Deployment at Star-Base King

Willeck was on a deployment at Star-base King. Not much happened out on this satellite space station orbiting the Roxxen system. The war with the Orok Empire was happening almost on the opposite side of the galaxy. So, Willeck spent most of his daily patrols watching the stars. That’s why he joined the Rosanian Space Corps: to see the wonders of the galaxy.

An asteroid flew past in a flash. It dove away from millions of distant stars and the milky mass at the center of the galaxy. It continued on its course towards the distant blue Roxxen star. Willeck let out a relaxed sigh.

An alarm went off in his helmet. It was time to go back inside the base. He grabbed his rifle and routinely checked the solar panels and some other external support systems. Once that was satisfied, he made his way back to the hatch. He entered the password to the airlock and it opened, just as designed. A loud beep went off, informing that part of the base which airlock was being opened. Willeck climbed through the hatch and closed it.

“Please wait…” the AI said, “Adjusting ship’s vitals…”

Again, this was routine. The ship’s artificial systems had to be adjusted inside the airlock whenever somebody entered or exited the ship. Willeck felt the cabin depressurization and his feet became solidly planted to the ground. Other mechanisms turned on with the oxygen levels, temperature, and humidity going to normal.

“The ship’s vitals are compatible,” the AI said, “You may enter.”

Willeck opened the door and Vardig stood there to relieve him. Vardig was a coluan. Six foot tall, dark green skin, with a narrow mouth, and black eyes. His nose had only two nostrils and he had no hair. He looked more insectoid than humanoid. A space suit covered Vardig’s entire body. Like humans, coluans cannot go out into space without protection.

“Take your time, Willeck,” Vardig said, smiling, “I’ve already been waiting ten minutes.”

“That’s our entire job,” Willeck laughed, “Hurry up and wait.”

“You’re not wrong,” the coluan said, entering the airlock.

Willeck walked to the cleaning station. First, he stripped off his space suit and sent it down a belt to clean it. He then stripped off the rest of his clothes and tossed them into a laundry chute. He took his pistol and his rifle and sent them down a charging belt, and finally stepped into the shower. He always felt dirty after his spacewalks. As he finished his shower, the AI produced a fresh set of clothes for him, along with his freshly loaded weapons.

Once his uniform was back on, he started the trek to the comms station. Within the disk-shaped base, the comms station was in the command complex, on the opposite side of the base from where the living quarters were located. Willeck passed the mess hall, and then he passed the drone bay where robotic fighters were stored. Next, there was the hangar, and then various engineering and repair workshops. He passed escape pods and then turned down a hall into the comms center.

The comms center was a small room with two desks, two computers, and no view to the outside. There were blinking monitors that signified different pieces of information. The only other person that worked comms at Star-Base King, Tiff sat at one of the desks.

“How was your spacewalk, music man?” she asked him.

Tiff was a human who always wore her blond hair up in a bun. She had bright blue eyes and liked to smile. Tiff was probably his closest friend on the ship and Vardig was his other.

“The usual, shorty,” Willeck said, “Anything interesting from comms?”

“Just the usual shippers asking for their clearance,” Tiff said.

“Well you could still be stuck on Mageros,” Willeck said.

“I swear it’s not as bad as you think it is!” Tiff told him.

“You say that until the day I take you to the core planets,” Willeck told her, putting on his headphones.

Tiff laughed. They spent the next few hours listening to the military shipping lines, approving or denying requests to pass specific systems. Most were shipping ores to the industrial planets to be refined into metals for military weapons. Suddenly, a transmission came through.

“Star-base King? Star-base King?” a woman’s voice came over comms, “This is Shipping V-8194. V-8194.”

“I’ll take it,” Tiff said.

Willeck nodded. Tiff pushed a button.

“Star-base King responding,” Tiff said, “What is your request V-8194?”

“A Sadar fleet is approaching the Roxxen system,” the shipper said, “I repeat, a Sadar fleet is approaching Roxxen system.”

“I will contact the Sadar’s,” Willeck said.

The Sadar’s were a small planetary empire that bordered the Roxxen system. They traditionally provided arms for the Rosanian Federation. Unlike the Orok’s and the Rosanians, the Sadar’s were made up of one species. Willeck traced where the shipper’s transmission was coming from and then searched the area for other ships.

“How many ships do you see?” Tiff asked.

“A dozen,” the shipper said.

Tiff muted her microphone.

“The legal limit for the Sadar’s is only three ships,” Tiff said.

“I know,” Willeck said, “This isn’t good.”

Willeck finally found the Sadar transmission.

“Imperial Sadar fleet come in,” Willeck said, “This is Star-base King representing the Rosanian Federation. Imperial Sadar fleet come in.”

There was no response.

“Imperial Sadar fleet come in,” Willeck repeated after a few seconds, “You are in restricted space. Please present your clearances.”

