Alpha One: The Kronan (29 page)

The Jump Ship’s resistance was significant and held up the Kryl’s intent but it could not last forever. At 9:30 Greenwich Mean Time, the first batch of Malchian Arrows attacked Earth’s defense shield aided by a contingent of Kryl cruisers.

Koenig watched in disbelief as the shields faltered within minutes of the mass Kryl onslaught. He stood in Alpha’s Fleet Operations Center—normally a place of frantic activity but now it was silent. Admiral Clarke stood next to him.

“I would think that’s it then. Those shields are failing already. We should move the operation to the bunker.”

“No. The shields will hold long enough for us to complete our negotiations. If they don’t, the other two SED divisions will take over. We will not surrender. There will be a negotiated settlement and I am not going anywhere until that is in place.”

“With respect, even if you wish to stick around, I think it is best to get this place set up downstairs. Jonas and I are ready to get this started—you just need to give us the nod.”

Koenig paused for a moment as he thought through his advisor’s proposal.

“Okay, you win. Initiate Operation Down Under.”

* * * *

Chief Alexander stared at her own screen. The Shield Central Control Room was a hive of activity. This was when they needed to get everything right.

“Chief...updates: section three—down to forty percent, section two at sixty-five, and section one at fifty-two percent. Sections four, five, and six are still above eighty. Breach point estimate: seventy-two minutes at section three.”

“Thanks Simmons. Section Chiefs, keep those compensators up. We need to hold on as long as we can.”

Charlie Alexander was under no illusions and she was not about to let others think things were okay when clearly they were not.
Her brief today was simple: hold on as long as you can
. She was booting up the Residual Surge Enhancer, a last resort booster which would kick in when the average shield strength reached below thirty percent across the six sections. This would boost shield strength back to higher levels. However, once its own limited resources were depleted, it would crash and force the entire network down.

She would need CIC authorization to deploy. At this rate, it would not be long

* * * *

Koenig sat in a secure glass- walled conference suite just outside the main operations center. Admirals Kohn and Clarke and the two senate negotiators joined him. They were discussing the final draft of the proposed negotiated settlement.

“Colonel, do you have agreement in principal from the president?”

“Yes Sir, subject to your final approval and his ratification. We are good to go.”

“Okay, time is obviously of the essence. Let’s have some details.”

Harrington stood and ventured towards the document displayed on the holo display in the center of the desk.

“The Kryl will cease all military action against us if we agree to provide them with three hundred million people per year to feed on. That is the bottom line.” Harrington paused before continuing.

“In return they will stay within their communities and will allow us to self-govern, just as we do now. They have agreed that Alpha may continue on a non-aggressive, defensive, and scientific basis only with ten ships of the line. Alpha will be based on Alpha Two.” Again, he paused. He had expected an interruption by now.

“They have specified that and I quote: ‘Those selected must be adult and with fully functioning brain stem and cognitive capability. Any who do not fulfill this will be rejected.’ Accordingly, four hundred million persons will be selected and the Kryl will select three quarters with the remaining quarter returning home. If they are ‘rejected’ they will not then be eligible for re-selection. Only those over sixty years of age will be eligible. It is our responsibility to seek the best way to achieve this—the most obvious method being some kind of lottery or random selection process.”

This time, Koenig was ready to speak.

“This is very one-sided Colonel. Quite apart from the political consequences and the logistics, I foresee problems with the population. Surely it will reduce at that rate.”

“Yes. To perpetuate the species, we will have to establish a breeding program. The alternatives are unpalatable even if this one is too. With no agreement, they will assume control of our governments and indiscriminately wipe out our species, potentially in a matter of years. The question is: what is better for the longevity of our species?”

Koenig paused and no one else spoke. He had something on his mind, “Let’s be quite clear on this. The objective is to pacify the Kryl for now. It will not be necessary to establish breeding initiatives because this agreement will not be long lasting.”

He paused again, before addressing Harrington and Carla, “It is important that you understand the complexities of our decisions. What I am about to tell you is for your ears only. You must not disclose the content of this conversation with anyone and I mean anyone.”

Jonas Koln stood up. “Thomas, we cannot divulge this to just anyone. The Colonel and Lieutenant Stevenson do not have full security clearance and there is the question of seniority.”

“Thank you. We are about to enter a period of uncertainty. The people in this room will be the only people on Earth who will know the truth. I have wrestled with this. I feel that these two members of the senate should be trusted—given what they know already. It is important for all of us here to look at the bigger picture.”

Carla looked on nervously.
What were they talking about?

Jonas sat down, obviously accepting Koenig’s explanation. Koenig was about to speak again, when a knock at the door interrupted proceedings.

“Come.”

The young Lieutenant Commander entered the room and bent down to whisper in Koenig’s ear.

