Final Answer, page 11
part #9 of The Descendants War Series
"And that destroyer's back," Sam said. "I've got turrets all over it."
"Did they miss the projectile?" Rhys asked. "What happened there?"
"It's fast as hell, sir." Sam shrugged. "Destroyer's powering up weapons... his forward defenses aren't doing well."
"No," Violet confirmed. "Turrets should cause a hull breach."
Titus said, "focus all firepower on him. Jane, maintain our heading for the planet."
Speakers hissed for a moment before a familiar voice came over the line. "What're you guys doing?" Griel asked. "Looks like a mad dash for glory or something."
"Orders," Titus said, "and we could use some help if you're not too busy. What kept you?"
"Warp time," Griel replied. "You've got some more friends coming your way. I'll be there in a moment. Save some for us. Brekka out."
What is he talking about? Titus found the two additional ships moving for them. Their point of origin seemed to be the opposite side of the planet. Why are they holding anything in reserve? They need to stop us before we get too close or they're done! I don't understand these people at all.
The destroyer opened up on their shielded side though it took a swath of energy fire to do so. The turrets tore the shields aside as if they weren't there, popping pinprick marks across the enemy hull. It seemed to be on a collision course until Jane flipped them to the side, bringing them over the enemy vessel.
As they passed by it, Sam gave them a final broadside from the turrets, opening them up like a tin can. The Triton raced away from the explosion, leaving behind little more than debris and smoldering metal.
"Good job, guys." Titus pressed a hand against his stomach. The maneuver brought down another crush of g-force, really giving him a hard time. "Give me a timer on those new ships. I want to see how long we've got before they get here... and the ETA for the Brekka as well."
If we have to take them alone while the shields are struggling, it'll get ugly. Titus noted they had fifteen minutes before they'd engage. Eighteen for the Brekka. Cutting it close, guys. They could buy some time. "Alter course... three seven to starboard. Put some distance between us and those ships.
There you go, Griel. Get here fast. We need the assist.
***
Vesper held tight to her seat as the shuttle bucked. It felt like they hit real turbulence on entry to a planet. She thought to ask about it then remained silent. Any information they needed would come soon enough. No point in pushing when she had less pleasant things to worry about.
I don't even know if Gunny or Alon had family. She assumed the latter did not. After voluntarily working security at a colony, it seemed unlikely he had anyone waiting for him. The Kahl invasion may have impassioned him enough to not go home... wherever that was prior to his life change.
Tiller didn't have anything to say either. He stared at the wall, leaning back in his seat. She'd seen the expression before plenty of times. Post mission lethargy. It became difficult to move or communicate unnecessarily. He usually reserved such a state for chow time when he had a good excuse for staying quiet.
"We're coming out of warp now!" Andrews shouted. "I'm not sure why it's so bumpy."
Okay. Vesper glanced in the direction of the bridge, then turned her attention back to the floor. Maybe we're entering a planet's atmosphere at warp. That'll end us all real quick. She studied FTL accidents at the academy, never quite understanding the point of the coursework for anyone outside the pilot's division.
Horror stories about travel tended to be for the one in control, the scare them into triple checking their numbers or practicing harder. Telling passengers about the potential for terrifying death seemed cruel. Until that moment, she didn't think about the possibility they were trying to scare people off from staying.
If you don't have the nerves for what might happen on a starship, then you probably aren't right for the Terran Colonial Navy.
The shaking stopped. Vesper disengaged her safety belt.
That's when Tiller blinked out of his reverie. "What're you doing?"
"Seeing what's wrong."
"You shouldn't take that off until he says so."
Vesper huffed. "Don't worry about it." She walked up to the cockpit, leaning in. "So why'd we have such a rough time?"
"Don't know, but the Triton's not here."
"What?" Vesper's brows lifted. Why am I not surprised? "Do you think they're just late or... what's going on?"
