Liberty and Freedom: To Die For

By Clayton L McNally

Remnants of the Pegasus humans, originally from Earth and their newly acquired allies the BeNovans arrive in Alpha Centauri to escape the Krang. Two years is spent rebuilding the Galactic Star Force with new starships discovered when fleeing Pegasus. Two years to plan for a rescue of anyone left behind in Pegasus. At the same time scouting missions are sent to SOL to discover if there are any humans left there from the last world war.

A strong society is found in SOL though they have no light speed capability, they were limited to intra-solar flights. Life had survived the war and existed on Earth, Earth's moon, and Mars. While scanning SOL, Jack L. discovers an invasion by a species the KroMach bent on destroying all life in SOL. KroMach is lizard-like creatures bent on dominating everything in their path. Jack L. intervenes providing the humans of SOL with a brief respite from destruction.

Those in Alpha Centauri are now faced with a need for two fronts, one rescuing in Pegasus and the other keeping SOL free of KroMach. The effect would split Galactic Star Force ships to supporting two fronts. Pegasus was closet to Alpha Centauri Hearts, rescuing those left behind. Allowing a potential adversary into SOL only four light years from them couldn't be allowed, beside they were cousins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clayton L McNally
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021

Clayton L McNally

I am a prior owner of a Karate School - East-West Karate of Granby CT. I am ranked at 4th Degree/Dan. I write military Sci Fi / Adventure stories. I have 2 books published in print. I stopped publishing in 2011, did not stop writing. My wife had been diagnosed with cancer and that was more important than publishing. Unfortunately, she passed away and I am trying to move into the digital world. That was our goal for September 2018. I delayed it for 1 year.My books are written so that young kids can read, no sex or bad language. The books are fun to read and even non Sci Fi people have told me they enjoyed reading them.

Book preview

Chronicles - ‘Surviving Behind Enemy Lines’

He will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where he has scattered you.

The Pegasus star system had become home to the survivors of humankind who had fled the destruction of life on Earth. They lost hundreds of years of peace to an alien species that views other beings as nothing more than an inadequate food supply. Once teeming with billions of lives, Pegasus had dwindled to a population of only millions and harvested like cattle, those left behind lost all dignity and hope. Bred like cattle, they were forced to work or killed for resisting. Humanity had little to celebrate except their faith in salvation one day. A small force of the remaining Galactic Star Force fleet decided to pursue a rescue and wage a secret war, as they were ‘Surviving Behind Enemy Lines.’

SOL, home of Earth, the known birthplace of humanity, was known as the human civilization's cradle. Once a star system teeming with billions, it was considered nearly if not extinct, all due to humanity's actions itself. Two ideologies had fled SOL as chronicled in ‘To the Stars’; one returns as the other prepares to return. SOL had come under siege by an alien species bent on dominating humans for slaves and harvesting the wealth of minerals detected within the SOL system. Should the KroMach defeat the Terran Space Force, humanity would become mere cattle, property to buy and sell. SOL had been home to those that had risen from the ashes of Earth’s near destruction. Now they would fight for their lives.

Humankind had fled from Pegasus to Alpha Centauri, a new home that would become the latest star system of humanity and the birthplace of the ‘Commonwealth of Free Worlds.’ A foundational system, it was predicated on peace, liberty, and freedom for all. Deliverance of that peace would be through military forces' strength, directed by a civilian ruling body. They were caught deciding to rescue the people left behind in Pegasus or save SOL from conquerors. Failing to protect SOL could leave a new enemy at their back door in the SOL star system. If not careful, the Galactic Star Force of Alpha Centauri would be ‘Surviving Behind Enemy Lines,’ caught between two terrible choices.

Three choices lay before the young Commonwealth government and Galactic Star Force. Whichever they selected, they would have to live with. Any of their decisions could bring total extinction to humankind. Any of their options could divide humanity in their values for making those choices. In the newly rebuilt Galactic Star Force, a new multi-species government would have to forge alliances to make a choice, one that didn’t just involve humans.

