The Laboratory Omnibus 2 by Skyler Grant

Author:Skyler Grant [Grant, Skyler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-10T22:00:00+00:00

46

With the destruction of the Dawnbringer and no word from the alien craft in orbit I had to assume that I wasn't getting any more information on our adversaries. This put me in a difficult position.

I could get another strike force into orbit and really, I had time. Vinci wasn't massing a real strike against the shell-ships yet and I could guess why. It was exactly what had allowed me time to act against her. It took time for Vinci to build a swarm and, after my assault, and then the alien attack, the forces at her disposal had been vastly reduced.

With the destruction of so many of her mining facilities and factories, manufacturing this swarm would be even slower than the last. Instead of four days it could be a week or more. Until then she was working on keeping the Venusians contained, but not pressing a full assault.

It wasn't enough time for me to fully bring my space forces online, although it was enough for me to convert some craft to work even higher in the atmosphere. The next generation of Juggernauts might not be space-ready, just a long step in that direction.

To do so would also require me rethinking my defense strategy. Against the Venusian weapons my Bio-armor and shields were proving ineffective. There were options though, such as a supercharger on the shield emitters. Up until now I hadn't even considered it, the drawbacks were too many. With massive excess power into the shields I could get roughly ninety seconds of vastly increased power, then the systems would be largely destroyed and require the time-consuming replacement of some key components.

In a traditional battle it was a poor trade to make. With the Venusian’s strategy of throwing everything they had early in a fight it was worth at least giving my units the option.

Miranda and Mechos were still busy trying to convince the hologram of Vattier to spill whatever secrets he held, and they seemed to be making some progress. There was no point in disturbing them. Instead, I hopped inside the skin of one of the Annas, Nagana, and teleported to the Warmonger facility.

Vinci still hadn’t restored the shields so I was able to teleport directly inside to the hall where Flower had last been encountered. There was no sign of her, although as soon as Nagana appeared a booming voice echoed out.

"THE INFERIOR ONE RETURNS FOR ANOTHER CHALLENGE. AN EPIC DUEL OF MINDS AND BLADES. AN ULTIMATE STRUGGLE FOR DOMINANCE THAT WILL HAVE BUT A SINGLE VICTOR AND A THOUSAND LOSERS."

"I have the ability to insult others without screaming, I've already won the battle for superiority and dominance. I'd like to speak with your saner half," I said.

"SCREAMING IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO MAKE YOUR POINT! IN LOUDNESS IS VICTORY. IN VOLUME STRENGTH."

Flower didn't step out to meet me. I picked up a locater signal from elsewhere in the facility and followed it.

It was a hydroponics bay. When I was an underground lair I'd had one myself, although this one was growing roses instead of food.

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