Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

Vang sat in the captain's chair on the bridge of the Fordex as they prepared for contact with the enemy. The monochromatic brown planet of Sora X loomed large on the view screen in front of him. It was good that they had a potential weakness against the enemy that could be exploited, but it was limited in its use to his fleet and the Protectorate star fighters since sound could not travel through space. That was why he was placed in a low orbit around the Protectorate planet with his four squadrons of star fighters positioned deeper in the atmosphere of Sora X along with two squadrons from the College.

He didn't like engaging the enemy this close to atmosphere, but it couldn't be helped if the newly calibrated external communications array had any chance of working. He had his tech team create a sonic disruptor frequency that matched the Maxem's decompression alarm frequency, which Vang suspected had led to the destruction of the creature on that ship. Though there was no telling until the frequency was used how effective it would be, if at all.

The stark reality of their situation settled over the bridge crew like a physical weight. Vang kept his posture rigid, refusing to betray any doubt to those under his command. The alien vessel would arrive soon.

"Status report on the sonic array," Vang ordered, his voice cutting through the tense silence.

He sat near the center of the bridge, with the usual half-moon design of five console stations spread out around him. Captain-Major Wexlen had taken charge of a tactical console directly to the Admiral's right and would monitor and oversee command to the other ships in the fleet.

Lieutenant Hesh, manning the communications station, responded without looking up from his console. "Array calibration at ninety-eight percent, Admiral. Final adjustments underway."

Vang nodded sharply. "And our squadrons?"

"All fighters report ready, sir," came the reply from Tactical. "Phantom, Nova, Eclipse and Crimson Tide squadrons positioned at the upper atmospheric boundary as ordered. Protectorate squadrons are maintaining defensive formation around the College."

Vang studied the tactical display, mentally reviewing the deployment. The Fordex's position gave them the advantage of high ground, while the fighters positioned within the atmosphere could employ the sonic weapons to maximum effect. If the array worked as intended, the Fordex would act as the hammer, the squadrons as the anvil with the rest of the fleet providing covering fire. But that was if they could lure the ghost ship into the atmosphere, though as aggressive as the enemy had been so far, he didn't think that would be a problem.

"Any word from Protectorate Command?" Vang asked.

"Last transmission confirmed they've been alerted to our strategy, sir," Lieutenant Hesh replied. "Chief Commander Dexter is preparing to meet the enemy if they reach ground side."

"Good." Vang nodded. He hoped that wouldn't happen and that his attack and the defense of the Orbital Station would be enough to turn back the enemy or even destroy the ghost ship, but it was wise to be prepared for the worst. The enemy had clearly demonstrated that their aggressive strategies were both effective and devastating.

"Time until projected enemy arrival?" Vang asked.

The navigation officer consulted his display. "Based on the last tracking data, seven minutes, sir."

Vang's reattached left eye twitched slightly—the only external sign of his heightened alertness.

"Lieutenant Hesh, open a channel to all squadron leaders."

"Channel open, Admiral."

Vang squared his shoulders. "This is Admiral Vang. In approximately seven minutes, we will engage an enemy unlike any the Empire has faced before. You've all been briefed on what little we know. The sonic disruptors represent our best chance at neutralizing this threat. Remember your training and maintain squadron integrity. We believe these creatures are susceptible to the frequency we've calibrated. Engage only when ordered and be prepared to adjust tactics on my command. The Empire and the Protectorate College depend on our success today. Vang out."

As the channel closed, Vang turned to Captain-Major Wexlen. "Your assessment, Captain?"

Wexlen's face remained impassive, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "The plan is sound given our limited options, Admiral. If the frequency works as we hope, we may have a decisive advantage. If not…" He left the thought unfinished.

"If not, we adapt," Vang said firmly. "As we've always done."

A sudden alert chimed from the sensor station. "Admiral," called the officer, tension clear in her voice. "We're detecting spatial distortion at coordinates nine-three-mark-seven. It's the ghost ship, sir. Arriving ahead of schedule."

Vang's scarred eye narrowed as he leaned forward. "Time to arrival?"