Humanity and friends were like desperate cowboys of old Earth surrounded in covered wagons, surrounded by hostile forces. In Earth’s past, the encircled wagons were by Earth’s people fighting for their rights. Humanity, all races, now faced serious threats from outside hostile forces. Twenty-first-century television had shown many movies that heralded the coming of evil aliens whose sole purpose was to conquer, enslave, or destroy all of human life on Earth - this was real. Humanity was now on the front lines of Universal Armageddon, or so it seemed to the small band of survivors left in Alpha Centauri.

Liberty and Freedom were goals to aspire toward, envisioned by humanity as a way of life. This was best written in the ‘Constitution’ of America in the late seventeen hundreds of Earth’s history, with few Parliamentary procedures and design as in England. Liberty and peace weren’t just words. They were ideals that would always require faith, hope, and people willing to fight and die for them.

Chapter 1 - Pegasus, Gasp for Liberty

Deliver all those who, through fear of death, were subject to lifelong slavery.

Two surviving Galactic Star Force destroyers cornered by five Krang destroyers were reeling from fatigue, and the Krang meant to kill them. The last surviving Galactic Star Force starships had still been following the plan outlined by Commodore Vaughan. He had died in a final battle for refugees on New Earth when Robin Hood bought time for the other ships and refugees to flee.

Nearly twenty-three months had passed since the fall of Pegasus to the Krang. The final departure from Pegasus of only a handful of survivors was just a mere month away. Billions had once flourished in Pegasus; countless millions had fallen to the fate of the Krang food chain. A very few hundred thousand would escape the most horrific future. Still, millions would be left behind to be lost to history; no white knights would ride in and save the day.

People hadn’t been the challenge for Galactic Star Force to rescue. They had helped more escape than they had dared dream they could save. The more substantial burden to fear during the exit would be food, water, fissionable material, and ordnance materials. Without access to the wormhole, survivors would take years to reach Andromeda. During the travel time, they might encounter any number of hostile aliens. Protecting and feeding so many people hadn’t been appropriately projected out. The needs of so many would tax the ability of so few.

The last effort had been needed to procure supplies; the success of just escaping the long arm of the Krang required desperate measures. Shamrock and Foxfire, with WickedWays nearby, were on just such a last-ditch mission. Risking detection and the possibility of destruction close to the planets had called for a direct and Bold-natured plan. Luring a couple of Krang warships, preferably cargo ships, into the asteroids would overwhelm them and take their supplies. Realistically the trap being set was for warships. Who could expect a cargo ship to pursue a Krang warship? Shamrock had been the bait and had caught the attention of two destroyers. Captain Brown had planned to lure the two warships in a close-run maneuver near a giant asteroid, where Foxfire waited. WickedWays was more in-depth in the asteroids as a backup; they couldn’t afford to lose her battle strength.

Captain Brown, we have two more destroyers off our four o’clock, the sensor station officer called out. The trap had worked well until the bait became WickedWays itself. I make four destroyers closing on us.

"Signal Foxfire to abandon us," Captain Brown started to order. Sensors had shown a massive energy buildup and a fast-approaching craft, Foxfire.

Foxfire came from her hiding place under a massive overhang, pouncing like a cat against larger prey. She fired four torpedoes off, two at each of the new bogies. Both Krang warships felt a quick sting against their main engines. The explosions on both warships would make them moveable, with teeth but crawling very slowly. Foxfire had been ready to leap on the new attackers and even quicker to move away. The first two Krang destroyers were on the other side of the wounded Krang destroyers and acted as a shield for Foxfire.

Captain Brown, how many friends did you invite to the party? Captain Danford asked. He knew his action had placed Foxfire at risk, but it had saved a close friend’s life. Maybe we should leave this get-together?

