Second Draft - Path to the Stars

Path To The Stars

Chapter 1

The torpedoes streaked through the blackness of space, leaving ice vapour trails in their wake. Point defense lasers lit up the void in an arc across their trajectory. The lumbering battlecruiser tried to roll away from the incoming threat. Laser fire raked across the volley of torpedoes. One by one they ignited in space, collapsing into chunks of debris. But it was not enough, one, and then two torpedoes slammed home, their nuclear payloads imploding into brilliant balls of light. The shield around the battlecruiser's starboard side flickered briefly, allowing the rest of the torpedo volley to tear into the battlecruisers hull. Chunks of armour flew into space, exposing great rents in the ships hull and revealing its superstructure.

“The Sword of Truth is reporting critical damage, sir,” lieutenant Rei Duunin said, her voice echoing in the virtual representation of the battle. Data streams appeared around the wounded battlecruiser spurting out damage reports. The ships computer compiled the information overload into a human readable format. She dragged each of the reports to the tactical display and sent a summary to the commander and lieutenant-commander.

“Commonwealth cruisers Hestia and Saint Peter are coming about,” echoed over the relay channel.

The cruisers circled the Sword of Truth like vultures looking for easy prey. Hestia's port side auto-cannons flared into life, spitting hot rounds into the Sword of Truth. The battlecruisers armour crumpled against the onslaught.

“Deploy the heavy drones and re-align for a starboard battery. Support the Sword of Truth and target Hestia and Saint Peter's weapon systems.” The interface overlay indicated it was lieutenant-commander Chaanur was giving the order.

“Sir, we can't hit cruisers with our heavy laser turrets,” came the response from the void, it was the weapon systems officer. Messages from every sub-system of the Sword of Truth lit up Rei's tactical display, the ship couldn't hold out much longer.

“Just fire damnit!”

Hot streams of light flew towards Hestia and Saint Peter missing them narrowly, but it was enough. Both Commonwealth cruisers peeled off the Sword of Truth. The communication relay erupted into chatter.

“The Sword of Justice is disengaging and moving into support the Sword of Truth. Enemy battlecruisers Gaul and Essex have changed targets— they are firing on us.”

The pair of battlecruisers unleashed a salvo of torpedoes.

“Enemy Heavy destroyers Cairo and Hunley are moving into range. The Shield of Vindication is moving to intercept.”

They were outnumbered two to one. The Commonwealth squadron had eight ships in total, two battlecruisers, two heavy cruisers, two cruisers and two heavy destroyers. Their fleet only consisted of a battleship, two battlecruisers and a heavy cruiser. The Commonwealth fleet was going to move in to surround them, and there was nothing they could do about it. Rei realised that even with the Seihon Empire's superior technology, this battle was not in their favour.

“All hands, brace for impact,” the computer warning flashed across her interface. Point defense lasers from the Shield of Vindication and their own ship, the Tower of Reverence, lashed out at the oncoming threat. Laser fire lit up the darkness of space as the bright green and red lights sought out their targets. One after another the torpedoes imploded spinning off into space, but there were too many of them. Half of the salvo had made it through the gauntlet. Even though it was only a simulation created by the computer of the outside events, Rei still flinched as the nuclear payloads ignited around the starboard side of the Tower of Reverence. Her fingers tightened around the arm-rests of the concussion pod as the bridge rocked heavily from the impact. The simulnet returned static for a brief moment but the system rebooted itself in seconds. Warning symbols flashed across the Tower of Reverence and data streamed in from the ships sub-systems.

“Shields are holding.”

The Sword of Justice and her crippled sister ship, the Sword of Truth, were furiously exchanging fire with Hestia and Saint Peter. Laser fire from the Seihon ships splashed across of the Commonwealth cruisers, stripping away paint and melting armour plates. The cruisers answered with volley after volley of torpedoes and auto-cannon fire, which imploded against blue shimmering shields.

“Enemy heavy cruisers Aquila and Mary Rose are moving in from the rear of the Commonwealth squadron. Enemy battlecruisers Gaul and Essex are targeting the Shield of Vindication.”

The Shield of Vindication was only 20km ahead of them, but in an instant five of the enemy ships had engaged, launching a full volley of torpedoes. Rei could clearly see what the Commonwealth squadron was planning, they couldn't destroy the Tower of Reverence easily, so instead, they were going to destroy the escort. She relayed the message immediately to the lieutenant-commander.

“Sir, enemy ships are focusing on our escorts.”

The nimble Shield of Vindication wove through the fire fight, focusing on the two heavy destroyers. Its drones chipped away at the armour of Hunley, while its lasers cut down Cairo. Rei knew the heavy cruiser couldn't hold out much longer. Frantically she sent more reports to lieutenant-commander Chaanur.

“Sir, the Shield of Vindication's shields won't hold out much longer.”

The relay chatter died down. The lieutenant-commander didn't answer— didn't give out any orders. The Shield of Vindication was surrounded by debris.

