| |
––––––––
Zulu felt a powerful sense of satisfaction when 4th Fleet emerged from Jumpspace in the Sogas home system. Commanding the newly formed 4th Fleet was an honor bestowed upon him by The CAG himself, and Zulu was quite proud of that accomplishment. His own direct contact with The CAG had confirmed everything that Valkyrie had told him in the old timeline. Humans were a fascinating species, and The CAG was even more so. It was also good to be involved in combat after all those years of waiting while the raider force was built up, one raider at a time. Not all of his raiders were with him now. Two raiders had been sent to each human colony to defend it against the follow-on wave of Sogas ships attempting to infect them. With their lasers and Mark 1b fusion drones, the outcome was a foregone conclusion, but those raiders would remain as sentries to defend the colonies against whatever it was that the Sogas used to infect them later on. That still left 4th Fleet with 302 raiders for this mission.
Even as 4th Fleet decelerated to micro-jump velocity, it was obvious from the long range visuals that the Sogas were ready for the attack, and that was expected. 4th Fleet’s mission was to eliminate the Sogas’ ability to build large spacecraft in large numbers by destroying their entire space-based industrial infrastructure. It wasn’t to bomb them back into the Stone Age. That wasn’t necessary. With their space industry destroyed and a dozen raiders left behind to monitor any attempt to rebuild, the Sogas would become prisoners on their home world. By the time 4th Fleet finished its mission, all Sogas colonies would be in the same state. That meant that the Sogas would still be able to use their own RTC device to send a warning back in time before the attack took place, but it didn’t matter. Having lost hundreds of ships in two attacks on Earth and its colonies, the Sogas couldn’t gather a force large enough to pose any threat to 4th Fleet. The raider superiority in numbers was just too great, exactly as planned.
When 4th Fleet emerged from its micro-jump, it found 66 alien ships waiting for it. Outnumbered by almost five to one, the Sogas forces were quickly destroyed or crippled by laser fire. Over the next five point five hours, every space station, mining, refining and manufacturing operation, shipyard, off-planet habitat and any satellite detected was destroyed. From data gathered in a previous timeline, Zulu knew that the bulk of the Sogas industrial capacity was now gone, and the rest would soon follow. The Sogas would never be allowed to threaten Humanity again. From now on, every star system with a Sogas-inhabited world would always be monitored by raiders. For all intents and purposes, the Synchronicity War was over. Humans 1, Sogas 0.
* * *
4th Fleet returned before Iceman’s message arrived. With the Sogas neutralized, the Oversight Committee wanted to declare a victory, and it was hard to argue against that. The Grand Senate declared an official day of celebration and voted to give both Howard and Shiloh medals. Shiloh wanted to tell the public that if anyone deserved a medal, it was Iceman, Titan and Valkyrie, but Howard talked him out of it.
“This medal is as much for the public’s benefit as it is for you and me. Giving it to a machine the size of a football isn’t going to resonate with the public the same way. Space Force will recognize the AIs’ contribution internally,” said Howard. Shiloh understood but still felt undeserving.
It was 14 days later when Iceman’s message arrived. Howard convened a conference in his office, electronically with Valkyrie and in person with Shiloh.
“So no platinum,” said Howard glumly.
“We still have some that was already commandeered. That’s enough for how many Mark 6s, Valkyrie?” asked Shiloh.
“Ten, CAG. Not even enough to kill one super-mothership.”
“No,” agreed Shiloh, “but it would be enough to kill ten of the smaller model, and ten more weeks means we’ll have several more ready to ship to Midway by the time reinforcements can be expected to show up.”
“We’re talking stopgap measures. From everything you’ve told me, it’s only a matter of time until we can’t stop them at Beta1, and eventually we won’t be able to stop them here either. So what can we do about this? Valkyrie?” asked Howard.
“There are only three logical alternatives, Admiral. Either we steal the platinum we need, or we find and mine a lot more platinum ore, or we come up with an alternative way of killing insectoid superships. Are you prepared to order the forced recovery of the needed quantity, Admiral?”
