Stand firm, p.1
Stand Firm, page 1
Stand Firm
Echoes of War Book Zero
Daniel Gibbs
Stand Firm by Daniel Gibbs
Copyright © 2019 by Daniel Gibbs
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Visit Daniel Gibb’s website at www.danielgibbsauthor.net
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Cover by Jeff Brown Graphics—www.jeffbrowngraphics.com
Additional Illustrations by Joel Steudler—www.joelsteudler.com
Editing by Beth at BZhercules.com
3D Art by Benoit Leonard
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This book is a work of fiction, the characters, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. For permissions please contact info@eotp.net.
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Contents
Also Available from Daniel Gibbs
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Also Available from Daniel Gibbs
Also Available from Daniel Gibbs
Echoes of War
Book 1 - Fight the Good Fight
Book 2 - Strong and Courageous
Book 3 - So Fight I
Book 4 - Gates of Hell
Book 5 - Keep the Faith
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Breach of Faith
(With Gary T. Stevens)
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A Simple Job
(Free and exclusive to Newsletter Subscribers)
Book 1 - Breach of Peace
1
CSV Salamis
Canaan Local Space - Terran Coalition Homeworld
28 September 2533
* * *
Twenty-four hours ago, I was having dinner with my family. Now, I’m minutes away from actual fleet combat. Major Levi Cohen stared across the bridge of the thirty-year-old Galahad class destroyer he was in temporary command of, the Coalition Star Vessel Salamis. It had been nearly fifty years since the Terran Coalition had fought a real war, a fact that wasn’t lost on Levi. His ship was two generations behind the latest and greatest technology the CDF could bring to bear. Today, that didn’t matter, for today was all or nothing.
Waiting for the inevitable battle to begin, Levi stared up at the small viewer above the CO’s chair, hundreds of dots visible; some blue, indicating friendly ships, most red, denoting an enemy. His communication officer interrupted his thoughts. “Conn, communications. Incoming message from Goddard, sir.”
Levi turned to glance at the young man. “Out with it, Lieutenant.”
“Sir, we are ordered to adjust our position and intercept a group of League frigates, following Goddard’s lead.”
Levi nodded in return and looked back to his right at his XO, Captain Alysia Fisher. “Ready for this?”
Fisher’s face betrayed concern for a moment, but she forced it back to a tight mask. “Yes, sir, trained for the last three years to do the job, sir.”
“It’s perfectly acceptable to admit some amount of fear going into battle, Captain.”
“What’s to fear? Superior Terran Coalition technology and all that.”
“I heard the same briefing and pep talk, but I think the truth is no one knows how we’ll stack up against an unknown enemy. Especially not an enemy that apparently has been planning to hit us for decades.”
Fisher turned toward Levi before she spoke. “Truthfully, I can’t believe the people we fled Earth to get away from four hundred and fifty years ago have suddenly arrived on our doorstep. Even more incredible that they showed up with a thousand ships, calling themselves the League of Sol.”
“Not a scenario I would have thought of either,” Levi said. “Navigation, plot intercept course and synchronize our movements with the Goddard. TAO, display the zoomed in tactical plot on my viewer.”
“Aye, sir,” the navigator called back from her station at the front of the bridge. Unlike some larger ships Levi had served on, this ship’s control center was small and cramped. Stations were piled on top of each other, causing officers and enlisted personnel alike to be bunched up in the tight space.
Levi felt the old ship’s engines flare to life, the significant increase of G force evident even through the artificial gravity and inertial dampening systems present. The tactical plot above his head adjusted, showing a tiny portion of the battlefield: two lines of capital ships, one CDF, the other League. A squadron of frigates had detached from the League line and appeared to be probing their defenses.
“TAO, firing point procedures, magnetic cannons, and forward neutron beams, Master Ninety-Eight,” Levi said. In CDF nomenclature, “Master” denoted an enemy vessel. He’d never seen more than three hostile ships on a tactical screen before; right now, the count was over a thousand.
“Aye aye, sir, calculating firing solution,” Lieutenant Issa El-Amin said; he was the Salamis’ tactical action officer.
Levi shook in his harness, his body shifted by the force of a particularly violent impact on the energy shields that protected the vessel.
“Conn, TAO. Shields reduced by thirty percent on our port quarter by enemy plasma-based weaponry.”
“Navigation, increase power to our engines, take aggressive evasive action. Keep them guessing,”
“Conn, TAO. Firing solutions set, sir. We’re in range of Master Ninety-Eight.”
Levi’s heart raced in his chest as he mentally prepared the order to fire. “TAO, match bearings, shoot, magnetic cannons, and neutron beams. Coordinate firing sequence with our squadron mates abreast.”
