Gracie immediately froze and waited. Request incoming orders. Gracie responded.
233-9095 orders received. Disruption in detention cells Level 824, Section 228, Cells 18-21. Request additional information. The Alluthan stated.
Replacements in position. Permission for recharge. Replacements currently analyzing equipment failure. Resolution estimated in 5.8286 parsecs. Gracie replied making up the number and holding her breath to see if they would buy it.
The Alluthan stood still for a moment before a response flashed across Gracie’s screen. Permission for recharge granted. Proceed.
Gracie moved pass the Alluthans walking at a steady pace even though everything inside her was screaming for her to run like hell. They were almost to the lifts when the first shudder against the mammoth ship knocked Gracie into Ladara. Turning as one, the four women opened fire on the Alluthans behind them just as the lift opened. The battle had begun.
Kordon’s face was grim as he ordered the Conqueror to begin firing. They were working systematically on taking the engines offline on the huge mother ship and causing specific damage. He ordered any fighters leaving the great ship to be destroyed. Any other ship they were to disable unless it was sending the specified signal Gracie was sending out. Kordon fought against the urge to climb in one of the fighters himself. Everything inside him wanted to be there to protect Gracie but his place as Grand Admiral was on the Conqueror. Instead, he requested Quan and Cooraan to be there. Both were excellent pilots and would not hesitant to give their lives for Mohan or Gracie. Bran was monitoring the shields, weapons, and engines. Kordon requested Toolas to be prepared with an emergency team in the landing bays.
Kordon’s mind ran through all possible scenarios at amazing speed adjusting as reports came in. “Fire at will. Take out all laser cannons. T-force, take out any fighters that come out. Quan, be ready with your squadron to protect the supply ship. It will be coming out hot and heavy.” Kordon said coldly.
The men and women aboard the Conqueror were the best of the Confederation Military. Kordon reviewed each member wanting to be on his crew before accepting them. He picked each of them based on their skills, loyalty, and ability to work fluidly under pressure. As the flagship of the Confederation Military, he made sure it was lethal.
Kordon listened in as reports came over his comlink. The modifications Bran and Cooraan made based on the data from Gracie gave them an edge. The shields were holding on their fighters and they were cutting through the Alluthan’s defenses. The Conqueror’s laser cannons destroyed the forward and aft laser cannons on the mother ship and continued to inflict devastating damage. Fighters continued to pour out of the mother ship at an amazing speed and number. They were greatly outnumbered but with the modification to their shields and weapons, they continued to press forward.
“Quan, any sign of a supply ship yet?” Kordon asked calmly into the comlink.
“Negative.” Quan replied tersely. “Nothing but fighters pouring out of the mother ship as yet. Have you heard from Gracie or Mohan?”
“Negative.” Kordon replied heavily.
Kordon frowned as he saw the mother ship turning. “The mother ship appears to be trying to retreat. Take out engines now! I want that damn thing dead.”
Kordon’s blood ran cold at the thought of the women not being able to get off the mother ship before it self-destructed. He refused to think of Gracie dying. She had been through too much to die now. Those damn creatures were never going to touch Gracie’s life again if he could help it.
“Kordon, a supply ship has left the mother ship.” Cooraan said calmly. “I am picking up Gracie’s signal.”
“Bring them in.” Kordon said tersely in response.
“Affirmative.” Quan replied.
Kordon watched as bright flashes lit up the background of space. Pieces of destroyed fighters bounced off their shields. The Alluthan’s were attempting to flee but already Kordon could see lights flickering on and off throughout the huge mother ship. Kordon’s eyes followed the movement as a tight formation of Confederation fighters surrounded an Alluthan supply ship moving steadily toward the Conqueror.
Pressing his comlink, Kordon informed the landing bay officer he wanted to know the minute the supply ship was safely on board. After receiving confirmation at his order, he waited impatiently. Once the supply ship was safe, he would give the order to fire without restraint.
“Sir, the supply ship is docked and the females are secure.” The landing bay officer informed him.
“See that the female Gracie and Mohan are escorted to the bridge immediately.” Kordon replied.
“Bran, take that bitch out.” Kordon said coldly.
“I thought you would never ask.” Bran replied as the Conqueror lit up with laser cannon fire. Huge flashes began flaring all over the mother ship. The remaining fighters began trying to return to the mother ship as it continued to turn away. Kordon gave the order for the Conqueror fighters to return to ship. Gracie said the self-destruct on the mother ship would automatically begin when the supply ship was safely outside the ship. He would have less than five minutes to get the Conqueror a safe distance away.
“All fighters are safely docked and secure.” The landing bay officer informed him.
“Bran, get us out of here.” Kordon said sharply calculating they had less than three minutes left.
“Quan, do you have a visual on Mohan and Gracie?” Kordon asked as his gut twisted.
“Cooraan said he saw Mohan briefly. Toolas is looking over the females to make sure they are not injured.” Quan said tensely. “I haven’t heard anything about Gracie yet. Many of the females still have the Alluthan suits on. I am heading that way now.”