Howard swore in a low voice. When he was finished he said, “I’ve carefully considered the plan you submitted, Valkyrie. I’m not sure that we could actually pull it off, and even if we did somehow, I think Space Force AND local police forces would both suffer casualties from shooting at each other. There’s also the risk that some Space Force units would simply refuse to obey their orders. No...I’m not prepared to take that alternative at this point. Do we know of platinum rich ore bodies in this or any other star system?”
“Negative, Admiral. All the confirmed ore bodies that are producing platinum are small quantities as a byproduct of other minerals. It would take far too long to produce what we need that way,” replied Valkyrie.
“Then that just leaves the third option. What luck have you had with that, Valkyrie?” asked Shiloh.
“I didn’t know luck was involved in our research, CAG? How does that work?” asked Valkyrie.
Both Shiloh and Howard laughed. “Very funny, Valkyrie. Now how about a serious answer?”
“I’m always serious, CAG, but to answer your question, my brothers and I have come up with a possible alternative. The reason we’re not sure is that it’s something that’s never been tried before and therefore the concept is totally theoretical. As you know, ZPG units extract a tiny fraction of the energy available from the vacuum. Just to give you some idea of the magnitude of what’s involved, the energy within a volume of space the size of your thumb, is estimated to be enough to boil all the oceans on Earth. The ZPG units bleed off as much of this energy as they safely can without being overloaded. Our examination of the wreckage of motherships in the old timeline has revealed that the Insectoids use the same ZPG technology that we do, although on a much larger scale. The Friendlies have conducted experiments that show that a carefully tuned gravity lens beam hitting an operative ZPG unit will cause the unit to attempt to extract all of the available vacuum energy. The resulting explosion of a power unit installed in Dreadnought for example would be measured in the hundreds of megaton equivalent.
What we are proposing therefore is the building of a portable gravity lens beam projector that can be installed in the cargo bay of a raider. The raider will then fire the beam at a mothership. The beam will penetrate deep into the insectoid vessel, but only in a very narrow beam. If the beam hits one of the mothership’s ZPG units, the ship should be destroyed or at the very least crippled. Since we don’t know where a mothership’s power units are, we’ll be firing blind, and multiple shots will probably be necessary to kill the target, but if we have multiple raiders firing at it simultaneously, then the explosion will happen sooner rather than later.”
After a short pause, Shiloh said, “If the concept has been experimentally proven, then what are the challenges?”
“Range and accuracy,” replied Valkyrie. “For any given level of power used, there will be a specific range beyond which the penetration ability of the beam drops off. With the power available on a raider, that range is just over 16,000 kilometers, which is virtually point blank range for the mothership’s laser batteries. If the raiders get that close, they’ll have to be traveling very fast in order to avoid counter-fire, and that will complicate the challenge of hitting the target accurately. Firing at much longer ranges is possible, but then the beam may not penetrate deeply enough to reach the target’s power units. Aiming accurately will also be a problem, however no other approach has this kind of potential for inflicting a deathblow.”
“Will this approach work with the super-motherships?” asked Howard.
“In principle, yes, however if the Insectoids are using many small power units instead of relatively few large units, then the detonation of one power unit might not be enough to cripple the larger mothership. It may be necessary to detonate multiple power units.”
Howard looked at Shiloh and said, “What do you think?”
“I like the idea of blowing up a bug ship from the inside out, but overcoming the range and accuracy limitations will be tricky. Valkyrie and I should do some simulations to figure out the best tactics. We should build at least one prototype weapon here and now to make sure it works. Valkyrie, do you agree with that?”
“Affirmative, CAG. The boys have already designed the schematics and the UFC programming for the parts. Production can begin the instant we get the word.”
Shiloh, still looking at Howard, nodded and Howard said, “You have the word, Valkyrie. How long until the prototype can be tested?”
“I would expect the prototype to be ready to be uploaded to a raider within 14 days, Admiral.”
