Dead Men Don't Disco: A Sci Fi Comedy Adventure (Brent Bolster Space Detective Book 2) by Michael Campling

Author:Michael Campling [Campling, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadowstone Books
Published: 2018-12-05T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Gloabon Space Station The Gamulon – Earth Orbit

From the tactical station on the bridge, Captain Jamangle called out, “Admiral! Enemy ship approaching. The Kreltonian Skull is breaking away from the Andel-Kreit battle group.”

Fleet Admiral Squernshall sat upright in his chair. “Do we have a weapons lock on them?”

“Affirmative, Admiral,” Jamangle replied, “but they do not have a lock on us.”

“What are they playing at?” Squernshall demanded. “Are they signaling their surrender?”

Jamangle hesitated. “No, sir. They have their shields up, so they’re unreachable on comms. Wait, they’re coming about. It appears that they are placing themselves directly between our position and their own battle group.”

“Getting ready to give us a broadside, eh?” Squernshall rubbed his hands together. “Set a torpedo to target their main engines.”

“Aye, Admiral, but they still haven’t locked their weapons on us.” Jamangle’s voice grew suddenly urgent. “Sir, they’ve launched a device. Analyzing.”

“Could be a probe,” Squernshall said. “Lock a cannon on it. On my mark, open fire.”

“Cannon locked, but analysis shows that the target is an unarmed buoy similar to the type we use for practice.”

Squernshall’s eyes narrowed. “Could they be spoofing our sensors?”

“No, Admiral. Neither the Andelians nor the Kreitians have that technology.”

“Don’t underestimate them!” Squernshall snapped. “Destroy the probe. Fire.”

“Cannon…oh.” Jamangle’s hands darted over the control pads. “Admiral, the target is no longer there. The Kreltonian Skull destroyed it with their own cannons. I…I don’t understand. They’re launching another buoy, identical to the first. Our sensors indicate that their weapons are already locked onto it.”

Squernshall growled quietly. “They must’ve put a new team of officers aboard that ship. The person in command must have nerves of pure titanium. We’re sitting here, fully armed and prepared for battle, and they’re taking time out to play games.”

“Admiral, once again, they have destroyed their own buoy.” Jamangle arched his eyebrows. “A single shot from a cannon. Given the buoy’s velocity, that’s an impressive feat of marksmanship.”

Squernshall ground his teeth together. “They’re putting on a show, trying to intimidate us. But two can play at that game. Prepare to launch practice buoys. I want spreads of five at a time. Let them travel for a minute before taking them out and use cannons only. No guided missiles.”

“Understood, Admiral, preparing target buoys.” Jamangle cleared his throat. “Sir, with the greatest of respect, I must point out that in order to hit the buoys, I’ll have to remove the existing target locks from our cannons.”

“I know that!” Squernshall roared. “It’s a risk we’ll have to take. I will not stand by and do nothing while the Andelians make fools of us. If they want to see a display of strength, then we’ll give them one.”

“Aye, Admiral. Buoys launched. Cannons ready.”

“Very good,” Squernshall said with a grin. “Wait for my mark. We can’t make this too easy for ourselves. We want to make it look good.”

“Cannons set to single shot,” Jamangle replied smartly. “Awaiting your order.”

Squernshall held up his hand, the seconds ticking away as the tension on the bridge grew. And then finally, he punched the air.

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