Read Online SODIUM:4 Gravity by Stephen Arseneault - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Stephen Arseneault
Tags: Sci Fi & Fantasy
Ads: Link
I had a different theory. We had been detected and they had slowed in an attempt to figure out just what we were.
Shepard had been going over the ships specifications and came back with what she thought might be the answer. The electronics of our sensors put out a 25kHz hum, but the amplitude was not considered detectable. At 12 feet away even our most sensitive microphones were unable to detect its presence.
Our engineers had not taken into account the effects of being in water where that 25kHz tone could easily be transmitted over a much longer distance. The infant squids had evidently picked up on it. It probably was only a matter of time before other sensors on-board the mega-ship would have been able to detect us.
Command considered it a minor victory that the aliens had slowed as two months would allow more pilots to be trained and more coil guns to be added to our defense. The new estimates would place 4,100 Defenders and 16 Ghosts in service by the time the fleet arrived.
For a month we floated along observing the aliens from a distance. The time seemed endless and monotonous. I began to doubt our chances. How ready was Earth for this invasion? Did the people know of the size of the fleet? Or of its power?
As we cruised along awaiting new direction, I was given the chance for a call home to speak with my family. My Grandfather answered and was in good spirits. But his voice sounded notably weaker and I could tell that age was taking its inevitable toll. I wished that I could somehow take him for a ride at 2412 SOL where the green glow could heal his aging body. It was a wish that I knew I would probably never be granted.
We had a good talk and again my spirits were raised and self-confidence renewed. He somehow always knew the right things to say. I next talked to my mother where I was asked where I had been and why had I not called sooner. I gave her the standard answer that I was not at liberty to say. She let out a "humph" sound but I knew it was only the sound of a mother concerned for her child.
I considered myself a tough chick. I had a thick skin and a sometimes foul mouth. I would fight at the drop of a hat or step in to defend a friend. But emotions could sometimes get to even the toughest of us. I felt a bit ashamed of the relief that came when the call ended. I had been only moments from breaking down. The months on end in space were pushing my sanity. I was beginning to brood when the sleep aids of my BGS hit my bloodstream and I quickly dozed off.
The zero-hour counter was down to 98 days. Earth's defenses continued to build. My irritation with not being able to fight continued to grow. Sitting on station, cruising at only half SOL, was like a plague on my soul. I wanted action. I wanted combat. But my orders were to sit tight and watch.
On day 94 I got news of another attempt at a raid. Four more Ghost ships were on their way and would be impacting the fleet within the hour. They would be traveling at more than ten SOL. It was the fastest safe speed they could employ while passing through the alien vessel with the active skin.
I again watched patiently as the combat counter trickled down to zero, the target was the mega-ship. As the counter ticked away I could almost feel the sweat beading on my forehead due to the anxiety of waiting. At zero we got evidence of the attack.
One of the destroyers again took a hit. It was obliterated, leaving nothing but a cloud of debris. The other three Ghosts had missed all targets. Immediately the surrounding matrix of alien fighters moved their perimeter outwards.
Shepard ran several calculations and came back with the bad news. Even at ten SOL the alien mega-ship would have time to react and destroy any attempts at an over SOL assault. Our best weapon against the alien fleet was now useless.
I again pressed Command for permission to launch an assault of my own. Again I was denied. I felt helpless as I sat and watched as the alien fleet closed in on my
Shepard had been going over the ships specifications and came back with what she thought might be the answer. The electronics of our sensors put out a 25kHz hum, but the amplitude was not considered detectable. At 12 feet away even our most sensitive microphones were unable to detect its presence.
Our engineers had not taken into account the effects of being in water where that 25kHz tone could easily be transmitted over a much longer distance. The infant squids had evidently picked up on it. It probably was only a matter of time before other sensors on-board the mega-ship would have been able to detect us.
Command considered it a minor victory that the aliens had slowed as two months would allow more pilots to be trained and more coil guns to be added to our defense. The new estimates would place 4,100 Defenders and 16 Ghosts in service by the time the fleet arrived.
For a month we floated along observing the aliens from a distance. The time seemed endless and monotonous. I began to doubt our chances. How ready was Earth for this invasion? Did the people know of the size of the fleet? Or of its power?
As we cruised along awaiting new direction, I was given the chance for a call home to speak with my family. My Grandfather answered and was in good spirits. But his voice sounded notably weaker and I could tell that age was taking its inevitable toll. I wished that I could somehow take him for a ride at 2412 SOL where the green glow could heal his aging body. It was a wish that I knew I would probably never be granted.
We had a good talk and again my spirits were raised and self-confidence renewed. He somehow always knew the right things to say. I next talked to my mother where I was asked where I had been and why had I not called sooner. I gave her the standard answer that I was not at liberty to say. She let out a "humph" sound but I knew it was only the sound of a mother concerned for her child.
I considered myself a tough chick. I had a thick skin and a sometimes foul mouth. I would fight at the drop of a hat or step in to defend a friend. But emotions could sometimes get to even the toughest of us. I felt a bit ashamed of the relief that came when the call ended. I had been only moments from breaking down. The months on end in space were pushing my sanity. I was beginning to brood when the sleep aids of my BGS hit my bloodstream and I quickly dozed off.
The zero-hour counter was down to 98 days. Earth's defenses continued to build. My irritation with not being able to fight continued to grow. Sitting on station, cruising at only half SOL, was like a plague on my soul. I wanted action. I wanted combat. But my orders were to sit tight and watch.
On day 94 I got news of another attempt at a raid. Four more Ghost ships were on their way and would be impacting the fleet within the hour. They would be traveling at more than ten SOL. It was the fastest safe speed they could employ while passing through the alien vessel with the active skin.
I again watched patiently as the combat counter trickled down to zero, the target was the mega-ship. As the counter ticked away I could almost feel the sweat beading on my forehead due to the anxiety of waiting. At zero we got evidence of the attack.
One of the destroyers again took a hit. It was obliterated, leaving nothing but a cloud of debris. The other three Ghosts had missed all targets. Immediately the surrounding matrix of alien fighters moved their perimeter outwards.
Shepard ran several calculations and came back with the bad news. Even at ten SOL the alien mega-ship would have time to react and destroy any attempts at an over SOL assault. Our best weapon against the alien fleet was now useless.
I again pressed Command for permission to launch an assault of my own. Again I was denied. I felt helpless as I sat and watched as the alien fleet closed in on my
Similar Books
