LEVIATHAN, Rob Astor [most read books of all time .txt] 📗

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Sensors in Evan’s cockpit flashed. He deactivated the tractor beam. The asteroid tumbled along its intended trajectory and disappeared in the glare of Fomalhaut’s photosphere. “Mission accomplished on my end,” Evan said.
“Good work,” Raven acknowledged.
* * *
“Looks like Archer’s playin’ for keeps,” Gunnar said. “We got a Destroyer, a Gunboat, and the Cruiser bearing down on us.”
“How you doin’ out there, Evan?”
“Just docked.”
“Good to know.”
“The Cruiser’s signaling.”
Raven shrugged. “We’ve got nothin’ to loose.”
Gunnar nodded. He pressed a button. A holographic communications screen appeared before them. Bolton Archer and Admiral McMurrary stood next to each other. “Come back for more hospitality, Spade?” Archer asked. His eyes drifted over to Raven and the anger melted from his face. McMurrary was visibly shaken. “No. It can’t be,” Bolton said.
Evan ran out of the turbo lift, taking his place next to his father. “Back from the dead,” Raven said. “You ever hear that old sayin’ about what comes around goes around? It’s your time to go, so, I’m around.” Raven’s eyes narrowed. “Good to see I knew you so well, Admiral. Never pegged you for a traitor. What was your price? I don’t wanna know. That’s what greed does to a man, right?””
“The Federation Fleet just jumped into the system,” Gunnar said.
“What Federation Fleet?” McMurrary asked. He stepped out of sight, but, his voice was still picked up by the receiver. “There’s not supposed to be any other ships in this area. Find out who it is.”
“There’s a swarm of Federation Fighters inbound to our primary targets,” Gunnar said.
Bolton’s head cocked sideways. “Shit,” he spat.
“That’s right, Marauder slime. We’re droppin’ the hammer on ya. You won’t get away this time,” Raven said.
“Kolt’s signaling,” Evan said. Archer leaned close to the holographic projection.
“Put him through.”
“Captain Spade. I’m glad to see the reports of your death were inaccurate.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant General.”
Archer twisted around to McMurrary. “I thought you said you could trust him.”
“Kolt, we’re gonna send you scans of the asteroid swam. You’re gonna see there’re a lot of artificial caverns. These are Bolton Archer’s infamous prison camps.” Bolton’s eyes grew wide as he listened. “There’s a lot of Eusians out there who’re gonna be real happy to see you.”
“Incoming!” someone on the Cruiser bridge yelled.
Archer turned away from the communications system. He barked unintelligible orders. Then he turned to McMurrary. “Make the jump to HR 7578!” He stormed out of view.
“Well, now we know where to go lookin’ for the Dreadnaught,” Raven said. “Cut the transmission.”
“Aye, dad.” Evan touched a button.
“Get ready to jump. If Archer manages to get away, I want to be right on his tail.”
* * *
Federation Fighters clustered around the small fleet of Federation issue Pirate controlled ships. They opened fire, chewing up hull plating and any available Swoop Jets that dropped from docking bays. The Cruiser changed direction, shaking some of the attackers. A multitude of large Federation warships closed up ranks around the Gunboat and Destroyer, popping shell after shell into them.
In short order, the Gunboat swelled into a fiery red cloud of gas. Precision targeting of the Destroyer’s engines left if crippled. Limping forward, smoke plumes leaked from the damaged Cruiser. Like buzzing mosquitoes, the smaller fighters encircled the craft. The Leviathan followed, pelting the Cruiser with a barrage of rail gun pellets and rockets.
Fanning out across the system, most of the larger Federation ships pulled up to asteroids. “We’re deploying rescue teams,” Kolt told Raven.
“Signal Archer, audio only,” Raven said to Gunnar.
“It’s through.”
“Better give up while you got the chance. You try to jump now and you’ll leave a string of debris from here to--”
“He cut us off.”
Raven shrugged. “Fine. Have it your way.”
A white lance of energy shot out of the front of the Cruiser. It lurched forward and disappeared.
“Looks like Archer and McMurrary got away,” Kolt said.
“They didn’t get far,” Raven said. “We’re goin’ after ‘em. “You rescue those slaves.”
“Good luck, Captain Spade.” Raven nodded. Kolt’s image disappeared. “Let’s make that jump.”
* * *
The Dreadnaught was a truly awesome sight to behold. In comparison, its massive flared body dwarfed the Leviathan. The odd configuration of the hull plating made it appear more organic than artificially constructed.
Standing at Evan’s side, Gunnar leaned down to his ear. “Now that’s blutotanic.”
“Got a fix on the Cruiser?” Raven asked.
“There’s some kind of Scattering Field. I can’t cut through it.
“Federation?”
Gunnar looked confused. “No. Eusian.”
“Well, what do you know...”
“I’m reading some really strong, concentrated pockets of energy.”
“Where?”
Gunnar shook his head. “Here on the bridge.”
Three Eusian soldiers in green uniforms materialized on deck. Raven stood, his body tense. “I hope you’re a welcoming party. Federation Intel suggested The Marauders wanted to align themselves with the Eusian Empire. I’d wager with that ship out there, they’d be unstoppable.”
“We apologize for this abrupt appearance,” the soldier in the middle said. “It’s not in habit of the Eusian Military to use this technology as intrusive. The Eusian Matriarch deployed us here. We need your help to stop the pirates. Project Dreadnaught has no plasma focusing diamonds. We must ask if you have.”
