First Strike - An Earth@War Novel
Chapter 4

Apartment Building 14

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0445 Local, 1125 UT

Andrew’s alarm clock went off at 0445 waking Kaitlyn and him. He reached over and shut off the alarm.

“Already?’ a tired Kaitlyn asked.

“You can sleep in,” Andrew said giving her a kiss.

“And miss my last day of sending you off to work? I don’t think so,” she teased. Andrew and Kaitlyn both had the weekend off and she would return to duty on Monday. “Get ready. I’ll start the coffee,” she told Andrew.

Andrew admired Kaitlyn’s naked body as she slid out of bed and put on a robe. By the time Andrew went to the head and got dressed, Kaitlyn had the coffee poured and English muffins ready since neither of them were big breakfast eaters. I could get used to this, thought Andrew.

“Do you need the vehicle today?” Andrew asked as he bit into a muffin.

“No. I am going to relax and enjoy my last day off. I’ll make you dinner though,” she replied.

“We could eat out,” Andrew offered.

“No. This is the first week I have ever got to do the domestic thing and I kinda like it.”

“I’m glad you do. I can’t wait until you are my wife,” Andrew said sipping his coffee.

“Me neither,” Kaitlyn said glancing down at her ring.

“Well, I better head in,” Andrew said, smiling and pleased that Kaitlyn was so happy. He loved watching her look at her ring. She thought he didn’t notice, but he did. He didn’t want to say anything because he was afraid it would embarrass her and she would stop doing it. Kaitlyn walked him to the door and gave him a kiss goodbye.

Andrew arrived at Fourth Fleet Headquarters at 0530. He retrieved the dispatches and began reading. The third message he read stunned him.

250524870841U

From: Commanding Officer, ESS Argentina (D‑868)

To: Commander, Fourth Fleet

Subj: Action Report

1. On May 25, 2487 at 0834 UT, lookouts and sensors noted

a ship exiting Stealth Mode for a period of approximately

three seconds and then return to stealth mode inside the

Kylar system.

2. ESS Argentina, on my authority and in accordance with

message 220524871402U, fired four missiles at said ship

with negative impact.

3. ESS Argentina is remaining in the area in an attempt to

relocate the stealth ship.

Why wasn’t I notified? Didn’t we just address this with the message about Mexico hitting the stealth ship. The Admiral himself had told the clerks that we should be alerted to anything of this nature. So why? Andrew asked himself as he checked the time. The message was almost four hours old! He connected to Admiral Morris’ home on the comm unit.

“Yes, Wilson?” the Admiral said.

“Admiral, you are needed here, sir,” Andrew said using a phrase that would relay the urgency to the Admiral and allowing Admiral Morris to know it wasn’t something to be discussed on an open comm unit.

“On my way,” the Admiral replied understanding that Andrew would not be wasting his time if it wasn’t something urgent.

Barracks 2nd Platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment

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May 25, 2487, 0530 Local, 1210 UT

Max Finley was awoken when Sergeant Steve Wesley sounded reveille at 0530. Max was well settled into his platoon after just a few days. Although he wasn’t as close to anyone as he was with Dave and Phil, he got along well with the other troopers of his platoon and was considered a good trooper. The routine was still military, but far less high paced and stressful than bootcamp. He found himself enjoying the life of a trooper as much as he had anticipated.

“Everyone, outside and ready for chow in fifteen minutes,” Sergeant Wesley said.

Max made his way to the head, relieved himself and then splashed water on his face.

“Early mornings suck,” a trooper beside at the sink said.

“Yeah, but it’s better than bootcamp,” Max replied. It was common on Mars, during training to be woke up at 0300 or 0330.

“True,” the trooper said.

Max made his way out of the head, dress in his fatigues and put on his boots, then he headed outside. A few minutes later, the platoon was in formation and marching to breakfast.