"Uh... sensors are coming back online." Andrews tapped at one of his screens. "Let me bring up some information. Maybe we've got a trail or something."
Vesper took the co-pilot's chair, strapping in. The fact their home base hadn't turned up worried her. Did they not make it out? In the heat of their own problems, she lost track of everything else. Thinking about their losses held her attention while Andrews did the hard work of escaping the sector.
Now we might be stranded.
"They left us a buoy." Andrews scoffed. "Of course they did. We weren't fast enough so they rushed off to fight the Kahl. Barnes..."
"That's the message?" Vesper frowned. "So... what's that mean? What do we do?"
"We are to go to the nearest outpost, Prytin or human." Andrews brought up a star map. "Lucky we didn't need medical aid or something. Christ, that guy. I'm lodging a formal complaint. We missed them by thirty minutes. Tops."
"I'm sure they had a reason. I think they were supposed to support the Brekka in the charge against the Kahl. If they waited too long, that would've been pointless, you know?" Vesper shrugged. "He's the captain, anyway. He's got bigger things to worry about than getting us home safe."
"Yeah, after what we went through, I disagree. But whatever. It's fine." Andrews sighed. "All the places we could get to from here are more than ten hours away... and that's with solid navs. I'm not as good with this equipment."
"So it's your fault we were late?" Tiller's voice startled Vesper.
"What?" Andrews glared over his shoulder. "Are you serious?"
"I'm just saying, if you had been better with the gear, we would've arrived sooner." Tiller shrugged. "So instead of bitching about Barnes, maybe complain about yourself."
"This is alien tech, dick!" Andrews shouted. "You're lucky they made the interface in English so I could get us here at all! Anyway, why are you two up here? Go sit down or something."
"No," Vesper said, "we're part of this too. And I have a better idea than sitting around in warp for ten plus hours."
"What?" Tiller asked.
"We go to the Kahl homeworld."
Andrews laughed. "You're insane. What the hell's the point?"
"That's where the Triton is." Vesper shrugged. "And all our allies." She pointed to the chart on the screen. "It's less than thirty minutes away. Maybe a little more because of the navs, but regardless, we'll be in a place where plenty of our ships can take us aboard. That's where we go."
Tiller said, "if that fight isn't going well for us, we may be walking into a death trap. You realize that, right? I don't have to remind you that a shuttle like this won't stand up to a destroyer or gunboat. Or one of those weapon platform things. So think hard about whether or not it's the right call."
"It is." Vesper turned to Andrews. "Set the course."
Andrews didn't respond for several moments. When he did, he kept his voice even and quiet. "You guys seem to forget that I outrank you. I'm not about to take us into that kind of heat. I suggest you bunk down in the back and get some sleep because we're taking a long ass trip to the nearest space station."
"Don't be an idiot," Vesper said. "Follow our allies. Get us to the Triton. Maybe we can help somehow."
"How?" Tiller asked.
"I don't know, yet. But it's better to be in a position to assist than sitting on our hands, guys. Come on." Vesper put her hand on Andrews' arm. "Trust me, huh?"
Andrews glared at her. "I don't have any idea why I'm going along with this. It's absolutely insane. Flat out stupid." He shook his arm away, bringing up the navigation computer. "I'm setting the course. Just to clarify in case you haven't thought this through, we are flying into a total shit show. Acknowledge that."
"We get it," Tiller muttered. "Just do your job, flyboy."
"I've had enough out of you," Andrews pointed at Tiller. "Go sit down." He turned back to the controls. "Anyway, we'll be there fast enough... then we need to find the Triton, pray they aren't in the middle of a massive fight, try to dock with enemies everywhere... Christ in heaven, I have no idea why I agreed to this."
The engines fired up, followed by the whine of the warp drive. A timer appeared on the HUD counting back from thirty. Vesper pressed herself into her seat, staring straight ahead. Tiller hurried back to the passenger seats.
