Wolf Squadron: A Military Sci-Fi Series (Darkspace Renegade Book 2) by G J Ogden

Author:G J Ogden [Ogden, G J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2020-11-09T16:00:00+00:00

15

Alerts blared out inside the cockpit of Dakota’s fighter as she weaved the agile vessel between the enormous industrial structures of Palean Factory District Alpha Six. Three enforcer patrol ships were hot in pursuit, each of them vying to get a weapons lock.

“I appreciate the demonstration of your piloting abilities,” shouted Dr. Rand as Dakota laced between two factories, both of which were spewing dark smoke into the air. “But why have we not climbed into orbit?”

Dakota banked hard right and cut through a plume of smoke before dipping underneath a long tunnel of raw materials conveyors. “We have to clear the factory district first,” Dakota answered, her voice taut and stilted. “The whole area is surrounded with anti-ship defenses, including orbital batteries.” Climbing sharply to avoid a collision with a massive ground transport, Dakota then ducked underneath an aqueduct carrying effluent from the many factories to the densely polluted sea shore, three hundred miles away. “They are designed to deter pirates and smugglers from trying to raid the factories, and also take out incoming meteors, which this rotten planet gets hit by all the time.”

Hallam glanced up as Dakota continued to weave through the dense forest of factory buildings, keeping below the thick smog blanket caused by the hundreds of billowing chimneys. The covering of black cloud was so dense that the bright Palean sun could barely penetrate through.

“Doyle’s reward must be good for us to attract this much attention,” Hallam said, as Dakota began to follow the railroad tracks that would eventually lead to one of the main cargo docks on the outskirts of the district.

“A cool one million,” said Dr. Rand, who was enduring the high-speed maneuvers with far more composure than Hallam had expected. Then he remembered Dr. Rand’s earlier career as an expeditionary pilot and leader, and realized she’d probably been in more perilous situations than this one. “Dead or alive…” Dr. Rand then added with a more forbidding tenor.

Hallam scowled and closed his eyes, trying to shut out the commotion all around him and think. If the reward was “dead or alive,” then they’d be taken out as soon as they exited the factory district. It was only the risk of their fighter plummeting into a factory and causing many more millions of dollars’ worth of damage that was preventing the enforcers from opening fire now. At least half of the factories were owned by Doyle’s Consortium, and the Paleans knew better than to risk incurring the multi-trillionaire’s vengeful wrath. Yet he also knew they couldn’t just fly around in circles forever.

“Like it or not, we’re going to have to shoot our way out of this one, Hal,” said Dakota, oblivious to Hallam’s contemplations. “We’ll be clear of the factory district in less than a minute, and then it’s us or them.”

Hallam opened his eyes and glanced across to Dr. Rand, who was looking back at him quizzically. “We can’t start blowing up these enforcer ships,” said Hallam, “It will just confirm to everyone that the Darkspace Renegades are terrorists.

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