The Last War Read online

  All the ships turned and headed deeper into Delmark space.

  “So Emor is finally going to do it,” the captain said to no one in particular. It was like having your head on a chopping block, waiting for the executioner to drop the ax.

  “Sir, five of the destroyers are breaking away from the main body of enemy ships and are heading toward us at full speed.” The helmsman watched his monitor.

  Merken swallowed hard. He knew that the patrol craft could outpace the destroyers, but his corvette was old and not built for speed. “All ships head for the fleet independently. Dispersal pattern M359.”

  The patrol craft fanned out into space.

  “All destroyers headed for us, Sir.”

  “Full speed ahead. Make our way to the nearest fleet.”

  “Closest fleet two days away at current speed.”

  “Battle stations.” It was hopeless, but he could at least knock some holes in them as they approached. The new destroyers Emor is building on Andaria Major were as powerful as most of the old imperial cruisers.

  Men were running in all directions, but in five minutes, they were ready to go. Fire control teams manned hoses while the gunners lined up targets.

  “Sir, the nearest enemy ship is within range.”

  “Fire at will.”

  The ship shook as the energy pulse cannons opened up. The two lower ones weren’t large enough to do damage to the destroyer, but their shells made big yellow sparks when they hit the destroyer’s hull. The upper gun had enough pop to crunch some hull plates.

  A deafening explosion enveloped the rear of the ship. Warning light and horns went off.

  “We’ve been hit between decks two and three. Fire control is on the way down.”

  Another hit, farther back on the ship, dimmed the lights momentarily.

  Coughing was heard over the intercom, then the strained voice of the chief engineer came on. “Engine one has been damaged and is on fire. I have to shut her down.”

  A second later, the speed dropped noticeably.

  All the guns were still banging away at the enemy destroyers, but not having a measurable effect.

  Two more shells struck home on the corvette. Lights went out, then the emergency lights came on. “All engines are out. Running on emergency power. The upper gun is out of action, so is the forward lower gun.”

  A deep voice boomed out over the speakers. “Heave to and prepare to be boarded.”

  “Heave to. I have no engines.” Resigned, the captain sat back in his chair. The lone cannon he had left was doing no good. “Cease fire all guns. We are being boarded, do not resist.”

  The waiting was the hardest part. A shuttle left the docking bay of the destroyer. It didn’t seem to be in a hurry. If life supports were offline, then the Marines they were sending were guaranteed not to face resistance.

  “Enemy shuttle lining up to dock, Sir,” the helmsman reported. The bridge crew was sitting back, resigned. Only crew members in action were those putting out the fires.

  There was a clank against the hull. The upper hatch burst open and men in full battle gear rushed in. Pointing a blaster at the captain. Merken raised his hands. Soon, they had the surviving crew members rounded up, those who could walk, anyway. They were herded through the hatch and onto the shuttle.

  The captain was singled out and put in normal quarters and not in the brig. The door locked behind him. I’ve had three ships put out of action in three months. That has to be some kind of record.

  Chapter 9

  Delmark Sector

  Battle Ship Icar

  Admiral Merken stared out the front of the ship into the blackness. It was speckled with stars, but they were far apart in this area of the sector. The ship, along with a task force of twenty others, was at full speed.

  Executive Officer Modric walked up and saluted. “Sir, I have this message for you.”

  The admiral kept staring into space. “Read it aloud.”

  Mordic swallowed. He had hoped to hand the message over and then flee. “Corvette Amilart Last seen engaging five enemy destroyers. It was taking heavy damage. Crew suspected to have been captured or perished.”

  The admiral lowered his head. “He was my only son.”

  “He fought well, Sir.”

  The admiral stood up straight and stiffened. “So will we. So will we.” Turning to the helmsman he said, “ETA on the enemy fleet.”

  “Two hours and thirty-seven minutes. They are headed straight for us.”

  “Sir, shouldn’t we wait for the third fleet before we engage?” the executive officer asked, almost pleading.

