Star Wars The New Jedi Order - Dark Journey - Book 10 by Greg Keyes

Author:Greg Keyes
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-05-16T11:03:28+00:00

squadron is preparing to make the jump to Gallinore. By all reports, this world is rich in unusual plant and animal life, just the sort of planet likely to draw the Yuuzhan Vong's interest."

As far as Kyp could tell, the invaders were not particularly discriminating. Ithor had been a forested paradise, and they'd burned it to ash and rock. Duro, on the other hand, was a foul slag heap. That planet they chose to rebuild.

It occurred to him to wonder how the Yuuzhan Vong might transform Coruscant. He decided he didn't want to know.

"Setting coordinates," he said, reaching for the controls that would relay this request to Zero-One.

"Belay that," Jag told him. "The others will go ahead with Shawnkyr. We two will stay behind to practice maneuvers."

An amused beep came from the astromech droid, but Kyp was too astounded to respond. Practice maneuvers? Exactly who and what did this kid think he was, and more important, to whom should Kyp send his body?

"Vanguard Three?" the commander prompted.

"Acknowledged," Kyp said through gritted teeth.

He watched the other four ships disappear into the blackness of hyperspace. Six ships total, half the number he himself had commanded, and all of them reduced to skulking around the Hapes Cluster watching for signs of an invasion that, in Kyp's opinion, was a foregone conclusion.

"You think our efforts here are wasted," Jag observed.

"Let's just say that I'm accustomed to a more proactive approach. Hello," he said abruptly, glancing down at flashing sensors. "What have we got, Zero-One?"

SEVEN SMALL CRAFT. ALL ARE ARMING WEAPONS.

"Looks like today was worth waking up for after all.

Let's strike up an acquaintance." Without bothering to defer to his "commander," Kyp accelerated and swept toward the small fleet.

As he neared, he made out the distinctive wasp shape of the ships, the single dark viewport that from the side resembled an insect's eye. The triangular wings were folded down close to the crescent hull for sublight flight, lowered from the upright V they assumed in atmosphere. In either flying condition, these ships could be deadly foes.

"Hornet Interceptors," Jag observed. "Quite likely the same fighters that scattered when we approached Lieutenant Solo's captured pirate ship."

A sardonic smile tugged at one corner of Kyp's mouth, and his irritation changed to interest. Of course they were the same ships-the Hornets weren't equipped with hyperdrives, and their base ship was sitting on the Hapan docks with a two-meter hole burned into its hull.

It would appeal that the starched and polished Chiss commander had brought him out on a hunting expedition. This had possibilities.

A bolt of greenish light streaked toward Kyp. He dodged the missile and returned fire.

The agile Hornet rolled aside and came back with a second attack. Two more ships circled around behind Kyp as he and his first opponent dipped and spun in a deadly dance. He grimaced as a laser bolt exploded against his shields.

Even with the Force guiding him, Kyp was hard-pressed to match several faster, more agile ships. "Zero-One, get a lock on the forward ship's maneuvering jet.

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