Disciples of Khârn by Chris Dows

Author:Chris Dows
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2016-07-13T13:23:36+00:00

Gaul needed to see the enemy with his own eyes. Standing on the bridge of the Light of the Emperor, he stared unblinking at the single cruiser approaching his flotilla at flank speed. From the second it had entered weapons range from the Mandeville point some distance from Salandraxis, the vessel had been bombarded by every weapon available to his diminished fleet. Shipmaster Rendaj Mahal had informed Gaul that it showed signs of heavy battle damage before their relentless attack had begun, presumably inflicted by his three destroyed ships. Gaul did not waste his time hoping that this was the last surviving enemy vessel. Optimism was for the deluded.

‘The ship is travelling so fast, it must be unable to resolve an accurate firing solution, Chapter Master. In fact…’

Mahal squinted at a screen and checked several other readouts before she continued talking from her command chair.

‘It appears to not be firing at all.’

Gaul gripped onto the burnt, distorted vambrace covering his forearm. There had been no attempt to engage the Light of the Emperor or either of the two cruisers flanking the battle-barge. This was as unusual as it was suspicious.

‘Chapter Master, it is increasing speed directly towards us.’

The bridge fell silent as the officers and crew awaited commands. Gaul looked to Mahal. She responded with a single nod.

‘All ships. Concentrate all batteries on the bow of the enemy vessel. Destroy it!’

The Light of the Emperor shuddered under the power of its own guns, the very fabric of the huge ship shaking under the strain of constant firing. An alarm went off on the arm of the command throne. Mahal punched it silent without looking down and turned to the lower deck, shouting an order in her clear, deep voice to bring the ship about so the profile they offered to the attacker was as narrow as possible.

‘My lord, attitude change in the target vessel. It is increasing acceleration further and heading between us and the Eradicant Ascending.’

The commander threw herself back in front of her main screen. Something passed over her face that Gaul could not read, and then the entire bridge tilted to one side. As he took hold of a support rail to steady himself, an enormous booming resonated throughout the ship. A dozen alarms cried for attention and steam hissed from overloaded conduits. Another explosion followed, and the lights inside the bridge flickered. Gaul had the advantage of his armour to anchor him to the deck. The ship’s mortal crew were not so fortunate, and many of them lay broken and bleeding around the command centre.

‘Report!’

Gaul knew they had been hit, but not by what. The shipmaster looked dazed, and shook her head to clear her thoughts.

‘The enemy ship… detonated its engines, Chapter Master. We are badly damaged along the port side. The Eradicant Ascending is…’

Gaul leaned forwards and slammed his fist onto the commander’s chair in fury.

‘What? What of it?’

‘Gone, Chapter Master. It has been destroyed.’

Sirens blared and warning lights flashed. The Light of the Emperor was mortally wounded.

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