Hero’s Shadow (Heroes of Britannia Book 2) by Fred Hughes

Author:Fred Hughes [Hughes, Fred]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theogony Books
Published: 2024-12-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11: Return of the Bears

Zenkarr System

Empire Date: November 1047

“We lost 4,677 needle ships,” Julie read the translated message as it scrolled under the image of War Chief Loud Grumbler on the wall mounted display.

It had been two days since the fighting around Phiuq, the Zenkarr System’s fourth planet, and the fleet had just passed into hyper-capable space. Julie was meeting with her senior commanders. Loud Grumbler, Lieutenant Colonel Hansen, and Dorothy Evers were attending the meeting virtually, while Sydney Gould, Julie’s chief of staff, and Ambassador Scott Conners sat on either side of her desk.

“Even though your losses were relatively light—at least compared to the number of needles involved—they need to be replaced,” Syd stated. “Problem is, they have to come all the way from Pegasus. Any suggestions for how to get them here?”

“Can we cram them into a supply dreadnought and have them delivered?” Dorothy asked.

Loud Grumbler issued a series of clicks and chirps, which the computer translated, and her response scrolled across the bottom of the display. That would solve the issue of replacing the lost ships, but I need replacement warriors, as well. Your supply dreadnought can’t transport them.

“And that leads me to ask a totally different question,” Julie stated. “Why are The People’s support ships still in the Pegasus System? It’s been a year since we based The People’s warships in that system.”

I argued against bringing them forward, Loud Grumbler said. I felt the various support ships and the home ship would be too vulnerable in the Sol System.

When Scott Conners brought the first Swarm force to support Hazard King’s Earth expedition, it had contained two manufacturing ships to build replacement attack ships, a fueling ship, and a world ship that housed and bred additional warriors.

“Would you be comfortable with them in the Sol System now?” Julie asked.

While there are always risks, I believe it is safe enough for them to move forward to the Sol System. As for how to bring the reinforcements forward, I can distribute the needles of ten warships to bring the remaining ships up to a full loadout and send them to Pegasus empty. Of course, they’d have to be towed by Imperial warships.

“Syd?” Julie looked at her chief of staff.

“We could use one of the supercruiser squadrons, but I hate to weaken us that much,” the chief of staff said. “But you’re right, Admiral, we need to make good those losses.”

“What about the 40th Cruiser Squadron in orbit around Earth?” Dorothy Evers said. “Originally, they were to provide orbital support for the Marines, but with the Mordorian evacuation in progress, Major General Roberts doesn’t really need them any longer.”

“It will delay the reinforcements, but using them is a much better solution,” Rear Admiral Gould said.

The 40th Cruiser Squadron consisted of non-improved ships, meaning none of them had centerline railguns. They’d originally brought the two monitor-type ships that were now the space stations supporting the Njord and Baldor Systems. When he’d been in command, Hazard had brought them forward to support moving Swarm ships.

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