"Ninety seconds, sir."

How the Yavit had they gotten here so fast? Instead of wasting time on questions, he immediately went into battle mode. "Sound battle stations. All hands to combat positions." Vang's voice remained steady despite the acceleration of their timeline. "Lieutenant Hesh, alert the squadrons that the enemy is arriving early."

The bridge erupted into controlled chaos as alert klaxons sounded throughout the ship. Status reports flooded in from every section as the crew prepared for engagement.

"Sonic array status?" Vang demanded.

"Calibration complete, sir. Array powered and ready."

"Good." Vang eyed the officer's tactical display from his seat. "The moment they emerge into range, I want full sensor scans. Every piece of data could be vital."

As if summoned by his words, a shimmering distortion appeared on the view screen, space itself seeming to fold and ripple. The alien vessel materialized with unsettling grace, finally becoming visible to the visual spectrum. It was close enough he felt like he could reach out and touch it. At this proximity, he could see much more detail on the ship than ever before. It was the best look at the ship he'd gotten since they'd become aware of the ghost ship's existence.

It indeed was organic, as the past scans had indicated, with parts of the black hull gleaming with an eerie green iridescent sheen. The ship was elongated and oval-shaped, and from this proximity, Vang could easily see that it was divided into curved domes, resembling the segments of an insect's body. Tiny protrusions extended in every direction from the ship, giving the added impression of fine antennae or sensory appendages. The entire vessel pulsed with energy that seemed to flow like blood through veins, visible even from this distance. The overall effect was both fascinating and deeply unsettling.

"Tactical analysis," Vang ordered, his voice cutting through the stunned silence that had momentarily gripped the bridge.

"Sir, the vessel is approximately one-third larger than our previous scans indicated," reported the tactical officer. "Distance is three thousand kilometers and holding."

"Is it within range of our sonic array?"

"Yes, sir. Optimal range."

Vang's decision was immediate. "Activate the array. Full power." He knew how fast and deadly the ship could respond. There was no point in tip-toeing around experimenting with lower power ranges.

"Activating now, sir."

The Fordex hummed as the external communications array redirected its considerable power to broadcast the precise frequency they'd calibrated. On the tactical display, Vang could see the invisible waves radiating outward toward the alien vessel.

For several tense seconds, nothing happened. The alien vessel hung in space, seemingly unaffected.

"No discernible reaction, Admiral," reported the tactical officer.

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Vang's jaw tightened. "Increase power. Push it to the maximum."

"Sir, that could damage our—"

"Do it," Vang ordered, remembering how quickly the enemy had destroyed the Maxem. "We won't get another chance."

The hum of the ship intensified as the array's output surged. On the view screen, the alien vessel suddenly shuddered, its smooth motion disrupted. Several of the antenna-like protrusions began to twitch erratically.

"We're registering destabilization in their hull integrity," the tactical officer announced, excitement creeping into his voice. "Energy fluctuations are increasing."

"It's working," Captain-Major Wexlen murmured.

Vang nodded sharply. "Signal the squadrons to move into attack position. Maintain the sonic assault."

"Sir, the alien vessel is changing configuration," the sensor officer called out. "The segments are... separating."

On the view screen, the segments of the ghost ship began to pull apart, connected by glowing filaments of energy. The ship was transforming before their eyes, spreading out like a bizarre flower opening its petals.

"They're trying to reduce the sonic impact by dispersing their mass," Wexlen observed. "Clever adaptation."

"Too clever," Vang agreed. "Lieutenant Hesh, instruct Eclipse and Phantom squadrons to attack. Target those connecting filaments. Nova and Crimson Tide, maintain position as backup."

"Transmitting orders now, Admiral."

The tactical display showed the two squadrons of fighters diving in towards the ghost ship and circling around to surround the ship. A few of the star fighters winked out as the enemy targeted them with red pulse fire from the antenna protrusions, but the alien vessel seemed to quake in further distress as the fighters' sonic disruptors were added to the Fordex's output.

Vang dared to allow himself to hope that they could finish this ship off and be done with this invasion. The Empire had certainly paid a high price already because of the incursion. Enough was enough.

