The Forgotten Empire: War for the Empire by Raymond Weil (children's ebooks online TXT) 📗

On one of the viewscreens, he saw one of his battleships being hammered by weapons fire. A few fusion energy beams penetrated its energy screen, carving out massive holes in its side, causing pieces of hull material to drift away from the ship. Suddenly an antimatter missile came through the screen and detonated against the ship’s hull. The ship exploded, breaking into three large pieces, with a number of smaller ones floating nearby. Heavy fusion energy beam fire then riddled all the segments, making them lifeless.

-

The battle grew in intensity, as the Morag fleet drew closer. Defensive grid elements were destroyed on a regular basis. The space above Astor was full of brilliant explosions, and soon debris rained down upon the planet.

In the underground Command Center, Governor Stewart gazed at the destruction in orbit. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”

“It’s getting there,” replied General Marley. “We’re losing our defensive grid, though all six ODPs and the two space stations are still fully functional. Most of the warships protecting those facilities are still unharmed as well.”

“How are the evacuations going?”

“Bunkers are nearing 77 percent capacity, and we have a steady flow of people out of the cities.”

Stewart nodded. “Let’s hope we can save most of them.”

“Still don’t want to surrender?”

Stewart shook his head. “No, I will not allow this world to become a part of the Confederation. Not after what they’ve done to our people in the past. I would rather die, and I think most of the people of our planet feel the same way.”

General Marley wasn’t sure of that, but, at least with the deep bunkers, millions of people would survive. Taking a deep breath, he returned his attention to the battle in space. The Morag fleet was almost in range of the large PDC’s weapons. As soon as they were, he intended to have it open fire. This battle was a long way from over.

-

Rear Admiral Anderson flinched, as another one of his battlecruisers was blown apart, and the shattered remains drifted toward the planet. Now a lot of debris gathered around the space station. Some, the wreckage of warships, and some, the debris from the defensive grid that once surrounded the station.

Looking at the viewscreens, he saw a horrifying sight. The screens were full of Morag warships advancing toward his position. With every passing moment the weapons fire intensified. So many explosions occurred that they nearly touched one another. The energy screens on his warships and the space station radiated brighter and brighter, as they took more weapons hits.

“We won’t survive much longer,” commented Lieutenant Proston.

Liam nodded. “I know. Contact all ships and order them, if their weapons capability drops below 30 percent, to jump to the fallback position in the Zenith Seven System.” That should at least save some of his ships.

Lieutenant Proston turned to send the message.

The Lodestone shook violently, tossing the lieutenant to the floor. With a groan, she stood back up. “I’m okay.” She straightened her uniform and then continued to Communications.

Looking at the damage control console, Liam saw a number of red lights. The ship was taking damage, and the damage was gradually degrading the vessel’s combat ability.

“Weapons status?”

“Seventy-two percent,” answered the tactical officer. “The energy shield is at 60 percent, and we’re getting some leakage from the enemy’s weapons.

-

Captain Novak groaned, as another one of his battlecruisers met oblivion in a massive energy burst that resembled a nova. Even the space station was taking some damage now.

Looking at the viewscreen, he saw that most of the defensive grid protecting the planet was now gone. A few Morag missiles entered the atmosphere, but they were intercepted by ground fire and an occasional interceptor missile. So far, nothing had struck the planet. The only defensive grid elements that still survived were those around the ODPs and a few around the space stations.

“Any of our ships that are 30 percent combat capable or less are to withdraw to the Zenith Seven System,” reported the executive officer.

Novak nodded. That was a good decision. It indicated that the rear admiral wanted to preserve as many ships as possible. It was much easier to repair a damaged ship than to build a new one. “See to it. Keep track of the damage our ships are suffering.”

Novak looked at the green icons representing his fleet. He still had both of his dreadnoughts and eighteen battlecruisers. All were taking heavy incoming fire from the Morag fleet.

“We have three battlecruisers that should withdraw,” reported the executive officer.

“Get them out of here,” ordered Novak. Looking at the viewscreens, he did not think this battle would last much longer. The Morag fleet was now at optimal combat range, and damage to his remaining ships would mount rapidly.

-

Morag Admiral Voxx grew angry. He had already lost several hundred valuable warships, and the losses still grew. The ODPs and the two space stations, which were his main orbital targets, still existed and were actively engaged against his fleet. I want more firepower directed at our primary targets, ordered Admiral Voxx. Particularly those six ODPs.

As you ordered, replied First Officer Bale. Changing targeting.

On the ship’s main viewscreen, the energy screens around the ODPs suddenly brightened even more, as more missiles and energy beams struck them.

Yes, that’s better, sent Admiral Voxx. Under this kind of firepower, the ODPs would not last long. Once they were gone, he would turn his attention to the two space stations.

-

Colonel Phillips instantly noticed the sudden increase in firepower directed at his ODPs. “We should have gotten the crews off earlier.” With the kind of firepower now directed at the ODPs, it would be impossible to safely launch a shuttle. “Direct all ODPs to go into full launch mode and get all their missile magazines emptied. We