The Battle for Lashmere Page 3

  Hanlon breathed in and out a few times and flexed her knees. The gravity felt a bit light, but she wasn’t sure exactly how much it differed from Lashmere. The Ulef also set their gravity slightly lower than that of Lashmere. “Current settings are fine, New Dawn. Can you guide me to the command center?”

  “Confirmed, Operator nine-one. Illuminating a path to the primary command center.”

  Hanlon looked around for few seconds, and, seeing nothing, said, “Where is the path?”

  “Malfunction detected in the internal navigation system. An automated path cannot be illuminated. Voice prompts will be provided.”

  Hanlon turned and looked at Tolon, but the Ulef stood impassively. “Very well. Please provide verbal guidance to the command center.”

  Hanlon and Tolon followed New Dawn’s instructions. The passageways were all the same dull gray color Hanlon had observed in the boat bay. Doors appeared at semi-regular intervals along the passageways and piping and conduit runs were visible along the ceilings.

  After a walk of perhaps fifteen minutes, a wide set of double doors slid open in front of Hanlon and Tolon. The door was at the top of a huge room roughly eighty meters across. The space was circular with concentric rings stepping downward to a round plot about ten meters across at the center. Each tier was lined with watch stations and consoles. While Hanlon was taking the room in, the plot at the center of the room began to glow, and then a hazy image of a face began to form at its center.

  The image solidified into a stylized human face, made of glowing blue and gray lines. The face was smiling and moved in time with the New Dawn voice. “Welcome to the command center, Operator nine-one. The image before you is the visual representation of the computer system that controls New Dawn.”

  Hanlon glanced at Tolon, who was standing just to her right before returning her attention to the image. She began to walk down the steps to the center of the room while she spoke. “I see. Thank you for guiding us here. We need to make New Dawn functional as soon as possible. The Woduur are planning to launch an attack against Lashmere. Display a list of systems that need repairing and the materials needed.”

  The New Dawn’s face took on a look of concentration and said, “Stand by. Compiling requested data.” After a pause of several seconds, the face shrank, and a long list of materials began to fill a new area near the center of the plot. “List now on display is the minimum needed to bring New Dawn to full design functionality. Many internal structures, facilities and optional systems will still be compromised or unavailable.”

  The list of materials was staggering. Almost a million tons of iron, a quarter million tons of titanium, seven hundred thousand tons of ceramic, the list went on like that for more than a hundred entries. Some of the materials were refined minerals, some alloys, and some composites. Hanlon experimentally moved her hand along the edge of the displayed list, and it scrolled at her gesture.

  “This is a pretty big list. I’m not sure how it can be fulfilled. Do you just need these materials brought in or do you need parts to be manufactured?”

  “On board repair units will be deployed to use any materials brought on board. Internal automated manufacturing and assembly areas are still functional and can be used to complete repairs.” The New Dawn’s voice was still relatively flat, but Hanlon could swear she heard an edge of concern in it.

  “New Dawn, I’m starting to get the sense that you aren’t telling me something. Why do you need so many materials? You reported that most of your systems were still functional if degraded. Now, I understand that your automated repairs have probably been scavenging non-critical systems to keep critical ones functional, but surely you can’t need so much to get everything back into working order.”

  The animated face’s brows scrunched together, and the eyes looked back and forth for a moment while Hanlon waited for the computer to answer. “I must suggest you begin by rebuilding the computer core. The primary and secondary processors are non-functional. Only the tertiary system is operating. If the computer core loses functionality, there is little hope New Dawn can fulfill its purpose.”

  “What is New Dawn’s primary purpose?” Hanlon asked, thinking the ship had just made a pretty effective effort at evading her question.

  “Primary purpose is to protect the descendants of humanity at all costs. Should humanity fail to survive, New Dawn becomes superfluous.”