Headquarters Fourth Fleet

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0550 Local, 1230 UT

Admiral Morris arrived at the office and Andrew handed him the Action Report from Argentina. Then, Andrew poured the Admiral a cup of coffee as Admiral Morris read the message. The concern on his face as he read was apparent to Andrew.

“This is four hours old. Why wasn’t I notified when it came in?” the Admiral asked, face red with anger.

“I don’t know, sir. I contacted you as soon as I received it,” Andrew said.

“Have we heard anything else from Argentina?”

“No, sir. I just checked.”

“Well, if there was a stealth ship, it is long gone by now. Send a message ordering her to dock. And have someone from Intelligence and check her sensor data and see what they think,” Morris ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Andrew replied as he sat down to prepare the message.

ESS Argentina (D-868)

Kylar System

May 25, 2487, 1241 UT

Argentina received the message to break off and dock at 1241 UT. Ensign Singleton was relieved to hear this. Long after the adrenaline rush wore off, the realization hit that his ship had fired upon another ship. That ship could have fired back and that was a sobering thought. We could have started a war, he realized.

At 1318, Argentina approached Dock 4B orbiting over Kylar II. The ship was now under the steady hand of her Captain.

“Port thrusters to half,” Captain McCollum ordered.

“Port thrusters to half, aye, sir,” the helm responded. The helmsman was a 26-year-old female crewmember who was qualified as a Master Helmsman., allowing her to perform difficult maneuvers, such as docking or underway replenishing.

“Main thrusters stop,” the Captain called out.

“Main thrusters stop, aye, sir,” the helmsman replied, her fingers dancing expertly over the controls.

“Secure port thrusters.”

“Secure port thrusters, aye, sir.”

“Extend docking clamps one and four,” Captain McCollum ordered the First Lieutenant who pressed a button on a separate console.

“Docking clamps one and four extended and locked onto the dock,” the First Lieutenant announced.

“Very well. Extend docking clamps two and three,” the Captain said.

“Docked,” the Boatswain Mate of the Watch announced over the intercom as he flipped switches that changed the pattern of Argentina’s running lights to indicate to surrounding ships and spacecraft that she was docked and therefore unable to maneuver.

“Connect the tubes,” the Captain ordered the First Lieutenant once docking clamps two and three were secure. The tubes were extended to create tunnels to permit movement of people and material between the ship and the dock.

“Ensign Singleton, set your watch on the quarterdeck,” the Captain ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Al said. He led the Petty Officer of the Watch and the Messenger of the Watch off the bridge. It took four minutes for them to make their way to the quarterdeck adjacent to the forward tube. Once they were in position and ready, Al had the Petty Officer of the Watch announce over the intercom, “The Officer of the Deck has shifted the watch from the bridge to the starboard quarterdeck.

The Petty Officer of the Watch opened the door to the tube. Two First Class Operation’s Specialists stepped from the tube to the quarterdeck and saluted Al. “Request permission to come aboard,” they said in unison.

“Permission granted,” Al said returning their salute.

“I’m from Fourth Fleet Intelligence and I need to speak with the Captain,” the taller of the two men said. Al contracted the Captain who met the two and took them to the bridge. Twenty minutes later, they left with copies of Argentina’s sensor data. Al was slightly nervous knowing that they would be reviewing the data. Was there any indication of a stealth ship prior to it appearing? If so, are they going to question my ability on the sensor display since I didn’t catch it? Al wondered. He knew that if they found anything that he should have seen, the least he would receive would be a Letter of Reprimand. That would be a fine start to my career.

Fourth Fleet Headquarters

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0656 Local, 1336 UT

Admiral Morris was smoking a cigar in his office when his comm unit chimed. “Yes, Wilson?”

“Sir, Fleet Intelligence confirmed Argentina’s findings. There was indeed a stealth ship and none of ours were in the Kylar system at the time,” Andrew said.

“Very well. Send Rear Admiral Kilgallon in,” Morris replied as he puffed on the cigar.

“Aye, sir,” Andrew replied. He turned to Kilgallon and nodded, then Kilgallon got up and headed for the door.