Thanks for the assist. I owe you one, Captain Brown replied. She owed a debt she was beginning to doubt she could ever repay.

Captain Brown and her small command had gotten caught with their hands in the cookie jar, and the lid was quickly closing in on them. News from the sensor station of six other Krang warships attempting to box her two destroyers was alarming.

Captain Brown moved to the sensor station. She didn’t doubt the sensor officer; she just had to see for herself. His words foretold of more danger than she had bargained for. The trap was waiting to unfold even as a surprise had cornered Shamrock and Foxfire. She felt the lonely burden of command, and her subsequent actions could spell life or death for hundreds of her friends. Brown was not ready to give up and die, but she was running out of options quickly.

Four Krang destroyers closed behind Shamrock on Captain Brown’s six o’clock and six warships from her eleven. The margin for error was small - tiny. Two Galactic Star Force destroyers against eight Krang destroyers weren’t even a potentially fair match, also though two of the Krang warships were heavily damaged. Sometimes the best course of action was running - unless cornered, hiding - unless no place to hide, or fighting - unless grossly outnumbered. When the odds were so low, the only option was to say a prayer and do what you do best. For Captain Brown, fighting was all she had left.

WickedWays had not appeared from her hiding position yet, but she would surely be aware of the additional warships that had raised the stakes higher. Many lives would be extinguished if they lost the battle. Eight Krang destroyers faced two visible Galactic Star Force destroyers and one hidden cruiser-capable converted Krang cargo ship. Galactic Star Force would be outnumbered by two to one based on weapons capabilities, but two-to-one odds weren’t good for the lesser force.

The battle was no longer about supplies; it had become a trap to detect the ‘Lair’ virtually a certainty. If they discovered the ‘Lair,’ then all hope would be lost for Pegasus survivors. The ‘Lair’ would be impacted by the demise of the Galactic Star Force starships.

Escape was an option for both Shamrock and Foxfire. Each could engage light-speed engines and leave WickedWays to make its exit. WickedWays would have to launch first if only to damage some of its pursuers. Once the enemy was confused, then WickedWays could engage light engines and exit. She would be at risk of counter-attacks during any weapons launch, if only for a few minutes. The time from WickedWays launch to light speed for WickedWays would expose her to five destroyers for too much weapons fire, enough time that WickedWays might not survive it.

"All hands, we got caught. If we leave WickedWays, our friends on her will pay the price, Captain Alicia Brown said. There was no fault to assign. The Krang was much more active in all areas of Pegasus than when the rescue campaign had begun. The final raid on New Earth had drawn too much attention to the space they were in. The Krang had warships in all sectors of Pegasus. No place was safe. Prepare for battle."

"Signal Foxfire, turn to our eleven and engage the Krang," Captain Brown ordered. Her order would put two starships in a direct line of fire and be a massive surprise to the Krang. Only an idiot or crazy person would charge straight at a superior force.

Understood, Alicia, Captain Danford signaled a response to her order. The simplistic beauty of the attack Captain Brown had ordered would probably not be identified by the Krang until too late. This should pull the one on our six in pursuit of us.

That’s what I am counting on, Captain Brown replied. She was gambling that the Krang would be so confident of their strength they would overlook WickedWays. "If they follow us, WickedWays will get one solid shot at four warships."

Shamrock and Foxfire turned toward eleven o’clock to meet the four new attackers with a first strike. A sharp turn to the port would present a firing solution within seconds. As Shamrock and Foxfire made the course change, the four Krang destroyers had fired a wave of torpedoes. Shamrock and Foxfire had become targets of twelve weapons, all marking a direct path for Galactic Star Force starships with the intent to make them extinct.

Hard to starboard, come to 140.8, Captain Brown ordered. The sudden course change had not been anticipated by the Krang captains or the twelve torpedoes' targeting mechanisms. Prepare a broadside for the second destroyer.

