Chapter 4
Captain Hawk of the Gamilon Space Fleet was, he thought, loyal, ruthless, efficient, and destined for much greater things than guarding a small planet like Uther. He longed for the days of old, when the proud Gamilon Empire was rapidly expanding in all directions, when any world or nation that did not swear loyalty to Deslock and Gamilon, were conquered or destroyed.
That was the way life should be, and was before the rebellion. He didn't understand why Deslock didn't simply squash the rebellion and move on to better things. Instead, Deslock stopped his outward advances and started doting on the peons who tried to overthrow him. Deslock's new advisor, Pleb was the largest eyesore that resulted from Deslock's new order. Some punk off the streets who doesn't respect anything, and Deslock hangs on his every word.
Hawk shook himself, he had to focus on the positive. Gamilon still had one of the largest military forces anywhere, and although Deslock did not actually conquer the entire universe, he did succeed in establishing a universal peace, which is what he wanted to accomplish during his last crusade.
Even more important than that, the beautiful Jarria was waiting on New Gamilon for him to return. As much as Hawk loved his ship and the feeling of command, he did long to return home to be with her once more.
Wait a moment... something was wrong.
On his view screen, space seemed to be... splashing was the best word he could think of to describe it. It was more like space in that area was a pool of water that was being rained on.
"Incoming torpedo planes!" shouted his first officer.
"Where did they come from?" he demanded.
"I don't know. They just appeared out of nowhere."
"Battle stations! Launch fighters, then bring the fleet around."
Antiaircraft guns mounted on the Gamilon ships went into action, destroying any planes that got in too close. Most of the torpedo planes fired their torpedoes long before they got within range of the guns.
Explosions were everywhere as each ship, including Hawk's own command ship took hits from torpedo's.
It seemed like an eternity, but finally the first of the Gamilon squadrons were able to launch. The battle was joined in earnest.
"Battleships!" the first officer cried.
His ship rocked from the first volley of fire from the fleet of battleships that had instantly appeared.
"For the glory of Gamilon! Return fire!" It was the only order Hawk could think of. He didn't have any special weapons, and was out of formation to use the mines. He could retreat to the planet and make his stand there, while using the mines to make a barrier, but since his fighters were not holding their own, that too seemed like a loosing proposition. He could charge the enemy armada, but that would simply be a faster death. He needed an advantage, but knew he would not find one here.
Every fiber of his being told him to fight on, that death was better than the dishonor of letting the enemy have this world. Was better than the dishonor of going before Deslock and telling him that he had failed in his duty.
It was the practical, reasoning portion of his mind that won out, for there was only one other option. They had to retreat. There could be no glory in death, if that death did not accomplish anything. Perhaps if they reformed, and then came back, they would have a better chance against this enemy. He would have to hurry. On the bridge screens, over half of his ships had already been destroyed.
His own ship was hit by a shock cannon blast from one of the approaching battleships. Fire erupted on the bridge, as sparks and shrapnel flew.
Hawk winced in pain, his hand reaching up to hold his side where a piece of shrapnel had struck him.
"Order all ships to retreat... and contact Command."
Uneasily he sat back in his command chair. He had to spend as much effort fighting the pain of his wound as he did fighting the urge to stay and fight to the last.
Many of his ships had trouble breaking away from the combat zone. Some were destroyed in their attempts to escape. The fighters had an easier time of it. Most of the surviving fighters would be able to rendezvous with the fleet.
His heart sunk even further after the last of his surviving ships had escaped, for once the last of his ships had left the area, his scanners showed the enemy armada was already beginning orbital bombardment of the colony.
"Sir," the first officer approached. "We have gotten through to General Peck."
"Put him on the large screen," he said.
Immediately the first officer rushed away. General Peck, the General in charge of defense, appeared on the large screen near the front of the bridge. "Captain, what is your situation?"
"General Peck. Our position, guarding planet Uther has been overrun, forcing our few surviving ships to retreat. Please inform Leader Deslock that the order to fall back was issued on my own authority.
"They appeared from nowhere, sir. Even before our losses, they greatly outnumbered us.
"As soon as we regroup, I plan to reverse course again, and attempt to retake Uther with my remaining ships."
The Generals face was grave as he shook his head. "No, Captain. Your request is denied."
"But the people on Uther..."
"Nothing can be done about that. We are officially at war. I will report this to Deslock, and ask him for reinforcements. Uther will be avenged."