Cadets Read online

  First Edition, June 2013

  Copyright © 2013 by Edward Miller

  All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Pop Culture Zoo Press.

  Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

  ISBN-10: 0615805582

  ISBN-13: 9780615805580

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-63002-722-3

  Pop Culture Zoo Press

  [email protected]

  www.PopCultureZooPress.com

  (215) 718-8021

  First Printing: June 2013

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: One Hundred And Fifty Years Later, 2162, Cadet Training Planet

  Chapter 2: A Matter Of Discipline

  Chapter 3: Cadet Training Facility, Finals Week

  Chapter 4: Strange Invaders

  Chapter 5: A Momentous Decision

  Chapter 6: Recall

  Chapter 7: Executive Officer

  Chapter 8: Mobilization

  Chapter 9: Personal Message

  Chapter 10: Encounter

  Chapter 11: Earth Defense Fleet Academy, 0600

  Chapter 12: Uedf Nimitz, Main Engineering

  Chapter 13: Hit And Run Tactics

  Chapter 14: Update

  Chapter 15: Doubts

  Chapter 16: The Beginning Of The End

  Chapter 17: Uedf Nimitz, Test Flight

  Chapter 18: Final Report

  Chapter 19: Attack Plans

  Chapter 20: The Weapon

  Chapter 21: Permission Requested

  Chapter 22: Amanda’s Crazy Idea

  Chapter 23: Search For The Truth

  Chapter 24: Preliminary Testing

  Chapter 25: Final Testing

  Chapter 26: Uedf Nimitz, Live Test

  Chapter 27: In Harm’s Way

  Chapter 28: Counterpoint

  Chapter 29: Final Preparations

  Chapter 30: Earth Bound

  Chapter 31: Searching For Answers

  Chapter 32: Change Of Plans

  Chapter 33: Life And Death

  Chapter 34: Medical Emergency

  Chapter 35: Deep Space Outpost, Pluto

  Chapter 36: Plan Of Attack

  Chapter 37: Confrontation

  Chapter 38: Contact

  Chapter 39: One-Way Trip

  Chapter 40: General Order 61

  Chapter 41: A New Plan

  Chapter 42: Supreme Commander Granthaxe

  Chapter 43: Final Stand

  Chapter 44: Search For The Truth

  Chapter 45: Truce

  Chapter 46: Return To Earth

  Chapter 47: Earth Defense Fleet Headquarters

  Chapter 48: An Island Lost In Time

  Chapter 49: The Land Of The Gods

  Chapter 50: The Showdown

  Chapter 51: Finding The Queen

  Chapter 52: Dazed And Confused

  Chapter 53: Wounded Enemies

  Chapter 54: Going Home

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada,

  March 2012, 2100 Hours

  Captain Robert Williamson was in a foul mood when he entered the radar room. This was turning out to be an even worse day than yesterday. The solar flares were still wreaking havoc on all the communications systems, not to mention the radar, planetary, and deep space early warning systems. The computers were severely compromised, and the whole thing was giving him a throbbing headache. Of all days to have an unidentified object heading toward Earth at alarming speed. Hopefully it wouldn’t hit a populated area.

  “Any updates, Lieutenant?”

  Lieutenant Jenner turned and faced him. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. “Sir, about fifty percent of the systems are operating at full capacity. We’re still working on the rest.”

  “Well hurry it up,” he said. “We need to know what we’re dealing with here.”

  One of the officers at the deep space early warning station called out. “Captain, I have the bogey showing now at an altitude of one hundred and ten thousand feet. It appears to be slowing down and is flying in a steady trajectory. If it remains on its current course and angle of descent, it will enter our airspace within the next five to ten minutes.”

  “Do we know what it is?”

  “Negative, sir. It’s nothing on our list.”