The League frigate they targeted had entered what amounted to a kill zone; the optimal weapons range of the three CDF destroyers. Salamis’ forward magnetic cannons spoke first, firing EMP rounds out of two five-hundred-millimeter barrels per turret, for a total of four shells. They were essentially railguns, using powerful electromagnets to fling projectiles at ten percent of light speed.
The two destroyers to port, the Augustus and the Jackson, added their own magnetic cannon salvos. Most of the shots hit home, causing multiple impacts on the enemy ship’s shielding. As the last shell hit, sensors showed that the frigate’s protective shields had failed, leaving its hull exposed to the directed energy beams created by focused neutrons. Each destroyer fired multiple times from their fore emplacements, spearing the unlucky vessel from bow to stern. One of the beams hit a reactor, missile warhead magazine, or something equally explosive, as the frigate suddenly exploded into a debris field of one-foot chunks.
Levi took in the explosion on his tactical plot, shocked by the sudden turn of events. “TAO, lifepod launches?” Everything came into focus for the first time. This is no exercise, and training can’t adequately prepare anyone for what war looks like. Dear God help us, this is for real.
“None, sir,” El-Amin said. “Next target from the Goddard is Master Four-Hundred-Five, sir. She’ll be within range in five minutes.”
“TAO, firing point procedures, magnetic cannons, and neutron beams, Master Four-Hundred-Five.”
“I’ve made the observation a few times that it would just be easier to say ‘fire,’” Fisher said, causing Levi to turn toward her.
“The word ‘fire’ is only used on a ship if there’s an actual fire. Goes back to the days of wood-hulled sailing ships. The worst possible causality that can happen to a ship on the ocean or in space is fire. So, we keep up that tradition.”
Fisher was silent for a moment. “You’re not put off by how sudden this battle began in the least? Yesterday, the idea of war was the furthest thing from our minds. Today, we’re fighting a major fleet action over our capital planet.” Her voice trailed off at the end.
“It’s something the fleet has trained for. You and I have personally trained for it throughout our careers. Today, we find out how well that training has prepared us for the real thing,” Levi said, his body bobbing in the harness from the impact of another direct hit. “Not how I expected to spend the last twenty-four hours, I’ll agree with you on that.”
“I was studying for the O-4 exam last night when I got the call. What about you?”
“At home with my wife and son, already checked out of the CDF and ready to start a job I lined up with a defense contractor in a couple of weeks.”
More data flowed into the tactical plot as the Salamis adjusted its course to vector into engagement range of the next League frigate. As the distance decreased, Levi found his mind wandering to the day before when the fateful call came in that shattered their peaceful existence, and he suspected, would profoundly change the face of the Terran Coalition.
Cohen Residence
Canaan - Terran Coalition
27 September 2533
24 Hours Earlier
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Stroking his beard, Levi looked across the table at his wife of fifteen years, Sarah Cohen. A short, petite woman with dark brown hair, her face didn’t show her actual age of almost forty. Like him, she was an Orthodox Jew. She’s still as beautiful as the day I met her, he thought, grinning. They lived in a small home near the main military installation on Canaan, the capital of the Terran Coalition. He was descended from a long line of
“Where is that son of yours?” Sarah asked.
“Oh, so now David is mine?” Levi replied with a twinkle in his eye, referring to their eight-year-old boy.
“He’s yours when he’s misbehaving, mine when he’s a perfect angel.”
“I see how it is. He’s probably playing whatever the latest hologame craze is.”
“Can you believe it’s really been eight years already?”
“No. The time just flies by. It seems like just yesterday, you and I were starting our life together.”
Sarah smiled and reached her hand across the table. He took hold of it with his. “It should slow down some now. You being home more,” she said in a wistful tone. “I’ve got a long honey-do list for you.”
“Oh, that’s it? Just happy I’m home to do chores?”
“I was hoping we’d finally have another child,” Sarah replied, complete with a dazzling smile.
Levi felt his face warm as it turned red. After all this time, his wife still excited him in every way. “That was the deal: get out of the CDF and have all the children we can handle.”
“We’ll start with one more.”
“Be fruitful and multiply in the land the Lord our God has given us,” Levi retorted.
Sarah rolled her eyes in response. “Do you have anything left to do?”
“All my final paperwork is done. Only thing I need to do now is put my uniform on one last time for the retirement ceremony.”
“You’ll miss it, won’t you?”
“Yes, I will. You know me too well, don’t you?”
“I just want you to be happy, Levi. I want us to be happy.”
“I’m happy with you and David,” Levi said quietly. “That means more to me than pinning on the next rank or earning the next award.”
“You know he idolizes you. Have you seen his salute?”
Levi laughed. “It’s got a way to go before he meets regulation standard.”