After losing Alon and Gunny, she felt cast adrift. Heading into the battle felt like the right thing to do for distraction, a good way to think of something else. Probably not the healthiest reason to rush into a war zone. Andrews knew his business. If anyone had it in them to bring them home safely, it was him.
Then maybe there's something we can contribute. A run to the planet, rescue operations, anything at all besides sitting. The thought of fourteen hours in an enclosed space with Tiller and Andrews sounded like pure torture. The silence alone promised to drive her crazy. No, this is the best course of action.
Besides, everyone present in that final battle would have a lot to say. Thousands of soldiers in the future would claim to have been there. It would be nice to be one who actually saw it with their own eyes. No lying, no pretending. We've come too far not to be part of the final push against our enemy.
If the Kahl fell that day, then she and Tiller belonged there. Not necessarily for themselves, but for Gunny and Alon who fought them before they had any right to try. Before they possessed the equipment to even the playing field. We're representing a lot of people who died before this day.
That seemed like a good enough reason to rush headlong into ridiculous danger. As the ship dropped into warp, she closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. Her heart raced with adrenaline. Some doubt crept on her. She cast it out. They were committed. There was nothing more to be done but to look ahead.
And do whatever we can to ensure an allied victory. Today, we watch an empire topple. Then witness a resounding peace that will echo throughout the entire galaxy.
***
Niva sent a quick message directly to Rhys, letting him know she made it through the operation. He had to be thinking about it while Griel spoke to Captain Barnes. Much as she'd been worrying about seeing him again when the shuttle first went into warp. Arriving back on the Brekka gave her some small sense that the future was secure.
As long as we survive the battle.
The ship accelerated. They headed straight for the Triton to back them up against the additional defenders. Trev's battle with the armada looked insane as they harassed dozens of ships. She felt fortunate they didn't have to be involved in that mess. One wrong move meant a collision, perhaps even with a friendly.
She wondered how many ships had been lost, if there were any people waiting for rescue out there in unfriendly territory. If we don't succeed, they'll be prisoners. Likely executed by the Kahl. If not worse. Tortured to death in one of those ridiculous prison camps. We can't fail. For their sake if nothing else.
Rhys sent her a message back. Relieved you're okay. Talk soon.
Considering what sort of action they were in, she hadn't expected anything. He made the future seem brighter, like there was something to look forward to. One of her mentors suggested that soldiers fought better when they had plans for the next day. If they didn't go into a situation with a doomed attitude, they were more likely to succeed.
Niva argued with the man, asking why they wouldn't be cautious when they needed to be daring. She hadn't understood psychology at that point... or how people reacted to outside stimuli. When she joined the Brekka, she genuinely thought she might die a few times. When the Flotilla went into warp counted.
"Two more," Authen said, "you see?"
"I do," Griel replied. "No big deal. We can handle four ships, don't you think?"
"You mean communally?" Authen asked.
Griel chuckled. "Sure?"
"Yes, we can handle four ships."
"That's the spirit." Griel turned his chair. "Niva or Molush, what are those projectiles? The fast-moving flashes of light."
Molush answered, "defensive measures. Massive rockets with engines capable of moving at incredible speeds. They require an enormous transmitter and a lot of equipment to work. We've heard about them from intelligence, but I've never seen them in action." He explained their purpose of blasting a shield then popping a hull.
"That's horrible," Niva said. "How am I only just now hearing about this?"
Griel grinned at her. "You don't read your tech briefings."
"Shut up." Niva rolled her eyes. "I'm serious. Why aren't they more prominently discussed?"
"Because," Molush explained, "no one thought we'd ever be here I don't think. Deep down, I suspect people have been under the impression the fighting would go on forever on some level. After the Kahl hit our homeworld, we only barely retaliated properly. And no one made a big push again."
"Uh..." Authen cleared his throat. "The Dahs and Rhulin might disagree."
