The Third Book of the Alienbutt saga. Emperor of the Universe. Part 74.

As a sustained barrage of battle cruisers and Uranus based Ion cannons began to hammer at the giant ship, the unexpected happened. The ship shot forward with such a sudden increase in speed that it took everyone by surprise. The battle cruisers turned to follow but were quickly left behind and still the giant ship was increasing its speed.
“Order all battle cruisers to give chase. I want the Neptune reserves to intercept now,” General Jee ordered, already fearing where it would be headed as he could see the battle slipping away from him.
The Neptune reserves consisted of three battle cruisers and four squadrons of frigates. They took up position in front of the giant ship and opened fire as it approached. The giant ship ignored them and flew straight through their ranks, smashing them out of the way as explosions from the rammed battle cruisers ripped at the front of the ship. One of the battle cruisers hit one of the lower gun turrets and both disappeared in a massive explosion but the giant ship didn’t slow as it continued onwards.
Despite the heavy damage to the front of the ship, it pressed on while the Federation battle cruisers fired on its retreating rear as they fell further behind, unable to match the acceleration.

The ship was through and past Saturn before the defences there had a chance to do more than fire a few shots as it sped by. It wasn’t until it was approaching Mars that it began to slow. With General Jee and the battle cruisers left way behind, the defences of Mars opened fire at the great ship. The ship returned fire with its front cannons and more droid fighter-ships were launched. They swarmed towards the orbital defence ring of Mars. The forward cannons of the giant ship blew holes through the defences with a sustained barrage. The droid fighters raced through the breaches and headed for the planet below where they concentrated their attacks on the largely undefended great cities. As General Jee and his battle cruisers approached, the giant ship accelerated away again.
General Jee cursed as he saw the ship race away. Mars was breached and the people were under attack. A fresh fleet was attacking Uranus and its defences were failing. The ship was unstoppable and the massive firepower of Jee’s battle cruisers had been unable to even slow it down. Within ten minutes of entering the Earth solar system, the ship had ripped apart his careful defences and the battle was lost. The ship was approaching Earth and he could do nothing to stop its advance. The ship was still accelerating and General Jee knew it was heading for the sun and would soon start to destabilise it as it had at the planet RS465. It would use the system’s own sun to destroy the entire system.
“Order all battle cruisers to prepare for a jump to light-speed, location two five alpha. We have failed to hold this system and now we need to get out of here,” General Jee said in resignation.
“General unless you give the order to surrender, that ship will destroy everything. Earth will be destroyed,” his steward standing by his side informed him.
Other officers on the bridge heard his words and although they stood silently, the steward could tell they agreed. If they ran, they would be condemning Earth and Mars to utter destruction.
“Do we have any other choice?” the General snapped angrily. “We couldn’t stop that bloody ship and the battle is now lost. We need to break free and regroup to continue the fight, I will not lose to this self-proclaimed Emperor.”
“Actually we do have another choice,” the steward said, taking a step backwards and pulling out his handgun.
“You will lead a mutiny steward? You forget yourself,” General Jee said coldly.
“I will do what I can to save Earth,” the steward said and raised his gun.
He shot the general repeatedly in the chest. The steward then walked forward and pushed the body of General Jee from the command chair. “Order our forces to stand down and then open communications to the ship of Emperor Fluffy. Inform him the General is dead and the forces of Earth and Mars surrender unconditionally,” the steward said, slumping back in the chair.
“Do you think this emperor will spare us?” an officer asked.
“Death would be better than knowing we left everyone to die. I acted to save the Earth and will face the consequences,” the steward answered.

To be continued.
All images are mine.