Escape 2: Fight the Aliens Read Online Free PDF Page A

relaxed. “But Collector ship crews are not used to coping with combat trained folks. Our boarders can taser zap the crew folks and put them into the Containment Unit cells meant for slaves. The lasers and ball bombs from our armory can be used against robots that might attack them. XO MacCarthy will cover all this in the training regime for our boarders. Which needs to start soon. We are one hour closer to Collector ship arrival.”
    Poindexter licked her lips. “Quite true. Does anyone here have an objection to Captain Yamaguchi’s plan for defending Earth and America?”
    McAuley gave her a thumbs-up. The Marine commandant, the Army general, the National Guard general, and the Vice Chair admiral all nodded agreement. But the Chief of Naval Operations raised a hand.
    “General Poindexter, I have an amendment to Captain Yamaguchi’s daring plan to capture the enemy ships. May I share my thoughts?”
    The black woman looked curious. “What is your amendment?”
    Vice Admiral Richardson looked at Poindexter. “In Stage One, Captain Yamaguchi’s forces will be outgunned at six ships against three. How about if we give her two more armed spaceships?”
    “What?” growled McAuley. “We have no armed spaceships to give this woman!”
    Richardson smiled. “My submarines are air-tight and quite capable of working in airless space. With spare oxygen tanks loaded on board, they can spend days in space. I propose loaning Captain Yamaguchi the boomer USS Louisiana and the fast-attack sub USS Minnesota . The boomer is loaded with Trident II D5 missiles while the water torps and Tomahawks on the Minnesota will be replaced with Harpoons, ASROC anti-ship missiles and SUBROC nuclear depth charges from our thermonuke inventories.” The CNO looked to Jane. “Captain Yamaguchi, would the presence of these two subs improve your attack profile?”
    Jane’s relaxed look changed to thoughtfulness. “They would, so long as their captains accept my orders. But your subs have no space propulsion ability. Correct?”
    “Correct,” Richardson said. “But if your Blue Sky can lift them into orbit, they could serve as orbiting forts loaded with thermonukes!”
    Jane smiled. “I have a better idea. How about if I give your subs the ability to move through space using Magfield spacedrives? Like those on Blue Sky and the transports?”
    Richardson looked shocked. As did Poindexter and the other JCS chiefs. McAuley frowned. “Captain Yamaguchi, I do not recall you mentioning the presence of extra spacedrives on your ship.”
    Jane folded hands on the lap of her blue jumpsuit. Her eyes sparkled. “This ship has some secrets we have yet to share. Most important, we have two spare Magfield spacedrives stored in our Transport Exit Chamber. When the Megun repaired the Blue Sky’s dead Magfield engine, and repaired our two transports, they offered me backup Magfield engines. In case of future combat damage. Of course I said yes.”
    Richardson grinned. “Outstanding! Can you transport those two drives to Naval Station Norfolk at Hampton Roads? Both subs are there for refueling and rearming. I can move them to combat status and have all personnel pulled in from shore leave.”
    “I can. I will also send along some gravity plates so your sailors will feel normal Earth gravity while in space,” Jane said, looking to Bill. “XO MacCarthy will go to Denver aboard the transport Tall Trees with pilot Builder of Joy, while pilot Learned Escape will bring the Magfield drives and grav plates to Virginia aboard the transport Talking Skin . As you may have noticed, Learned and Bright Sparkle wear shorts. I suspect a human-like Alien will be easier for your sub crews to relate to.”
    Richardson nodded quickly. “That is thoughtful of you. Uh, regarding the Magfield drives, how will they be fitted to each sub? And what kind of controls can you provide our CIC people?”
    Jane sighed, as if the stress of the JCS confab was finally getting to her.