  “No, the enemy will have taken over half the sector by the time the third fleet can get here. We will attack and hope for a miracle. If for nothing else, then to honor my son.”

  The officer paled. He knew there was no hope of victory. The whole crew knew that. They were outnumbered. Even if the numbers were equal, Emor’s ships were modern and outclassed the old imperial ships in every way.

  “Yes, Sir. To glory or death.” It was the old imperial motto Admirals loved to hear. The executive officer was feeling ill, so he excused himself.

  The admiral clenched his jaw. What did he have without his career? If the enemy captured the sector, he would be nothing, a mere civilian, maybe even a prisoner of war. He would not let that happen. It was his time for glory. It was time to avenge his son. To glory or death. It would be his last hurrah.

  “Enemy fleet increasing speed,” the helmsman called out.

  “Ignore the destroyers and smaller ships, attack the capital ships only,” the admiral ordered. It was relayed to the fleet.

  He watched the enemy’s approach in the overhead display. Their ships loomed larger and larger. Flashes appeared as they opened fire.

  “Enemy in range, Sir.” The helmsman's voice was an octave higher than before.

  “Fire at will.”

  The ship shuddered as the pulse cannons opened up. Merken watched as hits were scored on the nearest battleship. A thud hit his hull. It shook the Icar violently.

  “Damage report,” the admiral barked.

  “Hit midship, fire control is on the way down there.”

  As the distance between the fleet grew smaller, more thuds echoed through the ship. He no longer asked for individual reports.

  “Sir, we must retreat. We’ll be destroyed.” The pale executive officer pleaded.

  “Maintain course and speed. Keep firing.” The admiral ignored him.

  “Sir, a group of enemy destroyers has come around and are behind us. They are attacking from the rear.” The helmsman reported.

  “Ignore them. Attack the capital ships.”

  He was knocked off his feet by a powerful hit. Scrambling back up, with the help of a crewman he brushed himself off.

  “Upper battery is out of action. Destroyers attacking the engines.”

  “Keep firing.”

  The thuds were constant, but they were having an effect on the enemy. Two of their battleships weren’t moving. One of the carriers had dropped off the pace. Another large explosion sent him back to the deck. He looked for the crewman who had helped him up last time, but the man was lying dead, in a pool of blood. Looking around the bridge, Merken saw holes in many of the panels. He regained his feet.

  “Sir, we must retreat.” the executive officer screamed!

  A crash ripped through the room. Then a sheet of flame followed. Pieces of the executive officer flew past him. Merken felt a sharp pain in his leg, as he fell down again.

  The room was full of smoke, but a medic somehow found him. Wrapping a tourniquet around his leg, the man said, “That will have to do.” He then disappeared through the cloud.

  The admiral lay on the deck in agony. He couldn’t see anything because of the smoke. He coughed and coughed, then passed out.

  Chapter 10

  Keldar Sector

  Hospital Ship Clementia

  The admiral tossed and turned, moving caused pain. Awaki
ng with a start, he looked around the room. He saw someone sitting by the side of his bed. “Son?”

  “Yes, Dad, I’m here.”

  The admiral tried to sit up and hug his son, but couldn’t. Captain Merken stood and hugged him instead.

  “I’m so glad you’re alive. What happened to me?”

  “You made a massive attempt. The enemy had no idea you would charge straight into the middle of them. You took out four battle wagons and a carrier. Unfortunately, you’ve been captured.”

  He tried to sit up again, but his son pushed him back down. “Your leg, Dad. It’s gone.”

  The admiral heaved a sigh. “And my fleet?”

  “It’s gone, too. Destroyers circled around you while you were engaging the big stuff. Hammered your ships from behind. Your fleet was trapped and cut to pieces. You’re lucky to have survived.”

  “No, I’m not lucky to have survived.” The admiral stared at the ceiling.

  “It’s not the end of the world. Emor treats us well.”

  The admiral furrowed his brow. “How were you captured? I thought you were dead.”

