Chapter One
Talorian System. Sector 837. Battle Group 481. Bridge of the USS Goliath. Star date 987.87.
“Captain. I’m getting something on long range scan,” said Senior Chief 1st Class Anderson.
“What do you think it could be, Mr. Anderson?” asked Captain Jake Ruger.
“It’s probably a Retilon patrol.”
The Reptilon’s are a militant race of Cobra-like aliens that at one time were part of the United Federation of Allied Worlds until December 20, 3020, at which time, six Reptilon light attack/patrol ships attacked a civilian spaceliner, which was on a cruise to the pleasure planet Arilon 7.
The spaceliner Orlando had a crew of 489,000 and carried 800,000 passengers. All were killed in the ensuing attack. This is how the current war began.
“What course heading is the target, Mr. Anderson?”
“181.6 starboard, sir.”
“Set course to 187.6 starboard, star speed.”
“Aye, Captain. Course heading 187.6 star speed.”
“Weapons Chief?” Ruger called.
“Aye, Captain,” the man answered.
“Charge all weapons and prepare for battle.”
“Aye, Captain. Charging all weapons.”
“Captain?” asked Anderson.
“Yes, Mr. Anderson,” answered Ruger.
“The Starship Identification System has identified the target. They are Reptilons.”
“How many, and what are they after?”
“Can’t tell right now, sir.”
“Let me know as soon as you can.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“First officer to the bridge,” said Ruger just as the turbo lift doors slid open and Senior Fleet Commander Candice Larson stepped on the bridge.
“What have we got, Captain?” she asked.
“It’s a Reptilon patrol, Commander,” Ruger informed.
“Captain. I’m getting a distress signal,” said Communications Officer Kennedy.
“On screen.”
The view screen flashed to life showing everyone the smoke filled bridge of another ship.
“I’m Senior Fleet Commander Captain Jake Ruger of the USS Goliath, United Federation of Allied Worlds,” the captain stated. “How are we to assist you?”
“I’m Captain Ed Roberts of the research ship USS Newton. We are under attack by six or Reptilon attack vessels.” Static clouded the screen momentarily.
“Captain Roberts. We are in route now,” Ruger replied. “Do you have any weapons?”
“No we do not.” Static clouds the screen again.
“I will send some fighters ahead of us,” Ruger stated. The screen went dead. Ruger call over the com. “Launching bay. Send the Silver Dragon out to sector 838. The Newton is having a party with the Reptilons supplying the music.”
“Aye, Captain. Silver Dragon is out,” a voice called back.
The landing bay was always a busy place. It ran the entire length and width of the ship. The USS Goliath was 185 miles long and 180 miles wide and had 88 decks. The landing/launch bay was large enough for a Star Cruiser, say the size of the USS Revenge, being 188 feet by 80 with about 15 decks, to dock in.
The Goliath housed 1,000 full fight squadrons, including 100 fighters to each squadron, and also housed 40 squadrons of attack bombers, 15 bombers to each.
“Attention! Attention!” called the flight controller’s voice over the intercom. “Silver Dragon squadron prepare for launch.” With that, 100 fighters of Silver Dragon squadron were sent out to help the USS Newton.
“Dragon leader to USS Newton,” said Flight Captain John Newburg.
“This is USS Newton,” replied Captain Roberts. “What type of fighters do you fly, Dragon leader?”
“HC 86 Ravager II’s. Why do you ask?” Captain Newburg replied.
“I always brush up on what type of ships come to my rescue,” Roberts stated.
The HC Ravager II was a heavy Interceptor/Superiority fighter. It kept a crew of one pilot. It was the heaviest armed and armored fighter in the fleet. It’s arsenal included one 56mm ion cannon on each wing tip, a twin multi-barreled blaster cannon turret just behind the cockpit, a 19 round rocket pod under each wing, two anti-gravity torpedo tubes, four sonic disruptors and two 86mm ion grenade launchers under each wing. It not only had the thickest armor available, it had reinforced deflector shields, hyper-sonic in space speed capability and is able of Mach 6.8 in atmosphere.
“Dragon Two to Dragon leader.”
“Go ahead, Dragon two.”
“I have the enemy ships in sight. They are K’Tat type patrol ships.” stated Lt. Darick Sanders.
“Okay, people. Charge weapons. Bring Deflectors to maximum power. Slow to combat speed,” Captain Newburg commanded as Silver Dragon squadron closed the distance between it and the USS Newton. The Repiltons open their fire. Well so much for surprising them, thought Newburg. “All right, Dragons. Sick your targets and blast them.”
Newburg roared towards the first K’Tat with all guns blazing and scoring the first victory. The K’Tat erupted into a huge fireball.
“Yahoo! Score one for the good guys,” yelled Lt. Sanders. A split second later, Sanders scored the second victory.
“We just lost Stewart and Smithson, boss!” said Lt. Sanders.
“Damn!” yelled Newburg. “Move in tight, people. Don’t make yourself an easy target!”
All of a sudden, the tide of battle changed in favor of the Reptilons.
“This is Dragon Leader to USS Goliath. Where are you guys?!”
“We should be there any second now,” Ruger answered.