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    Star Crusader: Tides of War
    Star Crusader: Tides of War
    Star Crusader: Tides of War
    Ebook284 pages3 hours

    Star Crusader: Tides of War

    By Michael G. Thomas

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    The invasion of the Centauri Rim has begun, and Knighthawk Squadron leads the way. They fight in both the real and virtual worlds, where they use their unique skills to throw the enemy off balance. This last battle will be fought against the mighty stronghold of the separatists, an impregnable fortress hidden inside the Rim known simply as The Rock. And in their path lies a vast array of warships, pirate vessels, thousands of soldiers and a secretive leader who promises a future freed of alien influence. A grim future where Humanity can realise its destiny as masters of the known universe.

    What should be the final battle of the war threatens to spread the conflict to encompass every corner of the Alliance. As the crisis reaches its inevitable climax, the Knighthawks discover a dark secret. A secret that could bring the Alliance to its knees, even in its moment of ultimate victory.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSwordworks Books
    Release dateJul 20, 2019
    ISBN9780463626924
    Star Crusader: Tides of War
    Author

    Michael G. Thomas

    Michael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.He academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.

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      Book preview

      Star Crusader - Michael G. Thomas

      STAR CRUSADER

      TIDES OF WAR

      By Michael G. Thomas

      Part of the STAR CRUSADES universe

      Copyright © 2019 Swordworks Books

      The official Star Crusades website:

      www.starcrusader.com

      The official Facebook Page:

      https://www.facebook.com/starcrusader

      All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

      Click on the link and tell me where to send the book!

      The Centauri Rim crisis quickly escalated following the defeat of Commander Mordecai of the Rising Sun and her band of revolutionaries. Fearing the area would become a haven for more pirates, corsairs, arms smugglers, Separatists, Unionist rebels, and Carthago revolutionaries it was only a matter of time before firm action would be taken. The first three weeks of the Alliance invasion saw significant territorial gains, but very few military engagements. Each advance saw the rebels fade into the protection of the Rim, a vast area where an entire civilisation can hide from the gaze of authority. All of that changed the day Knighthawk Squadron made a stunning discovery, one that would change the course of the conflict once and for all.

      A Brief History of the Alliance

      CHAPTER ONE

      Alliance Taskforce ‘Alpha’, Centauri Rim

      Day 23 of the invasion

      The Alliance taskforce moved forward like a shoal of predatory fish. Their navigation lights flickered brightly, and long white beams from the searchlights danced back and forth as they hunted for their prey. It was obvious to any soul that might come across them that they were not civilian transports, but a powerful military fleet intent on finding and bending their enemies to their will. The ships were spaced well apart; yet close enough to provide close-range firepower when needed. The blue light from their engines left a sparkling trail behind them that flickered and glistened in the cold. Leading the way was a staggered line of three destroyers, each using their advanced fire control and scanner systems to pick a safe route through so much debris. Fighters circled around the ships, checking for hidden mines or other threats.

      Right behind them was the armoured hulk of ANS Relentless, the recently upgraded assault ship, and flagship of Taskforce Alpha. She was a hybrid vessel, designed to send fighters into combat, as well as to engage enemy vessels at point-blank range. Her heavily armoured hull was second only to the heavy cruisers of the fleet, and she carried an upgraded arsenal of weaponry designed to tackle capital ships head-on. Circling her were two modern cruisers, and a fourth destroyer made up the rear. It was an impressive force, and one of three similar groups currently pushing into the Centauri Rim from different directions.

      The first shots struck Relentless without warning, and from hidden positions inside the asteroid field. Weapons fixed to large chunks or rocks blasted continually against the largest and most powerful ship in the taskforce. Automatic cannon fire mixed with railguns hammered into the thick plating, punching holes, and tearing off the extendable out plates. Then came the missiles like a swarm of angry insects. The officers on the bridge braced themselves as the first shells came in close. Point defence turrets activated immediately and returned fire. These weapon systems were fitted to all of the ships, though none carried more than the assault ship. Scores of the turrets swung into position as they operated as the last line of defence for the ships. Many of the incoming projectiles were cut apart, but some made it through. One burst hit the upper rear hull of the ship, not far from the raise command tower, and engulfed part of the hull in a series of explosions.

      Captain Galanos gripped the tactical table with both hands as the mighty carrier shuddered under the heavy attack. Without warning her helmsman decelerated, and then rolled to the right to swing her heavier frontal armour towards the new threat. The leading destroyers stayed close by, their motorised gun mounts blasting away into the field of rock and ice at the identified threat.

