Guns of the Valpian by Anthony James

Author:Anthony James [James, Anthony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Seconds ticked by.

“No sign of a launch yet,” said Duggan. “They still have us targeted.” He noticed that one of the gauges on his console had climbed several million percent from its initial low value. “Our energy shield is up.”

To his astonishment, there was no appreciable drain on any other part of the Valpian’s power output. He was sure Lieutenant Breeze would venture a few theories on the matter if he ever got the chance.

“I’ve got a comms channel through to the other warship,” said Red-Gulos at last. The tone of his voice through the language module was unchanged, adding to the impression that Ghasts were immune to the effects of stress.

“Is it the Zansturm?”

“Negative. This is the cruiser Soriol.”

“Find me the other warships, quickly,” said Duggan to Byers and McLeod. His words were wasted, since they already had their heads down in concentration.

Red-Gulos talked, his harsh, alien voice uttering a steady flow of words without apparent concern.

“We came in almost on top of the Soriol, sir,” said Byers. “It’s thirty thousand klicks to starboard.”

“Where are the other four?”

“I’ve located one,” said McLeod. “It’s half a million klicks in front of us. It was heading away, now it’s coming about and heading towards us. It’s a smaller ship – fifteen hundred metres. What’s that make it? A light cruiser?”

“That’s as good a term as any,” said Duggan.

He tapped into three of the Valpian’s sensor feeds. The outline of the Soriol was sharply-etched on one. It was smaller than the Valpian and to Duggan’s experienced eye, it looked much the older ship. They’re probably scared of us, he thought.

In the background was the Helius Blackstar, many millions of kilometres away. The Valpian’s sensors automatically outlined the area in a pastel shade of blue. Other than that, there was little of interest – just an empty area of space with nowhere to hide and nothing which could be used for advantage. Duggan felt as if he were standing outside the door to freedom, without having the ability to turn the handle and escape. Even if he knew how to get through, there was unfinished business to deal with first.

“They’re not happy,” said Red-Gulos.

“No kidding. What’s their main problem?”

“I don’t think they know, sir. The Valpian has been flagged as missing and they want to know why we’re here.”

Duggan could have laughed. To use missing as an excuse for a captured warship reeked of panic amongst those in charge. It bore all the hallmarks of trying to cover up a vast, incomprehensible failing. The people behind it would be desperate to buy sufficient time to get their alibis coordinated. Even now, there’d be some poor, unfortunate Dreamer being lined up to take the blame.

“The crew of the Soriol don’t want to fight us,” Duggan said. “I’m certain we’ve got the superior warship and I’m equally certain they’d far rather there was an innocent explanation that will save them from having to open fire.”

Red-Gulos grinned – it was a disconcerting sight. “Very well, I will provide them with an innocent explanation.

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