Solbidyum Wars Saga 4: Too Late for Earth by Dale C. Musser

Federation had intercepted; it was then that the United States revealed a classified space craft they had developed and concealed decades earlier at a hidden base in southern Idaho.  This spaceship had been built for space warfare and had weapons not seen or used anywhere on Earth.  Sophisticated space laser cannons and electromagnetic pulse energy weapons, and particle beam weapons.  There were two anti-matter bombs that had never been tested, and no one knew how much damage they would do.  It carried four small missiles with nuclear warheads.  Without advanced warning or consultation with their allies the United States President ordered the US military to launch their spaceship, referred to as THORS’ HAMMER.  Its departure from the Earth was witnessed by many in the western states when its blazing engines lit up the night sky.  The scream of its powerful rockets was heard hundreds of miles away.  No one who saw it knew for sure what it was, but few doubted it was a mighty weapon from the United States, and all believed that it would take a terrible toll where ever it was going.
    The space ship did not turn or level off and go into orbit, but headed straight on toward the Moon.  As it passed a few small satellites belonging to the Chinese, laser beams fired out, destroying them, but Thors’ Hammer continued on.  On the Earth, news was spreading rapidly that the United States was taking some action against the Chinese base on the Moon.  People gathered outside staring at the heavens in anticipation.  The journey lasted nearly five hours-- astonishingly fast for an Earth ship.  That night, those watching from the mountains in West Virginia saw three bright flashes on the Moon as it approached the horizon.  Even though no official word had been given as to what the sources were, voices cried out in cheers throughout the world, everywhere except for China.  A message was not long in forthcoming from the U.S. President on global TV, he announced the United States had struck at and destroyed the Chinese base on the Moon, and the ship responsible was now headed back to Earth and would deal with the Chinese.  China was given two hours to surrender or face the consequences.  Two hours later, the leader of China defiantly came on TV announcing that the strike against the Moon was of little consequence and that China had many other ways to wreak havoc on its enemies, and continued to demand the surrender of the rest of the world.  They also went on to say that any country that would turn and join with them would be spared their wrath and would enjoy the treasures of victory when their enemies were defeated.  Three hours after their broadcast, THORS’ HAMMER delivered its blow to China; the first anti-matter bombs struck Beijing.  The flash of light was seen around the world, as it reflected from the dust particles in the atmosphere, even on the dark side the planet.  When the mushroom cloud and dust settled, there was no sign of Beijing, only a glowing molten mass that covered nearly 500 sq. kilometers; beyond that, everything had been blown clean and level for almost another 100 kilometers.  There were no more broadcasts from the Chinese.  Three days later, troops from the allied countries began showing up, only to find the people of China in a state of shock and they wandering about aimlessly.  Military equipment had been abandoned, and those few men and women still in uniforms appeared totally broken and put up no resistance.  A large number of military leaders and top government officials were found dead, having taken their own life’s shortly after the bombing of Beijing.  The war was over.
    All of this had happened in the time that elapsed since I had left Earth, but to me it had only been a little over 2 years.  Hearing Wabussie read from his vid pad the translations of events which had happened made me feel like it was all happening at that very moment, my battles with the Brotherhood seemed small