“Sir, Chief Alexander requests authority to engage the Residual Surge Enhancer. Shield levels have now reduced on average to below thirty percent.”

“Thank you. Instruct Ms Alexander that she may proceed.”

The officer left the room. Koenig accessed the room’s security controls on a panel by the door. “A reminder that the contents of this conversation are not for disclosure. I trust that is acceptable.”

Koenig noted Carla looked uncomfortable

“Lieutenant Stevenson. You look troubled. Is this a burden you would rather not take on?”

“No, Sir. I am taking in the enormity of our situation.”

“I think you have summed that up very well. Perhaps Ms Stevenson would feel more comfortable at a higher rank. Would you have any objection?”

Harrington was struggling himself but was quick to reply.

“No, of course not, Sir. She is a good officer and would be worthy of a promotion.”

“Good. Lieutenant Stevenson, I am promoting you to Major. I trust this will help you digest what I am about to discuss.”

Carla blushed and thanked the CIC, not knowing whether to laugh or cry but managing to keep control of her emotions. Koenig quickly moved on.

“The Residual Surge Enhancer is a last gasp attempt to keep the shields up and running. I have just given the authority to engage it. The enhancer will help but the shields will fail in the next three hours or so. Time is now of the essence.

“Alpha has a Contingency Fleet in the Styros Cluster. This is a fleet of last resort and is there fundamentally to perpetuate our species. There are over one hundred and fifty ships in attendance and the number is growing. Admiral Martin commands the fleet and he will keep a watchful brief on proceedings.

“The Kryl will stand down their major forces at some point in the next few weeks, months, or maybe even years. At that time, Alpha will launch its contingency fleet and liberate Earth.

“I am telling you this, because it is critically important that Alpha remains in existence here on Earth. We have a significant underground facility to which the command center will shortly transfer. Once this agreement has been consented to by us and ratified by the Kryl, there will be no further contact between the senate, myself, and the senior fleet commanders. A senior commander will remain at this facility to deal with the aspects of the agreement which effect Alpha. Obviously, the whereabouts, the contents, and personnel of the underground bunker will remain classified.”

Harrington remained passive throughout Koenig’s speech but now felt compelled to speak. “Thank you for divulging this very sensitive information to us Admiral. I think we have a grasp of what Alpha is trying to achieve. I have to ask why we don’t deploy the fleet now. The Kryl fleet is surely not as strong as they were.”

“Once they are gone, they are gone. If we deploy the fleet now, it will be defeated and we will have nothing. Regrettably, we have no choice but to accept the agreement. I suggest we take five minutes and then sit down to get this agreement finalized.”

* * * *

Ninety minutes later, Lieutenant Colonel Harrington and Major Carla Stevenson boarded the senate shuttle and headed off-world to rendezvous with Kravos. The agreement was about to be ratified.

He sat in his ready room, watching the hands of the old-fashioned clock face turn slowly. He must have stared for a long time because when he reached for his coffee, it was luke-warm.

Commander Jacques entered

“We are clear for launch.”

“Good. Do we have a full crew compliment? How many of the crew took shore leave?”

“Ninety-five percent. Most of them were able to see family. However, they have all returned if that is what you are alluding to. Let’s hope this is just a short tour. Any idea where we are going?”

“I can’t divulge, I am afraid. You stayed on the ship didn’t you?”

“Nothing out there for me at the moment . I would rather see action and try to kill off a few more of these Kryl while we still can.”

“Okay, let’s get some clearance coordinates and get underway. Our provisional heading will be 74 .45. 12. Stellar speed as soon as available. It goes without saying that we launch away from the Kryl fleet.”

“That’s roughly where we were three days ago. Are we after Carter again?”

“No, if he is still alive, Jake Carter is on his own now. We have a different path to tread.”

* * * *

Ten minutes later, the Halo 7 launched and drifted quietly into orbit from deep inside the southern hemisphere. It moved away from the Kryl fleet and their prying eyes.

Hoskins sat at his station on the bridge, monitoring their progress.

“Number One. Let’s make the calculations for Jump Speed straight away.”

“Just finishing now. The stellar drive is off-line.”

Hoskins sighed deeply. “Okay, run diagnostics and get it back up. In the mean time, auxiliary drive, maximum thrust to the same coordinates. Scan the area for Kryl ships. We don’t want any surprises without light-speed. I’ll be in my ready room.”

Hoskins headed for the ready room. He was tired, he was angry, and now even the bloody ship didn’t work properly.

The comm. link sprang to life just as he sat down.

“S drive, will be back on line in about an hour.”

“What was wrong with it?”

“Calibration error. Basic stuff which should have been picked up in dock. I guess everyone is a bit pre-occupied.”

