Real-Time Starcommander 3: Biowar: A Strategy Gamelit Novel by Tracy Gregory

Author:Tracy Gregory [Gregory, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-06T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The vast emptiness of space near the edge of the Aleasia system became a little less empty as a Hegemony fleet emerged from underspace. It was only small, the available resources along its route spare, but the fleet immediately began to move, taking up an aggressive posture as it headed towards the planet. A battleship led the way, two cruisers following behind, each with two picket ships in escort. Behind them was a dreadnought, a cluster of three beam frigates hugging close to the massive command ship so they could benefit from the protection of its guns. Strike craft swarmed around them, whilst at the rear of the fleet, the support elements followed. Two smaller constructors dwarfed by their advanced cousin. They were surrounded by miners, overseers, and science vessels, all keeping a safe distance from the advancing battleline.

Aleasia hung in the darkness, a blue-green ball floating through the void. There were three other planets in the system. One was closer to the star, an orb of molten rock that spun around it in a close orbit. The other two planets were further out, gas giants of little importance other than shielding the colony from stray asteroids kicked out from the belt at the edge of the system. The fleet had appeared near these rocks, planning on harvesting them to build additional forces.

Holding in orbit above the colony, was a bizarre sight. A living starship, its carapace catching the light of the nearby star. The ship was enormous, easily twice the size of the Taibo. Around it was a swarm of smaller craft, tiny fighter-sized objects buzzing about the vessel. They were uncountable, their numbers making it impossible for the dreadnought's sensors to get an accurate reading. Nearby there was a smaller vessel, though it was still easily the size of a cruiser. It was drifting by a nearby asteroid, a long snaking organ probing the rock.

The larger ship began to turn, shifting about in space without any visible thruster fire. It had noticed the new arrivals and was moving to place itself between them and the planet. The Hegemony fleet had been forced to arrive at the edge of the system, beyond the reach of the underspace dam.

***

Evan looked at the alien craft on the main hologram. It was enormous, the sensor data that had come through with the message sent from Aleasia had given the ship’s dimensions but seeing it up close was something else. It dwarfed the Taibo, and it seemed reasonable it would outgun it as well, though it was hard to tell, Evan couldn’t make out any visible weapons on the ship’s surface.

“That is…rather large, isn’t it?” Tolax said, pointing a blue finger at the hologram. “It would appear to have spotted us immediately as well.”

“Hardly a surprise. Byeol, I want you controlling the strike craft. Sandeep, get the constructors producing more ships. If there is going to be a fight, we need to make the most of our numbers advantage,” Evan said. The alien vessel was acting as he had expected.

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