Earth Fall: Empires at War, page 1
Earth Fall: Empires at War
An Earth Fall Novel
(Earth Fall: Empires at War, Book 3)
By
Raymond L. Weil
USA Today Best Selling Author
Books in The Earth Fall Series
Earth Fall: Invasion (Book 1)
Earth Fall: To the Stars (Book 2)
Earth Fall: Empires at War (Book 3)
Website: http://raymondlweil.com/
Copyright © December 2018 by Raymond L. Weil
All Rights Reserved
Cover Design by Humblenations.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Earth Fall:
Empires at War
Chapter One
Fleet Commander Kamuss looked at the many viewscreens at the front of the Command Center of his flagship the Claw of Honor. Most showed a sea of unblinking stars while a few showed one of the large shipyards which was home to Defense Command. His ship was now fully upgraded with Jelnoid weapons and power systems. It was also a twenty-two-hundred meter battleship, one of the largest warships in the Voltrex fleet. It had been updated for one purpose and one purpose only: to destroy Trellixian battlecruisers.
“Fleet is ready to enter hyperspace,” reported Lieutenant Commander LeLath.
Kamuss took a deep breath. His feline eyes shifted to the tactical display showing the ships of his fleet: twelve battleships, forty battlecruisers, and seventy-six support ships. It had been seven months since the Humans had returned to their system. In that time a fleet had been built for the Humans and nearly sixty percent of the Voltrex fleet fully updated with the new weapons and power systems the Humans had provided. It was now time to take the war to the Trellixians and drive them out of this region of the galaxy. With the Trellixians gone his people would not fear looking up into the sky at night wondering what was out there and if they were about to be attacked. They could also begin colonizing new worlds for their growing population. There were several habitable planets which had already been found by exploration missions.
“What’s the latest report on the Trellixian fleets?”
Zalurr, the sensor officer looked over at the Fleet Commander. “Four fleets within strike range. Since we drove them out of the Bator System, their ships have only been scouting the fringes of our territory. Our scout ships have been keeping track of their ship movements.”
“Our other fleets?” Kamuss knew more Voltrex fleets were standing by to hit the Trellixian fleet formations. This was to be a joint strike in an attempt to eliminate the Trellixian warships in this entire region of space, something he was sure the Trellixians would not be expecting.
“All ready to attack and waiting for our signal.” The Voltrex Federation of twenty-eight star systems were connected through a hyperspace communications system. The star systems were close enough that communication was almost instantaneous with each other as well as their fleets.
Kamuss leaned back in his command chair, taking in a deep breath. This offensive had been a long time in coming. Since the arrival of the Trellixians in Voltrex space a totally defensive war had been fought. Now, thanks to the Humans, the Voltrex were about to go on the offensive.
“We have permission from Defense Command to proceed,” reported Meela from Communications.
Kamuss looked over at Lieutenant Commander LeLath. She had only recently returned from Earth where she had been serving as Captain Dolan’s second officer on the battleship Fury. “Take the fleet out. Inform Fleet Command to contact the other fleets to begin the offensive.”
LeLath nodded and quickly began giving orders. It was time to take the war to the Trellixians.
In space, the 128 ships of the fleet accelerated and then entered hyperspace. Other fleets across the Federation were doing the same as they set course for all known Trellixian fleet formations in or near Voltrex space.
Kamuss felt the Claw of Honor make the shift into hyperspace. It wouldn’t take them long to leave the Bator System far behind. For once there was no fear of a counterattack. Two thousand energy beam satellites armed with Jelnoid cannons protected Bator Seven. In addition sixteen one-thousand-meter battlestations in orbit above the planet ensured the Trellixians could not launch an attack against its four billion inhabitants. All sixteen battlestations were fully armed with Jelnoid weapons including the new station which was replacing the only battlestation destroyed in the Trellixians’ attack on the planet. New fleet units had been rushed to the system to replace those lost in the battle. Every day now, new warships exited the shipyards of the Federation fully armed for war.
Kamuss watched as the viewscreens automatically adjusted to take into account their travel through hyperspace. Stars were visible but if you watched closely enough it seemed as if they were moving. It was actually the ship traveling at several thousand times the speed of light. “How soon before we reach our target?” Kamuss could feel his whiskers quivering from the excitement of going into battle soon .
“Thirty-two hours,” replied Zalurr from the Sensors. “The Trellixian fleet we are targeting is nine light years from the Bator System.”
“They’ve stayed in that system for over four months,” commented LeLath, shaking her head. “Why haven’t they moved?”
“We’re the only Voltrex system they know of,” replied Kamuss, using his tongue to wet his whiskers. “They’ve been keeping us under observation and sending out occasional battlecruisers to scout the space on the edge of the Federation. Fleet Command believes they are avoiding combat due to our new weaponry. They seem to be satisfied in maintaining the status quo. They stay out of our space if we stay out of theirs.”