“Frank, come in and have a seat. I assume you’ve heard about Argentina’s encounter this morning?” Admiral Morris asked as Kilgallon sat down.

“Yes, sir. I found out after I got in. Someone should have notified me immediately,” Kilgallon said.

“That makes two of us,” the Admiral replied. He pressed a button on the comm. “Bring us coffee, Wilson.”

“Aye, sir,” came the reply.

“So, two things. First, we need to find out why neither of us were notified when this message came in. We can’t allow this to happen again. This is the second time it has happened this week,” Admiral Morris said.

“I agree, sir,” Kilgallon said as the coffee arrived. Andrew poured two cups and left the room.

“Secondly, I think we need to deploy a couple of destroyers in the system to watch for any additional stealth ships. It is obvious that Batron is operating them both here and in the Omar system.”

“I have been considering that myself and am concerned. A stealth ship operating inside a system will be incredibly hard to find. Inside a system, they would be on thrusters only and operating at that slow of a speed…hell, I don’t know. It would be tough,” Kilgallon said.

“How did Argentina spot it?” Admiral Morris asked sipping his coffee.

“I hate to say this, but mostly luck. We’re not sure why the ship went into normal mode briefly, and I do mean briefly. Apparently just three seconds. Fortunately, Argentina’s Captain had set extra watches and had his forward missile launchers ready. A sharp lookout and a new Ensign on the sensor spotted it when it appeared. They fired two missiles in seconds, but apparently the stealth ship reacted quickly as well” Frank said.

“The carriers are returning tomorrow afternoon. I want some destroyers watching as they enter the system. Our carriers would make a beautiful target for a stealth ship. Let’s get two destroyers underway first thing in the morning. And we’ll send out a few more as the carriers arrive. We’re going to have to come in to make sure that we don’t miss anything. Let’s meet up here at 0800,” Admiral Morris said.

“Aye, sir,” Kilgallon replied formally.

“And tell Evelyn that I’m sorry for pulling you in on a Saturday,” Morris added.

“I will. No reason for me to be the target of her rage,” Frank replied with a laugh.

System Monitoring Center

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0714 Local, 1354 UT

The System Monitoring Center was a non-descript, white, single-story building located in the north western corner of Naval Base Oscar. It was connected to a huge sensor array located on the highest mountain on Kylar II, over 750 miles from the Monitoring Center. The entire Kylar System was monitored from here.

Sensor Technician Apprentice Frank Wieman had just graduated from Sensor Technician School at Naval Base Bravo on Mas two weeks ago. At school, Frank had learned to operate, and if necessary, repair sensor arrays and equipment. But as anyone could tell you, theory was one thing, experience was another. To resolve this dilemma, the Navy had new personnel stand watches “under instruction” of someone more experienced. So, Frank was standing watch under the instruction of a Third Class Sensor Technician, who himself only had a year and a half of experience. For the most part, monitoring the Kylar system was boring. Today, they had watched several ships returning to dock from the fleet exercises, including Argentina. But, unlike Argentina, they didn’t catch the stealth ship on their sensors. The long-range sensors used by the Monitoring Center needed time to detect and plot the position of objects and three seconds just wasn’t enough time.

“That can’t be right,” the Third Class Sensor Technician said as a large group of small dots appeared on the display at the edge of the system.

“That looks like over a hundred spacecraft,” Frank said watching the dots moving into the system rapidly.

“Yeah. It has to be an error in the array,” the technician said as he began adjusting the display to try to correct the problem. “It’s probably just some of the spacecraft returning from the carriers and the array is messing up and plotting them repeatedly.”

Frank thought about this. He had never heard of such a problem and based on his knowledge, while admittedly limited, he could see no way that could happen. Still, he was the one being trained and felt the Third Class Technician may have encountered a similar problem before. Unfortunately, Frank was wrong. “What do we do?” he asked.

“I’ll call it into Intel anyhow just to cover my ass,” the technician said. “Intel, this is the Monitoring Center. We have multiple spacecraft inbound,” he said over the comm.

