Final answer, p.1
Final Answer, page 1
part #9 of The Descendants War Series
Final Answer
The Descendants War
Book 9
John Walker
Copyright (c) 2021 John Walker
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
DISCLAIMER
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This story contains explicit language and violence.
Blurb
The allies of humanity muster for a final battle, an assault on the Kahl homeworld. They gather on the heels of the successful raids conducted by the Triton and the Brekka, ensuring a clean entrance into enemy space. As the armies of many beleaguered cultures come together, they are thrown into a dangerous scenario of harassment and guerrilla tactics.
For the Kahl resistance has worked closely with the allies, promising them a victory with less bloodshed than might otherwise be won. It all comes down to the actions of three teams on specific tasks. If any one of them fails, the entire plan falls through. But if they succeed, a lasting peace may be found.
But many obstacles stand in the way, not the least of which a bitter officer bent on the destruction of the Kahl along with the zealous security forces that will stop at nothing to prevent the invasion forces from achieving their goals. The final battle for the universe begins and it could go either way.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Prologue
The Muse popped into Kahl space with little more than some deck vibration and a hum. Captain Armand Lyman had never traveled so far in a single jump. Their trajectory put them nearly an hour out from their target, the homeworld of their enemy. The escalation to hit them where they lived felt like fitting retribution.
They've already taken too much from us as it is.
Lyman hadn't been involved in the initial refit of the Triton. Nor had he been privy to the fact humanity had encountered aliens until his vessel had been picked as the second battleship to receive serious upgrades. But once he knew, he'd become fully invested in dealing with the enemy anyway possible.
Which primarily came down to study. The Prytins provided hundreds of hours of combat missions to become engrossed in. He watched the video feeds, read the reports, embraced his enemy to the best of his ability. Once they had a chance to face them, he felt confident in a second bout.
And here we are. Ready to give them what they deserve.
Scans continued to tabulate the resistance. The first number to come back suggested forty. Then sixty. The Muse arrived first though only barely. Prytin vessels arrived shortly after. General Trev along with nine other battleships, and forty destroyers. What remained of the Rhulin forces came next, though their contribution was significantly smaller.
The loyalists to the cause mustered two battleships and five destroyers, vessels that refused to run with the rest of their people when they sold out humanity. These were the men and women who wanted to win back their honor with their friends. They were determined to see it through.
The Vorkas arrived next. Their military never matched any of the other cultures already at war. They brought five battleships and ten destroyers along with some support vessels which intended to stay well in the back. They formed up with the Prytins as comms opened across the mustered group.
"This is General Trev. Maintain a loose formation as we approach the target area. The way the enemy has dug in suggests our ploy worked. They weren't waiting for us here. That means we have a chance to push forward to finish them. I know some of you are worried about the fact they have more ships.
"Don't be. We have superior skill, and a real desire to win. Yes, they are protecting their homeworld. That doesn't matter when the majority of your soldiers are slaves being forced to work for a government that does not care about them! Follow my orders, obliterate their fleet, and we will have a victory today. Trev out."
Inspirational enough, Lyman thought. He knows more about this than I do, but these numbers do seem a little intense. Of all the recorded fights he read through, few of them involved such a large numeric advantage. Those that did tended not to win. But there was something to be said about determination.
We don't have a choice but to win. Failure here means we're all dead. These bastards will march straight through our defenses back home, wiping us out. Glory or not, I think we've stuck them in the eye one too many times to get away with it again. Lyman gave the order to pull ahead. Best to fall into our place.
He wondered when the Triton might arrive... or if Titus had survived the raid. However many ships they faced, it might've been overwhelming. Human involvement in the attack mattered. Even if they only fielded two battleships, that was the entirety of their forces for the most part. The high council hoped it would prove their devotion to their allies.
We've already done that, Lyman thought. All the times the Triton's been hopping around the universe helping with their errands, no one can say we haven't been committed to helping.
An energy surge brought more ships to the fight, a single ship warping in. As it popped up behind them, scans showed it was a battleship class from the Dahs people. Records indicated their culture had been wiped out entirely by the Kahl only recently. A single ship remained... and it came to contribute to the cause.
"Welcome to the fight," Trev's voice piped through the comm. "I've already given a speech about our efforts, one I doubt you need, considering."
"My name is Evris Sol aboard the Delgondi. This is our final military vessel. We were on long-range patrol during the final battle of our people. We could not arrive in time. But we are here now. And we will not fail to avenge our people. We relinquish command to you, General Trev and hope you will lead us to a decisive victory."