“That’s no excuse and you know it. You should have checked the calibrations yourself.”

* * * *

Commander Jacques did not answer. There was something troubling his CO and he wanted to find the underlying cause of it. He headed straight to the ready room, knocking before entering.

“Yes, what do you want?”

“Five minutes of your time.”

“Who is supervising the Stellar drive reboot?”

“I am but I am not needed right now. May I take a seat?”

Hoskins said nothing and gestured his XO to a chair.

“There is something troubling you. I am pretty sure you would not normally get quite so upset over a calibration issue.”

Hoskins yawned and then laughed. “Astute as always Number One. This is not going to be a short trip.”

“Are you able to tell me where we are going?”

“Well I shouldn’t but I am sure this will not be the only regulation we break on this tour. We are heading for the Styros Cluster.”

“You have got to be kidding me!”

“Doesn’t look like a joke does it?”

“What are we going to do when we get there? There’s nothing of any substance there and it will takes us two months at least. Shouldn’t we be here, defending Earth? What’s going on?”

“I cannot divulge at present but I will let you know soon. In the meantime, we are still at war and we are vulnerable. I suggest you concentrate on the S Drive before we become target practice—that would not look good on your record.”

Commander Jacques left the ready room to attend to the stellar drive. Whatever was bugging the CO must be big. He was in a seriously bad mood.

Jake took his time. He needed to make sure all systems were operational and that the limited power reserves were apportioned appropriately. Now he was ready.

He engaged the NAVCOM in silent mode and brought the thrusters on line. Then he powered up the laser cannons, life support, gravitational leveling, and the cockpit head-up display. He took a long sip of coffee, pulled back on the stick, and allowed the Eagle to lift and pivot round to his intended exit route. That was the easy part. The docking clamps snapped as the power of the thrusters pulled the Eagle upwards.
Good no need to start a fire show.

Still nothing from the Kryl. That won’t last.

The Eagle moved forward on its thrusters. Slowly at first, Jake controlled the shuttle round the first two curved hanger decks and then repositioned for his run through the middle of the gigantic hangar bay’s free space.

It is just a matter of time.

Two Kryl plasma cannons fired as he rounded the next hangar deck. Jake managed to avoid them by swerving beneath the next deck. Now he was being pursued. Two Kryl fighters were on his tail but strangely, they were struggling to keep up. The shuttle coped well with the low velocity but the Kryl ships pilots had nothing between their thrusters and full on speed—the latter being impractical in such a confined space.

Jake was making progress. The two fighters backed off and monitored his movements rather than following a tight pursuit strategy but the hanger bays plasma weapons caused havoc. He managed to avoid most of them but they adapted and appeared from everywhere.

Now he was hit: twice on the port side, on the underside, and three more times on both sides of the shuttle. The Eagle’s limited shields were failing. Jake stuck to the task
.
It must be a matter of time before he saw the exit.
Yes, there it is!

Jake enthusiasm waned as he took another two plasma burns to the rear of the Eagle—this time to the exhaust manifold and just short of his main drive systems. To make matters worse, he saw the exit clearly now but it was getting smaller.
They are closing the blast doors!

He had less than thirty seconds to clear the exit. He needed to engage his auxiliary drive—which in the confined space of the Queen’s Hanger Bay was suicidal. He had no choice. He flicked the drive switch, held onto the column, and closed his eyes. This would be close. One tiny blast of power and the Eagle would be out or straight into the blast door.

He opened his eyes. He was out.
Christ...that was close!

The danger was far from over. Jake glanced up and remembered why his escape was virtually impossible. In front of him and all around him stood the entire Kryl fleet. He needed a quick exit strategy.

Jake took the auxiliary drive up to full power but then powered back when he remembered his reserves were low. If he were to get out of this, he needed to force all of the available power reserves into his Stellar drive and then hope he did not end up smashing into Earth’s shields.

Jake engaged the S drive and for the second time in as many minutes. He closed his eyes and hoped.
Thank God, this Eagle is the S Drive Variant.
The burst of power took Jake ten thousand kilometers clear of the Kryl fleet in an instant but he was far from safe. The NAVCOM showed three fighters and a cruiser had separated from the main Kryl fleet and were in pursuit. He sighed.

This was never going to be easy!

He pulled back on the stick and engaged seventy-five percent auxiliary power. He estimated ten minutes power left.

The Kryl ships were catching and they would smash him and his shuttle to pieces.

Now they were almost within firing distance. Jake dispatched an automated distress call and waited for the inevitable. It was unlikely there would be anyone out here who could help. Again, he felt a deep sense of unease. His mind was being probed again—the chasing Kryl vessel must be Morvalt’s ship. He tried to block him by concentrating hard on the shuttle schematics. Morvalt was strong and forced his way in. It was just a matter of time.