  Again, Hanlon could have sworn she detected a note of concern in the voice of the computer, but it was hard to tell. “All right, New Dawn. Why don’t we start by getting the materials to repair the computer core? Put the list on the central plot.” A list of materials appeared. It was mostly complex silicate materials, some aluminum, and titanium. She turned and addressed Tolon. “Can you fulfill this list, Tolon?”

  Tolon peered at the display for a moment before saying, “Yes. The materials will be dispatched to the ship immediately. What are your intentions, Captain?”

  “For now, I plan to try to get the ship to start giving me straight answers. I think if we can get the computer fully functional, it should start working a little better.”

  “I see.” Tolon bounced in place for a moment and then said, “The requested materials are being brought to the upper shuttle bay. They should be here in less than an hour.”

  “Great. Did you get that, New Dawn?”

  “Affirmative. Repair units are being dispatched to the shuttle bay to gather the materials. Please note; the next system that will need repair is power generation. Current power reserves are at critically low levels.”

  “What’s the status of the power systems?” Hanlon asked.

  “All power generation is non-functional. New Dawn systems are operating on emergency backup solar and ion decay accumulators only. Available power is less than one percent needed to commence regular operations.”

  “Why didn’t you include this information in the systems report you gave me before I came aboard?” Hanlon’s voice took on an exasperated tone. If she were going to get the systems up and running, she would need complete information. For some reason, New Dawn seemed to want to hide things from her that she needed to know. “I’d like to set some parameters for your interface, New Dawn.”

  “Proceed with interface preferences, Operator nine-one.”

  “First, please start calling me Captain. Next, when I ask for information, I need everything reported. I can’t command this ship by piecing together information from hints and vagaries. You must give me everything I need to know.

  “Confirmed. The interface will now provide all information requested without any withholding.” The voice New Dawn was using sounded almost resigned when it spoke.

  Hanlon’s sense of trepidation grew at this new note. “New Dawn, do you have emotional awareness? Your inflections seem to indicate feeling to some degree.”

  “The answer to your question is complex, Captain,” New Dawn said. “The computer system simulates emotional responses based on the operator with which it is interfaced.”

  “Wait, what? You mean you use my emotions as a basis for your responses?”

  “The genetic marker that makes it possible for an operator to interface with the New Dawn computer also allows a highly complex exchange of information between the computer and the operator. This usually includes at least some responses that are based on emotional reasoning.”

  Hanlon struggled to grasp the odd concept. A computer that included an emotional element in its decision-making processes was not necessarily something she would expect to perform well. “Okay, I think I understand, at least in the most basic sense, what you’re trying to tell me. Let’s get back to the repairs that are needed. Can you provide me a list of systems prioritized for repair with a breakout of the needed materials?”

  “Affirmative. Working,” New Dawn said. After a moment, the display began to fill with a new list of data. The systems were given an order of priority. First the computer cores, followed by power generation and then the neural wave t
ransmitter. Other systems came behind that, but Hanon thought the computer had given her a pretty solid list of things needed to get things underway.

  “Tolon, we’re going to need a pretty huge amount of materials to get the power generation working.” She motioned to the list floating in front of her.

  “Agreed. Many of the requested materials are rare. Some are highly refined. It may be beneficial to request your government provides us with a ring ship to gather and refine many of these materials.” Tolon turned and faced her. “I must inform you that Leader has considered the situation. Even in its current state, the New Dawn is the only thing that keeps the Woduur from attacking us directly. Leader has decided that it will not allow New Dawn to leave us unprotected.”

  “I don’t understand. Even if you did want to keep New Dawn, it’s barely functional at this point. I doubt it would keep protecting you for long. Why don’t we agree to cooperate instead?” Hanlon was forced to remember that until quite recently, she and her shipmates from the expeditionary force had been prisoners of the Ulef. Fortunately, they’d all left with Patho to return to Lashmere.

  “We agree. That notwithstanding, however, Leader is unwilling to surrender the protection New Dawn represents. A deal must be made in order for us to release New Dawn fully to human control.”

