Star Empires: A Military Space Opera by Justin Sloan

Author:Justin Sloan [Sloan, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative
Publisher: Elder Tree Press
Published: 2021-05-24T22:00:00+00:00

14

Pfeiffer, Moon Base

Pfeiffer turned her back to the team, watching as they continued their trajectory to the moon base outside of Cinder. She had no idea if this was the right choice, but in moments of doubt, she followed orders. Others on the ship had made it this far by not always doing so, but her experience had been that there were enough smart people behind those orders to get the job done—who was she to question them? Then again, there were moments when someone would have special information that would affect said orders, and in this case, Matran’s might have qualified. It was only the Apophian presence that threw her off. His cold stare, the hopelessness in those eyes. She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she allowed this being to lead her into a trap.

They hadn’t flown far, however, when the first BRRRT of attacks hit, and several dark ships blotted out stars as they flew past.

“Kubla,” she said, knowing it without a doubt. The knowledge, she realized with a confused glance back at Matran, had come from it.

“Everyone strap in,” the pilot called out. “Beginning counter-attack and evasive maneuvers.”

The ship moved through space as best it could, slowly maneuvering with thrusters and sending return fire. Pfeiffer watched it all unfold with a hint of annoyance, preferring the intense action of the on-planet battles.

Still, they managed to take down two of the Kubla ships, and soon landed on the moon.

Another group of gleaming Kubla ships rose in their path. Pfeiffer braced herself, only to see the ships blasted apart from behind.

“Good to see you’re keeping up,” Seena’s voice came through the comms. “Corbin’s already on this moon’s surface, reporting back about the internal base operations.”

“Thanks for the update,” Pfeiffer said, then patted the pilot on the shoulder and said, “Get us down there so we don’t miss all the action.”

“I’ll see if I can patch you in,” Seena said. “You might want to hear whatever update Corbin has.”

It took a second, during which Pfeiffer turned back to Matran to see how it was holding up. The Apophian gave her a nod, while Matran sent a comforting sensation. Strange, how it could do that.

“Corbin,” Seena’s voice came through. “I have Earth Command on the line, out from Krastian. Colonel Pfeiffer, go ahead.”

“Good to meet you, Corbin,” Pfeiffer said. “Hopefully that will be in person sooner than later.”

“Agreed. It’s hot in here, so here’s the deal—the Colossus has me worried. It’ll gain power until it’s unstoppable. We can’t let it tear a swath of destruction across the universe, as it’ll undoubtedly do if left unchecked.”

“The golems were coming back as fast as we cut them down on Vale,” Seena added. “And much of it points to this moon.”

“Thing is…” Corbin took a moment, sounds of fighting clear in the background. “I think I might be able to take the Colossus’s power in a similar fashion to how Seena and I share our power to grow faster, but it’s really risky…”

“And will likely kill you,” Seena cut in.

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