"Yeah, well." Molush shrugged. "You know what I mean. None of the bigger powers got attacked again. And believe me, I'm not even one of you and I lump my own people in with that statement. We aren't exactly an empire. We just know more about them than you do. Because we read." He gave Niva a pointed look.
"Really?" Niva turned back to her terminal. "You're all funny, is that it? We've become a crew of entertainers?"
"We're in range," Authen said, "permission to open fire?"
"What're they doing?" Griel asked. "That ship hasn't even acknowledged us, has it?"
"No." Authen shrugged. "They're intent on getting after the Triton."
"Then yes, give them everything we've got. Make it clear we're not to be ignored."
Yes, that's the important thing. Niva checked the scanner. The Triton weathered a serious assault from two of the vessels with the other two closing in. Four at a time might be enough to cause some trouble on a good day, but their shields appeared to be seriously hammered on one side, exposing their hull.
The Brekka's attack would mean slowing down the newcomers, the ones there to support their friends. Fortunately, there didn't appear to be more of the wild projectiles out there. If the Kahl managed to launch a few more, the assault on the planet might fail spectacularly.
They clearly didn't have enough to wipe out the fleet or they would've launched the moment everyone arrived.
The main cannons opened up. The destroyer seemed to twitch out of the way, climbing while still moving toward the Triton. Authen cursed as he adjusted course, bringing them in under their target. He fired again, this time with secondary weapons, mostly turrets. A couple beams clipped the shields, but it once again rolled away.
Okay, they either have the best pilot in the Kahl fleet or they're insanely lucky. Niva witnessed some of their successes in the past. She'd seen the aftermath of the better Kahl military invaders. The Brekka only faced a few capable of making them sweat, but she always worried they'd find a capable one.
Someone able to fend us off...if not outright defeat us. That single destroyer didn't have a shot at taking down the Brekka on its own. The group of four presented more of a challenge. And their determination to take down the Triton showed a focus she wasn't accustomed to. They should be worrying about the people shooting at them.
One thing about the Kahl was they knew how to be single-minded. They could throw their lives away if it meant achieving some objective, no matter how insane or stupid. If they were tasked with destroying a station, then they'd better do it. Even if that meant ramming the thing.
Fortunately, she hadn't seen many of them go so far. But it was certainly expected by a few of their commanders. The crazier ones like General Renz. He would've ordered such a thing. And as the four destroyers swarmed the human ship, she got a vision of what these soldiers were told to do.
Do not allow that battleship to ram the planet. That seemed like sound advice. They can't possibly imagine we'd throw away a cruiser like that. But why not? It would win the war in a second. Slam a ship into their primary city, kill the Lord Marshal along with whatever other leadership happened to be there.
I'm surprised they didn't try that on our home. They did pull something similar though not quite as extreme. A few places reported shuttles dropped from the sky on important buildings, a hospital as well as one of the barracks. The pilots flew them directly into the structures, killing themselves and pretty much everyone inside.
Yet even they wouldn't commit a battleship to hit our primary targets. Niva figured they didn't know what would do the most damage. With the Kahl, they gathered the necessary intelligence to make such a sacrifice. They knew precisely what city to hit and where. Lucky for them we have morals.
"What's the problem?" Griel asked.
"He's slippery," Authen grunted. He pulled an unexpected maneuver, one that threw Niva forward in her seat so the safety harness bit into her shoulders until a flash of light erupted in front of her eyes.
Main cannons went off again. One of them got the bow of the destroyer, giving it a good enough knock to push it off course. It spun twice before regaining control then rocketed off, though fortunately, it moved away from the Triton. Success, I guess. At the expense of bruised and probably cut shoulders.
Niva's screen depicted the Triton's actions. They kicked on their forward thrusters while dropping abruptly. The flanking destroyers blasted each other, though with small enough weapons to make it little more than an embarrassment. Still, it cost them precious energy, dropping their shields by ten percent.