  “All my guns were knocked out of action and my engines were destroyed. Life support was failing. When my ship was boarded, I told my crew not to resist. I didn’t want them to get slaughtered.”

  The admiral settled back down in his bed. “A wise decision. I’m proud of you, Son.”

  “I’ve lost three ships in as many months. I’ll never captain again.”

  “What will become of us, a prison of war camp on some desolate planet?”

  “They have us in a space station. Some of the men have been hired in the shipyards on Andaria Major. They patched up all your ships they captured. What was left of them, anyway. Most are space dust, though. They are also patching up Emor’s fleet. The one you damaged.”

  “My men? My men are aiding the enemy?” The admiral’s face reddened.

  “There was never any hope that we would last long in this war anyway.”

  “The third fleet, is it still intact?”

  The captain snorted, “Yes, it’s hard to destroy a fleet that turns tail and runs.”

  The admiral’s eyes widened. “I thought they were on the way to back me up?”

  “No, at the first news of the enemy invasion, they bolted. They never had any intention of coming to your aid.”

  “So, Admiral Iderious is a coward.”

  “It would seem so. No one knows why he doesn’t attack. Emor’s fleet is weak now that its capital ships have all been damaged or destroyed.”

  A nurse came into the room. “Oh, you’re awake. I’ll tell the doctor.” She hurried off.

  Soon the doctor, with an oddly dressed man wearing many clashing colors, walked into the room. Captain Merken left.

  “How are you feeling admiral?”

  “Torn to pieces.”

  “I didn’t ask how you were, I asked how you feel.” The doctor smiled at his own joke.

  “Numb.”

  “Numb is good.”

  The weirdly dressed man stepped toward the bed. “That was some feat you pulled off.”

  “Just doing my duty.”

  “Your duty must be different from that of your prince, then. He’s left the sector.”

  “Prince Asat is gone?”

  “Fled to his half-brother’s, the grand duke’s, home planet.”

  The admiral stared into space. He didn’t know how to process the news.

  “I need an old salt like you.”

  Cocking his head, the admiral asked. “Who are you?”

  “I should have introduced myself. I am Emor.”

  Merken stared wide-eyed.

  “I know I can’t have you until your prince surrenders. You’re honor bound to serve him. His surrender will come at any time. He’s giving his last fleet to the grand duke and abdicating. He thinks by doing that, it will deter me. He may be right. After he surrenders, though, you can join me.”

  “I’m all broke up.”

  “We’ll stick a robotic leg on you. In a few weeks. you’ll be good as new. I need men like you. Men who aren’t afraid to attack. I have a fleet without an admiral. I want you to lead it.”

  “I’ve only ever served Prince Asat.”

  “He’s weak. His rule is over. It’s time to face reality. I thought you would be glad to get back in the fight. You and that young captain who took on five of my destroyers. He only gave up when it was hopeless. I’ll put him next in command to you. Of course, this will wait until after your prince calls it quits.”

  “I have to think about it.” The thought of serving with his son was enticing.

  “Of course, take your time.”

  Emor turned and strolled out, leaving the doctor there. “You know, you’re the only captured admiral he’s made that offer too. He’s very impressed with you. He’s doing it even though you stopped his takeover of the sector.”

  The admiral nodded.

  The doctor pointed to the wall. “Push that button if you feel any pain, and that one if you need the nurse to come in. I’ll have the surgeon come in tomorrow to fit you for that new leg.” He stepped away.

  Captain Merken came back in. “That was Emor. What did you want? I hope he’s not going to execute you.”

  The admiral smiled. “No, quite the opposite. He’s offered me a job.”

  “A job? What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I’ll think about it.”

  Chapter 11

  Delmark Sector

  Destroyer Balzart

  Captain Iderious whispered, “Hold her steady,” to the helmsman. The ship was running in stealth mode. To reduce the electronic profile, Iderious even had the life support turned down to a bare minimum. The lights were low on the bridge, but turned off on the rest of the ship, except the guns and fire control systems.

