Retribution (The Federation Reborn Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

“What are they doing? Seriously, any ideas?”
    Captain Yu shook his head on his screen. “I don't know. But they are going slow as molasses in January trying to do it.”
    “But we can't overhaul with their lead—not before they get to the jump point.”
    “We're going to have to follow our duty. One last warning then a shot. Then we'll have to take out their engines. It's not like they are giving us any choice in the matter,” Captain Levinson growled.
    “Aye. You're going on record with the order?” Captain Yu asked.
    “I am,” Captain Levinson said grimly.
    “So be it,” Captain Yu replied over their link. “I just hope it's not some sort of panic and we're killing a bus load of kids or something,” he said.
    “It's on them; they should have stopped.”
    “Try telling the kids that.”
    “Hopefully, I won't have to,” the captain growled.
    :::{)(}:::
     
    “This is Descartes with a final warning. We are firing a warning shot. Should you not heave to after this shot, we will consider you hostile and fire for effect. You have two minutes upon receipt of this message to consider your options. Consider them wisely. We have no desire to harm you, but we will do our duty. Descartes out,” the comm message played out over the bridge speakers.
    The captain frowned at the open door. By now it was probably all over the ship she thought.
    A warning shot she thought. Well, she couldn't run, not and get away, so …
    “Missile trace! Missile inbound!” D'angelo reported when the clock reached the two-minute mark.
    “Well, they are punctual,” Oswald said dryly.
    “Shove it. Damn it …”
    “I've got the helm,” the captain growled. The two ratings turned to her, but she ignored them. She waited until the missile was in its final acquisition mode before she jinked. But she jinked inside it, not away.
    All hell broke loose as the missile's warhead sensed the proximity of its target and went off prematurely. The nuclear round tore Marengo's stern apart and kicked her like a bucking bronco.
    :::{)(}:::
     
    “What the hell just happened?” Troy demanded over the ship's laser link.
    “It looks like they moved into the missile. Damned if I know why,” Oscar replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
    “You better damn well hope they weren't civilians panicking, Oscar. You know your ass is grass for firing on her. If you killed them for no purpose …”
    “As you were, Lieutenant,” Oscar said, sitting up straight as he slapped his fellow ship captain down. “I made the call. I'd make it again if I had to. Now we've got to get aboard that ship and do what we can.”
    “Easier said than done,” Troy replied stiffly. They both watched their respective sensor feeds as their prey's small OMS engines spurted in an aborted attempt to right her before they failed. Her running lights and sensors went dark a moment later.
    “Debris cloud behind the target. It looks like the hit tore her engine and stern apart,” R'll reported.
    “We'll have to um, arrange an um, boarding party. Yes,” Oscar said nodding. “We'll draw them from both ships. Descartes will carry them over to dock.”
    “Understood,” Captain Yu replied with a nod. “I'll get my people. Who will be ranking officer?”
    “I'll send Vlad. He's good.”
    “And since he's your engineer, he can make a quick assessment of the damage. Gotcha,” Captain Yu replied. “We've got a few hours before we can link up with them. I'm moving Loch in to transfer my people to you now.”
    “Right,” Captain Levinson replied crisply. He looked around the bridge compartment. “Look alive people, we're going to be a bit crowded for a bit. Lieutenant Contenov, you are in charge of the boarding party,” he ordered over the PA.
    “I'm on it. We're loading up on rescue equipment and med packs now,” the engineer replied, also over the PA.
    “While you are at it, stop by the ship's armory and arm yourselves. There is no telling what's going on over there,”