He's got more to prove than any of us, Lyman thought. The Dahs have been hunted almost to extinction. Humanity had yet to build up a real force to face the Kahl. Only two large vessels and a few destroyers stood any chance. We could be like them very easily. Coming out here for a final stand. In a way, that's what we're doing.
Trev said, "That is what we are here for. The Kahl have reached out, ordering us to depart their space. This is not something they've done before. It indicates concern. Worry. They are afraid of what we can bring down upon them. But their ships are coming to meet us now. Prepare yourselves."
Three minutes to firing range, Lyman thought. We won't get anywhere near their planet for a while.
Kahl weapon platforms came into the frontline first. At least five of them opened fire on the approaching allies, throwing out enough energy fire for a dozen vessels of equal size. A couple of them caught The Muse right in the bow. They initiated evasive maneuvers, pulling up to a higher position before returning fire.
Some of the ally ships needed to buy some more space, get closer. After the first volley from The Muse, all their companions found themselves in a position to assist. The resulting attack chilled Lyman's blood to witness... hundreds of beams, perhaps a thousand, cut through space into their adversaries.
Two of the platforms exploded instantly. They retaliated, knocking out some of the destroyers though Lyman had no idea which side they belonged to. The action turned chaotic, far more so than he ever anticipated. He threw out orders for maneuvers, getting them around to different flanking positions as their allies pressed hard against the front.
Few of their companions seemed to be ready to move beyond their line. They continued to advance, pushing hard against the Kahl defenses. This caused some of the smaller enemy vessels to fall back. Do they have reinforcements? Or is this all the force we have to worry about?
The next few hours would answer the question. Only one side would walk away from the conflict. This was the final battle.
***
Haulda clung to the safety bar of the shuttle, his entire body tense. He hadn't been able to relax since they departed the starships and gone into warp. After a lifetime of looking toward the day when the Prophet entered his life, he found himself out of his depth. Traveling through space toward a war in another solar system.
Deilna would have been fine. She feared nothing. I need to cling to her memory as we race toward our destiny. The invasion of Haulda's home ended abruptly. Those who survived on the enemy side fled, boarding shuttles. This sudden departure gave his people a chance to recuperate and regroup.
Though none of them knew what happened next. Their allies left as well, escaping the moment they had the opportunity. With all the starships gone, Haulda had no idea what to expect. The Prophet should have presented Himself. How long did they have to wait? After so many died, patience was in short supply.
Less than two day cycles saw the arrival of another force in orbit. This time, allies... the Prophet's people! They brought resources to help Haulda's people, to prepare them for their destiny amongst th
"We're here," Sadila's voice brought him back to the moment. Haulda looked into her eyes, taking comfort in her courage. She reminded him of his mate, mostly in temperament. "You look worried. Have you not become accustomed to space?"
"How would I? It's been a short time!" Haulda scowled. "How are you so good with it?"
"Fear is pointless. This is our destiny. I'm embracing it. And will do everything in my power to dedicate whatever remains of my life to make it come true." Sadila slapped him on the shoulder. "Just as you will. Whatever happens on this planet will be glorious. Our names will be remembered."
Unless we lose. Haulda bit his tongue. Sadila ascended to her position so recently, he had a hard time accepting her in the role. She doesn't even consider the possibility of failure. Which makes her good for the role. I simply cannot embrace her optimism. Much as I need to if I want to survive.
A voice piped through the speakers, one they only heard on launch until then. "We're on our approach to the planet's surface. Our allies have engaged the defense forces. I'll make this as gentle as possible, but I can't make any promises. Not with these satellites in place. So hold on tight and pray. This will be tricky."
I don't know what most of that means, but it sounds terrible. Haulda turned to look out the window, peering at the golden-blue planet they approached. Six shuttles transported his warriors with another six carrying a second group he had not met. The ships spread out until they became distant from one another.
The approach seemed safe enough until red glows appeared all around the planet. A web of beams blasted forth, slicing past the ships as little more than blurs. The shuttles performed evasive maneuvers, darting about erratically as they continued onward. They took a hit... then another.
Each blow shook them with the same force as a seismic event. Haulda did not know the specifics behind how a person died in space. He assumed the explosion would kill him first, but if not, what happened in the vacuum? Sadila likely did not know either. Even if she did, he had no desire to hear it.
It's easier to be ignorant. One of the twelve shuttles exploded to his right. Haulda turned a wide-eyed gaze to the glowing orange ball that winked out moments later. I wonder if that was ours... or theirs... I have no way of determine if I just lost forty friends or not. The thought of so many lives winked out in a second sickened him.
Even the warriors we fought back home didn't have the capacity to kill us so quickly. Not with our shield up. He knew the shuttles carried protection but clearly not potent enough. Of course, the network of satellites they approached seemed particularly devastating, enough that he didn't know how they'd make it through.
