Into the Terror (Rise of the Republic Book 8) by James Rosone & Miranda Watson

Author:James Rosone & Miranda Watson [Rosone, James & Watson, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Front Line Publishing Inc.
Published: 2023-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

First Blood

Task Force Five

RNS Vanguard

“Commodore, the task force is now underway—the ships are in position and following our lead,” Ensign Godley announced as the Vanguard approached the wormhole.

“Thank you, Ensign,” Dobbs replied before turning to look for Lieutenant Commander Dildine, who ran the ship’s combat information center. “CIC, we need the TAM operational when we cross into Sol. Get us a picture of our immediate surroundings and identify any potential threats. Then I need your team to see if the battlenet is still operational since the last time the Altairian scout ship tapped into it. If by some miracle the Zodarks still haven’t taken it down, see if you can establish comms with whatever Republic forces and facilities are still on the net. Particularly the facility at Titan. Then I need your people to assess the status of any Republic warships still in the system and what kind of hostile force remains.”

“Yes, Commodore. Do you want us to transmit the findings and our reports to the Berkimon once Admiral Pandolly’s fleet arrives in the system or run it past you first?” Commander Dildine tried to clarify.

Dobbs paused for a second as she thought about that. Part of her wanted to look it over before it was sent. What’s the point? It’s not like we can hide what’s happening… Looking back to CIC, she replied, “No, if they arrive in the system before I’ve had a chance to review it, go ahead and send it. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Dobbs nodded approvingly, then turned to her Flight Ops section of the bridge. “Commander Mitsu, that brings me to you. The moment we cross into Sol, I want our fighters scrambled ASAP. Get us a combat patrol up and running to protect the transports and make sure to send out some patrols with their suite of sensors active. We’ll let them act as pickets and screen for the Fleet until Pandolly’s fleet has finished crossing the bridge. Let’s also make sure to have our bombers ready to launch should we encounter any hostile ships in the vicinity.”

“Aye-aye, ma’am. Our fighters are armed and in the tubes—ready to launch the moment we exit. My counterpart on the Rheinland and I have already coordinated our scouts and squadron rotations for the combat patrols over the fleet. We got this, Commodore. You can count on us,” he confidently assured her.

“Now this is what I’m talking about, Mitsu! Out-freaking-standing taking the initiative like that!” she praised her fighter boss. During the last campaign, he had demonstrated how effective the Fleet’s new space wings could be when properly trained and led into battle.

She smiled a moment longer, observing how efficiently he’d trained the nonflight crews who aided in the operations that kept the fighters deployed and in good working order. Knowing he had things well under control, she turned to her tactical officer next, zeroing in on Commander Little. “TAO, the moment we’re across the bridge, I want our guns spun up and be ready to engage whatever we may encounter.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.