  Just what they didn’t need. Some unknown object was about to enter their airspace, and because of the glitches, they had no way of telling what it could be. Williamson grabbed the microphone on the desk. “This is Captain Williamson calling the flight duty officer. Scramble Eagles One and Two. This is not a drill. I repeat, scramble Eagles One and Two. We have an unidentified object coming in hot. Do you copy?”

  “This is Flight Duty Officer Warrington, Captain. I read loud and clear. Scrambling Eagles One and Two, sir.”

  The two Eagle pilots had been playing cards in the ready room when the alarm sounded. Williamson saw them rush out and head for the runway, where their F-18 fighter jets were waiting. They were moving faster than a bolt of lightning. In a matter of seconds, the first pilot’s voice came over the radio. “This is Eagle One calling the tower. Eagles One and Two are requesting clearance for takeoff.”

  “This is the tower. Eagles One and Two are cleared for takeoff.”

  “Roger that, tower. Eagles One and Two on the go.”

  Pushing the throttle to full, the two F-18s took off, their engines roaring as they passed the radar building. When it was quiet enough to hear, Williamson spoke into the mic. “This is Captain Williamson to Eagle One. We have a projected impact point. Latitude 36 degrees north, longitude 116 degrees west, about ten miles south of Pahrump. Looks like we have a desert impact coming up. Do you copy, Eagle One?”

  “Roger that, Captain.” The pilot’s voice was loud and harried. “Thirty-six degrees north, a hundred and sixteen degrees west. Adjusting course now. Do you copy, Eagle Two?”

  “Eagle Two to Eagle One. Copy that. Let’s hit the afterburners.”

  Within seconds, the fighters had closed in on the unidentified object.

  “Eagle One to base. I have the object on my radar. It’s descending rapidly. Speed Mach 2. Angle of descent 45 degrees. She looks like she’s out of control.”

  “Williamson here, Eagle One. Roger that. Stay with her. Don’t lose that bogey!”

  Looking at the monitor, he could see the F-18s closing in.

  “Captain, it’s definitely a craft of some kind,” said Eagle Two. “I see sparks jumping off it. I think I can make out an outline.”

  “Jesus!” said Eagle One. “Do you see that thing?”

  There was a moment of silence before Eagle Two replied. “I see it. I just don’t believe it.”

  Williamson watched as the fighters banked hard left trying to keep pace with the object, which had started to reel like a drunken sailor.

  “Captain Williamson to Eagles One and Two. Have you activated your wing cameras?”

  “Dammit!” said the pilot of Eagle One. “My wing camera is malfunctioning.”

  The pilot of Eagle Two replied. “Not to worry. I’ve got your back.”

  “She’s trying to level out,” said Eagle One. “I can see the burners firing away from multiple sides.”

  “Williamson here, boys. Obviously you have a visual. Any idea what it is?”

  “I’ll tell you what it isn’t,” came the reply from Eagle One. “It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s rectangular, about the size of a 767 with
out wings, sir. There’s engines or something protruding from the back. Whatever it is, she’s trying to nose up. Looks like she’s attempting to land, but whoever they are, they’re in trouble. What are our orders, sir?”

  “Stay with them,” said Williamson. “If they make any aggressive moves, defend yourselves.”

  “Affirmative, sir. You heard the man, Paxton. Arm missiles and stay sharp.”

  “Missiles locked and ready,” replied the wingman.

  Williamson made his way to the radar screen. It was probably those damn Chinese messing around again. Or maybe one of those rich tech entrepreneurs gone rogue. Still, something seemed off about this one. He tapped the lieutenant on the shoulder. “Is she still on course to come down in the Mojave Desert?”

  “Affirmative,” said the officer.

  “What’s their E.T.A.?”

  “Their speed’s erratic, sir. I’d say no more than a minute. Two at the most.”

  He started thinking about options, but static on the monitor interrupted his thoughts.

  “Eagle One to base. The object appears to be firing some type of forward thrusters, sir. She looks like she’s trying to get her nose up. Now at an altitude of one thousand feet and coming in fast and furious. She’ll be on the ground shortly.”