Sarah laughed as well; before either one could speak again, the house’s smart communication system interrupted. “Incoming call from Coalition Defense Force Personnel for Major Levi Cohen,” a disembodied computer-generated voice announced.
“At this hour?” Sarah said, her smile turning to a frown. “I’ll be so glad when you’re finally done with this life.”
Levi stood, remembering the pain of the last several years after he’d been called to active duty, even though he was technically a reservist. Long months away in space and spending little time at home had added up to an ultimatum from Sarah.
“Pick one or the other. Family or CDF,” she’d said to him three months prior, tears streaming down her face. There was no hesitation in choosing his family. After twenty years of service, I’ve done my duty. “I’ll take it in my study, dear. I’m sure it’s just some final paperwork.”
“What else could it be?” Sarah said, a forced smile returning to her face.
Levi just grinned in reply, walking quickly to his small study. He sat behind his work desk, unlocking his tablet computer with a retina and fingerprint scan. A few seconds later, the screen turned on showing the incoming call. “Accept incoming vidlink.”
A ruddy-faced 2nd lieutenant appeared on the screen of his tablet. “Major Cohen?”
“Speaking,” Levi said.
“I have immediate orders for you, sir.”
“Excuse me, son? I’m on terminal leave.”
“I understand that, sir,” the young man who couldn’t have been more than twenty-four years of age acknowledged. “You are to take command of the CSV Salamis by 1800 hours local time and make her ready for deployment no later than 0200 hours.”
What the heck? Levi’s mind raced. “Lieutenant Zubair,” he said after glancing at his nametag. “Do I understand that my orders are to take command of a ship less than three hours from now, and have it ready for action eight hours after that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that. Who issued these orders, for starters?”
“Sir,” Zubair hesitated. “I don’t have time to explain it to you, except that when this vidlink terminates, a fully authenticated set of orders will be transmitted to you.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Lieutenant? I’m two weeks out from finishing a twenty-year stint in this man’s military,” Levi shot back, anger getting the best of him. “If I’m going to go ruin my wife and son’s evening, I want to know how long I’ll be gone. I also want to know who I need to vidlink and complain to.”
“There’s no one to talk to you, sir. Everyone is being called in.”
Levi sat back, letting that statement sink in. “Seriously?”
“All reserves, all individual ready reserve, anyone on terminal leave. If you don’t report, sir, MPs will arrive at your home and compel your cooperation,” Zubair said, seemingly finding his voice, all trace of hesitation gone.
“I’ve never avoided my duty,” Levi snapped. “What you’re describing is a national emergency call-up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s it? What’s going on? Is there a threat to Canaan?” Levi replied, his thoughts going to the safety of his family.
“Can’t say, sir. Please report to your duty station as soon as possible.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Zubair paused, pursing his lips together. “We’re under orders not to talk about it, sir. Just make sure your family is safe.”
“I understand,” Levi finally said. “Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be there within the next two hours.”
“Thank you, Major. Godspeed,” Zubair replied, then cut the connection, leaving Levi staring at a black screen on his tablet. He sat back in his chair, staring at the tablet like it was going to magically come back online and announce that he’d been punked by his friends.
A few minutes passed in silence as Levi pondered the call. What could possibly be so wrong that the entire CDF is being mobilized? His eyes went down to a picture of him, his wife, and son, smiling as a family. It remains my duty to protect them, in addition to everyone else in the Terran Coalition. That’s the oath I swore, and I’ll not shirk it. He stood up and walked with purpose back to the dining room where Sarah waited.
“What’s wrong?”
“So good at reading me, dear,” Levi said, his lips forming a tight smile. “You’re not going to believe this.”
“You’re not leaving again,” Sarah said, her face clouding over. “No, they can’t possibly call you back with what, twelve days left before your retirement ceremony?”
“Something big is happening, Sarah. They wouldn’t tell me what, but I’m to take command of a ship within the next three hours and get it ready for action.”
“Action? What’s that, a euphemism for war? I’m not stupid, Levi. Tell me the truth.”
“Sarah,” Levi said, reaching out and putting his hand on hers. “I’d never dare to say anything about your mental abilities. You’re far smarter than I am.” He hoped he could get her to laugh.
“Then what’s going on?” Sarah asked, standing up.
“I don’t know. All the personnel officer would tell me was I should make sure my family was safe.”
“I’m scared, Levi.”
He took a step forward and embraced her. “We’ll be okay. All of us will be okay. I promise.”
“You can’t promise you’ll come back if there’s a war, Levi. It’s in the hands of Hashem.”
“I’ll do everything humanly possible to return home to you.”
“Promise me?” she asked, putting her head against his chest and clinging to him.