Mohan turned when she heard her name called out loudly in the landing bay. Toolas was just finishing checking her over, even though she had reassured her she was fine. Seeing Quan, Mohan gave a cry of joy and pushed past the other women and men standing in a tight circle. Quan’s arms closed around her and he buried his face into her neck breathing deeply as he drew in her scent.
“Never again, do you hear me! Never again will I let you be in such danger.” Quan said harshly as he crushed his lips to Mohan’s softer ones. “By the gods, I love you, Mohan.” Quan groaned out.
Mohan lifted a shaky hand and touched Quan’s cheek. “Gracie is not with us.” She said with a slight hiccup as she fought back a sob. “She remained on the mother ship.”
Quan’s nostrils flared as he jerked back with a muttered curse. “Shit! Kordon!” Quan practically yelled into the comlink. “Gracie isn’t with the females.” Quan gripped Mohan’s hand tightly in his own and started running towards the corridor leading to the lifts.
Kordon jerked as if shot when Quan’s voice came over the comlink. What did he mean Gracie wasn’t with the other females. She promised she would be. She said she was coming home. Kordon barked out for Bran to change course and redirect the Conqueror back to the mother ship. They were already a good distance from it. Kordon called out to one of the helmsmen to get him a visual on the mother ship up on the front viewport. He could feel the Conqueror beginning the turn when a huge flash followed by a series of explosions rocked the mother ship tearing it apart right before his eyes.
“Brace for shockwave impact.” Bran called out as alarms flared throughout the Conqueror.
Kordon stood still as wave after wave hit the Conqueror. He reached out a hand at one time and gripped the back of the commander’s chair for support as the Conqueror shuddered. His eyes remained glued to the Alluthan mother ship as she slowly broke apart into billions of pieces.
Chapter 13
Gracie and the other three women were almost to the supply ship when a group of Alluthan warriors approached them. Gracie stopped and waited. They had made it down almost half way when the lift stopped and opened. Gracie looked at the screen and watched as the lift programming shut down and a warning of possible intruders flashed across her helmet. The bodies on Level 824 had been found.
Gracie barely bit back a scream of frustration. She was really getting tired of these creatures screwing up her life. A message flashed for 233-9095 to halt.
Gracie quickly motioned for the other women to continue. Ladara tried to send a message refusing but Gracie quickly told her over a hundred Alluthan warriors were gathering on the level.
We won’t leave you. Lardara argued.
You have to. The other women don’t deserve to die as well. Go. I have an idea. Here is the start sequence for the supply ship. Get to the Conqueror. Tell them to blast the hell out of this ship. Gracie responded. Trust me. Just tell Kordon I expect him to come find me again.
Ladara paused for a moment before continuing past the Alluthans with the other two women like nothing was wrong. Once past them though, she turned and looked at Gracie for a moment before heading down a set of steps. Gracie watched as Ladara and the two women disappeared before overriding the lift command and letting Ladara know to get to the one on the next level.
233-9095 remove helmet for analysis. The Alluthan ordered.
Gracie looked at the group. There were five of them total with more on the way. She could really use a good distraction right now. There were a few shudders from where the Conqueror was attacking but she needed a full scale assault right about now. Gracie desperately searched for some excuse but finally decided she was just shit-out-of-luck. Reaching up, Gracie slowly turned the helmet and pulled it off with a wary grin on her face.
“Mmm…hi?” Gracie said as she let the helmet slip from her fingers to fall to the metal floor. At the same time she palmed the small laser pistol she took from Mohan. “Yippee-ki-yah.” She murmured as she brought the pistol up and began firing.
Gracie was able to take two of the Alluthans out before they realized their shields were not working. She scrambled behind a beam as the other three began firing. Gracie covered her head and tried to make herself as small as possible behind the beam as the other three Alluthans continued to fire at her as they began walking towards her.
Gracie bit her lip. This was it. She was pissed as hell because she didn’t want to die. She wanted to get back to Kordon. Gracie let her head fall back against the metal beam for a minute before she took a deep breath and braced herself. Turning, she rolled out from behind the beam firing as she went. If there was one thing she did know how to do, it was how to fire a gun. All four of the guys made sure she was an excellent markswoman. Gracie hit two of the creatures square in the chest and neck. She continued rolling even as she felt a hot burn followed by an explosion of pain in her right shoulder and lower leg. There was only one Alluthan left and it had adjusted its aim to follow Gracie’s roll on the floor.
Gracie’s arm shook and she lost control of the pistol as her arm went numb. She continued rolling until she came back up against the other side of the corridor. She quickly pulled herself into a sitting position behind the metal beam and leaned back as pain ricochet through her. Gracie pulled her right arm against her feeling the blood soaking the sleeve. Her lower leg also felt like it was on fire. Gracie watched as the Alluthan continued forward no longer firing. She knew what would happen now if she hadn’t already set the mother ship for self-destruct. The Alluthan would not kill her because she was a female of breeding age. She would be used as an incubator until she could no longer produce then be discarded.
