Countdown, John Walker [online e book reader txt] 📗

will limit the destructive force. These devices rely on each other to power up and fire. That is what we are facing.”

Noah gestured to Nina. “Let Stevens know. Those are his only priority. Dorian, how many ships were damaged in that attack?”

“Better question is how many we lost,” Dorian said. “And the answer…” He paused. “Um…”

“Out with it,” Noah said. “Come on.”

“Three battleships, one of ours, two of the Gold Empire. Four destroyers, one of theirs, three of ours. Multiple scouts…” Dorian coughed. “Sorry… they’re just… they’re gone, sir. Totally wiped out. All those people…”

“Stay in the game,” Noah barked. “We’re still alive and have a job to do.” He considered their next move. Part of him wanted to charge the satellites himself, tear through them right away. “How long would it take to get into firing range of those satellites?”

“Top speed,” Erica said, “four minutes.”

“We’d have two minutes to start shooting…” Noah took a deep breath. And time’s wasting. They still had enemy ships to deal with. The satellite attack evened the odds somewhat, giving those three battleships an opportunity though they were still outnumbered. “I’m relying on the fighters. Erica, get a firing solution on the nearest battleship.”

Nina leaned close, lowering her voice. “If those things fire again…”

“We’ll have ample warning,” Noah interrupted. “Plenty for Erica to get us out of the way.” I hope I’m right about that. “Besides, we’ve got people in position to take them out. We have to give them a chance while we finish our job. We can’t be distracted right now.” He unmuted the comm to the other ships, “double your efforts on the enemy ships.”

“We’re still here,” Wilmarth said, “damn close though. What an intelligence SNAFU that was! Trenik explained a little too late.”

“We’ll talk to him about that later,” Noah replied. “Right now, we’re taking out the last three battleships. Four of us with the destroyers… we should have this.” Tactical showed one of their targets had taken significant damage. He marked it. “That’s the one we need to focus on. All units, target and fire on that vessel with everything you’ve got.”

Get your ass moving, Justin. This won’t be of much use if you don’t.

***

Justin spun to the left, struggling to level out once he cleared the attacking unit. When he came out of the motion, he found himself inverted to the rest of the unit. It had happened to him before plenty of times, but it always managed to make his stomach tingle.

Christ, when am I going to acclimate to this?

The satellites discharged shortly after. The beams must’ve been three times the size of a fighter around. Had any of their ships been in the way, they would’ve instantly been consumed. Fortunately, the shuttle carrying the war dog payload remained well out of range but that was a small consolation.

How many times can they do that?

“Justin!” Nina called, “you guys have to start picking off those damn satellites! Right now!”

“We’re engaged with a shit load of fighters!” Justin replied. “The Gold Empire backup is only just arriving to help us out. Once they engage, we’ll have some breathing room. Right now…” He paused to dodge an attack, opening fire on a different enemy before rocketing around to his original course. “We’re kind of screwed!”

“Those things just wiped out multiple capital ships instantly,” Nina replied. “I know what you’re going through out there. I’ve been with you plenty of times. Get near those things and fight near them if you have to but make them your only priority. Every one that goes is one less that can charge that weapon up a second time.”

“Dammit…” Justin sighed. “Yes, ma’am. We’ll do what we can.” He switched over to the others. “Those things are devastating. I know we’re all busy.” A ship nearly collided with him. He climbed, grunting as he did then cut hard to the left while engaging his afterburners. “Get near the targets. Do what you can.”

Probably not the most inspiring speech. Justin zeroed in on the nearest of the targets. It happened to be thirty seconds away through some of the heaviest fighting going on around him. The one above it might take a minute but at least it had fewer forces nearby. I guess that’s where I’m going.

“Pol, you guys gotta get these pricks under control!”

“We’re engaging now,” Pol replied. “Get your forces on the targets. We’ll do the fighters.”

The Gold Empire fighters entered the arena with guns blazing, tearing into the enemy forces. Justin let out some of his tension once they started in. Fighters from the surface continued to come up, joining the fight. Two stages would end that from happening. One of them continued to approach the planet.

The rest just blasted the hell out of the allied fleet.

“Katya, I’m making a run.” Justin started firing just before he was in optimal range. The first two shots missed but the third and fourth slammed home. And the thing happened to be shielded. That wasn’t on the scan! God damn these things! “Nina! They’ve got defensive barriers” He kept laying into it. “And I’m not going to be able to dent it with a single pass!”

“Keep at it,” Nina replied. “I’ll get back to you in a moment.”

Shit, I know she didn’t just say that! Justin felt like she forgot everything about being a fighter pilot in that moment. She must remember we don’t have moments… minutes… whatever other dumbass time frame they want to throw out! I need answers now! He veered off as he got too close.

Other fighters cast attacks on the thing next, but the shields continued to hold. Scans didn’t show whether they were even bringing them down or harming them for that matter. This is not good! The enemy fighters diverted their attention, attempting to break from the Gold Empire