Four Krang destroyers had sprung a trap on Galactic Star Force starships but now had found themselves on the short end of life. Twelve Krang torpedoes launched by the four Krang destroyers to pursue the Galactic Star Force starships crossed the path of sixteen projectiles from the four converging Krang warships. Twenty-eight offensive weapons of destruction sped toward and then away from each other. Twelve Krang torpedoes first fired at Galactic Star Force vessels now found their mark against a sister Krang warship's hulls. Krang vessels had sprung a trap, and no one was left because of more access ports than the warship’s designers had planned. A sleight of hand by Captain Brown had drawn first blood, and neither of the Galactic Star Force starships had fired a shot yet.

Four Krang destroyers were making a fast run toward Shamrock and Foxfire and ignored the first wave of torpedoes they had fired - they had seen the clear miss of the raider starships. They now focused on course changes to regain a lock on their elusive targets. Another Krang destroyer found its mark and was poised to launch when she met fourteen torpedoes, courtesy of the four Krang destroyers. The remaining fourteen torpedoes continued past all starships into nothing but space. Fourteen torpedoes had been fired such that they contacted the port side of the Krang destroyer, and it lit up brightly from proximity to a nuclear detonation. Nuclear explosions and hulls should never be combined; the intensity always rendered hulls useless. After the hole graced the Krang destroyer's port side, each new blast helped make one more Krang warship useless. Mere seconds into the battle, two Krang destroyers had succumbed to Captain Brown’s quick thinking or just plain luck.

That still left Galactic Star Force starships facing six Krang destroyers with munitions aboard Shamrock and Foxfire dwindling from previous engagements. Both starships needed to make each torpedo count and not waste their only hope for surviving this battle. What had started as a salvage operation had quickly turned into a conflict of survival. Their need was to secure more torpedoes, not discharge more, to stay alive.

PrangShor HarfKar, we have lost two ships, the tactical officer called out. Although he needed to convey the facts, some facts weren’t acceptable to Krang officers. Frequently the bearer was blamed, and if a Krang failed their duties, they perished. The Krang naval forces always had a reserve of young crews; cloning stations were still available near the transport stations. An endless supply of a warship crew could be cloned and brought to full maturity within two months, and for that reason, those officers who became senior weren’t casual with wasting life.

HarfKar had drawn his blaster, aimed it at the tactical officer, and fired in the blink of an eye. The tactical station would need a new officer who would not make poor judgments of his words before his commander. HarfKar had been appointed to eliminate the raiding parties; the Krang had several forces assigned in different Pegasus sections. HarfKar’s starships had been the lucky ones; they had uncovered the raiders.

His force of twelve warships had been deployed in a prearranged pattern, one that would maximize their chances for success. HarfKar had been assigned the space sector least likely to harbor the raiders, not surprisingly, as he was the junior commander. His good fortune had presented him with an opportunity to advance if he eliminated the raiders. The losing of warships could only be expected by command, but to lose two warships from their torpedo fire would be hard to explain. Of course, he would document his captains' lack of experience and leveled the blame for the ship's loss to them.

All ships, we still have six warships to their two. Let’s crush them, HarfKar ordered. He expected no further errors from his captains; they would pay dearly if they failed him. Captains, do not act the fools, they are cornered and must pay, or you will.

Three Krang destroyers began to out-flank the Galactic Star Force starships leaving no exit available to the raiders. HarfKar had the rear covered, the front was now closed to escape the thieves by the other three Krang ships, and the starboard side was blocked as an exit by numerous asteroids. Today there would be a victory for HarfKar, and he would rise in rank for his battle prowess.

PrangShor HarfKar, a signal from LarhKelp, the communication officer called out. He was intruding in the victory unfolding before his commander. The simple act of distraction could warrant his death. A base has been discovered.

What? A base of raiders? Show me, HarfKar asked as he moved to the sensor station. The scanner displayed the data stream from one of his warships - LarhKelp. It was a base, and his other four warships had not been detected, or at least no raider ships were moving to intercept his warships.