“Shipper V-8194,” Tiff said, “Shipper V-8194. Please identify the ships.”

A second passed.

“His comms were cut,” Tiff said.

Willeck’s stomach twisted at the implication. He felt sweat beading on his face, and he looked over at Tiff. Her face was white, showing she also knew what was coming.

“I will keep pushing the Sadar’s for a response,” Willeck said, trying to compose himself, “You inform the other bases of what is happening.”

“I will also sound the alarms,” Tiff noted.

Tiff switched the alarms, which howled throughout the base.

“Star-base Hammer, come in,” Tiff said, “Star-base Hammer, come in. This is Star-base King, an Imperial Sadar fleet is approaching us. I repeat. An Imperial Sadar fleet outside of regulation is approaching us.”

“Imperial Sadar fleet, come in,” Willeck continued, “This is Star-base King. You are in restricted space.”

“Star-base King,” a voice responded, “This is Sadar Zeta-Prime. We demand your immediate surrender or your entire garrison will be annihilated.”

“Sadar Zeta-Prime,” Willeck responded, “I will forward this message.”

“What is happening,” Captain Chisham said, coming through the door.

Captain Chisham was a human. He was only ten years older than Willeck, but his greying sideburns made him look another twenty years older. He had a decorated career in the Army before joining the Space Corps as an officer. Everyone knew he’d rather be anywhere but space duty, however, he made sure his base was up to standard while getting along with his garrison.

“Sir,” Willeck said, “A Sadar fleet of twelve ships approaches. They demand our surrender or they will kill us all. Tiff is informing the other bases of the fleet.”

“Refuse them,” Captain Chisham said, “Tiff. Call for reinforcements. I will have Sargeant Ryek deploy the Hunter Drones to delay.”

The Captain left the comms, closing the door behind himself.

“Sadar Zeta-Prime,” Willeck said, “Sadar Zeta-Prime. We refuse your request to surrender.”

“Star-base Hammer,” Tiff called, “We request reinforcements. I repeat, we request reinforcements.”

“Prepare to be boarded, then,” Sadar Zeta-Prime responded.

“Star-base Ace,” Tiff called,” We request reinforcements...dammit they cut our comms. Nobody responded to our calls.”

Willeck knew that, but Tiff made the gut-wrenching news real.

“We can’t hold back a fleet of twelve on our own,” Willeck said.

“I know,” Tiff said, nodding slowly. “Inform Captain Chisham of the development. I will attempt to bring the systems back up.”

Willeck nodded, grabbed his rifle, and left comms. Willeck crossed over to the command center, which was next to comms. There were multiple computers, alarm switches, and minor comm systems for the Captain’s use. There was also a window that looked out into the vastness of space. Captain Chisham, Vardig, and another coluan, Sergeant Nomig all talked together. The three of them were carrying rifles.

“Sir,” Willeck said, “The comms have been cut. Tiff is attempting to bring them back up.”

“Our situation grows grimmer, then,” Captain Chisham said, “Sergeant Nomig, you know your orders. Ready the defense.”

“Yes, sir,” Nomig said and he departed.

“Sir, if I may ask, what is the status on the drones?” Willeck asked.

“They were all destroyed,” Captain Chisham responded, “Only one of their ships seems to have sustained significant damage from our assault.”

Captain Chisham looked at both Vardig and Willeck and said, “You two will defend comms in hopes that Tiff can bring them back up. I am joining the forward defense.”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

They followed the Captain up to comms and remained there. Willeck went to the door.

“Tiff,” Willeck said, “Lock yourself in here. Open the door to no one except Captain Chisham.”

She nodded and shut the door. Willeck heard it click to lock. He looked over at Vardig who gave a small smile.

“And we thought this assignment was going to be boring,” he said.

“I’m wishing we were right, my friend,” Willeck told him.

“Regardless,” Vardig said, with a chuckle, “We will give them Hell.”

“Yes,” Willeck agreed, “They shall regret attacking Rosania.”

“Come on,” Vardig said, “Let’s build some cover.”

They moved some chairs that were set up in the hallway to make cover. Once that was satisfied, they both went silent and sat with their guns pointed in front of them. The next few minutes were an eternity for Willeck. His nerves were bursting through his system. All he could hear was Vardig’s breathing and his own. Soon, they heard the sounds of combat. Willeck looked over at Vardig, who returned the look with acknowledgement that he heard the same thing. They both quickly stood and held their rifles at the ready.

“Fall back!” Captain Chisham’s voice came from down the hall, "Do not let them reach comms."

Someone screamed in pain. Captain Chisham, a human woman named Retha, and Lek, a zarkrin man covered in light-brown hair, rushed around the corner. Captain Chisham fired off a few laser blasts from his rifle at some unseen menace. Retha and Lek moved next to Willeck and Vardig and took defensive positions. Captain Chisham stayed behind the bend, firing shots.

