a bony finger at the politician
.“
Your hubris brought us to this point. And you are going to listen to the effect of your decisions on the people of the galaxy. Maybe then yo
u’
ll understand why I need those codes
.
”

             
“Even if we close the relays, all it will do is prevent Fleet from rejoining the defense of Earth
.
”

             
“If the ships come back here
,”
Jonah started
,“
the
y’
ll lead the aliens back with them. They found New Eden with the relays at Tallus, and all roads lead to Earth. We ca
n’
t have that. I
t’
s better to reset the clock, to lose a hundred years of reckless expansion and have to start over than to lose everything and become slaves to some godless creatures from the ends of the universe
.
”