Clouds Of War by John Walker

Author:John Walker [Walker, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi
ISBN: 9798575442936
Google: dH44zgEACAAJ
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 2020-12-02T03:00:00+00:00

***

"Captain?" Violet drew Titus's attention. "The incoming vessels will arrive in the sector in the next thirty seconds. I can confirm now they are definitely Kahl. The energy signature of their warp proved it out. Two destroyer class vessels and one of their battleships. Much like the one we faced before when we rescued Kyle and Lysa."

"Put the schematics up for the destroyers," Titus said. "Show me weak points." He leaned to Rhys. "What do you think about using the shuttles to take them on? We can assign them to one of the smaller vessels, take out the other one which will even the odds. Turning on the bigger ship at the end."

"We have four shuttles on the surface now," Rhys replied, "with six more available onboard. They aren't exactly designed for that type of combat but with ten of them hitting the ship at the same time, they might drop their shields. We'd still probably have to take them both out."

"Which feels possible." Titus rubbed his chin, peering at the silhouette. Their destroyers were long and skinny. Turrets on the top and bottom provided a good range of attack while heavier, fixed cannons occupied the fronts. The key would be to stay away from those and nip at their sides. "Sam, find us some good targets on those smaller ships."

"They might want to talk," Rhys said. "What then?"

"If it isn't asking us to surrender, then I'm curious what they'll have to say. Maybe we can work something out." Titus smirked at the thought. He didn't see any evidence of Kahl military people wanting to negotiate anything. Keeping an open mind proved difficult. The Prytins showed plenty of evidence to support his prejudice.

"Here they are!" Violet pointed at the screen. A bright flash announced their arrival, the three ships as planned. They were well out of range but Titus still felt his gut tighten up at the prospect of a brawl. "They are not advancing. Oh! They scanned us. And they're doing the same to the planet."

"Of course they are," Rhys said. "They need data just as badly as we do."

"And now the hail," Violet added. "The Kahl would like to talk to us, Captain."

"Put them on screen," Titus replied." He stood, hands clasped behind his back.

An image of General Renz appeared. The man smiled. "Captain Barnes. I'm so pleased we could find each other again. It seems the fates are shining upon us to grant another chance at battle."

"Uh-huh." Titus tilted his head. "What're you even doing out here? Isn't this beneath someone of your station?"

"This is our colony," Renz replied. "We're merely here to establish a connection again."

"Well, in that case, give us another hour and we'll be out of your hair. Shouldn't take us much longer to finish our mission. And I'm sure you don't really want to find out how much we've learned since our last engagement." Titus shrugged. "We could keep this peaceful. Which means saving some face."

"Oh, you are my mission now," Renz said. "And what you're carrying aboard your dreadful starship.

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