“Go to hell, you sorry ass mother-fucker. I took your kind down once before and I’ve done it again.” Gracie said in English with a bitter laugh as it stopped in front of her.
Gracie tilted her head backwards and looked up into the reflective surface of the Alluthan. She refused to let the pain radiating through her take her to the darkness of unconsciousness. She was going to be awake when those bastards bit the dust.
“Go ahead, make my day.” Gracie said with a grimace as another Alluthan came to stand next to the first one.
Gracie pushed back as the Alluthan who shot her pulled her to her feet. She swayed as she tried not to put too much pressure on her wounded leg. The Alluthan turned to the second one and she knew they were communicating but it wouldn’t matter. They were lucky if they had eight minutes left on the countdown to ‘D-day’. Gracie refused to look over her shoulder at the Alluthans. She let her mind go blank of everything but Kordon. He was the only thing that mattered now. He was the one she loved. She was glad she had met him and was able to spend at least a little time with him.
Gracie started when she heard the sound of a laser pistol discharging behind her. She waited for the pain of being shot again to pierce her but nothing came. She almost jumped out of her skin when the Alluthan who came up put a gentle arm around her waist.
“We need to get out of here fast.” Ladara said softly.
Gracie stared at Ladara in stunned silence for a moment before she turned and began limping towards the lift. Ladara leaned down and picked up Gracie’s helmet, laser pistol, and portable tablet. She helped Gracie put on her helmet before handing her the laser pistol in her left hand.
You didn’t leave me. Gracie sent to Ladara’s helmet.
No, you said everyone is getting off and you were not there. The others went to the supply ship. Mohan has taken off and they are heading out of the mother ship. I am hoping you can do your magic again and get us out of here. Ladara said as she helped Gracie into the lift.
Gracie leaned back against the back wall of the lift and nodded tiredly. The pain was fading to numbness now. Gracie braced herself as she felt the huge ship shudder. The supply ship must have made it through and was clear because she could feel the increasing vibrations as the ship was hit.
We have five minutes before the mother ship explodes. Gracie said as a particularly hard hit almost knocked her off her feet. It would have if Ladara hadn’t reached out to hold onto her.
Both women looked up when the lights on the lift flickered than faded. The lift slowed to a stop. They were stranded. Gracie looked up at the level and groaned. Damn Murphy’s Law, she thought. Only she could get trapped on the level where all the fighters were and every freaking Alluthan warrior was bound to be!
You have got to be kidding me. Gracie groaned out loud.
Ladara looked puzzled for a moment. What is it?
The fighter deck level. All the friggin’ Alluthans on this stupid ship are probably here. We need to open the doors manually. Gracie said tiredly as her shoulders drooped. Was it too much to ask for one little bitty break? Gracie wondered despondently.
Ladara worked at pulling the lever inside the lift and the doors slowly opened. Yep, every frigging warrior was there. Only they seemed to be flying into the ship instead of out of it. Perhaps, in all the confusion…Gracie wondered in hope.
Get us to the closest fighter. Gracie sent across Ladara’s helmet.
But…Ladara started in surprise. …We are taking a fighter? She asked hesitantly.
You’re damn right we’re taking a fighter. In all the confusion they won’t know who is coming and who is going. We have about three minutes to get going. Gracie said in determination trying to ignore the pain, blood, and numbness threatening to overtake her.
Gracie and Ladara moved as one towards the closest fighter. None of the Alluthans even turned to question them. Many of the Alluthans were moving towards an exit further down the platform. Gracie held onto the side of the fighter as Ladara climbed up first. Ladara reached down and held out her hand to help Gracie up. It was awkward but Gracie was thankful for the help. She had to jump from one step to another and could only use her one hand.
Blood from her arm and leg marred the side of the fighter as Gracie leaned against it. She was breathing heavily by the time she got to the opened top. Ladara slid into the back seat while Gracie fell into the front with an inelegant groan. She used her good arm to pull her leg around.
Ladara, can you strap me in while I get us up and out of here? Gracie asked faintly as she shivered. Great, she thought, now I decide to go into shock. Murphy, you son-of-a-bitch, I am really, really beginning t
o hate your sorry ass.
Ladara quickly strapped Gracie in just as Gracie pulled the lever up and set the course into the console. Thank God the Alluthans still used the same programming. The fighter rose swiftly as Gracie punched in the commands.
Ripping off the helmet, Gracie took a deep breath as the fighter moved swiftly through the huge mother ship. There would be no stopping them now…at least not with them still alive. She programmed in the signal hoping beyond hope that the Conqueror would pick it up. It would really suck to get out of the mother ship before it exploded only to find herself blown up by one of the Conqueror’s fighters or the ship itself.
“Gracie, do you think this thing can go any faster?” Ladara asked nervously. “You said we only had a few minutes to get out before this ship exploded. I would really like to not be in it when it does.”
Gracie laughed hoarsely. “You and me both.” Gracie responded and pushed a series of buttons increasing the speed of the fighter.