Echoes in the Deep (Peacemaker Wars Book 2) by J.N. Chaney & Terry Maggert

Author:J.N. Chaney & Terry Maggert [Chaney, J.N. & Maggert, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2024-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

20

Mark and Valint walked from the underground bunker, but they were practically running by the time they got outside. The turbines spooled, and the ship rose into the air as soon as their boots hit the decking inside.

“Hold onto something,” Netty said before they had reached the cockpit.

The Fafnir tilted to port, all but throwing Mark to the side. Thrusters roared and he felt the ship accelerate forward. They fought their way into the cockpit and their seats, and he pulled on his harnesses along the way.

“We were painted with active targeting lasers. I believe Mr. Malta surmised the true purpose of our visit. Either that, or he doesn’t like it when visitors leave under full burn,” Perry said.

“I might have left a thirty-foot-long scorch mark in his grass. Sorry, Mark.”

“Don’t apologize, Netty,” Mark told her. “What sane person puts grass right next to a landing pad? I’ll answer for you. No one.”

The Fafnir jumped and then dove as Netty brought the nose down. They dropped, bleeding altitude with frightening speed, until the ship was screaming along at barely 300 feet off the ground.

“What’s the plan? Have they launched?”

“No launches. But if we had taken off and immediately gone for altitude, they would have easily blown us out of the sky. His weapon system uses active targeting lasers and radar. If we can stay low enough, then the buildings and terrain should negate both.”

“Good…thinking,” Valint grunted as the ship veered left, then right again.

They left the industrial sector behind, once again soaring out over the open fields and sprawling estates. Mark’s knuckles went white on the armrests as the Fafnir sank beneath them, signaling a loss of even more altitude.

The overlay updated as the exterior sensors picked up dozens of additional laser and radar sources as the seemingly placid countryside came alive with the signatures of hidden weapon systems. The altimeter ticked down to 200 feet, then under, and the belly thrusters fired loudly below.

“Are these all his weapons?” Valint asked.

“Likely,” Perry said, flipping between screens. “Considering the data I pulled out of his console, we can’t view him as a singular entity. More like them. We don’t have a name for them yet, but they have influence and power.”

“Fantastic. Truly uplifting news,” Mark said, sighing. His nerves were raw, but at least they weren’t being pummeled like his stomach as Netty explored the Fafnir’s limits in low atmosphere.

“I’ll continue to dig and tell you more if we survive and make it out of this soup,” Netty said.

“Good,” Mark said. “Something besides relief from the gut-crushing, sphincter-puckering sensation of low-altitude, high-speed maneuvering to look forward to.”

“You make it sound like you didn’t get your fill on Fulcrum,” Perry added.

“Maybe one of these times we won’t be running with our tails between our legs.”

“We need teeth, Mark. Sharp teeth.”

The mountains appeared like a gray haze ahead, before quickly growing in height and gaining substance. Netty rolled them left and right, following the rocky valleys leading up to the sheer cliffs. Mark’s hands grew tighter on the armrests until his forearms ached.

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