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

great news,” Noah said. He inhaled to continue when the beams connected the various satellites again… though there was an obvious hole in the net. “Um… I thought that would prevent another attack. What’s going on, Mac? What happened?”

“They are charging,” Mac replied, “but they cannot target. Not yet. By the time that’s done, they may well be able to though. The war dogs are coming online. I will have them initiate a larger jam. Something that should prevent the planet’s surface from interfering with the fight realistically.”

“How?” Nina asked.

“I’m having them land the ship directly on the building responsible for military affairs. They will annihilate it in short order. That will give us the breathing room we need… at least until more satellites come into range to stop us.”

“Those things are going to fire again!” Dorian yelled. “If the last time is anything to go by, we’ve got less than two minutes and… what the hell? Someone’s coming through hyperspace!”

Noah groaned. “Great… reinforcements? How many ships?”

“Just one,” Dorian replied. “I… I’ve seen this signature before.” He turned in his seat. “Sir, that’s Tobin Loch! That bastard is back!”

“Oh, we do not have time for you right now!” Noah clenched his fist. Maybe he’s got Rita with him. I might be able to get her back but… this isn’t really the time! We’re too busy! “Hail that piece of filth once he arrives. I want some answers from him.” But they didn’t have time to worry about it at the moment.

Two destroyers converged on their position, laying into their front. Erica opened fire, catching one just right to open their side, popping a massive panel free. Scans indicated people were swept into space… a significant amount of their crew. Noah turned his attention to the other one as it veered away, giving them a broadside of turrets.

Yes, pepper us with potshots, Noah thought. It won’t help you. He directed Erica to get after the next battleship, the real threats besides the satellites. We’ll worry about them shortly… when they get the chance to kill us again… or fail. I vote for the latter.

***

Rita stood on the bridge of the Lockdown as they emerged from hyperspace. The chaos spread out before them took her breath away. She stood there, leaning on the safety rail with her eyes wide. So much debris… they’ve been at it for a bit. I can’t imagine how much they’ve already lost. Or how many people have died.

She moved to a chair, strapping in. “What’re those satellites?” She asked.

“Ervas tech,” Gabby said, “defensive satellites. They’re capable of high energy output.”

“How do you just know that?” Rita looked at the woman. “Have you seen them before?”

“Yes, around their colonies.” Gabby shrugged. “Mister Loch has had us brawl with the ervas before. We’ve seen some of their capabilities. Many of this ship’s functions are designed to defy them.”

“How powerful are those things?”

“Normal ships can’t withstand more than two attacks… usually only one.” Gabby tilted her head. “Our shields are powerful enough to absorb a full blast though.”

“Give me a target trajectory of those things. Who are they going to hit if they go off?”

Gabby took only ten seconds to reply. “I’ve put their silhouettes and names on the board.”

Rita leaned forward to read them. The Morrigan was on the list. The others she wasn’t sure of. “Holy shit… put us between that vessel and the beams!” She slapped the arm of her chair. “Do it now! Move! Get us over there!”

The pilot engaged the thrusters, hurling them forward. Rita found it odd how smooth the ride was, how little she felt the movement. The artificial gravity proved to be vastly superior to their own. As the ship careened toward their destination, the satellites began to glow brighter.

“Come on!” Rita shouted. “Push it!”

“We’ll get there in time,” Gabby said. “When they hit, what do you want to do with the power?”

“Excuse me?” Rita asked.

“We’ll absorb it and be able to throw it somewhere else. What do you want to take out? Range will be limited, unfortunately.”

Rita smirked, looking over her options. She picked one of the ervas battleships. “Nail that one. Bring him down.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

This ship is incredible. Rita wished McCully and Zem would’ve joined her. They remained with Torrence and the others. None of them trusted the crew of the Lockdown. The general consensus remained that they’d be betrayed sooner than later. Whether or not that was true, they had to take the chance. And now we’re about to save a bunch of lives.

Another thought dawned on her. They might not like this idea much. If it doesn’t work…

Gabby’s confidence helped. They must’ve done it before. The others on the bridge worked diligently, a pilot and a tech officer. The systems aboard must’ve been complicated because neither bothered to look up. Their commander used her console to gather information on her own.

“Can you hail the Morrigan?” Rita asked. “I have a feeling our rapid approach might make them a little nervous.” I should’ve thought of that the moment we arrived. The chaos got to her. I’m not a bridge officer. This isn’t my schtick. Still, if the Confeds started shooting, they’d all be in a lot of trouble.

***

“Communications are fuzzy,” Dorian said. “I’m having a hard time hailing the Loch’s ship but it’s coming in fast. Straight toward us!” He paused. “Their weapons are not online. What the hell are they doing?”

“Ramming us?” Nina offered. “That wouldn’t make any sense.”

“No.” Noah narrowed his eyes. “Erica, prepare for evasive maneuvers. We’ll have to time this if we don’t want them to adjust and get us anyway. In fact…”

“They’re firing!” Dorian shouted.

That’s…too fast! Noah opened his mouth, ready to shout an order to move. The beam winked into existence…he felt convinced they were done.