  “Understood, Eagle One,’ said Williamson. “Follow her in. Eagle Two, stay alongside of her. Report back to me as soon as she lands.”

  “Affirmative,” came the reply from Eagles One and Two.

  The officer at the radar control monitor called out to the captain. “Sir, radar contact lost. The object has dropped below four hundred feet.”

  The pilot of Eagle One called out. “She’s down, Captain. Hit the ground pretty hard and fast. I’m doing four hundred knots, so she had to be moving at around the same speed. I’m going to pull up and circle back. I’ll let you know if I see any movement.”

  The room got very quiet. Other than the sounds of the equipment, the only thing that could be heard was the sound of the men and women in the room breathing. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, the silence was broken.

  “Eagle Two to base. There’s something moving down there. I’m dropping to one hundred feet. Almost there. It’s pretty dusty. Kind of hard to see. Wait a minute. It’s clearing a little. My God! They look like . . . like—”

  Then, nothing but static.

  Williamson slammed his fist on the desk in front of him. “Damn it. Reestablish contact with the pilots, Jenner.”

  “I’m trying to, Captain. The solar activity is interfering with our communications.”

  Williamson picked up the red phone and waited to be connected.

  “What’s the situation?” said the voice on the other line.

  “We have a code zero, said Williamson. “What are my orders, sir?”

  “You know the drill,” came the reply on the other end. “Lock down the facility. Secure the area of impact. Nobody in or out. All data and recordings stored and sealed. No contact with anyone but me or my department. Have the pilots report to my people for debriefing. Do we have an area of contact?”

  “Yes, sir. The Mojave Desert.”

  “What is your name and rank?” requested the voice.

  “Captain Robert Williamson, sir.”

  “This is your official story, Captain,” said the voice on the other end of the phone. “There was a military test of a new type of space probe. It malfunctioned and crashed in the desert. You will say nothing more and will direct any questions to me. I will take it from there. Do you understand my orders, Captain Williamson?”

  “Yes, sir. Anything else?”

  “Lock it down, Williamson. I’ll be in touch.” The line went dead.

  Chapter 1

  One Hundred And Fifty

  Years Later,

  2162, Cadet Training Planet

  Ryan Thompson didn’t care much for awards or authority, so why did he find himself practically racing toward the boarding area for the flight simulator of the UEDF Nimitz space cruiser? Maybe he needed to prove something to himself. After all, he was eighteen now, and soon would be graduating from the academy, no longer a cadet. Or maybe it was more he wanted to prove something to his father—that he could succeed without his help. And then, there was Amanda. Either way, this would be the final simulation for determining who would win the coveted Golden Cadet Award. Luckily, because of his excellent performance in all the other aspects of the competition, he was assigned the role of ship’s captain by the head of the academy, Admiral Jonas Williamson.

  Though there were many awards, there was no doubt the Golden Cadet was the most prestigious award at the academy. In every graduating class for the past twenty-seven years, one senior had been chosen to receive it based on overall scores and skills in a battery of tests. Winning the award was considered to be almost a sure road to a successful career as an officer in the United Earth Defense Fleet. But that seemed almost secondary to Ryan. No, he wasn’t here for the glory. This was more about saving his soul.

  Just as he rounded the corner, one of the new recruits ran up to him.

  “Hey,” said the kid, who looked around fifteen, “you’re Flash Thompson’s son. Can you sign my induction papers?”

  Ryan cringed at the mention of his father. “You still carry your induction papers around with you?” he said.

  “Well, I heard you were boarding the simulation, and—”

  “No offense,” said Ryan, “but really, I’m late.”

  Ryan started to leave, but something made him turn back. Maybe the need to prove he wasn’t Flash Thompson’s son, at least not when it came to being there for someone. As he turned, he saw the freshman walking away with his head down.

  “Hey!” he called. The freshman turned around. “Come on, you got twenty seconds.”