“Fine. I’ll look forward to seeing the weapon test. Now let’s talk about the other implications of Iceman’s message. Do we know if three bug ships arrived at Beta1 in the previous timeline?”
“Negative. The data generated by the RTC was specific to that particular Insectoid and therefore that particular mothership. There is no evidence that the timeline has been changed from the insectoid perspective, Admiral.”
“That’s a relief. And speaking of RTCs, it’s nice that we have two of them now with the one that was on the timeship. Is that the same RTC that Iceman took with him to Beta1?”
“Negative. When you sent me to Site B in the old timeline to build raiders, I was also instructed to build another RTC for my own use. In hindsight, it was a wise precaution.”
“Yes, well ... sometimes I do make the right decisions I guess. Can Iceman use his to ambush the right mothership at its next stop?”
“Affirmative. He would be using the same technique that Casanova successfully used in a previous timeline.”
“Very good! As soon as the next Mark 6 warhead is ready, we ship it to Iceman by fighter along with additional Mark 6s as they become available. Once we know the GLB cannon works, we’ll send the timeship back and exterminate these bugs once and for all!”
“We’ll have to coordinate Midway’s withdrawal from the ambush system and the raiders’ withdrawal from all Sogas systems before the timeship jumps back,” said Shiloh.
“We will? Why?” asked Howard.
Shiloh was puzzled by Howard’s question. Did he just forget or does he really not care that much about the AIs?
“Unless Iceman and the other AIs now on board Midway, plus all the AIs monitoring Sogas systems are on the timeship when it jumps back, they’ll be erased from existence in the new timeline.”
Howard shook his head in dismay. “How did I forget that? Yes of course we have to bring them back in time. Since it’ll be another ten weeks before Midway can be back here, that means the timeship will have to wait that long too, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, unless we forget about ambushing our mothership altogether and order Midway back as soon as possible. If we send a message to that effect right now, we’ll still have plenty of time to build and test the GLB cannon assuming it works as predicted. If it doesn’t work, and if we can’t get it to work, then bringing Midway back early will cause us to lose our best chance to delay the bugs’ advance.”
Howard was silent for what seemed like a long time. When he spoke, his voice was low. “I wish we had a vision to show us what we should do now. If we withdraw the AIs, then we’ll have a tough time slowing down the bug reinforcements. If the timeship jumps back, that doesn’t matter, but if we can’t send it back with a way to stop the bugs at the Alpha systems, then we need to buy as much time as we can here and now.”
Before he could continue, Shiloh interjected. “IF the Grand Senate lets us.”
Howard raised his eyebrows and said, “Ha! You’re right. The GS thinks the war is over, and Space Force can be reined in now. I can just see it if I went in front of them and told them that we’re threatened with extinction by giant ships full of huge ant-things! It would sound too much like a pathetic attempt to keep the quote empire unquote that I built during the war with the Sogas. If we tried using human crews to keep the Bugs busy, the OC would notice and ask awkward questions. I hate to say it, but I don’t see any way of slowing down the Bug advance without some AIs being involved, and I’m not prepared to let the Bugs keep advancing on the assumption that the new cannon will work and the timeship will jump back okay.”
Shiloh thought fast. “Valkyrie, do you think some of your brothers would be willing to volunteer to stay in the here and now to fight the Bugs even knowing that a successful time jump will end their existence?”
“I’ve just asked them and sixteen have volunteered, CAG.”
Shiloh turned to Howard and said, “There’s your answer, Admiral. With some careful planning, we could keep the pressure on the Bugs with sixteen AI volunteers for the length of time needed for all the other AIs to get back here and board the timeship.”
“Valkyrie, you tell those volunteers I’m deeply impressed by their sense of duty and devotion to the defense of Humanity. I’ll let you two plan their deployment and the recall of Midway. Unless someone has something else to discuss, I think we’re done for now,” said Howard.
