Monk

We had everything we needed, except time.

Even with me running cyberwar, even with me knowing exactly when and where the Covenant would strike, even with all that we had to face the facts we did not have enough time. Dreadnaught production was completely killed, while the Dreads were stronger we needed more good enough ships rather than fewer perfect ships. You could build more than two battleships in the time you could build one dreadnaught.

People? Once Biko happened we did not lack for volunteers but volunteers have to be trained and they have to be processed. With the increasing numbers of Covenant attacks incoming... Well over time we would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. So it was time to cheat, cheat like hell. If we pulled this off we would have at least a year's worth of time.

"Doctor, I think this is a bad idea."

I looked at the freshly minted Admiral dead in the eyes.

"We can't afford to lose you."

"Admiral Chen, I am a scientist not a coward. If I fail every brave man here will die, me being here shows them that I have utmost faith in them and that victory is possible."

"Is it?"

"I will have you understand: I have no desire for a fair fight."

The man nodded and we watched as a 10th of the Covenant fleet screamed out of slipspace into the Warsaw system. It was a system filled with rocky asteroids. The communications, engines, and weapons of each ship died the moment they got into the system, unable to warn the others of the trap they were in. Only when their entire fleet had arrived, only then, did I give the order.

"All ships acknowledge, they're incoming."

This was 90% of the Front's navy. Only the five other Carriers stood back, just in case, and across every ship an old song played.

"What is this song?"

"Invaders must die."

All the ships started firing, a mass of firepower hitting the Covenant. Prepared traps, explosive asteroids, slammed into their ships. It was pure carnage. They could not fight back and we could not afford for there to be a single survivor. Between missiles, energy weapons, bombs, and everything else it took us hours to destroy The covenant fleet, their sheer numbers making it difficult to destroy them all. Then we made pass-throughs to ensure our work was done.

"Job is finished, Quartermaster, General."

I cracked my neck.

"Good it's time to upgrade our ship."

We flew into the destroyed fleet and a swarm of magic, eldritch power, nanites, and tractor beams brought in the mass of the enemy fleet. My carrier grew as magic and technology worked in unison to make my ship ever bigger. The fusion plants and the mana of the dead aliens were all consumed to create a true and lasting Star Forge. I closed my eyes, my mind, my AI working as one as the work was done.

Asteroids were consumed whole. With the power of thousands of fusion plants being devoured it was easy. I felt sweat on my brow as my energies were consumed, I fell to my knees and panted.

"Doctor?"

"Sorry, the strain is a bit much."

I got up my knees, wobbly but upright.

"We won't have another one, I don't think I will ever have the conditions to ever build another one of these."

"Another what?"

"Another Star Forge. We can create more Carriers once again, more of everything."

I got up.

"It will take a couple of days for the Forge to cool, it will not be safe to leave the confines of the station proper until then. Everything is quite different now."

He looked at me.

"Yes, Doc. I will relay the message."

My screen lit up.

"What happened? You scooped up 80% of the enemy fleet there! Most of the belt too and your ship is huge now!"

The size of Luna by my calcs.

"I have completed the Star Forge, we will resume construction of Carriers and everything else. Forgive me for making proof of this victory more difficult but the conditions to make another Forge may not ever happen again."

The other leaders of the revolution were silent until General Howard Graves broke the silence.

"You did good doc real good, how long do you think we have?"

"It's going to take them at least 3 months to figure out that their fleet is gone. We have 6 months to a year to build up. Relay the victory to the people, they need to know we stomped them into the ground."

"I don't have a problem in the world with that. So, what's the current plan?"

"I build all the things, give me people to use them."

"Got it, Doc."