Adrift (The Lost Warship Book 1) by Daniel Gibbs

Author:Daniel Gibbs [Gibbs, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

Down in Marine country, Calvin stood inside a weapons storage area that doubled as a planning area. A holoprojector displayed real-time imaging of the terrorist compound, complete with infrared sensing and life-signs detection. Several others, including his senior enlisted Marine, Master Gunnery Sergeant Reuben Menahem, Taylor, and First Lieutenant Yoshino were grouped around it.

Dozens of Zeivlots had been detected around the area, which was in a remote and rugged area of mountains thousands of kilometers from major metropolitan areas.

Calvin stroked his chin. “You know, why is that regardless of whether it’s in the Milky Way or this new galaxy we’re in, whatever it’s called—”

“Sextans B, sir,” Menahem interjected with a chuckle.

“Yeah, that. Why is it that when insurgents or terrorists show up on the scene, they’re always hiding out in the middle of freaking nowhere?”

Amid a round of snickers, one of the Marines in the back yelled, “Because it’s easier to hide there, sir.”

Calvin grunted. “I’m counting thirty-plus hostiles. Anyone disagree?”

“A few of those could be hostages,” Yoshino said.

“Perhaps, Master Guns. But I’m only certain about two of them. That linguist with the tracker and our man Rodell.” Calvin gestured to a blinking gold dot. “Seeing as how there’s another life sign right next to the linguist, Bo’hai, my guess is the other life form there is going to be Rodell.”

“It would make things easier, for sure,” Menahem replied.

“It would be nice if we had access to tier-one equipment and especially those indirect fire drones,” Yoshino interjected.

Several Marines glanced at him.

Calvin replied, “Lieutenant, I’ll put my Force Recon company up against any space walker any day. We’ve got the firepower and the kinetic ability to get this done. You get me?”

Yoshino gulped. “No disrespect meant, Colonel.”

Calvin regarded him for a moment before nodding. “Very well. Master Guns, what do you think about a HALO insertion in power armor, four elements of sixteen Marines each? Two as a blocking force, and two to press the attack.”

“As long as they have overwatch and shuttles standing by, that sounds like a good plan to me, sir. No need to get fancy. We out-tech these guys so badly that it won’t be remotely fair.”

“If I plan a fair fight, I’m doing something wrong,” Calvin replied with a snort.

Laughter rippled across the room.

Taylor cleared his throat. “Don’t we have to assume that when the shooting starts, they’ll kill the hostages?”

“It’s a distinct possibility, Lieutenant.” Calvin pointed at what appeared to be a prisoner holding area at the back of one of the buildings, where Bo’hai’s transponder pinged. “Which is why getting there as fast as possible is our top priority.”

“Rodell’s a damn good officer, sir.” Taylor bit his lip. “He doesn’t deserve to get offed by some crackpot group of extremists from a different galaxy that believes they’re causing Armageddon to start.”

The group lapsed into silence, and most of them stared at the communications officer. Calvin sucked in a breath, first thinking of delivering a tongue-lashing then realizing he would feel the same way if it were one of his Marines.

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