  He saw the man’s breath as the helmsman replied. “She’ll be in range in two minutes sir.” He pointed at the enemy destroyer. It was the new type that Emor was building on Andaria Major.

  Superior to all of the old Imperial destroyers, they say. We’ll see about that. Iderious smiled to himself. Any ship taken by surprise is beatable.

  He had to hurry. The message from the admiral said, All ships to be in The Grand Duke’s space at 0800. The prince was about to surrender. The war would be over and the Delmark Sector would be Emor’s for the taking. That gave the captain only six hours to find a destroyer, defeat it, and escape to the Grand Duke’s part of space. Two hours had already gone by. It was a last desperate chance for glory.

  Iderious’ father, the admiral, had turned tail and run. The captain felt the shame of it. Admiral Merken was a hero. He faced a fleet twice his size and forced it back. He must have died in the attack, but his name would be bathed in glory. History would smile down on him for evermore. The captain’s father was labeled coward.

  The destroyer was in range. Iderious drew a deep breath. “Fire all guns.”

  The lights and the life support systems came back on. The Balzart recoiled, reacting to the broadside. The shells struck home on the enemy destroyer. The smaller caliber anti-aircraft guns sparked as they bounced off. The cannons exploded against her hull.

  The enemy turned and trained its guns on the Balzart. The first salvo hit with thundering crashes. The two ships continued to trade fire.

  “Sir, the forward lower gun is out of action,” the helmsman reported.

  “Keep firing, the enemy can’t take much more.” He didn’t know that but said it anyway. I have to be winning, don’t I?

  A direct hit to the hull, right above their heads, sent sparks raining down. The captain looked up through the hole into space. The emergency force field had come on, but he could still see the stars.

  “Engines hit, Sir. Down to half power.”

  “Keep fighting.” He was irritated at the constant bad news. Why couldn’t the helmsman shut up?

  “Main gun out of action, Sir.”

  “It’s hopeless,�
� The executive officer screamed. Iderious hadn’t seen him walk up behind him. “Surrender before you get us all killed.”

  The captain pulled out his blaster. Pointing it at the officer’s chest, he pulled the trigger. A flash blew the XO backward. He lay dead on the floor, his torso gone.

  “To death or glory,” Iderious yelled down at the man. Turning, he barked. “Does anyone else want to defy my authority?”

  “All lower guns are out of action,” reported the helmsman.

  Power failed. All the lights went out and monitors shut off. When the force field failed, the entire bridge crew was sucked into outer space through the hole in the ceiling.

  “Enemy ship has lost all power, Sir.”

  Captain Estovan waved his hand. He could no longer see his helmsman due to all the smoke. He coughed. “Ceasefire.”

  It had been a near thing. When the enemy had come to life, his ship's engines were exposed. The enemy didn’t take advantage, or he would have been dead in the water. He was able to maneuver to a better position. His lower cannons had been knocked out. His upper one was still working, but couldn’t rotate. The captain had to turn the whole ship to get a shot off. If it hadn’t been for the thick hide of the new destroyers, he would be dead right now.

  “Send in the Marines in full battle gear. Rescue the survivors.” Estovan thought for a second, “Except their captain. If he’s still alive, leave him. He wanted to be a hero. Let him go down with his ship.”

  Chapter 12

  Andaria Major

  Keldar Sector

  Zedra’s ship flew in and out of the holes on the battleship. Most of the hull planks were removed. He was doing an inventory of the frame. Lee input the information in the data pad as Zedra called it out.

  “Keel beam, two five-foot holes ten and a half feet apart in the forward area. Twenty-two holes in the mid-ships and the aft end of the keel beam is missing.”

  Lee smiled. “Your destroyers really did a number on this ship.”

  “That peg-legged captain wants us to rebuild this hulk. He’s wasting my time. It isn’t worth the effort.” Zedra flew back by the engines to take a closer look. “Not a single retainer ring left intact. That’s it, I’m done. Let’s go report.” The ship turned steeply and flew back to the planet to dock at the spaceport.