Should I signal command? the communication officer asked, a logical step for consistent service. Krang naval officers didn’t always perform the ultimate act; advancement sometimes drove them to rule out intelligent things. An improvement was everything to them.

HarfKar found his command warship in need of a new officer as his communication officer died from a shot to the back of his head. HarfKar pulled the officer from his chair and motioned another to take his place.

Does anyone else wish to share our victory with command? HarfKar challenged. He held the blaster in hand and slowly turned his head from side to side. This victory could elevate him two levels, and he would not share the glory with command. Signal the warships to hold back until we arrive.

Six Krang warships had two raiders cornered and wounded, but frightened animals could be the most dangerous subdue. Six to two odds were in favor of the hunter, not the prey.

Captain, we have no place to run! Shamrock’s tactical officer called out. They were alone and facing overwhelming odds; his statement didn’t air everyone’s thoughts. Fortunately for the young officer, he was on a Galactic Star Force starship and not on a Krang vessel; if he were Krang, he would be dead for saying it.

"Signal Foxfire to come about. Let’s draw them into us. Captain Brown would force the trap made against her. She was the cornered animal of the hunt, and like a wounded creature, she was ready for the last stand. Foxfire, we need to bring them as close to us as we can."

Understood, Alicia, Captain Danford replied. The thought of his friend - Alicia Brown - being responsible for their current situation had never occurred to him. He was ready, and so was the crew of Foxfire. The trap had caught them like a wasp in a spider’s web, ready to sting its hunter. Good luck.

Two Galactic Star Force destroyers - low on ammunition - turned to face six Krang warships. This battle would bring down the last remnants of the Galactic Star Force. With their demise, the ‘Lair’ would be in greater jeopardy of destruction. Two solitary starships, dangerously close to death, turned to face the superior force. A simple burst of light speed might find the Galactic Star Force starships leaving the trap behind, but they couldn’t abandon their values or friends.

As quickly as they had turned to face the Krang destroyers, Shamrock and Foxfire launched four torpedoes each. Shamrock had targeted the lead destroyer trailing them, and Foxfire targeted the lead warship that had closed the trap door on them. Eight high-yield nukes fired just a few thousand meters from the Krang met their marks. Two Krang destroyers were now damaged severely.

Shamrock and Foxfire were not as fortunate as they hoped; each Krang destroyer had fired three missiles. The Krang missiles were not as powerful as Shamrock’s and Foxfire’s - not enough to eliminate either of the Galactic Star Force destroyers, but enough to cause damage. Shamrock was hit by two of the ten Krang torpedoes; her port side was venting air to space. Of the four torpedoes, two had been stopped by countermeasures, but two had not been. Shamrock, named for luck, had been found and touched by massive blasts of nuclear charges. Not as powerful as Galactic Star Force nukes, they were potent in their own right. The two torpedoes making contact with Shamrock did so approximately one hundred feet from each other, and both opened a narrow fissure in the hull. The tears were small, but if neglected, they would become much more severe. Shamrock wasn’t done by any means, but she was bleeding, losing the life-blood of air her crew needed to live.

Foxfire faced down two torpedoes, both ear-marking a Galactic Star Force starship for destruction. Her port side would likely endure damage. How much would be determined by countermeasures and quick thinking? Foxfire was fortunate to have a more abundant remaining supply of missiles, though they were rapidly dwindling in the attempt to stop the Krang torpedoes. A hard turn to port by Captain Danford had been a successful maneuver; by turning into the projectiles, three bounced harmlessly off of Foxfire. The sharp turn had also positioned Foxfire dangerously close to Shamrock, close enough that crews could see each other through the viewports. Two of the three remaining torpedoes met missiles launched as countermeasures, and only one weapon would find its home on Foxfire’s hull. Foxfire rocked with a single blast and the blast even aided in Foxfire not scraping Shamrock's hull; the blast waves pushed Foxfire to the starboard side.