“Very well,” the Intelligence Officer replied. “It’s probably spacecraft returning from the carriers,” he added confirming the Technician’s thought. The Intelligence Officer was busy reviewing the sensor data from Argentina. His distraction may have been the reason he never thought to ask how many spacecraft had been detected.

ESS Argentina (D-868)

In Orbit, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 1404 UT

Ensign Singleton was on the quarterdeck thinking about how much work he would have during the next week. For such a short deployment, the ship had gone through a lot of supplies, mainly food, and that meant a lot to replenish. These ships used to deploy for six or even nine months, Al thought, shivering at the idea of trying to keep the ship supplied for such a long deployment. Even though it had been almost an hour since she had docked, Argentina still had not shut down her engines and switched to dock power. Al wondered why it was taking so long. In the end, it was a miracle that she hadn’t.

Outside of the ship, forty spacecraft had broken off from a group of 108 and turned toward the ships docked in orbit above Kylar II. Of the 78 ships assigned to Fourth Fleet, 47 were docked at Kylar II at 1404 UT on May 25, 2487, including six battleships, eight cruiser and all eight assault ships. As the Batronian spacecraft approached the dock, they broke into smaller groups and began to fire their missiles. Al was knocked off his feet when one of those missiles hit Argentina on the port side. He rose slowly, trying to figure out what had happened.

“Quarterdeck, CIC,” a voice from the ship’s Combat Information Center said over the comm. “We are under attack! Multiple spacecraft! This is not a drill!”

“Sound General Quarters!” Ensign Singleton ordered the Petty Officer of the Watch whose eyes were wide in surprise. The petty officer moved to the comm unit and selected the intercom.

“General Quarters! General Quarters! All hands man your battle stations! This is not a drill!” he announced, then, pressed a button sounding the klaxon. He then repeated the announcement. Al waited anxiously for the bridge to be manned so that he could move to his own battle station.

“The Officer of the Deck has shifted the watch to the bridge,” Al heard over the intercom after what seemed to be an eternity. He dismissed the Petty Officer and Messenger of the Watch and, heart pounding, began making his way to his Battle Station, which was the sensor display on the bridge. Another explosion rocked the ship as Al arrived on the bridge.

“We need to get underway!” the Captain yelled. “Retract the tubes!”

Al checked the sensor display and was shocked at what he saw. There were spacecraft and missiles everywhere! He glanced out of the bridge windows. Two of the forward 75-mm twin gun mounts were already returning fire. He watched in stunned silence as a Batronian spacecraft exploded from one of their bolts.

“Tubes retracted,” the First Lieutenant reported.

“Unhook all docking clamps!” Captain McCollum ordered crossing the bridge. He approached Al and said, “Report, Ensign.”

“Sir, we have approximately forty spacecraft attacking the fleet. Numerous missiles are still being fired,” Al said as he checked the display. His mind was racing as he attempted to sort through the data and determine if any of the missiles were heading toward Argentina.

“I need a safe course. Find me one,” McCollum ordered.

“Aye, sir,” Al replied automatically. The Chief Sensor Technician assisted Al whose hands were visibly shaking.

“Docking clamps clear,” Al heard someone say.

“Sir, recommend course 216 by 318 when able,” Al said trying to sound confident.

“Very well. Helm come to 216 by 318, main thrusters to full,” the Captain said. He pushed a button on his comm unit. “Damage Control Central, Bridge, I need a damage report.”

“Sir, we have been hit by two missiles. The first missile hit the port side forward. We have fires in the forward crew berthing and the machine shop is venting to space. The second missile hit port side aft. The aft lookout tower sustained heavy damage and is open to space. There are several fires in adjoining compartments,” the Damage Control Assistant reported. “We have numerous injuries and at least twelve crewmembers are missing.”

“Very well,” the Captain replied.

“Captain, two missiles inbound, starboard side,” Al said as he watched the missiles approaching on the sensor display.