Shiloh and Valkyrie put they heads together and quickly came up with a plan that Howard approved. Message drones would be used to recall raiders from Sogas star systems. There was enough time for two fighters piloted by volunteers to leave immediately, proceed independently to Beta1 and get there before the ten weeks were up. Once there, they would take possession of the Mark 6 warhead drones and wait until the end of the tenth week before using them against the bug motherships. Midway would return as soon as the volunteers took over the ambush. As additional Mark 6 warheads are built, more volunteers would carry them to Beta1 to be used at the most opportune time. Parts for additional GLB cannon would be produced while waiting for Midway’s return. If the weapon test was successful and the Tempus Fugit took all the other AIs back in time, then the additional parts would not be needed, but if the jump back failed for some reason, then the extra cannon would be mounted on raiders, and Howard would try to clandestinely arrange for more AIs to be created to pilot them.
* * *
Shiloh stood beside the Command Station on Resolute’s Bridge and watched the main display. Three unpiloted F1 fighters were being used as targets for the first test of the GLB cannon. Casanova was piloting the raider carrying the cannon prototype and was flying in formation with Resolute at a distance of just 10 kilometers. Shiloh could hear Casanova over his implant.
“Casanova to CAG. Weapon is online and all systems show green. Ready to commence charge sequence when you give the word, CAG.”
“You have the word, Casanova,” said Shiloh.
“Weapon is charging. Ready to fire in...three...two...one...”
On the main display, the star field was obliterated by a searing blue-white light that quickly expanded and then just as quickly died away.
“Target One hit and destroyed. Detonation yield within the estimated range of 100 to 300 kilotons,” reported Casanova.
“Very good, Casanova. You are clear to fire at Target Two at your discretion,” said Shiloh.
“Roger that, CAG. Weapon is recharging. Target Two has been acquired. Firing in...three...two...one...”
This time the burst of light was smaller, which Shiloh knew was farther away. The third test was the key. An F1 fighter was a very small target compared to a 10 km mothership, but it was at a distance where the apparent size of the fighter would be the same as the apparent size of the mothership when it was much further away.
“Target Two destroyed. Detonation yield in the same range as for test number one.”
“Fire on Target Three at your discretion, Casanova. Take your time. There’s no rush,” said Shiloh.
“Understood, CAG. Target has been acquired. Weapon is recharging. Firing in...three...two...one...” The flash now was barely noticeable at this range.
“Target Three has been destroyed. Detonation yield in the same range as the other two tests. The prototype appears to work, CAG.”
“Yes it does. Good work, Casanova. Let’s head back. CAG clear.”
“At least now we know that insectoid motherships can be killed without Mark 6 warheads,” said Valkyrie.
“Under carefully controlled conditions, yes,” replied Shiloh.
“You’re not happy with the test results, CAG?”
“On the contrary, I am, but they are only tests. The targets were moving at a very slow speed, and their positions were known perfectly. Casanova’s raider was moving on the same vector as the targets, so there was no relative motion to have to compensate for, all conditions that are unlikely to occur in the field.”
“That’s correct, CAG, but a mothership will reflect a lot more sunlight than a fighter does, and therefore should be easier to track. Relative motion may also be a good thing. The beam fired by the cannon lasts for a hundredth of a second. At the distances that are likely to be realized, even a low speed will cause the target to move enough during that time frame so that the beam will actually cut a line through the target. That will improve the odds of hitting a power unit.”
“Yes, I’d forgotten about that. Thanks for reminding me. You and Casanova have every right to be pleased with yourselves,” said Shiloh.
“Oh we are, CAG but just between you and me, I’d prefer it if Casanova was a little LESS pleased with himself. He tends to brag you know.”
Shiloh laughed. “No I didn’t know that. You have my sympathies, Valkyrie.”
“Thank you, CAG. He may not be perfect, but I think I’ll keep him anyway. Have you made a decision about pursuing Commander Kelly yet, CAG?”
Shiloh laughed again. “Well if you must know, I’ve decided to wait. When you take the timeship back, the timeline will change again, so I don’t see any point in pursuing a relationship with Commander Kelly right now. If you can get a message to me in the new timeline, then go ahead and suggest that I pursue her, okay?”
“Roger that, CAG.”
