Howls From the Deep by K.J. Coble

Author:K.J. Coble
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Space Fleet, Galactic Empires, space opera, Space Colonization, military science fiction
Publisher: Haymore House Publishing
Published: 2024-03-15T06:00:00+00:00

“BROTHER-CAPTAIN,” KEITEL called from Tactical, “they’re breaking off. They’re heading back to the cripple.”

Heath nodded, watching the retreat of Tenacity’s icon on the main screen. He glanced over at Mueller, blurred by the haze of smoke leaking onto the bridge. “Damage report?”

“Aft shields down to thirty percent, but recovering,” the First Officer replied. “Starboard shields are gone. We can compensate with the other quarters, but the generators are destroyed.” His voice tightened. “Hull breach on Q Deck.”

A trickle of fear cascaded through Heath’s core. “The Mistress?” Had anything happened to Her, certainly he would have noticed. And the Cradle was reinforced against internal damage. But...

“Interior decks intact,” Mueller reported after a pause. Bluey holographic light highlighted a flinch across his face. “Crew casualties reported.”

“Engineering?”

“Minor fluctuations in the starboard Drive, but otherwise intact.”

“Get those shields sorted out,” Heath ordered and glowered at the tactical display. “We’re not through with Tenacity, yet.”

“She still outguns us in energy weapons,” Keitel pointed out, “and we’re down to two Death Web volleys.”

Heath nodded and ran a hand across his sweat-tacky brow. The fingertips came away gray-black with aerosolized soot that had settled upon him. A glance at the still-sizzling conduit reminded him of the explosion that had gotten through to the bridge. Squaring his jaw, he asked, “Where is our ‘ally’?”

“Here, sir.” Mueller turned from the Systems station and pointed as the tactical display on the main screen zoomed out into a local map to show the positions of the three ships and the Entity. “Still hours out from the Hood.” A faint halo drew itself around the gaseous being, moved with it at a constant of about one light minute. “Even damaged, Tenacity can easily stay out of its area of effect.”

“She could, if she could abandon the other ship.” Heath turned and smiled over his shoulder at Harlander, standing to aft—useless, except as a reminder of the Mistress’ authority. “But she can’t,” Heath went on. “Raker’s people are still aboard.”

Harlander’s inscrutable expression smoothed into understanding. “He’s trapped between bad choices.”

Heath nodded eagerly and pivoted back to the fore. “Helm, course change! Bring us around to starboard and circle Hood at seven light minutes.” He paused for the younger man to comply, then looked to the Comm station. “Smythe, hailing frequencies.”

“Sir?”

“On the open,” Heath insisted with a burgeoning grin. “Contact Tenacity.”

The shock of the rest of the crew was palpable in the air, one of them even gasping quietly. Harlander was suddenly at Heath’s side, his voice at his ear. “What are you doing?”

Heath grinned over his shoulder at the man. He didn’t need the Magus’ approval; he could feel the dark swelling of the Mistress’ in his mind. “Making certain Raker knows just how bad his options are.”

“Tenacity is responding, sir,” Smythe announced. “Channel ready.”

Heath stood and tugged his black tunic straight, stiffened his spine, and added defiance to his smile. “On screen.”

The center of the main screen resolved into a globular of the bridge of Tenacity and her captain. Raker looked just

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