A Faded Star 4: The Price of Peace by Michael Freeport

Author:Michael Freeport [Freeport, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

“Signal from Valkyrie, sir,” Guiles said. “We’re to begin mining runs into the Woduur formation behind the advancing drones.”

“Very well,” Patho replied. “Plot me a point to point hop ten thousand kilometers behind the spinward side of the Woduur fleet. Send a signal to Scorpion and Harpy to make combined runs with their groups.” All of the Stealth Corvettes operated in groups of four when making mining runs to ensure enough mines made it to the hulls of enemy vessels to cause significant damage.

“Aye, sir,” Guiles said. He began tapping away at his console to pass Patho’s orders.

Hilleman said, “We have a full loadout of mines, sir. Chimera, Sphinx, and Gulganna report they are ready to make the first run.”

“Excellent. Validate our jump coordinates and Execute.” Patho leaned forward in his command chair, anticipating the coming battle. Gorgon passed through its jump ring in close formation with the three ships of its quartet.

“Maximum stealth systems. Target the closest dreadnaught,” Hilleman ordered.

Patho looked over the Woduur ships arrayed between him and the Human fleets. “What the heck? Who are all those other ships? Are they Ulef?”

“No, sir,” Guiles said. “It looks like the Etyrni are joining the fight.” He grinned fiercely back at Patho while he gave the report.

“Hm, I thought they would wait until they were on Human-built ships before they engaged the Woduur. I hope this doesn’t cause them problems in the future.”

Hilleman shrugged, and Guiles looked thoughtful. A moment later, Hilleman said, “We’re entering attack range of the mines, sir.”

“Prepare to launch all mines, and plot us an exit jump.” He paused for a few seconds waiting for the target geometry to optimize. “Now,” he ordered.

Four dozen mines hurled themselves out of Gorgon’s launch tubes, along with the three corvettes of its formation. The mines streaked away on depletable drives toward the enemy ship.

“Jump coordinates validates, sir. We’re ready to clear the area,” Hilleman said.

“Execute,” Patho said.

As Gorgon flew through its jump ring, a ripple of explosions shattered the targeted dreadnaught. Of the nearly one hundred mines the Human stealth ships launched, about three quarters of them completed their attack runs and attached to the hulls of enemy ships. Once in place, they all waited until a preset time to detonate. The resulting explosion was devastating to the Woduur ship.

Gorgon loaded a new set of mines from a staging area near the Lashmere shipyard. Patho watched the battle developing as the ship brought more mines aboard. “Looks like the Etyrni aren’t messing around,” he commented.

The gaggle of ships hurled themselves at one end of the Woduur formation, inflicting significant casualties. “No, sir,” Hilleman said in response. “I think they like to fight.”

“I think so, too,” Patho agreed, remembering his time spent with Keltupelek. His eyes suddenly searched for Ektezul’s ship. “Where is the Traipsing Hediglo?” he asked, curious about enigmatic captain’s ship.

Hilleman’s hands flickered over his console for a moment. “I don’t see it, but with all the ships flying around there at this range, I’m sure I can’t see a lot of ships.

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