Tommy Thorn Marked by D. E. Kinney

Author:D. E. Kinney
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

Admiral Kada had stood to get a better look at the destruction being displayed in the area around the projected globe, when his hatch chime sounded.

“Enter.”

Kada’s aide rushed in, breathless. “Sir, their guns.” He took a moment, putting his hand to his chest. “The planetary batteries…”

The Imperial admiral did not look at Colonel Franza, but instead continued to stare at the nightmarish scene unfolding on the slowly rotating holographic display.

“We must withdraw the fleet, sir!” Franza continued.

Kada stared, unblinking, and said nothing.

“Sir,” Franza pleaded.

Suddenly the admiral regained a measure of alertness. “Wait for all transport barges to get underway, then rally the fleet.”

“But sir, without the gunners—“

“We’ll support the landings with Firestorms and fighters!”

“But, sir—”

The admiral cut the colonel short, putting a long bony finger against his aide’s chest. “Listen to me, Colonel.” Kada then turned and waved his hand at the projected flashes of light coming from dozens of locations on the planet. “These guns are too slow to target the fighters. I have already ordered the barges to press on to their assigned landing sites—now get my fighters launched!”

Franza straightened and waited for a couple heartbeats before unconsciously smoothing out his uniform jacket. “Admiral…the fighter launch will be delayed until all of the barges are underway. We haven’t neutralized their shielding, and with their underground—“

The admiral’s large pale head began to turn a shade of purple, with tiny veins appearing around his temples. “The Corps will open up the shields with disrupters, Colonel—it’s the only way to get to those damn guns. And when we do, I will flatten their cities. They will kneel before me, Colonel Franza,” Kada said while clenching his fist in uncontrolled rage.

The colonel raised a hand, began to say something, then thought better of it.

“I will have this wretched planet, Colonel, if I have to lose half our squadrons and dozens of gunners. I will have this victory!”

Colonel Franza bowed his head slightly, turned smartly, and moved out of the ready room, only to pause by the closed hatch. Muffled sounds of explosions, coming from the admiral’s tactical projection, filled the hallway. This is madness, he thought before shaking his head and moving hurriedly down the corridor.

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