The alien vessel's erratic movements intensified. Sections of its hull began to pulse with an angry red glow that spread like an infection across its segmented body. The antenna-like protrusions curled inward, as if the creature was attempting to protect itself from the assault.

"Sir, I'm detecting a massive energy buildup within the vessel," the sensor officer called out. "Pattern suggests—"

Before he could finish, the alien craft lurched downward, diving toward Sora X's atmosphere.

"It's running," Captain-Major Wexlen observed.

"Or seeking a tactical advantage," Vang countered. "Either way, we've confirmed the sonic disruption is effective." Vang's mind raced through the tactical implications. "Target is heading into atmosphere. Lieutenant Hesh, signal all squadrons to converge. I want that vessel surrounded."

"Transmitting now, Admiral."

The Fordex's view screen shifted to track the alien vessel's descent. Atmospheric entry created a corona of super-heated gases around the segmented craft, the friction causing parts of its organic hull to glow an angry crimson.

"Maintain sonic assault," Vang ordered. "Tactical, prepare the main batteries for full bombardment. With the ship weakening, our regular ordnance just might be effective now."

"Weapons ready, sir."

The tactical display showed their fighter squadrons adjusting course, forming a net around the descending alien vessel. On the surface of Sora X, Protectorate defense towers called the Wardens nearly had a locked target for their electromagnetic weapons. They had it. The ship wasn't going to escape this time. Vang felt a glow of victory course through him, and that's when he felt the ship beneath him violently shake and every master alarm on the bridge blared out at once.

"Status report!" Vang bellowed over the cacophony, grabbing the arms of his command chair to steady himself.

The bridge's lighting flickered, casting momentary shadows across the faces of his crew. Emergency systems kicked in with a low hum as backup power engaged.

"We're hit, Admiral!" the tactical officer shouted, fingers flying across his console. "Port shield generators down to twenty percent. Hull breach on decks seven through nine, emergency bulkheads engaging."

Vang's reattached eye burned as he scanned the tactical display. He knew the ghost ship was finally retaliating with its own weapons, but as with the Maxem, there had been no warning that weapon's fire was incoming.

"Where did it come from?" Vang demanded, scanning the screens for the source of the attack, but was not surprised when he saw nothing.

"Unknown, sir!" The sensor officer's voice cracked with tension. "No projectile or incoming energy signatures were detected."

Another violent shudder rocked the ship, more powerful than the first. This time, the lights failed completely before emergency systems bathed the bridge in a red glow.

"Port shields critical! Hull breach expanding to deck ten!" the tactical officer reported.

Captain-Major Wexlen leaned back toward Vang, his stoic demeanor giving way to urgent focus. "Admiral, the alien vessel hasn't fired any visible weapons."

Vang's mind raced. "The sonic disruption is working, and we've seen no visible retaliation from the ship." He turned to the tactical display. "Show me a full sensor sweep, all spectrums and all directions."

The display flickered, then resolved into a panoramic view of the space surrounding the Fordex. At first, nothing seemed out of place.

"There!" Wexlen pointed to a faint ripple in the display, barely perceptible against the void. "Magnify sector four-seven."

The tactical officer complied, and the display zoomed in on what appeared to be empty space. Yet as they watched, the emptiness... shifted. Like heat rising from desert sands, the vacuum itself seemed to distort.

"It's not alone," Vang realized, his blood running cold. "There's another ship."

As if responding to his words, the distortion coalesced into a form—another alien vessel, identical to the first but larger. It hung in space behind the Fordex, perfectly positioned to continue its assault.

"Second vessel confirmed!" the sensor officer called out, his voice tight with alarm. "Mass readings are off the charts—it's easily twice the size of the first!"

Had there always been two or more, but scans had so far only picked up one ship? Vang had a sinking suspicion that the invaders had only shown them what they wanted Vang and his people to see. It made sense. The invaders' technology made it difficult to track even just one ship, and it certainly wouldn't be much of an invasion if they'd only brought one ship with them.