“What happened?” Willeck asked.

“They landed a strike team in the hangar,” Lek said, “We were holding them back well, and then they reinforced the ones in the hangar, and they seemed to send some through the hatch, or the drone bay. Soon, they had us surrounded. We broke through their rear, and fled here.”

“Both Sergeants Nomig and Ryek were both killed,” Retha added, “I don’t know if anybody else survived.”

“How were the Sadar’s able to take down twenty people?” Vardig asked.

“They overwhelmed us,” Retha said.

Captain Chisham continued his withdrawal, moving behind Vardig.

“Remember,” he said, “They cannot break into comms!”

“Yes, sir!” they all said.

The first Sadar rushed around the corner and Lek fired, killing it. It was a blue-skinned creature that stood slightly shorter than humans. However, they were much more muscular and their faces looked swollen by human standards. One popped from around the corner and fired a shot that hit nobody. Another ran across the corridor and took cover. In seconds, the comms hallway erupted into laser blasts. At this point, Willeck wasn’t sure how many Sadar’s there were because they kept appearing from around the corner. Some attempted futile charges while others fired their lasers at the defenders.

“Ack!” Lek yelled after he was hit.

He fell to the floor as three more lasers hit him, finishing him off.

“Keep fighting!” Captain Chisham shouted in a grim reminder, seemingly to himself.

“Those bastards keep multiplying!” Vardig shouted.

“They’re expendable!” Retha confirmed.

Another stray laser hit Vardig in his shoulder.

“Shit!” he shouted.

“Hold them back!” Captain Chisham shouted.

Willeck kept firing. Every time he was certain he got the last of them, even more Sadar's joined the fight. Another laser suddenly hit Vardig and he was down.

“Vardig!” Willeck shouted.

“Don’t let him distract you!” Captain Chisham shouted, “We’ll have time to mourn after the fight.”

“Ah!” Retha shouted.

Willeck looked back. She grasped her neck and fell. Another laser beam caught her in the chest during her fall. Retha remained still from that moment on.

“Dammit!” Captain Chisham said, “This rifle’s out of ammo!”

He pulled out his pistol and continued firing. Soon, that ran out of ammo too. Letting out a scream, Captain Chisham charged the Sadar’s with a knife. They fired multiple lasers into him, but he reached them. He slashed two with his knife before crumpling to the floor from laser fire. The laser fire paused for a moment. Willeck ran across the corridor and ran to the comms door.

“Any luck?” Willeck asked.

“No,” Tiff called back, “I’m trying, though.”

“The rest have fallen,” Willeck said, “It’s just me out here.”

“Are the Sadar’s still attacking?” Tiff asked after a moment of hesitation.

“They went silent,” Willeck said.

Just then, more lasers started to fly past. Willeck returned fire.

“They’re firing again!” Willeck told her.

“Don’t get yourself hurt!” Tiff said.

“I’ll try not to!” Willeck shouted back.

A swarm of Sadar’s started to charge him. He kept firing. One fell and then another, quickly followed by a third. One of them fired at him and it hit his arm, but he kept firing. He got a fourth down. Then, a laser hit his leg. Willeck screamed in pain. Finally, one of the Sadar’s said something and they turned and ran. Willeck tried to follow, but he only collapsed once he put weight on his leg.

“The comms are back on!” Tiff shouted, “Reinforcements are here! They got our first call for help!”

The door opened and Tiff looked through cautiously. Willeck looked up at her without a word. She grabbed him and dragged him back into comms. Tiff then fell to the floor and hugged him with tears in her eyes. Willeck had tears in his eyes, as well.

“We’re safe!” she said, “We’re safe!”

“Thank you, Tiff!” Willeck said, hugging her back.

Within minutes, soldiers rushed into the corridor. A medic checked all of the bodies, including Willeck.

“Three living,” the medic reported out loud, “And two in urgent need of medical attention.”

“Who else survived?” Willeck asked.

“The coluan,” the medic answered, indicating Vardig.

Willeck smiled, thinking that Vardig might live another day. However, before he could think much more, he and Tiff were taken out of Star-base King and brought onto a ship. There, Willeck and Vardig were laid on beds. Tiff sat next to Willeck and held his hand tight.

The ship blasted off from Star-base King. Willeck took that moment to analyze the situation through a window. Half of the Sadar fleet were ruins surrounding the Star-base. There was a fleet of multiple Rosanian ships floating around or connected to the space station. Willeck looked at the medic.

“What will happen now?” he asked.

“That’s not a question to ask me,” the medic said, “However, I suspect a war might start with the Sadar’s. Then again, I don’t know what the higher-up’s will do. I suggest you get some rest, though. It will help the healing process start.”

“Yes,” Willeck said, closing his eyes, “That’s a good idea.”