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

do. “I understand you don’t like it, but this may be the only way we can save ourselves. Please know we’re doing everything we can to make this possible… to save what’s left of the fleet.”

Trenik tilted his head. He felt confused as to why Sasha would even question the process. Considering the alternative, he should’ve been all about it. But instead, like most military men, he had to ask unnecessary questions, delaying the process. This could be a fatal moment of ego.

The ship began to move up, which filled him with some hope. They can listen after all.

“Okay, it’s time.” Harcourt moved over to him. “You sure about this?”

Trenik shrugged. “I am not sure we have a choice either way. Shall we?” He reached out, his hand hovering over the console. Harcourt chewed his lip, brows furrowed. They hit the terminal at the same time, sending the signal out.

The device hummed, vibrating so fast it made Trenik’s teeth shake and his ears pop. He pressed his hands against his head, crying out as the sensation became worse by the second. Lights dimmed… went out. Deep within the vessel, something whined then stopped suddenly. That would be the reactor rebooting.

Trenik knew they had two minutes before all systems would return to normal. During that time, they were vulnerable. Only not to the ervas satellites. Those would not be able to maneuver high enough to cause any real trouble for them. At least… I hope not. He wished he’d seen them in action before.

As it stood, he only knew of their existence. Any capabilities had been rumor at best.

In less than two minutes, we’ll find out what they can do… or we’ll know what we’re capable of. One way or another, it should make this battle interesting. And possibly be the last thing I think about. That’s…  far more exciting than I care to admit.

***

“I’m hit!” Katya shouted. “Solid blow through the shields.”

“Get out,” Justin said, “pull up and let your shields have a chance… your automated repair. You can’t do any good if you’re vulnerable.” He moved to escort her, blasting an enemy fighter from her tail then adjusting his course with a quick spin that made his guts ache. As he came around, he fired again, catching a second target.

His opponent veered off, colliding with one of its colleagues. The two detonated a moment later, sparks flying in all directions.

Justin joined Katya. “How’re things looking?”

“I still have full control,” Katya replied. “Nothing feels off. But my shields are borked. Starboard side seems to be down. I think one of the emitters is hosed.”

Justin checked the scanner to see how bad the path would be back to the Morrigan. Debris fields, dozens of fighters, and larger vessels moved about, turning the place into a constant bunch of chaos. “You can’t go back…” He sighed. “Fly the edges. Keep out of range. Do what you can, okay?”

“I’ve got this. Don’t worry about me. I’ll try calling some shots for you guys. Should help.”

“Thanks.” Justin changed course again, diving straight toward one of the satellites. He blasted away again, the shields catching every bolt. Wait a minute. He pulled up and away, flying toward Katya’s position. “Nina, what if we can damage these things just before they discharge? They have to use energy to do it… maybe they’ll be vulnerable.”

“We’re about to prevent them from doing that,” Nina said, “but it might lower the shields in the process. I’ll give you a countdown of when to expect it.”

“Thanks.” Justin came around, getting other ships to form up on him. They’d perform an attack run at the right moment, when they could potentially do the most damage. I hope my theory’s correct.

Meanwhile, the Gold Empire pilots waged a brutal, savage fight with the ervas ships. It became clear they were fighting for their home just as surely as the enemy. If we lose here, they’re the ones who suffer. We’ll have a reasonable amount of time before we have to worry about these bastards getting to the border.

He wondered if an attack force made it to any other target yet… if there were battles being waged elsewhere in the galaxy. Were they faring better? They don’t have to deal with these satellites so that’s possible. It all depended on how many vessels they were fighting… and which system the attack set upon.

The satellites sparked, electricity dancing over the surface of the nearest one. Scans still didn’t give him any information about its status but that was good enough for him. “Get that thing!” Justin dove at it, opening fire. “All fighters, engage that satellite with everything you’ve got. Be daring, guys. We may not get another chance at this.”

At first, he swore the shots were still being deflected… then the nose of the satellite burst free, cast off from a direct hit. “Yes! We can hurt it! Get it guys, get it!” Their combined firepower tore through the thrusters of the thing, causing it to spin toward the surface of the planet.

In a matter of moments, it began to burn up, plunging into the atmosphere.

“Scratch one!” Justin redirected, flying directly for the nearest one to them. They started powering up… he remembered what happened before. “Get behind them! Now! Everyone move!” He veered to get away from their sides just as the beams linked up. “They’re charging! Fire! Everyone fire now!”

***

Noah winced as the Morrigan took a heavy blow from one of the smaller ships, a couple blasts that gave them a real knock. The tactical board showed a nightmare of casualties on both sides. Every ship took enough of a licking to be orange. That meant significant shield damage and some hull damage.

“Scratch one,” Nina announced. “They got a satellite. Once they sent the jamming signal, that seemed to lower their defenses too.”

“That’s