      It looks like we’ve found them, she said grimly, That’s the fourth area they’ve tried to block with mines or mounted gun systems. Any individual ship trying to patrol out here will be subjected to death by a thousand cuts.

      Commander Harper, her executive officer and second-in-command, raised an eyebrow both at the news and the curious turn of language.

      Thousand cuts?

      Captain Galanos forced a smiled.

      It’s an old Earth method of torture and execution, associated with the Chinese people. Also known as Lingchi.

      Uh…I see.

      I doubt it, she said with amusement, It means the slow process, the lingering death, or slow slicing, and also known as death by a thousand cuts. A common method was to use a knife to methodically remove portions of the body over an extended period of time, eventually resulting in death.

      Well, you might be right there. We’ve got two ships exhibiting signs of light damage. Another week of this, and we’ll lose more vessels to cumulative damage. I believe Alliance Intelligence has really dropped the ball on this region.

      Go on.

      Well, we were led to believe it was a small movement, backed by the disaffected, criminals, and mercenaries out here. Instead, we’re finding something akin to a nomadic society that is keeping well away from Alliance control. Intelligence suggested a matter of a few thousand people here. I suspect the number is exponentially bigger. Perhaps even into the millions.

      The Captain shook her head as she listened.

      Those are the kind of numbers that could cause us a problem. The Alliance charter contains within it the right to self-determination. With enough people, they could declare the entire Rim their own space. A pirate haven for the worst scum we have.

      I always said Naval Intelligence was far from perfect, said the Captain with a smile, I believe we have our own intelligence that is far superior.

      That drew a groan for her second-in-command.

      Really? Not them again.

      Captain Galanos nodded furiously.

      They’re not stupid, XO. I know you’re not completely behind their work. Contrary to what Command believes, everything our Knighthawks have found out by themselves has proven accurate. Maybe tracking inside the Arena simulation has more value than we ever gave it credit. They’ve put in the time and used skills that we simply don’t have to get us this far.

      Commander Harper slowly nodded at that part.

      Perhaps, Captain. But maybe that means they should be working in Intelligence now. Are their skills best used as pilots, when they could be operating in a division amongst themselves?

      Captain Galanos smiled.

      Now that is a very interesting idea, Commander.

      Two more shots hit the ship, but the point defence turrets easily stopped them with a burst of interceptor fire. Even now the battle was a one-sided affair, with the defensive systems doing little more than trying to persuade the taskforce to leave rather than succumb to significant damage, and for no perceivable gain.

      One thing I can tell you is that we’ve found them, and they don’t want us here, replied Commander Harper, Let’s hope this means we’re getting closer and not just advancing into a... Lingchi.

      Captain Galanos nodded in agreement.

      Close enough. Or all of this could be another wild goose chase. If you ask me, they’re toying with us and stalling for time. We’ve already had to return three ships to port for repairs, and all without a single major engagement. They’re playing for time, while cutting as at every turn. It’s a smart strategy.

      Commander Harper looked to the reports coming in from the rest of the Rim. It was a complicated affair, made more complex by the numbers and vast distances involved.

      Taskforce Charlie has encountered two groups of small ships. Apparently, tugs, small transports, and a lot of improvised fighters. They’re armed and fighting back, but they don’t stay long. After each assault, they move back into the debris and shut down their systems. Either the fleet ignores them and keeps moving, or it stops and hunts dozens of targets one by one. It’s slow, and they’re making little progress.

      And Bravo?

      They’re still pushing ahead. I’m surprised they’ve not encountered resistance yet. They’ve made twice the distance of any of our columns.

      Good. That means there might be fewer of them out here than we first thought.

      That would surprise me, Captain. Estimates of refugees from Carthago alone top three million. They have to be somewhere. And the Rim is one big place.

      That why we’re here, she said firmly, If we’re lucky, we might be able to end this insurrection before it can get out of control. It’s time to bring order to this lawless place once and for all.

      She pulled the antiquated intercom from its holder and lifted it to her lips. But before she could speak, an image appeared on the tactical map of the area. For a second, she thought it was one of hers, but then it blinked red. Even as she opened her mouth further, more of the targets appeared in front of her small force. Without any of them saying another word, she knew it was something important and something significant. She’d been in enough battles to know the difference between a few unidentified targets and a fleet.

      Captain, we’ve got inbound targets! Lieutenant Fiorino, the ship’s tactical officer called out, Eight armed vessels and five heavily armoured civilian transports. Thirteen ships of various configurations, but they match in ship strength. That’s on top of the upwards of fifty weapon installations remaining in this system.

      It’s a blocking force, said Captain Galanos, They really don’t want us going forward. This must be what we’ve been looking for.