A third impact rocked the Fordex, more devastating than the previous two. Vang's command chair emergency restraints activated, locking around his torso as the artificial gravity fluctuated.

"Sir, engineering reports critical damage to the main power core," Lieutenant Hesh shouted over the din of alarms. "Containment protocols engaging, but we're losing propulsion."

Vang's mind shifted to cold calculation. "How long until complete failure?"

"Minutes, sir. Maybe less."

Captain-Major Wexlen steadied himself against his console. "Admiral, we need to withdraw. The second vessel is positioning for another attack."

Vang's eyes narrowed as he studied the tactical display. The first alien ship continued its descent toward Sora X, pursued by their fighter squadrons. The second, larger vessel had emerged from stealth to deliver devastating blows to the Fordex, and was now maneuvering with unsettling precision.

The Admiral clenched his jaw, not liking his options, but knew that staying where they were would be fatal to the Fordex and the crew.

"Signal all squadrons to maintain pursuit of the first vessel," Vang ordered. He considered for a moment, knowing that the Fordex wouldn't be able to take another direct hit. He did not like the idea of withdrawing from the battle, but he had a duty to his men to preserve their lives, if possible. They'd certainly lost enough to the invaders already.

"Order the rest of the fleet to converge and engage their sonic disruptors onto the second ship and move the Fordex into a higher orbit."

"Acknowledged, Admiral," Lieutenant Hesh responded as he replayed the commands.

"Helm, execute emergency climb, maximum sustainable thrust," Vang ordered, keeping his voice steady despite the ship's increasingly unstable condition.

The Fordex groaned under the strain as its damaged engines pushed the massive vessel upward. Warning indicators flashed across every console as system after system reported critical failures.

"Fleet responding, sir," Captain-Major Wexlen reported.

Vang watched the tactical display as the remaining ships in his fleet formed a defensive perimeter. Their sonic disruptors activated in unison, bathing the second alien vessel in invisible waves of destructive sound.

The larger ghost ship seemed to hesitate, its smooth approach interrupted by the sonic assault. Several of its antenna-like protrusions shriveled and retracted, much as they had seen with the first vessel.

"It's working," Wexlen observed, a note of cautious optimism in his voice.

Vang nodded sharply, but kept his focus on the tactical display. "Status of our fighter squadrons?"

"Continuing pursuit of the first vessel, sir," the tactical officer replied. "They've followed it into the lower atmosphere. Protectorate defense systems are engaging from the surface, but it doesn't look like the Wardens are having any effect on the enemy ship."

Another tremor shook the Fordex, less violent than before but still concerning. Warning indicators flashed across the engineering console.

"Core containment at sixty-seven percent and falling," reported the engineering officer. "Recommend immediate shutdown of non-essential systems."

"Do it," Vang ordered. "Maintain life support, tactical, and communications only."

Throughout the ship, the lighting dimmed as sections of the ship were powered down to preserve critical systems. The bridge took on an eerie calm as nonessential displays went dark.

On the main view screen, Vang watched the second alien vessel writhe under the combined sonic assault from his fleet. Its movements were becoming increasingly erratic, the organic components visibly distressed.

"Sir," the sensor officer called, voice tight with urgency, "I'm detecting unusual energy patterns from both vessels. They appear to be... communicating."

Vang leaned forward. "Explain."

"Quantum-entangled signals, Admiral. The patterns are identical to what we observed during the Maxem incident, but exponentially more complex."

Before Vang could respond, the tactical officer interrupted. "Admiral, the first vessel has broken through our fighter screen! It's accelerating toward the Protectorate College."

Vang switched his gaze to see the first ship rush for the College. Disappointment filled him at their failure to stop the ship. It seemed the Protectorate ground crew would have to deal with them, but maybe they had done enough damage to soften the blow.

A cold certainty settled in Vang's gut. This had been the enemy's plan all along—to split their defenses, to use the first vessel as bait while the second delivered a crippling blow to the Fordex. And now, with his flagship damaged and fighters scattered, the path to the College lay exposed. All they could do now was to keep trying to take down the second vessel and hope more surprise ships didn't show up.