Naval Assault Force’s Obstacle Course

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0728 Local, 1408 UT

The obstacle course on Kylar II was located in a secluded area on the eastern side of the Third Division’s compound and was approximately seven miles from the Space Center. Three ground transports had brought Second Platoon of Company A out to the course, each transport carrying one squad. Max was assigned to Second Squad with Corporal Joseph Hanks as Squad Leader. Corporal Hanks was a 22-year-old from Baltimore who had just signed up for his second tour. A fit 165 pounds and sporting a flat top cut, Hanks would be a perfect trooper for a recruiting poster.

Second Squad had just started its run on the course. Although Kylar’s gravity was less than Mars, even a little less than Earth’s gravity, the course was testing Max’s endurance. Max had just climbed on top of a 15’ wall and holding the rope, he swung his leg over the top when he heard the roar of fast moving spacecraft overhead. He looked up and saw dozens of spacecraft flying over the course.

“Hey, those aren’t ours,” he heard someone say as the spacecraft headed for the Space Center. As he watched, Max saw something fall from the spacecraft and then there were several explosions.

“Oh, shit!” Corporal Hanks shouted. “Get off the course and into the transport!”

Max quickly climbed down from the wall, dropping the last five feet. He took off in a dead run for the transport, heart pounding as he heard more explosions in the distance. Batron! he thought as he ran.

Apartment Building 14

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0729 Local, 1409 UT

Kaitlyn was chopping onions when she heard the Batronian spacecraft pass overhead, followed almost immediately by a huge explosion, shaking the four-story apartment building and rattling the windows. Kaitlyn hurried over and looked out of the window thinking that a spacecraft had crashed nearby. As she watched in horror, a missile hit the control tower at the Space Center. She saw bombs falling from other craft as more explosions shook the building.

Sirens began to wail as Kaitlyn ran for the door. Kaitlyn stepped into the hall and saw several people in the hall, mostly spouses of service members and their children. Everyone looked confused and several of the younger children were crying.

“Everyone, get to the ground floor. Use the stairs,” Kaitlyn said leading the group to the stairwell.

Headquarters Fourth Fleet

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0729 Local, 1409 UT

At the sound of the first explosions, Admiral Morris ran out of his office into the reception area where both Andrew and he ran to the window. He saw the spacecraft, the missiles flying and the bombs dropping and his heart fell. They caught us with our pants down, the Admiral thought.

“Oh, God,” Admiral Morris said as the sirens on the base sounded warning of the attack. He regained his composure. “We need to evacuate the building,” he said to Andrew. The Admiral went over and set off the fire alarm knowing that would be the quickest way to get the building evacuated.

Andrew led Admiral Morris to the stairwell and rushed down the steps. Exiting the building, Andrew saw the devastation first hand as the bombs and missiles landed around the base. Fires burned, buildings collapsed and screams could be heard. He looked up and saw two Batronian spacecraft descending toward him. He watched as each of them launched two missiles that seem to pass just feet over his head. All four slammed into the Fourth Fleet Headquarters. The explosions knocked Andrew to the ground knocking the wind out of him and slamming his forehead into the ground.

ESS Argentina (D-868)

Kylar System, Near Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 1409 UT

“Launch decoys, starboard side,” the Captain ordered. “Right thrusters to full. Bow thruster down full.” Captain McCollum was surprised at how it all came back to him. The battles at Masic Point had molded him into a competent officer even in the midst of a battle.

“Decoys away, sir,” the XO said after pressing the button to launch decoys, which emitted heat and electrical activity in an attempt to confuse the sensors of incoming missiles.

“Right thrusters to full, bow thrusters down full, aye, sir,” the helmsman responded.