“I’m sorry, we don’t,” Raven said.
The Eusian lowered his head, shaking it from side-to-side. “Only one diamond is needed.”
Evan’s eyes lit up. “Wait.” He pulled the necklace presented to him by Viceroy Wexam from under his plasti-skin vest. “I have one. Will this work?” Evan held it out.
“Yes, it will.” The Eusian came over to take it, bowing deeply. “We’re greatly indebted to you.” He resumed standing between his companions. “We must warn you to keep a safe distance.” In an instant, they vanished.
“Zoom in, Gunnar. Let’s watch the show.”
Gunnar smirked, pulling up a holographic projection. The tracking computer took a few moments before it located the Cruiser and then locked on its energy signature. The view enlarged, providing them with a perfect view.
A reddish discharge from the nose of the Dreadnaught exploded a few tens of meters away from the Cruiser’s bridge. The ball of expanding gas pulled back on itself, crushing down into an infinitely dense point. The Cruiser shifted it center of mass, tilting sideways toward the singularity. Its engines fired, holding the ship back from the swirling blue event horizon, but it continued to tip. Tritanium hull stretched and buckled. Fragments were sucked instantly into he gaping maw of the mini black hole. Gun turrets and communication towers were ripped apart. A few escape pods launched. They were effortlessly pulled and dragged down. Reaching a forty-five degree angle list, the bridge section of the ship split apart like an exploding tree trunk. The exhaust ports stopped glowing and power failed. The once mighty Federation Cruiser crumbled, falling into the hole. A millisecond later, the singularity sealed itself and vanished.
Evan, Gunnar, and Raven all sat on the bridge in total silence, attention fixed on the display for long moments. Gunnar eventually deactivated it. “After all this time…” Raven said. “They’re finally gone.”
The Eusian soldiers materialized on the Leviathan’s bridge once again. There were also many others, some holding spears with axe-blade tips. Raven stood straight. Evan’s heart thumped in his chest. He stayed close to his father. Gunnar kept a close watch on them. “So this is it?” Raven asked. “You finish them off an’ then take over the operation for yourselves?”
The Eusian Matriarch smiled warmly, slowly walking toward the trio of humans. “You misunderstand our intentions. I am the Eusian Matriarch. I came here to thank you for helping free my people. You will be most revered.”
They blew out tensely held breaths and smiled. “I would also like to meet with top Federation Of Free Planets Officials. I came to hire you…” she pointed at Raven’s chest, “…for safe passage into Federation territory.”
Raven laughed heartily. He extended his hand to the Eusian Matriarch and gently held her leathery palm. “Welcome aboard, your majesty.”
One of the soldiers walked up to her side and bowed before Raven and Evan. He gave the diamond necklace back to the youngster and shook his hand.
* * *
“You will soon be presented,” Viceroy Wexam said as he poked his head back in from the dark blue velvet drapes.
Raven, Evan, and Gunnar were all out of their element dressed in suits. As he fixed his sleeves, Raven noticed Evan had his sneakers on. He laughed and tussled Evan’s unruly hair. “You goofy kid,” he said.
Gunnar fumbled with his tie. “What’d he do now?”
“Only my little Raptor would wear sneakers with a suit.” Evan pulled his necklace out so the red stone rested on his black tie.
“You look fine, young man,” Wexam said, helping with Gunnar’s knot. “Only a formality this is.”
“What are we gonna do after this, dad?”
“Got a surprise for ya.”
Evan rolled his eyes. “Oh great.”
“Been a lot of those lately, right Evan?” Gunnar nudged his arm.
“It’s a good one, Medium Fries,” Raven said. He lowered himself on his knees. “There’s a whole part of our family you’re going to get to meet.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
Raven shrugged. “How ‘bout you mom, for starters.”
“My mom’s alive?
“And your sister.”
“I have a sister, too?” Evan took a second to absorb the information. “This is so cool.”
“Lillian Randolph, your mom, and Tash have been waiting for me to clear this whole mess up.”
“Where?”
“On Marineau.”
“You’re joking, right?
“Nope,” Raven shook his head.
“Tash like to pull guys’ arms out of their sockets?”
“That’s what ‘er mom says.”
“I can’t believe this. I met Tash the last time we were there.”
“Really?” Raven stood his full height. “You two got along okay?”
“Yeah,” Evan nodded.
“Good. Then she won’t have to twist your arms off.”
“It is time,” the Viceroy said. “Out you go now.” He led Raven to the drape by his arm and held it aside with his wooden scepter.
Presidents, royalty, and dignitaries from all corners of the known galaxy filled the amphitheater. They stood, applauding loudly for several minutes. Embarrassed, the three blushed and raised their hands in greeting.
The Eusian Matriarch walked over to them and led them to the central part of the stage. Evan noticed a building sized holographic projection of the ceremony hovering in the air over their heads. The Eusian Matriarch motioned them to stand near the microphone. She smiled at the crowd, raising her hands. The applause slowly stopped.
“It is with the greatest of honor that I thank Raven Spade, Evan Spade, and Gunnar Spade, not only for their assistance in bringing an end to The Marauders’ reign of terror, but also for helping free my people from the brutal episode of bondage so many Federations thought would bring war between our peoples. I give my word, their rewards shall be great.” Another round of applause carried over from the crowd.
“But, more importantly,