J.R., that was close, Alicia Brown signaled her good friend, Captain Danford. She had seen his sharp turn and had begun a match of his quick turn, hopefully, fast enough to ensure that their two starships didn’t kiss in the night. Let me know next time, OK?

Sorry about that, but I knew you wouldn’t be surprised, J.R. Danford playfully responded to his friend. He had not known Alicia before the Krang, but they had become close, perhaps too close in the last twenty-three months. Next time, I’ll salute you as I go by.

Shamrock readied the second wave of torpedoes, even as she fended off enemy torpedoes. Six weapons bore down on Shamrock from her previous six and now directly at the bow after her quick come-about action.

Point defense, you’ve got six incoming, Captain Brown called out as she prepared for a course change. Her ship was in a tight spot, but she could still perform evasive maneuvers. Six torpedoes could stop her cold, and that would leave no protection for the ‘Lair.’ Keep pace with our evasive maneuvers and stop as many as you can.

Yes, Ma’am. Countermeasures replied. Nothing further needed to be said. They knew their jobs and would do them to the best of their abilities.

Galactic Star Force destroyers had two countermeasures to rely on; the first were missiles launched against incoming torpedoes a few thousand meters away. The second would come from the point of laser batteries. Between the two systems, Shamrock would likely fend off much of the enemy’s torpedoes. Six torpedoes made their way, closing in on Shamrock. Simultaneously, six missiles exploded from their launch platforms and began a journey to intercept projectiles. The first four made contact with the incoming torpedoes and exploded. Each missile was armed with a small tactical nuke, just enough to take out the torpedo and anything within a thousand meters. Four weapons added to the missiles' explosive power and filled the night sky with a field of debris. The debris continued to expand until some of it encountered two missiles launched by Shamrock, and the missiles perished.

Two torpedoes got through, ma’am, countermeasures called out. A frantic effort was underway to eliminate the impending threat with the laser batteries. Lasers are hot and tracking.

Keep me informed, Captain Brown said as she directed all of her concentration on the three Krang destroyers. Her first torpedoes had done some damage, but the star destroyer was still advancing. Continue targeting the lead warship."

Shamrock fired the second wave of four torpedoes at the lead Krang destroyer. Shamrock would only have two Krang destroyers to handle if her weapons could make it past the alien’s defensive systems. Two were still too many for Shamrock, but it was better than three.

Ma’am, the signal from the ‘Lair,’ the communications officer called out. Her face bore an expression of hopelessness. Ma’am, four Krang destroyers are approaching the ‘Lair.’

OK, it’s time to stop pretending I was in a trap, Captain Brown said. She had the Krang where she wanted them, totally focused on Shamrock and Foxfire. The time for playing was over. The ‘Lair’ needed them and quickly. "WickedWays, see what you can do to these Krang."

Affirmative, we’ve got their six, Captain Jenna Sandal replied. She had already brought engine levels up to impulse. She had patiently waited for a signal from Captain Brown to even the odds by jumping the fox. The Krang trap was officially closed, but not on Galactic Star Force vessels as anticipated, but rather on the Krang themselves. Overconfident in their abilities, the Krang would feel the grip of a vice, and that grip would be crushing. Estimated time to target lock is three seconds, sir!

WickedWays dropped the dead ship pretense and moved under full impulse power, leaving a barren asteroid behind and approaching a battle ahead. Armed like a light cruiser, WickedWays burst from the asteroid with the crew already targeting two destroyers. WickedWays was targeting the undamaged Krang destroyers. The elimination of the damaged Krang destroyer might seem the more prudent step, but the odds might become even if she could hurt the other two. WickedWays launched fourteen torpedoes, six each for the two undamaged and two for the injured Krang vessel. Jenna Sandal wanted the playing field in her favor, not just even.