      More gunfire struck from the hidden positions, but the Alliance ships were using their full arsenals and blasting the rocks to pieces the moment they opened fire. The lighter particle blaster turrets reverted to interceptor mode, blasting the incoming fire before it could hit the ship. Had they not been ready, Captain Galanos could have lost half of her ships.

      Wait… said Commander Higgins as he checked the data from his roving pairs of Lightning fighters, New contacts from our CAP. Forty plus small craft inbound from above. They must have stationed them out here and offline just for this.

      Scores of flashing red icons showed the position of the swarm as it came right for them.

      That’s not all, said Commander Harper as he pointed directly ahead, What is that thing coming out of the field?

      It looks like an Achilles heavy cruiser, said Captain Galanos, Actually, no. She looks similar to the Achilles design from above, but this is something vastly different. She’s a lot bigger, and half of her hull looks like an up-armoured fuel transport. At least thirty percent bigger…

      And packing a lot of weaponry, said Lieutenant Fiorino, It’s all antiquated spec, but it’s a problem. The computer has already confirmed she’s running close to four hundred metres in length. That’s battleship displacement.

      That is not good.

      There’s more, Captain. On her flanks, look at the insignia.

      She walked closer and examined the individual details more carefully. It was obvious the design was not quite to Alliance naval standards, but it was still a very large and dangerous ship. The iconography was of a single planet surrounded by a coloured band, almost like a ring.

      I’ve never seen it before.

      She has a name, just ahead of the insignia. I think it says Independence.

      That triggered a twitch from the Captain’s brow.

      Independence, my ass. And what are those markings in front of the name? TU? What is that?

      Lieutenant Fiorino shook his head.

      No idea, Captain. It’s a new one on me. The something Union, perhaps?

      Maybe. The engines are the same as those fitted to Vulcan Class heavy tankers, but the hull is unique. Somebody, somewhere is building ships, and they’re building them big.

      The schematic spun about to show the side of the predatory looking design. It had much in common with a prehistoric shark, with a pronounced dorsal superstructure, and extended sections at the stern that looked almost like tail fins. Unlike the Alliance ships, the front half narrowed to a point, almost like a mining drill. With a pair of turrets set one behind the other on both the top and bottom of the front.

      Four turrets…carrying what exactly?

      Lieutenant Fiorino tagged the turrets from his position, and they flashed up immediately on the projection.

      Twelve 255mm guns fitted onto four triple gun turrets, and a single dorsal-mounted 16-cell missile launcher. It’s the same specification hardware as used on old Warbarges and battleships, primitive but powerful ordnance. There must be next to no space inside her for the crew. I’d not want to be working inside that thing.

      I doubt that’s of much of a concern for them. This is a short-range ship designed for brawling. Her nostrils flared a little, And that means we’re in for a fight. Tag that ship as a Behemoth Class battlecruiser until we know better.

      Commander Harper could scarcely believe what he was seeing.

      The armoured transports are launching fighters and coming this way. We’ve got fighters approaching from three directions, the Behemoth ahead, and more than enough escorts to cause us a problem.

      He shook his head as he turned towards Captain Galanos.

      It’s a trap! Perhaps now would be an appropriate time to withdraw and call in support. We have the battleship squadron waiting in reserve for just this kind of thing.

      No. We won’t, because that is what they want us to do. IS drives can’t be used this deep into the field, so we’ll have to deal with this fight ourselves. No, we’re here to fight, and fight them we will.

      Launch the Knighthawks? Higgins asked, They’re prepped and ready for launch. Three are on the rails and good to go.

      No. I want them held back this time. We’ve still got five being repaired from our last engagement. Put the rest of the Corsairs in the air. A dozen Lightnings should suffice for CAP. We’ve only got three functional heavies on board, and I’m not risking them all in combat just yet. Something inside me tells me this is the prelude for something else. It’s not like we don’t have other options.

      Drones, then?

      She smiled at her CAG.

      Exactly. You keep telling me these cadets…no, these ensigns have innovative ideas for my embarked squadrons; ideas that could render manned fighters obsolete. Well…we’re in a fight right now. I want their force broken up and scattered. Leave them open for my fleet to exploit. I want all of the Knighthawks in that simulator suite. Let’s see what twenty-four pilots can do with them.

      Commander Higgins should have been surprised to hear that, but then both of them knew what the Knighthawks were capable of. They’d handled multiple types of spacecraft both in the cockpit and by remote. They had tackled capital ships, as well as fighters, and they’d done it on many different occasions. But never before had all twelve crews operated the ship’s arsenal of robotic spacecraft.

      You have authority to launch all the drones you need. Just hit them hard, and keep hitting them.