Surely, they'll shoot at us even as we pass by them.
The maneuvers made him ill, lightheaded. Haulda held tight until his knuckles ached and his stomach threatened to heave. Thankfully, he had yet to put on his helmet. Others around him vomited, heaving onto the deck. The smell encouraged him to do the same... which worked on his peers.
Half the crew threw up. The others looked queasy. Adrenaline kept Haulda's attention riveted to the window and to their fast approach. They passed the satellites abruptly, hitting the atmosphere hard. The ship reacted to turbulence the same way it did to being blasted. Only this time, the shaking became constant.
Sadila let out a hooting sound, one her fellow sisters echoed. How they found it exhilarating rather than horrible, Haulda had no idea. They were to be envied their insane courage, at least until it got them killed.
Much to his surprise, the satellites did not continue shooting at them, but a new threat came from the surface. Large guns blasted at them, though this time, the shuttles returned fire. Two of them swept ahead, strafing the emplacements. Explosions sent smoke and fire high into the air, mingling with the clouds.
They would be on the ground in less than one minute. Haulda put his helmet on, tensing up as the HUD appeared. A variety of information filled the small screen before each of them shrunk down to occupy the borders. He didn't know what half of them meant, even though the techs on the ship programmed it for his language.
The shuttle raced toward the ground as other ships blurred by, some in aerial combat while others burned. Explosions dotted the landscape as bits of debris slammed into the dirt, obscuring the view with a dirty haze. Their objective was the military base just to the right, where some buildings already smoldered.
Why do we have to land if these ships can cause so much damage?
"We're coming in hot!" The descent made Haulda's head spin. He became dizzy. The HUD flashed red, some kind of warning he didn't understand. Forward thrusters cut in, slowing them abruptly. His harness held him tight, forcing him back into the seat as they slowed... coming dangerously close to the ground.
The ramp dropped. Sadila removed her safety belt, screaming for the sisters to follow her. Haulda did the same, shoving aside nausea and disorientation. He felt like he might collapse if he stood so he clung to the safety rail, making his way toward the exit, into smoke and dust.
A strong breeze whipped up the haze, making it swirl into waist high twisters. Sadila's force moved toward the gate, firing their weapons as they ran. Other shuttles descended around them, dropping off the rest of their forces. Soldiers protecting the walls fell as they were cut down.
The larger guns struggled to turn, moving slowly to confront the new threat coming directly at the gates. Shuttles swept over them, taking another two out before veering off for cover. Smaller vessels came screaming into the fray, opening fire on the transport ships. Two went down, fortunately after deploying their soldiers.
Rocks flew through the air, energy beams cut into the ground, turning the field into utter chaos. Haulda continued his charge, running alongside others. He screamed for them to separate, to keep a reasonable distance between them. They were easy targets when grouped together, a fact he witnessed as three men went flying from one explosion.
The sounds of gunfire cut through his helmet. Combined with the communication chatter, he struggled to keep his head clear. Running headlong toward a fortified position was difficult enough without constantly feeling disoriented. He didn't know what to respond to, or what mattered.
"We're at the wall!" Sadila shouted, "form on me so we can breach!"
Of course she made it. They have more zeal than I anticipated. Haulda swept his gaze over the area, stopping on the five forms pressed against the outer barrier. Two others joined them, presumably with charges. He was still several hundred yards away. Gunfire kept him from crossing toward them, instead moving to the opposite side of the gates.
The battle overhead turned loud as another shuttle exploded. Haulda felt the heat through his armor, the concussion from a reactor going up. The explosion must've been less than five hundred feet away, perhaps close. He stumbled, nearly falling to the ground when he tripped on a rock.
As he regained his balance, his eyes widened as he nearly collided with his objective. The wall loomed ahead, a good twenty feet high and solid concrete. Others joined him, at least fifteen of his own soldiers making it through the carnage. Behind them, a trail of bodies littered the battlefield, maybe twenty down.
Fallen brothers, lost to this war. Haulda shook it off. "Sadila! Do you have the charges set?"
"They're going off now!" Sadila cried, "get over here! We can make it through the breach! Stay close to the wall or they'll get you from above."
Hugging the cover, Haulda waved at the others to follow him. The ground quaked as smoke burst into the air where Sadila had been. Stone fell inside, giving them access to the base proper. As he and his men approached, enemy soldiers came spilling out into a crossfire, taking heavy fire from all sides.
Pushing them back into the breach, Sadila and Haulda met on opposite sides of the hole as their people continued to lay down suppressive fire into the base. The two exchanged a look... each nodding.