PrangShor HarfKar, a supply ship is coming from our rear, the new communication officer called out. He didn’t call out with the tone of fear; this was a Krang supply ship. This was just one Krang crew looking to help the destroyers in the battle and benefit its captain. It was sure to be a ploy of the supply ship’s crew to promote from supply to warship. Transponder matches Krang.

Ignore them. Order the cargo ship out of the battle area, PrangShor HarfKar ordered. He would share no glory with a mere supply ship captain. The beauty was his, and he needed more fame to overcome after the loss of two ships. Tell them warriors need no help from babysitters.

The communications officer relayed the message, but no response came back. Just empty air! The supply ship captain would undoubtedly know the rules about following the orders of a warship captain. The communication officer felt no pressing need to relay an empty message to his captain. He was sure to be killed for the supply captain’s refusal to move off or respond.

PrangShor HarfKar continued to monitor the two raiders before his small force. There was no concern for the supply ship; it would veer off as instructed or face a worse fate.

PrangShor HarfKar, the supply ship, the sensor station officer began his warning. He conveyed a message of imminent danger, danger from an incredible source. Six torpedoes are coming at us from the supply ship.

Impossible, … PrangShor HarfKar started to reply. His sentence ended very abruptly, as did his destroyer’s existence. He had ordered his ships to route all available shield power to the bow; the aft was left unguarded. Six torpedoes impacted against his hull with a profound message to the PrangShor; death. A letter had indeed been sent to reply to his communication officer, just not the news expected.

"Captain Brown, WickedWays has these remaining two, Captain Sandal signaled. Jenna Sandal had moved in close to the remaining two Krang destroyers. She sent a wake-up notice to each of the two-star destroyers in the form of torpedoes. I think I have their attention now."

Shamrock altered course to face the two remaining destroyers that Foxfire was dealing with. Foxfire had dispatched one Krang destroyer with a full spread of torpedoes, followed by a constant barrage from all laser batteries. The Krang destroyer was well met by four weapons, all targeting the main engine room. With great success and fanfare - just a big bang - the Krang destroyers came apart at the seams. The engine room's multiple hits ignited the destroyer’s nuclear reactor into an overload state, which became complete through the explosion. A massive energy wave began in engineering and quickly rippled out to both ends of the vessel, and as it did, the Krang warship seemed to flutter. It gave an almost imperceptible shudder, and then a massive release of energy burst from the inside out until only pieces of the destroyer could be detected.

Foxfire had launched her first salvo at the Krang destroyer. Even as she altered course to the destroyer’s port side, the second salvo of torpedoes was launched. In doing a course change, Foxfire presented less of a target to the remaining three Krang destroyers. Foxfire could effectively battle a star destroyer without worrying about the other two in making the coarse adjustment. An old expression always reminded people - you can kill two birds with one stone - in this case, isolating a star destroyer would be like doing just that.

Captain Danford, our friend over there, is experiencing failures in several systems, the sensor officer called out. Foxfire had launched a second wave of torpedoes into the hull of the destroyer. Numerous holes on what used to be a smooth hull were opened and pointing to the stars in a jagged mess of twisted metal. Each torpedo was taking a toll on the wounded Krang vessel, damaged but not destroyed. If we target the section near the hole by engines, we can end the ship.

Tactical, make it so, Captain Danford ordered. Long ago, he had learned to rely on his officers and their judgment of the situation. A good captain delegated to those capable of handling the task assigned to them. Concentrate forward laser batteries to engineering as well; all other batteries target the second destroyer. She’s turning this way.

Torpedoes crossed space between what once were seven antagonists, four Krang, and three Galactic Star Force starships. Many would miss targets because of evasive maneuvers or just plain poor targeting; both sides were evading instruments of destruction. Many exploded in space, with no ship nearby to damage. Shamrock and Foxfire were rapidly dispensing their supply of torpedoes. This battle had to end soon, or Galactic Star Force would fall, yet again.