  The kid nodded and gave a half smile, running back to him.

  “You got a pen?” said Ryan.

  The freshman grinned as if he’d just been promoted to captain and grabbed a pen out of his book bag. Ryan quickly signed his papers and then ran off toward the Nimitz, the kid yelling his thanks from behind him.

  For Ryan, it was bad enough being the son of the man who’d been the first ever winner of the award, not to mention the Fleet Admiral of the whole UEDF. But the very mention of his name brought back horrible memories of that fateful day, something he spent most of his days trying not to think of.

  Finally, Ryan arrived at the boarding dock and made his way through the entrance tunnel. It was hard to believe he was inside a simulator. It was an exact replica of the bridge on the Nimitz, one of the oldest, most legendary ships in the United Earth Defense Fleet. The actual planetary battle cruiser, which was still on the base, was practically an antique now, but perfect for using on test flights. Thankfully, the crew that Admiral Williamson had picked for him was the best of the best and should get the job done. But there was one wrinkle—a huge one, as far as Ryan was concerned. His old girlfriend, Amanda, who just happened to be Williamson’s daughter, would be his executive officer. Not only that, but she was the other candidate for the award. That was a recipe for team conflict if he ever saw one.

  As he proceeded onto the battle bridge, Ryan spotted Amanda talking to her friend Jill Myers, the communications officer. It was hard to miss Amanda’s long red hair. Why in the world would the admiral have picked her, of all people, to be his right hand? He had to know the possible consequences of that. Besides, any one of the other cadets on the crew would have made a more suitable executive officer. At the least, they could be flexible. She was about as rigid as they came. If anything, she should have been placed in engineering, where her real skills were, not in command, where you had to think on your feet and make spur-of-the-moment decisions. Now he could only hope she wouldn’t slow him down and ruin the mission.

  Ryan approached the captain’s console and fiddled with the controls, trying to get his bearings. They were about to start the simulation when he overheard Amanda talking to her frie
nd Jill Myers.

  “Don’t you wonder sometimes,” said Amanda, “why we keep running these battle simulations? I mean, we haven’t had a single war on Earth for over seventy years. And we haven’t once had anything even remotely resembling a space battle. Is it me?”

  “You don’t get it,” said Jill. “This isn’t about war or preparations. It’s about who dies with the most toys. There’s money to spend, so people will spend it. Besides, the higher ups think it’s ‘for the safety of all’ as they say. Don’t you watch the UEDF promos?”

  “It just kills me how many other things we could do with that money,” said Amanda. “Do you know how many medical supplies that could buy?”

  Ryan hadn’t been invited into the conversation, but he couldn’t help getting involved. He felt she was missing the point. He casually made his way over to them.

  “Ladies, I’m afraid you’re oversimplifying it just a little,” he said. “This isn’t about toys. And it’s not even the money. Do you want to know what this is about?”

  “I can’t wait to hear this one,” Amanda said to Jill.

  “Oh, you’ll love it,” said Ryan. “It’s about what happens if you’re in command of a deep space exploration mission and an unknown ship approaches your ship and opens fire. But you don’t have any training to deal with hostile forces, so maybe you hope for the best and try to talk to them. But guess what? They may not be in the mood to listen. Maybe they want to shoot first and ask questions later.”

  “And just where are these hostile forces coming from?” said Amanda. “Nobody has ever seen a single alien in our entire history. Like ever. But just in case, I guess you can never be too ready.” She shook her head smiling. “Unbelievable,” she added.

  “So, I guess those two planets we found never really happened then, right?”

  “Ryan, that’s not—”

  “Both of them had clear evidence of alien civilizations and were devastated by someone or something.”

  “That wasn’t even in our solar system. It was light years away.”

  “Close enough. And every year we’re exploring deeper and deeper into space, so we just might meet some friends we weren’t expecting—sooner than you think. Remember the Drake equation?”