LeLath let out a low growl. “They should never have come to our worlds. The lizard people are evil and must be dealt with. They have killed too many not to be punished. If we do not attack them now someday they will return with better ships and weapons.”
“And they will be dealt with,” replied Kamuss. “The Humans have already spoken to Fleet Command about future actions against our joint enemy. What we are beginning today is only the first of many battles in our future.”
LeLath was silent for a moment and then stepped closer to Fleet Commander Kamuss. “Have you spoken to your son recently?” She knew Albor was due to graduate from the academy and take his first post on a starship.
Kamuss nodded. “Yes, he is quite excited about his first posting. He’s being assigned to a new battlecruiser that will be exiting the shipyards at Voltrex in another four weeks.”
“And your mate.” LeLath knew Karina was working on board one of the large research stations above the home world.
“She’s not thrilled about it but understands we all have a duty to defeat the Trellixians and end their rampage through the galaxy.” Kamuss had managed to make a trip back home and spend nearly ten days with his mate. Karina had also managed to come to the Bator System for twenty days as well. They still sent messages almost daily to keep in touch.
“Scout ships report the Trellixian fleet is still in the system and has not reacted to our departure from Bator,” reported Meela.
This was a concern of Fleet Command as they were not certain how much surveillance there was of the Bator System. Kamuss and Commander Kallon had spent considerable time discussing this possibility. The Trellixian fleet had to be monitoring the system somewhat or it would not be staying where it was.
-
On the large shipyard inside Defense Command, Commander Kallon watched the tactical displays as Fleet Commander Kamuss’ fleet made the transition into hyperspace and headed toward its target.
“So it begins,” said Castell from Tactical. “I fear this war with the Trellixians is about to greatly expand.”
“As it must,” replied Kallon. “For now we have an advantage with the new weapons technology the Humans provided us. We must use that technology to drive the lizard people as far from our Federation as possible.”
“What about the Humans? They are surrounded by these creatures.”
Kallon remained silent for several long moments. “We will do all we can to defend them. However, they are far away and deep inside the Trellixian Empire. Even with our aid, they may not be able to keep their homeworld. It might be necessary for them to find a new world to settle and call home.”
“It’s a sad thought to lose one’s home world,” replied Castell, trying to imagine what it would be like.
“Better to lose a world than an ent
“The other fleets have jumped into hyperspace,” reported the communications officer. “All of our fleets should launch their attacks within a few minutes of one another.”
Commander Kallon nodded. This was the plan. Superior Voltrex forces would attack all four Trellixian fleets simultaneously. Once they were annihilated hundreds of scout ships would push deep into Trellixian space searching for any additional fleets as well as worlds the lizard people might control. This offensive was designed to push the Trellixians back at least one hundred light years from Voltrex controlled space.
Glancing at one of the larger viewscreens, there was a counter slowly counting down. When it reached zero the attacks would begin. Once they started, the Trellixians would know the Voltrex Federation was not going to allow the stalemate to continue. It would mean the beginning of all out war between the Federation and the Trellixian Empire, a war which was now going to be fought in Trellixian space.
-
Battle Commander Yuld listened with growing concern to the report from a battlecruiser stationed near the Voltrex colony system. In the last hour a large Voltrex fleet had left the system and was believed to be heading toward his fleet.
“Do they dare attack us?” asked Second Officer Gadole, his face showing disbelief and his large eyes opening wide.
Yuld finished talking to the commander of the Trellixian battlecruiser and then turned toward Gadole. “It appears so.”
Yuld looked at a nearby tactical display showing the seventy-three ships of his fleet. In the past he would have felt confident about handling this Voltrex fleet, but now he was not so certain. Before Battle Commander Balforr left for the home world he had cautioned Yuld about underestimating the Jelnoid weapons the Humans had provided the Voltrex. Yuld knew there was some truth to this or the Empire would not have ordered the fleet to cease all offensive actions against the Voltrex. He was also well aware of the losses Battle Commander Balforr had suffered in the Voltrex colony system.
“Prepare the fleet,” ordered Battle Commander Yuld. “We will engage this Voltrex fleet to see if it does indeed possess advanced Jelnoid weapons. If we cannot achieve victory, we will retreat and inform the High Command.”
“We have seventy-three battlecruisers!” proclaimed Gadole. “Surely that is enough to destroy this enemy fleet.”
“In the past, yes,” replied Battle Commander Yuld, his large eyes narrowing. “Now I am not so certain. Since the advent of the two Human ships in this sector of space, our fleets have suffered a number of unexpected reversals.”
