Alexander Galaxus: The Complete Alexander Galaxus Trilogy by Anderson Christopher L

Author:Anderson, Christopher L. [Anderson, Christopher L.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-06-10T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

The battle, if it could be called that after the Chem battleships were put out of commission, withered on for another hour. The rebel squadron finally broke apart when five of the six cruisers were destroyed and the survivor heavily damaged. Alexander captured the rest of the rebels, but he allowed a destroyer to withdraw. He wanted word to get back to Bureel. As they retreated Alexander hailed them. A grim faced Captain appeared on the screen, her bridge a shambles.

“You have the day, Alexander, what else is it you want?”

“I want you to pass on a personal message to your lord, Bureel,” Alexander told her. “Tell him the next time he attacks the ships and space of the Terran Empire I will chase the shattered remains of his armada all the way back to Chem. Then I’ll take his head and stick it on a pike, for all the proud Chem to see what happens to a coward! I still remember our unresolved challenge! I still remember the assassins he sent after me! I await him at his leisure. Tell him that!”

“I am sure my lord will repay you for such words, Alexander,” she snarled.

“See that he at least attempts it, my noble Chem Captain! You fought well, and with no less courage than I expected from the Chem. I salute you. Know this in truth, however, that as I waited upon your lord’s challenge in the strict observance of Chem law and tradition he answered me instead with assassins. All of your bravery and sacrifice cannot blot that stain of cowardice from his name, or from Chem should he not answer my call. Alexander waits. Think well before you challenge Terra again!”

“I will pass on the message my lord,” the Captain replied, a more sober expression on her strained features.

The Chem rebels withdrew leaving a like number of ships behind to be boarded and salvaged by Nazar. The Chem loyalists lost five ships, with five more heavily damaged. Nazar’s casualties were considerable, but after two days he left the battlefield with half again as many ships as he started out with. This brought Nazar almost up to his full squadron strength again, and as he was able to salvage a rebel battleship he came out significantly pleased. Of the marooned rebel crews none of the rebels gave quarter, but as so often happens in rebellion and mutiny not all of the crews who served on the ships were willing. A large portion of the enlisted force had no choice in the direction their officers chose. Those Chem were spared, and oaths were taken for their loyalty to Nazeera, the de facto head of the loyalist cause. So the battle ended as a very profitable venture for Nazar. He increased his strength in every way and won a glorious battle.

For Alexander the victory was no less welcome. The Terrans were adapting well to war in space, which was initially a great concern. Their casualties were light relative to the damage they inflicted.

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