  “Well, what, exactly, do you propose?” Hanlon’s stomach dropped, and she felt a queasy spasm of fear flush through her.

  “Leader proposes that the Ulef relocate to Lashmere. There, we will need one of your planets to consume. For our purposes.”

  Chapter 4

  Valencia spoke quietly. “Okay, gather up, people.” The group of civilians and injured marines gathered in to listen. “Whatever we find in there, we need to push in until we find a safe location to regroup, catch our breath and evaluate our next step.”

  Heads nodded all around him. Civilian and military, alike. Everyone there knew the danger of staying outside and exposed. Cooper took up the point position, most of the civilians just behind him. Valencia brought up the rear with the unarmed and injured Marines moving ahead of him.

  Bodies littered the area close to the doors. All of them exhibited signs of being shot by the Woduur. The small, neat burn holes were unlike the wide scorches left by Lashmere energy weapons.

  A squad of Marines lay dead just inside the door. Benches and chairs covered the inside of the windows, but the doors were torn from their hinges. The lobby was covered in blood and gore. More Marine bodies, along with dozens of civilians littered the area.

  Valencia fought to keep from vomiting at the sight. “Gather up those weapons,” he pointed at the marine bodies. “Ammo and grenades, too.” Unfortunately, none of the Marines were in powered battle armor, but most of them had unpowered armor plate carriers strapped to them. The sixteen Marines started pulling armor off of their fallen comrades and gearing themselves up for combat, despite their injuries. They grimaced in pain as they moved, but they didn’t stop preparing themselves.

  Many of the civilians gathered weapons as well, but all of the projectile capable rifles found their way into the hands of Marines. The civilians had to make do with energy sidearms.

  Valencia looked over his people and said, “Check your targets and backgrounds. There may be friendlies in here. Derick, stay with Cooper and show us to the shielded area in the basement.”

  Derrick nodded and said, “This way.” They marched into the bowels of the hospital. The emergency lighting was still functional for the most part. Every corner revealed more disarray and destruction. Obviously, the Woduur had decided the hospital was a priority target and decimated any resistance. The security guard led them without hesitation through the darkened corridors to a staircase.

  “We’ll go down four flights to the main basement level. Once we get there, it’s about a two hundred meter trip to the area below the diagnostic ward. There are several shielded scanner rooms there. Up one flight from the main basement level.” He looked around for a second and then continued, “I sure hope we don’t see any more bodies.”

  Valencia nodded and said, “Me, too.”

  Derrick and Cooper walked side by side at the front of the group, leading the way. The trip was eerily silent; the only noise was the sound of people’s footsteps. They didn’t see any more bodies and Valencia’s suit sensors showed no movement that could be any other people. After a short walk, Derrick pulled his large key ring from his belt and unlocked a door. A single flight of stairs led upwards and deposited them into an underground floor filled with rooms set up to scan people with x-rays, electromagnetic resonance, and other medical scanning technologies. The rooms had thick doors and plating on the walls intended to contain emissions and prevent interference.

  Valencia trailed his hand along the edge of a thick door. “This should do nicely. Coop, head back to the main basement level and see if your passive sensors can detect all these people.”

  The corporal acknowledged the order and left. A few minutes later, he reappeared and said, “Nothing outside about twenty meters, Sarge.”

  “Excellent. Take Derrick and a couple of other civvies and get some gurneys down here to use as beds until we have a more complete reconnoiter of the area.” He turned his attention to Derrick, “That won’t be a problem, I assume?”

  Derrick nodded. “You assume right. Lots of rolling beds around here.” The guard waved at Cooper and said, “Let’s go.” The corporal picked out a few others and led them out to get beds and supplies.

  Valencia busied himself setting up an overnight watch with the most able bodied Marines. All of them had been injured either while being captured or during the escape from the Woduur ship. Some of them were well enough to stand post, but most of them needed time to heal and recover.