Alicia, we are getting low on torpedoes, J.R. Danford signaled Alicia Brown. The battle odds had improved in ship count, but Galactic Star Force did not favor the ordinance. In a few minutes, we’ll have to throw stuff at them.

Understood, J.R., Alicia Brown said. Shamrock was equally low on supplies. They had set out only hours earlier to raid a few Krang destroyers and capture ordinance; it looked to her like their plan had backfired. No matter how much they collected from this battle, it wouldn’t replenish what they had spent. Make every shot count; a lot is riding on us.

"Captain Brown, WickedWays is also getting low," Jenna Sandal signaled. She had started with the most abundant supply but wound up facing three destroyers. She would claim a measure of victory in her first battle as captain.

WickedWays had the full attention of the trailing two destroyers as Shamrock and Foxfire dealt with the two surviving Krang destroyers that had attempted to close the trap. Combatants continued moving against each other, closing the distance to mere thousands of feet. Point-defense systems provided little assistance when crews could almost reach across the gap and club each other. Galactic Star Force was still outnumbered - four against three - but the Krang were outgunned and had lost their command. Battles could change quickly; the fluidity of a fight would always leave predictability to chance.

Shamrock was taking damage, as was Foxfire, not enough to end their struggle for freedom, but enough to make leaving the system less safe. Galactic Star Force starships were built solidly and could endure a lot, but even hardened vessels had a breaking point. Galactic Star Force had pushed starships and people to limits and beyond; it was only natural that a breaking point would be found. People or machines, which would break first, were of grave concern. Hardware could only withstand so much raw energy released against it before giving way to metal fatigue collapse. People could drop from emotional exhaustion or physical injuries mounting until the body gave way to unconsciousness or death.

Krang warships were less prepared for battle, and they relied on numbers rather than strength in an individual warship. Four determined Krang destroyers attempted to eliminate three raiders' Pegasus star system; these raiders sought to save life against all the odds. They were, of course - Galactic Star Force. Pegasus had no place for anything less than total commitment; people resolved to free humans from the Krang. Galactic Star Force had rebuilt and then fought over twenty-four months. All the strife was coming to an end; good, threatening, or indifferent had yet to be determined.

Galactic Star Force had weathered much in their time of isolation. In truth, left behind, refugees and those lost to the Krang tables could never grasp the reality of humanity’s future. A future for humanity that had taken a downward spiral toward extinction. Losing everything with no place but up to go can have an odd impact on the human psyche; instead of crushing the ember, it builds it into a raging fire that couldn’t be extinguished. Humanity was teetering to a dismal abyss, or greatness was yet to be determined. The easy path of ignoring all around them was always an option to be taken. Could Galactic Star Force take that path?

Chapter 2 - Decision, Who Lives and Who Dies

If we live, we live for the Lord; and we die for the Lord if we fail. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Admiral Randal held her weekly status session with her senior staff, and only one member was missing; Jack L. Allan. Jack L. and Freedom had traveled to SOL, the birthplace of humanity and home of Earth - once an oasis of life amidst the cold black of space. Jack L. had been gone for some time now. Much had been accomplished to safeguard Alpha Centauri and learn the ShanTu technology during his absence.

Admiral Randal thought that staff meetings had always been too long, but the order in Galactic Star Force would break down without them. She was relieved that the final business for this meeting was about to be heard by her staff.

Our final report today will be from Captain Leonard. Captain, bring us up to speed on your test of the Security Network - SecNet. Admiral Randal referred to the following security project designed for the Alpha Centauri star system, including planetary level security. Especially, let us know when we can rely on SecNet as our first line of defense.

SecNet is up and running and has been for two days now, Captain Leonard replied to the admiral. Her look showed her confidence in the SecNet system. While not the designer of the system, she was its builder and manager. "We can track every single starship’s movement within two light-years of Alpha Centauri.