A Blade in the Hand by C.L. Roman

Author:C.L. Roman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space, aliens, technology, goddess, interplanetary travel
Publisher: C.L. Roman
Published: 2024-03-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Minara, The Oracle

The green-gold planet glowed serenely against the velvet black of space, giving no visible indication of the gale force magnetic storm the Oracle was contending with. The solar wind buffeted the ship, making landing difficult and communication with the space port impossible.

"They aren't going to like us showing up without warning," the communications officer said.

Magnus sighed. "It's their planet. I'm sure they deal with this all the time. Just let them know we're inbound as soon as the weather allows."

"Aye, aye, sir." The man turned back to his instrument panel, frowning as he attempted to open a hailing frequency.

Suddenly, the Oracle shuddered, jerking and bucking so violently that three deck officers skidded across the floor and fetched up against the bridge's far wall.

"What the hell was that?" Magnus shouted.

"Incoming fire, sir."

"From what?"

Another volley struck the vessel's port side, sliding those who were just regaining their feet back the other direction.

"That!"

A razor thin fighter streaked across the front viewport.

"Looks like a Dagger class two. Evasive maneuvers, shields on full." Magnus gripped the arms of his chair as another barrage struck the Oracle.

"Shields at fifteen percent, sir. She hit us before we even knew she was there, took out the main power converter in the first assault. Weapon's system three, seven and nine are down."

"Which means our main cannons are down." Magnus swore in several languages.

There was a reason Dagger class ships were known as the space assassins. Their tiny profiles barely showed up on scans, and they were the fastest single unit fighters available. Couple those attributes with the solar interference, and it was no wonder they hadn't seen her.

"Divert power to the rear shields and get us the hell out of here." As Magnus spoke, the Dagger started another strafing run. The bridge controls lit up with deadly red light, leaping from panel to panel in jagged streaks. The shock wave knocked the navigations officer from her seat before slamming the communications and weapons officers to the deck.

The OPT doors slid open and Tessa burst in. "What can I do?" she asked.

"Check them out," Magnus said, pointing to the fallen officers as he yelled into a newly opened commlink. "Mayday, mayday. This is the Oracle." He gave their coordinates and requested help, then repeated the message.

"We copy, Oracle, and we are on the way." The voice was female, and brusque.

A light cruiser sprinted out of the dark, guns blazing. The Dagger returned fire briefly, then turned tail and ran.

"Attention Oracle, Minara atmospheric patrol here. We seem to have secured the situation for the moment. What is your condition?"

Magnus ran a quick damage report. "We are going to need some repairs, mostly to our shield systems, but we are still flight-worthy."

"An emergency berth has been arranged at Zephlon space port. Sending coordinates now. Do you require medical attention?"

"We have a doctor on board, but–" Magnus looked at Tessa. She had the communications officer sitting in his gel-chair.

"I can take care of him," she said. "But – I'm sorry Magnus.

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