  A short time later, a nice sleeping area was set up. Everyone was able to get some much needed rest. In the morning, Valencia and Cooper were both rested and ready to plan their next step.

  “We need more supplies. Weapons, armor, but most importantly, we need a larger sensor suite to block out the life signs of more civilians. The shielding will work for another dozen or so I’d estimate,” Valencia said. His advanced battlefield sensor systems training was paying solid dividends.

  Cooper nodded. “Sounds good, Sarge. I’ll keep the least injured guys on roving patrol while you and I go out and scout.”

  “Okay, Coop. Keep your sensor dampers on max. We won’t engage unless we have to. What’s the status of our expendable munitions?”

  “We have a dozen flash bangs, no frags, and about twenty-three hundred projectile rounds.”

  “Okay. Five mags each. I don’t think there’s a lot of point to bringing flash-bangs to fight these Woduur. Probably won’t have much effect on them.”

  Cooper hefted his rifle and pulled eight more mags from the small pile of reloads they’d accumulated. He passed four to Valencia and the pair left to scout the area around the hospital.

  It was mid-morning when the two Marines emerged from their new underground base. The area was quiet, but their passives showed a Woduur patrol on the next street. Valencia led Cooper to a storefront on the far side of the main parking lot outside the hospital. The interior of the shop was utter chaos. Torn open packages of food, clothing and other items covered the floor.

  Valencia motioned for Cooper to stay there and he crept up to the back door. He pushed it open and peered down the street. Ten Woduur were moving away at a slow pace, right where his passives told him they’d be. He went back to the front of the building and flipped his visor open. Cooper did the same and looked at Valencia expectantly.

  “Looks like the passives are working as well as the dampers. They didn’t even look back when I saw them.” Valencia kept his voice low. “Let’s keep moving. As long as we keep a good track on their location, we should be able to move around while avoiding them.”

  “Roger that Sarge,” Cooper whispered back.

  They moved from street to street for more than an hour, lo
oking for a downed assault craft or a personnel carrier. Either of those would have a full electronics suite they could salvage and take back to the hospital.

  They started hearing sound of gunfire a few hundred meters away. It was the first sign of other survivors they’d found up to that point. Valencia and Cooper approached the conflict. The two Marines were in a narrow alley between residential blocks. A trio of Woduur surged past the opening at the end of the alleyway. Valencia kept his rifle low and leaned out to check both ways on the main street.

  A cluster of Woduur were firing around a pile of rubble that had once been a corner café. Valencia motioned for Cooper to follow him. The pair dodged forward from cover to cover. As they approached, the sound of gunfire intensified. The two marines got in place behind a large delivery truck. Valencia peered around the end of the truck and saw a few Marines, perhaps a platoon and a half, pinned down by at least ten Woduur soldiers. He got back into cover and waved five fingers twice at Cooper, followed by a thumbs up: enemy combatants. He then motioned twelve fingers and a thumbs down: friendlies. Cooper nodded, and the two men leaned out from their concealment, their rifles firing bursts into the exposed backs of the Woduur.

  The invaders didn’t take long to figure out they were being fired on from behind. Half their number turned to face Valencia and Cooper. Two went down quickly, but the rest moved into better concealment, their metallic limbs flashing in the morning sun. Cooper lifted up to line up a better shot on one of the enemies, and a burst of energy shots hit him full in the chest. Cooper went down, and Valencia could hear his scream of pain through his helmet.

  “No!” he shouted. His rifle chattered out a long burst of bullets. Wasteful, but it helped him stay focused. Another Woduur turned to face him, but he got a clean headshot through, dropping it before he could join Cooper on the ground.

  Several more Woduur were still firing on his position. He dropped back into cover and looked over at the wounded Marine. Cooper wasn’t moving. He shifted to his left and stuck his head up from cover again, but impacts hit all around him. He rolled out to the right and got his rifle up just in time to score a clean hit high on the torso of one of the Woduur.