Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) by G. P. Hudson

Author:G. P. Hudson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Galactic Empire, Space Exploration, Space Opera, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Alien Invasion, Colonization, Exploration, Science Fiction, Space Fleet, Space Marine, Adventure, Military, First Contact
Published: 2015-12-15T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 32

As the Ronin jumped back from its engagement with the enemy carrier, Jon sent over the comm, “Nicely done.”

“Thank you,” said Colonel Bast. “The Meisser armada will soon have quite the surprise.”

“AI, how long until you are in firing range?” said Jon.

“Thirty seconds,” said AI.

Jon hailed Jonas, who soon appeared on his console, alongside Bast. Jonas had been kept up to date on the AI’s takeover of the enemy carrier, as had Jon. “When that carrier attacks, the Meisser ships are not going to know what hit them. That pretty little formation of theirs is going to fall apart. That’s when we strike. We jump in and add to the confusion. The Freedom will hit them on their right flank, the Ronin and Reiver on their left.”

“Understood,” they replied, and disappeared from Jon’s screen.

Jon turned to Kevin. “Order the fighters to attack.”

“Yes, Sir.”

There was no point in having the fighters board the Freedom as they could use their speed to reach the enemy fleet quickly enough. The Freedom would use the jump more as a surprise tactic, rather than anything else. The distance between the Meisser ships and the Freedom was large enough that they were out of weapons range of each other, but not so large that it couldn’t be bridged with relative ease. Doing so would give the Meisser ships time to prepare, which wasn’t something you wanted to do when outnumbered.

“AI, can you keep the enemy fighters from launching?”

“Yes, Admiral. Closing launch tubes.”

“Bomber status?” said Jon.

“Bomber squadron is ready for launch,” said Kevin.

“Loading missile tubes,” said AI. “Bringing weapons online.”

Jon watched as the carrier raced to catch up. The other Meisser ships kept advancing, still oblivious to the fast approaching threat.

“I wish I was a fly on the wall of the carrier bridge,” said Kevin.

Jon smirked. “The bridge crew must be horrified right about now.”

“There is nothing their bridge crew can do to stop me,” said AI. “I have rerouted systems and have defenses in place. My position is sufficiently hardened to withstand any attempt by the crew to take back the ship.”

“I’m sure you’ve made it impossible for them to take control,” said Jon.

“Not impossible, Admiral. If the crew had the time and necessary resources they might be able to retake their ship. Of course, that is assuming I didn’t disable their life support systems first. As it stands, however, they do not have sufficient time to pose any threat. Their cause is hopeless.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Thank you for the analysis, AI.”

“You’re most welcome, Captain. Firing weapons.”

Jon and the rest of the bridge crew watched the viewscreen, as the enemy carrier entered the wedge shaped formation from behind and began to fire on its own ships. One of the functions of a wedge is to protect against a flanking maneuver from the enemy. The carrier had entered the formation from the rear, and attacked from within, causing the entire formation to fall apart.

“This is unbelievable,” said Vogel. “Do all Earth ships come with such a powerful artificial intelligence?”

“No,” said Jon.

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