-
Fleet Commander Kamuss stepped into the Command Center and took his place in the command chair. Around him the Command Center hummed with activity.
“Fleet will be exiting hyperspace in forty minutes,” reported Lieutenant Commander LeLath. “Our scout ships report the Trellixians have placed their fleet in a globe formation and appear to be waiting for us.”
Kamuss let out a deep sigh. He had hoped they would be able to surprise the lizards, but it appeared they were aware of his fleet. No doubt one of their battlecruisers must have observed the fleet’s departure from the Bator System. “Take the fleet to Battle Condition Two. We’ll go to Battle Condition One just before we drop out of hyperspace.”
Kamuss leaned back in his command chair as he studied the tactical display. Several scout ships were sending back information on the Trellixian fleet. It was a large fleet and one he would not have dared attack a year ago. However, now with the new Jelnoid weapons the situation was different.
“Diboll, we will drop out of hyperspace sixty thousand kilometers from the Trellixian fleet. According to our Human friends, our new missiles greatly outrange the effective range of any Trellixian weapons. We will close to fifteen thousand kilometers and then launch a full scale missile attack. We will fire 30 percent of our missiles and then close to energy weapons range.”
A low growl came from Diboll who was the tactical officer. “If these new missiles work as well as the Humans claim, the missiles themselves might very well wipe out the Trellixian fleet.”
“Let us hope so,” replied Kamuss. The missiles had not been available when the Trellixians attacked Bator Seven. He was anxious to see their effectiveness. He knew they were very powerful.
“I’ve seen these missiles in use within the Humans’ home system,” Lieutenant Commander LeLath said. “They are quite deadly.”
Kamuss stood up and walked over to the tactical display, gazing at the latest data from the scouts. The Trellixians were staying in their globe formation. That was fine as far as he was concerned. If they stayed in that defensive formation, he would destroy them.
-
Battle Commander Yuld watched impassively as the Voltrex fleet emerged from hyperspace sixty thousand kilometers from his fleet. Alarms were sounding and red lights flashing indicating battle was imminent.
“Turn those off,” he growled, showing his sharp teeth, his large eyes narrowing. His green skin was paler than normal as he glared at the red threat icons appearing in the tactical display. “Give me the power readings on those vessels.”
“Nearly off the scale,” reported the sensor officer. “Definitely Jelnoid technology.”
Yuld let out a deep breath. For decades the High Command had feared someday running up against a star faring species with advanced weapons. Now it seemed, thanks to the Humans, that threat had materialized. “All ships prepare for combat. We will test the weapons on those ships. If they are superior to ours, we will withdraw.”
“Withdraw?” said Gadole in shock. “We are Trellixians. We do not retreat from battle.”
“We are also not fools,” retorted Yuld, displeased with Gadole’s response. “If Jelnoid weaponry is loose in the galaxy our entire Empire could be in danger. That information must get back to the High Command.”
“I stand corrected,” replied Gadole stiffly. “We are ready to engage the enemy.”
Yuld looked back at the tactical display, seeing the Voltrex fleet was moving rapidly toward his ships. Combat would begin shortly. He drew in a deep breath. Very soon they would be engaged in battle.
-
On board the Claw of Honor.
“Nearing missile range,” reported Zalurr.
“All ships, stand by to launch missiles,” ordered Fleet Commander Kamuss, leaning forward in his command chair. He felt his claws extend and glancing down forced them to retract. It was a primitive reaction which was instinctive.
“Missile range!” called out Lieutenant Commander Lelath from her station.
Kamuss felt the Claw of Honor shake slightly as sublight missiles left their tubes to accelerate toward the waiting Trellixian warships.
“First missiles away,” reported Diboll. “Second wave loading in the tubes.” The ship shook again as the second wave launched.
-
Nearly twenty-eight hundred missiles were inbound toward the Trellixian fleet. Each missile was armed with a forty-megaton warhead. The Trellixian fleet opened fire with their secondary energy cannons as soon as the missiles were in range in an attempt to destroy them. Space lit up with hundreds of energy beams. Bright flashes of light indicated the successful interception of hundreds of missiles. However, at their high speed they were in range for only a few seconds. The space between the two fleets lit up in bright explosions as the small missiles were destroyed. However, over two thousand passed through the defensive fire in two separate waves.
The first missiles reached the Trellixian globe formation. Space was suddenly full of light as the missiles detonated against Trellixian energy screens. The entire forward section of the Trellixian fleet formation seemed to vanish under the sudden release of tens of thousands of megatons of explosive energy. Ship shields wavered and started to go down. Others vanished instantly under the onslaught. In both situations, the ships they protected vanished as their structures were vaporized by the tremendous energy they were pummeled with. Then the second wave struck. It was even more devastating than the first.