“Hunley's engines have been damaged. The Shield of Vindication's port side shields have failed. Gaul and Essex are launching another salvo of torpedoes.”

And still, the lieutenant-commander was silent. Rei watched in horror as the Commonwealth torpedoes streaked towards the Shield of Vindication. The heavy cruiser didn't have enough power to avoid them. Point defense lasers splashed out destroying the first volley, but the second volley continued on its course. They ploughed into the port side of the Shield of Vindication, their nuclear payloads rupturing the superstructure and igniting the ship. Escape pods streamed in all directions only to collide and explode with the surrounding debris. With a massive shock wave the fusion generator collapsed. Hunley and Cairo were caught in the explosion, their armour not thick enough to withstand the searing heat. Finally the lieutenant-commander spoke.

“Navigation; Turn the ship around, full impulse. Communications; Order the Sword of Justice and the Sword of Truth to engage and hold off the Commonwealth squadron for as long as possible.”

Rei couldn't believe what she was hearing, a retreat was unthinkable. Her hands were shaking, there was no way she could follow that order.

“Sir, there are life-pods from the Shield of Vindication floating in space, and the rest of our squadron is still engaged with the enemy.”

“Are you questioning orders lieutenant?”

Even though it was only an echo of his voice over the relay, Rei could sense a sharp anger behind his words. The rest of the Commonwealth squadron was ignoring them. A battleship was no threat to cruiser sized vessels, and it was true that there was not much they could do to support the Sword of Truth and the Sword of Justice.

“This is the captain. I will take direct command,” the relay chatter ceased immediately. “Bring us about and establish a firing-uplink with the rest of the squadron. Head for the wreckage of the Shield of Vindication and prepare the rescue shuttles.”

The chat relay flared back into life as the bridge went about their new tasks. Firing patterns and trajectory data streamed in from the Sword of Truth and Sword of Justice. The Tower of Reverence's heavy laser turrets swivelled about and prepared to fire. Rei could feel the hum of the fusion generator beneath her pod. Beams of laser fire arced towards the skirmish around the two Seihon battlecruisers. Three of heavy lasers missed their mark, but a lucky shot grazed the Gaul, which rolled evasively in response. With renewed strength the Sword of Justice assaulted the surrounding enemy ships.

“Hyperspace signature detected, 120km behind us— it's the main fleet.”

Hundreds of ships emerged from man-made wormholes behind them. Frigates to capital ships, and at the fleets centre was the flagship of 2^nd fleet. The Spear of Destiny was a super-dreadnought class, and one of the largest ships in the Seihon navy.

“Enemy squadron is retreating. There is a direct line from the Spear of Destiny, captain.”

“Put it on the main viewer,” the captain said.

Everyone on the bridge opened their eyes, severing the link with the simulnet. Rei blinked twice trying to clear her blurry vision. She was lying in a raised concussion pod, designed to to protect, and if needed, eject her into space if the bridge was damaged. To her left and right were the other staff of the bridge, and behind them, on a raised dais, was the captains pod flanked by the commander and lieutenant commander's pods. The bridge was arranged in a semi-circle around a main holographic viewer, which flickered into life. A beautiful young woman stood before her pod dressed in the Seihon Navy's black jumpsuit, but around her shoulder's was a silver mantle.

“How are you doing old man?”

Rei craned her neck around. The captain lifted himself out of his pod and kneeled. The rest of the bridge followed suit.

“Your highness, I am doing well. Your arrival has saved many lives, and the honour of the Seihon Empire.”

The young woman closed her eyes, examining the carnage of the battle through the simulnet. She nodded her head thoughtfully.

“You did well captain Suovik. I'll be sure to give you a medal for you valiant efforts here today,” she opened her eyes and looked directly at the lieutenant-commander, who was kneeling next to the captain. “As for you, nephew. Do my eyes deceive me, or did you almost call a retreat?”

“N-N-No princess Chuokos, it was a tactical manoeuvre.”

The princess crossed her arms.

“I certainly hope so. Where is the junior officer that questioned your orders?”

Rei's heart lodged in her throat. All her hard work would now be undone. She stood up revealing herself.

“Ahh, there you are... lieutenant Duunin was it?”

Rei saluted crisply.

“Yes, your highness.”

“I'll be coming aboard personally to oversee your punishment. I would also like a detailed battle report about the events that transpired here,” then she spoke to the rest of the bridge. “As for the rest of you, you are dismissed. My fleet will see to the rescue of the Shield of Vindication's crew, and the repairs of the Sword of Justice and the Sword of Truth.”

The crew stood up and saluted, and the holo-display went dark. Exhausted and hungry, they filed out of the bridge. Rei sighed and lowered her head in defeat.

“Lieutenant Duunin.”

She thought everyone had left. The captain was standing at the doorway.

“Yes, captain.”

“Good job.” He smiled and nodded, before leaving the bridge. Rei gave a salute to the departing captain. Slumping into her pod, she closed her eyes and reconnected to the simulnet. Methodically she began the report she would hand to the princess and admiral of 2^nd fleet.