Ashen Dawn: Midnight War: Book 2 by Adam Fernandez

Author:Adam Fernandez [Fernandez, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Clover Hill Press
Published: 2024-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Silas

August, 4103 U.E.T. – Specter, Luna

The hull of the Specter shook rhythmically as the fleet unleashed their fury like ancient gods on those that displeased them.

Silas watched from the screens on the bridge as the guns fired and hit their targets on the surface. Energy domes surged, some crumbling under the onslaught, while other targets disappeared completely in brilliant flashes of light and flame. He didn’t watch long enough to see the dust settle.

For the past two weeks, they had begun ramping up their operations on Luna and everything was proceeding brilliantly. They had secured the docks with the help of Orzone and his pirates, which gave them opportunities for limited resupplies and repairs.

Until they made landfall, they still had to contend with Lunese attempts to disrupt their orbital operations, but the enemy’s ability to do so was decreasing.

There were many attempts to destroy the dockyards and orbiting vessels utilizing long-range weapons systems from the surface, but they never managed more than a handful of successful strikes. The fleet’s missile defense systems were more than capable of defending the docks, but Silas knew they couldn’t keep up with the near constant barrage indefinitely.

With their orbital superiority, the fleet was able to operate with relative impunity, but they didn’t have enough ships to blockade the entire moon. All they could reliably do was control the docks and stop any larger ships from leaving the surface.

“We should have burned the whole sarding moon. Drop the thermos and be done with it,” Lancaster said. He had been a vocal critic of their current plan and continued to suggest a more violent and permanent approach.

The Specter carried several large thermonuclear weapons, the kind that could turn a large target to glass. Weapons Silas had no intention of using.

“That isn’t why we came here,” Silas repeated, mostly for the benefit of the nearby crew. He wanted them to know they didn’t come here as conquerors set on destruction. “Status on target vector?”

“Approaching launch window, T-minus one hour,” the bridge officer replied. Silas flexed his armored hand, knowing it would be time soon enough for him to enter the fray, but for now he would wait and command.

As their formation orbited Luna, they had made it a point to target a specific array of cities and installations throughout the surface.

They started with the largest-known orbital guns and long-range rail guns before beginning their systematic assault on hostile military installations. They softened targets in diverse locations, which ate into their munitions store but worked well to hide their true target. They would rescue the duchess, but first they had to make landfall.

“Lancaster, you have the bridge.”

“Aye, Your Grace, give them hell.” The man still seemed annoyed but saluted before turning back to his screens. Silas could hear him shouting orders as he left the bridge.

He wasn’t sure where Marcus had gone off to. He had become increasingly aloof in recent days, but Silas lacked the time to figure out what was going on. He felt confident Marcus would be there for the launch of their ground offensive, and that was good enough.

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