Al glanced up from the sensor display and out of the bridge window as the ship turned. As the docks came into view, his eyes widened in shock. Ships were burning and docks were heavily damaged as Batronian spacecraft darted about. Bolts from ships and missiles from spacecraft passed each other in space. As Dock 10 came into view, ESS Einstein (B-36), a battleship still connected to the dock by two clamps suddenly exploded. Debris from the ship shot in all directions and Al could hear pieces of Einstein hitting Argentina’s hull. The flash from the explosion was bright enough to force Al to turn his head. He looked back down and saw the two missiles heading toward Argentina disappear from the display and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Captain, the missiles hit the decoys,” Al said. He quickly assessed the information on the display. “Recommend course 221 by 312.”

“Very well. Helm come to 221 by 312,” the Captain ordered. Al felt more confident as the Captain continued to accept his recommendations with question or hesitation.

“Come to 221 by 312, aye, sir,” the helm answered. As the ship turned, the docks passed from Al’s view and the empty void of space filled it.

Apartment Building 14

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0730 Local, 1410 UT

When Kaitlyn descended to the third floor of the building, she exited the stairwell and found a woman struggling with a child, who appeared to be around three-years-old, while carrying infant. The child was screaming and crying as the building shook, sirens wailed and power failed. Kaitlyn ran over and picked up the toddler. The child struggled in her arms, but Kaitlyn refused to let go.

“We have to hurry,” Kaitlyn told the grateful mother as she led her to the stairwell. The odor of smoke was beginning to fill the air causing Kaitlyn to wonder if the building was on fire. Another nearby explosion shook the building and glass shattered somewhere in the building. The girl in Kaitlyn’s arm was trembling and crying, though no longer struggling to get free.

Entering the stairwell, they headed for the ground floor.

Near Fourth Fleet Headquarters

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 032 Local, 1412 UT

Andrew slowly made his way back to his feet. Wiping his forehead with the back of his hand, he discovered he had been cut. Without thought, he wiped the blood on his white trousers. Admiral Morris steadied him and asked, “Are you okay, Wilson?”

“Yes, sir,” Andrew said, although he was dizzy and confused. He looked around watching as a pair of Batronian spacecraft fired missiles into the Headquarters for Carrier Squadron One and the building disappeared into a cloud of smoke and fire. The ground shook as Andrew watched two bombs fall hitting the lot near the base’s commissary.

“How did this happen?” Admiral Morris wondered aloud appearing completely shaken by the attack. This was his command, his responsibility. Yet, I didn’t see it coming. Not today at least.

“I don’t know, sir,” Andrew replied. He was scared as more explosions occurred. He felt like crying. He had been trained and knew that combat was a real possibility in his career, but somehow, he felt overwhelmed and completely unready for the real thing.

Admiral Morris seemed to snap out of his shock and took charge. “I need you to get over to communications and ensure that a message went out broadcasting the attack,” he ordered, confidence returning to his voice.

“Aye, sir,” Andrew said. He ran to his personal vehicle, which, to his surprise, it was undamaged. He began making his way to the Communications Center. At first, he was excited that he could check on Kaitlyn, but then he realized she wasn’t at the center. She was still at the apartment.

Naval Space Center

Naval Base Oscar, Kylar II

May 25, 2487, 0734 Local, 1414 UT

The transport came to a sudden stop and Corporal Hanks ordered everyone out. Max jumped out and looked around. Just minutes into the attack and the Space Center was already heavily damaged. Obviously, the Batronians were trying to prevent any spacecraft from being launched by Earth. The control tower and several hangars were destroyed and burning. A Batronian spacecraft dropped down and released several bombs striking the tarmac and exploding sending debris high in the sky and destroying two of Earth’s spacecraft on the ground.

Inside the Space Center Complex was Earth’s anti-spacecraft missiles and BA-85 anti-spacecraft guns. In theory, they were always on the ready with charge packs standing by.

“Finley, Sabastian, over there,” Corporal Hanks ordered pointing to a BA-75 gun. Max ran toward the gun placement, trailed by Carlos Sebastian, an 18-year-old Private from Houston. As they ran, another spacecraft exploded on the ground, destroyed by a Batronian bomb and adding to the sense of urgency for the two men. They arrived at the large gun. The gun consisted of a gunner’s seat in front of a long barrel. The gun fired a 75-mm bolt up to 5000 yards. Each round was fired by a separate charge so a loader was needed to continuously feed charges into the gun. A good team could fire 40-45 rounds a minute.