      That was exactly what he wanted to hear. He turned back to his part of the display that showed the disposition of spacecraft onboard. With the upgrades and increase in size, Relentless could carry quite an arsenal. The schematic of the ship showed twenty manned fighters, with half of them ready for launch. There were four dropships stowed away, and more important, thirty-six Avenger drones waiting in their launch tubes. He tapped those that he wanted to launch, and then made direct contact with the officer in charge.

      Wing Commander, it’s time. Are the Knighthawks ready?

      What do you have in mind, Commander? The reply was curt.

      I want them in the air in sixty seconds. Corsairs will defend the fleet. Avengers are going hunting. Your brief is simple, Wing Commander. Maximum damage. Let’s hit these Separatists, and hit them hard.

      The Captain then turned her attention to her bridge officers.

      Bring us about and increase power to our forward weapons. It’s time to show these rebels what happens when they meet Alliance warships.

      Captain? Commander Harper responded in surprise, Do we not want to offer them terms first of all?

      Captain Galanos shook her head.

      They already opened fire on our ships, and one of our taskforces is under attack. No…the best way to bring them to the table is to hit them hard. We’ll talk once they raise the white flag. Until then it’s all hands to the guns. We’re going to war.

      The Corporate War raged throughout the Alliance for three long years, with multiple small skirmishes and ground battles against the outlawed Carthago Trade Consortium. Though unnoticed by many, its consequences would be profound. The last holdouts entrenched themselves on the troublesome world of Carthago, long a hotbed of anti-Alliance sympathies. With the outlawed consortium defeated on every front, only a brutal assault by Alliance troops could finally end the conflict. The last battles on the surface of the planet left factories and cities in ruins. As Alliance banners rose once more, a great exodus to the barren wilderness of the Rim began. An exodus that would see more than half of the world’s population desert their homeland and add fuel to the growing Separatist movement in that frigid, and inhospitable place.

      Rise and Fall of Interstellar Empires

      CHAPTER TWO

      Alliance Armoured Assault Ship 'ANS Relentless', Centauri Rim

      Nate was already running when the sirens began to sound inside the ship. The shudder he could feel through his feet was coming from the ship firing her powerful front facing 255mm mass driver cannons. These powerful weapons were unstoppable and could punch through even the armoury of a Warlord Class battleship. Each volley could be felt throughout the ship. Then came the buzzing vibration of particle blasters, the weapons that fired pulses of explosive energy into space.

      We’re going to miss the fight! Nate yelled as he crashed right behind Billy.

      Then run! Billy suggested as they passed through a triple intersection. They moved to the left, while a marine squad approached from the right. Both narrowly avoided crashing into each other as they moved to their allotted stations.

      I thought we’d be needed with the Firehawks, he said as they reached the last passage to the drone control and simulator suite, We were waiting on the port side hangar deck for a reason.

      Another group of marines stepped out in front of them, narrowly avoiding crashing into Billy, and cutting off Nate for several seconds. He waited patiently, and then chased after his friend. Their squadron had been involved in four skirmishes so far, and though they’d lost no fighters, it had left five of their Firehawks damaged. Even so, with all the commotion he would have thought launching the three undamaged craft an obvious choice. Half of the Lightnings were already gone, but the message from Wing Commander Holder said otherwise.

      I guess the plan’s changed.

      Nate ran through the passage as fast as his legs would take him, past the guards, and into the simulator suite, and almost knocked Billy flat on his back. Billy pushed himself upright and then looked to the floating projection of the battle in the centre of the suite. More and more of the Knighthawks were arriving, including the new contingent of three Helions. Nate nodded as they entered and moved to their allocated pods.

      Why aren’t we launching our fighters?

      I have no idea, Billy. I thought that’s why we were on standby.

      Neither noticed that Wing Commander Holder was already there and waiting next to a pod. She was dressed in her PDS naval gear and looked even more agitated than usual.

      You’re here because we’re launching as a full squadron for the first time, all twenty-four of you, and me. Now…Drone pilots to your stations!

      Billy stumbled, and then moved to his own pod. Technicians waited to get them ready. The system was relatively simply, with the pod functioning as little more than a reclining chair to keep the pilot safe during the mission. It was not fully enclosed, and a neural interface web hung from the top like a spider waiting to pounce. More shapes appeared at the door as Harry, Kyla, and others streamed inside.

      Pods…now! Holder said.

      Nate looked to Billy, his best friend on the ship, and nodded.

      Let’s do this.

      Nate leant back in his pod, but not before spotting one of the Helions looking at him. They were a pale, elfin looking people. Nate had already learnt

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