“You load,” Max yelled as he slid into the gunner’s seat. He removed the safety guard that covered the trigger and flipped the switch that provided power to the motor that allowed him to rotate and elevate the gun. Carlos opened the case containing the charges for the gun. By the time Carlos loaded the first charge, Max was tracking a Batronian spacecraft. Max fired a round, missing the craft. Not leading it enough, Max thought. He fired again, this time leading it too much. Max fired once again, missing the spacecraft as it climbed out of Max’s range.

Carlos slammed another charge into the gun. He was sweating profusely as he loaded the gun. “Just relax,” Carlos said trying to encourage Max.

Max turned the gun to the left and firing at a spacecraft just as it released its bomb. Max watched as the bolt struck the spacecraft. It turned had right, the pilot trying to recover, then turned over and tumbled out of the sky, crashing near a burning hanger.

“Yeah!” Carlos shouted as the rumble from the bomb rattled the ground around them.

ESS Argentina (D-868)

Near Kylar II

May 2, 2487, 1415 UT

Laser fire shot from Argentina’s gun occasionally hitting one of the Batronian spacecraft. More ships were managing to get underway and Al was trying to keep Argentina clear from both enemy spacecraft and friendly ships. The sensor display was cluttered with dots indicating ships, spacecraft and missiles so that both Al and the Chief Sensor Tech had their hands full.

Out the bridge Window, Commander Pete Williams could see most of Earth’s ships had been hit at least once and most were badly damaged. Several were adrift, some burning and some launching escape pods as the crews abandoned ship.

“Captain, a second wave of Batronian spacecraft is inbound for Kylar II. I count 112 craft,” Al reported.

“Shit!” Captain McCollum shouted as he pressed a button on the comm unit. “Communications Shack, Bridge. Send a flash message to all stations. Second wave of 112 spacecraft inbound.”

Commander Williams came over and studied the sensor display. “Captain, I recommend we move the ship between Kylar II and the incoming craft,” the XO said. “We can’t stop them all, but maybe we can disrupt their formations and throw off their timing.”

“Very well. Give me a heading, Ensign,” the Captain said.

“112 by 290, sir,” Al replied.

ESS London (SCV-7)

Near Kylar System

May 25, 2487, 1417 UT

Lieutenant Commander Christ Davenport sat in the cockpit of his SF-112. He had been the alert fighter along with Don Franklin since 1200 and had watched the flight bay crew run several drills, including a fire drill. He took the time to watch them since he only had one chapter left in the book that he was reading and was trying to save it until just before he was relieved at 1600.

“Launch the alert fighters,” came the command over the comm. Funny, Chris thought as he toggled the switch to close the canopy, I didn’t think they were launching spacecraft for these drills. A twirling finger came from a crewmember and Chris started his LX-15 engines. Minutes later, Chris was racing out of the bay and taking up station above London.

“Charlie Leader, Flight Control. The Batronians are attacking Kylar II. We need you to set up a combat patrol. The rest of your flight will be joining you shortly. This is not a drill. This is not an exercise,” the Flight Controller said.

Oh shit, Chris thought as he responded, “Flight Control, Charlie Leader, copy all,” He switched to the Flight’s comm frequency. “Dreamer, let’s spread out a little until the rest of the flight joins us.”

“Okay, C-Dog,” Don replied, banking left while Chris banked right. Each took up a position ½ AMU from London both shocked at the sudden change in the circumstances. Chris, like all the pilots his age, had no combat experience and while always being trained to prepare for combat, it never really occurred to him until just now that there could be a war. Suddenly, all the jokes about who would get more kills didn’t seem so funny.

“Ensure your weapons are live,” Chris told Don as he toggled his own weapons switch.

“Aye,” Don replied as he flipped several switches. “Weapons are hot.”

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